Comparing the Mysterious Jade, Golden Oriole Hints at Something; Visiting Baochai, Daiyu's Words Carry a Touch of Jealousy

When Xifeng and Baoyu returned home and had seen the family, Baoyu first explained to the Dowager about Qin Zhong's coming to the family school, saying that now he would have a companion in his studies and could truly apply himself; he praised Qin Zhong's character and manners most warmly, saying he was the most endearing of boys. Xifeng chimed in, adding, "In a few days he will come to pay his respects to you, Ancestress," which delighted the Dowager greatly. Xifeng also took the opportunity to invite the Dowager to go to the theatre the day after next. Though elderly, the Dowager was in good spirits. On that day, You Shi also sent an invitation, so she took Lady Wang, Lin Daiyu, and Baoyu to see the play. At noon, the Dowager returned to rest; Lady Wang, who preferred quiet, came back with her. Xifeng then took the seat of honour and stayed till nightfall, enjoying herself thoroughly—but no more of that.

Now Baoyu, having escorted the Dowager back and waited till she had taken her afternoon nap, thought of going back to the theatre for more amusement, but feared he might disturb the Qin household. Then he remembered that Baochai had been unwell and he had not yet visited her in person. If he went through the back corner gate of the main hall, he might encounter other business or, worse, run into his father—so he chose the longer way round. The nannies and maids, seeing him ready to go out without changing his clothes, followed him out of the second gate, assuming he was going to the other mansion for the play. But he passed through the main hall, turned east and then north, skirting behind the great hall. Just then he ran into two of his father's hangers-on, Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren, who rushed up smiling when they saw him—one grabbing him around the waist, the other taking his hand—and cried, "Our little Buddha! I said I had a good dream today—so glad to run into you!" They bowed, asked after him, and chattered on for a long while before moving off. The old nanny called after them, "Did you gentlemen come from the master's quarters?" They nodded, "The master is taking his nap in the little study at Mengpo Studio—nothing to worry about," and went on their way, which made Baoyu smile. He turned north and made his way to the Pear Fragrance Court.

Just then, the chief storekeeper Wu Xindeng, the granary head Dai Liang, and five other supervisory stewards came out of the account-house and, seeing Baoyu, hurried over and stood respectfully with hands down. One of them, a buyer named Qian Hua, who had not seen Baoyu for some time, came forward and knelt to pay his respects; Baoyu smiled and helped him up. The others said, "Your calligraphy, young master, has improved wonderfully. When will you give us some samples to paste up?" Baoyu laughed, "Where have you seen it?" They replied, "In several places—everyone praises it highly, and they ask us for more." Baoyu said, "It's nothing—just tell my pages if you want any." So saying, he walked on, and they dispersed only after he had passed.

But enough of this. Baoyu arrived at the Pear Fragrance Court and first entered Aunt Xue's room, where he found her busy with needlework and giving orders to the maids. He hurried to pay his respects, and Aunt Xue at once drew him into her arms, saying fondly, "My dear boy, in this cold weather, it's so good of you to come and see me. Come, sit on the kang." She ordered hot tea to be brought. Baoyu asked, "Is Cousin Pan not at home?" Aunt Xue sighed, "He's like a horse without a bridle—never a day at home. How could he stay in?" Baoyu said, "Is Cousin Baochai quite recovered?" Aunt Xue replied, "Yes indeed—and you were so thoughtful to send someone to ask after her the other day. She's in the inner room; go and see her. It's warmer in there than here—you can sit with her, and I'll join you in a moment when I've tidied up." Baoyu left the kang, went to the inner door, and saw a half-old red silk curtain hanging there. He lifted it and stepped in.

There he found Baochai sitting on the kang doing needlework. Her hair was done up in a glossy black coil; she wore a honey-coloured padded jacket, a rose-purple sleeveless jacket of grey squirrel lined with gold-and-silver thread, and a pale yellow silk padded skirt—all half-new, nothing ostentatious. Her lips needed no rouge, her brows no pencilling; her face was round as a silver basin, her eyes bright as water-chestnuts. She was usually quiet and sparing of words, and people said she cultivated obscurity and guarded her simplicity, content with her lot. As Baoyu looked at her, he asked, "Cousin, are you quite recovered?" Baochai looked up, saw him enter, rose with a smile, and answered, "Much better, thank you for your concern." She made him sit on the edge of the kang and told Ying'er to bring tea. She then asked after the Dowager and her aunt, and whether the other young ladies were well. Meanwhile, she took in his appearance: the jewelled purple-gold coronet, the golden headband with two dragons fighting for a pearl, the autumn-coloured arrow-sleeved jacket lined with white fox-fur, the five-coloured butterfly sash, and the long-life lock, the name-talisman, and the piece of jade he had been born with, hanging from his neck.

