第百二十回　甄士隱詳說太虛情　賈雨村歸結紅樓夢 Zhen Shiyin Explains the Illusory Realm; Jia Yucun Brings the Dream of Red Mansions to a Close

話說寶釵聽秋紋說襲人不好，連忙進去瞧看。The story goes that when Baochai heard from Qiuwen that Xiren was unwell, she hurried in to see her.巧姐兒同平兒也隨著走到襲人炕前。Qiao Jie'er and Ping'er also followed along to Xiren's kang.只見襲人心痛難禁，一時氣厥。They found Xiren in such pain at heart that she could not bear it, and for a time she had fainted from distress.寶釵等用開水灌了過來，仍舊扶他睡下，一面傳請大夫。Baochai and the others revived her with boiled water and helped her lie down again, while sending at once to request a doctor.巧姐兒問寶釵道：「襲人姐姐怎麼病到這個樣？」寶釵道：「大前兒晚上哭傷了心了，一時發暈栽倒了。Qiao Jie'er asked Baochai, "Sister Xiren—how did she come to be so ill?" Baochai said, "The night before last she cried so hard it hurt her heart, and all at once she grew dizzy and fell.太太叫人扶他回來，他就睡倒了。Madam had someone help her back, and she has lain ill ever since.因外頭有事，沒有請大夫瞧他，所以致此。」說著，大夫來了，寶釵等略避。Because there was business outside, no one thought to send for a doctor to see her, and so it came to this." As she spoke, the doctor arrived, and Baochai and the others withdrew a little.大夫看了脈，說是急怒所致，開了方子去了。The doctor took her pulse and said it was brought on by sudden anger and distress, wrote out a prescription, and left.原來襲人模糊聽見說寶玉若不回來，便要打發屋里的人都出去，一急越發不好了。It turned out Xiren had vaguely overheard that if Baoyu did not come back, all the people in his rooms were to be sent away, and the shock of it had made her worse still.到大夫瞧後，秋紋給他煎藥。After the doctor had seen her, Qiuwen brewed the medicine for her.他各自一人躺著，神魂未定，好象寶玉在他面前，恍惚又象是個和尚，手里拿著一本冊子揭著看，還說道：「你別錯了主意，我是不認得你們的了。」襲人似要和他說話，秋紋走來說：「藥好了，姐姐吃罷。」襲人睜眼一瞧，知是個夢，也不告訴人。She lay there alone, her spirit not yet settled, and it seemed as though Baoyu were before her, though hazily it also seemed to be a monk, holding a booklet in his hand and turning its pages, saying, "Don't misjudge my meaning—I no longer know any of you." Xiren seemed about to speak to him when Qiuwen came in and said, "The medicine is ready, sister, do drink it." Xiren opened her eyes with a start and realized it had been a dream, but she told no one.吃了藥，便自己細細的想：「寶玉必是跟了和尚去。After taking the medicine, she fell to thinking it over carefully by herself: "Baoyu must have gone off with that monk.上回他要拿玉出去，便是要脫身的樣子，被我揪住，看他竟不象往常，把我混推混揉的，一點情意都沒有。The last time he wanted to take the jade out with him, that was already the look of someone meaning to break free—I caught hold of him then, but he was quite unlike his usual self, pushing and shoving me about without a trace of feeling.後來待二奶奶更生厭煩。Afterward his manner toward the Second Mistress grew even more one of weariness and irritation.在別的姊妹跟前，也是沒有一點情意。And before the other young ladies too, there was not the least warmth in him.這就是悟道的樣子。This must be the look of one who has awakened to enlightenment.但是你悟了道，拋了二奶奶怎麼好！But if you have awakened to the Way, how could you bear to abandon the Second Mistress!我是太太派我服侍你，雖是月錢照著那樣的分例，其實我究竟沒有在老爺太太跟前回明就算了你的屋里人。I was assigned by Madam to wait upon you, and though my monthly allowance follows that same scale, in truth it was never formally reported to Master and Madam that I was to count as one of your own room's people.若是老爺太太打發我出去，我若死守著，又叫人笑話，若是我出去，心想寶玉待我的情分，實在不忍。」左思右想，實在難處。If Master and Madam should send me away, should I stubbornly insist on staying faithful, people would only laugh at me; yet if I do go, when I think of how Baoyu once treated me, my heart truly cannot bear it." Turning it over and over in her mind, she found it truly hard to decide.想到剛纔的夢「好象和我無緣」的話，「倒不如死了乾淨。」豈知吃藥以後，心痛減了好些，也難躺著，只好勉強支持。Recalling the words from the dream just now—"it seems I have no bond left with you"—she thought, "Better to die and be done with it." Little did she expect that after taking the medicine, the pain in her chest eased considerably, and being unable to bear lying still any longer, she had no choice but to force herself to carry on.過了幾日，起來服侍寶釵。After a few days had passed, she rose and went to wait upon Baochai.寶釵想念寶玉，暗中垂淚，自歎命苦。Baochai, pining for Baoyu, wept secretly and sighed over her own hard fate.又知他母親打算給哥哥贖罪，很費張羅，不能不幫著打算。She also knew that his mother was planning, at great trouble and effort, to arrange to redeem her brother's guilt, and could not but help in managing it.暫且不表。For the time being we leave this aside and speak no further of it.

且說賈政扶賈母靈柩，賈蓉送了秦氏鳳姐鴛鴦的棺木，到了金陵，先安了葬。Now to tell of Jia Zheng: escorting the Lady Dowager's coffin, with Jia Rong bringing along the coffins of Qin-shi, Xifeng, and Yuanyang, they reached Jinling and first saw to the burials.賈蓉自送黛玉的靈也去安葬。Jia Rong then went on himself to see to the burial of Daiyu's coffin as well.賈政料理墳基的事。Jia Zheng attended to matters of the family burial grounds.一日接到家書，一行一行的看到寶玉賈蘭得中，心里自是喜歡。One day he received a letter from home, and reading it line by line, when he came to the part about Baoyu and Jia Lan having passed the examinations, his heart naturally filled with joy.後來看到寶玉走失，復又煩惱，只得赶忙回來。But when he read further and came to Baoyu's disappearance, he grew troubled again, and had no choice but to hurry back with all speed.在道兒上又聞得有恩赦的旨意，又接家書，果然赦罪復職，更是喜歡，便日夜趲行。On the road he further heard news of an imperial pardon, and upon receiving another letter from home learned that indeed his own offense had been pardoned and his post restored, which delighted him all the more, so he pressed on day and night.

一日，行到毘陵驛地方，那天乍寒下雪，泊在一個清靜去處。One day, having traveled as far as the district of Piling Station, the weather suddenly turned cold with falling snow, and he moored the boat at a quiet spot.賈政打發眾人上岸投帖辭謝朋友，總說即刻開船，都不敢勞動。Jia Zheng sent his attendants ashore to leave calling cards and decline visits from friends, saying only that the boat would set off again at once, so that none need trouble themselves to come.船中只留一個小廝伺候，自己在船中寫家書，先要打發人起旱到家。He kept only one young servant aboard to wait on him, while he himself sat in the boat writing a letter home, meaning first to send someone ahead overland to the house.寫到寶玉的事，便停筆。When his writing reached the matter of Baoyu, he stopped his brush.抬頭忽見船頭上微微的雪影里面一個人，光著頭，赤著腳，身上披著一領大紅猩猩氈的斗篷，向賈政倒身下拜。Looking up, he suddenly saw, faintly amid the snow-shadows at the bow of the boat, a figure—his head shaven, his feet bare, a great cloak of scarlet felt thrown over his body—bowing low in obeisance to Jia Zheng.賈政尚未認清，急忙出船，欲待扶住問他是誰。Jia Zheng, not yet able to make him out clearly, hurried out of the cabin, meaning to catch hold of him and ask who he was.那人已拜了四拜，站起來打了個問訊。The man had already bowed four times, and now rose and made a gesture of greeting with clasped hands.賈政纔要還揖，迎面一看，不是別人，卻是寶玉。Jia Zheng was just about to return the bow when, looking him full in the face, he saw it was none other than Baoyu.賈政吃一大驚，忙問道：「可是寶玉么？」那人只不言語，似喜似悲。Jia Zheng was seized with great astonishment and hastily asked, "Can this be Baoyu?" The man said not a word, his look seeming half joy, half sorrow.賈政又問道：「你若是寶玉，如何這樣打扮，跑到這里？」寶玉未及回言，只見舡頭上來了兩人，一僧一道，夾住寶玉說道：「俗緣已畢，還不快走。」說著，三個人飄然登岸而去。Jia Zheng asked again, "If you are indeed Baoyu, why are you got up like this, and how do you come to be here?" Before Baoyu could answer, two men were seen coming up at the bow of the boat, a monk and a Daoist, who took Baoyu between them and said, "Your worldly bond is fulfilled—why not make haste and go?" So saying, the three figures drifted lightly ashore and departed.賈政不顧地滑，疾忙來赶。Jia Zheng, heedless of the slipperiness of the ground, hurried after them in great haste.見那三人在前，那里赶得上。He saw the three figures ahead of him, but however he hurried he could not catch up.只聽見他們三人口中不知是那個作歌曰：He only heard the voices of the three of them, he knew not which one, singing a song that went:

我所居兮，青埂之峰。Where I dwell—the Peak of Green Ridges.

