Chapter 57: Kindly Zijuan tests Baoyu with a feigned confession; loving Aunt Xue comforts Daiyu with affectionate words

As Baoyu heard that Lady Wang was calling for him, he hurried to the front. It turned out that Lady Wang wanted to take him to pay a visit to Lady Zhen. Baoyu was naturally delighted. He quickly changed his clothes and followed Lady Wang to her residence. Observing the household’s circumstances, it was much the same as the Rong and Ning mansions, though perhaps one or two aspects were slightly more flourishing. Upon careful inquiry, he indeed found that there was a Baoyu there as well. Lady Zhen kept them for a feast, and it was a whole day before Baoyu returned, now thoroughly convinced. Because he came home in the evening, Lady Wang ordered preparations for a grand banquet, engaged a famous troupe to perform a major play, and invited Lady Zhen and her daughter over. Two days later, the mother and daughter took their leave without further word and returned to their post, with nothing else to mention.

One day, Baoyu, seeing that Shi Xiangyun was gradually recovering, went to visit Daiyu. He happened to arrive just as Daiyu was taking her afternoon nap. Baoyu dared not disturb her, and because Zijuan was sitting in the corridor doing needlework, he walked over and asked her, “Was her coughing last night any better?” Zijuan replied, “A little better.” Baoyu smiled and said, “Amituofo! May she be well soon!” Zijuan laughed and said, “You’re reciting the Buddha’s name too—what a novelty!” Baoyu chuckled and said, “This is what they call ‘When illness is severe, one consults any doctor.’” As he spoke, he noticed she was wearing a thin padded jacket of speckled silk with a plain blue satin sleeveless vest over it. Baoyu reached out and touched her, saying, “Dressed so lightly, and sitting in the wind like this! This spring breeze is treacherous, and the season is unwholesome. If you fall ill too, it will be even more troublesome.” Zijuan then said, “From now on, we can only talk—no more touching and grabbing. As we grow older, it looks improper to others. The important thing is that those wretched people gossip about you behind your back, yet you never pay attention and still behave as you did in childhood. How can that do? Miss often instructs us not to laugh or talk with you. Lately, have you noticed how she avoids you as if she can’t keep enough distance?” With that, she rose and took her needlework into another room.

Seeing this, Baoyu felt as if a basin of cold water had been suddenly poured over his heart. He just stared blankly at the bamboos, dazed for a while. As it happened, Old Mrs. Zhu was there digging up bamboo shoots and trimming poles, so he walked out in a daze. For a moment, his soul seemed lost; he knew nothing in his heart. He sat down at random on a rock and stared vacantly, unknowingly letting tears fall. He remained there for the time it takes to eat five or six meals, thinking a thousand thoughts, but he could not decide what to do. By chance, Xueyan passed by, having fetched some ginseng from Lady Wang’s room. She suddenly turned her head and saw a person sitting on a rock under a peach blossom tree, chin in hand, staring blankly. It was none other than Baoyu. Xueyan wondered, “It’s terribly cold—what is he doing here alone? In spring, anyone with a weak constitution tends to fall ill. Could he be having one of his foolish spells?” Thinking this, she walked over, crouched down, and said with a smile, “What are you doing here?” Baoyu, startled to see her, said, “Why have you come looking for me? Aren’t you a girl too? Since she avoids suspicion and won’t let you pay me any attention, why do you come to me now? If someone else sees us, won’t it stir up more trouble? Go back home quickly.” Xueyan, hearing this, assumed he had been upset by Daiyu and returned to the room.

Daiyu was still asleep. Xueyan handed the ginseng to Zijuan. Zijuan asked her, “What was the lady doing?” Xueyan said, “She was also taking a nap, so I had to wait a long time. Sister, listen to a funny story: While I was waiting for the lady, I sat in the servants’ quarters chatting with Sister Yuchuan. Who should beckon to me but Aunt Zhao? I thought she had something to say, but it turned out she had asked the lady for leave to accompany her brother during his wake tonight and attend the funeral tomorrow. Her maid Xiao Jixiang has no clothes to wear and wanted to borrow my moon-white satin jacket. I suppose they have a couple of things themselves, but going to a dirty place, they’re afraid of soiling their own, so they’d rather borrow someone else’s. Even if mine gets dirty, it’s a small matter, but I thought, what kindness has she ever shown us? So I said, ‘My clothes and jewelry are all kept by Sister Zijuan on Miss’s orders. I’d have to tell her first, and then report to Miss. And with Miss ill, it would be even more trouble, delaying your departure. You’d better borrow from someone else.’” Zijuan laughed and said, “You little thing, you’re quite clever. By not lending it to her and shifting the blame onto me and Miss, you leave no room for resentment against you. Is she going now, or waiting until early tomorrow?” Xueyan said, “She’s going now; probably she’s already left by this time.” Zijuan nodded. Xueyan added, “Miss is still asleep. Who gave Baoyu such a hard time that he’s sitting there crying?” Zijuan, hearing this, quickly asked where. Xueyan said, “Behind the Brimming Fragrance Pavilion, under the peach blossom tree.”

