第三十四回　情中情因情感妹妹　錯裡錯以錯勸哥哥 Within Love, Love Moves the Sister; Error upon Error, She Counsels Her Brother

話說襲人見賈母王夫人等去後，便走來寶玉身邊坐下，含淚問他：“怎麼就打到這步田地？”寶玉歎氣說道：“不過為那些事，問他做什麼！The story goes that after Xiren saw Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others leave, she came over and sat down beside Baoyu, and asked him with tears in her eyes, "How did it come to this?" Baoyu sighed and said, "It's all over those matters—why even ask about it?只是下半截疼得很，你瞧瞧，打坏了那裏？”襲人聽說，便輕輕的伸手進去，將中衣褪下。It's just that the lower half of my body hurts terribly. Take a look, where did they hurt me?" When Xiren heard this, she gently reached in and slid down his undergarments.寶玉略動一動，便咬著牙叫‘噯喲’，襲人連忙停住手，如此三四次才褪了下來。The moment Baoyu moved even slightly, he clenched his teeth and cried out "Ai-yo," so Xiren quickly stopped her hands; it took three or four tries like this before the garment finally came off.襲人看時，只見腿上半段青紫，都有四指寬的僵痕高了起來。When Xiren looked, she saw that the upper part of his legs was black and blue, with welts raised four fingers wide.襲人咬著牙說道：“我的娘，怎麼下這般的狠手！Xiren clenched her teeth and said, "Merciful heavens, how could anyone strike so viciously!你但凡聽我一句話，也不得到這步地位。If you had only listened to me in the least, you would never have come to this state.幸而沒動筋骨，倘或打出個殘疾來，可叫人怎麼樣呢！”正說著，只聽丫鬟們說：“寶姑娘來了。”襲人聽見，知道穿不及中衣，便拿了一床袷紗被替寶玉蓋了。Fortunately his sinews and bones weren't harmed—if it had left him crippled, what would we have done!" Just as she was speaking, they heard the maids say, "Miss Bao is here." Hearing this, Xiren realized there was no time to get his undergarments back on, so she took a lined gauze quilt and covered Baoyu with it instead.只見寶釵手里托著一丸藥走進來，向襲人說道：“晚上把這藥用酒研開，替他敷上，把那淤血的熱毒散開，可以就好了。”說畢，遞與襲人，又問道：“這會子可好些？”寶玉一面道謝說：“好了。”又讓坐。Just then Baochai walked in, holding a pill in her hand, and said to Xiren, "Tonight, grind this medicine with wine and apply it on him—it will disperse the heat-poison from the clotted blood, and he should recover soon." So saying, she handed it to Xiren, then asked, "Are you feeling any better now?" Baoyu thanked her, saying, "I'm better," and asked her to sit.寶釵見他睜開眼說話，不象先時，心中也寬慰了好些，便點頭歎道：“早聽人一句話，也不至今日。Seeing him open his eyes and speak, no longer as he had been before, Baochai felt considerably relieved as well, and nodded with a sigh, saying, "If you had listened to what people said sooner, it wouldn't have come to this today.別說老太太，太太心疼，就是我們看著，心里也疼。”剛說了半句又忙咽住，自悔說的話急了，不覺的就紅了臉，低下頭來。Not to mention how it grieves Grandmother and Mother—even we, looking on, feel the pain in our hearts." She had barely finished half the sentence when she hastily swallowed the rest, regretting that her words had come out too hastily, and without realizing it her face flushed red as she lowered her head.寶玉聽得這話如此親切稠密，大有深意，忽見他又咽住不往下說，紅了臉，低下頭只管弄衣帶，那一种嬌羞怯怯，非可形容得出者，不覺心中大暢，將疼痛早丟在九霄雲外，心中自思：“我不過挨了幾下打，他們一個個就有這些怜惜悲感之態露出，令人可玩可觀，可怜可敬。Hearing these words, so tender and heartfelt, clearly carrying deep meaning, Baoyu suddenly saw her stop short again, her face reddening as she lowered her head and fidgeted endlessly with her sash—that shy, bashful manner beyond any power of description to convey—and he could not help but feel a great surge of delight in his heart, all his pain instantly cast to the ninth heaven beyond the clouds. He thought to himself: "I've merely taken a few strokes of the cane, and already each of them shows such pity and sorrow for me—how touching, how admirable, how worthy of cherishing.假若我一時竟遭殃橫死，他們還不知是何等悲感呢！If I had actually died from this in some sudden calamity, who knows what depths of grief they would feel!既是他們這樣，我便一時死了，得他們如此，一生事業縱然盡付東流，亦無足歎惜，冥冥之中若不怡然自得，亦可謂糊涂鬼祟矣。”想著，只聽寶釵問襲人道：“怎麼好好的動了氣，就打起來了？”襲人便把焙茗的話說了出來。Since they feel this way toward me, even if I were to die now, having received such devotion from them, then even if my whole life's endeavors came to nothing, flowing off like water to the east, there would be nothing to lament. And in the shadowy realm beyond, if I did not feel content and at peace with that, I would truly be a foolish, benighted ghost." As he was thinking this, he heard Baochai ask Xiren, "How did things get so heated that it came to a beating?" So Xiren related what Beiming had said.寶玉原來還不知道賈環的話，見襲人說出方才知道。Baoyu, it turned out, had not known what Jia Huan had said, and only learned of it now from Xiren's account.因又拉上薛蟠，惟恐寶釵沉心，忙又止住襲人道：“薛大哥哥從來不這樣的，你們不可混猜度。”寶釵聽說，便知道是怕他多心，用話相攔襲人，因心中暗暗想道：“打的這個形象，疼還顧不過來，還是這樣細心，怕得罪了人，可見在我們身上也算是用心了。This account also implicated Xue Pan, and fearing that Baochai would take it to heart, Baoyu hastily stopped Xiren, saying, "Cousin Xue has never been like that—you mustn't guess so recklessly." Hearing this, Baochai understood at once that he was afraid she might feel slighted, and was using these words to check Xiren; inwardly she thought to herself, "Beaten to such a state, barely able to attend to his own pain, and yet still so careful, afraid of offending someone—it shows he takes real care where we're concerned too.你既這樣用心，何不在外頭大事上作工夫，老爺也喜歡了，也不能吃這樣虧。If you would only apply such care to matters of real importance outside, your father too would be pleased, and you wouldn't suffer such losses as this.但你固然怕我沉心，所以攔襲人的話，難道我就不知我的哥哥素日恣心縱欲，毫無防范的那种心性。But though you're afraid I'll take it to heart and so you stop Xiren from speaking, do you think I don't know my own brother's habitual nature—reckless, self-indulgent, utterly without restraint?當日為一個秦鐘，還鬧的天翻地覆，自然如今比先又更利害了。”想畢，因笑道：“你們也不必怨這個，怨那個。Once before, over that boy Qin Zhong, he already stirred up no end of trouble; naturally by now it must be even worse than before." Having thought this through, she said with a smile, "There's no need for you all to go blaming one person or another.据我想，到底寶兄弟素日不正，肯和那些人來往，老爺才生氣。As I see it, in the end it must be that Cousin Bao has habitually been improper, willing to associate with those sorts of people, and that's why Father grew so angry.就是我哥哥說話不防頭，一時說出寶兄弟來，也不是有心調唆：一則也是本來的實話，二則他原不理論這些防嫌小事。As for my brother speaking carelessly and happening to mention Cousin Bao's name, that wasn't done out of any deliberate scheme to incite trouble: for one thing, it was simply the plain truth, and for another, he has never been one to weigh such delicate, sensitive matters.襲姑娘從小兒只見寶兄弟這麼樣細心的人，你何嘗見過我哥哥那天不怕地不怕，心里有什麼口里就說什麼的人。”襲人因說出薛蟠來，見寶玉攔他的話，早已明白自己說造次了，恐寶釵沒意思，聽寶釵如此說，更覺羞愧無言。Sister Xiren, you have from childhood only ever seen someone as careful and considerate as Cousin Bao—when have you ever seen someone like my brother, who fears neither heaven nor earth, and says whatever is on his mind the instant it occurs to him?" Xiren, realizing that in mentioning Xue Pan she had prompted Baoyu to cut her off, already understood that she had spoken rashly, and fearing Baochai might feel hurt by it, felt all the more ashamed and speechless upon hearing Baochai speak this way.寶玉又聽寶釵這番話，一半是堂皇正大，一半是去己疑心，更覺比先暢快了。Hearing this further speech from Baochai, Baoyu, half because it was so dignified and fair-minded, half because it dispelled his own lingering doubts, felt even more at ease than before.方欲說話時，只見寶釵起身說道：“明兒再來看你，你好生養著罷。Just as he was about to speak, Baochai rose to her feet and said, "I'll come see you again tomorrow—you should rest well and take good care of yourself.方才我拿了藥來交給襲人，晚上敷上管就好了。”說著便走出門去。I just now brought that medicine and gave it to Xiren; apply it tonight and you're sure to get better." So saying, she walked out the door.襲人赶著送出院外，說：“姑娘倒費心了。Xiren hurried out to see her off beyond the courtyard, saying, "You've gone to such trouble, Miss.改日寶二爺好了，親自來謝。”寶釵回頭笑道：“有什麼謝處。Once Master Bao is better, he'll come in person to thank you." Baochai turned back with a smile and said, "There's nothing to thank me for.你只勸他好生靜養，別胡思亂想的就好了。Just urge him to rest quietly and not let his mind run wild with idle thoughts, and that will be enough.不必驚動老太太，太太眾人，倘或吹到老爺耳朵里，雖然彼時不怎麼樣，將來對景，終是要吃虧的。”說著，一面去了。There's no need to alarm Grandmother, Mother, or anyone else. If word of this should somehow reach Father's ears, even if nothing happens right away, it's bound to cause trouble sooner or later when the matter comes up again." So saying, she went on her way.

