Baochan, Giving Rein to Lustful Designs, Skillfully Lays a Plot; Baoyu, Setting a Muddle of Doubt, Recklessly Talks of Zen

Xue Ke was still full of doubt when he suddenly heard a laugh outside the window and got a great fright. He thought to himself, “If it is not Baochan, then it must be Jingui. I will simply ignore them and see what tricks they can play.” He listened quietly for a long time, but outside all was still again. Xue Ke did not dare touch the wine and fruit that had been sent. He shut the door carefully and was just about to undress when he heard the window paper rustle faintly.

His mind had already been thrown into confusion by Baochan’s words, and now he was utterly unsettled. Hearing the window paper move, he looked closely but saw no one. The more he thought, the more suspicious he became. He gathered his robe about him, sat under the lamp in a daze, and picked up a piece of fruit, turning it over and over in his hand. Suddenly he turned his head and saw that a small patch of the window paper was wet. He went closer to look, and just then someone outside blew sharply through the paper at him. Xue Ke started violently. Outside came a giggle. He quickly blew out the lamp, held his breath, and lay down on the bed.

He heard someone outside ask, “Why has the Second Master gone to bed without touching the wine and fruit?” The voice was still Baochan’s. Xue Ke said not a word and pretended to be asleep. After a moment, he heard what sounded like an annoyed voice outside say, “Where in the world is there such a luckless creature?” The voice sounded like Baochan, and also like Jingui. Only then did Xue Ke understand what they were up to. He tossed and turned until the fifth watch before he finally fell asleep.

At dawn someone knocked on the door. Xue Ke asked who it was, but there was no answer outside. He had to get up and open the door. It was Baochan. Her hair was casually coiled, her collar half open. She wore a short, tight jacket with bordered edges, a half-new light yellow sash at her waist, and no skirt—only石榴-red patterned lined trousers beneath, with a pair of newly embroidered red shoes. She had not had time to wash or dress properly, and fearing someone would see her, she had come early to collect the dishes.

Xue Ke saw her dressed like this and walking straight into his room. His heart stirred, but he could only smile politely and ask, “Why are you up so early?” Baochan’s face reddened. She did not answer, but gathered the fruit onto the plate and was about to leave. Xue Ke saw her manner and knew it was because of the night before. He thought, “So be it. If they are angry and give up, that will save me from further entanglement.” Feeling as if a stone had been lifted from his heart, he called for water to wash his face. He planned to sit quietly at home for two days, first to calm himself, and second because he feared going out and having those people come looking for him.

The crowd who had formerly been friendly with Xue Pan saw that the only man managing the Xue household now was young Xue Ke, and many schemes arose in their minds. Some wanted to come and profit from the confusion. Some could write legal documents and knew the yamen runners, and wanted to take charge of bribing officials and managing the lawsuit. Some urged him to seize the chance to make money. Others invented rumors to frighten him. Their intentions were many and varied. Xue Ke kept far away from such people, yet did not dare reject them to their faces for fear of stirring up trouble. He could only shut his door and stay home, waiting for official documents. Of this we need not speak for now.

Now to return to Jingui. The night before, she had sent Baochan with wine and fruit to sound out Xue Ke. When Baochan came back, she reported every detail of Xue Ke’s response. Jingui saw that the scheme had failed and feared that she had made a fool of herself for nothing, only to be looked down upon by Baochan. She wanted to change her tune and let the matter drop, yet she could not bear to give up Xue Ke. She sat there staring blankly.

