第五十一回　薛小妹新編懷古詩　胡庸醫亂用虎狼藥 Little Sister Xue Composes Nostalgic Verses; A Quack Doctor Prescribes Violent Medicine

眾人聞得寶琴將素習所經過各省內的古跡為題，作了十首怀古絕句，內隱十物，皆說這自然新巧。Everyone heard that Baoqin had taken as her subjects the historical sites in the various provinces she had passed through in her travels, and had composed ten quatrains meditating on the past, each concealing an object within it, and all said this was both natural and ingenious.都爭著看時，只見寫道是：They all vied to look, and saw what was written:

众人闻得宝琴将素习所经过各省内的古迹为题，作了十首怀古绝句，内隐十物，皆说这自然新巧。都争著看时，只见写道是：

赤壁怀古其一Meditation on the Past at Chibi, No. 1

赤壁沉埋水不流，徒留名姓載空舟。Chibi lies sunk and buried, the waters no longer flow; in vain its name remains, borne on an empty boat.

赤壁沉埋水不流，徒留名姓载空舟。

喧闐一炬悲風冷，無限英魂在內游。The clamor of that single torch-fire, the mournful wind now cold; countless heroic souls still wander within.

喧阗一炬悲风冷，无限英魂在内游。

交趾怀古其二Meditation on the Past at Jiaozhi, No. 2

銅鑄金鏞振紀綱，聲傳海外播戎羌。Bronze bells and gold chimes upheld the laws and bonds; their sound carried overseas, spreading to the Rong and Qiang.

铜铸金镛振纪纲，声传海外播戎羌。

馬援自是功勞大，鐵笛無煩說子房。Ma Yuan's own merit was truly great; no need to speak of Zifang's iron flute.

马援自是功劳大，铁笛无烦说子房。

鐘山怀古其三Meditation on the Past at Zhongshan, No. 3

钟山怀古其三

名利何曾伴汝身，無端被詔出凡塵。When did fame and gain ever accompany you? For no reason you were summoned by decree out of the mortal world.

名利何曾伴汝身，无端被诏出凡尘。

牽連大抵難休絕，莫怨他人嘲笑頻。Entanglements, it seems, are hard to ever end — do not resent others for their frequent mockery.

牵连大抵难休绝，莫怨他人嘲笑频。

淮陰怀古其四Meditation on the Past at Huaiyin, No. 4

淮阴怀古其四

壯士須防惡犬欺，三齊位定蓋棺時。The stalwart must beware the fierce dog's insult; his rank as King of the Three Qi was fixed only when the coffin lid closed.

壮士须防恶犬欺，三齐位定盖棺时。

寄言世俗休輕鄙，一飯之恩死也知。A word to the worldly: do not lightly scorn — the kindness of a single meal is remembered even unto death.

寄言世俗休轻鄙，一饭之恩死也知。

廣陵怀古其五Meditation on the Past at Guangling, No. 5

广陵怀古其五

蟬噪鴉栖轉眼過，隋堤風景近如何。Cicadas' din, crows at roost — in the blink of an eye they pass; how does the scenery of the Sui embankment fare now?

蝉噪鸦栖转眼过，隋堤风景近如何。

只緣占得風流號，惹得紛紛口舌多。Only because it won the name of romantic splendor has it drawn so much idle gossip.

只缘占得风流号，惹得纷纷口舌多。

桃葉渡怀古其六Meditation on the Past at Taoye Ferry, No. 6

桃叶渡怀古其六

衰草閒花映淺池，桃枝桃葉總分離。Withered grass and idle blossoms mirror the shallow pond; peach branch and peach leaf are forever parted.

衰草闲花映浅池，桃枝桃叶总分离。

六朝梁棟多如許，小照空懸壁上題。So many were the pillars and beams of the Six Dynasties — yet only a small portrait hangs vainly with an inscription on the wall.

六朝梁栋多如许，小照空悬壁上题。

青冢怀古其七Meditation on the Past at the Green Mound, No. 7

黑水茫茫咽不流，冰弦撥盡曲中愁。The dark waters stretch vast, choked and unflowing; the icy strings, plucked to their end, are full of sorrow in the tune.

黑水茫茫咽不流，冰弦拨尽曲中愁。

漢家制度誠堪歎，樗櫟應慚萬古羞。The institutions of the Han house are truly worth sighing over; the useless timber trees should feel shame for ten thousand ages.

汉家制度诚堪叹，樗栎应惭万古羞。

馬嵬怀古其八Meditation on the Past at Mawei, No. 8

马嵬怀古其八

寂寞脂痕漬汗光，溫柔一旦付東洋。Lonely traces of rouge stained with the sheen of sweat — her tenderness one day given over to the eastern seas.

寂寞脂痕渍汗光，温柔一旦付东洋。

只因遺得風流跡，此日衣衾尚有香。Only because she left behind traces of her romantic grace, to this day her garments and coverlets still hold their fragrance.

只因遗得风流迹，此日衣衾尚有香。

蒲東寺怀古其九Meditation on the Past at Pudong Temple, No. 9

蒲东寺怀古其九

小紅骨踐最身輕，私掖偷攜強撮成。Little Hong, of humble station, was lightest of body; secretly tucked away and stealthily carried off, the match was forced together.

小红骨践最身轻，私掖偷携强撮成。

雖被夫人時吊起，已經勾引彼同行。Though at the time the lady had it hauled up, already it had lured the other into going along.

虽被夫人时吊起，已经勾引彼同行。

梅花觀怀古其十Meditation on the Past at Plum Blossom Shrine, No. 10

梅花观怀古其十

不在梅邊在柳邊，個中誰拾畫嬋娟。Not beside the plum but beside the willow — within it, who will retrieve the painted beauty?

不在梅边在柳边，个中谁拾画婵娟。

團圓莫憶春香到，一別西風又一年。At reunion do not recall that Chunxiang came — one parting in the west wind, and another year has passed.

团圆莫忆春香到，一别西风又一年。

眾人看了，都稱奇道妙。When everyone had read them, all praised them as marvelous and wonderful.寶釵先說道：“前八首都是史鑒上有据的，後二首卻無考，我們也不大懂得，不如另作兩首為是。”黛玉忙攔道：“這寶姐姐也忒‘膠柱鼓瑟’，矯揉造作了。Baochai spoke first, saying, "The first eight are all based on things recorded in history, but the last two have no source to check — we don't quite understand them either; it would be better to compose two new ones instead." Daiyu hastily broke in, "Now Cousin Bao is being far too much like 'gluing the tuning pegs to play the zither' — too rigid and contrived.這兩首雖于史鑒上無考，咱們雖不曾看這些外傳，不知底里，難道咱們連兩本戲也沒有見過不成？Though these two poems have no basis to check in official histories, and though we've never read these unofficial accounts and don't know the full particulars — surely we haven't even seen the two plays themselves, have we?那三歲孩子也知道，何況咱們？”探春便道：“這話正是了。”李紈又道：“況且他原是到過這個地方的。Even a three-year-old child knows of them, how much more should we?" Tanchun then said, "That's exactly right." Li Wan added, "Besides, she has actually been to these places herself.這兩件事雖無考，古往今來，以訛傳訛，好事者竟故意的弄出這古跡來以愚人。Even though these two matters are unverifiable, from ancient times to now, error has been passed on as truth, and those fond of making a stir have deliberately concocted these 'historical sites' to fool people.比如那年上京的時節，單是關夫子的墳，倒見了三四處。For instance, that year when we were traveling up to the capital, of Lord Guan's tomb alone we saw three or four different ones.關夫子一生事業，皆是有据的，如何又有許多的墳？Lord Guan's life and deeds are all matters of record — how then could there be so many tombs of his?自然是後來人敬愛他生前為人，只怕從這敬愛上穿鑿出來，也是有的。It must be that later generations, honoring and loving the man he was in life, out of that very reverence went and fabricated such things — that is quite possible too.及至看《廣輿記》上，不止關夫子的墳多，自古來有些名望的人，墳就不少，無考的古跡更多。And when you look at the Guangyu Ji, it's not only Lord Guan's tombs that are numerous — ever since ancient times, any person of some renown has had no shortage of tombs, and unverifiable historical sites are even more numerous.如今這兩首雖無考，凡說書唱戲，甚至于求的簽上皆有注批，老小男女，俗語口頭，人人皆知皆說的。Now, although these two poems are unverifiable, in every storytelling and opera, even on the fortune-slips people draw, there are notes and commentary about them; old and young, men and women, in common speech everyone knows and speaks of them.況且又并不是看了‘西廂’‘牡丹’的詞曲，怕看了邪書。Besides, it isn't as though reading the arias of 'Xixiang' and 'Mudan' means one has read some depraved book to be afraid of.這竟無妨，只管留著。”寶釵聽說，方罷了。There's really no harm in it — just let them stand as they are." When Baochai heard this, she let the matter drop.大家猜了一回，皆不是。Everyone guessed at the riddles for a while, but none guessed correctly.

