Hiding the News, Xifeng Devises a Strange Scheme; The Secret Leaks, and Daiyu Loses Her Reason

Jia Lian took the fake jade and returned angrily to the study. When the swindler saw Jia Lian’s grim face, he panicked at once and hurriedly rose to meet him. Before he could speak, Jia Lian sneered, “You have nerve! You miserable wretch! What sort of place is the Rong-guo House, that you dare come here to swindle us?” He turned and shouted, “Where are the pages?” The pages outside answered with a roar. Jia Lian ordered, “Tie him up with rope. When the master returns, we will question him clearly and send him to the authorities!” The pages all answered, but though their mouths said yes, not one of them actually moved.

The swindler was frightened out of his wits. Knowing there was no escape, he knelt and kowtowed to Jia Lian. “Second Master, calm your anger! I was poor and desperate, so I did this shameless thing. This fake jade was made with borrowed money. I do not dare want it. I will give it to the Second Master for amusement!” As he spoke, he kowtowed without stopping. Jia Lian spat at him. “You reckless thing! Who in our household cares for your worthless fake?”

In the midst of the uproar, Lai Da came in and smiled apologetically, urging Jia Lian, “Second Master, do not be angry. It is not worth arguing with such a petty man. Spare him and drive him out.” Jia Lian said, “He is truly detestable!” Lai Da mediated. The servants outside also scolded the swindler. “You muddle-headed creature! Hurry up and kowtow to the Second Master and Master Lai, then get out. If you do not leave, you will be beaten!” The man quickly kowtowed twice, covered his head, and fled. The matter soon spread through the streets. Everyone said that Jia Baoyu had produced a joke about a “fake Baoyu.”

That day Jia Zheng returned home after paying calls. Everyone thought the Lantern Festival was near and the absurd affair was over. Fearing to anger the master, no one reported it. Earlier, because of the Imperial Concubine’s funeral, they had been busy for a long time, and Baoyu had fallen ill and could not rise. Although custom called for a family banquet, the whole household had no heart for it. There was nothing else worth recording.

By the seventeenth of the first month, Lady Wang was looking forward to her brother Wang Ziteng’s arrival in the capital. Xifeng came in and reported, “The Second Master heard a rumor outside: Uncle has been traveling to the capital and was only two hundred li away when he died on the road. Has madam heard?” Lady Wang was greatly shocked. “I have not heard. The master did not mention it last night either. Where did this news come from?” Xifeng answered, “I heard it from Mr. Zhang of the Privy Council.” Lady Wang was dazed for a long time. Tears fell at once. Wiping them, she said, “Tell Jia Lian to inquire carefully and then report to me.” Xifeng accepted the order and withdrew.

Lady Wang wept secretly. She mourned the Imperial Concubine and grieved for her brother, while also worrying about Baoyu. One disaster after another came, and she could not bear it. Her heart ached again and again. Before long Jia Lian returned after verifying the news. “Uncle was exhausted from the long journey and caught a chill. He called a doctor at Shili Tun. There was no good physician there, and the medicine was mistaken. After one dose, he was gone. We still do not know where his family has reached.” When Lady Wang heard this, her heart was pierced with grief. The pain in her chest was so great she could not sit steadily. Caiyun and the others helped her lie down on the kang. She forced herself to instruct Jia Lian to report to Jia Zheng, pack at once, and go to Shili Tun to help manage the funeral. When it was done, he was to return quickly with news to set Xifeng’s mind at ease. Jia Lian did not dare disobey. He took leave of Jia Zheng and set out.

Jia Zheng had already learned the evil tidings and was depressed. After Baoyu lost the jade, his mind was confused, and medicine did not help. Lady Wang’s heart ached as well. It happened that the court was conducting the capital evaluation, and the Ministry of Works recommended Jia Zheng as first class. In the second month, the Ministry of Personnel brought him before the emperor. The emperor appreciated Jia Zheng’s diligence and caution, and appointed him Grain Intendant of Jiangxi. Jia Zheng thanked the emperor that same day and memorialized to set the date of his departure. Relatives and friends came one after another to congratulate him, but he had no heart for entertaining them. Household affairs were in confusion, and yet he could not delay taking up his post. As he was at a loss, someone from Grandmother Jia’s rooms came to ask the master to come over.

