第二回　　　賈夫人仙逝揚州城　冷子興演說榮國府 Lady Jia Dies in Yangzhou City; Leng Zixing Discourses on the Rong Mansion

詩云：A poem says:

诗云：

一局輸贏料不真，香銷茶盡尚逡巡。The outcome of a game of chess can hardly be reckoned true; the incense burned out, the tea gone cold, still one lingers hesitating.

一局输赢料不真，香销茶尽尚逡巡。

欲知目下興衰兆，須問傍觀冷眼人。To know the omens of present rise and decline, one must ask the cool-eyed bystander looking on.

欲知目下兴衰兆，须问傍观冷眼人。

卻說封肅因聽見公差傳喚，忙出來陪笑啟問。Now Feng Su, hearing himself summoned by the yamen runners, hurried out with an ingratiating smile to inquire what was wanted.那些人只嚷：「快請出甄爺來！」封肅忙陪笑道：「小人姓封，並不姓甄。The men only shouted, "Quick, bring out Master Zhen!" Feng Su hastily said with a smile, "This humble one's surname is Feng, not Zhen."只有當日小婿姓甄，今已出家一二年了，不知可是問他？」那些公人道：「我們也不知什麼『真』『假』，因奉太爺之命來問，他既是你女婿，便帶了你去親見太爺面稟，省得亂跑。」說著，不容封肅多言，大家推擁他去了。"It's only that my son-in-law was surnamed Zhen, but he left home to become a monk a year or two ago — is it perhaps him you're asking after?" The officers said, "We don't know anything about 'true' or 'false' — we've come under the magistrate's orders to inquire. Since he's your son-in-law, we'll just take you along to report to the magistrate in person, and save ourselves the trouble of running about." So saying, without letting Feng Su say another word, they all pushed and hustled him away.封家人個個都驚慌，不知何兆。Everyone in the Feng household was thrown into alarm, not knowing what omen this portended.

却说封肃因听见公差传唤，忙出来陪笑启问。那些人只嚷：「快请出甄爷来！」封肃忙陪笑道：「小人姓封，并不姓甄。只有当日小婿姓甄，今已出家一二年了，不知可是问他？」那些公人道：「我们也不知什么『真』『假』，因奉太爷之命来问，他既是你女婿，便带了你去亲见太爷面禀，省得乱跑。」说著，不容封肃多言，大家推拥他去了。封家人个个都惊慌，不知何兆。

那天約二更時，只見封肅方回來，歡天喜地。That night, around the second watch, Feng Su came back at last, beaming with joy.眾人忙問端的。Everyone hastened to ask what had happened.他乃說道：「原來本府新升的太爺姓賈名化，本貫胡州人氏，曾與女婿舊日相交。He said, "It turns out the new magistrate just promoted to this prefecture is surnamed Jia, given name Hua, a native of Huzhou, who was once an old acquaintance of our son-in-law.方纔在咱門前過去，因見嬌杏那丫頭買線，所以他只當女婿移住於此。Just now, passing by our gate, he happened to see that maid Jiaoxing buying thread, and so he assumed our son-in-law had moved to live here.我一一將原故回明，那太爺倒傷感歎息了一回，又問外孫女兒，我說看燈丟了。I explained the whole matter to him one point at a time, and the magistrate sighed with feeling for quite a while; then he asked after his granddaughter, and I told him she had been lost while out watching the lanterns.太爺說：『不妨，我自使番役務必探訪回來。』說了一回話，臨走倒送了我二兩銀子。」甄家娘子聽了，不免心中傷感。The magistrate said, 'No matter, I shall send my own runners to search her out without fail.' We talked a while longer, and as he left he even gave me two taels of silver." Hearing this, Mistress Zhen could not help feeling stirred with sorrow at heart.一宿無話。Nothing more happened that night.至次日，早有雨村遣人送了兩封銀子，四疋錦緞，答謝甄家娘子，又寄一封密書與封肅，轉託問甄家娘子要那嬌杏作二房。The next day, Yucun had already sent a man over with two packets of silver and four bolts of brocaded silk to thank Mistress Zhen, and along with these he sent a private letter to Feng Su, asking him to convey to Mistress Zhen a request for Jiaoxing to become his second wife.封肅喜的屁滾尿流，巴不得去奉承，便在女兒前一力攛掇成了，乘夜只用一乘小轎，便把嬌杏送進去了。Feng Su was so overjoyed he nearly lost control of himself, and only too eager to curry favor, he pressed the matter hard before his daughter until it was settled, and that very night, using just one small sedan chair, sent Jiaoxing over.雨村歡喜，自不必說，乃封百金贈封肅，外謝甄家娘子許多物事，令其好生養贍，以待尋訪女兒下落。Needless to say, Yucun was delighted, and he sealed up a hundred taels of gold as a gift for Feng Su, besides sending Mistress Zhen many other gifts in thanks, telling them to provide well for her support while they continued searching for news of his daughter's whereabouts.封肅回家無話。Feng Su went home, and nothing further need be said of that.

那天约二更时，只见封肃方回来，欢天喜地。众人忙问端的。他乃说道：「原来本府新升的太爷姓贾名化，本贯胡州人氏，曾与女婿旧日相交。方才在咱门前过去，因见娇杏那丫头买线，所以他只当女婿移住于此。我一一将原故回明，那太爷倒伤感叹息了一回，又问外孙女儿，我说看灯丢了。太爷说：『不妨，我自使番役务必探访回来。』说了一回话，临走倒送了我二两银子。」甄家娘子听了，不免心中伤感。一宿无话。至次日，早有雨村遣人送了两封银子，四疋锦缎，答谢甄家娘子，又寄一封密书与封肃，转托问甄家娘子要那娇杏作二房。封肃喜的屁滚尿流，巴不得去奉承，便在女儿前一力撺掇成了，乘夜只用一乘小轿，便把娇杏送进去了。雨村欢喜，自不必说，乃封百金赠封肃，外谢甄家娘子许多物事，令其好生养赡，以待寻访女儿下落。封肃回家无话。

卻說嬌杏這丫鬟，便是那年回顧雨村者。Now this maid Jiaoxing was the very one who, that year, had turned to look back at Yucun.因偶然一顧，便弄出這段事來，亦是自己意料不到之奇緣。Because of that one chance glance, this whole affair had come about — a marvelous twist of fate she herself could never have expected.誰想他命運兩濟，不承望自到雨村身邊，只一年便生了一子，又半載，雨村嫡妻忽染疾下世，雨村便將他扶側作正室夫人了。Who would have thought that fortune and fate should both favor her so — unexpectedly, within a year of coming to Yucun's side she had borne him a son, and half a year after that, Yucun's legal wife suddenly fell ill and died, whereupon Yucun raised her from concubine to the position of principal wife.正是：Truly it was:

却说娇杏这丫鬟，便是那年回顾雨村者。因偶然一顾，便弄出这段事来，亦是自己意料不到之奇缘。谁想他命运两济，不承望自到雨村身边，只一年便生了一子，又半载，雨村嫡妻忽染疾下世，雨村便将他扶侧作正室夫人了。正是：

偶因一著錯，便為人上人。By one chance misstep, she rose to be above other people.

