Chapter 97: Lin Daiyu Burns Her Manuscripts to Break Her Heart of Love; Xue Baochai Leaves Her Boudoir to Perform the Great Rite
CHAPTER 97
Lin Daiyu Burns Her Manuscripts to Break the Spell of Infatuation
Xue Baochu Leaves Her Boudoir to Be Married
Let us return to Daiyu. By the time she reached the entrance of Bamboo Lodge, Zijuan’s words had so stirred her heart that she spat blood and nearly fainted. Fortunately, Qiuwen was still with her, and together the two girls supported Daiyu into her room. As soon as Qiuwen had left, Zijuuan and Xueyan stayed by Daiyu’s side, and when they saw her gradually come to, she asked Zijuuan, “Why are you standing there crying?” Zijuuan, seeing that her mistress was now lucid, felt somewhat relieved. “Just now, miss,” she replied, “when you came back from the old lady’s place, you didn’t seem at all well. It gave us such a fright we didn’t know what to do, and that’s why we were crying.” Daiyu laughed. “How could I be about to die just like that?” But before she could finish the sentence, she was seized by another fit of coughing.
The truth was that Daiyu had just heard of Baoyu’s impending marriage to Baochai. This had been a canker in her heart for years, and the sudden shock of the news had momentarily dazed her. It was only when she got back and spat the blood that she gradually regained her senses, although she could no longer remember anything that had happened earlier. Now, seeing Zijuuan in tears, she dimly recalled the words of Simple Sister, yet instead of grieving, she only wished for a speedy death to end her sufferings. Zijuuan and Xueyan could do nothing but watch over her, wanting to send for someone but fearing, as had happened on a previous occasion, that Xifeng would accuse them of making a fuss over nothing.
When Qiuwen got back to the old lady’s apartments, she was still in a state of panic. It happened that Lady Jia had just woken from her nap. Seeing Qiuwen’s agitation, she asked what was the matter. Qiuwen, frightened, hastily told her everything. Lady Jia was aghast. “This is terrible!” she exclaimed, and immediately sent for Lady Wang and Xifeng. When they arrived, she told them what had happened. Xifeng said, “I gave everyone strict orders. Who could have let it slip? This makes things even more difficult.” Lady Jia replied, “Never mind that now. Let us first go and see how she is.” So saying, she rose and, accompanied by Lady Wang and Xifeng, went to see Daiyu. When they saw her, her face was as white as snow, without a trace of color. She was in a daze, breathing feebly. After a while, she had another fit of coughing. A maid handed her a spittoon, and she spat out phlegm mixed with blood. Everyone was alarmed. Daiyu opened her eyes slightly and, seeing Lady Jia beside her, gasped, “Grandmother, all your love for me has been wasted!” At these words, Lady Jia felt a pang of deep distress. “My dear child,” she said, “just rest. There is nothing to fear.” Daiyu smiled faintly and closed her eyes again.
Just then, a maid came in to report to Xifeng, “The doctor has arrived.” Everyone withdrew a little. Doctor Wang, accompanied by Jia Lian, came in and felt her pulse. “There is no immediate danger,” he said. “This is a case of pent-up anger injuring the liver. The liver can no longer store the blood, which is why her spirit is unsettled. We must now administer astringent and hemostatic drugs to calm the liver and stop the bleeding, and then there may be hope of recovery.” Having said this, Doctor Wang left with Jia Lian to write a prescription and prepare the medicine.
Lady Jia, seeing that Daiyu’s condition was critical, went out and said to Xifeng and the others, “I don’t mean to sound as if I am cursing the child, but I fear this illness of hers may be hard to cure. You should make some preparations, just in case, and perhaps the shock of it will help her rally. If she recovers, so much the better. And if not, at least we won’t be caught unprepared. Our household is already busy enough these days.” Xifeng agreed. Lady Jia then questioned Zijuuan again, but still could not find out who had told Daiyu the news. She was greatly vexed. “The children grew up playing together,” she mused, “and it is natural that they should be close. But now that they are older and understand human affairs, a girl should know her place. That is the proper way for a daughter. If she had other thoughts in her head, what kind of person would she be? Then indeed all my love for her would have been wasted. What you have told me makes me rather uneasy.”
