After the long months of preparing for Yuan-chun’s visit, the family cleans up and takes a rest. The more idle of anyone is Bao-yu, who spends his days wandering, watching plays at Cousin Zhen’s, and doing other mindless things. One day, Aroma leaves the go visit her family for a meal, and Bao-yu becomes bored after the plays at Cousin Zhen’s become too loud and boisterous for his taste. He decides to go look at a portrait of a beautiful woman, and instead finds Tealeaf having sex with a young servant. He and Tealeaf sneak off to find Aroma at her house and are welcomed in for tea despite being chastised for leaving the house without asking permission.

It is obvious at Aroma’s house that Bao-yu is much more well-off. The family worries about him being warm enough and cater to him. Aroma is embarrassed at the dismal display of foods, knowing Bao-yu couldn’t be expected to eat such meager things. Finally, Bao-yu and Tealeaf take a cab home. At home, Aroma manipulates Bao-yu to avoid one of his fits, and then gets an idea to manipulate him further to get him to behave better.