Chapter 115

Chapter 115

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Chapter 115

Misled by Partiality, Xichun Holds Fast to Her Pure Resolve;

Proving His Kinship, Baoyu Loses His Soulmate

Baoyu had been caught out by Baochai after his slip of the tongue and was trying to gloss over it when Qiuren came in and said, "The Master is asking for you, Second Master." Baoyu was only too glad to leave. He went to Jia Zheng, who said, "I've sent for you for no other reason. Since you are in mourning, it's not convenient for you to go to the family school. At home you must review the texts you have studied. I've been rather idle these past few days. Every two or three days I shall set a few essays for you to write so that I can see whether you have made any progress." Baoyu could do nothing but agree. Jia Zheng went on, "I've also told your Cousin Huan and Nephew Lan to review their work. If your essays turn out worse than theirs, that would never do." Baoyu dared not say a word, simply assenting and standing there without moving. "Go along, then," said Jia Zheng. Baoyu withdrew and, on his way out, ran into Lai Da and several others coming in carrying some ledgers.

Baoyu sped back to his own room. When Baochai asked him why he had been summoned, she was pleased to learn it was to write essays. Baoyu himself was reluctant, but did not dare neglect the task. He was just about to sit down and collect his thoughts when two nuns came in. Baoyu recognized them as from the Ksitigarbha Convent. They came up to Baochai and said, "We've come to pay our respects, Second Mistress." Baochai gave them a cool reception and asked, "How are you?" Then she told a maid, "Pour some tea for the Reverend Mothers." Baoyu had wanted to chat with the nuns, but seeing that Baochai seemed to dislike them, he did not strike up a conversation. The nuns, knowing that Baochai was a cold woman, did not stay long but took their leave. Baochai said, "Do stay a little longer." They replied, "We performed a merit-making service at the Iron Threshold Temple and haven't come to pay our respects to the Mistresses and Ladies for some time. Now that we're here, having paid our respects to you and the other ladies, we still want to see Fourth Miss." Baochai nodded and let them go.

The nun went to Xichun's quarters and, upon seeing Caiping, asked, "Where is Miss?"

Caiping said, "Don't even mention it. Miss hasn't eaten anything for days, just lying there."

The nun asked, "Why?"

Caiping said, "It's a long story. If you see Miss, she'll probably tell it to you herself."

Xichun had already heard them and quickly sat up. "Well, aren't you two fine ones? Now that our family fortunes have declined, you stop coming."

The nun said, "Amida Buddha! Whether we have or whether we have not, we are all the same benefactors. Not to mention that this is our own family's nunnery—how many kindnesses have we not received from the Old Lady? Now that the Old Lady's affairs are settled, the Ladies and the young mistresses have all been seen, but we haven't seen you, Miss, and we've been worried. That's why we came specially to see you today."

Xichun then asked about the nuns from Water Moon Nunnery. The nun said, "There's been some trouble at their nunnery, and the gatekeepers won't let them in regularly anymore." Then she asked Xichun, "We heard some time ago that Sister Miao from Longcui Nunnery went off with someone?"

Xichun said, "What nonsense! People who say such things ought to have their tongues cut out. She was carried off by robbers—how can anyone spread such vicious lies?"

The nun said, "Sister Miao's character was rather eccentric. Perhaps she was just putting on an act. We can't very well say such things in front of you, Miss. We're not like these coarse folk who only know how to chant sutras and pray to Buddha, to perform repentance rites for others and cultivate merit for ourselves."

Xichun said, "What exactly is a good fruit?"

The nun said, "With a family as virtuous as ours, one need not fear. But with other families, even ladies of rank and young ladies cannot guarantee a lifetime of glory. When hardship comes, there is no saving them. Only the Bodhisattva Guanyin, in her great compassion and mercy, when she encounters people in suffering, stirs with a merciful heart and finds ways to relieve them. That is why everyone now speaks of the great, compassionate, merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva who saves from suffering and hardship. We who practice the Way, though we suffer far more than the ladies and young ladies, at least have no peril. Though we cannot become Buddhas or patriarchs, if we cultivate well in the next life, we may be reborn as men, and that would be a good thing in itself. It's not like being born into a woman's body, where all the grievances and hardships cannot be spoken aloud. You don't know, Miss—if a young lady leaves home to marry, her whole life is even more unbearable under someone else's thumb. As for cultivation, what matters is cultivating what is true. Sister Miao thought herself more talented than the rest of us and looked down on us as vulgar, but it is precisely the vulgar who can form good karmic connections. In the end, she has met a great calamity."