Jia Zheng hurried inside and saw Lady Wang, though ill, was also in Grandmother Jia’s rooms. He paid his respects to Grandmother Jia and sat down. Grandmother Jia spoke through tears: “You will soon go to an official post far away. I have much to say to you. I do not know whether you will listen.” Jia Zheng rose. “Whatever you command, Mother, your son would not dare disobey.” Grandmother Jia choked. “I am eighty-one this year, and you are to be posted away. It happens that your elder brother is at home, and yet you cannot resign office to care for me. Once you go, the one I love most is Baoyu, but he is ill and his mind is muddled. I do not know how it will end. Yesterday I told Lai Sheng’s wife to find someone to cast Baoyu’s fortune. The fortune-teller spoke very accurately: he must marry a woman with a metal destiny to support him. It must be a wedding to drive away ill fortune, or his life cannot be preserved. I know you do not believe such things, so I called you especially to discuss it. Your wife is here too. The two of you decide: shall we do all we can to save Baoyu, or let him go on like this?”

Jia Zheng forced a smile. “Mother has always loved me. How could I not love my own son? It is only that I hate Baoyu for not striving to improve, so I often scold him. It is also because I hate iron for not becoming steel. If you wish to arrange his marriage, that is something that should be done. How would I dare oppose your wish to save him? Now that Baoyu is gravely ill, I too cannot set my mind at ease. Earlier you would not let him see me, and I did not dare ask. I want to see Baoyu myself and learn what his illness really is.”

Lady Wang saw that Jia Zheng’s eyes were red and knew he loved Baoyu in his heart. She told Xiren to help Baoyu over. When Baoyu saw his father, Xiren reminded him to pay his respects, and Baoyu did so according to custom. Jia Zheng saw that his face was thin and his eyes vacant, a foolish, mad look. He had him helped back to his room. Jia Zheng thought to himself: I am nearly sixty and about to take up a post far away. I do not know how many years before I return. If something happens to Baoyu, first, in my old age I will have no legitimate son. Even if I have a grandson, he is still one generation removed. Second, the Old Ancestor loves Baoyu with all her heart. If anything happens, my guilt will be even greater. Looking at Lady Wang, whose face was streaked with tears, Jia Zheng rose and answered, “At your age, Mother, you are taking such pains to save your grandson. How could your son oppose it? You may decide. Only, has Aunt Xue’s side agreed?”

Lady Wang answered, “Aunt Xue agreed long ago. It was only because Xue Pan’s case was not settled that the matter was put aside.” Jia Zheng said again, “That is where the difficulty lies. Her brother is still in prison. How can a sister marry? Moreover, the Imperial Concubine has just passed away, and by rule Baoyu must observe nine months of mourning. It is not proper to hold a wedding now. Also, the date of my departure has already been memorialized and cannot be delayed. How can everything be arranged in only a few days?”

Grandmother Jia thought for a moment. “What you say is indeed reasonable. If we wait for the mourning period and for Xue Pan’s case to be settled, you will already have set out. If Baoyu’s illness grows worse day by day, what shall we do? We can only make an exception and slightly overstep some rules of propriety.”

Grandmother Jia decided on a plan. “I will arrange this myself. I guarantee it will not offend propriety. As for Aunt Xue, your wife and I will go in person to beg her. As for Xue Pan, I will ask Jia Ke to explain that this is to save Baoyu’s life and that everything will be kept simple. The Xue family will certainly agree. A grand wedding during mourning is indeed improper, and Baoyu is gravely ill. It is not a matter of consummating the marriage, only of driving away ill fortune. The two families had already agreed, and there is the saying about gold and jade. There is no need to match their horoscopes again. Choose a good day, send the betrothal gifts according to our family’s rites, and set the wedding date as soon as possible. There need not be a great display of music. Imitate palace rules: twelve pairs of carrying lanterns, an eight-bearer sedan chair to bring in the bride. Follow southern custom: bowing in the hall, sitting on the bed, and scattering the bed-curtains. That will count as the wedding. Bao girl is sensible; there is no need to worry. Xiren is also steady and reliable, and can look after things. She and Baochai get along well. Aunt Xue once said that the monk said Baochai’s golden locket must be matched with one who wears jade. Perhaps when Baochai marries in, relying on the golden locket, she can draw back Baoyu’s Magic Jade. Then Baoyu will gradually recover, and that will be the whole family’s blessing. Now prepare the new rooms at once. You arrange it. Do not invite relatives and friends, do not set out a banquet. When Baoyu is well and the mourning period is over, we will hold a banquet to entertain guests. In this way everything can be done in time. You will have seen their marriage arranged and can set out for your post with an easy mind.”

