第五十九回　柳葉渚邊嗔鶯咤燕　絳芸軒裡召將飛符 By Willow Bank Warblers and Swallows Are Scolded; In Crimson Studio Charms Are Summoned

話說寶玉聽說賈母等回來，隨多添了一件衣服，拄杖前邊來，都見過了。The story goes that when Baoyu heard that Grandmother Jia and the others had come back, he put on an extra layer of clothing, took up his cane, and went to the front rooms, where he paid his respects to everyone.賈母等因每日辛苦，都要早些歇息，一宿無話，次日五鼓，又往朝中去。Since Grandmother Jia and the others were worn out from their daily labors, they all wanted to retire early; nothing happened that night, and at the fifth watch the next day, they set off for the palace again.離送靈日不遠，鴛鴦，琥珀，翡翠，玻璃四人都忙著打點賈母之物，玉釧、彩雲、彩霞等皆打疊王夫人之物，當面查點與跟隨的管事媳婦們。With the day for escorting the coffin drawing near, the four maids Yuanyang, Hupo, Feicui, and Boli were all busy packing Grandmother Jia's belongings, while Yuchuan, Caiyun, Caixia, and the others packed up Lady Wang's things, checking everything over in person and handing it to the housekeeping wives who would go along.跟隨的一共大小六個丫鬟，十個老婆子媳婦子，男人不算。Altogether six maids, old and young, and ten old women and wives were to go along, not counting the men.連日收拾馱轎器械。For several days running they were busy preparing the pack-sedans and equipment.鴛鴦與玉釧兒皆不隨去，只看屋子。Yuanyang and Yuchuan were not going along; they were only to look after the rooms.一面先幾日預發帳幔舖陳之物，先有四五個媳婦并幾個男人領了出來，坐了幾輛車繞道先至下處，舖陳安插等候。Several days beforehand, the curtains, hangings, and furnishings were sent ahead; four or five wives together with a few men took charge of them, rode out in several carts by a roundabout way to the lodgings first, and set everything in place to wait.

话说宝玉听说贾母等回来，随多添了一件衣服，拄杖前边来，都见过了。贾母等因每日辛苦，都要早些歇息，一宿无话，次日五鼓，又往朝中去。离送灵日不远，鸳鸯，琥珀，翡翠，玻璃四人都忙著打点贾母之物，玉钏、彩云、彩霞等皆打叠王夫人之物，当面查点与跟随的管事媳妇们。跟随的一共大小六个丫鬟，十个老婆子媳妇子，男人不算。连日收拾驮轿器械。鸳鸯与玉钏儿皆不随去，只看屋子。一面先几日预发帐幔铺陈之物，先有四五个媳妇并几个男人领了出来，坐了几辆车绕道先至下处，铺陈安插等候。

臨日，賈母帶著蓉妻坐一乘馱轎，王夫人在後亦坐一乘馱轎，賈珍騎馬率了眾家丁護衛。On the day itself, Grandmother Jia, together with Rong's wife, rode in one pack-sedan, while Lady Wang followed behind in another; Jia Zhen rode on horseback, leading the household servants as an escort.又有幾輛大車與婆子丫鬟等坐，并放些隨換的衣包等件。There were also several large carts for the old women and maids to ride in, along with bundles of spare clothing and other such things.是日薛姨媽尤氏率領諸人直送至大門外方回。That day Aunt Xue and You-shi led everyone in seeing them off, going all the way to outside the main gate before turning back.賈璉恐路上不便，一面打發了他父母起身赶上賈母王夫人馱轎，自己也隨後帶領家丁押後跟來。Fearing that the journey might prove inconvenient, Jia Lian sent his parents ahead to catch up with Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's sedans, while he himself followed behind, leading the household servants to bring up the rear.

临日，贾母带著蓉妻坐一乘驮轿，王夫人在后亦坐一乘驮轿，贾珍骑马率了众家丁护卫。又有几辆大车与婆子丫鬟等坐，并放些随换的衣包等件。是日薛姨妈尤氏率领诸人直送至大门外方回。贾琏恐路上不便，一面打发了他父母起身赶上贾母王夫人驮轿，自己也随后带领家丁押后跟来。

榮府內賴大添派人丁上夜，將兩處廳院都關了，一應出入人等，皆走西邊小角門。Within the Rong mansion, Lai Da assigned extra men for the night watch, and both halls and courtyards were locked up; everyone coming or going had to use the small side gate on the west.日落時，便命關了儀門，不放人出入。At sunset, orders were given to close the ceremonial gate, and no one was allowed to pass in or out.園中前後東西角門亦皆關鎖，只留王夫人大房之後常系他姊妹出入之門，東邊通薛姨媽的角門，這兩門因在內院，不必關鎖。The side gates of the garden, front and back, east and west, were all locked as well; only the gate behind Lady Wang's main quarters, which her sisters-in-law regularly used, and the east side gate leading to Aunt Xue's, were left open, since these two gates were within the inner courtyards and did not need to be locked.里面鴛鴦和玉釧兒也各將上房關了，自領丫鬟婆子下房去安歇。Inside, Yuanyang and Yuchuan likewise locked up the main rooms and led the maids and old women off to the servants' quarters to rest.每日林之孝之妻進來，帶領十來個婆子上夜，穿堂內又添了許多小廝們坐更打梆子，已安插得十分妥當。Every day Lin Zhixiao's wife came in to lead a dozen or so old women on the night watch, and in the passage hall extra pageboys were posted to sit watch and sound the clapper — everything was arranged most properly.

