第二十回　　王熙鳳正言彈妒意　林黛玉俏語謔嬌音 Wang Xifeng Rebukes Jealousy with Plain Words; Lin Daiyu Teases with Witty Banter

話說寶玉在林黛玉房中說「耗子精」，寶釵撞來，諷刺寶玉元宵不知「綠蠟」之典，三人正在房中互相譏刺取笑。The story goes that Baoyu was telling the tale of the "rat spirit" in Lin Daiyu's room, when Baochai happened to drop in and teased Baoyu for not knowing the allusion of "green wax" at the Lantern Festival — the three of them were in the room bantering and teasing one another.那寶玉正恐黛玉飯後貪眠，一時存了食，或夜間走了困，皆非保養身體之法，幸而寶釵走來，大家談笑，那林黛玉方不欲睡，自己纔放了心。Baoyu had been afraid that Daiyu, having overslept after her meal, might get indigestion, or lose her sleep that night — neither being good for her health — and it was fortunate that Baochai had come by, for with everyone talking and laughing, Daiyu no longer wanted to sleep, and only then did his mind rest easy.忽聽他房中嚷起來，大家側耳聽了一聽，林黛玉先笑道：「這是你媽媽和襲人叫嚷呢。Suddenly they heard shouting from his own room; everyone cocked an ear to listen, and Lin Daiyu was the first to say with a laugh, "That's your nanny and Xiren quarreling.那襲人也罷了，你媽媽再要認真排場他，可見老背晦了。」As for Xiren, never mind her, but if your nanny keeps making a real scene over her, it just shows she's gotten senile."

寶玉忙要趕過來，寶釵忙一把拉住道：「你別和你媽媽吵纔是，他老糊塗了，倒要讓他一步爲是。」寶玉道：「我知道了。」說畢走來，只見李嬤嬤拄著拐棍，在當地駡襲人：「忘了本的小娼婦！Baoyu hastily wanted to rush over, but Baochai quickly caught hold of him and said, "You mustn't quarrel with your nanny — she's old and muddled, so it's best to give way to her." Baoyu said, "I understand." So saying, he went over, and there he found Nanny Li, leaning on her cane, standing in the middle of the room cursing Xiren: "You ungrateful little hussy!我抬舉起你來，這會子我來了，你大模大樣的躺在炕上，見我來也不理一理。I raised you up, and now that I've come, here you lie sprawled grandly on the kang, and you don't even so much as glance at me when I come in.一心只想妝狐媚子哄寶玉，哄的寶玉不理我，聽你們的話。All you think about is playing the fox-fairy to bewitch Baoyu, bewitching him so that he pays me no heed and listens only to the likes of you.你不過是幾兩臭銀子買來的毛丫頭，這屋裏你就作耗，如何使得！You're nothing but a raw slip of a girl bought for a few taels of stinking silver, and already you're running wild in this room — how can that be allowed!好不好拉出去配一個小子，看你還妖精似的哄寶玉不哄！」襲人先只道李嬤嬤不過爲他躺著生氣，少不得分辨說「病了，纔出汗，蒙著頭，原沒看見你老人家」等語。I ought to have you dragged out and married off to some houseboy, and then we'll see if you can still play the enchantress and bewitch Baoyu!" At first Xiren thought Nanny Li was simply angry at her for lying down, so she had to explain herself, saying things like, "I was sick, and had just broken into a sweat, and had my head covered, so I truly didn't see you, madam."後來只管聽他說「哄寶玉」，「妝狐媚」，又說「配小子」等，由不得又愧又委屈，禁不住哭起來。But then, hearing her go on and on about "bewitching Baoyu," "playing the fox-fairy," and "marrying her off to a houseboy," Xiren couldn't help feeling both ashamed and wronged, and burst into tears.

