Chapter 22

Chapter 22

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Chapter 22: Baoyu Seeks Zen Enlightenment Through Opera Lines; Jia Yan Forebodes Doom in Lantern Riddles

Jia Lian had stopped to ask what Fengjie wanted to discuss when she said she had something to talk over with him. "The twenty-first is Sister Xue's birthday," she said. "What exactly are we going to do about it?"

"What do you mean, what are we going to do? You've handled plenty of big birthdays before. Why should you lose your bearings now?"

"Big birthdays follow fixed rules. But this one is neither a big occasion nor a small one, which is why I'm consulting you."

Jia Lian thought for a moment. "You must be confused today. You have a precedent: Cousin Lin. Whatever you did for her in the past, do the same for Sister Xue."

Fengjie laughed coldly. "You think I don't know that? That was my first thought too. But yesterday I heard the Old Ancestress say that when she asked everyone's ages, she learned that Elder Sister Xue is fifteen this year. It's not a milestone birthday, but it's the year of the hairpin. The Old Ancestress wants to celebrate it for her. If we really do, it will naturally be different from what we did for Cousin Lin in the past."

"In that case, spend more than we did for Cousin Lin."

"That's what I thought too, which is why I wanted to sound you out. If I added things on my own, you'd blame me for not telling you."

"All right, all right, I won't accept empty favors. It's enough if you don't scrutinize me—why would I blame you?" With that, he went on his way, and no more of that.

Now Sh Xiangyun had been staying for two days and wanted to go home. The Old Ancestress said, "Wait until after your Cousin Bao's birthday, and watch the opera before you go back." Xiangyun had no choice but to stay. She also sent someone back to fetch two sets of needlework she had made previously, to present as a birthday gift for Baochai.

The Old Ancestress, pleased with Baochai's composed and gentle nature since her arrival, had decided to celebrate her first birthday in the household. She contributed twenty taels of her own money and summoned Fengjie to arrange the feast and opera. Fengjie, aiming to amuse her, said with a grin, "When the Old Ancestress celebrates the children's birthdays, no one dares object, whatever the arrangement. And why the feast and opera? If she wants a lively time, she'll have to spend a few taels herself. Why fish out these moldy twenty taels to play host? She clearly means to make us cover the rest. It's not that she can't afford it—gold and silver, round and flat, are piled up till they've crushed the bottom of her trunk, and yet she squeezes us. Look around—aren't we all her children? Is it that only Brother Bao will one day carry you up to Mount Wutai? Let her keep her private savings for him alone. We may not deserve to use them now, but don't make us suffer. Is this enough for wine? Enough for opera?" Everyone in the room burst out laughing. The Old Ancestress also laughed. "Just listen to that mouth! I'm supposed to be a good talker, but I can't match this monkey. Your mother-in-law doesn't dare talk back to me, yet you just tie me up."

Fengjie said with a smile, "My mother-in-law dotes on Baoyu just as much, and I have nowhere to complain of injustice, yet you say I talk back." This made the Old Ancestress laugh again, and she was thoroughly delighted.

That evening, when everyone had gathered before the Old Ancestress and the formal duties of the day were done, the family sat chatting and laughing together. The Old Ancestress asked Baochai what kind of opera she enjoyed and what foods she liked. Knowing that the old lady loved lively plays and sweet, soft dishes, Baochai answered entirely according to her usual preferences. The Old Ancestress was even more pleased. The next day, she sent over clothes and playthings as gifts first, and Lady Wang, Fengjie, Daiyu, and the others all gave gifts of varying kinds—no need to record them in detail.

On the twenty-first, a small, informal stage was set up in the Old Ancestress's inner courtyard. A troupe of newly emerged young performers was engaged, with both Kunqu and Yiyang styles represented. Several tables of family banquet were laid in the Old Ancestress's main hall. There were no outside guests—only Aunt Xue, Shi Xiangyun, and Baochai were guests; all the rest were family.

That morning, Baoyu, not seeing Daiyu, went to her room to find her. He found her lying on the kang. Baoyu said with a smile, "Get up and go eat—the opera's about to start. Which act would you like? I'll have them play it."

Daiyu said with a cold laugh, "Since you put it that way, why don't you specially hire a whole troupe to sing whatever I like? You don't need to grope your way through someone else's light to ask me."

Baoyu said with a smile, "That's easy enough. We'll do it that way tomorrow—let them borrow our light for a change." As he said this, he pulled her up, and they went out hand in hand.previous chapter table of contents next chapter

Chapter 22

Baoyu Seeks Mental Cultivation as He Listens to an Opera;

Jia Zheng Grieves over Lantern Riddles and Forebodings

When Jia Lian heard Xifeng say she had something to discuss, he stopped and asked what it was. "The twenty-first is Sister Xue's birthday," said Xifeng. "What are we going to do about it?" "What do you think?" he replied. "You've managed any number of big celebrations before. Why be at a loss this time?" "For a big birthday there's a fixed precedent," she answered. "But this birthday of hers is neither big nor small, so I wanted to talk it over with you." Jia Lian lowered his head for some time in thought. "You must be out of your mind," he said at last. "There's a precedent right under your nose: Cousin Lin. Just do for Cousin Xue what you did for Cousin Lin in previous years." "Do you think I don't know that?" Xifeng said with a sarcastic smile. "That was my first idea too. But yesterday I heard the old lady ask everyone how old they were and when their birthdays are. When she learned that Elder Sister Xue is fifteen this year, she said that although it's not a round number it's the year for a girl's coming-of-age ceremony, and she wanted to celebrate her birthday. So if we really do that, it will naturally have to be different from what we did for Cousin Lin." "In that case, spend a bit more on her than on Cousin Lin," he said. "That's what I thought too, and that's why I wanted to sound you out. If I added anything on my own, you'd blame me for not telling you." "All right, all right, I don't want your empty thanks. It's enough if you don't scrutinize my accounts, without my having to blame you!" With that he went off, and there is no more to be told.

Now Shi Xiangyun had been staying for two days and wanted to go home. "Wait until after your Cousin Bao's birthday," said the Lady Dowager, "and see the opera before you leave." Xiangyun had no choice but to stay on. She sent someone back to fetch two items of needlework she had made in the past, as a birthday present for Baochai.

