第十八回　　林黛玉誤剪香囊袋　賈元春歸省慶元宵 Lin Daiyu Wrongly Cuts a Perfume Sachet; Jia Yuanchun Returns Home for the Lantern Festival

話說寶玉來至院外，就有跟賈政的幾個小廝上來攔腰抱住，都說：“今兒虧我們，老爺才喜歡，老太太打發人出來問了幾遍，都虧我們回說喜歡，不然，若老太太叫你進去，就不得展才了。The story goes that as soon as Baoyu came out beyond the courtyard, several page-boys who attended Jia Zheng rushed up and seized him round the waist, all saying: 'It was thanks to us today that the Master was pleased. The Old Lady sent someone out to ask after you several times, and it was thanks to us reporting that you were doing well — otherwise, if the Old Lady had called you in, you would never have had the chance to show your talent.人人都說，你才那些詩比世人的都強。Everyone says your poems today surpassed those of anyone in the world.今兒得了這樣的彩頭。Today you've won such glory.該賞我們了。”寶玉笑道：“每人一吊錢。”眾人道：“誰沒見那一吊錢！You ought to reward us.' Baoyu laughed and said, 'A string of cash apiece.' The others said, 'Who hasn't seen a string of cash before!把這荷包賞了罷。”說著，一個上來解荷包，那一個就解扇囊，不容分說，將寶玉所佩之物盡行解去。Give us this purse as a reward instead.' So saying, one came up and untied his purse, another undid his fan-case, and without giving him a chance to object, they stripped him of every ornament he wore.又道：“好生送上去罷。”一個抱了起來，幾個圍繞，送至賈母二門前。They also said, 'Let's carry him in properly.' One of them scooped him up in his arms, and the rest crowded around, escorting him to the second gate of Grandmother Jia's quarters.那時賈母已命人看了幾次。By that time Grandmother Jia had already sent people to look for him several times.眾奶娘丫鬟跟上來，見過賈母，知不曾難為著他，心中自是歡喜。The wet-nurses and maids came following after; once they had paid their respects to Grandmother Jia and learned that he had not been given a hard time, they were naturally delighted.

话说宝玉来至院外，就有跟贾政的几个小厮上来拦腰抱住，都说：“今儿亏我们，老爷才喜欢，老太太打发人出来问了几遍，都亏我们回说喜欢，不然，若老太太叫你进去，就不得展才了。人人都说，你才那些诗比世人的都强。今儿得了这样的彩头。该赏我们了。”宝玉笑道：“每人一吊钱。”众人道：“谁没见那一吊钱！把这荷包赏了罢。”说著，一个上来解荷包，那一个就解扇囊，不容分说，将宝玉所佩之物尽行解去。又道：“好生送上去罢。”一个抱了起来，几个围绕，送至贾母二门前。那时贾母已命人看了几次。众奶娘丫鬟跟上来，见过贾母，知不曾难为著他，心中自是欢喜。

少時襲人倒了茶來，見身邊佩物一件無存，因笑道：“帶的東西又是那起沒臉的東西們解了去了。”林黛玉聽說，走來瞧瞧，果然一件無存，因向寶玉道：“我給的那個荷包也給他們了？A little later Xiren brought in tea, and seeing that not a single ornament remained on him, said with a laugh, 'The things you were wearing have been stripped off again by those shameless creatures.' Overhearing this, Lin Daiyu came over to look, and indeed found not one item left, so she said to Baoyu, 'Did you give away that purse I gave you too?你明兒再想我的東西，可不能夠了！”說畢，賭氣回房，將前日寶玉所煩他作的那個香袋兒——才做了一半——賭氣拿過來就鉸。Just you wait — you'll never get anything of mine again!' With that, she flounced back to her room in a temper, snatched up the little scent-bag that Baoyu had asked her to make a few days before — only half finished — and in her anger began cutting it to pieces with her scissors.寶玉見他生氣，便知不妥，忙赶過來，早剪破了。Seeing her so angry, Baoyu knew at once that something was wrong and hurried over, but she had already cut it to shreds.寶玉已見過這香囊，雖尚未完，卻十分精巧，費了許多工夫。Baoyu had already seen this scent-bag before — although not yet finished, it was extremely fine work, and had cost her a great deal of effort.今見無故剪了，卻也可氣。Now, seeing it cut up for no reason, he too could not help feeling angry.因忙把衣領解了，從里面紅襖襟上將黛玉所給的那荷包解了下來，遞與黛玉瞧道：“你瞧瞧，這是什麼！So he quickly undid his collar, and from the lapel of the red jacket underneath untied the purse Daiyu had given him, and held it out for her to see, saying, 'Look at this — what is it!我那一回把你的東西給人了？”林黛玉見他如此珍重，帶在里面，可知是怕人拿去之意，因此又自悔莽撞，未見皂白，就剪了香袋。When have I ever given away anything of yours to anyone?' Seeing how carefully he had treasured it, wearing it hidden underneath precisely so that no one could take it from him, Lin Daiyu understood his meaning, and regretted her own rashness in cutting up the scent-bag before finding out the truth of the matter.因此又愧又氣，低頭一言不發。Feeling both ashamed and angry, she lowered her head and said not a word.寶玉道：“你也不用剪，我知道你是懶待給我東西。Baoyu said, 'There's no need for you to go on cutting things up — I know you simply can't be bothered to make things for me anymore.我連這荷包奉還，何如？”說著，擲向他怀中便走。Let me just return this purse to you as well, how about that?' So saying, he tossed it into her lap and turned to walk away.黛玉見如此，越發氣起來，聲咽氣堵，又汪汪的滾下淚來，拿起荷包來又剪。Seeing this, Daiyu grew angrier still; her throat tightened and her breath choked, and tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks. She picked up the purse and began cutting at it again.寶玉見他如此，忙回身搶住，笑道：“好妹妹，饒了他罷！”黛玉將剪子一摔，拭淚說道：“你不用同我好一陣歹一陣的，要惱，就撂開手。Seeing her like this, Baoyu hurried back and snatched it from her, saying with a laugh, 'Dear cousin, spare it, please!' Daiyu flung down the scissors, wiped her tears, and said, 'You needn't be nice to me one moment and nasty the next — if you want to be angry with me, then just let go of me altogether.這當了什麼。”說著，賭氣上床，面向里倒下拭淚。What is all this supposed to mean?' So saying, she flounced onto her bed in a temper, lay down facing the wall, and wiped away her tears.禁不住寶玉上來“妹妹”長“妹妹”短賠不是。She could not resist for long as Baoyu came up to her, calling her 'dear cousin' this and 'dear cousin' that, begging her pardon.

少时袭人倒了茶来，见身边佩物一件无存，因笑道：“带的东西又是那起没脸的东西们解了去了。”林黛玉听说，走来瞧瞧，果然一件无存，因向宝玉道：“我给的那个荷包也给他们了？你明儿再想我的东西，可不能够了！”说毕，赌气回房，将前日宝玉所烦他作的那个香袋儿——才做了一半——赌气拿过来就铰。宝玉见他生气，便知不妥，忙赶过来，早剪破了。宝玉已见过这香囊，虽尚未完，却十分精巧，费了许多工夫。今见无故剪了，却也可气。因忙把衣领解了，从里面红袄襟上将黛玉所给的那荷包解了下来，递与黛玉瞧道：“你瞧瞧，这是什么！我那一回把你的东西给人了？”林黛玉见他如此珍重，带在里面，可知是怕人拿去之意，因此又自悔莽撞，未见皂白，就剪了香袋。因此又愧又气，低头一言不发。宝玉道：“你也不用剪，我知道你是懒待给我东西。我连这荷包奉还，何如？”说著，掷向他怀中便走。黛玉见如此，越发气起来，声咽气堵，又汪汪的滚下泪来，拿起荷包来又剪。宝玉见他如此，忙回身抢住，笑道：“好妹妹，饶了他罢！”黛玉将剪子一摔，拭泪说道：“你不用同我好一阵歹一阵的，要恼，就撂开手。这当了什么。”说著，赌气上床，面向里倒下拭泪。禁不住宝玉上来“妹妹”长“妹妹”短赔不是。

前面賈母一片聲找寶玉。Out in front, Grandmother Jia was calling loudly for Baoyu.眾奶娘丫鬟們忙回說：“在林姑娘房里呢。”賈母聽說道：“好，好，好！The wet-nurses and maids hastily reported, 'He's in Miss Lin's room.' On hearing this Grandmother Jia said, 'Good, good, good!讓他姊妹們一處頑頑罷。Let him and his cousins play together for a while.才他老子拘了他這半天，讓他開心一會子罷。His father kept him cooped up for so long just now — let him have a little fun.只別叫他們拌嘴，不許扭了他。”眾人答應著。Only don't let them quarrel, and don't let anyone bully him.' Everyone assented.黛玉被寶玉纏不過，只得起來道：“你的意思不叫我安生，我就離了你。”說著往外就走。Unable to withstand Baoyu's pestering any longer, Daiyu got up and said, 'Since you won't let me be, I'll just get away from you.' So saying, she started to walk out.寶玉笑道：“你到那里，我跟到那里。”一面仍拿起荷包來帶上，黛玉伸手搶道：“你說不要了，這會子又帶上，我也替你怪臊的！”說著，“嗤”的一聲又笑了。Baoyu said with a smile, 'Wherever you go, I'll follow you there.' As he spoke he picked up the purse again and put it on. Daiyu reached out and snatched at it, saying, 'You said you didn't want it, and now you're wearing it again — I'm embarrassed for you!' So saying, she burst out laughing with a 'pfft.'寶玉道：“好妹妹，明兒另替我作個香袋兒罷。”黛玉道：“那也只瞧我高興罷了。”一面說，一面二人出房，到王夫人上房中去了，可巧寶釵亦在那里。Baoyu said, 'Dear cousin, make me another scent-bag another day, won't you?' Daiyu said, 'That will depend entirely on whether I feel like it.' Talking together, the two of them left the room and went to Lady Wang's main apartment, where, as it happened, Baochai was also present.

前面贾母一片声找宝玉。众奶娘丫鬟们忙回说：“在林姑娘房里呢。”贾母听说道：“好，好，好！让他姊妹们一处顽顽罢。才他老子拘了他这半天，让他开心一会子罢。只别叫他们拌嘴，不许扭了他。”众人答应著。黛玉被宝玉缠不过，只得起来道：“你的意思不叫我安生，我就离了你。”说著往外就走。宝玉笑道：“你到那里，我跟到那里。”一面仍拿起荷包来带上，黛玉伸手抢道：“你说不要了，这会子又带上，我也替你怪臊的！”说著，“嗤”的一声又笑了。宝玉道：“好妹妹，明儿另替我作个香袋儿罢。”黛玉道：“那也只瞧我高兴罢了。”一面说，一面二人出房，到王夫人上房中去了，可巧宝钗亦在那里。