偶因一著错，便为人上人。

原來，雨村因那年士隱贈銀之後，他於十六日便起身入都，至大比之期，不料他十分得意，已會了進士，選入外班，今已升了本府知府。As for Yucun, after Shiyin's gift of silver that year, he had set out for the capital on the sixteenth, and by the time of the metropolitan examinations, to his great satisfaction, he had passed as a jinshi, been selected for provincial appointment, and had now already risen to prefect of this prefecture.雖才幹優長，未免有些貪酷之弊，且又恃才侮上，那些官員皆側目而視。Though his talents and abilities were considerable, he could not avoid some faults of greed and harshness, and moreover, relying on his talent, he was disrespectful to his superiors, so that all the officials looked at him askance.不上一年，便被上司尋了個空隙，作成一本，參他「生情狡猾，擅纂禮儀，且沽清正之名，而暗結虎狼之屬，致使地方多事，民命不堪」等語。Within less than a year, his superior found an opening and drew up a memorial impeaching him, with such words as "cunning and crafty by nature, presuming to alter ritual and ceremony, and while buying himself a name for integrity, secretly consorting with tigers and wolves, so that the locality has been beset with troubles and the people's lives made unbearable," and so on.龍顏大怒，即批革職。The Dragon Countenance was greatly enraged, and at once endorsed the order for his dismissal from office.該部文書一到，本府官員無不喜悅。As soon as the document from the relevant ministry arrived, every official in the prefecture was delighted.那雨村心中雖十分慚恨，卻面上全無一點怨色，仍是嘻笑自若，交代過公事，將歷年做官積的些資本並家小人屬送至原籍，安排妥協，卻是自己擔風袖月，游覽天下胜跡。Though Yucun felt deep shame and resentment in his heart, on his face there was not the least trace of grievance; he remained smiling and at ease as ever, handed over the official business, sent the funds he had accumulated over his years in office along with his family and dependents back to his native place, and once all was properly arranged, set off himself to shoulder the wind and sleeve the moon, touring the famous sights of the empire.

原来，雨村因那年士隐赠银之后，他于十六日便起身入都，至大比之期，不料他十分得意，已会了进士，选入外班，今已升了本府知府。虽才干优长，未免有些贪酷之弊，且又恃才侮上，那些官员皆侧目而视。不上一年，便被上司寻了个空隙，作成一本，参他「生情狡猾，擅纂礼仪，且沽清正之名，而暗结虎狼之属，致使地方多事，民命不堪」等语。龙颜大怒，即批革职。该部文书一到，本府官员无不喜悦。那雨村心中虽十分惭恨，却面上全无一点怨色，仍是嘻笑自若，交代过公事，将历年做官积的些资本并家小人属送至原籍，安排妥协，却是自己担风袖月，游览天下胜迹。

那日，偶又游至維揚地面，因聞得今歲鹺政點的是林如海。One day, he happened to travel to the region of Weiyang, where he heard that this year's Salt Commissioner appointed was Lin Ruhai.這林如海姓林名海，表字如海，乃是前科的探花，今已升至蘭臺寺大夫，本貫姑蘇人氏，今欽點出為巡鹽御史，到任方一月有餘。This Lin Ruhai's surname was Lin, given name Hai, and his courtesy name was Ruhai; he had placed third (Tanhua) in the previous examination and had now risen to the rank of Grand Master of the Lantai Court, a native of Gusu, and had now been personally appointed by the emperor as Censor of the Salt Inspectorate, having been in his post for just over a month.原來這林如海之祖，曾襲過列侯，今到如海，業經五世。It so happened that Lin Ruhai's ancestor had once inherited the rank of marquis, and by now, down to Ruhai, this had passed through five generations.起初時，只封襲三世，因當今隆恩盛德，遠邁前代，額外加恩，至如海之父，又襲了一代；At first, the title had only been granted for inheritance through three generations, but because the present emperor's bounteous grace and virtue far surpassed those of former ages, an extra favor was granted, so that Ruhai's father inherited it for one more generation;至如海，便從科第出身。by the time it came to Ruhai, however, he made his own way through the examinations.雖系鐘鼎之家，卻亦是書香之族。Though his family was one of bells and tripods (official rank and wealth), it was also a lineage steeped in learning.只可惜這林家支庶不盛，子孫有限，雖有幾門，卻與如海俱是堂族而已，沒甚親支嫡派的。It was only a pity that the collateral branches of the Lin family were not flourishing, and descendants were few; though there were several branches, they were all merely cousins of Ruhai's, with no close relatives of the direct line.今如海年已四十，只有一個三歲之子，偏又於去歲死了。Now Ruhai was already forty, and had only one son, who at three years old, had unfortunately died the year before.雖有幾房姬妾，奈他命中無子，亦無可如何之事。Though he had several concubines, it was his fate to be without a son, and there was nothing to be done about it.今只有嫡妻賈氏，生得一女，乳名黛玉，年方五歲。Now there was only his legal wife, née Jia, who had given birth to one daughter, whose milk name was Daiyu, just five years old.夫妻無子，故愛如珍寶，且又見他聰明清秀，便也欲使他讀書識得幾個字，不過假充養子之意，聊解膝下荒涼之歎。As the couple had no son, they cherished her as a treasure, and moreover, seeing that she was clever and delicately pretty, they wished to have her study and learn to read a few characters, in the spirit of raising her as if she were a son, if only to ease somewhat their lament over the emptiness of their knee.

那日，偶又游至维扬地面，因闻得今岁鹾政点的是林如海。这林如海姓林名海，表字如海，乃是前科的探花，今已升至兰台寺大夫，本贯姑苏人氏，今钦点出为巡盐御史，到任方一月有余。原来这林如海之祖，曾袭过列侯，今到如海，业经五世。起初时，只封袭三世，因当今隆恩盛德，远迈前代，额外加恩，至如海之父，又袭了一代；至如海，便从科第出身。虽系钟鼎之家，却亦是书香之族。只可惜这林家支庶不盛，子孙有限，虽有几门，却与如海俱是堂族而已，没甚亲支嫡派的。今如海年已四十，只有一个三岁之子，偏又于去岁死了。虽有几房姬妾，奈他命中无子，亦无可如何之事。今只有嫡妻贾氏，生得一女，乳名黛玉，年方五岁。夫妻无子，故爱如珍宝，且又见他聪明清秀，便也欲使他读书识得几个字，不过假充养子之意，聊解膝下荒凉之叹。

雨村正值偶感風寒，病在旅店，將一月光景方漸愈。Yucun, as it happened, had caught a chill and lay ill in an inn, and it took nearly a month before he gradually recovered.一因身体勞倦，二因盤費不繼，也正欲尋個合式之處，暫且歇下。For one thing his body was weary and worn out, for another his traveling funds were running short, so he was also looking for a suitable place to settle down for a while.幸有兩個舊友，亦在此境居住，因聞得鹽政欲聘一西賓，雨村便相托友力，謀了進去，且作安身之計。Fortunately he had two old friends who also lived in this region, and hearing that the Salt Commissioner wished to engage a tutor, Yucun relied on his friends' help to secure the post, thereby providing himself a means of settling down.妙在只一個女學生，並兩個伴讀丫鬟，這女學生年又小，身体又极怯弱，工課不限多寡，故十分省力。The best of it was that there was only one girl pupil, along with two maids who accompanied her studies; the girl pupil was young in years and extremely delicate in health, and her lessons were not fixed in amount, so it was a very easy post.堪堪又是一載的光陰，誰知女學生之母賈氏夫人一疾而終。Barely had another year passed when, who could have expected it, the pupil's mother, Madame Jia, succumbed to an illness and died.女學生侍湯奉藥，守喪盡哀，遂又將辭館別圖。The pupil, having attended her mother with medicine and broth and having observed the mourning to the fullest extent of grief, was about to give up her studies to seek other arrangements.林如海意欲令女守制讀書，故又將他留下。Lin Ruhai, however, wished his daughter to observe mourning while continuing her studies, and so kept Yucun on.近因女學生哀痛過傷，本自怯弱多病的，触犯舊症，遂連日不曾上學。Recently, because the pupil had grieved to excess, and being frail and sickly by nature to begin with, her old ailment had been aggravated, so that for several days running she had not come to her lessons.雨村閒居無聊，每當風日晴和，飯後便出來閒步。Yucun, living idly with nothing to do, would, whenever the weather was fine and the breeze mild, go out for a stroll after his meal.

