Chapter 103

施毒计金桂自焚身

昧真禅雨村空遇旧

Lady Wang and Lian agree that it is better for Zheng – he is not suited to a provincial post, and is being exploited by all his subordinates. A distressed old woman enters from the Xues – Jingui is dead. Lian is sent to investigate, and Aunt Xue explains how she appeared to die from poisoning after Moonbeam made soup for her and Caltrop; both maids blame the other, and have been locked together. Baochai arrives and they discuss the situation, deciding to bind both maids. Jingui’s mother and adopted brother San, who she was trying to seduce, arrive at the Xues while Lian goes to enlist support at the Board of Punishment. Jingui’s ill bred mother starts abusing and slandering Aunt Xue; Zhou Rui’s wife intervenes and Xia San joins in. Lian arrives, stopping the fight, and Jingui’s mother goes in to see her body. She lunges at Caltrop, but when Moonbeam reveals that Jingui had been taking her jewellery home, the Jias accuse Jingui’s mother of being a thief. She turns on Moonbeam, who in turn asks that Caltrop is released – she explains that she had switched the bowls for Caltrop and Jingui round, and that Jingui must have been planning to poison Caltrop. The story is plausible, and Caltrop is released. With the Xias under suspicion, they are forced to request for the inquest to be dispensed with.

Jia Yucun is conducting a rural tax collection, when he encounters a Daoist in a dilapidated temple; he feels a strange familiarity. The monk’s propensity for puns and references leads him Yucun to recognise him as Zhen Shiyin; however, he does not show any reciprocal recognition, and a reluctant Yucun moves on. Reaching a ferry, he turns and sees someone running towards him.

Chapter 83

省宫闱贾元妃染恙

闹闺阃薛宝钗吞声

Outside is an old woman shouting abuse at a girl; such is Daiyu’s insecurity that she assumes it is directed at her, and she sobs herself unconscious. After she comes round, Tanchun shouts at the old woman outside. She then suggests reviving the poetry club; Daiyu is more concerned that the acuity of her illness be known to Grandmother Jia.

Snowgoose and Nightingale tend to Daiyu; Aroma arrives. She is shocked by her state, not least as last night Baoyu started screaming in pain in the middle of the night. Daiyu overhears and questions her; she asks that Baoyu not be told about her illness. Meanwhile, Tanchun and Xiangyun tell Grandmother Jia about Daiyu’s illness; she orders that Baoyu’s doctor, arriving tomorrow, also see her. His diagnosis of an advanced morbid obstruction accords with her symptoms. He writes a prescription, and explains its ingredients to Jia Lian. He is discussing it with Xifeng when Zhou Rui’s wife arrives. When Lian leaves, she expresses her concern for Daiyu and asks for more money for the maids’ incidental expenses. She consents, but asks that it is kept quiet, and discusses the household’s tight financial straits and the gossip surrounding her management. Zhou Rui’s wife tells of how extravagantly rich the townsfolk think they are (although she knows that they know the truth really). Xifeng reiterates her intense concern about their finances and reputation.

Jia Lian, meanwhile, hears from a page boy that a senior consultant has been summoned to the Palace. He and other household gentlemen are investigating the rumour when eunuchs arrive, inviting four women to the Palace to see Yuanchun, who has been lately indisposed. The next morning, the party of the whole Jia clan sets off with some pomp. The men halt at the Inner Gate of the Forbidden City; the four ladies continue in to Yuanchun’s bedchamber. They have a formal but emotional catch-up, repeated over the next few days.

In the Xue household, meanwhile, Jingui has found her stratagem in giving the now self-assured Moonbeam to Pan has misfired. One day, she taunts her, which soon develops into another fight. Hearing the racket, Aunt Xue sets off to confront them with Baochai reluctantly in tow. When Jingui turns on Aunt Xue, Baochai tries to reason with her, attracting her taunts. Baochai manages to contain her anger; Jingui only erupts further, inflaming Aunt Xue. She and Baochai leave, and encounter one of Lady Jia’s personal maids on the way; she has been waiting there a while, but reassures them that all families have their little troubles. Soon after, Aunt Xue cries out in pain, clutching her chest.