荣府内赖大添派人丁上夜，将两处厅院都关了，一应出入人等，皆走西边小角门。日落时，便命关了仪门，不放人出入。园中前后东西角门亦皆关锁，只留王夫人大房之后常系他姊妹出入之门，东边通薛姨妈的角门，这两门因在内院，不必关锁。里面鸳鸯和玉钏儿也各将上房关了，自领丫鬟婆子下房去安歇。每日林之孝之妻进来，带领十来个婆子上夜，穿堂内又添了许多小厮们坐更打梆子，已安插得十分妥当。

一日清曉，寶釵春困已醒，搴帷下榻，微覺輕寒，啟戶視之，見園中土潤苔青，原來五更時落了幾點微雨。One morning at dawn, Baochai, her spring drowsiness gone, woke, drew back the bed-curtain and rose, feeling a slight chill; she opened the door to look out and saw that the earth in the garden was moist and the moss green — it turned out that a light rain had fallen at the fifth watch.于是喚起湘雲等人來，一面梳洗，湘雲因說兩腮作痒，恐又犯了杏斑癬，因問寶釵要些薔薇硝來。She then woke Xiangyun and the others; while they were washing and combing their hair, Xiangyun mentioned that both her cheeks were itching, and she feared her apricot-blotch rash had flared up again, so she asked Baochai for some rose powder.寶釵道：「前兒剩的都給了妹子。」因說：「顰兒配了許多，我正要和他要些，因今年竟沒發痒，就忘了。」因命鶯兒去取些來。Baochai said, "What was left the other day I gave to Cousin Lin." Then she added, "Pin'er made up a great deal of it — I meant to ask her for some, but since I haven't had any itching this year, I forgot all about it." So she told Yingr to go and fetch some.鶯兒應了纔去時，蕊官便說：「我同你去，順便瞧瞧藕官。」說著，一徑同鶯兒出了蘅蕪苑。Yingr agreed and was just setting off when Ruiguan said, "I'll go with you — I can look in on Ouguan while I'm at it." So saying, she went straight out of Hengwu Yuan together with Yingr.

一日清晓，宝钗春困已醒，搴帷下榻，微觉轻寒，启户视之，见园中土润苔青，原来五更时落了几点微雨。于是唤起湘云等人来，一面梳洗，湘云因说两腮作痒，恐又犯了杏斑癣，因问宝钗要些蔷薇硝来。宝钗道：「前儿剩的都给了妹子。」因说：「颦儿配了许多，我正要和他要些，因今年竟没发痒，就忘了。」因命莺儿去取些来。莺儿应了才去时，蕊官便说：「我同你去，顺便瞧瞧藕官。」说著，一径同莺儿出了蘅芜苑。

二人你言我語，一面行走，一面說笑，不覺到了柳葉渚，順著柳堤走來。The two of them chatted back and forth, talking and laughing as they walked, and before they knew it they had reached Willow Leaf Cove, and walked on along the willow embankment.因見柳葉纔吐淺碧，絲若垂金，鶯兒便笑道：「你會拿著柳條子編東西不會？」蕊官笑道：「編什麼東西？」鶯兒道：「什麼編不得？Seeing the willow leaves just putting out their pale green, their strands hanging like gold, Yingr said with a smile, "Do you know how to weave things out of willow twigs?" Ruiguan laughed and said, "Weave what sort of thing?" Yingr said, "What can't be woven?"頑的使的都可。Things for play or things for use — either will do.等我摘些下來，帶著這葉子編個花籃兒，採了各色花放在里頭，纔是好頑呢。」說著，且不去取硝，且伸手挽翠披金，採了許多的嫩條，命蕊官拿著。"Let me pick some down, and with the leaves still on I'll weave a flower basket, and pick flowers of every color to put inside — that will really be fun." So saying, she put off fetching the powder, and reaching out gathered up handfuls of green trailing gold, plucking many tender twigs, and had Ruiguan hold them.他卻一行走一行編花籃，隨路見花便採一二枝，編出一個玲瓏過梁的籃子。As she walked along she wove the flower basket, plucking a spray or two of whatever flowers she came across, until she had woven an exquisite basket with an arching handle.枝上自有本來翠葉滿布，將花放上，卻也別致有趣。The twigs were already covered with their own green leaves, and once the flowers were set on top, it looked quite charming and unusual.喜的蕊官笑道：「姐姐，給了我罷。」鶯兒道：「這一個咱們送林姑娘，回來咱們再多採些，編幾個大家頑。」說著，來至瀟湘館中。Delighted, Ruiguan said with a laugh, "Sister, give it to me." Yingr said, "Let's send this one to Miss Lin; when we come back we'll pick more and weave several for everyone to enjoy." So saying, they came to Xiaoxiang Guan.

二人你言我语，一面行走，一面说笑，不觉到了柳叶渚，顺著柳堤走来。因见柳叶才吐浅碧，丝若垂金，莺儿便笑道：「你会拿著柳条子编东西不会？」蕊官笑道：「编什么东西？」莺儿道：「什么编不得？顽的使的都可。等我摘些下来，带著这叶子编个花篮儿，采了各色花放在里头，才是好顽呢。」说著，且不去取硝，且伸手挽翠披金，采了许多的嫩条，命蕊官拿著。他却一行走一行编花篮，随路见花便采一二枝，编出一个玲珑过梁的篮子。枝上自有本来翠叶满布，将花放上，却也别致有趣。喜的蕊官笑道：「姐姐，给了我罢。」莺儿道：「这一个咱们送林姑娘，回来咱们再多采些，编几个大家顽。」说著，来至潇湘馆中。

黛玉也正晨妝，見了籃子，便笑說：「這個新鮮花籃是誰編的？」鶯兒笑說：「我編了送姑娘頑的。」黛玉接了笑道：「怪道人贊你的手巧，這頑意兒卻也別致。」一面瞧了，一面便命紫鵑挂在那里。Daiyu, too, was just doing her morning toilette; seeing the basket, she said with a smile, "Who wove this fresh flower basket?" Yingr said with a smile, "I wove it to bring to you for fun, Miss." Daiyu took it and said, laughing, "No wonder people praise your clever hands — this little plaything is quite unusual." As she looked it over, she told Zijuan to hang it up somewhere.鶯兒又問侯了薛姨媽，方和黛玉要硝。Yingr then inquired after Aunt Xue's health, and only after that did she ask Daiyu for the powder.黛玉忙命紫鵑包了一包，遞與鶯兒。Daiyu quickly told Zijuan to wrap up a packet and hand it to Yingr.黛玉又道：「我好了，今日要出去逛逛。Daiyu also said, "I'm better now — today I want to go out for a stroll."你回去說與姐姐，不用過來問候媽了，也不敢勞他來瞧我，梳了頭同媽都往你那里去，連飯也端了那里去吃，大家熱鬧些。」"Go back and tell your sister there's no need for her to come and pay respects to Mother, nor should she trouble herself to come and see me — once I've had my hair combed, Mother and I will both go over to your place, and we'll even have our meal sent over there to eat, so as to make it livelier for everyone."