寶玉雖聽了這些話，也不好怎樣，少不得替襲人分辨病了吃藥等話，又說：「你不信，只問別的丫頭們。」李嬤嬤聽了這話，益發氣起來了，說道：「你只護著那起狐狸，那裏認得我了，叫我問誰去？Though Baoyu heard all this, there was little he could do; he had no choice but to speak up for Xiren, explaining that she had been ill and taking medicine, and adding, "If you don't believe me, just ask the other maids." Hearing this, Nanny Li grew all the more furious and said, "You only shield that pack of foxes — where do you even recognize me anymore? Whom am I to go ask?誰不幫著你呢，誰不是襲人拿下馬來的！Who is there that doesn't take your side, who is there that Xiren hasn't gotten the better of!我都知道那些事。I know all about those goings-on.我只和你在老太太，太太跟前去講了。I'll just go and speak of it before the Old Ancestress and Madam.把你奶了這麼大，到如今吃不著奶了，把我丟在一旁，逞著丫頭們要我的强。」一面說，一面也哭起來。I nursed you and raised you this big, and now that you no longer need my milk, you've cast me aside and let the maids get the better of me." So saying, she too began to cry.彼時黛玉寶釵等也走過來勸說：「媽媽你老人家擔待他們一點子就完了。」李嬤嬤見他二人來了，便拉住訴委屈，將當日吃茶，茜雪出去，與昨日酥酪等事，嘮嘮叨叨說個不清。By then Daiyu, Baochai, and the others had also come over to smooth things over, saying, "Nanny, dear, if you'd just make a little allowance for them, it would all be settled." When Nanny Li saw the two of them arrive, she took hold of them and poured out her grievances, rambling on endlessly about the business of the tea that day, of Qianxue being sent away, and of the cream pudding from the day before.可巧鳳姐正在上房算完輸贏帳，聽得後面聲嚷，便知是李嬤嬤老病發了，排揎寶玉的人。——正值他今兒輸了錢，遷怒於人。As it happened, Xifeng was in the upper rooms just finishing settling the accounts of some gambling winnings and losses, and hearing the commotion from the rooms behind, she knew at once it was Nanny Li's old complaint flaring up again, dressing down Baoyu's people — and it so happened that Xifeng herself had lost money that day and was in a mood to vent her spleen on someone.便連忙趕過來，拉了李嬤嬤，笑道：「好媽媽，別生氣。So she hurried over, took hold of Nanny Li, and said with a laugh, "Dear Nanny, don't be angry.大節下老太太纔喜歡了一日，你是個老人家，別人高聲，你還要管他們呢，難道你反不知道規矩，在這裏嚷起來，叫老太太生氣不成？It's a great festival, and the Old Ancestress has only just had one happy day of it — you're an elder yourself, and if others raise their voices you're the one who ought to check them; surely you wouldn't be the one to forget the proprieties and start shouting here, upsetting the Old Ancestress, would you?你只說誰不好，我替你打他。Just tell me who's been in the wrong, and I'll thrash them for you.我家裏燒的滾熱的野雞，快來跟我吃酒去。」一面說，一面拉著走，又叫：「豐兒，替你李奶奶拿著拐棍子，擦眼淚的手帕子。」那李嬤嬤腳不沾地跟了鳳姐走了，一面還說：「我也不要這老命了，越性今兒沒了規矩，鬧一場子，討個沒臉，强如受那娼婦蹄子的氣！」後面寶釵黛玉隨著。I've got pheasant piping hot at my place — come along and have some wine with me." So saying, she pulled Nanny Li along, and called out, "Feng'er, carry your Nanny Li's cane, and her handkerchief for wiping her tears." Nanny Li, her feet scarcely touching the ground, was borne off along with Xifeng, still muttering as she went, "I don't care about this old life of mine anymore — I might as well throw all propriety to the wind today, make a scene, and lose face for it, rather than swallow another insult from that hussy!" Baochai and Daiyu followed along behind.見鳳姐兒這般，都拍手笑道：「虧這一陣風來，把個老婆子撮了去了。」寶玉點頭歎道：「這又不知是那裏的帳，只揀軟的排揎。Seeing Xifeng handle things this way, they all clapped their hands and laughed, "Thank goodness this gust of wind blew by and swept the old woman off." Baoyu nodded and sighed, "There's no telling whose grudge this really is — she just picks on the soft ones to vent it on.昨兒又不知是那個姑娘得罪了，上在他帳上。」一句未了，晴雯在旁笑道：「誰又不瘋了，得罪他作什麼。Heaven knows which young lady offended her yesterday, and now it's all charged to this account." Before he had finished speaking, Qingwen, standing by, said with a laugh, "Who's gone crazy enough to want to offend her?便得罪了他，就有本事承任，不犯帶累別人！」襲人一面哭，一面拉著寶玉道：「爲我得罪了一個老奶奶，你這會子又爲我得罪這些人，這還不够我受的，還只是拉別人。」寶玉見他這般病勢，又添了這些煩惱，連忙忍氣吞聲，安慰他仍舊睡下出汗。And even if someone did offend her, they'd have the nerve to take the blame themselves, without dragging anyone else into it!" Xiren, weeping, took hold of Baoyu and said, "On my account you've already offended one old nanny, and now on my account you're going to offend all these others too — isn't it enough that I have to bear this myself, without you dragging others into it as well." Seeing her in such a sickly state, now burdened with this fresh trouble besides, Baoyu quickly swallowed his anger and said nothing more, and comforted her into lying back down to sweat it out.又見他湯燒火熱，自己守著他，歪在旁邊，勸他只養著病，別想著些沒要緊的事生氣。Seeing too that she was burning with fever, he stayed by her side, reclining beside her, and urged her simply to rest and recover, and not to fret herself over trifling matters.襲人冷笑道：「要爲這些事生氣，這屋裏一刻還站不得了。Xiren said with a cold laugh, "If I were to get angry over things like this, I couldn't stand to stay in this room another moment.但只是天長日久，只管這樣，可叫人怎麼樣纔好呢。It's only that, as time goes on, if things keep going on like this, however is one to manage?時常我勸你，別爲我們得罪人，你只顧一時爲我們那樣，他們都記在心裏，遇著坎兒，說的好說不好聽，大家什麼意思。」一面說，一面禁不住流淚，又怕寶玉煩惱，只得又勉强忍著。I'm forever urging you not to offend people on our account — you think only of the moment when you take our side like that, but they all remember it in their hearts, and when trouble comes their way, whether the words that come out are kind or unkind, what good does it do anyone." As she spoke she could not hold back her tears, but fearing to trouble Baoyu, she forced herself to hold them back again.

宝玉虽听了这些话，也不好怎样，少不得替袭人分辨病了吃药等话，又说：「你不信，只问别的丫头们。」李嬷嬷听了这话，益发气起来了，说道：「你只护著那起狐狸，那里认得我了，叫我问谁去？谁不帮著你呢，谁不是袭人拿下马来的！我都知道那些事。我只和你在老太太，太太跟前去讲了。把你奶了这么大，到如今吃不著奶了，把我丢在一旁，逞著丫头们要我的强。」一面说，一面也哭起来。彼时黛玉宝钗等也走过来劝说：「妈妈你老人家担待他们一点子就完了。」李嬷嬷见他二人来了，便拉住诉委屈，将当日吃茶，茜雪出去，与昨日酥酪等事，唠唠叨叨说个不清。可巧凤姐正在上房算完输赢帐，听得后面声嚷，便知是李嬷嬷老病发了，排揎宝玉的人。——正值他今儿输了钱，迁怒于人。便连忙赶过来，拉了李嬷嬷，笑道：「好妈妈，别生气。大节下老太太才喜欢了一日，你是个老人家，别人高声，你还要管他们呢，难道你反不知道规矩，在这里嚷起来，叫老太太生气不成？你只说谁不好，我替你打他。我家里烧的滚热的野鸡，快来跟我吃酒去。」一面说，一面拉著走，又叫：「丰儿，替你李奶奶拿著拐棍子，擦眼泪的手帕子。」那李嬷嬷脚不沾地跟了凤姐走了，一面还说：「我也不要这老命了，越性今儿没了规矩，闹一场子，讨个没脸，强如受那娼妇蹄子的气！」后面宝钗黛玉随著。见凤姐儿这般，都拍手笑道：「亏这一阵风来，把个老婆子撮了去了。」宝玉点头叹道：「这又不知是那里的帐，只拣软的排揎。昨儿又不知是那个姑娘得罪了，上在他帐上。」一句未了，晴雯在旁笑道：「谁又不疯了，得罪他作什么。便得罪了他，就有本事承任，不犯带累别人！」袭人一面哭，一面拉著宝玉道：「为我得罪了一个老奶奶，你这会子又为我得罪这些人，这还不够我受的，还只是拉别人。」宝玉见他这般病势，又添了这些烦恼，连忙忍气吞声，安慰他仍旧睡下出汗。又见他汤烧火热，自己守著他，歪在旁边，劝他只养著病，别想著些没要紧的事生气。袭人冷笑道：「要为这些事生气，这屋里一刻还站不得了。但只是天长日久，只管这样，可叫人怎么样才好呢。时常我劝你，别为我们得罪人，你只顾一时为我们那样，他们都记在心里，遇著坎儿，说的好说不好听，大家什么意思。」一面说，一面禁不住流泪，又怕宝玉烦恼，只得又勉强忍著。