When she returned to her own room, Lady Jia sent for Xiren and questioned her. Xiren repeated what she had told Lady Wang the day before, together with a description of Daiyu’s condition just now. Lady Jia said, “When I saw her just now, she did not seem to be out of her mind. I cannot understand it. In a family like ours, other things are out of the question, but a love-sick heart is absolutely forbidden. If Lin girl’s illness is not that, I would spend any amount of money to cure her. But if it is that, not only is it incurable, but I would have no heart to treat it.” Xifeng said, “There is no need for you to worry about Cousin Lin’s affairs, madam. After all, her cousin is seeing the doctor with her every day. What is more important is the business at Aunt Xue’s. This morning I heard that the house is almost ready. Why don’t you and Lady Wang go over to Aunt Xue’s place? I will go with you, and we can discuss matters. The only problem is that Baochai is at home, which makes it awkward to talk. It might be better to ask Aunt Xue to come over this evening, and we can talk the whole thing through and settle it.” Lady Jia and Lady Wang both agreed. “You are right,” said Lady Jia. “It is late today. Tomorrow after breakfast, we will go over together.” With that, Lady Jia had her dinner. Xifeng and Lady Wang returned to their respective rooms.
The next day, after breakfast, Xifeng came over. She wanted to test Baoyu, so she went into his room and said, “Cousin Baoyu, congratulations! The master has chosen an auspicious day for your wedding. Are you pleased?” Baoyu stared at Xifeng with a smile and nodded slightly. Xifeng smiled and said, “What if we marry Cousin Lin to you? Would you like that?” Baoyu burst out laughing. Xifeng watched him, unable to tell whether he was lucid or confused. She asked again, “The master says he will only let you marry Cousin Lin when you are well. If you are still this silly, he won’t let you marry her.” Baoyu suddenly turned serious. “I am not silly,” he said. “You are the one who is silly.” Then he stood up and said, “I must go and see Cousin Lin and set her mind at rest.” Xifeng quickly stopped him. “Cousin Lin already knows,” she said. “Now that she is about to become a bride, she is naturally shy and won’t see you.” Baoyu asked, “When she is married to me, will she see me or not?” Xifeng found this both amusing and alarming. “Xiren was right,” she thought. “When I mention Lin Daiyu, he still says crazy things, but he seems a bit more lucid. If he really becomes lucid and finds out that it isn’t Lin Daiyu who is being married to him, what a mess that will be!” So she suppressed her smile and said, “If you behave yourself, she will see you. But if you are silly and crazy, she won’t see you.” Baoyu said, “I have a heart. I gave it to Cousin Lin the day before yesterday. When she comes over, she will surely bring it with her and put it back in my belly.” Xifeng realized that he was still raving. She went out and reported this to Lady Jia with a smile. Lady Jia, who had overheard everything, was both amused and distressed. “I heard it all,” she said. “Never mind him now. Tell Xiren to comfort him. Let us go.”
At that moment, Lady Wang arrived. They all went to Aunt Xue’s house, pretending that they had come to see how things were. Aunt Xue was profuse in her gratitude and talked about Xue Pan. After tea, Aunt Xue was about to send for Baochai, but Xifeng quickly stopped her. “There is no need to tell Cousin Baochai, aunt,” she said. Then, with a smile, she added, “The old lady has come partly to see you, aunt, and partly to invite you over to our place to discuss something important.” Aunt Xue nodded. “Very well,” she said. After a little more casual conversation, they all returned.
That same evening, Aunt Xue did indeed come over. After paying her respects to Lady Dowager, she went to Lady Wang’s room, where inevitably they spoke of Wang Ziteng and shed a few more tears. Aunt Xue then asked, “When I went to the old lady’s place just now, Baoyu came out to greet me and seemed perfectly fine, just a little thinner. How is it that you all speak of his illness as so serious?” Xifeng replied, “Actually, it’s nothing much, but the old lady is worried. Now that Lord Zheng is about to leave for his provincial post, no one knows how many years it will be before he returns. The old lady’s idea is, first, to let Lord Zheng see Baoyu settled in marriage so he can be at ease, and second, to use the wedding to counteract Baoyu’s bad luck—borrowing Cousin Baochai’s golden lock to suppress the evil influences, and then he might recover.” Aunt Xue was willing enough in her heart, but feared Baochai might feel aggrieved, so she said, “That’s acceptable, but we should still discuss it carefully and at length.” Lady Wang then followed Xifeng’s words and said to Aunt Xue, “Since your household has no one at home right now, ma’am, it’s best to dispense with the dowry altogether. Tomorrow, send Xue Ke to inform Xue Pan, and while the wedding takes place here, find some way to settle his legal troubles.” She made no mention of Baoyu’s feelings, and added, “Ma’am, now that we’re to be related by marriage, the sooner we bring her over, the sooner we can all set our minds at ease.” As they were speaking, Yuanyang arrived, sent by Lady Dowager to await the news. Although Aunt Xue feared Baochai might feel wronged, she saw no alternative, and given the circumstances, she had no choice but to agree wholeheartedly. Yuanyang returned and reported to Lady Dowager. Lady Dowager was very pleased and sent Yuanyang back to beg Aunt Xue to explain the reasons to Baochai, so that she would not feel put upon. Aunt Xue also agreed. It was then settled that Xifeng and her husband would act as matchmakers. The company dispersed, and Lady Wang and her sister inevitably talked for half the night.
