Learning:
The Journey of a Lifetime
A Cloud Chamber of the Mind

2006 Literature Notebook

Cousin Zhen. [3, 10, 11] Son of Jia Jing, acting head of the senior (Ning-guo) branch of the Jia family.

You-shi. [10, 11] wife of Cousin Zhen, mother of Qin-shi.

Jia Qin-shi. [3, 5, 10, 11] young wife of Jia Rong of the Ning-gue mansion of the Jia family.

Wang Xi-feng ("Peppercorn" Feng) (Mrs. Lian): [3, 6, 7, 8, 11] Wife of Jia Lian, a beautiful young woman (about 18 - 19 years old), who is responsible for much of the management of the Rong-guo mansion.

Bao-yu. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11] The Stone.

Jia Rong [3, 6, 10, 11] 16 year old son of Jia Zhen, of the Ning-guo mansion, husband of Qin-shi.

Jia Rui [9, 11] grandson of the schoolmaster Jia Dai-ru.

Patience [6, 7, 11] A maid, and principal confidant, of Mrs. Lian.[Wang Xi-feng]

plus many of the members of the Jia households attend the birthday celebrations.

The Ning-guo house celebrates Jia Jing's birthday.

Xi-feng, Bao-yu and Jia Rong all visit Qin-shi to see how she is feeling. Xi-feng stays after the rest have left to console Qin-shi further.

After Xi-feng leaves Qin-shi, she meets cousin Jai Rui, who makes some suggestive comments to her, which she finds offensive. He continues to find ways to meet her in the following days. Xi-feng shares her feeling with Patince.

There is still no indication of what is bothering Qin-shi.