Chapter 118

Chapter 118

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Chapter 118

A Brother and Sister-in-Law Exploit a Helpless Girl over a Petty Grudge; Wife and Concubine Remonstrate with a Maddening Riddle

When Lady Xing and Lady Wang heard Madam You's words, they knew the situation could not be reversed. Lady Wang had no choice but to say, "It is your inborn karma from a past life to wish to do good deeds. We truly cannot stop you. But for a girl of our family to leave home and become a nun would be unseemly. Now your sister-in-law has given you permission to cultivate yourself, and that is well and good. But there is one thing to say. You need not shave your head. As long as your heart is sincere, that matters more than what happens to your hair. Think of Miaoyu—she cultivates herself without shaving her head. Who knows what worldly thoughts stirred in her that led to such a state? Since you are set on this course, we shall simply consider the house you live in as your meditation chamber. All the maids who serve you must also be asked: those willing to follow you need not be spoken of for marriage or given in marriage; those unwilling will be dealt with otherwise."

When Xichun heard this, she wiped her tears and bowed to thank Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Li Wan, and Madam You. Lady Wang then asked Caiping and the others which of them was willing to accompany the young lady in her cultivation. Caiping and the others replied, "Whichever the ladies appoint." Lady Wang knew they were unwilling and was just considering whom to assign when Xiren, standing behind Baoyu, expected that he would surely burst into loud weeping, guarding against his old affliction. Who could have known that Baoyu would instead sigh and say, "Truly rare indeed!" Xiren's heart was all the more grieved. Though Baochai said nothing, she tested him on various matters and saw that he was obstinately deluded, so she could only weep in secret. Lady Wang was about to summon all the maids for questioning when Zijuan stepped forward and knelt before Lady Wang, saying, "Just now the ladies asked which of the older sisters would accompany Fourth Young Lady. What do the ladies think of this one?" Lady Wang said, "How can anyone be forced into this? Whoever is willing will naturally say so." Zijuan said, "That the young lady wishes to cultivate herself is of course her own desire and not the wish of the other sisters. I have a word to say to the ladies. I am not trying to separate the sisters—each person has her own heart. I served Miss Lin for all this time. How Miss Lin treated me, the ladies know well. Her kindness was truly as weighty as a mountain, beyond any repayment. When she died, I wished I could have followed her. But she was not of this household, and I have received the grace of our masters, making it hard for me to die in her service. Now that Fourth Young Lady wishes to cultivate herself, I beg the ladies to assign me to follow her and serve her all my life. I do not know whether the ladies will grant this. If they do, it will be my good fortune."

Before Lady Xing and Lady Wang could reply, Baoyu, hearing this, thought of Daiyu and was overcome with sorrow, tears falling at once. Just as the others were about to ask him what was wrong, he burst into loud laughter and stepped forward, saying, "I should not have spoken. But Zijuan was assigned by the ladies to my quarters, so I dare to speak. I beg the ladies to grant her wish and fulfill her good heart."

Lady Wang said, "When your sisters married before, you wept as though you would die. Now seeing that Fourth Sister wishes to leave home, you not only fail to dissuade her but call it a good thing. What exactly is your meaning? I am utterly at a loss."

Baoyu said, "Fourth Sister's cultivation has already been approved, and Fourth Sister has also made up her mind. If this is truly so, I have a word to tell the ladies. If it is not settled, I would not dare to speak rashly."

Xichun said, "Second Brother's words are quite amusing. If a person's will is not fixed, can she go against the ladies? Like Zijuan said, if she is allowed, it is my good fortune; if not, there is still death. What is there to fear? Second Brother, if you have something to say, just say it."

Baoyu said, "This hardly counts as revealing anything—it is also a certainty. Let me recite a poem for you to hear!"

The others said, "People are suffering, and you come making poetry. How provoking!"

Baoyu said, "I am not making poetry. I saw it at a certain place. Just listen."

The others said, "Very well. Recite it, but don't babble nonsense off the top of your head."

