第三十六回　綉鴛鴦夢兆絳芸軒　識分定情悟梨香院 Embroidering Mandarin Ducks, a Dream Foretells in Crimson Studio; Destiny Is Understood in Pear Fragrance Court

話說賈母自王夫人處回來，見寶玉一日好似一日，心中自是歡喜。The story goes that after Grandmother Jia returned from Lady Wang's quarters, seeing that Baoyu improved with each passing day, she was naturally delighted.因怕將來賈政又叫他，遂命人將賈政的親隨小廝頭兒喚來，吩咐他“以後倘有會人待客諸樣的事，你老爺要叫寶玉，你不用上來傳話，就回他說我說了：一則打重了，得著實將養幾個月才走得，二則他的星宿不利，祭了星不見外人，過了八月才許出二門。”那小廝頭兒聽了，領命而去。Fearing that Jia Zheng might summon him again in future, she had someone call the head boy among Jia Zheng's personal attendants and instructed him: 'Hereafter, whenever there is some matter of receiving guests or entertaining company, and your master wishes to call for Baoyu, you need not come up to pass the message — just tell him I said this: first, he was badly beaten and must rest and recuperate properly for several months before he can be about; second, his stars are inauspicious, and having offered sacrifice to them he is not to see outsiders — not until after the eighth month will he be permitted past the second gate.' The head boy heard this and went off to obey.賈母又命李嬤嬤襲人等來將此話說與寶玉，使他放心。Grandmother Jia also had Nurse Li, Xiren, and the others come to tell Baoyu of this, so as to set his mind at ease.那寶玉本就懶與士大夫諸男人接談，又最厭峨冠禮服賀吊往還等事，今日得了這句話，越發得了意，不但將親戚朋友一概杜絕了，而且連家庭中晨昏定省亦發都隨他的便了，日日只在園中游臥，不過每日一清早到賈母王夫人處走走就回來了，卻每每甘心為諸丫鬟充役，竟也得十分閒消日月。Now Baoyu had always been loath to converse with scholar-officials and other such men, and detested most of all the lofty caps and ceremonial robes worn for offering congratulations or condolences and the like social calls; having now gotten this word, he grew all the more pleased with himself, and not only cut off all his relatives and friends entirely, but even the morning and evening duties of paying respects to his elders at home he now did as he pleased, spending his days simply wandering and lounging about in the Garden — merely going each morning early to Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's quarters for a brief visit before returning — and yet he was every so often quite willing to serve as an errand-boy for the various maids, so that he managed to pass his idle days most contentedly.或如寶釵輩有時見机導勸，反生起氣來，只說“好好的一個清淨洁白女兒，也學的釣名沽譽，入了國賊祿鬼之流。Whenever someone like Baochai, seizing an opportunity, tried to counsel and guide him, he would instead grow angry, saying only, 'Here was a perfectly pure and unsullied maiden, and yet she too has learned to fish for fame and traffic in reputation, joining the ranks of those state-thieves and salary-grubbing ghosts.'這總是前人無故生事，立言豎辭，原為導後世的須眉濁物。'This is all simply because men of old, with nothing better to do, stirred up trouble and set down their doctrines and phrases, meant originally to guide the coarse, bewhiskered creatures of later generations.'不想我生不幸，亦且瓊閨繡閣中亦染此風，真真有負天地鐘靈毓秀之德！”因此禍延古人，除四書外，竟將別的書焚了。'I never expected that, unfortunate as I am, even the embroidered chambers of fair maidens should be tainted by this same fashion — truly it fails the virtue of Heaven and Earth in concentrating their finest and most spiritual essence in such as these!' And because of this, the calamity extended even to the ancients, so that, save for the Four Books, he actually burned all his other books.眾人見他如此瘋顛，也都不向他說這些正經話了。Seeing him so deranged, everyone else stopped bringing up such serious talk with him.獨有林黛玉自幼不曾勸他去立身揚名等語，所以深敬黛玉。Only Lin Daiyu, from childhood on, had never urged him toward establishing himself in the world and making a name — and so he deeply respected Daiyu for it.

话说贾母自王夫人处回来，见宝玉一日好似一日，心中自是欢喜。因怕将来贾政又叫他，遂命人将贾政的亲随小厮头儿唤来，吩咐他“以后倘有会人待客诸样的事，你老爷要叫宝玉，你不用上来传话，就回他说我说了：一则打重了，得著实将养几个月才走得，二则他的星宿不利，祭了星不见外人，过了八月才许出二门。”那小厮头儿听了，领命而去。贾母又命李嬷嬷袭人等来将此话说与宝玉，使他放心。那宝玉本就懒与士大夫诸男人接谈，又最厌峨冠礼服贺吊往还等事，今日得了这句话，越发得了意，不但将亲戚朋友一概杜绝了，而且连家庭中晨昏定省亦发都随他的便了，日日只在园中游卧，不过每日一清早到贾母王夫人处走走就回来了，却每每甘心为诸丫鬟充役，竟也得十分闲消日月。或如宝钗辈有时见机导劝，反生起气来，只说“好好的一个清净洁白女儿，也学的钓名沽誉，入了国贼禄鬼之流。这总是前人无故生事，立言竖辞，原为导后世的须眉浊物。不想我生不幸，亦且琼闺绣阁中亦染此风，真真有负天地钟灵毓秀之德！”因此祸延古人，除四书外，竟将别的书焚了。众人见他如此疯颠，也都不向他说这些正经话了。独有林黛玉自幼不曾劝他去立身扬名等语，所以深敬黛玉。

閒言少述。But enough of such digressions.如今且說王鳳姐自見金釧死後，忽見幾家仆人常來孝敬他些東西，又不時的來請安奉承，自己倒生了疑惑，不知何意。Now to speak of Wang Xifeng — ever since Jinchuan's death, she had noticed that the servants of several households kept coming to present her with little gifts of respect, and from time to time came to pay their respects and flatter her, so that she herself grew suspicious, not knowing what it meant.這日又見人來孝敬他東西，因晚間無人時笑問平兒道：“這幾家人不大管我的事，為什麼忽然這麼和我貼近？”平兒冷笑道：“奶奶連這個都想不起來了？That day, seeing again that people had come to present her with gifts, she asked Ping'er with a smile that evening when no one else was about, 'These few households don't usually have much to do with me — why have they suddenly grown so close to me?' Ping'er said with a cold smile, 'Can't you even think of the reason, my lady?'我猜他們的女兒都必是太太房里的丫頭，如今太太房里有四個大的，一個月一兩銀子的分例，下剩的都是一個月幾百錢。'I guess that their daughters must all be maids in Lady Wang's quarters. Now in Lady Wang's rooms there are four senior maids who get an allowance of one tael of silver a month, while the rest all get only a few hundred cash a month.'如今金釧兒死了，必定他們要弄這兩銀子的巧宗兒呢。”鳳姐聽了，笑道：“是了，是了，倒是你提醒了。'Now that Jinchuan has died, they must be hoping to work their way into that one-tael windfall.' Hearing this, Xifeng laughed and said, 'That's it, that's it — you've reminded me indeed.'我看這些人也太不知足，錢也賺夠了，苦事情又侵不著，弄個丫頭搪塞著身子也就罷了，又還想這個。'I see these people are far too greedy — they've already made enough money and never have to touch any of the hard work; it's enough that they've palmed off a daughter to fill a post and spare her from labor, and yet they still want this on top of it.'也罷了，他們幾家的錢容易也不能花到我跟前，這是他們自尋的，送什麼來，我就收什麼，橫豎我有主意。”鳳姐兒安下這個心，所以自管遷延著，等那些人把東西送足了，然後乘空方回王夫人。'Well, never mind — their money doesn't easily find its way to me otherwise, and this is of their own seeking; whatever they send, I'll just accept, since I have my own plan in mind regardless.' Having settled this in her mind, Xifeng simply let the matter drag on, waiting until those people had sent enough gifts, and only then, finding a free moment, did she go report to Lady Wang.

