第百十八回　記微嫌舅兄欺弱女　驚謎語妻妾諫痴人 Bearing a Grudge, an Uncle Bullies a Weak Girl; Alarmed by Riddles, Wife and Maid Counsel a Fool

說話邢王二夫人聽尤氏一段話，明知也難挽回。As she spoke, Lady Xing and Lady Wang, hearing this speech from You-shi, knew well that there was no turning her back now.王夫人只得說道：“姑娘要行善，這也是前生的夙根，我們也實在攔不住。Lady Wang could only say, "If the young lady wishes to do good works, this too must be a root cause from a former life, and we truly cannot stop her.只是咱們這樣人家的姑娘出了家，不成了事体。Only, for a young lady of a family like ours to leave home and become a nun—that wouldn't look proper.如今你嫂子說了准你修行，也是好處。Now that your sister-in-law has agreed to let you practice cultivation, that is also for the best.卻有一句話要說，那頭髮可以不剃的，只要自己的心真，那在頭髮上頭呢。But there is one thing I must say: you need not shave your head—so long as your heart is sincere, what does it matter about the hair?你想妙玉也是帶髮修行的，不知他怎樣凡心一動，才鬧到那個分兒。Think of Miaoyu, who also practiced with her hair unshaven—who knows how her worldly heart stirred, that it came to such a pass.姑娘執意如此，我們就把姑娘住的房子便算了姑娘的靜室。Since the young lady is so set upon this, we will simply let the rooms you live in serve as your meditation chamber.所有服侍姑娘的人也得叫他們來問：他若願意跟的，就講不得說親配人，若不願意跟的，另打主意。”惜春聽了，收了淚，拜謝了邢王二夫人，李紈，尤氏等。All those who wait upon the young lady must also be asked: if they are willing to stay with you, then there can be no more talk of marrying them off; if they are unwilling to stay, other arrangements will be made." Hearing this, Xichun dried her tears and bowed in thanks to Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Li Wan, You-shi, and the others.王夫人說了，便問彩屏等誰願跟姑娘修行。Having said this, Lady Wang then asked Caiping and the others which of them was willing to follow the young lady in her cultivation.彩屏等回道：“太太們派誰就是誰。”王夫人知道不願意，正在想人。Caiping and the others answered, "Whomever the ladies assign, that is who it shall be." Lady Wang knew this meant they were unwilling, and was just then thinking of whom to choose.襲人立在寶玉身後，想來寶玉必要大哭，防著他的舊病。Xiren stood behind Baoyu, thinking that he would surely break into loud weeping, and stayed on guard against his old illness.豈知寶玉歎道：“真真難得。”襲人心里更自傷悲。Who would have thought that Baoyu only sighed and said, "Truly, this is rare and admirable." Xiren felt all the more sorrowful at heart.寶釵雖不言語，遇事試探，見是執迷不醒，只得暗中落淚。Baochai said nothing, but whenever she tested the matter she found Xichun still stubbornly unenlightened, and could only weep secretly.王夫人才要叫了眾丫頭來問。Lady Wang was just about to call all the maids in to question them.忽見紫鵑走上前去，在王夫人面前跪下，回道：“剛才太太問跟四姑娘的姐姐，太太看著怎麼樣？”王夫人道：“這個如何強派得人的，誰願意他自然就說出來了。”紫鵑道：“姑娘修行自然姑娘願意，并不是別的姐姐們的意思。when suddenly Zijuan stepped forward, knelt before Lady Wang, and said, "Just now, Madam, you asked who among the girls would follow the Fourth Miss—what does Madam think of it?" Lady Wang said, "How can such a thing be forced upon anyone? Whoever is willing will naturally speak up." Zijuan said, "That the young lady is entering religious practice is of course the young lady's own wish, and it is not the wish of the other girls.我有句話回太太，我也并不是拆開姐姐們，各人有各人的心。I have something to say to Madam—I am not trying to divide the sisters apart; each person has her own heart.我服侍林姑娘一場，林姑娘待我也是太太們知道的，實在恩重如山，無以可報。I served Miss Lin for all those years, and how Miss Lin treated me is something the ladies all know—her kindness was truly as heavy as a mountain, and I have no way to repay it.他死了，我恨不得跟了他去。When she died, I wished with all my heart that I could have followed her in death.但是他不是這里的人，我又受主子家的恩典，難以從死。But she was not one of this household, and I have also received the kindness of my master's family, so it was hard for me to die and follow her.如今四姑娘既要修行，我就求太太們將我派了跟著姑娘，服侍姑娘一輩子。Now that the Fourth Miss wishes to enter religious practice, I beg the ladies to assign me to follow her and serve her for the rest of my life.不知太太們准不准。I do not know whether the ladies will permit it.若准了，就是我的造化了。”邢王二夫人尚未答言，只見寶玉聽到那里，想起黛玉一陣心酸，眼淚早下來了。If it is permitted, it will be my great good fortune." Before Lady Xing and Lady Wang could answer, they saw that Baoyu, upon hearing this, was struck by a pang of grief remembering Daiyu, and his tears had already fallen.眾人才要問他時，他又哈哈的大笑，走上來道：“我不該說的。Just as everyone was about to ask him what was wrong, he suddenly burst out laughing and came forward, saying, "I ought not to say this.這紫鵑蒙太太派給我屋里，我才敢說。Since Zijuan has been assigned by Madam to my quarters, I dare to speak of it.求太太准了他罷，全了他的好心。”王夫人道：“你頭里姊妹出了嫁，還哭得死去活來，如今看見四妹妹要出家，不但不勸，倒說好事，你如今到底是怎麼個意思，我索性不明白了。”寶玉道：“四妹妹修行是已經准的了，四妹妹也是一定主意了。I beg Madam to grant her request, and let her fulfill her kind wish." Lady Wang said, "Before, when your sisters married out, you wept as though half dead. Now, seeing your Fourth Sister about to leave the family for religion, not only do you not try to dissuade her, you actually call it a good thing. Just what do you mean by this—I confess I no longer understand you at all." Baoyu said, "That Fourth Sister should enter religious practice has already been decided, and Fourth Sister's mind is also quite made up.若是真的，我有一句話告訴太太，若是不定的，我就不敢混說了。”惜春道：“二哥哥說話也好笑，一個人主意不定便扭得過太太們來了？If it is truly settled, I have something to tell Madam; if it were not yet settled, I would not dare to speak recklessly." Xichun said, "Second Brother, what you say is quite funny—if a person's mind were not made up, could she possibly overrule the ladies?我也是象紫鵑的話，容我呢，是我的造化，不容我呢。I feel the same as what Zijuan said: if I am allowed, it is my good fortune; if I am not allowed—還有一個死呢。there is still death to fall back on.那怕什麼！What is there to fear!二哥哥既有話，只管說。”寶玉道：“我這也不算什麼泄露了，這也是一定的。Since Second Brother has something to say, go ahead and say it." Baoyu said, "This is not really any secret I'd be revealing—it too is already certain to happen.我念一首詩給你們聽聽罷！”眾人道：“人家苦得很的時侯，你倒來做詩。Let me recite a poem for you all to hear!" Everyone said, "Here we are, suffering so bitterly, and you come along composing poems.慪人！”寶玉道：“不是做詩，我到一個地方兒看了來的。How maddening!" Baoyu said, "It's not that I composed it—I saw it somewhere and read it there.你們聽聽罷。”眾人道：“使得。Just listen, all of you." Everyone said, "Very well.你就念念，別順著嘴兒胡謅。”寶玉也不分辯，便說道：Go ahead and recite it, but don't just babble whatever comes to your mouth." Baoyu did not argue the point, and simply said:

说话邢王二夫人听尤氏一段话，明知也难挽回。王夫人只得说道：“姑娘要行善，这也是前生的夙根，我们也实在拦不住。只是咱们这样人家的姑娘出了家，不成了事体。如今你嫂子说了准你修行，也是好处。却有一句话要说，那头发可以不剃的，只要自己的心真，那在头发上头呢。你想妙玉也是带发修行的，不知他怎样凡心一动，才闹到那个分儿。姑娘执意如此，我们就把姑娘住的房子便算了姑娘的静室。所有服侍姑娘的人也得叫他们来问：他若愿意跟的，就讲不得说亲配人，若不愿意跟的，另打主意。”惜春听了，收了泪，拜谢了邢王二夫人，李纨，尤氏等。王夫人说了，便问彩屏等谁愿跟姑娘修行。彩屏等回道：“太太们派谁就是谁。”王夫人知道不愿意，正在想人。袭人立在宝玉身后，想来宝玉必要大哭，防著他的旧病。岂知宝玉叹道：“真真难得。”袭人心里更自伤悲。宝钗虽不言语，遇事试探，见是执迷不醒，只得暗中落泪。王夫人才要叫了众丫头来问。忽见紫鹃走上前去，在王夫人面前跪下，回道：“刚才太太问跟四姑娘的姐姐，太太看著怎么样？”王夫人道：“这个如何强派得人的，谁愿意他自然就说出来了。”紫鹃道：“姑娘修行自然姑娘愿意，并不是别的姐姐们的意思。我有句话回太太，我也并不是拆开姐姐们，各人有各人的心。我服侍林姑娘一场，林姑娘待我也是太太们知道的，实在恩重如山，无以可报。他死了，我恨不得跟了他去。但是他不是这里的人，我又受主子家的恩典，难以从死。如今四姑娘既要修行，我就求太太们将我派了跟著姑娘，服侍姑娘一辈子。不知太太们准不准。若准了，就是我的造化了。”邢王二夫人尚未答言，只见宝玉听到那里，想起黛玉一阵心酸，眼泪早下来了。众人才要问他时，他又哈哈的大笑，走上来道：“我不该说的。这紫鹃蒙太太派给我屋里，我才敢说。求太太准了他罢，全了他的好心。”王夫人道：“你头里姊妹出了嫁，还哭得死去活来，如今看见四妹妹要出家，不但不劝，倒说好事，你如今到底是怎么个意思，我索性不明白了。”宝玉道：“四妹妹修行是已经准的了，四妹妹也是一定主意了。若是真的，我有一句话告诉太太，若是不定的，我就不敢混说了。”惜春道：“二哥哥说话也好笑，一个人主意不定便扭得过太太们来了？我也是象紫鹃的话，容我呢，是我的造化，不容我呢。还有一个死呢。那怕什么！二哥哥既有话，只管说。”宝玉道：“我这也不算什么泄露了，这也是一定的。我念一首诗给你们听听罢！”众人道：“人家苦得很的时侯，你倒来做诗。怄人！”宝玉道：“不是做诗，我到一个地方儿看了来的。你们听听罢。”众人道：“使得。你就念念，别顺著嘴儿胡诌。”宝玉也不分辩，便说道：

勘破三春景不長，緇衣頓改昔年妝。Having seen through how the glory of spring cannot last, in black nun's robes she suddenly changes the finery of former years.

