Visiting the Palace: the Imperial Concubine Jia Yuanchun Falls Ill; Quarrels at Home: Xue Baochai Endures in Silence

Tanchun and Xiangyun were just about to leave Bamboo Lodge when they suddenly heard someone outside cursing loudly: “You good-for-nothing little wretch! Who do you think you are, running into the garden to make trouble!”

At these words Daiyu cried out, “There is no living here!” She pointed one hand toward the window, her eyes rolled up, and she fainted. Although Daiyu lived in Grand View Garden and was cherished by Grandmother Jia, she was sensitive to every word and action of others. When she heard the old woman outside cursing, others might think it had nothing to do with them, but Daiyu felt the words were aimed at her. She thought: I am a daughter of a noble house, but my parents died early. Who knows who has set this old woman to humiliate me in public? Her grievance was so great that her breath caught, and she wept until she fainted. Zijuan cried in panic, “Miss, wake up!” Tanchun called to her too. After a long while Daiyu slowly revived, but could not speak; her hand still pointed toward the window.

Tanchun understood. She opened the door and went out to look. She saw an old woman with a stick chasing a dirty little maid, saying, “I came to look after the flowers and trees in the garden. What are you doing here? When we get home I will teach you a lesson!” The little maid tilted her head, put a finger in her mouth, and smiled at the old woman.

Tanchun scolded sharply: “You people grow more lawless every day! Is this a place where you may curse as you please?” Seeing Tanchun, the old woman quickly put on a smile. “That was my granddaughter. When she saw me she ran in after me. I was afraid she would make trouble, so I called her back. How would I dare curse here?” Tanchun said, “Say no more. Go away at once. Miss Lin is unwell. Do not make a noise here!” The old woman assented repeatedly, turned, and led the little maid away.

Tanchun went back inside and saw Xiangyun holding Daiyu’s hand and weeping without stopping, while Zijuan held Daiyu and rubbed her chest. Only then did Daiyu’s eyes begin to move again. Tanchun comforted her: “I suppose you heard the old woman and took it to heart? She was scolding her own granddaughter. I heard it myself. Servants of that sort have no sense of what to say. How would they know what is taboo?” Daiyu nodded faintly, took Tanchun’s hand, and called, “Sister…” but could say no more. Tanchun continued, “Do not fret. It is only right that we sisters come to see you. You lack attentive care here. If you take your medicine quietly and think of cheerful things, and little by little build up your health, we can still have poetry meetings and write poems as before. Would that not be lovely?” Xiangyun added, “Third Sister is right. That would be so happy.”

Daiyu said chokingly, “You want me to be happy, but I fear I shall never see that day again.” Tanchun said, “That is too grave. Everyone falls ill at some time. Do not think the worst. Rest well. We shall go to Grandmother Jia, and come back to see you later. If you need anything, just tell Zijuan to send word to me.” Daiyu wept and said, “Good sister, when you go to Grandmother, only give her my respects and say I am a little unwell, not seriously ill. Do not let her worry.” Tanchun agreed and left with Xiangyun.

Zijuan helped Daiyu lie down. Xueyan attended to things outside, while Zijuan watched by the bed, her heart aching but not daring to sob aloud. Daiyu lay with her eyes closed for a long time but could not sleep. Usually Grand View Garden was quiet; now, lying in bed, she heard wind, insects, birds, footsteps, and somewhere in the distance a child crying. The sounds came to her one after another and made her restless. She told Zijuan to let down the bed curtain.

Xueyan brought a bowl of bird’s-nest soup and gave it to Zijuan. Through the curtain Zijuan asked softly, “Miss, will you take a little soup?” Daiyu answered faintly. Zijuan handed the bowl back to Xueyan, helped Daiyu sit up, took the bowl, tested the temperature at her lips, then with one arm around Daiyu’s shoulders held the soup to her mouth. Daiyu half opened her eyes, drank two or three sips, then shook her head and would take no more. Zijuan gave the bowl back to Xueyan and gently helped her lie down again.

After a brief quiet, a soft voice asked outside, “Is Sister Zijuan in?” Xueyan went out and saw Xiren. She said quietly, “Sister, come in and sit.” Xiren lowered her voice and asked, “How is Miss Lin now?” As Xueyan led the way, she told her about the blood coughed up the night before and how Daiyu had fainted just now after being cursed at by the old woman. Xiren was shocked. “No wonder Cuilu ran over to our rooms and said Miss Lin was seriously ill. Master Bao immediately sent me to inquire.”

