第四十六回　尷尬人難免尷尬事　鴛鴦女誓絕鴛鴦偶 An Awkward Person Meets Awkward Trouble; Yuanyang Vows Never to Wed

話說林黛玉直到四更將闌，方漸漸的睡去，暫且無話。The story goes that Lin Daiyu did not fall gradually asleep until the fourth watch was nearly spent — but no more of that for now.如今且說鳳姐兒因見邢夫人叫他，不知何事，忙另穿戴了一番，坐車過來。Now to tell of Xifeng: hearing that Xing furen had sent for her, and not knowing what the matter was, she hurriedly changed her clothes and headdress anew and rode over in her carriage.邢夫人將房內人遣出，悄向鳳姐兒道：“叫你來不為別事，有一件為難的事，老爺托我，我不得主意，先和你商議。Xing furen sent all the people out of the room, and said to Xifeng in a low voice, "I did not call you here for anything else — there is a difficult matter. The Master entrusted it to me, and I cannot decide what to do, so I want to talk it over with you first.老爺因看上了老太太的鴛鴦，要他在房里，叫我和老太太討去。The Master has taken a fancy to Old Ancestress's Yuanyang and wants her in his room. He has asked me to go and beg the Old Ancestress for her.我想這倒平常有的事，只是怕老太太不給，你可有法子？”鳳姐兒聽了，忙道：“依我說，竟別碰這個釘子去。I think this is really an ordinary enough thing, only I'm afraid the Old Ancestress won't give her up — do you have any way to manage it?" When Xifeng heard this, she said hastily, "If you ask me, you'd best not go and run into that snag at all.老太太離了鴛鴦，飯也吃不下去的，那里就舍得了？The Old Ancestress can't do without Yuanyang even at mealtimes — how could she ever bear to part with her?況且平日說起閒話來，老太太常說，老爺如今上了年紀，作什麼左一個小老婆右一個小老婆放在屋里，沒的耽誤了人家。Besides, when idle talk comes up in ordinary days, the Old Ancestress often says that the Master is getting on in years now, and what does he mean by putting one little concubine here and another little concubine there in his rooms — it's no good ruining some girl's life for nothing.放著身子不保養，官兒也不好生作去，成日家和小老婆喝酒。He neglects to take care of his own health, doesn't properly attend to his official duties, and spends his days drinking wine with his concubines.太太聽這話，很喜歡老爺呢？Would Madam be pleased to hear such talk about the Master?這會子回避還恐回避不及，倒拿草棍兒戳老虎的鼻子眼兒去了！At a time like this, when one ought to be avoiding trouble as hard as one can and still fear it isn't enough, you'd be going instead to poke a straw right into the tiger's nostril!太太別惱，我是不敢去的。Don't be angry with me, Madam, but I dare not go on this errand.明放著不中用，而且反招出沒意思來。It's plain to see it would be no use, and worse, it would only stir up something unpleasant.老爺如今上了年紀，行事不妥，太太該勸才是。The Master is getting on in years now and his conduct is not proper — Madam ought to remonstrate with him.比不得年輕，作這些事無礙。It's not like when he was young, when doing such things did no harm.如今兄弟，侄兒，兒子，孫子一大群，還這麼鬧起來，怎樣見人呢？”邢夫人冷笑道：“大家子三房四妾的也多，偏咱們就使不得？Now with a whole crowd of younger brothers, nephews, sons, and grandsons, if this kind of fuss is kicked up again, how will he ever face people?" Xing furen said with a cold smile, "In great households, three wives and four concubines are common enough — why should we alone not be allowed it?我勸了也未必依。Even if I remonstrated with him, he'd not necessarily listen.就是老太太心愛的丫頭，這麼胡子蒼白了又作了官的一個大兒子，要了作房里人，也未必好駁回的。And besides, she is a maid the Old Ancestress herself is fond of — for a man whose beard has already gone gray and who has a grown son already holding office to want her as a room-attendant — it's not likely to be easy to refuse either.我叫了你來，不過商議商議，你先派上了一篇不是。I called you here only to talk it over, and here you've already handed down a whole essay laying the fault on me.也有叫你要去的理？Is there any reason for me to ask you to go?自然是我說去。Naturally it is I who will go and speak of it.你倒說我不勸，你還不知道那性子的，勸不成，先和我惱了。”And yet you tell me I haven't remonstrated with him — you still don't know that temper of his. If the remonstrance doesn't take, he'll turn his anger on me first."

话说林黛玉直到四更将阑，方渐渐的睡去，暂且无话。如今且说凤姐儿因见邢夫人叫他，不知何事，忙另穿戴了一番，坐车过来。邢夫人将房内人遣出，悄向凤姐儿道：“叫你来不为别事，有一件为难的事，老爷托我，我不得主意，先和你商议。老爷因看上了老太太的鸳鸯，要他在房里，叫我和老太太讨去。我想这倒平常有的事，只是怕老太太不给，你可有法子？”凤姐儿听了，忙道：“依我说，竟别碰这个钉子去。老太太离了鸳鸯，饭也吃不下去的，那里就舍得了？况且平日说起闲话来，老太太常说，老爷如今上了年纪，作什么左一个小老婆右一个小老婆放在屋里，没的耽误了人家。放著身子不保养，官儿也不好生作去，成日家和小老婆喝酒。太太听这话，很喜欢老爷呢？这会子回避还恐回避不及，倒拿草棍儿戳老虎的鼻子眼儿去了！太太别恼，我是不敢去的。明放著不中用，而且反招出没意思来。老爷如今上了年纪，行事不妥，太太该劝才是。比不得年轻，作这些事无碍。如今兄弟，侄儿，儿子，孙子一大群，还这么闹起来，怎样见人呢？”邢夫人冷笑道：“大家子三房四妾的也多，偏咱们就使不得？我劝了也未必依。就是老太太心爱的丫头，这么胡子苍白了又作了官的一个大儿子，要了作房里人，也未必好驳回的。我叫了你来，不过商议商议，你先派上了一篇不是。也有叫你要去的理？自然是我说去。你倒说我不劝，你还不知道那性子的，劝不成，先和我恼了。”

鳳姐兒知道邢夫人稟性愚強，只知承順賈赦以自保，次則婪取財貨為自得，家下一應大小事務，俱由賈赦擺布。Xifeng knew that Xing furen's nature was foolish and stubborn — that all she knew was to comply with and please Jia She in order to protect herself, and next to that, to grab at money and goods for her own gain, while every matter great and small in the household was arranged and disposed of by Jia She.凡出入銀錢事務，一經他手，便克嗇异常，以賈赦浪費為名，“須得我就中儉省，方可償補”，兒女奴僕，一人不靠，一言不聽的。Whenever money or silver passed through her hands on any matter of household business, she would pinch and scrimp to an extraordinary degree, using Jia She's extravagance as her excuse: "I must economize in the meantime so as to make up for it" — and she would rely on none of her own sons, daughters, or servants, and listen to not a word from any of them.如今又聽邢夫人如此的話，便知他又弄左性，勸了不中用，連忙陪笑說道：“太太這話說的极是。Now, hearing Xing furen talk this way again, Xifeng knew at once that she had gotten one of her stubborn notions again, and that remonstrating would be useless, so she hastily put on a smile and said, "What Madam says is exactly right.我能活了多大，知道什麼輕重？How many years have I lived, that I should know what matters and what doesn't?想來父母跟前，別說一個丫頭，就是那麼大的活寶貝，不給老爺給誰？When I think of it, before one's parents, to say nothing of a mere maidservant — even if she were some great treasure as big as that, who should she be given to if not the Master?背地里的話那里信得？How can one believe talk spoken behind people's backs?我竟是個呆子。I really am a fool.璉二爺或有日得了不是，老爺太太恨的那樣，恨不得立刻拿來一下子打死，及至見了面，也罷了，依舊拿著老爺太太心愛的東西賞他。When Lian er sometimes does something wrong, the Master and Madam are so angry they could wish to seize him and beat him to death on the spot — yet once they actually see him face to face, it passes off, and they still go on giving him things they themselves treasure, as rewards.如今老太太待老爺，自然也是那樣了。Now surely the way the Old Ancestress treats the Master will be just the same.依我說，老太太今兒喜歡，要討今兒就討去。If you ask me, since the Old Ancestress is in good spirits today, if you want to ask for her, go and ask today.我先過去哄著老太太發笑，等太太過去了，我搭訕著走開，把屋子里的人我也帶開，太太好和老太太說的。Let me go over first and coax the Old Ancestress into a good laugh; once you have come over, I'll make some excuse to slip away, and take the people out of the room with me too, so that Madam can speak comfortably with the Old Ancestress.給了更好，不給也沒妨礙，眾人也不知道。”邢夫人見他這般說，便又喜歡起來，又告訴他道：“我的主意先不和老太太要。If she gives her, all the better; if she doesn't, there's no harm done either, and no one else need know." When Xing furen heard her speak this way, she grew pleased again, and told her further, "My plan is not to ask the Old Ancestress first.老太太要說不給，這事便死了。If the Old Ancestress should say no, the whole matter dies right there.我心里想著先悄悄的和鴛鴦說。What I have in mind is to speak quietly with Yuanyang first, in secret.他雖害臊，我細細的告訴了他，他自然不言語，就妥了。Though she may be embarrassed, once I explain everything to her in detail, she naturally won't say anything against it, and it will be settled.那時再和老太太說，老太太雖不依，擱不住他願意，常言‘人去不中留’，自然這就妥了。”鳳姐兒笑道：“到底是太太有智謀，這是千妥萬妥的。Then I'll speak to the Old Ancestress afterward — even if the Old Ancestress is unwilling, she won't be able to hold out against the girl's own willingness. As the saying goes, 'once a person means to go, there's no keeping her' — naturally it will be settled then." Xifeng said with a smile, "Madam truly has resourcefulness — this plan is sound in every way, ten times over.別說是鴛鴦，憑他是誰，那一個不想巴高望上，不想出頭的？Not to speak of Yuanyang alone — whoever it might be, which of them doesn't long to climb higher, doesn't want to get ahead in the world?這半個主子不做，倒願意做個丫頭，將來配個小子就完了。”邢夫人笑道：“正是這個話了。Rather than remain a half-mistress as she is now, she'd be willing to be a mere maid, only to end up married off to some houseboy in the end." Xing furen said with a smile, "That's exactly it.別說鴛鴦，就是那些執事的大丫頭，誰不願意這樣呢。Not to mention Yuanyang — even those senior maids who hold posts of responsibility, which of them wouldn't want this?你先過去，別露一點風聲，我吃了晚飯就過來。”You go on over first, and don't let out the least breath of it — I'll come over as soon as I've finished my evening meal."

