Pretty Pinger Tactfully Conceals the Shrimp-Whisker Bracelet; Brave Qingwen, Though Ill, Mends the Peacock Gold Cloak

Grandmother Jia said, “That is exactly what I mean. Last time I wanted to mention it, but I saw you had too many important matters on your hands. Now these other things have come up besides. You may not dare complain, but you must be thinking that I only care about spoiling these little grandsons and granddaughters of mine, and do not consider you who run the household. Since you have spoken of it, so much the better.” Aunt Xue and Aunt Li were both present, and Lady Xing and You-shi, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, had also come to pay their respects and had not yet left. Grandmother Jia said to Lady Wang and the others, “Today I have finally said this. I did not say it ordinarily for two reasons: first, I was afraid it would make that girl Xifeng too pleased with herself; second, the others would not be convinced. Today you are all here, and you have all been sisters-in-law and sisters. Is there anyone else who could think of such things as she does?” Aunt Xue, Aunt Li, You-shi, and the rest all laughed and said, “Truly, few could. Others only make polite, face-saving gestures. She truly loves her younger brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. And toward you, Old Ancestor, she is truly filial.” Grandmother Jia nodded and sighed, “Though I love her, I fear that being too clever is not always a good thing.” Xifeng quickly laughed, “Old Ancestor, that is wrong. Everyone says that those who are too clever and sharp-witted will not live long. Everyone says it and everyone believes it, but you, Old Ancestor, should not say it and should not believe it. You are ten times more clever and sharp-witted than I am—how is it that you now have both such good fortune and such long life? I am afraid tomorrow I may be twice as good as you! I will live to a thousand, and only after you have passed away to the West will I die.” Grandmother Jia laughed, “If everyone else is dead and only we two old sprites are left, what fun would there be in that?” Everyone laughed.

Baoyu, worried about Qingwen, Xiren, and the others, went back to the garden first. When he reached the room, the scent of medicine filled it. Not a person was to be seen. Qingwen alone lay on the kang, her face burning red. He touched her and found her skin scorching. He quickly warmed his hands at the brazier, then reached under the covers and felt her body; it too was burning hot. He said, “It is one thing for the others to go, but Sheyue and Qiuwen are so heartless—they each went off by themselves?” Qingwen said, “I sent Qiuwen away to eat. Pinger came just now and called Sheyue out. The two of them were secretive; I do not know what they were talking about. It must be that I am ill and have not gone out.” Baoyu said, “Pinger is not that kind of person. Besides, she did not know you were ill and come specially to see you. I think she must have come to talk with Sheyue, and happened to see you were ill, and casually said she had come to see you. That is the common way of sensible people smoothing things over. Even if you did not go out, what fault is that of hers? You have always been on good terms. She would never hurt your feelings over a matter that does not concern her.” Qingwen said, “That is true too, but I wonder why she suddenly hid it from me.” Baoyu laughed, “Let me go out the back door and listen under the window. Then I will come back and tell you.” With that, he indeed went out the back door and crept under the window to listen.

He heard Sheyue ask softly, “How did you get it back?” Pinger said, “The day it disappeared, when we were washing our hands, the Second Mistress would not allow any noise about it. As soon as she left the garden, she sent word to the matrons everywhere in the garden to investigate carefully. We only suspected Miss Xing’s maid. She is poor, and we thought perhaps the child had never seen such a thing and picked it up. We never expected it was someone here. Fortunately the Second Mistress was not in the room. Your Nanny Song went and brought this bracelet, saying the little maid Zhui’er had stolen it and she had seen her, so she came to report to the Second Mistress. I hurriedly took the bracelet and thought: Baoyu is especially attentive to you people and wants to excel and be strong. A year or two ago, when Liang’er stole jade, after it had barely cooled down, people still brought it up with satisfaction. Now another one has appeared who steals gold—and she even stole from a neighbor’s house. It is just his luck that his own people should be disgraced. So I hurriedly warned Nanny Song not to tell Baoyu at all, to act as if nothing had happened, and not to mention it to anyone. Second, if the old lady and Lady Wang heard, they would be angry too. Third, it would look bad for Xiren and you. So I told the Second Mistress, ‘I went to Madam Li’s. The bracelet’s clasp must have slipped, and it fell under the grass roots. The snow was deep and I did not see it. Today the snow has melted, and it was shining yellow in the sun. It was still there, so I picked it up.’ The Second Mistress believed me. That is why I came to tell you. From now on, keep an eye on her. Do not send her out on errands. When Xiren comes back, discuss it and find some way to send her away.” Sheyue said, “That little wretch has seen things enough—how can she be so petty?” Pinger said, “After all, how much can this bracelet weigh? The Second Mistress said it is called a shrimp-whisker bracelet. The pearl is the best part. Qingwen is a piece of live coal. If she were told, she could not hold back. If she got angry, she might beat or scold her and raise a fuss, which would be bad. So I am telling only you to keep watch.” With that, she took her leave and went.

