Chapter 62: The muddled Xiang-yun sleeps on peony petals; the simple Xiang-ling unties her pomegranate skirt

Now Pinger came out and instructed Lin Zhixiao's wife, "When big matters are turned into small ones, and small matters into nothing at all, that is the sign of a flourishing household. If you raise a hue and cry and make a great to-do over the least little thing, that is no way to do things. Now take the mother and daughter back and let them go on with their duties as before. Send Qin Xian's wife back where she came from, and don't mention this business again. Just keep a careful watch every day—that's what matters most." Having said this, she rose and left.

Liu's wife and her daughter quickly kowtowed in gratitude. Lin Zhixiao's wife took them back into the Garden and reported to Li Wan and Tanchun. Both of them said, "We understand. As long as there is no trouble, that's fine." Sigi and the others were all excited for nothing. As for Qin Xian's wife, she had waited a long time for such an opening, and now her triumph lasted only half a day. In the kitchen, she was in a flurry taking over the utensils, rice, charcoal, and other supplies, and in the process discovered many shortages: "The polished rice is short by two piculs, the daily-use rice has been drawn for an extra month, and the charcoal is short of the required amount." At the same time, she prepared gifts for Lin Zhixiao's wife—secretly setting aside a basket of charcoal, five hundred catties of firewood, and a load of polished rice—and had her own son or nephew deliver them to the Lin residence. She also prepared gifts for the accounts office and prepared several dishes to entertain her colleagues, saying, "Now that I have come, I rely entirely on your support. From now on, we are all one family. If there is anything I overlook, please, for good or ill, help me out."

While she was in the midst of this bustle, someone came to tell her, "After you've seen to the morning meal, you're to move out. Sister Liu was never at fault, so the kitchen is being given back to her." When Qin Xian's wife heard this, her soul fled from her body. Dejected and crestfallen, she immediately struck her flags and muffled her drums, bundled up her belongings, and slunk away. All the gifts she had sent were wasted, and she herself had to sell things off to make up for the shortages. Even Sigi was so furious she nearly fell over backward, but there was no way to salvage the situation, so she had to let it go.

Zhao had been worried ever since Caiping's private gifts had been exposed by Yuchuan’s quarrel, afraid that an investigation would uncover the truth. Every day she sweated with anxiety, waiting for news. Suddenly Caiping came to tell her, "Baoyu has taken the blame for everything, so from now on there's no trouble." Zhao finally set her mind at ease. But when Jia Huan heard this, he grew suspicious. He took out all the gifts Caiping had secretly given him and flung them in her face, saying, "You two-faced, three-sworded creature! I don't want them. If you weren't on good terms with Baoyu, why would he be willing to take the blame for you? Since you had the nerve to give these to me, you should have told no one. Now that you've told him, it's no fun for me to keep them." At this, Caiping grew frantic, swore oaths, and burst into tears, explaining herself a hundred ways, but Jia Huan refused to believe her. He said, "If it weren't for our usual friendship, I'd go tell Second Sister-in-law that you stole these things and gave them to me, and I dared not take them. Think it over." With that, he threw up his hands and left. Zhao, frantic, cursed him, "You ungrateful seed! You maggot-ridden monster!" And Caiping, heartbroken, cried until her tears ran dry and her heart felt broken. Zhao comforted her in every way, saying, "Dear child, he has let you down—I see it clearly. Let me put these away; in a couple of days he'll come around naturally." So saying, she started to gather the things. But Caiping, in a fit of temper, bundled them all up, and when no one was looking, went into the Garden and threw them all into the stream, where they sank or floated away with the current. That night, in her anger, she lay in bed and wept in secret.

Now it happened that Baoyu's birthday had arrived, and it turned out that Baoqin's birthday fell on the same day as his. Because Lady Wang was not at home, it was not as lively as in previous years. Only Zhang the Taoist sent four kinds of gifts and the exchanged name-protecting talisman. Several monks and nuns from various temples sent offerings, along with pictures of the God of Longevity, paper horses, written prayers, and the annual lock to be exchanged with the Star Lords of one's birth year and the year's presiding deity. The regular blind female storytellers came to offer birthday congratulations. From Wang Ziteng's household came a set of clothes, a pair of shoes and socks, a hundred birthday peaches, and a hundred bundles of fine silver-thread noodles. Aunt Xue's gifts were of a lesser grade. Among the family members, Madam You gave a pair of shoes and socks; Xifeng gave an official embroidered purse with a design of four-way harmony, containing a gold longevity figure and a toy made in Persia. People were sent to various temples to distribute alms and scatter money. There were also gifts for Baoqin, which cannot all be described. The other sisters gave whatever they liked—a fan, a piece of calligraphy, a painting, or a poem—just to mark the occasion.

That morning, Baoyu rose early, washed and combed, put on his formal cap and sash, and went out. In the front courtyard, Li Gui and four or five others had already set up an altar with incense and candles for Heaven and Earth. Baoyu burned incense. After completing the ceremonies, he poured tea as an offering and burned paper money, then went to the Ning Mansion to perform obeisances in the ancestral hall and before the ancestral tablets. Coming out onto the terrace, he bowed from afar to the Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang. Then he went in turn to Madam You's main room, paid his respects, sat for a while, and finally returned to the Rong Mansion. First he went to Aunt Xue's place, where she held him back again and again. Then he ran into Xue Ke and yielded to his invitations, and only then entered the Garden. Qingwen and Sheyue followed him, while a little maid carried a felt cushion. Starting with Li Wan's place, he went to every senior's room in order. Then he went out through the inner gate to the homes of his four wet nurses—Li, Zhao, Zhang, and Wang—and paid his respects there before coming back in. Although many wanted to bow to him, he would not allow it. When he returned to his room, Xiren and the others only came to say a few words of greeting. Lady Wang had given orders that young people were not to receive formal obeisances, lest they diminish their own good fortune and long life, so no one kowtowed.

