Chapter 45: Sworn sisters bare their hearts to each other; A dreary evening inspires poems on wind and rain

Xifeng was comforting Pinger when she saw the other girls come in. She hastily asked them to sit down, and Pinger poured tea for them. Xifeng said with a smile, “You’ve all come so promptly today, just as if I’d sent out invitations.” Tanchun laughed. “We have two things to discuss: one concerns me, one concerns Fourth Sister, and Grandmother’s instructions are mixed in too.” Xifeng replied, smiling, “What’s so urgent?” Tanchun answered, “We’ve started a poetry club, but the first meeting was incomplete because everyone was too softhearted, so it fell into disorder. I think we need you to be our censor—impartial and strict. Also, Fourth Sister needs things for painting the garden, but she’s missing various items. She mentioned it to Grandmother, who said, ‘Maybe there are still some leftovers from past years under the back building. Look for them; if there are any, take them out; if not, send someone to buy them.’” Xifeng laughed, “I don’t know anything about poetry—wet or dry. Do you want me just to go and eat?” Tanchun said, “Even if you can’t write poetry, we don’t need you to. You just watch over us and punish anyone who slacks off.” Xifeng chuckled, “Don’t fool me. I’ve guessed it. You’re not really inviting me to be a censor—you clearly want me to be a moneybags. Whatever club you start, you’ll surely take turns hosting. Your monthly allowances aren’t enough, so you’ve come up with this scheme to drag me in and ask for money. Isn’t that the plan?” Everyone laughed at her words. Li Wan smiled, “You really are a crystal heart and a glass person.” Xifeng retorted, “And you, as the eldest sister-in-law! The girls were originally entrusted to you to teach them to read, learn manners, and do needlework. If they misbehave, you should correct them. Now they start a poetry club, which costs a few coppers, and you wash your hands of it? Let Grandmother and Lady Wang be—they’re the matriarchs. But you get ten taels a month, twice as much as the rest of us. Lady Wang and Grandmother even say you’re a widow without an income, pitiful, and not having enough, so with a boy to raise, they’ve added another ten taels, making you equal to them. You also have garden land to collect rent from. At year’s end, you get the highest share. Your household—mistress and servants—has fewer than ten people, and your food and clothes still come from the public funds. In a year, that comes to four or five hundred taels. Why not take out a hundred or two hundred taels a year to let them enjoy themselves? How many years will it last? Once each girl marries, will you still have to pay? Now you’re afraid to spend money, so you egg them on to pester me. I’d gladly drink the river dry, but I don’t even know about it!”

Li Wan laughed, “Listen to her! I said one thing, and she goes mad, rattling off two cartloads of vulgar, penny-pinching, haggling talk from the gutter. For all her birth in a cultured, high-ranking official family as a young lady, and now as a married woman, she’s still like this. If she’d been born in a poor, humble household as a servant boy, who knows how low and foul-mouthed she’d be! She’d scheme everyone under heaven! Yesterday you even beat Pinger—how could you raise your hand? Did that wine go to waste in a dog’s belly? I was so angry I wanted to stand up for Pinger. I hesitated for half a day, but since it was your ‘dog’s tail-growing’ birthday, and I feared Grandmother might be upset, I didn’t come. But I’m still not over it. And today you provoke me again. You’re not fit to pick up Pinger’s shoes—you two should switch places!” Everyone laughed. Xifeng quickly smiled, “So you’re not here about poetry or painting—you’ve come to avenge Pinger! I never expected Pinger to have such a champion. If I’d known, even if a ghost had pulled my hand to hit her, I wouldn’t have. Miss Pinger, come here! In front of madam and the young ladies, I apologize to you. Please forgive my lack of manners when drunk.” At this, everyone laughed again. Li Wan asked Pinger with a smile, “See? I said I’d stand up for you.” Pinger laughed, “Even so, the ladies are teasing me—I can’t bear it.” Li Wan said, “What can’t you bear? I’m here for you. Hurry, get the keys and have your mistress open the storeroom to find the things.”

