第四十四回　變生不測鳳姐潑醋　喜出望外平兒理妝 An Unexpected Quarrel Makes Xifeng Jealous; To Her Surprise Ping'er Redoes Her Makeup

話說眾人看演《荊釵記》，寶玉和姐妹一處坐著。Now, as everyone was watching a performance of *The Thorn Hairpin*, Baoyu sat together with his sisters and cousins.林黛玉因看到《男祭》這一出上，便和寶釵說道：“這王十朋也不通的很，不管在那里祭一祭罷了，必定跑到江邊子上來作什麼！When Lin Daiyu saw the scene called 'The Sacrifice,' she said to Baochai: 'This Wang Shipeng is quite unreasonable — it would have been enough to offer sacrifice wherever he was, why did he have to rush all the way to the riverside to do it!俗語說，‘睹物思人’，天下的水總歸一源，不拘那里的水舀一碗看著哭去，也就盡情了。”寶釵不答。As the saying goes, "seeing the object makes one think of the person" — all the waters under heaven come from the same source, so it wouldn't matter where he scooped up a bowl of water to weep over; that would have been feeling enough.' Baochai did not answer.寶玉回頭要熱酒敬鳳姐兒。Baoyu turned around and called for warm wine to toast Xifeng.

话说众人看演《荆钗记》，宝玉和姐妹一处坐著。林黛玉因看到《男祭》这一出上，便和宝钗说道：“这王十朋也不通的很，不管在那里祭一祭罢了，必定跑到江边子上来作什么！俗语说，‘睹物思人’，天下的水总归一源，不拘那里的水舀一碗看著哭去，也就尽情了。”宝钗不答。宝玉回头要热酒敬凤姐儿。

原來賈母說今日不比往日，定要叫鳳姐痛樂一日。It turned out that Grandmother Jia had said today was not like other days, and she was determined to make Xifeng enjoy herself thoroughly for once.本來自己懶待坐席，只在里間屋里榻上歪著和薛姨媽看戲，隨心愛吃的揀幾樣放在小上，隨意吃著說話兒，將自己兩桌席面賞那沒有席面的大小丫頭并那應差聽差的婦人等，命他們在窗外廊檐下也只管坐著隨意吃喝，不必拘禮。As for herself, she had no wish to sit properly at the feast, and simply reclined on the couch in the inner room with Aunt Xue to watch the opera, picking out a few dishes she fancied onto a small table and eating and chatting at her ease; she had given her own two tables of dishes to the maids, great and small, who had no places at the feast, and to the women on duty running errands, and told them to sit freely under the eaves outside the windows and eat and drink as they pleased, without standing on ceremony.王夫人和邢夫人在地下高桌上坐著，外面幾席是他姊妹們坐。Lady Wang and Lady Xing sat at the high table down on the floor, while the outer tables were occupied by the young ladies, the sisters and cousins.賈母不時吩咐尤氏等：“讓鳳丫頭坐在上面，你們好生替我待東，難為他一年到頭辛苦。”尤氏答應了，又笑回說道：“他坐不慣首席，坐在上頭橫不是豎不是的，酒也不肯吃。”賈母聽了，笑道：“你不會，等我親自讓他去。”鳳姐兒忙也進來笑說：“老祖宗別信他們的話，我吃了好幾鐘了。”賈母笑著，命尤氏：“快拉他出去，按在椅子上，你們都輪流敬他。Grandmother Jia kept telling You-shi and the others: 'Let sister Feng sit up at the head, and you all take good care to play host for me — it's hard on her, working so hard the whole year round.' You-shi agreed, then said with a smile: 'She's not used to sitting in the seat of honor — sitting up there she feels awkward every which way, and won't touch the wine.' Hearing this, Grandmother Jia laughed and said: 'You don't know how to handle it — let me go and press her myself.' Xifeng hurriedly came in too, saying with a smile: 'Old Ancestress, don't believe what they say, I've already drunk several cups.' Grandmother Jia, laughing, ordered You-shi: 'Quick, drag her out and press her down into the chair, and all of you take turns toasting her.他再不吃，我當真的就親自去了。”尤氏聽說，忙笑著又拉他出來坐下，命人拿了臺盞斟了酒，笑道：“一年到頭難為你孝順老太太，太太和我。If she still won't drink, I really will go myself.' Hearing this, You-shi hastily laughed and pulled her out again to sit down, and had someone bring a stemmed cup and pour wine, saying with a smile: 'All year round it's been hard on you, being so filial to the Old Ancestress, to my mother-in-law, and to me.我今兒沒什麼疼你的，親自斟杯酒，乖乖兒的在我手里喝一口。”鳳姐兒笑道：“你要安心孝敬我，跪下我就喝。”尤氏笑道：“說的你不知是誰！Today I have nothing else to show you my affection with, so let me pour you a cup myself — be good now and drink a mouthful from my hand.' Xifeng said with a smile: 'If you're really set on showing me respect, kneel down and I'll drink.' You-shi said with a laugh: 'Listen to you, anyone would think you were somebody important!我告訴你說，好容易今兒這一遭，過了後兒，知道還得象今兒這樣不得了？Let me tell you, it's not easy to get an occasion like today — once it's past, who knows when there will be another day like this?趁著盡力灌喪兩鐘罷。”鳳姐兒見推不過，只得喝了兩鐘。While we can, let's do our best to pour a couple of cups down you.' Seeing there was no getting out of it, Xifeng had no choice but to drink two cups.接著眾姊妹也來，鳳姐也只得每人的喝一口。Next the young ladies, sisters and cousins, all came too, and Xifeng had no choice but to drink a mouthful with each of them.賴大媽媽見賈母尚這等高興，也少不得來湊趣兒，領著些嬤嬤們也來敬酒。Seeing Grandmother Jia in such high spirits, Mother Lai could hardly hold back either, and came to join in the fun, leading a group of older nurses to offer toasts as well.鳳姐兒也難推脫，只得喝了兩口。Xifeng found it hard to refuse this too, and had no choice but to drink another two mouthfuls.鴛鴦等也來敬，鳳姐兒真不能了，忙央告道：“好姐姐們，饒了我罷，我明兒再喝罷。”鴛鴦笑道：“真個的，我們是沒臉的了？Then Yuanyang and the others came to offer toasts too, and by now Xifeng really could take no more; she hurriedly pleaded: 'Dear sisters, spare me, please — I'll drink again another day.' Yuanyang said with a laugh: 'So that's how it is — are we the ones with no standing here?就是我們在太太跟前，太太還賞個臉兒呢。Even when we're in front of the mistress, she still gives us that much face.往常倒有些体面，今兒當著這些人，倒拿起主子的款兒來了。Usually you show us some respect, but today, in front of all these people, you're suddenly putting on the airs of a mistress toward us.我原不該來。I really shouldn't have come.不喝，我們就走。”說著真個回去了。If you won't drink, we'll just leave.' So saying, she really did turn to go back.鳳姐兒忙赶上拉住，笑道：“好姐姐，我喝就是了。”說著拿過酒來，滿滿的斟了一杯喝乾。Xifeng hurriedly caught up and pulled her back, saying with a smile: 'Dear sister, I'll drink, that's all.' So saying, she took the wine and, filling a cup to the brim, drained it in one go.鴛鴦方笑了散去，然後又入席。Only then did Yuanyang smile and disperse with the others, after which Xifeng went back to her seat.

原来贾母说今日不比往日，定要叫凤姐痛乐一日。本来自己懒待坐席，只在里间屋里榻上歪著和薛姨妈看戏，随心爱吃的拣几样放在小上，随意吃著说话儿，将自己两桌席面赏那没有席面的大小丫头并那应差听差的妇人等，命他们在窗外廊檐下也只管坐著随意吃喝，不必拘礼。王夫人和邢夫人在地下高桌上坐著，外面几席是他姊妹们坐。贾母不时吩咐尤氏等：“让凤丫头坐在上面，你们好生替我待东，难为他一年到头辛苦。”尤氏答应了，又笑回说道：“他坐不惯首席，坐在上头横不是竖不是的，酒也不肯吃。”贾母听了，笑道：“你不会，等我亲自让他去。”凤姐儿忙也进来笑说：“老祖宗别信他们的话，我吃了好几钟了。”贾母笑著，命尤氏：“快拉他出去，按在椅子上，你们都轮流敬他。他再不吃，我当真的就亲自去了。”尤氏听说，忙笑著又拉他出来坐下，命人拿了台盏斟了酒，笑道：“一年到头难为你孝顺老太太，太太和我。我今儿没什么疼你的，亲自斟杯酒，乖乖儿的在我手里喝一口。”凤姐儿笑道：“你要安心孝敬我，跪下我就喝。”尤氏笑道：“说的你不知是谁！我告诉你说，好容易今儿这一遭，过了后儿，知道还得象今儿这样不得了？趁著尽力灌丧两钟罢。”凤姐儿见推不过，只得喝了两钟。接著众姊妹也来，凤姐也只得每人的喝一口。赖大妈妈见贾母尚这等高兴，也少不得来凑趣儿，领著些嬷嬷们也来敬酒。凤姐儿也难推脱，只得喝了两口。鸳鸯等也来敬，凤姐儿真不能了，忙央告道：“好姐姐们，饶了我罢，我明儿再喝罢。”鸳鸯笑道：“真个的，我们是没脸的了？就是我们在太太跟前，太太还赏个脸儿呢。往常倒有些体面，今儿当著这些人，倒拿起主子的款儿来了。我原不该来。不喝，我们就走。”说著真个回去了。凤姐儿忙赶上拉住，笑道：“好姐姐，我喝就是了。”说著拿过酒来，满满的斟了一杯喝干。鸳鸯方笑了散去，然后又入席。

