Repenting an Old Wrong, Xifeng Entrusts Her Child to a Village Woman; Releasing an Old Grievance, a Loving Maid Is Moved by a Foolish Young Master

Now it is said that Concubine Zhao fell gravely ill in the temple. After there were fewer people around, she raved even more wildly, frightening and annoying those beside her, so that two women had to support her. Concubine Zhao knelt on both knees on the ground, sometimes talking, sometimes crying, and sometimes lying prostrate and begging for mercy: “You are beating me to death! Red-bearded Lord, I will never dare do it again.” Then she would press her palms together and cry that her whole body ached. Her eyes bulged outward, blood flowed constantly from her mouth, and her hair was loose and disheveled. Everyone was afraid and did not dare go near. As the sky gradually darkened, her voice grew hoarse, sounding like a ghost weeping. No one dared keep watch by her side, so several bold men were called to sit and guard her. Sometimes she would stop breathing, then revive after a while. She raved the whole night.

By the next day she no longer spoke, but only made frightening faces and tore at her own clothes, exposing her chest, as if someone were stripping her. Pitiful Concubine Zhao—though she could not speak, her suffering was unbearable to watch. Just when she was in extremity, the doctor arrived. He did not dare take her pulse, but only said, “Prepare for the end.” Then he rose to leave. The servant who had brought him begged, “Please, Doctor, feel her pulse, so that I may report back to my masters.” The doctor reached out and found no pulse at all. When Jia Huan saw that she was dead, he wept aloud. Everyone gathered around Jia Huan, and no one paid attention to Concubine Zhao’s body. Only Concubine Zhou felt grieved. She thought privately: This is how a concubine ends! She still has a son, but when I die, who knows what will become of me? So she wept even more bitterly. Someone hurried back to town with the news. Jia Zheng at once sent servants to the temple to manage the funeral according to custom. They stayed with Jia Huan to keep vigil for three days, and then returned to the house together.

The news spread from one to ten and from ten to a hundred. Everyone in the household said that Concubine Zhao had meant to harm others and had been tortured to death by the judges of the underworld. Others spread word: “I fear Second Mistress Lian will not last either. They say a case has been lodged against her in the underworld too.” When these words reached Ping’er’s ears, she grew very anxious. Judging by Xifeng’s condition, she truly could hardly hold on. Jia Lian had lately not been as affectionate toward Xifeng as before. There were many matters in the house, and he seemed to act as though none of it concerned him. Ping’er could only stay by Xifeng and comfort her without cease. During the few days Lady Xing and Lady Wang had been home, they had only sent people to ask after her; they had not come themselves. Xifeng felt more and more bitter. When Jia Lian returned, he had not a single warm word for her. At this point Xifeng wished only to die quickly. As soon as her mind stirred, all kinds of visions appeared. She saw Second Sister You come from behind the room, walk slowly to the bedside, and say, “Sister, it has been so long. Your little sister has missed you constantly. I wished to see you but could not. Today at last I can come in and see you. Sister, you exhausted all your schemes. Our Second Master is muddled and did not appreciate your care. Instead he blames you for being too ruthless, for ruining his prospects, and for making it impossible for him to hold up his head. Even I feel wronged on your behalf.” Xifeng said in a daze, “I regret it now too. In those days my heart was too narrow. Sister, you do not hold our old enmity against me, and still you come to see me.” Ping’er heard nearby and asked, “Mistress, whom are you speaking to?” Xifeng suddenly came to herself and remembered that Second Sister You had long been dead. It must be she who had come to demand her life. Roused by Ping’er, she was frightened, but did not dare say so plainly. She forced herself to say, “My mind was wandering. I was probably talking in my sleep. Rub my back for me.” Ping’er came forward and rubbed her back. Just then a young maid came in and announced, “Granny Liu has come. An old woman brought her. She has come to pay her respects to Mistress.” Ping’er quickly rose and asked, “Where is she?” The maid said, “She did not dare come in directly. She is waiting for Mistress’s instructions.” Ping’er nodded. She thought Xifeng was ill and probably did not want to see anyone, so she said, “Mistress is resting. Tell her to wait outside for a while. Ask her what she has come for.” The maid replied, “I already asked. She said there is nothing else. She heard Old Ancestor had passed away and that no one had sent word to her, so she came late.” While the maid was speaking, Xifeng heard and told Ping’er, “Ping’er, come here. She has come with good intentions to see me. Do not treat her coldly. Go and ask Granny Liu in. I will speak with her a few words.” Ping’er had no choice but to go out and bring Granny Liu in.

