Chapter 1116

得通灵幻境悟仙缘

送慈柩故乡全孝道

Lady Wang is unable to wake Baoyu, and finds the monk has vanished. Baoyu’s spirit has left his body and joined the monk; passing the figure of You Sanjie, they float towards a monumental archway marked ‘The Paradise of Truth’. After chasing the vanishing figure of Faithful, he realises he’s not in the Garden – it’s the site of his childhood dream. He enters a building out of curiosity, and picks up the register of the twelve beauties of Jinling, and quickly works out the references to Daiyu and Baochai before working through the rest. He wants to copy out the poems, but can’t find a brush or ink. A picture in a supplementary register causes him to cry, before Faithful reappears, calling him to see Daiyu. He follows her into a new vista of tall buildings, where he loses himself looking at a plant and talking to its minder, a Flower Fairy, who tells him the history of the flower, the Crimson Pearl Flower, which had descended into the world of men to repay its debt of tears. The Fairy says that her mistress is the River Queen, but threatens Baoyu for thinking that she is Daiyu. Addressing him as a divine page, someone resembling Skybright chases after him to bring him to Daiyu; he tries to escape but is threatened with a sword by Sanjie. He is taken to the River Queen’s palace, and is ushered in by ladies-in-waiting; the Queen resembles Daiyu, but he is quickly forced out after calling her ‘cousin’. He is delighted to see Xifeng, but on closer inspection it is Keqing; in a daze, he bursts into tears as guards in yellow turbans chase after him. He runs after several other visions of cousins, who turn into ghouls and chase him too. Suddenly the monk reappears, the monsters vanish and they are back in wilderness. The monk mocks Baoyu: he has read the registers but still doesn’t understand. The monk tells him to ponder on his experience – he will explain further when they meet again – before giving him a shove, and Baoyu finds himself back with his family, who are all in tears. He is pleased to find he can remember every detail of his dream.

Zheng sends for a doctor and Baoyu is given some soup. Baochai wonders where the monk could have found the jade, suspecting that he took it in the first place. Lady Wang muses on Baoyu’s strange relationship with the jade. Xichun, remembering words of Adamantina, offers a Buddhist interpretation, which Baoyu and Youshi sniff at; Xichun reaffirms her desire to become a nun. The conversation triggers a flash of recognition in Baoyu, remembering what he read in the registers.

With Baoyu improved, Zheng is anxious to arrange the interment of Lady Jia’s coffin, along with Xifeng and Daiyu, in the South. He discusses the ways and means with Lian, given their financial straits. He selects a day to leave, and before going reminds Lian that the civil service examinations are coming up and Lan and Baoyu can restore some family pride; Lady Wang begins to apply more pressure on Baoyu. While Baoyu is improving outwardly, he is undergoing a deep inner change, rejecting love along with worldly success. Nightingale notices this, and is upset at his indifference when Daiyu’s coffin leaves. She scoffs when Fivey complains to her that Baoyu is unkind to her. Someone shouts that the monk has returned and is demanding his payment, and Lady Wang wants Baochai to help.

Chapter 111

鸳鸯女殉主登太虚

狗彘奴欺天招伙盗

Patience escorts Xifeng to her room, where she sleeps. Lady Xing suspects her of malingering, and her absence leads to almost complete chaos. Later in the evening, Faithful wails to think of Lady Jia, and is then absent at the wake ritual. With the cortege about to leave, Zheng and Lian discuss who should remain behind to mind the house. Faithful, wandering alone, broods on her bleak future and wishes to die. Entering Lady Jia’s apartment, she sees the spectre of a hanging woman, and deduces that it Rong’s first wife Keqing showing her how to kill herself. He resolve fixed, she loops a sash round a beam and quickly hangs herself. Her wandering soul addresses the spectre, who introduces herself as Disenchantment’s sister Keqing, and explains her role in the Tribunal of Love, and about the natural state of love. Faithful’s soul nods understanding and follows her. Amber and Pearl, looking for Faithful on Lady Wang and Lady Xing’s orders, are horrified to find her body, as are the household ladies when they hear the news. Baoyu is dumbfounded before wailing, thinking only of the nobility of her death, which soon comforts him. Zheng also commends Faithful, before ordering a coffin to travel with her mistress. The maids all weep; Nightingale in particular wishes she had done the same after Daiyu’s death. Faithful’s sister-in-law is summoned and given an allowance; she is rather pleased. For her Confucian loyalty, Zheng affords her coffin particular honour. Baoyu is delighted and kowtows to her, Lady Xing tries to stop the others from doing the same, but Baochai does, dividing opinion amongst the assembled crowd. The cortege leaves for the temple at seven the next morning; Xifeng and Xichun stay behind, Zheng heads the procession.

