Chapter 21

Chapter 21

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Chapter 21: The Tactful Xiren Gently Admonishes Baoyu; The Graceful P'ing-erh Softly Saves Chia Lien

It will be remembered that Shi Hsiang-yun had run out, afraid that Lin Tai-yu might catch up with her. Baoyu, who had followed, called out hastily, "Careful you don't trip! How could she catch up?" Tai-yu had already reached the door when Baoyu barred the way, his hands braced against the doorframe. "Let her off this once," he said, smiling.

Tai-yu wrenched at his hands. "If I let Yun-erh off, I shan't live any longer!"

When Hsiang-yun saw Baoyu blocking the door, she felt sure that Tai-yu could not get out and stood where she was, laughing. "Good sister, let me off this once."

Just then Pao-chai came up behind Hsiang-yun and said with a smile, "I advise you both, for Cousin Pao's sake, to let bygones be bygones."

"I won't have it," said Tai-yu. "You're all in league to make fun of me."

"Who dares make fun of you?" Baoyu reasoned with her. "If you didn't tease her, how would she dare say anything to you?"

While the four of them were still arguing, someone came to summon them to a meal, and they all went to the front courtyard. By that time it was early evening. Lady Wang, Li Wan, Phoenix, and Ying-chun, Tan-chun, and Hsi-chun all went over to the Lady Dowager's quarters. After chatting together for a while, each retired for the night. Hsiang-yun went to sleep as usual in Tai-yu's room.

After seeing the two girls to their quarters, Baoyu stayed there until well past the second watch. Xiren had to summon him several times before he finally went back to his own room. The next morning, bright and early, he threw on his clothes and slipped on his shoes to go to Tai-yu's room, where he found that Tzu-chuan and Cui-lü were both absent. The two cousins were still lying in bed.

Lin Tai-yu had tucked herself up tightly in an apricot-red silk quilt, her eyes closed peacefully in sleep. Shi Hsiang-yun, however, had let a whole mass of black hair trail across the pillow. Her quilt only reached her chest, and one snowy-white arm lay outside it, on which could be seen two gold bracelets.

Baoyu sighed at the sight. "She can't even sleep quietly! When she gets back, if the wind blows on her, she'll complain of her shoulder hurting again." As he spoke, he gently pulled the quilt over her.

Tai-yu, who was already awake, guessed as soon as she felt someone there that it must be Baoyu. She turned over to look and found she was right.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" she asked.

"It's still early," Baoyu said with a smile. "Get up and see for yourself."

"You go out first and let us get up."

Baoyu went out.

Tai-yu got up and woke Hsiang-yun, and the two of them dressed. Then Baoyu came back and sat down by the dressing-table. Tzu-chuan and Hsueh-yen came in to wait on them and dress their hair.

After Hsiang-yun had washed her face, Cui-lü was about to throw out the used water when Baoyu said, "Wait. I'll wash here too. It'll save me the trouble of going all the way back." He stepped over and bent down to splash his face a couple of times. Tzu-chuan handed him some perfumed soap, but he said, "There's plenty of lather in this basin already. No need to rub any more on." After washing a couple more times, he asked for a towel.

Cui-lü said, "You're still at it. When will you ever mend your ways?"

Baoyu took no notice. He hastily took some tooth-powder, rubbed it on his teeth, rinsed his mouth, and that was that. Then, seeing that Hsiang-yun had finished combing her hair, he went over to her with a smile.

"Dear sister, comb my hair for me."

"I can't do that," said Hsiang-yun.

"Why not? You used to comb it for me."

"I've forgotten how, now."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not going out and I don't have to wear a cap or a fillet. I just need a few loose braids." He pleaded with her, calling her "dear sister" over and over again.

Hsiang-yun had no choice but to take his head in her hands and comb it through. Since he never wore a cap at home and did not yet do his hair up in a topknot, she just braided the short hair on all four sides into small plaits, gathered them all together with the hair on top into one big braid, and tied it with a red silk ribbon. From the top of his head to the end of the braid were four pearls, with a gold pendant at the bottom.

As she braided, Hsiang-yun remarked, "There are only three pearls here. This one is different. I remember they were all the same. How could one be missing?"

"I lost one," said Baoyu.

"It must have dropped off outside and somebody picked it up. Good luck to them!"

Tai-yu, who was washing her hands nearby, said with a sarcastic smile, "Who knows whether it was really lost, or whether it was given to someone to set in some piece of jewelry!"

Baoyu made no reply. Since there were toilet boxes and cosmetics on either side of the mirror-stand, he picked some up to amuse himself. Without thinking, he also took a stick of rouge and was about to put it to his lips when he stopped, afraid that Hsiang-yun might see him. While he was hesitating, Hsiang-yun spotted him from behind. Seizing his braid with one hand, she reached out with the other and slapped the rouge from his hand.

"That bad habit of yours—when will you ever give it up!"

Before she had finished speaking, Xiren came in and, seeing this scene, realized that Baoyu had already washed and dressed. She had to go back to her own room to do the same. Just then Pao-chai came along and asked, "Where is Cousin Pao?"

Xiren answered with a smile, "Cousin Pao hasn't got time to stay at home!"

Pao-chai understood what she meant. Then she heard Xiren sigh and say, "Even when cousins are on good terms, there should be some sense of propriety and restraint. But they carry on day and night! No matter how people try to advise them, it goes in one ear and out the other."

When Pao-chai heard this, she thought to herself, "I've underestimated this girl. Judging from what she says, she's quite perceptive."