我所游兮，鴻蒙太空。Where I roam—the vast void of Chaos Primeval.

誰與我游兮，吾誰與從。Who journeys with me—whom then do I follow?

渺渺茫茫兮，歸彼大荒。Boundless and hazy—I return to that Great Waste.

賈政一面聽著，一面赶去，轉過一小坡，倏然不見。Jia Zheng, listening as he went, hurried on after them, but on turning past a small slope, they suddenly vanished from sight.賈政已赶得心虛氣喘，驚疑不定，回過頭來，見自己的小廝也是隨後赶來。By now Jia Zheng, his heart faint and his breath coming in gasps, was seized with alarm and uncertainty, and turning his head back, he saw that his own young servant had likewise come running up behind him.賈政問道：「你看見方纔那三個人么？」小廝道：「看見的。Jia Zheng asked, "Did you see those three people just now?" The servant said, "Yes, I saw them.奴才為老爺追赶，故也赶來。Your servant, seeing Master give chase, came running after as well.後來只見老爺，不見那三個人了。」賈政還欲前走，只見白茫茫一片曠野，并無一人。But afterward I saw only Master, and no sign of the three people." Jia Zheng still meant to go on further, but he saw only a white expanse of empty wilderness, with not a single person in it.賈政知是古怪，只得回來。Jia Zheng, knowing this to be strange indeed, had no choice but to turn back.

眾家人回舡，見賈政不在艙中，問了舡夫，說是「老爺上岸追赶兩個和尚一個道士去了。」眾人也從雪地里尋蹤迎去，遠遠見賈政來了，迎上去接著，一同回船。The household servants, returning to the boat and finding Jia Zheng not in the cabin, questioned the boatmen, who said, "The Master went ashore chasing after two monks—no, a monk and a Daoist." So the others too set out through the snowy fields, tracking his path to meet him, and seeing Jia Zheng approaching from afar, went forward to receive him, and together they returned to the boat.賈政坐下，喘息方定，將見寶玉的話說了一遍。Jia Zheng sat down, and once his breath had steadied, he told over again what had happened when he saw Baoyu.眾人回稟，便要在這地方尋覓。The others, on hearing this, wished at once to search the place.賈政歎道：「你們不知道，這是我親眼見的，并非鬼怪。Jia Zheng sighed and said, "You none of you understand—this I saw with my own eyes, it was no ghost or spirit.況聽得歌聲大有元妙。Moreover, listening to that song, there was great mystery and marvel in it.那寶玉生下時銜了玉來，便也古怪，我早知不祥之兆，為的是老太太疼愛，所以養育到今。When that Baoyu was born he came into the world with a jade in his mouth, which was strange enough in itself; I knew long ago it was an ill omen, but because the Old Ancestress doted on him so, he was raised and reared down to this day.便是那和尚道士，我也見了三次：頭一次是那僧道來說玉的好處，第二次便是寶玉病重，他來了將那玉持誦了一番，寶玉便好了，第三次送那玉來坐在前廳，我一轉眼就不見了。As for that monk and Daoist, I too have seen them three times: the first time was when that monk and Daoist came to speak of the virtues of the jade; the second time was when Baoyu lay gravely ill, and he came and chanted over the jade, after which Baoyu recovered; the third time was when the jade was brought and set in the front hall, and in the blink of an eye he was gone.我心里便有些詫异，只道寶玉果真有造化，高僧仙道來護佑他的。In my heart I found this somewhat strange, but I supposed only that Baoyu truly had good fortune, that eminent monks and immortal Daoists had come to watch over and protect him.豈知寶玉是下凡歷劫的，竟哄了老太太十九年！Who would have thought that Baoyu was one sent down from above to undergo his worldly trial, and had deceived the Old Ancestress for nineteen years!如今叫我纔明白。」說到那里，掉下淚來。Only now am I made to understand it." So saying, tears fell from his eyes.眾人道：「寶二爺果然是下凡的和尚，就不該中舉人了。The others said, "If Master Bao truly was a monk come down from above, then he ought never to have passed the examination and become a Provincial Graduate.怎麼中了纔去？」賈政道：「你們那里知道，大凡天上星宿，山中老僧，洞里的精靈，他自有一种性情。Why then did he leave only after passing it?" Jia Zheng said, "How would you know of such things? In general, stars and constellations of Heaven, aged monks in the mountains, and spirits within grottoes—each has its own nature.你看寶玉何嘗肯念書，他若略一經心，無有不能的。Consider Baoyu—when did he ever willingly study his books? Yet if he but set his mind to a thing ever so slightly, there was nothing he could not master.他那一种脾氣也是各別另樣。」說著，又歎了幾聲。That peculiar temperament of his was likewise altogether different from other men's." So saying, he sighed several times more.眾人便拿「蘭哥得中，家道復興」的話解了一番。The others then offered some words of comfort about "Lan-ge having passed the examination, and the family fortunes reviving," to reason him out of his grief.賈政仍舊寫家書，便把這事寫上，勸諭合家不必想念了。Jia Zheng went on writing his letter home, and included this matter in it, urging the whole household not to grieve or pine over it.寫完封好，即著家人回去。When he had finished writing and sealed it, he had a servant set off for home at once.賈政隨後赶回。Jia Zheng himself followed on afterward.暫且不題。For the time being we leave this aside and speak no further of it.

