Sorcery Brings Five Ghosts upon Sister and Brother; The Magic Jade Meets Two True Immortals

Now Xiaohong was in a daze, her thoughts in turmoil. As she drifted into a hazy sleep, she dreamed that Jia Yun came to take her hand. She turned to run, tripped over the threshold, and woke with a start—only to realize it was a dream. She tossed and turned all night without sleep. At dawn, several maids came to call her to sweep the floors and fetch washing water. Xiaohong didn't bother to comb her hair properly; she merely tidied it in front of the mirror, washed her hands, tied a sash around her waist, and went to clean the rooms. But Baoyu, having noticed her the day before, had not forgotten her. He hesitated to call her directly—partly for fear of hurting Xiren's feelings, and partly because he didn't know Xiaohong's character. If she turned out well, fine; if not, it would be awkward to dismiss her later. So he sat brooding, not even washing in the morning. After a while he opened the window and peered through the gauze—several maids were sweeping outside, all powdered and adorned with flowers, but Xiaohong was nowhere to be seen. He shuffled out in his slippers, pretending to look at the flowers, glancing about. Looking up, he thought he saw someone leaning on the railing of the covered walkway in the southwest corner, but a crabapple tree blocked his view. He shifted a step and saw it was indeed the girl from yesterday, lost in thought. He was about to approach her when Bihun came to urge him to wash, so he had to go back inside.

Xiaohong was still in a daze when Xiren called her over. "Our watering pot hasn't been brought back yet," Xiren said with a smile. "Go to Miss Lin's place and borrow theirs." Xiaohong agreed and set off for the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. As she crossed the Cuiyan Bridge, she looked up and saw screens set up on the slopes—remembering that today the gardeners were planting trees inside. Turning, she spotted a cluster of men digging in the distance, and Jia Yun sitting on a rockery. She wanted to go to him but dared not, so she went gloomily to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, fetched the watering pot, and returned to lie down in her room. The others assumed she was unwell and paid no attention.

The next day happened to be Prince Teng's wife's birthday. They sent an invitation to the Dowager and Lady Wang; the Dowager was unwell, so Lady Wang declined as well. Aunt Xue, Xifeng, several Jia sisters, Baochai, and Baoyu all went and did not return until evening.

It chanced that Jia Huan came home from school, and Lady Wang set him to copying the Diamond Sutra to recite. Jia Huan sat on the kang, making a show of copying, calling for Caiyun to pour tea, for Yuchuan to trim the candle, for Jinchuan to get out of the light. The maids, who disliked him, ignored him. Only Caixia was still on good terms with him; she brought him a cup of tea. Seeing Lady Wang talking with someone, she whispered to Jia Huan, "Behave yourself—why make yourself so disliked?" Jia Huan said, "I know. Don't try to fool me. Now you're friendly with Baoyu and ignore me—I've seen it." Caixia bit her lip and poked him on the forehead, "Ungrateful wretch! You're like a dog biting the hand that feeds you!"

As they were speaking, Xifeng arrived and paid her respects to Lady Wang. Lady Wang questioned her at length about the guests, the plays, the feast. Before long, Baoyu also came in. He greeted Lady Wang properly, then had his headband removed, his robes and boots taken off, and rolled into her arms. Lady Wang stroked him fondly, and Baoyu clung to her neck, chattering. "My boy," she said, "you've had too much wine—your face is hot. Stop rubbing—you'll make it worse. Go lie down quietly." She called for a pillow. Baoyu got down, lay behind her, and asked Caixia to pat him. He teased Caixia, but she was cold and barely responded, her eyes fixed on Jia Huan. Baoyu took her hand, laughing, "Good sister, pay me a little attention too." She snatched her hand away, "If you keep on, I'll scream."

Jia Huan heard it all. He had always hated Baoyu, and now seeing him flirt with Caixia, his malice grew beyond control. He dared not act openly, but often plotted in secret. Now, being close, he decided to scald Baoyu's eyes with hot oil. Feigning clumsiness, he shoved the greasy candle-lamp straight at Baoyu's face.