Baoyu, hearing this, was happy, angry, and grieved all at once. He was happy that Pinger could be so considerate of him. He was angry that Zhui’er had stolen. He grieved that a clever girl like Zhui’er should do such a shameful thing. He went back into the room and told Qingwen Pinger’s words, piece by piece. He added, “She said you are proud and strong-willed. Since you are ill now, hearing this would make you worse. She will tell you when you are better.” Hearing this, Qingwen was indeed so angry that her moth eyebrows drew together and her phoenix eyes opened wide. She immediately called for Zhui’er. Baoyu quickly urged, “If you shout it out, will you not be betraying Pinger’s kindness to us? Better to accept her favor and send her away later.” Qingwen said, “Even so, how can I swallow this anger?” Baoyu said, “What is there to be angry about? Just rest and get well.”

Qingwen took her medicine. In the evening she took a second dose. During the night she perspired a little, but there was still no effect. She still had fever, headache, stuffy nose, and a heavy voice. The next day Doctor Wang came again, examined her, and changed the decoction slightly. Although the fever had lessened a little, her head still hurt. Baoyu told Sheyue, “Bring the snuff and let her sniff some. If she sneezes hard a few times, her passages will open.” Sheyue indeed went and brought a flat glass box with gold inlay and double clasps, and handed it to Baoyu. Baoyu opened the lid. Inside was a Western enamel painting of a yellow-haired naked woman with fleshy wings at her ribs, and inside was real Wangqia foreign snuff. Qingwen only looked at the picture. Baoyu said, “Sniff some. If it loses its strength, it will not be good.” Hearing this, Qingwen quickly took some on her fingernail and sniffed it. It had little effect. So she took a larger pinch and sniffed it. Suddenly she felt a sour, pungent sensation pierce to the crown of her head, and she sneezed five or six times in succession. Tears and mucus flowed at once. Qingwen quickly closed the box and laughed, “Wonderful! How refreshing! Bring paper.” A little maid had already handed over a stack of fine paper. Qingwen used one sheet after another to wipe her nose. Baoyu laughed and asked, “How is it?” Qingwen laughed, “I do feel a little clearer, but my temples still hurt.” Baoyu laughed, “We may as well treat it thoroughly with Western medicine. I think it will be better.” He told Sheyue, “Go and ask the Second Mistress for some. Tell her I said so. She often has that Western ointment for headaches called ‘Yifuna.’ Find a little.” Sheyue agreed and went. After some time she came back with half a stick. They found a piece of red satin, cut two round pieces the size of fingertips, warmed and mixed the medicine, and spread it on with the shaft of a hairpin. Qingwen held a hand mirror herself and stuck them on her temples. Sheyue laughed, “You look like a disheveled ghost when ill, but with these on you look quite pert. The Second Mistress wears them so often they hardly show.” Then she said to Baoyu, “The Second Mistress says tomorrow is the old uncle’s birthday, and Lady Wang says you are to go. What clothes will you wear tomorrow? We should get them ready tonight so you do not have to fuss in the morning.” Baoyu said, “Whatever is handy. Birthdays come around so often one cannot keep track.” With that, he rose and went out to Xichun’s room to look at the painting.

