第二十一回　賢襲人嬌嗔箴寶玉　俏平兒軟語救賈璉 Kind Xiren Gently Admonishes Baoyu; Pretty Ping'er Softly Rescues Jia Lian

話說史湘雲跑了出來，怕林黛玉赶上，寶玉在後忙說：“仔細絆跌了！The story goes that Shi Xiangyun ran outside, afraid Lin Daiyu would catch up with her; Baoyu, behind them, called out hastily, 'Careful, don't trip and fall!那里就赶上了？”林黛玉赶到門前，被寶玉叉手在門框上攔住，笑勸道：“饒他這一遭罷。”林黛玉搬著手說道：“我若饒過雲兒，再不活著！”湘雲見寶玉攔住門，料黛玉不能出來，便立住腳笑道：“好姐姐，饒我這一遭罷。”恰值寶釵來在湘雲身後，也笑道：“我勸你兩個看寶兄弟分上，都丟開手罷。”黛玉道：“我不依。And how could she really catch up with you anyway?' Lin Daiyu came running up to the doorway, but Baoyu spread his arms across the doorframe to block her, laughing as he pleaded, 'Let her off this once.' Lin Daiyu tugged at his hands and said, 'If I let Yun'er off, I'll never live it down!' Seeing Baoyu blocking the doorway and reckoning Daiyu could not get out, Xiangyun stood still and said with a laugh, 'Dear sister, let me off this once.' Just then Baochai came up behind Xiangyun and said with a smile, 'I urge you two, for Cousin Bao's sake, to let it drop.' Daiyu said, 'I won't have it.你們是一氣的，都戲弄我不成！”寶玉勸道：“誰敢戲弄你！The two of you are in league together — are you both trying to make fun of me!' Baoyu said soothingly, 'Who would dare make fun of you!你不打趣他，他焉敢說你。”四人正難分解，有人來請吃飯，方往前邊來。If you hadn't teased her first, how would she have dared say anything to you?' The four of them were still caught up in this tangle when someone came to summon them to dinner, and only then did they head to the front of the house.那天早又掌燈時分，王夫人，李紈，鳳姐，迎，探，惜等都往賈母這邊來，大家閒話了一回，各自歸寢。That day, by the time the lamps were lit, Lady Wang, Li Wan, Xifeng, and Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun had all gathered at Grandmother Jia's, where everyone chatted idly for a while before retiring each to their own quarters.湘雲仍往黛玉房中安歇。Xiangyun, as before, went to spend the night in Daiyu's room.

话说史湘云跑了出来，怕林黛玉赶上，宝玉在后忙说：“仔细绊跌了！那里就赶上了？”林黛玉赶到门前，被宝玉叉手在门框上拦住，笑劝道：“饶他这一遭罢。”林黛玉搬著手说道：“我若饶过云儿，再不活著！”湘云见宝玉拦住门，料黛玉不能出来，便立住脚笑道：“好姐姐，饶我这一遭罢。”恰值宝钗来在湘云身后，也笑道：“我劝你两个看宝兄弟分上，都丢开手罢。”黛玉道：“我不依。你们是一气的，都戏弄我不成！”宝玉劝道：“谁敢戏弄你！你不打趣他，他焉敢说你。”四人正难分解，有人来请吃饭，方往前边来。那天早又掌灯时分，王夫人，李纨，凤姐，迎，探，惜等都往贾母这边来，大家闲话了一回，各自归寝。湘云仍往黛玉房中安歇。

寶玉送他二人到房，那天已二更多時，襲人來催了幾次，方回自己房中來睡。Baoyu saw the two of them to their room, and by then it was already past the second watch; only after Xiren had come several times to hurry him along did he go back to his own room to sleep.次日天明時，便披衣靸鞋往黛玉房中來，不見紫鵑，翠縷二人，只見他姊妹兩個尚臥在衾內。The next day at dawn, he threw on his clothes, slipped into his shoes, and went to Daiyu's room; Zijuan and Cuilü were nowhere to be seen, and he found only the two girls still lying under their quilts.那林黛玉嚴嚴密密裹著一幅杏子紅綾被，安穩合目而睡。Lin Daiyu lay wrapped snugly and tightly in an apricot-red silk quilt, sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed.那史湘雲卻一把青絲拖于枕畔，被只齊胸，一彎雪白的膀子撂于被外，又帶著兩個金鐲子。Shi Xiangyun, however, had let a mass of dark hair trail loose over the pillow; the quilt came only up to her chest, and one snow-white arm lay flung outside the covers, still wearing its two gold bracelets.寶玉見了，歎道：“睡覺還是不老實！Seeing this, Baoyu sighed, 'Still so restless even in her sleep!回來風吹了，又嚷肩窩疼了。”一面說，一面輕輕的替他蓋上。If the wind gets to her, she'll be complaining again that her shoulder aches.' So saying, he gently covered her up.林黛玉早已醒了，覺得有人，就猜著定是寶玉，因翻身一看，果中其料。Lin Daiyu had in fact already woken, and sensing someone there, guessed at once it must be Baoyu; turning over to look, she found she had guessed correctly.因說道：“這早晚就跑過來作什麼？”寶玉笑道：“這天還早呢！So she said, 'What are you doing coming over so early?' Baoyu said with a laugh, 'It's still quite early!你起來瞧瞧。”黛玉道：“你先出去，讓我們起來。”寶玉聽了，轉身出至外邊。Get up and see for yourself.' Daiyu said, 'You go on out first and let us get up.' Hearing this, Baoyu turned and went outside.

宝玉送他二人到房，那天已二更多时，袭人来催了几次，方回自己房中来睡。次日天明时，便披衣靸鞋往黛玉房中来，不见紫鹃，翠缕二人，只见他姊妹两个尚卧在衾内。那林黛玉严严密密裹著一幅杏子红绫被，安稳合目而睡。那史湘云却一把青丝拖于枕畔，被只齐胸，一弯雪白的膀子撂于被外，又带著两个金镯子。宝玉见了，叹道：“睡觉还是不老实！回来风吹了，又嚷肩窝疼了。”一面说，一面轻轻的替他盖上。林黛玉早已醒了，觉得有人，就猜著定是宝玉，因翻身一看，果中其料。因说道：“这早晚就跑过来作什么？”宝玉笑道：“这天还早呢！你起来瞧瞧。”黛玉道：“你先出去，让我们起来。”宝玉听了，转身出至外边。

