第五十六回　敏探春興利除宿弊　識寶釵小惠全大體 Clever Tanchun Reforms Old Abuses; Sensible Baochai Uses Small Kindnesses for the Greater Good

話說平兒陪著鳳姐兒吃了飯，伏侍盥漱畢，方往探春處來。The story goes that Ping'er kept Xifeng company through her meal, and only after attending to her washing and rinsing did she set off for Tanchun's quarters.只見院中寂靜，只有丫鬟婆子諸內壺近人在窗外聽候。She found the courtyard silent and still, with only the maids, old women, and other household attendants waiting outside the windows.

话说平儿陪著凤姐儿吃了饭，伏侍盥漱毕，方往探春处来。只见院中寂静，只有丫鬟婆子诸内壶近人在窗外听候。

平兒進入廳中，他姊妹三人正議論些家務，說的便是年內賴大家請吃酒他家花園中事故。When Ping'er entered the hall, the three sisters were discussing household matters, talking about the affair at Lai Da's garden when he had invited them to a feast earlier in the year.見他來了，探春便命他腳踏上坐了，因說道：「我想的事不為別的，因想著我們一月有二兩月銀外，丫頭們又另有月錢。Seeing her arrive, Tanchun told her to sit on the footstool, and said, "What I've been thinking of is nothing else — I was thinking that besides our two taels of monthly allowance, the maids also have their own monthly money."前兒又有人回，要我們一月所用的頭油脂粉，每人又是二兩。"The other day someone reported that the hair-oil and cosmetics we use each month come to another two taels per person."這又同才剛學裡的八兩一樣，重重疊疊，事雖小，錢有限，看起來也不妥當。"This is just like the eight taels for the school just now — duplicated on top of duplicated. The matters are small and the sums limited, but it doesn't look right when you consider it."你奶奶怎麼就沒想到這個？」平兒笑道：「這有個原故：姑娘們所用的這些東西，自然是該有分例。"How is it your mistress never thought of this?" Ping'er said with a smile, "There's a reason for it: the things the young ladies use naturally ought to have their allotted portion."每月買辦買了，令女人們各房交與我們收管，不過預備姑娘們使用就罷了，沒有一個我們天天各人拿錢找人買頭油又是脂粉去的理。"Each month the purchasing steward buys them, and has the women of each apartment hand them over to us to keep, simply to have them ready for the young ladies' use — there's no sense in each of us taking money every day to send someone out to buy hair-oil and cosmetics."所以外頭買辦總領了去，按月使女人按房交與我們的。"That's why the purchasing steward outside takes overall charge of it, and monthly has the women deliver it by apartment to us."姑娘們的每月這二兩，原不是為買這些的，原為的是一時當家的奶奶太太或不在，或不得閒，姑娘們偶然一時可巧要幾個錢使，省得找人去。"The two taels the young ladies get each month was never meant for buying these things at all — it was meant for those times when the mistress in charge of the household happens to be away or too busy, and the young ladies suddenly need a bit of money to spend, so they needn't go looking for someone."這原是恐怕姑娘們受委屈，可知這個錢並不是買這個才有的。"It was set up purely out of fear the young ladies might be put out — so you see this money was never meant for buying these particular things."如今我冷眼看著，各房裡的我們的姊妹都是現拿錢買這些東西的，竟有一半。"Now, watching quietly, I see that among the sisters serving in the various apartments, fully half of them are paying cash out of pocket to buy these very things."我就疑惑，不是買辦脫了空，遲些日子，就是買的不是正經貨，弄些使不得的東西來搪塞。」探春李紈都笑道：「你也留心看出來了。"So I began to suspect that either the purchasing steward was shirking and delaying things, or else what was bought wasn't genuine goods, and some useless stuff was being fobbed off on us instead." Tanchun and Li Wan both said with a smile, "So you've noticed it too."脫空是沒有的，也不敢，只是遲些日子，催急了，不知那裡弄些來，不過是個名兒，其實使不得，依然得現買。"There's no outright shirking — they wouldn't dare — only some delay; and when pressed hard, they scrape something up from who knows where, which is a purchase in name only and really can't be used, so we still have to buy it fresh ourselves."就用這二兩銀子，另叫別人的奶媽子的或是弟兄哥哥的兒子買了來才使得。"We end up using that very two taels to have someone else's wet-nurse, or a brother's or elder brother's son, go and buy it before it's usable at all."若使了官中的人，依然是那一樣的。"If we used the people from the common household fund instead, it would come out just the same."不知他們是什麼法子，是舖子裡坏了不要的，他們都弄了來，單預備給我們？」平兒笑道：「買辦買的是那樣的，他買了好的來，買辦豈肯和他善開交，又說他使坏心要奪這買辦了。"I don't know what trick they use — is it that the shops' spoiled, unwanted goods all get fetched here, kept especially for us?" Ping'er said with a smile, "The purchasing steward buys goods of that sort — if the delivery woman brought good ones instead, would the steward let her off easily? He'd say she was up to no good, scheming to snatch away his post as purchaser."所以他們也只得如此，寧可得罪了裡頭，不肯得罪了外頭辦事的人。"So they have no choice but to go along with it — they'd rather offend those of us inside than offend the men handling affairs outside."姑娘們只能可使奶媽媽們，他們也就不敢閒話了。」探春道「因此我心中不自在。"If the young ladies would only make use of the wet-nurses instead, they wouldn't dare gossip about it." Tanchun said, "That's exactly why I've felt uneasy about it."錢費兩起，東西又白丟一半，通算起來，反費了兩折子，不如竟把買辦的每月蠲了為是。"The money is spent twice over, and half the goods are wasted for nothing — reckoning it all up, it actually costs double, so it would be better simply to abolish the purchasing steward's monthly allotment altogether."此是一件事。"That's one matter."第二件，年裡往賴大家去，你也去的，你看他那小園子比咱們這個如何？」平兒笑道：「還沒有咱們這一半大，樹木花草也少多了。」探春道：「我因和他家女兒說閒話兒，誰知那麼個園子，除他們帶的花，吃的筍菜魚蝦之外，一年還有人包了去，年終足有二百兩銀子剩。"Second, earlier this year we went to Lai Da's place — you went too — what did you think that little garden of theirs looked like compared to ours?" Ping'er said with a smile, "It's not even half as big as ours, and there are far fewer trees and flowers too." Tanchun said, "While chatting idly with his daughter, I learned that besides the flowers they pick for themselves and the bamboo shoots, vegetables, fish, and shrimp they eat, someone contracts the rest of that little garden every year, and by year's end there's a clear two hundred taels left over."從那日我才知道，一個破荷葉，一根枯草根子，都是值錢的。」"It was only from that day that I realized even a broken lotus leaf or a withered grass root is worth money."

平儿进入厅中，他姊妹三人正议论些家务，说的便是年内赖大家请吃酒他家花园中事故。见他来了，探春便命他脚踏上坐了，因说道：「我想的事不为别的，因想著我们一月有二两月银外，丫头们又另有月钱。前儿又有人回，要我们一月所用的头油脂粉，每人又是二两。这又同才刚学里的八两一样，重重叠叠，事虽小，钱有限，看起来也不妥当。你奶奶怎么就没想到这个？」平儿笑道：「这有个原故：姑娘们所用的这些东西，自然是该有分例。每月买办买了，令女人们各房交与我们收管，不过预备姑娘们使用就罢了，没有一个我们天天各人拿钱找人买头油又是脂粉去的理。所以外头买办总领了去，按月使女人按房交与我们的。姑娘们的每月这二两，原不是为买这些的，原为的是一时当家的奶奶太太或不在，或不得闲，姑娘们偶然一时可巧要几个钱使，省得找人去。这原是恐怕姑娘们受委屈，可知这个钱并不是买这个才有的。如今我冷眼看著，各房里的我们的姊妹都是现拿钱买这些东西的，竟有一半。我就疑惑，不是买办脱了空，迟些日子，就是买的不是正经货，弄些使不得的东西来搪塞。」探春李纨都笑道：「你也留心看出来了。脱空是没有的，也不敢，只是迟些日子，催急了，不知那里弄些来，不过是个名儿，其实使不得，依然得现买。就用这二两银子，另叫别人的奶妈子的或是弟兄哥哥的儿子买了来才使得。若使了官中的人，依然是那一样的。不知他们是什么法子，是铺子里坏了不要的，他们都弄了来，单预备给我们？」平儿笑道：「买办买的是那样的，他买了好的来，买办岂肯和他善开交，又说他使坏心要夺这买办了。所以他们也只得如此，宁可得罪了里头，不肯得罪了外头办事的人。姑娘们只能可使奶妈妈们，他们也就不敢闲话了。」探春道「因此我心中不自在。钱费两起，东西又白丢一半，通算起来，反费了两折子，不如竟把买办的每月蠲了为是。此是一件事。第二件，年里往赖大家去，你也去的，你看他那小园子比咱们这个如何？」平儿笑道：「还没有咱们这一半大，树木花草也少多了。」探春道：「我因和他家女儿说闲话儿，谁知那么个园子，除他们带的花，吃的笋菜鱼虾之外，一年还有人包了去，年终足有二百两银子剩。从那日我才知道，一个破荷叶，一根枯草根子，都是值钱的。」

寶釵笑道：「真真膏粱紈褲之談。Baochai said with a smile, "That is truly the talk of a pampered young lady raised on rich food and fine silks."雖是千金小姐，原不知這事，但你們都念過書識字的，竟沒看見朱夫子有一篇《不自棄文》不成？」探春笑道：「雖看過，那不過是勉人自勵，虛比浮詞，那裡都真有的？」寶釵道：「朱子都有虛比浮詞？"Though you're a young lady of a wealthy house who naturally wouldn't know such things, you're all educated and literate — can it be you've never seen Master Zhu's essay 'On Not Abandoning Oneself'?" Tanchun said with a smile, "I have read it, but it's nothing more than words urging people to exert themselves, empty comparisons and flowery phrases — how could all of it be literally true?" Baochai said, "Do you mean to say even Master Zhu wrote empty comparisons and flowery phrases?"那句句都是有的。"Every single sentence of it holds true."你才辦了兩天時事，就利欲熏心，把朱子都看虛浮了。"You've only been managing affairs for two days, and already profit and greed have gone to your head, so that you look on Master Zhu's words as mere emptiness."你再出去見了那些利弊大事，越發把孔子也看虛了！」探春笑道：「你這樣一個通人，竟沒看見子書？"Go on a little further, deal with matters of real profit and loss, and you'll end up regarding even Confucius as empty talk!" Tanchun said with a smile, "You, such a learned person — can it be you've never read the philosophers' writings?"當日《姬子》有云：『登利祿之場，處運籌之界者，竊堯舜之詞，背孔孟之道。』」寶釵笑道：「底下一句呢？」探春笑道：「如今只斷章取意，念出底下一句，我自己罵我自己不成？」寶釵道：「天下沒有不可用的東西，既可用，便值錢。"The Jizi once said: 'Those who enter the arena of profit and gain, who occupy themselves with calculation and scheming, steal the language of Yao and Shun while turning their backs on the way of Confucius and Mencius.'" Baochai said with a smile, "And what's the line after that?" Tanchun said with a smile, "I'm only quoting the part that suits my meaning right now — if I recite the next line, wouldn't I be cursing myself?" Baochai said, "There is nothing under heaven that cannot be put to use; and if a thing can be used, then it is worth money."難為你是個聰敏人，這些正事大節目事竟沒經歷，也可惜遲了。」李紈笑道：「叫了人家來，不說正事，且你們對講學問。」寶釵道：「學問中便是正事。"It's a wonder that, clever as you are, you've never had experience with these substantial, important matters — it's a pity you've come to them so late." Li Wan said with a smile, "Here we called someone in, and instead of discussing business the two of you launch into a debate on scholarship." Baochai said, "Scholarship is exactly what business is made of."此刻於小事上用學問一提，那小事越發作高一層了。"The moment you bring learning to bear on some small matter, that small matter is at once raised a level higher."不拿學問提著，便都流入市俗去了。」"Without learning to hold it up, everything just sinks into vulgar commonness."