Just then Zijuan lifted the inner curtain and saw Xiren. She nodded in greeting. Xiren came softly in and asked, “Is Miss asleep?” Zijuan shook her head. Xiren frowned. “What are we to do? Last night Master Bao frightened me half to death too.” Zijuan quickly asked what had happened. Xiren said, “He was fine when he went to sleep, but in the middle of the night he suddenly cried out that his heart hurt and raved as if a knife were cutting his flesh. He kept it up until nearly dawn, when he grew a little better. Today he cannot go to school, and we must call a doctor and give him medicine.”

As she spoke, Daiyu coughed again behind the curtain. Zijuan hurried to bring the spittoon. Daiyu half opened her eyes and asked, “Whom are you talking to?” Zijuan said, “Sister Xiren has come to see you.” Xiren went to the bed. Daiyu told Zijuan to help her sit up, then pointed to the edge of the bed and asked Xiren to sit. Xiren sat sideways and urged her with a smile, “Miss, you had better lie down and rest.” Daiyu said, “It does not matter. Do not make such a fuss. Who was it you said had heart pain in the night?” Xiren answered, “It was Master Bao, frightened by a nightmare. Nothing really happened.” Daiyu knew Xiren was saying this to keep her from worrying, and she felt both grateful and grieved. She took the chance to ask, “Since it was a nightmare, what else did he say?” Xiren said, “Nothing else.” Daiyu nodded. After a long pause she sighed deeply. “Do not tell Master Bao that I am so ill. I do not want to hinder his studies and make the Master angry.” Xiren agreed, offered a few more comforting words, then took her leave and returned to Green Delights. She told Bao-yu only that Daiyu was slightly unwell, not seriously ill, and Bao-yu was somewhat relieved.

Tanchun and Xiangyun left Bamboo Lodge and went toward Grandmother Jia’s quarters. Tanchun warned Xiangyun, “When we see Grandmother, do not be as flustered as you were just now.” Xiangyun nodded and smiled. “I know. I was so frightened that I lost my head for a moment.”

When they saw Grandmother Jia, they told her about Daiyu’s illness. Grandmother Jia was troubled and sighed, “It is always these two jades who are ill or in trouble. The Lin girl is growing up, and her health matters. That child takes everything too much to heart.” No one dared reply. Grandmother Jia told Yuanyang, “Go and send word: tomorrow, after the doctor has seen Bao-yu, he is to go and feel Lin’s pulse.” Yuanyang obeyed and went out to tell the serving women. Tanchun and Xiangyun stayed to eat supper with Grandmother Jia, then returned to Grand View Garden together. We shall say no more of this for now.

The next day the doctor came. After examining Bao-yu, he said it was only irregular eating and a slight chill, not serious. A dose of medicine to disperse it and regulate him would be enough. Lady Wang and Xifeng sent the prescription to Grandmother Jia and also sent word to Bamboo Lodge that the doctor would soon be there. Zijuan quickly covered Daiyu with the quilt, let down the bed curtain, and Xueyan tidied the room.

Before long Jia Lian came in with the doctor. “This is Doctor Wang, who often attends us. There is no need for the young ladies to withdraw.” A serving woman lifted the curtain, and Jia Lian asked the doctor to sit. Jia Lian said, “Sister Zijuan, first tell Doctor Wang about the young lady’s illness.” Doctor Wang said, “There is no hurry. Let me feel the pulse first. If what I say is wrong, you may correct me.”

Zijuan brought one of Daiyu’s hands out from behind the curtain and laid it on the pulse pillow, gently pushing back the sleeve and bracelet so as not to press the wrist. Doctor Wang felt the pulse with each hand in turn for a long while, then went with Jia Lian to the outer room and sat down. He said, “All six pulses are tense and slow. The root of the illness is long-standing repression of grief.” Zijuan came to the inner doorway. Doctor Wang said to her, “This illness often brings dizziness, loss of appetite, many dreams at night, and waking several times before dawn. Even by day, if she hears idle talk that has nothing to do with her, she is easily moved to anger, and by nature she is suspicious and fearful. Those who do not understand may think her temper odd, but in fact it is a depletion of liver yin and damage to the heart qi, all caused by this illness. Am I right?” Zijuan nodded and said to Jia Lian, “Every word is exact.”