话说袭人见贾母王夫人等去后，便走来宝玉身边坐下，含泪问他：“怎么就打到这步田地？”宝玉叹气说道：“不过为那些事，问他做什么！只是下半截疼得很，你瞧瞧，打坏了那里？”袭人听说，便轻轻的伸手进去，将中衣褪下。宝玉略动一动，便咬著牙叫‘嗳哟’，袭人连忙停住手，如此三四次才褪了下来。袭人看时，只见腿上半段青紫，都有四指宽的僵痕高了起来。袭人咬著牙说道：“我的娘，怎么下这般的狠手！你但凡听我一句话，也不得到这步地位。幸而没动筋骨，倘或打出个残疾来，可叫人怎么样呢！”正说著，只听丫鬟们说：“宝姑娘来了。”袭人听见，知道穿不及中衣，便拿了一床夹纱被替宝玉盖了。只见宝钗手里托著一丸药走进来，向袭人说道：“晚上把这药用酒研开，替他敷上，把那淤血的热毒散开，可以就好了。”说毕，递与袭人，又问道：“这会子可好些？”宝玉一面道谢说：“好了。”又让坐。宝钗见他睁开眼说话，不象先时，心中也宽慰了好些，便点头叹道：“早听人一句话，也不至今日。别说老太太，太太心疼，就是我们看著，心里也疼。”刚说了半句又忙咽住，自悔说的话急了，不觉的就红了脸，低下头来。宝玉听得这话如此亲切稠密，大有深意，忽见他又咽住不往下说，红了脸，低下头只管弄衣带，那一种娇羞怯怯，非可形容得出者，不觉心中大畅，将疼痛早丢在九霄云外，心中自思：“我不过挨了几下打，他们一个个就有这些怜惜悲感之态露出，令人可玩可观，可怜可敬。假若我一时竟遭殃横死，他们还不知是何等悲感呢！既是他们这样，我便一时死了，得他们如此，一生事业纵然尽付东流，亦无足叹惜，冥冥之中若不怡然自得，亦可谓糊涂鬼祟矣。”想著，只听宝钗问袭人道：“怎么好好的动了气，就打起来了？”袭人便把焙茗的话说了出来。宝玉原来还不知道贾环的话，见袭人说出方才知道。因又拉上薛蟠，惟恐宝钗沉心，忙又止住袭人道：“薛大哥哥从来不这样的，你们不可混猜度。”宝钗听说，便知道是怕他多心，用话相拦袭人，因心中暗暗想道：“打的这个形象，疼还顾不过来，还是这样细心，怕得罪了人，可见在我们身上也算是用心了。你既这样用心，何不在外头大事上作工夫，老爷也喜欢了，也不能吃这样亏。但你固然怕我沉心，所以拦袭人的话，难道我就不知我的哥哥素日恣心纵欲，毫无防范的那种心性。当日为一个秦钟，还闹的天翻地覆，自然如今比先又更利害了。”想毕，因笑道：“你们也不必怨这个，怨那个。据我想，到底宝兄弟素日不正，肯和那些人来往，老爷才生气。就是我哥哥说话不防头，一时说出宝兄弟来，也不是有心调唆：一则也是本来的实话，二则他原不理论这些防嫌小事。袭姑娘从小儿只见宝兄弟这么样细心的人，你何尝见过我哥哥那天不怕地不怕，心里有什么口里就说什么的人。”袭人因说出薛蟠来，见宝玉拦他的话，早已明白自己说造次了，恐宝钗没意思，听宝钗如此说，更觉羞愧无言。宝玉又听宝钗这番话，一半是堂皇正大，一半是去己疑心，更觉比先畅快了。方欲说话时，只见宝钗起身说道：“明儿再来看你，你好生养著罢。方才我拿了药来交给袭人，晚上敷上管就好了。”说著便走出门去。袭人赶著送出院外，说：“姑娘倒费心了。改日宝二爷好了，亲自来谢。”宝钗回头笑道：“有什么谢处。你只劝他好生静养，别胡思乱想的就好了。不必惊动老太太，太太众人，倘或吹到老爷耳朵里，虽然彼时不怎么样，将来对景，终是要吃亏的。”说著，一面去了。

襲人抽身回來，心內著實感激寶釵。Xiren withdrew and came back inside, her heart genuinely full of gratitude toward Baochai.進來見寶玉沉思默默似睡非睡的模樣，因而退出房外，自去櫛沐。Coming in, she saw Baoyu lost in silent thought, looking as if he were neither quite asleep nor awake, so she withdrew from the room and went off to wash and comb her hair.寶玉默默的躺在床上，無奈臀上作痛，如針挑刀挖一般，更又熱如火炙，略展轉時，禁不住“噯喲”之聲。Baoyu lay silently on the bed, but the pain in his backside was unbearable, as if pricked by needles and gouged by a blade, and on top of that it burned hot as if scorched by fire; the slightest shift of position wrung an involuntary "Ai-yo" from him.那時天色將晚，因見襲人去了，卻有兩三個丫鬟伺候，此時并無呼喚之事，因說道：“你們且去梳洗，等我叫時再來。”眾人聽了，也都退出。By then the sky was growing dark. Seeing that Xiren had gone off, though two or three maids were on hand to attend him, since there was nothing at the moment requiring their service, he said, "Go and wash up for now—come back when I call you." Hearing this, they all withdrew as well.

袭人抽身回来，心内著实感激宝钗。进来见宝玉沉思默默似睡非睡的模样，因而退出房外，自去栉沐。宝玉默默的躺在床上，无奈臀上作痛，如针挑刀挖一般，更又热如火炙，略展转时，禁不住“嗳哟”之声。那时天色将晚，因见袭人去了，却有两三个丫鬟伺候，此时并无呼唤之事，因说道：“你们且去梳洗，等我叫时再来。”众人听了，也都退出。

這里寶玉昏昏默默，只見蔣玉菡走了進來，訴說忠順府拿他之事，又見金釧兒進來哭說為他投井之情。There in the room Baoyu drifted in a daze, when he saw Jiang Yuhan walk in, telling him of the matter of the Prince of Zhongshun's household seizing him, and then he saw Jinchuan'er come in weeping, telling of how she had thrown herself into the well because of him.寶玉半夢半醒，都不在意。Half asleep and half awake, Baoyu paid no real attention to any of it.忽又覺有人推他，恍恍忽忽聽得有人悲戚之聲。Suddenly he felt as though someone were pushing him, and, still half in a daze, he seemed to hear the sound of someone weeping in sorrow.寶玉從夢中驚醒，睜眼一看，不是別人，卻是林黛玉。Baoyu started awake from his dream, opened his eyes, and looked—it was none other than Lin Daiyu.寶玉猶恐是夢，忙又將身子欠起來，向臉上細細一認，只見兩個眼睛腫的桃兒一般，滿面淚光，不是黛玉，卻是那個？Still fearing it might be a dream, Baoyu hastily raised himself up and looked closely at her face—her eyes were swollen like peaches, her whole face glistening with tears; if this was not Daiyu, then who else could it be?寶玉還欲看時，怎奈下半截疼痛難忍，支持不住，便“噯喲”一聲，仍就倒下，歎了一聲，說道：“你又做什麼跑來！Baoyu wanted to look at her further, but the pain in the lower half of his body was so unbearable that he could not hold himself up, and with an "Ai-yo" he sank back down again. With a sigh, he said, "Why did you come running over here again!雖說太陽落下去，那地上的餘氣未散，走兩趟又要受了暑，怎麼得了！。Even though the sun has gone down, the lingering heat from the ground hasn't dispersed yet—walking back and forth like this, you'll only end up getting heatstroke. What would become of things then!我雖然捱了打，并不覺疼痛。As for me, even though I took a beating, I don't really feel any pain at all.我這個樣兒，只裝出來哄他們，好在外頭布散與老爺聽，其實是假的。This state I'm putting on is only to fool them, so word of it will spread outside and reach Father's ears—it's not real at all.你不可認真。”此時林黛玉雖不是嚎啕大哭，然越是這等無聲之泣，氣噎喉堵，更覺得利害。You mustn't take it seriously." At this, though Lin Daiyu was not wailing aloud, this kind of soundless weeping, with her breath catching and her throat choked, was in fact all the more wrenching.聽了寶玉這番話，心中雖然有萬句言語，只是不能說得。Hearing these words from Baoyu, though ten thousand things welled up in her heart, she could not manage to say a single one of them.半日，方抽抽噎噎的說道：“你從此可都改了罷！”寶玉聽說，便長歎一聲道：“你放心，別說這樣話。After a long while, she finally managed, sobbing and choking, to say, "From now on, you really must change your ways!" Hearing this, Baoyu let out a long sigh and said, "Set your mind at ease, don't speak like that.就便為這些人死了，也是情願的！”一句話未了，只見院外人說：“二奶奶來了。”林黛玉便知是鳳姐來了，連忙立起身說道：“我從後院子去罷，回來再來。”寶玉一把拉住道：“這可奇了，好好的怎麼怕起他來。”林黛玉急的跺腳，悄悄的說道：“你瞧瞧我的眼睛，又該他取笑開心呢。”寶玉聽說赶忙的放手。Even if I were to die for the sake of these people, I would do so gladly!" Before he had even finished this sentence, they heard someone outside the courtyard say, "Second Mistress Lian is here." Lin Daiyu knew at once this meant Xifeng had arrived, and hurriedly rose to her feet, saying, "I'll slip out through the back courtyard—I'll come back later." Baoyu grabbed her hand and said, "Now this is strange—why should you suddenly be afraid of her?" Lin Daiyu, stamping her foot in urgency, said in a low voice, "Just look at my eyes—she'll only tease me about them and have her fun." Hearing this, Baoyu hastily let go of her hand.黛玉三步兩步轉過床後，出後院而去。Daiyu, in two or three steps, slipped around behind the bed and went out through the back courtyard.鳳姐從前頭已進來了，問寶玉：“可好些了？Xifeng had already come in from the front, and asked Baoyu, "Are you feeling any better?想什麼吃，叫人往我那里取去。”接著，薛姨媽又來了。If there's anything you'd like to eat, just send someone to my place to get it." Right after this, Aunt Xue came as well.一時賈母又打發了人來。Presently Grandmother Jia also sent someone over.至掌燈時分，寶玉只喝了兩口湯，便昏昏沉沉的睡去。By the time the lamps were lit, Baoyu had only managed to drink two mouthfuls of soup before drifting off into a heavy, drowsy sleep.接著，周瑞媳婦，吳新登媳婦，鄭好時媳婦這幾個有年紀常往來的，聽見寶玉捱了打，也都進來。After this, Zhou Rui's wife, Wu Xindeng's wife, and Zheng Haoshi's wife—these several older women who came and went often—having heard that Baoyu had taken a beating, all came in to see him as well.襲人忙迎出來，悄悄的笑道：“嬸嬸們來遲了一步，二爺才睡著了。”說著，一面帶他們到那邊房里坐了，倒茶與他們吃。Xiren hurried out to greet them, saying with a quiet smile, "You aunties have come a step too late—Master Bao has only just fallen asleep." So saying, she led them to sit in the room on the other side, and poured them tea to drink.那幾個媳婦子都悄悄的坐了一回，向襲人說：“等二爺醒了，你替我們說罷。”The women sat quietly for a while, then said to Xiren, "When Master Bao wakes up, please pass along our words for us."