众人看了，都称奇道妙。宝钗先说道：“前八首都是史鉴上有据的，后二首却无考，我们也不大懂得，不如另作两首为是。”黛玉忙拦道：“这宝姐姐也忒‘胶柱鼓瑟’，矫揉造作了。这两首虽于史鉴上无考，咱们虽不曾看这些外传，不知底里，难道咱们连两本戏也没有见过不成？那三岁孩子也知道，何况咱们？”探春便道：“这话正是了。”李纨又道：“况且他原是到过这个地方的。这两件事虽无考，古往今来，以讹传讹，好事者竟故意的弄出这古迹来以愚人。比如那年上京的时节，单是关夫子的坟，倒见了三四处。关夫子一生事业，皆是有据的，如何又有许多的坟？自然是后来人敬爱他生前为人，只怕从这敬爱上穿凿出来，也是有的。及至看《广舆记》上，不止关夫子的坟多，自古来有些名望的人，坟就不少，无考的古迹更多。如今这两首虽无考，凡说书唱戏，甚至于求的签上皆有注批，老小男女，俗语口头，人人皆知皆说的。况且又并不是看了‘西厢’‘牡丹’的词曲，怕看了邪书。这竟无妨，只管留著。”宝钗听说，方罢了。大家猜了一回，皆不是。

冬日天短，不覺又是前頭吃晚飯之時，一齊前來吃飯。The winter days being short, before they knew it, it was again time for the evening meal up front, and they all went together to eat.因有人回王夫人說：“襲人的哥哥花自芳進來說，他母親病重了，想他女兒。Just then someone reported to Lady Wang, saying, "Xiren's elder brother, Hua Zifang, has come in to say that their mother is gravely ill and longs to see her daughter.他來求恩典，接襲人家去走走。”王夫人聽了，便道：“人家母女一場，豈有不許他去的。”一面就叫了鳳姐兒來，告訴了鳳姐兒，命酌量去辦理。He has come to beg the favor of taking Xiren home for a visit." When Lady Wang heard this, she said, "After all, they are mother and daughter — how could I refuse to let her go?" She then sent for Xifeng, told her of the matter, and instructed her to see to the arrangements as she thought fit.

冬日天短，不觉又是前头吃晚饭之时，一齐前来吃饭。因有人回王夫人说：“袭人的哥哥花自芳进来说，他母亲病重了，想他女儿。他来求恩典，接袭人家去走走。”王夫人听了，便道：“人家母女一场，岂有不许他去的。”一面就叫了凤姐儿来，告诉了凤姐儿，命酌量去办理。

鳳姐兒答應了，回至房中，便命周瑞家的去告訴襲人原故。Xifeng assented, and returning to her rooms, ordered Zhou Rui's wife to go and explain the matter to Xiren.又吩咐周瑞家的：“再將跟著出門的媳婦傳一個，你兩個人，再帶兩個小丫頭子，跟了襲人去。She further instructed Zhou Rui's wife, "Send word to summon one more married woman who goes along on outings — the two of you, along with two young maids, are to go with Xiren.外頭派四個有年紀跟車的。Outside, assign four older, experienced men to attend the carriages.要一輛大車，你們帶著坐，要一輛小車，給丫頭們坐。”周瑞家的答應了，才要去，鳳姐兒又道：“那襲人是個省事的，你告訴他說我的話：叫他穿幾件顏色好衣服，大大的包一包袱衣裳拿著，包袱也要好好的，手爐也要拿好的。Have one large cart for the two of you to ride in, and one small cart for the maids." Zhou Rui's wife assented and was about to go when Xifeng added, "Xiren is a sensible person who doesn't like to make a fuss — tell her these are my words: she is to wear several sets of good, well-colored clothes, and bring along a large bundle of clothing besides; the wrapping cloth should be a good one too, and she should take a good hand-warmer along.臨走時，叫他先來我瞧瞧。”周瑞家的答應去了。When she is about to leave, have her come to me first so I can look her over." Zhou Rui's wife assented and went off.

凤姐儿答应了，回至房中，便命周瑞家的去告诉袭人原故。又吩咐周瑞家的：“再将跟著出门的媳妇传一个，你两个人，再带两个小丫头子，跟了袭人去。外头派四个有年纪跟车的。要一辆大车，你们带著坐，要一辆小车，给丫头们坐。”周瑞家的答应了，才要去，凤姐儿又道：“那袭人是个省事的，你告诉他说我的话：叫他穿几件颜色好衣服，大大的包一包袱衣裳拿著，包袱也要好好的，手炉也要拿好的。临走时，叫他先来我瞧瞧。”周瑞家的答应去了。

半日，果見襲人穿戴來了，兩個丫頭與周瑞家的拿著手爐與衣包。After a while, sure enough, Xiren came in dressed and ready, with the two maids and Zhou Rui's wife carrying the hand-warmer and the bundle of clothes.鳳姐兒看襲人頭上戴著幾枝金釵珠釧，倒華麗，又看身上穿著桃紅百子刻絲銀鼠襖子，蔥綠盤金彩繡綿裙，外面穿著青緞灰鼠褂。Xifeng saw that Xiren wore several gold hairpins and pearl bracelets on her head, which looked splendid enough, and that on her body she wore a peach-pink 'hundred children' brocaded silk jacket lined with silver squirrel fur, a scallion-green padded skirt embroidered in gold-couched patterns, and over it all a jacket of dark blue satin lined with gray squirrel fur.鳳姐兒笑道：“這三件衣裳都是太太的，賞了你倒是好的，但只這褂子太素了些，如今穿著也冷，你該穿一件大毛的。”襲人笑道：“太太就只給了這灰鼠的，還有一件銀鼠的。Xifeng said with a smile, "All three of these garments are Madam's own, and it was good of her to bestow them on you, but this jacket is a bit too plain, and it's cold to wear now — you ought to wear one lined with heavier fur." Xiren said with a smile, "Madam has only given me this gray-squirrel one, and there's also one of silver squirrel.說赶年下再給大毛的，還沒有得呢。”鳳姐兒笑道：“我倒有一件大毛的，我嫌鳳毛兒出不好了，正要改去。She said that by the end of the year she'd give me one with heavier fur, but I haven't got it yet." Xifeng said with a smile, "As it happens I have one lined with heavier fur — I've been unhappy with how the phoenix-down trim turned out and was just about to have it altered.也罷，先給你穿去罷。Well, never mind — I'll give it to you to wear for now.等年下太太給作的時節我再作罷，只當你還我一樣。”眾人都笑道：“奶奶慣會說這話。When the end of the year comes and Madam has one made for you, I'll have mine done then — just consider it the same as if you'd returned it to me." Everyone laughed and said, "Our Mistress is always so ready with such talk.成年家大手大腳的替太太不知背地里賠墊了多少東西，真真的賠的是說不出來，那里又和太太算去？All year round, so generous and open-handed, she quietly makes up who knows how many things for Madam out of her own pocket behind the scenes — truly more than can be told — and when would she ever go and settle accounts with Madam over it?偏這會子又說這小氣話取笑兒。”鳳姐兒笑道：“太太那里想的到這些？And yet just now she talks this petty, joking talk to tease us." Xifeng said with a smile, "How would Madam ever think of such small things?究竟這又不是正經事，再不照管，也是大家的体面。After all, this isn't really an important matter, but if it isn't attended to, it reflects on everyone's dignity.說不得我自己吃些虧，把眾人打扮体統了，宁可我得個好名也罷了。There's nothing for it but that I take a little loss myself and see that everyone is dressed properly and presentably — I'd rather earn myself a good name out of it and let it be.一個一個象‘燒糊了的卷子’似的，人先笑話我當家倒把人弄出個花子來。”眾人聽了，都歎說：“誰似奶奶這樣圣明！If everyone went about looking like 'scorched steamed rolls,' people would first laugh at me for running the household and turning everyone into beggars instead." When the others heard this, they all sighed admiringly, "Who else is as wise and understanding as our Mistress!在上体貼太太，在下又疼顧下人。”一面說，一面只見鳳姐兒命平兒將昨日那件石青刻絲八團天馬皮褂子拿出來，與了襲人。Above, she considers Madam's feelings; below, she cherishes and looks after the servants." Even as they spoke, Xifeng ordered Pinger to bring out that bluish-black brocaded jacket with the eight roundel patterns, lined with celestial-horse fur, from the day before, and gave it to Xiren.又看包袱，只得一個彈墨花綾水紅綢里的夾包袱，里面只包著兩件半舊棉襖與皮褂。She then looked at the bundle and found only one ink-splashed patterned damask wrapping cloth lined with rose-pink silk, containing just two somewhat worn padded jackets and a fur-lined coat.鳳姐兒又命平兒把一個玉色綢里的哆羅呢的包袱拿出來，又命包上一件雪褂子。Xifeng further ordered Pinger to bring out a wrapping cloth of woolen duoluo cloth lined with jade-colored silk, and told her to wrap up a snow-jacket in it as well.