Xichun, finding the nun's words striking exactly where she herself stood, no longer minded the maids being present and told her everything—how Madam You had treated her, and the incident of guarding the house the other day. She pointed to her hair and said, "Do you think I'm the kind of person with no mind of my own who would cling to the fiery pit? I've had this intention for a long time; I just couldn't find the way."

The nun, on hearing this, pretended to be alarmed. "Don't say such things again, Miss! If the Elder Mistress finds out, she'll curse us to death and drive us out of the nunnery! With your quality, Miss, and your family, you'll be matched with a fine young gentleman and enjoy a lifetime of glory and wealth."

Before she could finish, Xichun flushed and said, "If the Elder Mistress can drive you out, can't I?"

The nun, knowing this was her true heart, decided to goad her further. "Don't blame us for speaking out of turn, Miss. Would the Ladies and the young mistresses ever allow you to have your way? If it came to a scandal, that would be unpleasant. We're speaking for your own good."

Xichun said, "That remains to be seen."

Caiping and the others, seeing that the conversation was taking a dangerous turn, gave the nun a meaningful look, telling her to leave. The nun understood. She had been afraid all along and did not dare to push things further, so she took her leave. Xichun did not keep her, but said with a cold laugh, "Do you think the whole world consists of nothing but your Ksitigarbha Nunnery?"

The nun did not dare reply and left.

Caiping, seeing that things were going badly and fearing she would be blamed, quietly went to tell Madam You, saying, "Miss Si hasn't given up the idea of cutting off her hair. These past few days she hasn't been ill—she's been railing against fate. You should be on your guard, ma'am. If something happens, the blame will fall on us."

Madam You said, "It's not that she wants to become a nun. It's that the Elder Master is not at home, and she's set her mind on making things difficult for me. There's nothing to be done but let her be."

Caiping and the others could do nothing but try to reason with her constantly. But Xichun went a day without eating, and all she wanted was to cut off her hair. Caiping and the others could not bear it and had to go and report it in every quarter. Lady Xing and Lady Wang both tried to persuade her several times, but Xichun was obstinately set on her course.

Lady Xing and Lady Wang were just about to tell Jia Zheng when word came from outside: "Madam Zhen has arrived with their young master Baoyu." Everyone hurried out to receive her, and they seated her in Lady Wang's quarters. The various greetings and inquiries into health need not be recounted in detail. Suffice it to say that Lady Wang, remarking that the Zhen Baoyu and their own Baoyu were indistinguishable, asked to have the Zhen Baoyu brought in for a meeting. A message was sent out, and the reply came back: "Young Master Zhen is in the outer study with the master, and they're getting on famously. He's sent someone to invite the Second and Third Young Masters, as well as Master Lan, to have dinner outside. They'll come in after eating."

With that, the meal was served inside. No more of this.

Meanwhile, Jia Zheng, having found that Zhen Baoyu's appearance indeed matched Baoyu's own and having tested his literary talents, which flowed forth in fluent response, felt deeply impressed. He therefore called Baoyu and his two companions out to spur them on. Moreover, he wished to have Baoyu make a direct comparison. Baoyu obeyed, dressed in plain clothes, and brought out his younger brother and nephew. When he saw Zhen Baoyu, it was as if they were old acquaintances. Zhen Baoyu, for his part, felt he had seen Baoyu somewhere before. The two exchanged greetings, and then Jia Huan and Jia Lan were presented. Jia Zheng had been sitting on the floor and wished to offer Zhen Baoyu a chair. But Zhen Baoyu, being of the younger generation, did not dare to sit in the higher seat, so he had a cushion spread on the floor and sat there. Now that Baoyu and the others had come out, they could not sit with Jia Zheng, and since Zhen Baoyu was a generation below them, it would not do to have Baoyu and the others stand. Jia Zheng, realizing the awkwardness, stood and spoke a few more words, then ordered the meal to be served, saying, "I must excuse myself. Let my sons keep you company and chat with you, so that they may benefit from your superior instruction." Zhen Baoyu modestly replied, "Uncle, please do not let me detain you. I am eager to learn from my cousins." Jia Zheng made a few more remarks and then retired to his inner study. Zhen Baoyu would have seen him out, but Jia Zheng stopped him. Baoyu and the others had already hurried out and stood in the doorway watching Jia Zheng depart, then came back in and invited Zhen Baoyu to sit. After exchanging the customary courtesies and mutual expressions of long admiration, which need not be recounted in detail, the conversation continued.

