Chapter 86

Chapter 86

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**Chapter 86: An Old Official Accepts a Bribe and Reopens the Case; A Gentle Lady Seeks Solace in Her Lute and Books**

When Aunt Xue read Xue Ke's letter, she summoned the young servant and asked, "What exactly did your master tell you about how the man came to be killed?"

"I didn't hear it clearly myself, madam," the boy replied. "It was the day the master told the Second Master." He glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before continuing. "The master said that after all the terrible trouble at home, he had lost heart and wanted to go south to buy goods. That day, he was looking for someone to travel with—someone who lived some two hundred *li* south of the city. When the master went to find him, he ran into that Jiang Yuhang, who had been friends with the master before, coming into town with a troupe of young actors. The master drank and ate with him at an inn, but because the innkeeper kept casting sidelong glances at Jiang Yuhang, the master grew angry. Jiang Yuhang left soon after. The next day, the master invited the man he'd originally been looking for to drink with him. After the wine, he recalled the previous day's incident and called the innkeeper to pour more wine, but the innkeeper was slow in coming, and the master began to curse at him. The other man took offense, and the master hurled a wine bowl at him. Who would have thought the man was also a rascal? He stuck his head out and told the master to go ahead and hit him. The master took the bowl and smashed it against his head. Blood poured out, and the man collapsed on the ground. He was cursing at first, but then he fell silent."

"Didn't anyone try to stop him?" asked Aunt Xue.

"The master didn't mention that, madam. I wouldn't presume to say."

"You may go and rest now," said Aunt Xue. The boy withdrew.

Aunt Xue then went to see Lady Wang and asked her to intercede with Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng heard the whole story but could only give a vague reply, saying they would have to wait and see how the county court ruled once Xue Ke had filed his petition.

Meanwhile, Aunt Xue converted some silver at the pawnshop and sent the boy off with it. Three days later, a reply arrived. Aunt Xue received it and immediately had a maid summon Baochai, who came at once to read it. The letter read:

*The silver I brought has been used to grease the palms of the yamen officials. Brother is not suffering too much in prison—please don't worry, Mother. The trouble is that the locals are very crafty. Neither the victim's family nor the witnesses will cooperate, and even the friend brother had befriended is siding on their behalf. Li Xiang and I are both strangers here, but fortunately we found a good clerk. We promised him silver and got his advice: we need to pull in Wu Liang, the man who was drinking with brother, get someone to stand surety for him, and bribe him to change his testimony. If he refuses, we threaten to say that Zhang San was killed by him and shift the blame onto this outsider. Unable to withstand the pressure, he will cooperate. I followed this plan, and Wu Liang has indeed come forward. We are now bribing the victim's family and witnesses, and have prepared a new petition. We filed it yesterday and received the reply today. Please see the petition below.*

He then read the petition:

*The petitioner, [name], respectfully submits this petition on behalf of his elder brother, who has suffered a wrongful calamity. The petitioner's brother Xue Pan, originally of Jinling, is currently residing in Changan. On a certain date, he traveled south on a trading venture. Within days, a family servant brought news that he had killed a man. The petitioner immediately rushed to the magistrate and learned that his brother had accidentally injured a man surnamed Zhang, and was now in prison. According to his brother's tearful account, he had never known Zhang San and bore him no grudge. It happened that during a quarrel over pouring wine, the elder brother spilled wine on the ground. At that very moment, Zhang San happened to be bending down to pick something up, and in a moment of carelessness, the wine bowl accidentally struck his temple, killing him. Under interrogation, fearing punishment, his brother confessed to a fatal brawl. Thanks to the magistrate's benevolence, he recognized there might be injustice and has not yet rendered a final verdict. While imprisoned, the elder brother submitted a defense, which violates regulations. The petitioner, moved by brotherly duty, risks death to submit this petition on his behalf. He humbly begs the magistrate's gracious permission to summon witnesses for cross-examination—no greater mercy could be hoped for. The petitioner and his entire family will forever be grateful for such boundless benevolence. Submitted with utmost urgency.*

The ruling read:

*The coroner's examination has produced conclusive evidence. Moreover, no torture was applied—your brother himself confessed to a fatal assault, and his confession is on record. You have come from afar and did not witness the event. On what basis do you fabricate charges? You ought to be punished, but in consideration of your devotion to your brother, you are pardoned. Petition denied.*

When Aunt Xue heard this, she cried, "Then there is no hope of saving him! What shall we do?"