凤姐儿知道邢夫人禀性愚强，只知承顺贾赦以自保，次则婪取财货为自得，家下一应大小事务，俱由贾赦摆布。凡出入银钱事务，一经他手，便克啬异常，以贾赦浪费为名，“须得我就中俭省，方可偿补”，儿女奴仆，一人不靠，一言不听的。如今又听邢夫人如此的话，便知他又弄左性，劝了不中用，连忙陪笑说道：“太太这话说的极是。我能活了多大，知道什么轻重？想来父母跟前，别说一个丫头，就是那么大的活宝贝，不给老爷给谁？背地里的话那里信得？我竟是个呆子。琏二爷或有日得了不是，老爷太太恨的那样，恨不得立刻拿来一下子打死，及至见了面，也罢了，依旧拿著老爷太太心爱的东西赏他。如今老太太待老爷，自然也是那样了。依我说，老太太今儿喜欢，要讨今儿就讨去。我先过去哄著老太太发笑，等太太过去了，我搭讪著走开，把屋子里的人我也带开，太太好和老太太说的。给了更好，不给也没妨碍，众人也不知道。”邢夫人见他这般说，便又喜欢起来，又告诉他道：“我的主意先不和老太太要。老太太要说不给，这事便死了。我心里想著先悄悄的和鸳鸯说。他虽害臊，我细细的告诉了他，他自然不言语，就妥了。那时再和老太太说，老太太虽不依，搁不住他愿意，常言‘人去不中留’，自然这就妥了。”凤姐儿笑道：“到底是太太有智谋，这是千妥万妥的。别说是鸳鸯，凭他是谁，那一个不想巴高望上，不想出头的？这半个主子不做，倒愿意做个丫头，将来配个小子就完了。”邢夫人笑道：“正是这个话了。别说鸳鸯，就是那些执事的大丫头，谁不愿意这样呢。你先过去，别露一点风声，我吃了晚饭就过来。”

鳳姐兒暗想：“鴛鴦素習是個可惡的，雖如此說，保不嚴他就願意。Xifeng thought to herself secretly: "Yuanyang has always been rather a disagreeable one — even though Madam speaks like this, there's no guarantee she'll be willing.我先過去了，太太後過去，若他依了便沒話說，倘或不依，太太是多疑的人，只怕就疑我走了風聲，使他拿腔作勢的。If I go over first and Madam comes over afterward, and the girl agrees, then there's nothing more to be said; but if she doesn't agree, Madam is a suspicious person by nature, and she's sure to suspect that I let out the secret beforehand, and that this is what's making the girl put on such airs.那時太太又見了應了我的話，羞惱變成怒，拿我出起氣來，倒沒意思。Then when Madam sees that things have turned out just as I predicted, her shame and anger will turn into fury, and she'll vent it on me — that would be no fun at all.不如同著一齊過去了，他依也罷，不依也罷，就疑不到我身上了。”想畢，因笑道：“方才臨來，舅母那邊送了兩籠子鵪鶉，我吩咐他們炸了，原要赶太太晚飯上送過來的。Better to go over together with her at the same time — whether the girl agrees or not, the suspicion won't fall on me." Having thought it through, she said with a smile, "Just as I was coming here, my aunt on my mother's side sent over two cages of quails. I told them to have them fried — I meant to have them sent over in time for Madam's evening meal.我才進大門時，見小子們抬車，說太太的車拔了縫，拿去收拾去了。When I was just coming in through the main gate, I saw the houseboys carrying off the carriage, saying that Madam's carriage had come apart at the seams and had been taken off to be repaired.不如這會子坐了我的車一齊過去倒好。”邢夫人聽了，便命人來換衣服。It would be best if you rode over together with me in my carriage right now." When Xing furen heard this, she ordered someone to bring clothes for her to change into.鳳姐忙著伏侍了一回，娘兒兩個坐車過來。Xifeng busied herself waiting on her for a while, and then the two of them, mother- and daughter-in-law, rode over together in the carriage.鳳姐兒又說道：“太太過老太太那里去，我若跟了去，老太太若問起我過去作什麼的，倒不好。Xifeng then said further, "If Madam goes over to the Old Ancestress's place and I follow along, it would look bad if the Old Ancestress should ask what I've come over for.不如太太先去，我脫了衣裳再來。”It would be better if Madam went on ahead, and I come along after I've changed my clothes."

凤姐儿暗想：“鸳鸯素习是个可恶的，虽如此说，保不严他就愿意。我先过去了，太太后过去，若他依了便没话说，倘或不依，太太是多疑的人，只怕就疑我走了风声，使他拿腔作势的。那时太太又见了应了我的话，羞恼变成怒，拿我出起气来，倒没意思。不如同著一齐过去了，他依也罢，不依也罢，就疑不到我身上了。”想毕，因笑道：“方才临来，舅母那边送了两笼子鹌鹑，我吩咐他们炸了，原要赶太太晚饭上送过来的。我才进大门时，见小子们抬车，说太太的车拔了缝，拿去收拾去了。不如这会子坐了我的车一齐过去倒好。”邢夫人听了，便命人来换衣服。凤姐忙著伏侍了一回，娘儿两个坐车过来。凤姐儿又说道：“太太过老太太那里去，我若跟了去，老太太若问起我过去作什么的，倒不好。不如太太先去，我脱了衣裳再来。”

邢夫人聽了有理，便自往賈母處，和賈母說了一回閒話，便出來假托往王夫人房里去，從後門出去，打鴛鴦的臥房前過。Xing furen, finding this reasonable, went on by herself to Jia Mu's quarters and chatted idly with Jia Mu for a while, then came out on the pretext of going to Wang furen's rooms, went out by the back door, and passed by the front of Yuanyang's bedroom.只見鴛鴦正然坐在那里做針線，見了邢夫人，忙站起來。There she saw Yuanyang sitting doing needlework; seeing Xing furen, she hastily stood up.邢夫人笑道：“做什麼呢？Xing furen said with a smile, "What are you working on?我瞧瞧，你扎的花兒越發好了。”一面說，一面便接他手內的針線瞧了一瞧，只管贊好。Let me see — the flowers you've embroidered have gotten even prettier." So saying, she took the needlework from Yuanyang's hands and looked it over, praising it without stopping.放下針線，又渾身打量。Then she set the needlework down and looked Yuanyang over from head to foot.只見他穿著半新的藕合色的綾襖，青緞掐牙背心，下面水綠裙子。She saw the girl wearing a half-new lotus-colored figured silk jacket, a black satin vest with piped edging, and beneath it a water-green skirt.蜂腰削背，鴨蛋臉面，烏油頭髪，高高的鼻子，兩邊腮上微微的幾點雀斑。A slender waist, a tapering back, an oval face like a duck's egg, hair black and glossy as oil, a high-bridged nose, and on both cheeks a faint scattering of freckles.鴛鴦見這般看他，自己倒不好意思起來，心里便覺詫异，因笑問道：“太太，這會子不早不晚的，過來做什麼？”邢夫人使個眼色兒，跟的人退出。Seeing herself looked over this way, Yuanyang herself grew embarrassed, and felt a stir of suspicion in her heart; she asked with a smile, "Madam, it's neither early nor late — what brings you over now?" Xing furen gave a glance, and the attendants withdrew.邢夫人便坐下，拉著鴛鴦的手笑道：“我特來給你道喜來了。”鴛鴦聽了，心中已猜著三分，不覺紅了臉，低了頭不發一言。Xing furen then sat down, took Yuanyang's hand, and said with a smile, "I've come especially to wish you joy." When Yuanyang heard this, she had already guessed some three parts of it in her heart, and could not help flushing red in the face; she lowered her head and said not a word.聽邢夫人道：“你知道你老爺跟前竟沒有個可靠的人，心里再要買一個，又怕那些人牙子家出來的不乾不淨，也不知道毛病兒，買了來家，三日兩日，又要肏鬼吊猴的。She heard Xing furen go on, "You know your Master has no one reliable at hand. He wants to buy another one, but he's afraid that girls coming out of the dealers' hands aren't clean, and there's no telling what faults they may have; once bought and brought home, within two or three days they start up all sorts of tricks and mischief.因滿府里要挑一個家生女兒收了，又沒個好的：不是模樣兒不好，就是性子不好，有了這個好處，沒了那個好處。So he wanted to pick one of the household-born girls from throughout the mansion and take her in, but there wasn't a good one to be found: if it wasn't her looks that were lacking, it was her temper, or she'd have this good point but lack that one.因此冷眼選了半年，這些女孩子里頭，就只你是個尖兒，模樣兒，行事作人，溫柔可靠，一概是齊全的。So for half a year now he has been quietly choosing with a careful eye, and among all these girls, you alone stand out as the very best — your looks, your conduct and the way you carry yourself, gentle and dependable — in every respect you are complete.意思要和老太太討了你去，收在屋里。So the idea is to ask the Old Ancestress for you and take you into his own quarters.你比不得外頭新買的，你這一進去了，進門就開了臉，就封你姨娘，又体面，又尊貴。You are not to be compared with some newly bought outside girl — the moment you go in, they will open your face right at the door and make you a concubine at once — both dignified and honorable.你又是個要強的人，俗話說的，‘金子終得金子換’，誰知竟被老爺看重了你。You are also a person who likes to hold your own, and as the saying goes, 'gold in the end must be exchanged for gold' — who would have thought the Master himself would come to think so highly of you.如今這一來，你可遂了素日志大心高的願了，也堵一堵那些嫌你的人的嘴。Now, with this happening, you may satisfy the ambition you've always cherished in your heart, and it will also stop the mouths of those who have looked down on you.跟了我回老太太去！”說著拉了他的手就要走。Come with me and we'll go tell the Old Ancestress!" So saying, she took hold of her hand and made to go.鴛鴦紅了臉，奪手不行。Yuanyang flushed red and pulled her hand free, refusing to move.邢夫人知他害臊，因又說道：“這有什麼臊處？Xing furen, knowing she was only embarrassed, said further, "What is there to be ashamed of in this?你又不用說話，只跟著我就是了。”鴛鴦只低了頭不動身。You needn't even say anything — just come along with me, that's all." Yuanyang only lowered her head and did not stir.邢夫人見他這般，便又說道：“難道你不願意不成？Seeing her like this, Xing furen said again, "Don't tell me you're actually unwilling?若果然不願意，可真是個傻丫頭了。If you truly are unwilling, then you really are a foolish girl.放著主子奶奶不作，倒願意作丫頭！To pass up being a proper mistress and instead prefer to remain a maid!三年二年，不過配上個小子，還是奴才。In two or three years' time, you'll only be married off to some houseboy, and still be a servant.你跟了我們去，你知道我的性子又好，又不是那不容人的人。If you come with us, you know my temper is a good one, and I am not one who can't tolerate others.老爺待你們又好。The Master, too, treats you all well.過一年半載，生下個一男半女，你就和我并肩了。After a year or half a year, once you've given birth to a child, boy or girl, you'll be on equal footing with me.家里人你要使喚誰，誰還不動？Whichever of the household servants you wish to order about, which of them would dare not move?現成主子不做去，錯過這個机會，後悔就遲了。”鴛鴦只管低了頭，仍是不語。Here is a ready-made position as mistress, and you won't take it — if you let this chance slip by, it will be too late to regret it." Yuanyang only kept her head lowered, still saying nothing.邢夫人又道：“你這麼個響快人，怎麼又這樣積粘起來？Xing furen said again, "You're usually such a quick, forthright person — why have you suddenly turned so sticky and slow now?有什麼不稱心之處，只管說與我，我管你遂心如意就是了。”鴛鴦仍不語。If there's anything that doesn't sit right with you, just tell me about it freely — I'll see to it that you have everything just as you wish." Yuanyang still said nothing.邢夫人又笑道：“想必你有老子娘，你自己不肯說話，怕臊。Xing furen said again with a smile, "I suppose you have your father and mother, and you yourself don't want to speak of it, out of shyness.你等他們問你，這也是理。You're waiting for them to ask you — that too is reasonable.讓我問他們去，叫他們來問你，有話只管告訴他們。”說畢，便往鳳姐兒房中來。Let me go and ask them, and have them come and ask you; whatever you have to say, just tell it to them freely." Having said this, she went off toward Xifeng's rooms.