Pao-chai sat down on the kang and, as they chatted, gradually led the conversation around to questions about Xiren's age and home, watching her carefully. She found Xiren's words and aspirations worthy of deep respect and admiration.Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter

**Chapter 21: The Tender Maid Xiren Gently Admonishes Baoyu; The Pretty Maid Pinging Softly Saves Jia Lian**

It will be remembered that Shi Xiangyun had come running out, fearing that Lin Daiyu might overtake her. Baoyu, following close behind, called out, "Be careful you don't stumble! How could she possibly catch up with you?" Daiyu rushed to the doorway, but Baoyu stood barring the doorframe with both hands, smiling as he pleaded, "Let her off this time." Daiyu wrenched at his hands and said, "If I let Yun'er off, I shan't live another day!" Xiangyun, seeing Baoyu blocking the door, reckoned that Daiyu could not come out, so she stopped and laughed, "Good sister, let me off this time!" Just then Baochai happened to arrive behind Xiangyun and also laughed, "I advise you both, for Cousin Baoyu's sake, to drop the matter." Daiyu said, "I won't have it. You're all in league together—are you all making fun of me?" Baoyu urged, "Who would dare make fun of you? If you didn't tease him first, how would he dare say anything to you?" The four of them were still locked in this impasse when someone came to summon them to dinner, and they went forward together. That day, it was already the time when the lamps were lit when Wang夫人, Li Wan, Fengjie, and Ying, Tan, and Xi all came to the Dowager's quarters. They chatted together for a while, then each retired for the night. Xiangyun still went to sleep in Daiyu's room.

Baoyu escorted the two girls to their room. By then it was already past the second watch of the night. Xiren had urged him several times before he finally went back to his own room to sleep. The next morning, while it was still light, he threw on his clothes and slipped on his shoes and went straight to Daiyu's room. Not seeing Zijuan or Cuiyu, he found only the two girls still lying in their quilts. Lin Daiyu was tightly wrapped in a piece of apricot-red silk, sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed. Shi Xiangyun, on the other hand, had a mass of black hair trailing over the pillow, her quilt pulled up only to her chest, one snow-white arm lying outside the quilt, with two gold bracelets on her wrist. Baoyu sighed at the sight, "Even in sleep you can't lie still! When the wind blows on you, you'll be complaining of shoulder-ache again." As he spoke, he gently tucked the quilt around her. Lin Daiyu had already woken. Sensing someone there, she guessed it must be Baoyu, and turned over to look—sure enough, she was right. "What are you doing here at this hour?" she said. Baoyu smiled, "It's still early! Get up and look." Daiyu said, "Go out first, and let us get up." Baoyu turned and went outside.

Daiyu got up and woke Xiangyun, and both of them dressed. Baoyu came in again and sat down by the dressing table. Presently Zijuan and Xueyan came in to help them wash and comb their hair. After Xiangyun had washed her face, Cuiyu was about to pour out the leftover water, but Baoyu said, "Wait—let me use it and be done with it, to save you the trouble of going out." He came over and bent down to wash his face twice. Zijuan handed him the perfumed soap, but Baoyu said, "There's enough in this basin already—no need to rub more." After washing twice more, he asked for a towel. Cuiyu said, "Still the same bad habit—when will you ever reform?" Baoyu paid no heed. He hastily took some green salt, rubbed his teeth, rinsed his mouth, and was done. Seeing that Xiangyun had already finished combing her hair, he came over and smiled, "Good sister, comb my hair for me." Xiangyun said, "That won't do." Baoyu smiled, "Good sister, why did you comb my hair for me before?" Xiangyun said, "I've forgotten how—how would I comb it now?" Baoyu said, "Anyway, I'm not going out, and I'm not wearing a cap or a headband—I just need a few loose braids." He begged her with a thousand "dear sisters" until Xiangyun had no choice but to take his head in her hands and comb and braid it for him. Since he did not wear a cap at home, his hair was not tied up in the horns of childhood; instead, the short hair on all sides was braided into small plaits, gathered at the crown, and then woven into one large braid fastened with a red silk cord. From the top of his head to the tip of the braid, four pearls were strung, with a gold pendant at the bottom. As Xiangyun braided, she said, "There are only three pearls here—this one is different. I remember they were all the same. How did one go missing?" Baoyu said, "One was lost." Xiangyun said, "It must have fallen off outside, and someone else picked it up—good luck to them!" Daiyu, washing her hands nearby, said with a cold smile, "Who knows whether it was really lost, or whether it was given to someone to set in some piece of jewelry!" Baoyu made no reply. Since the dressing table was covered with cosmetic boxes and the like, he picked things up to examine them, and without thinking, he also picked up some rouge and was about to bring it to his lips, but he feared Shi Xiangyun would scold him. Just as he hesitated, Xiangyun indeed saw him from behind. She seized her braid with one hand and with the other gave his hand a slap, knocking the rouge from his grasp. "This unworthy habit of yours," she said, "when will you ever reform!"

Before she had finished speaking, Xiren came in. Seeing the state of affairs, she knew that Baoyu had already washed and combed his hair, so she could only go back to her own quarters to wash and comb. Suddenly she saw Baochai approaching and asked, "Where is Cousin Baoyu?" Xiren said with a smile, "Cousin Baoyu—when does he have time to be at home!" Baochai understood at once. Then she heard Xiren sigh, "For sisters to be harmonious, there should also be a proper measure and propriety. They can't carry on day and night like this! No matter how people try to advise them, it's all just wind passing their ears." When Baochai heard this, she thought to herself, "I must have underestimated this maid. Judging by her words, she actually has some sense." Baochai sat down on the kang, and gradually, in the course of casual conversation, drew out from Xiren her age, her hometown, and the like, observing her carefully. She found her words and aspirations deeply admirable.

