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 95

因讹成实元妃薨逝

以假混真宝玉疯癫

Tealeaf has run round the pawnshops and found two jades that match the description; Baoyu wants to get him enough money to buy them both, but Aroma jeers that every pawnshop is likely to have one. Xiuyan returns; after some persuasion, Adamantina has relented and performed a séance for her, which revealed that the jade disappeared without trace, returning to Greensickness Peak. They interpret that it will be found when they are not looking for it, but do not understand ‘Greensickness Peak’; Aroma takes it literally and searches the Garden again. It is late and the gathering disperses.

Daiyu considers that the lost jade is a sign that she has broken the bond of gold and jade, bringing her peace of mind which fluctuates as she tries to interpret the crab trees as well. Investigations continue for several days, although neither Lady Jia nor Zheng find out. Baoyu becomes listless and morose. Lian brings news to Lady Wang that Wang Ziteng has been promoted to a post in the capital, which delights and distracts her until Zheng, a few days later, announces that Yuanchun has been taken seriously ill. Lady Wang tells Grandmother Jia, and they set out for the Palace. Yuanchun has developed a chronic bronchial condition, exacerbated by a cold, and is unable to swallow medicine or speak; Lady Wang and Lady Jia are distraught by her appearance, but maintain court formalities. It is soon announced that she has died, in line with her fortune reading. The family return to Rongguo, where all are soon kept extremely busy with the funeral and Wang Ziteng’s arrival. Baoyu, without rank, does not attend the funeral and is left to his own idleness again, but he just sits around and mopes. A concerned Aroma gets Nightingale to persuade Daiyu to talk to him but, believing herself his future bride, she refuses to go to him; Tanchun is also too gloomy to help. Baochai, meanwhile, has been told of her betrothal, accepting in a filial fashion, so Baoyu’s name is a taboo so she is unable to help when she hears about the missing jade, although Aunt Xue does enquire after it. Aroma and Musk are anguished by Baoyu’s increasingly imbecilic, deranged state. A doctor prescribes medicine, which proves ineffective. After the funeral and Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia can see him again, it is soon clear that, despite appearances, he has lost his wits. Grandmother Jia is extremely agitated to hear of the lost jade. With Zheng out, Lian is ordered to put reward posters up and Baoyu is moved to Lady Jia’s apartment – without his jade, how can he repel the evil influences recently seen in the Garden?

Zheng, returning that evening, overhears street talk about the jade. Back at Rongguo it is explained to him. He is exasperated, but while he cannot oppose the posters as they were Lady Jia’s idea he does order them to be taken down. Nevertheless, a man soon appears claiming the reward. The gatehouse servants run to Lian, who spreads the news, and the man is invited in. The jade looks familiar to Lian, but Lady Wang, Lady Jia and Xifeng cannot identify it with certainty – it is not as lustrous as they remember. Aroma, whose hopefulness outweighs her doubts about the jade’s authenticity, fetches Baoyu, but he rejects the jade without looking at it. Grandmother Jia decides that they should be lenient to the impostor; a more irate Lian goes to address him in the study.

Chapter 90

失绵衣贫女耐嗷嘈

送果品小郎惊叵测

Daiyu’s erratic state, sometimes lucid, sometimes almost unconscious, causes her maids to be interrogated. They keep quiet, but feel responsible. One day, Snowgoose is watching Daiyu, frightened by her state, while Nightingale is urgently summoning the senior women. Scribe arrives, sent by Tanchun to enquire after her. Taking advantage of Nightingale’s absence and Daiyu’s state, Snowgoose asks Scribe about Baoyu’s betrothal; she tells her she heard it from Crimson, and has since heard that it isn’t true and that Lady Jia has one of the Garden girls in mind for him. Beside herself, Snowgoose reveals to her the reason for Daiyu’s terrible state when Nightingale arrives, telling them off for gossiping. Daiyu stirs and feebly asks for water. She opens her eyes and sends Scribe away with her regards for Tanchun. She had been feigning sleep and had heard them talking; she reasons that Scribe could have been referring to her. She feels light and clear. Their ladyships arrive; Daiyu responds to them well, despite her weakness, and Xifeng asks Nightingale why she had exaggerated her condition. Lady Jia explains that she is young and naïve and right to have called them. As Daiyu’s condition improves, the maids pray and conclude that she and Baoyu are, after all, destined to be together. Her illness and recovery are the source of speculation for all in the household. Their ladyships discuss it; Lady Jia thinks the illnesses mean the Daiyu and Baoyu should be separated; Lady Wang thinks they should be married, but Lady Jia disagrees. She feels her constitution contributes to her being an unsuitable wife, and that marrying Baoyu is a priority. Understanding Daiyu’s feelings, they determine that the betrothal should be kept completely secret. Lady Jia tells Xifeng to pay more attention to the Garden before they part.

