Clever Zijuan Tests Baoyu with a Tender Ruse; Kind Aunt Xue Soothes the Foolish Daiyu with Loving Words

Baoyu, hearing Lady Wang call him, hurried to the front. It turned out that Lady Wang wanted to take him to visit Lady Zhen. Baoyu was naturally delighted. He quickly changed his clothes and went with Lady Wang. He saw that the Zhen household was not much different from the Rong and Ning mansions, though one or two things were a little grander. On closer inquiry, there was indeed a Baoyu. Lady Zhen kept them for a meal, and they returned only after a whole day. Only then did Baoyu believe it. That evening, after they came home, Lady Wang ordered a first-class banquet and engaged a famous troupe to invite Lady Zhen and her daughter. Two days later, mother and daughter no longer declined and returned to their post. No need to detail this.

One day, seeing that Xiangyun was gradually recovering, Baoyu went to visit Daiyu. It happened that Daiyu had just lain down for her afternoon nap. Baoyu did not dare disturb her. Since Zijuan was on the veranda doing needlework, he came over and asked her, “Has her cough been better these last nights?” Zijuan said, “A little better.” Baoyu smiled and said, “Amida Buddha! Let her get better, by all means.” Zijuan laughed. “You saying Buddha—that’s news indeed!” Baoyu laughed. “As the saying goes, ‘A dying man will try any doctor.’” As he spoke, he noticed she was wearing a thin padded jacket of ink-patterned silk, with only a dark blue satin sleeveless jacket over it. He reached out and touched her. “Wearing so little, and sitting in the wind! The wind is greedy at this time of year, and the weather is bad. If you get sick too, things will be even harder.” Zijuan said, “From now on, we may talk, but don’t touch me. You are growing up year by year, and people will think it improper. What is more, those rascals talk about you behind your back, and you never pay attention. You still behave as you did when you were small—how can that do? The young lady often tells us not to laugh and chat with you. Lately you must have seen how she keeps her distance from you—and even then she fears it is not enough.” With that, she rose, gathered her needlework, and went into another room.

Seeing this, Baoyu felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him. He stared at the bamboos and fell into a daze. Old Mrs. Zhu happened to come to dig bamboo shoots and trim the stalks, so he walked out in a stupor. For a time his soul seemed to leave him; he knew nothing. He sat down on a rockery stone and stared blankly, tears falling without his knowing. He stayed like this for the time of five or six meals, thinking and thinking, unable to decide what to do.

It happened that Xueyan was passing by, having fetched ginseng from Lady Wang’s rooms. She turned her head and saw someone sitting on a stone beneath the peach trees, chin in hand, staring into space. It was Baoyu. Xueyan wondered, “It’s cold enough. What is he doing here alone? In spring, anyone with an ailment tends to have a relapse. Can he have gone silly again?” As she thought, she came over, crouched down, and asked with a smile, “What are you doing here?” Baoyu suddenly saw Xueyan and said, “What are you looking for me for? Aren’t you a girl too? She guards against suspicion and won’t let you pay any attention to me. Why do you come looking for me? If someone sees us, there will be more talk. Hurry home.” Xueyan heard this and thought he had again been upset by Daiyu, so she had no choice but to return to the room.

Daiyu had not yet woken. Xueyan handed the ginseng to Zijuan. Zijuan asked her, “What is Lady Wang doing?” Xueyan said, “She is also taking her afternoon nap, so I waited a long time. Sister, listen to this funny thing: while waiting for Lady Wang, I sat in the servants’ room talking with Sister Yu Chuan’er. Then Aunt Zhao beckoned to me. I thought she had something to say. It turned out she had asked Lady Wang for leave to go keep vigil for her brother and see him off at the funeral tomorrow. A little maid who follows her, Xiao Jixiang, had no clothes, so she wanted to borrow my moon-white satin jacket. I thought they must have two or three themselves. They were going to a dirty place and were afraid of soiling their own, so they wanted to borrow someone else’s. If mine got dirty, it would be a small matter, but I thought, what good has she ever done us? So I said, ‘My clothes and hairpins are all kept by Sister Zijuan on the young lady’s orders. I would have to tell her first, and then report to the young lady. The young lady is ill, and it would make a great fuss and delay your going out. Better borrow from someone else.’” Zijuan laughed. “You little thing, you’re clever enough. You didn’t lend it, and you put the blame on me and the young lady, so no one can resent you. Is she going now, or waiting until tomorrow morning?” Xueyan said, “She’s going now. I’m afraid she’s already gone.” Zijuan nodded. Xueyan said, “The young lady hasn’t woken yet. Who has upset Baoyu? He’s sitting there crying.” Zijuan quickly asked where. Xueyan said, “Under the peach trees behind the Dripping Fragrance Pavilion.”