Following Grandmother Jia’s death, He San thinks he might be able to find a job at Rongguo again, but it is futile. He tells his friends that, contrary to what they’ve heard, the Jias have lots of money, but are just not spending it. A friend suggests robbing them while they are at the funeral. He thinks it’s a crazy idea at first; they talk a while before parting. Bao Yong has not been assigned any tasks during the funeral, and is living independently. Adamantina is furious when he offends her, not letting her into the household; she eventually enters and visits Xichun, playing Go until the early hours. They are just retiring when the night watch cry that intruders have entered. They have robbed Lady Jia’s apartment, and are escaping on the roof; the night watch are frozen to the spot as Bao Yong, club in hand, vaults onto the roof in pursuit. The thieves had been in Xichun’s courtyard, distracted by the meditating Adamantina before fleeing. They confront Bao Yong on the roof with swords; he knocks one off before a melee ensures. The thieves flee, leaving some chests behind – on inspection, they are empty. Jia Yun and Steward Lin go round the apartments, berating the night watch. At Xichun’s they are told of Bao Yong’s heroics. He takes them to the body he knocked from the roof – it is He San’s, all are taken aback. The police arrive, finding no evidence that the burglers were armed. All gather at Lady Jia’s, but they are unable to provide the police an inventory of the stolen goods without Faithful – everything has been taken. Xifeng is livid, assuming the night watch were complicit, and orders them to be tied up and handed over to the police; the women all beg for mercy.

Chapter 110

史太君寿终归地府

王凤姐力诎失人心

Lady Jia addresses the assembled people, and Baoyu, Lan and Xifeng personally, then asks after the absent Xiangyun. She turns to Baochai next, but dies before Zheng can reach her. The ladies arrange her; kneel by the bed, the men kneel in the outer room and the servants enact the arrangements. Friends, relatives and the Emperor are notified (the Emperor authorises money and official reverence for her) and an auspicious day is chosen for the funeral. Each has their own role: Xifeng is orchestrating the ladies’ reception, which she sees as a chance to earn credit. She is dismayed, however, to see the shortage in staff. Faithful asks for her; she tearfully begs that no expense be spared in giving Lady Jia a deserved extravagant farewell, offering suggestions for sourcing more funds. Xifeng finds her manner strange; she reassures her, but resolves to stick to the book. She does tell Lian, who explains that Zheng had proposed the funeral be seen to be appropriately modest, but the rest of the funeral funds are spent on land and buildings where she will be buried in the South. There are, however, no funds immediately available to them yet. A maid interrupts them – the service at the ladies’ reception is extremely poor. Xifeng has to borrow an old service set; Faithful wonders why the capable Xifeng is bungling the reception. In fact, Lady Xing, not Lian, has control over the funds and she has not issued them yet. Despite this, Lady Xing and Lady Wang criticise her efforts. Xifeng is speechless, and chooses to rebuke the staff, explaining that she is being blamed for their failings. The staff, in turn, complain that too much is being asked of them, and Xifeng explains that she is in no position to scold the maids, unlike at the Ningguo funeral; she feels bitterly wronged and implores them to do the best they can. The next day’s funeral ritual is conducted perfunctorily, and Xifeng is mortified that the reception is a shambles – she cannot control the servants. Of the ladies, only Li Wan shows sympathy, and she speaks to her servants, telling them to lend a hand. Lan enters as he is going to bed, impressing the servants with his keenness to study, particularly when compared to the immature Baoyu. They gossip about Huan. Wan asks about carriages for the next day’s procession, she sighs to hear that they will have to hire them.

Her husband’s disease having being diagnosed as consumption, Xiangyun is able to join the funeral, her grief exacerbated by her husband’s condition. Baoyu admires how she and the other girls look in their plain mourning clothes. He thinks of Daiyu and weeps unrestrainedly. At the wake the next day, Xifeng is utterly exhausted, and is about to break when a young maid brings a rebuke from Lady Xing. She struggles to control her indignation, but sees black and collapses, vomiting large quantities of blood. Patience hurries to support her.

Chapter 108

强欢笑蘅芜庆生辰

死缠绵潇湘闻鬼哭

Zheng turns to Xifeng for help in reducing the staff; she also finds the task impossible, the raids having reduced all available funds and the new austerity leading to constant complaints. Xiangyun visits – she is enjoying married life. Lady Jia fills her in on events, particularly for the Xues and the Wangs, and she regrets the fate of the young family members, and reflects on the changes. Xiangyun suggests staying on for Baochai’s upcoming birthday, which Lady Jia has forgotten about – she orders a surprise two day party. At the party, Baoyu (the only man invited) is delighted that it has been arranged and pleased that marriage has not dimmed Xiangyun’s forthrightness. Yingchun arrives, immediately precipitating tears, but Grandmother Jia upbraids them – she wants the party to cheer everyone up. Xifeng is quite unable to muster herself, and a comment about ‘reunion’ only serves to highlight those absent. Despite Lady Jia’s attempts to create an informal, fun atmosphere, it is clear that no one is their old partygoing selves. Baoyu suggests a drinking game and calls for a reluctant Faithful, who suggests a simple game; however, certain dice throws both embarrass Baoyu and make him think of his dream of the twelve beauties and ruminate on his absent cousins. He absents himself, leading to the game to be stopped – it is not much fun. There is concern when Baoyu doesn’t return for some time, and the maids concoct a story to excuse him from dinner.

