第百一十回　史太君壽終歸地府　王鳳姐力詘失人心 The Lady Dowager Dies at a Ripe Age; Wang Xifeng, Her Powers Failing, Loses the People's Hearts

卻說賈母坐起說道：“我到你們家已經六十多年了。But to continue: Grandmother Jia sat up and said, “I have been in your family for more than sixty years now.從年輕的時候到老來，福也享盡了。From my youth to my old age, I have enjoyed every blessing there was.自你們老爺起，兒子孫子也都算是好的了。Beginning with your fathers, my sons and grandsons have all turned out well enough.就是寶玉呢，我疼了他一場。”說到那里，拿眼滿地下瞅著。And as for Baoyu, I lavished all my love on him.” At this, she searched the room with her eyes.王夫人便推寶玉走到床前。Lady Wang then urged Baoyu forward to the bedside.賈母從被窩里伸出手來拉著寶玉道：“我的兒，你要爭氣才好！”寶玉嘴里答應，心里一酸，那眼淚便要流下來，又不敢哭，只得站著，聽賈母說道：“我想再見一個重孫子我就安心了。Grandmother Jia reached a hand out from beneath the covers, took Baoyu’s hand, and said, “My child, you must strive to make something of yourself!” Baoyu answered aloud, but his heart ached and tears started to his eyes; not daring to cry, he could only stand there as Grandmother Jia continued, “If I could only see a great-grandson before I go, I could die content.我的蘭兒在那里呢？”李紈也推賈蘭上去。Where is my Lan’er?” Li Wan likewise urged Jia Lan forward.賈母放了寶玉，拉著賈蘭道：“你母親是要孝順的，將來你成了人，也叫你母親風光風光。Grandmother Jia released Baoyu and took Jia Lan’s hand. “You must be filial to your mother. When you have made something of yourself, see that your mother enjoys some honor and glory too.鳳丫頭呢？”鳳姐本來站在賈母旁邊，赶忙走到眼前說：“在這里呢。”賈母道：“我的兒，你是太聰明了，將來修修福罷。And where is Feng, my girl?” Xifeng, who had been standing beside Grandmother Jia, hurried forward and said, “I am here.” Grandmother Jia said, “My child, you are far too clever; from now on, try to cultivate some blessings for yourself.我也沒有修什麼，不過心實吃虧，那些吃齋念佛的事我也不大幹，就是舊年叫人寫了些《金剛經》送送人，不知送完了沒有？”鳳姐道：“沒有呢。”賈母道：“早該施舍完了才好。I never cultivated much merit myself. I merely suffered losses through being too honest. I have never done much fasting or reciting of sutras either; only last year I had some copies of the Diamond Sutra made to give away. I wonder whether they have all been distributed?” Xifeng replied, “Not yet.” Grandmother Jia said, “They should have been given away long ago.我們大老爺和珍兒是在外頭樂了，最可惡的是史丫頭沒良心，怎麼總不來瞧我。”鴛鴦等明知其故，都不言語。Our Elder Master and Zhen’er are enjoying themselves away from home. Worst of all is that heartless Shi girl—why does she never come to see me?” Yuanyang and the others knew the reason perfectly well, but none of them spoke.賈母又瞧了一瞧寶釵，歎了口氣，只見臉上發紅。Grandmother Jia looked once more at Baochai and sighed; a flush suddenly appeared on her face.賈政知是回光返照，即忙進上參湯。Jia Zheng knew this was the final rally before death and hurriedly offered her some ginseng broth.賈母的牙關已經緊了，合了一回眼，又睜著滿屋里瞧了一瞧。Grandmother Jia’s jaws were already locked. She closed her eyes for a time, then opened them and looked once around the whole room.王夫人寶釵上去輕輕扶著，邢夫人鳳姐等便忙穿衣，地下婆子們已將床安設停當，舖了被褥，聽見賈母喉間略一響動，臉變笑容，竟是去了，享年八十三歲。Lady Wang and Baochai stepped forward and gently supported her, while Lady Xing, Xifeng, and the others hurried to dress her. The old serving-women had already prepared the deathbed on the floor and spread it with bedding. They heard a faint sound in Grandmother Jia’s throat; her face took on a smile, and she was gone, at the age of eighty-three.眾婆子疾忙停床。The old serving-women hurriedly moved her onto the deathbed.于是賈政等在外一邊跪著，邢夫人等在內一邊跪著，一齊舉起哀來。Jia Zheng and the others knelt in a row outside, while Lady Xing and the other women knelt in a row within, and all together they raised a great wail of mourning.外面家人各樣預備齊全，只聽里頭信兒一傳出來，從榮府大門起至內宅門扇扇大開，一色淨白紙糊了，孝棚高起，大門前的牌樓立時豎起，上下人等登時成服。The servants outside had made every preparation. As soon as word came from within, every door from the main gate of the Rong Mansion to the inner apartments was flung open and uniformly covered with clean white paper; a mourning pavilion rose high, the ceremonial archway before the main gate was erected at once, and masters and servants alike immediately donned mourning dress.賈政報了丁憂。Jia Zheng formally reported that he was in mourning for a parent.禮部奏聞，主上深仁厚澤，念及世代功勳，又系元妃祖母，賞銀一千兩，諭禮部主祭。The Ministry of Rites reported the death to the throne. In his profound benevolence and abundant grace, the Emperor recalled the family’s services through the generations and considered also that the deceased was Imperial Consort Yuan’s grandmother; he bestowed a thousand taels of silver and ordered the Ministry of Rites to officiate at the principal sacrifice.家人們各處報喪。The servants carried notices of the death to every quarter.眾親友雖知賈家勢敗，今見圣恩隆重，都來探喪。Though their relatives and friends knew that the Jia family’s fortunes had declined, when they saw the signal honor shown by imperial grace, they all came to pay their condolences.擇了吉時成殮，停靈正寢。An auspicious hour was chosen for encoffining her, and the coffin was laid in state in the main hall.賈赦不在家，賈政為長，寶玉，賈環，賈蘭是親孫，年紀又小，都應守靈。Since Jia She was away from home, Jia Zheng was the senior member present; Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan were direct grandsons and still young, so all were required to keep vigil beside the coffin.賈璉雖也是親孫，帶著賈蓉尚可分派家人辦事。Jia Lian, though also a direct grandson, could, together with Jia Rong, still be assigned to supervise the servants and manage affairs.雖請了些男女外親來照應，內里邢王二夫人，李紈，鳳姐，寶釵等是應靈旁哭泣的，尤氏雖可照應，他賈珍外出依住榮府，一向總不上前，且又榮府的事不甚諳練。Although some male and female relatives had been invited to assist, within the house Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai, and the others were obliged to remain beside the coffin and weep. You-shi might have helped supervise, but with Jia Zhen away she had moved into the Rong Mansion and had long kept herself aloof; besides, she was not well versed in that household’s affairs.賈蓉的媳婦更不必說了。Still less need be said of Jia Rong’s wife.惜春年小，雖在這里長的，他于家事全不知道。Xichun was young; though she had grown up here, she knew nothing whatever about household affairs.所以內里竟無一人支持，只有鳳姐可以照管里頭的事。Thus there was no one at all to take charge within except Xifeng.況又賈璉在外作主，里外他二人倒也相宜。Moreover, as Jia Lian was in authority outside, the two of them were well suited to manage the inner and outer arrangements between them.