Presently Baoyu arrived, and Baochai just then went out. Baoyu asked Xiren, "Why was Cousin Bao having such an animated conversation with you, only to run off the moment I came in?" He asked once and got no answer; when he asked again, Xiren finally said, "Are you asking me? How should I know what goes on between you two?" Baoyu heard this and saw that her expression was quite different from her usual one, so he said with a laugh, "What's got you truly angry?" Xiren said with a cold laugh, "How would I dare be angry! It's just that from now on, don't come into this room again. Someone else will serve you anyway—don't come ordering me about anymore. I'll go back to serving the Old Lady." As she spoke, she lay down on the kang and closed her eyes. Baoyu, seeing this state of affairs, was deeply shocked and could not help hurrying over to comfort her. But Xiren kept her eyes closed and paid him no heed. Baoyu was at a loss, and when Sheyue came in, he asked her, "What's wrong with your sister?" Sheyue said, "How should I know? Ask yourself and you'll understand." Baoyu stood there blankly for a while, then feeling awkward, he sighed and got up, saying, "If you won't pay me any mind, I'll go to sleep too." With that he rose from the kang and lay down on his own bed. After hearing no sound from him for some time and noticing faint snoring, Xiren concluded he had fallen asleep. She got up, fetched a cape, and was just tucking it around him when, with a sudden fling, Baoyu threw it aside and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. Xiren knew full well what he meant, nodded, and said with a cold laugh, "No need to be angry. From now on I'll just be a mute—I won't say a single word to you anymore. How's that?" Baoyu could not help rising and asking, "What have I done now? And there you go trying to comfort me again. If you're going to comfort me, fine—but just now I didn't see you trying to comfort me at all. The moment I came in you ignored me and went to sleep in a huff. I still can't figure out why, and now you say I'm the one who's angry. When did I ever hear you say anything comforting?" Xiren said, "You know perfectly well in your own heart—do you really need me to spell it out?" While they were still at it, the Lady Dowager sent someone to call him to dinner. He went to the front and wolfed down half a bowl, then returned to his own room. He found Xiren sleeping on the outer kang and Sheyue playing solitaire beside her. Baoyu knew that Sheyue and Xiren were close, so he ignored Sheyue as well, lifted the soft curtain, and went into the inner room by himself. Sheyue had no choice but to follow. Baoyu then pushed her out, saying, "I wouldn't presume to disturb you." Sheyue could only leave with a smile and called in two little maids. Baoyu picked up a book and read cross-legged for quite a while. When he wanted tea, he looked up and saw the two little maids standing there. One of them, the older, was remarkably pretty, and Baoyu asked, "What's your name?" The maid replied, "My name is Huixiang." Baoyu asked, "Who gave you that name?" Huixiang said, "I was originally called Yunxiang, but Sister Hua changed it to Huixiang." Baoyu said, "You really ought to be called 'Bad Luck'—what kind of name is 'Huixiang'?" He then asked, "How many sisters do you have?" Huixiang said, "Four." Baoyu asked, "Which are you?" Huixiang said, "The fourth." Baoyu said, "Tomorrow I'll just call you 'Fourth Sister'—no need for 'Huixiang' or 'Orchid Fragrance' or any of that. Who deserves to be matched with flowers like that? It would sully a perfectly good name." As he spoke, he told her to pour him some tea. Xiren and Sheyue in the outer room heard this and smiled behind their hands.

That day, Baoyu hardly left his room at all, and didn't romp with his sisters or the maids. He was just moping by himself, passing the time with a book or fooling with his brush and ink. He didn't call on any of the others, only summoning Fourth Sister to attend him.

It turned out that Fourth Sister was an exceptionally clever and winsome little maid. When Baoyu took her into his service, she left nothing undone to ingratiate herself with him. That evening, after dinner, Baoyu had drunk two cups of wine and was warm and dazed. On an ordinary day, Xiren and the others would have been laughing and merry with him, but today he sat all alone, facing the lamp, finding it perfectly dreeful. If he sent them away, he was afraid they would be pleased with themselves and would only pester him all the more in future. But if he pulled rank and tried to intimidate them with his authority, that seemed too heartless. He made up his mind that he would simply treat them as dead—in any case, life would go on. Acting as though they were dead and he had no ties to them at all, he found he could be perfectly content on his own. He told Fourth Sister to trim the lamp and brew some tea, and he read a while in the *Zhuangzi*. He had just reached a passage in the "Outer Chapters," the "Breaking Open of Trunks" section, which read:

"Therefore, discard sageliness and abandon knowledge, and great thieves will cease; jade must be smashed and pearls destroyed, and small thieves will not arise; tallies must be burned and seals broken, and the people will become simple and honest; measures must be smashed and scales snapped, and the people will stop contending; the sagely laws of the world must be swept away entirely before the people can begin to discuss things reasonably. The six pitches must be jumbled and confused, the pipes and lutes broken and silenced, and the ears of Music Master Kuang stopped up, before the people of the world can begin to hold on to their hearing. Patterns and colors must be destroyed and scattered, the eyes of Li Zhu glued shut, before the people of the world can begin to hold on to their sight. The compass and square must be smashed and the plumb line thrown away, the fingers of Artisan Chui severed, before the people of the world can begin to hold on to their skill."

Reading this, his spirits soared, and riding the wine he could not resist taking up his brush and writing a continuation:

"Burn the flowers and scatter the musk, and the women's quarters will begin to hold on to their counsel. Destroy the immortal grace of Baochai, and reduce the clever wit of Daiyu to ashes; let sentiment and desire wither and fade, and then the beauty and ugliness of the women's quarters will become indistinguishable. When their counsel is held back, there will be no discord; when her immortal grace is destroyed, there will be no heart for love; when her clever wit is reduced to ashes, there will be no passion for talent. Those figures—Baochai, Daiyu, the flowers, the musk—they all spread their nets and dig their burrows, and so they bewitch, bewilder, entangle, and entrap the world."

Presently Baoyu arrived, just as Baochai was leaving. Baoyu asked Xiren, "Why was Cousin Bao having such a lively conversation with you? The moment I came in she fled?"

He asked once and got no reply. When he asked again, Xiren finally said, "You're asking me? How should I know what's between you two?"

Baoyu noticed that her expression was quite different from usual and said with a smile, "What's put you in such a real temper?"

Xiren said with a cold laugh, "Me, put out? I wouldn't dare! Only from now on, don't come into this room anymore. Someone else will wait on you anyway—don't send for me again. I'll go back to waiting on the Old Lady."

Even as she spoke, she lay down on the kang and closed her eyes. Baoyu was deeply alarmed by this and couldn't help hurrying over to comfort her. But Xiren kept her eyes shut and paid him no heed. Baoyu was at a loss, and when Sheyue came in, he asked, "What's wrong with your elder sister?"

Sheyue replied, "How should I know? Ask yourself and you'll understand."

Baoyu stood there for a while, then feeling thoroughly awkward, he sighed, "If you won't pay me any mind, I'll go to sleep too." He got up from the kang and lay down on his own bed.