"You haven't finished reading the letter, Second Brother," said Baochai. "There's more." She continued reading: *"For anything urgent, ask the messenger."*

Aunt Xue turned to the messenger and asked him. He said, "The county magistrate has long known our family is wealthy. We must arrange a major connection in the capital and send a substantial gift as well. Then the case can be reheard and a lighter sentence passed. You must act quickly, madam, or else the master may suffer in prison."

When Aunt Xue heard this, she told the page to go by himself and immediately went again to the Jia household to explain the whole matter to Lady Wang and beg Jia Zheng for help. Jia Zheng would only agree to ask someone to intercede with the magistrate but refused to mention offering money or goods. Aunt Xue feared this would not be effective, so she begged Xifeng and Jia Lian to intervene, and after spending several thousand taels of silver, the magistrate was finally bribed. Xue Ke's side was also taken care of. Then the magistrate posted the notice, took his seat in court, and summoned all the neighbors, witnesses, the coroner, and the relatives of the deceased. Xue Pan was brought up from the jail. The clerks and runners of the penal court called the roll one by one. The magistrate then told the neighborhood constable to state the initial testimony, and summoned the deceased's relative Mrs. Zhang (née Wang) and the deceased's uncle Zhang Er for questioning. Mrs. Zhang wept and reported: "My late husband was Zhang Da, who lived in Nanxiangli and died eighteen years ago. My eldest and second sons also died, leaving only this dead son of mine, Zhang San, who is twenty-three this year and has not yet taken a wife. Because my family was poor and could not afford to keep him, he worked as a waiter at the Li family's shop. At noon one day, someone from the Li family shop came to call me, saying, 'Your son has been beaten to death.' My lord, I was frightened to death. When I ran there, I saw my son lying on the ground with his head broken and bleeding, gasping for breath. When I asked him questions, he could not speak, and in a short while he died. I wanted to seize this little bastard and fight him to the death." The constables shouted a warning. Mrs. Zhang kowtowed and said: "I beg my lord to redress this grievance—this is my only son." The magistrate told her to step down, and then called the people from the Li family's shop and asked: "Was Zhang San a hired worker in your shop?" The man Li Er replied: "He was not a hired worker; he was a waiter." The magistrate said: "At the inquest the other day, you said that Zhang San was killed by Xue Pan smashing a bowl over his head. Did you see this with your own eyes?" Li Er said: "I was at the counter and heard that wine was wanted in the guest room. Not long after, I heard someone say, 'Something terrible has happened—someone is injured.' I ran in and saw Zhang San lying on the ground, unable to speak. I then called to report it to the neighborhood constable and at the same time informed his mother. How exactly the fight happened, I truly do not know. I beg Your Honor to ask those who were drinking." The magistrate shouted: "In your initial testimony, you said you saw it yourself. Why do you now say you did not see it?" Li Er said: "The other day I was so frightened that I spoke recklessly." The constables shouted again. The magistrate then called Wu Liang and asked: "Were you drinking together with them? How exactly did Xue Pan strike him? Tell the truth." Wu Liang said: "I was at home that day, and this Master Xue invited me to drink with him. He found the wine not good enough and wanted to change it, but Zhang San refused. Master Xue got angry and splashed the wine in his face. Somehow it happened to hit him on the head. I saw this with my own eyes." The magistrate said: "Nonsense. At the inquest the other day, Xue Pan himself admitted that he killed him by smashing a bowl. You said you saw it with your own eyes. Why does your testimony today not match? Slap his face." The constables moved to strike him, but Wu Liang pleaded: "Xue Pan really did not fight with Zhang San. The wine bowl slipped from his hand and hit him on the head. I beg Your Honor to ask Xue Pan himself—that would be a kindness." The magistrate ordered Xue Pan to be brought up and asked: "What grudge did you have against Zhang San? In the end, how did he die? Tell the truth." Xue Pan said: "I beg Your Honor to show mercy. I really did not strike him. Because he refused to change the wine, I splashed the wine on him. I did not intend to, but the wine bowl slipped from my hand and accidentally hit him on the head. I immediately tried to stop the bleeding, but I could not stop it. Too much blood flowed, and after a while he died. At the inquest the other day, I was afraid Your Honor would have me beaten, so I said I smashed the bowl over him. I only beg Your Honor to show mercy." The magistrate shouted: "What a muddled fool! This county magistrate asked you how you struck him, and you testified that you struck him because you were angry that he would not change the wine. Today you testify that it was an accidental slip." The magistrate made a show of severity, threatening to beat him or put him in the cangue, but Xue Pan insisted on his story. The magistrate told the coroner to report truthfully the injuries recorded at the inquest the other day. The coroner reported: "The other day, upon examining the body of Zhang San, no injuries were found except for a cut one inch and seven fen long and five fen deep on the back of the head, caused by porcelain, with the skin opened and the occipital bone cracked by three fen. It was truly an injury from a knock or collision." The magistrate checked and found it matched the coroner's report. He already knew that the clerk had made the injuries appear lighter, but he did not challenge this. He carelessly told them to sign the confession. Mrs. Zhang cried out: "My lord! The other day I heard there were many injuries. Why are there none today?" The magistrate said: "This woman talks nonsense. There is the coroner's report right here. Do you not know that?" He called the deceased's uncle Zhang Er and asked: "When your nephew died, how many injuries did you know he had?" Zhang Er hastily testified: "One injury on the head." The magistrate said: "There, you see." He told the clerk to show the coroner's report to Mrs. Zhang and had the neighborhood constable and the deceased's uncle point it out to her. All the witnesses who had been present at the inquest testified that there had been no fight, so it was not a case of affray. He ordered them to sign the confession on the basis of accidental injury. Xue Pan was imprisoned pending further review, and the rest were released to their original guarantors. The court was adjourned. Mrs. Zhang wept and shouted wildly, and the magistrate had the constables drive her out. Zhang Er also advised Mrs. Zhang: "It was truly an accidental injury. How can you blame someone else? Now the magistrate has made his ruling. Do not make a scene." Xue Ke, who had been listening outside, was delighted when he learned the full story. He sent someone home to deliver the news. When the higher authorities' review came back, he would then arrange to redeem the sentence, and for now he would wait there for news. He only heard people on the road talking in twos and threes that a consort had died and the Emperor had suspended court for three days. Since they were not far from the imperial tombs, the magistrate was busy preparing the road for the imperial funeral procession and would have no leisure for the time being. Staying here would be of no use. It would be better to go to the jail and tell his older brother to wait peacefully: "I will go home and come back in a few days." Xue Pan also

