Testing an Essay: Bao-yu’s Marriage Is First Discussed; Qiaojie Has a Convulsion, and Jia Huan Makes Another Enemy

Aunt Xue had just been so enraged by one of Xia Jingui’s violent scenes that her liver qi rushed upward, and she felt a sharp pain in her left ribs. Baochai knew exactly where the illness had come from. Without waiting for a doctor, she sent someone to buy a few mace of gambir vine, brewed a strong bowl of it, and gave it to her mother. Then she and Xiangling together rubbed Aunt Xue’s chest and pounded her legs. After a while Aunt Xue felt a little easier. She was both grieved and angry: angry at Jingui’s shrewish, overbearing behavior, and grieved for Baochai, who was so sensible and forbearing, and truly pitiable. Baochai patiently comforted her. Aunt Xue unknowingly fell asleep, and gradually her liver qi settled. Baochai urged her, “Mother, do not take such idle anger to heart. In a few days, when you are a little better, go to Grandmother Jia’s place and sit with her. Talk with people and cheer yourself up. With Xiangling and me at home to look after things, I doubt she will dare go too far.” Aunt Xue nodded. “We shall see in a couple of days.” After the......