Chapter 115: Led Astray by Prejudice, Xichun Swears to Follow Her Ideal; Mistaking a Kindred Spirit, Baoyu Loses His True Friend

Chapter 115: Misled by Prejudice, Xichun Vows Her Chaste Ideal; Finding a Kindred Spirit, Baoyu Loses His Bosom Friend

To resume, Baoyu, having been questioned by Baochai for his slip of the tongue, was trying to cover it up when Qiuwen came in and said, "Master is calling for the Second Master outside." Baoyu, glad to hear this, left at once. When he reached Jia Zheng, Jia Zheng said, "I called you here for no other reason. Since you are in mourning, it is not convenient for you to go to the school. At home, you must review the essays you have studied. I have been quite free these past few days. Every two or three days, you are to write a few essays for me to look at, so I can see whether you have improved during this time." Baoyu had no choice but to agree. Jia Zheng added, "I have also told your brother Huan and your nephew Lan to go and review their lessons. If your essays turn out poorly and are even inferior to theirs, that will never do." Baoyu dared not say a word, only answered with a "Yes, sir," and stood there without moving. Jia Zheng said, "You may go." Baoyu withdrew and happened to bump into Lai Da and several others carrying some booklets as they came in.

Baoyu slipped back to his own room like a wisp of smoke. Baochai asked and learned that he was to write essays. She was rather pleased, but Baoyu was unwilling, though he dared not be negligent. Just as he was about to sit down and calm his mind, two nuns came in. Baoyu saw that they were from the Dizang Nunnery. They approached Baochai and said, "We pay our respects to the Second Mistress." Baochai, half-heartedly, replied, "How are you?" Then she called someone and said, "Pour tea for the reverend mothers." Baoyu had wanted to talk with the nuns, but seeing that Baochai seemed to dislike such matters, he did not linger. The nuns knew Baochai was a cold person, so they did not stay long and took their leave. Baochai said, "Stay a while longer." The nuns replied, "We have been performing meritorious services at the Iron Threshold Temple and haven't come to pay our respects to the ladies and mistresses for some time. Today we came and have seen the mistresses and ladies; we still need to see the Fourth Young Lady." Baochai nodded and let them go.