The next day, Aunt Xue returned home and recounted everything from the Jia household in detail to Baochai, adding, “I have already agreed to it.” Baochai at first hung her head in silence, then later began to weep. Aunt Xue comforted her with many kind words and explanations. Baochai retired to her own room, and Baoqin followed to cheer her up. Aunt Xue then told Xue Ke of the plan, ordering him to set out the next day, saying, “First, inquire about the details of the trial, and second, inform your elder brother of the news, then return at once.”
Xue Ke was gone for four days before returning to report to Aunt Xue: “The authorities have already approved the charge against my brother as manslaughter. Once the court session is held, a memorial will be drafted, and they told us to prepare the redemption money. As for my sister’s matter, he said, ‘Mother is doing well to decide things. Hurrying the arrangements saves a good deal of silver. Tell Mother not to wait for me; let things be done as they should.’” Hearing this, Aunt Xue was relieved on two counts: first, that Xue Pan might return home, and second, that Baochai’s marriage would be settled. Still, she noticed that Baochai seemed unwilling in her heart, but thought, “Even so, she is a girl, always filial and observant of propriety. Knowing I have agreed, she will have nothing to say.” So she told Xue Ke: “Prepare the gold-flecked marriage certificate, fill in the eight characters of her horoscope, and have it sent at once to Lian’s place. Also ask for the date of the betrothal gifts, so you can prepare. We originally planned not to disturb any relatives or friends—your brother’s friends, as you said, are all scoundrels, and as for relatives, there are only the Jia and Wang families. Now the Jia family is the groom’s side, and the Wang family has no one in the capital. As for Miss Shi’s engagement, her family didn’t invite us, so we need not inform them. Instead, invite Zhang Dehui over and ask him to help with the arrangements. He’s older and more experienced, after all.” Xue Ke accepted the orders and sent someone to deliver the certificate.
The next day, Jia Lian came over, paid his respects to Aunt Xue, and said, “Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I’ve come today to inform you, ma’am, that the betrothal gifts will be sent tomorrow. I only beg you not to find fault.” With these words, he presented the almanac. Aunt Xue made a few modest remarks, nodded, and agreed. Jia Lian hurried back to report to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng said, “Tell the old lady that since we’re not letting relatives and friends know, everything should be kept as simple as possible. As for the gifts, let the old lady inspect them; there’s no need to inform me.” Jia Lian assented and went inside to relay this to Lady Dowager.
Here Lady Wang summoned Xifeng and ordered that the betrothal gifts be sent to Lady Jia for her inspection, and also told Xiren to inform Baoyu. Baoyu laughed gleefully and said, “They’re sending these things from here to the Garden, and later from the Garden they’ll be sent back here. Our people deliver them, our people receive them—what’s the point of it all?” Lady Jia and Lady Wang heard this and said with delight, “They call him muddled, but how clear-headed he is today!” Yuanyang and the others could not help laughing, but had to step forward and point out each item one by one for Lady Jia to see, saying, “This is a gold neck-ring, these are gold and pearl ornaments, eighty pieces in all. These are forty bolts of embroidered silk for wedding robes. These are one hundred and twenty bolts of various silks and satins. These are one hundred and twenty sets of clothing for the four seasons. Outside, they haven’t prepared the sheep and wine; this is the silver in lieu of sheep and wine.” Lady Jia looked at everything and said, “Good,” then said softly to Xifeng, “Go and tell Aunt Xue: this is not mere empty ceremony; ask her to wait until Xue Pan comes out and then slowly have someone make the items for his sister. As for the bedding for the auspicious day, we might as well prepare it here.” Xifeng agreed, went out, and told Jia Lian to go over first, then called Zhou Rui, Wang’er, and the others, instructing them: “Don’t go through the main gate; send everything through the side gate that was previously opened in the Garden. I’ll go over there as well. That gate is far from the Xiaoxiang Pavilion; if anyone from other places sees you, tell them not to mention it in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.” The servants acknowledged and went off with the gifts. Baoyu took it all as true and was greatly pleased; his spirits seemed somewhat improved, though his speech remained somewhat wild and foolish. Those who returned from delivering the gifts did not mention any names, so although everyone high and low knew about it, because of Xifeng’s orders, they dared not let the news leak out.
