Chapter 42: The Lady of Alpinia Park clears up a doubt with a kind word; The Queen of Bamboos adds to the fun with a witty remark
Lady Hengwu’s Pleasant Words Clear Her Friend’s Doubts
And River Queen’s Sweet Raillery Repays a Kindness
After the girls had re-entered the Garden and finished their meal, they all dispersed without further conversation.
Granny Liu, taking Ban’er with her, went first to see Xifeng. “I must go home early tomorrow morning,” she said. “Though I’ve only stayed two or three days, it’s been a short time, yet I’ve seen, eaten, and heard things I’ve never encountered in all my born days. It’s rare indeed that the old lady, you, madam, and all those young ladies, including the maids in every apartment, should show such pity for the poor and care for the aged. When I go back, I have no other way to repay you except to burn incense every day and pray to the Buddhas for you, beseeching them to grant you long life and a hundred years—that’s all I can do to show my gratitude.” Xifeng laughed. “Don’t be so pleased. It’s all because of you that the old lady caught a chill from the wind and is lying down, feeling unwell. Our Da Jie’er also caught a cold and is running a fever.” Granny Liu sighed at once. “The old lady is advanced in years and not used to so much exertion and fatigue.” Xifeng said, “She’s never been as happy as she was yesterday. Usually, when she goes into the Garden, she just sits in one or two places and then comes back. Yesterday, because you were here and she wanted to show you around, she walked through more than half the Garden. Da Jie’er, looking for me, was given a piece of cake by the mistress, but she ate it in the wind and started to run a fever.” Granny Liu said, “The little girl probably doesn’t go into the Garden often. Strange places—children really shouldn’t go there. It’s not like our children, who, once they can walk, run into every graveyard they see. For one thing, she might have been caught by the wind; for another, perhaps she’s very clean in person and pure in vision, and she might have run into some spirit. In my opinion, you should look in a book of exorcisms and check carefully if she’s been possessed by something.” This remark reminded Xifeng, and she told Pinger to bring out the Jade Box Record and have Caiming read it. Caiming flipped through it and read: “On the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, the patient encountered the Flower Spirit in the southeast direction. Use forty sheets of five-colored spirit money, offer them forty paces to the southeast, and all will be greatly auspicious.” Xifeng laughed. “That’s exactly right—isn’t it the Flower Spirit in the Garden? I’m afraid the old lady might have met it too.” She immediately ordered two sets of spirit money to be prepared and sent two people—one to perform the exorcism for Jia Mu, and one for Da Jie’er. Sure enough, Da Jie’er fell into a peaceful sleep.
Xifeng laughed. “You older people really have more experience. My Da Jie’er is always sick, and I don’t know the reason.” Granny Liu said, “That’s a common thing. Children raised in wealthy families are mostly too delicate, so naturally they can’t bear the slightest hardship. Besides, a little child being too pampered and honored can’t withstand it either. From now on, madam, if you spoil her a bit less, it will be fine.” Xifeng said, “That makes sense. It occurs to me that she doesn’t have a name yet. Why don’t you give her one? First, to borrow some of your longevity; second, you’re farming folk—don’t be offended if I say so, but you’re from a poorer background, and a name from someone poor might be able to suppress her luck.” Granny Liu thought for a moment and laughed. “I don’t know when she was born?” Xifeng said, “That’s the trouble—her birthday is on an unlucky day. It happens to be the seventh day of the seventh month.” Granny Liu laughed at once. “That’s perfect. Call her Qiao Ge’er. This is the method of ‘using poison to fight poison, using fire to fight fire.’ Madam must follow this name I give, and she will surely live to a hundred years. When she grows up and starts her own family and career, if she ever meets with troubles, she will turn calamity into good fortune and disaster into blessing—all because of this word ‘qiao’ (clever or coincidental).”