半日，果见袭人穿戴来了，两个丫头与周瑞家的拿著手炉与衣包。凤姐儿看袭人头上戴著几枝金钗珠钏，倒华丽，又看身上穿著桃红百子刻丝银鼠袄子，葱绿盘金彩绣绵裙，外面穿著青缎灰鼠褂。凤姐儿笑道：“这三件衣裳都是太太的，赏了你倒是好的，但只这褂子太素了些，如今穿著也冷，你该穿一件大毛的。”袭人笑道：“太太就只给了这灰鼠的，还有一件银鼠的。说赶年下再给大毛的，还没有得呢。”凤姐儿笑道：“我倒有一件大毛的，我嫌凤毛儿出不好了，正要改去。也罢，先给你穿去罢。等年下太太给作的时节我再作罢，只当你还我一样。”众人都笑道：“奶奶惯会说这话。成年家大手大脚的替太太不知背地里赔垫了多少东西，真真的赔的是说不出来，那里又和太太算去？偏这会子又说这小气话取笑儿。”凤姐儿笑道：“太太那里想的到这些？究竟这又不是正经事，再不照管，也是大家的体面。说不得我自己吃些亏，把众人打扮体统了，宁可我得个好名也罢了。一个一个象‘烧糊了的卷子’似的，人先笑话我当家倒把人弄出个花子来。”众人听了，都叹说：“谁似奶奶这样圣明！在上体贴太太，在下又疼顾下人。”一面说，一面只见凤姐儿命平儿将昨日那件石青刻丝八团天马皮褂子拿出来，与了袭人。又看包袱，只得一个弹墨花绫水红绸里的夹包袱，里面只包著两件半旧棉袄与皮褂。凤姐儿又命平儿把一个玉色绸里的哆罗呢的包袱拿出来，又命包上一件雪褂子。

平兒走去拿了出來，一件是半舊大紅猩猩氈的，一件是大紅羽紗的。Pinger went and brought them out — one was a somewhat worn crimson orangutan-wool felt cloak, the other a crimson feather-gauze cloak.襲人道：“一件就當不起了。”平兒笑道：“你拿這猩猩氈的。Xiren said, "Even one would be more than I deserve." Pinger said with a smile, "You take this orangutan-wool felt one.把這件順手拿將出來，叫人給邢大姑娘送去。I'll just take this other one out while I'm at it and have someone send it to Miss Xing.昨兒那麼大雪，人人都是有的，不是猩猩氈就是羽緞羽紗的，十來件大紅衣裳，映著大雪好不齊整。Yesterday, with such heavy snow, everyone else had one — if not orangutan-wool felt then feather-satin or feather-gauze — ten-odd crimson garments set off against the snow, looking splendidly uniform.就只他穿著那件舊氈斗篷，越發顯的拱肩縮背，好不可怜見的。Only she was wearing that old felt cloak, which made her look all the more hunched and shrunken, quite pitiful to see.如今把這件給他罷。”鳳姐兒笑道：“我的東西，他私自就要給人。Let's give her this one now." Xifeng said with a smile, "It's my belongings, and here she is giving them away to people on her own authority.我一個還花不夠，再添上你提著，更好了！”眾人笑道：“這都是奶奶素日孝敬太太，疼愛下人。I alone can hardly spend enough as it is, and now with you helping me along, it'll go even faster!" Everyone laughed and said, "This is all because our Mistress is habitually devoted to Madam and tender toward the servants.若是奶奶素日是小氣的，只以東西為事，不顧下人的，姑娘那里還敢這樣了。”鳳姐兒笑道：“所以知道我的心的，也就是他還知三分罷了。”說著，又囑咐襲人道：“你媽若好了就罷，若不中用了，只管住下，打發人來回我，我再另打發人給你送舖蓋去。If our Mistress were habitually stingy, caring only about things and not about the servants, would Pinger ever dare to do such a thing?" Xifeng said with a smile, "So then, the one who truly understands my heart is her, who knows at least three parts of it." So saying, she further instructed Xiren, "If your mother recovers, well and good; but if things turn hopeless, just stay on there and send someone to report to me, and I'll send someone else with bedding for you.可別使人家的舖蓋和梳頭的家伙。”又吩咐周瑞家的道：“你們自然也知道這里的規矩的，也不用我囑咐了。”周瑞家的答應：“都知道。Whatever you do, don't use other people's bedding or hair-dressing things." She then instructed Zhou Rui's wife, "You surely know the rules of the house already, so there's no need for me to tell you." Zhou Rui's wife replied, "We know them all.我們這去到那里，總叫他們的人回避。When we get there, we'll always have their household people withdraw.若住下，必是另要一兩間內房的。”說著，跟了襲人出去，又吩咐預備燈籠，遂坐車往花自芳家來，不在話下。If we stay overnight, we'll certainly need one or two inner rooms of our own." So saying, she followed Xiren out, gave orders to have lanterns made ready, and then rode in the carriage to Hua Zifang's house — of this no more need be said.

平儿走去拿了出来，一件是半旧大红猩猩毡的，一件是大红羽纱的。袭人道：“一件就当不起了。”平儿笑道：“你拿这猩猩毡的。把这件顺手拿将出来，叫人给邢大姑娘送去。昨儿那么大雪，人人都是有的，不是猩猩毡就是羽缎羽纱的，十来件大红衣裳，映著大雪好不齐整。就只他穿著那件旧毡斗篷，越发显的拱肩缩背，好不可怜见的。如今把这件给他罢。”凤姐儿笑道：“我的东西，他私自就要给人。我一个还花不够，再添上你提著，更好了！”众人笑道：“这都是奶奶素日孝敬太太，疼爱下人。若是奶奶素日是小气的，只以东西为事，不顾下人的，姑娘那里还敢这样了。”凤姐儿笑道：“所以知道我的心的，也就是他还知三分罢了。”说著，又嘱咐袭人道：“你妈若好了就罢，若不中用了，只管住下，打发人来回我，我再另打发人给你送铺盖去。可别使人家的铺盖和梳头的家伙。”又吩咐周瑞家的道：“你们自然也知道这里的规矩的，也不用我嘱咐了。”周瑞家的答应：“都知道。我们这去到那里，总叫他们的人回避。若住下，必是另要一两间内房的。”说著，跟了袭人出去，又吩咐预备灯笼，遂坐车往花自芳家来，不在话下。

這里鳳姐又將怡紅院的嬤嬤喚了兩個來，吩咐道：“襲人只怕不來家，你們素日知道那大丫頭們，那兩個知好歹，派出來在寶玉屋里上夜。Here at Yihong Courtyard, Xifeng summoned two of the old nurses and instructed them, "Xiren likely won't be back for a while — among the senior maids you know well, whichever two are sensible and know how things should be done, assign them to keep the night watch in Baoyu's rooms.你們也好生照管著，別由著寶玉胡鬧。”兩個嬤嬤去了，一時來回說：“派了晴雯和麝月在屋里，我們四個人原是輪流著帶管上夜的。”鳳姐兒聽了，點頭道：“晚上催他早睡，早上催他早起。”老嬤嬤們答應了，自回園去。You yourselves should also keep proper watch and not let Baoyu carry on however he pleases." The two nurses went off, and after a while came back to report, "We've assigned Qingwen and Sheyue to stay in the room; the four of us will take turns overseeing the night watch as usual." When Xifeng heard this, she nodded and said, "In the evening urge him to go to bed early, and in the morning urge him to rise early." The old nurses assented and went back to the Garden.一時果有周瑞家的帶了信回鳳姐兒說：“襲人之母業已停床，不能回來。”鳳姐兒回明了王夫人，一面著人往大觀園去取他的舖蓋妝奩。Presently, sure enough, Zhou Rui's wife sent word back to Xifeng, saying, "Xiren's mother has already been laid out — Xiren cannot come back." Xifeng reported this clearly to Lady Wang, and at the same time sent someone to Grand View Garden to fetch Xiren's bedding and toilet case.