Doctor Wang said, “Then there is no mistake.” He rose and went with Jia Lian to the outer study to write the prescription. A servant prepared a large sheet of red prescription paper. Doctor Wang drank tea, took up his brush, and wrote his diagnosis:

The six pulses are wiry and slow, with long-standing accumulated depression. The left cun pulse is weak; the heart qi is feeble. The guan pulse beats too strongly; liver fire is excessive. When liver qi cannot disperse, it injures the spleen and stomach, causing loss of appetite. The fire further invades the lungs. Qi and blood do not move freely but congeal into phlegm. Blood rises with the fire, hence the coughing and spitting of blood. The treatment should soothe the liver, nourish the lungs, and regulate the heart and spleen. Tonics must not be given in large doses all at once. First use Black Xiaoyao Powder to disperse and guide; afterward use a formula to tonify the lungs and secure the metal. This humble opinion is offered for the consideration of the more skilled.

Then he wrote down seven ingredients and a guiding agent.

Jia Lian looked at the prescription and asked, “The patient spits blood upward. Is not bupleurum a rising medicine? Can it be used?” Doctor Wang smiled. “Master Lian only knows that bupleurum has a rising, lifting action, and that in cases of blood-spitting it is generally contraindicated. But when bupleurum is fried with turtle blood, it can soothe the liver and gallbladder and free the flow of qi. Once prepared with turtle blood, it no longer rushes upward; it also nourishes liver yin and checks the evil fire. The Inner Canon says, ‘Treat free flow by free flow; treat obstruction by obstruction.’ Bupleurum prepared with turtle blood is like borrowing Zhou Bo to restore order to the Han house—one treats the disorder by guiding it.” Jia Lian understood. “So that is the principle.”

Doctor Wang added, “Give two doses first. After that we may increase, decrease, or change the formula according to her condition. I have other business and cannot stay long. I shall come another day to pay my respects.” Jia Lian saw him out and asked, “Shall my younger brother Bao-yu take the same medicine?” Doctor Wang said, “Master Bao has no serious illness. One more dose or so should be enough.” Then he got into his carriage and left.

Jia Lian sent someone to buy the medicine, then went inside and told Xifeng about the root of Daiyu’s illness and the doctor’s reasoning. Zhou Rui’s wife came in to report several small matters. Jia Lian heard half of it and said, “Report to the Second Mistress. I have other business.” Then he left.

After Zhou Rui’s wife finished her reports, she said, “I have just been to Miss Lin’s. She is very ill, with no color in her face and so thin that she is nothing but bones. When I asked her anything, she would not speak, only shed tears. Zijuan told me: the young lady is ill and wants things but will not ask for them herself. She wanted to know whether the Second Mistress could advance one or two months of her allowance. Medicine is paid from the public account, but daily odds and ends still need silver. I promised to bring the matter to you.”

Xifeng thought with lowered head for a long while. “Let it be this way: I will privately give a few taels of silver for her use and not tell Miss Lin. Advancing her allowance is not easy. Once we set a precedent, everyone will come asking for advances, and we cannot bear it. You remember how Aunt Zhao and Third Girl quarreled over the allowance. Besides, you know that the household now spends much and takes in little, and turning money over is difficult. Those who do not know will say I cannot manage the household; worse, gossips will say I have moved silver back to my own family. Sister Zhou, you handle these matters, so you understand the difficulties.”

Zhou Rui’s wife said, “It would be wronging you to death, Madam. In such a great family, only you have the ability to hold it up. Not to speak of a woman, even a man with three heads and six arms might not bear it, and still people spread rumors.” She smiled and went on, “You have not heard the talk outside. People outside think our Jia house is rolling in wealth. Some say the Jia family has several silver and gold storehouses, and that even the dishes are inlaid with gold and jade. Others say the Imperial Concubine became a princess and the Emperor gave half his treasures to her family. At her visit home, they say, several cartloads of gold and silver were carried back, and the house was furnished like a crystal palace. When fulfilling a vow at the temple, they threw out tens of thousands of taels as if plucking a hair from an ox. Some say the lions at our gate are made of jade, and that in the garden there was a gold qilin, one of which was stolen, leaving only one. They say the mistresses and young ladies, even the maids, do no work but play the qin and chess, wear silk and satin, and eat and use things outsiders never see. If a young master or young lady wanted the moon, someone would find a way to bring it down to play with. There is even a rhyme: ‘Ningguo House, Rongguo House, gold and silver like dirt. Eat them not out, wear them not out, when all is reckoned…’” Here she suddenly stopped. The next line was “when all is reckoned, it comes to nothing,” but she realized in time and swallowed it.

