Nursing a Slight, Uncle and Brother Bully a Weak Girl; Startled by a Riddle, Wife and Concubine Admonish a Foolish Man

When Lady Xing and Lady Wang had heard what Lady You said, they both understood in their hearts that Xichun could hardly be persuaded to turn back. Lady Wang had no choice but to say, “If the girl has set her heart on cultivating the Way, it must be a fate planted in a former life. We truly cannot stop her. Only, for a young lady of a great household like ours to leave the world is, after all, not quite proper. Now that your sister-in-law agrees to let you cultivate, that may be counted a good thing. But there is one thing I must say: there is no need to shave your head. If your heart is truly set on the Way, why care about your hair? Think of Miaoyu. She too cultivated with her hair unshaven, but later her worldly heart stirred, and she came to such an end. Since the girl’s mind is made up, we will treat the rooms you now live in as your quiet chamber for cultivation. As for the maids who serve you, we must ask them themselves: those willing to follow you in cultivation may no longer speak of marriage; those unwilling we will settle elsewhere.” When Xichun heard this, she stopped weeping and bowed her thanks to Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Li Wan, Lady You, and the others. After Lady Wang had spoken, she asked Caiping and the others who was willing to follow Fourth Girl in cultivation. Caiping and the rest answered, “Whomever Lady Wang assigns, that one it will be.” Lady Wang saw at once that they were unwilling at heart and was considering whom to choose. Xiren, standing behind Baoyu, had expected Baoyu to weep bitterly and feared his old illness would return. Instead, Baoyu only sighed and said, “Truly rare.” Xiren felt even more grieved. Baochai said nothing, but kept watching Baoyu. Seeing him wholly lost in his obsession, she could only shed tears in secret.

Lady Wang was about to call all the maids to question them when Zijuan suddenly came forward and knelt before Lady Wang. She said, “Just now you asked who would be willing to follow Fourth Girl in cultivation, Lady Wang. What do you think of me?” Lady Wang said, “Such a matter cannot be forced on anyone. Whoever is willing will speak up of herself.” Zijuan said, “Fourth Girl’s cultivation is Fourth Girl’s own wish, not the idea of any of the other sisters. I have something to report to you, Lady Wang, and I am not trying to stir up trouble among the other sisters. Each person’s heart is different. I served Miss Lin for a time, and all the ladies know how great her kindness to me was. Her grace was as heavy as a mountain, and I have no way to repay it. After Miss Lin died, I wished I could follow her. But she was not of this household, and I had received favors from the masters of the Jia family, so I could not lightly seek death. Now Fourth Girl wishes to cultivate. I beg you, Lady Wang, to send me to serve Fourth Girl for the rest of my life. I do not know whether you can grant this. If you permit it, it will be my blessing.”

Before Lady Xing and Lady Wang could reply, Baoyu heard this and thought of Daiyu. A pang went through his heart, and tears came at once. The others were about to ask him what was wrong when he suddenly laughed aloud, came forward, and said, “This is not something I should speak of, but Zijuan was sent to my room by Lady Wang, so I dare to plead for her. I beg you, Lady Wang, to grant her wish and fulfill her heart.” Lady Wang said, “Before, when your sisters married, you wept as if you would die. Now that Fourth Sister wants to leave the world, not only do you not try to stop her, you say it is a good thing. I truly cannot understand what is in your mind now.” Baoyu said, “Fourth Sister’s cultivation—Lady Wang has already agreed, and her mind is made up. If this matter is truly settled, I have one thing to tell you, Lady Wang. If it is not yet settled, I dare not speak rashly.” Xichun said, “Second Brother’s words are truly laughable. If a person’s mind were not made up, could she still resist the ladies? I am as Zijuan said: if I am permitted to cultivate, it is my good fortune; if I am not permitted, the worst is death. What is there to fear? If Second Brother has something to say, say it.” Baoyu said, “This is not exactly leaking Heaven’s secret. It was fated from the beginning. I will recite a poem for everyone to hear.” The others said, “Everyone is so grieved, and you instead make up poetry to provoke them!” Baoyu said, “It is not a poem I made up on the spot. I saw it somewhere. Listen.” The others said, “All right, recite it. Do not make it up carelessly.” Baoyu did not argue. He recited:

Having seen through the three springs, their splendor does not last;
In black robes she suddenly changes the dress of former years.
Pitiful the daughter of embroidered doors and noble halls,
Who lies alone beside the green lamp and ancient Buddha.

