第四十五回　金蘭契互剖金蘭語　風雨夕悶製風雨詞 Sworn Sisters Open Their Hearts; On a Stormy Night a Stormy Poem Is Written

話說鳳姐兒正撫恤平兒，忽見眾姊妹進來，忙讓坐了，平兒斟上茶來。Now, Xifeng was just comforting Pinger when she suddenly saw the girls come in; she hastily asked them to sit, and Pinger poured tea.鳳姐兒笑道：“今兒來的這麼齊，倒象下貼子請了來的。”探春笑道：“我們有兩件事：一件是我的，一件是四妹妹的，還夾著老太太的話。”鳳姐兒笑道：“有什麼事，這麼要緊？”探春笑道：“我們起了個詩社，頭一社就不齊全，眾人臉軟，所以就亂了。Xifeng said with a smile, "You've all come together so neatly today, as if you'd been sent invitations." Tanchun said with a smile, "We have two matters: one is mine, one is Fourth Sister's, and mixed in with them is a message from Grandmother Jia." Xifeng said with a smile, "What matters could be so urgent?" Tanchun said with a smile, "We've started a poetry club, but the very first meeting fell into disorder — everyone is too soft-hearted, and so things got out of hand."我想必得你去作個監社御史，鐵面無私才好。I think we really need you to serve as the club's supervising censor — someone iron-faced and impartial would be just right.再四妹妹為畫園子，用的東西這般那般不全，回了老太太，老太太說：‘只怕後頭樓底下還有當年剩下的，找一找，若有呢拿出來，若沒有，叫人買去。’”鳳姐笑道：“我又不會作什麼濕的乾的，要我吃東西去不成？”探春道：“你雖不會作，也不要你作。Besides, Fourth Sister is short this and that of the materials she needs for painting the garden; when this was reported to Grandmother Jia, she said, 'I'm afraid there may still be some left over from years back, down under the loft at the back — have someone look, and if it's there, bring it out; if not, have someone go buy it.'" Xifeng said with a smile, "I don't know how to make anything wet or dry — do you want me to go there just to eat?" Tanchun said, "Even though you can't compose poems, no one's asking you to."你只監察著我們里頭有偷安怠惰的，該怎麼樣罰他就是了。”鳳姐兒笑道：“你們別哄我，我猜著了，那里是請我作監社御史！You need only keep watch over anyone among us who shirks or slacks off, and see that they're punished accordingly, that's all." Xifeng said with a smile, "Don't try to fool me — I've guessed it. It's not that you want me as a supervising censor at all!"分明是叫我作個進錢的銅商。It's plain you want me to be a money-lending copper merchant.你們弄什麼社，必是要輪流作東道的。Whatever club you're setting up, you're bound to take turns playing host.你們的月錢不夠花了，想出這個法子來拗了我去，好和我要錢。Your monthly allowances aren't enough to cover it, so you've thought up this scheme to rope me in, so you can get money out of me.可是這個主意？”一席話說的眾人都笑起來了。Isn't that the idea?" This speech set everyone laughing.李紈笑道：“真真你是個水晶心肝玻璃人。”鳳姐兒笑道：“虧你是個大嫂子呢！Li Wan said with a smile, "Truly, you're a person with a crystal heart and a glass liver — nothing gets past you." Xifeng said with a smile, "And you call yourself an elder sister-in-law!"把姑娘們原交給你帶著念書學規矩針線的，他們不好，你要勸。The young ladies were entrusted to you to guide in their reading, their manners, and their needlework — if they misbehave, it's you who should admonish them.這會子他們起詩社，能用幾個錢，你就不管了？Now that they've started a poetry club, which can hardly cost much, you wash your hands of it?老太太，太太罷了，原是老封君。Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, well, they're the senior ladies of rank, that's understandable.你一個月十兩銀子的月錢，比我們多兩倍銀子。But you, with ten taels of silver a month, get twice as much as the rest of us.老太太，太太還說你寡婦失業的，可怜，不夠用，又有個小子，足的又添了十兩，和老太太，太太平等。Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang even said that as a widow without a livelihood you were to be pitied, that it wasn't enough for you, and since you also have a boy to raise, they added a full ten taels more, putting you on equal footing with Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.又給你園子地，各人取租子。They also gave you garden land, from which each of you collects rent.年終分年例，你又是上上分兒。At the year's end, when the annual allotments are divided, yours is again the very top share.你娘兒們，主子奴才共總沒十個人，吃的穿的仍舊是官中的。You and your son, mistress and servants together, don't even number ten people, and yet your food and clothing still come out of the common household funds.一年通共算起來，也有四五百銀子。Reckoned up over a whole year, it comes to four or five hundred taels of silver.這會子你就每年拿出一二百兩銀子來陪他們頑頑，能幾年的限？Now if you were to spend just one or two hundred taels a year to play along with them for a bit of fun, how many years would that even last?他們各人出了閣，難道還要你賠不成？Once each of them marries out, surely you won't still be paying for them?這會子你怕花錢，調唆他們來鬧我，我樂得去吃一個河枯海乾，我還通不知道呢！”Yet now, afraid to spend money, you've egged them on to come pester me instead — and here I'd have gladly gone along and drained the rivers and seas dry, and I wouldn't even have known the difference!

话说凤姐儿正抚恤平儿，忽见众姊妹进来，忙让坐了，平儿斟上茶来。凤姐儿笑道：“今儿来的这么齐，倒象下贴子请了来的。”探春笑道：“我们有两件事：一件是我的，一件是四妹妹的，还夹著老太太的话。”凤姐儿笑道：“有什么事，这么要紧？”探春笑道：“我们起了个诗社，头一社就不齐全，众人脸软，所以就乱了。我想必得你去作个监社御史，铁面无私才好。再四妹妹为画园子，用的东西这般那般不全，回了老太太，老太太说：‘只怕后头楼底下还有当年剩下的，找一找，若有呢拿出来，若没有，叫人买去。’”凤姐笑道：“我又不会作什么湿的干的，要我吃东西去不成？”探春道：“你虽不会作，也不要你作。你只监察著我们里头有偷安怠惰的，该怎么样罚他就是了。”凤姐儿笑道：“你们别哄我，我猜著了，那里是请我作监社御史！分明是叫我作个进钱的铜商。你们弄什么社，必是要轮流作东道的。你们的月钱不够花了，想出这个法子来拗了我去，好和我要钱。可是这个主意？”一席话说的众人都笑起来了。李纨笑道：“真真你是个水晶心肝玻璃人。”凤姐儿笑道：“亏你是个大嫂子呢！把姑娘们原交给你带著念书学规矩针线的，他们不好，你要劝。这会子他们起诗社，能用几个钱，你就不管了？老太太，太太罢了，原是老封君。你一个月十两银子的月钱，比我们多两倍银子。老太太，太太还说你寡妇失业的，可怜，不够用，又有个小子，足的又添了十两，和老太太，太太平等。又给你园子地，各人取租子。年终分年例，你又是上上分儿。你娘儿们，主子奴才共总没十个人，吃的穿的仍旧是官中的。一年通共算起来，也有四五百银子。这会子你就每年拿出一二百两银子来陪他们顽顽，能几年的限？他们各人出了阁，难道还要你赔不成？这会子你怕花钱，调唆他们来闹我，我乐得去吃一个河枯海干，我还通不知道呢！”

李紈笑道：“你們聽聽，我說了一句，他就瘋了，說了兩車的無賴泥腿市俗專會打細算盤分斤撥兩的話出來。Li Wan said with a smile, "Just listen to her — I said one sentence and off she goes, pouring out two cartloads of shameless, coarse, market-vulgar talk, the kind only fit for someone who does nothing but tally accounts down to the last ounce."這東西虧他托生在詩書大宦名門之家做小姐，出了嫁又是這樣，他還是這麼著，若是生在貧寒小戶人家，作個小子，還不知怎麼下作貧嘴惡舌的呢！It's a wonder this creature was ever born a young lady in a great family of scholars and officials, and after marrying she's still just the same — if she'd been born into some poor, humble household as a boy, there's no telling what a low, glib-tongued, sharp-mouthed rascal she'd have turned out to be!天下人都被你算計了去！Everyone under heaven would be schemed out of house and home by you!昨兒還打平兒呢，虧你伸的出手來！Only yesterday you were even beating Pinger — how could you bring yourself to raise your hand against her!那黃湯難道灌喪了狗肚子里去了？Did that wine you drank go straight into a dog's belly and drown your senses?氣的我只要給平兒打報不平兒。It made me so angry I wanted to go and right the wrong done to Pinger.忖奪了半日，好容易‘狗長尾巴尖兒’的好日子，又怕老太太心里不受用，因此沒來，究竟氣還未平。I turned it over in my mind for a long while — it being, after all, that rare festive day some call 'the day the dog's tail grows its tip' — and fearing it might displease Grandmother Jia, I didn't come; but truly, my anger still hasn't subsided.你今兒又招我來了。And today you've provoked me all over again.給平兒拾鞋也不要，你們兩個只該換一個過子才是。”說的眾人都笑了。You're not even fit to pick up Pinger's shoes — the two of you ought to trade places!" This made everyone laugh.鳳姐兒忙笑道：“竟不是為詩為畫來找我，這臉子竟是為平兒來報仇的。Xifeng hastily said with a smile, "So it wasn't about poems or paintings that you came to find me at all — this whole face of yours has been to avenge Pinger."竟不承望平兒有你這一位仗腰子的人。I never dreamed Pinger had someone like you backing her up.早知道，便有鬼拉著我的手打他，我也不打了。Had I known, even if a ghost had seized my hand and forced me to strike her, I wouldn't have done it.平姑娘，過來！Miss Pinger, come here!我當著大奶奶姑娘們替你賠個不是，擔待我酒後無德罷。”說著，眾人又都笑起來了。Let me apologize to you here in front of the elder sister-in-law and the young ladies — please forgive my bad behavior after drinking." As she spoke, everyone burst out laughing again.李紈笑問平兒道：“如何？Li Wan asked Pinger with a smile, "Well now?"我說必定要給你爭爭氣才罷。”平兒笑道：“雖如此，奶奶們取笑，我禁不起。”李紈道：“什麼禁不起，有我呢。I said I'd make sure to win you some justice before I'd let it rest." Pinger said with a smile, "Even so, I can't bear it when you ladies make sport of me." Li Wan said, "What do you mean, can't bear it — you have me here.快拿了鑰匙叫你主子開了樓房找東西去。”Quick, take the keys and have your mistress open up the loft to look for those things."