邢夫人听了有理，便自往贾母处，和贾母说了一回闲话，便出来假托往王夫人房里去，从后门出去，打鸳鸯的卧房前过。只见鸳鸯正然坐在那里做针线，见了邢夫人，忙站起来。邢夫人笑道：“做什么呢？我瞧瞧，你扎的花儿越发好了。”一面说，一面便接他手内的针线瞧了一瞧，只管赞好。放下针线，又浑身打量。只见他穿著半新的藕合色的绫袄，青缎掐牙背心，下面水绿裙子。蜂腰削背，鸭蛋脸面，乌油头髪，高高的鼻子，两边腮上微微的几点雀斑。鸳鸯见这般看他，自己倒不好意思起来，心里便觉诧异，因笑问道：“太太，这会子不早不晚的，过来做什么？”邢夫人使个眼色儿，跟的人退出。邢夫人便坐下，拉著鸳鸯的手笑道：“我特来给你道喜来了。”鸳鸯听了，心中已猜著三分，不觉红了脸，低了头不发一言。听邢夫人道：“你知道你老爷跟前竟没有个可靠的人，心里再要买一个，又怕那些人牙子家出来的不干不净，也不知道毛病儿，买了来家，三日两日，又要肏鬼吊猴的。因满府里要挑一个家生女儿收了，又没个好的：不是模样儿不好，就是性子不好，有了这个好处，没了那个好处。因此冷眼选了半年，这些女孩子里头，就只你是个尖儿，模样儿，行事作人，温柔可靠，一概是齐全的。意思要和老太太讨了你去，收在屋里。你比不得外头新买的，你这一进去了，进门就开了脸，就封你姨娘，又体面，又尊贵。你又是个要强的人，俗话说的，‘金子终得金子换’，谁知竟被老爷看重了你。如今这一来，你可遂了素日志大心高的愿了，也堵一堵那些嫌你的人的嘴。跟了我回老太太去！”说著拉了他的手就要走。鸳鸯红了脸，夺手不行。邢夫人知他害臊，因又说道：“这有什么臊处？你又不用说话，只跟著我就是了。”鸳鸯只低了头不动身。邢夫人见他这般，便又说道：“难道你不愿意不成？若果然不愿意，可真是个傻丫头了。放著主子奶奶不作，倒愿意作丫头！三年二年，不过配上个小子，还是奴才。你跟了我们去，你知道我的性子又好，又不是那不容人的人。老爷待你们又好。过一年半载，生下个一男半女，你就和我并肩了。家里人你要使唤谁，谁还不动？现成主子不做去，错过这个机会，后悔就迟了。”鸳鸯只管低了头，仍是不语。邢夫人又道：“你这么个响快人，怎么又这样积粘起来？有什么不称心之处，只管说与我，我管你遂心如意就是了。”鸳鸯仍不语。邢夫人又笑道：“想必你有老子娘，你自己不肯说话，怕臊。你等他们问你，这也是理。让我问他们去，叫他们来问你，有话只管告诉他们。”说毕，便往凤姐儿房中来。

鳳姐兒早換了衣服，因房內無人，便將此話告訴了平兒。Xifeng had already changed her clothes; since there was no one in the room, she told the whole matter to Ping'er.平兒也搖頭笑道：“据我看，此事未必妥。Ping'er too shook her head and said with a smile, "As I see it, this affair is by no means certain to succeed.平常我們背著人說起話來，聽他那主意，未必是肯的。Ordinarily, when we've talked behind people's backs and I've heard her views, she's never seemed at all willing.也只說著瞧罷了。”鳳姐兒道：“太太必來這屋里商議。We can only wait and see." Xifeng said, "Madam is sure to come to this very room to talk it over.依了還可，若不依，白討個臊，當著你們，豈不臉上不好看。If the girl agrees, well and good; but if she doesn't, Madam will have gotten a bare rebuff for nothing, and with you people standing right there, wouldn't that be embarrassing for her?你說給他們炸鵪鶉，再有什麼配幾樣，預備吃飯。You go tell them to fry the quails, and to prepare a few more dishes besides, to have ready for the meal.你且別處逛逛去，估量著去了再來。”平兒聽說，照樣傳給婆子們，便逍遙自在的往園子里來。You'd best go stroll about elsewhere for now, and come back after judging that enough time has passed." Hearing this, Ping'er passed the instructions on to the old women just as they were, and then went off at her leisure into the garden.

凤姐儿早换了衣服，因房内无人，便将此话告诉了平儿。平儿也摇头笑道：“据我看，此事未必妥。平常我们背著人说起话来，听他那主意，未必是肯的。也只说著瞧罢了。”凤姐儿道：“太太必来这屋里商议。依了还可，若不依，白讨个臊，当著你们，岂不脸上不好看。你说给他们炸鹌鹑，再有什么配几样，预备吃饭。你且别处逛逛去，估量著去了再来。”平儿听说，照样传给婆子们，便逍遥自在的往园子里来。

這里鴛鴦見邢夫人去了，必在鳳姐兒房里商議去了，必定有人來問他的，不如躲了這里，因找了琥珀說道：“老太太要問我，只說我病了，沒吃早飯，往園子里逛逛就來。”琥珀答應了。Here, once Yuanyang saw that Xing furen had gone, she was certain she had gone to talk it over in Xifeng's room, and that someone was bound to come and question her; better to keep out of the way here. So she found Hupo and said, "If the Old Ancestress asks for me, just say I wasn't feeling well, hadn't eaten breakfast, and had gone off to stroll in the garden and would be back soon." Hupo agreed to say so.鴛鴦也往園子里來，各處游玩，不想正遇見平兒。Yuanyang too went off into the garden, wandering here and there, and quite unexpectedly ran into Ping'er.平兒因見無人，便笑道：“新姨娘來了！”鴛鴦聽了，便紅了臉，說道：“怪道你們串通一氣來算計我！Seeing no one else about, Ping'er said with a smile, "Here comes the new concubine!" Hearing this, Yuanyang flushed red and said, "No wonder you're all in league together to scheme against me!等著我和你主子鬧去就是了。”平兒聽了，自悔失言，便拉他到楓樹底下，坐在一塊石上，越性把方才鳳姐過去回來所有的形景言詞始末原由告訴與他。Just you wait, I'll go make trouble with your mistress about this." Hearing this, Ping'er regretted her slip of the tongue at once, and drew her over to sit on a rock beneath the maple trees, and went ahead and told her the whole story from beginning to end — everything that had happened and been said when Xifeng went over and came back.鴛鴦紅了臉，向平兒冷笑道：“這是咱們好，比如襲人，琥珀，素雲，紫鵑，彩霞，玉釧兒，麝月，翠墨，跟了史姑娘去的翠縷，死了的可人和金釧，去了的茜雪，連上你我，這十來個人，從小兒什麼話兒不說？Yuanyang flushed red, and said to Ping'er with a cold smile, "Considering how close we all are — take Xiren, Hupo, Suyun, Zijuan, Caixia, Yuchuan'er, Sheyue, Cuimo, Cuilü who went off with Miss Shi, Keren and Jinchuan who are dead, and Qianxue who has left — counting you and me too, these dozen or so of us — since we were little, what haven't we said to each other?什麼事兒不作？What haven't we done together?這如今因都大了，各自幹各自的去了，然我心里仍是照舊，有話有事，并不瞞你們。It's only that now, since we've all grown up, each of us goes about her own business separately; but in my own heart things are just as they always were — when I have something to say or something happening, I don't keep it from you all.這話我且放在你心里，且別和二奶奶說：別說大老爺要我做小老婆，就是太太這會子死了，他三媒六聘的娶我去作大老婆，我也不能去。”This much I'll leave in your keeping for now, and don't tell Er Nainai just yet: forget about the Elder Master wanting me for a concubine — even if Madam herself were to die this very moment, and he were to marry me properly, with the six rites and a matchmaker, as his principal wife, I still would not go."