When Li Wan and Baochai heard this, they were startled and said, “This is bad. He has already fallen into delusion.” When Lady Wang heard the poem, she nodded, sighed, and asked Baoyu, “Where exactly did you see this poem?” Baoyu could not well speak of the Great Illusory Realm, so he only answered, “Lady Mother need not ask. I have my own place where I saw it.” Lady Wang thought it over carefully, and the more she thought, the more grieved she became. She wept and said, “Before, you said it was only a joke. Why do you now bring out this poem? Enough. I understand. What do you want me to do? I have no way either. I can only let you all follow your own hearts. Only wait until I close my eyes and leave the world, and then each of you may do as you please!” Baochai tried to comfort Lady Wang, but her own heart felt as if cut by a knife, and she could not keep from weeping aloud. Xiren wept until she nearly fainted, and Qiuwen had to support her. Baoyu neither wept nor tried to comfort anyone. He only remained silent. Jia Huan and Jia Lan, hearing this, each slipped away. Li Wan tried her best to smooth things over: “Brother Bao only saw Fourth Sister about to cultivate and was overcome with grief, so he spoke these mad words. They cannot be taken seriously. First, as for Zijuan, if Lady Wang permits it, let her rise.” Lady Wang said, “What permission or refusal is there? Once a person’s heart is set, no one can bend it. What Baoyu said seems also to have been fated.” When Zijuan heard, she quickly knocked her head. Xichun thanked Lady Wang again. Zijuan also knocked her head to Baoyu and Baochai. Baoyu said “Amitabha” and added, “Rare, rare! I never thought you would be the first to see through the red dust.” Baochai had always been steady, but now even she could hardly control her feelings. Xiren, heedless that Lady Wang was present, wept bitterly and said, “I too am willing to follow Fourth Girl in cultivation.” Baoyu laughed. “You mean well too, but you do not have that pure blessing.” Xiren cried, “If that is so, then I can only wait for death?” When Baoyu heard this, he too felt a pang, but could say nothing. It was already the fifth watch. Baoyu asked Lady Wang to go back and rest, and Li Wan and the others dispersed. Caiping and the others first accompanied Xichun back. Later Caiping and the rest were all married off, and only Zijuan served Xichun all her life, never changing her first resolve. This is later talk.

Now Jia Zheng was escorting Mother Jia’s coffin south. On the way he met the boats of troops returning from campaign. The river was crowded, and the boats could not move quickly. He was very anxious. Fortunately he met officials from the coastal region and heard that the Commandant of Zhenhai had been recalled to the capital by imperial order. He guessed that Tanchun would return with her husband’s family, and felt a little comforted. But he could not find out the date of their departure, and remained gloomy. On the road he ran short of traveling money. He had no choice but to write a letter and send it to the place where Lai Shangrong held office, asking to borrow five hundred taels of silver and have someone bring it along the road for emergency. The messenger traveled for several days, and Jia Zheng’s boat had gone only a dozen li. The servant came back, caught up with the boat, and presented Lai Shangrong’s reply. The letter was full of difficulties and sent only fifty taels. After reading it, Jia Zheng was very angry. He at once told the servant to return the silver untouched and the letter as well, saying that Lai need not trouble himself. The servant had no choice but to hurry back to Lai Shangrong’s post.