宝钗笑道：「真真膏粱纨裤之谈。虽是千金小姐，原不知这事，但你们都念过书识字的，竟没看见朱夫子有一篇《不自弃文》不成？」探春笑道：「虽看过，那不过是勉人自励，虚比浮词，那里都真有的？」宝钗道：「朱子都有虚比浮词？那句句都是有的。你才办了两天时事，就利欲熏心，把朱子都看虚浮了。你再出去见了那些利弊大事，越发把孔子也看虚了！」探春笑道：「你这样一个通人，竟没看见子书？当日《姬子》有云：『登利禄之场，处运筹之界者，窃尧舜之词，背孔孟之道。』」宝钗笑道：「底下一句呢？」探春笑道：「如今只断章取意，念出底下一句，我自己骂我自己不成？」宝钗道：「天下没有不可用的东西，既可用，便值钱。难为你是个聪敏人，这些正事大节目事竟没经历，也可惜迟了。」李纨笑道：「叫了人家来，不说正事，且你们对讲学问。」宝钗道：「学问中便是正事。此刻于小事上用学问一提，那小事越发作高一层了。不拿学问提著，便都流入市俗去了。」

三人只是取笑之談，說了笑了一回，便仍談正事。The three of them were only bantering for fun; after talking and laughing for a while, they returned again to business.探春因又接說道：「咱們這園子只算比他們的多一半，加一倍算，一年就有四百銀子的利息。Tanchun then went on, "Reckoning our garden as merely half again the size of theirs, and doubling the figure, that alone would come to four hundred taels of profit a year."若此時也出脫生發銀子，自然小器，不是咱們這樣人家的事。"If at this point we ourselves were to lend the money out at interest to make it grow, that would naturally be petty, and not the sort of thing befitting a household like ours."若派出兩個一定的人來，既有許多值錢之物，一味任人作踐，也似乎暴殄天物。"Yet if we appoint no fixed people in charge, then with so many valuable things about, to let them simply be squandered and ruined by anyone would seem like a wanton waste of Heaven's bounty."不如在園子裡所有的老媽媽中，揀出幾個本分老誠能知園圃的事，派准他們收拾料理，也不必要他們交租納稅，只問他們一年可以孝敬些什麼。"Better to pick out, from among all the old women in the garden, a few who are honest, steady, and understand gardening, and formally assign them to tend and manage it — without requiring them to pay rent or taxes, only asking each year what they can offer up in return."一則園子有專定之人修理，花木自有一年好似一年的，也不用臨時忙亂，二則也不至作踐，白辜負了東西，三則老媽媽們也可借此小補，不枉年日在園中辛苦，四則亦可以省了這些花兒匠山子匠打掃人等的工費。"First, with fixed people assigned to tend the garden, the flowers and trees will naturally grow better year after year, and there'll be no need for last-minute scrambling. Second, things won't be wasted and squandered for nothing. Third, the old women can gain a little extra income for themselves, so their days of hard work in the garden won't have been in vain. Fourth, it will also save the wages paid to the flower-gardeners, rockery-workers, and cleaning staff."將此有餘，以補不足，未為不可。」寶釵正在地下看壁上的字畫，聽如此說一則，便點一回頭，說完，便笑道：「善哉，三年之內無饑饉矣！」李紈笑道：「好主意。"Taking what is surplus here to make up what is lacking elsewhere — there's certainly no harm in that." Baochai, who was standing on the floor examining the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, nodded once at each point as it was made; when Tanchun finished, Baochai said with a smile, "Excellent — within three years there'll be no famine!" Li Wan said with a smile, "A fine idea."這果一行，太太必喜歡。"If this is actually carried out, the Mistress will surely be pleased."省錢事小，第一有人打掃，專司其職，又許他們去賣錢。"Saving money is the lesser point — first, there will be people to keep it clean, each with a defined duty, and they will also be permitted to sell the produce for cash."使之以權，動之以利，再無不盡職的了。」平兒道：「這件事須得姑娘說出來。"Give them a measure of authority and move them with the prospect of profit, and not one of them will fail to do their duty." Ping'er said, "This is a matter that really needs to be proposed by you, Miss."我們奶奶雖有此心，也未必好出口。"Our mistress, though she may have such an idea in mind, could hardly bring herself to say it out loud."此刻姑娘們在園裡住著，不能多弄些玩意兒去陪襯，反叫人去監管修理，圖省錢，這話斷不好出口。」寶釵忙走過來，摸著他的臉笑道：「你張開嘴，我瞧瞧你的牙齒舌頭是什麼作的。"At present, with the young ladies living in the garden, instead of arranging more amusements to grace their stay, she'd be sending people to oversee and manage it purely to save money — such words could never come easily out of her mouth." Baochai hurried over, and stroking her cheek, said with a smile, "Open your mouth — let me see what your teeth and tongue are made of."從早起來到這會子，你說這些話，一套一個樣子，也不奉承三姑娘，也沒見你說奶奶才短想不到，也並沒有三姑娘說一句，你就說一句是，橫豎三姑娘一套話出，你就有一套話進去，總是三姑娘想的到的，你奶奶也想到了，只是必有個不可辦的原故。"From this morning till now, everything you've said has come out in its own fashion, each fitted to its place — you neither flatter Third Miss, nor do I hear you saying the mistress's talents fall short and she just hadn't thought of it, nor do you simply echo 'yes' to whatever Third Miss says; rather, however Third Miss lays out one line of reasoning, you fold in a matching line of your own, always making the point that whatever Third Miss has thought of, your mistress has thought of too, only there must be some reason it couldn't be carried out."這會子又是因姑娘住的園子，不好因省錢令人去監管。"And just now it was that, because it's the garden the young ladies live in, it wouldn't do to send people in to oversee it merely to save money."你們想想這話，若果真交與人弄錢去的，那人自然是一枝花也不許掐，一個果子也不許動了，姑娘們分中自然不敢，天天與小姑娘們就吵不清。"Just think about it — if the matter were truly handed over to someone to turn a profit from, that person would naturally forbid so much as a single flower being picked or a single piece of fruit being touched; the young ladies themselves would of course not presume to take any, but there'd be no end of squabbling every day with the little maids."他這遠愁近慮，不亢不卑。"Her worries reach far and her considerations are near at hand, and through it all she is neither overbearing nor servile."他奶奶便不是和咱們好，聽他這一番話，也必要自愧的變好了，不和也變和了。」探春笑道：「我早起一肚子氣，聽他來了，忽然想起他主子來，素日當家使出來的好撒野的人，我見了他便生了氣。"Even if her mistress weren't on good terms with us, hearing this speech of hers would surely be enough to shame her into becoming good, and turn discord into harmony." Tanchun said with a smile, "This morning I was full of pent-up anger, and when I heard she had come, I suddenly thought of her mistress — someone who, in running the household day to day, is given to throwing her weight around wildly — and the moment I saw her I grew angry all over again."誰知他來了，避貓鼠兒似的站了半日，怪可怜的。"Who would have thought that once she arrived, she stood there for the longest while like a mouse shrinking from a cat — quite pitiable, really."接著又說了那麼些話，不說他主子待我好，倒說『不枉姑娘待我們奶奶素日的情意了。』這一句，不但沒了氣，我倒愧了，又傷起心來。"And then she went on to say all those things, and instead of saying her mistress had treated me well, she said, 'It hasn't been for nothing, Miss, all the kindness you've shown our mistress these many days.' At that one line, not only did my anger vanish, but I felt ashamed instead, and grew sorrowful all over again."我細想，我一個女孩兒家，自己還鬧得沒人疼沒人顧的，我那裡還有好處去待人。」口內說到這裡，不免又流下淚來。"Thinking it over carefully — I, a mere girl, can barely manage to have anyone care for me or look after me myself; how could I possibly have any real kindness to spare for others?" As she spoke these words, she could not help but shed tears once more.李紈等見他說的懇切，又想他素日趙姨娘每生誹謗，在王夫人跟前亦為趙姨娘所累，亦都不免流下淚來，都忙勸道：「趁今日清淨，大家商議兩件興利剔弊的事，也不枉太太委托一場。Seeing how earnestly she spoke, and recalling how Aunt Zhao was forever stirring up slander against her, and how she had suffered on Aunt Zhao's account even before Lady Wang, Li Wan and the others could not help shedding tears themselves, and hastened to comfort her, saying, "While things are quiet today, let's all discuss ways to promote what is beneficial and root out old abuses — that way the Mistress's trust in us won't have been for nothing."又提這沒要緊的事做什麼？」平兒忙道：「我已明白了。"Why bring up these unimportant matters again?" Ping'er said quickly, "I understand everything now."姑娘竟說誰好，竟一派人就完了。」探春道：「雖如此說，也須得回你奶奶一聲。"Miss, just say who you think suitable, and simply assign the people — that will settle it." Tanchun said, "Even so, we still need to report it to your mistress."我們這裡搜剔小遺，已經不當，皆因你奶奶是個明白人，我才這樣行，若是糊塗多蠱多妒的，我也不肯，倒像抓他乖一般。"For us here to be ferreting out and tidying up these minor oversights is already somewhat out of place; it's only because your mistress is a sensible person that I dare go about it this way. If she were a muddled, scheming, jealous sort, I wouldn't do it either, for it would look as though I were catching her out in some fault."豈可不商議了行。」平兒笑道：「既這樣，我去告訴一聲。」說著去了，半日方回來，笑說：「我說是白走一趟，這樣好事，奶奶豈有不依的。」"How could we possibly act without consulting her first?" Ping'er said with a smile, "Since that's so, I'll go and let her know." So saying, she left, and only after a good while did she return, saying with a smile, "I told you it would be a wasted trip — with a good scheme like this, how could my mistress possibly object?"