黛玉起來叫醒湘雲，二人都穿了衣服。Daiyu got up and woke Xiangyun, and the two of them got dressed.寶玉复又進來，坐在鏡台旁邊，只見紫鵑，雪雁進來伏侍梳洗。Baoyu came back in and sat down beside the dressing table, just as Zijuan and Xueyan came in to attend them at their toilet.湘雲洗了面，翠縷便拿殘水要潑，寶玉道：“站著，我趁勢洗了就完了，省得又過去費事。”說著便走過來，彎腰洗了兩把。When Xiangyun had washed her face, Cuilü was about to pour out the used water, but Baoyu said, 'Wait — I might as well wash with it while it's here, and save the bother of going elsewhere.' So saying, he came over, bent down, and splashed his face a couple of times.紫鵑遞過香皂去，寶玉道：這盆里的就不少，不用搓了。”再洗了兩把，便要手巾。Zijuan handed him the soap, but Baoyu said, 'There's plenty of lather left in the basin already, no need to rub in more.' He splashed his face a couple more times, then asked for a towel.翠縷道：“還是這個毛病兒，多早晚才改。”寶玉也不理，忙忙的要過青鹽擦了牙，嗽了口，完畢，見湘雲已梳完了頭，便走過來笑道：“好妹妹，替我梳上頭罷。”湘雲道：“這可不能了。”寶玉笑道：“好妹妹，你先時怎麼替我梳了呢？”湘雲道：“如今我忘了，怎麼梳呢？”寶玉道：“橫豎我不出門，又不帶冠子勒子，不過打幾根散辮子就完了。”說著，又千妹妹萬妹妹的央告。Cuilü said, 'That same old habit of yours — when will you ever change it?' Baoyu paid her no mind, and hurriedly asked for the green salt to brush his teeth and rinse his mouth. When that was done, seeing that Xiangyun had already finished doing her own hair, he came over and said with a smile, 'Dear sister, do my hair for me.' Xiangyun said, 'That I can't do anymore.' Baoyu said with a smile, 'Dear sister, how was it you used to do it for me before?' Xiangyun said, 'I've forgotten how now — how would I go about it?' Baoyu said, 'It doesn't matter anyway, since I'm not going out, and I won't be wearing a cap or headband — just plait a few loose braids and be done with it.' So saying, he kept begging her, calling her 'dear sister' over and over.湘雲只得扶過他的頭來，一一梳篦。Xiangyun had no choice but to draw his head toward her and comb and plait it strand by strand.在家不戴冠，并不總角，只將四圍短發編成小辮，往頂心發上歸了總，編一根大辮，紅絛結住。At home he wore no cap and did not tie his hair into the boyish twin tufts; instead the short hairs all around were plaited into small braids gathered up to the crown, where they were bound into a single large braid and tied off with a red cord.自發頂至辮梢，一路四顆珍珠，下面有金墜腳。From the crown of the head to the tip of the braid, four pearls were strung along its length, with a gold pendant weight at the very end.湘雲一面編著，一面說道：“這珠子只三顆了，這一顆不是的。As Xiangyun plaited, she said, 'There are only three of the original pearls left — this one isn't a match.我記得是一樣的，怎麼少了一顆？”寶玉道：“丟了一顆。”湘雲道：“必定是外頭去掉下來，不防被人揀了去，倒便宜他。”黛玉一旁盥手，冷笑道：“也不知是真丟了，也不知是給了人鑲什麼戴去了！”寶玉不答，因鏡台兩邊俱是妝奩等物，順手拿起來賞玩，不覺又順手拈了胭脂，意欲要往口邊送，因又怕史湘雲說。I remember they were all matched — how did one go missing?' Baoyu said, 'I lost one.' Xiangyun said, 'It must have dropped off somewhere outside, and no doubt someone picked it up without your noticing — how nice for them.' Daiyu, washing her hands to one side, said with a cold smile, 'Who knows whether it was really lost, or whether it was given to someone to have set into some ornament to wear!' Baoyu made no answer; since the toilet case and other such things lay on either side of the dressing table, he picked them up idly to admire them, and before he knew it had picked up some rouge as well, meaning to bring it to his lips, but then grew afraid Shi Xiangyun would scold him for it.正猶豫間，湘雲果在身後看見，一手掠著辮子，便伸手來”拍”的一下，從手中將胭脂打落，說道：“這不長進的毛病兒，多早晚才改過！”Just as he hesitated, Xiangyun, who was indeed watching from behind him, brushed her braid aside with one hand and reached out with the other — 'slap!' — and knocked the rouge right out of his hand, saying, 'That good-for-nothing habit of yours — when will you ever mend it!'

黛玉起来叫醒湘云，二人都穿了衣服。宝玉复又进来，坐在镜台旁边，只见紫鹃，雪雁进来伏侍梳洗。湘云洗了面，翠缕便拿残水要泼，宝玉道：“站著，我趁势洗了就完了，省得又过去费事。”说著便走过来，弯腰洗了两把。紫鹃递过香皂去，宝玉道：这盆里的就不少，不用搓了。”再洗了两把，便要手巾。翠缕道：“还是这个毛病儿，多早晚才改。”宝玉也不理，忙忙的要过青盐擦了牙，嗽了口，完毕，见湘云已梳完了头，便走过来笑道：“好妹妹，替我梳上头罢。”湘云道：“这可不能了。”宝玉笑道：“好妹妹，你先时怎么替我梳了呢？”湘云道：“如今我忘了，怎么梳呢？”宝玉道：“横竖我不出门，又不带冠子勒子，不过打几根散辫子就完了。”说著，又千妹妹万妹妹的央告。湘云只得扶过他的头来，一一梳篦。在家不戴冠，并不总角，只将四围短发编成小辫，往顶心发上归了总，编一根大辫，红绦结住。自发顶至辫梢，一路四颗珍珠，下面有金坠脚。湘云一面编著，一面说道：“这珠子只三颗了，这一颗不是的。我记得是一样的，怎么少了一颗？”宝玉道：“丢了一颗。”湘云道：“必定是外头去掉下来，不防被人拣了去，倒便宜他。”黛玉一旁盥手，冷笑道：“也不知是真丢了，也不知是给了人镶什么戴去了！”宝玉不答，因镜台两边俱是妆奁等物，顺手拿起来赏玩，不觉又顺手拈了胭脂，意欲要往口边送，因又怕史湘云说。正犹豫间，湘云果在身后看见，一手掠著辫子，便伸手来”拍”的一下，从手中将胭脂打落，说道：“这不长进的毛病儿，多早晚才改过！”

一語未了，只見襲人進來，看見這般光景，知是梳洗過了，只得回來自己梳洗。Before she had even finished speaking, Xiren came in; seeing the scene before her, she realized he had already washed and dressed, and so had no choice but to go back and see to her own toilet.忽見寶釵走來，因問道：“寶兄弟那去了？”襲人含笑道：“寶兄弟那里還有在家的工夫！”寶釵聽說，心中明白。Just then she saw Baochai coming and asked, 'Where's Cousin Bao gone off to?' Xiren said with a smile, 'Cousin Bao hasn't the time these days to stay at home!' Hearing this, Baochai understood at once what lay behind it.又聽襲人歎道：“姊妹們和氣，也有個分寸禮節，也沒個黑家白日鬧的！She then heard Xiren sigh, 'Even when sisters and cousins get along, there ought to be some sense of proportion and propriety — there's no need to carry on with it morning, noon, and night!憑人怎麼勸，都是耳旁風。”寶釵聽了，心中暗忖道：“倒別看錯了這個丫頭，聽他說話，倒有些識見。”寶釵便在炕上坐了，慢慢的閒言中套問他年紀家鄉等語，留神窺察，其言語志量深可敬愛。No matter how anyone tries to advise him, it all goes in one ear and out the other.' Hearing this, Baochai thought to herself, 'I mustn't misjudge this girl after all — to hear her talk, she really does have some understanding.' Baochai then sat down on the kang and, in the course of idle chat, gradually drew out of her, her age, her native place, and the like, watching her closely all the while; and the girl's words and the breadth of her mind proved deeply worthy of respect and affection.

一语未了，只见袭人进来，看见这般光景，知是梳洗过了，只得回来自己梳洗。忽见宝钗走来，因问道：“宝兄弟那去了？”袭人含笑道：“宝兄弟那里还有在家的工夫！”宝钗听说，心中明白。又听袭人叹道：“姊妹们和气，也有个分寸礼节，也没个黑家白日闹的！凭人怎么劝，都是耳旁风。”宝钗听了，心中暗忖道：“倒别看错了这个丫头，听他说话，倒有些识见。”宝钗便在炕上坐了，慢慢的闲言中套问他年纪家乡等语，留神窥察，其言语志量深可敬爱。

