第百零六回　王熙鳳致禍抱羞慚　賈太君禱天消禍患 Wang Xifeng Brings Ruin and Bears Shame; The Lady Dowager Prays to Heaven to Avert Disaster

話說賈政聞知賈母危急，即忙進去看視。The story goes that when Jia Zheng learned of Grandmother Jia's grave condition, he hurried inside to see her.見賈母驚嚇氣逆，王夫人鴛鴦等喚醒回來，即用疏氣安神的丸藥服了，漸漸的好些，只是傷心落淚。He found that Grandmother Jia, startled and short of breath, had been roused back to herself by Lady Wang, Yuanyang, and the others, and after taking pills to relieve her breath and calm her spirit, she gradually improved somewhat, though she still grieved and wept.賈政在旁勸慰，總說是“兒子們不肖，招了禍來累老太太受驚。Jia Zheng stood by consoling her, saying again and again, "It is because your sons and grandsons are worthless that this calamity has come and given Grandmother such a fright.若老太太寬慰些，兒子們尚可在外料理；If Grandmother can find some peace of mind, we sons can still manage matters outside;若是老太太有什麼不自在，兒子們的罪孽更重了。”賈母道：“我活了八十多歲，自作女孩兒起到你父親手里，都托著祖宗的福，從沒有聽見過那些事。but if Grandmother should be the least bit unwell, our guilt will be all the heavier." Grandmother Jia said, "I have lived past eighty years, and from the time I was a girl until I came into your father's household, I have always relied on the blessing of our ancestors, and never once heard of such things happening.如今到老了，見你們倘或受罪，叫我心里過得去么！Now that I am old, to see you all perhaps suffering punishment — how could my heart bear it!倒不如合上眼隨你們去罷了。”說著，又哭。Better that I close my eyes and let you all do as you will." So saying, she wept again.

话说贾政闻知贾母危急，即忙进去看视。见贾母惊吓气逆，王夫人鸳鸯等唤醒回来，即用疏气安神的丸药服了，渐渐的好些，只是伤心落泪。贾政在旁劝慰，总说是“儿子们不肖，招了祸来累老太太受惊。若老太太宽慰些，儿子们尚可在外料理；若是老太太有什么不自在，儿子们的罪孽更重了。”贾母道：“我活了八十多岁，自作女孩儿起到你父亲手里，都托著祖宗的福，从没有听见过那些事。如今到老了，见你们倘或受罪，叫我心里过得去么！倒不如合上眼随你们去罢了。”说著，又哭。

賈政此時著急异常，又聽外面說：“請老爺，內廷有信。”賈政急忙出來，見是北靜王府長史，一見面便說“大喜。”賈政謝了，請長史坐下，“請問王爺有何諭旨？”那長史道：“我們王爺同西平郡王進內复奏，將大人的懼怕的心，感激天恩之話都代奏了。Jia Zheng was at this moment extremely anxious, when he heard someone outside say, "They request the master — there is word from the palace." Jia Zheng hurried out and found it was the chief steward from the Prince of Beijing's mansion, who, on seeing him, at once said, "Great joy." Jia Zheng thanked him and asked the steward to sit, saying, "May I ask what instructions His Highness has sent?" The steward said, "Our prince, together with the Prince of Xiping, went in to report again to the throne, and conveyed in full the fear in your heart, sir, and your words of gratitude for the Emperor's grace.主上甚是憫恤，并念及貴妃溘逝未久，不忍加罪，著加恩仍在工部員外上行走。His Majesty was greatly moved to pity, and considering too that it has not been long since the Honored Consort passed away, could not bear to add further blame, and has graciously ordered that you be allowed to resume your post as a supernumerary secretary in the Board of Works.所封家產，惟將賈赦的入官，餘俱給還。Of the family property that was confiscated, only that under Jia She's name is to be forfeited to the crown; the rest is all to be returned.并傳旨令盡心供職。An edict has also been issued ordering you to serve your post with all diligence.惟抄出借券令我們王爺查核，如有違禁重利的一概照例入官，其在定例生息的同房地文書盡行給還。As for the loan bonds that were seized, our prince is to examine them himself — any that charge illegal excessive interest are all to be confiscated to the crown according to precedent, while those bearing interest at the legal rate, along with the deeds to the houses and lands involved, are all to be returned in full.賈璉著革去職銜，免罪釋放。”賈政聽畢即起身叩謝天恩，又拜謝王爺恩典。“先請長史大人代為稟謝，明晨到闕謝恩，并到府里磕頭。”那長史去了。Jia Lian is to be stripped of his official rank, but pardoned and released." When Jia Zheng heard this he rose at once and kowtowed in thanks for the Emperor's grace, then bowed again in thanks for the Prince's kindness. "Let me first ask you, sir, to convey my thanks on my behalf; tomorrow morning I shall go to the palace to give thanks in person, and shall also call at the mansion to kowtow." The steward then took his leave.少停，傳出旨來。After a short while, the edict was formally handed down.承辦官遵旨一一查清，入官者入官，給還者給還，將賈璉放出，所有賈赦名下男婦人等造冊入官。The officials in charge, following the edict, examined everything item by item — what was to be confiscated was confiscated, what was to be returned was returned, and Jia Lian was released, while all the male and female servants under Jia She's name were entered into the registers to be forfeited to the crown.

贾政此时著急异常，又听外面说：“请老爷，内廷有信。”贾政急忙出来，见是北静王府长史，一见面便说“大喜。”贾政谢了，请长史坐下，“请问王爷有何谕旨？”那长史道：“我们王爷同西平郡王进内复奏，将大人的惧怕的心，感激天恩之话都代奏了。主上甚是悯恤，并念及贵妃溘逝未久，不忍加罪，著加恩仍在工部员外上行走。所封家产，惟将贾赦的入官，余俱给还。并传旨令尽心供职。惟抄出借券令我们王爷查核，如有违禁重利的一概照例入官，其在定例生息的同房地文书尽行给还。贾琏著革去职衔，免罪释放。”贾政听毕即起身叩谢天恩，又拜谢王爷恩典。“先请长史大人代为禀谢，明晨到阙谢恩，并到府里磕头。”那长史去了。少停，传出旨来。承办官遵旨一一查清，入官者入官，给还者给还，将贾琏放出，所有贾赦名下男妇人等造册入官。