鳳姐兒自覺酒沉了，心里突突的似往上撞，要往家去歇歇，只見那耍百戲的上來，便和尤氏說：“預備賞錢，我要洗洗臉去。”尤氏點頭。Xifeng, feeling the wine had gone to her head heavily, with her heart pounding as though something were pushing up inside her, wanted to go home and rest a while; just then the variety performers came on, so she said to You-shi: 'Have some reward money ready — I'm going to go wash my face.' You-shi nodded.鳳姐兒瞅人不防，便出了席，往房門後檐下走來。Watching for a moment when no one was paying attention, Xifeng slipped away from the feast and walked toward the eaves behind the door of her rooms.平兒留心，也忙跟了來，鳳姐兒便扶著他。Ping'er, keeping an eye out, hurried after her, and Xifeng leaned on her arm for support.才至穿廊下，只見他房里的一個小丫頭正在那里站著，見他兩個來了，回身就跑。Just as they reached the covered passage, they saw a little maid from her rooms standing there; seeing the two of them coming, the girl turned and ran.鳳姐兒便疑心忙叫。Xifeng grew suspicious at once and called out to her.那丫頭先只裝聽不見，無奈後面連平兒也叫，只得回來。The girl first pretended not to hear, but when Ping'er called out too from behind, she had no choice but to come back.鳳姐兒越發起了疑心，忙和平兒進了穿堂，叫那小丫頭子也進來，把槅扇關了，鳳姐兒坐在小院子的臺階上，命那丫頭子跪了，喝命平兒：“叫兩個二門上的小廝來，拿繩子鞭子，把那眼睛里沒主子的小蹄子打爛了！”那小丫頭子已經唬的魂飛魄散，哭著只管碰頭求饒。This only deepened Xifeng's suspicion, and she hurried with Ping'er into the passage room, had the little maid come in too, and shut the lattice doors. Xifeng sat down on the steps of the small courtyard, ordered the girl to kneel, and shouted at Ping'er: 'Call two of the boys from the second gate, get rope and a whip, and beat this little wretch who has no eyes for her mistress until she's black and blue!' The little maid was already frightened out of her wits, and kept knocking her head on the ground and weeping for mercy.鳳姐兒問道：“我又不是鬼，你見了我，不說規規矩矩站住，怎麼倒往前跑？”小丫頭子哭道：“我原沒看見奶奶來。Xifeng demanded: 'I'm not a ghost — when you saw me, instead of standing properly, why did you run off instead?' The little maid said through tears: 'I really didn't see you coming, madam.我又記挂著房里無人，所以跑了。”鳳姐兒道：“房里既沒人，誰叫你來的？And I was worried that there was no one in the room, so I ran.' Xifeng said: 'If there was no one in the room, who told you to come here?你便沒看見我，我和平兒在後頭扯著脖子叫了你十來聲，越叫越跑。Even if you didn't see me, Ping'er and I called you at the top of our lungs a good ten times from behind, and the more we called the faster you ran.離的又不遠，你聾了不成？We weren't even far away — have you gone deaf?你還和我強嘴！”說著便揚手一掌打在臉上，打的那小丫頭一栽，這邊臉上又一下，登時小丫頭子兩腮紫脹起來。And you still talk back to me!' So saying, she raised her hand and slapped the girl across the face, so hard the little maid staggered, then struck the other cheek too, and at once both the girl's cheeks swelled up purple.平兒忙勸：“奶奶仔細手疼。”鳳姐便說：“你再打著問他跑什麼。Ping'er hurriedly urged her: 'Careful, madam, you'll hurt your hand.' Xifeng said: 'You keep beating her and ask her why she ran.他再不說，把嘴撕爛了他的！”那小丫頭子先還強嘴，後來聽見鳳姐兒要燒了紅烙鐵來烙嘴，方哭道：“二爺在家里，打發我來這里瞧著奶奶的，若見奶奶散了，先叫我送信兒去的。If she still won't tell, tear her mouth to shreds!' The little maid at first still talked back, but when she heard Xifeng threaten to heat a red-hot iron and brand her mouth with it, she finally wept and said: 'The Second Master is at home, and sent me here to watch for you, madam — if I saw the feast breaking up, I was to run ahead and send word.不承望奶奶這會子就來了。”鳳姐兒見話中有文章，“叫你瞧著我作什麼？I never expected you'd come this soon, madam.' Xifeng, sensing there was more to this than met the eye, said: 'Why did he have you watch for me?難道怕我家去不成？Was he afraid of my coming home, or what?必有別的原故，快告訴我，我從此以後疼你。There must be some other reason — tell me quickly, and from now on I'll be good to you.你若不細說，立刻拿刀子來割你的肉。”說著，回頭向頭上拔下一根簪子來，向那丫頭嘴上亂戳，唬的那丫頭一行躲，一行哭求道：“我告訴奶奶，可別說我說的。”平兒一旁勸，一面催他，叫他快說。If you don't tell me everything, I'll fetch a knife this instant and cut your flesh.' So saying, she reached up and pulled a hairpin from her own hair and jabbed wildly at the girl's mouth with it; terrified, the girl dodged this way and that, weeping and begging: 'I'll tell you, madam, only please don't say it was I who told.' Ping'er stood by, both soothing her and urging her to hurry up and speak.丫頭便說道：“二爺也是才來房里的，睡了一會醒了，打發人來瞧瞧奶奶，說才坐席，還得好一會才來呢。The girl then said: 'The Second Master had only just come to the room himself; he slept a while, woke up, and sent someone to see how things stood with you, madam — word came back that you had only just sat down to the feast and wouldn't be back for quite a while yet.二爺就開了箱子，拿了兩塊銀子，還有兩根簪子，兩匹緞子，叫我悄悄的送與鮑二的老婆去，叫他進來。So the Second Master opened a chest, took out two pieces of silver, and also two hairpins and two bolts of satin, and had me quietly take them to Bao Er's wife, and told her to come in.他收了東西就往咱們屋里來了。She took the things and went straight into our rooms.二爺叫我來瞧著奶奶，底下的事我就不知道了。”The Second Master had me come out to watch for you, madam — what happened after that I don't know.

凤姐儿自觉酒沉了，心里突突的似往上撞，要往家去歇歇，只见那耍百戏的上来，便和尤氏说：“预备赏钱，我要洗洗脸去。”尤氏点头。凤姐儿瞅人不防，便出了席，往房门后檐下走来。平儿留心，也忙跟了来，凤姐儿便扶著他。才至穿廊下，只见他房里的一个小丫头正在那里站著，见他两个来了，回身就跑。凤姐儿便疑心忙叫。那丫头先只装听不见，无奈后面连平儿也叫，只得回来。凤姐儿越发起了疑心，忙和平儿进了穿堂，叫那小丫头子也进来，把槅扇关了，凤姐儿坐在小院子的台阶上，命那丫头子跪了，喝命平儿：“叫两个二门上的小厮来，拿绳子鞭子，把那眼睛里没主子的小蹄子打烂了！”那小丫头子已经唬的魂飞魄散，哭著只管碰头求饶。凤姐儿问道：“我又不是鬼，你见了我，不说规规矩矩站住，怎么倒往前跑？”小丫头子哭道：“我原没看见奶奶来。我又记挂著房里无人，所以跑了。”凤姐儿道：“房里既没人，谁叫你来的？你便没看见我，我和平儿在后头扯著脖子叫了你十来声，越叫越跑。离的又不远，你聋了不成？你还和我强嘴！”说著便扬手一掌打在脸上，打的那小丫头一栽，这边脸上又一下，登时小丫头子两腮紫胀起来。平儿忙劝：“奶奶仔细手疼。”凤姐便说：“你再打著问他跑什么。他再不说，把嘴撕烂了他的！”那小丫头子先还强嘴，后来听见凤姐儿要烧了红烙铁来烙嘴，方哭道：“二爷在家里，打发我来这里瞧著奶奶的，若见奶奶散了，先叫我送信儿去的。不承望奶奶这会子就来了。”凤姐儿见话中有文章，“叫你瞧著我作什么？难道怕我家去不成？必有别的原故，快告诉我，我从此以后疼你。你若不细说，立刻拿刀子来割你的肉。”说著，回头向头上拔下一根簪子来，向那丫头嘴上乱戳，唬的那丫头一行躲，一行哭求道：“我告诉奶奶，可别说我说的。”平儿一旁劝，一面催他，叫他快说。丫头便说道：“二爷也是才来房里的，睡了一会醒了，打发人来瞧瞧奶奶，说才坐席，还得好一会才来呢。二爷就开了箱子，拿了两块银子，还有两根簪子，两匹缎子，叫我悄悄的送与鲍二的老婆去，叫他进来。他收了东西就往咱们屋里来了。二爷叫我来瞧著奶奶，底下的事我就不知道了。”