Baoyu did not argue but recited:

*She has seen through the fleeting spring of the three sisters,*

*And suddenly changed her silk robes for a nun's dark dress.*

*Pitiful, this daughter of a noble house with embroidered gates,*

*Alone she sleeps beside the ancient Buddha and his cold green lamp!*

Li Wan and Baochai were astonished. "This is bad," they said, "the man has lost his mind."

When Lady Wang heard these words, she nodded and sighed, then asked Baoyu, "Where on earth did you read that?"

Baoyu, not daring to tell, replied, "There's no need for you, madam, to ask. I have my own sources of insight."

Lady Wang turned the matter over in her mind, reflected carefully, and then wept all the more. "You said the other day it was just idle talk, so how did this poem suddenly come about? Very well, I understand now. What would you have me do? I have no way out either. I can only let you have my way! But wait until my eyes are closed, and then each of you can go your own way!"

While Baochai tried to comfort her, her own heart ached worse than if it were being cut with a knife, and she too could not help but burst out weeping. Xiren had already been crying as if she were between life and death, but fortunately Qiūwén supported her. Baoyu neither wept nor tried to comfort anyone; he simply said nothing. When Jia Lan and Jia Huan heard this, they each went their separate ways.

Li Wan did her best to explain: "It's simply that Brother Bao saw Sister Xiu cultivating herself, and I suppose he was so overcome with grief that he spoke wild words without thinking. This cannot be taken as reliable. Only the matter of Zijuan—whether it's approved or not—needs to be settled so she can get up."

Lady Wang said, "It doesn't matter whether it's approved or not. Once a person's mind is made up, there's no turning them around. Still, what Baoyu said seems quite definite."

Zijuan, upon hearing this, kowtowed. Xi-chun thanked Lady Wang. Zijuan then kowtowed to Baoyu and Baochai.

Baoyu chanted, "Ami-tuo-fo! Remarkable, remarkable! I never expected you to find peace first!"

Though Baochai had her composure, she could barely maintain it. Only Xiren, unable to contain herself with Lady Wang present, wept without stopping and said, "I'm willing to follow Sister Xiu to cultivate myself too."

Baoyu smiled and said, "You mean well, but you're not destined for such pure blessedness."

Xiren cried, "In that case, I'm going to die!"

When Baoyu heard this, he felt a pang of sorrow but could not bring himself to speak. By then it was the fifth watch, so Baoyu asked Lady Wang to rest, and Li Wan and the others dispersed. Cǎipíng and the others temporarily waited on Xi-chun and escorted her back; later she was betrothed to a family. Zijuan served her for life, never wavering in her devotion. But this belongs to a later chapter of the story.

Now let us return to Jia Zheng, who had been escorting the Dowager's coffin on its journey south. Because troops returning from campaign and their boats were passing through, the river was congested and they could not travel quickly, which caused him great anxiety on the road. Fortunately, he encountered an official from the maritime frontier who reported that the naval commander-in-chief of Zhenhai had been summoned back to the capital for an audience. Thinking that Chun-Tan would surely be returning home, this news somewhat relieved his worries. But as he could not find out the date of her departure, he grew even more vexed. Then, calculating that their funds would not suffice, he had no choice but to write a letter and send a servant to Shang-Rong Lai's post to borrow five hundred taels of silver, instructing someone to meet them along the way with the money for their needs.

The servant had been gone several days, and Jia Zheng's boat had only traveled a score of li or so when the man caught up with the boat and presented Shang-Rong Lai's reply. In the letter, Lai complained of many difficulties and enclosed fifty taels of white silver.

Jia Zheng was furious when he read it. He ordered the servant to return the money immediately and send the original letter back, telling Lai not to bother himself. The servant had no choice but to return to Shang-Rong Lai's post.

When Shang-Rong Lai received back his letter and silver, he was vexed, knowing he had handled the matter poorly. He added another hundred taels and begged the messenger to bring it back and put in a good word for him. But the man refused to take it, set it down, and left.

Shang-Rong Lai felt uneasy at once and immediately wrote a letter home to inform his father, asking him to find some way to resign and buy himself out of his position. Thereupon the Lai family asked Jia Qiang and Jia Yun to beg Lady Wang to show mercy and release him. Jia Qiang knew perfectly well this was impossible, but after a day's delay he reported back that Lady Wang had refused. While the Lai family submitted their resignation, they also sent someone to Shang-Rong Lai's post, instructing him to resign on grounds of illness. Lady Wang knew nothing of this.

