第四十二回　蘅蕪君蘭言解疑語　瀟湘子雅謔補餘香 Baochai's Kind Words Dispel Doubts; Daiyu's Elegant Jests Add Charm

話說他姊妹复進園來，吃過飯，大家散出，都無別話。Let us return to the sisters, who came back into the Garden, and after eating, everyone dispersed — nothing further worth telling.

话说他姊妹复进园来，吃过饭，大家散出，都无别话。

且說劉姥姥帶著板兒，先來見鳳姐兒，說：“明日一早定要家去了。Now to speak of Grandmother Liu: taking Ban'er with her, she first came to see Xifeng and said, "Tomorrow morning early I really must go home."雖住了兩三天，日子卻不多，把古往今來沒見過的，沒吃過的，沒聽見過的，都經驗了。"Although I've only stayed two or three days — not many at all — I've experienced things I never saw, ate, or heard of in all my born days, past or present.難得老太太和姑奶奶并那些小姐們，連各房里的姑娘們，都這樣怜貧惜老照看我。It's rare indeed that Old Ancestress and the young mistresses, and the young ladies too, even the girls from each apartment, should all pity the poor and cherish the old and take such care of me.我這一回去後沒別的報答，惟有請些高香天天給你們念佛，保佑你們長命百歲的，就算我的心了。”鳳姐兒笑道：“你別喜歡。After I go back this time I have nothing else to repay you with — I can only buy some fine incense and burn it every day, chanting to the Buddha for you, praying that you all live to a hundred years — that will be all I have to give." Xifeng laughed and said, "Don't be so pleased with yourself yet.都是為你，老太太也被風吹病了，睡著說不好過，我們大姐兒也著了涼，在那里發熱呢。”劉姥姥聽了，忙歎道：“老太太有年紀的人，不慣十分勞乏的。”鳳姐兒道：“從來沒象昨兒高興。It's all on account of you — Old Ancestress caught a chill from the wind too, and lay down saying she felt unwell, and our Da-jie'er also caught cold and is running a fever over there." When Grandmother Liu heard this she hastily sighed, "Old Ancestress is a woman up in years, she's not used to so much exertion." Xifeng said, "She's never been so pleased as she was yesterday.往常也進園子逛去，不過到一二處坐坐就回來了。Ordinarily too she goes strolling in the Garden, but she only sits a place or two and comes right back.昨兒因為你在這里，要叫你逛逛，一個園子倒走了多半個。Yesterday, because you were here and she wanted you to see it properly, she ended up walking through more than half the whole Garden.大姐兒因為找我去，太太遞了一塊糕給他，誰知風地里吃了，就發起熱來。”劉姥姥道：“小姐兒只怕不大進園子，生地方兒，小人兒家原不該去。Da-jie'er went off looking for me, and Madam handed her a piece of cake — who would have thought that eating it out in the wind would bring on a fever." Grandmother Liu said, "A little miss like her probably doesn't go into the Garden very often — it's an unfamiliar place, and small children really oughtn't to go there.比不得我們的孩子，會走了，那個墳圈子里不跑去。It's not like our children, who as soon as they can walk go running into any old graveyard enclosure.一則風扑了也是有的，二則只怕他身上乾淨，眼睛又淨，或是遇見什麼神了。For one thing, she may well have been struck by a draft of wind; for another, I'm afraid her body is too pure and her eyes too clear, and she may have run into some spirit or other.依我說，給他瞧瞧祟書本子，仔細撞客著了。”一語提醒了鳳姐兒，便叫平兒拿出《玉匣記》著彩明來念。To my mind, you should have someone look it up in a book on inauspicious encounters — I'd be careful she hasn't collided with something uncanny." This one remark reminded Xifeng, and she had Ping'er fetch the Jade Casket Records for Caiming to read aloud.彩明翻了一回念道：“八月二十五日，病者在東南方得遇花神。Caiming flipped through it a while and read out: "On the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, the sick person encountered the Flower Spirit in the southeast direction.用五色紙錢四十張，向東南方四十步送之，大吉。”鳳姐兒笑道：“果然不錯，園子里頭可不是花神！Use forty sheets of five-colored paper money, and send them off forty paces to the southeast — greatly auspicious." Xifeng laughed, "Sure enough, that's right! Isn't the Garden full of flower spirits!只怕老太太也是遇見了。”一面命人請兩分紙錢來，著兩個人來，一個與賈母送祟，一個與大姐兒送祟。I'll bet Old Ancestress ran into the same thing." So saying she sent for two portions of paper money and had two people summoned — one to send off the affliction for Grandmother Jia, one to send it off for Da-jie'er.果見大姐兒安穩睡了。Sure enough, Da-jie'er was seen to fall peacefully asleep.

且说刘姥姥带著板儿，先来见凤姐儿，说：“明日一早定要家去了。虽住了两三天，日子却不多，把古往今来没见过的，没吃过的，没听见过的，都经验了。难得老太太和姑奶奶并那些小姐们，连各房里的姑娘们，都这样怜贫惜老照看我。我这一回去后没别的报答，惟有请些高香天天给你们念佛，保佑你们长命百岁的，就算我的心了。”凤姐儿笑道：“你别喜欢。都是为你，老太太也被风吹病了，睡著说不好过，我们大姐儿也著了凉，在那里发热呢。”刘姥姥听了，忙叹道：“老太太有年纪的人，不惯十分劳乏的。”凤姐儿道：“从来没象昨儿高兴。往常也进园子逛去，不过到一二处坐坐就回来了。昨儿因为你在这里，要叫你逛逛，一个园子倒走了多半个。大姐儿因为找我去，太太递了一块糕给他，谁知风地里吃了，就发起热来。”刘姥姥道：“小姐儿只怕不大进园子，生地方儿，小人儿家原不该去。比不得我们的孩子，会走了，那个坟圈子里不跑去。一则风扑了也是有的，二则只怕他身上干净，眼睛又净，或是遇见什么神了。依我说，给他瞧瞧祟书本子，仔细撞客著了。”一语提醒了凤姐儿，便叫平儿拿出《玉匣记》著彩明来念。彩明翻了一回念道：“八月二十五日，病者在东南方得遇花神。用五色纸钱四十张，向东南方四十步送之，大吉。”凤姐儿笑道：“果然不错，园子里头可不是花神！只怕老太太也是遇见了。”一面命人请两分纸钱来，著两个人来，一个与贾母送祟，一个与大姐儿送祟。果见大姐儿安稳睡了。

鳳姐兒笑道：“到底是你們有年紀的人經歷的多。Xifeng laughed, "After all, it's you older folk who have seen more of life.我這大姐兒時常肯病，也不知是個什麼原故。”劉姥姥道：“這也有的事。This Da-jie'er of mine so often falls ill, and I've no idea what the reason is." Grandmother Liu said, "That happens too.富貴人家養的孩子多太嬌嫩，自然禁不得一些兒委曲，再他小人兒家，過于尊貴了，也禁不起。Children raised in wealthy households are too delicate and pampered — naturally they can't bear the slightest hardship; and besides, when a little child is treated with too much honor and reverence, she can't withstand it either.以後姑奶奶少疼他些就好了。”鳳姐兒道：“這也有理。From now on, if you, Madam, dote on her a little less, it will be all right." Xifeng said, "That makes sense too.我想起來，他還沒個名字，你就給他起個名字。It occurs to me that she still doesn't have a name — why don't you give her one.一則借借你的壽，二則你們是庄家人，不怕你惱，到底貧苦些，你貧苦人起個名字，只怕壓的住他。”劉姥姥聽說，便想了一想，笑道：“不知他幾時生的？”鳳姐兒道：“正是生日的日子不好呢，可巧是七月初七日。”劉姥姥忙笑道：“這個正好，就叫他是巧哥兒。For one thing, we'd be borrowing a little of your longevity; for another, you're country folk — don't be offended — but after all you're of humbler, harder circumstances, and if a person of humble circumstances names her, it just might be able to hold her down." Hearing this, Grandmother Liu thought a moment and said with a smile, "I don't know — when was she born?" Xifeng said, "It happens her birthday falls on an inauspicious date — as luck would have it, it's the seventh of the seventh month." Grandmother Liu said quickly and happily, "Why, that's perfect — call her Qiao-jie'er, then.這叫作‘以毒攻毒，以火攻火’的法子。This is what's called 'fighting poison with poison, fighting fire with fire.'姑奶奶定要依我這名字，他必長命百歲。If you, Madam, are sure to go along with this name of mine, she will certainly live to be a hundred.日後大了，各人成家立業，或一時有不遂心的事，必然是遇難成祥，逢凶化吉，卻從這‘巧’字上來。”Later, when she's grown, and each has her own household and career, if ever there's something that doesn't go as she wishes, it's bound to turn danger into blessing and misfortune into good fortune — and it will all come precisely from this word 'Qiao,' meaning fortunate coincidence."

