Chapter 115

惑偏私惜春矢素志

证同类宝玉失相知

Zheng summons Baoyu, advising him to resume his studies. He and Baochai are then visited by two nuns paying respects. They soon proceed to Xichun’s, who hasn’t eaten for days. They talk about Adamantina, who the nuns had thought a bit strange, and about karma, to which Xichun is very receptive. She tells them of her desire to become a nun; they goad her, attracting her anger, and leave. Landscape, unable to dissuade her, reports to Youshi and Ladies Xing and Wang about Xichun’s desire; Youshi thinks she’s using it as leverage, and the Ladies are also unable to talk her out of it.

Zhen Baoyu is announced, and Lady Wang entertains Lady Zhen while Zheng meets him. Zheng, impressed by Zhen Baoyu’s abilities, calls for his sons. Zheng leaves them together; the Baoyus are both fascinated by each other but Huan and Lan’s presence forces formality on them, and they lavish each other with formal praise while reflecting on their first impressions of their counterpart’s character. The conversation is awkward; Lan is priggish towards Zhen Baoyu, while he in turn is very earnest, irritating Baoyu. They are called to join the women; each mother is very warm to the other Baoyu, and the maids come to take a look at them. Lady Wang consents to act as a matchmaker for Zhen Baoyu, suggesting Li Wan’s cousins; the boys promptly remove themselves, but before long Zhen Baoyu is called to leave and they part. Baoyu is sorely disappointed, realising that, after having looked forward to their meet, they are polar opposites. He complains to Baochai about him; she responds with a diatribe and he suffers a quiet relapse.

Lady Wang tells Zheng about Xichun; he orders Youshi to dissuade her, which elicits more suicide threats. Youshi sees the force of her argument. She finds Lady Wang upbraiding Aroma, having discovered about Baoyu’s relapse. Overhearing the scolding brings Baoyu round, and Lady Wang sends for a doctor on his advice. He soon suffers a major deterioration, missing the service ending mourning for Lady Jia. When the family return and see his condition they begin to make funeral arrangements. A monk arrives at the door claiming to have Baoyu’s jade and asking for money. They want to send him away, but Zheng decides to invite him in in the hope that it might cure Baoyu. In the confusion, the ladies are unable to withdraw in time as the monk hurries in to Baoyu. They are too shocked to judge the authenticity of the jade and to give him the money he asks for, but Baoyu shows immediate recovery when presented with the jade. All are greatly relieved; the monk is presented to Zheng; he ignores Zheng’s questions and demands payment. Zheng leaves to see Baoyu; Lady Wang suggests pawning everything, but Baoyu and Zheng find it strange that he wants money at all. Baoyu starts eating with some gusto; Musk makes an excited reference to her delight that Baoyu had not smashed the jade, which throws him back into a slump.

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.