雨村正值偶感风寒，病在旅店，将一月光景方渐愈。一因身体劳倦，二因盘费不继，也正欲寻个合式之处，暂且歇下。幸有两个旧友，亦在此境居住，因闻得盐政欲聘一西宾，雨村便相托友力，谋了进去，且作安身之计。妙在只一个女学生，并两个伴读丫鬟，这女学生年又小，身体又极怯弱，工课不限多寡，故十分省力。堪堪又是一载的光阴，谁知女学生之母贾氏夫人一疾而终。女学生侍汤奉药，守丧尽哀，遂又将辞馆别图。林如海意欲令女守制读书，故又将他留下。近因女学生哀痛过伤，本自怯弱多病的，触犯旧症，遂连日不曾上学。雨村闲居无聊，每当风日晴和，饭后便出来闲步。

這日，偶至郭外，意欲賞鑒那村野風光。That day, he happened to go beyond the city walls, wishing to enjoy the scenery of the countryside.忽信步至一山環水旋，茂林深竹之處，隱隱的有座廟宇，門巷傾頹，牆垣朽敗，門前有額，題著「智通寺」三字，門旁又有一副舊破的對聯，云：「身後有餘忘縮手，眼前無路想回頭。」雨村看了，因想到：「這兩句話，文雖淺近，其意則深。His idle steps carried him suddenly to a place where hills encircled winding waters, amid dense woods and deep bamboo groves, where there stood, half-hidden, a temple, its gate and lane crumbling, its walls decayed. Above the gate hung a tablet inscribed with the three characters "Zhitong Temple" ("Temple of Wisdom's Passage"), and beside the gate hung an old, worn-out pair of couplets, reading: "When there is still surplus behind you, you forget to draw back your hand; only when there's no road ahead do you think of turning back." Yucun read this and thought to himself, "Though the wording of these two lines is plain and simple, their meaning runs deep.我也曾游過些名山大剎，倒不曾見過這話頭，其中想必有個翻過筋斗來的亦未可知，何不進去試試。」想著走入，只有一個龍鐘老僧在那裏煮粥。I too have traveled to some famous mountains and great monasteries, yet I have never come across a saying quite like this; there must surely be someone within who has turned a somersault through life and come out the other side, who knows — why not go in and see." So thinking, he walked in, only to find a single decrepit old monk there cooking porridge.雨村見了，便不在意。Seeing this, Yucun paid it no further mind.及至問他兩句話，那老僧既聾且昏，齒落舌鈍，所答非所問。When he put a few questions to him, the old monk turned out to be both deaf and dim-witted, his teeth gone and his tongue clumsy, and his answers had nothing to do with the questions asked.

这日，偶至郭外，意欲赏鉴那村野风光。忽信步至一山环水旋，茂林深竹之处，隐隐的有座庙宇，门巷倾颓，墙垣朽败，门前有额，题著「智通寺」三字，门旁又有一副旧破的对联，云：「身后有余忘缩手，眼前无路想回头。」雨村看了，因想到：「这两句话，文虽浅近，其意则深。我也曾游过些名山大刹，倒不曾见过这话头，其中想必有个翻过筋斗来的亦未可知，何不进去试试。」想著走入，只有一个龙钟老僧在那里煮粥。雨村见了，便不在意。及至问他两句话，那老僧既聋且昏，齿落舌钝，所答非所问。

雨村不耐煩，便仍出來，意欲到那村肆中沽飲三杯，以助野趣，於是款步行來。Losing patience, Yucun came back out again, thinking to go buy a few cups of wine at the village tavern to enhance the rustic mood, and so he walked leisurely on.將入肆門，只見座上吃酒之客有一人起身大笑，接了出來，口內說：「奇遇，奇遇。」雨村忙看時，此人是都中在古董行中貿易的號冷子興者，舊日在都相識。Just as he was about to enter the tavern door, one of the drinkers seated inside rose with a great laugh and came out to greet him, saying, "What a coincidence, what a coincidence!" Yucun looked quickly and saw that this was a man who dealt in the antique trade in the capital, styled Leng Zixing, an old acquaintance of his from his days in the capital.雨村最贊這冷子興是個有作為大本領的人，這子興又借雨村斯文之名，故二人說話投机，最相契合。Yucun thought highly of this Leng Zixing as a man of great ability and accomplishment, while Zixing, in turn, borrowed something of Yucun's reputation for refinement, so that the two of them got along famously whenever they talked, being most congenial with one another.雨村忙笑問道：「老兄何日到此？Yucun hastily asked with a smile, "Old friend, when did you arrive here?弟竟不知。I had no idea at all.今日偶遇，真奇緣也。」子興道：「去年歲底到家，今因還要入都，從此順路找個敝友說一句話，承他之情，留我多住兩日。To run into you today by chance is truly a marvelous stroke of fate." Zixing said, "I got home at the end of last year, and now, as I still need to go up to the capital, I took the opportunity along the way to call on a humble friend of mine here to exchange a few words, and thanks to his kindness, he has kept me staying an extra couple of days.我也無緊事，且盤桓兩日，待月半時也就起身了。I have no pressing business either, so I'm lingering a couple of days, and I'll set off again around the middle of the month.今日敝友有事，我因閒步至此，且歇歇腳，不期這樣巧遇！」一面說，一面讓雨村同席坐了，另整上酒肴來。Today my friend had some business to attend to, so I strolled over here to rest my feet a bit, never expecting such a fortunate encounter!" So saying, he invited Yucun to sit down with him at the same table, and had fresh wine and dishes brought out.二人閒談漫飲，敘些別後之事。The two of them chatted idly and drank at leisure, recounting what had happened to each other since they had parted.

雨村不耐烦，便仍出来，意欲到那村肆中沽饮三杯，以助野趣，于是款步行来。将入肆门，只见座上吃酒之客有一人起身大笑，接了出来，口内说：「奇遇，奇遇。」雨村忙看时，此人是都中在古董行中贸易的号冷子兴者，旧日在都相识。雨村最赞这冷子兴是个有作为大本领的人，这子兴又借雨村斯文之名，故二人说话投机，最相契合。雨村忙笑问道：「老兄何日到此？弟竟不知。今日偶遇，真奇缘也。」子兴道：「去年岁底到家，今因还要入都，从此顺路找个敝友说一句话，承他之情，留我多住两日。我也无紧事，且盘桓两日，待月半时也就起身了。今日敝友有事，我因闲步至此，且歇歇脚，不期这样巧遇！」一面说，一面让雨村同席坐了，另整上酒肴来。二人闲谈漫饮，叙些别后之事。