Baochai smiled and said, "I hear about this jade of yours every day, but I've never had a good look at it. Today I should like to see it." She moved closer; Baoyu leaned forward, took the jade from his neck, and handed it to her. She held it in her palm. It was about the size of a sparrow's egg, bright as rosy clouds, glossy and smooth, with five-coloured patterns twining round it—the transformed form of the magic stone from the Green Ridge Peak in the Great Waste Mountains. Later generations wrote a satirical poem about it:

Nüwa's stone-smelting was folly enough,
Yet further folly is wrought in the Waste.
It lost its true, ethereal realm,
And took on this foul mortal frame.
When fortune wanes, gold loses its gleam;
When times are hard, jade shines not bright.
Piles of white bones, names all forgot—
They were but lords and ladies of the night.

The stone had also recorded its own semblance and the seal-script inscribed by the lame monk, which are appended here. But its true form is extremely small, small enough to have been taken from a baby's mouth. If drawn to exact scale, the characters would be too fine for the eye—a vexation for the reader. So the form is somewhat enlarged for convenient reading by lamplight or even when tipsy. This explanation should forestall objections such as "How could a newborn's mouth be big enough to hold such a coarse, clumsy thing?"

Front of the Magic Jade
Inscribed: Keep it always, forget it never—
So shall your immortal years last forever.

Back of the Magic Jade
Inscribed: First, dispel evil;
Second, cure strange ills;
Third, foretell fortune and misfortune.

Baochai finished reading, then turned the jade over and scrutinized the front again, murmuring the words, "Keep it always, forget it never—so shall your immortal years last forever." She repeated this twice, then turned to Ying'er and said with a smile, "Why are you standing there gaping instead of pouring tea?" Ying'er giggled, "Those words sound just like a pair to the eight characters on miss's gold lock." Baoyu was all eagerness: "So cousin has eight characters on her lock too—let me see them!" Baochai said, "Don't listen to her—there's nothing on it." Baoyu coaxed her, "Dear cousin, you've seen mine—why won't you show me yours?" Unable to resist his pleading, Baochai said, "Someone gave me a lucky saying and had it engraved, so I wear it every day. Otherwise, what pleasure is there in such a heavy trinket?" She unfastened her buttons and drew out from under her red jacket a gleaming golden necklace set with sparkling gems. Baoyu took the lock and examined it: on each side were four seal-characters—two phrases, eight characters in all, a lucky prophecy. Their forms were as follows:

Inscription: Never leave, never forsake
Inscription: May your fragrant years forever endure

Baoyu read them twice, then read his own twice, and laughed, "These eight characters truly make a pair with mine." Ying'er said, "A bald-headed monk gave it to her and said it must be engraved on gold—" But Baochai cut her off, scolding her for not pouring tea, and asked Baoyu where he had come from.

Now Baoyu, standing close to Baochai, caught a faint, cool, sweet fragrance—like none he had ever smelled—and asked, "Cousin, what incense do you burn? I've never known such a scent." Baochai laughed, "I can't stand incense—it makes one's clothes reek of smoke." Baoyu said, "Then what is this fragrance?" Baochai thought a moment and laughed, "Ah, it must be the scent of the pills I took this morning." Baoyu said, "What pills smell so good? Dear cousin, give me one to taste." Baochai laughed, "Nonsense—medicine is not to be eaten for fun!"

Before she finished, a voice outside announced, "Miss Lin is here!" And in walked Lin Daiyu, swaying lightly. The moment she saw Baoyu, she laughed, "Oh dear! I've come at a bad time!" Baoyu and the others rose with smiles to offer her a seat. Baochai laughed, "What do you mean?" Daiyu said, "Had I known he was coming, I wouldn't have come." Baochai said, "I don't understand." Daiyu laughed, "If one comes, all come; if none come, none come. Today he comes, tomorrow I come—by coming on alternate days, someone is here every day. It's neither too quiet nor too crowded. Why can't you understand that?"