李纨笑道：“你们听听，我说了一句，他就疯了，说了两车的无赖泥腿市俗专会打细算盘分斤拨两的话出来。这东西亏他托生在诗书大宦名门之家做小姐，出了嫁又是这样，他还是这么著，若是生在贫寒小户人家，作个小子，还不知怎么下作贫嘴恶舌的呢！天下人都被你算计了去！昨儿还打平儿呢，亏你伸的出手来！那黄汤难道灌丧了狗肚子里去了？气的我只要给平儿打报不平儿。忖夺了半日，好容易‘狗长尾巴尖儿’的好日子，又怕老太太心里不受用，因此没来，究竟气还未平。你今儿又招我来了。给平儿拾鞋也不要，你们两个只该换一个过子才是。”说的众人都笑了。凤姐儿忙笑道：“竟不是为诗为画来找我，这脸子竟是为平儿来报仇的。竟不承望平儿有你这一位仗腰子的人。早知道，便有鬼拉著我的手打他，我也不打了。平姑娘，过来！我当著大奶奶姑娘们替你赔个不是，担待我酒后无德罢。”说著，众人又都笑起来了。李纨笑问平儿道：“如何？我说必定要给你争争气才罢。”平儿笑道：“虽如此，奶奶们取笑，我禁不起。”李纨道：“什么禁不起，有我呢。快拿了钥匙叫你主子开了楼房找东西去。”

鳳姐兒笑道：“好嫂子，你且同他們回園子里去。Xifeng said with a smile, "Dear sister-in-law, go back to the garden with them for now.才要把這米帳合算一算，那邊大太太又打發人來叫，又不知有什麼話說，須得過去走一趟。I was just about to go over the rice accounts, but now Lady Xing has sent someone to summon me over there, and who knows what she wants to say — I'll have to go take a trip over.還有年下你們添補的衣服，還沒打點給他們做去。”李紈笑道：“這些事我都不管，你只把我的事完了我好歇著去，省得這些姑娘小姐鬧我。”鳳姐兒忙笑道：“好嫂子，賞我一點空兒。And besides, the new clothes to be made up for the year-end for all of you still haven't been arranged." Li Wan said with a smile, "None of that is my business — you just finish up my business so I can go rest, and spare me these young ladies pestering me." Xifeng hastily said with a smile, "Dear sister-in-law, grant me a little breathing room.你是最疼我的，怎麼今兒為平兒就不疼我了？You're the one who dotes on me most — how is it that today, over Pinger, you no longer dote on me at all?往常你還勸我說，事情雖多，也該保養身子，撿點著偷空兒歇歇，你今兒反倒逼我的命了。You've always advised me before, saying that although there's much to do, I ought still to take care of my health and snatch bits of leisure to rest when I can — yet today you're the one pressing me to my death instead.況且誤了別人的年下衣裳無礙，他姊妹們的若誤了，卻是你的責任，老太太豈不怪你不管閒事，這一句現成的話也不說？Besides, it wouldn't matter much if someone else's year-end clothes were delayed, but if it's her sisters' that are delayed, the responsibility falls on you — wouldn't Grandmother Jia blame you for not troubling yourself with such things, when you could so easily have spoken up for me?我宁可自己落不是，豈敢帶累你呢。”李紈笑道：“你們聽聽，說的好不好？I'd rather take the blame on myself than dare drag you into it." Li Wan said with a smile, "Just listen to her — isn't that well said?把他會說話的！What a clever tongue she has!我且問你，這詩社你到底管不管？”鳳姐兒笑道：“這是什麼話，我不入社花幾個錢，不成了大觀園的反叛了，還想在這里吃飯不成？Let me ask you plainly — will you take charge of this poetry club or not?" Xifeng said with a smile, "What kind of talk is that? If I don't join the club and spend a little money, wouldn't I become a rebel against the whole of Grand View Garden — and still expect to go on eating here?明兒一早就到任，下馬拜了印，先放下五十兩銀子給你們慢慢作會社東道。Tomorrow morning I'll take up my post — dismount, pay my respects to the seal of office — and first put down fifty taels of silver for you all, to use gradually as club funds for hosting.過後幾天，我又不作詩作文，只不過是個俗人罷了。‘監察’也罷，不‘監察’也罷，有了錢了，你們還攆出我來！”說的眾人又都笑起來。After a few days, since I don't compose poems or essays anyway, I'll just be a vulgar outsider. Whether I 'supervise' or not, once you've got the money, you'll just drive me out!" This set everyone laughing again.鳳姐兒道：“過會子我開了樓房，凡有這些東西都叫人搬出來你們看，若使得，留著使，若少什麼，照你們單子，我叫人替你們買去就是了。Xifeng said, "In a while, once I've opened the loft, I'll have all those things brought out for you to look over — if any of it's usable, keep it for use; and if anything's missing, just give me your list and I'll have someone go buy it for you.畫絹我就裁出來。I'll have the painting silk cut to size right away.那圖樣沒有在太太跟前，還在那邊珍大爺那里呢。The pattern for it isn't with Lady Wang — it's still over there with Master Zhen.說給你們，別碰釘子去。I'm telling you now so you don't go and run into a rebuff.我打發人取了來，一并叫人連絹交給相公們礬去，如何？”李紈點首笑道：“這難為你，果然這樣還罷了。I'll send someone to fetch it, and have it, along with the silk, given to the craftsmen to be sized with alum — how's that?" Li Wan nodded and said with a smile, "That's very good of you — if it's really done that way, then it will do.既如此，咱們家去罷，等著他不送了去再來鬧他。”說著，便帶了他姊妹就走。Since that's settled, let's go back, and if she doesn't send it over, we'll come pester her again." So saying, she took the sisters and set off.鳳姐兒道：“這些事再沒兩個人，都是寶玉生出來的。”李紈聽了，忙回身笑道：“正是為寶玉來，反忘了他。Xifeng said, "None of this trouble comes from anyone but Baoyu." Li Wan, hearing this, hastily turned back and said with a smile, "That's exactly what we came about — and yet we'd forgotten him.頭一社是他誤了。He's the one who held up the very first meeting.我們臉軟，你說該怎麼罰他？”鳳姐想了一想，說道：“沒有別的法子，只叫他把你們各人屋子里的地罰他掃一遍才好。”眾人都笑道：“這話不差。”We're too soft-hearted to punish him — what do you think should be done to him?" Xifeng thought it over and said, "There's no other way — just have him, as punishment, sweep the floor of each of your rooms once." Everyone laughed and said, "That's exactly right."

凤姐儿笑道：“好嫂子，你且同他们回园子里去。才要把这米帐合算一算，那边大太太又打发人来叫，又不知有什么话说，须得过去走一趟。还有年下你们添补的衣服，还没打点给他们做去。”李纨笑道：“这些事我都不管，你只把我的事完了我好歇著去，省得这些姑娘小姐闹我。”凤姐儿忙笑道：“好嫂子，赏我一点空儿。你是最疼我的，怎么今儿为平儿就不疼我了？往常你还劝我说，事情虽多，也该保养身子，捡点著偷空儿歇歇，你今儿反倒逼我的命了。况且误了别人的年下衣裳无碍，他姊妹们的若误了，却是你的责任，老太太岂不怪你不管闲事，这一句现成的话也不说？我宁可自己落不是，岂敢带累你呢。”李纨笑道：“你们听听，说的好不好？把他会说话的！我且问你，这诗社你到底管不管？”凤姐儿笑道：“这是什么话，我不入社花几个钱，不成了大观园的反叛了，还想在这里吃饭不成？明儿一早就到任，下马拜了印，先放下五十两银子给你们慢慢作会社东道。过后几天，我又不作诗作文，只不过是个俗人罢了。‘监察’也罢，不‘监察’也罢，有了钱了，你们还撵出我来！”说的众人又都笑起来。凤姐儿道：“过会子我开了楼房，凡有这些东西都叫人搬出来你们看，若使得，留著使，若少什么，照你们单子，我叫人替你们买去就是了。画绢我就裁出来。那图样没有在太太跟前，还在那边珍大爷那里呢。说给你们，别碰钉子去。我打发人取了来，一并叫人连绢交给相公们矾去，如何？”李纨点首笑道：“这难为你，果然这样还罢了。既如此，咱们家去罢，等著他不送了去再来闹他。”说著，便带了他姊妹就走。凤姐儿道：“这些事再没两个人，都是宝玉生出来的。”李纨听了，忙回身笑道：“正是为宝玉来，反忘了他。头一社是他误了。我们脸软，你说该怎么罚他？”凤姐想了一想，说道：“没有别的法子，只叫他把你们各人屋子里的地罚他扫一遍才好。”众人都笑道：“这话不差。”