此時王夫人那邊熱鬧非常。At this time things were extremely lively over at Lady Wang's quarters.原來賈薔已從姑蘇采買了十二個女孩子——并聘了教習——以及行頭等事來了。It turned out that Jia Qiang had come back from Suzhou, having purchased twelve girls, engaged instructors for them, and brought back costumes and other such things as well.那時薛姨媽另遷于東北上一所幽靜房舍居住，將梨香院早已騰挪出來，另行修理了，就令教習在此教演女戲。Aunt Xue had by then moved to another secluded residence in the northeast corner, and Pear Fragrance Court had already been cleared out and refurbished, so that the instructors could train the girls there in the performance of opera.又另派家中舊有曾演學過歌唱的女人們——如今皆已皤然老嫗了，著他們帶領管理。They also assigned certain women from within the household who had formerly studied singing and performance — now all white-haired old women — to take charge of overseeing the girls.就令賈薔總理其日用出入銀錢等事，以及諸凡大小所需之物料賬目。Jia Qiang was put in overall charge of the daily expenditures and income, as well as all the accounts for materials needed, great and small.又有林之孝家的來回：“采訪聘買得十個小尼姑，小道姑都有了，連新作的二十分道袍也有了。Also, Lin Zhixiao's wife came to report: 'We have inquired about and hired ten little Buddhist nuns and Daoist nuns — they're all secured now, and even the twenty newly made Daoist robes are ready.外有一個帶髮修行的，本是蘇州人氏，祖上也是讀書仕宦之家。There is also one who practices religion without having shaved her head — she is originally from Suzhou, and her ancestors were a family of scholars and officials.因生了這位姑娘自小多病，買了許多替身兒皆不中用，到底這位姑娘親自入了空門，方纔好了，所以帶髮修行，今年才十八歲，法名妙玉。Because this young lady was sickly from childhood, they bought many substitutes to enter religion in her stead, but none of them worked, and in the end only when the young lady herself entered the gate of emptiness did she recover — so she practices religion without shaving her head. This year she is just eighteen, and her religious name is Miaoyu.如今父母俱已亡故，身邊只有兩個老嬤嬤，一個小丫頭伏侍。Now both her parents have passed away, and she has only two old nursemaids and one young maid attending her.文墨也极通，經文也不用學了，摸樣兒又极好。She is also thoroughly versed in letters, has no need to study the scriptures further, and is moreover extremely good-looking.因聽見‘長安’都中有觀音遺跡并貝葉遺文，去歲隨了師父上來，現在西門外牟尼院住著。Having heard that in the capital, Chang'an, there were relics of Guanyin and ancient palm-leaf scriptures, she came up last year following her teacher, and is presently residing at Muni Convent outside the west gate.他師父极精演先天神數，于去冬圓寂了。Her teacher was highly skilled in the calculation of innate fate through divination, and passed away last winter.妙玉本欲扶靈回鄉的，他師父臨寂遺言，說他‘衣食起居不宜回鄉。Miaoyu had originally intended to escort the coffin back to her native place, but her teacher, on the point of death, had left instructions saying that it would not be fitting for her, in matters of food, clothing, and daily life, to return home.在此靜居，後來自然有你的結果’。"Stay here quietly, and in time your fate will naturally take its course."所以他竟未回鄉。”王夫人不等回完，便說：“既這樣，我們何不接了他來。”林之孝家的回道：“請他，他說‘侯門公府，必以貴勢壓人，我再不去的。’”王夫人笑道：“他既是官宦小姐，自然驕傲些，就下個帖子請他何妨。”林之孝家的答應了出去，命書啟相公寫請帖去請妙玉。So she never did return home.' Before she had finished reporting, Lady Wang said, 'In that case, why don't we bring her here?' Lin Zhixiao's wife replied, 'We did invite her, but she said, "Noble households and ducal mansions are bound to use their wealth and rank to press people down — I will never go there."' Lady Wang said with a smile, 'Since she is the daughter of an official family, it's only natural she should be somewhat proud. What harm is there in sending her a formal invitation card?' Lin Zhixiao's wife assented and went out, ordering the secretary-gentlemen to write an invitation card to invite Miaoyu.次日遣人備車轎去接等後話，暫且擱過，此時不能表白。The matter of sending someone the next day to prepare carriages and sedan-chairs to fetch her belongs to a later part of the story; for now we shall set it aside and cannot go into it here.

此时王夫人那边热闹非常。原来贾蔷已从姑苏采买了十二个女孩子——并聘了教习——以及行头等事来了。那时薛姨妈另迁于东北上一所幽静房舍居住，将梨香院早已腾挪出来，另行修理了，就令教习在此教演女戏。又另派家中旧有曾演学过歌唱的女人们——如今皆已皤然老妪了，著他们带领管理。就令贾蔷总理其日用出入银钱等事，以及诸凡大小所需之物料账目。又有林之孝家的来回：“采访聘买得十个小尼姑，小道姑都有了，连新作的二十分道袍也有了。外有一个带发修行的，本是苏州人氏，祖上也是读书仕宦之家。因生了这位姑娘自小多病，买了许多替身儿皆不中用，到底这位姑娘亲自入了空门，方才好了，所以带发修行，今年才十八岁，法名妙玉。如今父母俱已亡故，身边只有两个老嬷嬷，一个小丫头伏侍。文墨也极通，经文也不用学了，摸样儿又极好。因听见‘长安’都中有观音遗迹并贝叶遗文，去岁随了师父上来，现在西门外牟尼院住著。他师父极精演先天神数，于去冬圆寂了。妙玉本欲扶灵回乡的，他师父临寂遗言，说他‘衣食起居不宜回乡。在此静居，后来自然有你的结果’。所以他竟未回乡。”王夫人不等回完，便说：“既这样，我们何不接了他来。”林之孝家的回道：“请他，他说‘侯门公府，必以贵势压人，我再不去的。’”王夫人笑道：“他既是官宦小姐，自然骄傲些，就下个帖子请他何妨。”林之孝家的答应了出去，命书启相公写请帖去请妙玉。次日遣人备车轿去接等后话，暂且搁过，此时不能表白。

當下又有人回，工程上等著糊東西的紗綾，請鳳姐去開樓揀紗綾，又有人來回，請鳳姐開庫，收金銀器皿。Just then someone else came to report that the construction workers were waiting for gauze and silk to paste up decorations, and asked Xifeng to open the storehouse and select the gauze and silk; and yet another came to report, asking Xifeng to open the treasury and take receipt of the gold and silver vessels.連王夫人并上房丫鬟等眾，皆一時不得閒的。Even Lady Wang and the maids of the main apartment, all of them, had not a moment's leisure just then.寶釵便說：“咱們別在這里礙手礙腳，找探丫頭去。”說著，同寶玉黛玉往迎春等房中來閒頑，無話。Baochai then said, 'Let's not stand here getting in everyone's way — let's go find Tanchun and the others.' So saying, she went together with Baoyu and Daiyu to Yingchun's rooms and the others to pass the time; there is nothing more to tell of this.

当下又有人回，工程上等著糊东西的纱绫，请凤姐去开楼拣纱绫，又有人来回，请凤姐开库，收金银器皿。连王夫人并上房丫鬟等众，皆一时不得闲的。宝钗便说：“咱们别在这里碍手碍脚，找探丫头去。”说著，同宝玉黛玉往迎春等房中来闲顽，无话。

王夫人等日日忙亂，直到十月將盡，幸皆全備：各處監管都交清賬目，各處古董文玩，皆已陳設齊備，采辦鳥雀的，自仙鶴，孔雀以及鹿，兔，雞，鵝等類，悉已買全，交于園中各處像景飼養；Lady Wang and the rest were busy in a flurry day after day, until by the end of the tenth month everything was fortunately complete: the various overseers had all settled their accounts, the antiques and curios everywhere had all been set out in full, and those purchasing birds and animals — cranes, peacocks, deer, rabbits, chickens, geese, and the like — had bought them all, and delivered them to be kept and raised in scenic spots throughout the garden;賈薔那邊也演出二十出雜戲來，小尼姑，道姑也都學會了念幾卷經咒。Over on Jia Qiang's side, twenty operas had also been rehearsed and were ready to perform, and the little nuns and Daoist nuns had likewise all learned to chant several scrolls of scriptures and incantations.賈政方略心意寬暢，又請賈母等進園，色色斟酌，點綴妥當，再無一些遺漏不當之處了。Only then did Jia Zheng feel somewhat more at ease in his mind. He invited Grandmother Jia and the others into the garden once more to look everything over carefully, and once every detail had been properly arranged, there was not the slightest omission or impropriety left anywhere.于是賈政方擇日題本。Jia Zheng then chose an auspicious day to submit his memorial to the throne.本上之日，奉朱批准奏：次年正月十五上元之日，恩准賈妃省親。On the day the memorial was submitted, it received the vermilion endorsement granting the request: on the fifteenth of the first month of the following year, the Lantern Festival, Imperial Consort Jia would be graciously permitted to visit her family.賈府領了此恩旨，益發晝夜不閒，年也不曾好生過的。Once the Jia household received this gracious decree, they were busier than ever, day and night without rest, and did not even get to celebrate the New Year properly.

王夫人等日日忙乱，直到十月将尽，幸皆全备：各处监管都交清账目，各处古董文玩，皆已陈设齐备，采办鸟雀的，自仙鹤，孔雀以及鹿，兔，鸡，鹅等类，悉已买全，交于园中各处像景饲养；贾蔷那边也演出二十出杂戏来，小尼姑，道姑也都学会了念几卷经咒。贾政方略心意宽畅，又请贾母等进园，色色斟酌，点缀妥当，再无一些遗漏不当之处了。于是贾政方择日题本。本上之日，奉朱批准奏：次年正月十五上元之日，恩准贾妃省亲。贾府领了此恩旨，益发昼夜不闲，年也不曾好生过的。

展眼元宵在邇，自正月初八日，就有太監出來先看方向：何處更衣，何處燕坐，何處受禮，何處開宴，何處退息。In the blink of an eye the Lantern Festival was drawing near, and from the eighth day of the first month, eunuchs came out in advance to inspect the layout: where she would change clothes, where she would sit at ease, where she would receive homage, where the banquet would be held, and where she would retire to rest.又有巡察地方總理關防太監等，帶了許多小太監出來，各處關防，擋圍幙，指示賈宅人員何處退，何處跪，何處進膳，何處啟事，种种儀注不一。There were also eunuchs in charge of inspecting the grounds and managing security, who brought out many junior eunuchs to secure every location, set up screens and curtains, and instruct the members of the Jia household as to where they should withdraw, where they should kneel, where meals would be served, and where reports would be made — all manner of protocol, too numerous to list.外面又有工部官員并五城兵備道打掃街道，攆逐閒人。Outside, officials of the Board of Works together with the Five Districts Military Defense Circuit swept the streets clean and drove off idle onlookers.賈赦等督率匠人扎花燈煙火之類，至十四日，俱已停妥。Jia She and the others supervised the craftsmen in making festival lanterns and fireworks and the like, and by the fourteenth everything was ready and in order.這一夜，上下通不曾睡。That night, high and low, no one in the household slept at all.

展眼元宵在迩，自正月初八日，就有太监出来先看方向：何处更衣，何处燕坐，何处受礼，何处开宴，何处退息。又有巡察地方总理关防太监等，带了许多小太监出来，各处关防，挡围幙，指示贾宅人员何处退，何处跪，何处进膳，何处启事，种种仪注不一。外面又有工部官员并五城兵备道打扫街道，撵逐闲人。贾赦等督率匠人扎花灯烟火之类，至十四日，俱已停妥。这一夜，上下通不曾睡。

至十五日五鼓，自賈母等有爵者，皆按品服大妝。By the fifth watch of the fifteenth, Grandmother Jia and all those holding rank dressed themselves in full ceremonial attire according to their respective ranks.園內各處，帳舞蟠龍，帘飛彩鳳，金銀煥彩，珠寶爭輝，鼎焚百合之香，瓶插長春之蕊，靜悄無人咳嗽。Throughout the garden, curtains embroidered with coiling dragons seemed to dance, drapes worked with bright phoenixes seemed to fly, gold and silver gleamed radiantly, pearls and jewels vied in splendor, tripod censers burned lily incense, vases held sprays of evergreen blossoms — and all was silent, without so much as a cough to be heard.賈赦等在西街門外，賈母等在榮府大門外。Jia She and the others waited outside the West Street gate, while Grandmother Jia and the others waited outside the main gate of the Rongguo mansion.街頭巷口，俱系圍幕擋嚴。Every street corner and lane mouth was tightly screened off with curtains.正等的不耐煩，忽一太監坐大馬而來，賈母忙接入，問其消息。Just as everyone was growing impatient with waiting, a eunuch suddenly came riding up on a large horse; Grandmother Jia hastily had him brought in and asked for news.太監道：“早多著呢！The eunuch said, 'It's still far too early!未初刻用過晚膳，未正二刻還到寶靈宮拜佛，酉初刻進大明宮領宴看燈方請旨，只怕戌初才起身呢。”鳳姐聽了道：“既這麼著，老太太，太太且請回房，等是時候再來也不遲。”于是賈母等暫且自便，園中悉賴鳳姐照理。At the first quarter of the hour of Wei she will finish her evening meal; at the second quarter past the hour of Wei she still has to go to the Baoling Palace to worship Buddha; at the first quarter of the hour of You she enters the Daming Palace to attend the banquet and view the lanterns before requesting the Emperor's leave — I'm afraid she won't set out until the first quarter of the hour of Xu at the earliest.' On hearing this, Xifeng said, 'In that case, Old Ancestress, my lady, you might as well go back to your rooms for now and come again when it's nearer the time — there's no harm in that.' So Grandmother Jia and the others withdrew for the time being to do as they pleased, and everything in the garden was left entirely to Xifeng to manage.又命執事人帶領太監們去吃酒飯。Orders were also given for the household stewards to take the eunuchs off to eat and drink.