可怜賈璉屋內東西除將按例放出的文書發給外，其餘雖未盡入官的，早被查抄的人盡行搶去，所存者只有家伙物件。Pitiably, in Jia Lian's rooms, aside from the deeds handed back according to the ruling, whatever else had not yet been fully confiscated had already been carried off entirely by those who had come to search and seize; all that remained were odds and ends of furniture and household things.賈璉始則懼罪，後蒙釋放已是大幸，及想起歷年積聚的東西并鳳姐的体己不下七八萬金，一朝而盡，怎得不痛。Jia Lian, having first feared punishment and then, upon being pardoned and released, counted himself greatly fortunate, now recalled the goods accumulated over the years together with Xifeng's private savings — no less than seventy or eighty thousand taels in all — all lost in a single morning, and how could he not grieve.且他父親現禁在錦衣府，鳳姐病在垂危，一時悲痛。Moreover his father was at that very time imprisoned in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters, and Xifeng lay near death from illness, so that for the moment he was overcome with grief.又見賈政含淚叫他，問道：“我因官事在身，不大理家，故叫你們夫婦總理家事。Then he saw Jia Zheng, tears in his eyes, call him over and ask, "Because official duties have kept me occupied and I have not managed the household much, I left the two of you, husband and wife, in overall charge of family affairs.你父親所為固難勸諫，那重利盤剝究竟是誰幹的？What your father did is of course hard to have remonstrated against, but as for that business of lending money at exorbitant interest — who was it that actually did that?況且非咱們這樣人家所為。Besides, such conduct is not at all fitting for a family of our standing.如今入了官，在銀錢是不打緊的，這种聲名出去還了得嗎！”賈璉跪下說道：“侄兒辦家事，并不敢存一點私心。Now that it has been confiscated to the crown, the money itself hardly matters — but how can we bear a reputation like this getting out!" Jia Lian knelt down and said, "In managing the household affairs, your nephew never dared to harbor the least selfish intent.所有出入的帳目，自有賴大，吳新登，戴良等登記，老爺只管叫他們來查問。All the accounts of income and outlay have all along been kept by Lai Da, Wu Xindeng, Dai Liang, and the others — Father need only summon them and question them.現在這幾年，庫內的銀子出多入少，雖沒貼補在內，已在各處做了好些空頭，求老爺問太太就知道了。These past several years, more silver has gone out of the treasury than has come in; although nothing was ever skimmed off for myself, a good many shortfalls have arisen in various quarters — I beg Father to ask Mother, and she will know.這些放出去的帳，連侄兒也不知道那里的銀子，要問周瑞旺兒才知道。”賈政道：“据你說來，連你自己屋里的事還不知道，那些家中上下的事更不知道了。As for these loans put out at interest, even your nephew does not know where all that silver is; one would have to ask Zhou Rui and Wang'er to find out." Jia Zheng said, "By your own account, you don't even know the affairs of your own rooms, so the affairs of the whole household, high and low, you know even less.我這回也不來查問你，現今你無事的人，你父親的事和你珍大哥的事還不快去打聽打聽。”賈璉一心委屈，含著眼淚答應了出去。This time I shall not press you further with questions; you are now a man with nothing pressing to attend to, so go quickly and find out how things stand with your father's case and your elder cousin Zhen's case." Jia Lian, his heart full of grievance, answered with tears in his eyes and went out.賈政歎氣連連的想道：“我祖父勤勞王事，立下功勳，得了兩個世職，如今兩房犯事都革去了。Jia Zheng, sighing over and over, thought to himself, "My grandfather labored diligently in the Emperor's service and established merit, thereby winning hereditary rank for two branches of the family; now both branches have offended and been stripped of it.我瞧這些子侄沒一個長進的。Looking at these sons and nephews of mine, not one of them amounts to anything.老天啊，老天啊！Heaven above, Heaven above!我賈家何至一敗如此！How could our Jia family have come to ruin like this!我雖蒙圣恩格外垂慈，給還家產，那兩處食用自應歸并一處，叫我一人那里支撐的住。Though I have been graciously shown special mercy by the Emperor and had the family property restored, the living expenses of the two branches ought now to be merged into one, and how am I, alone, to sustain it all.方才璉兒所說更加詫异，說不但庫上無銀，而且尚有虧空，這幾年竟是虛名在外。What Lian just told me makes it even more astonishing — not only is there no silver left in the treasury, there is actually a deficit; these past years it has all been an empty name abroad.只恨我自己為什麼糊涂若此。I can only hate myself for being so muddled as to let this happen.倘或我珠兒在世，尚有膀臂，寶玉雖大，更是無用之物。”想到那里，不覺淚滿衣襟。If only my son Zhu were still alive, I would still have an arm to lean on; Baoyu, though grown, is even more a useless thing." Thinking of this, before he knew it his tears had soaked the front of his robe.又想：“老太太偌大年紀，兒子們并沒有自能奉養一日，反累他嚇得死去活來。He thought further, "Grandmother is already so advanced in years, and her sons have not managed to give her a single day's true, contented care; instead they have brought her such a fright that she nearly died of it.种种罪孽，叫我委之何人！”正在獨自悲切，只見家人稟報各親友進來看候。All these manifold sins — on whom am I to lay the blame!" Just as he was grieving alone in this way, a servant came to report that various relatives and friends had come to pay their respects and inquire after them.賈政一一道謝，說起：“家門不幸，是我不能管教子侄，所以至此。”有的說：“我久知令兄赦大老爺行事不妥，那邊珍哥更加驕縱。Jia Zheng thanked each of them in turn, saying, "The misfortune of our house comes of my having failed to discipline my sons and nephews properly, and so it has come to this." Some said, "I have long known that your elder brother, Lord She, conducted himself improperly, and over there, Cousin Zhen was even more arrogant and unrestrained.若說因官事錯誤得個不是，于心無愧，如今自己鬧出的，倒帶累了二老爺。”有的說：“人家鬧的也多，也沒見御史參奏，不是珍老大得罪朋友，何至如此。”有的說：“也不怪御史，我們聽見說是府上的家人同幾個泥腿在外頭哄嚷出來的。If it were simply a matter of an error in official duties bringing blame, one's conscience could be at ease; but this trouble that he himself stirred up has instead implicated you, Second Lord." Others said, "Plenty of other families cause just as much trouble, yet one never sees a censor impeach them; if Zhen had not offended his friends, how could it have come to this?" Others said, "Nor is it really the censor's fault either — we heard it said that it was your household's own servants together with some rough fellows outside who stirred up the clamor.御史恐參奏不實，所以誆了這里的人去才說出來的。The censor, fearing his impeachment might not be backed by solid evidence, tricked people from here into talking before he made his report.我想府上待下人最寬的，為什麼還有這事。”有的說：“大凡奴才們是一個養活不得的。I would have thought your household treated its servants most leniently — why then should such a thing still happen?" Others said, "The plain truth is, servants are a breed one simply cannot keep fed and content.今兒在這里都是好親友我才敢說，就是尊駕在外任，我保不得——你是不愛錢的，——那外頭的風聲也不好，都是奴才們鬧的。Today, since everyone here is a close friend, I dare speak plainly: even were you yourself away serving in some post outside, I could not vouch for it — you yourself are not one who covets money, I know — but the talk going around outside is not good, and it is all stirred up by servants.你該隄防些。You ought to guard against this.如今雖說沒有動你的家，倘或再遇著主上疑心起來，好些不便呢。”賈政聽說，心下著忙道：“眾位聽見我的風聲怎樣？”眾人道：“我們雖沒聽見實据，只聞外面人說你在糧道任上怎麼叫門上家人要錢。”賈政聽了，便說道：“我是對得天的，從不敢起這要錢的念頭。Even though for now your own household has not been touched, should His Majesty's suspicions ever be roused again, it would go very hard for you indeed." Hearing this, Jia Zheng grew anxious at heart and said, "What have you all heard being said about me?" The others said, "We have not heard any solid evidence ourselves, only that people outside say that while you were serving as Grain Intendant, your gatekeeper servants were somehow extorting money." Hearing this, Jia Zheng said, "I can answer to Heaven for myself — I have never once dared to entertain the thought of taking money.只是奴才在外招搖撞騙，鬧出事來我就吃不住了。”眾人道：“如今怕也無益，只好將現在的管家們都嚴嚴的查一查，若有抗主的奴才，查出來嚴嚴的辦一辦。”賈政聽了點頭。It is only that if servants go about outside swindling and putting on airs in my name, and trouble comes of it, then I shall not be able to bear the consequences." The others said, "For now regret does little good; the best course is to examine strictly, one by one, all the stewards currently in your service, and if any servant is found defying his master's authority, deal with him severely once exposed." Jia Zheng, hearing this, nodded.便見門上進來回稟說：“孫姑爺那邊打發人來說，自己有事不能來，著人來瞧瞧。Just then a gatekeeper came in to report, "Someone has been sent from young master Sun's side to say that he himself has matters to attend to and cannot come, so he has sent this person to inquire after you.說大老爺該他一种銀子，要在二老爺身上還的。”賈政心內憂悶，只說：“知道了。”眾人都冷笑道：“人說令親孫紹祖混帳，真有些。He says that Lord She owes him a certain sum of silver, which he wants repaid out of Second Lord's own pocket." Jia Zheng, already weighed down with worry, could only say, "I understand." The others all gave a cold laugh and said, "People say your relation by marriage Sun Shaozu is a scoundrel, and indeed there is something to it.如今丈人抄了家，不但不來瞧看幫補照應，倒赶忙的來要銀子，真真不在理上。”賈政道：“如今且不必說他。Now that his father-in-law's house has been raided, instead of coming to look in on you and offer some help and support, he rushes instead to demand his silver — truly there is no reason in it." Jia Zheng said, "Let us not speak of him for now.那頭親事原是家兄配錯的，我的侄女兒的罪已經受夠了，如今又招我來。”正說著，只見薛蝌進來說道：“我打聽錦衣府趙堂官必要照御史參的辦去，只怕大老爺和珍大爺吃不住。”眾人都道：“二老爺，還得是你出去求求王爺，怎麼挽回挽回才好。That marriage was arranged wrongly in the first place by my elder brother; my niece has already suffered more than her share of grief from it, and now on top of that this man comes after me." Just as he was speaking, Xue Ke came in and said, "I have heard that Director Zhao of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is bound to proceed according to what the censor impeached; I fear Lord She and Cousin Zhen will not be able to bear it." The others all said, "Second Lord, you yourself must go and plead with the princes, and see what can be done to turn things around.不然這兩家就完了。”賈政答應致謝，眾人都散。Otherwise these two branches of the family are finished." Jia Zheng thanked them and agreed to do so, and the company then dispersed.

