第五十八回　杏子陰假鳳泣虛凰　茜紗窗真情揆痴理 In Apricot Shade a False Phoenix Weeps; At the Gauze Window True Feeling Reasons with Folly

話說他三人因見探春等進來，忙將此話掩住不提。The story goes that the three of them, seeing Tanchun and the others come in, hastily dropped the subject and said no more of it.探春等問候過，大家說笑了一會方散。After Tanchun and the others had exchanged greetings, everyone chatted and laughed for a while before dispersing.

话说他三人因见探春等进来，忙将此话掩住不提。探春等问候过，大家说笑了一会方散。

誰知上回所表的那位老太妃已薨，凡誥命等皆入朝隨班按爵守制。As it turned out, the old senior consort mentioned in the previous chapter had passed away, and all titled ladies were required to attend court in their proper ranks and observe mourning according to their rank.敕諭天下：凡有爵之家，一年內不得筵宴音樂，庶民皆三月不得婚嫁。An imperial edict was proclaimed throughout the realm: for one year, no titled household was to hold feasts or music, and commoners were forbidden to marry for three months.賈母、邢、王、尤、許婆媳祖孫等皆每日入朝隨祭，至未正以後方回。Grandmother Jia, along with the Xing, Wang, You, and Xu ladies — mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandmothers, and granddaughters alike — all went to court every day to take part in the rites, not returning until after two o'clock in the afternoon.在大內偏宮二十一日後，方請靈入先陵，地名曰孝慈縣。After twenty-one days in a side palace within the palace grounds, the coffin was at last escorted to the ancestral tombs, at a place called Xiaoci County.這陵離都來往得十來日之功，如今請靈至此，還要停放數日，方入地宮，故得一月光景。The tombs were some ten days' journey from the capital round trip, and now that the coffin had been brought there, it would still have to lie in state for several days before being interred in the underground vault — altogether about a month's time.宁府賈珍夫妻二人，也少不得是要去的。Jia Zhen and his wife of the Ning mansion could not avoid going as well.兩府無人，因此大家計議，家中無主，便報了尤氏產育，將他騰挪出來，協理榮宁兩處事体。With both mansions left without anyone in charge, everyone discussed the matter; since the household lacked someone to take charge, they gave out that You-shi was confined with childbirth, and had her excused, so that she could be moved over to help manage affairs at both the Rong and Ning mansions.因又託了薛姨媽在園內照管他姊妹丫鬟。They also entrusted Aunt Xue with looking after the girls and maids within the Garden.薛姨媽只得也挪進園來。Aunt Xue had no choice but to move into the Garden as well.因寶釵處有湘雲、香菱，李紈處目今李嬸母女雖去，然有時亦來住三五日不定，賈母又將寶琴送與他去照管，迎春處有岫煙，探春因家務冗雜，且不時有趙姨娘與賈環來嘈聒，甚不方便，惜春處房屋狹小，況賈母又千叮嚀萬囑咐託他照管林黛玉，薛姨媽素習也最怜愛他的，今既巧遇這事，便挪至瀟湘館來和黛玉同房，一應藥餌飲食十分經心。Since Baochai's quarters already had Xiangyun and Xiangling, and although Aunt Li's sister-in-law and her daughter had for the time being left Li Wan's quarters, they still came from time to time to stay three or five days at will, and Grandmother Jia had moreover sent Baoqin there for her to look after; Yingchun's quarters had Xiuyan; Tanchun's household affairs were numerous and troublesome, and besides, Concubine Zhao and Jia Huan often came to make a disturbance there, which was most inconvenient; Xichun's rooms were too cramped; moreover Grandmother Jia had over and over again earnestly charged her to look after Lin Daiyu, and Aunt Xue herself had always been especially fond of her — so now, this matter having conveniently arisen, she moved into Xiaoxiang Lodge to share quarters with Daiyu, and looked most attentively after all her medicines and meals.黛玉感戴不盡，以後便亦如寶釵之呼，連寶釵前亦直以姐姐呼之，寶琴前直以妹妹呼之，儼似同胞共出，較諸人更似親切。Daiyu was endlessly grateful, and from then on addressed her just as Baochai did — even before Baochai she called her outright 'elder sister,' and before Baoqin, outright 'younger sister,' just as if they had all been born of the same womb, seeming even closer than the rest.賈母見如此，也十分喜悅放心。Seeing this, Grandmother Jia too was greatly pleased and set at ease.薛姨媽只不過照管他姊妹，禁約得丫頭輩，一應家中大小事務也不肯多口。Aunt Xue did no more than look after the girls and keep the maids in check; she was unwilling to meddle in any of the household's affairs, great or small.尤氏雖天天過來，也不過應名點卯，亦不肯亂作威福，且他家內上下也只剩他一個料理，再者每日還要照管賈母王夫人的下處一應所需飲饌舖設之物，所以也甚操勞。You-shi, although she came over every day, did no more than put in a nominal appearance, nor was she willing to throw her weight about arbitrarily. Besides, in her own household there was no one left but herself to manage things, and on top of that she had daily to see to all the food and furnishings needed at Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's lodgings outside — so she too was kept very busy.

谁知上回所表的那位老太妃已薨，凡诰命等皆入朝随班按爵守制。敕谕天下：凡有爵之家，一年内不得筵宴音乐，庶民皆三月不得婚嫁。贾母、邢、王、尤、许婆媳祖孙等皆每日入朝随祭，至未正以后方回。在大内偏宫二十一日后，方请灵入先陵，地名曰孝慈县。这陵离都来往得十来日之功，如今请灵至此，还要停放数日，方入地宫，故得一月光景。宁府贾珍夫妻二人，也少不得是要去的。两府无人，因此大家计议，家中无主，便报了尤氏产育，将他腾挪出来，协理荣宁两处事体。因又托了薛姨妈在园内照管他姊妹丫鬟。薛姨妈只得也挪进园来。因宝钗处有湘云、香菱，李纨处目今李婶母女虽去，然有时亦来住三五日不定，贾母又将宝琴送与他去照管，迎春处有岫烟，探春因家务冗杂，且不时有赵姨娘与贾环来嘈聒，甚不方便，惜春处房屋狭小，况贾母又千叮咛万嘱咐托他照管林黛玉，薛姨妈素习也最怜爱他的，今既巧遇这事，便挪至潇湘馆来和黛玉同房，一应药饵饮食十分经心。黛玉感戴不尽，以后便亦如宝钗之呼，连宝钗前亦直以姐姐呼之，宝琴前直以妹妹呼之，俨似同胞共出，较诸人更似亲切。贾母见如此，也十分喜悦放心。薛姨妈只不过照管他姊妹，禁约得丫头辈，一应家中大小事务也不肯多口。尤氏虽天天过来，也不过应名点卯，亦不肯乱作威福，且他家内上下也只剩他一个料理，再者每日还要照管贾母王夫人的下处一应所需饮馔铺设之物，所以也甚操劳。

當下榮宁兩處主人既如此不暇，并兩處執事人等，或有人跟隨入朝的，或有朝外照理下處事務的，又有先踩踏下處的，也都各各忙亂。With the masters of both the Rong and Ning mansions thus occupied and without leisure, the stewards of both households were likewise all thrown into confusion — some following their masters to court, some seeing to affairs at the lodgings outside the court, and others sent ahead to scout out the lodgings.因此兩處下人無了正經頭緒，也都偷安，或乘隙結党，與權暫執事者竊弄威福。As a result the servants of both mansions, left without proper direction, all sought their own ease — some took advantage of the chance to form cliques, colluding with those temporarily holding authority to abuse their power in secret.榮府只留得賴大并幾個管事照管外務。In the Rong mansion only Lai Da and a few stewards were left to look after outside matters.這賴大手下常用幾個人已去，雖另委人，都是些生的，只覺不順手。The men Lai Da usually relied on had already gone off with the others, and although others were appointed in their place, they were all unfamiliar hands, and things simply did not go smoothly.且他們無知，或賺騙無節，或呈告無据，或舉荐無因，种种不善，在在生事，也難備述。Moreover, being ignorant, they cheated and swindled without restraint, brought complaints without grounds, recommended people without reason — all manner of misconduct, causing trouble at every turn, too much to relate in full.