Hearing this, Zijuan quickly put down her needlework and told Xueyan to listen carefully for calls: “If she asks for me, answer that I’ll be back soon.” Then she left the Bamboo Lodge and went to find Baoyu. Coming up to him, she said with a smile, “I only said those two sentences for everyone’s good. Why did you run off in a temper to cry in the wind and make yourself ill to frighten me?” Baoyu quickly smiled. “Who’s in a temper? I heard what you said was reasonable. I thought that if you say so, others must say so too, and in the future they will all gradually ignore me. That made me sad.” Zijuan sat down beside him. Baoyu smiled. “Just now, when we were face to face, you moved away. Why are you sitting close to me now?” Zijuan said, “Have you forgotten? A few days ago, when you and your cousin were talking, Aunt Zhao walked in—I had just heard she was not at home, so I came to ask you. The other day you and she had just mentioned ‘bird’s nest’ and then stopped. It was never brought up again. I was thinking of asking you.” Baoyu said, “It’s nothing important. I only thought that Cousin Baochai is a guest here, and since she takes bird’s nest, she can’t do without it. If we keep asking her for it, it would be too presumptuous. Though it was not convenient to ask Lady Wang, I dropped a hint to Lady Jia, and I suppose Lady Jia spoke to Sister Xifeng. I told her, but did not finish telling her. Now I hear you are given one ounce of bird’s nest a day. That settles it.” Zijuan said, “So it was you who spoke. Thank you for your trouble. We were wondering why Lady Jia suddenly thought of sending one ounce of bird’s nest every day. So that’s it.” Baoyu smiled. “If she gets used to taking it every day, in two or three years she’ll be better.” Zijuan said, “If she gets used to it here, next year when she goes home, where will there be spare money for this?”

Baoyu was startled. “Who? Go where?” Zijuan said, “Your cousin is going back to Suzhou.” Baoyu smiled. “You’re talking nonsense again. Suzhou is her original home, but because her father and mother are dead and there is no one to look after her, she came here. Next year, if she goes back, whom will she go to? You’re obviously lying.” Zijuan sneered. “You think too little of people. Your Jia family is a great clan with many people. Apart from your family, does everyone else have only one father and one mother, with no relatives at all? When our young lady came, it was because Lady Jia pitied her for being young. Though she had uncles and cousins, they were not as good as her own parents, so she was brought here to stay a few years. When she is grown and should marry, she will naturally be sent back to the Lin family. Surely a Lin daughter cannot stay in your Jia family forever? Even if the Lins were so poor they had nothing to eat, they are still a family of scholars and officials for generations. They would never leave one of their own in a relative’s house to be laughed at. So, at the earliest, next spring; at the latest, next autumn. Even if no one here sends her, the Lin family will surely send someone to fetch her. The other night the young lady told me to tell you: pack up all the playthings she gave you when you were small and return them to her. She has already packed up what you gave her.” When Baoyu heard this, it was as if a thunderclap had sounded over his head. Zijuan watched to see how he would answer, but he said nothing. Suddenly Qingwen appeared and said, “Lady Jia is calling you. Who knew you were here?” Zijuan smiled. “He was asking about the young lady’s illness. I told him for a long time, but he wouldn’t believe me. You take him away.” With that, she went back to the room.

Qingwen saw that he was dazed, his head covered in hot sweat, his face purple and swollen. She quickly took his hand and led him all the way to Happy Red Court. Xiren was alarmed at the sight and thought he had caught a seasonal illness, with hot sweat struck by wind. But Baoyu’s fever was the least of it. His eyes were fixed and staring, saliva ran from the corners of his mouth, and he was unaware of it. If they gave him a pillow, he lay down; if they raised him, he sat; if they poured tea, he drank it. Everyone grew frantic, but did not dare rashly report to Lady Jia. First they sent someone out to fetch Nurse Li.

Presently Nurse Li arrived. She looked at him for a long while, asked him several questions, and got no answer. She felt his pulse, then pinched his upper lip above the philtrum hard twice, leaving deep fingernail marks, yet he did not seem to feel pain. Nurse Li only said, “This is terrible!” Then with a cry she threw her arms around him and wailed. Xiren, frantic, pulled her away. “Look at him, old lady. Is it frightening or not? Tell us, so we can report to Lady Jia and Lady Wang. Why are you crying first?” Nurse Li pounded the bed and pillows. “He’s done for! All my years of worry were wasted!” Xiren and the others, thinking she was old and experienced, had asked her to look at him. Now hearing her say this, they believed it and all began to cry.