却说贾母坐起说道：“我到你们家已经六十多年了。从年轻的时候到老来，福也享尽了。自你们老爷起，儿子孙子也都算是好的了。就是宝玉呢，我疼了他一场。”说到那里，拿眼满地下瞅著。王夫人便推宝玉走到床前。贾母从被窝里伸出手来拉著宝玉道：“我的儿，你要争气才好！”宝玉嘴里答应，心里一酸，那眼泪便要流下来，又不敢哭，只得站著，听贾母说道：“我想再见一个重孙子我就安心了。我的兰儿在那里呢？”李纨也推贾兰上去。贾母放了宝玉，拉著贾兰道：“你母亲是要孝顺的，将来你成了人，也叫你母亲风光风光。凤丫头呢？”凤姐本来站在贾母旁边，赶忙走到眼前说：“在这里呢。”贾母道：“我的儿，你是太聪明了，将来修修福罢。我也没有修什么，不过心实吃亏，那些吃斋念佛的事我也不大干，就是旧年叫人写了些《金刚经》送送人，不知送完了没有？”凤姐道：“没有呢。”贾母道：“早该施舍完了才好。我们大老爷和珍儿是在外头乐了，最可恶的是史丫头没良心，怎么总不来瞧我。”鸳鸯等明知其故，都不言语。贾母又瞧了一瞧宝钗，叹了口气，只见脸上发红。贾政知是回光返照，即忙进上参汤。贾母的牙关已经紧了，合了一回眼，又睁著满屋里瞧了一瞧。王夫人宝钗上去轻轻扶著，邢夫人凤姐等便忙穿衣，地下婆子们已将床安设停当，铺了被褥，听见贾母喉间略一响动，脸变笑容，竟是去了，享年八十三岁。众婆子疾忙停床。于是贾政等在外一边跪著，邢夫人等在内一边跪著，一齐举起哀来。外面家人各样预备齐全，只听里头信儿一传出来，从荣府大门起至内宅门扇扇大开，一色净白纸糊了，孝棚高起，大门前的牌楼立时竖起，上下人等登时成服。贾政报了丁忧。礼部奏闻，主上深仁厚泽，念及世代功勋，又系元妃祖母，赏银一千两，谕礼部主祭。家人们各处报丧。众亲友虽知贾家势败，今见圣恩隆重，都来探丧。择了吉时成殓，停灵正寝。贾赦不在家，贾政为长，宝玉，贾环，贾兰是亲孙，年纪又小，都应守灵。贾琏虽也是亲孙，带著贾蓉尚可分派家人办事。虽请了些男女外亲来照应，内里邢王二夫人，李纨，凤姐，宝钗等是应灵旁哭泣的，尤氏虽可照应，他贾珍外出依住荣府，一向总不上前，且又荣府的事不甚谙练。贾蓉的媳妇更不必说了。惜春年小，虽在这里长的，他于家事全不知道。所以内里竟无一人支持，只有凤姐可以照管里头的事。况又贾琏在外作主，里外他二人倒也相宜。

鳳姐先前仗著自己的才幹，原打量老太太死了他大有一番作用。Relying on her own abilities, Xifeng had previously supposed that when the old lady died there would be a great opportunity for her to show what she could do.邢王二夫人等本知他曾辦過秦氏的事，必是妥當，于是仍叫鳳姐總理里頭的事。Lady Xing and Lady Wang knew that she had managed Qin-shi’s funeral before and were sure she would handle everything properly, so once again they put Xifeng in overall charge of affairs within.鳳姐本不應辭，自然應了，心想：“這里的事本是我管的，那些家人更是我手下的人，太太和珍大嫂子的人本來難使喚些，如今他們都去了。Xifeng could hardly decline and naturally accepted, thinking, “The affairs here have always been under my management, and these servants are my own subordinates. The people belonging to the ladies and to Cousin Zhen’s wife were always somewhat difficult to command, but now they have all gone.銀項雖沒有了對牌，這种銀子是現成的。Though the disbursement tallies are no longer available, the silver for a funeral of this kind is ready at hand.外頭的事又是他辦著。And the affairs outside are being managed by him.雖說我現今身子不好，想來也不致落褒貶，必是比宁府里還得辦些。”心下已定，且待明日接了三，後日一早便叫周瑞家的傳出話去，將花名冊取上來。Though my health is poor now, surely I shall not leave myself open to criticism; indeed, I should be able to manage this even better than the funeral at the Ning Mansion.” Having settled this in her mind, she waited until the third-day rites had been observed; early the following morning, she told Zhou Rui’s wife to send word around and bring her the servants’ roster.鳳姐一一的瞧了，統共只有男仆二十一人，女仆只有十九人，餘者俱是些丫頭，連各房算上，也不過三十多人，難以點派差使。Xifeng examined it item by item. Altogether there were only twenty-one male servants and nineteen female servants; the rest were young maids, and even counting those attached to the various apartments, there were scarcely more than thirty—too few to assign all the necessary duties.心里想道：“這回老太太的事倒沒有東府里的人多。”又將庄上的弄出幾個，也不敷差遣。She thought, “For the old lady’s funeral this time, we actually have fewer people than the Eastern Mansion had.” She brought in several workers from the country estates, but there were still not enough to go around.正在思算，只見一個小丫頭過來說：“鴛鴦姐姐請奶奶。”鳳姐只得過去。As she was calculating what to do, a young maid came over and said, “Sister Yuanyang asks to see you, madam.” Xifeng had no choice but to go.只見鴛鴦哭得淚人一般，一把拉著鳳姐兒說道：“二奶奶請坐，我給二奶奶磕個頭。She found Yuanyang weeping until she seemed made of tears. Seizing Xifeng by the hand, Yuanyang said, “Please sit down, Second Mistress, and let me kowtow to you.雖說服中不行禮，這個頭是要磕的。”鴛鴦說著跪下。Though we are not supposed to exchange formal courtesies while in mourning, this is one kowtow I must make.” With that, Yuanyang knelt down.慌的鳳姐赶忙拉住，說道：“這是什麼禮，有話好好的說。”鴛鴦跪著，鳳姐便拉起來。Xifeng, alarmed, hurriedly caught hold of her and said, “What sort of ceremony is this? If you have something to say, just tell me properly.” Yuanyang remained kneeling, so Xifeng pulled her to her feet.鴛鴦說道：“老太太的事一應內外都是二爺和二奶奶辦，這种銀子是老太太留下的。Yuanyang said, “All the arrangements for the old lady’s funeral, within and without, are in the hands of Second Master Lian and you, Second Mistress. The silver for a funeral of this kind was left by the old lady herself.老太太這一輩子也沒有糟踏過什麼銀錢，如今臨了這件大事，必得求二奶奶体体面面的辦一辦才好。The old lady never squandered money in all her life. Now, at the end, for this great final occasion, I must beg you to conduct it with proper dignity.我方才聽見老爺說什麼詩云子曰，我不懂，又說什麼‘喪與其易，宁戚’，我聽了不明白。Just now I heard the Master quoting something from the Classics. I did not understand it; then he said something about ‘in mourning, grief is better than punctiliousness,’ and that too was beyond me.我問寶二奶奶，說是老爺的意思老太太的喪事只要悲切才是真孝，不必糜費圖好看的念頭。I asked Second Mistress Bao, and she said the Master meant that heartfelt grief alone showed true filial piety in the old lady’s funeral, and that there was no need to waste money merely for an impressive display.我想老太太這樣一個人，怎麼不該体面些！But I thought: for someone like the old lady, how could the funeral not be conducted with proper dignity?我雖是奴才丫頭，敢說什麼，只是老太太疼二奶奶和我這一場，臨死了還不叫他風光風光！I am only a bondmaid and have no right to say anything, but after all the love the old lady showed you and me, how can we fail to give her honor and splendor at her death?我想二奶奶是能辦大事的，故此我請二奶奶來求作個主。I know you are capable of managing great affairs, Second Mistress, and so I asked you here to beg you to take the matter in hand.我生是跟老太太的人，老太太死了我也是跟老太太的，若是瞧不見老太太的事怎麼辦，將來怎麼見老太太呢！”鳳姐聽了這話來的古怪，便說：“你放心，要体面是不難的。In life I belonged to the old lady, and now that she is dead I still belong to her. If I cannot see how her funeral is conducted, how shall I ever face her hereafter?” Xifeng found something strange in these words and replied, “Do not worry. It will not be difficult to make the funeral dignified.況且老爺雖說要省，那勢派也錯不得。Besides, though the Master says we must economize, the proper scale and style cannot be neglected.便拿這項銀子都花在老太太身上，也是該當的。”鴛鴦道：“老太太的遺言說，所有剩下的東西是給我們的，二奶奶倘或用著不夠，只管拿這個去折變補上。Even if every bit of this silver is spent on the old lady, that is only as it should be.” Yuanyang said, “In her last instructions, the old lady said that everything remaining was to be given to us. If the money at your disposal should prove insufficient, you need only take those things, sell them, and make up the shortfall.就是老爺說什麼，我也不好違老太太的遺言。Whatever the Master may say, I cannot very well disobey the old lady’s last wishes.那日老太太分派的時候不是老爺在這里聽見的么。”鳳姐道：“你素來最明白的，怎麼這會子那樣的著急起來了。”鴛鴦道：“不是我著急，為的是大太太是不管事的，老爺是怕招搖的，若是二奶奶心里也是老爺的想頭，說抄過家的人家喪事還是這麼好，將來又要抄起來，也就不顧起老太太來，怎麼處！Was the Master not here himself, listening, on the day the old lady apportioned everything?” Xifeng said, “You have always been the most sensible of us all. Why are you in such a panic now?” Yuanyang replied, “It is not that I am panicking. The trouble is that the Elder Lady takes no part in affairs, while the Master is afraid of ostentation. If you think as he does—that if a family whose property has been confiscated holds too fine a funeral, the authorities may come and confiscate it again—and therefore cease to consider what is due to the old lady, what are we to do?在我呢是個丫頭，好歹礙不著，到底是這里的聲名。”鳳姐道：“我知道了，你只管放心，有我呢！”鴛鴦千恩萬謝的托了鳳姐。As for me, I am only a maid, and whatever happens will hardly affect me; but the family’s reputation is at stake.” Xifeng said, “I understand. Do not worry; you have me!” Yuanyang thanked her over and over and entrusted the matter to her.

凤姐先前仗著自己的才干，原打量老太太死了他大有一番作用。邢王二夫人等本知他曾办过秦氏的事，必是妥当，于是仍叫凤姐总理里头的事。凤姐本不应辞，自然应了，心想：“这里的事本是我管的，那些家人更是我手下的人，太太和珍大嫂子的人本来难使唤些，如今他们都去了。银项虽没有了对牌，这种银子是现成的。外头的事又是他办著。虽说我现今身子不好，想来也不致落褒贬，必是比宁府里还得办些。”心下已定，且待明日接了三，后日一早便叫周瑞家的传出话去，将花名册取上来。凤姐一一的瞧了，统共只有男仆二十一人，女仆只有十九人，余者俱是些丫头，连各房算上，也不过三十多人，难以点派差使。心里想道：“这回老太太的事倒没有东府里的人多。”又将庄上的弄出几个，也不敷差遣。正在思算，只见一个小丫头过来说：“鸳鸯姐姐请奶奶。”凤姐只得过去。只见鸳鸯哭得泪人一般，一把拉著凤姐儿说道：“二奶奶请坐，我给二奶奶磕个头。虽说服中不行礼，这个头是要磕的。”鸳鸯说著跪下。慌的凤姐赶忙拉住，说道：“这是什么礼，有话好好的说。”鸳鸯跪著，凤姐便拉起来。鸳鸯说道：“老太太的事一应内外都是二爷和二奶奶办，这种银子是老太太留下的。老太太这一辈子也没有糟踏过什么银钱，如今临了这件大事，必得求二奶奶体体面面的办一办才好。我方才听见老爷说什么诗云子曰，我不懂，又说什么‘丧与其易，宁戚’，我听了不明白。我问宝二奶奶，说是老爷的意思老太太的丧事只要悲切才是真孝，不必糜费图好看的念头。我想老太太这样一个人，怎么不该体面些！我虽是奴才丫头，敢说什么，只是老太太疼二奶奶和我这一场，临死了还不叫他风光风光！我想二奶奶是能办大事的，故此我请二奶奶来求作个主。我生是跟老太太的人，老太太死了我也是跟老太太的，若是瞧不见老太太的事怎么办，将来怎么见老太太呢！”凤姐听了这话来的古怪，便说：“你放心，要体面是不难的。况且老爷虽说要省，那势派也错不得。便拿这项银子都花在老太太身上，也是该当的。”鸳鸯道：“老太太的遗言说，所有剩下的东西是给我们的，二奶奶倘或用著不够，只管拿这个去折变补上。就是老爷说什么，我也不好违老太太的遗言。那日老太太分派的时候不是老爷在这里听见的么。”凤姐道：“你素来最明白的，怎么这会子那样的著急起来了。”鸳鸯道：“不是我著急，为的是大太太是不管事的，老爷是怕招摇的，若是二奶奶心里也是老爷的想头，说抄过家的人家丧事还是这么好，将来又要抄起来，也就不顾起老太太来，怎么处！在我呢是个丫头，好歹碍不著，到底是这里的声名。”凤姐道：“我知道了，你只管放心，有我呢！”鸳鸯千恩万谢的托了凤姐。

那鳳姐出來想道：“鴛鴦這東西好古怪，不知打了什麼主意，論理老太太身上本該体面些。When Xifeng came out, she thought, “Yuanyang is behaving very strangely. I wonder what she has in mind. In principle, of course, the old lady’s funeral ought to have proper dignity.噯，不要管他，且按著咱們家先前的樣子辦去。”于是叫了旺兒家的來把話傳出去請二爺進來。Oh, never mind her. For now, we shall arrange it according to our family’s former custom.” She then summoned Wang’er’s wife and told her to send word asking Second Master Lian to come in.不多時，賈璉進來，說道：“怎麼找我？Before long Jia Lian arrived and asked, “Why did you send for me?你在里頭照應著些就是了。You need only keep an eye on things inside.橫豎作主是咱們二老爺，他說怎麼著咱們就怎麼著。”鳳姐道：“你也說起這個話來了，可不是鴛鴦說的話應驗了么。”賈璉道：“什麼鴛鴦的話？”鳳姐便將鴛鴦請進去的話述了一遍。In any case, our Second Master is in charge; we shall simply do whatever he says.” Xifeng replied, “So you are talking like that too! Then has not what Yuanyang said come true?” Jia Lian asked, “What did Yuanyang say?” Xifeng repeated everything Yuanyang had said when she called her in.賈璉道：“他們的話算什麼。Jia Lian said, “What do their words matter?才剛二老爺叫我去，說老太太的事固要認真辦理，但是知道的呢，說是老太太自己結果自己，不知道的只說咱們都隱匿起來了，如今很寬裕。Just now the Second Master summoned me and said that the old lady’s affairs must certainly be handled conscientiously; but those who know the truth will say the old lady brought the family’s fortune to an end herself, while those who do not will merely suppose we concealed our wealth and are still very comfortably off.老太太的這种銀子用不了誰還要么，仍舊該用在老太太身上。If the silver the old lady set aside for this purpose is not all used, who else should have it? It still ought to be spent on her.老太太是在南邊的墳地雖有，陰宅卻沒有。Though the old lady has a burial plot in the south, there is no residence there for the keepers of the tombs.老太太的柩是要歸到南邊去的，留這銀子在祖墳上蓋起些房屋來，再余下的置買幾頃祭田。Her coffin is to be taken back south, so he proposes to keep this silver to build some houses at the ancestral graveyard and use whatever remains to purchase several qing of sacrificial land.咱們回去也好，就是不回去，也叫這些貧窮族中住著，也好按時按節早晚上香，時常祭掃祭掃。Then we shall have somewhere to stay when we return. Even if we do not go back, poor members of the clan can live there, burn incense morning and evening at the proper seasons, and regularly tend the graves and offer sacrifices.你想這些話可不是正經主意？Do you not think that is a sound and proper plan?据你這個話，難道都花了罷？”鳳姐道：“銀子發出來了沒有？”賈璉道：“誰見過銀子！From what you say, are we to spend all the money instead?” Xifeng asked, “Has the silver been issued yet?” Jia Lian replied, “Who has even seen the silver?我聽見咱們太太聽見了二老爺的話，极力的竄掇二太太和二老爺，說這是好主意。I heard that when our lady learned what the Second Master had said, she vigorously urged the Second Lady and the Second Master to follow it, saying it was an excellent plan.叫我怎麼著！What do you expect me to do?現在外頭棚杠上要支幾百銀子，這會子還沒有發出來。Several hundred taels are presently needed for the outdoor pavilions and scaffolding, yet not a penny has been issued.我要去，他們都說有，先叫外頭辦了回來再算。When I ask for it, they all say the money is there and tell me first to have the work done outside and settle the account afterward.你想這些奴才們有錢的早溜了，按著冊子叫去，有的說告病，有的說下庄子去了。Just think: those servants who had money slipped away long ago. When we summon them according to the roster, some report sick and others say they have gone down to the estates.走不動的有幾個，只有賺錢的能耐，還有賠錢的本事么！”鳳姐聽了，呆了半天，說道：“這還辦什麼！”正說著，見來了一個丫頭說：“大太太的話問二奶奶，今兒第三天了，里頭還很亂，供了飯還叫親戚們等著嗎？Of the few unable to leave, every one knows how to make a profit—but do you suppose they know how to advance money and risk a loss?” Xifeng listened, dumbfounded for a long while, then said, “How can we conduct a funeral at all like this?” As she spoke, a maid arrived and said, “The Elder Lady asks Second Mistress: today is already the third day, yet everything inside is still in confusion. Now that the meal has been set out, are the relatives to be kept waiting?叫了半天，來了菜，短了飯，這是什麼辦事的道理！”鳳姐急忙進去，吆喝人來伺候，胡弄著將早飯打發了。We called for ages; the dishes finally came, but there was not enough rice. What sort of way is this to manage affairs?” Xifeng hurried inside, shouted for people to attend to the guests, and somehow muddled through serving breakfast.偏偏那日人來的多，里頭的人都死眉瞪眼的。As ill luck would have it, an unusually large number of people came that day, while the servants within merely stood about blank-faced and inert.鳳姐只得在那里照料了一會子，又惦記著派人，赶著出來叫了旺兒家的傳齊了家人女人們，一一分派了。Xifeng had to remain there and see to things for a while; then, remembering that she still had duties to assign, she hurried out and ordered Wang’er’s wife to assemble all the male and female servants, whom she assigned one by one.眾人都答應著不動。They all assented, but did not stir.鳳姐道：“什麼時候，還不供飯！”眾人道：“傳飯是容易的，只要將里頭的東西發出來，我們才好照管去。”鳳姐道：“糊涂東西，派定了你們少不得有的。”眾人只得勉強應著。Xifeng said, “At such an hour, why have you not served the meal?” They replied, “It is easy enough to order the meal served, but the necessary things must first be issued from within before we can take charge of them.” Xifeng said, “You fools! Once your duties are assigned, naturally you will be given what you need.” They had no choice but to agree reluctantly.鳳姐即往上房取發應用之物，要去請示邢王二夫人，見人多難說，看那時候已經日漸平西了，只得找了鴛鴦，說要老太太存的這一分家伙。Xifeng immediately went to the principal apartments to obtain and issue the necessary articles. She meant to consult Lady Xing and Lady Wang, but there were too many people present for her to speak freely. Seeing that the sun was already sinking westward, she could only seek out Yuanyang and ask for the set of household utensils kept by the old lady.鴛鴦道：“你還問我呢，那一年二爺當了贖了來了么！”鳳姐道：“不用銀的金的，只要這一分平常使的。”鴛鴦道：“大太太珍大奶奶屋里使的是那里來的！”鳳姐一想不差，轉身就走，只得到王夫人那邊找了玉釧彩雲，才拿了一分出來，急忙叫彩明登帳，發與眾人收管。Yuanyang said, “Why ask me? Did Second Master Lian ever redeem the things he pawned that year?” Xifeng replied, “I do not need the gold or silver pieces, only the set used for ordinary occasions.” Yuanyang said, “Where do you suppose the things being used in the Elder Lady’s and Mistress Zhen’s rooms came from?” Xifeng realized she was right and turned away. She had no choice but to seek out Yuchuan and Caiyun on Lady Wang’s side; only then did she obtain a set, and she hurriedly had Caiming enter it in the accounts and issue it into the servants’ custody.