Jia Zheng was unwilling at heart, but Grandmother Jia had already decided, and he did not dare oppose her. He forced a smile. “Mother has planned it thoroughly and properly. Only, instruct everyone in the household not to spread the word. If it leaks out, they will bear the blame. Aunt Xue may not be willing. If she agrees, then do as you have decided.” Grandmother Jia said, “I will speak to Aunt Xue. Set your mind at ease.” Jia Zheng took his leave and went out, depressed at heart. There was much to do for his departure: receiving his official credentials at the Ministry of Works, entertaining relatives and friends who recommended servants, and endless social obligations. Baoyu’s marriage was left entirely to Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and Xifeng. Only the more than twenty side courtyards behind Rongxi Hall, beside Lady Wang’s bedroom, were assigned to Baoyu as new rooms. Of the rest he asked nothing. Grandmother Jia sent someone to tell him of the arrangements, and Jia Zheng said only that they were very good. That is a later matter.

After Baoyu had seen Jia Zheng, Xiren helped him back to the kang in the inner room. While Jia Zheng was outside, no one dared speak to Baoyu, and Baoyu fell into a drowsy sleep. He did not hear a single word of Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng’s discussion of the marriage. But Xiren and the others heard it clearly. They had heard rumors before and had been half doubtful, not daring to believe until Baochai entered the house. Today, after hearing this discussion, their hearts settled. Xiren was secretly glad: Those above have indeed chosen well. Baochai is the most suitable match for Baoyu. I too will have someone to rely on. When Baochai marries in, the burden on my shoulders will be much lighter. But then she thought: Baoyu’s heart holds only Miss Lin. Thank goodness he did not hear. If he knew he was to marry Baochai, who knows what he would do!

The more Xiren thought, the more her joy turned to grief. What was to be done? The Old Ancestor and the mistress did not know Baoyu’s heart. Now they were rushing the marriage, hoping to drive away illness and save his life. But Baoyu’s heart was fixed on Daiyu. When he first met Daiyu, he had thrown his jade. That summer he had mistaken me for Miss Lin and spoken his heart’s secret. Later, when Zijuan made a joke, he wept as if he would die. If he were told he was to marry Baochai and give up Daiyu, as soon as he understood even a little, the marriage would not drive away illness—it would hasten his death! If I do not make things clear, I will harm Baoyu, Daiyu, and Baochai, all three.

Xiren made up her mind. After Jia Zheng left, she told Qiuwen to watch Baoyu, then went out of the inner room and quietly asked Lady Wang to speak with her in the small room behind Grandmother Jia’s rooms. Grandmother Jia thought Baoyu had some matter and did not take it to heart. She was still planning how to send betrothal gifts and arrange the wedding.

Xiren followed Lady Wang to the back room and knelt, weeping. Lady Wang was astonished and pulled her up. “What is this? Why kneel? If you have been wronged, tell me slowly.” Xiren said, “This is not something I should speak of, but now there is truly no other way.” Lady Wang said, “Tell me slowly.”

Xiren said, “For Baoyu’s marriage, the Old Ancestor and you have decided on Miss Bao. That is naturally excellent. But your servant wants to ask: In your eyes, madam, is Baoyu closer to Miss Bao or to Miss Lin?” Lady Wang said, “They grew up together. Baoyu is closer to Miss Lin.” Xiren said, “It is not only closer.” She then reported one by one all the things that showed Baoyu’s infatuation with Daiyu, and added, “You have seen these things with your own eyes, madam. That summer, when Baoyu spoke his heart to me, I never told anyone outside.” Lady Wang took Xiren’s hand. “I have seen something of it too. Hearing you say this makes it clearer. Just now, when the master discussed the marriage, did Baoyu hear? How did he look?” Xiren said, “Now when someone speaks to Baoyu, he only giggles foolishly. When no one speaks, he sleeps in a daze. Just now he did not hear the marriage discussion at all.” Lady Wang worried. “Then what is to be done?” Xiren said, “Your servant has told you the truth. I beg you to report it to the Old Ancestor and think of a perfect plan.” Lady Wang said, “Go back to your work first. There are many people in the room now. Do not mention it for the moment. When I find a chance to report to the Old Ancestor, we will decide what to do.” Then she returned to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia was discussing the marriage with Xifeng. Seeing Lady Wang return, she asked, “What did Xiren say to you so secretly?” Lady Wang took the chance to report in detail to Grandmother Jia the matter of Baoyu’s heart being set on Daiyu. Grandmother Jia was silent for a long time. Lady Wang and Xifeng also said nothing. Grandmother Jia gave a long sigh. “Other matters are easy to manage. The Lin girl herself is not the problem. But if Baoyu’s obsession is so deep, this is difficult.”