Xifeng had just wanted to close her eyes and rest when she saw a man and a woman come to the edge of the kang, as if about to climb up. Xifeng was alarmed and called Ping’er: “Where did a man come from? He has entered the room!” She called twice. Feng’er and Xiaohong hurried in. “What does Mistress command?” Xifeng opened her eyes and saw no one. She understood it was an illusion, but would not say so. She asked Feng’er, “Where has Ping’er gone?” Feng’er said, “Mistress just sent her out to invite Granny Liu in.” Xifeng steadied herself and said no more.

Before long Ping’er brought Granny Liu and a little girl in. Granny Liu asked, “Where is our young mistress?” Ping’er led her to the kang. Granny Liu paid her respects: “I have come to greet you, Young Mistress.” Xifeng opened her eyes and felt a pang of sorrow. She said, “Are you well, Granny? Why did you not come until now? Look at your granddaughter—she has grown so tall.” Granny Liu looked at Xifeng, thin to the bone and her expression vague and unsettled, and felt grieved herself. “My mistress, it has been only a few months since I saw you. How have you become so ill? I am truly muddled. Why did I not come to see you earlier?” She called Qing’er forward to pay her respects. Qing’er only smiled. Xifeng was pleased to see her and told Xiaohong to look after her well. Granny Liu said, “We country folk never take medicine when we are ill. We pray to the gods and make vows. I suspect your illness, Young Mistress, may have come from running into something unclean.” Ping’er thought this was not a good thing to say and quietly tugged Granny Liu, signaling her to stop. Granny Liu understood and stopped. But these words had touched Xifeng’s very heart. Xifeng struggled to prop herself up and said, “Granny, you are old and speak the truth. You knew Concubine Zhao died—did you hear of it?” Granny Liu was startled. “Amitabha! How did a fine person like her die? I remember she had a son. What will he do now?” Ping’er said, “That is not to be feared. The Master and Lady Wang will look after him.” Granny Liu said, “Girl, what do you know? With a death like that, even if he is her own son, there is a layer of separation, and he cannot be relied on.” These words stirred up all Xifeng’s hidden sorrows, and she began to sob. Those nearby hurried to comfort her.

Qiaojie heard her mother crying and came to the kang. She took Xifeng’s hand and wept too. Xifeng said between sobs, “Have you seen Granny?” Qiaojie said, “Not yet.” Xifeng said, “It was Granny who gave you your name. She is like a godmother to you. Go quickly and pay your respects.” Qiaojie came forward and bowed. Granny Liu quickly stopped her. “Amitabha, do not shorten my life! Qiaojie, it is more than a year since I saw you. Do you still know me?” Qiaojie said, “How could I not? That year in the garden I was small when we met. The year before last when you came, I asked you for a katydid from the year before, and you did not give it to me. You must have forgotten.” Granny Liu laughed. “Good child, I am old and muddled. As for katydids, we have plenty in the country. If you came to the village, you could have a whole cartload.” Xifeng said casually, “Then why not take her to the country with you?” Granny Liu laughed. “The young lady is a tender branch of gold and jade. From childhood she has worn silk and satin and eaten delicacies. In our village, what could I use to amuse her, what could I give her to eat? You would be the death of me.” She laughed at herself, then added, “But I could arrange a marriage for the young lady. In our village there are rich landlords too, with thousands of acres of land, hundreds of head of livestock, and plenty of silver. Only they do not have gold and jade everywhere as you do here. You might look down on such a family, but in the eyes of us farming folk, such a rich man is like a person from heaven.” Xifeng said, “Go and speak of it. I am willing to betroth Qiaojie into such a family.” Granny Liu said, “I was only joking. With your family’s standing, even great officials and noble houses might not be good enough. How could she marry into the country? Even if you agreed, the ladies above would not consent.” Qiaojie did not like this talk and turned away to speak with Qing’er. The two little girls got along well and soon became close.

