Chapter 108: Forcing a Smile, Baochai Celebrates Her Birthday; Lingering in Sickness, Xiaoxiang Hears a Ghostly Weep

CHAPTER 108

Forced Gaiety: Bao-chai Celebrates Her Birthday; Lingering Death: Hsiao-hsiang Hears Ghostly Weeping

It has been told that Chia Cheng had previously memorialized the throne, requesting that the mansion and the Grand View Garden be confiscated by the government. The Imperial Household did not accept them, and since no one else lived there, they could only be sealed up. Because the garden adjoined the residences of Madam Yu and Hsi-ch'un, it was truly too desolate and empty, so Pao Yung was punished by being assigned to guard the abandoned garden. At this time, Chia Cheng was managing household affairs, and in accordance with the Dowager's orders, he gradually reduced the number of servants, striving for economy in all matters, but still he could not sustain the household. Fortunately, Phoenix enjoyed the Dowager's favor. Although Lady Wang and others did not particularly like her, they acknowledged that in managing household affairs and handling matters, she could still be of service. Therefore, internal affairs were still entrusted to Phoenix. But recently, since the confiscation, many things had not functioned smoothly, and she often found herself in straitened circumstances. All the people in the various households, high and low, had been used to living comfortably. Now, compared to former days, things were reduced by seven-tenths; how could they manage to be thorough? Inevitably, complaints filled the air. Phoenix dared not decline, but forced herself, despite her illness, to please the Dowager. After some time, Chia Sheh and Chia Chen each went to their posts. Depending on their expenditures, they temporarily settled themselves and wrote home, saying that life was comfortable and that there was no need for the family to worry. Thus the Dowager was reassured, and Lady Hsing and Madam Yu were also somewhat relieved.