The nuns then went to Xichun's place. Seeing Caiping, they asked, "Where is the young lady?" Caiping said, "Don't even mention it. The young lady hasn't eaten for days; she just lies around." The nuns asked, "Why is that?" Caiping replied, "It's a long story. If you see the young lady, she will probably tell you herself." Xichun had already heard them and quickly sat up, saying, "How are you two? Seeing that our family's fortunes are declining, you no longer come." The nuns said, "Amitabha! Whether there is wealth or not, we are still benefactors. Don't say that we, from the nunnery of this very household, have received so much kindness from the old lady. Now, regarding the old lady's affairs, we have seen the mistresses and ladies, but we have not yet seen you. We were concerned, so today we came especially to see you." Xichun then asked about the nuns from the Water Moon Nunnery. The nuns replied, "There have been some disturbances in their nunnery, and now the gatekeepers rarely let them in." Then they asked Xichun, "A few days ago, we heard that the venerable Miaoh from the Green Bower Hermitage eloped with someone—is that true?" Xichun said, "Nonsense! Whoever says such things should be careful not to have their tongue cut out. She was taken by bandits—how can you speak such slander?" The nuns said, "The venerable Miaoh's character is eccentric; perhaps it was all a pretense. We dare not speak too freely in your presence. How could we, coarse as we are, compare? We only know how to chant sutras and recite the Buddha's name, to atone for others and cultivate our own good karma." Xichun asked, "What exactly is good karma?" The nuns said, "Apart from a virtuous family like ours, which has nothing to fear, other aristocratic ladies and young misses cannot guarantee a lifetime of glory and wealth. When hardship comes, they cannot be saved. Only the Bodhisattva Guanyin, with great compassion, seeing people in distress, is moved to mercy and finds ways to rescue them. That is why people now call her the Greatly Compassionate, Greatly Merciful, Rescuer from Suffering, Guanyin Bodhisattva. We who have taken up the religious life may suffer more than ladies and young misses, but we are free from danger. Though we may not become Buddhas or patriarchs, by cultivating for the next life we might be reborn as men, which would be good enough. It's not like being born in a woman's body now, where all grievances and hardships cannot be expressed. Young lady, you don't know—once a young lady marries, she is bound to follow her husband for life, with no way out. If one wishes to cultivate, it must be done sincerely. The venerable Miaoh thought herself more talented than us and looked down on us as vulgar. Little did she know that it is the vulgar who can gain good affinities. In the end, she has met with great calamity." Xichun, struck by the nuns' words as if they were exactly what she wanted to hear, paid no heed to the maids present and recounted how You Shi had treated her and what had happened the other day when she was left in charge. She even pointed to her hair and said, "Do you think I am someone with no resolve, still clinging to this pit of fire? I have long had such a thought, but I just couldn't find a way." Upon hearing this, the nuns pretended to be alarmed and said, "Young lady, don't say such things! If the First Mistress hears this, she will scold us to death and drive us out of the nunnery! With your looks and your family, you will match with a fine husband and enjoy a lifetime of glory and wealth." Before they could finish, Xichun blushed and said, "If the First Mistress can drive you out, can't I?" The nuns realized she was sincere and decided to provoke her further, saying, "Young lady, don't blame us for speaking wrongly. How can the mistresses and ladies go along with your wishes? If that stirs up trouble, it won't be good. We are only speaking for your sake." Xichun said, "We'll see about that." Caiping and the others saw that the conversation was heading in a bad direction and signaled the nuns to leave. The nuns understood; they were already scared and dared not incite her further, so they took their leave. Xichun did not detain them but sneered, "Do you think yours is the only Dizang Nunnery in the world?" The nuns dared not reply and left.

Caiping, seeing that things were not going well and fearing she would be blamed, secretly went to inform You Shi, saying, "The Fourth Young Lady's idea of cutting off her hair has not gone away. She hasn't been ill these days; she is simply resentful of her fate. Mistress, be careful, or something will happen, and then we'll be blamed." You Shi said, "It's not that she wants to become a nun; it's that, with the First Master away, she is determined to make things difficult for me. I can only let her be." Caiping and the others had no choice but to try to advise her often. Little did they know that Xichun, day by day, refused to eat and only thought of cutting off her hair. Caiping and the others could not bear it and had to go and tell everyone. Lady Xing and Lady Wang also advised her several times, but Xichun remained stubbornly unyielding.

Just as Lady Xing and Lady Wang were about to inform Jia Zheng, they heard a report from outside: "The wife of the Zhen family has brought their Baoyu here." Everyone hurried out to welcome them, and they were seated in Lady Wang's room. They exchanged greetings and polite conversation, which need not be detailed. Let it only be mentioned that Lady Wang brought up how Zhen Baoyu was identical to their own Baoyu and asked to see him. A message was sent out, and the reply came back: "Master Zhen is in the outer study talking with the master. They are getting along very well, and he has sent someone to invite our Second Master and Third Master, as well as Master Lan, to dine outside. They will come in after the meal." With that, the inner quarters also set out the meal. No more of this.