After a while, Jia Huan and Jia Lan arrived. Xiren quickly pulled them in to sit for a moment, and then they left. Baoyu laughed and said he was tired from walking, so he lay down on the bed. He had just drunk half a cup of tea when he heard a chattering outside; a group of maids entered laughing—it was Cuimo, Xiaoluo, Cuilü, Ruhua, Xing Xiuyan’s maid Zhuaner, and the nanny carrying Qiaojie, along with Cailuan, Xiuluan, about eight or nine people in all. They were all carrying red felt rugs and came in laughing, saying: “Birthday visitors are crowding the door; hurry up and bring out the noodles for us to eat.” Just as they entered, Tanchun, Xiangyun, Baoqin, Xiuyan, and Xichun also arrived. Baoyu hurried out to greet them, laughing and saying: “I dare not trouble you; quickly prepare some fine tea.” They entered the room, exchanged a few polite refusals, and then each sat down. Xiren and the others brought tea, and they had only taken a sip when Pinger also arrived, dressed up to the nines. Baoyu hurried out to greet her, laughing: “I just went to Sister Feng’s door and had them announce me, but I couldn’t see her, so I sent someone in to invite you.” Pinger laughed: “I was just seeing to your sister’s hair and couldn’t come out to answer you. Later I heard you were inviting me, and I felt I couldn’t bear such honor, so I hurried over to kowtow.” Baoyu laughed: “I couldn’t bear that either.” Xiren had already set a seat in the outer room and asked her to sit. Pinger made a bow, and Baoyu returned it with repeated hand clasps. Pinger then knelt down, and Baoyu quickly knelt to return the courtesy, while Xiren hurried to help them up. Pinger made another bow, and Baoyu again clasped his hands in return. Xiren laughed and pushed Baoyu: “Make another bow.” Baoyu said: “It’s already done—why another bow?” Xiren laughed: “This was for her to greet your birthday. Today is also her birthday; you ought to greet hers.” When Baoyu heard this, he was delighted and quickly bowed, saying: “So today is also your felicitous day, sister.” Pinger returned the bow repeatedly. Xiangyun pulled Baoqin and Xiuyan aside and said: “You four should bow to each other for birthdays—you could keep it up all day.” Tanchun quickly asked: “So Sister Xing’s birthday is also today? How could I have forgotten.” She promptly ordered a maid: “Go and tell the Second Mistress to prepare a gift in a hurry, the same as Miss Bao’s, and send it to the Second Miss’s room.” The maid acknowledged and left. Xiuyan, seeing that Xiangyun had blurted it out, had no choice but to go around to each room to extend her greetings. Tanchun laughed: “This is rather interesting—in a year of twelve months, each month has several birthdays. With so many people, such coincidences happen—there are three on one day, two on another. The first day of the new year isn’t wasted either; the eldest sister claimed it. No wonder her fortune is great—her birthday is ahead of everyone else’s. And it’s also the Grand Ancestor’s birthday. After the Lantern Festival, it’s the Old Lady’s and Sister Bao’s—how coincidental for mother and daughter. The first day of the third month is the mistress’s, and the ninth is Brother Lian’s. The second month has no one.” Xiren said: “The twelfth of the second month is Miss Lin’s—how can you say no one? It’s just that she’s not one of our family.” Tanchun laughed: “What’s wrong with my memory!” Baoyu laughed and pointed at Xiren: “She and Sister Lin have the same day, so she remembers.” Tanchun laughed: “So you two share a day. Every year you don’t even give us a single kowtow. We didn’t know Pinger’s birthday either—we only just found out.” Pinger laughed: “What rank or name do we have? No fortune to receive birthday greetings, no share in accepting gifts—why make a fuss? Better to let it pass quietly. Today he insisted on stirring it up; when the young ladies return to their rooms, I’ll go and perform the rites.” Tanchun laughed: “We dare not disturb you. But today we really ought to celebrate your birthday for you, or I won’t feel at ease.” Baoyu, Xiangyun, and the others all agreed: “Exactly.” Tanchun then instructed a maid: “Go and tell his mistress that we’ve all decided we won’t let Pinger out all day, and we’re all pooling our money to celebrate her birthday.” The maid left laughing, and after a long while returned, saying: “The Second Mistress says she thanks the young ladies for the honor. She doesn’t know what you’ll give her to eat for her birthday, but as long as you don’t forget the Second Mistress, she won’t come to pester you.” Everyone laughed. Tanchun then said: “How convenient—today the inner kitchen isn’t preparing meals; all the noodles and dishes are being handled outside. Let’s pool our money and get Mrs. Liu to take charge, and we’ll have everything done inside—that would be better.” Everyone agreed it was a fine idea. Tanchun sent someone to ask Li Wan, Baochai, and Daiyu, and also sent for Mrs. Liu, instructing her to quickly prepare two tables of wine and food in the inner kitchen. Mrs. Liu, not understanding the reason, said that the outer kitchen had already prepared everything. Tanchun laughed: “You don’t know—today is Miss Pinger’s birthday. What the outer kitchen prepares is for the household; now we’ve privately pooled our money just to prepare two tables for her. You just pick fresh and clever dishes to prepare, write up the bill, and come to me for the money.” Mrs. Liu laughed: “So today is also Miss Pinger’s birthday—I had no idea.” With that, she knelt and kowtowed to Pinger, who hurriedly pulled her up. Mrs. Liu then quickly went to prepare the wine and feast.

Here, Tanchun also invited Baoyu to go together to the hall to eat noodles. When Li Wan and Baochai had all arrived together, she sent someone to invite Aunt Xue and Daiyu. Because the weather was warm and mild, Daiyu’s illness had gradually improved, so she also came. The place was a riot of flowers and brocade, filling the hall with people.

