Lovers of Romance Enter the Family School; Suspicions Arise and Mischief-Makers Riot in the Classroom

Now Qin Ye and his son had been waiting for word from the Jia household about the day to start school. But Baoyu, eager to see Qin Zhong, could not wait and chose the day after tomorrow without further thought. He sent word saying, "Please ask Mr. Qin to come to my place early the day after tomorrow, and we shall go together."

On that appointed morning, Baoyu rose early. Xiren had already packed his books, brushes, and stationery, everything neatly arranged—yet she sat on the edge of the bed in a pensive mood. When Baoyu woke, she attended to his washing and dressing. Seeing her downcast, he laughed and said, "Dear sister, what's troubling you now? Are you upset that I'm going to school and leaving you all lonely?" Xiren smiled, "That's not it. Studying is a fine thing—otherwise one drifts through life and ends up nowhere. But one thing: when you're reading, think of your books; when you're not, think of home. Don't fool around with those boys—running into the master would be no joke. Though you should apply yourself, don't overdo the lessons; too much at once and you won't digest it, and besides, you must take care of your health. That's what I think—I hope you'll understand." Baoyu agreed to every word she said. Xiren added, "I've packed your heavy winter clothes and given them to the pages. It's cold in the school, so remember to add or change layers—it's not like home where someone looks after you. I've also sent the charcoal for your foot-warmer and hand-warmer; see that they keep them filled. Those lazy rascals won't stir unless you tell them, and you'll be the one to freeze." Baoyu said, "Don't worry—when I'm out I can manage fine. And you shouldn't mope about in this room all day; go and keep Miss Lin company now and then." By then he was fully dressed, and Xiren urged him to pay his respects to the Dowager, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang. Baoyu also gave a few words to Qingwen and Sheyue, then went to see the Dowager, who gave him her usual admonitions. Then he went to Lady Wang, and from there to the study to see his father.

As luck would have it, Jia Zheng had come home early that day and was chatting with his literary retainers in the study. When Baoyu entered to pay his respects and announced he was going to school, Jia Zheng sneered, "If you mention the word 'school' again, I'll die of shame. If you ask me, the best thing is just to go and play. Mind you don't dirty my floor or lean against my door!" The retainers had all risen and said with smiles, "Why be so harsh, sir? Now that the young master is going to school, in two or three years he'll make his mark and be a success—he won't be a child forever. It's almost time for lunch—please let him go." Two of the older men then led Baoyu out.

Jia Zheng called out, "Who is attending Baoyu?" From outside came two answering voices, and three or four big men entered, kneeling to pay their respects. Jia Zheng recognised one as Li Gui, the son of Baoyu's old nurse. He said to him, "You fellows follow him to school every day—what has he actually learned? He's only picked up gossip and rubbish, and perfected the art of being a clever nuisance. When I have time, I'll skin you alive, and then settle accounts with that good-for-nothing!" Terrified, Li Gui knelt on both knees, took off his hat, and knocked his head on the floor, repeatedly saying "Yes, yes." He added, "The young master has already reached the third volume of the Book of Songs—'The deer cry out, the water-lily floats'—I wouldn't dare lie." Everyone in the room burst out laughing. Even Jia Zheng could not help smiling. He said, "Even if he reads thirty volumes of the Book of Songs, it's all just plugging his ears while stealing a bell—self-deception. Go and pay my respects to the schoolmaster, and tell him what I say: no need to waste time on the Book of Songs or ancient texts; the most important thing is to thoroughly explain and memorise the Four Books first." Li Gui quickly agreed, and only withdrew when Jia Zheng had nothing more to say.

Baoyu had been standing outside the courtyard, holding his breath and waiting. When they came out, he hurried away. Li Gui and the others brushed off their clothes as they walked, saying, "Did you hear that, young master? He's going to skin us! Other people's servants earn respect by following their masters—we just get beaten and scolded for nothing. You should have some pity on us." Baoyu smiled, "Dear brothers, don't feel wronged—I'll treat you tomorrow." Li Gui said, "My little ancestor, who dares hope for treats? Just listen to us once in a while and that's enough."