Xifeng was naturally delighted and thanked her profusely, laughing. “May it only be that she fulfills your words!” Then she called Pinger and instructed her: “We’ll have matters to attend to tomorrow and may not be free. Pack up the gifts for Granny Liu now, so she can leave conveniently early tomorrow.” Granny Liu quickly said, “Don’t go to too much expense. I’ve already imposed on you for several days, and now taking things away makes me even more uneasy.” Xifeng said, “It’s nothing special—just ordinary things. Whether good or bad, take them along. When your neighbors and fellow villagers see them, it’ll make you look grand, as if you’ve been to the city.” Just then Pinger came over and said, “Granny, come over here and take a look.”
Granny Liu hurriedly followed Pinger to that room and saw half a kang piled with things. Pinger showed her each item, one by one, saying: “This is the bolt of black gauze you asked for yesterday. The mistress is giving you an extra bolt of solid white gauze for lining. These are two bolts of pongee—good for making jackets or skirts. This bundle contains two bolts of silk, to make clothes for the end of the year. This box has various kinds of pastries made in the mansion—some you’ve eaten, some you haven’t—take them to set out on plates for guests; they’re better than what you buy. These two sacks are the ones you brought your melons and fruits in yesterday. Now this one has two pecks of imperial rice—it’s rare for making congee—and this one has fruits from the Garden and all kinds of dried fruits. This packet has eight taels of silver—all from our mistress. These two packets each have fifty taels, making a hundred taels in total, from the mistress of the house, for you to start a small business or buy a few acres of land, so you won’t have to beg from relatives or depend on friends in the future.” Then she lowered her voice and laughed slyly: “These two jackets and two skirts, plus four headscarves and a bundle of embroidery thread, are my gift to you, Granny. The clothes are old, but I haven’t worn them much. If you dislike them, I won’t dare offer them.” For every item Pinger named, Granny Liu recited a Buddha’s name—she had already chanted thousands of them. Seeing that Pinger was also giving her these things and was so modest, she quickly recited another: “Miss, what are you saying? How could I dislike such fine things! Even if I had the silver, I couldn’t buy things like these. I just feel too embarrassed. If I take them, it’s not right; if I don’t, I’ll be ungrateful for your kindness.” Pinger laughed. “Don’t speak like an outsider. We’re all family, that’s why I’m doing this. Rest assured and take them. I’ll even ask you for something in return. At the end of the year, just bring us some of your dried gray-stemmed vegetables, cowpeas, long beans, eggplants, dried bottle gourds, and all sorts of dried greens—everyone up and down in this household loves them. That’ll do. Don’t bring anything else, don’t waste your trouble.” Granny Liu, overwhelmed with gratitude, agreed. Pinger said, “Just go to sleep. I’ll pack everything properly and leave it here. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send the servants to hire a cart and load it, so you won’t have to worry about a thing.”
Granny Liu was even more grateful. She went back and thanked Xifeng profusely, then went to Jia Mu’s side to sleep for the night. The next morning, after washing and dressing, she was about to take her leave. Because Jia Mu was unwell, everyone came to pay their respects and sent for a doctor. Soon an old maidservant came back to report that the doctor had arrived. The older maids invited Jia Mu to sit behind the bed curtain. Jia Mu said, “I’m old now—where would I have raised such a thing? Am I afraid of him? Don’t put up the curtain; let him examine me just like this.” Hearing this, the maids brought a small table, placed a small pillow on it, and ordered someone to invite the doctor in.