一時雜使的老婆子煎了二和藥來。Presently one of the odd-job old women brought in the second decoction of medicine.寶玉見他纔有汗意，不肯叫他起來，自己便端著就枕與他吃了，即命小丫頭子們鋪炕。Seeing that she had only just begun to sweat, Baoyu would not let her get up, but himself held the bowl to her pillow so she could drink it lying down, and then told the little maids to spread out the bedding on the kang.襲人道：「你吃飯不吃飯，到底老太太，太太跟前坐一會子，和姑娘們頑一會子再回來。Xiren said, "Whether or not you've eaten, you really ought to go sit for a while before the Old Ancestress and Madam, and spend some time with the young ladies before you come back.我就靜靜的躺一躺也好。」寶玉聽說，只得替他去了簪環，看他躺下，自往上房來。As for me, I'll just lie here quietly for a while, and that will do fine." Hearing this, Baoyu had no choice but to remove her hairpins and bracelets for her, and once he had seen her lie down, he went off to the upper rooms.同賈母吃畢飯，賈母猶欲同那幾個老管家嬤嬤鬥牌解悶，寶玉記著襲人，便回至房中，見襲人朦朦睡去。After finishing his meal with the Lady Dowager, who still wished to play cards with a few of the old housekeeper-nannies to pass the time, Baoyu, with Xiren on his mind, went back to his room, where he found Xiren drowsily asleep.自己要睡，天氣尚早。He himself felt like sleeping too, but it was still early in the evening.彼時晴雯，綺霰，秋紋，碧痕都尋熱鬧，找鴛鴦琥珀等耍戲去了，獨見麝月一個人在外間房裏燈下抹骨牌。By then Qingwen, Qixia, Qiuwen, and Bihen had all gone off looking for some fun, to find Yuanyang, Hupo, and the others to play with, and only Sheyue was to be found alone in the outer room, sitting under the lamp shuffling dominoes by herself.寶玉笑問道：「你怎不同他們頑去？」麝月道：「沒有錢。」寶玉道：「床底下堆著那麼些，還不够你輸的？」麝月道：「都頑去了，這屋裏交給誰呢？Baoyu asked with a smile, "Why didn't you go play with them?" Sheyue said, "I have no money." Baoyu said, "There's a whole pile of it stacked under the bed — isn't that enough for you to lose?" Sheyue said, "If everyone went off to play, who would be left in charge of this room?那一個又病了。And the other one is sick besides.滿屋裏上頭是燈，地下是火。The whole room is full of lamps overhead and braziers on the floor.那些老媽媽子們，老天拔地，伏侍一天，也該叫他們歇歇，小丫頭子們也是伏侍了一天，這會子還不叫他們頑頑去。Those old nannies, worn out and creaking with age, have waited on everyone all day long, and really ought to be allowed to rest, and the little maids too have been serving all day — if they're not let go off to play a bit now, when will they be?所以讓他們都去罷，我在這裏看著。」So I let them all go, and I'll keep watch here myself."

寶玉聽了這話，公然又是一個襲人。Hearing this, Baoyu thought, this is plainly just another Xiren.因笑道：「我在這裏坐著，你放心去罷。」麝月道：「你既在這裏，越發不用去了，咱們兩個說話頑笑豈不好？」寶玉笑道：「咱兩個作什麼呢？So he said with a smile, "I'll sit here — you may go with an easy mind." Sheyue said, "Since you're here, there's all the less need for me to go — wouldn't it be nicer for the two of us to sit and talk and laugh together?" Baoyu said with a smile, "And what shall the two of us do?怪沒意思的，也罷了，早上你說頭癢，這會子沒什麼事，我替你篦頭罷。」麝月聽了便道：「就是這樣。」說著，將文具鏡匣搬來，卸去釵釧，打開頭髮，寶玉拿了篦子替他一一的梳篦。That sounds rather dull. Oh well then — this morning you said your scalp was itchy, and since there's nothing else to do right now, let me comb it out for you." Hearing this, Sheyue said, "Just as you like." So saying, she fetched over her toiletry case and mirror stand, took off her hairpins and bracelets, and let down her hair, while Baoyu took up the fine-toothed comb and combed it out for her strand by strand.只篦了三五下，只見晴雯忙忙走進來取錢。He had combed only a few strokes when Qingwen came hurrying in to fetch some money.一見了他兩個，便冷笑道：「哦，交杯盞還沒吃，倒上頭了！」寶玉笑道：「你來，我也替你篦一篦。」晴雯道：「我沒那麼大福。」說著，拿了錢，便摔簾子出去了。The moment she saw the two of them, she said with a cold laugh, "Well now — they haven't even drunk the nuptial cup yet, and already they're doing up her hair!" Baoyu said with a laugh, "Come here, and I'll comb yours too." Qingwen said, "I'm not fortunate enough for that." So saying, she took the money and flung the door curtain aside as she went out.