Ping’er feared Granny Liu would say too much and upset Xifeng, so she drew her aside and said, “You mentioned Lady Wang. You have not yet gone to pay your respects. I will have someone take you over, so your trip will not be wasted.” Granny Liu rose to go. Xifeng said, “Do not hurry away. Sit down. Let me ask you, how have you been these days?” Granny Liu thanked her again and again and said, “If not for your help, Young Mistress—” She pointed at Qing’er. “Her parents would have starved long ago. Though farming folk work hard, we have now bought a few acres of land and dug a well. We grow melons, fruit, and vegetables. In a year we can earn quite a bit from selling things, enough to feed the family. These two years you have often sent cloth and clothes. In our village, our days are passable. Amitabha, a few days ago her father went into town and heard that trouble had befallen your house. It nearly frightened me to death. Later someone said it was not your family, and only then did I feel relieved. After that I heard the Master had been promoted, and I was happy. I wanted to come and congratulate you, but the farm work was too busy. Yesterday I heard Old Ancestor had passed away. I was in the field picking beans. When I heard the news, I could not even hold the beans. I sat in the field and cried. I told my son-in-law, ‘No matter what, I must go to town and see them.’ My daughter and son-in-law also felt it. When they heard, they cried too. Today before dawn they sent me into town. I do not know a single person in town. I felt my way to the back gate and saw that the pictures of the door gods had been torn down, which gave me another fright. I went in to look for Sister Zhou, but could not find her. I met a little maid who said Sister Zhou had made a mistake and been driven out. I waited a long time before I met someone I knew and came into the courtyard. I never expected you to be so ill, Young Mistress.” As she spoke, tears fell again. Ping’er feared she would go on and grieve Xifeng, so before she finished, she pulled her up. “You have spoken a long time, Old Woman, and your mouth must be dry. Let us go and have some tea.” She took Granny Liu to a side room to sit, while Qing’er stayed with Qiaojie. Granny Liu said, “No need for tea. Girl, find someone to take me to pay my respects to Lady Wang and to offer sacrifice to Old Ancestor.” Ping’er said, “There is no hurry. It is late today, and you cannot leave the city anyway. Just now I drew you out because I feared you might speak carelessly and grieve Mistress. Do not misunderstand.” Granny Liu said, “Amitabha, you meant well, girl. I understand. Then can Mistress’s illness be cured?” Ping’er said, “Do you think this illness is dangerous?” Granny Liu lowered her voice. “Forgive me for saying so, but I fear it is not good.”

As they were speaking, they heard Xifeng call again. Ping’er hurried back to the kang, but Xifeng said nothing more. Ping’er was just asking Feng’er what had happened when Jia Lian came in. He glanced at the kang, said not a word, went into the inner room, and sat down in a huff. Qiutong followed him in, poured tea, and spoke with him in a low voice for a long time. After a while Jia Lian called Ping’er and asked, “Is Mistress not taking her medicine?” Ping’er said, “She refuses to take it. What can be done?” Jia Lian said, “How should I know? Bring me the keys from the chest.” Ping’er saw that Jia Lian’s face was dark and did not dare ask more. She went to Xifeng’s ear and quietly reported. Xifeng said nothing. Ping’er took a box and brought it to Jia Lian, then was about to leave. Jia Lian said, “No one is hurrying you. If you put the things down, who will take them?” Ping’er held back her anger, opened the box, took out the keys, opened the chest, and asked, “What do you want to take?” Jia Lian said, “What valuable things do we still have in this house?” Ping’er felt wronged and wept. “If you have something to say, say it plainly. Even if I die, I will be content.” Jia Lian said, “Do I need to say it? All that mess before was stirred up by you people. Old Ancestor’s funeral still owes four or five thousand taels. The Master told me to take the public land deeds and exchange them for money. What do you say is left? The outside debts must be repaid. Who told me to take on this responsibility of managing the household? I can only sell what Old Ancestor left me to pay the debts. Are you unwilling?” Ping’er said no more. She brought out the things from the chest one by one. Just then Xiaohong ran in: “Sister Ping, come quickly! Mistress is failing!” Ping’er paid no attention to Jia Lian and hurried back to the kang. She saw Xifeng clawing at the air with both hands. Ping’er gripped her hands tightly and wept aloud. Jia Lian came over and took a look too. He stamped his foot and said, “If she dies, it will be the death of me.” As he spoke, tears fell. Feng’er came in and announced, “Someone outside is asking for Second Master.” Jia Lian had to go out.