Inspecting the Garden one day, she finds with an old servant woman who has been accused of stealing a jacket by Xiuyan’s maid. After managing the dispute, she talks with Xiuyan; she is concerned that her bedclothes and clothes are too worn and thin. Later, she asks Patience to send her some clothes. Xiuyan, meanwhile, makes herself depressed reflecting on how rude the servants are to her and her alone. Felicity 丰儿 arrives with the clothes from Xifeng; Xiuyan refuses to accept them. Felicity returns with Patience, who persuades her to take them. After tea, they leave and refuse an invitation from one of Aunt Xue’s women for a chat.

The woman returns to the Xues, who weep to hear about Xiuyan’s humiliation. Ke arrives, despairing with Pan’s friends’ indifference. Aunt Xue’s anxiety over Pan and Jingui is still heightened. Reflecting on his betrothed Xiuyan’s state, particularly compared to Jingui, Ke broods and composes a poem which his self-consciousness prohibits him displaying. Moonbeam arrives with wine and a plate of sweetmeats from Jingui, ostensibly in discreet thanks for helping Pan. He accepts, but her flirting and suggestive behaviour arouses his suspicions. He concludes that either Jingui is a harlot or is trying to disgrace the family name. He hears laughter outside the window.

Chapter 81

占旺相四美钓游鱼

奉严词两番入家塾

Unlike Lady Xing, Lady Wang is upset about Yingchun’s departure. Baoyu visits her; he has been sleepless with worry for Yingchun. He suggests getting Grandmother Jia to move her back in. Lady Wang laughs at his naïveté: they will grow together in time. Baoyu goes to Daiyu and explains his current existential crisis and disappointment in Lady Wang’s response. She does not respond, but is moved; he is called away. Later, he tries to read but cannot; he goes for a walk, but is depressed by the dereliction he sees. He hears four girls, including Tanchun and Xiuyan, fishing in the lake and scares them by throwing a stone. They decide to play a game – all must catch a fish to guarantee an auspicious year. The girls all catch a fish each quickly before Baoyu tries. He has no luck for some time, blaming his impatience and incompatibility; when he does get a bite, the rod breaks. He is suddenly summoned to Lady Jia by Musk with some urgency; she mentions a ‘scandalous revelation’.

At Lady Jia’s, he is asked what his previous illness – as cured by the monk and Daoist – felt like. He describes a vision of green, fanged devils and a shaft of light. Xifeng arrives, and is asked the same, giving a similar answer. Lady Wang explains that Baoyu’s godmother, Mother Ma, has been arrested as a witch, and Lady Jia is certain that it is related to the illnesses. Xifeng agrees, and recalls her collecting money from Aunt Zhao – it must have been a grudge as Grandmother Jia prefers Baoyu to Huan. They agree it will be hard to prove, but are content to agree between themselves. Lady Wang is called by Zheng; he asks after Yingchun, she tells him about Baoyu’s plan. Tangentially, Zheng suggests that Baoyu, currently very idle, should rejoin the family school. Baoyu is summoned to him the next day, where he receives a dressing down for his idleness and is sent off to rejoin the school the next day. Aroma is pleased; Baoyu is horrified, and asks Grandmother Jia to intervene. She encourages him to go. The next day, he is accompanied to school by Zheng and Tealeaf. Zheng hands him over to Jia Dairu’s care. When Zheng has left, Dairu sets out the curriculum to Baoyu; he looks round at the class, whose composition has changed much since he was last at school. He thinks of Qin Zhong as the day’s lessons start.

