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 Imperial Concubine recovered, the whole household was delighted. A few days later, several eunuchs from the palace came bringing silver and gifts, and delivered the Imperial Concubine’s command praising the Jia family for the trouble they had taken in visiting her in the palace. After the gifts had been checked and handed over, Jia She and Jia Zheng reported to Grandmother Jia, and together they thanked her for the imperial favor. The eunuchs drank tea and took their leave. Everyone returned to Grandmother Jia’s rooms, talking and laughing. Then a serving woman came in and announced, “A servant boy outside reports that someone has invited the Elder Master out to discuss important business.” Grandmother Jia said to Jia She, “Go on, then.” Jia She assented and withdrew.

Grandmother Jia then remembered something and said with a smile to Jia Zheng, “The Imperial Concubine has always had Bao-yu in her thoughts. A few days ago she specially asked about him.” Jia Zheng smiled respectfully. “It is only that Bao-yu refuses to study properly, and so disappoints Her Highness’s kind intentions.” Grandmother Jia said, “I already put in a good word for him, saying that lately he can write essays.” Jia Zheng laughed. “How could he be as good as you say, Mother?” Grandmother Jia said, “You people are always making him write poems and essays. Can he not write anything at all? A child must be taught slowly. The old saying goes, ‘A fat man is not made in one bite.’” Jia Zheng quickly replied, “What you say is true, Mother.” Grandmother Jia went on, “Speaking of Bao-yu, I have something to discuss with you. He is no longer a child. You should keep your eyes open and choose a marriage for him. This is a matter for his whole life. There is no need to weigh whether the family is close or distant, poor or rich. It is enough if the girl has good character and a proper appearance.”

Jia Zheng said, “Your command is right, Mother. But there is one thing. However good the girl may be, the first requirement is that Bao-yu himself should improve and study hard. If he turns out good for nothing, he will only ruin the girl’s life. That would be a great pity.” Grandmother Jia was somewhat displeased at these words. “By rights, since he has parents to decide for him, there should be no need for me to worry. But Bao-yu has followed me since childhood, and I have loved him a little too much. Perhaps I have delayed his settling down. Still, I look at his face and bearing, and his nature seems honest enough. He is not necessarily the sort to amount to nothing and ruin a girl. Perhaps I am partial, but I always think he is better than Jia Huan. What do you think?”

These few words made Jia Zheng uneasy. He quickly smiled and said, “You have seen much and know much, Mother. Since you say he has good fortune, I suppose it must be so. It is only that I am too eager for him to succeed, and so, as the ancients said, ‘No one knows the beauty of his own son’—I cannot see my own child’s good points.” This made Grandmother Jia laugh, and everyone nearby laughed too. Grandmother Jia said with a smile, “You are older now, and an official. Your experience is deep, so naturally you are steadier. I remember when you were young, your temper was peculiar—twice as bad as Bao-yu’s. Only after you married did you gradually come to understand human feelings and worldly matters. Now instead you find fault with Bao-yu. To my way of thinking, Bao-yu understands human feelings better than you did then.” Lady Xing and Lady Wang both laughed and said the Old Ancestress was joking again. Just then a little maid came to tell Yuanyang, “May we ask the Old Ancestress: supper is ready.” Grandmother Jia asked what they were whispering about, and Yuanyang reported. Grandmother Jia said, “All of you go and eat. Let Xifeng and Zhen’s wife stay and eat with me.” Jia Zheng, Lady Xing, and Lady Wang assented. When the food was laid out, Grandmother Jia urged them again, and only then did they withdraw to their own rooms.

Lady Xing left first. Jia Zheng and Lady Wang returned to their rooms, and Jia Zheng mentioned what Grandmother Jia had said. “The Old Ancestress dotes on Bao-yu so much. In the end, he must have real learning and win office in the examinations. Only then will he not disappoint her love, nor ruin some girl’s future.” Lady Wang said, “What you say is reasonable, my lord.” Jia Zheng told a maid in the room to send word to Li Gui: “When Bao-yu comes back from school, let him eat first. After the meal, tell him to come and see me. I want to test his lessons.” Li Gui received the order.