闲言少述。如今且说王凤姐自见金钏死后，忽见几家仆人常来孝敬他些东西，又不时的来请安奉承，自己倒生了疑惑，不知何意。这日又见人来孝敬他东西，因晚间无人时笑问平儿道：“这几家人不大管我的事，为什么忽然这么和我贴近？”平儿冷笑道：“奶奶连这个都想不起来了？我猜他们的女儿都必是太太房里的丫头，如今太太房里有四个大的，一个月一两银子的分例，下剩的都是一个月几百钱。如今金钏儿死了，必定他们要弄这两银子的巧宗儿呢。”凤姐听了，笑道：“是了，是了，倒是你提醒了。我看这些人也太不知足，钱也赚够了，苦事情又侵不著，弄个丫头搪塞著身子也就罢了，又还想这个。也罢了，他们几家的钱容易也不能花到我跟前，这是他们自寻的，送什么来，我就收什么，横竖我有主意。”凤姐儿安下这个心，所以自管迁延著，等那些人把东西送足了，然后乘空方回王夫人。

這日午間，薛姨媽母女兩個與林黛玉等正在王夫人房里大家吃東西呢，鳳姐兒得便回王夫人道：“自從玉釧兒姐姐死了，太太跟前少著一個人。That day at noon, Aunt Xue and her daughter, together with Lin Daiyu and the others, were all in Lady Wang's rooms having something to eat, when Xifeng, taking the opportunity, reported to Lady Wang, 'Ever since Yuchuan's elder sister died, Madam has been short one person in attendance.'太太或看准了那個丫頭好，就吩咐，下月好發放月錢的。”王夫人聽了，想了一想，道：“依我說，什麼是例，必定四個五個的，夠使就罷了，竟可以免了罷。”鳳姐笑道：“論理，太太說的也是。'If Madam has her eye on some maid she thinks suitable, please give the order, so that the monthly allowance can be properly issued next month.' Hearing this, Lady Wang thought a moment and said, 'To my mind, why must it be fixed at four or five — as long as there are enough hands, that's fine; we might as well just do without filling it.' Xifeng said with a smile, 'By rights, what Madam says is quite correct.'這原是舊例，別人屋里還有兩個呢，太太倒不按例了。'This was originally the old established rule — other quarters still have two such maids, yet Madam alone would not go by the rule.'況且省下一兩銀子也有限。”王夫人聽了，又想一想，道：“也罷，這個分例只管關了來，不用補人，就把這一兩銀子給他妹妹玉釧兒罷。'Besides, saving one tael of silver hardly amounts to much.' Hearing this, Lady Wang thought again and said, 'Very well then — just have this allowance drawn as usual, without filling the post, and give this one tael of silver to her younger sister Yuchuan instead.'他姐姐伏侍了我一場，沒個好結果，剩下他妹妹跟著我，吃個雙分子也不為過逾了。”鳳姐答應著，回頭找玉釧兒，笑道：“大喜，大喜。”玉釧兒過來磕了頭。'Her elder sister served me for all those years and came to no good end; now that her younger sister remains with me, it's hardly excessive for her to draw a double share.' Xifeng assented, and turning around to find Yuchuan, said with a smile, 'Great joy, great joy!' Yuchuan came over and kowtowed.王夫人問道：“正要問你，如今趙姨娘周姨娘的月例多少？”鳳姐道：“那是定例，每人二兩。Lady Wang asked, 'I was just about to ask you — what are the monthly allowances for Concubine Zhao and Concubine Zhou these days?' Xifeng said, 'That is a fixed rule, two taels each.'趙姨娘有環兄弟的二兩，共是四兩，另外四串錢。”王夫人道：“可都按數給他們？”鳳姐見問的奇怪，忙道：“怎麼不按數給！”王夫人道：“前兒我恍惚聽見有人抱怨，說短了一吊錢，是什麼原故？”鳳姐忙笑道：“姨娘們的丫頭，月例原是人各一吊。'Concubine Zhao also gets Huan's two taels besides, four in all, plus four strings of cash on top.' Lady Wang said, 'And are they always given the full amount?' Finding the question rather strange, Xifeng said quickly, 'How could they not be given the full amount!' Lady Wang said, 'The other day I seemed to overhear someone complaining that a string of cash was missing — what was the reason for that?' Xifeng said with a smile, 'As for the concubines' maids, their monthly allowance was originally one string of cash each.'從舊年他們外頭商議的，姨娘們每位的丫頭分例減半，人各五百錢，每位兩個丫頭，所以短了一吊錢。'Since last year it was decided by those in charge outside that each concubine's maids' allowance be cut in half, to five hundred cash apiece, and with two maids to each concubine, that accounts for the missing string of cash.'這也抱怨不著我，我倒樂得給他們呢，他們外頭又扣著，難道我添上不成。'This is really no fault to lay on me — I would be only too glad to give it to them in full; but since those outside have docked it, surely I'm not expected to make up the difference myself.'這個事我不過是接手兒，怎麼來，怎麼去，由不得我作主。'In this matter I am merely the one who passes it along — however it comes in, so it goes out; it is not for me to decide.'我倒說了兩三回，仍舊添上這兩分的。'I even spoke up about it two or three times, asking that these two shares be restored.'他們說只有這個項數，叫我也難再說了。'But they said that was all the funds allotted, which left me hard put to argue further.'如今我手里每月連日子都不錯給他們呢。'As it is now, in my hands, I don't let even the date slip when giving it to them each month.'先時在外頭關，那個月不打饑荒，何曾順順溜溜的得過一遭兒。”王夫人聽說，也就罷了，半日又問：“老太太屋里幾個一兩的？”鳳姐道：“八個。'Back when it was drawn from outside, which month didn't run into some shortfall — it was never once smooth and uninterrupted.' Hearing this, Lady Wang let the matter drop, and after a while asked again, 'How many one-tael maids are there in Grandmother's quarters?' Xifeng said, 'Eight.'如今只有七個，那一個是襲人。”王夫人道：“這就是了。'But now there are only seven, since the eighth is Xiren.' Lady Wang said, 'That's just it, then.'你寶兄弟也并沒有一兩的丫頭，襲人還算是老太太房里的人。”鳳姐笑道：“襲人原是老太太的人，不過給了寶兄弟使。'Your cousin Baoyu actually has no one-tael maid of his own — Xiren still counts as belonging to Grandmother's quarters.' Xifeng said with a smile, 'Xiren does indeed originally belong to Grandmother, only she has been given over for Cousin Bao's use.'他這一兩銀子還在老太太的丫頭分例上領。'This one tael of silver of hers is still drawn from the allowance of Grandmother's maids.'如今說因為襲人是寶玉的人，裁了這一兩銀子，斷然使不得。'Now, if this one tael were to be cut simply because Xiren belongs to Baoyu, that certainly would not do.'若說再添一個人給老太太，這個還可以裁他的。'If it were a matter of adding another person to Grandmother's quarters, then it might be possible to cut Xiren's share.'若不裁他的，須得環兄弟屋里也添上一個才公道均勻了。'But if her share is not cut, then Brother Huan's quarters would need one added too, for things to be fair and even.'就是晴雯麝月等七個大丫頭，每月人各月錢一吊，佳蕙等八個小丫頭，每月人各月錢五百，還是老太太的話，別人如何惱得氣得呢。”薛姨娘笑道：“只聽鳳丫頭的嘴，倒象倒了核桃車子的，只聽他的帳也清楚，理也公道。”鳳姐笑道：“姑媽，難道我說錯了不成？”薛姨媽笑道：“說的何嘗錯，只是你慢些說豈不省力。”鳳姐才要笑，忙又忍住了，聽王夫人示下。'As for the seven senior maids like Qingwen and Sheyue, each getting one string of cash a month, and the eight junior maids like Jiahui, each getting five hundred cash a month — that too was fixed by Grandmother's own word, so how could anyone else take offense or grow angry over it?' Aunt Xue said with a laugh, 'Just listen to that mouth on our Xifeng — it's like a cartload of walnuts spilling out, one after another; and yet listening to her accounts, they're clear enough, and her reasoning fair enough too.' Xifeng said with a smile, 'Auntie, surely I haven't said anything wrong?' Aunt Xue said with a laugh, 'Not wrong at all — it's only that if you spoke a bit more slowly, wouldn't it save you some breath?' Xifeng was about to laugh, but quickly held it back, listening for Lady Wang's instructions.王夫人想了半日，向鳳姐兒道：“明兒挑一個好丫頭送去老太太使，補襲人，把襲人的一分裁了。Lady Wang thought for a long while, then said to Xifeng, 'Tomorrow choose a good maid and send her to Grandmother for use, to fill Xiren's place there, and cut Xiren's share from that quarter.'把我每月的月例二十兩銀子里，拿出二兩銀子一吊錢來給襲人。'Take two taels of silver and one string of cash out of my own monthly allowance of twenty taels, and give it to Xiren.'以後凡事有趙姨娘周姨娘的，也有襲人的，只是襲人的這一分都從我的分例上勻出來，不必動官中的就是了。”鳳姐一一的答應了，笑推薛姨媽道：“姑媽聽見了，我素日說的話如何？'From now on, whatever share Concubine Zhao and Concubine Zhou get, Xiren shall get the same — only Xiren's share is to be drawn entirely out of my own allowance, without touching the general household funds.' Xifeng assented to each point, and turning with a laugh, nudged Aunt Xue, saying, 'Auntie, did you hear that? Wasn't what I've always said right?'今兒果然應了我的話。”薛姨媽道：“早就該如此。'Today it has indeed come to pass just as I said.' Aunt Xue said, 'This should have been done long ago.'模樣兒自然不用說的，他的那一种行事大方，說話見人和氣里頭帶著剛硬要強，這個實在難得。”王夫人含淚說道：“你們那里知道襲人那孩子的好處？'Her looks, of course, go without saying — but that manner of hers, so generous and open in the way she handles things, and in her speech, gentle with everyone yet carrying firmness and a will to do well underneath — that is truly hard to find.' Lady Wang said with tears in her eyes, 'How could you all know the true worth of that child Xiren?'比我的寶玉強十倍！'She is ten times better than my own Baoyu!'寶玉果然是有造化的，能夠得他長長遠遠的伏侍他一輩子，也就罷了。”鳳姐道：“既這麼樣，就開了臉，明放他在屋里豈不好？”王夫人道：“那就不好了，一則都年輕，二則老爺也不許，三則那寶玉見襲人是個丫頭，縱有放縱的事，倒能聽他的勸，如今作了跟前人，那襲人該勸的也不敢十分勸了。'Baoyu is truly fortunate indeed, to have her serve him for the long years of his whole life to come — that alone would be enough.' Xifeng said, 'If that's how it is, why not have her face opened up and openly install her in his rooms — wouldn't that be well?' Lady Wang said, 'That would not do at all — first, they are both still young; second, the Master would not permit it; and third, so long as Baoyu regards Xiren as a mere maid, even if he behaves indulgently at times he can still be brought to listen to her counsel — but once she becomes his proper attendant, Xiren would no longer dare to counsel him as fully as she should when it's called for.'如今且渾著，等再過二三年再說。”'For now, let it remain as it is, loosely so, and we'll speak of it again after another two or three years.'

