Chapter 109: Waiting for a Spirited Soul, Wu'er Is Mistakenly Favored; Paying Karmic Debts, Yingchun Returns to the Primal Void

Chapter 109: Awaiting the Fragrant Soul, Wu’er Receives Mistaken Favor; Repaying Karmic Debts, Yingchun Returns to the Primordial Truth

It is said that Baochai had Xiren inquire into the reason, fearing that Baoyu would grieve himself into illness. She then pretended to chat idly with Xiren about Daiyu’s dying words, saying: “When people are alive, they have feelings and attachments, but after death, each goes their own separate way. It is not that the person one knew in life remains the same after death. Though the living may harbor foolish yearnings, the dead are utterly unaware. Besides, since Miss Lin said she had become an immortal, she would view mortals as base, defiled creatures—how could she be willing to mingle in this world? It is only people’s own suspicions that summon evil spirits and demons to pester and disturb them.” Though Baochai spoke to Xiren, her words were meant for Baoyu to hear. Xiren understood and echoed, “That is nonsense. If Miss Lin’s soul still lingered in the Garden, we who were close to her ought to have seen her in a dream at least once, but none of us ever has.” Baoyu, listening from outside, thought it over carefully and said to himself: “Strange, indeed. I know that Sister Lin is dead; I think of her many times each day, yet I have never dreamed of her. She must have ascended to heaven, and I, a common mortal, cannot communicate with the divine, so not even a single dream comes. I will sleep in the outer room tonight. Perhaps if I return from the Garden, knowing my sincerity, she might deign to appear in my dream. I must ask her where she has truly gone, so I can offer sacrifices regularly. If she truly ignores this defiled creature and grants me no dream, then I will stop thinking of her.” Having made up his mind, he said, “I will sleep in the outer room tonight. None of you need bother about me.” Baochai did not press him, only saying, “Do not let your mind run wild. Have you not seen how Mother was so worried when you went to the Garden that she could barely speak? If she learns you are not taking care of yourself, and if the Old Ancestress hears of it, she will say we are not attentive.” Baoyu replied, “It is only talk. I will sit for a while and then come in. You are tired too—go to sleep first.” Baochai knew he would eventually come in, so she feigned compliance, saying, “I am going to sleep. Let Xiren attend to you.” Baoyu was pleased to hear this. Once Baochai had settled in to sleep, he told Xiren and Sheyue to prepare another set of bedding and to send someone in from time to time to see if the Second Mistress was asleep. Baochai deliberately pretended to sleep, but she too passed a restless night. Baoyu, knowing Baochai was asleep, said to Xiren, “You all go to sleep. I am not grieving. If you do not believe me, you can help me settle in before you go in, just do not disturb me.” Xiren indeed helped him into bed, prepared tea, closed the door, and went into the inner room to attend to things. Then they all pretended to sleep, ready to come out if Baoyu stirred. Seeing that Xiren and the others had gone in, Baoyu sent the two maids who were keeping night watch outside. He quietly sat up, silently offered a prayer, then lay down, hoping to commune with the spirit world. At first he could not fall asleep, but after calming his mind, he drifted off. To his surprise, he slept soundly until dawn. Baoyu woke up, rubbed his eyes, sat up, and thought for a while. He had had no dream. He sighed and murmured, “Truly, ‘long years of life and death are parted; her spirit never comes to my dreams.’” Baochai, who had not slept all night, heard him reciting these lines from outside and responded, “That line is rash again. If Sister Lin were here, she would be angry.” Baoyu felt embarrassed, so he rose and, making some excuse, walked into the inner room, saying, “I meant to come in earlier, but I dozed off before I knew it.” Baochai said, “Whether you come in or not is none of my concern.” Xiren and the others, who had not been asleep, saw them talking and quickly poured tea. Just then, a little maid sent by the Old Ancestress arrived, asking, “Did Second Master Baoyu sleep well last night? If so, let him wash and dress early and come over with the Second Mistress.” Xiren replied, “Go and tell the Old Ancestress that Baoyu slept very well last night and will come shortly.” The little maid left.