Upon hearing this, Zijuan quickly set down her needlework and instructed Xueyan to listen carefully for any calls: “If anyone asks for me, say I’ll be right there.” With that, she left the Xiaoxiang Pavilion and went straight to Baoyu. Approaching him, she said with a smile, “I only said those few words for everyone’s good, and you go sulking off to this windy spot to cry, making yourself sick just to scare me.” Baoyu hurriedly smiled and replied, “Who’s sulking? It’s just that what you said made sense. I thought, if you talk that way, then others must think the same, and eventually no one will pay me any attention. That’s why I was feeling sorry for myself.” Zijuan then sat down close beside him. Baoyu laughed and said, “Just now when we were face to face, you walked away. Now why do you come and sit so close to me?” Zijuan said, “Have you forgotten? A few days ago, while you and your cousin were talking, Concubine Zhao barged in—I just heard she’s not at home now, so I came to ask you. It was the day before yesterday when you only said ‘Bird’s nest’ and then stopped, never bringing it up again. I’ve been meaning to ask you about it.” Baoyu said, “It’s nothing serious. I just thought that Cousin Baochai is also a guest here, and since she’s taking bird’s nest and can’t stop, it would be too forward to keep asking her for it. Although it’s not proper to ask Lady Wang, I’ve already hinted a bit to the old lady, and I think she might have spoken to Sister Feng. I told her, but I didn’t finish explaining. Now I hear they’re giving you an ounce of bird’s nest a day, so that settles it.” Zijuan said, “So it was you who spoke up. Thank you for your trouble. We were wondering how the old lady suddenly thought to send an ounce of bird’s nest every day. Now I understand.” Baoyu smiled and said, “If you get used to taking it daily, after two or three years you’ll be all better.” Zijuan said, “If I get used to it here, when I go back home next year, where would I find the spare money for this?” Baoyu was startled and quickly asked, “Who? Going back to whose home?” Zijuan said, “Your cousin is going back to Suzhou.” Baoyu laughed and said, “You’re talking nonsense again. Although Suzhou is her ancestral home, since her uncle and aunt are gone and there’s no one to look after her, she was brought here. Who would she go back to next year? That’s clearly a lie.” Zijuan gave a cold laugh and said, “You underestimate people. Is your Jia family the only large clan with many members? Besides your family, others have only one father and one mother—are there truly no other relatives in the clan? When our young lady came, it was because the old lady felt sorry for her being young, and though she has uncles and aunts, they’re not like her own parents, so she was brought here to live for a few years. When she’s older and should marry, she’ll naturally be sent back to the Lin family. How could a daughter of the Lin family stay in your Jia family forever? Even if the Lin family were so poor they had nothing to eat, they’re still a family of scholars and officials for generations; they would never abandon their own to stay with relatives and be laughed at by others. So it will be either early next spring or late next autumn. Even if you don’t send her away, someone from the Lin family is sure to come for her. The other night, our young lady told me to inform you: gather up all the things from your childhood that she gave you and return them to her. She’s already packed up what you gave her.” At these words, Baoyu felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him on the head. Zijuan watched to see how he would respond, but he remained silent. Suddenly, Qingwen came looking for him and said, “The old lady is calling for you. Who knew you were here?” Zijuan smiled and said, “He was here asking about Miss Lin’s illness. I’ve been telling him for a while, but he won’t believe me. You’d better drag him away.” With that, she went back to her room.

Seeing him dazed, with sweat pouring from his head and his face purple and swollen, Qingwen quickly took his hand and led him straight to the Happy Red Court. When Xiren saw this, she panicked, thinking it was a seasonal illness and that the hot sweat had been chilled by the wind. But Baoyu’s fever was the least of it; his eyes were staring straight ahead, and saliva was dribbling from the corner of his mouth without him even noticing. When given a pillow, he lay down; when helped up, he sat; when tea was poured, he drank it. Seeing him this way, everyone was thrown into a flurry, but they dared not report it directly to Grandmother Jia. Instead, they first sent for Nanny Li.

Soon Nanny Li arrived. She looked at him for a long time, asked him several questions with no reply, felt his pulse, and pinched him hard on the philtrum above his lip, leaving a deep mark half an inch long, but he felt no pain. Nanny Li cried out, “Oh no!” and with a wail, she hugged him and burst into loud sobs. Xiren, alarmed, pulled at her and said, “Look here, Madam, isn’t this frightening? First, tell us so we can report to the old lady and Lady Wang. Why are you crying first?” Nanny Li beat the bed and pounded the pillow, saying, “This is hopeless! I’ve wasted all my care!” Xiren and the others had asked her to come because she was old and experienced; now, hearing her say this, they believed it was true and began to cry as well.

Qingwen then told Xiren what had just happened. Upon hearing this, Xiren hurried to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Seeing Zijuan attending to Daiyu as she took her medicine, Xiren ignored all propriety and went up to Zijuan, saying, “What did you say to our Baoyu just now? Go and see him! You can report to the old lady yourself—I don’t care anymore!” With that, she sat down on a chair. Daiyu, seeing Xiren’s face full of anger and distress, with traces of tears and a completely changed demeanor, became flustered and quickly asked what was wrong. Xiren calmed herself for a moment, then sobbed, “I don’t know what Miss Zijuan said, but that foolish boy has gone stiff—his eyes are staring, his hands and feet are cold, he won’t speak, and even when Nanny Li pinched him, he felt nothing. He’s more than half dead! Even Nanny Li says it’s hopeless, and she’s wailing loudly. I’m afraid he might be dead by now!” At these words, Daiyu, knowing that Nanny Li was an experienced old woman, thought that if she said it was hopeless, then it truly was. With a cry, she choked up all the medicine in her stomach, and then broke into a violent fit of coughing that seemed to wring her guts and burn her lungs, making her face red, her hair disheveled, her eyes swollen, and the veins on her face stand out, until she was gasping and couldn’t lift her head. Zijuan quickly came over to pat her back. Daiyu leaned on her pillow, gasping for a while, then pushed Zijuan away and said, “Don’t pat me—you might as well take a rope and strangle me, that would be more fitting!” Zijuan wept, “I didn’t say anything—just a few teasing words, and he took them seriously.” Xiren said, “Don’t you know him yet? That fool always takes jokes seriously.” Daiyu said, “Whatever you said, go and explain it to him quickly, and he might come around.” Hearing this, Zijuan got down from the bed and went with Xiren to the Happy Red Court.