这日午间，薛姨妈母女两个与林黛玉等正在王夫人房里大家吃东西呢，凤姐儿得便回王夫人道：“自从玉钏儿姐姐死了，太太跟前少著一个人。太太或看准了那个丫头好，就吩咐，下月好发放月钱的。”王夫人听了，想了一想，道：“依我说，什么是例，必定四个五个的，够使就罢了，竟可以免了罢。”凤姐笑道：“论理，太太说的也是。这原是旧例，别人屋里还有两个呢，太太倒不按例了。况且省下一两银子也有限。”王夫人听了，又想一想，道：“也罢，这个分例只管关了来，不用补人，就把这一两银子给他妹妹玉钏儿罢。他姐姐伏侍了我一场，没个好结果，剩下他妹妹跟著我，吃个双分子也不为过逾了。”凤姐答应著，回头找玉钏儿，笑道：“大喜，大喜。”玉钏儿过来磕了头。王夫人问道：“正要问你，如今赵姨娘周姨娘的月例多少？”凤姐道：“那是定例，每人二两。赵姨娘有环兄弟的二两，共是四两，另外四串钱。”王夫人道：“可都按数给他们？”凤姐见问的奇怪，忙道：“怎么不按数给！”王夫人道：“前儿我恍惚听见有人抱怨，说短了一吊钱，是什么原故？”凤姐忙笑道：“姨娘们的丫头，月例原是人各一吊。从旧年他们外头商议的，姨娘们每位的丫头分例减半，人各五百钱，每位两个丫头，所以短了一吊钱。这也抱怨不著我，我倒乐得给他们呢，他们外头又扣著，难道我添上不成。这个事我不过是接手儿，怎么来，怎么去，由不得我作主。我倒说了两三回，仍旧添上这两分的。他们说只有这个项数，叫我也难再说了。如今我手里每月连日子都不错给他们呢。先时在外头关，那个月不打饥荒，何曾顺顺溜溜的得过一遭儿。”王夫人听说，也就罢了，半日又问：“老太太屋里几个一两的？”凤姐道：“八个。如今只有七个，那一个是袭人。”王夫人道：“这就是了。你宝兄弟也并没有一两的丫头，袭人还算是老太太房里的人。”凤姐笑道：“袭人原是老太太的人，不过给了宝兄弟使。他这一两银子还在老太太的丫头分例上领。如今说因为袭人是宝玉的人，裁了这一两银子，断然使不得。若说再添一个人给老太太，这个还可以裁他的。若不裁他的，须得环兄弟屋里也添上一个才公道均匀了。就是晴雯麝月等七个大丫头，每月人各月钱一吊，佳蕙等八个小丫头，每月人各月钱五百，还是老太太的话，别人如何恼得气得呢。”薛姨娘笑道：“只听凤丫头的嘴，倒象倒了核桃车子的，只听他的帐也清楚，理也公道。”凤姐笑道：“姑妈，难道我说错了不成？”薛姨妈笑道：“说的何尝错，只是你慢些说岂不省力。”凤姐才要笑，忙又忍住了，听王夫人示下。王夫人想了半日，向凤姐儿道：“明儿挑一个好丫头送去老太太使，补袭人，把袭人的一分裁了。把我每月的月例二十两银子里，拿出二两银子一吊钱来给袭人。以后凡事有赵姨娘周姨娘的，也有袭人的，只是袭人的这一分都从我的分例上匀出来，不必动官中的就是了。”凤姐一一的答应了，笑推薛姨妈道：“姑妈听见了，我素日说的话如何？今儿果然应了我的话。”薛姨妈道：“早就该如此。模样儿自然不用说的，他的那一种行事大方，说话见人和气里头带著刚硬要强，这个实在难得。”王夫人含泪说道：“你们那里知道袭人那孩子的好处？比我的宝玉强十倍！宝玉果然是有造化的，能够得他长长远远的伏侍他一辈子，也就罢了。”凤姐道：“既这么样，就开了脸，明放他在屋里岂不好？”王夫人道：“那就不好了，一则都年轻，二则老爷也不许，三则那宝玉见袭人是个丫头，纵有放纵的事，倒能听他的劝，如今作了跟前人，那袭人该劝的也不敢十分劝了。如今且浑著，等再过二三年再说。”

說畢半日，鳳姐見無話，便轉身出來。Having finished speaking for a good while, Xifeng, seeing there was nothing more to say, turned and went out.剛至廊檐上，只見有幾個執事的媳婦子正等他回事呢，見他出來，都笑道：“奶奶今兒回什麼事，這半天？Just as she reached the eaves of the corridor, she saw several housekeeping wives waiting there to report matters to her; seeing her come out, they all said with a smile, 'What business were you reporting today, my lady, that took so long?'可是要熱著了。”鳳姐把袖子挽了幾挽，跐著那角門的門檻子，笑道：“這里過門風倒涼快，吹一吹再走。”又告訴眾人道：“你們說我回了半日的話，太太把二百年頭里的事都想起來問我，難道我不說罷。”又冷笑道：“我從今以後倒要干幾樣剋毒事了。'You must be quite overheated by now.' Xifeng rolled up her sleeves a few turns, and standing with one foot on the threshold of the corner gate, said with a smile, 'The draft through this gateway is nice and cool — let me catch a bit of breeze before I go on.' Then she told the others, 'You all say I've been reporting for half the day — Madam went and recalled matters from two hundred years back to ask me about; was I supposed to just not answer?' Then she added with a cold smile, 'From now on I really ought to do a few ruthless things.'抱怨給太太聽，我也不怕。'Let them complain where Madam can hear it — I'm not afraid.'糊涂油蒙了心，爛了舌頭，不得好死的下作東西，別作娘的春夢！'Muddleheaded, grease-smeared hearts, rotten tongues, low wretches who'll come to no good end — stop dreaming your foolish spring dreams!'明兒一裹腦子扣的日子還有呢。'There will yet come a day when I dock the whole lot of you at once.'如今裁了丫頭的錢，就抱怨了咱們。'Now just because a maid's allowance was cut, they complain about us.'也不想一想是奴幾，也配使兩三個丫頭！”一面罵，一面方走了，自去挑人回賈母話去，不在話下。'They don't even stop to think what rank of servant they are, that they should presume to employ two or three maids of their own!' Scolding all the while, she went off, going herself to choose a maid and to report the matter to Grandmother Jia — but no more of that for now.