Baochai got up, washed and dressed, and went with Ying’er and Xiren first to pay respects to the Old Ancestress, then to Lady Wang’s place, and then to Xifeng’s, greeting everyone. They returned to the Old Ancestress’s quarters, where they found Lady Xing had also arrived. Everyone asked, “Did Baoyu sleep well last night?” Baochai replied, “He went to bed and slept soundly, nothing unusual.” The company was relieved and chatted idly. Then a little maid entered and said, “Second Miss is returning home. Word has come that the Sun family sent someone to speak with the Eldest Mistress, who then sent word to Fourth Miss not to detain her, but let her go. Now Second Miss is crying at the Eldest Mistress’s place and will likely come to take leave of the Old Ancestress.” The Old Ancestress and the others felt uneasy and said, “For a person like Second Miss, why must fate bind her to such a man, leaving her no way out for life? What can be done?” As they spoke, Yingchun entered, her face streaked with tears. Because it was Baochai’s happy occasion, she forced back her tears and took leave of everyone to return home. The Old Ancestress knew her suffering and did not press her to stay, only saying, “It is well that you go. But do not grieve. Meeting such a person is beyond one’s control. In a few days, I will send someone to fetch you again.” Yingchun said, “The Old Ancestress has always been kind to me, but now your kindness cannot reach me. Alas, I fear I shall never return.” As she spoke, tears streamed down. Everyone comforted her, saying, “Why would you not be able to come back? It is not like your Third Sister, who lives far away and is hard to see.” The Old Ancestress and the others recalled Tanchun and could not help but shed tears. But because it was Baochai’s birthday, they forced themselves to turn sorrow to joy, saying, “That is not so difficult. Once the seas and borders are calm, and the in-laws are transferred to the capital, you will see her.” Everyone agreed, “Indeed, that is so.” Yingchun then took a sorrowful leave. The company saw her out and returned to the Old Ancestress’s quarters. From morning till night, the day passed in commotion.

Seeing that the Old Ancestress was tired, the company dispersed. Only Aunt Xue took leave of the Old Ancestress and went to Baochai’s room, saying, “Your elder brother’s matter will not be resolved until after this year, and we must wait for a general amnesty from the imperial grace to reduce his sentence before he can redeem his crime. These years have left me lonely and helpless—what am I to do? I am thinking of completing your second brother’s marriage. What do you think?” Baochai replied, “Mother is frightened by the elder brother’s marriage, that is why you hesitate over the second brother’s. In my opinion, you should go ahead. You know Miss Xing well. She has been living here in hardship. Marrying her into our family, though we are poor, is far better than her depending on others.” Aunt Xue said, “When you have a chance, tell the Old Ancestress that our family is shorthanded and we are about to choose an auspicious day.” Baochai said, “Mother should simply discuss it with Second Brother, pick a good day, and come to inform the Old Ancestress and the Eldest Mistress. Once she is married, the matter is settled. The Eldest Mistress here is also eager to have her married off.” Aunt Xue said, “Today I heard that Miss Shi is also returning home. The Old Ancestress wants to keep your younger sister here for a few more days, so she is staying. I imagine she, too, will leave before long. You sisters should spend a few more days talking together.” Baochai said, “Exactly.” Then Aunt Xue sat a while longer, took leave of everyone, and returned home.

That evening, Baoyu returned to his room. Because he had been thinking that the night before Daiyu had not appeared in his dreams, he mused, "Perhaps she has already become an immortal and is unwilling to come and see a mortal like me—that is possible. Otherwise, it might just be that I am too impatient." So he thought of a plan and said to Baochai, "Last night I happened to sleep in the outer room, and it seemed more restful than sleeping inside. When I got up this morning, I felt much calmer. I’d like to sleep in the outer room for another two nights, but I’m afraid you might stop me." When Baochai heard this, she understood that his reciting poems that morning had been about Daiyu. She thought that his stubborn nature could not be reasoned with, so it would be better to let him sleep there for two nights and let him give up hope completely. Besides, last night he had slept peacefully enough, so she said, "What’s the point of this? Just go ahead and sleep there—why would we stop you? Only, don’t let your mind wander and conjure up some evil spirits or goblins." Baoyu laughed and said, "Who’s thinking about anything?" Xiren said, "If you ask me, Master, you’d better sleep inside. If you’re out there and no one can attend to you promptly, you might catch a draft, and that wouldn’t be good." Before Baoyu could answer, Baochai shot Xiren a glance. Xiren understood and said, "Well, then, let someone go with you to pour tea and water during the night." Baoyu laughed and said, "In that case, you can come with me." Xiren felt awkward at this, blushed deeply, and said nothing. Baochai, knowing that Xiren was always steady, said, "She’s used to serving me; let her stay with me. You can have Sheyue and Wuer look after you. Besides, she’s been busy with me all day and must be tired—she ought to rest." Baoyu had no choice but to smile and leave. Baochai then told Sheyue and Wuer to make up Baoyu’s bed in the outer room and instructed them both to stay alert, keeping an eye out for any requests for tea or water.