說著才要回去，只見一個小丫頭扶了賴嬤嬤進來。Just as they were about to leave, a young maid came in supporting Grannie Lai.鳳姐兒等忙站起來，笑道：“大娘坐。”又都向他道喜。Xifeng and the others hastily rose to their feet and said with a smile, "Do sit, Grannie," and all offered her their congratulations.賴嬤嬤向炕沿上坐了，笑道：“我也喜，主子們也喜。Grannie Lai sat down on the edge of the kang and said with a smile, "It's a joy for me, and a joy for you, my masters and mistresses, too.若不是主子們的恩典，我們這喜從何來？If it weren't for the kindness of my masters, where would this joy of ours have come from?昨兒奶奶又打發彩哥兒賞東西，我孫子在門上朝上磕了頭了。”李紈笑道：“多早晚上任去？”賴嬤嬤歎道：“我那里管他們，由他們去罷！Only yesterday, my lady here sent young Cai to bestow gifts on us, and my grandson kowtowed toward the house in gratitude." Li Wan asked with a smile, "When will he set off to take up his post?" Grannie Lai sighed and said, "What do I know of their affairs — let them do as they please!前兒在家里給我磕頭，我沒好話，我說：‘哥哥兒，你別說你是官兒了，橫行霸道的！The other day, when he kowtowed to me at home, I had no kind words for him. I said, 'Now listen, boy, don't you go thinking that just because you're an official you can bully and throw your weight around!'你今年活了三十歲，雖然是人家的奴才，一落娘胎胞，主子恩典，放你出來，上托著主子的洪福，下托著你老子娘，也是公子哥兒似的讀書認字，也是丫頭，老婆，奶子捧鳳凰似的，長了這麼大。'You're thirty years old this year, and although you were born a servant of the family, from the moment you left your mother's womb, by the grace and kindness of our masters you were freed — relying above on the great fortune of our masters and below on your father and mother, you too were raised like a young gentleman, reading and learning your letters, waited on by maids, wet-nurses, and your wife as if you were a phoenix, until you grew this big.'你那里知道那‘奴才’兩字是怎麼寫的！'What do you even know of how the two characters for "servant" are written!'只知道享福，也不知道你爺爺和你老子受的那苦惱，熬了兩三輩子，好容易掙出你這麼個東西來。'You only know how to enjoy comfort, and have no idea of the hardships your grandfather and your father endured, struggling through two or three generations before they finally managed to raise up a creature like you.'從小兒三災八難，花的銀子也照樣打出你這麼個銀人兒來了。'From childhood you went through every misfortune and illness, and the silver spent on you would be enough, weight for weight, to cast a silver figure just your size.'到二十歲上，又蒙主子的恩典，許你捐個前程在身上。'Then when you turned twenty, you were again favored with our masters' kindness, who allowed you to purchase an official rank for yourself.'你看那正根正苗的忍饑挨餓的要多少？'Just think how many true-born, legitimate sons out there go hungry and cold, longing for such a chance!'你一個奴才秧子，仔細折了福！'And you, a mere sprout of a servant family, had better be careful not to squander your good fortune!'如今樂了十年，不知怎麼弄神弄鬼的，求了主子，又選了出來。'Now you've had ten happy years of ease, and somehow, through I don't know what scheming and wire-pulling, you begged our masters and got yourself selected for office besides.'州縣官兒雖小，事情卻大，為那一州的州官，就是那一方的父母。'A district magistrate's post may be small, but the responsibility is great — to be the magistrate of a district is to be the father and mother of that whole region.'你不安分守己，盡忠報國，孝敬主子，只怕天也不容你。”李紈鳳姐兒都笑道：“你也多慮。'If you don't behave yourself, serve your country with loyalty, and honor our masters with gratitude, I fear even Heaven won't tolerate you.'" Li Wan and Xifeng both said with a smile, "You worry too much.我們看他也就好了。As far as we can see, he's turned out just fine.先那幾年還進來了兩次，這有好幾年沒來了，年下生日，只見他的名字就罷了。In earlier years he still came to visit us once or twice, but these past several years he hasn't come at all — at year's end or on birthdays, we only ever see his name on the gift list.前兒給老太太，太太磕頭來，在老太太那院里，見他又穿著新官的服色，倒發的威武了，比先時也胖了。The other day when he came to kowtow to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, we saw him in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, dressed in his new official robes, looking quite imposing, and he's put on weight too, compared to before.他這一得了官，正該你樂呢，反倒愁起這些來！Now that he's gotten his official post, this is just the time for you to be happy — instead you go worrying over all this!他不好，還有他父親呢，你只受用你的就完了。If he misbehaves, there's still his father to answer for it — you need only enjoy what comforts come your way.閒了坐個轎子進來，和老太太斗一日牌，說一天話兒，誰好意思的委屈了你。When you're free, have yourself carried in by sedan chair, spend a day playing cards and chatting with Grandmother Jia — who would ever be so unkind as to slight you?家去一般也是樓房廈廳，誰不敬你，自然也是老封君似的了。”Back at your own home you have your own halls and chambers all the same — everyone respects you, and naturally you're treated just like a lady of rank yourself.

说著才要回去，只见一个小丫头扶了赖嬷嬷进来。凤姐儿等忙站起来，笑道：“大娘坐。”又都向他道喜。赖嬷嬷向炕沿上坐了，笑道：“我也喜，主子们也喜。若不是主子们的恩典，我们这喜从何来？昨儿奶奶又打发彩哥儿赏东西，我孙子在门上朝上磕了头了。”李纨笑道：“多早晚上任去？”赖嬷嬷叹道：“我那里管他们，由他们去罢！前儿在家里给我磕头，我没好话，我说：‘哥哥儿，你别说你是官儿了，横行霸道的！你今年活了三十岁，虽然是人家的奴才，一落娘胎胞，主子恩典，放你出来，上托著主子的洪福，下托著你老子娘，也是公子哥儿似的读书认字，也是丫头，老婆，奶子捧凤凰似的，长了这么大。你那里知道那‘奴才’两字是怎么写的！只知道享福，也不知道你爷爷和你老子受的那苦恼，熬了两三辈子，好容易挣出你这么个东西来。从小儿三灾八难，花的银子也照样打出你这么个银人儿来了。到二十岁上，又蒙主子的恩典，许你捐个前程在身上。你看那正根正苗的忍饥挨饿的要多少？你一个奴才秧子，仔细折了福！如今乐了十年，不知怎么弄神弄鬼的，求了主子，又选了出来。州县官儿虽小，事情却大，为那一州的州官，就是那一方的父母。你不安分守己，尽忠报国，孝敬主子，只怕天也不容你。”李纨凤姐儿都笑道：“你也多虑。我们看他也就好了。先那几年还进来了两次，这有好几年没来了，年下生日，只见他的名字就罢了。前儿给老太太，太太磕头来，在老太太那院里，见他又穿著新官的服色，倒发的威武了，比先时也胖了。他这一得了官，正该你乐呢，反倒愁起这些来！他不好，还有他父亲呢，你只受用你的就完了。闲了坐个轿子进来，和老太太斗一日牌，说一天话儿，谁好意思的委屈了你。家去一般也是楼房厦厅，谁不敬你，自然也是老封君似的了。”

