Chapter 120

甄士隐详说太虚情

贾雨村归结红楼梦

Aroma has had a seizure; the doctor prescribes some medicine for her. Seeing the monk in a vision before her, she realises what has happened to Baoyu. Recalling him, she is upset to think of the dilemma of her position in the household without him.

Zheng, having received news from Rongguo, is pressing home. Moored at Piling in the snow, he sees a monk appear in his doorframe and recognises him as Baoyu; the monk kowtows and is taken away by another monk and a Daoist, singing. Zheng runs after, in vain. He returns to his boat and explains what has happened, refusing to mount a search – he recognised the Daoist and other monk and at last understands that Baoyu is a being from a higher realm. He puts this in a letter to Rongguo.

Aunt Xue and Ke have raised enough money to free Pan under the amnesty. Pan agrees to marry Caltrop. He greets the Jias when Zheng’s letter is read out; all weep, but are consoled by Zheng’s advice not to grieve, as it is his destiny. Lady Wang explains that her grief is mostly on behalf of the pregnant Baochai – Aunt Xue reassures her and Baochai, in turn, is stoic and reasonable. They discuss Aroma’s status dilemma; they must tactfully arrange a match for her.

Zheng, Zhen and She have also returned, and resolve to maintain higher standards of life. Zheng is summoned for an audience with the Emperor, who asks after Baoyu and confers a title upon him. Zheng agrees to Qiaojie’s marriage; Aroma’s sister in law arrives with news that they have found a match for her, which is also approved. Aroma is inconsolable at having to leave, but while she offers no resistance, she is resolved to kill herself. Gradually she is won over by her new home and husband, who turns out to be the actor Jiang Yuhan. He recognises her crimson cummerbund and realises who she is, giving her the courage to open her heart to him.

Jia Yucun, also free, returns to the dilapidated temple and once again recognises Zhen Shiyin, who invites him to his hermitage. They speak about Baoyu; Shiyin has known about his destiny for years. The Stone departed the world when Baoyu and Daiyu were separated and, its worldly karma complete, it demonstrated academic distinction and left an heir behind before Impervioso and Mysterioso take it back. He also tries to explain why Baoyu was blinded by earthly passion before achieving enlightenment, but Yucun cannot understand his words, and why the ladies came to undistinguished ends. Now that virtue reigns in Ningguo and Rongguo, prosperity will follow, led by Jia Lan and Baoyu’s son Jia Gui 贾桂. Shiyin leaves – his daughter Yinglian is about to give birth to Pan’s child, and will die; he escorts her to the Fairy Disenchantment. He passes the monk and the Daoist, who are travelling to Greensickness Peak where they deposit the stone. Vanitas passes it again one day, and noticed a new section has been added, tying up various loose ends in the plot. He copies it down and enters the world of men, but cannot find anyone to publish it. Eventually he finds Yucun sleeping at the dilapidated temple. Yucun reads it and, agreeing that contains no errors, tells him to see Cao Xueqin. After many generations, he does so and Cao agrees to publish it, considering it a fine diversion.

Chapter 114

王熙凤历幻返金陵

甄应嘉蒙恩还玉阙

Baoyu and Baochai are woken with the news of Xifeng’s illness. She has demanded a boat, babbling about going to Jinling. Baoyu regrets to Aroma that he has forgotten what was written in the Register, whereas Baochai notes her previous correct interpretation of the oracle, but chides Baoyu for valuing such fortune telling. She goes on to fill him in on Xiuyan and Ke’s low key wedding, and that they are planning on moving away with Aunt Xue for financial reasons. News arrives of Xifeng’s death and they join the grieving throng. Her brother, Wang Ren, soon complains to Lian and Qiaojie about the apparent makeshift funeral arrangement; Qiaojie explains how little money they have left, and cries when he accuses her of hoarding it. Patience, meanwhile, is concerned that Lian will make himself ill with the funeral arrangements, and offers him some of possessions saved from the raid. He accepts gratefully; Autumn resents his favour for her, and he in turn vents his frustration on Autumn.

Zheng is talking to his last remaining literary friend about the family’s decline. He recommends a thorough investigation of the staff, but Zheng doesn’t feel he can trust anyone, and refuses to borrow money from his servants. His friend has particular concern for the true ownership of some of the Jia’s property. Zhen Yingjia is announced; he has been restored to his hereditary title and has been summoned by the Emperor. He explains to Zheng that he has been sent to the south coast following a spate of piracy; Zheng notes that Tanchun’s father in law is the local commander, so he asks him to deliver a letter to her for him. In return, Zheng agrees to offer counsel to Yingjia’s son Baoyu. Lian and Baoyu escort him out; he is taken aback by Baoyu’s similarity to his own son, and plies him affably with questions before leaving. Baoyu tells Baochai about his meeting with Yingjia and his supposed resemblance, and wishes to look at Zhen Baoyu should he visit. Baochai rebukes him for this.

Chapter 103

施毒计金桂自焚身

昧真禅雨村空遇旧

Lady Wang and Lian agree that it is better for Zheng – he is not suited to a provincial post, and is being exploited by all his subordinates. A distressed old woman enters from the Xues – Jingui is dead. Lian is sent to investigate, and Aunt Xue explains how she appeared to die from poisoning after Moonbeam made soup for her and Caltrop; both maids blame the other, and have been locked together. Baochai arrives and they discuss the situation, deciding to bind both maids. Jingui’s mother and adopted brother San, who she was trying to seduce, arrive at the Xues while Lian goes to enlist support at the Board of Punishment. Jingui’s ill bred mother starts abusing and slandering Aunt Xue; Zhou Rui’s wife intervenes and Xia San joins in. Lian arrives, stopping the fight, and Jingui’s mother goes in to see her body. She lunges at Caltrop, but when Moonbeam reveals that Jingui had been taking her jewellery home, the Jias accuse Jingui’s mother of being a thief. She turns on Moonbeam, who in turn asks that Caltrop is released – she explains that she had switched the bowls for Caltrop and Jingui round, and that Jingui must have been planning to poison Caltrop. The story is plausible, and Caltrop is released. With the Xias under suspicion, they are forced to request for the inquest to be dispensed with.

Jia Yucun is conducting a rural tax collection, when he encounters a Daoist in a dilapidated temple; he feels a strange familiarity. The monk’s propensity for puns and references leads him Yucun to recognise him as Zhen Shiyin; however, he does not show any reciprocal recognition, and a reluctant Yucun moves on. Reaching a ferry, he turns and sees someone running towards him.

