Passing the Provincial Examination as Top Graduate, Baoyu Renounces the Dust of the World; Receiving Imperial Grace, the Jia Family Extends Its Hereditary Blessings

Ying'er saw that Baoyu's words were baffling and was just about to turn and leave when she heard him speak again: "Silly girl, let me tell you. Since your mistress has good fortune, you will naturally share in it by following her. Your Sister Xiren cannot be relied upon. From now on, just serve your mistress with all your heart. Perhaps in the future you will gain some benefit, and your years of toil with her will not have been in vain." Ying'er understood the first part well enough, but the latter part seemed strange again. She said, "I understand. My mistress is still waiting for me to return. If Second Master wants fruit, just send a young maid to call me." Baoyu nodded, and Ying'er left. Before long, Baochai and Xiren also returned to their own rooms. Let this matter rest for now.

A few days later came the day of the provincial examination. Everyone else hoped that Baoyu and Jia Lan, uncle and nephew, would write good essays and pass in one attempt. Only Baochai was uneasy. Although Baoyu studied diligently, there was always a cold, detached strangeness in his speech and manner. As the examination drew near, she had two worries. First, both uncle and nephew were entering the great examination for the first time, and the examination hall would be crowded; she feared some mishap. Second, since the monk had come, Baoyu had shut himself in and not gone out. Though she was glad to see him willing to study, his change had been too quick and too complete, which made her uneasy, and she feared some other turn. So on the day before the examination, she had Xiren lead the young maids, along with Suyun and others, to help uncle and nephew pack what they would need for the examination. She checked each item herself and put them away properly. At the same time, she and Li Wan reported to Lady Wang and chose experienced, reliable stewards from the household. They assigned several extra men to accompany them, saying only that they feared the crowds and wanted to look after them.

The next day, Baoyu and Jia Lan changed into clothes that were new but not showy and came to pay their respects to Lady Wang. Lady Wang instructed them: "You two, uncle and nephew, are entering the examination hall for the first time. You have grown up and never once left my side. Even when not before my eyes, there were always maids and old women around you. You have never spent a night alone outside. Today you enter the examination hall alone, with no kin in sight. You must take good care of yourselves. Finish your essays early, come out, find the family, and return as soon as possible, so that your mother and wife may be at ease." As she spoke, Lady Wang could not help weeping. Jia Lan answered each point seriously. Baoyu said nothing. When Lady Wang had finished, he came forward, knelt before her, and with eyes full of tears knocked his head three times. He said, "You gave me life and raised me, Mother, and I have nothing with which to repay you. Only this time in the examination hall will I write with all my heart and strive to pass as a provincial graduate. Then I will make you happy, and it will be the end of my duty as a son. All my past faults will be covered over." Lady Wang was even more grieved and said, "It is good that you have such a heart. It is only a pity Old Ancestor cannot see it with her own eyes!" She pulled him up. Baoyu still knelt and would not rise. He said, "Whether Old Ancestor can see it or not, she will know in her heart and be glad. As long as she knows and is glad, seeing or not seeing is the same. Only the body is separated; the spirit is not separated." Li Wan saw Lady Wang and Baoyu like this. First, she feared it would stir Baoyu's old illness. Second, she felt the mood was unlucky. She quickly came forward and urged, "Lady Wang, this is a happy occasion. Why grieve so? Besides, Brother Bao has lately been sensible and filial and willing to study. Let him take his nephew in, write well, and return early. When the essays are written, we will show them to the family's old friends and elders. When uncle and nephew both receive good news, all will be well." She told someone to help Baoyu up. Baoyu turned and bowed to Li Wan. He said, "Sister-in-law, set your mind at ease. We uncle and nephew will certainly pass. In the future, Brother Lan will go even farther. You will wear a phoenix crown and a phoenix robe." Li Wan laughed. "I hope Uncle's words come true, and that it will not be in vain—" Here she feared she would make Lady Wang grieve again and swallowed the rest. Baoyu laughed. "As long as you have a good son to carry on the family, even if Elder Brother cannot see it with his own eyes, his affairs after death will be complete." Li Wan saw that time was short and did not want to talk more. She nodded. Baochai, listening nearby, was stunned. Baoyu's words, together with what Lady Wang and Li Wan had just said, all seemed ominous, yet she did not dare take them seriously. She could only hold back her tears and say nothing.