Xifeng laughed, “Good sister-in-law, take them back to the garden first. I was just about to settle the rice accounts when the elder lady’s maid came to call me—I don’t know what she wants, but I have to go. Also, I haven’t yet prepared the extra clothes you all need for New Year’s.” Li Wan smiled, “I don’t care about any of that. Just finish my business so I can rest, and stop these girls from bothering me.” Xifeng hastily replied, “Good sister-in-law, give me a little time. You’ve always doted on me—why today, for Pinger’s sake, do you stop? Usually you advise me that despite many tasks, I should take care of my health and steal moments to rest. But today you’re pushing me to death! Besides, if others’ New Year clothes are delayed, it doesn’t matter; but if the girls’ are late, it’s your responsibility. Wouldn’t Grandmother blame you for neglecting your duties? And you don’t even say that obvious point? I’d rather take the blame myself than drag you into it.” Li Wan laughed, “Listen to her! Isn’t she eloquent? Let me ask you: Are you going to manage this poetry club or not?” Xifeng smiled, “What kind of talk is that? If I don’t join the club and spend some money, wouldn’t I be a rebel in Grand View Garden? How could I still eat here? Tomorrow morning, I’ll take office, dismount, pay homage to the seal, and first put down fifty taels of silver for you to use gradually for club expenses. After a few days, since I don’t write poetry or essays, I’m just a commoner. ‘Censor’ or not, once you have the money, you can kick me out!” Everyone laughed again. Xifeng said, “Later, I’ll open the storeroom. I’ll have everything brought out for you to see. If it’s usable, keep it. If anything’s missing, follow your list, and I’ll send someone to buy it for you. I’ll cut the painting silk. The pattern isn’t with Lady Wang—it’s still at Cousin Zhen’s place. Let me warn you, don’t go there and get snubbed. I’ll send someone to fetch it and have it sent with the silk to the scholars for sizing. How about that?” Li Wan nodded with a smile, “You’ve taken trouble. If that’s how it is, fine. Since that’s settled, let’s go home. If he doesn’t deliver, we’ll come back and pester him.” With that, she led the girls away. Xifeng said, “No one else caused all this—it was all Baoyu’s doing.” Li Wan heard this and turned back, laughing, “Exactly! It was for Baoyu’s sake, and I forgot him. He missed the first meeting. We’re softhearted—how do you think he should be punished?” Xifeng thought for a moment and said, “There’s no other way—just make him sweep each of your rooms clean. That’ll do.” Everyone laughed, “That’s not a bad idea.”

With that she was about to go back, when a little maid was seen helping Old Mrs. Lai in. Xifeng and the others promptly rose to their feet and said with a smile, "Please be seated, Aunt." Then they all offered her their congratulations. Old Mrs. Lai sat down on the edge of the kang and laughed, "I am happy, and so are our mistresses. If it weren't for the kindness of our mistresses, where would this happiness of mine come from? Yesterday our mistress again sent Caige with presents, and my grandson kowtowed to the gate facing the palace." Li Wan smiled and asked, "When does he take up his post?" Old Mrs. Lai sighed, "How should I meddle with them? Let them go their own way! The other day, when he kowtowed to me at home, I gave him no words of praise. I said, 'Son, don't you go thinking you're an official and throwing your weight around! You're thirty years old this year. Though you were born a slave, the moment you left your mother's womb, our mistress's grace set you free. With the mistress's great blessing above and your father and mother's support below, you grew up like a young gentleman, studying and learning to read, waited on by maids, matrons, and wet nurses as if you were a phoenix. How could you know what the word 'slave' really means? All you know is how to enjoy yourself, without a thought for the hardships your grandfather and father endured. For two or three generations they struggled, and barely managed to produce a creature like you. From childhood you've had one calamity after another, and the money spent on you could have cast you into a silver man. At twenty, by our mistress's grace, you were allowed to purchase a rank for yourself. Look at all those from proper families who go hungry and cold! You, a mere slave's spawn, be careful you don't ruin your luck! Now you've had ten years of pleasure, and somehow, by hook or by crook, you begged the mistress and got yourself selected. Though a county magistrate's post is small, the responsibilities are great. Being the magistrate of a whole district makes you the parent of that region. If you don't behave yourself, serve your sovereign loyally, and honor your mistress, I'm afraid Heaven itself won't tolerate you.'" Li Wan and Xifeng both laughed. "You worry too much. We think he's doing well enough. In earlier years he came a couple of times, but it's been several years now. At New Year's and his birthday, we just see his name and that's all. The other day when he came to kowtow to the Old Lady and the Lady, in the Old Lady's courtyard, I saw him in his new official robes; he looks quite imposing, and fatter than before. Now that he's got his post, you should be rejoicing, not fretting over such things! If he does wrong, his father is still there. You just enjoy yourself and that's that. When you're free, take a sedan chair and come over, play a day of cards with the Old Lady, chat with her for a day—who would dare slight you? At home you have your own buildings and halls, and everyone respects you; naturally you're treated like an honored matriarch."