The two agreed and went out. Seeing Baoyu sitting upright on the bed with his eyes closed and his palms together, looking just like a monk, they dared not speak but just stared at him and giggled. Baochai then sent Xiren out to attend to him. When Xiren saw this, she found it amusing too, and said softly, "Time to sleep—why are you meditating like this?" Baoyu opened his eyes and saw Xiren, then said, "You all just go to sleep. I’ll sit for a bit and then lie down." Xiren said, "Because of the way you acted yesterday, the Second Mistress didn’t sleep all night. If you carry on like this, what will become of things?" Baoyu realized that if he didn’t sleep, none of them would, so he settled down to sleep. Xiren gave a few more instructions to Sheyue and the others before going inside, closing the door, and lying down. Meanwhile, Sheyue and Wuer tidied the bedding, waited until Baoyu was asleep, and then rested themselves.

But Baoyu, the more he wanted to sleep, the more he couldn’t. Seeing the two of them making up their beds, he suddenly remembered that year when Xiren was away and Qingwen and Sheyue had served him. That night Sheyue had gone out, and Qingwen had tried to scare her, but because she wasn’t dressed warmly, she caught a chill, and later died from that very illness. At this thought, his mind turned entirely to Qingwen. Then he suddenly recalled Xifeng saying that Wuer was the spitting image of Qingwen, and so his thoughts shifted from Qingwen to Wuer. Pretending to be asleep, he secretly watched Wuer, and the more he looked, the more she resembled Qingwen. His foolish nature stirred again. He listened and heard no sound from the inner room, knowing that everyone was asleep. He saw that Sheyue had also dozed off, so he deliberately called out "Sheyue" twice, but there was no answer. When Wuer heard Baoyu calling, she asked, "What do you need, Master?" Baoyu said, "I want to rinse my mouth." Seeing that Sheyue was already asleep, Wuer had to get up. She trimmed the candlewick, poured a cup of tea, and held a spittoon in one hand. Since she had hurriedly gotten up, she was wearing only a small peach-red silk jacket, and her hair was loosely twisted into a bun. When Baoyu looked at her, it seemed as if Qingwen had come back to life. He suddenly remembered Qingwen’s words: "If I’d known I’d be stuck with an empty reputation, I’d have done something worthwhile." Staring blankly, he was completely entranced and did not even take the tea.