至十五日五鼓，自贾母等有爵者，皆按品服大妆。园内各处，帐舞蟠龙，帘飞彩凤，金银焕彩，珠宝争辉，鼎焚百合之香，瓶插长春之蕊，静悄无人咳嗽。贾赦等在西街门外，贾母等在荣府大门外。街头巷口，俱系围幕挡严。正等的不耐烦，忽一太监坐大马而来，贾母忙接入，问其消息。太监道：“早多著呢！未初刻用过晚膳，未正二刻还到宝灵宫拜佛，酉初刻进大明宫领宴看灯方请旨，只怕戌初才起身呢。”凤姐听了道：“既这么著，老太太，太太且请回房，等是时候再来也不迟。”于是贾母等暂且自便，园中悉赖凤姐照理。又命执事人带领太监们去吃酒饭。

一時傳人一擔一擔的挑進蜡燭來，各處點燈。Presently word was passed for candles to be carried in load after load, and lamps were lit everywhere.方點完時，忽聽外邊馬跑之聲。Just as the lighting was finished, the sound of galloping horses was suddenly heard from outside.一時，有十來個太監都喘吁吁跑來拍手兒。In a moment, some ten eunuchs came running up, all out of breath, clapping their hands.這些太監會意，都知道是“來了，來了”，各按方向站住。The eunuchs there understood the signal at once, all knowing this meant 'She's coming, she's coming,' and each took up his appointed position.賈赦領合族子侄在西街門外，賈母領合族女眷在大門外迎接。Jia She led all the sons and nephews of the clan to wait outside the West Street gate, while Grandmother Jia led all the womenfolk of the clan to wait outside the main gate to receive her.半日靜悄悄的。For a long while all was perfectly silent.忽見一對紅衣太監騎馬緩緩的走來，至西街門下了馬，將馬赶出圍幕之外，便垂手面西站住。Then suddenly a pair of eunuchs in red robes were seen riding slowly up; on reaching the West Street gate they dismounted, had the horses led away outside the screening curtains, and stood with hands lowered, facing west.半日又是一對，亦是如此。After a good while another pair came, and did likewise.少時便來了十來對，方聞得隱隱細樂之聲。Before long some ten pairs had arrived in this way, and only then could the faint strains of delicate music be heard.一對對龍旌鳳翣，雉羽夔頭，又有銷金提爐焚著御香，然後一把曲柄七鳳黃金傘過來，便是冠袍帶履。Pair after pair came bearing dragon banners and phoenix fans, pheasant-feather standards and kui-dragon-headed staffs; then came censers of gold-worked filigree burning imperial incense, followed by a curved-handled golden umbrella adorned with seven phoenixes, and after that the ceremonial cap, robe, girdle, and shoes.又有值事太監捧著香珠，繡帕，漱盂，拂塵等類。There were also eunuchs on duty carrying fragrant prayer-beads, embroidered handkerchiefs, a rinsing bowl, a fly-whisk, and the like.一隊隊過完，後面方是八個太監抬著一頂金頂金黃繡鳳版輿，緩緩行來。After troop after troop had passed, at last came eight eunuchs bearing a gold-topped palanquin of imperial yellow embroidered with phoenixes, advancing slowly.賈母等連忙路旁跪下。Grandmother Jia and the rest hastily knelt down by the roadside.早飛跑過幾個太監來，扶起賈母，邢夫人，王夫人來。At once several eunuchs hurried over to help Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, and Lady Wang to their feet.那版輿抬進大門，入儀門往東去，到一所院落門前，有執拂太監跪請下輿更衣。The palanquin was borne in through the main gate, through the ceremonial gate, and eastward, until it reached the entrance of a certain courtyard, where a eunuch bearing a whisk knelt and requested that she alight to change her clothes.于是抬輿入門，太監等散去，只有昭容，彩嬪等引領元春下輿。Thereupon the palanquin was carried in through the gate; the eunuchs dispersed, and only the ladies-in-waiting Zhaorong, Caipin, and the others remained to escort Yuanchun as she alighted.只見院內各色花燈爛灼，皆系紗綾扎成，精致非常。Within the courtyard could be seen lanterns of every kind blazing brilliantly, all fashioned of gauze and silk, exquisitely wrought.上面有一匾燈，寫著“体仁沐德”四字。Above hung a lantern in the shape of a plaque, inscribed with the four characters "Ti Ren Mu De" — Embodying Benevolence, Bathed in Virtue.元春入室，更衣畢复出，上輿進園。Yuanchun entered the chamber, and once she had finished changing her clothes she came out again, mounted the palanquin, and proceeded into the garden.只見園中香煙繚繞，花彩繽紛，處處燈光相映，時時細樂聲喧，說不盡這太平氣象，富貴風流。——此時自己回想當初在大荒山中，青埂峰下，那等凄涼寂寞，若不虧癩憎，跛道二人攜來到此，又安能得見這般世面。There she saw incense smoke curling everywhere, flowers and colors in riotous profusion, lantern-light reflecting from every quarter, and delicate music sounding on and on — an air of peace and prosperity, of wealth and elegance, beyond all telling. — At this moment it recalled how, once, in the Great Waste Mountains beneath Blue Ridge Peak, it had known such utter desolation and loneliness; had it not been for the mangy monk and the lame Daoist who carried it here, how could it ever have come to witness such a scene as this?本欲作一篇《燈月賦》，《省親頌》，以志今日之事，但又恐入了別書的俗套。The author had originally intended to compose a rhapsody on "Lanterns and Moonlight" and an ode "In Praise of the Imperial Visit" to commemorate this day's events, but feared falling into the hackneyed conventions of other books.按此時之景，即作一賦一贊，也不能形容得盡其妙，即不作賦贊，其豪華富麗，觀者諸公亦可想而知矣。Considering the scene at that moment, even a rhapsody and an ode could not have captured its full splendor; and even without composing them, the reader, gentle sirs, can well imagine for himself how magnificent and sumptuous it all was.所以倒是省了這工夫紙墨，且說正經的為是。So it is better to save the effort and the ink and paper, and simply get on with the real matter of the story.

一时传人一担一担的挑进蜡烛来，各处点灯。方点完时，忽听外边马跑之声。一时，有十来个太监都喘吁吁跑来拍手儿。这些太监会意，都知道是“来了，来了”，各按方向站住。贾赦领合族子侄在西街门外，贾母领合族女眷在大门外迎接。半日静悄悄的。忽见一对红衣太监骑马缓缓的走来，至西街门下了马，将马赶出围幕之外，便垂手面西站住。半日又是一对，亦是如此。少时便来了十来对，方闻得隐隐细乐之声。一对对龙旌凤翣，雉羽夔头，又有销金提炉焚著御香，然后一把曲柄七凤黄金伞过来，便是冠袍带履。又有值事太监捧著香珠，绣帕，漱盂，拂尘等类。一队队过完，后面方是八个太监抬著一顶金顶金黄绣凤版舆，缓缓行来。贾母等连忙路旁跪下。早飞跑过几个太监来，扶起贾母，邢夫人，王夫人来。那版舆抬进大门，入仪门往东去，到一所院落门前，有执拂太监跪请下舆更衣。于是抬舆入门，太监等散去，只有昭容，彩嫔等引领元春下舆。只见院内各色花灯烂灼，皆系纱绫扎成，精致非常。上面有一匾灯，写著“体仁沐德”四字。元春入室，更衣毕复出，上舆进园。只见园中香烟缭绕，花彩缤纷，处处灯光相映，时时细乐声喧，说不尽这太平气象，富贵风流。——此时自己回想当初在大荒山中，青埂峰下，那等凄凉寂寞，若不亏癞憎，跛道二人携来到此，又安能得见这般世面。本欲作一篇《灯月赋》，《省亲颂》，以志今日之事，但又恐入了别书的俗套。按此时之景，即作一赋一赞，也不能形容得尽其妙，即不作赋赞，其豪华富丽，观者诸公亦可想而知矣。所以倒是省了这工夫纸墨，且说正经的为是。

且說賈妃在轎內看此園內外如此豪華，因默默歎息奢華過費。Now, Imperial Consort Jia, seated within her sedan-chair, saw how magnificent the garden was both within and without, and silently sighed to herself over such extravagance and excess.忽又見執拂太監跪請登舟，賈妃乃下輿。Then she saw the whisk-bearing eunuch kneel again, requesting her to board a boat, whereupon the Imperial Consort descended from the palanquin.只見清流一帶，勢如游龍，兩邊石欄上，皆系水晶玻璃各色風燈，點的如銀花雪浪，上面柳杏諸樹雖無花葉，然皆用通草綢綾紙絹依勢作成，粘于枝上的，每一株懸燈數盞，更兼池中荷荇鳧鷺之屬，亦皆系螺蚌羽毛之類作就的。There she saw a clear stream winding along like a swimming dragon; on the stone balustrades on either side hung wind-lanterns of crystal and glass in every color, lit up like silver blossoms and snowy waves; above, the willows and apricot trees, though bare of flowers and leaves at this season, had been fitted out to look as if in bloom with pith, silk, gauze, and paper fashioned to follow their natural shapes and glued onto the branches, with several lanterns hung on every tree; and moreover the lotuses, water-plants, wild ducks, and egrets in the pond had all likewise been made from shells and feathers.諸燈上下爭輝，真系玻璃世界，珠寶乾坤。All the lanterns above and below vied in brilliance — it was truly a world of glass and crystal, a universe of pearls and jewels.船上亦系各种精致盆景諸燈，珠帘繡幙，桂楫蘭橈，自不必說。The boat itself was likewise fitted out with all manner of exquisite miniature landscapes and lanterns, pearl-strung blinds and embroidered curtains, oars of cassia and sweet-flag wood — needless to say.已而入一石港，港上一面匾燈，明現著“蓼汀花漵”四字。Presently they entered a stone-lined channel, above which hung a plaque-lantern clearly bearing the four characters "Liaoting Huaxu" — Knotweed Bank, Flower Shore.按此四字并“有鳳來儀”等處，皆系上回賈政偶然一試寶玉之課藝才情耳，何今日認真用此匾聯？Now, these four characters, along with such names as "Where the Phoenix Alights" elsewhere, had all been merely the result of Jia Zheng's testing Baoyu's literary talent on the spur of the moment in the previous chapter — why, then, should they now be used in earnest as the actual inscriptions and couplets?況賈政世代詩書，來往諸客屏侍座陪者，悉皆才技之流，豈無一名手題撰，竟用小兒一戲之辭苟且搪塞？Moreover, the Jia family had been a house of scholarship for generations, and among the guests who came and went, the attendants and companions in the household, there was surely no lack of skilled hands capable of composing such inscriptions — how could they possibly have made do, in a slipshod fashion, with mere words dashed off in jest by a child?真似暴發新榮之家，濫使銀錢，一味抹油涂朱，畢則大書“前門綠柳垂金鎖，後戶青山列錦屏”之類，則以為大雅可觀，豈《石頭記》中通部所表之宁榮賈府所為哉！That would be exactly like some newly-rich upstart household, squandering money without restraint, slapping on paint and vermilion everywhere, and then writing up in bold characters such lines as "Before the gate, green willows hang like golden locks; behind the door, blue hills stand ranged like brocade screens," imagining this to be the height of refined elegance — how could that possibly be the way of the Ning and Rong households of the Jia family as portrayed throughout the whole of The Story of the Stone!据此論之，竟大相矛盾了。Looked at in this light, it would indeed seem a glaring contradiction.諸公不知，待蠢物將原委說明，大家方知。The reader, gentle sirs, may not know the reason — let this foolish Stone explain the whole matter, and then everyone will understand.

