第百零三回　施毒計金桂自焚身　昧真禪雨村空遇舊 A Vicious Plot Consumes Jin'gui Herself; Blind to True Chan, Yucun Meets an Old Friend in Vain

話說賈璉到了王夫人那邊，一一的說了。The story goes that Jia Lian went to Lady Wang's quarters and told her everything, one item at a time.次日到了部里打點停妥，回來又到王夫人那邊，將打點吏部之事告知。The next day he went to the ministry and settled matters there, then came back and went again to Lady Wang's, to report on what he had arranged at the Board of Civil Office.王夫人便道：“打聽准了么？Lady Wang said, "Have you found out for certain?果然這樣，老爺也願意，合家也放心。If it is really so, your uncle will be willing, and the whole family can set its mind at ease.那外任是何嘗做得的！That post away from the capital was never one he should have taken in the first place!若不是那樣的參回來，只怕叫那些混帳東西把老爺的性命都坑了呢！”賈璉道：“太太那里知道？”王夫人道：“自從你二叔放了外任，并沒有一個錢拿回來，把家里的倒掏摸了好些去了。If he hadn't been impeached and recalled like that, I'm afraid those good-for-nothings would have cost your uncle his very life!" Jia Lian said, "How would Aunt know about that?" Lady Wang said, "Ever since your second uncle was sent out to a provincial post, not a single cash has he brought back — instead a good deal has been siphoned off from the household here.你瞧那些跟老爺去的人，他男人在外頭不多幾時，那些小老婆子們便金頭銀面的妝扮起來了，可不是在外頭瞞著老爺弄錢？Just look at the men who went with him — their husbands had been away only a short while, and those little concubines of theirs were already decked out in gold and silver. Isn't that proof enough that they were making money on the sly, behind your uncle's back?你叔叔便由著他們鬧去，若弄出事來，不但自己的官做不成，只怕連祖上的官也要抹掉了呢。”賈璉道：“嬸子說得很是。Your uncle just let them carry on, and if it had led to real trouble, not only would he have lost his own official post, but I'm afraid even the rank handed down from our ancestors would have been wiped out." Jia Lian said, "What Aunt says is quite right.方才我聽見參了，嚇的了不得，直等打聽明白才放心。When I first heard he'd been impeached, I was frightened out of my wits, and only once I'd found out the truth of it could I set my mind at rest.也願意老爺做個京官，安安逸逸的做幾年，才保得住一輩子的聲名。I too would rather Uncle held a post here in the capital, living at ease for a few years — only that way can his good name be kept safe for the rest of his life.就是老太太知道了，倒也是放心的，只要太太說得寬緩些。”王夫人道：“我知道。Even if the Old Ancestress hears of it, she'll be relieved too, so long as Aunt breaks it to her gently." Lady Wang said, "I know.你到底再去打聽打聽。”Still, go and make further inquiries, to be sure."

话说贾琏到了王夫人那边，一一的说了。次日到了部里打点停妥，回来又到王夫人那边，将打点吏部之事告知。王夫人便道：“打听准了么？果然这样，老爷也愿意，合家也放心。那外任是何尝做得的！若不是那样的参回来，只怕叫那些混帐东西把老爷的性命都坑了呢！”贾琏道：“太太那里知道？”王夫人道：“自从你二叔放了外任，并没有一个钱拿回来，把家里的倒掏摸了好些去了。你瞧那些跟老爷去的人，他男人在外头不多几时，那些小老婆子们便金头银面的妆扮起来了，可不是在外头瞒著老爷弄钱？你叔叔便由著他们闹去，若弄出事来，不但自己的官做不成，只怕连祖上的官也要抹掉了呢。”贾琏道：“婶子说得很是。方才我听见参了，吓的了不得，直等打听明白才放心。也愿意老爷做个京官，安安逸逸的做几年，才保得住一辈子的声名。就是老太太知道了，倒也是放心的，只要太太说得宽缓些。”王夫人道：“我知道。你到底再去打听打听。”

賈璉答應了，才要出來，只見薛姨媽家的老婆子慌慌張張的走來，到王夫人里間屋內，也沒說請安，便道：“我們太太叫我來告訴這里的姨太太，說我們家了不得了，又鬧出事來了。”王夫人聽了，便問：“鬧出什麼事來？”那婆子又說：“了不得，了不得！”王夫人哼道：“糊涂東西！Jia Lian assented, and was just going out when he saw an old woman from Aunt Xue's household come hurrying in, all in a fluster. She went straight into Lady Wang's inner room, and without even a word of greeting said, "My mistress sent me to tell Madam here that things are terrible at our house — trouble has broken out again." Hearing this, Lady Wang asked, "What kind of trouble has broken out?" The old woman only said again, "Terrible, terrible!" Lady Wang snorted, "You muddled thing!有要緊事你到底說啊！”婆子便說：“我們家二爺不在家，一個男人也沒有。If it's something urgent, out with it!" The old woman said, "Our Second Master is not at home, and there isn't a single man about the place.這件事情出來怎麼辦！Now that this thing has happened, whatever are we to do!要求太太打發幾位爺們去料理料理。”王夫人聽著不懂，便急著道：“究竟要爺們去幹什麼事？”婆子道：“我們大奶奶死了。”王夫人聽了，便啐道：“這种女人死，死了罷咧，也值得大驚小怪的！”婆子道：“不是好好兒死的，是混鬧死的。We beg Madam to send a few of the young masters over to see to things." Lady Wang could not make sense of this, and asked anxiously, "What exactly do you need the young masters to do?" The old woman said, "Our Eldest Mistress has died." Hearing this, Lady Wang spat out, "If a woman like that dies, then she's died and there's an end of it — is it worth all this fuss?" The old woman said, "She didn't die a natural death — she died in some wild, senseless way.快求太太打發人去辦辦。”說著就要走。Please, Madam, send someone quickly to see to it." So saying, she made to leave at once.王夫人又生氣，又好笑，說：“這婆子好混帳。Lady Wang was both angry and amused, and said, "What a muddle-headed old woman this is.璉哥兒，倒不如你過去瞧瞧，別理那糊涂東西。”那婆子沒聽見打發人去，只聽見說別理他，他便賭氣跑回去了。Lian, you'd better go over yourself and have a look — pay no attention to that foolish creature." The old woman did not catch that someone was being sent, but heard only "pay no attention to her," and ran off in a huff.這里薛姨媽正在著急，再等不來，好容易見那婆子來了，便問：“姨太太打發誰來？”婆子歎說道：“人最不要有急難事，什麼好親好眷，看來也不中用。Meanwhile Aunt Xue was growing more and more anxious, waiting and waiting with no one coming, until at last the old woman appeared. She asked at once, "Whom did Madam Wang send?" The old woman sighed and said, "A person had best never have any urgent trouble — good relatives, dear kin, it seems, are of no use at all in the end.姨太太不但不肯照應我們，倒罵我糊涂。”薛姨媽聽了，又氣又急道：“姨太太不管，你姑奶奶怎麼說了？”婆子道：“姨太太既不管，我們家的姑奶奶自然更不管了。Madam not only refused to look after us, she even scolded me for being muddle-headed." Hearing this, Aunt Xue was both furious and distressed, and said, "If Madam won't be bothered, what did your young mistress say?" The old woman said, "Since Madam wouldn't be bothered, our young mistress of course would care even less.沒有去告訴。”薛姨媽啐道：“姨太太是外人，姑娘是我養的，怎麼不管！”婆子一時省悟道：“是啊，這麼著我還去。”I never even told her." Aunt Xue spat out, "Madam Wang is an outsider, but the young lady is my own child — how could she not care!" The old woman, suddenly seeing her mistake, said, "Ah, that's true — then I'll go and tell her after all."