One day, after Shi Xiangyun had returned to her natal home following her marriage, she came to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia. The old lady mentioned that her son-in-law was a fine man, and Xiangyun spoke of how peaceful life was in that place, urging the not to worry. Then the topic turned to Daiyu's death, and they could not help but weep together. Grandmother Jia also recalled Yingchun's suffering, which made her even more sorrowful. Xiangyun consoled her for a while, then went to pay her respects to the other households. After finishing, she returned to Grandmother Jia's room to rest, and said: "A family like the Xue family—Xue Pan has ruined it, bringing ruin and death to the household. Though his case was commuted this year, who knows whether his sentence might be reduced next year?" Grandmother Jia replied: "You don't know yet. Yesterday, Pan'er's wife died under unclear circumstances, and it nearly caused another big scandal. Luckily, the Old Buddha had mercy, and the maidservant she brought with her confessed of her own accord. That old Mrs. Xia then had no grounds to make a fuss and stopped the autopsy herself. Your aunt here barely managed to smooth things over. Tell me, truly, the fortunes of all relatives are linked! The Xue family is in this state; Aunt Xue lives by relying on Xue Ke. Because that child has a conscience, he says his elder brother is still in prison with an unresolved case, so he refuses to marry. Your cousin Xing is also suffering greatly at the First Lady's place. Cousin Baoqin's father-in-law died, and she hasn't even finished her mourning period yet, so the Mei family hasn't come to marry her. The Second Lady's maternal uncle, the elder uncle, has died; Fengyazi's brother is also worthless; that Second Maternal Uncle is a miser, and his official accounts are in disorder—he's also struggling to get by. Since the Zhen family was raided, there's been no news at all." Xiangyun asked: "Third Sister has gone away—has she sent any letters home?" Grandmother Jia said: "Since she married, Second Master came back and said your Third Sister is doing well at the seaside. But there's been no letter, and I worry day and night. Because our family has had one misfortune after another, I haven't been able to attend to it. Now, Fourth Sister hasn't had any marriage proposal either. As for Huan, who has time to mention him? Our family's circumstances are even harder now than when you were here before. The pity is your Cousin Baochai—since she married, she hasn't had a single peaceful day. Your Second Brother is still so crazy and dazed—what can be done!" Xiangyun said: "I grew up here; I know everyone's temperaments. But this time I came back, and they've all changed. I thought that because I hadn't been here for so long, they'd grown distant with me. But when I thought it over carefully, that wasn't it. Even when they saw me, their intention was to be as lively as before, but somehow, as we talked, they'd become sad. So I sat for a while and then came straight to you, Grandmother." Grandmother Jia said: "Life is like this now. For me, it's bearable, but for you young people, it's unbearable! I've been thinking of a way to make them enjoy a lively day again, but I just can't muster the energy." Xiangyun said: "I've just thought of something—isn't the day after tomorrow Cousin Baochai's birthday? If I stay one more day, I can offer her birthday greetings, and we can all have a lively day together. What do you think, Grandmother?" Grandmother Jia said: "I've been so muddled with anger. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten—of course, the day after tomorrow is her birthday! Tomorrow I'll take out some money and prepare a birthday celebration for her. Before she was betrothed, we did it several times, but after she married, we haven't. That child Bao-yu used to be very clever and mischievous, but now, because of the family's troubles, he's become even more withdrawn, hardly speaking. Only Zhu'er's wife is still good—she's the same whether times are good or bad, living quietly with Lan'er. That's truly commendable." Xiangyun said: "Others haven't changed much, but only Cousin Lian'er—even her appearance has changed, and her speech is no longer sharp. Tomorrow, let me be the one to guide them and see how they behave. But though they won't say it, they'll complain in their hearts, saying I've become—" Xiangyun stopped here, her face flushing red. Grandmother Jia understood and said: "What's there to fear? You sisters were all used to having fun together, joking and laughing. Don't be so guarded. In general, whether a person has good fortune or not, they must be able to bear both wealth and poverty. Your Cousin Baochai was born generous. When her family was doing well, she was never proud; later, when their fortunes declined, she remained calm and composed. Now that she's in my house, whether Bao-yu treats her well or not, she's always steady. When he's not good to her, I don't see her show any distress. I think this child is truly blessed. Your Cousin Lin was the most sensitive and suspicious, which is why she didn't live long. Fengyazi has seen some things too, and she really shouldn't change at the first sign of trouble. If she's so inexperienced, then she's narrow-minded. On the day after tomorrow, Baochai's birthday, I'll take out some silver and give her a lively celebration, to make her happy for that day." Xiangyun agreed: "Grandmother speaks very well. Let's invite all the sisters over and have a nice gathering." Grandmother Jia said: "Of course, we must invite them." In a moment of excitement, she said: "Tell Yuanyang to take out a hundred taels of silver and give it to the servants outside. Tell them to start preparing food and drink for two days from tomorrow." Yuanyang acknowledged the order and told an old woman to deliver it. The night passed without incident. The next day, word was sent out, and people were dispatched to fetch Yingchun. They also invited Aunt Xue and Baoqin, telling them to bring Xiangling. Aunt Li was also invited. Within half a day, Li Wen and Li Qi arrived. Baochai knew nothing of this. When she heard that Grandmother Jia's maid had come to invite her, saying: "Madam Xue has arrived; the Second Mistress is requested to go over." Baochai was pleased, so she put on her everyday clothes and went to see her mother. She saw her sister Baoqin and Xiangling there, along with Aunt Li and the others. She thought to herself: "Those people must have heard that our family's troubles are over, so they've come to pay their respects." She then greeted Aunt Li, saw Grandmother Jia, exchanged a few words with her mother, and said hello to the Li sisters. Xiangyun said from the side: "Ladies, please all sit down. Let us sisters offer birthday greetings to our elder sister." Baochai was startled for a moment, then thought it over: "Isn't tomorrow my birthday indeed!" She said: "It's right for the younger sisters to come and see Grandmother, but if it's for my birthday, I absolutely dare not accept." While they were politely declining, Bao-yu also came to pay his respects to Aunt Xue and Aunt Li. When he heard Baochai demurring, he remembered that he had long planned to celebrate Baochai's birthday, but because the household was in such chaos, he hadn't dared to mention it to Grandmother Jia. Now seeing Xiangyun and the others wanting to offer birthday greetings, he was delighted and said: "Tomorrow is the birthday; I was just about to tell Grandmother." Xiangyun laughed: "Shameless! Does Grandmother need you to tell her? Do you think these people came for no reason? Grandmother invited them!" Baochai heard this but didn't quite believe it. Then she heard Grandmother Jia say to her mother: "That poor child Baochai has been a new bride for a year, and our house has had one thing after another, so we've never held a birthday for her. Today, I'm going to celebrate her birthday and invite you, Auntie, and the other ladies to come and chat." Aunt Xue said: "You've only just found some peace of mind, Grandmother. She's still young and hasn't even served you properly yet—why should you trouble yourself?" Xiangyun said: "The one Grandmother loves most is Second Brother; doesn't she love Second Sister-in-law too? Besides, Cousin Baochai deserves to have Grandmother celebrate her birthday." Baochai lowered her head and remained silent. Bao-yu thought to himself: "I thought that after Cousin Shi married, she'd become a different person, so I didn't dare get close to her, and she didn't pay me any attention. But now, hearing her words, she's just as she was before. Why is it that the one who married me has become so shy and can't even speak?" Just as he was thinking, a little maid came in and announced: "Second Young Mistress has returned." Then Li Wan and Xifeng entered, and they all greeted each other. Yingchun mentioned that her father had gone out, saying: "I originally wanted to come quickly to see you, but he stopped me, saying that our family was in a time of bad luck and that I shouldn't get involved. I couldn't defy him, so I didn't come, and I cried for two or three days straight." Xifeng asked: "Why did he let you come today?" Yingchun said: "He said that since Second Master of our family has inherited the title, it's all right to visit now, so he let me come." As she spoke, she began to cry again. Grandmother Jia said: "I was already feeling upset. Today, I invited you all here to celebrate my grandson's wife's birthday, to chat and laugh and relieve my boredom. Now you bring up these troublesome matters again and stir up my worries." Yingchun and the others dared not speak. Though Xifeng forced herself to say a few cheerful things, it was ultimately not as lively and amusing as before. Grandmother Jia wanted Baochai to be happy, so she deliberately teased Xifeng into talking. Xifeng understood Grandmother Jia's intention and put on a great show, saying: "Today you seem happier, Grandmother. Look, these people haven't gathered together for days, and now we're all here." As she spoke, she turned her head and saw that her mother-in-law, Madam You, wasn't present, so she stopped short. Because of the word "all," Grandmother Jia thought of Lady Xing and the others and sent someone to invite them. When Lady Xing, Madam You, and Xichun heard that Grandmother Jia had summoned them, they dared not refuse, but they were extremely unwilling. They thought: "Our family's fortunes are in decline, yet she sees fit to celebrate Baochai's birthday happily. In the end, Grandmother is partial." So they came but were listless. When Grandmother Jia asked about Xiuyan, Lady Xing falsely claimed she was ill and couldn't come. Grandmother Jia understood; she knew that Aunt Xue was present, which made things awkward, and so she didn't press the matter further.