Qingwen then told Xiren exactly what had happened. Upon hearing this, Xiren hurried straight to the Xiaoxiang Lodge. Seeing Zijuan attending to Daiyu as she took her medicine, Xiren paid no heed to decorum, went straight up to Zijuan, and asked: “What did you just say to our Baoyu? Go and look at him! You can go and report to the old lady for all I care!” With that, she sat down on a chair. Daiyu, suddenly seeing Xiren’s face full of anxiety and anger, with tear stains, and her manner so changed, could not help but panic. She hurriedly asked what was the matter. Xiren was dazed for a moment, then said tearfully: “I don’t know what Miss Zijuan said to him, but that fool has gone stiff—his eyes are staring, his hands and feet are cold, he won’t speak a word, and even when Nanny Li pinched him, he didn’t feel any pain. He’s more than half dead! Even Nanny Li says there’s no hope and is wailing loudly. I’m afraid by now he might already be dead!” At these words, Daiyu, knowing that Nanny Li was an experienced old woman who would not say such a thing lightly, realized that if she said there was no hope, then surely there was none. With a loud cry, Daiyu choked and vomited all the medicine she had just taken, then fell into a violent fit of coughing that seemed to wrench her very bowels and shake her lungs, scorching her stomach and fanning her liver. In an instant, her face flushed red, her hair was disheveled, her eyes were swollen, the blue veins stood out, and she was so breathless she could not lift her head. Zijuan quickly came up to pat her on the back. Daiyu, after gasping for breath for a long time while propped on her pillow, pushed Zijuan away and said: “Don’t pat me. You might as well take a rope and strangle me—that would be proper!” Zijuan said tearfully: “I didn’t say anything important, just a few joking words, and he took them seriously.” Xiren said: “Don’t you know him yet? That fool always takes jokes seriously.” Daiyu said: “Whatever you said, go and explain it to him quickly. Then perhaps he’ll come to his senses.” Upon hearing this, Zijuan quickly got off the bed and went with Xiren to Happy Red Court.

Who would have thought that Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others were already there. As soon as Grandmother Jia saw Zijuan, her eyes blazed with anger, and she scolded: “You little minx, what did you say to him?” Zijuan hurriedly replied: “I didn’t say anything—just a few jokes.” But as soon as Baoyu saw Zijuan, he let out a loud cry and began to weep. Seeing this, everyone finally felt relieved. Grandmother Jia then grabbed hold of Zijuan, thinking she had offended Baoyu, and pulled her forward to have her beaten. But Baoyu seized Zijuan with both hands and would not let go, saying: “If you’re going, take me with you!” No one understood what he meant. Upon careful questioning, they learned that it had all stemmed from Zijuan’s joking remark about “going back to Suzhou.” Grandmother Jia, in tears, said: “I thought it was something serious—it turned out to be just this joke.” Then she said to Zijuan: “You, child, are usually the most clever and quick-witted. And you know he has this streak of foolishness—why did you provoke him for no reason?” Aunt Xue tried to console them: “Baoyu has always been sincere and simple-hearted, and as it happens, Cousin Lin has been here since childhood. The two of them have grown up together, closer than any other siblings. Now, all of a sudden, to say that one of them is leaving—never mind that he’s a simple, foolish boy; even a cold-hearted adult would be grieved. This is not a serious illness. Grandmother and Madam Wang need not worry at all. A dose or two of medicine will cure him.”

Just as they were talking, a servant announced that Lin Zhixiao’s wife and Shan Daliang’s wife had come to see the young master. Grandmother Jia said: “It’s kind of them to think of him. Let them come in and take a look.” As soon as Baoyu heard the word “Lin,” he started thrashing about on his bed, crying: “This is terrible! The Lin family people have come to take her away! Drive them out quickly!” Hearing this, Grandmother Jia also quickly said: “Drive them out!” Then she hurriedly comforted him: “Those aren’t Lin family people. The Lin family—everyone is dead and gone. There’s no one to come for her. You can rest assured.” Baoyu cried: “Whoever it is, no one named Lin is allowed here except Sister Lin!” Grandmother Jia said: “No one named Lin has come. Anyone named Lin, I’ve already driven away.” Then she instructed everyone: “From now on, don’t let Lin Zhixiao’s wife come into the garden, and none of you say the word ‘Lin.’ Good children, listen to what I say!” Everyone quickly agreed, not daring to laugh. A moment later, Baoyu’s eyes fell on a small golden Western self-sailing boat displayed on the ornamental shelf. He pointed at it and cried out wildly: “Isn’t that the boat that’s come to take her away? It’s moored right there!” Grandmother Jia hurriedly ordered someone to take it down. Xiren quickly took it down. Baoyu reached out for it, and Xiren handed it to him. He then tucked it into his bedding and laughed: “Now you can’t leave!” As he spoke, he kept a tight hold on Zijuan, refusing to let go.