Soon Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and Jia Rong led the Imperial Physician Wang in. Not daring to walk on the main path, Physician Wang followed Jia Zhen along the side steps until they reached the terrace. Two old women on either side raised the portieres, while two more led the way inside. Baoyu came out to greet them. The Lady Dowager sat upright on the couch, wearing a lambskin jacket of black crepe with a pattern of pearls. On either side stood four young maids with unbound hair, holding fly-whisks, spittoons, and the like, while five or six old nurses were arranged like the wings of a wild goose. Behind the green gauze screen, figures in red and green with jeweled hairpins could be faintly seen. Physician Wang did not dare raise his head but quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. Seeing him in a sixth-rank official’s attire, the Lady Dowager knew he was an imperial physician, and she asked with a smile, “How are you, Sir?” Then she inquired of Jia Zhen, “What is this physician’s honorable surname?” Jia Zhen and the others hastily replied, “His surname is Wang.” The Lady Dowager said, “In the past, the head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Wang Junxiao, had excellent diagnostic skills.” Physician Wang quickly bowed his head and replied with a smile, “That was my great-uncle.” Hearing this, the Lady Dowager laughed and said, “So that’s how it is; we are old family friends.” As she spoke, she slowly placed her hand on a small pillow. An old nurse brought a small stool and set it quickly before the small table, slightly to one side. Physician Wang knelt on one knee, sat down, tilted his head, and felt her pulse for a long time; then he felt the other hand, quickly rose, bowed his head, and withdrew. The Lady Dowager smiled and said, “Thank you for your trouble. Zhen, see him out and offer him good tea.”
Jia Zhen and Jia Lian promptly responded with several “yeses” and led Physician Wang to the outer study. Physician Wang said, “The old lady has no other ailment; she has merely caught a slight chill. There is no need for medicine. She need only eat lighter fare and dress warmly, and she will recover. I will write a prescription now. If the old lady wishes to take it, have one dose prepared; if she prefers not, it is of no consequence.” Having said this, he drank some tea, wrote out the prescription, and was about to take his leave when a nurse came out carrying Dajie in her arms and said with a laugh, “Mr. Wang, please take a look at our young lady too.” Hearing this, Physician Wang quickly rose, took Dajie’s hand in his left hand from the nurse’s arms, felt her pulse with his right hand, then felt her forehead and asked her to stick out her tongue for examination. He laughed and said, “I said this young lady was scolding me again. Actually, she only needs to go without food for a couple of meals in peace and quiet, and she’ll be fine. No need to take decoctions; I will send some pills. When it’s time to sleep, grind them with ginger broth and take them, and that will do.” Having finished, he took his leave and left.
Jia Zhen and the others took the prescription, returned to report the matter to the Lady Dowager, placed the prescription on the table, and went out. Let us leave this for now. Lady Wang, Li Wan, Xifeng, and the Bao sisters, seeing that the physician had left, came out from behind the cabinet. Lady Wang sat for a while, then returned to her own room.
Granny Liu, seeing that nothing more was happening, stepped forward to take her leave of the Lady Dowager. The Lady Dowager said, “Come again when you have time.” Then she instructed Yuanyang, “See Granny Liu out properly. I am not feeling well and cannot see you off.” Granny Liu thanked her, said her farewells, and left with Yuanyang. When they reached the servants’ quarters, Yuanyang pointed to a bundle on the kang and said, “These are a few garments of the old lady’s, all gifts from birthdays and festivals over the years. She never wears clothes made by others; keeping them would be a shame, as they have never been worn. Yesterday she told me to take out two sets to send with you—you can give them away or wear them at home; don’t think them laughable. This box contains the fruit pastries you asked for. This bundle has the medicines you mentioned the other day: plum-blossom dot-tongue pills, purple-gold lozenges, circulation pills, and pills to hasten and preserve life in childbirth. Each type is wrapped with its own prescription, all packed together. These two pouches are for you to play with.” As she spoke, she untied the drawstrings and took out two ingots shaped like brushes and ingots of contentment to show her, then said with a laugh, “You can take the pouches, but leave these for me.” Granny Liu, already overjoyed and having muttered a thousand “Amida Buddhas,” heard Yuanyang’s words and said, “Miss, keep them by all means.” Seeing that Granny Liu believed her, Yuanyang put them back and said with a laugh, “I was only teasing you; I have plenty. Keep them for the New Year to give to the children.” As she spoke, a young maid brought a Cheng Yao cup and handed it to Granny Liu, saying, “This is from Master Bao.” Granny Liu said, “Where does this come from? In what lifetime did I cultivate such merit to receive this today?” Saying this, she took it. Yuanyang said, “The other day I told you to bathe and change into my clothes. If you don’t dislike them, I have a few more pieces to give you.” Granny Liu quickly thanked her again. Yuanyang indeed brought out two more garments and wrapped them up for her. Granny Liu then wanted to go to the garden to take her leave of Baoyu, the young ladies, and Lady Wang. Yuanyang said, “No need to go. They won’t see anyone now; I’ll tell them for you when I return. Come again when you have time.” She then instructed an old woman, “Call two servants from the second gate to help Granny Liu carry her things out.” The old woman agreed, and she and Granny Liu went to Xifeng’s place to collect the other items. At the side gate, they called for servants to carry everything out and saw Granny Liu into her carriage. Let us leave this for now.