平兒斟上茶來，賴嬤嬤忙站起來接了，笑道：“姑娘不管叫那個孩子倒來罷了，又折受我。”說著，一面吃茶，一面又道：“奶奶不知道。Pinger poured out tea, and Grannie Lai hastily rose to take it, saying with a smile, "You could have just told one of the girls to bring it — there was no need to trouble yourself, Miss, it's too much honor for me." As she spoke, she drank her tea and went on, "You wouldn't know, my lady.這些小孩子們全要管的嚴。These children nowadays all need to be kept under strict control.饒這麼嚴，他們還偷空兒鬧個亂子來叫大人操心。Even with such strictness, they still steal a moment to stir up some trouble and give the grown-ups worry.知道的說小孩子們淘氣，不知道的，人家就說仗著財勢欺人，連主子名聲也不好。Those who understand say it's just children being mischievous, but those who don't will say we're bullying people on the strength of our wealth and power — and it even gives the masters a bad name.恨的我沒法兒，常把他老子叫來罵一頓，才好些。”因又指寶玉道：“不怕你嫌我，如今老爺不過這麼管你一管，老太太護在頭里。It vexes me so that I have no choice but to call his father in often and give him a scolding — only then does it get a little better." Then, pointing at Baoyu, she said, "Don't take offense at me, but nowadays your father only disciplines you this little bit, and Grandmother Jia shields you before he can even start.當日老爺小時挨你爺爺的打，誰沒看見的。Back in the day, when your father was young and got beaten by your grandfather, who among us didn't see it?老爺小時，何曾象你這麼天不怕地不怕的了。When your father was small, was he ever as fearless of heaven and earth as you are?還有那大老爺，雖然淘氣，也沒象你這扎窩子的樣兒，也是天天打。And then there's Master Jia She — mischievous as he was, he never carried on the way you do, holed up refusing to budge, and he too was beaten every single day.還有東府里你珍哥兒的爺爺，那才是火上澆油的性子，說聲惱了，什麼兒子，竟是審賊！And then there's your Brother Zhen's grandfather over in the Eastern Mansion — now there was a temper like oil poured on fire; the moment he grew angry, son or no son, it was just like interrogating a thief!如今我眼里看著，耳朵里聽著，那珍大爺管兒子倒也象當日老祖宗的規矩，只是管的到三不著兩的。Now, as I see it with my own eyes and hear with my own ears, Master Zhen disciplines his son much in the manner of the old ancestor's rules — only he manages it in fits and starts, never quite hitting the mark.他自己也不管一管自己，這些兄弟侄兒怎麼怨的不怕他？He doesn't even discipline himself — how can he blame his younger brothers and nephews for not fearing him?你心里明白，喜歡我說，不明白，嘴里不好意思，心里不知怎麼罵我呢。”正說著，只見賴大家的來了，接著周瑞家的張材家的都進來回事情。If you understand this in your heart, you'll be glad I said it; if you don't, though you're too polite to say so, who knows how you're cursing me inside." Just as she was speaking, Lai Da's wife arrived, followed by Zhou Rui's wife and Zhang Cai's wife, who all came in to report on matters.鳳姐兒笑道：“媳婦來接婆婆來了。”賴大家的笑道：“不是接他老人家，倒是打聽打聽奶奶姑娘們賞臉不賞臉？”賴嬤嬤聽了，笑道：“可是我糊涂了，正經說的話且不說，且說陳穀子爛芝麻的混搗熟。Xifeng said with a smile, "Here comes the daughter-in-law to fetch her mother-in-law home." Lai Da's wife said with a smile, "It's not to fetch the old lady home — I've come to find out whether my lady and the young ladies will do us the honor or not." Grannie Lai, hearing this, said with a smile, "Ah, I've gone muddled — I never got to the real point, and instead rambled on about old stale rice and rotten sesame seeds.因為我們小子選了出來，眾親友要給他賀喜，少不得家里擺個酒。It's because our boy has been selected for office, and our relatives and friends all want to congratulate him, so naturally we must lay on a feast at home.我想，擺一日酒，請這個也不是，請那個也不是。I thought it over — if we hold just one day of feasting, it's awkward whichever guests we invite and whichever we leave out.又想了一想，托主子洪福，想不到的這樣榮耀，就傾了家，我也是願意的。I thought it over again — thanks to the great fortune of our masters, we've come into an honor beyond anything we could have expected, and even if it emptied our whole household, I'd still be willing.因此吩咐他老子連擺三日酒：頭一日，在我們破花園子里擺幾席酒，一臺戲，請老太太，太太們，奶奶姑娘們去散一日悶，外頭大廳上一台戲，擺幾席酒，請老爺們，爺們去增增光，第二日再請親友，第三日再把我們兩府里的伴兒請一請。So I told his father to lay on feasting for three whole days: on the first day, we'll set out several tables of wine and a stage-play in our humble little garden, and invite Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the other ladies and young ladies to come while away a day's boredom; out in the front hall there'll be another stage-play with several tables of wine, to invite the masters and young gentlemen to add their glory to the occasion; on the second day we'll invite our relatives and friends; and on the third day we'll invite our fellow servants from the two mansions.熱鬧三天，也是托著主子的洪福一場，光輝光輝。”李紈鳳姐兒都笑道：“多早晚的日子？Three days of festivities, all thanks to the great fortune of our masters — a chance to shine a little ourselves." Li Wan and Xifeng both said with a smile, "When exactly is the day?我們必去，只怕老太太高興要去也定不得。”賴大家的忙道：“擇了十四的日子，只看我們奶奶的老臉罷了。”鳳姐笑道：“別人不知道，我是一定去的。We're sure to come — and who knows, Grandmother Jia might well take a fancy to go too." Lai Da's wife hastily said, "We've fixed on the fourteenth — it all depends on whether my lady will grant this old face of mine some favor." Xifeng said with a smile, "I can't speak for others, but I'll certainly go.先說下，我是沒有賀禮的，也不知道放賞，吃完了一走，可別笑話。”賴大家的笑道：“奶奶說那里話？Let me say this first — I won't bring a gift, and I don't know about handing out tips either; I'll eat and just walk off, so don't laugh at me." Lai Da's wife said with a smile, "What kind of talk is that, my lady?奶奶要賞，賞我們三二萬銀子就有了。”賴嬤嬤笑道：“我才去請老太太，老太太也說去，可算我這臉還好。”說畢又叮嚀了一回，方起身要走，因看見周瑞家的，便想起一事來，因說道：“可是還有一句話問奶奶，這周嫂子的兒子犯了什麼不是，攆了他不用？”鳳姐兒聽了，笑道：“正是我要告訴你媳婦，事情多也忘了。If my lady wants to give a tip, just twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver would do." Grannie Lai said with a smile, "I just went to invite Grandmother Jia, and she said she'd go too — so I suppose this old face of mine still counts for something." Having said this, she gave a few more words of instruction, and was about to rise and leave, when, catching sight of Zhou Rui's wife, she suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, I still have one more thing to ask my lady — what offense did Zhou Sao's son commit, that he was dismissed and no longer employed?" Xifeng, hearing this, said with a smile, "That's just what I meant to tell your daughter-in-law — I have so much to attend to that I forgot.賴嫂子回去說給你老頭子，兩府里不許收留他小子，叫他各人去罷。”Sister Lai, go back and tell your husband that neither mansion is to take that boy in — let him fend for himself."

平儿斟上茶来，赖嬷嬷忙站起来接了，笑道：“姑娘不管叫那个孩子倒来罢了，又折受我。”说著，一面吃茶，一面又道：“奶奶不知道。这些小孩子们全要管的严。饶这么严，他们还偷空儿闹个乱子来叫大人操心。知道的说小孩子们淘气，不知道的，人家就说仗著财势欺人，连主子名声也不好。恨的我没法儿，常把他老子叫来骂一顿，才好些。”因又指宝玉道：“不怕你嫌我，如今老爷不过这么管你一管，老太太护在头里。当日老爷小时挨你爷爷的打，谁没看见的。老爷小时，何曾象你这么天不怕地不怕的了。还有那大老爷，虽然淘气，也没象你这扎窝子的样儿，也是天天打。还有东府里你珍哥儿的爷爷，那才是火上浇油的性子，说声恼了，什么儿子，竟是审贼！如今我眼里看著，耳朵里听著，那珍大爷管儿子倒也象当日老祖宗的规矩，只是管的到三不著两的。他自己也不管一管自己，这些兄弟侄儿怎么怨的不怕他？你心里明白，喜欢我说，不明白，嘴里不好意思，心里不知怎么骂我呢。”正说著，只见赖大家的来了，接著周瑞家的张材家的都进来回事情。凤姐儿笑道：“媳妇来接婆婆来了。”赖大家的笑道：“不是接他老人家，倒是打听打听奶奶姑娘们赏脸不赏脸？”赖嬷嬷听了，笑道：“可是我糊涂了，正经说的话且不说，且说陈谷子烂芝麻的混捣熟。因为我们小子选了出来，众亲友要给他贺喜，少不得家里摆个酒。我想，摆一日酒，请这个也不是，请那个也不是。又想了一想，托主子洪福，想不到的这样荣耀，就倾了家，我也是愿意的。因此吩咐他老子连摆三日酒：头一日，在我们破花园子里摆几席酒，一台戏，请老太太，太太们，奶奶姑娘们去散一日闷，外头大厅上一台戏，摆几席酒，请老爷们，爷们去增增光，第二日再请亲友，第三日再把我们两府里的伴儿请一请。热闹三天，也是托著主子的洪福一场，光辉光辉。”李纨凤姐儿都笑道：“多早晚的日子？我们必去，只怕老太太高兴要去也定不得。”赖大家的忙道：“择了十四的日子，只看我们奶奶的老脸罢了。”凤姐笑道：“别人不知道，我是一定去的。先说下，我是没有贺礼的，也不知道放赏，吃完了一走，可别笑话。”赖大家的笑道：“奶奶说那里话？奶奶要赏，赏我们三二万银子就有了。”赖嬷嬷笑道：“我才去请老太太，老太太也说去，可算我这脸还好。”说毕又叮咛了一回，方起身要走，因看见周瑞家的，便想起一事来，因说道：“可是还有一句话问奶奶，这周嫂子的儿子犯了什么不是，撵了他不用？”凤姐儿听了，笑道：“正是我要告诉你媳妇，事情多也忘了。赖嫂子回去说给你老头子，两府里不许收留他小子，叫他各人去罢。”

賴大家的只得答應著。Lai Da's wife had no choice but to assent.周瑞家的忙跪下央求。Zhou Rui's wife hastily knelt down and pleaded.賴嬤嬤忙道：“什麼事？Grannie Lai hastily said, "What's this about?說給我評評。”鳳姐兒道：“前日我生日，里頭還沒吃酒，他小子先醉了。Tell me, and let me judge it." Xifeng said, "The other day, on my birthday, before the drinking had even begun indoors, that boy of hers was already drunk.老娘那邊送了禮來，他不說在外頭張羅，他倒坐著罵人，禮也不送進來。When gifts came from my mother's family, instead of seeing to things outside as he should, he just sat there cursing people, and didn't even bring the gifts in.兩個女人進來了，他才帶著小幺們往里抬。It wasn't until two of the women came in that he finally had the young menservants carry the things inside.小幺們倒好，他拿的一盒子倒失了手，撒了一院子饅頭。The young menservants managed fine, but he himself let a box slip from his hands and scattered steamed buns all over the courtyard.人去了，打發彩明去說他，他倒罵了彩明一頓。After the guests left, I sent Caiming to speak to him about it, and he turned around and cursed Caiming out instead.這樣無法無天的忘八羔子，不攆了作什麼！”賴嬤嬤笑道：“我當什麼事情，原來為這個。A lawless, shameless wretch like that — if he's not dismissed, what's to be done with him!" Grannie Lai said with a smile, "Here I thought it was something serious, and it's only this.奶奶聽我說：他有不是，打他罵他，使他改過，攆了去斷乎使不得。Listen to me, my lady: if he's done wrong, beat him, scold him, make him mend his ways — but dismissing him outright simply won't do.他又比不得是咱們家的家生子兒，他現是太太的陪房。He's not even one of our own household-born servants — he's presently one of Lady Wang's dowry attendants.奶奶只顧攆了他，太太臉上不好看。If my lady simply dismisses him without a thought, it will reflect badly on Lady Wang.依我說，奶奶教導他幾板子，以戒下次，仍舊留著才是。To my mind, my lady should have him given a few strokes of the board as a lesson for next time, and keep him on after all.不看他娘，也看太太。”鳳姐兒聽說，便向賴大家的說道：“既這樣，打他四十棍，以後不許他吃酒。”賴大家的答應了。If not for his mother's sake, then for Lady Wang's." Xifeng, hearing this, said to Lai Da's wife, "Very well then — give him forty strokes, and from now on he's not allowed to drink." Lai Da's wife assented.周瑞家的磕頭起來，又要與賴嬤嬤磕頭，賴大家的拉著方罷。Zhou Rui's wife kowtowed and rose, then wanted to kowtow to Grannie Lai as well, but Lai Da's wife pulled her up and made her stop.然後他三人去了，李紈等也就回園中來。After that, the three of them left, and Li Wan and the others too returned to the garden.至晚，果然鳳姐命人找了許多舊收的畫具出來，送至園中。By evening, sure enough, Xifeng had someone find the many old painting implements that had been put away, and sent them to the Garden.寶釵等選了一回，各色東西可用的只有一半，將那一半又開了單子，與鳳姐兒去照樣置買，不必細說。Baochai and the others looked them over for a while; of the various items only about half were usable, so they made a list of that other half and gave it to Xifeng to purchase accordingly — no need to go into detail.