可怜贾琏屋内东西除将按例放出的文书发给外，其余虽未尽入官的，早被查抄的人尽行抢去，所存者只有家伙物件。贾琏始则惧罪，后蒙释放已是大幸，及想起历年积聚的东西并凤姐的体己不下七八万金，一朝而尽，怎得不痛。且他父亲现禁在锦衣府，凤姐病在垂危，一时悲痛。又见贾政含泪叫他，问道：“我因官事在身，不大理家，故叫你们夫妇总理家事。你父亲所为固难劝谏，那重利盘剥究竟是谁干的？况且非咱们这样人家所为。如今入了官，在银钱是不打紧的，这种声名出去还了得吗！”贾琏跪下说道：“侄儿办家事，并不敢存一点私心。所有出入的帐目，自有赖大，吴新登，戴良等登记，老爷只管叫他们来查问。现在这几年，库内的银子出多入少，虽没贴补在内，已在各处做了好些空头，求老爷问太太就知道了。这些放出去的帐，连侄儿也不知道那里的银子，要问周瑞旺儿才知道。”贾政道：“据你说来，连你自己屋里的事还不知道，那些家中上下的事更不知道了。我这回也不来查问你，现今你无事的人，你父亲的事和你珍大哥的事还不快去打听打听。”贾琏一心委屈，含著眼泪答应了出去。贾政叹气连连的想道：“我祖父勤劳王事，立下功勋，得了两个世职，如今两房犯事都革去了。我瞧这些子侄没一个长进的。老天啊，老天啊！我贾家何至一败如此！我虽蒙圣恩格外垂慈，给还家产，那两处食用自应归并一处，叫我一人那里支撑的住。方才琏儿所说更加诧异，说不但库上无银，而且尚有亏空，这几年竟是虚名在外。只恨我自己为什么糊涂若此。倘或我珠儿在世，尚有膀臂，宝玉虽大，更是无用之物。”想到那里，不觉泪满衣襟。又想：“老太太偌大年纪，儿子们并没有自能奉养一日，反累他吓得死去活来。种种罪孽，叫我委之何人！”正在独自悲切，只见家人禀报各亲友进来看候。贾政一一道谢，说起：“家门不幸，是我不能管教子侄，所以至此。”有的说：“我久知令兄赦大老爷行事不妥，那边珍哥更加骄纵。若说因官事错误得个不是，于心无愧，如今自己闹出的，倒带累了二老爷。”有的说：“人家闹的也多，也没见御史参奏，不是珍老大得罪朋友，何至如此。”有的说：“也不怪御史，我们听见说是府上的家人同几个泥腿在外头哄嚷出来的。御史恐参奏不实，所以诓了这里的人去才说出来的。我想府上待下人最宽的，为什么还有这事。”有的说：“大凡奴才们是一个养活不得的。今儿在这里都是好亲友我才敢说，就是尊驾在外任，我保不得——你是不爱钱的，——那外头的风声也不好，都是奴才们闹的。你该隄防些。如今虽说没有动你的家，倘或再遇著主上疑心起来，好些不便呢。”贾政听说，心下著忙道：“众位听见我的风声怎样？”众人道：“我们虽没听见实据，只闻外面人说你在粮道任上怎么叫门上家人要钱。”贾政听了，便说道：“我是对得天的，从不敢起这要钱的念头。只是奴才在外招摇撞骗，闹出事来我就吃不住了。”众人道：“如今怕也无益，只好将现在的管家们都严严的查一查，若有抗主的奴才，查出来严严的办一办。”贾政听了点头。便见门上进来回禀说：“孙姑爷那边打发人来说，自己有事不能来，著人来瞧瞧。说大老爷该他一种银子，要在二老爷身上还的。”贾政心内忧闷，只说：“知道了。”众人都冷笑道：“人说令亲孙绍祖混帐，真有些。如今丈人抄了家，不但不来瞧看帮补照应，倒赶忙的来要银子，真真不在理上。”贾政道：“如今且不必说他。那头亲事原是家兄配错的，我的侄女儿的罪已经受够了，如今又招我来。”正说著，只见薛蝌进来说道：“我打听锦衣府赵堂官必要照御史参的办去，只怕大老爷和珍大爷吃不住。”众人都道：“二老爷，还得是你出去求求王爷，怎么挽回挽回才好。不然这两家就完了。”贾政答应致谢，众人都散。

那時天已點燈時候，賈政進去請賈母的安，見賈母略略好些。By that time it was already the hour for lighting the lamps, and Jia Zheng went in to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia, and found her somewhat improved.回到自己房中，埋怨賈璉夫婦不知好歹，如今鬧出放賬取利的事情，大家不好。Returning to his own rooms, he complained that Jia Lian and his wife, not knowing what was good for them, had now stirred up this business of lending money at interest, bringing trouble on everyone.方見鳳姐所為，心里很不受用。Only now did he see clearly what Xifeng had done, and his heart was very displeased with her.鳳姐現在病重，知他所有什物盡被抄搶一光，心內郁結，一時未便埋怨，暫且隱忍不言。But since Xifeng now lay gravely ill, and knowing that all her belongings had been utterly seized and carried off, her heart already knotted with distress, he found it not the moment to reproach her, and for now held his tongue and let it pass.一夜無話。The night passed without incident.次早賈政進內謝恩，并到北靜王府西平王府兩處叩謝，求兩位王爺照應他哥哥侄兒。The next morning Jia Zheng went to the palace to give thanks for the Emperor's grace, and also called at the mansions of the Prince of Beijing and the Prince of Xiping to kowtow in thanks, begging both princes to look after his elder brother and nephew.兩位應許。Both princes gave their consent.賈政又在同寅相好處托情。Jia Zheng also sought favors from colleagues on good terms with him.