When Bao-yu came back from school, he was just about to go and pay his respects when Li Gui stopped him. “Second Master, do not go over yet. The Master has ordered that you are to go after you have eaten. He wants to question you.” When Bao-yu heard this, it was like a thunderclap over his head. He first went to see Grandmother Jia, then returned to Grand View Garden to eat. He hurried through a few mouthfuls, rinsed his mouth, and rushed to Jia Zheng’s inner study.

Jia Zheng was sitting in the study. Bao-yu came in, paid his respects, and stood to one side. Jia Zheng asked, “Some time ago I had too much business and forgot to ask you. You said that day that the tutor planned to teach you for a month and then let you begin writing essays. By now nearly two months have passed. Have you actually begun to write?” Bao-yu answered, “I have written only three.” Jia Zheng asked what the titles were. Bao-yu said, “One was ‘At Fifteen I Set My Heart upon Learning’; one was ‘Not to Be Angered When Others Do Not Know You’; and one was a three-character title, ‘Then They Turn to Mo.’” Jia Zheng asked whether he had the manuscripts. Bao-yu said that after copying them clean, the tutor had corrected them, and the notebook was at the school. Jia Zheng told someone to fetch it. Bao-yu quickly told Beiming, “Go quickly to the school. In the drawer of my desk there is a thin bamboo-paper notebook marked ‘School Exercises.’ Bring it here.”

Before long Beiming brought it, and Bao-yu presented it. Jia Zheng opened the first piece, “At Fifteen I Set My Heart upon Learning.” Bao-yu’s original opening proposition had been: “The Sage set his heart upon learning, and did so even in youth.” The tutor Dai-ru had crossed out the word “youth” and changed it to “fifteen.” Jia Zheng commented, “Your original ‘youth’ did not fit the title. ‘Youth’ means the years before sixteen. This chapter is Confucius describing how his learning advanced with his years. Fifteen, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy—all must be brought out, so that one can see the different stages of each age. The tutor’s change to ‘fifteen’ fits the meaning.” Then he looked at the next section. The original said, “Now, not to set one’s heart upon learning is the common way of people.” Jia Zheng shook his head. “This is not only childish; one can see you have no ambition to study.” Then he looked at the next line: “That the Sage at fifteen set his heart upon it—was that not difficult?” He said, “This is even more absurd.” Then he looked at Dai-ru’s corrected version: “Who among men does not study? Yet those who truly set their hearts upon learning are few. This is why the Sage had confidence at fifteen.” He asked Bao-yu, “Do you understand the corrections?” Bao-yu said he did.

The second piece was “Not to Be Angered When Others Do Not Know You.” Jia Zheng first read the corrected version: “One who is not angered because others do not know him will never change his joy in learning.” Then he looked at the crossed-out original: “To be able to have no anger in one’s heart toward others—this is the pure scholar.” Jia Zheng said, “The first half only explains the three words ‘and not be angered,’ while the second half confuses the boundary of the gentleman. It must be like the corrected version to fit the title, and it must also connect with the preceding text and understand the meaning of the book. You must think it over carefully.” Bao-yu assented. Jia Zheng continued reading: “Now, when one is not known, there is no one who is not angered; yet he alone was not. Unless one has gone from joy to delight, how could he reach this?” The original last line was: “Is he not a pure scholar?” Jia Zheng said, “This has the same fault as the earlier opening proposition. The corrected version is more or less smooth and passable.”

The third piece was “Then They Turn to Mo.” Jia Zheng looked at the title, raised his head, thought, and asked Bao-yu, “Has the book reached this point?” Bao-yu said, “The tutor said Mencius is easy to understand, so he taught Mencius first. A few days ago he finished it, and now he has gone back to the first half of the Analects.” Jia Zheng saw that the opening and following sections had not been much changed. The opening proposition read: “Speaking of what remains after leaving Yang, it is as if there were nowhere else to turn.” Jia Zheng said, “The second sentence is rather good for you.” The original text was: “Now Mo was not what they wished to turn to; but Mo’s words had already filled half the world. Then, apart from Yang, if they did not wish to turn to Mo, could they help it?” Jia Zheng asked, “Did you write this?” Bao-yu said he had. Jia Zheng nodded. “It is not outstanding, but for a first attempt it is not unreasonable. Two years ago, when I was serving away from home, I set the topic ‘Only the Scholar Is Capable.’ Most of the lower-degree candidates copied earlier essays and could not think for themselves. Have you read that piece?” Bao-yu said he had. Jia Zheng said, “Think it out again. Do not copy earlier writers. Just write one opening proposition.”