赖大家的只得答应著。周瑞家的忙跪下央求。赖嬷嬷忙道：“什么事？说给我评评。”凤姐儿道：“前日我生日，里头还没吃酒，他小子先醉了。老娘那边送了礼来，他不说在外头张罗，他倒坐著骂人，礼也不送进来。两个女人进来了，他才带著小幺们往里抬。小幺们倒好，他拿的一盒子倒失了手，撒了一院子馒头。人去了，打发彩明去说他，他倒骂了彩明一顿。这样无法无天的忘八羔子，不撵了作什么！”赖嬷嬷笑道：“我当什么事情，原来为这个。奶奶听我说：他有不是，打他骂他，使他改过，撵了去断乎使不得。他又比不得是咱们家的家生子儿，他现是太太的陪房。奶奶只顾撵了他，太太脸上不好看。依我说，奶奶教导他几板子，以戒下次，仍旧留著才是。不看他娘，也看太太。”凤姐儿听说，便向赖大家的说道：“既这样，打他四十棍，以后不许他吃酒。”赖大家的答应了。周瑞家的磕头起来，又要与赖嬷嬷磕头，赖大家的拉著方罢。然后他三人去了，李纨等也就回园中来。至晚，果然凤姐命人找了许多旧收的画具出来，送至园中。宝钗等选了一回，各色东西可用的只有一半，将那一半又开了单子，与凤姐儿去照样置买，不必细说。

一日，外面礬了絹，起了稿子進來。One day, the silk had been alum-treated outside, and the draft sketch was brought in.寶玉每日便在惜春這里幫忙。Every day Baoyu came to help out at Xichun's place.探春，李紈，迎春，寶釵等也多往那里閒坐，一則觀畫，二則便于會面。Tanchun, Li Wan, Yingchun, Baochai and the others also often sat there idly — partly to watch the painting, and partly because it was convenient for meeting up.寶釵因見天氣涼爽，夜复漸長，遂至母親房中商議打點些針線來。Seeing that the weather had turned cool and the nights were growing longer again, Baochai went to her mother's room to discuss taking up some needlework.日間至賈母處王夫人處省候兩次，不免又承色陪坐閒話半時，園中姊妹處也要度時閒話一回，故日間不大得閒，每夜燈下女工必至三更方寢。During the day she paid respects at Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's twice, and inevitably had to sit attending them with pleasant talk for a while each time; she also had to spend time chatting with the sisters in the Garden — so she had little free time by day, and every night she would do needlework by lamplight until the third watch before going to bed.黛玉每歲至春分秋分之後，必犯嗽疾，今秋又遇賈母高興，多游玩了兩次，未免過勞了神，近日又复嗽起來，覺得比往常又重，所以總不出門，只在自己房中將養。Every year, after the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, Daiyu was sure to come down with a cough; this autumn, since Grandmother Jia had been in high spirits, she had gone out for outings a few extra times, which inevitably overtaxed her, and recently she had begun coughing again, feeling it was worse than usual — so she never went out at all, but stayed in her own room to recuperate.有時悶了，又盼個姊妹來說些閒話排遣，及至寶釵等來望候他，說不得三五句話又厭煩了。Sometimes, when she felt bored, she would long for one of the sisters to come and chat idly to pass the time, but when Baochai and the others came to visit her, after only three or five sentences she would grow weary of it again.眾人都体諒他病中，且素日形体嬌弱，禁不得一些委屈，所以他接待不周，禮數粗忽，也都不苛責。Everyone understood that she was ill, and that she was ordinarily delicate in constitution and could not bear the slightest vexation, so even when her hospitality was lacking or her manners careless, no one held it against her.

一日，外面矾了绢，起了稿子进来。宝玉每日便在惜春这里帮忙。探春，李纨，迎春，宝钗等也多往那里闲坐，一则观画，二则便于会面。宝钗因见天气凉爽，夜复渐长，遂至母亲房中商议打点些针线来。日间至贾母处王夫人处省候两次，不免又承色陪坐闲话半时，园中姊妹处也要度时闲话一回，故日间不大得闲，每夜灯下女工必至三更方寝。黛玉每岁至春分秋分之后，必犯嗽疾，今秋又遇贾母高兴，多游玩了两次，未免过劳了神，近日又复嗽起来，觉得比往常又重，所以总不出门，只在自己房中将养。有时闷了，又盼个姊妹来说些闲话排遣，及至宝钗等来望候他，说不得三五句话又厌烦了。众人都体谅他病中，且素日形体娇弱，禁不得一些委屈，所以他接待不周，礼数粗忽，也都不苛责。

這日寶釵來望他，因說起這病症來。That day Baochai came to visit her, and the talk turned to her illness.寶釵道：“這里走的幾個太醫雖都還好，只是你吃他們的藥總不見效，不如再請一個高明的人來瞧一瞧，治好了豈不好？Baochai said, "The imperial doctors who come here are all competent enough, it's just that the medicines you take from them never seem to have any effect. Wouldn't it be better to invite someone more skilled to have a look at you? Wouldn't it be good to get it properly cured?每年間鬧一春一夏，又不老又不小，成什麼？Every year you suffer through a spring and a summer of it — you're neither old nor young, what sort of way is this to go on?不是個常法。”黛玉道：“不中用。It's no way to live permanently." Daiyu said, "It's no use.我知道我這樣病是不能好的了。I know that an illness like mine can never be cured.且別說病，只論好的日子我是怎麼形景，就可知了。”寶釵點頭道：“可正是這話。Never mind the illness itself — just consider what I look like even on my good days, and you'll understand." Baochai nodded and said, "That's exactly it.古人說‘食穀者生’，你素日吃的竟不能添養精神氣血，也不是好事。”黛玉歎道：“‘死生有命，富貴在天’，也不是人力可強的。The ancients said, 'He who eats grain lives.' The fact that what you normally eat cannot nourish your spirit or your blood and vital energy is not a good sign either." Daiyu sighed and said, "'Life and death are ordained by fate, wealth and rank are determined by Heaven' — these are not things human effort can force.今年比往年反覺又重了些似的。”說話之間，已咳嗽了兩三次。This year it seems to be even worse than in years past." Even as she spoke, she had already coughed two or three times.寶釵道：“昨兒我看你那藥方上，人參肉桂覺得太多了。Baochai said, "Yesterday I looked at your prescription, and it seemed to me there was too much ginseng and cinnamon bark in it.雖說益氣補神，也不宜太熱。Although they're meant to boost the vital energy and nourish the spirit, they shouldn't be so heating.依我說，先以平肝健胃為要，肝火一平，不能克土，胃氣無病，飲食就可以養人了。In my view, the important thing first is to calm the liver and strengthen the stomach — once the liver fire is calmed it cannot overcome the earth element, and once the stomach's vital energy is free of trouble, food and drink can nourish you properly.每日早起拿上等燕窩一兩，冰糖五錢，用銀銚子熬出粥來，若吃慣了，比藥還強，最是滋陰補氣的。”Every day when you get up, take an ounce of top-grade bird's nest and five qian of rock sugar, and stew it into a porridge in a silver pot. Once you get used to eating it, it will be even better than medicine — it's the very best thing for nourishing the yin and replenishing the vital energy."

这日宝钗来望他，因说起这病症来。宝钗道：“这里走的几个太医虽都还好，只是你吃他们的药总不见效，不如再请一个高明的人来瞧一瞧，治好了岂不好？每年间闹一春一夏，又不老又不小，成什么？不是个常法。”黛玉道：“不中用。我知道我这样病是不能好的了。且别说病，只论好的日子我是怎么形景，就可知了。”宝钗点头道：“可正是这话。古人说‘食谷者生’，你素日吃的竟不能添养精神气血，也不是好事。”黛玉叹道：“‘死生有命，富贵在天’，也不是人力可强的。今年比往年反觉又重了些似的。”说话之间，已咳嗽了两三次。宝钗道：“昨儿我看你那药方上，人参肉桂觉得太多了。虽说益气补神，也不宜太热。依我说，先以平肝健胃为要，肝火一平，不能克土，胃气无病，饮食就可以养人了。每日早起拿上等燕窝一两，冰糖五钱，用银铫子熬出粥来，若吃惯了，比药还强，最是滋阴补气的。”