勘破三春景不长，缁衣顿改昔年妆。

可怜繡戶侯門女，獨臥青燈古佛旁！Pity the daughter of embroidered chambers and noble gates, now lying alone beside the blue lamp and ancient Buddha!

可怜绣户侯门女，独卧青灯古佛旁！

李紈寶釵聽了，詫异道：“不好了，這人入了迷了。”王夫人聽了這話，點頭歎息，便問寶玉：“你到底是那里看來的？”寶玉不便說出來，回道：“太太也不必問，我自有見的地方。”王夫人回過味來，細細一想，便更哭起來道：“你說前兒是頑話，怎麼忽然有這首詩？Li Wan and Baochai, hearing this, exclaimed in astonishment, "This is bad—this boy has fallen into some obsession." Lady Wang, hearing these words, nodded and sighed, then asked Baoyu, "Just where did you see this?" Baoyu found it awkward to explain, and answered, "Madam need not ask—I have my own place where I saw it." Lady Wang, turning the matter over and thinking it through carefully, began to weep all the more, saying, "You said the other day it was just idle talk—how is it that suddenly there is this poem?罷了，我知道了，你們叫我怎麼樣呢！Enough, I understand now—what would you all have me do!我也沒有法兒了，也只得由著你們罷！I have no way left either—I can only let you all have your way!但是要等我合上了眼，各自幹各自的就完了！”寶釵一面勸著，這個心比刀絞更甚，也掌不住便放聲大哭起來。But you must wait until I have closed my eyes, and then each of you may go your own way, and that will be the end of it!" Even as Baochai tried to console her, her own heart ached worse than a knife's twisting, and unable to hold herself back, she too broke into loud weeping.襲人已經哭的死去活來，幸虧秋紋扶著。Xiren had already wept until she seemed half dead, and it was fortunate that Qiuwen was there to support her.寶玉也不啼哭，也不相勸，只不言語。Baoyu neither wept nor tried to console anyone—he simply said nothing.賈蘭賈環聽到那里，各自走開。Jia Lan and Jia Huan, hearing things come to this point, each slipped quietly away.李紈竭力的解說：“總是寶兄弟見四妹妹修行，他想來是痛极了，不顧前後的瘋話，這也作不得准的。Li Wan did her utmost to smooth things over, saying, "It must simply be that Brother Bao, seeing Fourth Sister enter religious practice, is overwhelmed with grief, and is speaking wild, disjointed nonsense—none of it should be taken as certain.獨有紫鵑的事情准不准，好叫他起來。”王夫人道：“什麼依不依，橫豎一個人的主意定了，那也扭不過來的。The only thing is whether Zijuan's request should be granted or not, so that she may rise from her knees." Lady Wang said, "What is there to agree or disagree with—in any case, once a person's mind is made up, there is no turning it back.可是寶玉說的也是一定的了。”紫鵑聽了磕頭。And it seems what Baoyu said must also be a settled matter." Hearing this, Zijuan kowtowed.惜春又謝了王夫人。Xichun again thanked Lady Wang.紫鵑又給寶玉寶釵磕了頭。Zijuan then kowtowed again to Baoyu and Baochai.寶玉念聲“阿彌陀佛！Baoyu murmured, "Amitabha Buddha!難得，難得。Rare indeed, rare indeed.不料你倒先好了！”寶釵雖然有把持，也難掌住。I hadn't expected that you would attain enlightenment before me!" Though Baochai had always kept herself composed, even she could hardly hold herself together now.只有襲人，也顧不得王夫人在上，便痛哭不止，說：“我也願意跟了四姑娘去修行。”寶玉笑道：“你也是好心，但是你不能享這個清福的。”襲人哭道：“這麼說，我是要死的了！”寶玉聽到那里，倒覺傷心，只是說不出來。Only Xiren, no longer minding that Lady Wang was present, wept without stopping and said, "I too am willing to follow the Fourth Miss into religious practice." Baoyu said with a smile, "Yours too is a good heart, but you are not meant to enjoy such pure blessing." Xiren wept, "If that is so, then I am fated to die!" Hearing this, Baoyu felt a pang of sorrow, but could not bring himself to say anything.因時已五更，寶玉請王夫人安歇，李紈等各自散去。As it was already the fifth watch, Baoyu asked Lady Wang to retire and rest, and Li Wan and the others each went their own ways.彩屏等暫且伏侍惜春回去，後來指配了人家。Caiping and the others waited on Xichun for the time being and went back with her; later they were each given in marriage to some family.紫鵑終身伏侍，毫不改初。Zijuan served her for the rest of her life, never once changing from her original resolve.此是後話。But this is a matter for later.

李纨宝钗听了，诧异道：“不好了，这人入了迷了。”王夫人听了这话，点头叹息，便问宝玉：“你到底是那里看来的？”宝玉不便说出来，回道：“太太也不必问，我自有见的地方。”王夫人回过味来，细细一想，便更哭起来道：“你说前儿是顽话，怎么忽然有这首诗？罢了，我知道了，你们叫我怎么样呢！我也没有法儿了，也只得由著你们罢！但是要等我合上了眼，各自干各自的就完了！”宝钗一面劝著，这个心比刀绞更甚，也掌不住便放声大哭起来。袭人已经哭的死去活来，幸亏秋纹扶著。宝玉也不啼哭，也不相劝，只不言语。贾兰贾环听到那里，各自走开。李纨竭力的解说：“总是宝兄弟见四妹妹修行，他想来是痛极了，不顾前后的疯话，这也作不得准的。独有紫鹃的事情准不准，好叫他起来。”王夫人道：“什么依不依，横竖一个人的主意定了，那也扭不过来的。可是宝玉说的也是一定的了。”紫鹃听了磕头。惜春又谢了王夫人。紫鹃又给宝玉宝钗磕了头。宝玉念声“阿弥陀佛！难得，难得。不料你倒先好了！”宝钗虽然有把持，也难掌住。只有袭人，也顾不得王夫人在上，便痛哭不止，说：“我也愿意跟了四姑娘去修行。”宝玉笑道：“你也是好心，但是你不能享这个清福的。”袭人哭道：“这么说，我是要死的了！”宝玉听到那里，倒觉伤心，只是说不出来。因时已五更，宝玉请王夫人安歇，李纨等各自散去。彩屏等暂且伏侍惜春回去，后来指配了人家。紫鹃终身伏侍，毫不改初。此是后话。

且言賈政扶了賈母靈柩一路南行，因遇著班師的兵將船只過境，河道擁擠，不能速行，在道實在心焦。Now to speak of Jia Zheng, who was escorting the Lady Dowager's coffin southward all the way; because he happened to encounter troops and vessels returning from campaign passing through, the waterways were congested and he could not travel quickly, so that on the road he was truly anxious at heart.幸喜遇見了海疆的官員，聞得鎮海統制欽召回京，想來探春一定回家，略略解些煩心。Fortunately, he happened to meet an official from the coastal frontier, and learned that the Garrison Commander of Zhenhai had been summoned back to the capital by imperial order; thinking that Tanchun would surely be coming home as well, this eased his troubled mind a little.只打聽不出起程的日期，心里又煩燥。Only he could not find out the date of their departure, which left him vexed and restless once more.想到盤費算來不敷，不得已寫書一封，差人到賴尚榮任上借銀五百，叫人沿途迎上來應需用。Reckoning that his travel funds would not be enough, he had no choice but to write a letter and send a man to Lai Shangrong's official post to borrow five hundred taels of silver, telling him to meet them along the way to supply what was needed.那人去了幾日，賈政的船才行得十數里。The man had been gone several days by the time Jia Zheng's boat had traveled barely a dozen or so li.那家人回來，迎上船只，將賴尚榮的稟啟呈上。When the servant returned and caught up with the boat, he presented Lai Shangrong's letter of reply.書內告了多少苦處，備上白銀五十兩。In the letter he pleaded no end of hardships, and enclosed only fifty taels of silver.賈政看了生氣，即命家人立刻送還，將原書發回，叫他不必費心。Reading it, Jia Zheng grew angry, and at once ordered the servant to return it immediately, sending the original letter back and telling Lai Shangrong not to trouble himself further.那家人無奈，只得回到賴尚榮任所。The servant, having no choice, could only go back to Lai Shangrong's post.