贾琏答应了，才要出来，只见薛姨妈家的老婆子慌慌张张的走来，到王夫人里间屋内，也没说请安，便道：“我们太太叫我来告诉这里的姨太太，说我们家了不得了，又闹出事来了。”王夫人听了，便问：“闹出什么事来？”那婆子又说：“了不得，了不得！”王夫人哼道：“糊涂东西！有要紧事你到底说啊！”婆子便说：“我们家二爷不在家，一个男人也没有。这件事情出来怎么办！要求太太打发几位爷们去料理料理。”王夫人听著不懂，便急著道：“究竟要爷们去干什么事？”婆子道：“我们大奶奶死了。”王夫人听了，便啐道：“这种女人死，死了罢咧，也值得大惊小怪的！”婆子道：“不是好好儿死的，是混闹死的。快求太太打发人去办办。”说著就要走。王夫人又生气，又好笑，说：“这婆子好混帐。琏哥儿，倒不如你过去瞧瞧，别理那糊涂东西。”那婆子没听见打发人去，只听见说别理他，他便赌气跑回去了。这里薛姨妈正在著急，再等不来，好容易见那婆子来了，便问：“姨太太打发谁来？”婆子叹说道：“人最不要有急难事，什么好亲好眷，看来也不中用。姨太太不但不肯照应我们，倒骂我糊涂。”薛姨妈听了，又气又急道：“姨太太不管，你姑奶奶怎么说了？”婆子道：“姨太太既不管，我们家的姑奶奶自然更不管了。没有去告诉。”薛姨妈啐道：“姨太太是外人，姑娘是我养的，怎么不管！”婆子一时省悟道：“是啊，这么著我还去。”

正說著，只見賈璉來了，給薛姨媽請了安，道了惱，回說：“我嬸子知道弟婦死了，問老婆子，再說不明，著急得很，打發我來問個明白，還叫我在這里料理。Just as she spoke, Jia Lian arrived. He greeted Aunt Xue, apologized for the trouble, and reported, "My aunt learned that my cousin's wife had died; she questioned the old woman, but couldn't get a clear answer out of her and grew quite anxious, so she sent me to find out exactly what has happened, and told me to see to matters here as well.該怎麼樣，姨太太只管說了辦去。”薛姨媽本來氣得干哭，聽見賈璉的話，便笑著說：“倒要二爺費心。Whatever needs doing, Aunt, just tell me and I'll see to it." Aunt Xue, who had been so angry she was crying dry tears, smiled on hearing Jia Lian's words and said, "Then I must trouble you, Second Brother, after all.我說姨太太是待我們最好的，都是這老貨說不清，幾乎誤了事。I kept saying Madam Wang treats us better than anyone — it was all this old wretch's fault for not being able to explain herself, and it nearly ruined everything.請二爺坐下，等我慢慢的告訴你。”便說：“不為別的事，為的是媳婦不是好死的。”賈璉道：“想是為兄弟犯事怨命死的？”薛姨媽道：“若這樣倒好了。Please sit down, Second Brother, and let me tell you slowly." She then said, "It's nothing else — it's that my daughter-in-law did not die a natural death." Jia Lian said, "I suppose it's that she resented her fate over your brother's troubles, and died of it?" Aunt Xue said, "If it were only that, it would be well enough.前幾個月頭里，他天天蓬頭赤腳的瘋鬧。A few months back, she used to carry on wildly every day, hair disheveled and feet bare.後來聽見你兄弟問了死罪，他雖哭了一場，以後倒擦脂抹粉的起來。Later, when she heard your brother had been sentenced to death, she wept for a while, but after that she actually began powdering and rouging herself again.我若說他，又要吵個了不得，我總不理他。If I said anything to her, she'd make an unbearable scene, so I simply left her alone.有一天不知怎麼樣來要香菱去作伴，我說：‘你放著寶蟾，還要香菱做什麼，況且香菱是你不愛的，何苦招氣生。’他必不依。One day, for some reason, she took it into her head to want Xiangling to keep her company. I said, 'You have Baochan already — what do you want with Xiangling? Besides, you've never liked Xiangling; why ask for trouble?' But she absolutely would not listen.我沒法兒，便叫香菱到他屋里去。I had no choice, so I sent Xiangling to her rooms.可怜這香菱不敢違我的話，帶著病就去了。Poor Xiangling did not dare disobey me, and went, sick as she was.誰知道他待香菱很好，我倒喜歡。Who would have thought she'd treat Xiangling so well? I was actually pleased.你大妹妹知道了，說：‘只怕不是好心罷。’我也不理會。When your elder cousin Baochai heard of it, she said, 'I'm afraid it may not come from good intentions.' But I paid it no mind.頭幾天香菱病著，他倒親手去做湯給他吃，那知香菱沒福，剛端到跟前，他自己燙了手，連碗都砸了。A few days ago, while Xiangling was ill, she actually made soup for her with her own hands. But it seems Xiangling had no such luck — just as the bowl was brought to her, Jingui scalded her own hand and smashed the bowl to pieces.我只說必要遷怒在香菱身上，他倒沒生氣，自己還拿笤帚掃了，拿水潑淨了地，仍舊兩個人很好。I thought for sure she would take out her anger on Xiangling, but instead she wasn't angry at all — she even swept up the pieces herself and washed the floor clean with water, and the two of them remained on good terms as before.昨兒晚上，又叫寶蟾去做了兩碗湯來，自己說同香菱一塊兒喝。Last night, she had Baochan make two bowls of soup again, saying she would drink it together with Xiangling.隔了一回，聽見他屋里兩只腳蹬響，寶蟾急的亂嚷，以後香菱也嚷著扶著牆出來叫人。A little while later, we heard the sound of feet kicking wildly inside her room; Baochan was shouting in a panic, and then Xiangling too came out, crying for help while holding herself up against the wall.我忙著看去，只見媳婦鼻子眼睛里都流出血來，在地下亂滾，兩手在心口亂抓，兩腳亂蹬，把我就嚇死了，問他也說不出來，只管直嚷，鬧了一回就死了。I rushed over to look, and there was my daughter-in-law with blood streaming from her nose and eyes, rolling on the ground, clawing wildly at her chest with both hands and kicking with both feet — it frightened me half to death. I asked her what was wrong, but she could say nothing, only kept crying out, and after thrashing about for a while, she died.我瞧那光景是服了毒的。From the look of it, I could tell she had taken poison.寶蟾便哭著來揪香菱，說他把藥藥死了奶奶了。Baochan came weeping and grabbed hold of Xiangling, saying she had poisoned her mistress to death.我看香菱也不是這麼樣的人，再者他病的起還起不來，怎麼能藥人呢。But to my mind Xiangling isn't the sort of person to do such a thing, and besides, she's been so ill she can barely rise from bed — how could she have poisoned anyone?無奈寶蟾一口咬定。Still, Baochan insists on it stubbornly and will not budge.我的二爺，這叫我怎麼辦！Oh, Second Brother, whatever am I to do!只得硬著心腸叫老婆子們把香菱捆了，交給寶蟾，便把房門反扣了。I had no choice but to steel myself and have the old women tie Xiangling up and hand her over to Baochan's keeping, and then I bolted the door from outside.我同你二妹妹守了一夜，等府里的門開了才告訴去的。Your cousin Baoqin and I kept watch all through the night, and only when the mansion gates opened this morning did I send word.二爺你是明白人，這件事怎麼好？”賈璉道：“夏家知道了沒有？”薛姨媽道：“也得撕擄明白了才好報啊。”賈璉道：“据我看起來，必要經官才了得下來。Second Brother, you're a sensible man — what's to be done about this?" Jia Lian said, "Does the Xia family know yet?" Aunt Xue said, "I thought it best to get things sorted out clearly before reporting to them." Jia Lian said, "The way I see it, this can only be settled by bringing it before the authorities.我們自然疑在寶蟾身上，別人便說寶蟾為什麼藥死他奶奶，也是沒答對的。Naturally our own suspicion falls on Baochan, but if others ask why Baochan would poison her own mistress to death, there's no good answer to that either.若說在香菱身上，竟還裝得上。”正說著，只見榮府女人們進來說：“我們二奶奶來了。”賈璉雖是大伯子，因從小兒見的，也不回避。Whereas if it's laid on Xiangling, it might at least seem plausible." Just as he was speaking, some women from the Rong mansion came in and announced, "Our Second Mistress has arrived." Although Jia Lian, as her elder cousin-in-law, might properly have withdrawn, since they had known each other from childhood he did not bother to avoid her.寶釵進來見了母親，又見了賈璉，便往里間屋里同寶琴坐下。Baochai came in, greeted her mother, and greeted Jia Lian as well, then went into the inner room and sat down together with Baoqin.薛姨媽也將前事告訴一遍。Aunt Xue told the whole affair over again from the beginning.寶釵便說：“若把香菱捆了，可不是我們也說是香菱藥死的了么？Baochai said, "If we tie up Xiangling, wouldn't that be as good as our own household saying it was Xiangling who poisoned her?媽媽說這湯是寶蟾做的，就該捆起寶蟾來問他呀。Mother, you say the soup was made by Baochan — then it's Baochan who should be tied up and questioned.一面便該打發人報夏家去，一面報官的是。”薛姨媽聽見有理，便問賈璉。At the same time, someone should be sent to inform the Xia family, and word should also be sent to the authorities." Aunt Xue found this reasonable, and turned to ask Jia Lian.賈璉道：“二妹子說得很是。Jia Lian said, "What Cousin Baochai says is quite right.報官還得我去，托了刑部里的人，相驗問口供的時候有照應得。As for reporting to the authorities, I had better go myself and ask a favor of someone I know at the Board of Punishments, so that when they come to examine the body and take testimony, there will be someone to look after our interests.只是要捆寶蟾放香菱倒怕難些。”薛姨媽道：“并不是我要捆香菱，我恐怕香菱病中受怨著急，一時尋死，又添了一條人命，才捆了交給寶蟾，也是一個主意。”賈璉道：“雖是這麼說，我們倒幫了寶蟾了。Only, to tie up Baochan and free Xiangling may be somewhat difficult." Aunt Xue said, "It's not that I wanted to tie up Xiangling — I was afraid that, ill and wrongly blamed as she was, she might in her distress try to take her own life, adding yet another death to this business, and so I had her bound and handed to Baochan — it seemed one way to manage it." Jia Lian said, "Even so, by doing it that way, we've actually helped Baochan's case.若要放都放，要捆都捆，他們三個人是一處的。If they're to be released, all should be released; if bound, all should be bound — the three of them were together in the same room after all.只要叫人安慰香菱就是了。”薛姨媽便叫人開門進去，寶釵就派了帶來幾個女人幫著捆寶蟾。It will do just to have someone comfort Xiangling." Aunt Xue then had the door opened, and Baochai sent in a few of the women she had brought with her to help tie up Baochan.只見香菱已哭得死去活來，寶蟾反得意洋洋。They found Xiangling had wept until she seemed half dead, while Baochan, on the contrary, looked smug and pleased with herself.以後見人要捆他，便亂嚷起來。But once she saw that people meant to tie her up too, she at once began to shriek and make a scene.那禁得榮府的人吆喝著，也就捆了。Yet she was no match for the Rong mansion's people, who shouted her down and bound her all the same.竟開著門，好叫人看著。The door was left open on purpose, so that people could keep an eye on them.這里報夏家的人已經去了。By now, the messenger sent to inform the Xia family had already set out.

正说著，只见贾琏来了，给薛姨妈请了安，道了恼，回说：“我婶子知道弟妇死了，问老婆子，再说不明，著急得很，打发我来问个明白，还叫我在这里料理。该怎么样，姨太太只管说了办去。”薛姨妈本来气得干哭，听见贾琏的话，便笑著说：“倒要二爷费心。我说姨太太是待我们最好的，都是这老货说不清，几乎误了事。请二爷坐下，等我慢慢的告诉你。”便说：“不为别的事，为的是媳妇不是好死的。”贾琏道：“想是为兄弟犯事怨命死的？”薛姨妈道：“若这样倒好了。前几个月头里，他天天蓬头赤脚的疯闹。后来听见你兄弟问了死罪，他虽哭了一场，以后倒擦脂抹粉的起来。我若说他，又要吵个了不得，我总不理他。有一天不知怎么样来要香菱去作伴，我说：‘你放著宝蟾，还要香菱做什么，况且香菱是你不爱的，何苦招气生。’他必不依。我没法儿，便叫香菱到他屋里去。可怜这香菱不敢违我的话，带著病就去了。谁知道他待香菱很好，我倒喜欢。你大妹妹知道了，说：‘只怕不是好心罢。’我也不理会。头几天香菱病著，他倒亲手去做汤给他吃，那知香菱没福，刚端到跟前，他自己烫了手，连碗都砸了。我只说必要迁怒在香菱身上，他倒没生气，自己还拿笤帚扫了，拿水泼净了地，仍旧两个人很好。昨儿晚上，又叫宝蟾去做了两碗汤来，自己说同香菱一块儿喝。隔了一回，听见他屋里两只脚蹬响，宝蟾急的乱嚷，以后香菱也嚷著扶著墙出来叫人。我忙著看去，只见媳妇鼻子眼睛里都流出血来，在地下乱滚，两手在心口乱抓，两脚乱蹬，把我就吓死了，问他也说不出来，只管直嚷，闹了一回就死了。我瞧那光景是服了毒的。宝蟾便哭著来揪香菱，说他把药药死了奶奶了。我看香菱也不是这么样的人，再者他病的起还起不来，怎么能药人呢。无奈宝蟾一口咬定。我的二爷，这叫我怎么办！只得硬著心肠叫老婆子们把香菱捆了，交给宝蟾，便把房门反扣了。我同你二妹妹守了一夜，等府里的门开了才告诉去的。二爷你是明白人，这件事怎么好？”贾琏道：“夏家知道了没有？”薛姨妈道：“也得撕掳明白了才好报啊。”贾琏道：“据我看起来，必要经官才了得下来。我们自然疑在宝蟾身上，别人便说宝蟾为什么药死他奶奶，也是没答对的。若说在香菱身上，竟还装得上。”正说著，只见荣府女人们进来说：“我们二奶奶来了。”贾琏虽是大伯子，因从小儿见的，也不回避。宝钗进来见了母亲，又见了贾琏，便往里间屋里同宝琴坐下。薛姨妈也将前事告诉一遍。宝钗便说：“若把香菱捆了，可不是我们也说是香菱药死的了么？妈妈说这汤是宝蟾做的，就该捆起宝蟾来问他呀。一面便该打发人报夏家去，一面报官的是。”薛姨妈听见有理，便问贾琏。贾琏道：“二妹子说得很是。报官还得我去，托了刑部里的人，相验问口供的时候有照应得。只是要捆宝蟾放香菱倒怕难些。”薛姨妈道：“并不是我要捆香菱，我恐怕香菱病中受怨著急，一时寻死，又添了一条人命，才捆了交给宝蟾，也是一个主意。”贾琏道：“虽是这么说，我们倒帮了宝蟾了。若要放都放，要捆都捆，他们三个人是一处的。只要叫人安慰香菱就是了。”薛姨妈便叫人开门进去，宝钗就派了带来几个女人帮著捆宝蟾。只见香菱已哭得死去活来，宝蟾反得意洋洋。以后见人要捆他，便乱嚷起来。那禁得荣府的人吆喝著，也就捆了。竟开著门，好叫人看著。这里报夏家的人已经去了。

那夏家先前不住在京里，因近年消索，又記挂女兒，新近搬進京來。The Xia family had not lived in the capital before; but as their means had dwindled in recent years, and being anxious about their daughter, they had only recently moved into the city.父親已沒，只有母親，又過繼了一個混帳兒子，把家業都花完了，不時的常到薛家。The father had already died; only the mother remained, and she had adopted a good-for-nothing son who had squandered the whole family fortune, and who was forever going round to the Xue household.那金桂原是個水性人兒，那里守得住空房，況兼天天心里想念薛蝌，便有些饑不擇食的光景。Now Jingui had always been a woman of loose, changeable nature, and how could she bear to keep to an empty room? What's more, day after day her thoughts dwelt on Xue Ke, so that she began, as it were, to grow desperate enough to take whatever came to hand.無奈他這一乾兄弟又是個蠢貨，雖也有些知覺，只是尚未入港。Unfortunately, this adopted brother of hers was a stupid fellow — though he had some inkling of her feelings, he had not yet caught on enough to act on it.所以金桂時常回去，也幫貼他些銀錢。So Jingui often went back to her mother's house, and helped him out with money from time to time.這些時正盼金桂回家，只見薛家的人來，心里就想又拿什麼東西來了。Just now, while they were expecting Jingui home, they saw someone from the Xue household arrive, and thought to themselves that she must be sending something over again.不料說這里姑娘服毒死了，他便氣得亂嚷亂叫。Instead, they were told that the young lady had taken poison and died, and the brother flew into a rage, shouting and yelling wildly.金桂的母親聽見了，更哭喊起來，說：“好端端的女孩兒在他家，為什麼服了毒呢！”哭著喊著的，帶了兒子，也等不得雇車，便要走來。When Jingui's mother heard it, she broke into even louder weeping and wailing, crying, "My daughter was perfectly well — why should she have taken poison in that house!" Weeping and wailing, she took her son and, without even waiting to hire a cart, set off on foot at once.那夏家本是買賣人家，如今沒了錢，那顧什麼臉面。The Xia family had originally been shopkeepers, and now that they had no money left, what face was there left to preserve?兒子頭里就走，他跟了一個破老婆子出了門，在街上啼啼哭哭的雇了一輛破車，便跑到薛家。The son went ahead on foot, and she followed behind with a shabby old serving-woman, weeping and crying all the way through the streets until they hired a battered cart and hurried straight to the Xue household.

