第三十九回　村老嫗荒談承色笑　癡情子實意覓蹤跡 An Old Country Woman's Tall Tales Amuse; A Lovesick Youth Earnestly Seeks Traces

話說眾人見平兒來了，都說：“你們奶奶作什麼呢，怎麼不來了？”平兒笑道：“他那里得空兒來。The story continues: when the others saw Ping'er had come, they all said, "What's your mistress doing, that she hasn't come herself?" Ping'er said with a smile, "How could she possibly get away.因為說沒有好生吃得，又不得來，所以叫我來問還有沒有，叫我要幾個拿了家去吃罷。”湘雲道：“有，多著呢。”忙令人拿了十個极大的。It's just that she said she didn't get to eat her fill, and can't come herself, so she sent me to ask if there are any left, and told me to take a few home to eat." Xiangyun said, "There are, plenty of them." She hurriedly had someone take ten of the biggest ones.平兒道：“多拿幾個團臍的。”眾人又拉平兒坐，平兒不肯。Ping'er said, "Take a few more of the round-naveled ones." The others again pulled Ping'er to sit down, but Ping'er wouldn't.李紈拉著他笑道：“偏要你坐。”拉著他身邊坐下，端了一杯酒送到他嘴邊。Li Wan pulled her over, laughing, "I insist you sit." She pulled her down to sit beside her, and raised a cup of wine to her lips.平兒忙喝了一口就要走。Ping'er hastily drank a mouthful and was about to leave.李紈道：“偏不許你去。Li Wan said, "I absolutely won't let you go.顯見得只有鳳丫頭，就不聽我的話了。”說著又命嬤嬤們：“先送了盒子去，就說我留下平兒了。”那婆子一時拿了盒子回來說：“二奶奶說，叫奶奶和姑娘們別笑話要嘴吃。It's plain to see that once it's that wretched girl Feng, you no longer heed my word." So saying, she also ordered the old nurses, "Take the box back first, and tell her I've kept Ping'er here." The old woman soon returned with the box and said, "Second Mistress says, don't let the ladies and young misses laugh at you for staying to eat.這個盒子里是方才舅太太那里送來的菱粉糕和雞油卷兒，給奶奶姑娘們吃的。”又向平兒道：“說使你來你就貪住頑不去了。Inside this box are the water-caltrop cakes and chicken-fat rolls that your aunt's household just sent over, for the mistress and young ladies to eat." She also said to Ping'er, "She says she sent you on an errand and you're so greedy for fun you won't come back.勸你少喝一杯兒罷。”平兒笑道：’多喝了又把我怎麼樣？”一面說，一面只管喝，又吃螃蟹。I advise you to drink just one less cup." Ping'er said with a smile, "What would happen if I drank more?" So saying, she kept right on drinking, and eating crab besides.李紈攬著他笑道：“可惜這麼個好体面模樣兒，命卻平常，只落得屋里使喚。Li Wan put her arm around her and said, laughing, "What a pity, with such a fine, dignified look about you, yet your lot is so common—reduced to being ordered about in the room.不知道的人，誰不拿你當作奶奶太太看。”Anyone who didn't know better would surely take you for a mistress or a lady of the house."

话说众人见平儿来了，都说：“你们奶奶作什么呢，怎么不来了？”平儿笑道：“他那里得空儿来。因为说没有好生吃得，又不得来，所以叫我来问还有没有，叫我要几个拿了家去吃罢。”湘云道：“有，多著呢。”忙令人拿了十个极大的。平儿道：“多拿几个团脐的。”众人又拉平儿坐，平儿不肯。李纨拉著他笑道：“偏要你坐。”拉著他身边坐下，端了一杯酒送到他嘴边。平儿忙喝了一口就要走。李纨道：“偏不许你去。显见得只有凤丫头，就不听我的话了。”说著又命嬷嬷们：“先送了盒子去，就说我留下平儿了。”那婆子一时拿了盒子回来说：“二奶奶说，叫奶奶和姑娘们别笑话要嘴吃。这个盒子里是方才舅太太那里送来的菱粉糕和鸡油卷儿，给奶奶姑娘们吃的。”又向平儿道：“说使你来你就贪住顽不去了。劝你少喝一杯儿罢。”平儿笑道：’多喝了又把我怎么样？”一面说，一面只管喝，又吃螃蟹。李纨揽著他笑道：“可惜这么个好体面模样儿，命却平常，只落得屋里使唤。不知道的人，谁不拿你当作奶奶太太看。”

平兒一面和寶釵湘雲等吃喝，一面回頭笑道：“奶奶，別只摸的我怪痒的。”李氏道：“噯喲！As Ping'er drank and ate along with Baochai, Xiangyun, and the others, she turned her head and said with a laugh, "Mistress, don't keep poking me, it tickles terribly." Li Wan said, "Oh my!這硬的是什麼？”平兒道：“鑰匙。”李氏道：“什麼鑰匙？What's this hard thing?" Ping'er said, "Keys." Li Wan said, "What keys?要緊梯己東西怕人偷了去，卻帶在身上。Important private things, afraid someone might steal them, so she carries them on her person.我成日家和人說笑，有個唐僧取經，就有個白馬來馱他，劉智遠打天下，就有個瓜精來送盔甲，有個鳳丫頭，就有個你。All day long I joke with people, saying: when Tripitaka went to fetch the scriptures, there had to be a white horse to carry him; when Liu Zhiyuan conquered the realm, there had to be a melon spirit to bring him armor; and where there's a wretched girl like Feng, there has to be one like you.你就是你奶奶的一把總鑰匙，還要這鑰匙作什麼？”平兒笑道：“奶奶吃了酒，又拿了我來打趣著取笑兒了。”寶釵笑道：“這倒是真話。You yourself are your mistress's one master key—what does she need these keys for?" Ping'er said with a smile, "Mistress, you've had wine, and now you're teasing me for sport again." Baochai said, laughing, "That's actually the truth.我們沒事評論起人來，你們這幾個都是百個里頭挑不出一個來，妙在各人有各人的好處。”李紈道：“大小都有個天理。When we have nothing else to do and start appraising people, among all of you there isn't one in a hundred who wouldn't stand out—the wonder of it is that each has her own particular merit." Li Wan said, "Great or small, there's a kind of natural justice in it.比如老太太屋里，要沒那個鴛鴦如何使得。Take the Old Ancestress's rooms, for instance—without that Yuanyang, how could things possibly run?從太太起，那一個敢駁老太太的回，現在他敢駁回。From Madam on down, not one of them dares contradict the Old Ancestress's decisions, yet Yuanyang dares to contradict her.偏老太太只聽他一個人的話。And yet the Old Ancestress will listen to no one but her.老太太那些穿戴的，別人不記得，他都記得，要不是他經管著，不知叫人誆騙了多少去呢。As for all the Old Ancestress's clothes and adornments, no one else can keep track of them, but she remembers every one—if it weren't for her managing them, who knows how much would have been swindled away by now.那孩子心也公道，雖然這樣，倒常替人說好話兒，還倒不依勢欺人的。”惜春笑道：“老太太昨兒還說呢，他比我們還強呢。”平兒道：“那原是個好的，我們那里比的上他。”寶玉道：“太太屋里的彩霞，是個老實人。”探春道：“可不是，外頭老實，心里有數兒。That child also has a fair heart—despite all this, she often puts in a good word for others, and doesn't lord her position over people to bully them." Xichun said with a smile, "The Old Ancestress herself said just yesterday that she's even better than the rest of us." Ping'er said, "She truly is a good one—none of us could compare to her." Baoyu said, "Caixia in Madam's room is an honest sort." Tanchun said, "Indeed—honest on the outside, but she keeps careful count in her heart.太太是那麼佛爺似的，事情上不留心，他都知道。Madam is like a living Buddha, paying no mind to practical matters, but Caixia knows it all.凡百一應事都是他提著太太行。In all sorts of everyday affairs, it's she who keeps Madam informed and guides her along.連老爺在家出外去的一應大小事，他都知道。Even every large or small matter of the Master's, whether at home or away, she keeps track of.太太忘了，他背地里告訴太太。”李紈道：“那也罷了。”指著寶玉道：“這一個小爺屋里要不是襲人，你們度量到個什麼田地！Whenever Madam forgets something, Caixia quietly reminds her in private." Li Wan said, "Well, that's all very well." Then, pointing at Baoyu, "As for this young master's rooms—if it weren't for Xiren, where on earth would things have ended up by now!鳳丫頭就是楚霸王，也得這兩只膀子好舉千斤鼎。Even if that wretched girl Feng were the Hegemon-King of Chu himself, it would still take these two strong arms of hers to lift a thousand-catty cauldron.他不是這丫頭，就得這麼周到了！”平兒笑道：“先時陪了四個丫頭，死的死，去的去，只剩下我一個孤鬼了。”李紈道：“你倒是有造化的。If it weren't for this girl of his, how could things be so thoroughly attended to!" Ping'er said with a smile, "At first I had four maids assigned with me—some died, some left, and I'm the only lone ghost left." Li Wan said, "You, actually, are one of fortune.鳳丫頭也是有造化的。That wretched girl Feng is also one of fortune.想當初你珠大爺在日，何曾也沒兩個人。Think back to when your elder brother Zhu was alive—did he not also have two women with him?你們看我還是那容不下人的？Do you all still take me for someone who can't tolerate others?天天只見他兩個不自在。Day after day I only saw the two of them looking uneasy and unhappy.所以你珠大爺一沒了，趁年輕我都打發了。So once your elder brother Zhu passed away, while they were still young I sent them both off to be settled elsewhere.若有一個守得住，我倒有個膀臂。”說著滴下淚來。If even one of them had stayed on, I'd have had someone to lean on as a support." So saying, tears fell from her eyes.眾人都道：“又何必傷心，不如散了倒好。”說著便都洗了手，大家約往賈母王夫人處問安。Everyone said, "Why grieve yourself over it—better to break up the gathering." So saying, they all washed their hands, and agreed to go together to pay their respects to the Old Ancestress and Lady Wang.