且言贾政扶了贾母灵柩一路南行，因遇著班师的兵将船只过境，河道拥挤，不能速行，在道实在心焦。幸喜遇见了海疆的官员，闻得镇海统制钦召回京，想来探春一定回家，略略解些烦心。只打听不出起程的日期，心里又烦燥。想到盘费算来不敷，不得已写书一封，差人到赖尚荣任上借银五百，叫人沿途迎上来应需用。那人去了几日，贾政的船才行得十数里。那家人回来，迎上船只，将赖尚荣的禀启呈上。书内告了多少苦处，备上白银五十两。贾政看了生气，即命家人立刻送还，将原书发回，叫他不必费心。那家人无奈，只得回到赖尚荣任所。

賴尚榮接到原書銀兩，心中煩悶，知事辦得不周到，又添了一百，央求來人帶回，幫著說些好話。When Lai Shangrong received back the original letter and the silver, he was troubled at heart, knowing he had not handled the matter properly; he added another hundred taels and begged the messenger to take it back and put in a few good words on his behalf.豈知那人不肯帶回，撂下就走了。But the man refused to take it back, and simply left it there and departed.賴尚榮心下不安，立刻修書到家，回明他父親，叫他設法告假贖出身來。Ill at ease, Lai Shangrong at once wrote a letter home to explain matters clearly to his father, asking him to find some way to request leave and buy back his freedom from bondage.于是賴家托了賈薔賈芸等在王夫人面前乞恩放出。So the Lai family entrusted Jia Qiang, Jia Yun, and others to beg Lady Wang's favor to have him released.賈薔明知不能，過了一日，假說王夫人不依的話回复了。Jia Qiang, knowing full well it could not be done, waited a day and then falsely reported back that Lady Wang had refused.賴家一面告假，一面差人到賴尚榮任上，叫他告病辭官。The Lai family, meanwhile, both applied for leave and sent someone to Lai Shangrong's post telling him to plead illness and resign his office.王夫人并不知道。Lady Wang knew nothing at all of this.

赖尚荣接到原书银两，心中烦闷，知事办得不周到，又添了一百，央求来人带回，帮著说些好话。岂知那人不肯带回，撂下就走了。赖尚荣心下不安，立刻修书到家，回明他父亲，叫他设法告假赎出身来。于是赖家托了贾蔷贾芸等在王夫人面前乞恩放出。贾蔷明知不能，过了一日，假说王夫人不依的话回复了。赖家一面告假，一面差人到赖尚荣任上，叫他告病辞官。王夫人并不知道。

那賈芸聽見賈薔的假話，心里便沒想頭，連日在外又輸了好些銀錢，無所抵償，便和賈環相商。Jia Yun, hearing Jia Qiang's false report, gave up any hope in that direction; having lately lost a good deal of money gambling outside with nothing to pay it back with, he went to consult with Jia Huan.賈環本是一個錢沒有的，雖是趙姨娘積蓄些微，早被他弄光了，那能照應人家。Jia Huan himself had no money at all to begin with; though Concubine Zhao had saved up a little, he had long since spent it all, so how could he possibly help anyone else.便想起鳳姐待他刻薄，要趁賈璉不在家要擺布巧姐出氣，遂把這個當叫賈芸來上，故意的埋怨賈芸道：“你們年紀又大，放著弄銀錢的事又不敢辦，倒和我沒有錢的人相商。”賈芸道：“三叔，你這話說的倒好笑，咱們一塊兒頑，一塊兒鬧，那里有銀錢的事。”賈環道：“不是前兒有人說是外藩要買個偏房，你們何不和王大舅商量把巧姐說給他呢？”賈芸道：“叔叔，我說句招你生氣的話，外藩花了錢買人，還想能和咱們走動么。”賈環在賈芸耳邊說了些話，賈芸雖然點頭，只道賈環是小孩子的話，也不當事。He then recalled how Xifeng had always treated him harshly, and thought to take advantage of Jia Lian's absence from home to manipulate Qiaojie and vent his spite; so he brought up this scheme and threw it at Jia Yun, deliberately complaining, "You're older than I am, yet when it comes to making money you don't dare act, and instead you come consulting with a penniless fellow like me." Jia Yun said, "Third Uncle, that's a funny thing to say—we've only ever fooled around and made mischief together; when has there ever been talk of money between us?" Jia Huan said, "Didn't someone say the other day that a feudal prince from outside wants to buy a secondary consort—why don't you talk it over with Uncle Wang and offer Qiaojie to him?" Jia Yun said, "Uncle, forgive me for saying something that will annoy you, but if this outside prince pays money to buy a person, would he still want to keep company with the likes of us afterward?" Jia Huan then leaned close and whispered something into Jia Yun's ear; Jia Yun, though he nodded, only took it for a child's idle talk and did not take it seriously.恰好王仁走來說道：“你們兩個人商量些什麼，瞞著我么？”賈芸便將賈環的話附耳低言的說了。Just then Wang Ren happened to come by and said, "What are you two discussing, keeping it hidden from me?" Jia Yun then leaned close and repeated Jia Huan's words to him in a whisper.王仁拍手道：“這倒是一种好事，又有銀子。Wang Ren clapped his hands and said, "Why, this is actually a fine piece of business, and there's money in it too.只怕你們不能，若是你們敢辦，我是親舅舅，做得主的。The only worry is whether you two can manage it—if you dare to go through with it, I am her own maternal uncle and can have the final say.只要環老三在大太太跟前那麼一說，我找邢大舅再一說，太太們問起來你們齊打伙說好就是了。”賈環等商議定了，王仁便去找邢大舅，賈芸便去回邢王二夫人，說得錦上添花。All that's needed is for Third Master Huan to have a word with Lady Xing, while I go have a word with her brother Uncle Xing; if the ladies ask about it, you can all speak together and say it's a good match, and that will settle it." Once Jia Huan and the others had agreed on this plan, Wang Ren went off to find Uncle Xing, while Jia Yun went to report to Lady Xing and Lady Wang, embellishing the matter to make it sound better than it was.

那贾芸听见贾蔷的假话，心里便没想头，连日在外又输了好些银钱，无所抵偿，便和贾环相商。贾环本是一个钱没有的，虽是赵姨娘积蓄些微，早被他弄光了，那能照应人家。便想起凤姐待他刻薄，要趁贾琏不在家要摆布巧姐出气，遂把这个当叫贾芸来上，故意的埋怨贾芸道：“你们年纪又大，放著弄银钱的事又不敢办，倒和我没有钱的人相商。”贾芸道：“三叔，你这话说的倒好笑，咱们一块儿顽，一块儿闹，那里有银钱的事。”贾环道：“不是前儿有人说是外藩要买个偏房，你们何不和王大舅商量把巧姐说给他呢？”贾芸道：“叔叔，我说句招你生气的话，外藩花了钱买人，还想能和咱们走动么。”贾环在贾芸耳边说了些话，贾芸虽然点头，只道贾环是小孩子的话，也不当事。恰好王仁走来说道：“你们两个人商量些什么，瞒著我么？”贾芸便将贾环的话附耳低言的说了。王仁拍手道：“这倒是一种好事，又有银子。只怕你们不能，若是你们敢办，我是亲舅舅，做得主的。只要环老三在大太太跟前那么一说，我找邢大舅再一说，太太们问起来你们齐打伙说好就是了。”贾环等商议定了，王仁便去找邢大舅，贾芸便去回邢王二夫人，说得锦上添花。

王夫人聽了雖然入耳，只是不信。Though Lady Wang listened and took it in, she simply did not believe it.邢夫人聽得邢大舅知道，心里願意，便打發人找了邢大舅來問他。When Lady Xing heard that her brother Uncle Xing knew of the matter and was in favor of it, she sent someone to fetch him so she could ask him about it.那邢大舅已經聽了王仁的話，又可分肥，便在邢夫人跟前說道：“若說這位郡王，是极有体面的。Uncle Xing, having already heard what Wang Ren told him, and seeing there was a share of profit in it for himself, said to Lady Xing, "As for this prince, he is a person of very great standing indeed.若應了這門親事，雖說是不是正配，保管一過了門，姊夫的官早复了，這里的聲勢又好了。”邢夫人本是沒主意人，被傻大舅一番假話，哄得心動，請了王仁來一問，更說得熱鬧。If you agree to this match, even though it would not be as a principal wife, I guarantee that once she has gone over to him, our brother-in-law's official post will soon be restored, and the standing of this household will improve as well." Lady Xing, being a woman with no mind of her own to begin with, was moved by her foolish brother's string of lies, and had her heart set on it; she then invited Wang Ren over to ask him further, and he made it sound all the more promising.于是邢夫人倒叫人出去追著賈芸去說。So Lady Xing then sent someone out to chase after Jia Yun and tell him to proceed.王仁即刻找了人去到外藩公館說了。Wang Ren at once found someone to go to the feudal prince's residence and speak of the matter.那外藩不知底細，便要打發人來相看。The prince, not knowing the true circumstances, wished to send someone to come look the girl over.賈芸又鑽了相看的人，說明“原是瞞著合宅的，只是王府相親。Jia Yun then wormed his way in with the people sent to look her over, explaining that "this is being kept secret from the whole household—it is only the princely mansion coming to look at a prospective match.等到成了，他祖母作主，親舅舅的保山，是不怕的。”那相看的人應了。Once it is settled, with her own grandmother deciding the matter and her own maternal uncle standing as matchmaker, there is nothing to fear." The people sent to look her over agreed to this.賈芸便送信與邢夫人，并回了王夫人。Jia Yun then sent word to Lady Xing, and also reported back to Lady Wang.那李紈寶釵等不知原故，只道是件好事，也都歡喜。Li Wan, Baochai, and the others, not knowing the truth of the matter, took it simply for a good thing, and were all pleased as well.

王夫人听了虽然入耳，只是不信。邢夫人听得邢大舅知道，心里愿意，便打发人找了邢大舅来问他。那邢大舅已经听了王仁的话，又可分肥，便在邢夫人跟前说道：“若说这位郡王，是极有体面的。若应了这门亲事，虽说是不是正配，保管一过了门，姊夫的官早复了，这里的声势又好了。”邢夫人本是没主意人，被傻大舅一番假话，哄得心动，请了王仁来一问，更说得热闹。于是邢夫人倒叫人出去追著贾芸去说。王仁即刻找了人去到外藩公馆说了。那外藩不知底细，便要打发人来相看。贾芸又钻了相看的人，说明“原是瞒著合宅的，只是王府相亲。等到成了，他祖母作主，亲舅舅的保山，是不怕的。”那相看的人应了。贾芸便送信与邢夫人，并回了王夫人。那李纨宝钗等不知原故，只道是件好事，也都欢喜。

那日果然來了幾個女人，都是艷妝麗服。Sure enough, that day several women came, all in gorgeous makeup and fine clothes.邢夫人接了進去，敘了些閒話。Lady Xing received them inside and exchanged some idle conversation.那來人本知是個誥命，也不敢待慢。The visitors, knowing full well that she held an official title of rank, did not dare to be careless with her.邢夫人因事未定，也沒有和巧姐說明，只說有親戚來瞧，叫他去見。Since the matter was not yet settled, Lady Xing had not explained anything to Qiaojie, and simply said that relatives had come to see her, telling her to go and meet them.那巧姐到底是個小孩子，那管這些，便跟了奶媽過來。Qiaojie, being after all still a child, paid no mind to such things, and simply came along with her wet-nurse.平兒不放心，也跟著來。Ping'er, uneasy in her mind, came along as well.只見有兩個宮人打扮的，見了巧姐便渾身上下一看，更又起身來拉著巧姐的手又瞧了一遍，略坐了一坐就走了。There she saw two women dressed like palace attendants, who upon seeing Qiaojie looked her up and down from head to foot, and then rose and took her by the hand to look her over once more, sat for only a little while, and then left.倒把巧姐看得羞臊，回到房中納悶，想來沒有這門親戚，便問平兒。This left Qiaojie feeling quite embarrassed; back in her room, puzzled, and thinking she had no such relatives, she asked Ping'er about it.平兒先看見來頭，卻也猜著八九必是相親的。“但是二爺不在家，大太太作主，到底不知是那府里的。Ping'er, having seen the manner of their coming beforehand, had already guessed with fair certainty that this was a matchmaking inspection. "But with Second Master not at home and the Elder Madam deciding the matter herself, there is no telling for certain which household this is from.若說是對頭親，不該這樣相看。If it were a proper, well-matched engagement, they would not go about looking her over in this fashion.瞧那幾個人的來頭，不象是本支王府，好象是外頭路數如今且不必和姑娘說明，且打聽明白再說。”Judging from the manner of those women, they don't seem to be from a proper princely household of our own branch, but seem more like some outside sort—for now there's no need to explain this to the young lady; better to make careful inquiries first before saying anything."

那日果然来了几个女人，都是艳妆丽服。邢夫人接了进去，叙了些闲话。那来人本知是个诰命，也不敢待慢。邢夫人因事未定，也没有和巧姐说明，只说有亲戚来瞧，叫他去见。那巧姐到底是个小孩子，那管这些，便跟了奶妈过来。平儿不放心，也跟著来。只见有两个宫人打扮的，见了巧姐便浑身上下一看，更又起身来拉著巧姐的手又瞧了一遍，略坐了一坐就走了。倒把巧姐看得羞臊，回到房中纳闷，想来没有这门亲戚，便问平儿。平儿先看见来头，却也猜著八九必是相亲的。“但是二爷不在家，大太太作主，到底不知是那府里的。若说是对头亲，不该这样相看。瞧那几个人的来头，不象是本支王府，好象是外头路数如今且不必和姑娘说明，且打听明白再说。”

平兒心下留神打聽。Ping'er kept this in mind and made careful inquiries.那些丫頭婆子都是平兒使過的，平兒一問，所有聽見外頭的風聲都告訴了。The maids and old women there had all at one time or another been under Ping'er's direction, and once she asked, they told her everything they had heard of the rumors from outside.平兒便嚇的沒了主意，雖不和巧姐說，便赶著去告訴了李紈寶釵，求他二人告訴王夫人。Ping'er was so frightened she did not know what to do; though she said nothing to Qiaojie, she hurried off to tell Li Wan and Baochai, begging the two of them to inform Lady Wang.王夫人知道這事不好，便和邢夫人說知。Lady Wang, realizing this matter boded ill, went and spoke of it to Lady Xing.怎奈邢夫人信了兄弟并王仁的話，反疑心王夫人不是好意，便說：“孫女兒也大了，現在璉兒不在家，這件事我還做得主。But it was no use—Lady Xing, having put her faith in her brother's and Wang Ren's words, instead suspected Lady Wang of harboring ill intent, and said, "Our granddaughter is old enough now, and with Lian'er not at home, I am still capable of deciding this matter myself.況且是他親舅爺爺和他親舅舅打聽的，難道倒比別人不真么！Besides, it was her own great-uncle and her own uncle who made the inquiries—surely that is no less reliable than anyone else!我橫豎是願意的。In any case, I am willing to it.倘有什麼不好，我和璉兒也抱怨不著別人！”If anything should go wrong, then Lian'er and I will have no one else to blame!"

平儿心下留神打听。那些丫头婆子都是平儿使过的，平儿一问，所有听见外头的风声都告诉了。平儿便吓的没了主意，虽不和巧姐说，便赶著去告诉了李纨宝钗，求他二人告诉王夫人。王夫人知道这事不好，便和邢夫人说知。怎奈邢夫人信了兄弟并王仁的话，反疑心王夫人不是好意，便说：“孙女儿也大了，现在琏儿不在家，这件事我还做得主。况且是他亲舅爷爷和他亲舅舅打听的，难道倒比别人不真么！我横竖是愿意的。倘有什么不好，我和琏儿也抱怨不著别人！”

王夫人聽了這些話，心下暗暗生氣，勉強說些閒話，便走了出來，告訴了寶釵，自己落淚。Hearing these words, Lady Wang grew secretly angry at heart, forced herself to exchange a few idle remarks, and then came away; she told Baochai of it, and wept to herself.寶玉勸道：“太太別煩惱，這件事我看來是不成的。Baoyu tried to console her, saying, "Madam, don't be troubled—as I see it, this match will not come to pass.這又是巧姐兒命里所招，只求太太不管就是了。”王夫人道：“你一開口就是瘋話。This too must be something drawn to Qiaojie by her own fate—I only beg Madam not to interfere in it." Lady Wang said, "The moment you open your mouth it's nothing but wild talk.人家說定了就要接過去。The other side has already settled things and means to take her over.若依平兒的話，你璉二哥可不抱怨我么。If what Ping'er says is true, won't your Second Brother Lian hold it against me?別說自己的侄孫女兒，就是親戚家的，也是要好才好。Not to mention one's own great-niece—even for a match in some relative's family, one would want it to be a good one.邢姑娘是我們作媒的，配了你二大舅子，如今和和順順的過日子不好么。Miss Xing was married off through our matchmaking to your second brother-in-law, and isn't she now living out her days peacefully and harmoniously?那琴姑娘梅家娶了去，聽見說是丰衣足食的很好。As for Miss Qin, who was married into the Mei family, I hear she is very well off, with ample clothing and food.就是史姑娘是他叔叔的主意，頭里原好，如今姑爺癆病死了，你史妹妹立志守寡，也就苦了。Even Miss Shi's marriage, which was her uncle's decision, was good enough at first, but now that her husband has died of consumption and your Cousin Shi has resolved to remain a widow, she has indeed had a hard time of it.若是巧姐兒錯給了人家兒，可不是我的心坏？”正說著，平兒過來瞧寶釵，并探聽邢夫人的口氣。If Qiaojie were given wrongly into some family, would that not show my heart to be bad?" Just as she was speaking, Ping'er came in to see Baochai, and also to sound out what Lady Xing's attitude was.王夫人將邢夫人的話說了一遍。Lady Wang repeated to her once over everything Lady Xing had said.平兒呆了半天，跪下求道：“巧姐兒終身全仗著太太。Ping'er stood stunned for a long while, then knelt and pleaded: "Qiaojie's whole life depends entirely on you, Madam.若信了人家的話，不但姑娘一輩子受了苦，便是璉二爺回來怎麼說呢！”王夫人道：“你是個明白人，起來，聽我說。If you believe what those people say, not only will the young lady suffer for the rest of her life, but what will Second Master Lian say when he comes back!" Lady Wang said, "You're a sensible person—get up, and listen to what I have to say.巧姐兒到底是大太太孫女兒，他要作主，我能夠攔他么？”寶玉勸道：“無妨礙的，只要明白就是了。”平兒生怕寶玉瘋顛嚷出來，也并不言語，回了王夫人竟自去了。After all, Qiaojie is the Elder Madam's granddaughter—if she wants to decide the matter, how can I stop her?" Baoyu said to soothe her, "There's no harm in it, so long as things are made clear." Ping'er, afraid that Baoyu might blurt out something mad, said nothing more, and after taking her leave of Lady Wang, went off on her own.