Baoyu came before Baochai and bowed deeply. The others found his behavior strange and could not fathom his thoughts, but did not dare laugh. They saw Baochai's tears flowing without stop and were more puzzled than ever. Baoyu said, "Sister, I am going. Keep Lady Wang company and wait for my good news." Baochai said, "It is getting late. There is no need for such talk." Baoyu said, "You urge me so, but I know myself that it is time to go." He looked back and saw everyone present except Xichun and Zijuan. He said, "Please tell Fourth Sister and Sister Zijuan for me: when we meet again, all will be settled." The others heard this and found it reasonable, yet also like mad talk. They thought he had never been away from home and that Lady Wang's instructions had stirred him, so they urged him to set out quickly lest he miss the time. They said, "People are waiting outside. If you delay, you will be late for the examination." Baoyu threw back his head and laughed. "I am going, I am going! No more fooling about. Everything is about to be settled!" The others urged, "Go quickly." Only Lady Wang and Baochai, as if facing a parting of life and death, could not stop their tears and nearly wept aloud. Baoyu, however, laughed and joked, looking mad, and went out the door. As the saying goes:

He goes to seek fame and profit in a place without equal;
He breaks through the first barrier of the cage.

Let us set aside for now Baoyu and Jia Lan going out to the examination. Now Jia Huan, seeing them go to the examination, was both angry and resentful. He thought privately: Now I will avenge my mother. All the grown men in the house are away, and Lady Xing favors me. Whom should I fear? Having made up his mind, he went to Lady Xing to pay his respects and said a great deal of flattery. Lady Xing was pleased and said, "You are a sensible child. This marriage of Qiaojie's should be decided by me. Your Cousin Lian is muddled. With her own grandmother here, he entrusts her to others!" Jia Huan said, "The other side also says they recognize only our branch of the family. Once the marriage is settled, they will send Lady Xing a generous gift. In the future, when you have a grandson-in-law of princely rank, will you not be afraid that the Elder Master cannot become a great official again? It is not that I speak ill of our house, but at first we relied on Imperial Consort Yuan and oppressed others. If in the future Qiaojie is equally ungrateful, I will go and question her." Lady Xing said, "You should speak clearly to her and let her know your kindness. I fear that even if her father were at home, he could not find such a good match! It is only that muddled Ping'er who says this match is bad, and says Lady Wang is unwilling too. No doubt they fear we will gain the benefit. If we delay until your Second Brother returns and listens to others, the matter will not be done." Jia Huan said, "The other side has already agreed. They are only waiting for Lady Xing to send Qiaojie's eight characters. By the prince's rules, she must be brought over within three days. There is one thing, however, that Lady Xing may not be willing to accept: they say Qiaojie is the granddaughter of a criminal official, so she cannot be brought in openly as a bride. She can only be taken away quietly. When the Elder Master's crime is pardoned and his office restored, there will be a great feast to celebrate." Lady Xing said, "What is there to be unwilling about? By propriety it should be so." Jia Huan said, "Since that is so, Lady Xing need only give me the horoscope card." Lady Xing said, "You are muddled again. The household is all women. Tell Yun'er to write one and send it." Jia Huan was overjoyed. He quickly assented and withdrew, hurrying to find Jia Yun. He also called Wang Ren, and together they went to the outer prince's residence to write the document and hand over the silver.

But their conversation had been overheard by a maid beside Lady Xing. This maid had originally been recommended by Ping'er. She quickly found a chance to run to Ping'er and told her everything. Ping'er already knew the match was improper and had told Qiaojie the truth. Qiaojie had wept all night and was determined to wait for her father to decide. She would not obey Lady Xing. Hearing this now, she wept aloud and wanted to go complain to Lady Wang. Ping'er quickly stopped her. "Do not be rash, young lady. Lady Xing is your own grandmother. She says Jia Lian is not at home and she can decide, and your own uncle is matchmaker. They are all in league. You alone cannot argue with them. I am only a servant and my words carry no weight. For now we can only think of a way. We must not act rashly." The maid from Lady Xing's side said, "Make up your minds quickly, or they will soon come to carry the young lady away." Then she returned. Ping'er turned and saw Qiaojie trembling with weeping. She quickly supported her and said, "Young lady, weeping is of no use. Second Master is far away and cannot hurry back. From what they say—" Before she finished, someone came from Lady Xing to say, "The young lady's happy matter is settled. Tell Ping'er to pack the young lady's personal things. As for the dowry, it is agreed that it will be prepared when Second Master returns." Ping'er had to agree.

