Chapter 119

中乡魁宝玉却尘缘

沐皇恩贾家延世泽

Baoyu explains his remarks before Oriole leaves. The day of the examinations arrives; Baochai is concerned by Baoyu’s hasty and unconvincing conversion, while Lady Wang is concerned as it will be the first time the boys have been away without her. Baochai finds their parting conversation ominous and Baoyu’s behaviour strange – he acts like he is leaving forever. He is rushed out, giggling, while the ladies weep.

Huan and Lady Xing discuss Qiaojie; all is settled, and she is to leave with no ceremony after Yun sends her horoscope to the prince. A maid overhears and rushes to tell Patience. Qiaojie is disconsolate. A messenger arrives from Lady Xing telling her to prepare; Lady Wang comforts her, and is furious to hear of Huan’s involvement. Grannie Liu is announced; Patience persuades Lady Wang to see her. She is told the whole story since Xifeng’s death. She is aghast, and suggests hiding Qiaojie in her village. Lady Wang consents after hearing Patience and Qiaojie’s entreaties. They act quickly and silently, before Yun returns with the signed contract; Qiaojie is dressed as Qinger, and she and Patience slip into a carriage with Grannie Liu. The sentries, who disapprove of Lady Xing’s plan, are on their side. Lady Wang is still apprehensive; Baochai tells her to act normal, and she will find someone to tell Lady Xing. The Mongol prince, meanwhile, is dismayed to hear that the proposed girl is from the respected Jia family, and shuts down the deal before Yun arrives. Huan is furious. Lady Wang tells them that Patience and Qiaojie have killed themselves and she wants the bodies back. Huan, Yun and Lady Xing are left to blame each other. They interrogate the sentries, who deny all knowledge, complaining about having not been paid while Yun and Huan gamble. They are unable to unearth anything.

The day that the examinations finish, Lan arrives late in the evening without Baoyu. Lan explains that Baoyu finished his exam early and got lost in the crowd outside. All weep and a search party is sent; Baochai, Xichun and Aroma guess that the monk is involved. Tanchun visits a few days later, offering some comfort, although she is upset by recent events. News arrives that Baoyu was placed seventh in the exam, and Lan has passed too as 130th; Baochai and Lady Wang feign delight. Tealeaf briefly cheers them by suggesting that he must be found now that he’s passed, but Xichun and Tanchun are more circumspect, thinking he may have become a monk, and that it was fate. Aroma faints with grief. Lan is summoned by the Emperor, who enjoyed his composition, and explains Baoyu’s disappearance. He also finds that Zhen Baoyu has passed too. The Emperor orders a memorial, and declares an amnesty that saves Pan, and later pardons Zhen and She and returns the confiscated property, all thanks to Baoyu’s poem. He also orders all the garrisons to make a full search for him.

Qiaojie is the toast of her new village; Grannie Liu proposes a match between her and the son of the richest local family. She sends Baner to Rongguo, and he returns with news of the family’s rehabilitation and a letter from Lian inviting Qiaojie home. Qinger and Patience go with her. It is an emotional return; Lian, who is also newly returned, is furious with Yun’s co-conspirators; Lady Xing is ashamed. Aroma is suddenly taken ill.