王夫人听了这些话，心下暗暗生气，勉强说些闲话，便走了出来，告诉了宝钗，自己落泪。宝玉劝道：“太太别烦恼，这件事我看来是不成的。这又是巧姐儿命里所招，只求太太不管就是了。”王夫人道：“你一开口就是疯话。人家说定了就要接过去。若依平儿的话，你琏二哥可不抱怨我么。别说自己的侄孙女儿，就是亲戚家的，也是要好才好。邢姑娘是我们作媒的，配了你二大舅子，如今和和顺顺的过日子不好么。那琴姑娘梅家娶了去，听见说是丰衣足食的很好。就是史姑娘是他叔叔的主意，头里原好，如今姑爷痨病死了，你史妹妹立志守寡，也就苦了。若是巧姐儿错给了人家儿，可不是我的心坏？”正说著，平儿过来瞧宝钗，并探听邢夫人的口气。王夫人将邢夫人的话说了一遍。平儿呆了半天，跪下求道：“巧姐儿终身全仗著太太。若信了人家的话，不但姑娘一辈子受了苦，便是琏二爷回来怎么说呢！”王夫人道：“你是个明白人，起来，听我说。巧姐儿到底是大太太孙女儿，他要作主，我能够拦他么？”宝玉劝道：“无妨碍的，只要明白就是了。”平儿生怕宝玉疯颠嚷出来，也并不言语，回了王夫人竟自去了。

這里王夫人想到煩悶，一陣心痛，叫丫頭扶著勉強回到自己房中躺下，不叫寶玉寶釵過來，說睡睡就好的。Here Lady Wang, brooding over her troubles, felt a sudden pain in her heart; she had a maid support her back to her own room, where she forced herself to lie down, and told them not to call Baoyu and Baochai over, saying she would be fine after some rest.自己卻也煩悶，聽見說李嬸娘來了也不及接待。She herself was so weighed down with worry that when she heard Aunt Li had arrived, she had no time to go and receive her.只見賈蘭進來請了安，回道：“今早爺爺那里打發人帶了一封書子來，外頭小子們傳進來的。Just then Jia Lan came in, paid his respects, and reported: "This morning a letter arrived from Grandfather, sent by messenger—the boys outside just passed it in.我母親接了正要過來，因我老娘來了，叫我先呈給太太瞧，回來我母親就過來來回太太。My mother had just taken it and was about to bring it over, but since my grandmother had arrived, she told me to bring it to you first to look at; she'll come herself afterward to report to you, Madam.還說我老娘要過來呢。”說著，一面把書子呈上。She also said my grandmother would be coming over." As he spoke, he presented the letter.王夫人一面接書，一面問道：“你老娘來作什麼？”賈蘭道：“我也不知道。Lady Wang took the letter and asked at the same time, "What has your grandmother come for?" Jia Lan said, "I don't know either.我只見我老娘說，我三姨兒的婆婆家有什麼信兒來了。”王夫人聽了，想起來還是前次給甄寶玉說了李綺，後來放定下茶，想來此時甄家要娶過門，所以李嬸娘來商量這件事情，便點點頭兒。I only heard my grandmother say that some news had come from my third aunt's in-laws' family." Hearing this, Lady Wang recalled that Li Qi had earlier been matched with Zhen Baoyu, and that the betrothal gifts and tea had already been exchanged; she supposed the Zhen family must now want to bring the bride over, and that this was why Aunt Li had come to discuss the matter, so she nodded.一面拆開書信，見上面寫著道：As she spoke she opened the letter, and saw that it read:

这里王夫人想到烦闷，一阵心痛，叫丫头扶著勉强回到自己房中躺下，不叫宝玉宝钗过来，说睡睡就好的。自己却也烦闷，听见说李婶娘来了也不及接待。只见贾兰进来请了安，回道：“今早爷爷那里打发人带了一封书子来，外头小子们传进来的。我母亲接了正要过来，因我老娘来了，叫我先呈给太太瞧，回来我母亲就过来来回太太。还说我老娘要过来呢。”说著，一面把书子呈上。王夫人一面接书，一面问道：“你老娘来作什么？”贾兰道：“我也不知道。我只见我老娘说，我三姨儿的婆婆家有什么信儿来了。”王夫人听了，想起来还是前次给甄宝玉说了李绮，后来放定下茶，想来此时甄家要娶过门，所以李婶娘来商量这件事情，便点点头儿。一面拆开书信，见上面写著道：

近因沿途俱系海疆凱旋船只，不能迅速前行。Recently, because the ships along the way have all been vessels returning victorious from the coastal frontier, we have been unable to proceed quickly.聞探姐隨翁婿來都，不知曾有信否？I have heard that Tanchun is coming to the capital together with her father-in-law and husband—I do not know whether any letter has arrived with this news.前接到璉侄手稟，知大老爺身体欠安，亦不知已有确信否？I earlier received a letter from my nephew Lian, from which I learned that Elder Uncle's health was not well; I do not know whether definite news of this has since arrived.寶玉蘭哥場期已近，務須實心用功，不可怠惰。The examination date for Baoyu and Lan is now near; they absolutely must apply themselves with genuine effort and not grow idle.老太太靈柩抵家，尚需日時。It will still take some days before the Old Lady's coffin reaches home.我身体平善，不必挂念。My own health is fine—there is no need to worry about me.此諭寶玉等知道。Let this be made known to Baoyu and the others.月日手書。Written by my own hand, on such-and-such a day of such-and-such a month.蓉兒另稟。Rong'er reports separately.王夫人看了，仍舊遞給賈蘭，說：“你拿去給你二叔瞧瞧，還交給你母親罷。”正說著，李紈同李嬸過來。Having read it, Lady Wang handed it back to Jia Lan, saying, "Take this and let your Second Uncle read it, then give it to your mother." Just as she spoke, Li Wan came in together with Aunt Li.請安問好畢，王夫人讓了坐。After they had exchanged greetings, Lady Wang invited them to sit.李嬸娘便將甄家要娶李綺的話說了一遍。Aunt Li then related in full the matter of the Zhen family wanting to marry Li Qi.大家商議了一會子。Everyone discussed it together for a while.李紈因問王夫人道：“老爺的書子太太看過了么？”王夫人道：“看過了。”賈蘭便拿著給他母親瞧。Li Wan then asked Lady Wang, "Have you read Uncle's letter, Madam?" "I have," said Lady Wang. Jia Lan then took it to show his mother.李紈看了道：“三姑娘出門了好幾年，總沒有來，如今要回京了。Having read it, Li Wan said, "Third Sister has been away from home for several years now without ever coming back, and now she's finally returning to the capital.太太也放了好些心。”王夫人道：“我本是心痛，看見探丫頭要回來了，心里略好些。That should set your mind at ease a good deal, Madam." Lady Wang said, "My heart has truly been aching, but now that I see Tan is coming back, I feel somewhat better.只是不知幾時才到。”李嬸娘便問了賈政在路好。I just don't know when exactly she'll arrive." Aunt Li then asked after Jia Zheng's well-being on the road.李紈因向賈蘭道：“哥兒瞧見了？Li Wan then said to Jia Lan, "Have you seen this, my boy?場期近了，你爺爺掂記的什麼似的。The examination date is drawing near, and your grandfather is worrying about it no end.你快拿了去給二叔叔瞧去罷。”李嬸娘道：“他們爺兒兩個又沒進過學，怎麼能下場呢？”王夫人道：“他爺爺做糧道的起身時，給他們爺兒兩個援了例監了。”李嬸娘點頭。Hurry and take it to show your Second Uncle." Aunt Li said, "But neither of those two—uncle and nephew—has ever attended the government school; how can they sit for the examination?" Lady Wang said, "When his grandfather set out to take up his post as Grain Intendant, he purchased Imperial Academy student status for the two of them, uncle and nephew." Aunt Li nodded.賈蘭一面拿著書子出來，來找寶玉。Jia Lan took the letter and went out to look for Baoyu.

近因沿途俱系海疆凯旋船只，不能迅速前行。闻探姐随翁婿来都，不知曾有信否？前接到琏侄手禀，知大老爷身体欠安，亦不知已有确信否？宝玉兰哥场期已近，务须实心用功，不可怠惰。老太太灵柩抵家，尚需日时。我身体平善，不必挂念。此谕宝玉等知道。月日手书。蓉儿另禀。王夫人看了，仍旧递给贾兰，说：“你拿去给你二叔瞧瞧，还交给你母亲罢。”正说著，李纨同李婶过来。请安问好毕，王夫人让了坐。李婶娘便将甄家要娶李绮的话说了一遍。大家商议了一会子。李纨因问王夫人道：“老爷的书子太太看过了么？”王夫人道：“看过了。”贾兰便拿著给他母亲瞧。李纨看了道：“三姑娘出门了好几年，总没有来，如今要回京了。太太也放了好些心。”王夫人道：“我本是心痛，看见探丫头要回来了，心里略好些。只是不知几时才到。”李婶娘便问了贾政在路好。李纨因向贾兰道：“哥儿瞧见了？场期近了，你爷爷掂记的什么似的。你快拿了去给二叔叔瞧去罢。”李婶娘道：“他们爷儿两个又没进过学，怎么能下场呢？”王夫人道：“他爷爷做粮道的起身时，给他们爷儿两个援了例监了。”李婶娘点头。贾兰一面拿著书子出来，来找宝玉。