After Xiren heard him lying motionless for some time, snoring softly, she concluded he had fallen asleep. She got up, took a cloak, and had just tucked it around him when—with a sudden movement—Baoyu threw it aside and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. Xiren knew perfectly well what he was doing. She nodded and said with a cold smile, "No need to be angry. From now on I'll just be a mute—I won't say another word to you. How's that?"

Baoyu couldn't help getting up and asking, "What have I done now? And here you are lecturing me again. If you're going to lecture me, fine—but just now I didn't see you lecturing me at all. The moment I came in you ignored me and went to sleep in a huff. I couldn't figure out why, and now you're telling me I'm the one who's angry. When did I ever hear you say anything to lecture me?"

Xiren said, "You know perfectly well in your own heart—do you need me to spell it out?"

Just as they were carrying on, the Lady Dowager sent someone to call him to dinner. He went to the front and ate half a bowl at random, then returned to his own room. He found Xiren sleeping on the outer kang and Sheyue nearby, playing cards. Baoyu knew Sheyue was close to Xiren, so he ignored even Sheyue. He lifted the soft curtain and went into the inner room by himself. Sheyue had no choice but to follow. Baoyu pushed her out, saying, "I wouldn't want to disturb you." Sheyue could only come out smiling and called in two little maids. Baoyu picked up a book and lay there reading for a while. When he wanted tea, he looked up and saw the two little maids standing there. One, the older of the two, was exceedingly pretty and fresh-looking. Baoyu asked, "What's your name?"

The maid replied, "Hui Xiang."

Baoyu asked, "Who gave you that name?"

Hui Xiang said, "I was originally called Yun Xiang, but Elder Sister Hua changed it to Hui Xiang."

Baoyu said, "You really ought to be called 'Gloom'—what's all this 'Hui Xiang' business?" He then asked, "How many sisters do you have?"

Hui Xiang said, "Four."

Baoyu asked, "Which are you?"

Hui Xiang said, "The fourth."

Baoyu said, "Tomorrow I'll just call you 'Fourth Girl'—no need for all this 'Hui Xiang' or 'Lan Qi' nonsense. None of you are worthy of matching those flowers—you'd only sully good names and good family lines."

Even as he spoke, he told her to pour him some tea. Xiren and Sheyue, hearing all this from the outer room, smiled behind their lips.

That day Baoyu hardly left his room. He didn't romp with his cousins or the maids either. He was listless and dull, merely passing the time with a book or playing with his brush and ink. He didn't call on anyone else, only sending for Fourth Girl to attend him.

It turned out that Fourth Girl was an exceptionally clever and artful maid. Once Baoyu began using her, she left nothing undone to ingratiate herself with him. After supper, Baoyu had drunk two cups of wine and felt drowsy and warm in his eyes and ears. On other days, Xiren and the others would have been there to share the merriment and excitement, but today he sat all alone facing the lamp, finding it terribly dull. If he dismissed them, he feared they'd be pleased with themselves and only come to lecture him all the more. But if he pulled rank and tried to intimidate them with his authority as master, that seemed too heartless. There was nothing for it—he steeled himself and decided to treat them as dead. Since they would die sooner or later anyway, he might as well consider them dead now. With nothing to tie him down, he could be perfectly content in his own way. He told Fourth Girl to trim the lamp and brew tea, and settled down to read the Nan Hua Jing himself. He had just reached the chapter "Qu Qie" in the Outer Chapters, which read:

"Therefore, discard wisdom and abandon knowledge, and great thieves will cease; throw away jade and destroy pearls, and petty thieves will not arise; burn tallies and smash seals, and the people will become plain and honest; smash the measures and break the scales, and the people will stop contending; abolish and sweep away the sagely laws of the world, and only then can the people be discussed with... Put the six tunings into disorder and melt down and destroy the flutes and lutes, and stop up the ears of Music Master Kuang, and for the first time the people of the world will be able to hold on to their keen hearing. Wipe away patterns and scatter the five colors, and glue up the eyes of Li Zhu, and for the first time the people of the world will be able to hold on to their keen vision. Destroy compasses and rulers and throw away T-square and carpenter's square, and break off the fingers of Artisan Chui, and for the first time the people of the world will possess their true skill."

Reading this, he felt his spirits soaring. Riding the momentum of the wine, he couldn't help taking up his brush and continuing:

Burn the flowers and scatter the musk, and the women's chambers will for the first time contain their exhortation. Maim Baochai's immortal grace, and reduce Daiyu's clever wit to ashes—destroy and diminish all tender feeling and sentiment, and the beauty and ugliness of the women's chambers will at last become alike. When they contain their exhortation, then there will be no fear of estrangement. When her immortal grace is maimed, there will be no heart for love. When her clever wit is reduced to ashes, there will be no sentiment of talent. Those Baochai, Daiyu, the flowers, and the musk—they all spread their nets and dig their burrows, and thus bewilder, entangle, and ensnare all the world."

When he had finished writing, he threw down his brush and went to bed. No sooner had his head touched the pillow than he fell fast asleep, and the whole night long he was aware of nothing at all, not waking until daylight. Turning over, he saw Xiren sleeping fully dressed on top of his quilt.

Having dismissed the previous day's affair from his mind entirely, Baoyu pushed her and said, "Get up and sleep properly—mind you don't catch cold."

The truth was that Xiren, seeing how he frolicked with his cousins day and night without respite, and knowing that direct admonition would be useless, had resorted to tender reproaches, expecting him to relent after half a day at most. She never imagined that Baoyu would remain unmoved for a whole day and night. At a loss what to do, she herself had not slept properly all night long. Now, seeing him behave like this, she assumed his feelings had softened and deliberately ignored him. When Baoyu saw that she made no reply, he reached out to unbutton her clothes, but had barely unfastened the first button when Xiren pushed his hand away and buttoned it up again herself. Baoyu was at a loss, so he could only take her hand and smile. "What's really the matter with you?" he asked several times. Xiren opened her eyes and said, "Nothing's the matter with me. You're awake—go and wash yourself in the other room over there. Any later and you'll be late." Baoyu said, "Go where?" Xiren said with a cold laugh, "You're asking me? How should I know? Go wherever you like. From now on, let's keep our hands off each other—that'll save all this squabbling like fighting cocks and geese, making other people laugh. Anyway, when you've had enough over there, you've got your Sier and Wuer over here to wait on us. As for the likes of us, we're just 'dragging good names and good families through the mud' for nothing." Baoyu laughed, "You're still holding that against me!" Xiren said, "I'll hold it against you for a hundred years! Unlike you—you treat my words like wind passing your ear. You say something at night and forget it by morning."