Chapter 100

破好事香菱结深恨

悲远嫁宝玉感离情

Li Shi rushes in to see Zheng after his meeting with the Viceroy; it transpires that the meeting was because Viceroy is related to Tanchun’s suitor, and Li Shi rejoices. Zheng sends a servant home to enquire after the Xue Pan affair (he is not implicated) and to ask Tanchun to join him.

Aunt Xue’s bribes are in vain; she is distraught to hear that Pan is to be executed by strangulation. Baochai tries to comfort her despite her own distress; fate was against them. Aunt Xue explains that the family businesses have been ruined, but Baochai encourages her not to worry. Jingui enters fleetingly, hysterical, and scaring Baoqin.

Jingui continues trying to seduce Ke; his lack of interest encourages her further and his favour for Caltrop makes her jealous. Moonbeam and Jingui find him drunk one evening, having had their wine spurned by him; just as Jingui escalates her seduction, Caltrop arrives and Ke escapes; Jingui’s resentment of her now festers.

Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia discuss Tanchun’s suitor, who they haven’t met. Lady Jia is concerned about the distances involved, but they haven’t seen Yingchun, who married locally and is suffering greatly, either. They trust Zheng’s judgement and set about the arrangements, which saddens Baochai, although Aunt Zhao, who resents Tanchun’s favourable treatment, is delighted. She goes to ‘congratulate’ Tanchun and thoroughly depresses her; Tanchun goes to see Baoyu. He asks her about the music she heard when Daiyu died. Thinking of Daiyu’s ethereal beauty, he asks for Nightingale after Tanchun leaves; she reluctantly complies. His emotions vary wildly, thinking of Daiyu’s fate and Tanchun’s forthcoming wedding. He relapses, distressed that all his cousins are leaving him. Baochai is firm with him before Aroma can humour him. Grandmother Jia instructs Aroma to comfort him after his relapse; she also orders Xifeng to assemble Tanchun’s effects for her journey.

Chapter 99

守官箴恶奴同破例

阅邸报老舅自担惊

Aunt Xue and Grandmother Jia laugh at Xifeng’s story about observing Baoyu and Baochai’s foibles, before conversation turns to Daiyu’s memory. They soon celebrate the marriage’s formal, if not actual, consummation. Aroma gradually stops taking Baoyu to task about his dulled wits; the maids are obedient to Baochai. Baoyu is restless and wants to go to the Garden, which he is forbidden to do. Everyone has now moved out of the Garden.

Zheng has arrived in his provincial posting; his inflexible nature grates with the corrupt clerks, servants and bureaucrats, who tender their resignations. A porter, Li Shi 李十, leads a cunning rebellion amongst the staff; all the yamen services slacken off, and Zheng, after Li’s counsel, finds himself corrupted in order to pay them off and secure his position. Li earns Zheng’s faith, and, with Zheng’s superlative reputation, the yamen appears to be running smoothly.

Zheng soon receives a proposal of marriage for Tanchun from an old Southern acquaintance.  While considering it, his eye alights upon Xue Pan’s in the newspaper; it reports that Pan had connived with the deceased’s relatives to reduce the charge. Zheng recalls that it was his pressure on the local magistrate that reversed the verdict. Not only could he be implicated, but the magistrate could lose his job. He scans more copies of the Gazette, but there is no more mention of the case. The Viceroy arrives, but Zheng’s mind is elsewhere; Li Shi tries to reassure him that, as a lot of bribes were involved, officials are unlikely to admit to wrongdoing and it’ll wash over.

Chapter 98

苦绛珠魂归离恨天

病神瑛泪洒相思地

Baoyu’s illness lasts several days; he can neither eat nor recognise others. Despite this, the couple visit the bride’s family as a formality. Baochai and Aunt Xue, knowing the truth, regret giving their consent to the wedding but stay silent. His condition continues to deteriorate, causing a frantic search for a doctor capable of diagnosing it. One does, eventually, and his prescription takes effect quickly. Now comprehending the situation, Baoyu begs Aroma to arrange for him and Daiyu to be cared for together as they die. Baochai takes him to task for this talk, before telling him that Daiyu has already died. He howls in grief, seeing only pitch black; he suddenly finds himself talking to a stranger on the Road to the Nether World. He asks after Daiyu – she has returned to the Land of Illusion, and he must self-cultivate if he is to see her again. The man throws a stone at Baoyu’s chest, and he returns. Baochai had disobeyed Grandmother Jia’s orders to keep Daiyu’s death from him as she knew her to be the real cause of the illness, not the jade; she is reproached, but as he comes to, the doctor finds him much improved. Baochai ignores the others’ criticisms and keeps a close watch on Baoyu, with Aroma regularly consoling him. His mind gradually eases and Baochai calms; she proves a reliable and devoted wife, and part of his love for Daiyu begins to transfer to her.

On the wedding day, Daiyu has improved by the evening, but drifts in and out of consciousness. Li Wan returns to her apartment; Daiyu opens her eyes and grasps Nightingale’s hand, she asks to be buried at home. Tanchun and Li Wan arrive; weeping, they wash the lifeless Daiyu, who suddenly cries out for Baoyu. She breaks out into a cold sweat, and dies at the very moment that Baoyu takes Baochai as his wife. All present wail in their grief, hearing brief snatches of music in the silences of the desolate night. The body is laid out, and Xifeng told the next morning. With everyone else busy and distraught, she faces a dilemma, but decides to tell Grandmother Jia as soon as possible. She is distraught, believing herself to blame. To distract her, Xifeng takes to her to see Baoyu, who claims that Daiyu has told him she is leaving for the South. She tells Baochai of Daiyu’s death, and Baochai begins to rack her brains for a cure for Baoyu. After his recovery, he insists on going to see Daiyu’s corpse; the doctor feels it may help and so Grandmother Jia assents. He goes, and he and all who accompany weep bitterly. He speaks with Nightingale, softening somewhat her damning opinion of him; she gives a full account of the death. The strain of the grief causes Grandmother Jia a feverishness; Baoyu, with Baochai taking him to task, soon learns to moderate his grief. Tended by all around him, he returns to full strength. With the mourning for Yuanchun over, Lady Jia tells Aunt Xue that they should celebrate the consummation; it should be a proper party to put an end to all the troubles. Xifeng enters, and begins to tell a joke.