Chapter 77

俏丫鬟抱屈夭风流

美优伶斩情归水月

Lady Wang feels that Xifeng looks much better and looks for some of her best ginseng for her medicine – no-one seems to have any, and the doctor rejects Lady Jia’s ginseng for being too old, so she has to buy more. Baochai suggests bypassing swindling traders and asking Pan. Meanwhile, Lady Wang is informed about the result of the raids; Zhou Rui’s wife tells her about the argument between Wang Shanbao’s wife and Lady Xing and of the dilemma of telling Lady Xing about Chess. She agrees to let Zhou Rui’s wife tackle it head on. She goes to Yingchun who gives tearful approval to letting Chess go, despite her emotional protestations. Yingchun recognises that they are trying to reduce the number of maids. Yingchun gives her a parting gift of a silk purse, but Zhou Rui’s wife ignores Chess’s plea to be given time to say goodbye to the others. While being escorted out, she bumps into Baoyu, who is shocked to see her leaving, particularly given Skybright’s illness. Back at Green Delights, he finds his mother and a group of women sitting round Skybright, who is also to leave imminently. Lady Wang inspects his maids, also dispensing with Number Four and Parfumée, before ordering that none of the former actresses are to stay and going through Baoyu’s belongings. His mother’s rage makes Baoyu feel wretched – her knowledge of his private affairs is uncanny. He silently accompanies her out before she orders him back to study. He discusses the developments with a tearful Aroma. Baoyu believes Skybright will die if sent back, having seen a portent in a tree; Aroma is doubtful, and he gives historical examples of the interconnectedness of plants and humans’ fates. They agree to smuggle Skybright some cash and things to take. That night he sneaks out to see Skybright.

She is lodging with her timorous cousin, also employed by the household, and his errant wife, who are unkind to her. They are with her when he arrives. He greets her tearfully; he is shocked by the poor quality of the tea. She is certain she will die soon; she bites off the nails she has carefully grown and gives them to him. They swap shirts. Her cousin’s wife enters having eavesdrops on their conversation. She pulls him into another room and tries to seduce him; he manages to pull away when a voice calls for Skybright. Cook Liu and Fivey have brought things for her; having tried to hide from them, Baoyu rushes out after them when they leave. He runs until he reaches the Garden; luckily, no-one seems to have noticed his absence. He discusses the new living arrangements with Aroma before sleeping; during the night, he calls out for Skybright. They laugh about it. Later, he sees Skybright enter and declare her life is over; he calls her name. When Aroma goes to him, he insists that she is dead. The next morning, Baoyu is invited to join Zheng at a chrysanthemum viewing, as he is impressed with one of Baoyu’s poems. Zheng praises Baoyu in front of Jia Huan and Jia Lan, to Lady Wang’s delight. She is cornered by Parfumée’s mother, who complains that Parfumée, Nénuphar and Étamine have been refusing to eat and saying they want to kill themselves unless they can join a convent. Thinking it youthful waywardness, Lady Wang tells her to beat them, but Euergesia, who has overheard this, suggests encouraging it. Thinking it sensible, and preoccupied with other matters, Lady Wang asks Euergesia to take them on. She agrees; the girls are brought in. They kowtow to Euergesia and set off for Watermoon Priory.

Chapter 74

惑奸谗抄检大观园

避嫌隙杜绝宁国府

Baoyu arrives. Cook Liu’s enemies are taking the gambling as an excuse to try and oust her, and she has appealed to Baoyu who is looking to join forces with Yingchun in appealing for clemency. He cannot talk openly with the others present, however. Patience returns to Xifeng; she expresses her desire not to get too involved in the gambling business for fear of becoming ill and hated again, and to become more of a yes-man. Lian enters – news has leaked out of his pawning Faithful’s stuff, and his Mother has asked her for money. Patience deduces that Simple’s mother must have leaked it, but can’t find the original source; they decide to pawn some jewellery to raise the money anyway. Lady Wang arrives. She is angry and upset and dismisses Patience; she shows Xifeng the lewd purse, which she assumes is Xifeng’s. She is shamed and embarrassed, but it is not hers – it is low quality, she would be more careful, and she can name many others to whom it might belong. Xifeng suggests asking some of the most trusted servants to investigate in secret, with gambling as a pretext, so that Grandmother Jia doesn’t hear of it. Lady Wang agrees to the secret investigations, and wants Zhou Rui’s wife to help. Wang Shanbao’s 王善保 wife, who took the bag to Lady Wang, is delighted to be also recruited; she feels the maids don’t show her due respect and wants to teach them a lesson. Skybright is her least favourite, which causes Lady Wang to recall seeing someone of her description acting suspiciously. They decide to start with Skybright, and summon her. She had been napping and is not made up, so Lady Wang’s dislike of her is instantly exacerbated. Fearing that Baoyu may have been corrupted by her, Lady Wang lays into her. She responds that she doesn’t see much of him. She is dismissed, but Lady Wang remains incensed by her. Wang Shanbao’s wife suggests carrying out night time raids; Lady Wang agrees.