三人只是取笑之谈，说了笑了一回，便仍谈正事。探春因又接说道：「咱们这园子只算比他们的多一半，加一倍算，一年就有四百银子的利息。若此时也出脱生发银子，自然小器，不是咱们这样人家的事。若派出两个一定的人来，既有许多值钱之物，一味任人作践，也似乎暴殄天物。不如在园子里所有的老妈妈中，拣出几个本分老诚能知园圃的事，派准他们收拾料理，也不必要他们交租纳税，只问他们一年可以孝敬些什么。一则园子有专定之人修理，花木自有一年好似一年的，也不用临时忙乱，二则也不至作践，白辜负了东西，三则老妈妈们也可借此小补，不枉年日在园中辛苦，四则亦可以省了这些花儿匠山子匠打扫人等的工费。将此有余，以补不足，未为不可。」宝钗正在地下看壁上的字画，听如此说一则，便点一回头，说完，便笑道：「善哉，三年之内无饥馑矣！」李纨笑道：「好主意。这果一行，太太必喜欢。省钱事小，第一有人打扫，专司其职，又许他们去卖钱。使之以权，动之以利，再无不尽职的了。」平儿道：「这件事须得姑娘说出来。我们奶奶虽有此心，也未必好出口。此刻姑娘们在园里住著，不能多弄些玩意儿去陪衬，反叫人去监管修理，图省钱，这话断不好出口。」宝钗忙走过来，摸著他的脸笑道：「你张开嘴，我瞧瞧你的牙齿舌头是什么作的。从早起来到这会子，你说这些话，一套一个样子，也不奉承三姑娘，也没见你说奶奶才短想不到，也并没有三姑娘说一句，你就说一句是，横竖三姑娘一套话出，你就有一套话进去，总是三姑娘想的到的，你奶奶也想到了，只是必有个不可办的原故。这会子又是因姑娘住的园子，不好因省钱令人去监管。你们想想这话，若果真交与人弄钱去的，那人自然是一枝花也不许掐，一个果子也不许动了，姑娘们分中自然不敢，天天与小姑娘们就吵不清。他这远愁近虑，不亢不卑。他奶奶便不是和咱们好，听他这一番话，也必要自愧的变好了，不和也变和了。」探春笑道：「我早起一肚子气，听他来了，忽然想起他主子来，素日当家使出来的好撒野的人，我见了他便生了气。谁知他来了，避猫鼠儿似的站了半日，怪可怜的。接著又说了那么些话，不说他主子待我好，倒说『不枉姑娘待我们奶奶素日的情意了。』这一句，不但没了气，我倒愧了，又伤起心来。我细想，我一个女孩儿家，自己还闹得没人疼没人顾的，我那里还有好处去待人。」口内说到这里，不免又流下泪来。李纨等见他说的恳切，又想他素日赵姨娘每生诽谤，在王夫人跟前亦为赵姨娘所累，亦都不免流下泪来，都忙劝道：「趁今日清净，大家商议两件兴利剔弊的事，也不枉太太委托一场。又提这没要紧的事做什么？」平儿忙道：「我已明白了。姑娘竟说谁好，竟一派人就完了。」探春道：「虽如此说，也须得回你奶奶一声。我们这里搜剔小遗，已经不当，皆因你奶奶是个明白人，我才这样行，若是糊涂多蛊多妒的，我也不肯，倒像抓他乖一般。岂可不商议了行。」平儿笑道：「既这样，我去告诉一声。」说著去了，半日方回来，笑说：「我说是白走一趟，这样好事，奶奶岂有不依的。」

探春聽了，便和李紈命人將園中所有婆子的名單要來，大家參度，大概定了幾個。Hearing this, Tanchun, together with Li Wan, had someone bring in a list of all the old women in the garden; the group deliberated together and roughly settled on a few names.又將他們一齊傳來，李紈大概告訴與他們。They then had all of them summoned together, and Li Wan gave them a rough account of the plan.眾人聽了，無不願意，也有說：「那一片竹子單交給我，一年工夫，明年又是一片。Hearing this, every one of them was willing; one of them said, "Just give that stretch of bamboo to me alone — within a year's effort, there'll be another whole grove by next year."除了家裡吃的筍，一年還可交些錢糧。」這一個說：「那一片稻地交給我，一年這些頑的大小雀鳥的糧食不必動官中錢糧，我還可以交錢糧。」探春才要說話，人回：「大夫來了，進園瞧姑娘。」眾婆子只得去接大夫。"Aside from the bamboo shoots the household itself eats, I could still turn in some money and grain to the estate every year." Another said, "Give that stretch of paddy land to me — the grain for feeding all these pet birds, big and small, won't need to be drawn from the common fund at all, and I can still turn in money and grain besides." Just as Tanchun was about to speak, someone came to report, "The doctor has arrived, and is coming into the garden to see the young ladies." The old women had no choice but to go and receive the doctor.平兒忙說：「單你們，有一百個也不成個體統，難道沒有兩個管事的頭腦帶進大夫來？」回事的那人說：「有，吳大娘和單大娘他兩個在西南角上聚錦門等著呢。」平兒聽說，方罷了。Ping'er said hastily, "If it's just you lot, a hundred of you together still wouldn't look proper — is there no one among the stewardesses in charge to bring the doctor in?" The one reporting said, "There is — Mama Wu and Mama Shan are both waiting at Jujin Gate on the southwest corner." Only on hearing this did Ping'er let the matter rest.

探春听了，便和李纨命人将园中所有婆子的名单要来，大家参度，大概定了几个。又将他们一齐传来，李纨大概告诉与他们。众人听了，无不愿意，也有说：「那一片竹子单交给我，一年工夫，明年又是一片。除了家里吃的笋，一年还可交些钱粮。」这一个说：「那一片稻地交给我，一年这些顽的大小雀鸟的粮食不必动官中钱粮，我还可以交钱粮。」探春才要说话，人回：「大夫来了，进园瞧姑娘。」众婆子只得去接大夫。平儿忙说：「单你们，有一百个也不成个体统，难道没有两个管事的头脑带进大夫来？」回事的那人说：「有，吴大娘和单大娘他两个在西南角上聚锦门等著呢。」平儿听说，方罢了。

眾婆子去後，探春問寶釵如何。After the old women had gone, Tanchun asked Baochai what she thought.寶釵笑答道：「幸於始者怠於終，繕其辭者嗜其利。」探春聽了點頭稱贊，便向冊上指出幾人來與他三人看。Baochai answered with a smile, "Those fortunate at the start grow slack at the end; those who dress up their words in fine phrases are hungry for profit underneath." Hearing this, Tanchun nodded in approval, and then pointed out several names on the register for the three of them to look over.平兒忙去取筆硯來。Ping'er hurried off to fetch brush and inkstone.他三人說道：「這一個老祝媽是個妥當的，況他老頭子和他兒子代代都是管打掃竹子，如今竟把這所有的竹子交與他。The three of them said, "This Mama Zhu is a dependable one, and besides, her old husband and her son have for generations been in charge of tending the bamboo — let's simply put all the bamboo in her hands now."這一個老田媽本是種庄稼的，稻香村一帶凡有菜蔬稻稗之類，雖是頑意兒，不必認真大治大耕，也須得他去，再一按時加些培植，豈不更好？」探春又笑道：「可惜，蘅蕪苑和怡紅院這兩處大地方竟沒有出利息之物。」李紈忙笑道：「蘅蕪苑更利害。"This Mama Tian originally farmed the land; whatever vegetables, rice, and millet grow around Daoxiang Village, though they're grown just for amusement and needn't be seriously plowed and tended on a large scale, still need her to look after them, and if she adds some seasonal cultivation on top, wouldn't that be even better?" Tanchun then said with a smile, "It's a pity that Hengwu Yuan and Yihong Yuan, two such large places, produce nothing that yields any profit at all." Li Wan said quickly with a smile, "Hengwu Yuan is more productive than any of them."如今香料舖並大市大廟賣的各處香料香草兒，都不是這些東西？"Aren't all the spices and fragrant herbs sold nowadays in the perfume shops and at the great markets and temple fairs made from exactly these very things?"算起來比別的利息更大。"Reckoned up, the profit from it is even greater than from the others."怡紅院別說別的，單只說春夏天一季玫瑰花，共下多少花？"As for Yihong Yuan, to say nothing of anything else, just consider the roses alone through the spring and summer season — how many blossoms does it yield in all?"還有一帶篱笆上薔薇，月季，寶相，金銀藤，單這沒要緊的草花乾了，賣到茶葉舖藥舖去，也值幾個錢。」探春笑道：「原來如此。"And then there's the row of climbing roses, China roses, baoxiang roses, and honeysuckle vines along the fence — even these seemingly unimportant flowers, once dried and sold to tea shops and apothecaries, would still fetch a fair bit of money." Tanchun said with a smile, "So that's how it is."只是弄香草的沒有在行的人。」平兒忙笑道：「跟寶姑娘的鶯兒他媽就是會弄這個的，上回他還采了些晒乾了辮成花籃葫蘆給我頑的，姑娘倒忘了不成？」寶釵笑道：「我才贊你，你到來捉弄我了。」三人都詫異，都問這是為何。"The only trouble is there's no one skilled at handling fragrant herbs." Ping'er said quickly with a smile, "Yingr's mother, who serves Miss Bao, is just the one who knows how to handle this sort of thing — last time she even picked some, dried them, and braided them into little flower baskets and gourds for me to play with. Has Miss forgotten already?" Baochai said with a smile, "Here I was just praising you, and now you turn around and make trouble for me." All three were taken aback, and asked why that should be.寶釵道：「斷斷使不得！Baochai said, "It absolutely will not do!"你們這裡多少得用的人，一個一個閒著沒事辦，這會子我又弄個人來，叫那起人連我也看小了。"You have so many capable people here already, every one of them idle with nothing to do, and now if I bring in someone of my own on top of that, all those others will think even less of me for it."我倒替你們想出一個人來：怡紅院有個老葉媽，他就是茗煙的娘。"Instead, let me think of someone for you: at Yihong Yuan there's an old Mama Ye, who is none other than Mingyan's mother."那是個誠實老人家，他又和我們鶯兒的娘極好，不如把這事交與葉媽。"She's an honest old soul, and moreover she's on very good terms with our Yingr's mother — better to hand this matter over to Mama Ye instead."他有不知的，不必咱們說，他就找鶯兒的娘去商議了。"Whatever she doesn't know, there's no need for us to say anything — she'll simply go and consult Yingr's mother about it herself."那怕葉媽全不管，竟交與那一個，那是他們私情兒，有人說閒話，也就怨不到咱們身上了。"Even if Mama Ye were to leave the whole thing alone and hand it over entirely to the other woman, that would be a private matter between the two of them, and if anyone gossiped about it, the blame could never fall on us."如此一行，你們辦的又至公，於事又甚妥。」李紈平兒都道：「是極。」探春笑道：「雖如此，只怕他們見利忘義。」平兒笑道：「不相干，前兒鶯兒還認了葉媽做乾娘，請吃飯吃酒，兩家和厚的好的很呢。」探春聽了，方罷了。"Handled this way, what you arrange will be perfectly fair, and it will suit the matter very well besides." Li Wan and Ping'er both said, "Quite right." Tanchun said with a smile, "Even so, I'm afraid they might forget their loyalty at the sight of profit." Ping'er said with a smile, "No need to worry about that — just the other day Yingr even took Mama Ye as her godmother, inviting her to a meal and drinks, and the two families are on very warm and friendly terms." Hearing this, Tanchun let the matter rest.又共同斟酌出幾人來，俱是他四人素昔冷眼取中的，用筆圈出。They further deliberated together and settled on a few more people, all of whom the four of them had quietly picked out from their own observation over time, and marked their names with a circled brush stroke.