When Lai Shangrong received the returned letter and silver, he was worried and knew he had blundered. He added another hundred taels and begged the messenger to take it back and put in a good word for him. But the man refused to carry the silver back and left the things behind and went away. Lai Shangrong was uneasy. He at once wrote home to his father, telling him to find a way to ask for leave and buy out their servitude. So the Lai family asked Jia Qiang and Jia Yun to plead with Lady Wang to release Lai Shangrong. Jia Qiang knew very well that this could not be done. A day later he falsely claimed that Lady Wang refused and went back to report to the Lai family. The Lai family, while trying to find a way to ask for leave, sent word to Lai Shangrong telling him to plead illness and resign from office. Lady Wang knew nothing of these matters.

When Jia Yun heard Jia Qiang’s lie, he lost all hope. These days he had lost a good deal of silver gambling outside and had no money to repay it, so he went to discuss it with Jia Huan. Jia Huan had no money at all. The little savings Concubine Zhao had left had long since been squandered by him. How could he help Jia Yun? He remembered how Xifeng had once treated him harshly and wanted to take advantage of Jia Lian’s absence to scheme against Qiaojie and vent his anger. So he used this matter to stir up Jia Yun, deliberately complaining, “You are not young anymore. You dare not do what can make money, and instead come to a penniless man like me to discuss it.” Jia Yun said, “Third Uncle, your words are laughable. We eat, drink, and amuse ourselves together. Where is there a way to make money?” Jia Huan said, “A few days ago, did someone not say that a prince of the outer fiefs wants to take a concubine? Why do you not discuss it with Uncle Wang Ren and give Qiaojie to him?” Jia Yun said, “Uncle, if I may say something that will anger you, an outer prince buying a woman—could we still have proper dealings with our household afterward?” Jia Huan leaned close to Jia Yun’s ear and whispered something. Jia Yun nodded, but took it only as a child’s careless talk and paid it no mind. Just then Wang Ren came over and asked, “What are you two secretly discussing and hiding from me?” Jia Yun quietly told Wang Ren Jia Huan’s idea. Wang Ren clapped his hands. “That is a good thing, and we can get silver too. I only fear you dare not do it. If you dare to act, I am Qiaojie’s own uncle and can decide. Only let Huan’er speak to Lady Xing, and I will go to Uncle Xing for help. When the ladies ask, the several of us will back one another up.” Jia Huan and the others discussed it thoroughly. Wang Ren went to find Uncle Xing, and Jia Yun went to report to Lady Xing and Lady Wang, making the matter sound splendid.

When Lady Wang heard this, although she heard the words, she did not believe them. Lady Xing, hearing that Uncle Xing also knew of the matter, was moved. She sent for Uncle Xing and questioned him. Uncle Xing had already agreed with Wang Ren that he would share the silver when it was done, so he boasted before Lady Xing: “This prince is noble and honored. If you agree to the match, though she will not be the principal wife, once Qiaojie enters his house, your son-in-law Jia Lian’s office will soon be restored, and our Jia house will flourish again.” Lady Xing had never had much judgment. Fooled by Uncle Xing’s lies, she was tempted. She called Wang Ren and questioned him closely, and Wang Ren painted an even more alluring picture. Lady Xing instead sent someone after Jia Yun, telling him to hurry the matter along. Wang Ren at once found someone to propose the marriage at the outer prince’s residence. The prince, not knowing the true circumstances, planned to send someone to inspect the girl. Jia Yun also bribed the person sent to inspect her, saying, “This matter is kept from most of the household. It is only said that the prince’s house is inspecting her. Once it is settled, her grandmother will decide, and her own uncle will stand as guarantor. There will be no problem.” The inspector agreed. Jia Yun sent word to Lady Xing and also told Lady Wang. Li Wan, Baochai, and the others did not know the details and thought it was a good match, so they too were pleased.