平儿一面和宝钗湘云等吃喝，一面回头笑道：“奶奶，别只摸的我怪痒的。”李氏道：“嗳哟！这硬的是什么？”平儿道：“钥匙。”李氏道：“什么钥匙？要紧梯己东西怕人偷了去，却带在身上。我成日家和人说笑，有个唐僧取经，就有个白马来驮他，刘智远打天下，就有个瓜精来送盔甲，有个凤丫头，就有个你。你就是你奶奶的一把总钥匙，还要这钥匙作什么？”平儿笑道：“奶奶吃了酒，又拿了我来打趣著取笑儿了。”宝钗笑道：“这倒是真话。我们没事评论起人来，你们这几个都是百个里头挑不出一个来，妙在各人有各人的好处。”李纨道：“大小都有个天理。比如老太太屋里，要没那个鸳鸯如何使得。从太太起，那一个敢驳老太太的回，现在他敢驳回。偏老太太只听他一个人的话。老太太那些穿戴的，别人不记得，他都记得，要不是他经管著，不知叫人诓骗了多少去呢。那孩子心也公道，虽然这样，倒常替人说好话儿，还倒不依势欺人的。”惜春笑道：“老太太昨儿还说呢，他比我们还强呢。”平儿道：“那原是个好的，我们那里比的上他。”宝玉道：“太太屋里的彩霞，是个老实人。”探春道：“可不是，外头老实，心里有数儿。太太是那么佛爷似的，事情上不留心，他都知道。凡百一应事都是他提著太太行。连老爷在家出外去的一应大小事，他都知道。太太忘了，他背地里告诉太太。”李纨道：“那也罢了。”指著宝玉道：“这一个小爷屋里要不是袭人，你们度量到个什么田地！凤丫头就是楚霸王，也得这两只膀子好举千斤鼎。他不是这丫头，就得这么周到了！”平儿笑道：“先时陪了四个丫头，死的死，去的去，只剩下我一个孤鬼了。”李纨道：“你倒是有造化的。凤丫头也是有造化的。想当初你珠大爷在日，何曾也没两个人。你们看我还是那容不下人的？天天只见他两个不自在。所以你珠大爷一没了，趁年轻我都打发了。若有一个守得住，我倒有个膀臂。”说著滴下泪来。众人都道：“又何必伤心，不如散了倒好。”说著便都洗了手，大家约往贾母王夫人处问安。

眾婆子丫頭打掃亭子，收拾杯盤。The old nurses and maids swept the pavilion and cleared away the cups and plates.襲人和平兒同往前去，讓平兒到房里坐坐，再喝一杯茶。Xiren and Ping'er walked toward the front together, and Xiren invited Ping'er to sit a while in her room and have another cup of tea.平兒說：“不喝茶了，再來罷。”說著便要出去。Ping'er said, "I won't have tea now, I'll come another time." So saying, she was about to go out.襲人又叫住問道：“這個月的月錢，連老太太和太太還沒放呢，是為什麼？”平兒見問，忙轉身至襲人跟前，見方近無人，才悄悄說道：“你快別問，橫豎再遲幾天就放了。”襲人笑道：“這是為什麼，唬得你這樣？”平兒悄悄告訴他道：“這個月的月錢，我們奶奶早已支了，放給人使呢。Xiren called her back again and asked, "This month's allowance money—even the Old Ancestress's and Madam's haven't been paid out yet. Why is that?" Hearing this, Ping'er hurriedly turned back to Xiren, and seeing no one nearby, said quietly, "You'd best not ask—it'll all be paid out in a few more days regardless." Xiren said with a smile, "Why, what's this, that it frightens you so?" Ping'er told her quietly, "This month's allowance money, our mistress lent out long ago, to be used by others for a while.等別處的利錢收了來，湊齊了才放呢。Once the interest from other quarters has been collected and it all adds up, then it'll be paid out.因為是你，我才告訴你，你可不許告訴一個人去。”襲人道：“難道他還短錢使，還沒個足厭？It's only because it's you that I'm telling you—you mustn't tell a single soul." Xiren said, "Surely she isn't short of money to use, is she never satisfied?何苦還操這心。”平兒笑道：“何曾不是呢。Why does she bother troubling herself over this." Ping'er said with a smile, "Isn't that just it.這幾年拿著這一項銀子，翻出有幾百來了。These past few years, taking hold of this sum of money, it's grown into several hundred taels by now.他的公費月例又使不著，十兩八兩零碎攢了放出去，只他這梯己利錢，一年不到，上千的銀子呢。”襲人笑道：“拿著我們的錢，你們主子奴才賺利錢，哄的我們呆呆的等著。”平兒道：“你又說沒良心的話。Her official allowance and monthly stipend she doesn't even need to touch—she saves up ten or eight taels at a time in odd amounts and lends it out, and just from this private interest of hers alone, in less than a year it comes to well over a thousand taels." Xiren said with a smile, "Taking hold of our money, the two of you, mistress and servant, earn interest on it, and fool us into waiting about like simpletons." Ping'er said, "Now you're talking like someone with no conscience.你難道還少錢使？”襲人道：“我雖不少，只是我也沒地方使去，就只預備我們那一個。”平兒道：“你倘若有要緊的事用錢使時，我那里還有幾兩銀子，你先拿來使，明兒我扣下你的就是了。”襲人道：“此時也用不著，怕一時要用起來不夠了，我打發人去取就是了。”Are you really short of money to use?" Xiren said, "I'm not exactly short, it's just that I have nowhere to spend it anyway, except to provide for that one person of ours." Ping'er said, "If you should ever have some urgent matter that needs money, I still have a few taels of silver on hand—take it and use it first, and tomorrow I'll just deduct it from your share." Xiren said, "I don't need it right now. I'm afraid that if I need it suddenly it won't be enough—I'll just send someone to fetch it then."

