Gaining the Magic Jade, He Awakens in the Illusory Realm to Immortal Destiny; Escorting the Coffin of His Kind Ancestor to the Native Place, He Fulfills Filial Piety

When Baoyu heard Sheyue’s words, he fell backward and fainted away again. Lady Wang and the others cried out in panic. Sheyue knew clearly that her own careless words had caused great disaster, but at the moment no one had time to blame her. As she wept, she had already made up her mind: if Baoyu truly died, she would take her own life and follow him. But let us set aside Sheyue’s thoughts for now. Lady Wang and the others saw that no matter how they called, Baoyu would not wake. They quickly sent someone out to find the monk who had brought the jade and ask him to save Baoyu. But when Jia Zheng had gone into the inner room a moment before, the monk had already disappeared. Jia Zheng was wondering at this when he heard the confusion inside again and hurried in. He saw Baoyu had become as he was before, his mouth tightly closed, no pulse to be felt. When he touched his chest, there was still a little warmth. Jia Zheng had no choice but to send quickly for a doctor and have medicine forced into him.

In truth, Baoyu’s soul had long since left his body. Do you think he was really dead? He drifted in a daze to the front hall and saw the monk who had brought the jade sitting there. He went forward and bowed. The monk rose, took Baoyu by the hand, and led him away. Baoyu followed behind the monk. His body was as light as a leaf, floating and drifting. He did not seem to leave through the main gate of the Jia house, and yet he did not know by what way he had gone out. After walking for some time, he came to a wilderness. In the distance he saw a stone archway and felt he had been there before. Baoyu was just about to ask the monk when he suddenly saw a woman come hazily toward him. Baoyu thought: In such a wild place, how could there be such a beautiful woman? She must be a celestial immortal. He thought of going closer to look. As he looked, she seemed somewhat familiar, but for the moment he could not recall who she was. The woman and the monk exchanged a glance, and in an instant she vanished. Baoyu suddenly remembered: it was Third Sister You. He was more puzzled than ever. Why was she here? He was about to ask when the monk pulled him through the archway. Above the archway were four large words: The Blessed Land of True Suchness. On either side was a couplet:

When the false departs and the true arrives, the true prevails over the false;
When non-origin becomes being, being is not non-being.

Turning past the archway, he saw a palace gate before him. Above the gate were four words: Blessing Virtue, Ruining Lust. There was also a long couplet:

Past and future—do not say the wise and worthy can break through;
Former causes and later effects—know that those close may never meet.

After reading it, Baoyu thought: So that is how it is. I would like to ask about cause and effect and reincarnation. No sooner had the thought arisen than he saw Yuanyang standing not far away, beckoning to him. Baoyu thought: I have walked so long, yet it seems I have not left the Grand View Garden. How has the garden become like this? He hurried forward, wanting to speak to Yuanyang, but in a blink she was gone again. Baoyu was full of doubt. He walked to the place where Yuanyang had stood. It was a row of side halls, and above each door hung a tablet. Baoyu had no heart to look closely. He ran straight toward the room where Yuanyang had just stood. The hall door was half open. Baoyu did not dare enter rashly. He was about to turn back and ask the monk, but the monk had long since disappeared. Baoyu stared dazedly at the tall, imposing halls before him. They were not at all like the Grand View Garden. He stopped and looked up. The tablet read: Leading the Love-Deluded to Awakening. On either side was a couplet:

Joy, laughter, sorrow, grief—all are false;
Greed, longing, yearning, admiration—all arise from folly.

Baoyu read it and nodded with a sigh. He wanted to push the door open and go in to find Yuanyang and ask her what place this was. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed. He summoned his courage and pushed the door open. Inside it was pitch dark. He could not see Yuanyang at all. Baoyu was frightened and was about to retreat when he saw more than a dozen large cabinets, their doors half open.