那夏家先前不住在京里，因近年消索，又记挂女儿，新近搬进京来。父亲已没，只有母亲，又过继了一个混帐儿子，把家业都花完了，不时的常到薛家。那金桂原是个水性人儿，那里守得住空房，况兼天天心里想念薛蝌，便有些饥不择食的光景。无奈他这一干兄弟又是个蠢货，虽也有些知觉，只是尚未入港。所以金桂时常回去，也帮贴他些银钱。这些时正盼金桂回家，只见薛家的人来，心里就想又拿什么东西来了。不料说这里姑娘服毒死了，他便气得乱嚷乱叫。金桂的母亲听见了，更哭喊起来，说：“好端端的女孩儿在他家，为什么服了毒呢！”哭著喊著的，带了儿子，也等不得雇车，便要走来。那夏家本是买卖人家，如今没了钱，那顾什么脸面。儿子头里就走，他跟了一个破老婆子出了门，在街上啼啼哭哭的雇了一辆破车，便跑到薛家。

進門也不打話，便兒一聲肉一聲的要討人命。The moment she came through the gate, without a word of greeting, she began wailing "my child, my own flesh" and demanding a life for a life.那時賈璉到刑部托人，家里只有薛姨媽，寶釵，寶琴，何曾見過個陣仗，都嚇得不敢則聲。At that time Jia Lian had gone to the Board of Punishments to arrange help, and at home there were only Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Baoqin — when had they ever witnessed such a scene? — and they were all so frightened they dared not make a sound.便要與他講理，他們也不聽，只說：“我女孩兒在你家得過什麼好處，兩口朝打暮罵的。Someone tried to reason with her, but she would not listen at all, only saying, "What good did my daughter ever get in your house? Morning and night the two of them beat and cursed each other.鬧了幾時，還不容他兩口子在一處，你們商量著把女婿弄在監里，永不見面。After all that carrying-on, you still wouldn't even let the couple live together — instead you all put your heads together and got my son-in-law thrown into prison, so they'd never see each other again.你們娘兒們仗著好親戚受用也罷了，還嫌他礙眼，叫人藥死了他，倒說是服毒！You mother and children, relying on your grand connections, live in comfort — that's bad enough — but then you found her a nuisance in your way, and had someone poison her to death, and now you claim she took poison herself!他為什麼服毒！”說著，直奔著薛姨媽來。Why on earth would she poison herself!" So saying, she made straight for Aunt Xue.薛姨媽只得後退，說：“親家太太且請瞧瞧你女兒，問問寶蟾，再說歪話不遲。”那寶釵寶琴因外面有夏家的兒子，難以出來攔護，只在里邊著急。Aunt Xue could only back away, saying, "Dear in-law, please first go and look at your daughter, and question Baochan — there will be time enough afterward to say such wild things." Baochai and Baoqin, because the Xia son was outside, found it hard to come out and intervene, and could only fret anxiously within.恰好王夫人打發周瑞家的照看，一進門來，見一個老婆子指著薛姨媽的臉哭罵。Just then Zhou Rui's wife, whom Lady Wang had sent to look after things, happened to come in, and saw an old woman pointing straight at Aunt Xue's face, weeping and cursing at her.周瑞家的知道必是金桂的母親，便走上來說：“這位是親家太太么？Zhou Rui's wife guessed at once this must be Jingui's mother, and stepped forward, saying, "Might this be the honored in-law?大奶奶自己服毒死的，與我們姨太太什麼相干，也不犯這麼遭塌呀。”那金桂的母親問：“你是誰？”薛姨媽見有了人，膽子略壯了些，便說：“這就是我親戚賈府里的。”金桂的母親便說道：“誰不知道，你們有仗腰子的親戚，才能夠叫姑爺坐在監里。The Eldest Mistress took poison and died by her own hand — what has that to do with our Madam? There's no call to abuse her so." Jingui's mother asked, "Who are you?" Seeing she now had support, Aunt Xue's courage rose a little, and she said, "This is my relative from the Jia household." Jingui's mother said, "Who doesn't know it — it's precisely because you have such powerful relatives backing you that you were able to get my son-in-law thrown into prison in the first place.如今我的女孩兒倒白死了不成！”說著，便拉薛姨媽說：“你到底把我女兒怎樣弄殺了？And now is my daughter to have died for nothing?" So saying, she seized hold of Aunt Xue, crying, "Tell me exactly how you did my daughter to death!給我瞧瞧！”周瑞家的一面勸說：“只管瞧瞧，用不著拉拉扯扯。”便把手一推。Show me!" Zhou Rui's wife, trying to calm her, said, "By all means go and look — there's no need to grab and pull," and gave her hand a push away.夏家的兒子便跑進來不依道：“你仗著府里的勢頭兒來打我母親么！”說著，便將椅子打去，卻沒有打著。At this the Xia son rushed in, refusing to let it go, shouting, "Are you relying on the mansion's power to strike my mother!" and with that hurled a chair, though it missed its mark.里頭跟寶釵的人聽見外頭鬧起來，赶著來瞧，恐怕周瑞家的吃虧，齊打伙的上去半勸半喝。The attendants who had come with Baochai, hearing the commotion outside, hurried out to see what was happening, and fearing Zhou Rui's wife might come to harm, all crowded forward together, half persuading and half shouting the intruders down.那夏家的母子索性撒起潑來，說：“知道你們榮府的勢頭兒。The Xia mother and son, seeing this, simply gave themselves over to making a scene outright, saying, "We know all about the power of your Rong mansion.我們家的姑娘已經死了，如今也都不要命了！”說著，仍奔薛姨媽拼命。Our daughter is already dead — now none of us care whether we live either!" So saying, they again rushed at Aunt Xue as if ready to fight to the death.地下的人雖多，那里擋得住，自古說的“一人拼命，萬夫莫當。”Although there were many people standing about, how could they hold the two back? As the old saying goes, "When one person is ready to die, ten thousand men cannot withstand him."

进门也不打话，便儿一声肉一声的要讨人命。那时贾琏到刑部托人，家里只有薛姨妈，宝钗，宝琴，何曾见过个阵仗，都吓得不敢则声。便要与他讲理，他们也不听，只说：“我女孩儿在你家得过什么好处，两口朝打暮骂的。闹了几时，还不容他两口子在一处，你们商量著把女婿弄在监里，永不见面。你们娘儿们仗著好亲戚受用也罢了，还嫌他碍眼，叫人药死了他，倒说是服毒！他为什么服毒！”说著，直奔著薛姨妈来。薛姨妈只得后退，说：“亲家太太且请瞧瞧你女儿，问问宝蟾，再说歪话不迟。”那宝钗宝琴因外面有夏家的儿子，难以出来拦护，只在里边著急。恰好王夫人打发周瑞家的照看，一进门来，见一个老婆子指著薛姨妈的脸哭骂。周瑞家的知道必是金桂的母亲，便走上来说：“这位是亲家太太么？大奶奶自己服毒死的，与我们姨太太什么相干，也不犯这么遭塌呀。”那金桂的母亲问：“你是谁？”薛姨妈见有了人，胆子略壮了些，便说：“这就是我亲戚贾府里的。”金桂的母亲便说道：“谁不知道，你们有仗腰子的亲戚，才能够叫姑爷坐在监里。如今我的女孩儿倒白死了不成！”说著，便拉薛姨妈说：“你到底把我女儿怎样弄杀了？给我瞧瞧！”周瑞家的一面劝说：“只管瞧瞧，用不著拉拉扯扯。”便把手一推。夏家的儿子便跑进来不依道：“你仗著府里的势头儿来打我母亲么！”说著，便将椅子打去，却没有打著。里头跟宝钗的人听见外头闹起来，赶著来瞧，恐怕周瑞家的吃亏，齐打伙的上去半劝半喝。那夏家的母子索性撒起泼来，说：“知道你们荣府的势头儿。我们家的姑娘已经死了，如今也都不要命了！”说著，仍奔薛姨妈拼命。地下的人虽多，那里挡得住，自古说的“一人拼命，万夫莫当。”

正鬧到危急之際，賈璉帶了七八個家人進來，見是如此，便叫人先把夏家的兒子拉出去，便說：“你們不許鬧，有話好好兒的說。Just as things had reached this dangerous pitch, Jia Lian arrived with seven or eight menservants. Seeing how matters stood, he had the Xia son pulled outside first, and said, "None of this uproar is allowed — if you have something to say, say it properly.快將家里收拾收拾，刑部里頭的老爺們就來相驗了。”金桂的母親正在撒潑，只見來了一位老爺，幾個在頭里吆喝，那些人都垂手侍立。Get the house tidied up quickly — the gentlemen from the Board of Punishments will be here soon to examine the body." Jingui's mother, right in the middle of her tantrum, saw a gentleman arrive with several men clearing the way and shouting ahead of him, and all the bystanders stood respectfully with hands at their sides.金桂的母親見這個光景，也不知是賈府何人，又見他兒子已被人揪住，又聽見說刑部來驗，他心里原想看見女兒尸首先鬧了一個稀爛再去喊官去，不承望這里先報了官，也便軟了些。Seeing this, and not knowing who this person from the Jia household might be, and further seeing her son already seized and held, and hearing that the Board of Punishments was coming to make an examination, Jingui's mother — who had originally meant to look at her daughter's corpse and make an utter shambles of things before going to report to the authorities herself — had not expected that word had already been sent to the officials first, and so her manner softened somewhat.薛姨媽已嚇糊涂了。Aunt Xue by now was frightened out of her wits.還是周瑞家的回說：“他們來了，也沒有去瞧他姑娘，便作踐起姨太太來了。It was Zhou Rui's wife who spoke up and reported, "They arrived, and without even going to look at their own daughter, they set straight upon abusing our Madam.我們為好勸他，那里跑進一個野男人，在奶奶們里頭混撒村混打，這可不是沒有王法了！”賈璉道：“這回子不用和他講理，等一會子打著問他，說：男人有男人的所在，里頭都是些姑娘奶奶們，況且有他母親還瞧不見他們姑娘么，他跑進來不是要打搶來了么！”家人們做好做歹壓伏住了。We tried to reason gently with her, and then out of nowhere this rough stranger of a man came charging in, cursing and striking about among the young ladies and mistresses inside — is that not utterly lawless!" Jia Lian said, "There's no need to argue with him now — later, when he's brought in for questioning, ask him: a man has his own proper place; inside here are all young ladies and married women. Besides, with his own mother present, could she not see her own daughter without him barging in? Wasn't his rushing in here nothing but an attempt to strike and rob?" The menservants, using both firmness and persuasion, at last got the pair subdued.周瑞家的仗著人多，便說：“夏太太，你不懂事，既來了，該問個青紅皂白。Zhou Rui's wife, emboldened by the number of people on her side, said, "Mrs. Xia, you don't understand how things are done. Now that you've come, you ought to ask into the rights and wrongs of the matter first.你們姑娘是自己服毒死了，不然便是寶蟾藥死他主子了，怎麼不問明白，又不看尸首，就想訛人來了呢，我們就肯叫一個媳婦兒白死了不成！Either your daughter took poison and died by her own hand, or else it was Baochan who poisoned her mistress to death — how can you come here to extort us before even asking clearly, or even looking at the body? Do you think we would ever be willing to let a daughter-in-law of ours die for nothing without seeking the truth?現在把寶蟾捆著，因為你們姑娘必要點病兒，所以叫香菱陪著他，也在一個屋里住，故此兩個人都看守在那里，原等你們來眼看看刑部相驗，問出道理來才是啊。”Right now Baochan has been bound, because your daughter had insisted on having a companion during her illness, and so Xiangling was sent to stay with her in the same room — that is why the two of them are both being kept under watch, precisely so that you could come and see for yourselves when the Board of Punishments examines the case and the truth of the matter is brought out."