说毕半日，凤姐见无话，便转身出来。刚至廊檐上，只见有几个执事的媳妇子正等他回事呢，见他出来，都笑道：“奶奶今儿回什么事，这半天？可是要热著了。”凤姐把袖子挽了几挽，跐著那角门的门槛子，笑道：“这里过门风倒凉快，吹一吹再走。”又告诉众人道：“你们说我回了半日的话，太太把二百年头里的事都想起来问我，难道我不说罢。”又冷笑道：“我从今以后倒要干几样克毒事了。抱怨给太太听，我也不怕。糊涂油蒙了心，烂了舌头，不得好死的下作东西，别作娘的春梦！明儿一裹脑子扣的日子还有呢。如今裁了丫头的钱，就抱怨了咱们。也不想一想是奴几，也配使两三个丫头！”一面骂，一面方走了，自去挑人回贾母话去，不在话下。

卻說王夫人等這里吃畢西瓜，又說了一回閒話，各自方散去。Now to tell of Lady Wang and the others — once they had finished eating the watermelon there and chatted idly a while longer, each then went their own way.寶釵與黛玉等回至園中，寶釵因約黛玉往藕香榭去，黛玉回說立刻要洗澡，便各自散了。Baochai and Daiyu and the rest returned to the Garden, and Baochai asked Daiyu to go along with her to the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, but Daiyu said she needed to bathe at once, so the two parted ways.寶釵獨自行來，順路進了怡紅院，意欲尋寶玉談講以解午倦。Baochai walked on alone, and on the way turned in at Happy Red Court, meaning to find Baoyu for some conversation to relieve the drowsiness of noon.不想一入院來，鴉雀無聞，一并連兩只仙鶴在芭蕉下都睡著了。To her surprise, once inside the courtyard there was not a sound of crow or sparrow to be heard — even the two cranes beneath the plantain trees were fast asleep.寶釵便順著游廊來至房中，只見外間床上橫三豎四，都是丫頭們睡覺。Baochai then walked along the covered gallery into the rooms, and saw that on the bed in the outer chamber, sprawled every which way, were maids all fast asleep.轉過十錦槅子，來至寶玉的房內。Turning past the multi-patterned lattice partition, she came into Baoyu's own room.寶玉在床上睡著了，襲人坐在身旁，手里做針線，旁邊放著一柄白犀塵。Baoyu lay asleep on the bed, with Xiren sitting beside him doing needlework, a white rhinoceros-horn-handled fly-whisk laid at her side.寶釵走近前來，悄悄的笑道：“你也過于小心了，這個屋里那里還有蒼蠅蚊子，還拿蠅帚子赶什麼？”襲人不防，猛抬頭見寶釵，忙放下針線，起身悄悄笑道：“姑娘來了，我倒也不防，唬了一跳。Baochai came up close and said quietly with a smile, 'You're being far too careful — what flies or mosquitoes could there possibly be in this room, that you should still be waving a fly-whisk about?' Caught unawares, Xiren looked up with a start to see Baochai, and quickly setting down her needlework, rose and said quietly with a smile, 'You've come, miss — I wasn't expecting it at all, and you gave me quite a start.'姑娘不知道，雖然沒有蒼蠅蚊子，誰知有一种小虫子，從這紗眼里鑽進來，人也看不見，只睡著了，咬一口，就象螞蟻夾的。”寶釵道：“怨不得。'You wouldn't know, miss — though there are no flies or mosquitoes, who would have thought there's a kind of tiny insect that creeps in through the mesh of the gauze windows, so small one can't even see it, and yet once you're asleep it bites, and it feels just like an ant's pinch.' Baochai said, 'No wonder, then.'這屋子後頭又近水，又都是香花兒，這屋子里頭又香。'The back of this room is close to water, and all around are fragrant flowers besides, and the room itself is scented too.'這种虫子都是花心里長的，聞香就扑。”說著，一面又瞧他手里的針線，原來是個白綾紅里的兜肚，上面扎著鴛鴦戲蓮的花樣，紅蓮綠葉，五色鴛鴦。'This kind of insect breeds right in the hearts of flowers, and comes flying at the scent.' So saying, she looked again at the needlework in Xiren's hands — it turned out to be a stomacher of white damask lined in red, embroidered with a design of mandarin ducks at play among lotuses, red lotus blossoms and green leaves, and mandarin ducks in five colors.寶釵道：“噯喲，好鮮亮活計！Baochai said, 'My, what bright, lovely needlework!'這是誰的，也值的費這麼大工夫？”襲人向床上努嘴兒。'Whose is this, that it's worth spending so much effort on?' Xiren tilted her chin toward the bed.寶釵笑道：“這麼大了，還帶這個？”襲人笑道：“他原是不帶，所以特特的做的好了，叫他看見由不得不帶。Baochai said with a smile, 'He's so grown now, and still wears one of these?' Xiren said with a smile, 'He doesn't normally wear one at all — that's exactly why I've taken special pains to make this one so fine, so that once he sees it he won't be able to help but wear it.'如今天氣熱，睡覺都不留神，哄他帶上了，便是夜里縱蓋不嚴些兒，也就不怕了。'Now that the weather is hot, he's careless about covering himself when he sleeps — if I can coax him into wearing this, then even if at night the quilt isn't drawn quite tight, there'll be nothing to worry about.'你說這一個就用了工夫，還沒看見他身上現帶的那一個呢。”寶釵笑道：“也虧你奈煩。”襲人道：“今兒做的工夫大了，脖子低的怪酸的。”又笑道：“好姑娘，你略坐一坐，我出去走走就來。”說著便走了。'And this is just the one that's taken so much work — you haven't even seen the one he's actually wearing on him now.' Baochai said with a smile, 'It's a wonder you have the patience for it.' Xiren said, 'I've been at it so long today that my neck, bent down like this, aches something terrible.' Then she added with a smile, 'Dear miss, do sit a while — I'll just go out and walk about and come right back.' So saying, she went off.寶釵只顧看著活計，便不留心，一蹲身，剛剛的也坐在襲人方才坐的所在，因又見那活計實在可愛，不由的拿起針來，替他代刺。Baochai, absorbed in looking at the needlework, paid no heed to where she was going, and settling down, happened to sit down in the very spot where Xiren had just been sitting; and finding the needlework truly lovely, she could not help but pick up the needle and go on stitching in Xiren's place.

却说王夫人等这里吃毕西瓜，又说了一回闲话，各自方散去。宝钗与黛玉等回至园中，宝钗因约黛玉往藕香榭去，黛玉回说立刻要洗澡，便各自散了。宝钗独自行来，顺路进了怡红院，意欲寻宝玉谈讲以解午倦。不想一入院来，鸦雀无闻，一并连两只仙鹤在芭蕉下都睡著了。宝钗便顺著游廊来至房中，只见外间床上横三竖四，都是丫头们睡觉。转过十锦槅子，来至宝玉的房内。宝玉在床上睡著了，袭人坐在身旁，手里做针线，旁边放著一柄白犀尘。宝钗走近前来，悄悄的笑道：“你也过于小心了，这个屋里那里还有苍蝇蚊子，还拿蝇帚子赶什么？”袭人不防，猛抬头见宝钗，忙放下针线，起身悄悄笑道：“姑娘来了，我倒也不防，唬了一跳。姑娘不知道，虽然没有苍蝇蚊子，谁知有一种小虫子，从这纱眼里钻进来，人也看不见，只睡著了，咬一口，就象蚂蚁夹的。”宝钗道：“怨不得。这屋子后头又近水，又都是香花儿，这屋子里头又香。这种虫子都是花心里长的，闻香就扑。”说著，一面又瞧他手里的针线，原来是个白绫红里的兜肚，上面扎著鸳鸯戏莲的花样，红莲绿叶，五色鸳鸯。宝钗道：“嗳哟，好鲜亮活计！这是谁的，也值的费这么大工夫？”袭人向床上努嘴儿。宝钗笑道：“这么大了，还带这个？”袭人笑道：“他原是不带，所以特特的做的好了，叫他看见由不得不带。如今天气热，睡觉都不留神，哄他带上了，便是夜里纵盖不严些儿，也就不怕了。你说这一个就用了工夫，还没看见他身上现带的那一个呢。”宝钗笑道：“也亏你奈烦。”袭人道：“今儿做的工夫大了，脖子低的怪酸的。”又笑道：“好姑娘，你略坐一坐，我出去走走就来。”说著便走了。宝钗只顾看著活计，便不留心，一蹲身，刚刚的也坐在袭人方才坐的所在，因又见那活计实在可爱，不由的拿起针来，替他代刺。

不想林黛玉因遇見史湘雲約他來與襲人道喜，二人來至院中，見靜悄悄的，湘雲便轉身先到廂房里去找襲人。As it happened, Lin Daiyu, having run into Shi Xiangyun, was asked by her to come along and wish Xiren joy; the two of them arrived in the courtyard, and finding it all quiet and still, Xiangyun turned first toward the side chamber to look for Xiren.林黛玉卻來至窗外，隔著紗窗往里一看，只見寶玉穿著銀紅紗衫子，隨便睡著在床上，寶釵坐在身旁做針線，旁邊放著蠅帚子，林黛玉見了這個景兒，連忙把身子一藏，手握著嘴不敢笑出來，招手兒叫湘雲。Lin Daiyu, however, came up outside the window, and peering in through the gauze casement, saw Baoyu in a silver-red gauze jacket lying carelessly asleep on the bed, with Baochai sitting beside him doing needlework, a fly-whisk laid nearby. Seeing this scene, Daiyu quickly drew back and hid herself, clapping a hand over her mouth so as not to laugh aloud, and beckoned for Xiangyun to come.湘雲一見他這般景況，只當有什麼新聞，忙也來一看，也要笑時，忽然想起寶釵素日待他厚道，便忙掩住口。The moment Xiangyun saw her in such a state, she took it there must be some interesting news, and hurried over to look too; just as she was about to laugh as well, she suddenly recalled how generously Baochai had always treated her, and so quickly clapped her hand over her mouth.知道林黛玉不讓人，怕他言語之中取笑，便忙拉過他來道：“走罷。Knowing that Lin Daiyu never yielded to anyone and fearing she might make some mocking remark, Xiangyun hastily pulled her away, saying, 'Come along, let's go.'我想起襲人來，他說午間要到池子里去洗衣裳，想必去了，咱們那里找他去。”林黛玉心下明白，冷笑了兩聲，只得隨他走了。'It occurs to me now about Xiren — she said she meant to go down to the pond at noon to wash clothes; she must have gone there, let's go and look for her there.' Lin Daiyu understood well enough in her heart, gave a couple of cold little laughs, but had no choice but to go along with her.

