A Pretty Maid, Wronged, Dies Young; A Lovely Actress Severs Love and Enters the Water-Moon Convent

Once the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, Lady Wang saw that Wang Xifeng’s illness was somewhat lighter than before. Though Xifeng had not fully recovered, she could already go out and walk about. The doctor still came every day to take her pulse and prescribe medicine, and a prescription was made up for Menstrual-Regulating and Vitality-Nourishing Pills. The prescription called for two ounces of top-grade ginseng.

Lady Wang went to look for ginseng. After searching for a long while, she found only a few pieces in a small box, no thicker than hairpins. Displeased with the quality, she told the servants to search again. In the end they turned up only a large packet of ginseng rootlets and broken bits.

Lady Wang was irritated. “When it is needed, it cannot be found; when it is not needed, it is everywhere. I told you long ago to sort and label things, but you would not listen. You leave everything lying about. You do not know how rare good ginseng is. Even if one pays a high price, one may not be able to buy ginseng of this quality.”

Caiyun said, “It may be that it is all used up and only this is left. Last time people from Lady Xing’s quarters came to ask for some, and you gave away quite a lot.”

“That is impossible,” said Lady Wang. “Search again carefully.”

Caiyun had no choice but to search again. She brought out several packets of medicines. “We cannot tell what these are. Please look at them yourself, madam. Apart from these, there is no other ginseng.”

Lady Wang opened them and found she could not even remember what medicines they were, and there was not a single whole ginseng root. She sent someone to ask Xifeng. Xifeng sent back word: “I have only ginseng paste and root ends and rootlets here. Even if there are a few roots, they are ordinary, and I still need them every day for decoctions.”

There was nothing Lady Wang could do but send someone to Lady Xing to borrow some. Lady Xing said that last time it was precisely because her own ginseng was used up that she had come to this side to ask, and that it had long since been exhausted. Lady Wang had no choice but to go in person to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia at once told Yuanyang to bring out the ginseng left over from former years. There was still a large packet, each root as thick as a finger. Two ounces were weighed out and given to Lady Wang.

Lady Wang went out and handed it to Zhou Rui’s wife, telling her to have a page take it to the doctor. She also told her to take along the several packets of medicines that could not be identified, so the doctor could tell what they were and write a label for each.

Before long, Zhou Rui’s wife brought the ginseng back and reported, “The medicines have all been identified and labeled. This packet of ginseng is indeed top-grade. Nowadays, even thirty taels of silver could not buy its like. But it has been stored too long. Ginseng is different from other medicines. However good it is, after a hundred years it turns to dust. This packet has not turned to dust, but it has decayed like dry wood, and all its medicinal power is gone. You had better put it away, madam, and use some new ginseng instead.”

Lady Wang lowered her head and was silent for a long time. Then she sighed. “There is no help for it. We must buy two ounces of new ginseng outside.” She had no heart to look at the other medicines and told them all to be put away. To Zhou Rui’s wife she said, “Go and tell the purchasing agents outside to choose good ginseng and buy two ounces. If the Old Ancestor asks, say we used the ginseng she gave us. Do not say anything more.”

Zhou Rui’s wife was just about to set off when Baochai, who was sitting nearby, spoke up. “Aunt, do not be in such a hurry. Most of the ginseng sold outside nowadays is adulterated. Even when there are whole roots, the dealers cut them into two or three pieces and join them with rootlets and crowns. It looks like good ginseng, but in fact the quality is very poor. Our family’s shop has dealt with ginseng firms for years. I will speak to my mother and ask my brother to go to a clerk in the ginseng trade and exchange for two ounces of unprocessed, original top-grade ginseng. Even if it costs a few taels more, we can get the real thing.”

Lady Wang smiled. “You know the trade. I am sorry to trouble you.”

Baochai went out for a while and came back, saying that someone had already been sent to arrange it. A reply would come by evening, and it would still be in time to make up the medicine the next morning. Lady Wang sighed with feeling. “Truly, the oil-seller’s wife must dress her hair with water. Our family once had so many good things and gave away countless amounts. Now, when we ourselves need something, we must beg for it everywhere.” She gave a long sigh.