They then went to the Dowager's quarters, where Qin Zhong had already arrived and was chatting with her. They greeted each other, took leave of the Dowager, and Baoyu suddenly remembered he had not said goodbye to Daiyu. He hurried to her room. Daiyu was at her dressing-table by the window, doing her hair. When she heard he was going to school, she laughed and said, "Well, off to pluck the cassia branch in the moon, I suppose! I can't see you off." Baoyu said, "Dear cousin, don't eat until I get back from school. And wait for me to make that rouge paste." He lingered on for a while before finally tearing himself away. Daiyu called after him, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your Cousin Baochai?" Baoyu only smiled without answering, and went off with Qin Zhong to school.

Now this family school of the Jias was not far—only about a li away. It had been established by the founding ancestors so that poor clan members who could not afford tutors could study there. All clan members with official rank contributed silver according to their salaries to fund the school. An elderly and virtuous man was chosen as headmaster to instruct the younger generation. Now that Baoyu and Qin Zhong had arrived, they exchanged greetings with everyone and began their studies. From then on, they came and went together, sat and rose together, growing ever closer. The Dowager, fond of Qin Zhong, often kept him for three or five days, treating him like one of her own great-grandsons. Seeing that he was not well-off, she gave him clothes and shoes. Within a month, Qin Zhong was quite at home in the Rongguo Mansion.

Baoyu, never one to be bound by convention, followed his whims. He developed a new quirk and secretly said to Qin Zhong, "We are the same age and now classmates; we need not stand on uncle-and-nephew terms. Let's just be brothers and friends." At first Qin Zhong refused, but Baoyu insisted, calling him "brother" or his style name "Jingqing," and Qin Zhong had to respond in kind.

Now, though the school was filled with clan members and relatives' sons, as the saying goes, "One dragon begets nine offspring, each different." With so many, there were bound to be both dragons and snakes—some low characters among them. Since Baoyu and Qin Zhong had arrived—both handsome as flowers, and Qin Zhong so gentle and shy, blushing at every word, with a maidenly air; and Baoyu naturally soft-spoken, considerate, and tender—they became even closer. It was no wonder their schoolmates grew suspicious and began whispering behind their backs, spreading gossip throughout the classroom.

Now Xue Pan, ever since settling at Lady Wang's, had heard of this school with its many young lads and felt a stirring of his fondness for boys. So he had pretended to enrol, coming only now and then, paying fees and giving gifts to Jia Dairu, but making no progress at all—merely seeking to make conquests. Several of the younger boys, lured by Xue Pan's money and fine food, had been won over by him—too many to recount. There were also two particularly attractive boys, whose family connections were uncertain and real names unknown; they had been nicknamed "Sweetheart" and "Jade Lover" by the whole school. Though others admired them, they feared Xue Pan's power and dared not approach. Now Baoyu and Qin Zhong, seeing Sweetheart and Jade Lover, could not help feeling drawn to them, but knowing they were Xue Pan's favourites, they did not act rashly. Sweetheart and Jade Lover, in turn, also felt affection for Baoyu and Qin Zhong. So the four harboured secret feelings without revealing them. Each day they sat in their own places, yet eight eyes would meet and linger; they would exchange messages through casual remarks, or allude to mulberries and willows as a code—silent understanding while appearing cautious. But a few sharp-eyed boys had noticed these goings-on and had been snickering and clearing their throats behind their backs for some time.

Now it happened that on this day, Jia Dairu had urgent business and left early, setting only a seven-character couplet for them to complete, to be reviewed the next day. He placed Jia Rui in charge. Fortunately, Xue Pan had been coming less frequently, so Qin Zhong took the opportunity to exchange glances with Sweetheart, and they both pretended to go out to relieve themselves, slipping into the back courtyard for a private word. Qin Zhong began, "Do your elders forbid you from making friends with anyone?" Before he finished, a cough sounded behind them. Startled, they turned and saw it was their classmate Jin Rong. Sweetheart, hot-tempered, flushed with shame and anger, demanded, "Why are you coughing? Are we not allowed to talk?" Jin Rong laughed, "You may talk, but may I not cough? I only ask: why whisper in secret if you have nothing to hide? I've caught you red-handed—don't deny it. First let me have a share, and we'll keep quiet; otherwise, let's make a scene." Qin Zhong and Sweetheart were crimson with anger and asked, "Caught us at what?" Jin Rong laughed, "I've got the proof—that's what!" He clapped his hands and shouted, "What fine baked cakes! Won't anyone buy one?" Furious and mortified, Qin Zhong and Sweetheart went straight to Jia Rui and complained that Jin Rong was bullying them without cause.