黛玉也正晨妆，见了篮子，便笑说：「这个新鲜花篮是谁编的？」莺儿笑说：「我编了送姑娘顽的。」黛玉接了笑道：「怪道人赞你的手巧，这顽意儿却也别致。」一面瞧了，一面便命紫鹃挂在那里。莺儿又问侯了薛姨妈，方和黛玉要硝。黛玉忙命紫鹃包了一包，递与莺儿。黛玉又道：「我好了，今日要出去逛逛。你回去说与姐姐，不用过来问候妈了，也不敢劳他来瞧我，梳了头同妈都往你那里去，连饭也端了那里去吃，大家热闹些。」

鶯兒答應了出來，便到紫鵑房中找蕊官，只見藕官與蕊官二人正說得高興，不能相舍，因說：「姑娘也去呢，藕官先同我們去等著豈不好？」紫鵑聽如此說，便也說道：「這話倒是，他這里淘氣的也可厭。」一面說，一面便將黛玉的匙箸用一塊洋巾包了，交與藕官道：「你先帶了這個去，也算一趟差了。」Yingr agreed and went out, then went to Zijuan's room to look for Ruiguan, and found Ouguan and Ruiguan in the middle of a lively conversation, unwilling to part from each other, so she said, "Miss Lin is going too — wouldn't it be good if Ouguan went ahead with us to wait?" Hearing this, Zijuan said, "That's true enough — she's rather a nuisance carrying on here." So saying, she wrapped Daiyu's spoon and chopsticks in a foreign handkerchief and handed them to Ouguan, saying, "Take these along first — that can count as your errand."

莺儿答应了出来，便到紫鹃房中找蕊官，只见藕官与蕊官二人正说得高兴，不能相舍，因说：「姑娘也去呢，藕官先同我们去等著岂不好？」紫鹃听如此说，便也说道：「这话倒是，他这里淘气的也可厌。」一面说，一面便将黛玉的匙箸用一块洋巾包了，交与藕官道：「你先带了这个去，也算一趟差了。」

藕官接了，笑嘻嘻同他二人出來，一徑順著柳堤走來。Ouguan took them, and smiling merrily, went out together with the other two, walking straight on along the willow embankment.鶯兒便又採些柳條，越性坐在山石上編起來，又命蕊官先送了硝去再來。Yingr then picked some more willow twigs, and simply sat down on a rock to go on weaving, telling Ruiguan to deliver the powder first and then come back.他二人只顧愛看他編，那里舍得去。The other two were too absorbed in watching her weave to want to leave.鶯兒只顧催說：「你們再不去，我也不編了。」藕官便說：「我同你去了再快回來。」二人方去了。Yingr kept urging them, "If you two don't go now, I'll stop weaving." Ouguan then said, "I'll go with you and hurry right back." Only then did the two of them go.

藕官接了，笑嘻嘻同他二人出来，一径顺著柳堤走来。莺儿便又采些柳条，越性坐在山石上编起来，又命蕊官先送了硝去再来。他二人只顾爱看他编，那里舍得去。莺儿只顾催说：「你们再不去，我也不编了。」藕官便说：「我同你去了再快回来。」二人方去了。

