第十九回　　情切切良宵花解語　意綿綿靜日玉生香 On a Fine Night Tender Words Are Exchanged; On a Quiet Day Jade Gives Off Fragrance

話說賈妃回宮，次日見駕謝恩，并回奏歸省之事，龍顏甚悅。The story goes that after Consort Jia returned to the palace, the next day she had an audience with the Emperor to give thanks, and also reported on the matter of her home visit, which greatly pleased the Dragon Countenance.又發內帑彩緞金銀等物，以賜賈政及各椒房等員，不必細說。He further bestowed bolts of colored silk, gold, and silver from the privy purse upon Jia Zheng and the various consorts' relations — but these details need not be told at length.且說榮宁二府中因連日用盡心力，真是人人力倦，各各神疲，又將園中一應陳設動用之物收拾了兩三天方完。Now, in the two mansions of Rong and Ning, everyone had exhausted their energies over the preceding days — truly every person was worn out and every spirit fatigued — and it took two or three more days to put away all the furnishings and articles used in the Garden.第一個鳳姐事多任重，別人或可偷安躲靜，獨他是不能脫得的，二則本性要強，不肯落人褒貶，只扎掙著與無事的人一樣。Foremost, Xifeng had the most affairs and the heaviest responsibilities; others might steal a little ease and hide away in quiet, but she alone could not escape her duties. Moreover, being by nature unwilling to be outdone, she would not let herself fall short of others' praise, and so she forced herself to appear just as carefree as those with nothing to do.第一個寶玉是极無事最閒暇的。Foremost among the idle, Baoyu was the one with absolutely nothing to do and the most leisure of all.偏這日一早，襲人的母親又親來回過賈母，接襲人家去吃年茶，晚間才得回來。As it happened, that very morning Xiren's mother came in person to inform the Lady Dowager that she wished to take Xiren home to drink New Year's tea, and Xiren would not return until evening.因此，寶玉只和眾丫頭們擲骰子赶圍棋作戲。So Baoyu had only the maids to amuse himself with, throwing dice and playing at go.正在房內頑的沒興頭，忽見丫頭們來回說：“東府珍大爺來請過去看戲，放花燈。”寶玉聽了，便命換衣裳。Just as he was playing listlessly in his room, he suddenly saw the maids come to report: 'Master Zhen of the Eastern Mansion has sent to invite you over to watch the opera and see the lanterns.' Hearing this, Baoyu at once ordered his clothes changed.才要去時，忽又有賈妃賜出糖蒸酥酪來，寶玉想上次襲人喜吃此物，便命留與襲人了。Just as he was about to leave, word came that Consort Jia had sent out some sugared, steamed junket. Recalling that Xiren had enjoyed this dish the last time, Baoyu ordered it kept for her.自己回過賈母，過去看戲。He himself took leave of the Lady Dowager and went off to watch the opera.

话说贾妃回宫，次日见驾谢恩，并回奏归省之事，龙颜甚悦。又发内帑彩缎金银等物，以赐贾政及各椒房等员，不必细说。且说荣宁二府中因连日用尽心力，真是人人力倦，各各神疲，又将园中一应陈设动用之物收拾了两三天方完。第一个凤姐事多任重，别人或可偷安躲静，独他是不能脱得的，二则本性要强，不肯落人褒贬，只扎挣著与无事的人一样。第一个宝玉是极无事最闲暇的。偏这日一早，袭人的母亲又亲来回过贾母，接袭人家去吃年茶，晚间才得回来。因此，宝玉只和众丫头们掷骰子赶围棋作戏。正在房内顽的没兴头，忽见丫头们来回说：“东府珍大爷来请过去看戏，放花灯。”宝玉听了，便命换衣裳。才要去时，忽又有贾妃赐出糖蒸酥酪来，宝玉想上次袭人喜吃此物，便命留与袭人了。自己回过贾母，过去看戏。

誰想賈珍這邊唱的是《丁郎認父》，《黃伯央大擺陰魂陣》，更有《孫行者大鬧天宮》，《姜子牙斬將封神》等類的戲文，倏爾神鬼亂出，忽又妖魔畢露，甚至于揚幡過會，號佛行香，鑼鼓喊叫之聲遠聞巷外。Who could have guessed that over at Jia Zhen's, the plays being performed were things like 'Ding Lang Recognizes His Father,' 'Huang Boyang's Great Array of Spectral Souls,' and further 'Sun the Novice Wreaks Havoc in Heaven' and 'Jiang Ziya Beheads Generals and Confers Godhoods' — plays in which gods and ghosts sprang up chaotically one moment, and demons and monsters revealed themselves in full the next, even to the raising of banners in processions, chanting of Buddha's name and burning incense, with the din of gongs, drums, and shouting carried far beyond the lane outside.滿街之人個個都贊：“好熱鬧戲，別人家斷不能有的。”寶玉見繁華熱鬧到如此不堪的田地，只略坐了一坐，便走開各處閒耍。Everyone in the street praised it, saying, 'What a lively show — no other household could ever put on the like!' But Baoyu, seeing the splendor and bustle carried to such an unbearable pitch, only sat a short while before wandering off to amuse himself elsewhere.先是進內去和尤氏和丫鬟姬妾說笑了一回，便出二門來。First he went inside and chatted and laughed for a while with You-shi and the maids and concubines, then came out through the second gate.尤氏等仍料他出來看戲，遂也不曾照管。You-shi and the others assumed he had simply gone out to watch the opera, and so paid him no further mind.賈珍，賈璉，薛蟠等只顧猜枚行令，百般作樂，也不理論，縱一時不見他在座，只道在里邊去了，故也不問。Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Xue Pan, and the others were absorbed in guessing-fingers games and drinking forfeits, amusing themselves in every way, and paid no attention either; even when they did not see him at his seat for a while, they simply assumed he had gone inside, and so did not ask after him.至于跟寶玉的小廝們，那年紀大些的，知寶玉這一來了，必是晚間才散，因此偷空也有去會賭的，也有往親友家去吃年茶的，更有或嫖或飲的，都私散了，待晚間再來，那小些的，都鑽進戲房里瞧熱鬧去了。As for the page boys who attended Baoyu, the older ones, knowing that once he had come he would surely not leave until evening, stole the free time — some to go gambling, some to visit relatives and friends for New Year's tea, and some even to whoring or drinking — all scattering off privately, meaning to come back by evening; and the younger ones all squeezed into the theater room to watch the fun.

谁想贾珍这边唱的是《丁郎认父》，《黄伯央大摆阴魂阵》，更有《孙行者大闹天宫》，《姜子牙斩将封神》等类的戏文，倏尔神鬼乱出，忽又妖魔毕露，甚至于扬幡过会，号佛行香，锣鼓喊叫之声远闻巷外。满街之人个个都赞：“好热闹戏，别人家断不能有的。”宝玉见繁华热闹到如此不堪的田地，只略坐了一坐，便走开各处闲耍。先是进内去和尤氏和丫鬟姬妾说笑了一回，便出二门来。尤氏等仍料他出来看戏，遂也不曾照管。贾珍，贾琏，薛蟠等只顾猜枚行令，百般作乐，也不理论，纵一时不见他在座，只道在里边去了，故也不问。至于跟宝玉的小厮们，那年纪大些的，知宝玉这一来了，必是晚间才散，因此偷空也有去会赌的，也有往亲友家去吃年茶的，更有或嫖或饮的，都私散了，待晚间再来，那小些的，都钻进戏房里瞧热闹去了。

寶玉見一個人沒有，因想”這里素日有個小書房，內曾挂著一軸美人，极畫的得神。Finding not a single soul about, Baoyu recalled: 'There's a little study here where, in the past, a scroll painting of a beauty used to hang — it was painted with wonderful spirit.'今日這般熱鬧，想那里自然無人，那美人也自然是寂寞的，須得我去望慰他一回。”想著，便往書房里來。'With all this bustle today, there's surely no one there, and that beauty must be lonely too — I ought to go and comfort her for a while.' So thinking, he made his way to the study.剛到窗前，聞得房內有呻吟之韻。Just as he reached the window, he heard the sound of moaning coming from within the room.寶玉倒唬了一跳：敢是美人活了不成？Baoyu was quite startled: could the beauty have come to life?乃乍著膽子，舔破窗紙，向內一看——那軸美人卻不曾活，卻是茗煙按著一個女孩子，也幹那警幻所訓之事。Mustering his courage, he wetted a hole through the window paper and peered inside — the scroll beauty had not come to life at all; rather, it was Mingyan pressing down a girl, likewise engaged in that act taught by Disenchantment.寶玉禁不住大叫：“了不得！”一腳踹進門去，將那兩個唬開了，抖衣而顫。Baoyu could not help but cry out, 'Outrageous!' and kicked the door open, startling the pair apart, who shook and trembled as they scrambled into their clothes.

宝玉见一个人没有，因想”这里素日有个小书房，内曾挂著一轴美人，极画的得神。今日这般热闹，想那里自然无人，那美人也自然是寂寞的，须得我去望慰他一回。”想著，便往书房里来。刚到窗前，闻得房内有呻吟之韵。宝玉倒唬了一跳：敢是美人活了不成？乃乍著胆子，舔破窗纸，向内一看——那轴美人却不曾活，却是茗烟按著一个女孩子，也干那警幻所训之事。宝玉禁不住大叫：“了不得！”一脚踹进门去，将那两个唬开了，抖衣而颤。

茗煙見是寶玉，忙跪求不迭。Seeing it was Baoyu, Mingyan hastily fell to his knees, pleading again and again.寶玉道：“青天白日，這是怎麼說。Baoyu said, 'In broad daylight — what is the meaning of this?'珍大爺知道，你是死是活？”一面看那丫頭，雖不標致，倒還白淨，些微亦有動人處，羞的臉紅耳赤，低首無言。'If Master Zhen finds out, will you live or die?' As he spoke he glanced at the girl — though not a beauty, she was fair-skinned and clean, and had some slight charm about her; she blushed scarlet to the ears and hung her head, saying nothing.寶玉跺腳道：“還不快跑！”一語提醒了那丫頭，飛也似去了。Baoyu stamped his foot and said, 'Aren't you going to run!' This one remark jolted the girl awake, and she flew off as if on wings.寶玉又赶出去，叫道：“你別怕，我是不告訴人的。”急的茗煙在後叫：“祖宗，這是分明告訴人了！”寶玉因問：“那丫頭十幾歲了？”茗煙道：“大不過十六七歲了。”寶玉道：“連他的歲屬也不問問，別的自然越發不知了。Baoyu even ran out after her, calling, 'Don't be afraid, I won't tell anyone!' This so alarmed Mingyan that he shouted from behind, 'My ancestor, that's plainly telling everyone!' Baoyu then asked, 'How old is that girl?' Mingyan said, 'At most sixteen or seventeen.' Baoyu said, 'You didn't even ask her age — naturally you know even less about anything else.'可見他白認得你了。It's plain she got to know you for nothing.可怜，可怜！”又問：“名字叫什麼？”茗煙大笑道：“若說出名字來話長，真真新鮮奇文，竟是寫不出來的。'Poor thing, poor thing!' He then asked, 'What's her name?' Mingyan laughed loudly, 'If I tell you her name it's a long story — truly a fresh and strange piece of writing, one that could hardly even be set down on paper.'据他說，他母親養他的時節做了個夢，夢見得了一匹錦，上面是五色富貴不斷頭卍字的花樣，所以他的名字叫作卍兒。”寶玉聽了笑道：“真也新奇，想必他將來有些造化。”說著，沉思一會。'According to her, when her mother was giving birth to her she had a dream in which she obtained a length of brocade patterned with a five-colored, unbroken swastika design of wealth and honor — that is why her name is Wan'er.' Hearing this, Baoyu laughed and said, 'That is indeed novel — she must be destined for some good fortune in the future.' So saying, he fell into thought for a while.

