Chapter 101
Now to return to Xifeng. When she got back to her own rooms, Jia Lian had not yet returned. She arranged for the servants who were to look after Tanchun’s dowry and luggage. It was already dark. Suddenly she thought of Tanchun and wanted to go see her. She called Feng’er and two maids to follow, with one maid going ahead carrying a lantern. When she went out and saw that the moon had already risen, pouring moonlight like water over the ground, Xifeng sent the lantern-bearing maid back. She walked under the window of the tea room and heard the old women inside muttering. Now it sounded like crying, now like laughing, as if they were discussing something. Xifeng thought to herself: It must be the old women of the household gossiping and stirring up trouble again. She was very displeased. She told Xiaohong to go in, pretend nothing was wrong, draw them out slowly, and find out exactly what they were saying. Xiaohong agreed and went.
Xifeng, with only Feng’er, came to the gate of Prospect Garden. The gate was not tightly closed, only left ajar. Mistress and maid pushed it open and went in. The moonlight inside the garden was even clearer than outside. Everywhere on the ground lay layer upon layer of tree shadows. There was not a sound of human voices. It was cold, quiet, and desolate. She was just about to go toward Autumn Freshness Studio when suddenly a great wind blew up. Leaves throughout the garden rustled loudly, branches howled, and the crows and small birds sleeping in the trees were startled into flight. Xifeng had drunk wine earlier, and the cold wind made her shiver all over. Feng’er also hunched her neck and said, “How cold!”
Xifeng could not bear the cold. She called Feng’er: “Hurry back and fetch that silver-fox waistcoat. I will wait for you in Third Girl’s room.” Feng’er was only too glad to go back and add a garment herself. She agreed and ran off.
Xifeng had not gone far when she heard a puffing, snuffling sound behind her, as if something were sniffing at her. Her hair stood on end. She turned sharply and saw a great dark shape stretching its nose toward her back and sniffing. Its two eyes shone like lamps. Xifeng was frightened out of her wits and could not help crying out. It was a large dog. The dog turned, dragging a tail like a broom, ran up to the top of the great mound, stopped, and looked back at Xifeng, lifting a paw.
Xifeng’s heart pounded with fright. She hurried toward Autumn Freshness Studio. Just as she reached the gate and turned past the rockery, a figure flashed before her eyes. Xifeng was puzzled. She thought it was a maid from one of the courtyards and called twice, “Who is it?” No one answered. She was so frightened that her mind became dazed. Dimly she heard someone behind her say, “Auntie, have you come to the point where you do not even recognize me?”
Xifeng quickly turned. She saw a woman, beautiful in face and elegantly dressed, very familiar, but she could not remember whose wife she was. The woman said again, “Auntie, your whole heart is set on wealth and glory. All the words I once said to you about laying a lasting foundation for the family—you have thrown them all into the great sea.”
Xifeng lowered her head and tried hard to remember, but still could not. The woman sneered. “In the past, Auntie loved me so much. Now you have forgotten it all.” Only then did Xifeng realize: this was Jia Rong’s dead wife, Qin Keqing! She cried out, “Oh! You died long ago. How have you come here?” She spat on the ground, turned to go, and did not notice a stone under her feet. She tripped and fell heavily to the ground, as if waking from a nightmare, sweat pouring from her whole body. Though she trembled with fright, her mind was still fairly clear. In the distance she saw Xiaohong and Feng’er running toward her. Fearing the servants would gossip behind her back, Xifeng scrambled up and pretended nothing was wrong. “Why were you gone so long? Bring me the clothes quickly.” Feng’er came forward and helped her put on the waistcoat. Xiaohong supported her. Xifeng said, “I went over just now. They have already gone to bed. Let us go home.” With that, she hurried back with the two maids.
Jia Lian had already reached home. He saw that Xifeng’s face was not right, completely different from usual. He knew Xifeng’s temper and did not dare question her rashly, so he lay down and slept.