Chapter 97

林黛玉焚稿断痴情

薛宝钗出闺成大礼

Bringing up blood has brought Daiyu to her senses, but she quickly recalls Baoyu’s forthcoming wedding, quietly setting her heart on an early death. Ripple, shocked, reveals what has happened to Grandmother Jia; she, Xifeng and Lady Wang are concerned both about the information leak and Daiyu’s health. They visit her and are distraught, deciding to make funeral preparations despite the doctor’s positive diagnosis. Lady Jia finds it hard to understand and sympathise with Daiyu’s lovesickness; wedding preparations continue regardless. The next day, Xifeng tells Baoyu he is to marry Daiyu; he shows comprehension as well as imbecility. The ladies then go to Aunt Xue; they play down Baoyu’s illness and, despite concerns for Baochai’s feelings, she assents to a quick wedding. When she tells Baochai the next day, Baochai cries; Ke soon brings Pan’s approval and Aunt Xue feels more at ease setting about wedding preparations. The next day is revealed to be an auspicious day for the exchange of presents. Baoyu is shown the presents chosen for him to give; his reaction shows an improvement in his wits. The servants are sent to take the presents to Aunt Xue’s, the route planned to avoid the Naiad’s House.

Daiyu is getting iller, despite Nightingale trying to reassure her. Preoccupied with the wedding, and with Lady Jia’s feelings towards her having hardened, not a single person comes to visit. One day, she is helped to sit up and manages to ask her maids for the handkerchiefs with poetry on. Pathetically she tries to tear them. She asks for the brazier to be lit and drops them in before adding her manuscripts of poetry, despite Nightingale trying to stop her and Snowgoose pulling them out. It is clear to Nightingale the next morning that she has reached a crisis, but she finds Grandmother Jia’s apartment – including Baoyu’s room - empty. She is filled with bitter resentment, and extracts from a page that the wedding is to be that evening. Returning to the Naiad’s House, she finds Daiyu having taking another turn for the worse. She sends for Li Wan (as a widow, she is excluded from the festivities). Li Wan frets to see just how weak Daiyu is, but is able to rally the maids who are convulsed with grief. Patience suddenly runs in with Steward Lin’s wife, sent by Xifeng to check on Daiyu and summon Nightingale for other duties. After a curt exchange, it is agreed that Snowgoose will go instead. She goes with a message to start funeral preparations.

She dare not show her grief, and is unaware of her role – Baoyu is healthier with joy for his imminent marriage to Daiyu, and sees Snowgoose walking with the bridal palanquin. Bride and groom kneel for the ceremony, and are showered with fruit as they sit on the bridal bed. Before long, Baoyu lifts Baochai’s veil as Oriole takes Snowgoose’s place. He admires her appearance, although utterly bewildered, and is helped to a chair. Both are silent, until he asks who she is. Confused, he suffers a relapse, repeatedly declaring that he must find Daiyu; he is sedated and sleeps. When Zheng takes his leave the next day, he is told that the marriage was not consummated and that Baoyu is too ill to accompany him away, but not of the relapse. Baoyu does perform some formalities to his father, as does Baochai, but he suffers another relapse immediately after Zheng’s departure.

Chapter 92

评女传巧姐慕贤良

玩母珠贾政参聚散

The urgent summons was an invention by Ripple – it is just Aroma who wants to interrogate Baoyu. She tells him to be more discreet with Daiyu. Baoyu has been looking forward to one of Grandmother Jia’s annual parties, including taking the next day off school, but is upset to find he has not received an invitation. Aroma, concerned that the studious Lan will overtake him, insists he should go to school, although Musk disagrees. They are on the point of a full scale row when one of Lady Jia’s maids arrives with his invitation. She also says that Aunt Xue is invited, and so Baoyu is looking forward to seeing Baochai too. The next morning, after gaining Zheng’s consent, Baoyu hurries to Lady Jia’s. Only Qiaojie is there so far, paying her respects to Lady Jia. Qiaojie turns to Baoyu – Xifeng doesn’t believe that she is as advanced in her characters as she claims, so has asked Baoyu to check. He consents to go over her characters, and offers to go through the Lives of Noble Women with her. He recounts reams of the stories of famous beauties and paragons of virtue until Grandmother Jia tells him to stop for fear of confusing Qiaojie, but she says that he has helped. An out of the blue comment about Crimson and Fivey triggers Baoyu to compare Qiaojie favourably to Xifeng; Lady Jia insists that embroidery is more important than literacy. Baoyu is daydreaming about Fivey, who has not yet been able to start in his service, when some of the other guests arrive. When Baoqin and Aunt Xue arrive later, he notes Xiuyan and Baochai’s absence, and the question (posed directly by Daiyu) is avoided. Xifeng has a fever and is late; the lunch party starts.

Xifeng’s illness, in truth, is embarrassment at being late, and was complicated by the arrival of one of Yingchun’s servants who has come to ask a favour regarding Chess. Her mother has forbidden her to marry the boyfriend who caused her dismissal, and during an argument she dashed her head against a wall, killing herself. The boyfriend had, unbeknownst to her, grown very rich in the meantime and, to her mother’s bafflement, arrived for the funeral with two coffins. While preparing her corpse he slit his own throat. In her distress, Chess’s mother is appealing for Xifeng’s influence in case it goes to court. Xifeng’s perspective on the earlier Chess affair is changed.

Feng Ziying comes to see Zheng, who is playing Go with a literary gentleman. He watches them finish the game before telling him of two fascinating and ornate curios and showing him two smaller ones, an unfathomably light and thin fabric and a large magnetic pearl, called a Mother Pearl. While agreeing that they would make excellent Palace offerings, Zheng cannot afford to buy them, but sends them to Grandmother Jia’s for inspection. Xifeng agrees that they do not have the money, and that it would not fit in with the family’s standing or financial strategy. Feng is disappointed, but is invited to stay for dinner with Zheng and She. They discuss official appointments and matters, Zheng explaining their relationship to Yucun, who is to be promoted. Reflecting on the unpredictability of life’s fortunes, Zheng uses the Mother Pearl as an example. Accepting that they have had a good run, Zheng feels that the Jias are living on borrowed time. Feng leaves after dinner, snow having already fallen an inch thick during the meal.

Chapter 91

纵淫心宝蟾工设计

布疑阵宝玉妄谈禅

Ignoring the laughter, Ke soon hears a tapping at the window. A peephole has appeared; he puts his eye to it and receives a blast of air followed by more laughter. It is Moonbeam; Ke feigns sleep and ignores her, before another voice – possibly Jingui – calls him a spoilsport. He sleeps with no doubt as to their intentions. In the morning, Moonbeam appears at his door, seductively deshabille. Blushing, she takes away the sweetmeats. Ke washes, and decides to lie low at home to avoid Pan’s venal friends.