On the appointed day, several richly dressed women indeed came. Lady Xing received them and chatted for a while. The visitors knew Lady Xing was a titled lady and did not dare be negligent. Because the matter was not yet settled, Lady Xing did not tell Qiaojie the truth. She only said that relatives had come to see her and called Qiaojie out to meet them. Qiaojie was still young and did not understand the danger. She came with her nurse. Ping’er was uneasy and came along. She saw two women dressed like attendants of a princely household. They looked Qiaojie up and down, and even took her hand and examined it for a long time. After sitting a little while, they left. Qiaojie was very shy at being looked at. When she returned to her room, she wondered about it. She could think of no such relatives and asked Ping’er. Ping’er had already guessed eight or nine parts from their manner: they had come to inspect a bride. “But Second Master is not at home, and Lady Xing is deciding. I do not know what family it is. If it were a proper marriage, they should not inspect her so secretly. From their appearance, they do not look like a princely clan, but rather like people from an outer prince’s household. Do not tell the girl yet. Wait until I find out clearly.”

Ping’er kept her ears open. Many of the maids and old women in the household were devoted to her. When Ping’er asked, they told her all the rumors outside. Ping’er was so frightened she did not know what to do. Though she kept it from Qiaojie for the time being, she hurried to find Li Wan and Baochai and asked them to tell Lady Wang. Lady Wang knew the matter was improper and went to Lady Xing to dissuade her. But Lady Xing had already believed her own brother and Wang Ren. Instead she suspected Lady Wang of deliberately making trouble. She said, “My granddaughter has grown up. Jia Lian is not at home. I can decide this matter. Besides, it was her own great-uncle and her own uncle who inquired into the match. How could it be false? I am willing in my heart. Even if something goes wrong in the future, Jia Lian and I will not blame anyone else.”

When Lady Wang heard this, she was secretly angry. She forced herself to say a few idle words and then took leave. She told Baochai what had happened and wept silently. Baoyu urged her, “Do not fret, Lady Mother. This matter will not succeed. This is one calamity Qiaojie is fated to pass through. You need not interfere.” Lady Wang said, “Every word you speak is mad. They have already agreed, and soon they will take her. If it is really as Ping’er says, when your Cousin Lian returns, will he not blame me? Never mind that she is a niece-granddaughter; even for another family’s girl, marriage must be handled carefully. When we made the match for Miss Xing and she married your second maternal uncle, she now lives peacefully and harmoniously. Miss Qin married into the Mei family, and I hear they have enough food and clothing. As for Miss Shi, her uncle decided her marriage. At first it was well enough, but later her husband contracted consumption and died, and Sister Shi resolved to remain a widow, living a bitter life. If Qiaojie is wrongly married away, would that not be I, her elder, deliberately harming her?”

As she spoke, Ping’er came to visit Baochai and incidentally inquire about Lady Xing’s attitude. Lady Wang told her what Lady Xing had said. Ping’er was stunned for a long time, then knelt and begged, “Qiaojie’s whole life depends on you, Lady Wang. If you listen to them, not only will the girl suffer all her life, but when Second Master Lian returns, how will you explain it?” Lady Wang said, “You are a sensible person. Get up quickly. Qiaojie is, after all, Lady Xing’s granddaughter. If she insists on deciding, I cannot stop her.” Baoyu urged, “It is nothing. As long as one understands in one’s heart, it is well.” Ping’er feared Baoyu in a moment of confusion would spread the matter abroad, so she said no more, took leave of Lady Wang, and went back.

Lady Wang was depressed and felt a pain in her heart. She told a maid to support her back to her room, where she lay down and would not let Baoyu or Baochai come in, saying she would be better after resting a while. She was still gloomy. Hearing that Aunt Li had come, she had no energy to receive her. Just then Jia Lan came in to pay his respects and reported, “Today someone sent a letter back from Grandfather’s side. A young servant outside brought it in. My mother received it and was coming over, but my maternal grandmother arrived, so she told me to bring it to you first and said she would come herself later to report. Grandmother is coming too.” As he spoke, he presented the letter. Lady Wang took it and asked, “Why has your grandmother come?” Jia Lan said, “I do not know either. I only heard Grandmother say that a letter came from Third Aunt-in-law’s family.” Lady Wang understood at once. Earlier, when the match with Zhen Baoyu had been proposed, Li Qi had been betrothed. Now the Zhen family intended to bring her in marriage, so Aunt Li had come to discuss the wedding. Lady Wang nodded slightly. She opened the letter and read:

“Recently the river has been full of boats returning victorious from the coastal region, so progress is slow. I hear Tanchun is returning to the capital with her husband’s family. Has any letter come? I previously received Jia Lian’s letter and know that the Elder Master is gravely ill. I do not know whether there is definite news. The examination dates for Baoyu and Jia Lan are near. They must study steadily and not be lazy. It will still be some time before Old Ancestor’s coffin reaches home. I am well; do not worry. Let this letter be known to Baoyu and the others. Written in my own hand. Rong’er has a separate letter.”

After reading it, Lady Wang gave it back to Jia Lan. “Take it and show it to your Second Uncle, then give it to your mother.”

As she spoke, Li Wan came in with Aunt Li. After greetings and seating, Aunt Li brought up the Zhen family’s intention to marry Li Qi. They discussed it for a while. Li Wan asked Lady Wang, “Have you read the Master’s letter?” Lady Wang said, “I have.” Jia Lan showed the letter to his mother. After reading it, Li Wan said, “Third Girl has been married several years and has never returned. Now she is coming back to the capital. You may set your mind at ease, Lady Wang.” Lady Wang said, “I was feeling pain in my heart, but hearing that Tan girl is coming back makes me feel a little better. Only I do not know when she will arrive.” Aunt Li then asked whether Jia Zheng was safe on the road. Li Wan said to Jia Lan, “You saw it? The examination is near, and your grandfather is deeply concerned. Take it quickly and show your Second Uncle.” Aunt Li said, “Neither uncle nor nephew has entered school. How can they take the examination?” Lady Wang said, “When the Master left as Grain Intendant, he already purchased the rank of student for them both by contribution, so they can take the examination.” Aunt Li nodded. Jia Lan took the letter and went out to find Baoyu.

Now after Baoyu had seen Lady Wang off, he was carefully reading Zhuangzi: Autumn Floods. Baochai came out from the inner room and saw him reading with rapt attention. She came over and saw it was this book and felt very uneasy. She thought Baoyu always took such worldly-escaping, reclusive words as serious truth, which was not a good thing. Seeing him like this, she guessed it would be hard to wake him, so she sat beside Baoyu and stared at him blankly. Baoyu saw her thus and asked, “Why are you grieving again?” Baochai said, “You and I are husband and wife. You are meant to be my support for life. It is not that I covet romantic feelings. Glory and wealth are but passing clouds, but since ancient times the sages and worthies have most valued character and foundation.” Before she finished, Baoyu put the book aside and smiled faintly. “According to you, character and foundation, and the ancient sages and worthies. Do you know that the ancient sages and worthies spoke of preserving the heart of a newborn child? What is good about a child? Nothing but being without selfish desire and without greed. We are born sunk in greed, anger, delusion, and love, like creatures fallen into mud. How can we escape the net of the dusty world? Only now do I understand the four words ‘gathering and scattering, floating life.’ The ancients spoke of them, but no one awakened the world. As for character and foundation, who can reach the pure state of the beginning of Heaven and Earth?” Baochai said, “The heart of a newborn child of which you speak—the sages and worthies took loyalty and filial piety as that heart, not fleeing the world and cutting off all human feeling. Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius thought every moment of relieving the people. The core of the newborn child’s heart is simply the inability to bear harming others. If, as you said just now, one could cruelly cast off all human bonds, what principle would remain?” Baoyu nodded and laughed. “Yao and Shun did not force Chaofu and Xu You to take office, and King Wu of Zhou and the Duke of Zhou did not force Bo Yi and Shu Qi to come out.” Before he finished, Baochai said, “Your words are even more wrong. If the ancients had all withdrawn from the world like Chaofu, Xu You, Bo Yi, and Shu Qi, why would later generations honor Yao, Shun, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius as sages and worthies? Besides, comparing yourself to Bo Yi and Shu Qi is even more wrong. Bo Yi and Shu Qi lived at the end of the Shang dynasty and faced countless difficulties, so they chose to withdraw. Now we are in a peaceful and prosperous age. Our family has received imperial grace for generations, and our ancestors enjoyed glory. Moreover, from childhood you were treasured by Old Ancestor, the Master, and Lady Wang. Think carefully: are the words you just spoke right or not?” After hearing this, Baoyu did not answer. He only looked up and smiled.