不想林黛玉因遇见史湘云约他来与袭人道喜，二人来至院中，见静悄悄的，湘云便转身先到厢房里去找袭人。林黛玉却来至窗外，隔著纱窗往里一看，只见宝玉穿著银红纱衫子，随便睡著在床上，宝钗坐在身旁做针线，旁边放著蝇帚子，林黛玉见了这个景儿，连忙把身子一藏，手握著嘴不敢笑出来，招手儿叫湘云。湘云一见他这般景况，只当有什么新闻，忙也来一看，也要笑时，忽然想起宝钗素日待他厚道，便忙掩住口。知道林黛玉不让人，怕他言语之中取笑，便忙拉过他来道：“走罢。我想起袭人来，他说午间要到池子里去洗衣裳，想必去了，咱们那里找他去。”林黛玉心下明白，冷笑了两声，只得随他走了。

這里寶釵只剛做了兩三個花瓣，忽見寶玉在夢中喊罵說：“和尚道士的話如何信得？Here, Baochai had only just finished two or three petals when suddenly she heard Baoyu, in his sleep, shout out in anger, 'How can one believe the words of monks and Daoist priests?'什麼是金玉姻緣，我偏說是木石姻緣！”薛寶釵聽了這話，不覺怔了。'What "marriage of gold and jade" — I insist it is a "marriage of wood and stone"!' Hearing this, Xue Baochai could not help but be struck motionless with astonishment.忽見襲人走過來，笑道：“還沒有醒呢。”寶釵搖頭。Just then she saw Xiren come walking over, who said with a smile, 'Not awake yet?' Baochai shook her head.襲人又笑道：“我才碰見林姑娘史大姑娘，他們可曾進來？”寶釵道：“沒見他們進來。”因向襲人笑道：“他們沒告訴你什麼話？”襲人笑道：“左不過是他們那些玩話，有什麼正經說的。”寶釵笑道：“他們說的可不是玩話，我正要告訴你呢，你又忙忙的出去了。”Xiren then said with a smile, 'I just ran into Miss Lin and Miss Shi — did they come in here?' Baochai said, 'I didn't see them come in.' Then she said to Xiren with a smile, 'Didn't they tell you anything?' Xiren said with a smile, 'It was nothing but their usual teasing talk — what serious thing would they have to say?' Baochai said with a smile, 'What they said was no teasing matter at all — I was just about to tell you, and off you rushed out again.'

这里宝钗只刚做了两三个花瓣，忽见宝玉在梦中喊骂说：“和尚道士的话如何信得？什么是金玉姻缘，我偏说是木石姻缘！”薛宝钗听了这话，不觉怔了。忽见袭人走过来，笑道：“还没有醒呢。”宝钗摇头。袭人又笑道：“我才碰见林姑娘史大姑娘，他们可曾进来？”宝钗道：“没见他们进来。”因向袭人笑道：“他们没告诉你什么话？”袭人笑道：“左不过是他们那些玩话，有什么正经说的。”宝钗笑道：“他们说的可不是玩话，我正要告诉你呢，你又忙忙的出去了。”

一句話未完，只見鳳姐兒打發人來叫襲人。Before she could finish speaking, along came someone sent by Xifeng to summon Xiren.寶釵笑道：“就是為那話了。”襲人只得喚起兩個丫鬟來，一同寶釵出怡紅院，自往鳳姐這里來。Baochai said with a smile, 'It must be for that very matter.' Xiren had no choice but to rouse a couple of the young maids, and together with Baochai went out of Happy Red Court, heading off herself toward Xifeng's place.果然是告訴他這話，又叫他與王夫人叩頭，且不必去見賈母，倒把襲人不好意思的。Sure enough, it was to tell her this very news, and she was told to go kowtow to Lady Wang, though there was no need yet to go see Grandmother Jia — which left Xiren quite embarrassed.見過王夫人急忙回來，寶玉已醒了，問起原故，襲人且含糊答應，至夜間人靜，襲人方告訴。After paying her respects to Lady Wang she hurried back, to find Baoyu already awake and asking the reason; Xiren gave only a vague answer for the moment, and only when night had come and all was quiet did she tell him the whole of it.寶玉喜不自禁，又向他笑道：“我可看你回家去不去了！Baoyu, unable to contain his joy, said to her with a smile, 'Now let's see whether you'll go back home or not!'那一回往家里走了一趟，回來就說你哥哥要贖你，又說在這里沒著落，終久算什麼，說了那麼些無情無義的生分話唬我。'That time you went home for a visit, you came back saying your brother wanted to buy back your freedom, and that staying here you had no proper standing, and that in the end it amounted to nothing — you said all those cold, heartless, estranging things to frighten me.'從今以後，我可看誰來敢叫你去。”襲人聽了，便冷笑道：“你倒別這麼說。'From now on, let's see who would dare come and take you away.' Hearing this, Xiren gave a cold laugh and said, 'You'd best not talk like that.'從此以後我是太太的人了，我要走連你也不必告訴，只回了太太就走。”寶玉笑道：“就便算我不好，你回了太太竟去了，叫別人聽見說我不好，你去了你也沒意思。”襲人笑道：“有什麼沒意思，難道作了強盜賊，我也跟著罷。'From now on I am Madam's own person — if I wish to leave, I need not even tell you, but simply report to Madam and go.' Baoyu said with a smile, 'Even supposing I've done something wrong, if you go report to Madam and simply leave, and others hear of it and say I'm to blame — you'd find no satisfaction in going either.' Xiren said with a smile, 'What would there be to find no satisfaction in? Surely you don't mean that even if you turned into a robber or a bandit, I ought to follow along after you regardless?'再不然，還有一個死呢。'And if not that, well, there is still death to consider.'人活百歲，橫豎要死，這一口氣不在，聽不見看不見就罷了。”寶玉聽見這話，便忙握他的嘴，說道：“罷，罷，罷，不用說這些話了。”襲人深知寶玉性情古怪，聽見奉承吉利話又厭虛而不實，聽了這些盡情實話又生悲感，便悔自己說冒撞了，連忙笑著用話截開，只揀那寶玉素喜談者問之。'A person may live to a hundred years, but must die regardless — once this breath is gone, there'll be nothing more to hear or see, and that will be the end of it.' Hearing this, Baoyu quickly clapped his hand over her mouth, saying, 'Enough, enough, enough — don't say such things.' Xiren knew well how strange Baoyu's temperament was: hearing flattering, auspicious words, he found them hollow and false and disliked them, yet hearing such candid, truthful words as these, he grew sorrowful and moved instead. Regretting that she had spoken too rashly, she quickly laughed and changed the subject, choosing instead to ask him about the things he habitually loved to discuss.先問他春風秋月，再談及粉淡脂螢，然後談到女兒如何好，又談到女兒死，襲人忙掩住口。First she asked him about spring breezes and autumn moons, then went on to talk of pale powder and glowing rouge, and then came to talking of how fine girls were — until the talk turned to a girl's death, at which point Xiren quickly clapped her hand over her own mouth.寶玉談至濃快時，見他不說了，便笑道：“人誰不死，只要死的好。Baoyu, right in the pleasurable flow of the conversation, seeing her stop short, said with a smile, 'Who among men does not die? The only question is dying well.'那些個須眉濁物，只知道文死諫，武死戰，這二死是大丈夫死名死節。'Those coarse, bewhiskered creatures know only that the civil official dies remonstrating and the military officer dies in battle — these two deaths they call a great man's dying for fame and for principle.'竟何如不死的好！'But how much better it would be not to die at all!'必定有昏君他方諫，他只顧邀名，猛拚一死，將來棄君于何地！'It is only because there is a benighted ruler that he remonstrates at all — caring only to win fame for himself, he rashly throws away his life in one reckless death, but where does that leave his ruler afterward!'必定有刀兵他方戰，猛拚一死，他只顧圖汗馬之名，將來棄國于何地！'It is only because there is war that he fights at all — rashly throwing away his life in one reckless death, caring only to win the fame of a warhorse general, but where does that leave the state afterward!'所以這皆非正死。”襲人道：“忠臣良將，出于不得已他才死。”寶玉道：“那武將不過仗血氣之勇，疏謀少略，他自己無能，送了性命，這難道也是不得已！'That is why none of these count as a true, proper death.' Xiren said, 'Loyal ministers and good generals only die when there is truly no other choice.' Baoyu said, 'Those military officers rely on nothing but the raw courage of hot blood, being short on strategy and scheme; it is their own incompetence that costs them their lives — is that too supposed to be "no other choice"!'那文官更不可比武官了，他念兩句書窩在心里，若朝廷少有疵瑕，他就胡談亂勸，只顧他邀忠烈之名，濁氣一涌，即時拚死，這難道也是不得已！'And the civil officials are even less comparable to the military men — having a few lines of book-learning lodged in their hearts, the moment the court shows the slightest flaw they babble on with reckless advice, caring only to win themselves a name for loyalty and heroism; the moment their turbid temper surges up, they throw their lives away on the spot — is that too supposed to be "no other choice"!'還要知道，那朝廷是受命于天，他不圣不仁，那天地斷不把這萬幾重任與他了。'One must further understand that a ruling court receives its mandate from Heaven — were the ruler not sage and benevolent, Heaven and Earth would certainly never have entrusted him with the manifold weighty duties of that throne in the first place.'可知那些死的都是沽名，并不知大義。'From this one may know that all such deaths are merely a trafficking in fame, and show no understanding whatsoever of the greater principle.'比如我此時若果有造化，該死于此時的，趁你們在，我就死了，再能夠你們哭我的眼淚流成大河，把我的尸首漂起來，送到那鴉雀不到的幽僻之處，隨風化了，自此再不要托生為人，就是我死的得時了。”襲人忽見說出這些瘋話來，忙說困了，不理他。'Take myself, for instance — if at this moment I truly had the good fortune to be fated to die just now, then while all of you are still here I would die, and if only your tears weeping for me could flow into a great river, bearing my corpse afloat upon it, to carry it off to some hushed and secluded place where no crow or sparrow ever comes, there to dissolve away upon the wind, never again to be reborn as a human being from that time on — that would be dying at just the right moment for me.' Hearing him suddenly burst out with such mad talk, Xiren quickly said she was sleepy, and paid him no further heed.那寶玉方合眼睡著，至次日也就丟開了。Only then did Baoyu close his eyes and fall asleep, and by the next day the matter was simply set aside and forgotten.