Now, Bao-chai and the others had finished their breakfast and gone to pay their morning respects to Grandmother Jia. On their way back to the Garden, at the point where their paths diverged, Bao-chai called out to Dai-yu, "Pin-er, come with me. I have a question to ask you." So Dai-yu followed Bao-chai to the Alpinia Park. Once inside the courtyard, Bao-chai sat down and said with a smile, "Kneel down. I'm going to interrogate you." Dai-yu, not knowing what this was about, laughed and said, "Look at this crazy Bao! What are you interrogating me for?" Bao-chai said with a cold smile, "What a fine young lady! What a proper girl who never leaves her boudoir! What is all this stuff you've been saying? Just confess honestly, and that will be that." Dai-yu was puzzled and kept laughing, though a flicker of suspicion arose in her heart. She only said, "When did I ever say anything? You're just trying to find fault with me. Go on, tell me what I said, and let me hear it." Bao-chai laughed and said, "Still pretending to be naive. What was it you said yesterday during the drinking game? I really don't know where it came from." Dai-yu thought for a moment, then remembered that yesterday she had been careless and let slip two lines from The Peony Pavilion and The Western Chamber. Unconsciously, she blushed, stepped forward, and embraced Bao-chai, laughing as she said, "Good sister, it was just something I said offhand without thinking. Teach me, and I'll never say it again." Bao-chai laughed and said, "I don't know either. It sounded so strange to me, that's why I asked you." Dai-yu said, "Good sister, don't tell anyone else. I'll never say it again." Seeing Dai-yu's face flushed red with shame and her earnest pleas, Bao-chai was unwilling to press her further. So she pulled Dai-yu to sit down for tea and gently said to her, "Who do you think I am? I was a mischievous one too. From the age of seven or eight, I was enough to try anyone's patience. Our family was considered a scholarly one; my grandfather was fond of collecting books. In earlier days, when the household was larger, we sisters and brothers were all together, and we all dreaded reading the proper books. The boys loved poetry and drama—things like The Western Chamber, The Lute, and the Hundred Yuan Plays—they had them all. They would secretly read them behind our backs, and we would secretly read them behind theirs. Later, when the adults found out, there were beatings, scoldings, and book burnings, and only then did we give them up. So for us girls, it's better not to know how to read. If men read books but don't understand reason, it's worse than not reading at all—and that goes doubly for you and me. Even things like writing poetry and calligraphy are not really our proper business, nor, in the end, are they men's proper business. If men read books to understand reason, to assist the state and govern the people, that's fine. But nowadays, we don't hear of such men; instead, reading books only makes them worse. The books have led them astray, and it's a pity they've also ruined the books. So it's better to farm or trade, which does less harm. You and I should stick to needlework and weaving. But we've gone and learned to read, and since we have, we should only look at the proper books. The worst thing is to encounter these frivolous books, which can corrupt our natures, and then there's no saving us." This speech made Dai-yu bow her head and drink her tea, inwardly full of admiration. She could only murmur, "Yes." Suddenly Su-yun entered and said, "Our mistress invites both of you young ladies to discuss something important. The Second, Third, and Fourth Young Ladies, Miss Shi, and Master Bao are all waiting there." Bao-chai said, "What is it now?" Dai-yu said, "We'll know when we get there." So saying, they went together to the Sweet Rice Village, and indeed found everyone assembled there.