Xifeng thought for a moment and spoke. “It is not difficult. I have thought of a scheme. I only do not know whether Auntie is willing.” Lady Wang said, “If you have an idea, tell the Old Ancestor. We will discuss it together.” Xifeng said, “In my view, there is only one plan: a bait-and-switch.” Grandmother Jia asked, “What do you mean, a bait-and-switch?” Xifeng said, “Never mind whether Baoyu is clear-headed or not. We put out word that the master has decided to betroth Miss Lin to him. Then we watch how Baoyu reacts. If he does not care at all, we need not use the switch. If he is overjoyed, then we must take great pains to arrange it.” Lady Wang asked, “Even if he is happy, what do you plan to do?” Xifeng leaned close to Lady Wang’s ear and whispered in detail. Lady Wang nodded again and again and smiled slightly. “That is the only way.”

Grandmother Jia was curious. “What are you two whispering about? What is the method?” Xifeng feared Grandmother Jia would not understand at once and might give away the secret. She leaned close to Grandmother Jia’s ear and explained. Grandmother Jia did not understand at first, and Xifeng added a few more words. Grandmother Jia smiled. “That can be done, but it wrongs Bao girl. If the news leaks out, what about the Lin girl?” Xifeng said, “This is only to fool Baoyu. No one outside is to know. Who would find out?”

As they spoke, a maid reported, “Second Master Lian has returned.” Lady Wang feared Grandmother Jia would question him about Wang Ziteng’s funeral, so she gave Xifeng a look. Xifeng met Jia Lian and signaled to him. The two went together to Lady Wang’s rooms to wait. Before long Lady Wang came in and saw Xifeng weeping, her eyes red. Jia Lian paid his respects and reported on going to Shili Tun to manage Wang Ziteng’s funeral: The emperor had issued a decree granting him a posthumous Grand Secretariat rank and the title Wenqin Gong, and ordered his clan to escort the coffin back to their native place in the south. Local officials along the way were to provide care. Yesterday the family set out south with the coffin. Aunt Wang asked me to return and pay respects, saying she had never expected to be unable to enter the capital and had much to say that could not be said face to face. If I met Wang Ren on the road, I was to tell him to come to the Jia household for details. Lady Wang was overcome with grief. Xifeng comforted her. “Madam, rest for now. Tonight we will discuss Baoyu’s marriage again.” Then she and Jia Lian returned to their rooms and told the servants to prepare the new rooms.

One day Daiyu finished breakfast and took Zijuan to Grandmother Jia’s rooms to pay her respects and distract herself. She had not gone far from Xiaoxiang Lodge when she suddenly remembered she had forgotten her handkerchief. She told Zijuan to go back for it and waited slowly by herself. She walked behind the rockery at Qinfang Bridge, where she and Baoyu had once buried flowers. Suddenly she heard someone weeping softly. Daiyu stopped and listened. She could not tell who it was, nor could she make out the complaint. Puzzled, she walked slowly over. It was a maid with thick brows and big eyes, crying. From a distance Daiyu thought she was one of the household’s older maids with some trouble on her mind. Drawing closer, she found it almost funny: such a coarse, simple girl would hardly understand love or sorrow. She must be a maid who did rough work and had been bullied by the older maids. Looking closely, Daiyu did not recognize her. The maid saw Daiyu and stopped crying, wiping her tears.

Daiyu asked, “Why are you so upset here?” The maid wept. “Miss Lin, you judge! They say things I do not understand. I said one wrong thing, and Sister Zhenzhu hit me!” Daiyu asked, “Who is Sister Zhenzhu?” The maid said, “She is Zhenzhu in the Old Ancestor’s rooms.” Daiyu then knew she was from Grandmother Jia’s rooms and asked her name. The maid answered, “My name is Silly Big Sister.” Daiyu smiled and asked again, “Why did she hit you? What did you say wrong?”

Silly Big Sister said, “It was all about our Master Bao marrying Miss Bao!” When Daiyu heard these words, it was like a thunderclap. Her heart pounded wildly. She steadied herself a little and said to the maid, “Come with me over here.” Silly Big Sister followed Daiyu to the quiet corner where the flowers had been buried. Daiyu forced herself to be calm. “Master Bao is marrying Miss Bao—why did Sister Zhenzhu hit you?”