Now Jia Rui was a mean, grasping fellow without principles, who often used his authority in the school to settle scores and extort treats from the students. He later sided with Xue Pan for money and wine, letting him run wild without restraint, even abetting him. But Xue Pan was fickle—one day fond of this one, the next of that. Lately he had found new friends and dropped Sweetheart and Jade Lover, just as he had dropped Jin Rong before. Now even Sweetheart and Jade Lover were neglected. So Jia Rui had lost his supporters; instead of blaming Xue Pan's fickleness, he resented Sweetheart and Jade Lover for not promoting him to Xue Pan. Thus Jia Rui, Jin Rong, and their crowd were also jealous of Sweetheart and Jade Lover. When Qin Zhong and Sweetheart came to complain about Jin Rong, Jia Rui felt even more displeased. Though he could not scold Qin Zhong, he took it out on Sweetheart, accusing him of stirring up trouble and giving him a sharp tongue-lashing. Sweetheart was snubbed, and even Qin Zhong felt awkward as they returned to their seats. Jin Rong grew bolder, shaking his head and smacking his lips, adding more insults. Jade Lover, on the other hand, would not stand for it, and he and Jin Rong began bickering across the room. Jin Rong insisted, "I clearly saw them behind the yard kissing and feeling each other—just the two of them, making their little game." He rattled on heedlessly, not realising he would provoke someone else.

That someone was Jia Qiang. He was also a legitimate great-great-grandson of the Ningguo line, orphaned young, raised by Jia Zhen, and now at sixteen even more handsome and charming than Jia Rong. The two brothers were very close and often together. But the Ning household was crowded and gossip-prone, and some disgruntled servants were quick to spread slander. Jia Zhen had heard some unpleasant rumours and, to avoid suspicion, had Jia Qiang move out to set up his own household separately. Jia Qiang was not only good-looking but sharp-witted. His attendance at school was merely a front; in truth he spent his time on cockfights, horse-racing, and pleasure-seeking. Protected by Jia Zhen above and supported by Jia Rong below, no one in the clan dared cross him. Since he was closest to Jia Rong, how could he stand by when someone bullied Qin Zhong? He wanted to step in and defend him, but he paused to think: "Jin Rong, Jia Rui, and the rest are all friends of Uncle Xue's, and I've always been on good terms with Uncle Xue. If I make a move, they'll tell him, and we'll fall out. But if I do nothing, the gossip will shame everyone. Better to use a stratagem to silence the talk without losing face." So he too pretended to go out and, in the yard, quietly called Baoyu's page Mingyan aside and whispered a few inciting words.

Now Mingyan was Baoyu's most trusted servant, young and reckless. Hearing from Jia Qiang that Jin Rong had bullied Qin Zhong and involved even Baoyu, he felt that if they did not teach him a lesson, he would grow even bolder. Mingyan was the sort who would push people around even without cause; now with this news and Jia Qiang's backing, he burst into the classroom, no longer addressing Jin Rong as "Master Jin" but shouting, "Hey, Jin—what do you think you are?" Jia Qiang then stamped his boots, adjusted his clothes ostentatiously, glanced at the sun, and said, "It's time." He told Jia Rui he had to leave early, and Jia Rui dared not stop him.

Meanwhile, Mingyan grabbed Jin Rong by the collar and demanded, "Whether we do that sort of thing or not, what's it to you? We haven't done it to your father! If you've got guts, come outside and try your luck with Master Ming!" The whole room of boys stared in shock. Jia Rui shouted, "Mingyan, no roughhousing!" Jin Rong's face turned yellow with anger, "Insurrection! A mere slave dares to act like this—I'll settle it with your master!" He broke free and lunged to grab and beat Baoyu and Qin Zhong. But before he could get there, a flying inkstone whizzed past his ear—thrown by someone, he knew not whom. It missed him but landed on the desk of Jia Lan and Jia Jun, who were sitting nearby.