Now, when Jia Baoyu saw Zhen Baoyu, he recalled the scene from his dream and, knowing Zhen Baoyu's character, felt certain that he must share his own convictions. He thought he had found a kindred spirit. But since this was their first meeting, he could not be too forward. Moreover, Jia Huan and Jia Lan were present, so he could only lavish praise, saying, "I have long admired your distinguished name and regretted that I could not be close to you. Meeting you today, I find you are truly a being of the caliber of an immortal exiled from heaven." Zhen Baoyu, for his part, had long known of Jia Baoyu's character, and now that they had met, he found it was indeed as he had heard. "Still, he can study with me, but I cannot walk the same path as him. Since he shares my name and my face, he must be an old familiar soul from the Stone of Three Lives. Now that I have gained some understanding of principle, why should I not share it with him? But this is our first meeting, and I do not yet know whether his heart is the same as mine. I must proceed slowly." He said, "Your reputation, elder cousin, I have always known. Among tens of thousands of men, you are the most pure and refined, while I am but an ordinary fool. That I should share your name is indeed a stain upon those two characters." Jia Baoyu thought to himself, "This man's heart is truly the same as mine. But we are both men—how can we compare in purity to those girls? Why does he speak of me as if I were a girl?" He said, "You do me too great an honor, which I do not deserve. I am the most muddle-headed and foolish of creatures, nothing but a worthless piece of rock. How dare I compare myself to your pure and lofty reputation? The words you speak are too kind." Zhen Baoyu said, "In my youth, I did not know my own limitations and thought I could still be polished. Who could have known that when our family fell into ruin, in the years since I have become more worthless than rubble? Though I dare not say I have tasted every hardship, I have gained some understanding of the ways of the world and human nature. You, elder cousin, have had fine clothes and jade food, with nothing going against your wishes. Your literary talent and practical ability must be far above others, which is why your father treasures you and regards you as a precious gem for the table. That is why I say your noble name is truly fitting." Jia Baoyu, hearing this line of talk, recognized it as approaching the old clichés of careerist scholars and tried to think of a reply. Jia Huan, who had not been addressed, had long been displeased. Jia Lan, however, found Zhen Baoyu's words greatly to his liking and said, "What you say, uncle, is too modest. When it comes to literary talent and practical ability, true learning can only come from experience. I am young and do not yet understand what literature truly is, but when I reflect carefully on what I have read, I find that fine food and embroidered robes cannot compare to a wide reputation—they are not even a hundredth as valuable." Before Zhen Baoyu could reply, Jia Baoyu, hearing Jia Lan's words, felt even more displeased. He thought, "Since when has this child learned such pedantic nonsense?" He said, "I have heard that elder cousin despises all vulgar convention and holds views that are unique. Today I am fortunate to meet your distinguished presence and had hoped to receive instruction on the principles that transcend the ordinary and lead to sagehood, so that I might cleanse my vulgar mind and open my eyes anew. I did not expect you to regard me as a mere fool and respond with worldly talk." Zhen Baoyu, upon hearing this, understood in his heart: "He knows my youthful temperament and therefore suspects me of being a fraud. Let me speak plainly, and perhaps he will become a true friend." He said, "Your lofty views are indeed sound. But in my youth I too deeply detested those old clichés. However, as I grew year by year, my father retired and grew weary of social obligations, leaving me to receive guests. Later I met many great men, all of whom sought to glorify their families and make their names known. Even when they wrote books, it was all about loyalty and filial piety—they had their own way of establishing virtue and contributing to scholarship, so as not to be born in vain in an age of sage rulers and not to fail the nurturing and instructing kindness of their fathers and teachers. Thus I gradually set aside those eccentric and infatuated notions of my youth. Now I still wish to seek teachers and friends to guide the ignorant. Meeting you, elder cousin, I am certain you will have something to teach me. What I said just now was not mere empty courtesy." The more Jia Baoyu listened, the more impatient he became, but he could not be cold, so he could only make vague, evasive remarks. Fortunately, a message came from inside: "If the gentlemen outside have finished eating, please invite the young Master Zhen inside to sit." Baoyu, hearing this, seized the opportunity to invite Zhen Baoyu in.