But Baochan had long known that Xue Pan was unlikely to return home, and she too wanted to find a way out for herself. She only feared Jingui would blame her, so she did not dare speak openly. Now that Jingui had taken the first step, Baochan was glad to go along with it. She wanted to win Xue Ke over first, certain that in the end Jingui would have no choice but to follow her lead. That was why she had made those teasing remarks earlier. The night before, she had seen that Xue Ke did not seem entirely unmoved, yet he would not respond. She did not dare act rashly. When Xue Ke blew out the lamp and went to bed, Baochan was greatly disappointed. She went back and reported to Jingui, waiting for Jingui to think of another plan. Seeing Jingui sit there blankly with no idea what to do, she had no choice but to keep her company and rest. Through the night she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, until she thought of a plan: early the next morning, she would first go retrieve the dishes. She would put on eye-catching clothes, not wash or dress properly, and deliberately show off her charms. She would watch Xue Ke’s expression, then pretend to be angry and ignore him. If Xue Ke was moved, he would naturally come to her, and she need not fear failure.

But when she saw Xue Ke this morning, he remained proper and upright, with no evil thoughts. Baochan could only pretend nothing was wrong, carry the plate back, and deliberately leave the wine pot at the Xue house, giving herself an excuse to come again and talk. Jingui asked, “When you went to get the things, did you run into anyone?” Baochan said, “No.” Jingui asked, “Did the Second Master ask you anything?” Baochan said, “No.”

Jingui had not slept all night and could think of no good plan. Then she thought: This matter can be hidden from others, but not from Baochan. I might as well give her a share of the benefit, and she will work for me with all her heart. It is not convenient for me to appear in person. I must use her as my helper. I may as well discuss a safe plan with her. So she asked with a smile, “What sort of person do you think the Second Master really is?” Baochan said, “He looks like a muddled fool.” Jingui laughed. “How dare you judge the masters?” Baochan also laughed. “He failed to appreciate your kindness, so I may say so.” Jingui said, “How did he fail to appreciate my kindness? Tell me.” Baochan said, “You kindly sent him food, and he did not appreciate it. Is that not failing to appreciate you?” As she spoke, she glanced sidelong at Jingui.

Jingui said, “Do not let your thoughts run wild. I sent the things because I am grateful to the Second Master for his hard work in the eldest master’s lawsuit, and because I respect him. I asked you only because I feared outsiders would gossip. I do not understand what you mean.” Baochan smiled. “Do not be suspicious, mistress. I follow you with all my heart and would never have two minds. Only this matter must be kept secret. If it gets out, it will be no small thing.” Jingui’s cheeks flushed red. She said, “You girl are not a quiet one! I suppose you have taken a fancy to the Second Master and are using me as a cover, is that it?”

Baochan said, “That is only your guess, mistress. I am only feeling aggrieved on your behalf. If you truly have your eye on the Second Master, I have an idea. Think, mistress: what mouse does not steal oil? He is only afraid the matter will be discovered and cause a scandal that cannot be cleaned up. I say, do not be impatient. Watch often for what he lacks and show him more care. He is your junior brother-in-law and not yet married. If you are more considerate and close to him, others cannot find fault. After a few days, grateful for your kindness, he will naturally come to thank you. Then you can prepare wine and food in our rooms, and I will help get him drunk. There is no fear it will not succeed. If he refuses, then we will simply make a scene and say he tried to take liberties with you. He will be frightened and will have to go along with us. Even if he still refuses, we will not have lost face for nothing. What do you think, mistress?”

When Jingui heard this, her cheeks flushed crimson. She laughed and scolded, “Little hussy, you speak as if you had known many men. No wonder the eldest master could not do without you when he was at home.” Baochan pursed her lips and smiled. “Oh, I am kindly trying to make a match for you, mistress, and you turn around and talk about me like that.” From then on Jingui set her heart on winning over Xue Ke and stopped making wild scenes. The household became a little quieter.

One day Baochan went again to fetch the wine pot. Her manner was calm and proper. Xue Ke secretly looked at her and instead felt regret, suspecting that he had let his imagination run wild the night before and wrongly blamed them. If he had indeed imagined it, then he had failed to appreciate their good intentions. If they later bore a grudge and stirred up trouble, would he not be seeking trouble for himself? After two days, the household was very quiet. When Xue Ke met Baochan, she would lower her head and hurry away without even raising her eyelids. But when he met Jingui, she was warm, eager, and very close. Seeing this, Xue Ke actually felt somewhat apologetic. Of this we shall say no more for now.