Now, although Daiyu was taking medicine, her illness grew worse day by day. Zijuan and the others pleaded earnestly by her side, saying, “Things have come to this point; we must speak. We know what is in your heart, miss. As for any unexpected event, there simply isn’t one. If you don’t believe us, just consider Baoyu’s condition—with such a serious illness, how could he possibly go through with a marriage? Don’t listen to wild talk, miss; calm yourself and take care of your health.” Daiyu smiled faintly, said nothing in reply, then coughed a few times and brought up a good deal of blood. Zijuan and the others looked at her and saw she was barely breathing, gasping for life; they knew they could not persuade her, and could only stay by her side weeping. Every day they went three or four times to report to Lady Jia. Yuanyang, sensing that Lady Jia’s affection for Daiyu had recently waned compared to before, did not go to report as often. Moreover, these days Lady Jia’s mind was entirely on Baochai and Baoyu; when no news came of Daiyu, she hardly mentioned her, merely asking the imperial physician to continue treatment.
Daiyu had long been ill, and from Lady Jia down to the maids of the other young ladies, people had often come to inquire after her. Now she saw that everyone in the Jia household, high and low, had stopped coming; there was not even a single person to ask after her. When she opened her eyes, there was only Zijuan. Concluding that there was no chance of survival, she struggled to say to Zijuan, “Sister, you are my most intimate confidante. Although the old lady assigned you to wait on me these past years, I have regarded you as my own blood sister.” As she said this, her breath failed again. Zijuan heard her, and a pang of grief choked her; she was already crying so hard she could not speak. After a long pause, Daiyu, still panting, said, “Sister Zijuan, I am uncomfortable lying down. Help me up to lean against something and sit.” Zijuan said, “Your body is not well, miss; if you get up, you might catch a chill.” When Daiyu heard this, she closed her eyes and said nothing. A moment later, she wanted to get up again. Zijuan had no choice but to help her up together with Xueyan, propping her up with soft pillows on both sides, while she herself leaned beside her.
How could Daiyu sit steadily? She felt a sharp pain in her lower body and struggled to endure it. She called Xueyan over and said, “My poetry notebook.” As she spoke, she panted. Xueyan thought she wanted the poetry drafts she had sorted out the other day, so she found them and brought them before Daiyu. Daiyu nodded, then raised her eyes to look at the chest. Xueyan did not understand and stood there dumbfounded. Daiyu glared angrily, her eyes wide open, then coughed again and spat out another mouthful of blood. Xueyan quickly turned back to fetch water; Daiyu rinsed her mouth and spat into the basin. Zijuan wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief. Daiyu then took that handkerchief and pointed toward the chest, panting heavily, unable to speak, and closed her eyes. Zijuan said, “Miss, lie down and rest a while.” Daiyu shook her head again. Zijuan thought she wanted a handkerchief, so she told Xueyan to open the chest and take out a piece of white silk. Daiyu looked at it, threw it aside, and said with effort, “The one with writing on it.” Only then did Zijuan understand—she meant the old handkerchief with poems on it. She had no choice but to tell Xueyan to take it out and hand it to Daiyu. Zijuan urged, “Miss, rest a while. Why wear yourself out? Look at it when you’re better.” But as they watched, Daiyu took it in her hand. She did not look at the poems, but struggled to stretch out that hand and frantically tried to tear the silk, yet she could only tremble; she could not tear it at all. Zijuan already knew she was angry at Baoyu, but dared not say so openly, only remarking, “Miss, why torment yourself and get angry!” Daiyu nodded, tucked the handkerchief into her sleeve, and told Xueyan to light the lamp. Xueyan agreed and quickly lit the lamp.
Daiyu looked at it, then closed her eyes and sat for a while. After panting a bit, she said again, "Light the brazier." Zijuan thought she was cold, so she said, "Lie down, miss, and put on another coverlet. The charcoal fumes might be too much for you." Daiyu shook her head again. Xueyan had no choice but to light the brazier and place it on the brazier stand on the floor. Daiyu nodded, meaning for it to be moved onto the kang. Xueyan had to carry it up and go out to get the small kang table for the brazier. Daiyu then raised herself up a little, and Zijuan had to support her with both hands. Only then did Daiyu take the handkerchief she had just had in her hand, looked at the fire, nodded, and threw it in. Zijuan was startled and wanted to snatch it, but she dared not move her hands. Xueyan had gone out again to get the brazier table; by then the handkerchief was already burning. Zijuan remonstrated, "Miss, what is the meaning of this?" Daiyu acted as if she hadn't heard, turned back, and picked up the poetry manuscript, looked at it, and then threw it down again. Zijuan, afraid she would burn that too, quickly leaned her body against Daiyu to hold her steady, and as she freed a hand to grab it, Daiyu had already picked it up again and thrown it onto the fire. By this time Zijuan could not reach it and was frantic with worry. Xueyan was just bringing in the table when she saw Daiyu throw something, and not knowing what it