一句话未完，只见凤姐儿打发人来叫袭人。宝钗笑道：“就是为那话了。”袭人只得唤起两个丫鬟来，一同宝钗出怡红院，自往凤姐这里来。果然是告诉他这话，又叫他与王夫人叩头，且不必去见贾母，倒把袭人不好意思的。见过王夫人急忙回来，宝玉已醒了，问起原故，袭人且含糊答应，至夜间人静，袭人方告诉。宝玉喜不自禁，又向他笑道：“我可看你回家去不去了！那一回往家里走了一趟，回来就说你哥哥要赎你，又说在这里没著落，终久算什么，说了那么些无情无义的生分话唬我。从今以后，我可看谁来敢叫你去。”袭人听了，便冷笑道：“你倒别这么说。从此以后我是太太的人了，我要走连你也不必告诉，只回了太太就走。”宝玉笑道：“就便算我不好，你回了太太竟去了，叫别人听见说我不好，你去了你也没意思。”袭人笑道：“有什么没意思，难道作了强盗贼，我也跟著罢。再不然，还有一个死呢。人活百岁，横竖要死，这一口气不在，听不见看不见就罢了。”宝玉听见这话，便忙握他的嘴，说道：“罢，罢，罢，不用说这些话了。”袭人深知宝玉性情古怪，听见奉承吉利话又厌虚而不实，听了这些尽情实话又生悲感，便悔自己说冒撞了，连忙笑著用话截开，只拣那宝玉素喜谈者问之。先问他春风秋月，再谈及粉淡脂萤，然后谈到女儿如何好，又谈到女儿死，袭人忙掩住口。宝玉谈至浓快时，见他不说了，便笑道：“人谁不死，只要死的好。那些个须眉浊物，只知道文死谏，武死战，这二死是大丈夫死名死节。竟何如不死的好！必定有昏君他方谏，他只顾邀名，猛拼一死，将来弃君于何地！必定有刀兵他方战，猛拼一死，他只顾图汗马之名，将来弃国于何地！所以这皆非正死。”袭人道：“忠臣良将，出于不得已他才死。”宝玉道：“那武将不过仗血气之勇，疏谋少略，他自己无能，送了性命，这难道也是不得已！那文官更不可比武官了，他念两句书窝在心里，若朝廷少有疵瑕，他就胡谈乱劝，只顾他邀忠烈之名，浊气一涌，即时拼死，这难道也是不得已！还要知道，那朝廷是受命于天，他不圣不仁，那天地断不把这万几重任与他了。可知那些死的都是沽名，并不知大义。比如我此时若果有造化，该死于此时的，趁你们在，我就死了，再能够你们哭我的眼泪流成大河，把我的尸首漂起来，送到那鸦雀不到的幽僻之处，随风化了，自此再不要托生为人，就是我死的得时了。”袭人忽见说出这些疯话来，忙说困了，不理他。那宝玉方合眼睡著，至次日也就丢开了。

一日，寶玉因各處游的煩膩，便想起《牡丹亭》曲來，自己看了兩遍，猶不愜怀，因聞得梨香院的十二個女孩子中有小旦齡官最是唱的好，因著意出角門來找時，只見寶官玉官都在院內，見寶玉來了，都笑嘻嘻的讓坐。One day, Baoyu, having grown weary and bored with wandering about everywhere, found himself thinking of the arias from The Peony Pavilion; he read through them himself twice, but still felt unsatisfied, and having heard that among the twelve girls of Pear Fragrance Court the young female-role player Ling Guan sang best of all, he made his way with purpose out through the side gate to find her. There he found Bao Guan and Yu Guan both in the courtyard, and seeing Baoyu arrive, they both smilingly invited him to sit.寶玉因問“齡官獨在那里？”眾人都告訴他說：“在他房里呢。”寶玉忙至他房內，只見齡官獨自倒在枕上，見他進來，文風不動。Baoyu then asked, 'Where is Ling Guan by herself?' Everyone told him, 'She's in her own room.' Baoyu hurried to her room, where he found Ling Guan lying alone upon her pillow, and though he came in, she did not stir in the slightest.寶玉素習與別的女孩子頑慣了的，只當齡官也同別人一樣，因進前來身旁坐下，又陪笑央他起來唱“裊晴絲”一套。Baoyu, being used to playing about freely with the other girls, took it that Ling Guan would be just like the rest, and so came forward to sit down beside her, coaxing her with a smile to rise and sing the suite beginning 'Trailing Threads of Mist in Fine Weather.'不想齡官見他坐下，忙抬身起來躲避，正色說道：“嗓子啞了。To his surprise, seeing him sit down, Ling Guan quickly raised herself up to move away, and said with a stern expression, 'My voice is hoarse.'前兒娘娘傳進我們去，我還沒有唱呢。”寶玉見他坐正了，再一細看，原來就是那日薔薇花下划“薔”字那一個。'The other day when Her Highness summoned us in, I still didn't sing for her.' Baoyu, seeing her sit up properly and looking closely at her again, realized she was in fact the very girl who had traced the character 'Qiang' beneath the roses that day.又見如此景況，從來未經過這番被人棄厭，自己便訕訕的紅了臉，只得出來了。Seeing besides such a state of affairs, and never before having experienced being so spurned and rebuffed by anyone, he himself flushed red with awkward embarrassment and had no choice but to come away.寶官等不解何故，因問其所以。Bao Guan and the others, not understanding the reason, asked him what had happened.寶玉便說了，遂出來。Baoyu told them, and then went on out.寶官便說道：“只略等一等，薔二爺來了叫他唱，是必唱的。”寶玉聽了，心下納悶，因問：“薔哥兒那去了？”寶官道：“才出去了，一定還是齡官要什麼，他去變弄去了。”Bao Guan then said, 'Just wait a little — once Master Qiang the Second comes and asks her to sing, she will certainly sing.' Hearing this, Baoyu felt puzzled at heart, and asked, 'Where has Brother Qiang gone off to?' Bao Guan said, 'He just went out — it must be that Ling Guan wanted something again, and he's gone off to fetch it for her.'