正闹到危急之际，贾琏带了七八个家人进来，见是如此，便叫人先把夏家的儿子拉出去，便说：“你们不许闹，有话好好儿的说。快将家里收拾收拾，刑部里头的老爷们就来相验了。”金桂的母亲正在撒泼，只见来了一位老爷，几个在头里吆喝，那些人都垂手侍立。金桂的母亲见这个光景，也不知是贾府何人，又见他儿子已被人揪住，又听见说刑部来验，他心里原想看见女儿尸首先闹了一个稀烂再去喊官去，不承望这里先报了官，也便软了些。薛姨妈已吓糊涂了。还是周瑞家的回说：“他们来了，也没有去瞧他姑娘，便作践起姨太太来了。我们为好劝他，那里跑进一个野男人，在奶奶们里头混撒村混打，这可不是没有王法了！”贾琏道：“这回子不用和他讲理，等一会子打著问他，说：男人有男人的所在，里头都是些姑娘奶奶们，况且有他母亲还瞧不见他们姑娘么，他跑进来不是要打抢来了么！”家人们做好做歹压伏住了。周瑞家的仗著人多，便说：“夏太太，你不懂事，既来了，该问个青红皂白。你们姑娘是自己服毒死了，不然便是宝蟾药死他主子了，怎么不问明白，又不看尸首，就想讹人来了呢，我们就肯叫一个媳妇儿白死了不成！现在把宝蟾捆著，因为你们姑娘必要点病儿，所以叫香菱陪著他，也在一个屋里住，故此两个人都看守在那里，原等你们来眼看看刑部相验，问出道理来才是啊。”

金桂的母親此時勢孤，也只得跟著周瑞家的到他女孩兒屋里，只見滿臉黑血，直挺挺的躺在炕上，便叫哭起來。Jingui's mother, finding herself now alone and without support, had no choice but to follow Zhou Rui's wife into her daughter's room, where she saw her lying stiff and stretched out on the kang, her whole face covered in dark, dried blood, and at once she broke into loud weeping.寶蟾見是他家的人來，便哭喊說：“我們姑娘好意待香菱，叫他在一塊兒住，他倒抽空兒藥死我們姑娘！”那時薛家上下人等俱在，便齊聲吆喝道：“胡說，昨日奶奶喝了湯才藥死的，這湯可不是你做的！”寶蟾道：“湯是我做的，端了來我有事走了，不知香菱起來放些什麼在里頭藥死的。”金桂的母親聽未說完，就奔香菱。When Baochan saw that people from Jingui's own family had come, she began wailing and crying, "Our mistress treated Xiangling so kindly, having her stay with her — and Xiangling seized the chance to poison our mistress to death!" At that, everyone in the Xue household, high and low, who was present cried out together, "Nonsense! It was after our mistress drank the soup yesterday that she was poisoned — and wasn't that soup made by you yourself!" Baochan said, "I did make the soup, but after I brought it in I had something to attend to and left the room — I don't know what Xiangling might have gotten up and put into it to poison her." Before she had even finished speaking, Jingui's mother rushed straight at Xiangling.眾人攔住。The whole crowd held her back.薛姨媽便道：“這樣子是砒霜藥的，家里決無此物。Aunt Xue then said, "From the look of it, this was done with arsenic — and there is certainly no such thing in this house.不管香菱寶蟾，終有替他買的，回來刑部少不得問出來，才賴不去。Whether it was Xiangling or Baochan, someone must have bought it for her in the end — when the Board of Punishments comes, they are sure to get it out in questioning, and then there will be no denying it.如今把媳婦權放平正，好等官來相驗。”眾婆子上來抬放。For now, let us lay my daughter-in-law's body out straight and proper, so as to be ready when the officials come to examine it." The old serving-women came forward to lift and arrange the body.寶釵道：“都是男人進來，你們將女人動用的東西檢點檢點。”只見炕褥底下有一個揉成團的紙包兒。Baochai said, "Since only men will be coming in later, you had better first check over the things a woman would use." Just then, under the kang mattress, they found a small paper packet crumpled into a ball.金桂的母親瞧見便拾起，打開看時，并沒有什麼，便撩開了。Jingui's mother, seeing it, picked it up and opened it, but finding nothing inside, tossed it aside.寶蟾看見道：“可不是有了憑据了。Baochan, seeing this, cried, "Isn't that just the proof we need!這個紙包兒我認得，頭幾天耗子鬧得慌，奶奶家去與舅爺要的，拿回來擱在首飾匣內，必是香菱看見了拿來藥死奶奶的。I recognize that paper packet — a few days ago the rats were making such a nuisance that our mistress went home and got some poison from her adoptive brother, and brought it back and put it in her jewelry box. It must be that Xiangling saw it there and took it to poison our mistress with.若不信，你們看看首飾匣里有沒有了。”If you don't believe it, go and look in the jewelry box and see whether it's still there."

金桂的母亲此时势孤，也只得跟著周瑞家的到他女孩儿屋里，只见满脸黑血，直挺挺的躺在炕上，便叫哭起来。宝蟾见是他家的人来，便哭喊说：“我们姑娘好意待香菱，叫他在一块儿住，他倒抽空儿药死我们姑娘！”那时薛家上下人等俱在，便齐声吆喝道：“胡说，昨日奶奶喝了汤才药死的，这汤可不是你做的！”宝蟾道：“汤是我做的，端了来我有事走了，不知香菱起来放些什么在里头药死的。”金桂的母亲听未说完，就奔香菱。众人拦住。薛姨妈便道：“这样子是砒霜药的，家里决无此物。不管香菱宝蟾，终有替他买的，回来刑部少不得问出来，才赖不去。如今把媳妇权放平正，好等官来相验。”众婆子上来抬放。宝钗道：“都是男人进来，你们将女人动用的东西检点检点。”只见炕褥底下有一个揉成团的纸包儿。金桂的母亲瞧见便拾起，打开看时，并没有什么，便撩开了。宝蟾看见道：“可不是有了凭据了。这个纸包儿我认得，头几天耗子闹得慌，奶奶家去与舅爷要的，拿回来搁在首饰匣内，必是香菱看见了拿来药死奶奶的。若不信，你们看看首饰匣里有没有了。”

金桂的母親便依著寶蟾的所在取出匣子，只有幾支銀簪子。Following where Baochan pointed, Jingui's mother took out the box, and found only a few silver hairpins inside.薛姨媽便說：“怎麼好些首飾都沒有了？”寶釵叫人打開箱柜，俱是空的，便道：“嫂子這些東西被誰拿去，這可要問寶蟾。”金桂的母親心里也虛了好些，見薛姨媽查問寶蟾，便說：“姑娘的東西他那里知道。”周瑞家的道：“親家太太別這麼說呢。Aunt Xue said, "How is it that so many pieces of jewelry are missing?" Baochai had the chests and cabinets opened, and they were all empty as well, so she said, "As for who took these things of my sister-in-law's, that is something Baochan ought to be asked about." Jingui's mother, feeling her own position weaken considerably, seeing Aunt Xue turn to question Baochan, said, "How would she know about the young lady's things?" Zhou Rui's wife said, "Honored in-law, you mustn't say that.我知道寶姑娘是天天跟著大奶奶的，怎麼說不知！”這寶蟾見問得緊，又不好胡賴，只得說道：“奶奶自己每每帶回家去，我管得么。”眾人便說：“好個親家太太！I know very well that Baochan waited on the Eldest Mistress every single day — how could she not know!" Baochan, seeing herself pressed hard and unable simply to deny everything, was forced to say, "The mistress herself often took things back to her own home with her — how was I to control that?" Everyone exclaimed, "What a fine mother-in-law's family this is!哄著拿姑娘的東西，哄完了叫他尋死來訛我們。First tricking the young lady out of her belongings, and once that's done, driving her to her death and then coming to extort us over it.好罷了，回來相驗便是這麼說。”寶釵叫人：“到外頭告訴璉二爺說，別放了夏家的人。”Very well then — when the examination comes, that is exactly what we shall say." Baochai told someone, "Go outside and tell Second Master Lian not to let the Xia family's people go."