was, she hurried to grab it, but the paper caught fire as soon as it touched the flame, and there was no time to wait; it was already blazing. Xueyan, regardless of burning her hands, snatched it from the fire and threw it on the ground, stamping on it wildly, but it was already burned to almost nothing. Daiyu closed her eyes and fell backward, nearly knocking Zijuan over. Zijuan quickly called Xueyan to help her lay Daiyu down, her heart pounding wildly. She wanted to call someone, but it was already late; if she didn't call anyone, she herself, along with Xueyan, Yingge, and a few other maids, feared some sudden mishap. They barely managed to get through the night. By early the next morning, Daiyu seemed to have revived a little. After the midday meal, she suddenly started coughing and vomiting again, and her condition worsened. Zijuan, seeing this as ominous, quickly called Xueyan and the others in to watch over her, while she herself went to report to Grandmother Jia. But when she reached the main hall of Grandmother Jia's compound, it was utterly quiet, with only two or three old nannies and a few rough-work maids keeping watch over the house. Zijuan then asked, "Where is the old lady?" They all said they didn't know. Finding this strange, Zijuan went to Baoyu's room to look, but it was also empty. She asked the maids in the room, and they too said they didn't know. Zijuan already understood seven or eight parts of it. "But how can these people be so cruel and cold-hearted!" She also thought that in these last few days, not even a single person had come to ask about Daiyu. The more she thought, the sadder she became, and it stirred up a fit of pent-up anger. She turned and walked out. After thinking it over to herself, she said, "Today I will see what Baoyu looks like! See how he can face me! That year, when I told a lie, he got so anxious he fell ill, and today he has actually done this openly! This just shows that the hearts of men under heaven are truly as cold as ice and snow, enough to make one gnash one's teeth!" Walking and thinking, she soon arrived at Happy Red Court. She saw that the courtyard gate was ajar, and inside it was very quiet. Zijuan suddenly thought, "If he is marrying, of course there must be a new bridal chamber. But I wonder where this new bridal chamber is?" Just as she was standing there hesitating and looking around, she saw Moyu running past. Zijuan called out to stop him. Moyu came over grinning and said, "What are you doing here, sister?" Zijuan said, "I heard that Master Bao is getting married, and I wanted to see the excitement. But it seems he is not here. I don't know what time it is." Moyu said quietly, "I'm only telling you this, sister, but don't tell Xueyan and the others. The higher-ups have ordered that even you are not to know. It's tonight that he's marrying, and it's not here. The master ordered Master Lian to prepare another house." Then he asked, "Do you have any business, sister?" Zijuan said, "No business. You go on." Moyu ran off again. Zijuan stood there in a daze for a while, then suddenly thought of Daiyu, not knowing now whether she was alive or dead. With tears streaming from her eyes, she gritted her teeth and said fiercely, "Baoyu, I'll see if you can hide from her when she dies tomorrow! After you've had your heart's desire, what face will you have to see me?" Crying and walking, sobbing all the way, she went back by herself. Before she reached the Bamboo Lodge, she saw two little maids peeping out from inside the gate. As soon as they saw Zijuan, one of them shouted, "Isn't that Sister Zijuan coming!" Zijuan knew something was wrong and quickly waved her hand to stop the shouting. She hurried in to look and saw that Daiyu was suffering from a flare-up of liver fire, her cheekbones flushed bright red. Zijuan felt this was ominous and called for Daiyu's wet nurse, Old Nurse Wang. As soon as she came in and saw, she burst out crying. Zijuan had thought that since Old Nurse Wang was older, she could provide some moral support, but it turned out she had no ideas at all, which only made Zijuan more anxious. Suddenly she thought of someone and told a little maid to go quickly and invite her. Who do you think it was? It was Li Wan, whom Zijuan remembered was a widow and would naturally avoid the wedding today. Besides, Li Wan had always been in charge of affairs in the Garden, so she sent someone to invite her.
Li Wan was right then correcting Jia Lan's poetry when a maid abruptly came in to report, "Madam, I'm afraid Miss Lin is not going to make it. They are all crying over there." Li Wan was greatly startled when she heard this, and without even asking any more questions, she immediately stood up and left, with Suyun and Biyue following. As she walked, she wept, thinking, "We sisters have been together for so long, and besides, her appearance and talent are truly unmatched, only comparable to the goddesses of frost and the moon. To die so young and become a maiden of the northern hills! And just when Xifeng devised that scheme to substitute one thing for another, I couldn't even bring myself to go to the Bamboo Lodge, unable to fulfill the sisterly bond between us. Truly pitiable and lamentable." As she was thinking, she had already reached the gate of the Bamboo Lodge. Inside, it was utterly silent. This made Li Wan anxious, and she thought, "She must be dead already, and the crying is over. I wonder if the burial clothes have been properly arranged?" She hurried, taking two steps at a time, into the room.