众婆子去后，探春问宝钗如何。宝钗笑答道：「幸于始者怠于终，缮其辞者嗜其利。」探春听了点头称赞，便向册上指出几人来与他三人看。平儿忙去取笔砚来。他三人说道：「这一个老祝妈是个妥当的，况他老头子和他儿子代代都是管打扫竹子，如今竟把这所有的竹子交与他。这一个老田妈本是种庄稼的，稻香村一带凡有菜蔬稻稗之类，虽是顽意儿，不必认真大治大耕，也须得他去，再一按时加些培植，岂不更好？」探春又笑道：「可惜，蘅芜苑和怡红院这两处大地方竟没有出利息之物。」李纨忙笑道：「蘅芜苑更利害。如今香料铺并大市大庙卖的各处香料香草儿，都不是这些东西？算起来比别的利息更大。怡红院别说别的，单只说春夏天一季玫瑰花，共下多少花？还有一带篱笆上蔷薇，月季，宝相，金银藤，单这没要紧的草花干了，卖到茶叶铺药铺去，也值几个钱。」探春笑道：「原来如此。只是弄香草的没有在行的人。」平儿忙笑道：「跟宝姑娘的莺儿他妈就是会弄这个的，上回他还采了些晒干了辫成花篮葫芦给我顽的，姑娘倒忘了不成？」宝钗笑道：「我才赞你，你到来捉弄我了。」三人都诧异，都问这是为何。宝钗道：「断断使不得！你们这里多少得用的人，一个一个闲著没事办，这会子我又弄个人来，叫那起人连我也看小了。我倒替你们想出一个人来：怡红院有个老叶妈，他就是茗烟的娘。那是个诚实老人家，他又和我们莺儿的娘极好，不如把这事交与叶妈。他有不知的，不必咱们说，他就找莺儿的娘去商议了。那怕叶妈全不管，竟交与那一个，那是他们私情儿，有人说闲话，也就怨不到咱们身上了。如此一行，你们办的又至公，于事又甚妥。」李纨平儿都道：「是极。」探春笑道：「虽如此，只怕他们见利忘义。」平儿笑道：「不相干，前儿莺儿还认了叶妈做干娘，请吃饭吃酒，两家和厚的好的很呢。」探春听了，方罢了。又共同斟酌出几人来，俱是他四人素昔冷眼取中的，用笔圈出。

一時婆子們來回大夫已去。Presently the old women came to report that the doctor had already left.將藥方送上去。They sent the prescription up to be delivered.三人看了，一面遣人送出去取藥，監派調服，一面探春與李紈明示諸人：某人管某處，按四季除家中定例用多少外，餘者任憑你們采取了去取利，年終算帳。The three of them looked it over, and while sending someone out to fetch the medicine and see to its proper preparation, Tanchun and Li Wan also made it plain to everyone: so-and-so would be in charge of such-and-such a place, and aside from whatever quantity the household's fixed regulations required each season, the rest could be freely gathered and sold for profit as they saw fit, with accounts to be settled at year's end.探春笑道：「我又想起一件事：若年終算帳歸錢時，自然歸到帳房，仍是上頭又添一層管主，還在他們手心裡，又剝一層皮。Tanchun said with a smile, "I've thought of another matter: if at year's end, when the accounts are settled, the money is simply turned over to the estate office, then in effect another layer of overseers is added above, and it will still be in their grip — another layer of skin peeled off in the process."這如今我們興出這事來派了你們，已是跨過他們的頭去了，心裡有氣，只說不出來，你們年終去歸帳，他們還不捉弄你們等什麼？"Now that we've set up this scheme and assigned it to you, we've already stepped right over their heads, and though they're seething inside, they simply can't voice it — but when you go to settle accounts with them at year's end, what do you suppose they'll do if not find ways to make trouble for you?"再者，這一年間管什麼的，主子有一全分，他們就得半分。"What's more, over the course of a year, whoever manages such things — for every full share the masters get, they themselves take half a share."這是家裡的舊例，人所共知的，別的偷著的在外。"This is an old custom of the household, known to everyone — and that's not even counting whatever else gets pilfered on the side."如今這園子裡是我的新創，竟別入他們手，每年歸帳，竟歸到裡頭來才好。」寶釵笑道：「依我說，裡頭也不用歸帳，這個多了那個少了，倒多了事。"Now, since this arrangement for the garden is something I've newly set up, it had better not fall into their hands at all — the yearly accounting should be turned in directly to us inside instead." Baochai said with a smile, "In my view, there's no need even to settle formal accounts with us inside — this one having more, that one having less, would only make for more trouble."不如問他們誰領這一分的，他就攬一宗事去。"Better simply to ask them, whoever takes charge of a given share, to take on responsibility for that one item outright."不過是園裡的人的動用。"After all, it's only a matter of what the people in the garden themselves need for their daily use."我替你們算出來了，有限的幾宗事：不過是頭油，胭粉，香，紙，每一位姑娘幾個丫頭，都是有定例的，再者，各處笤帚，撮簸，撣子並大小禽鳥，鹿，兔吃的糧食。"I've worked it out for you already — it comes down to only a limited handful of items: nothing more than hair-oil, rouge and powder, incense, and paper, for each young lady and her several maids, all according to fixed allotments; and beyond that, brooms, dustpans, and dusters for the various quarters, along with the feed for the birds large and small, the deer, and the rabbits."不過這幾樣，都是他們包了去，不用帳房去領錢。"That's all there is to it — just these few items, all to be supplied by them directly, with no need to draw money from the estate office at all."你算算，就省下多少來？」平兒笑道：「這幾宗雖小，一年通共算了，也省的下四百兩銀子。」寶釵笑道：「卻又來，一年四百，二年八百兩，取租的房子也能看得了幾間，薄地也可添幾畝。"Work it out for yourself — how much would that save?" Ping'er said with a smile, "Small as these items are, added up over a whole year, it would still save some four hundred taels of silver." Baochai said with a smile, "There you go — four hundred a year, eight hundred over two years; with that you could look into buying a few houses to rent out, or add a few more mu of poor land besides."雖然還有敷餘的，但他們既辛苦鬧一年，也要叫他們剩些，粘補粘補自家。"Though there would still be surplus left over even after that, since they've labored hard at it for a whole year, they ought to be allowed to keep something back for themselves, to help patch up their own households a little."雖是興利節用為綱，然亦不可太嗇。"Though promoting profit and cutting waste is the guiding principle, one still mustn't be too stingy about it."縱再省上二三百銀子，失了大體統也不像。"Even if another two or three hundred taels could be squeezed out, it wouldn't look right if it cost us our overall dignity and propriety."所以如此一行，外頭帳房裡一年少出四五百銀子，也不覺得很艱嗇了，他們裡頭卻也得些小補。"So, handled this way, the outer estate office pays out four or five hundred taels less a year without it feeling terribly pinched, while those inside still gain a little extra benefit for themselves."這些沒營生的媽媽們也寬裕了，園子裡花木，也可以每年滋長蕃盛，你們也得了可使之物。"These old women, who otherwise have no livelihood of their own, will have a little more to live on as well; the flowers and trees in the garden can flourish more richly with each passing year; and you yourselves will have serviceable things ready to hand."這庶幾不失大體。"This way we can come close to preserving the overall dignity of the household."若一味要省時，那裡不搜尋出幾個錢來。"If one were simply bent on economizing at all costs, there's no end to the pennies that could be dug out from somewhere or other."凡有些餘利的，一概入了官中，那時裡外怨聲載道，豈不失了你們這樣人家的大體？"If every last bit of surplus profit were swept entirely into the common fund, then complaints would rise on every side, inside and out — and wouldn't that ruin the dignity befitting a household such as yours?"如今這園裡幾十個老媽媽們，若只給了這個，那剩的也必抱怨不公。"Now, among the several dozen old women in this garden, if the benefit were given only to these few, the rest would surely complain of unfairness."我才說的，他們只供給這個幾樣，也未免太寬裕了。"As I said just now, having them supply only these few items would in fact leave them rather too comfortably off."一年竟除了這個之外，他每人不論有餘無餘，只叫他拿出若干貫錢來，大家湊齊，單散與園中這些媽媽們。"So, over and above this, let each of them, whether or not she has a surplus, contribute a certain number of strings of cash every year; pool it all together, and distribute it solely among the old women who work in the garden."他們雖不料理這些，卻日夜也是在園中照看當差之人，關門閉戶，起早睡晚，大雨大雪，姑娘們出入，抬轎子，撐船，拉冰床。"Although those women don't handle these particular matters, they too are the ones on duty in the garden day and night — locking and unlocking the gates, rising early and retiring late, out in heavy rain and snow, carrying sedan chairs, poling boats, and pulling ice sledges whenever the young ladies come and go."一應粗糙活計，都是他們的差使。"Every sort of rough, menial task falls to their duty."一年在園裡辛苦到頭，這園內既有出息，也是分內該沾帶些的。"Laboring in the garden the whole year through, if the garden itself now yields some profit, it's only right that they should share in a portion of it as their due."還有一句至小的話，越發說破了：你們只管了自己寬裕，不分與他們些，他們雖不敢明怨，心裡卻都不服，只用假公濟私的多摘你們幾個果子，多掐幾枝花兒，你們有冤還沒處訴。"And here's one more small point, put quite bluntly: if you look only to your own comfort and give them no share at all, then although they won't dare complain openly, in their hearts they won't accept it, and they'll simply use the excuse of public duty to serve private ends — picking a few more of your fruits, snapping off a few more of your flowers — and you'll have grievance with nowhere to voice it."他們也沾帶了些利息，你們有照顧不到，他們就替你照顧了。」"Once they too have a share in the profit, then wherever your own attention falls short, they will look after things for you in your place."