当下荣宁两处主人既如此不暇，并两处执事人等，或有人跟随入朝的，或有朝外照理下处事务的，又有先踩踏下处的，也都各各忙乱。因此两处下人无了正经头绪，也都偷安，或乘隙结党，与权暂执事者窃弄威福。荣府只留得赖大并几个管事照管外务。这赖大手下常用几个人已去，虽另委人，都是些生的，只觉不顺手。且他们无知，或赚骗无节，或呈告无据，或举荐无因，种种不善，在在生事，也难备述。

又見各官宦家，凡養优伶男女者，一概蠲免遣發，尤氏等便議定，待王夫人回家回明，也欲遣發十二個女孩子，又說：「這些人原是買的，如今雖不學唱，盡可留著使喚，令其教習們自去也罷了。」王夫人因說：「這學戲的倒比不得使喚的，他們也是好人家的兒女，因無能賣了做這事，裝丑弄鬼的幾年。Seeing besides that in every official and noble household, all the boy and girl actors kept for entertainment were being uniformly released and sent away, You-shi and the others decided that, once Lady Wang returned and they had reported the matter to her, they too would send away the twelve girl actors. They also said, 'These girls were originally bought, and even though they will no longer be trained to sing, they may perfectly well be kept on to be used as servants — only their instructors need be sent off.' To this Lady Wang said, 'These opera-trained girls cannot be treated the same as ordinary servants. They too are the children of decent families who, through misfortune, were sold into this business and have spent several years playing clowns and painting their faces.'如今有這机會，不如給他們幾兩銀子盤費，各自去罷。'Now that this opportunity has come, it would be better to give each of them a few taels of silver for travel expenses and let them go their own ways.'當日祖宗手里都是有這例的。'In our ancestors' time this was always the practice.'咱們如今損陰坏德，而且還小器。'For us now to do otherwise would be to harm our store of hidden virtue, and be petty and mean besides.'如今雖有幾個老的還在，那是他們各有原故，不肯回去的，所以才留下使喚，大了配了咱們家的小廝們了。」尤氏道：「如今我們也去問他十二個，有願意回去的，就帶了信兒，叫上父母來親自來領回去，給他們幾兩銀子盤纏方妥當。'As for the few old ones still here now, each has her own reason for being unwilling to go back, and that is why they were kept on to serve, and when they grew up they were married off to the houses' own pageboys.' You-shi said, 'Now let us go and ask the twelve girls; whichever of them are willing to go home, we shall send word for their parents to come in person and fetch them, giving them a few taels of silver for travel money — that would be the proper way to do it.'若不叫上他父母親人來，只怕有混帳人頂名冒領出去又轉賣了，豈不辜負了這恩典。'If we do not have their parents or kin come to fetch them, I am afraid some unscrupulous person might claim them under a false name and carry them off, only to sell them again — and that would be to waste this act of grace.'若有不願意回去的，就留下。」王夫人笑道：「這話妥當。」尤氏等又遣人告訴了鳳姐兒。'As for those who are unwilling to go home, let them stay.' Lady Wang said with a smile, 'That is well thought out.' You-shi and the others then sent someone to inform Xifeng of the matter.一面說與總理房中，每教習給銀八兩，令其自便。At the same time word was sent to the general management office that each instructor was to be given eight taels of silver and allowed to go as they pleased.凡梨香院一應物件，查清注冊收明，派人上夜。All the articles in Pear Fragrance Court were inventoried and registered and put away in good order, and someone was assigned to keep watch there at night.將十二個女孩子叫來面問，倒有一多半不願意回家的：也有說父母雖有，他只以賣我們為事，這一去還被他賣了，也有父母已亡，或被叔伯兄弟所賣的，也有說無人可投的，也有說戀恩不捨的。The twelve girls were called in and questioned face to face, and it turned out that more than half of them did not wish to go home: some said that though their parents were living, all they thought of was selling them off, and that if they went back they would only be sold again; some said their parents were already dead, or that they had been sold by uncles or brothers; some said they had no one to turn to; and some said they were too attached to the kindness shown them here to bear parting.所願去者止四五人。Only four or five of them wished to go.王夫人聽了，只得留下。On hearing this, Lady Wang had no choice but to keep the rest.將去者四五人皆令其乾娘領回家去，單等他親父母來領，將不願去者分散在園中使喚。The four or five who wished to leave were each handed over to their foster mothers to take home, to wait there until their own parents came to claim them; those who did not wish to leave were distributed about the Garden to serve as maids.賈母便留下文官自使，將正旦芳官指與寶玉，將小旦蕊官送了寶釵，將小生藕官指與了黛玉，將大花面葵官送了湘雲，將小花面豆官送了寶琴，將老外艾官送了探春，尤氏便討了老旦茄官去。Grandmother Jia kept Wenguan to serve herself, assigned Fangguan, who had played leading female roles, to Baoyu; gave Ruiguan, the secondary female lead, to Baochai; assigned Ouguan, the young male lead, to Daiyu; gave Kuiguan, who played the painted-face villain roles, to Xiangyun; gave Douguan, the lesser painted-face roles, to Baoqin; gave Aiguan, who played old men, to Tanchun; and You-shi asked for Qieguan, who played old women, for herself.當下各得其所，就如倦鳥出籠，每日園中游戲。At once each found her proper place, and, like weary birds let out of their cages, they roamed and played in the Garden every day.眾人皆知他們不能針黹，不慣使用，皆不大責備。Everyone knew that these girls could not do needlework and were not used to being ordered about as servants, so no one blamed them much for it.其中或有一二個知事的，愁將來無應時之技，亦將本技丟開，便學起針黹紡績女工諸務。Among them there were one or two who understood the way of things and, worried that in future they would have no skill suited to the times, set aside their old training and began instead to learn needlework, spinning, and other tasks of women's work.

又见各官宦家，凡养优伶男女者，一概蠲免遣发，尤氏等便议定，待王夫人回家回明，也欲遣发十二个女孩子，又说：「这些人原是买的，如今虽不学唱，尽可留著使唤，令其教习们自去也罢了。」王夫人因说：「这学戏的倒比不得使唤的，他们也是好人家的儿女，因无能卖了做这事，装丑弄鬼的几年。如今有这机会，不如给他们几两银子盘费，各自去罢。当日祖宗手里都是有这例的。咱们如今损阴坏德，而且还小器。如今虽有几个老的还在，那是他们各有原故，不肯回去的，所以才留下使唤，大了配了咱们家的小厮们了。」尤氏道：「如今我们也去问他十二个，有愿意回去的，就带了信儿，叫上父母来亲自来领回去，给他们几两银子盘缠方妥当。若不叫上他父母亲人来，只怕有混帐人顶名冒领出去又转卖了，岂不辜负了这恩典。若有不愿意回去的，就留下。」王夫人笑道：「这话妥当。」尤氏等又遣人告诉了凤姐儿。一面说与总理房中，每教习给银八两，令其自便。凡梨香院一应物件，查清注册收明，派人上夜。将十二个女孩子叫来面问，倒有一多半不愿意回家的：也有说父母虽有，他只以卖我们为事，这一去还被他卖了，也有父母已亡，或被叔伯兄弟所卖的，也有说无人可投的，也有说恋恩不舍的。所愿去者止四五人。王夫人听了，只得留下。将去者四五人皆令其干娘领回家去，单等他亲父母来领，将不愿去者分散在园中使唤。贾母便留下文官自使，将正旦芳官指与宝玉，将小旦蕊官送了宝钗，将小生藕官指与了黛玉，将大花面葵官送了湘云，将小花面豆官送了宝琴，将老外艾官送了探春，尤氏便讨了老旦茄官去。当下各得其所，就如倦鸟出笼，每日园中游戏。众人皆知他们不能针黹，不惯使用，皆不大责备。其中或有一二个知事的，愁将来无应时之技，亦将本技丢开，便学起针黹纺绩女工诸务。

一日正是朝中大祭，賈母等五更便去了，先到下處用些點心小食，然後入朝。One day, when a great court sacrifice was to be held, Grandmother Jia and the others set out at the fifth watch, going first to their lodgings to take some light refreshments before proceeding to court.早膳已畢，方退至下處，用過早飯，略歇片刻，复入朝待中晚二祭完畢，方出至下處歇息，用過晚飯方回家。Once the morning rites were over, they withdrew to their lodgings, ate breakfast, rested briefly, then returned to court to wait through the noon and evening rites; only when these were finished did they come out again to their lodgings to rest, and after supper they returned home.可巧這下處乃是一個大官的家廟，乃比丘尼焚修，房舍极多极淨。As it happened, these lodgings were the family temple of a certain high official, where Buddhist nuns kept up the incense and devotions; the buildings were very numerous and very clean.東西二院，榮府便賃了東院，北靜王府便賃了西院。There were two courtyards, east and west; the Rong mansion rented the eastern one, and the Prince of Beijing's household rented the western one.太妃少妃每日宴息，見賈母等在東院，彼此同出同入，都有照應。The dowager consort and the young consort rested there each day, and seeing that Grandmother Jia and the others were in the east courtyard, the two households came and went together, looking out for one another.外面細事不消細述。The minor details of these outside affairs need not be told at length.