寶玉在麝月身後，麝月對鏡，二人在鏡內相視。Baoyu stood behind Sheyue, and Sheyue faced the mirror, so the two of them looked at each other's reflection in the glass.寶玉便向鏡內笑道：「滿屋裏就只是他磨牙。」麝月聽說，忙向鏡中擺手，寶玉會意。Baoyu said with a laugh into the mirror, "Of everyone in this room, she's the only one with a sharp tongue." Hearing this, Sheyue quickly waved her hand at him in the mirror, and Baoyu caught her meaning.忽聽忽一聲簾子響，晴雯又跑進來問道：「我怎麼磨牙了？Just then there came the sudden sound of the door curtain, and Qingwen came running back in again to ask, "How have I got a sharp tongue?咱們倒得說說。」麝月笑道：「你去你的罷，又來問人了。」晴雯笑道：「你又護著。Let's have this out." Sheyue said with a laugh, "Go on about your business — now you're back here pestering people again." Qingwen said with a laugh, "There you go shielding him again.你們那瞞神弄鬼的，我都知道。Whatever sly tricks the two of you are up to, I know all about it.等我撈回本兒來再說話。」說著，一徑出去了。Just wait till I've won back what I've lost, and then we'll talk." So saying, she went straight out again.這裏寶玉通了頭，命麝月悄悄的伏侍他睡下，不肯驚動襲人。Here Baoyu, having finished combing out her hair, told Sheyue to help him get quietly to bed, unwilling to disturb Xiren.一宿無話。Nothing further happened that night.至次日清晨起來，襲人已是夜間發了汗，覺得輕省了些，只吃些米湯靜養。By the time everyone rose the next morning, Xiren, having sweated through the night, felt somewhat better, and took only a little rice gruel while resting quietly.寶玉放了心，因飯後走到薛姨媽這邊來閑逛。His mind at ease, Baoyu, after breakfast, wandered over to Aunt Xue's quarters.彼時正月內，學房中放年學，閨閣中忌針，卻都是閒時。It was then still the first month of the year; the schoolroom was on New Year holiday, and needlework was avoided in the inner chambers, so everyone had time on their hands.賈環也過來頑，正遇見寶釵，香菱，鶯兒三個趕圍棋作耍，賈環見了也要頑。Jia Huan had also come over to play, and happened upon Baochai, Xiangling, and Yingr, who were amusing themselves with a game of dice, and seeing them, Jia Huan wanted to join in too.寶釵素習看他亦如寶玉，並沒他意。Baochai had always treated him just as she did Baoyu, without any partiality one way or the other.今兒聽他要頑，讓他上來坐了一處。So today, hearing that he wanted to play, she let him come sit down with them.一磊十個錢，頭一回自己贏了，心中十分歡喜。They staked ten coins to a round, and the first time he himself won, he was overjoyed.後來接連輸了幾盤，便有些著急。But afterward he lost several rounds in a row, and began to grow anxious.趕著這盤正該自己擲骰子，若擲個七點便贏，若擲個六點，下該鶯兒擲三點就贏了。Just then it came around to his own turn to throw the dice — if he threw a seven he would win, but if he threw a six, then it would be Yingr's turn next, and a three would let her win instead.因拿起骰子來，狠命一擲，一個作定了五，那一個亂轉。So he picked up the dice and flung them down hard; one came to rest showing a five, while the other kept spinning.鶯兒拍著手只叫「幺」，賈環便瞪著眼，「六——七——八」混叫。Yingr clapped her hands and kept calling out "One! One!" while Jia Huan glared and shouted wildly, "Six—seven—eight—"那骰子偏生轉出幺來。But as luck would have it, the die spun to a stop on one.賈環急了，伸手便抓起骰子來，然後就拿錢，說是個六點。In his agitation Jia Huan reached out and snatched up the dice at once, and then went to take the money, claiming it had come up six.鶯兒便說：「分明是個幺！」寶釵見賈環急了，便瞅鶯兒說道：「越大越沒規矩，難道爺們還賴你？Yingr said, "It was clearly a one!" Seeing Jia Huan getting worked up, Baochai shot Yingr a look and said, "The older you get, the less manners you have — do you really think a young master would cheat you?還不放下錢來呢！」鶯兒滿心委屈，見寶釵說，不敢則聲，只得放下錢來，口內嘟囔說：「一個作爺的，還賴我們這幾個錢，連我也不放在眼裏。Put the money back down, now!" Yingr, feeling thoroughly wronged, dared not say a word once Baochai had spoken, and had no choice but to put the money down, though she muttered under her breath, "Here's a young master cheating us out of these few coppers, and doesn't even think me worth noticing.前兒我和寶二爺頑，他輸了那些，也沒著急。The other day when I played with Master Bao the second, he lost far more than this and never once got upset.下剩的錢，還是幾個小丫頭子們一搶，他一笑就罷了。」寶釵不等說完，連忙斷喝。And when the leftover money was snatched up by the little maids, he just laughed and let it go." Before she could finish, Baochai cut her off sharply.賈環道：「我拿什麼比寶玉呢。Jia Huan said, "How could I ever compare to Baoyu?你們怕他，都和他好，都欺負我不是太太養的。」說著，便哭了。You're all afraid of him and you're all good to him, and you all bully me because I wasn't born of Madam." So saying, he began to cry.寶釵忙勸他：「好兄弟，快別說這話，人家笑話你。」又駡鶯兒。Baochai hastily tried to soothe him, "Dear brother, don't talk like that, people will laugh at you," and she scolded Yingr besides.正值寶玉走來，見了這般形况，問是怎麼了。Just then Baoyu came walking up, and seeing this state of affairs, asked what was the matter.賈環不敢則聲。Jia Huan dared not say a word.寶釵素知他家規矩，凡作兄弟的，都怕哥哥。Baochai knew well that, by the rules of that household, younger brothers were all expected to fear their elder brothers.卻不知那寶玉是不要人怕他的。But she did not know that this Baoyu was not one who wanted others to fear him.他想著：「兄弟們一並都有父母教訓，何必我多事，反生疏了。He thought to himself, "My brothers all have parents to instruct them — why should I meddle and only end up estranged from them.况且我是正出，他是庶出，饒這樣還有人背後談論，還禁得轄治他了。」更有個呆意思存在心裏。——你道是何呆意？Besides, I am the son of the principal wife, and he the son of a concubine, and even as things stand there is already talk behind my back — how much less could I stand to go about ruling over him." And beyond this he harbored a still more foolish notion in his heart — do you ask what foolish notion this was?因他自幼姊妹叢中長大，親姊妹有元春，探春，伯叔的有迎春，惜春，親戚中又有史湘雲，林黛玉，薛寶釵等諸人。Having grown up from childhood amid a crowd of sisters — his own full sisters being Yuanchun and Tanchun, his cousins through uncles being Yingchun and Xichun, and among his relatives besides being Shi Xiangyun, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the rest —他便料定，原來天生人爲萬物之靈，凡山川日月之精秀，只鐘於女兒，須眉男子不過是些渣滓濁沫而已。he had come to the settled conviction that, of all creation, man alone was the spirit of the ten thousand things, and that whatever refined and radiant essence there was in mountains and rivers, sun and moon, was concentrated wholly in girls, while whiskered men were nothing but so much dregs and scum.因有這個呆念在心，把一切男子都看成混沌濁物，可有可無。Holding this foolish conviction in his heart, he looked upon all men as so much murky, turbid stuff, whose presence or absence made no difference at all.只是父親叔伯兄弟中。Except, that is, among his father, uncles, and brothers —因孔子是亙古第一人說下的。for Confucius, being the foremost sage of all ages, had laid down this teaching,不可忤慢，只得要聽他這句話。and one dared not defy or slight it, so he had no choice but to heed that particular precept of his.所以，弟兄之間不過盡其大概的情理就罷了，並不想自己是丈夫，須要爲子弟之表率。And so, between brothers, he did no more than observe the general forms of proper feeling, and never once thought that, as a grown man, he ought to serve as a model for the younger ones.是以賈環等都不怕他，卻怕賈母，纔讓他三分。This was why Jia Huan and the others were not in the least afraid of him — it was only their fear of the Lady Dowager that made them give him any deference at all.如今寶釵恐怕寶玉教訓他，倒沒意思，便連忙替賈環掩飾。Now, fearing that Baoyu might lecture Jia Huan and make things awkward, Baochai hastened to smooth things over on his behalf.寶玉道：「大正月裏哭什麼？Baoyu said, "What are you crying for, in the middle of the New Year season?這裏不好，你別處頑去。If it's not to your liking here, go play somewhere else.你天天念書，倒念糊塗了。Here you are studying books every day, and yet you've only studied yourself into confusion.比如這件東西不好，橫豎那一件好，就棄了這件取那個。Suppose one thing isn't to your liking — well, there's always some other thing that is, so just set this one aside and take up that one.難道你守著這個東西哭一會子就好了不成？Do you really mean to sit there clinging to this one thing and cry over it, and think that will make it better?你原是來取樂頑的，既不能取樂，就往別處去尋樂頑去。You came here in the first place to enjoy yourself and play — if you can't find enjoyment here, then go elsewhere and look for it.哭一會子，難道算取樂頑了不成？Crying for a while — is that supposed to count as enjoying yourself?倒招自己煩惱，不如快去為是。」賈環聽了，只得回來。It only brings trouble on yourself — better to go off quickly, that's the sensible thing." Hearing this, Jia Huan had no choice but to go back.