一时婆子们来回大夫已去。将药方送上去。三人看了，一面遣人送出去取药，监派调服，一面探春与李纨明示诸人：某人管某处，按四季除家中定例用多少外，余者任凭你们采取了去取利，年终算帐。探春笑道：「我又想起一件事：若年终算帐归钱时，自然归到帐房，仍是上头又添一层管主，还在他们手心里，又剥一层皮。这如今我们兴出这事来派了你们，已是跨过他们的头去了，心里有气，只说不出来，你们年终去归帐，他们还不捉弄你们等什么？再者，这一年间管什么的，主子有一全分，他们就得半分。这是家里的旧例，人所共知的，别的偷著的在外。如今这园子里是我的新创，竟别入他们手，每年归帐，竟归到里头来才好。」宝钗笑道：「依我说，里头也不用归帐，这个多了那个少了，倒多了事。不如问他们谁领这一分的，他就揽一宗事去。不过是园里的人的动用。我替你们算出来了，有限的几宗事：不过是头油，胭粉，香，纸，每一位姑娘几个丫头，都是有定例的，再者，各处笤帚，撮簸，掸子并大小禽鸟，鹿，兔吃的粮食。不过这几样，都是他们包了去，不用帐房去领钱。你算算，就省下多少来？」平儿笑道：「这几宗虽小，一年通共算了，也省的下四百两银子。」宝钗笑道：「却又来，一年四百，二年八百两，取租的房子也能看得了几间，薄地也可添几亩。虽然还有敷余的，但他们既辛苦闹一年，也要叫他们剩些，粘补粘补自家。虽是兴利节用为纲，然亦不可太啬。纵再省上二三百银子，失了大体统也不像。所以如此一行，外头帐房里一年少出四五百银子，也不觉得很艰啬了，他们里头却也得些小补。这些没营生的妈妈们也宽裕了，园子里花木，也可以每年滋长蕃盛，你们也得了可使之物。这庶几不失大体。若一味要省时，那里不搜寻出几个钱来。凡有些余利的，一概入了官中，那时里外怨声载道，岂不失了你们这样人家的大体？如今这园里几十个老妈妈们，若只给了这个，那剩的也必抱怨不公。我才说的，他们只供给这个几样，也未免太宽裕了。一年竟除了这个之外，他每人不论有余无余，只叫他拿出若干贯钱来，大家凑齐，单散与园中这些妈妈们。他们虽不料理这些，却日夜也是在园中照看当差之人，关门闭户，起早睡晚，大雨大雪，姑娘们出入，抬轿子，撑船，拉冰床。一应粗糙活计，都是他们的差使。一年在园里辛苦到头，这园内既有出息，也是分内该沾带些的。还有一句至小的话，越发说破了：你们只管了自己宽裕，不分与他们些，他们虽不敢明怨，心里却都不服，只用假公济私的多摘你们几个果子，多掐几枝花儿，你们有冤还没处诉。他们也沾带了些利息，你们有照顾不到，他们就替你照顾了。」

眾婆子聽了這個議論，又去了帳房受轄治，又不與鳳姐兒去算帳，一年不過多拿出若干貫錢來，各各歡喜異常，都齊說：「願意。Hearing this reasoning, the old women — freed as well from being under the thumb of the estate office, and no longer having to settle accounts with Xifeng, at the cost of no more than contributing a certain number of strings of cash a year — were every one of them extraordinarily pleased, and all said together, "We're willing."強如出去被他揉搓著，還得拿出錢來呢。」那不得管地的聽了每年終又無故得分錢，也都喜歡起來，口內說：「他們辛苦收拾，是該剩些錢粘補的。"Far better than being pushed around out there and still having to pay out money on top of it." Those who had not been assigned any plot of land, on hearing that they too would receive a share of money each year end for no particular effort, likewise grew pleased, and said, "Since they work hard tending things, it's only right they should keep some money back to help patch up their households."我們怎麼好『穩坐吃三注』的？」寶釵笑道：「媽媽們也別推辭了，這原是分內應當的。"How could it be right for us to just sit comfortably and collect a triple share doing nothing?" Baochai said with a smile, "Now, mamas, there's no need to decline either — this is simply what is due to you by right."你們只要日夜辛苦些，別躲懶縱放人吃酒賭錢就是了。"All you need do is work diligently day and night, and not shirk your duties or let people drink and gamble."不然，我也不該管這事，你們一般聽見，姨娘親口囑托我三五回，說大奶奶如今又不得閒兒，別的姑娘又小，托我照看照看。"Otherwise, I really shouldn't be involving myself in this matter at all — but as you've all heard yourselves, Aunt Xue personally entrusted it to me several times over, saying that Mistress Zhu is presently too occupied, and the other young ladies too young, and asking me to look after things a little."我若不依，分明是叫姨娘操心。"If I refused, it would plainly mean leaving Aunt Xue to worry over it herself."你們奶奶又多病多痛，家務也忙。"Your mistress, moreover, is often ill and in poor health, and busy besides with household affairs."我原是個閒人，便是個街坊鄰居，也要幫著些，何況是親姨娘托我。"I myself am, after all, someone with time to spare — even for a mere neighbor I would lend a hand, let alone when it's my own aunt who has entrusted this to me."我免不得去小就大，講不起眾人嫌我。"I can hardly avoid setting aside small concerns to attend to the larger ones, and cannot afford to worry over whether everyone resents me for it."倘或我只顧了小分沽名釣譽，那時酒醉賭博生出事來，我怎麼見姨娘？"If I were to think only of small favors and angling for a good name, and trouble then arose from drunkenness and gambling, how could I ever face Aunt Xue again?"你們那時後悔也遲了，就連你們素日的老臉也都丟了。"By then it would be too late for you to regret it, and you would lose even the old faces you've built up for yourselves over all these years."這些姑娘小姐們，這麼一所大花園，都是你們照看，皆因看得你們是三四代的老媽媽，最是循規遵矩的，原該大家齊心，顧些體統。These young ladies, and this whole great garden — the care of them all has been entrusted to you, precisely because you are looked upon as old nannies who have served three or four generations, and are the most rule-abiding of all; you ought all the more to be of one mind and mindful of propriety.你們反縱放別人任意吃酒賭博，姨娘聽見了，教訓一場猶可，倘若被那幾個管家娘子聽見了，他們也不用回姨娘，竟教導你們一番。Instead you have let others drink and gamble as they please. If the concubines hear of it, a scolding is bearable enough; but if it should reach the ears of those stewardesses, they need not even report it to the concubines — they will simply take it upon themselves to lecture you.你們這年老的反受了年小的教訓，雖是他們是管家。You, their elders, would then be reprimanded by your juniors — even though it is true that they are the stewards.管的著你們，何如自己存些體統，他們如何得來作踐。They have authority over you; how much better it would be to maintain some dignity of your own, so that they never get the chance to trample on you.所以我如今替你們想出這個額外的進益來，也為大家齊心把這園裡周全的謹謹慎慎，使那些有權執事的看見這般嚴肅謹慎，且不用他們操心，他們心裡豈不敬伏。That is why I have now thought up this extra income for you — so that, all being of one mind, you may look after this garden with the utmost care and caution; and when those in authority see such strictness and vigilance, and need not trouble themselves over it, will they not respect and defer to you in their hearts?也不枉替你們籌畫進益，既能奪他們之權，生你們之利，豈不能行無為之治，分他們之憂。Then my having planned this income for you will not have been wasted — since it can wrest their authority from them and yield profit for you, could it not also amount to governing through non-interference, and take some of their worries off their hands?你們去細想想這話。」家人都歡聲鼎沸說：「姑娘說的很是。"Go and think this over carefully." The servants all burst out in a joyful clamor, saying, "The young lady is quite right.從此姑娘奶奶只管放心，姑娘奶奶這樣疼顧我們，我們再要不體上情，天地也不容了。」From now on, young ladies and mistress, you need have no worry at all. You care for us so kindly that if we still failed to appreciate your feelings, Heaven and Earth themselves would not tolerate us."

众婆子听了这个议论，又去了帐房受辖治，又不与凤姐儿去算帐，一年不过多拿出若干贯钱来，各各欢喜异常，都齐说：「愿意。强如出去被他揉搓著，还得拿出钱来呢。」那不得管地的听了每年终又无故得分钱，也都喜欢起来，口内说：「他们辛苦收拾，是该剩些钱粘补的。我们怎么好『稳坐吃三注』的？」宝钗笑道：「妈妈们也别推辞了，这原是分内应当的。你们只要日夜辛苦些，别躲懒纵放人吃酒赌钱就是了。不然，我也不该管这事，你们一般听见，姨娘亲口嘱托我三五回，说大奶奶如今又不得闲儿，别的姑娘又小，托我照看照看。我若不依，分明是叫姨娘操心。你们奶奶又多病多痛，家务也忙。我原是个闲人，便是个街坊邻居，也要帮著些，何况是亲姨娘托我。我免不得去小就大，讲不起众人嫌我。倘或我只顾了小分沽名钓誉，那时酒醉赌博生出事来，我怎么见姨娘？你们那时后悔也迟了，就连你们素日的老脸也都丢了。这些姑娘小姐们，这么一所大花园，都是你们照看，皆因看得你们是三四代的老妈妈，最是循规遵矩的，原该大家齐心，顾些体统。你们反纵放别人任意吃酒赌博，姨娘听见了，教训一场犹可，倘若被那几个管家娘子听见了，他们也不用回姨娘，竟教导你们一番。你们这年老的反受了年小的教训，虽是他们是管家。管的著你们，何如自己存些体统，他们如何得来作践。所以我如今替你们想出这个额外的进益来，也为大家齐心把这园里周全的谨谨慎慎，使那些有权执事的看见这般严肃谨慎，且不用他们操心，他们心里岂不敬伏。也不枉替你们筹画进益，既能夺他们之权，生你们之利，岂不能行无为之治，分他们之忧。你们去细想想这话。」家人都欢声鼎沸说：「姑娘说的很是。从此姑娘奶奶只管放心，姑娘奶奶这样疼顾我们，我们再要不体上情，天地也不容了。」

剛說著，只見林之孝家的進來說：「江南甄府裡家眷昨日到京，今日進宮朝賀。Just as they were speaking, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in and said, "The family of the Zhen household from Jiangnan arrived in the capital yesterday, and today they have gone into the palace to pay their respects.此刻先遣人來送禮請安。」說著，便將禮單送上去。Just now they sent someone ahead to deliver gifts and present their greetings." So saying, she handed up the gift list.探春接了，看道是：「上用的妝緞蟒緞十二匹，上用雜色緞十二匹，上用各色紗十二匹，上用宮綢十二匹，官用各色緞紗綢綾二十四匹。」李紈也看過，說：「用上等封兒賞他。」因又命人回了賈母。Tanchun took it and read: "Twelve bolts of imperial brocaded python-satin, twelve bolts of imperial variegated satin, twelve bolts of imperial gauze in various colors, twelve bolts of imperial palace silk, and twenty-four bolts of official-grade satin, gauze, silk, and damask in various colors." Li Wan looked it over as well and said, "Reward them with envelopes of the best quality." She then had someone report it to Grandmother Jia.賈母便命人叫李紈，探春，寶釵等也都過來，將禮物看了。Grandmother Jia sent for Li Wan, Tanchun, Baochai, and the others to come over as well, and they all looked over the gifts.李紈收過，一邊吩咐內庫上人說：「等太太回來看了再收。」賈母因說：「這甄家又不與別家相同，上等賞封賞男人，只怕展眼又打發女人來請安，預備下尺頭。」一語未完，果然人回：「甄府四個女人來請安。」賈母聽了，忙命人帶進來。Li Wan took the gifts in charge, and at the same time instructed the keepers of the inner storehouse, "Wait until the mistress returns and has seen them before putting them away." Grandmother Jia then said, "This Zhen family is not like other families — give the best reward envelopes to the men, but I suspect that before long they will send women as well to pay their respects, so have some lengths of cloth ready." Before she had even finished speaking, word indeed came: "Four women from the Zhen household have come to pay their respects." On hearing this, Grandmother Jia at once had them brought in.