一日，宝玉因各处游的烦腻，便想起《牡丹亭》曲来，自己看了两遍，犹不惬怀，因闻得梨香院的十二个女孩子中有小旦龄官最是唱的好，因著意出角门来找时，只见宝官玉官都在院内，见宝玉来了，都笑嘻嘻的让坐。宝玉因问“龄官独在那里？”众人都告诉他说：“在他房里呢。”宝玉忙至他房内，只见龄官独自倒在枕上，见他进来，文风不动。宝玉素习与别的女孩子顽惯了的，只当龄官也同别人一样，因进前来身旁坐下，又陪笑央他起来唱“袅晴丝”一套。不想龄官见他坐下，忙抬身起来躲避，正色说道：“嗓子哑了。前儿娘娘传进我们去，我还没有唱呢。”宝玉见他坐正了，再一细看，原来就是那日蔷薇花下划“蔷”字那一个。又见如此景况，从来未经过这番被人弃厌，自己便讪讪的红了脸，只得出来了。宝官等不解何故，因问其所以。宝玉便说了，遂出来。宝官便说道：“只略等一等，蔷二爷来了叫他唱，是必唱的。”宝玉听了，心下纳闷，因问：“蔷哥儿那去了？”宝官道：“才出去了，一定还是龄官要什么，他去变弄去了。”

寶玉聽了，以為奇特，少站片時，果見賈薔從外頭來了，手里又提著個雀兒籠子，上面扎著個小戲台，并一個雀兒，興興頭頭的往里走著找齡官。Hearing this, Baoyu found it quite remarkable, and after standing there a little while, sure enough he saw Jia Qiang come in from outside, carrying in his hand a birdcage rigged up with a little miniature stage on top, and a bird inside it, walking in eagerly and in high spirits to look for Ling Guan.見了寶玉，只得站住。Seeing Baoyu, he had no choice but to stop.寶玉問他：“是個什麼雀兒，會銜旗串戲台？”賈薔笑道：“是個玉頂金豆。”寶玉道：“多少錢買的？”賈薔道：“一兩八錢銀子。”一面說，一面讓寶玉坐，自己往齡官房里來。Baoyu asked him, 'What kind of bird is this, that it can carry a banner and go about the little stage?' Jia Qiang said with a smile, 'It's a jade-crested golden finch.' Baoyu said, 'How much did you pay for it?' Jia Qiang said, 'One tael eight mace of silver.' So saying, he invited Baoyu to sit, and himself went on toward Ling Guan's room.寶玉此刻把聽曲子的心都沒了，且要看他和齡官是怎樣。By now Baoyu had lost all interest in hearing any singing, and wanted instead only to see how things stood between Jia Qiang and Ling Guan.只見賈薔進去笑道：“你起來，瞧這個頑意兒。”齡官起身問是什麼，賈薔道：“買了雀兒你頑，省得天天悶悶的無個開心。He saw Jia Qiang go in and say with a smile, 'Get up and look at this little plaything.' Ling Guan rose and asked what it was; Jia Qiang said, 'I bought this bird for you to play with, so you won't be gloomy and joyless every day with nothing to cheer you up.'我先頑個你看。”說著，便拿些谷子哄的那個雀兒在戲台上亂串，銜鬼臉旗幟。'Let me play it for you to see first.' So saying, he took some grain and used it to coax the bird into scurrying all about the little stage, carrying a devil-mask banner in its beak.眾女孩子都笑道“有趣”，獨齡官冷笑了兩聲，賭氣仍睡去了。All the other girls laughed and said, 'How amusing!' Ling Guan alone gave a couple of cold laughs, and in a fit of pique lay back down to sleep as before.賈薔還只管陪笑，問他好不好。Jia Qiang, still smiling ingratiatingly, kept on asking her whether she liked it or not.齡官道：“你們家把好好的人弄了來，關在這牢坑里學這個勞什子還不算，你這會子又弄個雀兒來，也偏生干這個。Ling Guan said, 'It's not enough that your family took perfectly good people and brought them here, shutting them up in this prison-pit to learn this wretched business — now on top of it you go and get hold of a bird too, and of all things must make it do this very same thing.'你分明是弄了他來打趣形容我們，還問我好不好。”賈薔聽了，不覺慌起來，連忙賭身立誓。'You clearly got it just to mock and mimic us, and yet you ask me whether I like it or not.' Hearing this, Jia Qiang could not help growing flustered, and hastily swore an oath on his very person.又道：“今兒我那里的香脂油蒙了心！He went on, "Today my heart must have been smothered in scented lard—what was I thinking!費一二兩銀子買他來，原說解悶，就沒有想到這上頭。I spent an ounce or two of silver to buy it, meaning only to give you something to ease your boredom—I never thought of it this way.罷，罷，放了生，免免你的災病。”說著，果然將雀兒放了，一頓把將籠子拆了。Enough, enough—I'll set it free, and spare you further illness." So saying, he did indeed release the bird, and in one motion tore the cage apart.齡官還說：“那雀兒雖不如人，他也有個老雀兒在窩里，你拿了他來弄這個勞什子也忍得！Lingguan went on, "That bird may not be human, but it too has an old bird waiting for it in its nest—how could you bear to catch it and make it perform this silly trick!今兒我咳嗽出兩口血來，太太叫大夫來瞧，不說替我細問問，你且弄這個來取笑。Today I coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, and Madam sent a doctor to examine me—yet instead of asking after me with care, you go and amuse yourself with this.偏生我這沒人管沒人理的，又偏病。”說著又哭起來。And on top of everything, here I am with no one to look after me or pay me any mind, and now I fall ill besides." So saying, she began to weep again.賈薔忙道：“昨兒晚上我問了大夫，他說不相干。Jia Qiang said hurriedly, "Last night I asked the doctor, and he said it was nothing serious.他說吃兩劑藥，後兒再瞧。He said to take two doses of medicine, and he'd come look again the day after tomorrow.誰知今兒又吐了。Who would have thought you'd cough up blood again today.這會子請他去。”說著，便要請去。I'll go and fetch him this instant." So saying, he made to go and invite the doctor.齡官又叫“站住，這會子大毒日頭地下，你賭氣子去請了來我也不瞧。”賈薔聽如此說，只得又站住。Lingguan called out again, "Stand still! At this hour, under such a fierce sun, even if you storm off in a huff to fetch him, I won't let him see me." Hearing this, Jia Qiang had no choice but to stop where he stood.寶玉見了這般景況，不覺痴了，這才領會了划”薔”深意。Seeing this scene, Baoyu could not help falling into a daze—only now did he grasp the deep meaning behind her tracing the character "薔" (qiang) that time.自己站不住，也抽身走了。Unable to stand there himself any longer, he too slipped quietly away.賈薔一心都在齡官身上，也不顧送，倒是別的女孩子送了出來。Jia Qiang's whole heart was fixed on Lingguan, and he paid no mind to seeing Baoyu off; it was the other girls who saw him out instead.

宝玉听了，以为奇特，少站片时，果见贾蔷从外头来了，手里又提著个雀儿笼子，上面扎著个小戏台，并一个雀儿，兴兴头头的往里走著找龄官。见了宝玉，只得站住。宝玉问他：“是个什么雀儿，会衔旗串戏台？”贾蔷笑道：“是个玉顶金豆。”宝玉道：“多少钱买的？”贾蔷道：“一两八钱银子。”一面说，一面让宝玉坐，自己往龄官房里来。宝玉此刻把听曲子的心都没了，且要看他和龄官是怎样。只见贾蔷进去笑道：“你起来，瞧这个顽意儿。”龄官起身问是什么，贾蔷道：“买了雀儿你顽，省得天天闷闷的无个开心。我先顽个你看。”说著，便拿些谷子哄的那个雀儿在戏台上乱串，衔鬼脸旗帜。众女孩子都笑道“有趣”，独龄官冷笑了两声，赌气仍睡去了。贾蔷还只管陪笑，问他好不好。龄官道：“你们家把好好的人弄了来，关在这牢坑里学这个劳什子还不算，你这会子又弄个雀儿来，也偏生干这个。你分明是弄了他来打趣形容我们，还问我好不好。”贾蔷听了，不觉慌起来，连忙赌身立誓。又道：“今儿我那里的香脂油蒙了心！费一二两银子买他来，原说解闷，就没有想到这上头。罢，罢，放了生，免免你的灾病。”说著，果然将雀儿放了，一顿把将笼子拆了。龄官还说：“那雀儿虽不如人，他也有个老雀儿在窝里，你拿了他来弄这个劳什子也忍得！今儿我咳嗽出两口血来，太太叫大夫来瞧，不说替我细问问，你且弄这个来取笑。偏生我这没人管没人理的，又偏病。”说著又哭起来。贾蔷忙道：“昨儿晚上我问了大夫，他说不相干。他说吃两剂药，后儿再瞧。谁知今儿又吐了。这会子请他去。”说著，便要请去。龄官又叫“站住，这会子大毒日头地下，你赌气子去请了来我也不瞧。”贾蔷听如此说，只得又站住。宝玉见了这般景况，不觉痴了，这才领会了划”蔷”深意。自己站不住，也抽身走了。贾蔷一心都在龄官身上，也不顾送，倒是别的女孩子送了出来。