黛玉歎道：“你素日待人，固然是极好的，然我最是個多心的人，只當你心里藏奸。Daiyu sighed and said, "You've always treated people extremely well, it's true, but I am the most suspicious sort of person, and I used to think you harbored some hidden scheme in your heart.從前日你說看雜書不好，又勸我那些好話，竟大感激你。From the other day, when you said reading miscellaneous books was no good, and gave me all that good advice — I was truly deeply grateful to you for it.往日竟是我錯了，實在誤到如今。I was simply wrong in the past — I've really been mistaken about this until now.細細算來，我母親去世的早，又無姊妹兄弟，我長了今年十五歲，竟沒一個人象你前日的話教導我。When I think it over carefully — my mother died early, and I have no sisters or brothers; I've grown up to fifteen this year, and not a single person has ever taught me the way you did with what you said the other day.怨不得雲丫頭說你好，我往日見他贊你，我還不受用，昨兒我親自經過，才知道了。No wonder that girl Xiangyun always speaks well of you — in the past when I saw her praising you I didn't quite feel comfortable about it, but yesterday, having experienced it myself, I finally understood.比如若是你說了那個，我再不輕放過你的，你竟不介意，反勸我那些話，可知我竟自誤了。For instance, if you had said such a thing before, I would never have let it pass lightly — yet you didn't take offense at all, and instead gave me that advice; it shows I had simply been mistaken about you all along.若不是從前日看出來，今日這話，再不對你說。If I hadn't come to see it the other day, I would never have said these things to you today.你方才說叫我吃燕窩粥的話，雖然燕窩易得，但只我因身上不好了，每年犯這個病，也沒什麼要緊的去處。As for what you just said about having me eat bird's-nest porridge — though bird's nest is easy enough to obtain, since I've been unwell and come down with this illness every year, it isn't as if my case were anything so urgent.請大夫，熬藥，人參肉桂，已經鬧了個天翻地覆，這會子我又興出新文來熬什麼燕窩粥，老太太，太太，鳳姐姐這三個人便沒話說，那些底下的婆子丫頭們，未免不嫌我太多事了。Fetching the doctor, brewing medicine, ginseng and cinnamon bark — it's already caused no end of upheaval; and now if I were to start up something new like stewing bird's-nest porridge, even if Grandmother, Aunt Wang, and Sister Feng had nothing to say about it, the old women and maids below would inevitably think I was making too much fuss.你看這里這些人，因見老太太多疼了寶玉和鳳丫頭兩個，他們尚虎視耽耽，背地里言三語四的，何況于我？Just look at the people here — seeing that Grandmother favors Baoyu and that girl Xifeng a bit more, they already eye them like tigers watching their prey and gossip behind their backs; how much more so with me?況我又不是他們這里正經主子，原是無依無靠投奔了來的，他們已經多嫌著我了。Besides, I'm not even a proper mistress of this household to begin with — I came here with nowhere else to turn and no one to rely on, and they already resent me a good deal as it is.如今我還不知進退，何苦叫他們咒我？”寶釵道：“這樣說，我也是和你一樣。”黛玉道：“你如何比我？If, on top of that, I still didn't know when to hold back, why should I bring their curses down on myself?" Baochai said, "By that reasoning, I'm in the same position as you." Daiyu said, "How can you compare yourself to me?你又有母親，又有哥哥，這里又有買賣地土，家里又仍舊有房有地。You have a mother, and you have a brother; here you also have business dealings and land, and at home you still have houses and property besides.你不過是親戚的情分，白住了這里，一應大小事情，又不沾他們一文半個，要走就走了。You're only staying here out of kinship's sake, living here for nothing, and in all matters great and small you don't cost them a single copper — if you wanted to leave, you could simply leave.我是一無所有，吃穿用度，一草一紙，皆是和他們家的姑娘一樣，那起小人豈有不多嫌的。”寶釵笑道：“將來也不過多費得一副嫁妝罷了，如今也愁不到這里。”黛玉聽了，不覺紅了臉，笑道：“人家才拿你當個正經人，把心里的煩難告訴你聽，你反拿我取笑兒。”寶釵笑道：“雖是取笑兒，卻也是真話。I have nothing of my own at all — every stitch of food and clothing, every blade of grass and sheet of paper I use, is provided just the same as for the young ladies of this house; how could those petty, small-minded people not resent me all the more for it?" Baochai said with a smile, "In the future it will only mean the expense of one extra dowry, that's all — there's no need to worry that far ahead yet." Hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help blushing, and said with a laugh, "Here I was finally treating you as someone I could confide my troubles in, and you turn around and make fun of me instead." Baochai said with a smile, "Though it's said in jest, it's also the truth.你放心，我在這里一日，我與你消遣一日。Set your mind at ease — for as long as I'm here, I'll keep you company to help pass the time.你有什麼委屈煩難，只管告訴我，我能解的，自然替你解一日。Whatever grievances or troubles you have, just tell me — whatever I'm able to resolve, I'll naturally help you resolve them for a while.我雖有個哥哥，你也是知道的，只有個母親比你略強些。Though I do have a brother, you know very well what he's like — I only have a mother, which puts me slightly better off than you.咱們也算同病相怜。The two of us might as well be said to pity each other as fellow sufferers.你也是個明白人，何必作‘司馬牛之歎’？You're a sensible person yourself — why indulge in a 'Sima Niu-like lament' over having no brothers?你才說的也是，多一事不如省一事。What you just said is quite right — better to spare oneself one trouble than to take on one more.我明日家去和媽媽說了，只怕我們家里還有，與你送幾兩，每日叫丫頭們就熬了，又便宜，又不驚師動眾的。”黛玉忙笑道：“東西事小，難得你多情如此。”寶釵道：“這有什麼放在口里的！Tomorrow when I go home I'll speak to my mother about it — I daresay we still have some at home, and I'll send a few ounces over to you; you can just have the maids stew it every day, which is both cheap and doesn't stir up a big fuss over it." Daiyu hastily said with a smile, "The thing itself is a small matter — what's rare is that you should be so warmly thoughtful." Baochai said, "Why, this is nothing worth even mentioning!只愁我人人跟前失于應候罷了。My only worry is that I fail to attend properly to everyone around me.只怕你煩了，我且去了。”黛玉道：“晚上再來和我說句話兒。”寶釵答應著便去了，不在話下。I'm afraid you must be tired of me by now — I'll be going." Daiyu said, "Come again this evening and talk with me a little." Baochai agreed and left; no more of that for now.

黛玉叹道：“你素日待人，固然是极好的，然我最是个多心的人，只当你心里藏奸。从前日你说看杂书不好，又劝我那些好话，竟大感激你。往日竟是我错了，实在误到如今。细细算来，我母亲去世的早，又无姊妹兄弟，我长了今年十五岁，竟没一个人象你前日的话教导我。怨不得云丫头说你好，我往日见他赞你，我还不受用，昨儿我亲自经过，才知道了。比如若是你说了那个，我再不轻放过你的，你竟不介意，反劝我那些话，可知我竟自误了。若不是从前日看出来，今日这话，再不对你说。你方才说叫我吃燕窝粥的话，虽然燕窝易得，但只我因身上不好了，每年犯这个病，也没什么要紧的去处。请大夫，熬药，人参肉桂，已经闹了个天翻地覆，这会子我又兴出新文来熬什么燕窝粥，老太太，太太，凤姐姐这三个人便没话说，那些底下的婆子丫头们，未免不嫌我太多事了。你看这里这些人，因见老太太多疼了宝玉和凤丫头两个，他们尚虎视耽耽，背地里言三语四的，何况于我？况我又不是他们这里正经主子，原是无依无靠投奔了来的，他们已经多嫌著我了。如今我还不知进退，何苦叫他们咒我？”宝钗道：“这样说，我也是和你一样。”黛玉道：“你如何比我？你又有母亲，又有哥哥，这里又有买卖地土，家里又仍旧有房有地。你不过是亲戚的情分，白住了这里，一应大小事情，又不沾他们一文半个，要走就走了。我是一无所有，吃穿用度，一草一纸，皆是和他们家的姑娘一样，那起小人岂有不多嫌的。”宝钗笑道：“将来也不过多费得一副嫁妆罢了，如今也愁不到这里。”黛玉听了，不觉红了脸，笑道：“人家才拿你当个正经人，把心里的烦难告诉你听，你反拿我取笑儿。”宝钗笑道：“虽是取笑儿，却也是真话。你放心，我在这里一日，我与你消遣一日。你有什么委屈烦难，只管告诉我，我能解的，自然替你解一日。我虽有个哥哥，你也是知道的，只有个母亲比你略强些。咱们也算同病相怜。你也是个明白人，何必作‘司马牛之叹’？你才说的也是，多一事不如省一事。我明日家去和妈妈说了，只怕我们家里还有，与你送几两，每日叫丫头们就熬了，又便宜，又不惊师动众的。”黛玉忙笑道：“东西事小，难得你多情如此。”宝钗道：“这有什么放在口里的！只愁我人人跟前失于应候罢了。只怕你烦了，我且去了。”黛玉道：“晚上再来和我说句话儿。”宝钗答应著便去了，不在话下。

這里黛玉喝了兩口稀粥，仍歪在床上，不想日未落時天就變了，淅淅瀝瀝下起雨來。Here, Daiyu drank a couple of mouthfuls of thin congee and lay back down on the bed again; unexpectedly, before the sun had even set the sky changed, and a pattering rain began to fall.秋霖脈脈，陰晴不定，那天漸漸的黃昏，且陰的沉黑，兼著那雨滴竹梢，更覺凄涼。The autumn rain drizzled on unceasingly, the sky uncertain between overcast and clear; as dusk gradually fell it grew darkly overcast, and with the rain dripping from the bamboo tips it felt all the more desolate.知寶釵不能來，便在燈下隨便拿了一本書，卻是《樂府雜稿》，有《秋閨怨》《別離怨》等詞。Knowing that Baochai would not be able to come, she casually picked up a book by lamplight — it turned out to be a Miscellany of Yuefu Verse, containing lyrics such as "Autumn Boudoir Lament" and "Lament of Parting."黛玉不覺心有所感，亦不禁發于章句，遂成《代別離》一首，擬《春江花月夜》之格，乃名其詞曰《秋窗風雨夕》。Daiyu found herself moved, and could not help giving voice to her feelings in verse, so she composed a poem, "In Place of a Parting," modeling its form on "Spring River, Flowers, and Moonlit Night," and titled the piece "An Evening of Wind and Rain at the Autumn Window."其詞曰：The verse read:

这里黛玉喝了两口稀粥，仍歪在床上，不想日未落时天就变了，淅淅沥沥下起雨来。秋霖脉脉，阴晴不定，那天渐渐的黄昏，且阴的沉黑，兼著那雨滴竹梢，更觉凄凉。知宝钗不能来，便在灯下随便拿了一本书，却是《乐府杂稿》，有《秋闺怨》《别离怨》等词。黛玉不觉心有所感，亦不禁发于章句，遂成《代别离》一首，拟《春江花月夜》之格，乃名其词曰《秋窗风雨夕》。其词曰：

秋花慘淡秋草黃，耿耿秋燈秋夜長。Autumn flowers pale and wan, autumn grasses turned yellow; the autumn lamp burns fitful and bright, the autumn night stretches long.