这里鸳鸯见邢夫人去了，必在凤姐儿房里商议去了，必定有人来问他的，不如躲了这里，因找了琥珀说道：“老太太要问我，只说我病了，没吃早饭，往园子里逛逛就来。”琥珀答应了。鸳鸯也往园子里来，各处游玩，不想正遇见平儿。平儿因见无人，便笑道：“新姨娘来了！”鸳鸯听了，便红了脸，说道：“怪道你们串通一气来算计我！等著我和你主子闹去就是了。”平儿听了，自悔失言，便拉他到枫树底下，坐在一块石上，越性把方才凤姐过去回来所有的形景言词始末原由告诉与他。鸳鸯红了脸，向平儿冷笑道：“这是咱们好，比如袭人，琥珀，素云，紫鹃，彩霞，玉钏儿，麝月，翠墨，跟了史姑娘去的翠缕，死了的可人和金钏，去了的茜雪，连上你我，这十来个人，从小儿什么话儿不说？什么事儿不作？这如今因都大了，各自干各自的去了，然我心里仍是照旧，有话有事，并不瞒你们。这话我且放在你心里，且别和二奶奶说：别说大老爷要我做小老婆，就是太太这会子死了，他三媒六聘的娶我去作大老婆，我也不能去。”

平兒方欲笑答，只聽山石背後哈哈的笑道：“好個沒臉的丫頭，虧你不怕牙磣。”二人聽了不免吃了一驚，忙起身向山石背後找尋，不是別人，卻是襲人笑著走了出來問：“什麼事情？Ping'er was just about to answer with a laugh when, from behind the rocks, came a burst of laughter and a voice saying, "What a shameless girl — I'm surprised you're not afraid the words will set your own teeth on edge!" The two of them, startled, could not help giving a start, and hurried up to search behind the rocks — and it was none other than Xiren, who came out laughing and asked, "What's going on?告訴我。”說著，三人坐在石上。Tell me." So saying, the three of them sat down together on the rock.平兒又把方才的話說與襲人聽道：“真真這話論理不該我們說，這個大老爺太好色了，略平頭正臉的，他就不放手了。”平兒道：“你既不願意，我教你個法子，不用費事就完了。”鴛鴦道：“什麼法子？Ping'er then repeated to Xiren what had just been said: "Really, by rights we shouldn't be the ones to say this, but this Elder Master is far too fond of women — let him see any girl with a halfway decent, regular face, and he won't let go." Ping'er said, "Since you're not willing, let me teach you a way — it won't take any trouble at all to settle the matter." Yuanyang said, "What way?你說來我聽。”平兒笑道：“你只和老太太說，就說已經給了璉二爺了，大老爺就不好要了。”鴛鴦啐道：“什麼東西！Tell me and let me hear it." Ping'er said with a smile, "Just tell the Old Ancestress that you've already been given to Lian er — then the Elder Master won't be able to ask for you anymore." Yuanyang spat in disgust, "What a thing to say!你還說呢！And you still dare to say it!前兒你主子不是這麼混說的？Wasn't it your own mistress who talked such nonsense the other day?誰知應到今兒了！”襲人笑道：“他們兩個都不願意，我就和老太太說，叫老太太說把你已經許了寶玉了，大老爺也就死了心了。”鴛鴦又是氣，又是臊，又是急，因罵道：“兩個蹄子不得好死的！Who would have thought it would come true today of all days!" Xiren said with a smile, "Since neither of you two is willing, let me go tell the Old Ancestress myself, and have the Old Ancestress say that you've already been promised to Baoyu — then the Elder Master will give up the idea for good." At this Yuanyang was at once angry, ashamed, and anxious all together, and scolded, "You two wretches, may you come to a bad end!人家有為難的事，拿著你們當正經人，告訴你們與我排解排解，你們倒替換著取笑兒。Here I have a difficult matter on my hands, and I treated you as sensible people and told you about it hoping you'd help me find a way out of it, and instead you take turns making a joke of it.你們自為都有了結果了，將來都是做姨娘的。You think you've both already got your futures settled, that you'll both end up as concubines someday.据我看，天下的事未必都遂心如意。As I see it, the affairs of this world don't necessarily all turn out as one wishes.你們且收著些兒，別忒樂過了頭兒！”二人見他急了，忙陪笑央告道：“好姐姐，別多心，咱們從小兒都是親姊妹一般，不過無人處偶然取個笑兒。You'd both better hold yourselves in check a bit, and not get too pleased with yourselves!" Seeing her genuinely upset, the two of them hastily put on smiles and pleaded with her, "Dear sister, don't take it to heart — we've all been like real sisters since we were little, it's only that with no one around we sometimes make a joke of things on the spur of the moment.你的主意告訴我們知道，也好放心。”鴛鴦道：“什麼主意！Tell us what you really mean to do, so that we can set our minds at ease too." Yuanyang said, "What do I mean to do!我只不去就完了。”平兒搖頭道：“你不去未必得干休。I simply won't go, and that's the end of it." Ping'er shook her head and said, "Your not going doesn't necessarily mean the matter will just be dropped.大老爺的性子你是知道的。You know very well what the Elder Master's temper is like.雖然你是老太太房里的人，此刻不敢把你怎麼樣，將來難道你跟老太太一輩子不成？Even though you belong to the Old Ancestress's own rooms, and he dare not do anything to you for the moment, surely you don't mean to stay with the Old Ancestress your whole life, do you?也要出去的。You'll have to leave her rooms eventually too.那時落了他的手，倒不好了。”鴛鴦冷笑道：“老太太在一日，我一日不離這里，若是老太太歸西去了，他橫豎還有三年的孝呢，沒個娘才死了他先納小老婆的！If you should fall into his hands at that time, it would go badly for you." Yuanyang said with a cold smile, "As long as the Old Ancestress is alive, for that one day I will not leave her side; and if the Old Ancestress should pass away, why, he'll still have three years of mourning to observe — there's no such thing as taking a concubine the moment one's own mother has just died!等過三年，知道又是怎麼個光景，那時再說。Let three years pass, and who knows what things will look like by then — I'll decide when the time comes.縱到了至急為難，我剪了頭發作姑子去，不然，還有一死。And if it should come to the direst extremity, I'll cut off my hair and become a nun; and if not that, there's still dying.一輩子不嫁男人，又怎麼樣？Never marrying a man my whole life — what of it?樂得乾淨呢！”平兒襲人笑道：“真這蹄子沒了臉，越發信口兒都說出來了。”鴛鴦道：“事到如此，臊一會怎麼樣！I'd be glad enough to be rid of the whole business!" Ping'er and Xiren said with a laugh, "This wretch really has lost all sense of shame — the more she talks, the more anything at all comes out of her mouth." Yuanyang said, "Since things have come to this, what does a little shame matter!你們不信，慢慢的看著就是了。If you don't believe it, just wait and see for yourselves.太太纔說了，找我老子娘去。Madam has only just spoken, and already they want to go find my father and mother.我看他南京找去！”平兒道：“你的父母都在南京看房子，沒上來，終久也尋的著。"I'd like to see her go looking for them all the way to Nanjing!" Ping'er said, "Your parents are both in Nanjing looking after the house and haven't come up here, but sooner or later she'll track them down."現在還有你哥哥嫂子在這里。Right now you still have your elder brother and sister-in-law here.可惜你是這里的家生女兒，不如我們兩個人是單在這里。”鴛鴦道：“家生女兒怎麼樣？‘牛不吃水強按頭’？"It's a pity you're a house-born bondmaid here, not like the two of us, who are here on our own." Yuanyang said, "What does it matter, being a house-born bondmaid? Can you force an ox to drink by pressing its head down?"我不願意，難道殺我的老子娘不成？”If I'm not willing, will they kill my father and mother over it?

平儿方欲笑答，只听山石背后哈哈的笑道：“好个没脸的丫头，亏你不怕牙碜。”二人听了不免吃了一惊，忙起身向山石背后找寻，不是别人，却是袭人笑著走了出来问：“什么事情？告诉我。”说著，三人坐在石上。平儿又把方才的话说与袭人听道：“真真这话论理不该我们说，这个大老爷太好色了，略平头正脸的，他就不放手了。”平儿道：“你既不愿意，我教你个法子，不用费事就完了。”鸳鸯道：“什么法子？你说来我听。”平儿笑道：“你只和老太太说，就说已经给了琏二爷了，大老爷就不好要了。”鸳鸯啐道：“什么东西！你还说呢！前儿你主子不是这么混说的？谁知应到今儿了！”袭人笑道：“他们两个都不愿意，我就和老太太说，叫老太太说把你已经许了宝玉了，大老爷也就死了心了。”鸳鸯又是气，又是臊，又是急，因骂道：“两个蹄子不得好死的！人家有为难的事，拿著你们当正经人，告诉你们与我排解排解，你们倒替换著取笑儿。你们自为都有了结果了，将来都是做姨娘的。据我看，天下的事未必都遂心如意。你们且收著些儿，别忒乐过了头儿！”二人见他急了，忙陪笑央告道：“好姐姐，别多心，咱们从小儿都是亲姊妹一般，不过无人处偶然取个笑儿。你的主意告诉我们知道，也好放心。”鸳鸯道：“什么主意！我只不去就完了。”平儿摇头道：“你不去未必得干休。大老爷的性子你是知道的。虽然你是老太太房里的人，此刻不敢把你怎么样，将来难道你跟老太太一辈子不成？也要出去的。那时落了他的手，倒不好了。”鸳鸯冷笑道：“老太太在一日，我一日不离这里，若是老太太归西去了，他横竖还有三年的孝呢，没个娘才死了他先纳小老婆的！等过三年，知道又是怎么个光景，那时再说。纵到了至急为难，我剪了头发作姑子去，不然，还有一死。一辈子不嫁男人，又怎么样？乐得干净呢！”平儿袭人笑道：“真这蹄子没了脸，越发信口儿都说出来了。”鸳鸯道：“事到如此，臊一会怎么样！你们不信，慢慢的看著就是了。太太才说了，找我老子娘去。我看他南京找去！”平儿道：“你的父母都在南京看房子，没上来，终久也寻的著。现在还有你哥哥嫂子在这里。可惜你是这里的家生女儿，不如我们两个人是单在这里。”鸳鸯道：“家生女儿怎么样？‘牛不吃水强按头’？我不愿意，难道杀我的老子娘不成？”