宝玉在麝月身后，麝月对镜，二人在镜内相视。宝玉便向镜内笑道：「满屋里就只是他磨牙。」麝月听说，忙向镜中摆手，宝玉会意。忽听忽一声帘子响，晴雯又跑进来问道：「我怎么磨牙了？咱们倒得说说。」麝月笑道：「你去你的罢，又来问人了。」晴雯笑道：「你又护著。你们那瞒神弄鬼的，我都知道。等我捞回本儿来再说话。」说著，一径出去了。这里宝玉通了头，命麝月悄悄的伏侍他睡下，不肯惊动袭人。一宿无话。至次日清晨起来，袭人已是夜间发了汗，觉得轻省了些，只吃些米汤静养。宝玉放了心，因饭后走到薛姨妈这边来闲逛。彼时正月内，学房中放年学，闺阁中忌针，却都是闲时。贾环也过来顽，正遇见宝钗，香菱，莺儿三个赶围棋作耍，贾环见了也要顽。宝钗素习看他亦如宝玉，并没他意。今儿听他要顽，让他上来坐了一处。一磊十个钱，头一回自己赢了，心中十分欢喜。后来接连输了几盘，便有些著急。赶著这盘正该自己掷骰子，若掷个七点便赢，若掷个六点，下该莺儿掷三点就赢了。因拿起骰子来，狠命一掷，一个作定了五，那一个乱转。莺儿拍著手只叫「幺」，贾环便瞪著眼，「六——七——八」混叫。那骰子偏生转出幺来。贾环急了，伸手便抓起骰子来，然后就拿钱，说是个六点。莺儿便说：「分明是个幺！」宝钗见贾环急了，便瞅莺儿说道：「越大越没规矩，难道爷们还赖你？还不放下钱来呢！」莺儿满心委屈，见宝钗说，不敢则声，只得放下钱来，口内嘟囔说：「一个作爷的，还赖我们这几个钱，连我也不放在眼里。前儿我和宝二爷顽，他输了那些，也没著急。下剩的钱，还是几个小丫头子们一抢，他一笑就罢了。」宝钗不等说完，连忙断喝。贾环道：「我拿什么比宝玉呢。你们怕他，都和他好，都欺负我不是太太养的。」说著，便哭了。宝钗忙劝他：「好兄弟，快别说这话，人家笑话你。」又骂莺儿。正值宝玉走来，见了这般形况，问是怎么了。贾环不敢则声。宝钗素知他家规矩，凡作兄弟的，都怕哥哥。却不知那宝玉是不要人怕他的。他想著：「兄弟们一并都有父母教训，何必我多事，反生疏了。况且我是正出，他是庶出，饶这样还有人背后谈论，还禁得辖治他了。」更有个呆意思存在心里。——你道是何呆意？因他自幼姊妹丛中长大，亲姊妹有元春，探春，伯叔的有迎春，惜春，亲戚中又有史湘云，林黛玉，薛宝钗等诸人。他便料定，原来天生人为万物之灵，凡山川日月之精秀，只钟于女儿，须眉男子不过是些渣滓浊沫而已。因有这个呆念在心，把一切男子都看成混沌浊物，可有可无。只是父亲叔伯兄弟中。因孔子是亘古第一人说下的。不可忤慢，只得要听他这句话。所以，弟兄之间不过尽其大概的情理就罢了，并不想自己是丈夫，须要为子弟之表率。是以贾环等都不怕他，却怕贾母，才让他三分。如今宝钗恐怕宝玉教训他，倒没意思，便连忙替贾环掩饰。宝玉道：「大正月里哭什么？这里不好，你别处顽去。你天天念书，倒念糊涂了。比如这件东西不好，横竖那一件好，就弃了这件取那个。难道你守著这个东西哭一会子就好了不成？你原是来取乐顽的，既不能取乐，就往别处去寻乐顽去。哭一会子，难道算取乐顽了不成？倒招自己烦恼，不如快去为是。」贾环听了，只得回来。