一日正是朝中大祭，贾母等五更便去了，先到下处用些点心小食，然后入朝。早膳已毕，方退至下处，用过早饭，略歇片刻，复入朝待中晚二祭完毕，方出至下处歇息，用过晚饭方回家。可巧这下处乃是一个大官的家庙，乃比丘尼焚修，房舍极多极净。东西二院，荣府便赁了东院，北静王府便赁了西院。太妃少妃每日宴息，见贾母等在东院，彼此同出同入，都有照应。外面细事不消细述。

且說大觀園中因賈母王夫人天天不在家內，又送靈去一月方回，各丫鬟婆子皆有閒空，多在園中游玩。Now, in the Grand View Garden, since Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were away from home every day, and moreover had gone to escort the coffin and would not return for a month, the maids and old women all had time on their hands, and many of them spent it wandering about the Garden for amusement.更又將梨香院內伏侍的眾婆子一概撤回，并散在園內聽使，更覺園內人多了幾十個。Moreover, all the old women who had served in Pear Fragrance Court were withdrawn and scattered about the Garden to be at general call, so that the Garden seemed to have several dozen more people in it than before.因文官等一干人或心性高傲，或倚勢凌下，或揀衣挑食，或口角鋒芒，大概不安分守理者多。As for Wenguan and the rest of that group, some were proud and haughty by nature, some relied on their masters' favor to lord it over those beneath them, some were particular about their clothes and food, some had sharp and cutting tongues — on the whole, most of them were unwilling to keep their place and behave with propriety.因此眾婆子無不含怨，只是口中不敢與他們分證。Because of this, there was not an old woman among them who did not nurse a grievance, though none dared argue the matter openly with them.如今散了學，大家稱了願，也有丟開手的，也有心地狹窄猶怀舊怨的，因將眾人皆分在各房名下，不敢來廝侵。Now that lessons had broken up and everyone had gotten their wish, some let the matter drop, while others, being narrow-minded, still nursed their old grudges; but since the girls had all been assigned under the names of the various apartments, the old women no longer dared to come and take liberties with them.

且说大观园中因贾母王夫人天天不在家内，又送灵去一月方回，各丫鬟婆子皆有闲空，多在园中游玩。更又将梨香院内伏侍的众婆子一概撤回，并散在园内听使，更觉园内人多了几十个。因文官等一干人或心性高傲，或倚势凌下，或拣衣挑食，或口角锋芒，大概不安分守理者多。因此众婆子无不含怨，只是口中不敢与他们分证。如今散了学，大家称了愿，也有丢开手的，也有心地狭窄犹怀旧怨的，因将众人皆分在各房名下，不敢来厮侵。

可巧這日乃是清明之日，賈璉已備下年例祭祀，帶領賈環，賈琮，賈蘭三人去往鐵檻寺祭柩燒紙。As it happened, this day was the Qingming Festival, and Jia Lian, having already prepared the customary yearly offerings, took Jia Huan, Jia Cong, and Jia Lan with him to Iron Threshold Temple to make offerings at the coffins and burn paper money.宁府賈蓉也同族中幾人各辦祭祀前往。Jia Rong of the Ning mansion likewise went along with several other kinsmen, each having prepared his own offerings.因寶玉未大愈，故不曾去得。Baoyu, not yet fully recovered, was unable to go.飯後發倦，襲人因說：「天氣甚好，你且出去逛逛，省得丟下粥碗就睡，存在心里。」寶玉聽說，只得拄了一支杖，靸著鞋，步出院外。After the meal he grew drowsy, and Xiren said, 'The weather is very fine — why don't you go out for a stroll, rather than lying down to sleep the moment you set down your rice bowl and brooding over things.' On hearing this, Baoyu could only take up a cane, slip on his shoes, and step out of the courtyard.因近日將園中分與眾婆子料理，各司各業，皆在忙時，也有修竹的，也有歍樹的，也有栽花的，也有种豆的，池中又有駕娘們行著船夾泥种藕。Since the Garden had lately been divided up among the old women for them to manage, each to her own charge, all were busy at their tasks — some pruning bamboo, some tending trees, some planting flowers, some sowing beans, while in the pond boatwomen poled their boats about, dredging up mud and planting lotus roots.香菱、湘雲、寶琴與丫鬟等都坐在山石上，瞧他們取樂。Xiangling, Xiangyun, and Baoqin, together with the maids, were all sitting on the rockery, watching them for amusement.寶玉也慢慢行來。Baoyu too came strolling slowly over.湘雲見了他來，忙笑說：「快把這船打出去，他們是接林妹妹的。」眾人都笑起來。When Xiangyun saw him coming, she said with a laugh, 'Quick, row that boat away — they've come to fetch Cousin Lin!' Everyone burst out laughing.寶玉紅了臉，也笑道：「人家的病，誰是好意的，你也形容著取笑兒。」湘雲笑道：「病也比人家另一樣，原招笑兒，反說起人來。」說著，寶玉便也坐下，看著眾人忙亂了一回。Baoyu flushed and said with a laugh, 'Whoever meant well by someone else's illness would not mimic it and make fun of it as you do.' Xiangyun laughed, 'Even your illness is different from other people's — it invites mockery, and yet here you are blaming me for it.' So saying, Baoyu sat himself down and watched the others bustling about for a while.湘雲因說：「這里有風，石頭上又冷，坐坐去罷。」Xiangyun then said, 'It's windy here, and the rocks are cold besides — let's go and sit somewhere else.'

可巧这日乃是清明之日，贾琏已备下年例祭祀，带领贾环，贾琮，贾兰三人去往铁槛寺祭柩烧纸。宁府贾蓉也同族中几人各办祭祀前往。因宝玉未大愈，故不曾去得。饭后发倦，袭人因说：「天气甚好，你且出去逛逛，省得丢下粥碗就睡，存在心里。」宝玉听说，只得拄了一支杖，靸著鞋，步出院外。因近日将园中分与众婆子料理，各司各业，皆在忙时，也有修竹的，也有歍树的，也有栽花的，也有种豆的，池中又有驾娘们行著船夹泥种藕。香菱、湘云、宝琴与丫鬟等都坐在山石上，瞧他们取乐。宝玉也慢慢行来。湘云见了他来，忙笑说：「快把这船打出去，他们是接林妹妹的。」众人都笑起来。宝玉红了脸，也笑道：「人家的病，谁是好意的，你也形容著取笑儿。」湘云笑道：「病也比人家另一样，原招笑儿，反说起人来。」说著，宝玉便也坐下，看著众人忙乱了一回。湘云因说：「这里有风，石头上又冷，坐坐去罢。」

寶玉便也正要去瞧林黛玉，便起身拄拐辭了他們，從沁芳橋一帶堤上走來。Baoyu, who had in fact been meaning to go and see Lin Daiyu, rose, took up his cane, took leave of them, and walked off along the embankment by Qinfang Bridge.只見柳垂金線，桃吐丹霞，山石之後，一株大杏樹，花已全落，葉稠陰翠，上面已結了豆子大小的許多小杏。There he saw willows hanging their golden threads and peach trees breathing out rosy clouds of blossom; behind the rockery stood a great apricot tree, its flowers all fallen now, its leaves thick and shady green, and already covered with many small apricots the size of beans.寶玉因想道：「能病了幾天，竟把杏花辜負了！Baoyu thought to himself, 'I was only ill for a few days, yet it was enough to make me miss the apricot blossoms entirely!'不覺倒『綠葉成蔭子滿枝』了！」因此仰望杏子不舍。'And without my knowing it, it has already come to "green leaves make shade, and fruit fills every branch"!' So he stood gazing up at the apricots, unwilling to look away.又想起邢岫煙已擇了夫婿一事，雖說是男女大事，不可不行，但未免又少了一個好女兒。He then recalled the matter of Xing Xiuyan's having already been promised a husband; though marriage was indeed a great matter between men and women, not to be avoided, it nonetheless meant one fine girl the fewer.不過兩年，便也要「綠葉成蔭子滿枝」了。In no more than two years, she too would come to have 'green leaves making shade, and fruit filling every branch.'再過幾日，這杏樹子落枝空，再幾年，岫煙未免烏髪如銀，紅顏似槁了，因此不免傷心，只管對杏流淚歎息。In a few more days, the apricots on this tree would fall and the branches stand bare; and in a few more years, Xiuyan's raven hair would inevitably turn silver, her rosy face grow withered — at this thought he could not help feeling sad, and stood before the apricot tree sighing and shedding tears.正悲歎時，忽有一個雀兒飛來，落于枝上亂啼。Just as he was sighing in sorrow, a little bird suddenly flew up and lit on a branch, crying out wildly.寶玉又發了呆性，心下想道：「這雀兒必定是杏花正開時他曾來過，今見無花空有子葉，故也亂啼。Baoyu fell into another of his abstracted moods, thinking to himself, 'This bird must surely have come here once before, when the apricot blossoms were in full bloom; now, seeing no flowers left, only fruit and leaves, it too cries out in distress.'這聲韻必是啼哭之聲，可恨公冶長不在眼前，不能問他。'This sound must surely be a cry of weeping — how vexing that Gongye Chang is not here now, that I might ask him what it means.'但不知明年再發時，這個雀兒可還記得飛到這里來與杏花一會了？」'But I wonder — when the tree blooms again next year, will this same bird still remember to come flying back here for a meeting with the apricot blossoms?'