Baoyu suddenly remembered: When I was small, I came to this place in a dream. To come here in person today is truly rare. In his daze, he forgot all about looking for Yuanyang. He took courage and opened the door of the first cabinet. Inside were several registers. His heart leaped with joy. He thought: Everyone says dreams are false, but who would have known that because I had such a dream, such a place truly exists? In the past I always wanted to have that dream again, but never could. I never expected to find it today. I wonder whether the registers inside are the ones I saw in my dream then. He reached out and took one. On the cover was written: The Main Register of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling. Holding the register, Baoyu thought back. He vaguely remembered it, but could not recall it clearly. He opened the first page. There was a picture on it, but the picture was blurred and he could not see it plainly. The lines of writing after it, though somewhat hazy, could still be made out. Reading carefully, he saw “jade belt,” and beside it seemed to be the character “Lin.” Baoyu thought privately: Could this be about Cousin Lin? He read on and saw the four words “gold hairpin in snow.” He was greatly astonished. How did this also resemble Sister Bao’s name? He read the four lines together. There was no profound meaning; they merely concealed both their names. It was not so strange. Only the words “pity” and “lament” made his heart ache. What exactly did they mean? Then he thought: I am looking at this in secret. If I keep staring and pondering, someone may come, and I will not be able to see it. So he turned on, no longer studying the pictures carefully, and read from beginning to end. When he reached the last line, “Meeting again, the great dream returns,” he suddenly understood. Right. It is exactly so. This must be about Elder Sister Yuanchun. If all the registers are written so clearly, I wish I could copy them and study them slowly. Then I would know the lifespan, fortune, and misfortune of every sister. After I return, I will not breathe a word of it to anyone. I will only be a man who can foreknow the future, and I will save myself much wild thinking. He looked around, but there was no brush, ink, paper, or inkstone. He also feared someone would come, so he could only hurry through the pages. He saw in a picture the vague shadow of a person flying a kite, but had no heart to look closely. He hastily read all twelve poems. Some he understood at a glance. Some he understood after a little thought. Some he did not quite understand, but he remembered them all firmly in his heart. Sighing, he took out The Supplementary Register of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling and looked through it. When he read, “How enviable the actor’s good fortune; who would have thought the young gentleman was not fated for her,” he had never understood it before. Now he saw in the picture the shadow of a flowered mat, and suddenly he understood. He wept aloud.

He was just about to read further when he heard someone say, “You are dazed again! Cousin Lin asks you to come over.” The voice sounded like Yuanyang. Baoyu turned, but could see no one. As he stood startled and doubtful, he suddenly saw Yuanyang beckoning outside the door. Baoyu was overjoyed and hurried after her. Yuanyang walked ahead, now visible, now hidden. No matter how he chased, Baoyu could not catch up. He called, “Good sister, wait for me!” Yuanyang did not turn her head, but only walked on. Baoyu chased with all his might. Suddenly the scene before him changed. There were tall towers and delicate palace eaves, and many palace maids appeared and disappeared. Baoyu was so taken with the scenery that he forgot Yuanyang. He walked casually into a palace gate. The garden was full of rare flowers and strange grasses, none of whose names he knew. Only a single green plant was surrounded by white stone railings. The tip of its leaves was faintly red. He did not know what grass it was, but it looked especially precious. A breeze passed, and the green plant swayed gently. Though it was only a small plant with no flowers, its posture was lovely and moving, and Baoyu was stirred. As he stood staring, someone nearby suddenly said, “Where do you come from, vulgar mortal, daring to peep at the immortal grass?” Baoyu was startled. He turned and saw a fairy maiden. He quickly bowed. “I came looking for Sister Yuanyang and wandered by mistake into the immortal realm. I beg the fairy’s forgiveness. May I ask what place this is? Just now Sister Yuanyang said Cousin Lin called me here. What does this mean? Please instruct me, Fairy.” The fairy said, “Who knows your sisters and cousins? I tend the immortal grass. Mortals are not allowed to linger here.” Baoyu wanted to turn and leave, but could not bear to leave the immortal grass. He begged, “Since you tend the immortal grass, you must be a flower spirit. May I ask the origin of this grass?” The fairy said, “That is a long story. This grass originally grew on the bank of the Spirit River and was called Crimson Pearl Grass. Long ago it was about to wither, but thanks to a Divine Jade Attendant, who watered it every day with sweet dew, it survived. Later the two descended to the mortal world, fulfilled their earthly bond, and repaid the grace of watering. Now they have returned to the immortal realm. Fairy Disenchantment ordered me to guard it and keep bees and butterflies away.” When Baoyu heard this, he was certain the one before him was a flower spirit. It was rare to meet her, and he could not let the chance pass. He asked, “You guard this immortal grass. There are many famous flowers under heaven, each with its own guardian fairy. I would not dare ask about all of them. I only ask: who is the fairy who guards the hibiscus?” The fairy said, “That I do not know. Only my mistress knows.” Baoyu asked, “Who is your mistress?” The fairy answered, “My mistress is the Princess of the Xiang.” When Baoyu heard this, he quickly said, “So it is she! You do not know—this princess is my cousin Lin Daiyu.” The fairy said, “Nonsense! This is the dwelling of a goddess of the upper realm. Although her title is Princess of the Xiang, she is not the娥皇 and 女英 of mortal legend. How could she be related to a mortal? Speak no more nonsense, or I will call the strongmen to drive you out.”