鳳姐聽了，已氣的渾身發軟，忙立起來一徑來家。Hearing this, Xifeng was already so furious her whole body went weak; she hastily got up and headed straight for home.剛至院門，只見又有一個小丫頭在門前探頭兒，一見了鳳姐，也縮頭就跑。Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw another little maid poking her head out at the door; the moment she saw Xifeng, she too pulled her head back and ran.鳳姐兒提著名字喝住。Xifeng called out her name and stopped her in her tracks.那丫頭本來伶俐，見躲不過了，越性跑了出來，笑道：“我正要告訴奶奶去呢，可巧奶奶來了。”鳳姐兒道：“告訴我什麼？”那小丫頭便說二爺在家這般如此如此，將方才的話也說了一遍。The girl, being naturally quick-witted, seeing there was no dodging it, simply ran on out instead and said with a smile: 'I was just about to go tell you, madam, and here you are.' Xifeng said: 'Tell me what?' The little maid then told how the Second Master was at home doing thus and so, repeating the same account as before.鳳姐啐道：“你早作什麼了？Xifeng spat: 'What were you doing all this while?這會子我看見你了，你來推乾淨兒！”說著也揚手一下打的那丫頭一個趔趄，便攝手攝腳的走至窗前。Now that I've caught sight of you, you come and try to clear yourself!' So saying, she raised her hand and struck the girl so hard she staggered, then crept softly on tiptoe to the window.往里聽時，只聽里頭說笑。Listening in, she heard talk and laughter inside.那婦人笑道：“多早晚你那閻王老婆死了就好了。”賈璉道：“他死了，再娶一個也是這樣，又怎麼樣呢？”那婦人道：“他死了，你倒是把平兒扶了正，只怕還好些。”賈璉道：“如今連平兒他也不叫我沾一沾了。The woman was saying with a laugh: 'Things will be fine once that King-of-Hell wife of yours dies, whenever that may be.' Jia Lian said: 'If she dies, I'll marry another and she'll be just the same — what difference would it make?' The woman said: 'If she dies, you should raise Ping'er to be the proper wife — that might be better after all.' Jia Lian said: 'These days she won't even let me so much as touch Ping'er.平兒也是一肚子委曲不敢說。Ping'er too is full of grievances she doesn't dare speak of.我命里怎麼就該犯了‘夜叉星’。”Why should it be my fate to be cursed with a 'Yaksha star' of a wife?'

凤姐听了，已气的浑身发软，忙立起来一径来家。刚至院门，只见又有一个小丫头在门前探头儿，一见了凤姐，也缩头就跑。凤姐儿提著名字喝住。那丫头本来伶俐，见躲不过了，越性跑了出来，笑道：“我正要告诉奶奶去呢，可巧奶奶来了。”凤姐儿道：“告诉我什么？”那小丫头便说二爷在家这般如此如此，将方才的话也说了一遍。凤姐啐道：“你早作什么了？这会子我看见你了，你来推干净儿！”说著也扬手一下打的那丫头一个趔趄，便摄手摄脚的走至窗前。往里听时，只听里头说笑。那妇人笑道：“多早晚你那阎王老婆死了就好了。”贾琏道：“他死了，再娶一个也是这样，又怎么样呢？”那妇人道：“他死了，你倒是把平儿扶了正，只怕还好些。”贾琏道：“如今连平儿他也不叫我沾一沾了。平儿也是一肚子委曲不敢说。我命里怎么就该犯了‘夜叉星’。”

鳳姐聽了，氣的渾身亂戰，又聽他倆都贊平兒，便疑平兒素日背地里自然也有憤怨語了，那酒越發涌了上來，也并不忖奪，回身把平兒先打了兩下，一腳踢開門進去，也不容分說，抓著鮑二家的撕打一頓。Hearing this, Xifeng shook all over with rage, and hearing the two of them praising Ping'er besides, she suspected that Ping'er must ordinarily have made resentful remarks behind her back as well; the wine surged up in her all the more, and without stopping to think, she turned and struck Ping'er twice first, then kicked the door open and went in, and without letting anyone say a word, grabbed Bao Er's wife and tore into her.又怕賈璉走出去，便堵著門站著罵道：“好淫婦！Fearing Jia Lian might slip out, she stood blocking the doorway and cursed: 'You shameless slut!你偷主子漢子，還要治死主子老婆！You steal your mistress's husband, and now you want to do away with your mistress's wife too!平兒過來！Ping'er, come here!你們淫婦忘八一條藤兒，多嫌著我，外面兒你哄我！”說著又把平兒打幾下，打的平兒有冤無處訴，只氣得乾哭，罵道：“你們做這些沒臉的事，好好的又拉上我做什麼！”說著也把鮑二家的撕打起來。You slut and that cuckold are two vines on the same root, always finding fault with me, deceiving me behind my back!' So saying, she struck Ping'er several more times, until Ping'er, wronged with nowhere to voice it, could only sob dry, furious tears, crying out: 'You're the ones doing these shameless things — why drag me into it for no reason!' And with that she too fell on Bao Er's wife and tore into her.賈璉也因吃多了酒，進來高興，未曾作的机密，一見鳳姐來了，已沒了主意，又見平兒也鬧起來，把酒也氣上來了。Jia Lian, having had too much wine and come in in high spirits, had not been careful to keep things secret; the moment he saw Xifeng arrive he lost all presence of mind, and now seeing Ping'er making a scene too, his drunken temper flared up as well.鳳姐兒打鮑二家的，他已又氣又愧，只不好說的，今見平兒也打，便上來踢罵道：“好娼婦！While Xifeng was beating Bao Er's wife, Jia Lian had already been furious and ashamed, but could say nothing about it; now seeing Ping'er beating her too, he came forward and kicked her, cursing: 'You shameless whore!你也動手打人！”平兒氣怯，忙住了手，哭道：“你們背地里說話，為什麼拉我呢？”鳳姐見平兒怕賈璉，越發氣了，又赶上來打著平兒，偏叫打鮑二家的。You dare lay hands on someone too!' Ping'er's courage failed her, and she hastily stopped, weeping: 'It was you two talking behind my back — why drag me into it?' Seeing that Ping'er was afraid of Jia Lian, Xifeng grew even angrier, and rushed forward to strike Ping'er, insisting all the while that she beat Bao Er's wife instead.平兒急了，便跑出來找刀子要尋死。In her desperation, Ping'er ran outside to look for a knife, meaning to kill herself.外面眾婆子丫頭忙攔住解勸。The women and maids outside hurriedly stopped her and tried to talk her out of it.這里鳳姐見平兒尋死去，便一頭撞在賈璉怀里，叫道：“你們一條藤兒害我，被我聽見了，倒都唬起我來。Meanwhile, seeing Ping'er run off to kill herself, Xifeng threw herself against Jia Lian's chest, crying: 'The two of you plotted together to do me harm, and now that I've overheard it, you turn around and try to frighten me instead.你也勒死我！”賈璉氣的牆上拔出劍來，說道：“不用尋死，我也急了，一齊殺了，我償了命，大家乾淨。”正鬧的不開交，只見尤氏等一群人來了，說：“這是怎麼說，才好好的，就鬧起來。”賈璉見了人，越發“倚酒三分醉”，逞起威風來，故意要殺鳳姐兒。Go on, strangle me too!' Jia Lian, in his fury, pulled a sword from the wall and said: 'No need to go looking for a knife — I'm desperate too. I'll kill the lot of you, and pay with my own life, and then everyone will be done with it.' Just as the uproar was at its worst, You-shi and a crowd of others arrived, saying: 'What is the meaning of this? Everything was fine just now, and suddenly there's this uproar.' Seeing people arrive, Jia Lian, using the wine as an excuse to seem three parts drunk, put on an even fiercer show of bravado, making as if he truly meant to kill Xifeng.鳳姐兒見人來了，便不似先前那般潑了，丟下眾人，便哭著往賈母那邊跑。Seeing others arrive, Xifeng no longer acted as fierce as before; leaving everyone behind, she ran off weeping toward Grandmother Jia's quarters.