The Lady Dowager had been delighted ever since Baochai's arrival by her composure and poise. As this was the first birthday to be celebrated here, she contributed twenty taels of silver from her own pocket and summoned Xifeng to give the money to her for arranging a feast and an opera. Xifeng, determined to be amusing, said with a smile, "The old lady's treating the young ones—who would dare complain, whatever you do? And why bother with a feast and an opera? Since you want to make things lively, you'll have to spend a few taels of your own. Why fish out this mouldy twenty taels of silver to play host, as if you expected me to make up the rest? If you really couldn't afford it, that would be one thing. But you've got gold and silver, round and flat, enough to crush the bottom of your chest, and you're just squeezing us. Look around—who hasn't children? Surely Cousin Bao won't be the only one who'll carry you up to Mount Wutai when the time comes? If you keep all your private savings for him, we may not be entitled to them now, but at least don't make us suffer. Is this enough for wine? Enough for an opera?" Everyone in the room burst out laughing. The Lady Dowager laughed too. "Listen to that tongue! I'm supposed to be good with words, but I can't match this monkey. Your mother-in-law doesn't dare talk back to me, but you bandy words with me." "My mother-in-law dotes on Baoyu just as much," said Xifeng. "I've nowhere to complain of injustice, yet I'm accused of talking back." At this she set the old lady laughing again, and the Lady Dowager was highly pleased. That evening, when everyone had gathered before the Lady Dowager and the family had finished the evening meal, the old lady asked Baochai during the conversation what operas she enjoyed and what foods she liked. Knowing well that the old lady, being elderly, preferred lively operas and sweet, soft foods, Baochai answered by listing all the Lady Dowager's favourite things. This pleased her even more. The next day the Lady Dowager sent over presents of clothes and trinkets. Lady Wang, Xifeng, Daiyu, and the others all gave presents according to their means, but there is no need to record the details. On the twenty-first, a small, informal stage was set up in the Lady Dowager's inner courtyard, and a troupe of boy actors who had recently come on the scene was engaged, with both Kunqu and Yiyang opera. Several tables were laid in the old lady's main reception room for a family banquet. There were no outside guests—only Aunt Xue, Shi Xiangyun, and Baochai were guests; all the rest were family. That morning, Baoyu, not finding Daiyu about, went to her room to look for her and found her lying on the kang. "Get up and come for the meal," he said with a smile. "The opera's going to start. Which act would you like? I'll choose for you." "In that case," Daiyu said coldly, "why not get a whole troupe to sing the ones I like best? You needn't stoop to asking me in front of other people." "That's easy enough," said Baoyu. "We'll do that tomorrow too, and let them bask in our glory." As he spoke, he pulled her up and they went out hand in hand.

After the meal, when it was time to choose the plays for the performance, Grandmother Jia first insisted that Baochai select one. Baochai demurred once, but finding she could not decline, she chose an episode from *The Journey to the West*. Grandmother Jia was naturally delighted. She then ordered Xifeng to choose. Xifeng, knowing that Grandmother Jia preferred lively plays and especially enjoyed comedic banter, picked an episode called *Liu Er Pawns His Clothes*. Grandmother Jia was even more pleased. Next she told Daiyu to choose. Daiyu began to defer to Aunt Xue, Lady Wang, and the others. Grandmother Jia said, "Today I brought you here specifically for our own amusement. Let us attend to our own pleasure and pay them no mind. Did I go to all this trouble of arranging singers and setting out a feast just for their sake? They have already had the good fortune to listen and eat for free. And you would have them choose the plays too!" At this, everyone laughed. Daiyu then chose an episode. After that, Baoyu, Shi Xiangyun, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Li Wan, and the others each made their selections, and the players took the stage. When the wine course was served, Grandmother Jia again told Baochai to choose. Baochai selected an episode called *Lu Zhishen Drunkenly Makes Havoc at Wutai Mountain*. Baoyu said, "Why do you always pick plays like this?" Baochai replied, "You've been attending these performances for years without the least understanding of what makes a good play. This one has splendid staging and even finer verse." Baoyu said, "I've always found these boisterous plays tiresome." Baochai smiled. "If you call this play boisterous, then you truly don't know the first thing about theater. Come here and let me tell you whether this play is boisterous or not. It opens with a suite in the northern mode, 'Dotted Crimson Lips,' with such force and rhythmic drive—needless to say the prosody is superb. But within the lyrics there is a song to the tune 'Parasite Grass' that is exquisitely written. Did you even know that?" Finding her description so compelling, Baoyu drew closer and begged, "Good sister, please, recite it for me." Baochai then recited:

*I wipe away the tears of heroes, and part from the hermit's home. Grateful for mercy, I was tonsured beneath the lotus throne. But lacking karmal bonds, we are suddenly torn apart, separated in an instant. I come and go utterly unencumbered, with nothing to tie me down. Where shall I find a straw cape and bamboo hat for traveling alone with my bundle? Let me make my way with straw sandals and a cracked alms bowl, following karma wherever it leads!*

Baoyu listened, delighted beyond measure, clapping his knees and gesturing in the air, praising without cease. He also complimented Baochai on her boundless knowledge. Lin Daiyu said, "Watch the play quietly. They haven't even performed 'The Mountain Gate' yet, and you've already put on 'Playing Mad.'" This made Xiangyun laugh too. And so they all watched the play. When it was over in the evening, Grandmother Jia was especially taken with the little boy who had played the female comic role and the one who had played the clown. She ordered them brought in for a closer look, and upon examining them more closely, she found them all the more pitiable. She asked their ages: the little female-role player was only eleven, and the clown only nine. Everyone sighed with sympathy. Grandmother Jia had some extra meat and fruit given to the two of them and also presented them with two strings of cash as a reward. Xifeng said with a smile, "When that child was in costume, he looked exactly like someone—don't any of you see it?" Baochai had noticed too, but she only smiled and said nothing. Baoyu had guessed as well and likewise dared not speak. Shi Xiangyun then blurted out with a laugh, "He looks just like Sister Lin!" Baoyu hurriedly shot Xiangyun a look and gave her a meaningful glance. But the others had already heard the remark and studied the child carefully, and they all burst out laughing, agreeing that it was indeed true. Soon after, the party dispersed.

That evening, when Xiangyun went to change her clothes, she ordered Cuilü to open her bundle and pack everything up. Cuilü said, "Why the rush? You can pack whenever we're about to leave." Xiangyun said, "We leave first thing tomorrow morning. What's the point of staying here?—and have people staring at our noses and faces! What kind of treatment is that?" Baoyu, overhearing this, hurried over and pulled her aside. "Dear cousin, you've misunderstood me completely. Sister Lin is a person of many sensitivities. The others all saw it clearly but wouldn't say so, precisely because they were afraid she would be offended. Who could have known that you, without thinking, would come right out and say it? Of course she would be upset with you. I gave you that look because I was afraid you would offend her. Now you're angry at me—you've not only failed to appreciate my intentions, but you've actually twisted my meaning. If it were anyone else, what would it matter to me even if they offended ten people?" Xiangyun flung his hand away. "Don't try your sweet talk on me. I was never equal to your Sister Lin anyway. Everyone else may talk about her and make jokes about her, but if I say anything, I'm in the wrong. I have no business speaking of her. She's a young lady, the mistress, and I'm a servant girl. I can't afford to offend her!" Baoyu said in distress, "I did it for your sake, and instead I've brought blame upon myself. If I had any ulterior motive, may I turn to ash at once and be trampled upon by ten thousand people!" Xiangyun said, "In the first month of the new year, stop talking such nonsense. Save those pointless oaths, those careless words, and those twisted remarks for people who are petty and quick to anger, people who know how to keep you in line! Don't make me spit at you." With that, she went straight to Grandmother Jia's inner chamber and lay down in a huff.

