Chapters 25 & 26 Summary

Jia Huan, Bao-yu's half brother, is busy doing homework by candlelight when Bao-yu comes in from a party. Seeing that he has been drinking, Lady Wang sends his to lie down on the kang next to his brother. Bao-yu tries to flirt with Jia Huan's servant Sunset, causing Huan to feel jealous. In his jealousy, Huan "accidentally" knocks over his candle, causing hot wax to pour over Bao-yu's face. Lady Wang first berates Huan, then Aunt Zhao for the "accident." At Bao-yu's insistence, the family tells Grandmother Jia that Bao-yu was the one responsible for the accident.

Bao-yu's godmother, Mother Ma, visits to help dispel the evil spirits that caused Bao-yu's burn. While there, she also visits with Aunt Zhao. The two form a plan to get rid of Xi-feng. Later, as Dai-yu is visiting with Bao-yu, he suddenly jumps up and begins...