Just as he reached the gate of the courtyard, he saw Baoqin’s little maid Xiaoluo passing by. Baoyu hurried to catch up and asked, “Where are you going?” Xiaoluo laughed, “Both our young ladies are in Miss Lin’s room. I am going there too.” Hearing this, Baoyu turned and went with her to Bamboo Lodge. Not only were Baochai and her sister there, but Xing Xiuyan as well. The four were sitting around the warming frame chatting about family matters. Zijuan sat in the warm chamber by the window doing needlework. When they saw him come in, they all laughed, “Here comes another one! There is no place for you to sit.” Baoyu laughed, “What a fine ‘Winter Boudoir Gathering of Beauties’! It is a pity I came a step late. Anyway, this room is warmer than the others, so sitting on this chair is not cold.” He sat on the chair Daiyu usually sat on, which had a gray-squirrel cover. He noticed in the warm chamber a long jade basin with a single-petaled narcissus planted in it, set with Xuan stones. He praised it lavishly: “What a fine flower! The warmer this room is, the more delicate its fragrance. I did not see it yesterday.” Daiyu said, “This was sent by your chief steward Lai Da’s wife to Miss Xue. Two pots of winter plum and two of narcissus. She gave me one pot of narcissus, and gave Tanchun one pot of winter plum. I did not want it at first, but I was afraid of disappointing her. If you want it, shall I pass it on to you?” Baoyu said, “I have two pots in my room, but they are not as good as this. Cousin Baoqin gave it to you—how can you pass it on to someone else? That will never do.” Daiyu said, “My medicine pot never leaves the fire. I am practically cultivated by medicine. How could I stand the fragrance of flowers smoking me? I would only grow weaker. Besides, this room has a medicinal smell that spoils the flower’s fragrance. Better you take it away. Then the flower will be clean, with no mixed odors to disturb it.” Baoyu laughed, “There is also someone in my room today boiling medicine for an invalid. How did you know?” Daiyu laughed, “That is strange. It was only an idle remark. How could I know what happens in your room? You did not come earlier to hear the old stories, and now that you have come, you are all startled and suspicious.”

Baoyu laughed, “Tomorrow when we have our next poetry meeting, we will have a topic: the narcissus and winter plum.” Daiyu laughed, “No, no! I dare not write poetry again. Every time I write, I am punished. It is too shameful.” She covered her face with both hands. Baoyu laughed, “Why must you tease me? I am not ashamed, yet you cover your face.” Baochai laughed, “Next time I will invite a meeting with four poem topics and four ci topics. Each person will write four poems and four ci. The first poem topic will be ‘On the Diagram of the Great Ultimate,’ limited to the ‘xian’ rhyme, in five-character regulated verse, and every rhyme in the ‘xian’ category must be used up, not one left.” Baoqin laughed, “From that, one can tell you are not sincerely forming a poetry club. You are clearly making things difficult. If it came to it, one could force something out, but it would only be turning the words of the Book of Changes upside down and stuffing them in. What fun would there be in that? When I was eight, I went with my father to the coast of the Western Sea to buy foreign goods. There was a girl from the country of Zhenzhen, only fifteen. Her face was like the beauties in Western paintings. She had yellow hair, wore double braids, and was covered with coral, cat’s-eye, emerald, and other gems. She wore a foreign brocade jacket with sleeves like chain mail woven of gold thread, and carried a Japanese sword inlaid with gold and jewels. Even in a painting one would not find anyone prettier. Someone said she understood Chinese poetry and books, could discuss the Five Classics, and could write poems and ci. So my father asked an interpreter to beg her to write a piece of calligraphy—it was a poem she had written.” Everyone exclaimed at this. Baoyu quickly laughed, “Good sister, bring it out and let me see.” Baoqin laughed, “It is put away in Nanjing. How could I get it now?” Baoyu was greatly disappointed and said, “I have no luck to see such a wonder.” Daiyu laughingly pulled Baoqin and said, “Do not fool us. I know that when you came this time, you would not have left these things at home. You must have brought them. Now you are lying and saying you did not. They may believe you, but I do not.” Baoqin blushed, lowered her head, and smiled without speaking. Baochai laughed, “Daiyu is always saying such plain truths. She makes you look clever.” Daiyu said, “If you brought it, just let us see it.” Baochai laughed, “There are piles of boxes and trunks not yet sorted. Who knows which one it is in? When we have time to sort them, we will find it and everyone can look.” She said to Baoqin, “If you remember it, why not recite it for us?” Baoqin then answered, “I remember it is a five-character regulated verse. For a foreign girl, it is quite remarkable.” Baochai said, “Do not recite it yet. Wait until we call Xiangyun so she can hear it too.” She called Xiaoluo and instructed her, “Go to my place and say that a foreign beauty has come here and written a fine poem. Ask that ‘poetry maniac’ to come and see, and bring our ‘poetry idiot’ too.” Xiaoluo went off laughing.