After the meal, when it was time to choose the plays, the Dowager insisted that Baochai should be the first to pick. Baochai tried to decline once, but finding she could not refuse, she finally chose an episode from *The Journey to the West*. The Dowager was naturally pleased. She then ordered Xifeng to choose. Knowing that the Dowager preferred lively plays and especially enjoyed farce and comic banter, Xifeng picked an episode called *Liu Er Pawns His Clothes*. The Dowager was even more delighted. She then told Daiyu to choose. Daiyu offered the turn to Aunt Xue, Lady Wang, and the others. The Dowager said, "Today I brought you all here specially for some fun. Let us enjoy ourselves and pay them no mind. Do you think I went to all this trouble with singing and feasting for their sake? They have already had the windfall of hearing and eating for free, and you want them to pick the plays too!" At this, everyone laughed, and Daiyu finally chose an episode. After her, Baoyu, Shi Xiangyun, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Li Wan, and the rest all made their selections, and the actors took the stage.

When the wine was served, the Dowager again told Baochai to choose. Baochai picked an episode called *Lu Zhishen Drunkenly Makes Havoc at Mount Wutai*. Baoyu said, "You always pick plays like this." Baochai replied, "You've been listening to opera for all these years and still don't know the merits of this play. The staging is splendid, and the lyrics are even more exquisite." Baoyu said, "I've always disliked this sort of noisy play." Baochai smiled. "If you think this one is noisy, then you really don't understand opera at all. Come here, and I'll tell you whether this play is noisy or not. It opens with a northern tune, 'Dian Jiang Chun,' forceful and resonant—needless to say, the rhythm is superb. But among the lyrics there is a song to the tune of *Ji Sheng Cao* that is written to perfection. You simply don't know it." When Baoyu heard her speak so highly of it, he edged closer and pleaded, "Good sister, read it to me." Baochai then read:

Wipe away the hero's tears in vain,

Away from the scholar's home you roam.

Thanks to mercy, your head is shaved beneath the lotus throne.

But lacking karmic bonds, you are suddenly torn away.

You came with nothing, and nothing you take with you.

Where will you find a straw cloak and rain hat for your solitary wandering?

Let me, with straw sandals and a cracked begging bowl, drift as fate wills!

Baoyu, upon hearing this, was so delighted that he clapped his knees and drew circles in the air, praising her without end. He also complimented Baochai on her knowledge of every book under heaven. Lin Daiyu said, "Watch the play quietly. They haven't even sung 'The Mountain Gate,' and you've already 'Put on the Mad Act.'" This made Xiangyun laugh too. And so everyone watched the play. When the performance ended that evening, the Dowager was especially fond of the little boy who played the female role and the one who played the clown. She ordered them brought in, and upon looking at them more closely, she found them all the more pitiable. She asked their ages—the young female impersonator was only eleven, and the clown only nine. Everyone sighed with compassion. The Dowager had someone bring them some extra meat and fruit, and she gave them each a separate reward of two strings of cash. Xifeng smiled and said, "That child, made up like that, looks exactly like someone. Can't you see it?" Baochai knew in her heart too, but she only smiled and would not say it. Baoyu had also guessed, but he dared not speak. Shi Xiangyun then blurted out with a laugh, "Why, she looks just like Sister Lin!" Baoyu hurriedly shot Xiangyun a glance, giving her a meaningful look. But everyone had already heard this and, looking carefully, burst out laughing and agreed that it was indeed so. After a while, the party broke up.

That evening, when Xiangyun was changing her clothes, she told Cui Lü to open her bundle and pack everything up. Cui Lü said, "Why the rush? We can pack whenever we're about to leave." Xiangyun replied, "We're leaving first thing tomorrow. What's the point of staying here?—watching people's noses and eyes, what kind of nonsense is that!" Baoyu, overhearing this, hurried over and took her hand. "Dear sister, you've misunderstood me completely. Sister Lin is a suspicious person. The others all knew perfectly well but wouldn't say it, precisely for fear of making her angry. Who would have thought you'd blurt it out without a second thought? Of course she'd be furious with you. I gave you that look because I was afraid you'd offend her. Now you're angry at me—not only do you do me an injustice, but you actually put me in the wrong. If it were anyone else, what would it matter to me even if they offended ten people?" Xiangyun flung his hand away. "Don't try your sweet talk on me. I was never equal to your Sister Lin anyway. If anyone else teased her or made fun of her, it would be fine, but if I say anything, it's wrong. I'm not fit to mention her. She's a young lady and mistress, and I'm a servant girl. I can't afford to offend her!" Baoyu, in desperation, said, "I did it for your sake, and instead I'm blamed for doing wrong. If I had any ulterior motives, may I turn to ashes at once and be trampled upon by ten thousand people!" Xiangyun said, "In the first month of the new year, stop talking such nonsense. These pointless wicked oaths, scattered words, and crooked talk—say them to those petty, quick-to-anger people who know how to handle you! Don't expect me to spit on you." With that, she went straight to the Dowager's inner chamber and lay down, still fuming.

Baoyu, thoroughly discomfited, had no choice but to go seek out Daiyu again. Just as he reached the threshold, Daiyu pushed the door open from within and slammed it shut in his face. Once more Baoyu could not fathom her meaning. Outside the window he could only swallow his pride and call out, "Good sister!" Daiyu paid him no heed at all. Baoyu stood there in dejected silence, hanging his head and turning the matter over in his mind. Xiren already knew the full story; under the circumstances there was simply nothing she could say to comfort him. And so Baoyu simply stood there, rooted to the spot like a fool.

Daiyu assumed he had gone back to his room. She rose and opened the door, only to find Baoyu still standing there. She felt embarrassed now and could not very well shut the door again. All she could do was slip past him and climb back onto the bed. Baoyu followed her in and said, "Everything has a reason. If you speak plainly, no one need feel wronged. You were perfectly fine a moment ago and then suddenly you're angry—what exactly set this off?"

Daiyu said with a cold laugh, "You ask me as though I were the one at fault! I don't even know what the reason is. I was merely providing you all with amusement—you made me the butt of your jokes, comparing me to an actress."

Baoyu said, "I didn't compare you to anything, and I didn't laugh. Why are you angry at me?"

Daiyu replied, "You still want to 'compare'? You still want to 'laugh'? The fact that you didn't compare and didn't laugh makes you worse than those who did!"

Baoyu had no answer to this and said nothing.

Daiyu went on: "I could let that much pass. But then why did you go and give Yun'er that meaningful look? What were you playing at? Could it be that if she and I banter together, she would be lowering herself? She's the daughter of a duke or marquis, while I'm nothing but a pauper's servant girl. If she jokes with me and I talk back, wouldn't she be inviting people to look down on her? Was that your idea? I suppose you meant well, but the very person you were trying to help didn't appreciate your kindness—she got angry too. So you tried to patch things up by dragging me in, and then you call me oversensitive and quick-tempered. You were afraid she'd offend me and I'd be angry with her. What business is it of yours if I'm angry with her? And what business is it of yours if she offended me?"