When Jia Yun heard Jia Qiang's false report, he lost heart. For several days running he had lost a good deal of silver gambling away from home, with nothing to cover his debts, so he consulted Jia Huan. Jia Huan himself hadn't a penny to his name; though Aunt Zhao had saved a small sum, he had long since squandered it and was in no position to help anyone. He thought of how harsh Feng-Jie had been to him and wanted to take revenge on Qiao-Jie while Jia Lian was away. So he came up with this scheme and summoned Jia Yun to carry it out. He deliberately complained to Jia Yun, "You're grown men, yet when it comes to making money you don't dare act, and instead you consult someone like me who hasn't a cent."

Jia Yun said, "Third Uncle, that's a funny thing for you to say. We've always played and fooled together—what money-making schemes have we ever had?"

Jia Huan said, "Didn't someone say the other day that a foreign prince wants to buy a concubine? Why don't you discuss it with Uncle Wang and propose Qiao-Jie to him?"

Jia Yun said, "Uncle, let me say something that may upset you: when a foreign prince spends money to buy a person, do you think he'll still want to have any dealings with us?"

Jia Huan whispered something in Jia Yun's ear. Though Jia Yun nodded, he took Jia Huan for a child and didn't treat the matter seriously.

Just then Wang Ren came by and said, "What are you two plotting, keeping it from me?"

Jia Yun whispered Jia Huan's words in his ear. Wang Ren clapped his hands and said, "This is a fine opportunity, and there's money in it too. I'm afraid you don't have the nerve, but if you dare do it, I'm her real uncle—I have the authority. If Third Huan just mentions it to the Eldest Lady, and I talk to Uncle Xing, and when the ladies question you, you all put together a good story, it will work."

After Jia Huan and the others had settled on their plan, Wang Ren went to find Uncle Xing, while Jia Yun went to report to Lady Xing and Lady Wang, painting the picture in the most glowing terms.

Though Lady Wang found Lady Xing's words not unpleasing, she could not bring herself to believe them. When Lady Xing heard that her brother Xing Dalao knew about the matter and was willing to help, she sent someone to fetch him and question him. This Xing Dalao, having already heard Wang Ren's account and scenting a share of the profits, said to Lady Xing, "This prince commands the greatest respect. If this match goes through, even though it may not be a proper principal wife, I guarantee that once she crosses the threshold, your brother-in-law's official post will be restored at once, and the prestige of this household will be greater than ever." Lady Xing was a woman of no firm convictions, and after being fed a string of lies by her foolish brother, her heart was stirred. She invited Wang Ren to come and question him, and he made it all sound even more splendid. Lady Xing then sent someone to chase after Jia Yun and instruct him. Wang Ren immediately found someone to go and make the proposal to the foreign prince's residence. The foreign prince, not knowing the full story, was about to send people to come and inspect the girl. Jia Yun managed to get to the inspector and explained, "This has been kept secret from the whole household—it is simply the prince's household seeking a match. Once it is settled, her grandmother will take charge, and with her own uncle as the go-between, there is nothing to fear." The inspector agreed. Jia Yun then sent word to Lady Xing and reported back to Lady Wang. Li Wan, Baochai, and the others, not knowing the full story, assumed it was a good thing and were all delighted.

That day several women indeed arrived, gorgeously dressed and made up. Lady Xing received them and exchanged some pleasantries with them. The visitors, knowing they were in the presence of a titled lady, did not dare treat her casually. As the matter had not yet been settled, Lady Xing said nothing to Qiaojie about it; she merely told her that some relatives had come to visit and asked her to go and greet them. Qiaojie, after all, was only a child and gave no thought to such things; she went along with her nurse. Ping'er, uneasy, followed as well. There were two women dressed in palace attire who, upon seeing Qiaojie, examined her from head to toe, then rose to take her hands and look her over once more. They sat briefly and then left. Qiaojie was so embarrassed that she went back to her room feeling troubled, thinking she had no such relatives, and questioned Ping'er. Ping'er, having observed the manner of their arrival, guessed with near certainty that they had come to inspect her for a match. "But Master Lian is not at home, and the Elder Lady is making the decision. After all, we don't know which household this is. If it were a proper match, they wouldn't go about inspecting her like this. Judging by the look of those women, they don't seem to be from the main branch of the princely household—they seem to be from some outside connection. For now, we mustn't tell the young lady; let us find out more before we speak."