Seeing her face full of pretty indignation, he could not restrain his feelings. He picked up a jade hairpin from beside the pillow, snapped it in two, and said, "If I don't listen to you from now on, may I end up like this!" Xiren quickly picked up the pieces and said, "What's the point of this so early in the morning! Whether you listen or not isn't all that important—it's hardly worth making such a scene." Baoyu said, "You have no idea how anxious I am inside!" Xiren smiled, "So you know what anxiety is, do you? Then you know how I feel! Hurry up and go wash your face." With that, the two of them got up and began to wash and dress.

After Baoyu went to the main apartments, who should appear but Daiyu? Finding Baoyu not in his room, she began browsing through the books on his desk and happened upon the Zhuangzi from the previous day. Reading as far as the continuation he had written, she was at once amused and exasperated, and could not resist picking up the brush herself to add a quatrain:

Who is this meddless scribbler,

Who drags through the mud Master Zhuang's Zhuangzi Yin?

He won't repent his own blind ignorance,

But foully blames another instead!

Having finished writing, she too went to the main apartments to see Grandmother Jia, and then proceeded to Lady Wang's quarters.

As it happened, Fengjie's little daughter Dajie had fallen ill, and they were in a fluster fetching a doctor to examine her pulse. The doctor said, "I congratulate the ladies. The little miss's fever is a sign of the 'happy eruption'—it is no other ailment." Lady Wang and Fengjie, upon hearing this, quickly sent someone to ask, "Will she be all right?" The doctor replied, "Though the illness is serious, it is proceeding favorably, so there is no cause for alarm. The important thing is to prepare silkworm larvae and pig's tails." No sooner had Fengjie heard this than she set to work at once: on one hand she had the rooms cleaned and the Smallpox Goddess enshrined; on one hand she ordered the household to abstain from fried and stir-fried foods; on one hand she told Pinger to prepare bedding and clothing for Jia Lian to sleep apart; and on one hand she took out lengths of red cloth to make clothes for the wet nurse and the maids who would be in close contact. Outside, a clean room was prepared, and two doctors were retained in the house, taking turns to deliberate on the diagnosis and prescribe medicine, not being allowed to go home for twelve days. Jia Lian had no choice but to move to the outer study to observe the fast, while Fengjie and Pinger accompanied Lady Wang daily in their devotions to the Goddess.

Having finished, he threw down his brush and went to bed. The moment his head touched the pillow, he fell fast asleep and knew nothing more until dawn the next morning. Turning over, he saw Xiren sleeping on top of the quilt with her clothes still on. Baoyu had already put the previous day's events out of his mind. He nudged her. "Get up and sleep properly," he said. "You'll catch cold."

The truth was that Xiren, seeing him frolic with his cousins day and night without cease, had reasoned that direct remonstrance would accomplish nothing. She had tried using tender reproof instead, confident he would recover his spirits in half a day at most. She had never expected him to remain in that mood for a full day and night. She herself had been at a loss and had not slept properly all night. Now, seeing him like this, she judged that his heart had turned back and deliberately ignored him. When she didn't respond, he reached over to unfasten her clothing. He had barely undone the first button when Xiren pushed his hand away and buttoned it up again. Baoyu, helpless, could only take her hand and smile. "What exactly is the matter with you?" he asked repeatedly. Xiren opened her eyes. "Nothing's the matter with me. You're awake now—go wash and dress in the other room. If you delay any longer, you'll be late." "Where am I supposed to go?" Baoyu asked. Xiren gave a cold laugh. "You're asking me? How would I know? Go wherever you like. From now on, let's keep our hands off each other. That way we can avoid all this squabbling like chickens and geese, making others laugh. Anyway, when you grow tired of that side, you'll have Sier and Wuer and the rest of them to wait on us. We're just so much trash that 'stains good names and good families' for nothing." Baoyu smiled. "You're still holding a grudge about what I said yesterday!" "I'll hold it for a hundred years! Not like you—you take my words as wind passing your ear. You say something at night and forget it by morning." Seeing her face full of pettish charm, he could not contain himself. He picked up a jade hairpin from the pillow, snapped it in two, and said, "If I ever fail to listen to you again, let me end up like this." Xiren quickly picked up the pieces. "What's the point of this, so early in the morning? Whether you listen or not hardly matters—it's hardly worth making such a scene." "You don't know how anxious I am!" Baoyu said. Xiren smiled. "So you know what anxiety feels like? Then you know how I feel! Go quickly and wash your face." With that, the two of them got up and dressed.

After Baoyu went to the main apartments, who should appear but Daiyu. Finding Baoyu not in his room, she browsed through the books on his desk and happened to come across the Zhuangzi from the previous day. Reading to the passage he had added, she was both amused and exasperated. She could not resist taking up the brush herself and writing a quatrain:

Who is this person who meddles with his pen,

Vexing Zhuangzi's Nanhua Jing with his additions?

He regrets not his own want of understanding,

But instead reproaches others with ugly words!

When she finished, she too went to the main apartments to see Grandmother Jia, and then on to Lady Wang's quarters.

As it happened, Xifeng's little daughter Dajie had fallen ill, and they were in the midst of fetching a physician to examine her. The doctor said, "Allow me to congratulate the ladies. The child's fever indicates the onset of smallpox—it is no other illness." Lady Wang and Xifeng, upon hearing this, quickly sent someone to ask, "Will she be all right?" The physician replied, "Though the illness is dangerous, it is following its proper course and is not beyond hope. The essential thing is to prepare silkworm larvae and pig's tail." Upon hearing this, Xifeng immediately set to work with great urgency. On one hand, she had the house cleaned and a shrine set up to the Goddess of Smallpox. On the other, she ordered the household to abstain from fried and stir-fried foods. She also directed Ping'er to prepare bedding and clothing so that Jia Lian could sleep apart. She furthermore had large pieces of red cloth cut for the wet nurses and maids who were in close contact with the child. Outside, a clean room was prepared to accommodate the two physicians, who would take turns diagnosing the illness and prescribing medicine, and were not to return home for twelve days. Jia Lian had no choice but to move to the outer study to observe his purification fast, while Xifeng and Ping'er accompanied Lady Wang daily in making offerings to the Goddess.