Qingwen then told Xiren what had happened. Xiren hurried to the Bamboo Lodge. She saw Zijuan attending Daiyu while she took her medicine. Without regard for anything, she came up and asked Zijuan, “What did you say to our Baoyu just now? Go and look at him! Go and report to Lady Jia! I wash my hands of it!” She sat down on a chair. Daiyu, seeing Xiren’s face full of alarm and anger, with tears on it, and her manner so changed, panicked and asked what was wrong. Xiren composed herself a little and wept, “I don’t know what that precious Miss Zijuan said to him, but that silly boy’s eyes are fixed, his hands and feet are cold, he says nothing, and Nurse Li pinched him and he felt no pain. He is more than half dead! Even Nurse Li says he’s done for, and she is there wailing. I fear he may already be dead!” When Daiyu heard this, and knowing Nurse Li was an experienced old woman, she thought that if she said he was done for, then he must indeed be done for. With a loud cry, she vomited up all the medicine in her stomach. Her bowels seemed to twist, her lungs to be searched, her stomach to burn, her liver to be fanned. She coughed in agonizing spasms. Her face flushed, her hair disordered, her eyes swollen, her veins protruding. She gasped and could not lift her head. Zijuan hurried to pound her back. Daiyu lay over her pillow, gasping for a long while, then pushed Zijuan away. “Don’t pound my back. Just bring a rope and strangle me—that would be proper!” Zijuan wept. “I said nothing. I only made a few jokes, and he took them seriously.” Xiren said, “You still don’t know him. That silly boy always takes jokes seriously.” Daiyu said, “Whatever you said, go and explain it at once. He may come to.” Hearing this, Zijuan hurried off the bed and went with Xiren to Happy Red Court.

But Lady Jia, Lady Wang, and the others were already there. As soon as Lady Jia saw Zijuan, fire seemed to flash from her eyes. She scolded, “You little wretch, what did you say to him?” Zijuan said quickly, “I said nothing. Only a few jokes.” But when Baoyu saw Zijuan, he gave a cry and burst into tears. Everyone felt relieved. Lady Jia seized Zijuan, thinking she had offended Baoyu, and pulled her forward to be beaten. But Baoyu grabbed Zijuan and would not let go, saying, “If she goes, take me with her.” No one understood. On close questioning, it came out that Zijuan had said, as a joke, that Daiyu was going back to Suzhou. Lady Jia wept. “I thought it was some great matter. So it was this joke.” She said to Zijuan, “You child are usually the cleverest and quickest. You know he has a foolish streak. Why did you tease him for no reason?” Aunt Xue urged, “Baoyu has always been simple-hearted. And it happens that Lin girl came when she was small. The two grew up together, closer than other cousins. Now, when feelings are warm, to suddenly say one is leaving—even a cold-hearted adult would grieve, let alone a simple, foolish child. This is not a serious illness. Lady Jia and Aunt Wang, set your minds at ease. One or two doses of medicine will cure him.”

Just then someone announced that Lin Zhixiao’s wife and Shan Daliang’s wife had come to see the young master. Lady Jia said, “It is kind of them to think of him. Let them come and look.” Baoyu heard the word “Lin” and began to rave on the bed. “This is terrible! The Lin family has sent people to fetch her. Drive them out!” Lady Jia, hearing this, quickly said, “Drive them out!” Then she comforted him. “That is not the Lin family. Everyone in the Lin family is dead. No one is coming to fetch her. Set your mind at rest.” Baoyu wept. “Whoever it is, except Cousin Lin, no one is allowed to be named Lin!” Lady Jia said, “No one named Lin is coming. Anyone named Lin, I will drive away.” She instructed everyone, “From now on, don’t let Lin Zhixiao’s wife into the garden, and don’t mention the word ‘Lin.’ Good children, listen to me.” Everyone assented, not daring to laugh. Then Baoyu caught sight of a gold Western self-moving ship among the curios on the display shelves. He pointed and shouted, “Isn’t that the boat come to fetch her? It’s moored over there!” Lady Jia quickly ordered it taken down. Xiren took it down. Baoyu stretched out his hand for it. Xiren handed it to him, and Baoyu tucked it under the bedclothes, laughing. “Now she can’t go!” And he clutched Zijuan and would not let go.

Presently someone announced the doctor had come. Lady Jia ordered him brought in quickly. Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Baochai, and the others withdrew into the inner room. Lady Jia sat upright beside Baoyu. Doctor Wang came in, saw many people, and quickly paid his respects to Lady Jia. He took Baoyu’s hand and felt his pulse for a while. Zijuan had to lower her head. Doctor Wang did not understand why. He rose and said, “This young gentleman’s illness is a confusion of the heart caused by acute pain. The ancients said: ‘There are different kinds of phlegm confusion. Some are caused by weak blood and vitality, so that food cannot dissolve the phlegm; some by anger and phlegm wrapping the heart; some by acute pain blocking it.’ This is also a phlegm-confusion illness, caused by acute pain. It is only a temporary blockage, and seems milder than other phlegm confusions.” Lady Jia said, “Just tell me whether it is dangerous or not. Who is asking you to recite the pharmacopoeia?” Doctor Wang quickly bowed and smiled. “No danger, no danger.” Lady Jia said, “Truly no danger?” Doctor Wang said, “Truly no danger. I stake my reputation on it.” Lady Jia said, “In that case, please sit outside and write the prescription. If he recovers, I will prepare a special gift of thanks and have him carry it himself and kowtow to you. If there is any delay, I will send someone to tear down the main hall of the Imperial Medical Academy.” Doctor Wang only bowed and smiled. “I would not dare, I would not dare.” He had heard her say “a special gift of thanks and have Baoyu kowtow,” so he kept saying “I would not dare,” and did not hear her later joke about tearing down the Imperial Medical Academy. He still said, “I would not dare,” and Lady Jia and everyone laughed. Presently the medicine was boiled according to the prescription and given to him. He did seem calmer than before. But Baoyu refused to let Zijuan go, saying that if she left, Daiyu would go back to Suzhou. Lady Jia and Lady Wang had no choice but to tell Zijuan to stay with him, and send Hupo to serve Daiyu.