Bao-yu had no choice but to agree. He lowered his head and thought hard. Jia Zheng stood at the door with his hands behind his back, thinking. A young servant boy came hurrying out. Seeing Jia Zheng, he quickly dropped his hands and stood still. Jia Zheng asked what he was doing. The boy replied, “Aunt Xue has arrived at the Old Ancestress’s place. The Second Mistress sent word to prepare supper.” Jia Zheng said nothing, and the boy left.

Ever since Baochai had moved back to the Xue household, Bao-yu had been thinking of her. When he heard Aunt Xue had come, he thought Baochai had come too, and his heart was thrown into confusion. He summoned his courage and reported, “I have thought of an opening proposition. I do not know whether it is right.” Jia Zheng said, “Read it to me.” Bao-yu read: “Not all under Heaven are scholars; those who can be without property are also few.” Jia Zheng nodded. “More or less passable. In future, when you write essays, distinguish the boundaries of the topic and think the meaning through before putting brush to paper. You have come here—does Grandmother know?” Bao-yu said she did. Jia Zheng said, “Since that is so, go back to Grandmother’s side.” Bao-yu assented and slowly withdrew. As soon as he had passed the screen at the moon gate of the covered corridor, he ran like a puff of smoke toward Grandmother Jia’s courtyard. Beiming chased after him, calling, “Be careful, you will fall! The Master is still there!” But Bao-yu paid no attention. As soon as he entered, he heard Lady Wang, Xifeng, and Tanchun talking and laughing. A maid saw Bao-yu coming and whispered, “Aunt Xue is here.” Bao-yu quickly paid his respects, then wished Grandmother Jia good evening. Grandmother Jia asked, “Why are you so late from school today?” Bao-yu explained that Jia Zheng had looked at his essays and ordered him to write an opening proposition. Grandmother Jia was delighted. Bao-yu asked everyone, “Where is Sister Bao?” Aunt Xue smiled. “Your Sister Bao did not come. She is at home doing needlework with Xiangling.” When Bao-yu heard this, he was greatly disappointed, yet he could not leave at once.

While they were speaking, supper was laid out. Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue sat in the places of honor, while Tanchun and the others sat with them. Aunt Xue asked, “Where is Bao-yu?” Grandmother Jia said with a smile, “Bao-yu will sit beside me.” Bao-yu quickly replied, “Just now Li Gui passed on the Master’s words that I was to go to him after eating. I hurried through a bowl of rice and went to see him. Grandmother, Aunt, sisters, please eat slowly.” Grandmother Jia said, “In that case, Xifeng, come and keep me company. Your mother says she is eating vegetarian today, so let them eat by themselves.” Lady Wang also said, “You keep the Old Ancestress and Aunt Xue company at supper. Do not wait for me. I am eating vegetarian.” Xifeng sat down. The maids laid out bowls and chopsticks, and Xifeng poured wine before taking her place.

At the meal Grandmother Jia asked, “Just now Aunt Xue mentioned Xiangling. I heard the maids call her Qiuling. Who is that? When I asked, I learned it was the same girl. Why was her name changed for no good reason?” Aunt Xue blushed and sighed deeply. “Do not mention it, Old Ancestress. Ever since Pan married this unreasonable wife, there has been quarreling every day, and the household is in chaos. I have spoken to her several times, but she is obstinate and will not listen. I have no strength to argue with her every day, so I let her be. The name change was because she disliked Xiangling’s name.” Grandmother Jia said, “A name is a small matter.” Aunt Xue said, “It is truly humiliating to speak of. It was not really that she disliked the name. I hear that because the name was chosen by Baochai, she deliberately insisted on changing it.” Grandmother Jia did not understand. Aunt Xue wiped her tears with a handkerchief and sighed. “The Old Ancestress does not know. Now my daughter-in-law makes a point of fighting with Baochai. A few days ago, when you sent someone to visit me, the house was in an uproar.”

