The Poor Girl Loses Her Padded Coat and Endures an Uproar; The Young Gentleman Sends Fruit and Is Alarmed by Hidden Designs

Now to return to Daiyu. After she had made up her mind to ruin her health, she grew weaker day by day and finally stopped eating altogether. For the first ten days or so, Grandmother Jia and the others took turns visiting her, and she could still occasionally say a few words. In the last two days, she had almost stopped speaking. Her mind drifted between stupor and clarity. Grandmother Jia found the onset of this illness strange and questioned Zijuan and Xueyan twice, but how dared they tell the truth? Zijuan wanted to go find Shishu to verify the news, but she feared that the more she inquired, the more the rumor would seem true, and that it would only hasten Daiyu’s death. When she saw Shishu, she did not mention it at all. Xueyan was the one whose passing on of words had caused the disaster. Now she wished she could protest with all her might that she had not spoken carelessly, so naturally she dared say even less.

That day Daiyu could not swallow even a drop of water and was at her last breath. Zijuan saw that there was little hope and, after weeping by the bedside for a while, went out and said quietly to Xueyan, “You go in and watch the young mistress carefully. I am going to report to the Old Ancestor, the mistress, and the Second Mistress. Today she looks completely different from her usual illnesses.” Xueyan agreed, and Zijuan hurried away.

Xueyan stayed inside with Daiyu and saw her sunk in a stupor. She was young and had never seen anyone so gravely ill. She thought this must be the look of approaching death. Her heart was full of pain and fear, and she longed only for Zijuan to return quickly. Just as she was panicking, she heard footsteps outside the window. Thinking it was Zijuan, she felt relieved, rose, and lifted the inner curtain to wait. The curtain moved, and in came Shishu. Shishu had been sent by Tanchun to inquire after Daiyu. Seeing Xueyan lift the curtain, she asked, “How is the young mistress?” Xueyan nodded and asked her in.

Shishu entered and, not seeing Zijuan, looked at Daiyu, who had only the faintest breath left. She was both shocked and frightened. “Where has Sister Zijuan gone?” Xueyan said, “She has gone to the main quarters to report to the Old Ancestor and the others.” Xueyan now thought Daiyu was unconscious and unaware, and since Zijuan was not there, she quietly took Shishu’s hand and asked, “A few days ago you told me that Mr. Wang had proposed a match for Master Bao. Is it true?”

Shishu said, “How could it not be true?”
Xueyan asked, “When will the betrothal gifts be sent?”
Shishu said, “Who said it was settled? That day I only heard Xiaohong mention it casually. Later I went to the Second Mistress’s rooms and happened to hear Sister Feng and Ping’er talking. She said these rumors were merely invented by the household retainers to please the master and curry favor. Not to mention that Lady Xing was never in favor of the match; even if Lady Xing approved, her judgment is poor anyway. Besides, the Old Ancestor already has someone in mind, and that person is right here in our Prospect Garden. Lady Xing cannot fathom the Old Ancestor’s thoughts at all. The Old Ancestor only asked casually to spare Jia Zheng’s feelings. The Second Mistress also said that as for Baoyu’s marriage, the Old Ancestor has set her heart on a match between close kin. No matter who comes as matchmaker, she will not agree.”

When Xueyan heard this, she was so flustered that she lost her head and blurted out, “What are we to do! We have nearly killed our young mistress for nothing!”
Shishu asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Xueyan said, “You still do not know. A few days ago Zijuan and I were privately talking about this, and the young mistress overheard us. That is why she has become this ill.”
Shishu said, “Speak softly. Be careful the young mistress hears you.”
Xueyan said, “She is already unconscious. Look at her. She will last only a day or two.”

Just then Zijuan lifted the curtain and came in. She said sternly, “This is too much! If you have things to say, why not go outside? Must you chatter here and worry her to death before you are satisfied?”
Shishu said, “I never imagined such absurd things could happen.”
Zijuan said, “Good sister, do not mind my bluntness. What do you know? If you knew, you would not spread gossip everywhere.”