凤姐儿笑道：“到底是你们有年纪的人经历的多。我这大姐儿时常肯病，也不知是个什么原故。”刘姥姥道：“这也有的事。富贵人家养的孩子多太娇嫩，自然禁不得一些儿委曲，再他小人儿家，过于尊贵了，也禁不起。以后姑奶奶少疼他些就好了。”凤姐儿道：“这也有理。我想起来，他还没个名字，你就给他起个名字。一则借借你的寿，二则你们是庄家人，不怕你恼，到底贫苦些，你贫苦人起个名字，只怕压的住他。”刘姥姥听说，便想了一想，笑道：“不知他几时生的？”凤姐儿道：“正是生日的日子不好呢，可巧是七月初七日。”刘姥姥忙笑道：“这个正好，就叫他是巧哥儿。这叫作‘以毒攻毒，以火攻火’的法子。姑奶奶定要依我这名字，他必长命百岁。日后大了，各人成家立业，或一时有不遂心的事，必然是遇难成祥，逢凶化吉，却从这‘巧’字上来。”

鳳姐兒聽了，自是歡喜，忙道謝，又笑道：“只保佑他應了你的話就好了。”說著叫平兒來吩咐道：“明兒咱們有事，恐怕不得閒兒。Hearing this, Xifeng was naturally delighted, and hurriedly thanked her, then said with a laugh, "I only hope Heaven blesses her so that your words come true." So saying, she called Ping'er over and instructed her, "Tomorrow we'll have matters to attend to and probably won't have any free time.你這空兒把送姥姥的東西打點了，他明兒一早就好走的便宜了。”劉姥姥忙說：“不敢多破費了。Use this bit of free time now to pack up the things for Grandmother Liu to take, so tomorrow morning she can conveniently set off early." Grandmother Liu hurriedly said, "I dare not trouble you with so much expense.已經遭扰了幾日，又拿著走，越發心里不安起來。”鳳姐兒道：“也沒有什麼，不過隨常的東西。I've already imposed on you for several days, and now to take things with me as well only makes me feel more uneasy." Xifeng said, "It's nothing much, really, just ordinary everyday things.好也罷，歹也罷，帶了去，你們街坊鄰舍看著也熱鬧些，也是上城一次。”只見平兒走來說：“姥姥過這邊瞧瞧。”Good or shabby, take them along anyway — it'll make things livelier when your neighbors see them, and besides, it counts as a trip to the city." Just then Ping'er came in and said, "Granny, come over this way and take a look."

凤姐儿听了，自是欢喜，忙道谢，又笑道：“只保佑他应了你的话就好了。”说著叫平儿来吩咐道：“明儿咱们有事，恐怕不得闲儿。你这空儿把送姥姥的东西打点了，他明儿一早就好走的便宜了。”刘姥姥忙说：“不敢多破费了。已经遭扰了几日，又拿著走，越发心里不安起来。”凤姐儿道：“也没有什么，不过随常的东西。好也罢，歹也罢，带了去，你们街坊邻舍看著也热闹些，也是上城一次。”只见平儿走来说：“姥姥过这边瞧瞧。”

劉姥姥忙赶了平兒到那邊屋里，只見堆著半炕東西。Grandmother Liu hurried after Ping'er to the room on the other side, and there she saw half the kang piled high with things.平兒一一的拿與他瞧著，說道：“這是昨日你要的青紗一匹，奶奶另外送你一個實地子月白紗作里子。Ping'er picked the items up one by one to show her, saying, "This is the bolt of blue gauze you asked for yesterday; my mistress is also giving you, as an extra, a length of solid moon-white gauze to use as lining.這是兩個茧綢，作襖兒裙子都好。These are two lengths of pongee silk — good for making a jacket or a skirt, either one.這包袱里是兩匹綢子，年下做件衣裳穿。In this bundle are two bolts of silk damask, for making a garment to wear at the end of the year.這是一盒子各樣內造點心，也有你吃過的，也有你沒吃過的，拿去擺碟子請客，比你們買的強些。This is a box of assorted pastries made in the palace style — some you've tasted, some you haven't; take them home, arrange them on plates when you have guests, and they'll be finer than what you could buy yourselves.這兩條口袋是你昨日裝瓜果子來的，如今這一個里頭裝了兩斗御田粳米，熬粥是難得的，這一條里頭是園子裏果子和各樣乾果子。These two sacks are the ones you brought the melons and fruit in yesterday — now one of them has been filled with two dou of tribute-quality rice from the imperial paddies, which is hard to come by and makes wonderful congee; the other one holds fruit from the Garden and various kinds of dried fruit.這一包是八兩銀子。This one packet is eight taels of silver.這都是我們奶奶的。All of this is from our mistress.這兩包每包里頭五十兩，共是一百兩，是太太給的叫你拿去或者作個小本買賣，或者置幾畝地，以後再別求親靠友的。”說著又悄悄笑道：“這兩件襖兒和兩條裙子，還有四塊包頭，一包絨線，可是我送姥姥的。These two packets each hold fifty taels, a hundred taels altogether — this is from Madam Wang, for you to take and either start some small business with, or buy a few mou of land, so that afterward you won't have to go begging help from relatives and friends again." So saying, she added in a low, laughing voice, "These two jackets and two skirts, and these four head-wraps, and this packet of embroidery floss — these are what I'm giving you, Granny.衣裳雖是舊的，我也沒大狠穿，你要棄嫌我就不敢說了。”平兒說一樣劉姥姥就念一句佛，已經念了幾千聲佛了，又見平兒也送他這些東西，又如此謙遜，忙念佛道：“姑娘說那里話？The clothes are secondhand, it's true, but I haven't worn them much — if you find them beneath you, I won't say anything more." With each item Ping'er named, Grandmother Liu murmured a chant of thanks to Buddha — she must have chanted several thousand times already — and seeing that Ping'er too was giving her all these things, and being so modest about it besides, she hurriedly chanted again and said, "Miss, what are you talking about?這樣好東西我還棄嫌！Such fine things, and you think I'd look down on them!我便有銀子也沒處去買這樣的呢。Even if I had the silver, I'd have nowhere to buy things like these.只是我怪臊的，收了又不好，不收又辜負了姑娘的心。”平兒笑道：“休說外話，咱們都是自己，我才這樣。It's only that I feel dreadfully embarrassed — to accept them doesn't feel right, but not to accept them would be to fail your kind heart." Ping'er said with a smile, "Don't talk like an outsider — we're all like family, that's exactly why I'm doing this.你放心收了罷，我還和你要東西呢，到年下，你只把你們晒的那個灰條菜乾子和豇豆、扁豆、茄子、葫蘆條兒各樣乾菜帶些來，我們這里上上下下都愛吃。Just set your mind at ease and accept them. Besides, I still want something from you in return — when the end of the year comes, just bring along some of that dried ash-gray amaranth you've sun-dried, and some cowpeas, lentils, eggplant, and gourd strips, all the various dried vegetables — everyone here, high and low, loves to eat them.這個就算了，別的一概不要，別罔費了心。”劉姥姥千恩萬謝答應了。That's all I ask — nothing else at all, so don't go troubling yourself over it." Grandmother Liu, with a thousand thanks, agreed to it all.平兒道：“你只管睡你的去。Ping'er said, "You just go on and sleep.我替你收拾妥當了就放在這里，明兒一早打發小廝們雇輛車裝上，不用你費一點心的。”I'll get everything sorted properly and leave it here, and tomorrow morning early I'll send the houseboys to hire a cart and load it all up — you won't need to trouble yourself in the least."

刘姥姥忙赶了平儿到那边屋里，只见堆著半炕东西。平儿一一的拿与他瞧著，说道：“这是昨日你要的青纱一匹，奶奶另外送你一个实地子月白纱作里子。这是两个茧绸，作袄儿裙子都好。这包袱里是两匹绸子，年下做件衣裳穿。这是一盒子各样内造点心，也有你吃过的，也有你没吃过的，拿去摆碟子请客，比你们买的强些。这两条口袋是你昨日装瓜果子来的，如今这一个里头装了两斗御田粳米，熬粥是难得的，这一条里头是园子里果子和各样干果子。这一包是八两银子。这都是我们奶奶的。这两包每包里头五十两，共是一百两，是太太给的叫你拿去或者作个小本买卖，或者置几亩地，以后再别求亲靠友的。”说著又悄悄笑道：“这两件袄儿和两条裙子，还有四块包头，一包绒线，可是我送姥姥的。衣裳虽是旧的，我也没大狠穿，你要弃嫌我就不敢说了。”平儿说一样刘姥姥就念一句佛，已经念了几千声佛了，又见平儿也送他这些东西，又如此谦逊，忙念佛道：“姑娘说那里话？这样好东西我还弃嫌！我便有银子也没处去买这样的呢。只是我怪臊的，收了又不好，不收又辜负了姑娘的心。”平儿笑道：“休说外话，咱们都是自己，我才这样。你放心收了罢，我还和你要东西呢，到年下，你只把你们晒的那个灰条菜干子和豇豆、扁豆、茄子、葫芦条儿各样干菜带些来，我们这里上上下下都爱吃。这个就算了，别的一概不要，别罔费了心。”刘姥姥千恩万谢答应了。平儿道：“你只管睡你的去。我替你收拾妥当了就放在这里，明儿一早打发小厮们雇辆车装上，不用你费一点心的。”

劉姥姥越發感激不盡，過來又千恩萬謝的辭了鳳姐兒，過賈母這一邊睡了一夜，次早梳洗了就要告辭。Grandmother Liu, more grateful than ever, went and thanked Xifeng again a thousand times over before taking her leave, then went over to Grandmother Jia's side and slept there for the night; the next morning she washed and combed her hair and was ready to say her farewells.因賈母欠安，眾人都過來請安，出去傳請大夫。But because Grandmother Jia was feeling unwell, everyone came over to pay their respects, and someone went out to summon a doctor.一時婆子回大夫來了。Presently an old woman came back to report that the doctor had arrived.老媽媽請賈母進幔子去坐。An old matron asked Grandmother Jia to go behind the curtain and sit.賈母道：“我也老了，那里養不出那阿物兒來，還怕他不成！Grandmother Jia said, "I'm an old woman now — wherever could I not raise that little critter of a thing — am I afraid of him!不要放幔子，就這樣瞧罷。”眾婆子聽了，便拿過一張小桌來，放下一個小枕頭，便命人請。Don't bother with the curtain, just let him examine me as I am." Hearing this, the matrons brought over a small table and set down a small pillow on it, then had someone go invite the doctor in.

