Spoiling a Good Affair, Xiangling Conceives Deep Resentment; Grieving Over a Distant Marriage, Baoyu Feels the Pain of Parting

Jia Zheng had gone to pay his respects to the Military Commissioner. He remained inside for a long time, and those outside began to guess what had happened. Li Shi’er, waiting outside, could learn nothing. His mind was still fixed on the matter of Xue Pan’s case in the court gazette, and he was very anxious. When at last Jia Zheng came out, Li Shi’er hurried forward to follow him. Before they had even returned to the yamen, he found a place where no one was around and asked, “The master was inside so long. What important matter was it?” Jia Zheng smiled. “Nothing very important. The Supreme Commander of Zhenhai is a relative of this Military Commissioner. He wrote to ask him to look after me, so he said many kind things. He also said that our two families may now count as relatives.” When Li Shi’er heard this, he was delighted and grew even bolder. He urged Jia Zheng with all his might to agree to the marriage. But Jia Zheng was still thinking of Xue Pan’s case. He did not know what was happening in the capital and had no way to manage it, so after returning to his......