那时天已点灯时候，贾政进去请贾母的安，见贾母略略好些。回到自己房中，埋怨贾琏夫妇不知好歹，如今闹出放账取利的事情，大家不好。方见凤姐所为，心里很不受用。凤姐现在病重，知他所有什物尽被抄抢一光，心内郁结，一时未便埋怨，暂且隐忍不言。一夜无话。次早贾政进内谢恩，并到北静王府西平王府两处叩谢，求两位王爷照应他哥哥侄儿。两位应许。贾政又在同寅相好处托情。

且說賈璉打聽得父兄之事不很妥，無法可施，只得回到家中。Meanwhile, Jia Lian, learning that matters concerning his father and elder cousin were not going well and finding no way to help, had no choice but to return home.平兒守著鳳姐哭泣，秋桐在耳房中抱怨鳳姐。Ping'er sat by Xifeng's side weeping, while Qiutong in the side room grumbled resentfully about Xifeng.賈璉走近旁邊，見鳳姐奄奄一息，就有多少怨言，一時也說不出來。Jia Lian came近 to the bedside and saw Xifeng breathing her last feeble breaths; however many reproaches he had, for the moment he could not bring himself to utter them.平兒哭道：“如今事已如此，東西已去不能复來。Ping'er said through her tears, "Things have already come to this; what is gone cannot be brought back.奶奶這樣，還得再請個大夫調治調治才好。”賈璉啐道：“我的性命還不保，我還管他么！”鳳姐聽見，睜眼一瞧，雖不言語，那眼淚流個不盡，見賈璉出去，便與平兒道：“你別不達事務了，到了這樣田地，你還顧我做什麼。With the mistress in this state, we really ought to send for a doctor again to treat her." Jia Lian spat out, "I cannot even keep my own life safe — why should I trouble myself over her!" Xifeng, hearing this, opened her eyes and looked at him; though she said nothing, the tears flowed without end, and once she saw Jia Lian go out, she said to Ping'er, "Don't be so lacking in sense. Things having come to such a pass, why do you still trouble yourself over me.我巴不得今兒就死才好。I only wish I could die this very day, and be done with it.只要你能夠眼里有我，我死之後，你扶養大了巧姐兒，我在陰司里也感激你的。”平兒聽了，放聲大哭。Only, if you can keep me in your heart — after I die, if you raise Qiaojie to grow up well, I shall be grateful to you even in the world below." Hearing this, Ping'er broke down and wept aloud.鳳姐道：“你也是聰明人。Xifeng said, "You are a clever person too.他們雖沒有來說我，他必抱怨我。Though they have not said so to my face, he is bound to resent me in his heart.雖說事是外頭鬧的，我若不貪財，如今也沒有我的事，不但是枉費心計，掙了一輩子的強，如今落在人後頭。Although the trouble was stirred up by people outside, if I had not been so greedy for money, none of this would have touched me now; not only has all my scheming been in vain, after striving my whole life to come out ahead, now I am left behind everyone else.我只恨用人不當，恍惚聽得那邊珍大爺的事說是強占良民妻子為妾，不從逼死，有個姓張的在里頭，你想想還有誰，若是這件事審出來，咱們二爺是脫不了的，我那時怎樣見人。I regret only that I trusted the wrong people; I seem to have heard, however vaguely, that Cousin Zhen's affair over there involves forcing a good man's wife to become his concubine, and when she would not submit, driving her to her death — and there is someone surnamed Zhang mixed up in it — just think who else could be involved; if that matter is ever brought out in the inquiry, our Second Master will not be able to escape it, and how shall I ever face people then.我要即時就死，又耽不起吞金服毒的。I would want to die this instant, yet I cannot even manage to swallow gold or take poison to do it.你到還要請大夫，可不是你為顧我反倒害了我了么。”平兒愈聽愈慘，想來實在難處，恐鳳姐自尋短見，只得緊緊守著。And here you still want to send for a doctor — is that not, in trying to look after me, actually doing me harm instead?" The more Ping'er listened, the more heartbroken she grew, and thinking there was truly no way out of this, and fearing Xifeng might try to take her own life, she could only stay close by her side and watch over her without letting up.幸賈母不知底細，因近日身子好些，又見賈政無事，寶玉寶釵在旁天天不離左右，略覺放心。Fortunately Grandmother Jia did not know the full details, and since these past few days she had been feeling somewhat better, and seeing that Jia Zheng was no longer in trouble, with Baoyu and Baochai by her side day after day never leaving her, she felt somewhat reassured.素來最疼鳳姐，便叫鴛鴦“將我体己東西拿些給鳳丫頭，再拿些銀錢交給平兒，好好的伏侍好了鳳丫頭，我再慢慢的分派。”又命王夫人照看了邢夫人。Having always doted on Xifeng most of all, she told Yuanyang, "Take some of my private things and give them to that girl Feng, and take some money as well and hand it to Ping'er, so they can look after Xifeng properly and nurse her back to health; I will see to the rest of the arrangements gradually myself." She also instructed Lady Wang to look after Lady Xing.又加了宁國府第入官，所有財產房地等并家奴等俱造冊收盡，這里賈母命人將車接了尤氏婆媳等過來。In addition, the Ning mansion was now confiscated to the crown, and all its property, houses, lands, and household servants were entered into the registers and taken over entirely; Grandmother Jia thereupon had a carriage sent to bring You-shi and her daughter-in-law over to live with them.可怜赫赫宁府只剩得他們婆媳兩個并佩鳳偕鸞二人，連一個下人沒有。Pitiably, of that once so illustrious Ning mansion, there remained now only these two, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, together with Peifeng and Xieluan — not a single servant besides.賈母指出房子一所居住，就在惜春所住的間壁。Grandmother Jia designated a set of rooms for them to live in, right next door to where Xichun was staying.又派了婆子四人丫頭兩個伏侍。She also assigned four old women and two maids to wait on them.一應飯食起居在大廚房內分送，衣裙什物又是賈母送去，零星需用亦在帳房內開銷，俱照榮府每人月例之數。All their meals were sent over from the main kitchen, their clothing and daily necessities were supplied by Grandmother Jia herself, and whatever small expenses arose were also drawn from the accounting office, all reckoned according to the same monthly allowance given each person in the Rong mansion.那賈赦賈珍賈蓉在錦衣府使用，帳房內實在無項可支。As for Jia She, Jia Zhen, and Jia Rong, who needed money for their expenses in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison, the accounting office truly had no funds left to draw upon.如今鳳姐一無所有，賈璉況又多債務滿身，賈政不知家務，只說已經托人，自有照應。Xifeng now had nothing left to her name at all, and Jia Lian besides was saddled with debts on every side; Jia Zheng, knowing nothing of household affairs, simply said that he had already entrusted matters to others and that things would surely be looked after.賈璉無計可施，想到那親戚里頭薛姨媽家已敗，王子騰已死，餘者親戚雖有，俱是不能照應，只得暗暗差人下屯將地畝暫賣了數千金作為監中使費。Jia Lian, at his wit's end, thought over his relatives — Aunt Xue's family had already fallen on hard times, Wang Ziteng was already dead, and of the relatives remaining, though there were some, none of them were in a position to help — so he had no choice but to secretly send someone down to the farms to sell off some of the land for a few thousand taels, to use as expense money for those in prison.賈璉如此一行，那些家奴見主家勢敗，也便趁此弄鬼，并將東庄租稅也就指名借用些。Once Jia Lian took this step, the servants, seeing their master's family fortunes fallen, took the chance to play their own tricks, and even borrowed sums against the rents of the eastern manor in his name.此是後話，暫且不提。But this is a matter for later, and need not be told of now.