Li Wan saw them and said with a laugh, "Before we've even started the poetry club, someone is already slacking off. Fourth Sister wants a whole year's leave." Dai-yu laughed and said, "It's all because of Grandmother's words yesterday. She told her to paint a picture of the Garden, and that's made her happy to ask for leave." Tan-chun laughed and said, "Don't blame Grandmother. It was all because of Grannie Liu." Lin Dai-yu quickly laughed and said, "Exactly. It's all because of her words. What kind of 'Grannie' is she anyway? Let's just call her 'Mother Locust' straight out." At this, everyone burst out laughing. Bao-chai laughed and said, "The world's words are all used up by that girl Xi-feng. Fortunately, Xi-feng doesn't know how to read and isn't very literate—she just uses common market jokes. But then there's this sharp-tongued Pin-er, who uses the 'Spring and Autumn' style of writing, taking the coarse talk of the marketplace, seizing the essentials, cutting out the clutter, and then polishing and comparing it—every word counts. These three words 'Mother Locust' bring out all of yesterday's scenes. And she thought of it so quickly." Everyone laughed and said, "With this explanation of yours, you're not far behind the two of them." Li Wan said, "I've called you all here to discuss how many days of leave to give her. I gave her a month, but she says it's too little. What do you all say?" Dai-yu said, "Strictly speaking, a year isn't too much. This Garden took a year to build, so painting it will naturally take two years. You have to grind ink, dip the brush, spread the paper, apply colors, and then..." Just as she got here, everyone knew she was making fun of Xi-chun, so they all laughed and asked, "And then what?" Dai-yu couldn't help laughing herself and said, "And then you have to slowly paint it just like this—so wouldn't it take two years!" Everyone clapped and laughed without stopping. Bao-chai laughed and said, "'Slowly paint it just like this'—that last line is the best. So yesterday's jokes, though amusing, lose their flavor when you think back. But think carefully about Pin-er's words—though plain, they gain savor on reflection. I'm laughing so much I can't move." Xi-chun said, "It's all because Sister Bao-chai praises her that she gets more and more brazen, and now she's making fun of me." Dai-yu quickly pulled her over and laughed, saying, "Let me ask you first: are you only painting the Garden, or will you include all of us in the picture?" Xi-chun said, "Originally, I was only to paint the Garden. But yesterday, Grandmother said that painting just the Garden would make it look like a blueprint, so she told me to include the people, to make it like a 'pleasure-picture.' But I'm no good at fine details of buildings, and I can't paint figures either. I didn't dare object, so that's why I'm in a fix." Dai-yu said, "Figures are easy enough, but you're weak on grasses and insects." Li Wan said, "You're talking nonsense again. What use are grasses and insects in such a painting? Maybe a few birds or feathers would be a nice touch." Dai-yu laughed and said, "It's fine if you don't paint other grasses and insects, but if you don't paint yesterday's 'Mother Locust,' won't you be missing a classical reference!" Everyone burst out laughing again. Dai-yu, holding her chest with both hands as she laughed, said, "Hurry up and paint! I've even got the inscription ready. I'll give it a name: 'The Picture of the Locusts' Great Feast.'" At this, everyone laughed even more, rocking back and forth. Then they heard a "thump" as something fell. Hurriedly looking, they saw that Xiang-yun had been leaning against the back of a chair. The chair hadn't been steady, and as she leaned her whole weight on it while laughing, she lost her balance, and the chair tipped to the east, sending both her and the chair to the floor. Luckily, a wooden screen stopped them from hitting the ground. Seeing this, everyone laughed even more. Bao-yu rushed over to help her up, and gradually the laughter subsided. Bao-yu shot a meaningful glance at Dai-yu. Dai-yu understood and went into the inner room. She lifted the mirror cover, looked at herself, and saw that her hair was slightly mussed at the temples. She quickly opened Li Wan's dressing case, took out a comb, smoothed her hair in the mirror twice, tidied herself, and then came out. Pointing at Li Wan, she said, "This is supposed to be you leading us in needlework and teaching us proper conduct, but instead, you've brought us here to have a great laugh." Li Wan laughed and said, "Listen to her sharp tongue. She's the one who started the mischief and made everyone laugh, and now she blames me. I'm so annoyed that I hope tomorrow you get a fierce mother-in-law, and a few vicious and nasty sisters-in-law, and then we'll see if you're still so sharp-tongued then!"