众婆子丫头打扫亭子，收拾杯盘。袭人和平儿同往前去，让平儿到房里坐坐，再喝一杯茶。平儿说：“不喝茶了，再来罢。”说著便要出去。袭人又叫住问道：“这个月的月钱，连老太太和太太还没放呢，是为什么？”平儿见问，忙转身至袭人跟前，见方近无人，才悄悄说道：“你快别问，横竖再迟几天就放了。”袭人笑道：“这是为什么，唬得你这样？”平儿悄悄告诉他道：“这个月的月钱，我们奶奶早已支了，放给人使呢。等别处的利钱收了来，凑齐了才放呢。因为是你，我才告诉你，你可不许告诉一个人去。”袭人道：“难道他还短钱使，还没个足厌？何苦还操这心。”平儿笑道：“何曾不是呢。这几年拿著这一项银子，翻出有几百来了。他的公费月例又使不著，十两八两零碎攒了放出去，只他这梯己利钱，一年不到，上千的银子呢。”袭人笑道：“拿著我们的钱，你们主子奴才赚利钱，哄的我们呆呆的等著。”平儿道：“你又说没良心的话。你难道还少钱使？”袭人道：“我虽不少，只是我也没地方使去，就只预备我们那一个。”平儿道：“你倘若有要紧的事用钱使时，我那里还有几两银子，你先拿来使，明儿我扣下你的就是了。”袭人道：“此时也用不著，怕一时要用起来不够了，我打发人去取就是了。”

平兒答應著，一徑出了園門，來至家內，只見鳳姐兒不在房里。Ping'er assented, and went straight out through the garden gate, arriving home to find that Xifeng was not in her room.忽見上回來打抽丰的那劉姥姥和板兒又來了，坐在那邊屋里，還有張材家的周瑞家的陪著，又有兩三個丫頭在地下倒口袋里的棗子倭瓜并些野菜。She suddenly saw that Grannie Liu, who had come once before to seek assistance, had come again with Ban'er, and was sitting in the room over there, with Zhang Cai's wife and Zhou Rui's wife keeping her company, and two or three maids on the ground emptying sacks of jujubes, pumpkins, and various wild greens.眾人見他進來，都忙站起來了。When the others saw her come in, they all hastily stood up.劉姥姥因上次來過，知道平兒的身分，忙跳下地來問”姑娘好”，又說：“家里都問好。Since Grannie Liu had been here before and knew Ping'er's standing, she hurriedly hopped down and asked after her health, saying, "How are you, young lady," and added, "Everyone at home sends their regards.早要來請姑奶奶的安看姑娘來的，因為庄家忙。I meant to come pay my respects to the young mistress and see the young ladies long ago, but the farm work has kept me busy.好容易今年多打了兩石糧食，瓜果菜蔬也丰盛。Fortunately this year we harvested two extra piculs of grain, and the melons, fruits, and vegetables did well too.這是頭一起摘下來的，并沒敢賣呢，留的尖兒孝敬姑奶奶姑娘們嘗嘗。These are the very first ones picked, and I didn't dare sell them, but kept back the pick of the crop to offer to the young mistress and young ladies to taste.姑娘們天天山珍海味的也吃膩了，這個吃個野意兒，也算是我們的窮心。”平兒忙道：“多謝費心。”又讓坐，自己也坐了。You young ladies eat mountain delicacies and sea treasures every day and must be sick of them—here's something with a wild, homegrown taste to try, and it's really just a token of our humble regard." Ping'er hastily said, "Many thanks for your trouble." She also offered her a seat, and sat down herself.又讓張嬸子周大娘坐，命小丫头倒茶去，周瑞张材两家的因笑道：“姑娘今日脸上有些春色，眼圈兒都紅了。”平兒笑道：“可不是。She also invited Aunt Zhang and Aunt Zhou to sit, and told the little maid to bring tea. Zhou Rui's wife and Zhang Cai's wife said with a laugh, "You've got a bit of spring color on your face today, young lady, even your eyes are a little red." Ping'er said with a smile, "Isn't that the truth.我原是不吃的，大奶奶和姑娘們只是拉著死灌，不得已喝了兩盅，臉就紅了。”張材家的笑道：“我倒想著要吃呢，又沒人讓我。I really didn't want to drink, but the young mistress and the young ladies kept dragging me and pouring it down me relentlessly, and I had no choice but to drink two little cups, and my face went red." Zhang Cai's wife said with a smile, "Here I was thinking I'd like a taste too, but nobody invited me.明兒再有人請姑娘，可帶了我去罷。”說著大家都笑了。Next time someone invites you, young lady, please take me along." At this everyone laughed.周瑞家的道：“早起我就看見那螃蟹了，一斤只好秤兩個三個。Zhou Rui's wife said, "I saw those crabs first thing this morning—a catty only holds about two or three of them.這麼三大簍，想是有七八十斤呢。”周瑞家的道：“若是上上下下只怕還不夠。”平兒道：“那里夠，不過都是有名兒的吃兩個子。With three big baskets like that, there must be seventy or eighty catties." Zhou Rui's wife said, "If it's for everyone high and low, I'm afraid it still won't be enough." Ping'er said, "How could it be enough—it's only really meant for those of some standing to have two apiece.那些散眾的，也有摸得著的，也有摸不著的。”劉姥姥道：“這樣螃蟹，今年就值五分一斤。As for the rank and file, some will manage to get a taste and some won't." Grannie Liu said, "Crabs like these are worth about five fen a catty this year.十斤五錢，五五二兩五，三五一十五，再搭上酒菜，一共倒有二十多兩銀子。Ten catties comes to five qian, five times five is two-and-a-half taels, three times five is fifteen—and then adding on the wine and dishes, all together that must come to over twenty taels of silver.阿彌陀佛！Amitabha Buddha!這一頓的錢夠我們庄家人過一年了。”平兒因問：“想是見過奶奶了？”劉姥姥道：“見過了，叫我們等著呢。”說著又往窗外看天氣，說道：“天好早晚了，我們也去罷，別出不去城才是饑荒呢。”周瑞家的道：“這話倒是，我替你瞧瞧去。”說著一徑去了，半日方來，笑道：“可是你老的福來了，竟投了這兩個人的緣了。”平兒等問怎麼樣，周瑞家的笑道：“二奶奶在老太太的跟前呢。The money for a single meal like this would keep us country folk going for a whole year." Ping'er then asked, "I suppose you've already seen the mistress?" Grannie Liu said, "I've seen her, and she told us to wait a bit." So saying, she looked out the window at the sky again, and said, "It's getting quite late—we ought to be going too, or else not being able to get out of the city would be real trouble." Zhou Rui's wife said, "That's true enough, let me go and take a look for you." So saying, she went off at once, and only came back after quite a while, saying with a smile, "Your good fortune has really arrived, old lady—you've won the favor of these two." When Ping'er and the others asked what had happened, Zhou Rui's wife said with a smile, "Second Mistress is with the Old Ancestress right now.我原是悄悄的告訴二奶奶，‘劉姥姥要家去呢，怕晚了赶不出城去。’二奶奶說：‘大遠的，難為他扛了那些沉東西來，晚了就住一夜明兒再去。’這可不是投上二奶奶的緣了。I quietly told Second Mistress, 'Grannie Liu wants to go home, she's afraid it'll get late and she won't make it out of the city.' Second Mistress said, 'She's come such a long way, and it's a shame she lugged all those heavy things here—if it's late, let her just stay the night and go tomorrow.' Now isn't that winning Second Mistress's favor.這也罷了，偏生老太太又聽見了，問劉姥姥是誰。That would have been enough, but as luck would have it the Old Ancestress overheard, and asked who this Grannie Liu was.二奶奶便回明白了。Second Mistress explained it all clearly to her.老太太說：‘我正想個積古的老人家說話兒，請了來我見一見。’這可不是想不到天上緣分了。”說著，催劉姥姥下來前去。The Old Ancestress said, 'I've just been wanting an old, experienced person to talk with—bring her in, I'd like to meet her.' Now isn't that a stroke of fortune fallen from the sky, beyond anyone's expectation." So saying, she urged Grannie Liu to come along at once.劉姥姥道：“我這生像兒怎好見的。Grannie Liu said, "A sorry-looking creature like me, how could I possibly go see her.好嫂子，你就說我去了罷。”平兒忙道：“你快去罷，不相干的。Dear sister-in-law, just say I've already gone home." Ping'er said hastily, "Go on quickly, there's nothing to worry about.我們老太太最是惜老怜貧的，比不得那個狂三詐四的那些人。Our Old Ancestress is the most compassionate toward the old and the poor—she's nothing like those arrogant, deceitful sorts.想是你怯上，我和周大娘送你去。”說著，同周瑞家的引了劉姥姥往賈母這邊來。I imagine you're just nervous about meeting your betters—Aunt Zhou and I will go along and see you there." So saying, together with Zhou Rui's wife, she led Grannie Liu toward the Old Ancestress's quarters.