Soon the fruit and wine were laid out. Lady Dowager said, "There's no need to send any outside; today we ladies shall just enjoy ourselves." Although Baoyu was already married, because of the Lady Dowager's fondness for him, he still mingled among the women, but he did not sit at the same table as Xiangyun and Baoqin. A seat was set for him beside Lady Dowager, and he took turns toasting on Baochai's behalf. Lady Dowager said, "Let's sit down now and drink together first; when evening comes, we can go to the various places to perform the formalities. If we start the ceremonies now, everyone will get caught up in the rules, and that will spoil my fun." Baochai then sat down as instructed. Lady Dowager sent someone to say, "Let's be completely free and easy today. Each of you keep one or two attendants to serve you. I'll have Yuanyang take Caiyun, Ying'er, Xiren, and Pinger to the back room to have a drink too." Yuanyang and the others said, "We haven't even kowtowed to the new Second Mistress yet, how dare we go drink?" Lady Dowager said, "I've already given the order, you just go. We'll call you if we need you." Yuanyang and the others left. Then Lady Dowager urged Aunt Xue and the others to drink. Seeing that they were not their usual lively selves, Lady Dowager said anxiously, "What's the matter with all of you? It's best if everyone is a bit more cheerful." Xiangyun said, "We're eating and drinking, what more do you want?" Xifeng said, "When they were younger, they were all lively, but now they're constrained by their dignity and dare not talk freely, so the old lady finds it dull."