Before long Lady Wang also came. Qiaojie threw herself into Lady Wang's arms and wept. Lady Wang also wept and said, "Good child, do not be anxious. I argued with Lady Xing several times over your matter, but could not overcome her. We can only pretend to agree, delay, and send someone quickly to tell your father." Ping'er said, "Does Lady Wang not know? This morning Third Master said before Lady Xing that the outer prince's rule is to take the girl within three days. Lady Xing has already told Yun'er to write the young lady's horoscope and send it. How can we wait for Second Master to return!" When Lady Wang heard that Jia Huan had done this, she was so angry she could not speak for a long time. She called for Jia Huan again and again. The servants searched for a while and came back to report, "Jia Huan went out this morning with Jia Qiang and Uncle Wang." Lady Wang asked where Jia Yun was, and the servants said they did not know either. Everyone in Qiaojie's room looked at one another, at a loss. Lady Wang could not well quarrel with Lady Xing again. They could only weep together.

Then an old woman came in and announced, "The back gate keeper says Granny Liu has come again." Lady Wang said, "The household is in such trouble. Who has time to receive her? Find some excuse and send her away." Ping'er said, "Lady Wang, better ask her in. She is Qiaojie's godmother. We should tell her of this." Lady Wang did not object, and the old woman brought Granny Liu in. They exchanged greetings. Granny Liu saw that everyone's eyes were red and did not know what had happened. After a moment she asked, "What is the matter? Are the ladies and young ladies missing Second Aunt?" When Qiaojie heard her mother mentioned, she wept even more bitterly. Ping'er said, "Granny, say no idle words. Since you are the young lady's godmother, you should know of this." She told Granny Liu the whole matter from beginning to end. Granny Liu was stunned. After a long while she suddenly laughed. "Such a clever young lady—have you never heard storytelling? There are many ways to deal with this. What is so difficult?" Ping'er quickly asked, "What plan do you have, Granny? Tell us quickly!" Granny Liu said, "What is difficult? We slip away quietly without anyone knowing and take the young lady to my country farm to hide. Then the matter is broken." Ping'er said, "You are talking nonsense! How could a young lady of a great household like ours run away?" Granny Liu said, "I only fear you will not go. If you are willing, come to my village. I will hide the young lady, and at once send my son-in-law to find someone to take a letter in the young lady's own hand and hurry to find your Master Jia Lian. When he receives the letter, he will certainly hurry back to save her. Would that not settle it?" Ping'er asked, "What if Lady Xing finds out?" Granny Liu said, "Does Lady Xing know I have come?" Ping'er said, "Lady Xing lives in the back courtyard and is harsh. News does not easily reach her. If you had come through the front gate, she would surely know. But you came through the back gate, so it is safe." Granny Liu said, "Let us set a time, and I will have my son-in-law bring a cart to fetch her." Ping'er said, "There is no time to wait. You sit first." Ping'er hurried into the inner room, avoided the others, and reported Granny Liu's plan to Lady Wang. Lady Wang thought it over for a long time and still felt it was improper. Ping'er said, "There is no other way now. That is why I dare report it truthfully. Lady Wang can pretend to know nothing and afterward ask Lady Xing for the girl. We will arrange an escort, and I think Second Master will soon return." Lady Wang was silent and sighed. Qiaojie heard and took Lady Wang's hand. "I only beg Lady Wang to save me. When Father returns, he will be grateful to you." Ping'er said, "Say no more. Lady Wang, go back first. Later, please send someone to keep things calm in the household." Lady Wang instructed, "It must be kept secret. You two must prepare your clothes and bedding." Ping'er said, "We must set out as soon as possible. Once they fix the day, it will be too late." These words woke Lady Wang. She said, "Good. You arrange it quickly. I will cover for you here." So Lady Wang returned and deliberately went to chat with Lady Xing, keeping her occupied. Ping'er arranged people and instructed the servants, "Do not deliberately hide it. If anyone sees, say Lady Xing ordered a cart to send Granny Liu back to the country." She also bribed the back gate keeper and hired a carriage. Ping'er dressed Qiaojie as Qing'er and hurried her into the carriage. Then Ping'er pretended to see Granny Liu off and, when no one was looking, jumped into the carriage and left with them.