平儿答应著，一径出了园门，来至家内，只见凤姐儿不在房里。忽见上回来打抽丰的那刘姥姥和板儿又来了，坐在那边屋里，还有张材家的周瑞家的陪著，又有两三个丫头在地下倒口袋里的枣子倭瓜并些野菜。众人见他进来，都忙站起来了。刘姥姥因上次来过，知道平儿的身分，忙跳下地来问”姑娘好”，又说：“家里都问好。早要来请姑奶奶的安看姑娘来的，因为庄家忙。好容易今年多打了两石粮食，瓜果菜蔬也丰盛。这是头一起摘下来的，并没敢卖呢，留的尖儿孝敬姑奶奶姑娘们尝尝。姑娘们天天山珍海味的也吃腻了，这个吃个野意儿，也算是我们的穷心。”平儿忙道：“多谢费心。”又让坐，自己也坐了。又让张婶子周大娘坐，命小丫头倒茶去，周瑞张材两家的因笑道：“姑娘今日脸上有些春色，眼圈儿都红了。”平儿笑道：“可不是。我原是不吃的，大奶奶和姑娘们只是拉著死灌，不得已喝了两盅，脸就红了。”张材家的笑道：“我倒想著要吃呢，又没人让我。明儿再有人请姑娘，可带了我去罢。”说著大家都笑了。周瑞家的道：“早起我就看见那螃蟹了，一斤只好秤两个三个。这么三大篓，想是有七八十斤呢。”周瑞家的道：“若是上上下下只怕还不够。”平儿道：“那里够，不过都是有名儿的吃两个子。那些散众的，也有摸得著的，也有摸不著的。”刘姥姥道：“这样螃蟹，今年就值五分一斤。十斤五钱，五五二两五，三五一十五，再搭上酒菜，一共倒有二十多两银子。阿弥陀佛！这一顿的钱够我们庄家人过一年了。”平儿因问：“想是见过奶奶了？”刘姥姥道：“见过了，叫我们等著呢。”说著又往窗外看天气，说道：“天好早晚了，我们也去罢，别出不去城才是饥荒呢。”周瑞家的道：“这话倒是，我替你瞧瞧去。”说著一径去了，半日方来，笑道：“可是你老的福来了，竟投了这两个人的缘了。”平儿等问怎么样，周瑞家的笑道：“二奶奶在老太太的跟前呢。我原是悄悄的告诉二奶奶，‘刘姥姥要家去呢，怕晚了赶不出城去。’二奶奶说：‘大远的，难为他扛了那些沉东西来，晚了就住一夜明儿再去。’这可不是投上二奶奶的缘了。这也罢了，偏生老太太又听见了，问刘姥姥是谁。二奶奶便回明白了。老太太说：‘我正想个积古的老人家说话儿，请了来我见一见。’这可不是想不到天上缘分了。”说著，催刘姥姥下来前去。刘姥姥道：“我这生像儿怎好见的。好嫂子，你就说我去了罢。”平儿忙道：“你快去罢，不相干的。我们老太太最是惜老怜贫的，比不得那个狂三诈四的那些人。想是你怯上，我和周大娘送你去。”说著，同周瑞家的引了刘姥姥往贾母这边来。

二門口該班的小廝們見了平兒出來，都站起來了，又有兩個跑上來，赶著平兒叫“姑娘”。The young pages on duty at the second gate saw Ping'er coming out and all stood up, and two of them even ran up to her, calling her "young lady" eagerly.平兒問：“又說什麼？”那小廝笑道：“這會子也好早晚了，我媽病了，等著我去請大夫。Ping'er asked, "What is it now?" One of the pages said with a smile, "It's gotten rather late now—my mother is ill, and I need to go fetch the doctor for her.好姑娘，我討半日假可使的？”平兒道：“你們倒好，都商議定了，一天一個告假，又不回奶奶，只和我胡纏。Dear young lady, could I beg half a day's leave?" Ping'er said, "You lot are a fine bunch—you've all agreed among yourselves to take turns asking for leave, one a day, and instead of reporting to the mistress you just come pestering me.前兒住兒去了，二爺偏生叫他，叫不著，我應起來了，還說我作了情。The other day it was Zhu'er who left, and as it happened the Second Master wanted him and couldn't find him, so I had to answer for it, and even got blamed for having done him a favor.你今兒又來了。”周瑞家的道：“當真的他媽病了，姑娘也替他應著，放了他罷。”平兒道：“明兒一早來。And now here you are again today." Zhou Rui's wife said, "His mother really is ill—young lady, do answer for him and let him go." Ping'er said, "Be here first thing tomorrow morning.聽著，我還要使你呢，再睡的日頭晒著屁股再來！Listen here, I still need to use you—don't you dare come only after the sun's baked your backside awake!你這一去，帶個信兒給旺兒，就說奶奶的話，問著他那剩的利錢。On your way out, take word to Wang'er, and tell him, in the mistress's own words, to ask him about the interest still owed.明兒若不交了來，奶奶也不要了，就越性送他使罷。”那小廝歡天喜地答應去了。If it isn't turned in by tomorrow, the mistress won't want it at all anymore—she'll just let him keep it for good." The page went off overjoyed, promising to obey.

二门口该班的小厮们见了平儿出来，都站起来了，又有两个跑上来，赶著平儿叫“姑娘”。平儿问：“又说什么？”那小厮笑道：“这会子也好早晚了，我妈病了，等著我去请大夫。好姑娘，我讨半日假可使的？”平儿道：“你们倒好，都商议定了，一天一个告假，又不回奶奶，只和我胡缠。前儿住儿去了，二爷偏生叫他，叫不著，我应起来了，还说我作了情。你今儿又来了。”周瑞家的道：“当真的他妈病了，姑娘也替他应著，放了他罢。”平儿道：“明儿一早来。听著，我还要使你呢，再睡的日头晒著屁股再来！你这一去，带个信儿给旺儿，就说奶奶的话，问著他那剩的利钱。明儿若不交了来，奶奶也不要了，就越性送他使罢。”那小厮欢天喜地答应去了。