When Baoyu heard this, he realized she had overheard the private conversation he'd had with Xiangyun earlier. Reflecting carefully, he saw that he had tried to mediate between the two of them precisely because he feared they might fall out and become estranged. But his efforts at reconciliation had not only failed—he had earned reproach from both sides. It reminded him of something he'd read the other day in the *Nanhua jing*: "The skillful toil and the wise worry; the unskilled desire nothing and, well-fed, drift like an untethered boat." And again: "It is the timber itself that invites the axe; the spring itself that invites the thief." The more he thought about it, the more wretched he felt. And when he considered further: here were only these two people, and he hadn't even managed to smooth things over between them—what would he do when there were even more? At this point there was no point in trying to explain or justify himself. He turned and went back to his own room without a word.

When Lin Daiyu saw Baoyu leave so resolutely, she guessed he had gone back to brood in sullen silence. Since he hadn't said a single word, her own anger only mounted. "If you're going," she called after him, "then don't ever come back! And don't ever speak to me again!"

Baoyu paid no attention. He returned to his room, lay down on his bed, and stared blankly ahead. Xiren knew full well what lay behind all this but dared not broach the subject directly. Instead she tried to distract him by bringing up something else. "We watched operas today," she said, "and that's set off talk of putting on several more performances. Miss Bao-chai will certainly want to return the invitation."

Baoyu said with a cold laugh, "Whether she returns it or not—what concern is it of anyone's?"

Xiren was struck by how different this tone was from his usual manner. She forced a smile and said, "What's gotten into you? It's the middle of the first month of the year, and all the ladies and girls are enjoying themselves merrily—why do you look so miserable?"

Baoyu said with a cold laugh, "Whether the ladies and girls are merry or not is no concern of mine."

Xiren said, smiling, "Since they're all in good spirits, you should be too. Then everyone would get along cheerfully together."

Baoyu said, "What is this 'everyone getting along' business? They may have their 'everyone getting along,' but I came into this world naked and I shall leave it without a single tie."

The moment these words left his eyes, tears began to fall. Xiren saw how things stood and dared not say any more. Baoyu turned the phrase over in its deeper meaning and could not restrain a great sob. He rose from the bed, went to his desk, took up his brush, and wrote a gatha:

You prove, I prove—

Mind proves, meaning proves.

When there is nothing left to prove,

Then one may speak of proving.

When there is no proving to speak of,

That is the ground on which one stands.

When he had finished writing, though he felt he had grasped its meaning himself, he feared others might not understand it. So he also composed a song to the tune of *Jisheng cao* and wrote it after the gatha. He read it over to himself once more and, finding it free of all obstructions, felt inwardly content. Then he went to bed.

Daiyu, however, seeing that Baoyu had left with such finality, used the pretext of looking for Xiren to come and see how things stood. Xiren told her with a smile, "He's already asleep." Daiyu turned to leave, but Xiren said, "Please wait a moment, miss. There's a little note here—let me show you what it says." She quietly brought out the song and the gatha and handed them to Daiyu to read. Daiyu looked them over and knew at once that Baoyu had written them in a moment of wounded feeling. She could not help finding them both amusing and lamentable. "It's just a bit of wordplay," she said to Xiren. "It doesn't mean anything." With that she took the paper back to her room, where she and Xiangyun read it together. The next day she showed it to Bao-chai as well. Bao-chai read the words:

Without me, you would not be;

Without him, she cannot be understood.

Act without hindrance—come and go as you please.

In this vastness, what is there to be sad or glad about?

In all this confusion, what is there to be near or far, close or distant?

What was the reason for all that bustle before?

Turn your head now and look back—

Truly, it was all so pointless!

Putting Baoyu in an awkward position, he had no choice but to go look for Daiyu again. Just as he reached the threshold, Daiyu pushed the door shut from inside. Baoyu was again puzzled by her meaning, and outside the window he could only call out in a choked voice, "Good sister." Daiyu paid him no attention at all. Baoyu stood there crestfallen, hanging his head and turning things over in his mind. Xiren already knew the full story, but at that moment there was no way she could offer comfort. Baoyu simply stood there in a daze.

Daiyu assumed he had gone back to her room, so she got up to open the door, only to find Baoyu still standing there. Daiyu felt rather embarrassed and did not like to shut the door again, so she could only slip past him, go to her bed, and lie down. Baoyu followed her in and asked, "Everything has a reason. If you say it aloud, no one will feel wronged. You got angry for no apparent reason—what on earth started it?"

Daiyu said with a cold laugh, "You ask me as if I were the one at fault—I don't know the reason either. I was the one you were making fun of—comparing me to an actress to amuse yourselves."

Baoyu said, "I didn't compare you, and I didn't laugh. Why be angry with me?"

Daiyu said, "You even want to compare? You even want to laugh? The fact that you neither compare nor laugh makes you more formidable than those who do compare and laugh!"

Baoyu had no way to defend himself and said nothing.

Daiyu went on, "I could forgive that much. But then why did you exchange meaningful glances with Xiangyun just now? What were you thinking? Could it be that because she plays around with me, she considers herself beneath her station? She is the daughter of a duke or marquis, while I am the servant girl of a poor family. If she plays around with me and I talk back, wouldn't that make her invite contempt upon herself? Was that your idea? Even that would have been well-intentioned on your part, except that the other party didn't appreciate your kindness—she got angry too. You dragged me into it and said I was petty and quick to take offense. You were afraid she would offend me and I would be angry with her. What has my being angry with her got to do with you? And what has her offending me got to do with you?"

When Baoyu heard this, he realized she had overheard his private conversation with Xiangyun earlier. Reflecting carefully, he understood that he had originally been trying to mediate between the two of them to prevent any rift or resentment, but instead of succeeding in reconciling them, he had earned reproach from both sides. This perfectly matched what he had read the other day in the Nanhua Jing: "The cunning toil and the wise worry; the unskilled have nothing to pursue, they feast and roam, drifting like an unmoored boat." And again: "It is the timber that invites the axe; the spring that invites theft." The more he thought about it, the more he felt dispirited. Reflecting further, there were only these two people before him, and he hadn't even managed to handle them properly—what would he do in the future? Thinking along these lines, there was no need to argue or explain; he turned around and went back to his own room.

When Lin Daiyu saw that Baoyu had indeed left in decisive fashion, she assumed he was brooding in resentment, having gone back to reflect on his own lack of options, without uttering a single word. This only made her angrier with herself, and she said, "If you go, don't ever come back for the rest of your life—and don't speak either."

Baoyu paid no heed. He returned to his room and lay on the bed, staring blankly. Xiren knew the full story well but did not dare bring it up directly. She could only try to distract him by raising another matter. "We watched the opera today," she said, "and it's inspired several more days of performances. Miss Bao is certain to return the invitation."

Baoyu said with a cold laugh, "Whether she returns it or not, what does it have to do with anyone?"

Xiren noticed that this was not his usual tone, so she said with a smile, "What's this about? It's the first month of the new year—the ladies and girls are all in good spirits, so why do you look like this?"

Baoyu said with a cold laugh, "Whether the ladies and girls are in good spirits or not has nothing to do with me."