茗烟见是宝玉，忙跪求不迭。宝玉道：“青天白日，这是怎么说。珍大爷知道，你是死是活？”一面看那丫头，虽不标致，倒还白净，些微亦有动人处，羞的脸红耳赤，低首无言。宝玉跺脚道：“还不快跑！”一语提醒了那丫头，飞也似去了。宝玉又赶出去，叫道：“你别怕，我是不告诉人的。”急的茗烟在后叫：“祖宗，这是分明告诉人了！”宝玉因问：“那丫头十几岁了？”茗烟道：“大不过十六七岁了。”宝玉道：“连他的岁属也不问问，别的自然越发不知了。可见他白认得你了。可怜，可怜！”又问：“名字叫什么？”茗烟大笑道：“若说出名字来话长，真真新鲜奇文，竟是写不出来的。据他说，他母亲养他的时节做了个梦，梦见得了一匹锦，上面是五色富贵不断头卍字的花样，所以他的名字叫作卍儿。”宝玉听了笑道：“真也新奇，想必他将来有些造化。”说著，沉思一会。

茗煙因問：“二爺為何不看這樣的好戲？”寶玉道：“看了半日，怪煩的，出來逛逛，就遇見你們了。Mingyan then asked, 'Why doesn't Second Master watch such a fine show?' Baoyu said, 'I watched for a good while and it was awfully tiresome, so I came out for a stroll — and ran right into you two.'這會子作什麼呢？”茗煙嘻嘻笑道：“這會子沒人知道，我悄悄的引二爺往城外逛逛去，一會子再往這里來，他們就不知道了。”寶玉道：“不好，仔細花子拐了去。'What shall we do now?' Mingyan giggled, 'Right now nobody knows anything — I'll quietly take Second Master out beyond the city for a stroll, and we'll come back here again after a bit, and no one will be the wiser.' Baoyu said, 'No good — take care some beggar doesn't carry me off.'便是他們知道了，又鬧大了，不如往熟近些的地方去。Besides, even if they found out it would make a great fuss — better to go somewhere familiar and close by.還可就來。”茗煙道：“熟近地方，誰家可去？'That way we can come right back too.' Mingyan said, 'A familiar, nearby place — whose house could we go to?'這卻難了。”寶玉笑道：“依我的主意，咱們竟找你花大姐姐去，瞧他在家作什麼呢。”茗煙笑道：“好，好！'That's a hard one.' Baoyu laughed and said, 'By my idea, let's go find your Sister Hua — see what she's doing at home.' Mingyan laughed, 'Good, good!'倒忘了他家。”又道：“若他們知道了，說我引著二爺胡走，要打我呢？”寶玉道：“有我呢。”茗煙聽說，拉了馬，二人從後門就走了。'I quite forgot her house.' Then he added, 'If they find out and say I led Second Master off wandering wildly, they'll beat me!' Baoyu said, 'You have me to answer for it.' Hearing this, Mingyan led the horse, and the two of them went out by the back gate.幸而襲人家不遠，不過一半里路程，展眼已到門前。Fortunately Xiren's home was not far, no more than half a li away, and in the blink of an eye they had reached the gate.茗煙先進去叫襲人之兄花自芳。Mingyan went in first to call for Xiren's elder brother, Hua Zifang.彼時襲人之母接了襲人與幾個外甥女兒，幾個侄女兒來家，正吃果茶，聽見外面有人叫”花大哥”，花自芳忙出去看時，見是他主仆兩個，唬的驚疑不止，連忙抱下寶玉來，在院內嚷道：“寶二爺來了！”別人聽見還可，襲人聽了，也不知為何，忙跑出來迎著寶玉，一把拉著問：“你怎麼來了？”寶玉笑道：“我怪悶的，來瞧瞧你作什麼呢。”襲人聽了，才放下心來，嗐了一聲，笑道：“你也忒胡鬧了，可作什麼來呢！”一面又問茗煙：“還有誰跟來？”茗煙笑道：“別人都不知，就只有我們兩個。”襲人聽了，复又驚慌，說道：“這還了得！At that moment Xiren's mother had brought Xiren, along with several nieces on her side and several nieces on her husband's side, home, and they were just having fruit and tea, when they heard someone outside calling 'Brother Hua.' Hua Zifang hurried out to look, and seeing it was master and servant, the two of them, was startled and bewildered beyond measure; he hastily lifted Baoyu down and shouted into the courtyard, 'Second Master Bao is here!' The others hearing this were fine, but when Xiren heard it, not knowing why, she rushed out to meet Baoyu, seized his hand and asked, 'What brings you here?' Baoyu laughed, 'I was terribly bored, so I came to see what you were up to.' Hearing this, Xiren's heart finally settled, and she let out a sigh, laughing, 'You really are too reckless — whatever did you come for!' Then she asked Mingyan, 'Did anyone else come with you?' Mingyan laughed, 'No one else knows — it's just the two of us.' Hearing this, Xiren grew alarmed all over again and said, 'This is terrible!'倘或碰見了人，或是遇見了老爺，街上人擠車碰，馬轎紛紛的，若有個閃失，也是頑得的！'What if you had run into someone, or encountered the Master — with the streets so crowded with people and carts jostling, horses and sedan chairs everywhere — if anything had gone wrong, is that something to be trifled with!'你們的膽子比斗還大。Your courage is bigger than a peck-measure.都是茗煙調唆的，回去我定告訴嬤嬤們打你。”茗煙撅了嘴道：“二爺罵著打著，叫我引了來，這會子推到我身上。'This is all Mingyan's doing, egging you on — when we get back I shall certainly tell the nannies to beat you.' Mingyan pouted and said, 'Second Master, cursing and threatening, made me lead him here, and now it's all being pushed onto me.'我說別來罷，——不然我們還去罷。”花自芳忙勸：“罷了，已是來了，也不用多說了。'I said we shouldn't come — well then, let's just go back.' Hua Zifang hastily smoothed things over: 'Enough, enough — since he's already come, there's no need to say more.'只是茅檐草舍，又窄又髒，爺怎麼坐呢？”'It's only that our thatched cottage is so narrow and shabby — however will the young master sit?'

茗烟因问：“二爷为何不看这样的好戏？”宝玉道：“看了半日，怪烦的，出来逛逛，就遇见你们了。这会子作什么呢？”茗烟嘻嘻笑道：“这会子没人知道，我悄悄的引二爷往城外逛逛去，一会子再往这里来，他们就不知道了。”宝玉道：“不好，仔细花子拐了去。便是他们知道了，又闹大了，不如往熟近些的地方去。还可就来。”茗烟道：“熟近地方，谁家可去？这却难了。”宝玉笑道：“依我的主意，咱们竟找你花大姐姐去，瞧他在家作什么呢。”茗烟笑道：“好，好！倒忘了他家。”又道：“若他们知道了，说我引著二爷胡走，要打我呢？”宝玉道：“有我呢。”茗烟听说，拉了马，二人从后门就走了。幸而袭人家不远，不过一半里路程，展眼已到门前。茗烟先进去叫袭人之兄花自芳。彼时袭人之母接了袭人与几个外甥女儿，几个侄女儿来家，正吃果茶，听见外面有人叫”花大哥”，花自芳忙出去看时，见是他主仆两个，唬的惊疑不止，连忙抱下宝玉来，在院内嚷道：“宝二爷来了！”别人听见还可，袭人听了，也不知为何，忙跑出来迎著宝玉，一把拉著问：“你怎么来了？”宝玉笑道：“我怪闷的，来瞧瞧你作什么呢。”袭人听了，才放下心来，嗐了一声，笑道：“你也忒胡闹了，可作什么来呢！”一面又问茗烟：“还有谁跟来？”茗烟笑道：“别人都不知，就只有我们两个。”袭人听了，复又惊慌，说道：“这还了得！倘或碰见了人，或是遇见了老爷，街上人挤车碰，马轿纷纷的，若有个闪失，也是顽得的！你们的胆子比斗还大。都是茗烟调唆的，回去我定告诉嬷嬷们打你。”茗烟撅了嘴道：“二爷骂著打著，叫我引了来，这会子推到我身上。我说别来罢，——不然我们还去罢。”花自芳忙劝：“罢了，已是来了，也不用多说了。只是茅檐草舍，又窄又脏，爷怎么坐呢？”

襲人之母也早迎了出來。Xiren's mother, too, had already come out to greet him.襲人拉了寶玉進去。Xiren took Baoyu by the hand and led him inside.寶玉見房中三五個女孩兒，見他進來，都低了頭，羞慚慚的。Baoyu saw three or five girls in the room; seeing him come in, they all lowered their heads, bashful and shy.花自芳母子兩個百般怕寶玉冷，又讓他上炕，又忙另擺果桌，又忙倒好茶。Hua Zifang and his mother, in every way afraid Baoyu might be cold, urged him up onto the kang, hurried to set out another table of fruit, and hastened to pour him tea.襲人笑道：“你們不用白忙，我自然知道。Xiren said with a smile, 'There's no need for you to fuss for nothing — I know just what to do.'果子也不用擺，也不敢亂給東西吃。”一面說，一面將自己的坐褥拿了舖在一個炕上，寶玉坐了，用自己的腳爐墊了腳，向荷包內取出兩個梅花香餅兒來，又將自己的手爐掀開焚上，仍蓋好，放與寶玉怀內，然後將自己的茶杯斟了茶，送與寶玉。'There's no need to lay out fruit either, nor dare we give him just anything to eat.' So saying, she took her own cushion and spread it on the kang; Baoyu sat down, and she set her own foot-warmer under his feet, took two plum-blossom incense cakes from her pouch, lifted the lid of her own hand-warmer, set them burning, covered it again, and placed it in Baoyu's bosom; then she poured tea into her own cup and handed it to him.彼時他母兄已是忙另齊齊整整擺上一桌子果品來。By then her mother and brother had already hurried to set out, neat and orderly, a whole table of fruits and refreshments.襲人見總無可吃之物，因笑道：“既來了，沒有空去之理，好歹嘗一點兒，也是來我家一趟。”說著，便拈了幾個松子穰，吹去細皮，用手帕托著送與寶玉。Seeing there was nothing fit to eat after all, Xiren said with a smile, 'Since you've come, you oughtn't go away empty — do taste a little something at least, since you've made the trip to my home.' So saying, she picked out a few pine-nut kernels, blew off the fine skins, and holding them on her handkerchief, offered them to Baoyu.