且說薛姨媽得了赦罪的信，便命薛蝌去各處借貸。Now to tell of Aunt Xue: on receiving word that the pardon had been granted, she at once bade Xue Ke go about borrowing money on every side.并自己湊齊了贖罪銀兩。She also gathered together, from her own means, the full sum needed to redeem the guilt.刑部准了，收兌了銀子，一角文書將薛蟠放出。The Board of Punishments granted the petition, accepted the silver, and released Xue Pan on a formal document.他們母子姊妹弟兄見面，不必細述，自然是悲喜交集了。How mother and son, sisters and brothers met again need not be told in detail—it was naturally a mingling of grief and joy.薛蟠自己立誓說道：「若是再犯前病，必定犯殺犯剮！」薛姨媽見他這樣，便要握他嘴說：「只要自己拿定主意，必定還要妄口巴舌血淋淋的起這樣惡誓么！Xue Pan himself swore an oath, saying, "If ever I fall into my old ways again, may I be killed by the sword, may I be hacked to pieces!" Seeing him like this, Aunt Xue wanted to clap her hand over his mouth, saying, "So long as you yourself hold firm to a resolve, must you really go on so recklessly, swearing such bloody, dreadful oaths!只香菱跟了你受了多少的苦處，你媳婦已經自己治死自己了，如今雖說窮了，這碗飯還有得吃，据我的主意，我便算他是媳婦了，你心里怎麼樣？」薛蟠點頭願意。It is only Xiangling, who has followed you and suffered so much hardship on your account, and whose wife has already brought about her own death—now, though we speak of being poor, there is still rice enough to eat. To my mind, I shall count her as your wife—what do you say to that?" Xue Pan nodded his assent.寶釵等也說：「很該這樣。」倒把香菱急得臉脹通紅，說是：「伏侍大爺一樣的，何必如此。」眾人便稱起大奶奶來，無人不服。Baochai and the others too said, "That is exactly as it should be." This flustered Xiangling so that her face flushed crimson all over, and she said, "I wait upon Elder Brother just the same as before—there is no need for such a thing." But everyone began calling her "Elder Sister-in-law," and no one but approved.薛蟠便要去拜謝賈家，薛姨媽寶釵也都過來。Xue Pan then wished to go and pay his respects of thanks to the Jia family, and Aunt Xue and Baochai also came over.見了眾人，彼此聚首，又說了一番的話。They saw everyone, and after being reunited, exchanged a good deal of talk.正說著，恰好那日賈政的家人回家，呈上書子，說：「老爺不日到了。」王夫人叫賈蘭將書子念給聽。Just as they were speaking, it happened that on that very day Jia Zheng's household servant returned home and presented the letter, saying, "The Master will arrive within the next few days." Lady Wang had Jia Lan read the letter aloud for all to hear.賈蘭念到賈政親見寶玉的一段，眾人聽了都痛哭起來，王夫人寶釵襲人等更甚。When Jia Lan came to read the passage about Jia Zheng having seen Baoyu with his own eyes, all who heard it broke into weeping, Lady Wang, Baochai, and Xiren weeping hardest of all.大家又將賈政書內叫家內「不必悲傷，原是借胎」的話解說了一番。「與其作了官，倘或命運不好，犯了事坏家敗產，那時倒不好了。Everyone then went over again the passage in Jia Zheng's letter telling the household "not to grieve, for it was after all only a borrowed incarnation"—"for rather than his taking office, if by ill fortune he had run afoul of the law and brought ruin upon the family estate, that would have been far worse.宁可咱們家出一位佛爺，倒是老爺太太的積德，所以纔投到咱們家來。Better by far that our family should have produced a Buddha—that is indeed the fruit of Master's and Madam's accumulated virtue, and that is why he came to be born into our house.不是說句不顧前後的話，當初東府里太爺倒是修煉了十幾年，也沒有成了仙。Not to speak an unconsidered word, but in the old days, at the Eastern Mansion, the late Elder Master cultivated himself in Daoist practice for over ten years, and even he never attained immortality.這佛是更難成的。Buddhahood is harder still to attain.太太這麼一想，心里便開豁了。」王夫人哭著和薛姨媽道：「寶玉拋了我，我還恨他呢。Once Madam considers it this way, her heart will surely feel more open and at ease." Lady Wang, weeping, said to Aunt Xue, "Baoyu has abandoned me, and I still resent him for it.我歎的是媳婦的命苦，纔成了一二年的親，怎麼他就硬著腸子都撂下了走了呢！」薛姨媽聽了也甚傷心。What I grieve over is my daughter-in-law's hard fate—married scarcely a year or two, and now he has hardened his heart and cast it all aside and gone!" Aunt Xue, hearing this, was likewise deeply grieved.寶釵哭得人事不知。Baochai wept until she knew nothing of the world around her.所有爺們都在外頭，王夫人便說道：「我為他擔了一輩子的驚，剛剛兒的娶了親，中了舉人，又知道媳婦作了胎，我纔喜歡些，不想弄到這樣結局！With all the menfolk out in the front quarters, Lady Wang said, "I spent a whole lifetime in dread on his account, and just as he had married, passed the examination as Provincial Graduate, and I learned besides that his wife was with child, and had only just begun to feel some happiness—who would have thought it would come to such an end as this!早知這樣，就不該娶親害了人家的姑娘！」薛姨媽道：「這是自己一定的，咱們這樣人家，還有什麼別的說的嗎？Had I known it would turn out so, I ought never to have let him marry and so brought harm upon another family's daughter!" Aunt Xue said, "This was fated and could not be helped—in a family such as ours, what else is there to say?幸喜有了胎，將來生個外孫子必定是有成立的，後來就有了結果了。Fortunately she is with child; the grandson born in time to come is sure to grow up and make something of himself, and then there will be a fruit to show for it after all.你看大奶奶，如今蘭哥兒中了舉人，明年成了進士，可不是就做了官了么。Look at Lan-ge now—having passed as Provincial Graduate, and next year he will pass as a Metropolitan Graduate as well, and will he not then be in office? Is that not so?他頭里的苦也算吃盡的了，如今的甜來，也是他為人的好處。The bitterness she suffered before was, one might say, drained to the full, and this present sweetness now coming to her is likewise owing to her own good character.我們姑娘的心腸兒姊姊是知道的，并不是刻薄輕佻的人，姊姊倒不必耽憂。」王夫人被薛姨媽一番言語說得极有理，心想：「寶釵小時候更是廉靜寡欲极愛素淡的，他所以纔有這個事，想人生在世真有一定數的。Our girl's disposition, sister, you yourself know well—she is by no means a mean or frivolous person, so sister, you need not worry over this." Lady Wang, hearing Aunt Xue's words reasoned so soundly, thought to herself: "Even as a child Baochai was more retiring and free of desire than most, and dearly loved plainness and simplicity—that is no doubt why this has come to pass; I suppose there really is a fixed allotment to each person's life.看著寶釵雖是痛哭，他端庄樣兒一點不走，卻倒來勸我，這是真真難得的！Watching Baochai—though she weeps in such anguish, her dignified bearing never once wavers, and yet she comes to comfort me instead—this is truly a rare thing indeed!不想寶玉這樣一個人，紅塵中福分竟沒有一點兒！」想了一回，也覺解了好些。Who would have thought that a man like Baoyu should have not one particle of worldly happiness allotted to him in this dusty world!" Having thought this over for a while, she felt considerably relieved.又想到襲人身上：「若說別的丫頭呢，沒有什麼難處的，大的配了出去，小的伏侍二奶奶就是了。Her thoughts then turned to Xiren: "As for the other maids, there is nothing hard to arrange—the older ones can be married off, the younger ones can simply go on waiting upon the Second Mistress.獨有襲人可怎麼處呢？」此時人多，也不好說，且等晚上和薛姨媽商量。Xiren alone—however is she to be dealt with?" As there were many people about just then, it was not convenient to speak of it, and she resolved to wait until evening to talk it over with Aunt Xue.

且说薛姨妈得了赦罪的信，便命薛蝌去各处借贷。并自己凑齐了赎罪银两。刑部准了，收兑了银子，一角文书将薛蟠放出。他们母子姊妹弟兄见面，不必细述，自然是悲喜交集了。薛蟠自己立誓说道：「若是再犯前病，必定犯杀犯剐！」薛姨妈见他这样，便要握他嘴说：「只要自己拿定主意，必定还要妄口巴舌血淋淋的起这样恶誓么！只香菱跟了你受了多少的苦处，你媳妇已经自己治死自己了，如今虽说穷了，这碗饭还有得吃，据我的主意，我便算他是媳妇了，你心里怎么样？」薛蟠点头愿意。宝钗等也说：「很该这样。」倒把香菱急得脸胀通红，说是：「伏侍大爷一样的，何必如此。」众人便称起大奶奶来，无人不服。薛蟠便要去拜谢贾家，薛姨妈宝钗也都过来。见了众人，彼此聚首，又说了一番的话。正说著，恰好那日贾政的家人回家，呈上书子，说：「老爷不日到了。」王夫人叫贾兰将书子念给听。贾兰念到贾政亲见宝玉的一段，众人听了都痛哭起来，王夫人宝钗袭人等更甚。大家又将贾政书内叫家内「不必悲伤，原是借胎」的话解说了一番。「与其作了官，倘或命运不好，犯了事坏家败产，那时倒不好了。宁可咱们家出一位佛爷，倒是老爷太太的积德，所以才投到咱们家来。不是说句不顾前后的话，当初东府里太爷倒是修炼了十几年，也没有成了仙。这佛是更难成的。太太这么一想，心里便开豁了。」王夫人哭著和薛姨妈道：「宝玉抛了我，我还恨他呢。我叹的是媳妇的命苦，才成了一二年的亲，怎么他就硬著肠子都撂下了走了呢！」薛姨妈听了也甚伤心。宝钗哭得人事不知。所有爷们都在外头，王夫人便说道：「我为他担了一辈子的惊，刚刚儿的娶了亲，中了举人，又知道媳妇作了胎，我才喜欢些，不想弄到这样结局！早知这样，就不该娶亲害了人家的姑娘！」薛姨妈道：「这是自己一定的，咱们这样人家，还有什么别的说的吗？幸喜有了胎，将来生个外孙子必定是有成立的，后来就有了结果了。你看大奶奶，如今兰哥儿中了举人，明年成了进士，可不是就做了官了么。他头里的苦也算吃尽的了，如今的甜来，也是他为人的好处。我们姑娘的心肠儿姊姊是知道的，并不是刻薄轻佻的人，姊姊倒不必耽忧。」王夫人被薛姨妈一番言语说得极有理，心想：「宝钗小时候更是廉静寡欲极爱素淡的，他所以才有这个事，想人生在世真有一定数的。看著宝钗虽是痛哭，他端庄样儿一点不走，却倒来劝我，这是真真难得的！不想宝玉这样一个人，红尘中福分竟没有一点儿！」想了一回，也觉解了好些。又想到袭人身上：「若说别的丫头呢，没有什么难处的，大的配了出去，小的伏侍二奶奶就是了。独有袭人可怎么处呢？」此时人多，也不好说，且等晚上和薛姨妈商量。