Baoyu cried out in pain, startling everyone. They brought the standing lamps closer and held up several lights—Baoyu's face and head were drenched in oil. Lady Wang, both frantic and furious, had him cleaned while cursing Jia Huan. Xifeng scrambled onto the kang to help, laughing, "Third Brother is still such a scatterbrain—I told you he couldn't handle high places. Concubine Zhao ought to teach him better." This reminded Lady Wang; instead of scolding Jia Huan, she summoned Concubine Zhao and berated her, "You've raised such a wicked, ignorant brat and never discipline him! I've let it pass several times, but you've grown bold and gone too far!"

Concubine Zhao, though always jealous and resentful of Xifeng and Baoyu, had never dared show it. Now she had to swallow her anger, even going to help clean Baoyu. A row of blisters had risen on his left cheek, but luckily his eyes were unharmed. Lady Wang, both pained and worried about what to tell the Dowager the next day, scolded Concubine Zhao again, then comforted Baoyu and applied medicine. Baoyu said, "It hurts a little, but it's nothing. If the Dowager asks tomorrow, say I burned myself." Xifeng laughed, "Even if you say that, she'll scold the attendants for not watching you—there'll be a row either way." Lady Wang had Baoyu escorted back to his room, where Xiren and the others were horrified.

Lin Daiyu, having felt dull all day with no one to talk to, had sent people several times to ask if Baoyu was back. Now he was back, but burned. She hurried to see him. He was looking in the mirror, his face thick with medicine. Thinking the burn was severe, she came close to see how it happened. Baoyu covered his face, waving her away—he knew her fastidiousness and didn't want her to see something so unpleasant. Daiyu, aware of her own aversion to such things, knew he was sparing her, but said, "Let me see where it is—why hide it?" She drew near, gently turned his face, and looked, asking how much it hurt. Baoyu said, "Not much—a day or two and it'll heal." Daiyu sat a while, then left gloomily. That night passed quietly. The next day Baoyu told the Dowager he had burned himself, but she still scolded his attendants.

A day later, Baoyu's nominal godmother, the Taoist nun Ma Daopo, came to pay her respects. Seeing Baoyu, she was startled and asked what had happened; hearing it was a burn, she sighed, traced a sign on his face with her finger, muttered a spell, and said, "This will heal it—just a passing calamity." She said to the Dowager, "Old Ancestress, you may not know, but the Buddhist scriptures say that the sons of noble families are often followed by mischievous spirits who pinch them, trip them, or knock over their bowls—that's why so many die young." The Dowager asked anxiously, "Is there any way to prevent it?" Ma Daopo said, "It's simple—do more acts of charity. And the scriptures also say that the Great Radiant Illuminating Bodhisattva in the West protects against evil. If good men and women worship him sincerely, their children will be safe from all harm." The Dowager asked how to worship him. Ma Daopo said, "It's not much—besides incense and candles, you just need a few extra catties of oil a day for a large sea-lamp. That lamp represents the Bodhisattva and must burn day and night." The Dowager asked how much oil a day. Ma Daopo smiled, "It depends on the donor's wish. In our temple, the Princess of Nan'an gives forty-eight catties a day; the wife of the Marquis of Jintian gives twenty-four; others give five, three, or one. Even poor families give half a catty." The Dowager pondered. Ma Daopo added, "If it's for parents or elders, more is fine; but for your grandson, too much might be too heavy a blessing—seven catties a day at most, five at least, would be best." The Dowager agreed to five catties a day, to be drawn monthly. Ma Daopo chanted "Amitabha." The Dowager also ordered that whenever Baoyu went out, his pages should carry strings of cash to give to monks, Taoists, and beggars.

Ma Daopo sat a while longer, then went to pay respects in the various courtyards. She came to Concubine Zhao's room. They greeted each other, and Concubine Zhao had a maid serve tea. Ma Daopo saw scraps of silk on the kang; Concubine Zhao was gluing a shoe. Ma Daopo said, "I'm in need of shoe-uppers—if you have any leftover silk, any colour, could you give me a pair?" Concubine Zhao sighed, "Look in there—is there a single decent piece? Anything good never reaches my hands! It's all there—if you don't mind, take a couple." Ma Daopo chose two pieces and put them away.