刚说著，只见林之孝家的进来说：「江南甄府里家眷昨日到京，今日进宫朝贺。此刻先遣人来送礼请安。」说著，便将礼单送上去。探春接了，看道是：「上用的妆缎蟒缎十二匹，上用杂色缎十二匹，上用各色纱十二匹，上用宫绸十二匹，官用各色缎纱绸绫二十四匹。」李纨也看过，说：「用上等封儿赏他。」因又命人回了贾母。贾母便命人叫李纨，探春，宝钗等也都过来，将礼物看了。李纨收过，一边吩咐内库上人说：「等太太回来看了再收。」贾母因说：「这甄家又不与别家相同，上等赏封赏男人，只怕展眼又打发女人来请安，预备下尺头。」一语未完，果然人回：「甄府四个女人来请安。」贾母听了，忙命人带进来。

那四個人都是四十往上的年紀，穿戴之物，皆比主子不甚差別。The four women were all past forty, and what they wore was not much inferior to that of their mistresses.請安問好畢，賈母命拿了四個腳踏來，他四人謝了坐，待寶釵等坐了，方都坐下。After paying their respects and exchanging greetings, Grandmother Jia had four footstools brought out; the four women thanked her for the seats, and waited until Baochai and the others had sat down before seating themselves.賈母便問：「多早晚進京的？」四人忙起身回說：「昨日進的京。Grandmother Jia then asked, "When did you arrive in the capital?" The four hurriedly rose and replied, "We arrived yesterday.今日太太帶了姑娘進宮請安去了，故令女人們來請安，問候姑娘們。」賈母笑問道：「這些年沒進京，也不想到今年來。」四人也都笑回道：「正是，今年是奉旨進京的。」賈母問道：「家眷都來了？」四人回說：「老太太和哥兒，兩位小姐並別位太太都沒來，就只太太帶了三姑娘來了。」賈母道：「有人家沒有？」四人道：「尚沒有。」賈母笑道：「你們大姑娘和二姑娘這兩家，都和我們家甚好。」四人笑道：「正是。Today our mistress has taken the young lady into the palace to pay her respects, and so she sent us to pay ours, and to ask after the young ladies here." Grandmother Jia asked with a smile, "You haven't come to the capital in all these years — I never expected you this year." The four also replied with smiles, "Just so — this year we came to the capital by imperial summons." Grandmother Jia asked, "Has the whole family come?" The four replied, "The old lady, the young master, the two young ladies, and the other mistresses did not come; only our mistress brought the third young lady." Grandmother Jia said, "Has she a family yet?" The four said, "Not yet." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "The two families your eldest and second young ladies married into are both on very good terms with ours." The four said with a smile, "Just so.每年姑娘們有信回去說，全虧府上照看。」賈母笑道：「什麼照看，原是世交，又是老親，原應當的。Every year the young ladies write home saying it is entirely thanks to your household's care." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "What care is there to speak of — we are old family friends and old relations besides; it is only proper.你們二姑娘更好，更不自尊自大，所以我們才走的親密。」四人笑道：「這是老太太過謙了。」賈母又問：「你這哥兒也跟著你們老太太？」四人回說：「也是跟著老太太。」賈母道：「幾歲了？」又問：「上學不曾？」四人笑說：「今年十三歲。Your second young lady is even better — not the least bit proud or self-important, and that is why we have grown so close." The four said with a smile, "The old lady is too modest." Grandmother Jia asked further, "Does this young master of yours stay with your old lady too?" The four replied, "He too stays with the old lady." Grandmother Jia said, "How old is he?" and further asked, "Has he begun his studies yet?" The four said with a smile, "He is thirteen this year.因長得齊整，老太太很疼。Because he has grown up so handsome, the old lady dotes on him greatly.自幼淘氣異常，天天逃學，老爺太太也不便十分管教。」賈母笑道：「也不成了我們家的了！Since childhood he has been extraordinarily mischievous, playing truant every single day, and the master and mistress find it awkward to discipline him too strictly." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "Why, he might as well belong to our own family!你這哥兒叫什麼名字？」四人道：「因老太太當作寶貝一樣，他又生的白，老太太便叫作寶玉。」賈母便向李紈等道：「偏也叫作個寶玉。」李紈忙欠身笑道：「從古至今，同時隔代重名的很多。」四人也笑道：「起了這小名兒之後，我們上下都疑惑，不知那位親友家也倒似曾有一個的。What is this young master's name?" The four said, "Because the old lady prizes him like a treasure, and he was also born fair-skinned, the old lady named him Baoyu." Grandmother Jia then said to Li Wan and the others, "How strange — he too is named Baoyu." Li Wan hastily leaned forward with a smile and said, "From ancient times to the present, there have been many cases of the same name recurring, whether within one generation or across generations." The four also said with a smile, "Ever since he was given this childhood name, all of us, high and low, have been puzzled, feeling that some relative's or friend's family must once have had one by that name too.只是這十來年沒進京來，卻記不得真了。」賈母笑道：「豈敢，就是我的孫子。Only, we have not come to the capital in these past ten-odd years, and so could not recall it clearly." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "How could I presume to compare — it is simply my own grandson.人來。」眾媳婦丫頭答應了一聲，走近幾步。Someone come here." The wives and maids all answered together and stepped a few paces closer.賈母笑道：「園裡把咱們的寶玉叫了來，給這四個管家娘子瞧瞧，比他們的寶玉如何？」Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "Call our Baoyu in from the garden, and let these four stewardesses see how he compares with theirs."

那四个人都是四十往上的年纪，穿戴之物，皆比主子不甚差别。请安问好毕，贾母命拿了四个脚踏来，他四人谢了坐，待宝钗等坐了，方都坐下。贾母便问：「多早晚进京的？」四人忙起身回说：「昨日进的京。今日太太带了姑娘进宫请安去了，故令女人们来请安，问候姑娘们。」贾母笑问道：「这些年没进京，也不想到今年来。」四人也都笑回道：「正是，今年是奉旨进京的。」贾母问道：「家眷都来了？」四人回说：「老太太和哥儿，两位小姐并别位太太都没来，就只太太带了三姑娘来了。」贾母道：「有人家没有？」四人道：「尚没有。」贾母笑道：「你们大姑娘和二姑娘这两家，都和我们家甚好。」四人笑道：「正是。每年姑娘们有信回去说，全亏府上照看。」贾母笑道：「什么照看，原是世交，又是老亲，原应当的。你们二姑娘更好，更不自尊自大，所以我们才走的亲密。」四人笑道：「这是老太太过谦了。」贾母又问：「你这哥儿也跟著你们老太太？」四人回说：「也是跟著老太太。」贾母道：「几岁了？」又问：「上学不曾？」四人笑说：「今年十三岁。因长得齐整，老太太很疼。自幼淘气异常，天天逃学，老爷太太也不便十分管教。」贾母笑道：「也不成了我们家的了！你这哥儿叫什么名字？」四人道：「因老太太当作宝贝一样，他又生的白，老太太便叫作宝玉。」贾母便向李纨等道：「偏也叫作个宝玉。」李纨忙欠身笑道：「从古至今，同时隔代重名的很多。」四人也笑道：「起了这小名儿之后，我们上下都疑惑，不知那位亲友家也倒似曾有一个的。只是这十来年没进京来，却记不得真了。」贾母笑道：「岂敢，就是我的孙子。人来。」众媳妇丫头答应了一声，走近几步。贾母笑道：「园里把咱们的宝玉叫了来，给这四个管家娘子瞧瞧，比他们的宝玉如何？」