Afraid that his mother would grieve, he sent a message saying, "I am all right. It will just take a few more outlays at the yamen before I can come home. Just don't begrudge the money."

Xue Ke left Li Xiang there to look after things and went straight home. He saw Aunt Xue and explained how the magistrate had shown leniency, how he had conducted the trial, and how the case had finally been settled as accidental injury. Once they spent some more silver on the dead man's relatives, the sentence would be commuted and the matter would be closed. When Aunt Xue heard this, she was somewhat reassured and said, "I was just hoping you would come home to help manage things. We ought to go thank the Jia household, but with Consort Zhou having passed away, they are going in every day, and the house is so empty. I had been thinking of going over to keep Aunt Xue company, but there was no one to mind our own house. Your coming is most opportune."

Xue Ke said, "I had heard outside that Consort Jia had died—that's why I hurried back. Our Consort Yuan was perfectly well. How can they say she's dead?"

Aunt Xue said, "Last year she did fall ill once, but she recovered. This time we hadn't heard that Consort Yuan was sick at all. We only heard that at the other house the old lady had been feeling unwell for a few days. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw Consress Yuan. Everyone was worried, but when they made inquiries, nothing seemed to be wrong. Then on the evening before last, the old lady herself said, 'Why has Consort Yuan come here all alone?' Everyone thought it was just the rambling of someone in a fever and didn't believe her. The old lady also said, 'If you don't believe me, Consort Yuan herself told me that glory is easily exhausted and one must know when to step back.' Everyone said, 'Who hasn't thought of that? It's just the anxieties of someone who has lived long and looks back on the past.' So they didn't take it seriously. Then the very next morning, there was an uproar inside saying that Her Ladyship was gravely ill and had summoned all the titled ladies to pay their respects. They were alarmed beyond measure and hurried in. Before they had even come out, word had already reached our house that Consort Zhou had passed away. You see—the rumors from outside and the suspicions at home happened to coincide. Isn't that strange!"