Grandmother Jia comforted her. “A few days ago I heard Aunt Xue had liver pain. I meant to send someone to visit, but later I heard you were better, so I did not go. Do not take it to heart. They are a newly married young couple. After a while things will improve. I have always thought Baochai’s temper is gentle and steady. Though she is young, her understanding is greater than many grown people’s. When the maids came back and reported, we all praised her. A girl with Baochai’s heart and character is one in a hundred. Forgive me for speaking plainly, but in the future, whichever family marries her, how could the parents-in-law not love her? How could the whole household not respect her?” Bao-yu had been impatient and about to take his leave, but when he heard this he sat down again and listened quietly. Aunt Xue said, “However good she is, she is still a girl. Pan is muddle-headed, and I truly cannot rest easy. I fear he will drink outside and get into trouble. Fortunately the Elder Master’s and Second Master’s sons often keep him company, so I am a little easier.” Bao-yu put in, “Aunt, do not worry. Cousin Xue keeps company only with respectable merchants. He will not stir up trouble.” Aunt Xue smiled. “Hearing you say so, I can worry less.” When supper was finished, Bao-yu made the excuse that he had to study in the evening and took his leave first.

The maids had just brought tea when Hupo went up to Grandmother Jia and whispered a few words in her ear. Grandmother Jia said to Xifeng, “Go quickly and see Qiaojie.” Xifeng did not understand at first, and the others were startled too. Hupo told Xifeng, “Ping’er sent a little maid to report that Qiaojie is unwell. She asks the Second Mistress to come at once.” Grandmother Jia said, “Go quickly. Aunt Xue is not an outsider.” Xifeng hurriedly took her leave. Lady Wang said, “You go first. I will come shortly. A small child’s soul is not yet fully formed. Do not let the maids make a great fuss. Be careful of cats and dogs in the room too. The child is delicate and seems always to be ill.” Xifeng assented and went back to her rooms with the little maid.

Aunt Xue then asked about Daiyu’s illness. Grandmother Jia said, “The Lin girl is good, but she takes everything too much to heart, and so her health is weak. In cleverness and spirit she is not inferior to Baochai. In generosity and forbearance, however, she is not Baochai’s equal.” Aunt Xue chatted a little more, then rose to take her leave. “Old Ancestress, rest. I must go home too. Only Baochai and Xiangling are at home. On the way I will go with Lady Wang to see Qiaojie.” Grandmother Jia agreed. Aunt Xue went with Lady Wang toward Xifeng’s courtyard to visit Qiaojie.

Meanwhile, after testing Bao-yu, Jia Zheng was fairly satisfied. He went out to chat with the retainers and hangers-on at his gate. When he mentioned Bao-yu’s essays, a newly arrived chess player, Wang Ertiao, whose given name was Zuomei, said, “In my humble opinion, Master Bao’s learning has greatly improved.” Jia Zheng said modestly, “It cannot be called improvement. He has only skimmed the surface. He is still far from real learning.” Zhan Guang said, “You are too modest, Your Honor. Not only Brother Wang, but all of us can see that Master Bao will certainly pass the examinations with high honors.” Jia Zheng smiled. “I thank you all for your kind regard.” Wang Ertiao then said, “I have a matter I would venture to discuss with you, Your Honor. I have a friend, the Elder Master Zhang, who once served as intendant of the Nan-Shao Circuit. He has a daughter at home who is complete in virtue, beauty, accomplishment, and bearing. She has not yet been betrothed. He has no son, and his wealth is considerable. But he wishes to find a family of wealth and rank, and a son-in-law of outstanding character, before he will agree to a match. I have been here two months and have seen that Master Bao’s character and learning will surely bring great success. Your family’s rank is a fitting match. If I were to act as matchmaker, I am sure it would succeed at the first word.”