這里鶯兒正編，只見何婆的小女春燕走來，笑問：「姐姐織什麼呢？」正說著，蕊藕二人也到了。Meanwhile Yingr was still weaving there when Old Woman He's young daughter Chunyan came up and asked with a smile, "Sister, what are you weaving?" Just as she spoke, Ruiguan and Ouguan arrived as well.春燕便向藕官道：「前兒你到底燒什麼紙？Chunyan then said to Ouguan, "The other day, what exactly was that paper you were burning?"被我姨媽看見了，要告你沒告成，倒被寶玉賴了他一大些不是，氣的他一五一十告訴我媽。My aunt saw it and wanted to report you, but couldn't manage it — instead Baoyu turned it around and blamed her for a great many faults, which made her so angry she told my mother the whole story from beginning to end.你們在外頭這二三年積了些什麼仇恨，如今還不解開？」藕官冷笑道：「有什麼仇恨？What grudge have you two built up out there these past two or three years, that it still hasn't been resolved?" Ouguan said with a cold laugh, "What grudge is there?"他們不知足，反怨我們了。They're never satisfied, and instead they blame us.在外頭這兩年，別的東西不算，只算我們的米菜，不知賺了多少家去，合家子吃不了，還有每日買東買西賺的錢在外。These two years out there, not to mention anything else, just reckoning our rice and vegetables alone — there's no telling how much they've skimmed off and taken home, more than their whole family could eat, and on top of that there's the money they make every day buying this and that.逢我們使他們一使兒，就怨天怨地的。Whenever we ask them to do the least little errand for us, they complain to heaven and earth about it.你說說可有良心？」春燕笑道：「他是我的姨媽，也不好向著外人反說他的。Tell me, is there any conscience in that?" Chunyan said with a smile, "She's my aunt, after all — I can't very well take an outsider's side against her."怨不得寶玉說：『女孩兒未出嫁，是顆無价之寶珠，出了嫁，不知怎麼就變出許多的不好的毛病來，雖是顆珠子，卻沒有光彩寶色，是顆死珠了，再老了，更變的不是珠子，竟是魚眼睛了。No wonder Baoyu says: 'A girl before she marries is a priceless pearl; once she marries, somehow all sorts of bad faults come out in her, and though she's still a pearl, it has no luster or color left — it's become a dead pearl; and once she grows old, she changes even further, no longer a pearl at all, but a fish's eye.'分明一個人，怎麼變出三樣來？』這話雖是混話，倒也有些不差。'Clearly it's one and the same person — how does she turn into three different things?' Nonsense as that talk is, it isn't entirely wrong, either.別人不知道，只說我媽和姨媽，他老姊妹兩個，如今越老了越把錢看的真了。I can't speak for others, but just take my mother and my aunt — the two old sisters — the older they get, the more seriously they take money.先時老姐兒兩個在家抱怨沒個差使，沒個進益，幸虧有了這園子，把我挑進來，可巧把我分到怡紅院。At first the two old sisters used to complain at home about having no post and no extra income; luckily, once this garden was built, I was picked to come in, and as it happened I was assigned to Yihong Yuan.家里省了我一個人的費用不算外，每月還有四五百錢的餘剩，這也還說不夠。Not counting the saving on my own expenses at home, there's also four or five hundred cash left over every month — and even that, they say, isn't enough.後來老姊妹二人都派到梨香院去照看他們，藕官認了我姨媽，芳官認了我媽，這幾年著實寬裕了。Later the two old sisters were both assigned to look after the girls at Lixiang Yuan; Ouguan took my aunt as her adoptive mother, and Fangguan took my mother as hers, and these past few years they've really been well off.如今挪進來也算撒開手了，還只無厭。Now that they've moved in here, you'd think they'd let go of it, yet they're still never satisfied.你說好笑不好笑？Don't you think that's funny?我姨媽剛和藕官吵了，接著我媽為洗頭就和芳官吵。My aunt just had a quarrel with Ouguan, and right after that my mother quarreled with Fangguan over washing her hair.芳官連要洗頭也不給他洗。Fangguan wanted to have her hair washed, and my mother wouldn't even wash it for her.昨日得月錢，推不去了，買了東西先叫我洗。Yesterday, after getting her monthly allowance, she couldn't put it off any longer, so she bought things and had me wash it first.我想了一想：我自有錢，就沒錢要洗時，不管襲人，晴雯，麝月，那一個跟前和他們說一聲，也都容易，何必借這個光兒？I thought it over: I have money of my own, and even if I had none and wanted a wash, it would be easy enough to say a word to any one of Xiren, Qingwen, or Sheyue — why should I need to borrow this kind of favor?好沒意思。It's really pointless.所以我不洗。So I didn't wash it.他又叫我妹妹小鳩兒洗了，纔叫芳官，果然就吵起來。Then she had my little sister Xiaojiu'er wash hers first, and only then called Fangguan, and sure enough a quarrel broke out.接著又要給寶玉吹湯，你說可笑死了人？Right after that she wanted to blow on Baoyu's soup to cool it for him — can you imagine anything more laughable?我見他一進來，我就告訴那些規矩。The moment I saw her come in, I told her all the rules.他只不信，只要強做知道的，足的討個沒趣兒。But she simply wouldn't believe me, insisted on acting as if she already knew everything, and ended up thoroughly making a fool of herself.幸虧園里的人多，沒人分記的清楚誰是誰的親故。Luckily there are so many people in the garden that no one keeps clear track of who's related to whom.若有人記得，只有我們一家人吵，什麼意思呢？If people did remember, and it turned out to be only our own family quarreling, what sense would that make?你這會子又跑來弄這個。And now here you come again to fool around with this.這一帶地上的東西都是我姑娘管著，一得了這地方，比得了永遠基業還利害，每日早起晚睡，自己辛苦了還不算，每日逼著我們來照看，生恐有人遭踏，又怕誤了我的差使。Everything growing along this stretch of ground is under my aunt's charge; ever since she got hold of this place, she's guarded it more fiercely than if it were a permanent estate — up early and to bed late every day, and not only does she wear herself out over it, she pushes us every day to keep watch too, terrified someone might trample something, and afraid it might cost me my post.如今進來了，老姑嫂兩個照看得謹謹慎慎，一根草也不許人動。Now that we've moved in, the two old women, aunt and sister-in-law together, watch over it so carefully that they won't let anyone touch even a single blade of grass.你還掐這些花兒，又折他的嫩樹，他們即刻就來，仔細他們抱怨。」鶯兒道：「別人亂折亂掐使不得，獨我使得。And here you are picking these flowers and snapping off her tender branches too — they'll be here any moment, so mind they don't complain." Yingr said, "It's true no one else may pick and snap things carelessly, but I'm the exception.自從分了地基之後，每日里各房皆有分例，吃的不用算，單管花草頑意兒。Ever since the plots of ground were divided up, every room has had its own allotted share each day; not counting what's for eating, this covers flowers and plants and such playthings too.誰管什麼，每日誰就把各房里姑娘丫頭戴的，必要各色送些折枝的去，還有插瓶的。Whoever is in charge of what, every day sends over sprays of every kind of flower for the young ladies and maids of the various rooms to wear, as well as some for putting in vases.惟有我們說了：『一概不用送，等要什麼再和你們要。』究竟沒有要過一次。Only we said, 'There's no need to send anything at all — whenever we want something, we'll ask you for it.' And in fact we've never once asked.我今便掐些，他們也不好意思說的。」So if I pick a few now, they won't have the face to say anything about it."

这里莺儿正编，只见何婆的小女春燕走来，笑问：「姐姐织什么呢？」正说著，蕊藕二人也到了。春燕便向藕官道：「前儿你到底烧什么纸？被我姨妈看见了，要告你没告成，倒被宝玉赖了他一大些不是，气的他一五一十告诉我妈。你们在外头这二三年积了些什么仇恨，如今还不解开？」藕官冷笑道：「有什么仇恨？他们不知足，反怨我们了。在外头这两年，别的东西不算，只算我们的米菜，不知赚了多少家去，合家子吃不了，还有每日买东买西赚的钱在外。逢我们使他们一使儿，就怨天怨地的。你说说可有良心？」春燕笑道：「他是我的姨妈，也不好向著外人反说他的。怨不得宝玉说：『女孩儿未出嫁，是颗无价之宝珠，出了嫁，不知怎么就变出许多的不好的毛病来，虽是颗珠子，却没有光彩宝色，是颗死珠了，再老了，更变的不是珠子，竟是鱼眼睛了。分明一个人，怎么变出三样来？』这话虽是混话，倒也有些不差。别人不知道，只说我妈和姨妈，他老姊妹两个，如今越老了越把钱看的真了。先时老姐儿两个在家抱怨没个差使，没个进益，幸亏有了这园子，把我挑进来，可巧把我分到怡红院。家里省了我一个人的费用不算外，每月还有四五百钱的余剩，这也还说不够。后来老姊妹二人都派到梨香院去照看他们，藕官认了我姨妈，芳官认了我妈，这几年著实宽裕了。如今挪进来也算撒开手了，还只无厌。你说好笑不好笑？我姨妈刚和藕官吵了，接著我妈为洗头就和芳官吵。芳官连要洗头也不给他洗。昨日得月钱，推不去了，买了东西先叫我洗。我想了一想：我自有钱，就没钱要洗时，不管袭人，晴雯，麝月，那一个跟前和他们说一声，也都容易，何必借这个光儿？好没意思。所以我不洗。他又叫我妹妹小鸠儿洗了，才叫芳官，果然就吵起来。接著又要给宝玉吹汤，你说可笑死了人？我见他一进来，我就告诉那些规矩。他只不信，只要强做知道的，足的讨个没趣儿。幸亏园里的人多，没人分记的清楚谁是谁的亲故。若有人记得，只有我们一家人吵，什么意思呢？你这会子又跑来弄这个。这一带地上的东西都是我姑娘管著，一得了这地方，比得了永远基业还利害，每日早起晚睡，自己辛苦了还不算，每日逼著我们来照看，生恐有人遭踏，又怕误了我的差使。如今进来了，老姑嫂两个照看得谨谨慎慎，一根草也不许人动。你还掐这些花儿，又折他的嫩树，他们即刻就来，仔细他们抱怨。」莺儿道：「别人乱折乱掐使不得，独我使得。自从分了地基之后，每日里各房皆有分例，吃的不用算，单管花草顽意儿。谁管什么，每日谁就把各房里姑娘丫头戴的，必要各色送些折枝的去，还有插瓶的。惟有我们说了：『一概不用送，等要什么再和你们要。』究竟没有要过一次。我今便掐些，他们也不好意思说的。」