Ping'er kept her ears open and made discreet inquiries. The maids and old nurses there had all served under Ping'er before, and when she asked them, they told her everything they had heard from outside. Ping'er was so frightened that she lost her head. Though she did not tell Qiaojie, she hurried to inform Li Wan and Baochai and begged them to tell Lady Wang. Lady Wang, realizing this was no good, spoke to Lady Xing about it. But Lady Xing, having believed her brother and Wang Ren, now suspected that Lady Wang meant her no good. She said, "My granddaughter is grown now. Lian'er is not at home, and I can make this decision. Besides, it was her own granduncle and her own uncle who looked into this matter—could their information be less reliable than anyone else's? I am perfectly willing. If anything goes wrong, neither Lian'er nor I can blame anyone else!"

Lady Wang, hearing these words, was secretly furious. She forced herself to exchange a few more pleasantries, then left. She told Baochai what had happened and shed tears. Baoyu tried to comfort her, "Don't let it trouble you, Mother. In my view this will never come to pass. This is simply what Qiaojie's fate has in store for her. All you can do is refuse to have any part in it." Lady Wang said, "The moment you open your mouth, it's nonsense. They've already agreed and will come to take her away. If I follow Ping'er's advice, won't your Second Brother Lian blame me? It's not just my own grandniece—even if it were a relative's daughter, I would want what's good for her. Miss Xing, whom we matched with your second elder brother-in-law, is now living happily and harmoniously. Miss Qin, married into the Mei family, is said to be living in plenty and comfort. As for Miss Shi, it was her uncle's idea; it was good at first, but now her husband has died of consumption, and your Cousin Shi has resolved to remain a widow—she is suffering. If Qiaojie is wrongly given to someone, wouldn't that make me a bad person?" Just then Ping'er came to see Baochai and to sound out Lady Xing's intentions. Lady Wang repeated what Lady Xing had said. Ping'er stood stunned for a long while, then knelt and begged, "Qiaojie's whole life depends on you, my lady. If you believe those people's words, not only will the young lady suffer all her life, but what will Master Lian say when he returns?" Lady Wang said, "You are a sensible person. Stand up and listen to me. Qiaojie is, after all, the Elder Lady's granddaughter. If she insists on making the decision, how can I stop her?" Baoyu urged, "There's no harm in it—as long as we understand the situation." Ping'er, afraid that Baoyu might lose his wits and start shouting, said nothing more. She reported back to Lady Wang and left on her own.

Here, Lady Wang, vexed and troubled, felt a pang of heartache. She had a maid support her as she made her way with effort back to her own rooms and lay down. She told them not not to send Baoyu or Baochai over, saying that a little rest would set things right. Yet she herself remained troubled and distressed; when she heard that Aunt Li had come, she was too unwell to receive her. Then Jia Lan came in, paid his respects, and reported, "This morning, a servant was sent from Grandfather's place with a letter, handed in by the outer pages. My mother received it and was just about to come over, but since my grandmother arrived, she told me to present it to you first, and she will come afterward to report to you. She also said my grandmother intends to come over." As he spoke, he handed the letter up. Lady Wang took it and asked, "Why has your grandmother come?" Jia Lan said, "I don't know myself. I only heard my grandmother say that some news had come from the mother-in-law of my third aunt." Lady Wang, upon hearing this, recalled that previously a match had been arranged between Jia Zhenyu and Li Qi, and the betrothal gifts had since been exchanged. She supposed the Zhen family was now preparing to bring the bride into the household, and that was why Aunt Li had come to discuss the matter. She nodded. Then she broke open the seal and read:

"Along the route lately, the waters have been filled with vessels returning from victorious campaigns along the coast, so we cannot make rapid progress. I hear that Tanshi has come to the capital with her husband and father-in-law—I do not know whether you have received word. Previously, from Lian's letter, I learned that the Elder Master's health is not good; I do not know whether you have had further reliable news. The examination is near for Baoyu and Lan; they must apply themselves wholeheartedly to their studies and must not be idle or lax. It will still be some time before the old lady's coffin reaches home. My health is sound; you need not worry on my account. Let Baoyu and the others know this. Written by my hand, [date]. Jin'er sends a separate report."