Baoyu noticed she wore a red camlet cloak over her shoulders and asked, "Has it been snowing?" The old women below said, "It's been snowing little pellets for some time now." Baoyu said, "Has my cloak been fetched?" Daiyu said, "There—as soon as I arrive, he must leave." Baoyu laughed, "I never said I was going—I just want it ready." Baoyu's old nurse, Nanny Li, then said, "It's snowing and getting late—why not stay here with your cousins? Aunt Xue has laid out tea and refreshments. I'll have a maid fetch your cloak and send the pages home." Baoyu agreed. Nanny Li went out and dismissed the pages.

Aunt Xue now set out some delicate refreshments and invited them to tea. Baoyu praised the goose feet and duck tongues he had tasted at You Shi's the other day. Aunt Xue promptly brought out some of her own pickled ones for him to try. Baoyu laughed, "These really call for wine." Aunt Xue ordered the best wine to be brought. But Nanny Li stepped forward, "Aunt, perhaps we should forgo the wine." Baoyu pleaded, "Nanny, just one cup." Nanny Li said, "No! If the Dowager or Lady Wang were here, you might drink a whole jar. But that day when I wasn't watching, some undisciplined creature gave you a sip just to curry favour, without a thought for anyone else—and I got scolded for two days. Aunt doesn't know how perverse he gets when he drinks. One day the Dowager may let him drink his fill, another day she may forbid it—why should I be caught in the middle?" Aunt Xue laughed, "You old thing, just go and have your own drink. I won't let him overdo it. And if the Dowager asks, I'll take the blame." She told a little maid, "Take the nannies off for a cup to ward off the chill." Nanny Li had no choice but to go with the others for some wine.

Baoyu said, "No need to warm it—I like it cold." Aunt Xue cried, "That won't do! If you drink cold wine, your hand will shake when you write." Baochai added, "Brother Bao, for all your wide learning on various subjects, surely you know that wine is hot by nature? If drunk warm, it disperses quickly; if drunk cold, it congeals inside and must be warmed by your internal organs—how can that not harm you? From now on, don't drink it cold." Finding this reasonable, Baoyu put down the cold wine and had it warmed.

Daiyu, cracking melon seeds, just pursed her lips and smiled. Just then her little maid Xueyan came in with a hand-warmer. Daiyu asked with a smile, "Who sent you? I'm touched by the thought—but do they think I'll freeze to death?" Xueyan said, "Zijuan was afraid you'd be cold, miss, so she sent me." Daiyu took the warmer, cradled it, and laughed, "So you obey her, do you? Whatever I say to you goes in one ear and out the other, yet her word is law—quicker than an imperial edict!" Baoyu knew she was teasing him and had nothing to say but grin. Baochai, knowing Daiyu's ways, paid no attention. Aunt Xue said, "You're delicate and can't stand cold—they were only thinking of you. Isn't that a good thing?" Daiyu laughed, "Aunt doesn't know. Luckily it's here in your house; in someone else's home, wouldn't they take offence—as if they couldn't even provide a hand-warmer and I had to send for one from home? It's not that the maids are too careful, but that people might think I'm always so silly and forward." Aunt Xue said, "You're too sensitive—I'd never think that way."

By now Baoyu had drunk three cups, and Nanny Li came to stop him again. But Baoyu was in high spirits, chatting and laughing with Baochai and Daiyu, and refused to stop. He pleaded softly, "Dear Nanny, just two more and I'm done." Nanny Li said, "Mind your father is at home today—he might ask about your lessons!" At this, Baoyu's spirits sank; he slowly put down the cup and hung his head. Daiyu quickly spoke up, "Don't spoil the fun! If Uncle calls for you, just say Aunt Xue kept you. This nanny has had a drink and is using us to sober up!" She gave Baoyu a nudge to defy her, and murmured, "Don't mind the old thing—let's just enjoy ourselves." Nanny Li, not catching Daiyu's meaning, said, "Miss Lin, don't encourage him—you should try to dissuade him." Lin Daiyu said with a cold smile, "Why should I encourage him? It's no business of mine to advise him. You're too cautious, Nanny. Often the Dowager gives him wine—one more cup at Aunt Xue's can hardly matter. Unless you think Aunt Xue's house is not our own, and he ought not to drink here." Nanny Li was both exasperated and amused, exclaiming, "Really, Miss Lin has a tongue sharper than a knife! What am I to say?" Even Baochai could not help laughing, pinching Daiyu's cheek and saying, "What a mouth this little frowning one has—one can neither hate her nor love her!" Aunt Xue said, "Never mind, my boy! If I have no good things to give you here, don't let a little thing like this fret you. Drink as you like—I'll take responsibility. Stay for supper, and if you're drunk, sleep here." She ordered more wine heated: "I'll have a cup with you myself, then we'll eat." Baoyu perked up again.