Baochai continued, “Since you cannot win the argument, I urge you to gather your heart and study well. As long as you gain fame, then stop there, and you will not have failed the Emperor’s grace or your ancestors’ virtue.” Baoyu nodded and sighed. “Gaining fame is not really difficult. But your words ‘then stop there, and not fail Heaven’s grace and ancestral virtue’ do hit the mark.” Before Baochai could reply, Xiren came over and said, “Just now Second Mistress spoke of the principles of sages and worthies. We maids cannot understand. I only think of how from childhood we have served Second Master with bitter toil and been careful in every way. That is our duty, but Second Master should also show us some consideration. Second Mistress has fulfilled so much filial piety for you before the Master and Lady Wang. Even if you do not value the bond between husband and wife, you should not fail her bitter heart. As for all that immortal talk, it is all false. Who has ever truly seen an immortal descend to earth? Who knows where that monk came from, saying wild things, and you take him seriously. You are a scholar. Are a monk’s words more important than the Master’s and Lady Wang’s?” Baoyu heard this, lowered his head, and said nothing.

Xiren was about to continue when she heard footsteps outside. Through the window someone asked, “Is Second Uncle in the room?” Baoyu heard it was Jia Lan’s voice, stood up, and said with a smile, “Come in.” Baochai also rose. Jia Lan came in and happily paid his respects to Baoyu and Baochai, and also greeted Xiren, who returned the greeting. Jia Lan handed the letter to Baoyu. After reading it, Baoyu said, “Your Third Aunt is coming back.” Jia Lan said, “Grandfather wrote so in the letter, so she must be coming.” Baoyu nodded, said nothing, and seemed lost in thought. Jia Lan asked, “Uncle, did you see what Grandfather wrote at the end, telling us to study well? I fear you have not written any essays lately?” Baoyu laughed. “I too must write a few to practice my style, so I can go to the examination and trick out a degree.” Jia Lan said, “Since Uncle plans so, why not set a few topics, and I will write along with Uncle, so we can enter the examination hall and not hand in blank papers and be laughed at. Not only would I be laughed at, but Uncle would be mocked too.” Baoyu said, “You will not be like that.” As he spoke, Baochai told Jia Lan to sit. Baoyu remained where he was, and Jia Lan sat sideways. The two talked about essays and grew happier as they spoke. Baochai saw uncle and nephew talking congenially and went into the inner room, wondering whether Baoyu might now have awakened. Only, he had just now approved only the four words “then stop there,” and she did not know what he meant by them. Baochai still had doubts. Xiren saw that Baoyu was willing to discuss essays and seemed pleased about the examination, and thought privately: Amitabha, it was not easy, but he has been persuaded back as if by the Four Books! Baoyu and Jia Lan continued discussing essays. Ying’er brought tea, and Jia Lan rose to take it. The two also talked of examination rules and said they planned to go to the examination with Zhen Baoyu. Baoyu seemed willing to hear it. Before long Jia Lan took leave, leaving the letter with Baoyu.

Baoyu took the letter, went smiling into the inner room, and gave it to Sheyue to put away. Then he came out, put away Zhuangzi, and called Sheyue, Qiuwen, Ying’er, and the others to bring out all the books he had formerly loved most—Cantong Qi, Yuanming Bao, Wudeng Huiyuan, and the like—and set them aside. When Baochai saw this, she was surprised and tested him with a smile: “Not reading these books is a good thing, but why move them all away?” Baoyu said, “Only now do I understand. These books are nothing. I truly wish I could burn them all clean, and then my heart would be at peace.” When Baochai heard this, she was very happy. Then she heard Baoyu softly recite: “In the words of the inner scriptures there is no Buddha-nature; beyond the method of the golden elixir there is a fairy boat.” Baochai did not hear all of it clearly. She only caught “no Buddha-nature” and “there is a fairy boat,” and began to doubt again. She planned to keep watching what Baoyu did next. Baoyu told Sheyue and Qiuwen to tidy a quiet room and put all kinds of recorded sayings, model essays, and examination poems in it. He truly settled down to study. Only then did Baochai set her heart at rest.

