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 88

博庭欢宝玉赞孤儿

正家法贾珍鞭悍仆

Faithful is calling; as Grandmother Jia’s 81^st birthday is approaching, she wants numerous copies of the Diamond and Heart Sutras made, the Heart Sutras to be copied by family members. Xichun is happy to do so, and invites Faithful for a quick tea. She returns to Grandmother Jia’s, where a backgammon game is disturbed by Baoyu. He has brought crickets for Lady Jia; Huan gave them to him for helping him out in class. She also asks after Lan, and is moved to hear from Baoyu that he is doing well at school. Li Wan is also moved, and tells Baoyu to look after him; she weeps as Huan and Lan enter. Lady Jia praises Lan, and they all eat together.

The next day, Cousin Zhen goes over to Rongguo where the farm bailiff has arrived. Not having time to check the inventory entries, he trusts Zhou Rui; Bao Er appears and begs to be released. Sensing trouble, he dismisses them both, before hearing that Bao Er has fought with an adopted son of Zhou Rui, He San 何三. They are both apprehended, along with Zhou Rui, and brought before Zhen and Jia Lian, who order lashings. This incident becomes gossip fodder for the servants, reflecting badly on Zhen. With the family supposedly flourishing thanks to Jia Zheng’s appointment, Xifeng is anxious to avoid such incidents for fear of future mutiny, and tells Lian so. Meanwhile, Jia Yun arrives and, after trying to steal a moment to flirt with Crimson, he is shown in, whispering to Crimson as they walk together. Yun presents himself formally to Xifeng, offering a gift, but she sees through his act, knowing the state of his finances. He comes to the point, and asks for jobs for a couple of friends with Zheng. Xifeng has no influence there, and dismisses him and his presents. Qiaojie is brought in, and Yun makes her cry by talking to her. Unable to amend it, he leaves, rebuffed and embarrassed, and greatly resenting Xifeng. Leaving, he surreptitiously gives some of the presents to Crimson, which she takes after initially rejecting. They part looking forward to their next meeting, despite family politics. Xifeng, meanwhile, is ordering some food when firstly Patience reports curious going ons amongst the prioress’s women at Watermoon Priory (for which they need pickles), then Crimson informs her that Lian won’t be home, and Patience tells her about a maid who has seen a ghost. She dismisses such superstition, but that night calls in Patience and Autumn having felt her flesh creep. Despite trying to dismiss Autumn, they sleep alongside her till dawn. Spooked, Xifeng struggles to get up the next day. A maid arrives from Lady Wang calling for Jia Lian to attend to a visitor from the yamen; Xifeng catches her breath in alarm.

Chapter 69

弄小巧用借剑杀人

觉大限吞生金自逝

Erjie and Youshi accompany Xifeng to the inner mansion, where Erjie is introduced to Grandmother Jia and the cousins; Grandmother Jia approves, providing that they don’t sleep together till next year. Lady Wang is also delighted with the proposition. Zhang Hua is apprehensive about claiming Erjie and after initially being sentenced to flogging, he does so and the court finds in his favour. When they go to Rongguo to claim her, Xifeng feigns alarm to Grandmother Jia. All are concerned, but thinking that Lian has not slept with her, the damage should be limited. Cousin Zhen negotiates with the Zhangs to leave for more money, which they do; Xifeng is not put out by this, and summons Brightie to arrange Zhang Hua’s death. He has misgivings and, after going into hiding, reports his death to an unbelieving Xifeng, who lets the matter drop. She remains extremely affable to Erjie.

Lian returns from his mission, and doesn’t find Erjie in her room – the story is explained to him before he meets a surprisingly pleasant Xifeng. He marvels at the change in her and feels he has one up on her – he has also been given Autumn 秋桐 as a concubine, who treats Patience, Xifeng and Erjie with scant respect. Xifeng feigns sympathetic illness after telling Erjie that some in the household dislike her, while Patience is rebuked for eating with her and Baoyu and the cousins try to console her. Lian is completely taken in, but spends all his time with Autumn and his feelings for Erjie cool. Xifeng provokes them against each other, and Autumn persuades Grandmother Jia that the tearful Erjie is jealous and poorly bred. Only Patience supports her now; she falls progressively more ill, and sees Sanjie in a dream, telling her to kill the duplicitous Xifeng. She tells Lian that she his pregnant; the summoned doctor disagrees. The medicine he prescribes then causes a miscarriage – the foetus is male. The doctor flees, and a second doctor is pessimistic about her condition – she will only survive without emotional upset. Lian is furious, and Xifeng exhibits great distress and concern for Erjie. Seeing Lian occupied with helping Erjie, Autumn is seething jealousy, exacerbated when she is asked to leave due to an astral reading. Autumn complains to Lady Xing, who rebukes Xifeng and Lian. Autumn stands outside Erjie’s window and shouts abuse. That night, Patience goes to comfort her, and they weep together. After Patience leaves, she poisons herself by swallowing gold. The next morning the maids don’t look in on her until Patience rebukes their lack of sympathy – they scream and are moved to tears, along with Lian and (apparently) Xifeng. Lian sets about his duties – she is carried to Pear Tree Court and he arranges her funeral with a geomancer. Xifeng, who makes an excuse for not going into mourning, eavesdrops on the arrangements. She reports to Lady Jia, and they agree that the arrangements are excessive. She refuses to give Lian money, and he is forced to rifle through Erjie’s possessions for cash. He feels there’s something suspicious and weeps from anguish; Patience tells him not to make an exhibition of himself. He acquires timber for the coffin, order servants to keep vigil by Erjie and spends each night in Pear Tree Court before being summoned by Grandmother Jia.