Meanwhile, Jingui is disappointed to have miscalculated about Ke’s susceptibility to her charms. Unknown to her, however, Moonbeam is also looking for a replacement for Pan, and also has her own designs on Ke. Her morning appearance has been carefully planned, but again he had been incorruptible, and she walks out in a huff. Jingui and Moonbeam plot together, revealing their shared aims. Moonbeam suggests that he’s just scared of being caught and that Jingui should have patience; get into his good books, then get him drunk and he’s hers. Later, when Moonbeam collects the wine jug, Ke feels some remorse for judging her a strumpet. She becomes demure to him, while Jingui is quiet and charming. Aunt Xue interprets this as a sign that Pan’s luck has turned. She goes to visit Jingui, and is introduced to her adopted brother Xia San 夏三. After Aunt Xue leaves, Jingui and San start plotting for him to buy her certain objects. He becomes a regular visitor.

A letter arrives from Pan: the circuit court has rejected the prefectural court’s verdict on account of malpractice. He asks them to make an immediate approach to the new court. Aunt Xue is very upset; Ke leaves immediately with money. The exhaustion and strain puts Baochai in a fever, exacerbating Aunt Xue’s upset. A doctor is called and Baochai soon improves, but the whole household soon hears and sends various remedies in order that Baoyu not find out about the illness. Ke sends a letter back – the official needs a more tangible incentive, and so they appeal to Zheng via Lady Wang. Talking about Baochai, they agree the betrothal should take place in the winter, and the marriage around Grandmother Jia’s birthday. The next day, this is proposed to Lady Jia, who has just agreed when Baoyu enters. He asks after Baochai and receives a short reply, and leaves for school perplexed by the lull his presence caused. That evening he goes to see Daiyu, who has just returned from seeing Aunt Xue at Lady Jia’s. Baoyu hopes he has not offended the Xues given his earlier experience, and is sorry he hasn’t visited her, let alone known about the illness. Daiyu doesn’t think he should take her for granted – not to visit her after how close they’ve become is bound to have offended her. After a bout of petulant existentialism, Daiyu brings Baoyu to his senses with an enlightening truth, and they continue their discussion of Baochai’s feelings towards Baoyu in a mock Zen inquisition. After he makes an enigmatic confession, Ripple runs into the room with urgent summons for Baoyu from Zheng.

Chapter 90

失绵衣贫女耐嗷嘈

送果品小郎惊叵测

Daiyu’s erratic state, sometimes lucid, sometimes almost unconscious, causes her maids to be interrogated. They keep quiet, but feel responsible. One day, Snowgoose is watching Daiyu, frightened by her state, while Nightingale is urgently summoning the senior women. Scribe arrives, sent by Tanchun to enquire after her. Taking advantage of Nightingale’s absence and Daiyu’s state, Snowgoose asks Scribe about Baoyu’s betrothal; she tells her she heard it from Crimson, and has since heard that it isn’t true and that Lady Jia has one of the Garden girls in mind for him. Beside herself, Snowgoose reveals to her the reason for Daiyu’s terrible state when Nightingale arrives, telling them off for gossiping. Daiyu stirs and feebly asks for water. She opens her eyes and sends Scribe away with her regards for Tanchun. She had been feigning sleep and had heard them talking; she reasons that Scribe could have been referring to her. She feels light and clear. Their ladyships arrive; Daiyu responds to them well, despite her weakness, and Xifeng asks Nightingale why she had exaggerated her condition. Lady Jia explains that she is young and naïve and right to have called them. As Daiyu’s condition improves, the maids pray and conclude that she and Baoyu are, after all, destined to be together. Her illness and recovery are the source of speculation for all in the household. Their ladyships discuss it; Lady Jia thinks the illnesses mean the Daiyu and Baoyu should be separated; Lady Wang thinks they should be married, but Lady Jia disagrees. She feels her constitution contributes to her being an unsuitable wife, and that marrying Baoyu is a priority. Understanding Daiyu’s feelings, they determine that the betrothal should be kept completely secret. Lady Jia tells Xifeng to pay more attention to the Garden before they part.

Inspecting the Garden one day, she finds with an old servant woman who has been accused of stealing a jacket by Xiuyan’s maid. After managing the dispute, she talks with Xiuyan; she is concerned that her bedclothes and clothes are too worn and thin. Later, she asks Patience to send her some clothes. Xiuyan, meanwhile, makes herself depressed reflecting on how rude the servants are to her and her alone. Felicity 丰儿 arrives with the clothes from Xifeng; Xiuyan refuses to accept them. Felicity returns with Patience, who persuades her to take them. After tea, they leave and refuse an invitation from one of Aunt Xue’s women for a chat.

The woman returns to the Xues, who weep to hear about Xiuyan’s humiliation. Ke arrives, despairing with Pan’s friends’ indifference. Aunt Xue’s anxiety over Pan and Jingui is still heightened. Reflecting on his betrothed Xiuyan’s state, particularly compared to Jingui, Ke broods and composes a poem which his self-consciousness prohibits him displaying. Moonbeam arrives with wine and a plate of sweetmeats from Jingui, ostensibly in discreet thanks for helping Pan. He accepts, but her flirting and suggestive behaviour arouses his suspicions. He concludes that either Jingui is a harlot or is trying to disgrace the family name. He hears laughter outside the window.

Chapter 86

受私贿老官翻案牍

寄闲情淑女解琴书

The boy explains that, driven by the chaos at home, Pan had set off on a business trip to the South. He became enraged at a waiter who made eyes at two of his companions, one of whom was Jiang Yuhan, and took the bait when the waiter challenged him to hit him; the blow, from a wine cup, killed him. Aunt Xue sends some money to Xue Ke, but is unable to enlist Zheng's full support. Ke writes back that neither Pan's friends nor the victim's family are cooperating, but a good scrivener is helping him get to work on a witness; Ke also sends a copy of the appeal and the judge's rejection of it. The boy, however, also brings a confidential instruction to send a large bribe to the yamen, who know of the family's wealth. Zheng refuses to help, but an agreement is reached with Lian and the case is reopened. The deceased's mother, a poor country woman, gives her appeal. The proprietor of the bar, Pan's companion, Pan, the coroner and the deceased's uncle then give testify in turn that it had been an accident. The judge is disbelieving at first as the testimonies are so different from the inquest and previous trial, and portions out abuse to Pan and his companion, but finally adjourns the Court, finding Pan guilty only of manslaughter with a fine to pay.