凤姐听了，气的浑身乱战，又听他俩都赞平儿，便疑平儿素日背地里自然也有愤怨语了，那酒越发涌了上来，也并不忖夺，回身把平儿先打了两下，一脚踢开门进去，也不容分说，抓著鲍二家的撕打一顿。又怕贾琏走出去，便堵著门站著骂道：“好淫妇！你偷主子汉子，还要治死主子老婆！平儿过来！你们淫妇忘八一条藤儿，多嫌著我，外面儿你哄我！”说著又把平儿打几下，打的平儿有冤无处诉，只气得干哭，骂道：“你们做这些没脸的事，好好的又拉上我做什么！”说著也把鲍二家的撕打起来。贾琏也因吃多了酒，进来高兴，未曾作的机密，一见凤姐来了，已没了主意，又见平儿也闹起来，把酒也气上来了。凤姐儿打鲍二家的，他已又气又愧，只不好说的，今见平儿也打，便上来踢骂道：“好娼妇！你也动手打人！”平儿气怯，忙住了手，哭道：“你们背地里说话，为什么拉我呢？”凤姐见平儿怕贾琏，越发气了，又赶上来打著平儿，偏叫打鲍二家的。平儿急了，便跑出来找刀子要寻死。外面众婆子丫头忙拦住解劝。这里凤姐见平儿寻死去，便一头撞在贾琏怀里，叫道：“你们一条藤儿害我，被我听见了，倒都唬起我来。你也勒死我！”贾琏气的墙上拔出剑来，说道：“不用寻死，我也急了，一齐杀了，我偿了命，大家干净。”正闹的不开交，只见尤氏等一群人来了，说：“这是怎么说，才好好的，就闹起来。”贾琏见了人，越发“倚酒三分醉”，逞起威风来，故意要杀凤姐儿。凤姐儿见人来了，便不似先前那般泼了，丢下众人，便哭著往贾母那边跑。

此時戲已散出，鳳姐跑到賈母跟前，爬在賈母怀里，只說：“老祖宗救我！By this time the opera had already let out; Xifeng ran up to Grandmother Jia and threw herself into her arms, crying only: 'Old Ancestress, save me!璉二爺要殺我呢！”賈母、邢夫人、王夫人等忙問怎麼了。Second Master Lian wants to kill me!' Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, Lady Wang and the others hurriedly asked what had happened.鳳姐兒哭道：“我才家去換衣裳，不防璉二爺在家和人說話，我只當是有客來了，唬得我不敢進去。Xifeng said through her tears: 'I had just gone home to change my clothes, when unexpectedly I heard Second Master Lian talking with someone inside; I thought a guest must have come, and was too frightened to go in.在窗戶外頭聽了一聽，原來是和鮑二家的媳婦商議，說我利害，要拿毒藥給我吃了治死我，把平兒扶了正。I listened for a moment outside the window, and it turned out he was plotting with Bao Er's wife, saying I was too fierce, and that they wanted to give me poison to kill me and raise Ping'er to be the proper wife.我原氣了，又不敢和他吵，原打了平兒兩下，問他為什麼要害我。I was furious, but didn't dare quarrel with him, so I only struck Ping'er twice, asking her why she wanted to harm me.他臊了，就要殺我。”賈母等聽了，都信以為真，說：“這還了得！He got embarrassed, and then he wanted to kill me.' Hearing this, Grandmother Jia and the others all believed it completely, and said: 'This is outrageous!快拿了那下流种子來！”一語未完，只見賈璉拿著劍赶來，後面許多人跟著。Quick, bring that low-down wretch here!' Before the words were even finished, Jia Lian came rushing up sword in hand, with a crowd of people following behind him.賈璉明仗著賈母素習疼他們，連母親嬸母也無礙，故逞強鬧了來。Jia Lian, plainly relying on the fact that Grandmother Jia usually doted on them, and unconcerned even about his own mother and aunt, had come storming in putting on a show of bravado.邢夫人、王夫人見了，氣的忙攔住罵道：“這下流种子！Seeing him, Lady Xing and Lady Wang, furious, hurried to block him and scolded: 'You low-down wretch!你越發反了，老太太在這里呢！”賈璉乜斜著眼，道：“都是老太太慣的他，他才這樣，連我也罵起來了！”邢夫人氣的奪下劍來，只管喝他“快出去！”那賈璉撒嬌撒痴，涎言涎語的還只亂說。Have you completely lost your senses — the Old Ancestress is right here!' Jia Lian, eyes sliding sideways, said: 'It's all because the Old Ancestress has spoiled her that she behaves like this, and now even I get scolded for it!' Lady Xing, in her fury, wrenched the sword from him and kept shouting at him to get out at once. Jia Lian, acting the spoiled fool, kept babbling on in a shameless, drunken way.賈母氣的說道：“我知道你也不把我們放在眼睛里，叫人把他老子叫來！”賈璉聽見這話，方趔趄著腳兒出去了，賭氣也不往家去，便往外書房來。Grandmother Jia said furiously: 'I know very well you don't hold any of us in your eyes either — someone go and fetch his father!' Hearing this, Jia Lian finally stumbled out, and in his sullen anger did not go home either, but went instead to the outer study.

此时戏已散出，凤姐跑到贾母跟前，爬在贾母怀里，只说：“老祖宗救我！琏二爷要杀我呢！”贾母、邢夫人、王夫人等忙问怎么了。凤姐儿哭道：“我才家去换衣裳，不防琏二爷在家和人说话，我只当是有客来了，唬得我不敢进去。在窗户外头听了一听，原来是和鲍二家的媳妇商议，说我利害，要拿毒药给我吃了治死我，把平儿扶了正。我原气了，又不敢和他吵，原打了平儿两下，问他为什么要害我。他臊了，就要杀我。”贾母等听了，都信以为真，说：“这还了得！快拿了那下流种子来！”一语未完，只见贾琏拿著剑赶来，后面许多人跟著。贾琏明仗著贾母素习疼他们，连母亲婶母也无碍，故逞强闹了来。邢夫人、王夫人见了，气的忙拦住骂道：“这下流种子！你越发反了，老太太在这里呢！”贾琏乜斜著眼，道：“都是老太太惯的他，他才这样，连我也骂起来了！”邢夫人气的夺下剑来，只管喝他“快出去！”那贾琏撒娇撒痴，涎言涎语的还只乱说。贾母气的说道：“我知道你也不把我们放在眼睛里，叫人把他老子叫来！”贾琏听见这话，方趔趄著脚儿出去了，赌气也不往家去，便往外书房来。

這里邢夫人王夫人也說鳳姐兒。Here at home, Lady Xing and Lady Wang also had words for Xifeng.賈母笑道：“什麼要緊的事！Grandmother Jia said with a smile: 'What is there in this to make such a fuss about!小孩子們年輕，饞嘴貓兒似的，那里保得住不這麼著。Young people, being young, are like greedy little cats — there's no guaranteeing they won't behave like this.從小兒世人都打這麼過的。Ever since young, people in this world have always gone through such things.都是我的不是，他多吃了兩口酒，又吃起醋來。”說的眾人都笑了。It's all my fault — she had a couple of cups too many, and then went and got jealous on top of it.' This made everyone laugh.賈母又道：“你放心，等明兒我叫他來替你賠不是。Grandmother Jia went on: 'Don't worry, tomorrow I'll have him come and apologize to you.你今兒別要過去臊著他。”因又罵：“平兒那蹄子，素日我倒看他好，怎麼暗地里這麼坏。”尤氏等笑道：“平兒沒有不是，是鳳丫頭拿著人家出氣。Just don't go over there today and embarrass him.' Then she scolded again: 'That wretch Ping'er — I always thought well of her, how could she be so wicked behind everyone's back?' You-shi and the others said with a smile: 'There's nothing wrong Ping'er did — it's sister Feng taking her anger out on someone else.兩口子不好對打，都拿著平兒煞性子。Husband and wife couldn't very well fight each other directly, so they both vented their tempers on Ping'er.平兒委曲的什麼似的呢，老太太還罵人家。”賈母道：“原來這樣，我說那孩子倒不象那狐媚魘道的。Ping'er has been wronged something terrible, and now the Old Ancestress is scolding her on top of it.' Grandmother Jia said: 'So that's how it was — I did think that girl didn't seem like the fox-charm, bewitching sort.既這麼著，可怜見的，白受他們的氣。”因叫琥珀來：“你出去告訴平兒，就說我的話：我知道他受了委曲，明兒我叫鳳姐兒替他賠不是。If that's how it is, poor thing, she took their anger for nothing.' So she called Hupo to her: 'Go out and tell Ping'er, say these are my words: I know she's been wronged, and tomorrow I'll have Xifeng apologize to her.今兒是他主子的好日子，不許他胡鬧。”Today is her mistress's happy occasion, and she is not to carry on foolishly.'

