Discussing Biographies of Worthy Women, Qiaojie Admires Virtue; Playing with the Mother Pearl, Jia Zheng Contemplates Gathering and Scattering

Baoyu had just come out of Xiaoxiang Lodge when he hurriedly asked Qiuwen, “What does my father want me for?” Qiuwen smiled. “He did not send for you. Sister Xiren told me to come and ask you back. I was afraid you would not come, so I deliberately tricked you.” When Baoyu heard this, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. He said, “If you wanted me to come back, you could have just said so. Why frighten me like that?” With that, he returned to Happy Red Court. Xiren asked, “You were out so long. Where did you go?” Baoyu said, “I was with Cousin Lin. We talked about Aunt Xue and Cousin Bao, and as we sat talking, the time slipped by.” Xiren asked again, “What did you talk about?” Baoyu then told her about his Zen exchange with Daiyu and the Zen words they had matched. Xiren said, “You two have no sense of measure. Would it not be better to chat about everyday matters and poetry? Why drag in Zen talk? You are not monks who have left home.” Baoyu said, “You do not understand. We have our own Zen workings. Outsiders cannot join in.” Xiren......