眾媳婦聽了，忙去了，半刻圍了寶玉進來。On hearing this, the wives hurried off, and in a little while came back with Baoyu, surrounding him as they brought him in.四人一見，忙起身笑道：「唬了我們一跳。The moment the four women saw him, they hastily rose and said with a laugh, "That gave us quite a fright.若是我們不進府來，倘若別處遇見，還只道是我們的寶玉後趕著也進了京了呢。」一面說，一面都上來拉他的手，問長問短。If we had not come into this household, and had met him somewhere else, we would have taken him for our own Baoyu, and thought he had hurried after us into the capital as well." As they spoke, they all came up and took hold of his hands, asking him this and that.寶玉忙也笑問好。Baoyu hurriedly returned their greetings with smiles as well.賈母笑道：「比你們的長的如何？」李紈等笑道：「四位媽媽才一說，可知是模樣相仿了。」賈母笑道：「那有這樣巧事？Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "How does he compare with yours in looks?" Li Wan and the others said with a smile, "From what the four nannies just said, one can tell their looks must be much alike." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "How could there be such a coincidence?大家子孩子們再養的嬌嫩，除了臉上有殘疾十分黑丑的，大概看去都是一樣的齊整。However delicately children of great families are raised, apart from those with some blemish on the face or who are very dark and homely, they mostly look, on the whole, much the same in their fine looks.這也沒有什麼怪處。」四人笑道：「如今看來，模樣是一樣。There is nothing so strange in that." The four said with a smile, "Now that we see him, the looks are indeed alike.据老太太說，淘氣也一樣。And by what the old lady says, the mischief is alike too.我們看來，這位哥兒性情卻比我們的好些。」賈母忙問：「怎見得？」四人笑道：「方才我們拉哥兒的手說話便知。Yet to our eyes, this young master's temperament seems rather better than ours." Grandmother Jia asked quickly, "How can you tell?" The four said with a smile, "We could tell just now, when we took the young master's hand and spoke with him.我們那一個只說我們糊塗，慢說拉手，他的東西我們略動一動也不依。Ours at home only calls us muddleheaded — let alone taking his hand, if we so much as touch one of his things, he will not have it.所使喚的人都是女孩子們。」四人未說完，李紈姊妹等禁不住都失聲笑出來。The only people he will let wait on him are girls." Before the four had finished speaking, Li Wan and her sisters-in-law could not help bursting into laughter.賈母也笑道：「我們這會子也打發人去見了你們寶玉，若拉他的手，他也自然勉強忍耐一時。Grandmother Jia also said with a smile, "If we sent someone right now to meet your Baoyu, and they took his hand, he too would naturally put up with it for the moment, however reluctantly.可知你我這樣人家的孩子們，憑他們有什麼刁鑽古怪的毛病兒，見了外人，必是要還出正經禮數來的。It shows that the children of households like yours and mine, whatever contrary and eccentric faults they may have, will surely put on proper manners once they meet outsiders.若他不還正經禮數，也斷不容他刁鑽去了。If he failed to show proper manners in return, they would certainly not let him go on being so contrary and crafty.就是大人溺愛的，是他一則生的得人意，二則見人禮數竟比大人行出來的不錯，使人見了可愛可怜，背地裡所以才縱他一點子。As for the adults doting on him, it is, first, because he was born so pleasing, and second, because when he meets people his manners turn out to be no worse than an adult's own, so that people find him lovable and endearing to see — and that is precisely why, behind closed doors, they indulge him a little.若一味他只管沒裡沒外，不與大人爭光，憑他生的怎樣，也是該打死的。」四人聽了，都笑說：「老太太這話正是。But if he went about with no sense of inside or outside, bringing no credit to the adults, then however fine his looks, he would deserve to be beaten to death." On hearing this, the four all said with a smile, "The old lady's words are quite right.雖然我們寶玉淘氣古怪，有時見了人客，規矩禮數更比大人有禮。Although our Baoyu is mischievous and eccentric, there are times, on meeting guests, when his manners and etiquette are even more courteous than an adult's.所以無人見了不愛，只說為什麼還打他。So there is no one who sees him without loving him, and they only ask why he is beaten at all.殊不知他在家裡無法無天，大人想不到的話偏會說，想不到的事他偏要行，所以老爺太太恨的無法。Little do they know that at home he is utterly lawless — he will say just the very words the adults would never expect, and insist on doing just the very things they would never expect, so that the master and mistress are at their wits' end with resentment.就是弄性，也是小孩子的常情，胡亂花費，這也是公子哥兒的常情，怕上學，也是小孩子的常情，都還治的過來。As for throwing tantrums, that is only the ordinary way of children; spending money recklessly, that too is the ordinary way of young gentlemen; dreading school, that too is the ordinary way of children — all of these can still be corrected.第一，天生下來這一種刁鑽古怪的脾氣，如何使得。」一語未了，人回：「太太回來了。」王夫人進來問過安。But above all, this contrary and eccentric temper he was born with — how can that possibly be allowed?" Before she had quite finished speaking, someone came to report, "The mistress has returned." Lady Wang came in and paid her respects.他四人請了安，大概說了兩句。The four women paid their respects to her as well, and exchanged a few words in general.賈母便命歇歇去。Grandmother Jia then told them to go and rest.王夫人親捧過茶，方退出。Lady Wang personally held out the tea to them, and only then withdrew.四人告辭了賈母，便往王夫人處來。The four women took their leave of Grandmother Jia and went on to Lady Wang's quarters.說了一會家務，打發他們回去，不必細說。They talked over household matters for a while, and were then sent on their way home — there is no need to relate this in detail.

众媳妇听了，忙去了，半刻围了宝玉进来。四人一见，忙起身笑道：「唬了我们一跳。若是我们不进府来，倘若别处遇见，还只道是我们的宝玉后赶著也进了京了呢。」一面说，一面都上来拉他的手，问长问短。宝玉忙也笑问好。贾母笑道：「比你们的长的如何？」李纨等笑道：「四位妈妈才一说，可知是模样相仿了。」贾母笑道：「那有这样巧事？大家子孩子们再养的娇嫩，除了脸上有残疾十分黑丑的，大概看去都是一样的齐整。这也没有什么怪处。」四人笑道：「如今看来，模样是一样。据老太太说，淘气也一样。我们看来，这位哥儿性情却比我们的好些。」贾母忙问：「怎见得？」四人笑道：「方才我们拉哥儿的手说话便知。我们那一个只说我们糊涂，慢说拉手，他的东西我们略动一动也不依。所使唤的人都是女孩子们。」四人未说完，李纨姊妹等禁不住都失声笑出来。贾母也笑道：「我们这会子也打发人去见了你们宝玉，若拉他的手，他也自然勉强忍耐一时。可知你我这样人家的孩子们，凭他们有什么刁钻古怪的毛病儿，见了外人，必是要还出正经礼数来的。若他不还正经礼数，也断不容他刁钻去了。就是大人溺爱的，是他一则生的得人意，二则见人礼数竟比大人行出来的不错，使人见了可爱可怜，背地里所以才纵他一点子。若一味他只管没里没外，不与大人争光，凭他生的怎样，也是该打死的。」四人听了，都笑说：「老太太这话正是。虽然我们宝玉淘气古怪，有时见了人客，规矩礼数更比大人有礼。所以无人见了不爱，只说为什么还打他。殊不知他在家里无法无天，大人想不到的话偏会说，想不到的事他偏要行，所以老爷太太恨的无法。就是弄性，也是小孩子的常情，胡乱花费，这也是公子哥儿的常情，怕上学，也是小孩子的常情，都还治的过来。第一，天生下来这一种刁钻古怪的脾气，如何使得。」一语未了，人回：「太太回来了。」王夫人进来问过安。他四人请了安，大概说了两句。贾母便命歇歇去。王夫人亲捧过茶，方退出。四人告辞了贾母，便往王夫人处来。说了一会家务，打发他们回去，不必细说。

這裡賈母喜的逢人便告訴，也有一個寶玉，也卻一般行景。Here, Grandmother Jia was so delighted that she told everyone she met that there was another Baoyu, and that his ways were just the same.眾人都為天下之大，世宦之多，同名者也甚多，祖母溺愛孫者也古今所有常事耳，不是什麼罕事，故皆不介意。Everyone else felt that, the world being so vast and official families so numerous, there were bound to be many people sharing the same name, and that a grandmother doting on her grandson was an ordinary occurrence in every age, nothing rare at all — and so no one thought much of it.獨寶玉是個迂闊呆公子的性情，自為是那四人承悅賈母之詞。Only Baoyu, being of a naive and impractical temperament, took it for nothing more than words the four women had used to flatter and please Grandmother Jia.後至蘅蕪苑去看湘雲病去，史湘雲說他：「你放心鬧罷，先是『單絲不成線，獨樹不成林』，如今有了個對子，鬧急了，再打很了，你逃走到南京找那一個去。」寶玉道：「那裡的謊話你也信了，偏又有個寶玉了？」湘雲道：「怎麼列國有個藺相如，漢朝又有個司馬相如呢？」寶玉笑道：「這也罷了，偏又模樣兒也一樣，這是沒有的事。」湘雲道：「怎麼匡人看見孔子，只當是陽虎呢？」寶玉笑道：「孔子陽虎雖同貌，卻不同名，藺與司馬雖同名，而又不同貌，偏我和他就兩樣俱同不成？」湘雲沒了話答對，因笑道：「你只會胡攪，我也不和你分證。Later, when he went to Hengwuyuan to see Xiangyun, who was ill, Shi Xiangyun said to him, "Go ahead and carry on as you please — before, it was 'a single strand makes no thread, a lone tree makes no forest,' but now you have your match. Once they've been driven to distraction by your mischief and given you a proper beating, you can run off to Nanjing and go find that other one." Baoyu said, "How can you believe such nonsense — is there really another Baoyu?" Xiangyun said, "How is it that among the Warring States there was a Lin Xiangru, and in the Han dynasty there was also a Sima Xiangru?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Very well, let that pass — but for his looks to be the same as well, that is something that could never happen." Xiangyun said, "How is it that the people of Kuang, on seeing Confucius, took him for Yang Hu?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Confucius and Yang Hu, though alike in appearance, did not share a name; Lin and Sima, though sharing a name, did not share an appearance — but must it be that he and I share both alike, in every particular?" Xiangyun had no answer left, and said with a smile, "You only know how to wrangle — I won't argue it out with you any further.有也罷，沒也罷，與我無干。」說著便睡下了。Whether he exists or not is no concern of mine." So saying, she lay down to sleep.

这里贾母喜的逢人便告诉，也有一个宝玉，也却一般行景。众人都为天下之大，世宦之多，同名者也甚多，祖母溺爱孙者也古今所有常事耳，不是什么罕事，故皆不介意。独宝玉是个迂阔呆公子的性情，自为是那四人承悦贾母之词。后至蘅芜苑去看湘云病去，史湘云说他：「你放心闹罢，先是『单丝不成线，独树不成林』，如今有了个对子，闹急了，再打很了，你逃走到南京找那一个去。」宝玉道：「那里的谎话你也信了，偏又有个宝玉了？」湘云道：「怎么列国有个蔺相如，汉朝又有个司马相如呢？」宝玉笑道：「这也罢了，偏又模样儿也一样，这是没有的事。」湘云道：「怎么匡人看见孔子，只当是阳虎呢？」宝玉笑道：「孔子阳虎虽同貌，却不同名，蔺与司马虽同名，而又不同貌，偏我和他就两样俱同不成？」湘云没了话答对，因笑道：「你只会胡搅，我也不和你分证。有也罢，没也罢，与我无干。」说著便睡下了。