Presently someone announced that the doctor had arrived, and Grandmother Jia hastily ordered him to be brought in at once. Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Baochai, and the others withdrew for the time into the inner room, while Grandmother Jia sat upright beside Baoyu. When Physician Wang entered and saw so many people, he quickly made his obeisance to Grandmother Jia, took Baoyu’s hand, and felt his pulse for a while. Zijuan could only lower her head. Physician Wang, not understanding what this meant, rose and said, “This young gentleman’s condition is one of acute distress clouding the mind. The ancients have said: ‘There are different types of phlegm-induced confusion. Some arise from deficiency of qi and blood, where diet cannot be dissolved and phlegm forms; some from anger and vexation, where phlegm wraps and confuses; some from acute distress causing blockage.’ This too is a phlegm-induced confusion, brought on by acute distress, and is merely a temporary obstruction, lighter than other types of phlegm confusion.” Grandmother Jia said, “Just tell me whether it’s dangerous or not. Who is asking you to recite medical texts?” Physician Wang hastily bowed and said with a smile, “No danger, no danger.” Grandmother Jia said, “Truly no danger?” Physician Wang replied, “Truly no danger; it rests entirely with me.” Grandmother Jia said, “In that case, please take a seat in the outer room and write a prescription. If he recovers after taking it, I will prepare a special reward and have him personally bring it to you and kowtow. If you delay, I will send someone to tear down the main hall of the Imperial Medical Academy.” Physician Wang only bowed and said with a smile, “I dare not, I dare not.” He had only heard that “a special reward of the highest quality would be prepared and Baoyu ordered to kowtow,” so he kept saying “I dare not,” not having heard Grandmother Jia’s jest about tearing down the academy. He continued saying “I dare not,” and Grandmother Jia and the others laughed instead. After a while, the medicine was decocted according to the prescription and administered. Baoyu indeed seemed calmer than before. But he absolutely refused to let go of Zijuan, insisting that if she left, she would be going back to Suzhou. Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang had no choice but to order Zijuan to stay by him, and had Amber go instead to attend to Daiyu.

Daiyu sent Xueyan from time to time to inquire about the situation, and she learned everything that was happening, sighing to herself. Fortunately, everyone knew that Baoyu had always been somewhat simple-minded and that he and Daiyu had been close since childhood. Thus, Zijuan’s joking words were taken as normal, and Baoyu’s illness was not seen as anything unusual, so no one suspected anything else.

That evening, when Baoyu was a little calmer, Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others returned to their rooms. They sent people several times during the night to check on him. Nanny Li, along with old nurses like Nanny Song, watched over him diligently, while Zijuan, Xiren, Qingwen, and the others attended him day and night. Whenever Baoyu fell asleep, he would inevitably startle awake from a dream, either crying that Daiyu had already gone or that someone had come to take her away. Each time he was startled, Zijuan had to comfort him before he would stop. Grandmother Jia also ordered various imperial secret remedies, such as the Evil-Dispelling Soul-Calming Pill and the Orifice-Opening Spirit-Penetrating Powder, to be administered according to the prescription. The next day, after taking Physician Wang’s medicine, he gradually improved. Baoyu understood clearly in his mind, but fearing that Zijuan would return to her mistress, he sometimes pretended to be mad. Zijuan, for her part, deeply regretted what she had done that day, and now, working day and night, she bore no resentment. Xiren and the others, now at ease, said to Zijuan with a smile, “It was all your doing, so you have to cure him. We’ve never seen such a fool—hears the wind and takes it for rain. What will we do in the future?” For now, let us leave this matter aside.

By this time Xiangyun's illness had fully recovered, and she came over every day to visit. Seeing that Baoyu had regained his senses, she told him about the wild state she had been in when she was sick, which made Baoyu laugh, burying his face in his pillow. It turned out that during his own fit of madness he had been completely unaware of his actions, and now hearing others speak of it, he still could not believe it. When no one else was around and Zijuan was nearby, Baoyu pulled her hand and asked, "Why did you frighten me?" Zijuan replied, "I was just teasing you, and you took it seriously." Baoyu said, "You spoke so plausibly and with such feeling—how could that be a joke?" Zijuan smiled and said, "All those teasing words were made up by me. The Lin family truly has no one left; even if there were, they would be extremely distant relatives. None of the clan members live in Suzhou anymore; they wander from province to province without a fixed place. Even if someone were to come and fetch you, the old lady would certainly not let you go." Baoyu said, "Even if the old lady allowed you to go, I would not agree." Zijuan smiled and said, "You really wouldn't agree? I'm afraid that's just lip service. You're grown up now, and even your marriage has been arranged. In two or three years, when you take a wife, who will be in your eyes then?" Hearing this, Baoyu was startled and asked, "Who has arranged a marriage? Arranged with whom?" Zijuan smiled and said, "Earlier this year I heard the old lady say she wanted to settle on Miss Baoqin. Why else would she dote on her so much?" Baoyu smiled and said, "Everyone says I'm foolish, but you're even more foolish than me. That was just a joke—she's already betrothed to the Mei Hanlin family. If she really had been settled on, would I still be in this state? Before, when I swore oaths and smashed that confounded thing, you didn't try to stop me, nor did you call me crazy. Just as I've been getting better these past few days, you come to provoke me again." As he spoke, he ground his teeth and continued, "I only wish I could die this very instant, rip out my heart so you could see it, and then let my whole body, bones and skin, turn into a pile of ashes—but ashes still leave a trace, so better yet, let it turn into a puff of smoke—but smoke can still coalesce and people can see it; it needs a great chaotic wind to scatter it in all directions in an instant, and then it would be fine!" As he spoke, tears began to flow again. Zijuan quickly stepped forward to cover his mouth, wiped his tears, and said with a smile, trying to calm him, "Don't get upset. The truth is, I was anxious myself, so I came to test you." Hearing this, Baoyu was even more astonished and asked, "And what are you anxious about?" Zijuan smiled and said, "You know, I'm not one of the Lin family. I'm in the same group as Xiren and Yuanyang, but by chance I was assigned to wait on Miss Lin. And as it happens, she and I are extremely close—ten times closer than the people she brought from Suzhou. We can't bear to be apart for a moment. Now I'm worried: if she were to leave, I would have to follow her. But my whole family is here. If I don't go, I'd betray our bond; if I go, I'd abandon my own home. So I was puzzled, and I made up that lie to ask you, but who knew you would start acting up like a fool?" Baoyu smiled and said, "So that's what you were worried about—you're the fool. From now on, don't worry anymore. Let me tell you one true thing: as long as we live, we'll live together; if we don't live, we'll turn to ashes and smoke together—how about that?" Hearing this, Zijuan pondered silently in her heart. Suddenly a servant announced, "Master Huan and Master Lan send their regards." Baoyu said, "Tell them I appreciate their kindness, but I've just gone to sleep, so there's no need to come in." The old woman acknowledged and left. Zijuan smiled and said, "Now that you're better, you should let me go back and see our young lady." Baoyu said, "Exactly. I meant to tell you to go yesterday, but I forgot. I'm already much better, so you can go." Hearing this, Zijuan began to pack up her bedding and toiletries. Baoyu smiled and said, "I saw you have three mirrors in your writing case. Leave me that small one with the water-chestnut pattern. I'll put it by my pillow to look into when I sleep, and it'll be light to carry when I go out tomorrow." Hearing this, Zijuan had no choice but to leave it for him. She first had someone take her things over, then bid farewell to everyone and returned to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion on her own.