那寶玉一心裁奪盤算，痴痴的回至怡紅院中，正值林黛玉和襲人坐著說話兒呢。Baoyu, turning thoughts and calculations over in his mind, returned to Yihong Yuan in a daze, just as Lin Daiyu and Xiren were sitting there talking.寶玉一進來，就和襲人長歎，說道：“我昨晚上的話竟說錯了，怪道老爺說我是‘管窺蠡測’。As soon as Baoyu came in, he sighed a long sigh to Xiren and said, "What I said last night was quite wrong—no wonder Father says I'm one who 'peers at the sky through a tube and measures the sea with a gourd.'昨夜說你們的眼淚單葬我，這就錯了。Last night I said your tears alone would bury me—that was already a mistake.我竟不能全得了。It turns out I cannot have it all to myself after all.從此後只是各人各得眼淚罷了。”襲人昨夜不過是些頑話，已經忘了，不想寶玉今又提起來，便笑道：“你可真真有些瘋了。”寶玉默默不對，自此深悟人生情緣，各有分定，只是每每暗傷“不知將來葬我灑淚者為誰？”此皆寶玉心中所怀，也不可十分妄擬。From now on, each person shall only get the tears meant for them." Xiren's words the night before had been nothing but idle joking, and she had already forgotten them; she had not expected Baoyu to bring it up again today, and said with a laugh, "You really are a bit mad." Baoyu said nothing in reply. From this time on he came to a deep realization that the bonds of love in human life are each allotted their own portion, only he would often secretly grieve, wondering, "Who, in the future, will be the one to shed tears and bury me?" All this lay within Baoyu's own heart, and it should not be too rashly guessed at.

那宝玉一心裁夺盘算，痴痴的回至怡红院中，正值林黛玉和袭人坐著说话儿呢。宝玉一进来，就和袭人长叹，说道：“我昨晚上的话竟说错了，怪道老爷说我是‘管窥蠡测’。昨夜说你们的眼泪单葬我，这就错了。我竟不能全得了。从此后只是各人各得眼泪罢了。”袭人昨夜不过是些顽话，已经忘了，不想宝玉今又提起来，便笑道：“你可真真有些疯了。”宝玉默默不对，自此深悟人生情缘，各有分定，只是每每暗伤“不知将来葬我洒泪者为谁？”此皆宝玉心中所怀，也不可十分妄拟。

且說林黛玉當下見了寶玉如此形象，便知是又從那里著了魔來，也不便多問，因向他說道：“我才在舅母跟前聽的明兒是薛姨媽的生日，叫我順便來問你出去不出去。Now, Lin Daiyu, seeing Baoyu in such a state at that moment, knew at once that he had once again been "bewitched" by something, and thought it best not to press him with questions. Instead she said to him, "I just heard from Aunt Wang that tomorrow is Aunt Xue's birthday. She asked me to stop by and ask whether you're going or not.你打發人前頭說一聲去。”寶玉道：“上回連大老爺的生日我也沒去，這會子我又去，倘或碰見了人呢？You should send someone ahead to let them know." Baoyu said, "Last time I didn't even go to Uncle Jia She's birthday—if I go now, what if I run into people I'd rather avoid?我一概都不去。I'm simply not going to any of them.這麼怪熱的，又穿衣裳，我不去姨媽也未必惱。”襲人忙道：“這是什麼話？It's so dreadfully hot, and I'd have to put on proper clothes besides—if I don't go, Aunt Xue likely won't take offense." Xiren said quickly, "What kind of talk is that?他比不得大老爺。She's not to be compared with Uncle Jia She.這里又住的近，又是親戚，你不去豈不叫他思量。She lives close by, besides, and she's family—if you don't go, won't it make her wonder and feel slighted?你怕熱，只清早起到那里磕個頭，吃鐘茶再來，豈不好看。”寶玉未說話，黛玉便先笑道：“你看著人家赶蚊子分上，也該去走走。”寶玉不解，忙問：“怎麼赶蚊子？”襲人便將昨日睡覺無人作伴，寶姑娘坐了一坐的話說了出來。If you're afraid of the heat, just go early in the morning, kowtow, drink a cup of tea, and come straight back—wouldn't that look proper?" Before Baoyu could answer, Daiyu spoke up first with a smile, "For the sake of someone having driven the mosquitoes off for you, you ought at least to go pay a visit." Baoyu, not understanding, asked at once, "What do you mean, 'driven the mosquitoes off'?" Xiren then told him how, the day before, when he had fallen asleep with no one to keep him company, Miss Bao had sat there with him a while.寶玉聽了，忙說：“不該。Hearing this, Baoyu said hastily, "That shouldn't have happened.我怎麼睡著了，褻瀆了他。”一面又說：“明日必去。”正說著，忽見史湘雲穿的齊齊整整的走來辭說家里打發人來接他。How could I have fallen asleep and shown her such disrespect." And at the same time he added, "Tomorrow I must go without fail." Just as he was speaking, he suddenly saw Shi Xiangyun come in, neatly and properly dressed, to say she was leaving, telling them her family had sent someone to fetch her home.寶玉林黛玉聽說，忙站起來讓坐。Hearing this, Baoyu and Lin Daiyu hurriedly rose and offered her a seat.史湘雲也不坐，寶林兩個只得送他至前面。Shi Xiangyun would not sit down, and the two of them, Baoyu and Daiyu, had no choice but to escort her out to the front.那史湘雲只是眼淚汪汪的，見有他家人在跟前，又不敢十分委曲。Shi Xiangyun's eyes were brimming with tears the whole while, but seeing her family's servants standing right there, she did not dare show her grievance too openly.少時薛寶釵赶來，愈覺繾綣難舍。After a while Xue Baochai hurried over as well, and the parting grew all the more tender and hard to bear.還是寶釵心內明白，他家人若回去告訴了他嬸娘，待他家去又恐受氣，因此倒催他走了。It was Baochai who understood in her heart that if the servants went back and told her aunt, Xiangyun might suffer for it once she was home, and so she urged her to leave quickly instead.眾人送至二門前，寶玉還要往外送，倒是湘雲攔住了。Everyone saw her off as far as the second gate, and Baoyu wanted to go on escorting her further, but Xiangyun stopped him.一時，回身又叫寶玉到跟前，悄悄的囑道：“便是老太太想不起我來，你時常提著打發人接我去。”寶玉連連答應了。After a moment, she turned back and called Baoyu over to her side, whispering, "Even if Grandmother should forget to think of me, you must often remind her and send someone to fetch me over." Baoyu agreed again and again.眼看著他上車去了，大家方才進來。They watched as she got into the carriage and departed, and only then did everyone go back inside.要知端的，且聽下回分解。If you want to know what happened in the end, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

且说林黛玉当下见了宝玉如此形象，便知是又从那里著了魔来，也不便多问，因向他说道：“我才在舅母跟前听的明儿是薛姨妈的生日，叫我顺便来问你出去不出去。你打发人前头说一声去。”宝玉道：“上回连大老爷的生日我也没去，这会子我又去，倘或碰见了人呢？我一概都不去。这么怪热的，又穿衣裳，我不去姨妈也未必恼。”袭人忙道：“这是什么话？他比不得大老爷。这里又住的近，又是亲戚，你不去岂不叫他思量。你怕热，只清早起到那里磕个头，吃钟茶再来，岂不好看。”宝玉未说话，黛玉便先笑道：“你看著人家赶蚊子分上，也该去走走。”宝玉不解，忙问：“怎么赶蚊子？”袭人便将昨日睡觉无人作伴，宝姑娘坐了一坐的话说了出来。宝玉听了，忙说：“不该。我怎么睡著了，亵渎了他。”一面又说：“明日必去。”正说著，忽见史湘云穿的齐齐整整的走来辞说家里打发人来接他。宝玉林黛玉听说，忙站起来让坐。史湘云也不坐，宝林两个只得送他至前面。那史湘云只是眼泪汪汪的，见有他家人在跟前，又不敢十分委曲。少时薛宝钗赶来，愈觉缱绻难舍。还是宝钗心内明白，他家人若回去告诉了他婶娘，待他家去又恐受气，因此倒催他走了。众人送至二门前，宝玉还要往外送，倒是湘云拦住了。一时，回身又叫宝玉到跟前，悄悄的嘱道：“便是老太太想不起我来，你时常提著打发人接我去。”宝玉连连答应了。眼看著他上车去了，大家方才进来。要知端的，且听下回分解。