When Lady Wang had read it, she handed it back to Jia Lan, saying, "Take it and show it to your second uncle, then give it back to your mother." Even as she spoke, Li Wan entered with Aunt Li. After the greetings and inquiries after health were finished, Lady Wang invited them to sit. Aunt Li then related in full the news that the Zhen family was to marry Li Qi. The group discussed the matter for a while. Then Li Wan asked Lady Wang, "Have you read the Master's letter, madam?" Lady Wang said, "I have read it." Jia Lan at once took it and showed it to his mother. Li Wan read it and said, "The Third Miss has been away from home for several years and has not visited once. Now she is returning to the capital—you must feel considerably relieved, madam." Lady Wang said, "I was suffering from heartache, but when I heard that Tanshi was coming back, I felt somewhat better. I only do not know when she will arrive." Aunt Li then asked how Jia Zheng was faring on the road. Li Wan turned to Jia Lan and said, "You have seen it, my boy—the examination is near, and your grandfather is anxious about you. Go quickly and take it to your second uncle to read." Aunt Li said, "Neither father nor son has ever attended the Imperial Academy—how can they sit for the examination?" Lady Wang said, "When your father-in-law set out for his post as Grain Commissioner, he obtained the rank of jiansheng for both of them by special dispensation." Aunt Li nodded. Jia Lan took the letter and went out in search of Baoyu.

After seeing Lady Wang off, Baoyu sat absorbed in a chapter of the *Autumn Waters*. Baochai emerged from the inner room and, seeing him lost in the book, came over to look. When she saw what he was reading, a deep unease settled in her heart. She reflected: *He treats these words about renouncing the world and withdrawing from society as a serious matter. This cannot go on.* Judging by his manner, she saw that persuasion would be futile, so she sat down beside him, gazing blankly into space.

Baoyu noticed her expression and asked, "What's troubling you again?"

Baochai replied, "I think this: since we are husband and wife, you are my lifelong support and reliance—but not merely in the private matters of passion. As for glory, wealth, and honour, they are nothing but passing clouds and smoke. Yet since ancient times, the sages have always placed the greatest weight on the foundation of one's character."

Before she could finish, Baoyu set the book aside and smiled faintly. "You speak of the foundation of character and ancient sages. But do you know that the sages spoke of 'not losing the heart of a newborn babe'? What is so wonderful about a babe? Simply that it has no knowledge, no awareness, no greed, no desire. From the moment we are born, we are mired in greed, anger, folly, and desire—like mud in a bog. How can we break free from this net of dust? Only now do I understand the four words 'gathering and scattering, floating life.' The ancients said them, but never truly awakened a single soul. When you speak of the foundation of character, who among us has reached that state of primal origin?"

Baochai responded, "When you speak of the 'heart of a newborn babe,' the ancient sages took loyalty and filial piety as the heart of a newborn babe—not withdrawing from the world and cutting all ties. Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius—all of them took the salvation and relief of the people as their constant purpose. What they called the heart of a newborn babe is nothing more than the two words 'cannot bear.' If what you just said is right—that one can bear to abandon the bonds of family—what kind of principle is that?"

Baoyu nodded and smiled. "Yao and Shun did not force Chao Fu and Xu You; King Wu and the Duke of Zhou did not force Bo Yi and Shu Qi."

Before he could finish, Baochai cut in: "That remark of yours is even more wrong. If everyone in ancient times had been a Chao Fu or a Bo Yi, why do people today still call Yao, Shun, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius sages? Besides, comparing yourself to Bo Yi and Shu Qi is even more absurd. Bo Yi and Shu Qi lived in the final years of the Shang dynasty, when there were many difficult circumstances, and that is why they took refuge in withdrawal. We live in an age of sage governance. Our family has received the grace of the state for generations. Our grandfather lived in silks and jade feasts. And from the moment you were born, from the old Grandmother down to the Master and the Mistress, they have treasured you as something precious. Think carefully about what you just said—is it right or wrong?"