As it happened, Xue Ke also sent four birthday gifts of kerchiefs, fans, incense, and silk to Baoyu. Baoyu then went over to accompany him in eating noodles. Both households had prepared birthday wine, exchanging gifts and sharing them with each other. By midday, Baoyu had also drunk two cups of wine with Xue Ke. Baochai brought Baoqin over to pay respects to Xue Ke. After pouring the wine, Baochai instructed Xue Ke: “Don’t bother sending the wine from our house over there; you can dispense with these empty formalities. Just invite the clerks to drink. We still have to go in and entertain others, so we can’t stay with you.” Xue Ke quickly said: “Sister and brother, please go ahead; the clerks will probably be arriving soon.” Baoyu hastily apologized before returning with his sisters.

As soon as they entered the corner gate, Baochai ordered an old woman to lock the gate and took the key herself. Baoyu quickly said: “Why lock this gate? Not many people use it. Besides, Auntie, sisters, and cousins are all inside—if someone needs to go home to fetch something, won’t it be troublesome?” Baochai laughed: “There’s no such thing as too much caution. Look at your side these past few days—all kinds of trouble, yet none of it has touched our side. That shows this gate being locked has been effective. If it were open, you can’t guarantee that those people wouldn’t take the convenient shortcut through here. Who would stop them? Better to lock it, and even restrict Mother and myself—let no one pass. Even if something happens, it can’t be blamed on our side.” Baoyu laughed: “So Sister knows about the things that have gone missing on our side lately?” Baochai laughed: “You only know about the rose dew and the Poria frost—those are matters of people leading to things. If not for the people, you wouldn’t even know about those two. Little do you know there are several things bigger than these two. If they’re never found out, it’s everyone’s good fortune. If they are found out, who knows how many people inside will be implicated. You’re someone who doesn’t meddle in affairs, so I’m telling you. Pinger is a sensible person; I told her the day before yesterday too, because her mistress is not outside, so I made sure she understood. If things don’t come to light, we can all gladly let it go. If they do come out, she already has a foundation and a clue, so no one will wrong Pinger. Just listen to me—from now on, be cautious and careful. But don’t tell anyone else about this.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the side of Qinfang Pavilion. There they saw Xiren, Xiangling, Daishu, Suyun, Qingwen, Sheyue, Fangguan, Ruiguan, Ouguan, and about a dozen others watching the fish and playing. When they saw the others coming, they all said: “Everything is prepared at the Peony Pavilion—hurry and go to the feast.” Baochai and the others then led them to the three-room open pavilion called Red Fragrance Court at the Peony Pavilion. Even Lady You had already been invited and was there, with everyone present except Pinger.

It turned out that when Pinger had gone out, gifts had come from the Lai, Lin, and other families, one after another. There were many servants of high, middle, and low rank coming to greet her and offer birthday gifts. Pinger was busy distributing gratuities and giving thanks, while also reporting each item to Xifeng. She kept only a few things, some she refused, and some she accepted but immediately gave away to others. After bustling about for a while and waiting until Xifeng had eaten her noodles, she finally changed her clothes and came into the garden.

As soon as they entered the garden, several maids came looking for them, and together they went to the Red Fragrance Pavilion. There they saw the feast laid out with tortoiseshell-ornamented cushions and mats embroidered with lotus flowers. Everyone said with a laugh, “All the birthday celebrants have arrived.” The four seats of honor were intended for the four of them, but none of them would take them. Aunt Xue said, “I am old and don’t fit in with your group. I would feel too constrained. I’d rather go to the hall and lie down at ease. I can’t eat much, and I don’t drink much either, so staying here would just inconvenience them.” You-shi and the others insisted she stay, but Baochai said, “That’s fine. Let Mother lie down in the hall where she’ll be more comfortable. We’ll send her whatever she likes to eat, and she’ll be free. Besides, no one is out front, so she can keep an eye on things.” Tanchun and the others laughed and said, “Since that’s the case, better to obey than to be polite.” So they all escorted her to the (Council Hall), watched as they ordered the maids to spread a brocade cushion with a backrest and armrests, and instructed them, “Be sure to massage Auntie’s legs properly, and don’t make excuses when she asks for tea or water. When we send food over later, if Auntie eats it, you may have some yourselves. Just don’t leave this spot.” The little maids all agreed. Only then did Tanchun and the others return. In the end, they made Baoqin and Xiuyan take the seats of honor, with Pinger facing west and Baoyu facing east. Tanchun then invited Yuanyang to join them, and the two sat opposite each other, side by side. At the western table, Baochai, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Yingchun, and Xichun sat, and they also pulled Xiangling and Yuchuan’er to sit at the end. At the third table, You-shi and Li Wan invited Xiren and Caiyun to sit with them. At the fourth table, Zijuan, Ying’er, Qingwen, Xiaoluo, Siqi, and others gathered around. Just then, Tanchun and the others were about to offer toasts, but Baoqin and the other three said, “If you start this fuss, we won’t be able to sit through the whole day.” So they stopped. Two female storytellers were about to perform a ballad to celebrate the birthday, but everyone said, “None of us wants to hear those rustic tales. Go to the hall and tell them to Auntie to amuse her.” Meanwhile, they picked out all kinds of delicacies and ordered someone to send them to Aunt Xue.

