第五十五回　辱親女愚妾爭閒氣　欺幼主刁奴蓄險心 A Foolish Concubine Wrongs Her Own Daughter; A Cunning Servant Plots Against Her Young Mistress

且說元宵已過，只因當今以孝治天下，目下宮中有一位太妃欠安，故各嬪妃皆為之減膳謝妝，不獨不能省親，亦且將宴樂俱免。The Lantern Festival was now past, and because the reigning dynasty governed the realm through filial piety, one of the consort dowagers in the palace was at present unwell, so all the imperial concubines had reduced their meals and forgone their finery on her account; not only were visits home to the family forbidden, but banquets and entertainments were likewise cancelled.故榮府今歲元宵亦無燈謎之集。For this reason the Rong mansion held no lantern-riddle gathering this year at the Lantern Festival either.

且说元宵已过，只因当今以孝治天下，目下宫中有一位太妃欠安，故各嫔妃皆为之减膳谢妆，不独不能省亲，亦且将宴乐俱免。故荣府今岁元宵亦无灯谜之集。

剛將年事忙過，鳳姐兒便小月了，在家一月，不能理事，天天兩三個太醫用藥。Just as the year-end business had been hurried through, Xifeng suffered a miscarriage, and being confined to her rooms for a month unable to manage affairs, two or three physicians came daily to administer medicine.鳳姐兒自恃強壯，雖不出門，然籌畫計算，想起什麼事來，便命平兒去回王夫人，任人諫勸，他只不聽。Xifeng, trusting in her own robust constitution, though she did not go out, still occupied herself with planning and calculating, and whenever something occurred to her she would send Ping'er to report it to Lady Wang; no matter how people remonstrated with her, she simply would not listen.王夫人便覺失了膀臂，一人能有許多的精神？Lady Wang thereupon felt she had lost her right arm — how could one person possibly have energy enough for everything?凡有了大事，自己主張，將家中瑣碎之事，一應都暫令李紈協理。Whenever a major matter arose she decided it herself, but she now temporarily assigned all the trivial household affairs to Li Wan to manage jointly.李紈是個尚德不尚才的，未免逞縱了下人。Li Wan was one who prized virtue over ability, and inevitably let the servants grow somewhat unchecked.王夫人便命探春合同李紈裁處，只說過了一月，鳳姐將息好了，仍交與他。Lady Wang therefore ordered Tanchun to handle matters jointly with Li Wan, saying only that once a month had passed and Xifeng had recovered, the charge would again be handed over to her.誰知鳳姐稟賦氣血不足，兼年幼不知保養，平生爭強鬪智，心力更虧，故雖系小月，竟著實虧虛下來，一月之後，复添了下紅之症。Who could have known that Xifeng's constitution was deficient in vital energy and blood, and that being young she did not know how to nurture herself, and moreover having spent her whole life contending for supremacy and matching wits with others, her mental strength was all the more depleted; so although it was only a miscarriage, she truly grew weak and depleted, and after a month there was added the affliction of continued bleeding.他雖不肯說出來，眾人看他面目黃瘦，便知失於調養。Though she herself would not admit it, everyone could see from her sallow, thin face that she was suffering from neglect of proper care.王夫人只令他好生服藥調養，不令他操心。Lady Wang simply ordered her to take her medicine properly and recuperate, and did not let her trouble herself with worries.他自己也怕成了大症，遺笑於人，便想偷空調養，恨不得一時复舊如常。She herself also feared that it would develop into a serious illness and become a laughingstock to others, so she tried to steal moments to recuperate, wishing she could return to her normal self all at once.誰知一直服藥調養到八九月間，才漸漸的起复過來，下紅也漸漸止了。Who could have known that it was only after taking medicine and recuperating clear through to the eighth or ninth month that she gradually began to recover, and the bleeding gradually stopped as well.此是後話。But this is a matter for later.

刚将年事忙过，凤姐儿便小月了，在家一月，不能理事，天天两三个太医用药。凤姐儿自恃强壮，虽不出门，然筹画计算，想起什么事来，便命平儿去回王夫人，任人谏劝，他只不听。王夫人便觉失了膀臂，一人能有许多的精神？凡有了大事，自己主张，将家中琐碎之事，一应都暂令李纨协理。李纨是个尚德不尚才的，未免逞纵了下人。王夫人便命探春合同李纨裁处，只说过了一月，凤姐将息好了，仍交与他。谁知凤姐禀赋气血不足，兼年幼不知保养，平生争强鬪智，心力更亏，故虽系小月，竟著实亏虚下来，一月之后，复添了下红之症。他虽不肯说出来，众人看他面目黄瘦，便知失于调养。王夫人只令他好生服药调养，不令他操心。他自己也怕成了大症，遗笑于人，便想偷空调养，恨不得一时复旧如常。谁知一直服药调养到八九月间，才渐渐的起复过来，下红也渐渐止了。此是后话。

如今且說目今王夫人見他如此，探春與李紈暫難謝事，園中人多，又恐失于照管，因又特請了寶釵來，托他各處小心：“老婆子們不中用，得空兒吃酒鬪牌，白日里睡覺，夜里鬪牌，我都知道的。For now, let us tell how Lady Wang, seeing things thus, and with Tanchun and Li Wan for the time being unable to manage affairs single-handedly, and with so many people in the garden that she feared oversight might be neglected, specially invited Baochai as well, entrusting her to be careful everywhere: “The old women are useless — the moment they get a free spell they drink wine and play cards, sleeping by day and gambling by night; I know all about it.鳳丫頭在外頭，他們還有個懼怕，如今他們又該取便了。With that Xifeng creature around, they still had someone to fear; now they will feel all the more free to do as they please.好孩子，你還是個妥當人，你兄弟姊妹們又小，我又沒工夫，你替我辛苦兩天，照看照看。Good child, you are a dependable person, and your younger cousins are still young, and I myself have no time to spare — please take the trouble for a couple of days and keep an eye on things for me.凡有想不到的事，你來告訴我，別等老太太問出來，我沒話回，那些人不好了，你只管說。If there is anything I have failed to consider, come and tell me; don't wait until the Old Ancestress asks about it and I have nothing to answer with — if any of those people misbehave, simply speak up.他們不聽，你來回我。If they will not listen, come and report it to me.別弄出大事來才好。”寶釵聽說只得答應了。Just don't let anything serious happen, that would be best.” Baochai, hearing this, had no choice but to agree.

如今且说目今王夫人见他如此，探春与李纨暂难谢事，园中人多，又恐失于照管，因又特请了宝钗来，托他各处小心：“老婆子们不中用，得空儿吃酒鬪牌，白日里睡觉，夜里鬪牌，我都知道的。凤丫头在外头，他们还有个惧怕，如今他们又该取便了。好孩子，你还是个妥当人，你兄弟姊妹们又小，我又没工夫，你替我辛苦两天，照看照看。凡有想不到的事，你来告诉我，别等老太太问出来，我没话回，那些人不好了，你只管说。他们不听，你来回我。别弄出大事来才好。”宝钗听说只得答应了。

時屆孟春，黛玉又犯了嗽疾。It was now the first month of spring, and Daiyu was again suffering an attack of her cough.湘雲亦因時氣所感，亦臥病於蘅蕪苑，一天醫藥不斷。Xiangyun too, having caught a seasonal chill, likewise lay ill in Hengwu Court, with medicine never once interrupted in a whole day.探春同李紈相住間隔，二人近日同事，不比往年，來往回話人等亦不便，故二人議定：每日早晨皆到園門口南邊的三間小花廳上去會齊辦事，吃過早飯于午錯方回房。Tanchun's and Li Wan's quarters were adjacent to each other, and the two of them, being colleagues in this matter of late, found it inconvenient — unlike in years past — for the various people coming and going to report to them separately, so the two agreed: every morning they would both go to the three small flower-pavilion rooms on the south side of the garden gate to meet and handle affairs together, and after breakfast they would return to their rooms sometime past noon.這三間廳原系預備省親之時眾執事太監起坐之處，故省親之後也用不著了，每日只有婆子們上夜。These three rooms had originally been set aside for the eunuchs in charge of ceremonies to sit and rest in during the imperial consort's visit home, and so after the visit they had likewise fallen out of use, with only old women keeping night watch there each day.如今天已和暖，不用十分修飾，只不過略略的舖陳了，便可他二人起坐。Now that the weather had already turned mild, there was no need for elaborate refurnishing — a little simple arrangement sufficed to let the two of them sit and hold office there.這廳上也有一匾，題著“輔仁諭德”四字，家下俗呼皆只叫“議事廳”兒。There was also a horizontal tablet in this hall, inscribed with the four characters “Aiding Benevolence, Admonishing Virtue,” though the household commonly and simply called it the “Business Hall.”如今他二人每日卯正至此，午正方散。Now the two of them came here every day at the hour of mao [around 6 a.m.] and did not disperse until the hour of wu [around noon].凡一應執事媳婦等來往回話者，絡繹不絕。All the wives of the stewards and the like, coming and going to report on matters, formed an unbroken stream.

