Great Talk of the Red Chamber

Author: Fei Hua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: After the end of Dream of the Red Chamber, Daiyu passed away, returning to her celestial realm as the Zhenzhu Immortal Grass. Baoyu naturally resumed his original form, remaining the talented, heaven-defying precious stone. Later, the stone transformed into a stone monkey, narrating a story of causing chaos in Heaven, and was subdued by Buddha's Tathagata, imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain. Five hundred years later, the unfinished fate brought those from the luxurious and gentle world to reincarnate. Miaoyu became the sister of the Tang Emperor, coincidentally ordered by imperial decree to seek the True Scriptures in the West. Baosha and Xiangyun transformed into maidservants to accompany her. Under the guidance of the Bodhisattva, the trio rescued the stone monkey from the Five Elements Mountain. From then on, the four masters embarked on a journey to the West, braving mountains and rivers, enduring wind and dust. Along the way, they had to subdue demons and monsters, and inevitably, their emotions became entangled. Knowing that the stone monkey had reincarnated as a stone monkey, the Zhenzhu Immortal Grass, though her tears had dried, could not completely sever her feelings, so she followed, transforming into the Zixia Immortal. After descending to the mortal world, Zixia saved the life of a snow goose, adopting it as a personal maid. The mistress and maid found a mountain cave along the way to the West as their dwelling, waiting for their former enemies to pass by, to narrate another tale of a wooden and stone romance to fulfill this curse.
At first sight, Zixia struck Zunzhengbao with amazement: "I've seen this sister before." However, he still failed to realize in time, compounded by the jealousy of Guanyin, his master, and his maids, who obstructed him at every turn, preventing him from taking Zixia to the West.
During the struggle with demons and monsters, a scene from the story unfolds:
"I silently listened to his voice—the first and most beautiful music in my life. Loneliness? How could I be lonely? Since you've come, I've gradually forgotten the taste of loneliness."
"My name was given by the Fairy of Dreams. Do you know what it means? 'Ying' signifies a stone resembling jade. Though it looks like a beautiful jade, it is ultimately just an useless, stubborn stone." His tone held a faint sense of disappointment and sorrow. Yet I couldn't comfort him. I was just a plant—I couldn't speak. But one day, I would have my own voice. Then, I would be able to answer his questions and soothe his sorrow. One day, I would work hard to make that day come sooner.
One day, he arrived much later than usual. My heart was instantly filled with indescribable loss and anxiety. That day, I experienced the taste of waiting for the first time in my life. How could a plant's heart endure such torment?
As the sun set, he finally arrived. "Zhenzhu, I'm sorry I'm late." His voice was filled with unmistakable exhaustion and confusion. I knew he must have something on his mind.
"I don't know how to tell you. In truth, you're just a plant—you don't understand my words, nor can you answer me. But for some reason, I always felt that even though you couldn't speak, you understood everything I said.
I don't know when it started, but I've grown accustomed to telling you everything, even though you don't respond. But as long as I sat beside you and watched you, I felt a sense of peace and joy in my heart. It was truly wonderful."
Postscript: Fei Hua completed the thirty-first chapter of A Whimsical Tale of the Red Chamber, but due to certain reasons (specific details can be found in the author's introduction at the beginning of this book), she was unable to write the final part (the reason remains unnamed). The editor hopes that future writers will complete A Whimsical Tale of the Red Chamber, not only to honor Fei Hua but also as a great fortune and legend following Gao E's continuation of Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber.