第百零一回　大觀園月夜感幽魂　散花寺神簽驚异兆 In Grand View Garden a Moonlit Night Stirs a Ghost; At Scattered Flowers Temple a Divining Slip Warns

卻說鳳姐回至房中，見賈璉尚未回來，便分派那管辦探春行裝奩事的一干人。Now to speak of Xifeng—she returned to her rooms and, finding Jia Lian not yet back, set about assigning the various people in charge of Tanchun's traveling gear and dowry.那天已有黃昏以後，因忽然想起探春來，要瞧瞧他去，便叫丰兒與兩個丫頭跟著，頭里一個丫頭打著燈籠。By then it was already past dusk, and suddenly recalling Tanchun, she wanted to go and see her, so she called Fenger and two maids to follow her, with one maid going ahead carrying a lantern.走出門來，見月光已上，照耀如水。As she went out the door, she saw the moon already risen, its light shining down like water.鳳姐便命打燈籠的“回去罷。”因而走至茶房窗下，聽見里面有人嘁嘁喳喳的，又似哭，又似笑，又似議論什麼的。Xifeng told the maid with the lantern, "Go on back." Then, passing by the window of the tea room, she heard people inside whispering and murmuring—now it sounded like crying, now like laughing, now like they were discussing something.鳳姐知道不過是家下婆子們又不知搬什麼是非，心內大不受用，便命小紅進去，裝做無心的樣子細細打聽著，用話套出原委來。Xifeng knew it was surely nothing more than the household matrons stirring up some gossip again, and she felt quite displeased at heart, so she told Xiaohong to go in, pretend to have no particular purpose, and listen carefully, drawing out the truth of the matter through casual talk.小紅答應著去了。Xiaohong agreed and went off.鳳姐只帶著丰兒來至園門前，門尚未關，只虛虛的掩著。Xifeng, taking only Fenger with her, came to the garden gate; it was not yet locked, only left loosely closed.于是主仆二人方推門進去，只見園中月色比著外面更覺明朗，滿地下重重樹影，杳無人聲，甚是凄涼寂靜。So mistress and maid pushed the door open and went in, and saw that the moonlight within the garden was even brighter than outside, with layer upon layer of tree shadows covering the ground; not a human sound could be heard, and it was utterly desolate and still.剛欲往秋爽齋這條路來，只聽忽的一聲風過，吹的那樹枝上落葉滿園中唰喇喇的作響，枝梢上吱嘍嘍發哨，將那些寒鴉宿鳥都驚飛起來。Just as they were about to take the path toward Qiushuang Studio, they suddenly heard a gust of wind pass by, blowing the fallen leaves on the branches so that they rustled loudly all through the garden, while the treetops whistled and shrieked, startling into flight all the roosting crows and birds.鳳姐吃了酒，被風一吹，只覺身上發噤起來。Xifeng, having drunk some wine, felt a chill run through her body the moment the wind struck her.那丰兒也把頭一縮說：“好冷！”鳳姐也撐不住，便叫丰兒：“快回去把那件銀鼠坎肩兒拿來，我在三姑娘那里等著。”丰兒巴不得一聲，也要回去穿衣裳來，答應了一聲，回頭就跑了。Fenger too drew in her head and said, "How cold!" Xifeng could bear it no longer either, so she told Fenger, "Go back quickly and fetch that silver-fox vest of mine—I'll wait for you at the Third Miss's place." Fenger, only too glad of the excuse, since she also wanted to go back and put on more clothes, answered at once and turned and ran off.

鳳姐剛舉步走了不遠，只覺身後咈咈哧哧，似有聞嗅之聲，不覺頭髮森然豎了起來。Xifeng had scarcely taken a few steps when she felt, behind her, a sound of sniffing and snuffling, as though something were smelling at her, and without meaning to her hair stood on end.由不得回頭一看，只見黑油油一個東西在後面伸著鼻子聞他呢，那兩只眼睛恰似燈光一般。She could not help but turn to look, and saw a pitch-black creature behind her stretching out its nose to sniff at her, its two eyes glowing exactly like lamps.鳳姐嚇的魂不附体，不覺失聲的咳了一聲。Xifeng was so frightened her soul seemed to leave her body, and she could not help but let out an involuntary cough.卻是一只大狗。But it turned out to be only a large dog.那狗抽頭回身，拖著一個掃帚尾巴，一氣跑上大土山上方站住了，回身猶向鳳姐拱爪兒。The dog drew back its head and turned around, its broom-like tail trailing behind, and ran all the way up onto the big earthen hill, where it stopped and, turning back, still raised its paws toward Xifeng as if in salute.鳳姐兒此時心跳神移，急急的向秋爽齋來。Xifeng, her heart pounding and her wits scattered by this time, hurried anxiously on toward Qiushuang Studio.已將來至門口，方轉過山子，只見迎面有一個人影兒一恍。She had almost reached the gate, and had just rounded the ornamental rockery, when she saw straight ahead a human shadow flicker past.鳳姐心中疑惑，心里想著必是那一房里的丫頭，便問：“是誰？”問了兩聲，并沒有人出來，已經嚇得神魂飄蕩。Xifeng, suspicious at heart, thought it must be a maid from one of the apartments, and asked, "Who is it?" She asked twice, but no one came forward, and by now she was frightened half out of her wits.恍恍忽忽的似乎背後有人說道：“嬸娘連我也不認得了！”鳳姐忙回頭一看，只見這人形容俊俏，衣履風流，十分眼熟，只是想不起是那房那屋里的媳婦來。In a daze, it seemed someone behind her said, "Auntie, do you not even recognize me anymore!" Xifeng hurriedly turned to look, and saw that this person's features were handsome, her dress and bearing elegant, and quite familiar to the eye, only she could not recall which household's young wife this was.只聽那人又說道：“嬸娘只管享榮華受富貴的心盛，把我那年說的立萬年永遠之基都付於東洋大海了。”鳳姐聽說，低頭尋思，總想不起。She then heard the person say again, "Auntie has been so intent on enjoying glory and wealth that what I spoke of that year—establishing a foundation to last ten thousand years—has all been thrown into the eastern ocean." Hearing this, Xifeng bowed her head in thought, but could not recall it at all.那人冷笑道：“嬸娘那時怎樣疼我了，如今就忘在九霄雲外了。”鳳姐聽了，此時方想起來是賈蓉的先妻秦氏，便說道：“噯呀，你是死了的人哪，怎麼跑到這里來了呢！”啐了一口，方轉回身，腳下不防一塊石頭絆了一跤，猶如夢醒一般，渾身汗如雨下。The person said with a cold laugh, "How Auntie doted on me back then, and now it's all been forgotten to the ninth heaven." Hearing this, Xifeng at last remembered—it was Jia Rong's former wife, Qin-shi—and she said, "Oh! You're a person who's already dead—how did you come to be here!" She spat once, and just as she turned to go back, her foot caught unexpectedly on a stone and she stumbled, and as if waking from a dream, sweat poured from her whole body like rain.雖然毛髮悚然，心中卻也明白，只見小紅丰兒影影綽綽的來了。Though her hair still stood on end with fright, her mind was clear again, and she saw Xiaohong and Fenger coming, their shapes flickering faintly in the distance.鳳姐恐怕落人的褒貶，連忙爬起來說道：“你們做什麼呢，去了這半天？Xifeng, afraid of being mocked by others, hastily scrambled up and said, "What have you two been doing, gone all this while?快拿來我穿上罷。”一面丰兒走至跟前伏侍穿上，小紅過來攙扶。Bring it here quickly, let me put it on." As she spoke, Fenger came up and helped her put it on, while Xiaohong came over to support her.鳳姐道：“我才到那里，他們都睡了。Xifeng said, "I had only just arrived there when I found they were all already asleep.咱們回去罷。”一面說，一面帶了兩個丫頭急急忙忙回到家中。Let's go back." So saying, she took the two maids and hurried back home.賈璉已回來了，只是見他臉上神色更變，不似往常，待要問他，又知他素日性格，不敢突然相問，只得睡了。Jia Lian had already returned, but seeing that the look on his face had changed and was unlike his usual self, she wanted to ask him about it, yet knowing his temperament of late, she did not dare question him so abruptly, and so she simply went to sleep.至次日五更，賈璉就起來要往總理內庭都檢點太監裘世安家來打聽事務。At the fifth watch the next day, Jia Lian got up early to go to the house of Qiu Shi'an, the eunuch in charge of overseeing palace affairs, to inquire about matters.因太早了，見桌上有昨日送來的抄報，便拿起來閒看。Since it was still too early, he saw on the table the gazette that had been delivered the day before, and picked it up to look through idly.第一件是雲南節度使王忠一本，新獲了一起私帶神槍火藥出邊事，共有十八名人犯。The first item was a memorial from Wang Zhong, the military commissioner of Yunnan, reporting the newly uncovered case of persons smuggling firearms and gunpowder across the border, involving eighteen accused in all.頭一名鮑音，口稱系太師鎮國公賈化家人。The first named was Bao Yin, who claimed to be a servant of Jia Hua, Grand Tutor and Duke Who Guards the Realm.第二件蘇州刺史李孝一本，參劾縱放家奴，倚勢凌辱軍民，以致因奸不遂殺死節婦一家人命三口事。The second item was a memorial from Li Xiao, the prefect of Suzhou, impeaching a household for indulging its servant, who relying on his master's power had oppressed soldiers and commoners, and, failing to force himself upon a chaste widow, had killed her and two others of her household, three lives in all.凶犯姓時名福，自稱系世襲三等職銜賈范家人。The murderer's name was Shi Fu, who claimed to be a servant of Jia Fan, holder of a third-rank hereditary title.賈璉看見這兩件，心中早又不自在起來，待要看第三件，又恐遲了不能見裘世安的面，因此急急的穿了衣服，也等不得吃東西，恰好平兒端上茶來，喝了兩口，便出來騎馬走了。When Jia Lian saw these two items, he already felt uneasy at heart, and though he meant to read the third item, he feared it would make him too late to see Qiu Shi'an, and so he hurriedly put on his clothes, not even waiting to eat; just then Ping'er brought in tea, and after drinking two mouthfuls he went out, mounted his horse, and rode off.