袭人之母也早迎了出来。袭人拉了宝玉进去。宝玉见房中三五个女孩儿，见他进来，都低了头，羞惭惭的。花自芳母子两个百般怕宝玉冷，又让他上炕，又忙另摆果桌，又忙倒好茶。袭人笑道：“你们不用白忙，我自然知道。果子也不用摆，也不敢乱给东西吃。”一面说，一面将自己的坐褥拿了铺在一个炕上，宝玉坐了，用自己的脚炉垫了脚，向荷包内取出两个梅花香饼儿来，又将自己的手炉掀开焚上，仍盖好，放与宝玉怀内，然后将自己的茶杯斟了茶，送与宝玉。彼时他母兄已是忙另齐齐整整摆上一桌子果品来。袭人见总无可吃之物，因笑道：“既来了，没有空去之理，好歹尝一点儿，也是来我家一趟。”说著，便拈了几个松子穰，吹去细皮，用手帕托著送与宝玉。

寶玉看見襲人兩眼微紅，粉光融滑，因悄問襲人：“好好的哭什麼？”襲人笑道：“何嘗哭，才迷了眼揉的。”因此便遮掩過了。Baoyu noticed that Xiren's eyes were slightly red, though her powdered face was smooth and glowing, and quietly asked her, 'What were you crying about, for no reason?' Xiren said with a smile, 'I wasn't crying at all — something got in my eye just now and I rubbed it.' And with that the matter was covered over.當下寶玉穿著大紅金蟒狐腋箭袖，外罩石青貂裘排穗褂。At that moment Baoyu was wearing a bright red archer's robe embroidered with gold serpents and trimmed with fox-underarm fur, over which he wore a slate-blue sable cloak with tasseled fringe.襲人道：“你特為往這里來又換新服，他們就不問你往那去的？”寶玉笑道：“珍大爺那里去看戲換的。”襲人點頭。Xiren said, 'You went to the trouble of changing into new clothes just to come here — didn't they ask where you were going?' Baoyu laughed, 'I changed to go watch the opera at Master Zhen's place.' Xiren nodded.又道：“坐一坐就回去罷，這個地方不是你來的。”寶玉笑道：“你就家去才好呢，我還替你留著好東西呢。”襲人悄笑道：“悄悄的，叫他們聽著什麼意思。”一面又伸手從寶玉項上將通靈玉摘了下來，向他姊妹們笑道：“你們見識見識。She continued, 'Sit a while and then go back — this is no place for you to be coming to.' Baoyu laughed, 'It would be best if you'd just come home — I've been keeping something nice for you.' Xiren said quietly with a laugh, 'Hush — what will it look like if they hear?' Then she reached out and took the Jade of Spiritual Understanding from around Baoyu's neck, and said to her sisters with a smile, 'Take a good look at this.'時常說起來都當希罕，恨不能一見，今兒可盡力瞧了。'Whenever it's mentioned people always think it's a rare wonder and long to see it just once — today you can look your fill.'再瞧什麼希罕物兒，也不過是這麼個東西。”說畢，遞與他們傳看了一遍，仍與寶玉挂好。'Look as hard as you like at this so-called rare treasure — it's really no more than this.' So saying, she passed it around for them all to look at, then hung it back properly on Baoyu.又命他哥哥去或雇一乘小轎，或雇一輛小車，送寶玉回去。She then told her brother to go hire either a small sedan chair or a small cart to send Baoyu home.花自芳道：“有我送去，騎馬也不妨了。”襲人道：“不為不妨，為的是碰見人。”花自芳忙去雇了一頂小轎來，眾人也不敢相留，只得送寶玉出去，襲人又抓果子與茗煙，又把些錢與他買花炮放，教他”不可告訴人，連你也有不是。”一直送寶玉至門前，看著上轎，放下轎帘。Hua Zifang said, 'With me escorting him, riding a horse would be fine too.' Xiren said, 'It's not a matter of whether it's safe — it's a matter of not running into people.' Hua Zifang hastily went and hired a small sedan chair; no one dared to press him to stay longer, and so they had no choice but to see Baoyu off. Xiren also grabbed some fruit for Mingyan, gave him some money to buy firecrackers to set off, and told him, 'You mustn't tell anyone — you'd be in the wrong too.' She saw Baoyu all the way to the gate, watched him get into the chair, and let down the chair curtain.花，茗二人牽馬跟隨。Hua and Ming, the two of them, led the horse and followed along.來至宁府街，茗煙命住轎，向花自芳道：“須等我同二爺還到東府里混一混，才好過去的，不然人家就疑惑了。”花自芳聽說有理，忙將寶玉抱出轎來，送上馬去。When they reached the street by the Ning mansion, Mingyan had the chair-bearers stop, and said to Hua Zifang, 'I'll need to go back with Second Master and mix in a while at the Eastern Mansion before it's safe to go over there — otherwise people will grow suspicious.' Hua Zifang, thinking this reasonable, hurriedly lifted Baoyu out of the chair and set him up on the horse.寶玉笑說：“倒難為你了。”于是仍進後門來。Baoyu said with a laugh, 'This has been quite a trouble for you.' And so they went back in again by the back gate.俱不在話下。But no more of that need be told.卻說寶玉自出了門，他房中這些丫鬟們都越性恣意的頑笑，也有赶圍棋的，也有擲骰抹牌的，磕了一地瓜子皮。Now, once Baoyu had gone out, the maids in his rooms gave themselves over all the more freely to play and laughter — some played go, some threw dice or played cards, and melon-seed shells littered the floor.偏奶母李嬤嬤拄拐進來請安，瞧瞧寶玉，見寶玉不在家，丫鬟們只顧玩鬧，十分看不過。As it happened, Nurse Li came leaning on her cane to pay her respects and look in on Baoyu; finding him not at home and the maids absorbed in their romping, she found it altogether too much to bear.因歎道：“只從我出去了，不大進來，你們越發沒個樣兒了，別的媽媽們越不敢說你們了。So she sighed and said, 'Ever since I left and stopped coming round much, you've gotten more and more out of hand, and the other nannies dare even less to say anything to you.'那寶玉是個丈八的燈台——照見人家，照不見自家的。'That Baoyu is like a ten-foot lampstand — it lights up other people's affairs but can't see its own base.'只知嫌人家髒，這是他的屋子，由著你們糟塌，越不成体統了。”這些丫頭們明知寶玉不講究這些，二則李嬤嬤已是告老解事出去的了，如今管他們不著，因此只顧頑，并不理他。'He only knows to complain when other places are dirty, but here in his own room he lets you all run wild, and it's more unseemly than ever.' These maids knew perfectly well that Baoyu did not fuss over such things, and besides, Nurse Li had already retired and had no more authority over them now, so they went on with their play and paid her no heed.那李嬤嬤還只管問”寶玉如今一頓吃多少飯”，”什麼時辰睡覺”等語。Nurse Li, however, kept right on asking things like 'How much does Baoyu eat at a meal these days?' and 'What hour does he go to sleep?'丫頭們總胡亂答應。The maids only answered her carelessly, any old way.有的說：“好一個討厭的老貨！”One of them said, 'What a tiresome old thing she is!'

宝玉看见袭人两眼微红，粉光融滑，因悄问袭人：“好好的哭什么？”袭人笑道：“何尝哭，才迷了眼揉的。”因此便遮掩过了。当下宝玉穿著大红金蟒狐腋箭袖，外罩石青貂裘排穗褂。袭人道：“你特为往这里来又换新服，他们就不问你往那去的？”宝玉笑道：“珍大爷那里去看戏换的。”袭人点头。又道：“坐一坐就回去罢，这个地方不是你来的。”宝玉笑道：“你就家去才好呢，我还替你留著好东西呢。”袭人悄笑道：“悄悄的，叫他们听著什么意思。”一面又伸手从宝玉项上将通灵玉摘了下来，向他姊妹们笑道：“你们见识见识。时常说起来都当希罕，恨不能一见，今儿可尽力瞧了。再瞧什么希罕物儿，也不过是这么个东西。”说毕，递与他们传看了一遍，仍与宝玉挂好。又命他哥哥去或雇一乘小轿，或雇一辆小车，送宝玉回去。花自芳道：“有我送去，骑马也不妨了。”袭人道：“不为不妨，为的是碰见人。”花自芳忙去雇了一顶小轿来，众人也不敢相留，只得送宝玉出去，袭人又抓果子与茗烟，又把些钱与他买花炮放，教他”不可告诉人，连你也有不是。”一直送宝玉至门前，看著上轿，放下轿帘。花，茗二人牵马跟随。来至宁府街，茗烟命住轿，向花自芳道：“须等我同二爷还到东府里混一混，才好过去的，不然人家就疑惑了。”花自芳听说有理，忙将宝玉抱出轿来，送上马去。宝玉笑说：“倒难为你了。”于是仍进后门来。俱不在话下。却说宝玉自出了门，他房中这些丫鬟们都越性恣意的顽笑，也有赶围棋的，也有掷骰抹牌的，磕了一地瓜子皮。偏奶母李嬷嬷拄拐进来请安，瞧瞧宝玉，见宝玉不在家，丫鬟们只顾玩闹，十分看不过。因叹道：“只从我出去了，不大进来，你们越发没个样儿了，别的妈妈们越不敢说你们了。那宝玉是个丈八的灯台——照见人家，照不见自家的。只知嫌人家脏，这是他的屋子，由著你们糟塌，越不成体统了。”这些丫头们明知宝玉不讲究这些，二则李嬷嬷已是告老解事出去的了，如今管他们不著，因此只顾顽，并不理他。那李嬷嬷还只管问”宝玉如今一顿吃多少饭”，”什么时辰睡觉”等语。丫头们总胡乱答应。有的说：“好一个讨厌的老货！”

李嬤嬤又問道：“這蓋碗里是酥酪，怎不送與我去？Nurse Li then asked, 'That covered bowl there has junket in it — why wasn't it sent to me?'我就吃了罷。”說畢，拿匙就吃。'I'll just eat it myself, then.' So saying, she took up a spoon and began to eat it.一個丫頭道：“快別動！One of the maids said, 'Quick, don't touch it!'那是說了給襲人留著的，回來又惹氣了。'That was said to be kept for Xiren — when she gets back there'll be trouble again.'你老人家自己承認，別帶累我們受氣。”李嬤嬤聽了，又氣又愧，便說道：“我不信他這樣坏了。'You'd better own up to it yourself, madam, and not drag us into the blame.' Hearing this, Nurse Li was both angry and ashamed, and said, 'I don't believe she's grown so ill-natured.'別說我吃了一碗牛奶，就是再比這個值錢的，也是應該的。'Not to mention my eating one bowl of milk-junket — even something far more precious than this would only be my due.'難道待襲人比我還重？'Is Xiren to be valued even above me?'難道他不想想怎麼長大了？'Doesn't he ever stop to think how he came to grow up?'我的血變的奶，吃的長這麼大，如今我吃他一碗牛奶，他就生氣了？'It was my very blood turned to milk that nursed him to this size — and now, if I eat one bowl of his milk-junket, is he to be angry over it?'我偏吃了，看怎麼樣！'I'll eat it just to spite them, and see what comes of it!'你們看襲人不知怎樣，那是我手里調理出來的毛丫頭，什麼阿物兒！”一面說，一面賭氣將酥酪吃盡。'You all think so much of Xiren, I don't know why — she's nothing but a raw little maid I trained up with my own hands, what sort of a fine creature is she!' So saying, she ate up the whole bowl of junket out of spite.又一丫頭笑道：“他們不會說話，怨不得你老人家生氣。Another maid said with a laugh, 'They don't know how to speak properly — no wonder it made you angry, madam.'寶玉還時常送東西孝敬你老去，豈有為這個不自在的。”李嬤嬤道：“你們也不必妝狐媚子哄我，打量上次為茶攆茜雪的事我不知道呢。'Baoyu still often sends things over as tribute to you, madam — how could he possibly be put out over a trifle like this?' Nurse Li said, 'You needn't play the coquette to fool me — do you suppose I don't know about that business last time, when Qianxue was driven out over the tea?'明兒有了不是，我再來領！”說著，賭氣去了。'If there's any fault to be found tomorrow, I'll come and answer for it then!' So saying, she stalked off in a huff.