Lin Daiyu’s face had long since turned red as she pulled Baochai and said, “Let’s give her a year’s leave.” Baochai replied, “Let me say something fair, and you all listen. Though Ouyatou can paint, it’s only a few freehand strokes. Now, to paint this garden, one must have several landscapes in mind before the painting can succeed. This garden is itself like a painting—with its rocks, trees, pavilions, and buildings, near and far, dense and sparse—neither too much nor too little, exactly as it is. If you simply copy it onto paper, you’re bound to fail. You must consider the paper’s size and distance, decide what to add or omit, distinguish the main from the subordinate, add where needed, subtract where needed, conceal where needed, and reveal where needed. Only after drafting and carefully deliberating can a proper picture be made. Second, these towers and houses must be drawn with a ruler. With the slightest inattention, the balustrades will be crooked, the pillars collapsed, doors and windows upside down, steps disjointed, and even tables squeezed into walls or flowerpots placed on curtains—making it a complete joke. Third, when adding figures, there must be spacing and height. Folds in clothes, sashes, fingers, feet, and steps are most crucial; if a single stroke is careless, either the hands swell or the legs go lame, while smearing faces and tearing hair are minor matters. In my view, it’s truly difficult. Now, a year’s leave is too much, and a month’s leave too little; give her half a year, and send Brother Bao to help her. It’s not because Brother Bao knows how to teach her painting—that would only delay things—but so that when there’s something unknown or hard to arrange, Brother Bao can take it out and ask those skilled painters, making it easier.”
Upon hearing this, Baoyu was delighted and said, “That’s absolutely right. Zhan Ziliang’s meticulous paintings of buildings are especially fine, and Cheng Rixing’s beauties are superb. I’ll go ask them right now.” Baochai said, “I told you, you’re always busy over nothing. The moment I mention it, you want to go ask. Wait until we’ve settled things before going. What do you have to paint with now?” Baoyu said, “At home we have Xuelang paper, which is large and absorbs ink well.” Baochai sneered, “I said you’re useless! That Xuelang paper is for writing or freehand painting, or for those who do Southern School landscape painting—it absorbs ink and withstands rubbing and texturing. Using it for this, it won’t take color, it’s hard to wash, the painting will be poor, and the paper wasted. Let me teach you a method. When the garden was first built, there was a detailed blueprint; though drawn by craftsmen, the layout and directions were correct. Ask Lady Wang for it, and match it to the paper’s size. Ask Xifeng for a piece of heavy silk, have the painter treat it with alum, then let her follow the blueprint, editing and supplementing to set a draft, and add figures. Even mixing these blue-green colors, gold powder, and silver powder—they’ll have to do that. You’ll also need to set up a separate brazier to prepare glue, extract glue, and wash brushes. Plus, a large oiled table spread with felt. Your dishes and brushes are incomplete, so you’ll need to buy a new set.” Xichun said, “When have I ever had such painting tools? I just use writing brushes to paint casually. As for colors, I only have ochre, canton blue, gamboge, and rouge—four kinds. Besides that, just two coloring brushes, and that’s all.” Baochai said, “You should have spoken sooner. I do have these things, but you wouldn’t use them; giving them to you would just be wasting them. For now, I’ll keep them for you, and when you need them, I’ll give you some—they’re only good for painting fans; using them for a large piece would be a pity. Today, I’ll make you a list, and you can ask Grandmother for the items. You probably don’t know everything, so let me speak, and Brother Bao write.” Baoyu had already prepared brush and ink, originally afraid of forgetting and needing to write things down. Hearing Baochai say this, he cheerfully raised his brush and listened quietly. Baochai said: “Four large row brushes, four