Nanny Li then told the little maids, "Mind them well—I'm going home to change and will be back. Tell Aunt quietly not to let him have too much." She went home. The two or three other old women, who cared little either way, quietly found excuses to leave when Nanny Li was gone. Only two little maids remained, glad to please Baoyu. Fortunately Aunt Xue kept plying him with talk and let him have only a few more cups before taking the wine away. She brought out sour-shoot-and-chicken-skin soup, of which Baoyu drank two bowls heartily, then half a bowl of green rice porridge. When Baochai and Daiyu had finished their meal, strong tea was brewed for all, and Aunt Xue was relieved. Xueyan and three or four other maids, having eaten, came in to attend them.

Daiyu asked Baoyu, "Are you leaving?" Baoyu, his eyes drowsy, said, "If you go, I'll go with you." Daiyu rose, "We've been here all day—time to go back. I wonder if they're looking for us." They took their leave. A little maid brought his bamboo hat. Baoyu bent his head slightly for her to put it on, but she shook out the red felt hat and plopped it over his head. He cried, "Stop! You clumsy thing—be gentle! Haven't you seen others wear one? Let me do it myself." Daiyu stood on the edge of the kang and said, "Don't fuss—come here, let me fix it." Baoyu went to her. She adjusted the hat carefully over his coronet, tucking the brim under his headband, and set the chestnut-sized red tassel upright so it quivered outside the rim. She studied him, said, "There—now put on your cloak." Baoyu took the cloak and put it on. Aunt Xue urged, "Your nannies haven't come back yet—wait a little." Baoyu said, "Why wait for them? The maids are enough." Aunt Xue, still anxious, had two women escort them back. They thanked her and went straight to the Dowager's rooms.

The Dowager had not yet supped and was pleased to learn they had been at Aunt Xue's. Seeing Baoyu had been drinking, she told him to go to his room and rest, and not to come out again; she ordered that he be well looked after. Then she remembered his attendants and asked, "Where is Nanny Li?" No one dared say she had gone home, so they answered, "She came in just now—she must have stepped out on some business." Baoyu, staggering, turned back and said, "She's better off than the Dowager—why ask after her? Without her I might live a few days longer." With that he went to his own room.

There, ink and brush were ready on the table. Qingwen came out first, laughing, "Good, good! I ground that ink for you, and you were so eager this morning—you wrote only three characters, dropped the brush, and left, keeping us waiting all day. Now come and finish the ink!" Baoyu suddenly remembered the morning's doings and laughed, "Where are those three characters I wrote?" Qingwen laughed, "You must be drunk. Before you went over to the other mansion, you told me to paste them on the lintel—and now you ask! I was afraid someone might spoil them, so I climbed up and stuck them on myself—my hands are still cold." Baoyu laughed, "I forgot. Your hands are cold—let me warm them." He took Qingwen's hands in his, and they looked up together at the three newly written characters on the lintel.

Just then Daiyu arrived. Baoyu laughed, "Dear cousin, tell me truly—which of these three is best?" Daiyu looked up at the lintel, where three characters read "Crimson Cloud Studio." She laughed, "Every one is good. How did you learn to write so well? Tomorrow you must write a plaque for me." Baoyu grinned, "You're teasing me." Then he asked, "Where is Sister Xiren?" Qingwen nodded toward the kang in the inner room. Baoyu saw Xiren lying there fully dressed and laughed, "Well, it's rather early for bed." He asked Qingwen, "At breakfast in the other mansion today, there was a plate of bean-curd-skin buns. I thought you'd like them, so I told Cousin Zhen's wife to send them over, saying I'd keep them for supper. Did you eat them?" Qingwen said, "Don't mention it. They came, and I knew they were mine, but I had just eaten and left them there. Later Nanny Li came, saw them, and said, 'Baoyu won't eat these—I'll take them for my grandson.' She had them taken home." Just then Xixue brought tea. Baoyu said, "Cousin Lin, have some tea." Everyone laughed, "Miss Lin left long ago—still offering!"