宝玉便也正要去瞧林黛玉，便起身拄拐辞了他们，从沁芳桥一带堤上走来。只见柳垂金线，桃吐丹霞，山石之后，一株大杏树，花已全落，叶稠阴翠，上面已结了豆子大小的许多小杏。宝玉因想道：「能病了几天，竟把杏花辜负了！不觉倒『绿叶成荫子满枝』了！」因此仰望杏子不舍。又想起邢岫烟已择了夫婿一事，虽说是男女大事，不可不行，但未免又少了一个好女儿。不过两年，便也要「绿叶成荫子满枝」了。再过几日，这杏树子落枝空，再几年，岫烟未免乌髪如银，红颜似槁了，因此不免伤心，只管对杏流泪叹息。正悲叹时，忽有一个雀儿飞来，落于枝上乱啼。宝玉又发了呆性，心下想道：「这雀儿必定是杏花正开时他曾来过，今见无花空有子叶，故也乱啼。这声韵必是啼哭之声，可恨公冶长不在眼前，不能问他。但不知明年再发时，这个雀儿可还记得飞到这里来与杏花一会了？」

正胡思間，忽見一股火光從山石那邊發出，將雀兒驚飛。Just as he was lost in these idle musings, he suddenly saw a flash of fire spring up from behind the rockery, which startled the bird into flight.寶玉吃了一大驚，又聽那邊有人喊道：「藕官，你要死，怎弄些紙錢進來燒？Baoyu was given a great fright, and then heard someone over there shout, 'Ouguan, are you tired of living? Why have you brought paper money in here to burn?'我回去回奶奶們去，仔細你的肉！」寶玉聽了，益發疑惑起來，忙轉過山石看時，只見藕官滿面淚痕，蹲在那里，手里還拿著火，守著些紙錢灰作悲。'I'm going back to report you to the mistresses — you'd better watch your skin!' Hearing this, Baoyu grew all the more puzzled, and hurried around the rockery to look. There he saw Ouguan, her face streaked with tears, crouching on the ground, still holding fire in her hand, keeping watch over some ashes of burnt paper money, in an attitude of grief.寶玉忙問道：「你與誰燒紙錢？Baoyu hurriedly asked, 'For whom are you burning paper money?'快不要在這里燒。'Quick, don't burn it here.'你或是為父母兄弟，你告訴我姓名，外頭去叫小廝們打了包袱寫上名姓去燒。」藕官見了寶玉，只不作一聲。'If it is for your parents or a brother, tell me the name, and I will have the pageboys outside make up a proper packet with the name written on it, and burn it there.' Seeing Baoyu, Ouguan said not a word.寶玉數問不答，忽見一婆子惡恨恨走來拉藕官，口內說道：「我已經回了奶奶們了，奶奶氣的了不得。」藕官聽了，終是孩氣，怕辱沒了沒臉，便不肯去。Baoyu asked her several times over, but she gave no answer. Just then an old woman came stalking up fiercely and seized hold of Ouguan, saying, 'I've already reported you to the mistresses, and they are furious beyond words.' Hearing this, Ouguan, being after all still childish at heart and afraid of being shamed and disgraced, refused to go.婆子道：「我說你們別太興頭過餘了，如今還比你們在外頭隨心亂鬧呢。The old woman said, 'I keep telling you all not to get too carried away with yourselves. Do you think it's like outside, where you could carry on however you pleased?'這是尺寸地方兒。」指寶玉道：「連我們的爺還守規矩呢，你是什麼阿物兒，跑來胡鬧。'This is a place with proper rules and limits.' Pointing at Baoyu, she said, 'Even our young master here keeps to the rules — who do you think you are, running about making trouble?'怕也不中用，跟我快走罷！」寶玉忙道：「他并沒燒紙錢，原是林妹妹叫他來燒那爛字紙的。'It won't do you any good to be afraid now — come along with me, quick!' Baoyu hastily said, 'She wasn't burning paper money at all. It was Cousin Lin who sent her here to burn some old scrap paper with writing on it.'你沒看真，反錯告了他。」藕官正沒了主意，見了寶玉，也正添了畏懼，忽聽他反掩飾，心內轉憂成喜，也便硬著口說道：「你很看真是紙錢了么？'You didn't look properly, and you've wrongly accused her.' Ouguan, who had been quite at a loss, and whose fear had only grown at the sight of Baoyu, on hearing him cover for her instead, felt her anxiety suddenly turn to relief, and boldly spoke up as well: 'Did you really get a good look and see it was paper money?'我燒的是林姑娘寫坏了的字紙！」那婆子聽如此，亦發狠起來，便彎腰向紙灰中揀那不曾化盡的遺紙，揀了兩點在手內，說道：「你還嘴硬，有据有證在這里。'What I was burning was paper that Miss Lin had spoiled with her writing!' Hearing this, the old woman grew angrier still, and, bending down, picked out from among the ashes some scraps of paper not yet fully burned, gathering a bit into her hand, and said, 'Still talking back, are you? Here's the proof, plain as day.'我只和你廳上講去！」說著，拉了袖子，就拽著要走。'I'll just take this and settle it with you before the mistresses in the hall!' So saying, she seized her by the sleeve and made to drag her off.寶玉忙把藕官拉住，用拄杖敲開那婆子的手，說道：「你只管拿了那個回去。Baoyu hurriedly caught hold of Ouguan and, with his cane, knocked the old woman's hand away, saying, 'Go ahead and take that back with you.'實告訴你：我昨夜作了一個夢，夢見杏花神和我要一挂白紙錢，不可叫本房人燒，要一個生人替我燒了，我的病就好的快。'I'll tell you the truth: last night I had a dream, in which the Apricot Blossom Spirit asked me for a string of white paper money — it could not be burned by anyone of my own household, but had to be burned by a stranger on my behalf, and then my illness would recover quickly.'所以我請了這白錢，巴巴兒的和林姑娘煩了他來，替我燒了祝贊。'So I got hold of the white paper money and specially asked Miss Lin to trouble her to come and burn it for me, with prayers.'原不許一個人知道的，所以我今日才能起來，偏你看見了。'No one at all was supposed to know of it — that is exactly why I was able to get up today — and now, of all people, you had to see it.'我這會子又不好了，都是你沖了！'Now I'll be taken ill again, and it will all be because you disturbed it!'你還要告他去。'And you still want to go and report her!'藕官，只管去，見了他們你就照依我這話說。'Ouguan, just go along with her — when you see them, tell them exactly what I've said.'等老太太回來，我就說他故意來沖神祇，保祐我早死。」藕官聽了益發得了主意，反倒拉著婆子要走。'When Grandmother comes back, I shall say that she deliberately came and offended the spirit, wishing me to die all the sooner.' Hearing this, Ouguan felt all the more assured, and instead took hold of the old woman herself, as if to drag her off.那婆子聽了這話，忙丟下紙錢，陪笑央告寶玉道：「我原不知道，二爺若回了老太太，我這老婆子豈不完了？On hearing this, the old woman hastily dropped the paper money and, putting on an ingratiating smile, begged Baoyu, 'I really had no idea. If you, sir, report this to Grandmother, won't this old woman of mine be finished?'我如今回奶奶們去，就說是爺祭神，我看錯了。」寶玉道：「你也不許再回去了，我便不說。」婆子道：「我已經回了，叫我來帶他，我怎好不回去的。'Let me go back now and tell the mistresses that it was you, sir, offering sacrifice to a spirit, and that I had seen it wrong.' Baoyu said, 'You mustn't go and report it again either, and then I won't say anything.' The old woman said, 'But I've already reported it once, and was told to come and fetch her — how can I very well not go back?'也罷，就說我已經叫到了他，林姑娘叫了去了。」寶玉想一想，方點頭應允。'Very well then, I'll just say that I did find her, but that Miss Lin has called her away.' Baoyu thought it over for a moment, and only then nodded his consent.那婆子只得去了。The old woman had no choice but to go.

正胡思间，忽见一股火光从山石那边发出，将雀儿惊飞。宝玉吃了一大惊，又听那边有人喊道：「藕官，你要死，怎弄些纸钱进来烧？我回去回奶奶们去，仔细你的肉！」宝玉听了，益发疑惑起来，忙转过山石看时，只见藕官满面泪痕，蹲在那里，手里还拿著火，守著些纸钱灰作悲。宝玉忙问道：「你与谁烧纸钱？快不要在这里烧。你或是为父母兄弟，你告诉我姓名，外头去叫小厮们打了包袱写上名姓去烧。」藕官见了宝玉，只不作一声。宝玉数问不答，忽见一婆子恶恨恨走来拉藕官，口内说道：「我已经回了奶奶们了，奶奶气的了不得。」藕官听了，终是孩气，怕辱没了没脸，便不肯去。婆子道：「我说你们别太兴头过余了，如今还比你们在外头随心乱闹呢。这是尺寸地方儿。」指宝玉道：「连我们的爷还守规矩呢，你是什么阿物儿，跑来胡闹。怕也不中用，跟我快走罢！」宝玉忙道：「他并没烧纸钱，原是林妹妹叫他来烧那烂字纸的。你没看真，反错告了他。」藕官正没了主意，见了宝玉，也正添了畏惧，忽听他反掩饰，心内转忧成喜，也便硬著口说道：「你很看真是纸钱了么？我烧的是林姑娘写坏了的字纸！」那婆子听如此，亦发狠起来，便弯腰向纸灰中拣那不曾化尽的遗纸，拣了两点在手内，说道：「你还嘴硬，有据有证在这里。我只和你厅上讲去！」说著，拉了袖子，就拽著要走。宝玉忙把藕官拉住，用拄杖敲开那婆子的手，说道：「你只管拿了那个回去。实告诉你：我昨夜作了一个梦，梦见杏花神和我要一挂白纸钱，不可叫本房人烧，要一个生人替我烧了，我的病就好的快。所以我请了这白钱，巴巴儿的和林姑娘烦了他来，替我烧了祝赞。原不许一个人知道的，所以我今日才能起来，偏你看见了。我这会子又不好了，都是你冲了！你还要告他去。藕官，只管去，见了他们你就照依我这话说。等老太太回来，我就说他故意来冲神祇，保祐我早死。」藕官听了益发得了主意，反倒拉著婆子要走。那婆子听了这话，忙丢下纸钱，陪笑央告宝玉道：「我原不知道，二爷若回了老太太，我这老婆子岂不完了？我如今回奶奶们去，就说是爷祭神，我看错了。」宝玉道：「你也不许再回去了，我便不说。」婆子道：「我已经回了，叫我来带他，我怎好不回去的。也罢，就说我已经叫到了他，林姑娘叫了去了。」宝玉想一想，方点头应允。那婆子只得去了。