那凤姐出来想道：“鸳鸯这东西好古怪，不知打了什么主意，论理老太太身上本该体面些。嗳，不要管他，且按著咱们家先前的样子办去。”于是叫了旺儿家的来把话传出去请二爷进来。不多时，贾琏进来，说道：“怎么找我？你在里头照应著些就是了。横竖作主是咱们二老爷，他说怎么著咱们就怎么著。”凤姐道：“你也说起这个话来了，可不是鸳鸯说的话应验了么。”贾琏道：“什么鸳鸯的话？”凤姐便将鸳鸯请进去的话述了一遍。贾琏道：“他们的话算什么。才刚二老爷叫我去，说老太太的事固要认真办理，但是知道的呢，说是老太太自己结果自己，不知道的只说咱们都隐匿起来了，如今很宽裕。老太太的这种银子用不了谁还要么，仍旧该用在老太太身上。老太太是在南边的坟地虽有，阴宅却没有。老太太的柩是要归到南边去的，留这银子在祖坟上盖起些房屋来，再余下的置买几顷祭田。咱们回去也好，就是不回去，也叫这些贫穷族中住著，也好按时按节早晚上香，时常祭扫祭扫。你想这些话可不是正经主意？据你这个话，难道都花了罢？”凤姐道：“银子发出来了没有？”贾琏道：“谁见过银子！我听见咱们太太听见了二老爷的话，极力的窜掇二太太和二老爷，说这是好主意。叫我怎么著！现在外头棚杠上要支几百银子，这会子还没有发出来。我要去，他们都说有，先叫外头办了回来再算。你想这些奴才们有钱的早溜了，按著册子叫去，有的说告病，有的说下庄子去了。走不动的有几个，只有赚钱的能耐，还有赔钱的本事么！”凤姐听了，呆了半天，说道：“这还办什么！”正说著，见来了一个丫头说：“大太太的话问二奶奶，今儿第三天了，里头还很乱，供了饭还叫亲戚们等著吗？叫了半天，来了菜，短了饭，这是什么办事的道理！”凤姐急忙进去，吆喝人来伺候，胡弄著将早饭打发了。偏偏那日人来的多，里头的人都死眉瞪眼的。凤姐只得在那里照料了一会子，又惦记著派人，赶著出来叫了旺儿家的传齐了家人女人们，一一分派了。众人都答应著不动。凤姐道：“什么时候，还不供饭！”众人道：“传饭是容易的，只要将里头的东西发出来，我们才好照管去。”凤姐道：“糊涂东西，派定了你们少不得有的。”众人只得勉强应著。凤姐即往上房取发应用之物，要去请示邢王二夫人，见人多难说，看那时候已经日渐平西了，只得找了鸳鸯，说要老太太存的这一分家伙。鸳鸯道：“你还问我呢，那一年二爷当了赎了来了么！”凤姐道：“不用银的金的，只要这一分平常使的。”鸳鸯道：“大太太珍大奶奶屋里使的是那里来的！”凤姐一想不差，转身就走，只得到王夫人那边找了玉钏彩云，才拿了一分出来，急忙叫彩明登帐，发与众人收管。

鴛鴦見鳳姐這樣慌張，又不好叫他回來，心想：“他頭里作事何等爽利周到，如今怎麼掣肘的這個樣兒。Seeing Xifeng in such a fluster, Yuanyang could not very well call her back. She thought, “How briskly and thoroughly she used to manage everything! How has she come to be hampered at every turn like this?我看這兩三天連一點頭腦都沒有，不是老太太白疼了他了嗎！”那里知邢夫人一聽賈政的話，正合著將來家計艱難的心，巴不得留一點子作個收局。For the last two or three days she has shown no method or direction at all. Did the old lady lavish her affection on her for nothing?” Little did she know that, when Lady Xing heard Jia Zheng’s words, they accorded perfectly with her own fears about the family’s future straits, and she was only too eager to retain something with which to wind up its affairs.況且老太太的事原是長房作主，賈赦雖不在家，賈政又是拘泥的人，有件事便說請大奶奶的主意。Besides, the old lady’s funeral properly fell under the authority of the senior branch. Though Jia She was away, Jia Zheng was a stickler for form and, whenever anything arose, would say that the Elder Lady’s opinion must be sought.邢夫人素知鳳姐手腳大，賈璉的鬧鬼，所以死拿住不放松。Lady Xing had long known Xifeng’s free-handed ways and Jia Lian’s underhand tricks, and so kept a death grip on the funds and refused to relax it.鴛鴦只道已將這項銀兩交了出去了，故見鳳姐掣肘如此，便疑為不肯用心，便在賈母靈前嘮嘮叨叨哭個不了。Yuanyang assumed that the silver for the funeral had already been handed over. Seeing Xifeng so constrained, she suspected her of refusing to make an effort and kept wailing and muttering without end before Grandmother Jia’s spirit tablet.邢夫人等聽了話中有話，不想到自己不令鳳姐便宜行事，反說鳳丫頭果然有些不用心。Lady Xing and the others heard the reproach implicit in her words. Instead of reflecting that they themselves had denied Xifeng the freedom to act, they said that Feng really was being rather negligent.王夫人到了晚上叫了鳳姐過來說：“咱們家雖說不濟，外頭的体面是要的。That evening Lady Wang summoned Xifeng and said, “Though our family’s fortunes have declined, we must still preserve appearances before outsiders.這兩三日人來人往，我瞧著那些人都照應不到，想是你沒有吩咐。People have been coming and going these last two or three days, and I see that none of them are properly attended to. I suppose you have given no instructions.還得你替我們操點心兒才好。”鳳姐聽了，呆了一會，要將銀兩不湊手的話說出，但是銀錢是外頭管的，王夫人說的是照應不到，鳳姐也不敢辨，只好不言語。You must take a little more trouble on our behalf.” Xifeng stood dumbfounded for a while. She wanted to explain that there was not enough money available, but the finances were managed outside, whereas Lady Wang was complaining of poor attendance to the guests. Xifeng did not dare argue and could only remain silent.邢夫人在旁說道：“論理該是我們做媳婦的操心，本不是孫子媳婦的事。Lady Xing, who was nearby, said, “Strictly speaking, we daughters-in-law should be taking the trouble, for this is not the duty of a grandson’s wife.但是我們動不得身，所以托你的，你是打不得撒手的。”鳳姐紫漲了臉，正要回說，只聽外頭鼓樂一奏，是燒黃昏紙的時候了，大家舉起哀來，又不得說，鳳姐原想回來再說，王夫人催他出去料理，說道：“這里有我們的，你快快兒的去料理明兒的事罷。”But since we cannot leave our places, we have entrusted it to you, and you cannot simply wash your hands of it.” Xifeng’s face turned a deep, swollen red, and she was about to answer when the drums and music suddenly struck up outside: it was time to burn the evening offerings. Everyone began to wail, and she had no chance to speak. Xifeng meant to return and explain afterward, but Lady Wang urged her to go out and manage things, saying, “We are here to attend to this; hurry and arrange tomorrow’s affairs.”