雨村因問：「近日都中可有新聞沒有？」子興道：「倒沒有什麼新聞，倒是老先生你貴同宗家，出了一件小小的异事。」雨村笑道：「弟族中無人在都，何談及此？」子興笑道：「你們同姓，豈非同宗一族？」雨村問是誰家。Yucun then asked, "Has there been any news of late in the capital?" Zixing said, "Well, there's no particular news, though as it happens a small, curious affair has occurred in a family that shares your honorable clan's surname." Yucun said with a smile, "There's no one of my clan in the capital — how could this concern me?" Zixing said with a smile, "You share the same surname — surely that makes you of the same clan?" Yucun asked which family it was.子興道：「榮國府賈府中，可也玷辱了先生的門楣么？」雨村笑道：「原來是他家。Zixing said, "The Jia family of the Rongguo mansion — surely that wouldn't disgrace your honorable lineage, would it?" Yucun said with a smile, "So it's that family.若論起來，寒族人丁卻不少，自東漢賈复以來，支派繁盛，各省皆有，誰逐細考查得來？If we're speaking of it, my humble clan has no small number of members; ever since Jia Fu of the Eastern Han, its branches have flourished and spread, with members in every province — who could possibly trace them all out one by one?若論榮國一支，卻是同譜。As for the Rongguo branch, though, it does share the same genealogy as mine.但他那等榮耀，我們不便去攀扯，至今故越發生疏難認了。」子興歎道：「老先生休如此說。But given their glory and prominence, it wouldn't be proper for us to claim kinship, and so over time we've grown all the more estranged and hard to recognize as kin." Zixing sighed and said, "My good sir, don't speak like that.如今的這宁榮兩門，也都蕭疏了，不比先時的光景。」雨村道：「當日宁榮兩宅的人口也极多，如何就蕭疏了？」冷子興道：「正是，說來也話長。」雨村道：「去歲我到金陵地界，因欲游覽六朝遺跡，那日進了石頭城，從他老宅門前經過。"These two houses, Ning and Rong, have both grown desolate now, quite unlike how things were in former times." Yucun said, "In those days the two households of Ning and Rong had a great many members — how did they come to grow so desolate?" Leng Zixing said, "Just so, it's a long story to tell." Yucun said, "Last year I went to the region of Jinling, wishing to visit the relics of the Six Dynasties, and that day I entered the city of Shitou and passed in front of their old mansion.街東是宁國府，街西是榮國府，二宅相連，竟將大半條街占了。On the east side of the street was the Ningguo mansion, on the west the Rongguo mansion, the two residences adjoining one another and taking up well over half the street between them.大門前雖冷落無人，隔著圍牆一望，裏面廳殿樓閣，也還都崢嶸軒峻，就是後一帶花園子裏面樹木山石，也還都有蓊蔚洇潤之氣，那裏象個衰敗之家？」冷子興笑道：「虧你是進士出身，原來不通！Though the main gate was deserted with no one about, when I looked over the enclosing wall, the halls and towers within still stood lofty and imposing, and even the trees and rockeries in the garden behind still had an air of lush, moist vitality about them — how could that look like a declining household?" Leng Zixing laughed and said, "And to think you're a man of jinshi standing — you really don't understand at all!古人有云：『百足之虫，死而不僵。』如今雖說不及先年那樣興盛，較之平常仕宦之家，到底氣象不同。The ancients had a saying: 'A centipede, though dead, does not fall stiff.' Nowadays, although it can't compare to its former flourishing state, compared with an ordinary official family, its outward bearing is still altogether different.如今生齒日繁，事務日盛，主仆上下，安富尊榮者盡多，運籌謀畫者無一，其日用排場費用，又不能將就省儉，如今外面的架子雖未甚倒，內囊卻也盡上來了。Nowadays their household grows ever larger in number, their affairs ever more numerous, and among masters and servants, high and low, there are plenty who enjoy ease, wealth, and honor, but not a single one who plans and manages resourcefully; and since their daily expenditure and display cannot be scaled back or economized, though the outward framework hasn't yet collapsed much, the resources within have already been thoroughly used up.這還是小事。And that's still a minor matter.更有一件大事：誰知這樣鐘鳴鼎食之家，翰墨詩書之族，如今的兒孫，竟一代不如一代了！」雨村聽說，也納罕道：「這樣詩禮之家，豈有不善教育之理？There's an even greater matter: who would have thought that in a family of such wealth and ceremony, a lineage steeped in letters and learning, the descendants now, generation after generation, should prove worse than the last!" Hearing this, Yucun too was puzzled and said, "How could a family of such poetry and ritual fail to educate its children properly?別門不知，只說這宁、榮二宅，是最教子有方的。」I don't know about other branches, but I've always heard that these two households, Ning and Rong, were most exemplary in the upbringing of their sons."

雨村因问：「近日都中可有新闻没有？」子兴道：「倒没有什么新闻，倒是老先生你贵同宗家，出了一件小小的异事。」雨村笑道：「弟族中无人在都，何谈及此？」子兴笑道：「你们同姓，岂非同宗一族？」雨村问是谁家。子兴道：「荣国府贾府中，可也玷辱了先生的门楣么？」雨村笑道：「原来是他家。若论起来，寒族人丁却不少，自东汉贾复以来，支派繁盛，各省皆有，谁逐细考查得来？若论荣国一支，却是同谱。但他那等荣耀，我们不便去攀扯，至今故越发生疏难认了。」子兴叹道：「老先生休如此说。如今的这宁荣两门，也都萧疏了，不比先时的光景。」雨村道：「当日宁荣两宅的人口也极多，如何就萧疏了？」冷子兴道：「正是，说来也话长。」雨村道：「去岁我到金陵地界，因欲游览六朝遗迹，那日进了石头城，从他老宅门前经过。街东是宁国府，街西是荣国府，二宅相连，竟将大半条街占了。大门前虽冷落无人，隔著围墙一望，里面厅殿楼阁，也还都峥嵘轩峻，就是后一带花园子里面树木山石，也还都有蓊蔚洇润之气，那里象个衰败之家？」冷子兴笑道：「亏你是进士出身，原来不通！古人有云：『百足之虫，死而不僵。』如今虽说不及先年那样兴盛，较之平常仕宦之家，到底气象不同。如今生齿日繁，事务日盛，主仆上下，安富尊荣者尽多，运筹谋画者无一，其日用排场费用，又不能将就省俭，如今外面的架子虽未甚倒，内囊却也尽上来了。这还是小事。更有一件大事：谁知这样钟鸣鼎食之家，翰墨诗书之族，如今的儿孙，竟一代不如一代了！」雨村听说，也纳罕道：「这样诗礼之家，岂有不善教育之理？别门不知，只说这宁、荣二宅，是最教子有方的。」

子興歎道：「正說的是這兩門呢。Zixing sighed and said, "It's precisely these two houses I'm speaking of.待我告訴你：當日宁國公與榮國公是一母同胞弟兄兩個。Let me tell you: in those days, the Duke of Ningguo and the Duke of Rongguo were two brothers born of the same mother.宁公居長，生了四個兒子。The Duke of Ning was the elder, and he had four sons.宁公死後，賈代化襲了官，也養了兩個兒子：長名賈敷，至八九歲上便死了，只剩了次子賈敬襲了官，如今一味好道，只愛燒丹煉汞，餘者一概不在心上。After the Duke of Ning died, Jia Daihua inherited the title, and he too raised two sons: the elder, named Jia Fu, died at eight or nine years of age, leaving only the younger son, Jia Jing, to inherit the title; nowadays he is single-mindedly devoted to Taoist pursuits, caring only for refining cinnabar and smelting mercury, and paying no mind to anything else at all.幸而早年留下一子，名喚賈珍，因他父親一心想作神仙，把官倒讓他襲了。Fortunately, in his earlier years he had left behind a son named Jia Zhen, and since his father was single-mindedly bent on becoming an immortal, he let this son inherit the office instead.他父親又不肯回原籍來，只在都中城外和道士們胡羼。His father, moreover, refuses to return to his native place, and stays only outside the capital city, carrying on aimlessly with Taoist priests.這位珍爺倒生了一個兒子，今年纔十六歲，名叫賈蓉。This Master Zhen has had a son of his own, only sixteen this year, named Jia Rong.如今敬老爹一概不管。Nowadays old master Jing pays no attention to anything at all.這珍爺那裏肯讀書，只一味高樂不了，把宁國府竟翻了過來，也沒有人敢來管他。As for this Master Zhen, he has no interest whatsoever in study, indulging only in endless pleasure-seeking, so that he has turned the Ningguo mansion completely upside down, and no one dares to try to restrain him.再說榮府你聽，方纔所說异事，就出在這裏。Now as for the Rong mansion, listen — the curious affair I mentioned just now happened right here.自榮公死後，長子賈代善襲了官，娶的也是金陵世勳史侯家的小姐為妻，生了兩個兒子：長子賈赦，次子賈政。After the Duke of Rong died, his eldest son Jia Daishan inherited the title, and he too took as wife a young lady of the Shi marquis family, one of Jinling's hereditary meritorious houses, and had two sons: the elder, Jia She, and the younger, Jia Zheng.如今代善早已去世，太夫人尚在，長子賈赦襲著官，次子賈政，自幼酷喜讀書[1]，祖父最疼，原欲以科甲出身的，不料代善臨終時遺本一上，皇上因恤先臣，即時令長子襲官外，問還有幾子，立刻引見，遂額外賜了這政老爹一個主事之銜，令其入部習學，如今現已升了員外郎了。Nowadays Daishan has long since passed away, though the old lady is still living; the elder son Jia She has inherited the title, while the younger son Jia Zheng, who from childhood was passionately fond of study and was the grandfather's favorite, had originally been meant to make his own way through the examinations. But it happened that when Daishan was dying he submitted a memorial, and the emperor, out of consideration for a deceased minister, not only had the elder son inherit the office but also asked how many other sons there were and had them presented at once for audience; he then granted this master Zheng, as a special favor, the rank of a Bureau Secretary, ordering him to enter the ministry to study its business, and by now he has already risen to be a Vice Director.這政老爹的夫人王氏，頭胎生的公子，名喚賈珠，十四歲進學，不到二十歲就娶了妻生了子，一病死了。This master Zheng's wife, née Wang, bore as her first child a son named Jia Zhu, who entered school at fourteen, and before he was twenty had already married and had a son, but then fell ill and died.第二胎生了一位小姐，生在大年初一，這就奇了，不想後來又生一位公子，說來更奇，一落胎胞，嘴裏便銜下一塊五彩晶瑩的玉來，上面還有許多字跡，就取名叫作寶玉。Her second child was a daughter, born on New Year's Day itself, which was already remarkable enough; and who would have thought that afterward she bore another son — stranger still to tell — for the moment he emerged from the womb, there was in his mouth a piece of jade of five colors, clear and lustrous, with a great many characters inscribed upon it, and so he was given the name Baoyu ("Precious Jade").你道是新奇异事不是？」Wouldn't you say that's a strange and marvelous thing?"