Daiyu from time to time sent Xueyan to inquire. She knew all that was happening and sighed secretly. Fortunately everyone knew Baoyu had always been somewhat foolish, and that he and Daiyu had been close since childhood. Zijuan’s joke was a normal thing, and Baoyu’s illness was not rare, so no one suspected anything else.

That evening Baoyu was a little calmer, and Lady Jia and Lady Wang returned to their rooms. During the night they sent people to inquire several times. Nurse Li led Nurse Song and several older women to keep careful watch, while Zijuan, Xiren, Qingwen, and the others stayed with him day and night. Sometimes when Baoyu fell asleep, he would start awake from a dream, either crying that Daiyu had gone, or saying someone had come to fetch her. Each time he woke in fright, Zijuan had to comfort him before he would settle. Lady Jia also ordered various secret medicines—pills to ward off evil and preserve the spirit, and powders to open the senses and clear the mind—to be given according to the prescription. The next day he took Doctor Wang’s medicine and gradually improved. Baoyu understood in his heart, but fearing Zijuan would go back, he sometimes pretended to be still mad. Zijuan had truly repented since that day. Now, though she worked hard day and night, she had no complaint. Xiren and the others were relieved. They said to Zijuan with a smile, “You caused all this, so you must cure it. I’ve never seen such a silly boy—he takes wind for rain. What will become of him?” We will leave this for now.

Meanwhile Xiangyun had recovered. She came every day to see him. When she saw Baoyu was clear-headed, she described to him how wild he had been during his illness, making Baoyu laugh into his pillow. He had not known how he had been at first, and now he would not believe what people told him. When no one else was by, and Zijuan was beside him, Baoyu took her hand and asked, “Why did you frighten me?” Zijuan said, “I was only teasing you, and you took it seriously.” Baoyu said, “What you said was so reasonable and full of feeling. How could it be a joke?” Zijuan smiled. “Those jokes were all made up by me. The Lin family really has no one left. Even if there are distant relatives, they are very far away. The clan does not live in Suzhou either; they are scattered in different provinces. Even if someone came to fetch her, Lady Jia would never let her go.” Baoyu said, “Even if Lady Jia let her go, I would not agree.” Zijuan smiled. “Really? I’m afraid that’s only talk. You are grown now, and your marriage is already settled. In two or three years, when you marry, who will you still see?” Baoyu was startled and asked, “Who is betrothed? To whom?” Zijuan smiled. “At the New Year I heard Lady Jia say she wanted to betroth Miss Baoqin to you. Otherwise, why would she dote on her so?” Baoyu laughed. “Everyone says I am silly, but you are sillier than I. That was only a joke. She is already promised to Academician Mei’s family. If she were really betrothed to me, would I be in this state? First I swore and vowed and smashed that miserable thing, and you never tried to stop me, saying I was mad. I have only just gotten better these few days, and you come to provoke me again.” As he spoke, he gnashed his teeth and said, “I only wish I could die this very moment, so my heart could burst out for you to see, and then my skin and bones and all would turn to ashes—but ashes still have form. Better still, turn into smoke—but smoke can still gather and be seen. It must be scattered by a great wild wind to all four directions at once. That would be best!” As he spoke, tears rolled down again. Zijuan quickly covered his mouth, wiped his tears, and said with a smile, “Don’t be upset. It was I who was anxious, so I tested you.” Baoyu was even more surprised. “What are you anxious about?” Zijuan smiled. “You know I am not a member of the Lin family. I belong with Xiren and Yuanyang. Yet I was given to Miss Lin. It happens that she and I are extremely close—ten times closer than those she brought from Suzhou. We cannot be apart for a moment. Now I worry that if she leaves, I must go with her. My whole family is here. If I go, I betray our long affection. If I stay, I abandon my own family. So I was uncertain, and made up this lie to ask you. Who knew you would go mad?” Baoyu smiled. “So that was your worry. Then you are the silly one. From now on, don’t worry. I will tell you one lump sum: if we live, we live together; if we die, we turn to ashes and smoke together. How is that?” Zijuan heard this and secretly pondered. Suddenly someone announced, “Master Huan and Master Lan send their greetings.” Baoyu said, “Tell them I am obliged, but I have just fallen asleep. They need not come in.” The old woman assented and went. Zijuan smiled. “You are better now. You should let me go back and see to our young lady.” Baoyu said, “That is right. I meant to send you yesterday, but forgot. I am much better now. Go.” Zijuan then packed up her bedding and toilet things. Baoyu smiled. “I saw three or four mirrors among your things. Leave me that small diamond-shaped one. I will put it by my pillow to look at when I sleep, and it will be light to carry when I go out.” Zijuan had to leave it with him. She first sent her things over, then took leave of everyone and returned to the Bamboo Lodge.