鸳鸯见凤姐这样慌张，又不好叫他回来，心想：“他头里作事何等爽利周到，如今怎么掣肘的这个样儿。我看这两三天连一点头脑都没有，不是老太太白疼了他了吗！”那里知邢夫人一听贾政的话，正合著将来家计艰难的心，巴不得留一点子作个收局。况且老太太的事原是长房作主，贾赦虽不在家，贾政又是拘泥的人，有件事便说请大奶奶的主意。邢夫人素知凤姐手脚大，贾琏的闹鬼，所以死拿住不放松。鸳鸯只道已将这项银两交了出去了，故见凤姐掣肘如此，便疑为不肯用心，便在贾母灵前唠唠叨叨哭个不了。邢夫人等听了话中有话，不想到自己不令凤姐便宜行事，反说凤丫头果然有些不用心。王夫人到了晚上叫了凤姐过来说：“咱们家虽说不济，外头的体面是要的。这两三日人来人往，我瞧著那些人都照应不到，想是你没有吩咐。还得你替我们操点心儿才好。”凤姐听了，呆了一会，要将银两不凑手的话说出，但是银钱是外头管的，王夫人说的是照应不到，凤姐也不敢辨，只好不言语。邢夫人在旁说道：“论理该是我们做媳妇的操心，本不是孙子媳妇的事。但是我们动不得身，所以托你的，你是打不得撒手的。”凤姐紫涨了脸，正要回说，只听外头鼓乐一奏，是烧黄昏纸的时候了，大家举起哀来，又不得说，凤姐原想回来再说，王夫人催他出去料理，说道：“这里有我们的，你快快儿的去料理明儿的事罢。”

鳳姐不敢再言，只得含悲忍泣的出來，又叫人傳齊了眾人，又吩咐了一會，說：“大娘嬸子們可怜我罷！Xifeng dared say no more. Fighting back her grief and tears, she went out, had everyone assembled once more, and gave them further instructions. “Aunts, please take pity on me!我上頭捱了好些說，為的是你們不齊截，叫人笑話。I have endured a good scolding from my superiors because you have not kept things in proper order and have made us a laughingstock.明兒你們豁出些辛苦來罷。”那些人回道：“奶奶辦事不是今兒個一遭兒了，我們敢違拗嗎。Tomorrow, please put up with some extra hardship.” The servants replied, “This is hardly the first time you have managed an occasion, madam. How would we dare disobey you?只是這回的事上頭過于累贅。It is only that this time those above have made everything far too complicated.只說打發這頓飯罷，有的在這里吃，有的要在家里吃，請了那位太太，又是那位奶奶不來。Take the serving of this one meal: some people eat here, while others insist on eating in their own rooms; one lady is invited, but then another mistress refuses to come.諸如此類，那得齊全。With demands of that kind, how can everything possibly be attended to?還求奶奶勸勸那些姑娘們不要挑飭就好了。”鳳姐道：“頭一層是老太太的丫頭們是難纏的，太太們的也難說話，叫我說誰去呢。”眾人道：“從前奶奶在東府里還是署事，要打要罵，怎麼這樣鋒利，誰敢不依。We only beg you to persuade those young ladies not to be so fault-finding.” Xifeng said, “First of all, the old lady’s maids are hard to deal with, and the ladies’ maids are difficult to speak to as well. Whom do you expect me to reprimand?” The servants said, “When you managed affairs at the Eastern Mansion before, you were only acting on another’s behalf, yet you punished and scolded people with such severity that no one dared disobey.如今這些姑娘們都壓不住了？”鳳姐歎道：“東府里的事雖說托辦的，太太雖在那里，不好意思說什麼。How is it that you cannot keep these young ladies in check now?” Xifeng sighed. “Though I was entrusted with managing the Eastern Mansion’s affairs, the lady there was too embarrassed to interfere.如今是自己的事情，又是公中的，人人說得話。Now this is our own family’s business, and it is funded from the common purse, so everyone has a say.再者外頭的銀錢也叫不靈，即如棚里要一件東西，傳了出來總不見拿進來。Besides, no one outside will respond when money is needed. If, for example, the mourning pavilion asks for an article, word is sent out, but the thing never comes in.這叫我什麼法兒呢。”眾人道：“二爺在外頭倒怕不應付么？”鳳姐道：“還提那個，他也是那里為難。What can I possibly do?” The servants said, “Surely Second Master Lian can make them comply outside?” Xifeng replied, “Do not even mention him—he is in difficulties there too.第一件銀錢不在他手里，要一件得回一件，那里湊手。”眾人道：“老太太這項銀子不在二爺手里嗎？”鳳姐道：“你們回來問管事的便知道了。”眾人道：“怨不得我們聽見外頭男人抱怨說：‘這麼件大事，咱們一點摸不著，淨當苦差！’叫人怎麼能齊心呢？”鳳姐道：“如今不用說了，眼面前的事大家留些神罷。The chief trouble is that the money is not in his hands. For every single thing he needs, he must submit a separate request, so how can funds ever be ready when required?” The servants asked, “Is the silver set aside by the old lady not in Second Master Lian’s hands?” Xifeng replied, “Ask the stewards when you go back, and you will know.” The servants said, “No wonder we heard the men outside grumbling, ‘In an affair as great as this, none of us can get our hands on a penny; we are left with nothing but thankless drudgery!’ How can anyone be expected to work with one heart?” Xifeng said, “There is no use discussing that now. For the tasks immediately before us, everyone must please take extra care.倘或鬧的上頭有了什麼說的，我和你們不依的。”眾人道：“奶奶要怎麼樣他們敢抱怨嗎，只是上頭一人一個主意，我們實在難周到的。”鳳姐聽了沒法，只得央說道：“好大娘們！If your disorder gives those above cause to complain, I shall hold you responsible.” The servants replied, “If you give the orders, madam, how would they dare complain? It is only that everyone above has a different idea, and we truly cannot satisfy them all.” Helpless, Xifeng could only plead, “My good aunts!明兒且幫我一天，等我把姑娘們鬧明白了再說罷咧。”眾人聽命而去。Just help me through tomorrow. Once I have made matters clear to the young ladies, we shall see what can be done.” The servants obeyed and withdrew.