Baochai urged, “Ginseng is precious, but after all it is only medicine. It is meant to save people and help people. Our family is not like some small household that hides away a treasure and refuses to let it go.” Lady Wang nodded, thinking this very reasonable.

After Baochai left and there was no one else in the room, Lady Wang called Zhou Rui’s wife and asked whether the matter of the search of the Grand View Garden had been properly settled. Zhou Rui’s wife had already discussed it with Xifeng. She concealed nothing and reported everything in order. Lady Wang was both shocked and angry, yet she also found it difficult to handle. Siqi was a maid in Yingchun’s room and belonged to Lady Xing’s side, so Lady Wang intended to send someone to inform Lady Xing.

Zhou Rui’s wife said, “Earlier, Lady Xing already blamed Wang Shanbao’s wife for meddling and even slapped her several times. Wang Shanbao’s wife now pretends to be ill at home and refuses to come forward. Siqi is her granddaughter. She has slapped her own face, so she can only feign ignorance and wait for the matter to die down. If we go now to report it, Lady Xing may easily grow suspicious and think we are making trouble over nothing. Better to take Siqi over directly, along with the evidence found, and show it all to Lady Xing. At most she will be given a beating, married off to a servant, and Yingchun given a new maid. That would be much simpler. If we only report it verbally, Lady Xing may push it back and say, ‘Since that is so, your mistress can deal with it herself. Why come and tell me?’ That would only delay matters. And if Siqi should take her own life, it would be even worse. She has been guarded for two or three days now. Servants are bound to slacken at some point, and one careless moment could lead to disaster.”

Lady Wang thought for a moment. “What you say is reasonable. Settle this matter quickly, and then we will deal with the harmful spirits in our own household.”

Zhou Rui’s wife gathered several serving women and went to Yingchun’s room. She said to Yingchun, “The mistresses have decided. Siqi is old enough, and her mother has come to beg several times. The mistress permits her to be taken out and married off. She is to be taken away today, and a new maid will be chosen for you.” Then she told Siqi to pack her things and prepare to leave.

When Yingchun heard this, tears came to her eyes, and she was unwilling to part with her. A few days earlier the other maids had secretly told her what had happened. Mistress and maid had been together for years, and it was hard to part, but the matter concerned propriety and reputation, and Yingchun was helpless. Siqi had begged Yingchun bitterly, hoping with all her heart that Yingchun would plead for her and save her. But Yingchun was timid and weak, with no mind of her own, and could not make such a decision.

When Siqi saw how things stood, she knew there was no turning back. She wept and said, “Miss, how cruel you are! You comforted me for two days, and now you will not say one word for me.”

Zhou Rui’s wife and the others urged, “Do you still expect the young lady to keep you? Even if you stayed, you could not show your face in the garden. Take our advice, pack quickly, and leave quietly. Let everyone keep some dignity.”

Yingchun said through her tears, “I know you committed a great fault. If I pleaded desperately to keep you, I too would be implicated. You saw Ruhua. She served me for years, and she was sent away just like that. I suppose the older maids in the garden will all be dismissed sooner or later. People must part in the end. You had better go.”

Zhou Rui’s wife said, “The young lady is clear-sighted. Tomorrow others are to be sent away too. Set your heart at ease.”

Siqi had no way out. With tears she kowtowed to Yingchun and took leave of the other maids. She leaned close to Yingchun’s ear and whispered, “If I suffer, miss, please say a word for me, for the sake of our time together.” Yingchun tearfully agreed. “Do not worry.”

Zhou Rui’s wife led Siqi out of the courtyard and told the old women to carry Siqi’s luggage as well. Before they had gone far, Xiuju ran after them, wiping her tears. She handed Siqi a silk package. “This is from the young lady. You served her once, and now you must part. Keep it as a remembrance.” Siqi took the package and wept even harder, saying goodbye to Xiuju through her tears. Zhou Rui’s wife grew impatient and kept urging them on, and at last the two had to separate.

Siqi begged tearfully, “Aunties, good aunties, please stop for a moment and let me say farewell to the sisters I am close to. For the sake of the time we had together.”