时届孟春，黛玉又犯了嗽疾。湘云亦因时气所感，亦卧病于蘅芜苑，一天医药不断。探春同李纨相住间隔，二人近日同事，不比往年，来往回话人等亦不便，故二人议定：每日早晨皆到园门口南边的三间小花厅上去会齐办事，吃过早饭于午错方回房。这三间厅原系预备省亲之时众执事太监起坐之处，故省亲之后也用不著了，每日只有婆子们上夜。如今天已和暖，不用十分修饰，只不过略略的铺陈了，便可他二人起坐。这厅上也有一匾，题著“辅仁谕德”四字，家下俗呼皆只叫“议事厅”儿。如今他二人每日卯正至此，午正方散。凡一应执事媳妇等来往回话者，络绎不绝。

眾人先聽見李紈獨辦，各各心中暗喜，以為李紈素日原是個厚道多恩無罰的，自然比鳳姐兒好搪塞。At first, when everyone heard that Li Wan alone was in charge, each secretly rejoiced, thinking that Li Wan, being ordinarily a generous sort who rewarded much and punished little, would naturally be easier to fob off than Xifeng.便添了一個探春，也都想著不過是個未出閨閣的青年小姐，且素日也最平和恬淡，因此都不在意，比鳳姐兒前更懈怠了許多。Then when Tanchun was added as well, everyone still thought she was merely a young unmarried miss who besides was ordinarily most mild and unassuming, and so no one paid her much mind, growing even more slack than they had been under Xifeng before.只三四日後，幾件事過手，漸覺探春精細處不讓鳳姐，只不過是言語安靜，性情和順而已。But after only three or four days, once several matters had passed through their hands, it gradually became apparent that Tanchun's meticulousness was in no way inferior to Xifeng's — it was only that her speech was quieter and her temperament gentler, that was all.可巧連日有王公侯伯世襲官員十幾處，皆系榮宁非親即友或世交之家，或有升遷，或有黜降，或有婚喪紅白等事，王夫人賀弔迎送，應酬不暇，前邊更無人。As it happened, over these several days there were more than a dozen households of princes, dukes, marquises, and earls with hereditary office, all either relatives or friends of the Rong and Ning mansions, or families of long-standing acquaintance, and among them there were promotions, or demotions, or weddings and funerals and other such events, so that Lady Wang, in offering congratulations and condolences and seeing people off and welcoming them, had no leisure to spare, and there was all the more no one available on the outer side of the household.他二人便一日皆在廳上起坐。So the two of them now sat in the hall handling affairs the whole day.寶釵便一日在上房監察，至王夫人回方散。Baochai for her part spent the day overseeing matters in the main apartments, not dispersing until Lady Wang returned.每于夜間針線暇時，臨寢之先，坐了小轎帶領園中上夜人等各處巡察一次。And whenever at night she had a spare moment from her needlework, before retiring she would take a small sedan chair and, leading the night-watch staff of the garden, make one round of inspection through every part of it.他三人如此一理，更覺比鳳姐兒當差時倒更謹慎了些。With the three of them managing things this way, it was in fact felt to be even more strict than in the days when Xifeng herself had been in charge.因而里外下人都暗中抱怨說：“剛剛的倒了一個‘巡海夜叉’，又添了三個‘鎮山太歲’，越性連夜里偷著吃酒頑的工夫都沒了。”As a result, the servants both inside and out secretly complained to one another, saying: “We had scarcely gotten rid of one ‘Sea-Patrolling Yaksha,’ and now three ‘Mountain-Guarding Tai-sui’ have been added in her place — now we don't even have the leisure left to sneak a drink and have fun at night.”

众人先听见李纨独办，各各心中暗喜，以为李纨素日原是个厚道多恩无罚的，自然比凤姐儿好搪塞。便添了一个探春，也都想著不过是个未出闺阁的青年小姐，且素日也最平和恬淡，因此都不在意，比凤姐儿前更懈怠了许多。只三四日后，几件事过手，渐觉探春精细处不让凤姐，只不过是言语安静，性情和顺而已。可巧连日有王公侯伯世袭官员十几处，皆系荣宁非亲即友或世交之家，或有升迁，或有黜降，或有婚丧红白等事，王夫人贺吊迎送，应酬不暇，前边更无人。他二人便一日皆在厅上起坐。宝钗便一日在上房监察，至王夫人回方散。每于夜间针线暇时，临寝之先，坐了小轿带领园中上夜人等各处巡察一次。他三人如此一理，更觉比凤姐儿当差时倒更谨慎了些。因而里外下人都暗中抱怨说：“刚刚的倒了一个‘巡海夜叉’，又添了三个‘镇山太岁’，越性连夜里偷著吃酒顽的工夫都没了。”

這日王夫人正是往錦鄉侯府去赴席，李紈與探春早已梳洗，伺候出門去後，回至廳上坐了。On this day Lady Wang had gone to a banquet at the Marquis of Jinxiang's mansion, and Li Wan and Tanchun, having already washed and dressed early, waited to see her off, and afterward returned to sit in the hall.剛吃茶時，只見吳新登的媳婦進來回說：“趙姨娘的兄弟趙國基昨日死了。Just as they were having tea, they saw Wu Xinden's wife come in to report: “Zhao Guoji, the younger brother of Concubine Zhao, died yesterday.昨日回過太太，太太說知道了，叫回姑娘奶奶來。”說畢，便垂手旁侍，再不言語。Yesterday it was reported to Her Ladyship, and Her Ladyship said she knew of it, and told us to report back to the young ladies and mistresses.” Having said this, she stood by with hands lowered and said nothing further.彼時來回話者不少，都打聽他二人辦事如何：若辦得妥當，大家則安個畏懼之心，若少有嫌隙不當之處，不但不畏伏，出二門還要編出許多笑話來取笑。At that time there were quite a few people who had come to report on matters, and all of them were watching to see how the two of them would handle affairs: if they handled things properly, everyone would then harbor a certain awe of them, but if there were the slightest fault or impropriety, not only would people not be intimidated, but once outside the second gate they would concoct any number of jokes at their expense.吳新登的媳婦心中已有主意，若是鳳姐前，他便早已獻勤說出許多主意，又查出許多舊例來任鳳姐兒揀擇施行。Wu Xinden's wife already had an idea in mind — had this been in Xifeng's time, she would long since have eagerly volunteered a good many suggestions, and dug up a good many precedents as well, for Xifeng to choose from and act on.如今他藐視李紈老實，探春是青年的姑娘，所以只說出這一句話來，試他二人有何主見。But now, holding Li Wan in contempt as too simple-hearted, and Tanchun as merely a young miss, she said only this one sentence, to test what views the two of them might have.探春便問李紈。Tanchun then asked Li Wan.李紈想了一想，便道：“前兒襲人的媽死了，聽見說賞銀四十兩。Li Wan thought a moment and said, “The other day when Xiren's mother died, I heard it said that she was granted forty taels of silver in reward.這也賞他四十兩罷了。”吳新登家的聽了，忙答應了是，接了對牌就走。This case too may as well be granted forty taels.” Wu Xinden's wife, hearing this, promptly assented, took the paired token, and turned to go.探春道：“你且回來。”吳新登家的只得回來。Tanchun said, “Wait, come back.” Wu Xinden's wife had no choice but to come back.探春道：“你且別支銀子。Tanchun said, “Don't draw the silver just yet.我且問你：那幾年老太太屋里的幾位老姨奶奶，也有家里的也有外頭的這兩個分別。Let me ask you first: in those years, among the several old concubines who served the Old Ancestress, there were two categories — those from within the household staff, and those from outside.家里的若死了人是賞多少，外頭的死了人是賞多少，你且說兩個我們聽聽。”一問，吳新登家的便都忘了，忙陪笑回說：“這也不是什麼大事，賞多少，誰還敢爭不成？”探春笑道：“這話胡鬧。When one from within the household died, how much reward was given, and when one from outside died, how much reward was given — tell us both figures and let us hear them.” Asked this, Wu Xinden's wife had forgotten it all, and hastily replied with an ingratiating smile, “This isn't such a great matter — however much is granted, who would dare dispute it?” Tanchun said with a smile, “That is nonsensical talk.依我說，賞一百倒好。In my view, it would be well to grant a hundred.若不按例，別說你們笑話，明兒也難見你二奶奶。”吳新登家的笑道：“既這麼說，我查舊帳去，此時卻記不得。”探春笑道：“你辦事辦老了的，還記不得，倒來難我們。But if it is not done according to precedent, then aside from you all making a laughingstock of us, it will also be hard tomorrow for us to face your Second Mistress.” Wu Xinden's wife said with a smile, “Since you put it that way, I will go check the old accounts — I simply cannot recall it just now.” Tanchun said with a smile, “You are an old hand at managing affairs, and yet you cannot recall — instead you come here to give us trouble.你素日回你二奶奶也現查去？When you ordinarily report to your Second Mistress, do you also go check the records on the spot?若有這道理，鳳姐姐還不算利害，也就是算寬厚了！If that were the proper way of things, then Sister Feng would not be so very severe after all — she would simply count as being lenient!還不快找了來我瞧。Go quickly and find it and let me see.再遲一日，不說你們粗心，反象我們沒主意了。”吳新登家的滿面通紅，忙轉身出來。Delay so much as another day, and people will not say you were careless, but rather that we had no idea how to manage things.” Wu Xinden's wife, her whole face flushed red, hastily turned and went out.眾媳婦們都伸舌頭。All the assembled wives stuck out their tongues in astonishment.這里又回別的事。Here they then went on to report other matters.

这日王夫人正是往锦乡侯府去赴席，李纨与探春早已梳洗，伺候出门去后，回至厅上坐了。刚吃茶时，只见吴新登的媳妇进来回说：“赵姨娘的兄弟赵国基昨日死了。昨日回过太太，太太说知道了，叫回姑娘奶奶来。”说毕，便垂手旁侍，再不言语。彼时来回话者不少，都打听他二人办事如何：若办得妥当，大家则安个畏惧之心，若少有嫌隙不当之处，不但不畏伏，出二门还要编出许多笑话来取笑。吴新登的媳妇心中已有主意，若是凤姐前，他便早已献勤说出许多主意，又查出许多旧例来任凤姐儿拣择施行。如今他藐视李纨老实，探春是青年的姑娘，所以只说出这一句话来，试他二人有何主见。探春便问李纨。李纨想了一想，便道：“前儿袭人的妈死了，听见说赏银四十两。这也赏他四十两罢了。”吴新登家的听了，忙答应了是，接了对牌就走。探春道：“你且回来。”吴新登家的只得回来。探春道：“你且别支银子。我且问你：那几年老太太屋里的几位老姨奶奶，也有家里的也有外头的这两个分别。家里的若死了人是赏多少，外头的死了人是赏多少，你且说两个我们听听。”一问，吴新登家的便都忘了，忙陪笑回说：“这也不是什么大事，赏多少，谁还敢争不成？”探春笑道：“这话胡闹。依我说，赏一百倒好。若不按例，别说你们笑话，明儿也难见你二奶奶。”吴新登家的笑道：“既这么说，我查旧帐去，此时却记不得。”探春笑道：“你办事办老了的，还记不得，倒来难我们。你素日回你二奶奶也现查去？若有这道理，凤姐姐还不算利害，也就是算宽厚了！还不快找了来我瞧。再迟一日，不说你们粗心，反象我们没主意了。”吴新登家的满面通红，忙转身出来。众媳妇们都伸舌头。这里又回别的事。

一時，吳家的取了舊帳來。After a while, Wu's wife brought the old account book.探春看時，兩個家里的賞過皆二十兩，兩個外頭的皆賞過四十兩。When Tanchun looked it over, she found that the two from within the household had each been granted twenty taels, and the two from outside had each been granted forty taels.外還有兩個外頭的，一個賞過一百兩，一個賞過六十兩。Besides these there were two further cases from outside: one had been granted a hundred taels, and one sixty taels.這兩筆底下皆有原故：一個是隔省遷父母之柩，外賞六十兩，一個是現買葬地，外賞二十兩。Under these two entries there were both explanations: one was for transporting the parents' coffins back to their native province, for which an extra sixty taels had been granted; the other was for purchasing a burial plot on the spot, for which an extra twenty taels had been granted.探春便遞與李紈看了。Tanchun then passed it to Li Wan to look over.探春便說：“給他二十兩銀子。Tanchun then said, “Give him twenty taels of silver.把這帳留下，我們細看看。”吳新登家的去了。Leave this account book here — we will look it over carefully.” Wu Xinden's wife then left.