Xiren said with a smile, "Since they are being agreeable, you should be agreeable too—wouldn't that make things pleasant for everyone?"

Baoyu said, "What is this 'pleasant for everyone'? They may have their 'pleasant for everyone,' but I came into this world naked and I shall leave it without a single tie." As he spoke these words, tears fell unbidden. Xiren saw the state he was in and did not dare say more.

Baoyu turned the flavor of these words over in his mind and, unable to help himself, burst into loud weeping. He rose from the bed, went to the writing desk, picked up a brush, and quickly composed a gatha:

You prove, I prove; mind proves, intent proves.

When there is nothing left to prove, only then can it be called proof.

When there is no proof to speak of, that is the ground on which to stand.

When he had finished writing, although he felt he understood it himself, he feared others might not comprehend it. So he also composed a song to the tune of Jisheng Cao and wrote it after the gatha. He read it over to himself once more and felt unburdened and inwardly satisfied. Then he went to bed.

As it happened, when Daiyu saw that Baoyu had left so resolutely, she used looking for Xiren as an excuse to come and observe the situation. Xiren smiled and replied, "He's already asleep." Upon hearing this, Daiyu was about to leave. Xiren said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, miss—there's a piece of writing here. Let me show you what it says." With that, she quietly brought out the song and the gatha and handed them to Daiyu to read. Daiyu read them and knew they were written by Baoyu in a moment of frustrated emotion. She could not help finding them both amusing and lamentable. She said to Xiren, "It's just a bit of amusement—nothing serious." With that, she took them back to her room to look at together with Xiangyun. The next day she also showed them to Baochai. Baochai read the lyrics:

Without me, you would not be; without him, she cannot be understood.

Act freely without hindrance, coming and going as you please.

In this vast world, what is there to be sad or joyful about?

In all this bustle, what is there to call close or distant?

Why was I so busy in the past?

Looking back now, it all seems truly pointless!

After reading it, she looked again at the gatha and laughed. "This person has had an awakening. It's all my fault — it was that tune I played yesterday that set all this off. These Daoist texts and Chan riddles are the most corrupting things. If tomorrow he really starts spouting such crazy talk and keeps this idea in his head, it'll all have come from my one tune. I'll be the chief culprit." Saying this, she tore the paper to shreds and handed it to the maids. "Quickly, burn it."

Daiyu laughed. "You shouldn't have torn it up. Let me question him. Follow me, and I'll guarantee I can make this foolish, heretical talk stop."

The three of them then went straight to Baoyu's room. The moment they entered, Daiyu said with a laugh, "Baoyu, I ask you: what is most precious is 'bao' [precious/jewel]; what is most hard is 'yu' [jade]. In what way are you precious? In what way are you hard?"

Baoyu could not answer.

The three clapped their hands and laughed. "So dull and stupid, and he still tries to meditate on Chan!"

Daiyu continued, "The end of your gatha says, 'Nothing to point to as proof — this is the ground on which I stand.' That is certainly good, but in my view it is not yet perfect. I'll add two lines after it." And she recited:

"No ground on which to stand — that is true purity."

Baochai said, "Truly, this shows complete enlightenment. In the old days, when the Sixth Patriarch Huineng of the Southern School first went in search of a teacher, he arrived in Shaozhou and heard that the Fifth Patriarch Hongren was at Huangmei. There he took on work as a firewood monk in the kitchen. The Fifth Patriarch, wanting to find a successor to the dharma, ordered all the monks to compose a gatha. The senior monk Shenxiu said, 'The body is the bodhi tree, the mind is the bright mirror's stand. Polish it constantly and diligently, and do not let it gather dust.' At that time Huineng was pounding rice in the kitchen. When he heard this gatha, he said, 'Beautiful it may be, but ultimate it is not.' So he composed his own gatha: 'The bodhi is originally not a tree, the mirror also has no stand. Originally there is not a single thing — where then could dust alight?' The Fifth Patriarch then passed the robe and bowl on to him. Today's gatha means the same thing. But just now that exchange of Chan wit was still left unresolved — can you just let it go at that?"

Daiyu laughed. "If you couldn't answer then, you've already lost. Answering now isn't anything remarkable. But from now on you mustn't talk about Chan anymore. Even what the two of us know and are capable of — you don't know it and can't do it — and you go meditate on Chan!"

Baoyu had thought himself enlightened, but unexpectedly, when Daiyu posed a question, he could not answer, and Baochai brought up a passage from the *Recorded Sayings*. These were things he had never seen them capable of before. He thought to himself: "So their awareness has been ahead of mine all along, and I haven't yet understood or awakened. Why should I go looking for trouble now?"

Having thought this through, he laughed and said, "Who's meditating on Chan? It was just idle talk for a moment."

With that, the four of them returned to their old ways.

Then suddenly a servant announced that the Imperial Consort had sent someone with a lantern riddle and ordered everyone to guess it. Whoever guessed correctly was to make one up as well and send it back. The four hurried out to Grandmother Jia's main room. There they saw a young eunuch holding a four-cornered flat-topped white-silk lantern, specially made for lantern riddles. One riddle was already on it, and everyone crowded around to look and guess wildly. The young eunuch then delivered his message: "When the young ladies have guessed it, don't say it out loud. Each of you write it secretly on paper and seal it all together to send back to the palace. Her Highness will verify whether it is correct or not."

Baochai and the others stepped forward to look. It was a seven-character quatrain, nothing particularly novel. They could not help praising it aloud, saying only that it was hard to guess and pretending to puzzle over it, though in fact they recognized it the moment they saw it. Baoyu, Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Tanchun all figured it out as well and each secretly wrote their answers for some time. They then summoned Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and the others. Each harboring his own calculations, they all guessed and wrote their answers on paper. After that, each person chose an object and composed a riddle, wrote it in formal script, and hung it on the lantern.

The eunuch left and returned in the evening with a message: "All of Her Highness's riddles have been guessed correctly, except the Second Young Lord and Third Young Lord, who guessed wrong. The riddles composed by the young ladies have all been guessed, though it is not known whether correctly or not." As he spoke, he also produced what had been written. Some had been guessed correctly, some not, but everyone randomly claimed they had guessed right. The eunuch then distributed the awarded prizes to those who had guessed correctly — each received a palace-made poetry tube and a tea whisk. Only Yingchun and Jia Huan received nothing. Yingchun herself regarded it as a trivial amusement and paid it no mind, but Jia Huan felt quite put out. What was more, he heard the eunuch say, "What the Third Young Lord said doesn't make sense. Her Highness couldn't guess it either. She told me to bring it back and ask the Third Young Lord what it is."

Everyone came to look at what he had written. It read:

*Elder Brother has horns, only eight in all.*

*Second Brother has horns, just two.*

*Elder Brother only sits on the bed.*

*Second Brother loves to crouch on the roof.*

Everyone who saw it burst into loud laughter. Jia Huan had no choice but to tell the eunuch, "One is a pillow, the other a roof beast."

The eunuch wrote it down and departed with his tea.