且说贾妃在轿内看此园内外如此豪华，因默默叹息奢华过费。忽又见执拂太监跪请登舟，贾妃乃下舆。只见清流一带，势如游龙，两边石栏上，皆系水晶玻璃各色风灯，点的如银花雪浪，上面柳杏诸树虽无花叶，然皆用通草绸绫纸绢依势作成，粘于枝上的，每一株悬灯数盏，更兼池中荷荇凫鹭之属，亦皆系螺蚌羽毛之类作就的。诸灯上下争辉，真系玻璃世界，珠宝干坤。船上亦系各种精致盆景诸灯，珠帘绣幙，桂楫兰桡，自不必说。已而入一石港，港上一面匾灯，明现著“蓼汀花溆”四字。按此四字并“有凤来仪”等处，皆系上回贾政偶然一试宝玉之课艺才情耳，何今日认真用此匾联？况贾政世代诗书，来往诸客屏侍座陪者，悉皆才技之流，岂无一名手题撰，竟用小儿一戏之辞苟且搪塞？真似暴发新荣之家，滥使银钱，一味抹油涂朱，毕则大书“前门绿柳垂金锁，后户青山列锦屏”之类，则以为大雅可观，岂《石头记》中通部所表之宁荣贾府所为哉！据此论之，竟大相矛盾了。诸公不知，待蠢物将原委说明，大家方知。

當日這賈妃未入宮時，自幼亦系賈母教養。In the old days, before this Imperial Consort had entered the palace, she too had been raised and educated by Grandmother Jia from earliest childhood.後來添了寶玉，賈妃乃長姊，寶玉為弱弟，賈妃之心上念母年將邁，始得此弟，是以怜愛寶玉，與諸弟待之不同。Later, when Baoyu was born, the Imperial Consort, being the elder sister and Baoyu the young brother, felt in her heart that their mother was already growing old when at last this younger brother was born, and so she loved and cherished Baoyu, treating him differently from her other younger brothers.且同隨祖母，刻未暫離。Moreover, the two of them stayed together with their grandmother, never apart for even a moment.那寶玉未入學堂之先，三四歲時，已得賈妃手引口傳，教授了幾本書，數千字在腹內了。Before Baoyu had even entered school, when he was but three or four years old, the Imperial Consort had already, guiding his hand and reciting to him herself, taught him several books, so that he had several thousand characters committed to memory.其名分雖系姊弟，其情狀有如母子。Although in name and standing they were sister and brother, in feeling and manner they were like mother and son.自入宮後，時時帶信出來與父母說：“千萬好生扶養，不嚴不能成器，過嚴恐生不虞，且致父母之憂。”眷念切愛之心，刻未能忘。After she entered the palace, she constantly sent word out to her parents, saying, 'You must by all means raise him well — without strictness he cannot become a person of worth, yet excessive strictness may bring about some mishap, and cause our parents needless worry.' Her deep affection and constant concern for him she was never able to forget for a single moment.前日賈政聞塾師背後贊寶玉偏才盡有，賈政未信，适巧遇園已落成，令其題撰，聊一試其情思之清濁。The other day, when Jia Zheng heard the tutor, behind Baoyu's back, praising his unusual gifts to the full, Jia Zheng had not quite believed it; and it so happened that just then the garden was completed, so he had Baoyu compose inscriptions for it, merely to test for himself the quality of the boy's thought and sensibility.其所擬之匾聯雖非妙句，在幼童為之，亦或可取。Although the plaques and couplets he composed were not works of great brilliance, for a boy of his years to have produced them was, after all, something to be commended.即另使名公大筆為之，固不費難，然想來倒不如這本家風味有趣。Of course, it would have been no trouble at all to have some famous master's accomplished brush do the work instead, but on reflection it seemed more delightful this way, with the flavor of the family itself.更使賈妃見之，知系其愛弟所為，亦或不負其素日切望之意。Moreover, this way, when the Imperial Consort saw the inscriptions and learned they were the work of her beloved younger brother, it might not disappoint the earnest hopes she had always cherished for him.因有這段原委，故此竟用了寶玉所題之聯額。It was for this reason that, in the end, the plaques and couplets that Baoyu had composed were actually put to use.那日雖未曾題完，後來亦曾補擬。Although he had not finished composing them all that day, the remainder had since been supplied afterward.

当日这贾妃未入宫时，自幼亦系贾母教养。后来添了宝玉，贾妃乃长姊，宝玉为弱弟，贾妃之心上念母年将迈，始得此弟，是以怜爱宝玉，与诸弟待之不同。且同随祖母，刻未暂离。那宝玉未入学堂之先，三四岁时，已得贾妃手引口传，教授了几本书，数千字在腹内了。其名分虽系姊弟，其情状有如母子。自入宫后，时时带信出来与父母说：“千万好生扶养，不严不能成器，过严恐生不虞，且致父母之忧。”眷念切爱之心，刻未能忘。前日贾政闻塾师背后赞宝玉偏才尽有，贾政未信，适巧遇园已落成，令其题撰，聊一试其情思之清浊。其所拟之匾联虽非妙句，在幼童为之，亦或可取。即另使名公大笔为之，固不费难，然想来倒不如这本家风味有趣。更使贾妃见之，知系其爱弟所为，亦或不负其素日切望之意。因有这段原委，故此竟用了宝玉所题之联额。那日虽未曾题完，后来亦曾补拟。

閒文少述，且說賈妃看了四字，笑道：“‘花漵’二字便妥，何必，‘蓼汀’？”侍座太監聽了，忙下小舟登岸，飛傳與賈政。Enough of these digressions — to return to the story: when the Imperial Consort saw the four characters, she said with a smile, '"Flower Shore" alone would have done well enough — why add "Knotweed Bank"?' On hearing this, the attending eunuch hastily got off the boat, went ashore, and rushed to convey her words to Jia Zheng.賈政聽了，即忙移換。On hearing this, Jia Zheng at once had it changed.一時，舟臨內岸，复棄舟上輿，便見琳宮綽約，桂殿巍峨。Presently the boat reached the inner shore; she left the boat and mounted the palanquin once more, whereupon she saw jade-bright halls of graceful splendor and cassia-wood chambers rising majestically.石牌坊上明顯“天仙寶境”四字，賈妃忙命換“省親別墅”四字。On a stone memorial archway the four characters "Realm of Immortal Splendor" stood out clearly; the Imperial Consort at once ordered them changed to the four characters "Villa of the Filial Visit."于是進入行宮。Thereupon she entered the temporary palace.但見庭燎燒空，香屑布地，火樹琪花，金窗玉檻。There she saw torches blazing skyward in the courtyard, powdered incense strewn upon the ground, trees ablaze with lantern-light like fiery blossoms of jade, and windows of gold and balustrades of jade.說不盡帘卷蝦須，毯舖魚獺，鼎飄麝腦之香，屏列雉尾之扇。Words cannot capture it all: the shrimp-whisker blinds rolled up, otter-fur rugs spread on the floors, tripod censers wafting musk-and-borneol incense, screens ranged with pheasant-tail fans.真是：Truly:

闲文少述，且说贾妃看了四字，笑道：“‘花溆’二字便妥，何必，‘蓼汀’？”侍座太监听了，忙下小舟登岸，飞传与贾政。贾政听了，即忙移换。一时，舟临内岸，复弃舟上舆，便见琳宫绰约，桂殿巍峨。石牌坊上明显“天仙宝境”四字，贾妃忙命换“省亲别墅”四字。于是进入行宫。但见庭燎烧空，香屑布地，火树琪花，金窗玉槛。说不尽帘卷虾须，毯铺鱼獭，鼎飘麝脑之香，屏列雉尾之扇。真是：

金門玉戶神仙府，桂殿蘭宮妃子家。Gates of gold and doors of jade — a home fit for immortals; halls of cassia and chambers of orchid — the residence of a consort.

金门玉户神仙府，桂殿兰宫妃子家。

賈妃乃問：“此殿何無匾額？”隨侍太監跪啟曰：“此系正殿，外臣未敢擅擬。”賈妃點頭不語。Consort Jia then asked, "Why does this hall have no plaque?" The attendant eunuch knelt and reported, "This is the main hall; officials from outside dared not presume to compose one on their own." Consort Jia nodded and said nothing.禮儀太監跪請升座受禮，兩陛樂起。The eunuch of ceremonies knelt and requested that she ascend her seat to receive the obeisances, and music struck up on both sides of the steps.禮儀太監二人引賈赦，賈政等于月台下排班，殿上昭容傳諭曰：“免。”太監引賈赦等退出。Two ceremonial eunuchs led Jia She, Jia Zheng, and the others to form ranks below the terrace; from the hall the Consort issued the decree, "Dispense with the rites." The eunuchs then led Jia She and the others out.又有太監引榮國太君及女眷等自東階升月台上排班，昭容再諭曰：“免。”于是引退。Then eunuchs led the Dowager Lady of Rongguo and the womenfolk up the east stairs to form ranks on the terrace, and the Consort again decreed, "Dispense with the rites," whereupon they were led out.

贾妃乃问：“此殿何无匾额？”随侍太监跪启曰：“此系正殿，外臣未敢擅拟。”贾妃点头不语。礼仪太监跪请升座受礼，两陛乐起。礼仪太监二人引贾赦，贾政等于月台下排班，殿上昭容传谕曰：“免。”太监引贾赦等退出。又有太监引荣国太君及女眷等自东阶升月台上排班，昭容再谕曰：“免。”于是引退。