卻說寶玉送了王夫人去後，正拿著《秋水》一篇在那里細玩。Now, after Baoyu had seen Lady Wang off, he was holding the "Autumn Floods" chapter and studying it closely.寶釵從里間走出，見他看的得意忘言，便走過來一看，見是這個，心里著實煩悶。Baochai came out from the inner room and saw him so absorbed in it that words failed him; she went over to look, and seeing what it was, felt genuinely troubled at heart.細想他只顧把這些出世離群的話當作一件正經事，終久不妥。On reflection, she thought that his taking such talk of renouncing the world and forsaking society as something to be pursued in earnest could not, in the end, come to any good.看他這种光景，料勸不過來，便坐在寶玉旁邊怔怔的坐著。Seeing him in this state, she judged that persuasion would be useless, so she simply sat down beside Baoyu, staring blankly.寶玉見他這般，便道：“你這又是為什麼？”寶釵道：“我想你我既為夫婦，你便是我終身的倚靠，卻不在情欲之私。Seeing her like this, Baoyu said, "Now what's the matter with you?" Baochai said, "I think that since you and I are husband and wife, you are the one I rely on for my whole life—yet this has nothing to do with private feelings of passion.論起榮華富貴，原不過是過眼煙雲，但自古圣賢，以人品根柢為重。”寶玉也沒聽完，把那書本擱在旁邊，微微的笑道：“据你說人品根柢，又是什麼古圣賢，你可知古圣賢說過‘不失其赤子之心’。As for glory and riches, they are indeed nothing but smoke and clouds passing before the eyes—but the sages of old always held the foundation of one's character to be the important thing." Before she had even finished, Baoyu set the book aside and said with a faint smile, "You speak of the foundation of character, and of the sages of old—but do you know that the sages of old also said, 'not to lose the heart of a newborn child'?那赤子有什麼好處，不過是無知無識無貪無忌。What is so good about a newborn child? It is nothing more than having no knowledge, no understanding, no greed, no scruples.我們生來已陷溺在貪嗔痴愛中，猶如污泥一般，怎麼能跳出這般塵网。We, from the moment we are born, are already mired in greed, anger, folly, and desire, like sunk in filthy mud—how could we ever leap free of such a net of dust?如今才曉得‘聚散浮生’四字，古人說了，不曾提醒一個。Only now do I truly understand the four words 'gathering and scattering, life's fleeting existence'—the ancients spoke them, but never once did they truly wake anyone up to their meaning.既要講到人品根柢，誰是到那太初一步地位的！”寶釵道：“你既說‘赤子之心’，古圣賢原以忠孝為赤子之心，并不是遁世離群無關無系為赤子之心。If we're going to speak of the foundation of character, then who has ever actually reached that state of primal beginning!" Baochai said, "Since you speak of the 'heart of a newborn child,' the sages of old took loyalty and filial piety to be the heart of a newborn child—they never took fleeing the world and cutting oneself off from all ties to be the heart of a newborn child.堯舜禹湯周孔時刻以救民濟世為心，所謂赤子之心，原不過是‘不忍’二字。Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius were, every moment, intent upon saving the people and rescuing the world; the so-called heart of a newborn child is, in the end, nothing more than the two words 'cannot bear.'若你方才所說的，忍于拋棄天倫，還成什麼道理？”寶玉點頭笑道：“堯舜不強巢許，武周不強夷齊。”寶釵不等他說完，便道：“你這個話益發不是了。If, as you just said, one could bear to abandon the bonds of family—what kind of principle is that?" Baoyu nodded and said with a smile, "Yao and Shun did not force Chao and Xu to serve; King Wu and the Duke of Zhou did not force Boyi and Shuqi to serve." Baochai, without waiting for him to finish, said, "That remark of yours is even more wrong.古來若都是巢許夷齊，為什麼如今人又把堯舜周孔稱為圣賢呢！If everyone since ancient times had been like Chao, Xu, Boyi, and Shuqi, why would people today still call Yao, Shun, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius sages!況且你自比夷齊，更不成話，伯夷叔齊原是生在商末世，有許多難處之事，所以才有托而逃。Besides, for you to compare yourself to Boyi and Shuqi is even more absurd. Boyi and Shuqi were born at the end of the Shang dynasty and faced many difficult circumstances, which is why they had cause to withdraw and flee.當此圣世，咱們世受國恩，祖父錦衣玉食，況你自有生以來，自去世的老太太以及老爺太太視如珍寶。But in this sage-governed age, our family has generation after generation received the state's favor, our forebears have enjoyed fine silks and rich food, and moreover, ever since you were born, from the late Old Lady down to your father and mother, everyone has treasured you like a precious jewel.你方才所說，自己想一想是與不是。”寶玉聽了也不答言，只有仰頭微笑。Think it over for yourself whether what you just said makes any sense." Baoyu, hearing this, made no reply, only tilted his head back and smiled faintly.寶釵因又勸道：“你既理屈詞窮，我勸你從此把心收一收，好好的用用功。Baochai went on to urge him further: "Since you find yourself without any argument left, I urge you from now on to gather your thoughts and apply yourself properly to your studies.但能搏得一第，便是從此而止，也不枉天恩祖德了。”寶玉點了點頭，歎了口氣說道：“一第呢，其實也不是什麼難事，倒是你這個‘從此而止，不枉天恩祖德’卻還不離其宗。”寶釵未及答言，襲人過來說道：“剛才二奶奶說的古圣先賢，我們也不懂。So long as you can win a degree, even if you were to stop there afterward, you would not have been unworthy of Heaven's grace and your ancestors' virtue." Baoyu nodded, sighed, and said, "As for winning a degree, that's really not so difficult a thing—but this idea of yours, 'stopping there afterward, not unworthy of Heaven's grace and ancestors' virtue,' is not far from the mark after all." Before Baochai could reply, Xiren came over and said, "As for the ancient sages Second Mistress was just speaking of, we don't understand any of that.我只想著我們這些人從小兒辛辛苦苦跟著二爺，不知陪了多少小心，論起理來原該當的，但只二爺也該体諒体諒。I only keep thinking that we, who have served Second Master with such hard toil since we were young, have shown who knows how much careful devotion—by rights that's only as it should be, but still, Second Master ought to consider our feelings a little too.況二奶奶替二爺在老爺太太跟前行了多少孝道，就是二爺不以夫妻為事，也不可太辜負了人心。Besides, think how much filial duty Second Mistress has performed on Second Master's behalf before the Master and Madam—even if Second Master gives no thought to being husband and wife, he still shouldn't be so ungrateful as to let down people's hearts.至于神仙那一層更是謊話，誰見過有走到凡間來的神仙呢！As for that business about immortals, that's nothing but lies—whoever heard of an immortal coming down to walk in the mortal world!那里來的這麼個和尚，說了些混話，二爺就信了真。Some monk comes from who knows where, spouts a lot of nonsense, and Second Master goes and takes it for the truth.二爺是讀書的人，難道他的話比老爺太太還重么！”寶玉聽了，低頭不語。Second Master is a man of learning—surely that monk's words can't carry more weight than the Master's and Madam's!" Baoyu, hearing this, bowed his head and said nothing.

却说宝玉送了王夫人去后，正拿著《秋水》一篇在那里细玩。宝钗从里间走出，见他看的得意忘言，便走过来一看，见是这个，心里著实烦闷。细想他只顾把这些出世离群的话当作一件正经事，终久不妥。看他这种光景，料劝不过来，便坐在宝玉旁边怔怔的坐著。宝玉见他这般，便道：“你这又是为什么？”宝钗道：“我想你我既为夫妇，你便是我终身的倚靠，却不在情欲之私。论起荣华富贵，原不过是过眼烟云，但自古圣贤，以人品根柢为重。”宝玉也没听完，把那书本搁在旁边，微微的笑道：“据你说人品根柢，又是什么古圣贤，你可知古圣贤说过‘不失其赤子之心’。那赤子有什么好处，不过是无知无识无贪无忌。我们生来已陷溺在贪嗔痴爱中，犹如污泥一般，怎么能跳出这般尘网。如今才晓得‘聚散浮生’四字，古人说了，不曾提醒一个。既要讲到人品根柢，谁是到那太初一步地位的！”宝钗道：“你既说‘赤子之心’，古圣贤原以忠孝为赤子之心，并不是遁世离群无关无系为赤子之心。尧舜禹汤周孔时刻以救民济世为心，所谓赤子之心，原不过是‘不忍’二字。若你方才所说的，忍于抛弃天伦，还成什么道理？”宝玉点头笑道：“尧舜不强巢许，武周不强夷齐。”宝钗不等他说完，便道：“你这个话益发不是了。古来若都是巢许夷齐，为什么如今人又把尧舜周孔称为圣贤呢！况且你自比夷齐，更不成话，伯夷叔齐原是生在商末世，有许多难处之事，所以才有托而逃。当此圣世，咱们世受国恩，祖父锦衣玉食，况你自有生以来，自去世的老太太以及老爷太太视如珍宝。你方才所说，自己想一想是与不是。”宝玉听了也不答言，只有仰头微笑。宝钗因又劝道：“你既理屈词穷，我劝你从此把心收一收，好好的用用功。但能搏得一第，便是从此而止，也不枉天恩祖德了。”宝玉点了点头，叹了口气说道：“一第呢，其实也不是什么难事，倒是你这个‘从此而止，不枉天恩祖德’却还不离其宗。”宝钗未及答言，袭人过来说道：“刚才二奶奶说的古圣先贤，我们也不懂。我只想著我们这些人从小儿辛辛苦苦跟著二爷，不知陪了多少小心，论起理来原该当的，但只二爷也该体谅体谅。况二奶奶替二爷在老爷太太跟前行了多少孝道，就是二爷不以夫妻为事，也不可太辜负了人心。至于神仙那一层更是谎话，谁见过有走到凡间来的神仙呢！那里来的这么个和尚，说了些混话，二爷就信了真。二爷是读书的人，难道他的话比老爷太太还重么！”宝玉听了，低头不语。