Daiyu had heard recently of Baoyu’s condition and had added to her own illness, crying several times. Now seeing Zijuan return and asking the reason, she knew he was much better. She still sent Hupo to serve Lady Jia. That night, after everyone had settled, Zijuan had undressed and lain down. She said quietly to Daiyu with a smile, “Baoyu’s heart is true. When he heard we were going, he acted like that.” Daiyu did not answer. Zijuan paused, then said as if to herself, “Better to stay still than to move. Our house may be considered a good family. Everything else is easy, but the rarest thing is to have grown up together from childhood, knowing each other’s temper and nature.” Daiyu spat. “Aren’t you tired these days? Instead of resting now, what maggots are you chewing over?” Zijuan smiled. “It’s not idle chewing. I am wholeheartedly thinking of you, miss. I have worried for you these years. You have no parents, no brothers. Who truly cares for you? While Lady Jia is still clear-minded and strong, it is important to settle your great matter. As the saying goes, ‘Old health is like spring cold or autumn heat.’ If anything should happen to Lady Jia, then even if things are settled, I fear time will be lost and it will not be as you wish. There are many princes and nobles, but which one does not have three concubines and five concubines, turning east today and west tomorrow? Even a heavenly fairy, after three nights and five evenings, would be thrown behind the neck. Some even turn against each other for the sake of concubines and maids. If a girl’s family has people and power, it is better. But for someone like you, while Lady Jia lives, one day is better than another. When Lady Jia is gone, you will only be at others’ mercy. So it is important to make up your mind. You are an understanding person. Have you not heard the saying: ‘Ten thousand taels of gold are easy to get; one true heart is hard to find’?” Daiyu said, “Is this girl mad today? How is it that after a few days away she has suddenly become a different person? Tomorrow I will report to Lady Jia and send you back. I dare not keep you.” Zijuan smiled. “I am speaking for your good. I only want you to keep it in mind. I am not telling you to do anything wrong. Why report to Lady Jia and make me suffer? What good would that do?” Then she went to sleep. Daiyu heard this. Though she spoke as she did, she could not help feeling sorrow. After Zijuan slept, she wept all night, and only dozed a little at dawn. The next day she forced herself to wash and rinse, ate some bird’s-nest porridge, and then Lady Jia and the others came in person to see her and gave her much advice.

Now it was Aunt Xue’s birthday. From Lady Jia downward, everyone sent congratulations and gifts. Daiyu had also prepared two kinds of needlework and sent them early. That day a small troupe was engaged to perform for Lady Jia and Lady Wang and the others. Only Baoyu and Daiyu could not go. When it was over, Lady Jia and the others stopped by to see them again before returning. The next day Aunt Xue’s household had Xue Ke accompany the clerks and partners for a day of drinking. It took three or four busy days before all was finished.

Aunt Xue had noticed that Xing Xiuyan was elegant, dignified, and steady, and that her family was poor—a girl of plain hairpins and cloth skirts. She wanted to propose her as a wife for Xue Pan. But because Xue Pan was by nature frivolous and extravagant, she feared he would ruin the girl. While she hesitated, she suddenly thought that Xue Ke was unmarried, and that the two would make a heaven-made match. So she consulted Xifeng. Xifeng sighed. “Auntie knows our Lady Wang is somewhat contrary. Let me think about this slowly.” When Lady Jia went to see Xifeng, Xifeng said to her, “Aunt Xue has a matter to ask of you, Old Ancestress, but finds it hard to bring up.” Lady Jia quickly asked what it was. Xifeng told her about the marriage proposal. Lady Jia smiled. “What is hard to bring up? This is an excellent thing. When I speak to your mother-in-law, will she refuse?” So she returned to her room and immediately sent for Lady Xing, insisting on acting as guarantor. Lady Xing thought it over: the Xue family had good foundations and was now very rich; Xue Ke was handsome; and Lady Jia was insisting on being guarantor. So she took the opportunity and agreed. Lady Jia was delighted and sent for Aunt Xue. When the two met, there were naturally many modest words. Lady Xing immediately sent someone to tell Xing Zhong and his wife. They had come to rely on Lady Xing, so how could they refuse? They at once said it was excellent. Lady Jia smiled. “I love meddling in idle matters. Today I have arranged another matter. I wonder how much matchmaker’s money I will get?” Aunt Xue smiled. “Naturally. Even if you brought a hundred thousand taels, I fear you would not think it worth much. But one thing: since you are the chief matchmaker, there should be another as well.” Lady Jia smiled. “I have nothing else, but our household does have two people with broken legs and festering hands.” She ordered You Shi and her daughter-in-law called. Lady Jia told them the reason, and they all congratulated one another. Lady Jia instructed, “You know our family rules. There has never been quarreling over ceremony between two families. Now you will manage things for me in the middle. Do not be too stingy, and do not be too extravagant. Arrange both families’ affairs and report back to me.” You Shi quickly assented. Aunt Xue was overjoyed. Returning home, she had invitation cards written and sent to the Ning mansion. You Shi knew Lady Xing’s temper well and did not want to manage it, but Lady Jia had specially instructed her, so she had to agree. She could only act according to Lady Xing’s wishes. Aunt Xue was a person who could take things or leave them, so she was easier to deal with. We will not speak of this further.