刘姥姥越发感激不尽，过来又千恩万谢的辞了凤姐儿，过贾母这一边睡了一夜，次早梳洗了就要告辞。因贾母欠安，众人都过来请安，出去传请大夫。一时婆子回大夫来了。老妈妈请贾母进幔子去坐。贾母道：“我也老了，那里养不出那阿物儿来，还怕他不成！不要放幔子，就这样瞧罢。”众婆子听了，便拿过一张小桌来，放下一个小枕头，便命人请。

一時只見賈珍、賈璉、賈蓉三個人將王太醫領來。In a moment Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and Jia Rong, the three of them, were seen bringing in Doctor Wang.王太醫不敢走甬路，只走旁階，跟著賈珍到了階磯上。Doctor Wang dared not walk on the main paved path, and kept to the side steps only, following Jia Zhen until they reached the stone terrace.早有兩個婆子在兩邊打起帘子，兩個婆子在前導引進去，又見寶玉迎了出來。Already two matrons stood on either side lifting the portiere, and two matrons led the way in ahead of him; then Baoyu was seen coming out to meet him.只見賈母穿著青皺綢一斗珠的羊皮褂子，端坐在榻上，兩邊四個未留頭的小丫鬟都拿著蠅帚漱盂等物，又有五六個老嬤嬤雁翅擺在兩旁，碧紗櫥後隱隱約約有許多穿紅著綠戴寶簪珠的人。There sat Grandmother Jia, upright on the couch, wearing a lambskin jacket of black crepe silk trimmed with pearl beading; on either side stood four young maids who had not yet had their hair put up, holding fly-whisks, spittoons, and the like, and five or six old matrons stood ranged like a wild goose's wings on both sides; and behind the gauze cabinet, dimly visible, were many people dressed in red and green, wearing jeweled hairpins and pearls.王太醫便不敢抬頭，忙上來請了安。Doctor Wang dared not raise his head, and hurried forward to pay his respects.賈母見他穿著六品服色，便知御醫了，也便含笑問：“供奉好？”因問賈珍：“這位供奉貴姓？”賈珍等忙回：“姓王”。Seeing that he wore robes of the sixth rank, Grandmother Jia knew at once he was an Imperial Physician, and asked with a smile, "Is the Honorable Physician well?" Then she asked Jia Zhen, "What is this Honorable Physician's esteemed surname?" Jia Zhen and the others hastily replied, "His surname is Wang."賈母道：“當日太醫院正堂王君效，好脈息。”王太醫忙躬身低頭，含笑回說：“那是晚生家叔祖。”賈母聽了，笑道：“原來這樣，也是世交了。”一面說，一面慢慢的伸手放在小枕上。Grandmother Jia said, "In years past there was Wang Junxiao, the head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine — he had a fine hand for reading the pulse." Doctor Wang hurriedly bowed low with a smile and replied, "That was my late granduncle." Hearing this, Grandmother Jia laughed, "So that's how it is — then we're old family friends too." As she spoke, she slowly stretched out her hand and laid it on the small pillow.老嬤嬤端著一張小杌：連忙放在小桌前，略偏些。An old matron carried in a small stool and quickly set it down before the small table, placed slightly to one side.王太醫便屈一膝坐下，歪著頭診了半日，又診了那只手，忙欠身低頭退出。Doctor Wang then bent one knee and sat down, tilting his head as he took the pulse for a good while, then examined the other hand as well, and hurriedly rose, bowing low, and withdrew.賈母笑說：“勞動了。Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "You've gone to trouble on my account.珍兒讓出去好生看茶。”Zhen'er, see him out and treat him properly to tea."

一时只见贾珍、贾琏、贾蓉三个人将王太医领来。王太医不敢走甬路，只走旁阶，跟著贾珍到了阶矶上。早有两个婆子在两边打起帘子，两个婆子在前导引进去，又见宝玉迎了出来。只见贾母穿著青皱绸一斗珠的羊皮褂子，端坐在榻上，两边四个未留头的小丫鬟都拿著蝇帚漱盂等物，又有五六个老嬷嬷雁翅摆在两旁，碧纱橱后隐隐约约有许多穿红著绿戴宝簪珠的人。王太医便不敢抬头，忙上来请了安。贾母见他穿著六品服色，便知御医了，也便含笑问：“供奉好？”因问贾珍：“这位供奉贵姓？”贾珍等忙回：“姓王”。贾母道：“当日太医院正堂王君效，好脉息。”王太医忙躬身低头，含笑回说：“那是晚生家叔祖。”贾母听了，笑道：“原来这样，也是世交了。”一面说，一面慢慢的伸手放在小枕上。老嬷嬷端著一张小杌：连忙放在小桌前，略偏些。王太医便屈一膝坐下，歪著头诊了半日，又诊了那只手，忙欠身低头退出。贾母笑说：“劳动了。珍儿让出去好生看茶。”

賈珍賈璉等忙答了幾個“是”，复領王太醫出到外書房中。Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and the others hastily answered "Yes" several times, and again escorted Doctor Wang out to the outer study.王太醫說：“太夫人并無別症，偶感一點風涼，究竟不用吃藥，不過略清淡些，暖著一點兒，就好了。Doctor Wang said, "Her Old Ladyship has no other ailment at all — she simply caught a slight chill from the wind. In fact there's no real need to take medicine; it will be enough just to eat somewhat blander food and keep a bit warmer, and she'll be fine.如今寫個方子在這里，若老人家愛吃便按方煎一劑吃，若懶待吃，也就罷了。”說著吃過茶寫了方子。I'll write out a prescription here now — if the old lady feels like taking it, then decoct one dose according to the prescription and take it; if she'd rather not bother, that's fine too." So saying, he drank his tea and wrote out the prescription.剛要告辭，只見奶子抱了大姐兒出來，笑說：“王老爺也瞧瞧我們。”王太醫聽說忙起身，就奶子怀中，左手托著大姐兒的手，右手診了一診，又摸了一摸頭，又叫伸出舌頭來瞧瞧，笑道：“我說姐兒又罵我了，只是要清清淨淨的餓兩頓就好了。He was just about to take his leave when the wet nurse was seen coming out carrying Da-jie'er, saying with a smile, "Please have Doctor Wang look at our little one too." Hearing this, Doctor Wang rose hastily, and right there in the wet nurse's arms, with his left hand supporting Da-jie'er's hand and his right hand taking her pulse, he then felt her forehead, and had her stick out her tongue for him to see, and said with a laugh, "I said the young miss would be scolding me again — she just needs to fast, nice and quiet, for two meals and she'll be fine.不必吃煎藥，我送丸藥來，臨睡時用姜湯研開，吃下去就是了。”說畢作辭而去。There's no need for a decoction; I'll send over some pills — dissolve them in ginger-water at bedtime and have her take them, that will do." With that he took his leave and departed.

贾珍贾琏等忙答了几个“是”，复领王太医出到外书房中。王太医说：“太夫人并无别症，偶感一点风凉，究竟不用吃药，不过略清淡些，暖著一点儿，就好了。如今写个方子在这里，若老人家爱吃便按方煎一剂吃，若懒待吃，也就罢了。”说著吃过茶写了方子。刚要告辞，只见奶子抱了大姐儿出来，笑说：“王老爷也瞧瞧我们。”王太医听说忙起身，就奶子怀中，左手托著大姐儿的手，右手诊了一诊，又摸了一摸头，又叫伸出舌头来瞧瞧，笑道：“我说姐儿又骂我了，只是要清清净净的饿两顿就好了。不必吃煎药，我送丸药来，临睡时用姜汤研开，吃下去就是了。”说毕作辞而去。

賈珍等拿了藥方來，回明賈母原故，將藥方放在桌上出去，不在話下。Jia Zhen and the others took the prescription and reported the reason for it to Grandmother Jia, then set the prescription down on the table and went out — no more to tell of that.這里王夫人和李紈，鳳姐兒，寶釵姊妹等見大夫出去，方從櫥後出來。Here Lady Wang, Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai and her cousins and the rest, seeing the doctor had gone out, now came out from behind the cabinet.王夫人略坐一坐，也回房去了。Lady Wang sat a while longer and then also went back to her own quarters.