这里邢夫人王夫人也说凤姐儿。贾母笑道：“什么要紧的事！小孩子们年轻，馋嘴猫儿似的，那里保得住不这么著。从小儿世人都打这么过的。都是我的不是，他多吃了两口酒，又吃起醋来。”说的众人都笑了。贾母又道：“你放心，等明儿我叫他来替你赔不是。你今儿别要过去臊著他。”因又骂：“平儿那蹄子，素日我倒看他好，怎么暗地里这么坏。”尤氏等笑道：“平儿没有不是，是凤丫头拿著人家出气。两口子不好对打，都拿著平儿煞性子。平儿委曲的什么似的呢，老太太还骂人家。”贾母道：“原来这样，我说那孩子倒不象那狐媚魇道的。既这么著，可怜见的，白受他们的气。”因叫琥珀来：“你出去告诉平儿，就说我的话：我知道他受了委曲，明儿我叫凤姐儿替他赔不是。今儿是他主子的好日子，不许他胡闹。”

原來平兒早被李紈拉入大觀園去了。It turned out that Ping'er had already been taken by Li Wan into the Grand View Garden.平兒哭的哽咽難抬。Ping'er was crying so hard she could scarcely lift her head, choking on her sobs.寶釵勸道：“你是個明白人，素日鳳丫頭何等待你，今兒不過他多吃一口酒。Baochai comforted her: 'You're a sensible person — you know how well sister Feng usually treats you; today it was only that she had one drink too many.他可不拿你出氣，難道倒拿別人出氣不成？If she doesn't vent her anger on you, is she supposed to vent it on someone else instead?別人又笑話他吃醉了。And other people would only laugh at her for being drunk.你只管這會子委曲，素日你的好處，豈不都是假的了？”正說著，只見琥珀走來，說了賈母的話。If you go on feeling so wronged right now, doesn't that make all the good she's shown you before seem false?' Just as she was speaking, Hupo came in and delivered Grandmother Jia's message.平兒自覺面上有了光輝，方才漸漸的好了，也不往前頭來。Ping'er, feeling that this had restored some of her standing, gradually felt better, and did not go back to the front.寶釵等歇息了一回，方來看賈母鳳姐。Baochai and the others rested for a while before going to see Grandmother Jia and Xifeng.

原来平儿早被李纨拉入大观园去了。平儿哭的哽咽难抬。宝钗劝道：“你是个明白人，素日凤丫头何等待你，今儿不过他多吃一口酒。他可不拿你出气，难道倒拿别人出气不成？别人又笑话他吃醉了。你只管这会子委曲，素日你的好处，岂不都是假的了？”正说著，只见琥珀走来，说了贾母的话。平儿自觉面上有了光辉，方才渐渐的好了，也不往前头来。宝钗等歇息了一回，方来看贾母凤姐。

寶玉便讓平兒到怡紅院中來。Baoyu then invited Ping'er to come to Happy Red Court.襲人忙接著，笑道：“我先原要讓你的，只因大奶奶和姑娘們都讓你，我就不好讓的了。”平兒也陪笑說”多謝”。Xiren hurriedly received her, saying with a smile: 'I meant to invite you myself earlier, but since the young mistress and the young ladies had already invited you, it wasn't right for me to as well.' Ping'er, forcing a smile, said 'many thanks.'因又說道：“好好兒的從那里說起，無緣無故白受了一場氣。”襲人笑道：“二奶奶素日待你好，這不過是一時氣急了。”平兒道：“二奶奶倒沒說的，只是那淫婦治的我，他又偏拿我湊趣，況還有我們那糊涂爺倒打我。”說著便又委曲，禁不住落淚。Then she said: 'Where should I even begin — for no reason at all I've suffered this whole ordeal of anger.' Xiren said with a smile: 'The Second Mistress has always treated you well; this was only a moment of angry haste.' Ping'er said: 'The Second Mistress, there's nothing to say about her — it's that shameless woman who did this to me, and on top of it she had to make a joke of me, and then there was our muddle-headed master who even struck me.' So saying, she felt wronged all over again and could not hold back her tears.寶玉忙勸道：“好姐姐，別傷心，我替他兩個賠不是罷。”平兒笑道：“與你什麼相干？”寶玉笑道：“我們弟兄姊妹都一樣。Baoyu hurriedly comforted her: 'Dear sister, don't be sad — let me apologize to you on their behalf.' Ping'er said with a smile: 'What business is it of yours?' Baoyu said with a smile: 'Among us brothers and sisters it's all the same.他們得罪了人，我替他賠個不是也是應該的。”又道：“可惜這新衣裳也沾了，這里有你花妹妹的衣裳，何不換了下來，拿些燒酒噴了熨一熨。If they've wronged someone, it's only right that I apologize on their behalf.' He went on: 'What a pity your new clothes got stained too — here, there are your sister Hua's clothes, why not change out of yours, and we can spray some rice wine on them and press them with an iron.把頭也另梳一梳，洗洗臉。”一面說，一面便吩咐了小丫頭子們舀洗臉水，燒熨斗來。And do your hair over again, and wash your face.' As he spoke, he told the little maids to fetch water for washing her face and to heat up the iron.平兒素習只聞人說寶玉專能和女孩兒們接交，寶玉素日因平兒是賈璉的愛妾，又是鳳姐兒的心腹，故不肯和他廝近，因不能盡心，也常為恨事。Ping'er had always only heard people say that Baoyu had a special gift for getting along with girls; and Baoyu, for his part, had usually kept his distance from Ping'er because she was Jia Lian's favored concubine and also Xifeng's trusted confidante, so he had never been able to be as attentive to her as he wished, which had often been a cause of regret to him.平兒今見他這般，心中也暗暗的拈掇：果然話不虛傳，色色想的周到。Seeing him behave this way today, Ping'er thought to herself privately: it's true, the talk about him is no exaggeration — he thinks of everything, down to the smallest detail.又見襲人特特的開了箱子，拿出兩件不大穿的衣裳來與他換，便赶忙的脫下自己的衣服，忙去洗了臉。Seeing too that Xiren had specially opened a chest and taken out two garments she rarely wore for her to change into, Ping'er hurriedly took off her own clothes and went to wash her face.寶玉一旁笑勸道：“姐姐還該擦上些脂粉，不然倒象是和鳳姐姐賭氣了似的。Baoyu, standing by, urged her with a smile: 'Sister, you should put on a little rouge and powder too — otherwise it will look as though you're sulking at sister Feng.況且又是他的好日子，而且老太太又打發了人來安慰你。”平兒聽了有理，便去找粉，只不見粉。Especially since today is her happy occasion, and besides, the Old Ancestress has sent someone specially to comfort you.' Ping'er, finding this reasonable, went to look for powder, but couldn't find any.寶玉忙走至妝台前，將一個宣窯瓷盒揭開，里面盛著一排十根玉簪花棒，拈了一根遞與平兒。Baoyu hurried over to the dressing table and lifted the lid off a porcelain box from the Xuande kilns; inside lay a row of ten little sticks like jade hairpins, and he picked one out and handed it to Ping'er.又笑向他道：“這不是鉛粉，這是紫茉莉花种，研碎了兌上香料制的。”平兒倒在掌上看時，果見輕白紅香，四樣俱美，攤在面上也容易勻淨，且能潤澤肌膚，不似別的粉青重澀滯。He said to her with a smile: 'This isn't lead powder — it's made from four-o'clock flower seeds, ground fine and blended with perfume.' When Ping'er poured a little into her palm to look, she found it truly was light, white, red, and fragrant — all four qualities lovely at once; spread on the face it went on smooth and even, and it moistened the skin besides, not heavy and clogging like other powders.然後看見胭脂也不是成張的，卻是一個小小的白玉盒子，里面盛著一盒，如玫瑰膏子一樣。Then she saw that the rouge, too, was not in the usual paper leaves, but kept in a small white jade box, holding a paste inside that looked just like rose-petal cream.寶玉笑道：“那市賣的胭脂都不乾淨，顏色也薄。Baoyu said with a smile: 'The rouge sold in shops is never clean, and the color is thin besides.這是上好的胭脂擰出汁子來，淘澄淨了渣滓，配了花露蒸疊成的。This is made from the very best rouge, its juice wrung out, the sediment strained clean away, blended with flower dew, and steamed and layered together.只用細簪子挑一點兒抹在手心里，用一點水化開抹在唇上，手心里就夠打頰腮了。Just take a bit on the tip of a fine hairpin and dab it into your palm, dissolve a little with water and apply it to your lips, and what's left in your palm is enough for your cheeks.平兒依言妝飾，果見鮮艷异常，且又甜香滿頰。Ping'er did as he said and applied it, and indeed found the color extraordinarily fresh and vivid, with a sweet fragrance filling her cheeks.寶玉又將盆內的一枝并蒂秋蕙用竹剪刀擷了下來，與他簪在鬢上。Baoyu then took a bamboo pair of scissors and snipped off a twin-stemmed autumn orchid from a pot, and pinned it into her hair at the temple.忽見李紈打發丫頭來喚他，方忙忙的去了。Just then Li Wan sent a maid to call for her, and Ping'er hurriedly went off.