那日薛姨媽并未回家，因恐寶釵痛哭，所以在寶釵房中解勸。That day Aunt Xue did not go home after all, for fearing Baochai would weep herself ill, she stayed in Baochai's room to comfort and reason with her.那寶釵卻是极明理，思前想後，「寶玉原是一种奇异的人。Baochai, however, was a person of the clearest good sense, and having turned the matter over from every side, she said, "Baoyu was from the first a being of a singular, extraordinary sort.夙世前因，自有一定，原無可怨天尤人。”更將大道理的話告訴他母親了。It was fixed from a bond of a former existence, and there is truly nothing in it to resent Heaven or blame others for." And she went on to tell her mother a great deal more in this same vein of larger reasoning.薛姨媽心里反倒安了，便到王夫人那里先把寶釵的話說了。Aunt Xue's heart, instead, was set at ease by this, and she went to Lady Wang and first repeated to her what Baochai had said.王夫人點頭歎道：「若說我無德，不該有這樣好媳婦了。」說著，更又傷心起來。Lady Wang nodded and sighed, saying, "If it were said that I lacked virtue, I should never have deserved so good a daughter-in-law as this." So saying, she fell to grieving all the more.薛姨媽倒又勸了一會子，因又提起襲人來，說：「我見襲人近來瘦的了不得，他是一心想著寶哥兒。Aunt Xue comforted her a while longer, and then brought up the matter of Xiren, saying, "I have noticed how terribly thin Xiren has grown of late—her whole heart is bent on thoughts of Master Bao.但是正配呢理應守的，屋里人願守也是有的。But as to a proper wife, it is right that she should keep her widowhood; and among the personal maids too, there are those who are willing to remain faithful in the same way.惟有這襲人，雖說是算個屋里人，到底他和寶哥兒并沒有過明路兒的。」王夫人道：「我纔剛想著，正要等妹妹商量商量。Only in Xiren's case—although she is counted as one of his personal maids, in the end there was never any open, formal understanding between her and Master Bao." Lady Wang said, "I was just now thinking of this very thing, and meant to talk it over with you, sister.若說放他出去，恐怕他不願意，又要尋死覓活的，若要留著他也罷，又恐老爺不依。If I say she is to be sent away, I fear she may be unwilling, and may again try to seek death; yet if I wish to keep her on, I fear Master would not consent to it.所以難處。」薛姨媽道：「我看姨老爺是再不肯叫守著的。That is why it is so hard to decide." Aunt Xue said, "To my mind, your husband will on no account allow her to remain in mourning-widowhood.再者姨老爺并不知道襲人的事，想來不過是個丫頭，那有留的理呢？Besides, your husband knows nothing at all of the particulars concerning Xiren—he would suppose her no more than an ordinary maid, so what grounds would there be for keeping her?只要姊姊叫他本家的人來，狠狠的吩咐他，叫他配一門正經親事，再多多的陪送他些東西。The best way is for you, sister, to summon the people of her own family, give them strict and thorough instructions, and have them arrange a proper, respectable marriage for her, and moreover send her off with a generous dowry of goods besides.那孩子心腸兒也好，年紀兒又輕，也不枉跟了姐姐會子，也算姐姐待他不薄了。That child has a good heart and is still young in years besides—it will not have been for nothing that she served you, sister, all this while, and it may be said that you, sister, have not treated her meanly.襲人那里還得我細細勸他。As for Xiren herself, leave that to me—I shall reason with her carefully and at length.就是叫他家的人來也不用告訴他，只等他家里果然說定了好人家兒，我們還去打聽打聽，若果然足衣足食，女婿長的象個人兒，然後叫他出去。」王夫人聽了道：「這個主意很是。Even in summoning her family, there is no need to tell them the reason outright—only wait until her family has truly settled on a good match, and then we shall go and make inquiry ourselves; if indeed the family has enough to eat and wear, and the bridegroom looks a decent, presentable sort, only then let her be sent out to marry." Lady Wang, hearing this, said, "This plan is very sound indeed.不然叫老爺冒冒失失的一辦，我可不是又害了一個人了么！」薛姨媽聽了點頭道：「可不是么！」又說了幾句，便辭了王夫人，仍到寶釵房中去了。Otherwise, if Master were to handle it in some rash, hasty fashion, would I not again have done harm to another person!" Aunt Xue, hearing this, nodded and said, "Just so, just so!" And after a few words more, she took her leave of Lady Wang and went back again to Baochai's room.

看見襲人淚痕滿面，薛姨媽便勸解譬喻了一會。Seeing Xiren's face all streaked with tears, Aunt Xue spent a while comforting her with reasoned words and gentle analogies.襲人本來老實，不是伶牙利齒的人，薛姨媽說一句，他應一句，回來說道：「我是做下人的人，姨太太瞧得起我，纔和我說這些話，我是從不敢違拗太太的。」薛姨媽聽他的話，「好一個柔順的孩子！」心里更加喜歡。Xiren was by nature honest and plain-spoken, not one clever or sharp of tongue, and to every sentence Aunt Xue said she answered but a word in return, and at length said, "I am but a servant; that you, Aunt, should think so well of me as to speak to me of these things—I would never dare go against what Madam decides." Hearing her words, Aunt Xue thought, "What a gentle, yielding child!" and her heart warmed to her all the more.寶釵又將大義的話說了一遍，大家各自相安。Baochai then repeated once more these words of larger reasoning, and after that all were at peace, each within herself.

過了幾日，賈政回家，眾人迎接。After some days had passed, Jia Zheng returned home, and everyone went out to welcome him.賈政見賈赦賈珍已都回家，弟兄叔侄相見，大家歷敘別來的景況。Jia Zheng saw that Jia She and Jia Zhen had both already returned home, and brothers, uncle and nephew met and all recounted at length how things had been since their parting.然後內眷們見了，不免想起寶玉來，又大家傷了一會子心。Then the womenfolk of the household came out to see them, and could not help thinking of Baoyu, and everyone grieved again for a while.賈政喝住道：「這是一定的道理。Jia Zheng checked them, saying, "This is only to be expected.如今只要我們在外把持家事，你們在內相助，斷不可仍是從前這樣的散慢。Now we need only see to it that we menfolk manage the household affairs on the outside while you women assist within — there must on no account be the same laxness as before.別房的事，各有各家料理，也不用承總。The affairs of the other branches are each looked after by their own households; there is no need to take overall charge of them.我們本房的事，里頭全歸于你，都要按理而行。」王夫人便將寶釵有孕的話也告訴了，將來丫頭們都勸放出去。As for the affairs of our own branch, everything inside is to be entrusted wholly to you, and all must be conducted according to proper principle." Wang furen then also told him the news that Baochai was with child, and that in future the maids were all to be persuaded to be released to marry out.賈政聽了，點頭無語。Jia Zheng, hearing this, nodded and said nothing.

次日賈政進內，請示大臣們，說是：「蒙恩感激，但未服闋，應該怎麼謝恩之處，望乞大人們指教。」眾朝臣說是代奏請旨。The next day Jia Zheng went to court and asked the ministers for instruction, saying, "I am deeply grateful for the emperor's grace, but as I have not yet completed my mourning, I do not know how I ought to render thanks — I beg the lords to instruct me." The assembled court officials said they would memorialize on his behalf to request the imperial decision.于是圣恩浩蕩，即命陛見。Thereupon the emperor's grace proved vast and boundless, and an order at once came for him to be received in audience.賈政進內謝了恩，圣上又降了好些旨意，又問起寶玉的事來。Jia Zheng went into the palace and gave thanks for the imperial grace, and His Majesty issued a good many further edicts, and also asked about the matter of Baoyu.賈政据實回奏。Jia Zheng reported the facts truthfully in reply.圣上稱奇，旨意說，寶玉的文章固是清奇，想他必是過來人，所以如此。His Majesty marveled, and in his edict said that Baoyu's writings were indeed clear and extraordinary, and that he must surely be one who had "come from beyond" — that this was why he was so.若在朝中，可以進用。Had he been at court, he could have been advanced in office.他既不敢受圣朝的爵位，便賞了一個「文妙真人」的道號。Since he did not dare accept rank and title from the sacred dynasty, he was granted instead the Daoist title of "Perfected Man of Wondrous Letters."賈政又叩頭謝恩而出。Jia Zheng again kowtowed in thanks for the grace and withdrew.