凤姐刚举步走了不远，只觉身后咈咈哧哧，似有闻嗅之声，不觉头发森然竖了起来。由不得回头一看，只见黑油油一个东西在后面伸著鼻子闻他呢，那两只眼睛恰似灯光一般。凤姐吓的魂不附体，不觉失声的咳了一声。却是一只大狗。那狗抽头回身，拖著一个扫帚尾巴，一气跑上大土山上方站住了，回身犹向凤姐拱爪儿。凤姐儿此时心跳神移，急急的向秋爽斋来。已将来至门口，方转过山子，只见迎面有一个人影儿一恍。凤姐心中疑惑，心里想著必是那一房里的丫头，便问：“是谁？”问了两声，并没有人出来，已经吓得神魂飘荡。恍恍忽忽的似乎背后有人说道：“婶娘连我也不认得了！”凤姐忙回头一看，只见这人形容俊俏，衣履风流，十分眼熟，只是想不起是那房那屋里的媳妇来。只听那人又说道：“婶娘只管享荣华受富贵的心盛，把我那年说的立万年永远之基都付于东洋大海了。”凤姐听说，低头寻思，总想不起。那人冷笑道：“婶娘那时怎样疼我了，如今就忘在九霄云外了。”凤姐听了，此时方想起来是贾蓉的先妻秦氏，便说道：“嗳呀，你是死了的人哪，怎么跑到这里来了呢！”啐了一口，方转回身，脚下不防一块石头绊了一跤，犹如梦醒一般，浑身汗如雨下。虽然毛发悚然，心中却也明白，只见小红丰儿影影绰绰的来了。凤姐恐怕落人的褒贬，连忙爬起来说道：“你们做什么呢，去了这半天？快拿来我穿上罢。”一面丰儿走至跟前伏侍穿上，小红过来搀扶。凤姐道：“我才到那里，他们都睡了。咱们回去罢。”一面说，一面带了两个丫头急急忙忙回到家中。贾琏已回来了，只是见他脸上神色更变，不似往常，待要问他，又知他素日性格，不敢突然相问，只得睡了。至次日五更，贾琏就起来要往总理内庭都检点太监裘世安家来打听事务。因太早了，见桌上有昨日送来的抄报，便拿起来闲看。第一件是云南节度使王忠一本，新获了一起私带神枪火药出边事，共有十八名人犯。头一名鲍音，口称系太师镇国公贾化家人。第二件苏州刺史李孝一本，参劾纵放家奴，倚势凌辱军民，以致因奸不遂杀死节妇一家人命三口事。凶犯姓时名福，自称系世袭三等职衔贾范家人。贾琏看见这两件，心中早又不自在起来，待要看第三件，又恐迟了不能见裘世安的面，因此急急的穿了衣服，也等不得吃东西，恰好平儿端上茶来，喝了两口，便出来骑马走了。

平兒在房內收拾換下的衣服。Ping'er stayed in the room putting away the clothes he had changed out of.此時鳳姐尚未起來，平兒因說道：“今兒夜里我聽著奶奶沒睡什麼覺，我這會子替奶奶捶著，好生打個盹兒罷。”鳳姐半日不言語。By this time Xifeng had still not risen, and Ping'er said, "Last night I heard that madam got hardly any sleep at all—let me massage you a while now, so you can have a good nap." Xifeng said nothing for a long while.平兒料著這意思是了，便爬上炕來坐在身邊輕輕的捶著。Ping'er, guessing this meant consent, climbed onto the kang and sat beside her, gently massaging her.才捶了幾拳，那鳳姐剛有要睡之意，只聽那邊大姐兒哭了。She had only given a few strokes, and Xifeng was just on the verge of falling asleep, when suddenly Daijie'er was heard crying on the other side.鳳姐又將眼睜開，平兒連向那邊叫道：“李媽，你到底是怎麼著？Xifeng opened her eyes again, and Ping'er called repeatedly toward that side, "Nurse Li, what on earth is the matter with you?姐兒哭了。The young lady is crying.你到底拍著他些。Do pat her a little, at least.你也忒好睡了。”那邊李媽從夢中驚醒，聽得平兒如此說，心中沒好氣，只得狠命拍了幾下，口里嘟嘟噥噥的罵道：“真真的小短命鬼兒，放著尸不挺，三更半夜嚎你娘的喪！”一面說，一面咬牙便向那孩子身上擰了一把。You really do sleep too soundly!" Nurse Li, startled awake from her dreams on that side, hearing Ping'er speak this way, felt quite put out, and could only pat the child hard a few times, muttering and cursing under her breath, "Truly, you wretched little short-lived imp—instead of lying there like a corpse, you have to go wailing for your mother's funeral in the middle of the night!" And as she said this, she gritted her teeth and gave the child's body a pinch.那孩子哇的一聲大哭起來了。The child began to wail loudly at that.鳳姐聽見，說“了不得！Hearing this, Xifeng said, "This is intolerable!你聽聽，他該挫磨孩子了。Just listen to that—she must be tormenting the child.你過去把那黑心的養漢老婆下死勁的打他幾下子，把妞妞抱過來。”平兒笑道：“奶奶別生氣，他那里敢挫磨姐兒，只怕是不提防錯碰了一下子也是有的。Go over there and give that black-hearted whore a hard beating for me, and bring Niuniu over here." Ping'er said with a smile, "Don't be angry, madam—how would she dare mistreat the young lady; it's more likely she wasn't careful and knocked against her by accident.這會子打他幾下子沒要緊，明兒叫他們背地里嚼舌根，倒說三更半夜打人。”鳳姐聽了，半日不言語，長歎一聲說道：“你瞧瞧，這會子不是我十旺八旺的呢！It's no great matter to give her a few strokes now, but tomorrow if people gossip behind our backs, they'll only say we go about beating people in the middle of the night." Hearing this, Xifeng said nothing for a long while, then gave a long sigh and said, "Just look—isn't this exactly the state I'm in now myself!明兒我要是死了，剩下這小孽障，還不知怎麼樣呢！”平兒笑道：“奶奶這怎麼說！If I should die one of these days, and this poor little wretch is left behind, who knows what will become of her!" Ping'er said with a smile, "Madam, how can you say such a thing!大五更的，何苦來呢！”鳳姐冷笑道：“你那里知道，我是早已明白了。At this hour of the morning, why bring that up!" Xifeng said with a cold laugh, "You have no idea—I have long since understood it clearly.我也不久了。My time is not far off now.雖然活了二十五歲，人家沒見的也見了，沒吃的也吃了，也算全了。Though I have lived only twenty-five years, I have seen what others have never seen, and eaten what others have never eaten—I may count myself as having had it all.所有世上有的也都有了。Everything the world has to offer, I have had my share of.氣也算賭盡了，強也算爭足了，就是壽字兒上頭缺一點兒，也罷了。”平兒聽說，由不的滾下淚來。As for pride, I have vented it to the full, and as for striving to get the better of others, I have contended to my heart's content; if there's only the one stroke missing from the character for long life, well, so be it." Hearing this, Ping'er could not help but let her tears roll down.鳳姐笑道：“你這會子不用假慈悲，我死了你們只有歡喜的。Xifeng said with a smile, "There's no need for you to put on false pity now—when I die, you'll all only be glad of it.你們一心一計和和氣氣的，省得我是你們眼里的刺似的。You'll all live together in harmony and good will, spared the sight of me sticking in your eyes like a thorn.只有一件，你們知好歹只疼我那孩子就是了。”平兒聽說這話，越發哭的淚人似的。There's only one thing—if you know what's good for you, just be sure to love that child of mine, that's all." Hearing this, Ping'er wept all the more, like a very image of tears.鳳姐笑道：“別扯你娘的臊了，那里就死了呢。Xifeng said with a smile, "Enough of that shameless talk—as if I were going to die just like that.哭的那麼痛！Crying so hard!我不死還叫你哭死了呢。”平兒聽說，連忙止住哭，道：“奶奶說得這麼傷心。”一面說，一面又捶，半日不言語，鳳姐又朦朧睡去。If I don't die, you'll have cried yourself to death instead." Hearing this, Ping'er quickly stopped her crying and said, "It's just that what you said, madam, was so sad." So saying, she went on massaging her, and after a long silence, Xifeng drifted off into a hazy sleep again.