且说贾琏打听得父兄之事不很妥，无法可施，只得回到家中。平儿守著凤姐哭泣，秋桐在耳房中抱怨凤姐。贾琏走近旁边，见凤姐奄奄一息，就有多少怨言，一时也说不出来。平儿哭道：“如今事已如此，东西已去不能复来。奶奶这样，还得再请个大夫调治调治才好。”贾琏啐道：“我的性命还不保，我还管他么！”凤姐听见，睁眼一瞧，虽不言语，那眼泪流个不尽，见贾琏出去，便与平儿道：“你别不达事务了，到了这样田地，你还顾我做什么。我巴不得今儿就死才好。只要你能够眼里有我，我死之后，你扶养大了巧姐儿，我在阴司里也感激你的。”平儿听了，放声大哭。凤姐道：“你也是聪明人。他们虽没有来说我，他必抱怨我。虽说事是外头闹的，我若不贪财，如今也没有我的事，不但是枉费心计，挣了一辈子的强，如今落在人后头。我只恨用人不当，恍惚听得那边珍大爷的事说是强占良民妻子为妾，不从逼死，有个姓张的在里头，你想想还有谁，若是这件事审出来，咱们二爷是脱不了的，我那时怎样见人。我要即时就死，又耽不起吞金服毒的。你到还要请大夫，可不是你为顾我反倒害了我了么。”平儿愈听愈惨，想来实在难处，恐凤姐自寻短见，只得紧紧守著。幸贾母不知底细，因近日身子好些，又见贾政无事，宝玉宝钗在旁天天不离左右，略觉放心。素来最疼凤姐，便叫鸳鸯“将我体己东西拿些给凤丫头，再拿些银钱交给平儿，好好的伏侍好了凤丫头，我再慢慢的分派。”又命王夫人照看了邢夫人。又加了宁国府第入官，所有财产房地等并家奴等俱造册收尽，这里贾母命人将车接了尤氏婆媳等过来。可怜赫赫宁府只剩得他们婆媳两个并佩凤偕鸾二人，连一个下人没有。贾母指出房子一所居住，就在惜春所住的间壁。又派了婆子四人丫头两个伏侍。一应饭食起居在大厨房内分送，衣裙什物又是贾母送去，零星需用亦在帐房内开销，俱照荣府每人月例之数。那贾赦贾珍贾蓉在锦衣府使用，帐房内实在无项可支。如今凤姐一无所有，贾琏况又多债务满身，贾政不知家务，只说已经托人，自有照应。贾琏无计可施，想到那亲戚里头薛姨妈家已败，王子腾已死，余者亲戚虽有，俱是不能照应，只得暗暗差人下屯将地亩暂卖了数千金作为监中使费。贾琏如此一行，那些家奴见主家势败，也便趁此弄鬼，并将东庄租税也就指名借用些。此是后话，暂且不提。