Zhou Rui’s wife and the others had always disliked Siqi for being proud. They had other duties to attend to and would not agree. They sneered, “I advise you to hurry along and stop dragging things out. We have proper business. Who is your close kin? What is the use of goodbyes? They would only laugh at you. You are only delaying for a moment, and it will not change the outcome. Hurry up!” As they spoke, they did not stop walking and took Siqi straight toward the back corner gate. Siqi was helpless and could only follow.

Just then Baoyu came in from outside. He saw them escorting Siqi out, with her luggage carried behind, and knew that once she left she would never return. He had heard about the search, and Qingwen’s illness had grown worse because of it. Ruhua had already been driven out, and now Siqi was to be sent away too. Baoyu was beside himself. He hurried forward and blocked them. “Where are you taking her?”

Zhou Rui’s wife knew Baoyu’s temperament and feared delay. She smiled and said, “This is none of your business. Go and study.”

Baoyu begged, “Good sisters, stop a moment. I have something to say.”

Zhou Rui’s wife said, “Lady Wang ordered that not a moment be lost. We only obey her command. We cannot manage anything else.”

When Siqi saw Baoyu, she caught hold of him and wept. “They cannot decide anything. Please beg Lady Wang for me. Save me.”

Baoyu was deeply grieved. With tears in his eyes he said, “I do not know what great crime you have committed. Qingwen is already gravely ill, and now you are to be driven out too. One after another they all leave. What is to be done?”

Zhou Rui’s wife grew angry and scolded Siqi. “You are no longer a respectable maid. If you do not obey, I will beat you. Do not think your young lady still protects you and that you can behave wildly. You are still here pulling at the young master. What sort of behavior is that!” Several serving women pulled Siqi away without another word and took her straight out the gate.

Baoyu feared they would report him, and he glared after them as they went away. Pointing at them, he cursed, “Strange, strange! Once a woman marries a man and catches his habits, she becomes so vile, more hateful than a man!”

The old women guarding the garden gate found this amusing and asked, “By that reasoning, all unmarried girls are good and all married women are bad?”

Baoyu nodded. “Exactly. That is how it is.”

The old woman was about to ask more when several old women hurried over and warned them, “Be careful in your service. Lady Wang herself has come into the garden to inspect people. She may come here. Quickly call Qingwen’s brother and sister-in-law to wait here and take her out!” Then she sighed. “Amitabha, today at last this plague and fox spirit is sent away. We shall all be clean.”

When Baoyu heard that Lady Wang had come into the garden in person to inspect people, he guessed at once that Qingwen could not be saved. He ran swiftly toward Happy Red Court and did not hear the rest of what the old woman said.

Baoyu arrived at Happy Red Court and saw the room full of people. Lady Wang sat there, her face full of anger. When she saw Baoyu, she did not pay him the slightest attention. Qingwen had not eaten or drunk for four or five days and was barely alive. She had been dragged forcibly from the kang. Her hair was loose, her face wasted, and two old women supported her as she was taken out.

Lady Wang gave orders that only Qingwen’s old clothes that had been worn close to her body were to be taken away. The better clothes were to be left behind and given to the other good maids. She also ordered all the maids in the room to be called, to be inspected one by one face to face.

Ever since the earlier search had angered Lady Wang, Wang Shanbao’s wife had seized the chance to slander and frame Qingwen. Others in the garden who were not on good terms with Qingwen had also added their accusations. Lady Wang remembered all these words. She had been delayed by the Mid-Autumn Festival and had held back her anger for two days. Today she had come in person to inspect the garden. One reason was Qingwen. Another was that someone had told her that Baoyu was grown up and already understood the relations between men and women, and that the maids in his room were of poor character and had corrupted him. This matter was even more important than Qingwen.

So, beginning with Xiren and going all the way down to the little maids who did rough work, Lady Wang examined each one closely. She asked, “Who has the same birthday as Baoyu?”

The little maids did not dare answer. An old nanny pointed to Si’er, also called Huixiang. “It is she. She has the same birthday as Baoyu.”