Having read it, he looked again at the gatha and laughed. "This person has become enlightened! It's all my fault—all because of that tune I played yesterday. These Daoist texts and Chan conundrums are the most effective at altering one's nature. If tomorrow he really starts spouting such crazy talk and harbors these notions, it all stems from that one tune of mine. I've become the chief culprit!" So saying, he tore it to shreds and handed it to the maids. "Quickly, burn it!" Daiyu laughed. "You shouldn't have torn it up. Let me question him. Follow me, and I'll guarantee I can make this foolish, misguided talk disappear." The three of them then went to Baoyu's room. As soon as they entered, Daiyu laughed and said, "Baoyu, let me ask you: what is most precious is 'Bao,' and what is most firm is 'Yu.' What is precious about you? What is firm about you?" Baoyu could not answer. The three clapped their hands and laughed. "So dull and stupid—and still trying to meditate on Chan!" Daiyu continued, "Your gatha's last line says, 'Nothing to prove—this is where I stand.' That is certainly good, but in my view it is still not perfect. I will add two more lines." And she recited:

"No place to stand—that is true purity."

Baochai said, "Now that is truly enlightenment. In former times, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng of the Southern Sect first sought a teacher and went to Shaozhou. When he heard that the Fifth Patriarch Hongren was in Huangmei, he took work as a rice-pounding monk in the kitchen. The Fifth Patriarch wished to find a successor and told each of the monks to compose a gatha. The senior monk Shenxiu said, 'The body is the Bodhi tree, the mind is the bright mirror stand; constantly wipe it clean, and let no dust settle.' At that time Huineng was pounding rice in the kitchen. When he heard this gatha, he said, 'It is beautiful, but it has not reached ultimate understanding.' So he composed his own gatha: 'Bodhi originally has no tree, the mirror also has no stand; originally there is not a single thing—where could dust alight?' The Fifth Patriarch then passed the robe and bowl to him. Today's gatha has the same meaning. But just now the exchange of sharp repartee was not completely resolved—can you just drop it like this?"

Daiyu laughed. "If you couldn't answer then, it counted as losing. Now that you've answered, it's nothing remarkable. But from now on you mustn't talk about Chan anymore. Even what the two of us know and can do, you neither know nor can do—and you go meditating on Chan!" Baoyu had thought himself enlightened, but unexpectedly, when Daiyu questioned him, he could not answer, and Baochai brought out the "Recorded Sayings" as well. These were things he had never known them capable of. He thought it over: "So their insight was ahead of mine, and I haven't yet attained enlightenment. Why should I go looking for trouble now?" Having thought this through, he laughed and said, "Who's meditating on Chan? It was just idle talk for the moment." With that, the four of them returned to their usual ways.

Suddenly a servant announced that the Imperial Consort had sent someone with a lantern riddle for everyone to guess. Whoever guessed correctly was also to compose one and send it back. The four hurried out to the old lady's main chamber. They saw a young eunuch carrying a white silk lantern with four flat corners, specially made for riddles, with one already on it. Everyone crowded around to look and guess wildly. The young eunuch then delivered a message: "When the young ladies have guessed, don't say it out loud. Each of you write it secretly on paper, seal it all together, and send it to the Palace. Her Highness will verify it herself." Baochai and the others stepped forward to look. It was a seven-character quatrain—nothing particularly novel. They couldn't help praising it, saying it was difficult to guess, and pretended to ponder it, though in truth they had guessed it at a single glance. Baoyu, Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Tanchun had all solved it too, and each secretly wrote it down for some time. They then summoned Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and the others, and each, with their own calculations, guessed and wrote it down. Then each of them took an object and composed a riddle, wrote it in formal script, and hung it on the lantern.

The eunuch left. In the evening he returned with a message: "Her Highness's riddles from before have all been guessed, except that Second Master and Third Master guessed incorrectly. The young ladies' riddles have also been guessed, though it is not known whether correctly." So saying, he also brought out what had been written. Some had been guessed correctly, some not, and everyone claimed they had guessed right. The eunuch then distributed the prizes to those who had guessed correctly—each received a Palace-made poem tube and a bamboo tea whisk. Only Yingchun and Jia Huan received nothing. Yingchun, thinking it just a trivial game, paid no mind, but Jia Huan felt embarrassed. Then he heard the eunuch say, "Third Master's riddle doesn't make sense. Her Highness couldn't guess it either. She sent me back to ask Third Master what it is." Everyone came to see what he had written. It read:

The eldest brother has horns, eight in all;

The second brother has horns, only two.

The eldest brother only sits on the bed;

The second brother loves to crouch on the roof.

Everyone who saw it burst out laughing. Jia Huan had to tell the eunuch, "A pillow, and a roof ornament in the shape of a beast's head." The eonuch noted it down and departed with his tea.

Jia Mu, seeing that Yuanchun was in such high spirits, became all the more delighted and ordered a small, exquisitely crafted screen lantern to be made at once and set up in the main room. She told each of the young ladies to compose a lantern riddle in secret, write it out, and paste it on the screen. She then had sweet tea, fine fruits, and various trinkets prepared as prizes for those who guessed correctly. When Jia Zheng returned from court and saw that Jia Mu was in good spirits, and since it was a festival occasion, he too came in the evening to share in the merriment. Wine and fruits were laid out, playthings prepared, and colored lanterns hung in the upper quarters, all to invite Jia Mu to enjoy the lanterns and have a pleasant time. Seated above were Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and Baoyu at one table; below them were Wang夫人, Baochai, Daiyu, and Xiangyun at another; and Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun at a third. The floor was filled with serving women and maids. Li Wan and Wang Xifeng sat at yet another table in the inner room. Jia Zheng, noticing that Jia Lan was absent, asked, "Why isn't Lan here?" A serving woman hurried to the inner room to ask Li Wan, who rose and replied with a smile, "He said that the Master did not come to fetch him earlier, and so he refused to come." The woman reported this back to Jia Zheng. Everyone laughed and said, "He's been stubborn and odd by nature all along." Jia Zheng quickly sent Jia Liang and two serving women to fetch Jia Lan. Jia Mu told him to sit beside her and gave him fruit to eat. Everyone chatted and laughed together.

Ordinarily it was Baoyu who held forth at length, but with Jia Zheng present today, he could only murmur assent. As for Xiangyun, though a delicate young lady of the inner chambers, she was naturally fond of conversation; yet with Jia Zheng at the table, she too kept her mouth shut. Daiyu's disposition was to avoid company and she never cared to say much. Baochai was never one to speak rashly or move carelessly, and at this moment she remained perfectly composed and at ease. Thus, though this gathering was meant to be casual family enjoyment, it felt constrained and joyless instead. Jia Mu knew full well that Jia Zheng's presence was the cause, so after three rounds of wine she dismissed him to rest. Jia Zheng understood her intention—that she wished to send him away so that the young ladies and brothers could enjoy themselves. He said with an obedient smile, "Today I heard that the Old Ancestress had set up spring lanterns and elegant riddles here, so I prepared gifts, wine, and a feast, and came especially to join in. But does Your Ladyship's love for your grandsons and granddaughters extend not even a little to your own son?" Jia Mu laughed and said, "With you here, none of them dares to talk or laugh. That would only make me bored. If you want to guess riddles, I'll give you one to guess, and if you can't guess it, you'll be fined." Jia Zheng quickly replied, "Of course there must be a fine. And if I guess it right, I should receive a prize as well." Jia Mu said, "Naturally." Then she recited:

A monkey, light of body, stands atop a tree.