Then Zhen Baoyu went forward as instructed, Jia Baoyu and the others accompanying him to see Lady Wang. Jia Baoyu, seeing that Madam Zhen was seated in the place of honor, first paid his respects to her, and Jia Huan and Jia Lan also greeted her. Zhen Baoyu likewise paid his respects to Lady Wang. The two mothers and two sons recognized one another. Although Jia Baoyu had already been married, Madam Zhen was advanced in years and was an old family connection, and when she saw that Jia Baoyu's features and build were just the same as her son's, she could not help feeling warmly toward him. Lady Wang, needless to say, took hold of Zhen Baoyu and asked him this and that, finding him somewhat more mature than her own Baoyu. She looked back at Jia Lan, too, who was exceptionally handsome—though he could not compare in appearance to the two Baoyus, he was still quite presentable. Only Jia Huan was coarse and rough, which could not help but show a certain partiality. When the others saw the two Baoyus together there, they all came to have a look, saying, "What a strange thing! It would be one thing if they had the same name, but how can their features and builds be identical? It's a good thing our Baoyu is wearing mourning clothes—if they were dressed alike, one couldn't tell them apart for a moment." Among them, Zijuan was suddenly seized by a foolish fancy and thought of Daiyu, saying to herself, "It's a pity that Miss Lin has died. If she were still alive, and they had matched her with that Zhen Baoyu, I daresay she would have been willing." Even as she was thinking this, she heard Madam Zhen say, "The other day, when our master returned, he said that our Baoyu is now of age and asked your master here to keep an eye out for a suitable match for him." Lady Wang, who had already taken a great liking to Zhen Baoyu, said readily, "I was just thinking of acting as a go-between for your son. We have four girls in the family—there's no need to speak of the other three, dead and married as they are. There is the sister of our nephew Zhen Da, but she is a few years too young and might not be a good match. But my elder daughter-in-law's two cousins are both fine-looking young women. The second is already betrothed, but the third would be just right for your son. In a day or two I will act as matchmaker for your son, though I should say her family's circumstances are somewhat reduced at present." Madam Zhen said, "Your Ladyship is too polite. What do we have left to our name now? I'm afraid it is we who would be looked down upon for our poverty." Lady Wang said, "Now that your family has been appointed to official posts again, in the future not only will your former standing be restored, you will certainly be even more prosperous than before." Madam Zhen said with a smile, "I only hope it will be as Your Ladyship says. In that case, I ask Your Ladyship to act as guarantor." When Zhen Baoyu heard them discussing a marriage, he took his leave. Jia Baoyu and the others had no choice but to accompany him to the study, where they found Jia Zheng already, and they spoke with him for a while again. Then a servant from the Zhen family came to report to Zhen Baoyu, saying, "The mistress is about to leave; please come back, young master." Thereupon Zhen Baoyu took his leave. Jia Zheng ordered Baoyu, Huan, and Lan to see him off. But let us leave this matter here.

Let us return to Baoyu. Since the day he had met Zhen Baoyu's father and learned that Zhen Baoyu was coming to the capital, he had been looking forward to it day and now. Today, when they finally met, he had hoped to find a kindred spirit, but after talking for half a day, he found them as incompatible as ice and charcoal. Dejectedly he returned to his own rooms, neither speaking nor smiling, just sitting in a daze. Baochai asked, "Is that Zhen Baoyu really like you?" Baoyu said, "In appearance, he is the same. But from his conversation, it's clear he understands nothing—he's just another office-seeker." Baochai said, "You're maligning others again. How can you tell he's an office-seeker?" Baoyu said, "He talked for ages without a single word about understanding one's heart and nature. He only spoke of literary composition and worldly affairs, and then of loyalty and filial piety—isn't that exactly what an office-seeker is? It's a pity he was born with such a face. The more I think about it, now that he exists, I'd gladly rid myself of this face of mine." When Baochai heard him uttering such foolish words, she said, "You really do say the most laughable things—how could you do without your looks? Besides, what he said was sound principle. A man ought to establish himself and make a name in the world—who is like you, indulging in nothing but tender feelings and private whims? Instead of acknowledging your own lack of fortitude, you call others office-seekers." Baoyu had already been most annoyed by what Zhen Baoyu said, and now that Baochai had lectured him, he felt even more unhappy. In dull, muddled misery, without realizing it, his old ailment stirred again. He said nothing, only smiled foolishly. Baochai did not understand and thought, "I must have said something wrong, and that's why he's smiling sarcastically," so she left him alone. But from that day on, he became somewhat absent-minded, and when Xiren and the others tried to cheer him up, he would not speak. After a night passed, the next morning he simply sat in a daze, showing every sign of his former illness.