这里凤姐又将怡红院的嬷嬷唤了两个来，吩咐道：“袭人只怕不来家，你们素日知道那大丫头们，那两个知好歹，派出来在宝玉屋里上夜。你们也好生照管著，别由著宝玉胡闹。”两个嬷嬷去了，一时来回说：“派了晴雯和麝月在屋里，我们四个人原是轮流著带管上夜的。”凤姐儿听了，点头道：“晚上催他早睡，早上催他早起。”老嬷嬷们答应了，自回园去。一时果有周瑞家的带了信回凤姐儿说：“袭人之母业已停床，不能回来。”凤姐儿回明了王夫人，一面著人往大观园去取他的铺盖妆奁。

寶玉看著晴雯麝月二人打點妥當，送去之後，晴雯麝月皆卸罷殘妝，脫換過裙襖。After Baoyu had watched Qingwen and Sheyue pack everything up properly and send it off, the two of them removed their remaining makeup and changed out of their skirts and jackets.晴雯只在熏籠上圍坐。Qingwen simply sat huddled on the incense-warming basket.麝月笑道：“你今兒別裝小姐了，我勸你也動一動兒。”晴雯道：“等你們都去盡了我再勸不遲。Sheyue said with a smile, "Don't play the fine young lady today — I urge you to move about a bit too." Qingwen said, "Once all of you have gone off completely, it won't be too late for you to urge me then.有你們一日，我且受用一日。”麝月笑道：“好姐姐，我舖床，你把那穿衣鏡的套子放下來，上頭的划子划上，你的身量比我高些。”說著，便去與寶玉舖床。As long as I have you all here, I'll enjoy the comfort while I can." Sheyue said with a smile, "Good sister, I'll make the bed — you go let down the cover on the dressing mirror and slide the catch at the top shut, since you're taller than me." So saying, she went to make Baoyu's bed.晴雯嗐了一聲，笑道：“人家才坐暖和了，你就來鬧。”此時寶玉正坐著納悶，想襲人之母不知是死是活，忽聽見晴雯如此說，便自己起身出去，放下鏡套，划上消息，進來笑道：“你們暖和罷，都完了。”晴雯笑道：“終久暖和不成的，我又想起來湯婆子還沒拿來呢。”麝月道：“這難為你想著！Qingwen let out a sigh and said with a smile, "A person's only just gotten warm sitting here, and you come bothering her." At that moment Baoyu was sitting there brooding, wondering whether Xiren's mother was alive or dead, when he suddenly heard Qingwen say this; he got up himself, went out, let down the mirror cover, slid the catch shut, and came back in saying with a smile, "You two just stay warm, it's all done." Qingwen said with a smile, "I won't manage to stay warm after all — it just occurred to me that the hot-water warmer still hasn't been brought." Sheyue said, "How good of you to remember that!他素日又不要湯婆子，咱們那熏籠上暖和，比不得那屋里炕冷，今兒可以不用。”寶玉笑道：“這個話，你們兩個都在那上頭睡了，我這外邊沒個人，我怪怕的，一夜也睡不著。”晴雯道：“我是在這里。He himself doesn't usually want the warmer anyway, and it's warm here on our incense-basket, not like the cold kang in that other room — we can do without it tonight." Baoyu said with a smile, "As for that — if the two of you both sleep over there, there'll be no one out here with me, and I'll be quite afraid, I won't sleep a wink all night." Qingwen said, "I'll stay here.麝月往他外邊睡去。”說話之間，天已二更，麝月早已放下帘幔，移燈炷香，伏侍寶玉臥下，二人方睡。Let Sheyue go sleep out there by him." While they were talking, it was already the second watch; Sheyue had already let down the curtains, moved the lamp, and lit incense, and after attending Baoyu into bed, the two of them finally went to sleep.

宝玉看著晴雯麝月二人打点妥当，送去之后，晴雯麝月皆卸罢残妆，脱换过裙袄。晴雯只在熏笼上围坐。麝月笑道：“你今儿别装小姐了，我劝你也动一动儿。”晴雯道：“等你们都去尽了我再劝不迟。有你们一日，我且受用一日。”麝月笑道：“好姐姐，我铺床，你把那穿衣镜的套子放下来，上头的划子划上，你的身量比我高些。”说著，便去与宝玉铺床。晴雯嗐了一声，笑道：“人家才坐暖和了，你就来闹。”此时宝玉正坐著纳闷，想袭人之母不知是死是活，忽听见晴雯如此说，便自己起身出去，放下镜套，划上消息，进来笑道：“你们暖和罢，都完了。”晴雯笑道：“终久暖和不成的，我又想起来汤婆子还没拿来呢。”麝月道：“这难为你想著！他素日又不要汤婆子，咱们那熏笼上暖和，比不得那屋里炕冷，今儿可以不用。”宝玉笑道：“这个话，你们两个都在那上头睡了，我这外边没个人，我怪怕的，一夜也睡不著。”晴雯道：“我是在这里。麝月往他外边睡去。”说话之间，天已二更，麝月早已放下帘幔，移灯炷香，伏侍宝玉卧下，二人方睡。

晴雯自在熏籠上，麝月便在暖閣外邊。Qingwen stayed on the incense-basket herself, while Sheyue slept just outside the warm alcove.至三更以後，寶玉睡夢之中，便叫襲人。Past the third watch, Baoyu, still in the midst of sleep, called out for Xiren.叫了兩聲，無人答應，自己醒了，方想起襲人不在家，自己也好笑起來。He called twice, and when no one answered, he woke up himself, and only then remembered that Xiren was not at home — and found it funny himself.晴雯已醒，因笑喚麝月道：“連我都醒了，他守在旁邊還不知道，真是個挺死尸的。”麝月翻身打個哈氣笑道：“他叫襲人，與我什麼相干！”因問作什麼。Qingwen, already awake, laughingly called to Sheyue, "Even I woke up, and you, lying right there beside him, still didn't know — truly you sleep like a stiff corpse." Sheyue turned over, gave a yawn, and said with a laugh, "He was calling for Xiren — what's that got to do with me!" and then asked what he wanted.寶玉要吃茶，麝月忙起來，單穿紅綢小棉襖兒。Baoyu wanted some tea, so Sheyue hurriedly got up, wearing only a small red silk padded jacket.寶玉道：“披上我的襖兒再去，仔細冷著。”麝月聽說，回手便把寶玉披著起夜的一件貂頦滿襟暖襖披上，下去向盆內洗手，先倒了一鐘溫水，拿了大漱盂，寶玉漱了一口，然後才向茶槅上取了茶碗，先用溫水涮了一涮，向暖壺中倒了半碗茶，遞與寶玉吃了；Baoyu said, "Put my jacket on before you go, mind you don't catch cold." At this, Sheyue reached back and put on the warm sable-collared full-front jacket Baoyu wore for getting up at night, then went down and washed her hands in the basin; she first poured a cup of warm water and brought the large rinsing bowl, and Baoyu rinsed his mouth; only then did she take a teacup from the tea rack, first rinsing it out with warm water, poured half a cup of tea from the warming pot, and handed it to Baoyu, who drank it;自己也漱了一漱，吃了半碗。she herself also rinsed her mouth and drank half a cup.晴雯笑道：“好妹子，也賞我一口兒。”麝月笑道：“越發上臉兒了！”晴雯道：“好妹妹，明兒晚上你別動，我伏侍你一夜，如何？”麝月聽說，只得也伏侍他漱了口，倒了半碗茶與他吃過。Qingwen said with a smile, "Good sister, spare me a mouthful too." Sheyue said with a smile, "You're getting more and more presumptuous!" Qingwen said, "Good sister, tomorrow night you needn't stir at all — I'll wait on you the whole night, how about that?" On hearing this, Sheyue had no choice but to serve her as well, letting her rinse her mouth and pouring her half a cup of tea to drink.麝月笑道：“你們兩個別睡，說著話兒，我出去走走回來。”晴雯笑道：“外頭有個鬼等著你呢。”寶玉道：“外頭自然有大月亮的，我們說話，你只管去。”一面說，一面便嗽了兩聲。Sheyue said with a smile, "You two don't go to sleep — keep talking, I'm going out to take a walk and come back." Qingwen said with a smile, "There's a ghost waiting for you outside." Baoyu said, "Outside there's naturally a bright moon — we'll keep talking, you just go ahead." As he spoke, he coughed a couple of times.