Ping'er poured tea, and Old Mrs. Lai quickly stood up to receive it, smiling, "Miss, you might have just called one of the children to do this; you put me to shame." Then, sipping tea, she continued, "You don't know, Mistress, but these young ones must be strictly controlled. Even with such strictness, they still find time to stir up trouble and cause their elders worry. Those who know say the children are mischievous; those who don't say they rely on wealth and power to bully others, and even the mistress's reputation suffers. It drives me mad; I often have to call their father over and give him a scolding before things improve a little." Then she pointed at Baoyu and said, "Don't take offense, but nowadays the Master only gives you a little discipline, and the Old Lady is right there to shield you. In the old days, when the Master was young and got a beating from your grandfather, who didn't see it? When the Master was young, was he ever as fearless and reckless as you? And the Elder Master, though mischievous, was never as stuck in a rut as you—he got beaten every day too. And then there's your Cousin Zhen's grandfather on the Eastern Compound; he had a temper like adding fuel to fire. When he got angry, he didn't treat his son like a son, but like a thief under interrogation! Now, as I see and hear, that Master Zhen's way of managing his son seems to follow the old ancestor's rules, but it's all hit-or-miss. He doesn't even control himself, so how can his brothers and nephews fear him? You understand what I mean; if you like what I say, fine. If you don't, you might be too embarrassed to say so, but inside you're probably cursing me." Just then, Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law arrived, followed by Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Zhang, who came in to report on business. Xifeng laughed, "The daughter-in-law has come to fetch her mother-in-law." Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law smiled, "It's not to fetch her, but to find out whether the mistresses and young ladies will honor us or not." Old Mrs. Lai, hearing this, laughed, "Oh, how silly of me! I was talking about old, trivial matters instead of the real business. Because our boy was selected, all the relatives and friends want to congratulate him, so we have to put on a feast at home. I thought, if we have a day of feasting, inviting this one won't do, nor that one. Then I thought again, by our mistress's blessing, such unexpected glory has come to us—I'd be willing to spend everything I have. So I told his father to hold three days of feasts: the first day, we'll set a few tables in our broken-down garden, with a theatrical performance, to invite the Old Lady, the Ladies, the mistresses, and the young ladies for a day's entertainment. Outside, in the main hall, there will be another performance and a few tables for the masters and gentlemen to add to the glory. The second day, we'll invite relatives and friends. The third day, we'll invite the companions from our two mansions. Three days of bustle, all thanks to our mistress's blessing, to add a bit of luster." Li Wan and Xifeng both laughed, "What day is it? We'll certainly come; it's possible the Old Lady might want to go too." Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law quickly said, "The date chosen is the fourteenth; we rely on our mistress's good grace." Xifeng laughed, "I don't know about others, but I'll definitely go. Let me say first: I won't bring any congratulatory gifts, nor will I give out tips. I'll just eat and leave—don't laugh at me." Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law smiled, "What are you saying, Mistress? If you want to give, just give us twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver, and that will be enough." Old Mrs. Lai laughed, "I just went to invite the Old Lady, and she said she'd come too. So I suppose my face still counts for something." After that, she gave a few more reminders, then stood up to leave. Noticing Mrs. Zhou, she recalled something and said, "Oh, there's one more thing I want to ask you, Mistress. What offense did this Mrs. Zhou's son commit, that he was dismissed?" Xifeng, hearing this, laughed, "I was just about to tell your daughter-in-law, but there's been so much going on that I forgot. Sister Lai, go back and tell your husband: neither of the two mansions is to take in that boy. Let him go his own way."

Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law could only agree. Mrs. Zhou promptly knelt down to plead. Old Mrs. Lai quickly said, "What's this about? Let me hear it and judge." Xifeng said, "The other day, on my birthday, before the feasting inside had even started, her son was already drunk. The Old Lady's household sent gifts over, but instead of managing things outside, he sat there scolding people and didn't even bring the gifts in. Only after two maids came in did he lead some young servants to carry them in. The young servants did well enough, but he dropped the box he was carrying, scattering steamed buns all over the courtyard. After the people left, I sent Caiming to reprimand him, and he cursed Caiming out. With such a lawless, shameless wretch, what else is there to do but dismiss him?" Old Mrs. Lai laughed, "I thought it was something serious; it's only this. Listen to me, Mistress: If he's done wrong, beat him, scold him, make him mend his ways—but dismissing him absolutely won't do. Besides, he's not like one of our household's born slaves; he's the Lady's personal retainer from her dowry family. If you dismiss him, Mistress, it will make the Lady look bad. In my opinion, Mistress, you should give him a few strokes of the board as a lesson for the future, but keep him on. If not for his mother's sake, then for the Lady's." Hearing this, Xifeng said to Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law, "Very well, then give him forty strokes and forbid him from drinking from now on." Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law agreed. Mrs. Zhou kowtowed and stood up, then wanted to kowtow to Old Mrs. Lai, but Mrs. Lai's daughter-in-law stopped her. Then the three of them left, and Li Wan and the others also returned to the Garden. That evening, Xifeng indeed sent someone to find many old stored painting supplies and had them delivered to the Garden. Baochai and the others selected from them; only half of the various items were usable. They made a list of the other half and sent it to Xifeng to purchase accordingly—no need to go into detail.

One day, the silk had been mounted outside and the painting draft had been delivered. Baoyu went every day to Xichun’s place to help. Tanchun, Li Wan, Yingchun, Baochai, and the others often went there to sit idly, partly to look at the painting and partly for the convenience of meeting. Because the weather was gradually turning cooler and the nights were growing longer, Baochai went to her mother’s room to discuss preparing some needlework. During the day, she had to go twice to pay her respects to Lady Dowager and Lady Wang, unavoidably staying to chat and laugh for a while, and she also had to visit the sisters in the garden frequently to talk, so she had little free time during the day. Every evening she did needlework by lamplight, never going to bed until the third watch. Daiyu, every year after the spring and autumn equinoxes, inevitably suffered from a coughing illness. This autumn, Lady Dowager happened to be in high spirits, so Daiyu went out to play a few more times than usual, which cost her energy, and lately she had started coughing again, feeling it was heavier than before. Thus she rarely went out, only recuperating in her own room. Sometimes when she felt bored, she would long for the sisters to come and chat to relieve her tedium, but when Baochai and the others came to visit, after three or five sentences she would grow weary again. Everyone made allowances for her because of her illness, and since she was naturally delicate and could not bear the slightest grievance, they did not criticize her when her hospitality was lacking or her manners were remiss.