且說賈母見祖宗世職革去，現在子孫在監質審，邢夫人尤氏等日夜啼哭，鳳姐病在垂危，雖有寶玉寶釵在側，只可解勸，不能分憂，所以日夜不宁，思前想後，眼淚不乾。Now to speak of Grandmother Jia: seeing the hereditary rank won by her ancestors stripped away, her descendants presently held in prison awaiting trial, Lady Xing and You-shi and the others weeping day and night, and Xifeng lying gravely ill near death — although Baoyu and Baochai stayed by her side, they could only offer comfort, not share the true burden of her grief, so that she was restless day and night, brooding over past and present, her tears never drying.一日傍晚，叫寶玉回去，自己扎掙坐起，叫鴛鴦等各處佛堂上香，又命自己院內焚起斗香，用拐拄著出到院中。One evening, she sent Baoyu back to his rooms, and forcing herself up to sit, told Yuanyang and the others to go and burn incense at every shrine of Buddha in the household, and also ordered a great coil of incense lit in her own courtyard; then, leaning on her cane, she went out into the courtyard.琥珀知是老太太拜佛，舖下大紅短氈拜墊。Hupo, understanding that the old lady meant to worship Buddha, spread out a large crimson felt cushion for her to kneel on.賈母上香跪下磕了好些頭，念了一回佛，含淚祝告天地道：“皇天菩薩在上，我賈門史氏，虔誠禱告，求菩薩慈悲。Grandmother Jia lit the incense, knelt down, kowtowed many times, recited a passage of scripture, and then, with tears in her eyes, prayed aloud to Heaven and Earth, saying, "August Heaven, merciful Bodhisattva above, I, née Shi of the Jia family, pray to you in all sincerity; I beg the Bodhisattva's compassionate mercy.我賈門數世以來，不敢行凶霸道。For generations our Jia family has never dared to commit violence or tyranny.我幫夫助子，雖不能為善，亦不敢作惡。I have helped my husband and aided my sons; though I could not always do good, I likewise never dared to do evil.必是後輩兒孫驕侈暴佚，暴殄天物，以致合府抄檢。It must be that the younger generation of sons and grandsons, arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute, wasting Heaven's bounty recklessly, have brought this search and seizure upon the whole household.現在兒孫監禁，自然凶多吉少，皆由我一人罪孽，不教兒孫，所以至此。Now that the sons and grandsons are imprisoned, misfortune surely outweighs any hope of good, and it is all because of my own sins, for failing to instruct my sons and grandsons properly, that it has come to this.我今即求皇天保佑：在監逢凶化吉，有病的早早安身。I now beg August Heaven's protection: that those in prison may turn misfortune into fortune, and that those who are ill may soon recover and find peace.總有合家罪孽，情願一人承當，只求饒恕兒孫。If there is any sin at all shared by the whole family, I am willing to bear it alone; I beg only that my sons and grandsons be forgiven.若皇天見怜，念我虔誠，早早賜我一死，寬免兒孫之罪。”默默說到此，不禁傷心，嗚嗚咽咽的哭泣起來。If August Heaven takes pity and considers my sincerity, let it grant me an early death, and in exchange spare my sons and grandsons their guilt." Having murmured this prayer through to the end, she could not help but be overcome with grief, and burst into sobbing, weeping bitterly.鴛鴦珍珠一面解勸，一面扶進房去。Yuanyang and Zhenzhu tried at once to console her while helping her back into the room.只見王夫人帶了寶玉寶釵過來請晚安，見賈母悲傷，三人也大哭起來。Just then Lady Wang, bringing Baoyu and Baochai, came over to pay their evening respects, and seeing Grandmother Jia so griefstricken, the three of them too broke down and wept loudly.寶釵更有一層苦楚：想哥哥也在外監，將來要處決，不知可減緩否，翁姑雖然無事，眼見家業蕭條，寶玉依然瘋傻，毫無志氣。Baochai in particular carried an added sorrow of her own: thinking that her brother too was now imprisoned outside and might in future face execution, uncertain whether it might yet be reduced or delayed, and that although her parents-in-law themselves were for the moment safe, she could see with her own eyes how desolate the family estate had become, while Baoyu remained as foolish and disoriented as ever, utterly without ambition.想到後來終身，更比賈母王夫人哭得更痛。Thinking ahead to what her own life's course might become, she wept even more bitterly than Grandmother Jia or Lady Wang.寶玉見寶釵如此大慟，他亦有一番悲戚。Seeing Baochai grieving so deeply, Baoyu too felt a wave of sorrow rise in him.想的是老太太年老不得安，老爺太太見此光景不免悲傷，眾姐妹風流雲散，一日少似一日。What he was thinking of was that Grandmother, in her old age, could find no peace; that his father and mother, seeing things come to this pass, could not help but grieve; and that all his girl cousins had scattered like clouds in the wind, fewer of them with each passing day.追想在園中吟詩起社，何等熱鬧，自從林妹妹一死，我郁悶到今，又有寶姐姐過來，未便時常悲切。Recalling how lively it once had been when they composed poems and formed their club in the garden, and how, ever since cousin Lin had died, he himself had remained sunk in gloom to this very day, and now with Cousin Bao having come to live with them besides, he had not been able to give free rein to his grief as often as before.見他憂兄思母，日夜難得笑容，今見他悲哀欲絕，心里更加不忍，竟嚎啕大哭。Seeing how she grieved over her brother and pined for her mother, seldom managing even a smile day or night, and now seeing her so overcome with sorrow that she seemed almost beyond consoling, his heart could bear it even less, and he broke into loud, unrestrained weeping.鴛鴦，彩雲，鶯兒，襲人見他們如此，也各有所思，便也嗚咽起來。Yuanyang, Caiyun, Yingr, and Xiren, seeing them all like this, each fell into their own train of thought, and they too began to sob.餘者丫頭們看得傷心，也便陪哭，竟無人解慰。The rest of the maids, moved to sorrow at the sight, joined in the weeping as well, and there was no one left to offer comfort.滿屋中哭聲驚天動地，將外頭上夜婆子嚇慌，急報于賈政知道。The sound of weeping filled the whole hall, startling heaven and earth, so that the old women keeping night watch outside were thrown into alarm and hastened to report it to Jia Zheng.那賈政正在書房納悶，聽見賈母的人來報，心中著忙，飛奔進內。Jia Zheng was at that moment sitting brooding in his study, and on hearing the messenger from Grandmother Jia's quarters, grew anxious at heart and rushed inside.遠遠聽得哭聲甚眾，打諒老太太不好，急得魂魄俱喪，疾忙進來，只見坐著悲啼，神魂方定。From far off he could already hear the sound of many people weeping, and, guessing that Grandmother Jia must have taken a turn for the worse, was so frightened that he seemed to lose his very soul, and hurried in — only to find her sitting there weeping, whereupon his mind was somewhat set at ease.說是“老太太傷心，你們該勸解，怎麼的齊打伙兒哭起來了。”眾人聽得賈政聲氣，急忙止哭，大家對面發怔。He said, "Grandmother is grieved, and you all ought to be consoling her — why instead has everyone joined together in weeping like this?" Hearing Jia Zheng's voice, everyone quickly stopped crying, and they all stood looking at one another in a daze.賈政上前安慰了老太太，又說了眾人幾句。Jia Zheng went forward and comforted Grandmother Jia, and then had a few words for the others as well.各自心想道：“我們原恐老太太悲傷，故來勸解，怎麼忘情大家痛哭起來。”正自不解，只見老婆子帶了史侯家的兩個女人進來，請了賈母的安，又向眾人請安畢，便說：“我們家老爺，太太，姑娘打發我來，說聽見府里的事原沒有什麼大事，不過一時受驚。Each of them thought privately, "We came originally fearing Grandmother's grief and meaning to console her — how did we forget ourselves so far as to all break down weeping together?" While they were still puzzling over this, an old woman came in bringing two women from the Shi household, who, after paying their respects to Grandmother Jia and then to the others, said, "Our master, mistress, and young lady have sent me to say that, having heard that the affair at your mansion was after all nothing very serious, only a sudden fright at the time —恐怕老爺太太煩惱，叫我們過來告訴一聲，說這里二老爺是不怕的了。fearing that Master and Madam might be troubled with worry, they sent us over to let you know that Second Master here need have no fear.我們姑娘本要自己來的，因不多幾日就要出閣，所以不能來了。”賈母聽了，不便道謝，說：“你回去給我問好。Our young lady herself meant to come in person, but since her wedding is only a few days off, she was unable to come." Hearing this, Grandmother Jia found it awkward to offer thanks in return, and said, "Go back and give my regards.這是我們的家運合該如此。This is simply how our family's fortunes were fated to turn out.承你老爺太太惦記，過一日再來奉謝。I am grateful that your master and mistress have thought of us; in a day or two I shall come myself to thank them properly.你家姑娘出閣，想來你們姑爺是不用說的了。Now that your young lady is to be married, I imagine there is no need even to ask — her bridegroom must be excellent.他們的家計如何？”兩個女人回道：“家計倒不怎麼著，只是姑爺長的很好，為人又和平。How are things with his family?" The two women replied, "As for their family circumstances, there is not much to say, but the young gentleman himself is very fine-looking, and moreover gentle and even-tempered in manner.我們見過好幾次，看來與這里寶二爺差不多，還聽得說才情學問都好的。”賈母聽了，喜歡道：“咱們都是南邊人，雖在這里住久了，那些大規矩還是從南方禮兒，所以新姑爺我們都沒見過。We have seen him several times ourselves, and he seems much like your own Master Bao here, and we have also heard it said that his talent and learning are both excellent." Hearing this, Grandmother Jia said with pleasure, "We are all southerners by origin; although we have lived here a long time, the important proprieties are still kept according to southern custom, and that is why none of us has yet met the new bridegroom.我前兒還想起我娘家的人來，最疼的就是你們家姑娘，一年三百六十天，在我跟前的日子倒有二百多天，混得這麼大了。Only the other day I was thinking again of my own natal family — the one I doted on most was your young lady; out of the three hundred sixty days of the year, a good two hundred of them she spent right at my side, and now look how grown up she has become.我原想給他說個好女婿，又為他叔叔不在家，我又不便作主。I had always meant to find her a fine husband myself, but because her uncle was not at home, I did not feel it my place to decide the matter.他既造化配了個好姑爺，我也放心。Since it is her good fortune to have been matched with such a fine young man, my mind too is set at ease.月里出閣我原想過來吃杯喜酒的，不料我家鬧出這樣事來，我的心就象在熱鍋里熬的似的，那里能夠再到你們家去。When she marries this month, I had originally meant to come over myself and drink a cup of wine in celebration, but who could have expected such trouble to break out in my own family — my heart has been as though seething in a hot pan, and how could I possibly manage to come over to your house now."你回去說我問好，我們這里的人都說請安問好。1. Go back and tell her I send my regards, and everyone here sends their good wishes and regards.你替另告訴你家姑娘，不要將我放在心里。2. Also tell your young lady for me, she mustn't take it to heart on my account.我是八十多歲的人了，就死也算不得沒福的了。3. I'm over eighty years old now, and even if I died it couldn't be called an unblessed life.只願他過了門，兩口子和順，百年到老，我便安心了。”說著，不覺掉下淚來。4. I only wish that after she is married the two of them will live in harmony to a ripe old age, then my mind would be at ease." As she spoke, she could not help shedding tears.那女人道：“老太太也不必傷心。5. The woman said, "There's no need for the old lady to grieve.姑娘過了門，等回了九，少不得同姑爺過來請老太太的安，那時老太太見了才喜歡呢。”賈母點頭。6. After the young lady is married, once the ninth day comes round, she and the young master will surely come to pay their respects to the old lady, and then the old lady will be glad to see them." Grandmother Jia nodded.那女人出去。7. The woman went out.別人都不理論，只有寶玉聽了發了一回怔，心里想道：“如今一天一天的都過不得了。8. No one else paid it any mind, but Baoyu, on hearing this, fell into a daze for a while, thinking to himself, "Things are getting harder to bear with each passing day.為什麼人家養了女兒到大了必要出嫁，一出了嫁就改變。9. Why is it that when people raise a daughter to grow up, she must always marry out, and the moment she marries, everything changes.史妹妹這樣一個人又被他叔叔硬壓著配人了，他將來見了我必是又不理我了。10. Cousin Shi, such a person as she is, has now been forced by her uncle into a match, and when she sees me in the future she is bound to ignore me again.我想一個人到了這個沒人理的分兒，還活著做什麼。”想到那里，又是傷心。11. I think that once a person has reached the point where no one pays them any heed, what is there to go on living for." Having thought this far, he grew sorrowful again.見賈母此時才安，又不敢哭泣，只是悶悶的。12. Seeing that Grandmother Jia had only just settled down, he dared not weep, and only sat there gloomily.