這里寶玉問他：「到底是為誰燒紙？Here Baoyu asked her, 'Now tell me truly, for whom were you burning the paper money?'我想來若是為父母兄弟，你們皆煩人外頭燒過了，這里燒這幾張，必有私自的情理。」藕官因方才護庇之情感激于衷，便知他是自己一流的人物，便含淚說道：「我這事，除了你屋里的芳官并寶姑娘的蕊官，并沒第三個人知道。'It seems to me that if it were for your parents or a brother, you would already have had someone burn it for them outside. Burning these few sheets here in secret must have some private reason behind it.' Ouguan, deeply moved at heart by his having just shielded her, understood at once that he was someone of her own kind, and said with tears in her eyes, 'In this matter of mine, apart from Fangguan in your own quarters, and Ruiguan who belongs to Miss Bao, not a third soul knows of it.'今日被你遇見，又有這段意思，少不得也告訴了你，只不許再對人言講。」又哭道：「我也不便和你面說，你只回去背人悄問芳官就知道了。」說畢，佯常而去。'Today, since you happened upon me, and moreover showed such feeling for me, I cannot help but tell you as well — only you must promise never to speak of it to anyone else.' Then she said, weeping, 'It isn't convenient for me to tell you face to face — you need only go back and quietly ask Fangguan when no one else is about, and you will understand.' Having said this, she went off, feigning composure.

这里宝玉问他：「到底是为谁烧纸？我想来若是为父母兄弟，你们皆烦人外头烧过了，这里烧这几张，必有私自的情理。」藕官因方才护庇之情感激于衷，便知他是自己一流的人物，便含泪说道：「我这事，除了你屋里的芳官并宝姑娘的蕊官，并没第三个人知道。今日被你遇见，又有这段意思，少不得也告诉了你，只不许再对人言讲。」又哭道：「我也不便和你面说，你只回去背人悄问芳官就知道了。」说毕，佯常而去。

寶玉聽了，心下納悶，只得踱到瀟湘館，瞧黛玉益發瘦的可怜，問起來，比往日已算大愈了。Baoyu, hearing this, felt puzzled at heart, and could only wander over to Xiaoxiang Lodge, where he found Daiyu grown pitifully thinner than ever; yet on inquiry, she was, compared with before, already considered much recovered.黛玉見他也比先大瘦了，想起往日之事，不免流下淚來，些微談了談，便催寶玉去歇息調養。Daiyu, seeing that he too had grown much thinner than before, was reminded of things past, and could not help shedding tears; after they had talked a little while, she urged Baoyu to go and rest and recover his health.寶玉只得回來。Baoyu had no choice but to go back.因記挂著要問芳官那原委，偏有湘雲香菱來了，正和襲人芳官說笑，不好叫他，恐人又盤詰，只得耐著。Since he was still turning over in his mind the wish to question Fangguan about the whole affair, but Xiangyun and Xiangling happened just then to have come, and were talking and laughing with Xiren and Fangguan, he did not like to call her aside for fear the others would press him with questions, and so had no choice but to be patient.

宝玉听了，心下纳闷，只得踱到潇湘馆，瞧黛玉益发瘦的可怜，问起来，比往日已算大愈了。黛玉见他也比先大瘦了，想起往日之事，不免流下泪来，些微谈了谈，便催宝玉去歇息调养。宝玉只得回来。因记挂著要问芳官那原委，偏有湘云香菱来了，正和袭人芳官说笑，不好叫他，恐人又盘诘，只得耐著。

一時芳官又跟了他乾娘去洗頭。Presently Fangguan went off with her foster mother to wash her hair.他乾娘偏又先叫了他親女兒洗過了後，才叫芳官洗。Her foster mother, as it happened, first had her own daughter wash before letting Fangguan wash.芳官見了這般，便說他偏心，「把你女兒剩水給我洗。Seeing this, Fangguan said she was being played favorites with: 'Giving me your own daughter's leftover water to wash in—我一個月的月錢都是你拿著，沾我的光不算，反倒給我剩東剩西的。」他乾娘羞愧變成惱，便罵他：「不識抬舉的東西！'—and on top of that, you keep hold of my whole month's wages yourself. It's not enough that you profit off me, but you have to hand me your leftovers besides.' Her foster mother, her shame turning to anger, cursed at her: 'You ungrateful little wretch!'怪不得人人說戲子沒一個好纏的。'No wonder everyone says there's not one actress among the lot of you fit to deal with.'憑你甚么好人，入了這一行，都弄坏了。'No matter how decent a person may be to begin with, once she enters this trade, she's ruined for good.'這一點子屄崽子，也挑么挑六，咸屄淡話，咬群的騾子似的！」娘兒兩個吵起來。'A little cunt of a brat like you, picking and choosing over this and that, spouting foul, shameless talk — like a mule that bites the whole herd!' And so the two of them, foster mother and 'daughter,' fell to quarreling.襲人忙打發人去說：「少亂嚷，瞅著老太太不在家，一個個連句安靜話也不說。」晴雯因說：「都是芳官不省事，不知狂的什麼也不是，會兩出戲，倒象殺了賊王，擒了反叛來的。」襲人道：「一個巴掌拍不響，老的也太不公些，小的也太可惡些。」寶玉道：「怨不得芳官。Xiren hastily sent someone over to say, 'Stop that shouting — the moment Grandmother's away from home, not one of you can say a peaceful word.' Qingwen then said, 'It's all Fangguan not knowing her place — putting on such airs over nothing, as if, just because she can sing a couple of opera scenes, she'd captured some rebel king in battle.' Xiren said, 'It takes two hands to clap — the old woman is too unfair, and the girl too disagreeable.' Baoyu said, 'You can't really blame Fangguan.'自古說：『物不平則鳴』。'As the old saying goes: "When a thing is not treated fairly, it cries out."'他少親失眷的，在這里沒人照看，賺了他的錢。'She has no close kin, no family of her own; here she has no one to look after her, and they cheat her of her money.'又作賤他，如何怪得。」因又向襲人道：「他一月多少錢？'And on top of that they abuse her — how can she be blamed?' Then he turned to Xiren and said, 'How much is her monthly allowance?'以後不如你收了過來照管他，豈不省事？」襲人道：「我要照看他那里不照看了，又要他那幾個錢才照看他？'Wouldn't it be simpler from now on if you took charge of looking after her yourself?' Xiren said, 'If I wanted to look after her, when have I ever failed to? Do I need her few coins before I'll take care of her?'沒的討人罵去了。」說著，便起身至那屋里取了一瓶花露油并些雞卵，香皂，頭繩之類，叫一個婆子來送給芳官去，叫他另要水自洗，不要吵鬧了。'I don't want to go inviting people's curses for nothing.' So saying, she rose, went into the other room, and fetched a bottle of flower dew oil along with some eggs, soap, and hair cord, and called an old woman to take them to Fangguan, telling her to ask for fresh water and wash by herself, and not to quarrel anymore.他乾娘益發羞愧，便說芳官「沒良心，花掰我克扣你的錢。」便向他身上拍了幾把，芳官便哭起來。Her foster mother, all the more ashamed, said that Fangguan was 'ungrateful, making up lies that I skim off your money,' and gave her several slaps; Fangguan burst into tears.寶玉便走出，襲人忙勸：「作什麼？Baoyu made to go out, and Xiren hastily tried to stop him: 'What do you mean to do?'我去說他。」晴雯忙先過來，指他乾娘說道：「你老人家太不省事。'I'll go speak to her myself.' Qingwen, however, hurried over first, and pointing at the foster mother, said, 'You, old woman, are far too unreasonable.'你不給他洗頭的東西，我們饒給他東西，你不自臊，還有臉打他。'You wouldn't give her the things to wash her hair with, and when we were kind enough to give her some, instead of feeling ashamed of yourself, you have the nerve to beat her besides.'他要還在學里學藝，你也敢打他不成！」那婆子便說：「一日叫娘，終身是母。'If she were still studying in the training school, would you even dare lay a hand on her!' The old woman retorted, 'Once you call someone "mother" for even a day, she remains your mother for life.'他排場我，我就打得！」襲人喚麝月道：「我不會和人拌嘴，晴雯性太急，你快過去震嚇他兩句。」麝月聽了，忙過來說道：「你且別嚷。"If she puts on airs with me, I'll just hit her!" Xiren called to Sheyue, "I don't know how to quarrel with people, and Qingwen's temper is too hot-tempered — go over quickly and give her a couple of stern words." Sheyue heard this and hurried over, saying, "Wait, don't shout.我且問你，別說我們這一處，你看滿園子里，誰在主子屋里教導過女兒的？Let me ask you — never mind just our quarters, look at the whole garden — who has ever disciplined a daughter inside a master's rooms?便是你的親女兒，既分了房，有了主子，自有主子打得罵得，再者大些的姑娘姐姐們打得罵得，誰許老子娘又半中間管閒事了？Even if it were your own daughter — once she's been assigned quarters and has a master, it's the master's place to scold or beat her; besides, the older young ladies and elder sisters may scold or beat her too — who ever gave a mother or father leave to butt in halfway through?都這樣管，又要叫他們跟著我們學什麼？If everyone went about managing things like that, what would there be left for them to learn from us?越老越沒了規矩！The older you get, the less sense of propriety you have!你見前兒墜兒的娘來吵，你也來跟他學？You saw Zhui'er's mother come making a scene the other day, and now you're coming to copy her?你們放心，因連日這個病那個病，老太太又不得閒心，所以我沒回。Don't you worry — these past days it's been one illness after another, and the Old Ancestress hasn't had a moment's peace of mind, so I haven't reported it.等兩日消閒了，咱們痛回一回，大家把威風煞一煞兒才好。Once things settle down in a day or two, we'll give a full report, and it would do everyone good to have their arrogance taken down a notch.寶玉才好了些，連我們不敢大聲說話，你反打的人狼號鬼叫的。Baoyu has only just gotten a little better, and even we don't dare speak loudly, yet you go and beat someone until she's howling like a wolf and screaming like a ghost.上頭能出了幾日門，你們就無法無天的，眼睛里沒了我們，再兩天你們就該打我們了。The mistresses have only been away from home a few days, and already you're lawless and unruly, with no regard for us in your eyes — give it another two days and you'll be beating us next.他不要你這乾娘，怕糞草埋了他不成？」寶玉恨的用拄杖敲著門檻子說道：「這些老婆子都是些鐵心石頭腸子，也是件大奇的事。"She doesn't want you as her godmother — is she afraid of being buried under dung and straw?" Baoyu, furious, struck the doorsill with his cane and said, "These old women all have hearts of iron and stone guts — it really is an astonishing thing.不能照看，反倒折挫，天長地久，如何是好！」晴雯道：「什麼『如何是好』，都攆了出去，不要這些中看不中吃的！」那婆子羞愧難當，一言不發。They can't look after the girls properly, and instead they wear them down — as this goes on year after year, what's to be done!" Qingwen said, "What do you mean 'what's to be done' — just drive them all out, we don't need these women who are fine to look at but useless in practice!" The old woman, mortified beyond words, said not a single word.那芳官只穿著海棠紅的小棉襖，底下絲綢撒花袷褲，敞著褲腳，一頭烏油似的頭髪披在腦後，哭的淚人一般。Fangguan was wearing only a small crabapple-red padded jacket, with silk flowered lined trousers below, the trouser legs left loose and open, her hair, black and glossy as oil, hanging loose down her back, crying until she looked like a figure made of tears.麝月笑道：「把一個鶯鶯小姐，反弄成拷打紅娘了！Sheyue said with a laugh, "You've gone and turned a Miss Yingying into a tortured Hongniang!這會子又不妝扮了，還是這麼鬆怠怠的。」寶玉道：「他這本來面目极好，倒別弄緊襯了。」晴雯過去拉了他，替他洗淨了髮，用手巾擰乾，松松的挽了一個慵妝髻，命他穿了衣服過這邊來了。And now she's not even made up, and still so loose and disheveled." Baoyu said, "Her natural look is excellent as it is — better not to fuss her up too neatly." Qingwen went over and took hold of her, washed her hair clean, wrung it dry with a towel, loosely coiled it into a casual "lazy" chignon, and told her to put on her clothes and come over to this side.