趙姨娘見他這般，因問：「又是那裏墊了踹窩來了？」一問不答，再問時，賈環便說：「同寶姐姐頑的，鶯兒欺負我，賴我的錢，寶玉哥哥攆我來了。」趙姨娘啐道：「誰叫你上高臺盤去了？Seeing him in this state, Concubine Zhao asked, "Where have you gone and let yourself get walked over again?" He did not answer the first time; when she asked again, Jia Huan said, "I was playing with Sister Bao, and Yingr bullied me and cheated me out of my money, and Brother Baoyu chased me off." Concubine Zhao spat, "Who told you to go mixing with your betters in the first place?下流沒臉的東西！You shameless, low creature!那裏頑不得？Was there nowhere else you could have gone to play?誰叫你跑了去討沒意思！」正說著，可巧鳳姐在窗外過。Who told you to go running off there to be made a fool of!" Just as she was speaking, as luck would have it, Xifeng happened to be passing by outside the window.都聽在耳內。She heard every word of it.便隔窗說道：「大正月又怎麼了？So she called out through the window, "Now what's the trouble, in the middle of New Year?環兄弟小孩子家，一半點兒錯了，你只教導他，說這些淡話作什麼！Brother Huan is only a child — if he's done something even slightly wrong, all you need do is instruct him; what's the use of saying such coarse things!憑他怎麼去，還有太太老爺管他呢，就大口啐他！Whatever he does, Madam and the Master are there to discipline him — how dare you spit such abuse at him!他現是主子，不好了，橫豎有教導他的人，與你什麼相干！He is a young master after all, and if he's in the wrong, there are those whose place it is to correct him — what business is it of yours!環兄弟，出來，跟我頑去。」賈環素日怕鳳姐比怕王夫人更甚，聽見叫他，忙唯唯的出來。Brother Huan, come out and go play with me." Jia Huan, who at ordinary times feared Xifeng even more than he feared Lady Wang, hurried out with a string of yeses the moment he heard himself called.趙姨娘也不敢則聲。Concubine Zhao too did not dare say another word.鳳姐向賈環道：「你也是個沒氣性的！Xifeng said to Jia Huan, "You really have no spine at all!時常說給你：要吃，要喝，要頑，要笑，只愛同那一個姐姐妹妹哥哥嫂子頑，就同那個頑。I'm forever telling you: if you want to eat, or drink, or play, or laugh, and there's some particular sister or brother or sister-in-law you like to play with, then go play with that one.你不聽我的話，反叫這些人教的歪心邪意，狐媚子霸道的。You won't listen to me, and instead let these people here teach you crooked notions and wicked ways, fox-fairy tricks and bullying manners.自己不尊重，要往下流走，安著壞心，還只管怨人家偏心。You have no self-respect and insist on sinking to low company, harboring wicked thoughts, and still you go on complaining that others are partial against you.輸了幾個錢？How much money did you lose?就這麼個樣兒！」賈環見問，只得諾諾的回說：「輸了一二百。」鳳姐道：「虧你還是爺，輸了一二百錢就這樣！」回頭叫豐兒：「去取一吊錢來，姑娘們都在後頭頑呢，把他送了頑去。——你明兒再這麼下流狐媚子，我先打了你，打發人告訴學里，皮不揭了你的！And look at you carrying on like this over it!" Questioned so, Jia Huan could only answer meekly, "I lost a hundred or two coppers." Xifeng said, "And to think you call yourself a young master, making such a fuss over losing a hundred or two coppers!" Turning her head, she called to Feng'er, "Go fetch a string of cash — the young ladies are all playing out back, take him along to join them. — If you ever again carry on with this low, fox-fairy business, I'll beat you myself first, and then send word to the schoolroom besides, and see if I don't have the skin off you!爲你這個不尊重，恨的你哥哥牙根癢癢，不是我攔著，窩心脚把你的腸子窩出來了。」喝命：「去罷！」賈環諾諾的跟了豐兒，得了錢，自己和迎春等頑去。Your brother is so disgusted with this lack of self-respect of yours that his teeth positively itch with anger — if I hadn't stopped him, he'd have kicked your very guts out of you." She then ordered him off, "Go on, now!" Jia Huan, meekly assenting, followed Feng'er, took the money, and went off himself to play with Yingchun and the others.不在話下。No more of this for now.