After a while, they heard Xiangyun laugh and ask, “Where is this foreign beauty?” As she spoke, she came in with Xiangling. Everyone laughed, “We have not seen the person, but we have heard the voice.” Baoqin and the others hurried to offer seats, and then repeated what had been said. Xiangyun laughed, “Recite it quickly and let us hear.” Baoqin then recited:

Last night a dream in the red chamber,
Tonight I sing in a watery land.
Island clouds rise from the great sea,
Mountain mist joins the dense woods.
The moon has no past or present,
But feeling’s bond has its deep and shallow.
South of the Han, spring is vivid—
How could one not care?

Everyone listened and said, “What a remarkable girl! She is even better than we Chinese.” Before they finished speaking, Sheyue came and said, “Lady Wang sent someone to tell the Second Master that tomorrow morning he is to go to the uncle’s. She says she is not well and cannot come in person.” Baoyu quickly stood up and answered, “Yes.” He asked whether Baochai and Baoqin were going. Baochai said, “We are not going. We sent gifts yesterday.” They talked a while longer and then dispersed.

Baoyu let the sisters go first and stayed behind. Daiyu called him back and asked, “When exactly is Xiren coming back?” Baoyu said, “Naturally after the funeral is over.” Daiyu had more to say but did not say it. She was lost in thought for a moment, then said, “You may go.” Baoyu also felt he had many things to say, but did not know what to say aloud. He thought a moment, then laughed, “We will talk tomorrow.” He went down the steps, lowered his head, and was about to walk on when he quickly turned back and asked, “The nights are getting longer now. How many times do you cough in a night? How many times do you wake?” Daiyu said, “Last night was better. I only coughed twice, but I slept only one watch after the fourth, and then could not sleep again.” Baoyu laughed again, “There is something important I just remembered.” He edged closer and whispered, “I was thinking about the bird’s nest Baochai gave you—” Before he finished, Aunt Zhao came in to see Daiyu and asked, “Are you better these last two days, miss?” Daiyu knew she had come from Tanchun’s and was passing by the door, doing a casual kindness. Daiyu quickly smiled and offered her a seat, saying, “It is kind of you to think of me, Aunt, coming in person in such cold weather.” She ordered tea and shot a look at Baoyu. Baoyu understood and went out.

It was just supper time. He saw Lady Wang, who again urged him to go early. Baoyu returned and watched Qingwen take her medicine. That night Baoyu did not make Qingwen move out of the warm chamber; he slept on the outer side himself. He also had the warming frame moved in front of the warm chamber, and Sheyue slept on the warming frame. The night passed without incident.

The next day, before dawn, Qingwen woke Sheyue and said, “You should wake up too. You just cannot get enough sleep! Go out and tell them to prepare tea and water for him. I will wake him.” Sheyue quickly threw on clothes and got up, saying, “Let us call him, get him dressed, move this fire box out, and then call the others in. The old matrons have already said he is not to stay in this room for fear of infection. If they see us all crowded together, they will nag again.” Qingwen said, “That is what I say too.” Just as they were about to call him, Baoyu had already woken and hurriedly rose and put on clothes. Sheyue first called in the little maids and, after everything was ready, called Qiuwen, Tanyun, and the others to come in and help Baoyu wash and dress. Sheyue said, “It is cloudy again. I am afraid it will snow. Wear that woolen suit.” Baoyu nodded and changed at once. A little maid brought a covered bowl of Fujian lotus-seed and red-date soup on a small tea tray. Baoyu drank two mouthfuls. Sheyue also brought a small dish of prepared purple ginger. Baoyu held a piece in his mouth. After giving Qingwen further instructions, he went to Grandmother Jia’s rooms.