这里宝玉昏昏默默，只见蒋玉菡走了进来，诉说忠顺府拿他之事，又见金钏儿进来哭说为他投井之情。宝玉半梦半醒，都不在意。忽又觉有人推他，恍恍忽忽听得有人悲戚之声。宝玉从梦中惊醒，睁眼一看，不是别人，却是林黛玉。宝玉犹恐是梦，忙又将身子欠起来，向脸上细细一认，只见两个眼睛肿的桃儿一般，满面泪光，不是黛玉，却是那个？宝玉还欲看时，怎奈下半截疼痛难忍，支持不住，便“嗳哟”一声，仍就倒下，叹了一声，说道：“你又做什么跑来！虽说太阳落下去，那地上的余气未散，走两趟又要受了暑，怎么得了！。我虽然挨了打，并不觉疼痛。我这个样儿，只装出来哄他们，好在外头布散与老爷听，其实是假的。你不可认真。”此时林黛玉虽不是嚎啕大哭，然越是这等无声之泣，气噎喉堵，更觉得利害。听了宝玉这番话，心中虽然有万句言语，只是不能说得。半日，方抽抽噎噎的说道：“你从此可都改了罢！”宝玉听说，便长叹一声道：“你放心，别说这样话。就便为这些人死了，也是情愿的！”一句话未了，只见院外人说：“二奶奶来了。”林黛玉便知是凤姐来了，连忙立起身说道：“我从后院子去罢，回来再来。”宝玉一把拉住道：“这可奇了，好好的怎么怕起他来。”林黛玉急的跺脚，悄悄的说道：“你瞧瞧我的眼睛，又该他取笑开心呢。”宝玉听说赶忙的放手。黛玉三步两步转过床后，出后院而去。凤姐从前头已进来了，问宝玉：“可好些了？想什么吃，叫人往我那里取去。”接著，薛姨妈又来了。一时贾母又打发了人来。至掌灯时分，宝玉只喝了两口汤，便昏昏沉沉的睡去。接著，周瑞媳妇，吴新登媳妇，郑好时媳妇这几个有年纪常往来的，听见宝玉挨了打，也都进来。袭人忙迎出来，悄悄的笑道：“婶婶们来迟了一步，二爷才睡著了。”说著，一面带他们到那边房里坐了，倒茶与他们吃。那几个媳妇子都悄悄的坐了一回，向袭人说：“等二爷醒了，你替我们说罢。”

襲人答應了，送他們出去。Xiren agreed, and saw them out.剛要回來，只見王夫人使個婆子來，口稱“太太叫一個跟二爺的人呢。”襲人見說，想了一想，便回身悄悄的告訴晴雯、麝月、檀雲、秋紋等說：“太太叫人，你們好生在房里，我去了就來。”說畢，同那婆子一徑出了園子，來至上房。Just as she was about to turn back, she saw that Lady Wang had sent an old woman over, who said, "The mistress wants one of the girls who attends Master Bao." Hearing this, Xiren thought for a moment, then turned back and quietly told Qingwen, Sheyue, Tanyun, Qiuwen, and the others, "The mistress wants someone—you all stay in the room and mind things well. I'll go and come right back." So saying, she went straight out of the garden together with the old woman, and came to the front apartments.王夫人正坐在涼榻上搖著芭蕉扇子，見他來了，說：“不管叫個誰來也罷了。Lady Wang was sitting on a cool couch fanning herself with a plantain-leaf fan; seeing Xiren come in, she said, "It would have done just as well to send whichever one came to hand.你又丟下他來了，誰伏侍他呢？”襲人見說，連忙陪笑回道：“二爺才睡安穩了，那四五個丫頭如今也好了，會伏侍二爺了，太太請放心。You've left him again to come here—who's there to attend him?" Hearing this, Xiren hurriedly replied with a smile, "Master Bao has only just settled into a peaceful sleep, and those four or five maids are competent enough now to attend him properly, so the mistress may set her mind at ease.恐怕太太有什麼話吩咐，打發他們來，一時聽不明白，倒耽誤了。”王夫人道：“也沒甚話，白問問他這會子疼的怎麼樣。”襲人道：“寶姑娘送去的藥，我給二爺敷上了，比先好些了。I was afraid the mistress might have some instruction to give, and if she sent one of them, they might not fully understand it and end up causing delay." Lady Wang said, "It's nothing much—I only wanted to ask how he's feeling now, how much pain he's in." Xiren said, "I applied the medicine Miss Bao sent over onto Master Bao, and he's somewhat better than before.先疼的躺不穩，這會子都睡沉了，可見好些了。”王夫人又問：“吃了什麼沒有？”襲人道：“老太太給的一碗湯，喝了兩口，只嚷乾喝，要吃酸梅湯。Earlier the pain was so bad he couldn't lie still, but now he's fallen into a deep sleep, which shows he really is better." Lady Wang then asked, "Has he eaten anything?" Xiren said, "He drank two mouthfuls of the soup Grandmother sent, but kept complaining it was too plain, and asked for sour plum soup.我想著酸梅是個收斂的東西，才剛捱了打，又不許叫喊，自然急的那熱毒熱血未免不存在心里，倘或吃下這個去激在心里，再弄出大病來，可怎麼樣呢。I thought to myself that sour plum is an astringent thing, and since he'd only just taken a beating and wasn't even allowed to cry out, naturally the heat-poison and hot blood from the anger would inevitably settle and stay pent up inside him. If he drank that and it drove the poison inward, and it turned into a serious illness, what would we do then.因此我勸了半天才沒吃，只拿那糖腌的玫瑰鹵子和了吃，吃了半碗，又嫌吃絮了，不香甜。”王夫人道：“噯喲，你不該早來和我說。So I spent a good while persuading him against it, and in the end he didn't drink it, but instead had some of the sugared rose-petal syrup mixed into water, and had about half a bowl, then said he was tired of it and it wasn't fragrant or sweet enough." Lady Wang said, "Oh dear, you should have come and told me about this sooner.前兒有人送了兩瓶子香露來，原要給他點子的，我怕他胡糟踏了，就沒給。The other day someone sent over two bottles of fragrant dew—I meant to give him some, but I was afraid he'd waste it carelessly, so I didn't.既是他嫌那些玫瑰膏子絮煩，把這個拿兩瓶子去。Since he's tired of that rose syrup and finds it cloying, take these two bottles for him.一碗水里只用挑一茶匙兒，就香的了不得呢。”說著就喚彩雲來，”把前兒的那幾瓶香露拿了來。”襲人道：“只拿兩瓶來罷，多了也白糟踏。Just a single teaspoon in a bowl of water makes it fragrant beyond belief." So saying, she called for Caiyun, "Bring the several bottles of fragrant dew from the other day." Xiren said, "Just bring two bottles for now—any more would only go to waste.等不夠再要，再來取也是一樣。”彩雲聽說，去了半日，果然拿了兩瓶來，付與襲人。When these run out and we need more, it's just as easy to come and get more then." Hearing this, Caiyun went off, and after a good while indeed brought back two bottles, which she handed over to Xiren.襲人看時，只見兩個玻璃小瓶，卻有三寸大小，上面螺絲銀蓋，鵝黃箋上寫著“木樨清露”，那一個寫著“玫瑰清露”襲人笑道：“好金貴東西！When Xiren looked, she saw two small glass bottles, each about three inches in size, with silver screw caps on top; on goose-yellow paper labels, one was written "Sweet Osmanthus Dew," the other "Rose Dew." Xiren said with a smile, "What a precious thing!這麼個小瓶子，能有多少？”王夫人道：“那是進上的，你沒看見鵝黃箋子？Such a tiny bottle—how much can there really be in it?" Lady Wang said, "That's tribute stock sent up to the palace—didn't you see the goose-yellow label?你好生替他收著，別糟踏了。”Take good care to keep it for him, and don't let it go to waste."