秋花惨淡秋草黄，耿耿秋灯秋夜长。

已覺秋窗秋不盡，那堪風雨助凄涼！Already I feel the autumn at this window has no end — how can I bear the wind and rain adding to its desolation!

已觉秋窗秋不尽，那堪风雨助凄凉！

助秋風雨來何速！How swiftly the wind and rain come to aid the autumn's gloom!驚破秋窗秋夢綠。They startle and shatter the green dream of autumn at the window.

助秋风雨来何速！惊破秋窗秋梦绿。

抱得秋情不忍眠，自向秋屏移淚燭。Clasping this autumn sorrow, I cannot bear to sleep, and turn instead toward the autumn screen to move my tear-stained candle.

抱得秋情不忍眠，自向秋屏移泪烛。

淚燭搖搖爇短檠，牽愁照恨動離情。The tear-candle flickers and burns low on its short stand, drawing out my sorrow, lighting my resentment, stirring feelings of parting.

泪烛摇摇爇短檠，牵愁照恨动离情。

誰家秋院無風入？In whose autumn courtyard does the wind not enter?何處秋窗無雨聲？At what autumn window is the sound of rain not heard?

谁家秋院无风入？何处秋窗无雨声？

羅衾不奈秋風力，殘漏聲催秋雨急。My silken quilt cannot withstand the force of the autumn wind; the dwindling water-clock's sound hastens the autumn rain to fall faster still.

罗衾不奈秋风力，残漏声催秋雨急。

連宵脈脈复颼颼，燈前似伴離人泣。Night after night it drizzles on, then turns to a soughing wind; before the lamp it seems to keep company with one who weeps in parting.

连宵脉脉复飕飕，灯前似伴离人泣。

寒煙小院轉蕭條，疏竹虛窗時滴瀝。Cold mist over the small courtyard turns ever more bleak and desolate; sparse bamboo by the empty window drips now and again.

寒烟小院转萧条，疏竹虚窗时滴沥。

不知風雨幾時休，已教淚灑窗紗濕。I know not when the wind and rain will cease — already my tears have fallen and soaked the window's gauze.

不知风雨几时休，已教泪洒窗纱湿。

吟罷擱筆，方要安寢，丫鬟報說：“寶二爺來了。”一語未完，只見寶玉頭上帶著大箬笠，身上披著蓑衣。Having finished chanting the verse, she set down her brush and was about to settle down to sleep when a maid announced, "Master Bao the Second is here." Before the words were even finished, there was Baoyu, a large bamboo-leaf rain hat on his head and a straw rain-cape over his shoulders.黛玉不覺笑了：“那里來的漁翁！”寶玉忙問：“今兒好些？Daiyu couldn't help laughing: "Where has this old fisherman come from!" Baoyu asked hurriedly, "Are you feeling any better today?吃了藥沒有？Have you taken your medicine yet?今兒一日吃了多少飯？”一面說，一面摘了笠，脫了蓑衣，忙一手舉起燈來，一手遮住燈光，向黛玉臉上照了一照，覷著眼細瞧了一瞧，笑道：“今兒氣色好了些。”How much have you eaten today?" As he spoke he took off the rain hat and the cape, then hurriedly raised the lamp with one hand while shielding the light with the other, holding it up to shine on Daiyu's face; he peered closely at her and said with a smile, "Your color looks a bit better today."

吟罢搁笔，方要安寝，丫鬟报说：“宝二爷来了。”一语未完，只见宝玉头上带著大箬笠，身上披著蓑衣。黛玉不觉笑了：“那里来的渔翁！”宝玉忙问：“今儿好些？吃了药没有？今儿一日吃了多少饭？”一面说，一面摘了笠，脱了蓑衣，忙一手举起灯来，一手遮住灯光，向黛玉脸上照了一照，觑著眼细瞧了一瞧，笑道：“今儿气色好了些。”

黛玉看脫了蓑衣，里面只穿半舊紅綾短襖，繫著綠汗巾子，膝下露出油綠綢撒花褲子，底下是掐金滿繡的綿紗襪子，靸著蝴蝶落花鞋。Daiyu saw that, with the rain-cape off, underneath he wore only a half-worn short jacket of red silk damask, with a green sash tied at the waist; below his knees showed trousers of glossy green silk scattered with a floral pattern, and beneath those were cotton-gauze socks embroidered all over with gold thread, his feet slipped into shoes patterned with butterflies and fallen blossoms.黛玉問道：“上頭怕雨，底下這鞋襪子是不怕雨的？Daiyu asked, "You worried about the rain up top, but aren't these shoes and socks below afraid of the rain?也倒乾淨。”寶玉笑道：“我這一套是全的。Though they're certainly clean." Baoyu said with a smile, "This outfit of mine is a complete set.有一雙棠木屐，才穿了來，脫在廊檐上了。”黛玉又看那蓑衣斗笠不是尋常市賣的，十分細致輕巧，因說道：“是什麼草編的？There's a pair of pear-wood clogs too — I wore them over just now and left them off under the eaves of the corridor." Daiyu then noticed that the rain-cape and hat were not the ordinary sort sold in the market, but were exceedingly finely made and light, so she said, "What kind of grass are these woven from?怪道穿上不象那刺蝟似的。”寶玉道：“這三樣都是北靜王送的。No wonder wearing them doesn't make you look like some kind of hedgehog." Baoyu said, "All three of these pieces were gifts from the Prince of Beijing.他閒了下雨時在家里也是這樣。When he's at leisure at home on a rainy day, he dresses just the same way.你喜歡這個，我也弄一套來送你。If you like this, I'll get a set made and give it to you too.別的都罷了，惟有這斗笠有趣，竟是活的。The other pieces are ordinary enough, but this rain hat is the interesting one — it's actually adjustable.上頭的這頂兒是活的，冬天下雪，帶上帽子，就把竹信子抽了，去下頂子來，只剩了這圈子。This top part here comes off — in winter, when it snows, if you put on a cap first, you just pull out the bamboo pin and take off the crown, leaving only this brim behind.下雪時男女都戴得，我送你一頂，冬天下雪戴。”黛玉笑道：“我不要他。Both men and women can wear it in the snow — I'll give you one, to wear when it snows in winter." Daiyu said with a smile, "I don't want it.戴上那個，成個畫兒上畫的和戲上扮的漁婆了。”及說了出來，方想起話未忖奪，與方才說寶玉的話相連，後悔不及，羞的臉飛紅，便伏在桌上嗽個不住。If I put that on, I'd turn into a fisherwoman out of a painting or an opera." No sooner had the words left her mouth than she realized she had spoken without thinking, and that they linked up all too aptly with what she had just said about Baoyu — it was too late for regret, and her face flushed crimson with embarrassment; she bent over the table, coughing without pause.

黛玉看脱了蓑衣，里面只穿半旧红绫短袄，系著绿汗巾子，膝下露出油绿绸撒花裤子，底下是掐金满绣的绵纱袜子，靸著蝴蝶落花鞋。黛玉问道：“上头怕雨，底下这鞋袜子是不怕雨的？也倒干净。”宝玉笑道：“我这一套是全的。有一双棠木屐，才穿了来，脱在廊檐上了。”黛玉又看那蓑衣斗笠不是寻常市卖的，十分细致轻巧，因说道：“是什么草编的？怪道穿上不象那刺猬似的。”宝玉道：“这三样都是北静王送的。他闲了下雨时在家里也是这样。你喜欢这个，我也弄一套来送你。别的都罢了，惟有这斗笠有趣，竟是活的。上头的这顶儿是活的，冬天下雪，带上帽子，就把竹信子抽了，去下顶子来，只剩了这圈子。下雪时男女都戴得，我送你一顶，冬天下雪戴。”黛玉笑道：“我不要他。戴上那个，成个画儿上画的和戏上扮的渔婆了。”及说了出来，方想起话未忖夺，与方才说宝玉的话相连，后悔不及，羞的脸飞红，便伏在桌上嗽个不住。