Lin Daiyu, having recently heard of Baoyu's behavior, had inevitably worsened her own condition and cried several more times. Now seeing Zijuan arrive, she asked the reason and learned that Baoyu was fully recovered. She still sent Hupo to attend to Grandmother Jia. In the quiet of the night, after Zijuan had undressed and lain down, she whispered to Daiyu with a smile, "Baoyu's heart is truly sincere. When he heard we were leaving, he acted that way." Daiyu did not reply. Zijuan paused for a long while and then muttered to herself, "Better to stay still than to move. Our household here is a good one; everything else is easy, but the hardest thing to find is growing up together from childhood, knowing each other's temperaments and dispositions." Daiyu spat at her and said, "Aren't you tired enough these past few days? Why don't you rest while you have the chance, instead of spouting nonsense?" Zijuan smiled and said, "It's not nonsense; I'm truly thinking of you, miss. I've been worrying for you for years. You have no parents and no brothers—who is there to know your pain and warmth? While the old lady is still clear-headed and strong, it's urgent to settle the big matter. As the saying goes, 'An old person's health is like spring cold after winter warmth.' If the old lady were to suddenly fall ill, even if things were then settled, I'm afraid time would be wasted, and you might not get what you wish for. There are many young masters of noble families, but which of them doesn't have three wives and five concubines, turning east today and west tomorrow? Even if they get a celestial beauty, it's only for three nights or five days, and then she's forgotten. Some even become enemies over concubines and maids. If a girl's family has influence and power, it's better; but for someone like you, miss, it's fine as long as the old lady is here, but if she's gone, you'll just be at others' mercy. So making up your mind is crucial. You're an intelligent girl—haven't you heard the saying, 'Ten thousand taels of gold are easy to come by, but a true friend is hard to find'?" Upon hearing this, Daiyu said, "Has this girl gone mad today? How is it that after a few days away, you've suddenly become a different person? Tomorrow I'll definitely tell the old lady to send you back—I don't dare keep you." Zijuan smiled and said, "I'm speaking good words, just telling you to be careful in your heart. I'm not asking you to do anything wrong. Why bother telling the old lady and making me suffer? What good would that do?" With that, she fell asleep. Daiyu, upon hearing these words, though she spoke thus, could not help but feel sad. After Zijuan was asleep, she cried all night long until dawn, when she finally dozed off. The next day, she forced herself to wash and dress, ate some bird's nest porridge, and then Grandmother Jia and others came in person to visit, giving her many words of advice.

At present, it was Aunt Xue's birthday. From Grandmother Jia on down, everyone had prepared congratulatory gifts. Daiyu had long since prepared two pieces of needlework to send over. That day, a small theatrical troupe was also hired to entertain Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, among others; only Baoyu and Daiyu did not attend. When the feast ended, Grandmother Jia and the others stopped by to see the two of them before returning to their own rooms. The next day, Aunt Xue's family had Xue Ke accompany the various stewards in a day of drinking, and the festivities went on for three or four days before everything was concluded.