李嬷嬷又问道：“这盖碗里是酥酪，怎不送与我去？我就吃了罢。”说毕，拿匙就吃。一个丫头道：“快别动！那是说了给袭人留著的，回来又惹气了。你老人家自己承认，别带累我们受气。”李嬷嬷听了，又气又愧，便说道：“我不信他这样坏了。别说我吃了一碗牛奶，就是再比这个值钱的，也是应该的。难道待袭人比我还重？难道他不想想怎么长大了？我的血变的奶，吃的长这么大，如今我吃他一碗牛奶，他就生气了？我偏吃了，看怎么样！你们看袭人不知怎样，那是我手里调理出来的毛丫头，什么阿物儿！”一面说，一面赌气将酥酪吃尽。又一丫头笑道：“他们不会说话，怨不得你老人家生气。宝玉还时常送东西孝敬你老去，岂有为这个不自在的。”李嬷嬷道：“你们也不必妆狐媚子哄我，打量上次为茶撵茜雪的事我不知道呢。明儿有了不是，我再来领！”说著，赌气去了。

少時，寶玉回來，命人去接襲人。After a while, Baoyu came back and gave orders for someone to go fetch Xiren.只見晴雯躺在床上不動，寶玉因問：“敢是病了？He saw Qingwen lying motionless on the bed, and asked, 'Is she ill, perhaps?'再不然輸了？”秋紋道：“他倒是贏的，誰知李老太太來了，混輸了，他氣的睡去了。”寶玉笑道：“你別和他一般見識，由他去就是了。”說著，襲人已來，彼此相見。'Or else did she lose at cards?' Qiuwen said, 'She was winning, actually, but then old Madam Li came in and she lost it all in the confusion, and got so angry she went to lie down.' Baoyu laughed, 'Don't bother arguing with her over it — just let her be.' As he spoke, Xiren arrived, and they greeted one another.襲人又問寶玉何處吃飯，多早晚回來，又代母妹問諸同伴姊妹好。Xiren then asked Baoyu where he had eaten and how early or late he had come back, and also conveyed her mother's and sister's greetings to all the fellow maids.一時換衣卸妝。After a while she changed her clothes and removed her ornaments.寶玉命取酥酪來，丫鬟們回說：“李奶奶吃了。”寶玉才要說話，襲人便忙笑道：“原來是留的這個，多謝費心。Baoyu asked for the junket to be brought, and the maids reported, 'Nurse Li ate it.' Baoyu was just about to say something when Xiren hastily spoke up with a smile, 'So that's what was being kept for me — many thanks for the thought.'前兒我吃的時候好吃，吃過了好肚子疼，足鬧的吐了才好。'The other day when I ate some, it tasted good, but afterward my stomach ached terribly, and it wasn't until I'd vomited it all up that I felt better.'他吃了倒好，擱在這里倒白糟塌了。'It's just as well she ate it — leaving it here would only have gone to waste.'我只想風乾栗子吃，你替我剝栗子，我去舖床。”'What I'd really like now is some wind-dried chestnuts — you shell some for me, and I'll go make the bed.'

少时，宝玉回来，命人去接袭人。只见晴雯躺在床上不动，宝玉因问：“敢是病了？再不然输了？”秋纹道：“他倒是赢的，谁知李老太太来了，混输了，他气的睡去了。”宝玉笑道：“你别和他一般见识，由他去就是了。”说著，袭人已来，彼此相见。袭人又问宝玉何处吃饭，多早晚回来，又代母妹问诸同伴姊妹好。一时换衣卸妆。宝玉命取酥酪来，丫鬟们回说：“李奶奶吃了。”宝玉才要说话，袭人便忙笑道：“原来是留的这个，多谢费心。前儿我吃的时候好吃，吃过了好肚子疼，足闹的吐了才好。他吃了倒好，搁在这里倒白糟塌了。我只想风干栗子吃，你替我剥栗子，我去铺床。”

寶玉聽了信以為真，方把酥酪丟開，取栗子來，自向燈前檢剝，一面見眾人不在房里，乃笑問襲人道：“今兒那個穿紅的是你什麼人？”襲人道：“那是我兩姨妹子。”寶玉聽了，贊歎了兩聲。Baoyu, taking her at her word, let the matter of the junket drop, fetched the chestnuts, and set to picking and shelling them by the lamp himself. Noticing that the others were not in the room, he asked Xiren with a smile, 'That girl in red today — who is she to you?' Xiren said, 'That's my maternal cousin.' Hearing this, Baoyu sighed in admiration a couple of times.襲人道：“歎什麼？Xiren said, 'What are you sighing over?'我知道你心里的緣故，想是說他那里配紅的。”寶玉笑道：“不是，不是。'I know what's on your mind — you must be thinking she's not fit to wear red.' Baoyu laughed, 'No, no.'那樣的不配穿紅的，誰還敢穿。'If a girl like that isn't fit to wear red, who would dare wear it at all.'我因為見他實在好的很，怎麼也得他在咱們家就好了。”襲人冷笑道：“我一個人是奴才命罷了，難道連我的親戚都是奴才命不成？'It's only that I saw she's truly so lovely that it seems it would be good, somehow, if she could be here in our household.' Xiren said with a cold laugh, 'I alone am fated to be a servant, well enough — but must all my relatives be fated to servitude too?'定還要揀實在好的丫頭才往你家來。”寶玉聽了，忙笑道：“你又多心了。'They'll surely still pick out only the truly good girls to send to your household.' Hearing this, Baoyu hastily laughed, 'Now you're being oversensitive again.'我說往咱們家來，必定是奴才不成？'When I say she might come to our household, does that necessarily mean as a servant?'說親戚就使不得？”襲人道：“那也搬配不上。”寶玉便不肯再說，只是剝栗子。'Can't a relative be spoken of?' Xiren said, 'She's still not a suitable match for that.' Baoyu then chose not to say any more, and simply went on shelling chestnuts.襲人笑道：“怎麼不言語了？Xiren said with a smile, 'Why have you gone quiet?'想是我才冒撞沖犯了你，明兒賭氣花幾兩銀子買他們進來就是了。”寶玉笑道：“你說的話，怎麼叫我答言呢。'I suppose I just spoke rashly and offended you — tomorrow, out of spite, you'll go and spend a few taels of silver to buy them in, that's all.' Baoyu laughed, 'The way you talk, how am I supposed to answer?'我不過是贊他好，正配生在這深堂大院里，沒的我們這种濁物倒生在這里。”襲人道：“他雖沒這造化，倒也是嬌生慣養的呢，我姨爹姨娘的寶貝。'I was only praising her looks — she's exactly suited to have been born in some grand deep-halled mansion; it's a pity it's coarse creatures like us who were born into places like this instead.' Xiren said, 'She may not have that kind of good fortune, but she's certainly been raised petted and spoiled all the same — the treasured darling of my aunt and uncle.'如今十七歲，各樣的嫁妝都齊備了，明年就出嫁。”'She's seventeen now, and every article of her dowry is already prepared — she's to be married next year.'

宝玉听了信以为真，方把酥酪丢开，取栗子来，自向灯前检剥，一面见众人不在房里，乃笑问袭人道：“今儿那个穿红的是你什么人？”袭人道：“那是我两姨妹子。”宝玉听了，赞叹了两声。袭人道：“叹什么？我知道你心里的缘故，想是说他那里配红的。”宝玉笑道：“不是，不是。那样的不配穿红的，谁还敢穿。我因为见他实在好的很，怎么也得他在咱们家就好了。”袭人冷笑道：“我一个人是奴才命罢了，难道连我的亲戚都是奴才命不成？定还要拣实在好的丫头才往你家来。”宝玉听了，忙笑道：“你又多心了。我说往咱们家来，必定是奴才不成？说亲戚就使不得？”袭人道：“那也搬配不上。”宝玉便不肯再说，只是剥栗子。袭人笑道：“怎么不言语了？想是我才冒撞冲犯了你，明儿赌气花几两银子买他们进来就是了。”宝玉笑道：“你说的话，怎么叫我答言呢。我不过是赞他好，正配生在这深堂大院里，没的我们这种浊物倒生在这里。”袭人道：“他虽没这造化，倒也是娇生惯养的呢，我姨爹姨娘的宝贝。如今十七岁，各样的嫁妆都齐备了，明年就出嫁。”

寶玉聽了“出嫁”二字，不禁又嗐了兩聲，正是不自在，又聽襲人歎道：“只從我來這幾年，姊妹們都不得在一處。On hearing the words 'to be married,' Baoyu could not help sighing a couple of times, feeling quite uneasy; and then he heard Xiren sigh and say, 'Ever since I came here these past years, us sisters have never been able to stay together.'如今我要回去了，他們又都去了。”寶玉聽這話內有文章，不覺吃一驚，忙丟下栗子，問道：“怎麼，你如今要回去了？”襲人道：“我今兒聽見我媽和哥哥商議，叫我再耐煩一年，明年他們上來，就贖我出去的呢。”寶玉聽了這話，越發怔了，因問：“為什麼要贖你？”襲人道：“這話奇了！'And now that I'm to go back home, they'll all be gone too.' Baoyu, sensing there was more behind these words, could not help being startled; he hastily set down the chestnuts and asked, 'What do you mean, you're to go back home now?' Xiren said, 'Today I overheard my mother and brother discussing it — they told me to be patient just one more year, and next year, when they come up to town, they'll redeem me and take me out.' Hearing this, Baoyu grew all the more dazed, and asked, 'Why would they want to redeem you?' Xiren said, 'What a strange question!'我又比不得是你這里的家生子兒，一家子都在別處，獨我一個人在這里，怎麼是個了局？”寶玉道：“我不叫你去也難。”襲人道：“從來沒這道理。'I'm not like those born into bondage in your household here — my whole family lives elsewhere, and I alone am here; how could that ever be a proper end to things?' Baoyu said, 'It would be hard for me not to let you go, even so.' Xiren said, 'There's never been such reasoning.'便是朝廷宮里，也有個定例，或幾年一選，幾年一入，也沒有個長遠留下人的理，別說你了！”'Even in the imperial court and palace itself there are fixed rules — a selection every so many years, an intake every so many years — there's no keeping people on forever there either, let alone in your case!'

宝玉听了“出嫁”二字，不禁又嗐了两声，正是不自在，又听袭人叹道：“只从我来这几年，姊妹们都不得在一处。如今我要回去了，他们又都去了。”宝玉听这话内有文章，不觉吃一惊，忙丢下栗子，问道：“怎么，你如今要回去了？”袭人道：“我今儿听见我妈和哥哥商议，叫我再耐烦一年，明年他们上来，就赎我出去的呢。”宝玉听了这话，越发怔了，因问：“为什么要赎你？”袭人道：“这话奇了！我又比不得是你这里的家生子儿，一家子都在别处，独我一个人在这里，怎么是个了局？”宝玉道：“我不叫你去也难。”袭人道：“从来没这道理。便是朝廷宫里，也有个定例，或几年一选，几年一入，也没有个长远留下人的理，别说你了！”