Now that Aunt Xue had settled on Xing Xiuyan as a daughter-in-law, the whole household knew. Lady Xing wanted to take Xiuyan out to live with her. Lady Jia said, “What does it matter? The two young people cannot meet anyway. Aunt Xue and she are one elder sister-in-law and one younger sister-in-law. What harm is there? Besides, they are all girls, and it is good for them to be close.” Lady Xing let it be.

Xue Ke and Xiuyan had met once on the road before. Probably both were content in their hearts. But Xiuyan felt more constrained than before. She did not feel at ease chatting with Baochai and her sisters, and Xiangyun loved to tease, which made her even more embarrassed. Fortunately she was educated and understood propriety. Though she was a girl, she was not one of those who pretend shame and false modesty, given to frivolous affectation. Baochai had seen from the first that her family was poor. Second, while other people’s parents were elderly and virtuous, her parents were soaked in wine and indifferent to their daughter. Lady Xing treated her only with outward face, not true affection. Xiuyan herself was refined and self-respecting. Yingchun was a living corpse with no spirit, unable even to look after herself, let alone Xiuyan. All the ordinary necessities of a girl’s daily life, if she lacked anything, no one cared. She was too proud to ask. Baochai secretly helped and supplied her, not daring to let Lady Xing know, for fear of suspicion and gossip. Now, unexpectedly, this strange fate had made the match. In Xiuyan’s heart, she had first admired Baochai, and then accepted Xue Ke. Sometimes Xiuyan still chatted with Baochai, and Baochai still called her sister.

One day Baochai came to see Daiyu. It happened that Xiuyan also came to see Daiyu, and the two met on the way. Baochai smiled and called her over. They walked together behind a stone wall. Baochai asked with a smile, “It is still very cold. Why have you changed entirely to lined clothes?” Xiuyan lowered her head and did not answer. Baochai knew there was a reason, so she asked with a smile, “Surely this month’s allowance has not been paid again. Xifeng is so careless now.” Xiuyan said, “She does pay on time. But Auntie sent someone to tell me that I cannot use two taels a month, so I am to save one tael and send it to my parents. If I need anything, I can make do with Second Sister’s things. Sister, you know Second Sister is honest and does not pay much attention. If I use her things, she says nothing, but her nurses and maids—which one is easygoing? Which one has a tongue that is not sharp? Though I live in that room, I dare not use them much. Every three or five days I have to spend money to buy them wine and cakes. One tael a month was not enough, and now one tael is taken away. The other day I quietly had my padded clothes pawned for a few strings of cash for expenses.” Baochai heard this and said with a frown and a sigh, “It happens that the Mei family are all at their post, and will not come to the capital until the year after next. If they were here, and Qin’er had gone over, we could discuss your matter. But away from here, it is finished. And since her younger sister’s affair is not settled first, they would never dare take a wife first. This is a difficult thing. If we delay another two years, I fear you will worry yourself ill. Let me discuss it with Mother again. If anyone bullies you, just be patient. Whatever you do, don’t worry yourself ill. You might as well give them that one tael tomorrow and be done with it. Then you need not give those people things to eat for nothing. Let them be sharp-tongued if they like. If you really cannot bear it, just walk away. If you lack anything, don’t have the petty pride of a small family. Just come to me. It is not because you are now betrothed that I say this. We were good from the time you came. If you fear gossip, send a little maid to tell me quietly.” Xiuyan lowered her head and assented. Baochai pointed to a green jade pendant on her skirt and asked, “Who gave you this?” Xiuyan said, “Third Sister gave it to me.” Baochai nodded and smiled. “She saw everyone had one and you alone had none, and feared people would laugh, so she gave you one. That is her cleverness and thoughtfulness. But there is one thing you should know: these ornaments originally come from the young ladies of great official and wealthy families. Look at me—from head to foot, do I have any of these rich, idle decorations? Yet seven or eight years ago, I too wore such things. Now times are not what they were, so I save whatever I can. In the future, when you come to our house, I fear there is still a whole chest of these useless things. We are not like them now. We must above all be practical and keep to our station. We should not compare with them.” Xiuyan smiled. “Since you say so, I will go back and take it off.” Baochai quickly smiled. “You are too obedient. She gave it to you out of kindness. If you don’t wear it, she will suspect something. I only mentioned it by chance. Just keep it in mind for the future.” Xiuyan quickly assented again and asked, “Where are you going now, sister?” Baochai said, “I am going to the Bamboo Lodge. You go back and have a maid bring me the pawn ticket. I will quietly redeem it there, and tonight I will quietly send it back to you, so you can wear it sooner. Otherwise, if the wind gets in, it will be serious. But where was it pawned?” Xiuyan said, “It is called the Hengshu Pawnshop, on West Street by the Drum Tower.” Baochai smiled. “That brings it all into one family. If the assistants hear of it, they will say, ‘The person has not come over, but the clothes have come first.’” Xiuyan heard this and knew it was her family’s capital, so she blushed and smiled. The two parted.