一时，吴家的取了旧帐来。探春看时，两个家里的赏过皆二十两，两个外头的皆赏过四十两。外还有两个外头的，一个赏过一百两，一个赏过六十两。这两笔底下皆有原故：一个是隔省迁父母之柩，外赏六十两，一个是现买葬地，外赏二十两。探春便递与李纨看了。探春便说：“给他二十两银子。把这帐留下，我们细看看。”吴新登家的去了。

忽見趙姨娘進來，李紈探春忙讓坐。Suddenly Concubine Zhao was seen coming in, and Li Wan and Tanchun hastily offered her a seat.趙姨娘開口便說道：“這屋里的人都踩下我的頭去還罷了。Concubine Zhao opened her mouth and said at once, “Everyone in this place trampling me underfoot is bad enough as it is.姑娘你也想一想，該替我出氣才是。”一面說，一面眼淚鼻涕哭起來。You, Miss, ought to think it over too — you ought to stand up for me and vent my grievance.” As she spoke, tears and mucus began streaming down as she wept.探春忙道：“姨娘這話說誰，我竟不解。Tanchun hastily said, “Who is it you mean by this, Aunt? I truly do not understand.誰踩姨娘的頭？Who has trampled you underfoot?說出來我替姨娘出氣。”趙姨娘道：“姑娘現踩我，我告訴誰！”探春聽說，忙站起來，說道：“我并不敢。”李紈也站起來勸。Tell me and I will vent your grievance for you.” Concubine Zhao said, “It is you, Miss, who are trampling me right now — to whom else should I complain!” Hearing this, Tanchun hastily stood up and said, “I would never dare do such a thing.” Li Wan also stood up to remonstrate.趙姨娘道：“你們請坐下，聽我說。Concubine Zhao said, “Please sit down, both of you, and hear me out.我這屋里熬油似的熬了這麼大年紀，又有你和你兄弟，這會子連襲人都不如了，我還有什麼臉？Here in these rooms I have toiled away like oil burning itself out to this great age, and besides there is you and your brother — yet now I don't even rank as high as Xiren, so what face do I have left?連你也沒臉面，別說我了！”探春笑道：“原來為這個。Even you have no face left in this, let alone myself!” Tanchun said with a smile, “So it is over this matter.我說我并不敢犯法違理。”一面便坐了，拿帳翻與趙姨娘看，又念與他聽，又說道：“這是祖宗手里舊規矩，人人都依著，偏我改了不成？I did say I would never dare violate the rules or break propriety.” So saying, she sat down, took the account book and turned it round for Concubine Zhao to see, and also read it aloud to her, saying further, “These are the old rules handed down from our ancestors' time, which everyone abides by — am I alone to change them?也不但襲人，將來環兒收了外頭的，自然也是同襲人一樣。And it is not only Xiren's case; in future, once Huan'er takes in a maid from outside the household, that too will naturally be treated the same as Xiren's case.這原不是什麼爭大爭小的事，講不到有臉沒臉的話上。This was never a matter of contending over big or small, and it has nothing to do with talk of having face or not.他是太太的奴才，我是按著舊規矩辦。He is Her Ladyship's servant, and I am handling things according to the old rules.說辦的好，領祖宗的恩典，太太的恩典，若說辦的不均，那是他糊涂不知福，也只好憑他抱怨去。If it is said I have handled it well, then it is thanks to the bounty of our ancestors and of Her Ladyship; if it is said I have handled it unfairly, then that is because he is muddled and does not know his own good fortune, and one can only let him go on complaining as he pleases.太太連房子賞了人，我有什麼有臉之處，一文不賞，我也沒什麼沒臉之處。When Her Ladyship gave away even a house to someone, I gained no particular face from it; and if not a single coin were granted here, I would likewise lose no face over it.依我說，太太不在家，姨娘安靜些養神罷了，何苦只要操心。In my view, with Her Ladyship away from home, Aunt would do better to rest quietly and nurse her spirits — why torment yourself with worry over this?太太滿心疼我，因姨娘每每生事，幾次寒心。Her Ladyship dotes on me with her whole heart, precisely because Aunt so often stirs up trouble, which has chilled her heart on several occasions.我但凡是個男人，可以出得去，我必早走了，立一番事業，那時自有我一番道理。If I were only a man, able to go out into the world, I would surely have left long ago and established some career of my own — then I would have had my own way of doing things.偏我是女孩兒家，一句多話也沒有我亂說的。But as it happens I am only a girl, and I have no business speaking out of turn about anything.太太滿心里都知道。Her Ladyship knows all this in her heart.如今因看重我，才叫我照管家務，還沒有做一件好事，姨娘倒先來作踐我。Now, precisely because she thinks highly of me, she has had me look after the household affairs, and I have not yet accomplished a single good deed, and here Aunt comes first to humiliate me.倘或太太知道了，怕我為難不叫我管，那才正經沒臉，連姨娘也真沒臉！”一面說，一面不禁滾下淚來。If Her Ladyship should come to hear of it, and out of concern for my difficulties should stop me from managing things, that would truly and properly be a loss of face — and then you, Aunt, would truly have no face either!” So saying, she could not help but let the tears roll down.趙姨娘沒了別話答對，便說道：“太太疼你，你越發拉扯拉扯我們。Concubine Zhao, having no further words to answer with, said, “Since Her Ladyship dotes on you, you ought all the more to help pull us along a little.你只顧討太太的疼，就把我們忘了。”探春道：“我怎麼忘了？You only care to court Her Ladyship's favor, and have forgotten all about us.” Tanchun said, “How have I forgotten you?叫我怎麼拉扯？How am I supposed to ‘pull you along’?這也問你們各人，那一個主子不疼出力得用的人？Let me ask you this too — which master, among all of you, does not favor those who serve well and prove useful?那一個好人用人拉扯的？”李紈在旁只管勸說：“姨娘別生氣。And which decent person uses their position to pull relatives along?” Li Wan, standing by, kept trying to smooth things over, saying, “Aunt, please don't be angry.也怨不得姑娘，他滿心里要拉扯，口里怎麼說的出來。”探春忙道：“這大嫂子也糊涂了。It isn't the young lady's fault either — she means with her whole heart to help you along, it's only that it doesn't come out right in her words.” Tanchun said hastily, “Now even you, sister-in-law, are talking nonsense.我拉扯誰？Whom am I ‘pulling along’?誰家姑娘們拉扯奴才了？Whatever young lady in whatever family has ever pulled along a servant?他們的好歹，你們該知道，與我什麼相干。”趙姨娘氣的問道：“誰叫你拉扯別人去了？Whether their lot is good or bad is something you all ought to know — what has it to do with me?” Concubine Zhao, furious, demanded, “Who told you to go pulling other people along?你不當家我也不來問你。So long as you're not in charge, I wouldn't come bother you either.你如今現說一是一，說二是二。But now that you say one thing is one thing and two is two —如今你舅舅死了，你多給了二三十兩銀子，難道太太就不依你？now that your own uncle has died, you gave an extra twenty or thirty taels of silver — surely Her Ladyship would not have refused you that?分明太太是好太太，都是你們尖酸刻薄，可惜太太有恩無處使。Clearly Her Ladyship is a kind mistress, and it is you people who are all sharp and mean-spirited, so that it's a pity Her Ladyship's kindness has nowhere to be put to use.姑娘放心，這也使不著你的銀子。Don't worry, Miss, this wouldn't even have called for your own silver.明兒等出了閣，我還想你額外照看趙家呢。Tomorrow, once you are married off, I still expect you to look after the Zhao family with some extra consideration.如今沒有長羽毛，就忘了根本，只揀高枝兒飛去了！”探春沒聽完，已氣的臉白氣噎，抽抽咽咽的一面哭，一面問道：“誰是我舅舅？But now, before you've even grown your feathers, you've already forgotten your own roots, and go flying off to perch only on the high branches!” Before Tanchun had even heard her out, she was already so angry her face had gone white and her breath caught in her throat, and sobbing and choking she wept as she asked, “Who is this uncle of mine?我舅舅年下才升了九省檢點，那里又跑出一個舅舅來？My uncle was only just promoted at the year's end to Inspector-General of the Nine Provinces — where has another uncle come running out from?我倒素習按理尊敬，越發敬出這些親戚來了。I have all along, out of principle, shown him respect — and this has only gone and produced all the more of these ‘relatives.’既這麼說，環兒出去為什麼趙國基又站起來，又跟他上學？If that is how it is, then when Huan'er goes out, why does Zhao Guoji stand up too, and go along with him to school?為什麼不拿出舅舅的款來？Why does he not put on the airs of an uncle then?何苦來，誰不知道我是姨娘養的，必要過兩三個月尋出由頭來，徹底來翻騰一陣，生怕人不知道，故意的表白表白。Why must it be — oh, who doesn't know I was born of a concubine — that after two or three months someone must dig up some pretext to turn the whole matter over from top to bottom, as if afraid people might not know it, and make a deliberate point of it.也不知誰給誰沒臉？I really don't know who is making whom lose face.幸虧我還明白，但凡糊涂不知理的，早急了。”李紈急的只管勸，趙姨娘只管還嘮叨。Fortunately I still keep my wits about me — anyone muddled and ignorant of reason would long since have flown into a rage.” Li Wan, in great distress, kept on remonstrating, while Concubine Zhao went on grumbling still.