贾珍等拿了药方来，回明贾母原故，将药方放在桌上出去，不在话下。这里王夫人和李纨，凤姐儿，宝钗姊妹等见大夫出去，方从橱后出来。王夫人略坐一坐，也回房去了。

劉姥姥見無事，方上來和賈母告辭。Seeing that there was nothing more to attend to, Grandmother Liu now came forward to take her leave of Grandmother Jia.賈母說：“閒了再來。”又命鴛鴦來：“好生打發劉姥姥出去。Grandmother Jia said, "Come again when you're free." Then she called for Yuanyang: "See Grandmother Liu out properly.我身上不好，不能送你。”劉姥姥道了謝，又作辭，方同鴛鴦出來。I'm not feeling well and can't see you off myself." Grandmother Liu offered her thanks, took her leave once more, and then went out together with Yuanyang.到了下房，鴛鴦指炕上一個包袱說道：“這是老太太的幾件衣服，都是往年間生日節下眾人孝敬的，老太太從不穿人家做的，收著也可惜，卻是一次也沒穿過的。When they reached the servants' quarters, Yuanyang pointed to a bundle on the kang and said, "These are several garments of Old Ancestress's — gifts of filial respect from various people on past birthdays and festivals. Old Ancestress never wears things other people have made, and it seemed a pity just to store them away, yet not one of them has ever been worn even once.昨日叫我拿出兩套兒送你帶去，或是送人，或是自己家里穿罷，別見笑。Yesterday she told me to take out two sets and give them to you to bring along — give them away, or wear them yourself at home, whichever you like; don't laugh at us for it.這盒子里是你要的麵果子。In this box are the flour pastries you asked for.這包子里是你前兒說的藥：梅花點舌丹也有，紫金錠也有，活絡丹也有，催生保命丹也有，每一樣是一張方子包著，總包在里頭了。In this packet are the medicines you mentioned the other day: there's Plum Blossom Tongue-Touching Pills, and Purple Gold Ingots, and Joint-Easing Pills, and Life-Saving Pills for Difficult Labor — each kind wrapped with its own prescription slip, all bundled together inside.這是兩個荷包，帶著頑罷。”說著便抽系子，掏出兩個筆錠如意的錁子來給他瞧，又笑道：“荷包拿去，這個留下給我罷。”劉姥姥已喜出望外，早又念了幾千聲佛，聽鴛鴦如此說，便說道：“姑娘只管留下罷。”鴛鴦見他信以為真，仍與他裝上，笑道：“哄你頑呢，我有好些呢。These are two purses, take them along to play with." So saying, she loosened the drawstring and drew out two little gold ingots shaped like brush-and-silver-ingot charms for wish-fulfillment to show her, then added with a laugh, "Take the purses, but leave this one for me." Grandmother Liu, already overjoyed beyond expectation, had already chanted the Buddha's name several thousand times more; hearing Yuanyang say this, she said at once, "Miss, you just keep it, by all means." Seeing that she took it at face value, Yuanyang put it back in for her again, laughing, "I was only teasing you — I have plenty of these.留著年下給小孩子們罷。”說著，只見一個小丫頭拿了個成窯鐘子來遞與劉姥姥，“這是寶二爺給你的。”劉姥姥道：“這是那里說起。I'll save it to give to the children at the end of the year." As she spoke, a little maid was seen bringing over a Cheng-kiln cup and handing it to Grandmother Liu: "This is from Master Bao the Second, for you." Grandmother Liu said, "Wherever did this come from.我那一世修了來的，今兒這樣。”說著便接了過來。What good deeds did I do in some past life to deserve such things today." So saying, she took it.鴛鴦道：“前兒我叫你洗澡，換的衣裳是我的，你不棄嫌，我還有幾件，也送你罷。”劉姥姥又忙道謝。Yuanyang said, "The other day when I had you bathe, the clothes you changed into were mine — since you didn't look down on them, I have a few more, and I'll give those to you too." Grandmother Liu again hurriedly thanked her.鴛鴦果然又拿出兩件來與他包好。Sure enough, Yuanyang brought out two more garments and wrapped them up for her.劉姥姥又要到園中辭謝寶玉和眾姊妹王夫人等去。Grandmother Liu wanted also to go into the Garden to take leave of and thank Baoyu, her cousins, Lady Wang, and the rest.鴛鴦道：“不用去了。Yuanyang said, "No need to go.他們這會子也不見人，回來我替你說罷。They're not receiving anyone just now — when they're back I'll explain it to them for you.閒了再來。”又命了一個老婆子，吩咐他：“二門上叫兩個小廝來，幫著姥姥拿了東西送出去。”婆子答應了，又和劉姥姥到了鳳姐兒那邊一并拿了東西，在角門上命小廝們搬了出去，直送劉姥姥上車去了。Come again when you're free." She then had an old matron summoned and instructed her, "Call two houseboys at the second gate to help Granny carry these things out and see her off." The matron assented, and together with Grandmother Liu went over to Xifeng's side to gather up the remaining things as well, then at the corner gate had the houseboys carry everything out, and saw Grandmother Liu all the way onto her cart.不在話下。No more to tell of that.

刘姥姥见无事，方上来和贾母告辞。贾母说：“闲了再来。”又命鸳鸯来：“好生打发刘姥姥出去。我身上不好，不能送你。”刘姥姥道了谢，又作辞，方同鸳鸯出来。到了下房，鸳鸯指炕上一个包袱说道：“这是老太太的几件衣服，都是往年间生日节下众人孝敬的，老太太从不穿人家做的，收著也可惜，却是一次也没穿过的。昨日叫我拿出两套儿送你带去，或是送人，或是自己家里穿罢，别见笑。这盒子里是你要的面果子。这包子里是你前儿说的药：梅花点舌丹也有，紫金锭也有，活络丹也有，催生保命丹也有，每一样是一张方子包著，总包在里头了。这是两个荷包，带著顽罢。”说著便抽系子，掏出两个笔锭如意的锞子来给他瞧，又笑道：“荷包拿去，这个留下给我罢。”刘姥姥已喜出望外，早又念了几千声佛，听鸳鸯如此说，便说道：“姑娘只管留下罢。”鸳鸯见他信以为真，仍与他装上，笑道：“哄你顽呢，我有好些呢。留著年下给小孩子们罢。”说著，只见一个小丫头拿了个成窑钟子来递与刘姥姥，“这是宝二爷给你的。”刘姥姥道：“这是那里说起。我那一世修了来的，今儿这样。”说著便接了过来。鸳鸯道：“前儿我叫你洗澡，换的衣裳是我的，你不弃嫌，我还有几件，也送你罢。”刘姥姥又忙道谢。鸳鸯果然又拿出两件来与他包好。刘姥姥又要到园中辞谢宝玉和众姊妹王夫人等去。鸳鸯道：“不用去了。他们这会子也不见人，回来我替你说罢。闲了再来。”又命了一个老婆子，吩咐他：“二门上叫两个小厮来，帮著姥姥拿了东西送出去。”婆子答应了，又和刘姥姥到了凤姐儿那边一并拿了东西，在角门上命小厮们搬了出去，直送刘姥姥上车去了。不在话下。

且說寶釵等吃過早飯，又往賈母處問過安，回園至分路之處，寶釵便叫黛玉道：“顰兒跟我來，有一句話問你。”黛玉便同了寶釵，來至蘅蕪苑中。Now to speak of Baochai and the others: after breakfast, they went once more to Grandmother Jia's to inquire after her, and on their way back into the Garden, at the fork in the path, Baochai called to Daiyu, "Pin'er, come with me, I have something to ask you." Daiyu went along with Baochai, and they came to Hengwu Court.進了房，寶釵便坐了笑道：“你跪下，我要審你。”黛玉不解何故，因笑道：“你瞧寶丫頭瘋了！Once inside, Baochai sat down and said with a smile, "Kneel down — I'm going to interrogate you." Not understanding why, Daiyu said with a laugh, "Just look at this — Cousin Bao's gone mad!審問我什麼？”寶釵冷笑道：“好個千金小姐！Interrogate me about what?" Baochai said with a cold smile, "What a fine, noble young lady!好個不出閨門的女孩兒！What a fine girl who's never even set foot outside her chamber door!滿嘴說的是什麼？What is it your mouth's been saying, full of such things?你只實說便罷。”黛玉不解，只管發笑，心里也不免疑惑起來，口里只說：“我何曾說什麼？Just confess honestly and be done with it." Daiyu, not understanding, only kept laughing, though in her heart she couldn't help growing uneasy, and said, "Whenever did I say anything?你不過要捏我的錯兒罷了。You're only trying to pin some fault on me, that's all.你倒說出來我聽聽。”寶釵笑道：“你還裝憨兒。Go on and say it, let me hear it." Baochai said with a smile, "You're still playing dumb.昨兒行酒令你說的是什麼？What was it you said yesterday, playing the drinking game?我竟不知那里來的。”黛玉一想，方想起來昨兒失於檢點，那《牡丹亭》、《西廂記》說了兩句，不覺紅了臉，便上來摟著寶釵，笑道：“好姐姐，原是我不知道隨口說的。I really have no idea where you picked it up." Daiyu thought back, and then recalled that yesterday, in a slip of carelessness, she had quoted two lines from The Peony Pavilion and The Story of the Western Wing; she could not help flushing red, and came forward and put her arms around Baochai, saying with a laugh, "Dear sister, I truly didn't know what I was saying, it just slipped out.你教給我，再不說了。”寶釵笑道：“我也不知道，聽你說的怪生的，所以請教你。”黛玉道：“好姐姐，你別說與別人，我以後再不說了。”寶釵見他羞得滿臉飛紅，滿口央告，便不肯再往下追問，因拉他坐下吃茶，款款的告訴他道：“你當我是誰，我也是個淘氣的。Teach me properly, and I'll never say it again." Baochai said with a smile, "I don't really know either — it just sounded strange coming from you, that's why I'm asking you about it." Daiyu said, "Dear sister, don't tell anyone else, I'll never say it again." Seeing her blush scarlet all over her face and plead so earnestly, Baochai was not willing to press her further, and instead drew her down to sit and have tea, and told her slowly and gently, "Who do you think I am — I was a mischievous one too, once.從小七八歲上也夠個人纏的。From the time I was seven or eight I was trouble enough to wear a person out.我們家也算是個讀書人家，祖父手里也愛藏書。Our family too counts as a family of scholars — my grandfather in his day was fond of collecting books.先時人口多，姊妹弟兄都在一處，都怕看正經書。In the early days, when the household was large, and the cousins, brothers and sisters, were all together, all of us were wary of reading proper, serious books.弟兄們也有愛詩的，也有愛詞的，諸如這些‘西廂’‘琵琶’以及‘元人百种’，無所不有。Among the brothers, some loved poetry, some loved song-lyrics, and things like The Western Wing, The Lute, and the Hundred Plays of the Yuan Masters — there was nothing we didn't have.他們是偷背著我們看，我們卻也偷背著他們看。They would read them on the sly, hiding it from us, and we in turn would read them on the sly, hiding it from them.後來大人知道了，打的打，罵的罵，燒的燒，才丟開了。Later, when the grown-ups found out, there was beating for some, scolding for others, and burning of the books, and only then was it all given up.所以咱們女孩兒家不認得字的倒好。So it turns out that for us girls, it's better after all not to know how to read.男人們讀書不明理，尚且不如不讀書的好，何況你我。Even when men read books and fail to grasp reason through them, they're worse off than if they hadn't read at all — how much more so for you and me.就連作詩寫字等事，原不是你我分內之事，究竟也不是男人分內之事。Even things like composing poems and practicing calligraphy were never properly our business to begin with — and in the end they're not even properly men's business either.男人們讀書明理，輔國治民，這便好了。When men read books and come to understand reason, so that they can assist the state and govern the people — that is a good thing.只是如今并不聽見有這樣的人，讀了書倒更坏了。It's only that these days one simply doesn't hear of such men — if anything, the more they read, the worse they become.這是書誤了他，可惜他也把書糟踏了，所以竟不如耕种買賣，倒沒有什麼大害處。It's the books that have led them astray — a pity, too, that they've dragged the books down with them; so it turns out to be not as good as farming or trade, which at least does no great harm.你我只該做些針黹紡織的事才是，偏又認得了字，既認得了字，不過揀那正經的看也罷了，最怕見了些雜書，移了性情，就不可救了。”一席話，說的黛玉垂頭吃茶，心下暗伏，只有答應”是”的一字。You and I ought only to occupy ourselves with needlework and spinning — yet as it happens we know how to read characters too. Since we do know characters, well enough to pick out the proper, serious books to read, that's fine; what's most to be feared is getting hold of some of these miscellaneous books, which can shift one's very nature, and then there's no saving it." This whole speech left Daiyu sitting with head bowed, sipping her tea, secretly taking it to heart, with nothing to say in answer but the single word "Yes."忽見素雲進來說：“我們奶奶請二位姑娘商議要緊的事呢。Suddenly Suyun was seen coming in and saying, "Our mistress asks the two young ladies to come discuss something important.二姑娘，三姑娘，四姑娘，史姑娘，寶二爺都在那里等著呢。”寶釵道：“又是什麼事？”黛玉道：“咱們到了那里就知道了。”說著便和寶釵往稻香村來，果見眾人都在那里。The Second Young Lady, the Third Young Lady, the Fourth Young Lady, Miss Shi, and Master Bao the Second are all there waiting." Baochai said, "What's going on now?" Daiyu said, "We'll know once we get there." So saying, she and Baochai went together to Daoxiang Village, and sure enough found everyone there.