平兒等來至賈母房中，彼時大觀園中姊妹們都在賈母前承奉。Ping'er and the others then arrived at the Old Ancestress's quarters, where at that time the young ladies of the Grand View Garden were all in attendance before the Old Ancestress.劉姥姥進去，只見滿屋里珠圍翠繞，花枝招展，并不知都系何人。When Grannie Liu went in, she saw the whole room decked out in pearls and kingfisher-feather ornaments, resplendent as a spray of blossoms, and had no idea who any of them were.只見一張榻上歪著一位老婆婆，身後坐著一個紗羅裹的美人一般的一個丫鬟在那里捶腿，鳳姐兒站著正說笑。She saw an old lady reclining on a couch, with behind her a maid, pretty as a beauty wrapped in gauze silk, kneading her legs, while Xifeng stood by talking and laughing.劉姥姥便知是賈母了，忙上來陪著笑，福了幾福，口里說：“請老壽星安。”賈母亦欠身問好，又命周瑞家的端過椅子來坐著。Grannie Liu at once knew this must be the Old Ancestress, and hurried forward with a smiling face, bowing several times, saying, "I pay my respects to the venerable old immortal." The Old Ancestress also half-rose and asked after her, and had Zhou Rui's wife bring over a chair for her to sit.那板兒仍是怯人，不知問候。Ban'er was still shy of strangers, and did not know to pay his respects.賈母道：“老親家，你今年多大年紀了？”劉姥姥忙立身答道：“我今年七十五了。”賈母向眾人道：“這麼大年紀了，還這麼健朗。The Old Ancestress said, "Old kinswoman, how old are you this year?" Grannie Liu rose hastily and answered, "I'm seventy-five this year." The Old Ancestress said to the others, "At such an age, and still so hale and hearty.比我大好幾歲呢。Why, she's several years older than I am.我要到這麼大年紀，還不知怎麼動不得呢。”劉姥姥笑道：“我們生來是受苦的人，老太太生來是享福的。When I reach such an age, who knows how helpless I'll be by then." Grannie Liu said with a smile, "We're born to a life of hardship, while the Old Ancestress was born to enjoy blessings.若我們也這樣，那些庄家活也沒人作了。”賈母道：“眼睛牙齒都還好？”劉姥姥道：“都還好，就是今年左邊的槽牙活動了。”賈母道：“我老了，都不中用了，眼也花，耳也聾，記性也沒了。If we were like that too, then who would there be left to do the farm work." The Old Ancestress said, "Are your eyes and teeth still good?" Grannie Liu said, "Still good, it's only that this year one of the back molars on the left has come loose." The Old Ancestress said, "As for me, I'm old, and no use for anything anymore—my eyes are dim, my ears are deaf, and my memory is gone too.你們這些老親戚，我都不記得了。You old relatives of mine, I can't even remember who's who anymore.親戚們來了，我怕人笑我，我都不會，不過嚼的動的吃兩口，睡一覺，悶了時和這些孫子孫女兒頑笑一回就完了。”劉姥姥笑道：“這正是老太太的福了。When relatives come, I'm afraid people will laugh at me, so I don't even receive them anymore—I just chew what I can manage to eat a couple of mouthfuls, sleep a while, and when I'm bored I while away the time playing with these grandsons and granddaughters of mine, and that's the whole of it." Grannie Liu said with a smile, "Why, that's exactly the Old Ancestress's good fortune.我們想這麼著也不能。”賈母道：“什麼福，不過是個老廢物罷了。”說的大家都笑了。Even if we wanted to live like that, we couldn't." The Old Ancestress said, "What fortune—I'm nothing but an old useless thing." This made everyone laugh.賈母又笑道：“我才聽見鳳哥兒說，你帶了好些瓜菜來，叫他快收拾去了，我正想個地里現擷的瓜兒菜兒吃。The Old Ancestress went on with a smile, "I just heard Brother Feng's wife say you brought a good deal of melons and vegetables—I told her to hurry and put them away, for I've just been wanting some freshly picked melons and greens straight from the fields to eat.外頭買的，不象你們田地里的好吃。”劉姥姥笑道：“這是野意兒，不過吃個新鮮。The ones bought outside don't taste as good as the ones from your own fields." Grannie Liu said with a smile, "These are just wild, homely things, good only for a taste of freshness.依我們想魚肉吃，只是吃不起。”賈母又道：“今兒既認著了親，別空空兒的就去。As for us, we'd like to eat fish and meat too, only we can't afford it." The Old Ancestress said further, "Now that we've recognized each other as kin today, you mustn't go away empty-handed.不嫌我這里，就住一兩天再去。If you don't mind staying here, stay a day or two before you go.我們也有個園子，園子里頭也有果子，你明日也嘗嘗，帶些家去，你也算看親戚一趟。”鳳姐兒見賈母喜歡，也忙留道：“我們這里雖不比你們的場院大，空屋子還有兩間。We too have a garden, and there's fruit in the garden as well—you can taste some tomorrow, and take some home with you, so that this trip of yours can count as a proper visit to kinfolk." Seeing that the Old Ancestress was pleased, Xifeng hastily added, urging her to stay as well, "Though our place here can't compare to the size of your threshing grounds, we still have a couple of spare rooms.你住兩天罷，把你們那里的新聞故事兒說些與我們老太太聽聽。”賈母笑道：“鳳丫頭別拿他取笑兒。Stay a couple of days, and tell us some of the news and stories from out your way for our Old Ancestress to hear." The Old Ancestress said with a smile, "Wretched girl Feng, don't you go making fun of her.他是鄉屯里的人，老實，那里擱的住你打趣他。”說著，又命人去先抓果子與板兒吃。She's a plain country person, honest by nature—how could she stand up to your teasing." So saying, she also had someone go first to fetch some fruit for Ban'er to eat.板兒見人多了，又不敢吃。Seeing so many people around, Ban'er did not dare to eat.賈母又命拿些錢給他，叫小么兒們帶他外頭頑去。The Old Ancestress also had some money given to him, and told the young houseboys to take him outside to play.劉姥姥吃了茶，便把些鄉村中所見所聞的事情說與賈母，賈母益發得了趣味。After drinking her tea, Grannie Liu began telling the Old Ancestress various things she had seen and heard in the countryside, and the Old Ancestress grew all the more delighted with it.正說著，鳳姐兒便令人來請劉姥姥吃晚飯。Just as she was talking, Xifeng sent someone to invite Grannie Liu to come eat supper.賈母又將自己的菜揀了幾樣，命人送過去與劉姥姥吃。The Old Ancestress also picked out several dishes from her own table and had them sent over for Grannie Liu to eat.

平儿等来至贾母房中，彼时大观园中姊妹们都在贾母前承奉。刘姥姥进去，只见满屋里珠围翠绕，花枝招展，并不知都系何人。只见一张榻上歪著一位老婆婆，身后坐著一个纱罗裹的美人一般的一个丫鬟在那里捶腿，凤姐儿站著正说笑。刘姥姥便知是贾母了，忙上来陪著笑，福了几福，口里说：“请老寿星安。”贾母亦欠身问好，又命周瑞家的端过椅子来坐著。那板儿仍是怯人，不知问候。贾母道：“老亲家，你今年多大年纪了？”刘姥姥忙立身答道：“我今年七十五了。”贾母向众人道：“这么大年纪了，还这么健朗。比我大好几岁呢。我要到这么大年纪，还不知怎么动不得呢。”刘姥姥笑道：“我们生来是受苦的人，老太太生来是享福的。若我们也这样，那些庄家活也没人作了。”贾母道：“眼睛牙齿都还好？”刘姥姥道：“都还好，就是今年左边的槽牙活动了。”贾母道：“我老了，都不中用了，眼也花，耳也聋，记性也没了。你们这些老亲戚，我都不记得了。亲戚们来了，我怕人笑我，我都不会，不过嚼的动的吃两口，睡一觉，闷了时和这些孙子孙女儿顽笑一回就完了。”刘姥姥笑道：“这正是老太太的福了。我们想这么著也不能。”贾母道：“什么福，不过是个老废物罢了。”说的大家都笑了。贾母又笑道：“我才听见凤哥儿说，你带了好些瓜菜来，叫他快收拾去了，我正想个地里现撷的瓜儿菜儿吃。外头买的，不象你们田地里的好吃。”刘姥姥笑道：“这是野意儿，不过吃个新鲜。依我们想鱼肉吃，只是吃不起。”贾母又道：“今儿既认著了亲，别空空儿的就去。不嫌我这里，就住一两天再去。我们也有个园子，园子里头也有果子，你明日也尝尝，带些家去，你也算看亲戚一趟。”凤姐儿见贾母喜欢，也忙留道：“我们这里虽不比你们的场院大，空屋子还有两间。你住两天罢，把你们那里的新闻故事儿说些与我们老太太听听。”贾母笑道：“凤丫头别拿他取笑儿。他是乡屯里的人，老实，那里搁的住你打趣他。”说著，又命人去先抓果子与板儿吃。板儿见人多了，又不敢吃。贾母又命拿些钱给他，叫小么儿们带他外头顽去。刘姥姥吃了茶，便把些乡村中所见所闻的事情说与贾母，贾母益发得了趣味。正说著，凤姐儿便令人来请刘姥姥吃晚饭。贾母又将自己的菜拣了几样，命人送过去与刘姥姥吃。