正說著，只見他嫂子從那邊走來。Just as they were speaking, they saw her sister-in-law come walking over from the other side.襲人道：“當時找不著你的爹娘，一定和你嫂子說了。”鴛鴦道：“這個娼婦專管是個‘九國販駱駝的’，聽了這話，他有個不奉承去的！”說話之間，已來到跟前。Xiren said, "Since they couldn't find your parents just now, they must have gone and spoken to your sister-in-law instead." Yuanyang said, "That shameless whore is nothing but a 'camel-peddler who's crossed nine kingdoms' — hearing this, how could she not go running to fawn over them!" Even as she spoke, the woman had already arrived before them.他嫂子笑道：“那里沒找到，姑娘跑了這里來！Her sister-in-law said with a smile, "No wonder we couldn't find you anywhere — here you are, off to this spot, miss!"你跟了我來，我和你說話。”平兒襲人都忙讓坐。"Come with me, I have something to say to you." Ping'er and Xiren both hastily offered her a seat.他嫂子說：“姑娘們請坐，我找我們姑娘說句話。”襲人平兒都裝不知道，笑道：“什麼話這樣忙？Her sister-in-law said, "Please sit, young ladies, I just need a word with our girl here." Xiren and Ping'er both pretended to know nothing, and said with a smile, "What's so urgent?"我們這里猜謎兒贏手批子打呢，等猜了這個再去。”鴛鴦道：“什麼話？"We're in the middle of guessing riddles here, playing forfeits with hand-slaps — let her go once we've finished this round." Yuanyang said, "What is it?"你說罷。”他嫂子笑道：“你跟我來，到那里我告訴你，橫豎有好話兒。”鴛鴦道：“可是大太太和你說的那話？”他嫂子笑道：“姑娘既知道，還奈何我！"Just tell me." Her sister-in-law said with a smile, "Come with me, I'll tell you there — it's good news either way." Yuanyang said, "Is it what the Elder Mistress spoke to you about?" Her sister-in-law said with a smile, "Since the young lady already knows, why press me so!"快來，我細細的告訴你，可是天大的喜事。”鴛鴦聽說，立起身來，照他嫂子臉上下死勁啐了一口，指著他罵道：“你快夾著屄嘴離了這里，好多著呢！"Come quick, I'll tell you every detail — it truly is a blessing as great as Heaven itself." Hearing this, Yuanyang rose to her feet, spat full in her sister-in-law's face with all her strength, and pointing at her, cursed, "Get your filthy mouth out of here this instant, and be quick about it!"什麼‘好話’！"Good news," indeed!宋徽宗的鷹，趙子昂的馬，都是好畫兒。Emperor Huizong of Song's hawks, Zhao Zi'ang's horses — those are all fine paintings.什麼‘喜事’！"A happy event," indeed!狀元痘兒灌的漿兒又滿是喜事。A top graduate's smallpox pustules filling up nicely with pus is a happy event too.怪道成日家羡慕人家女兒作了小老婆，一家子都仗著他橫行霸道的，一家子都成了小老婆了！No wonder they've been envying other families whose daughters became concubines all day long, with the whole family relying on her to swagger about and tyrannize others — as if the whole family had become concubines themselves!看的眼熱了，也把我送在火坑里去。Their eyes have grown hot with envy watching, so now they want to push me into the fire pit as well.我若得臉呢，你們在外頭橫行霸道，自己就封自己是舅爺了。If I should gain favor, you'd all go swaggering and throwing your weight around outside, appointing yourselves 'uncles of the concubine.'我若不得臉敗了時，你們把忘八脖子一縮，生死由我。”一面說，一面哭，平兒襲人攔著勸。And if I should fall from favor and come to ruin, you'd all pull in your turtle necks and leave me to live or die on my own." As she spoke, she wept, while Ping'er and Xiren held her back and tried to comfort her.他嫂子臉上下不來，因說道：“願意不願意，你也好說，不犯著牽三挂四的。Her sister-in-law, unable to save face, said, "Whether you're willing or not, you could just say so plainly — there's no call to go dragging in this one and that one."俗語說，‘當著矮人，別說短話’。As the saying goes, 'Don't speak of shortness in front of a short man.'姑奶奶罵我，我不敢還言，這二位姑娘并沒惹著你，小老婆長小老婆短，人家臉上怎麼過得去？”襲人平兒忙道：“你倒別這麼說，他也并不是說我們，你倒別牽三挂四的。"Young mistress, you curse me, and I dare not talk back, but these two young ladies here have done nothing to provoke you — going on about concubines this and concubines that, how are they to hold up their faces?" Xiren and Ping'er hastily said, "Don't put it that way — she wasn't talking about us at all; it's you who shouldn't be dragging in this one and that one."你聽見那位太太，太爺們封我們做小老婆？Have you ever heard of any madam or master appointing us as concubines?況且我們兩個也沒有爹娘哥哥兄弟在這門子里仗著我們橫行霸道的。Besides, neither of us has father, mother, elder brother, or younger brother in this household relying on us to swagger about and tyrannize others.他罵的人自有他罵的，我們犯不著多心。”鴛鴦道：“他見我罵了他，他臊了，沒的蓋臉，又拿話挑唆你們兩個，幸虧你們兩個明白。"Whoever she's cursing is her own business — there's no need for us to take it to heart." Yuanyang said, "Seeing that I'd cursed her, she felt ashamed and had no way to save face, so she turned around and used her words to stir up trouble between you two — luckily you two saw through it."原是我急了，也沒分別出來，他就挑出這個空兒來。”他嫂子自覺沒趣，賭氣去了。"It was I who was so worked up I didn't make myself clear, and she seized on that opening." Her sister-in-law, feeling she'd made a fool of herself, flounced off in a huff.

正说著，只见他嫂子从那边走来。袭人道：“当时找不著你的爹娘，一定和你嫂子说了。”鸳鸯道：“这个娼妇专管是个‘九国贩骆驼的’，听了这话，他有个不奉承去的！”说话之间，已来到跟前。他嫂子笑道：“那里没找到，姑娘跑了这里来！你跟了我来，我和你说话。”平儿袭人都忙让坐。他嫂子说：“姑娘们请坐，我找我们姑娘说句话。”袭人平儿都装不知道，笑道：“什么话这样忙？我们这里猜谜儿赢手批子打呢，等猜了这个再去。”鸳鸯道：“什么话？你说罢。”他嫂子笑道：“你跟我来，到那里我告诉你，横竖有好话儿。”鸳鸯道：“可是大太太和你说的那话？”他嫂子笑道：“姑娘既知道，还奈何我！快来，我细细的告诉你，可是天大的喜事。”鸳鸯听说，立起身来，照他嫂子脸上下死劲啐了一口，指著他骂道：“你快夹著屄嘴离了这里，好多著呢！什么‘好话’！宋徽宗的鹰，赵子昂的马，都是好画儿。什么‘喜事’！状元痘儿灌的浆儿又满是喜事。怪道成日家羡慕人家女儿作了小老婆，一家子都仗著他横行霸道的，一家子都成了小老婆了！看的眼热了，也把我送在火坑里去。我若得脸呢，你们在外头横行霸道，自己就封自己是舅爷了。我若不得脸败了时，你们把忘八脖子一缩，生死由我。”一面说，一面哭，平儿袭人拦著劝。他嫂子脸上下不来，因说道：“愿意不愿意，你也好说，不犯著牵三挂四的。俗语说，‘当著矮人，别说短话’。姑奶奶骂我，我不敢还言，这二位姑娘并没惹著你，小老婆长小老婆短，人家脸上怎么过得去？”袭人平儿忙道：“你倒别这么说，他也并不是说我们，你倒别牵三挂四的。你听见那位太太，太爷们封我们做小老婆？况且我们两个也没有爹娘哥哥兄弟在这门子里仗著我们横行霸道的。他骂的人自有他骂的，我们犯不著多心。”鸳鸯道：“他见我骂了他，他臊了，没的盖脸，又拿话挑唆你们两个，幸亏你们两个明白。原是我急了，也没分别出来，他就挑出这个空儿来。”他嫂子自觉没趣，赌气去了。

鴛鴦氣得還罵，平兒襲人勸他一回，方才罷了。Yuanyang, still fuming, went on cursing; only after Ping'er and Xiren had comforted her for a while did she finally stop.平兒因問襲人道：“你在那里藏著做甚么的？Ping'er then asked Xiren, "What were you hiding over there for?我們竟沒看見你。”襲人道：“我因為往四姑娘房里瞧我們寶二爺去的，誰知遲了一步，說是來家里來了。We never even saw you." Xiren said, "I went to Fourth Miss's rooms to look for our Master Bao — who'd have thought I'd be a step too late, and they told me he'd already gone home.我疑惑怎麼不遇見呢，想要往林姑娘家里找去，又遇見他的人說也沒去。I wondered how I could have missed him, and thought of going to look for him at Miss Lin's, but then I met one of her people who said he hadn't gone there either.我這里正疑惑是出園子去了，可巧你從那里來了，我一閃，你也沒看見。I was just wondering whether he'd gone out of the garden, when as luck would have it you came along from over there; I slipped out of sight, and you didn't notice me.後來他又來了。Afterward he came along too.我從這樹後頭走到山子石後，我卻見你兩個說話來了，誰知你們四個眼睛沒見我。”I walked from behind this tree to behind the rockery, and there I saw the two of you come along talking — who would have thought that four eyes between you never saw me."

鸳鸯气得还骂，平儿袭人劝他一回，方才罢了。平儿因问袭人道：“你在那里藏著做甚么的？我们竟没看见你。”袭人道：“我因为往四姑娘房里瞧我们宝二爷去的，谁知迟了一步，说是来家里来了。我疑惑怎么不遇见呢，想要往林姑娘家里找去，又遇见他的人说也没去。我这里正疑惑是出园子去了，可巧你从那里来了，我一闪，你也没看见。后来他又来了。我从这树后头走到山子石后，我却见你两个说话来了，谁知你们四个眼睛没见我。”

