This chapter and the next thirty-nine chapters were written by Kno Ngo, Tsao Hsueh-chin's contemporary. The continuation of the story sometimes follows Tsao Hsueh-chin's creative intent — such as the tragic end of the devoted love between Pao-yu and Tai-yu, the description of the search of both the Jung and Ning Mansions, the exile of Chin Sheh and Chin Chen, and the deaths of Lady Dowager and Wang Hsi-feng , all of which illustrate the decline of the Chin family.
More often than not, however, Kno Ngo violates the original author's intent; for example, his depiction of the social and economic revival of the four families. Kno's changes in the story and tone dilute the original tragic atmosphere of the novel and weaken the force of its strong anti-feudal message. In addition, Kno Ngo distorts the characters of Chin Pao-yu and Lin Tai-yu, describing them as submissive followers of feudal rites and ethics rather than the rebels against feudal society, which they were in volumes I and II.
Chapter 81 finds Pao-yu still sad about Ying-chun's misfortune. Lady Wang's clichéd remarks, "A married daughter — spilt water" and "Marry a dog and follow the dog," make Pno-yu burst into tears in front of Tai-yu, to whom he confides his sorrow.
While taking a stroll in the Garden, Pao-yu joins Tan-chun and some other girls who are fishing until he is called by Chin Cheng to come immediately. Chin Cheng has decided to send Pao-yu back to the family school to study classics and practice calligraphy.
Pao-yu's godmother, Priestess Ma, is reported to have been arrested by the police and taken to prison to be put to death because she is allegedly a witch who practices black magic.
Returning from school in Chapter 82, Pao-yu goes to see Tai-yu and complains to her about the ridiculous eight-section essays and the claim that they "voice the views of the sages." Pao-yu's disgust with the essays, which can be used to "wangle a degree and make a living," suggests the decline and decadence of feudal education and reveals Pao-yu's rebellious spirit — pitted against officialdom — as well as his indifference to rank and riches.