寶玉心中便又疑惑起來：若說必無，然亦似有，若說必有，又並無目睹。In his heart Baoyu grew doubtful again: if he said there was certainly no such person, yet it seemed as though there might be; if he said there certainly was one, still he had never seen him with his own eyes.心中悶了，回至房中榻上默默盤算，不覺就忽忽的睡去，不覺竟到了一座花園之內。Feeling troubled at heart, he went back to his room, lay down on the couch, and turned it over silently in his mind, until before he knew it he had drifted off to sleep, and without realizing it found himself inside a garden.寶玉詫異道：「除了我們大觀園，更又有這一個園子？」正疑惑間，從那邊來了幾個女兒，都是丫鬟。Baoyu thought in astonishment, "Besides our own Daguanyuan, is there yet another garden like this?" Just as he was wondering, several girls came from the other side, all of them maidservants.寶玉又詫異道：「除了鴛鴦、襲人、平兒之外，也竟還有這一干人？」只見那些丫鬟笑道：「寶玉怎麼跑到這裡來了？」寶玉只當是說他，自己忙來陪笑說道：「因我偶步到此，不知是那位世交的花園，好姐姐們，帶我逛逛。」眾丫鬟都笑道：「原來不是咱們的寶玉。Baoyu thought in astonishment again, "Besides Yuanyang, Xiren, and Pinger, is there really this whole crowd of girls as well?" Just then he heard the maids say with a laugh, "How did Baoyu come to wander in here?" Baoyu, assuming they meant him, hastily came forward with an ingratiating smile and said, "I happened to stroll here by chance — I wonder whose family friend's garden this is. Dear sisters, do take me around to look." The maids all said with a laugh, "So it isn't our Baoyu after all.他生的倒也還乾淨，嘴兒也倒乖覺。」寶玉聽了，忙道：「姐姐們，這裡也更還有個寶玉？」丫鬟們忙道：「寶玉二字，我們是奉老太太，太太之命，為保佑他延壽消災的。He's clean-looking enough, and his mouth is glib enough too." Hearing this, Baoyu said hastily, "Sisters, is there really another Baoyu here as well?" The maids said quickly, "The two words 'Baoyu' — we use them by order of the old lady and the mistress, to protect him and prolong his life and ward off calamity.我叫他，他聽見喜歡。When I call him by it, he is pleased to hear it.你是那裡遠方來的臭小廝，也亂叫起他來。Who are you, some stinking young lackey from who knows where, that you dare go about calling him by it too.仔細你的臭肉，打不爛你的。」又一個丫鬟笑道：「咱們快走罷，別叫寶玉看見，又說同這臭小廝說了話，把咱熏臭了。」說著一徑去了。Watch that stinking hide of yours — do you think it can't be beaten to a pulp?" Then another maid said with a laugh, "Let's hurry off — don't let Baoyu see us, or he'll say we've been talking to this stinking lackey and gotten ourselves all smelly." So saying, they went straight off.

宝玉心中便又疑惑起来：若说必无，然亦似有，若说必有，又并无目睹。心中闷了，回至房中榻上默默盘算，不觉就忽忽的睡去，不觉竟到了一座花园之内。宝玉诧异道：「除了我们大观园，更又有这一个园子？」正疑惑间，从那边来了几个女儿，都是丫鬟。宝玉又诧异道：「除了鸳鸯、袭人、平儿之外，也竟还有这一干人？」只见那些丫鬟笑道：「宝玉怎么跑到这里来了？」宝玉只当是说他，自己忙来陪笑说道：「因我偶步到此，不知是那位世交的花园，好姐姐们，带我逛逛。」众丫鬟都笑道：「原来不是咱们的宝玉。他生的倒也还干净，嘴儿也倒乖觉。」宝玉听了，忙道：「姐姐们，这里也更还有个宝玉？」丫鬟们忙道：「宝玉二字，我们是奉老太太，太太之命，为保佑他延寿消灾的。我叫他，他听见喜欢。你是那里远方来的臭小厮，也乱叫起他来。仔细你的臭肉，打不烂你的。」又一个丫鬟笑道：「咱们快走罢，别叫宝玉看见，又说同这臭小厮说了话，把咱熏臭了。」说著一径去了。

寶玉納悶道：「從來沒有人如此涂毒我，他們如何更這樣？Baoyu, perplexed, thought, "No one has ever abused me so before — how is it these girls treat me this way?真亦有我這樣一個人不成？」一面想，一面順步早到了一所院內。Could there really be another person just like me?" Thinking this over as he walked, he soon found himself, following the path, inside a courtyard.寶玉又詫異道：「除了怡紅院，也更還有這麼一個院落。」忽上了台磯，進入屋內，只見榻上有一個人臥著，那邊有幾個女孩兒做針線，也有嘻笑頑耍的。Baoyu again thought in astonishment, "Besides Yihongyuan, is there really another courtyard just like this?" All at once he had mounted the steps and entered the room, where he saw someone lying on a couch, while off to the side several girls were doing needlework, and others were laughing and playing about.只見榻上那個少年歎了一聲。Just then the young man on the couch let out a sigh.一個丫鬟笑問道：「寶玉，你不睡又歎什麼？One of the maids asked him with a smile, "Baoyu, why aren't you asleep, and what are you sighing about?想必為你妹妹病了，你又胡愁亂恨呢。」寶玉聽說，心下也便吃驚。It must be that your cousin is ill, and you're fretting and grieving needlessly again." Hearing this, Baoyu too was startled at heart.只見榻上少年說道：「我聽見老太太說，長安都中也有個寶玉，和我一樣的性情，我只不信。Then he heard the young man on the couch say, "I heard the old lady say that in the capital at Chang'an there is also a Baoyu, of a temperament just like mine — I simply did not believe it.我才作了一個夢，竟夢中到了都中一個花園子裡頭，遇見幾個姐姐，都叫我臭小廝，不理我。Just now I had a dream — in the dream I actually went to a garden in the capital, and met several girls there, who all called me a stinking lackey and paid me no attention.好容易找到他房裡頭，偏他睡覺，空有皮囊，真性不知那裡去了。」寶玉聽說，忙說道：「我因找寶玉來到這裡。After great trouble I found my way to his room, and there he was, of all things, asleep — an empty husk of a body, with his true spirit gone who knows where." On hearing this, Baoyu said hastily, "It was because I was looking for Baoyu that I came here.原來你就是寶玉？」榻上的忙下來拉住：「原來你就是寶玉？So it is you who are Baoyu?" The one on the couch hurried down and caught hold of him: "So it is you who are Baoyu?這可不是夢裡了。」寶玉道：「這如何是夢？Then this surely is not a dream." Baoyu said, "How could this be a dream?真而又真了。」一語未了，只見人來說：「老爺叫寶玉。」唬得二人皆慌了。It is real, utterly real." Before the words were finished, someone came and said, "The master is calling for Baoyu." Both of them were so startled that they were thrown into confusion.一個寶玉就走，一個寶玉便忙叫：「寶玉快回來，快回來！」One Baoyu turned to go, and the other Baoyu called out hastily, "Baoyu, come back quickly, come back quickly!"

宝玉纳闷道：「从来没有人如此涂毒我，他们如何更这样？真亦有我这样一个人不成？」一面想，一面顺步早到了一所院内。宝玉又诧异道：「除了怡红院，也更还有这么一个院落。」忽上了台矶，进入屋内，只见榻上有一个人卧著，那边有几个女孩儿做针线，也有嘻笑顽耍的。只见榻上那个少年叹了一声。一个丫鬟笑问道：「宝玉，你不睡又叹什么？想必为你妹妹病了，你又胡愁乱恨呢。」宝玉听说，心下也便吃惊。只见榻上少年说道：「我听见老太太说，长安都中也有个宝玉，和我一样的性情，我只不信。我才作了一个梦，竟梦中到了都中一个花园子里头，遇见几个姐姐，都叫我臭小厮，不理我。好容易找到他房里头，偏他睡觉，空有皮囊，真性不知那里去了。」宝玉听说，忙说道：「我因找宝玉来到这里。原来你就是宝玉？」榻上的忙下来拉住：「原来你就是宝玉？这可不是梦里了。」宝玉道：「这如何是梦？真而又真了。」一语未了，只见人来说：「老爷叫宝玉。」唬得二人皆慌了。一个宝玉就走，一个宝玉便忙叫：「宝玉快回来，快回来！」

襲人在旁聽他夢中自喚，忙推醒他，笑問道：「寶玉在那裡？」此時寶玉雖醒，神意尚恍惚，因向門外指說：「才出去了。」襲人笑道：「那是你夢迷了。Xiren, standing nearby, heard him calling out his own name in his sleep, and hastily shook him awake, asking with a smile, "Where is Baoyu?" Though Baoyu had woken by then, his mind was still hazy, and he pointed toward the door, saying, "He just went out." Xiren said with a smile, "You're still lost in your dream.你揉眼細瞧，是鏡子裡照的你影兒。」寶玉向前瞧了一瞧，原是那嵌的大鏡對面相照，自己也笑了。Rub your eyes and look closely — it's your own reflection in the mirror." Baoyu leaned forward and looked, and indeed it was the large inset mirror facing him, reflecting his own image, and he laughed at himself as well.早有人捧過漱盂茶鹵來，漱了口。Someone had already brought over the rinsing basin and tea infusion, and he rinsed his mouth.麝月道：「怪道老太太常囑咐說小人屋裡不可多有鏡子。Sheyue said, "No wonder the old lady is always cautioning that young people's rooms shouldn't have too many mirrors.小人魂不全，有鏡子照多了，睡覺驚恐作胡夢。A young person's soul is not yet whole, and if mirrors reflect them too much, they'll be startled in their sleep and have all sorts of wild dreams.如今倒在大鏡子那裡安了一張床。And here we've gone and set up a bed right in front of the big mirror.有時放下鏡套還好，往前去，天熱困倦不定，那裡想的到放他，比如方才就忘了。Sometimes it's fine enough, if the mirror cover is let down, but as the days go on and the heat makes one drowsy and careless, who remembers to think of covering it — just now, for instance, it was forgotten.自然是先躺下照著影兒頑的，一時合上眼，自然是胡夢顛倒，不然如何得看著自己叫著自己的名字？No doubt you lay down first and amused yourself watching your own reflection, and then, once your eyes closed, your dreams naturally turned all confused and topsy-turvy — otherwise how could you have seen yourself and called out your own name?不如明兒挪進床來是正經。」一語未了，只見王夫人遣人來叫寶玉，不知有何話說，且聽下回分解。Better, properly speaking, to move the bed in tomorrow." Before the words were finished, Lady Wang was seen to have sent someone to summon Baoyu — what she wished to say is not yet known; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

袭人在旁听他梦中自唤，忙推醒他，笑问道：「宝玉在那里？」此时宝玉虽醒，神意尚恍惚，因向门外指说：「才出去了。」袭人笑道：「那是你梦迷了。你揉眼细瞧，是镜子里照的你影儿。」宝玉向前瞧了一瞧，原是那嵌的大镜对面相照，自己也笑了。早有人捧过漱盂茶卤来，漱了口。麝月道：「怪道老太太常嘱咐说小人屋里不可多有镜子。小人魂不全，有镜子照多了，睡觉惊恐作胡梦。如今倒在大镜子那里安了一张床。有时放下镜套还好，往前去，天热困倦不定，那里想的到放他，比如方才就忘了。自然是先躺下照著影儿顽的，一时合上眼，自然是胡梦颠倒，不然如何得看著自己叫著自己的名字？不如明儿挪进床来是正经。」一语未了，只见王夫人遣人来叫宝玉，不知有何话说，且听下回分解。

注释Notes.