Jia Lian, the moment he was separated from Fengjie, was bound to stir up trouble. After sleeping alone for just two nights, he found it quite unbearable, so he picked out the handsomer among the young serving boys to "let off steam." Now, there happened to be in the Rongguo Mansion a most worthless, dissipated kitchen cook named Duo Guan, whom people, seeing his cowardice and incompetence, called "Duo the Muddlehead." Because his parents had married him off to a girl outside while he was still young—she was now about twenty years of age and possessed some charm, so that whoever saw her could not help admiring her—and because she was by nature flighty and most fond of dallying with flowers and grass, while Duo the Muddlehead paid it no mind and cared only for wine, meat, and money, leaving everything else unattended, the people of both the Rong and Ning mansions had all had their way with her. Because this wife was extraordinarily beautiful and utterly wanton, everyone called her "Miss Duo." Now Jia Lian was suffering in his banishment, and in the past he had caught sight of this woman and lost his wits over her, but fearing his fierce wife at home and his catamites abroad, he had never made his move. Miss Duo too had long had designs on Jia Lian, only regretting the lack of opportunity. When she heard that Jia Lian had moved to the outer study, she would find excuses to visit even when she had nothing to do, just to tease him. She provoked Jia Lian until he was like a famished rat, and he could not help but consult with his trusted young serving boys, conspiring together to cover it up and arrange matters, offering them many bribes of gold and silk. How could the young serving boys refuse? Besides, they were all already friendly with this woman, and one word brought it about. That night, when the second watch was struck and people had settled to sleep, Duo the Muddlehead lay drunk and unconscious on the kang, and Jia Lian slipped over to meet her. The moment he entered the door and saw her manner, his very soul was scattered, and there was no need for tender talk or gentle preliminaries—he at once loosened his clothes and set to work. Who would have thought this woman possessed a peculiar gift from heaven: the moment a man touched her, her whole frame would go soft and limp, making the man feel as though he were lying on cotton, and coupled with this, her wanton ways and licentious talk surpassed even those of a prostitute—what man, having reached this point, would still value his life? Jia Lian wished he could have dissolved his very body into hers. The woman deliberately whispered lewdly, saying from below, "Your daughter has the pox and the Goddess is being worshipped—you ought to abstain for a couple of days, and instead you've dirtied your body because of me. Quick, get away from me." Jia Lian, thrusting vigorously all the while, panted in reply, "You are the Goddess! What do I care about any Goddess?" The more wanton she became, the more utterly shameless Jia Lian's behavior grew. When it was over, the two swore oaths of undying devotion, unable to bear parting, and from then on they became sworn lovers.

One day, the little girl's pox cleared and the rash faded. Twelve days later the Goddess was sent away. The whole family offered sacrifices to Heaven and their ancestors, fulfilled their vows, and burned incense; the celebrations, rewards, and distributions were finished, and Jia Lian moved back into the bedchamber. When he saw Fengjie, it was just as the saying goes: "A new marriage cannot compare with a reunion after long separation." There was boundless affection between them, and there is no need to dwell on it.

The next morning, early, after Fengjie had gone to the upper rooms, Ping'er was putting away the bedding and clothes Jia Lian had used while away. Unexpectedly, she shook out a lock of black silk from inside a pillowcase. Ping'er understood at once, quickly tucked it up her sleeve, and went into Jia Lian's room, produced the lock of hair, and said with a smile, "What is this?" Jia Lian, seeing she had found out, hurriedly rushed forward to snatch it. Ping'er ran, but Jia Lian seized her by the collar, pushed her down onto the kang, and pried at her hand to grab it, saying with a smile, "You little wretch, if you hadn't produced it sooner, I would have broken your arm." Ping'er smiled and said, "You ungrateful thing! I meant well, hiding it from her and coming to ask you—and you try to bully me! Go ahead and bully me, and when she comes back I'll tell her, and we'll see what you'll do." When Jia Lian heard this, he quickly put on a smiling face and pleaded, "Good girl, give it to me, I won't bully you again."

Before he had finished speaking, Fengjie's voice was heard entering. Jia Lian let go of his hands. Ping'er had just risen to her feet when Fengjie walked in and ordered Ping'er to quickly open the box and find a pattern for the madam. Ping'er hurriedly agreed and went to look. Fengjie, seeing Jia Lian, suddenly thought of something and asked Ping'er, "Have all the things that were taken out been brought back in?" Ping'er said, "They've been brought back in." Fengjie asked, "Has anything been lost?" Pingér said, "I was afraid one or two things might have been left behind, so I checked carefully, and nothing is missing." Fengjie said, "As long as nothing is missing, that's fine—only make sure nothing has been added?" Pingér smiled and said, "That nothing is lost is already a blessing—who would add anything?" Fengjie said with a cold laugh, "There's no guarantee of cleanliness in these past two weeks. Perhaps some lover has left something behind: a ring, a handkerchief, a sachet—and then there's hair and fingernails—these are all things." At these words, Jia Lian's face turned yellow. Standing behind Fengjie, Jia Lian looked at Ping'er, making the gestures of a chicken having its neck wrung, signaling with his eyes. Ping'er pretended not to see, and said with a smile, "How strange—my heart is just like the mistress's! I was afraid of exactly these things, so I searched carefully, and found not a single trace. If the mistress doesn't believe me, I haven't put those things away yet—the mistress can go and search through them herself." Fengjie laughed and said, "Silly girl, even if he has such things, where would we ever find them?" Saying this, she found the pattern and went back upstairs.

That Jia Lian, the moment he was separated from Fengjie, was bound to go looking for trouble. After sleeping alone for just two nights, he found it quite unbearable, and so he temporarily selected one of the more handsome young servants to help him vent his frustration.