A little maid at the inner doorway had already seen her and said, “Madam Li is here.” Zijuan hurried out and met Li Wan face to face. Li Wan asked quickly, “How is she?” Zijuan tried to speak, but could only sob, unable to utter a single word. Her tears fell like a string of broken pearls, and she merely pointed back at Daiyu with one hand. Seeing Zijuan in such a state, Li Wan felt even more distressed. She asked no further questions but hurried over. When she looked, Daiyu could no longer speak. Li Wan called her name softly twice; Daiyu’s eyes opened slightly, as if she were still aware, but only her eyelids and lips moved faintly, and there was still breath coming and going from her mouth, yet not a word nor a tear remained. Li Wan turned and, seeing that Zijuan was not nearby, asked Xueyan. Xueyan said, “She’s in the outer room.” Li Wan quickly went out and saw Zijuan lying on the empty bed in the outer room, her face sallow, eyes closed, weeping without stop. Her tears and mucus had soaked a bowl-sized patch on the embroidered brocade mattress. Li Wan hurriedly called to her, and only then did Zijuan slowly open her eyes and sit up. Li Wan said, “Silly girl, what time is this, that you can only cry! Haven’t you brought out Miss Lin’s burial clothes to change her into? How much longer will you wait? Is she a young lady, and you’d let her go naked and bare into the next world?” At these words, Zijuan could no longer hold back her wailing. Li Wan, crying herself, anxious and wiping her tears, patted Zijuan’s shoulder and said, “Good child, you’ve muddled my heart with your crying. Hurry and get her things ready; any more delay and it will be too late.” As they were thus occupied, someone rushed in frantically from outside, startling Li Wan. Looking up, she saw it was Pinger. Pinger ran in and, seeing the scene, stood dumbfounded. Li Wan said, “Why aren’t you over there at this hour? What have you come for?” As she spoke, Lin Zhixiao’s wife also entered. Pinger said, “Madam was worried and sent me to see. Since you’re here, Madam Li, our mistress will attend to that other matter.” Li Wan nodded. Pinger said, “I’d also like to see Miss Lin.” With these words, she went inside, already shedding tears. Meanwhile, Li Wan said to Lin Zhixiao’s wife, “You’ve come just in time. Go out quickly and take a look. Tell the steward to prepare for Miss Lin’s funeral. When it’s settled, have him come back and report to me; there’s no need to go over there.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife agreed but still stood there. Li Wan asked, “Is there something else?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife said, “Just now, Master Lian’s wife and the old lady discussed it; they want to use Zijuan over there for a while.” Before Li Wan could reply, Zijuan said, “Nanny Lin, please go on ahead. Wait until the person is dead, and we’ll naturally leave; why use such—" Here she stopped, unable to continue, then changed her words: “Besides, we’re here tending the sick, and we’re not clean. Miss Lin still has breath; she keeps calling for me.” Li Wan interjected, “Truly, this Miss Lin and this maid have a karmic bond from a past life. Xueyan was brought from the south with her, yet she pays her little heed. But Zijuan—I see those two cannot be apart for a moment.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife had been displeased by Zijuan’s earlier words, but after Li Wan’s explanation, she had nothing to say. Seeing Zijuan crying like a figure made of tears, she could only stare at her with a slight smile and then said, “Miss Zijuan’s idle words don’t matter, but she says them, and how am I to report back to the old lady? Besides, can such words be told to Master Lian’s wife?” Just then, Pinger came out wiping her tears and asked, “Tell Master Lian’s wife what?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife repeated what had just been said. Pinger lowered her head for a moment and said, “In that case, let Xueyan go instead.” Li Wan asked, “Is she suitable?” Pinger went over and whispered a few words in Li Wan’s ear. Li Wan nodded and said, “If that’s the case, sending Xueyan over will be the same.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife then asked Pinger, “Is Miss Xueyan suitable?” Pinger replied, “She is; it’s all the same.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife said, “Then, miss, quickly call Miss Xueyan to follow me. I’ll go back and report to the old lady and Master Lian’s wife, saying this was your idea and Madam Li’s. Later, you can report separately to Master Lian’s wife.” Li Wan said, “Very well. At your age, can’t you even take responsibility for such a small matter?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife smiled and said, “It’s not that I won’t take responsibility; first, this matter was arranged by the old lady and Master Lian’s wife, and we don’t fully understand it; second, you and Miss Pinger are here.” As she spoke, Pinger had already called Xueyan out. It turned out that Xueyan, having been dismissed these past days as a child who knew nothing, had grown indifferent. Moreover, hearing that it was the old lady and Master Lian’s wife who summoned her, she dared not refuse. She quickly tidied her hair, and Pinger told her to change into fresh clothes. Then she followed Lin Zhixiao’s wife out. Afterwards, Pinger exchanged a few more words with Li Wan. Li Wan instructed Pinger to go that way and urge Lin Zhixiao’s wife to have her husband prepare things quickly. Pinger agreed and went out. Turning a corner, she saw Lin Zhixiao’s wife walking ahead with Xueyan and quickly called out, “Let me take her instead. You go and tell Steward Lin to prepare Miss Lin’s things. I’ll report to the mistress on your behalf.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife agreed and left. Here, Pinger took Xueyan to the bridal chamber, reported the matter, and then went about her own business.