子兴叹道：「正说的是这两门呢。待我告诉你：当日宁国公与荣国公是一母同胞弟兄两个。宁公居长，生了四个儿子。宁公死后，贾代化袭了官，也养了两个儿子：长名贾敷，至八九岁上便死了，只剩了次子贾敬袭了官，如今一味好道，只爱烧丹炼汞，余者一概不在心上。幸而早年留下一子，名唤贾珍，因他父亲一心想作神仙，把官倒让他袭了。他父亲又不肯回原籍来，只在都中城外和道士们胡羼。这位珍爷倒生了一个儿子，今年才十六岁，名叫贾蓉。如今敬老爹一概不管。这珍爷那里肯读书，只一味高乐不了，把宁国府竟翻了过来，也没有人敢来管他。再说荣府你听，方才所说异事，就出在这里。自荣公死后，长子贾代善袭了官，娶的也是金陵世勋史侯家的小姐为妻，生了两个儿子：长子贾赦，次子贾政。如今代善早已去世，太夫人尚在，长子贾赦袭著官，次子贾政，自幼酷喜读书[1]，祖父最疼，原欲以科甲出身的，不料代善临终时遗本一上，皇上因恤先臣，即时令长子袭官外，问还有几子，立刻引见，遂额外赐了这政老爹一个主事之衔，令其入部习学，如今现已升了员外郎了。这政老爹的夫人王氏，头胎生的公子，名唤贾珠，十四岁进学，不到二十岁就娶了妻生了子，一病死了。第二胎生了一位小姐，生在大年初一，这就奇了，不想后来又生一位公子，说来更奇，一落胎胞，嘴里便衔下一块五彩晶莹的玉来，上面还有许多字迹，就取名叫作宝玉。你道是新奇异事不是？」

雨村笑道：「果然奇异。Yucun said with a smile, "Truly extraordinary.只怕這人來歷不小。」子興冷笑道：「萬人皆如此說，因而乃祖母便先愛如珍寶。I'm afraid this person's origins are no small matter." Zixing gave a cold laugh and said, "Ten thousand people all say the same thing, and because of it his grandmother has cherished him from the start as if he were a treasure.那年周歲時，政老爹便要試他將來的志向，便將那世上所有之物擺了無數，與他抓取。That year, at his first birthday, master Zheng wished to test what his inclinations would be in future, and so he laid out countless objects of every kind found in the world for the child to grasp at.誰知他一概不取，伸手只把些脂粉釵環抓來。Who would have expected that he took none of them at all, but reached out his hand and grasped only rouge, powder, hairpins, and bracelets.政老爹便大怒了，說：「『將來酒色之徒耳！』因此便大不喜悅。Master Zheng flew into a great rage at this and said, 'He'll grow up to be nothing but a wastrel given to wine and women!' And because of this he was greatly displeased.獨那史老太君還是命根一樣。Only the old lady, née Shi, still treasures him like her very life.說來又奇，如今長了七八歲，雖然淘氣异常，但其聰明乖覺處，百個不及他一個。Strange to say, now that he has grown to seven or eight years of age, though he is mischievous beyond the ordinary, in cleverness and quickness of understanding, not one in a hundred could match him.說起孩子話來也奇怪，他說：『女兒是水作的骨肉，男人是泥作的骨肉。The things he says, child though he is, are strange too; he says, 'Girls are made of the substance of water, men are made of the substance of mud.我見了女兒，我便清爽，見了男子，便覺濁臭逼人。』你道好笑不好笑？'When I see a girl, I feel fresh and clear; when I see a man, I feel a foul stench pressing in on me.' Now isn't that laughable?將來色鬼無疑了！」雨村罕然厲色忙止道：「非也！In future he'll no doubt turn into nothing but a lecher!" Yucun, his expression suddenly turning stern and grave, hastily stopped him, saying, "Not so!可惜你們不知道這人來歷。It's a pity you don't know this person's true origins.大約政老前輩也錯以淫魔色鬼看待了。It seems that even the venerable Master Zheng has mistakenly regarded him as a lecherous demon.若非多讀書識事，加以致知格物之功，悟道參玄之力，不能知也。」Unless one has read widely and understood much of the world, and added to that the effort of extending knowledge through the investigation of things, and the power of comprehending the Way and fathoming the mysterious, one could not know this."

雨村笑道：「果然奇异。只怕这人来历不小。」子兴冷笑道：「万人皆如此说，因而乃祖母便先爱如珍宝。那年周岁时，政老爹便要试他将来的志向，便将那世上所有之物摆了无数，与他抓取。谁知他一概不取，伸手只把些脂粉钗环抓来。政老爹便大怒了，说：「『将来酒色之徒耳！』因此便大不喜悦。独那史老太君还是命根一样。说来又奇，如今长了七八岁，虽然淘气异常，但其聪明乖觉处，百个不及他一个。说起孩子话来也奇怪，他说：『女儿是水作的骨肉，男人是泥作的骨肉。我见了女儿，我便清爽，见了男子，便觉浊臭逼人。』你道好笑不好笑？将来色鬼无疑了！」雨村罕然厉色忙止道：「非也！可惜你们不知道这人来历。大约政老前辈也错以淫魔色鬼看待了。若非多读书识事，加以致知格物之功，悟道参玄之力，不能知也。」