寶玉想一想，果然有理。Baoyu thought it over, and indeed it made sense.又道：“老太太不放你也難。”襲人道：“為什麼不放？He said again, 'It would be hard for the Lady Dowager not to let you go either.' Xiren said, 'Why wouldn't she let me go?'我果然是個最難得的，或者感動了老太太，老太太必不放我出去的，設或多給我們家幾兩銀子，留下我，然或有之，其實我也不過是個平常的人，比我強的多而且多。'If I really were someone rare and hard to find, then perhaps I might move the Lady Dowager, and she surely wouldn't let me go, or perhaps she'd give my family a few extra taels of silver to keep me on — that might well happen; but in truth I'm only an ordinary person, and there are many, many who surpass me.'自我從小兒來了，跟著老太太，先伏侍了史大姑娘幾年，如今又伏侍了你幾年。'Ever since I came here as a child and followed the Lady Dowager, I first waited on Miss Shi for several years, and now I've waited on you for several years more.'如今我們家來贖，正是該叫去的，只怕連身价也不要，就開恩叫我去呢。'Now that my family has come to redeem me, this is exactly the moment I should be allowed to go — I'm afraid they won't even ask for my purchase price, and will simply be gracious enough to let me go.'若說為伏侍的你好，不叫我去，斷然沒有的事。'As for the idea that because I've served you well they won't let me go — that is simply out of the question.'那伏侍的好，是分內應當的，不是什麼奇功。'Serving well is only what's properly owed in duty — it's no extraordinary merit.'我去了，仍舊有好的來了，不是沒了我就不成事。”寶玉聽了這些話，竟是有去的理，無留的理，心內越發急了，因又道：“雖然如此說，我只一心留下你，不怕老太太不和你母親說，多多給你母親些銀子，他也不好意思接你了，”襲人道：“我媽自然不敢強。'Once I've gone, someone else just as good will still come along — it's not as if nothing could be managed without me.' Hearing all this, Baoyu found there was every reason for her to go and no reason for her to stay, and grew all the more anxious at heart; so he said again, 'Even so, I'm still set on keeping you here — I'm sure the Lady Dowager would speak to your mother, and give her plenty of silver besides, so that she wouldn't have the face to take you back.' Xiren said, 'My mother naturally wouldn't dare insist.'且漫說和他好說，又多給銀子，就便不好和他說，一個錢也不給，安心要強留下我，他也不敢不依。'And besides, never mind speaking to her kindly and giving her extra silver on top of it — even if no one spoke kindly to her at all, and not a single coin were given, if it were resolved to insist on keeping me by force, she still wouldn't dare refuse.'但只是咱們家從沒幹過這倚勢杖貴霸道的事，這比不得別的東西，因為你喜歡，加十倍利弄了來給你，那賣的人不得吃虧，可以行得。But our family has never done this kind of thing—relying on power and position to bully people. This isn't like other things, where because you like something, we pay ten times its worth to get it for you, and the seller isn't the one who suffers—that we could do.如今無故平空留下我，于你又無益，反叫我們骨肉分離，這件事，老太太，太太斷不肯行的。”寶玉聽了，思忖半晌，乃說道：“依你說，你是去定了？”襲人道：“去定了。”寶玉聽了，自思道：“誰知這樣一個人，這樣薄情無義。”乃歎道：“早知道都是要去的，我就不該弄了來，臨了剩我一個孤鬼兒。”說著，便賭氣上床睡去了。"But now to keep me here for no reason at all does you no good, and instead tears my own flesh and blood apart—this the Old Lady and Madam would absolutely never allow." Hearing this, Baoyu pondered for a long while, then said, "By what you say, you're determined to go?" Xiren said, "I'm determined to go." Hearing this, Baoyu thought to himself, "Who would have guessed that a person like this could be so cold-hearted and unfeeling." Then he sighed, "If I'd known everyone was bound to leave in the end, I never should have brought any of you here—in the end I'll be left a lonely ghost all by myself." So saying, he sulked off to bed in a temper.原來襲人在家，聽見他母兄要贖他回去，他就說至死也不回去的。As it happened, when Xiren was still at home and heard that her mother and elder brother meant to buy back her freedom and bring her home, she had declared that she would not go back even if it killed her.又說：“當日原是你們沒飯吃，就剩我還值幾兩銀子，若不叫你們賣，沒有個看著老子娘餓死的理。She had also said, "Back then, it was only because you had nothing to eat, and I alone was worth a few taels of silver—if you hadn't sold me, there'd have been no way to keep Father and Mother from starving to death.如今幸而賣到這個地方，吃穿和主子一樣，也不朝打暮罵。As it happens I was lucky enough to be sold into this household, where I eat and dress the same as the masters, and am never beaten or scolded morning and night.況且如今爹雖沒了，你們卻又整理的家成業就，复了元氣。Besides, now that Father has passed away, you've managed to put the household back in order and build it up again, and things have recovered.若果然還艱難，把我贖出來，再多掏澄幾個錢，也還罷了，其實又不難了。If things were truly still hard, then buying me out and scraping together a bit more money besides might be understandable—but in fact it isn't hard for you anymore.這會子又贖我作什麼？So why on earth would you want to buy me back now?權當我死了，再不必起贖我的念頭！”因此哭鬧了一陣。Just consider me dead, and never think of buying me back again!" And with that she wept and made a scene for a while.

宝玉想一想，果然有理。又道：“老太太不放你也难。”袭人道：“为什么不放？我果然是个最难得的，或者感动了老太太，老太太必不放我出去的，设或多给我们家几两银子，留下我，然或有之，其实我也不过是个平常的人，比我强的多而且多。自我从小儿来了，跟著老太太，先伏侍了史大姑娘几年，如今又伏侍了你几年。如今我们家来赎，正是该叫去的，只怕连身价也不要，就开恩叫我去呢。若说为伏侍的你好，不叫我去，断然没有的事。那伏侍的好，是分内应当的，不是什么奇功。我去了，仍旧有好的来了，不是没了我就不成事。”宝玉听了这些话，竟是有去的理，无留的理，心内越发急了，因又道：“虽然如此说，我只一心留下你，不怕老太太不和你母亲说，多多给你母亲些银子，他也不好意思接你了，”袭人道：“我妈自然不敢强。且漫说和他好说，又多给银子，就便不好和他说，一个钱也不给，安心要强留下我，他也不敢不依。但只是咱们家从没干过这倚势杖贵霸道的事，这比不得别的东西，因为你喜欢，加十倍利弄了来给你，那卖的人不得吃亏，可以行得。如今无故平空留下我，于你又无益，反叫我们骨肉分离，这件事，老太太，太太断不肯行的。”宝玉听了，思忖半晌，乃说道：“依你说，你是去定了？”袭人道：“去定了。”宝玉听了，自思道：“谁知这样一个人，这样薄情无义。”乃叹道：“早知道都是要去的，我就不该弄了来，临了剩我一个孤鬼儿。”说著，便赌气上床睡去了。原来袭人在家，听见他母兄要赎他回去，他就说至死也不回去的。又说：“当日原是你们没饭吃，就剩我还值几两银子，若不叫你们卖，没有个看著老子娘饿死的理。如今幸而卖到这个地方，吃穿和主子一样，也不朝打暮骂。况且如今爹虽没了，你们却又整理的家成业就，复了元气。若果然还艰难，把我赎出来，再多掏澄几个钱，也还罢了，其实又不难了。这会子又赎我作什么？权当我死了，再不必起赎我的念头！”因此哭闹了一阵。

他母兄見他這般堅執，自然必不出來的了。Seeing her so firmly set on this, her mother and brother naturally gave up the idea of taking her out.況且原是賣倒的死契，明仗著賈宅是慈善寬厚之家，不過求一求，只怕身价銀一并賞了這是有的事呢。Besides, hers was originally an outright sale, a permanent contract; and relying openly on the fact that the Jia household was known to be kind and generous, if they merely made the request, it was quite likely the family would even forgive the purchase price and grant her back for nothing.二則，賈府中從不曾作踐下人，只有恩多威少的。Second, in the Jia household servants were never mistreated—there was always more kindness shown than severity.且凡老少房中所有親侍的女孩子們，更比待家下眾人不同，平常寒薄人家的小姐，也不能那樣尊重的。Moreover, all the girls who served in personal attendance in the apartments of the old and young masters were treated quite differently from the rest of the household servants—even young ladies from ordinary poor families could not have been shown such respect.因此，他母子兩個也就死心不贖了。For these reasons, mother and son gave up entirely on the idea of redeeming her.次後忽然寶玉去了，他二人又是那般景況，他母子二人心下更明白了，越發石頭落了地，而且是意外之想，彼此放心，再無贖念了。Later, when Baoyu happened to go there in person and they saw how things stood, mother and son understood the situation even better; a great weight fell from their minds, and finding this an unexpected stroke of good fortune besides, they were both set at ease and never entertained the thought of redeeming her again.

他母兄见他这般坚执，自然必不出来的了。况且原是卖倒的死契，明仗著贾宅是慈善宽厚之家，不过求一求，只怕身价银一并赏了这是有的事呢。二则，贾府中从不曾作践下人，只有恩多威少的。且凡老少房中所有亲侍的女孩子们，更比待家下众人不同，平常寒薄人家的小姐，也不能那样尊重的。因此，他母子两个也就死心不赎了。次后忽然宝玉去了，他二人又是那般景况，他母子二人心下更明白了，越发石头落了地，而且是意外之想，彼此放心，再无赎念了。

如今且說襲人自幼見寶玉性格异常，其淘氣憨頑自是出于眾小兒之外，更有幾件千奇百怪口不能言的毛病兒。Now, to return to the story: Xiren had, since childhood, observed that Baoyu's temperament was out of the ordinary—his mischief and willfulness went far beyond that of other children, and besides that he had several utterly strange faults that were hard even to put into words.近來仗著祖母溺愛，父母亦不能十分嚴緊拘管，更覺放蕩弛縱，任性恣情，最不喜務正。Of late, relying on his grandmother's doting love, and with his parents unable to keep him under very strict control either, he had grown ever more unrestrained and self-indulgent, following his own whims and passions, and disliking nothing more than applying himself to serious matters.每欲勸時，料不能聽，今日可巧有贖身之論，故先用騙詞，以探其情，以壓其氣，然後好下箴規。Whenever she wished to admonish him, she reckoned he would not listen; so today, since the subject of buying back her freedom happened to come up, she had first used it as a pretext to test his feelings and dampen his high spirits, so that she might then follow up with proper counsel.今見他默默睡去了，知其情有不忍，氣已餒墮，自己原不想栗子吃的，只因怕為酥酪又生事故，亦如茜雪之茶等事，是以假以栗子為由，混過寶玉不提就完了。Now, seeing him fall silently asleep, she knew that in his heart he could not bear it and that his spirits had already flagged. As for herself, she had not really wanted to eat the chestnuts at all; it was only that she feared another mishap might arise over the cream, just as it had before with Qianxue and the tea business, and so she had used the chestnuts as a pretext, meaning simply to let the matter with Baoyu pass over quietly and be done with it.于是命小丫頭們將栗子拿去吃了，自己來推寶玉。So she told the little maids to take the chestnuts away and eat them themselves, and went over to rouse Baoyu.只見寶玉淚痕滿面，襲人便笑道：“這有什麼傷心的，你果然留我，我自然不出去了。”寶玉見這話有文章，便說道”“你倒說說，我還要怎麼留你，我自己也難說了。”襲人笑道：“咱們素日好處，再不用說。She saw that his face was streaked with tears, and said with a smile, "Now what is there to be sad about? If you really do keep me, then of course I won't leave." Baoyu, sensing there was more behind these words, said, "Just tell me then—what more should I do to keep you? Even I can hardly say myself." Xiren said with a smile, "There's no need at all to speak of how good we've always been to each other.但今日你安心留我，不在這上頭。But today, if you truly mean to keep me, it doesn't rest on that.我另說出兩三件事來，你果然依了我，就是你真心留我了，刀擱在脖子上，我也是不出去的了。”I'll name two or three other things instead—if you really agree to them, that will show you truly mean to keep me, and then even with a knife laid across my neck, I still wouldn't leave."