Because Aunt Xue saw that Xing Xiuyan was dignified, refined, and steady in character, and moreover came from a poor family, being a simple girl in hempen hairpins and plain skirts, she thought of betrothing her to Xue Pan as a wife. However, knowing Xue Pan's usual behavior was flashy and extravagant, she feared ruining the girl. While hesitating, she suddenly remembered that Xue Ke was not yet married, and seeing that the two seemed a perfectly matched couple, she discussed it with Xifeng. Xifeng sighed and said, "Aunt, you've always known that our mistress has a bit of a stubborn temper. Let me work on this slowly." When Grandmother Jia came to visit Xifeng, Xifeng said to her, "Aunt Xue has a favor to ask of you, Old Ancestor, but she finds it hard to speak of." Grandmother Jia quickly asked what it was, and Xifeng told her about the marriage proposal. Grandmother Jia laughed, "What's so hard to speak of? This is an excellent matter. Let me speak with your mother-in-law; will she dare refuse?" So she returned to her rooms and immediately sent for Lady Xing, insisting on acting as matchmaker. Lady Xing thought it over: the Xue family had good roots and was now very wealthy, Xue Ke was handsome, and since Grandmother Jia was so insistent, she went along with it and agreed. Grandmother Jia was delighted and quickly sent for Aunt Xue. When the two met, there were naturally many polite refusals. Lady Xing immediately ordered someone to inform Xing Zhong and his wife. Since they had come to rely on Lady Xing, how could they refuse? They eagerly declared it excellent. Grandmother Jia laughed, "I love meddling in affairs, and today I've managed another one. I wonder how much matchmaker's fee I'll get?" Aunt Xue laughed, "That's only natural. Even if we carried over a hundred thousand taels of silver, I'm afraid you wouldn't care for it. But there's one thing, Old Ancestor: since you're the chief matchmaker, we still need another one." Grandmother Jia laughed, "I have nothing else, but there are still two people in our family with broken legs and crippled hands." With that, she ordered someone to summon Madam You and her daughter-in-law. Grandmother Jia told them the reason, and they all quickly offered congratulations. Grandmother Jia instructed, "You know our family's rules well; we've never had two families squabbling over etiquette or face. Now you act on my behalf to manage this, neither too stingy nor too wasteful. Settle the affairs of both families and report back to me." Madam You hastily agreed. Aunt Xue was overjoyed and returned home to write invitations and send them to the Ning Mansion. Madam You knew Lady Xing's temperament well and had not wanted to manage it, but since Grandmother Jia herself had instructed her, she had no choice but to comply, only acting according to Lady Xing's intentions. Aunt Xue was easygoing and accommodating, so things went smoothly. Let us set this aside.

Now that Aunt Xue had settled on Xing Xiuyan as her daughter-in-law, the whole household knew. Lady Xing had originally wanted to move Xiuyan to live with her, but Grandmother Jia said, "What's the harm? The two children won't see each other, and besides, with Aunt Xue and her two daughters, one older and one younger, what does it matter? Moreover, they're all girls, so it's good for them to be close." Only then did Lady Xing drop the matter.

Xue Ke and Xing Xiuyan had met once before on the road, and both were likely satisfied in their hearts. However, Xiuyan had become somewhat more reserved than before, finding it awkward to chat freely with Baochai and her sisters. Since Xiangyun loved to tease, she felt even more embarrassed. Fortunately, she was well-read and proper, and though she had a maiden's modesty, she was not the type to feign shyness or act frivolously. Since Baochai had first met her, seeing her family's poverty, and knowing that while others' parents were aged and virtuous, hers were drunken and careless about their daughter, and that Lady Xing's affection was merely for show, not true love, and that Xiuyan was refined and dignified, while Yingchun was a lifeless corpse who couldn't even care for herself, let alone look after others—whenever Xiuyan lacked any daily necessities in the women's quarters, with no one to attend to her and her unwillingness to ask, Baochai secretly helped her, not daring to let Lady Xing know, for fear of gossip and suspicion. Now, unexpectedly, this marriage had come about. Xiuyan had first taken a liking to Baochai, and then to Xue Ke. Sometimes Xiuyan still chatted with Baochai, and Baochai still called her sister.

One day, Baochai came to visit Daiyu, and happened to meet Xiuyan, also coming to see Daiyu. They met halfway. Baochai smiled and called her over, and they walked together to a stone wall. Baochai asked with a smile, "The weather is still very cold, so why have you changed entirely into lined clothes?" Xiuyan, upon being asked, lowered her head and didn't answer. Baochai knew there must be a reason, so she smiled and asked again, "It must be that this month's allowance hasn't been given. Xifeng has become so careless lately." Xiuyan said, "She does give it on time, but Aunt sent someone to tell me that I don't need two taels of silver a month, so I should save one tael to send to my parents. If I need anything, I can just use Second Sister's things; saving and sharing should be enough. Sister, you know Second Sister is an honest person and doesn't pay much attention. Even if I use her things, she doesn't say anything, but her nannies and maids—which one is easygoing? Which one isn't sharp-tongued? Though I live in that room, I dare not order them around much. Every three or five days, I have to give them money for wine and snacks to keep them happy. With just two taels a month not enough, and now one tael taken away, I secretly pawned my padded clothes a few days ago for some travel money." Hearing this, Baochai frowned and sighed, "It's just that the Mei family is all at their post, not returning until the day after next year. If they were here, after Baoqin married, we could discuss your matter. Leaving this place would be the end of it. But now, without first settling his sister's affairs, he dare not marry. This is a difficult situation. If we wait two more years, I'm afraid you'll fret yourself sick. Let me discuss it with Mother. If anyone bullies you, just be patient, and don't let yourself fall ill. Tomorrow, you might as well give them that one tael too, so everyone can rest easy. Don't waste food on those people anymore; let them be sharp-tongued if they want. If you can't stand it, just walk away. If you lack anything, don't be petty like a child from a poor family; just come to me. This isn't just because we're becoming relatives; we've been close since you arrived. If you're afraid of gossip, send a little maid to fetch me quietly." Xiuyan lowered her head and agreed. Baochai then pointed to a green jade pendant on her skirt and asked, "Who gave you this?" Xiuyan said, "Third Sister gave it to me." Baochai nodded and smiled, "She saw that everyone else had one, and you didn't, so afraid you'd be laughed at, she gave you one. That's her cleverness and thoughtfulness. But there's one more thing you should know: such ornaments originally come from wealthy families' daughters. Look at me—do I have any such rich and idle adornments from head to foot? Yet seven or eight years ago, I came like that too. Times change, so I've saved wherever I could. When you come to our house, there might still be a box of useless things. Now we can't compare to them; we must be plain and prudent, not like them." Xiuyan smiled, "Since you say so, Sister, I'll take it off when I go back." Baochai quickly laughed, "You take things too seriously. She gave it to you out of kindness; if you don't wear it, she'll suspect something. I just happened to mention it; just be aware in the future." Xiuyan hastily agreed again, then asked, "Sister, where are you going now?" Baochai said, "I'm going to the Bamboo Lodge. You go back and send that pawn ticket with a maid. I'll quietly retrieve it there, then send it back to you tonight, so you can wear it morning and evening. Otherwise, catching a chill would be serious. But where is it pawned?" Xiuyan said, "At 'Hengshu Pawnshop,' on Gulou West Street." Baochai laughed, "It turns out it's the same family. If the clerks find out, they'll say, 'The clothes arrived before the person.'" Hearing this, Xiuyan knew it was her family's capital, and blushed, smiling. The two then parted.