The next day, before dawn, at the fifth watch, Jia Lian rose. He intended to go to the house of the eunuch Qiu Shi’an to inquire about a matter. It was still very early. On the table lay the official gazettes delivered the day before. He picked them up casually and leafed through them. The first item: Wang Zhong, military commissioner of Yunnan, memorialized that he had captured a group of criminals who had secretly carried firearms and gunpowder out of the frontier. There were eighteen in all. Their leader, Bao Yin, claimed to be a servant in the household of Jia Hua, Duke of Zhen. The second item: Li Xiao, prefect of Suzhou, memorialized and accused someone of allowing a household slave to rely on power and oppress the people. Because the slave had failed to seduce a woman, he had caused the deaths of three people in the family of a chaste woman. The murderer, Shi Fu, claimed to be a household slave of Jia Fan. After reading these two items, Jia Lian was very uneasy. He wanted to read the third, but feared that if he went late he would not see Qiu Shi’an. He hurriedly put on his clothes and did not even have time to eat. Just then Ping’er brought tea. He drank two mouthfuls and rode out.
Ping’er was in the room putting away the clothes he had changed out of. Xifeng had not yet risen. Ping’er said, “Last night I saw you did not sleep well, mistress. Let me pound your back now, and you can sleep a little longer.” Xifeng said nothing for a long time, which counted as consent. Ping’er climbed onto the kang, sat beside her, and gently pounded her back. After only a few strokes, just as Xifeng was growing sleepy, Qiaojie began to cry nearby. Xifeng opened her eyes. Ping’er called over, “Nurse Li, what is the matter with you? The young lady is crying. Hurry and soothe her. You are too fond of sleep.”
Nurse Li, awakened from sleep, was full of anger. She slapped the child hard several times and muttered, “Ungrateful little thing! You will not sleep properly, and in the middle of the night you cry and wail like a death watch!” As she cursed, she pinched Qiaojie hard. Qiaojie burst into loud crying. Xifeng heard and said, “This is bad! Listen, she is mistreating the child! Go and give that black-hearted woman a good beating, and bring Niu Niu here.” Ping’er advised, “Do not be angry, mistress. She would not dare bully the young lady on purpose. Perhaps she bumped her by accident. If you beat her in the middle of the night, tomorrow the servants will gossip behind your back, saying you punish people at night.” Xifeng was silent for a long time. Then she gave a long sigh. “You see, I am no longer as favored as before! In the future, if I die, who knows what suffering this poor child will endure.” Ping’er said, “Why speak such words, mistress? It is early morning. Why bring such things up?”
Xifeng sneered. “You do not understand. I see it clearly in my heart. I will not live long. I am twenty-five. I have seen every side of the world and eaten every good thing. I have had my worth. I have spent my life striving to be first and have had my share of glory. Even if my life is short, it does not matter.” When Ping’er heard this, tears fell despite herself. Xifeng smiled. “Do not pretend to be kind. When I die, you will be glad. You will live peacefully together and no longer see me as a thorn in your eye. I ask only one thing: have a little conscience and treat my child well.” Ping’er wept like a tearful figure. Xifeng smiled again. “Do not cry. I am not dead yet. If you keep crying, you will cry me to death.” Ping’er quickly stopped her tears and said, “What you say is too painful to hear.” Then she went on pounding her back. After a quiet moment, Xifeng fell into a drowsy sleep.
Ping’er had just gotten down from the kang and was about to leave when footsteps came from outside. Jia Lian had gone too late; Qiu Shi’an had already entered the palace for court audience, and he had not seen him. He returned home full of anger. As soon as he entered, he asked Ping’er, “Are these people still not up?” Ping’er answered, “Not yet.” Jia Lian flung the curtain aside and came in. He sneered. “Fine! Still not up at this hour. All deliberately lazy and careless!” He called loudly for tea. Ping’er quickly poured a bowl. The maids and old women, seeing Jia Lian go out, had lain down again and had not expected him back so early. The tea had not been prepared in advance, so Ping’er brought a bowl that was only warm. Jia Lian’s anger flared. He seized the tea bowl and smashed it to pieces with a crash.
Xifeng was startled awake by the noise and broke out in a cold sweat. With an “Ai yo,” she opened her eyes and saw Jia Lian sitting beside her with a face full of anger, while Ping’er bent to pick up the broken porcelain. Xifeng asked, “Why have you come back so early?” Jia Lian did not answer. Xifeng asked again. Jia Lian shouted, “You wish I would not come back at all! You would be happy only if I died outside!” Xifeng smiled apologetically. “Why such a great rage? Usually you do not come back so early. I asked casually. There is no need to be angry.” Jia Lian shouted, “I did not see the man. Of course I came back early!” Xifeng urged, “If you did not see him, do not be impatient. Go earlier tomorrow. You will see him eventually.”