且說寶玉正和寶釵頑笑，忽見人說：「史大姑娘來了。」寶玉聽了，抬身就走。Now to return to Baoyu, who was in the middle of laughing and talking with Baochai when someone suddenly announced, "Miss Shi has arrived." Hearing this, Baoyu rose at once and made to go.寶釵笑道：「等著，咱們兩個一齊走，瞧瞧他去。」說著，下了炕，同寶玉一齊來至賈母這邊。Baochai said with a laugh, "Wait — let's go together, the two of us, and see her." So saying, she got down off the kang, and together with Baoyu came over to the Lady Dowager's quarters.只見史湘雲大笑大說的，見他兩個來，忙問好厮見。There they found Shi Xiangyun in the middle of laughing and talking loudly, and when she saw the two of them come in, she hastened to exchange greetings.正值林黛玉在旁，因問寶玉：「在那裏的？」寶玉便說：「在寶姐姐家的。」黛玉冷笑道：「我說呢，虧在那裏絆住，不然早就飛了來了。」寶玉笑道：「只許同你頑，替你解悶兒。Lin Daiyu happened to be standing by, and asked Baoyu, "Where have you been?" Baoyu said, "At Sister Bao's." Daiyu said with a cold laugh, "So that's it — no wonder something was there to keep you tied down, or you'd have come flying over here long before now." Baoyu said with a laugh, "It's only ever allowed to play with you, and to help chase away your boredom.不過偶然去他那裏一趟，就說這話。」林黛玉道：「好沒意思的話！I merely happened to go over there once, and already you're saying things like this." Lin Daiyu said, "What a thoroughly tiresome thing to say!"去不去管我什麼事，我又沒叫你替我解悶兒。Whether you go or not is none of my business — I never asked you to keep me entertained anyway.可許你從此不理我呢！」說著，便賭氣回房去了。"You can just go ahead and never pay any attention to me again!" So saying, she flounced off to her room in a huff.

寶玉忙跟了來，問道：「好好的又生氣了？Baoyu hurried after her and asked, "What's this now, getting angry again for no reason?就是我說錯了，你到底也還坐在那裏，和別人說笑一會子。Even if I said something wrong, you could still have stayed sitting there and joked with the others a while longer.又來自己納悶。」林黛玉道：「你管我呢！」寶玉笑道：「我自然不敢管你，只沒有個看著你自己作踐了身子呢。」林黛玉道：「我作踐壞了身子，我死，與你何干！」寶玉道：「何苦來，大正月裏，死了活了的。」林黛玉道：「偏說死！Instead you go off and brood by yourself." Lin Daiyu said, "That's my own affair!" Baoyu said with a smile, "Of course I wouldn't presume to interfere with you — I only can't bear to see you mistreating your own health." Lin Daiyu said, "If I ruin my health and die, what is that to you?" Baoyu said, "Why must you talk this way — it's the first month of the new year, all this talk of dying and living." Lin Daiyu said, "I will say 'die' no matter what!我這會子就死！I'll die this very moment!你怕死，你長命百歲的，如何？」寶玉笑道：「要像只管這樣鬧，我還怕死呢？You're afraid of dying — may you live to be a hundred, then!" Baoyu said with a smile, "If things go on being stirred up like this, why would I be afraid to die?倒不如死了乾淨。」黛玉忙道：「正是了，要是這樣鬧，不如死了乾淨。」寶玉道：「我說我自己死了乾淨，別聽錯了話賴人。」正說著，寶釵走來道：「史大妹妹等你呢。」說著，便推寶玉走了。Better to die and be done with it." Daiyu said quickly, "That's just it — if things go on this way, better to die and be done with it." Baoyu said, "I meant that I myself would rather die and be done with it — don't mishear it and blame it on someone else." Just as they were speaking, Baochai came over and said, "Cousin Shi is waiting for you," and with that she pulled Baoyu away.這裏黛玉越發氣悶，只向窗前流淚。Left alone, Daiyu grew all the more stifled with resentment, and could only weep facing the window.

沒兩盞茶的工夫，寶玉仍來了。Before two cups of tea's time had passed, Baoyu came back again.林黛玉見了，越發抽抽噎噎的哭個不住。When Lin Daiyu saw him, she only sobbed and choked all the more without stopping.寶玉見了這樣，知難挽回，打叠起千百樣的款語溫言來勸慰。Seeing her like this, Baoyu knew it would be hard to win her round, and marshaled up a hundred kinds of gentle, tender words to comfort her.不料自己未張口，只見黛玉先說道：「你又來作什麼？But before he could even open his mouth, Daiyu spoke first: "What have you come again for?橫竪如今有人和你頑，比我又會念，又會作，又會寫，又會說笑，又怕你生氣拉了你去，你又作什麼來？After all, there's someone now to amuse you — better at poetry than I am, better at composing, better at writing, better at witty talk too, and so afraid of making you angry that she pulled you away — so what have you come here for?死活憑我去罷了！」寶玉聽了忙上來悄悄的說道：「你這麼個明白人，難道連『親不間疏，先不僭後』也不知道？Whether I live or die is my own affair, and that's the end of it!" On hearing this Baoyu hurried up to her and said softly, "You, of all people, so perceptive — surely you know the saying, 'kin should not be set apart for the sake of the newly close, nor should the one who came first be slighted for the one who came after'?我雖糊塗，却明白這兩句話。Muddled as I am, I do understand these two lines.頭一件，咱們是姑舅姊妹，寶姐姐是兩姨姊妹，論親戚，他比你疏。First of all, you and I are cousins on my father's side, while Cousin Bao is a cousin on the mother's side — as kinship goes, hers is the more distant.第二件，你先來，咱們兩個一桌吃，一床睡，長的這麼大了，他是纔來的，豈有個爲他疏你的？」林黛玉啐道：「我難道為叫你疏他？Second, you came here first — the two of us have eaten at one table and slept in one bed, and you've grown up all this time with me; she only just arrived — how could there be any question of slighting you for her sake?" Lin Daiyu spat out, "Do you think I care about your keeping your distance from her for my sake?我成了個什麼人了呢！What kind of person would that make me!我為的是我的心。」寶玉道：「我也為的是我的心。What I care about is my own heart." Baoyu said, "And what I care about is my own heart too.難道你就知你的心，不知我的心不成？」林黛玉聽了，低頭一語不發，半日說道：「你只怨人行動嗔怪了你，你再不知道你自己慪人難受。Could it be that you know only your own heart, and not mine?" On hearing this, Lin Daiyu lowered her head and said nothing for a long while, then said, "You only resent people for taking offense and blaming you, but you never once realize that you yourself vex people until they can't bear it.就拿今日天氣比，分明今兒冷的這樣，你怎麼倒反把個青肷披風脫了呢？」寶玉笑道：「何嘗不穿著，見你一惱，我一炮燥就脫了。」林黛玉歎道：「回來傷了風，又該餓著吵吃的了。」Take today's weather for example — it's plainly this cold today, so why in the world did you take off your dark fur-lined cape?" Baoyu said with a smile, "I did have it on — the moment I saw you get upset, I got so hot and bothered that I took it off." Lin Daiyu sighed, "And when you catch cold coming back, you'll go and clamor to be fed again."