一時寶玉來了，寶釵方出去。After a while Baoyu came in, and only then did Baochai take her leave.寶玉便問襲人道：“怎麼寶姐姐和你說的這麼熱鬧，見我進來就跑了？”問一聲不答，再問時，襲人方道：“你問我么？Baoyu then asked Xiren, 'How is it that Cousin Bao was chatting with you so warmly, and yet the moment I came in she hurried off?' He asked once and got no answer; when he asked again, Xiren finally said, 'Are you asking me?我那里知道你們的原故。”寶玉聽了這話，見他臉上氣色非往日可比，便笑道：“怎麼動了真氣？”襲人冷笑道：“我那里敢動氣！How would I know the reason behind the two of you?' Hearing this, and seeing that the look on her face was quite unlike her usual self, Baoyu said with a smile, 'Why so put out for real?' Xiren said with a cold smile, 'How would I dare to be put out!只是從今以後別再進這屋子了。It's only that from now on you'd best not come into this room anymore.橫豎有人伏侍你，再別來支使我。You've plenty of others to wait on you anyway, so don't come ordering me about any longer.我仍舊還伏侍老太太去。”一面說，一面便在炕上合眼倒下。I'll go back to waiting on Old Ancestress as before.' So saying, she lay down on the kang and closed her eyes.寶玉見了這般景況，深為駭异，禁不住赶來勸慰。Seeing this state of affairs, Baoyu was thoroughly taken aback, and could not help hurrying over to soothe her.那襲人只管合了眼不理。But Xiren kept her eyes shut and paid him no attention at all.寶玉無了主意，因見麝月進來，便問道：“你姐姐怎麼了？”麝月道：“我知道么？At a loss, Baoyu, seeing Sheyue come in, asked her, 'What's the matter with your sister?' Sheyue said, 'How would I know?問你自己便明白了。”寶玉聽說，呆了一回，自覺無趣，便起身歎道：“不理我罷，我也睡去。”說著，便起身下炕，到自己床上歪下。Ask yourself, and you'll understand well enough.' Hearing this, Baoyu stood stunned for a while, and feeling quite out of countenance, rose with a sigh, saying, 'Fine, ignore me then — I'll go to sleep too.' So saying, he got up off the kang and went to lie down on his own bed.襲人聽他半日無動靜，微微的打鼾，料他睡著，便起身拿一領斗蓬來，替他剛壓上，只聽”忽”的一聲，寶玉便掀過去，也仍合目裝睡。After Xiren had heard no movement from him for a good while, and a faint snoring, she supposed he had fallen asleep, and got up to fetch a cloak to lay over him; but no sooner had she laid it over him than — 'flip!' — Baoyu tossed it off, and lay there still with his eyes shut, pretending to sleep.襲人明知其意，便點頭冷笑道：“你也不用生氣，從此後我只當啞子，再不說你一聲兒，如何？”寶玉禁不住起身問道：“我又怎麼了？Xiren, well aware of what this meant, nodded and said with a cold smile, 'There's no need for you to be angry either — from now on I'll just play the mute and never say another word to you, how's that?' Baoyu could not help sitting up and asking, 'Now what have I done again?你又勸我。And now you're lecturing me again.你勸我也罷了，才剛又沒見你勸我，一進來你就不理我，賭氣睡了。If you were lecturing me that would be one thing, but just now I never even saw you say a word to me — the moment I came in you ignored me and lay down in a sulk.我還摸不著是為什麼，這會子你又說我惱了。I still can't make out what it's even about, and now you say I'm the one who's angry.我何嘗聽見你勸我什麼話了。”襲人道：“你心里還不明白，還等我說呢！”正鬧著，賈母遣人來叫他吃飯，方往前邊來，胡亂吃了半碗，仍回自己房中。When did I ever hear you say a single word of advice to me.' Xiren said, 'You know perfectly well in your heart what it's about — must you really wait for me to spell it out!' They were still at it when Grandmother Jia sent someone to call him to dinner; only then did he go to the front of the house, eat half a bowl in a perfunctory way, and come straight back to his own room.只見襲人睡在外頭炕上，麝月在旁邊抹骨牌。There he found Xiren lying asleep on the outer kang, with Sheyue sitting beside her shuffling dominoes.寶玉素知麝月與襲人親厚，一并連麝月也不理，揭起軟帘自往里間來。Baoyu, knowing full well how close Sheyue was with Xiren, ignored her along with the rest, lifted the soft curtain, and went on by himself into the inner room.麝月只得跟進來。Sheyue had no choice but to follow him in.寶玉便推他出去，說：“不敢驚動你們。”麝月只得笑著出來，喚了兩個小丫頭進來。Baoyu pushed her back out, saying, 'I wouldn't dare disturb you two.' Sheyue had no choice but to laugh and go back out, and called in two young maids instead.寶玉拿一本書，歪著看了半天，因要茶，抬頭只見兩個小丫頭在地下站著。Baoyu took up a book and lay reading it slantwise for a good long while; wanting tea, he looked up and saw the two young maids standing on the floor below.一個大些兒的生得十分水秀，寶玉便問：“你叫什麼名字？”那丫頭便說：“叫蕙香。”寶玉便問：“是誰起的？”蕙香道：“我原叫芸香的，是花大姐姐改了蕙香。”寶玉道：“正經該叫‘晦氣’罷了，什麼蕙香呢！”又問：“你姊妹幾個？”蕙香道：“四個。”寶玉道：“你第幾？”蕙香道：“第四。”寶玉道：“明兒就叫‘四兒’，不必什麼‘蕙香’‘蘭氣’的。One of them, the older one, was quite fresh and pretty, and Baoyu asked her, 'What's your name?' The girl said, 'Huixiang [Fragrant Orchid].' Baoyu asked, 'Who gave you that name?' Huixiang said, 'I was originally called Yunxiang, and Sister Hua changed it to Huixiang.' Baoyu said, 'It ought by rights to be called "Huiqi" [Rotten Luck] — what's this "Huixiang" nonsense!' He then asked, 'How many sisters are there in your family?' Huixiang said, 'Four.' Baoyu asked, 'Which one are you?' Huixiang said, 'The fourth.' Baoyu said, 'From tomorrow on you'll just be called "Si'er" [Fourth Girl] — none of this "Huixiang" or "Lanqi" business.那一個配比這些花，沒的玷辱了好名好姓。”一面說，一面命他倒了茶來吃。Which of you is fit to be compared to such flowers — no sense disgracing a perfectly good name.' So saying, he told her to pour him some tea to drink.襲人和麝月在外間聽了抿嘴而笑。Xiren and Sheyue, listening from the outer room, pressed their lips together to keep from laughing aloud.

一时宝玉来了，宝钗方出去。宝玉便问袭人道：“怎么宝姐姐和你说的这么热闹，见我进来就跑了？”问一声不答，再问时，袭人方道：“你问我么？我那里知道你们的原故。”宝玉听了这话，见他脸上气色非往日可比，便笑道：“怎么动了真气？”袭人冷笑道：“我那里敢动气！只是从今以后别再进这屋子了。横竖有人伏侍你，再别来支使我。我仍旧还伏侍老太太去。”一面说，一面便在炕上合眼倒下。宝玉见了这般景况，深为骇异，禁不住赶来劝慰。那袭人只管合了眼不理。宝玉无了主意，因见麝月进来，便问道：“你姐姐怎么了？”麝月道：“我知道么？问你自己便明白了。”宝玉听说，呆了一回，自觉无趣，便起身叹道：“不理我罢，我也睡去。”说著，便起身下炕，到自己床上歪下。袭人听他半日无动静，微微的打鼾，料他睡著，便起身拿一领斗蓬来，替他刚压上，只听”忽”的一声，宝玉便掀过去，也仍合目装睡。袭人明知其意，便点头冷笑道：“你也不用生气，从此后我只当哑子，再不说你一声儿，如何？”宝玉禁不住起身问道：“我又怎么了？你又劝我。你劝我也罢了，才刚又没见你劝我，一进来你就不理我，赌气睡了。我还摸不著是为什么，这会子你又说我恼了。我何尝听见你劝我什么话了。”袭人道：“你心里还不明白，还等我说呢！”正闹著，贾母遣人来叫他吃饭，方往前边来，胡乱吃了半碗，仍回自己房中。只见袭人睡在外头炕上，麝月在旁边抹骨牌。宝玉素知麝月与袭人亲厚，一并连麝月也不理，揭起软帘自往里间来。麝月只得跟进来。宝玉便推他出去，说：“不敢惊动你们。”麝月只得笑著出来，唤了两个小丫头进来。宝玉拿一本书，歪著看了半天，因要茶，抬头只见两个小丫头在地下站著。一个大些儿的生得十分水秀，宝玉便问：“你叫什么名字？”那丫头便说：“叫蕙香。”宝玉便问：“是谁起的？”蕙香道：“我原叫芸香的，是花大姐姐改了蕙香。”宝玉道：“正经该叫‘晦气’罢了，什么蕙香呢！”又问：“你姊妹几个？”蕙香道：“四个。”宝玉道：“你第几？”蕙香道：“第四。”宝玉道：“明儿就叫‘四儿’，不必什么‘蕙香’‘兰气’的。那一个配比这些花，没的玷辱了好名好姓。”一面说，一面命他倒了茶来吃。袭人和麝月在外间听了抿嘴而笑。

這一日，寶玉也不大出房，也不和姊妹丫頭等廝鬧，自己悶悶的，只不過拿著書解悶，或弄筆墨，也不使喚眾人，只叫四兒答應。That day Baoyu hardly left his room and did not romp about with the sisters and maids as usual; he stayed sunk in gloom by himself, doing no more than leafing through a book to pass the time, or toying with brush and ink, and calling on no one else to wait on him but Si'er alone.