金桂的母亲便依著宝蟾的所在取出匣子，只有几支银簪子。薛姨妈便说：“怎么好些首饰都没有了？”宝钗叫人打开箱柜，俱是空的，便道：“嫂子这些东西被谁拿去，这可要问宝蟾。”金桂的母亲心里也虚了好些，见薛姨妈查问宝蟾，便说：“姑娘的东西他那里知道。”周瑞家的道：“亲家太太别这么说呢。我知道宝姑娘是天天跟著大奶奶的，怎么说不知！”这宝蟾见问得紧，又不好胡赖，只得说道：“奶奶自己每每带回家去，我管得么。”众人便说：“好个亲家太太！哄著拿姑娘的东西，哄完了叫他寻死来讹我们。好罢了，回来相验便是这么说。”宝钗叫人：“到外头告诉琏二爷说，别放了夏家的人。”

里面金桂的母親忙了手腳，便罵寶蟾道：“小蹄子別嚼舌頭了！Inside, Jingui's mother, flustered now, turned and cursed at Baochan, "You little hussy, stop wagging your tongue!姑娘幾時拿東西到我家去。”寶蟾道：“如今東西是小，給姑娘償命是大。”寶琴道：“有了東西就有償命的人了。When did the young lady ever take things to my house?" Baochan said, "The matter of the things is a small thing now — finding who must answer with their life for the young lady is the great thing." Baoqin said, "Once we find where the things went, we shall find the one who must answer with their life.快請璉二哥哥問准了夏家的兒子買砒霜的話，回來好回刑部里的話。”金桂的母親著了急道：“這寶蟾必是撞見鬼了，混說起來。Quickly ask Cousin Lian to press the Xia son and get a clear confession about buying the arsenic, so that we shall have something proper to report to the Board of Punishments." Jingui's mother, growing frantic, said, "This Baochan must have run into some evil spirit, to be talking such nonsense.我們姑娘何嘗買過砒霜。When did our daughter ever buy arsenic!若這麼說，必是寶蟾藥死了的。”寶蟾急的亂嚷說：“別人賴我也罷了，怎麼你們也賴起我來呢！"If that's how it is, it must have been Baochan who poisoned her to death." Baochan cried out frantically in her anxiety, "It's one thing for others to blame me, but how can you people blame me too!你們不是常和姑娘說，叫他別受委屈，鬧得他們家破人亡，那時將東西卷包兒一走，再配一個好姑爺。Didn't you often say to the young lady, telling her not to put up with being wronged, to make such a fuss that their family would be ruined and its people scattered, and then you'd pack up the valuables and run off, and find yourself a good husband instead?這個話是有的沒有？”金桂的母親還未及答言，周瑞家的便接口說道：“這是你們家的人說的，還賴什麼呢。”金桂的母親恨的咬牙切齒的罵寶蟾說：“我待你不錯呀，為什麼你倒拿話來葬送我呢！Is this true or not?" Before Jin Gui's mother could answer, Mrs. Zhou Rui cut in and said, "This is what someone from your own household said — what is there to deny?" Jin Gui's mother, gnashing her teeth in hatred, cursed at Baochan, "I've treated you well enough — why do you turn around and use words to destroy me!回來見了官，我就說是你藥死姑娘的。”寶蟾氣得瞪著眼說：“請太太放了香菱罷，不犯著白害別人。When we go before the magistrate, I'll say it was you who poisoned the young lady to death." Baochan, furious, glared and said, "Please, madam, let Xiangling go — there's no need to harm another innocent person for nothing.我見官自有我的話。”When I appear before the magistrate, I'll have my own account to give."

里面金桂的母亲忙了手脚，便骂宝蟾道：“小蹄子别嚼舌头了！姑娘几时拿东西到我家去。”宝蟾道：“如今东西是小，给姑娘偿命是大。”宝琴道：“有了东西就有偿命的人了。快请琏二哥哥问准了夏家的儿子买砒霜的话，回来好回刑部里的话。”金桂的母亲著了急道：“这宝蟾必是撞见鬼了，混说起来。我们姑娘何尝买过砒霜。若这么说，必是宝蟾药死了的。”宝蟾急的乱嚷说：“别人赖我也罢了，怎么你们也赖起我来呢！你们不是常和姑娘说，叫他别受委屈，闹得他们家破人亡，那时将东西卷包儿一走，再配一个好姑爷。这个话是有的没有？”金桂的母亲还未及答言，周瑞家的便接口说道：“这是你们家的人说的，还赖什么呢。”金桂的母亲恨的咬牙切齿的骂宝蟾说：“我待你不错呀，为什么你倒拿话来葬送我呢！回来见了官，我就说是你药死姑娘的。”宝蟾气得瞪著眼说：“请太太放了香菱罢，不犯著白害别人。我见官自有我的话。”

寶釵聽出這個話頭兒來了，便叫人反倒放開了寶蟾，說：“你原是個爽快人，何苦白冤在里頭。Baochai caught the drift of this talk, and instead had people release Baochan, saying, "You've always been a straightforward person — why suffer being wrongly implicated for nothing?你有話索性說了，大家明白，豈不完了事了呢。”寶蟾也怕見官受苦，便說：“我們奶奶天天抱怨說：‘我這樣人，為什麼碰著這個瞎眼的娘，不配給二爺，偏給了這麼個混帳糊涂行子。If you have something to say, just say it outright — then everyone will understand, and won't that settle the matter?" Baochan too was afraid of the suffering that would come with facing the magistrate, so she said, "Our mistress used to complain every day, saying, 'A person like me — why did I have to run into such a blind fool of a mother, who instead of matching me to Er-ye, gave me to this worthless, muddleheaded creature.要是能夠同二爺過一天，死了也是願意的。’說到那里，便恨香菱。If I could spend even one day with Er-ye, I'd be willing to die for it.' Whenever she got to that point, she'd start hating Xiangling.我起初不理會，後來看見與香菱好了，我只道是香菱教他什麼了，不承望昨兒的湯不是好意。”金桂的母親接說道：“益發胡說了，若是要藥香菱，為什麼倒藥了自己呢？”寶釵便問道：“香菱，昨日你喝湯來著沒有？”香菱道：“頭幾天我病得抬不起頭來，奶奶叫我喝湯，我不敢說不喝，剛要扎掙起來，那碗湯已經灑了，倒叫奶奶收拾了個難，我心里很過不去。At first I paid it no mind, but later, seeing that she'd made up with Xiangling, I assumed Xiangling had put some idea in her head; I never imagined that yesterday's soup wasn't given with good intentions." Jin Gui's mother cut in, "Now that's utter nonsense — if she meant to poison Xiangling, why would she end up poisoning herself instead?" Baochai then asked, "Xiangling, did you drink the soup yesterday or not?" Xiangling said, "A few days ago I was so sick I couldn't even lift my head, and when the mistress told me to drink the soup, I didn't dare refuse; just as I was struggling to sit up, the bowl of soup spilled, which left the mistress with quite a mess to clean up, and I felt very bad about it in my heart.昨兒聽見叫我喝湯，我喝不下去，沒有法兒正要喝的時候兒呢，偏又頭暈起來。Yesterday, when I heard I was told to drink the soup, I couldn't get it down; just as I had no choice but to try to drink it, my head suddenly started spinning.只見寶蟾姐姐端了去，我正喜歡，剛合上眼，奶奶自己喝著湯，叫我嘗嘗，我便勉強也喝了。”寶蟾不待說完，便道：“是了，我老實說罷。Just then I saw Sister Baochan carry it away, and I was actually glad of it; I had just closed my eyes when the mistress herself started drinking the soup and told me to taste it, so I forced myself to drink some too." Before she had finished speaking, Baochan said, "That's right — let me just tell the truth.昨兒奶奶叫我做兩碗湯，說是和香菱同喝。Yesterday the mistress told me to make two bowls of soup, saying she and Xiangling would drink it together.我氣不過，心里想著香菱那里配我做湯給他喝呢。I couldn't hold back my anger, thinking to myself, how does Xiangling deserve to have soup made for her by me?我故意的一碗里頭多抓了一把鹽，記了暗記兒，原想給香菱喝的。So I deliberately threw an extra handful of salt into one of the bowls and marked it secretly, meaning to give that one to Xiangling.剛端進來，奶奶卻攔著我到外頭叫小子們雇車，說今日回家去。Just as I was carrying it in, the mistress stopped me and sent me outside to tell the boys to hire a cart, saying she was going home today.我出去說了，回來見鹽多的這碗湯在奶奶跟前呢，我恐怕奶奶喝著咸，又要罵我。I went out and gave the order, and when I came back I saw that the bowl with the extra salt was sitting in front of the mistress; I was afraid she'd find it too salty when she drank it and scold me again.正沒法的時候，奶奶往後頭走動，我眼錯不見就把香菱這碗湯換了過來。Just as I was at a loss what to do, the mistress got up to walk to the back, and the moment my eyes were off it, I switched it with Xiangling's bowl of soup.也是合該如此，奶奶回來就拿了湯去到香菱床邊喝著，說：‘你到底嘗嘗。’那香菱也不覺咸。It must have been fated to happen this way — when the mistress came back, she took the soup straight to Xiangling's bedside and drank it there, saying, 'You really ought to taste it too.' And Xiangling did not find it salty at all.兩個人都喝完了。Both of them finished drinking it.我正笑香菱沒嘴道兒，那里知道這死鬼奶奶要藥香菱，必定趁我不在將砒霜撒上了，也不知道我換碗，這可就是天理昭彰，自害其身了。”于是眾人往前後一想，真正一絲不錯，便將香菱也放了，扶著他仍舊睡在床上。I was just then secretly laughing that Xiangling had no sense of taste, never guessing that the wretched mistress, meaning to poison Xiangling, must have sprinkled arsenic into it while I was away, without knowing that I had already switched the bowls — this is truly the workings of Heaven laid bare, and she brought the harm upon herself." Everyone then thought the matter over from start to finish, and found it did indeed match exactly, so they released Xiangling as well, and helped her back to lie down on her bed.