Recently, although the back gate of the Jia house was open, only one or two people guarded it. The household had a large compound and few servants, so it was cold and quiet, and no one bothered to examine closely. Lady Xing usually treated the servants harshly. Everyone knew the marriage was wrong and remembered Ping'er's usual kindness. So they conspired together and quietly let Qiaojie go. Lady Xing was still chatting with Lady Wang and noticed nothing. Lady Wang was uneasy. After accompanying Lady Xing a while, she quietly went to Baochai's room and sat down, still thinking of Qiaojie. Baochai saw Lady Wang's distracted look and asked, "What trouble weighs on your mind, Lady Wang?" Lady Wang quietly told Baochai about Qiaojie. Baochai said, "How dangerous! We must quickly call Jia Yun to stop the matter on the other side." Lady Wang said, "I cannot find Jia Huan." Baochai said, "Lady Wang, pretend to know nothing. I will find a way to let Lady Xing know quietly." Lady Wang nodded and let Baochai arrange it. Of this no more for now.

Now as for that outer prince, he had originally only intended to buy a few maidservants. Hearing only the matchmaker's one-sided words, he had sent someone to inspect the girl. The inspector returned and reported to the prince. The prince asked about the girl's family background, and the servant did not dare conceal it, but reported truthfully. When the outer prince heard, he knew this was a hereditary noble family of merit and quickly said, "This is bad! This violates the court's prohibition and nearly caused great disaster! Besides, my audience with the Emperor is finished, and I will soon choose a day to set out. If anyone comes again to propose this marriage, send them away at once." Just then Jia Yun and Wang Ren brought Qiaojie's horoscope. The prince's gatekeeper said, "By the prince's order, whoever dares pass off a Jia family girl as a common woman for sale will be seized and punished. In these peaceful times, who dares be so bold?" At this shout, Wang Ren and the others fled in panic, blaming the matchmaker, and dispersed in disappointment.

Jia Huan was waiting at home for news. Hearing that Lady Wang was looking for him, he was restless. Seeing Jia Yun return alone, he hurried forward and asked, "Is it settled?" Jia Yun stamped his foot in distress. "Bad, bad! I do not know who leaked the news!" He told how the prince's house had refused. Jia Huan was stunned. He said, "I spoke so well before Lady Xing this morning. What shall we do now? You people have ruined me!" As the two were at a loss, they heard someone inside summon Jia Huan and the others, saying Lady Xing and Lady Wang wanted them. The two had to go in slowly. Lady Wang said angrily, "You have done a fine thing! Now you have driven Qiaojie and Ping'er to seek death. Go quickly and bring back their bodies to account for it!" Jia Huan knelt and did not dare speak. Jia Yun lowered his head and said, "Your grandson did not dare do anything bad. It was Uncle Xing and Uncle Wang who said they would arrange a match for Cousin Qiaojie. We reported it to the ladies. After Lady Xing agreed, she told your grandson to write the horoscope and send it. The other side was unwilling. How can you say we drove the girl to death?" Lady Wang said, "Huan'er said before Lady Xing that she was to be taken away within three days. What kind of matchmaking is that! I will not question you further. Bring Qiaojie back quickly and wait for the Master to return to deal with you." Lady Xing could not say a word and could only weep silently. Lady Wang scolded Jia Huan again: "Concubine Zhao was a muddled thing, and her son is just as muddled!" Then she told a maid to support her back to her room.