一时芳官又跟了他干娘去洗头。他干娘偏又先叫了他亲女儿洗过了后，才叫芳官洗。芳官见了这般，便说他偏心，「把你女儿剩水给我洗。我一个月的月钱都是你拿著，沾我的光不算，反倒给我剩东剩西的。」他干娘羞愧变成恼，便骂他：「不识抬举的东西！怪不得人人说戏子没一个好缠的。凭你甚么好人，入了这一行，都弄坏了。这一点子屄崽子，也挑么挑六，咸屄淡话，咬群的骡子似的！」娘儿两个吵起来。袭人忙打发人去说：「少乱嚷，瞅著老太太不在家，一个个连句安静话也不说。」晴雯因说：「都是芳官不省事，不知狂的什么也不是，会两出戏，倒象杀了贼王，擒了反叛来的。」袭人道：「一个巴掌拍不响，老的也太不公些，小的也太可恶些。」宝玉道：「怨不得芳官。自古说：『物不平则鸣』。他少亲失眷的，在这里没人照看，赚了他的钱。又作贱他，如何怪得。」因又向袭人道：「他一月多少钱？以后不如你收了过来照管他，岂不省事？」袭人道：「我要照看他那里不照看了，又要他那几个钱才照看他？没的讨人骂去了。」说著，便起身至那屋里取了一瓶花露油并些鸡卵，香皂，头绳之类，叫一个婆子来送给芳官去，叫他另要水自洗，不要吵闹了。他干娘益发羞愧，便说芳官「没良心，花掰我克扣你的钱。」便向他身上拍了几把，芳官便哭起来。宝玉便走出，袭人忙劝：「作什么？我去说他。」晴雯忙先过来，指他干娘说道：「你老人家太不省事。你不给他洗头的东西，我们饶给他东西，你不自臊，还有脸打他。他要还在学里学艺，你也敢打他不成！」那婆子便说：「一日叫娘，终身是母。他排场我，我就打得！」袭人唤麝月道：「我不会和人拌嘴，晴雯性太急，你快过去震吓他两句。」麝月听了，忙过来说道：「你且别嚷。我且问你，别说我们这一处，你看满园子里，谁在主子屋里教导过女儿的？便是你的亲女儿，既分了房，有了主子，自有主子打得骂得，再者大些的姑娘姐姐们打得骂得，谁许老子娘又半中间管闲事了？都这样管，又要叫他们跟著我们学什么？越老越没了规矩！你见前儿坠儿的娘来吵，你也来跟他学？你们放心，因连日这个病那个病，老太太又不得闲心，所以我没回。等两日消闲了，咱们痛回一回，大家把威风煞一煞儿才好。宝玉才好了些，连我们不敢大声说话，你反打的人狼号鬼叫的。上头能出了几日门，你们就无法无天的，眼睛里没了我们，再两天你们就该打我们了。他不要你这干娘，怕粪草埋了他不成？」宝玉恨的用拄杖敲著门槛子说道：「这些老婆子都是些铁心石头肠子，也是件大奇的事。不能照看，反倒折挫，天长地久，如何是好！」晴雯道：「什么『如何是好』，都撵了出去，不要这些中看不中吃的！」那婆子羞愧难当，一言不发。那芳官只穿著海棠红的小棉袄，底下丝绸撒花夹裤，敞著裤脚，一头乌油似的头髪披在脑后，哭的泪人一般。麝月笑道：「把一个莺莺小姐，反弄成拷打红娘了！这会子又不妆扮了，还是这么松怠怠的。」宝玉道：「他这本来面目极好，倒别弄紧衬了。」晴雯过去拉了他，替他洗净了发，用手巾拧干，松松的挽了一个慵妆髻，命他穿了衣服过这边来了。