Since Fangguan had left, Wuer had no heart to come inside. Later, when she heard that Xifeng had called her in to wait on Baoyu, she was even more eager than Baoyu himself for her to enter. But after she came in, seeing Baochai and Xiren so dignified and steady, she felt genuine respect and admiration. She also saw Baoyu acting crazy and silly, not as elegant as before, and heard that Lady Wang had dismissed the girls for joking with Baoyu. So she put aside any thoughts of that kind, having not the slightest trace of romantic feeling. Yet tonight this silly young master took her for Qingwen and began to cherish her. Wuer was already blushing deeply with shame, not daring to speak loudly, and could only say softly, “Second Master, rinse your mouth.” Baoyu took the tea cup with a smile, not knowing whether he had rinsed or not, and asked with a grin, “Are you on good terms with Sister Qingwen?” Wuer, not understanding his drift, replied, “We’re all sisters, there’s nothing not good.” Baoyu then whispered, “When Qingwen was gravely ill, I went to see her—didn’t you go too?” Wuer nodded with a faint smile. Baoyu asked, “Did you hear what she said?” Wuer shook her head, “No.” Baoyu, lost in thought, pulled Wuer’s hand. Flustered, Wuer blushed, her heart racing, and whispered, “Second Master, if you have something to say, just say it—don’t pull and tug.” Baoyu let go and said, “She told me, ‘If I’d known I’d only have an empty name, I would have made a proper plan.’ How is it you didn’t hear that?” Wuer knew these words clearly belittled her, but dared not react, and said, “That was her own shamelessness—is that something a girl like us should say?” Baoyu grew anxious and said, “Why are you such a pedantic moralist! I only speak to you because you look exactly like her, and now you use such words to insult her!” At that moment, Wuer had no idea what Baoyu meant, and said, “It’s late, Second Master should sleep. Don’t sit too long, you’ll catch cold. Just now, didn’t the mistress and Sister Xiren give their instructions?” Baoyu said, “I’m not cold.” Then, suddenly recalling that Wuer hadn’t put on her outer clothes, he feared she might catch cold like Qingwen, and said, “Why didn’t you put on your clothes before coming over!” Wuer replied, “You called so urgently, there was no time to dress fully. If I’d known we’d talk this long, I would have worn them.” Hearing this, Baoyu quickly lifted the moon-white silk-padded jacket he had been covering himself with and handed it to Wuer, telling her to put it on. Wuer refused to take it, saying, “Keep it covered, Second Master; I’m not cold. If I’m cold, I have my own clothes.” With that, she went back to her own bed, pulled out a long jacket, and put it on. After listening to Sheyue, who was sound asleep, she slowly came back and said, “Second Master, weren’t you supposed to rest your spirit tonight?” Baoyu laughed, “To tell you the truth, what is ‘resting the spirit’? I was actually hoping to meet an immortal.” Wuer grew even more suspicious and asked, “Meet what immortal?” Baoyu said, “If you want to know, it’s a long story. Come sit close to me, and I’ll tell you.” Wuer blushed and smiled, “How can I sit when you’re lying there?” Baoyu said, “What does it matter? That year in the cold weather, your Sister Sheyue and your Sister Qingwen were playing, and I feared she’d catch cold, so I pulled her under the covers to warm her. What’s the harm in that? People shouldn’t put on airs of false refinement.” Wuer felt every word was Baoyu’s flirtation. Little did she know that this silly young master was speaking sincerely. At that moment, Wuer didn’t know whether to leave, stand, or sit, and was at a loss. She gave a faint smile and said, “Don’t talk nonsense—what if someone hears? What would that mean? No wonder people say you only spend your time on girls. You have Second Mistress and Sister Xiren, who are like fairies, yet you insist on messing around with others. If you say such things tomorrow, I’ll tell Second Mistress, and see how you can face anyone.” Just then, a loud thud came from outside, startling them both. Baochai coughed from the inner room. Baoyu heard it and quickly pursed his lips. Wuer hurriedly put out the lamp and lay down quietly. It turned out that Baochai and Xiren, having not slept the previous night and being tired from the day’s work, were asleep and hadn’t heard their conversation. The noise in the courtyard woke them, but after listening, there was no further sound. Baoyu, lying on the bed, wondered, “Could it be that Sister Lin has come and, hearing me talk with Wuer, deliberately frightened us?” He tossed and turned, lost in wild thoughts, and only fell into a daze after the fifth watch.