Baoyu is wandering in aimless grief; Aroma joins him. He finds a gate to the Garden open; Aroma holds him back from entering, but a serving woman volunteers to join them. Baoyu is distressed by the Garden’s desolation, and is drawn to the Naiad’s House, despite Aroma trying to confuse his bearings and take him back to the party. He thinks he hears weeping from the House as they approach it; the serving woman warns him off, saying that they have also heard sounds of weeping. Baoyu and Aroma are startled, and he gets more and more distraught, wailing in grief. Ripple, who has been sent to search for him, arrives; they drag him back to Lady Jia’s apartment. Lady Jia berates Aroma for allowing him back in the Garden; Baoyu speaks up for her, and others join in the brief argument before the party breaks up. Despite her concern, Baochai turns a deaf ear to Baoyu’s endless sighing; she calls Aroma aside for an account of what happened in the Garden.

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 76

凸碧堂品笛感凄清

凹晶馆联诗悲寂寞

Noting Baochai and Baoqin’s absence as the party regroups, Grandmother Jia again comments on how depleted the family seems. She is still game and drinking, and the other women, who are exhausted, are obliged to carry on at her pace. Looking at the large, clear moon, she calls for the flautist to play for them from far away. Hearing that Jia She has twisted his ankle, she tells Lady Xing to look after him; she also tells Youshi to leave, but she doesn’t want to. The rest of the party are admiring cassia when the beautiful flute music starts, startling them to silence and leading to great praise when it finishes. Grandmother Jia keeps drinking – against Faithful’s wishes, she wants to stay up till dawn – when the flute starts up again. This time it is so ghostly and melancholy that people try to escape it with forced talk; Youshi begins to tell Lady Jia a joke when she drops off. After denying her tiredness, she sees that the cousins (except Tanchun) have given in and gone to bed, so she calls an end to the party and returns to her room. One of the ladies notices a cup is missing; talking with Kingfisher, they establish that Xiangyun must have taken it to bed.

Xiangyun is actually comforting Daiyu, who, as an orphan, had found the family occasion painful. After lamenting that the poetry club wasn’t able to meet for the festival, she suggests composing linked verses together. They go to Concave Pavilion by the lake for a more inspirational environment. They discuss the poeticism of the words ‘convex’ and ‘concave’. The two night watchwomen at the Pavilion are not awake; Xiangyun and Daiyu sit and watch the lake and talk about poetry. When they hear the flute playing, they decide on a form and a rhyme and start their linked verses, joking, admiring and offering criticism on them as they go. Daiyu sees a dark shadow in the lake. Throwing a pebble into it, a stork flies out of the lake and into one of Xiangyun’s couplets. In awe of Xiangyun’s efforts, Daiyu ends the poem to Xiangyun’s reciprocated admiration. A stranger steps out and applauds their efforts – it is Adamantina, who has been tempted out to observe the moon by the flute playing. She invites them back to her Hermitage where they drink tea when their maids Nightingale and Kingfisher arrive, looking for them. Before leaving, Daiyu is impressed by Adamantina’s enthusiasm for poetry and asks for some criticism. She declares that she would like to bring their poem back to a Buddhist ‘proper aspect’ and adds thirteen more couplets to Daiyu and Xiangyun’s admiration. It is nearly dawn, and they leave the Hermitage for Daiyu’s where they go to bed. However, they are now beyond tiredness and neither can sleep.

Chapter 72

王熙凤恃强羞说病

来旺妇倚势霸成亲

Faithful resolves to keep her experience to herself, but Chess is still ill at ease. When she hears her cousin is missing, she falls ill in earnest. Faithful visits her to reassure her, and they bond. She has also noticed that Xifeng is ill and drops in on her. Xifeng is napping, so Faithful talks with Patience, who tells her that Xifeng refuses to see a doctor. She has been bleeding continuously since her last period; Faithful’s sister died of something similar. A marriage broker arrives to see Xifeng and is sent away; Jia Lian returns. By coincidence he had been looking for Faithful as he couldn’t find a present given to Grandmother Jia. Xifeng has it in their loft – Lian had forgotten that she had it. When Faithful tries to leave, Lian asks a favour of her – he is out of money and wants her to smuggle a box of Grandmother Jia’s valuables that she wouldn’t miss. He flatters her, but she is summoned away before agreeing and Lian goes in to see Xifeng, who is now up, and they discuss their plan and what Xifeng will get out of it. They laugh together, but she flies off the handle at one point at Lian’s tone when discussing money – her family are much richer than the Jias. It is the anniversary of Erjie’s death the next day and Xifeng plans to visit her grave. Brightie’s wife hurries in – she is trying to arrange the marriage of her son to Sunset, who is at home with her parents, without luck so far. She had hoped that Xifeng could help settle it; the girl is keen, but her parents are a stumbling block. Lian offers the help the next day. In return, Xifeng wants Brightie to start calling in the loans she’s handed out – money is short. A messenger arrives from the Master of the Bedchamber at the Palace wanting a loan. She strings him along – saying he can have as much money as he wants, and that there’s no need to pay back this or previous loans. Brightie’s wife plays along, and Patience gives the messenger the money having pawned some jewellery.