Baoyu said nothing in reply, only tilting his head with a faint smile.

Baochai pressed on: "Since you have no argument left, I urge you to pull yourself together and apply yourself properly to your studies. If you can succeed in the examinations, and stop there, you will not have wasted the grace of Heaven and the virtue of your ancestors."

Baoyu nodded, sighed, and said, "As for passing the examinations—that isn't really so difficult. But your words 'stop there, not wasting the grace of Heaven and the virtue of your ancestors'—those still miss the point entirely."

Before Baochai could respond, Xiren came over and said, "Just now, the Second Lady spoke of ancient sages worthies, and we don't understand such things. I only think of this: all of us have followed the Second Master since childhood, with such painstaking care, attending to his every need. In principle, it's what we ought to do, but the Second Master ought also to show some consideration. Besides, the Second Lady has performed such filial duty before the Master and the Mistress on the Second Master's behalf. Even if the Second Master does not take the marriage bond seriously, he should not be so ungrateful to others' feelings. As for that business of immortals—it's pure nonsense. Who has ever seen an immortal come down to the mortal world? Where did this monk come from, spouting such confused talk, and the Second Master actually believes it! The Second Master is a scholar—how can his words carry more weight than those of the Master and the Mistress!"

Baoyu listened and said nothing, only lowering his head.

When Xiren was about to speak again, she heard footsteps outside, and a voice asked through the window, "Is Second Uncle in the room?" Baoyu recognized it as Jia Lan's voice, stood up and smiled, "Come in." Baochai also rose. Jia Lan entered with a beaming face, paid his respects to Baoyu and Baochai, and asked after Xiren's health—Xiren returned the greeting—then presented a letter for Baoyu to read. Baoyu took it and looked at it, then said, "Your Third Aunt has come back." Jia Lan said, "Since Grandfather wrote it this way, naturally she has returned." Baoyu nodded without speaking, lost in thought. Jia Lan then asked, "Did you see what Grandfather wrote at the end, telling us to study hard? I suppose you haven't written any essays this whole time?" Baoyu smiled, "I should write a few to warm up my hands, so I can go deceive the examiners and get that degree." Jia Lan said, "If that's the case, Uncle, why not set a few topics, and I'll follow you and write along too, so I can go in and muddle through the exam. Otherwise I'll hand in a blank paper and people will laugh at me. Not only will they laugh at me, they'll laugh at you too." Baoyu said, "It won't come to that." As he spoke, Baochai told Jia Lan to sit down. Baoyu remained in his original seat; Jia Lan sat to the side. The two discussed literature for a while, and before long both were beaming with delight. Baochai saw the two of them talking so happily and went back inside. She reflected carefully on Baoyu's present demeanor—perhaps he had come to his senses. But just now, when he spoke, he had singled out the phrase "from this point on" and given it his assent—she did not know what that meant. Baochai remained uncertain. Only Xiren, seeing that he loved to talk about literature and mentioned the examination with such pleasure, was overjoyed. She thought, "Amida Buddha! What a relief! It was like teaching him the Four Books all over again to bring him around!"

Here Baoyu and Jia Lan discussed literature, while Ying'er brewed tea. Jia Lan stood up to receive it. They talked for a while longer about the rules of the examination and about inviting Zhen Baoyu to study together; Baoyu seemed quite willing. After a time, Jia Lan left, leaving the letter with Baoyu.