Grandmother Jia had not yet risen. When she heard Baoyu was going out, she opened the door and told him to come in. Baoyu saw Baoqin asleep behind Grandmother Jia, face turned inward. Grandmother Jia saw that Baoyu was wearing a litchi-colored broadcloth jacket with sky-horse pattern and archer sleeves, and over it a crimson felt jacket with coiled gold and colored embroidery, bordered with sapphire-blue satin and finished with fringe. Grandmother Jia asked, “Is it snowing?” Baoyu said, “The sky is overcast, but it has not started yet.” Grandmother Jia told Yuanyang to come and said, “Give him that dark cloud leopard cloak from yesterday.” Yuanyang agreed and went to fetch one. Baoyu saw it was brilliant with gold and kingfisher blue, flashing with color, and not like the wild-duck-down cloak Baoqin wore. Grandmother Jia laughed, “This is called ‘peacock gold.’ It is woven in Russia from peacock feathers twisted into thread. The other day I gave the wild-duck one to your little cousin. This one is for you.” Baoyu kowtowed and put it on. Grandmother Jia laughed, “First go and show your mother, then go.” Baoyu agreed and went out. He saw Yuanyang standing on the floor rubbing her eyes. Since the day Yuanyang had sworn her vow, she had never spoken to Baoyu. Baoyu had been uneasy day and night. Seeing her about to avoid him again, he went up and laughed, “Good sister, look, does this look good on me?” Yuanyang flung off his hand and went into Grandmother Jia’s room. Baoyu had to go to Lady Wang’s room and show her. Then he returned to the garden and showed Qingwen and Sheyue. After that he went back to Grandmother Jia and reported, “Mother looked and only said it was a pity, and told me to wear it carefully and not ruin it.” Grandmother Jia said, “This is the only one left. If you ruin it, there will be no more. Having another made specially for you now is out of the question.” She also warned him, “Do not drink too much wine. Come back early.” Baoyu answered several times, “Yes.”

The old matron followed him to the hall. There Baoyu’s foster-brother Li Gui, along with Wang Rong, Zhang Ruojin, Zhao Yihua, Qian Qi, and Zhou Rui—six men in all—together with the page boys Mingyan, Banhe, Chuyang, and Saohong, were already waiting. They carried clothes bundles, held seat cushions, and led a white horse with a carved saddle and colored bridle. The old matron gave the six men some instructions. They quickly answered “Yes” several times, then held the whip and stirrup. Baoyu slowly mounted. Li Gui and Wang Rong held the bit, Qian Qi and Zhou Rui led the way in front, and Zhang Ruojin and Zhao Yihua flanked him close behind. Baoyu laughed on horseback, “Brother Zhou, Brother Qian, let us go out by the side gate. That way I will not have to dismount at the door of Father’s study.” Zhou Rui turned and laughed, “The master is not at home. The study is locked every day. You need not dismount, Master.” Baoyu laughed, “Even if it is locked, I must still dismount.” Qian Qi, Li Gui, and the others laughed, “Master is right. Even if you were lazy and did not dismount, if you met Master Lai or Second Master Lin, though they could not scold you, they would still advise you. Any fault would be put on us, and they would say we did not teach you propriety.” Zhou Rui and Qian Qi then led the way out the side gate.

Just as they were speaking, they met Lai Da coming in. Baoyu quickly checked the horse, intending to dismount. Lai Da hurried forward and clasped his leg. Baoyu stood up in the stirrup and laughingly took his hand, saying a few words. Then a page boy came in leading twenty or thirty men with brooms and dustpans. When they saw Baoyu, they all stood with hands down along the wall. Only the leading page boy made a half-kneeling salute and wished him peace. Baoyu did not know his name and only smiled and nodded. After the horse had passed, the man led the others away. They went out the side gate. Outside, the page boys of Li Gui and the other six, plus several grooms, had already prepared more than ten horses. As soon as they left the side gate, Li Gui and the others mounted, and in a cloud of dust they went off, some leading, some surrounding. Of this no more.