As for Wuer, after being pestered by Baoyu half the night, and with Baochai’s cough, she was full of fear, worried that Baochai had heard everything. She pondered the past and future, unable to sleep all night. The next morning, when she got up early, she saw Baoyu still in a deep sleep and quietly tidied the room. By then, Sheyue had woken up and said, “Why are you up so early? Did you not sleep all night?” Wuer, sensing that Sheyue seemed to know something, only gave an awkward smile and didn’t reply. Soon, Baochai and Xiren also got up. Opening the door, they saw Baoyu still asleep and wondered, “How could he sleep so soundly for two nights outside?” When Baoyu woke and saw everyone up, he scrambled to his feet, rubbed his eyes, and thought that he hadn’t dreamed last night—truly the path between immortals and mortals was blocked. Slowly getting out of bed, he recalled Wuer’s words from the night before, that Baochai and Xiren were like celestial beings, which seemed true, and he stared blankly at Baochai. Baochai, seeing him dazed, knew it was because of Daiyu’s matter, but couldn’t be sure if it was about a dream. His stare made her uncomfortable, so she said, “Second Master, did you really meet an immortal last night?” Baoyu, thinking Baochai had heard his words from the night before, forced a smile and said, “What nonsense is that?” Wuer, hearing this, became even more uneasy, but couldn’t say anything, so she watched Baochai’s reaction. Baochai then smiled and asked Wuer, “Did you hear Second Master talking to someone in his sleep?” Baoyu, unable to sit still, made an excuse and walked away. Wuer’s face flushed crimson, and she said vaguely, “He did say a few things in the first half of the night, but I didn’t catch them clearly. Something about ‘bearing an empty name’ and ‘not making a proper plan’—I didn’t understand. I urged Second Master to sleep, then I slept too, and I don’t know if he said anything else.” Baochai lowered her head and thought, “These words are clearly about Daiyu. But if I keep him outside, his mind might wander and summon some flower fairy or moon goddess. Besides, his old illness was always about his affection for sisters; I can only try to divert his feelings, and then avoid trouble.” At this thought, she flushed with embarrassment and, feeling awkward, went into the room to wash her face.

Meanwhile, Grandmother Jia had been happy for two days and had eaten a bit too much. That evening she felt unwell, and the next day she experienced a stifling sensation in her chest. Yuanyang and the others wanted to inform Jia Zheng, but Grandmother Jia told them not to speak of it, saying, “I was a bit greedy these past two days and ate too much. If I fast for a meal, I’ll be fine. Don’t make a fuss.” So Yuanyang and the others did not tell anyone.

That evening, when Baoyu returned to his own room, he found Baochai had just come back from paying her evening respects to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang. Thinking of what had happened that morning, Baoyu could not help feeling ashamed and mortified. Seeing him like this, Baochai understood it was a sign of embarrassment, and she thought: "He is a man of deep passion. To cure his ailment, I must still use passion to treat it." After thinking for a while, she asked Baoyu, "Will you sleep in the outer room again tonight?" Baoyu, feeling discomfited, replied, "The inner and outer rooms are both the same." Baochai wanted to say more, but then felt it would be awkward. Xiren said, "Enough, what kind of reasoning is this? I don't believe anyone can sleep so soundly!" When Wu'er heard this, she quickly chimed in, "If Master sleeps in the outer room, there's nothing else to it, except he talks in his sleep, which leaves one baffled, and no one dares to contradict him." Xiren then said, "Tonight I'll move to the bed and sleep there, and see if he talks in his sleep or not. You just lay out Master's bedding in the inner room, and that will settle it." Baochai heard this and said nothing. Baoyu was already too ashamed to argue, so he had no strength to talk back, and he agreed to move into the inner room. On the one hand, Baoyu felt guilty and wanted to comfort Baochai's heart; on the other hand, Baochai feared that Baoyu's brooding might make him ill, so it was better to pretend to be kind and affectionate, allowing him to feel a bit of closeness, as a strategy to shift his affections. Thus that night Xiren indeed moved out. Because Baoyu was remorseful and Baochai wanted to win over Baoyu's heart, from their wedding day until now, they were finally like fish in water, deeply affectionate and entwined—what is called the essence of the two elements perfectly uniting and congealing. But this is a later story.