二人正說著，只見湘雲走來，笑道：「二哥哥，林姐姐，你們天天一處頑，我好容易來了，也不理我一理兒。」黛玉笑道：「偏是咬舌子愛說話，連個『二』哥哥也叫不出來，只是『愛』哥哥『愛』哥哥的。The two of them were still talking when Xiangyun came walking up, laughing and saying, "Second Brother, Sister Lin, you two play together every single day — now that I've finally managed to come, you won't even give me a look." Daiyu said with a laugh, "It's just that the lisping one loves to talk so — can't even say 'Second' Brother properly, it comes out 'Thecond' Brother, 'Thecond' Brother.回來趕圍棋兒，又該你鬧『幺愛三四五』了。」寶玉笑道：「你學慣了他，明兒連你還咬起來呢。」史湘雲道：「他再不放人一點兒，專挑人的不好。Wait till we play at Weiqi later, and it'll be your turn to fuss over 'one, two, thwee, faw, five' again." Baoyu said with a smile, "You've picked up her way of talking so well that one of these days even you'll start lisping too." Shi Xiangyun said, "She never lets anyone off a bit, always picking out people's faults.你自己便比世人好，也不犯著見一個打趣一個。Even if you yourself were better than everyone else in the world, that's still no excuse to poke fun at every single one of them.指出一個人來，你敢挑他，我就伏你。」黛玉忙問是誰。Point out one single person, and if you dare tease her, then I'll admit you're in the right." Daiyu quickly asked who it was.湘雲道：「你敢挑寶姐姐的短處，就算你是好的。Xiangyun said, "If you dare pick at Cousin Bao's shortcomings, then I'll grant you're the good one.我算不如你，他怎麼不及你呢。」黛玉聽了，冷笑道：「我當是誰，原來是他！I know I'm not a match for you, but how is she not as good as you?" On hearing this, Daiyu gave a cold laugh, "I thought you meant someone else — so it's her!我那裏敢挑他呢。」寶玉不等說完，忙用話岔開。How would I dare pick at her." Before she could finish, Baoyu quickly changed the subject.湘雲笑道：「這一輩子我自然比不上你。Xiangyun said with a laugh, "In this life I'm naturally no match for you.我只保佑著明兒得一個咬舌的林姐夫，時時刻刻你可聽『愛』『厄』去。I only pray that one of these days you get yourself a lisping Brother Lin for a husband, so that every single moment you can go on hearing 'thee' and 'thou.'阿彌陀佛，那纔現在我眼裏！」說的衆人一笑，湘雲忙回身跑了。Amitabha Buddha — now that would really be a sight for my eyes!" This set everyone laughing, and Xiangyun quickly turned and ran off.要知端詳，下回分解。If you wish to know the particulars, that will be told in the chapter to follow.

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What it’s about

Baoyu's former nurse Li returns and resents the authority Xiren now exercises. Finding Xiren ill, she accuses the maid of putting on airs and insults her while Baoyu and the younger servants struggle to respond. Daiyu and Baochai arrive during the scene, and Xifeng tactfully but firmly escorts Nurse Li away to eat and play cards, using humor and status to stop the abuse without inviting a larger public quarrel.

The chapter also follows jealous attachments among servants and cousins. Jia Huan plays with Baochai's maid Ying'er and lashes out when she compares him unfavorably with Baoyu. Shi Xiangyun arrives, and Baoyu's attention to her provokes Daiyu; he in turn feels wounded that Daiyu does not recognize the uniqueness of their bond. Their quarrel resolves through quick, intimate banter, including Daiyu's mimicry of Xiangyun's pronunciation. Affection appears as rivalry because every relationship is observed, ranked and vulnerable to replacement.

When it was written 背景

This chapter is domestic rather than eventful, but it clarifies how emotion follows hierarchy. Nurse Li's claim rests on former care and seniority, Xiren's on present intimacy and responsibility, and Xifeng can settle the clash because her authority exceeds both. Jia Huan's resentment shows the cost of comparison inside a polygynous household: he and Baoyu share a father but not status. The teasing of Xiangyun's speech can feel affectionate and cruel at once. As elsewhere in the novel, verbal cleverness creates closeness while exposing the person who becomes its object.

Words in this chapter 生词

嬤mó嬤mó — dialectal or obsolete equivalent of 媽 (mā) · Taiwan pr. (mā)
釵chāi釵chāi — hairpin
賈gǔ賈gǔ — merchant · to buy
黛dài黛dài — umber-black dye for painting the eyebrow
麝shè麝shè — musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) · also called 香獐子
玉yùHSK 4玉yù — jade (HSK 4)
篦bì篦bì — fine-toothed comb · to comb
雯wén雯wén — multicolored clouds
頑wán頑wán — mischievous · obstinate · to play · stupid · stubborn · naughty
幺yāo幺yāo — youngest · most junior · tiny · one (unambiguous spoken form when spelling out numbers, esp. on telephone or in military) · one or ace on dice or dominoes · variant of 吆 (yāo), to shout
骰tóu骰tóu — dice
姐jiěHSK 1姐jiě — older sister (HSK 1)

第二十回 王熙鳳正言彈妒意 林黛玉俏語謔嬌音 Wang Xifeng Rebukes Jealousy with Plain Words; Lin Daiyu Teases with Witty Banter

What it’s about

When it was written 背景

Words in this chapter 生词

第二十回　　王熙鳳正言彈妒意　林黛玉俏語謔嬌音 Wang Xifeng Rebukes Jealousy with Plain Words; Lin Daiyu Teases with Witty Banter