Baoyu took the letter, walked in with a smile, and gave it to Sheyue to put away. He then came out and put away his copy of *Zhuangzi*, and took out several works he had always been most fond of—the *Cantong Qi*, the *Yuanming Bao*, the *Wudeng Huiyuan*, and the like—and had Sheyue, Qiuniang, Ying'er, and the others carry them off and set them aside. Baochai found this behavior most unusual and, wishing to test him, smiled and asked, "Not reading them is proper enough, but why must you move them away?" Baoyu said, "Now I understand at last. These books are worth nothing. I should burn them all to ashes—that would be clean." Baochai was even more overjoyed to hear this. She heard Baoyu murmuring softly: "Within the scriptures there is no Buddha-nature; beyond the alchemical methods there is immortal elixir." Baochai did not catch it very clearly—she only heard the words "no Buddha-nature" and "immortal elixir"—and her heart again grew suspicious. She watched to see what he would do. Baoyu then ordered Sheyue, Qiuniang, and the others to prepare a quiet room, and had them find and place in it all his notes, drafts, and examination-style poems. He himself then settled down to study in earnest. Only then did Baochai set her mind at ease.

Xiren, having never heard or seen anything like this, went quietly to Baochai and smiled, "After all, it was Madam's words that were so thorough—just one round of reasoning and you've persuaded Master Second to see reason. It's only a pity it came a bit late—the examination is too close at hand." Baochai nodded and smiled, "Success in the examinations is predestined. Whether one passes or not doesn't depend on how early or late one applies oneself. I only hope he will from now on devote himself wholly to the proper path and never again be tainted by the wild notions of the past." She glanced around and, seeing no one else in the room, added softly, "This change of heart is certainly a good thing, but there is one thing I fear—he may fall back into his old ways and start associating with the girls again. That would not be good." Xiren said, "What you say is true. Since Master Second started believing that monk, he's been cold to all these sisters. Now that he doesn't believe the monk anymore, I truly fear he'll relapse into his old habits. I think Madam and Master Second have never had much to do with each other. Zijuan is gone, so there are only the four of them here. Among them, Wu'er is something of a flirt—I heard her mother asked the Eldest Madam and you to let her go and be given away to someone. But for the past couple of days she's still here. Sheyue and Qiuniang are all right, but Master Second used to be rather playful with them in those years. So really, only Ying'er is someone Master Second pays little attention to, and besides, Ying'er is steady and proper. I think it would be enough to have Ying'er and the little maids serve tea and water—I don't know what Madam thinks." Baochai said, "These are exactly my concerns. What you suggest will do." From then on, she assigned Ying'er and the little maids to attend to him.

Baoyu, however, did not leave his room. Every day he sent someone to inquire after Lady Wang's health. When Lady Wang heard how he was conducting himself, her gratification can well be imagined. On the third day of the eighth month, which happened to be the anniversary of the Grandmother Jia's death, Baoyu came over in the morning to kowtow and then returned to his quiet cell. After the meal, Baochai, Xiren, and the other ladies went with the two Madams Xing and Wang to chat in the front room, while Baoyu sat in his quiet cell in profound meditation. Suddenly he saw Yinger come in carrying a tray of fruit.

"Her Ladyship sent this for you, Second Master," she said. "These are offerings from the old lady."

Baoyu stood up to acknowledge the gift, then sat down again. "Just put it down there," he said.

Yinger set down the tray and whispered to him, "Her Ladyship is praising you."

Baoyu smiled.

"She says that if you keep on studying like this, you'll pass the examinations when you go in, and next year you'll take the highest degree and become an official. Then Master and Mistress won't have hoped in vain for you."

Baoyu merely nodded and smiled.

Yinger suddenly recalled what Baoyu had said years ago when she'd woven a silk net for him. "If you really pass, that will be our young mistress's good fortune. Do you remember, Second Master, that year in the Garden when you told me to weave that plum-blossom net? You said that later our young mistress would take me to some lucky family. Now you must be the lucky one."

At this, worldly thoughts stirred once more in Baoyu's heart. He quickly composed himself and said with a faint smile, "According to you, then, I have good fortune, and your young mistress has good fortune too. What about you?"

Yinger flushed crimson. "We're just maids all our lives," she said with an effort. "What good fortune do we have?"

Baoyu laughed. "If you really could be a maid all your life, your good fortune would be even greater than ours!"

Thinking this sounded like his old madness, Yinger was afraid she might provoke an attack of his old illness and made up her mind to leave. But Baoyu laughed and said, "Silly girl, let me tell you—"

What Baoyu said next will be told in the following chapter.