这一日，宝玉也不大出房，也不和姊妹丫头等厮闹，自己闷闷的，只不过拿著书解闷，或弄笔墨，也不使唤众人，只叫四儿答应。

誰知四兒是個聰敏乖巧不過的丫頭，見寶玉用他，他變盡方法籠絡寶玉。As it turned out, Si'er was an exceptionally clever and quick-witted girl, and seeing that Baoyu had taken to using her, she tried every trick she could think of to win him over.至晚飯後，寶玉因吃了兩杯酒，眼餳耳熱之際，若往日則有襲人等大家喜笑有興，今日卻冷清清的一人對燈，好沒興趣。After supper, Baoyu, having drunk a couple of cups of wine, found himself with heavy eyes and burning ears; on ordinary days Xiren and the others would all be there laughing and full of high spirits, but today he sat alone and cold in front of the lamp, feeling utterly out of sorts.待要赶了他們去，又怕他們得了意，以後越發來勸，若拿出做上的規矩來鎮唬，似乎無情太甚。He thought of driving them off for good, but feared that would only make them think they'd won, and lecture him all the more afterward; yet if he pulled rank as their master to overawe them, that seemed altogether too heartless.說不得橫心只當他們死了，橫豎自然也要過的。There was nothing for it, then, but to steel his heart and think of them as good as dead — after all, life would go on regardless.便權當他們死了，毫無牽挂，反能怡然自悅。So he simply chose to consider them as dead, free of every entanglement, and found he could instead be quite contentedly pleased with himself.因命四兒剪燈烹茶，自己看了一回《南華經》。He then told Si'er to trim the lamp and brew tea, while he himself read for a while in the Nanhua Classic [Zhuangzi].正看至《外篇·胠篋》一則，其文曰：He had just come to the chapter "Rifling Trunks" in the Outer Chapters, which read:

谁知四儿是个聪敏乖巧不过的丫头，见宝玉用他，他变尽方法笼络宝玉。至晚饭后，宝玉因吃了两杯酒，眼饧耳热之际，若往日则有袭人等大家喜笑有兴，今日却冷清清的一人对灯，好没兴趣。待要赶了他们去，又怕他们得了意，以后越发来劝，若拿出做上的规矩来镇唬，似乎无情太甚。说不得横心只当他们死了，横竖自然也要过的。便权当他们死了，毫无牵挂，反能怡然自悦。因命四儿剪灯烹茶，自己看了一回《南华经》。正看至《外篇·胠箧》一则，其文曰：

故絕圣棄知，大盜乃止，擿玉毀珠，小盜不起，焚符破璽，而民朴鄙，掊斗折衡，而民不爭，殫殘天下之圣法，而民始可與論議。Therefore, cut off sageliness and cast away wisdom, and the great thieves will cease; fling away jade and smash pearls, and the petty thieves will not arise; burn the tallies and break the seals, and the people will grow simple and plain; smash the measures and snap the scales, and the people will no longer contend. Only when the sagely laws of the world are utterly destroyed can the people begin to be reasoned with.擢亂六律，鑠絕竽瑟，塞瞽曠之耳，而天下始人含其聰矣；Pull apart the six pitch-pipes and melt down the reed-organs and zithers, stop up the ears of a Music-Master Kuang, and only then will the people of the world begin each to keep his own true hearing;滅文章，散五采，膠離朱之目，而天下始人含其明矣，毀絕鉤繩而棄規矩，攦工倕之指，而天下始人有其巧矣。Blot out patterns and ornament, scatter the five colors, and glue shut the eyes of a Li Zhu, and only then will the people of the world begin each to keep his own true clarity of sight; destroy the hook and the plumb-line and cast away the compass and the square, crush the fingers of a craftsman like Chui, and only then will the people of the world begin each to have his own true skill.

故绝圣弃知，大盗乃止，擿玉毁珠，小盗不起，焚符破玺，而民朴鄙，掊斗折衡，而民不争，殚残天下之圣法，而民始可与论议。擢乱六律，铄绝竽瑟，塞瞽旷之耳，而天下始人含其聪矣；灭文章，散五采，胶离朱之目，而天下始人含其明矣，毁绝钩绳而弃规矩，攦工倕之指，而天下始人有其巧矣。

看至此，意趣洋洋，趁著酒興，不禁提筆續曰：Reading this far, he grew brimming with high spirits, and riding on the strength of the wine, could not help taking up his brush to add a continuation of his own:

看至此，意趣洋洋，趁著酒兴，不禁提笔续曰：

焚花散麝，而閨閣始人含其勸矣，戕寶釵之仙姿，灰黛玉之靈竅，喪減情意，而閨閣之美惡始相類矣。Burn Blossom and scatter Musk [Xiren and Sheyue], and only then will the women's chambers begin each to keep their own true counsel; maim Baochai's immortal beauty, reduce Daiyu's quick and subtle mind to ashes, and dull and diminish all feeling and affection, and only then will beauty and ugliness in the women's chambers begin to resemble one another.彼含其勸，則無參商之虞矣，戕其仙姿，無戀愛之心矣，灰其靈竅，無才思之情矣。Once they keep their own counsel, there will be no more fear of estrangement like the stars Shen and Shang; once their immortal beauty is maimed, there will be no more heart given to romantic love; once their quick minds are reduced to ashes, there will be no more feeling bound up in wit and talent.彼釵，玉，花，麝者，皆張其羅而穴其隧，所以迷眩纏陷天下者也。As for that Chai, that Yu, that Hua, that She [Baochai, Daiyu, Xiren, Sheyue] — all of them spread their nets and dig their tunnels, and by these means they dazzle, entangle, and ensnare the world.

焚花散麝，而闺阁始人含其劝矣，戕宝钗之仙姿，灰黛玉之灵窍，丧减情意，而闺阁之美恶始相类矣。彼含其劝，则无参商之虞矣，戕其仙姿，无恋爱之心矣，灰其灵窍，无才思之情矣。彼钗，玉，花，麝者，皆张其罗而穴其隧，所以迷眩缠陷天下者也。