鳳姐知道合了賈母的心，吃了飯便又打發過來。Knowing this had pleased the Old Ancestress greatly, Xifeng, once the meal was done, sent Grannie Liu back over again.鴛鴦忙令老婆子帶了劉姥姥去洗了澡，自己挑了兩件隨常的衣服令給劉姥姥換上。Yuanyang hurriedly had an old woman take Grannie Liu off to bathe, and herself picked out two ordinary everyday garments and had Grannie Liu change into them.那劉姥姥那里見過這般行事，忙換了衣裳出來，坐在賈母榻前，又搜尋些話出來說。Grannie Liu, who had never in her life witnessed such doings, hastily changed her clothes and came out, sat down before the Old Ancestress's couch, and cast about for more things to say.彼時寶玉姊妹們也都在這里坐著，他們何曾聽見過這些話，自覺比那些瞽目先生說的書還好聽。At that time Baoyu and his cousins were all sitting there too, and never having heard such talk before, they found it, to their own surprise, even more engaging than the storytelling of blind ballad-singers.那劉姥姥雖是個村野人，卻生來的有些見識，況且年紀老了，世情上經歷過的，見頭一個賈母高興，第二見這些哥兒姐兒們都愛聽，便沒了說的也編出些話來講。Though Grannie Liu was but a rustic countrywoman, she was by nature possessed of some wit, and moreover, being old in years, had experienced a good deal of the ways of the world—seeing that the Old Ancestress was delighted, and seeing too that these young masters and misses all loved listening, even when she had run out of things to say she made up more to tell.因說道：“我們村庄上种地种菜，每年每日，春夏秋冬，風里雨里，那有個坐著的空兒，天天都是在那地頭子上作歇馬涼亭，什麼奇奇怪怪的事不見呢。So she said, "In our village, planting crops and tending vegetables, year in and year out, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, out in the wind and rain, when would there ever be a moment to sit idle—every day is spent right out there at the field's edge as if it were some pleasure pavilion, and what strange and curious things haven't we seen there.就象去年冬天，接連下了幾天雪，地下壓了三四尺深。Just take last winter, for instance—it snowed for several days running, and the ground was buried three or four feet deep.我那日起的早，還沒出房門，只聽外頭柴草響。I got up early that day, and before I'd even stepped out the door, I heard the sound of firewood rustling outside.我想著必定是有人偷柴草來了。I thought to myself, this must surely be someone come to steal firewood.我爬著窗戶眼兒一瞧，卻不是我們村庄上的人。”賈母道：“必定是過路的客人們冷了，見現成的柴，抽些烤火去也是有的。”劉姥姥笑道：“也并不是客人，所以說來奇怪。I crept up and peeped through a crack in the window, and it turned out not to be anyone from our own village." The Old Ancestress said, "It must have been some traveler passing through who got cold, and seeing firewood ready at hand, pulled some out to warm himself—that happens too." Grannie Liu said with a smile, "It wasn't a traveler either, which is exactly why it's so strange.老壽星當個什麼人？Who do you suppose it was, venerable old immortal?原來是一個十七八歲的极標致的一個小姑娘，梳著溜油光的頭，穿著大紅襖兒，白綾裙子……”剛說到這里，忽聽外面人吵嚷起來，又說：“不相干的，別唬著老太太。”賈母等聽了，忙問怎麼了，丫鬟回說”南院馬棚里走了水，不相干，已經救下去了。”賈母最膽小的，聽了這個話，忙起身扶了人出至廊上來瞧，只見東南上火光猶亮。It turned out to be a girl of seventeen or eighteen, extremely lovely, her hair combed sleek and glossy with oil, wearing a bright red jacket and a white silk skirt..." She had just gotten this far when suddenly a clamor of voices rose outside, saying, "It's nothing serious, don't frighten the Old Ancestress." Hearing this, the Old Ancestress and the rest hurriedly asked what had happened, and a maid reported back, "A fire broke out in the horse stable in the south courtyard, it's nothing serious, it's already been put out." The Old Ancestress, who was the most timid of all, on hearing this hastily rose and, leaning on someone, went out to the veranda to look, and saw that to the southeast the glow of the fire was still bright.賈母唬的口內念佛，忙命人去火神跟前燒香。The Old Ancestress, frightened, kept murmuring prayers to Buddha, and hastily had someone go burn incense before the Fire God.王夫人等也忙都過來請安，又回說：“已經下去了，老太太請進房去罷。”賈母足的看著火光息了方領眾人進來。Lady Wang and the others also hurried over to pay their respects, and reported, "It's already been put out, Old Ancestress, please go back inside." The Old Ancestress kept watching until the glow of the fire had died down before leading everyone back in.寶玉且忙著問劉姥姥：“那女孩兒大雪地作什麼抽柴草？Baoyu, meanwhile, hastened to ask Grannie Liu, "Why would that girl be out pulling firewood in such deep snow?倘或凍出病來呢？”賈母道：“都是才說抽柴草惹出火來了，你還問呢。What if she caught a chill and fell ill?" The Old Ancestress said, "It was that talk of pulling firewood that brought on this fire just now, and here you are still asking about it.別說這個了，再說別的罷。”寶玉聽說，心內雖不樂，也只得罷了。Never mind that, let's talk of something else." Hearing this, Baoyu, though unhappy at heart, had no choice but to let it drop.劉姥姥便又想了一篇，說道：“我們庄子東邊庄上，有個老奶奶子，今年九十多歲了。Grannie Liu then thought of another tale, and said, "In the village to the east of ours, there was an old grandmother, over ninety years old this year.他天天吃齋念佛，誰知就感動了觀音菩薩夜里來托夢說：‘你這樣虔心，原來你該絕後的，如今奏了玉皇，給你個孫子。’原來這老奶奶只有一個兒子，這兒子也只一個兒子，好容易養到十七八歲上死了，哭的什麼似的。Every day she recited scriptures and burned incense, and who would have thought it actually moved the Bodhisattva Guanyin, who came to her in a dream that very night and said, 'For such devout piety, you were fated to have no descendants at all — but now I have petitioned the Jade Emperor, and he grants you a grandson.' It turned out this old woman had only one son, and that son too had only one son, and after they had barely managed to raise him to seventeen or eighteen, he died, and they wept as though their hearts would break.後果然又養了一個，今年才十三四歲，生的雪團兒一般，聰明伶俐非常。Afterward she really did give birth to another, who is only thirteen or fourteen this year, round and white as a snowball, and exceptionally clever and quick-witted.可見這些神佛是有的。”這一夕話，實合了賈母王夫人的心事，連王夫人也都聽住了。So you see, these gods and buddhas really do exist." This little speech happened to touch exactly on what was on Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's minds, so that even Lady Wang sat there listening, entranced.