Baochai headed straight for the Naiad’s House. As it happened, her mother was also there visiting Daiyu, and they were chatting idly. Baochai said with a smile, “When did Mother get here? I had no idea.” Aunt Xue replied, “I’ve been busy these past few days and never got around to visiting Baoyu and Daiyu. So today I came to see how they both are—they’ve recovered completely.” Daiyu quickly invited Baochai to sit down and said to her, “Things in this world are truly beyond imagination. Who would have thought that Aunt and our eldest maternal aunt would become in-laws?” Aunt Xue said, “My child, how would you girls know? As the old saying goes, ‘A thousand li of fate are tied by a single thread.’ There’s a matchmaker under the moon who predestines marriages, secretly tying the feet of two people with a single red silk thread. No matter if the families are separated by seas or countries, or even have generations of enmity, they will eventually become husband and wife. Such matters are always beyond expectation. Even if parents themselves are willing, or a couple has been together year after year, thinking their engagement is settled, if the old man under the moon hasn’t tied them with his red thread, they can never come together. For instance, the marriages of you two sisters—right now, who knows if they’re close at hand or far off at the ends of the earth?” Baochai said, “Only Mother, as soon as she starts talking, drags us into it.” As she spoke, she leaned into her mother’s arms and said with a laugh, “Let’s go.” Daiyu smiled and said, “Look at her, so grown up—when she’s away from Aunt, she’s the most mature, but the moment she sees Aunt, she acts coy.” Aunt Xue stroked Baochai and sighed to Daiyu, “This sister of yours is just like Feng girl in front of the old lady—when there’s serious business, I consult with her; when there’s none, she’s the one who cheers me up. Seeing her like this, no matter how much worry I have, it all melts away.” Hearing this, Daiyu wept and sighed, “She just has to act like this right here, deliberately upsetting me, a girl without a mother, and rubbing it in my face.” Baochai laughed and said, “Mother, look how she’s being reckless—she calls me coy.” Aunt Xue said, “You can’t blame her for being upset. Poor thing, without parents, she really has no close kin.” Then she patted Daiyu and said with a smile, “Good child, don’t cry. You see me doting on your sister and feel hurt, but you don’t know that in my heart, I cherish you even more. Although your sister has lost her father, she still has me and her elder brother—that puts her ahead of you. I often tell your sister that I feel deeply for you, but I can’t show it openly. With so many people here, and so many tongues wagging, there are few who speak well and many who speak ill. They won’t say you’re pitiable for being alone and deserving of affection; instead, they’ll say we’re just currying favor because the old lady dotes on you.” Daiyu said with a smile, “Since Aunt says that, I’ll acknowledge Aunt as my mother tomorrow. If Aunt finds me too troublesome and won’t have me, then it means your affection for me is false.” Aunt Xue said, “If you don’t mind me, then it would be good to acknowledge me.” Baochai quickly said, “You can’t acknowledge her.” Daiyu asked, “Why can’t I?” Baochai asked with a laugh, “Let me ask you—my elder brother hasn’t settled on a match yet, so why did we instead betroth Cousin Xing to my younger brother? What’s the reason?” Daiyu said, “Perhaps he’s not home, or their zodiac signs or birthdays don’t match, so they betrothed her to your younger brother first.” Baochai laughed and said, “Wrong. My brother has already taken a fancy to someone and is just waiting to come home to finalize the betrothal. There’s no need to mention names. I just said you can’t acknowledge Mother—think it over carefully.” As she spoke, she winked at her mother and laughed. Hearing this, Daiyu also leaned her head on Aunt Xue’s shoulder and said, “If Aunt doesn’t hit her, I won’t let it go.” Aunt Xue quickly hugged her and said with a laugh, “Don’t believe your sister—she’s just teasing you.” Baochai laughed and said, “Really, Mother, tomorrow you should ask the old lady to take her as a daughter-in-law. Wouldn’t that be better than finding someone from outside?” Daiyu stepped forward to grab her, laughing as she said, “You’re getting crazier and crazier.” Aunt Xue quickly laughed and tried to calm them, separating them with her hands. Then she said to Baochai, “I was even afraid your brother might ruin Cousin Xing, so I gave her to your younger brother. Let alone this child—I’d never give her to him. The other day, the old lady wanted to betroth your Cousin Lin to Baoyu, but it turned out she was already spoken for. Otherwise, it would have been an excellent match. When I settled on Cousin Xing, the old lady teased me, saying, ‘I originally wanted to get her, but before I could get my hands on her, you’ve taken one of ours.’ Though it was a joke, thinking it over, it does make some sense. I think Baochai is already betrothed, and though I have no one to offer, can’t I say a word? I thought, your Cousin Bao is so doted on by the old lady, and he’s so handsome—if they look for a match outside, they’ll never find one to his liking. Why not just betroth your Cousin Lin to him? Wouldn’t that be perfect in every way?” At first, Lin Daiyu was stunned, but when she heard herself mentioned, she spat at Baochai, blushed, and grabbing Baochai, said with a laugh, “I’ll just hit you! Why did you provoke Aunt into saying such old and improper things?” Baochai laughed and said, “How strange! Mother mentioned you—why hit me?” Zijuan quickly ran over and said with a laugh, “Madam Xue, since you have this idea, why don’t you discuss it with the lady of the house?” Aunt Xue laughed heartily and said, “You child, what’s the hurry? Are you urging your young lady to marry so you can find yourself a young husband soon?” Hearing this, Zijuan also blushed and said with a smile, “Madam Xue, you’re really taking advantage of your age to be bold.” With that, she turned and left. Daiyu first scolded, “What business is it of yours, you slut?” But then seeing this, she also laughed and said, “Amida Buddha! Serves you right, serves you right! You’ve also run into a snag!” Aunt Xue and her daughter, along with the maids and old women in the room, all laughed. The old women then said with a smile, “Though Madam Xue was joking, it’s not far off. When you have free time, discuss it with the old lady. If Madam Xue acts as matchmaker and secures this match, it would be absolutely reliable.” Aunt Xue said, “Once I propose this idea, the old lady is sure to be delighted.”