續畢，擲筆就寢。Having finished his continuation, he flung down the brush and went to bed.頭剛著枕便忽睡去，一夜竟不知所之，直至天明方醒。No sooner had his head touched the pillow than he fell fast asleep, and knew nothing more of the world the whole night through, not waking until it was light.翻身看時，只見襲人和衣睡在衾上。Turning over to look, he saw that Xiren had fallen asleep on top of the covers without undressing.寶玉將昨日的事已付與度外，便推他說道：“起來好生睡，看凍著了。”原來襲人見他無曉夜和姊妹們廝鬧，若直勸他，料不能改，故用柔情以警之，料他不過半日片刻仍复好了。Baoyu, having already put yesterday's business entirely out of his mind, gave her a nudge and said, 'Get up and sleep properly, or you'll catch cold.' Now the truth was that Xiren, seeing how he carried on with the sisters and maids at all hours without regard for day or night, had judged that a direct scolding would never change him, and so had used this show of tender feeling to give him a warning instead, reckoning that within half a day or so he would be his old self again.不想寶玉一日夜竟不回轉，自己反不得主意，直一夜沒好生睡得。She had not expected that Baoyu would go a full day and night without softening at all, so that she herself was left at a loss, and had not managed to sleep properly the whole night through.今忽見寶玉如此，料他心意回轉，便越性不睬他。Now, suddenly seeing Baoyu behave this way, she supposed his feelings had come round again, and so all the more made a point of ignoring him.寶玉見他不應，便伸手替他解衣，剛解開了鈕子，被襲人將手推開，又自扣了。Seeing she made no answer, Baoyu reached out to undo her clothes for her; but no sooner had he loosened the buttons than Xiren pushed his hand away and fastened them again herself.寶玉無法，只得拉他的手笑道：“你到底怎麼了？”連問幾聲，襲人睜眼說道：“我也不怎麼。At a loss, Baoyu could only take her hand and ask with a smile, 'What in the world is the matter with you?' He asked several times over before Xiren opened her eyes and said, 'There's nothing the matter with me.你睡醒了，你自過那邊房里去梳洗，再遲了就赶不上。”寶玉道：“我過那里去？”襲人冷笑道：“你問我，我知道？Now that you're awake, go on over to the other room yourself to wash and dress — any later and you'll miss your chance.' Baoyu said, 'Go over where?' Xiren said with a cold smile, 'You're asking me? How would I know?你愛往那里去，就往那里去。Wherever it is you like to go, that's where you should go.從今咱們兩個丟開手，省得雞聲鵝斗，叫別人笑。From now on, let's the two of us just leave off with each other, and save ourselves the squabbling like cocks and geese that only gives other people something to laugh at.橫豎那邊膩了過來，這邊又有個什麼‘四兒’‘五兒’伏侍。Whenever you tire of that side, you can always come back over here anyway, where there'll be some "Si'er" or "Wu'er" or other to wait on you.我們這起東西，可是白‘玷辱了好名好姓’的。”寶玉笑道：“你今兒還記著呢！”襲人道：“一百年還記著呢！As for the likes of us, we really are the sort who "disgrace a perfectly good name" for nothing.' Baoyu said with a laugh, 'So you still remember that, do you!' Xiren said, 'I'll remember it a hundred years from now too!比不得你，拿著我的話當耳旁風，夜里說了，早起就忘了。”寶玉見他嬌嗔滿面，情不可禁，便向枕邊拿起一根玉簪來，一跌兩段，說道：“我再不聽你說，就同這個一樣。”襲人忙的拾了簪子，說道：“大清早起，這是何苦來！I'm not like you, treating my words as wind past your ear — said at night and forgotten by morning.' Seeing her face full of pouting charm, Baoyu could not contain his feeling, and picking up a jade hairpin from beside the pillow, snapped it in two, saying, 'If I ever fail to heed what you say again, let me be just like this.' Xiren hurriedly picked up the pieces of the hairpin and said, 'First thing in the morning, and what was the point of that!聽不聽什麼要緊，也值得這种樣子。”寶玉道：“你那里知道我心里急！”襲人笑道：“你也知道著急么！Whether I'm heeded or not hardly matters enough to warrant carrying on like this.' Baoyu said, 'How could you know how anxious I feel inside!' Xiren said with a laugh, 'So you do know what it is to feel anxious!可知我心里怎麼樣？Then you can imagine what it's been like in my heart!快起來洗臉去罷。”說著，二人方起來梳洗。Quick, get up and go wash your face.' So saying, the two of them at last got up to wash and dress.

续毕，掷笔就寝。头刚著枕便忽睡去，一夜竟不知所之，直至天明方醒。翻身看时，只见袭人和衣睡在衾上。宝玉将昨日的事已付与度外，便推他说道：“起来好生睡，看冻著了。”原来袭人见他无晓夜和姊妹们厮闹，若直劝他，料不能改，故用柔情以警之，料他不过半日片刻仍复好了。不想宝玉一日夜竟不回转，自己反不得主意，直一夜没好生睡得。今忽见宝玉如此，料他心意回转，便越性不睬他。宝玉见他不应，便伸手替他解衣，刚解开了钮子，被袭人将手推开，又自扣了。宝玉无法，只得拉他的手笑道：“你到底怎么了？”连问几声，袭人睁眼说道：“我也不怎么。你睡醒了，你自过那边房里去梳洗，再迟了就赶不上。”宝玉道：“我过那里去？”袭人冷笑道：“你问我，我知道？你爱往那里去，就往那里去。从今咱们两个丢开手，省得鸡声鹅斗，叫别人笑。横竖那边腻了过来，这边又有个什么‘四儿’‘五儿’伏侍。我们这起东西，可是白‘玷辱了好名好姓’的。”宝玉笑道：“你今儿还记著呢！”袭人道：“一百年还记著呢！比不得你，拿著我的话当耳旁风，夜里说了，早起就忘了。”宝玉见他娇嗔满面，情不可禁，便向枕边拿起一根玉簪来，一跌两段，说道：“我再不听你说，就同这个一样。”袭人忙的拾了簪子，说道：“大清早起，这是何苦来！听不听什么要紧，也值得这种样子。”宝玉道：“你那里知道我心里急！”袭人笑道：“你也知道著急么！可知我心里怎么样？快起来洗脸去罢。”说著，二人方起来梳洗。

寶玉往上房去後，誰知黛玉走來，見寶玉不在房中，因翻弄案上書看，可巧翻出昨兒的《庄子》來。After Baoyu had gone off to the upper house, Daiyu, as it happened, came by; finding Baoyu not in his room, she idly turned over the books lying on his desk, and by chance turned up yesterday's copy of the Zhuangzi.看至所續之處，不覺又氣又笑，不禁也提筆續書一絕云：Reading down to the passage he had added, she could not help feeling both amused and annoyed, and could not resist taking up the brush herself to add a quatrain of her own, which read:

宝玉往上房去后，谁知黛玉走来，见宝玉不在房中，因翻弄案上书看，可巧翻出昨儿的《庄子》来。看至所续之处，不觉又气又笑，不禁也提笔续书一绝云：

無端弄筆是何人？Who is this that trifles with the brush for no good reason?作踐南華《庄子因》。Defacing the Nanhua text, this 'Cause of Zhuangzi.'

无端弄笔是何人？作践南华《庄子因》。

不悔自己無見識，卻將丑語怪他人！Not repenting his own lack of understanding, he instead lays the blame for his ugly words on others!

不悔自己无见识，却将丑语怪他人！

寫畢，也往上房來見賈母，後往王夫人處來。Having finished writing, she too went to the upper house to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia, and afterward went on to Lady Wang's.

写毕，也往上房来见贾母，后往王夫人处来。

誰知鳳姐之女大姐病了，正亂著請大夫來診脈。It so happened that Xifeng's daughter Dajie had fallen ill, and the household was in an uproar sending for a doctor to take her pulse.大夫便說：“替夫人奶奶們道喜，姐兒發熱是見喜了，并非別病。”王夫人鳳姐聽了，忙遣人問：“可好不好？”醫生回道：“病雖險，卻順，倒還不妨。The doctor said, 'My congratulations to you, madam, and to you, mistress — the young lady's fever means she's coming down with the smallpox blessing, nothing else is wrong.' Hearing this, Lady Wang and Xifeng hurriedly sent someone to ask, 'Is it going well or not?' The doctor replied, 'The case is a dangerous one, but it's running its proper course, so there's really no cause for alarm.預備桑虫豬尾要緊。”鳳姐聽了，登時忙將起來：一面打掃房屋供奉痘疹娘娘，一面傳與家人忌煎炒等物，一面命平兒打點舖蓋衣服與賈璉隔房，一面又拿大紅尺頭與奶子丫頭親近人等裁衣。The important thing now is to get silkworm droppings and pig's tail ready.' Hearing this, Xifeng at once bustled into action: on one hand having the rooms swept and cleaned to make offerings to the Goddess of Smallpox, on the other passing word to the household to avoid fried and roasted foods, on another instructing Ping'er to pack up bedding and clothes so that Jia Lian could move to separate quarters, and on yet another taking out lengths of bright red cloth to have clothes cut for the wet-nurses, maids, and other close attendants.外面又打掃淨室，款留兩個醫生，輪流斟酌診脈下藥，十二日不放家去。Outside, a clean room was also swept and prepared to keep two doctors in comfortable attendance, taking turns to weigh the pulse and prescribe medicine, and they were not allowed to go home for the full twelve days.賈璉只得搬出外書房來齋戒，鳳姐與平兒都隨著王夫人日日供奉娘娘。Jia Lian had no choice but to move out to the outer study to observe ritual abstinence, while Xifeng and Ping'er attended Lady Wang day after day in making offerings to the Goddess.