Baoyu then said, “Sitting elegantly is boring; we need to play a drinking game.” Some said this game was good, others said that one was better. Daiyu said, “In my opinion, let’s take brush and ink, write down all the different games on slips, roll them into lots, and whichever we draw, we’ll play.” Everyone thought it a good idea. So they fetched a set of brush, ink, and patterned paper. Xiangling, having recently studied poetry and practiced calligraphy daily, couldn’t resist the sight of brush and ink. She quickly rose and said, “Let me write.” Everyone thought for a while and came up with a dozen or so games. They recited them, and Xiangling wrote each one down, rolled them into lots, and tossed them into a vase. Tanchun then told Pinger to pick one. Pinger stirred them inside, took out a pair of chopsticks, and picked one lot. She opened it and saw written on it the two characters “” (She Fu—Cover and Guess). Baochai laughed and said, “You’ve drawn the ancestor of all drinking games. ‘She Fu’ has existed since ancient times, but now it’s lost. This is a later compilation, and it’s harder than any other game. Half of us here don’t know how to play it. Better to destroy it and draw another that suits both refined and common tastes.” Tanchun smiled and said, “Since we drew it, how can we destroy it? Let’s draw another one now. If it’s one that suits both refined and common tastes, we’ll have them play it, and we’ll play this one.” With that, she told Xiren to draw another lot, which turned out to be “” (Thumb War—finger-guessing game). Shi Xiangyun laughed and said, “This is simple and straightforward, just my style. I won’t play that ‘She Fu’; it’s boring and makes people droop their heads. I’m going to do finger-guessing.” Tanchun said, “Only she disrupts the order. Baochai, quickly fine her a cup.” Without further ado, Baochai made Xiangyun drink a cup. Tanchun said, “I’ll drink a cup myself. I am the game master, so there’s no need to announce anything—just listen to my directions.” She ordered the dice and game bowl to be brought. “Start from Cousin Baoqin, roll in order, and the two who match the same number will play ‘She Fu.’” Baoqin rolled a three, but Xiuyan, Baoyu, and the others all rolled different numbers. It wasn’t until Xiangling rolled that she also got a three. Baoqin laughed and said, “It has to be within the room; if we go outside, it’ll be too vague.” Tanchun said, “Naturally. If you fail three times, you’ll be fined a cup. You cover, and she guesses.” Baoqin thought for a moment and said the character “” (old). Xiangling wasn’t familiar with this game and couldn’t think of anything right away. She looked around the room and the feast but couldn’t find any allusion connected to “.” Xiangyun, who had heard first, also looked around frantically. Suddenly, she noticed the plaque above the door with the three characters “” (Red Fragrance Pavilion) and realized that Baoqin was covering the character “” from the phrase “” (I am not as good as an old gardener). Seeing that Xiangling couldn’t guess and everyone was beating the drum to hurry her, Xiangyun quietly tugged at Xiangling and whispered the character “” (medicine) for her to guess. But Daiyu happened to see this and said, “Quickly fine her—she’s passing messages again!” Everyone burst out laughing, and Xiangyun was promptly fined a cup. Furious, Xiangyun grabbed chopsticks and tapped Daiyu’s hand. Then Xiangling was fined a cup as well.

Next, Baochai and Tanchun matched numbers. Tanchun covered a character “” (person). Baochai laughed and said, “This ‘person’ is too broad.” Tanchun smiled and said, “Add one more character, and with two covers and one guess, it won’t be broad.” With that, she added the character “” (window). Baochai thought for a moment. Seeing chicken on the table, she guessed that Tanchun was using the allusions “” (chicken at the window) and “” (chicken man). So she guessed the character “” (roost). Tanchun knew she had guessed correctly, using the allusion “” (the chicken roosts in the coop). The two smiled and each drank a sip from their cups. Xiangyun couldn’t wait any longer and was already shouting “Three!” “Five!” wildly with Baoyu as they played finger-guessing. Over there, You-shi and Yuanyang were also shouting “Seven!” “Eight!” across the table as they played. Pinger and Xiren paired up for finger-guessing, and the clinking of their bracelets rang out. Soon, Xiangyun beat Baoyu, Xiren beat Pinger, and You-shi beat Yuanyang. The three winners required the losers to recite a toast verse and a toast bottom. Xiangyun said, “The toast verse must include one line from ancient prose, one line from an old poem, one name of a domino tile, one name of a musical tune, and one phrase from the almanac, all combined into one sentence. The toast bottom must be the name of a fruit or vegetable related to human affairs.” Everyone laughed and said, “Only her games are more tedious than others, but they’re also interesting.” They urged Baoyu to speak quickly. Baoyu smiled and said, “Who’s ever done this before? Let me think a moment.” Daiyu then said, “Drink another cup, and I’ll speak for you.” Baoyu truly drank the wine, and then listened as Daiyu recited:

“The setting sun flies with the lone duck,

The wind is sharp, and the geese crossing the river cry in sorrow,

But it is a broken-legged goose,

Whose cries make one’s heart writhe in agony,

This is the arrival of the wild geese as guests.”

Everyone laughed and said, “This string of phrases is rather interesting.” Daiyu then picked out a hazelnut kernel and said for the toast bottom:

“The hazelnut is not the anvil from the next courtyard,

So why the sound of ten thousand households pounding clothes?”

The game ended, and Yuanyang and Xiren both recited common sayings, each containing the character “” (longevity), which need not be elaborated further.

Everyone took turns playing finger-guessing in a flurry. Up above, Xiangyun matched Baoqin, and Li Wan matched Xiuyan. Li Wan covered the character “” (gourd ladle), and Xiuyan guessed the character “” (green). The two understood each other and each drank a sip. Xiangyun lost at finger-guessing and had to provide a toast verse and bottom. Baoqin laughed and said, “Please step into the snare!” Everyone burst out laughing and said, “This allusion is perfectly fitting.” Xiangyun then recited:

“Roaring and surging,

The waves between the river and the sky rise together,

One must use an iron chain to moor the lone boat,

Meeting a river wind,

It is not suitable to travel.”