Baoyu was stunned. He felt himself utterly vulgar and unclean. He was about to retreat when he heard someone run up and say, “Word has come from inside. Ask the Divine Jade Attendant to enter.” Another answered, “I have been waiting for the Divine Jade Attendant a long time and have not seen him. Where shall I look?” The first one laughed. “Was not the one who just left him?” The maid hurried out. “Please ask the Divine Jade Attendant to come back.” Baoyu thought they meant someone else. He was also afraid of being caught, so he fled in panic. As he ran, a woman with a sword in her hand blocked his way. “Where are you going?” Baoyu was so frightened he did not know what to do. Summoning courage, he looked up. It was Third Sister You. Baoyu calmed a little and begged, “Sister, why do you block me too?” Third Sister You said, “There is no good man among the Jia brothers. You ruin women’s reputations and break apart their marriages. Today that you have come here, I will not let you go!” When Baoyu heard this, he grew frantic. Behind him came a voice: “Sister, stop him quickly! Do not let him run away!” Third Sister You said, “I have been waiting for you a long time by the princess’s order. Now that I see you, I must use this sword to cut off your earthly ties.” Baoyu grew more confused and did not understand what she meant. He turned to flee. The one speaking behind him was none other than Qingwen. When Baoyu saw Qingwen, grief and joy mingled. He said, “I lost my way alone and met an enemy. I wanted to run back, but none of you were with me. Good, Qingwen, take me home quickly.” Qingwen said, “Attendant, do not be suspicious. I am not Qingwen. I was sent by the princess to invite you. I will not harm you.” Baoyu was full of doubt. He asked, “You say the princess sent for me. Who is the princess?” Qingwen said, “There is no need to ask now. When you arrive, you will know.” Baoyu had no choice but to follow her. Looking carefully at her back as she walked, she was indeed Qingwen. Her face and voice were the same, yet she said she was not Qingwen. Baoyu’s mind was in chaos. He thought: Never mind for now. When I see the princess, even if I have done wrong, I will beg her mercy. Women are mostly compassionate and should forgive my rashness.

As he thought, before long they came to a hall. The buildings were exquisite and splendid, brilliant in color. In the courtyard was a clump of green bamboo, and outside the door were several old pines. Several palace maids stood in the corridor, all dressed as heavenly beings. Seeing Baoyu come in, they said softly, “Is this the Divine Jade Attendant?” The one leading Baoyu said, “It is he. Go quickly and announce him.” A palace maid smiled and beckoned. Baoyu followed her in. Passing through several rooms, they came to the main hall, where pearl curtains hung high. The maid said, “Stand here and wait to be summoned.” Baoyu did not dare make a sound and waited quietly. Before long a maid came out. “Ask the Attendant to enter.” Another maid rolled up the pearl curtain. Inside sat a woman wearing a flowered crown and embroidered robes. Baoyu raised his eyes slightly and saw that she looked exactly like Daiyu. He could not help crying out, “So you are here, Sister! I have missed you so.” A maid outside the curtain whispered sharply, “This Attendant is rude. Drive him out at once!” Before the words were finished, the maids lowered the pearl curtain. Baoyu dared not go in, yet could not bear to leave. He wanted to ask plainly, but the maids did not recognize him and were about to drive him away. He could only withdraw helplessly. He turned to look for Qingwen, but she had long since disappeared. Baoyu was full of doubt and walked on gloomily. No one guided him. He wanted to follow the old path back, but could not find the way he had come.