Concubine Zhao asked, "I sent five hundred coppers last week for offerings to the Medicine King—did you get them?" Ma Daopo said, "I've offered them for you." Concubine Zhao sighed, "Buddha be praised! If I had more money, I'd offer regularly, but my means are limited." Ma Daopo said, "Don't worry—when Huan'er grows up and gets an official post, you'll be able to make offerings as you please." Concubine Zhao gave a derisive snort, "Don't even mention it. Look at us—we can't compare with anyone in this household. It's not just Baoyu—they treat him like a living dragon. He's a child and lovable, so I don't mind some favouritism—but what I can't stand is that one." She held up two fingers. Ma Daopo understood, "You mean Second Mistress Lian?" Concubine Zhao, startled, waved her hand, went to the door, lifted the curtain, looked out to see no one, and whispered, "Terrible! If that one doesn't move all this family property to her own family, I'm not a person."

Ma Daopo probed, "I can see that without you telling me. You just let her have her way." Concubine Zhao said, "My dear, if we don't let her, who dares do anything to her?" Ma Daopo laughed, "It's not my place to say, but if you lack skill, no wonder others take advantage. If you can't do it openly, do it in secret—why wait till now?" Concubine Zhao, hearing this hint, was secretly pleased and asked, "How do you mean, 'in secret'? I've thought of it, but I don't know anyone capable. If you can teach me, I'll reward you handsomely." Ma Daopo, seeing her interest, pretended reluctance, "Amitabha! Don't ask me—I know nothing of such things. Heaven forbid." Concubine Zhao said, "You again! You're always one to help the needy—would you stand by and watch them bully us to death? Do you think I won't reward you?" Ma Daopo smiled, "I wouldn't mind helping you, but as for reward—what could you give me that would tempt me?" Concubine Zhao, hearing the softening tone, said, "You're so clever—why be foolish now? If your method works and removes those two, this property will surely be my Huan'er's. Then you can have whatever you want!" Ma Daopo was silent for a long time, then said, "But once it's done, there's no proof—you could just ignore me." Concubine Zhao said, "That's easy. I don't have much cash, but I've saved a few taels and some clothes and hairpins—take those first. For the rest, I'll write an IOU with a guarantor." Ma Daopo said, "Truly?" Concubine Zhao said, "How could I lie?" She called a trusted old servant, whispered in her ear, and the woman left. She returned with an IOU for five hundred taels. Concubine Zhao affixed her thumbprint, opened a cabinet, and showed Ma Daopo her savings. "Take these for incense and candles—is that acceptable?" Ma Daopo, seeing the silver and the IOU, eagerly agreed, grabbed the silver, then produced from her waist ten paper ghosts with blue faces and white hair, and two paper figures. She whispered, "Write their birth dates on these paper figures, and put them, along with the ghosts, under their beds. I'll do the rituals at home—it will work. Be very careful and don't be afraid." Just then Lady Wang's maid came in, "Are you here, Aunt? The lady is waiting for you." They parted.

Now Lin Daiyu, seeing that Baoyu had been staying indoors since his burn, often chatted with him. That day after lunch she read a while, found it dull, did some needlework with Zijuan and Xueyan, grew restless, leaned by the door in thought, then wandered out, looking at the bamboo shoots by the steps, and left the courtyard. The garden was empty save for flowers, willows, birdsong, and the murmur of streams. She walked to the Crimson Delight Court, where several maids were gathered by the veranda watching a thrush bathe. Hearing laughter inside, she entered and found Li Wan, Xifeng, and Baochai there. They laughed, "Here comes another!" Daiyu laughed, "Everyone's here—who sent out invitations?" Xifeng said, "I sent a maid with tea the other day—where were you?" Daiyu laughed, "Oh, I forgot—many thanks." Xifeng asked, "Did you like it?" Before she finished, Baoyu said, "It's all right, but I didn't think it very good—I don't know what the others think." Baochai said, "The taste is light, but the colour isn't great." Xifeng said, "It's Siamese tribute. I didn't find it special either—not as good as my everyday tea." Daiyu said, "I liked it—but your tastes may differ." Baoyu said, "If you really like it, take mine too." Xifeng laughed, "If you like it, I have more. I'll send you some." Daiyu said, "If so, I'll send someone to get it." Xifeng said, "No need—I'll have it sent. Tomorrow I have a favour to ask you—I'll send it all together."