Baoyu whispered to Lady Dowager, "There's nothing much to say; if we go on, we'll end up talking about unpleasant things. Perhaps the old lady should think of a suggestion and have them play a drinking game." Lady Dowager, leaning her ear to listen, laughed and said, "If we're to play a drinking game, we'll have to call Yuanyang again." Baoyu, without waiting for another word, left his seat and went to the back room to find Yuanyang, saying, "The old lady wants to play a drinking game and is asking you to go." Yuanyang said, "Young master, let us have a peaceful drink. Why must you come and stir things up?" Baoyu said, "It's truly the old lady's order that you must go; what has it to do with me?" Yuanyang had no choice and said, "You go ahead and drink; I'll be back soon." She then went to Lady Dowager. The old lady said, "So you've come. Isn't it about playing a drinking game?" Yuanyang said, "I heard Master Bao say the old lady called me, so how dare I not come? I don't know what kind of drinking game the old lady wants to play?" Lady Dowager said, "The literary ones are too tedious, and the martial ones are no good. You think of something new and interesting." Yuanyang thought for a moment and said, "Now that Auntie is older and reluctant to use her wits, why not bring out the dice cup and the tally board? Everyone can throw the dice to get a tune name and bet on who drinks." Lady Dowager said, "That will do." So she ordered the dice cup to be brought and placed on the table. Yuanyang said, "Now we'll use four dice to throw. If anyone throws a combination that has no name, they'll be fined a cup. If they throw a named combination, the number of cups each person drinks will be decided by the throw." Everyone said, "That's easy. We'll follow along." Yuanyang then marked the points. The others made Yuanyang drink a cup, and counting from her, it fell to Aunt Xue to throw first. Aunt Xue threw the dice, and they came up as four aces. Yuanyang said, "This has a name—'The Four Graybeards of Mount Shang.' All the older ones should drink a cup." So Lady Dowager, Aunt Li, and both Ladies Xing and Wang had to drink. Lady Dowager raised her cup to drink, but Yuanyang said, "This was thrown by Auntie Xue, so she should name a tune, and the next person in line must match it with a line from the 'Thousand Poets' Verses.' Anyone who can't will be fined a cup." Aunt Xue said, "You're trying to trap me again. How could I possibly come up with one?" Lady Dowager said, "It would be too dull if you don't say anything. It's better to say a line. I'm the next one; if I can't say it, I'll drink a cup with Auntie." Aunt Xue then said, "I'll say 'Entering the flower grove in old age.'" Lady Dowager nodded and said, "As if stealing leisure to ape the young." After that, the dice cup passed to Li Wen, who threw two fours and two twos. Yuanyang said, "This also has a name—'Liu Ruan Entering the Tiantai Mountains.'" Li Wen then said, "Two scholars enter the Peach Blossom Spring." The next person was Li Wan, who said, "Find the Peach Blossom Spring to avoid the Qin." Everyone drank another mouthful. The dice cup then passed to Lady Dowager, who threw two twos and two threes. Lady Dowager said, "Do I have to drink now?" Yuanyang said, "This has a name—'River Swallows Leading Their Young.' Everyone should drink a cup." Xifeng said, "Young, yes young, but quite a few have flown away." The others shot her a glance, and Xifeng fell silent. Lady Dowager said, "What shall I say? 'The Duke Leading His Grandson.'" The next person was Li Qi, who said, "Idly watching children catch willow catkins." Everyone praised it. Baoyu was eager to speak, but the dice cup didn't reach him. He was just thinking about it when it came to his turn. He threw a two, two threes, and a one, and said, "What's this?" Yuanyang laughed and said, "This is a 'stinker.' Drink a cup first, then throw again." Baoyu had to drink and then threw again. This time he threw two threes and two fours. Yuanyang said, "Now there's a name—'Zhang Chang Painting Eyebrows.'" Baoyu understood she was teasing him, and Baochai's face flushed red. Xifeng, who didn't quite understand, said, "Second Brother, say it quickly, and then find who's next." Baoyu knew it was hard to say, so he admitted, "I'll take the fine. I have no next person." After the dice cup passed, it was Li Wan's turn, and she threw once. Yuanyang said, "What the Elder Mistress threw is 'The Twelve Beauties of Jinling.'" Baoyu, upon hearing this, hurried over to Li Wan's side to look. Seeing the red and green dice paired up, he said, "This one looks very lovely." Suddenly remembering the dream of the Twelve Beauties, he stood dazed and retreated to his own seat, thinking, "These Twelve Beauties were said to be from Jinling. How is it that of all the people in this household, only a few, big and small, are left?" Then he looked at Xiangyun and Baochai; although they were both there, Daiyu was missing. For a moment he couldn't hold back, and tears threatened to fall. Afraid of being seen, he said he felt very hot and would go change clothes. Hanging up his tally, he left his seat and went out. Seeing Baoyu like this, Xiangyun thought he was upset because he hadn't thrown a good combination and someone else had, so he left. She also found the game boring and grew a little irritated. Then Li Wan said, "I won't say anything. The people at the table aren't all here anyway. It's better to fine me a cup." Lady Dowager said, "This game isn't very lively either. Let's skip it. Let Yuanyang throw once and see what she gets." A little maid placed the dice cup in front of Yuanyang. Yuanyang obeyed and threw two twos and a five. The remaining die kept spinning in the cup, and Yuanyang called out, "Don't let it be a five!" The die finally stopped, showing a five. Yuanyang said, "Oh no! I've lost." Lady Dowager said, "Isn't this something?" Yuanyang said, "It does have a name, but I can't think of a tune name for it." Lady Dowager said, "You tell me the name, and I'll make one up for you." Yuanyang said, "This is 'Waves Sweeping Away Floating Duckweed.'" Lady Dowager said, "That's not hard. I'll say for you, 'Autumn Fish Entering the Water Chestnut Nest.'" The next person after Yuanyang was Xiangyun, who said, "Over white duckweed, the song ends on the Chu River in autumn." Everyone said, "That line is very apt." Lady Dowager said, "The game is over. Let's drink two cups and then eat." She turned her head and saw that Baoyu hadn't come back yet, so she asked, "Where has Baoyu gone? Why isn't he back?" Yuanyang said, "He went to change clothes." Lady Dowager asked, "Who went with him?" Ying'er stepped forward and replied, "I saw Master Bao go out, so I told Sister Xiren to follow him." Only then did Lady Dowager and Lady Wang feel at ease.