Jia Lian said angrily, “I am not going to wear myself out running errands for other people for nothing! There is a pile of matters at home and no one to manage them, yet I have been running about for someone else’s family all this time. The one who really caused the trouble is still at home enjoying himself, and I hear they are even going to set out wine and hire a troupe for a birthday. I have run my legs off for nothing!” As he spoke, he spat on the ground and scolded Ping’er. Xifeng was so angry she felt stifled. She wanted to argue, but then held back and forced a smile. “Do not vent your anger on me so early in the morning. Why shout at me? Since you agreed to help them, be patient and do your best. It is strange—when one has brought great disaster on oneself, one still has the heart to set out wine, hire plays, and make merry.”
Jia Lian said, “Exactly. Tomorrow you should ask your brother properly!” Xifeng was puzzled. “Ask whom?” Jia Lian said, “Ask your brother Wang Ren!” Xifeng said, “So it is he. What has he done that you must run about for him?” Jia Lian said, “You are still in the dark! Lady Wang and Aunt Xue do not know either. First, I feared they would worry. Second, you are always unwell, so I kept the news from the inner quarters. It is truly infuriating. If you had not asked today, I would not have spoken. Do you think your brother acts like a man? Do you know what people outside call him?” Xifeng asked, “What do they call him?” Jia Lian said, “They call him Wang Ren—‘Forgotten Benevolence,’ one who forgets benevolence and righteousness!” Xifeng laughed. “His name is Wang Ren.” Jia Lian said, “It is not his name. It is a curse, saying he has no benevolence or morality!”
Xifeng said, “Who is so cruel as to slander a relative like that?” Jia Lian said, “It is no slander. I will tell you the truth. Do you know? He used your second uncle Wang Zisheng’s birthday to rake in money everywhere. Your eldest uncle Wang Ziteng had just died. As soon as Wang Ren returned to the capital, he used the funeral to hold mourning rites and collect condolence money, making several thousand taels. Your second uncle Wang Zisheng blamed him for taking all the benefit for himself. Wang Ren had no way out, so he thought of another scheme: to use your second uncle’s birthday to hold a great banquet and make another pile of money, to coax your second uncle out of his anger. He did not care whether the day was suitable, nor whether relatives would laugh at him. It is utterly shameful. Do you know why I rose so early today? Your eldest uncle left a huge deficit from his official career. He himself is dead. The censors memorialized the throne, ordering his younger brother Wang Zisheng and his nephew Wang Ren to make up the money. The uncle and nephew panicked and came to me to ask for connections and help. Seeing how frightened they were, and thinking of Lady Wang’s face and yours, I agreed to help. I planned to ask Eunuch Qiu to mediate and see whether the officials before and after could adjust the accounts. But I went too late. The eunuch had entered the palace. I rose early and ran for nothing. And their household is still choosing plays and setting out wine to celebrate. Tell me, is that not infuriating!”
When Xifeng heard this, she realized what her brother Wang Ren had done. But she had always been proud and accustomed to protecting her own kin. Hearing Jia Lian’s complaints, she said, “No matter how wrong he is, he is still your elder brother-in-law. Besides, in this matter, both your dead eldest uncle and your living second uncle will be grateful to you. Forget it. For my family’s sake, I can only humbly beg you to take more trouble, so that others are not wronged and do not curse me behind my back.” As she spoke, tears fell. She threw off the coverlet, sat up, and began to coil her hair and dress.
Jia Lian said, “You need not be like this. It is your brother who is wrong. I do not blame you. Besides, I am already up, and the servants at home are still sleeping late. Where are the rules left by our ancestors? Now you play the good person and manage nothing. If I say one word, you rush to protect the servants. In the future, if I take a dislike to someone, will you speak up for them all? It is truly senseless.” Xifeng wiped her tears and said, “It is late. I should get up too. Do your best to help them. It will count as a kindness. This is not only for me. When Lady Wang hears of it, she will be pleased too.” Jia Lian said, “Enough, I know. No need to say more.”