Baochai and her mother saw that Jingui had been quiet for several days and had suddenly become friendly to everyone. The whole household found it unusual. Aunt Xue was pleased and thought to herself that when Jingui had first been married in, perhaps they had offended something, which was why the family had been unsettled for several years. Now that Xue Pan had gotten into legal trouble, thanks to the family’s money and the Jia household’s help, there was a glimmer of hope. If her daughter-in-law had suddenly restrained her temper, perhaps Pan’er’s luck was about to turn.

One day after dinner, Aunt Xue, leaning on Tonggui, went to Jingui’s rooms to visit. She had just reached the courtyard when she heard a man speaking with Jingui inside. Tonggui was quick-witted and announced in a loud voice, “Senior Mistress, the old lady is here.” Even as she spoke, they had reached the door. A man’s shadow behind the door hastily dodged away. Aunt Xue was greatly startled and stepped back.

Jingui hurriedly said, “Please come in, madam. There is no outsider. This is my adopted younger brother. He lives in the country and is not used to meeting strangers. He has not yet paid his respects to you. He just arrived today.” Aunt Xue said, “Since he is your brother, there is no harm in meeting him.” Jingui called Xia San out. He bowed and greeted Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue returned the greeting, sat down, and chatted. She asked, “When did you come to the capital, brother?” Xia San answered, “Last month there was no one at home to manage affairs, so I was adopted into the family. I arrived in the capital the day before yesterday and came today to see my sister.” Aunt Xue saw that the man’s looks were not honest, so after sitting a little while she rose to take her leave. She turned back and instructed Jingui, “Since your brother has come for the first time, keep him here for a meal before he goes.” Jingui agreed, and Aunt Xue left.

As soon as her mother-in-law was gone, Jingui said to Xia San, “Sit down. Today you have clearly been seen by the old lady. In the future the Second Master will not be able to question your background. I still want to ask you to buy some things. Be sure no one sees you.” Xia San said, “Leave it to me. As long as there is money, I can buy anything.” Jingui said, “Do not boast. If you buy the wrong things, I will not accept them.” The two laughed and talked for a while. Jingui kept Xia San for dinner and carefully told him what to buy, repeating her instructions again and again. Only then did Xia San leave. From then on Xia San often came in and out of the Xue household. The old gatekeeper took him for Jingui’s brother and did not often report it. Thus countless future troubles were planted. That is a later matter.

Before long, a letter came from Xue Pan in prison. Aunt Xue opened it and called Baochai to read it with her. The letter said:

Your son is not suffering too much in the county. Mother, set your mind at ease. Yesterday the county clerk said that the prefecture had already reported the case, and I thought our bribes had worked. But when the prefectural documents were sent to the circuit intendant, they were rejected. Fortunately the official in charge of writing at the county level was kind and immediately wrote a reply and reported it again. The circuit intendant, however, reprimanded the county magistrate. Now the circuit intendant wants to interrogate me personally. Once I am sent up under escort, I will suffer again. It must be that the circuit intendant’s side has not been properly squared. When you see this letter, mother, quickly send someone to beg Lord Dao. Tell my younger brother to come as soon as possible, or I will be sent to the circuit yamen. The silver must not be stinted. Hurry, hurry!

When Aunt Xue finished reading, she wept bitterly again. Xue Ke comforted her and said, “The matter cannot be delayed.” Aunt Xue had no other way. She had to send Xue Ke to the county to manage it. She at once had his luggage packed and silver prepared. Li Xiang, a family servant, was already there to help, and Xue Ke took another assistant and set out by night.

The household was in confusion, servants running about. Baochai feared they would not think of everything, so she helped manage matters herself. She was busy until the fourth watch before she rested. Baochai was a delicately reared young lady of a great house. Her heart was anxious, and she had labored long. That night she came down with a high fever. The next day she could not even swallow soup or water. Ying’er hurriedly reported to Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue rushed over and saw Baochai burning all over, her face crimson, unable even to speak. She was so frantic that she wept. Baoqin supported and comforted her, and Xiangling also wept without stopping. Baochai could not speak, her hands and feet were weak, her eyes dry and her nose stuffed. They quickly called a doctor. After a long time she slowly revived. Aunt Xue and the others were a little relieved.