Now, Jia Zheng saw that Zhen Baoyu's appearance was indeed the same as Baoyu's. When he tested his literary talent, Zhen Baoyu answered fluently and pertinently, which earned Jia Zheng's deep respect. Therefore, he called for Baoyu and the other two to come out, partly to warn and spur them on, and partly to have Baoyu compare himself. Baoyu, obeying the order, dressed in mourning clothes and brought his younger brother and nephew out. When he saw Zhen Baoyu, it was as if he had known him for a long time. Zhen Baoyu also seemed to have seen him somewhere before. They exchanged bows, and then Jia Huan and Jia Lan greeted each other. Originally, Jia Zheng had been sitting on the floor and intended to offer Zhen Baoyu a chair. But Zhen Baoyu, being a junior, dared not take the seat of honor and instead sat on a cushion spread on the floor. Now that Baoyu and the others had come out, they could not sit together with Jia Zheng, and since Zhen Baoyu was of the younger generation, it was also inappropriate to make Baoyu and the others stand. Jia Zheng, sensing the awkwardness, stood and said a few more words, then ordered the meal to be served, saying, "I shall excuse myself. Let the younger ones keep you company and have a good talk, so they may benefit from your instruction." Zhen Baoyu modestly declined, saying, "Uncle, please go ahead. Your nephew is actually eager to learn from these young gentlemen." Jia Zheng replied a few words and then went to the inner study. Zhen Baoyu wanted to see him out, but Jia Zheng stopped him. Baoyu and the others hurried out of the study door first, stood there watching Jia Zheng leave, then came back in and invited Zhen Baoyu to sit down. They exchanged a round of polite pleasantries, such as "I have long admired you" and "I have been longing to meet you," which need not be described in detail.

Let us speak of Jia Baoyu. Upon seeing Zhen Baoyu, he recalled the scene from his dream, and had long known that Zhen Baoyu’s character must be of one mind with his own, thinking he had met a kindred spirit. But as it was their first meeting, he did not wish to be rash. Moreover, with Jia Huan and Jia Lan present, he could only offer lavish praise, saying: “I have long admired your renowned name, but never had the chance to receive your personal instruction. Meeting you today, you truly seem like an immortal banished from heaven.” Zhen Baoyu had also long known of Jia Baoyu’s character, and upon seeing him today, found it indeed so. “He can study with me, but he cannot walk the same path as I. Since he shares my name and appearance, he must be an old soul from the Stone of Three Incarnations. Now that I have some slight understanding of the Way, why not discuss it with him? But since we meet for the first time, I do not yet know if his heart is the same as mine; I must proceed slowly.” So he said: “Elder Brother, I have long known of your literary fame. In your case, you are the most refined and elegant selected from among ten thousand men; in my case, I am but a mediocre and dull fool. To bear the same name in shame truly feels like defiling these two characters.” Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu thought to himself: “This man’s heart is indeed the same as mine. But we are both men, not like those pure and untainted girls—how can he treat me as if I were a girl?” So he said: “Elder Brother, your praise is excessive; I truly dare not accept it. I am the most filthy and stupid, nothing more than a worthless stone. How dare I compare myself to your virtuous and noble reputation? You truly deserve these two characters.” Zhen Baoyu said: “In my youth, I did not know my own measure and thought I could be polished into something useful. Little did I know that our family fortunes would decline. In recent years, I have become more shattered than a broken tile. Though I dare not claim to have tasted every bitterness, I have gained some insight into the ways of the world and human affairs. Elder Brother, you have been raised in silk and jade, with everything going your way. You must surely excel in literary essays and statecraft, which is why your esteemed father cherishes you as a precious jewel on his mat. That is why I say your noble name is truly fitting.” Jia Baoyu sensed that this line of talk was veering into the familiar clichés of the “rice-worm” (careerist) type, and he pondered how to reply. Jia Huan, displeased that no one had spoken to him, was already feeling aggrieved. As for Jia Lan, he found these words quite agreeable and said: “Uncle’s words are certainly too modest. But when it comes to literary essays and statecraft, it is only what emerges from experience that is true talent and learning. Though I am young and do not yet know what literature truly is, when I carefully savor what I have read, the difference between wealth and honor versus a good name and widespread praise is far more than a hundredfold.” Before Zhen Baoyu could reply, Jia Baoyu, hearing Jia Lan’s words, grew even more uneasy, thinking: “When did this child learn such sour and pedantic talk?” So he said: “I have heard that Elder Brother also denounces worldly vulgarities and has a unique perspective on life. Today, I am fortunate to encounter your presence and wish to hear some transcendent and (surpassing the mundane and entering sagehood) principles, so that I may wash my common soul clean and open my eyes anew. But I did not expect you to regard me as a dullard and respond with worldly talk.” Zhen Baoyu understood in his heart: “He knows of my youthful temperament, so he doubts that I am genuine. I might as well speak plainly; perhaps he will become a true friend to me.” So he said: “Elder Brother’s lofty views are indeed sincere. But in my youth, I too deeply detested those stale platitudes. Yet as I grew older, my father retired from office and, being lazy about socializing, entrusted me with receiving guests. Later, I met those venerable gentlemen, all of whom were men who glorified their families and made a name for themselves. Even when writing books or establishing doctrines, they never failed to speak of loyalty and filial piety. Naturally, they had their own achievements in establishing virtue and establishing works, so as not to waste being born in this enlightened age, nor to betray the kindness of their fathers, teachers, and elders in raising and teaching them. Thus, I gradually shed the wild and foolish notions and obsessions of my youth. Now, I still wish to seek out teachers and friends to instruct my ignorance. Fortunate to meet Elder Brother, I am sure you have something to teach me. What I said just now was not insincere.” Jia Baoyu grew more and more impatient with every word, yet he could not afford to be cold; he could only fob him off with vague talk. Fortunately, a voice came from within saying: “If the gentlemen outside have finished their meal, please invite Master Zhen to come inside and sit.” Upon hearing this, Baoyu seized the opportunity to invite Zhen Baoyu inside.