Xifeng guessed at once that the rest was not auspicious, but she did not press. She only asked, “Such idle talk is nothing. Where did the story of the gold qilin come from?” Zhou Rui’s wife smiled. “It is the little gold qilin the old Taoist at the temple gave to Master Bao. It was lost for a few days, and Miss Shi found it and returned it to Bao-yu. From that outsiders made up a tale. Do you not think people are ridiculous, Madam?” Xifeng sighed. “It is not only ridiculous; it is frightening. Our family’s days grow harder year by year, yet such stories spread outside. The old saying goes, ‘A man fears fame as a pig fears fat.’ And ours is only empty fame. Who knows how it will end?” Zhou Rui’s wife said, “Madam thinks far ahead. All the teahouses and streets in the city are talking. It has been said for more than a year. How can one stop every mouth?”

Xifeng nodded and told Ping’er to weigh out a few taels of silver and give them to Zhou Rui’s wife. “Take this to Zijuan and say it is from me to help the young lady buy what she needs. If she needs things from the public account, she may apply as usual. Do not mention advancing the allowance. She is clever and will understand. When I have time, I will go to see her myself.” Zhou Rui’s wife took the silver and left to carry out the order.

Meanwhile Jia Lian went out. A servant came up and reported, “The Elder Master wants to see you.” Jia Lian hurried to Jia She. Jia She said, “I have just heard that the palace sent for the imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy and two medical officials to attend someone. It must not be an ordinary palace maid. Have there been any messages from the Imperial Concubine’s palace these days?” Jia Lian said, “No messages.” Jia She said, “Go and ask the Second Master and Cousin Zhen. Also send someone to the Imperial Medical Academy to find out.” Jia Lian agreed. He sent someone to inquire at the academy and went to see Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen.

When Jia Zheng heard, he asked, “Where did this rumor come from?” Jia Lian said Jia She had heard it. Jia Zheng said, “You had better go with Cousin Zhen into the inner quarters and ask for news.” Jia Lian said he had already sent someone to the Imperial Medical Academy. Then he withdrew and went to find Jia Zhen, who happened to be coming toward him. Jia Lian told him the matter. Jia Zhen said, “I heard the same rumor and was just coming to report to the Elder Master and the Second Master.” The two went together to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng said, “If the Imperial Concubine is ill, word will come out sooner or later.” While they were speaking, Jia She also came.

By noon the men sent to inquire had not returned. The gatekeeper came in and announced, “Two eunuchs from the palace are outside asking to see Their Lordships.” Jia She ordered, “Invite them in.” The gatekeeper led the eunuchs inside. Jia She and Jia Zheng went to the main inner gate to welcome them. First they inquired after the Imperial Concubine, then asked the eunuchs into the hall to sit.

The eunuchs delivered an oral decree: “Some days ago the Imperial Concubine was unwell. Yesterday, by the Emperor’s command, four close relatives are permitted to enter the palace to visit her. Each may bring only one maid; no others may accompany them. The male relatives of the family may only present their cards and pay respects outside the palace gate; they may not enter. The visit is set for tomorrow between the hours of chen and si in the morning, and they are to leave between shen and you in the afternoon.”

Jia She and Jia Zheng stood to hear the decree, then sat down again and asked the eunuchs to drink tea. Afterward the eunuchs took their leave. Jia She and Jia Zheng saw them to the gate, then returned to report to Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia said, “The four close relatives will naturally be myself, you two ladies, and one other. Who should the fourth be?” No one dared speak. Grandmother Jia thought a moment and said, “It must be Xifeng. She knows how to manage things and look after people. You men may arrange the rest.”

Jia She and Jia Zheng withdrew to make arrangements. Jia Lian and Jia Rong were to stay home and keep watch. The men of the Wen and Cao generations would accompany them. Servants were told to prepare four green woolen sedan chairs and more than a dozen large carts, waiting at dawn the next day. The servants obeyed. Jia She and Jia Zheng went back in to report to Grandmother Jia, telling her the time of entry and urging everyone to rest early and rise early for the palace. Grandmother Jia said she understood, and the two withdrew. Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and Xifeng talked a while longer about the Imperial Concubine’s illness, then went their separate ways.