宝玉便让平儿到怡红院中来。袭人忙接著，笑道：“我先原要让你的，只因大奶奶和姑娘们都让你，我就不好让的了。”平儿也陪笑说”多谢”。因又说道：“好好儿的从那里说起，无缘无故白受了一场气。”袭人笑道：“二奶奶素日待你好，这不过是一时气急了。”平儿道：“二奶奶倒没说的，只是那淫妇治的我，他又偏拿我凑趣，况还有我们那糊涂爷倒打我。”说著便又委曲，禁不住落泪。宝玉忙劝道：“好姐姐，别伤心，我替他两个赔不是罢。”平儿笑道：“与你什么相干？”宝玉笑道：“我们弟兄姊妹都一样。他们得罪了人，我替他赔个不是也是应该的。”又道：“可惜这新衣裳也沾了，这里有你花妹妹的衣裳，何不换了下来，拿些烧酒喷了熨一熨。把头也另梳一梳，洗洗脸。”一面说，一面便吩咐了小丫头子们舀洗脸水，烧熨斗来。平儿素习只闻人说宝玉专能和女孩儿们接交，宝玉素日因平儿是贾琏的爱妾，又是凤姐儿的心腹，故不肯和他厮近，因不能尽心，也常为恨事。平儿今见他这般，心中也暗暗的拈掇：果然话不虚传，色色想的周到。又见袭人特特的开了箱子，拿出两件不大穿的衣裳来与他换，便赶忙的脱下自己的衣服，忙去洗了脸。宝玉一旁笑劝道：“姐姐还该擦上些脂粉，不然倒象是和凤姐姐赌气了似的。况且又是他的好日子，而且老太太又打发了人来安慰你。”平儿听了有理，便去找粉，只不见粉。宝玉忙走至妆台前，将一个宣窑瓷盒揭开，里面盛著一排十根玉簪花棒，拈了一根递与平儿。又笑向他道：“这不是铅粉，这是紫茉莉花种，研碎了兑上香料制的。”平儿倒在掌上看时，果见轻白红香，四样俱美，摊在面上也容易匀净，且能润泽肌肤，不似别的粉青重涩滞。然后看见胭脂也不是成张的，却是一个小小的白玉盒子，里面盛著一盒，如玫瑰膏子一样。宝玉笑道：“那市卖的胭脂都不干净，颜色也薄。这是上好的胭脂拧出汁子来，淘澄净了渣滓，配了花露蒸叠成的。只用细簪子挑一点儿抹在手心里，用一点水化开抹在唇上，手心里就够打颊腮了。平儿依言妆饰，果见鲜艳异常，且又甜香满颊。宝玉又将盆内的一枝并蒂秋蕙用竹剪刀撷了下来，与他簪在鬓上。忽见李纨打发丫头来唤他，方忙忙的去了。

寶玉因自來從未在平兒前盡過心，——且平兒又是個极聰明极清俊的上等女孩兒，比不得那起俗拙蠢物——深為恨怨。Baoyu, because he had never once before been able to show his full consideration toward Ping'er — and she, moreover, was an exceptionally clever and refined girl of the first rank, quite unlike those coarse, dull, clumsy creatures — had long felt this deeply as a regret.今日是金釧兒的生日，故一日不樂。Today, moreover, was Jinchuan'er's birthday, and so he had been unhappy all day long.不想落後鬧出這件事來，竟得在平兒前稍盡片心，亦今生意中不想之樂也。He had never expected that this whole affair would break out afterward, letting him at last show Ping'er a small measure of his consideration — this too was an unlooked-for joy in this life.因歪在床上，心內怡然自得。Because he was reclining on the bed, his heart was filled with quiet contentment.忽又思及賈璉惟知以淫樂悅己，并不知作養脂粉。He suddenly thought again of how Jia Lian knew only to please himself with carnal pleasure, and had no idea how to cherish and nurture the women around him.又思平兒并無父母兄弟姊妹，獨自一人，供應賈璉夫婦二人。He also thought of how Ping'er had no parents, no brothers or sisters, and all alone had to wait upon both Jia Lian and his wife.賈璉之俗，鳳姐之威，他竟能周全妥貼，今兒還遭荼毒，想來此人薄命，比黛玉猶甚。Given Jia Lian's coarseness and Xifeng's severity, that she had still managed to attend to both so perfectly and smoothly, and today had even suffered such abuse for it — he thought this person's fate was a thin one, even more so than Daiyu's.想到此間，便又傷感起來，不覺灑然淚下。Thinking this far, he grew sorrowful all over again, and before he knew it, tears came streaming down.因見襲人等不在房內，盡力落了幾點痛淚。Seeing that Xiren and the others were not in the room, he wept several tears of anguish to his heart's content.复起身，又見方才的衣裳上噴的酒已半干，便拿熨斗熨了疊好，見他的手帕子忘去，上面猶有淚漬，又拿至臉盆中洗了晾上。Rising again, he saw that the wine sprayed on the clothes earlier had half dried, so he took the flatiron and pressed and folded them; noticing that her handkerchief had been left behind, still bearing traces of tears, he took it to the washbasin, washed it, and hung it up to dry.又喜又悲，悶了一回，也往稻香村來，說一回閒話，掌燈後方散。Glad and sorrowful both, he sat gloomily for a while, then went over to Daoxiang Cun as well, chatted idly for a spell, and only broke up after the lamps were lit.

宝玉因自来从未在平儿前尽过心，——且平儿又是个极聪明极清俊的上等女孩儿，比不得那起俗拙蠢物——深为恨怨。今日是金钏儿的生日，故一日不乐。不想落后闹出这件事来，竟得在平儿前稍尽片心，亦今生意中不想之乐也。因歪在床上，心内怡然自得。忽又思及贾琏惟知以淫乐悦己，并不知作养脂粉。又思平儿并无父母兄弟姊妹，独自一人，供应贾琏夫妇二人。贾琏之俗，凤姐之威，他竟能周全妥贴，今儿还遭荼毒，想来此人薄命，比黛玉犹甚。想到此间，便又伤感起来，不觉洒然泪下。因见袭人等不在房内，尽力落了几点痛泪。复起身，又见方才的衣裳上喷的酒已半干，便拿熨斗熨了叠好，见他的手帕子忘去，上面犹有泪渍，又拿至脸盆中洗了晾上。又喜又悲，闷了一回，也往稻香村来，说一回闲话，掌灯后方散。