凤姐不敢再言，只得含悲忍泣的出来，又叫人传齐了众人，又吩咐了一会，说：“大娘婶子们可怜我罢！我上头挨了好些说，为的是你们不齐截，叫人笑话。明儿你们豁出些辛苦来罢。”那些人回道：“奶奶办事不是今儿个一遭儿了，我们敢违拗吗。只是这回的事上头过于累赘。只说打发这顿饭罢，有的在这里吃，有的要在家里吃，请了那位太太，又是那位奶奶不来。诸如此类，那得齐全。还求奶奶劝劝那些姑娘们不要挑饬就好了。”凤姐道：“头一层是老太太的丫头们是难缠的，太太们的也难说话，叫我说谁去呢。”众人道：“从前奶奶在东府里还是署事，要打要骂，怎么这样锋利，谁敢不依。如今这些姑娘们都压不住了？”凤姐叹道：“东府里的事虽说托办的，太太虽在那里，不好意思说什么。如今是自己的事情，又是公中的，人人说得话。再者外头的银钱也叫不灵，即如棚里要一件东西，传了出来总不见拿进来。这叫我什么法儿呢。”众人道：“二爷在外头倒怕不应付么？”凤姐道：“还提那个，他也是那里为难。第一件银钱不在他手里，要一件得回一件，那里凑手。”众人道：“老太太这项银子不在二爷手里吗？”凤姐道：“你们回来问管事的便知道了。”众人道：“怨不得我们听见外头男人抱怨说：‘这么件大事，咱们一点摸不著，净当苦差！’叫人怎么能齐心呢？”凤姐道：“如今不用说了，眼面前的事大家留些神罢。倘或闹的上头有了什么说的，我和你们不依的。”众人道：“奶奶要怎么样他们敢抱怨吗，只是上头一人一个主意，我们实在难周到的。”凤姐听了没法，只得央说道：“好大娘们！明儿且帮我一天，等我把姑娘们闹明白了再说罢咧。”众人听命而去。

鳳姐一肚子的委屈，愈想愈氣，直到天亮又得上去。Xifeng’s heart was full of grievance. The more she brooded, the angrier she became, yet at daybreak she had to go back on duty.要把各處的人整理整理，又恐邢夫人生氣，要和王夫人說，怎奈邢夫人挑唆。She wanted to put the servants of the various apartments in order, but feared angering Lady Xing. She wished to speak to Lady Wang, but Lady Xing had already been sowing discord.這些丫頭們見邢夫人等不助著鳳姐的威風，更加作踐起他來。When the maids saw that Lady Xing and the others did nothing to uphold Xifeng’s authority, they treated her with even greater contempt.幸得平兒替鳳姐排解，說是“二奶奶巴不得要好，只是老爺太太們吩咐了外頭，不許糜費，所以我們二奶奶不能應付到了。”說過幾次才得安靜些。Fortunately, Ping’er tried to smooth things over for Xifeng, saying, “Second Mistress desires nothing more than to do everything well, but the masters and ladies have instructed those outside not to be extravagant, so our Second Mistress cannot provide for every need.” Only after she had repeated this several times did matters quiet down a little.雖說僧經道忏，上祭挂帳，絡繹不絕，終是銀錢吝嗇，誰肯踊躍，不過草草了事。Though monks chanted sutras, Daoists recited litanies, and sacrificial offerings and mourning scrolls arrived in an unbroken stream, money was doled out so grudgingly that no one was willing to exert himself; everything was merely carried through in a perfunctory fashion.連日王妃誥命也來得不少，鳳姐也不能上去照應，只好在底下張羅，叫了那個，走了這個，發一回急，央及一會，胡弄過了一起，又打發一起。Many princesses and titled ladies came over those days, but Xifeng could not go up to attend them. She could only bustle about below: as soon as she summoned one person, another disappeared; now losing her temper, now pleading, she somehow muddled through one group and then saw off another.別說鴛鴦等看去不象樣，連鳳姐自己心里也過不去了。Not only did the arrangements look disgraceful to Yuanyang and the others; even Xifeng herself felt they were intolerable.

凤姐一肚子的委屈，愈想愈气，直到天亮又得上去。要把各处的人整理整理，又恐邢夫人生气，要和王夫人说，怎奈邢夫人挑唆。这些丫头们见邢夫人等不助著凤姐的威风，更加作践起他来。幸得平儿替凤姐排解，说是“二奶奶巴不得要好，只是老爷太太们吩咐了外头，不许糜费，所以我们二奶奶不能应付到了。”说过几次才得安静些。虽说僧经道忏，上祭挂帐，络绎不绝，终是银钱吝啬，谁肯踊跃，不过草草了事。连日王妃诰命也来得不少，凤姐也不能上去照应，只好在底下张罗，叫了那个，走了这个，发一回急，央及一会，胡弄过了一起，又打发一起。别说鸳鸯等看去不象样，连凤姐自己心里也过不去了。

邢夫人雖說是冢婦，仗著“悲戚為孝”四個字，倒也都不理會。Though Lady Xing was the senior daughter-in-law, she sheltered behind the four words “grief is true filial piety” and paid no attention to anything.王夫人落得跟了邢夫人行事，餘者更不必說了。Lady Wang found it convenient simply to follow Lady Xing’s lead, and still less need be said of the others.獨有李紈瞧出鳳姐的苦處，也不敢替他說話，只自歎道：“俗話說的，‘牡丹雖好，全仗綠葉扶持’，太太們不虧了鳳丫頭，那些人還幫著嗎！Li Wan alone understood Xifeng’s difficulties, though she did not dare speak on her behalf. She could only sigh to herself, “As the saying goes, ‘Fine though the peony is, it depends entirely on green leaves for support.’ If the ladies do not give Feng the backing she deserves, will the servants still help her?若是三姑娘在家還好，如今只有他幾個自己的人瞎張羅，面前背後的也抱怨說是一個錢摸不著，臉面也不能剩一點兒。If Third Miss were at home, matters might be better. As it is, Feng has only a few of her own people rushing blindly about; and whether to her face or behind her back, they complain that they cannot lay hands on a penny and cannot preserve even a shred of dignity.老爺是一味的盡孝，庶務上頭不大明白，這樣的一件大事，不撒散幾個錢就辦的開了嗎！The Master thinks of nothing but fulfilling his filial duty and has little understanding of practical affairs. Can an undertaking as great as this possibly be carried through without loosening the purse strings and scattering some money?可怜鳳丫頭鬧了幾年，不想在老太太的事上，只怕保不住臉了。”于是抽空兒叫了他的人來吩咐道：“你們別看著人家的樣兒，也糟踏起璉二奶奶來。Poor Feng struggled and bustled for all those years; who would have thought that, over the old lady’s funeral, she might lose her good name after all?” Finding a spare moment, she summoned her own servants and instructed them, “Do not follow everyone else’s example and start slighting Second Mistress Lian too.別打量什麼穿孝守靈就算了大事了，不過混過幾天就是了。Do not imagine that putting on mourning clothes and keeping vigil is the whole great affair. That amounts to nothing more than muddling through a few days.看見那些人張羅不開，便插個手兒也未為不可，這也是公事，大家都該出力的。”那些素服李紈的人都答應著說：“大奶奶說得很是。Seeing that those people cannot manage everything, there would be no harm in lending a hand. This is public business, after all, and everyone ought to do their part.” The women in plain mourning who served Li Wan all agreed, saying, “What you say is quite right, First Mistress.我們也不敢那麼著，只聽見鴛鴦姐姐們的口話兒好象怪璉二奶奶的似的。”李紈道：“就是鴛鴦我也告訴過他，我說璉二奶奶并不是在老太太的事上不用心，只是銀子錢都不在他手里，叫他巧媳婦還作的上沒米的粥來嗎？“We would not dare behave like that; it is only that, from what Sister Yuanyang and the others have been saying, they seem to blame Second Mistress Lian.” Li Wan said, “I have explained it even to Yuanyang. I told her that it is not that Second Mistress Lian is neglecting the Old Lady’s funeral; it is simply that none of the money is in her hands. However clever a housewife she may be, can she make rice gruel without rice?如今鴛鴦也知道了，所以他不怪他了。“Yuanyang understands now, and so she no longer blames her.只是鴛鴦的樣子竟是不象從前了，這也奇怪，那時候有老太太疼他倒沒有作過什麼威福，如今老太太死了，沒有了仗腰子的了，我看他倒有些氣質不大好了。“Only Yuanyang herself is quite unlike what she used to be, which is strange. When the Old Lady was alive to favor her, she never threw her weight about; now that the Old Lady is dead and she has no one to back her, I find her temper has instead grown rather unpleasant.我先前替他愁，這會子幸喜大老爺不在家才躲過去了，不然他有什麼法兒。”“I used to worry on her account. Fortunately, the Elder Master is away from home just now, so she has escaped him; otherwise, what could she possibly have done?”