袭人答应了，送他们出去。刚要回来，只见王夫人使个婆子来，口称“太太叫一个跟二爷的人呢。”袭人见说，想了一想，便回身悄悄的告诉晴雯、麝月、檀云、秋纹等说：“太太叫人，你们好生在房里，我去了就来。”说毕，同那婆子一径出了园子，来至上房。王夫人正坐在凉榻上摇著芭蕉扇子，见他来了，说：“不管叫个谁来也罢了。你又丢下他来了，谁伏侍他呢？”袭人见说，连忙陪笑回道：“二爷才睡安稳了，那四五个丫头如今也好了，会伏侍二爷了，太太请放心。恐怕太太有什么话吩咐，打发他们来，一时听不明白，倒耽误了。”王夫人道：“也没甚话，白问问他这会子疼的怎么样。”袭人道：“宝姑娘送去的药，我给二爷敷上了，比先好些了。先疼的躺不稳，这会子都睡沉了，可见好些了。”王夫人又问：“吃了什么没有？”袭人道：“老太太给的一碗汤，喝了两口，只嚷干喝，要吃酸梅汤。我想著酸梅是个收敛的东西，才刚挨了打，又不许叫喊，自然急的那热毒热血未免不存在心里，倘或吃下这个去激在心里，再弄出大病来，可怎么样呢。因此我劝了半天才没吃，只拿那糖腌的玫瑰卤子和了吃，吃了半碗，又嫌吃絮了，不香甜。”王夫人道：“嗳哟，你不该早来和我说。前儿有人送了两瓶子香露来，原要给他点子的，我怕他胡糟踏了，就没给。既是他嫌那些玫瑰膏子絮烦，把这个拿两瓶子去。一碗水里只用挑一茶匙儿，就香的了不得呢。”说著就唤彩云来，”把前儿的那几瓶香露拿了来。”袭人道：“只拿两瓶来罢，多了也白糟踏。等不够再要，再来取也是一样。”彩云听说，去了半日，果然拿了两瓶来，付与袭人。袭人看时，只见两个玻璃小瓶，却有三寸大小，上面螺丝银盖，鹅黄笺上写著“木樨清露”，那一个写著“玫瑰清露”袭人笑道：“好金贵东西！这么个小瓶子，能有多少？”王夫人道：“那是进上的，你没看见鹅黄笺子？你好生替他收著，别糟踏了。”

襲人答應著，方要走時，王夫人又叫：“站著，我想起一句話來問你。”襲人忙又回來。Xiren agreed, and was just about to leave when Lady Wang called out again, "Wait a moment, I've thought of something I want to ask you." Xiren hurried back again.王夫人見房內無人，便問道：“我恍惚聽見寶玉今兒捱打，是環兒在老爺跟前說了什麼話。Seeing that there was no one else in the room, Lady Wang asked, "I seem to have heard, rather vaguely, that Baoyu's beating today came about because Huan'er said something to his father.你可聽見這個了？Have you heard anything of this?你要聽見，告訴我聽聽，我也不吵出來教人知道是你說的。”襲人道：“我倒沒聽見這話，為二爺霸占著戲子，人家來和老爺要，為這個打的。”王夫人搖頭說道：“也為這個，還有別的原故。”襲人道：“別的原故實在不知道了。If you have, tell me, and I won't let it get out that it came from you." Xiren said, "I hadn't actually heard that account—what I heard was that it was because Master Bao had been monopolizing an actor, and the man's people came looking for him and demanding him back from the Master, and that's why he was beaten." Lady Wang shook her head and said, "That was part of it, but there's another reason as well." Xiren said, "As for any other reason, I really don't know.我今兒在太太跟前大膽說句不知好歹的話。Today, before you, mistress, I'll be so bold as to say something rather presumptuous.論理……”說了半截忙又咽住。By rights..." She had said only half the sentence when she hastily swallowed the rest.王夫人道：“你只管說。”襲人笑道：“太太別生氣，我就說了。”王夫人道：“我有什麼生氣的，你只管說來。”襲人道：“論理，我們二爺也須得老爺教訓兩頓。Lady Wang said, "Go on and speak freely." Xiren said with a smile, "Please don't be angry, mistress, and I'll say it." Lady Wang said, "What is there for me to be angry about? Just go ahead and speak." Xiren said, "By rights, Master Bao really does need the Master to discipline him with a beating once or twice.若老爺再不管，將來不知做出什麼事來呢。”王夫人一聞此言，便合掌念聲”阿彌陀佛”，由不得赶著襲人叫了一聲：“我的兒，虧了你也明白，這話和我的心一樣。If the Master doesn't take him in hand, there's no telling what he might do in the future." The moment Lady Wang heard this, she pressed her palms together and murmured "Amitabha," and could not help but exclaim, hurrying toward Xiren, "My child, it's a good thing you understand this much—these words match exactly what's in my own heart.我何曾不知道管兒子，先時你珠大爺在，我是怎麼樣管他，難道我如今倒不知管兒子了？When have I ever not known how to discipline a son? In the days when your Elder Master Zhu was alive, you know how strictly I disciplined him—could it be that now I no longer know how to discipline a son?只是有個原故：如今我想，我已經快五十歲的人，通共剩了他一個，他又長的單弱，況且老太太寶貝似的，若管緊了他，倘或再有個好歹，或是老太太氣坏了，那時上下不安，豈不倒坏了。It's just that there's a reason behind it: nowadays, as I think of it, I'm already nearly fifty years old, and he is the only one left to me. On top of that he's grown up frail and delicate, and besides, Grandmother treats him like a treasure—if I were to discipline him too strictly and something untoward were to happen to him, or if Grandmother were to be made ill with anger over it, then everyone, high and low, would be thrown into turmoil—wouldn't that make things even worse?所以就縱坏了他。That's why I've let him grow spoiled and unruly.我常常掰著口兒勸一陣，說一陣，氣的罵一陣，哭一陣，彼時他好，過後兒還是不相干，端的吃了虧才罷了。I often press him with argument, plead with him, scold him in anger, weep over him—at the time he seems to take it to heart, but afterward it makes no difference at all, and only when he's actually suffered some real loss does he settle down.若打坏了，將來我靠誰呢！”說著，由不得滾下淚來。If he'd been beaten so badly as to be crippled, who would I have left to depend on in the future!" So saying, she could not help but let the tears roll down.

袭人答应著，方要走时，王夫人又叫：“站著，我想起一句话来问你。”袭人忙又回来。王夫人见房内无人，便问道：“我恍惚听见宝玉今儿挨打，是环儿在老爷跟前说了什么话。你可听见这个了？你要听见，告诉我听听，我也不吵出来教人知道是你说的。”袭人道：“我倒没听见这话，为二爷霸占著戏子，人家来和老爷要，为这个打的。”王夫人摇头说道：“也为这个，还有别的原故。”袭人道：“别的原故实在不知道了。我今儿在太太跟前大胆说句不知好歹的话。论理……”说了半截忙又咽住。王夫人道：“你只管说。”袭人笑道：“太太别生气，我就说了。”王夫人道：“我有什么生气的，你只管说来。”袭人道：“论理，我们二爷也须得老爷教训两顿。若老爷再不管，将来不知做出什么事来呢。”王夫人一闻此言，便合掌念声”阿弥陀佛”，由不得赶著袭人叫了一声：“我的儿，亏了你也明白，这话和我的心一样。我何曾不知道管儿子，先时你珠大爷在，我是怎么样管他，难道我如今倒不知管儿子了？只是有个原故：如今我想，我已经快五十岁的人，通共剩了他一个，他又长的单弱，况且老太太宝贝似的，若管紧了他，倘或再有个好歹，或是老太太气坏了，那时上下不安，岂不倒坏了。所以就纵坏了他。我常常掰著口儿劝一阵，说一阵，气的骂一阵，哭一阵，彼时他好，过后儿还是不相干，端的吃了亏才罢了。若打坏了，将来我靠谁呢！”说著，由不得滚下泪来。