Zhen Baoyu, obeying the command, led the way, with Jia Baoyu and the others accompanying him to see Lady Wang. Jia Baoyu saw Lady Zhen seated in the place of honor and first paid his respects; Jia Huan and Jia Lan also performed their salutations. Zhen Baoyu likewise greeted Lady Wang. The two mothers and their two sons recognized each other as relatives. Though Jia Baoyu was already married, Lady Zhen, being advanced in years and an old family connection, could not help but feel affectionate upon seeing Jia Baoyu’s appearance and stature, so similar to her own son. Lady Wang, needless to say, took hold of Zhen Baoyu and asked him all sorts of questions, finding him more mature and steady than her own Baoyu. She turned to look at Jia Lan, who was also refined and outstanding, though not as handsome as the two Baoyus, still presentable. Only Jia Huan was coarse and vulgar, and she could not help but show a hint of partiality. When the others saw the two Baoyus together, they all came to look, saying: “What a strange thing! That they share the same name is one thing, but how can their appearances and statures be exactly alike? It’s fortunate that our Baoyu is in mourning clothes; if they were dressed the same, we wouldn’t be able to tell them apart at a glance.” Among them, Zijuan, seized by a moment of infatuation, thought of Daiyu and said to herself: “What a pity that Miss Lin is dead. If she were still alive, and we were to match her with that Zhen Baoyu, I suspect she would be willing.” Just as she was thinking, she heard Lady Zhen say: “The other day, when my husband returned, he said that our Baoyu is now of age and asked your husband to keep an eye out for a suitable marriage.” Lady Wang, who had taken a liking to Zhen Baoyu, said offhandedly: “I was also thinking of playing matchmaker for your son. Our family has four girls; the other three need not be mentioned—some are dead, some married. There is still our eldest nephew’s younger sister, but she is a few years younger and might be hard to match. However, our eldest daughter-in-law has two cousins who are quite handsome. The second one is already betrothed, but the third one would be a good match for your son. Another day, I will act as matchmaker for your son, though their family’s circumstances are now somewhat reduced.” Lady Zhen said: “Madam, you are being too polite. What does our family have now? I’m only afraid that they might despise us for being poor.” Lady Wang said: “Now that your household has taken on an official post, you will not only recover your former estate but surely surpass it in prosperity.” Lady Zhen said with a smile: “I hope it will be as you say. In that case, I beg you to be the guarantor.” Upon hearing them discuss marriage, Zhen Baoyu took his leave. Jia Baoyu and the others had no choice but to accompany him to the study, where they found Jia Zheng already present. They stood and exchanged a few words. Then they heard someone from the Zhen household report to Zhen Baoyu: “Madam is about to leave; please return, young master.” So Zhen Baoyu took his leave. Jia Zheng ordered Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan to see him off. No more of this.