Meanwhile Qingwen took her medicine, but still the illness did not recede. She was so anxious that she scolded the doctors, saying, “They only cheat people of their money. They do not give one a single good dose.” Sheyue laughingly urged her, “You are too impatient. As the saying goes, ‘Illness comes like a landslide, and goes like drawing silk.’ This is not Lord Laozi’s immortal elixir. How could there be such a miracle drug? Just rest quietly for a few days and you will naturally be well. The more impatient you are, the more it takes hold.” Qingwen then scolded the little maids: “Where have you all burrowed off to? You see I am ill and you all dare to run away. When I am better tomorrow, I will skin you one by one!” The little maid Zhuan’er was so frightened that she hurried in and asked, “What does Miss want?” Qingwen said, “Is everyone else dead, leaving only you?” As she spoke, Zhui’er came sidling in. Qingwen said, “Look at this little wretch. If I do not call her, she does not come. When monthly allowances are handed out and fruit is distributed, you are the first to run up. Come closer. I am not a tiger that will eat you!” Zhui’er had to come closer. Qingwen suddenly sat up and grabbed her hand. She took a long hairpin from beside the pillow and jabbed it wildly into Zhui’er’s hand, scolding, “What use are these claws? They cannot pick up a needle or hold thread. They only steal food. You are petty and light-fingered. You disgrace yourself by being slapped in the face. Better to jab them to pieces!” Zhui’er cried and screamed in pain. Sheyue quickly pulled Zhui’er away and pressed Qingwen back down, laughing, “You have just perspired, and now you are courting death again. When you are better, how many beatings can you not give? What are you making a fuss about now?” Qingwen then told someone to call Nanny Song in and said, “Master Bao just told me to tell you that Zhui’er is very lazy. When Master Bao tells her to do something to her face, she pouts and will not move. Even when Xiren tells her to do something, she curses her behind her back. Today she must be sent away. Tomorrow Master Bao will tell Lady Wang himself.” Hearing this, Nanny Song knew in her heart that the bracelet affair had come out. She laughed, “Even so, wait until Miss Hua comes back and knows before sending her away.” Qingwen said, “Master Bao gave careful instructions today. What ‘Miss Hua,’ ‘Miss Grass’? We have our reasons. Just do as I say. Quickly call her family to take her away.” Sheyue said, “That is fine. Early or late, she will go. Taking her away means one quiet day sooner.”

Nanny Song had no choice but to go out and call Zhui’er’s mother. They packed up her things. The mother came to see Qingwen and the others and said, “What is wrong, girls? If my daughter is not good, you should teach her. Why send her away? At least leave us some face.” Qingwen said, “Take that up with Baoyu when he comes. It has nothing to do with us.” The woman laughed coldly, “Would I dare ask him? Is there anything he does that is not arranged by you girls? Even if he agreed, if you girls did not, it would be no use. For example, just now, though you were speaking in private, you called him directly by his name. Among you girls it is allowed, but for us it makes us savages.” Hearing this, Qingwen grew even more angry and red in the face. She said, “I called him by his name. Go and tell the old lady, say I was rude, and have me sent away too.” Sheyue quickly said, “Sister-in-law, just take the girl and go. If you have anything to say, say it later. How can this place be one for you to shout and argue about propriety? Have you ever seen anyone argue propriety with us? Not to mention you, sister-in-law—even Nanny Lai and Mrs. Lin must give us some leeway. As for calling his name, from childhood until now it has been by the old lady’s orders. You know this too. She feared he would be hard to raise, so she had his childhood name written out and posted everywhere for ten thousand people to call, so that he would be easy to raise. Even water carriers, night-soil men, and beggars may call it, let alone us! Yesterday Mrs. Lin called him ‘Master,’ and the old lady still scolded her. That is one thing. Second, we often report to the old lady. Should we not use his name when we report? Should we call him ‘Master’? Every day we say the two words ‘Baoyu’ two hundred times. Now you pick on this! One day when you are free, sister-in-law, go and listen in front of the old lady and Lady Wang when we call him to their faces, and you will understand. You have never had a respectable duty in front of the old lady and Lady Wang. You spend all year outside the third gate. No wonder you do not know our inside rules. This is not a place for you to stand long. In a moment, before we say anything, someone will come and ask you. If you have any explanations, take her and go. Report to Mrs. Lin and have her come and speak to Master Bao. There are a thousand people in this household. If you run here and I run there, we cannot even recognize faces and names.” She called a little maid, “Bring a floor cloth and wipe the floor!” The woman had nothing to say and did not dare stand long. She angrily took Zhui’er and left. Nanny Song quickly said, “No wonder you do not know the rules, sister-in-law. Your daughter has served in this room. When she leaves, she should kowtow to the girls. There is no other gift of thanks—and even if there were, they would not care for it—but a kowtow shows her heart. How can she just leave?” Hearing this, Zhui’er had to turn back, kowtow twice to the two of them, and then look for Qiuwen and the others. They paid no attention to her. The woman sighed and groaned, not daring to speak, and left nursing a grudge.