接著司內廚的婆子來問：「晚飯有了，可送不送？」小丫頭聽了，進來問襲人。Presently the old woman in charge of the inner kitchen came to ask, "Dinner is ready — shall it be sent in or not?" The little maid, hearing this, came in to ask Xiren.襲人笑道：「方才胡吵了一陣，也沒留心聽鐘幾下了。」晴雯道：「那勞什子又不知怎麼了，又得去收拾。」說著，便拿過表來瞧了一瞧說：「略等半鐘茶的工夫就是了。」小丫頭去了。Xiren said with a laugh, "There was such a commotion just now that I didn't even notice what time the clock struck." Qingwen said, "That confounded thing has gone wrong again somehow, and needs fixing." So saying, she took up the watch, glanced at it, and said, "Just wait about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea." The little maid left.麝月笑道：「提起淘氣，芳官也該打幾下。Sheyue said with a laugh, "Speaking of mischief, Fangguan deserves a few knocks too.昨兒是他擺弄了那墜子，半日就坏了。」說話之間，便將食具打點現成。Yesterday it was she who fiddled with that clock pendant, and in no time at all it broke." As she spoke, she got the tableware ready.一時小丫頭子捧了盒子進來站住。In a moment a little maid came in carrying a box and stood waiting.晴雯麝月揭開看時，還是只四樣小菜。When Qingwen and Sheyue lifted the lid to look, there were still only four small dishes.晴雯笑道：「已經好了，還不給兩樣清淡菜吃。Qingwen said with a laugh, "He's already better, and still they won't give him a couple of light, plain dishes to eat.這稀飯咸菜鬧到多早晚？」一面擺好，一面又看那盒中，卻有一碗火腿鮮筍湯，忙端了放在寶玉跟前。How much longer are they going to keep this up with rice porridge and pickled vegetables?" Even as she set things out, she looked into the box again and found there a bowl of ham and fresh bamboo shoot soup, and hastily brought it over and set it before Baoyu.寶玉便就桌上喝了一口，說：「好燙！」襲人笑道：「菩薩，能幾日不見葷，饞的這樣起來。」一面說，一面忙端起輕輕用口吹。Baoyu took a sip right there at the table and said, "Ouch, it's hot!" Xiren said with a laugh, "My good Bodhisattva, you've gone without meat only a few days and already you're this greedy for it." Even as she spoke, she hurriedly picked it up and blew on it gently.因見芳官在側，便遞與芳官，笑道：「你也學著些伏侍，別一味呆憨呆睡。Then, seeing Fangguan standing to one side, she handed it to her, saying with a laugh, "You should learn a bit about waiting on people too, instead of just being foolish and sleepy all the time.口勁輕著，別吹上唾沫星兒。」芳官依言果吹了幾口，甚妥。Blow gently, and mind you don't get any spit into it." Fangguan did as told and blew on it a few times, quite properly.

接著司内厨的婆子来问：「晚饭有了，可送不送？」小丫头听了，进来问袭人。袭人笑道：「方才胡吵了一阵，也没留心听钟几下了。」晴雯道：「那劳什子又不知怎么了，又得去收拾。」说著，便拿过表来瞧了一瞧说：「略等半钟茶的工夫就是了。」小丫头去了。麝月笑道：「提起淘气，芳官也该打几下。昨儿是他摆弄了那坠子，半日就坏了。」说话之间，便将食具打点现成。一时小丫头子捧了盒子进来站住。晴雯麝月揭开看时，还是只四样小菜。晴雯笑道：「已经好了，还不给两样清淡菜吃。这稀饭咸菜闹到多早晚？」一面摆好，一面又看那盒中，却有一碗火腿鲜笋汤，忙端了放在宝玉跟前。宝玉便就桌上喝了一口，说：「好烫！」袭人笑道：「菩萨，能几日不见荤，馋的这样起来。」一面说，一面忙端起轻轻用口吹。因见芳官在侧，便递与芳官，笑道：「你也学著些伏侍，别一味呆憨呆睡。口劲轻著，别吹上唾沫星儿。」芳官依言果吹了几口，甚妥。

他乾娘也忙端飯在門外伺候。Her godmother, too, had hurried over carrying rice and was waiting outside the door to serve.向日芳官等一到時原從外邊認的，就同往梨香院去了。In earlier days, when Fangguan and the others had first arrived, they had been taken in charge from outside and had gone together to Pear Fragrance Court.這干婆子原系榮府三等人物，不過令其與他們漿洗，皆不曾入內答應，故此不知內幃規矩。This group of old women were originally third-rank servants of the Rongguo house, employed only to do laundry for the girls, and had never served inside attending on the ladies, and so did not know the rules of the inner chambers.今亦託賴他們方入園中，隨女歸房。Now, thanks to relying on these girls, they too had gained entry into the Garden, following their adopted daughters back to their rooms.這婆子先領過麝月的排場，方知了一二分，生恐不令芳官認他做乾娘，便有許多失利之處，故心中只要買轉他們。This old woman had first been given a taste of Sheyue's manner and had thereby come to understand a little of how things stood; fearing that if she were not allowed to have Fangguan recognize her as a godmother she would lose out in many ways, she was set on winning them over.今見芳官吹湯，便忙跑進來笑道：「他不老成，仔細打了碗，讓我吹罷。」一面說，一面就接。Now, seeing Fangguan blowing on the soup, she hurried in and said with a laugh, "She's not careful — mind she doesn't break the bowl, let me blow on it instead." Even as she spoke, she reached to take it.晴雯忙喊：「出去！Qingwen quickly shouted, "Get out!你讓他砸了碗，也輪不到你吹。Even if she does smash the bowl, it's still not your turn to blow on it.你什麼空兒跑到這里格子來了？What business do you have coming running in here to this room?還不出去。」一面又罵小丫頭們：「瞎了心的，他不知道，你們也不說給他！」小丫頭們都說：「我們攆他，他不出去，說他，他又不信。Get out this instant." At the same time she scolded the little maids: "Blind fools that you are — she didn't know the rules, why didn't you tell her!" The little maids all said, "We tried to drive her out and she wouldn't go; we told her, and she wouldn't believe us.如今帶累我們受氣，你可信了？Now that it's brought trouble down on us, will you believe it?我們到的地方兒，有你到的一半，還有你一半到不去的呢。Of the places we're allowed to go, only half are places you're allowed to go too — the other half you can't go to at all.何況又跑到我們到不去的地方還不算，又去伸手動嘴的了。」一面說，一面推他出去。Not only did she run into a place even we're not allowed to go, but on top of that she went and put her hands and mouth to it." So saying, they pushed her out.階下幾個等空盒家伙的婆子見他出來，都笑道：「嫂子也沒用鏡子照一照，就進去了。」羞的那婆子又恨又氣，只得忍耐下去。The several old women below the steps who were waiting to collect the empty boxes and utensils saw her come out and all said with a laugh, "Sister, you didn't even take a look in a mirror before going in there." The old woman, mortified, was both resentful and angry, but could only swallow it and bear it.

他干娘也忙端饭在门外伺候。向日芳官等一到时原从外边认的，就同往梨香院去了。这干婆子原系荣府三等人物，不过令其与他们浆洗，皆不曾入内答应，故此不知内帏规矩。今亦托赖他们方入园中，随女归房。这婆子先领过麝月的排场，方知了一二分，生恐不令芳官认他做干娘，便有许多失利之处，故心中只要买转他们。今见芳官吹汤，便忙跑进来笑道：「他不老成，仔细打了碗，让我吹罢。」一面说，一面就接。晴雯忙喊：「出去！你让他砸了碗，也轮不到你吹。你什么空儿跑到这里格子来了？还不出去。」一面又骂小丫头们：「瞎了心的，他不知道，你们也不说给他！」小丫头们都说：「我们撵他，他不出去，说他，他又不信。如今带累我们受气，你可信了？我们到的地方儿，有你到的一半，还有你一半到不去的呢。何况又跑到我们到不去的地方还不算，又去伸手动嘴的了。」一面说，一面推他出去。阶下几个等空盒家伙的婆子见他出来，都笑道：「嫂子也没用镜子照一照，就进去了。」羞的那婆子又恨又气，只得忍耐下去。

芳官吹了幾口，寶玉笑道：「好了，仔細傷了氣。After Fangguan had blown on it a few times, Baoyu said with a laugh, "That's enough — mind you don't strain your breath.你嘗一口，可好了？」芳官只當是頑話，只是笑看著襲人等。Taste a mouthful — is it all right now?" Fangguan took it merely as a joke, and only smiled, looking at Xiren and the others.襲人道：「你就嘗一口何妨。」晴雯笑道：「你瞧我嘗。」說著就喝了一口。Xiren said, "What's the harm in tasting just a mouthful?" Qingwen said with a laugh, "Watch me taste it." So saying, she took a sip.芳官見如此，自己也便嘗了一口，說：「好了。」遞與寶玉。Seeing this, Fangguan herself also tasted a mouthful and said, "It's fine now," and handed it to Baoyu.寶玉喝了半碗，吃了幾片筍，又吃了半碗粥就罷了。Baoyu drank half the bowl, ate a few slices of bamboo shoot, then ate half a bowl of porridge, and stopped there.眾人揀收出去了。The others gathered up the things and took them out.小丫頭捧了沐盆，盥漱已畢，襲人等出去吃飯。A little maid brought in the washbasin, and once he had washed and rinsed his mouth, Xiren and the others went out to eat their own meal.寶玉使個眼色與芳官，芳官本自伶俐，又學幾年戲，何事不知？Baoyu gave Fangguan a look; Fangguan, who was clever by nature and had, moreover, studied opera for several years, understood at once what he meant.便裝說頭疼不吃飯了。So she pretended to have a headache and said she would not eat.襲人道：「既不吃飯，你就在屋里作伴兒，把這粥給你留著，一時餓了再吃。」說著，都去了。Xiren said, "Well, if you're not eating, then stay in the room and keep him company; we'll leave this porridge for you, and you can eat it later when you're hungry." So saying, they all left.