一語未了，又聽身後笑道：“四個眼睛沒見你？Before she had even finished speaking, she heard someone behind her say with a laugh, "Four eyes didn't see you?你們六個眼睛竟沒見我！”三人唬了一跳，回身一看，不是別個，正是寶玉走來。Six eyes among the three of you didn't see me at all!" The three of them were startled, and turning around to look, saw it was none other than Baoyu, walking up.襲人先笑道：“叫我好找，你那里來？”寶玉笑道：“我從四妹妹那里出來，迎頭看見你來了，我就知道是找我去的，我就藏了起來哄你。Xiren spoke first with a laugh, "You had me searching everywhere for you — where have you come from?" Baoyu said with a laugh, "I came out from Fourth Sister's place, and seeing you coming straight toward me, I knew at once you were looking for me, so I hid myself to fool you.看你低著頭過去了，進了院子就出來了，逢人就問。I watched you go by with your head down, go into the courtyard, come right back out, and ask everyone you met.我在那里好笑，只等你到了跟前唬你一跳的，後來見你也藏藏躲躲的，我就知道也是要哄人了。I was laughing to myself over there, only waiting for you to get close so I could give you a fright — but then I saw you sneaking and hiding too, and I knew you must be up to fooling someone as well.我探頭往前看了一看，卻是他兩個，所以我就繞到你身後。I poked my head out to take a look ahead, and saw it was these two, so I circled around behind you.你出去，我就躲在你躲的那里了。”平兒笑道：“咱門再往後找找去，只怕還找出兩個人來也未可知。”寶玉笑道：“這可再沒了。”鴛鴦已知話俱被寶玉聽了，只伏在石頭上裝睡。When you came out, I hid myself right where you'd been hiding." Ping'er said with a laugh, "Let's search a bit further back — who knows, we might well turn up two more people yet." Baoyu said with a laugh, "There's really no one left now." Yuanyang, realizing that Baoyu had heard every word, simply lay face-down on the rock, pretending to be asleep.寶玉推他笑道：“這石頭上冷，咱們回房里去睡，豈不好？”說著拉起鴛鴦來，又忙讓平兒來家坐吃茶。Baoyu nudged her and said with a laugh, "This rock is cold — wouldn't it be better if we all went back to our rooms to sleep?" So saying, he pulled Yuanyang up, and then hastily invited Ping'er to come sit and have some tea as well.平兒和襲人都勸鴛鴦走，鴛鴦方立起身來，四人竟往怡紅院來。Both Ping'er and Xiren urged Yuanyang to come along, and only then did she rise to her feet; the four of them went off together to Yihongyuan.寶玉將方才的話俱已聽見，心中自然不快，只默默的歪在床上，任他三人在外間說笑。Baoyu had heard every word of what had just been said, and naturally felt unhappy at heart; he simply lay silently sprawled on the bed, leaving the three of them to talk and laugh in the outer room.

一语未了，又听身后笑道：“四个眼睛没见你？你们六个眼睛竟没见我！”三人唬了一跳，回身一看，不是别个，正是宝玉走来。袭人先笑道：“叫我好找，你那里来？”宝玉笑道：“我从四妹妹那里出来，迎头看见你来了，我就知道是找我去的，我就藏了起来哄你。看你低著头过去了，进了院子就出来了，逢人就问。我在那里好笑，只等你到了跟前唬你一跳的，后来见你也藏藏躲躲的，我就知道也是要哄人了。我探头往前看了一看，却是他两个，所以我就绕到你身后。你出去，我就躲在你躲的那里了。”平儿笑道：“咱门再往后找找去，只怕还找出两个人来也未可知。”宝玉笑道：“这可再没了。”鸳鸯已知话俱被宝玉听了，只伏在石头上装睡。宝玉推他笑道：“这石头上冷，咱们回房里去睡，岂不好？”说著拉起鸳鸯来，又忙让平儿来家坐吃茶。平儿和袭人都劝鸳鸯走，鸳鸯方立起身来，四人竟往怡红院来。宝玉将方才的话俱已听见，心中自然不快，只默默的歪在床上，任他三人在外间说笑。

那邊邢夫人因問鳳姐兒鴛鴦的父母，鳳姐因回說：“他爹的名字叫金彩，兩口子都在南京看房子，從不大上京。Over there, Lady Xing had been asking Xifeng about Yuanyang's parents, and Xifeng replied, "Her father's name is Jin Cai; the couple both look after the house in Nanjing and hardly ever come up to the capital.他哥哥金文翔，現在是老太太那邊的買辦。Her elder brother, Jin Wenxiang, currently serves as a purchasing steward on the Old Ancestress's side.他嫂子也是老太太那邊漿洗的頭兒。”邢夫人便令人叫了他嫂子金文翔媳婦來，細細說與他。Her sister-in-law is also the head of the laundering staff on the Old Ancestress's side." Lady Xing then had someone summon her sister-in-law, Jin Wenxiang's wife, and explained the whole matter to her in detail.金家媳婦自是喜歡，興興頭頭找鴛鴦，只望一說必妥，不想被鴛鴦搶白一頓，又被襲人平兒說了幾句，羞惱回來，便對邢夫人說：“不中用，他倒罵了我一場。”因鳳姐兒在旁，不敢提平兒，只說：“襲人也幫著他搶白我，也說了許多不知好歹的話，回不得主子的。The Jin woman was naturally delighted, and went off in high spirits to find Yuanyang, expecting that a single word would settle it; who could have known she'd instead be given a sharp scolding by Yuanyang, and a few words besides from Xiren and Ping'er. Ashamed and angry, she came back and told Lady Xing, "It's no use — she scolded me thoroughly instead." Since Xifeng was standing right there, she didn't dare mention Ping'er, and only said, "Xiren joined in scolding me too, and said a great many ungrateful things not fit to repeat before the masters.太太和老爺商議再買罷。Madam and Master had better just discuss buying another girl instead.諒那小蹄子也沒有這麼大福，我們也沒有這麼大造化。”邢夫人聽了，因說道：“又與襲人什麼相干？I reckon that little wretch doesn't have such great fortune coming to her, and we don't have such great luck either." Hearing this, Lady Xing said, "And what business is it of Xiren's?他們如何知道的？”又問：“還有誰在跟前？”金家的道：“還有平姑娘。”鳳姐兒忙道：“你不該拿嘴巴子打他回來？How did they even come to know of it?" She then asked, "Who else was there?" The Jin woman said, "Miss Ping was there too." Xifeng said hastily, "You should have slapped her across the face and brought her back!我一出了門，他就逛去了，回家來連一個影兒也摸不著他！The moment I stepped out the door she went off gallivanting somewhere — when I got home I couldn't find so much as a trace of her!他必定也幫著說什麼呢！”金家的道：“平姑娘沒在跟前，遠遠的看著倒象是他，可也不真切，不過是我白忖度。”鳳姐便命人去：“快打了他來，告訴他我來家了，太太也在這里，請他來幫個忙兒。”丰兒忙上來回道：“林姑娘打發了人下請字請了三四次，他才去了。She must have joined in saying something too!" The Jin woman said, "Miss Ping wasn't actually there — from a distance it looked rather like her, but I couldn't say for certain, it's only my own guess." Xifeng then ordered someone, "Go quickly and fetch her back, tell her I've come home and Madam is here too, and ask her to come lend a hand." Feng'er hurried forward and reported, "Miss Lin sent people down with written invitations three or four times before she finally went.奶奶一進門我就叫他去的。The moment you came in the door, ma'am, I sent word for her to go.林姑娘說：‘告訴你奶奶，我煩他有事呢。’”鳳姐兒聽了方罷，故意的還說：“天天煩他，有些什麼事！”Miss Lin said, 'Tell your mistress, I've asked her to help me with something.'" Only on hearing this did Xifeng let the matter drop, though she still remarked pointedly, "Bothering her every single day — what business could there possibly be!"

那边邢夫人因问凤姐儿鸳鸯的父母，凤姐因回说：“他爹的名字叫金彩，两口子都在南京看房子，从不大上京。他哥哥金文翔，现在是老太太那边的买办。他嫂子也是老太太那边浆洗的头儿。”邢夫人便令人叫了他嫂子金文翔媳妇来，细细说与他。金家媳妇自是喜欢，兴兴头头找鸳鸯，只望一说必妥，不想被鸳鸯抢白一顿，又被袭人平儿说了几句，羞恼回来，便对邢夫人说：“不中用，他倒骂了我一场。”因凤姐儿在旁，不敢提平儿，只说：“袭人也帮著他抢白我，也说了许多不知好歹的话，回不得主子的。太太和老爷商议再买罢。谅那小蹄子也没有这么大福，我们也没有这么大造化。”邢夫人听了，因说道：“又与袭人什么相干？他们如何知道的？”又问：“还有谁在跟前？”金家的道：“还有平姑娘。”凤姐儿忙道：“你不该拿嘴巴子打他回来？我一出了门，他就逛去了，回家来连一个影儿也摸不著他！他必定也帮著说什么呢！”金家的道：“平姑娘没在跟前，远远的看著倒象是他，可也不真切，不过是我白忖度。”凤姐便命人去：“快打了他来，告诉他我来家了，太太也在这里，请他来帮个忙儿。”丰儿忙上来回道：“林姑娘打发了人下请字请了三四次，他才去了。奶奶一进门我就叫他去的。林姑娘说：‘告诉你奶奶，我烦他有事呢。’”凤姐儿听了方罢，故意的还说：“天天烦他，有些什么事！”

邢夫人無計，吃了飯回家，晚間告訴了賈赦。With no other recourse, Lady Xing ate her meal and went home, and that evening told Jia She.賈赦想了一想，即刻叫賈璉來說：“南京的房子還有人看著，不止一家，即刻叫上金彩來。”賈璉回道：“上次南京信來，金彩已經得了痰迷心竅，那邊連棺材銀子都賞了，不知如今是死是活，便是活著，人事不知，叫來也無用。Jia She thought it over for a moment, then at once summoned Jia Lian and said, "There are still people looking after the Nanjing house, and it's not just one family — send for Jin Cai to come up at once." Jia Lian replied, "When the letter came from Nanjing last time, Jin Cai had already been struck down with phlegm clouding his heart, and they'd even been given coffin money for him already; whether he's alive or dead now I don't know — and even if he's alive, he's unaware of anything, so sending for him would be useless.他老婆子又是個聾子。”賈赦聽了，喝了一聲，又罵：“下流囚攮的，偏你這麼知道，還不離了我這里！”唬得賈璉退出，一時又叫傳金文翔。And his wife is deaf besides." Hearing this, Jia She let out a shout, and cursed further, "You low-down jailbird's spawn, you just have to know everything, don't you — get out of my sight this instant!" This so frightened Jia Lian that he withdrew, and presently Jia She had Jin Wenxiang summoned instead.賈璉在外書房伺候著，又不敢家去，又不敢見他父親，只得聽著。Jia Lian waited in attendance in the outer study; not daring to go home, and not daring to face his father, he had no choice but to listen.一時金文翔來了，小幺兒們直帶入二門里去，隔了五六頓飯的工夫才出來去了。Presently Jin Wenxiang arrived, and the young pages led him straight in through the second gate; only after the space of five or six meals' time did he come out again and leave.賈璉暫且不敢打聽，隔了一會，又打聽賈赦睡了，方纔過來。Jia Lian did not dare inquire about it for the time being; after a while, having learned that Jia She had gone to sleep, he finally came over.至晚間鳳姐兒告訴他，方纔明白。It was not until evening, when Xifeng told him about it, that he finally understood.