平兒方下炕來要去，只聽外面腳步響。Ping'er was just getting down off the kang to leave when she heard footsteps outside.誰知賈璉去遲了，那裘世安已經上朝去了，不遇而回，心中正沒好氣，進來就問平兒道：“那些人還沒起來呢么？”平兒回說：“沒有呢。”賈璉一路摔帘子進來，冷笑道：“好，好，這會子還都不起來，安心打擂臺打撒手兒！”一疊聲又要吃茶。As it turned out, Jia Lian had gone too late—Qiu Shi'an had already gone off to court, and Jia Lian returned without having met him, already in no good humor; coming in, he asked Ping'er at once, "Are those people still not up yet?" Ping'er answered, "No, not yet." Jia Lian flung the curtain aside as he strode in, saying with a cold laugh, "Fine, just fine—still not up at this hour, bent on lounging about and shirking every duty!" And in one breath after another he demanded tea.平兒忙倒了一碗茶來。Ping'er hurriedly poured a bowl of tea and brought it.原來那些丫頭老婆見賈璉出了門又复睡了，不打諒這會子回來，原不曾預備。It turned out that the maids and matrons, seeing Jia Lian go out and then going back to sleep themselves, had not expected him to return so soon, and so nothing had been prepared beforehand.平兒便把溫過的拿了來。Ping'er therefore brought tea that had only been warmed over.賈璉生氣，舉起碗來，嘩啷一聲摔了個粉碎。Jia Lian, in his anger, raised the bowl and flung it down with a crash, smashing it to pieces.

鳳姐驚醒，唬了一身冷汗，噯喲一聲，睜開眼，只見賈璉氣狠狠的坐在旁邊，平兒彎著腰拾碗片子呢。Xifeng woke with a start, a cold sweat breaking over her whole body, and with a cry of "Oh!" she opened her eyes to see Jia Lian sitting fiercely beside her, while Ping'er bent over picking up the broken pieces of the bowl.鳳姐道：“你怎麼就回來了？”問了一聲，半日不答應，只得又問一聲。Xifeng said, "How is it you're back so soon?" She asked once, but for a long while he did not answer, so she could only ask again.賈璉嚷道：“你不要我回來，叫我死在外頭罷！”鳳姐笑道：“這又是何苦來呢！Jia Lian shouted, "If you don't want me back, then let me go die outside!" Xifeng said with a smile, "Now what is all this for!常時我見你不象今兒回來的快，問你一聲，也沒什麼生氣的。”賈璉又嚷道：“又沒遇見，怎麼不快回來呢！”鳳姐笑道：“沒有遇見，少不得奈煩些，明兒再去早些兒，自然遇見了。”賈璉嚷道：“我可不吃著自己的飯替人家赶獐子呢。Ordinarily I've noticed you don't come back this quickly, and when I ask you about it, you're never so angry." Jia Lian shouted again, "I didn't even meet him—how could I not come back quickly!" Xifeng said with a smile, "If you didn't meet him, you'll just have to be a bit more patient about it; go again earlier tomorrow, and naturally you'll meet him." Jia Lian shouted, "I'm not one to eat my own rice while chasing another man's deer.我這里一大堆的事沒個動秤兒的，沒來由為人家的事，瞎鬧了這些日子，當什麼呢！I have a whole pile of matters here with no one to attend to them, and for no good reason I've been running myself ragged on someone else's business for all these days—what's the point of it!正經那有事的人還在家里受用，死活不知，還聽見說要鑼鼓喧天的擺酒唱戲做生日呢。And meanwhile the very people whose business it is are still at home enjoying themselves, not caring whether others live or die, and I even hear they mean to have drums and gongs blaring away, throwing a banquet and putting on operas to celebrate a birthday!我可瞎跑他娘的腿子！”一面說，一面往地下啐了一口，又罵平兒。And here I am running my legs off for nothing, damn it!" So saying, he spat on the ground, and went on cursing at Ping'er as well.鳳姐聽了，氣的干咽，要和他分證，想了一想，又忍住了，勉強陪笑道：“何苦來生這麼大氣，大清早起和我叫喊什麼。Hearing this, Xifeng was so angry she choked on her own breath, and meant to argue the point with him, but after thinking it over she held herself back, and instead forced a smile and said, "Why work yourself into such a rage, shouting at me first thing in the morning like this.誰叫你應了人家的事？Who made you take on other people's business in the first place?你既應了，就得耐煩些，少不得替人家辦辦。Since you did agree to it, you'll simply have to be patient and see it through for them.也沒見這個人自己有為難的事還有心腸唱戲擺酒的鬧！”賈璉道：“你可說么，你明兒倒也問問他！”鳳姐詫异道：“問誰？”賈璉道：“問誰！I've never seen the like—the very person who has trouble on his hands still has the heart to throw parties and put on operas!" Jia Lian said, "That's just what I say—you go ask him about it yourself one of these days!" Xifeng, astonished, said, "Ask whom?" Jia Lian said, "Ask whom, indeed!問你哥哥。”鳳姐道：“是他嗎？”賈璉道：“可不是他，還有誰呢！”鳳姐忙問道：“他又有什麼事叫你替他跑？”賈璉道：“你還在壇子里呢。”鳳姐道：“真真這就奇了，我連一個字兒也不知道。”賈璉道：“你怎麼能知道呢，這個事連太太和姨太太還不知道呢。Ask that brother of yours." Xifeng said, "Is it him?" Jia Lian said, "Who else could it be, if not him!" Xifeng hastily asked, "What business of his has you running errands for him now?" Jia Lian said, "You're still in the dark about it, aren't you." Xifeng said, "This is truly strange—I don't know a single word of it." Jia Lian said, "How could you know—even Madam and Auntie Xue don't know about this yet.頭一件怕太太和姨太太不放心，二則你身上又常嚷不好，所以我在外頭壓住了，不叫里頭知道的。For one thing, I was afraid it would worry Madam and Auntie Xue; for another, you yourself are often complaining of feeling unwell, and so I kept it suppressed outside and didn't let word of it reach the inner quarters.說起來真真可人惱！When you come to speak of it, it's truly enough to make one furious!你今兒不問我，我也不便告訴你。If you hadn't asked me today, I wouldn't have thought to tell you either.你打諒你哥哥行事象個人呢，你知道外頭人都叫他什麼？”鳳姐道：“叫他什麼？”賈璉道：“叫他什麼，叫他‘忘仁’！”鳳姐扑哧的一笑：“他可不叫王仁叫什麼呢。”賈璉道：“你打諒那個王仁嗎，是忘了仁義禮智信的那個‘忘仁’哪！”鳳姐道：“這是什麼人這麼刻薄嘴兒遭塌人。”賈璉道：“不是遭塌他嗎，今兒索性告訴你，你也不知道知道你那哥哥的好處，到底知道他給他二叔做生日啊！”鳳姐想了一想道：“噯喲，可是呵，我還忘了問你，二叔不是冬天的生日嗎？You imagine that brother of yours behaves like a decent human being, do you—do you know what people outside call him?" Xifeng said, "What do they call him?" Jia Lian said, "What do they call him—they call him 'Forget-Humanity'!" Xifeng burst out laughing, "Why, of course they call him Wang Ren—what else would they call him?" Jia Lian said, "You think it's just that Wang Ren, do you—it's the 'forget humanity' as in forgetting all of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust!" Xifeng said, "Whoever it is that has such a cutting tongue, running people down like that." Jia Lian said, "Is it really running him down? I might as well tell you outright today—you have no idea just what fine deeds that brother of yours has been up to; do you even know he's throwing a birthday celebration for his second uncle?" Xifeng thought a moment and said, "Oh, that's right, I nearly forgot to ask you—isn't Second Uncle's birthday in the winter?我記得年年都是寶玉去。I remember it's always been Baoyu who goes every year.前者老爺陞了，二叔那邊送過戲來，我還偷偷兒的說，二叔為人是最嗇刻的，比不得大舅太爺。The other time when Father was promoted, Second Uncle's household sent over a theater troupe to perform, and I remember saying privately then that Second Uncle is the stingiest sort of person, not at all like Eldest Uncle.他們各自家里還烏眼雞似的。Each of those households eyes the other like fighting cocks.不么，昨兒大舅太爺沒了，你瞧他是個兄弟，他還出了個頭兒攬了個事兒嗎！Otherwise—now that Eldest Uncle has passed away, just look at how, being merely the younger brother, he's still stepped forward to take charge of the arrangements!所以那一天說，赶他的生日咱們還他一班子戲，省了親戚跟前落虧欠。So I said at the time that when his birthday comes round we ought to return the favor with a troupe of our own, so as to spare ourselves looking remiss before our relatives.如今這麼早就做生日，也不知道是什麼意思。”賈璉道：“你還作夢呢。But now, to hold the birthday celebration so early—I can't imagine what he means by it." Jia Lian said, "You're still dreaming, aren't you.他一到京，接著舅太爺的首尾就開了一個吊，他怕咱們知道攔他，所以沒告訴咱們，弄了好幾千銀子。The moment he reached the capital, riding on the coattails of Uncle's death, he set up a wake, and fearing we'd find out and stop him, he never told us, and made off with several thousand taels of silver.後來二舅嗔著他，說他不該一网打盡。Afterward Second Uncle took him to task over it, saying he oughtn't to have swept up everything in one net.他吃不住了，變了個法子就指著你們二叔的生日撒了個网，想著再弄幾個錢好打點二舅太爺不生氣，也不管親戚朋友冬天夏天的，人家知道不知道，這麼丟臉！Unable to bear the reproach, he changed his tack and, using your Second Uncle's birthday as a pretext, cast his net again, thinking to squeeze out a few more coins to placate Second Uncle so he wouldn't stay angry—never mind whether it was winter or summer for the relatives and friends concerned, or whether people would see through it—what a disgrace!你知道我起早為什麼？Do you know why I got up so early today?這如今因海疆的事情御史參了一本，說是大舅太爺的虧空，本員已故，應著落其弟王子胜，侄王仁賠補。It's because, over this business on the coast, a censor has now impeached Eldest Uncle, saying that since the official himself is already dead, his debt to the treasury should fall to be repaid by his brother Wang Zisheng and his nephew Wang Ren.爺兒兩個急了，找了我給他們託人情。Father and son, the two of them, panicked and came to me to plead for help in smoothing things over.我見他們嚇的那麼個樣兒，再者又關系太太和你，我才應了。Seeing them so frightened, and besides, since this concerns Madam and yourself, I agreed to it.想著找找總理內庭都檢點老裘替辦辦，或者前任後任挪移挪移。I thought I'd look up old Qiu, the eunuch overseeing palace affairs, to see about arranging something, or perhaps have the outgoing and incoming officials make some adjustment between them.偏又去晚了，他進里頭去了，我白起來跑了一趟。But as luck would have it I went too late, and he'd already gone inside, so I made the trip for nothing.他們家里還那里定戲擺酒呢。And here they are at home still setting up operas and laying out feasts!你說說，叫人生氣不生氣！”Just tell me, isn't that enough to make a person furious!"