Let us speak of the next day. Baoyu and Baochai rose together. After washing and combing, Baoyu went first to Grandmother Jia's quarters. Now Grandmother Jia, doting on Baoyu and also thinking of Baochai's filial piety, suddenly recalled an object. She called for Yuanyang to open a chest and take out an ancient Han dynasty jade jue left by their ancestors. Though it was not as good as Baoyu's own jade stone, it was still a rare treasure to wear. Yuanyang found it and handed it to Grandmother Jia, saying, "I don't think I've ever seen this thing before. You remembered it so clearly after all these years, saying it was in such and such a box in such a chest. I followed your words and took it out straight away. What made you think of taking it out now?" Grandmother Jia said, "How could you know? This jade was given by our great-grandfather to my father, and my father doted on me. When I was about to be married, he called me over and handed it to me himself. He said: 'This jade was something worn in the Han dynasty, very precious. Keep it, and it will be as if you see me.' I was young then, and I didn't think much of it when I took it, so I just tossed it into a chest. When I came here, I saw that our family had many treasures, so this counted for nothing. I never wore it, and it lay there for over sixty years. Today, seeing Baoyu so filial, and since he lost his own jade, I thought of giving it to him, just as my father gave it to me." Presently Baoyu came to pay his respects, and Grandmother Jia said happily, "Come here, I'll show you something." Baoyu walked to the bedside, and Grandmother Jia handed him the Han jade. Baoyu took it and looked at it. The jade was about three inches square, shaped like a sweet melon, with a reddish glow, and very exquisite. Baoyu praised it repeatedly. Grandmother Jia said, "Do you like it? My grandfather gave it to me. I'll pass it on to you." Baoyu smiled, made a bow of thanks, and then took it to show his mother. Grandmother Jia said, "When your mother sees it and tells your father, he'll say I love my grandson more than my son. They've never seen it before." Baoyu went off smiling. Baochai and the others said a few more words, then also took their leave. From then on, for two days Grandmother Jia did not eat or drink, and her chest still felt tight and congested. She also felt dizzy, with blurred vision and a cough. Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Xifeng, and others came to pay their respects. Seeing that Grandmother Jia's spirits were still good, they merely sent someone to inform Jia Zheng, who came immediately to pay his respects. After Jia Zheng came out, he sent for a doctor to take her pulse. Soon a doctor arrived, felt her pulse, and said that due to her age, she had eaten a bit too much and caught a slight cold. With some digestive aid and a diaphoretic, she would recover. He wrote a prescription. Jia Zheng looked at it and saw it was common medicine, so he ordered it to be decocted and administered. After that, Jia Zheng came morning and evening to pay his respects. For three days in a row, there was no improvement. Jia Zheng then ordered Jia Lian: "Find a good doctor, and quickly invite him to examine the old lady's illness. The doctors we usually call in—I think they're not very good, which is why I'm telling you to go." Jia Lian thought for a moment and said, "I remember that year when Baoyu was ill, we called in a doctor who didn't practice regularly, and he cured him. Why not look for him now?" Jia Zheng said, "Medicine is extremely difficult. The doctors who are not in vogue often have real skill. Send someone to find him." Jia Lian promptly agreed and left. When he returned, he said, "That Doctor Liu has recently gone out of town to teach. He comes into the city once every ten days or so. We can't wait that long, so I've invited another one, and he'll be here soon." Jia Zheng heard this and had no choice but to wait. This we will not discuss.

Now, during Grandmother Jia's illness, all the women in the household came to pay their respects every day without fail. One day, when everyone was gathered there, an old woman who tended the waist gate of the garden came in and announced: "The venerable Miaoyu of Green Lattice Nunnery in the garden knows that the old lady is ill and has specially come to pay her respects." Everyone said, "She doesn't often come here. Since she's come specially today, please invite her in quickly." Xifeng went to the bedside to inform Grandmother Jia. Xiuyan, an old acquaintance of Miaoyu, went out first to greet her. They saw Miaoyu wearing a Miaochang-style cap, a moon-white plain silk jacket, over it a paddy-field-patterned black satin-trimmed long vest, tied with an autumn-fragrant-colored silk sash, and below, a white silk skirt painted with light ink strokes. In her hand she held a fly-whisk and a rosary, followed by a young maid, floating and swaying as she walked. When Xiuyan saw her, she greeted her and said, "Living in the garden, I could often come to see you. Lately, because there are few people in the garden, it's hard for me to go out alone. Besides, the waist gate here is often closed, so I haven't seen you these days. What a happy meeting today." Miaoyu said, "Before, you were all in the midst of lively bustle. Even though you lived in the outer garden, it wasn't convenient for me to come often. Now I know that things here are not so good, and I heard the old lady is ill. I was also thinking of you and wanted to see Miss Bao. I don't care whether your gate is closed or not; if I want to come, I come; if I don't want to come, you couldn't make me even if you tried." Xiuyan laughed and said, "You still have that temper." As they spoke, they had entered Grandmother Jia's room. Everyone greeted them. Miaoyu went to Grandmother Jia's bedside to inquire after her health and exchanged a few pleasantries. Grandmother Jia then said, "You are a goddess of mercy. Look at my illness—will I recover or not?" Miaoyu said, "An old lady as kind and charitable as you still has many years ahead. A brief cold—a few doses of medicine should cure it. People of advanced age only need to take things easy." Grandmother Jia said, "It's not that I worry about these things. I love to seek pleasure. Now this illness doesn't feel too bad, but my chest feels tight and full. The doctor just now said it was caused by anger. You know, who would dare to anger me? Isn't that doctor just mediocre? I told Lian'er that the first doctor was right about it being a cold and indigestion. Tomorrow I'll still invite him." Then she told Yuanyang to instruct the kitchen to prepare a vegetarian meal and invite Miaoyu to dine with her. Miaoyu said, "I've already eaten lunch. I don't eat anything." Lady Wang said, "If you don't eat, that's fine. Let's just sit a while longer and chat." Miaoyu said, "I haven't seen you all for a long time. I came today just to look in." After talking a bit more, she prepared to leave. Turning her head, she saw Xichun standing there, and asked, "Fourth Miss, why are you so thin? Don't keep wearing yourself out by painting all the time." Xichun said, "I haven't painted for a long time. The room I live in now is not as bright as the one in the garden, so I've lost the interest to paint." Miaoyu asked, "Where are you living now?" Xichun said, "In the room east of the gate you just came through. It's very close if you want to visit." Miaoyu said, "When I'm in the mood, I'll come see you." Xichun and the others saw her out, then turned back. They heard the maids announcing that the doctor was at Grandmother Jia's. Everyone then dispersed for the time being.