如今且说袭人自幼见宝玉性格异常，其淘气憨顽自是出于众小儿之外，更有几件千奇百怪口不能言的毛病儿。近来仗著祖母溺爱，父母亦不能十分严紧拘管，更觉放荡弛纵，任性恣情，最不喜务正。每欲劝时，料不能听，今日可巧有赎身之论，故先用骗词，以探其情，以压其气，然后好下箴规。今见他默默睡去了，知其情有不忍，气已馁堕，自己原不想栗子吃的，只因怕为酥酪又生事故，亦如茜雪之茶等事，是以假以栗子为由，混过宝玉不提就完了。于是命小丫头们将栗子拿去吃了，自己来推宝玉。只见宝玉泪痕满面，袭人便笑道：“这有什么伤心的，你果然留我，我自然不出去了。”宝玉见这话有文章，便说道”“你倒说说，我还要怎么留你，我自己也难说了。”袭人笑道：“咱们素日好处，再不用说。但今日你安心留我，不在这上头。我另说出两三件事来，你果然依了我，就是你真心留我了，刀搁在脖子上，我也是不出去的了。”

寶玉忙笑道：“你說，那幾件？Baoyu said quickly with a smile, "Tell me, what are they?我都依你。I'll agree to all of them.好姐姐，好親姐姐別說兩三件，就是兩三百件，我也依。Dear sister, dear own sister, never mind two or three things—even two or three hundred, I'll agree to them all.只求你們同看著我，守著我，等我有一日化成了飛灰，——飛灰還不好，灰還有形有跡，還有知識。——等我化成一股輕煙，風一吹便散了的時候，你們也管不得我，我也顧不得你們了。I only beg that all of you watch over me and stay by me, until the day I turn to drifting ash—no, even ash won't do, for ash still has shape and trace, still has some awareness—until, rather, I turn into a wisp of light smoke that scatters the moment the wind blows, and at that time you'll no longer be able to look after me, nor I to care for you.那時憑我去，我也憑你們愛那里去就去了。”話未說完，急的襲人忙握他的嘴，說：“好好的，正為勸你這些，倒更說的狠了。”寶玉忙說道：“再不說這話了。”襲人道：“這是頭一件要改的。”寶玉道：“改了，再要說，你就擰嘴。At that time, let me go wherever I please, and you may go wherever you like as well." Before he could finish, Xiren, alarmed, quickly clapped her hand over his mouth and said, "Really now—here I am trying to counsel you about just this sort of thing, and you go and say something even worse." Baoyu said hastily, "I won't say such things again." Xiren said, "This is the very first thing that needs changing." Baoyu said, "I've changed—if I say it again, you may pinch my mouth.還有什麼？”What else is there?"

宝玉忙笑道：“你说，那几件？我都依你。好姐姐，好亲姐姐别说两三件，就是两三百件，我也依。只求你们同看著我，守著我，等我有一日化成了飞灰，——飞灰还不好，灰还有形有迹，还有知识。——等我化成一股轻烟，风一吹便散了的时候，你们也管不得我，我也顾不得你们了。那时凭我去，我也凭你们爱那里去就去了。”话未说完，急的袭人忙握他的嘴，说：“好好的，正为劝你这些，倒更说的狠了。”宝玉忙说道：“再不说这话了。”袭人道：“这是头一件要改的。”宝玉道：“改了，再要说，你就拧嘴。还有什么？”

襲人道：“第二件，你真喜讀書也罷，假喜也罷，只是在老爺跟前或在別人跟前，你別只管批駁誚謗，只作出個喜讀書的樣子來，也教老爺少生些氣，在人前也好說嘴。Xiren said, "The second thing: whether you truly enjoy reading or only pretend to, in front of the Master or in front of others, you must stop constantly criticizing and mocking it—just put on the appearance of enjoying your studies. That way the Master will have less cause for anger, and he'll have something to boast of in front of people too.他心里想著，我家代代讀書，只從有了你，不承望你不喜讀書，已經他心里又氣又愧了。In his heart he thinks: our family has produced scholars generation after generation, and only since you came along did it turn out you have no taste for study—this alone already fills him with both anger and shame.而且背前背後亂說那些混話，凡讀書上進的人，你就起個名字叫作‘祿蠹’，又說只除‘明明德’外無書，都是前人自己不能解圣人之書，便另出己意，混編纂出來的。And besides, you go about saying all sorts of nonsense both to people's faces and behind their backs—anyone who studies to get ahead you brand with the name 'career worm,' and you claim that apart from the 'Illustrious Virtue' passage there are no real books, that all the rest were cobbled together out of men's own private notions by scholars of former times who could not understand the sages' books themselves.這些話，怎麼怨得老爺不氣，不時時打你。With talk like that, how can you blame the Master for being angry, for beating you time and again?叫別人怎麼想你？”寶玉笑道：“再不說了，那原是小時不知天高地厚，信口胡說，如今再不敢說了。What must other people think of you?" Baoyu said with a smile, "I won't say such things again. That was only when I was young and didn't know any better, talking wildly without thinking—now I'd never dare say it again.還有什麼？”What else is there?"

袭人道：“第二件，你真喜读书也罢，假喜也罢，只是在老爷跟前或在别人跟前，你别只管批驳诮谤，只作出个喜读书的样子来，也教老爷少生些气，在人前也好说嘴。他心里想著，我家代代读书，只从有了你，不承望你不喜读书，已经他心里又气又愧了。而且背前背后乱说那些混话，凡读书上进的人，你就起个名字叫作‘禄蠹’，又说只除‘明明德’外无书，都是前人自己不能解圣人之书，便另出己意，混编纂出来的。这些话，怎么怨得老爷不气，不时时打你。叫别人怎么想你？”宝玉笑道：“再不说了，那原是小时不知天高地厚，信口胡说，如今再不敢说了。还有什么？”

襲人道：“再不可毀僧謗道，調脂弄粉。Xiren said, "Also, you must never again slander monks and priests, or fool about with rouge and powder.還有更要緊的一件，再不許吃人嘴上擦的胭脂了，與那愛紅的毛病兒。”寶玉道：“都改，都改。And there's one thing more important still—you must never again eat the rouge off other people's lips, and you must give up this obsession of yours with the color red." Baoyu said, "I'll change all of it, all of it.再有什麼，快說。”襲人笑道：“再也沒有了。If there's anything more, tell me quickly." Xiren said with a smile, "There's nothing more.只是百事檢點些，不任意任情的就是了。Just be a little more careful in everything you do, and don't simply follow your own whims and impulses—that's all.你若果都依了，便拿八人轎也抬不出我去了。”寶玉笑道：“你在這里長遠了，不怕沒八人轎你坐。”襲人冷笑道：“這我可不希罕的。If you really agree to all of this, then not even an eight-bearer sedan chair could carry me out of here." Baoyu said with a smile, "If you stay here long enough, you needn't worry about not having an eight-bearer sedan chair to ride in." Xiren gave a cold laugh and said, "That's not something I set any store by.有那個福氣，沒有那個道理。Even if I had the good fortune for it, there'd be no proper reason for it.縱坐了，也沒甚趣。”And even if I did ride in one, there'd be no pleasure in it."

袭人道：“再不可毁僧谤道，调脂弄粉。还有更要紧的一件，再不许吃人嘴上擦的胭脂了，与那爱红的毛病儿。”宝玉道：“都改，都改。再有什么，快说。”袭人笑道：“再也没有了。只是百事检点些，不任意任情的就是了。你若果都依了，便拿八人轿也抬不出我去了。”宝玉笑道：“你在这里长远了，不怕没八人轿你坐。”袭人冷笑道：“这我可不希罕的。有那个福气，没有那个道理。纵坐了，也没甚趣。”

二人正說著，只見秋紋走進來，說：“快三更了，該睡了。Just as the two of them were talking, Qiuwen came in and said, "It's nearly the third watch, time to sleep.方才老太太打發嬤嬤來問，我答應睡了。”寶玉命取表來看時，果然針已指到亥正，方從新盥漱，寬衣安歇，不在話下。Just now the Old Lady sent a nurse to ask after you, and I told her you were already asleep." Baoyu had someone fetch his watch to check, and sure enough the hands already pointed to the exact hour of Hai. Only then did he wash up again, undress, and settle down to sleep—no need to go into further detail.至次日清晨，襲人起來，便覺身体發重，頭疼目脹，四肢火熱。The next morning, when Xiren got up, she felt her whole body heavy, her head aching, her eyes swollen, and her limbs burning hot.先時還掙扎的住，次後捱不住，只要睡著，因而和衣躺在炕上。At first she managed to force herself to keep going, but after a while she could bear it no longer and felt she must lie down, so she lay down on the kang without even changing her clothes.寶玉忙回了賈母，傳醫診視，說道：“不過偶感風寒，吃一兩劑藥疏散疏散就好了。”開方去後，令人取藥來煎好，剛服下去，命他蓋上被渥汗，寶玉自去黛玉房中來看視。Baoyu hurried to report this to the Old Lady and sent for a doctor to examine her. The doctor said, "It's nothing but a slight chill—a dose or two of medicine to disperse it and she'll be fine." After he had written out the prescription and left, someone was sent to fetch the medicine and brew it; as soon as she had taken it, she was told to cover herself with the quilt and sweat it out. Baoyu himself then went off to Daiyu's room to see how she was doing.

二人正说著，只见秋纹走进来，说：“快三更了，该睡了。方才老太太打发嬷嬷来问，我答应睡了。”宝玉命取表来看时，果然针已指到亥正，方从新盥漱，宽衣安歇，不在话下。至次日清晨，袭人起来，便觉身体发重，头疼目胀，四肢火热。先时还挣扎的住，次后挨不住，只要睡著，因而和衣躺在炕上。宝玉忙回了贾母，传医诊视，说道：“不过偶感风寒，吃一两剂药疏散疏散就好了。”开方去后，令人取药来煎好，刚服下去，命他盖上被渥汗，宝玉自去黛玉房中来看视。

彼時黛玉自在床上歇午，丫鬟們皆出去自便，滿屋內靜悄悄的，寶玉揭起繡線軟帘，進入里間，只見黛玉睡在那里，忙走上來推他道：“好妹妹，才吃了飯，又睡覺。”將黛玉喚醒。At that moment Daiyu was resting on her bed for her midday nap, and her maids had all gone off to amuse themselves, so the whole room was perfectly still. Baoyu lifted the embroidered soft curtain and went into the inner room, where he found Daiyu lying asleep. He hurried over and shook her gently, saying, "Dear sister, you've only just eaten and now you're sleeping again," and so woke Daiyu up.黛玉見是寶玉，因說道：“你且出去逛逛。Seeing it was Baoyu, Daiyu said, "Go on out and amuse yourself somewhere else for a while.我前兒鬧了一夜，今兒還沒有歇過來，渾身酸疼。”寶玉道：“酸疼事小，睡出來的病大。I was up fussing half the night the other day, and I still haven't recovered—my whole body aches." Baoyu said, "Aching is a small matter, but sleeping too much can bring on a real illness, which is far worse.我替你解悶兒，混過困去就好了。”黛玉只合著眼，說道：“我不困，只略歇歇兒，你且別處去鬧會子再來。”寶玉推他道：“我往那去呢，見了別人就怪膩的。”Let me help you pass the time and while away your drowsiness, and you'll be fine." Daiyu only kept her eyes closed and said, "I'm not sleepy, I just want to rest a little—go off and make mischief somewhere else for a while, then come back." Baoyu nudged her and said, "Where would I go? Seeing anyone else just bores me to death."