Daiyu laughed, "Hear that? Just because I had some of their tea, they start ordering me about!" Xifeng laughed, "I only ask a favour, and you talk so much. Since you've drunk our tea, why aren't you our daughter-in-law yet?" Everyone laughed. Daiyu blushed and turned away. Li Wan said to Baochai, "Our Second Sister-in-law is truly witty." Daiyu said, "Witty? It's just idle chatter." She spat. Xifeng laughed, "Don't dream! If you married into our family, what would you lack?" She pointed at Baoyu, "Look at him—is he not good-looking? Isn't his family status worthy? His means? Which of these would disgrace you?"

Daiyu rose to leave. Baochai called, "Frowner's upset—come back and sit down. Leaving would be awkward." She pulled her back. As they reached the door, Concubine Zhao and Aunt Zhou came to see Baoyu. Li Wan, Baochai, and Baoyu offered them seats, but Xifeng ignored them, chatting only with Daiyu. Just then Lady Wang's maid came, "Aunt Wang is here—please come out." Li Wan hurriedly called to Xifeng and the others to go. Zhao and Zhou took their leave. Baoyu said, "I can't go out—just don't let Aunt come in here." He added, "Cousin Lin, wait a moment—I have something to say." Xifeng turned to Daiyu, laughing, "Someone wants to talk to you." She pushed Daiyu inside and left with Li Wan.

Baoyu took Daiyu's sleeve and smiled, unable to speak. Daiyu, blushing, tried to pull away. Suddenly Baoyu cried out, "My head hurts!" Daiyu said, "Serves you right—Buddha be praised!" Then Baoyu yelled, "I'm dying!" He jumped up several feet, raving wildly. Daiyu and the maids were terrified and ran to tell Lady Wang and the Dowager. Prince Teng's wife was also there; they all came. Baoyu was grabbing knives and sticks, trying to kill himself, causing chaos. The Dowager and Lady Wang trembled with fear, weeping bitterly. Soon everyone—Jia She, Lady Xing, Jia Zhen, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, Jia Rong, Jia Yun, Jia Ping, Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, Zhou Rui's wife, and all the maids and servants—gathered in the garden, which was in an uproar. Before anyone could decide, Xifeng rushed in with a shining steel knife, killing chickens and dogs, and anyone in her way. Everyone panicked. Zhou Rui's wife and some strong women seized her, took the knife, and carried her away. Ping'er, Feng'er, and others wept bitterly. Jia Zheng and the others were frantic, unable to attend to everything.

While everyone else was panicking, Xue Pan was busier than anyone—fearing his mother might be knocked over, or Baochai seen, or Xiangling molested, knowing Jia Zhen's ways with women. In the chaos, he glimpsed Lin Daiyu's graceful figure and was utterly transfixed.

Amid the hubbub, some suggested summoning exorcists, others spirit mediums, others the Daoist Zhang of the Jade Emperor Temple. Every remedy, prayer, and divination failed. The sun set. Prince Teng's wife left; the next day Prince Teng came himself. Then the Marquis of Xiaoshi, Lady Xing's brothers, and various relatives came to visit, offering talismanic water or recommending monks—none worked. Baoyu and Xifeng grew worse, delirious and burning with fever, saying all manner of things. At night, the women dared not approach; they were moved to Lady Wang's main room, with Jia Yun and pages keeping watch in shifts. The Dowager, Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and Aunt Xue never left, weeping helplessly.

Jia She and Jia Zheng, fearing for the Dowager's health, were at a loss. Jia She searched for monks and Taoists; Jia Zheng, seeing no result, was despondent and said, "Children's fates are determined by heaven. Their illness is beyond our power—perhaps it is Heaven's will." But Jia She ignored him, continuing his frantic efforts. After three days, Baoyu and Xifeng were nearly lifeless. The household was in despair; funeral clothes were prepared. The Dowager, Lady Wang, Jia Lian, Ping'er, and Xiren wept as if their hearts would break. Concubine Zhao and Jia Huan, meanwhile, were secretly pleased.

