Chapter 57 - supercondensed

Baoyu becomes deranged after an argument with Nightingale about Daiyu. He improves and they smooth things over, although Daiyu is upset. Xiuyan is chosen as a wife for Xue Ke. Baochai is distressed to find out about Xiuyan’s straitened circumstances, paying her pawn ticket; Daiyu is upset by talk of romantic fate.

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 56 - supercondensed

Uneasy with some of the present arrangements, Tanchun decides to appoint garden wardens. The Zhens arrive, and tell the household about their son, also called Baoyu. Baoyu is shaken by the thought of a double, and has a bad dream.

Chapter 56

敏探春兴利除宿弊

贤宝钗小惠全大体

Tanchun expresses to Patience and the others her unease about the amount and method of payment for the girls’ monthly allowance for hair products and cosmetics. She has also heard that Lai Da rents out his garden for extra income, leading to a philosophical discussion. She feels that they could make some money and keep the garden in better condition by appointing ladies to be garden wardens; Li Wan agrees, although Baochai is sarcastic. Patience reveals that Xifeng had thought of doing this already, but had not done so for fear of upsetting the garden residents; Baochai accuses her of never giving Tanchun credit. Tanchun speaks highly of Patience, and she weeps. Patience consults Xifeng and returns; she agrees with the plan, and the girls summon the garden workers, who are enthusiastic at the proposal. After much political deliberation, Li Wan, Tanchun and Baochai choose suitable wardens, and talk them through their duties and accounts. The conditions are agreed to, as they involve more money for all, no control by the Office or settling of accounts with Xifeng.

The distinguished Zhens have arrived from Nanjing, bringing gifts; four serving ladies pay respects to Grandmother Jia and explains that they have had an Imperial summons. They talk about their young master, also called Baoyu, and also naughty. Jia Baoyu is fetched so they can compare – they are very similar, although Jia is more courteous to the women. Lady Wang arrives, greets the ladies, and goes to rest.

Grandmother Jia is telling everyone about the other Baoyu; they are unimpressed by the coincidence. Xiangyun – in the sick room – taunts him, saying he could get the other one to stand in for him. Despite citing classical precedents, Baoyu is shaken by the thought of his double. He sleeps, dreaming of meeting familiar (but hostile) maids in a familiar garden. He goes to a place like Green Delights and sees a youth like him – they greet, realise they are both Baoyu, and are summoned. Baoyu wakes, calling for Baoyu and pointing at the mirror. He joins Aroma in laughing at himself. She explains that seeing a mirror would give him a bad dream. He is summoned by Lady Wang.

Chapter 55 - supercondensed

Li Wan and Tanchun take a greater role in running the household, and are unpopular with the servants. Tanchun is particularly tested dealing with her own mother. Patience defends her, and Tanchun builds a strong reputation, making Xifeng proud. Xifeng, meanwhile, is concerned about the household expenses.

Chapter 55

辱亲女愚妾争闲气

欺幼主刁奴蓄险心

Xifeng is bedridden, but continues planning things. Lady Wang is distraught, leaving all but the most important managerial matters to Li Wan (who is far too easy on the servants) and ropes in Tanchun to help. Xifeng is less robust than assumed though, and is soon relieved of all duties. Lady Wang talks to Baochai about the large number of idle ladies in the Garden. Xiangyun and Daiyu are ill; Li Wan and Tanchun are very busy dealing with the servants; Baochai, by virtue of a succession of events involving the extended family, is spending much time with Lady Wang. The three of them now have a thorough system of supervision in the Garden, annoying the servants. One day, it is reported to Tanchun that the brother of Mrs Zhao – her natural mother – has died. The messenger is being unhelpful, knowing that the maids will judge her on her reaction to this news. She sensibly decides to work on precedent, asking for recent similar cases; she mocks the messenger who can’t recall any. She then returns with accounts, and Tanchun subsequently awards Mrs Zhao twenty taels.

Not long after, Mrs Zhao storms in and, crying messily, accuses Tanchun of trampling on her. Tanchun explains, showing her the accounts, and they argue about face– Tanchun can’t be seen to be helping a servant, even if she is her mother. The volume of argument increases; Li Wan is unable to mediate, and Tanchun barely even knew the deceased. Patience arrives with a message from Xifeng – Mrs Zhao is to have twenty taels, but Tanchun is free to add more. Tanchun is crying, and washes, when someone else arrives with business and is chased away. Patience agrees that the servants wouldn’t be so difficult with Xifeng, and helps diffuse the situation. She agrees to stay – Xifeng had suspected that they might need help. Lunch arrives, and is wrong; Patience reproves the maids, telling them not to take advantage of Tanchun. They have been told to by Mrs Zhao. Ripple arrives to ask after Baoyu’s allowance; Patience tells her to go back before she can enter. Tanchun is looking to make an example of someone, and if it were Baoyu it would make things awkward. The servants are soon chattering amongst themselves not to cross Tanchun.

After lunch, Patience heads back to report to Xifeng, who is proud of Tanchun – it is hard to be a concubine’s daughter in a large household. She worries that, if they don’t economise, the household will soon be bankrupt, especially if large unexpected costs occur (the girls’ marriage costs are budgeted for); she is aware that everyone secretly hates her for her cuts. Xifeng muses on each of the cousins, and warns Patience not to stand up to Tanchun on her behalf – she thinks Tanchun is more formidable and less naïve that is thought. Patience laughs – she is doing that already, and teases Xifeng, who admonishes her for not calling her ‘madam’. They eat, and Patience returns to Tanchun.

Chapter 54 - supercondensed

Baoyu heads back to the party after overhearing Aroma and Faithful talking about her mother. Lady Jia mocks one play’s romantic clichés before Xifeng entertains everyone and starts a new drinking game. After more parties, Xifeng miscarries.