回到家中，賈璉賈珍接著，賈政將朝內的話述了一遍，眾人喜歡。When he returned home, Jia Lian and Jia Zhen received him, and Jia Zheng recounted all that had been said at court, and everyone was delighted.賈珍便回說：「宁國府第收拾齊全，回明了要搬過去。Jia Zhen then reported, saying, "The Ningguo mansion has been put fully in order; I have reported that we intend to move back there.櫳翠庵圈在園內，給四妹妹靜養。」賈政并不言語，隔了半日，卻吩咐了一番仰報天恩的話。The Bamboo Lodge within the garden has been set aside enclosed within the grounds, for Fourth Sister to cultivate quiet retirement in." Jia Zheng said nothing to this, and after a good while, gave instructions on words expressing reverent gratitude for Heaven's favor.賈璉也趁便回說：「巧姐親事，父親太太都願意給周家為媳。」賈政昨晚也知巧姐的始末，便說：「大老爺大太太作主就是了。Jia Lian too took the opportunity to report, "As to Qiaojie's marriage, Father and Mother [Jia She and his wife] are both willing to give her in marriage into the Zhou family." Jia Zheng had already the previous night learned the full particulars of Qiaojie's case, and said, "It is enough that your father and mother the elder decide it.莫說村居不好，只要人家清白，孩子肯念書，能夠上進。Do not say that living in the countryside is not good — all that matters is that the family be of clean reputation, and that the child be willing to study and capable of advancement.朝里那些官兒難道都是城里的人么？」賈璉答應了「是」，又說：「父親有了年紀，況且又有痰症的根子，靜養幾年，諸事原仗二老爺為主。」賈政道：「提起村居養靜，甚合我意。Are all those officials at court city-born men, pray?" Jia Lian answered "Yes," and further said, "Father is advanced in years, and moreover has the root cause of his phlegm ailment; if he retires to cultivate quiet for a few years, in all matters we shall of course rely on Second Uncle to take charge." Jia Zheng said, "Speaking of retiring to the countryside to cultivate stillness, that suits me very well indeed.只是我受恩深重，尚未酬報耳。」賈政說畢進內。It is only that I have received grace so deep and heavy that I have not yet repaid it." Having said this, Jia Zheng went inside.賈璉打發請了劉姥姥來，應了這件事。Jia Lian sent to invite Grannie Liu, and settled this matter with her.劉姥姥見了王夫人等，便說些將來怎樣升官，怎樣起家，怎樣子孫昌盛。Grannie Liu, on seeing Wang furen and the others, spoke of how in future they would rise in office, how the family fortunes would be established, and how the descendants would flourish.正說著，丫頭回道：「花自芳的女人進來請安。」王夫人問幾句話，花自芳的女人將親戚作媒，說的是城南蔣家的，現在有房有地，又有舖面，姑爺年紀略大了幾歲，并沒有娶過的，況且人物兒長的是百里挑一的。Just as she was speaking, a maid came in to report, "Hua Zifang's wife has come in to pay her respects." Wang furen asked a few questions, and Hua Zifang's wife said that a relative had proposed a match — a Jiang family south of the city, who at present had houses, land, and shopfronts as well; the young man was a little older in years, but had never yet married, and moreover was one in a hundred in looks.王夫人聽了願意，說道：「你去應了，隔幾日進來再接你妹子罷。」王夫人又命人打聽，都說是好。Wang furen, hearing this, was pleased, and said, "Go and settle it, then; in a few days come in again and take your sister-in-law." Wang furen also had someone make inquiries, and all said it was a good match.王夫人便告訴了寶釵，仍請了薛姨媽細細的告訴了襲人。Wang furen then told Baochai of it, and also asked Aunt Xue to explain it all in detail to Xiren.襲人悲傷不已，又不敢違命的，心里想起寶玉那年到他家去，回來說的死也不回去的話，「如今太太硬作主張。Xiren grieved without end, yet dared not disobey the order; she recalled how, that year Baoyu had gone to her home, he had said on returning that he would die before he would go back there — "and now Madam has settled it by her own authority.若說我守著，又叫人說我不害臊，若是去了，實不是我的心願」，便哭得咽哽難鳴，又被薛姨媽寶釵等苦勸，回過念頭想道：「我若是死在這里，倒把太太的好心弄坏了。If I say I will stay and keep to widowhood here, people will say I have no shame; but if I go, it is truly not my heart's wish" — and she wept until she choked and could hardly make a sound; then, being earnestly urged by Aunt Xue, Baochai, and the others, she turned the thought over in her mind and considered: "If I die here, I would only spoil Madam's good intentions.我該死在家里纔是。」于是，襲人含悲叩辭了眾人，那姐妹分手時自然更有一番不忍說。I ought rather to die in my own home." And so, Xiren, holding back her grief, kowtowed and took leave of everyone, and when the sisters parted there was of course an added measure of things too painful to speak.襲人怀著必死的心腸上車回去，見了哥哥嫂子，也是哭泣，但只說不出來。Xiren, carrying in her heart a resolve to die, got into the carriage and went home; on seeing her brother and sister-in-law she wept too, but could not bring herself to say anything.那花自芳悉把蔣家的娉禮送給他看，又把自己所辦妝奩一一指給他瞧，說那是太太賞的，那是置辦的。Hua Zifang showed her in full the betrothal gifts sent by the Jiang family, and pointed out to her one by one the trousseau he had prepared, saying this piece was a gift from Madam, and that piece he had bought himself.襲人此時更難開口，住了兩天，細想起來：「哥哥辦事不錯，若是死在哥哥家里，豈不又害了哥哥呢。」千思萬想，左右為難，真是一縷柔腸，幾乎牽斷，只得忍住。Xiren found it even harder to speak at this; after staying two days, she thought it over carefully: "My brother has managed things well; if I die here in my brother's home, would that not harm my brother too?" Turning it over a thousand ways, caught between difficulties on every side, it was truly as though a strand of her tender heart were almost pulled to breaking, and she could only bear it and hold back.

那日已是迎娶吉期，襲人本不是那一种潑辣人，委委屈屈的上轎而去，心里另想到那里再作打算。On the day, which had already arrived as the auspicious date for the wedding procession, Xiren was by nature not the fierce and defiant sort, and, full of unspoken grievance, got into the bridal sedan and went, thinking in her heart that once there she would find some other course to take.豈知過了門，見那蔣家辦事极其認真，全都按著正配的規矩。Who could have known that once she had crossed the threshold, she saw that the Jiang family conducted things with the utmost seriousness, entirely according to the etiquette due a proper wife.一進了門，丫頭仆婦都稱奶奶。As soon as she entered the gate, the maids and serving-women all addressed her as "Madam."襲人此時欲要死在這里，又恐害了人家，辜負了一番好意。Xiren at this time still wished to die there, but feared it would harm this family and betray their good intentions.那夜原是哭著不肯俯就的，那姑爺卻极柔情曲意的承順。That night she had originally wept and refused to submit, but the bridegroom was extremely gentle and yielding, and humored her in every way.到了第二天開箱，這姑爺看見一條猩紅汗巾，方知是寶玉的丫頭。When on the second day the trousseau chests were opened, this bridegroom caught sight of a scarlet sweat-sash, and only then realized she was one of Baoyu's maids.原來當初只知是賈母的侍兒，益想不到是襲人。It turned out that at first he had only known she had been a personal attendant of the Lady Dowager, and had never imagined she was Xiren.此時蔣玉菡念著寶玉待他的舊情，倒覺滿心惶愧，更加周旋，又故意將寶玉所換那條松花綠的汗巾拿出來。At this Jiang Yuhan, remembering the old bond of Baoyu's kindness to him, felt his whole heart filled with alarm and shame, and treated her with all the more solicitude, and moreover deliberately brought out that pine-flower green sweat-sash which Baoyu had once exchanged with him.襲人看了，方知這姓蔣的原來就是蔣玉菡，始信姻緣前定。When Xiren saw it, she realized only then that this man surnamed Jiang was none other than Jiang Yuhan, and began at last to believe that marriage bonds are fixed beforehand by fate.襲人纔將心事說出，蔣玉菡也深為歎息敬服，不敢勉強，并越發溫柔体貼，弄得個襲人真無死所了。Xiren then at last spoke out what was on her heart, and Jiang Yuhan too sighed deeply in admiration and respect, and dared not force her in anything, but became ever gentler and more considerate, so that Xiren truly found no place left in which to die.看官聽說：雖然事有前定，無可奈何。Let the reader take note: although matters are indeed fixed beforehand by fate, and there is nothing to be done about it,但孽子孤臣，義夫節婦，這「不得已」三字也不是一概推委得的。yet for rebellious sons, solitary ministers, righteous husbands and chaste wives, this phrase "could not be helped" is not something that can simply be pleaded across the board.此襲人所以在又一副冊也。This is why Xiren belongs among those in the Supplementary Register.正是前人過那桃花廟的詩上說道：It is just as the poem by a man of old, passing that Peach Blossom Shrine, put it:

千古艱難惟一死，傷心豈獨息夫人！Through all the ages the hardest thing of all is a single death — how could grief have belonged to Lady Xi alone!