忽见赵姨娘进来，李纨探春忙让坐。赵姨娘开口便说道：“这屋里的人都踩下我的头去还罢了。姑娘你也想一想，该替我出气才是。”一面说，一面眼泪鼻涕哭起来。探春忙道：“姨娘这话说谁，我竟不解。谁踩姨娘的头？说出来我替姨娘出气。”赵姨娘道：“姑娘现踩我，我告诉谁！”探春听说，忙站起来，说道：“我并不敢。”李纨也站起来劝。赵姨娘道：“你们请坐下，听我说。我这屋里熬油似的熬了这么大年纪，又有你和你兄弟，这会子连袭人都不如了，我还有什么脸？连你也没脸面，别说我了！”探春笑道：“原来为这个。我说我并不敢犯法违理。”一面便坐了，拿帐翻与赵姨娘看，又念与他听，又说道：“这是祖宗手里旧规矩，人人都依著，偏我改了不成？也不但袭人，将来环儿收了外头的，自然也是同袭人一样。这原不是什么争大争小的事，讲不到有脸没脸的话上。他是太太的奴才，我是按著旧规矩办。说办的好，领祖宗的恩典，太太的恩典，若说办的不均，那是他糊涂不知福，也只好凭他抱怨去。太太连房子赏了人，我有什么有脸之处，一文不赏，我也没什么没脸之处。依我说，太太不在家，姨娘安静些养神罢了，何苦只要操心。太太满心疼我，因姨娘每每生事，几次寒心。我但凡是个男人，可以出得去，我必早走了，立一番事业，那时自有我一番道理。偏我是女孩儿家，一句多话也没有我乱说的。太太满心里都知道。如今因看重我，才叫我照管家务，还没有做一件好事，姨娘倒先来作践我。倘或太太知道了，怕我为难不叫我管，那才正经没脸，连姨娘也真没脸！”一面说，一面不禁滚下泪来。赵姨娘没了别话答对，便说道：“太太疼你，你越发拉扯拉扯我们。你只顾讨太太的疼，就把我们忘了。”探春道：“我怎么忘了？叫我怎么拉扯？这也问你们各人，那一个主子不疼出力得用的人？那一个好人用人拉扯的？”李纨在旁只管劝说：“姨娘别生气。也怨不得姑娘，他满心里要拉扯，口里怎么说的出来。”探春忙道：“这大嫂子也糊涂了。我拉扯谁？谁家姑娘们拉扯奴才了？他们的好歹，你们该知道，与我什么相干。”赵姨娘气的问道：“谁叫你拉扯别人去了？你不当家我也不来问你。你如今现说一是一，说二是二。如今你舅舅死了，你多给了二三十两银子，难道太太就不依你？分明太太是好太太，都是你们尖酸刻薄，可惜太太有恩无处使。姑娘放心，这也使不著你的银子。明儿等出了阁，我还想你额外照看赵家呢。如今没有长羽毛，就忘了根本，只拣高枝儿飞去了！”探春没听完，已气的脸白气噎，抽抽咽咽的一面哭，一面问道：“谁是我舅舅？我舅舅年下才升了九省检点，那里又跑出一个舅舅来？我倒素习按理尊敬，越发敬出这些亲戚来了。既这么说，环儿出去为什么赵国基又站起来，又跟他上学？为什么不拿出舅舅的款来？何苦来，谁不知道我是姨娘养的，必要过两三个月寻出由头来，彻底来翻腾一阵，生怕人不知道，故意的表白表白。也不知谁给谁没脸？幸亏我还明白，但凡糊涂不知理的，早急了。”李纨急的只管劝，赵姨娘只管还唠叨。

忽聽有人說：“二奶奶打發平姑娘說話來了。”趙姨娘聽說，方把口止住。Suddenly someone was heard to say, “Second Mistress has sent Miss Ping to bring word.” Hearing this, Concubine Zhao at once held her tongue.只見平兒進來，趙姨娘忙陪笑讓坐，又忙問：“你奶奶好些？Just then Ping'er came in, and Concubine Zhao hastily greeted her with smiles and offered her a seat, and hurriedly asked, “Is your mistress any better?我正要瞧去，就只沒得空兒。”李紈見平兒進來，因問他來做什麼。I have been meaning to go and see her, only I never find a free moment.” Seeing Ping'er come in, Li Wan asked her what had brought her.平兒笑道：“奶奶說，趙姨奶奶的兄弟沒了，恐怕奶奶和姑娘不知有舊例，若照常例，只得二十兩。Ping'er said with a smile, “My mistress says that since Concubine Zhao's brother has died, she fears that you, Mistress, and you, Miss, may not know the old precedent — that by the usual precedent, only twenty taels would be given.如今請姑娘裁奪著，再添些也使得。”探春早已拭去淚痕，忙說道：“又好好的添什麼，誰又是二十四個月養下來的？Now she asks you, Miss, to decide the matter, and it would also be all right to add somewhat more.” Tanchun, having already wiped away her tears, said hastily, “Why should anything more be added, just for the sake of it — who was this man, that he was carried in the womb twenty-four months before being born?不然也是那出兵放馬背著主子逃出命來過的人不成？Or was he perhaps someone who rode into battle and carried his master to safety on his back, escaping with his life?你主子真個倒巧，叫我開了例，他做好人，拿著太太不心疼的錢，樂的做人情。Your mistress is truly clever indeed — getting me to open up this precedent, while she plays the good person, spending money that Her Ladyship would not grudge anyway, and delighting in doing someone a favor at no cost to herself.你告訴他，我不敢添減，混出主意。Tell her I dare not add or subtract anything, or offer any reckless suggestions.他添他施恩，等他好了出來，愛怎麼添了去。”平兒一來時已明白了對半，今聽這一番話，越發會意，見探春有怒色，便不敢以往日喜樂之時相待，只一邊垂手默侍。If she wishes to add to it, let her bestow the favor herself — once she is well and up and about again, she may add as much as she pleases.” Ping'er, who upon arriving had already understood about half of the matter, now on hearing this whole speech, understood all the more fully, and seeing that Tanchun wore an angry expression, no longer dared treat her as familiarly as in the cheerful days of the past, and simply stood to one side with hands lowered, silently attending.

忽听有人说：“二奶奶打发平姑娘说话来了。”赵姨娘听说，方把口止住。只见平儿进来，赵姨娘忙陪笑让坐，又忙问：“你奶奶好些？我正要瞧去，就只没得空儿。”李纨见平儿进来，因问他来做什么。平儿笑道：“奶奶说，赵姨奶奶的兄弟没了，恐怕奶奶和姑娘不知有旧例，若照常例，只得二十两。如今请姑娘裁夺著，再添些也使得。”探春早已拭去泪痕，忙说道：“又好好的添什么，谁又是二十四个月养下来的？不然也是那出兵放马背著主子逃出命来过的人不成？你主子真个倒巧，叫我开了例，他做好人，拿著太太不心疼的钱，乐的做人情。你告诉他，我不敢添减，混出主意。他添他施恩，等他好了出来，爱怎么添了去。”平儿一来时已明白了对半，今听这一番话，越发会意，见探春有怒色，便不敢以往日喜乐之时相待，只一边垂手默侍。

時值寶釵也從上房中來，探春等忙起身讓坐。Just then Baochai too came from the main apartments, and Tanchun and the others hastily rose to offer her a seat.未及開言，又有一個媳婦進來回事。Before she could speak, another woman came in to report on business.因探春才哭了，便有三四個小丫鬟捧了沐盆，巾帕，靶鏡等物來。Since Tanchun had just been crying, three or four young maids came in carrying a wash basin, towels, a handled mirror, and the like.此時探春因盤膝坐在矮板榻上，那捧盆的丫鬟走至跟前，便雙膝跪下，高捧沐盆，那兩個小丫鬟，也都在旁屈膝捧著巾帕并靶鏡脂粉之飾。At this time Tanchun was sitting cross-legged on a low wooden couch; the maid carrying the basin came before her and knelt on both knees, holding the basin high, while the other two young maids likewise knelt at her side holding the towels, the handled mirror, and cosmetics.平兒見待書不在這里，便忙上來與探春挽袖卸鐲，又接過一條大手巾來，將探春面前衣襟掩了。Seeing that Daishu was not there, Pinger hurried forward to roll up Tanchun's sleeves and take off her bracelets, then took a large towel and tucked it over the front of Tanchun's collar.探春方伸手向面盆中盥沐。Only then did Tanchun reach out her hands to wash her face in the basin.那媳婦便回道：“回奶奶姑娘，家學里支環爺和蘭哥兒的一年公費。”平兒先道：“你忙什麼！The woman then reported: "I report to you, madam and miss — it's about drawing this year's allowance for Master Huan and Master Lan at the family school." Pinger spoke first: "What's your hurry!"你睜著眼看見姑娘洗臉，你不出去伺候著，先說話來。You can see plainly with your own eyes that the young lady is washing her face, and instead of going out to wait until she's done, you speak up first.二奶奶跟前你也這麼沒眼色來著？Are you this tactless before Second Mistress too?姑娘雖然恩寬，我去回了二奶奶，只說你們眼里都沒姑娘，你們都吃了虧，可別怨我。”唬的那個媳婦忙陪笑道：“我粗心了。”一面說，一面忙退出去。The young lady may be lenient, but if I go and report to Second Mistress that none of you have any respect for the young lady in your eyes, you'll all suffer for it — don't blame me then." Frightened, the woman hastily smiled and said, "I was careless." So saying, she quickly withdrew.