晴雯自在熏笼上，麝月便在暖阁外边。至三更以后，宝玉睡梦之中，便叫袭人。叫了两声，无人答应，自己醒了，方想起袭人不在家，自己也好笑起来。晴雯已醒，因笑唤麝月道：“连我都醒了，他守在旁边还不知道，真是个挺死尸的。”麝月翻身打个哈气笑道：“他叫袭人，与我什么相干！”因问作什么。宝玉要吃茶，麝月忙起来，单穿红绸小棉袄儿。宝玉道：“披上我的袄儿再去，仔细冷著。”麝月听说，回手便把宝玉披著起夜的一件貂颏满襟暖袄披上，下去向盆内洗手，先倒了一钟温水，拿了大漱盂，宝玉漱了一口，然后才向茶槅上取了茶碗，先用温水涮了一涮，向暖壶中倒了半碗茶，递与宝玉吃了；自己也漱了一漱，吃了半碗。晴雯笑道：“好妹子，也赏我一口儿。”麝月笑道：“越发上脸儿了！”晴雯道：“好妹妹，明儿晚上你别动，我伏侍你一夜，如何？”麝月听说，只得也伏侍他漱了口，倒了半碗茶与他吃过。麝月笑道：“你们两个别睡，说著话儿，我出去走走回来。”晴雯笑道：“外头有个鬼等著你呢。”宝玉道：“外头自然有大月亮的，我们说话，你只管去。”一面说，一面便嗽了两声。

麝月便開了後門，揭起氈帘一看，果然好月色。Sheyue then opened the back door, lifted the felt curtain, and looked out — sure enough, the moonlight was fine.晴雯等他出去，便欲唬他玩耍。Qingwen, once she had gone out, wanted to give her a fright for fun.仗著素日比別人氣壯，不畏寒冷，也不披衣，只穿著小襖，便躡手躡腳的下了熏籠，隨後出來。Relying on the fact that she was normally more robust than the others and unafraid of the cold, she didn't even put on a coat, but wearing just her short jacket, crept down from the incense-basket on tiptoe and slipped out after her.寶玉笑勸道：“看凍著，不是頑的。”晴雯只擺手，隨後出了房門。Baoyu urged her with a smile, "Mind you don't freeze — this is no joke." Qingwen only waved her hand and went straight out the door.只見月光如水，忽然一陣微風，只覺侵肌透骨，不禁毛骨森然。She saw the moonlight like water; suddenly a gust of light wind came, and she felt it pierce her flesh and bones through, so that she couldn't help a shiver running over her.心下自思道：“怪道人說熱身子不可被風吹，這一冷果然利害。”一面正要唬麝月，只聽寶玉高聲在內道：“晴雯出去了！”晴雯忙回身進來，笑道：“那里就唬死了他？She thought to herself, "No wonder people say a warm body shouldn't be exposed to the wind — this cold really is fierce." Just as she was about to give Sheyue a fright, she heard Baoyu call out loudly from inside, "Qingwen has gone out!" Qingwen hurriedly turned and came back in, saying with a smile, "As if that would have frightened her to death!偏你慣會這蝎蝎蟄蟄老婆漢像的！”寶玉笑道：“倒不為唬坏了他，頭一則你凍著也不好，二則他不防，不免一喊，倘或唬醒了別人，不說咱們是頑意，倒反說襲人才去了一夜，你們就見神見鬼的。And yet you're always so fussy and nagging, just like some old woman!" Baoyu said with a smile, "It's not that I was worried about frightening her badly — first, it's not good for you to freeze, and second, if she were caught off guard she'd be sure to cry out, and supposing that startled someone else awake, they wouldn't say it was just the two of you fooling around, but instead would say that Xiren has only just been gone one night and already you're seeing ghosts and spirits.你來把我的這邊被掖一掖。”晴雯聽說，便上來掖了掖，伸手進去渥一渥時，寶玉笑道：“好冷手！Come here and tuck in this side of my quilt for me." At this, Qingwen came over and tucked it in, and reaching her hand in to warm it a little, Baoyu said with a smile, "What cold hands!我說看凍著。”一面又見晴雯兩腮如胭脂一般，用手摸了一摸，也覺冰冷。I told you to mind you didn't freeze." At the same time he saw that Qingwen's cheeks were as red as rouge, and when he touched them with his hand, they too felt icy cold.寶玉道：“快進被來渥渥罷。”一語未了，只聽咯登的一聲門響，麝月慌慌張張的笑了進來，說道：“嚇了我一跳好的。Baoyu said, "Quick, get into the quilt and warm yourself up." Before he had even finished speaking, there came a clattering sound at the door, and Sheyue came hurrying in with a laugh, saying, "I got quite a fright just now, I tell you.黑影子里，山子石後頭，只見一個人蹲著。In the black shadows, behind the rockery, I saw what looked like a person crouching there.我才要叫喊，原來是那個大錦雞，見了人一飛，飛到亮處來，我才看真了。I was just about to cry out when it turned out to be that big golden pheasant — seeing me, it flew off, flew into a lit spot, and only then did I see clearly what it was.若冒冒失失一嚷，倒鬧起人來。”一面說，一面洗手，又笑道：“晴雯出去我怎麼不見？If I'd carelessly shouted out, I'd have raised a commotion for nothing." As she spoke she washed her hands, and then said with a smile, "How is it I didn't see Qingwen go out?一定是要唬我去了。”寶玉笑道：“這不是他，在這里渥呢！She must have gone to give me a fright." Baoyu said with a smile, "Here she is, warming herself up right here!我若不叫的快，可是倒唬一跳。”晴雯笑道：“也不用我唬去，這小蹄子已經自怪自驚的了。”一面說，一面仍回自己被中去了。If I hadn't called out quickly, she really would have given you quite a fright." Qingwen said with a smile, "No need for me to go frightening her at all — the little wretch already scared herself silly on her own." So saying, she went back to her own quilt.麝月道：“你就這麼‘跑解馬’似的打扮得伶伶俐俐的出去了不成？”寶玉笑道：“可不就這麼去了。”麝月道：“你死不揀好日子！Sheyue said, "So you went out dressed all trim and neat like some circus rider doing horse-tricks?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Isn't that exactly how she went out." Sheyue said, "You really pick the worst possible time to die on us!你出去站一站，把皮不凍破了你的。”說著，又將火盆上的銅罩揭起，拿灰鍬重將熟炭埋了一埋，拈了兩塊素香放上，仍舊罩了，至屏後重剔了燈，方才睡下。Just standing outside a while would freeze the skin right off you." So saying, she lifted the copper cover off the brazier, took the ash-shovel and buried the glowing coals over again, picked up two pieces of plain incense and set them on top, put the cover back on as before, went behind the screen and trimmed the lamp again, and only then lay down to sleep.

麝月便开了后门，揭起毡帘一看，果然好月色。晴雯等他出去，便欲唬他玩耍。仗著素日比别人气壮，不畏寒冷，也不披衣，只穿著小袄，便蹑手蹑脚的下了熏笼，随后出来。宝玉笑劝道：“看冻著，不是顽的。”晴雯只摆手，随后出了房门。只见月光如水，忽然一阵微风，只觉侵肌透骨，不禁毛骨森然。心下自思道：“怪道人说热身子不可被风吹，这一冷果然利害。”一面正要唬麝月，只听宝玉高声在内道：“晴雯出去了！”晴雯忙回身进来，笑道：“那里就唬死了他？偏你惯会这蝎蝎蛰蛰老婆汉像的！”宝玉笑道：“倒不为唬坏了他，头一则你冻著也不好，二则他不防，不免一喊，倘或唬醒了别人，不说咱们是顽意，倒反说袭人才去了一夜，你们就见神见鬼的。你来把我的这边被掖一掖。”晴雯听说，便上来掖了掖，伸手进去渥一渥时，宝玉笑道：“好冷手！我说看冻著。”一面又见晴雯两腮如胭脂一般，用手摸了一摸，也觉冰冷。宝玉道：“快进被来渥渥罢。”一语未了，只听咯登的一声门响，麝月慌慌张张的笑了进来，说道：“吓了我一跳好的。黑影子里，山子石后头，只见一个人蹲著。我才要叫喊，原来是那个大锦鸡，见了人一飞，飞到亮处来，我才看真了。若冒冒失失一嚷，倒闹起人来。”一面说，一面洗手，又笑道：“晴雯出去我怎么不见？一定是要唬我去了。”宝玉笑道：“这不是他，在这里渥呢！我若不叫的快，可是倒唬一跳。”晴雯笑道：“也不用我唬去，这小蹄子已经自怪自惊的了。”一面说，一面仍回自己被中去了。麝月道：“你就这么‘跑解马’似的打扮得伶伶俐俐的出去了不成？”宝玉笑道：“可不就这么去了。”麝月道：“你死不拣好日子！你出去站一站，把皮不冻破了你的。”说著，又将火盆上的铜罩揭起，拿灰锹重将熟炭埋了一埋，拈了两块素香放上，仍旧罩了，至屏后重剔了灯，方才睡下。

