Pao-chin's unusual talent for composing poems is shown again when she creates ten riddles about the places that she has visited in different provinces. The subtlety of these riddles is admired by all the people present.
Suddenly, Hsi-jen's brother arrives and asks the Chia family's permission to take Hsi-jen home because their mother is ill. In order to send Hsi-jen home properly, Hsi-feng must first arrange for a matron and a couple of young maids to accompany her; in addition, four older attendants escort Hsi-jen's carriage. Hsijen is asked to dress smartly, with good clothes, elegant pearls, and a good hand-stove, the latter supplied by Hsi-feng . When she is ready to leave, Hsi-jen looks more like a lady than a maid.
The Chia family treats Hsi-jen very well, but this does not mean that they consider her an equal. It simply indicates that Hsi-jen is a faithful maid, obedient to her masters and to all the feudal rules and norms of the social system. They treat Hsi-jen generously in order to let her set an example for all of their other maids. At the same time, they have an opportunity to show off their social position and wealth and thereby spread their influence in the country.
During Hsi-jen's absence, Ching-wen and Sheh-yueh are asked to take care of Pao-yu's daily needs. Carelessly, Ching-wen catches cold, and a doctor has to be sent for to treat her mild case of influenza. Ping-erh arrives to have a word with Sheh-yueh and tells her that Mrs. Sung saw Chui-erh steal one of Ping-erh's bracelets. In order to keep the theft from Pao-yu, Ping-erh conceals the theft of the bracelet and makes up a story that the bracelet was loose and fell off in the snow-covered grass. When the snow melts, she'll find it.
Ping-erh does this in order to save face for Pao-yu, but the conversation between Ping-erh and Sheh-yueh is overheard by Pao-yu, who then tells Chingwen about the theft.
Feeling that it is a disgrace to all the maids in Pao-yu's apartment, Ching-wen flares up and jabs Chui-erh with a hairpin and asks Nanny Sung to tell Chui-erh's family to come and take their thieving daughter away. This is Cling-wen's own decision; she does not consult Pao-yu or anybody else. Chui-erh's mother is outraged, but she has to do what she is asked to do.