Silly Big Sister said, “The Old Ancestor, the mistress, and the Second Mistress discussed it. Since the master is going to his post, they hurried to arrange with Aunt Xue to marry Miss Bao in. First, to drive away Master Bao’s ill fortune. Second—” She looked at Daiyu and smiled, then went on, “After the wedding, they will find a husband for Miss Lin too.” Daiyu was stunned. Silly Big Sister continued, “I did not know those above had forbidden us to spread it. I said casually to Sister Xiren, ‘From now on the house will be lively—there will be Miss Bao, and then Second Mistress Bao. How shall we address them?’ Sister Zhenzhu heard and slapped me, scolding me for talking nonsense and saying she would drive me out. Those above will not let us speak, and no one told me why. Why did she hit me?” Then she wept again.

Daiyu’s heart was in turmoil. Sweet, bitter, sour, and hot were all mixed together. She could not tell what she felt. After a moment, her voice trembled. “Do not talk nonsense. If you talk nonsense again and others hear, you will be beaten again. Go.” Then she turned, wanting to return to Xiaoxiang Lodge. Her body felt as heavy as a thousand catties. Her feet seemed to tread on cotton, weak and powerless. She could only move slowly, step by step. After walking a long time, she still had not reached Qinfang Bridge. Her mind was dazed. Without knowing it, she took a roundabout way and reached Qinfang Bridge, then unconsciously followed the bank back the way she had come.

Zijuan had fetched the handkerchief and returned, but did not see Daiyu. She searched everywhere and saw Daiyu, face deathly pale, steps unsteady, eyes staring straight ahead, wandering back and forth by the bank. In the distance another maid was walking away; Zijuan could not see who it was. Zijuan was alarmed. She hurried forward and asked softly, “Why are you walking back, young mistress? Where are you going?” Daiyu heard her dimly and answered casually, “I am going to ask Baoyu!” Zijuan did not understand and could only support her toward Grandmother Jia’s courtyard.

When they reached Grandmother Jia’s door, Daiyu became a little clearer. She turned and saw Zijuan supporting her. She stopped and asked, “What are you doing here?” Zijuan smiled apologetically. “I got the handkerchief and saw you by the bridge, so I came to find you.” Daiyu smiled. “I thought you had come to see Master Bao. Otherwise why come this way?” Zijuan saw that her mind was confused and knew she had heard Silly Big Sister’s words. She worried: Baoyu is already foolish and mad, and now Daiyu is dazed like this. If the two meet and say something improper, how will it end? But she did not dare disobey Daiyu, so she helped her inside.

Daiyu now felt strange: she was no longer weak all over. Without Zijuan lifting the curtain, she raised her own hand, lifted the curtain, and went quietly into the room. Grandmother Jia was taking a nap. Some maids were lazily playing, some dozing, some attending. Xiren heard the curtain and came out. Seeing Daiyu, she quickly greeted her. “Please come in and sit, miss.” Daiyu asked with a smile, “Is Master Bao at home?” Xiren was about to answer when Zijuan, behind Daiyu, signaled to her, pointing at Daiyu and shaking her hand. Xiren did not understand and did not dare speak. Daiyu paid no attention and walked straight into the inner room.

Baoyu was sitting there. When he saw Daiyu come in, he did not rise or offer her a seat. He only giggled foolishly at her. Daiyu sat down and also looked at Baoyu and smiled. The two did not greet each other, did not speak, did not defer to each other. They simply sat face to face, smiling foolishly. Xiren was at a loss. Suddenly she heard Daiyu speak. “Baoyu, why are you ill?” Baoyu smiled. “I am ill for Miss Lin.”

Xiren and Zijuan turned pale with fright and hurried to change the subject. The two did not answer again, but still sat facing each other and smiling foolishly. Xiren saw the scene and knew Daiyu’s mind was confused, much like Baoyu’s. She quietly said to Zijuan, “The young mistress is like this. I will tell Qiuwen to help you take her back to rest.” She turned and instructed Qiuwen, “You accompany Zijuan and see Miss Lin home. Do not say anything careless.” Qiuwen nodded and came to help Daiyu.

Daiyu rose. She looked at Baoyu and smiled without stopping, nodding without stopping. Zijuan urged her, “Young mistress, go home and rest.” Daiyu said, “Yes, I should go back now.” Smiling, she turned and went out. She no longer wanted anyone to support her, and her steps were even quicker than usual. Zijuan and Qiuwen hurried after her. When they passed through Grandmother Jia’s gate, Daiyu kept walking straight ahead. Zijuan quickly pulled her back. “This way, young mistress!” Daiyu still smiled and followed toward Xiaoxiang Lodge. When they were almost at the door, Zijuan breathed a sigh of relief. “Amitabha, we are home at last!” Before she finished speaking, Daiyu pitched forward and, with a great “wa,” spat out a mouthful of blood.

Whether Daiyu’s life could be preserved will be told in the next chapter.