But unexpectedly, Grandmother Jia’s illness worsened day by day. Doctors were called to treat it, but to no avail, and later she developed diarrhea as well. Jia Zheng grew anxious, knowing the illness was hard to cure, so he ordered someone to request leave from his office and, day and night, personally attended to her medicine alongside Lady Wang. One day, seeing Grandmother Jia take a little food and drink, he felt somewhat relieved. Just then, an old woman was seen peeking in at the door. Lady Wang told Caiyun to go and see who it was. Caiyun looked and saw it was the woman who had accompanied Yingchun to the Sun family. She asked, “What are you doing here?” The woman said, “I’ve been here for a while, but I couldn’t find any of the young ladies, and I didn’t dare barge in, and I’m so anxious.” Caiyun said, “What are you anxious about? Has the master been mistreating the young lady again?” The woman said, “The young lady is in a bad way. The day before yesterday there was a big row, and she cried all night. Yesterday, phlegm blocked her up. They wouldn’t call a doctor, and today it’s even worse.” Caiyun said, “The old lady is ill—don’t make such a fuss.” Lady Wang, who was inside, had already heard this and, fearing the old lady might be upset if she heard, quickly told Caiyun to take her outside to talk. But Grandmother Jia, in her illness, was acutely sensitive and happened to hear it. She said, “Is Yingchun going to die?” Lady Wang replied, “No, it’s nothing. The old women don’t know how to weigh their words. They said she’s been a bit ill these past few days and might not recover quickly, so they came here to ask for a doctor.” Grandmother Jia said, “The doctor who’s treating me is good—send for him quickly.” Lady Wang then told Caiyun to have the woman go and report to Lady Xing. The woman left. At this, Grandmother Jia grew sorrowful and said, “Of my three granddaughters, one enjoyed all blessings and died, the third was married far away and I can’t see her, and Yingchun, though she suffered, might have pulled through—I never imagined she would die so young. What am I, at my age, living for?” Lady Wang, Yuanyang, and the others tried to comfort her for a long time. At that moment, Baochai, Li Wan, and the others were not in the room, and Xifeng had been ill recently. Lady Wang, fearing that Grandmother Jia’s grief might worsen her illness, sent for them to come and keep her company. She herself returned to her room and called for Caiyun, scolding the woman for her lack of discretion, saying, “From now on, when I’m with the old lady, don’t come to report matters.” The maids obeyed and said nothing. But as it happened, just as the woman arrived at Lady Xing’s place, word came from outside: “The second young lady is dead.” When Lady Xing heard this, she too wept for a while. Since her father was not at home, she had to tell Jia Lian to go and see at once. Knowing that Grandmother Jia was gravely ill, no one dared to inform her. Alas! A girl as lovely as a flower and fair as the moon, married for little more than a year, had been so cruelly mistreated by the Sun family that she died. And with Grandmother Jia’s illness critical, no one could leave her, so the Sun family was allowed to handle the funeral hastily.