邢夫人无计，吃了饭回家，晚间告诉了贾赦。贾赦想了一想，即刻叫贾琏来说：“南京的房子还有人看著，不止一家，即刻叫上金彩来。”贾琏回道：“上次南京信来，金彩已经得了痰迷心窍，那边连棺材银子都赏了，不知如今是死是活，便是活著，人事不知，叫来也无用。他老婆子又是个聋子。”贾赦听了，喝了一声，又骂：“下流囚攮的，偏你这么知道，还不离了我这里！”唬得贾琏退出，一时又叫传金文翔。贾琏在外书房伺候著，又不敢家去，又不敢见他父亲，只得听著。一时金文翔来了，小幺儿们直带入二门里去，隔了五六顿饭的工夫才出来去了。贾琏暂且不敢打听，隔了一会，又打听贾赦睡了，方才过来。至晚间凤姐儿告诉他，方才明白。

鴛鴦一夜沒睡，至次日，他哥哥回賈母接他家去逛逛，賈母允了，命他出去。Yuanyang did not sleep the whole night; the next day, her elder brother asked the Lady Dowager to let him take her home for a visit, and the Lady Dowager gave her consent, telling her to go along.鴛鴦意欲不去，又怕賈母疑心，只得勉強出來。Yuanyang wished not to go, but fearing the Lady Dowager might grow suspicious, she had no choice but to force herself to come out.他哥哥只得將賈赦的話說與他，又許他怎麼体面，又怎麼當家作姨娘。Her elder brother had no choice but to tell her what Jia She had said, and promised her all sorts of things — how honored she would be, how she would run the household as a concubine.鴛鴦只咬定牙不願意。Yuanyang simply gritted her teeth and refused.他哥哥無法，少不得去回覆了賈赦。Her elder brother, having no other recourse, could not avoid going back to report to Jia She.賈赦怒起來，因說道：“我這話告訴你，叫你女人向他說去，就說我的話：‘自古嫦娥愛少年’，他必定嫌我老了，大約他戀著少爺們，多半是看上了寶玉，只怕也有賈璉。Jia She grew angry and said, "I'll tell you what to say — have your wife go and tell her, say these are my very words: 'Since ancient times Chang'e has loved the young.' She must think me too old, and no doubt she's infatuated with the young masters — most likely she's set her heart on Baoyu, and perhaps Jia Lian too.果有此心，叫他早早歇了心，我要他不來，此後誰還敢收？If she really has such thoughts, tell her to give them up early — if I don't want her after this, who else will ever dare take her in?此是一件。That's one thing.第二件，想著老太太疼他，將來自然往外聘作正頭夫妻去。The second thing: she may be thinking that since the Old Ancestress is fond of her, in the future she'll naturally be married out as someone's proper, principal wife.叫他細想，憑他嫁到誰家去，也難出我的手心。Tell her to think it over carefully — no matter whose family she marries into, she'll hardly escape the palm of my hand.除非他死了，或是終身不嫁男人，我就伏了他！Unless she dies, or never marries any man her whole life long, in which case I'll bow to her!若不然時，叫他趁早回心轉意，有多少好處。”賈赦說一句，金文翔應一聲“是”。Otherwise, tell her to change her mind while there's still time — there's no end of benefit in it for her." For every sentence Jia She spoke, Jin Wenxiang answered with a "Yes, sir."賈赦道：“你別哄我，我明兒還打發你太太過去問鴛鴦，你們說了，他不依，便沒你們的不是。Jia She said, "Don't try to fool me — tomorrow I'll still send your wife over to ask Yuanyang herself. If you've spoken to her and she still refuses, then it won't be any fault of yours.若問他，他再依了，仔細你的腦袋！”But if I ask her and she agrees after all this, then look out for your head!"

鸳鸯一夜没睡，至次日，他哥哥回贾母接他家去逛逛，贾母允了，命他出去。鸳鸯意欲不去，又怕贾母疑心，只得勉强出来。他哥哥只得将贾赦的话说与他，又许他怎么体面，又怎么当家作姨娘。鸳鸯只咬定牙不愿意。他哥哥无法，少不得去回覆了贾赦。贾赦怒起来，因说道：“我这话告诉你，叫你女人向他说去，就说我的话：‘自古嫦娥爱少年’，他必定嫌我老了，大约他恋著少爷们，多半是看上了宝玉，只怕也有贾琏。果有此心，叫他早早歇了心，我要他不来，此后谁还敢收？此是一件。第二件，想著老太太疼他，将来自然往外聘作正头夫妻去。叫他细想，凭他嫁到谁家去，也难出我的手心。除非他死了，或是终身不嫁男人，我就伏了他！若不然时，叫他趁早回心转意，有多少好处。”贾赦说一句，金文翔应一声“是”。贾赦道：“你别哄我，我明儿还打发你太太过去问鸳鸯，你们说了，他不依，便没你们的不是。若问他，他再依了，仔细你的脑袋！”

金文翔忙應了又應，退出回家，也不等得告訴他女人轉說，竟自己對面說了這話。Jin Wenxiang hastily assented again and again, then withdrew and went home; without even waiting to have his wife relay the message, he went and said all this to her face himself.把個鴛鴦氣的無話可回，想了一想，便說道：“便願意去，也須得你們帶了我回聲老太太去。”他哥嫂聽了，只當回想過來，都喜之不胜。This left Yuanyang so furious she had nothing to say in reply; after thinking it over, she said, "Even if I were willing to go, you'd still have to take me to report it to the Old Ancestress in person." Hearing this, her elder brother and his wife took it that she had come around, and were beside themselves with joy.他嫂子即刻帶了他上來見賈母。Her sister-in-law at once took her up to see the Lady Dowager.

金文翔忙应了又应，退出回家，也不等得告诉他女人转说，竟自己对面说了这话。把个鸳鸯气的无话可回，想了一想，便说道：“便愿意去，也须得你们带了我回声老太太去。”他哥嫂听了，只当回想过来，都喜之不胜。他嫂子即刻带了他上来见贾母。

可巧王夫人，薛姨媽，李紈，鳳姐兒，寶釵等姊妹并外頭的幾個執事有頭臉的媳婦，都在賈母跟前湊趣兒呢。As it happened, Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai and the other young cousins, along with several important, well-regarded stewardesses from outside, were all there before the Lady Dowager, keeping her entertained.鴛鴦喜之不盡，拉了他嫂子，到賈母跟前跪下，一行哭，一行說，把邢夫人怎麼來說，園子里他嫂子又如何說，今兒他哥哥又如何說，“因為不依，方才大老爺越性說我戀著寶玉，不然要等著往外聘，我到天上，這一輩子也跳不出他的手心去，終久要報仇。Yuanyang, all smiles with joy, took her sister-in-law's hand, went before the Lady Dowager and knelt down, weeping as she spoke, telling how Lady Xing had come to speak to her, how her sister-in-law had spoken to her again in the garden, and how her elder brother had spoken to her again just today: "Because I wouldn't consent, the Elder Master just now went so far as to say I'm infatuated with Baoyu — otherwise, why would I be waiting to be married out? Even if I went up to Heaven itself, I could never in this whole life escape his grasp — he means to have his revenge on me in the end.我是橫了心的，當著眾人在這里，我這一輩子莫說是‘寶玉’，便是‘寶金’‘寶銀’‘寶天王’‘寶皇帝’，橫豎不嫁人就完了！My mind is made up, and I say it here before everyone: in this whole life of mine, never mind 'Baoyu' — even if it were 'Baojin,' 'Baoyin,' 'Bao the Heavenly King,' or 'Bao the Emperor,' in any case I simply will not marry, and that's the end of it!就是老太太逼著我，我一刀抹死了，也不能從命！Even if the Old Ancestress herself were to force me, I would sooner cut my own throat than obey!若有造化，我死在老太太之先，若沒造化，該討吃的命，伏侍老太太歸了西，我也不跟著我老子娘哥哥去，我或是尋死，或是剪了頭髪當尼姑去！If I'm fortunate, I'll die before the Old Ancestress does; if I'm not so fortunate, and it's my fate to go begging for my rice, then once I've served the Old Ancestress to the end and she's gone to the Western Paradise, I still won't go along with my father, mother, or brother — I'll either seek death, or cut off my hair and become a nun!若說我不是真心，暫且拿話來支吾，日後再圖別的，天地鬼神，日頭月亮照著嗓子，從嗓子里頭長疔爛了出來，爛化成醬在這里！”原來他一進來時，便袖了一把剪子，一面說著，一面左手打開頭髪，右手便鉸。And if I'm not speaking from the heart, but only stalling with words for now, meaning to scheme for something else later, then let Heaven and Earth, gods and spirits, the sun and the moon shine down upon my throat, let a boil grow up out of my very throat and fester through, let it rot and melt into pulp right here!" It turned out that when she had first come in, she had already tucked a pair of scissors up her sleeve; even as she spoke, she loosened her hair with her left hand and began cutting it with her right.眾婆娘丫鬟忙來拉住，已剪下半綹來了。The assembled matrons and maids hurried over to stop her, but she had already cut off half a lock.眾人看時，幸而他的頭髪极多，鉸的不透，連忙替他挽上。When everyone looked, luckily her hair was extremely thick and the cut had not gone all the way through; they hastily helped her pin it back up.賈母聽了，氣的渾身亂戰，口內只說：“我通共剩了這麼一個可靠的人，他們還要來算計！”因見王夫人在旁，便向王夫人道：“你們原來都是哄我的！Hearing all this, the Lady Dowager shook all over with fury, and kept saying, "I have only this one reliable person left to me, and still they must scheme against her!" Then, seeing Lady Wang standing nearby, she said to her, "So it turns out you've all been deceiving me all along!外頭孝敬，暗地里盤算我。Showing me filial devotion on the surface, while secretly scheming against me underneath.有好東西也來要，有好人也要，剩了這麼個毛丫頭，見我待他好了，你們自然氣不過，弄開了他，好擺弄我！”王夫人忙站起來，不敢還一言。If there's anything good, you come and want it; if there's a good person, you want her too. Now that I have only this one little maidservant left, seeing me treat her well, of course you all can't stand it, and you want to get rid of her so you can manipulate me as you please!" Lady Wang hastily stood up, not daring to say a single word in reply.薛姨媽見連王夫人怪上，反不好勸的了。Seeing that even Lady Wang was being blamed, Aunt Xue found it all the harder to say anything to smooth things over.李紈一聽見鴛鴦的話，早帶了姊妹們出去。The moment Li Wan heard what Yuanyang had said, she had already taken the young ladies out of the room.