凤姐惊醒，唬了一身冷汗，嗳哟一声，睁开眼，只见贾琏气狠狠的坐在旁边，平儿弯著腰拾碗片子呢。凤姐道：“你怎么就回来了？”问了一声，半日不答应，只得又问一声。贾琏嚷道：“你不要我回来，叫我死在外头罢！”凤姐笑道：“这又是何苦来呢！常时我见你不象今儿回来的快，问你一声，也没什么生气的。”贾琏又嚷道：“又没遇见，怎么不快回来呢！”凤姐笑道：“没有遇见，少不得奈烦些，明儿再去早些儿，自然遇见了。”贾琏嚷道：“我可不吃著自己的饭替人家赶獐子呢。我这里一大堆的事没个动秤儿的，没来由为人家的事，瞎闹了这些日子，当什么呢！正经那有事的人还在家里受用，死活不知，还听见说要锣鼓喧天的摆酒唱戏做生日呢。我可瞎跑他娘的腿子！”一面说，一面往地下啐了一口，又骂平儿。凤姐听了，气的干咽，要和他分证，想了一想，又忍住了，勉强陪笑道：“何苦来生这么大气，大清早起和我叫喊什么。谁叫你应了人家的事？你既应了，就得耐烦些，少不得替人家办办。也没见这个人自己有为难的事还有心肠唱戏摆酒的闹！”贾琏道：“你可说么，你明儿倒也问问他！”凤姐诧异道：“问谁？”贾琏道：“问谁！问你哥哥。”凤姐道：“是他吗？”贾琏道：“可不是他，还有谁呢！”凤姐忙问道：“他又有什么事叫你替他跑？”贾琏道：“你还在坛子里呢。”凤姐道：“真真这就奇了，我连一个字儿也不知道。”贾琏道：“你怎么能知道呢，这个事连太太和姨太太还不知道呢。头一件怕太太和姨太太不放心，二则你身上又常嚷不好，所以我在外头压住了，不叫里头知道的。说起来真真可人恼！你今儿不问我，我也不便告诉你。你打谅你哥哥行事象个人呢，你知道外头人都叫他什么？”凤姐道：“叫他什么？”贾琏道：“叫他什么，叫他‘忘仁’！”凤姐扑哧的一笑：“他可不叫王仁叫什么呢。”贾琏道：“你打谅那个王仁吗，是忘了仁义礼智信的那个‘忘仁’哪！”凤姐道：“这是什么人这么刻薄嘴儿遭塌人。”贾琏道：“不是遭塌他吗，今儿索性告诉你，你也不知道知道你那哥哥的好处，到底知道他给他二叔做生日啊！”凤姐想了一想道：“嗳哟，可是呵，我还忘了问你，二叔不是冬天的生日吗？我记得年年都是宝玉去。前者老爷升了，二叔那边送过戏来，我还偷偷儿的说，二叔为人是最啬刻的，比不得大舅太爷。他们各自家里还乌眼鸡似的。不么，昨儿大舅太爷没了，你瞧他是个兄弟，他还出了个头儿揽了个事儿吗！所以那一天说，赶他的生日咱们还他一班子戏，省了亲戚跟前落亏欠。如今这么早就做生日，也不知道是什么意思。”贾琏道：“你还作梦呢。他一到京，接著舅太爷的首尾就开了一个吊，他怕咱们知道拦他，所以没告诉咱们，弄了好几千银子。后来二舅嗔著他，说他不该一网打尽。他吃不住了，变了个法子就指著你们二叔的生日撒了个网，想著再弄几个钱好打点二舅太爷不生气，也不管亲戚朋友冬天夏天的，人家知道不知道，这么丢脸！你知道我起早为什么？这如今因海疆的事情御史参了一本，说是大舅太爷的亏空，本员已故，应著落其弟王子胜，侄王仁赔补。爷儿两个急了，找了我给他们托人情。我见他们吓的那么个样儿，再者又关系太太和你，我才应了。想著找找总理内庭都检点老裘替办办，或者前任后任挪移挪移。偏又去晚了，他进里头去了，我白起来跑了一趟。他们家里还那里定戏摆酒呢。你说说，叫人生气不生气！”