As the three were arguing, they suddenly heard Daiyu cough. Zijuan hurried to the kang. Shishu and Xueyan fell silent at once. Zijuan bent down behind Daiyu and asked softly, “Would you like some water, young mistress?” Daiyu gave a faint answer. Xueyan quickly poured half a cup of warm water. Zijuan took it and held it, while Shishu came forward. Zijuan shook her head at her, signaling her not to speak. Shishu had to keep silent.

After a moment, Daiyu coughed again. Zijuan took the chance to urge her again to drink. Daiyu answered faintly again. She tried to lift her head but had no strength. Zijuan climbed onto the kang, sat close beside her, tested the water, held the cup to her lips, and supported her head. Daiyu drank one mouthful. Zijuan was about to take the cup away when Daiyu signaled that she wanted another. Zijuan held the cup still. Daiyu drank another mouthful, shook her head, and would drink no more. She breathed once and lay back. After a long while, she opened her eyes slightly and asked, “Was that Shishu speaking just now?” Zijuan answered, “Yes.”

Shishu had not yet left. She quickly came forward and paid her respects. Daiyu raised her eyes to look at her and gave a faint nod. After resting a while, she said, “Go back and give my regards to your young mistress.” Shishu saw how weak she was and assumed Daiyu did not wish to see anyone, so she quietly withdrew.

In truth, although Daiyu was gravely ill, her mind had remained clear. Just now she had vaguely heard a few words of Shishu and Xueyan’s talk, but she had no strength to answer, so she pretended not to know. After hearing their conversation, she understood that the earlier rumor of Baoyu’s betrothal was only empty talk and had not been settled. Shishu had also repeated what Xifeng said: the Old Ancestor intended a match between close kin, and the person was in the garden. Who else could it be but herself? At this thought, she found life in a dead end, and her mind cleared greatly. That was why she was willing to drink a little water and ask for Shishu.

It happened that Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Li Wan, and Xifeng had heard Zijuan’s report and all came to see her. Once the doubt in Daiyu’s heart was resolved, her wish to die faded. Her body was still weak and her spirit low, but she could just manage to answer a sentence or two. Xifeng called Zijuan and asked, “The young mistress’s illness could not have been as bad as that. Why did you frighten us so?”
Zijuan said, “Just now she looked so dangerous that I dared not fail to report it. When I came back, she had improved a great deal. It is truly strange.”
Grandmother Jia smiled. “Do not blame her. She is young and does not understand much. If she saw danger and reported it promptly, that is clever. A ready tongue and quick feet are not bad things.” They all sat awhile. Seeing that Daiyu was not in danger, they left one after another.

As the saying goes:
An illness of the heart must be cured by medicine of the heart;
The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it.

We need not speak for now of Daiyu’s slow recovery. Zijuan and Xueyan secretly thanked the Buddha. Xueyan said to Zijuan, “Fortunately the young mistress is better. Her illness came strangely, and her recovery is just as strange.”
Zijuan said, “The illness was not strange. The recovery is what is strange. I think Baoyu and our young mistress were destined for each other from the start. People often say good things are much delayed. A destined marriage cannot be broken apart even with a club. Seen this way, Heaven’s will and human hearts both show that they were made for each other. I still remember that year when I said Miss Lin was going back to the south. Baoyu was in such a frenzy that the whole household was upset. Now a single idle rumor has tormented Miss Lin to the brink of death. Is this not a bond fixed on the Stone of Three Lives in a former life?” The two secretly pressed their lips together and smiled.
Xueyan said, “Thank goodness she is better. From now on we must never mention this again. Even if I see with my own eyes Baoyu bowing in marriage to another girl, I will not say a single extra word.”
Zijuan smiled. “That is right.”

Not only did Zijuan and Xueyan talk of it privately; the servants in the household also felt that Daiyu’s illness had come strangely and gone strangely, and they whispered about it in twos and threes. Before long Xifeng heard of it. Lady Xing and Lady Wang also became suspicious, and Grandmother Jia had already guessed eight or nine parts of the reason.