且说贾母见祖宗世职革去，现在子孙在监质审，邢夫人尤氏等日夜啼哭，凤姐病在垂危，虽有宝玉宝钗在侧，只可解劝，不能分忧，所以日夜不宁，思前想后，眼泪不干。一日傍晚，叫宝玉回去，自己扎挣坐起，叫鸳鸯等各处佛堂上香，又命自己院内焚起斗香，用拐拄著出到院中。琥珀知是老太太拜佛，铺下大红短毡拜垫。贾母上香跪下磕了好些头，念了一回佛，含泪祝告天地道：“皇天菩萨在上，我贾门史氏，虔诚祷告，求菩萨慈悲。我贾门数世以来，不敢行凶霸道。我帮夫助子，虽不能为善，亦不敢作恶。必是后辈儿孙骄侈暴佚，暴殄天物，以致合府抄检。现在儿孙监禁，自然凶多吉少，皆由我一人罪孽，不教儿孙，所以至此。我今即求皇天保佑：在监逢凶化吉，有病的早早安身。总有合家罪孽，情愿一人承当，只求饶恕儿孙。若皇天见怜，念我虔诚，早早赐我一死，宽免儿孙之罪。”默默说到此，不禁伤心，呜呜咽咽的哭泣起来。鸳鸯珍珠一面解劝，一面扶进房去。只见王夫人带了宝玉宝钗过来请晚安，见贾母悲伤，三人也大哭起来。宝钗更有一层苦楚：想哥哥也在外监，将来要处决，不知可减缓否，翁姑虽然无事，眼见家业萧条，宝玉依然疯傻，毫无志气。想到后来终身，更比贾母王夫人哭得更痛。宝玉见宝钗如此大恸，他亦有一番悲戚。想的是老太太年老不得安，老爷太太见此光景不免悲伤，众姐妹风流云散，一日少似一日。追想在园中吟诗起社，何等热闹，自从林妹妹一死，我郁闷到今，又有宝姐姐过来，未便时常悲切。见他忧兄思母，日夜难得笑容，今见他悲哀欲绝，心里更加不忍，竟嚎啕大哭。鸳鸯，彩云，莺儿，袭人见他们如此，也各有所思，便也呜咽起来。余者丫头们看得伤心，也便陪哭，竟无人解慰。满屋中哭声惊天动地，将外头上夜婆子吓慌，急报于贾政知道。那贾政正在书房纳闷，听见贾母的人来报，心中著忙，飞奔进内。远远听得哭声甚众，打谅老太太不好，急得魂魄俱丧，疾忙进来，只见坐著悲啼，神魂方定。说是“老太太伤心，你们该劝解，怎么的齐打伙儿哭起来了。”众人听得贾政声气，急忙止哭，大家对面发怔。贾政上前安慰了老太太，又说了众人几句。各自心想道：“我们原恐老太太悲伤，故来劝解，怎么忘情大家痛哭起来。”正自不解，只见老婆子带了史侯家的两个女人进来，请了贾母的安，又向众人请安毕，便说：“我们家老爷，太太，姑娘打发我来，说听见府里的事原没有什么大事，不过一时受惊。恐怕老爷太太烦恼，叫我们过来告诉一声，说这里二老爷是不怕的了。我们姑娘本要自己来的，因不多几日就要出阁，所以不能来了。”贾母听了，不便道谢，说：“你回去给我问好。这是我们的家运合该如此。承你老爷太太惦记，过一日再来奉谢。你家姑娘出阁，想来你们姑爷是不用说的了。他们的家计如何？”两个女人回道：“家计倒不怎么著，只是姑爷长的很好，为人又和平。我们见过好几次，看来与这里宝二爷差不多，还听得说才情学问都好的。”贾母听了，喜欢道：“咱们都是南边人，虽在这里住久了，那些大规矩还是从南方礼儿，所以新姑爷我们都没见过。我前儿还想起我娘家的人来，最疼的就是你们家姑娘，一年三百六十天，在我跟前的日子倒有二百多天，混得这么大了。我原想给他说个好女婿，又为他叔叔不在家，我又不便作主。他既造化配了个好姑爷，我也放心。月里出阁我原想过来吃杯喜酒的，不料我家闹出这样事来，我的心就象在热锅里熬的似的，那里能够再到你们家去。你回去说我问好，我们这里的人都说请安问好。你替另告诉你家姑娘，不要将我放在心里。我是八十多岁的人了，就死也算不得没福的了。只愿他过了门，两口子和顺，百年到老，我便安心了。”说著，不觉掉下泪来。那女人道：“老太太也不必伤心。姑娘过了门，等回了九，少不得同姑爷过来请老太太的安，那时老太太见了才喜欢呢。”贾母点头。那女人出去。别人都不理论，只有宝玉听了发了一回怔，心里想道：“如今一天一天的都过不得了。为什么人家养了女儿到大了必要出嫁，一出了嫁就改变。史妹妹这样一个人又被他叔叔硬压著配人了，他将来见了我必是又不理我了。我想一个人到了这个没人理的分儿，还活著做什么。”想到那里，又是伤心。见贾母此时才安，又不敢哭泣，只是闷闷的。