鳳姐聽了，才知王仁所行如此。Hearing this, Xifeng only now realized what sort of conduct Wang Ren had been up to.但他素性要強護短，聽賈璉如此說，便道：“憑他怎麼樣，到底是你的親大舅兒。But it was her nature to want to save face and shield her own, so hearing Jia Lian speak this way, she said, "Whatever he's like, he's still your own eldest uncle by marriage after all.再者，這件事死的大太爺活的二叔都感激你。Besides, in this matter, both the deceased Eldest Uncle and the living Second Uncle are grateful to you for it.罷了，沒什麼說的，我們家的事，少不得我低三下四的求你了，省的帶累別人受氣，背地里罵我。”說著，眼淚早流下來，掀開被窩一面坐起來，一面挽頭髮，一面披衣裳。Enough said, there's nothing more to say—since it's a matter concerning my own family, it's only right that I should lower myself and beg this of you, rather than let it drag others into trouble and have them grumble about me behind my back." As she spoke, tears were already streaming down, and she pushed back the covers and sat up, at once binding up her hair and putting on her clothes.賈璉道：“你倒不用這麼著，是你哥哥不是人，我并沒說你呀。Jia Lian said, "There's no need for you to carry on so—it's your brother who isn't behaving like a decent person, I never said a word against you.況且我出去了，你身上又不好，我都起來了，他們還睡覺。Besides, I got up and went out while you were unwell, and now that I've gotten up again, they're all still asleep.咱們老輩子有這個規矩么！Have our elders ever had such a custom as this!你如今作好好先生不管事了。You're playing the good-natured one now who lets everything slide.我說了一句你就起來，明兒我要嫌這些人，難道你都替了他們么。I say one word and you get straight up—tomorrow if I take issue with these servants, are you going to stand in for them too?好沒意思啊！”鳳姐聽了這些話，才把淚止住了，說道：“天呢不早了，我也該起來了。How pointless!" Hearing this, Xifeng at last stopped her tears and said, "It's getting late now, I ought to get up anyway.你有這麼說的，你替他們家在心的辦辦，那就是你的情分了。If you're willing to say as much—that you'll take it to heart and see this business through for their family—that will be a great kindness on your part.再者也不光為我，就是太太聽見也喜歡。”賈璉道：“是了，知道了。‘大蘿卜還用屎澆’。”平兒道：“奶奶這麼早起來做什麼，那一天奶奶不是起來有一定的時候兒呢。And besides, it isn't only for my sake—even Madam, if she heard of it, would be pleased." Jia Lian said, "All right, all right, I understand." "'Even a fine fat radish still needs manure poured on it,'" he added. Ping'er said, "Why get up so early, madam—there's never been a day you didn't get up at the proper time.爺也不知是那里的邪火，拿著我們出氣。Master is venting some sort of unaccountable temper, taking it out on us.何苦來呢，奶奶也算替爺掙夠了，那一點兒不是奶奶擋頭陣。Why bring this on yourself—madam has after all worked hard enough on Master's behalf; is there anything that madam hasn't stood in the front line for?不是我說，爺把現成兒的也不知吃了多少，這會子替奶奶辦了一點子事，又關會著好幾層兒呢，就是這麼拿糖作醋的起來，也不怕人家寒心。Not to speak out of turn, but Master here has enjoyed no end of ready-made comforts without a thought, and now that he's handled one small matter for madam, involving several layers of connections besides, to come home and put on such airs about it is enough to chill anyone's heart.況且這也不單是奶奶的事呀。Besides, this isn't only madam's affair either.我們起遲了，原該爺生氣，左右到底是奴才呀。If we got up late, it's only right that Master should be angry—after all, we are servants no matter what.奶奶跟前盡著身子累的成了個病包兒了，這是何苦來呢。”說著，自己的眼圈兒也紅了。But madam here has worn herself out on Master's account until she's become a bundle of illness—why bring this upon yourself." So saying, her own eyes reddened as well.那賈璉本是一肚子悶氣，那里見得這一對嬌妻美妾又尖利又柔情的話呢，便笑道：“夠了，算了罷。As for Jia Lian, his stomach was already full of sullen anger, and how could he withstand such sharp yet tender words from this pair of lovely wife and concubine? So he said with a laugh, "Enough, enough, let it be.他一個人就夠使的了，不用你幫著。She alone is quite enough to manage things—no need for you to help her.左右我是外人，多早晚我死了，你們就清淨了。”鳳姐道：“你也別說那個話，誰知道誰怎麼樣呢。After all, I'm the outsider here—sooner or later when I'm dead, the two of you will have your peace and quiet." Xifeng said, "Don't talk like that either—who knows which of us will go first."你不死我還死呢，早死一天早心淨。”說著，又哭起來。"If you don't die, I will! The sooner I die, the sooner my heart will be at peace." So saying, she began to cry again.平兒只得又勸了一回。Ping'er had no choice but to comfort her once more.那時天已大亮，日影橫窗。By that time it was already broad daylight, sunlight slanting across the window.賈璉也不便再說，站起來出去了。Jia Lian found it awkward to say anything more, and stood up and went out.

這里鳳姐自己起來，正在梳洗，忽見王夫人那邊小丫頭過來道：“太太說了，叫問二奶奶今日過舅太爺那邊去不去？Here Xifeng had gotten up herself and was washing and combing her hair, when suddenly a little maid from Lady Wang's side came over and said, "Her Ladyship said to ask whether Second Mistress is going over to Granduncle's place today—要去，說叫二奶奶同著寶二奶奶一路去呢。”鳳姐因方才一段話，已經灰心喪意，恨娘家不給爭氣，又兼昨夜園中受了那一驚，也實在沒精神，便說道：“你先回太太去，我還有一兩件事沒辦清，今日不能去。if you're going, she says Second Mistress should go together with Second Master Bao's wife." Xifeng, disheartened and dejected from the talk just now, resenting that her own family could not hold its head up, and moreover having had that fright in the garden the night before, truly had no energy for it, and said, "Go back and tell Her Ladyship first that I still have a matter or two left unfinished, and cannot go today.況且他們那又不是什麼正經事。"Besides, that affair of theirs isn't anything serious anyway.寶二奶奶要去各自去罷。”小丫頭答應著，回去回复了。If Second Mistress Bao wants to go, let her go by herself." The little maid assented and went back to report.不在話下。No more need be said of that.