一語未了，他姑娘果然拄了拐走來。Before she had even finished speaking, her aunt did indeed come walking up, leaning on a cane.鶯兒春燕等忙讓坐。Yingr, Chunyan, and the others hastily offered her a seat.那婆子見採了許多嫩柳，又見藕官等都採了許多鮮花，心內便不受用，看著鶯兒編，又不好說什麼，便說春燕道：「我叫你來照看照看，你就貪住頑不去了。The old woman, seeing all the tender willow twigs that had been picked, and seeing that Ouguan and the others had picked a great many fresh flowers besides, felt displeased at heart; but watching Yingr weave, she could hardly say anything about it, so instead she turned on Chunyan: "I told you to come and keep an eye on things, and you've gone and gotten so absorbed in playing you won't leave.倘或叫起你來，你又說我使你了，拿我做隱身符兒你來樂。」春燕道：「你老又使我，又怕，這會子反說我。And if you're called for and can't be found, you'll say I sent you off on an errand, using me as your excuse to sneak off and enjoy yourself." Chunyan said, "First you send me on errands yourself, and worry about it, and now instead you blame me.難道把我劈做八瓣子不成？」鶯兒笑道：「姑媽，你別信小燕的話。Am I supposed to split myself into eight pieces?" Yingr said with a smile, "Auntie, don't believe what Xiaoyan says.這都是他摘下來的，煩我給他編，我攆他，他不去。」春燕笑道：「你可少頑兒，你只顧頑兒，老人家就認真了。」那婆子本是愚頑之輩，兼之年近昏眊，惟利是命，一概情面不管，正心疼肝斷，無計可施，聽鶯兒如此說，便以老賣老，拿起柱杖來向春燕身上擊上幾下，罵道：「小蹄子，我說著你，你還和我強嘴兒呢。She picked all this herself, and bothered me to weave it for her; I told her to go, and she wouldn't." Chunyan said with a laugh, "You'd better joke less — if you keep at it, the old lady will take it seriously." The old woman was by nature foolish and stubborn, and being besides nearly senile with age and caring for nothing but profit, she paid no heed at all to anyone's feelings; her heart aching and at her wits' end, when she heard Yingr talk like this, she played on her age, took up her cane, struck Chunyan a few blows with it, and cursed, "You little wretch, I was speaking to you, and you still talk back at me!你媽恨的牙根痒痒，要撕你的肉吃呢。Your mother is so furious her back teeth itch — she wants to tear the flesh right off you and eat it.你還來和我強梆子似的。」打的春燕又愧又急，哭道：「鶯兒姐姐頑話，你老就認真打我。And still you come talking back at me like a stubborn mule." The beating left Chunyan both ashamed and desperate, and she cried, "It was just a joke of Sister Yingr's, and you go and really beat me for it.我媽為什麼恨我？Why should my mother hate me?我又沒燒胡了洗臉水，有什麼不是！」鶯兒本是頑話，忽見婆子認真動了氣，忙上去拉住，笑道：「我纔是頑話，你老人家打他，我豈不愧？」那婆子道：「姑娘，你別管我們的事，難道為姑娘在這里，不許我管孩子不成？」鶯兒聽見這般蠢話，便賭氣紅了臉，撒了手冷笑道：「你老人家要管，那一刻管不得，偏我說了一句頑話就管他了。I didn't even burn the washing water — what fault have I committed?" Yingr had only meant it as a joke, and seeing the old woman suddenly grow genuinely angry, she hurried over and caught hold of her, saying with a smile, "It was only a joke of mine — if you beat her for it, how could I not feel ashamed?" The old woman said, "Miss, don't meddle in our affairs — just because you're here, Miss, does that mean I'm not allowed to discipline my own child?" Hearing such foolish talk, Yingr flushed with annoyance, let go of her, and said with a cold laugh, "If you wanted to discipline her, there was no moment you couldn't have — it just happens you start disciplining her the instant I make one joking remark.我看你老管去！」說著，便坐下，仍編柳籃子。Go right ahead and discipline her, then, for all I care!" So saying, she sat back down and went on weaving her willow basket.

一语未了，他姑娘果然拄了拐走来。莺儿春燕等忙让坐。那婆子见采了许多嫩柳，又见藕官等都采了许多鲜花，心内便不受用，看著莺儿编，又不好说什么，便说春燕道：「我叫你来照看照看，你就贪住顽不去了。倘或叫起你来，你又说我使你了，拿我做隐身符儿你来乐。」春燕道：「你老又使我，又怕，这会子反说我。难道把我劈做八瓣子不成？」莺儿笑道：「姑妈，你别信小燕的话。这都是他摘下来的，烦我给他编，我撵他，他不去。」春燕笑道：「你可少顽儿，你只顾顽儿，老人家就认真了。」那婆子本是愚顽之辈，兼之年近昏眊，惟利是命，一概情面不管，正心疼肝断，无计可施，听莺儿如此说，便以老卖老，拿起柱杖来向春燕身上击上几下，骂道：「小蹄子，我说著你，你还和我强嘴儿呢。你妈恨的牙根痒痒，要撕你的肉吃呢。你还来和我强梆子似的。」打的春燕又愧又急，哭道：「莺儿姐姐顽话，你老就认真打我。我妈为什么恨我？我又没烧胡了洗脸水，有什么不是！」莺儿本是顽话，忽见婆子认真动了气，忙上去拉住，笑道：「我才是顽话，你老人家打他，我岂不愧？」那婆子道：「姑娘，你别管我们的事，难道为姑娘在这里，不许我管孩子不成？」莺儿听见这般蠢话，便赌气红了脸，撒了手冷笑道：「你老人家要管，那一刻管不得，偏我说了一句顽话就管他了。我看你老管去！」说著，便坐下，仍编柳篮子。