One day, Lady Wang, because Xichun was determined to cut her hair and become a nun and Madam You could not restrain her, observing that Xichun's demeanor suggested she would surely take her own life if her wish were denied, though they watched her day and night, this was no ordinary matter. She informed Jia Zheng of the situation. Jia Zheng sighed and stamped his feet, saying only, "I don't know what has been going on in the Eastern Mansion to bring things to such a pass." He summoned Jia Rong and gave him a scolding, telling him to go speak to his mother and earnestly persuade and dissuade Xichun. "If she insists on this course, then she is no daughter of our family." But Madam You's persuasion, far from helping, only made Xichun more determined to seek death. She said, "A girl cannot remain at home all her life. If I were like Second Sister, it would only cause Father and Mother worry, and then I would die anyway. It is as if I were already dead. Let me leave the family and live out my life in purity, and that would be showing me kindness. Besides, I would not leave the house—Longcui Nunnery is on our family's original property. I would cultivate myself there. Whatever I need, you could still attend to. And Miao-yu is managing things there now. If you agree to my wish, then I will have saved my life. If you do not agree, there is nothing I can do—only death. If I fulfill my wish, when Elder Brother returns I will tell him that you did not force me. If I die, then when Elder Brother returns, he will say that you could not bear to have me." Madam You had never gotten along well with Xichun, and hearing her words, they seemed to carry some sense. She had no choice but to report back to Lady Wang.

Lady Wang had already gone to Baochai's quarters and found Baoyu with his mind wandering, which alarmed her greatly. She said to Xiren, "You have been too careless. The Second Young Master has fallen ill and you did not come to report it to me." Xiren replied, "The Second Young Master's illness has always been intermittent—sometimes better, sometimes worse. Every day he still went to pay his respects to Your Ladyship, and was perfectly well until today when he became somewhat delirious. Second Madam was just about to report to Your Ladyship, fearing you would say we were making much ado about nothing." When Baoyu heard Lady Wang speaking of them, his mind cleared momentarily, and fearing they might suffer on his account, he said, "Have no anxiety, Mother. I am not ill—I only feel somewhat melancholy." Lady Wang said, "You have had this ailment for a long time. If you had spoken of it earlier, we could have called a doctor to examine you and given you a few doses of medicine to cure it! If it flares up again like the time when you lost your jade, it will be troublesome." Baoyu said, "If Mother is uneasy, let someone be sent to examine me, and I will take medicine." Lady Wang then had a maid summon a doctor. Her mind was entirely occupied with Baoyu, and she forgot about Xichun's matter. After some time, the doctor examined him and medicine was administered. Lady Wang returned to her quarters.

After several days, Baoyu grew even more delirious and could not even take food. Everyone became anxious. It happened that they were also occupied with removing the mourning garments, and there was no one in the household to attend to things, so Jia Yun was summoned to assist the doctor. Jia Lian had no one at home either, so Wang Ren was asked to help manage affairs outside. Qiaojie wept for her mother day and night and fell ill as well. Thus the Rong Mansion was thrown into complete turmoil.

One day, when the mourning garments were to be removed, Lady Wang went in person to see Baoyu and found him unconscious, which threw everyone into helpless panic. Weeping, she told Jia Zheng, "The doctor has said he will not prescribe medicine. We had better prepare for the end." Jia Jia Zheng sighed repeatedly and had to go see for himself. Observing that the condition was indeed grave, he told Jia Lian to make the arrangements. Jia Lian dared not disobey and had people make preparations. But funds were short and he was in a difficult position when suddenly a man came running in and said, "Second Master, something terrible—another crisis has arrived!" Jia Lian did not know what had happened and was so frightened that he stared and said, "What is it?" The page said, "A monk has arrived at the gate holding this jade that the Second Master lost. He is asking for ten thousand taels of silver as a reward." Jia Lian spat in his face and said, "I was wondering what it was, to make you so frantic. Don't you remember the fake one from before? Even if it is real, the man is dying—what use is the jade!" The page said, "I told him that too, but the monk said that if he is given the silver, the patient will recover." Then they heard shouting from outside: "This monk is running wild—he has burst in on his own, and no one can stop him." Jia Lian said, "What strange business is this! Why don't you drive him out at once?" While this commotion was going on, Jia Zheng heard it and was at a loss. From inside came the cry: "The Second Master Baoyu is failing!" Jia Zheng grew even more agitated. Then they heard the monk shouting: "If you want his life, bring the silver!" Jia Zheng suddenly recalled that it was a monk who had cured Baoyu's illness before. Now that a monk had come again, perhaps he was a savior. But if this jade were genuine, how would they deal with his demand for silver? After some thought, he decided to set that aside for the moment—if the man truly recovered, they could deal with it then.