不言襲人從此又是一番天地。Let us leave aside for now the fact that from this point on Xiren entered upon an entirely different world.且說那賈雨村犯了婪索的案件，審明定罪，今遇大赦，褫籍為民。Let us now tell how Jia Yucun, having been charged with the crime of greedy extortion, had had his case examined and his sentence fixed, but now, meeting with a great amnesty, had his name struck from the official register and been reduced to commoner status.雨村因叫家眷先行，自己帶了一個小廝，一車行李，來到急流津覺迷渡口。Yucun accordingly sent his household on ahead, while he himself, taking a single page-boy and a cartload of luggage, came to the Ford of Swift Currents, the Crossing of Awakening from Delusion.只見一個道者從那渡頭草棚里出來，執手相迎。Just then he saw a Daoist come out of a thatched hut at the ferry landing, and clasp his hands in greeting.雨村認得是甄士隱，也連忙打恭，士隱道：「賈先生別來無恙？」雨村道：「老仙長到底是甄老先生！Yucun recognized him as Zhen Shiyin, and hastily bowed in return as well. Shiyin said, "Master Jia, have you been well since we parted?" Yucun said, "Old Immortal Sir — so it is truly old Master Zhen after all!何前次相逢覿面不認？How was it that when we met face to face before, I failed to recognize you?後知火焚草亭，下鄙深為惶恐。Afterward, on learning that the thatched pavilion had been burned down, I, your unworthy junior, felt deep alarm and shame.今日幸得相逢，益歎老仙翁道德高深。Today, fortunate enough to meet again, I am all the more struck with wonder at the old immortal's profound cultivation and virtue.奈鄙人下愚不移，致有今日。」甄士隱道：「前者老大人高官顯爵，貧道怎敢相認！It is only that I, in my base foolishness, could not change my ways, and so it has come to this." Zhen Shiyin said, "When before, my lord held high office and eminent rank, how would this poor Daoist have dared claim acquaintance with you!原因故交，敢贈片言，不意老大人相棄之深。It was only because of our old friendship that I ventured to offer a few words, never expecting that my lord would forsake me so utterly.然而富貴窮通，亦非偶然，今日復得相逢，也是一樁奇事。And yet wealth and rank, poverty and success, are likewise not matters of mere chance; that we should meet again today is itself a remarkable thing.這里離草庵不遠，暫請膝談，未知可否？」My thatched hut is not far from here; might I ask you to come sit and talk with me there for a while? I wonder if that would be convenient?"

雨村欣然領命，兩人攜手而行，小廝驅車隨後，到了一座茅庵。Yucun accepted gladly, and the two walked hand in hand, the page-boy driving the cart behind them, until they reached a thatched hermitage.士隱讓進雨村坐下，小童獻上茶來。Shiyin ushered Yucun in and had him sit, and a young attendant brought in tea.雨村便請教仙長超塵的始末。Yucun then asked to be enlightened as to the full course of how the immortal had transcended the dust of the world.士隱笑道：「一念之間，塵凡頓易。Shiyin smiled and said, "In a single moment's thought, the mortal world is utterly transformed.老先生從繁華境中來，豈不知溫柔富貴鄉中有一寶玉乎？」雨村道：「怎麼不知。My lord, coming as you do from amid worldly splendor, surely you know that in that land of tender love and wealth and rank there was a certain Baoyu?" Yucun said, "How could I not know of him.近聞紛紛傳述，說他也遁入空門。I have of late heard it said on all sides that he too has fled into the gate of emptiness.下愚當時也曾與他往來過數次，再不想此人竟有如是之決絕。」士隱道：「非也。I myself, in my foolishness, once had occasion to associate with him a few times, and never would I have thought that this man would in the end be so utterly resolute in renouncing the world." Shiyin said, "It is not so.這一段奇緣，我先知之。This whole strange bond of fate — I knew of it beforehand.昔年我與先生在仁清巷舊宅門口敘話之前，我已會過他一面。」雨村驚訝道：「京城離貴鄉甚遠，何以能見？」士隱道：「神交久矣。」雨村道：「既然如此，現今寶玉的下落，仙長定能知之。」士隱道：「寶玉，即寶玉也。Years ago, before you and I, sir, spoke together at the gate of my old residence in Renqing Lane, I had already met him once." Yucun said in astonishment, "The capital is very far from your honored district — how could you have seen him?" Shiyin said, "Ours has long been a communion of spirits." Yucun said, "If that is so, then as to Baoyu's whereabouts now, the immortal must surely know it." Shiyin said, "'Baoyu' is simply the Jade itself.那年榮宁查抄之前，釵黛分離之日，此玉早已離世。That year, before the search and confiscation of the Rong and Ning mansions, on the very day that Chai and Dai were parted, this Jade had already departed the world.一為避禍，二為撮合，從此夙緣一了，形質歸一，又復稍示神靈，高魁貴子，方顯得此玉那天奇地靈之寶，非凡間可比。First, to avoid calamity; second, to bring about a match; and once this old bond of fate was thereby concluded, form and substance became one again; and then, to display once more a little divine manifestation, in the form of a son who took first place in the examinations and rose to honor, so as to make plain that this Jade, being a treasure of such strange and heavenly-earthly potency, was beyond compare with anything of the mundane world.前經茫茫大士渺渺真人攜帶下凡，如今塵緣已滿，仍是此二人攜歸本處，這便是寶玉的下落。」雨村聽了，雖不能全然明白，卻也十知四五，便點頭歎道：「原來如此，下愚不知。Having earlier been carried down into the mortal world by the Buddhist of Boundless Time and the Daoist of Boundless Space, now that its worldly karmic bond is fulfilled, these same two are to carry it back to its original place — and this is the whereabouts of Baoyu." Yucun, hearing this, though he could not fully understand it all, nevertheless grasped four or five parts in ten, and nodding, sighed, "So that is how it is — I in my foolishness did not know it.但那寶玉既有如此的來歷，又何以情迷至此，復又豁悟如此？But if this Baoyu had such an origin as this, how then did he fall into such deep infatuation, and afterward come again to such thorough awakening?還要請教。」士隱笑道：「此事說來，老先生未必盡解。I beg further instruction." Shiyin smiled and said, "As to this matter, were I to explain it, you, sir, might not fully understand it in any case.太虛幻境即是真如福地。The Land of Illusion is itself none other than the blessed realm of True Reality.一番閱冊，原始要終之道，歷歷生平，如何不悟？Once he had gone through a perusal of the registers, understanding the way of things from beginning to end, and had lived through the whole of his life history clearly before him one by one, how could he fail to awaken?仙草歸真，焉有通靈不復原之理呢！」雨村聽著，卻不明白了。When the sacred herb returns to its true nature, how could there be any reason for the Divine Luminous Stone not to return to its original state!" Yucun listened, but still did not understand.知仙机也不便更問，因又說道：「寶玉之事既得聞命，但是敝族閨秀如此之多，何元妃以下算來結局俱屬平常呢？」士隱歎息道：「老先生莫怪拙言，貴族之女俱屬從情天孽海而來。Knowing that one ought not press further into the workings of the immortals, he then said instead, "As to the matter of Baoyu, I have now had the honor of hearing it explained; but as the maiden ladies of your esteemed clan are so numerous, why is it that, reckoning from Yuanfei on down, their ends have all turned out so very ordinary?" Shiyin sighed and said, "Do not, sir, take offense at my clumsy words — the daughters of your esteemed clan all come from the Heaven of Passion and the Sea of Karmic Love.大凡古今女子，那『淫』字固不可犯，只這『情』字也是沾染不得的。In general, among women of all ages, past and present, that word 'lust' is of course not to be transgressed, but even this word 'love' is likewise not something to be lightly indulged in.所以崔鶯蘇小，無非仙子塵心，宋玉相如，大是文人口孽。Thus Cui Yingying and Su Xiaoxiao were, after all, nothing but fairy maidens with hearts still caught in the dust of the world, and Song Yu and Sima Xiangru were, after all, no more than men of letters whose words brought karmic sin upon themselves.凡是情思纏綿的，那結果就不可問了。」雨村聽到這里，不覺拈須長歎，因又問道：「請教老仙翁，那榮宁兩府，尚可如前否？」士隱道：「福善禍淫，古今定理。Wherever the threads of love and longing become entangled and lingering, the outcome is not one that bears asking about." When Yucun heard this far, he could not help stroking his beard and sighing at length, and then asked further, "May I ask the old immortal, as for the two mansions of Rong and Ning, can they yet be restored as before?" Shiyin said, "That good is blessed and excess punished is a fixed principle of all ages, past and present.現今榮宁兩府，善者修緣，惡者悔禍，將來蘭桂齊芳，家道復初，也是自然的道理。」雨村低了半日頭，忽然笑道：「是了，是了。At present, in the two mansions of Rong and Ning, those who are good are cultivating their karmic affinity, and those who did evil are repenting of their calamities; that in time to come Lan and Gui will flourish together in glory, and the family's fortunes be restored to their beginning, is likewise a matter of natural principle." Yucun bowed his head for a good while, then suddenly laughed and said, "So that is it, so that is it.現在他府中有一個名蘭的已中鄉榜，恰好應著『蘭』字。At present in that household there is one named Lan who has already passed the provincial examination — this fits exactly with the word 'Lan.'适間老仙翁說『蘭桂齊芳』，又道寶玉『高魁子貴』，莫非他有遺腹之子，可以飛黃騰達的么？」士隱微微笑道：「此系後事，未便預說。」雨村還要再問，士隱不答，便命人設俱盤飧，邀雨村共食。Just now the old immortal spoke of 'Lan and Gui flourishing together,' and also said of Baoyu that he 'took first place and rose to honor as a son' — could it be that he has a posthumous son who is destined to rise swiftly to glory and fame?" Shiyin said with a faint smile, "This concerns matters yet to come, and it would not be fitting for me to speak of it in advance." Yucun still wished to ask further, but Shiyin did not answer, and instead ordered attendants to set out a simple meal, and invited Yucun to eat together with him.