时值宝钗也从上房中来，探春等忙起身让坐。未及开言，又有一个媳妇进来回事。因探春才哭了，便有三四个小丫鬟捧了沐盆，巾帕，靶镜等物来。此时探春因盘膝坐在矮板榻上，那捧盆的丫鬟走至跟前，便双膝跪下，高捧沐盆，那两个小丫鬟，也都在旁屈膝捧著巾帕并靶镜脂粉之饰。平儿见待书不在这里，便忙上来与探春挽袖卸镯，又接过一条大手巾来，将探春面前衣襟掩了。探春方伸手向面盆中盥沐。那媳妇便回道：“回奶奶姑娘，家学里支环爷和兰哥儿的一年公费。”平儿先道：“你忙什么！你睁著眼看见姑娘洗脸，你不出去伺候著，先说话来。二奶奶跟前你也这么没眼色来著？姑娘虽然恩宽，我去回了二奶奶，只说你们眼里都没姑娘，你们都吃了亏，可别怨我。”唬的那个媳妇忙陪笑道：“我粗心了。”一面说，一面忙退出去。

探春一面勻臉，一面向平兒冷笑道：“你遲了一步，還有可笑的：連吳姐姐這麼個辦老了事的，也不查清楚了，就來混我們。As she smoothed her face, Tanchun said to Pinger with a cold smile: "You were a step too late — and here's something funny: even Sister Wu, who's handled affairs for so long, didn't check things clearly before coming to fool us."幸虧我們問他，他竟有臉說忘了。Luckily we asked her about it, and she actually had the nerve to say she'd forgotten.我說他回你主子事也忘了再找去？I wonder — when she reports matters to your mistress, does she forget and go looking again too?我料著你那主子未必有耐性兒等他去找。”平兒忙笑道：“他有這一次，管包腿上的筋早折了兩根。I suspect your mistress wouldn't have the patience to wait for her to go looking." Pinger hastily smiled and said: "If she'd done that even once with her, I guarantee two of the tendons in her legs would already be broken.姑娘別信他們。Don't believe them, Miss.那是他們瞅著大奶奶是個菩薩，姑娘又是個靦腆小姐，固然是托懶來混。”說著，又向門外說道：“你們只管撒野，等奶奶大安了，咱們再說。”門外的眾媳婦都笑道：“姑娘，你是個最明白的人，俗語說，‘一人作罪一人當’，我們并不敢欺蔽小姐。It's just that they see the First Mistress as a living Buddha and you, Miss, as a shy young lady, so of course they take the chance to be lazy and slack off." So saying, she called out toward the door: "Go on and run wild, then — once the mistress is fully recovered we'll settle accounts." The women outside the door all laughed and said: "Miss, you're the most sensible person — as the saying goes, 'let the one who commits the wrong bear the blame' — we would never dare deceive or slight the young lady.如今小姐是嬌客，若認真惹惱了，死無葬身之地。”平兒冷笑道：“你們明白就好了。”又陪笑向探春道：“姑娘知道二奶奶本來事多，那里照看的這些，保不住不忽略。Right now the young lady is an honored guest here — if we truly angered her, we'd have nowhere even to be buried." Pinger said with a cold smile: "It's good that you understand." Then, smiling, she said to Tanchun: "Miss, you know Second Mistress already has so much to deal with — there's no way she can watch over everything, and it's inevitable that some things get overlooked.俗語說，‘旁觀者清’，這幾年姑娘冷眼看著，或有該添該減的去處二奶奶沒行到，姑娘竟一添減，頭一件于太太的事有益，第二件也不枉姑娘待我們奶奶的情義了。”話未說完，寶釵李紈皆笑道：“好丫頭，真怨不得鳳丫頭偏疼他！As the saying goes, 'the bystander sees clearest' — these past few years you, Miss, have watched with a clear eye, and if there are places that should be added to or cut back that Second Mistress hasn't gotten around to, if you, Miss, were simply to add or cut them yourself, first it would benefit Madam's affairs, and second it would not be unworthy of the affection you bear our mistress." Before she finished speaking, Baochai and Li Wan both laughed and said: "What a fine girl — no wonder Sister Feng favors her so!"本來無可添減的事，如今聽你一說，倒要找出兩件來斟酌斟酌，不辜負你這話。”探春笑道：“我一肚子氣，沒人煞性子，正要拿他奶奶出氣去，偏他碰了來，說了這些話，叫我也沒了主意了。”一面說，一面叫進方才那媳婦來問：“環爺和蘭哥兒家學裡這一年的銀子，是做那一項用的？”那媳婦便回說：“一年學里吃點心或者買紙筆，每位有八兩銀子的使用。”探春道：“凡爺們的使用，都是各屋領了月錢的。There were originally no matters that needed adding or cutting, but now that I've heard you say this, I really must find a couple of things to look into carefully, so as not to waste your words." Tanchun said with a smile: "I had a stomach full of anger with no one to vent it on, and I was just about to take it out on your mistress, when she happened to come along and say all this, so now I've lost my resolve too." As she spoke, she called the woman from before back in and asked: "This year's money at the family school for Master Huan and Master Lan — what is it used for?" The woman replied: "For snacks at school through the year, or buying paper and brushes — each of them gets eight taels of silver to use." Tanchun said: "All the young masters' expenses are drawn as monthly allowances from their respective quarters.環哥的是姨娘領二兩，寶玉的是老太太屋里襲人領二兩，蘭哥兒的是大奶奶屋里領。Huan's is drawn by his mother at two taels; Baoyu's is drawn by Xiren in the Old Lady's quarters at two taels; Lan's is drawn in the First Mistress's quarters.怎麼學里每人又多這八兩？So why does each of them get another eight taels extra at school?原來上學去的是為這八兩銀子！So it turns out they go to school for the sake of these eight taels of silver!從今兒起，把這一項蠲了。From today, this item is to be abolished.平兒，回去告訴你奶奶，我的話，把這一條務必免了。”平兒笑道：“早就該免。Pinger, go back and tell your mistress, on my word, that this item must absolutely be canceled." Pinger said with a smile: "It should have been canceled long ago.舊年奶奶原說要免的，因年下忙，就忘了。”那個媳婦只得答應著去了。Last year the mistress had actually said she would cancel it, but with the year-end being so busy, it slipped her mind." The woman had no choice but to assent and leave.就有大觀園中媳婦捧了飯盒來。Just then a woman from the Grand View Garden came in carrying the food boxes.

探春一面匀脸，一面向平儿冷笑道：“你迟了一步，还有可笑的：连吴姐姐这么个办老了事的，也不查清楚了，就来混我们。幸亏我们问他，他竟有脸说忘了。我说他回你主子事也忘了再找去？我料著你那主子未必有耐性儿等他去找。”平儿忙笑道：“他有这一次，管包腿上的筋早折了两根。姑娘别信他们。那是他们瞅著大奶奶是个菩萨，姑娘又是个腼腆小姐，固然是托懒来混。”说著，又向门外说道：“你们只管撒野，等奶奶大安了，咱们再说。”门外的众媳妇都笑道：“姑娘，你是个最明白的人，俗语说，‘一人作罪一人当’，我们并不敢欺蔽小姐。如今小姐是娇客，若认真惹恼了，死无葬身之地。”平儿冷笑道：“你们明白就好了。”又陪笑向探春道：“姑娘知道二奶奶本来事多，那里照看的这些，保不住不忽略。俗语说，‘旁观者清’，这几年姑娘冷眼看著，或有该添该减的去处二奶奶没行到，姑娘竟一添减，头一件于太太的事有益，第二件也不枉姑娘待我们奶奶的情义了。”话未说完，宝钗李纨皆笑道：“好丫头，真怨不得凤丫头偏疼他！本来无可添减的事，如今听你一说，倒要找出两件来斟酌斟酌，不辜负你这话。”探春笑道：“我一肚子气，没人煞性子，正要拿他奶奶出气去，偏他碰了来，说了这些话，叫我也没了主意了。”一面说，一面叫进方才那媳妇来问：“环爷和兰哥儿家学里这一年的银子，是做那一项用的？”那媳妇便回说：“一年学里吃点心或者买纸笔，每位有八两银子的使用。”探春道：“凡爷们的使用，都是各屋领了月钱的。环哥的是姨娘领二两，宝玉的是老太太屋里袭人领二两，兰哥儿的是大奶奶屋里领。怎么学里每人又多这八两？原来上学去的是为这八两银子！从今儿起，把这一项蠲了。平儿，回去告诉你奶奶，我的话，把这一条务必免了。”平儿笑道：“早就该免。旧年奶奶原说要免的，因年下忙，就忘了。”那个媳妇只得答应著去了。就有大观园中媳妇捧了饭盒来。

待書素雲早已抬過一張小飯桌來，平兒也忙著上菜。Daishu and Suyun had already carried over a small dining table, and Pinger busied herself setting out the dishes too.探春笑道：“你說完了話幹你的去罷，在這里忙什麼。”平兒笑道：“我原沒事的。Tanchun said with a smile: "Now that you've finished talking, go on about your own business — why are you bustling about here?" Pinger said with a smile: "I really have nothing else to do.二奶奶打發了我來，一則說話，二則恐這里人不方便，原是叫我幫著妹妹們伏侍奶奶姑娘的。”探春因問：“寶姑娘的飯怎麼不端來一處吃？”丫鬟們聽說，忙出至檐外命媳婦去說：“寶姑娘如今在廳上一處吃，叫他們把飯送了這里來。”探春聽說，便高聲說道：“你別混支使人！Second Mistress sent me here for two reasons — one, to talk things over, and two, in case the people here weren't quite up to the job; she meant for me to help the younger sisters wait on you, Mistress and Miss." Tanchun then asked: "Why hasn't Miss Bao's meal been brought over to eat together?" Hearing this, the maids hurried out under the eaves and told a woman to go say: "Miss Bao is now eating together in the hall — have them send the food over here." When Tanchun heard this, she said loudly: "Don't go ordering people around carelessly!"那都是辦大事的管家娘子們，你們支使他要飯要茶的，連個高低都不知道！Those are the stewardesses who manage major affairs — for you to order them about for food and tea, without even knowing your place!平兒這里站著，你叫叫去。”Pinger is standing right here — go and call her yourself.