彼时黛玉自在床上歇午，丫鬟们皆出去自便，满屋内静悄悄的，宝玉揭起绣线软帘，进入里间，只见黛玉睡在那里，忙走上来推他道：“好妹妹，才吃了饭，又睡觉。”将黛玉唤醒。黛玉见是宝玉，因说道：“你且出去逛逛。我前儿闹了一夜，今儿还没有歇过来，浑身酸疼。”宝玉道：“酸疼事小，睡出来的病大。我替你解闷儿，混过困去就好了。”黛玉只合著眼，说道：“我不困，只略歇歇儿，你且别处去闹会子再来。”宝玉推他道：“我往那去呢，见了别人就怪腻的。”

黛玉聽了，嗤的一聲笑道：“你既要在這里，那邊去老老實實的坐著，咱們說話兒。”寶玉道：“我也歪著。”黛玉道：“你就歪著。”寶玉道：“沒有枕頭，咱們在一個枕頭上。”黛玉道：“放屁！Hearing this, Daiyu let out a little laugh and said, "Well, if you insist on staying here, then go sit properly over there and we'll talk." Baoyu said, "I'll lie down too." Daiyu said, "Go on and lie down then." Baoyu said, "There's no pillow—let's share the one pillow." Daiyu said, "Nonsense!外頭不是枕頭？Aren't there pillows outside?拿一個來枕著。”寶玉出至外間，看了一看，回來笑道：“那個我不要，也不知是那個髒婆子的。”黛玉聽了，睜開眼，起身笑道：“真真你就是我命中的‘天魔星’！Go get one to rest your head on." Baoyu went out to the outer room, took a look, and came back saying with a smile, "I don't want that one—who knows which dirty old woman it belongs to." Hearing this, Daiyu opened her eyes, sat up, and said with a laugh, "Truly, you must be my fated 'star of heavenly torment'!請枕這一個。”說著，將自己枕的推與寶玉，又起身將自己的再拿了一個來，自己枕了，二人對面倒下。Here, use this one of mine." So saying, she pushed over the pillow she had been using to Baoyu, then got up and fetched another one for herself, and the two of them lay down facing each other.

黛玉听了，嗤的一声笑道：“你既要在这里，那边去老老实实的坐著，咱们说话儿。”宝玉道：“我也歪著。”黛玉道：“你就歪著。”宝玉道：“没有枕头，咱们在一个枕头上。”黛玉道：“放屁！外头不是枕头？拿一个来枕著。”宝玉出至外间，看了一看，回来笑道：“那个我不要，也不知是那个脏婆子的。”黛玉听了，睁开眼，起身笑道：“真真你就是我命中的‘天魔星’！请枕这一个。”说著，将自己枕的推与宝玉，又起身将自己的再拿了一个来，自己枕了，二人对面倒下。

黛玉因看見寶玉左邊腮上有鈕扣大小的一塊血漬，便欠身湊近前來，以手撫之細看，又道：“這又是誰的指甲刮破了？”寶玉側身，一面躲，一面笑道：“不是刮的，只怕是才剛替他們淘漉胭脂膏子，蹭上了一點兒。”說著，便找手帕子要揩拭。Daiyu noticed a smear of blood the size of a button on Baoyu's left cheek, and leaning forward she reached out and touched it, examining it closely, and said, "Now whose fingernail scratched you this time?" Baoyu turned aside, dodging her hand, and said with a smile, "It's not a scratch—I was probably just now helping them wash out the rouge paste and got a smear on my face by accident." So saying, he looked around for a handkerchief to wipe it off.黛玉便用自己的帕子替他揩拭了，口內說道：“你又幹這些事了。Daiyu then used her own handkerchief to wipe it off for him, saying as she did so, "There you go doing this sort of thing again.幹也罷了，必定還要帶出幌子來。Doing it is bad enough, but you always have to go and leave the telltale sign behind as well.便是舅舅看不見，別人看見了，又當奇事新鮮話兒去學舌討好兒，吹到舅舅耳朵里，又該大家不乾淨惹氣。”Even if Uncle doesn't see it himself, someone else will, and they'll treat it as some strange and fresh piece of gossip to carry tales and curry favor with, and it will get blown into Uncle's ears, and then everyone will be dragged into an unpleasant, aggravating mess over it."

黛玉因看见宝玉左边腮上有钮扣大小的一块血渍，便欠身凑近前来，以手抚之细看，又道：“这又是谁的指甲刮破了？”宝玉侧身，一面躲，一面笑道：“不是刮的，只怕是才刚替他们淘漉胭脂膏子，蹭上了一点儿。”说著，便找手帕子要揩拭。黛玉便用自己的帕子替他揩拭了，口内说道：“你又干这些事了。干也罢了，必定还要带出幌子来。便是舅舅看不见，别人看见了，又当奇事新鲜话儿去学舌讨好儿，吹到舅舅耳朵里，又该大家不干净惹气。”

寶玉總未聽見這些話，只聞得一股幽香，卻是從黛玉袖中發出，聞之令人醉魂酥骨。Baoyu had not really heard a word of all this; he had only caught a faint fragrance drifting from Daiyu's sleeve, a scent that seemed to intoxicate the soul and melt the very bones.寶玉一把便將黛玉的袖子拉住，要瞧籠著何物。Baoyu reached out and grabbed hold of Daiyu's sleeve, wanting to see what was tucked inside it.黛玉笑道：“冬寒十月，誰帶什麼香呢。”寶玉笑道：“既然如此，這香是那里來的？”黛玉道：“連我也不知道。Daiyu said with a smile, "It's cold winter, the tenth month—who would be carrying any scent sachet now?" Baoyu said with a smile, "If that's so, where does this fragrance come from then?" Daiyu said, "Even I don't know.想必是柜子里頭的香氣，衣服上熏染的也未可知。”寶玉搖頭道：“未必，這香的氣味奇怪，不是那些香餅子，香毬子，香袋子的香。”黛玉冷笑道：“難道我也有什麼‘羅漢’‘真人’給我些香不成？It's probably just the scent from inside the clothes chest that's soaked into my clothes, who's to say." Baoyu shook his head and said, "Not necessarily—this fragrance has a strange quality to it, quite unlike the scent of incense cakes, scent balls, or scent sachets." Daiyu gave a cold laugh and said, "Do you suppose I too have some 'arhat' or 'immortal' presenting me with rare incense?便是得了奇香，也沒有親哥哥親兄弟弄了花兒，朵兒，霜兒，雪兒替我炮制。And even if I had come by some rare fragrance, I have no own elder or younger brother to gather flowers and blossoms, frost and snow, and prepare it for me.我有的是那些俗香罷了。”All I have are those common, ordinary scents, nothing more."

宝玉总未听见这些话，只闻得一股幽香，却是从黛玉袖中发出，闻之令人醉魂酥骨。宝玉一把便将黛玉的袖子拉住，要瞧笼著何物。黛玉笑道：“冬寒十月，谁带什么香呢。”宝玉笑道：“既然如此，这香是那里来的？”黛玉道：“连我也不知道。想必是柜子里头的香气，衣服上熏染的也未可知。”宝玉摇头道：“未必，这香的气味奇怪，不是那些香饼子，香毬子，香袋子的香。”黛玉冷笑道：“难道我也有什么‘罗汉’‘真人’给我些香不成？便是得了奇香，也没有亲哥哥亲兄弟弄了花儿，朵儿，霜儿，雪儿替我炮制。我有的是那些俗香罢了。”

寶玉笑道：“凡我說一句，你就拉上這麼些，不給你個利害，也不知道，從今兒可不饒你了。Baoyu said with a smile, "Every single thing I say, you drag in all this besides—if I don't teach you a lesson you'll never learn. From today on I won't let you off so easily.說著翻身起來，將兩只手呵了兩口，便伸手向黛玉膈肢窩內兩肋下亂撓。So saying he flipped over and sat up, blew warm breath on his two hands a couple of times, then reached out and tickled Daiyu wildly under her arms and along her ribs.黛玉素性触痒不禁，寶玉兩手伸來亂撓，便笑的喘不過氣來，口里說：“寶玉，你再鬧，我就惱了。”寶玉方住了手，笑問道：“你還說這些不說了？”黛玉笑道：“再不敢了。”一面理鬢笑道：“我有奇香，你有‘暖香’沒有？”Daiyu was ticklish by nature and could never bear it, and with Baoyu's two hands reaching in and tickling her wildly, she laughed until she could hardly catch her breath, saying, "Baoyu, if you keep this up I really will get angry." Only then did Baoyu stop, and asked with a smile, "Will you say such things again or not?" Daiyu said with a smile, "I won't ever dare again." Then, smoothing her hair, she said with a smile, "I have a rare fragrance—do you have a 'Warm Fragrance' to match it?"

宝玉笑道：“凡我说一句，你就拉上这么些，不给你个利害，也不知道，从今儿可不饶你了。说著翻身起来，将两只手呵了两口，便伸手向黛玉膈肢窝内两肋下乱挠。黛玉素性触痒不禁，宝玉两手伸来乱挠，便笑的喘不过气来，口里说：“宝玉，你再闹，我就恼了。”宝玉方住了手，笑问道：“你还说这些不说了？”黛玉笑道：“再不敢了。”一面理鬓笑道：“我有奇香，你有‘暖香’没有？”

寶玉見問，一時解不來，因問：“什麼‘暖香’？”黛玉點頭歎笑道：“蠢才，蠢才！Baoyu, hearing this question, could not make sense of it for a moment, and asked, "What 'Warm Fragrance'?" Daiyu nodded, sighed, and laughed, "What a dunce, what a dunce!你有玉，人家就有金來配你，人家有‘冷香’，你就沒有‘暖香’去配？”寶玉方聽出來。You have your jade, and someone else has gold to match it; someone else has a 'Cold Fragrance,' and you have no 'Warm Fragrance' to match that?" Only then did Baoyu catch her meaning.寶玉笑道：“方才求饒，如今更說狠了。”說著，又去伸手。Baoyu said with a smile, "A moment ago you were begging for mercy, and now you're talking even more sharply." So saying, he reached out his hands again.黛玉忙笑道：“好哥哥，我可不敢了。”寶玉笑道：“饒便饒你，只把袖子我聞一聞。”說著，便拉了袖子籠在面上，聞個不住。Daiyu said quickly with a smile, "Dear brother, I really won't say it again." Baoyu said with a smile, "Very well, I'll let you off then—but just let me smell your sleeve once more." So saying, he pulled her sleeve up and pressed it over his face, breathing in the scent without stopping.黛玉奪了手道：“這可該去了。”寶玉笑道：“去，不能。Daiyu snatched her hand away and said, "Now you really must go." Baoyu said with a smile, "Go? I can't.咱們斯斯文文的躺著說話兒。”說著，复又倒下。Let's just lie here quietly and talk properly." So saying, he lay back down again.黛玉也倒下。Daiyu lay down too.用手帕子蓋上臉。She covered her face with her handkerchief.寶玉有一搭沒一搭的說些鬼話，黛玉只不理。Baoyu rambled on with one bit of nonsense after another, but Daiyu simply paid him no attention.寶玉問他幾歲上京，路上見何景致古跡，揚州有何遺跡故事，土俗民風。Baoyu asked her at what age she had come up to the capital, what scenery and old sites she had seen along the way, and what historic remains, stories, local customs, and popular ways there were in Yangzhou.黛玉只不答。Daiyu simply would not answer.