One day Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Xifeng, and the others were chatting in Grandmother Jia’s rooms when the talk turned to Daiyu’s illness. Grandmother Jia said, “I was just about to speak to you. Baoyu and the Lin girl grew up together. At first I thought they were only children and did not take it seriously. Later I often saw the Lin girl now ill, now well, and I realized that the two had already set their hearts on each other. In my view, keeping them always together is improper in the end. What do you think?”

Lady Wang was startled and answered, “Miss Lin is sensitive and thoughtful. Baoyu is simple and foolish and does not know to avoid suspicion. In appearance he still seems like a child. If one of them were suddenly moved out of Prospect Garden, it would instead arouse suspicion and leave traces. The old saying goes: when a man grows up, he should marry; when a girl grows up, she should be wed. Old Ancestor, it would be better to hurry and settle Baoyu’s marriage.”

Grandmother Jia frowned. “The Lin girl is solitary by nature. That is her character, but it is precisely why I do not wish to betroth her to Baoyu. Besides, her health is so frail; I fear she will not live long. Bao girl is the most suitable.”

Lady Wang said, “It is not only you, Old Ancestor. We think the same. But Miss Lin must also be found a husband. When a girl grows up, her heart is inevitably full of cares. If she has set her heart on Baoyu and later learns that he has married Baochai, there will be great trouble.”

Grandmother Jia said, “Naturally we must first marry Baoyu, and then find a family for the Lin girl. How could we arrange for an outsider before our own younger generation? Besides, Miss Lin is two years younger than Baoyu. In that case, news of Baoyu’s betrothal must absolutely not reach her.”

Xifeng at once instructed the maids, “Did you hear? No one is to spread rumors about Baoyu’s betrothal. Anyone with a loose tongue will be beaten.” Grandmother Jia also said to Xifeng, “Feng girl, you have not been well lately and have paid less attention to garden affairs. You must be more diligent. Not only this matter—two years ago there were people in the garden gathering to drink and gamble. These are no small matters. You are meticulous. Keep stricter control. The people in the garden will only submit to you.” Xifeng agreed. They chatted a while longer, and then each went their own way.

From then on Xifeng often patrolled Prospect Garden. One day she had just reached Purple Caltrop Isle when she heard an old servant woman making a loud uproar. Xifeng went up to her. When the old woman saw her, she immediately stood respectfully with her hands at her sides and paid her respects. Xifeng asked, “What are you quarreling about here?”
The old woman said, “The mistress assigned me to guard the flowers and fruit. I have done nothing wrong, but Miss Xing’s maid called me a thief.”
Xifeng asked, “Why?”
The old woman said, “Yesterday my child Hei’er came with me into the garden to play. He ran over to Miss Xing’s rooms and took a look. I called him back at once. This morning their maid said something was lost and came to question me.”
Xifeng said, “They only asked you. Why make such a scene?”
The old woman said, “The garden belongs to the mistress, not to Miss Xing. We are appointed by the mistress. How can we be branded thieves so casually?”

Xifeng spat at her and scolded sharply, “Stop your nonsense in front of me! You are in charge of guarding. If the young mistress loses something, of course she should question you. What sort of crooked reasoning is this? Call Old Lin and have this old woman thrown out!” The maids answered. Xing Xiuyan hurried out and, with a smiling face, urged Xifeng, “Please do not. It is nothing serious. The matter is over.”
Xifeng said, “You cannot say that, miss. Whether or not anything was lost, her words were truly outrageous.”
Xiuyan saw the old woman kneeling and begging for mercy, and quickly asked Xifeng to come inside and sit. Xifeng said, “These servants—except for me—treat everyone without respect.” Xiuyan repeatedly pleaded for the old woman, saying only that her own maid had been foolish. For Xiuyan’s sake, Xifeng pardoned the old woman once. The old woman rose, kowtowed, then kowtowed to Xiuyan, and withdrew.

The two sat down. Xifeng asked with a smile, “What was lost?”
Xiuyan smiled. “Nothing valuable. An old red padded jacket. I told them to look for it, and if they could not find it, to let it go. The little maid was foolish and questioned the old woman casually, and the old woman would not let it rest. It was all the maid’s stupidity. I have already scolded her. The matter is over. There is no need to mention it again.”