Baochai went to the Bamboo Lodge. Her mother had also come to see Daiyu, and they were chatting. Baochai smiled. “Mother, when did you come? I did not know.” Aunt Xue said, “I have been busy these days and have not come to see Baoyu and her. So today I came to see them both. They are both better.” Daiyu quickly asked Baochai to sit and said to her, “Things in this world are truly beyond imagining. Who would have thought Aunt Xue and my eldest aunt would become in-laws?” Aunt Xue said, “My child, how could you girls know? Since ancient times it is said, ‘A thousand-li marriage is tied by a single thread.’ There is an Old Man under the Moon who manages marriages. He predetermines them and secretly ties the two people’s feet with a red thread. Even if the two families are separated by seas or kingdoms, or are hereditary enemies, in the end they will have a chance to become husband and wife. This matter is always beyond expectation. Even if the parents and the people themselves are willing, or they have been together year after year and think the marriage is settled, if the Old Man under the Moon has not tied the red thread, they can never come together. For example, the marriages of you two sisters—at this moment no one knows whether they are before your eyes or at the ends of the earth.” Baochai said, “Only Mother, whenever she speaks, must drag us in.” She leaned into her mother’s arms and said with a smile, “Let us go.” Daiyu smiled. “Look at her. She is so grown up, yet away from Auntie she is the most proper, and with Auntie she acts like a spoiled child.” Aunt Xue stroked Baochai and said to Daiyu with a sigh, “This sister of yours is just like Xifeng before Lady Jia. When there is serious business, she consults her. When there is none, fortunately she can cheer my heart. When I see her like this, whatever worries I have melt away.” Daiyu heard this, wept, and sighed. “She does this right here, clearly to provoke me, who have no mother. She deliberately stabs my eyes.” Baochai smiled. “Mother, see how frivolous she is, and she says I am spoiled.” Aunt Xue said, “You cannot blame her for being sad. Poor thing, she has no parents, and in the end no close kin.” She stroked Daiyu and smiled. “Good child, don’t cry. You see me doting on your sister and feel sad, but you do not know that in my heart I dote on you even more. Your sister has no father, but she still has me and a brother. That is better than your lot. I often tell your sister that I love you dearly in my heart, only I cannot show it outwardly. Here you have many people and many mouths. Few speak well; many speak ill. They do not say you are alone and dependent, and that people should cherish you. They only say we are currying favor because Lady Jia dotes on you.” Daiyu smiled. “Since Auntie says so, tomorrow I will acknowledge Auntie as my mother. If Auntie dislikes me and refuses, then she only pretended to love me.” Aunt Xue said, “If you do not dislike me, then acknowledge me.” Baochai quickly said, “You cannot.” Daiyu said, “Why can’t I?” Baochai asked with a smile, “Let me ask you: my brother has not yet settled his marriage. Why was Cousin Xing promised to my cousin instead? What is the reason?” Daiyu said, “He is not at home, or perhaps their horoscopes and birthdays do not match, so she was promised to your cousin first.” Baochai smiled. “No. My brother has already set his heart on someone. He is only waiting to come home to settle it. There is no need to name her. I just said you cannot acknowledge my mother. Think it over.” She winked at her mother and laughed. Daiyu heard this and threw herself on Aunt Xue. “If Auntie does not beat her, I will not let it go.” Aunt Xue quickly embraced her and said with a smile, “Don’t believe your sister. She is teasing you.” Baochai smiled. “Truly, Mother, tomorrow ask Lady Jia for her as a wife. Would that not be better than seeking one outside?” Daiyu reached out to pinch her, saying with a smile, “You are madder than ever.” Aunt Xue quickly laughed and separated them with her hands. Then she said to Baochai, “Even with Xiuyan, I was afraid your brother would ruin her, so I gave her to your cousin. Never mind this child—I would never give her to him either. The other day Lady Jia wanted to betroth your cousin Baoqin to Baoyu, but it happened she was already promised. Otherwise it would have been a good match. When I settled Xiuyan the other day, Lady Jia even joked, ‘I meant to propose for her, but before I could get her, she took one of ours instead.’ Though it was a joke, thinking it over, there is some truth in it. I thought: though Baoqin is promised, and I have no one to give, should I say nothing at all? I think that Baoyu is so doted on by Lady Jia, and he is so handsome. If we sought a wife for him outside, she would never be satisfactory. Better to betroth your Cousin Lin to him. Would that not be complete on all four sides?” Daiyu had been staring blankly. When she heard herself mentioned, she spat at Baochai and blushed. She pulled Baochai and said with a smile, “I will only beat you! Why did you make Auntie say all those improper old jokes?” Baochai smiled. “This is strange. Mother spoke of you. Why beat me?” Zijuan hurried over and said with a smile, “Aunt Xue, since you have this idea, why not speak to Lady Wang?” Aunt Xue laughed aloud. “You child, what is your hurry? No doubt you are urging your young lady to marry so that you can find a young son-in-law sooner.” Zijuan blushed and said with a smile, “Auntie is really pulling rank on us.” She turned and went off. Daiyu first scolded, “What has it to do with you, you wretch?” Then, seeing how it was, she laughed too. “Amida Buddha! Serves you right, serves you right! You got a nose full of ashes too!” Aunt Xue, Baochai, and all the nurses and maids in the room laughed. The old women said with a smile, “Auntie may be joking, but she is not wrong. When you are free, discuss it with Lady Jia. Auntie should be the matchmaker and bring this marriage about—it would be perfectly safe.” Aunt Xue said, “If I proposed it, Lady Jia would certainly be pleased.”