寶玉卻不留心，因見案上有詩，遂拿起來看了一遍，又不禁叫好。Baoyu, however, paid it no mind; noticing the poem on the table, he picked it up and read it through, and could not help crying out in praise.黛玉聽了，忙起來奪在手內，向燈上燒了。Hearing this, Daiyu hurriedly got up, snatched it out of his hand, and burned it over the lamp.寶玉笑道：“我已背熟了，燒也無礙。”黛玉道：“我也好了許多，謝你一天來幾次瞧我，下雨還來。Baoyu said with a smile, "I've already memorized it by heart, so it doesn't matter if you burn it." Daiyu said, "I'm also feeling much better now — thank you for coming to see me so many times a day, coming even in the rain.這會子夜深了，我也要歇著，你且請回去，明兒再來。”寶玉聽說，回手向怀中掏出一個核桃大小的一個金表來，瞧了一瞧，那針已指到戌末亥初之間，忙又揣了，說道：“原該歇了，又扰的你勞了半日神。”說著，披蓑戴笠出去了，又翻身進來問道：“你想什麼吃，告訴我，我明兒一早回老太太，豈不比老婆子們說的明白？”黛玉笑道：“等我夜里想著了，明兒早起告訴你。It's late at night now, and I should rest too — please go on back, and come again tomorrow." Hearing this, Baoyu reached into his robe and pulled out a gold watch about the size of a walnut, glanced at it, and saw the hand pointing to somewhere between the end of the Xu hour and the start of the Hai hour; he quickly tucked it away again and said, "I really ought to let you rest — I've disturbed you and worn out your spirits for half the evening already." So saying, he put on the cape and hat and went out, then turned back in again to ask, "Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat? Tell me, and tomorrow morning I'll report it to Grandmother myself — won't that be clearer than having the old women pass it along?" Daiyu said with a smile, "Let me think it over tonight, and I'll tell you first thing tomorrow morning.你聽雨越發緊了，快去罷。Listen, the rain is coming down harder than ever — go quickly now.可有人跟著沒有？”有兩個婆子答應：“有人，外面拿著傘點著燈籠呢。”黛玉笑道：“這個天點燈籠？”寶玉道：“不相干，是明瓦的，不怕雨。”黛玉聽說，回手向書架上把個玻璃繡球燈拿了下來，命點一支小蜡來，遞與寶玉，道：“這個又比那個亮，正是雨里點的。”寶玉道：“我也有這麼一個，怕他們失腳滑倒了打破了，所以沒點來。”黛玉道：“跌了燈值錢，跌了人值錢？Is anyone with you?" Two old women answered, "Yes, someone's here, holding an umbrella outside with a lantern lit." Daiyu said with a smile, "Lighting a lantern in weather like this?" Baoyu said, "It doesn't matter, it's made of translucent shell, it's not afraid of rain." At this, Daiyu reached back to the bookshelf and took down an embroidered-ball glass lamp, had a small candle lit inside it, and handed it to Baoyu, saying, "This one is even brighter than that other, and it's just the thing to carry in the rain." Baoyu said, "I have one just like it too, but I was afraid the servants might slip and break it, so I didn't have it brought along lit." Daiyu said, "Is a lamp worth more, or is a person worth more?你又穿不慣木屐子。Besides, you're not even used to wearing wooden clogs.那燈籠命他們前頭照著。Have them carry that other lantern in front to light the way.這個又輕巧又亮，原是雨里自己拿著的，你自己手里拿著這個，豈不好？This one is both light and bright, and is really meant to be carried by oneself in the rain — wouldn't it be better for you to carry this one yourself?明兒再送來。You can send it back tomorrow.就失了手也有限的，怎麼忽然又變出這‘剖腹藏珠’的脾氣來！”寶玉聽說，連忙接了過來，前頭兩個婆子打著傘提著明瓦燈，後頭還有兩個小丫鬟打著傘。Even if you did happen to drop it, the loss would be a small one — why on earth have you suddenly taken on this habit of 'slitting open your belly to hide a pearl'!" Hearing this, Baoyu hurriedly took it from her; in front walked two old women holding umbrellas and carrying the shell-paned lantern, and behind came two young maids holding umbrellas as well.寶玉便將這個燈遞與一個小丫頭捧著，寶玉扶著他的肩，一徑去了。Baoyu then handed this lamp to one of the young maids to carry, and, resting his hand on her shoulder, went off directly.

宝玉却不留心，因见案上有诗，遂拿起来看了一遍，又不禁叫好。黛玉听了，忙起来夺在手内，向灯上烧了。宝玉笑道：“我已背熟了，烧也无碍。”黛玉道：“我也好了许多，谢你一天来几次瞧我，下雨还来。这会子夜深了，我也要歇著，你且请回去，明儿再来。”宝玉听说，回手向怀中掏出一个核桃大小的一个金表来，瞧了一瞧，那针已指到戌末亥初之间，忙又揣了，说道：“原该歇了，又扰的你劳了半日神。”说著，披蓑戴笠出去了，又翻身进来问道：“你想什么吃，告诉我，我明儿一早回老太太，岂不比老婆子们说的明白？”黛玉笑道：“等我夜里想著了，明儿早起告诉你。你听雨越发紧了，快去罢。可有人跟著没有？”有两个婆子答应：“有人，外面拿著伞点著灯笼呢。”黛玉笑道：“这个天点灯笼？”宝玉道：“不相干，是明瓦的，不怕雨。”黛玉听说，回手向书架上把个玻璃绣球灯拿了下来，命点一支小蜡来，递与宝玉，道：“这个又比那个亮，正是雨里点的。”宝玉道：“我也有这么一个，怕他们失脚滑倒了打破了，所以没点来。”黛玉道：“跌了灯值钱，跌了人值钱？你又穿不惯木屐子。那灯笼命他们前头照著。这个又轻巧又亮，原是雨里自己拿著的，你自己手里拿著这个，岂不好？明儿再送来。就失了手也有限的，怎么忽然又变出这‘剖腹藏珠’的脾气来！”宝玉听说，连忙接了过来，前头两个婆子打著伞提著明瓦灯，后头还有两个小丫鬟打著伞。宝玉便将这个灯递与一个小丫头捧著，宝玉扶著他的肩，一径去了。

就有蘅蕪苑的一個婆子，也打著傘提著燈，送了一大包上等燕窩來，還有一包子洁粉梅片雪花洋糖。Just then an old woman from Hengwu Court arrived too, also holding an umbrella and carrying a lantern, bringing over a large packet of top-grade bird's nest, along with a packet of fine refined "plum-flake" snow-white foreign sugar.說：“這比買的強。She said, "This is better than what you can buy.姑娘說了：姑娘先吃著，完了再送來。”黛玉道：“回去說‘費心’。”命他外頭坐了吃茶。My young mistress said: you should start eating this, Miss, and once it's used up she'll send more." Daiyu said, "Go back and tell her I said, 'Thank you for the trouble.'" She had the woman sit outside and take some tea.婆子笑道：“不吃茶了，我還有事呢。”黛玉笑道：“我也知道你們忙。The old woman said with a smile, "I won't stay for tea, I still have things to attend to." Daiyu said with a smile, "I know you're all busy too.如今天又涼，夜又長，越發該會個夜局，痛賭兩場了。”婆子笑道：“不瞞姑娘說，今年我大沾光兒了。Now that the weather's turned cool and the nights are longer, it's all the more the season to get up a night game and have a good couple of rounds of gambling." The old woman said with a smile, "I won't hide it from you, Miss — this year I've come out well ahead.橫豎每夜各處有幾個上夜的人，誤了更也不好，不如會個夜局，又坐了更，又解悶兒。After all, every night there are a few people on watch duty in various places anyway, and it's no good to fall behind on the night watch, so it's better to get up a night game — that way we keep watch and relieve the boredom at the same time.今兒又是我的頭家，如今園門關了，就該上場了。”黛玉聽說笑道：“難為你。Today it's my turn to be the banker, and now that the Garden gates are closed, it's time for me to take my place at the game." Hearing this, Daiyu said with a smile, "I'm troubling you then.誤了你發財，冒雨送來。”命人給他幾百錢，打些酒吃，避避雨氣。I've kept you from your money-making, making you brave the rain to bring this over." She had someone give the woman a few hundred cash, to buy some wine and drink, to ward off the chill of the rain.那婆子笑道：“又破費姑娘賞酒吃。”說著，磕了一個頭，外面接了錢，打傘去了。The old woman said with a smile, "Now I'm putting Miss to more expense, treating me to wine." So saying, she kowtowed once, took the money outside, opened her umbrella, and went off.

就有蘅芜苑的一个婆子，也打著伞提著灯，送了一大包上等燕窝来，还有一包子洁粉梅片雪花洋糖。说：“这比买的强。姑娘说了：姑娘先吃著，完了再送来。”黛玉道：“回去说‘费心’。”命他外头坐了吃茶。婆子笑道：“不吃茶了，我还有事呢。”黛玉笑道：“我也知道你们忙。如今天又凉，夜又长，越发该会个夜局，痛赌两场了。”婆子笑道：“不瞒姑娘说，今年我大沾光儿了。横竖每夜各处有几个上夜的人，误了更也不好，不如会个夜局，又坐了更，又解闷儿。今儿又是我的头家，如今园门关了，就该上场了。”黛玉听说笑道：“难为你。误了你发财，冒雨送来。”命人给他几百钱，打些酒吃，避避雨气。那婆子笑道：“又破费姑娘赏酒吃。”说著，磕了一个头，外面接了钱，打伞去了。

紫鵑收起燕窩，然後移燈下帘，伏侍黛玉睡下。Zijuan put away the bird's nest, then moved the lamp, lowered the curtains, and attended Daiyu to bed.黛玉自在枕上感念寶釵，一時又羡他有母兄，一面又想寶玉雖素習和睦，終有嫌疑。Lying alone on her pillow, Daiyu thought gratefully of Baochai, and for a moment envied her for having a mother and brother; then again she thought of how Baoyu, though ordinarily close and affectionate with her, was after all subject to suspicion and gossip.又聽見窗外竹梢焦葉之上，雨聲淅瀝，清寒透幕，不覺又滴下淚來。Then she heard, outside the window, the patter of rain on the bamboo tips and withered leaves; the chill clarity of the air seeped through the curtains, and before she knew it, tears fell once more.直到四更將闌，方漸漸的睡了。Not until the fourth watch was nearly over did she gradually fall asleep.暫且無話。For now, there is nothing more to tell.要知端的，下回分解。To know what happened in the end, read the explanation in the next chapter.

紫鹃收起燕窝，然后移灯下帘，伏侍黛玉睡下。黛玉自在枕上感念宝钗，一时又羡他有母兄，一面又想宝玉虽素习和睦，终有嫌疑。又听见窗外竹梢焦叶之上，雨声淅沥，清寒透幕，不觉又滴下泪来。直到四更将阑，方渐渐的睡了。暂且无话。要知端的，下回分解。