平兒就在李紈處歇了一夜，鳳姐兒只跟著賈母。Ping'er spent that night resting at Li Wan's place, while Xifeng stayed only by Grandmother Jia's side.賈璉晚間歸房，冷清清的，又不好去叫，只得胡亂睡了一夜。When Jia Lian returned to his room that evening, it was cold and cheerless; not caring to go and summon anyone, he had no choice but to sleep the night through in a haphazard way.次日醒了，想昨日之事，大沒意思，後悔不來。Waking the next day and thinking over the previous day's affair, he found it utterly senseless, and regretted it deeply.邢夫人記挂著昨日賈璉醉了，忙一早過來，叫了賈璉過賈母這邊來。Lady Xing, worrying over Jia Lian's drunkenness the day before, hurried over early in the morning and had Jia Lian summoned to Grandmother Jia's side.賈璉只得忍愧前來在賈母面前跪下。Jia Lian had no choice but to swallow his shame and come kneel before Grandmother Jia.賈母問他：“怎麼了？”賈璉忙陪笑說：“昨兒原是吃了酒，驚了老太太的駕了，今兒來領罪。”賈母啐道：“下流東西，灌了黃湯，不說安分守己的挺尸去，倒打起老婆來了！Grandmother Jia asked him, "What happened?" Jia Lian hastily said with a forced smile, "Yesterday I had simply had too much to drink, and disturbed Old Ancestress's peace — today I've come to accept my punishment." Grandmother Jia spat and said, "Wretched creature! After pouring that yellow soup down your throat, instead of behaving yourself and going off to lie down like a corpse, you turned around and beat your wife!鳳丫頭成日家說嘴，霸王似的一個人，昨兒唬得可怜。That Feng girl boasts all day long, acting like a tyrant of a person, and yesterday she was frightened until she was pitiful to see.要不是我，你要傷了他的命，這會子怎麼樣？”賈璉一肚子的委屈，不敢分辯，只認不是。If it weren't for me, you'd have done her an injury — what would things be like now?" Jia Lian was full of grievance but dared not argue, and only admitted his fault.賈母又道：“那鳳丫頭和平兒還不是個美人胎子？Grandmother Jia went on, "Aren't that Feng girl and Ping'er both born beauties?你還不足！And still you're not satisfied!成日家偷雞摸狗，髒的臭的，都拉了你屋里去。All day long stealing chickens and groping dogs, filthy stinking creatures — you drag them all into your room.為這起淫婦打老婆，又打屋里的人，你還虧是大家子的公子出身，活打了嘴了。For the sake of this slut you beat your wife, and beat the girl in your room besides — and you call yourself a young master born into a great household! You've slapped your own face raw.若你眼睛里有我，你起來，我饒了你，乖乖的替你媳婦賠個不是，拉了他家去，我就喜歡了。If you have any regard for me left in your eyes, get up — I'll forgive you. Go obediently and make your apology to your wife, take her back home with you, and then I'll be pleased.要不然，你只管出去，我也不敢受你的跪。”賈璉聽如此說，又見鳳姐兒站在那邊，也不盛妝，哭的眼睛腫著，也不施脂粉，黃黃臉兒，比往常更覺可怜可愛。Otherwise, you may simply leave — I dare not accept your kneeling." Hearing this, Jia Lian glanced over at Xifeng standing there, not dressed up at all, her eyes swollen from weeping, without a trace of rouge or powder, her face sallow — and she seemed even more pitiable and lovable than usual.想著：“不如賠了不是，彼此也好了，又討老太太的喜歡了。”想畢，便笑道：“老太太的話，我不敢不依，只是越發縱了他了。”賈母笑道：“胡說！He thought to himself: "Better to apologize — that way things will be smoothed over between us, and I'll win Grandmother's favor besides." Having thought it over, he said with a smile, "I dare not disobey Grandmother's word, only I fear it will spoil her all the more." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Nonsense!我知道他最有禮的，再不會沖撞人。I know she is the most courteous of people, and would never offend anyone again.他日後得罪了你，我自然也作主，叫你降伏就是了。”If she offends you some other day, I will of course take charge of it myself, and see that you get the better of her — that's all."

平儿就在李纨处歇了一夜，凤姐儿只跟著贾母。贾琏晚间归房，冷清清的，又不好去叫，只得胡乱睡了一夜。次日醒了，想昨日之事，大没意思，后悔不来。邢夫人记挂著昨日贾琏醉了，忙一早过来，叫了贾琏过贾母这边来。贾琏只得忍愧前来在贾母面前跪下。贾母问他：“怎么了？”贾琏忙陪笑说：“昨儿原是吃了酒，惊了老太太的驾了，今儿来领罪。”贾母啐道：“下流东西，灌了黄汤，不说安分守己的挺尸去，倒打起老婆来了！凤丫头成日家说嘴，霸王似的一个人，昨儿唬得可怜。要不是我，你要伤了他的命，这会子怎么样？”贾琏一肚子的委屈，不敢分辩，只认不是。贾母又道：“那凤丫头和平儿还不是个美人胎子？你还不足！成日家偷鸡摸狗，脏的臭的，都拉了你屋里去。为这起淫妇打老婆，又打屋里的人，你还亏是大家子的公子出身，活打了嘴了。若你眼睛里有我，你起来，我饶了你，乖乖的替你媳妇赔个不是，拉了他家去，我就喜欢了。要不然，你只管出去，我也不敢受你的跪。”贾琏听如此说，又见凤姐儿站在那边，也不盛妆，哭的眼睛肿著，也不施脂粉，黄黄脸儿，比往常更觉可怜可爱。想著：“不如赔了不是，彼此也好了，又讨老太太的喜欢了。”想毕，便笑道：“老太太的话，我不敢不依，只是越发纵了他了。”贾母笑道：“胡说！我知道他最有礼的，再不会冲撞人。他日后得罪了你，我自然也作主，叫你降伏就是了。”

賈璉聽說，爬起來，便與鳳姐兒作了一個揖，笑道：“原來是我的不是，二奶奶饒過我罷。”滿屋里的人都笑了。Hearing this, Jia Lian scrambled up, made Xifeng a bow, and said with a smile, "It was my fault after all — Second Sister-in-law, please forgive me." Everyone in the room laughed.賈母笑道：“鳳丫頭，不許惱了，再惱我就惱了。”說著，又命人去叫了平兒來，命鳳姐兒和賈璉兩個安慰平兒。Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Feng girl, you're not to be angry anymore — if you're angry again, then I'll be angry too." So saying, she also sent someone to fetch Ping'er, and ordered Xifeng and Jia Lian together to console her.賈璉見了平兒，越發顧不得了，所謂”妻不如妾，妾不如偷”，聽賈母一說，便赶上來說道：“姑娘昨日受了屈了，都是我的不是。When Jia Lian saw Ping'er, he cared even less for propriety — as the saying goes, "a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a stolen affair" — and hearing what Grandmother Jia had said, he hurried forward and said, "Miss, you suffered a wrong yesterday, and it was entirely my fault.奶奶得罪了你，也是因我而起。That my wife offended you also came about on my account.我賠了不是不算外，還替你奶奶賠個不是。”說著，也作了一個揖，引的賈母笑了，鳳姐兒也笑了。Not only do I apologize myself, I'll apologize on your mistress's behalf as well." So saying, he too made a bow, which set Grandmother Jia laughing, and Xifeng laughed as well.賈母又命鳳姐兒來安慰他。Grandmother Jia then also had Xifeng come console her.平兒忙走上來給鳳姐兒磕頭，說：“奶奶的千秋，我惹了奶奶生氣，是我該死。”鳳姐兒正自愧悔昨日酒吃多了，不念素日之情，浮躁起來，為聽了旁人的話，無故給平兒沒臉。Ping'er hurried forward and kowtowed to Xifeng, saying, "It's your birthday, and I made you angry — I deserve to die for it." Xifeng was already ashamed and regretful that she had drunk too much the day before, and, forgetting their long-standing affection in a fit of rashness, had shamed Ping'er for nothing after listening to someone else's talk.今反見他如此，又是慚愧，又是心酸，忙一把拉起來，落下淚來。Now, seeing her behave this way instead, she felt both ashamed and heartsick, and hastily pulled her up, tears falling.平兒道：“我伏侍了奶奶這麼幾年，也沒彈我一指甲。Ping'er said, "I've served you these many years, madam, and you never so much as flicked a fingernail at me.就是昨兒打我，我也不怨奶奶，都是那淫婦治的，怨不得奶奶生氣。”說著，也滴下淚來了。Even yesterday, when you struck me, I don't blame you for it, madam — it was all brought on by that slut, and no wonder you grew angry." So saying, she too let fall a few tears.賈母便命人將他三人送回房去，”有一個再提此事，即刻來回我，我不管是誰，拿拐棍子給他一頓。”Grandmother Jia then had the three of them sent back to their rooms: "If anyone brings this matter up again, come and report it to me at once — I don't care who it is, I'll give them a taste of my cane."