Before she finished, Xiangyun came in, holding a pawn ticket. She said with a smile, “Is this an account slip?” Daiyu looked and did not recognize it either. The old women below laughed. “This is a rare thing. This lesson is not learned for nothing.” Baochai quickly took it. Looking at it, she saw it was the pawn ticket Xiuyan had just mentioned. She quickly folded it up. Aunt Xue said quickly, “That must be a pawn ticket one of the old nurses lost. They will be frantically looking for it when they return. Where did you get it?” Xiangyun said, “What is a pawn ticket?” Everyone laughed. “You really are a silly girl, not even knowing a pawn ticket.” Aunt Xue sighed. “You cannot blame her. She is truly a thousand-gold young lady of a noble house, and still young. How could she know such a thing? How would she ever have one? Even if the servants had one, how would she see it? Don’t laugh at her for being silly. If your family’s young ladies saw it, they would all be silly too.” The old women laughed. “Miss Lin did not recognize it either just now, let alone the other young ladies. Even Baoyu, who often goes out, probably has not seen one.” Aunt Xue quickly explained what it was. Xiangyun and Daiyu then laughed. “So that is what it is. People are too clever at making money. Does Auntie’s pawnshop have these too?” Everyone laughed. “Now you are silly again. ‘All crows under heaven are black.’ How could there be two kinds?” Aunt Xue then asked where she had picked it up. Xiangyun was about to answer when Baochai quickly said, “It is a dead, useless one. I don’t know what year it was canceled. Xiangling was playing with it to fool them.” Aunt Xue heard this and believed it, so she did not ask further. Presently someone announced, “The senior mistress from the other mansion has come to speak with Aunt Xue.” Aunt Xue rose and left.

When there was no one else in the room, Baochai asked Xiangyun where she had picked it up. Xiangyun smiled. “I saw your cousin’s maid Zhuan’er secretly hand it to Ying’er. Ying’er casually tucked it into a book, thinking I had not seen. After they went out, I secretly looked at it, but did not recognize it. Knowing you were all here, I brought it for everyone to identify.” Daiyu quickly asked, “How is it she pawns clothes too? And since she pawned them, why did she give it to you?” Baochai saw she could not hide it from the two, so she told them all that had happened. Daiyu said, “The fox mourns the hare; creatures grieve for their kind,” and could not help sighing. Shi Xiangyun grew angry. “Let me go ask Second Sister! I will scold those old women and maids and vent your anger for you. What do you say?” She was about to go. Baochai quickly caught her and said with a smile, “You are mad again. Sit down.” Daiyu smiled. “If you were a man, you could go out and fight for justice. Why are you playing Jing Ke and Nie Zheng? It is really funny.” Xiangyun said, “If you won’t let me ask her, then tomorrow let us bring her to live with us in our garden. Would that not be good?” Baochai smiled. “We will discuss it tomorrow.” Just then someone announced, “Third Miss and Fourth Miss are coming.” The three heard this and quickly shut their mouths, saying no more of the matter. If you want to know what happened next, listen to the next chapter.