待书素云早已抬过一张小饭桌来，平儿也忙著上菜。探春笑道：“你说完了话干你的去罢，在这里忙什么。”平儿笑道：“我原没事的。二奶奶打发了我来，一则说话，二则恐这里人不方便，原是叫我帮著妹妹们伏侍奶奶姑娘的。”探春因问：“宝姑娘的饭怎么不端来一处吃？”丫鬟们听说，忙出至檐外命媳妇去说：“宝姑娘如今在厅上一处吃，叫他们把饭送了这里来。”探春听说，便高声说道：“你别混支使人！那都是办大事的管家娘子们，你们支使他要饭要茶的，连个高低都不知道！平儿这里站著，你叫叫去。”

平兒忙答應了一聲出來。Pinger hastily answered and came out.那些媳婦們都忙悄悄的拉住笑道：“那里用姑娘去叫，我們已有人叫去了。”一面說，一面用手帕攤石磯上說：“姑娘站了半天乏了，這太陽影里且歇歇。”平兒便坐下。The women all hurriedly pulled her aside quietly, smiling: "There's no need for you to go call anyone, Miss — we've already sent someone." As they spoke, they spread a handkerchief over a rock by the pond and said: "You've been standing so long you must be tired, Miss — rest a while here in the shade." Pinger then sat down.又有茶房里的兩個婆子拿了個坐褥舖下，說：“石頭冷，這是极乾淨的，姑娘將就坐一坐兒罷。”平兒忙陪笑道：“多謝。”一個又捧了一碗精致新茶出來，也悄悄笑說：“這不是我們的常用茶，原是伺候姑娘們的，姑娘且潤一潤罷。”平兒忙欠身接了，因指眾媳婦悄悄說道：“你們太鬧的不象了。Then two old women from the tea room brought out a cushion and laid it down, saying: "The stone is cold — this is very clean, Miss, please make do and sit on it a while." Pinger hastily said with a smile: "Many thanks." Another woman brought out a bowl of fine fresh tea, and also said quietly with a smile: "This isn't our everyday tea — it's meant for serving the young ladies. Please wet your lips with it, Miss." Pinger quickly half-rose and took it, then pointed at the women and said quietly: "You've been making too much of a scene — it's just not proper.他是個姑娘家，不肯發威動怒，這是他尊重，你們就藐視欺負他。She's an unmarried young lady, and she's unwilling to display her authority or get angry — that's her being dignified and restrained, and yet you all look down on her and bully her for it.果然招他動了大氣，不過說他個粗糙就完了，你們就現吃不了的虧。If you really provoked her into a real rage, at worst she'd just call herself careless and let it go — but you would suffer a loss you couldn't handle.他撒個嬌兒，太太也得讓他一二分，二奶奶也不敢怎樣。If she throws even a small tantrum, Madam has to give her some leeway, and Second Mistress wouldn't dare do much either.你們就這麼大膽子小看他，可是雞蛋往石頭上碰。”眾人都忙道：“我們何嘗敢大膽了，都是趙姨奶奶鬧的。”平兒也悄悄的說：“罷了，好奶奶們。‘牆倒眾人推’，那趙姨奶奶原有些倒三不著兩，有了事都就賴他。For you all to be so bold as to look down on her is truly like an egg knocking against a stone." Everyone hastily said: "How would we ever dare be so bold — it's all because of Concubine Zhao stirring things up." Pinger also said quietly: "Enough, my good sisters. 'When a wall falls, everyone gives it a shove' — that Concubine Zhao has always been a bit muddled and contrary, so whenever something happens, everyone blames it on her.你們素日那眼里沒人，心術利害，我這幾年難道還不知道？As for how you've always had no regard for anyone and how sharp and scheming your minds are — do you think I haven't known that all these years?二奶奶若是略差一點兒的，早被你們這些奶奶治倒了。If Second Mistress were even a little less capable, she'd long ago have been brought down by you lot.饒這麼著，得一點空兒，還要難他一難，好幾次沒落了你們的口聲。Even as things stand, whenever you get the slightest opening you still try to give her trouble — several times things haven't gone the way you all wanted.眾人都道他利害，你們都怕他，惟我知道他心里也就不算不怕你們呢。Everyone says she's formidable, and you're all afraid of her — but I alone know that in her heart, she's not exactly unafraid of you either.前兒我們還議論到這里，再不能依頭順尾，必有兩場氣生。Just the other day we were talking about exactly this — that things can't go on smoothly from start to finish, and there are bound to be a couple of flare-ups.那三姑娘雖是個姑娘，你們都橫看了他。That Third Miss, even though she's only an unmarried girl, you've all looked at her sideways with contempt.二奶奶這些大姑子小姑子里頭，也就只單畏他五分。Among all these sisters-in-law of Second Mistress's husband's side, there's only this one she holds in some measure of awe.你們這會子倒不把他放在眼里了。”And yet right now you all don't even take her seriously.

平儿忙答应了一声出来。那些媳妇们都忙悄悄的拉住笑道：“那里用姑娘去叫，我们已有人叫去了。”一面说，一面用手帕摊石矶上说：“姑娘站了半天乏了，这太阳影里且歇歇。”平儿便坐下。又有茶房里的两个婆子拿了个坐褥铺下，说：“石头冷，这是极干净的，姑娘将就坐一坐儿罢。”平儿忙陪笑道：“多谢。”一个又捧了一碗精致新茶出来，也悄悄笑说：“这不是我们的常用茶，原是伺候姑娘们的，姑娘且润一润罢。”平儿忙欠身接了，因指众媳妇悄悄说道：“你们太闹的不象了。他是个姑娘家，不肯发威动怒，这是他尊重，你们就藐视欺负他。果然招他动了大气，不过说他个粗糙就完了，你们就现吃不了的亏。他撒个娇儿，太太也得让他一二分，二奶奶也不敢怎样。你们就这么大胆子小看他，可是鸡蛋往石头上碰。”众人都忙道：“我们何尝敢大胆了，都是赵姨奶奶闹的。”平儿也悄悄的说：“罢了，好奶奶们。‘墙倒众人推’，那赵姨奶奶原有些倒三不著两，有了事都就赖他。你们素日那眼里没人，心术利害，我这几年难道还不知道？二奶奶若是略差一点儿的，早被你们这些奶奶治倒了。饶这么著，得一点空儿，还要难他一难，好几次没落了你们的口声。众人都道他利害，你们都怕他，惟我知道他心里也就不算不怕你们呢。前儿我们还议论到这里，再不能依头顺尾，必有两场气生。那三姑娘虽是个姑娘，你们都横看了他。二奶奶这些大姑子小姑子里头，也就只单畏他五分。你们这会子倒不把他放在眼里了。”

正說著，只見秋紋走來。Just as she was speaking, Qiuwen was seen coming over.眾媳婦忙赶著問好，又說：“姑娘也且歇一歇，里頭擺飯呢。The women hurriedly rushed to greet her, and said: "You should rest a moment too, Miss — they're serving the meal inside.等撒下飯桌子，再回話去。”秋紋笑道：“我比不得你們，我那里等得。”說著便直要上廳去。Wait until the table is cleared before going in to report." Qiuwen said with a smile: "I'm not like you all — how could I possibly wait?" So saying, she made straight for the hall.平兒忙叫：“快回來。”秋紋回頭見了平兒，笑道：“你又在這里充什麼外圍的防護？”一面回身便坐在平兒褥上。Pinger hastily called out: "Come back quick!" Qiuwen turned and, seeing Pinger, said with a smile: "And what are you doing here, playing perimeter guard?" As she spoke she turned around and sat down on Pinger's cushion.平兒悄問：“回什麼？”秋紋道：“問一問寶玉的月銀我們的月錢多早晚才領。”平兒道：“這什麼大事。Pinger asked quietly: "Report what?" Qiuwen said: "To ask when Baoyu's monthly silver — our monthly allowances — will be given out." Pinger said: "What kind of important matter is that.你快回去告訴襲人，說我的話，憑有什麼事今兒都別回。Go back quickly and tell Xiren, say it's my word — no matter what the matter is, don't report anything today.若回一件，管駁一件，回一百件，管駁一百件。”秋紋聽了，忙問：“這是為什麼了？”平兒與眾媳婦等都忙告訴他原故，又說：“正要找幾件利害事與有体面的人開例作法子，鎮壓與眾人作榜樣呢。If you report one matter, it's sure to be turned down; report a hundred, and all hundred will be turned down." Hearing this, Qiuwen hastily asked: "Why is that?" Pinger and the women all hurried to tell her the reason, adding: "They're just looking for a few serious cases involving people of standing to make an example of, to set a precedent and press it down as a warning to everyone.何苦你們先來碰在這釘子上。Why on earth should you all be the first to run into this nail.你這一去說了，他們若拿你們也作一二件榜樣，又礙著老太太，太太，若不拿著你們作一二件，人家又說偏一個向一個，仗著老太太，太太威勢的就怕，也不敢動，只拿著軟的作鼻子頭。If you go and report this now — if they make an example of one or two of you, it would touch upon the Old Lady and Madam; but if they don't make an example of one or two of you, others will say they favor one side over another, that they're afraid of those who rely on the Old Lady's and Madam's authority and dare not touch them, only picking on the soft targets to make a start of it.你聽聽罷，二奶奶的事，他還要駁兩件，才壓的眾人口聲呢。”秋紋聽了，伸舌笑道：“幸而平姐姐在這里，沒的臊一鼻子灰。Just listen — even in matters concerning Second Mistress herself, she means to reject a couple of things, just to press down everyone's talk." Hearing this, Qiuwen stuck out her tongue and said with a smile: "Lucky Sister Pinger was here, or I'd have gotten a face full of dust for nothing.我赶早知會他們去。”說著，便起身走了。I'd better go tell the others right away." So saying, she got up and left.

正说著，只见秋纹走来。众媳妇忙赶著问好，又说：“姑娘也且歇一歇，里头摆饭呢。等撒下饭桌子，再回话去。”秋纹笑道：“我比不得你们，我那里等得。”说著便直要上厅去。平儿忙叫：“快回来。”秋纹回头见了平儿，笑道：“你又在这里充什么外围的防护？”一面回身便坐在平儿褥上。平儿悄问：“回什么？”秋纹道：“问一问宝玉的月银我们的月钱多早晚才领。”平儿道：“这什么大事。你快回去告诉袭人，说我的话，凭有什么事今儿都别回。若回一件，管驳一件，回一百件，管驳一百件。”秋纹听了，忙问：“这是为什么了？”平儿与众媳妇等都忙告诉他原故，又说：“正要找几件利害事与有体面的人开例作法子，镇压与众人作榜样呢。何苦你们先来碰在这钉子上。你这一去说了，他们若拿你们也作一二件榜样，又碍著老太太，太太，若不拿著你们作一二件，人家又说偏一个向一个，仗著老太太，太太威势的就怕，也不敢动，只拿著软的作鼻子头。你听听罢，二奶奶的事，他还要驳两件，才压的众人口声呢。”秋纹听了，伸舌笑道：“幸而平姐姐在这里，没的臊一鼻子灰。我赶早知会他们去。”说著，便起身走了。