Lady Wang looked Si’er over. Her looks were not equal to Qingwen’s, but she was still pretty. Her manner was bold and forward, and her dress was different from the others. Lady Wang sneered, “So you are another shameless one. You said secretly that sharing a birthday with Baoyu meant you were husband and wife. Was that your doing? Do not think that because I do not live in the garden I know nothing. Though I do not often come here, I know every move that is made. I have only one son, Baoyu. How could I let you seduce and corrupt him?”

When Si’er heard Lady Wang repeat her private words, her face flushed scarlet. She bowed her head and wept. Lady Wang at once had her family called and ordered them to take her out and marry her off.

She asked again, “Who is Yelü Xiongnu?”

An old nanny pointed out Fangguan.

Lady Wang said, “Girls who sing opera are foxes by nature. Last time we released you, you refused to go. You should have behaved yourselves. Instead you stirred up trouble and encouraged Baoyu to do whatever he pleased.”

Fangguan argued, “I never encouraged him in anything.”

Lady Wang sneered, “You still talk back. The year before, when we went to worship at the imperial tombs, who urged Baoyu to want Liu family’s Wu’er? Luckily that girl died young. If she had entered the household, you would have formed a gang and ruined the whole garden. You even dare to bully your dry mother, let alone anyone else!” She gave orders at once: “Let her dry mother take her away and marry her off to any family she likes. Return all her things to her.”

She also ordered that the opera girls who had been distributed to the various rooms in former years were not to be kept in the Grand View Garden any longer. All were to be given to their dry mothers to take out and marry off as they pleased. When the order was given, the dry mothers were delighted. They came forward one after another, kowtowed, and took their girls away.

Lady Wang also searched Baoyu’s things in the room. Anything that looked unfamiliar to her was collected and taken away. She said, “Only this way can things be clean and avoid gossip.” She warned Xiren, Sheyue, and the others, “Be careful. If there is the least improper behavior again, you will not be spared lightly. This year is not suitable for moving. For now, endure the rest of this year. Next year you will all move out, and then I shall be at ease.” Having said this, she did not even drink tea, but took her people to inspect other places.

Baoyu had thought Lady Wang had only come to search for things and that nothing serious would happen. He had not expected such thunderous anger. The words she spoke were all private jokes and conversations from ordinary days, repeated word for word. Baoyu knew there was no way to undo it. He was grief-stricken and wished he could die, but Lady Wang was in a rage, and he dared not say a word or make a move. He escorted Lady Wang all the way to Seeping Fragrance Pavilion. Lady Wang instructed, “Go back and study well. Tomorrow I shall test you. Today I have become resolved.”

Only then did Baoyu return to Happy Red Court. All the way he wondered: Who had informed on them? These private matters should have been known to no outsider. How had they all reached Lady Wang’s ears? When he entered, he saw Xiren weeping. Qingwen’s expulsion was the pain in Baoyu’s heart. He threw himself on the bed and cried aloud.

Xiren urged him, “Crying is of no use. Now that Qingwen has gone, she can rest and recover. If you truly cannot bear to part with her, wait until Lady Wang’s anger has passed, then beg the Old Ancestor, and slowly bring her back. It will not be difficult. Lady Wang only believed the slander of others and lost her temper for a moment.”

Baoyu wept, “I still do not know what monstrous crime Qingwen committed.”

Xiren said, “Lady Wang only disliked her for being too beautiful and looking frivolous. In her heart she believes that anyone so outstanding in looks must be unsettled. Plain, clumsy-looking ones like us are safe instead.”

Baoyu said, “Let us leave that aside for now. How did our private jokes reach Lady Wang’s ears? No outsider leaked them. It is truly strange.”

Xiren said, “You do not consider where you are. When you are happy, you say whatever comes into your head. I gave you warning looks many times. Others had long since heard, but you yourself noticed nothing.”

Baoyu asked, “Why does Lady Wang know every fault of everyone else, yet find no fault with you, Sheyue, or Qiuwen?”

Xiren was startled. She lowered her head for a long time and could not answer. At last she smiled and said, “Yes. We too have joked beyond propriety. Perhaps Lady Wang has other plans and will deal with us later.”