宝钗听出这个话头儿来了，便叫人反倒放开了宝蟾，说：“你原是个爽快人，何苦白冤在里头。你有话索性说了，大家明白，岂不完了事了呢。”宝蟾也怕见官受苦，便说：“我们奶奶天天抱怨说：‘我这样人，为什么碰著这个瞎眼的娘，不配给二爷，偏给了这么个混帐糊涂行子。要是能够同二爷过一天，死了也是愿意的。’说到那里，便恨香菱。我起初不理会，后来看见与香菱好了，我只道是香菱教他什么了，不承望昨儿的汤不是好意。”金桂的母亲接说道：“益发胡说了，若是要药香菱，为什么倒药了自己呢？”宝钗便问道：“香菱，昨日你喝汤来著没有？”香菱道：“头几天我病得抬不起头来，奶奶叫我喝汤，我不敢说不喝，刚要扎挣起来，那碗汤已经洒了，倒叫奶奶收拾了个难，我心里很过不去。昨儿听见叫我喝汤，我喝不下去，没有法儿正要喝的时候儿呢，偏又头晕起来。只见宝蟾姐姐端了去，我正喜欢，刚合上眼，奶奶自己喝著汤，叫我尝尝，我便勉强也喝了。”宝蟾不待说完，便道：“是了，我老实说罢。昨儿奶奶叫我做两碗汤，说是和香菱同喝。我气不过，心里想著香菱那里配我做汤给他喝呢。我故意的一碗里头多抓了一把盐，记了暗记儿，原想给香菱喝的。刚端进来，奶奶却拦著我到外头叫小子们雇车，说今日回家去。我出去说了，回来见盐多的这碗汤在奶奶跟前呢，我恐怕奶奶喝著咸，又要骂我。正没法的时候，奶奶往后头走动，我眼错不见就把香菱这碗汤换了过来。也是合该如此，奶奶回来就拿了汤去到香菱床边喝著，说：‘你到底尝尝。’那香菱也不觉咸。两个人都喝完了。我正笑香菱没嘴道儿，那里知道这死鬼奶奶要药香菱，必定趁我不在将砒霜撒上了，也不知道我换碗，这可就是天理昭彰，自害其身了。”于是众人往前后一想，真正一丝不错，便将香菱也放了，扶著他仍旧睡在床上。

不說香菱得放，且說金桂母親心虛事實，還想辯賴。Leaving aside Xiangling's release, let us turn to Jin Gui's mother, who, guilty in her heart though the facts were plain, still wanted to argue and deny it.薛姨媽等你言我語，反要他兒子償還金桂之命。Aunt Xue and the others, speaking one after another, instead demanded that her son pay with his life for Jin Gui's death.正然吵嚷，賈璉在外嚷說：“不用多說了，快收拾停當，刑部老爺就到了。”此時惟有夏家母子著忙，想來總要吃虧的，不得已反求薛姨媽道：“千不是萬不是，終是我死的女孩兒不長進，這也是自作自受。Just as the quarreling and shouting were underway, Jia Lian called out from outside, "No need to say any more — get everything in order quickly, the officials from the Board of Punishments will be here any moment." At this the Xia mother and son alone grew frantic, realizing they stood to come out the losers, and had no choice but to turn instead and beg Aunt Xue, saying, "Whatever the rights and wrongs of it, in the end it was my dead daughter who behaved badly — this too was a case of reaping what she sowed.若是刑部相驗，到底府上臉面不好看。If the Board of Punishments comes to examine the body, it will hardly look good for your honored household in the end either.求親家太太息了這件事罷。”寶釵道：“那可使不得，已經報了，怎麼能息呢。”周瑞家的等人大家做好做歹的勸說：“若要息事，除非夏親家太太自己出去攔驗，我們不提長短罷了。”賈璉在外也將他兒子嚇住，他情願迎到刑部具結攔驗。I beg you, my in-law, to let this matter drop." Baochai said, "That simply cannot be done — it has already been reported, so how can it be dropped now?" Mrs. Zhou Rui and the others, coaxing and cajoling by turns, urged, "If you want the matter dropped, the only way is for the in-law Mrs. Xia to go out herself and stop the inquest — then we for our part will say nothing further, one way or the other." Jia Lian, outside, also frightened her son into submission, and he agreed to go in person to the Board of Punishments to file a statement halting the inquest.眾人依允。Everyone agreed to this.薛姨媽命人買棺成殮。Aunt Xue ordered that a coffin be bought and the body encoffined.不提。No more of this for now.

不说香菱得放，且说金桂母亲心虚事实，还想辩赖。薛姨妈等你言我语，反要他儿子偿还金桂之命。正然吵嚷，贾琏在外嚷说：“不用多说了，快收拾停当，刑部老爷就到了。”此时惟有夏家母子著忙，想来总要吃亏的，不得已反求薛姨妈道：“千不是万不是，终是我死的女孩儿不长进，这也是自作自受。若是刑部相验，到底府上脸面不好看。求亲家太太息了这件事罢。”宝钗道：“那可使不得，已经报了，怎么能息呢。”周瑞家的等人大家做好做歹的劝说：“若要息事，除非夏亲家太太自己出去拦验，我们不提长短罢了。”贾琏在外也将他儿子吓住，他情愿迎到刑部具结拦验。众人依允。薛姨妈命人买棺成殓。不提。