茶已三獻，賈妃降座，樂止。Tea having been offered three times, Consort Jia rose from her seat, and the music ceased.退入側殿更衣，方備省親車駕出園。She withdrew into the side hall to change her robes, and only then were the carriages prepared for her visit-home procession to leave the garden.至賈母正室，欲行家禮，賈母等俱跪止不迭。When she reached Grandmother Jia's main chamber and wished to perform the family courtesies, Grandmother Jia and the others knelt at once to stop her.賈妃滿眼垂淚，方彼此上前廝見，一手攙賈母，一手攙王夫人，三個人滿心里皆有許多話，只是俱說不出，只管嗚咽對泣。Consort Jia's eyes brimmed with tears; only then did they step forward to greet one another, she supporting Grandmother Jia with one hand and Lady Wang with the other. The three of them had a great many words in their hearts, yet none could get them out, and could only sob and weep facing one another.邢夫人，李紈，王熙鳳，迎，探，惜三姊妹等，俱在旁圍繞，垂淚無言。Lady Xing, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, and the three sisters Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun all stood clustered around, shedding tears in silence.半日，賈妃方忍悲強笑，安慰賈母，王夫人道：“當日既送我到那不得見人的去處，好容易今日回家娘兒們一會，不說說笑笑，反倒哭起來。After a good while, Consort Jia at last held back her grief and forced a smile, comforting Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, saying, "Once you sent me off to that place where one cannot even be seen, and now that mother and daughters have with such difficulty come together again today, instead of talking and laughing, we've started crying instead.一會子我去了，又不知多早晚才來！”說到這句，不禁又哽咽起來。In a little while I shall be gone again, and there's no telling when I'll be able to come back!" Reaching these words, she could not help choking with sobs once more.邢夫人等忙上來解勸。Lady Xing and the others hurried forward to console and reason with her.賈母等讓賈妃歸座，又逐次一一見過，又不免哭泣一番。Grandmother Jia and the others invited Consort Jia to return to her seat, and then, one by one in turn, everyone was received in greeting, which again brought on a spell of weeping.然後東西兩府掌家執事人丁在廳外行禮，及兩府掌家執事媳婦領丫鬟等行禮畢。After that, the household stewards and staff of the two mansions, east and west, performed their obeisances outside the hall, followed by the stewards' wives leading the maidservants in paying their respects.賈妃因問：“薛姨媽，寶釵，黛玉因何不見？”王夫人啟曰：“外眷無職，未敢擅入。”賈妃聽了，忙命快請。Consort Jia then asked, "Why do I not see Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Daiyu?" Lady Wang reported, "As relatives from outside the family with no official rank, they dared not presume to enter uninvited." On hearing this, Consort Jia quickly ordered that they be invited in at once.一時，薛姨媽等進來，欲行國禮，亦命免過，上前各敘闊別寒溫。In a moment, Aunt Xue and the others came in, and when they wished to perform the formal court obeisances, she likewise bade them dispense with it, and they came forward to exchange the pleasantries of long absence.又有賈妃原帶進宮去的丫鬟抱琴等上來叩見，賈母等連忙扶起，命人別室款待。Then the maids such as Baoqin, whom Consort Jia had originally taken into the palace with her, came forward to kowtow in greeting; Grandmother Jia and the others hastily raised them up and ordered that they be entertained in another room.執事太監及彩嬪，昭容各侍從人等，宁國府及賈赦那宅兩處自有人款待，只留三四個小太監答應。The eunuchs on duty, along with the Chosen Consorts, the Zhaorong lady, and their various attendants, were entertained by people specially assigned at the Ningguo mansion and at Jia She's residence, and only three or four young eunuchs were kept back to attend to calls.母女姊妹深敘些離別情景，及家務私情。Mother and daughter, and the sisters, spoke at length of the circumstances of their separation and of private family matters.又有賈政至帘外問安，賈妃垂帘行參等事。Then Jia Zheng came to the outside of the curtain to pay his respects, and Consort Jia, with the curtain lowered, performed the rites of audience with him.又隔帘含淚謂其父曰：“田舍之家，雖齏鹽布帛，終能聚天倫之樂，今雖富貴已极，骨肉各方，然終無意趣！”賈政亦含淚啟道：“臣，草莽寒門，鳩群鴉屬之中，豈意得征鳳鸞之瑞。Then, through the curtain and with tears in her eyes, she said to her father, "A rustic family, though it live on pickled greens and coarse cloth, can still gather in the joy of natural kinship; now, though our wealth and rank have reached their utmost, flesh and blood are scattered to separate quarters, and in the end there is no real pleasure in it!" Jia Zheng, likewise with tears, replied, "Your servant, of humble and lowly stock, amid a flock of doves and crows, how could I have dreamed of receiving the auspicious sign of a phoenix and simurgh.今貴人上錫天恩，下昭祖德，此皆山川日月之精奇，祖宗之遠德鐘于一人，幸及政夫婦。Now that Your Grace, above, has been granted Heaven's favor, and, below, has made manifest our ancestors' virtue, this is all due to the marvelous essence of mountains, rivers, sun, and moon, and to the far-reaching virtue of our forebears concentrated in a single person, extending its fortune even to Zheng and his wife.且今上啟天地生物之大德，垂古今未有之曠恩，雖肝腦涂地，臣子豈能得報于萬一！Moreover, His Majesty has opened forth the great virtue of Heaven and Earth in bringing living things to life, and bestowed a boundless grace unknown in all of past and present; even were his subjects to smear the ground with their liver and brains, how could they repay even one part in ten thousand!惟朝乾夕惕，忠于厥職外，願我君萬壽千秋，乃天下蒼生之同幸也。We can only, being diligent from morning till night and vigilant from dusk to dawn, be loyal to our duties, and beyond that wish our Sovereign ten thousand years of life for a thousand autumns — this is the shared good fortune of all the common people under Heaven.貴妃切勿以政夫婦殘年為念，懣憤金怀，更祈自加珍愛。Your Grace must by no means trouble your thoughts over the remaining years of Zheng and his wife, nor let vexation weigh upon your golden bosom; I further beg you to take all the more care of yourself.惟業業兢兢，勤慎恭肅以侍上，庶不負上体貼眷愛如此之隆恩也。”賈妃亦囑”只以國事為重，暇時保養，切勿記念”等語。Only by being ever diligent and cautious, serving His Majesty with diligence, prudence, reverence, and solemnity, may we prove not unworthy of such lofty grace, of his considerate favor and affection." Consort Jia likewise charged him with such words as, "Regard the affairs of state as paramount; in your leisure time, take care of your health, and by no means dwell on me."賈政又啟：“園中所有亭台軒館，皆系寶玉所題，如果有一二稍可寓目者，請別賜名為幸。”元妃聽了寶玉能題，便含笑說：“果進益了。”賈政退出。Jia Zheng further reported, "All the pavilions, terraces, and lodges within the garden have had their names proposed by Baoyu; if one or two are at all fit to be looked upon, I would be fortunate if you would graciously bestow other names upon them." On hearing that Baoyu was able to compose such names, Yuanchun said with a smile, "He has indeed made progress." Jia Zheng then withdrew.賈妃見寶，林二人亦發比別姊妹不同，真是姣花軟玉一般。Consort Jia noticed that Baoyu and Daiyu, the two of them, were more than ever unlike the other sisters — truly like delicate flowers and soft jade.因問：“寶玉為何不進見？”賈母乃啟：“無諭，外男不敢擅入。”元妃命快引進來。So she asked, "Why has Baoyu not come in to be received?" Grandmother Jia then reported, "Without your command, a male from outside the inner quarters dared not presume to enter." Yuanchun ordered that he be brought in at once.小太監出去引寶玉進來，先行國禮畢，元妃命他進前，攜手攔于怀內，又撫其頭頸笑道：“比先竟長了好些……”一語未終，淚如雨下。A young eunuch went out to lead Baoyu in; after he had first performed the formal court obeisances, Yuanchun bade him come forward, took his hand and drew him into her embrace, and stroking his neck said with a smile, "You've really grown so much taller than before..." Before she could finish speaking, her tears fell like rain.

茶已三献，贾妃降座，乐止。退入侧殿更衣，方备省亲车驾出园。至贾母正室，欲行家礼，贾母等俱跪止不迭。贾妃满眼垂泪，方彼此上前厮见，一手搀贾母，一手搀王夫人，三个人满心里皆有许多话，只是俱说不出，只管呜咽对泣。邢夫人，李纨，王熙凤，迎，探，惜三姊妹等，俱在旁围绕，垂泪无言。半日，贾妃方忍悲强笑，安慰贾母，王夫人道：“当日既送我到那不得见人的去处，好容易今日回家娘儿们一会，不说说笑笑，反倒哭起来。一会子我去了，又不知多早晚才来！”说到这句，不禁又哽咽起来。邢夫人等忙上来解劝。贾母等让贾妃归座，又逐次一一见过，又不免哭泣一番。然后东西两府掌家执事人丁在厅外行礼，及两府掌家执事媳妇领丫鬟等行礼毕。贾妃因问：“薛姨妈，宝钗，黛玉因何不见？”王夫人启曰：“外眷无职，未敢擅入。”贾妃听了，忙命快请。一时，薛姨妈等进来，欲行国礼，亦命免过，上前各叙阔别寒温。又有贾妃原带进宫去的丫鬟抱琴等上来叩见，贾母等连忙扶起，命人别室款待。执事太监及彩嫔，昭容各侍从人等，宁国府及贾赦那宅两处自有人款待，只留三四个小太监答应。母女姊妹深叙些离别情景，及家务私情。又有贾政至帘外问安，贾妃垂帘行参等事。又隔帘含泪谓其父曰：“田舍之家，虽齑盐布帛，终能聚天伦之乐，今虽富贵已极，骨肉各方，然终无意趣！”贾政亦含泪启道：“臣，草莽寒门，鸠群鸦属之中，岂意得征凤鸾之瑞。今贵人上锡天恩，下昭祖德，此皆山川日月之精奇，祖宗之远德钟于一人，幸及政夫妇。且今上启天地生物之大德，垂古今未有之旷恩，虽肝脑涂地，臣子岂能得报于万一！惟朝干夕惕，忠于厥职外，愿我君万寿千秋，乃天下苍生之同幸也。贵妃切勿以政夫妇残年为念，懑愤金怀，更祈自加珍爱。惟业业兢兢，勤慎恭肃以侍上，庶不负上体贴眷爱如此之隆恩也。”贾妃亦嘱”只以国事为重，暇时保养，切勿记念”等语。贾政又启：“园中所有亭台轩馆，皆系宝玉所题，如果有一二稍可寓目者，请别赐名为幸。”元妃听了宝玉能题，便含笑说：“果进益了。”贾政退出。贾妃见宝，林二人亦发比别姊妹不同，真是姣花软玉一般。因问：“宝玉为何不进见？”贾母乃启：“无谕，外男不敢擅入。”元妃命快引进来。小太监出去引宝玉进来，先行国礼毕，元妃命他进前，携手拦于怀内，又抚其头颈笑道：“比先竟长了好些……”一语未终，泪如雨下。

尤氏，鳳姐等上來啟道：“筵宴齊備，請貴妃游幸。”元妃等起身，命寶玉導引，遂同諸人步至園門前，早見燈光火樹之中，諸般羅列非常。You-shi, Xifeng, and the others came forward and reported, "The banquet is all prepared; we beg Your Grace to proceed on your tour." Yuanchun then rose, bade Baoyu lead the way, and together with everyone walked to the front of the garden gate, where amid trees ablaze with lanterns, all manner of things were arrayed in extraordinary splendor.進園來先從“有鳳來儀”，“紅香綠玉”，“杏帘在望”，“蘅芷清芬”等處，登樓步閣，涉水緣山，百般眺覽徘徊。Entering the garden, they went first to such places as "The Phoenix Dance," "Crimson Fragrance and Green Jade," "Apricot Banner in Sight," and "Fragrant Clarity of Hengwu and Angelica," climbing towers and walking through pavilions, crossing waters and following the hills, gazing about and lingering in every direction.一處處鋪陳不一，一樁樁點綴新奇。Each and every place was arrayed differently, each and every feature adorned with fresh novelty.賈妃极加獎贊，又勸：“以後不可太奢，此皆過分之极。”已而至正殿，諭免禮歸座，大開筵宴。Consort Jia praised it all most highly, yet also cautioned, "In future there must be no such extravagance — all this is utterly excessive." Presently they arrived at the main hall, where she decreed that the ceremonial courtesies be dispensed with and everyone return to their seats, and the grand banquet was thrown open.賈母等在下相陪，尤氏，李紈，鳳姐等親捧羹把盞。Grandmother Jia and the others sat below to keep her company, while You-shi, Li Wan, Xifeng, and the rest personally carried the soup and held the wine cups.

尤氏，凤姐等上来启道：“筵宴齐备，请贵妃游幸。”元妃等起身，命宝玉导引，遂同诸人步至园门前，早见灯光火树之中，诸般罗列非常。进园来先从“有凤来仪”，“红香绿玉”，“杏帘在望”，“蘅芷清芬”等处，登楼步阁，涉水缘山，百般眺览徘徊。一处处铺陈不一，一桩桩点缀新奇。贾妃极加奖赞，又劝：“以后不可太奢，此皆过分之极。”已而至正殿，谕免礼归座，大开筵宴。贾母等在下相陪，尤氏，李纨，凤姐等亲捧羹把盏。

元妃乃命傳筆硯伺候，親搦湘管，擇其幾處最喜者賜名。Yuanchun then ordered brush and inkstone to be brought and made ready, and taking a bamboo brush in her own hand, chose a few of the spots she liked best to bestow names upon.按其書云：Following what she wrote, it read:

元妃乃命传笔砚伺候，亲搦湘管，择其几处最喜者赐名。按其书云：

“顧恩思義”匾額Plaque: "Mindful of Grace, Thinking on Duty"

“顾恩思义”匾额

天地啟宏慈，赤子蒼頭同感戴，Heaven and Earth have opened forth their great compassion; newborn babe and gray-haired elder alike feel gratitude and reverence,

天地启宏慈，赤子苍头同感戴，

古今垂曠典，九州萬國被恩榮。Past and present alike have handed down this boundless statute; the Nine Provinces and ten thousand lands are covered in its gracious glory.