Let us speak of Baoyu. From the day he had seen the elder Zhen, father of Zhen Baoyu, and learned that Zhen Baoyu was coming to the capital, he had waited from morning until night. When they finally met that day, he had originally hoped to find a kindred spirit. Who would have thought that after talking for half a day, they would prove as incompatible as fire and water? Melancholy and out of sorts, he returned to his own room, neither speaking nor laughing, merely staring blankly into space. Baochai then asked, “Is that Zhen Baoyu truly as like you as they say?” Baoyu replied, “His features are indeed the same. But from his conversation, it seems he knows nothing at all—he is nothing more than a ‘lucan’—a worm gnawing at official emoluments.” Baochai said, “There you go, slandering someone again. How could you tell he is a ‘lucan’?” Baoyu answered, “He talked for a long while, yet uttered no discourse that illuminated the mind or revealed the true nature. He only spoke of essays and statecraft, and went on about loyalty and filial piety. Is not such a person a ‘lucan’? It is a pity he was born with such a face as mine. I think, now that he exists, I no longer even want this face of mine.” Seeing him talk wildly again, Baochai said, “The words you utter are truly laughable. How can one not want one’s own face? Besides, what he said is perfectly correct. A man ought to establish himself and win renown. Who else indulges in nothing but tender feelings and private passions like you? Instead of admitting that you lack fortitude, you accuse others of being ‘lucans’.” Baoyu, already disgusted by Zhen Baoyu’s words, was further stung by Baochai’s rebuke. His heart grew even more discontented, and, in a daze, he unconsciously revived his old ailment. He said nothing, only smiled foolishly. Baochai did not understand, thinking, “I must have said something wrong, so he is sneering,” and paid him no further heed. But that very day he began to act dazed. Xiren and the others tried to tease him into talking, but he remained silent. After one night, when he rose the next morning, he was still in a stupor, just as in his former bouts of illness.

One day, Lady Wang, because Xichun was determined to cut off her hair and become a nun, and You-shi could not stop her—seeing that if they did not yield to Xichun, she would surely commit suicide—though they set people to watch her day and night, this was no long-term solution. So she told Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng sighed and stamped his foot, saying only, “What has the East Mansion been up to, to bring things to such a pass?” He sent for Jia Rong and scolded him severely, telling him to go and speak to his mother, urging her to reason with Xichun earnestly. “If she is determined to do this, then she is no longer a daughter of our house.” Who would have thought that You-shi’s attempts to persuade her made things worse? The more she urged, the more Xichun sought death, saying, “A girl cannot stay at home all her life. If I were like Second Sister, the master and mistress would only have to worry, and besides, she is already dead. Now, just consider me as dead. Let me leave the family and become a nun, living out my days in peace and quiet—that would be true kindness to me. Moreover, I will not go far. The Green Bower Hermitage is originally part of our own estate; I will cultivate myself there. Whatever I have, you can still look after. Now Miaoyu is in charge there. If you agree to this, I will count myself as having been granted a new life. If you do not agree, I have no other way—only death will settle it. If I follow my own wish, then when my elder brother returns, I will tell him that you did not force me. If it is said that I died, then when my brother comes back, he will think that you could not tolerate me.” You-shi had never gotten along well with Xichun, and hearing her words, which seemed to hold some reason, she had no choice but to go and report to Lady Wang.