雨村欣然领命，两人携手而行，小厮驱车随后，到了一座茅庵。士隐让进雨村坐下，小童献上茶来。雨村便请教仙长超尘的始末。士隐笑道：「一念之间，尘凡顿易。老先生从繁华境中来，岂不知温柔富贵乡中有一宝玉乎？」雨村道：「怎么不知。近闻纷纷传述，说他也遁入空门。下愚当时也曾与他往来过数次，再不想此人竟有如是之决绝。」士隐道：「非也。这一段奇缘，我先知之。昔年我与先生在仁清巷旧宅门口叙话之前，我已会过他一面。」雨村惊讶道：「京城离贵乡甚远，何以能见？」士隐道：「神交久矣。」雨村道：「既然如此，现今宝玉的下落，仙长定能知之。」士隐道：「宝玉，即宝玉也。那年荣宁查抄之前，钗黛分离之日，此玉早已离世。一为避祸，二为撮合，从此夙缘一了，形质归一，又复稍示神灵，高魁贵子，方显得此玉那天奇地灵之宝，非凡间可比。前经茫茫大士渺渺真人携带下凡，如今尘缘已满，仍是此二人携归本处，这便是宝玉的下落。」雨村听了，虽不能全然明白，却也十知四五，便点头叹道：「原来如此，下愚不知。但那宝玉既有如此的来历，又何以情迷至此，复又豁悟如此？还要请教。」士隐笑道：「此事说来，老先生未必尽解。太虚幻境即是真如福地。一番阅册，原始要终之道，历历生平，如何不悟？仙草归真，焉有通灵不复原之理呢！」雨村听著，却不明白了。知仙机也不便更问，因又说道：「宝玉之事既得闻命，但是敝族闺秀如此之多，何元妃以下算来结局俱属平常呢？」士隐叹息道：「老先生莫怪拙言，贵族之女俱属从情天孽海而来。大凡古今女子，那『淫』字固不可犯，只这『情』字也是沾染不得的。所以崔莺苏小，无非仙子尘心，宋玉相如，大是文人口孽。凡是情思缠绵的，那结果就不可问了。」雨村听到这里，不觉拈须长叹，因又问道：「请教老仙翁，那荣宁两府，尚可如前否？」士隐道：「福善祸淫，古今定理。现今荣宁两府，善者修缘，恶者悔祸，将来兰桂齐芳，家道复初，也是自然的道理。」雨村低了半日头，忽然笑道：「是了，是了。现在他府中有一个名兰的已中乡榜，恰好应著『兰』字。适间老仙翁说『兰桂齐芳』，又道宝玉『高魁子贵』，莫非他有遗腹之子，可以飞黄腾达的么？」士隐微微笑道：「此系后事，未便预说。」雨村还要再问，士隐不答，便命人设俱盘飧，邀雨村共食。

食畢，雨村還要問自己的終身，士隱便道：「老先生草庵暫歇，我還有一段俗緣未了，正當今日完結。」雨村驚訝道：「仙長純修若此，不知尚有何俗緣？」士隱道：「也不過是兒女私情罷了。」雨村聽了益發驚异：「請問仙長，何出此言？”士隱道：“老先生有所不知，小女英蓮幼遭塵劫，老先生初任之時曾經判斷。When the meal was finished, Yucun still wished to ask about his own future fate, but Shiyin said, "My lord, rest here awhile in this thatched hermitage; I still have one thread of worldly affinity not yet concluded, and it is fated to be settled this very day." Yucun said in astonishment, "The immortal's cultivation is so pure and complete as this — I wonder what worldly affinity could still remain?" Shiyin said, "It is, after all, nothing more than a private matter of a father's love for his child." Yucun, hearing this, was all the more astonished: "May I ask the immortal, why do you say such a thing?" Shiyin said, "There is something my lord does not know. My daughter Yinglian suffered the calamities of the dusty world from her childhood, and my lord, in your first term of office, once passed judgment concerning her.今歸薛姓，產難完劫，遺一子于薛家以承宗祧。She now belongs to the Xue family; she is to die in childbirth, her karmic ordeal thereby completed, leaving behind a son to the Xue family to carry on the ancestral line.此時正是塵緣脫盡之時，只好接引接引。」士隱說著拂袖而起。This is precisely the moment when her worldly bond is entirely exhausted, and I can only go to receive and guide her across." So saying, Shiyin rose, shaking out his sleeves.雨村心中恍恍惚惚，就在這急流津覺迷渡口草庵中睡著了。Yucun's mind grew dim and confused, and there in the thatched hermitage at the Ford of Swift Currents, the Crossing of Awakening from Delusion, he fell asleep.

這士隱自去度脫了香菱，送到太虛幻境，交那警幻仙子對冊，剛過牌坊，見那一僧一道，縹渺而來。Now Shiyin himself went off to deliver Xiangling from the world, and brought her to the Land of Illusion, to hand her over to the Fairy Disenchantment to check against the register; just as he passed the memorial archway, he saw the one monk and one Daoist come drifting faintly toward him.士隱接著說道：「大士，真人，恭喜，賀喜！Shiyin greeted them, saying, "Great One, Perfected Man, my congratulations, my congratulations!情緣完結，都交割清楚了么？」那僧道說：「情緣尚未全結，倒是那蠢物已經回來了。Is the bond of love and fate now fully concluded, and all accounts settled and clear?" The monk said, "The bond of love and fate is not yet entirely concluded; rather, that foolish creature has already come back.還得把他送還原所，將他的後事敘明，不枉他下世一回。」士隱聽了，便供手而別。He must still be sent back to his original place, and his after-story related in full, so that his one sojourn down in the world shall not have been in vain." Shiyin, hearing this, folded his hands and took his leave.那僧道仍攜了玉到青埂峰下，將寶玉安放在女媧煉石補天之處，各自雲遊而去。The monk and the Daoist then carried the Jade back to the foot of Blue Ridge Peak, set Baoyu down at the very place where Nüwa had smelted stones to mend the sky, and each went off wandering among the clouds.從此後，「天外書傳天外事，兩番人作一番人。」From this time on: "A tale from beyond the heavens tells of matters beyond the heavens; the two who once were one now again become one."