古今垂旷典，九州万国被恩荣。

此一匾一聯書于正殿。This one plaque and this one couplet were inscribed in the main hall.

此一匾一联书于正殿。

“大觀園”園之名，“有鳳來儀”賜名曰“瀟湘館”，“紅香綠玉”改作“怡紅快綠”，即名曰“怡紅院”，“蘅芷清芬”賜名曰“蘅蕪苑”，“杏帘在望”賜名曰“浣葛山莊”，正樓曰“大觀樓”。The garden itself was named "Grand View Garden"; "The Phoenix Dance" was bestowed the name "Bamboo Lodge"; "Crimson Fragrance and Green Jade" was changed to "Happy Red and Delightful Green," and thus named "Happy Red Court"; "Fragrant Clarity of Hengwu and Angelica" was bestowed the name "Hengwu Court"; "Apricot Banner in Sight" was bestowed the name "Washed-Kudzu Farmstead"; and the main tower was called "Grand View Tower."東面飛樓曰“綴錦閣”，西面斜樓曰“含芳閣”、更有“蓼風軒”，“藕香榭”，“紫菱洲”，“荇葉渚”等名，又有四字的匾額十數個，諸如“梨花春雨”，“桐剪秋風”，“荻蘆夜雪”等名，此時悉難全記。The soaring tower on the east was called "Pavilion of Embroidered Brocade," and the slanting tower on the west "Pavilion Holding Fragrance"; there were further such names as "Knotweed-Wind Lodge," "Lotus-Fragrance Pavilion," "Purple Caltrop Isle," and "Water-Chestnut-Leaf Shoal," along with a dozen or more four-character plaques bearing such names as "Pear Blossoms in Spring Rain," "Wutong Leaves Trimmed by Autumn Wind," and "Reeds and Rushes in Night Snow" — at this point too many to recall in full.又命舊有匾聯俱不必摘去。She further ordered that the old plaques and couplets need not all be taken down.于是先題一絕云：Thereupon she first inscribed a quatrain, which read:

“大观园”园之名，“有凤来仪”赐名曰“潇湘馆”，“红香绿玉”改作“怡红快绿”，即名曰“怡红院”，“蘅芷清芬”赐名曰“蘅芜苑”，“杏帘在望”赐名曰“浣葛山庄”，正楼曰“大观楼”。东面飞楼曰“缀锦阁”，西面斜楼曰“含芳阁”、更有“蓼风轩”，“藕香榭”，“紫菱洲”，“荇叶渚”等名，又有四字的匾额十数个，诸如“梨花春雨”，“桐剪秋风”，“荻芦夜雪”等名，此时悉难全记。又命旧有匾联俱不必摘去。于是先题一绝云：

銜山抱水建來精，多少工夫筑始成。Embracing the hills and enfolding the waters, it was built with exquisite skill; how much labor it took before its construction was complete.

衔山抱水建来精，多少工夫筑始成。

天上人間諸景備，芳園應錫大觀名。All the scenes of Heaven above and the human world below are here complete; this fragrant garden well deserves the name of Grand View.

天上人间诸景备，芳园应锡大观名。

寫畢，向諸姊妹笑道：“我素乏捷才，且不長于吟詠，妹輩素所深知。Having finished writing, she turned to the sisters and said with a smile, "I have always lacked quick wit, and am moreover no good at composing verse, as you sisters have long known well.今夜聊以塞責，不負斯景而已。Tonight I have merely done enough to discharge my duty, so as not to do injustice to this scenery, nothing more.异日少暇，必補撰《大觀園記》并《省親頌》等文，以記今日之事。Some other day, when I have a little leisure, I shall certainly write in full such pieces as 'A Record of Grand View Garden' and 'An Ode to the Visit Home,' so as to record what has happened today.妹輩亦各題一匾一詩，隨才之長短，亦暫吟成，不可因我微才所縛。You sisters too should each inscribe a plaque and a poem; according to whatever talent each of you has, compose something for now — you must not let yourselves be bound by my meager talent.且喜寶玉竟知題詠，是我意外之想。And I am delighted that Baoyu actually knows how to compose inscriptions — that was beyond what I had expected.此中‘瀟湘館’，‘蘅蕪苑’二處，我所极愛，次之‘怡紅院’，‘浣葛山庄’，此四大處，必得別有章句題詠方妙。Among these, 'Bamboo Lodge' and 'Hengwu Court' are the two places I love the most, and next come 'Happy Red Court' and 'Washed-Kudzu Farmstead' — for these four great places, it would be best if there were separate verses composed for them.前所題之聯雖佳，如今再各賦五言律一首，使我當面試過，方不負我自幼教授之苦心。”寶玉只得答應了，下來自去构思。Though the couplets inscribed earlier are fine, now compose in addition a five-character regulated verse for each, so that I may test them before me, and thus not let go to waste the pains I took teaching you since childhood." Baoyu had no choice but to agree, and withdrew to think it over on his own.

写毕，向诸姊妹笑道：“我素乏捷才，且不长于吟咏，妹辈素所深知。今夜聊以塞责，不负斯景而已。异日少暇，必补撰《大观园记》并《省亲颂》等文，以记今日之事。妹辈亦各题一匾一诗，随才之长短，亦暂吟成，不可因我微才所缚。且喜宝玉竟知题咏，是我意外之想。此中‘潇湘馆’，‘蘅芜苑’二处，我所极爱，次之‘怡红院’，‘浣葛山庄’，此四大处，必得别有章句题咏方妙。前所题之联虽佳，如今再各赋五言律一首，使我当面试过，方不负我自幼教授之苦心。”宝玉只得答应了，下来自去构思。

迎，探，惜三人之中，要算探春又出于姊妹之上，然自忖亦難與薛林爭衡，只得勉強隨眾塞責而已。Of the three, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun, Tanchun was reckoned to surpass the other sisters, yet she herself judged that she could still hardly compete with Xue and Lin, and could only force herself to go along with the others and simply fulfill the requirement.李紈也勉強湊成一律。Li Wan too forced herself to piece together one regulated verse.賈妃先挨次看姊妹們的，寫道是：Consort Jia first read through the sisters' poems in order; they read as follows:

迎，探，惜三人之中，要算探春又出于姊妹之上，然自忖亦难与薛林争衡，只得勉强随众塞责而已。李纨也勉强凑成一律。贾妃先挨次看姊妹们的，写道是：

“曠性怡情”匾額Plaque: "Broadening the Nature, Delighting the Heart"

“旷性怡情”匾额

迎春Yingchun

園成景備特精奇，奉命羞題額曠怡。The garden complete, its scenery all in place, uniquely fine and rare; charged with the command, I bashfully inscribe the plaque 'Broadening and Delighting.'

园成景备特精奇，奉命羞题额旷怡。

誰信世間有此境，游來宁不暢神思？Who would believe such a realm exists in this world? Wandering through it, how could one's spirit fail to feel unbounded ease?

谁信世间有此境，游来宁不畅神思？

“萬象爭輝”匾額Plaque: "Ten Thousand Forms Vying in Splendor"

“万象争辉”匾额

探春Tanchun

名園筑出勢巍巍，奉命何慚學淺微。The renowned garden is built up towering and majestic; charged with this command, how I am ashamed of my shallow learning.

名园筑出势巍巍，奉命何惭学浅微。

精妙一時言不出，果然萬物生光輝。Its exquisite subtlety I cannot put into words all at once — truly, all things here give off their own splendor.

精妙一时言不出，果然万物生光辉。

“文章造化”匾額Plaque: "Nature's Handiwork of Literary Art"

“文章造化”匾额

惜春Xichun

山水橫拖千里外，樓臺高起五雲中。Hills and waters stretch out beyond a thousand leagues; towers and terraces rise up high amid five-colored clouds.

山水横拖千里外，楼台高起五云中。

園修日月光輝里，景奪文章造化功。The garden is fashioned within the radiance of sun and moon; its scenery outshines the very handiwork of Creation's own literary art.

园修日月光辉里，景夺文章造化功。

“文采風流”匾額Plaque: "Literary Grace and Romantic Charm"

“文采风流”匾额

李紈Li Wan

李纨

秀水明山抱复回，風流文采胜蓬萊。Lovely waters and bright hills embrace and wind back upon themselves; its romantic charm and literary grace surpass even Penglai.

秀水明山抱复回，风流文采胜蓬莱。

綠裁歌扇迷芳草，紅襯湘裙舞落梅。Green is cut into song-fans that bewilder the fragrant grass; red sets off Xiang skirts dancing amid falling plum blossoms.

绿裁歌扇迷芳草，红衬湘裙舞落梅。

珠玉自應傳盛世，神仙何幸下瑤臺。Pearls and jade should rightly be handed down through this flourishing age; how fortunate that immortals have descended from the Jasper Terrace.

珠玉自应传盛世，神仙何幸下瑶台。

名園一自邀游賞，未許凡人到此來。Ever since this renowned garden first invited one to roam and admire it, no mortal has been permitted to come here.

名园一自邀游赏，未许凡人到此来。

“凝暉鐘瑞”匾額Plaque: "Gathered Radiance, Concentrated Auspice"

“凝晖钟瑞”匾额

薛寶釵Xue Baochai

薛宝钗

芳園筑向帝城西，華日祥雲籠罩奇。The fragrant garden is built facing the west of the Imperial City; splendid sun and auspicious clouds enfold it in wonder.

芳园筑向帝城西，华日祥云笼罩奇。

高柳喜遷鶯出谷，修篁時待鳳來儀。Tall willows rejoice as orioles move on from the valley; slender bamboo waits ever for the phoenix to come in stately dance.

高柳喜迁莺出谷，修篁时待凤来仪。

文風已著宸游夕，孝化應隆歸省時。The airs of culture are already made manifest on this evening of the imperial excursion; the transformation wrought by filial piety should flourish all the more at this time of the visit home.

文风已著宸游夕，孝化应隆归省时。

睿藻仙才盈彩筆，自慚何敢再為辭。Your sagely compositions and immortal talent already fill the ornamented brush — I am ashamed, and dare not presume to add further words of my own.

睿藻仙才盈彩笔，自惭何敢再为辞。

“世外仙源”匾額Plaque: "A Fairy Spring Beyond This World"

“世外仙源”匾额

林黛玉Lin Daiyu

名園筑何處，仙境別紅塵。Where has this renowned garden been built? A fairy realm set apart from the dusty world.

名园筑何处，仙境别红尘。

借得山川秀，添來景物新。It has borrowed the beauty of hills and streams, and added fresh scenery of its own.

借得山川秀，添来景物新。

香融金谷酒，花媚玉堂人。Its fragrance melts into the wine of Golden Valley; its flowers charm the people of the Jade Hall.

何幸邀恩寵，宮車過往頻。What good fortune, to be favored with such grace, that the palace carriage should pass this way so often.

何幸邀恩宠，宫车过往频。

賈妃看畢，稱賞一番，又笑道：“終是薛林二妹之作與眾不同，非愚姊妹可同列者。”原來林黛玉安心今夜大展奇才，將眾人壓倒，不想賈妃只命一匾一詠，倒不好違諭多作，只胡亂作一首五言律應景罷了。Having read them all, Consort Jia praised them for a while, then said with a smile, "In the end, the work of my two sisters Xue and Lin is unlike that of the rest — none of my other sisters can be ranked alongside them." As it happened, Lin Daiyu had set her heart on displaying her extraordinary talent to the full that night and outshining everyone else; she had not expected that Consort Jia would only order one plaque and one poem each, so that it would not do to disobey the command and compose more, and she had no choice but to dash off just one five-character regulated verse to suit the occasion.