接著寶釵的飯至，平兒忙進來伏侍。Next Baochai's meal arrived, and Pinger hurried in to attend to her.那時趙姨娘已去，三人在板床上吃飯。By then Concubine Zhao had already left, and the three of them ate on the plank couch.寶釵面南，探春面西，李紈面東。Baochai faced south, Tanchun faced west, and Li Wan faced east.眾媳婦皆在廊下靜候，里頭只有他們緊跟常侍的丫鬟伺候，別人一概不敢擅入。All the women waited quietly under the veranda; inside, only their own close personal maids were in attendance, and no one else dared enter without leave.這些媳婦們都悄悄的議論說：“大家省事罷，別安著沒良心的主意。These women all discussed quietly among themselves: "Let's all save ourselves trouble — don't harbor any unconscionable ideas.連吳大娘才都討了沒意思，咱們又是什麼有臉的。”他們一邊悄議，等飯完回事。Even old Mistress Wu just now got herself a dull rebuff — who are we to think we have any special standing?" As they talked quietly among themselves, they waited for the meal to finish so they could report their business.只覺里面鴉雀無聲，并不聞碗箸之聲。They noticed it was utterly silent inside — not even the sound of bowls and chopsticks could be heard.一時只見一個丫鬟將帘櫳高揭，又有兩個將桌抬出。After a while a maid was seen lifting the door curtain high, and two others carried the table out.茶房內早有三個丫頭捧著三沐盆水，見飯桌已出，三人便進去了，一回又捧出沐盆并漱盂來，方有待書、素雲、鶯兒三個，每人用茶盤捧了三蓋碗茶進去。Three maids in the tea room already had three basins of water ready; seeing the dining table brought out, the three of them went in, and shortly after carried the wash basins and rinsing bowls back out. Then Daishu, Suyun, and Yingr, each holding a tea tray with a covered cup of tea, went in.一時等他三人出來，待書命小丫頭子：“好生伺候著，我們吃飯來換你們，別又偷坐著去。”眾媳婦們方慢慢的一個一個的安分回事，不敢如先前輕慢疏忽了。After a while, when the three of them came out, Daishu instructed the little maids: "Wait on them properly — we're going to eat and then come switch with you, don't go off to sit down and slack off again." Only then did the women, one by one, slowly and properly report their business, not daring to be as careless and remiss as before.

接著宝钗的饭至，平儿忙进来伏侍。那时赵姨娘已去，三人在板床上吃饭。宝钗面南，探春面西，李纨面东。众媳妇皆在廊下静候，里头只有他们紧跟常侍的丫鬟伺候，别人一概不敢擅入。这些媳妇们都悄悄的议论说：“大家省事罢，别安著没良心的主意。连吴大娘才都讨了没意思，咱们又是什么有脸的。”他们一边悄议，等饭完回事。只觉里面鸦雀无声，并不闻碗箸之声。一时只见一个丫鬟将帘栊高揭，又有两个将桌抬出。茶房内早有三个丫头捧著三沐盆水，见饭桌已出，三人便进去了，一回又捧出沐盆并漱盂来，方有待书、素云、莺儿三个，每人用茶盘捧了三盖碗茶进去。一时等他三人出来，待书命小丫头子：“好生伺候著，我们吃饭来换你们，别又偷坐著去。”众媳妇们方慢慢的一个一个的安分回事，不敢如先前轻慢疏忽了。

探春氣方漸平，因向平兒道：「我有一件大事，早要和你奶奶商議，如今可巧想起來。Tanchun's anger had by now gradually subsided, and she said to Pinger: "There's an important matter I've long wanted to discuss with your mistress, and it happens to come to mind just now.你吃了飯快來。Come back quickly once you've eaten.寶姑娘也在這裡，偺們四個人商議了，再細細的問你奶奶可行可止。」Miss Bao is here too — the four of us will talk it over, and then go carefully ask your mistress whether it can be carried out or not.

探春气方渐平，因向平儿道：「我有一件大事，早要和你奶奶商议，如今可巧想起来。你吃了饭快来。宝姑娘也在这里，偺们四个人商议了，再细细的问你奶奶可行可止。」

平兒答應回去。Pinger assented and went back.鳳姐因問：「為何去這半日？」平兒便笑著將方纔的原故細細說與他聽了。Xifeng asked: "Why were you gone so long?" Pinger, smiling, told her in detail the reasons behind it all.鳳姐兒笑道：「好，好，好！Xifeng laughed and said: "Good, good, good!好個三姑娘！What a fine Third Miss!我說他不錯。──只可惜他命薄，沒託生在太太肚裡。」平兒笑道：「奶奶也說糊塗話了。I always said she was no ordinary girl. — It's just a pity her fate is thin, that she wasn't born from Madam's own womb." Pinger said with a smile: "Now you're talking nonsense too, madam.他就不是太太養的，難道誰敢小看他，不和別的一樣看待麼？」鳳姐歎道：「你那裡知道？Just because she wasn't borne by Madam, would anyone dare look down on her and not treat her the same as the others?" Xifeng sighed and said: "What would you know about it?雖然正出庶出是一樣，但只女孩兒，卻比不得兒子。Although in principle there's no difference between a child of the principal wife and one of a concubine, when it comes to daughters, it's not the same as with sons.將來作親時，──如今有一種輕狂人，先要打聽姑娘是正出是庶出，多有為庶出不要的。When it comes time to arrange a marriage — nowadays there's a kind of frivolous, arrogant person who first wants to find out whether the young lady is the child of the principal wife or a concubine, and many will reject her simply for being a concubine's child.殊不知庶出，只要人好，比正出的強百倍呢。Little do they realize that a concubine's child, so long as she herself is fine, can be a hundred times better than one born of the principal wife.將來不知那個沒造化的，為挑正庶誤了事呢；In the future, who knows which unfortunate soul will ruin things by insisting on picking between principal- and concubine-born;也不知那個有造化的，不挑正庶的得了去。」說著，又向平兒笑道：「你知道我這幾年生了多少省儉的法子，一家子大約也沒個背地裡不恨我的。and who knows which fortunate one will win her by not making that distinction at all." So saying, she turned to Pinger with a smile and said: "You know how many economizing schemes I've devised these past years — I daresay there's hardly a soul in this household who doesn't resent me behind my back.我如今也是騎上老虎了，雖然看破些，無奈一時也難寬放。By now I'm like someone riding a tiger — even though I see through things somewhat, there's no way I can afford to ease up for the time being.二則家裡出去的多，進來的少，凡有大小事兒，仍是照著老祖宗手裡的規矩，卻一年進的產業，又不及先時。Second, in this household more goes out than comes in — whatever the matter, large or small, we still follow the rules set in the Old Ancestress's time, and yet the annual income from our properties no longer matches what it was before.多儉省了，外人又笑話，老太太、太太也受委屈，家下也抱怨剋薄。If we economize too much, outsiders will laugh at us, the Old Lady and Madam will feel slighted, and the household staff will complain of being treated stingily.若不趁早兒料理省儉之計，再幾年就都賠盡了！」If we don't take steps to economize while there's still time, in a few more years everything will be spent to ruin!

平儿答应回去。凤姐因问：「为何去这半日？」平儿便笑著将方才的原故细细说与他听了。凤姐儿笑道：「好，好，好！好个三姑娘！我说他不错。──只可惜他命薄，没托生在太太肚里。」平儿笑道：「奶奶也说糊涂话了。他就不是太太养的，难道谁敢小看他，不和别的一样看待么？」凤姐叹道：「你那里知道？虽然正出庶出是一样，但只女孩儿，却比不得儿子。将来作亲时，──如今有一种轻狂人，先要打听姑娘是正出是庶出，多有为庶出不要的。殊不知庶出，只要人好，比正出的强百倍呢。将来不知那个没造化的，为挑正庶误了事呢；也不知那个有造化的，不挑正庶的得了去。」说著，又向平儿笑道：「你知道我这几年生了多少省俭的法子，一家子大约也没个背地里不恨我的。我如今也是骑上老虎了，虽然看破些，无奈一时也难宽放。二则家里出去的多，进来的少，凡有大小事儿，仍是照著老祖宗手里的规矩，却一年进的产业，又不及先时。多俭省了，外人又笑话，老太太、太太也受委屈，家下也抱怨克薄。若不趁早儿料理省俭之计，再几年就都赔尽了！」