They start that night, and head to Green Delights, and go through the maids’ trunks. Baoyu is told that something is missing. Skybright is last, and angrily empties her trunk, lashing out at Wang Shanbao’s wife. They find nothing, and leave for Daiyu’s, where they find some boy’s articles which Xifeng dismisses. A forewarned Tanchun reacts stridently to the raiding party; she lets them search her belongings, but not her maids’, as she doesn’t let them keep their own belongings. Despite her anger, Wang Shanbao’s wife touches Tanchun’s clothes to make a joke about searching her, unleashing a slap and further anger. Both are furious and threaten to take the matter higher; Patience calms the scene and they move on to Li Wan (who is ill) and then Xichun’s. Xichun is more scared by the others, and illicit objects are found in her maid Picture’s 入画 possession. Xichun wants her beaten, although Xifeng is lenient, and names Mamma Zhang, a sour relation of Wang Shanbao’s wife, as a probable smuggler of the illicit objects. At Yingchun’s, Mrs Wang searches Chess (her granddaughter) perfunctorily, but the others find a love letter from her cousin and men’s socks. Xifeng laughs and reads it aloud, embarrassing Mrs Wang. The others are pleased to see her suffer. Xifeng postpones investigating Chess, but falls further ill that night and cannot do so.

Youshi sees Xifeng the next day and is called by Xichun to verify Picture’s story. Contrarily blaming Youshi, Xichun declares that she doesn’t want to see Picture or anyone from Ningguo again. They argue; Youshi considers her cold-hearted, young and foolish (mocking her intelligent reputation), and bursts out at sensitive references to her family. Youshi sweeps out with her maids and Picture, swallowing her anger.

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 51

薛小妹新编怀古诗

胡庸医乱用虎狼药

All but Baochai are extremely impressed by Baoqin’s riddles – she questions the historicism of the final two, and the others chide her for being petty. Li Wan points out the falseness of many historical locations and muses on the nature of history and legend, which silences Baochai. None can correctly answer the riddles.

The days are now short, and they quickly retire to eat. Aroma’s brother Hua Zifang has arrived – her mother is ill and wants to see her. Xifeng sends Zhou Rui’s wife to accompany her, and inspects her dress and appearance – she doesn’t feel Aroma’s jacket is appropriate, and orders Patience to fetch another before they leave.

Skybright and Musk are now in charge at Baoyu’s. Word comes that Aroma’s mother has already died, and the maids gather Aroma’s things to send on to her. They bicker gently over using the clothes warmer, and then in the night when Baoyu calls out for Aroma in his sleep, waking Skybright. Musk heads out in the cold night, and Skybright follows to give her a scare; Baoyu shouts out, warning Musk, for fear that they might catch cold or wake others, and Skybright returns to bed. Musk returns (having been startled by a pheasant) and Skybright sneezes, but denies that she has caught a cold. Next morning, however, she is very ill; Baoyu doesn’t want her sent home, so just tells Li Wan and calls a doctor. Li Wan however thinks she should go home, angering Skybright. The doctor arrives, and won’t continue the inspection until Skybright (already behind a curtain) covers up her painted fingernails. He diagnoses mild grippe. Before he leaves the house, an old woman takes a copy of the prescription from him to show Baoyu; the doctor assumes the room to have been a young lady’s, so is surprised. Baoyu is appalled at the prescription – it is more appropriate for a man – and he wants to order another doctor, but they would need money. He tells Musk to take some of Aroma’s, and Tealeaf is sent to fetch Dr Wang. His diagnosis is similar, but prescription more appropriate. Baoyu and Musk discuss his constitution in comparison with the girls’, comparing them with trees. He wants the medicine made up in his room, as he loves the smell of boiling herbs. He goes to see Grandmother Jia, where Xifeng proposes that the cousins have their meals in the garden now that the days are shorter. It would require a new kitchen, but Xifeng feels it can be accommodated, and that it is important to stop the girls catching colds.