且说宝钗等吃过早饭，又往贾母处问过安，回园至分路之处，宝钗便叫黛玉道：“颦儿跟我来，有一句话问你。”黛玉便同了宝钗，来至蘅芜苑中。进了房，宝钗便坐了笑道：“你跪下，我要审你。”黛玉不解何故，因笑道：“你瞧宝丫头疯了！审问我什么？”宝钗冷笑道：“好个千金小姐！好个不出闺门的女孩儿！满嘴说的是什么？你只实说便罢。”黛玉不解，只管发笑，心里也不免疑惑起来，口里只说：“我何曾说什么？你不过要捏我的错儿罢了。你倒说出来我听听。”宝钗笑道：“你还装憨儿。昨儿行酒令你说的是什么？我竟不知那里来的。”黛玉一想，方想起来昨儿失于检点，那《牡丹亭》、《西厢记》说了两句，不觉红了脸，便上来搂著宝钗，笑道：“好姐姐，原是我不知道随口说的。你教给我，再不说了。”宝钗笑道：“我也不知道，听你说的怪生的，所以请教你。”黛玉道：“好姐姐，你别说与别人，我以后再不说了。”宝钗见他羞得满脸飞红，满口央告，便不肯再往下追问，因拉他坐下吃茶，款款的告诉他道：“你当我是谁，我也是个淘气的。从小七八岁上也够个人缠的。我们家也算是个读书人家，祖父手里也爱藏书。先时人口多，姊妹弟兄都在一处，都怕看正经书。弟兄们也有爱诗的，也有爱词的，诸如这些‘西厢’‘琵琶’以及‘元人百种’，无所不有。他们是偷背著我们看，我们却也偷背著他们看。后来大人知道了，打的打，骂的骂，烧的烧，才丢开了。所以咱们女孩儿家不认得字的倒好。男人们读书不明理，尚且不如不读书的好，何况你我。就连作诗写字等事，原不是你我分内之事，究竟也不是男人分内之事。男人们读书明理，辅国治民，这便好了。只是如今并不听见有这样的人，读了书倒更坏了。这是书误了他，可惜他也把书糟踏了，所以竟不如耕种买卖，倒没有什么大害处。你我只该做些针黹纺织的事才是，偏又认得了字，既认得了字，不过拣那正经的看也罢了，最怕见了些杂书，移了性情，就不可救了。”一席话，说的黛玉垂头吃茶，心下暗伏，只有答应”是”的一字。忽见素云进来说：“我们奶奶请二位姑娘商议要紧的事呢。二姑娘，三姑娘，四姑娘，史姑娘，宝二爷都在那里等著呢。”宝钗道：“又是什么事？”黛玉道：“咱们到了那里就知道了。”说著便和宝钗往稻香村来，果见众人都在那里。

李紈見了他兩個，笑道：“社還沒起，就有脫滑的了，四丫頭要告一年的假呢。”黛玉笑道：“都是老太太昨兒一句話，又叫他畫什麼園子圖兒，惹得他樂得告假了。”探春笑道：“也別要怪老太太，都是劉姥姥一句話。”林黛玉忙笑道：“可是呢，都是他一句話。Seeing the two of them, Li Wan said with a laugh, "The poetry club hasn't even started yet, and already someone's slipping away — Fourth Sister wants to take a whole year's leave of absence." Daiyu said with a laugh, "It's all because of that one remark Old Ancestress made yesterday, telling her to paint some picture of the Garden or other — that's what's tempted her into being so pleased to ask for leave." Tanchun said with a laugh, "Don't go blaming Old Ancestress either — it's all on account of that one remark of Grandmother Liu's." Lin Daiyu said quickly with a laugh, "Why, that's just it, it's all because of that one remark of hers.他是那一門子的姥姥，直叫他是個‘母蝗虫’就是了。”說著大家都笑起來。Whatever sort of 'granny' is she to us anyway — just call her a 'Mother Locust' and be done with it." At this everyone burst out laughing.寶釵笑道：“世上的話，到了鳳丫頭嘴里也就盡了。Baochai said with a smile, "Once the sayings of this world get into Feng girl's mouth, there's nothing left unsaid.幸而鳳丫頭不認得字，不大通，不過一概是市俗取笑，更有顰兒這促狹嘴，他用‘春秋’的法子，將市俗的粗話，撮其要，刪其繁，再加潤色比方出來，一句是一句。Luckily Feng girl doesn't know her characters and isn't very learned, so it all comes out as nothing but common, worldly joking; but then there's this sharp-tongued, mischievous mouth of Pin'er's besides — she uses the method of the Spring and Autumn Annals, taking the coarse, common talk, gathering up its essentials, trimming away its excess, and then polishing and embellishing it into a comparison, so that every single phrase hits its mark.這‘母蝗虫’三字，把昨兒那些形景都現出來了。These three characters 'Mother Locust' bring the whole scene of yesterday vividly before one's eyes.虧他想的倒也快。”眾人聽了，都笑道：“你這一注解，也就不在他兩個以下。”李紈道：“我請你們大家商議，給他多少日子的假。It's a wonder how quickly she thought of it." Hearing this, everyone laughed and said, "With this annotation of yours, you're not ranked below the two of them either." Li Wan said, "I've called you all here to discuss how many days' leave to give her."我給了他一個月他嫌少，你們怎麼說？”黛玉道：“論理一年也不多。"I gave him a month and he complained it was too little — what do you all say?" Daiyu said, "By rights, even a year wouldn't be too much.這園子蓋才蓋了一年，如今要畫自然得二年工夫呢。This garden took a full year just to build, so naturally it will take two years to paint it.又要研墨，又要蘸筆，又要舖紙，又要著顏色，又要……”剛說到這里，眾人知道他是取笑惜春，便都笑問說”還要怎樣？”黛玉也自己掌不住笑道：“又要照著這樣兒慢慢的畫，可不得二年的工夫！”眾人聽了，都拍手笑個不住。And she'll need to grind the ink, and dip the brush, and spread the paper, and apply the colors, and..." Just as she got to this point, everyone realized she was teasing Xichun, and all laughed and asked, "And what else?" Daiyu herself could not help laughing and said, "And she'll need to go on painting like this slowly, bit by bit — how could that not take two years!" Hearing this, everyone clapped their hands and laughed without stopping.寶釵笑道：“‘又要照著這個慢慢的畫’，這落後一句最妙。Baochai said with a laugh, "'And she'll need to go on painting like this slowly' — that last line is the best of all.所以昨兒那些笑話兒雖然可笑，回想是沒味的。So although yesterday's jokes were funny, thinking back on them there's no real flavor to them.你們細想顰兒這幾句話雖是淡的，回想卻有滋味。But if you think carefully over Pin'er's few words just now, plain as they seem, there's real savor in them on reflection.我倒笑的動不得了。”惜春道：“都是寶姐姐贊的他越發逞強，這會子拿我也取笑兒。”黛玉忙拉他笑道：“我且問你，還是單畫這園子呢，還是連我們眾人都畫在上頭呢？”惜春道：“原說只畫這園子的，昨兒老太太又說，單畫了園子成個房樣子了，叫連人都畫上，就象‘行樂’似的才好。I've laughed so hard I can't move." Xichun said, "It's all because Sister Bao praised her that she's grown even bolder, and now she's making fun of me too." Daiyu hurriedly pulled her and said with a laugh, "Let me ask you — are you painting just this garden, or are you putting all of us into the picture too?" Xichun said, "At first it was said I need only paint the garden, but yesterday the Old Ancestress said that painting the garden alone would make it look like a floor plan, and told me to paint the people into it as well, so that it would look like a proper 'picture of pleasures.'我又不會這工細樓台，又不會畫人物，又不好駁回，正為這個為難呢。”黛玉道：“人物還容易，你草虫上不能。”李紈道：“你又說不通的話了，這個上頭那里又用的著草虫？But I don't know how to do fine detailed work like pavilions and towers, and I don't know how to paint figures either, yet I couldn't well refuse — that's exactly what's troubling me." Daiyu said, "Figures are easy enough, it's just that you mustn't put in any grass-insects." Li Wan said, "Now you're talking nonsense again — what use would grass-insects be in a painting like this?或者翎毛倒要點綴一兩樣。”黛玉笑道：“別的草虫不畫罷了，昨兒‘母蝗虫’不畫上，豈不缺了典！”眾人聽了，又都笑起來。Perhaps a bird or two might be added for decoration." Daiyu said with a laugh, "Never mind the other grass-insects, but if yesterday's 'mother locust' isn't included, wouldn't that be leaving out something essential!" Hearing this, everyone burst out laughing again.黛玉一面笑的兩手捧著胸口，一面說道：“你快畫罷，我連題跋都有了，起個名字，就叫作《攜蝗大嚼圖》。”眾人聽了，越發哄然大笑，前仰後合。Daiyu, laughing so hard she held her chest with both hands, said, "You'd best paint it quickly — I already have the colophon ready, and a title too: call it 'A Picture of Carrying Off the Locust for a Great Feast.'" Hearing this, everyone laughed all the harder, rocking back and forth.只聽”咕咚”一聲響，不知什麼倒了，急忙看時，原來是湘雲伏在椅子背兒上，那椅子原不曾放穩，被他全身伏著背子大笑，他又不提防，兩下里錯了勁，向東一歪，連人帶椅都歪倒了，幸有板壁擋住，不曾落地。Just then there came a loud "thump," and no one knew what had fallen over; on hurried inspection, it turned out to be Xiangyun, who had been leaning across the back of her chair — the chair had never been set firmly to begin with, and with her whole body pressing against its back in her fit of laughter, and being off her guard besides, the two forces threw her off balance, and she tipped to the east, chair and all, and toppled over; luckily a wall panel blocked her, or she would have hit the floor.眾人一見，越發笑個不住。When the others saw this, they laughed all the harder, unable to stop.寶玉忙赶上去扶了起來，方漸漸止了笑。Baoyu hurried over and helped her up, and only then did the laughter gradually subside.寶玉和黛玉使個眼色兒。Baoyu exchanged a glance with Daiyu.黛玉會意，便走至里間將鏡袱揭起，照了一照，只見兩鬢略鬆了些，忙開了李紈的妝奩，拿出抿子來，對鏡抿了兩抿，仍舊收拾好了，方出來，指著李紈道：“這是叫你帶著我們作針線教道理呢，你反招我們來大頑大笑的。”李紈笑道：“你們聽他這刁話。Daiyu understood at once, and went into the inner room, lifted the cloth cover from the mirror, and looked at herself — she saw that the hair at her temples had loosened somewhat, so she quickly opened Li Wan's toilet case, took out a hair-smoothing brush, smoothed her temples a couple of times before the mirror, tidied herself up again, and only then came out, and pointing at Li Wan said, "Here you are, supposed to be keeping us at our needlework and teaching us proper behavior, and instead you're the one who's drawn us all into such wild laughing and carrying-on." Li Wan said with a laugh, "Just listen to her sharp tongue.他領著頭兒鬧，引著人笑了，倒賴我的不是。She's the one who led the mischief and got everyone laughing, and now she turns around and blames it all on me.真真恨的我只保佑明兒你得一個利害婆婆，再得幾個千刁萬惡的大姑子小姑子，試試你那會子還這麼刁不刁了。”Truly, it makes me so cross that I could almost wish that one day you get yourself a fierce mother-in-law, and a few thoroughly wicked sisters-in-law besides, big and small — then we'll see whether you're still so sharp-tongued!"