With the news that an Imperial Concubine has died, Ke returns home to give Aunt Xue a full account and ask for a bit more money for the victim's family. The concubine is not Yuanchun, as he had heard, but nevertheless the family are involved in official matters and Aunt Xue wants to look after the girls in thanks to the Jias. Lady Jia, it seems, had been having premonitions that Yuanchun was dying and was warning her that the family's prosperity was soon all to be spent. Baochai comments that the Jias are oversensitive about Yuanchun, and tells a story she heard from a maid about Yuanchun's fortune reading, which predicted her death in a different month and year. Ke wants the fortune teller to read Pan, but he was provincial and would be impossible to find. Aunt Xue is welcomed back to the mansion by the girls, and laughs off Baochai's inability to join her; Li Wan explains that things are too busy for her. The rest of the family arrive back and ask after Pan's affair. Baoyu is set off brooding by the mention of Jiang Yuhan and Baochai's absence; that evening he asks Aroma for the cummerbund Jiang had given him, but receives instead a telling off about hanging round such actor riffraff and not conforming. The mention of the word sweetheart sends him running off to Daiyu's. She is reading music, which Baoyu cannot interpret, having recently become fascinated by the qin and its technical, spiritual and musical disciplines. She teaches some of the script to Baoyu, who proposes that they learn together. She expounds at length on the art of the qin, the complexity of which both fascinates Baoyu and puts him off learning, until Nightingale arrives and suggests that, although she is pleased to see her, Baoyu should let her rest. Daiyu protests that talking about music is restful, but he takes his leave. Before going, Ripple arrives with a pot of orchids for each of them as a present from Lady Jia; Daiyu stares at them, lost in thought, while Baoyu is still stimulated by the musical talk. When alone, her sombre reflections bring tears to her eyes. One of Baochai's serving women enters.

Chapter 85

贾存周报升郎中任

薛文起复惹放流刑

Huan rants and raves about Xifeng; after slipping in her barbed message to Aunt Zhao, the rift between the two sides of the family is permanently deepened. Meanwhile, Baoyu is delighted to be brought along on a visit to give birthday felicitations to the Price of Beijing. After being shown in by a eunuch, the Prince immediately asks after Baoyu’s stone, and asks him to stay after the others leave post-formalities. He gives his protégé tea and food, a great honour, and tells him that Governor Wu 吴大人 has given Zheng the highest possible recommendation. He also gives him a replica of the jade that he has had made. Back at the house, they report back to Grandmother Jia and Baoyu tells Zheng of Governor Wu’s recommendation; Zheng later learns that Governor Wu had visited him while he was out, and that a Permanent Secretary position has become available. Baoyu, meanwhile, discusses the new jade with Grandmother Jia, and reports that he has seen his own jade give off a mysterious glow. Lady Wang and Lady Xing take this as an auspicious portent. After he leaves, the ladies discuss his matrimonial prospects further – Aunt Xue is happy with the plan but Pan, as the senior male Xue, also needs to be consulted.

Baoyu discusses their mysterious tone with Aroma before retiring for the night; Aroma feigns ignorance, but is certain of its meaning and the next morning she goes to see Nightingale for the latest gossip. Amid Daiyu’s toilet, she is unable to broach the subject, and heads back; waiting for her is a pageboy representing Jia Yun (who wants to see Aroma alone), who she dismisses. When Baoyu returns in the evening, she tells him that Yun has left a note for him, and that she doesn’t trust the shifty Yun at all. Baoyu cheerily rips up and burns the note after reading it, without divulging the contents. He then doesn’t eat his supper, and starts crying, causing Musk and Aroma some alarm. He sits up, laughs, and goes to sleep. The next day Baoyu bumps into Yun on his way to school; Yun points out the throngs of crowds outside the gate – Zheng’s promotion has been made official. Baoyu spits angrily at the obsequious Yun (who makes reference to Baoyu’s engagement) before heading to school, from which he is given a day’s celebratory grace. He joins a general gathering at Lady Jia’s, and takes the opportunity to catch up with Daiyu, for which they are mocked by Xifeng. A relative has sent a new troupe of players for them, and as it is soon Daiyu’s birthday, they plan to celebrate that and the promotion together. A stream of visitors cause the house to bustle for the few days before the party. At the party, Daiyu sits at the head of the table; she notices Baochai’s absence. They enjoy several pieces before a panicked servants extracts Xue Ke, followed by Aunt Xue and Baoqin. At Jingui’s apartment, they hear wailing and are met by a tearful Baochai; Pan is in prison accused of murder. Baochai insists they need a good scrivener; Aunt Xue wants to pay the victim’s family off, but Baochai wins out and Ke is despatched to find more information. With a dramatic wail, Jingui launches an attack on Caltrop, causing Aunt Xue to faint. Given the emergency, Baochai breaks protocol (after the betrothal visit, she is to spurn contact with Baoyu’s family) and sends an update to Lady Wang. A letter from Ke arrives a few days later; Pan is charged with manslaughter. They need more money and a change of plea; the delivery boy starts to give them a full account.

Chapter 84

试文字宝玉始提亲

探惊风贾环重结怨

Baochai recognises Aunt Xue’s illness as being brought on by the scene with Jingui; medicine, massage and reassurance causes it to subside, and she agrees to go away.

Yuanchun has recovered; she sends the family some gifts in thanks. Grandmother Jia is touched that she remembered Baoyu; Zheng is snide about his prospects. She reminds him that they should choose him a suitable bride; her only concern is that she is pretty and sweet natured. Zheng is unwilling to start until Baoyu shows an improvement in attitude, which angers her. Zheng jokes, uncomfortably; in response Lady Jia reminds the assembled that he was much worse than Baoyu as a youth.

Later, with Lady Wang, Zheng decides to summon Baoyu. He quizzes him on his studies, and asks him to fetch a school book. He runs through his translations and interpretations with a critical eye. He has some praise for Baoyu’s octopartites, and asks him to compose something on the spot. While he is doing so, a pageboy runs past saying that Aunt Xue has arrived; Baoyu is excited to think that Baochai may also have arrived, and speeds up his composition. Dismissed, he runs to Grandmother Jia’s (who is proud to hear how his meeting with Zheng went), but is disappointed to find that Baochai isn’t with Aunt Xue. Over dinner, Lady Jia asks Aunt Xue about Caltrop’s change of name; Aunt Xue tells her of the horror of living with Jingui and her provocations of Baochai. Grandmother Jia tells her to stop worrying; they’re a new couple and will settle down. Baoyu is rapt by Aunt Xue’s praise for Baochai, and chirps in to defend Pan’s friends. Xifeng is called away suddenly; Qiaojie is ill. Aunt Xue also soon takes her leave. Zheng, meanwhile, is playing Go with friends, who praise Baoyu’s progress. Zheng still considers him uncultured, but is pleased by their opinion. One of them proposes an acquaintance’s daughter, and relation of Lady Xing, as a match for Baoyu. Later, he discusses the proposal with Lady Wang, and asks after Qiaojie.