Now Xueyan, seeing this scene, thought of her own mistress and could not help but feel heartbroken, though she dared not show it before Grandmother Jia and Xifeng. She thought to herself, “I wonder what they need me for. I’ll just see. Baoyu has always been as thick as honey with our young lady, but now he doesn’t even show his face. Is he truly ill or faking it? Afraid our young lady would object, he pretended to lose his jade and played the fool, to make her lose heart, so he could marry Miss Bao. Let me go and see him—see if he plays the fool when he sees me. Surely he can’t keep up the act today!” With these thoughts, she slipped to the inner room doorway and peeked in secretly. At this time, Baoyu, though dazed from losing his jade, had heard that he was to marry Daiyu, which he considered the most satisfying and joyful thing under heaven and on earth since ancient times. His body immediately felt stronger—though he was not as sharp as before, which was why Xifeng’s clever scheme worked perfectly. He could hardly wait to see Daiyu, and on this wedding day, he was so delighted he danced with joy. Though he spoke a few words, his manner was vastly different from when he was ill. Xueyan, seeing this, felt both angry and sad. Not understanding Baoyu’s feelings, she slipped away.
Here, Baoyu told Xiren to dress him in his wedding clothes quickly and sat in Lady Wang’s room. Watching Xifeng and Madam You bustling about, he grew impatient for the auspicious hour and kept asking Xiren, “When Sister Lin comes from the Garden, why is it such a bother? Why isn’t she here yet?” Xiren suppressed a smile and said, “We’re waiting for the right time.” Later, he heard Xifeng say to Lady Wang, “Though there’s mourning, we won’t use drums and music outside. But according to our southern custom, we must bow at the ceremony, and it won’t do to have it too quiet. I’ve summoned the women from the household who have learned music and managed the opera troupe to play and blow, to make it livelier.” Lady Wang nodded and said, “That’s fine.”
Soon, the large sedan chair entered through the main gate. The household’s soft music went out to greet it, and twelve pairs of palace lanterns were carried in, a fresh and elegant sight. The master of ceremonies invited the bride to step out of the sedan chair. Baoyu saw the bride veiled, supported by the bridal attendant in red. Do you know who was supporting her on the other side? It was Xueyan. Seeing Xueyan, Baoyu thought, “Why didn’t Zijuan come? Why her instead?” Then he thought, “Of course—Xueyan was brought from her home in the south; Zijuan is still from our household, so naturally she wasn’t needed to be brought along.” Thus, seeing Xueyan, he was as delighted as if he had seen Daiyu herself. The master of ceremonies announced the bows to heaven and earth. Grandmother Jia was invited to receive four bows, then Jia Zheng and his wife were asked to ascend the hall. After the bows were completed, the couple was led into the bridal chamber. There were also the rituals of sitting on the bed and scattering the curtains, all according to the old customs of Jinling. Jia Zheng, acting on Grandmother Jia’s authority, dared not oppose her and did not believe in the “rousing the spirit” theory. But seeing Baoyu that day behaving almost like a normal person, he was pleased. When the bride sat on the bed, she was about to lift the veil, but Xifeng had already prepared for this, so she invited Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang to go in and attend to things.