Lian hears from Lin Zhixiao that Jia Yucun has been demoted; they don’t know what for, but resolve to have little to do with him. They talk about the household’s financial problems – Lin Zhixiao think they should discharge some of the older servants and reduce the household wage bill. Lian agrees, but doesn’t want to trouble the recently-returned Zheng. He asks Lin to help with brokering Brightie’s son’s marriage; he is lukewarm, as Brightie’s son is already quite the rogue. Lian thinks he needs a good hiding; Zhixiao suggests the Lian punishes him next time he’s in trouble. That evening, Sunset’s mother agrees to the marriage after meeting Xifeng, but Lian expresses his doubts to her.

Brightie’s visit to Sunset’s parents has filled her with foreboding – her heart belongs to Jia Huan, and when she hears of Brightie’s son’s reputation she is more alarmed. Worrying that their relationship with Xifeng might cement it, she sends her sister Moonrise 小霞 to find out from Aunt Zhao what is happening. Aunt Zhao is keen for Huan to ask for Sunset, and tries to enlist Zheng’s support, but he is unenthusiastic. He has girls in mind for Baoyu and Huan, but thinks they are too young. They are disturbed by a loud crash.

Chapter 71

嫌隙人有心生嫌隙

鸳鸯女无意遇鸳鸯

Jia Zheng has arrived home. After reporting to the Emperor he is granted a month’s recuperation leave. It is Grandmother Jia’s birthday, there are to be eight days of celebration in both houses for various groups of guests, including royalty. At one of the banquets, the Princess Dowager of Nan’an asks after the cousins, and five of the girls are presented to her. Grandmother Jia is exhausted by the celebrations.

Throughout the celebrations, Youshi is staying at Rongguo and helping Xifeng. One night when she is free and Xifeng is not available, she goes to the Garden to see the cousins. Her maid cannot find a soul, and has an argument with two stewardesses as the gate is open and lights on. She reports this with indignation to Youshi, who has found Aroma, Xiangyun and Baoqin. Youshi stalls on punishing them, due to the celebrations, but word reaches Xifeng via an over-attentive Zhou Rui’s wife, and she orders them to be detained and sent to be death with by Youshi after the celebrations finish. Zhou Rui’s wife orders Lin Zhixiao’s wife to go to Youshi immediately, leading to an awkward meeting. After she leaves, she complains to Aunt Zhao and manages the entreating daughters of the two stewardesses. Gossip spreads, and a busybody relative of one of the stewardesses complains to Lady Xing. Lady Xing, currently jealous of Xifeng who is more favoured by Grandmother Jia, sees this as an attack on herself by Xifeng. The next day there are further elaborate celebrations. In the evening, just before leaving, Lady Xing confronts Xifeng about the detained stewardesses in public. Xifeng is humiliated and tries to laugh it off, but when there is agreement that they should be released her humiliation is compounded. She runs back to her quarters to weep, but is summoned by Grandmother Jia immediately. She hides her tears and they eat. Faithful explains Xifeng’s tears to Grandmother Jia after she leaves; she feels Xifeng acted correctly. She sends Faithful to the Garden to complete the arrangements for two guests, Xiluan 喜鸾 and Sijie 四姐, to stay on and while there she discusses Xifeng’s difficult position with Li Wan, Youshi and the cousins. Conversation soon turns to Baoyu’s happy-go-lucky attitude to life, the future and death; young Xiluan is embarrassed by talk of marriage.

When returning, Faithful notices one of the side gates is not barred, and she takes the opportunity to empty her bladder. She spots two figures hide in the bushes and identifies one as Yingchun’s maid Chess and calls after her in jest. Chess has a guilty conscience and is terrified – she begs her not to cry out. Faithful notices that the other figure is a boy; Chess says that he’s her cousin, and they are all embarrassed. Faithful swears she will have mercy on them and won’t tell, and leaves through the gate.

Chapter 54

史太君破陈腐旧套

王熙凤效戏彩斑衣

The largesse had been secretly arranged by Zhen and Jia Lian, who go over to serve Grandmother Jia and the senior ladies; all watch. Baoyu slips out during the next play, and Lady Jia orders some nannies to follow him, and expresses her disappointment in Aroma. Xifeng defends her, and they discuss her bereaved situation.