—Guess the name of a fruit.

Jia Zheng already knew it was "litchi," but he deliberately guessed wrong several times and forfeited many things before finally guessing correctly and receiving a gift from Jia Mu. Then he too recited one for Jia Mu to guess:

Upright in body, firm in form.

Though it cannot speak, it answers when words are spoken.

—Guess an object in daily use.

After reciting it, he whispered it softly to Baoyu. Baoyu understood and quietly told Jia Mu. Jia Mu thought for a moment and, finding it indeed correct, said, "It's an inkstone." Jia Zheng laughed and said, "It had to be the Old Ancestress—she guessed it right away." He turned and said, "Quickly bring up the congratulatory gifts." The serving women below answered in unison, bearing large and small trays together. Jia Mu examined each item—all were novel and ingenious things for the Lantern Festival—and was greatly pleased. She then said, "Pour wine for your Master." Baoyu held the pot, and Yingchun presented the cup. Jia Mu added, "Look at the screen—those are all riddles composed by the girls. Guess some more for me to hear."

Jia Zheng assented and rose to walk before the screen. The first one read:

It can make demons' courage crumble utterly,

Its body like bundled silk, its breath like thunder.

One blast makes men tremble in fear,

But turn your head—it has already turned to ash.

Jia Zheng said, "That's a firecracker." Baoyu answered, "Yes." Jia Zheng read the next one:

Heaven's workings and man's labor know no end,

Yet to have merit without fortune is hard to attain.

Why then is there such tumult all day long?

It is only because the numbers of yin and yang differ.

Jia Zheng said, "That's an abacus." Yingchun smiled and said, "Yes." The next one read:

When children look up from the steps below,

At Qingming time it is most fitting for adorning.

Once the floating thread is severed, it has no strength at all—

Do not blame the east wind for this parting.

Jia Zheng said, "That's a kite." Tanchun smiled and said, "Yes." The next read:

In its former existence, form and appearance came to nothing;

It listens not to lotus songs but to Buddhist scriptures.

Do not say it sinks into a dark sea—

Within its nature there is great brightness.

Jia Zheng said, "That's a Buddhist lamp before the altar." Xichun answered with a smile, "Yes, it's a sea-lantern."

Jia Zheng reflected inwardly: "The Princess's firecracker—a thing that scatters with a single bang. Yingchun's abacus—something that stirs up confusion like tangled hemp. Tanchun's kite—a thing that drifts and floats. Xichun's sea-lantern—a thing of pure solitude. Today is the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of the first month—why have they all made such inauspicious things as a game?" The more he thought, the more troubled he became, but in front of Jia Mu he dared not show it on his face and forced himself to continue reading. He saw that a regulated verse in seven-character lines followed, composed by Baochai. He read it aloud:

When court adjourned, who carried smoke in both sleeves?

By the quilt or beside the pillow, it had no connection.

At dawn it needs no cock-man to announce the hour;

Through the five watches, no maid need tend to it.

Its head burns morning after morning, evening after evening;

Its heart is tormented day after day, year after year.

Time passes swiftly—it must be cherished;

Through wind and rain, through cloud and shine, let it change as it will.

After Jia Zheng finished reading, he thought to himself: "This object is, after all, something limited. But for one so young to compose such verses—it seems even more inauspicious. None of them seem destined for lasting fortune and longevity." Thinking this, he grew more and more troubled, his countenance taking on a look of deep sorrow. The spirit he had moments before diminished by eight or nine parts, and he could only hang his head in brooding thought.

When Grandmother Jia saw that Yuanchun was in such high spirits, she herself grew even more delighted. She ordered a small, exquisitely made lantern-screen to be quickly constructed and set up in the main hall, telling each of the young ladies to secretly compose a riddle, write it out, and paste it on the screen. She then had fragrant tea, delicate fruits, and various trinkets and playthings prepared as prizes for those who guessed correctly.

After finishing his official duties, Jia Zheng found Grandmother Jia in a merry mood, and since it was a festival occasion, he came in the evening to share in the joy. Wine and fruits were set out, playthings were prepared, and colored lanterns were hung in the upper rooms, as he invited Grandmother Jia to enjoy the lanterns and amuse herself. Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Baoyu sat at one table; below them, Lady Wang, Baochai, Daiyu, and Xiangyun sat at another; and Ying, Tan, and Xichun sat at a third. The floor below was filled with serving women and maids. Li Wan and Wang Xifeng had yet another table in the inner room.

When Jia Zheng noticed that Jia Lan was not present, he asked, "Why isn't Lan here?" A serving woman hurried into the inner room to ask Li Wan. Li Wan rose and replied with a smile, "He said that His Lordship did not summon him earlier, and he refused to come." The woman reported this back to Jia Zheng. Everyone laughed and said, "He's born with that stubborn, peculiar temperament." Jia Zheng quickly sent Jia Hu an and two serving women to fetch Jia Lan. Grandmother Jia had him sit beside her and gave him fruit to eat. Everyone chatted and laughed merrably together.

Ordinarily, only Baoyu would talk at great length, but with Jia Zheng present today, he could only murmur assent. As for Xiangyun, though a young lady of the inner chambers, she had always enjoyed conversation, yet with Jia Zheng at the table, she too kept her mouth shut. Daiyu by nature was disinclined to sociability and was reluctant to speak much in any case. Baochai was never one to speak rashly or move lightly, and even now she remained perfectly composed. And so, though this was meant to be a casual family gathering for enjoyment, it instead felt constrained and joyless.

Grandmother Jia understood that this was all on account of Jia Zheng's presence. After three rounds of wine, she sent Jia Zheng off to rest. Jia Zheng too understood Grandmother Jia's meaning—that once she had sent him away, the young ladies and brothers could enjoy themselves. Jia Zheng quickly said with an ingratiating smile, "Today I heard that the Old Ancestress was holding a grand spring lantern and elegant riddle party here, so I prepared gifts of colored lanterns and wine and food and came especially to join in. Surely the Old Ancestress's love for her grandchildren might extend even slightly to her son?"

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "With you here, none of them dares to talk or laugh. You'll make me bored instead. If you want to guess riddles, I'll recite one for you to guess. If you can't guess it, there'll be a penalty."

Jia Zheng quickly said, "Naturally there should be a penalty. But if I guess correctly, I should receive a prize too."

Grandmother Jia said, "Naturally." Then she recited:

"A monkey, light of body, stands atop a tree branch."

—Guess the name of a fruit.