Jia Zheng said, “Bao-yu is of an age to discuss marriage, and the Old Ancestress often mentions it. But I am not well acquainted with this Elder Master Zhang.” Zhan Guang said, “I know the Zhang family. They are also old relatives of the Elder Master’s side. One question will make it clear.” Jia Zheng thought a moment. “I have never heard the Elder Master speak of such relatives.” Zhan Guang said, “Your Honor does not know. The Zhang family are relatives of Lady Xing’s brother.” Only then did Jia Zheng understand that they were relatives of Lady Xing’s family. After sitting a while, Jia Zheng went back to the inner quarters, intending to discuss the matter with Lady Wang and then ask Lady Xing. But Lady Wang had accompanied Aunt Xue to Xifeng’s rooms to see Qiaojie. When the lamps were lit and Aunt Xue had gone, Lady Wang returned. Jia Zheng told her what Wang Ertiao and Zhan Guang had said about the marriage, and asked about Qiaojie. Lady Wang said, “It looks like infantile convulsions.” Jia Zheng asked, “Is it serious?” Lady Wang said, “It seems to be a warning of convulsions, but she has not yet gone into a seizure.” Jia Zheng said no more, and they each retired. The night passed without incident.

The next day Lady Xing came to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia. Lady Wang brought up the Zhang family’s proposal and reported it to Grandmother Jia, also asking Lady Xing. Lady Xing said, “The Zhangs are old relatives, but we have not heard from them for many years, and I do not know what the girl’s character is like. A few days ago Mrs. Sun, our in-law, sent someone to pay respects and also mentioned the Zhang family. She said they have only this one daughter, very spoiled and delicate. She knows a few characters, is timid, and seldom goes out. Elder Master Zhang says that since she is his only daughter, he cannot bear to marry her out. He fears that in her husband’s family she might suffer under strict parents-in-law. He insists that the son-in-law must marry into their family and help manage their affairs.”

Before she finished, Grandmother Jia said at once, “That will never do. Bao-yu usually has people waiting on him hand and foot, and still there is not enough. How could he marry into another family and manage their household?” Lady Xing said, “That is what I thought too.” Grandmother Jia said to Lady Wang, “When you go back, tell the Master that in my opinion this Zhang family match cannot be accepted.” Lady Wang agreed. Grandmother Jia asked, “How did Qiaojie look yesterday? Ping’er came back and told me the child was seriously ill. I would like to go and see her.” Lady Xing and Lady Wang urged, “The Old Ancestress loves her, but the journey is tiring, and your health cannot bear it.” Grandmother Jia said, “It is not only to see the child. I also want to move about and stretch my limbs.” She gave orders: “You two go and eat first. When you have finished, come and accompany me there.” Lady Xing and Lady Wang assented and withdrew.

After the meal, everyone accompanied Grandmother Jia to Xifeng’s courtyard. Xifeng hurried out to welcome her. Grandmother Jia asked about Qiaojie’s illness. Xifeng said, “I fear it is infantile convulsions about to break out.” Grandmother Jia said, “If that is so, why have you not quickly called a doctor?” Xifeng said one had already been sent for. Grandmother Jia went with Lady Xing and Lady Wang into the inner room to see the child. The nurse held Qiaojie, wrapped in a small peach-red silk quilt. Her face was bluish, and the corners of her brows and the sides of her nose twitched slightly. After Grandmother Jia and the others had looked, they went to sit in the outer room. As they were talking, a little maid came to Xifeng and said, “The Master has sent someone to ask how the child is.” Xifeng replied, “Tell the Master that a doctor has been called. When the prescription is written, I will report it.” Grandmother Jia thought of the Zhang marriage proposal and said to Lady Wang, “Tell the Master early, so that the matchmaker does not speak and then be refused afterward.” She also asked Lady Xing, “Why have your two families not visited each other for many years?” Lady Xing said, “The Zhangs are stingy in their dealings. They are really not a suitable match. Better not to wrong Bao-yu.”

Xifeng understood and said with a smile, “I will make bold to say one thing before the Old Ancestress and the ladies. Here is a match made by Heaven itself. Why look outside?” Grandmother Jia asked with a smile, “Where?” Xifeng said, “One Bao-yu and one gold lock. Has the Old Ancestress forgotten?” Grandmother Jia smiled. “Yesterday your aunt was here. Why did you not mention it then?” Xifeng said, “The Old Ancestress and the ladies were present. How could we younger ones speak? Besides, Aunt Xue had come to visit the Old Ancestress. For a marriage like this, the ladies should go to make the proposal.” Grandmother Jia laughed, and Lady Xing and Lady Wang laughed too. Grandmother Jia said, “Then it is I who have grown old and muddled.”