When news reached the Rong and Ning households, Xifeng first sent over Ten-Aroma Soul-Returning Pills. Afterward Lady Wang sent Supreme Treasure Boluses. Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Madam You, and the others all sent maids to inquire, but they deliberately kept it from Baoyu. After seven or eight days of treatment, there was no improvement. Then Baochai herself remembered the Cold Fragrance Pills, took three, and gradually recovered. Later, when Baoyu heard of it, she was already well, so he did not go to visit.

Before long Xue Ke sent back a letter. Aunt Xue feared Baochai would worry, so she hid it from her. She went herself to beg Lady Wang, and incidentally mentioned Baochai’s illness. After Aunt Xue left, Lady Wang went to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng said, “Higher officials can be approached through influence, but the underlings who handle matters must also be squared. Silver cannot be spared.” Lady Wang then brought up Baochai and said, “That child has truly suffered. Since she is already considered one of our family, it would be better to bring her in sooner and not let her ruin her health.” Jia Zheng said, “That is what I think too. It is only that the Xue family is now tangled in a lawsuit and everything is in disorder. Soon it will be the end of the year, and every household must prepare for the New Year. This winter we will first settle the betrothal. Next spring we will exchange gifts. After the Old Ancestor’s birthday, we will choose a day for the wedding. Tell Aunt Xue this.” Lady Wang agreed.

The next day Lady Wang told Aunt Xue Jia Zheng’s intention, and Aunt Xue also thought it proper. After dinner, Lady Wang accompanied Aunt Xue to Grandmother Jia’s rooms. Everyone sat down. Grandmother Jia asked, “Has Aunt Xue just come?” Aunt Xue said, “I came yesterday, but it was too late, so I could not come to pay my respects.” Lady Wang explained Jia Zheng’s plan to settle the betrothal in winter and bring in the bride next spring. Grandmother Jia was delighted.

Just then Baoyu came in. Grandmother Jia asked, “Have you eaten?” Baoyu said, “I have just come back from the study. After I eat, I must go back to read. I came first to pay my respects to the Old Ancestor. I heard Aunt Xue was here, so I came especially to greet her.” He also asked, “Is Cousin Bao better?” Aunt Xue smiled and said, “She is better.” Everyone had just been discussing the marriage. As soon as Baoyu entered, they all fell silent. Baoyu sat a while and felt that Aunt Xue was not as affectionate toward him as before. He thought that even if she had something on her mind, she would not refuse to say a single extra word to him. Full of doubt, he returned to the study.

When school let out in the evening, he came back, paid his respects to his elders, and went straight to Xiaoxiang Lodge. He lifted the curtain and went in. Zijuan came to meet him, but Daiyu was not in the inner room. Baoyu asked, “Where has the young mistress gone?” Zijuan said, “She went to the main quarters to pay her respects. She heard Aunt Xue had come, so she went to greet her. Has the Second Master not been to the main quarters?” Baoyu said, “I went, but I did not see your young mistress.” Zijuan said, “That is strange.” Baoyu asked again where Daiyu was, but Zijuan could not say for certain. Baoyu turned and went out. Just as he reached the door, he saw Daiyu coming slowly with Xueyan. Baoyu said, “妹妹 has returned.” He stepped back and accompanied Daiyu inside.

Daiyu went into the inner room and asked Baoyu to sit. Zijuan brought an outer garment for Daiyu to change into, and the two sat down. Daiyu asked, “Have you seen Aunt Xue?” Baoyu said, “I have.” Daiyu asked, “Did Aunt Xue mention me?” Baoyu said, “She not only did not mention you, she was not as close to me as before. I asked after Cousin Bao’s illness, and she only smiled faintly and said little. Could she be angry that I have not been to visit these last days?” Daiyu smiled. “Then have you been to visit or not?” Baoyu said, “A few days ago I did not know she was ill. Later, when I knew, I still could not go.” Daiyu said, “Exactly.”