Baoyu smiled. “You are the one everyone praises as most virtuous. Sheyue and Qiuwen were taught by you. How could they do wrong? Fangguan was young and too clever. She used her strength to press others down and made people resent her. Si’er was implicated by me. That year, when you and I quarreled, I brought her up to do fine work. That made others jealous, and so today came. Qingwen was originally like you, having come from the Old Ancestor’s rooms since childhood. Though she was beautiful, she did no wicked thing. She was only outspoken and sharp-tongued, but she did not offend you. I think it was her beauty that harmed her.” Having said this, he cried again.

When Xiren heard Baoyu speak this way, it seemed as though he suspected her of informing. She could not urge him further. She sighed, “Who knows? Now that we cannot find out who carried the words, crying is useless. First restore your spirits. When the Old Ancestor is happy, plead with her to bring Qingwen back. That is the proper course.”

Baoyu sneered, “You need not comfort me. By the time Lady Wang’s anger has passed and we plead, Qingwen’s illness may not wait for that day. She was delicately raised from childhood and had never suffered wrong. Even I often angered her without meaning to. Now that she has gone out, it is like an orchid just putting forth new shoots being thrown into a pigsty. Add to that serious illness and a heart full of grievance. She has no own parents, only a drunken cousin. She will certainly not be used to things there. She cannot last many days. I do not know whether I shall even see her again.” The more he spoke, the sadder he became.

Xiren smiled. “You are truly like the magistrate who may burn fires but forbids the common people to light lamps. If we say one unlucky word, you blame us. Now you curse Qingwen this way, and that is allowed? Even if she is delicate, she will not come to that.”

Baoyu said, “I am not cursing her wildly. This spring there was already a sign. That crabapple by the steps died halfway for no reason. I felt at the time that something was wrong, and indeed it has come true on Qingwen.”

Xiren thought this ridiculous. “You are too much like an old woman. How can the rise and fall of plants be connected with people? Talking this way makes you sound like a fool.”

Baoyu sighed, “You do not understand. It is not only plants. All things in the world have feeling. When they meet a kindred spirit, they respond. To speak of great examples: the cypress at Confucius’s temple, the yarrow at his grave, the ancient cypress at Zhuge Liang’s shrine, the pines at Yue Fei’s tomb. When the world is in chaos, they wither; when it is at peace, they flourish. They die and live again. These are omens. To speak of small examples: Yang Guifei’s peonies at Chenxiang Pavilion, the love tree, the green grass at Wang Zhaojun’s tomb—all have spirit. This crabapple dying halfway foretells that Qingwen is about to leave the world.”

Xiren, after hearing this, was both annoyed and amused. “You grow more absurd the more you speak. What is Qingwen’s status, that she should be compared to these sages? Besides, even if the crabapple had an omen, it should come true on me first, not on her. Perhaps it means I am to die.”

Baoyu quickly covered her mouth. “Do not say such things! One person is not yet finished, and you speak of another. Do not mention this again, lest after three are sent away, you are added as well.”

Xiren was secretly pleased, thinking that this would make Baoyu let the matter go. Baoyu said, “I will not mention it again. Let us treat the three of them as already gone. First think of a way to secretly send Qingwen’s things out, and take a few strings of the money we have saved to help her recover. It is the least we can do for the sisterhood we shared.”

Xiren smiled, “You underestimate us too much, thinking we have no hearts. There is no need for you to tell me. I have already packed her clothes and belongings. In the daytime there are too many people and too many eyes, and trouble could easily arise. When night comes, I will have Old Mother Song take them quietly. I will give her the few strings of money I have saved as well.” Baoyu was very grateful. Xiren teased, “I am famous as a virtuous person. Could I not manage even this little kindness?” Baoyu smiled and thanked her.

That night, indeed, Old Mother Song was quietly sent with the things and money.

Baoyu steadied the people in the room and found a chance to slip out the back corner gate. He begged an old woman to take him to Qingwen’s home to see her. At first the old woman refused absolutely, afraid that if Lady Wang learned of it she would lose her position. Baoyu pleaded again and again and promised her silver, and at last she agreed to take him.