贾妃看毕，称赏一番，又笑道：“终是薛林二妹之作与众不同，非愚姊妹可同列者。”原来林黛玉安心今夜大展奇才，将众人压倒，不想贾妃只命一匾一咏，倒不好违谕多作，只胡乱作一首五言律应景罢了。

彼時寶玉尚未作完，只剛作了“瀟湘館”與“蘅蕪苑”二首，正作“怡紅院”一首，起草內有“綠玉春猶卷”一句。At that time Baoyu had not yet finished; he had only just completed the two poems for "Bamboo Lodge" and "Hengwu Court," and was in the midst of composing the one for "Happy Red Court," having drafted within it the line "Green jade, in spring, its leaves still curled."寶釵轉眼瞥見，便趁眾人不理論，急忙回身悄推他道：“他因不喜‘紅香綠玉’四字，改了‘怡紅快綠’，你這會子偏用‘綠玉’二字，豈不是有意和他爭馳了？Baochai's glance happened to fall on it, and while no one else was paying attention, she hastily turned and quietly nudged him, saying, "Since she disliked the four characters 'Crimson Fragrance and Green Jade' and changed them to 'Happy Red and Delightful Green,' if you now go and use the words 'green jade' of all things, wouldn't it look as though you meant to vie with her intentionally?況且蕉葉之說也頗多，再想一個字改了罷。”寶玉見寶釵如此說，便拭汗道：“我這會子總想不起什麼典故出處來。”寶釵笑道：“你只把‘綠玉’的‘玉’字改作‘蜡’字就是了。”寶玉道：“‘綠蜡’可有出處？”寶釵見問，悄悄的咂嘴點頭笑道：“虧你今夜不過如此，將來金殿對策，你大約連‘趙錢孫李’都忘了呢！Besides, there is already a good deal to be said about the term 'banana leaf' — better think of some other word and change it." When Baoyu heard Baochai say this, he wiped away his sweat and said, "Just now I simply cannot recall what allusion or source to draw on." Baochai said with a smile, "Just change the character 'jade' in 'green jade' to the character 'wax,' and that will do." Baoyu said, "Does 'green wax' have any source?" On being asked this, Baochai clicked her tongue softly, nodded, and said with a smile, "It's a pity — if this is all you can manage tonight, then when it comes to answering the Emperor's examination questions in the golden hall someday, you'll probably even forget the likes of 'Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li'!唐錢珝詠芭蕉詩頭一句：‘冷燭無煙綠蜡乾’，你都忘了不成？”寶玉聽了，不覺洞開心臆，笑道：“該死，該死！The very first line of the Tang poet Qian Xu's poem in praise of the banana plant is: 'The cold candle, smokeless, its green wax dry' — have you really forgotten even that?" On hearing this, Baoyu felt his mind suddenly thrown wide open, and said with a laugh, "I deserve to die, I deserve to die!現成眼前之物偏倒想不起來了，真可謂‘一字師’了。Something ready-made right before my eyes, and yet I of all people couldn't recall it — you may truly be called a 'one-word teacher.'從此後我只叫你師父，再不叫姐姐了。”寶釵亦悄悄的笑道：“還不快作上去，只管姐姐妹妹的。From now on I shall call you nothing but Master, and never again call you elder sister." Baochai too said quietly with a smile, "Hurry up and get on with your writing instead of going on about 'elder sister' this and that.誰是你姐姐？Who is your elder sister?那上頭穿黃袍的才是你姐姐，你又認我這姐姐來了。”一面說笑，因說笑又怕他耽延工夫，遂抽身走開了。The one up there wearing the yellow robe — she is your elder sister; and here you are claiming me as your elder sister too." Even as she spoke and jested, she grew afraid that the talking and joking would delay his work, and so she slipped away.寶玉只得續成，共有了三首。Baoyu had no choice but to go on and finish, so that he now had three poems in all.

彼时宝玉尚未作完，只刚作了“潇湘馆”与“蘅芜苑”二首，正作“怡红院”一首，起草内有“绿玉春犹卷”一句。宝钗转眼瞥见，便趁众人不理论，急忙回身悄推他道：“他因不喜‘红香绿玉’四字，改了‘怡红快绿’，你这会子偏用‘绿玉’二字，岂不是有意和他争驰了？况且蕉叶之说也颇多，再想一个字改了罢。”宝玉见宝钗如此说，便拭汗道：“我这会子总想不起什么典故出处来。”宝钗笑道：“你只把‘绿玉’的‘玉’字改作‘蜡’字就是了。”宝玉道：“‘绿蜡’可有出处？”宝钗见问，悄悄的咂嘴点头笑道：“亏你今夜不过如此，将来金殿对策，你大约连‘赵钱孙李’都忘了呢！唐钱珝咏芭蕉诗头一句：‘冷烛无烟绿蜡干’，你都忘了不成？”宝玉听了，不觉洞开心臆，笑道：“该死，该死！现成眼前之物偏倒想不起来了，真可谓‘一字师’了。从此后我只叫你师父，再不叫姐姐了。”宝钗亦悄悄的笑道：“还不快作上去，只管姐姐妹妹的。谁是你姐姐？那上头穿黄袍的才是你姐姐，你又认我这姐姐来了。”一面说笑，因说笑又怕他耽延工夫，遂抽身走开了。宝玉只得续成，共有了三首。

此時林黛玉未得展其抱負，自是不快。At this time, Lin Daiyu, not having gotten to display her ambitions to the full, was naturally displeased.因見寶玉獨作四律，大費神思，何不代他作兩首，也省他些精神不到之處。Seeing Baoyu laboring alone over four regulated verses and racking his brains a great deal over them, she thought, why not compose two of them in his place, and thereby spare him where his energy and attention fell short.想著，便也走至寶玉案旁，悄問：“可都有了？”寶玉道：“才有了三首，只少‘杏帘在望’一首了。”黛玉道：“既如此，你只抄錄前三首罷。With this thought, she too walked over to the side of Baoyu's writing table and asked quietly, "Are they all done?" Baoyu said, "I've only just got three; all that's missing is the one for 'Apricot Banner in Sight.'" Daiyu said, "In that case, you need only copy out the first three.赶你寫完那三首，我也替你作出這首了。”說畢，低頭一想，早已吟成一律，便寫在紙條上，搓成個團子，擲在他跟前。By the time you finish writing out those three, I shall have composed this one for you as well." No sooner had she said this than, lowering her head to think for a moment, she had already composed a regulated verse; she wrote it on a slip of paper, rolled it into a little ball, and tossed it before him.寶玉打開一看，只覺此首比自己所作的三首高過十倍，真是喜出望外，遂忙恭楷呈上。Baoyu opened it and looked, and felt at once that this poem surpassed his own three by tenfold; truly delighted beyond all expectation, he hastily copied it out in careful formal script and presented it.賈妃看道：Consort Jia read as follows:

此时林黛玉未得展其抱负，自是不快。因见宝玉独作四律，大费神思，何不代他作两首，也省他些精神不到之处。想著，便也走至宝玉案旁，悄问：“可都有了？”宝玉道：“才有了三首，只少‘杏帘在望’一首了。”黛玉道：“既如此，你只抄录前三首罢。赶你写完那三首，我也替你作出这首了。”说毕，低头一想，早已吟成一律，便写在纸条上，搓成个团子，掷在他跟前。宝玉打开一看，只觉此首比自己所作的三首高过十倍，真是喜出望外，遂忙恭楷呈上。贾妃看道：

有鳳來儀The Phoenix Dance

有凤来仪

臣寶玉謹題Respectfully inscribed by your servant Baoyu

臣宝玉谨题

秀玉初成實，堪宜待鳳凰。The lovely bamboo has just borne its first fruit-like joints, fit indeed to await the phoenix.

秀玉初成实，堪宜待凤凰。

竿竿青欲滴，個個綠生涼。Stalk upon stalk, its green seems ready to drip; joint upon joint, its verdure breathes a coolness.

竿竿青欲滴，个个绿生凉。

迸砌妨階水，穿帘礙鼎香。Bursting through the paving stones, it hinders the water on the steps; piercing through the blinds, it obstructs the incense from the tripod.

迸砌妨阶水，穿帘碍鼎香。

莫搖清碎影，好夢晝初長。Do not stir its clear, broken shadows — a fine dream, in the daytime, has only just begun to lengthen.

莫摇清碎影，好梦昼初长。

蘅芷清芬The Fragrant Clarity of Hengwu and Angelica

蘅蕪滿淨苑，蘿薜助芬芳。Hengwu grass fills the pure garden entire; trailing vines and creeping fig lend it their fragrance.

蘅芜满净苑，萝薜助芬芳。

軟襯三春草，柔拖一縷香。Softly it sets off the grasses of the three months of spring; gently it trails a single thread of scent.

软衬三春草，柔拖一缕香。

輕煙迷曲徑，冷翠滴回廊。Light mist bewilders the winding paths; cool jade-green drips along the veranda that turns back on itself.

轻烟迷曲径，冷翠滴回廊。

誰謂池塘曲，謝家幽夢長。Who would say it is only in the winding pond of Xie's household that such a secluded dream lingers long?

谁谓池塘曲，谢家幽梦长。

怡紅快綠Happy Red, Delightful Green

怡红快绿

深庭長日靜，兩兩出嬋娟。In the deep courtyard, the long day is still; in pairs, graceful and lovely forms emerge.

深庭长日静，两两出婵娟。

綠蜡春猶卷，紅妝夜未眠。The green wax, in spring, its leaves still curled; the red-clad beauty, at night, has not yet gone to sleep.

绿蜡春犹卷，红妆夜未眠。

憑欄垂絳袖，倚石護青煙。Leaning on the balustrade, crimson sleeves drooping low; resting against the rock, sheltering the green mist.

凭栏垂绛袖，倚石护青烟。

對立東風里，主人應解怜。Standing there together in the east wind, the host must surely understand and cherish it.

对立东风里，主人应解怜。

杏帘在望"Apricot Banner in Sight"

杏帘招客飲，在望有山庄。The apricot banner beckons guests to come and drink; in sight there stands a mountain hermitage.

杏帘招客饮，在望有山庄。

菱荇鵝兒水，桑榆燕子梁。Water-caltrop and duckweed ripple where the goslings swim; mulberry and elm shade the beam where swallows nest.

菱荇鹅儿水，桑榆燕子梁。

一畦春韭綠，十里稻花香。A furrow of spring chives, green and fresh; ten li of rice in bloom, fragrant on the air.

一畦春韭绿，十里稻花香。

盛世無饑餒，何須耕織忙。In a age of peace and plenty none go hungry — why then need one toil so hard at plowing and weaving?

盛世无饥馁，何须耕织忙。

賈妃看畢，喜之不盡，說：“果然進益了！”又指“杏帘”一首為前三首之冠，遂將“浣葛山庄”改為”稻香村”。When Consort Jia finished reading, she was overjoyed beyond measure and said, "Indeed, you have all improved!" She further singled out "Apricot Banner in Sight" as the finest of the first three poems, and thereupon changed the name "Huange Hermitage" to "Rice-Fragrance Village."又命探春另以彩箋謄錄出方才一共十數首詩，出令太監傳與外廂。She also ordered Tanchun to copy out afresh, on colored notepaper, the more than a dozen poems just composed, and had the order passed by eunuch to the outer hall.賈政等看了，都稱頌不已。Jia Zheng and the others, having read them, praised them without end.賈政又進《歸省頌》。Jia Zheng further presented an "Ode on the Imperial Visit Home."元春又命以瓊酥金膾等物，賜與寶玉并賈蘭。Yuanchun then also ordered that fine pastries and minced delicacies and the like be bestowed upon Baoyu and Jia Lan.此時賈蘭极幼，未達諸事，只不過隨母依叔行禮，故無別傳。At this time Jia Lan was still very young and did not yet understand such matters; he merely followed his mother's lead and paid his respects alongside his uncle, so there is nothing further to relate of him.賈環從年內染病未痊，自有閒處調養，故亦無傳。Jia Huan had fallen ill earlier that year and had not yet recovered; he was resting and recuperating elsewhere, so there is likewise nothing to relate of him.