邢夫人虽说是冢妇，仗著“悲戚为孝”四个字，倒也都不理会。王夫人落得跟了邢夫人行事，余者更不必说了。独有李纨瞧出凤姐的苦处，也不敢替他说话，只自叹道：“俗话说的，‘牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶持’，太太们不亏了凤丫头，那些人还帮著吗！若是三姑娘在家还好，如今只有他几个自己的人瞎张罗，面前背后的也抱怨说是一个钱摸不著，脸面也不能剩一点儿。老爷是一味的尽孝，庶务上头不大明白，这样的一件大事，不撒散几个钱就办的开了吗！可怜凤丫头闹了几年，不想在老太太的事上，只怕保不住脸了。”于是抽空儿叫了他的人来吩咐道：“你们别看著人家的样儿，也糟踏起琏二奶奶来。别打量什么穿孝守灵就算了大事了，不过混过几天就是了。看见那些人张罗不开，便插个手儿也未为不可，这也是公事，大家都该出力的。”那些素服李纨的人都答应著说：“大奶奶说得很是。我们也不敢那么著，只听见鸳鸯姐姐们的口话儿好象怪琏二奶奶的似的。”李纨道：“就是鸳鸯我也告诉过他，我说琏二奶奶并不是在老太太的事上不用心，只是银子钱都不在他手里，叫他巧媳妇还作的上没米的粥来吗？如今鸳鸯也知道了，所以他不怪他了。只是鸳鸯的样子竟是不象从前了，这也奇怪，那时候有老太太疼他倒没有作过什么威福，如今老太太死了，没有了仗腰子的了，我看他倒有些气质不大好了。我先前替他愁，这会子幸喜大老爷不在家才躲过去了，不然他有什么法儿。”

說著，只見賈蘭走來說：“媽媽睡罷，一天到晚人來客去的也乏了，歇歇罷。As she spoke, Jia Lan came in and said, “Mother, you should go to sleep. With people coming and guests going from morning till night, you must be tired; get some rest.我這幾天總沒有摸摸書本兒，今兒爺爺叫我家里睡，我喜歡的很，要理個一兩本書才好。“I have scarcely touched a book these past few days. Grandfather told me to sleep at home tonight, which pleases me greatly; I should like to work through a book or two.別等脫了孝再都忘了。”李紈道：“好孩子，看書呢自然是好的。“I must not wait until mourning is over and then find I have forgotten everything.” Li Wan said, “Good child, reading is naturally a fine thing.今兒且歇歇罷，等老太太送了殯再看罷。”賈蘭道：“媽媽要睡，我也就睡在被窩里頭想想也罷了。”眾人聽了都夸道：“好哥兒，怎麼這點年紀得了空兒就想到書上！“But rest for today, and wait until after we have escorted the Old Lady’s coffin before you begin again.” Jia Lan said, “If Mother wishes to sleep, I shall sleep too, and merely lie beneath the covers thinking over my lessons.” Everyone praised him when they heard this: “What a fine young gentleman! How is it that, young as he is, the moment he has any leisure his thoughts turn to books?不象寶二爺娶了親的人還是那麼孩子氣，這幾日跟著老爺跪著，瞧他很不受用，巴不得老爺一動身就跑過來找二奶奶，不知唧唧咕咕的說些什麼，甚至弄的二奶奶都不理他了。“He is nothing like Second Master Bao, a married man who is still so childish. These past few days he has been kneeling beside the Master, and he plainly finds it unbearable; the moment the Master stirs, he can hardly wait to run over and seek out Second Mistress Bao, whispering heaven knows what to her, until even she has taken to ignoring him.他又去找琴姑娘，琴姑娘也遠避他。“Then he goes to look for Miss Qin, and she too keeps well away from him.邢姑娘也不很同他說話。“Miss Xing does not say much to him either.倒是咱們本家的什麼喜姑娘咧四姑娘咧，哥哥長哥哥短的和他親蜜。“Yet those young ladies from our own clan—Miss Xi and Fourth Miss, or whatever their names are—are forever calling him ‘dear elder brother’ this and ‘dear elder brother’ that, and behaving most intimately with him.我們看那寶二爺除了和奶奶姑娘們混混，只怕他心里也沒有別的事，白過費了老太太的心，疼了他這麼大，那里及蘭哥兒一零兒呢。“As we see it, Second Master Bao has nothing in his mind beyond keeping company with mistresses and young ladies. All the care the Old Lady lavished on raising and cherishing him has gone to waste; he cannot compare with young Master Lan in the slightest.大奶奶，你將來是不愁的了。”李紈道：“就好也還小，只怕到他大了，咱們家還不知怎麼樣了呢！“First Mistress, you will have nothing to worry about in the future.” Li Wan said, “Even if he is promising, he is still young. By the time he grows up, who knows what will have become of our family?環哥兒你們瞧著怎麼樣？”眾人道：“這一個更不象樣兒了！“And what do you think of young Master Huan?” The women replied, “That one is worse still!兩個眼睛倒象個活猴兒似的，東溜溜，西看看，雖在那里嚎喪，見了奶奶姑娘們來了，他在孝幔子里頭淨偷著眼兒瞧人呢。”李紈道：“他的年紀其實也不小了。“His two eyes are like a live monkey’s, darting east and peering west. Though he howls in mourning there, whenever any mistresses or young ladies come in, he hides behind the mourning curtains and does nothing but steal glances at them.” Li Wan said, “He is really no longer so young.前日聽見說還要給他說親呢，如今又得等著了。“I heard the other day that they were going to arrange a marriage for him, but now it will have to be put off again.噯，還有一件事，——咱們家這些人，我看來也是說不清的，且不必說閒話，——後日送殯各房的車輛是怎麼樣了？”眾人道：“璉二奶奶這幾天鬧的象失魂落魄的樣兒了，也沒見傳出去。“Ah, there is one more thing—these people in our household are beyond making sense of, in my view, but let us say no more of idle matters. What arrangements have been made for the carriages from each branch when we escort the coffin the day after tomorrow?” The women said, “Second Mistress Lian has been rushing about these past few days as though she had lost her wits, and we have heard no orders passed down.昨兒聽見我的男人說，璉二爺派了薔二爺料理，說是咱們家的車也不夠，赶車的也少，要到親戚家去借去呢。”李紈笑道：“車也都是借得的么？”眾人道：“奶奶說笑話兒了，車怎麼借不得？“Yesterday I heard my husband say that Second Master Lian had put Second Master Qiang in charge. He said our household has too few carriages and too few drivers, and that they will have to borrow some from our relatives.” Li Wan laughed. “Can carriages be borrowed too?” The women replied, “You are joking, Mistress. Why should carriages not be borrowed?只是那一日所有的親戚都用車，只怕難借，想來還得雇呢。”李紈道：“底下人的只得雇，上頭白車也有雇的么？”眾人道：“現在大太太東府里的大奶奶小蓉奶奶都沒有車了，不雇那里來的呢？”李紈聽了歎息道：“先前見有咱們家兒的太太奶奶們坐了雇的車來咱們都笑話，如今輪到自己頭上了。“Only, all our relatives will need their carriages that day, so they may be hard to borrow; most likely we shall have to hire some after all.” Li Wan said, “The servants may have to hire theirs, but can white mourning carriages for the ladies of the house be hired as well?” The women answered, “As matters stand, the Elder Mistress, the First Mistress of the Eastern Mansion, and young Mistress Rong all have no carriages. If they do not hire them, where are they to come from?” Li Wan sighed. “In the past, whenever we saw mistresses and ladies from families like ours arrive in hired carriages, we would laugh at them. Now our own turn has come.你明兒去告訴你的男人，我們的車馬早早兒的預備好了，省得擠。”眾人答應了出去。“Tell your husband tomorrow to have our carriages and horses prepared early, so that we are not caught in the crush.” The women assented and withdrew.不題。No more of this.