By this time, Lady Wang had already gone to Baochai’s room. Seeing Baoyu in a state of confusion and distress, she grew anxious and said to Xiren, “You people are far too careless. The Second Master has fallen ill, and you did not come to tell me.” Xiren replied, “The Second Master’s illness has always been intermittent—sometimes better, sometimes worse. Every day he still went to pay his respects to you, and he was perfectly well until today, when he began to be confused. The Second Young Mistress was just about to come and inform you, but she was afraid you would say we were making a fuss over nothing.” Baoyu, hearing Lady Wang scold them, regained his senses for a moment and, fearing they might be wronged, said, “Do not worry, madam. I have no illness. I only feel a little downcast.” Lady Wang said, “You have this chronic ailment. If you had told me earlier, I would have sent for a doctor to examine you and take a couple of doses of medicine—wouldn’t that have been better? If it flares up again like last time, when you lost your jade, it will be much more troublesome.” Baoyu said, “If you are worried, madam, just send for someone to see me, and I will take the medicine.” Lady Wang then ordered a maid to send word outside to summon a physician. Her whole mind was now on Baoyu, and she forgot about Xichun’s matter. After a while, the doctor came, examined him, and administered medicine. Lady Wang then returned to her own quarters.

After a few days, Baoyu grew even more confused, to the point where he would not even eat. Everyone became alarmed. Just then, they were busy with the removal of mourning garments, and there was no one at home. They sent for Jia Yun to attend to the doctor. Since Jia Lian’s household was also unmanned, they invited Wang Ren to help with outside affairs. Meanwhile, Qiaojie cried day and night for her mother and fell ill as well. Thus, the Rong Mansion was once again thrown into utter chaos.

One day, when the mourning period ended and they returned home, Lady Wang came in person to see Baoyu. Finding him unconscious, the whole household was panic-stricken and at a loss. Weeping, she told Jia Zheng, “The physician has reported that he dares not prescribe any more medicine. We can only prepare for the end.” Jia Zheng sighed repeatedly and had to go and see for himself. When he saw that Baoyu’s condition was indeed hopeless, he ordered Jia Lian to make the arrangements. Jia Lian dared not disobey, so he told the servants to prepare. But they were short of money and in difficulty, when suddenly a servant ran in, shouting, “Second Master, something terrible has happened! More trouble is coming!” Jia Lian, not knowing what it was, was so frightened that his eyes bulged, and he said, “What is it?” The servant boy replied, “A monk has appeared at the gate, holding the jade that you lost, sir. He demands a reward of ten thousand taels of silver.” Jia Lian spat in his face and said, “I thought it was something serious, and you come with this panic. Don’t you know about the fake one last time? Even if it is real, the man is dying—what use is this jade now?” The boy said, “I told him that, but the monk said that if he gets the silver, all will be well.” Then they heard a commotion outside, with someone shouting, “That monk is being insolent! He has barged right in! Everyone tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t be held back!” Jia Lian said, “What kind of nonsense is this? Why don’t you drive him out at once?” While they were arguing, Jia Zheng heard the noise and was also at a loss. From inside came the sound of wailing: “The Second Young Master has taken a turn for the worse!” Jia Zheng grew even more frantic. Then they heard the monk shout, “If you want his life, bring out the silver!” Jia Zheng suddenly remembered that in the past, Baoyu’s illness had been cured by a monk. Perhaps this monk’s arrival was a sign of salvation. But if the jade was genuine, and he demanded silver, what could be done? After a moment’s thought, he decided to set that aside for now—if Baoyu was truly saved, they could deal with it later.