襲人見王夫人這般悲感，自己也不覺傷了心，陪著落淚。Seeing Lady Wang so overcome with grief, Xiren too could not help but feel her own heart ache, and wept along with her.又道：“二爺是太太養的，豈不心疼。She went on, "Master Bao is your own son, mistress—of course it pains your heart.便是我們做下人的伏侍一場，大家落個平安，也算是造化了，要這樣起來，連平安都不能了。As for us servants who wait on him, if in serving him we can all come through it safely, that alone counts as good fortune. If things go on like this, even that much safety may not be possible.那一日那一時我不勸二爺，只是再勸不醒。There isn't a day or an hour that I don't try to counsel Master Bao, but no amount of counsel ever wakes him up.偏生那些人又肯親近他，也怨不得他這樣，總是我們勸的倒不好了。And it happens that those sorts of people are only too willing to get close to him, so it's not entirely his fault either—in the end it's always we who are blamed for counseling him poorly.今兒太太提起這話來，我還記挂著一件事，每要來回太太，討太太個主意。Now that you, mistress, have brought this matter up today, there's something else I've been carrying on my mind, that I've wanted several times to report to you, to ask for your guidance.只是我怕太太疑心，不但我的話白說了，且連葬身之地都沒了。”王夫人聽了這話內有因，忙問道：“我的兒，你有話只管說。It's only that I've been afraid you might suspect my motives, and then not only would my words have been wasted, but I might not even have a safe place left to bury myself." Hearing this, and sensing there was something real behind it, Lady Wang hastily asked, "My child, if you have something to say, just say it.近來我因聽見眾人背前背後都夸你，我只說你不過是在寶玉身上留心，或是諸人跟前和氣，這些小意思好，所以將你和老姨娘一体行事。Lately, hearing everyone praising you behind your back and to your face alike, I had simply assumed it was because you took care of Baoyu, or because you were amiable toward everyone—these small courtesies were good enough in themselves, and so I had come to treat you on the same footing as old Concubine [Zhao's attendant].誰知你方才和我說的話全是大道理，正和我的想頭一樣。Who would have thought that what you've just said to me is all sound, weighty reasoning, and matches exactly what has been on my own mind.你有什麼只管說什麼，只別教別人知道就是了。”襲人道：“我也沒什麼別的說。Whatever you have to say, just say it—only see that no one else gets to know of it." Xiren said, "I don't really have anything else to say.我只想著討太太一個示下，怎麼變個法兒，以後竟還教二爺搬出園外來住就好了。”王夫人聽了，吃一大驚，忙拉了襲人的手問道：“寶玉難道和誰作怪了不成？”襲人連忙回道：“太太別多心，并沒有這話。I only wish to ask for your guidance, mistress, on some way—I don't know quite how—that from now on Master Bao might actually be made to move out of the garden and live outside it; that would be best." Hearing this, Lady Wang was greatly startled, and hastily took hold of Xiren's hand and asked, "Has Baoyu, by any chance, done something improper with someone?" Xiren hastily replied, "Please don't misunderstand, mistress, there's nothing of that sort at all.這不過是我的小見識。This is merely my own humble opinion.如今二爺也大了，里頭姑娘們也大了，況且林姑娘寶姑娘又是兩姨姑表姊妹，雖說是姊妹們，到底是男女之分，日夜一處起坐不方便，由不得叫人懸心，便是外人看著，也不像一家子的事，俗語說的‘沒事常思有事’，世上多少無頭腦的人，多半因為無心中做出，有心人看見，當作有心事，反說坏了。Now that Master Bao is getting older, and the young ladies inside the garden are growing up too, and what's more, Miss Lin and Miss Bao are both his cousins on his aunts' sides—though they're called cousins, still, there is after all the distinction between male and female, and it isn't proper for them to be together morning and night in the same place; one can't help feeling uneasy about it. And even to outsiders looking on, it doesn't look like the way things ought to be done in a proper household. As the saying goes, 'when nothing is wrong, always think as if something were wrong'—there are no end of thoughtless people in this world who, more often than not, do something quite innocently, only to have some calculating person notice it, take it as done with intent, and twist it into something bad.只是預先不防著，斷然不好。It's only that if one doesn't guard against it beforehand, it will certainly turn out badly.二爺素日性格，太太是知道的。You know very well, mistress, what Master Bao's temperament has habitually been like.他又偏好在我們隊里鬧，倘或不防，前後錯了一點半點，不論真假，人多口雜，那起小人的嘴有什麼避諱，心順了，說的比菩薩還好，心不順，就貶的連畜牲不如。And he particularly likes to spend his time carrying on among us girls; if by some oversight anything, however slight, should go even a little bit wrong, whether true or false, with so many people and so many mouths, those small-minded gossips have no scruples whatsoever about what they say—if they're in a good mood, they'll praise him as better than a Bodhisattva, but if they're not, they'll run him down as worse than an animal.二爺將來倘或有人說好，不過大家直過沒事，若要叫人說出一個不好字來，我們不用說，粉身碎骨，罪有萬重，都是平常小事，但後來二爺一生的聲名品行豈不完了，二則太太也難見老爺。If in the future people should happen to speak well of Master Bao, then all is well and nothing more need be said; but if it should come about that people speak some ill word of him, then, needless to say, even if we servants were ground to powder and shattered to bits, our guilt would be a thousandfold, but that would be a small matter in the end—the real tragedy is that Master Bao's reputation and character for the rest of his life would be ruined beyond repair, and moreover, mistress, you yourself would find it hard to face the Master.俗語又說‘君子防不然’，不如這會子防避的為是。As the old saying also goes, 'the superior man guards against what has not yet happened'—it is far better to take precautions now, while there is still time.太太事情多，一時固然想不到。You, mistress, have so many matters to attend to that naturally you couldn't think of everything at once.我們想不到則可，既想到了，若不回明太太，罪越重了。It would be one thing if we too had failed to think of it, but since we have thought of it, if we don't report it clearly to you, mistress, our guilt would only grow the greater.近來我為這事日夜懸心，又不好說與人，惟有燈知道罷了。”王夫人聽了這話，如雷轟電掣的一般，正触了金釧兒之事，心內越發感愛襲人不盡，忙笑道：“我的兒，你竟有這個心胸，想的這樣周全！Of late, this matter has kept me anxious day and night, and yet I haven't been able to speak of it to anyone—only the lamp knows of it." Hearing these words struck Lady Wang like a thunderclap and a flash of lightning, touching exactly upon the matter of Jinchuan'er, and her heart grew all the more full of deep affection and gratitude toward Xiren; she hastened to say with a smile, "My child, to think you should have such foresight, to have thought things through so thoroughly!我何曾又不想到這里，只是這幾次有事就忘了。It isn't that I myself never thought of this—it's only that with one thing after another happening lately, it kept slipping my mind.你今兒這一番話提醒了我。These words of yours today have brought it back to me.難為你成全我娘兒兩個聲名体面，真真我竟不知道你這樣好。I'm truly grateful to you for preserving the good name and standing of both mother and son—truly, I never knew you were so good, so thoughtful as this.罷了，你且去罷，我自有道理。Well then, you may go now—I shall see to it in my own way.只是還有一句話：你今既說了這樣的話，我就把他交給你了，好歹留心，保全了他，就是保全了我。There's just one more thing to say: now that you've spoken these words to me, I'm going to entrust him to your care—be sure, one way or another, to keep watch over him and see him kept safe and sound; to keep him safe is to keep me safe as well.我自然不辜負你。”襲人連連答應著去了。I will certainly not fail to reward you for it." Xiren, assenting again and again, took her leave.回來正值寶玉睡醒，襲人回明香露之事。When she came back, it happened that Baoyu had just woken up, and Xiren told him about the matter of the fragrant dew.寶玉喜不自禁，即令調來嘗試，果然香妙非常。Baoyu was overjoyed beyond measure, and at once had it mixed and tried it; sure enough, it was wonderfully fragrant.因心下記挂著黛玉，滿心里要打發人去，只是怕襲人，便設一法，先使襲人往寶釵那里去借書。But with his mind still dwelling on Daiyu, he was eager the whole time to send someone to her, only he was wary of Xiren, so he devised a plan: he first sent Xiren over to Baochai's to borrow some books.