Baoyu said, “The Old Ancestor, the mistress, and the master all would not let me go. How would I dare go privately? In the past, when the small gate in the garden was open, I could run over ten times a day without trouble. Now the small gate is blocked, and one must go around by the front. It is very inconvenient.” Daiyu said, “How would Aunt Xue know the reason?” Baoyu said, “Cousin Bao is the most understanding of me.” Daiyu said, “Do not always take the good side on your own account. If Aunt Xue were ill, that would be one thing. But it is Cousin Bao herself who is gravely ill. In the past, in the garden, we wrote poems, admired flowers, and drank together. How lively it was. Now the garden is divided, her family has a lawsuit, and she has been so ill, while you act as if nothing has happened. How could she not be angry?” Baoyu said, “Do you mean Cousin Bao will never be friendly with me again?” Daiyu said, “How she treats you, I do not know. I speak only by ordinary reasoning.”

When Baoyu heard this, he sat staring blankly for a long time. Daiyu saw him like this and paid him no attention. She told someone to add incense, took up a book, and quietly read. Baoyu frowned, stamped his foot on the ground, and sighed. “I think, in this life, why must we come at all? If there were no me in this world, it would be cleaner.” Daiyu said, “It is only because there is me that there are all the people in the world. Once there are people, countless troubles arise—fear, confusion, delusive dreams, layer upon layer of entanglement. What I said just now was only in jest. You saw only that Aunt Xue looked downcast, and why must you suspect it has to do with Cousin Bao? Aunt Xue is worried about Xue Pan’s lawsuit. How would she have the heart to entertain you? It is all your own wild thinking, and you have wandered into a maze.”

Baoyu suddenly understood and laughed. “You are exactly right, exactly right. Your understanding is far beyond mine. No wonder that year when I was depressed and you spoke a few Zen words to me, I could not answer. Even if I cultivated a sixteen-foot golden body, I would still need a thread of your spiritual insight to enlighten me.” Daiyu took the chance and asked, “Let me ask you one thing. How would you answer?” Baoyu sat cross-legged, pressed his palms together, closed his eyes, and parted his lips slightly. “Speak.”

Daiyu said: “If Cousin Bao is good to you, what then? If Cousin Bao is not good to you, what then? If Cousin Bao was good to you before and now is not good to you, what then? If she is good to you today and not good to you later, what then? If you want to be good to her, and she will not be good to you, what then? If you do not want to be good to her, and she insists on being good to you, what then?”

Baoyu thought quietly for a moment, then suddenly laughed aloud: “Though the Ruo waters stretch three thousand li, I take but one gourdful to drink.”

Daiyu said: “If the gourd floats on the water and drifts away with the waves, what then?”
Baoyu said: “It is not the gourd that stirs the water. The water simply flows, and the gourd simply floats.”
Daiyu said: “If the water dries up and the pearl sinks, and all returns to silence, what then?”
Baoyu said: “My Zen mind has become willow catkins stuck in mud; do not dance the partridge in the spring wind.”
Daiyu said: “The first rule of Zen is that one must not lie.”
Baoyu said: “I swear before the Three Jewels that there is no falsehood in my words.”

Daiyu lowered her head and said no more.

Then they heard an old crow outside the eaves caw several times and fly off toward the southeast. Baoyu said, “I wonder whether this bird is an omen of good or ill.” Daiyu said, “A person’s fortune or misfortune does not lie in a bird’s cry.” Suddenly Qiuwen came in and said, “Second Master, go back quickly. The master has sent someone into the garden to ask whether you have returned from school. Sister Xiren has already answered that you are back. Hurry.” Baoyu rose in alarm and left. Daiyu could not detain him. To know what happened next, read the following chapter.