At dawn the next day, lamps were lit in every room. The ladies finished washing and dressing, and the men made themselves ready. Shortly after the hour of mao, Lin Zhixiao and Lai Da reported at the inner gate, “The carriages, horses, and sedan chairs are all prepared and waiting outside.” Soon Jia She and Lady Xing arrived. The family ate breakfast. Xifeng helped Grandmother Jia out, and the others followed. Each brought only one maid. They went out slowly. Li Gui and another servant were sent ahead on horseback to the outer palace gate to meet them, and the ladies’ sedan chairs followed. The men of the Wen and Cao generations mounted horses or rode in carriages, with servants following. Jia Lian and Jia Rong stayed behind to guard the house.

The Jia carriages and horses waited at the west wall gate outside the palace. After a while two eunuchs came out and said, “The Jia ladies may enter the palace to visit the invalid. The male relatives may only pay respects outside the palace gate; they may not enter.” The gatekeepers told the ladies’ sedan chairs to follow the young eunuchs. The Jia men walked behind the sedan chairs, while the servants waited outside. When they reached the palace gate, several old eunuchs were sitting by the door. Seeing them arrive, the eunuchs rose to greet them. Jia She and Jia Zheng took their places in order. The sedan chairs were carried to the palace gate, and the ladies got down. Young eunuchs led the way. Grandmother Jia and the others walked with the support of their maids until they reached the Imperial Concubine’s bedchamber. The walls of the hall were splendid, with glazed tiles shining brilliantly. Two young palace maids announced that only greetings were required; all other elaborate ceremonies were dispensed with.

Grandmother Jia and the others thanked the favor and went to the bedside to pay their respects. The Imperial Concubine granted them seats. They thanked her and sat down. The Imperial Concubine asked Grandmother Jia, “How has your health been lately?” Grandmother Jia, leaning on her maid, rose tremblingly and replied, “Thanks to Your Highness’s blessing, I am fairly well.” The Imperial Concubine also greeted Lady Xing and Lady Wang, who stood to answer. She asked Xifeng how the household was managing. Xifeng rose and replied, “We manage to keep going.” The Imperial Concubine said, “These years you have worked hard looking after the family.”

Xifeng was about to continue when a palace maid brought a stack of cards for the Imperial Concubine to look at. They were the names of Jia She, Jia Zheng, and the other male relatives. After reading them, the Imperial Concubine’s eyes reddened and tears fell. A palace maid handed her a handkerchief. She wiped her tears and gave an oral order: “Today I am a little better. Tell them to wait and rest outside the palace for the time being.” Grandmother Jia and the others rose and thanked her. The Imperial Concubine said tearfully, “A father and daughter, brothers and sisters, are worse off than ordinary families, who can meet often.” Grandmother Jia and the others held back tears and comforted her. “Your Highness must not grieve. The whole family depends on Your Highness’s blessing.”

The Imperial Concubine then asked about Bao-yu. Grandmother Jia said, “Lately he is willing to study hard. His father is strict with him, and he can now write essays.” The Imperial Concubine said, “That is good.” Then she ordered a banquet to be set outside the palace hall. Two palace maids and four young eunuchs led them to another hall, where the feast was already prepared. They took their seats according to rank, and we need not describe the details. After the meal, Grandmother Jia and the three others thanked her for the banquet and lingered a while. Seeing that it was nearing the hour of you in the afternoon, they did not dare stay long and took their leave. The Imperial Concubine ordered palace maids to lead them to the inner palace gate, where four young eunuchs saw them further out. Grandmother Jia and the others got into their sedan chairs again. Jia She and the others had been waiting outside. The whole party returned to the mansion together. After arriving home, there were still arrangements for future visits to the palace. Once all was settled, we shall say no more.

Now to the Xue household. After Xia Jingui had driven Xue Pan away, she had no one to quarrel with during the day. Xiangling had moved to Baochai’s quarters to live with her, leaving only Baochan in the room to keep Jingui company. Baochan was already Xue Pan’s concubine, and her temper was very different from when she had been a maid. Jingui saw her opposing her in everything and began to regret it.

One day Jingui drank a few cups of wine in her gloom, lay down on the kang, and decided to vent her anger on Baochan. She asked, “Where did the Master go when he left home the other day? You must know.” Baochan said, “How should I know? He would not tell even you the truth, Madam. How could I know?” Jingui sneered. “There is no mistress or master here now. It is all your world. I dare not provoke others; some have protectors, so I avoid trouble. But you are still my maid. I ask one question, and you pull a long face and snap at me. Since you are so capable, why not strangle me and let you or Xiangling be the mistress? Would that not be peaceful? But no, I will not die and block your way.”