Baoyu heads to Green Delights, but does not enter for fear of disturbing Faithful and Aroma, who are talking about her mother. Baoyu relieves himself as two very civil women arrive with food boxes from Grandmother Jia for the two maids. Ripple and Musk help Baoyu wash his hands, and he heads back to the hall, where he tops up the ladies. Two new blind ballad singers arrive, and give a synopsis of a new ballad. The hero is called Wang Xifeng, causing all to laugh. Grandmother Jia guesses the end, and launches into a tirade against clichéd romances. Wang Xifeng declaims on Lady Jia’s comments, and even the ballad singers are in stitches. Aunt Xue tells her to behave, as there are people outside listening; Xifeng says that it’s only Zhen and they always used to get up to mischief together – he’d be please that she’s entertaining Lady Jia. She compares herself with the story of Lao Laizi, who dressed up in children’s clothes aged 70 to entertain his parents. She makes tops up everyone’s drinks, and the ballad singers perform a song. It is midnight – they move to a warmer room, where Grandmother Jia seats everyone. She calls for her own actors, led by Elegante 文官, and tells them what to perform. She tells Mrs Xue and Mrs Li that the actresses are not much good. They play a drinking game to music, at Xifeng’s suggestion; the forfeit is to tell a joke. All the maids gather in the hope of hearing Xifeng tells one. Lady Jia is first, and tells a joke about Monkey’s piss. The maids rig it so Xifeng is next; hers is about a family celebrating like them, and a dud firework. Jia Rong is reminded of their fireworks, and heads out; Daiyu, being more timid, is hugged by Lady Jia while they are set off. More food arrives before the party breaks up.

The next morning they pay a ceremonial visit to Ningguo. Due to the political environment, there is no contact from Yuanchun, but there is a succession of parties and receptions over the next few weeks. After the festivities are over, Xifeng miscarries, plunging the household into dismay.

Chapter 52

俏平儿情掩虾须镯

勇晴雯病补孔雀裘

Grandmother Jia approves of the separate kitchen, and takes the opportunity to praise Xifeng in company, and she responds in kind. Baoyu hurries back to see Skybright, who is feverish and alone. Musk and Patience are whispering outside, so Baoyu eavesdrops to find out that a bracelet of Patience’s had been stolen by Trinket. She has it back, but doesn’t want Baoyu to know. He is touched, but angry about Trinket. He tells Skybright, who is furious. Dr Wang comes again in the morning, and Baoyu makes her take snuff from a western box. It works, but gives her a headache, and Baoyu sends Musk for more western medicine. She returns with the message that Baoyu is expected at his Uncle Wang’s birthday the next day. He heads to Daiyu’s to join Baochai, Baoqin and Xiuyan. He notes some narcissi, and they discuss medicine and the next poetry meeting. Baoqin tells of meeting a beautiful Western girl who could write Chinese poetry, enthralling the others. She has left it in Nanjing (despite bringing so much other stuff), but can recall it; they call the others to hear her recite. It is very good. A message arrives for Baoyu – his mother cannot make tomorrow’s birthday celebrations – and the others leave. He and Daiyu have difficulty expressing what they want to say and, after some silence, he leaves. He goes back to ask after her health, hoping to raise other matters, but before long Aunt Zhao arrives and he has to leave.

Skybright and Musk wake Baoyu and help him with his toilet. It looks like it will snow, and when he goes to Grandmother Jia’s she asks Faithful to give him a Russian peacock cloak. Baoyu has become uncomfortable by Faithful’s avoidance of him since her avowal never to marry, so he approaches her directly and she flees. He goes to show the cloak to his mother and maids, and returns. Baoyu leaves on horseback with a small party to salutes from pages, being especially careful with his cloak.

Skybright’s illness is no better, and Musk urges patience. Trinket arrives, and Skybright vents her anger at her, stabbing her hand with a hairpin. She tells Mamma Song 宋妈 that Baoyu has ordered her to be dismissed, and her mother is summoned. She remonstrates that she should be punished for any misdemeanour, not dismissed and sneers at Skybright’s apparent lack of etiquette in using Baoyu’s personal name; Musk tells her that this is Grandmother Jia’s wish, as it brings him good luck. Before they leave, Mamma Song obliges Trinket to kowtow to the other maids. Skybright’s illness gets worse with the cold and emotional upset. Baoyu returns later in a state – he’s burned a small hole in the cloak. Musk gives it to a nanny, ordering it to be done by the morning, but she can find no-one who can identify the material. He has to wear it tomorrow, so Skybright takes a look. They have the thread and, despite Baoyu’s exhortations, fights back her weakness to darn it. Baoyu fusses round her, and she sends him to bed, although he doesn’t sleep. She finishes during the night, and it is extremely good work. She is exhausted, and falls back on the bed.

Chapter 47

呆霸王调情遭苦打

冷郎君惧祸走他乡

Lady Wang hurries out to bring Lady Xing in, who receives a frosty reception when she pays her respects to Grandmother Jia. The others leave until they are alone: Grandmother Jia admonishes her for encouraging her husband, and for ignoring her own need of Faithful. She recalls everyone, and they play cards. Grandmother Jia wins, with Xifeng losing lots of money and resists paying up, causing all to laugh. Patience brings her money, and on her way out meets Lian, who has been sent by She to find Xing. She advises him not to enter due to Grandmother Jia’s mood. He peers in and, despite Xifeng signalling to him that he shouldn’t, enters. Grandmother Jia snaps at him and he bolts. Lady Xing exits with him, and returns home to report to She, who is mortified, and makes arrangements to purchase a different girl.