晴雯因方才一冷，如今又一暖，不覺打了兩個噴嚏。Qingwen, having just been chilled and now warmed again, could not help sneezing twice.寶玉歎道：“如何？Baoyu sighed and said, "What did I tell you?到底傷了風了。”麝月笑道：“他早起就嚷不受用，一日也沒吃飯。You've caught cold after all." Sheyue said with a smile, "She was complaining of feeling unwell since early this morning, and hasn't eaten a thing all day.他這會還不保養些，還要捉弄人。And even now she won't take care of herself, but still has to go playing tricks on people.明兒病了，叫他自作自受。”寶玉問：“頭上可熱？”晴雯嗽了兩聲，說道：“不相干，那里這麼嬌嫩起來了。”說著，只聽外間房中十錦格上的自鳴鐘當當兩聲，外間值宿的老嬤嬤嗽了兩聲，因說道：“姑娘們睡罷，明兒再說罷。”寶玉方悄悄的笑道：“咱們別說話了，又惹他們說話。”說著，方大家睡了。If she falls ill tomorrow, let her suffer the consequences of her own making." Baoyu asked, "Is your head hot?" Qingwen coughed twice and said, "It's nothing — since when have I become so delicate." As she spoke, they heard the chiming clock on the curio shelf in the outer room strike twice, and the old nurse on night duty in the outer room coughed a couple of times and said, "You young ladies should go to sleep now, and talk again tomorrow." Only then did Baoyu say quietly with a smile, "Let's not talk anymore, or we'll set them talking again." So saying, everyone finally went to sleep.至次日起來，晴雯果覺有些鼻塞聲重，懶怠動彈。By the time they rose the next day, Qingwen indeed felt her nose somewhat stuffed and her voice thick, and she was too listless to stir.寶玉道：“快不要聲張！Baoyu said, "Quick, don't make a fuss about it!太太知道，又叫你搬了家去養息。"If Her Ladyship finds out, she'll have you moved back home again to recuperate.家去雖好，到底冷些，不如在這里。Going home might be fine, but it's colder there after all — better to stay here.你就在里間屋里躺著，我叫人請了大夫，悄悄的從後門來瞧瞧就是了。”晴雯道：“雖如此說，你到底要告訴大奶奶一聲兒，不然一時大夫來了，人問起來，怎麼說呢？”寶玉聽了有理，便喚一個老嬤嬤吩咐道：“你回大奶奶去，就說晴雯白冷著了些，不是什麼大病。"You just lie down in the inner room, and I'll have someone fetch a doctor to come quietly in by the back gate to take a look, that's all." Qingwen said, "That's all very well, but you really ought to let Mistress Zhu know, or else when the doctor comes and people ask about it, what will we say?" Baoyu thought this made sense, so he called an old nurse and told her, "Go and report to Mistress Zhu, just say Qingwen has caught a slight chill, it's nothing serious.襲人又不在家，他若家去養病，這里更沒有人了。"And with Xiren away from home too, if she goes home to recover, there'll be no one left here at all.傳一個大夫，悄悄的從後門進來瞧瞧，別回太太罷了。”老嬤嬤去了半日，來回說：“大奶奶知道了，說兩劑藥吃好了便罷，若不好時，還是出去為是。"We'll just summon a doctor to come in quietly through the back gate and take a look, without reporting it to Her Ladyship." The old nurse was gone a good while, then came back and reported, "Mistress Zhu says she understands, and says if two doses of medicine cure her that will be that, but if she doesn't get better, it would still be best for her to go outside.如今時氣不好，恐沾帶了別人事小，姑娘們的身子要緊的。”晴雯睡在暖閣里，只管咳嗽，聽了這話，氣的喊道：“我那里就害瘟病了，只怕過了人！"These days the seasonal air is bad, and if she should pass it on to others that would be a small matter, but the young ladies' health is what really matters." Qingwen, lying in the heated alcove, kept coughing, and hearing this, cried out angrily, "As if I've got some plague! I'm hardly likely to infect anyone!我離了這里，看你們這一輩子都別頭疼腦熱的。”說著，便真要起來。"Once I'm away from here, just see if not one of you ever gets so much as a headache or a fever for the rest of your lives!" So saying, she really did try to get up.寶玉忙按他，笑道：“別生氣，這原是他的責任，唯恐太太知道了說他不是，白說一句。Baoyu hastily held her down and said with a smile, "Don't be angry, this is only her responsibility talking — she's simply afraid that if Her Ladyship finds out and blames her, so she said it for nothing.你素習好生氣，如今肝火自然盛了。”"You've always been quick to anger, and now naturally your liver-fire is running high."

晴雯因方才一冷，如今又一暖，不觉打了两个喷嚏。宝玉叹道：“如何？到底伤了风了。”麝月笑道：“他早起就嚷不受用，一日也没吃饭。他这会还不保养些，还要捉弄人。明儿病了，叫他自作自受。”宝玉问：“头上可热？”晴雯嗽了两声，说道：“不相干，那里这么娇嫩起来了。”说著，只听外间房中十锦格上的自鸣钟当当两声，外间值宿的老嬷嬷嗽了两声，因说道：“姑娘们睡罢，明儿再说罢。”宝玉方悄悄的笑道：“咱们别说话了，又惹他们说话。”说著，方大家睡了。至次日起来，晴雯果觉有些鼻塞声重，懒怠动弹。宝玉道：“快不要声张！太太知道，又叫你搬了家去养息。家去虽好，到底冷些，不如在这里。你就在里间屋里躺著，我叫人请了大夫，悄悄的从后门来瞧瞧就是了。”晴雯道：“虽如此说，你到底要告诉大奶奶一声儿，不然一时大夫来了，人问起来，怎么说呢？”宝玉听了有理，便唤一个老嬷嬷吩咐道：“你回大奶奶去，就说晴雯白冷著了些，不是什么大病。袭人又不在家，他若家去养病，这里更没有人了。传一个大夫，悄悄的从后门进来瞧瞧，别回太太罢了。”老嬷嬷去了半日，来回说：“大奶奶知道了，说两剂药吃好了便罢，若不好时，还是出去为是。如今时气不好，恐沾带了别人事小，姑娘们的身子要紧的。”晴雯睡在暖阁里，只管咳嗽，听了这话，气的喊道：“我那里就害瘟病了，只怕过了人！我离了这里，看你们这一辈子都别头疼脑热的。”说著，便真要起来。宝玉忙按他，笑道：“别生气，这原是他的责任，唯恐太太知道了说他不是，白说一句。你素习好生气，如今肝火自然盛了。”

正說時，人回大夫來了。Just as they were speaking, someone reported that the doctor had arrived.寶玉便走過來，避在書架之後。Baoyu at once came over and hid himself behind the bookcase.只見兩三個後門口的老嬤嬤帶了一個大夫進來。Presently two or three old nurses from the back gate brought a doctor in.這里的丫鬟都回避了，有三四個老嬤嬤放下暖閣上的大紅繡幔，晴雯從幔中單伸出手去。The maids there all withdrew, and three or four old nurses let down the crimson embroidered curtain over the heated alcove; Qingwen stretched just her hand out from behind the curtain.那大夫見這只手上有兩根指甲，足有三寸長，尚有金鳳花染的通紅的痕跡，便忙回過頭來。The doctor, seeing that on this hand two of the fingernails were fully three inches long and still bore the bright red traces of balsam dye, hastily turned his head away.有一個老嬤嬤忙拿了一塊手帕掩了。One of the old nurses quickly took a handkerchief and covered the hand.那大夫方診了一回脈，起身到外間，向嬤嬤們說道：“小姐的症是外感內滯，近日時氣不好，竟算是個小傷寒。Only then did the doctor take the pulse for a while, then rose and went to the outer room, saying to the nurses, "The young lady's condition is an external chill combined with internal stagnation — with the seasonal air being so poor lately, it may really be counted a mild case of cold-fever.幸虧是小姐素日飲食有限，風寒也不大，不過是血氣原弱，偶然沾帶了些，吃兩劑藥疏散疏散就好了。”說著，便又隨婆子們出去。"Fortunately the young lady's diet is normally quite modest, and the chill isn't severe either — it's simply that her blood and vital energy are somewhat weak by nature, and she's caught a touch of it by chance; two doses of medicine to disperse it and she'll be well." So saying, he went out again following the old women.

正说时，人回大夫来了。宝玉便走过来，避在书架之后。只见两三个后门口的老嬷嬷带了一个大夫进来。这里的丫鬟都回避了，有三四个老嬷嬷放下暖阁上的大红绣幔，晴雯从幔中单伸出手去。那大夫见这只手上有两根指甲，足有三寸长，尚有金凤花染的通红的痕迹，便忙回过头来。有一个老嬷嬷忙拿了一块手帕掩了。那大夫方诊了一回脉，起身到外间，向嬷嬷们说道：“小姐的症是外感内滞，近日时气不好，竟算是个小伤寒。幸亏是小姐素日饮食有限，风寒也不大，不过是血气原弱，偶然沾带了些，吃两剂药疏散疏散就好了。”说著，便又随婆子们出去。

彼時，李紈已遣人知會過後門上的人及各處丫鬟回避，那大夫只見了園中的景致，并不曾見一女子。By that time Li Wan had already sent someone to notify the people at the back gate and the maids everywhere to keep out of sight, so the doctor saw only the scenery of the Garden and did not see a single woman.一時出了園門，就在守園門的小廝們的班房內坐了，開了藥方。Presently, once out through the Garden gate, he sat down in the guardroom of the boys who kept watch at the gate, and wrote out the prescription.老嬤嬤道：“你老且別去，我們小爺羅唆，恐怕還有話說。”大夫忙道：“方才不是小姐，是位爺不成？An old nurse said, "Don't leave just yet, sir — our young master is rather particular, and there may still be more he wants to say." The doctor said hastily, "Was that not a young lady just now, but a young master instead?那屋子竟是繡房一樣，又是放下幔子來的，如何是位爺呢？”老嬤嬤悄悄笑道：“我的老爺，怪道小廝們才說今兒請了一位新大夫來了，真不知我們家的事。"That room looked exactly like a lady's boudoir, and the curtain was let down too — how could it have been a young master?" The old nurse laughed quietly, "My good sir, no wonder the boys said just now that a new doctor had been sent for today — you really don't know the ways of our household.那屋子是我們小哥兒的，那人是他屋里的丫頭，倒是個大姐，那里的小姐？"That room belongs to our young master, and that person is a maid of his household — a young woman indeed, but no young lady.若是小姐的繡房，小姐病了，你那麼容易就進去了？”說著，拿了藥方進去。"If it had been a young lady's boudoir and the young lady were ill, would you have gotten in so easily?" So saying, she took the prescription and went inside.