One day Baochai came to visit her and brought up her illness. Baochai said, “The few imperial physicians who come here are all fairly good, but the medicine you take from them never seems effective. Why not invite a more skilled doctor to have a look? Wouldn’t it be better if you were cured? Every year you go on like this through spring and summer—neither old nor young—what kind of state is that? It’s not a long-term solution.” Daiyu said, “It’s useless. I know that an illness like mine cannot be cured. Never mind the illness; just look at how I am even when I’m well, and you’ll understand.” Baochai nodded and said, “That’s exactly it. The ancients said, ‘He who eats grain lives.’ The food you usually eat doesn’t strengthen your spirit or your blood and qi, and that’s not good either.” Daiyu sighed, “‘Life and death are fated, riches and honor depend on Heaven’—it’s not something human effort can force. This year it seems heavier than in previous years.” As she spoke, she coughed two or three times. Baochai said, “Yesterday I looked at your prescription, and I thought the ginseng and cinnamon were too much. Although they can boost qi and nourish the spirit, they shouldn’t be too hot. In my opinion, the most important thing is to calm the liver and strengthen the stomach. Once the liver fire is calmed, it won’t overpower the earth element; if the stomach qi is healthy, food can nourish you. Every morning, take an ounce of top-quality bird’s nest and five qian of rock sugar, simmer it into a congee in a silver pot. If you get used to eating it, it will be better than medicine, and it’s excellent for nourishing yin and boosting qi.”

Daiyu sighed, “You’re always very kind to people, but I’m the most suspicious person, and I thought you were hiding cunning in your heart. From the day you said that reading frivolous books was not good and gave me those good words of advice, I became truly grateful to you. In the past, I was wrong—I’ve actually been wrong all the way until today. When I think about it carefully, my mother died early, and I have no sisters or brothers. I’ve grown to be fifteen years old this year, and not one person has ever taught me the way you did that day. No wonder Yunzhi speaks well of you. In the past, when I heard her praising you, I felt resentful inside, but yesterday I experienced it myself, and now I understand. For instance, if you had said that thing, I would never have let you off easily, but you didn’t mind and instead advised me with those words. It shows that I have been harming myself. If I hadn’t seen it that day, I would never have said this to you today. Just now you said I should eat bird’s nest congee. Although bird’s nest is easy to get, because of my poor health, I have this illness every year, and there’s no real urgency. Calling doctors, decocting medicine, ginseng and cinnamon—it’s already caused a huge commotion. Now if I start some newfangled thing like making bird’s nest congee, the three of them—Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and Sister Feng—might not say anything, but the old serving women and maids below will surely resent me for being troublesome. Look at the people here: because Lady Dowager dotes more on Baoyu and Fengyazi, they are already glaring like tigers, gossiping behind their backs—how much more so with me? Besides, I’m not a legitimate mistress of this household; I came here with no one to rely on, and they already dislike me enough. Now, if I don’t know when to advance or retreat, why should I give them reason to curse me?” Baochai said, “If you put it that way, I’m the same as you.” Daiyu said, “How can you compare with me? You have a mother and a brother, and you have businesses and land here, and your family still has houses and property back home. You’re here merely as a relative, living here for free, without spending a single coin of theirs on anything large or small—you can leave whenever you want. I have nothing at all; my food, clothing, and daily expenses, every blade of grass and sheet of paper, are the same as the girls of this household. How could those petty people not dislike me even more?” Baochai laughed, “In the future, it’s just a matter of one more dowry trousseau; there’s no need to worry about that now.” When Daiyu heard this, she blushed involuntarily and laughed, “I was just taking you for a proper person, telling you the troubles in my heart, and you turn around and mock me.” Baochai laughed, “Though it’s a joke, it’s also the truth. Rest assured, as long as I’m here, I’ll keep you company. Whatever grievances or troubles you have, just tell me. If I can resolve them, I’ll naturally do so for you. I do have a brother, as you know, and only my mother is a bit better off than yours. We could be said to share the same affliction. You’re an intelligent person, so why lament like Sima Niu? What you said just now is also right—better to do less than more. Tomorrow I’ll go home and talk to Mother. I think we still have some at home; I’ll send you a few ounces. Every day, have the maids prepare it—it’s convenient and won’t stir up a commotion.” Daiyu quickly laughed, “The things are a small matter; what’s rare is your great kindness.” Baochai said, “What’s there to talk about! I only worry that I fail to do my duty to everyone. I’m afraid you’re tired, so I’ll go first.” Daiyu said, “Come again this evening to talk with me.” Baochai agreed and left, and that was that.