Ping’er said, “Why should you rise so early, mistress? You usually rise at a fixed hour. The master does not know where his nameless anger comes from, and he takes it out on us. You have labored for this household for so many years. Which difficult matter has not been borne by you? Now you are only helping your own family a little, and he puts on a dark face and loses his temper. It truly chills the heart. Even if we rose late and deserved blame, we are only servants. You yourself are full of illness and worn out with fatigue. Why suffer so?” As she spoke, her eyes reddened. Jia Lian had been full of pent-up anger, but after his wife and concubine spoke these soft and hard words, his rage subsided. He smiled. “Enough, do not speak. One of her is enough. No need for you to join in. Anyway, I am an outsider. When I die, you will all be at peace.” Xifeng wept again in sorrow. “Do not say such things. Who knows what will happen later? Perhaps I will die before you. To die a day earlier is to be free a day earlier.” Ping’er urged them again and again. By now it was fully light, and sunlight came through the window. Jia Lian said no more and rose to go out.
Xifeng rose and washed. Lady Wang sent a little maid to relay a message: “The mistress asks whether the Second Mistress is going to the eldest uncle’s house today. If you go, go with Second Mistress Bao, Baochai.” Xifeng had just heard those words and felt deeply discouraged. She hated that her own family did not live up to expectations. In addition, she had been frightened the night before in Prospect Garden and felt weak all over. She said to the maid, “Go back and report to the mistress that I still have one or two matters to finish and cannot go today. Besides, that side is not a proper occasion anyway. If Second Mistress Bao wishes to go, let her go herself.” The maid agreed and went back to report.
After Xifeng finished her hair and changed clothes, she thought that even if she did not go, she should send a message. Besides, Baochai had just married, and if she was going out to socialize, Xifeng should show some concern. So she went to see Lady Wang, found some excuse, and came to Baoyu’s room. Baoyu was neatly dressed, leaning sideways on the kang, staring blankly as Baochai combed her hair. Xifeng stood at the door. Baochai turned, saw her, and quickly rose to offer her a seat. Baoyu also scrambled up. Only then did Xifeng sit down with a smile. Baochai scolded Sheyue. “When the Second Mistress comes in, why do you not announce her?” Sheyue smiled. “The Second Mistress waved as soon as she came in and told us not to make a sound.” Xifeng teased Baoyu. “What are you still doing here? You are grown up, yet still like a child. Someone is combing her hair, and you keep watch beside her, staring. You are together every day. Have you not seen enough? Are you not afraid the maids will laugh?” She laughed, looked at Baoyu, shook her head, and clicked her tongue. Baoyu was a little embarrassed but did not take it to heart. Baochai blushed crimson and could not retort. Just then Xiren brought tea. Baochai handed over a tobacco pipe to cover her embarrassment. Xifeng took it with a smile and said, “Second Sister-in-law, do not mind our joking. Hurry and change.” Baoyu, at a loss, looked around for something to do. Xifeng said, “You go out first. How can a man wait for the women to go out together?” Baoyu said, “I do not like this garment. It is not as good as the peacock-feather cloak the Old Ancestor gave me last year.” Xifeng teased, “Then why do you not wear it?” Baoyu said, “It is too early in the season.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Xifeng regretted speaking. Fortunately Baochai was also a Wang family relative, but the maids who heard felt a little awkward.
Xiren took up the topic. “The Second Mistress does not know. Even if the season were right, he would not wear that garment again.” Xifeng asked why. Xiren said, “The Second Master often does unexpected things. That year, on the eldest uncle’s birthday, the Old Ancestor gave him that cloak. That same day it was burned with a great hole. My mother was gravely ill, and I was not at home. Qingwen was still here then. She was seriously ill herself, but she sat up all night mending it, so that the next day the Old Ancestor would not notice. Last year when the weather turned cold and he went to school, I told Beiming to bring it out to keep him warm. When the Second Master saw the cloak, he thought of Qingwen and said he would never wear it again. He told me to put it away carefully and keep it forever.”