Now Jia Jun was also a great-grandson of the Rongguo line, raised by his widowed mother. He was close to Jia Lan, so they shared a desk. Though young, Jia Jun was spirited and fearless. He had seen Jin Rong's friend secretly throw the inkstone to help Jin Rong, and though it missed Mingyan, it smashed on his desk, shattering his porcelain inkstone water-dropper and splattering black ink everywhere. Jia Jun would not stand for it and cursed, "You bloody bastards—now you're using weapons!" He grabbed his own inkstone to throw back. Jia Lan, who was more cautious, held him back, saying, "Good brother, this has nothing to do with us." But Jia Jun could not contain himself; he picked up his entire book-box and swung it at the other side. Being small and weak, it did not reach its target but crashed onto Baoyu and Qin Zhong's desk with a great clatter, scattering books, paper, brushes, and ink, and shattering Baoyu's teacup. Jia Jun jumped up to seize the one who had thrown the inkstone. Jin Rong grabbed a long bamboo ruler, but with the room so cramped and crowded, it was hard to wield. Mingyan got hit and shouted, "Come on, you lot—why aren't you helping?" Baoyu had three other pages: Chu Yao, Sao Hong, and Mo Yu. All were mischief-makers; they rushed in shouting, "You motherless curs—they're using weapons!" Mo Yu grabbed a door-bar, while Sao Hong and Chu Yao each took horsewhips, and they swarmed forward. Jia Rui tried desperately to stop them, but no one listened; the riot was in full swing. Some of the other boys took the chance to join in for fun, some timid ones hid, and some stood on their desks clapping and cheering.

Outside, Li Gui and the other senior servants heard the commotion and hurried in to stop it, shouting for order. They asked what had caused it, but each gave a different account. Li Gui first scolded Mingyan and the other three pages and drove them out. Qin Zhong had bumped his head against Jin Rong's board and grazed the skin; Baoyu was rubbing it with his coat-lapel. When the crowd was quieted, Baoyu ordered, "Li Gui, gather the books! Saddle the horse! I'm going to report this to the headmaster! We were bullied—we followed the rules and told Master Rui, but he blamed us instead, letting them curse us and set them on our pages, and even broke Qin Zhong's head. What's the point of studying here? Mingyan only acted because someone was bullying me. I'd rather drop out." Li Gui urged, "Don't be hasty, young master. The headmaster has gone home; it would be wrong to trouble him over this. Better to settle it here. It's Master Rui's fault—since the headmaster is away, he's in charge, and should have stopped this earlier." Jia Rui protested, "I did shout at them—they wouldn't listen." Li Gui smiled, "Forgive me for saying so, but you've never been very strict, which is why they don't obey. If this goes to the headmaster, you won't escape blame either. Better quickly patch things up." Baoyu said, "Patch what up? I'm going home!" Qin Zhong sobbed, "As long as Jin Rong is here, I won't study here." Baoyu said, "Why? If they can come, why can't we? I'll report it to everyone and have Jin Rong expelled." He asked Li Gui, "Which branch of the family is Jin Rong related to?" Li Gui thought, then said, "No need to ask—if you ask, it will only hurt the brothers' feelings."

Mingyan piped up from outside the window, "He's the nephew of Mrs. Huang of the East Lane. What kind of solid backing is that, to scare us? His aunt is that old lady who only knows how to wheedle and kowtow to our Second Mistress Lian to borrow pawned goods. I don't think much of that sort of mistress!" Li Gui shouted him down, "You little whelp, how would you know—shut your mouth!" Baoyu sneered, "So it's just Aunt Huang's nephew. I'll go and ask her myself!" He made to leave, telling Mingyan to pack the books. Mingyan, as he packed, said smugly, "You needn't go yourself, master—I'll go to her house, say the Dowager wants to see her, hire a cart, and bring her in—then question her before the Dowager. That would save trouble." Li Gui snapped, "Are you looking for a beating? When we get back, I'll beat you first, then report to the master and mistress that you incited all this. I've barely managed to calm things down, and you stir up new schemes. If you've caused a riot, you should be trying to hush it up, not making it bigger!" Mingyan fell silent.

By now Jia Rui was also afraid the matter would blow up and implicate him, so he had to humble himself and beg Qin Zhong and Baoyu to make peace. At first they refused. Then Baoyu said, "I'll stay, provided Jin Rong apologises." Jin Rong was unwilling, but Jia Rui pressed him, and Li Gui and the others urged, "It all started with you—if you don't do this, how will it end?" Jin Rong had no choice and made a bow to Qin Zhong. But Baoyu insisted on a kowtow. Jia Rui, eager to end it, quietly urged Jin Rong, "As the saying goes, 'To kill a man, you need but cut off his head.' You started this; you must humble yourself and kowtow to finish it." Jin Rong had to step forward and kneel to Qin Zhong. And so the matter was settled—for now. But let us hear what happens next.