Baochai said, "It's not just that the outside rumors were confused. Even in our own household, the moment anyone heard the words 'Her Ladyship,' everyone became frantic, and only afterward did they understand. These past two days, those maids and old women from the other house have been coming over, saying they had known all along it wasn't our Consort. I said, 'How can you be so sure?' They said, 'A few years ago in the first month of the year, someone from the provinces recommended a fortune-teller who was said to be very accurate. The old lady had someone slip Consort Yuan's eight characters in among the maids' eight characters and send them out to him for a reading. He alone said that the girl born on the first day of the first month—unless the hour was wrong—was truly a person of great nobility, and could not remain in this household. The master and the others said, never mind whether the hour is right or wrong, just calculate according to the eight characters. The fortune-teller then said that in the four characters jiashen, first month, bingyin, there was an injuring officer and a destroying wealth, but that within the shen character there was a proper official and a salary-and-horse star—meaning she could not be kept at home, and would not have any good fortune here. The day was yimao; in early spring the wood is strong. Although it was a competing force, who knew that the more it competed, the better it would be, just as fine timber becomes a great vessel only after repeated planing and carving. The only fortunate thing was that the hour stem had some metal of value, and that within the si there was an especially strong proper official and salary-and-horse—this was called the 'Flying Heavenly Salary-and-Horse' pattern. He also said something about the day's salary returning to the hour, which was extremely noble, and that the Heavenly Virtue and Monthly Virtue stars sitting on her birth sign meant she would receive the favor of the imperial apartments. If this girl's hour was correct, she would certainly be a Consort or Empress. Wasn't that a true prediction! We also remember he said, 'It's a pity that her glory will not last long; I'm afraid when she encounters a yin year and a mao month, it will be competition upon competition, robbery upon robbery—just as fine wood, if it is carved too delicately, loses its essential strength.' They have forgotten all these words and just blundered about in a panic. I only just remembered to tell our elder daughter-in-law that this year is indeed a yin year and a mao month."

Before Baochai had finished speaking, Xue Ke said urgently, "Never mind about other people's affairs. If there is such a divine fortune-teller, I think my elder brother must have had some baleful star on his chart this year to suffer such a terrible calamity. Quickly write out his eight characters for me and have them calculated—let's see if there are any dangers."

Baochai said, "He was from the provinces. I don't know whether he's still in the capital or not."

With that, she made arrangements for Aunt Xue to go to the Jia mansion. When she arrived, only Li Wan and Tanchun were at home to receive her. They asked, "How is Uncle's case progressing?"

Aunt Xue said, "We must wait for the higher authorities to review it before a decision is made. It seems it won't come down to a death sentence."

Only then did everyone feel relieved. Tanchun said, "Last night our mother was saying that the last time the family had trouble, we relied entirely on Auntie's help. Now that we have our own troubles, it's difficult to even mention it. She just can't stop worrying."

Aunt Xue said, "I've been uneasy at home too. But with your eldest brother in trouble, and your second brother away on business, your sister is all alone at home—what good is she? Besides, our daughter-in-law is rather inexperienced in such matters, so I couldn't get away. Moreover, the county magistrate there is busy preparing for the Imperial Consort Zhou's affairs, so he can't conclude the case. That's why I could only come to visit now that your second brother has returned."

Li Wan said, "It would be even better if Auntie could stay here for a few days."

Aunt Xue nodded and said, "I'd like to keep you girls company here too. It's just that your Bao-yi seems rather lonely."

Xichun said, "If Auntie is worried, why not invite Bao-chai over too?"

Aunt Xue said with a laugh, "That won't do."

Xichun said, "Why won't it do? She was living here before, wasn't she?"

Li Wan said, "You don't understand. With things the way they are at their house now, how could she come?"

Xichun believed this and didn't press the matter further.

Just then Grandmother Jia and the others returned. When they saw Aunt Xue, they didn't even bother with greetings before asking about Xue Pan's case. Aunt Xue gave them a detailed account.

Standing nearby, Baoyu heard something about Jiang Yuhan. He didn't ask about it in front of everyone, but thought to himself, "Since he's returned to the capital, why hasn't he come to see me?" He also noticed that Baochai hadn't come either, and he couldn't understand the reason. He was lost in thought when Daiyu happened to come to pay her respects. Baoyu felt a little cheered up and put the thought of Baochai out of his mind. He had dinner with the young ladies at the old lady's quarters. After everyone dispersed, Aunt Xue made do with staying in the adjoining room of the old lady's suite.

