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 106

王熙凤致祸抱羞惭

贾太君祷天消祸患

When Lady Jia comes round, Zheng comforts her in her great distress, when a message arrives from the Palace – Zheng is restored to his position and only She’s property is confiscated. The illegal promissory notes are to be investigated separately, and Lian is deprived of position and rank. Officials arrive to proclaim and enact the edict. Lian, whose property has been ransacked, father imprisoned and wife ill, is berated for usury by Zheng; he denies all knowledge and suggests summoning the stewards. He is dismissed by Zheng, who ruminates on the family’s misfortunes before a succession of friends and relations offers their sympathies. Although one does suggest that Zheng’s reputation with the Emperor is tarnished. A message arrives from Sun Shaozu that he expects the Jias to discharge She’s debts. Zheng’s friends are contemptuous, and suggest that Zheng will require the prince’s intervention to prevent total ruin. That night he broods on affairs, blaming Xifeng and Lian for the usury but choosing not to punish her due to her illness and losses from the raid. The next morning he visits the Emperor and princes and other friends to enlist support.

Lian returns home despondently and joins Patience at Xifeng’s bedside. He rejects Patience’s appeal for a doctor, upsetting her; but when he leaves, Xifeng tells Patience she wishes she could die – she knows she is blamed for the troubles and feels the lowest of the low. Lady Jia, now recovered, organises for support for Xifeng and the other distressed women, but they cannot find any money to cover the imprisoned men’s expenses – all are penniless and deeply in debt, so Lian secretly sells land from the country estates. Some servants exploit this by borrowing against their rent.

Lady Jia orders for incense to be lit before every Buddha and prays, breaking down in tears. She then wails and weeps with Baoyu, Baochai and Lady Wang, each contemplating their own plight and that of those around them. Word reaches Zheng in his study, and he reproaches them for not trying to cheer Lady Jia up. A messenger arrives with regards from the Shi household, and brings news that Xiangyun is soon to be married to a nice gentle man, who resembles Baoyu; Grandmother Jia remembers Xiangyun fondly and looks forward to her visiting. Baoyu is tearful to think of her marriage. Zheng, meanwhile, goes through a register of 212 servants with Lai Da before interrogating some and going through the ledgers, none of which balance – the weighty evidence of recklessness and mismanagement is a shock to him, and it is too late to start economising. He shouts at servants who try to console him. He asks in particular about Bao Er, who spread the malicious rumours but is not on the register – he had been employed at Ningguo, and there are many others not on the register, such as servants’ servants. He sets about deciding on a solution and waiting to find out She and Zhen’s sentences. A day or so later he is summoned to court.

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 64

幽淑女悲题五美吟

浪荡子情遗九龙佩

The funeral procession is magnificent. Baoyu is also required to spend all day by the coffin in Ningguo; one day, with no visitors, he goes back and finds Parfumée and Skybright fighting at Green Delights. Aroma has gone religious and is meditating. On the way to Daiyu’s, he bumps into Snowgoose, who has a large amount of fruit for Nightingale. Baoyu works out it must be the anniversary of Aunt Lin’s death, and decides not to bother Daiyu. Instead, he goes to see Xifeng, who is feeling better, before heading back to Daiyu’s. She is upset, and they have an emotional, sympathetic moment together. Nightingale enters, and thinks they have been quarrelling. Baoyu, feeling awkward, picks up some of Daiyu’s papers as Baochai enters. Daiyu has written a series of poems about famous women, but she and Baochai are uncomfortable with his discovering the poems – poetry is not the priority for ladies. Baoyu and Baochai praise the poems enthusiastically.