李纨见了他两个，笑道：“社还没起，就有脱滑的了，四丫头要告一年的假呢。”黛玉笑道：“都是老太太昨儿一句话，又叫他画什么园子图儿，惹得他乐得告假了。”探春笑道：“也别要怪老太太，都是刘姥姥一句话。”林黛玉忙笑道：“可是呢，都是他一句话。他是那一门子的姥姥，直叫他是个‘母蝗虫’就是了。”说著大家都笑起来。宝钗笑道：“世上的话，到了凤丫头嘴里也就尽了。幸而凤丫头不认得字，不大通，不过一概是市俗取笑，更有颦儿这促狭嘴，他用‘春秋’的法子，将市俗的粗话，撮其要，删其繁，再加润色比方出来，一句是一句。这‘母蝗虫’三字，把昨儿那些形景都现出来了。亏他想的倒也快。”众人听了，都笑道：“你这一注解，也就不在他两个以下。”李纨道：“我请你们大家商议，给他多少日子的假。我给了他一个月他嫌少，你们怎么说？”黛玉道：“论理一年也不多。这园子盖才盖了一年，如今要画自然得二年工夫呢。又要研墨，又要蘸笔，又要铺纸，又要著颜色，又要……”刚说到这里，众人知道他是取笑惜春，便都笑问说”还要怎样？”黛玉也自己掌不住笑道：“又要照著这样儿慢慢的画，可不得二年的工夫！”众人听了，都拍手笑个不住。宝钗笑道：“‘又要照著这个慢慢的画’，这落后一句最妙。所以昨儿那些笑话儿虽然可笑，回想是没味的。你们细想颦儿这几句话虽是淡的，回想却有滋味。我倒笑的动不得了。”惜春道：“都是宝姐姐赞的他越发逞强，这会子拿我也取笑儿。”黛玉忙拉他笑道：“我且问你，还是单画这园子呢，还是连我们众人都画在上头呢？”惜春道：“原说只画这园子的，昨儿老太太又说，单画了园子成个房样子了，叫连人都画上，就象‘行乐’似的才好。我又不会这工细楼台，又不会画人物，又不好驳回，正为这个为难呢。”黛玉道：“人物还容易，你草虫上不能。”李纨道：“你又说不通的话了，这个上头那里又用的著草虫？或者翎毛倒要点缀一两样。”黛玉笑道：“别的草虫不画罢了，昨儿‘母蝗虫’不画上，岂不缺了典！”众人听了，又都笑起来。黛玉一面笑的两手捧著胸口，一面说道：“你快画罢，我连题跋都有了，起个名字，就叫作《携蝗大嚼图》。”众人听了，越发哄然大笑，前仰后合。只听”咕咚”一声响，不知什么倒了，急忙看时，原来是湘云伏在椅子背儿上，那椅子原不曾放稳，被他全身伏著背子大笑，他又不提防，两下里错了劲，向东一歪，连人带椅都歪倒了，幸有板壁挡住，不曾落地。众人一见，越发笑个不住。宝玉忙赶上去扶了起来，方渐渐止了笑。宝玉和黛玉使个眼色儿。黛玉会意，便走至里间将镜袱揭起，照了一照，只见两鬓略松了些，忙开了李纨的妆奁，拿出抿子来，对镜抿了两抿，仍旧收拾好了，方出来，指著李纨道：“这是叫你带著我们作针线教道理呢，你反招我们来大顽大笑的。”李纨笑道：“你们听他这刁话。他领著头儿闹，引著人笑了，倒赖我的不是。真真恨的我只保佑明儿你得一个利害婆婆，再得几个千刁万恶的大姑子小姑子，试试你那会子还这么刁不刁了。”

林黛玉早紅了臉，拉著寶釵說：“咱們放他一年的假罷。”寶釵道：“我有一句公道話，你們聽聽。Lin Daiyu had already blushed, and pulling at Baochai she said, "Let's give her a year's leave and be done with it." Baochai said, "I have one fair word to say — listen to it, all of you.藕丫頭雖會畫，不過是幾筆寫意。Though the Ou girl can paint, it's no more than a few strokes done freehand, in the sketchy style.如今畫這園子，非離了肚子里頭有幾幅丘壑的才能成畫。Now, to paint this garden, unless one has several finished landscapes already laid out in one's mind, it simply cannot be made into a proper picture.這園子卻是象畫兒一般，山石樹木，樓閣房屋，遠近疏密，也不多，也不少，恰恰的是這樣。This garden, after all, is itself like a painting — the rocks and trees, the towers and buildings, near and far, sparse and dense, are neither too many nor too few, but exactly right as they are.你就照樣兒往紙上一畫，是必不能討好的。If you were simply to copy it straight onto paper just as it stands, it certainly wouldn't turn out well.這要看紙的地步遠近，該多該少，分主分賓，該添的要添，該減的要減，該藏的要藏，該露的要露。You have to consider the paper's proportions, what's far and what's near, what should be more and what less, distinguishing what is primary from what is secondary — what needs adding must be added, what needs cutting must be cut, what needs concealing must be concealed, what needs revealing must be revealed.這一起了稿子，再端詳斟酌，方成一幅圖樣。Only once the draft is laid out, and then examined and weighed over again, can it become a proper composition.第二件，這些樓台房舍，是必要用界划的。Second, all these towers and pavilions and buildings will certainly need to be done with ruled lines.一點不留神，欄杆也歪了，柱子也塌了，門窗也倒豎過來，階磯也離了縫，甚至于桌子擠到牆里去，花盆放在帘子上來，豈不倒成了一張笑‘話’兒了。The slightest carelessness, and the railings will come out crooked, the pillars will look as though they're collapsing, the doors and windows will end up standing upside down, the stone steps will come apart at the seams, and it may even come to tables squeezed right into the walls, or flowerpots set on top of curtains — wouldn't that end up as a joke of a 'painting' instead!第三，要插人物，也要有疏密，有高低。Third, when you insert the figures, there too must be sparseness and density, and variation in height.衣折裙帶，手指足步，最是要緊，一筆不細，不是腫了手就是跏了腿，染臉撕髮倒是小事。The folds of clothing, the sashes of skirts, the fingers of the hands, the steps of the feet — these matter most of all; if the brushwork isn't fine and careful, you'll end up with either swollen hands or crooked legs, and smudging the face or tearing the hair are the least of it.依我看來竟難的很。As I see it, this is really quite difficult.如今一年的假也太多，一月的假也太少，竟給他半年的假，再派了寶兄弟幫著他。Now, a year's leave is too much, and a month's leave is too little — let's just give her half a year's leave, and assign Brother Bao to help her along besides.并不是為寶兄弟知道教著他畫，那就更誤了事，為的是有不知道的，或難安插的，寶兄弟好拿出去問問那會畫的相公，就容易了。”It's not that Brother Bao actually knows how to teach her to paint — that would only delay things further — it's rather that whenever there's something she doesn't know, or something hard to arrange, Brother Bao can take it out and ask those young gentlemen who do know how to paint, and that will make things easier."