As he stood at a loss, he saw Xifeng standing under an eaves, beckoning to him. Baoyu was overjoyed. “Excellent, I have returned home after all. How was I so confused for a while?” He hurried forward. “Sister, are you here? I have been tormented miserably by these people. Cousin Lin will not even see me, and I do not know why.” As he spoke, he came close and looked carefully. It was not Xifeng at all, but Jia Rong’s dead wife, Qin Keqing. Baoyu stopped and asked, “Where is Sister Feng?” Qin Keqing did not answer, but turned and went into the room. Baoyu was dazed and did not dare follow. He stood blankly and sighed, “What wrong have I done today that no one will pay attention to me?” He could not keep from weeping aloud. Then several yellow-turbaned strongmen with whips came driving over. They shouted, “What man are you, daring to intrude into the blessed land of heavenly immortals? Get out at once!” Baoyu did not dare speak. He was just looking for a way out when he saw in the distance a group of women talking and laughing as they came. Among them seemed to be Yingchun and the others. Baoyu was delighted and shouted, “I am trapped here! Come quickly and save me!” As he called, the strongmen behind him caught up. Baoyu fled in panic. Suddenly he saw the group of women all turn into ghosts and monsters and rush at him to seize him.

At this critical moment, the monk who had brought the jade held up a mirror and shone it. He said, “By the order of Imperial Consort Yuan, I have come specially to save you.” In an instant all the ghosts and monsters vanished, and before his eyes was once more a wild wilderness. Baoyu seized the monk. “It was you who brought me here, and then you suddenly disappeared. I saw many of my kin, but none of them would pay attention to me. In a blink they turned into ghosts and monsters. Was this a dream or real? Please instruct me, Master.” The monk asked, “Did you secretly look at anything inside?” Baoyu thought: Since he can bring me to the immortal realm, he must be a divine being. I cannot hide it from him. Besides, I wanted to understand the truth. So he said, “I saw many registers.” The monk said, “Since you have seen the registers, why do you still not understand? All the bonds of affection in this world are delusive demons. Remember well all you have just experienced. In the future I will explain it to you in detail.” Then he gave Baoyu a hard push. “Go back!” Baoyu could not stand steady and fell heavily, crying out, “Aiyo!”