偏又有春燕的娘出來找他，喊道：「你不來舀水，在那里做什麼呢？」那婆子便接聲兒道：「你來瞧瞧，你的女兒連我也不服了！As luck would have it, Chunyan's mother came out looking for her just then, calling, "Why haven't you come to fetch water — what are you doing over there?" The old woman at once took up the cry, "Come and see — your daughter won't even mind me anymore!在那里排揎我呢。」那婆子一面走過來說：「姑奶奶，又怎麼了？She's over there giving me a talking-to." The other old woman came walking over, saying, "Now what's the matter, madam?我們丫頭眼里沒娘罷了，連姑媽也沒了不成？」鶯兒見他娘來了，只得又說原故。It's bad enough our girl has no regard for her own mother — has she no regard for her aunt either?" Seeing that Chunyan's mother had come, Yingr had no choice but to explain the matter again from the start.他姑娘那里容人說話，便將石上的花柳與他娘瞧道：「你瞧瞧，你女兒這麼大孩子頑的。But the aunt would not let anyone else get a word in, and pointed to the flowers and willow twigs on the rock to show Chunyan's mother, saying, "Just look — this is what your grown daughter has been up to.他先領著人糟踏我，我怎麼說人？」他娘也正為芳官之氣未平，又恨春燕不遂他的心，便走上來打耳刮子，罵道：「小娼婦，你能上去了幾年？She's the one who led the others in humiliating me — how could I be the one in the wrong?" Chunyan's mother, still smarting from her anger over Fangguan and resentful besides that Chunyan wouldn't do as she wished, stepped up and slapped her across the face, cursing, "You little slut, how many years is it since you moved up in the world?你也跟那起輕狂浪小婦學，怎麼就管不得你們了？You've gone and learned from that pack of flighty, wanton young hussies — since when can't I discipline you lot?乾的我管不得，你是我屄里掉出來的，難道也不敢管你不成！I may not have the right to discipline the adopted ones, but you — you came out of my own cunt, so don't tell me I daren't discipline you too!既是你們這起蹄子到的去的地方我到不去，你就該死在那里伺侯，又跑出來浪漢。」一面又抓起柳條子來，直送到他臉上，問道：「這叫作什麼？Since the places you wretches get to go, I can't go to, you ought to stay there and slave away till you drop, instead of running back out here to gad about." So saying, she snatched up the willow twigs and thrust them right in her face, demanding, "What do you call this?這編的是你娘的屄！」鶯兒忙道：「那是我們編的，你老別指桑罵槐。」那婆子深妒襲人晴雯一干人，已知凡房中大些的丫鬟都比他們有些体統權勢，凡見了這一干人，心中又畏又讓，未免又氣又恨，亦且遷怒于眾，复又看見了藕官，又是他令姊的冤家，四處湊成一股怒氣。This is woven out of your mother's cunt!" Yingr quickly said, "That's something we wove ourselves — don't you go pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust, old woman." This old woman deeply envied Xiren, Qingwen, and that whole set, for she knew well enough that all the senior maids of the great rooms had more standing and authority than her own kind; whenever she came across any of them she felt both fear and the need to defer, which could not help but breed both anger and resentment in her, and this spilled over onto everyone around; then, catching sight of Ouguan as well, who was her own sister's adversary besides, all of this gathered from every side into a single fit of rage.

偏又有春燕的娘出来找他，喊道：「你不来舀水，在那里做什么呢？」那婆子便接声儿道：「你来瞧瞧，你的女儿连我也不服了！在那里排揎我呢。」那婆子一面走过来说：「姑奶奶，又怎么了？我们丫头眼里没娘罢了，连姑妈也没了不成？」莺儿见他娘来了，只得又说原故。他姑娘那里容人说话，便将石上的花柳与他娘瞧道：「你瞧瞧，你女儿这么大孩子顽的。他先领著人糟踏我，我怎么说人？」他娘也正为芳官之气未平，又恨春燕不遂他的心，便走上来打耳刮子，骂道：「小娼妇，你能上去了几年？你也跟那起轻狂浪小妇学，怎么就管不得你们了？干的我管不得，你是我屄里掉出来的，难道也不敢管你不成！既是你们这起蹄子到的去的地方我到不去，你就该死在那里伺侯，又跑出来浪汉。」一面又抓起柳条子来，直送到他脸上，问道：「这叫作什么？这编的是你娘的屄！」莺儿忙道：「那是我们编的，你老别指桑骂槐。」那婆子深妒袭人晴雯一干人，已知凡房中大些的丫鬟都比他们有些体统权势，凡见了这一干人，心中又畏又让，未免又气又恨，亦且迁怒于众，复又看见了藕官，又是他令姊的冤家，四处凑成一股怒气。

那春燕啼哭著往怡紅院去了。Chunyan, weeping, went off toward Yihong Yuan.他娘又恐問他為何哭，怕他又說出自己打他，又要受晴雯等之氣，不免著起急來，又忙喊道：「你回來！Her mother, afraid that if someone asked why she was crying, Chunyan might tell how she herself had beaten her, and that she would then have to suffer the anger of Qingwen and the others, could not help growing alarmed, and hastily called after her, "Come back!我告訴你再去。」春燕那里肯回來？Let me tell you something before you go." But Chunyan would not come back for anything.急的他娘跑了去又拉他。In her agitation her mother ran after her and tried to pull her back.他回頭看見，便也往前飛跑。Chunyan looked back and saw her, and only ran on faster.他娘只顧赶他，不防腳下被青苔滑倒，引的鶯兒三個人反都笑了。Her mother, intent only on chasing her, was caught off guard and slipped on the green moss underfoot, which set Yingr and the other two laughing instead.鶯兒便賭氣將花柳皆擲于河中，自回房去。Yingr, in annoyance, flung all the flowers and willow twigs into the stream, and went back to her room by herself.這里把個婆子心疼的只念佛，又罵：「促狹小蹄子！This left the old woman so distressed that she could only mutter prayers to Buddha, and curse, "You spiteful little wretches!遭踏了花兒，雷也是要打的。」自己且掐花與各房送去不提。Trampling flowers like that, you deserve to be struck by lightning." She herself then went off to pick flowers to send round to the various rooms, and no more need be said of that.