宝玉见问，一时解不来，因问：“什么‘暖香’？”黛玉点头叹笑道：“蠢才，蠢才！你有玉，人家就有金来配你，人家有‘冷香’，你就没有‘暖香’去配？”宝玉方听出来。宝玉笑道：“方才求饶，如今更说狠了。”说著，又去伸手。黛玉忙笑道：“好哥哥，我可不敢了。”宝玉笑道：“饶便饶你，只把袖子我闻一闻。”说著，便拉了袖子笼在面上，闻个不住。黛玉夺了手道：“这可该去了。”宝玉笑道：“去，不能。咱们斯斯文文的躺著说话儿。”说著，复又倒下。黛玉也倒下。用手帕子盖上脸。宝玉有一搭没一搭的说些鬼话，黛玉只不理。宝玉问他几岁上京，路上见何景致古迹，扬州有何遗迹故事，土俗民风。黛玉只不答。

寶玉只怕他睡出病來，便哄他道：“噯喲！Fearing she might fall ill from too much sleep, Baoyu tried to coax her, saying, "Oh my!你們揚州衙門里有一件大故事，你可知道？”黛玉見他說的鄭重，且又正言厲色，只當是真事，因問：“什麼事？”寶玉見問，便忍著笑順口謅道：“揚州有一座黛山。There's a great story from the yamen in your Yangzhou—do you know it?" Seeing how serious he sounded, speaking with such a solemn, earnest face, Daiyu took it for a real matter and asked, "What story?" At her question, Baoyu, stifling a laugh, made up something on the spot, saying, "In Yangzhou there is a mountain called Dai Mountain.山上有個林子洞。”黛玉笑道：“就是扯謊，自來也沒聽見這山。”寶玉道：“天下山水多著呢，你那里知道這些不成。On the mountain there is a cave called Lin Cave." Daiyu said with a laugh, "Now you're just making things up—I've never in my life heard of such a mountain." Baoyu said, "There are countless mountains and rivers in this world—how could you possibly know them all?等我說完了，你再批評。”黛玉道：“你且說。”寶玉又謅道：“林子洞里原來有群耗子精。Wait till I've finished, and then you can criticize." Daiyu said, "Go on then, tell it." Baoyu made up further, "In Lin Cave there once lived a band of rat spirits.那一年腊月初七日，老耗子升座議事，因說：‘明日乃是腊八，世上人都熬腊八粥。That year, on the seventh day of the twelfth month, the old rat took his seat to discuss affairs, and said, 'Tomorrow is the Laba festival, and people in the world will all be boiling Laba porridge.如今我們洞中果品短少，須得趁此打劫些來方妙。’乃拔令箭一枝，遣一能幹的小耗前去打聽。Now our supplies of fruit and nuts in the cave are running low, and we ought to seize this chance to go and plunder some.' So he drew out a command arrow and sent a capable young rat off to scout and gather information.一時小耗回報：‘各處察訪打聽已畢，惟有山下廟里果米最多。’老耗問：“米有幾樣？Before long the young rat returned to report: 'I have investigated everywhere, and it turns out the temple at the foot of the mountain has the most rice and fruit of anywhere.' The old rat asked, 'How many kinds of rice are there?果有幾品？’小耗道：‘米豆成倉，不可胜記。And how many kinds of fruit?' The young rat said, 'The rice and beans fill whole granaries, too many to count.果品有五种：一紅棗，二栗子，三落花生，四菱角，五香芋。’老耗聽了大喜，即時點耗前去。As for the fruits, there are five kinds: first, red dates; second, chestnuts; third, peanuts; fourth, water chestnuts; and fifth, fragrant taro.' Hearing this, the old rat was overjoyed and at once picked out rats to go.乃拔令箭問：‘誰去偷米？’一耗便接令去偷米。He drew a command arrow and asked, 'Who will go steal the rice?' One rat stepped forward, took the order, and went off to steal the rice.又拔令箭問：‘誰去偷豆？’又一耗接令去偷豆。He drew another command arrow and asked, 'Who will go steal the beans?' Another rat took the order and went off to steal the beans.然後一一的都各領令去了。And so, one by one, each rat took its assigned order and went off.只剩了香芋一种，因又拔令箭問：‘誰去偷香芋？’只見一個极小极弱的小耗應道：‘我願去偷香芋。’老耗并眾耗見他這樣，恐不諳練，且怯懦無力，都不准他去。Only the fragrant taro was left, so he drew another command arrow and asked, 'Who will go steal the fragrant taro?' At this a tiny, feeble little rat answered, 'I am willing to go steal the fragrant taro.' The old rat and all the other rats, seeing what a puny thing it was, feared it was inexperienced and too timid and weak, and none of them would allow it to go.小耗道：“我雖年小身弱，卻是法術無邊，口齒伶俐，机謀深遠。The little rat said, 'Though I am young and my body weak, my magical powers are boundless, my tongue is clever, and my schemes run deep.此去管比他們偷的還巧呢。’眾耗忙問：‘如何比他們巧呢？’小耗道：“我不學他們直偷。If I go, I guarantee I'll steal it more cleverly than any of them.' The other rats quickly asked, 'How could you possibly be cleverer than they are?' The little rat said, 'I won't do as they do and steal it outright.我只搖身一變，也變成個香芋，滾在香芋堆里，使人看不出，聽不見，卻暗暗的用分身法搬運，漸漸的就搬運盡了。I need only give my body a shake and transform myself into a fragrant taro too, then roll myself into the pile of taros, so that no one can spot me or hear me, while secretly using the technique of dividing my body to carry them off, bit by bit, until I've carried away every last one.豈不比直偷硬取的巧些？’眾耗聽了，都道：‘妙卻妙，只是不知怎麼個變法，你先變個我們瞧瞧。’小耗聽了，笑道：‘這個不難，等我變來。’說畢，搖身說‘變’，竟變了一個最標致美貌的一位小姐。Isn't that far more clever than stealing by brute force?' Hearing this, the other rats all said, 'Clever indeed, clever indeed—only we don't know just how you'd transform yourself. Change yourself first and let us have a look.' Hearing this, the little rat laughed and said, 'That's easy enough, just watch me change.' So saying, it shook its body and cried 'Change!'—and turned into the most exquisitely beautiful young lady imaginable.眾耗忙笑道：‘變錯了，變錯了。The other rats quickly laughed and said, 'You've transformed wrong, you've transformed wrong!原說變果子的，如何變出小姐來？’小耗現形笑道：‘我說你們沒見世面，只認得這果子是香芋，卻不知鹽課林老爺的小姐才是真正的香玉呢。’”You said you'd turn into a piece of fruit—how did you turn into a young lady instead?' The little rat resumed its true form and said with a laugh, 'That's just what I mean—you've none of you seen the world. You only recognize this fruit as fragrant taro, and have no idea that the daughter of Salt Commissioner Lin is truly the real "Fragrant Jade."'"

宝玉只怕他睡出病来，便哄他道：“嗳哟！你们扬州衙门里有一件大故事，你可知道？”黛玉见他说的郑重，且又正言厉色，只当是真事，因问：“什么事？”宝玉见问，便忍著笑顺口诌道：“扬州有一座黛山。山上有个林子洞。”黛玉笑道：“就是扯谎，自来也没听见这山。”宝玉道：“天下山水多著呢，你那里知道这些不成。等我说完了，你再批评。”黛玉道：“你且说。”宝玉又诌道：“林子洞里原来有群耗子精。那一年腊月初七日，老耗子升座议事，因说：‘明日乃是腊八，世上人都熬腊八粥。如今我们洞中果品短少，须得趁此打劫些来方妙。’乃拔令箭一枝，遣一能干的小耗前去打听。一时小耗回报：‘各处察访打听已毕，惟有山下庙里果米最多。’老耗问：“米有几样？果有几品？’小耗道：‘米豆成仓，不可胜记。果品有五种：一红枣，二栗子，三落花生，四菱角，五香芋。’老耗听了大喜，即时点耗前去。乃拔令箭问：‘谁去偷米？’一耗便接令去偷米。又拔令箭问：‘谁去偷豆？’又一耗接令去偷豆。然后一一的都各领令去了。只剩了香芋一种，因又拔令箭问：‘谁去偷香芋？’只见一个极小极弱的小耗应道：‘我愿去偷香芋。’老耗并众耗见他这样，恐不谙练，且怯懦无力，都不准他去。小耗道：“我虽年小身弱，却是法术无边，口齿伶俐，机谋深远。此去管比他们偷的还巧呢。’众耗忙问：‘如何比他们巧呢？’小耗道：“我不学他们直偷。我只摇身一变，也变成个香芋，滚在香芋堆里，使人看不出，听不见，却暗暗的用分身法搬运，渐渐的就搬运尽了。岂不比直偷硬取的巧些？’众耗听了，都道：‘妙却妙，只是不知怎么个变法，你先变个我们瞧瞧。’小耗听了，笑道：‘这个不难，等我变来。’说毕，摇身说‘变’，竟变了一个最标致美貌的一位小姐。众耗忙笑道：‘变错了，变错了。原说变果子的，如何变出小姐来？’小耗现形笑道：‘我说你们没见世面，只认得这果子是香芋，却不知盐课林老爷的小姐才是真正的香玉呢。’”

黛玉聽了，翻身爬起來，按著寶玉笑道：“我把你爛了嘴的！Hearing this, Daiyu flipped over, scrambled up, pinned Baoyu down, and said with a laugh, "I'll rot that mouth of yours!我就知道你是編我呢。”說著，便擰的寶玉連連央告，說：“好妹妹，饒我罷，再不敢了！I just knew you were making all this up about me." So saying, she pinched him until Baoyu begged for mercy again and again, saying, "Dear sister, forgive me, I'll never dare again!我因為聞你香，忽然想起這個故典來。”黛玉笑道：“饒罵了人，還說是故典呢。”It was only because I smelled your fragrance that this old story suddenly came to mind." Daiyu said with a laugh, "Even after insulting someone, you still call it an 'old story.'"

黛玉听了，翻身爬起来，按著宝玉笑道：“我把你烂了嘴的！我就知道你是编我呢。”说著，便拧的宝玉连连央告，说：“好妹妹，饶我罢，再不敢了！我因为闻你香，忽然想起这个故典来。”黛玉笑道：“饶骂了人，还说是故典呢。”

一語未了，只見寶釵走來，笑問：“誰說故典呢？Before she had even finished speaking, Baochai came walking in and asked with a smile, "Who's telling old stories?我也聽聽。”黛玉忙讓坐，笑道：“你瞧瞧，有誰！Let me hear it too." Daiyu quickly offered her a seat, saying with a laugh, "Just look and see who else it could be!他饒罵了人，還說是故典。”寶釵笑道：“原來是寶兄弟，怨不得他，他肚子里的故典原多。Here he is insulting someone, and calling it an 'old story' besides." Baochai said with a smile, "So it's Cousin Bao—no wonder, he's always had a great store of old stories in that head of his.只是可惜一件，凡該用故典之時，他偏就忘了。It's only a pity that whenever there's actually a proper occasion to use one, he happens to forget it entirely.有今日記得的，前兒夜里的芭蕉詩就該記得。If he can remember one today, then he ought to have remembered the one for the banana-leaf poem the other night.眼面前的倒想不起來，別人冷的那樣，你急的只出汗。The one right in front of him he couldn't think of at all—while everyone else sat there so composed, you were so anxious you broke out in a sweat.這會子偏又有記性了。”黛玉聽了笑道：“阿彌陀佛！And now, of all times, your memory happens to be so good." Hearing this, Daiyu laughed and said, "Amitabha!到底是我的好姐姐，你一般也遇見對子了。So it turns out my good sister, you too have finally met your match.可知一還一報，不爽不錯的。”剛說到這里，只聽寶玉房中一片聲嚷，吵鬧起來。It just goes to show, one thing is repaid with another, without fail and without error." Just as she had said this, they suddenly heard a great commotion of shouting break out from Baoyu's room.正是——Indeed, it was just as the verse goes—

一语未了，只见宝钗走来，笑问：“谁说故典呢？我也听听。”黛玉忙让坐，笑道：“你瞧瞧，有谁！他饶骂了人，还说是故典。”宝钗笑道：“原来是宝兄弟，怨不得他，他肚子里的故典原多。只是可惜一件，凡该用故典之时，他偏就忘了。有今日记得的，前儿夜里的芭蕉诗就该记得。眼面前的倒想不起来，别人冷的那样，你急的只出汗。这会子偏又有记性了。”黛玉听了笑道：“阿弥陀佛！到底是我的好姐姐，你一般也遇见对子了。可知一还一报，不爽不错的。”刚说到这里，只听宝玉房中一片声嚷，吵闹起来。正是——

情切切良宵花解語，意綿綿靜日玉生香。With tender feelings, on a fine night, the flower speaks its heart; with lingering thoughts, in the quiet noon, the jade breathes forth its fragrance.

情切切良宵花解语，意绵绵静日玉生香。