After waiting a while, Lady Wang sent someone to look for Baoyu. The little maid went to the bridal chamber and found Wuer arranging the candles. The little maid asked, “Where has Master Bao gone?” Wuer said, “He’s drinking at the old lady’s place.” The little maid said, “I just came from the old lady’s. Madam sent me to find him. If he were really there, why would she have sent me to look?” Wuer said, “That I don’t know. You’d better look elsewhere.” The little maid had no choice but to return, and met Qiuwen, asking, “Have you seen where Master Bao has gone?” Qiuwen said, “I’m looking for him too. The ladies are waiting for him to eat. Where has he gone now? Hurry back and tell the old lady—don’t say he’s not home, just say he drank a bit too much and doesn’t feel well, so he won’t have dinner. He’ll lie down for a while and come later. Ask the ladies to eat first.” The little maid obeyed, went back and told Zhenzhu, who passed the message to Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia said, “He doesn’t eat much anyway. If he doesn’t want to, that’s fine. Let him rest. Tell him he doesn’t need to come tonight—his wife is here.” Zhenzhu then said to the little maid, “Did you hear that?” The little maid assented, but didn’t dare reveal the truth. She just wandered around for a bit, then said she had delivered the message. The others paid no attention and finished their meal, then sat scattered about talking. No more of this.

Meanwhile, Baoyu, momentarily distressed, had walked out. Just as he was at a loss, Xiren hurried up and asked him what was wrong. Baoyu said, “Nothing, I’m just very upset. Why don’t we go to Madam Zhen’s place for a stroll while they’re drinking?” Xiren said, “Madam Zhen is here. Who would we go to see?” Baoyu said, “No one in particular. Just to see what her rooms are like.” Xiren had no choice but to follow, talking as they walked. When they reached You-shi’s quarters, there was a small gate half-open. Baoyu didn’t go in. He saw two old women gatekeepers sitting on the threshold talking. Baoyu asked, “Is this small gate open?” The women said, “It’s usually not open. Today someone came out and said the old lady might need fruit from the garden, so they left it open.” Baoyu walked slowly over and indeed saw the waist-gate half-open, so he went in. Xiren quickly grabbed him and said, “Don’t go in. The garden is unclean—no one goes there often. Don’t run into anything.” Baoyu, emboldened by the wine, said, “I’m not afraid of such things.” Xiren held him back firmly, refusing to let him go. The old women came forward and said, “The garden is quiet now. Ever since that Taoist drove out the demons, we often go alone to pick flowers and fruit. If Master Bao wants to go, we’ll all follow. With so many people, what’s there to fear?” Baoyu was delighted, and Xiren couldn’t insist further, so she had to follow.