Here, Daiyu drank a few mouthfuls of thin congee and lay back down on the bed. Unexpectedly, before the sun had even set, the weather changed, and a light, pattering rain began to fall. The autumn rain was continuous, the skies alternating between overcast and clear. Gradually dusk fell, and it became pitch black with gloom. Added to that, the raindrops beating on the bamboo tips made it feel even more desolate. Knowing that Baochai would not be able to come, she picked up a book at random by the lamplight. It turned out to be a “Miscellaneous Collection of Yuefu Poems,” which contained poems like “Autumn Boudoir Lament” and “Separation Lament.” Daiyu couldn’t help feeling moved, and she gave vent to her emotions in verse, writing a poem called “In Imitation of Separation Lament,” modeled on the style of “Spring River, Flower Moon, Night.” She then titled the poem “Autumn Window, Wind and Rain, Evening.” The poem read:

Autumn flowers fade, autumn grasses yellow,

The autumn lamp glimmers, the autumn night is long.

Already I feel the autumn window’s endless autumn,

How can wind and rain add to the desolation!

The wind and rain that aid autumn come so fast!

They startle the autumn window’s autumn dream of green.

Holding autumn feelings, I cannot bear to sleep,

I move the tear-stained candle to the autumn screen.

The tear-stained candle flickers, burning low the short holder,

Dragging forth sorrow, shining on resentment, stirring parting grief.

Whose autumn courtyard has no wind entering?

Where is the autumn window without the sound of rain?

The silk quilt cannot withstand the autumn wind’s force,

The fading water-clock hastens the autumn rain’s rush.

All night long, soft and sighing,

By the lamp, as if accompanying the parting one’s tears.

The cold mist in the small courtyard turns more dreary,

On sparse bamboos and empty windows, drops drip now and then.

I know not when the wind and rain will cease,

Already they have made my tears soak the window gauze wet.

After reciting it, she put down her brush and was about to go to sleep when a maid announced, “Master Bao is here.” Before the words were finished, Baoyu appeared, wearing a large bamboo hat on his head and a straw rain cape over his body. Daiyu couldn’t help laughing: “Where did this fisherman come from!” Baoyu quickly asked, “Are you feeling a bit better today? Have you taken your medicine? How much did you eat today?” As he spoke, he took off his hat and removed his rain cape, quickly raised the lamp with one hand, shaded the light with the other, shone it on Daiyu’s face, squinted and looked closely, then laughed, “Your complexion looks better today.”

Daiyu watched him take off the straw rain-cape, revealing a half-new, half-worn short jacket of red silk, a green sash around his waist, oil-green silk trousers with embroidered flowers showing below his knees, cotton-silk socks richly worked with gold thread, and a pair of butterfly-and-falling-flower shoes shuffling on his feet. Daiyu asked, “If you’re afraid of rain for your head, aren’t you afraid for these shoes and socks? Yet they’re clean enough.” Baoyu laughed, saying, “This outfit of mine is complete. I have a pair of clogs made of crabapple wood; I wore them here and took them off under the eaves.” Daiyu then examined the rain-cape and hat, which were not like those sold in the ordinary market—extremely fine and light—and said, “What kind of grass is this woven from? No wonder it doesn’t make one look like a hedgehog when worn.” Baoyu said, “These three items were all gifts from the Prince of Beijing. On rainy days when he has free time, he wears them at home too. If you like them, I’ll get a set for you. The rest is nothing special, but this hat is amusing—it’s actually adaptable. The top piece is removable. In winter when it snows, you put on the hat, pull out the bamboo pin, take off the crown, and only the ring remains. In snow, both men and women can wear it. I’ll give you one to wear when it snows this winter.” Daiyu laughed, saying, “I don’t want it. If I put that on, I’d look like the fishing woman in paintings or plays.” As soon as the words were out, she realized she hadn’t thought them through—they echoed what she’d just said about Baoyu. Regretting it bitterly, her face flushed crimson, and she bent over the table, coughing incessantly.