Chapter 45

金兰契互剖金兰语

风雨夕闷制风雨词

The cousins are served tea; Tanchun asks Xifeng to act as the poetry club disciplinary officer and to help find equipment for Xichun. She guesses correctly that they’re really after financial backing. She mocks Li Wan for seeming to be a poor widow, when in truth she has good land and income, prompting a heated, light-hearted response. The jokes turn to Xifeng’s beating of Patience, making her uncomfortable. Li Wan presses Xifeng to settle her business in a frank exchange, and she helps with Xichun’s equipment. Before leaving, they ask how they should punish Baoyu; Xifeng suggests making him sweep all their floors. Lai Da’s old mother comes in before they can leave, and talks about her grandson and discipline, telling Baoyu his father doesn’t discipline him enough and talking at length about the family’s previous black sheep. Other ladies arrive, reminding her why she came; to invite the household to the celebrations for her grandson’s official position. With Zhou Rui’s wife present, she then asks about her son being dismissed; Xifeng confirms this, saying that he was drunk and disorderly. She agrees not to dismiss him, but to beat him instead. That evening, about half of the required equipment is found in the storeroom, and Baoyu starts helping Xichun with the painting, and Baochai starts sewing late into the night.

It is after the autumn equinox, and Daiyu is getting ill again, and is exhausted from the summer activities – her illness is worse than ever. Learning from experience, the others are never sharp with her, knowing how hypersensitive she is. Baochai suggests she consult and expert, and recommends changes to her prescription. Daiyu is grateful to her, but is embarrassed by the inconvenience put to everyone by her poor constitution, so doesn’t feel she can ask for more medicine. They bond, as outsiders in the household, although Daiyu remembers Baochai’s close family, and promise to talk again that evening.

Daiyu eats, and listens to the autumn rain – Baochai won’t be able to come after all. She writes a poem. Baoyu arrives in rain cape and hat and scrutinises her. He tells her the outfit came from the Prince of Beijing, and she coughs with embarrassment at a remark about being a fishwife, unnoticed by Baoyu. He reads her poem, she snatches it and burns it. He leaves so that she can sleep, she lends him a rain lamp. Ladies arrive from Baochai’s with her recommended medicine. She invites them to stay, but they are in the middle of gambling. Daiyu lies in bed and thinks of Baochai fondly, but not without envy at her family. She thinks of Baoyu too, with regret at the recent suspicion and misunderstanding between them. She cries, and doesn’t sleep until the early hours.

Chapter 7

送宫花贾琏戏熙凤

宴宁府宝玉会秦钟

Baochai gives Zhou Rui’s wife details of her illness and complex medication. Aunt Xue 薛姨妈 gives her artificial flowers for the girls, and she discovers that Caltrop 香菱 is Zhen Shiyin’s daughter, Yinglian. She delivers flowers to Yingchun 贾迎春, Tanchun 贾探春 and Xichun 贾惜春, who is playing with Sapientia 智能 from Watermoon Priory, but Wang Xifeng is detained in her bedroom with Jia Lian 贾琏, so Patience deals with them. Daiyu is playing with Baoyu, who snatches the flowers which Daiyu sneers at. Zhou Rui’s son-in-law, Leng Zixing, is in trouble; Zhou Rui’s wife is confidant in Wang Xifeng’s power to influence.

Xifeng is invited to Ningguo and agrees to take Baoyu; they are greeted by Youshi 尤氏 and served tea by Qinshi, who tells Baoyu that her brother Qin Zhong 秦钟, who he had wanted to see, was here, and he is led in. Each is extremely taken with the other, and they talk at length about the clan school and tutoring arrangements, moving to a different room while the others play (with the result that Qinshi and Youshi owed Xifeng a night of drinks and entertainment). The Ningguo staff offend a surly old servant who had once saved the grandfather’s life; he is restrained in the stables, and Baoyu repeats some of his bad language to Wang.

Chapter 6

贾宝玉初试云雨情

刘老老一进荣国府

Aroma and Baoyu are embarrassed while dressing him after his dream, and she laughs when he describes his dream to her. Baoyu has his way with her, doubling their mutual devotion.

Distant country relative Grannie Liu 刘老老 tries to persuade her son-in-law Gouer 狗儿 to appeal to Wang Xifeng for help, and she ends up going with grandson Baner 板儿 to see Zhou Rui 周瑞, with whom Gouer’s father had been friendly. Zhou Rui’s wife gains Liu an audience with Wang Xifeng through Xifeng's maid Patience 平儿. Liu mistakes Patience for Xifeng, and is overawed by the opulence and technology and cannot get a word out. Xifeng admonishes Liu for kowtowing to her, and regrets that there are not more relations visiting them. Liu is embarrassed by Jia Rong’s 贾蓉 arrival, who has come to borrow a glass screen. A meal is brought for Liu and Baner, and Xifeng gives them twenty taels.