Jia Huan, Jia Yun, and Lady Xing blamed one another. Lady Xing said, "Do not blame one another for now. I think the girl is probably not dead. Ping'er must have taken Qiaojie to hide with some relative." Lady Xing called the servants at the front and back gates and questioned them sternly about Qiaojie and Ping'er. But the servants all said the same: "Lady Xing need not ask us. Ask the masters who manage the household. Lady Xing need not be angry. When Lady Wang asks, we will have our own words. If there is beating, we will all be beaten; if there is punishment, we will all be punished. Since Second Master Lian left, the masters outside have made a terrible mess! Monthly allowances and grain have been withheld. They gamble and drink outside and even bring outside women into the house. These are the masters' doings." These words left Jia Yun and the others speechless. Lady Wang's side sent someone again to urge, "Tell the masters to find the girl quickly." Jia Huan and the others were frantic and had nowhere to hide. They did not dare question Qiaojie's servants. They knew the servants resented them and must have helped hide the girl, but they did not dare tell Lady Wang. They could only inquire at every relative's house and found no trace. Lady Xing fretted at home, Jia Huan and the others rushed about outside, and for several days the household was in turmoil day and night.

Soon came the day for the candidates to leave the examination hall. Lady Wang longed for Baoyu and Jia Lan to return. By noon neither had appeared. Lady Wang, Li Wan, and Baochai grew anxious and sent people to inquire at their lodgings. The people sent did not return with news, and more were sent, still with no word. The three felt as if fried in hot oil. By evening someone came in. It was Jia Lan. Everyone quickly asked, "Where is your Second Uncle Bao?" Jia Lan had no time to pay his respects. He wept and said, "Second Uncle is gone." When Lady Wang heard this, she was stunned. For a long time she could not speak, then fell straight back onto the bed. Fortunately Caiyun and the others caught her from behind and called her back. Lady Wang wept aloud. Baochai's eyes went straight. Xiren wept like a figure of tears and reproached Jia Lan: "Muddled child! You were with your Second Uncle. How could you lose him?" Jia Lan said, "Second Uncle and I stayed together, ate together, and slept together. After entering the examination hall, our seats were not far apart, and we looked after each other. This morning Second Uncle finished his paper early and waited for me. We handed in our papers together and walked out together. At the gate there was a great crowd. When I turned my head, Second Uncle was gone. The family's people who came to meet us all asked me. Li Gui said he had just seen him, only a few steps away, and in the crush he disappeared. I have already told Li Gui and the others to search everywhere. I also took people through all the examination cells, but there was no trace. That is why I have come back so late to report." Lady Wang wept so hard she could not speak. Baochai had already guessed eight or nine parts. Xiren wept without stopping. Jia Qiang and the others, without waiting for orders, went out separately to search. Pitiful indeed—everyone in the Rongguo House was grief-stricken and despairing. The wine and food prepared to welcome the candidates were all wasted. Jia Lan, despite his exhaustion, wanted to go out searching himself. Lady Wang held him back. "My child, your uncle is already lost. We cannot lose you too. Good child, rest first." Jia Lan refused. Lady You and the others urged him earnestly. Among them, only Xichun understood the truth but could not speak plainly. She asked Baochai, "When Second Brother went out, did he take the Magic Jade?" Baochai said, "It was his constant companion. How could he not take it?" Xichun heard and said no more. Xiren remembered the old matter of someone trying to seize Baoyu's jade and guessed it was the monk's doing. Her heart was torn, and tears flowed without end. She thought back on Baoyu's former affection for her. Sometimes when she angered him, he would be angry, but in a moment he would be gentle again. When she had once provoked him, he had sworn to leave the world. Who would have thought that today it would come true? Unknowingly it reached the fourth watch, and still there was no news of Baoyu. Li Wan, worried Lady Wang would grieve too much, urged her earnestly to return to her room and rest. The others attended her. Lady Xing went back alone. Jia Huan did not dare show himself. Lady Wang told Jia Lan to go and rest. She did not sleep all night. At dawn the next day, servants came back one after another and reported that they had searched everywhere and found no trace of Baoyu. Aunt Xue, Xue Ke, Shi Xiangyun, Baoqin, Aunt Li, and the others came one after another to visit and ask for news.