一時賈政不放心，又進來瞧瞧老太太，見是好些，便出來傳了賴大，叫他將合府里管事家人的花名冊子拿來，一齊點了一點，除去賈赦入官的人，尚有三十餘家，共男女二百十二名。13. Presently Jia Zheng, uneasy in mind, came in again to look in on the old lady, and seeing she was much better, went out and summoned Lai Da, telling him to bring the household register listing all the stewards and servants of the whole mansion, so that they might be checked off one by one; setting aside those confiscated along with Jia She's household, there still remained over thirty families, comprising two hundred and twelve persons in all, male and female.賈政叫現在府內當差的男人共二十一名進來，問起歷年居家用度，共有若干進來，該用若干出去。14. Jia Zheng called in the twenty-one men currently on duty within the mansion, and asked them about the household's expenditures over the years — how much income had come in and how much ought to have gone out.那管總的家人將近來支用簿子呈上。15. The chief steward in charge presented the account book of recent expenditures.賈政看時，所入不敷所出，又加連年宮里花用，帳上有在外浮借的也不少。16. When Jia Zheng looked it over, income fell short of expenditure, and on top of that, with the expenses incurred in the palace year after year, there was on the books no small amount of money borrowed on the outside as well.再查東省地租，近年所交不及祖上一半，如今用度比祖上更加十倍。17. He further checked the land rents from the eastern provinces, and found that what had been remitted in recent years did not even amount to half of what it had been in his ancestors' time, while present expenditures were now ten times what they had been in his ancestors' time.賈政不看則已，看了急得跺腳道：“這了不得！18. Jia Zheng had been fine as long as he did not look, but having looked, he stamped his foot in alarm and said, "This is terrible!我打量雖是璉兒管事，在家自有把持，豈知好幾年頭里已就寅年用了卯年的，還是這樣裝好看，竟把世職俸祿當作不打緊的事情，為什麼不敗呢！19. I had reckoned that although Lian was in charge of affairs, he surely kept things in hand at home; who would have thought that for several years now he had already been spending the coming year's income in the present year, all the while putting up this show of prosperity, actually treating the hereditary rank's stipend as a trifling matter — how could the family not go to ruin!我如今要就省儉起來，已是遲了。”想到那里，背著手踱來踱去，竟無方法。20. Now that I want to start economizing, it is already too late." Thinking this over, he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, utterly at a loss.眾人知賈政不知理家，也是白操心著急，便說道：“老爺也不用焦心，這是家家這樣的。21. The others, knowing that Jia Zheng had no experience managing a household and was simply fretting himself over nothing, said, "There is no need for the master to worry himself sick, every family is like this.若是統總算起來，連王爺家還不夠。22. If one were to add it all up in total, even a prince's household would not have enough.不過是裝著門面，過到那里就到那里。23. It is only that a front is kept up, and things go on as far as they go.如今老爺到底得了主上的恩典，才有這點子家產，若是一并入了官，老爺就不用過了不成。”賈政嗔道：“放屁！24. As things stand, it is only thanks to His Majesty's gracious favor that the master still has this little bit of family property; if it had all been confiscated as well, would the master simply have had no way to live?" Jia Zheng said angrily, "Nonsense!你們這班奴才最沒有良心的，仗著主子好的時候任意開銷，到弄光了，走的走，跑的跑，還顧主子的死活嗎！25. You lot of servants are the most heartless of all — while your masters were doing well you spent freely as you pleased, and once you had squandered it all clean, some fled and some ran off, and who among you gave a thought to whether your masters lived or died!如今你們道是沒有查封是好，那知道外頭的名聲。26. Now you think it is a good thing that there has been no confiscation and sealing of property, but you have no idea what reputation we have outside.大本兒都保不住，還擱得住你們在外頭支架子說大話誆人騙人，到鬧出事來望主子身上一推就完了。27. Even the great foundation itself could not be kept safe, yet how could it still bear the weight of you people putting on airs outside, talking big and cheating and deceiving people, and then when trouble breaks out, pushing it all onto your masters and thinking that settles it!如今大老爺與珍大爺的事，說是咱們家人鮑二在外傳播的，我看這人口冊上并沒有鮑二，這是怎麼說？”眾人回道：“這鮑二是不在冊檔上的。28. Now in the matter concerning Elder Master Jia She and Master Zhen, it is said that our own household servant Bao Er has been spreading it about outside; I see that this register of persons does not even have Bao Er's name in it — how is this to be explained?" The others replied, "This Bao Er is not entered in the register.先前在宁府冊上，為二爺見他老實，把他們兩口子叫過來了。29. Formerly he was on the register of the Ning mansion; because the Second Master saw that he was honest and reliable, he had the two of them, husband and wife, brought over here.及至他女人死了，他又回宁府去。30. Once his wife died, he went back again to the Ning mansion.後來老爺衙門有事，老太太們爺們往陵上去，珍大爺替理家事帶過來的，以後也就去了。31. Later, when the master had business at the yamen and the old ladies and gentlemen went to the tombs, Master Zhen, who was managing household affairs in his stead, brought him over, and afterward he went back again as well.老爺數年不管家事，那里知道這些事來。32. The master has not managed household affairs for years now, so how could he know of such matters.老爺打量冊上沒有名字的就只有這個人，不知一個人手下親戚們也有，奴才還有奴才呢。”賈政道：“這還了得！”想去一時不能清理，只得喝退眾人，早打了主意在心里了，且聽賈赦等事審得怎樣再定。33. The master supposed that this one man was the only one whose name was not on the register, not realizing that under any one person there are relatives as well, and that even servants have servants of their own." Jia Zheng said, "This is outrageous!" He thought that for the moment there was no way to sort it all out, so he had no choice but to shout at the others to withdraw, though he had already made up his mind about it, and would wait to see how the matter of Jia She and the rest turned out before deciding further.

一时贾政不放心，又进来瞧瞧老太太，见是好些，便出来传了赖大，叫他将合府里管事家人的花名册子拿来，一齐点了一点，除去贾赦入官的人，尚有三十余家，共男女二百十二名。贾政叫现在府内当差的男人共二十一名进来，问起历年居家用度，共有若干进来，该用若干出去。那管总的家人将近来支用簿子呈上。贾政看时，所入不敷所出，又加连年宫里花用，帐上有在外浮借的也不少。再查东省地租，近年所交不及祖上一半，如今用度比祖上更加十倍。贾政不看则已，看了急得跺脚道：“这了不得！我打量虽是琏儿管事，在家自有把持，岂知好几年头里已就寅年用了卯年的，还是这样装好看，竟把世职俸禄当作不打紧的事情，为什么不败呢！我如今要就省俭起来，已是迟了。”想到那里，背著手踱来踱去，竟无方法。众人知贾政不知理家，也是白操心著急，便说道：“老爷也不用焦心，这是家家这样的。若是统总算起来，连王爷家还不够。不过是装著门面，过到那里就到那里。如今老爷到底得了主上的恩典，才有这点子家产，若是一并入了官，老爷就不用过了不成。”贾政嗔道：“放屁！你们这班奴才最没有良心的，仗著主子好的时候任意开销，到弄光了，走的走，跑的跑，还顾主子的死活吗！如今你们道是没有查封是好，那知道外头的名声。大本儿都保不住，还搁得住你们在外头支架子说大话诓人骗人，到闹出事来望主子身上一推就完了。如今大老爷与珍大爷的事，说是咱们家人鲍二在外传播的，我看这人口册上并没有鲍二，这是怎么说？”众人回道：“这鲍二是不在册档上的。先前在宁府册上，为二爷见他老实，把他们两口子叫过来了。及至他女人死了，他又回宁府去。后来老爷衙门有事，老太太们爷们往陵上去，珍大爷替理家事带过来的，以后也就去了。老爷数年不管家事，那里知道这些事来。老爷打量册上没有名字的就只有这个人，不知一个人手下亲戚们也有，奴才还有奴才呢。”贾政道：“这还了得！”想去一时不能清理，只得喝退众人，早打了主意在心里了，且听贾赦等事审得怎样再定。

一日正在書房籌算，只見一人飛奔進來說：“請老爺快進內廷問話。”賈政聽了心下著忙，只得進去。34. One day, just as he was in his study working over the accounts, he saw a man come rushing in and say, "Please, the master must go in to the palace at once to answer questions." On hearing this Jia Zheng's heart was seized with alarm, and he had no choice but to go in.未知凶吉，下回分解。35. Whether it boded ill or well is not yet known; that will be told in the next chapter.

一日正在书房筹算，只见一人飞奔进来说：“请老爷快进内廷问话。”贾政听了心下著忙，只得进去。未知凶吉，下回分解。