襲人還要說時，只聽外面腳步走響，隔著窗戶問道：“二叔在屋里呢么？”寶玉聽了，是賈蘭的聲音，便站起來笑道：“你進來罷。”寶釵也站起來。Just as Xiren was about to say more, footsteps sounded outside, and a voice called through the window, "Is Second Uncle in?" Baoyu, recognizing Jia Lan's voice, stood up and said with a smile, "Come in." Baochai stood up as well.賈蘭進來笑容可掬的給寶玉寶釵請了安，問了襲人的好，——襲人也問了好——便把書子呈給寶玉瞧。Jia Lan came in, all smiles, and paid his respects to Baoyu and Baochai, and asked after Xiren's health as well—Xiren returned the greeting—then handed the letter to Baoyu to read.寶玉接在手中看了，便道：“你三姑姑回來了。”賈蘭道：“爺爺既如此寫，自然是回來的了。”寶玉點頭不語，默默如有所思。Baoyu took it and read it, then said, "So your Third Aunt is coming back." Jia Lan said, "Since Grandfather writes it so, she must indeed be coming back." Baoyu nodded without speaking, silent as though lost in thought.賈蘭便問：“叔叔看見爺爺後頭寫的叫咱們好生念書了？Jia Lan then asked, "Did you see what Grandfather wrote further on, telling us to study hard?叔叔這一程子只怕總沒作文章罷？”寶玉笑道：“我也要作幾篇熟一熟手，好去誆這個功名。”賈蘭道：“叔叔既這樣，就擬幾個題目，我跟著叔叔作作，也好進去混場，別到那時交了白卷子惹人笑話。I'm afraid you probably haven't written any essays this whole while, Uncle?" Baoyu said with a smile, "I mean to write a few, too, to get my hand back in practice, so as to bluff my way to a degree." Jia Lan said, "Since that's how it is, Uncle, why not set a few topics, and I'll practice along with you, so that when I go in to sit the examination I won't hand in a blank paper and become a laughingstock.不但笑話我，人家連叔叔都要笑話了。”寶玉道：“你也不至如此。”說著，寶釵命賈蘭坐下。And it wouldn't just be me they'd laugh at—people would laugh at you too, Uncle." Baoyu said, "It won't come to that with you." As he spoke, Baochai told Jia Lan to sit down.寶玉仍坐在原處，賈蘭側身坐了。Baoyu remained seated where he was, and Jia Lan sat down at an angle beside him.兩個談了一回文，不覺喜動顏色。The two of them talked over their studies for a while, and before they knew it, joy showed plainly on their faces.寶釵見他爺兒兩個談得高興，便仍進屋里去了。Seeing uncle and nephew talking so happily together, Baochai went back into the inner room.心中細想寶玉此時光景，或者醒悟過來了，只是剛才說話，他把那“從此而止”四字單單的許可，這又不知是什麼意思了。In her heart she pondered carefully over Baoyu's present state—perhaps he had truly come to his senses; and yet, in what he'd just said, he had singled out and agreed only to those four words "stop there afterward"—what exactly that meant, she could not tell.寶釵尚自猶豫，惟有襲人看他愛講文章，提到下場，更又欣然。While Baochai still had her doubts, Xiren, seeing how he now enjoyed discussing his essays and how pleased he seemed at the mention of sitting the examination, was all the more delighted.心里想道：“阿彌陀佛！She thought to herself, "Amitabha Buddha!好容易講四書似的才講過來了！”這里寶玉和賈蘭講文，鶯兒沏過茶來，賈蘭站起來接了。What a struggle it was, like lecturing him through the Four Books, before he was finally brought round!" Meanwhile, as Baoyu and Jia Lan discussed their essays, Yingr brought in tea, and Jia Lan rose to take it.又說了一會子下場的規矩并請甄寶玉在一處的話，寶玉也甚似願意。They talked a while longer about the rules for sitting the examination, and about asking Zhen Baoyu to sit together with them, and Baoyu seemed quite willing to it.一時賈蘭回去，便將書子留給寶玉了。After a while Jia Lan went back, leaving the letter with Baoyu.

袭人还要说时，只听外面脚步走响，隔著窗户问道：“二叔在屋里呢么？”宝玉听了，是贾兰的声音，便站起来笑道：“你进来罢。”宝钗也站起来。贾兰进来笑容可掬的给宝玉宝钗请了安，问了袭人的好，——袭人也问了好——便把书子呈给宝玉瞧。宝玉接在手中看了，便道：“你三姑姑回来了。”贾兰道：“爷爷既如此写，自然是回来的了。”宝玉点头不语，默默如有所思。贾兰便问：“叔叔看见爷爷后头写的叫咱们好生念书了？叔叔这一程子只怕总没作文章罢？”宝玉笑道：“我也要作几篇熟一熟手，好去诓这个功名。”贾兰道：“叔叔既这样，就拟几个题目，我跟著叔叔作作，也好进去混场，别到那时交了白卷子惹人笑话。不但笑话我，人家连叔叔都要笑话了。”宝玉道：“你也不至如此。”说著，宝钗命贾兰坐下。宝玉仍坐在原处，贾兰侧身坐了。两个谈了一回文，不觉喜动颜色。宝钗见他爷儿两个谈得高兴，便仍进屋里去了。心中细想宝玉此时光景，或者醒悟过来了，只是刚才说话，他把那“从此而止”四字单单的许可，这又不知是什么意思了。宝钗尚自犹豫，惟有袭人看他爱讲文章，提到下场，更又欣然。心里想道：“阿弥陀佛！好容易讲四书似的才讲过来了！”这里宝玉和贾兰讲文，莺儿沏过茶来，贾兰站起来接了。又说了一会子下场的规矩并请甄宝玉在一处的话，宝玉也甚似愿意。一时贾兰回去，便将书子留给宝玉了。

那寶玉拿著書子，笑嘻嘻走進來遞給麝月收了，便出來將那本《庄子》收了，把幾部向來最得意的，如《參同契》《元命苞》《五燈會元》之類，叫出麝月秋紋鶯兒等都搬了擱在一邊。Baoyu, holding the letter, walked in smiling, handed it to Sheyue to put away, then came back out, put away that copy of the Zhuangzi, and had Sheyue, Qiuwen, Yingr, and the others move away and set aside all the books he had once prized most, such as the Cantong Qi, the Yuanming Bao, and the Wudeng Huiyuan, and the like.寶釵見他這番舉動，甚為罕异，因欲試探他，便笑問道：“不看他倒是正經，但又何必搬開呢。”寶玉道：“如今才明白過來了。Baochai, finding this behavior of his most unusual, wanted to test him, so she asked with a smile, "It's a good thing not to read them, but why bother moving them away at all?" Baoyu said, "It's only now that I've truly come to understand.這些書都算不得什麼，我還要一火焚之，方為乾淨。”寶釵聽了更欣喜异常。These books don't amount to anything—I ought to burn them all in one fire, and only then would things be truly clean." Hearing this, Baochai was more delighted than ever.只聽寶玉口中微吟道：“內典語中無佛性，金丹法外有仙丹。”寶釵也沒很聽真，只聽得”無佛性”“有仙丹”幾個字，心中轉又狐疑，且看他作何光景。Just then she heard Baoyu murmuring softly to himself, "In the words of the Buddhist scriptures there is no Buddha-nature; outside the methods of the golden elixir there is an immortal's elixir." Baochai did not quite catch it clearly, only hearing the words "no Buddha-nature" and "immortal's elixir," and her mind turned once more to suspicion—she decided to wait and see what he would do next.寶玉便命麝月秋紋等收拾一間靜室，把那些語錄名稿及應制詩之類都找出來擱在靜室中，自己卻當真靜靜的用起功來。Baoyu then had Sheyue, Qiuwen, and the others tidy up a quiet room, had all those recorded sayings, famous manuscripts, and examination-style poems and the like brought out and placed in that quiet room, and set himself, in real earnest and in quiet, to studying hard.寶釵這才放了心。Only then did Baochai's mind finally rest easy.

那宝玉拿著书子，笑嘻嘻走进来递给麝月收了，便出来将那本《庄子》收了，把几部向来最得意的，如《参同契》《元命苞》《五灯会元》之类，叫出麝月秋纹莺儿等都搬了搁在一边。宝钗见他这番举动，甚为罕异，因欲试探他，便笑问道：“不看他倒是正经，但又何必搬开呢。”宝玉道：“如今才明白过来了。这些书都算不得什么，我还要一火焚之，方为干净。”宝钗听了更欣喜异常。只听宝玉口中微吟道：“内典语中无佛性，金丹法外有仙丹。”宝钗也没很听真，只听得”无佛性”“有仙丹”几个字，心中转又狐疑，且看他作何光景。宝玉便命麝月秋纹等收拾一间静室，把那些语录名稿及应制诗之类都找出来搁在静室中，自己却当真静静的用起功来。宝钗这才放了心。

