Lin Daiyu Burns Her Manuscripts and Severs Her Foolish Love; Xue Baochai Leaves Her Maiden Chamber to Complete the Great Rite

Now to return to Daiyu. When she reached the gate of Xiaoxiang Lodge, a single sentence from Zijuan had touched her heart, and she spat out a great mouthful of blood on the spot, nearly fainting. Fortunately Qiuwen was also beside her, and the two of them together supported Daiyu back into the room. After Qiuwen left, only Zijuan and Xueyan remained to watch over her. After a while Daiyu slowly revived. Seeing the two maids weeping, she asked, “What are you crying for, watching over me?” Zijuan saw that her speech was coherent and felt a little relieved. She said, “You had just come back from the Old Ancestor’s rooms, young mistress, and you were very unwell. We were so frightened we did not know what to do, and so we cried.” Daiyu smiled. “How could I be about to die?” No sooner had she said this than she began gasping violently again. The truth was that today Daiyu had heard the news that Baoyu was to marry Baochai. This had long been the hidden illness of her heart, and for a moment anxiety and anger had thrown her mind into confusion. But after she came back and......