When Baoyu returned to his own room and changed his clothes, he suddenly remembered the sash Jiang Yuhan had given him. He asked Xiren, "Do you still have that red sash from a few years ago that you never wore?"

Xiren said, "I've kept it. Why do you ask?"

Baoyu said, "Just asking."

Xiren said, "Haven't you heard? It's because of the disreputable company Mr. Xue keeps that things have come to a matter of life and death. And you still bring up such things? Instead of worrying about such nonsense, you'd be better off quietly reading your books and putting aside all these trivial matters."

Baoyu said, "I'm not making any trouble. I just thought of it—whether it's there or not, I only asked. And you have so much to say."

Xiren said with a laugh, "It's not that I'm being talkative. A person who knows his books and understands propriety should strive to improve himself. Even when someone you care about comes, you should present yourself so that they'll look upon you with pleasure and respect."

At Xiren's remark, Baoyu said, "Oh dear—just now at Grandmother's, there were too many people around and I didn't get to speak with her. She didn't pay me any attention either. When everyone was dispersing, she left first. She must be in her room now. I'll go and come right back."

With that, he started off.

Xiren said, "Come back quickly—this is all my fault for bringing it up and stirring up your enthusiasm."

Baoyu said nothing in reply, but lowered his head and walked straight to the Bamboo Lodge. He found Daiyu leaning against a table reading a book. Baoyu went up to her with a smile.

"Dear sister, you're back early," he said.

Daiyu smiled too. "You took no notice of me. What was the point of my staying there?"

Baoyu smiled as he answered, "So many people were talking that I couldn't get a word in, so I didn't speak to you." At the same time he glanced at the book Daiyu was reading. Not a single character on the page was recognizable to him. Some looked like "shao," some like "mang," and there was one with a "da" next to a "jiu" with an extra hook, and a "wu" added in the middle; others had "wu" and "liu" on top with a "mu" added, and another "wu" at the bottom. He stared, puzzled and perplexed.

"Sister, you've been making wonderful progress lately," he said. "You've started reading books from heaven."

Daiyu burst out laughing. "A fine scholar you are! You've never even seen a qin score."

"How would I know a qin score?" said Baoyu. "But why can't I make out a single one of those characters? Do you, sister?"

"What would be the point of looking at it if I couldn't read it?" replied Daiyu.

"I don't believe you. I've never heard that you can play the qin. There are several hanging in our study. A year or two ago a Mr. Ji Haogu came as a guest, and Father asked him to play a tune. He took one look at our qins and declared that none of them were any good. 'If Your Honor is interested,' he said, 'I shall bring my own qin one day and seek your instruction.' It seems Father didn't understand either, so he never came back. How is it that you have such a hidden talent?"

"I never really learned to play," said Daiyu. "The other day, when I was feeling a little better, I was browsing through books on the big bookcase and came across a set of qin scores. They were most refined and tasteful. The theory of the qin was clearly explained, and the finger techniques were set out lucidly. It was truly an exercise in calming the mind and nurturing the spirit as practiced by the ancients. When I was in Yangzhou I had heard something about it and even studied it for a while, but I stopped practicing and forgot it all. Indeed it is true that 'after three days without playing, thorns grow on the fingers.' The other day I looked at those pages and found they had only the names of the pieces, no actual musical notation. So I went elsewhere and found a score with the notation. Only then did it become interesting. But to play well is truly difficult. The book says that when Shi Kuang played the qin, wind, thunder, dragons, and phoenixes would appear; even Confucius learned to play from Shi Xiang, and after one performance he knew it was the work of King Wen; and the lofty mountains and flowing waters found their understanding friend."

As she said this, her eyelids flickered slightly, and she slowly lowered her head.

Baoyu, who had been listening with delight, said, "Dear sister, what you just said is truly fascinating. But I couldn't make out any of those characters. Won't you teach me a few?"

"You don't need to be taught," said Daiyu. "Once I explain, you'll understand."

"I'm a dull fellow. Do teach me that 'da' with a hook and a 'wu' in the middle."

Daiyu laughed. "That 'da' and 'jiu' mean using the left thumb to press the ninth hui on the qin. The hook and the 'wu' mean hooking the fifth string with the right hand. It's not a single character at all—it's one note, and extremely simple. Then there are techniques like yin, rou, chuo, zhu, zhuang, zou, fei, and tui—these are all about finger technique."

Baoyu was so delighted that he threw up his hands and danced about. "Dear sister, since you understand the theory of the qin so well, why don't we learn it together?"