且說賈雨村升了京兆府尹兼管稅務，一日出都查勘開墾地畝，路過知机縣，到了急流津。Now to tell of Jia Yucun: he had been promoted to Prefect of the Capital, concurrently in charge of tax affairs, and one day he left the capital to inspect land under reclamation; passing through Zhiji County, he arrived at Jiliu Ferry.正要渡過彼岸，因待人夫，暫且停轎。He was just about to cross to the other shore, but since he had to wait for the ferrymen, he had his sedan chair set down to wait a while.只見村旁有一座小廟，牆壁坍頹，露出幾株古松，倒也蒼老。He noticed beside the village a small temple, its walls crumbling and collapsed, through which several old pine trees showed, looking quite ancient and weathered.雨村下轎，閒步進廟，但見廟內神像金身脫落，殿宇歪斜，旁有斷碣，字跡模糊，也看不明白。Yucun got down from his chair and strolled idly into the temple, where he saw that the gilding had flaked off the divine images, the halls stood tilted and askew, and beside them lay a broken stone tablet, its characters blurred and illegible.意欲行至後殿，只見一翠柏下蔭著一間茅廬，廬中有一個道士合眼打坐。Meaning to walk on to the rear hall, he saw beneath a green cypress a thatched hut in its shade, and within the hut a Daoist priest sitting in meditation with his eyes closed.雨村走近看時，面貌甚熟，想著倒象在那里見來的，一時再想不出來。When Yucun drew near to look, the man's face seemed very familiar, and he thought it was as if he had seen him somewhere before, but for the moment he could not recall where.從人便欲吆喝。His attendants were about to call out to announce him.雨村止住，徐步向前叫一聲：“老道。”那道士雙眼微啟，微微的笑道：“貴官何事？”雨村便道：“本府出都查勘事件，路過此地，見老道靜修自得，想來道行深通，意欲冒昧請教。”那道人說：“來自有地，去自有方。”雨村知是有些來歷的，便長揖請問：“老道從何處修來，在此結廬？Yucun stopped them, and stepping forward slowly he called out once, "Old Daoist." The priest opened his eyes a slit and said with a faint smile, "What business brings the honored official here?" Yucun said, "I have left the capital to inspect matters, and passing this place, I saw that you, old Daoist, cultivate yourself in quiet contentment; I suspect your attainment in the Way runs deep, and I would presume to ask for your instruction." The Daoist said, "One comes from a place, and one goes toward a destination." Yucun, sensing there was some history behind this man, made a deep bow and asked, "Old Daoist, from where did you come to cultivate the Way, and how did you come to build your hut here?此廟何名？What is this temple called?廟中共有幾人？How many people are there in the temple altogether?或欲真修，豈無名山，或欲結緣，何不通衢？”那道人道：“葫蘆尚可安身，何必名山結舍。If you truly wish to cultivate, surely there is no lack of famous mountains; and if you wish to form karmic ties with the world, why not settle by some great thoroughfare instead?" The Daoist said, "A gourd is shelter enough to settle the body in — why need one build a dwelling on a famous mountain?廟名久隱，斷碣猶存。The temple's name has long since faded from memory, though the broken tablet still remains.形影相隨，何須修募。My form and shadow keep each other company — what need have I to build or to solicit alms?豈似那‘玉在匵中求善价，釵于奩內待時飛’之輩耶！”How could I be like those who keep their jade in a casket waiting for a good price, or their hairpin in its box waiting for the moment to fly!"

且说贾雨村升了京兆府尹兼管税务，一日出都查勘开垦地亩，路过知机县，到了急流津。正要渡过彼岸，因待人夫，暂且停轿。只见村旁有一座小庙，墙壁坍颓，露出几株古松，倒也苍老。雨村下轿，闲步进庙，但见庙内神像金身脱落，殿宇歪斜，旁有断碣，字迹模糊，也看不明白。意欲行至后殿，只见一翠柏下荫著一间茅庐，庐中有一个道士合眼打坐。雨村走近看时，面貌甚熟，想著倒象在那里见来的，一时再想不出来。从人便欲吆喝。雨村止住，徐步向前叫一声：“老道。”那道士双眼微启，微微的笑道：“贵官何事？”雨村便道：“本府出都查勘事件，路过此地，见老道静修自得，想来道行深通，意欲冒昧请教。”那道人说：“来自有地，去自有方。”雨村知是有些来历的，便长揖请问：“老道从何处修来，在此结庐？此庙何名？庙中共有几人？或欲真修，岂无名山，或欲结缘，何不通衢？”那道人道：“葫芦尚可安身，何必名山结舍。庙名久隐，断碣犹存。形影相随，何须修募。岂似那‘玉在匵中求善价，钗于奁内待时飞’之辈耶！”

雨村原是個穎悟人，初聽見“葫蘆”兩字，後聞“玉釵”一對，忽然想起甄士隱的事來。Yucun, being a man of quick understanding, upon first hearing the word "gourd," and then hearing the pair of words "jade" and "hairpin," suddenly thought of the affair of Zhen Shiyin.重复將那道士端詳一回，見他容貌依然，便屏退從人，問道：“君家莫非甄老先生么？”那道人從容笑道：“什麼真，什麼假！He looked the Daoist over once more carefully, and seeing that his features were unchanged from before, he had his attendants withdraw and asked, "Sir, could you perhaps be old Mr. Zhen?" The Daoist smiled calmly and said, "What is there of 'true,' what is there of 'false'!要知道真即是假，假即是真。”雨村聽說出賈字來，益發無疑，便從新施禮道：“學生自蒙慨贈到都，托庇獲雋公車，受任貴鄉，始知老先生超悟塵凡，飄舉仙境。You must understand that the true is precisely the false, and the false is precisely the true." When Yucun heard him bring out the word "Jia," he was all the more certain, and bowing anew he said, "Ever since I received your generous gift and made my way to the capital, and, sheltered by your kindness, succeeded in the examinations, and was later appointed to your honored district, I learned that you, old sir, had transcended the dust of the world and soared off to the realm of the immortals.學生雖溯洄思切，自念風塵俗吏，未由再覲仙顏。Though I have longed earnestly to trace you and see you again, I considered myself but a worldly official mired in the dust, with no way to behold your immortal countenance once more.今何幸于此處相遇，求老仙翁指示愚蒙。How fortunate I am today to meet you here by chance — I beg the venerable immortal to enlighten my ignorance.倘荷不棄，京寓甚近，學生當得供奉，得以朝夕聆教。”那道人也站起來回禮道：“我于蒲團之外，不知天地間尚有何物。If you would not scorn me, my residence in the capital is quite near by, and I would gladly attend upon you, that I might receive your teaching morning and night." The Daoist likewise rose and returned the bow, saying, "Beyond my meditation cushion, I know nothing of what else exists between heaven and earth.适才尊官所言，貧道一概不解。”說畢，依舊坐下。As for what the honored official has just said, this poor Daoist understands none of it." Having said this, he sat back down as before.雨村复又心疑：“想去若非士隱，何貌言相似若此？Yucun grew doubtful once more, thinking to himself: "If this is not Shiyin, how could his looks and speech resemble him so closely?離別來十九載，面色如舊，必是修煉有成，未肯將前身說破。It has been nineteen years since we parted, and yet his complexion is just as it was — he must have achieved success in his cultivation, and simply is unwilling to reveal his former identity outright.但我既遇恩公，又不可當面錯過。But since I have chanced to meet my benefactor, I cannot let the chance slip by right before my eyes.看來不能以富貴動之，那妻女之私更不必說了。”想罷又道：“仙師既不肯說破前因，弟子于心何忍！”正要下禮，只見從人進來，稟說天色將晚，快請渡河。It seems he cannot be moved by talk of wealth and rank, and as for private matters concerning wife and daughter, there is even less point in mentioning them." Having thought this, he said again, "Since the immortal master is unwilling to reveal our past ties, how could I bear it in my heart!" He was just about to bow low when his attendants came in to report that the sky was growing dark, and urged him to cross the river quickly.雨村正無主意，那道人道：“請尊官速登彼岸，見面有期，遲則風浪頓起。Yucun was just then at a loss what to do, when the Daoist said, "Pray, honored official, cross to the far shore at once — there will be another time for us to meet; delay, and wind and waves will rise up suddenly.果蒙不棄，貧道他日尚在渡頭候教。”說畢，仍合眼打坐。If indeed you do not scorn me, this poor Daoist will still be waiting at the ferry crossing another day to receive your instruction." Having said this, he again closed his eyes and sat in meditation.雨村無奈，只得辭了道人出廟。Yucun, having no other choice, could only take his leave of the Daoist and go out of the temple.正要過渡，只見一人飛奔而來。Just as he was about to cross the ferry, he saw a man come running up at full speed.未知何事，下回分解。What the matter was is not yet known; that will be told in the next chapter.

雨村原是个颖悟人，初听见“葫芦”两字，后闻“玉钗”一对，忽然想起甄士隐的事来。重复将那道士端详一回，见他容貌依然，便屏退从人，问道：“君家莫非甄老先生么？”那道人从容笑道：“什么真，什么假！要知道真即是假，假即是真。”雨村听说出贾字来，益发无疑，便从新施礼道：“学生自蒙慨赠到都，托庇获隽公车，受任贵乡，始知老先生超悟尘凡，飘举仙境。学生虽溯洄思切，自念风尘俗吏，未由再觐仙颜。今何幸于此处相遇，求老仙翁指示愚蒙。倘荷不弃，京寓甚近，学生当得供奉，得以朝夕聆教。”那道人也站起来回礼道：“我于蒲团之外，不知天地间尚有何物。适才尊官所言，贫道一概不解。”说毕，依旧坐下。雨村复又心疑：“想去若非士隐，何貌言相似若此？离别来十九载，面色如旧，必是修炼有成，未肯将前身说破。但我既遇恩公，又不可当面错过。看来不能以富贵动之，那妻女之私更不必说了。”想罢又道：“仙师既不肯说破前因，弟子于心何忍！”正要下礼，只见从人进来，禀说天色将晚，快请渡河。雨村正无主意，那道人道：“请尊官速登彼岸，见面有期，迟则风浪顿起。果蒙不弃，贫道他日尚在渡头候教。”说毕，仍合眼打坐。雨村无奈，只得辞了道人出庙。正要过渡，只见一人飞奔而来。未知何事，下回分解。