Baoyu, however, didn’t notice. Seeing a poem on the table, he picked it up, read it through, and couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration. Hearing this, Daiyu quickly rose, snatched it from his hand, and burned it over the lamp. Baoyu laughed, saying, “I’ve already memorized it; burning it doesn’t matter.” Daiyu said, “I’m much better now too. Thank you for coming to see me several times a day, even in the rain. It’s late now, and I need to rest. You should go back first, and come again tomorrow.” Baoyu, on hearing this, reached into his bosom and pulled out a gold watch the size of a walnut. Glancing at it, he saw the hands pointing between the end of the hour of Xu and the beginning of the hour of Hai. He quickly put it away and said, “It’s indeed time to rest—I’ve troubled you and wasted your energy for so long.” With these words, he put on his rain-cape and hat and went out, then turned back and came in again, asking, “Is there anything you’d like to eat? Tell me, and I’ll inform the Lady Dowager first thing tomorrow morning—wouldn’t that be clearer than having the old women say it?” Daiyu laughed, saying, “Let me think it over tonight, and I’ll tell you tomorrow morning. Listen—the rain is getting heavier. Go quickly. Is anyone accompanying you?” Two old women answered, “Yes, someone’s outside with an umbrella and a lit lantern.” Daiyu laughed, “A lit lantern in this weather?” Baoyu said, “It’s fine—it’s one with translucent shells, not afraid of rain.” Hearing this, Daiyu reached back, took down a glass lantern shaped like an embroidered ball from the bookshelf, had someone light a small candle, and handed it to Baoyu, saying, “This is brighter than that one, and it’s meant for use in the rain.” Baoyu said, “I have one like this too, but I was afraid my attendants might slip and break it, so I didn’t bring it.” Daiyu said, “Is it more valuable to break the lantern, or to break a person? You’re not used to wearing clogs. Let them light the way with that lantern ahead. This one is light and bright, originally meant for carrying in the rain yourself. Wouldn’t it be better for you to hold it yourself? You can return it tomorrow. Even if it gets dropped, it’s no great loss—why have you suddenly taken on this miserly ‘cutting open the belly to hide the pearl’ temper?” Baoyu, on hearing this, quickly took it. Two old women went ahead with umbrellas and a translucent-shell lantern, and behind them, two young maids also held umbrellas. Baoyu then gave the lantern to one of the young maids to carry, and leaning on her shoulder, he went straight off.

Soon an old woman from the All-Spice Court arrived, also holding an umbrella and a lantern, carrying a large bundle of top-quality bird’s nest, along with a packet of fine candied plum blossom snowflake foreign sugar. She said, “This is better than what you buy. Our young lady said: ‘Let Miss Dai start eating this; when it’s finished, more will be sent.’” Daiyu said, “Go back and tell her ‘thank you for your trouble.’” She asked the woman to sit outside and have some tea. The old woman laughed, saying, “No tea, I still have things to do.” Daiyu laughed too, saying, “I know you’re busy. Now that the weather’s cold and the nights are long, it’s even more reason to get up a night gambling party and enjoy a couple of rounds.” The old woman laughed, saying, “To tell you the truth, miss, this year I’ve been very lucky. Anyway, every night there are several people on watch duty in various places, and missing the watch would be bad—it’s better to form a night party; it keeps the watch and relieves boredom. Tonight I’m the banker. Now that the garden gate is closed, it’s time to start the game.” Daiyu heard this and laughed, saying, “I’m sorry to trouble you. I’ve delayed your winning money by making you come in the rain.” She ordered that the woman be given a few hundred cash to buy some wine and ward off the dampness. The old woman laughed, saying, “You’re generous again, miss, treating me to wine.” With these words, she kowtowed, took the money outside, and went off with her umbrella.

Zijuan put away the bird’s nest, then moved the lamp, let down the curtains, and attended to Daiyu as she lay down to sleep. Lying on her pillow, Daiyu felt grateful to Baochai, and at the same time envied her for having a mother and a brother. Then she thought of Baoyu—though they were always harmonious, there was ultimately some suspicion between them. Hearing the rain pattering outside on the bamboo tips and plantain leaves, and feeling the chill seeping through the bed curtains, she couldn’t help shedding tears. Only as the fourth watch was nearly over did she gradually fall asleep. For now, we leave this aside. If you want to know what happened next, read the next chapter.