Just then a servant reported that the doctor had arrived. Grandmother Jia sat in the outer room, while Lady Xing and Lady Wang withdrew a little. The doctor came in with Jia Lian, paid his respects to Grandmother Jia, and then went into the inner room to examine the child. Afterward he came out, bowed, and reported to Grandmother Jia, “The little girl has half internal heat and half infantile convulsions. First give one dose to disperse the wind-phlegm. She will also need Four Spirits Powder. The illness is not light. These days most cow bezoar on the market is fake. You must find genuine cow bezoar to use in the medicine.” Grandmother Jia thanked him. The doctor went out with Jia Lian to write the prescription and then left. Xifeng said, “We have ginseng at home, but I fear we have no cow bezoar. If we buy it outside, we must get the genuine article.” Lady Wang said, “I will send someone to ask Aunt Xue. Pan often does business with merchants from the Western Regions. They may have genuine cow bezoar at home. I will send someone to ask.”

Before long the sisters also came to visit. After sitting a while, they left with Grandmother Jia and the others. The medicine was brewed and poured into Qiaojie. With a “kah” sound, she spat up the medicine together with phlegm, and only then did Xifeng feel a little easier. A little maid from Lady Wang’s side brought a small packet wrapped in red paper. “Second Mistress, the cow bezoar has been found. Her Ladyship says you are to check the amount yourself.” Xifeng took it and told Ping’er to prepare pearl, borneol, and cinnabar, and to brew the medicine quickly. Xifeng weighed the ingredients on a small steelyard according to the prescription, mixed them in, and waited for Qiaojie to wake and take it.

Just then Jia Huan lifted the curtain and came in. “Second Sister-in-law, how is Qiaojie? My mother sent me to ask.” Xifeng had always detested Aunt Zhao and her son. She said carelessly, “A little better. Go back and tell your aunt not to worry.” Jia Huan agreed, but he looked around and asked Xifeng, “I hear there is cow bezoar here. What does cow bezoar look like? Let me see it.” Xifeng said, “Do not make trouble here. The child has just improved a little, and the cow bezoar is already in the pot.” Jia Huan reached out to lift the medicine pot. His hand slipped, and with a crash the pot overturned, putting out most of the stove fire. Jia Huan knew he had caused trouble and ran off in fright. Xifeng was furious. “You are a real enemy from a former life! You came deliberately to make trouble! Before, your mother tried to harm me. Now you come to harm Qiaojie! I have a feud with you and your mother for generations!” She also scolded Ping’er for not watching properly.

As she was scolding, a maid came looking for Jia Huan. Xifeng said, “Go back and tell Aunt Zhao that she has taken great trouble. Qiaojie probably cannot be saved, so she need not worry about her!” Ping’er quickly prepared the medicine again and brewed it. The maid was bewildered and quietly asked Ping’er what had happened. Ping’er told her that Jia Huan had knocked over the medicine pot. The maid said, “No wonder he did not dare come back. He has hidden somewhere else. Who knows what punishment Brother Huan will get tomorrow. Sister Ping’er, let me help you tidy up.” Ping’er said there was no need. Fortunately there was still a little cow bezoar left, and the medicine had already been prepared. She told the maid to go back. The maid obeyed and went back, telling Aunt Zhao everything.

When Aunt Zhao heard, she cried out, “Go and find Huan’er at once!” Jia Huan was hiding in the outer room and was found by the maid. Aunt Zhao scolded him bitterly. “You low-born creature! Why did you knock over their medicine and make them curse us? I only told you to go and ask after the child. You did not need to go inside. But you had to go in and would not leave at once. You deliberately made trouble! Wait until I tell the Master. We shall see whether he beats you to death!” Aunt Zhao was scolding Jia Huan when she heard him say something frightening from the outer room. What exactly he said will be told in the next chapter.