子興見他說得這樣重大，忙請教其端。Seeing him speak of it in such weighty terms, Zixing hastened to ask him to explain further.雨村道：「天地生人，除大仁大惡兩种，餘者皆無大异。Yucun said, "Among the people that Heaven and Earth bring into being, apart from the two kinds — the greatly benevolent and the greatly wicked — the rest show no great differences from one another.若大仁者，則應運而生，大惡者，則應劫而生。The greatly benevolent are born in response to a fortunate turn of fate, while the greatly wicked are born in response to a calamitous one.運生世治，劫生世危。Those born of fortune bring the world to good order; those born of calamity bring the world to peril.堯，舜，禹，湯，文，武，周，召，孔，孟，董，韓，周，程，張，朱，皆應運而生者。Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, the Duke of Zhou, the Duke of Shao, Confucius, Mencius, Dong [Zhongshu], Han [Yu], Zhou [Dunyi], Cheng [Yi and Hao], Zhang [Zai], and Zhu [Xi] — all of these were born in response to fortune.蚩尤，共工，桀，紂，始皇，王莽，曹操，桓溫，安祿山，秦檜等，皆應劫而生者。Chiyou, Gonggong, Jie, Zhou, the First Emperor, Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Huan Wen, An Lushan, Qin Hui, and the like — all of these were born in response to calamity.大仁者，修治天下，大惡者，撓亂天下。The greatly benevolent bring order and good governance to the world; the greatly wicked bring disorder and chaos to it.清明靈秀，天地之正氣，仁者之所秉也，殘忍乖僻，天地之邪氣，惡者之所秉也。Purity, brightness, and refined excellence are the upright vital force of Heaven and Earth, and it is this that the benevolent embody; cruelty and perversity are the depraved vital force of Heaven and Earth, and it is this that the wicked embody.今當運隆祚永之朝，太平無為之世，清明靈秀之氣所秉者，上至朝廷，下及草野，比比皆是。Now, in this age of flourishing fortune and lasting reign, an age of great peace and effortless governance, those endowed with the pure, bright, and refined vital force are everywhere to be found, from the imperial court above down to the common folk below.所餘之秀氣，漫無所歸，遂為甘露，為和風，洽然溉及四海。The surplus of this fine vital force, having nowhere in particular to settle, becomes sweet dew and gentle breeze, spreading its moisture abundantly over all within the four seas.彼殘忍乖僻之邪氣，不能蕩溢於光天化日之中，遂凝結充塞於深溝大壑之內，偶因風蕩，或被云催，略有搖動感發之意，一絲半縷誤而泄出者，偶值靈秀之氣适過，正不容邪，邪复妒正，兩不相下，亦如風水雷電，地中既遇，既不能消，又不能讓，必至搏擊掀發後始盡。That cruel and perverse depraved vital force cannot flow forth openly under the bright light of day, and so it congeals and fills up deep gullies and great ravines; but when stirred occasionally by wind or driven by clouds, given the slightest impulse to move and stir, a thread or half a strand of it may escape by mistake, and if at that moment it happens to encounter the fine, refined vital force passing by, the upright will not tolerate the depraved, and the depraved in turn envies the upright, and neither will yield to the other — just as when wind, water, thunder, and lightning meet beneath the earth, being unable either to dissolve away or to give way to one another, they must clash and burst forth violently before they are spent.故其氣亦必賦人，發泄一盡始散。Therefore this vital force too must inevitably be endowed upon some person, and only once it has been entirely discharged does it disperse.使男女偶秉此氣而生者，在上則不能成仁人君子，下亦不能為大凶大惡。Should a man or woman happen to be born endowed with this vital force, at the higher end they cannot become a benevolent man or a gentleman, while at the lower end neither can they become a great villain or a great evildoer.置之於萬萬人中，其聰俊靈秀之氣，則在萬萬人之上，其乖僻邪謬不近人情之態，又在萬萬人之下。Set among tens of millions of people, in their intelligence, brilliance, and refined excellence they would stand above all of them, while in their perversity, wrongheadedness, and estrangement from ordinary human feeling, they would rank below all of them.若生於公侯富貴之家，則為情痴情种，若生於詩書清貧之族，則為逸士高人，縱再偶生於薄祚寒門，斷不能為走卒健仆，甘遭庸人驅制駕馭，必為奇优名倡。If such a person is born into a family of dukes and marquises, wealthy and eminent, he becomes an obsessive devotee of love and passion; if born into a poor but scholarly clan of letters, he becomes a recluse or lofty gentleman untrammeled by the world; and even should he happen to be born into a family of meager fortune and humble station, he could never become a mere runner or menial servant, willingly driven and controlled by common men — he would inevitably become an extraordinary entertainer or renowned courtesan instead.如前代之許由，陶潛，阮籍，嵇康，劉伶，王謝二族，顧虎頭，陳後主，唐明皇，宋徽宗，劉庭芝，溫飛卿，米南宮，石曼卿，柳耆卿，秦少游，近日之倪云林，唐伯虎，祝枝山，再如李龜年，黃幡綽，敬新磨，卓文君，紅拂，薛濤，崔鶯，朝云之流，此皆易地則同之人也。」Such were, in former ages, Xu You, Tao Qian, Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, Liu Ling, the Wang and Xie clans, Gu Kaizhi (Tiger-Head), the Last Ruler of Chen, Emperor Ming of Tang, Emperor Huizong of Song, Liu Tingzhi, Wen Feiqing, Mi Nangong, Shi Manqing, Liu Qiqing, Qin Shaoyou, and in recent times Ni Yunlin, Tang Bohu, and Zhu Zhishan; and likewise Li Guinian, Huang Fanchuo, Jing Xinmo, Zhuo Wenjun, Hongfu, Xue Tao, Cui Ying, and Chaoyun, and others of their kind — all of these are people who, had circumstances placed them elsewhere, would have been one and the same sort."

子兴见他说得这样重大，忙请教其端。雨村道：「天地生人，除大仁大恶两种，余者皆无大异。若大仁者，则应运而生，大恶者，则应劫而生。运生世治，劫生世危。尧，舜，禹，汤，文，武，周，召，孔，孟，董，韩，周，程，张，朱，皆应运而生者。蚩尤，共工，桀，纣，始皇，王莽，曹操，桓温，安禄山，秦桧等，皆应劫而生者。大仁者，修治天下，大恶者，挠乱天下。清明灵秀，天地之正气，仁者之所秉也，残忍乖僻，天地之邪气，恶者之所秉也。今当运隆祚永之朝，太平无为之世，清明灵秀之气所秉者，上至朝廷，下及草野，比比皆是。所余之秀气，漫无所归，遂为甘露，为和风，洽然溉及四海。彼残忍乖僻之邪气，不能荡溢于光天化日之中，遂凝结充塞于深沟大壑之内，偶因风荡，或被云催，略有摇动感发之意，一丝半缕误而泄出者，偶值灵秀之气适过，正不容邪，邪复妒正，两不相下，亦如风水雷电，地中既遇，既不能消，又不能让，必至搏击掀发后始尽。故其气亦必赋人，发泄一尽始散。使男女偶秉此气而生者，在上则不能成仁人君子，下亦不能为大凶大恶。置之于万万人中，其聪俊灵秀之气，则在万万人之上，其乖僻邪谬不近人情之态，又在万万人之下。若生于公侯富贵之家，则为情痴情种，若生于诗书清贫之族，则为逸士高人，纵再偶生于薄祚寒门，断不能为走卒健仆，甘遭庸人驱制驾驭，必为奇优名倡。如前代之许由，陶潜，阮籍，嵇康，刘伶，王谢二族，顾虎头，陈后主，唐明皇，宋徽宗，刘庭芝，温飞卿，米南宫，石曼卿，柳耆卿，秦少游，近日之倪云林，唐伯虎，祝枝山，再如李龟年，黄幡绰，敬新磨，卓文君，红拂，薛涛，崔莺，朝云之流，此皆易地则同之人也。」

子興道：「依你說，『成則王侯敗則賊』了。」雨村道：「正是這意。Zixing said, "So by your reckoning, it's 'those who succeed become kings and marquises, those who fail become bandits.'" Yucun said, "That's exactly the idea.你還不知，我自革職以來，這兩年遍游各省，也曾遇見兩個异樣孩子。You don't know this yet, but since I was dismissed from office, in these two years of traveling through the various provinces, I have also come across two extraordinary children.所以，方纔你一說這寶玉，我就猜著了八九亦是這一派人物。That's why, just now when you spoke of this Baoyu, I guessed at once that he was very likely another one of this same breed.不用遠說，只金陵城內，欽差金陵省体仁院總裁甄家，你可知么？」子興道：「誰人不知！No need to look far — just within the city of Jinling, there's the Zhen family, whose head serves as Imperial Commissioner and Director of the Ren Academy of Jinling Province. Do you know of them?" Zixing said, "Who doesn't know them!這甄府和賈府就是老親，又系世交。The Zhen household and the Jia household are old relatives by marriage, and their families have been friends for generations besides.兩家來往，极其親熱的。The two families are on the most intimate terms with each other.便在下也和他家來往非止一日了。」Even I myself have had dealings with that family for more than just a day."