Meanwhile Xifeng grew worse. Feng’er and the others could not help crying. Qiaojie heard the commotion and hurried over. Granny Liu also came quickly to the kang, muttering Buddha’s name and saying a simple prayer and blessing. Xifeng’s condition quieted a little. Before long Lady Wang received a maid’s report and came to visit. Seeing Xifeng somewhat calmer, she felt a little relieved. When she saw Granny Liu, Lady Wang said, “Granny Liu, when did you come?” Granny Liu hurried to pay her respects. There was no time for many details; she only spoke of Xifeng’s illness. The two talked for a while. Caiyun came in and announced, “The Master asks Lady Wang to come over.” Lady Wang gave Ping’er a few instructions and left. After Xifeng had struggled for a while, her mind cleared somewhat. Seeing Granny Liu still there, she believed in her prayers and vows. She told Feng’er and the others to withdraw and asked Granny Liu to sit by the kang. She told her that her mind was uneasy and that she kept seeing ghosts and spirits. Granny Liu told her which Bodhisattvas in the country were efficacious and which temples were most responsive to vows. Xifeng said, “I beg you to pray and make vows for me. I have silver here for the offerings.” She slipped a gold bracelet from her wrist and handed it to her. Granny Liu said, “Young Mistress, there is no need for this. We country folk make vows, and when the illness is cured, a few hundred coppers are enough. Why use such a valuable thing? Even if I make a vow for you, it is only a prayer. When you are well and wish to fulfill the vow with money, you can do it yourself.” Xifeng knew Granny Liu meant well and did not press her. She took back the bracelet and said, “Granny, I entrust my life to you. My Qiaojie has had many illnesses since childhood. I entrust her to you as well.” Granny Liu casually agreed and said, “Since that is so, and it is still early, I can leave the city before the gate closes. I will go first. When you are better, I will come again to fulfill the vow.” Xifeng was tormented by all kinds of wronged spirits and was frightened. She wished Granny Liu to go quickly and make the vows, so she said, “If you will pray for me with all your heart and let me sleep peacefully once, I will be deeply grateful. Your granddaughter Qing’er can stay here a few days.” Granny Liu said, “A country child has seen nothing of the world. If she stays here, I fear she will not know the rules and cause trouble. I had better take her back.” Xifeng said, “You are too suspicious. We are like one family. What does it matter? Though our family is not what it was, one more mouth to feed is nothing.” Granny Liu saw that Xifeng truly wished to keep her and thought that if Qing’er stayed a few days, there would be one less mouth to feed at home. She only worried Qing’er might not be willing, so she called her over and asked. Qing’er and Qiaojie got along well, and Qiaojie was unwilling to let her go. Qing’er herself was willing to stay. Granny Liu gave Qing’er a few simple instructions, took leave of Ping’er, and hurried out of the city. Of this no more for the moment.