说著，只见贾兰走来说：“妈妈睡罢，一天到晚人来客去的也乏了，歇歇罢。我这几天总没有摸摸书本儿，今儿爷爷叫我家里睡，我喜欢的很，要理个一两本书才好。别等脱了孝再都忘了。”李纨道：“好孩子，看书呢自然是好的。今儿且歇歇罢，等老太太送了殡再看罢。”贾兰道：“妈妈要睡，我也就睡在被窝里头想想也罢了。”众人听了都夸道：“好哥儿，怎么这点年纪得了空儿就想到书上！不象宝二爷娶了亲的人还是那么孩子气，这几日跟著老爷跪著，瞧他很不受用，巴不得老爷一动身就跑过来找二奶奶，不知唧唧咕咕的说些什么，甚至弄的二奶奶都不理他了。他又去找琴姑娘，琴姑娘也远避他。邢姑娘也不很同他说话。倒是咱们本家的什么喜姑娘咧四姑娘咧，哥哥长哥哥短的和他亲蜜。我们看那宝二爷除了和奶奶姑娘们混混，只怕他心里也没有别的事，白过费了老太太的心，疼了他这么大，那里及兰哥儿一零儿呢。大奶奶，你将来是不愁的了。”李纨道：“就好也还小，只怕到他大了，咱们家还不知怎么样了呢！环哥儿你们瞧著怎么样？”众人道：“这一个更不象样儿了！两个眼睛倒象个活猴儿似的，东溜溜，西看看，虽在那里嚎丧，见了奶奶姑娘们来了，他在孝幔子里头净偷著眼儿瞧人呢。”李纨道：“他的年纪其实也不小了。前日听见说还要给他说亲呢，如今又得等著了。嗳，还有一件事，——咱们家这些人，我看来也是说不清的，且不必说闲话，——后日送殡各房的车辆是怎么样了？”众人道：“琏二奶奶这几天闹的象失魂落魄的样儿了，也没见传出去。昨儿听见我的男人说，琏二爷派了蔷二爷料理，说是咱们家的车也不够，赶车的也少，要到亲戚家去借去呢。”李纨笑道：“车也都是借得的么？”众人道：“奶奶说笑话儿了，车怎么借不得？只是那一日所有的亲戚都用车，只怕难借，想来还得雇呢。”李纨道：“底下人的只得雇，上头白车也有雇的么？”众人道：“现在大太太东府里的大奶奶小蓉奶奶都没有车了，不雇那里来的呢？”李纨听了叹息道：“先前见有咱们家儿的太太奶奶们坐了雇的车来咱们都笑话，如今轮到自己头上了。你明儿去告诉你的男人，我们的车马早早儿的预备好了，省得挤。”众人答应了出去。不题。

且說史湘雲因他女婿病著，賈母死後只來的一次，屈指算是後日送殯，不能不去。Now Shi Xiangyun, because her husband was ill, had come only once since Grandmother Jia’s death. Counting the days, she realized that the funeral procession was the day after tomorrow, and she could not fail to attend.又見他女婿的病已成癆症，暫且不妨，只得坐夜前一日過來。Seeing, moreover, that her husband’s illness had developed into consumption, but that for the time being he was in no immediate danger, she had no choice but to come over on the day before the funeral vigil.想起賈母素日疼他，又想到自己命苦，剛配了一個才貌雙全的男人，性情又好，偏偏的得了冤孽症候，不過捱日子罷了。She recalled how dearly Grandmother Jia had always loved her, then thought of her own bitter fate: she had only just been matched with a husband gifted in both talent and looks, and gentle in disposition besides, only for him to be stricken with that accursed disease, so that he was merely lingering out his days.于是更加悲痛，直哭了半夜。At this, her grief grew still deeper, and she wept until midnight.鴛鴦等再三勸慰不止。Yuanyang and the others tried again and again to console her, but could not make her stop.寶玉瞅著也不胜悲傷，又不好上前去勸，見他淡妝素服，不敷脂粉，更比未出嫁的時候猶胜幾分。Baoyu, watching her, was overcome with sorrow too, yet felt it improper to go forward and comfort her. In her light mourning makeup and plain dress, without rouge or powder, she looked lovelier by several degrees than she had before her marriage.轉念又看寶琴等淡素裝飾，自有一种天生丰韻。Turning his thoughts, he looked again at Baoqin and the others in their pale, unadorned attire, each possessing a natural grace of her own.獨有寶釵渾身孝服，那知道比尋常穿顏色時更有一番雅致。Baochai alone was dressed entirely in mourning; who would have thought that she possessed an elegance in it beyond even that of her usual colored clothes?心里想道：“所以千紅萬紫終讓梅花為魁，殊不知并非為梅花開的早，竟是‘洁白清香’四字是不可及的了。He thought to himself, “Thus, among all the myriad reds and purples, the plum blossom must yield to none and reign supreme. Yet it is not truly because the plum blooms early: it is the four words ‘pure white and fragrant’ that none can equal.但只這時候若有林妹妹也是這樣打扮，又不知怎樣的丰韻了！”想到這里，不覺的心酸起來，那淚珠便直滾滾的下來了，趁著賈母的事，不妨放聲大哭。“But if Sister Lin were here at this moment, dressed in the same way, what manner of grace would she possess?” At the thought, his heart ached; tears came rolling straight down, and, under cover of mourning Grandmother Jia, he let himself cry aloud.眾人正勸湘雲不止，外間又添出一個哭的來了。Everyone was still trying in vain to console Xiangyun when another weeper was heard in the outer room.大家只道是想著賈母疼他的好處，所以傷悲，豈知他們兩個人各自有各自的心事。They all supposed that Baoyu was grieving because he remembered how tenderly Grandmother Jia had treated him; little did they know that the two mourners each had private sorrows of their own.這場大哭，不禁滿屋的人無不下淚。At this outpouring of grief, there was not a soul in the room who did not shed tears.還是薛姨媽李嬸娘等勸住。At last Aunt Xue, Aunt Li, and the others managed to calm them.

且说史湘云因他女婿病著，贾母死后只来的一次，屈指算是后日送殡，不能不去。又见他女婿的病已成痨症，暂且不妨，只得坐夜前一日过来。想起贾母素日疼他，又想到自己命苦，刚配了一个才貌双全的男人，性情又好，偏偏的得了冤孽症候，不过挨日子罢了。于是更加悲痛，直哭了半夜。鸳鸯等再三劝慰不止。宝玉瞅著也不胜悲伤，又不好上前去劝，见他淡妆素服，不敷脂粉，更比未出嫁的时候犹胜几分。转念又看宝琴等淡素装饰，自有一种天生丰韵。独有宝钗浑身孝服，那知道比寻常穿颜色时更有一番雅致。心里想道：“所以千红万紫终让梅花为魁，殊不知并非为梅花开的早，竟是‘洁白清香’四字是不可及的了。但只这时候若有林妹妹也是这样打扮，又不知怎样的丰韵了！”想到这里，不觉的心酸起来，那泪珠便直滚滚的下来了，趁著贾母的事，不妨放声大哭。众人正劝湘云不止，外间又添出一个哭的来了。大家只道是想著贾母疼他的好处，所以伤悲，岂知他们两个人各自有各自的心事。这场大哭，不禁满屋的人无不下泪。还是薛姨妈李婶娘等劝住。

明日是坐夜之期，更加熱鬧。The next day was the appointed funeral vigil, and the house grew more crowded and bustling than ever.鳳姐這日竟支撐不住，也無方法，只得用盡心力，甚至咽喉嚷破敷衍過了半日。That day Xifeng could scarcely hold herself up any longer, yet there was nothing she could do. She had to exert herself to the utmost, even shouting herself hoarse, and somehow muddled through half the day.到了下半天，人客更多了，事情也更繁了，瞻前不能顧後。By the latter half of the day, the guests were more numerous and the business more complicated; attending to what lay ahead, she could not look after what was behind.正在著急，只見一個小丫頭跑來說：“二奶奶在這里呢，怪不得大太太說，里頭人多照應不過來，二奶奶是躲著受用去了。”鳳姐聽了這話，一口氣撞上來，往下一咽，眼淚直流，只覺得眼前一黑，嗓子里一甜，便噴出鮮紅的血來，身子站不住，就蹲倒在地。While she was in the midst of her anxiety, a little maid came running up and said, “So Second Mistress is here! No wonder the Elder Mistress said there are too many people inside for us to manage, while Second Mistress has slipped away to take her ease.” At these words, a surge of anger rose in Xifeng’s breast. She forced it down, but tears streamed from her eyes; all at once her vision darkened and she tasted sweetness in her throat. She spat out a mouthful of bright-red blood, and, unable to remain standing, sank to the ground.幸虧平兒急忙過來扶住。Fortunately, Pinger hurried over and caught hold of her.只見鳳姐的血吐個不住。But Xifeng continued to vomit blood without cease.未知性命如何，下回分解。Whether she lived or died remains unknown; the next chapter will reveal it.

明日是坐夜之期，更加热闹。凤姐这日竟支撑不住，也无方法，只得用尽心力，甚至咽喉嚷破敷衍过了半日。到了下半天，人客更多了，事情也更繁了，瞻前不能顾后。正在著急，只见一个小丫头跑来说：“二奶奶在这里呢，怪不得大太太说，里头人多照应不过来，二奶奶是躲著受用去了。”凤姐听了这话，一口气撞上来，往下一咽，眼泪直流，只觉得眼前一黑，嗓子里一甜，便喷出鲜红的血来，身子站不住，就蹲倒在地。幸亏平儿急忙过来扶住。只见凤姐的血吐个不住。未知性命如何，下回分解。