Qingwen had just caught a chill again and gotten angry, so she felt worse. She tossed and turned until lamp-lighting time, when she finally quieted a little. Then Baoyu came back, and as soon as he entered he sighed and stamped his foot. Sheyue quickly asked why. Baoyu said, “Today the old lady happily gave me this jacket, but somehow a piece of the back hem got burned. Fortunately it was late, and neither the old lady nor Lady Wang noticed.” As he spoke, he took it off. Sheyue looked and indeed saw a burn hole the size of a fingertip. She said, “This must have been a spark from the hand-warmer. It is nothing. We will hurry and have someone quietly take it out and have a skilled mender darn it.” She wrapped it in a bundle and gave it to a matron to take out, saying, “It must be ready by dawn. Do not let the old lady or Lady Wang know.” The matron went. After some time she brought it back and said, “Not only the skilled menders, but even the tailors, embroiderers, and needlewomen were asked. None of them recognized what this is, and none dared take it on.” Sheyue said, “What shall we do? Tomorrow he can just not wear it.” Baoyu said, “Tomorrow is the main day. The old lady and Lady Wang said I am to wear this. It had to get burned the day before—how disappointing.” Qingwen had listened for a while, then could not help turning over and saying, “Bring it here and let me look. If I have no luck to wear it, then let it be. Why worry now?” Baoyu laughed, “That is true.” He handed it to Qingwen and moved the lamp closer. She looked carefully for a while. Qingwen said, “This is woven with peacock gold thread. If we use peacock gold thread and mend it closely like fine invisible darning, I think it can be made to pass.” Sheyue laughed, “Peacock thread is ready enough, but besides you, who here knows how to do that kind of darning?” Qingwen said, “I cannot help it. I will risk my life.” Baoyu quickly said, “How can you? You have just gotten a little better. How can you do needlework?” Qingwen said, “Do not fuss. I know what I am doing.” As she spoke, she sat up, tied up her hair, and threw on a jacket. She felt her head heavy and her body light, with golden stars bursting before her eyes. She truly could not hold up. But if she did not do it, she feared Baoyu would worry. So she gritted her teeth and endured. She told Sheyue only to help twist thread. Qingwen first took a thread and compared it. She laughed, “This is not very much like it, but if I patch it, it will not be very noticeable.” Baoyu said, “That is very good. Where would we find a Russian tailor?” Qingwen first unpicked the lining, then fastened a bamboo hoop the size of a teacup rim to the back. She scraped the edges of the hole with a gold knife until they were loose and fluffy. Then she threaded two needles, separated warp and weft, and used the fine darning method. First she outlined the ground, then wove back and forth following the garment’s original pattern. After two stitches she looked, after two more she examined it again. But her head swam, her eyes darkened, she was short of breath, and her spirit was weak. After three or five stitches she had to lean on the pillow and rest. Baoyu stood beside her, now asking, “Will you drink some hot water?” now saying, “Rest a while.” Now he put a gray-squirrel cape over her shoulders, now he called for a bolster to put behind her. Qingwen grew so anxious that she begged, “Little ancestor! Just go to sleep. If you stay up half the night, tomorrow your eyes will be sunken. What then?” Seeing her anxiety, Baoyu had to lie down randomly, but he still could not sleep. After a while the chiming clock struck four. She had just finished mending. Then she used a small toothbrush to slowly pick out the nap. Sheyue said, “This is very good. If one does not look carefully, it cannot be seen.” Baoyu quickly asked to see it and said, “It really is exactly the same.” Qingwen had already coughed several times. With great difficulty she finished, and said, “Though it is mended, it still does not look right. I can do no more!” With an “Aiyo!” she fell back, unable to help herself. To know what happened next, listen to the next chapter.