On the fourteenth, Grandmother Jia and others spend the day at Lai Da’s. Jia She is notably absent, and Xue Pan is excited to see an amateur actor, Liu Xianglian 柳湘莲, present, who he assumes shares his proclivities. He escapes from a distasteful Xue Pan, and is detained by Baoyu. They talk emotionally about Qin Zhong’s grave before Xianglian tries to leave, but Xue Pan finds him at the main gate. Revolted by his intimacy, he draws him aside and leads him on, inviting him to his place later before they rejoin the party. Xianglian leaves and waits outside; Xue follows soon after and leads him into the country. Xue begins to swear an oath when Xianglian strikes him; Xue lies prostate, and Xianglian whips him, drags him to muddy water and forces him to drink. He tries to make him eat his own vomit before riding away.

At the party, Cousin Zhen and the others seek them without success. Jia Rong and some boys are sent to track them down, and find Xue Pan. They work out what must have happened and mock him before sending for a chair to take him back. Cousin Zhen is unconcerned, but Aunt Xue, after finding Caltrop upset, is torn between anguish and anger, requiring Baochai to reassure her and stop her from pressing charges. She hopes that this might bring him to his senses. Xue Pan curses Xianglian, but Aunt Xue tells him that he had repented afterwards and fled the country.

Chapter 46

尴尬人难免尴尬事

鸳鸯女誓绝鸳鸯偶

Xifeng has been summoned by Lady Xing – Jia She wants Faithful for a concubine, and she wants advice as to how to approach Grandmother Jia. Xifeng doesn’t think she’ll allow it, and that Lady Xing needs to talk him out of it. Lady Xing is always desperate to please her husband, and Xifeng listens to her reaction before telling her what she wants to hear, suggesting she talk to Grandmother Jia immediately. Instead, Xing plans to talk with Faithful first. Xifeng reflects and proposes that Xing leave with her; Xing talks with Faithful on her own. She responds with silence, and Xing leaves for Xifeng’s, where Patience has been fully briefed.

Faithful decides to decamp, and makes her excuses through Amber. Angry, she wanders in the garden and comes across Patience, who teases her. Faithful reflects on the maids’ friendships and tells Patience reveals her dislike of Jia She. Aroma appears, and is told the situation. They teasingly suggest asking Grandmother Jia to tell him that she’s already been given to Lian or Baoyu, upsetting Faithful. After further discussion, her sister-in-law arrives, apparently having been spoken to by Lady Xing, and they argue – her sister-in-law retreats in a huff. The conversation changes – Aroma had been looking for Baoyu, who suddenly appears having been hiding. He has heard all, and is concerned for Faithful – he invites them all back to his for tea, worrying while they laugh and chatter.

Lady Xing had asked after Faithful’s parents, who are in Nanjing, and had asked her sister-in-law to do her bidding; she comes back to Xifeng and Xing and tells them of the earlier scene. Xifeng summons Patience, but she is reported to be detained by Daiyu. Lady Xing returns home and reports to Jia She, who summons Jia Lian, ordering him to recall Faithful parents. He cannot – the father is probably dead, the mother deaf, and a scared and ignorant Lian then loiters when her brother Jin Wenxiang 金文翔 is then sent for.

The next day, Wenxiang takes her back home for the day. He talks with Faithful and later reports to Jia She that she is unwilling – he is incensed and tells him to send his wife to give her a threatening message from him. He tells Faithful straight away – she calculates and goes to see Grandmother Jia with him and his wife. She kneels before her and, weeping, vows her faithfulness and that she will not marry at all, preferring to become a nun when Grandmother Jia dies. She takes a pair of scissors from her sleeve and begins snipping her hair. Grandmother Jia is trembling with rage, and accusing all present of deceiving her, aimed particularly (and unjustly) at Lady Wang. Tanchun defends her; Grandmother Jia smiles, and asks Baoyu why he did defend his mother. She turns to Xifeng, who blames her for training such an exemplary girl. While bantering, Lady Xing is announced.

Chapter 42

蘅芜君兰言解疑癖

潇湘子雅谑补余音

The party breaks up, and Grannie Liu tells Xifeng she intends to go home the next morning. Xifeng tells her she’s given Grandmother Jia and her baby a cold - she’s never seen her more active. Grannie Liu suggests they might have caught it from seeing a spirit, and Xifeng sends for her almanac. From this, she concludes it must have been a flower spirit, and she arranges an exorcism with positive results. Xifeng asks Grannie Liu to name her baby, and she chooses Qiaojie 巧姐 – it is the unlucky date of her birth, and she suggests fighting fire with fire. Before she goes to bed, Patience talks Grannie Liu through a large pile of presents for her – Grannie Liu is overawed, and promises to bring some vegetables next new year.

The next morning, Doctor Wang 王太医 arrives to see Grandmother Jia before Grannie Liu can get off. Grandmother Jia refuses to stand behind a curtain, and assesses Dr Wang to be a court physician of eminent stock. He prescribes no medicine; Xifeng enters with Qiaojie and she is also examined, and he prescribes missing a few meals and taking some pills. Grannie Liu says goodbye, and is given more presents by Faithful and the cup from the hermitage before leaving.