At this point Baoyu was still somewhat dazed. He went up to the bride and said, “Are you better now, cousin? I haven’t seen you for days. What are you doing hiding under this wretched thing?” He was about to lift the veil, which made Grandmother Jia break out in a cold sweat with anxiety. But then Baoyu had second thoughts: “Cousin Lin is quick to take offense. I mustn’t be rash.” He paused for a moment, but still couldn’t contain himself, and finally stepped forward and lifted it. The bridal attendant took away the red veil; Xueyan moved aside, and Yinger and the others came forward to attend. Baoyu opened his eyes wide and looked—it seemed to be Baochai. He couldn’t believe it. Holding the lamp in one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other, he looked again. And indeed it was Baochai! There she was in full bridal finery, her shoulders full and figure plump, her hair coils low and tresses drooping, her eyes languid and brows faint—truly like a dewdrop on a lotus petal, or an apricot blossom veiled in mist. Baoyu stood stupefied for a while. Then he saw Yinger standing beside her, but Xueyan was gone. Baoyu now had no idea what was happening; he thought to himself that he must be dreaming, and just stood there in a daze. The others took the lamp from him and helped him sit down again. He stared straight ahead, not uttering a single word. Afraid that his illness might recur, Grandmother Jia personally helped him onto the bed. Xifeng and Madam You invited Baochai into the inner room to sit on the bed. Baochai, of course, kept her head lowered and said nothing. After Baoyu had collected himself a little, he saw Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang sitting over there, and whispered to Xiren, “Where am I? Isn’t this a dream?” Xiren said, “Today is your happy day. What nonsense about dreams and no dreams? Your father is outside.” Baoyu pointed surreptitiously with his finger and said, “Who is that beautiful lady sitting over there?” Xiren covered her mouth with her hand, laughing so hard she couldn’t speak. After a long pause she said, “That is the new Second Young Mistress.” Everyone else turned their heads away, unable to suppress their laughter. Baoyu said, “How stupid of me! Tell me, who is this ‘Second Young Mistress’ after all?” Xiren said, “Miss Baochai.” Baoyu said, “And where is Miss Lin?” Xiren said, “The master arranged the marriage to Miss Baochai. How can you start talking wildly about Miss Lin?” Baoyu said, “But I just now saw Miss Lin, and Xueyan was there too! How can you say she isn’t here? What kind of game are you all playing?” Xifeng then came up and said softly, “Miss Baochai is sitting in the room. Don’t talk nonsense, or you’ll offend her, and the old lady won’t let it pass.” When Baoyu heard this, his confusion became even worse. He had always been subject to spells of delirium, and tonight’s bewildering events only left him more at a loss. He paid no heed to anything else, and kept insisting, over and over, that he must go and find Cousin Lin. Grandmother Jia and the others tried to soothe him, but he simply would not understand. And with Baochai present, they could not speak plainly. Knowing that Baoyu’s old illness had recurred, they did not try to explain, but simply had the room filled with the smoke of benzoin incense to calm his spirit, and helped him lie down. Everyone was silent as mice. After a short while, Baoyu fell into a deep, stuporous sleep. Only then did Grandmother Jia and the others feel a little relieved. They could only sit and wait for dawn, and told Xifeng to see Baochai to rest. Baochai pretended not to hear, and simply lay down in the inner room fully dressed for a brief rest. Outside, Jia Zheng did not know what was happening inside. Judging only from what he had seen with his own eyes, he felt quite relieved. As it happened, the next day was the auspicious day for his departure. After a short rest, the family came to offer congratulations and see him off. Seeing that Baoyu was asleep, Grandmother Jia also returned to her own room to rest for a while.
The next morning, Jia Zheng took leave of the ancestral hall, then came to bid farewell to Grandmother Jia. He reported: “Your unfilial son is going far away. I only hope that you, Mother, will follow the seasons and take good care of your health. As soon as I reach my post, I will send a letter to pay my respects. There is no need to worry. As for Baoyu’s affairs, I have already complied with your wishes and settled the marriage. I only beg you, Mother, to instruct and admonish him.” Fearing that Jia Zheng would be anxious on the road, Grandmother Jia did not mention that Baoyu had had a relapse. She only said, “I have one thing to say. Baoyu’s wedding last night was not yet a consummation. Today, as you set out, he ought by rights to see you off some distance. But because his illness was treated by the ‘happy event to counteract bad luck,’ he has only just recovered a little. And after yesterday’s exertions, if he goes out, he might catch a chill. That is why I am asking you: if you want him to see you off, I will send for him at once. But if you care for him, I will have someone bring him here so you can see him, and let him kowtow to you, and that will be enough.” Jia Zheng said, “What need is there for him to see me off? As long as from now on he studies his books in earnest, that will please me more than any farewell.” When Grandmother Jia heard this, she felt another burden lifted. She asked Jia Zheng to sit down, and told Yuanyang to do thus and so, and to bring Baoyu with Xiren following. Before long, Yuanyang returned with Baoyu, and he was made to perform the proper obeisances. When Baoyu saw his father, his mind cleared a little, and for a brief moment he was lucid, without any great lapse. Jia Zheng gave him a few instructions, and Baoyu acknowledged them. Jia Zheng had someone help Baoyu back to his room. He himself went to Lady Wang’s apartment, and there earnestly charged her to discipline their son strictly, and on no account to spoil him as before. At the provincial examination next year, he must be made to sit for it. Lady Wang listened to all this without raising any other matters. She immediately ordered someone to help Baochai over, and the new bride performed the rites of seeing off the traveler, but did not leave the room. The other womenfolk from the inner quarters escorted him as far as the second gate and then returned. Jia Zhen and the others also received a round of admonitions. Everyone raised their cups to see him off. A whole company of younger brothers, nephews, and junior relatives escorted him all the way to the ten-mile pavilion before parting. We will say no more of Jia Zheng’s departure for his post.
Let us speak instead of Baoyu. When he returned, his old illness struck with sudden violence. He became even more confused and dazed, to the point where he could not even take any food or drink. Whether his life was to be spared or not will be told in the next chapter.