Before she had finished, Xifeng said, “Speaking of Qingwen, it is truly a pity. Her looks and skill were both good. It was only her sharp tongue. The mistress listened to gossip and ruined her life for nothing. There is another matter. I have seen Wu’er, the daughter of the Liu family in the kitchen. She looks almost exactly like Qingwen. I originally wanted to transfer her to Baoyu’s rooms. I asked her mother, and her mother was very willing. Earlier Xiaohong was transferred from my rooms to the Second Master’s rooms, and no one has filled her place. Ping’er said the mistress had ordered that anyone who looked like Qingwen was not to be sent to Baoyu’s rooms, so the matter was dropped. Now the Second Master is married, and there is no need for so many scruples. I might as well bring Wu’er in. Seeing Wu’er would be a way to remember Qingwen. I do not know whether the Second Master is willing.” Baoyu had been about to leave, but when he heard this he froze. Xiren said, “How could he not be willing? He has long hoped for it, only the mistress’s ban was strict.” Xifeng said, “Then tomorrow I will arrange for her to come. I will speak to the mistress.” Baoyu was overjoyed. Only then did he set out for Grandmother Jia’s rooms. Baochai hurried to change. Xifeng watched Baoyu and Baochai’s marital affection and compared it with the way Jia Lian had just treated her. Her heart ached. She could not sit still. She smiled at Baochai. “Let us go together to the Old Ancestor’s rooms.” The two went out smiling and came together to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia.
Baoyu was reporting to Grandmother Jia that he was going to his uncle’s house. Grandmother Jia nodded and warned him, “Go. Drink little wine and come back early. You have only just recovered.” Baoyu agreed and went out. He had just reached the courtyard when he turned back, came close to Baochai’s ear, and whispered a few words. Baochai smiled. “I know. Hurry and go.” She urged him away. Grandmother Jia, Xifeng, and Baochai had not spoken many words when Qiuwen came in and reported, “The Second Master sent Beiming running back to find the Second Mistress.” Baochai was puzzled. “Has he left something behind and sent someone back for it?” Qiuwen said, “I asked the little maid to ask Beiming. The Second Master forgot a sentence and told him to tell the Second Mistress: if you are coming too, hurry; if you are not, do not stand in the wind and catch cold.”
When this was said, Grandmother Jia, Xifeng, and all the maids and old women in the room burst out laughing. Baochai blushed crimson and scolded Qiuwen. “You muddle-headed thing! For such a small matter, was it worth rushing back in a panic to deliver a message?” Qiuwen went back laughing and scolded Beiming. Beiming ran off, turning his head and muttering, “The Second Master specially called me down from the horse and told me to come back with the message. If I did not say it, I would be scolded when I returned; if I said it, I am scolded here.” The little maid came back and repeated this. Grandmother Jia smiled at Baochai. “You go. Do not keep him thinking of you.” Xifeng teased her again about the matter. Baochai was very embarrassed and had to go out.
Just then the nun Daliao from the Temple of Scattered Flowers came to the Jia household. She paid her respects to Grandmother Jia and then to Xifeng, and sat down for tea. Grandmother Jia asked her, “Why have you not come for so long?” Daliao said, “These days the temple has been holding services. Many official ladies often come to the temple, so I could not get away. Today I came specially to pay my respects. Tomorrow another family is having a Buddhist service. If the Old Ancestor is willing, you may also go to the temple to burn incense and pray.” Grandmother Jia asked what service it was. Daliao said, “Last month there was a haunting in the Wang household. Mrs. Wang dreamed at night of the dead master. So yesterday she made a vow at our temple to burn incense before Bodhisattva Scattered Flowers and hold a forty-nine-day Land and Water Mass, to protect the whole family, to send the dead to heaven, and to bless the living. That is why I have been too busy to come and pay my respects.”
Xifeng ordinarily did not believe in ghosts and spirits, but the night before she had encountered a ghost in Prospect Garden, and her heart had been full of suspicion. After hearing the nun’s words, her disbelief was shaken, and she half believed. She asked Daliao, “Who is Bodhisattva Scattered Flowers? Why can she drive away evil and expel ghosts?” Seeing that Xifeng was moved, Daliao said, “This Bodhisattva has an extraordinary origin and deep cultivation. She was born in the Western Heaven, in the Kingdom of Great Trees. Her parents lived by cutting firewood. When the Bodhisattva was born, she had three horns on her head, four eyes set crosswise, a body three feet tall, and two hands that hung to the ground. Her parents thought she was a monster and threw her behind an ice mountain. On the mountain lived an old monkey who had attained the Way. He came out looking for food and saw white light rising from the Bodhisattva’s head. Tigers and wild beasts all fled far away. He knew she was no ordinary being and carried her back to his cave to raise her. The Bodhisattva was naturally wise and understood how to preach the Dharma. Every day she discussed Zen with the old monkey. When she preached, flowers fell from heaven in profusion. After a thousand years, she ascended and became an immortal. Even now, in that place, they say fallen flowers cover the ground. Prayers there are very efficacious, and she often manifests to save people from suffering. People have built temples and made images to worship her.”