After calling on Grandmother Jia, Baochai invites Daiyu to hers. Baochai interrogates a nonplussed Daiyu; it transpires she wants to know the source of some of Daiyu’s drinking game quotes, which came from ‘The Return of the Soul’ and ‘the Western Chamber’. Daiyu is ashamed; Baochai confesses that as a girl she used to read books like that behind adults’ backs, but they were reading them too. She considers the corrupting influence of pernicious fiction, and that boys would be better off taking up business or agriculture, and girls sewing or spinning. At that point, Li Wan’s maid Candida arrives to summon them to discuss an important matter. It seems Xichun has asked to leave the club for a year, probably because of Grannie Liu’s comments on her painting – Grandmother Jia has asked her to paint the garden with some people. Daiyu repeatedly sets all laughing with comments about Grannie Liu and Xichun, and Baochai offers commentaries analysing her wit. Xiangyun breaks a chair laughing. Baoyu signals to her that her hair is loose; she corrects it, and rejoins the party, suddenly accusing Li Wan for all the horseplay. Li’s response makes her blush. Baochai suggests that, as the painting is going to be very difficult indeed, they compromise, and that she should have half a year’s leave from the club and that Baoyu should help, as he can ask his male friends for advice. Baochai scoffs at his inappropriate suggestion for the type of paper they should use, and suggests asking Lady Wang for the architectural drawings of the garden, as well as various pieces of artistic equipment. Finding that Xichun has no equipment at all, she dictates a long list of essentials to ask Lady Jia for. The teasing then continues all round, and at one point Daiyu pleads to Baochai for mercy during a tussle, making subtle reference to their earlier conversation, embarrassing her. Baochai then does Daiyu’s hair. After a while, they go to see Grandmother Jia, who is better.

Chapter 41

贾宝玉品茶栊翠庵

刘老老醉卧怡红院

Grannie Liu is afraid of breaking her porcelain cup, and asks for a wooden one. Faithful fetches ten boxwood cups, the size and detail of which astonish Grannie Liu. Xifeng jokes that she has to drink from all of them, she is given one of the largest in the end, and some food to accompany it. She is astonished further by the exquisite and complex recipe. When asked, she concludes the cups to be pine, causing further laughter. The music starts, and the drinking continues apace all round – Grannie Liu is particularly enjoying the music, and is consequently mocked by Daiyu. After the music, Grandmother Jia walks with Liu, who admires the flora and birds, but cannot name them. They eat some snacks, including some delicately fashioned pastries which further enchant Grannie Liu. She and Baner eat a lot of them, and the rest are sent to the actresses. A nurse arrives with Xifeng’s daughter, who swaps a grapefruit with Baner for a Buddha’s hand.

Adamantina welcomes Grandmothers Jia and Liu et al to the hermitage. Jia declines to enter the meditation hall, staying in the garden to take tea. Baoyu studies Adamantina attentively, and whilst the others take tea, he spots her take Baochai and Daiyu to her own room and gatecrashes. Adamantina tells a lay-sister to leave the cup Grannie Liu used outside – she considers it contaminated. They drink tea and discuss the value of cups. Adamantina is very eccentric about the water she uses for her tea. Baoyu suggests giving Grannie Liu’s cup to her, and getting his boys to clean her floor.

Grandmother Jia leaves the party to rest, along with Xifeng and Li Wan, and others also take the opportunity to excuse themselves. Faithful is instructed to show Grannie Liu more of the garden, and the cousins join. She kowtows at a stone arch, causing laughter, before her bowels rumble and she is quickly escorted to a privy by a servant who then leaves her to find her own way back. Her business takes some time. She is disorientated on exiting – not to mention still very drunk - walking into a Western-style painting with perspective and then being confused first by a mirror, and secondly by the automatic latch on the door on which the mirror is. She passes through the door and out on a bed. The cousins meanwhile are concerned, and send someone to the privy to check on her. Aroma thinks it through and hurries to Green Delights, where she finds Grannie Liu on a bed surrounded by a heady funk of wine and fart. She wakes and apologises, Aroma gestures to her not to speak, covers up the smell with fragrance and leads her out to the junior maids’ quarters. She asks whose room it was, and on discovering it is Baoyu’s, is horrified by the enormity of her trespass. Aroma escorts her back to the cousins, saying that she had fallen asleep on the grass; Grandmother Jia wakes and heads back to her own apartment, and everyone else goes back to the garden.

Chapter 40

史太君两宴大观园

金鸳鸯三宣鸦牌令

Baoyu arrives at Grandmother Jia’s to find them already deeply discussing the arrangements for Xiangyun’s farewell party. Baoyu suggestion of an informal party is accepted. The next morning, Li Wan supervises the arrangements, which Grannie Liu interrupts; Xifeng dresses her up, causing laughter, as does Liu’s earnestness in expressing her delight at the garden and Xichun’s painting. The ladies are touring garden: Grannie Liu slips outside the Naiad’s House causing more mirth. Daiyu serves the party tea, and Grannie Liu is impressed, thinking it a man’s study. Grandmother Jia notices the gauze on the windows is faded, and they discuss gauze materials at length. They leave Daiyu and, as the punts are out, they punt across the lake and have lunch en masse at Tanchun’s.