袭人见王夫人这般悲感，自己也不觉伤了心，陪著落泪。又道：“二爷是太太养的，岂不心疼。便是我们做下人的伏侍一场，大家落个平安，也算是造化了，要这样起来，连平安都不能了。那一日那一时我不劝二爷，只是再劝不醒。偏生那些人又肯亲近他，也怨不得他这样，总是我们劝的倒不好了。今儿太太提起这话来，我还记挂著一件事，每要来回太太，讨太太个主意。只是我怕太太疑心，不但我的话白说了，且连葬身之地都没了。”王夫人听了这话内有因，忙问道：“我的儿，你有话只管说。近来我因听见众人背前背后都夸你，我只说你不过是在宝玉身上留心，或是诸人跟前和气，这些小意思好，所以将你和老姨娘一体行事。谁知你方才和我说的话全是大道理，正和我的想头一样。你有什么只管说什么，只别教别人知道就是了。”袭人道：“我也没什么别的说。我只想著讨太太一个示下，怎么变个法儿，以后竟还教二爷搬出园外来住就好了。”王夫人听了，吃一大惊，忙拉了袭人的手问道：“宝玉难道和谁作怪了不成？”袭人连忙回道：“太太别多心，并没有这话。这不过是我的小见识。如今二爷也大了，里头姑娘们也大了，况且林姑娘宝姑娘又是两姨姑表姊妹，虽说是姊妹们，到底是男女之分，日夜一处起坐不方便，由不得叫人悬心，便是外人看著，也不像一家子的事，俗语说的‘没事常思有事’，世上多少无头脑的人，多半因为无心中做出，有心人看见，当作有心事，反说坏了。只是预先不防著，断然不好。二爷素日性格，太太是知道的。他又偏好在我们队里闹，倘或不防，前后错了一点半点，不论真假，人多口杂，那起小人的嘴有什么避讳，心顺了，说的比菩萨还好，心不顺，就贬的连畜牲不如。二爷将来倘或有人说好，不过大家直过没事，若要叫人说出一个不好字来，我们不用说，粉身碎骨，罪有万重，都是平常小事，但后来二爷一生的声名品行岂不完了，二则太太也难见老爷。俗语又说‘君子防不然’，不如这会子防避的为是。太太事情多，一时固然想不到。我们想不到则可，既想到了，若不回明太太，罪越重了。近来我为这事日夜悬心，又不好说与人，惟有灯知道罢了。”王夫人听了这话，如雷轰电掣的一般，正触了金钏儿之事，心内越发感爱袭人不尽，忙笑道：“我的儿，你竟有这个心胸，想的这样周全！我何曾又不想到这里，只是这几次有事就忘了。你今儿这一番话提醒了我。难为你成全我娘儿两个声名体面，真真我竟不知道你这样好。罢了，你且去罢，我自有道理。只是还有一句话：你今既说了这样的话，我就把他交给你了，好歹留心，保全了他，就是保全了我。我自然不辜负你。”袭人连连答应著去了。回来正值宝玉睡醒，袭人回明香露之事。宝玉喜不自禁，即令调来尝试，果然香妙非常。因心下记挂著黛玉，满心里要打发人去，只是怕袭人，便设一法，先使袭人往宝钗那里去借书。

襲人去了，寶玉便命晴雯來吩咐道：“你到林姑娘那里看看他做什麼呢。Once Xiren had gone, Baoyu called Qingwen over and instructed her, "Go over to Miss Lin's and see what she's doing.他要問我，只說我好了。”晴雯道：“白眉赤眼，做什麼去呢？If she asks about me, just tell her I'm fine." Qingwen said, "Going over for no reason at all, with nothing to say for myself?到底說句話兒，也象一件事。”寶玉道：“沒有什麼可說的。”晴雯道：“若不然，或是送件東西，或是取件東西，不然我去了怎麼搭訕呢？”寶玉想了一想，便伸手拿了兩條手帕子撂與晴雯，笑道：“也罷，就說我叫你送這個給他去了。”晴雯道：“這又奇了。I ought at least to have some pretext, some word to carry, so it looks like there's an actual reason for going." Baoyu said, "There's nothing in particular that needs saying." Qingwen said, "If that's the case, then either let me take something to her, or bring something back from her—otherwise how am I to strike up a conversation once I get there?" Baoyu thought for a moment, then reached out and picked up two handkerchiefs, tossed them to Qingwen, and said with a smile, "Very well then, just tell her I sent you to bring these to her." Qingwen said, "Now this really is strange.他要這半新不舊的兩條手帕子？Why would she want these two handkerchiefs, not even new, half worn already?他又要惱了，說你打趣他。”寶玉笑道：“你放心，他自然知道。”She's bound to be annoyed, and say you're making fun of her." Baoyu said with a smile, "Don't worry, she'll understand of course."

袭人去了，宝玉便命晴雯来吩咐道：“你到林姑娘那里看看他做什么呢。他要问我，只说我好了。”晴雯道：“白眉赤眼，做什么去呢？到底说句话儿，也象一件事。”宝玉道：“没有什么可说的。”晴雯道：“若不然，或是送件东西，或是取件东西，不然我去了怎么搭讪呢？”宝玉想了一想，便伸手拿了两条手帕子撂与晴雯，笑道：“也罢，就说我叫你送这个给他去了。”晴雯道：“这又奇了。他要这半新不旧的两条手帕子？他又要恼了，说你打趣他。”宝玉笑道：“你放心，他自然知道。”

晴雯聽了，只得拿了帕子往瀟湘館來。Hearing this, Qingwen had no choice but to take the handkerchiefs and go to the Naiad's House.只見春纖正在欄杆上晾手帕子，見他進來，忙擺手兒，說：“睡下了。”晴雯走進來，滿屋魆黑。There she found Chunxian just then hanging handkerchiefs out to dry over the balustrade; seeing her come in, Chunxian quickly waved her hand and said, "She's lain down to sleep." Qingwen walked on in, and found the whole room pitch dark.并未點燈。No lamp had been lit at all.黛玉已睡在床上，問是誰。Daiyu was already lying in bed, and asked who it was.晴雯忙答道：“晴雯。”黛玉道：“做什麼？”晴雯道：“二爺送手帕子來給姑娘。”黛玉聽了，心中發悶，暗想：“做什麼送手帕子來給我？”因問：“這帕子是誰送他的？Qingwen quickly answered, "It's Qingwen." Daiyu said, "What are you here for?" Qingwen said, "Second Master sent a handkerchief for you, Miss." Hearing this, Daiyu felt her heart tighten with confusion, and thought to herself, "Why would he send me a handkerchief?" So she asked, "Who gave him these handkerchiefs?必是上好的，叫他留著送別人去罷，我這會子不用這個。”晴雯笑道：“不是新的，就是家常舊的。”林黛玉聽見，越發悶住，著實細心搜求，思忖一時，方大悟過來，連忙說：“放下，去罷。”晴雯聽了，只得放下，抽身回去，一路盤算，不解何意。They must be fine ones — tell him to keep them for someone else, I have no use for them right now." Qingwen said with a smile, "They're not new ones, just old ones from around the house." Hearing this, Lin Daiyu was only more bewildered, and searched her mind carefully; after pondering a while, she suddenly understood, and quickly said, "Put them down and go." Qingwen, hearing this, had no choice but to set them down and withdraw, puzzling all the way back over what it could mean.

晴雯听了，只得拿了帕子往潇湘馆来。只见春纤正在栏杆上晾手帕子，见他进来，忙摆手儿，说：“睡下了。”晴雯走进来，满屋魆黑。并未点灯。黛玉已睡在床上，问是谁。晴雯忙答道：“晴雯。”黛玉道：“做什么？”晴雯道：“二爷送手帕子来给姑娘。”黛玉听了，心中发闷，暗想：“做什么送手帕子来给我？”因问：“这帕子是谁送他的？必是上好的，叫他留著送别人去罢，我这会子不用这个。”晴雯笑道：“不是新的，就是家常旧的。”林黛玉听见，越发闷住，著实细心搜求，思忖一时，方大悟过来，连忙说：“放下，去罢。”晴雯听了，只得放下，抽身回去，一路盘算，不解何意。

這里林黛玉体貼出手帕子的意思來，不覺神魂馳蕩：寶玉這番苦心，能領會我這番苦意，又令我可喜，我這番苦意，不知將來如何，又令我可悲，忽然好好的送兩塊舊帕子來，若不是領我深意，單看了這帕子，又令我可笑，再想令人私相傳遞與我，又可懼，我自己每每好哭，想來也無味，又令我可愧。Here, Lin Daiyu, having worked out the meaning behind the handkerchiefs, felt her spirit and soul set adrift: that Baoyu, with such painstaking care, could understand this painstaking heart of hers, gave her joy; yet what would become of this painstaking heart of hers in the future, she did not know, and that gave her sorrow; that out of nowhere he should send two old handkerchiefs, which, if she had not grasped his deep meaning, and looked only at the handkerchiefs themselves, would seem laughable; and thinking further how he had had them secretly passed to her, that gave her fear; and that she herself so often loved to weep, which on reflection seemed pointless, gave her shame.如此左思右想，一時五內沸然炙起。Turning all this over in her mind again and again, in a moment her five viscera seemed to seethe and burn within her.黛玉由不得餘意綿纏，令掌燈，也想不起嫌疑避諱等事，便向案上研墨蘸筆，便向那兩塊舊帕子上走筆寫道：Unable to help herself, lingering feelings coiling and clinging, Daiyu had the lamp lit, and without a thought for propriety or avoidance, went to the desk, ground the ink, dipped her brush, and set the brush moving across those two old handkerchiefs, writing:

这里林黛玉体贴出手帕子的意思来，不觉神魂驰荡：宝玉这番苦心，能领会我这番苦意，又令我可喜，我这番苦意，不知将来如何，又令我可悲，忽然好好的送两块旧帕子来，若不是领我深意，单看了这帕子，又令我可笑，再想令人私相传递与我，又可惧，我自己每每好哭，想来也无味，又令我可愧。如此左思右想，一时五内沸然炙起。黛玉由不得余意绵缠，令掌灯，也想不起嫌疑避讳等事，便向案上研墨蘸笔，便向那两块旧帕子上走笔写道：

眼空蓄淚淚空垂，暗灑閒拋卻為誰？Eyes empty, brimming with tears, tears falling in vain — scattered idly, cast away, for whom?