芳官吹了几口，宝玉笑道：「好了，仔细伤了气。你尝一口，可好了？」芳官只当是顽话，只是笑看著袭人等。袭人道：「你就尝一口何妨。」晴雯笑道：「你瞧我尝。」说著就喝了一口。芳官见如此，自己也便尝了一口，说：「好了。」递与宝玉。宝玉喝了半碗，吃了几片笋，又吃了半碗粥就罢了。众人拣收出去了。小丫头捧了沐盆，盥漱已毕，袭人等出去吃饭。宝玉使个眼色与芳官，芳官本自伶俐，又学几年戏，何事不知？便装说头疼不吃饭了。袭人道：「既不吃饭，你就在屋里作伴儿，把这粥给你留著，一时饿了再吃。」说著，都去了。

這里寶玉和他只二人，寶玉便將方才從火光發起，如何見了藕官，又如何謊言護庇，又如何藕官叫我問你，從頭至尾，細細的告訴他一遍，又問他祭的果系何人。Now only the two of them, Baoyu and Fangguan, were left; Baoyu told her from beginning to end, in full detail, everything starting from when the fire had first been discovered, how he had come upon Ou'guan, how he had lied to shield her, and how Ou'guan had told him to ask Fangguan about it, and then asked her just whom Ou'guan had actually been offering sacrifice to.芳官聽了，滿面含笑，又歎一口氣，說道：「這事說來可笑又可歎。」寶玉聽了，忙問如何。Hearing this, Fangguan's face broke into a smile, and then she heaved a sigh and said, "This is a matter both laughable and lamentable to tell." Hearing this, Baoyu hastily asked how so.芳官笑道：「你說他祭的是誰？Fangguan said with a laugh, "Guess who it is she's offering sacrifice to?祭的是死了的菂官。」寶玉道：「這是友誼，也應當的。」芳官笑道：「那里是友誼？It's to Diguan, who died." Baoyu said, "That's friendship — it's only right and proper." Fangguan said with a laugh, "Friendship, indeed?他竟是瘋傻的想頭，說他自己是小生，菂官是小旦，常做夫妻，雖說是假的，每日那些曲文排場，皆是真正溫存体貼之事，故此二人就瘋了，雖不做戲，尋常飲食起坐，兩個人竟是你恩我愛。It's really quite a mad, foolish notion of hers — she says that since she herself played the young male lead and Diguan played the young female lead, and they often played husband and wife on stage, even though it was all pretend, the tender, considerate feeling in those daily scenes and lines was perfectly real, and so the two of them grew utterly infatuated; even off the stage, in their ordinary eating and sitting about, the two of them were truly devoted to each other, all tenderness and love.菂官一死，他哭的死去活來，至今不忘，所以每節燒紙。When Diguan died, she wept until she nearly died herself, and to this day she has not forgotten her, which is why she burns paper money on every festival.後來補了蕊官，我們見他一般的溫柔体貼，也曾問他得新棄舊的。Later, when Ruiguan was brought in as a replacement, and we saw that she was just as gentle and considerate toward her, we once asked Ou'guan about taking up the new and casting off the old.他說：『這又有個大道理。She said, 'There's a proper principle behind this too.比如男子喪了妻，或有必當續弦者，也必要續弦為是。Take the case of a man who has lost his wife — if there is real need for him to remarry, then it is right that he should remarry.便只是不把死的丟過不提，便是情深意重了。So long as he does not simply cast the dead one aside and never speak of her again, that in itself counts as deep and abiding feeling.若一味因死的不續，孤守一世，妨了大節，也不是理，死者反不安了。』你說可是又瘋又呆？But if, purely on account of the dead one, he refuses to remarry and lives out his whole life alone, and thereby harms the greater bond of duty, that is not right either — the dead one would only be uneasy over it because of it.' Would you say this isn't both mad and foolish?說來可是可笑？」寶玉聽說了這篇呆話，獨合了他的呆性，不覺又是歡喜，又是悲歎，又稱奇道絕，說：「天既生這樣人，又何用我這須眉濁物玷辱世界。」因又忙拉芳官囑道：「既如此說，我也有一句話囑咐他，我若親對面與他講未免不便，須得你告訴他。」芳官問何事。Isn't it laughable to tell?" When Baoyu heard this foolish speech, it happened exactly to suit his own foolish nature, and he could not help feeling at once delighted and moved to sorrow, and marveling and exclaiming at its wonder, saying, "Since Heaven has produced such a person, what use is there for a coarse, whiskered creature like me to go on defiling the world?" Then he hastily took hold of Fangguan and charged her, saying, "Since that's how it is, I too have a word to charge her with; if I were to speak to her face to face myself it wouldn't be quite proper, so you must tell her for me." Fangguan asked what it was.寶玉道：「以後斷不可燒紙錢。Baoyu said, "From now on she must absolutely not burn paper money.這紙錢原是後人异端，不是孔子遺訓。This burning of paper money is a heterodox practice invented by later generations, not a teaching handed down from Confucius.以後逢時按節，只備一個爐，到日隨便焚香，一心誠虔，就可感格了。From now on, whenever a season or festival comes round, she need only prepare a single censer, and on the day simply burn incense in it — with a wholly sincere and reverent heart, that alone is enough to move the spirits.愚人原不知，無論神佛死人，必要分出等例，各式各例的。Foolish people simply don't understand this, and insist that whether honoring gods, Buddhas, or the dead, one must distinguish ranks and precedents, each with its own set forms and rules.殊不知只一『誠心』二字為主。Little do they realize that it is the two words 'sincere heart' alone that matter most.即值倉皇流離之日，雖連香亦無，隨便有土有草，只以洁淨，便可為祭，不獨死者享祭，便是神鬼也來享的。Even in a time of panic and displacement, when one has not even incense to offer, so long as there is a bit of earth and grass at hand, kept clean, that alone can serve as an offering — not only will the dead partake of it, but even gods and spirits will come to partake of it too.你瞧瞧我那案上，只設一爐，不論日期，時常焚香。Just look at my own altar table — I've set out only a single censer, and without regard to particular dates, I burn incense there often.他們皆不知原故，我心里卻各有所因。None of them know the reason behind it, but in my own heart each time has its own cause.隨便有清茶便供一鐘茶，有新水就供一盞水，或有鮮花，或有鮮果，甚至葷羹腥菜，只要心誠意洁，便是佛也都可來享，所以說，只在敬不在虛名。Whenever there happens to be clear tea at hand, I offer a cup of tea; if there's fresh water, I offer a cup of water; sometimes there are fresh flowers, sometimes fresh fruit, even meat broths and fish and other rich dishes — so long as the heart is sincere and the intention pure, even the Buddha himself would come to partake of it. That is why it is said: it lies in reverence alone, not in empty forms.以後快命他不可再燒紙。」芳官聽了，便答應著。From now on, tell her at once that she must not burn paper money again." Fangguan heard this and agreed to it.一時吃過飯，便有人回：「老太太、太太回來了。」要知端的，且聽下回分解。In a little while, after they had finished eating, someone came to report, "The Old Ancestress and Madam have come back." To know what happened next, listen to the explanation in the following chapter.

这里宝玉和他只二人，宝玉便将方才从火光发起，如何见了藕官，又如何谎言护庇，又如何藕官叫我问你，从头至尾，细细的告诉他一遍，又问他祭的果系何人。芳官听了，满面含笑，又叹一口气，说道：「这事说来可笑又可叹。」宝玉听了，忙问如何。芳官笑道：「你说他祭的是谁？祭的是死了的菂官。」宝玉道：「这是友谊，也应当的。」芳官笑道：「那里是友谊？他竟是疯傻的想头，说他自己是小生，菂官是小旦，常做夫妻，虽说是假的，每日那些曲文排场，皆是真正温存体贴之事，故此二人就疯了，虽不做戏，寻常饮食起坐，两个人竟是你恩我爱。菂官一死，他哭的死去活来，至今不忘，所以每节烧纸。后来补了蕊官，我们见他一般的温柔体贴，也曾问他得新弃旧的。他说：『这又有个大道理。比如男子丧了妻，或有必当续弦者，也必要续弦为是。便只是不把死的丢过不提，便是情深意重了。若一味因死的不续，孤守一世，妨了大节，也不是理，死者反不安了。』你说可是又疯又呆？说来可是可笑？」宝玉听说了这篇呆话，独合了他的呆性，不觉又是欢喜，又是悲叹，又称奇道绝，说：「天既生这样人，又何用我这须眉浊物玷辱世界。」因又忙拉芳官嘱道：「既如此说，我也有一句话嘱咐他，我若亲对面与他讲未免不便，须得你告诉他。」芳官问何事。宝玉道：「以后断不可烧纸钱。这纸钱原是后人异端，不是孔子遗训。以后逢时按节，只备一个炉，到日随便焚香，一心诚虔，就可感格了。愚人原不知，无论神佛死人，必要分出等例，各式各例的。殊不知只一『诚心』二字为主。即值仓皇流离之日，虽连香亦无，随便有土有草，只以洁净，便可为祭，不独死者享祭，便是神鬼也来享的。你瞧瞧我那案上，只设一炉，不论日期，时常焚香。他们皆不知原故，我心里却各有所因。随便有清茶便供一钟茶，有新水就供一盏水，或有鲜花，或有鲜果，甚至荤羹腥菜，只要心诚意洁，便是佛也都可来享，所以说，只在敬不在虚名。以后快命他不可再烧纸。」芳官听了，便答应著。一时吃过饭，便有人回：「老太太、太太回来了。」要知端的，且听下回分解。