Thus several days passed. Lady Wang wept day and night and could not eat. Her health weakened, and her life was in danger. Suddenly a servant came in and announced, "Someone has come from the coastal region, sent by the Commandant. Our Third Girl will return to the capital tomorrow." When Lady Wang heard that Tanchun was coming back, although her heart still ached over Baoyu, she felt a little steadier. The next day Tanchun indeed arrived. Everyone went far to welcome her. They saw that Tanchun was more spirited than before and richly dressed. When she saw Lady Wang worn and haggard and everyone's eyes red and swollen, she could not help weeping bitterly. After weeping she paid her respects. Seeing Xichun dressed as a Daoist nun, she felt very grieved. Hearing also that Baoyu had disappeared after the examination and that one trouble after another had befallen the household, everyone wept together again. Fortunately Tanchun was eloquent and clear-sighted. She gradually comforted everyone for a long time, and Lady Wang calmed a little. The next day the Third Son-in-law also came. Learning of all the changes in the household, Tanchun stayed to help soothe the family. The maids and old women who had come with Tanchun gathered with the sisters in the household and told one another what had happened since they parted. From then on, everyone in the household, high and low, waited day and night for news of Baoyu.

One night, at the fifth watch, several servants ran to the second gate with good news. A young maid hurried in and, without waiting to announce to the senior maids, said directly, "Great news, Lady Wang and Mistresses!" Lady Wang thought Baoyu had been found and rose joyfully. "Where was he found? Bring him in quickly." The servant said, "Second Master Bao passed as the seventh provincial graduate." Lady Wang asked, "Where is Baoyu himself?" The servant was silent, and Lady Wang sat down again. Tanchun asked, "Who is seventh?" The servant answered, "Second Master Bao." As he spoke, someone outside shouted again, "Master Lan has passed!" The servant hurried out to receive the good news and reported that Jia Lan had passed as the one hundred thirtieth. Li Wan was happy at heart, but because Lady Wang had lost Baoyu, she did not dare show her joy. Lady Wang, seeing that Jia Lan had passed, felt somewhat comforted. She thought, "If Baoyu could return safely, how happy our family would be!" Only Baochai was bitter at heart and could not weep. Everyone offered congratulations, saying, "Since Baoyu was destined to pass, he cannot have come to harm. Who under heaven ever passed as a provincial graduate and then vanished into thin air?" Lady Wang thought this reasonable and showed a little smile. Everyone took the chance to urge Lady Wang to eat something. Then outside the third gate, Mingyan shouted, "Our Second Master has passed as a provincial graduate. He cannot be lost!" Everyone asked him, "What makes you say so?" Mingyan said, "Once a man achieves fame, the whole world knows. Wherever Second Master goes now, everyone will know. Who would dare not send him back?" Everyone in the room said, "Though the boy speaks without manners, his words are right." But Xichun said, "Such a grown man—how could he simply be lost? I fear he saw through the red dust and left the world. Then he will be hard to find." These words made Lady Wang and the others weep again. Li Wan said, "Since ancient times, many have abandoned fame and wealth to cultivate the Way and attain the truth." Lady Wang wept, "If he abandons his parents, that is unfilial. How could he attain the fruit of the Way?" Tanchun said, "A person cannot be too different from others. Second Brother was born with that jade, and everyone said it was a good thing. Now it seems the jade caused all this trouble. If after a few more days he is still not found, then, though it grieves you, Lady Wang, I fear there is a reason, and you must think of it as if you had never borne this son. If he truly has an origin and attains the fruit of the Way, that too is a blessing earned through several lifetimes." Baochai heard and said nothing. Xiren could bear no more. A pain struck her heart, her vision darkened, and she fell to the ground. Lady Wang, seeing this, was grieved and told someone to help her back to her room to rest. Jia Huan saw that his elder brother and nephew had passed and, because of the Qiaojie affair, felt ashamed. He could only blame Jia Qiang and Jia Yun. Knowing Tanchun had returned, he knew the matter would not be easily settled, and did not dare hide. These days he felt as if years passed in a day.

The next day Jia Lan first went to thank the Emperor for the favor. He learned that Zhen Baoyu had also passed as a provincial graduate, and the two became同年. When people spoke of Jia Baoyu's disappearance after the examination, Zhen Baoyu sighed and comforted him. The chief examiner submitted the successful papers to the Emperor. The Emperor read them one by one and found all the essays smooth and proper. He saw that the seventh, Jia Baoyu, was registered from Jinling, and the one hundred thirtieth, Jia Lan, was also from Jinling. The Emperor asked whether these two Jia candidates from Jinling were of Imperial Consort Jia's family. The minister received the order and summoned Jia Lan for questioning. Jia Lan explained that Baoyu had disappeared after the examination and gave the family's three generations of records. The minister reported it for him. The Emperor, in his benevolence, remembered the Jia family's past merit and ordered the minister to investigate the details. The minister reported the circumstances in full. The Emperor was moved to compassion and ordered the officials concerned to examine Jia She's case and report. The Emperor also saw the memorial that the coastal region was pacified and the troops were returning victorious. The country was peaceful and the people secure, and the Emperor was greatly pleased. He ordered the Nine Ministers to assess the rewards for the meritorious and proclaimed a general amnesty. When Jia Lan and the other court officials left court and paid their respects to their teachers, they heard the news of the general amnesty and returned to report to Lady Wang. Only then did the whole family show a little joy. They still hoped for Baoyu's return. Aunt Xue was especially happy and planned to redeem the Xue family.