眼空蓄泪泪空垂，暗洒闲抛却为谁？

尺幅鮫鮹勞解贈，叫人焉得不傷悲！A foot of shark-silk gauze, troubled to be given and unwrapped — how can it not make one grieve!

尺幅鲛鮹劳解赠，叫人焉得不伤悲！

其二The second

拋珠滾玉只偷潸，鎮日無心鎮日閒，Pearls flung, jade rolling, shed only in stealth, all day listless, all day idle,

抛珠滚玉只偷潸，镇日无心镇日闲，

枕上袖邊難拂拭，任他點點與斑斑。On pillow and sleeve-edge, hard to wipe away — let them fall, spot upon spot, stain upon stain.

枕上袖边难拂拭，任他点点与斑斑。

其三The third

彩線難收面上珠，湘江舊跡已模糊，Colored threads cannot gather the pearls upon my face; the old traces of the Xiang River are already blurred,

彩线难收面上珠，湘江旧迹已模糊，

窗前亦有千竿竹，不識香痕漬也無？Before the window there are also a thousand bamboo stalks — I wonder, do they bear the trace of fragrant stains or not?

窗前亦有千竿竹，不识香痕渍也无？

林黛玉還要往下寫時，覺得渾身火熱，面上作燒，走至鏡臺揭起錦袱一照，只見腮上通紅，自羡壓倒桃花，卻不知病由此萌。When Lin Daiyu was about to write further, she felt her whole body burning hot, her face aflame; going to the mirror stand and lifting the brocade cover to look, she saw her cheeks flushed crimson, and marveled to herself that they put even the peach blossoms to shame — yet she did not know that her illness had its beginning here.一時方上床睡去，猶拿著那帕子思索，不在話下。After a while she went to bed and lay down, still holding the handkerchiefs and pondering over them — but no more need be said of that.

林黛玉还要往下写时，觉得浑身火热，面上作烧，走至镜台揭起锦袱一照，只见腮上通红，自羡压倒桃花，却不知病由此萌。一时方上床睡去，犹拿著那帕子思索，不在话下。

卻說襲人來見寶釵，誰知寶釵不在園內，往他母親那里去了，襲人便空手回來。Now to speak of Xiren, who went to see Baochai, only to find that Baochai was not in the garden but had gone to her mother's, so Xiren came back empty-handed.等至二更，寶釵方回來。She waited until the second watch before Baochai finally returned.原來寶釵素知薛蟠情性，心中已有一半疑是薛蟠調唆了人來告寶玉的，誰知又聽襲人說出來，越發信了。It happened that Baochai, knowing Xue Pan's temperament of old, had already half suspected that Xue Pan had put someone up to telling on Baoyu; now, hearing what Xiren had to say, she was all the more convinced of it.究竟襲人是聽焙茗說的，那焙茗也是私心窺度，并未据實，竟認准是他說的。In fact Xiren had only heard it from Beiming, and Beiming himself was merely guessing at it privately, without any solid evidence at all, yet everyone took it for certain that he had said it.那薛蟠都因素日有這個名聲，其實這一次卻不是他幹的，被人生生的一口咬死是他，有口難分。As for Xue Pan, it was simply because he already had this reputation day in and day out that, though this time it truly was not his doing, people flatly insisted he had done it, and he had no way to clear himself, however he might argue.這日正從外頭吃了酒回來，見過母親，只見寶釵在這里，說了幾句閒話，因問：“聽見寶兄弟吃了虧，是為什麼？”薛姨媽正為這個不自在，見他問時，便咬著牙道：“不知好歹的東西，都是你鬧的，你還有臉來問！”薛蟠見說，便怔了，忙問道：“我何嘗鬧什麼？”薛姨媽道：“你還裝憨呢！That day, having just come back from drinking outside, he went to see his mother, and finding Baochai there too, exchanged a few idle words with her, then asked, "I hear Brother Bao got hurt — what was that about?" Aunt Xue, who was already out of sorts over this very matter, hearing him ask, gritted her teeth and said, "You shameless creature, it was all your doing, and you still have the face to ask!" Xue Pan, hearing this, was struck dumb, and hastily asked, "When did I ever do anything?" Aunt Xue said, "You still play the innocent!人人都知道是你說的，還賴呢。”薛蟠道：“人人說我殺了人，也就信了罷？”薛姨媽道：“連你妹妹都知道是你說的，難道他也賴你不成？”寶釵忙勸道：“媽和哥哥且別叫喊，消消停停的，就有個青紅皂白了。”因向薛蟠道：“是你說的也罷，不是你說的也罷，事情也過去了，不必較證，倒把小事兒弄大了。Everyone knows it was you who said it, and still you deny it." Xue Pan said, "If everyone said I had killed someone, would you believe that too?" Aunt Xue said, "Even your own sister knows it was you who said it — surely she isn't lying about you too?" Baochai hastily tried to smooth things over, saying, "Mother and Brother, please don't shout at each other — calm down, and the truth will come out in due course." Then, turning to Xue Pan, she said, "Whether you said it or not, the matter is already over and done with; there's no need to argue it out and turn a small thing into a big one.我只勸你從此以後在外頭少去胡鬧，少管別人的事。I would only urge you, from now on, to go out and carouse less, and meddle less in other people's affairs.天天一處大家胡逛，你是個不防頭的人，過後兒沒事就罷了。Day after day running around everywhere with everyone, careless as you are of consequences — if nothing comes of it afterward, well and good.倘或有事，不是你幹的，人人都也疑惑是你幹的，不用說別人，我就先疑惑。”薛蟠本是個心直口快的人，一生見不得這樣藏頭露尾的事，又見寶釵勸他不要逛去，他母親又說他犯舌，寶玉之打是他治的，早已急的亂跳，賭身發誓的分辯。But should something happen, even if it wasn't your doing, everyone would still suspect it was — not to speak of others, I myself would suspect it first." Xue Pan had always been a plain-spoken, quick-tempered man, and all his life could not bear this sort of underhanded, evasive business; seeing Baochai urge him not to go carousing, and hearing his mother accuse him of loose talk, and that it was he who had brought about Baoyu's beating, he was already so agitated he was jumping about, swearing on his own body and protesting his innocence.又罵眾人：“誰這樣贓派我？He also cursed at everyone: "Who is it that's framing me like this?我把那囚攮的牙敲了才罷！I'll knock the teeth out of that jailbird's mouth before I'm done!分明是為打了寶玉，沒的獻勤兒，拿我來作幌子。It's plainly because Baoyu got a beating, and someone, eager to curry favor, is using me as a scapegoat.難道寶玉是天王？Is Baoyu some Heavenly King, that when他父親打他一頓，一家子定要鬧幾天。his own father gives him a beating, the whole household has to make a fuss over it for days on end?那一回為他不好，姨爹打了他兩下子，過後老太太不知怎麼知道了，說是珍大哥哥治的，好好的叫了去罵了一頓。That other time, when he'd done something wrong and Uncle Zheng gave him a couple of strokes, afterward the Old Ancestress somehow found out about it, and said it was Cousin Zhen who had put him up to it, and had him called over and given a scolding for no good reason.今兒越發拉下我了！And now today it's dragged onto me!既拉上，我也不怕，越性進去把寶玉打死了，我替他償了命，大家乾淨。”一面嚷，一面抓起一根門閂來就跑。Since they've dragged me into it, I'm not afraid either — I might as well go in and beat Baoyu to death, and pay for his life with my own, and be done with it for everyone." So saying, he grabbed a door bar and made to run off.慌的薛姨媽一把抓住，罵道：“作死的孽障，你打誰去？Aunt Xue, alarmed, grabbed hold of him and scolded, "You wretch, courting death — who are you going to beat?你先打我來！”薛蟠急的眼似銅鈴一般，嚷道：“何苦來！Beat me first!" Xue Pan, in his agitation, his eyes round as copper bells, shouted, "What's the use!又不叫我去，又好好的賴我。You won't let me go, and yet you keep blaming me for no reason.將來寶玉活一日，我擔一日的口舌，不如大家死了清淨。”寶釵忙也上前勸道：“你忍耐些兒罷。As long as Baoyu lives one more day, I'll bear one more day's worth of gossip — better that everyone just died and be done with it, and have some peace." Baochai hastily came forward too and urged him, "Do try to bear with it a little.媽急的這個樣兒，你不說來勸媽，你還反鬧的這樣。Mother is upset enough as it is; instead of helping to calm her down, you go and make an even bigger scene.別說是媽，便是旁人來勸你，也為你好，倒把你的性子勸上來了。”薛蟠道：“這會子又說這話。Never mind Mother — even if it were an outsider urging you, it would be for your own good, yet you turn around and let it provoke your temper instead." Xue Pan said, "So now you say this too.都是你說的！”寶釵道：“你只怨我說，再不怨你顧前不顧後的形景。”薛蟠道：“你只會怨我顧前不顧後，你怎麼不怨寶玉外頭招風惹草的那個樣子！It's all because of what you said!" Baochai said, "You can blame me for speaking up, but don't blame yourself for looking only at what's in front of you and never at the consequences." Xue Pan said, "You only know how to blame me for not thinking of consequences — why don't you blame Baoyu for the way he carries on outside, flirting and stirring up trouble!別說多的，只拿前兒琪官的事比給你們聽：那琪官，我們見過十來次的，我并未和他說一句親熱話，怎麼前兒他見了，連姓名還不知道，就把汗巾兒給他了？Not to mention anything else, just take the business with Qiguan the other day and compare it for yourselves: that Qiguan, we've met him a dozen times or more, and I never once said an intimate word to him — how is it that the other day, the moment he saw Baoyu, he didn't even know his name yet, and still gave him his sash?難道這也是我說的不成？”薛姨媽和寶釵急的說道：“還提這個！Don't tell me that was my doing too?" Aunt Xue and Baochai, in their agitation, said, "Don't even bring that up!可不是為這個打他呢。Isn't that exactly why he was beaten?可見是你說的了。”薛蟠道：“真真的氣死人了！That just proves it was you who said it." Xue Pan said, "This is truly enough to infuriate a person to death!賴我說的我不惱，我只為一個寶玉鬧的這樣天翻地覆的。”寶釵道：“誰鬧了？I don't mind being blamed for saying it, I'm only upset that all this has been stirred up into such an upheaval over one Baoyu." Baochai said, "Who's stirred anything up?你先持刀動杖的鬧起來，倒說別人鬧。”薛蟠見寶釵說的話句句有理，難以駁正，比母親的話反難回答，因此便要設法拿話堵回他去，就無人敢攔自己的話了，也因正在氣頭上，未曾想話之輕重，便說道：“好妹妹，你不用和我鬧，我早知道你的心了。You're the one who came at us wielding a knife and a stick first, and now you say others are the ones making a scene." Xue Pan saw that everything Baochai said was reasonable, hard to refute, and even harder to answer than his mother's words; so he wanted to find some way to talk her down, so that no one would dare interrupt his own words, and since he was in the heat of anger besides, he did not stop to weigh the weight of his words, and said, "My good sister, you needn't make a fuss with me — I've long known what's in your heart.從先媽和我說，你這金要揀有玉的才可正配，你留了心。Ever since Mother told me before that your gold locket has to be properly matched with someone who has jade, you've kept that in mind.見寶玉有那勞什骨子，你自然如今行動護著他。”話未說了，把個寶釵氣怔了，拉著薛姨媽哭道：“媽媽你聽，哥哥說的是什麼話！”薛蟠見妹妹哭了，便知自己冒撞了，便賭氣走到自己房里安歇不提。Now that you see Baoyu has that wretched trinket of his, naturally these days you go about shielding him at every turn." Before he had even finished speaking, Baochai was struck speechless with fury, and pulling at Aunt Xue, she cried, "Mother, listen to this — what kind of talk is that from my brother!" Seeing his sister in tears, Xue Pan realized he had spoken rashly, and stormed off in a sulk to his own room to rest, and no more need be said of that.

