On Baoyu's birthday, the young ladies held a drinking party where they composed poems and enjoyed themselves. Their maids started a game of their own.
Xiangling, Xue Pan's concubine, gathered some flowers and grasses and began a grass-naming game with the others. "This one is a bodhisattva willow," one said. Another added, "I have an arhat pine."
Suddenly, Douguan claimed she had a "sisters' flower." Xiangling countered, "I have a 'husband-and-wife flower.'"
"Never heard of that," Douguan protested.
"Why?" Xiangling explained. "One flower on a stem is called 'lan'; several on one stem make 'hui.' Two on one stem, one above the other, is a 'brother flower.' Two side by side are certainly a 'spouses' flower.'"
Doubtful, Douguan laughed and challenged her: "Well then, if one is big and the other small, it must be a 'father-and-son flower.' And if they face opposite ways, it's probably an 'enemies flower.' Isn't that right? Xue Pan has been gone for over half a year. I suppose you made up the 'husband-and-wife flower' because you miss him."
Blushing, Xiangling rushed to pinch the sharp-tongued girl, who laughed and begged for help. The scene dissolved into friendly laughter, poking, and playful punches among the maids.