Xifeng looked Xiuyan over. Her padded clothes were neither new nor old and were probably not warm enough. Her bedding was thin as well. The furnishings in the room were all gifts from the Old Ancestor, and everything was kept spotlessly clean. Xifeng respected her in her heart and said, “A small undergarment may be a small matter, but in such cold weather how could one not inquire carefully? That servant is too insolent.” After chatting a while, Xifeng left. She sat a little in various places and then returned to her rooms.

When Xifeng was back, she told Ping’er to take out a set of clothes: a small padded jacket of crimson imported crepe, a small jacket of light yellow silk lined with pearl fur, a padded skirt of sapphire-blue brocade with embroidered borders, and a jacket of Buddha-blue with silver-fox lining. She wrapped them up and sent them to Xing Xiuyan.

Xiuyan had just been through the old woman’s uproar. Although Xifeng had suppressed it, she was still uneasy. She thought of how the other young ladies in the garden were not offended by the servants, while she alone often suffered idle gossip, and now Xifeng had happened to witness it. The more she thought, the more aggrieved she felt, and she secretly wept. Just then Feng’er came in carrying the clothes. Xiuyan firmly refused to accept them.
Feng’er said, “The mistress instructed that if you find them old, she will send new ones later.”
Xiuyan thanked her. “Please thank the mistress for her kindness. Because I lost clothes, she sends me clothes—I would not dare accept them. Please go back and thank the mistress for me. I appreciate her kindness.” She also gave Feng’er a pouch as a thank-you. Feng’er had no choice but to take the clothes back.

Before long Ping’er and Feng’er came again. Xiuyan quickly rose, greeted them, and offered them seats. Ping’er smiled. “Our mistress says you are too distant.”
Xiuyan said, “It is not that I am distant. I truly feel unworthy.”
Ping’er said, “The mistress said that if you do not accept them, it is either because you dislike the clothes as old or because you look down on her. If I take them back as they are, the mistress will not agree.” Xiuyan blushed and thanked her, and had no choice but to accept. They chatted a few words.

Ping’er and Feng’er went back. When they were near Xifeng’s courtyard, they met an old woman sent by the Xue family. They greeted one another. Ping’er asked, “Where are you going?”
The old woman said, “Aunt Xue and Miss Baochai told me to come and pay respects to the ladies and mistresses. Just now I heard the Second Mistress went into the garden and also went to Miss Xing’s rooms. The Second Mistress and the young ladies are so considerate. It truly makes one grateful.”
Ping’er smiled slightly. “Come in and sit awhile when you have time.”
The old woman said, “I still have errands. I will come another day to visit you, miss.” Then she left. Ping’er went back inside and reported to Xifeng. Of this we need not speak for now.

Now to speak of the Xue household. Xia Jingui had turned the place upside down. When the old woman returned and told them about Xing Xiuyan, Aunt Xue and Baochai wept to hear it. Baochai said, “It is all because my brother is not at home that Miss Xing suffers. Fortunately Sister Feng is kind. We must also watch the servants in our household. After all, she is our own relative.”

Just then Xue Ke came in and said, “In these years my elder brother has made friends only with disreputable packs of foxes and dogs. They do not care about him; they come only to pry for news. I have sent them all away these two days. From now on tell the gatekeepers not to let such people in.”
Aunt Xue said, “Was it Jiang Yuhan and the others again?”
Xue Ke said, “Jiang Yuhan did not come. It was another group.” Aunt Xue wept. “I may have a son, but now it is as if I had none. Even if the lawsuit is dealt with leniently, he is a ruined man. You are only my nephew, but you are more sensible than your brother. I must rely on you for the rest of my life. You must strive all the more. And then there is Miss Xing, to whom you are betrothed. Her family circumstances are no longer what they were. It is not easy for a girl to marry. One can only hope the husband is capable, so that she has support. If Miss Xing had a temper like Jingui’s, I would have nothing to say. But Xing Xiuyan has principle. She can bear poverty and keep her honor. When our family affairs are settled, we must arrange your marriage to Miss Xing as soon as possible and set my heart at rest.”
Xue Ke said, “Cousin Baoqin is not yet married. That is what troubles you, Aunt. My marriage is nothing.” They chatted awhile.