Now as for the Green Lattice Hermitage, it had originally been a place inside the Jia family garden. When the Grand View Garden was built for the imperial visit, this nunnery had been enclosed within the garden. The daily incense and expenses of the hermitage had never been paid by the Jia family. Now that Miaoyu had been carried off by robbers, the nuns of the hermitage reported it to the authorities. First, they waited for the authorities to catch the robbers and investigate her whereabouts. Second, since Miaoyu’s property in the hermitage could not be dispersed, the nuns still lived there, only reporting the matter to the Jia family. Everyone in the Jia household had heard of it, but Jia Zheng had just finished Mother Jia’s funeral and was troubled in mind. He did not dare report such a trifling matter. Only Xichun knew the details and was uneasy day and night. The news gradually reached Baoyu’s ears. Some said Miaoyu had been carried off by robbers. Others spread wild rumors that Miaoyu’s worldly heart had stirred and she had gone off with the thieves. Baoyu was deeply puzzled. He was certain Miaoyu must have been carried off by force. A person as staunch as Miaoyu would never submit to disgrace; she would rather die. But there was still no news, and Baoyu could not set his mind at rest. He sighed all day and lamented, “How could one who called herself ‘beyond the threshold’ come to such an end?” He also remembered how lively the Grand View Garden had once been. Since Second Sister Yingchun married, some had died, some had married away. He had thought Miaoyu, untouched by dust, could live out her days in peace. Who would have thought she would meet with sudden disaster, dying more strangely than Cousin Lin? At this thought, one thing after another crowded into his mind. He remembered what Zhuangzi wrote: all things in the world are vague and insubstantial; human gatherings in the end scatter like wind and clouds. He could not help weeping aloud. Xiren and the others thought his old madness had returned and tried patiently in every way to comfort him. Baochai did not at first know the reason and also tried to console him. But Baoyu’s heart was knotted, and his spirit was dazed. Baochai made inquiries and learned that Miaoyu had been carried off and her fate was unknown. She too felt grieved. But seeing Baoyu so gloomy, she could only seriously urge him: “Since Lan’er returned from the funeral, though he has not gone to school, I hear he studies bitterly day and night. He is Old Ancestor’s great-grandson. Old Ancestor hoped you would make something of yourself, and the Master worries about you day and night. Yet you ruin yourself over these vague and idle feelings. We watch over you—what will become of us in the future?” These words left Baoyu with no reply. After a while he said, “I am not meddling in others’ affairs. I am only sighing that our family’s fortunes have declined.” Baochai said, “That is exactly the point. The Master and Lady Wang hope you will study and advance, and carry on the family estate. If you remain obstinately confused, how will that do?” Baoyu found the conversation uncongenial and fell asleep on the table. Baochai said no more to him, told Sheyue and the others to look after him, and went to rest herself.

Baoyu saw that everyone in the room was either asleep or busy. He thought: Since Zijuan came here, I have never spoken a few heartfelt words with her. I have always treated her coldly and left her aside, and I feel uneasy about it. She is not like Sheyue or Qiuwen; I cannot arrange her affairs casually. He remembered that when he had been ill, she had stayed in his room for a long time, and her little mirror was still with him. Her feelings toward him had not been shallow. But for some reason, now she was icy whenever she saw him. If it was because he had married Baochai, she had been closest to Cousin Lin. In ordinary days she could joke with Baochai too. But whenever he appeared, Zijuan avoided him. It must be that she blamed him because after Cousin Lin died, he had married. Ah, Zijuan, Zijuan, you are such a clever girl. Can you not see my difficulty? Then he thought again: Tonight everyone is either asleep or working. Why not take this chance to go find her and hear what she really thinks? If I have done wrong, I can apologize. Having made up his mind, he quietly left the room and went to find Zijuan.