The next day, Lady Wang asks Lady Xing about the family of the proposed match; she has had no contact with them for years, but has also heard they are looking for a husband for the daughter. Grandmother Jia vetoes the match, as Baoyu would also be taking on the role of head of her family. They go to visit Xifeng; Qiaojie has had convulsions. They tell Xifeng about the match, Lady Xing also admitting the family are very mean. Xifeng laughs and reminds them of Baoyu’s jade and Baochai’s locket – they are surely a predestined pair! The doctor arrives to see Qiaojie and diagnoses fever; they send for the prescribed ingredients. The expectorant works and the potion just brewed when Huan arrives, making Xifeng tense. She tells him to leave them alone, but he clumsily knocks the potion into the fire, igniting her anger. She sends a spiteful message to Aunt Zhao with a maid, for whom Patience explains the context. She delivers the message, and an agitated Aunt Zhao sends for Huan and abuses him.

Chapter 83

省宫闱贾元妃染恙

闹闺阃薛宝钗吞声

Outside is an old woman shouting abuse at a girl; such is Daiyu’s insecurity that she assumes it is directed at her, and she sobs herself unconscious. After she comes round, Tanchun shouts at the old woman outside. She then suggests reviving the poetry club; Daiyu is more concerned that the acuity of her illness be known to Grandmother Jia.

Snowgoose and Nightingale tend to Daiyu; Aroma arrives. She is shocked by her state, not least as last night Baoyu started screaming in pain in the middle of the night. Daiyu overhears and questions her; she asks that Baoyu not be told about her illness. Meanwhile, Tanchun and Xiangyun tell Grandmother Jia about Daiyu’s illness; she orders that Baoyu’s doctor, arriving tomorrow, also see her. His diagnosis of an advanced morbid obstruction accords with her symptoms. He writes a prescription, and explains its ingredients to Jia Lian. He is discussing it with Xifeng when Zhou Rui’s wife arrives. When Lian leaves, she expresses her concern for Daiyu and asks for more money for the maids’ incidental expenses. She consents, but asks that it is kept quiet, and discusses the household’s tight financial straits and the gossip surrounding her management. Zhou Rui’s wife tells of how extravagantly rich the townsfolk think they are (although she knows that they know the truth really). Xifeng reiterates her intense concern about their finances and reputation.

Jia Lian, meanwhile, hears from a page boy that a senior consultant has been summoned to the Palace. He and other household gentlemen are investigating the rumour when eunuchs arrive, inviting four women to the Palace to see Yuanchun, who has been lately indisposed. The next morning, the party of the whole Jia clan sets off with some pomp. The men halt at the Inner Gate of the Forbidden City; the four ladies continue in to Yuanchun’s bedchamber. They have a formal but emotional catch-up, repeated over the next few days.

In the Xue household, meanwhile, Jingui has found her stratagem in giving the now self-assured Moonbeam to Pan has misfired. One day, she taunts her, which soon develops into another fight. Hearing the racket, Aunt Xue sets off to confront them with Baochai reluctantly in tow. When Jingui turns on Aunt Xue, Baochai tries to reason with her, attracting her taunts. Baochai manages to contain her anger; Jingui only erupts further, inflaming Aunt Xue. She and Baochai leave, and encounter one of Lady Jia’s personal maids on the way; she has been waiting there a while, but reassures them that all families have their little troubles. Soon after, Aunt Xue cries out in pain, clutching her chest.

Chapter 80

美香菱屈受贪夫棒

王道士胡诌妒妇方

Jingui reacts to Caltrop’s defence of Baochai with scorn. They discuss the merits of various floral names, and in the discussion Caltrop refers to cassias, incurring Jingui’s wrath. She apologises, but Jingui appears magnanimous. She proposes changing Caltrop’s name to ‘Lily’, which she agrees to, and which Baochai doesn’t mind. Pan, meanwhile, has taken a fancy to Jingui’s maid Moonbeam 宝蟾. Jingui allows this, as he will cool about Caltrop and she can get rid of her. After catching him flirting, she allows him Moonbeam – he is very grateful indeed. However, she sets up Caltrop – who, puzzled by Jingui, is easily malleable - to burst in on Pan and Moonbeam in flagrante. Caltrop is embarrassed, Pan unconcerned, but Moonbeam is upset and calls out that Pan is trying to rape her. Pan is furious with Caltrop, who runs away. That night, when he is drunk, he kicks Caltrop as his bath is too hot. Jingui continues to play with the others; she constantly calls on Caltrop to wait on her, and while Pan is busy with Moonbeam, gradually lays a trap for her. She feigns illness, and plants a voodoo-style doll under her pillow. An enraged Pan rushes to find Caltrop and beats her. While Aunt Xue tries to calm him, Jingui manipulates and inflames him. Aunt Xue is disgusted by this. She lambasts Pan and suggests that they sell Caltrop; he is silent, but Jingui shouts back at her, provoking further argument with Pan, who is besides himself. Baochai is trying to persuade Aunt Xue not to sell Caltrop, which would bring ridicule on the family, but Aunt Xue worries that it will provoke Jingui further. She relents, but Caltrop is not allowed into the front part of the house, spending all her time with Baochai. As well as apparently being barren, the emotional and physical trauma soon makes her very ill; she does not respond to medicine. Pan, Moonbeam and Jingui continue to argue violently, often wielding weapons and threatening suicide. Pan is helpless, but Baochai and Aunt Xue do not dare intervene.