那春燕啼哭著往怡红院去了。他娘又恐问他为何哭，怕他又说出自己打他，又要受晴雯等之气，不免著起急来，又忙喊道：「你回来！我告诉你再去。」春燕那里肯回来？急的他娘跑了去又拉他。他回头看见，便也往前飞跑。他娘只顾赶他，不防脚下被青苔滑倒，引的莺儿三个人反都笑了。莺儿便赌气将花柳皆掷于河中，自回房去。这里把个婆子心疼的只念佛，又骂：「促狭小蹄子！遭踏了花儿，雷也是要打的。」自己且掐花与各房送去不提。

卻說春燕一直跑入院中，頂頭遇見襲人往黛玉處去問安。Now Chunyan ran straight into the courtyard, and ran headlong into Xiren, who was on her way to pay her respects to Daiyu.春燕便一把抱住襲人，說：「姑娘救我！Chunyan threw her arms around Xiren and said, "Save me, sister!我娘又打我呢。」襲人見他娘來了，不免生氣，便說道：「三日兩頭兒打了乾的打親的，還是買弄你女兒多，還是認真不知王法？」這婆子來了幾日，見襲人不言不語是好性的，便說道：「姑娘你不知道，別管我們閒事！My mother's beating me again." When Xiren saw the mother coming, she couldn't help getting angry, and said, "Every couple of days it's beating the adopted one, then beating your own — are you just showing off how many daughters you have, or do you truly not know the law?" This old woman, having been here only a few days, had taken Xiren's quietness for good nature, and so said, "You don't understand, Miss — don't meddle in our family business!都是你們縱的，這會子還管什麼？」說著，便又赶著打。It's all because you people have spoiled her — what's there to manage about it now?" So saying, she went after Chunyan again to beat her.襲人氣的轉身進來，見麝月正在海棠下晾手巾，聽得如此喊鬧，便說：「姐姐別管，看他怎樣。」一面使眼色與春燕，春燕會意，便直奔了寶玉去。Furious, Xiren turned and went inside, where she found Sheyue hanging up handkerchiefs to dry under the crab-apple tree; hearing all the shouting, Sheyue said, "Never mind her, sister — let's see what she does." At the same time she gave Chunyan a look, and Chunyan, understanding, ran straight to Baoyu.眾人都笑說：「這可是沒有的事都鬧出來了。」麝月向婆子道：「你再略煞一煞氣兒，難道這些人的臉面，和你討一個情還討不下來不成？」那婆子見他女兒奔到寶玉身邊去，又見寶玉拉了春燕的手說：「別怕，有我呢。」春燕又一行哭，又一行說，把方纔鶯兒等事都說出來。Everyone said with a laugh, "Really, she's stirring up trouble out of nothing at all." Sheyue said to the old woman, "You'd better hold your temper a little — surely, with all these people's standing, we can't even beg you off for her?" The old woman saw her daughter run straight to Baoyu's side, and saw Baoyu take Chunyan's hand and say, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." Chunyan, crying and talking by turns, told him the whole business with Yingr and the rest.寶玉越發急起來，說：「你只在這里鬧也罷了，怎麼連親戚也都得罪起來？」麝月又向婆子及眾人道：「怨不得這嫂子說我們管不著他們的事，我們雖無知錯管了，如今請出一個管得著的人來管一管，嫂子就心伏口伏，也知道規矩了。」便回頭叫小丫頭子：「去把平兒給我叫來！Baoyu grew all the more agitated and said, "It's bad enough you make trouble here — how could you go and offend even the guests?" Sheyue said again to the old woman and everyone else, "No wonder this good woman says it's not our place to interfere in their affairs — well, foolish as we were to meddle wrongly, let's now send for someone whose place it really is to handle this, and then, good woman, you'll be convinced in heart and mouth both, and you'll learn some manners too." Then she turned and called to a young maid, "Go and fetch Ping'er for me!平兒不得閒就把林大娘叫了來。」那小丫頭子應了就走。If Ping'er is too busy, then bring Aunt Lin instead." The young maid agreed and went off.眾媳婦上來笑說：「嫂子，快求姑娘們叫回那孩子罷。Several of the married women came up and said with a smile, "Sister, quickly beg the young ladies to call that girl back.平姑娘來了，可就不好了。」那婆子說道：「憑你那個平姑娘來也憑個理，沒有娘管女兒大家管著娘的。」眾人笑道：「你當是那個平姑娘？If Miss Ping comes, things will go badly for you." The old woman said, "No matter which Miss Ping comes, there's still reason to be had — there's no such thing as everyone ganging up to discipline a mother when it's the mother disciplining her own daughter." Everyone laughed and said, "Do you think you know which Miss Ping this is?是二奶奶屋里的平姑娘。This is Miss Ping from the Second Mistress's own rooms.他有情呢，說你兩句，他一翻臉，嫂子你吃不了兜著走！」If she's in a good mood, she'll just say a word or two to you; but if she turns on you, sister, you'll have more than you can handle!"

却说春燕一直跑入院中，顶头遇见袭人往黛玉处去问安。春燕便一把抱住袭人，说：「姑娘救我！我娘又打我呢。」袭人见他娘来了，不免生气，便说道：「三日两头儿打了干的打亲的，还是买弄你女儿多，还是认真不知王法？」这婆子来了几日，见袭人不言不语是好性的，便说道：「姑娘你不知道，别管我们闲事！都是你们纵的，这会子还管什么？」说著，便又赶著打。袭人气的转身进来，见麝月正在海棠下晾手巾，听得如此喊闹，便说：「姐姐别管，看他怎样。」一面使眼色与春燕，春燕会意，便直奔了宝玉去。众人都笑说：「这可是没有的事都闹出来了。」麝月向婆子道：「你再略煞一煞气儿，难道这些人的脸面，和你讨一个情还讨不下来不成？」那婆子见他女儿奔到宝玉身边去，又见宝玉拉了春燕的手说：「别怕，有我呢。」春燕又一行哭，又一行说，把方才莺儿等事都说出来。宝玉越发急起来，说：「你只在这里闹也罢了，怎么连亲戚也都得罪起来？」麝月又向婆子及众人道：「怨不得这嫂子说我们管不著他们的事，我们虽无知错管了，如今请出一个管得著的人来管一管，嫂子就心伏口伏，也知道规矩了。」便回头叫小丫头子：「去把平儿给我叫来！平儿不得闲就把林大娘叫了来。」那小丫头子应了就走。众媳妇上来笑说：「嫂子，快求姑娘们叫回那孩子罢。平姑娘来了，可就不好了。」那婆子说道：「凭你那个平姑娘来也凭个理，没有娘管女儿大家管著娘的。」众人笑道：「你当是那个平姑娘？是二奶奶屋里的平姑娘。他有情呢，说你两句，他一翻脸，嫂子你吃不了兜著走！」