Jia Zheng already knew it was the litchi, but he deliberately guessed wrong several times, forfeiting many things, before finally guessing correctly and receiving a gift from Grandmother Jia. Then he too recited one for Grandmother Jia to guess:

"Its body is upright and square,

Its substance firm and hard.

Though it cannot speak,

When words are given, it responds."

—Guess an everyday object.

When he had finished, he whispered it quietly to Baoyu. Baoyu understood and quietly told Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia thought for a moment and, finding it correct, said, "It's an inkstone."

Jia Zheng laughed and said, "After all, it's the Old Ancestress—she guesses it right away." He turned and said, "Quickly bring up the prizes!" The serving women below answered in unison and brought up trays large and small. Grandmother Jia examined each item—they were all novel and ingenious things for the lantern festival—and was greatly pleased. She then said, "Pour wine for your master." Baoyu held the pot, and Yingchun presented the wine.

Grandmother Jia said, "Look at that screen—they're all riddles composed by the young ladies. Guess some more for me to hear."

Jia Zheng assented and rose to walk before the screen. The first one he saw read:

It can strike terror into demons and ghosts,

Its body wrapped like a bolt of silk, its breath like thunder.

One blast makes men quail with fear,

But turn your head—it has already turned to ash.

Jia Zheng said, "That's firecrackers." Baoyu answered, "Yes." Jia Zheng read on:

The workings of heaven and man's labor are without end,

But one who has merit yet lacks fortune will scarce meet it.

Why then is there such turmoil day after day?

It is only because the numbers of yin and yang differ.

Jia Zheng said, "That's an abacus." Yingchun laughed and said, "Yes." The next one read:

When children look up from the steps,

It is most fitting for the adorning of Qingming.

Once the gossamer thread is severed, it has utterly no strength—

Do not blame the east wind for the parting.

Jia Zheng said, "That's a kite." Tanchun laughed and said, "Yes." The next read:

In its former life, its form and appearance came to nothing;

It listens not to songs of gathering water-chestnuts, but to Buddhist scriptures.

Do not say that this life is sunk in a dark sea—

Within its nature there is great radiance.

Jia Zheng said, "That's a Buddhist lamp before the altar." Xichun answered with a laugh, "It's the sea-lamp."

Jia Zheng reflected to himself: "The Princess's firecracker—that is something that scatters with a single bang. Yingchun's abacus—it stirs up confusion like a tangle of hemp. Tanchun's kite—it is something that floats and drifts aimlessly. Xichun's sea-lamp—it is something pure and solitary. Now, on this night of the Lantern Festival, why have they all made such inauspicious things as their game?" The more he thought, the more troubled he became, but being before Grandmother Jia, he dared not show it on his face and forced himself to continue reading.

He saw that the next was a poem in seven-character regulated verse, composed by Baochai, and he read it aloud:

When court is done, who carries smoke in both sleeves?

By the quilt or beside the pillow, it has no connection.

At dawn it needs no crowing man to announce the hour,

Through the five watches of night, no maid need tend it.

Its head is scorched morning after morning, evening after evening,

Its heart is tormented day after day, year after year.

Time passes swiftly—it should be cherished,

Through wind and rain, through shadow and sunshine, let it change as it will.

When Jia Zheng finished reading, he reflected inwardly: "This object is tolerable enough. But for one so young to compose such verses—it seems even more inauspicious. None of them seem destined for lasting fortune and longevity." Having reached this thought, he grew even more troubled and deeply sorrowful in his bearing, and the spirit he had felt earlier diminished by eighty or ninety percent, so that he could only hang his head in brooding thought.

When the Lady Dowager saw Jia Zheng in this state, she thought that perhaps he was simply worn out from fatigue, and besides, she feared that his presence might constrain the young ladies and prevent them from enjoying themselves fully. So she said to Jia Zheng, "You need not guess any more. Go and rest. Let us sit a little longer, and then we'll disperse."

Upon hearing these words, Jia Zheng hastily responded with several "Yes, sirs," and after勉强 urging the Lady Dowager to have another cup of wine, he withdrew. Once back in his room, he could do nothing but turn things over in his mind. Tossing and turning, he found it impossible to fall asleep, and could not help feeling sorrow and emotion—but let us speak no more of this.

Now let us return to the Lady Dowager. After seeing Jia Zheng leave, she said, "Now you can enjoy yourselves freely." Before she had even finished speaking, Baoyu came dashing up to the screen lantern, pointing and gesticulating, criticizing freely—this line was not good, that riddle was inappropriately constructed—just like a monkey that had been let out of its cage.

Xue Baochai then said, "Wouldn't it be more refined if we sat together as before, chatting and laughing in a civilized manner?"

Xifeng came hurrying out from the inner room and interjected, "You—you're just the sort of person who ought to be made by the master to follow him every step of the way. Just now I forgot—why didn't I suggest, in front of the master, that you be asked to compose a riddle too? If that had happened, you'd probably be sweating right now."

This made Baoyu so agitated that he seized hold of Xifeng and clung to her like a twist of candy, pestering her without end.

The Lady Dowager chatted and laughed for a while with Li Wan and the young ladies, but then she too began to feel somewhat drowsy. She listened—it was already the fourth watch of the night. She ordered the food to be cleared away and distributed as rewards to the others, then rose to her feet and said, "Let us rest. Tomorrow is still a festival day, and we ought to rise early. We'll play again tomorrow evening." And here we leave the story to be continued in the next chapter.

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When Lady Jia saw Jia Zheng in this state, she thought that perhaps he was simply worn out from fatigue; moreover, she feared that his presence might constrain the young ladies from enjoying themselves freely. So she said to Jia Zheng, "You need not go on guessing. Go and rest. Let us sit a while longer, and then we can all disperse."

Upon hearing these words, Jia Zheng hastily answered with several "Yes, sirs," and after reluctantly urging Lady Jia to take another cup of wine, he withdrew. Once back in his chamber, he could only lie there turning over and over in his mind, unable to sleep despite all his tossing and turning. He could not help but feel sorrow and emotion—but of this, no more.

Meanwhile, after Lady Jia saw Jia Zheng leave, she said, "Now you can all enjoy yourselves freely." Before she had even finished speaking, Baoyu came dashing up to the screen lantern, gesticulating wildly and criticizing everything with abandon—this line was no good there, that riddle was inappropriately phrased—just like a monkey that had slipped its chains. Baochai said, "It would be better if we sat together as we did before, chatting and laughing in a more genteel manner." Xifeng hurried out from the inner room and interjected, "You, sir—you ought to have your father keep you at his side every single day. Just now I forgot—why didn't I urge you in front of Sir Zheng to compose a riddle too? If I had, I daresay you'd be sweating buckets by now." This made Baoyu so flustered that he seized hold of Xifeng and clung to her like a piece of twisted candy, pestering her without end. Lady Jia chatted and laughed for a while with Li Wan and the young ladies, but then she too began to feel drowsy. She listened—it was already the fourth watch of the night. She ordered the food to be cleared away and distributed as rewards to everyone, then rose to her feet and said, "Let us retire. Tomorrow is still a festival day, and we ought to rise early. We can amuse ourselves again tomorrow evening." Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.