When Baoyu is better, he visits Jingui, who seems harmless. He hears that Yingchun is constantly in tears thanks to Sun Shaozu. He travels to a Temple to make offerings, having fully recovered. He goes sightseeing round the Temple precincts, which soon tires him out, and receives the hospitality of Father Wang 王道士, known in the household as One Plaster Wang for his panaceas. He amuses Baoyu and his retinue, telling jokes and talking about his plasters. He offends Tealeaf by guessing that Baoyu is looking for medicinal help in the bedroom. He does admit, though, that they cannot cure a woman of jealousy, but suggests an infusion which might do so in the long term, by which he means that she will eventually die and no longer be jealous, which amuses Baoyu and Tealeaf. He goes on to admit that even his plasters are just tomfoolery. Baoyu goes to make the sacrifice, and leaves. Yingchun is back visiting the house, giving a tearful account of her matrimonial troubles. Shaozu is a womanising, gambling, drinking libertine. Lady Wang is distressed but tries to comfort her. She asks to stay in her old Garden apartment, and Baoyu is sworn to secrecy about the affair – Lady Jia must not know. After a few days in the Garden and a few days with Lady Xing (who does not enquire once about the state of her marriage), she returns unwillingly to her new home.

Chapter 79

薛文起悔娶河东吼

贾迎春误嫁中山狼

Daiyu has appeared; Baoyu blushes as she praises his elegy. They discuss it further, and decide on some alterations. Talk of death gives Daiyu premonitory dread. She warns Baoyu that he is to be expected at Lady Xing’s the next day – Yingchun’s betrothal has been decided. They part, Daiyu coughing.

Jia She is marrying Yingchun into a Datong army family, to their son Sun Shaozu 孙绍祖. He is very eligible, but Grandmother Jia doesn’t share She’s enthusiasm and Zheng positively hates the family, thinking that they lack breeding. Baoyu is appalled to find that the marriage is to be quick, and Yingchun is to move out of the Garden immediately. He walks in a Yingchun’s old part of the Garden, which seems neglected, composing a poem. He sees Caltrop; Pan is back, so she is no longer at liberty. He is to get married, to the daughter of the Xias, a rich, famous family about to die out, who are old friends of the Xues. Caltrop is excited, but Baoyu worried for her standing. She leaves, and he feels even more desolate. He doesn’t sleep well that night, and the cumulative effect of illness and weeks of shocks and grief lays him up for a month. He is then ordered to take a hundred days of convalescence, during which he gets very bored and comes up with wild and inventive ways of amusing himself and the maids. He hears about Yingchun and Pan’s wedding with some despondency.

Caltrop, meanwhile, decides to ignore Baoyu and devote herself to planning the wedding. She has built great expectations for the new wife Xia Jingui 夏金桂, who she believes will be gracious, educated, beautiful and a good companion. Jingui – who refuses to allow maids to use the syllables ‘jin’ or ‘gui’, which rules out ‘cassia’, which is her name’s meaning – soon works out what sort of man Pan is, and exploits her advantage. After a drunken argument, Jingui refuses to eat or drink and falls ill. He is admonished by Aunt Xue and humbles himself before Jingui, who thereafter presses her advantage further, planning to dominate Pan, Aunt Xue and eventually Baochai completely. Baochai observes this and aims to keep her in check; Jingui is ready for a fight, and despite Caltrop’s warmness, Jingui (who has taken against Caltrop) questions Baochai’s intelligence in giving her the name ‘Caltrop’. Caltrop defends Baochai.

Chapter 67

见土仪颦卿思故里

闻秘事凤姐讯家童

The Xues discuss Liu Xianglian and Sanjie; Baochai is fatalistic, Pan is distraught and sobered and resolves to focus on his business. He gives Aunt Xue and Baochai trunks of extravagant presents bought on his travels, and makes preparations for a party for his employees, at which he explains Xianglian’s fate, which is discussed.

Baochai starts to portion out amongst her and her cousins Pan’s presents to her. She sends Daiyu some toys made near Suzhou, evoking severe nostalgia; she becomes upset due to her outsider status. Baoyu and Nightingale understand the problem and try to cheer her up, to no avail, and they go to see Baochai to thank her and hear about Pan’s travels; they conclude that Daiyu should find outdoor activities to occupy her when she’s ill. Aunt Zhao, meanwhile, is delighted with the presents sent to Huan and decides to take the opportunity to ingratiate herself with Lady Wang, Baochai’s close kin. Lady Wang is not impressed, and she returns crestfallen. Oriole returns from delivering the presents and gossips with Baochai that Xifeng was very angry about something and talking with Patience.

Baoyu decides that he wants to discuss Daiyu with Aroma, but can’t find her – she’s at Xifeng’s. On the way, she had dispensed some gardening advice. Approaching Xifeng’s, she hears her raised voice and realises the moment might be inopportune. She pays her respects and leaves promptly, and while Xifeng and Patience wait for Brightie to enter Patience tells her precisely what a maid had overheard about ‘the new mistress’ before Brightie told her off. Xifeng quickly gets the truth out of him and summons Joker. He arrives unsuspecting, but Xifeng’s interrogation soon sends him into a frenzy of self-abasement. Joker explains the whole story, including about Sanjie and Xianglian, amid regular interjection and abuse from Xifeng. She forbids him from going to Erjie’s or telling Lian what happened, and tells Brightie he is responsible if word gets round. Having thought for a while, Xifeng summons Patience – she has an idea.

Chapter 62

After resolution, Patience disposes of the matter. The replacement cook has already begun embezzling when she receives her dismissal. Aunt Zhao and Huan – who received the stolen goods – are scared, and Huan throws them back at Sunset, assuming she is thick with Baoyu. Upset, she throws the things into the lake.

憨湘云醉眠芍药裀

呆香菱情解石榴裙

It is Baoyu and Baoqin’s birthday; less fuss is made than normal as Lady Wang is still away. He returns after making all his formal obeisances and reverences to find many maids and the girls wishing him happy returns. They make extended reverences to each other – it turns out that it is also Patience’s and Xing Xiuyan’s birthday. Tanchun remarks on the coincidence; they discuss birthdays and get Xifeng to agree to let Patience celebrate with them. Cook Liu prepares them a meal; it is all unusually gay. Baoyu sees Xue Ke first, and walks back with Baochai, who tells him that she knows about an extremely serious incident which she hopes never comes to light. They reach the party in the Peony Garden, which is very lively. Aunt Xue is present, but goes to lie down in the jobs room. The birthday four object to toasts, as they will get too drunk, and send the old blind ballad singer to entertain Aunt Xue, as they don’t like old music. They decide to play a drinking game; everyone puts suggestions into a hat. The first one drawn (cover-ups, suggested by newly enthusiastically literary Caltrop) is combined with guess-fingers. They all get extremely rowdy and drunk as they play – especially Xiangyun, who applies herself to the game with some vigour - although Daiyu’s dry joke about the essence of rose is not appreciated by Baoyu or Sunset. With the senior ladies away, the party soon becomes bedlam. Lin Zhixiao’s wife appears, concerned by the noise, and Patience feels they ought to stop. They find Xiangyun passed out on a rock, covered in peony petals, and reciting drinking games in her sleep. She is embarrassed to be woken, but feels better after taking some ‘hangover rock’ and soup. They send some of the party food to Xifeng, and the party breaks into smaller groups. Lin Zhixiao’s wife arrives again with an old lady who has heard swearing; Tanchun dismisses her from service. Baoyu and Daiyu watch this and comment on how detached she is; Baoyu tells her how much management Tanchun has done while she has been ill. Daiyu goes to see Baochai, and Baoyu looks for Parfumée, who is bored and lonely. She is complaining about her food, of which he is jealous, so they share it. He tells Swallow to look after her, and to tell Cook Liu that Fivey will definitely work there. He rejoins the party as food is served, causing Skybright to mock him.