Everyone laughed and said, “What a fine bit of nonsense that breaks one’s heart. No wonder she came up with this game—it’s deliberately designed to make people laugh.” They then listened to her toast bottom. Xiangyun drank her wine, picked a piece of duck meat to sip, and suddenly noticed half a duck head in the bowl. She picked it out and ate the brain. Everyone urged her, “Don’t just eat—hurry and say it.” Xiangyun then raised the duck head with her chopsticks and said:

“This duck head is not that girl’s head,

Where would one find cassia oil on a head?”

Everyone laughed even harder, which drew Qingwen, Xiaoluo, Ying’er, and the others over. They said, “Miss Xiangyun knows how to have fun, making fun of us. Quick, fine her a cup and be done with it. How do you know we should be rubbing cassia oil on our heads? You ought to give each of us a bottle of cassia oil to rub on.” Daiyu laughed and said, “She’d be willing to give you a bottle of oil, but she’s afraid of being implicated in a theft case.” The others didn’t understand, but Baoyu did and quickly lowered his head. Caiyun, who had a guilty conscience, blushed involuntarily. Baochai glanced sharply at Daiyu. Daiyu regretted her slip of the tongue; she had meant to tease Baoyu but had forgotten and instead teased Caiyun. Regretting it deeply, she quickly diverted the conversation with a drinking game and finger-guessing.

Just then it happened that Baoyu and Baochai threw the same number of points. Baochai covered a "Bao" character. Baoyu thought for a moment and realized that Baochai was playfully referring to the jade he wore, and said with a smile: "Sister, you're making a witty allusion to me, and I've hit the mark. Let me say it, and don't be angry—it's your taboo name, the character 'Chai'." The others asked: "How do you explain that?" Baoyu said: "She said 'Bao', so naturally the next character is 'Yu'. I'm hitting 'Chai'; in an old poem there's a line, 'Strike the jade hairpin, the red candle grows cold'—doesn't that hit the mark?" Xiangyun said: "Using current events like that won't do—both of them should be fined a cup." Xiangling quickly said: "It's not just current events; there's a source for that too." Xiangyun said: "The two characters 'Baoyu' have no source; they may appear on spring couplets, but there's no record in poetry or history books, so it doesn't count." Xiangling said: "The other day I was reading Cen Jiazhou's five-character regulated verse, and there's a line: 'This village has much jade'—how can you have forgotten? Later I was reading Li Yishan's seven-character quatrain, and there's another line: 'The precious hairpin daily gathers dust'—I even laughed that both their names originally appear in Tang poetry." The others laughed and said: "Now you've been stumped—quickly drink a cup as penalty." Xiangyun, speechless, had to drink. Then everyone went back to matching points or playing the finger-guessing game. Because Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were not at home, with no one to restrain them, they indulged in pleasure, shouting "three!" and "four!" and "seven!" and "eight!" The whole hall was a flutter of red and green, with jade ornaments and pearls swaying—it was truly lively. After playing for a while, they rose from the feast and scattered for a bit, when suddenly Xiangyun was nowhere to be seen. They thought she had just stepped out and would return soon, but the longer they waited, the less sign there was of her. They sent people to search everywhere, but could not find her.

Then Lin Zhixiao's wife came with several old matrons, partly afraid that some important business might require attention, and partly worried that the young maids, taking advantage of Lady Wang's absence, might not heed Tanchun's authority and would drink excessively, losing all decorum. So they came to ask if anything was amiss. When Tanchun saw them, she understood their intention and quickly said with a smile: "You're not at ease again and have come to check on us. We haven't drunk much; it's just fun and games, with wine as a little diversion. Don't worry, mothers." Li Wan and Madam You also laughed and said: "You may go and rest. We dare not let them drink too much either." Lin Zhixiao's wife and the others laughed and said: "We know that even when the old lady urges the young ladies to drink, they often refuse, so naturally, with the ladies not at home, they're just playing. We were afraid something might come up and came to inquire. Also, the days are long, and after playing a while, the young ladies should have a little snack. Since they don't usually eat much between meals, if they've had a cup or two of wine without enough food, it might do them harm." Tanchun smiled and said: "What you say is right, mothers; we were just about to have something to eat." She turned and ordered refreshments to be brought. The maids on both sides acknowledged and hurried off to fetch them. Tanchun then politely urged: "You go and rest, or go chat with Aunt Xue. We'll send someone to bring you some wine shortly." Lin Zhixiao's wife and the others smiled and replied: "We dare not accept." They stood for a while longer, then withdrew. Pinger touched her flushed face and said with a laugh: "My face is all hot; I'd be embarrassed to see them now. In my opinion, let's stop here, so as not to provoke another visit—that would be awkward." Tanchun smiled and said: "It doesn't matter; as long as we don't really drink heavily, it's fine."

Just as they were speaking, a little maid came running up cheerfully: "Young ladies, quickly go and see Miss Xiangyun! She got drunk and, seeking coolness, has fallen asleep on a blue stone bench behind the hill." When the others heard this, they all laughed and said: "Don't make a noise." As they spoke, they went to look, and there indeed was Xiangyun lying fast asleep on a stone bench in a secluded spot behind the rockery, deep in fragrant dreams. Peony petals had fallen all over her, covering her head, face, and clothes with scattered red fragrance. Her fan lay on the ground, half-buried under fallen flowers, while a swarm of bees and butterflies buzzed noisily around her. She was using a silk handkerchief wrapped around some peony petals as a pillow. The others, seeing this, felt both fondness and amusement. They quickly went up to push, call, and help her up. Xiangyun was still mumbling drunkenly about drinking games, murmuring:

"The spring water is sweet and the wine clear,

In jade bowls it gleams like amber light.

Drink till the moon rises above the plum boughs,

Then, tipsy, lean on someone to return home,

For it's time to meet with dear friends and kin."