可巧王夫人，薛姨妈，李纨，凤姐儿，宝钗等姊妹并外头的几个执事有头脸的媳妇，都在贾母跟前凑趣儿呢。鸳鸯喜之不尽，拉了他嫂子，到贾母跟前跪下，一行哭，一行说，把邢夫人怎么来说，园子里他嫂子又如何说，今儿他哥哥又如何说，“因为不依，方才大老爷越性说我恋著宝玉，不然要等著往外聘，我到天上，这一辈子也跳不出他的手心去，终久要报仇。我是横了心的，当著众人在这里，我这一辈子莫说是‘宝玉’，便是‘宝金’‘宝银’‘宝天王’‘宝皇帝’，横竖不嫁人就完了！就是老太太逼著我，我一刀抹死了，也不能从命！若有造化，我死在老太太之先，若没造化，该讨吃的命，伏侍老太太归了西，我也不跟著我老子娘哥哥去，我或是寻死，或是剪了头髪当尼姑去！若说我不是真心，暂且拿话来支吾，日后再图别的，天地鬼神，日头月亮照著嗓子，从嗓子里头长疔烂了出来，烂化成酱在这里！”原来他一进来时，便袖了一把剪子，一面说著，一面左手打开头髪，右手便铰。众婆娘丫鬟忙来拉住，已剪下半绺来了。众人看时，幸而他的头髪极多，铰的不透，连忙替他挽上。贾母听了，气的浑身乱战，口内只说：“我通共剩了这么一个可靠的人，他们还要来算计！”因见王夫人在旁，便向王夫人道：“你们原来都是哄我的！外头孝敬，暗地里盘算我。有好东西也来要，有好人也要，剩了这么个毛丫头，见我待他好了，你们自然气不过，弄开了他，好摆弄我！”王夫人忙站起来，不敢还一言。薛姨妈见连王夫人怪上，反不好劝的了。李纨一听见鸳鸯的话，早带了姊妹们出去。

探春有心的人，想王夫人雖有委曲，如何敢辯，薛姨媽也是親姊妹，自然也不好辯的，寶釵也不便為姨母辯，李紈，鳳姐，寶玉一概不敢辯，這正用著女孩兒之時，迎春老實，惜春小，因此窗外聽了一聽，便走進來陪笑向賈母道：“這事與太太什麼相干？Tanchun, being a thoughtful person, considered that although Lady Wang was being wronged, how could she dare argue back; Aunt Xue too was her own sister, and so naturally couldn't argue on her behalf either; Baochai likewise could hardly speak up for her aunt; Li Wan, Xifeng, and Baoyu none of them dared argue at all — this was exactly the moment calling for a clever girl to step in, and since Yingchun was too plain and honest and Xichun too young, Tanchun, having listened for a moment outside the window, walked in with a smile and said to the Lady Dowager, "What does this matter have to do with Madam?老太太想一想，也有大伯子要收屋里的人，小嬸子如何知道？Just think about it, Old Ancestress — when an elder brother-in-law wants to take a girl into his rooms, how would a younger sister-in-law even come to know of it?便知道，也推不知道。”猶未說完，賈母笑道：“可是我老糊涂了！And even if she did know, she'd still have to pretend not to." Before she had even finished speaking, the Lady Dowager said with a laugh, "Indeed, I've grown old and muddleheaded!姨太太別笑話我。Aunt Xue, don't laugh at me.你這個姐姐他极孝順我，不象我那大太太一味怕老爺，婆婆跟前不過應景兒。This elder sister of yours here is most filial to me — not like that eldest daughter-in-law of mine, who does nothing but fear her husband, and merely goes through the motions before her mother-in-law.可是委屈了他。”薛姨媽只答應“是”，又說：“老太太偏心，多疼小兒子媳婦，也是有的。”賈母道：“不偏心！”因又說道：“寶玉，我錯怪了你娘，你怎麼也不提我，看著你娘受委屈？”寶玉笑道：“我偏著娘說大爺大娘不成？Indeed I've wronged her." Aunt Xue only answered, "Yes, yes," and then added, "It's quite possible, too, that the Old Ancestress is partial, and favors her younger son's wife more." The Lady Dowager said, "I am not partial!" Then she went on, "Baoyu, I wrongly blamed your mother — why didn't you speak up for me, and let your mother suffer this injustice?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Was I to take my mother's side and speak against Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law?通共一個不是，我娘在這里不認，卻推誰去？There's only the one person at fault here — if my mother, being right here, won't own up to it, then whom is she to push it onto?我倒要認是我的不是，老太太又不信。”賈母笑道：“這也有理。I'd rather claim the fault as my own, but the Old Ancestress wouldn't believe that either." The Lady Dowager said with a laugh, "That does make sense.你快給你娘跪下，你說太太別委屈了，老太太有年紀了，看著寶玉罷。”寶玉聽了，忙走過去，便跪下要說，王夫人忙笑著拉他起來，說：“快起來，快起來，斷乎使不得。Quick, kneel down before your mother, and say: Madam, don't feel wronged — the Old Ancestress is getting on in years, so just overlook it for Baoyu's sake." Hearing this, Baoyu hurried over and was about to kneel and say it, when Lady Wang hastily pulled him up with a laugh, saying, "Get up, get up at once, this absolutely will not do.終不成你替老太太給我賠不是不成？”寶玉聽說，忙站起來。Surely you're not going to apologize to me on the Old Ancestress's behalf?" Hearing this, Baoyu hastily stood up.賈母又笑道：“鳳姐兒也不提我。”鳳姐兒笑道：“我倒不派老太太的不是，老太太倒尋上我了？”賈母聽了，與眾人都笑道：“這可奇了！The Lady Dowager then said with a laugh, "And Xifeng didn't say anything to remind me either." Xifeng said with a laugh, "I wasn't the one laying any fault on the Old Ancestress — and now the Old Ancestress comes looking to blame me instead?" Hearing this, the Lady Dowager and everyone else laughed and said, "Now this is strange indeed!倒要聽聽這不是。”鳳姐兒道：“誰教老太太會調理人，調理的水蔥兒似的，怎麼怨得人要？Let's hear this fault of yours, then." Xifeng said, "Whose doing is it that the Old Ancestress is so skilled at raising girls, bringing them up as fresh and lovely as water-scallion shoots — how can you blame people for wanting them?我幸虧是孫子媳婦，若是孫子，我早要了，還等到這會子呢。”賈母笑道：“這倒是我的不是了？”鳳姐兒笑道：“自然是老太太的不是了。”賈母笑道：“這樣，我也不要了，你帶了去罷！”鳳姐兒道：“等著修了這輩子，來生托生男人，我再要罷。”賈母笑道：“你帶了去，給璉兒放在屋里，看你那沒臉的公公還要不要了！”鳳姐兒道：“璉兒不配，就只配我和平兒這一對燒糊了的卷子和他混罷。”說的眾人都笑起來了。It's lucky for her that I'm only a grandson's wife — if I were a grandson myself, I'd have claimed her long ago, why would I wait until now?" The Lady Dowager said with a laugh, "So this turns out to be my fault after all?" Xifeng said with a laugh, "Of course it's the Old Ancestress's fault." The Lady Dowager said with a laugh, "In that case, I don't want her either — you may take her along with you!" Xifeng said, "Let me wait until I've earned enough merit in this life to be reborn a man in the next, and then I'll claim her." The Lady Dowager said with a laugh, "Take her along, and put her in Lian'er's rooms — let's see whether that shameless father-in-law of yours still wants her then!" Xifeng said, "Lian'er doesn't deserve her — he only deserves to muddle along with the two of us, me and Ping'er, a pair of scorched, burnt-black rolls." This set everyone laughing.丫鬟回說：“大太太來了。”王夫人忙迎了出去。A maid came in and reported, "The Eldest Madam has arrived." Lady Wang hastily went out to receive her.要知端的，下回分解。To know how it all turned out, read the details in the next chapter.

探春有心的人，想王夫人虽有委曲，如何敢辩，薛姨妈也是亲姊妹，自然也不好辩的，宝钗也不便为姨母辩，李纨，凤姐，宝玉一概不敢辩，这正用著女孩儿之时，迎春老实，惜春小，因此窗外听了一听，便走进来陪笑向贾母道：“这事与太太什么相干？老太太想一想，也有大伯子要收屋里的人，小婶子如何知道？便知道，也推不知道。”犹未说完，贾母笑道：“可是我老糊涂了！姨太太别笑话我。你这个姐姐他极孝顺我，不象我那大太太一味怕老爷，婆婆跟前不过应景儿。可是委屈了他。”薛姨妈只答应“是”，又说：“老太太偏心，多疼小儿子媳妇，也是有的。”贾母道：“不偏心！”因又说道：“宝玉，我错怪了你娘，你怎么也不提我，看著你娘受委屈？”宝玉笑道：“我偏著娘说大爷大娘不成？通共一个不是，我娘在这里不认，却推谁去？我倒要认是我的不是，老太太又不信。”贾母笑道：“这也有理。你快给你娘跪下，你说太太别委屈了，老太太有年纪了，看著宝玉罢。”宝玉听了，忙走过去，便跪下要说，王夫人忙笑著拉他起来，说：“快起来，快起来，断乎使不得。终不成你替老太太给我赔不是不成？”宝玉听说，忙站起来。贾母又笑道：“凤姐儿也不提我。”凤姐儿笑道：“我倒不派老太太的不是，老太太倒寻上我了？”贾母听了，与众人都笑道：“这可奇了！倒要听听这不是。”凤姐儿道：“谁教老太太会调理人，调理的水葱儿似的，怎么怨得人要？我幸亏是孙子媳妇，若是孙子，我早要了，还等到这会子呢。”贾母笑道：“这倒是我的不是了？”凤姐儿笑道：“自然是老太太的不是了。”贾母笑道：“这样，我也不要了，你带了去罢！”凤姐儿道：“等著修了这辈子，来生托生男人，我再要罢。”贾母笑道：“你带了去，给琏儿放在屋里，看你那没脸的公公还要不要了！”凤姐儿道：“琏儿不配，就只配我和平儿这一对烧糊了的卷子和他混罢。”说的众人都笑起来了。丫鬟回说：“大太太来了。”王夫人忙迎了出去。要知端的，下回分解。