Xifeng asked, “Is there any proof?” Daliao said, “Do not be argumentative, mistress. Where would an immortal produce material proof? If it were all invented, it could fool one or two people, but could it fool countless clever people through all the ages? Think, mistress: the Buddhist incense has continued generation after generation, praying for the state and the people, and there have truly been efficacious answers. That is why people are willing to believe.” Xifeng thought this reasonable and said, “Since that is so, I will go and try another day. Does your temple have lots? I will draw one. If the lot speaks to the troubles in my heart, I will sincerely believe in the Buddha hereafter.” Daliao said, “The lots in our temple are very efficacious. You will know when you go, mistress.” Grandmother Jia said, “Then wait until the day after tomorrow, the first of the month, an auspicious day, and go.” After tea, Daliao went to pay her respects to Lady Wang and the various courtyards, then returned to the temple.
Xifeng forced herself to endure her discomfort. Early on the first of the month, she had the carriages and horses prepared and, taking Ping’er and many servants, came to the Temple of Scattered Flowers. The nun Daliao led the nuns out to welcome her. After tea was offered, Xifeng washed her hands and burned incense in the main hall. She had no heart to look closely at the images. She knelt sincerely, held the lot tube in both hands, and silently prayed about the ghost she had seen the night before, her bodily discomfort, and all the troubles in her household. She had shaken the tube only three times when, with a swish, a lot jumped out and fell to the ground. Xifeng kowtowed, picked it up, and saw it was the thirty-third lot, “Greatly Auspicious, Top Grade.” Daliao quickly looked it up in the lot book. The title read: Wang Xifeng Returns Home in Silken Robes.
Xifeng was greatly startled. She asked Daliao, “Was there also a Wang Xifeng in ancient times?” Daliao smiled. “You are widely learned, mistress. Have you never heard the story of Wang Xifeng seeking office in the Han dynasty?” Zhou Rui’s wife, standing nearby, smiled. “The year before last, the storyteller told that tale. We even specially told him not to use the same name as our mistress.” Xifeng laughed. “Yes, I had forgotten.” She read the lot poem:
Twenty years away from home and native land,
Today in silken robes I return to my garden.
The bee gathers a hundred flowers and makes honey,
But for whom is the toil, and for whom the sweet?
Below was the judgment: The traveler will arrive. News will be delayed. Lawsuits should be settled. Marriage must be discussed again.
Xifeng did not quite understand. Daliao interpreted it favorably. “Great joy, mistress. You grew up in the Jia household and have never returned to your old home in Nanjing. Now the master is an official away from home. Perhaps in the future he will send for his family, and you will pass through your native place. Is that not returning home in silken robes?” As she spoke, she copied out the lot text and gave it to a maid. Xifeng was half doubtful, half believing. A vegetarian meal was set out in the temple. Xifeng ate only a few mouthfuls and then wished to take leave, offering incense money. Daliao tried hard to keep her but could not, and had to see her off.
When Xifeng returned home, Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang both asked what the lot was like. Everyone interpreted it favorably and was very happy. “Perhaps the master really will send for his family, and we may go back to our old home.” Everyone said it was a good omen, and Xifeng for the time being believed it too.
Now to return to Baoyu. After his midday nap, he woke and did not see Baochai. He was just about to ask when Baochai came into the room. Baoyu asked, “Where have you been? You were gone half the day.” Baochai smiled. “I went to Sister Feng’s rooms to see the lot she drew.” Baoyu quickly asked what was written on it. Baochai recited the lot text and then said, “Everyone in the household says it is a good lot. But in my view, the four words ‘returning home in silken robes’ have another meaning that will only be seen later.” Baoyu said, “You are letting your thoughts run wild again and guessing at the gods’ meaning. ‘Returning home in silken robes’ has been an auspicious phrase since ancient times. You alone see something else in it. By your reading, does the phrase have another explanation?” Baochai was about to explain in detail when a maid came from Lady Wang’s rooms to call Baochai. Baochai set out at once. What the matter was will be told in the next chapter.
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