谁知凤姐之女大姐病了，正乱著请大夫来诊脉。大夫便说：“替夫人奶奶们道喜，姐儿发热是见喜了，并非别病。”王夫人凤姐听了，忙遣人问：“可好不好？”医生回道：“病虽险，却顺，倒还不妨。预备桑虫猪尾要紧。”凤姐听了，登时忙将起来：一面打扫房屋供奉痘疹娘娘，一面传与家人忌煎炒等物，一面命平儿打点铺盖衣服与贾琏隔房，一面又拿大红尺头与奶子丫头亲近人等裁衣。外面又打扫净室，款留两个医生，轮流斟酌诊脉下药，十二日不放家去。贾琏只得搬出外书房来斋戒，凤姐与平儿都随著王夫人日日供奉娘娘。

那個賈璉，只離了鳳姐便要尋事，獨寢了兩夜，便十分難熬，便暫將小廝們內有清俊的選來出火。Now Jia Lian was the sort who, the moment he was away from Xifeng, went looking for trouble; after only two nights sleeping alone he found it well nigh unbearable, and so for the time being picked out one of the better-looking page boys to relieve his heat.不想榮國府內有一個极不成器破爛酒頭廚子，名叫多官，人見他懦弱無能，都喚他作”多渾虫”。As it happened, there was in the Rongguo mansion a thoroughly worthless, dissolute drunkard of a head cook named Duoguan; seeing him so spineless and incompetent, people all called him 'Duo the Muddlehead' [Duo Hunchong].因他自小父母替他在外娶了一個媳婦，今年方二十來往年紀，生得有幾分人才，見者無不羡愛。Since his parents had, while he was still young, arranged a wife for him from outside the household, and she was now only about twenty or so, and possessed of a fair measure of good looks, no one who saw her failed to admire and covet her.他生性輕浮，最喜拈花惹草，多渾虫又不理論，只是有酒有肉有錢，便諸事不管了，所以榮宁二府之人都得入手。By nature she was flighty and loose, and loved nothing better than dallying with men; Duo Hunchong for his part never called her to account, so long as there was wine, meat, and money to be had he cared about nothing else, and so the men of both the Rongguo and Ningguo mansions all managed to get their hands on her.因這個媳婦美貌异常，輕浮無比，眾人都呼他作”多姑娘兒”。Because this wife of his was so extraordinarily beautiful and so unmatched in her wantonness, everyone called her 'Girl Duo' [Duo Guniang'er].如今賈璉在外熬煎，往日也曾見過這媳婦，失過魂魄，只是內懼嬌妻，外懼孌寵，不曾下得手。Now, with Jia Lian suffering out here on his own, he had in fact seen this woman before and lost his head over her, but fearing his formidable wife within and his catamite favorite without, he had never managed to make his move.那多姑娘兒也曾有意于賈璉，只恨沒空。Girl Duo, for her part, had also had her eye on Jia Lian, and only regretted never finding the opportunity.今聞賈璉挪在外書房來，他便沒事也要走兩趟去招惹。Now, hearing that Jia Lian had moved out to the outer study, she took to walking past there a couple of times even when she had no business to, just to tempt him.惹的賈璉似饑鼠一般，少不得和心腹的小廝們計議，合同遮掩謀求，多以金帛相許。This left Jia Lian stirred up like a starving rat, and he could not help but conspire with his trusted page boys, joining forces with them to cover things up and contrive a way, promising them liberal gifts of gold and silk in return.小廝們焉有不允之理，況都和這媳婦是好友，一說便成。How could the page boys refuse such a proposal — especially since they were all already on good terms with the woman — and so it was settled the moment it was mentioned.是夜二鼓人定，多渾虫醉昏在炕，賈璉便溜了來相會。That night, at the second watch when all was still, with Duo Hunchong lying drunk and senseless on the kang, Jia Lian slipped away to meet her.進門一見其態，早已魄飛魂散，也不用情談款敘，便寬衣動作起來。The moment he came through the door and saw her manner, his very soul flew apart with desire; with no need for sweet talk or leisurely courting, he loosened his clothes and set to at once.誰知這媳婦有天生的奇趣，一經男子挨身，便覺遍身筋骨癱軟，使男子如臥綿上，更兼淫態浪言，壓倒娼妓，諸男子至此豈有惜命者哉。As it turned out, this woman possessed some extraordinary gift by nature: the instant a man's body touched hers, every sinew and bone in him would go weak and limp, so that he felt as though he lay upon soft floss; and with her wanton poses and lewd words besides, she outdid any courtesan — so that no man, once he had reached this point with her, would ever think to spare his own life.那賈璉恨不得連身子化在他身上。Jia Lian, for his part, wished he could melt his whole body into hers.那媳婦故作浪語，在下說道：“你家女兒出花兒，供著娘娘，你也該忌兩日，倒為我髒了身子。The woman, playing at wanton talk beneath him, said, 'Your daughter has come down with the smallpox and you're making offerings to the Goddess — you really ought to observe a couple of days' abstinence, and here you are dirtying yourself on my account.快離了我這里罷。”賈璉一面大動，一面喘吁吁答道：“你就是娘娘！Quick, get away from me now.' Jia Lian, moving vigorously all the while, answered breathlessly, 'You are the Goddess to me!我那里管什麼娘娘！”那媳婦越浪，賈璉越丑態畢露。What do I care about any goddess!' The more wanton the woman grew, the more Jia Lian's every unseemly excess showed itself.一時事畢，兩個又海誓山盟，難分難舍，此後遂成相契。When it was over, the two of them swore oaths as deep as the sea and the mountains, unable to bear parting from each other, and from then on they became regular lovers.

那个贾琏，只离了凤姐便要寻事，独寝了两夜，便十分难熬，便暂将小厮们内有清俊的选来出火。不想荣国府内有一个极不成器破烂酒头厨子，名叫多官，人见他懦弱无能，都唤他作”多浑虫”。因他自小父母替他在外娶了一个媳妇，今年方二十来往年纪，生得有几分人才，见者无不羡爱。他生性轻浮，最喜拈花惹草，多浑虫又不理论，只是有酒有肉有钱，便诸事不管了，所以荣宁二府之人都得入手。因这个媳妇美貌异常，轻浮无比，众人都呼他作”多姑娘儿”。如今贾琏在外熬煎，往日也曾见过这媳妇，失过魂魄，只是内惧娇妻，外惧娈宠，不曾下得手。那多姑娘儿也曾有意于贾琏，只恨没空。今闻贾琏挪在外书房来，他便没事也要走两趟去招惹。惹的贾琏似饥鼠一般，少不得和心腹的小厮们计议，合同遮掩谋求，多以金帛相许。小厮们焉有不允之理，况都和这媳妇是好友，一说便成。是夜二鼓人定，多浑虫醉昏在炕，贾琏便溜了来相会。进门一见其态，早已魄飞魂散，也不用情谈款叙，便宽衣动作起来。谁知这媳妇有天生的奇趣，一经男子挨身，便觉遍身筋骨瘫软，使男子如卧绵上，更兼淫态浪言，压倒娼妓，诸男子至此岂有惜命者哉。那贾琏恨不得连身子化在他身上。那媳妇故作浪语，在下说道：“你家女儿出花儿，供著娘娘，你也该忌两日，倒为我脏了身子。快离了我这里罢。”贾琏一面大动，一面喘吁吁答道：“你就是娘娘！我那里管什么娘娘！”那媳妇越浪，贾琏越丑态毕露。一时事毕，两个又海誓山盟，难分难舍，此后遂成相契。

一日大姐毒盡斑回，十二日後送了娘娘，合家祭天祀祖，還願焚香，慶賀放賞已畢，賈璉仍复搬進臥室。One day, once Dajie's poison had fully spent itself and the pox scabs had receded, and after the twelfth day when the Goddess was ceremonially sent off, the whole household offered sacrifices to Heaven and to their ancestors, burned incense in fulfillment of vows, and celebrated with rewards all around; only after all this was done did Jia Lian move back into his own bedroom.見了鳳姐，正是俗語云”新婚不如遠別”，更有無限恩愛，自不必煩絮。On seeing Xifeng again, it was just as the saying goes, 'A long absence beats a new marriage' — there was boundless tenderness between them, needless to spell out in detail.