說話之間，只見小丫頭子回來說：「平姑娘正有事，問我作什麼，我告訴了他，他說：『既這樣，且攆他出去，告訴了林大娘在角門外打他四十板子就是了。』」那婆子聽如此說，自不舍得出去，便又淚流滿面，央告襲人等說：「好容易我進來了，況且我是寡婦，家里沒人，正好一心無挂的在里頭伏侍姑娘們。As they were talking, the young maid came back and said, "Miss Ping was in the middle of something and asked what I wanted; when I told her, she said, 'In that case, just drive her out — tell Aunt Lin to give her forty strokes with the board outside the side gate, and that will settle it.'" Hearing this, the old woman could hardly bear to leave, and with tears streaming down her face she begged Xiren and the others, "It was hard enough for me to get taken on here, and besides, I'm a widow with no one at home, so it suits me well to serve the young ladies here with a whole heart and nothing to worry me.姑娘們也便宜，我家里也省些攪過。It's a convenience for the young ladies too, and it saves trouble at my own home as well.我這一去，又要自己生火過活，將來不免又沒了過活。」襲人見他如此，早又心軟了，便說：「你既要在這里，又不守規矩，又不聽說，又亂打人。If I leave now, I'll have to fend for myself again, lighting my own fire to get by, and before long I'll have no way to live at all." Seeing her like this, Xiren had already softened, and said, "If you want to stay here, you mustn't break the rules, or refuse to listen, or go around beating people wildly.那里弄你這個不曉事的來，天天斗口，也叫人笑話，失了体統。」晴雯道：「理他呢，打發去了是正經。Wherever did they find someone as senseless as you — quarreling every single day, making people laugh at us and ruining our standing." Qingwen said, "Never mind her — sending her away is the proper thing to do.誰和他去對嘴對舌的。」那婆子又央眾人道：「我雖錯了，姑娘們吩咐了，我以後改過。Who wants to go trading words back and forth with her." The old woman again begged everyone, "I was in the wrong, it's true; if the young ladies will just instruct me, I'll mend my ways from now on.姑娘們那不是行好積德。」一面又央告春燕道：「原是我為打你起的，究竟沒打成你，我如今反受了罪？Wouldn't that be an act of kindness and merit on the young ladies' part?" At the same time she pleaded with Chunyan as well, "It was all on your account that this started, and in the end I never even managed to beat you — must I be the one to suffer for it now?你也替我說說。」寶玉見如此可怜，只得留下，吩咐他不可再鬧。"You plead for me too." Baoyu, seeing her so pitiable, could not but keep her on, and told her not to make trouble again.那婆子走來一一的謝過了下去。The old woman came forward and thanked everyone one by one before withdrawing.

说话之间，只见小丫头子回来说：「平姑娘正有事，问我作什么，我告诉了他，他说：『既这样，且撵他出去，告诉了林大娘在角门外打他四十板子就是了。』」那婆子听如此说，自不舍得出去，便又泪流满面，央告袭人等说：「好容易我进来了，况且我是寡妇，家里没人，正好一心无挂的在里头伏侍姑娘们。姑娘们也便宜，我家里也省些搅过。我这一去，又要自己生火过活，将来不免又没了过活。」袭人见他如此，早又心软了，便说：「你既要在这里，又不守规矩，又不听说，又乱打人。那里弄你这个不晓事的来，天天斗口，也叫人笑话，失了体统。」晴雯道：「理他呢，打发去了是正经。谁和他去对嘴对舌的。」那婆子又央众人道：「我虽错了，姑娘们吩咐了，我以后改过。姑娘们那不是行好积德。」一面又央告春燕道：「原是我为打你起的，究竟没打成你，我如今反受了罪？你也替我说说。」宝玉见如此可怜，只得留下，吩咐他不可再闹。那婆子走来一一的谢过了下去。

只見平兒走來，問系何事。Just then Pinger came in, asking what the matter was.襲人等忙說：「已完了，不必再提。」平兒笑道：「『得饒人處且饒人』，得省的將就些事也罷了。Xiren and the others hastily said, "It's already settled, no need to bring it up again." Pinger said with a smile, "'Where one can forgive, forgive' — where things can be spared, it's best to let them go.能去了幾日，只聽各處大小人兒都作起反來了，一處不了又一處，叫我不知管那一處的是。」襲人笑道：「我只說我們這里反了，原來還有幾處。」平兒笑道：「這算什麼。I had only been away a few days, and I hear that people great and small everywhere have all risen up in rebellion — one place no sooner settled than another starts, till I don't know which place to look after." Xiren said with a smile, "Here I thought it was only our place that had rebelled — so there are several other places too." Pinger said with a smile, "This is nothing.正和珍大奶奶算呢，這三四日的工夫，一共大小出來了八九件了。I was just now reckoning it up with Mistress Zhen the elder — in the space of these three or four days, eight or nine matters, big and small, have come up in all.你這里是极小的，算不起數兒來，還有大的可氣可笑之事。」不知襲人問他果系何事，且聽下回分解。What you have here is the very smallest, not even worth counting; there are bigger, more infuriating and more ridiculous affairs besides." Whether Xiren asked her just what the matter really was is not yet known; listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

只见平儿走来，问系何事。袭人等忙说：「已完了，不必再提。」平儿笑道：「『得饶人处且饶人』，得省的将就些事也罢了。能去了几日，只听各处大小人儿都作起反来了，一处不了又一处，叫我不知管那一处的是。」袭人笑道：「我只说我们这里反了，原来还有几处。」平儿笑道：「这算什么。正和珍大奶奶算呢，这三四日的工夫，一共大小出来了八九件了。你这里是极小的，算不起数儿来，还有大的可气可笑之事。」不知袭人问他果系何事，且听下回分解。