Qingwen had originally been bought by Lai Da’s family. When she was ten, her hair had not yet grown long. Nanny Lai often brought her into the mansion. Grandmother Jia saw that she was clever and pretty and liked her very much. Nanny Lai then gave Qingwen to Grandmother Jia as a gift of respect, and later she was assigned to Baoyu’s room. Qingwen could not remember her native place or parents. She had only a cousin who could cook and who had drifted about outside. Qingwen begged the Lai family to buy her cousin into the household to work. The Lai family, seeing that Qingwen was loyal and affectionate, took him in and even gave him a maid from the household as a wife.

But after Qingwen’s cousin, Duo Hunchong, had settled into an easy life, he forgot his former hardships. He drank every day and paid no attention to his home. The wife he married, Deng Guniang, was beautiful and full of feeling. She despised her husband, who cared only for drink. Deng Guniang was loose by nature and had affairs with many people in the mansion. These were the couple Jia Lian had seen before. Now that Qingwen had been driven out, she could only stay here.

That day Duo Hunchong went out, and Deng Guniang went to visit neighbors. Only Qingwen was left in the house, lying on the outer earthen kang. Baoyu told the old woman to keep watch at the door, and he lifted the straw curtain and went in. He saw Qingwen lying on a mat-covered earthen kang, with the same old bedding from before. Baoyu, with tears in his eyes, gently pulled at her and called her in a low voice.

Qingwen had already caught a chill, and with her cousin and his wife’s cold words, her illness had worsened. She had coughed all day and had just fallen into a dazed sleep. Hearing the call, she forced her eyes open. Seeing that it was Baoyu, she was both startled and overjoyed, grief and happiness mingled. She seized Baoyu’s hand tightly and choked for a long time before she could get out half a sentence: “I thought I would never see you again.” Then she coughed without stopping. Baoyu wept with her.

Qingwen said, “Amitabha, it is good that you have come. Pour half a bowl of water for me. I have been thirsty for ages and could not call anyone.”

Baoyu wiped his tears and asked, “Where is the tea?”

Qingwen said, “That pot on the stove is it.”

Baoyu looked. It was a black earthen pot, not like a teapot. On the table was a coarse large bowl, still greasy. Baoyu washed the bowl twice, rinsed it again, then lifted the pot and poured half a bowl. The tea was dark red and not good tea at all.

Qingwen leaned on the pillow. “Give it to me quickly. This is tea. How can it compare with the good tea in Happy Red Court?” Baoyu first tasted it. There was no tea fragrance, only bitterness. He handed it to Qingwen, and she, as if receiving sweet dew, drank it all in one breath. Baoyu thought to himself: The ancients said that when one is full, even rare delicacies seem ordinary, and when one is hungry, even husks taste sweet. It was indeed true.

Baoyu asked through his tears, “If you have anything to say, say it now while no one is here.”

Qingwen choked, “What is there to say? I can only last one day at a time. I know I will not last three or five days. There is one thing I will not accept even in death. I was only a little prettier than others. I never had any affair with you or tried to seduce you. Why did they insist on calling me a fox spirit? I am truly not convinced. Now I bear this false name for nothing. If I had known it would come to this, I would have made other plans long ago. I foolishly thought we could all be together for a long time. This disaster came out of nowhere, and I have no place to appeal my grievance.” Having said this, she wept loudly.

Baoyu held her hand. It was as thin as dry firewood, and on her wrist she still wore four silver bracelets. Baoyu wept, “Take the bracelets off. Wear them again when you are well.” He took them off for her and tucked them under the pillow. Then he said, “What a pity about these two nails. They took so long to grow two inches long, and this illness will ruin them.”

Qingwen wiped her tears, picked up the scissors, and cut off the two long nails on her left hand, as white as scallion stalks, at the root. Then she lifted the quilt and took off the old red silk undergarment she wore close to her body. She gave the nails and the garment to Baoyu. “Keep them. When you see them in the future, it will be as if you see me. Quickly take off your outer garment and give it to me to wear. When I lie in my coffin, it will be as if I am still in Happy Red Court. It is not proper, but I already bear a false name, so I cannot care about that now.” Baoyu quickly exchanged clothes and put away the nails.