It is announced that Jia Lian has returned, and Baoyu goes to greet him. Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang return the next day, and go to see the coffin; Grandmother Jia is very moved and, back at Rongguo, it is apparent that mourning and travel have made her ill. She is not well enough for Jia Jing’s funeral a few days later. Jia Lian has admired Mrs You’s daughters Erjie 二姐 and Sanjie 三姐 for some time, and takes the opportunity to act. He uses every excuse to see Erjie; helping Cousin Zhen, who is very short of money after the funeral expenses. On the way, Jia Rong suggests helping Lian have her in a secret marriage – her family has a complex history and they would have no problem with it, but Xifeng might. Rong explains his idiotic plan for that, but Lian trusts in it, despite everything, not least its illegality and Rong’s own interest in Erjie. Lian goes to see Erjie, and is flirting with her with a handkerchief and set of jade dragons when her mother and Sanjie enter. He takes care of official business, charming Mrs You. Rong calls Lian out, and he watches Rong talking with Mrs You, gesturing to Lian and Erjie. Sanjie shouts at him. He then goes to tell Cousin Zhen of the plan; he approves, but isn’t sure whether Erjie would agree, and talks to Youshi, who disapproves. The next day, Rong goes to persuade Mrs You, who then goes to persuade Erjie, who consents with a nod. Cousin Zhen tells Lian, who is delighted and sets about arrangements. He chooses Bao Er and his new wife the Mattress, united in their hatred of Xifeng, for this household, and pays off Erjie longstanding betrothed. He chooses a date for the secret marriage.

Chapter 44

变生不测凤姐泼醋

喜出望外平儿理妆

Daiyu has guessed the reason for Baoyu’s earlier absence, and makes loud comments to Baochai during the play regarding offerings. Grandmother Jia is fussing that Xifeng enjoy herself and makes Youshi do her bidding, but Xifeng is being difficult and not drinking much unless forced. She is forced, and is very drunk. She slips away with Patience and, in an alley, a junior maid runs when she sees them. She is caught and, after threats and blows, admits that Jia Lian has returned and she had been stationed to give him warning of her coming. She reveals under further duress that he has Bao Er’s 鲍二 wife there. Xifeng is furious and strides off, encountering and slapping another junior maid, and eavesdropping on Lian’s conversation badmouthing her tyranny and praising Patience, wanting to kill the former and marry the latter. She strikes Patience before bursting in and shouting at and beating Bao Er’s wife. Patience is overwhelmed and joins in the pummelling of the woman. Lian, also drunk, threatens Patience, who stops; Xifeng then hits her for being scared of him. Attacked on both sides, she dashes out threatening suicide, and is seized by maids. Xifeng and Lian’s rumpus continues with him grabbing a sword, when Youshi and a crowd arrive. Xifeng runs weeping to Grandmother Jia, exaggerating the tale and threats. Lian, assuming impunity, is dragged in, sword in hand, and roundly scolded by mother and aunt as well. Grandmother Jia sends for his father, and he finally sulks out. To Xifeng, she dismisses the incident, but expects apologies the next day, and sends a sympathetic message to Patience.

Patience is a sobbing heap with Baochai and Li Wan trying to lift her spirits. She perks up when Amber arrives with a Grandmother Jia’s message. The girls return, and Baoyu invites Patience to his place, where she continues to be upset, but is treated kindly – it is the first time that Baoyu has been able to deal closely with Patience, who he admires greatly. He offers her one of Aroma’s dresses to wear and she is touched. He urges her to put on some make up, talking her through his luxurious toiletries. She is summoned away to Li Wan’s; he is overjoyed to have been able to show her something of what he feels for her. Thinking of her lot with the boorish Lian and vindictive Xifeng, he weeps. He irons and folds her dress before heading out.

The next morning a remorseful Lian heads to Grandmother Jia’s to apologise. He smarts at her injustice, but acknowledges guilt. He eventually apologises to Xifeng in a droll manner that causes laughter. He apologises immediately to Patience, causing further laughter, and Patience and Xifeng have a tearful reunion. When alone, Xifeng provokes further argument, turning to laughter, when a woman arrives to report that Bao Er’s wife has hanged herself. Lin Zhixiao’s 林之孝 wife arrives and says that her family are thinking of taking the matter to court. Xifeng is resolutely stubborn. Jia Lian leaves to talk to Lin Zhixiao himself, and eventually they keep quiet for a payment, against Xifeng’s wishes, and he flatters Bao Er back to his side. Xifeng inquires after the injuries she cause Patience, when Li Wan and the cousins arrive.