平兒道：「可不是這話？Pinger said: "Isn't that just the truth?將來還有三四位姑娘，還有兩三個小爺們，一位老太太，這幾件大事未完呢。」鳳姐兒笑道：「我也慮到這裡，倒也夠了。In the future there are still three or four young ladies, two or three young masters, and the Old Lady's own affairs — these several major matters are yet to come." Xifeng said with a smile: "I've thought that far too — it's manageable, actually.寶玉和林妹妹，他兩個，一娶一嫁，可以使不著官中錢，老太太自有體已拿出來。As for Baoyu and Cousin Lin — for the two of them, one marrying in and one marrying out, there'll be no need to touch the household's common funds; the Old Lady has her own private money to bring out for it.二姑娘是大老爺那邊的，也不算。Second Miss belongs to the Elder Master's side, so she doesn't count either.剩了三四個，滿破著每人花上七八千銀子。That leaves three or four, and even stretching it, each would take seven or eight thousand taels of silver at the very most.環哥娶親有限，花上三千銀子，若不夠，那裡省一抿子也就夠了。Huan's marriage won't cost much — three thousand taels would do it, and if that's not enough, scraping a little together elsewhere would make up the rest.老太太的事出來，一應都是全了的，不過零星雜項使費些，滿破三五千兩。When it comes to the Old Lady's own affairs, everything is already fully provided for — it's only the odd incidental expenses that would cost anything, at most three to five thousand taels.如今再儉省些，陸續就夠了。If we economize a bit more now, it will gradually add up to be enough.只怕如今平空再生出一兩件事來，可就了不得了。The only worry is if one or two unexpected matters should suddenly arise out of nowhere — then it really would be too much to handle.偺們且別慮後事。Let's not worry about what's to come for now.你且吃了飯，快聽他們商議什麼。You go eat first, and hurry to hear what they're discussing.這正碰了我的機會，我正愁沒個膀臂！This is just the chance I needed — I've been worrying about having no one to lean on for support!雖有個寶玉，他又不是這裡頭的貨，縱收伏了他，也不中用。Though there's Baoyu, he's not cut out for this kind of thing — even if I won him over completely, he'd be no use.大奶奶是個佛爺，也不中用。The First Mistress is a living Buddha — no use either.二姑娘更不中用，亦且不是這屋裡的人。Second Miss is even less use, and besides, she's not really part of this household.四姑娘小呢。Fourth Miss is still too young.蘭小子更小。Young Lan is even younger.環兒更是個燎毛的小凍貓子，只等有熱灶火炕讓他鑽去罷。And Huan is nothing but a singe-furred little frozen kitten — all he waits for is a warm stove or heated kang to crawl into.真真一個娘肚子裡跑出這樣天懸地隔的兩個人來，我想到那裡就不服！To think that two such utterly different people could come from the very same mother's womb — whenever I think of it, it just doesn't sit right with me!再者：林丫頭和寶姑娘，他兩個人倒好，偏又都是親戚，又不好管偺們家務事。Besides, as for Cousin Lin and Miss Bao — the two of them are fine enough, but they happen to both be relatives from outside, so it wouldn't do for them to manage our household affairs.況且一個是美人燈兒，風吹吹就壞了；Besides, one of them is like a beauty-lantern — a puff of wind and she'd be ruined;一個是拿定了主意，『不干己事不張口，一問搖頭三不知』，也難十分去問他。the other has made up her mind firmly to 'never open her mouth about matters that don't concern her, and when asked, shake her head and claim to know nothing about anything' — so it's hard to press her for much either.倒只剩了三姑娘一個，心裡嘴裡都也來得；That leaves only Third Miss — in both her mind and her speech, she's more than capable;又是咱家的正人，太太又疼他；and besides, she's a legitimate member of our own household, and Madam is fond of her too;雖然臉上淡淡的，皆因是趙姨娘那老東西鬧的，心裡卻是和寶玉一樣呢。even though on the surface she seems rather cool toward me, that's all because of that wretched old Concubine Zhao stirring up trouble — in her heart she feels the same toward me as Baoyu does.比不得環兒，實在令人難疼！She's nothing like Huan, who is truly hard to feel any affection for!要依我的性子，早攆出去了！If it were up to my own temper, I'd have driven him out long ago!如今他既有這主意，正該和他協同，大家做個膀臂，我也不孤不獨了。Now that she has this idea of her own, I should indeed join forces with her — together we can be each other's support, and I won't be so alone anymore.按正禮天理良心上論，偺們有他這一個人幫著，偺們也省些心，與太太的事也有益。Judged by proper conduct, natural principle, and conscience, with someone like her helping us, we can ease our own minds too, and it will benefit Madam's affairs as well.若按私心藏奸上論，我也太行毒了，也該抽回退步，回頭看看。And judged from the standpoint of selfish scheming, I've been far too ruthless as it is — I ought to pull back a step and look behind me.再要窮追苦克，人恨極了，他們笑裡藏刀，偺們兩個，纔四個眼睛兩個心，一時不防，倒弄壞了。If I keep pressing and grinding people down without mercy, once people's hatred reaches its limit, they'll hide knives behind their smiles — and between the two of us, with only four eyes and two hearts, one moment's carelessness could ruin everything.趁著緊溜之中，他出頭一料理，眾人就把往日偺們的恨暫可解了。While things are tense, if she steps forward to handle matters, people's old resentment toward us can for the time being be eased.還有一件，我雖知你極明白，恐怕你心裡挽不過來，如今囑咐你：他雖是姑娘家，心裡卻事事明白，不過是言語謹慎。There's one more thing — though I know you're very perceptive, I'm afraid you might not quite turn your thinking around on your own, so let me tell you now: although she's an unmarried girl, she understands everything in her heart perfectly well, it's only that she's careful with her words.他又比我知書識字，更利害一層了。And she's more learned and literate than I am too, which makes her all the more formidable.如今俗語說『擒賊必先擒王』，他如今要作法開端，一定是先拿我開端，倘或他要駁我的事，你可別分辯，你只越恭敬越說駁的是纔好。Now, as the saying goes, 'to catch the bandits, first catch their chief' — when she starts to set an example, she's bound to start with me first. If she should overturn some decision of mine, don't you argue on my behalf — the more respectful you are and the more you agree that she's right to overturn it, the better.千萬別想著怕我沒臉，和他一強就不好了。」Whatever you do, don't worry about me losing face and try to contend with her over it — that would only make things worse.

平儿道：「可不是这话？将来还有三四位姑娘，还有两三个小爷们，一位老太太，这几件大事未完呢。」凤姐儿笑道：「我也虑到这里，倒也够了。宝玉和林妹妹，他两个，一娶一嫁，可以使不著官中钱，老太太自有体已拿出来。二姑娘是大老爷那边的，也不算。剩了三四个，满破著每人花上七八千银子。环哥娶亲有限，花上三千银子，若不够，那里省一抿子也就够了。老太太的事出来，一应都是全了的，不过零星杂项使费些，满破三五千两。如今再俭省些，陆续就够了。只怕如今平空再生出一两件事来，可就了不得了。偺们且别虑后事。你且吃了饭，快听他们商议什么。这正碰了我的机会，我正愁没个膀臂！虽有个宝玉，他又不是这里头的货，纵收伏了他，也不中用。大奶奶是个佛爷，也不中用。二姑娘更不中用，亦且不是这屋里的人。四姑娘小呢。兰小子更小。环儿更是个燎毛的小冻猫子，只等有热灶火炕让他钻去罢。真真一个娘肚子里跑出这样天悬地隔的两个人来，我想到那里就不服！再者：林丫头和宝姑娘，他两个人倒好，偏又都是亲戚，又不好管偺们家务事。况且一个是美人灯儿，风吹吹就坏了；一个是拿定了主意，『不干己事不张口，一问摇头三不知』，也难十分去问他。倒只剩了三姑娘一个，心里嘴里都也来得；又是咱家的正人，太太又疼他；虽然脸上淡淡的，皆因是赵姨娘那老东西闹的，心里却是和宝玉一样呢。比不得环儿，实在令人难疼！要依我的性子，早撵出去了！如今他既有这主意，正该和他协同，大家做个膀臂，我也不孤不独了。按正礼天理良心上论，偺们有他这一个人帮著，偺们也省些心，与太太的事也有益。若按私心藏奸上论，我也太行毒了，也该抽回退步，回头看看。再要穷追苦克，人恨极了，他们笑里藏刀，偺们两个，才四个眼睛两个心，一时不防，倒弄坏了。趁著紧溜之中，他出头一料理，众人就把往日偺们的恨暂可解了。还有一件，我虽知你极明白，恐怕你心里挽不过来，如今嘱咐你：他虽是姑娘家，心里却事事明白，不过是言语谨慎。他又比我知书识字，更利害一层了。如今俗语说『擒贼必先擒王』，他如今要作法开端，一定是先拿我开端，倘或他要驳我的事，你可别分辩，你只越恭敬越说驳的是才好。千万别想著怕我没脸，和他一强就不好了。」

平兒不等說完，便笑道：「你太把人看糊塗了！Before she could finish speaking, Ping'er laughed and said, "You take me for far too much of a fool!我纔已經行在先了，這會子纔囑咐我！」鳳姐兒笑道：「我是恐怕你心裡眼裡只有了我、一概沒有他人之故，不得不囑咐；I had already seen to it before you even spoke, and only now do you think to instruct me!" Xifeng laughed and said, "I was afraid that in your heart and eyes there was only me, and no one else at all — that's why I couldn't help but remind you;既已行在先，更比我明白了。since you had already seen to it beforehand, you understand it even better than I do.這不是你又急了，滿嘴裡『你』呀『我』的起來了！」平兒道：「偏說『你』！Now look, you're getting worked up again, your mouth full of 'you' this and 'you' that!" Ping'er said, "I'll say 'you' anyway!你不依？What if you don't like it?這不是嘴巴子？Isn't this a slap in the face already?再打一頓。Go on, hit me again.難道這臉上還沒嘗過的不成？」鳳姐兒笑道：「你這小蹄子兒，要掂多少過兒纔罷？Don't tell me this face hasn't tasted it before?" Xifeng laughed and said, "You little imp, how many times over do you mean to weigh this before you're satisfied?你看我病的這個樣兒，還來慪我呢！Look at the state I'm in, sick as I am, and you still come to vex me!過來坐下，橫豎沒人來，偺們一處吃飯是正經。」Come sit down — no one's coming anyway, so it's only proper we eat together."

平儿不等说完，便笑道：「你太把人看糊涂了！我才已经行在先了，这会子才嘱咐我！」凤姐儿笑道：「我是恐怕你心里眼里只有了我、一概没有他人之故，不得不嘱咐；既已行在先，更比我明白了。这不是你又急了，满嘴里『你』呀『我』的起来了！」平儿道：「偏说『你』！你不依？这不是嘴巴子？再打一顿。难道这脸上还没尝过的不成？」凤姐儿笑道：「你这小蹄子儿，要掂多少过儿才罢？你看我病的这个样儿，还来怄我呢！过来坐下，横竖没人来，偺们一处吃饭是正经。」

說著，豐兒等三四個小丫頭子進來，放小炕桌。So saying, Feng'er and three or four other young maids came in and set up the small kang table.鳳姐只吃燕窩粥，兩碟子精緻小菜，每日分例菜已暫減去。Xifeng ate only bird's-nest congee and two plates of delicate side dishes; her daily ration of dishes had for the time being been reduced.豐兒便將平兒的四樣分例菜端至桌上，與平兒盛了飯來。Feng'er then brought Ping'er's four ration dishes to the table, and served Ping'er a bowl of rice.平兒屈一膝於炕沿之上，半身猶立於炕下，陪著鳳姐兒吃了飯，伏侍漱口畢，吩咐了豐兒些話，方往探春處來。Ping'er set one knee upon the edge of the kang, her body still half standing on the floor below, and kept Xifeng company while she ate; once she had attended to her rinsing her mouth, she gave Feng'er a few instructions, and only then set off for Tanchun's quarters.只見院中寂靜，人已散出。There she found the courtyard silent, the people already scattered and gone.

说著，丰儿等三四个小丫头子进来，放小炕桌。凤姐只吃燕窝粥，两碟子精致小菜，每日分例菜已暂减去。丰儿便将平儿的四样分例菜端至桌上，与平儿盛了饭来。平儿屈一膝于炕沿之上，半身犹立于炕下，陪著凤姐儿吃了饭，伏侍漱口毕，吩咐了丰儿些话，方往探春处来。只见院中寂静，人已散出。

要知後事何如，且聽下回分解。If you wish to know what happened next, listen to the explanation in the following chapter.

要知后事何如，且听下回分解。