一日大姐毒尽斑回，十二日后送了娘娘，合家祭天祀祖，还愿焚香，庆贺放赏已毕，贾琏仍复搬进卧室。见了凤姐，正是俗语云”新婚不如远别”，更有无限恩爱，自不必烦絮。

次日早起，鳳姐往上屋去後，平兒收拾賈璉在外的衣服舖蓋，不承望枕套中抖出一綹青絲來。The next morning, after Xifeng had gone off to the upper house, Ping'er was tidying up the clothes and bedding Jia Lian had used while living outside, when, quite unexpectedly, a lock of dark hair shook loose out of the pillowcase.平兒會意，忙拽在袖內，便走至這邊房內來，拿出頭髮來，向賈璉笑道：“這是什麼？”賈璉看見著了忙，搶上來要奪。Ping'er understood at once what it meant, and hastily tucked it into her sleeve; she then walked over into this side room, took out the lock of hair, and said to Jia Lian with a smile, 'What's this?' Seeing it, Jia Lian was thrown into a panic and lunged forward to snatch it away.平兒便跑，被賈璉一把揪住，按在炕上，掰手要奪，口內笑道：“小蹄子，你不趁早拿出來，我把你膀子橛折了。”平兒笑道：“你就是沒良心的。Ping'er took to her heels, but Jia Lian caught hold of her in one grab, pressed her down on the kang, and pried at her hand to snatch it away, saying with a laugh, 'You little wretch, if you don't hand it over this instant, I'll snap that arm of yours right off.' Ping'er said with a laugh, 'You're the one with no conscience at all.'我好意瞞著他來問，你倒賭狠！I kept it hidden from her out of goodwill and came to ask you about it — and here you go getting fierce with me!你只賭狠，等他回來我告訴他，看你怎麼著。”賈璉聽說，忙陪笑央求道：“好人，賞我罷，我再不賭狠了。”"Keep acting fierce all you like — when she comes back I'll tell her, and we'll see how you manage then." Hearing this, Jia Lian hastily put on a smile and pleaded, "Dear one, spare me — I won't act fierce again."

次日早起，凤姐往上屋去后，平儿收拾贾琏在外的衣服铺盖，不承望枕套中抖出一绺青丝来。平儿会意，忙拽在袖内，便走至这边房内来，拿出头发来，向贾琏笑道：“这是什么？”贾琏看见著了忙，抢上来要夺。平儿便跑，被贾琏一把揪住，按在炕上，掰手要夺，口内笑道：“小蹄子，你不趁早拿出来，我把你膀子橛折了。”平儿笑道：“你就是没良心的。我好意瞒著他来问，你倒赌狠！你只赌狠，等他回来我告诉他，看你怎么著。”贾琏听说，忙陪笑央求道：“好人，赏我罢，我再不赌狠了。”

一語未了，只聽鳳姐聲音進來。Before he had finished speaking, Xifeng's voice was heard coming in.賈璉聽見松了手，平兒剛起身，鳳姐已走進來，命平兒快開匣子，替太太找樣子。Hearing this, Jia Lian let go of her; just as Ping'er rose to her feet, Xifeng had already walked in and ordered Ping'er to quickly open the box and find a sample for Lady Wang.平兒忙答應了找時，鳳姐見了賈璉，忽然想起來，便問平兒：“拿出去的東西都收進來了么？”平兒道：“收進來了。”鳳姐道：“可少什麼沒有？”平兒道：“我也怕丟下一兩件，細細的查了查，也不少。”鳳姐道：“不少就好，只是別多出來罷？”平兒笑道：“不丟萬幸，誰還添出來呢？”鳳姐冷笑道：“這半個月難保乾淨，或者有相厚的丟下的東西：戒指，汗巾，香袋兒，再至于頭髮，指甲，都是東西。”一席話，說的賈璉臉都黃了。Ping'er hastily agreed and set about looking, when Xifeng, catching sight of Jia Lian, suddenly recalled something and asked Ping'er, "Have all the things that were taken out been brought back in?" Ping'er said, "They've been brought in." Xifeng said, "Is anything missing?" Ping'er said, "I was afraid one or two pieces might have been left out too, so I checked through them carefully, and nothing is missing." Xifeng said, "It's good if nothing is missing — just so long as nothing extra has turned up." Ping'er said with a smile, "It's fortunate enough that nothing was lost — who would go adding things to it?" Xifeng gave a cold laugh and said, "These past two weeks one can hardly vouch for things staying clean — perhaps some fond lady friend left something behind: a ring, a sweat scarf, a scent pouch, or for that matter hair, fingernails — such things all count." These few words made Jia Lian's face turn quite sallow.賈璉在鳳姐身後，只望著平兒殺雞抹脖使眼色兒。Standing behind Xifeng, Jia Lian could only stare at Ping'er, making throat-slitting gestures and shooting her looks.平兒只裝著看不見，因笑道：“怎麼我的心就和奶奶的心一樣！Ping'er only pretended not to see, and said with a smile, "How is it that my mind runs just the same as yours, my lady!我就怕有這些個，留神搜了一搜，竟一點破綻也沒有。I was afraid there might be such things myself, so I searched carefully, and there wasn't a single trace of anything wrong.奶奶不信時，那些東西我還沒收呢，奶奶親自翻尋一遍去。”鳳姐笑道：“傻丫頭，他便有這些東西，那里就叫咱們翻著了！”說著，尋了樣子又上去了。If you don't believe me, my lady, those things — I haven't even put them away yet — go and search through them yourself." Xifeng said with a smile, "Silly girl, even if he did have such things, how would it ever be us who found them!" So saying, she found her sample and went off again.

一语未了，只听凤姐声音进来。贾琏听见松了手，平儿刚起身，凤姐已走进来，命平儿快开匣子，替太太找样子。平儿忙答应了找时，凤姐见了贾琏，忽然想起来，便问平儿：“拿出去的东西都收进来了么？”平儿道：“收进来了。”凤姐道：“可少什么没有？”平儿道：“我也怕丢下一两件，细细的查了查，也不少。”凤姐道：“不少就好，只是别多出来罢？”平儿笑道：“不丢万幸，谁还添出来呢？”凤姐冷笑道：“这半个月难保干净，或者有相厚的丢下的东西：戒指，汗巾，香袋儿，再至于头发，指甲，都是东西。”一席话，说的贾琏脸都黄了。贾琏在凤姐身后，只望著平儿杀鸡抹脖使眼色儿。平儿只装著看不见，因笑道：“怎么我的心就和奶奶的心一样！我就怕有这些个，留神搜了一搜，竟一点破绽也没有。奶奶不信时，那些东西我还没收呢，奶奶亲自翻寻一遍去。”凤姐笑道：“傻丫头，他便有这些东西，那里就叫咱们翻著了！”说著，寻了样子又上去了。