却说袭人来见宝钗，谁知宝钗不在园内，往他母亲那里去了，袭人便空手回来。等至二更，宝钗方回来。原来宝钗素知薛蟠情性，心中已有一半疑是薛蟠调唆了人来告宝玉的，谁知又听袭人说出来，越发信了。究竟袭人是听焙茗说的，那焙茗也是私心窥度，并未据实，竟认准是他说的。那薛蟠都因素日有这个名声，其实这一次却不是他干的，被人生生的一口咬死是他，有口难分。这日正从外头吃了酒回来，见过母亲，只见宝钗在这里，说了几句闲话，因问：“听见宝兄弟吃了亏，是为什么？”薛姨妈正为这个不自在，见他问时，便咬著牙道：“不知好歹的东西，都是你闹的，你还有脸来问！”薛蟠见说，便怔了，忙问道：“我何尝闹什么？”薛姨妈道：“你还装憨呢！人人都知道是你说的，还赖呢。”薛蟠道：“人人说我杀了人，也就信了罢？”薛姨妈道：“连你妹妹都知道是你说的，难道他也赖你不成？”宝钗忙劝道：“妈和哥哥且别叫喊，消消停停的，就有个青红皂白了。”因向薛蟠道：“是你说的也罢，不是你说的也罢，事情也过去了，不必较证，倒把小事儿弄大了。我只劝你从此以后在外头少去胡闹，少管别人的事。天天一处大家胡逛，你是个不防头的人，过后儿没事就罢了。倘或有事，不是你干的，人人都也疑惑是你干的，不用说别人，我就先疑惑。”薛蟠本是个心直口快的人，一生见不得这样藏头露尾的事，又见宝钗劝他不要逛去，他母亲又说他犯舌，宝玉之打是他治的，早已急的乱跳，赌身发誓的分辩。又骂众人：“谁这样赃派我？我把那囚攮的牙敲了才罢！分明是为打了宝玉，没的献勤儿，拿我来作幌子。难道宝玉是天王？他父亲打他一顿，一家子定要闹几天。那一回为他不好，姨爹打了他两下子，过后老太太不知怎么知道了，说是珍大哥哥治的，好好的叫了去骂了一顿。今儿越发拉下我了！既拉上，我也不怕，越性进去把宝玉打死了，我替他偿了命，大家干净。”一面嚷，一面抓起一根门闩来就跑。慌的薛姨妈一把抓住，骂道：“作死的孽障，你打谁去？你先打我来！”薛蟠急的眼似铜铃一般，嚷道：“何苦来！又不叫我去，又好好的赖我。将来宝玉活一日，我担一日的口舌，不如大家死了清净。”宝钗忙也上前劝道：“你忍耐些儿罢。妈急的这个样儿，你不说来劝妈，你还反闹的这样。别说是妈，便是旁人来劝你，也为你好，倒把你的性子劝上来了。”薛蟠道：“这会子又说这话。都是你说的！”宝钗道：“你只怨我说，再不怨你顾前不顾后的形景。”薛蟠道：“你只会怨我顾前不顾后，你怎么不怨宝玉外头招风惹草的那个样子！别说多的，只拿前儿琪官的事比给你们听：那琪官，我们见过十来次的，我并未和他说一句亲热话，怎么前儿他见了，连姓名还不知道，就把汗巾儿给他了？难道这也是我说的不成？”薛姨妈和宝钗急的说道：“还提这个！可不是为这个打他呢。可见是你说的了。”薛蟠道：“真真的气死人了！赖我说的我不恼，我只为一个宝玉闹的这样天翻地覆的。”宝钗道：“谁闹了？你先持刀动杖的闹起来，倒说别人闹。”薛蟠见宝钗说的话句句有理，难以驳正，比母亲的话反难回答，因此便要设法拿话堵回他去，就无人敢拦自己的话了，也因正在气头上，未曾想话之轻重，便说道：“好妹妹，你不用和我闹，我早知道你的心了。从先妈和我说，你这金要拣有玉的才可正配，你留了心。见宝玉有那劳什骨子，你自然如今行动护著他。”话未说了，把个宝钗气怔了，拉著薛姨妈哭道：“妈妈你听，哥哥说的是什么话！”薛蟠见妹妹哭了，便知自己冒撞了，便赌气走到自己房里安歇不提。

這里薛姨媽氣的亂戰，一面又勸寶釵道：“你素日知那孽障說話沒道理，明兒我叫他給你陪不是。”寶釵滿心委屈氣忿，待要怎樣，又怕他母親不安，少不得含淚別了母親，各自回來，到房里整哭了一夜。Here Aunt Xue was so angry she was trembling all over, and at the same time tried to comfort Baochai, saying, "You know very well that wretched creature never talks sense — tomorrow I'll make him come apologize to you." Baochai, her heart full of grievance and indignation, wanted to say something more, but feared it would only distress her mother further, and so, holding back her tears, she took her leave of her mother and went back to her own room, where she wept the whole night through.次日早起來，也無心梳洗，胡亂整理整理，便出來瞧母親。The next morning she rose early, with no heart for combing her hair or washing her face, and after tidying herself up in a perfunctory way, she came out to look in on her mother.可巧遇見林黛玉獨立在花陰之下，問他那里去。By chance she happened to meet Lin Daiyu standing alone in the shade of the flowers, who asked her where she was going.薛寶釵因說“家去”，口里說著，便只管走。Xue Baochai said only, "Going home," and kept walking as she spoke.黛玉見他無精打采的去了，又見眼上有哭泣之狀，大非往日可比，便在後面笑道：“姐姐也自保重些兒。Seeing her go off so listless and dispirited, and noticing signs of weeping about her eyes, quite unlike her usual self, Daiyu called out laughingly from behind her, "Sister, do take care of yourself too.就是哭出兩缸眼淚來，也醫不好棒瘡。”不知寶釵如何答對，且聽下回分解。Even if you cried out two vats' worth of tears, it still wouldn't cure a beating with a rod." How Baochai answered, we do not yet know — listen to the next chapter for the telling.

这里薛姨妈气的乱战，一面又劝宝钗道：“你素日知那孽障说话没道理，明儿我叫他给你陪不是。”宝钗满心委屈气忿，待要怎样，又怕他母亲不安，少不得含泪别了母亲，各自回来，到房里整哭了一夜。次日早起来，也无心梳洗，胡乱整理整理，便出来瞧母亲。可巧遇见林黛玉独立在花阴之下，问他那里去。薛宝钗因说“家去”，口里说著，便只管走。黛玉见他无精打采的去了，又见眼上有哭泣之状，大非往日可比，便在后面笑道：“姐姐也自保重些儿。就是哭出两缸眼泪来，也医不好棒疮。”不知宝钗如何答对，且听下回分解。