Now, inside the Rong Mansion there was a most worthless, good-for-nothing drunken cook named Duo Guan. People saw how weak and incompetent he was and all called him "Duo the Muddlehead." Because his parents had married him off to a girl while he was still young, she was now about twenty years of age, possessed a certain charm, and was admired by all who saw her. By nature she was frivolous and most fond of dallying with men, but Duo the Muddlehead paid no heed—so long as he had wine, meat, and money, he concerned himself with nothing else. As a result, anyone in either the Rong or Ning Mansions could have his way with her. Because this woman was extraordinarily beautiful and utterly wanton, everyone called her "Miss Duo." Now, Jia Lian was tormented out there, and in days past he had caught sight of this woman and lost his soul over her, but he feared his jealous wife at home and his pretty favorites outside, and so had never made a move. Miss Duo had also long had designs on Jia Lian, only regretting that she had never found an opportunity. When she heard that Jia Lian had moved to the outer study, she made a point of walking past two or three times a day, even when she had nothing to do, just to entice him. She stirred Jia Lian to a state like that of a starving mouse, and he could not help but consult with his trusted young servants, conspiring with them to cover his tracks and making promises of generous gifts of gold and silk. What reason could the young servants have for refusing? Besides, they were all on friendly terms with this woman, and the matter was settled at once. That night, at the second watch when people had settled to sleep, Duo the Muddlehead lay drunk and senseless on the kang, and Jia Lian slipped in to meet her. The moment he entered the door and saw her bearing, his soul already scattered to the winds—there was no time for tender words and loving talk; he simply threw off his clothes and set to. Who would have expected that this woman possessed a peculiar gift by nature: the moment a man touched her, his whole body went soft and limp as though he were lying on a bed of cotton. What is more, her wanton ways and lascivious speech surpassed even those of a prostitute—what man who reached this point would care to spare his life? Jia Lian wished he could dissolve his very body into hers. The woman, feigning wantonness, called up from below: "Your daughter has the smallpox and you are making offerings to the Holy Mother—you ought to abstain for a couple of days! Instead you've dirtied your body on my account. Quick, get out from between my legs!" Jia Lian, thrusting away furiously, gasped in reply: "You are my Holy Mother! What do I care about any Holy Mother!" The more wanton she became, the more utterly ugly Jia Lian's behavior grew. When it was over, they swore undying devotion to each other, vowing they could never part, and from then on they became secret lovers.

One day, the little girl's pox ran its course and the rash receded. Twelve days later the offerings to the Holy Mother were sent, and the whole family sacrificed to Heaven and their ancestors, fulfilled their vows, and burned incense. When the celebrations and rewards were finished, Jia Lian moved back into the bedchamber. When he saw Fengjie, it was as the saying goes: "A new wife is not like one returned from a long journey." Their affection was redoubled beyond measure—of this no more need be said.

The next morning, after Fengjie rose early and went up to the main rooms, P'ing-erh began tidying up the clothes and bedding Jia Lian had used outside. Unexpectedly, she shook out a lock of black hair from inside a pillowcase. P'ing-erh understood at once and quickly tucked it up her sleeve. She then went to Jia Lian's room and produced the hair, laughing as she said to him: "What is this?" When Jia Lian saw what had happened, he rushed forward to snatch it. P'ing-erh ran, but Jia Lian grabbed her by the collar, pushed her down onto the kang, and pried at her hands to take it, laughing as he said: "You little slut, if you don't hand it over right now I'll break your arm!" P'ing-erh laughed and said: "You ungrateful thing! I meant well—I kept it from her and came to ask you about it, and you threaten me! Go ahead and threaten—when she comes back I'll tell her, and we'll see what you do!" When Jia Lian heard this, he quickly put on a smiling face and pleaded: "Good girl, give it to me, I won't threaten you anymore."

Before he had finished speaking, they heard Fengjie's voice entering. Jia Lian released his hands, and just as P'ing-erh was getting up, Fengjie had already walked in. She told P'ing-erh to open the trunk quickly and find a pattern for the Mistress. P'ing-erh hurriedly agreed and began looking for it. Fengjie, seeing Jia Lian, suddenly thought of something and asked P'ing-erh: "Have all the things that were taken out been brought back in?" P'ing-erh said: "Yes, they've all been brought back in." Fengjie said: "Is anything missing?" P'ing-erh said: "I was afraid one or two things might have been left behind, so I checked carefully, and nothing is missing." Fengjie said: "Good that nothing is missing—but make sure nothing has been added?" P'ing-erh laughed and said: "That nothing was lost is already a miracle—who would add anything?" Fengjie said with a cold laugh: "In the past half month, it's hard to guarantee there's been no hanky-panny. There may have been some intimate friend who left something behind: a ring, a sweat cloth, a sachet—or even hair or fingernail clippings—these are all things." This speech made Jia Lian's face turn completely yellow. Standing behind Fengjie, Jia Lian looked at P'ing-erh, making frantic gestures of throat-slashing and wringing of hands. P'ing-erh pretended not to see and said with a laugh, "How strange—my heart is exactly like the young mistress's! I was afraid of just such things, so I searched carefully, and there wasn't the slightest trace. If the young mistress doesn't believe me, those things haven't been put away yet—the young mistress can go and search through them herself." Fengjie laughed and said: "Silly girl—even if he has such things, where would we ever find them?" With that, she found the pattern and went back upstairs.

Ping'er pointed at her nose, shaking her head and laughing. "How are you going to thank me for this?" Jia Lian was so delighted he could hardly contain himself, itching all over. He rushed up and wrapped his arms around her, calling her "darling," "sweetheart," and "my treasure" in a flurry of gratitude.

Ping'er still held the hair and laughed. "This is the handle on my life. So long as things go well, fine. But if they don't, I'll spill the whole story." Jia Lian laughed. "You'd better keep it safe. Just don't let him find out." As he spoke, watching for his chance when she wasn't looking, he snatched it away and laughed, "You holding onto it is nothing but a disaster. Better let me burn it and be done with it." So saying, he tucked it into his boot.