Xue Ke returned to his room. After dinner, he thought of how Xing Xiuyan was lodging in the Jia household, poor and hard-pressed. When they had first come to the capital together, he had come to know her character and appearance well. He sighed at the injustice of Heaven: a shrew like Xia Jingui was born to wealth and honor, while a good girl like Xing Xiuyan suffered every kind of grievance. His heart was heavy. He wanted to write a poem to relieve his gloom and dashed off:

A dragon out of water is like a withered fish;
Apart, our hearts feel the loneliness of separate dwelling.
Both in the mud and mire endure such pain;
Who knows when we shall rise to the clear void?

After writing it, he read it through. He thought of pasting it on the wall, but feared being laughed at. He recited it silently a few times and thought it would be fine to keep it in his room for himself to read. After considering for a long time, he decided it was still not proper, so he tucked it into a book. Then he thought of how he was no longer young, and how his family had suffered one disaster after another, involving a sheltered girl like Xiuyan in loneliness and misery.

As he was pondering, Baochan pushed the door open and came in. She carried a food box and set it on the table with a smile. Xue Ke rose and offered her a seat. Baochan said with a smile, “Four dishes of fruit and a small pot of wine. The senior mistress asked me to bring them to the Second Master.”
Xue Ke smiled politely. “Thank the senior mistress for her trouble. She could have sent a little maid. Why trouble you to come yourself, sister?”
Baochan said, “We are family. There is no need for courtesy, Second Master. Since the eldest master’s trouble, you have taken great pains. The senior mistress has long wanted to prepare something to thank you, but feared others’ suspicion. In our family, people are harmonious on the surface but not inside. If she sent gifts openly, it would cause gossip. So she prepared this fruit and thin wine and told me to bring it quietly.” As she spoke, she gave Xue Ke a sidelong glance and smiled. “Do not be so polite in the future, Second Master. It sounds distant. We are servants anyway. We can wait on the eldest master, and we can wait on the Second Master too. What does it matter?”

Xue Ke was honest by nature and young. He had never seen such an attitude from Jingui or Baochan. He thought perhaps Jingui really was grateful to him for running about on Xue Pan’s behalf. So he said, “Leave the fruit. Take the wine back, sister. I have a poor head for wine. I never drink unless there is occasion. The senior mistress and you know that.”
Baochan said, “I can decide other things, but this I dare not take back on my own. You know the senior mistress’s temper. If I take it back, she will not blame you for not drinking; she will say I did not do my errand well.” Xue Ke had no choice but to keep the wine.

As Baochan was leaving, she went to the door and looked outside, then turned back and smiled at Xue Ke. She pointed toward the inner room and said softly, “She might even plan to come thank you herself.” Xue Ke did not understand her meaning and said awkwardly, “Thank the senior mistress for me, sister. It is cold; take care not to catch a chill. We are brother-in-law and sister-in-law. There is no need for such formal courtesies.” Baochan did not answer, but smiled and left.

At first Xue Ke thought Jingui was sincerely grateful and had prepared wine and fruit to thank him. But Baochan’s furtive manner and ambiguous words made him sense that something was wrong. Then he thought: She is still my sister-in-law. How could she have other designs? Perhaps Baochan is young and flighty and uses Jingui’s name to flirt. But she is my brother’s woman. This is improper. Then he thought again: Xia Jingui has never observed women’s rules and dresses seductively. Who knows but that she hides evil intentions. Or perhaps she is on bad terms with Xiangling and Baoqin and is setting a trap to frame him and ruin his reputation. At this thought he could not help being afraid, and his heart was uneasy.

As he was caught in indecision, he suddenly heard a giggle outside the window. Xue Ke was greatly startled and did not know who it was. To learn who it was, read the next chapter.