且說鳳姐梳了頭，換了衣服，想了想，雖然自己不去，也該帶個信兒。Now to tell of Xifeng: having combed her hair and changed her clothes, she thought it over — although she herself was not going, she ought still to send word along.再者，寶釵還是新媳婦，出門子自然要過去照應照應的。Moreover, Baochai was still a new bride, and in going out she would naturally need someone to look after and attend to things for her.于是見過王夫人，支吾了一件事，便過來到寶玉房中。So after seeing Lady Wang and putting her off with some vague excuse about the matter, she went over to Baoyu's room.只見寶玉穿著衣服歪在炕上，兩個眼睛呆呆的看寶釵梳頭。There she found Baoyu, already dressed, lounging sideways on the kang, staring blankly with both eyes at Baochai combing her hair.鳳姐站在門口，還是寶釵一回頭看見了，連忙起身讓坐。Xifeng stood in the doorway; it was Baochai who, turning her head, caught sight of her first, and hastily rose to offer her a seat.寶玉也爬起來，鳳姐才笑嘻嘻的坐下。Baoyu also scrambled up, and only then did Xifeng, smiling broadly, sit down.寶釵因說麝月道”你們瞧著二奶奶進來也不言語聲兒。”麝月笑著道：“二奶奶頭里進來就擺手兒不叫言語么。”鳳姐因向寶玉道：“你還不走，等什麼呢。Baochai then said to Sheyue, "You saw Second Mistress come in and didn't even say a word." Sheyue said with a smile, "The moment Second Mistress came in she waved her hand for us not to speak — wasn't that it?" Xifeng then said to Baoyu, "Why haven't you gone yet? What are you waiting for?沒見這麼大人了還是這麼小孩子氣的。I've never seen anyone so grown and still so childish.人家各自梳頭，你爬在旁邊看什麼？Here she is combing her own hair, and what are you doing sprawled beside her watching?成日家一塊子在屋里還看不夠？Being together in the same room all day long isn't enough looking for you?也不怕丫頭們笑話。”說著，哧的一笑，又瞅著他咂嘴兒。Aren't you afraid the maids will laugh at you?" So saying, she gave a snort of laughter, and glanced at him, clicking her tongue.寶玉雖也有些不好意思，還不理會，把個寶釵直臊的滿臉飛紅，又不好聽著，又不好說什麼，只見襲人端過茶來，只得搭訕著自己遞了一袋煙。Baoyu, though somewhat embarrassed, still paid it no mind, while Baochai was teased into a full blush across her face — unable either to bear listening to it or to say anything — just then Xiren brought over tea, and he could only cover his awkwardness by handing over a pipe of tobacco himself.鳳姐兒笑著站起來接了，道：“二妹妹，你別管我們的事，你快穿衣服罷。”寶玉一面也搭訕著找這個，弄那個。Xifeng, laughing, stood up and took it, saying, "Sister-in-law, never mind our business — hurry and get dressed." Baoyu, for his part, covered his embarrassment by fumbling with this thing and fiddling with that.鳳姐道：“你先去罷，那里有個爺們等著奶奶們一塊兒走的理呢。”寶玉道：“我只是嫌我這衣裳不大好，不如前年穿著老太太給的那件雀金呢好。”鳳姐因慪他道：“你為什麼不穿？”寶玉道：“穿著太早些。”鳳姐忽然想起，自悔失言，幸虧寶釵也和王家是內親，只是那些丫頭們跟前已經不好意思了。Xifeng said, "You go on ahead — whoever heard of a young master waiting around for the mistresses to leave together?" Baoyu said, "It's only that I don't much like these clothes — not as nice as that peacock-gold cloak the Old Ancestress gave me the year before last." Xifeng, teasing him, said, "Then why don't you wear it?" Baoyu said, "It's too early in the year to wear it yet." Xifeng suddenly remembered something and regretted her slip of the tongue, but fortunately Baochai too was related by blood to the Wang family — still, it was already embarrassing enough in front of the maids.襲人卻接著說道：“二奶奶還不知道呢，就是穿得，他也不穿了。”鳳姐兒道：“這是什麼原故？”襲人道：“告訴二奶奶，真真是我們這位爺的行事都是天外飛來的。But Xiren went on to say, "Second Mistress doesn't know yet — even if it were the season for it, he wouldn't wear it anymore." Xifeng said, "What's the reason for that?" Xiren said, "I'll tell Second Mistress — truly, the way this young master of ours behaves comes out of nowhere, like something dropped from the sky.那一年因二舅太爺的生日，老太太給了他這件衣裳，誰知那一天就燒了。That year, for Second Granduncle's birthday, the Old Ancestress gave him this garment, and who would have thought that on that very day it got burned.我媽病重了，我沒在家。My mother was gravely ill then, and I wasn't at home.那時候還有晴雯妹妹呢，聽見說病著整給他補了一夜，第二天老太太才沒瞧出來呢。At that time Sister Qingwen was still with us — I heard that, ill as she was, she mended it for him the whole night through, and only because of that did the Old Ancestress fail to notice it the next day.去年那一天上學天冷，我叫焙茗拿了去給他披披。Last year, on a cold day when he was going to school, I had Beiming take it along for him to wear over his shoulders.誰知這位爺見了這件衣裳想起晴雯來了，說了總不穿了，叫我給他收一輩子呢。”鳳姐不等說完，便道：“你提晴雯，可惜了兒的，那孩子模樣兒手兒都好，就只嘴頭子利害些。Who would have thought that when this young master saw the garment again, it made him think of Qingwen, and he said he would never wear it again, and told me to keep it put away for the rest of his life." Before she could finish, Xifeng broke in, "Speaking of Qingwen — what a pity that was. That girl's looks and her needlework were both fine; it was only that her tongue was a bit sharp.偏偏兒的太太不知聽了那里的謠言，活活兒的把個小命兒要了。And of all things, Her Ladyship, having listened to some rumor from who knows where, went and took the poor young thing's life outright.還有一件事，那一天我瞧見廚房里柳家的女人他女孩兒，叫什麼五兒，那丫頭長的和晴雯脫了個影兒似的。There's another matter too — the other day I saw, in the kitchen, the Liu woman's daughter, called Wu'er I think, and that girl looks the very image of Qingwen, as if cast from the same mold.我心里要叫他進來，後來我問他媽，他媽說是很願意。In my heart I wanted to bring her in, and afterward I asked her mother, who said she was quite willing.我想著寶二爺屋里的小紅跟了我去，我還沒還他呢，就把五兒補過來。I thought that since Xiaohong from Second Master Bao's rooms had come to serve me, and I still owed him a replacement for her, I would put Wu'er in to fill the vacancy.平兒說太太那一天說了，凡象那個樣兒的都不叫派到寶二爺屋里呢。But Ping'er said that Her Ladyship had remarked one day that no one of that sort of looks was to be assigned to Second Master Bao's rooms.我所以也就擱下了。So I let the matter drop.這如今寶二爺也成了家了，還怕什麼呢，不如我就叫他進來。But now that Second Master Bao is married, what is there left to fear? I might as well just bring her in.可不知寶二爺願意不願意？Only I don't know whether Second Master Bao would be willing or not."要想著晴雯，只瞧見這五兒就是了。”寶玉本要走，聽見這些話已呆了。"If you want to remember Qingwen, just look at this Wu'er and that will do." Baoyu, who had been about to leave, was struck dumb on hearing all this.襲人道：“為什麼不願意，早就要弄了來的，只是因為太太的話說的結實罷了。”鳳姐道：“那麼著明兒我就叫他進來。Xiren said, "Why wouldn't he be willing? We'd have brought her in long ago — it was only because Her Ladyship's words were so firm." Xifeng said, "In that case, I'll have her brought in tomorrow.太太的跟前有我呢。”寶玉聽了，喜不自胜，才走到賈母那邊去了。If Her Ladyship has anything to say about it, I'll be there to answer for it." Hearing this, Baoyu was overjoyed beyond measure, and only then went off to the Old Ancestress's side.這里寶釵穿衣服。Here Baochai got dressed.鳳姐兒看他兩口兒這般恩愛纏綿，想起賈璉方才那种光景，好不傷心，坐不住，便起身向寶釵笑道：“我和你向老太太屋里去罷。”笑著出了房門，一同來見賈母。Watching the young couple so tenderly devoted to each other, Xifeng, remembering the scene with Jia Lian just now, felt a pang of sorrow so sharp she could not sit still, and rising, said to Baochai with a smile, "Let's you and I go over to the Old Ancestress's rooms together." Laughing, she went out the door, and the two of them went together to see the Lady Dowager.

且说凤姐梳了头，换了衣服，想了想，虽然自己不去，也该带个信儿。再者，宝钗还是新媳妇，出门子自然要过去照应照应的。于是见过王夫人，支吾了一件事，便过来到宝玉房中。只见宝玉穿著衣服歪在炕上，两个眼睛呆呆的看宝钗梳头。凤姐站在门口，还是宝钗一回头看见了，连忙起身让坐。宝玉也爬起来，凤姐才笑嘻嘻的坐下。宝钗因说麝月道”你们瞧著二奶奶进来也不言语声儿。”麝月笑著道：“二奶奶头里进来就摆手儿不叫言语么。”凤姐因向宝玉道：“你还不走，等什么呢。没见这么大人了还是这么小孩子气的。人家各自梳头，你爬在旁边看什么？成日家一块子在屋里还看不够？也不怕丫头们笑话。”说著，哧的一笑，又瞅著他咂嘴儿。宝玉虽也有些不好意思，还不理会，把个宝钗直臊的满脸飞红，又不好听著，又不好说什么，只见袭人端过茶来，只得搭讪著自己递了一袋烟。凤姐儿笑著站起来接了，道：“二妹妹，你别管我们的事，你快穿衣服罢。”宝玉一面也搭讪著找这个，弄那个。凤姐道：“你先去罢，那里有个爷们等著奶奶们一块儿走的理呢。”宝玉道：“我只是嫌我这衣裳不大好，不如前年穿著老太太给的那件雀金呢好。”凤姐因怄他道：“你为什么不穿？”宝玉道：“穿著太早些。”凤姐忽然想起，自悔失言，幸亏宝钗也和王家是内亲，只是那些丫头们跟前已经不好意思了。袭人却接著说道：“二奶奶还不知道呢，就是穿得，他也不穿了。”凤姐儿道：“这是什么原故？”袭人道：“告诉二奶奶，真真是我们这位爷的行事都是天外飞来的。那一年因二舅太爷的生日，老太太给了他这件衣裳，谁知那一天就烧了。我妈病重了，我没在家。那时候还有晴雯妹妹呢，听见说病著整给他补了一夜，第二天老太太才没瞧出来呢。去年那一天上学天冷，我叫焙茗拿了去给他披披。谁知这位爷见了这件衣裳想起晴雯来了，说了总不穿了，叫我给他收一辈子呢。”凤姐不等说完，便道：“你提晴雯，可惜了儿的，那孩子模样儿手儿都好，就只嘴头子利害些。偏偏儿的太太不知听了那里的谣言，活活儿的把个小命儿要了。还有一件事，那一天我瞧见厨房里柳家的女人他女孩儿，叫什么五儿，那丫头长的和晴雯脱了个影儿似的。我心里要叫他进来，后来我问他妈，他妈说是很愿意。我想著宝二爷屋里的小红跟了我去，我还没还他呢，就把五儿补过来。平儿说太太那一天说了，凡象那个样儿的都不叫派到宝二爷屋里呢。我所以也就搁下了。这如今宝二爷也成了家了，还怕什么呢，不如我就叫他进来。可不知宝二爷愿意不愿意？要想著晴雯，只瞧见这五儿就是了。”宝玉本要走，听见这些话已呆了。袭人道：“为什么不愿意，早就要弄了来的，只是因为太太的话说的结实罢了。”凤姐道：“那么著明儿我就叫他进来。太太的跟前有我呢。”宝玉听了，喜不自胜，才走到贾母那边去了。这里宝钗穿衣服。凤姐儿看他两口儿这般恩爱缠绵，想起贾琏方才那种光景，好不伤心，坐不住，便起身向宝钗笑道：“我和你向老太太屋里去罢。”笑著出了房门，一同来见贾母。