One day a servant announced that Master Zhen and the Third Son-in-law had come to offer congratulations. Lady Wang told Jia Lan to go out and receive them. Before long Jia Lan returned smiling and reported, "Great news, ladies! Old Master Zhen heard in court the imperial decree: the Elder Master Jia She's crime is pardoned; Master Zhen Jia Zhen is not only pardoned but retains his hereditary third-rank title of the Ningguo House. The hereditary title of the Rongguo House is to be inherited by Master Jia Zheng, and when his mourning period ends, he will be promoted to Vice Director of the Ministry of Works. All the confiscated property is to be returned. The Emperor greatly admired Second Uncle's essays and knows he is the younger brother of Imperial Consort Yuan. Prince Bejing also praised his conduct. The Emperor wished to summon Second Uncle. The minister reported that, according to your nephew Jia Lan, Second Uncle disappeared after the examination and is being sought everywhere. The Emperor ordered the five city garrisons and all yamen to search carefully. With this imperial grace, ladies, set your minds at ease. Second Uncle will surely be found." Lady Wang and the others all offered congratulations, full of joy. Only Jia Huan and the others were anxious and continued searching everywhere for Qiaojie.

Now Qiaojie had followed Granny Liu and Ping'er out of the city to the country farm. Granny Liu did not dare neglect Qiaojie. She cleaned the main room for Qiaojie and Ping'er. Though the food was country fare, it was clean and neat. Qing'er kept Qiaojie company, and for the time being she was at ease. Several well-to-do families in the village heard that a young lady of the Jia family had come and came to visit, saying she was like a fairy from heaven. Some brought melons and fruit, some brought game, and it was very lively. There was a rich man in the area named Zhou, with vast wealth and a thousand acres of good land. He had only one son, fourteen years old, refined and handsome, studying with a tutor, who had just passed as a xiucai. That day Mrs. Zhou saw Qiaojie and admired her greatly. She thought privately, "We are only a farming family. How could we be worthy of such a noble young lady?" She sat lost in thought. Granny Liu saw her mind and drew her aside. "I understand your thoughts. I will be matchmaker for the two families." Mrs. Zhou laughed. "Do not tease me, Granny. What is their station? How could they marry into a farming family?" Granny Liu said, "We shall see." The two went their separate ways.

Granny Liu was concerned for news of the Jia house and sent Ban'er into the city to inquire. That day Ban'er came to Ningrong Street and saw many carriages and horses before the house. Ban'er asked a bystander, and someone said, "The Ningguo and Rongguo Houses have been restored to office. All the confiscated property is returned, and the Jia family will flourish again. Only, Baoyu passed as a provincial graduate and then disappeared." Ban'er was delighted. He was about to return when he saw several horsemen come to the gate and dismount. The gate servants greeted them: "Second Master is back! Great joy! Is the Elder Master's health better?" The man laughed. "Much better. And with the general amnesty, he will soon return." He asked, "What are all these people doing here?" The gate servant replied, "The Emperor has sent officials to read the decree and let us take back the family property." Ban'er recognized the man as Jia Lian. There was no need to ask more. He hurried back to the country and told his grandmother. Granny Liu was overjoyed and went to tell Qiaojie the good news, repeating what Ban'er had learned. Ping'er laughed. "Indeed. Thanks to Granny's plan, the young lady could wait until today." Qiaojie was even happier. As they spoke, the person sent to carry the letter to Jia Lian also returned and said, "The young master was very grateful. He instructed that as soon as I arrived home I should bring the young lady back, and he rewarded me with several taels of silver." Granny Liu was very happy. She arranged two carriages and helped Qiaojie and Ping'er into them. Qiaojie had stayed so long at Granny Liu's that she was reluctant to leave, and Qing'er wept and would not part with her. Granny Liu saw they could not bear to separate, so she told Qing'er to come with them into the city. The party went straight to the Rongguo House.