Grandmother Jia’s condition grew worse day by day, and she could think only of her beloved girls. She suddenly remembered Xiangyun and sent someone to see her. The messenger returned and quietly sought out Yuanyang, but since Yuanyang was at the old lady’s side, with Lady Wang and the others all there, she didn’t dare approach. She went to the back and found Hupo, telling her, “The old lady was thinking of Miss Shi and sent us to find out how she was. Who would have thought Miss Shi was crying uncontrollably—she said her husband had suddenly fallen gravely ill. The doctors have all seen him and said the illness might not be curable; if it turns into consumption, he might last another four or five years. That’s why Miss Shi is so distressed. She also knows the old lady is ill, but she can’t come to pay her respects, and she told me not to mention it in front of the old lady. If the old lady asks, please think of some way to explain it to her.” Hupo sighed and said nothing for a while, then said, “You may go.” Hupo didn’t feel it was appropriate to report this directly, so she planned to tell Yuanyang to make up a story. She went to Grandmother Jia’s bedside and saw that the old lady’s appearance had changed greatly. A whole roomful of people stood there, murmuring, “It doesn’t look good,” and she dared not say anything either. At this point, Jia Zheng quietly called Jia Lian over and whispered a few words in his ear. Jia Lian softly acknowledged and went out, then gathered all the servants who were at home and said, “The old lady’s funeral arrangements are about to be needed. You must quickly divide the tasks and get things done. First, bring out the coffin boards to inspect them so the lining can be fitted. Go quickly to every household and take the measurements for everyone’s mourning clothes, write them all down clearly, and have the tailors make the mourning garments. The tent poles and all the paraphernalia must be negotiated. The kitchen also needs more people assigned.” Lai Da and the others replied, “Second Master, there’s no need for you to worry about these things—we’ve already planned ahead. But where is the silver to come from?” Jia Lian said, “No need to worry about the silver—the old lady set it aside long ago. The master’s intention just now is that everything should be done well, and I think we should also make a good showing on the outside.” Lai Da and the others agreed and sent people off to handle the various tasks.

Jia Lian then returned to his own room and asked Pinger, “How is your mistress today?” Pinger pursed her lips toward the inner room and said, “Go and see for yourself.” Jia Lian went inside and found Xifeng trying to get dressed, but she was unable to move for the moment and was leaning on the kang table. Jia Lian said, “I’m afraid you can’t hold out much longer. The old lady’s funeral will be upon us any day now—can you escape it? Quickly have the room tidied up, and you must brace yourself and go over. If something happens, can you and I come back here?” Xifeng said, “What is there to tidy up here? It’s just these few things—what’s there to fear? You go ahead; see if the master is calling for you. I’ll change my clothes and be right there.”

Jia Lian first returned to Grandmother Jia’s room and quietly reported to Jia Zheng, “All the arrangements have been made clear.” Jia Zheng nodded. Just then, it was announced from outside that the imperial physician had arrived. Jia Lian went to receive him and brought him in. The physician felt the pulse again, then went out and quietly told Jia Lian, “The old lady’s pulse is not good—you must be prepared.” Jia Lian understood the implication and informed Lady Wang and the others. Lady Wang quickly signaled to Yuanyang to come over and told her to prepare the old lady’s burial clothes. Yuanyang went to attend to it. Grandmother Jia opened her eyes and asked for tea. Lady Xing handed her a cup of ginseng broth. As soon as Grandmother Jia put it to her lips, she said, “I don’t want this—pour me a cup of tea.” The others dared not disobey and quickly served it. She drank it in one gulp, then asked for more. After another mouthful, she said, “I want to sit up.” Jia Zheng and the others said, “If the old lady wants anything, just say the word—there’s no need to sit up.” Grandmother Jia said, “After drinking that water, I feel a bit better. Let me lean back a little and talk with you all.” Zhenzhu and the others gently helped her sit up, and they saw that her spirits seemed somewhat improved. Whether she lived or died will be revealed in the next chapter.