Qingwen wept, “When you go back, if anyone asks, do not lie. Say it was mine. Since I already bear the shameful name, let it be so. It cannot be worse than this.”

Before she had finished speaking, her sister-in-law Deng Guniang came in laughing and lifted the curtain. “Well, well. I heard everything you two said.” Turning to Baoyu, she said, “You are a master. What are you doing in a servant’s room? You saw that I am young and pretty and came to flirt with me?”

Baoyu was frightened and quickly smiled and begged, “Good sister, keep your voice down. She served me once, and I came secretly to see her.”

Deng Guniang pulled Baoyu into the inner room, sat down on the edge of the kang, and took Baoyu into her arms. Baoyu had never seen such a scene. His heart beat fast, his face flushed red. He was both ashamed and afraid. He said again and again, “Sister, do not.”

Deng Guniang looked at him with drunken, sidelong eyes. “People say you are thoroughly versed in the ways of romance. Why are you so shy today?”

Baoyu said, “Sister, let me go. If you have something to say, say it properly. There is an old woman outside. It would be bad if she heard.”

Deng Guniang laughed. “I sent the old woman to wait at the garden gate long ago. I have long heard of your reputation, and today I have finally seen you. You look handsome, but you are like a firecracker without fire, a pretty ornament. You are shyer than I am. It seems people’s words cannot all be believed. I originally thought you two had a secret affair, and I listened outside the window for a long time. There were only the two of you in the room. If there had been anything improper, you would surely have spoken of it. I did not expect you two to be so clean and innocent. There are indeed many wrongs in this world. It was I who misjudged you. Set your mind at ease. If you come again in the future, I will not stop you.”

Only then did Baoyu feel relieved. He straightened his clothes and begged her, “Good sister, please look after her for a few more days. I must go.” Baoyu went out and took leave of Qingwen. The two were reluctant to part. Qingwen knew Baoyu could not stay long. She covered her head with the quilt and said no more. Only then did Baoyu leave.

Baoyu had wanted to see Fangguan and Si’er too, but it was already late, and he had been out too long. He feared the household would search for him and cause trouble, so he had to return to the Grand View Garden first and think of something the next day. When he reached the back corner gate, the pages were moving bedding, and the old women were inspecting people. One step later and the gate would have been closed.

Baoyu returned to Happy Red Court. Fortunately, no one had noticed. He lied to Xiren and said he had gone to Aunt Xue’s. At bedtime, Xiren asked how he wanted to arrange the sleeping place. Baoyu said carelessly, “Anywhere.”

In the past two years, Lady Wang had valued Xiren highly, and Xiren had become more self-respecting. Privately, at night she no longer allowed herself to be close to Baoyu, and she was more distant than before. Xiren also had to manage Baoyu’s and the maids’ clothes, money, and other small matters. She had an old illness of spitting blood, and when she was tired or caught cold, she would cough blood. So at night she did not sleep in the same bed as Baoyu. Baoyu woke easily at night and was timid. As soon as he woke, he had to call someone. Qingwen slept lightly and moved quietly. She served tea at night and helped him get up, so Qingwen slept in the outer bed. Now that Qingwen had been driven out, Xiren had to take over this duty. She still moved her own bedding to the outer bed.

Baoyu sat blankly the whole night. After everyone had gone to sleep, he lay on the bed sighing without stop, tossing and turning. Only after the third watch did he barely fall asleep, giving light snores. Xiren was then reassured and dozed off in a haze. Before long, she heard Baoyu call “Qingwen.” Xiren quickly answered and asked what he wanted. Baoyu wanted tea. Xiren got up, washed her hands, and poured half a cup for him. Baoyu smiled. “I am used to calling her. I forgot it was you.”