The others laughed and pushed her, saying: "Wake up quickly and come eat something. Sleeping on this damp bench might make you ill." Xiangyun slowly opened her autumn-water eyes, saw the others, looked down at herself, and realized she was drunk. She had originally come to enjoy the cool and seek quiet, but without meaning to, she had drunk two extra penalty cups, and being delicate, she had fallen asleep. Feeling a little ashamed, she quickly struggled to her feet and came with the others back to the Red Fragrance Pavilion. There she washed her face, drank two cups of strong tea, and Tanchun hastily ordered the sobering stone to be brought for her to hold in her mouth, and then had her drink some sour soup, after which she began to feel a bit better.

At that moment, several kinds of fruits and dishes were selected and sent to Xifeng, who also sent a few things in return. Baochai and the others had finished their snacks; some were sitting, some standing, some outside admiring the flowers, and some leaning on the railing watching the fish, all chatting and laughing freely. Tanchun began playing chess with Baoqin, while Baochai and Xiuyan watched beside them. Lin Daiyu and Baoyu were under a cluster of flowers, whispering to each other about something unknown. Then Lin Zhixiao’s wife and a group of women led in a young married woman. The woman, with a worried and downcast face, dared not enter the hall but knelt before the steps, knocking her head on the ground audibly. Tanchun, having been pressed hard in a move of the chess game, calculated back and forth but could only secure two eyes; she gave up on the endgame, fixing her gaze on the board while one hand rummaged in the box, grasping the chess pieces in thought. Lin Zhixiao’s wife stood there for a long time, and only when she turned to ask for tea did Tanchun notice her and ask, “What is it?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife pointed to the woman and said, “This is the mother of Caier, the little maid in Fourth Miss’s room, now working in the garden. She has a very loose tongue. Just now I heard something and questioned her, but what she said I dare not repeat to Miss. She ought to be dismissed.” Tanchun said, “Why not report this to the Eldest Mistress?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife replied, “Just now the Eldest Mistress had gone to the hall where Madam Xing was. I met her head-on and already explained it clearly. She told me to report to Miss.” Tanchun said, “Why not report to Second Mistress?” Pinger said, “No need to report to her; I’ll just go and tell her myself.” Tanchun nodded and said, “If that’s the case, dismiss her, and when the Mistress arrives, we’ll decide the final outcome.” Having said this, she went back to playing chess. Lin Zhixiao’s wife took the woman away, and nothing more was said of it.

Daiyu and Baoyu, standing under the flowers, understood the matter from a distance. Daiyu said, “Your third cousin is quite a clever person. Though she’s been put in charge of some things, she won’t take a single step beyond her bounds. Most people, in her place, would have started throwing their weight around long ago.” Baoyu replied, “You don’t know the half of it. While you were ill, she accomplished several things. She divided the garden among people to manage, so now you can’t even pluck a blade of grass without oversight. And she’s taken on several matters, using me and Sister Xifeng as examples to control others. She’s a person full of schemes, far more than just clever.” Daiyu said, “That’s how it should be. Our household spends far too much. Though I don’t manage affairs, whenever I’m idle, I calculate for you all—what comes in is less than what goes out. If we don’t economize now, we’ll end up unable to keep up.” Baoyu laughed, “No matter how tight things get, it won’t affect the two of us.” When Daiyu heard this, she turned and went to the hall to find Baochai for a chat and a laugh. Baoyu was about to leave when he saw Xiren approaching, holding a lacquered tea tray inlaid with linked patterns, on which were two perfectly matched cups of freshly brewed tea. She asked, “Where did she go? I saw you two hadn’t had tea for a while, so I specially poured these two cups, but now she’s gone.” Baoyu said, “There she is. Take it to her.” With that, he took one cup for himself. Xiren took the other cup over, but Daiyu happened to be with Baochai; with only one cup, Xiren said, “Whoever is thirstier can take it first, and I’ll go pour another.” Baochai laughed, “I’m not thirsty; I just need a sip to rinse my mouth.” With that, she picked it up, took a sip, and handed the remaining half-cup to Daiyu. Xiren laughed, “I’ll go pour another.” Daiyu laughed and said, “You know my condition—the doctor forbids me from drinking too much tea. This half-cup is plenty, and it’s kind of you to think of it.” After speaking, she drank it all and set the cup down. Xiren then took Baoyu’s cup. Baoyu asked, “I haven’t seen Fangguan for a while. Where is she?” Xiren looked around and said, “She was here a moment ago, playing the grass-picking game with a few others, but now she’s gone.” Hearing this, Baoyu hurried back to his room and indeed saw Fangguan lying face-in on the bed. Baoyu pushed her and said, “Don’t sleep now. Let’s go outside and play; we’ll eat soon.” Fangguan said, “You all drank wine and ignored me, leaving me bored for half the day. So I came here to sleep.” Baoyu pulled her up and laughed, “Tonight we’ll drink again at home. Later, I’ll have Sister Xiren take you to eat at the table. How about that?” Fangguan said, “Ouguan and Ruiguan aren’t going to the table; it wouldn’t be right for me to go alone. Besides, I’m not used to eating those noodles; I didn’t eat much this morning either. Just now, I was hungry and told Sister Liu to first make me a bowl of soup and half a bowl of rice and bring it here. I’ll eat it and be done. If we drink wine tonight, don’t let anyone control me—I want to drink my fill. Back home, I used to drink two or three catties of fine Huiquan wine. But since I learned this confounded trade, they said it would ruin my voice, so I haven’t even smelled it for years. Today, I’m going to break my fast.” Baoyu said, “That’s easy.”