Before she finished speaking, Xiangyun suddenly came in, holding a pawn ticket in her hand, and said with a laugh, “Is this an account slip?” Daiyu looked at it but didn’t recognize it. The old women on the floor laughed and said, “This is a rare thing indeed—such a secret isn’t taught for free.” Baochai quickly took it, looked at it, and saw it was the pawn ticket that Xiuyan had mentioned earlier, so she folded it up at once. Aunt Xue quickly said, “That must be a pawn ticket that some nurse lost; they’ll be frantic looking for it soon. Where did you find it?” Xiangyun asked, “What’s a pawn ticket?” Everyone laughed and said, “You’re truly a simpleton—you don’t even know what a pawn ticket is.” Aunt Xue sighed and said, “No wonder—she’s truly a daughter of a marquis’s household, and young besides—how would she know about this? Where would she have seen one? Even if the servants at home have them, how would she ever see one? Don’t laugh at her for being a simpleton; if you showed it to the young ladies in your family, they’d all become simpletons too.” The old women laughed and said, “Miss Lin just now didn’t recognize it either, let alone the other young ladies. As for Baoyu, he often goes out, but I doubt he’s even seen one.” Aunt Xue quickly explained what it was. Only then did Xiangyun and Daiyu laugh and say, “So that’s what it is. People are too clever at making money. Do the pawnshops in Aunt’s family have these too?” Everyone laughed and said, “Now you’re being silly again. ‘All crows under heaven are black’—how could they be different?” Aunt Xue then asked where it had been picked up. Just as Xiangyun was about to speak, Baochai quickly said, “It’s a dead ticket, no longer valid, from who knows what year the account was settled. Xiangling took it to tease them.” Hearing this, Aunt Xue, believing it to be true, stopped asking. Presently, someone came to report, “The eldest young lady from the other mansion has come to invite Madam Xue for a talk.” Aunt Xue got up and left.

When there was no one else in the room, Baochai asked Xiangyun where she had found it. Xiangyun laughed and said, "I saw your younger brother's wife's maid, Zhuan'er, quietly hand it to Yinger. Yinger then casually placed it in a book, thinking I hadn't noticed. After they left, I secretly looked at it and couldn't recognize it at all. Knowing you were all here, I brought it for everyone to identify." Daiyu quickly asked, "How could she be pawning clothes too? And if she did pawn them, how did it end up with you?" Seeing her question, Baochai could not hide the matter from them and told them both everything that had just happened. Daiyu then said, "When the hare dies, the fox grieves—one mourns one's own kind," and could not help sighing. Shi Xiangyun became angry and said, "Let me go and question Second Sister! I'll curse those old women and maids and give you all some satisfaction—how about that?" With these words, she was about to leave. Baochai quickly grabbed her and laughed, saying, "You're mad again—just sit down and stay put." Daiyu laughed and said, "If you were a man, you could go out and fight for justice. But what are you pretending to be—a Jing Ke or a Nie Zheng? How ridiculous." Xiangyun said, "Since you won't let me go question her, how about tomorrow we invite her over to live with us in the garden—wouldn't that be good?" Baochai laughed and said, "We'll discuss it tomorrow." Just then, someone announced, "Third Miss and Fourth Miss have arrived." The three of them, upon hearing this, quickly covered their mouths and stopped talking about the matter. To know exactly what happened next, listen to the next chapter.