Baoyu drank half a cup, then remembered the morning tea and asked Xixue, "I had a bowl of Maple-Dew Tea brewed this morning—I said it wouldn't give its full flavour until the third or fourth steeping. Why have you brewed this instead?" Xixue said, "I saved it, but Nanny Li came and wanted a taste, so I gave it to her." Baoyu flung the cup to the floor; it shattered with a crash, spattering tea all over Xixue's skirt. He jumped up and cried at Xixue, "Who is she to you, that you should wait on her so devotedly? Just because I sucked her milk as a child, she sets herself above everyone. I'm weaned now—why keep such a 'grandmother' around? Out with her, and have done!" He made as if to go straight to the Dowager to demand his old nurse's dismissal.

Now Xiren had not been asleep at all—she had only pretended, hoping Baoyu would tease her. She had heard the talk of characters and buns and did not think it necessary to get up. But when the cup smashed and he grew angry, she hurried up to soothe him. Already someone from the Dowager had come to ask what was the matter. Xiren said hastily, "I was bringing tea and slipped in the snow—I broke a cup." Then she tried to calm Baoyu: "If you're set on dismissing her, fine—we all want to leave too. Send us all out together, and then we'll be free, and you won't be short of better servants." At that Baoyu fell silent. Xiren and the others helped him onto the kang, changed his clothes. He mumbled on, his words growing slurred and his eyes drowsy, until they got him to bed. Xiren took the magic jade from his neck, wrapped it in her handkerchief, and tucked it under the mattress so it would not chill his neck in the morning. Baoyu's head no sooner touched the pillow than he was asleep. By then Nanny Li and the others had returned; hearing he was drunk, they did not dare disturb him, and only after learning he was asleep did they disperse.

Next morning, word came: "Young Master Rong from the other mansion has brought Mr. Qin Zhong to call." Baoyu went out to meet them and led Qin Zhong to pay respects to the Dowager. The Dowager was delighted with Qin Zhong's handsome looks and gentle manners—a fitting companion for Baoyu in his studies—and offered him tea and a meal, and had him presented to Lady Wang and the others. Everyone, having always liked Qin Keqing, was equally pleased with her brother's fine qualities, and each gave him a gift on parting. The Dowager gave him a purse and a golden "Star of Literature," symbolizing scholarly success. She told him, "Your home is far away; if it's inconvenient for you, just stay here—no fixed schedule. Keep company with your Uncle Bao and don't learn from the ne'er-do-wells." Qin Zhong agreed and reported all this to his father.

His father, Qin Ye, held the post of Superintendent of Construction and was nearly seventy; his wife had died early. Having no children of his own, he had adopted a son and a daughter from the Foundling Home. The son died, leaving only the daughter, whose childhood name was Ke'er; she grew up graceful and charming. Through some connection with the Jia family, she had been betrothed to Jia Rong. Qin Ye did not father a son of his own until he was past fifty—this was Qin Zhong. His tutor had died the previous year, and he had not yet found a replacement, so Qin Zhong had been reviewing his lessons at home. Qin Ye was just thinking of asking his in-laws to send the boy to their family school, to prevent his studies from falling behind, when this opportunity with Baoyu arose. He also knew that the schoolmaster at the Jia school was Jia Dairu, a distinguished Confucian scholar of the day, and that with such a teacher Qin Zhong's studies would surely progress and bring him fame. He was overjoyed. But his purse was light, and the Jias, high and low, had an eye for wealth; he could not offer too little. For the sake of his son's future, he scraped together what he could, respectfully sealed twenty-four taels of silver as the master's fee, and personally took Qin Zhong to call on Jia Dairu, awaiting the day when Baoyu would enter school together. As the verse says:

Had he known the idle quarrels that lay ahead,
He would not have been so eager to send him to school.