As she spoke, sure enough someone from Liu’s household arrived with a box. Xiaoyan took it and opened it; inside were a bowl of shrimp-ball and chicken-skin soup, a bowl of steamed duck in fermented rice wine, a dish of salted rouge goose breast, another dish of four cream-and-pine-nut puff-pastry rolls, and a large bowl of steaming, glistening green-plot fragrant rice. Xiaoyan set the things on the table, fetched pickles, bowls, and chopsticks, and scooped out a bowl of rice. Fangguan said, “So greasy—who wants to eat this stuff?” She only soaked her rice in the soup, ate one bowl, picked up two pieces of the salted goose, and stopped. Baoyu smelled it and found it even more fragrant than usual, so he ate one puff-pastry roll and had Xiaoyan also scoop half a bowl of rice, which he soaked in the soup and ate; it was very tasty and sweet. Xiaoyan and Fangguan both laughed. After eating, Xiaoyan was about to return the leftovers. Baoyu said, “You eat them; if it’s not enough, ask for more.” Xiaoyan said, “No need to ask; this is enough. Just now Sister Sheyue brought us two plates of pastries, and now that I eat this, I don’t need any more.” With that, she stood by the table and polished it off in one go, leaving two puff-pastry rolls, saying, “I’ll save these for my mother. Tonight, when we drink, just give me two bowls of wine, and that’ll be fine.” Baoyu laughed, “So you like wine too? Wait—tonight we’ll drink our fill. Your Sister Xiren and Sister Qingwen have good capacity too, and they want to drink, but they’re usually too shy. Today we all break the fast. There’s one more thing I meant to tell you, but I forgot—now I remember. From now on, you must take full care of Fangguan. If she does anything amiss, remind her; Xiren can’t look after everyone.” Xiaoyan said, “I know all that; don’t worry. But what about Wu’er?” Baoyu said, “You go tell Liu’s people; have her come in directly tomorrow. Once I’ve told the others, it’ll be settled.” Fangguan heard this and laughed, “Now that’s proper.” Xiaoyan then called two young maids to come in, attend to washing hands and pouring tea, while she herself put away the utensils and handed them to an older maid, then washed her hands and went to find Liu’s household; we’ll say no more of this for now. Baoyu then went out and returned to Red Fragrance Garden to find the sisters, with Fangguan following behind holding his kerchief and fan. Just as they left the courtyard gate, they saw Xiren and Qingwen coming back hand in hand. Baoyu asked, “What are you two up to?” Xiren said, “The meal’s been laid out; we’re waiting for you to eat.” Baoyu laughed and told them what had just happened. Xiren laughed, “I said you were like a cat—whenever you smell something good, you’re drawn to it. Food from another’s pot always smells better. That said, you should still go up and join them for form’s sake.” Qingwen poked Fangguan on the forehead with her finger and said, “You little vixen! How did you manage to sneak off and eat? The two of you planned it without telling me a word.” Xiren laughed, “They just ran into each other by chance; there was no planning, really.” Qingwen said, “If that’s the case, then we’re useless. Tomorrow we’ll all leave, and Fangguan alone will be enough.” Xiren laughed, “We can all go, but you can’t.” Qingwen said, “I’m the first who should go—lazy, slow-witted, bad-tempered, and useless.” Xiren laughed, “If that peacock jacket gets another hole burned in it, who would mend it if you left? Don’t you give me that fussy attitude—when I ask you to do something, you’re too lazy to pick up a horizontal needle or move a vertical thread. It’s not even my personal work I’m asking you to do; it’s all his, and you still won’t do it. But when I was away for a few days, you were sick as a dog, yet you stayed up all night, risking your life to mend it for him—what’s the reason for that? Speak up, don’t just play dumb and laugh at me; that won’t help anything.” Talking this way, they all came to the hall. Aunt Xue had also arrived. Everyone took their seats in order and ate. Baoyu only had half a bowl of rice soaked in tea, just for form’s sake. When the meal was done, they all drank tea, chatted idly, and joked freely.