"The qin means restraint," said Daiyu. "When the ancients created it, it was originally for self-cultivation, nurturing the temperament, curbing licentiousness, and banishing extravagance. If you wish to play the qin, you must choose a quiet room or lofty studio, perhaps the upper floor of a tower, or among trees and rocks, or on a mountain top, or by the water's edge. And you must wait for a time when heaven and earth are at peace, when the breeze is clear and the moon bright. Then burn incense, sit in stillness, let no thoughts wander abroad, let the breath and blood be calm, so that you may commune with the spirit and merge with the Way. That is why the ancients said 'an understanding friend is hard to find.' If there is no understanding friend, you would rather play alone to the clear breeze and bright moon, to the green pines and strange stones, to the wild apes and old cranes, expressing your mood in this way, and not doing injustice to the qin. There is another point besides—your finger technique must be good, and the notes you produce must be good too. If you must play the qin, first you must dress properly, wearing a crane-feather cloak or a scholar's robe, so as to look like the ancients, and thus be worthy of this sage's instrument. Then wash your hands and burn incense. Only then should you sit at the edge of your couch, place the qin on the table, sit at the fifth hui, face your own heart, and raise both hands calmly. Only then will both mind and body be upright. You must also understand lightness and weight, haste and leisure, being able to expand and contract naturally, maintaining a dignified bearing—only then will it be good."

Baoyu said, "We're just learning for fun. If it's as serious as all that, it's going to be too difficult."

The two were talking when Zijuan came in. She saw Baoyu and said with a smile, "Master Bao, you're in such good spirits today."

Baoyu smiled and said, "I heard my cousin's discourse and it opened my mind so completely that the more I listened, the more I wanted to hear."

Zijuan said, "That's not why you're happy. I'm talking about you coming over to our side more often."

Baoyu said, "Earlier, when Cousin Lin wasn't feeling well, I was afraid of tiring her with too much commotion. Besides, I've had my studies, so it may seem as though I've grown more distant."

Before he could finish, Zijuan said, "Miss has only just recovered. Since you say so, Master Bao, you should sit a while and then let her rest. Don't let her exhaust herself with all this talk."

Baoyu smiled and said, "It's true—I was so wrapped up in listening that I forgot Cousin Lin might be tiring herself."

Daiyu said with a smile, "Talking about these things is rather pleasant, and there's nothing tiring about it. I'm only afraid that I keep talking and you keep not understanding."

Baoyu said, "In any case, it will become clear to you gradually, naturally."

With that, he stood up and said, "I really should let Cousin Lin rest now. Tomorrow I'll tell Third Cousin and Fourth Cousin and have them all study it, so I can listen."

Daiyu said with a smile, "You really are getting quite a lot out of this. Even if everyone learns to play and you don't understand, wouldn't that be—"

Daiyu, having said this much, recalled something on her heart and stopped, unwilling to go on.

Baoyu said with a smile, "As long as you all can play, I'll love to listen—I don't care whether it's an ox or not."

Daiyu flushed and smiled. Zijuan and Xueyan both laughed.

They then walked out the door, where they met Qiuwen, who had come with a little maid carrying a pot of orchids. She said, "Someone sent four pots of orchids to the Madame's side. She was too busy with affairs to enjoy them, so she asked that one pot be given to Master Bao and one to Miss Lin."

When Daiyu looked at them, she noticed several sprays with paired blossoms. Something stirred in her heart—she could not tell whether it was joy or sorrow—and she stared at them in a daze.

As for Baoyu at this moment, his mind was entirely on the qin. He said, "Now that Cousin has orchids, she can compose the 'Ode to the Fragrant Orchids.'"

When Daiyu heard this, she felt uneasy in her heart.

Back in her room, she gazed at the flowers and thought: "When plants meet spring, their flowers are fresh and their leaves lush. I think of myself—still so young, yet like the willow and reed of autumn. If things could go as I wish, perhaps I might gradually improve. Otherwise, I fear I shall be like the flowers and willows of late spring—how could I withstand the wind and the rain?"

Thinking of this, she could not help but shed tears again.

Zijuan, standing nearby, saw this but could not fathom the reason. Just now Baoyu had been so happy here—why, looking at flowers in such good spirits, should she suddenly grow melancholy again?

She was worrying over what to do when someone arrived from Baochai's side.

What had happened will be revealed in the next chapter.