子兴道：「依你说，『成则王侯败则贼』了。」雨村道：「正是这意。你还不知，我自革职以来，这两年遍游各省，也曾遇见两个异样孩子。所以，方才你一说这宝玉，我就猜著了八九亦是这一派人物。不用远说，只金陵城内，钦差金陵省体仁院总裁甄家，你可知么？」子兴道：「谁人不知！这甄府和贾府就是老亲，又系世交。两家来往，极其亲热的。便在下也和他家来往非止一日了。」

雨村笑道：「去歲我在金陵，也曾有人荐我到甄府處館。Yucun said with a smile, "Last year, when I was in Jinling, someone recommended me for a tutoring post at the Zhen household.我進去看其光景，誰知他家那等顯貴，卻是個富而好禮之家，倒是個難得之館。When I went in and saw how things stood, I found that, distinguished as the family was, they were wealthy yet fond of propriety — truly a rare household to be a tutor in.但這一個學生，雖是啟蒙，卻比一個舉業的還勞神。But that one pupil of mine, though he was only just starting his primer lessons, gave me more trouble than a student preparing for the examinations.說起來更可笑，他說：『必得兩個女兒伴著我讀書，我方能認得字，心裏也明白，不然我自己心裏糊涂。』又常對跟他的小廝們說：『這女兒兩個字，极尊貴，极清淨的，比那阿彌陀佛，元始天尊的這兩個寶號還更尊榮無對的呢！What's even more laughable, he would say, 'I must have two girls keep me company while I study — only then can I recognize the characters, and only then is my mind clear; otherwise my own heart is all muddled.' He would also often say to the page boys who waited on him, 'These two words, "girl," are most precious and most pure — even more honored and unmatched than those two sacred titles, Amitabha Buddha and the Primordial Heavenly Worthy!你們這濁口臭舌，萬不可唐突了這兩個字，要緊。You, with your filthy mouths and foul tongues, must on no account be so rash as to defile these two words — this is of the utmost importance.但凡要說時，必須先用清水香茶漱了口纔可，設若失錯，便要鑿牙穿腮等事。』其暴虐浮躁，頑劣憨痴，种种异常。Whenever you must speak them, you must first rinse your mouth with clear water and fragrant tea before you may do so; and should you make a mistake, you shall have your teeth knocked out and your cheeks pierced, and the like.' His savage, willful temper, his stubborn, foolish ways — all manner of things about him were out of the ordinary.只一放了學，進去見了那些女兒們，其溫厚和平，聰敏文雅，竟又變了一個。Yet the moment lessons let out and he went inside to see those girls, he would turn gentle and even-tempered, clever and refined — quite transformed into another person altogether.因此，他令尊也曾下死笞楚過幾次，無奈竟不能改。Because of this, his father had beaten him half to death several times, but it was no use — the boy simply could not be made to change.每打的吃疼不過時，他便『姐姐』『妹妹』亂叫起來。Every time the beating hurt more than he could bear, he would start crying out 'Elder Sister!' 'Younger Sister!' in a jumble.後來聽得裏面女兒們拿他取笑：『因何打急了只管叫姐妹做甚？Afterward, I heard the girls inside teasing him about it: 'Why, when you're being beaten hard, do you keep calling out for your sisters?莫不是求姐妹去說情討饒？Could it be that you want your sisters to go plead for mercy on your behalf?你豈不愧些！』他回答的最妙。Aren't you the least bit ashamed of yourself!' His answer to this was most wonderful.他說：『急疼之時，只叫『姐姐』妹妹』字樣，或可解疼也未可知，因叫了一聲，便果覺不疼了，遂得了秘法：每疼痛之极，便連叫姐妹起來了。』你說可笑不可笑？He said, 'When the pain is sharpest, calling out the words "Elder Sister" and "Younger Sister" may perhaps relieve it, who knows — for once I called out, the pain really did seem to ease, and so I discovered the secret method: whenever the pain is at its worst, I just keep calling out for my sisters.' Now, isn't that laughable?也因祖母溺愛不明，每因孫辱師責子，因此我就辭了館出來。Also, because his grandmother doted on him blindly and lacked good judgment, she would time and again take her grandson's side against the tutor and reproach her son over it, and so I resigned my post and left.如今在這巡鹽御史林家做館了。Now I am serving as tutor in the household of the Salt Censor, the Lin family.你看，這等子弟，必不能守祖父之根基，從師長之規諫的。You see, a young fellow of this sort will surely be unable to preserve the foundation laid by his forebears, nor heed the admonitions of his teachers and elders.只可惜他家幾個姊妹都是少有的。」It's just a pity that the several sisters in his family are all rare and exceptional girls."

雨村笑道：「去岁我在金陵，也曾有人荐我到甄府处馆。我进去看其光景，谁知他家那等显贵，却是个富而好礼之家，倒是个难得之馆。但这一个学生，虽是启蒙，却比一个举业的还劳神。说起来更可笑，他说：『必得两个女儿伴著我读书，我方能认得字，心里也明白，不然我自己心里糊涂。』又常对跟他的小厮们说：『这女儿两个字，极尊贵，极清净的，比那阿弥陀佛，元始天尊的这两个宝号还更尊荣无对的呢！你们这浊口臭舌，万不可唐突了这两个字，要紧。但凡要说时，必须先用清水香茶漱了口才可，设若失错，便要凿牙穿腮等事。』其暴虐浮躁，顽劣憨痴，种种异常。只一放了学，进去见了那些女儿们，其温厚和平，聪敏文雅，竟又变了一个。因此，他令尊也曾下死笞楚过几次，无奈竟不能改。每打的吃疼不过时，他便『姐姐』『妹妹』乱叫起来。后来听得里面女儿们拿他取笑：『因何打急了只管叫姐妹做甚？莫不是求姐妹去说情讨饶？你岂不愧些！』他回答的最妙。他说：『急疼之时，只叫『姐姐』妹妹』字样，或可解疼也未可知，因叫了一声，便果觉不疼了，遂得了秘法：每疼痛之极，便连叫姐妹起来了。』你说可笑不可笑？也因祖母溺爱不明，每因孙辱师责子，因此我就辞了馆出来。如今在这巡盐御史林家做馆了。你看，这等子弟，必不能守祖父之根基，从师长之规谏的。只可惜他家几个姊妹都是少有的。」

子興道：「便是賈府中，現有的三個也不錯。Zixing said, "Well, even in the Jia household, the three girls they presently have are not bad at all.政老爹的長女，名元春，現因賢孝才德，選入宮作女史去了。Master Zheng's eldest daughter, named Yuanchun, has, on account of her virtue, filial devotion, talent, and character, been selected to enter the palace as a Lady Scholar.二小姐乃赦老爹前妻所出[2]，名迎春，三小姐乃政老爹之庶出，名探春，四小姐乃宁府珍爺之胞妹，名喚惜春。The second young lady is the daughter of Master She's former wife, named Yingchun; the third young lady is the daughter of Master Zheng by a concubine, named Tanchun; the fourth young lady is the full younger sister of Master Zhen of the Ning mansion, named Xichun.因史老夫人极愛孫女，都跟在祖母這邊一處讀書，聽得個個不錯。」雨村道：「更妙在甄家的風俗，女兒之名，亦皆從男子之名命字，不似別家另外用這些『春』『紅』『香』『玉』等艷字的。Because the old lady Shi dotes greatly on her granddaughters, they all live with their grandmother and study together there, and I hear that every one of them is excellent." Yucun said, "What's even more remarkable is the custom in the Zhen household: the girls' names are all given following the same naming convention as the boys', unlike other families who instead use such flowery characters as 'spring,' 'red,' 'fragrance,' and 'jade.'何得賈府亦樂此俗套？」子興道：「不然。How is it that the Jia household is also fond of this common convention?" Zixing said, "Not quite so.只因現今大小姐是正月初一日所生，故名元春，餘者方從了『春』字。It is only because the present eldest young lady was born on the first day of the first month that she was named Yuanchun ['Prime Spring'], and it was only after that that the rest came to be named with the character 'spring.'上一輩的，卻也是從弟兄而來的。As for the generation above, their names too were derived in step with the brothers'.現有對證：目今你貴東家林公之夫人，即榮府中赦，政二公之胞妹，在家時名喚賈敏。There is proof of this right at hand: the present wife of your honored employer, Master Lin, is none other than the full younger sister of the two masters She and Zheng of the Rong mansion — in her maiden days she was named Jia Min.不信時，你回去細訪可知。」雨村拍案笑道：「怪道這女學生讀至凡書中有『敏』字，皆念作『密』字，每每如是，寫字遇著『敏』字，又減一二筆，我心中就有些疑惑。If you don't believe it, go back and inquire carefully and you'll find out." Yucun slapped the table and laughed, saying, "No wonder that whenever my girl pupil reads and comes across the character 'min' in any book, she always pronounces it as 'mi' instead — this happens every single time; and whenever she writes and comes to the character 'min,' she also leaves out a stroke or two. I had already begun to have my suspicions about it.今聽你說的，是為此無疑矣。Now that I hear what you've told me, there is no doubt this is the reason.怪道我這女學生言語舉止另是一樣，不與近日女子相同，度其母必不凡，方得其女，今知為榮府之孫，又不足罕矣，可傷上月竟亡故了。」子興歎道：「老姊妹四個，這一個是極小的，又沒了。No wonder my girl pupil's speech and manner are so different from other girls of today — I had guessed her mother must be no ordinary woman to have such a daughter, and now that I know she is a granddaughter of the Rong mansion, it is no longer surprising at all. It's a pity that just last month she passed away." Zixing sighed and said, "Of the four sisters of that older generation, this one was the youngest, and now she too is gone.長一輩的姊妹，一個也沒了。Of the sisters of the elder generation, not a single one is left.只看這小一輩的，將來之東床如何呢。」We can only wait and see what kind of sons-in-law this younger generation will bring in the future."