Outside, Xiao Luo, Xiang Ling, Fang Guan, Rui Guan, Ou Guan, Dou Guan, and four or five others had been playing all over the garden. They gathered some flowers and herbs, carried them in their laps, and sat down in a pile of plants to play the game of “matching flowers.” One said, “I have the Willow of Guanyin.” Another said, “I have the Pine of Arhat.” Yet another said, “I have the Bamboo of the Gentleman.” This one said, “I have the Canna of the Beauty.” Another said, “I have the Green of the Stars.” That one said, “I have the Red of the Monthly Rose.” This one said, “I have the Peony Flower from The Peony Pavilion.” That one said, “I have the Loquat Fruit from The Story of the Lute.” Then Dou Guan said, “I have the Sister Flower.” Everyone was stumped, so Xiang Ling said, “I have the Husband-and-Wife Orchid.” Dou Guan said, “I’ve never heard of a Husband-and-Wife Orchid.” Xiang Ling replied, “A single stem with one flower is an orchid; a single stem with many flowers is a cymbidium. Whenever a cymbidium has two branches, with flowers growing one above the other, it’s called a Brother-and-Brother Cymbidium; with two flowers blooming side by side, it’s called a Husband-and-Wife Cymbidium. This one of mine has two flowers side by side—how is it not that?” Dou Guan had nothing to say, so she stood up and laughed, “If we follow your reasoning, if these two branches were big and small, they’d be a Father-and-Son Cymbidium. If two branches bloomed back to back, they’d be an Enemy Cymbidium. Your husband has been gone for over half a year—are you missing him? You’re even dragging cymbidiums into talk of husbands and wives—how shameless!” Xiang Ling blushed upon hearing this and quickly rose to pinch her, scolding with a laugh, “You little wretch with the rotten mouth! Your whole mouth is full of stinking nonsense! Wait till I get up and beat you to death, you little wretch!” Seeing Xiang Ling about to come at her, Dou Guan wouldn’t let her get up. She immediately threw herself on top of Xiang Ling, pinning her down. Turning her head back, she smiled and begged Rui Guan and the others: “Come on, help me pinch that lying mouth of hers!” The two of them rolled around on the grass. Everyone clapped and laughed, saying, “Oh no! There’s a puddle of water over there—it’s a pity it’s ruined her new skirt!” Dou Guan looked back and saw that indeed, beside them was a pool of rainwater, and half of Xiang Ling’s skirt was soiled and wet. Embarrassed, she quickly let go of Xiang Ling’s hand and ran off. The others couldn’t stop laughing, and afraid Xiang Ling might take her anger out on them, they scattered with a burst of laughter. Xiang Ling stood up and looked down to see her skirt still dripping with green water. She was cursing incessantly when, just by chance, Bao Yu, who had been watching their flower-matching game, came over with some flowers and plants to join the fun. Suddenly seeing everyone run off, leaving only Xiang Ling with her head down fussing over her skirt, he asked, “Why did they all scatter?” Xiang Ling said, “I had a Husband-and-Wife Cymbidium, but they didn’t understand it and said I was making it up. That started a row, and my new skirt got dirtied.” Bao Yu laughed, “You have a Husband-and-Wife Cymbidium, and here I have a Double-Stemmed Water Lily.” As he spoke, he was indeed holding a double-stemmed water lily in his hand, and he also picked up the Husband-and-Wife Cymbidium. Xiang Ling said, “What’s all this about husband and wife, or double-stemmed? Just look at this skirt!” Bao Yu then looked down and gave a start, exclaiming, “Ah! How did it get dragged through the mud? What a pity—this pomegranate-red silk crepe can’t stand stains.” Xiang Ling said, “This was brought by Cousin Bao Qin the other day. Miss Bao Chai made one, and I made one. I only put it on today.” Bao Yu stamped his foot and sighed, “If it were in your household, ruining a hundred of these in a day would mean nothing. But first, since it was brought by Cousin Bao Qin, you and Sister Bao Chai each only have one. Hers is still fine, but yours is already soiled—won’t that let her down? Second, Aunt Xue is an old lady with a sharp tongue. Even as it is, I often hear her say you don’t know how to manage a household, that you only waste things and don’t appreciate good fortune. If Aunt Xue sees this, she’ll go on about it endlessly.” These words struck a chord with Xiang Ling, and instead of being upset, she brightened and smiled, “That’s exactly it. I have several new skirts, but none match this one. If I had one like it, I could quickly change into it, and that would be fine. We’ll deal with the rest later.” Bao Yu said, “Don’t move—just stand still, or else even your underclothes, leggings, and shoe uppers will get dragged in the mud. I have an idea: Xiren made a skirt last month that’s exactly like this one. She’s in mourning and isn’t wearing it now. Why not give it to you to change into? How about that?” Xiang Ling shook her head with a smile and said, “No good. If they hear about it, it won’t be good.” Bao Yu said, “What’s there to fear? When their mourning period is over, if she wants something, won’t you be allowed to give her something else? If you act like this, it’s not like your usual self! Besides, it’s not something to hide. You can even tell Sister Bao Chai about it—it’s only for fear of Aunt Xue getting angry.” Xiang Ling thought it over and found it reasonable, so she nodded and smiled, “All right then, I won’t let your kindness go to waste. I’ll wait for you. Make sure she brings it herself, okay?” Bao Yu was overjoyed, agreed, and hurried back. As he walked, he lowered his head and thought to himself, “What a pity—such a person, without parents, even forgetting her own surname, abducted and then sold to that brute.” He also thought of Ping’er the other day, an unexpected stroke of luck, and today it was even more unexpected. Lost in these random thoughts, he arrived at his room, pulled Xiren aside, and told her the whole story in detail. Everyone felt affection and pity for Xiang Ling’s character. Xiren, who was naturally generous and had always been on good terms with Xiang Ling, immediately opened her trunk, took out the skirt, folded it neatly, and followed Bao Yu to find Xiang Ling, who was still standing there waiting. Xiren smiled and said, “I told you, you’re too mischievous—you just had to stir up some trouble before you’d stop.” Xiang Ling blushed and laughed, “Thank you, sister. Who would have thought those mischief-makers would be so wicked?” As she spoke, she took the skirt, spread it out, and saw it was indeed identical to her own. She then told Bao Yu to turn his face away, and she herself crossed her hands to undo her skirt from inside, then tied on the new one. Xiren said, “Give me the dirty one to take back. I’ll clean it and send it to you later. If you take it back, someone will surely ask about it.” Xiang Ling said, “Good sister, take it and give it to whichever sister you like. I have this one now, so I don’t need it.” Xiren said, “You’re generous indeed.” Xiang Ling quickly bowed and thanked her, and Xiren left with the soiled skirt.

Xiang Ling saw Bao Yu crouching on the ground. He had dug a small pit with a twig for the Husband-and-Wife Cymbidium and the Double-Stemmed Water Lily. First, he scattered some fallen petals at the bottom, then placed the cymbidium and water lily inside, covered them with more petals, and finally mounded earth over them to smooth it out. Xiang Ling took his hand and laughed, “What’s this supposed to be? No wonder everyone says you’re always up to sneaky, creepy, sappy tricks. Look at your hands—all muddy and mossy. Go wash them quickly!” Bao Yu laughed, stood up, and went off to wash his hands, while Xiang Ling also turned to leave. They had taken a few steps apart when Xiang Ling turned back and called to Bao Yu. Bao Yu, not knowing what she wanted, held up his muddy hands and came back with a grin, asking, “What is it?” Xiang Ling just kept laughing. Just then, her little maid Zhen’er came over and said, “Second Miss is waiting to speak with you.” Only then did Xiang Ling say to Bao Yu, “Don’t tell your brother about the skirt.” With that, she turned and walked away. Bao Yu laughed and said, “Am I crazy? I’d be sticking my head into the tiger’s mouth!” And with that, he also went back to wash his hands. If you want to know the details, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.