凤姐知道合了贾母的心，吃了饭便又打发过来。鸳鸯忙令老婆子带了刘姥姥去洗了澡，自己挑了两件随常的衣服令给刘姥姥换上。那刘姥姥那里见过这般行事，忙换了衣裳出来，坐在贾母榻前，又搜寻些话出来说。彼时宝玉姊妹们也都在这里坐著，他们何曾听见过这些话，自觉比那些瞽目先生说的书还好听。那刘姥姥虽是个村野人，却生来的有些见识，况且年纪老了，世情上经历过的，见头一个贾母高兴，第二见这些哥儿姐儿们都爱听，便没了说的也编出些话来讲。因说道：“我们村庄上种地种菜，每年每日，春夏秋冬，风里雨里，那有个坐著的空儿，天天都是在那地头子上作歇马凉亭，什么奇奇怪怪的事不见呢。就象去年冬天，接连下了几天雪，地下压了三四尺深。我那日起的早，还没出房门，只听外头柴草响。我想著必定是有人偷柴草来了。我爬著窗户眼儿一瞧，却不是我们村庄上的人。”贾母道：“必定是过路的客人们冷了，见现成的柴，抽些烤火去也是有的。”刘姥姥笑道：“也并不是客人，所以说来奇怪。老寿星当个什么人？原来是一个十七八岁的极标致的一个小姑娘，梳著溜油光的头，穿著大红袄儿，白绫裙子……”刚说到这里，忽听外面人吵嚷起来，又说：“不相干的，别唬著老太太。”贾母等听了，忙问怎么了，丫鬟回说”南院马棚里走了水，不相干，已经救下去了。”贾母最胆小的，听了这个话，忙起身扶了人出至廊上来瞧，只见东南上火光犹亮。贾母唬的口内念佛，忙命人去火神跟前烧香。王夫人等也忙都过来请安，又回说：“已经下去了，老太太请进房去罢。”贾母足的看著火光息了方领众人进来。宝玉且忙著问刘姥姥：“那女孩儿大雪地作什么抽柴草？倘或冻出病来呢？”贾母道：“都是才说抽柴草惹出火来了，你还问呢。别说这个了，再说别的罢。”宝玉听说，心内虽不乐，也只得罢了。刘姥姥便又想了一篇，说道：“我们庄子东边庄上，有个老奶奶子，今年九十多岁了。他天天吃斋念佛，谁知就感动了观音菩萨夜里来托梦说：‘你这样虔心，原来你该绝后的，如今奏了玉皇，给你个孙子。’原来这老奶奶只有一个儿子，这儿子也只一个儿子，好容易养到十七八岁上死了，哭的什么似的。后果然又养了一个，今年才十三四岁，生的雪团儿一般，聪明伶俐非常。可见这些神佛是有的。”这一夕话，实合了贾母王夫人的心事，连王夫人也都听住了。

寶玉心中只記挂著抽柴的故事，因悶悶的心中籌畫。Baoyu, for his part, could think of nothing but the story of the girl gathering firewood, and sat brooding over it, turning it over in his mind.探春因問他“昨日扰了史大妹妹，咱們回去商議著邀一社，又還了席，也請老太太賞菊花，何如？”寶玉笑道：“老太太說了，還要擺酒還史妹妹的席，叫咱們作陪呢。Tanchun then asked him, "Yesterday we troubled Cousin Shi — shall we go back and discuss forming a poetry club, to return her hospitality, and also invite Grandmother to come admire the chrysanthemums? What do you think?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Grandmother has already said she wants to give a banquet to return Cousin Shi's treat, and have us all attend as her guests.等著吃了老太太的，咱們再請不遲。”探春道：“越往前去越冷了，老太太未必高興。”寶玉道：“老太太又喜歡下雨下雪的。Let's wait until we've eaten Grandmother's treat, then it won't be too late for us to invite people ourselves." Tanchun said, "The further along we go, the colder it gets — Grandmother may not feel like it." Baoyu said, "But Grandmother loves it when it rains or snows.不如咱們等下頭場雪，請老太太賞雪豈不好？Wouldn't it be better if we waited for the first snowfall, and invited Grandmother to come admire the snow?咱們雪下吟詩，也更有趣了。”林黛玉忙笑道：“咱們雪下吟詩？We could compose poems in the snow — that would be even more delightful." Lin Daiyu quickly said with a laugh, "Compose poems in the snow?依我說，還不如弄一捆柴火，雪下抽柴，還更有趣兒呢。”說著，寶釵等都笑了。If you ask me, it would be even more fun to get a bundle of firewood and go gather kindling in the snow." As she spoke, Baochai and the others all laughed.寶玉瞅了他一眼，也不答話。Baoyu shot her a glance, but did not answer.

宝玉心中只记挂著抽柴的故事，因闷闷的心中筹画。探春因问他“昨日扰了史大妹妹，咱们回去商议著邀一社，又还了席，也请老太太赏菊花，何如？”宝玉笑道：“老太太说了，还要摆酒还史妹妹的席，叫咱们作陪呢。等著吃了老太太的，咱们再请不迟。”探春道：“越往前去越冷了，老太太未必高兴。”宝玉道：“老太太又喜欢下雨下雪的。不如咱们等下头场雪，请老太太赏雪岂不好？咱们雪下吟诗，也更有趣了。”林黛玉忙笑道：“咱们雪下吟诗？依我说，还不如弄一捆柴火，雪下抽柴，还更有趣儿呢。”说著，宝钗等都笑了。宝玉瞅了他一眼，也不答话。

一時散了，背地里寶玉足的拉了劉姥姥，細問那女孩兒是誰。After a while everyone dispersed, and privately Baoyu went and pulled hard at Grandmother Liu, questioning her closely about who that girl was.劉姥姥只得編了告訴他道：“那原是我們庄北沿地埂子上有一個小祠堂里供的，不是神佛，當先有個什麼老爺。”說著又想名姓。Grandmother Liu had no choice but to make something up and tell him, "That was originally enshrined in a little shrine on the bank of the field ridge north of our village — it's not a god or buddha, but long ago there was some old gentleman —" and as she spoke she tried to think of the name.寶玉道：“不拘什麼名姓，你不必想了，只說原故就是了。”劉姥姥道：“這老爺沒有兒子，只有一位小姐，名叫茗玉。Baoyu said, "Never mind what the name was, you needn't rack your brains over it — just tell me the story." Grandmother Liu said, "This old gentleman had no son, only one young lady, named Mingyu.小姐知書識字，老爺太太愛如珍寶。The young lady knew her letters and could read, and her father and mother cherished her like a treasure.可惜這茗玉小姐生到十七歲，一病死了。”寶玉聽了，跌足歎惜，又問後來怎麼樣。But sadly this Miss Mingyu fell ill and died at seventeen." When Baoyu heard this, he stamped his foot and sighed in sorrow, and asked what happened afterward.劉姥姥道：“因為老爺太太思念不盡，便蓋了這祠堂，塑了這茗玉小姐的像，派了人燒香撥火。Grandmother Liu said, "Because her father and mother could not stop grieving for her, they built this shrine, made a statue of Miss Mingyu, and assigned someone to burn incense and tend the fire for her.如今日久年深的，人也沒了，廟也爛了，那個像就成了精。”寶玉忙道：“不是成精，規矩這樣人是雖死不死的。”劉姥姥道：“阿彌陀佛！Now, after so many years have passed, the people are gone and the temple has fallen into ruin, and that statue has become a spirit." Baoyu said quickly, "It's not that she 'became a spirit' — by rights, a person like this, though dead, is not truly dead." Grandmother Liu said, "Amitabha Buddha!原來如此。So that's how it is.不是哥兒說，我們都當他成精。If you hadn't said so, young master, we would all have taken her for some kind of spirit.他時常變了人出來各村庄店道上閒逛。She often transforms into a person and wanders idly about the various villages and roadside shops.我才說這抽柴火的就是他了。I was just saying that the one gathering firewood was her.我們村庄上的人還商議著要打了這塑像平了廟呢。”寶玉忙道：“快別如此。The people in our village have even been discussing smashing that statue and leveling the temple." Baoyu said hastily, "Don't do any such thing, quickly.若平了廟，罪過不小。”劉姥姥道：“幸虧哥兒告訴我，我明兒回去告訴他們就是了。”寶玉道：“我們老太太，太太都是善人，合家大小也都好善喜舍，最愛修廟塑神的。If the temple is leveled, that would be no small sin." Grandmother Liu said, "Lucky that you told me, young master — tomorrow when I go back I'll tell them so." Baoyu said, "Our Old Ancestress and my mother are both kind, charitable people, and the whole family, young and old, all love doing good works and giving alms, and are especially fond of repairing temples and making statues of the gods.我明兒做一個疏頭，替你化些布施，你就做香頭，攢了錢把這廟修蓋，再裝潢了泥像，每月給你香火錢燒香豈不好？”劉姥姥道：“若這樣，我托那小姐的福，也有幾個錢使了。”寶玉又問他地名庄名，來往遠近，坐落何方。Tomorrow I'll draw up a subscription notice and raise some donations for you — you can be the incense-keeper, gather the money, have the temple repaired and rebuilt, and have the clay statue repainted besides. Wouldn't it be good if I gave you incense money every month to burn incense there?" Grandmother Liu said, "If it's like that, then thanks to that young lady's blessing, I'll have a bit of money to spend too." Baoyu then asked her the name of the place and village, how far it was, and which direction it lay in.劉姥姥便順口胡謅了出來。Grandmother Liu simply made something up on the spot and told him.