Xifeng and Faithful continue mocking Grannie Liu, to Li Wan’s annoyance, and they have concocted a set of practical jokes. Faithful takes Liu aside to ‘brief’ her on mealtime decorum, as she is to sit with Grandmother Jia. As the food arrives delivers a comical grace with determination and, after a moment of silence, everyone is convulsed with laughter, which only continues as she attempts to eat pigeon’s eggs with extremely heavy chopsticks. Jia has already identified Xifeng as the culprit. Later, Xifeng and Faithful apologise, but Liu is sincere in her compliments regarding the family’s breeding and etiquette. Xifeng (as a married woman) and the maids then eat, with Liu present; there is an awful lot of food left over. They move to join the others in Tanchun’s stylish apartment; Liu disciplines the ever-bolder Baner for touching everything. They hear the actresses rehearsing, and summon them to play to them from across the water. They leave, and get in the punts; Xifeng insists on punting but struggles and hands over to one of the Suzhou boatwomen they have imported. Baoyu and Daiyu discuss poetry as they all head to Allspice Court. It is extremely fragrant, but Baochai’s apartment is stark and bare and Grandmother Jia asks Faithful to supply some ornaments before berating Xifeng, even though Baochai had wanted it this way. Grandmother Jia declaims on taste and girls, and insists that Faithful supply certain objects.

They move on to a drinking party, and Grandmother Jia suggests drinking games, with Faithful as MC. Grannie Liu tries to leave, but is compelled to stay. The game involves dominoes, poetry and rhyming. Baoyu notices Daiyu using lines from ‘the Western Chamber’. They all laugh at Grannie Liu’s attempts.

Chapter 38

林潇湘魁夺菊花诗

薛蘅芜讽和螃蟹咏

Xiangyun invites the senior ladies to a cassia viewing at the Lotus pavilion, with Baochai’s help. Grandmother Jia reflects on a childhood accident in a similar pavilion, and Xifeng teases her – Lady Jia laughs at her cheekiness. They sit with the girls and Baoyu for some tea, and Xifeng prepares the crabs, refusing to let Xiangyun look after the guests – some of the maids are invited to eat while she prepares. When Xifeng attends to them, they make her down three cups of wine and banters with Faithful. In all the bantering, Patience ends up smearing crab all over Xifeng’s face, and the jollity spreads across the tables. The party breaks up and they get on with the poetry, pinning up the titles. Daiyu is fishing, maids drinking, as they gradually divide up and all twelve poems. Li Wan declares Daiyu the winner, and they admire each other’s verse at length. Baoyu declares himself to have come last again. The party continues and, inspired, Baoyu writes a quick poem on the subject of cassias and crabs; Daiyu criticises it and writes her own. She tears it up before Baoyu praises it, declaring it worse than his. Baochai writes one, which all agree is the definitive poem on the subject of eating crabs. Patience arrives back in the garden.

Chapter 24

醉金刚轻财尚义侠 

痴女儿遗帕惹相思

 

Daiyu is disturbed by Caltrop – Nightingale is looking for her, as Xifeng has sent her a present. She returns to the Naiad’s House.

Baoyu returns to find himself summoned by Grandmother Jia to check on She’s illness; while changing he throws himself on her maid Faithful 鸳鸯. He leaves, bumping into Jia Lian with Jia Yun 贾芸, a relative who Lian has promised a job for. He looks in on She, and then goes to see Lady Xing; she demonstrates her preference for him over Huan and asks him to stay to eat with the girls.

Jia Yun learns from Lian that the most recent job went to Jia Qin. He is irritated, and goes to his uncle’s perfumery for help; he receives none as his uncle doesn’t trust his credit. A local loan shark, Ni Er 倪二, known as the Drunken Diamond 醉金, offers him a generous deal. The next day he buys some camphor and musk and, after an elaborate tale, gives it to a delighted Xifeng. She mentions a job, but doesn’t say he has it. He goes to see Baoyu, who had half-heartedly invited him; he isn’t in (he’s at the Prince of Beijing’s place). He bumps into Xifeng again, who tells him with some malice that she’s worked out the reason for his visit, but gives him the job. He is delighted, and pays Ni Er back with the money he receives.

Baoyu calls his maids, but none are around, only a girl who had been there when Yun was, who Baoyu has never seen before; she turns out to be Crimson 小红, who was assigned to his house and had lost her handkerchief. Ripple 秋纹 and Emerald 碧痕, fetching water, find her and shout at her for opportunistically serving Baoyu. She is resentful. An old woman arrives with notice that Yun is to start work there the next day; she feels a flutter at his name. Later, Yun finds Crimson, having found her handkerchief, leading to a physical misunderstanding between them.