Lady Wang and the others were weeping when they heard Baoyu make a sound and revive. They quickly called to him. Baoyu opened his eyes and found himself still lying on the kang. Lady Wang, Baochai, and the others had cried until their eyelids were red and swollen. He steadied his mind and thought: So I did die just now, and my soul wandered through those places. Slowly recalling all his soul had experienced, he found that he remembered most of it. Suddenly he laughed aloud. “I understand! I understand!” Lady Wang thought his old illness had returned. Since he had woken, she quickly called for a doctor. She at once told the maids and old women to report to Jia Zheng: “Baoyu has awakened. Just now his mind was confused, but now he can speak. There is no need to prepare for the end.” When Jia Zheng heard the news, he hurried in. Seeing that Baoyu had truly revived, he said, “You foolish child, you nearly frightened us all to death!” As he spoke, tears fell without his knowing it. He sighed several times, then went out and told them to continue calling the doctor to take Baoyu’s pulse and give medicine. Sheyue had meant to take her own life, but seeing Baoyu alive, she set her heart at rest. Lady Wang had someone bring longan soup. Baoyu drank a few mouthfuls, and his mind gradually settled. Seeing that Baoyu had improved, no one blamed Sheyue. They had the jade taken and put away by Baochai. Lady Wang thought of the monk. “I do not know where he found this jade. It is truly strange. One moment he demanded silver, and the next he vanished. Could he be an immortal?” Baochai said, “Speaking of the monk’s coming and going without a trace, this jade was not lost at first. It must have been taken away by him.” Lady Wang said, “The jade was clearly at home. How could he take it?” Baochai said, “Since he could bring it back, he could naturally take it away.” Xiren and Sheyue put in, “When the jade was lost that year, Master Lin divined by the character. After Second Mistress came into the family, I told you about it. The character was ‘reward.’ Do you remember, Second Mistress?” Baochai thought and said, “Yes. At the time it was said we should look in a pawnshop. Only now do I understand. The top of the character ‘reward’ is ‘shang,’ which is the ‘shang’ in ‘monk.’ So it was a monk who took the jade.” Lady Wang said, “That monk was strange from the beginning. Years ago, when Baoyu was gravely ill, he came and said our family had a treasure that could avert disaster. He meant this Magic Jade. Since he knew of it, this jade is indeed no ordinary thing. Besides, Baoyu was born with this jade in his mouth. From ancient times to now, who has ever heard of a second case? But I do not know how this jade will end, nor can I understand Baoyu’s fate in this life. His illness came from this jade, and his recovery came from this jade. He was born with it…” At this point she stopped and tears fell again. As Baoyu listened, he understood everything in his heart. The journey of his soul through the immortal realm became more and more real to him. He said nothing, but silently remembered it. Then Xichun spoke: “When the jade was lost that year, we asked Miaoyu to consult the planchette and invite the immortal. The writing left behind said, ‘Leaning against an ancient pine beneath Blue Ridge Peak,’ and also, ‘Enter my gate and meet with a smile.’ Now that I think of it, the three words ‘enter my gate’ have deep meaning. The Buddha’s Dharma is vast. I fear Second Brother can hardly enter that gate.” When Baoyu heard this, he laughed coldly. Baochai heard Xichun’s words and frowned, sitting lost in thought. Lady You said, “Why do you speak of the Buddhist gate as soon as you open your mouth? Have you still not given up the thought of leaving the world?” Xichun smiled. “I will not hide it from you, sister-in-law. I long ago stopped eating meat.” Lady Wang quickly urged, “Good child, Amitabha, you must not let such a thought arise.” Xichun heard and said no more. Baoyu remembered the line “green lamp and ancient Buddha” and sighed again and again. Suddenly he also remembered the line in the register, “a mat, a branch of flowers,” and looked at Xiren. Tears fell despite himself. The others saw him laugh one moment and grieve the next, and none understood why. They only thought his mind was unstable after his grave illness. In truth, Baoyu had passed through the illusory realm and had already seen through earthly bonds. The lines in the registers were all firmly remembered, but he would not speak them aloud. In his heart he had already made a decision. Of this no more for the moment.

The others saw that Baoyu had died and come back to life, and that his spirits improved day by day. With medicine, he gradually recovered as before. Jia Zheng saw that Baoyu was well, while he himself was still in mourning. Thinking that he did not know when Jia She would receive pardon, and that Mother Jia’s coffin had long been resting in the temple, which was not a permanent arrangement, he planned to escort Mother Jia’s coffin back to their native place in the south for burial. He called Jia Lian to discuss it. Jia Lian said, “This is an excellent thought, Father. It would be best to complete this great matter during your mourning period. In the future, when your mourning ends and you return to office, there may be no chance. Only, my father is not at home, and your nephew does not dare decide on his own. The plan is good, but this matter will require several thousand taels of silver. The authorities are still pursuing restitution, and the family has no surplus money.” Jia Zheng said, “I have already decided. Only, your uncle is not at home, so I called you to discuss how to manage it. You cannot go with me. Now the household is short-handed. Several coffins must be sent south, and someone must look after them on the road. I plan to take Rong’er with me. His wife Qin’s coffin will go too. And Cousin Lin’s coffin—Old Ancestor left word that Daiyu’s coffin should go south with hers. As for the silver, we can only find a way to borrow several thousand taels.” Jia Lian said, “These days the world is cold and human feeling thin. You are still in mourning, and my uncle is in disgrace outside. For the moment it will be hard to borrow silver. We can only mortgage the house and land deeds for money.” Jia Zheng said, “The residence we live in was bestowed by the court. It cannot be mortgaged.” Jia Lian said, “The house we live in cannot be touched, but there are several other properties outside that can be mortgaged. When you return to office in the future, you can redeem them. In the future, if my uncle is pardoned and restored, they can also be redeemed. Only, you are advanced in years, Father, and a long journey makes your nephew uneasy.” Jia Zheng said, “Burying one’s mother is what a son ought to do. Stay at home and manage the household affairs well.” Jia Lian said, “Set your mind at ease, Father. Though your nephew is foolish, I will attend to it with care. You will take many servants south, and those left at home will be few. The expenses can barely be supported. If on the road the silver is not enough, you will pass by Lai Shangrong’s place. You can ask him to help.” Jia Zheng said, “This is my own mother’s funeral. There is no need to trouble outsiders.” Jia Lian assented and withdrew to plan the money.