Now Jia Lian had earlier heard that Jia She was gravely ill and had hurried to the place of exile. Father and son met and wept bitterly. Jia She's illness gradually improved. Jia Lian received the family letter and learned of Qiaojie's trouble. He reported to Jia She and set out for home. On the way he heard of the general amnesty and traveled day and night. Today he had just arrived home and happened to meet the officials who had come to read the decree restoring the property. Lady Xing and the others were anxious that no one was there to receive the decree, and Jia Lan was too young. When the servant announced Jia Lian's return, everyone met with mingled grief and joy. There was no time to speak of family matters in detail. Jia Lian went at once to the front hall to pay his respects to the imperial envoy. He asked after his father's health and said he would go the next day to the authorities to receive the returned property. The Ningguo House residence was also to be returned to the Jia family. The imperial envoy rose to take leave, and Jia Lian saw him to the gate. He saw several country carriages stopped at the gate, and the servants were blocking them and arguing. Jia Lian recognized at once the carriage that had brought Qiaojie back. He cursed the servants: "You muddled creatures! While I was away, you betrayed your masters and drove Qiaojie away. Now that she has been sent back, you still block her. Do you hate me?" The servants had feared Jia Lian would return and blame them, and had hoped to conceal the matter for a while. They had not expected Jia Lian to know everything. They could only stand and answer, "After Second Master left, some of us were ill, some asked for leave. The household affairs were managed by Third Master, Master Qiang, and Master Yun. It has nothing to do with us." Jia Lian said, "Muddled creatures! When I have dealt with this matter, I will settle with you. Bring the carriages in!"

Jia Lian entered the house and first went to see Lady Xing. He said little, then turned and went to Lady Wang. He knelt and knocked his head. "Qiaojie has returned safely, all thanks to Lady Wang's protection. As for Brother Huan, Lady Wang need not say much. But Jia Yun—when he watched the house before, he caused trouble. During the months I was away, he made such a great mess. I report to Lady Wang: this kind of person should simply be driven out and no longer associated with." Lady Wang said, "How did your Uncle Wang Ren also get involved?" Jia Lian said, "Lady Wang need not concern herself. I will deal with it myself." As he spoke, Caiyun and the others announced, "Qiaojie has come in." Qiaojie paid her respects to Lady Wang. Though they had been parted only a short time, remembering her flight, she could not keep from weeping aloud. Jia Lian thanked Granny Liu. Lady Wang made Granny Liu sit and told of how Qiaojie had been in danger. Jia Lian saw Ping'er. With outsiders present, he could not say much, but he was deeply grateful and his eyes filled with tears. From then on Jia Lian respected Ping'er even more and planned, when Jia She returned, to raise Ping'er to wife. This is later talk.

Lady Xing had been uneasy, fearing Jia Lian would return and investigate Qiaojie's disappearance. Hearing that Jia Lian was in Lady Wang's room, she grew more anxious and sent a maid to inquire. The maid returned and reported that Qiaojie was there talking with Granny Liu. Lady Xing then awoke as from a dream and understood the scheme. She even blamed Lady Wang: "Stirring up discord between mother and son—who told Ping'er?" As she spoke, Qiaojie came with Granny Liu and Ping'er, and Lady Wang followed behind. Everyone laid all the fault on Jia Yun and Wang Ren, saying, "Lady Xing at first also listened to others and thought it a good thing. How could she know there was a trap outside?" Lady Xing heard and was ashamed. Thinking carefully, Lady Wang's earlier misgivings had indeed been right, and she secretly conceded. The conflict between Lady Xing and Lady Wang was settled.

Ping'er took leave of Lady Wang and brought Qiaojie to Baochai's room to pay their respects and tell of their hardships. They also said, "The Emperor has shown great grace, and our family will flourish again. I think Second Master Bao will return one day." As they spoke, Qiuwen hurried in. "Xiren is not well!" No one knew what had happened to Xiren. Read the next chapter for the outcome.