Once Baoyu entered the garden, he saw desolation everywhere. The flowers and trees were withered, and several pavilions had their colors long faded. In the distance, a grove of tall bamboos still flourished. Baoyu thought to himself, “Since I fell ill and moved out of the garden to the back, I haven’t been allowed here for months. In the blink of an eye, it’s become so desolate. Look—only those few green bamboos are still lush. Isn’t that the Xiaoxiang Lodge?” Xiren said, “You haven’t been here for months, and you’ve even forgotten the way. While we were talking, we passed the Happy Red Court without noticing.” She turned and pointed, saying, “This is the Xiaoxiang Lodge.” Baoyu looked where she pointed and said, “We did pass it! Let’s go back and have a look.” Xiren said, “It’s getting late. The old lady must be waiting for us to eat. We should go back.” Baoyu said nothing, found the old path, and went straight ahead.

Do you think Baoyu could have forgotten the way after being away from Grand View Garden for nearly a year? No—Xiren was afraid that if he saw the Xiaoxiang Lodge, he would think of Daiyu and get upset, so she tried to mislead him. But Baoyu was set on going deeper in. Since it was late, Xiren feared he might attract evil influences, so when he asked, she said they had already passed it, hoping to stop him. But Baoyu’s mind was fixed on the Xiaoxiang Lodge. Seeing him hurry forward, Xiren had to catch up. She found Baoyu standing still, as if he had seen or heard something. She asked, “What are you listening to?” Baoyu said, “Is someone living in the Xiaoxiang Lodge?” Xiren said, “Probably no one.” Baoyu said, “I clearly heard someone weeping inside. How can there be no one!” Xiren said, “You’re imagining things. In the past, when you came here, you often heard Miss Lin crying, so you’re still hearing that now.” Baoyu didn’t believe her and wanted to listen more. The old women caught up and said, “Master Bao, hurry back. It’s already dark. We still dare to walk elsewhere, but this path is secluded, and people say that since Miss Lin died, cries are often heard here. So no one dares to come.” Baoyu and Xiren were both startled. Baoyu said, “Isn’t that so!” As he spoke, tears fell. He said, “Sister Lin, Sister Lin—you were fine. It was I who harmed you! Don’t blame me—it was my parents’ decision. I didn’t mean to be unfaithful.” The more he spoke, the more grieved he became, and he burst into loud sobs. Xiren was at a loss, when Qiuwen came with some people and said to Xiren, “How dare you! Leading Master Bao here! The old lady and madam have searched everywhere. Someone at the waist-gate said you and Master Bao came here. The old lady and madam are terrified. They scolded me and told me to bring people to fetch you. Why aren’t you going back quickly!” Baoyu was still weeping bitterly. Xiren, ignoring his crying, pulled him along with the others, wiping his tears and telling him the old lady was worried. Baoyu had no choice but to return.

Knowing Grandmother Jia was anxious, Xiren sent Baoyu back to her place. Everyone was still waiting and hadn’t dispersed. Grandmother Jia said, “Xiren, I’ve always known you were sensible, which is why I entrusted Baoyu to you. How could you take him to the garden today! He’s only just recovered. If he ran into something and fell ill again, what would we do?” Xiren dared not argue, and just bowed her head in silence. Baochai saw Baoyu’s pallor and was deeply alarmed. It was Baoyu who feared Xiren might be wronged, so he said, “What’s there to fear in broad daylight? I hadn’t strolled in the garden for a while, so I took advantage of the wine to walk around. How could I have run into anything!” Xifeng, who had suffered a great fright in the garden, felt her hair stand on end at this and said, “Brother Bao, you’re too bold.” Xiangyun said, “It’s not boldness, but foolishness. I wonder if he went to meet the Hibiscus Spirit or search for some immortal.” Baoyu heard this but did not reply. Only Lady Wang was so anxious she said nothing. Grandmother Jia asked, “Were you scared in the garden? Let’s not talk about this now. Next time you want to stroll, at least bring more people. Otherwise, we’d all have scattered early. Go back and sleep well tonight. Come early tomorrow, and I’ll make it up to you—let you all have another day of fun. Don’t let this stir up more trouble.” Hearing this, the others took their leave of Grandmother Jia. Aunt Xue went to stay with Lady Wang. Shi Xiangyun remained in Grandmother Jia’s rooms. Yingchun went to Xichun’s place. The rest returned to their own quarters. No more of this. Only Baoyu went back to his room, sighing and groaning. Baochai knew the reason well and paid him no mind, but fearing his melancholy might reawaken his old illness, she went into the inner room and called Xiren to ask in detail what had happened in the garden. As to how Xiren would reply, that is told in the next chapter.