Outside, Caltrop and the maids are playing with flowers, and she is jeered when she reveals greater knowledge. In the ensuing jostling, Caltrop rolls into a puddle and ruins her special new skirt. The others run off and Baoyu arrives; he is sympathetic. He is delighted to be able to help – fetching one of Aroma’s similar skirts that she can’t wear as she is in mourning – but regrets that she has been sold to Pan. Aroma returns with him to Caltrop, who changes skirts. She catches Baoyu burying the flowers that had caused the kerfuffle, and finds it endearingly odd. They separate, and she calls to him not to tell Pan about the incident.

Chapter 58

杏子阴假凤泣虚凰

茜纱窗真情揆痴理

The conversation stops after Xichun and Tanchun arrive, and all four soon part. The late Emperor’s dowager consort has died, and an edict prohibits persons of rank holding musical or dramatic entertainment for a year, and weddings for three months. The senior women are required to attend mourning ceremonies for a month. Aunt Xue moves in with Daiyu to keep an eye on the young people and look after Daiyu. Lady Wang and Youshi agree to disband the troupe of actresses; most of them do not want to leave, and all but three elect to stay as nominal maids, attached to household members but largely without duties. They join the many maids and servants with little to do while the senior ladies are away engaged in official mourning duties. The actresses and servants do not get on.

The men, apart from Baoyu who is not yet recovered from illness, are also away on Spring Cleaning Festival duties. He walks in the Garden, and encounters the others; Xiangyun mocks his ill outburst. He leaves, and contemplates the Garden and Xiuyan’s engagement; he regrets missing the apricot blossom for his illness. His reverie is broken when actress Nénuphar 藕官 is loudly castigated for burning paper offerings in the Garden. She is terrified, and Baoyu defends her, firstly saying it was just waste paper, then that he told her to burn spirit paper. The old woman castigating beseeches him apologetically. Nénuphar swears him to secrecy – only two of the other actresses know. He goes to the Naiad’s House before returning, when Baoyu wants to ask fellow confidante Parfumée 芳官 about what he saw, but others are present. Aroma castigates Parfumée for having a loud argument with her foster-mother, which soon involves Baoyu’s other maids. They take Parfumée away and comfort her, although they think her very mischievous, not least for having broken their clock. Food arrives, and is too hot, so they ask her to blow on it for Baoyu; the foster-mother starts another argument, saying she’s too inexperienced. She thinks they’re joking when they ask her to taste the food. When Baoyu has finished, and signals to her, she makes excuses; he asks her about Nénuphar. The offering was for a girl in their troupe who died – they had been principal boy and girl, and were like lovers. She is also like it with the girl’s replacement. Parfumée thinks her soppy, but Baoyu is moved and earnestly to promise to tell Nénuphar not to burn un-Confucian spirit money. A message arrives that Grandmother Jia has returned.

Chapter 57

慧紫鹃情辞试莽玉

慈姨妈爱语慰痴颦

Lady Wang takes Baoyu on a call to Lady Zhen’s townhouse. They return the visit before leaving town. He visits Daiyu, who is sleeping, so talks with Nightingale. When he touches her clothes she recoils and rebukes him – she says that Daiyu has warned them about him, and stays far away from him. Baoyu is hurt and cries in the garden. Snowgoose passes him, and is concerned. At Daiyu’s, she and Nightingale gossip; Nightingale is concerned and goes to apologise to Baoyu. They chat, but fall out when Nightingale jokes about Daiyu returning to Suzhou. Skybright arrives with summons for Baoyu from Grandmother Jia; she, Aroma and Nannie Li are alarmed by his vacant, distressed state, and delay reporting to Lady Jia. Aroma confronts Nightingale, which distresses the already ill Daiyu. Nightingale hurries to apologise again, but Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang are already present and rebuke her. On hearing the cause of his derangement, they take a less serious view. He becomes obsessed with the idea that Daiyu is to be taken away, and the word ‘Lin’ is banned after Lin Zhixiao’s arrival sends him wild. Dr Wang diagnoses him, and Nightingale stays with him as he improves. He starts feigning madness to keep Nightingale there.

Later, after being mocked by Xiangyun, he and Nightingale smooth things over. She was just trying to test him. His heart is true, and he is amused that she believed Grandmother Jia’s comment about him being betrothed to Baoqin. She returns to Daiyu’s, leaving him a mirror as a keepsake. She talks with Daiyu; she is concerned for her. Daiyu is affected, telling Nightingale she can’t stay with her. She weeps during the night.

There are three or four days’ celebration for Aunt Xue’s birthday. Xue likes Xing Xiuyan and suggests her as a wife for Xue Ke. Grandmother Jia tells Lady Xing, who assents. Youshi is to work on the settlement. Xiuyan, now close to Baochai, is delighted. One day Baochai notices Xiuyan is not wearing thick enough clothes; she has pawned them, as she is poor and has spent half her allowance on her parents. Baochai offers to pay the pawn ticket for her – it is one of the Xues’ businesses. Baochai continues to Daiyu’s, where Aunt Xue talks of romantic fate. She comforts Daiyu, who weeps to think of her own mother. Baochai suggests Aunt Xue takes Daiyu as a goddaughter. Daiyu reacts hysterically when Aunt Xue suggests Baoyu is a good match for her. Xiangyun arrives with the pawn ticket – she doesn’t know what it is, and Aunt Xue explains. Baochai takes the ticket, but cannot conceal from Daiyu and Xiangyun Xiuyan’s straitened circumstances. Xiangyun is angry, and suggests having Xiuyan to live with them. Tanchun and Xichun arrive.