贾琏听说，爬起来，便与凤姐儿作了一个揖，笑道：“原来是我的不是，二奶奶饶过我罢。”满屋里的人都笑了。贾母笑道：“凤丫头，不许恼了，再恼我就恼了。”说著，又命人去叫了平儿来，命凤姐儿和贾琏两个安慰平儿。贾琏见了平儿，越发顾不得了，所谓”妻不如妾，妾不如偷”，听贾母一说，便赶上来说道：“姑娘昨日受了屈了，都是我的不是。奶奶得罪了你，也是因我而起。我赔了不是不算外，还替你奶奶赔个不是。”说著，也作了一个揖，引的贾母笑了，凤姐儿也笑了。贾母又命凤姐儿来安慰他。平儿忙走上来给凤姐儿磕头，说：“奶奶的千秋，我惹了奶奶生气，是我该死。”凤姐儿正自愧悔昨日酒吃多了，不念素日之情，浮躁起来，为听了旁人的话，无故给平儿没脸。今反见他如此，又是惭愧，又是心酸，忙一把拉起来，落下泪来。平儿道：“我伏侍了奶奶这么几年，也没弹我一指甲。就是昨儿打我，我也不怨奶奶，都是那淫妇治的，怨不得奶奶生气。”说著，也滴下泪来了。贾母便命人将他三人送回房去，”有一个再提此事，即刻来回我，我不管是谁，拿拐棍子给他一顿。”

三個人從新給賈母，邢王二位夫人磕了頭。The three of them once more kowtowed to Grandmother Jia and to Ladies Xing and Wang.老嬤嬤答應了，送他三人回去。The old matron assented, and saw the three of them back.至房中，鳳姐兒見無人，方說道：“我怎麼象個閻王，又象夜叉？Once in the room, seeing no one about, Xifeng said, "How is it I've turned into something like King Yama, or a Yaksha demon?那淫婦咒我死，你也幫著咒我。That slut curses me to die, and you go along helping her curse me too.千日不好，也有一日好。Even a thousand bad days must have one good one in them somewhere.可怜我熬的連個淫婦也不如了，我還有什麼臉來過這日子？”說著，又哭了。Pitiful me, worn down until I'm not even as good as a slut — what face have I left to go on living like this?" So saying, she wept again.賈璉道：“你還不足？Jia Lian said, "Still not satisfied?你細想想，昨兒誰的不是多？Think it over carefully — yesterday, whose fault was the greater?今兒當著人還是我跪了一跪，又賠不是，你也爭足了光了。Today, in front of everyone, it was I who knelt, and I who apologized — you've won face enough out of it.這會子還叨叨，難道還叫我替你跪下才罷？And now you're still nagging on about it — must I kneel down to you as well before you'll let it rest?太要足了強也不是好事。”說的鳳姐兒無言可對，平兒嗤的一聲又笑了。Wanting too badly to always come out on top isn't such a good thing either." This left Xifeng with nothing to say in reply, and Ping'er gave a snort of laughter.賈璉也笑道：“又好了！Jia Lian laughed too and said, "There now, it's all good again!真真我也沒法了。”Truly, I haven't the least idea what to do with you."

三个人从新给贾母，邢王二位夫人磕了头。老嬷嬷答应了，送他三人回去。至房中，凤姐儿见无人，方说道：“我怎么象个阎王，又象夜叉？那淫妇咒我死，你也帮著咒我。千日不好，也有一日好。可怜我熬的连个淫妇也不如了，我还有什么脸来过这日子？”说著，又哭了。贾琏道：“你还不足？你细想想，昨儿谁的不是多？今儿当著人还是我跪了一跪，又赔不是，你也争足了光了。这会子还叨叨，难道还叫我替你跪下才罢？太要足了强也不是好事。”说的凤姐儿无言可对，平儿嗤的一声又笑了。贾琏也笑道：“又好了！真真我也没法了。”

正說著，只見一個媳婦來回說：“鮑二媳婦吊死了。”賈璉鳳姐兒都吃了一驚。Just as they were speaking, a serving-woman came in to report, "Bao Er's wife has hanged herself." Jia Lian and Xifeng were both taken aback.鳳姐忙收了怯色，反喝道：“死了罷了，有什麼大驚小怪的！”一時，只見林之孝家的進來悄回鳳姐道：“鮑二媳婦吊死了，他娘家的親戚要告呢。”鳳姐兒笑道：“這倒好了，我正想要打官司呢！”林之孝家的道：“我才和眾人勸了他們，又威嚇了一陣，又許了他幾個錢，也就依了。”鳳姐兒道：“我沒一個錢！Xifeng quickly swallowed her alarm, and instead snapped, "So she's dead, so what — what's there to make such a fuss over!" Presently Lin Zhixiao's wife came in and reported to Xifeng under her breath, "Bao Er's wife has hanged herself, and her family's relations mean to bring a lawsuit." Xifeng said with a laugh, "All the better — I've been wanting a lawsuit anyway!" Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "I've just now talked the crowd of them round along with the others, given them a good scare too, and promised them a little money, and they've agreed to let it drop." Xifeng said, "I haven't a single coin to spare!有錢也不給，只管叫他告去。Even if I had money I wouldn't give it — just let them go ahead and sue.也不許勸他，也不用震嚇他，只管讓他告去。Don't you persuade them either, and there's no need to frighten them — just let them go ahead and sue.告不成倒問他個‘以屍訛詐’！”林之孝家的正在為難，見賈璉和他使眼色兒，心下明白，便出來等著。If the suit doesn't hold up, we'll turn around and charge them instead with 'extortion by means of a corpse'!" Lin Zhixiao's wife was at a loss what to do, when she saw Jia Lian signal to her with his eyes; understanding at once, she went out to wait.賈璉道：“我出去瞧瞧，看是怎麼樣。”鳳姐兒道：“不許給他錢。”賈璉一徑出來，和林之孝來商議，著人去作好作歹，許了二百兩發送才罷。Jia Lian said, "I'll go out and see how things stand." Xifeng said, "Don't you dare give them any money." Jia Lian went straight out and conferred with Lin Zhixiao, and had someone alternately cajole and threaten the family, until with a promise of two hundred taels for the funeral the matter was finally settled.賈璉生恐有變，又命人去和王子騰說，將番役仵作人等叫了幾名來，幫著辦喪事。Fearing further trouble, Jia Lian also had someone speak to Wang Ziteng, and had several yamen runners and coroners summoned to help see to the funeral arrangements.那些人見了如此，縱要复辨亦不敢辨，只得忍氣吞聲罷了。Seeing this, those people, even had they wished to argue further, dared not do so, and had no choice but to swallow their resentment in silence.賈璉又命林之孝將那二百銀子入在流年帳上，分別添補開銷過去。Jia Lian then had Lin Zhixiao enter the two hundred taels of silver into the year's running accounts, distributing it here and there to cover various expenses.又梯己給鮑二些銀兩，安慰他說：“另日再挑個好媳婦給你。”鮑二又有体面，又有銀子，有何不依，便仍然奉承賈璉，不在話下。He also privately gave Bao Er some silver of his own, consoling him with the words, "Another day I'll pick out a good wife for you." With both his honor and his purse taken care of, what reason did Bao Er have to object? So he went on currying favor with Jia Lian just as before — no more need be said of it.

正说著，只见一个媳妇来回说：“鲍二媳妇吊死了。”贾琏凤姐儿都吃了一惊。凤姐忙收了怯色，反喝道：“死了罢了，有什么大惊小怪的！”一时，只见林之孝家的进来悄回凤姐道：“鲍二媳妇吊死了，他娘家的亲戚要告呢。”凤姐儿笑道：“这倒好了，我正想要打官司呢！”林之孝家的道：“我才和众人劝了他们，又威吓了一阵，又许了他几个钱，也就依了。”凤姐儿道：“我没一个钱！有钱也不给，只管叫他告去。也不许劝他，也不用震吓他，只管让他告去。告不成倒问他个‘以尸讹诈’！”林之孝家的正在为难，见贾琏和他使眼色儿，心下明白，便出来等著。贾琏道：“我出去瞧瞧，看是怎么样。”凤姐儿道：“不许给他钱。”贾琏一径出来，和林之孝来商议，著人去作好作歹，许了二百两发送才罢。贾琏生恐有变，又命人去和王子腾说，将番役仵作人等叫了几名来，帮著办丧事。那些人见了如此，纵要复辨亦不敢辨，只得忍气吞声罢了。贾琏又命林之孝将那二百银子入在流年帐上，分别添补开销过去。又梯己给鲍二些银两，安慰他说：“另日再挑个好媳妇给你。”鲍二又有体面，又有银子，有何不依，便仍然奉承贾琏，不在话下。

里面鳳姐心中雖不安，面上只管佯不理論，因房中無人，便拉平兒笑道：“我昨兒灌喪了酒了，你別憤怨，打了那里，讓我瞧瞧。”平兒道：“也沒打重。”只聽得說，奶奶姑娘都進來了。Inside, though Xifeng felt uneasy at heart, on the surface she only feigned indifference; and since there was no one in the room, she pulled Ping'er to her with a smile and said, "Yesterday I was so far gone in drink — don't hold it against me. Where did I hit you? Let me have a look." Ping'er said, "It wasn't hit hard." Just then word came that the mistresses and young ladies were all coming in.要知端的，下回分解。To know what happened in the end, listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.

里面凤姐心中虽不安，面上只管佯不理论，因房中无人，便拉平儿笑道：“我昨儿灌丧了酒了，你别愤怨，打了那里，让我瞧瞧。”平儿道：“也没打重。”只听得说，奶奶姑娘都进来了。要知端的，下回分解。