Jia Zheng sent someone to fetch the monk, but the monk had already entered. He neither bowed nor spoke, but rushed straight inside. Jia Lian grabbed him and said, "There are womenfolk all through the inner quarters. What is this wild creature barging in for?" The monk said, "If I delay, I won't be able to save him." Jia Lian, frantic, ran forward shouting as he went, "People inside, stop crying! The monk has come in." Lady Wang and the others were so absorbed in weeping that they paid him no heed. Jia Lian came closer and shouted again. Lady Wang and the others turned and saw this tall, strapping monk and were so startled they had nowhere to hide. The monk walked straight up to Baoyu's bed. Baochai stepped aside. Xiren, seeing that Lady Wang was standing there, did not dare leave. The monk said, "I've come to return the jade." As he spoke, he held up the jade and said, "Bring me the silver quickly, and I'll save him." Lady Wang and the others were in such a panic that they did not stop to question whether he was genuine or not. They said, "If you can save his life, there will be silver." The monk laughed and said, "Hand it over." Lady Wang said, "Don't worry, we'll raise it somehow by selling our things." The monk burst out laughing. He took the jade and held it to Baoyu's ear, calling out: "Baoyu, Baoyu, your jade has come back!" At these words, Lady Wang and the others saw Baoyu open his eyes. Xiren said, "He's better!" Baoyu then asked, "Where is it?" The monk placed the jade in his hand. Baoyu had been clenching his fist tightly, but now his fingers slowly loosened and he took it. He held it before his eyes and examined it closely. Then he said with a sigh, "Ah, we've been parted so long!" Everyone inside and outside was delighted and cried out in thanks to Buddha. Even Baochai forgot to be shy about the monk being there. Jia Lian also came over to look and, seeing that Baoyu had indeed come back to himself, was overjoyed and hastily slipped away.

The monk said nothing but hurried out, seizing Jia Lian and pulling him along. Jia Lian had no choice but to follow him to the front, where he hurried to tell Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng was overjoyed. He went at once to thank the monk with a bow. The monk returned the bow and sat down. Jia Lian, however, was suspicious. "He must want his silver before he'll go." Jia Zheng looked closely at the monk and saw that he was not the same one as before. He asked, "What is the name of your temple? What is your reverend name? Where did you get this jade? And why did my son come back to life the moment he saw it?" The monk smiled faintly and said, "I don't know. Just bring me ten thousand taels of silver and it will be done." Jia Zheng saw that this monk was a rough fellow and did not dare offend him, so he said, "Very well." The monk said, "Then bring it to me quickly. I must be on my way." Jia Zheng said, "Please sit for a moment while I go inside to look in on things." The monk said, "Go, but come out quickly."

Jia Zheng went in and, without stopping to explain, went straight to Baoyu's bed. Baoyu saw his father and tried to rise, but he was too weak. Lady Wang pressed him down and said, "Don't move." Baoyu smiled and held out the jade for Jia Zheng to see. "The jade has come back," he said. Jia Zheng glanced at it briefly. He understood that there was something behind this and did not examine it closely. He said to Lady Wang, "Baoyu is on the mend. What about the reward silver?" Lady Wang said, "I'll sell everything I have to raise it for him." Baoyu said, "I'm afraid this monk doesn't really want silver." Jia Zheng nodded. "I find it strange too, but he keeps insisting on silver." Lady Wang said, "Your Lordship, go out and keep him here a while longer." Jia Zheng went out. Baoyu then clamored that he was hungry and drank a bowl of congee, but still said he wanted rice. The old women fetched rice, but Lady Wang did not dare let him eat it. Baoyu said, "It's all right. I'm better now." He propped himself up and ate a bowl. Gradually his spirits did indeed revive, and he wanted to sit up. Sheyue gently helped him, and in her delight forgot herself and said, "What a treasure! He's better already after just a moment. Good thing it wasn't smashed that time." At these words Baoyu's expression changed. He threw the jade down and fell back. Whether he lives or dies will be told in the next chapter.

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