Jia Zheng sent someone to invite the monk, but the monk had already entered. He did not bow or answer any questions, but ran straight inside. Jia Lian grabbed him and said, “The inner apartments are full of women! What do you think you are doing, running about like a savage?” The monk said, “If we delay any longer, he cannot be saved.” Jia Lian, frantic, ran along shouting, “You people inside, stop crying! The monk is coming in!” Lady Wang and the others were so absorbed in their weeping that they paid no attention. Jia Lian came close and shouted again. Lady Wang and the others turned around and saw a tall, imposing monk. They were terrified, but there was no time to avoid him. The monk walked straight up to Baoyu’s kang. Baochai moved aside, while Xiren, seeing Lady Wang standing there, did not dare to flee. Then the monk said, “Lay patrons, I have come to deliver the jade.” As he spoke, he held up the jade and said, “Bring out the silver quickly, so that I may save him.” Lady Wang and the others were utterly flustered. Without caring whether it was real or fake, she said, “If you save his life, the silver will be provided.” The monk laughed and said, “Bring it here.” Lady Wang replied, “Do not worry. We will manage to raise the amount somehow.” The monk laughed heartily, then took the jade, held it close to Baoyu’s ear, and called out, “Baoyu! Baoyu! Your jade has returned!” As soon as he said this, Lady Wang and the others saw Baoyu open his eyes. Xiren cried out, “He’s better!” Then Baoyu asked, “Where is it?” The monk placed the jade in his hand. At first, Baoyu clutched it tightly, but then slowly brought it before his eyes, examined it closely, and said, “Ah! It has been so long!” Everyone inside and out rejoiced and chanted the Buddha’s name. Even Baochai forgot that a monk was present. Jia Lian also came over to look and saw that Baoyu had indeed regained his senses. Overjoyed, he quickly slipped out of the room.

That monk did not speak, but rushed over and grabbed Jia Lian, pulling him along as he ran. Jia Lian had no choice but to follow him to the front, where he hurriedly informed Jia Zheng. When Jia Zheng heard this, he was delighted and went to bow and thank the monk. The monk returned the bow and sat down. Jia Lian thought to himself suspiciously, "He must be wanting silver before he leaves." Jia Zheng looked closely at the monk, but he was not the same one he had seen before, so he asked, "Where is your monastery, Reverend? What is your Dharma name? Where did you obtain this jade? How is it that as soon as my son saw it, he came back to life?" The monk smiled faintly and said, "I don't know either. Just bring me ten thousand taels of silver, and it will be done." Jia Zheng saw that this monk was coarse and rude, but dared not offend him, so he said, "I have it." The monk said, "If you have it, bring it quickly. I want to leave." Jia Zheng said, "Please sit for a moment. Let me go inside and take a look." The monk said, "Go quickly and come back quickly."

Jia Zheng indeed went inside, and without even informing anyone, he walked over to Baoyu's kang. When Baoyu saw that his father had come, he wanted to sit up, but because his body was weak, he could not. Lady Wang pressed him down and said, "Don't move." Baoyu smiled and showed the jade to Jia Zheng, saying, "The Baoyu has come." Jia Zheng glanced at it briefly, realizing that this matter had some significance, but did not examine it closely. He said to Lady Wang, "Baoyu has recovered. What about the reward money?" Lady Wang said, "Take everything I have, convert it into silver, and give it to him." Baoyu said, "I'm afraid this monk might not be after silver." Jia Zheng nodded and said, "I also find it strange, but he keeps insisting on silver." Lady Wang said, "Sir, go out first and detain him for a while, then we'll see." Jia Zheng went out, and Baoyu immediately cried out that he was hungry. He drank a bowl of congee and then said he wanted to eat rice. The maids brought rice, but Lady Wang dared not let him eat it. Baoyu said, "It's all right, I'm already well." So he crawled over and ate a bowl, and gradually his spirit indeed revived. He wanted to sit up. Sheyue stepped forward and gently helped him up. Because she was so overjoyed, she forgot herself and said, "It really is a precious treasure. He got better as soon as he saw it. It's a good thing we didn't smash it back then." When Baoyu heard these words, his expression changed. He threw the jade away, and his body fell backward. Whether he lived or died will be revealed in the next chapter.