Baochan could not bear this. She stared straight at Jingui and said, “Madam, save such talk for others! I have not contradicted you. You dare not provoke others, so why take it out on us weak servants? When something really matters, you pretend not to see and act as if nothing has happened.” She burst into loud crying and complaints. Jingui grew angrier, climbed down from the kang, and tried to strike Baochan. Baochan had the temper of the Xia family and would not yield an inch. Jingui knocked over tables, chairs, cups, and dishes. Baochan only wept and cried out at the injustice, not the least afraid of her.

Aunt Xue heard the uproar from Baochai’s room and called Xiangling. “Go over and see. Try to calm them.” Baochai quickly stopped her. “No, Mother, do not send her. If she goes, she cannot calm them. She will only pour oil on the fire.” Aunt Xue said, “Then I will go myself.” Baochai advised, “If you ask me, Mother, you should not go either. Let them make their noise. There is no help for it.” Aunt Xue said, “How can this be tolerated?” She went, leaning on her maid, toward Jingui’s room, and Baochai could only follow, telling Xiangling to stay behind.

When mother and daughter reached the doorway, the crying and quarreling continued inside. Aunt Xue said, “What is going on here? You are turning the place upside down again. Does this look like a decent family? Walls have ears. Are you not afraid the relatives will hear and laugh?”

Jingui retorted from inside, “Afraid of being laughed at? This household confuses black and white. There is no distinction between mistress and maid, between wife and concubine. It is an absurd place. The Xia family never had such rules. I cannot bear the injustice here!”

Baochai urged, “Sister-in-law, Mother came only because she heard the noise. She asked hastily and did not distinguish between you and Baochan. It is not a great matter. Better to speak things out plainly and let everyone live peacefully, so Mother need not worry about the household every day.” Aunt Xue also said, “Yes. First explain the matter. Then you may blame me if you wish.”

Jingui said, “Good sister, you are virtuous and understanding. You will surely marry into a good family with a good husband. Unlike me, married yet living as a widow, with no support, bullied by others. I am simple-hearted. I only beg you not to pick apart my words and find fault. My parents died when I was young, and no one taught me. Besides, the private affairs between husband and wife, wife and concubine, in our rooms are not for you to interfere with, Miss!”

Hearing this, Baochai was both ashamed and angry. Seeing her mother offended, she felt heartache but held back her temper. “Sister-in-law, say a little less. Who is picking apart your words? Who is bullying you? Not to speak of you, even Xiangling—I have never once raised my voice to scold her.”

Hearing this, Jingui became more agitated. She slapped the edge of the kang and wept loudly. “How can I compare with Xiangling! I am not fit to touch the dust under her feet. She has been here longer, understands your thoughts, and knows how to please. I am new and do not know how to flatter. Why compare me with her? How many people in the world can be imperial concubines? Better store up some virtue! Do not end up like me, married to a muddle-headed man, living as a widow, and shamed in public!”

Aunt Xue could bear it no longer. She stood up and said, “It is not that I am partial to my daughter. Every word she said was kind advice, and every word you say is meant to anger her. If you have grievances, do not take them out on her. Even if you strangle me, it would not matter.” Baochai quickly urged her mother, “Mother, do not be angry. We came to calm them. If we get angry ourselves, we only make it worse. Better go out first and wait until Sister-in-law has calmed down.” She also told Baochan, “Do not say another word.” Then she helped Aunt Xue out of the room.

As they crossed the courtyard, they met a maid from Grandmother Jia’s side coming with Xiangling. Aunt Xue asked, “Where have you come from? Is the Old Ancestress well?” The maid replied, “The Old Ancestress is well. She sent me specially to greet you, Aunt Xue, and thank you for the lychees you sent the other day. She also sends congratulations to Miss Qin.” Baochai asked, “When did you arrive?” The maid said, “I have been here for some time.”

Aunt Xue guessed that the maid had heard the quarrel. Blushing, she said, “Our household is in such an uproar. I am ashamed that your side should hear it and laugh.” The maid comforted her. “Aunt Xue, do not say that. Every family has its little bumps and clashes. You are thinking too much of it.” She followed them to Aunt Xue’s room and sat a while, then took her leave.

Baochai was just about to say a few words to Xiangling when she suddenly heard Aunt Xue cry out, “The pain in my left ribs is terrible!” With that, Aunt Xue fell straight down on the kang. Baochai and Xiangling were so frightened that they did not know what to do. What happened afterward will be told in the next chapter.