Xiren had never seen Baoyu like this. She quietly smiled and said to Baochai, “It is still Second Mistress’s reasoning that is thorough. One speech persuaded Second Master. It is a pity time is short and the examination is so near.” Baochai nodded and smiled. “Fame has its own fate. Whether he passes does not depend on whether he studies early or late. I only hope that from now on he will keep to the right path and never again touch those old demonic, heretical ideas.” Here, no one else was in the room, and Baochai lowered her voice. “This awakening is a good thing, but there is one worry: I fear his old illness may return and he will again entangle himself with girls. That would be bad.” Xiren said, “Second Mistress is right. Since Second Master believed the monk’s words, he grew cold toward the sisters. Now that he no longer believes the monk, I truly fear he may return to his old ways. I think Second Mistress was never close to Second Master often, and Zijuan has gone to serve Fourth Girl. Now there are only four maids left in the room. Wu’er is somewhat seductive. I hear her mother begged Elder Mistress and Second Mistress to let her be taken out and married, but for these two days she is still in the household. Sheyue and Qiuwen have no other intentions, but Second Master used to joke and play with them too. Counting them, only Ying’er has not drawn much of Second Master’s attention, and Ying’er is steady by nature. From now on, for serving tea and waiting on him, let Ying’er lead the young maids. What does Second Mistress think?” Baochai said, “I too worried about these things. Your arrangement will do.” From then on Ying’er was assigned to lead the young maids in serving Baoyu.

Baoyu indeed did not leave his room. Every day he only sent someone to pay respects to Lady Wang. When Lady Wang heard that Baoyu was studying so diligently, her relief need not be told. On the third day of the eighth month was the anniversary of Mother Jia’s death. Baoyu came in the morning to knock his head, then returned to his quiet room. After lunch, Baochai, Xiren, and the other women of the household kept Lady Xing and Lady Wang company in the front room, chatting. Baoyu sat alone in the quiet room. Suddenly Ying’er came in carrying a plate of melons and fruit. She said, “Lady Wang sent this for Second Master. These are offerings that were made before Old Ancestor.” Baoyu rose and answered, then sat down again. “Put them there.” Ying’er set down the fruit and quietly said to Baoyu, “Lady Wang is praising Second Master.” Baoyu smiled slightly. Ying’er went on, “Lady Wang said that now Second Master is studying well. Next year he will enter the examination and pass, and afterward take the imperial examination and become an official. Then the Master and Lady Wang’s years of hope will not be in vain.” Baoyu only nodded and smiled. Ying’er suddenly remembered how, years before in the garden, she had made a net for Baoyu, and what Baoyu had said then. She said, “If Second Master really passes, that will be our Mistress’s blessing. Does Second Master still remember that year in the garden, when you asked me to make a plum-blossom net, you said that in the future, when Mistress married, she would take me along, and no one knew what blessed household we would go to. Now Second Master is about to make something of himself.” When Baoyu heard this, a worldly thought stirred in his heart. He quickly reined in his mind and smiled lightly. “According to you, I am blessed, your mistress is blessed—and what about you?” Ying’er blushed at once and forced herself to say, “We are only maids for life. What blessing can we speak of?” Baoyu laughed. “If you can truly be content as a maid all your life, your blessing is greater than ours.” When Ying’er heard this, it seemed like the old mad talk again. She feared it would stir Baoyu’s old illness and wanted to take leave. Then she heard Baoyu say with a smile, “Silly girl, let me tell you something.” No one knew what Baoyu was about to say. Read the next chapter for the outcome.