medium row brushes, four small row brushes, four large dye brushes, four medium dye brushes, four small dye brushes, ten large southern crab-claw brushes, ten small crab-claw brushes, ten eyebrow-and-beard brushes, twenty large color brushes, twenty small color brushes, ten face-outline brushes, twenty willow-tip brushes, four ounces of arrowhead cinnabar, four ounces of southern ochre, four ounces of stone yellow, four ounces of azurite, four ounces of malachite green, four ounces of tube yellow, eight ounces of canton blue, four boxes of clam powder, ten slices of rouge, two hundred sheets of large red gold powder, two hundred sheets of blue gold powder, four ounces of even glue, four ounces of pure alum. The alum and glue for treating the silk are separate—don’t worry about them; just hand over the silk and have them treat it. These colors, you can wash, settle, float, and grind: you’ll have fun and use them, and I guarantee they’ll last you a lifetime. Also, four fine silk sieves, four coarse silk sieves, four carrying brushes, four large and small mortars, twenty large coarse bowls, ten five-inch coarse dishes, twenty three-inch coarse white dishes, two braziers, four large and small earthenware pots, two new ceramic jars, four new buckets, four one-foot-long white cloth bags, twenty pounds of charcoal, one pound of willow charcoal, one three-drawer wooden box, one yard of plain gauze, two ounces of ginger, half a pound of soy sauce.” Lin Daiyu quickly said, “One iron pot and one spatula.” Baochai asked, “What’s that for?” Daiyu laughed, “You want ginger and soy sauce as seasonings—I’m asking for an iron pot to stir-fry the colors.” Everyone burst out laughing. Baochai laughed and said, “You don’t understand. Those coarse color dishes will inevitably be heated over a fire. If you don’t first smear the bottoms with ginger juice and soy sauce and bake them, they’ll crack when exposed to heat.” Hearing this, everyone said, “So that’s how it is.”
Daiyu looked over the list again, then laughed and quietly pulled Tanchun aside, saying, “Look, for painting, she’s asking for water jars and boxes like this. She must be muddled and has written down her dowry list too.” Tanchun sighed, laughed uncontrollably, and said, “Sister Baochai, aren’t you going to pinch her mouth? Ask her what she’s making up about you.” Baochai laughed, “No need to ask—can a dog’s mouth produce ivory?” As she spoke, she stepped forward, pressed Daiyu down on the kang, and was about to pinch her face. Daiyu laughed and quickly begged, “Good sister, spare me! I’m young and only know how to talk, not mind my words. As an elder sister, teach me. If you won’t forgive me, whom else can I beg?” The others, not catching the hidden meaning in her words, all laughed and said, “She sounds truly pitiful—even we’re softening. Let her off.” Baochai had only been teasing her, but suddenly hearing her bring up the old matter of reading forbidden books, she couldn’t continue the roughhousing and let her up. Daiyu laughed, “You really are the elder sister; if it were me, I wouldn’t let anyone off.” Baochai laughed, pointed at her, and said, “No wonder the old lady dotes on you and everyone loves your cleverness—today I feel fond of you too. Come here, let me tidy your hair.” Daiyu indeed turned around, and Baochai smoothed her hair with her hand. Baoyu watched from the side and thought she looked even more beautiful, regretting that he hadn’t let her leave her hair loose instead of having it pinned up, so she could do it now. Just as he was lost in these fanciful thoughts, Baochai said, “I’ve finished writing. Tomorrow, report it to Grandmother. If we have these things at home, fine; if not, take some money and buy them. I’ll help you prepare them.” Baoyu quickly put away the list.
Everyone chatted idly for a while longer. After dinner, they went to pay respects to Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia had never been seriously ill—just tired from exertion and a bit chilled. After resting for a day and taking a dose of medicine to dispel the cold, by evening she was better. What happened the next day remains to be told in the next chapter.