Chapter 112

The women are sent away. Xichun is distraught that it should have happened under her watch, but Xifeng insists that they are all to blame. They hear Bao Yong shouting, accusing Adamantina of having let the burglars in. Xichun is distressed to think of the consequences for her, leading Xifeng to worry about Xichun. The gang hear that He San was killed and the police notified and plan to make for the coast. One of them, however, still has his eye on Adamantina and decides to join up with them later.

活冤孽妙姑遭大劫

死雠仇赵妾赴冥曹

At the temple, the morning after the cortege arrives, Yun bursts in and tells Zheng about the burglary. He is shocked and calls for Lian, who curses at Yun in agitation. Zheng explains that they can only hope the police catch the thieves, and that making an inventory will be tricky after the confiscation. He sends Lian back to Rongguo, where he learns about He San, inflaming his fury. He sends for Bao Yong and praises him, while servants search Grandmother Jia’s apartment and Lian broods – they haven’t the money to pay for the funeral. Lady Jia’s maids are distressed by the destruction, but are able to concoct an inventory. Lian heads back to the temple.

That night, the burglar scales the garden wall and heads for the Hermitage where Adamantina is meditating, releasing some narcotic incense. She is panicked at first before surrendering herself groggily; he picks her up and smuggles her out to a cart and they head for the coast. In the morning, the nuns are distressed to find her gone. They find the rope ladder, but still think she might be at Xichun’s; Bao Yong reluctantly lets them in. Xichun is still brooding about Adamantina, envying her freedom and regretting the girls’ fates, and she starts cutting her hair off. The maids find her too late, just as the Hermitage women enter. They explain what has happened; Xichun is distressed and puzzled by Adamantina’s actions. The women leave, agreeing to keep quiet.

After Lian reports back, Zheng and Lady Wang both decide to leave the temple early. They are about to leave when they notice Aunt Zhao still kneeling, foaming at the mouth and babbling in distress, saying she wants to stay with Lady Jia. The maids believe she is possessed by Faithful, before she starts claiming to have been sent for by King Yama of the underworld and pleading for forgiveness from Xifeng. They leave anyway while she continues to rave deliriously; Baochai asks Aunt Zhou to stay behind with Huan to look after her. Arriving at Rongguo, only Xichun is able to welcome them, as Xifeng is too ill; Youshi makes a barbed comment to her. The next morning Steward Lin gives Zheng a full account. Lin mentions that Bao Er has been arrested – he had some of the stolen items in his possession. Zheng also orders for Zhou Rui to be sent to the authorities. After being presented with a funeral bill, Lian suggests fining the servants to help pay; Zheng forbids it. He sighs to think of the family’s misfortunes and Xifeng’s health, and orders a doctor for Aunt Zhao.

Chapter 43

闲取乐偶攒金庆寿

不了情暂撮土为香

Grandmother Jia, now recovered, is at Lady Wang’s to discuss Xifeng’s birthday. She suggests not buying individual presents, but imitating poorer families by pooling their money to buy her a treat. They summon the entire household, including senior servants (and Xifeng), who assemble immediately and all assent to the idea either through affection for or fear of Xifeng. Led by Xifeng, there are discussions regarding who should pay for whose contribution, and who should pay how much. The maids and concubines are brought in to contribute too, until only Aunts Zhou and Zhao have been left out. Youshi quietly remonstrates with Xifeng for bringing them in too. Once the amount has been calculated, Xifeng decides she wants to hire a troupe from outside; Youshi agrees to organise it, and further remonstrates with Xifeng later.

The next day, the contributions (now referred to as ‘subscriptions’ to Youshi’s chagrin) begin to arrive at Youshi’s place in Ningguo. Xifeng is to pay for several people, and she has the money ready when Youshi visits her, but Youshi notices some missing, leading to further argument. She goes to see Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang to discuss the party arrangements further, handing back the more hard-up household members’ contributions.

Xifeng’s birthday rolls round, with an extraordinary array of activities. It coincides with a meeting of the poetry club, and Baoyu is not present. The members send maids to ask Aroma where he is; unsatisfied, Li Wan goes to Aroma. He had left that morning – despite the celebrations – to the Prince of Beijing’s palace, where someone had died. He should, however, be back, and when Grandmother Jia issues a summons she is displeased to hear of his absence.

The day before he had conspired to tell Tealeaf to promulgate the story about the Prince of Beijing. Before dawn, he and Baoyu left on horses, and galloped out of town. They cobble together some incense and, on Tealeaf’s suggestion, head to the nearby Temple of the Water Spirit, whose nun is a subscriber of theirs. Baoyu explains his revulsion at the way the wealthy, ignorant and vulgar treat religion – today, however, he feels differently, and on arrival he contemplates the statue and weeps. He takes tea, burns incense and makes a half-obeisance, refusing everything else. Before taking the burner back, Tealeaf kowtows to the idol, beseeching her on his master’s behalf to reincarnate Baoyu as a girl. Baoyu laughs. They have some food and Tealeaf encourages him to head back soon, as they are bound to be worrying. They hurry back, Baoyu going straight to the party via changing. He greets an upset Silver and kowtows to Xifeng; Grandmother Jia’s anxiety has turned to anger at him and his pages, threatening another beating. She calms and fusses over him. They all watch plays and weep.