Chapter 63

寿怡红群芳开夜宴

死金丹独艳理亲丧

Baoyu and Aroma are planning a drinking party in Green Delights, hosted by the maids; Baoyu is pleased but concerned that the young maids have given so much money for it. He is distressed when Swallow tells him Fivey has had a relapse. It is lighting-up time and Lin Zhixiao’s wife is doing the rounds; she warns the inhabitants of Green Delights not to drink or gamble, and is shocked that Baoyu is not in bed. She has some tea, and disapproves of Baoyu using the maids’ first names. After she leaves, the maids strip down to their underwear and join Baoyu on the kang; he is already playing guess-fingers with Parfumée. After a brief birthday ceremony (he drinks from each of their cups), they decide to play a drinking game. As it requires more players, some of the maids sneak off to gather some of the girls. They arrive after persuasion from the more senior maids. Daiyu questions Li Wan’s presence, as she generally disapproves of the servants drinking and gambling, but she is willing to make an exception for a birthday. The drinking game involves throwing dice, counting round to that player who draws a card with a particular flower and poem on, and does what the card says. Parfumée sings for them. All assembled take their turns in good spirits – Xiangyun is particularly mocked for her recent drunkenness, and Tanchun for selecting a card intimating a noble marriage. Someone comes to collect Daiyu, as it is late, and the rest of the guests also break off. Back at Green Delights, the party continues with guess-fingers and songs, and all are extremely drunk, including the old women. The wine has run out, and they clear up, but Swallow and Number Four are asleep on the kang. Skybright cannot wake them, and Baoyu says it will be alright if they all sleep on the kang. The next morning, they wake late, and Parfumée is embarrassed to have slept by Baoyu’s side. He thanks them for the party. Patience comes round, faking indignation not to have been invited to the party.

Baoyu is agitated to find a birthday card from Adamantina; he starts to write a response and heads off. He bumps into Xing Xiuyan who is also going to see her. They discuss her – she is very important to Xiuyan – and her love of Zhuangzi, and knowing more, Baoyu is able to return and complete his letter, which he delivers. He orders Parfumée to have her hair cut like a boy; they can pretend she’s foreign, and he gives her a new foreign sounding name as a result, Yelu Hunni 耶律雄奴. Patience is having a return party, with Youshi and other Ningguo guests too; some of the guests suggest more names for Parfumée. The party is unrestrained and drunken fun, until a messenger announces Sir Jing’s death. Youshi is distressed and hurries back. Physicians conclude that the metallic elixirs he drank in search of immortality caused his death – the Daoists deny this, but are put under arrest. The body is taken to the Iron Threshold Temple out of expediency, and Youshi arranges for the earliest possible burial, as it is very hot. All enter mourning three days later. With senior ladies away, and those present unable, junior clansmen are required to handle guests and household matters. Cousin Zhen and Jia Rong apply for leave to return, which is referred to the Emperor. The Emperor confers posthumous high rank on him and allows them to go, with some expenses. They hurry back, and grieve, arranging for Jing’s lying-in-state. Jia Rong goes to see his grandmother and shocks his aunts, and molests some maids, before paying solicitous respects to her and leaving.

Chapter 62

After resolution, Patience disposes of the matter. The replacement cook has already begun embezzling when she receives her dismissal. Aunt Zhao and Huan – who received the stolen goods – are scared, and Huan throws them back at Sunset, assuming she is thick with Baoyu. Upset, she throws the things into the lake.