平兒指著鼻子，晃著頭笑道：“這件事怎麼回謝我呢？”喜的個賈璉身痒難撓，跑上來摟著，”心肝腸肉”亂叫亂謝。Ping'er pointed at her own nose, shook her head, and said with a smile, "Now how are you going to thank me for this?" Jia Lian was so delighted his whole body itched with no way to scratch it; he rushed over, threw his arms around her, and cried out "my heart, my liver, my very own flesh and blood," thanking her over and over in a jumble.平兒仍拿了頭髮笑道：“這是我一生的把柄了。Ping'er, still holding the lock of hair, said with a smile, "This will be my hold over you for life.好就好，不好就抖露出這事來。”賈璉笑道：“你只好生收著罷，千萬別叫他知道。”口里說著，瞅他不防，便搶了過來，笑道：“你拿著終是禍患，不如我燒了他完事了。”一面說著，一面便塞于靴掖內。If you treat me well, all's well; if not, I'll let the whole affair out." Jia Lian said with a smile, "Just keep it safe, whatever you do — only don't ever let her find out." Even as he spoke, watching for a moment when she wasn't on guard, he snatched it away and said with a smile, "It's nothing but trouble for you to keep it — better I just burn it and be done with it." So saying, he tucked it into the lining of his boot.平兒咬牙道：“沒良心的東西，過了河就拆橋，明兒還想我替你撒謊！”賈璉見他嬌俏動情，便摟著求歡，被平兒奪手跑了，急的賈璉彎著腰恨道：“死促狹小淫婦！Ping'er ground her teeth and said, "You heartless thing, tearing down the bridge the moment you're across the river — and tomorrow you'll still expect me to lie for you!" Seeing how charming and stirred she looked, Jia Lian embraced her and pressed for pleasure, but Ping'er wrenched her hand free and ran off, leaving Jia Lian bent over in frustration, cursing, "You wicked, teasing little wench!一定浪上人的火來，他又跑了。”平兒在窗外笑道：“我浪我的，誰叫你動火了？You're bound to stir a man's fire up and then run off again." Ping'er, outside the window, said with a laugh, "I'll be as flirtatious as I please — who told you to catch fire over it?難道圖你受用一回，叫他知道了，又不待見我。”賈璉道：“你不用怕他，等我性子上來，把這醋罐打個稀爛，他才認得我呢！Am I supposed to let you have your pleasure, only to have her find out and then hold it against me?" Jia Lian said, "You needn't be afraid of her — once my temper flares up, I'll smash that vinegar jar to bits, and then she'll know what I'm made of!他防我象防賊的，只許他同男人說話，不許我和女人說話，我和女人略近些，他就疑惑，他不論小叔子侄兒，大的小的，說說笑笑，就不怕我吃醋了。She guards against me as if I were a thief — she's allowed to talk with men, but I'm not allowed to talk with women; if I so much as get a little close to a woman, she grows suspicious, yet whether it's her brothers-in-law or nephews, young or old, she can laugh and chat away with them and never worry that I'll be jealous.以後我也不許他見人！”平兒道：“他醋你使得，你醋他使不得。From now on I won't let her see anyone either!" Ping'er said, "It's fine for her to be jealous of you, but it won't do for you to be jealous of her.他原行的正走的正，你行動便有個坏心，連我也不放心，別說他了。”賈璉道：“你兩個一口賊氣。She herself walks a straight and proper path, but whatever you get up to, there's always some wicked intent behind it — even I can't feel easy about you, let alone her." Jia Lian said, "The two of you speak with one and the same thieving breath.都是你們行的是，我凡行動都存坏心。Whatever you two do is always in the right, while everything I do is supposed to hide some wicked intent.多早晚都死在我手里！”Sooner or later the pair of you will be the death of me!"

平儿指著鼻子，晃著头笑道：“这件事怎么回谢我呢？”喜的个贾琏身痒难挠，跑上来搂著，”心肝肠肉”乱叫乱谢。平儿仍拿了头发笑道：“这是我一生的把柄了。好就好，不好就抖露出这事来。”贾琏笑道：“你只好生收著罢，千万别叫他知道。”口里说著，瞅他不防，便抢了过来，笑道：“你拿著终是祸患，不如我烧了他完事了。”一面说著，一面便塞于靴掖内。平儿咬牙道：“没良心的东西，过了河就拆桥，明儿还想我替你撒谎！”贾琏见他娇俏动情，便搂著求欢，被平儿夺手跑了，急的贾琏弯著腰恨道：“死促狭小淫妇！一定浪上人的火来，他又跑了。”平儿在窗外笑道：“我浪我的，谁叫你动火了？难道图你受用一回，叫他知道了，又不待见我。”贾琏道：“你不用怕他，等我性子上来，把这醋罐打个稀烂，他才认得我呢！他防我象防贼的，只许他同男人说话，不许我和女人说话，我和女人略近些，他就疑惑，他不论小叔子侄儿，大的小的，说说笑笑，就不怕我吃醋了。以后我也不许他见人！”平儿道：“他醋你使得，你醋他使不得。他原行的正走的正，你行动便有个坏心，连我也不放心，别说他了。”贾琏道：“你两个一口贼气。都是你们行的是，我凡行动都存坏心。多早晚都死在我手里！”

一句未了，鳳姐走進院來，因見平兒在窗外，就問道：“要說話兩個人不在屋里說，怎麼跑出一個來，隔著窗子，是什麼意思？”賈璉在窗內接道：“你可問他，倒象屋里有老虎吃他呢。”平兒道：“屋里一個人沒有，我在他跟前作什麼？”鳳姐兒笑道：“正是沒人才好呢。”平兒聽說，便說道：“這話是說我呢？”鳳姐笑道：“不說你說誰？”平兒道：“別叫我說出好話來了。”說著，也不打帘子讓鳳姐，自己先摔帘子進來，往那邊去了。Before this remark was even finished, Xifeng walked into the courtyard, and seeing Ping'er standing outside the window, asked, "If the two of you have something to say, why not say it together inside the room — why has one of you run outside, talking through the window? What's the meaning of that?" From inside the window Jia Lian answered, "Better ask her — it's as if there were a tiger in the room ready to eat her up." Ping'er said, "There isn't a single soul in the room — what would I be doing standing beside him?" Xifeng said with a smile, "It's precisely because there's no one else that it would be so nice." Hearing this, Ping'er said, "Are you saying that about me?" Xifeng said with a smile, "If not you, then who?" Ping'er said, "Don't make me say something not so nice." So saying, she didn't even hold the curtain open for Xifeng, but flung it aside and went in ahead of her, heading off to the other side.鳳姐自掀帘子進來，說道：“平兒瘋魔了。Xifeng lifted the curtain herself and came in, saying, "Ping'er has gone quite mad.這蹄子認真要降伏我，仔細你的皮要緊！”賈璉聽了，已絕倒在炕上，拍手笑道：“我竟不知平兒這麼利害，從此倒伏他了。”鳳姐道：“都是你慣的他，我只和你說！”賈璉聽說忙道：“你兩個不卯，又拿我來作人。This little hussy is truly trying to get the better of me — she'd better mind her own skin!" Hearing this, Jia Lian had already collapsed with laughter on the kang, clapping his hands and saying, "I never knew Ping'er was so formidable — from now on I'll just submit to her." Xifeng said, "It's all because you've spoiled her — I'm settling accounts with you!" Hearing this, Jia Lian said hastily, "The two of you can't get along, and now you drag me in to be the scapegoat.我躲開你們。”鳳姐道：“我看你躲到那里去。”賈璉道：“我就來。”鳳姐道：“我有話和你商量。”不知商量何事，且聽下回分解。I'll just keep out of your way." Xifeng said, "Let's see where you think you can hide from me." Jia Lian said, "I'll be right back." Xifeng said, "I have something to discuss with you." What it was she wished to discuss is not yet known; listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.正是：Truly it is:

一句未了，凤姐走进院来，因见平儿在窗外，就问道：“要说话两个人不在屋里说，怎么跑出一个来，隔著窗子，是什么意思？”贾琏在窗内接道：“你可问他，倒象屋里有老虎吃他呢。”平儿道：“屋里一个人没有，我在他跟前作什么？”凤姐儿笑道：“正是没人才好呢。”平儿听说，便说道：“这话是说我呢？”凤姐笑道：“不说你说谁？”平儿道：“别叫我说出好话来了。”说著，也不打帘子让凤姐，自己先摔帘子进来，往那边去了。凤姐自掀帘子进来，说道：“平儿疯魔了。这蹄子认真要降伏我，仔细你的皮要紧！”贾琏听了，已绝倒在炕上，拍手笑道：“我竟不知平儿这么利害，从此倒伏他了。”凤姐道：“都是你惯的他，我只和你说！”贾琏听说忙道：“你两个不卯，又拿我来作人。我躲开你们。”凤姐道：“我看你躲到那里去。”贾琏道：“我就来。”凤姐道：“我有话和你商量。”不知商量何事，且听下回分解。正是：

淑女從來多抱怨，嬌妻自古便含酸。A virtuous maiden has ever had many grievances to voice; a doting wife, since ancient times, has always carried a trace of jealousy.

淑女从来多抱怨，娇妻自古便含酸。