子兴道：「便是贾府中，现有的三个也不错。政老爹的长女，名元春，现因贤孝才德，选入宫作女史去了。二小姐乃赦老爹前妻所出[2]，名迎春，三小姐乃政老爹之庶出，名探春，四小姐乃宁府珍爷之胞妹，名唤惜春。因史老夫人极爱孙女，都跟在祖母这边一处读书，听得个个不错。」雨村道：「更妙在甄家的风俗，女儿之名，亦皆从男子之名命字，不似别家另外用这些『春』『红』『香』『玉』等艳字的。何得贾府亦乐此俗套？」子兴道：「不然。只因现今大小姐是正月初一日所生，故名元春，余者方从了『春』字。上一辈的，却也是从弟兄而来的。现有对证：目今你贵东家林公之夫人，即荣府中赦，政二公之胞妹，在家时名唤贾敏。不信时，你回去细访可知。」雨村拍案笑道：「怪道这女学生读至凡书中有『敏』字，皆念作『密』字，每每如是，写字遇著『敏』字，又减一二笔，我心中就有些疑惑。今听你说的，是为此无疑矣。怪道我这女学生言语举止另是一样，不与近日女子相同，度其母必不凡，方得其女，今知为荣府之孙，又不足罕矣，可伤上月竟亡故了。」子兴叹道：「老姊妹四个，这一个是极小的，又没了。长一辈的姊妹，一个也没了。只看这小一辈的，将来之东床如何呢。」

雨村道：「正是。Yucun said, "Just so.方纔說這政公，已有銜玉之兒，又有長子所遺一個弱孫。Just now you spoke of this Master Zheng — he already has that son born with the jade in his mouth, and besides that, a frail young grandson left behind by his eldest son.這赦老竟無一個不成？」子興道：「政公既有玉兒之後，其妾又生了一個，倒不知其好歹。Does this old Master She really have none at all?" Zixing said, "After Master Zheng had the boy with the jade, his concubine also bore him another son, though I don't know yet whether the child will turn out well or ill.只眼前現有二子一孫，卻不知將來如何。For the moment there are, in all, two sons and one grandson, but there's no telling how things will turn out in the future.若問那赦公，也有二子，長名賈璉，今已二十來往了，親上作親，娶的就是政老爹夫人王氏之內侄女，今已娶了二年。As for that Master She, he too has two sons. The elder is named Jia Lian, and he is now about twenty; marrying kin to kin, as the custom goes, he took to wife the niece of Master Zheng's wife, Lady Wang, and it has already been two years since the marriage.這位璉爺身上現捐的是個同知，也是不肯讀書，於世路上好机變，言談去的，所以如今只在乃叔政老爺家住著，幫著料理些家務。This Master Lian currently holds a purchased title of Assistant Prefect; he too is unwilling to study, being instead one who is quick and adaptable in the ways of the world and skillful in conversation, and so at present he simply lives at the home of his uncle, Master Zheng, helping to manage some of the household affairs.誰知自娶了他令夫人之後，倒上下無一人不稱頌他夫人的，璉爺倒退了一射之地：說模樣又极標致，言談又爽利，心机又极深細，竟是個男人萬不及一的。」Who would have thought that, ever since he married his wife, there is not a single person, high or low, who does not sing her praises, while Master Lian himself has had to yield the field to her: they say she is extremely good-looking, sharp and forthright in speech, and extremely deep and careful in her thinking — truly a match that not one man in ten thousand could equal."

雨村道：「正是。方才说这政公，已有衔玉之儿，又有长子所遗一个弱孙。这赦老竟无一个不成？」子兴道：「政公既有玉儿之后，其妾又生了一个，倒不知其好歹。只眼前现有二子一孙，却不知将来如何。若问那赦公，也有二子，长名贾琏，今已二十来往了，亲上作亲，娶的就是政老爹夫人王氏之内侄女，今已娶了二年。这位琏爷身上现捐的是个同知，也是不肯读书，于世路上好机变，言谈去的，所以如今只在乃叔政老爷家住著，帮著料理些家务。谁知自娶了他令夫人之后，倒上下无一人不称颂他夫人的，琏爷倒退了一射之地：说模样又极标致，言谈又爽利，心机又极深细，竟是个男人万不及一的。」

雨村聽了，笑道：「可知我前言不謬。Hearing this, Yucun laughed and said, "This shows that what I said before was not mistaken.你我方纔所說的這幾個人，都只怕是那正邪兩賦而來一路之人，未可知也。」子興道：「邪也罷，正也罷，只顧算別人家的帳，你也吃一杯酒纔好。」雨村道：「正是，只顧說話，竟多吃了幾杯。」子興笑道：「說著別人家的閒話，正好下酒，即多吃幾杯何妨。」雨村向窗外看道：「天也晚了，仔細關了城。These several people you and I have just spoken of are, I fear, very likely all of that same breed born of a mingling of both righteous and depraved endowment — though one cannot be certain." Zixing said, "Depraved or righteous, whichever it may be, you've been so absorbed in reckoning up other people's accounts that you ought to drink a cup of wine now." Yucun said, "Quite right — I got so caught up in talking that I've had quite a few cups more than I meant to." Zixing said with a smile, "Chatting about other families' affairs makes for fine company with wine — what harm is there in a few extra cups?" Yucun looked out the window and said, "It's growing late — mind that they don't close the city gates.我們慢慢的進城再談，未為不可。」於是，二人起身，算還酒帳。There's no harm in our going slowly into the city and continuing our talk there." With that, the two of them rose and settled the wine bill.方欲走時，又聽得後面有人叫道：「雨村兄，恭喜了！Just as they were about to leave, they heard someone behind them call out, "Brother Yucun, congratulations!特來報個喜信的。」雨村忙回頭看時——I've come specially to bring you good news." Yucun hastily turned to look—

雨村听了，笑道：「可知我前言不谬。你我方才所说的这几个人，都只怕是那正邪两赋而来一路之人，未可知也。」子兴道：「邪也罢，正也罢，只顾算别人家的帐，你也吃一杯酒才好。」雨村道：「正是，只顾说话，竟多吃了几杯。」子兴笑道：「说著别人家的闲话，正好下酒，即多吃几杯何妨。」雨村向窗外看道：「天也晚了，仔细关了城。我们慢慢的进城再谈，未为不可。」于是，二人起身，算还酒帐。方欲走时，又听得后面有人叫道：「雨村兄，恭喜了！特来报个喜信的。」雨村忙回头看时——

要知是誰，且聽下回分解。To know who it was, listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.

要知是谁，且听下回分解。

註釋Notes

注释