Zijuan’s room was in the inner west wing. Baoyu quietly went under the window. Seeing a light still burning inside, he licked a hole in the window paper and looked in. Zijuan sat alone facing the lamp, staring blankly, doing no work. Baoyu called softly, “Sister Zijuan, are you not asleep yet?” Zijuan was startled and for a long time did not answer. Then she asked, “Who is it?” Baoyu said, “It is I.” Zijuan heard that it sounded like Baoyu and asked, “Is it Second Master Bao?” Baoyu answered softly outside. Zijuan asked, “What have you come for?” Baoyu said, “I have a few heartfelt words to say to you. Open the door and let me sit a while.” Zijuan was silent for a moment, then said, “If Second Master has something to say, it is late. Please go back. Say it tomorrow.” When Baoyu heard this, his heart chilled. He wanted to go in but feared Zijuan would not open the door. He wanted to go back, but her words had stirred up all the feelings in his heart and made it harder to bear. He had no choice but to say, “I have no other words. I only want to ask you one thing.” Zijuan said, “If it is only one thing, then say it.” Baoyu was silent for a long time and could not utter a word. Zijuan, hearing no sound inside, knew Baoyu had always been foolish. She feared that if she spoke too harshly she would bring on his old illness. So she rose and listened carefully outside, then asked again, “Have you gone, or are you still standing there stupidly? If you have something to say, say it. Why make people miserable here? One person has already been worried to death. Must another be worried sick too? What is the use?” As she spoke, she too looked out through the hole Baoyu had made in the paper and saw him standing there blankly. Zijuan could not say more. She turned and trimmed the lampwick. Suddenly she heard Baoyu give a long sigh: “Sister Zijuan, you were never a heart of stone. Why is it that lately you will not say one warm word to me? I know I am a common man and not worthy of your notice. But if I have done something wrong, I only beg you to tell me plainly. Even if you never speak to me again in this life, when I die I will at least be a ghost who understands.” Zijuan heard this and said with a cold laugh, “So this is what Second Master means? When our young mistress was alive, I heard this talk often enough! If we have done something wrong, I was sent by Lady Wang. Second Master need only report it to Lady Wang. We maids are not worth mentioning.” At this point her voice choked, and she began to wipe her tears. Baoyu heard her cry and stamped his foot in distress. “Why is this? You have been in this house so long—how can you not know what is in my heart? Even if others will not speak for me, must you also refuse to let me speak, until I die of it?” As he spoke, Baoyu too wept softly.

Just as Baoyu was grieving, someone behind him spoke: “Whom are you asking to speak for you? What relation is anyone to you? If you have offended someone, go and beg her yourself. Whether she is willing to pay attention is up to her. Why use us uninvolved people as an excuse?” Both inside and outside were startled. It was Sheyue. Baoyu’s face showed embarrassment. Sheyue added, “What is going on? One comes to apologize, and the other pays no attention. Why do you not beg properly? Sister Zijuan is too hardhearted. It is so cold outside, and he has been begging you so long, yet you will not soften at all.” Then she turned to Baoyu: “Just now Second Mistress asked where you were at this late hour. So you were standing alone under the eaves!” Zijuan said from inside, “What does this mean? I told Second Master long ago to go back. If he has something to say, say it tomorrow. Why stay here?” Baoyu wanted to say more, but with Sheyue there, it was not convenient to pour out his heart. He could only follow Sheyue back. As he walked, he said, “Enough, enough! In this life, the grievances in my heart cannot be made clear. Only Heaven above knows.” As he spoke, tears streamed down. Sheyue said, “Second Master, listen to me. Do not cling to this. It is not worth shedding tears for nothing.” Baoyu did not answer and returned to the room. Baochai lay on the bed, and Baoyu could tell she was only pretending to sleep. Xiren spoke up: “What could not wait until tomorrow? Why go over there and make a scene? If anything happens—” She stopped and did not finish. After a pause she asked, “Do you feel unwell?” Baoyu shook his head and said nothing. Xiren helped him lie down. That night Baoyu tossed and turned and could not sleep. There is no need to say more.

On the other side, Zijuan, having been disturbed by Baoyu, felt even worse and wept the whole night. She thought back over everything: Baoyu’s marriage had been arranged while he was ill and out of his mind, and everyone had deceived him into it. Later, when Baoyu understood the truth, his old illness had returned, and he often thought of Miss Lin. He was not a fickle, heartless person. Today his deep feeling made her even more miserable. She pitied their Miss Lin, who had not had the good fortune to receive such affection. Seen this way, human attachments were all fated. Before the end comes, everyone indulges in foolish hopes. When matters can no longer be undone, the muddled let go; only the deeply feeling are left to weep before the wind and moon. The dead perhaps know nothing, while the living suffer endless pain. Thinking this, she felt it would be better to be a plant or stone, without feeling, and thus have peace. At this thought, the bitterness in her heart suddenly cooled. She was just about to settle down and sleep when she suddenly heard a clamor from the east courtyard. What had happened will be told in the next chapter.