贾妃看毕，喜之不尽，说：“果然进益了！”又指“杏帘”一首为前三首之冠，遂将“浣葛山庄”改为”稻香村”。又命探春另以彩笺誊录出方才一共十数首诗，出令太监传与外厢。贾政等看了，都称颂不已。贾政又进《归省颂》。元春又命以琼酥金脍等物，赐与宝玉并贾兰。此时贾兰极幼，未达诸事，只不过随母依叔行礼，故无别传。贾环从年内染病未痊，自有闲处调养，故亦无传。

那時賈薔帶領十二個女戲，在樓下正等的不耐煩，只見一太監飛來說：“作完了詩，快拿戲目來！”賈薔急將錦冊呈上，并十二個花名單子。At that time Jia Qiang, leading the twelve young actresses, was waiting downstairs and growing impatient, when suddenly a eunuch came flying in and said, "The poems are finished — bring the opera program at once!" Jia Qiang hastily presented the brocade-covered booklet, along with the list of the twelve performers' names.少時，太監出來，只點了四出戲：第一出，《豪宴》，第二出，《乞巧》，第三出，《仙緣》，第四出，《離魂》。Shortly after, the eunuch came out and chose only four plays: the first, "The Lavish Banquet"; the second, "Begging for Skill"; the third, "Immortal Destiny"; the fourth, "The Parting Soul."

那时贾蔷带领十二个女戏，在楼下正等的不耐烦，只见一太监飞来说：“作完了诗，快拿戏目来！”贾蔷急将锦册呈上，并十二个花名单子。少时，太监出来，只点了四出戏：第一出，《豪宴》，第二出，《乞巧》，第三出，《仙缘》，第四出，《离魂》。

賈薔忙張羅扮演起來。Jia Qiang hurried to arrange for the performance to begin.一個個歌欺裂石之音，舞有天魔之態。Each of them sang with a voice fit to split stone, and danced with the bearing of heavenly spirits.雖是妝演的形容，卻作盡悲歡情狀。Though it was but the guise put on for performance, they rendered every shade of joy and sorrow to the fullest.剛演完了，一太監執一金盤糕點之屬進來，問：“誰是齡官？”賈薔便知是賜齡官之物，喜的忙接了，命齡官叩頭。Just as the performance ended, a eunuch came in bearing a gold tray of cakes and the like, and asked, "Which one is Lingguan?" Jia Qiang knew at once these were gifts bestowed upon Lingguan, and delightedly received them, telling Lingguan to kowtow in thanks.太監又道：“貴妃有諭，說‘齡官极好，再作兩出戲，不拘那兩出就是了’。”賈薔忙答應了，因命齡官作《游園》《驚夢》二出。The eunuch further said, "The Noble Consort's instructions are: 'Lingguan is excellent — let her perform two more scenes, any two will do.'" Jia Qiang hastily assented, and told Lingguan to perform the two scenes "A Stroll in the Garden" and "The Startling Dream."齡官自為此二出原非本角之戲，執意不作，定要作《相約》《相罵》二出。Lingguan, considering that these two scenes were not originally within her own role, insisted on refusing, and was determined instead to perform the two scenes "The Tryst" and "The Quarrel."賈薔扭他不過，只得依他作了。Jia Qiang could not overrule her, and had no choice but to let her have her way.賈妃甚喜，命“不可難為了這女孩子，好生教習”，額外賞了兩匹宮緞，兩個荷包并金銀錁子，食物之類。Consort Jia was greatly pleased, and ordered, "This girl must not be pressed too hard — train her well and gently," bestowing on her besides two bolts of palace satin, two purses, gold and silver ingots, and various foodstuffs.然後撤筵，將未到之處复又游頑。Afterward the banquet was cleared away, and she went once more to stroll through and enjoy the places she had not yet visited.忽見山環佛寺，忙另盥手進去焚香拜佛，又題一匾云：“苦海慈航”。Suddenly catching sight of a Buddhist temple ringed by hills, she hastened to wash her hands anew and went in to burn incense and worship the Buddha, and further inscribed a plaque reading "A Merciful Ferry Across the Sea of Suffering."又額外加恩與一般幽尼女道。She also extended special favor to the nuns and Daoist women there in general.

贾蔷忙张罗扮演起来。一个个歌欺裂石之音，舞有天魔之态。虽是妆演的形容，却作尽悲欢情状。刚演完了，一太监执一金盘糕点之属进来，问：“谁是龄官？”贾蔷便知是赐龄官之物，喜的忙接了，命龄官叩头。太监又道：“贵妃有谕，说‘龄官极好，再作两出戏，不拘那两出就是了’。”贾蔷忙答应了，因命龄官作《游园》《惊梦》二出。龄官自为此二出原非本角之戏，执意不作，定要作《相约》《相骂》二出。贾蔷扭他不过，只得依他作了。贾妃甚喜，命“不可难为了这女孩子，好生教习”，额外赏了两匹宫缎，两个荷包并金银锞子，食物之类。然后撤筵，将未到之处复又游顽。忽见山环佛寺，忙另盥手进去焚香拜佛，又题一匾云：“苦海慈航”。又额外加恩与一般幽尼女道。

少時，太監跪啟：“賜物俱齊，請驗等例。”乃呈上略節。Shortly after, a eunuch knelt and reported, "The gifts are all prepared; may it please you to review the scale of ranks." He then presented a summary list.賈妃從頭看了，俱甚妥協，即命照此遵行。Consort Jia read it through from start to finish, found everything quite fitting, and at once ordered that it be carried out accordingly.太監聽了，下來一一發放。The eunuch, having heard this, went down and distributed the gifts one by one.原來賈母的是金、玉如意各一柄，沉香拐拄一根，伽楠念珠一串，“富貴長春”宮緞四匹，“福壽綿長”宮綢四匹，紫金“筆錠如意”錁十錠，“吉慶有魚”銀錁十錠。It turned out that Grandmother Jia's share was: a gold ruyi scepter and a jade ruyi scepter, a cane of agarwood, a string of kalambac prayer beads, four bolts of palace satin patterned "Wealth, Rank, and Enduring Spring," four bolts of palace silk patterned "Fortune, Longevity, and Continuity," ten purple-gold ingots shaped "Brush and Ingot, as You Wish," and ten silver ingots shaped "Auspicious Joy, Fish in Abundance."邢夫人、王夫人二分，只減了如意，拐，珠四樣。The shares for Lady Xing and Lady Wang were the same, only lacking the four items — the ruyi scepters, the cane, and the prayer beads.賈敬、賈赦、賈政等，每分御製新書二部，寶墨二匣，金、銀爵各二隻，表禮按前。For Jia Jing, Jia She, Jia Zheng, and the rest, each share held two sets of newly printed imperial books, two cases of fine ink-sticks, two gold and two silver wine cups, with the customary gifts as before.寶釵，黛玉諸姊妹等，每人新書一部，寶硯一方，新樣格式金銀錁二對。Baochai, Daiyu, and the other cousins each received one set of the new books, one fine inkstone, and two pairs of gold and silver ingots in the new fashionable designs.寶玉亦同此。Baoyu received the very same.賈蘭則是金銀項圈二個，金銀錁二對。Jia Lan, however, received two gold and silver neck-rings, and two pairs of gold and silver ingots.尤氏、李紈、鳳姐等，皆金銀錁四錠，表禮四端。You-shi, Li Wan, Xifeng, and the others all received four gold and silver ingots each, and four items of customary gifts.外表禮二十四端，清錢一百串，是賜與賈母，王夫人及諸姊妹房中奶娘眾丫鬟的。Beyond that, twenty-four items of customary gifts and a hundred strings of cash were bestowed on the wet-nurses and maidservants in the households of Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the various young ladies.賈珍、賈璉、賈環、賈蓉等，皆是表禮一分，金錁一雙。Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan, Jia Rong, and the others each received one set of customary gifts and a pair of gold ingots.其餘彩緞百端，金銀千兩，御酒華筵，是賜東西兩府凡園中管理工程、陳設、答應及司戲、掌燈諸人的。The remainder — a hundred bolts of colored silk, a thousand taels of gold and silver, and imperial wine with a sumptuous feast — was bestowed on all those of the two households, East and West, who had overseen the garden's construction and furnishing, attended to duties there, staged the operas, or tended the lanterns.外有清錢五百串，是賜廚役、优怜、百戲、雜行人丁的。In addition there were five hundred strings of cash, given to the kitchen staff, actors and entertainers, performers of every kind of show, and other miscellaneous workers.

少时，太监跪启：“赐物俱齐，请验等例。”乃呈上略节。贾妃从头看了，俱甚妥协，即命照此遵行。太监听了，下来一一发放。原来贾母的是金、玉如意各一柄，沉香拐拄一根，伽楠念珠一串，“富贵长春”宫缎四匹，“福寿绵长”宫绸四匹，紫金“笔锭如意”锞十锭，“吉庆有鱼”银锞十锭。邢夫人、王夫人二分，只减了如意，拐，珠四样。贾敬、贾赦、贾政等，每分御制新书二部，宝墨二匣，金、银爵各二只，表礼按前。宝钗，黛玉诸姊妹等，每人新书一部，宝砚一方，新样格式金银锞二对。宝玉亦同此。贾兰则是金银项圈二个，金银锞二对。尤氏、李纨、凤姐等，皆金银锞四锭，表礼四端。外表礼二十四端，清钱一百串，是赐与贾母，王夫人及诸姊妹房中奶娘众丫鬟的。贾珍、贾琏、贾环、贾蓉等，皆是表礼一分，金锞一双。其余彩缎百端，金银千两，御酒华筵，是赐东西两府凡园中管理工程、陈设、答应及司戏、掌灯诸人的。外有清钱五百串，是赐厨役、优怜、百戏、杂行人丁的。

眾人謝恩已畢，執事太監啟道：“時已丑正三刻，請駕回鑾。”賈妃聽了，不由的滿眼又滾下淚來。When everyone had finished giving thanks for the imperial favor, the eunuch in charge reported, "It is now the third quarter of the hour of Chou; may Your Highness's carriage return to the palace." Hearing this, Consort Jia could not help but let her eyes brim over with tears once more.卻又勉強堆笑，拉住賈母，王夫人的手，緊緊的不忍釋放，再四叮嚀：“不須挂念，好生自養。Yet she forced a smile all the same, and taking hold of the hands of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, held them tightly, unable to bear letting go, admonishing them again and again: "There is no need to worry after me — take good care of yourselves.如今天恩浩蕩，一月許進內省視一次，見面是盡有的，何必傷慘。Now that the imperial favor is so boundless, I am permitted to come home for a visit once a month, so there will be chances enough to meet — why grieve so bitterly?倘明歲天恩仍許歸省，萬不可如此奢華靡費了！”賈母等已哭的哽噎難言了。Should Heaven's grace permit a visit home again next year, you must on no account be so extravagant and wasteful as this!" By now Grandmother Jia and the others were choked with sobs and could not speak.賈妃雖不忍別，怎奈皇家規范，違錯不得，只得忍心上輿去了。Though Consort Jia could not bear to part from them, there was nothing to be done — the rules of the imperial household could not be transgressed, and she had no choice but to steel her heart and mount her palanquin to leave.這里諸人好容易將賈母，王夫人安慰解勸，方才扶出園門進上房去了。Here, the assembled company only with great difficulty managed to comfort and console Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and only then supported them out through the garden gate and back into the main hall.要知端的，且看下回。To know what happened in the end, turn to the next chapter.

众人谢恩已毕，执事太监启道：“时已丑正三刻，请驾回銮。”贾妃听了，不由的满眼又滚下泪来。却又勉强堆笑，拉住贾母，王夫人的手，紧紧的不忍释放，再四叮咛：“不须挂念，好生自养。如今天恩浩荡，一月许进内省视一次，见面是尽有的，何必伤惨。倘明岁天恩仍许归省，万不可如此奢华靡费了！”贾母等已哭的哽噎难言了。贾妃虽不忍别，怎奈皇家规范，违错不得，只得忍心上舆去了。这里诸人好容易将贾母，王夫人安慰解劝，方才扶出园门进上房去了。要知端的，且看下回。

注释Notes