On the fourth morning, as the Dowager and the others wept by Baoyu's bed, he opened his eyes and said, "From now on, I won't stay in your house! Hurry and pack—send me away!" This tore at the Dowager's heart. Concubine Zhao, standing by, said, "Don't grieve too much, Old Ancestress. The boy is beyond help. It would be better to dress him and let him go early, so he suffers less. If you keep him, he'll only suffer in the other world." Before she finished, the Dowager spat in her face, cursing, "You foul-mouthed slut! Who asked you to speak? How do you know he suffers in the other world? How do you know he's beyond help? You wish him dead—what good would that do you? Don't dream! If he dies, I'll hold you responsible. It was you who incited him to study and scared him into a nervous wreck. You're the one who's driven him to this!" She wept as she raged. Jia Zheng, hearing this, was even more heartbroken; he dismissed Concubine Zhao and tried to soothe his mother. Someone reported, "The two coffins are ready—please come and inspect them." The Dowager, enraged, cried, "Who ordered coffins?" She wanted the coffin-maker beaten to death.

In the midst of this chaos, the faint sound of wooden fish was heard, and a voice chanted, "Namo, Bodhisattva who dispels karmic wrongs. We can heal those afflicted by plague, household unrest, danger, or possession." The Dowager and Lady Wang, unable to restrain themselves, sent for the speakers. Jia Zheng, though sceptical, dared not disobey his mother, and finding it strange that such a sound could be heard from within the deep courtyards, ordered them in. It was a bald-headed monk and a lame Taoist. The monk had a nose like a hanging gall-bladder, long brows, eyes bright as stars; he wore a tattered robe and straw sandals, his head covered with sores. The Taoist had one foot high and one low, covered with mud and water. When asked where they cultivated, the monk said, "Don't ask—we've come to heal your household." Jia Zheng asked if they had talismanic water. The Taoist laughed, "You have a rare treasure in your house—why ask us?" Jia Zheng, intrigued, said, "My son was born with a jade that supposedly wards off evil, but it hasn't worked." The monk said, "You don't understand its power. It has been befogged by worldly desires—that's why it's ineffective. Bring it here, and we'll recite over it—it should help."

Jia Zheng took the jade from Baoyu's neck and handed it over. The monk held it in his palm and sighed, "It's been thirteen years since we parted at Green Ridge Peak—how swiftly time passes! Your mortal term is nearly done, like a snap of the fingers. I recall your former virtue:
Heaven nor earth could bind you then,
Your heart knew neither joy nor pain;
But after forging, you gained the lore,
And came to seek the world's disdain.
And now, your present state:
Pearl-dust and rouge have stained your light,
Within embroidered bowers, day and night.
This drunken dream must end at last,
*When karmic debts are paid, then all is passed!"

After chanting, he handled the jade a while, muttered some more, and gave it back to Jia Zheng, saying, "This object has recovered its spirit. Do not profane it. Hang it above the bedroom door, and keep the two patients in the same room. Let no woman except their wives and mothers approach them. In thirty-three days, they will recover." Then they turned and left. Jia Zheng tried to detain them for tea and gifts, but they had already gone. They sent people after them, but no trace was found. They had to follow the instructions: they placed Baoyu and Xifeng in Lady Wang's bedroom and hung the jade on the door, with Lady Wang guarding it and forbidding entry.

That evening, the two gradually regained consciousness, saying they were hungry. The Dowager and Lady Wang were overjoyed and gave them rice-gruel; their strength revived, and the evil receded. The household's fears abated. Outside, Li Wan, the three Jia sisters, Baochai, Daiyu, Ping'er, and Xiren waited for news. Hearing they had taken rice-gruel and come to their senses, before anyone else spoke, Daiyu murmured, "Amitabha!" Baochai turned to look at her, then laughed. No one understood. Xichun asked, "Cousin Baochai, why are you laughing?" Baochai said, "I was thinking how busy the Tathagata must be—expounding sutras, saving all beings, and now healing Baoyu and Xifeng, and suddenly arranging Miss Lin's marriage too—isn't that laughable?" Daiyu blushed and spat, "You're all wicked—you'll die for this! You never learn from good examples, only from Xifeng's sly tongue." She flung the curtain aside and left. To know more, read the next chapter.