彼时，李纨已遣人知会过后门上的人及各处丫鬟回避，那大夫只见了园中的景致，并不曾见一女子。一时出了园门，就在守园门的小厮们的班房内坐了，开了药方。老嬷嬷道：“你老且别去，我们小爷罗唆，恐怕还有话说。”大夫忙道：“方才不是小姐，是位爷不成？那屋子竟是绣房一样，又是放下幔子来的，如何是位爷呢？”老嬷嬷悄悄笑道：“我的老爷，怪道小厮们才说今儿请了一位新大夫来了，真不知我们家的事。那屋子是我们小哥儿的，那人是他屋里的丫头，倒是个大姐，那里的小姐？若是小姐的绣房，小姐病了，你那么容易就进去了？”说著，拿了药方进去。

寶玉看時，上面有紫蘇，桔梗，防風，荊芥等藥，後面又有枳實，麻黃。When Baoyu looked at it, he saw it contained perilla leaf, platycodon root, siler root, schizonepeta, and other such medicines, and further down there was also immature bitter orange and ephedra.寶玉道：“該死，該死，他拿著女孩兒們也象我們一樣的治，如何使得！Baoyu said, "Damn it, damn it, he's treating the girls just as if they were us — how can that possibly do!憑他有什麼內滯，這枳實，麻黃如何禁得。"No matter what internal stagnation she has, how could she stand up to bitter orange and ephedra?誰請了來的？"Who sent for him in the first place?快打發他去罷！"Quick, send him away!再請一個熟的來。”老婆子道：“用藥好不好，我們不知道這理。"Let's get someone we know instead." The old woman said, "Whether the medicine is right or not, we wouldn't know about such things.如今再叫小廝去請王太醫去倒容易，只是這大夫又不是告訴總管房請來的，這轎馬錢是要給他的。”寶玉道：“給他多少？”婆子道：“少了不好看，也得一兩銀子，才是我們這門戶的禮。”寶玉道：“王太醫來了給他多少？”婆子笑道：“王太醫和張太醫每常來了，也并沒個給錢的，不過每年四節大躉送禮，那是一定的年例。"As for now, sending a boy to fetch Doctor Wang instead would be easy enough, only this doctor here wasn't summoned through the steward's office, so we do have to give him his sedan-chair and horse fee." Baoyu said, "How much should we give him?" The old woman said, "Too little wouldn't look right — it ought to be at least one tael of silver, that's the proper courtesy for a household like ours." Baoyu said, "How much do we give Doctor Wang when he comes?" The old woman said with a smile, "Doctor Wang and Doctor Zhang, whenever they come as a matter of course, are never given money at all — it's only that at the four great festivals each year we send them a lump sum of gifts, that's the fixed yearly custom.這人新來了一次，須得給他一兩銀子去。”寶玉聽說，便命麝月去取銀子。"This man has only just come the once, so he must be given a tael of silver." Hearing this, Baoyu at once told Sheyue to go and fetch the silver.麝月道：“花大奶奶還不知擱在那里呢？”寶玉道：“我常見他在螺甸小柜子里取錢，我和你找去。”說著，二人來至寶玉堆東西的房子，開了螺甸柜子，上一格子都是些筆墨，扇子，香餅，各色荷包，汗巾等物，下一格卻是幾串錢。Sheyue said, "Do you even know where Sister Xiren keeps it?" Baoyu said, "I've often seen her take money out of the little mother-of-pearl cabinet — let's go and look together." So saying, the two of them went to the room where Baoyu stored his things, and opened the mother-of-pearl cabinet; the upper shelf held nothing but brushes and ink, fans, incense cakes, purses of various colors, sashes, and the like, while the lower shelf held several strings of coins.于是開了抽屜，才看見一個小簸籮內放著幾塊銀子，倒也有一把戥子。So then they opened a drawer, and only then did they see a small winnowing basket holding several pieces of silver, and there was also a small steelyard scale.麝月便拿了一塊銀子，提起戥子來問寶玉：“那是一兩的星兒？”寶玉笑道：“你問我？Sheyue then took up a piece of silver, lifted the little scale, and asked Baoyu, "Which mark shows one tael?" Baoyu laughed, "You're asking me?有趣，你倒成了才來的了。”麝月也笑了，又要去問人。"That's funny — you're acting as if you just arrived here yourself." Sheyue laughed too, and was about to go and ask someone else.寶玉道：“揀那大的給他一塊就是了。Baoyu said, "Just pick a big piece and give it to him, that's all.又不作買賣，算這些做什麼！”麝月聽了，便放下戥子，揀了一塊掂了一掂，笑道：“這一塊只怕是一兩了。"It's not as though we're running a shop — why fuss over weighing it out!" Hearing this, Sheyue put down the scale, picked out a piece, weighed it in her hand, and said with a smile, "This piece is probably about a tael.宁可多些好，別少了，叫那窮小子笑話，不說咱們不識戥子，倒說咱們有心小器似的。”那婆子站在外頭台磯上，笑道：“那是五兩的錠子夾了半邊，這一塊至少還有二兩呢！"Better a bit too much than too little — if it's short, that poor fellow will laugh at us, and instead of saying we don't know how to read a scale, he'll say we're being stingy on purpose." The old woman, standing outside on the terrace steps, laughed and said, "That's half of a five-tael ingot that's been clipped off — that piece there is at least two taels!這會子又沒夾剪，姑娘收了這塊，再揀一塊小些的罷。”麝月早掩了柜子出來，笑道：“誰又找去！"There are no clippers handy just now, miss — put that piece back and pick out a smaller one instead." But Sheyue had already shut the cabinet and come out, saying with a laugh, "Who's going to go hunting for another one!多了些你拿了去罷。”寶玉道：“你只快叫茗煙再請王大夫去就是了。”婆子接了銀子，自去料理。"If it's a bit too much, just take it and be done with it." Baoyu said, "You just hurry and tell Mingyan to go and fetch Doctor Wang, that's all." The old woman took the silver and went off to see to it herself.

宝玉看时，上面有紫苏，桔梗，防风，荆芥等药，后面又有枳实，麻黄。宝玉道：“该死，该死，他拿著女孩儿们也象我们一样的治，如何使得！凭他有什么内滞，这枳实，麻黄如何禁得。谁请了来的？快打发他去罢！再请一个熟的来。”老婆子道：“用药好不好，我们不知道这理。如今再叫小厮去请王太医去倒容易，只是这大夫又不是告诉总管房请来的，这轿马钱是要给他的。”宝玉道：“给他多少？”婆子道：“少了不好看，也得一两银子，才是我们这门户的礼。”宝玉道：“王太医来了给他多少？”婆子笑道：“王太医和张太医每常来了，也并没个给钱的，不过每年四节大趸送礼，那是一定的年例。这人新来了一次，须得给他一两银子去。”宝玉听说，便命麝月去取银子。麝月道：“花大奶奶还不知搁在那里呢？”宝玉道：“我常见他在螺甸小柜子里取钱，我和你找去。”说著，二人来至宝玉堆东西的房子，开了螺甸柜子，上一格子都是些笔墨，扇子，香饼，各色荷包，汗巾等物，下一格却是几串钱。于是开了抽屉，才看见一个小簸箩内放著几块银子，倒也有一把戥子。麝月便拿了一块银子，提起戥子来问宝玉：“那是一两的星儿？”宝玉笑道：“你问我？有趣，你倒成了才来的了。”麝月也笑了，又要去问人。宝玉道：“拣那大的给他一块就是了。又不作买卖，算这些做什么！”麝月听了，便放下戥子，拣了一块掂了一掂，笑道：“这一块只怕是一两了。宁可多些好，别少了，叫那穷小子笑话，不说咱们不识戥子，倒说咱们有心小器似的。”那婆子站在外头台矶上，笑道：“那是五两的锭子夹了半边，这一块至少还有二两呢！这会子又没夹剪，姑娘收了这块，再拣一块小些的罢。”麝月早掩了柜子出来，笑道：“谁又找去！多了些你拿了去罢。”宝玉道：“你只快叫茗烟再请王大夫去就是了。”婆子接了银子，自去料理。