憨湘云醉眠芍药裀

呆香菱情解石榴裙

It is Baoyu and Baoqin’s birthday; less fuss is made than normal as Lady Wang is still away. He returns after making all his formal obeisances and reverences to find many maids and the girls wishing him happy returns. They make extended reverences to each other – it turns out that it is also Patience’s and Xing Xiuyan’s birthday. Tanchun remarks on the coincidence; they discuss birthdays and get Xifeng to agree to let Patience celebrate with them. Cook Liu prepares them a meal; it is all unusually gay. Baoyu sees Xue Ke first, and walks back with Baochai, who tells him that she knows about an extremely serious incident which she hopes never comes to light. They reach the party in the Peony Garden, which is very lively. Aunt Xue is present, but goes to lie down in the jobs room. The birthday four object to toasts, as they will get too drunk, and send the old blind ballad singer to entertain Aunt Xue, as they don’t like old music. They decide to play a drinking game; everyone puts suggestions into a hat. The first one drawn (cover-ups, suggested by newly enthusiastically literary Caltrop) is combined with guess-fingers. They all get extremely rowdy and drunk as they play – especially Xiangyun, who applies herself to the game with some vigour - although Daiyu’s dry joke about the essence of rose is not appreciated by Baoyu or Sunset. With the senior ladies away, the party soon becomes bedlam. Lin Zhixiao’s wife appears, concerned by the noise, and Patience feels they ought to stop. They find Xiangyun passed out on a rock, covered in peony petals, and reciting drinking games in her sleep. She is embarrassed to be woken, but feels better after taking some ‘hangover rock’ and soup. They send some of the party food to Xifeng, and the party breaks into smaller groups. Lin Zhixiao’s wife arrives again with an old lady who has heard swearing; Tanchun dismisses her from service. Baoyu and Daiyu watch this and comment on how detached she is; Baoyu tells her how much management Tanchun has done while she has been ill. Daiyu goes to see Baochai, and Baoyu looks for Parfumée, who is bored and lonely. She is complaining about her food, of which he is jealous, so they share it. He tells Swallow to look after her, and to tell Cook Liu that Fivey will definitely work there. He rejoins the party as food is served, causing Skybright to mock him.

Outside, Caltrop and the maids are playing with flowers, and she is jeered when she reveals greater knowledge. In the ensuing jostling, Caltrop rolls into a puddle and ruins her special new skirt. The others run off and Baoyu arrives; he is sympathetic. He is delighted to be able to help – fetching one of Aroma’s similar skirts that she can’t wear as she is in mourning – but regrets that she has been sold to Pan. Aroma returns with him to Caltrop, who changes skirts. She catches Baoyu burying the flowers that had caused the kerfuffle, and finds it endearingly odd. They separate, and she calls to him not to tell Pan about the incident.

Chapter 58

杏子阴假凤泣虚凰

茜纱窗真情揆痴理

The conversation stops after Xichun and Tanchun arrive, and all four soon part. The late Emperor’s dowager consort has died, and an edict prohibits persons of rank holding musical or dramatic entertainment for a year, and weddings for three months. The senior women are required to attend mourning ceremonies for a month. Aunt Xue moves in with Daiyu to keep an eye on the young people and look after Daiyu. Lady Wang and Youshi agree to disband the troupe of actresses; most of them do not want to leave, and all but three elect to stay as nominal maids, attached to household members but largely without duties. They join the many maids and servants with little to do while the senior ladies are away engaged in official mourning duties. The actresses and servants do not get on.

The men, apart from Baoyu who is not yet recovered from illness, are also away on Spring Cleaning Festival duties. He walks in the Garden, and encounters the others; Xiangyun mocks his ill outburst. He leaves, and contemplates the Garden and Xiuyan’s engagement; he regrets missing the apricot blossom for his illness. His reverie is broken when actress Nénuphar 藕官 is loudly castigated for burning paper offerings in the Garden. She is terrified, and Baoyu defends her, firstly saying it was just waste paper, then that he told her to burn spirit paper. The old woman castigating beseeches him apologetically. Nénuphar swears him to secrecy – only two of the other actresses know. He goes to the Naiad’s House before returning, when Baoyu wants to ask fellow confidante Parfumée 芳官 about what he saw, but others are present. Aroma castigates Parfumée for having a loud argument with her foster-mother, which soon involves Baoyu’s other maids. They take Parfumée away and comfort her, although they think her very mischievous, not least for having broken their clock. Food arrives, and is too hot, so they ask her to blow on it for Baoyu; the foster-mother starts another argument, saying she’s too inexperienced. She thinks they’re joking when they ask her to taste the food. When Baoyu has finished, and signals to her, she makes excuses; he asks her about Nénuphar. The offering was for a girl in their troupe who died – they had been principal boy and girl, and were like lovers. She is also like it with the girl’s replacement. Parfumée thinks her soppy, but Baoyu is moved and earnestly to promise to tell Nénuphar not to burn un-Confucian spirit money. A message arrives that Grandmother Jia has returned.