寶玉正在那里回賈母往舅舅家去。Baoyu was just then telling the Lady Dowager that he was going to his uncle's house.賈母點頭說道：“去罷，只是少吃酒，早些回來。The Lady Dowager nodded and said, "Go along then, only don't drink too much wine, and come back early.你身子才好些。”寶玉答應著出來，剛走到院內，又轉身回來向寶釵耳邊說了幾句不知什麼。Your health has only just gotten a little better." Baoyu assented and went out, but just as he reached the courtyard, he turned back again and said a few words — no one knew what — into Baochai's ear.寶釵笑道：“是了，你快去罷。”將寶玉催著去了。Baochai said with a smile, "Yes, yes — hurry along now," and hurried Baoyu off on his way.這賈母和鳳姐寶釵說了沒三句話，只見秋紋進來傳說：“二爺打發焙茗轉來，說請二奶奶。”寶釵說道：“他又忘了什麼，又叫他回來？”秋紋道：“我叫小丫頭問了，焙茗說是‘二爺忘了一句話，二爺叫我回來告訴二奶奶：若是去呢，快些來罷，若不去呢，別在風地里站著。’”說的賈母鳳姐并地下站著的眾老婆子丫頭都笑了。The Lady Dowager had not exchanged three sentences with Xifeng and Baochai before Qiuwen came in to report, "Second Master sent Beiming back to say he wants to invite Second Mistress." Baochai said, "What has he forgotten now, that he sends him back again?" Qiuwen said, "I had the little maid ask him, and Beiming said, 'Second Master forgot to say one thing — he told me to come back and tell Second Mistress: if you're coming, please hurry along; if you're not coming, then don't stand about in the wind.'" This set the Lady Dowager and Xifeng, and all the old matrons and maids standing about, laughing.寶釵飛紅了臉，把秋紋啐了一口，說道：“好個糊涂東西！Baochai flushed crimson and spat at Qiuwen in mock reproach, saying, "What a muddleheaded creature!這也值得這樣慌慌張張跑了來說。”秋紋也笑著回去叫小丫頭去罵焙茗。Was that worth running in here so flustered to report?" Qiuwen, laughing too, went back and sent the little maid to scold Beiming.那焙茗一面跑著，一面回頭說道：“二爺把我巴巴的叫下馬來，叫回來說的。As Beiming ran off, he turned his head and said, "Second Master called me specially down off my horse to send me back to say it.我若不說，回來對出來又罵我了。If I hadn't said it, when it came out afterward he'd have scolded me for that.這會子說了，他們又罵我。”那丫頭笑著跑回來說了。Now that I have said it, they scold me for this instead." The maid ran back laughing and reported it all.賈母向寶釵道：“你去罷，省得他這麼記挂。”說的寶釵站不住，又被鳳姐慪他頑笑，沒好意思，才走了。The Lady Dowager said to Baochai, "Go on, then, and spare him all this worrying." This left Baochai unable to stand still where she was, and with Xifeng teasing her further for sport, she felt too embarrassed to stay, and so at last went off.

只見散花寺的姑子大了來了，給賈母請安，見過了鳳姐，坐著吃茶。Just then the nun Da Liao of Sanhua Temple arrived, paid her respects to the Lady Dowager, greeted Xifeng, and sat down to drink tea.賈母因問他：“這一向怎麼不來？”大了道：“因這幾日廟中作好事，有幾位誥命夫人不時在廟里起坐，所以不得空兒來。The Lady Dowager asked her, "Why haven't you come around lately?" Da Liao said, "It's because these past few days the temple has been holding a service, and several titled ladies have been coming and going in the temple all the while, so I haven't had a free moment to come.今日特來回老祖宗，明兒還有一家作好事，不知老祖宗高興不高興，若高興也去隨喜隨喜。”賈母便問：“做什麼好事？”大了道：“前月為王大人府里不乾淨，見神見鬼的，偏生那太太夜間又看見去世的老爺。Today I came specially to report to the Old Ancestress that tomorrow there's another family holding a service — I don't know whether the Old Ancestress might be pleased to go along and share in the merit-making." The Lady Dowager then asked, "What kind of service is it for?" Da Liao said, "Last month, because there was something unclean in the household of a certain Lord Wang — spirits and ghosts being seen — and worse still, that lady of the house saw her late husband at night as well.因此昨日在我廟里告訴我，要在散花菩薩跟前許願燒香，做四十九天的水陸道場，保佑家口安宁，亡者升天，生者獲福。So yesterday they came to my temple and told me they wished to make a vow and burn incense before the Bodhisattva of Scattered Flowers, and hold a forty-nine-day Water and Land Mass, to pray for the peace of the household, that the dead may ascend to heaven and the living receive blessings.所以我不得空兒來請老太太的安。”卻說鳳姐素日最厭惡這些事的，自從昨夜見鬼，心中總是疑疑惑惑的，如今聽了大了這些話，不覺把素日的心性改了一半，已有三分信意，便問大了道：“這散花菩薩是誰？That's why I haven't had a free moment to come pay my respects to the Old Ancestress." Now, Xifeng had always detested such matters most of all, but ever since seeing the ghost the night before, her mind had been full of doubt and unease, and now, hearing what Da Liao said, she found her usual disposition changed by half, already three parts inclined to believe, and she asked Da Liao, "Who is this Bodhisattva of Scattered Flowers,他怎麼就能避邪除鬼呢？”大了見問，便知他有些信意，便說道：“奶奶今日問我，讓我告訴奶奶知道。and how is it that she can ward off evil and drive away ghosts?" Seeing her ask this, Da Liao knew at once that she had come to believe somewhat, and said, "Since Mistress asks me today, let me tell you all about it.這個散花菩薩來歷根基不淺，道行非常。This Bodhisattva of Scattered Flowers has origins that run deep, and her spiritual attainment is extraordinary.生在西天大樹國中，父母打柴為生。She was born in the Land of Great Trees in the Western Heavens, where her parents made their living gathering firewood.養下菩薩來，頭長三角，眼橫四目，身長三尺，兩手拖地。When they gave birth to the Bodhisattva, her head had three corners, she had four eyes set crosswise, her body was three feet long, and her two hands trailed on the ground.父母說這是妖精，便棄在冰山之後了。Her parents, saying this must be a monster, abandoned her behind an ice mountain.誰知這山上有一個得道的老猢猻出來打食，看見菩薩頂上白氣沖天，虎狼遠避，知道來歷非常，便抱回洞中撫養。Who would have thought that on this mountain there was an old monkey who had attained the Way, and as he came out foraging for food, he saw a column of white vapor rising from the top of the Bodhisattva's head, and tigers and wolves kept far away from her — knowing at once that her origins were no ordinary thing, he carried her back to his cave and raised her.誰知菩薩帶了來的聰慧，禪也會談，與猢猻天天談道參禪，說的天花散漫繽紛。Who would have thought that the Bodhisattva had brought her wisdom with her from birth, and could discourse on Chan as well — day after day she and the monkey discussed the Way and meditated together on Chan, and as she spoke, heavenly flowers scattered down in profusion all around.至一千年後飛升了。After a thousand years had passed, she ascended to Heaven.至今山上猶見談經之處天花散漫，所求必靈，時常顯圣，救人苦厄。To this day, at the spot on the mountain where she once discoursed on the sutras, heavenly flowers can still be seen scattering down; whatever is prayed for there is sure to be answered, and she often manifests her divine power, saving people from suffering and hardship.因此世人才蓋了廟，塑了像供奉。”鳳姐道：“這有什麼憑据呢？”大了道：“奶奶又來搬駁了。That is why people in the world built a temple and made an image of her to worship." Xifeng said, "But what proof is there of all this?" Da Liao said, "Now Mistress is arguing with me again.一個佛爺可有什麼憑据呢？Whoever heard of needing proof for a Buddha or Bodhisattva?就是撒謊，也不過哄一兩個人罷咧，難道古往今來多少明白人都被他哄了不成。Even supposing it were a lie, it could only deceive one or two people — surely you don't mean to say that all the clear-headed people from ancient times down to now have been deceived by it too?奶奶只想，惟有佛家香火歷來不絕，他到底是祝國祝民，有些靈驗，人才信服。”鳳姐聽了大有道理，因道：“既這麼，我明兒去試試。Just consider, Mistress — of all things, only the incense fires of the Buddhist faith have never once died out through the ages; in the end it is because they pray for the nation and the people, and there is some real efficacy in it, that people come to believe." Xifeng, hearing this, felt it made a great deal of sense, and said, "Well, if that's so, I'll go and try it myself tomorrow.你廟里可有簽？Does your temple have fortune-sticks?我去求一簽，我心里的事簽上批的出？If I go and draw a stick, could what's on my mind really be revealed by what's written on it?批的出來我從此就信了。”大了道：“我們的簽最是靈的，明兒奶奶去求一簽就知道了。”賈母道：“既這麼著，索性等到後日初一你再去求。”說著，大了吃了茶，到王夫人各房里去請了安，回去不提。If it does, I'll believe in it from now on." Da Liao said, "Our fortune-sticks are the most efficacious of all — tomorrow when Mistress goes to draw one, you'll see for yourself." The Lady Dowager said, "In that case, you might as well wait until the first of the month, the day after tomorrow, and go draw one then." So saying — Da Liao finished her tea, went to pay her respects at Lady Wang's various apartments, and returned to her temple; no more need be said of that.