Ping'er gritted her teeth. "You ungrateful thing! You tear down the bridge once you've crossed it. You'll want me to lie for you again tomorrow!"

Jia Lian, finding her coquettish and alluring, pulled her into his arms and sought his pleasure, but Ping'er wrenched herself free and ran off. Jia Lian, frantic, bent over in frustration and cursed, "You cursed little tease! You deliberately get a man all worked up and then run away."

Ping'er laughed from beyond the window. "I'm the one being provocative—who told you to get worked up? Do you think I'm going to let myself be used once and then have him find out and take it out on me?"

Jia Lian said, "You don't need to be afraid of him. When my temper comes, I'll smash that jealous pot to smithereens—then he'll know who I am! He guards me like I'm a thief. He only lets him talk to men and won't let me talk to women. If I get a little too close to a woman, he's suspicious. Never mind nephews—young or old—he chats and laughs with all of them and isn't afraid I'll be jealous. From now on, I won't let him see anyone either!"

Ping'er said, "He's allowed to be jealous of you, but you're not allowed to be jealous of him. He does what's right and walks the straight path. The moment you act, there's something rotten in it. Even I don't trust you—how much less does he?"

Jia Lian said, "You two are cut from the same mold of scoundrels. Everything you do is right, and every move I make is wicked. The two of you will end up dead in my hands sooner or later!"

Before he had finished speaking, Fengjie walked into the courtyard. Seeing Ping'er outside the window, she asked, "If you have something to say to each other, why not say it inside? Why has one of you come running out, and what does it mean, talking through the window?"

Jia Lian called from inside the window, "You ask her—it's as if there's a tiger in the room that's going to eat her."

Ping'er said, "There's not a single person in the room. What would I be doing with him there?"

Fengjie laughed. "It's precisely because there's no one there that it's so nice."

Ping'er, hearing this, said, "Are you talking about me?"

Fengjie laughed. "If I'm not talking about you, then who am I talking about?"

Ping'er said, "Don't make me say something I shouldn't." Without holding the curtain for Fengjie, she swept through it herself first and went off to the other side.

Fengjie lifted the curtain herself and came in, saying, "Ping'er has gone mad. This creature really means to bring me to heel. You'd better watch your hide!"

Jia Lian, hearing this, had already collapsed onto the kang, clapping his hands and laughing. "I never knew Ping'er could be so formidable. From now on I'll submit to her."

Fengjie said, "It's you who's spoiled her. I have a thing or two to say to you!"

Jia Lian, hearing this, quickly said, "You two don't get along, and then you drag me into it. I'm staying out of your way."

Fengjie said, "Let's see where you'll hide."

Jia Lian said, "I'm coming."

Fengjie said, "I have something to discuss with you."

What she wished to discuss, listen for the next chapter. And so it is said:

A virtuous woman has ever had her complaints,

A pampered wife has ever nursed her spite.

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Ping'er pointed at her nose, shaking her head and laughing. "How are you going to thank me for this?" Jia Lian was so delighted he could barely contain himself. He rushed over and embraced her, calling her "my heart, my liver, my flesh" in a flurry of gratitude. Ping'er still held the hair and laughed. "This is the handle on my whole life. Fine if things go well, but if they don't, I'll expose this business." Jia Lian laughed. "You'd better keep it safe. Just don't let him find out." As he spoke, watching for an unguarded moment, he snatched it away. "You holding onto it is nothing better than a disaster. Better I burn it and be done with it." Even as he spoke, he tucked it into his boot. Ping'er gritted her teeth. "You heartless thing—cross the bridge, then tear it down! You'll want me to lie for you again tomorrow!" Jia Lian, seeing her so enchantingly alluring, embraced her and pressed his suit, but Ping'er pulled free and ran off. Jia Lian, frantic, bent over in frustration. "Damnable little tease! You deliberately fan a man's fire, then run away." Ping'er laughed from outside the window. "I tease as I please. Who told you to catch fire? You think I want to give you a moment of pleasure, then have him find out and think the worse of me?" Jia Lian said, "You needn't fear him. When my temper comes around, I'll smash this vinegar jar to smithereens—then he'll know me! He guards me like a thief. He's allowed to talk to men but won't let me talk to women. If I get the least bit close to a woman, he's suspicious. Never mind younger uncles and nephews, old or young—they laugh and chat together, and he doesn't fear I'll be jealous. From now on, I won't allow him to see anyone either!" Ping'er said, "His jealousy is justified; yours isn't. He acts upright and walks the straight path. The moment you act, there's an evil intent. Even I don't trust you—let alone him." Jia Lian said, "You two share the same thieving air. Everything you do is right; everything I do, I have evil intentions. Sooner or later you'll all die at my hands!"

Before he finished speaking, Fengjie entered the courtyard. Seeing Ping'er outside the window, she asked, "If you have something to talk about, why not do it inside? Why does one of you come out and talk through the window? What's the meaning of this?" Jia Lian called from inside the window, "You should ask him—it's as if there's a tiger in the room ready to eat him." Ping'er said, "There's not a single person in the room. What would I be doing with him there?" Fengjie laughed. "That's precisely why it's good there's no one there." Ping'er, hearing this, said, "Is that remark meant for me?" Fengjie laughed. "If not you, then who?" Ping'er said, "Don't make me say something unkind." Without lifting the curtain for Fengjie, she swept through first herself and went off to the other side. Fengjie lifted the curtain and entered. "Ping'er's gone mad. This wench really means to subdue me. Watch out—your hide will pay for it!" Jia Lian, hearing this, had already collapsed onto the kang, clapping his hands and laughing. "I had no idea Ping'er was so formidable. From now on I'll submit to her." Fengjie said, "It's all because you spoiled him. I'm telling you!" Jia Lian, hearing this, said hastily, "You two are at odds again, and you use me as the scapegoat. I'm staying out of this." Fengjie said, "Let's see where you'll hide." Jia Lian said, "I'm coming." Fengjie said, "I have something to discuss with you." What they discussed will be revealed in the next chapter. As the verse says:

A virtuous wife has ever had her complaints;

A lovely bride has always harbored jealousy.

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