林黛玉早红了脸，拉著宝钗说：“咱们放他一年的假罢。”宝钗道：“我有一句公道话，你们听听。藕丫头虽会画，不过是几笔写意。如今画这园子，非离了肚子里头有几幅丘壑的才能成画。这园子却是象画儿一般，山石树木，楼阁房屋，远近疏密，也不多，也不少，恰恰的是这样。你就照样儿往纸上一画，是必不能讨好的。这要看纸的地步远近，该多该少，分主分宾，该添的要添，该减的要减，该藏的要藏，该露的要露。这一起了稿子，再端详斟酌，方成一幅图样。第二件，这些楼台房舍，是必要用界划的。一点不留神，栏杆也歪了，柱子也塌了，门窗也倒竖过来，阶矶也离了缝，甚至于桌子挤到墙里去，花盆放在帘子上来，岂不倒成了一张笑‘话’儿了。第三，要插人物，也要有疏密，有高低。衣折裙带，手指足步，最是要紧，一笔不细，不是肿了手就是跏了腿，染脸撕发倒是小事。依我看来竟难的很。如今一年的假也太多，一月的假也太少，竟给他半年的假，再派了宝兄弟帮著他。并不是为宝兄弟知道教著他画，那就更误了事，为的是有不知道的，或难安插的，宝兄弟好拿出去问问那会画的相公，就容易了。”

寶玉聽了，先喜的說：“這話极是。Hearing this, Baoyu was delighted at once and said, "That's an excellent idea.詹子亮的工細樓臺就极好，程日興的美人是絕技，如今就問他們去。”寶釵道：“我說你是無事忙，說了一聲你就問去。Zhan Ziliang is excellent at fine detailed pavilions and towers, and Cheng Rixing's figures of beauties are a consummate skill — let's go ask them right now." Baochai said with a cold smile, "I say you're just one who fusses over nothing — no sooner said than you're off to ask.等著商議定了再去。Wait until it's all been discussed and settled before you go.如今且拿什麼畫？”寶玉道：“家里有雪浪紙，又大又托墨。”寶釵冷笑道：“我說你不中用！Now then, what are you going to paint on?" Baoyu said, "We have Snow-Wave paper at home, it's large and takes ink well." Baochai said with a cold smile, "I say you're just useless!那雪浪紙寫字畫寫意畫兒，或是會山水的畫南宗山水，托墨，禁得皴搜。That Snow-Wave paper is for writing calligraphy or freehand sketches, or for those who paint landscapes in the Southern School style — it takes ink well and can stand up to dry-brush texturing strokes.拿了畫這個，又不托色，又難滃，畫也不好，紙也可惜。But use it for a painting like this, and it won't hold color, and it will be hard to do wash-shading on it either — the painting won't turn out well, and the paper will be wasted for nothing.我教你一個法子。Let me teach you a method.原先蓋這園子，就有一張細致圖樣，雖是匠人描的，那地步方向是不錯的。When this garden was first built, there was already a detailed plan of it drawn up — though it was only sketched by the craftsmen, the layout and orientation are certainly accurate.你和太太要了出來，也比著那紙大小，和鳳丫頭要一塊重絹，叫相公礬了，叫他照著這圖樣刪補著立了稿子，添了人物就是了。Get it from Aunt Wang, and matching its size, ask Sister Feng for a piece of heavy silk, have the young gentlemen alum it, and have him work from that plan, cutting and adding as needed to lay out a draft, and then simply add in the figures.就是配這些青綠顏色并泥金泥銀，也得他們配去。As for mixing these mineral blue-and-green pigments, and the gold and silver powders, that too will have to be mixed by them.你們也得另爖上風爐子，預備化膠，出膠，洗筆。You'll also need to set up a separate little charcoal stove, to have ready for melting glue, extracting glue, and washing brushes.還得一張粉油大案，舖上氈子。You'll also need a large lacquered painting table, with a felt cover spread on it.你們那些碟子也不全，筆也不全，都得從新再置一分兒才好。”惜春道：“我何曾有這些畫器？Those little dishes of yours aren't a complete set either, nor are the brushes — all of it needs to be freshly furnished again, a full new set." Xichun said, "When did I ever have all these painting implements?不過隨手寫字的筆畫畫罷了。I've only got whatever brushes I use for casual writing, to do a bit of painting with.就是顏色，只有赭石，廣花，藤黃，胭脂這四樣。As for colors, I only have these four — ochre, indigo flower blue, gamboge yellow, and rouge red.再有，不過是兩支著色筆就完了。”寶釵道：“你不該早說。And besides that, there are just two coloring brushes, and that's the lot." Baochai said, "You should have said so earlier.這些東西我卻還有，只是你也用不著，給你也白放著。I actually still have these things myself, only you have no use for them, and giving them to you would just be letting them sit unused.如今我且替你收著，等你用著這個時候我送你些，也只可留著畫扇子，若畫這大幅的也就可惜了的。For now let me keep them for you, and when the time comes that you need them, I'll send some over to you — though those are only fit for keeping to paint fans with; if you used them for a large painting like this one, it would be a pity to waste them.今兒替你開個單子，照著單子和老太太要去。Today let me draw up a list for you, and you can go to the Old Ancestress with the list and ask for the things.你們也未必知道的全，我說著，寶兄弟寫。”寶玉早已預備下筆硯了，原怕記不清白，要寫了記著，聽寶釵如此說，喜的提起筆來靜聽。You all probably don't know the full list either — I'll dictate, and Brother Bao can write it down." Baoyu had already gotten brush and inkstone ready beforehand, fearing he might not remember it all clearly and wanting to write it down to keep track, and hearing Baochai say this, he happily picked up the brush and listened attentively.寶釵說道：“頭號排筆四支，二號排筆四支，三號排筆四支，大染四支，中染四支，小染四支，大南蟹爪十支，小蟹爪十支，須眉十支，大著色二十支，小著色二十支，開面十支，柳條二十支，箭頭朱四兩，南赭四兩，石黃四兩，石青四兩，石綠四兩，管黃四兩，廣花八兩，蛤粉四匣，胭脂十片，大赤飛金二百帖，青金二百帖，廣勻膠四兩，淨礬四兩。Baochai said, "Four number-one lay-in brushes, four number-two lay-in brushes, four number-three lay-in brushes, four large dyeing brushes, four medium dyeing brushes, four small dyeing brushes, ten large crab-claw brushes, ten small crab-claw brushes, ten whisker brushes, twenty large coloring brushes, twenty small coloring brushes, ten face-opening brushes, twenty willow-twig brushes, four ounces of vermilion, four ounces of southern ochre, four ounces of orpiment yellow, four ounces of mineral blue, four ounces of mineral green, four ounces of tube-yellow, eight ounces of indigo flower blue, four boxes of clam-shell white, ten sheets of rouge, two hundred sheets of large scarlet gold leaf, two hundred sheets of blue-gold leaf, four ounces of even glue, four ounces of refined alum.礬絹的膠礬在外，別管他們，你只把絹交出去叫他們礬去。The glue and alum for aluming the silk are separate — never mind those, just hand over the silk and have them alum it themselves.這些顏色，咱們淘澄飛跌著，又頑了，又使了，包你一輩子都夠使了。As for these colors, we'll grind and settle and refine them ourselves — it'll be fun, and useful too, and I promise you they'll last a lifetime and still not be used up.再要頂細絹籮四個，粗絹籮四個，擔筆四支，大小乳缽四個，大粗碗二十個，五寸粗碟十個，三寸粗白碟二十個，風爐兩個，沙鍋大小四個，新瓷罐二口，新水桶四只，一尺長白布口袋四條，浮炭二十斤，柳木炭一斤，三屜木箱一個，實地紗一丈，生姜二兩，醬半斤。”黛玉忙道：“鐵鍋一口，鍋鏟一個。”寶釵道：“這作什麼？”黛玉笑道：“你要生姜和醬這些作料，我替你要鐵鍋來，好炒顏色吃的。”眾人都笑起來。You'll also need four extra-fine silk sieves and four coarse silk sieves, four support brushes, four large and small mortars, twenty large coarse bowls, ten five-inch coarse plates, twenty three-inch plain white plates, two charcoal stoves, four earthenware pots large and small, two new porcelain jars, four new water buckets, four foot-long white cloth sacks, twenty catties of floating charcoal, one catty of willow-wood charcoal, one three-drawer wooden chest, one zhang of plain-weave gauze, two ounces of fresh ginger, and half a catty of soy paste." Daiyu hurriedly put in, "One iron pot, and one spatula." Baochai said, "What's that for?" Daiyu said with a laugh, "Since you want ginger and soy paste and all these seasonings, I'll get you an iron pot too, so you can fry up the colors and eat them." Everyone burst out laughing.寶釵笑道：“你那里知道。Baochai said with a laugh, "What would you know about it.那粗色碟子保不住不上火烤，不拿姜汁子和醬預先抹在底子上烤過了，一經了火是要炸的。”眾人聽說，都道：“原來如此。”Those coarse-clay plates can't be guaranteed not to go over an open flame, and unless you rub ginger juice and soy paste on the bottom beforehand and bake it in, once it meets the fire it's liable to crack." Hearing this, everyone said, "So that's the reason."