這里鳳姐勉強扎掙著，到了初一清早，令人預備了車馬，帶著平兒并許多奴仆來至散花寺。Here Xifeng, forcing herself to keep going despite her weakness, on the morning of the first had carriages and horses made ready, and, taking Ping'er and a good many servants along, arrived at Sanhua Temple.大了帶了眾姑子接了進去。Da Liao brought all the nuns out to receive her and led her in.獻茶後，便洗手至大殿上焚香。After tea was served, she washed her hands and went up to the main hall to burn incense.那鳳姐兒也無心瞻仰圣像，一秉虔誠，磕了頭，舉起簽筒默默的將那見鬼之事并身体不安等故祝告了一回。Xifeng had no heart to admire the sacred images; with single-minded devotion she kowtowed, raised the fortune-stick canister, and silently prayed for a while, telling of the matter of seeing the ghost and of her own bodily unease and the like.才搖了三下，只聽唰的一聲，筒中攛出一支簽來。She had only shaken it three times when, with a swish, a single stick shot out from the canister.于是叩頭拾起一看，只見寫著“第三十三簽，上上大吉。”大了忙查簽薄看時，只見上面寫著“王熙鳳衣錦還鄉”。She kowtowed, picked it up, and looked — it read, "Thirty-third stick, most auspicious of the highest fortune." Da Liao hurriedly checked the fortune-slip book, and there it read: "Wang Xifeng Returns Home in Splendor."鳳姐一見這幾個字，吃一大驚，驚問大了道：“古人也有叫王熙鳳的么？”大了笑道：“奶奶最是通今博古的，難道漢朝的王熙鳳求官的這一段事也不曉得？”周瑞家的在旁笑道：“前年李先兒還說這一回書的，我們還告訴他重著奶奶的名字不要叫呢。”鳳姐笑道：“可是呢，我倒忘了。”說著，又瞧底下的，寫的是：Seeing these words, Xifeng was greatly startled, and asked Da Liao in alarm, "Was there someone in ancient times also named Wang Xifeng?" Da Liao said with a smile, "Mistress is so well-versed in matters both past and present — surely you know the story of the Han-dynasty Wang Xifeng who sought office?" Zhou Rui's wife, standing by, said with a smile, "The year before last, the storyteller Li was still telling this very tale, and we told him then not to use it, since it shared Mistress's name." Xifeng said, laughing, "So it is — I'd quite forgotten." So saying, she looked further down, where it was written:

去國離鄉二十年，于今衣錦返家園。Twenty years gone from the state, away from home and native land — now she returns in splendor to her home and garden.

蜂采百花成蜜後，為誰辛苦為誰甜！The bee, having gathered from a hundred flowers to make its honey — for whom does it toil, for whom is it sweet!

行人至，音信遲，訟宜和，婚再議。The traveler will arrive; news will be delayed. In lawsuits, seek reconciliation; in marriage, deliberate further.

看完也不甚明白。Having read it through, she did not altogether understand it.大了道：“奶奶大喜。Da Liao said, "Great joy to you, Mistress!這一簽巧得很，奶奶自幼在這里長大，何曾回南京去了。This is a wonderfully fitting stick — Mistress has grown up here since childhood, and has never once gone back to Nanjing.如今老爺放了外任，或者接家眷來，順便還家，奶奶可不是‘衣錦還鄉’了？”一面說，一面抄了個簽經交與丫頭。Now that the Master has been posted to an office away from the capital, perhaps he will send for the family to join him, and on the way take the chance to visit his old home — and then wouldn't Mistress indeed be 'returning home in splendor'?" So saying, she copied out the fortune-slip text and handed it to the maid.鳳姐也半疑半信的。Xifeng, for her part, was half doubting and half believing.大了擺了齋來，鳳姐只動了一動，放下了要走，又給了香銀。Da Liao set out a vegetarian meal, but Xifeng only touched it once or twice before setting it down to leave, and then gave a donation of incense money.大了苦留不住，只得讓他走了。Da Liao pressed her earnestly to stay but could not, and so had no choice but to let her go.鳳姐回至家中，見了賈母王夫人等，問起簽來，命人一解，都歡喜非常，”或者老爺果有此心，咱們走一趟也好。”鳳姐兒見人人這麼說，也就信了。When Xifeng returned home and saw the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the others, they asked about the fortune-stick, and had someone interpret it, and all were tremendously delighted — "Perhaps the Master really does have this in mind; it wouldn't be a bad thing for us to make the trip." Seeing everyone speak this way, Xifeng too came to believe it.不在話下。No more need be said of that.

卻說寶玉這一日正睡午覺，醒來不見寶釵，正要問時，只見寶釵進來。Now to tell of Baoyu: that day he was taking his midday nap, and on waking did not see Baochai; just as he was about to ask after her, Baochai came in.寶玉問道：“那里去了？Baoyu asked, "Where did you go?半日不見。”寶釵笑道：“我給鳳姐姐瞧一回簽。”寶玉聽說，便問是怎麼樣的。I haven't seen you for half the day." Baochai said with a smile, "I went to look at a fortune-stick for Cousin Xifeng." Hearing this, Baoyu asked what it was like.寶釵把簽帖念了一回，又道：“家中人人都說好的。Baochai recited the fortune-slip text through once, and then said, "Everyone in the family says it's a good one.据我看，這‘衣錦還鄉’四字里頭還有原故，後來再瞧罷了。”寶玉道：“你又多疑了，妄解圣意。‘衣錦還鄉’四字從古至今都知道是好的，今兒你又偏生看出緣故來了。But as I see it, there's more to those four words 'returning home in splendor' than meets the eye — we'll just have to see how it turns out later." Baoyu said, "There you go being overly suspicious again, reading too much into the sacred meaning. Everyone from ancient times to now has known that the words 'returning home in splendor' are auspicious, and yet today you insist on seeing some hidden reason in them.依你說，這‘衣錦還鄉’還有什麼別的解說？”寶釵正要解說，只見王夫人那邊打發丫頭過來請二奶奶。By your reckoning, what other interpretation could there be for 'returning home in splendor'?" Baochai was just about to explain when a maid came over from Lady Wang's side to summon Second Mistress.寶釵立刻過去。Baochai went over at once.未知何事，下回分解。What the matter was is not yet known; the next chapter will explain.

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What it’s about

After arranging Tanchun's departure, Xifeng crosses Grand Prospect Garden alone by moonlight. The nearly empty grounds turn strange: a dog startles her, then she seems to hear Qin Keqing reproach her for forgetting the warning once given about securing the clan's future. Xifeng falls, conceals the vision from her maids and returns to a household where her authority and health are both failing. She speaks to Ping'er of death and worries about Qiaojie, while Jia Lian reports fresh financial and official trouble in the Wang family.

A nun from Scattered Flowers Temple describes rites for troubled households. Formerly skeptical, Xifeng visits and draws a supposedly excellent divination slip bearing her own name and the phrase “return home dressed in brocade.” The women interpret it as a prosperous journey to Nanjing, but Baochai suspects another meaning. For Xifeng, whose coffin will indeed return to Jinling, the auspicious language is a concealed obituary. The chapter joins a remembered ghost to a written omen: Qin Keqing's ignored practical counsel and the nun's marketable prophecy both tell a truth that the family translates into comfort.

When it was written 背景

Qin Keqing warned Xifeng in chapter thirteen that splendor cannot last and advised preserving ancestral land and a school so descendants could survive reversal. Her return at the emptied garden measures how thoroughly short-term management displaced that plan. 神簽 are numbered lots drawn at temples and read through attached verses; their formulaic language requires interpretation, allowing hope and fear to occupy the same words. 衣錦還鄉 ordinarily means returning home after success, but “home” is fatal for a woman married out from Jinling and destined to be buried there. Learners should watch 見, 夢 and 解: the narration never needs to settle whether Xifeng sees a ghost, because her conscience, body and the reader already supply the warning.

Words in this chapter 生词

璉liǎn璉liǎn — sacrificial vessel used for grain offerings · also pr. (lián)
賈gǔ賈gǔ — merchant · to buy
釵chāi釵chāi — hairpin
姐jiěHSK 1姐jiě — older sister (HSK 1)
鳳fèng鳳fèng — phoenix
奶nǎiHSK 1奶nǎi — breast · milk · to breastfeed (HSK 1)
茗míng茗míng — Thea sinensis · young leaves of tea
雯wén雯wén — multicolored clouds
哧chī哧chī — (onom.) giggling · breathing · tearing of paper, ripping of fabric etc
丰fēng丰fēng — luxuriant · buxom · variant of 豐 (fēng) · variant of 風 (fēng) · appearance · charm
么má么má — exclamatory final particle
舅jiù舅jiù — maternal uncle

第百零一回 大觀園月夜感幽魂 散花寺神簽驚异兆 In Grand View Garden a Moonlit Night Stirs a Ghost; At Scattered Flowers Temple a Divining Slip Warns

What it’s about

When it was written 背景

Words in this chapter 生词

第百零一回　大觀園月夜感幽魂　散花寺神簽驚异兆 In Grand View Garden a Moonlit Night Stirs a Ghost; At Scattered Flowers Temple a Divining Slip Warns