一时散了，背地里宝玉足的拉了刘姥姥，细问那女孩儿是谁。刘姥姥只得编了告诉他道：“那原是我们庄北沿地埂子上有一个小祠堂里供的，不是神佛，当先有个什么老爷。”说著又想名姓。宝玉道：“不拘什么名姓，你不必想了，只说原故就是了。”刘姥姥道：“这老爷没有儿子，只有一位小姐，名叫茗玉。小姐知书识字，老爷太太爱如珍宝。可惜这茗玉小姐生到十七岁，一病死了。”宝玉听了，跌足叹惜，又问后来怎么样。刘姥姥道：“因为老爷太太思念不尽，便盖了这祠堂，塑了这茗玉小姐的像，派了人烧香拨火。如今日久年深的，人也没了，庙也烂了，那个像就成了精。”宝玉忙道：“不是成精，规矩这样人是虽死不死的。”刘姥姥道：“阿弥陀佛！原来如此。不是哥儿说，我们都当他成精。他时常变了人出来各村庄店道上闲逛。我才说这抽柴火的就是他了。我们村庄上的人还商议著要打了这塑像平了庙呢。”宝玉忙道：“快别如此。若平了庙，罪过不小。”刘姥姥道：“幸亏哥儿告诉我，我明儿回去告诉他们就是了。”宝玉道：“我们老太太，太太都是善人，合家大小也都好善喜舍，最爱修庙塑神的。我明儿做一个疏头，替你化些布施，你就做香头，攒了钱把这庙修盖，再装潢了泥像，每月给你香火钱烧香岂不好？”刘姥姥道：“若这样，我托那小姐的福，也有几个钱使了。”宝玉又问他地名庄名，来往远近，坐落何方。刘姥姥便顺口胡诌了出来。

寶玉信以為真，回至房中，盤算了一夜。Baoyu believed it as true, and back in his room he turned it over in his mind the whole night.次日一早，便出來給了茗煙幾百錢，按著劉姥姥說的方向地名，著茗煙去先踏看明白，回來再做主意。The next morning, first thing, he went out and gave Mingyan several hundred cash, and, following the directions and place-name Grandmother Liu had given, sent him ahead to scout it out and make sure of it, so he could decide what to do once he came back.那茗煙去後，寶玉左等也不來，右等也不來，急的熱鍋上的螞蟻一般。After Mingyan left, Baoyu waited and waited, this way and that, and he did not come back, until Baoyu was as anxious as an ant on a hot skillet.好容易等到日落，方見茗煙興興頭頭的回來。At last, with great difficulty, he waited until sunset, when Mingyan finally came back, brimming with excitement.寶玉忙道：“可有廟了？”茗煙笑道：“爺聽的不明白，叫我好找。Baoyu asked hastily, "Is there really a temple?" Mingyan said with a laugh, "You didn't hear it clearly, young master, and made me search hard for it.那地名座落不似爺說的一樣，所以找了一日，找到東北上田埂子上才有一個破廟。”寶玉聽說，喜的眉開眼笑，忙說道：“劉姥姥有年紀的人，一時錯記了也是有的。The place-name and location weren't at all like what you said, so I searched for a whole day, and only up on a field ridge to the northeast did I finally find a broken-down temple." When Baoyu heard this, he was so delighted his eyebrows lifted and his eyes lit up with smiles, and he said quickly, "Grandmother Liu is an old woman, it's only natural she'd misremember a detail or two.你且說你見的。”茗煙道：“那廟門卻倒是朝南開，也是稀破的。Just tell me what you saw." Mingyan said, "That temple gate did indeed face south, and was likewise in a state of utter disrepair.我找的正沒好氣，一見這個，我說‘可好了’，連忙進去。I was already in a foul mood from searching so long, and the moment I saw it I said 'At last!' and hurried inside.一看泥胎，唬的我跑出來了，活似真的一般。”寶玉喜的笑道：“他能變化人了，自然有些生氣。”茗煙拍手道：“那里有什麼女孩兒，竟是一位青臉紅發的瘟神爺。”寶玉聽了，啐了一口，罵道：“真是一個無用的殺才！But when I took one look at the clay image, it gave me such a fright that I ran straight back out — it looked exactly like a living person." Baoyu said, delighted, with a laugh, "She's able to transform into a person, so naturally she has something of a living presence." Mingyan clapped his hands and said, "There was no girl there at all — it was actually a green-faced, red-haired plague god!" When Baoyu heard this, he spat and cursed, "What a truly useless blockhead!這點子事也幹不來。”茗煙道：“二爺又不知看了什麼書，或者聽了誰的混話，信真了，把這件沒頭腦的事派我去碰頭，怎麼說我沒用呢？”寶玉見他急了，忙撫慰他道：“你別急。You can't even manage a little thing like this." Mingyan said, "Who knows what book you were reading, young master, or whose nonsense you listened to, that you took it for real and sent me off to run headlong into this half-baked business — how is it my fault for being useless?" Seeing that he was getting worked up, Baoyu hastily soothed him, saying, "Don't be upset.改日閒了你再找去。Some other day when you're free you can go look again.若是他哄我們呢，自然沒了，若真是有的，你豈不也積了陰騭。If it turns out he was fooling us, then naturally there's nothing more to it, but if it's really true, then wouldn't you too have accumulated some hidden merit?我必重重的賞你。”正說著，只見二門上的小廝來說：“老太太房里的姑娘們站在二門口找二爺呢。”要知端祥，下回分解。I'll be sure to reward you generously." Just as he was speaking, a houseboy from the second gate came to say, "The young ladies from the Old Ancestress's rooms are standing at the second gate looking for you, Second Master." To know what this portends, the next chapter will explain.

宝玉信以为真，回至房中，盘算了一夜。次日一早，便出来给了茗烟几百钱，按著刘姥姥说的方向地名，著茗烟去先踏看明白，回来再做主意。那茗烟去后，宝玉左等也不来，右等也不来，急的热锅上的蚂蚁一般。好容易等到日落，方见茗烟兴兴头头的回来。宝玉忙道：“可有庙了？”茗烟笑道：“爷听的不明白，叫我好找。那地名座落不似爷说的一样，所以找了一日，找到东北上田埂子上才有一个破庙。”宝玉听说，喜的眉开眼笑，忙说道：“刘姥姥有年纪的人，一时错记了也是有的。你且说你见的。”茗烟道：“那庙门却倒是朝南开，也是稀破的。我找的正没好气，一见这个，我说‘可好了’，连忙进去。一看泥胎，唬的我跑出来了，活似真的一般。”宝玉喜的笑道：“他能变化人了，自然有些生气。”茗烟拍手道：“那里有什么女孩儿，竟是一位青脸红发的瘟神爷。”宝玉听了，啐了一口，骂道：“真是一个无用的杀才！这点子事也干不来。”茗烟道：“二爷又不知看了什么书，或者听了谁的混话，信真了，把这件没头脑的事派我去碰头，怎么说我没用呢？”宝玉见他急了，忙抚慰他道：“你别急。改日闲了你再找去。若是他哄我们呢，自然没了，若真是有的，你岂不也积了阴骘。我必重重的赏你。”正说著，只见二门上的小厮来说：“老太太房里的姑娘们站在二门口找二爷呢。”要知端祥，下回分解。

注释Notes