一時茗煙果請了王太醫來，診了脈後，說的病症與前相仿，只是方上果沒有枳實，麻黃等藥，倒有當歸，陳皮，白芍等，藥之分量較先也減了些。Presently Mingyan did indeed fetch Doctor Wang, who, after taking the pulse, described the illness much as before, except that his prescription indeed had no bitter orange or ephedra in it, but instead had angelica root, dried tangerine peel, white peony root, and the like, and the dosages were also lighter than before.寶玉喜道：“這才是女孩兒們的藥，雖然疏散，也不可太過。Baoyu said happily, "Now this is the right medicine for girls — even to disperse a chill, one mustn't overdo it.舊年我病了，卻是傷寒內里飲食停滯，他瞧了，還說我禁不起麻黃，石膏，枳實等狼虎藥。"Last year when I was ill, it was a cold-fever with food stagnation inside, and even then, when he examined me, he said I couldn't stand fierce, wolfish medicines like ephedra, gypsum, and bitter orange.我和你們一比，我就如那野墳圈子里長的幾十年的一棵老楊樹，你們就如秋天芸兒進我的那才開的白海棠，連我禁不起的藥，你們如何禁得起。”麝月等笑道：“野墳里只有楊樹不成？"Compared with you girls, I'm like some old poplar tree that's grown for decades in a wild graveyard, while you're like the white begonias just come into bloom that Yun'er brought me in autumn — if even I can't stand that medicine, how could you possibly stand it?" Sheyue and the others laughed and said, "Are poplars the only trees that grow in wild graveyards?難道就沒有松柏？"Surely there are pines and cypresses too?我最嫌的是楊樹，那麼大笨樹，葉子只一點子，沒一絲風，他也是亂響。"What I dislike most is the poplar — such a great clumsy tree, with leaves so small, and even without a breath of wind it goes on rustling away for no reason.你偏比他，也太下流了。”寶玉笑道：“松柏不敢比。"That you should compare yourself to it is really too unbecoming." Baoyu said with a smile, "I wouldn't dare compare myself to pine and cypress.連孔子都說：‘歲寒然後知松柏之後凋也。’可知這兩件東西高雅，不怕羞臊的才拿他混比呢。”"Even Confucius said, 'Only when the year turns cold do we know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither.' From this you can tell those two are noble things — only someone shameless would dare compare himself to them carelessly."

一时茗烟果请了王太医来，诊了脉后，说的病症与前相仿，只是方上果没有枳实，麻黄等药，倒有当归，陈皮，白芍等，药之分量较先也减了些。宝玉喜道：“这才是女孩儿们的药，虽然疏散，也不可太过。旧年我病了，却是伤寒内里饮食停滞，他瞧了，还说我禁不起麻黄，石膏，枳实等狼虎药。我和你们一比，我就如那野坟圈子里长的几十年的一棵老杨树，你们就如秋天芸儿进我的那才开的白海棠，连我禁不起的药，你们如何禁得起。”麝月等笑道：“野坟里只有杨树不成？难道就没有松柏？我最嫌的是杨树，那么大笨树，叶子只一点子，没一丝风，他也是乱响。你偏比他，也太下流了。”宝玉笑道：“松柏不敢比。连孔子都说：‘岁寒然后知松柏之后凋也。’可知这两件东西高雅，不怕羞臊的才拿他混比呢。”

說著，只見老婆子取了藥來。So saying, just then the old woman was seen bringing the medicine in.寶玉命把煎藥的銀吊子找了出來，就命在火盆上煎。Baoyu had the silver kettle for brewing medicine brought out, and had it set to brew over the brazier.晴雯因說：“正經給他們茶房里煎去，弄得這屋里藥氣，如何使得。”寶玉道：“藥氣比一切的花香果子香都雅。Qingwen said, "It should properly be sent to the tea-room to be brewed — filling this room with the smell of medicine, how will that do?" Baoyu said, "The smell of medicine is more elegant than the scent of any flower or fruit.神仙采藥燒藥，再者高人逸士采藥治藥，最妙的一件東西。"Immortals gather herbs and brew elixirs, and lofty, unworldly men gather herbs and prepare medicines too — it's the most wonderful of things.這屋里我正想各色都齊了，就只少藥香，如今恰好全了。”一面說，一面早命人煨上。"I've been thinking this room had every kind of scent already except the fragrance of medicine — now it's complete at last." Even as he spoke, he had already told someone to set it simmering.又囑咐麝月打點東西，遣老嬤嬤去看襲人，勸他少哭。He also told Sheyue to pack up some things, and sent an old nurse to look in on Xiren and urge her not to cry so much.一一妥當，方過前邊來賈母王夫人處問安吃飯。Once everything was properly settled, he then went to the front to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang and have his meal.

说著，只见老婆子取了药来。宝玉命把煎药的银吊子找了出来，就命在火盆上煎。晴雯因说：“正经给他们茶房里煎去，弄得这屋里药气，如何使得。”宝玉道：“药气比一切的花香果子香都雅。神仙采药烧药，再者高人逸士采药治药，最妙的一件东西。这屋里我正想各色都齐了，就只少药香，如今恰好全了。”一面说，一面早命人煨上。又嘱咐麝月打点东西，遣老嬷嬷去看袭人，劝他少哭。一一妥当，方过前边来贾母王夫人处问安吃饭。

正值鳳姐兒和賈母王夫人商議說：“天又短又冷，不如以後大嫂子帶著姑娘們在園子里吃飯一樣。Just then Xifeng happened to be discussing something with Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, saying, "The days are both short and cold now — it would be better from now on if Elder Sister-in-law took the young ladies to eat in the Garden itself.等天長暖和了，再來回的跑也不妨。”王夫人笑道：“這也是好主意。"Once the days grow longer and warmer, there'll be no harm in having them go back and forth again." Lady Wang said with a smile, "That's a good idea too.刮風下雪倒便宜。"When the wind blows or the snow falls, it would certainly be convenient.吃些東西受了冷氣也不好，空心走來，一肚子冷風，壓上些東西也不好。"It's not good for them to eat something and then catch a chill, and it's not good either to walk over on an empty stomach, a bellyful of cold air, and then have food pressed down on top of it.不如後園門里頭的五間大房子，橫豎有女人們上夜的，挑兩個廚子女人在那里，單給他姊妹們弄飯。"Better to use the five large rooms just inside the back garden gate — there are women on night duty there anyway — and pick out two women cooks to prepare meals there just for the sisters.新鮮菜蔬是有分例的，在總管房里支去，或要錢，或要東西，那些野雞、獐、瓟各樣野味，分些給他們就是了。”賈母道：“我也正想著呢，就怕又添一個廚房多事些。”鳳姐道：“并不多事。"Fresh vegetables are already part of the regular allowance and can be drawn from the steward's office, whether in money or in kind, and as for pheasant, muntjac, and other such game, just give them a portion of that too." Grandmother Jia said, "I was thinking the very same thing myself — I only worried that setting up one more kitchen would mean more trouble." Xifeng said, "It won't be any trouble at all.一樣的分例，這里添了，那里減了。"It's the same allowance either way — add it here, and it's simply subtracted there.就便多費些事，小姑娘們冷風朔氣的，別人還可，第一林妹妹如何禁得住？"Even if it does take a bit more trouble, the young ladies going out in the cold wind and biting air — the others might manage, but how could Cousin Lin, of all people, stand it?就連寶兄弟也禁不住，何況眾位姑娘。”賈母道：“正是這話了。"Even Cousin Baoyu couldn't stand it, let alone all the young ladies." Grandmother Jia said, "That's exactly the point.上次我要說這話，我見你們的大事太多了，如今又添出這些事來……”要知端的，下回分解。"I meant to say this once before, but I saw you all already had so much important business on your hands... and now here we are adding still more to it..." To know what happened in the end, see the next chapter.

正值凤姐儿和贾母王夫人商议说：“天又短又冷，不如以后大嫂子带著姑娘们在园子里吃饭一样。等天长暖和了，再来回的跑也不妨。”王夫人笑道：“这也是好主意。刮风下雪倒便宜。吃些东西受了冷气也不好，空心走来，一肚子冷风，压上些东西也不好。不如后园门里头的五间大房子，横竖有女人们上夜的，挑两个厨子女人在那里，单给他姊妹们弄饭。新鲜菜蔬是有分例的，在总管房里支去，或要钱，或要东西，那些野鸡、獐、瓟各样野味，分些给他们就是了。”贾母道：“我也正想著呢，就怕又添一个厨房多事些。”凤姐道：“并不多事。一样的分例，这里添了，那里减了。就便多费些事，小姑娘们冷风朔气的，别人还可，第一林妹妹如何禁得住？就连宝兄弟也禁不住，何况众位姑娘。”贾母道：“正是这话了。上次我要说这话，我见你们的大事太多了，如今又添出这些事来……”要知端的，下回分解。