Jia Zheng told Lady Wang of the matter and entrusted her with managing the household. He chose an auspicious day and prepared to set out with the coffin. Baoyu’s health had now recovered. Jia Huan and Jia Lan were also studying earnestly. Jia Zheng handed the household affairs to Jia Lian and instructed him to supervise their lessons: “This year is the year of the provincial examination. Huan’er is still in mourning and cannot enter. Lan’er is a grandson, and his mourning period is over, so he can take the examination. Be sure to have Baoyu go with his nephew to take the examination. If one of them can become a provincial graduate, it will somewhat make up for our family’s faults.” Jia Lian respectfully agreed. Jia Zheng also gave careful instructions to everyone in the household and offered sacrifice at the ancestral hall. Afterward, rites were held for several days at the temple outside the city. Then the coffins were raised and put on boats. He took Lin Zhixiao and others and went south. He did not disturb relatives and friends along the way. Only the men and women of the household saw them off for a stage before returning.

Jia Zheng told Baoyu to take the civil examination, so Lady Wang often urged and checked Baoyu’s lessons. Baochai and Xiren also often encouraged him. But after Baoyu’s grave illness, although his spirits gradually recovered, his mind became more and more unlike others. Not only did he weary of fame and official careers; even romantic feelings had grown faint for him. The others did not notice, and Baoyu did not speak of it. One day, Zijuan, having escorted Daiyu’s coffin back, sat alone in her room weeping. Zijuan thought: Baoyu is truly heartless. When Cousin Lin’s coffin was sent south, he did not grieve or weep. I wept here, and he did not come to comfort me, but instead looked at me and smiled. Such a faithless person! In the past he relied on sweet words to deceive us. Fortunately, a few days ago I saw clearly, or I might have been fooled by him again. There is only one thing I cannot understand: nowadays he treats Xiren coldly too. Second Mistress was never fond of closeness, but surely Sheyue and the others must complain? I suppose most girls are foolishly devoted and waste their hearts, not knowing what end awaits them. As she was thinking, Wu’er came to see her. Seeing Zijuan’s face covered with tears, she said, “Sister, you are missing Miss Lin again. I used to hear that Second Master Bao loved girls most. My mother went to great lengths to send me into the household to serve him. Who would have thought that I would serve him diligently through several grave illnesses? Now that he is well, he has not one warm word for me. He will not even look at me now.” Zijuan could not help laughing and spat. “Bah, you girl! How do you want Baoyu to treat you before you are satisfied? A girl should be ashamed. Even those who are properly married to him and are at his side by name and right, he often treats as if nothing were the matter. How would he have time for you?” She reached out and drew a finger across her own cheek to mock her. “After all, what are you to Baoyu?” Wu’er blushed crimson. She wanted to explain that she was not seeking Baoyu’s favor, only lamenting that he no longer showed consideration to those who served him. Just then there was a clamor outside the courtyard gate: “That monk from outside has come again. He wants the ten thousand taels of silver. Lady Wang is frantic and told Second Master Lian to go out and deal with him, but Second Master Lian is not at home. The monk is saying wild things outside. Lady Wang asks Second Mistress to come and discuss what to do.” No one knew how they would send the monk away. Read the next chapter for the outcome.