宝玉听了，先喜的说：“这话极是。詹子亮的工细楼台就极好，程日兴的美人是绝技，如今就问他们去。”宝钗道：“我说你是无事忙，说了一声你就问去。等著商议定了再去。如今且拿什么画？”宝玉道：“家里有雪浪纸，又大又托墨。”宝钗冷笑道：“我说你不中用！那雪浪纸写字画写意画儿，或是会山水的画南宗山水，托墨，禁得皴搜。拿了画这个，又不托色，又难滃，画也不好，纸也可惜。我教你一个法子。原先盖这园子，就有一张细致图样，虽是匠人描的，那地步方向是不错的。你和太太要了出来，也比著那纸大小，和凤丫头要一块重绢，叫相公矾了，叫他照著这图样删补著立了稿子，添了人物就是了。就是配这些青绿颜色并泥金泥银，也得他们配去。你们也得另爖上风炉子，预备化胶，出胶，洗笔。还得一张粉油大案，铺上毡子。你们那些碟子也不全，笔也不全，都得从新再置一分儿才好。”惜春道：“我何曾有这些画器？不过随手写字的笔画画罢了。就是颜色，只有赭石，广花，藤黄，胭脂这四样。再有，不过是两支著色笔就完了。”宝钗道：“你不该早说。这些东西我却还有，只是你也用不著，给你也白放著。如今我且替你收著，等你用著这个时候我送你些，也只可留著画扇子，若画这大幅的也就可惜了的。今儿替你开个单子，照著单子和老太太要去。你们也未必知道的全，我说著，宝兄弟写。”宝玉早已预备下笔砚了，原怕记不清白，要写了记著，听宝钗如此说，喜的提起笔来静听。宝钗说道：“头号排笔四支，二号排笔四支，三号排笔四支，大染四支，中染四支，小染四支，大南蟹爪十支，小蟹爪十支，须眉十支，大著色二十支，小著色二十支，开面十支，柳条二十支，箭头朱四两，南赭四两，石黄四两，石青四两，石绿四两，管黄四两，广花八两，蛤粉四匣，胭脂十片，大赤飞金二百帖，青金二百帖，广匀胶四两，净矾四两。矾绢的胶矾在外，别管他们，你只把绢交出去叫他们矾去。这些颜色，咱们淘澄飞跌著，又顽了，又使了，包你一辈子都够使了。再要顶细绢箩四个，粗绢箩四个，担笔四支，大小乳钵四个，大粗碗二十个，五寸粗碟十个，三寸粗白碟二十个，风炉两个，沙锅大小四个，新瓷罐二口，新水桶四只，一尺长白布口袋四条，浮炭二十斤，柳木炭一斤，三屉木箱一个，实地纱一丈，生姜二两，酱半斤。”黛玉忙道：“铁锅一口，锅铲一个。”宝钗道：“这作什么？”黛玉笑道：“你要生姜和酱这些作料，我替你要铁锅来，好炒颜色吃的。”众人都笑起来。宝钗笑道：“你那里知道。那粗色碟子保不住不上火烤，不拿姜汁子和酱预先抹在底子上烤过了，一经了火是要炸的。”众人听说，都道：“原来如此。”

黛玉又看了一回單子，笑著拉探春悄悄的道：“你瞧瞧，畫個畫兒又要這些水缸箱子來了。Daiyu looked over the list once more, and pulling Tanchun aside, said to her quietly with a laugh, "Just look at this — to paint a picture, and now she wants water vats and chests too.想必他糊涂了，把他的嫁妝單子也寫上了。”探春“噯”了一聲，笑個不住，說道：“寶姐姐，你還不擰他的嘴？She must have gotten confused and written her own trousseau list in along with it." Tanchun gave an "Oh!" and laughed without stopping, saying, "Sister Bao, aren't you going to pinch her mouth for that?你問問他編排你的話。”寶釵笑道：“不用問，狗嘴里還有象牙不成！”一面說，一面走上來，把黛玉按在炕上，便要擰他的臉。Just ask her what she's been saying about you behind your back." Baochai said with a laugh, "No need to ask — as if there could be ivory in a dog's mouth!" So saying, she came over, pushed Daiyu down onto the kang, and made as if to pinch her cheek.黛玉笑著忙央告：“好姐姐，饒了我罷！Daiyu laughed and hurriedly pleaded, "Dear sister, spare me!顰兒年紀小，只知說，不知道輕重，作姐姐的教導我。Pin'er is young and only knows how to talk, without knowing how serious it is — you, as my elder sister, should teach and guide me.姐姐不饒我，還求誰去？”眾人不知話內有因，都笑道：“說的好可怜見的，連我們也軟了，饒了他罷。”寶釵原是和他頑，忽聽他又拉扯前番說他胡看雜書的話，便不好再和他廝鬧，放起他來。If my own sister won't forgive me, who else is there to turn to?" The others, not knowing there was a story behind these words, all laughed and said, "She puts it so pitifully, it even softens our hearts — let her off, why don't you." Baochai had really only been playing with her, but on suddenly hearing her drag in that earlier business about her reading forbidden miscellaneous books, she found she could not go on teasing her roughly, and let her go.黛玉笑道：“到底是姐姐，要是我，再不饒人的。”寶釵笑指他道：“怪不得老太太疼你，眾人愛你伶俐，今兒我也怪疼你的了。Daiyu said with a laugh, "You really are the elder sister after all — if it were me, I'd never let anyone off so easily." Baochai said with a laugh, pointing at her, "No wonder the Old Ancestress dotes on you, and everyone loves how clever you are — today even I find myself quite doting on you.過來，我替你把頭髮攏一攏。”黛玉果然轉過身來，寶釵用手攏上去。Come here, let me smooth your hair for you." Daiyu did in fact turn around, and Baochai smoothed it down with her hand.寶玉在旁看著，只覺更好，不覺後悔不該令他抿上鬢去，也該留著，此時叫他替他抿去。Baoyu, watching from the side, thought it looked even better this way, and could not help regretting that he had let her smooth her own temples earlier — he ought to have left it be, so that just now Baochai could have smoothed it for her instead.正自胡思，只見寶釵說道：“寫完了，明兒回老太太去。Just as he was lost in such idle thoughts, he heard Baochai say, "It's all written out now — tomorrow we'll report to the Old Ancestress.若家里有的就罷，若沒有的，就拿些錢去買了來，我幫著你們配。”寶玉忙收了單子。Whatever the household already has can be left as is, and whatever it lacks, we'll take some money and buy it, and I'll help you all get it assembled." Baoyu hastily put away the list.

黛玉又看了一回单子，笑著拉探春悄悄的道：“你瞧瞧，画个画儿又要这些水缸箱子来了。想必他糊涂了，把他的嫁妆单子也写上了。”探春“嗳”了一声，笑个不住，说道：“宝姐姐，你还不拧他的嘴？你问问他编排你的话。”宝钗笑道：“不用问，狗嘴里还有象牙不成！”一面说，一面走上来，把黛玉按在炕上，便要拧他的脸。黛玉笑著忙央告：“好姐姐，饶了我罢！颦儿年纪小，只知说，不知道轻重，作姐姐的教导我。姐姐不饶我，还求谁去？”众人不知话内有因，都笑道：“说的好可怜见的，连我们也软了，饶了他罢。”宝钗原是和他顽，忽听他又拉扯前番说他胡看杂书的话，便不好再和他厮闹，放起他来。黛玉笑道：“到底是姐姐，要是我，再不饶人的。”宝钗笑指他道：“怪不得老太太疼你，众人爱你伶俐，今儿我也怪疼你的了。过来，我替你把头发拢一拢。”黛玉果然转过身来，宝钗用手拢上去。宝玉在旁看著，只觉更好，不觉后悔不该令他抿上鬓去，也该留著，此时叫他替他抿去。正自胡思，只见宝钗说道：“写完了，明儿回老太太去。若家里有的就罢，若没有的，就拿些钱去买了来，我帮著你们配。”宝玉忙收了单子。

大家又說了一回閒話。Everyone chatted on about idle matters a while longer.至晚飯後又往賈母處來請安。After the evening meal, they went again to Grandmother Jia's quarters to pay their respects.賈母原沒有大病，不過是勞乏了，兼著了些涼，溫存了一日，又吃了一劑藥疏散一疏散，至晚也就好了。Grandmother Jia had never really had a serious illness to begin with — it was merely that she had overtired herself, and caught a slight chill besides; after a day of being cared for and coddled, and taking one more dose of medicine to disperse it, by evening she was well again.不知次日又有何話，且聽下回分解。What was said the next day is not yet known — listen to the next chapter's explanation.

大家又说了一回闲话。至晚饭后又往贾母处来请安。贾母原没有大病，不过是劳乏了，兼著了些凉，温存了一日，又吃了一剂药疏散一疏散，至晚也就好了。不知次日又有何话，且听下回分解。