那襲人此時真是聞所未聞，見所未見，便悄悄的笑著向寶釵道：“到底奶奶說話透徹，只一路講究，就把二爺勸明白了。Xiren, for her part, felt she had truly never heard nor seen the like before; she said quietly to Baochai with a smile, "You really do speak with such thoroughness, Mistress—just by reasoning it through step by step, you managed to talk Second Master into seeing sense.就只可惜遲了一點兒，臨場太近了。”寶釵點頭微笑道：“功名自有定數，中與不中倒也不在用功的遲早。It's just a pity it came a little late, with the examination so close at hand now." Baochai nodded and said with a faint smile, "Success in the examinations has its own fixed fate; whether one passes or not doesn't really depend on whether one starts applying oneself early or late.但願他從此一心巴結正路，把從前那些邪魔永不沾染就是好了。”說到這里，見房里無人，便悄說道：“這一番悔悟回來固然很好，但只一件，怕又犯了前頭的舊病，和女孩兒們打起交道來，也是不好。”襲人道：“奶奶說的也是。I only hope that from now on he'll set his heart wholly on the right path, and never again let himself be touched by those old delusions." Having said this, and seeing there was no one else in the room, she added quietly, "It's certainly a good thing that he's had this change of heart and repented—but there's just one thing: I worry he might fall back into his old failing again, getting entangled with the girls, and that wouldn't be good either." Xiren said, "What you say is quite right, Mistress.二爺自從信了和尚，才把這些姐妹冷淡了，如今不信和尚，真怕又要犯了前頭的舊病呢。It was only after Second Master started believing in that monk that he grew cool toward these girls; now that he no longer believes in the monk, I really do fear he might fall back into his old ways again.我想奶奶和我二爺原不大理會，紫鵑去了，如今只他們四個，這里頭就是五兒有些個狐媚子，聽見說他媽求了大奶奶和奶奶，說要討出去給人家兒呢。I think that you, Mistress, and Second Master don't pay them much attention as it is; and now that Zijuan has gone, there are only the four of them left. Among them, Wu'er has a bit of a fox-charm about her, but I've heard her mother has already asked the Eldest Mistress and you, Mistress, to let her be taken out and married off to some family.但是這兩天到底在這里呢。But these past couple of days she is still here, after all.麝月秋紋雖沒別的，只是二爺那幾年也都有些頑頑皮皮的。As for Sheyue and Qiuwen, there's nothing else wrong with them, only that in those earlier years Second Master used to be somewhat playful and mischievous with them too.如今算來只有鶯兒二爺倒不大理會，況且鶯兒也穩重。Counting it up now, the only one Second Master doesn't pay much mind to is Yingr, and besides, Yingr is steady and sensible.我想倒茶弄水只叫鶯兒帶著小丫頭們伏侍就夠了，不知奶奶心里怎麼樣。”寶釵道：“我也慮的是這些，你說的倒也罷了。”從此便派鶯兒帶著小丫頭伏侍。I think it would be enough just to have Yingr lead the little maids in pouring tea and handling such small chores—I don't know how you feel about it, Mistress." Baochai said, "Those are exactly the things I've been worried about too; what you say sounds sensible enough." From then on she assigned Yingr to lead the little maids in attending to Baoyu.

那袭人此时真是闻所未闻，见所未见，便悄悄的笑著向宝钗道：“到底奶奶说话透彻，只一路讲究，就把二爷劝明白了。就只可惜迟了一点儿，临场太近了。”宝钗点头微笑道：“功名自有定数，中与不中倒也不在用功的迟早。但愿他从此一心巴结正路，把从前那些邪魔永不沾染就是好了。”说到这里，见房里无人，便悄说道：“这一番悔悟回来固然很好，但只一件，怕又犯了前头的旧病，和女孩儿们打起交道来，也是不好。”袭人道：“奶奶说的也是。二爷自从信了和尚，才把这些姐妹冷淡了，如今不信和尚，真怕又要犯了前头的旧病呢。我想奶奶和我二爷原不大理会，紫鹃去了，如今只他们四个，这里头就是五儿有些个狐媚子，听见说他妈求了大奶奶和奶奶，说要讨出去给人家儿呢。但是这两天到底在这里呢。麝月秋纹虽没别的，只是二爷那几年也都有些顽顽皮皮的。如今算来只有莺儿二爷倒不大理会，况且莺儿也稳重。我想倒茶弄水只叫莺儿带著小丫头们伏侍就够了，不知奶奶心里怎么样。”宝钗道：“我也虑的是这些，你说的倒也罢了。”从此便派莺儿带著小丫头伏侍。

那寶玉卻也不出房門，天天只差人去給王夫人請安。Baoyu, for his part, no longer went out of his room at all, and every day merely sent someone to pay his respects to Lady Wang on his behalf.王夫人聽見他這番光景，那一种欣慰之情，更不待言了。When Lady Wang heard of this change in him, the sense of comfort and relief she felt need hardly be described.到了八月初三，這一日正是賈母的冥壽。When the third day of the eighth month came, it happened to be the anniversary of the Old Lady's birthday in the netherworld.寶玉早晨過來磕了頭，便回去，仍到靜室中去了。Baoyu came over in the morning to kowtow, then went back and returned once more to his quiet room.飯後，寶釵襲人等都和姊妹們跟著邢王二夫人在前面屋里說閒話兒。After the meal, Baochai, Xiren, and the others, together with the girls, sat chatting idly in the front room with Lady Xing and Lady Wang.寶玉自在靜室冥心危坐，忽見鶯兒端了一盤瓜果進來說：“太太叫人送來給二爺吃的。Baoyu sat alone in the quiet room, his mind stilled, sitting upright, when suddenly he saw Yingr come in carrying a plate of fruit, saying, "Madam had this sent for you to eat, Second Master.這是老太太的克什。”寶玉站起來答應了，复又坐下，便道：“擱在那里罷。”鶯兒一面放下瓜果一面悄悄向寶玉道：“太太那里夸二爺呢。”寶玉微笑。This is a share of the Old Lady's offerings." Baoyu rose and acknowledged it, then sat back down again, saying, "Just set it down there." As Yingr set down the fruit, she said to Baoyu quietly, "Madam was praising you just now, Second Master." Baoyu smiled faintly.鶯兒又道：“太太說了，二爺這一用功，明兒進場中了出來，明年再中了進士，作了官，老爺太太可就不枉了盼二爺了。”寶玉也只點頭微笑。Yingr went on, "Madam said that with Second Master applying himself like this, once you go into the examination and pass, and next year pass the metropolitan examination too and become an official, then the Master and Madam will not have hoped for you in vain, Second Master." Baoyu only nodded and smiled.鶯兒忽然想起那年給寶玉打絡子的時候寶玉說的話來，便道：“真要二爺中了，那可是我們姑奶奶的造化了。Yingr suddenly remembered what Baoyu had once said the year she was braiding a net-cover for him, and said, "If Second Master really does pass, that will truly be our young mistress's good fortune.二爺還記得那一年在園子里，不是二爺叫我打梅花絡子時說的，我們姑奶奶後來帶著我不知到那一個有造化的人家兒去呢。Do you still remember, Second Master, that year in the garden, when you had me braid a plum-blossom net-cover, and you said that our young mistress would later take me along to who knows what fortunate family?如今二爺可是有造化的罷咧。”寶玉聽到這里，又覺塵心一動，連忙斂神定息，微微的笑道：“据你說來，我是有造化的，你們姑娘也是有造化的，你呢？”鶯兒把臉飛紅了，勉強道：“我們不過當丫頭一輩子罷咧，有什麼造化呢！”寶玉笑道：“果然能夠一輩子是丫頭，你這個造化比我們還大呢！”鶯兒聽見這話似乎又是瘋話了，恐怕自己招出寶玉的病根來，打算著要走。Well, now it seems Second Master is indeed a man of good fortune after all." When Baoyu heard this, he felt once more a stirring of worldly feeling, but quickly composed his spirit and steadied his breath, and said with a faint smile, "By what you say, I have good fortune, and your young mistress has good fortune too—but what about you?" Yingr's face flushed crimson, and she forced herself to say, "We're nothing but maids for a whole lifetime—what fortune could there be in that!" Baoyu said with a smile, "If you really could be a maid for your whole lifetime, that fortune of yours would be even greater than ours!" Hearing this, Yingr felt it sounded like mad talk again, and fearing she might draw out Baoyu's old affliction, made to leave.只見寶玉笑著說道：“傻丫頭，我告訴你罷。”未知寶玉又說出什麼話來，且聽下回分解。Just then she saw Baoyu say with a smile, "Silly girl, let me tell you." What words Baoyu was about to say next is not yet known—listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

那宝玉却也不出房门，天天只差人去给王夫人请安。王夫人听见他这番光景，那一种欣慰之情，更不待言了。到了八月初三，这一日正是贾母的冥寿。宝玉早晨过来磕了头，便回去，仍到静室中去了。饭后，宝钗袭人等都和姊妹们跟著邢王二夫人在前面屋里说闲话儿。宝玉自在静室冥心危坐，忽见莺儿端了一盘瓜果进来说：“太太叫人送来给二爷吃的。这是老太太的克什。”宝玉站起来答应了，复又坐下，便道：“搁在那里罢。”莺儿一面放下瓜果一面悄悄向宝玉道：“太太那里夸二爷呢。”宝玉微笑。莺儿又道：“太太说了，二爷这一用功，明儿进场中了出来，明年再中了进士，作了官，老爷太太可就不枉了盼二爷了。”宝玉也只点头微笑。莺儿忽然想起那年给宝玉打络子的时候宝玉说的话来，便道：“真要二爷中了，那可是我们姑奶奶的造化了。二爷还记得那一年在园子里，不是二爷叫我打梅花络子时说的，我们姑奶奶后来带著我不知到那一个有造化的人家儿去呢。如今二爷可是有造化的罢咧。”宝玉听到这里，又觉尘心一动，连忙敛神定息，微微的笑道：“据你说来，我是有造化的，你们姑娘也是有造化的，你呢？”莺儿把脸飞红了，勉强道：“我们不过当丫头一辈子罢咧，有什么造化呢！”宝玉笑道：“果然能够一辈子是丫头，你这个造化比我们还大呢！”莺儿听见这话似乎又是疯话了，恐怕自己招出宝玉的病根来，打算著要走。只见宝玉笑著说道：“傻丫头，我告诉你罢。”未知宝玉又说出什么话来，且听下回分解。