這一日空空道人又從青埂峰前經過，見那補天未用之石仍在那里，上面字跡依然如舊，又從頭的細細看了一遍，見後面偈文後又歷敘了多少收緣結果的話頭，便點頭歎道：「我從前見石兄這段奇文，原說可以聞世傳奇，所以曾經抄錄，但未見返本還原。On this day, the Daoist Vast Void again passed before Blue Ridge Peak, and saw that the stone left unused in mending the sky was still there, its inscribed characters just as before; he again read it through carefully from the beginning, and saw that after the closing gatha there was now recorded at length a great deal more about how all the fated bonds had come to their conclusions and outcomes, and, nodding, sighed, "When I formerly saw this remarkable text of Brother Stone, I said indeed that it might be made known to the world as a marvelous tale, and so I once copied it out; but I had not yet seen it return to its origin and root.不知何時復有此一佳話，方知石兄下凡一次，磨出光明，修成圓覺，也可謂無復遺憾了。I do not know when this further fine tale came to be added, but now I know that Brother Stone, in his one sojourn down into the world, wore himself smooth into brightness and attained the perfected enlightenment, so that it may indeed be said there is no regret left unfulfilled.只怕年深日久，字跡模糊，反有舛錯，不如我再抄錄一番，尋個世上清閒無事的人，託他傳遍，知道奇而不奇，俗而不俗，真而不真，假而不假。I fear only that as the years grow long and the days pass, the characters may blur and, worse, errors creep in; better that I copy it out once more, and seek out some person in the world who is free and idle, and entrust it to him to spread it about, so that it may be known: strange yet not strange, common yet not common, true yet not true, false yet not false.或者塵夢勞人，聊倩鳥呼歸去，山靈好客，更從石化飛來，亦未可知。」想畢，便又抄了，仍袖至那繁華昌盛的地方，遍尋了一番，不是建功立業之人，即系饒口謀衣之輩，那有閒情更去和石頭饒舌。Perhaps some soul wearied by the dream of this dusty world may, through this, ask a bird's cry to summon him home; and the spirit of the mountain, being hospitable, may in turn send transformations of the stone flying to him — this too cannot be known in advance." Having thought this over, he copied it out once more, and, still carrying it in his sleeve, went to that place of flourishing splendor and prosperity, and searched about there in every direction, but found none but men bent on building merit and establishing careers, or else fellows scheming only after a full mouth and a covered back — none had the leisure of spirit to go and bandy words further with a stone.直尋到急流津覺迷渡口，草庵中睡著一個人，因想他必是閒人，便要將這抄錄的《石頭記》給他看看。He searched on, all the way to the Ford of Swift Currents, the Crossing of Awakening from Delusion, and there in the thatched hermitage a person lay asleep; thinking that this must surely be a person of leisure, he meant to show him this copied-out Story of the Stone.那知那人再叫不醒。Who would have thought that, call as he might, that person could not be woken.空空道人復又使勁拉他，纔慢慢的開眼坐起，便草草一看，仍舊擲下道：「這事我早已親見盡知。The Daoist Vast Void then pulled at him hard once more, and only then did he slowly open his eyes and sit up; he gave it a cursory glance and then cast it down again, saying, "This matter I long ago witnessed and knew in full myself.你這抄錄的尚無舛錯，我只指與你一個人，託他傳去，便可歸結這一新鮮公案了。」空空道人忙問何人，那人道：「你須待某年某月某日到一個悼紅軒中，有個曹雪芹先生，只說賈雨村言託他如此如此。」說畢，仍舊睡下了。This copy of yours is free of error; I need only point you to one person, and if you entrust it to him to spread abroad, this fresh and singular case may at last be brought to its conclusion." The Daoist Vast Void hastily asked who this person was, and the man said, "You need only wait until a certain year, a certain month, a certain day, and go to a place called the Nostalgia Studio, where there is a Master Cao Xueqin; simply tell him that Jia Yucun's words entrusted this to him, thus and so." Having said this, he lay back down to sleep once more.

那空空道人牢牢記著此言，又不知過了幾世幾劫，果然有個悼紅軒，見那曹雪芹先生正在那里翻閱歷來的古史。The Daoist Vast Void kept these words firmly in mind, and, after who knows how many ages and kalpas had passed, there did indeed prove to be a Nostalgia Studio, and there he saw this Master Cao Xueqin, just then engaged in poring over the histories of ages past.空空道人便將賈雨村言了，方把這《石頭記》示看。The Daoist Vast Void then told him of Jia Yucun's words, and only then showed him this Story of the Stone.那雪芹先生笑道：「果然是『賈雨村言』了！」空空道人便問：「先生何以認得此人，便肯替他傳述？」曹雪芹先生笑道：「說你空，原來你肚里果然空空。Master Xueqin laughed and said, "So it truly is 'Jia Yucun's words' [words in rustic language, feigned] after all!" The Daoist Vast Void then asked, "How is it, sir, that you recognize this man, and are thus willing to transmit it on his behalf?" Master Cao Xueqin laughed and said, "You call yourself Vast Void, yet it seems your belly is truly vast and void indeed.既是假語村言，但無魯魚亥豕以及背謬矛盾之處，樂得與二三同志，酒餘飯飽，雨夕燈窗之下，同消寂寞，又不必大人先生品題傳世，似你這樣尋根問底，便是刻舟求劍，膠柱鼓瑟了。」那空空道人聽了，仰天大笑，擲下抄本，飄然而去。Since this is after all only rustic words in a feigned tale, so long as it is free of copying errors and of any absurd contradictions, I am glad enough to share it with two or three like-minded friends, after wine and a full meal, or by lamp-lit window on a rainy evening, that we might together dispel our loneliness with it; there is no need at all for great men and eminent gentlemen to pass judgment on it for it to be handed down to the world. To go probing after roots and origins as you do is no different from notching the boat to mark where the sword fell, or gluing the pegs of the zither fast." The Daoist Vast Void, hearing this, threw back his head and laughed loudly, cast down the copied manuscript, and drifted off.一面走著，口中說道：「果然是敷衍荒唐！As he walked along, he was heard saying, "Truly it is all just an idle elaboration of the absurd!不但作者不知，抄者不知，并閱者也不知。Not only does the author not know it, nor the copyist know it, but even the reader does not know it either.不過游戲筆墨，陶情适性而已！」後人見了這本奇傳，亦曾題過四句偈语，為作者緣起之言更轉一竿頭云：It is, after all, nothing more than an idle play of the brush and pen, to please one's fancy and ease one's nature, and that is all!" Later readers, coming upon this remarkable tale, likewise once composed four lines of gatha, which, turning yet another degree upon the words in which the author explained his original intent, said:

說到辛酸處，荒唐愈可悲。Speaking to the point where it grows bitter and sore, the more absurd it seems, the sadder it truly is.

由來同一夢，休笑世人痴！From of old it has all been one and the same dream — do not laugh, then, at the folly of the men of this world!

Loading the interactive reader…

What it’s about

On his return journey Jia Zheng sees Baoyu standing barefoot in the snow, dressed as a monk. Baoyu bows but does not resume family speech; the Buddhist and Daoist guides lead him away, and Jia Zheng finally understands his son as the supernatural stone completing a mortal ordeal. Back home, Baochai is pregnant, Jia Lan's success promises another official generation and Qiaojie's country marriage is accepted. Xue Pan is released, Xiangling is raised to wife, and Xiren is eventually married to the actor Jiang Yuhan, whose exchanged sash reveals an old bond with Baoyu.

The frame then closes around Jia Yucun and Zhen Shiyin. Fallen from office, Yucun meets the enlightened Shiyin at the Ford of Awakening, where Shiyin explains the stone, the Crimson Pearl debt and the women's return to the Realm of Great Void. He also foretells “orchid and cassia flourishing together,” Jia Lan and Baochai's unborn son continuing the clan. Xiangling dies in childbirth and is guided back by her father, completing the lost-child story begun in chapter one. Finally the stone's inscription is recopied and passed toward Cao Xueqin, making the book itself the surviving form of the dream.

When it was written 背景

The finale restores nearly every framing name: Zhen and Jia, truth and falsehood; Shiyin, “concealing true events”; Yucun, “rustic words”; the monk and Daoist; Green Ridge Peak; the Realm of Great Void; and the rejected stone. These returns do not simply cancel the tragedy with family recovery. Official grace, pregnancy and the phrase 蘭桂齊芳 satisfy lineage, while individual women and Baoyu leave the system through death, marriage or renunciation. The ending also makes authorship deliberately unstable. Stone, Daoist, Yucun and Cao Xueqin each transmit or edit what no single voice wholly owns. Learners can read 歸結 both as tying up plot and returning things to origins: the red-mansion dream ends by becoming a text that invites another reader to decide what was true.

Words in this chapter 生词

賈gǔ賈gǔ — merchant · to buy
薛xuē薛xuē — wormwood like grass (classical)
釵chāi釵chāi — hairpin
襲xí襲xí — (bound form) to raid; to attack · (bound form) to continue the pattern; to perpetuate · (literary) classifier for suits of clothing or sets of bedding
赶gǎnHSK 3赶gǎn — to overtake; to catch up with · to hurry; to rush · to try to catch (the bus etc) · to drive (cattle etc) forward; to drive (sb) away · to avail oneself of (an opportunity) · until; by (a certain time) (HSK 3)
宁níng宁níng — peaceful · to pacify · to visit (one's parents etc)
么má么má — exclamatory final particle
并bìngHSK 3并bìng — and · furthermore · also · together with · (not) at all · simultaneously · to combine · to join · to merge (HSK 3)
玉yùHSK 4玉yù — jade (HSK 4)
圣kū圣kū — (literary) to dig with persistent effort (e.g. to gather wild vegetables)
璉liǎn璉liǎn — sacrificial vessel used for grain offerings · also pr. (lián)
蔣Jiǎng蔣Jiǎng — surname Jiang · Chiang Kai-shek 蔣介石 (Jiǎng Jiè shí)

第百二十回 甄士隱詳說太虛情 賈雨村歸結紅樓夢 Zhen Shiyin Explains the Illusory Realm; Jia Yucun Brings the Dream of Red Mansions to a Close

What it’s about

When it was written 背景

Words in this chapter 生词

第百二十回　甄士隱詳說太虛情　賈雨村歸結紅樓夢 Zhen Shiyin Explains the Illusory Realm; Jia Yucun Brings the Dream of Red Mansions to a Close