Xiren smiled. “When Qingwen first came, you often called my name in your dreams too. It took half a year before you changed. Now that she is gone, I fear you will not forget that name.” The two lay down again. Baoyu tossed for another watch and only fell asleep at the fifth watch. In his dream he saw Qingwen come in, still looking as she used to. She smiled and said to him, “Live your lives well. From now on I say goodbye to you forever.” Then she turned and left. Baoyu shouted, waking Xiren. Baoyu wept, “Qingwen is dead.” Xiren urged him not to let his thoughts run wild. Baoyu was anxious and waited for dawn to send someone to ask for news.

After dawn, a little maid from Lady Wang’s room knocked on the door and gave the message: “Tell Baoyu to get up at once, wash his face, and change his clothes. Today the master has invited people to enjoy the autumn and the osmanthus. The master liked the poems Baoyu wrote before and wants to take him along. The master is waiting in the upper room for noodle tea. Jia Huan is already there. Also send someone to call Jia Lan.”

The old women quickly opened the door. As they dressed, they sent people to call the others. When Xiren heard the knock, she hurried up, fetched water, urged Baoyu to wash, and got his clothes. Knowing he was going out with Jia Zheng, she deliberately did not choose fancy new clothes, but picked ordinary second-class ones. Baoyu had no choice but to hurry over. Jia Zheng was drinking tea and was very pleased. Baoyu made his salute. Jia Huan and Jia Lan were both there. Jia Zheng told them to sit and drink tea. To Jia Huan and Jia Lan he said, “Baoyu’s reading is not as good as yours, but his talent for writing poems and linked verses is beyond you. Today when we go out, poems will no doubt be required. Baoyu, help the two of them.” When Lady Wang heard Baoyu praised in this way, she was greatly surprised and full of joy.

After Jia Zheng had left with Baoyu and the others, Fangguan’s and the other girls’ dry mothers came to see Lady Wang. They reported, “Since your grace kindly released Fangguan, she has refused food and drink. She has also dragged Ouguan and Ruiguan into it, threatening to die, insisting on cutting her hair and becoming a nun. I thought it was a child’s fit of temper and that she would be better in a few days. But she has grown more and more violent. She is not afraid of beatings or scolding. I truly cannot control her. I beg you, madam, either let them become nuns or find other families for them. We have not the fortune to manage them.”

Lady Wang shouted, “Nonsense! The Buddhist gate is not a place one can enter just as one pleases. Give each of them a beating and see whether they still make trouble.”

At the Mid-Autumn Festival, nuns from various temples had come to deliver offerings. Zhitong of Water Moon Nunnery and Yuanxin of Ksitigarbha Nunnery had remained in the mansion and had not yet returned. When they heard of this, they were eager to take two more girls back to the temple to work. They advised Lady Wang, “Your household is a charitable one. It is because of your good heart, madam, that these little girls have been moved. The Buddhist gate is not easy to enter, but the Dharma is equal for all. All living beings may be saved. Even tigers, insects, and snakes can attain the fruit. These girls have no parents and their homes are far away. They live amid wealth and nobility, yet see through the red dust and wish to leave home and cultivate a future life. This is their good thought. Do not block this good karma, madam.”

Lady Wang had always believed in doing good. At first she was unwilling to agree lightly, fearing that later they could not endure hardship and would instead incur guilt. But recently the household had met with one trouble after another. Lady Xing had sent word that the next day she would take Yingchun back to prepare for a match. Officials’ matchmakers had come to discuss a marriage for Tanchun. Lady Wang’s heart was troubled, and she had no mind to attend closely to this small matter. Hearing the nuns speak reasonably, she said, “Since you put it that way, then take them as disciples. How would that be?”

The two nuns quickly called on Buddha and thanked her. Lady Wang said, “Ask them. If they are truly willing, come up and bow to their masters in my presence.”

The nuns went out and brought Fangguan, Ouguan, and Ruiguan. Lady Wang questioned them again and again. The three had set their minds. They kowtowed to the two nuns as their teachers and took leave of Lady Wang. When Lady Wang saw that their resolve was fixed, she instead felt pity for them. She had things brought out to give them and also sent gifts to the nuns. From then on, Fangguan followed Zhitong at Water Moon Nunnery, while Ouguan and Ruiguan followed Yuanxin at Ksitigarbha Nunnery and became nuns. The next chapter will tell what followed.