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.

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 49

琉璃世界白雪红梅

脂粉香娃割腥啖膻

The cousins gather round Daiyu to read Caltrop’s poem – it is excellent, but Caltrop thinks they are humouring her. A number of servants arrive calling to them to meet two relations who have arrived. Lady Wang’s main reception room is packed – Xifeng’s brother is there with Lady Xing’s brother and his family, and Li Wan’s widowed aunt and her daughters and Xue Pan’s cousins have also arrived simultaneously. All are very busy making introductions and making family talk, especially Xifeng, but Daiyu weeps to think of her solitary state – Baoyu consoles her. Baoyu runs back to tell his maids to see the visitors – he is particularly awed by Li Wan’s cousins’ beauty. Tanchun arrives – she is excited by the potential new club members, and they discuss who may be good and who is prettiest. Tanchun reports that Lady Jia is particularly captivated with Baochai’s cousin Baoqin 宝琴 and has adopted her. They are due to have a club meeting today but, thanks to the new arrivals and illnesses, they choose to delay a few days. They go to Grandmother Jia’s apartment together, where the new arrivals’ living arrangements are being sorted out. Li Wan’s cousins are to live with her; Xifeng has put Lady Xing’s niece Xiuyan 岫烟 with Yingchun, and Baoqin is to stay with Lady Jia. News arrives that Shi Xiangyun’s father is to be posted elsewhere, and Grandmother Jia moves Xiangyun in to stay with Baochai. There are now thirteen people living in the garden, all but two between fifteen and seventeen years old – they abandon all attempts at formalities of address. Caltrop and Xiangyun are inseparable, and their chatter annoys Baochai. Baoqin arrives in a spectacular cape, given to her by Grandmother Jia – Xiangyun teases her that she wouldn’t even let Baoyu wear something so fine. Xiangyun advises her to stay in the garden, and Amber arrives with a message for Baochai to allow Baoqin to have her own way. She teases her, and they all tease Baoyu and Daiyu, who have just arrived, which puzzles him, not to mention Baochai and Daiyu’s apparent rapprochement, and Daiyu and Baoqin’s immediate intimacy. The others leave, and Daiyu asks Baoyu about a passage in ‘the Western Chamber’, and explains her thawing of relations with Baochai. She cries to talk of Baoqin as a sister, and he consoles her. They are summoned by Li Wan to discuss the poetry meeting. Almost all are present when they arrive – it is starting to snow, and they all have fine coats, particularly Xiangyun. They arrange to have a welcome party in the snow the next day. All, apart from the new arrivals, will contribute some money.

The next day, Baoyu is enchanted by the snow-covered garden. He walks to the party, but is early and returns, visiting Lady Jia with Tanchun. After talking with Xiangyun, Baoyu asks Xifeng for some fresh venison to cook later in the garden. They are late for the party; soon the stove and grill arrive and Patience, there carrying Xifeng’s apologies, starts cooking. The newcomers are extremely excited and tuck in, and when Xifeng arrives later, she joins; only Daiyu and Baochai are unimpressed. After cooking, Patience has lost a bracelet, but Xifeng mysteriously assures her she knows where it is, reminding the others that it is nearly time for New Year’s riddles. Wine and food is arranged, and a theme – snow - announced for the poetry competition. Li Wan suggests giving three lines to start off the poem; Baochai suggests a fixed order.