第六十一回　投鼠忌器寶玉情贜　判冤决獄平兒情權 For Fear of Harm Baoyu Shields the Guilty; Ping'er Judges Wisely and Wields Kind Authority

那柳家的笑道：“好猴兒崽子，你親嬸子找野老兒去了，你豈不多得一個叔叔，有什麼疑的！Mrs. Liu laughed and said, "You little monkey cub! If your own aunt has gone off to find a lover outside, doesn't that just mean you gain another uncle? What's there to be suspicious about!"別討我把你頭上的榪子蓋似的幾根屄毛撏下來！"Don't provoke me into plucking out those few scraggly hairs on your head, thin and sparse as they are!"還不開門讓我進去呢。”這小廝且不開門，且拉著笑說：“好嬸子，你這一進去，好歹偷些杏子出來賞我吃。"Now hurry up and open the door and let me in." But the boy didn't open the door—instead he held on to it, laughing, and said, "Dear auntie, once you're inside, be sure to steal some apricots and treat me to a few."我這里老等。"I'll wait right here for you."你若忘了時，日後半夜三更打酒買油的，我不給你老人家開門，也不答應你，隨你乾叫去。”柳氏啐道：“發了昏的，今年不比往年，把這些東西都分給了眾奶奶了。"If you forget, then next time you come knocking at midnight for wine or oil, I won't open the door for you, and I won't even answer—you can just shout yourself hoarse." Mrs. Liu spat and said, "You've taken leave of your senses! This year isn't like other years—all those things have already been divided up among the young mistresses."一個個的不象抓破了臉的，人打樹底下一過，兩眼就象那黧雞似的，還動他的果子！"Every single one of them acts as if she'd claw your face off—the moment anyone passes under the trees, their eyes dart like a pheasant's, and you still think you can touch the fruit!"昨兒我從李子樹下一走，偏有一個蜜蜂兒往臉上一過，我一招手兒，偏你那好舅母就看見了。"Yesterday I was walking under the plum trees, and just then a bee happened to fly past my face. I waved my hand to brush it off, and of course that fine aunt of yours had to see it."他離的遠看不真，只當我摘李子呢，就屄聲浪嗓喊起來，說又是‘還沒供佛呢’，又是‘老太太，太太不在家還沒進鮮呢，等進了上頭，嫂子們都有分的’，倒象誰害了饞癆等李子出汗呢。"She was too far off to see clearly and thought I was picking plums, and set up such a shrill screeching—first it was 'they haven't even been offered to the Buddha yet,' then 'the Old Lady and the Mistress aren't home and haven't had the first taste yet—once it's gone up to them, we sisters will all get our share'—as if someone were so starved for fruit she couldn't wait for the plums to sweat."叫我也沒好話說，搶白了他一頓。"That set me off too, and I had no kind words for her—I gave her a good tongue-lashing."可是你舅母姨娘兩三個親戚都管著，怎不和他們要的，倒和我來要。"Isn't it true that your aunt and a couple of other relatives are the ones in charge of these things? Why doesn't he ask them for it, instead of coming to ask me?"這可是‘倉老鼠和老鴰去借糧——守著的沒有，飛著的有’。”小廝笑道：“哎喲喲，沒有罷了，說上這些閒話！"This is a case of 'the granary rat borrows grain from the crow—the one guarding it has none, the one flying about has plenty.'" The boy laughed and said, "Oh my, if there's none, so be it—why go on with all this chatter!"我看你老以後就用不著我了？"Do you think, Auntie, that from now on you'll have no more use for me?"就便是姐姐有了好地方，將來更呼喚著的日子多，只要我們多答應他些就有了。”柳氏聽了，笑道：“你這個小猴精，又搗鬼吊白的，你姐姐有什麼好地方了？”那小廝笑道：“別哄我了，早已知道了。"Even if my sister lands a good position, there'll be all the more days ahead when she needs to call on us—so long as we're quick to answer her, that'll be enough." Hearing this, Mrs. Liu laughed and said, "You little monkey spirit, up to your tricks again, talking nonsense—what good position has your sister got?" The boy laughed and said, "Don't try to fool me, I already know all about it."單是你們有內牽，難道我們就沒有內牽不成？"Do you think only you people have connections on the inside? Do you suppose we have none?"我雖在這里聽哈，里頭卻也有兩個姊妹成個体統的，什麼事瞞了我們！”"Even though I just stand out here waiting on people, I've got a couple of sisters inside who count for something too—what could possibly be kept from us!"

那柳家的笑道：“好猴儿崽子，你亲婶子找野老儿去了，你岂不多得一个叔叔，有什么疑的！别讨我把你头上的杩子盖似的几根屄毛挦下来！还不开门让我进去呢。”这小厮且不开门，且拉著笑说：“好婶子，你这一进去，好歹偷些杏子出来赏我吃。我这里老等。你若忘了时，日后半夜三更打酒买油的，我不给你老人家开门，也不答应你，随你干叫去。”柳氏啐道：“发了昏的，今年不比往年，把这些东西都分给了众奶奶了。一个个的不象抓破了脸的，人打树底下一过，两眼就象那黧鸡似的，还动他的果子！昨儿我从李子树下一走，偏有一个蜜蜂儿往脸上一过，我一招手儿，偏你那好舅母就看见了。他离的远看不真，只当我摘李子呢，就屄声浪嗓喊起来，说又是‘还没供佛呢’，又是‘老太太，太太不在家还没进鲜呢，等进了上头，嫂子们都有分的’，倒象谁害了馋痨等李子出汗呢。叫我也没好话说，抢白了他一顿。可是你舅母姨娘两三个亲戚都管著，怎不和他们要的，倒和我来要。这可是‘仓老鼠和老鸹去借粮——守著的没有，飞著的有’。”小厮笑道：“哎哟哟，没有罢了，说上这些闲话！我看你老以后就用不著我了？就便是姐姐有了好地方，将来更呼唤著的日子多，只要我们多答应他些就有了。”柳氏听了，笑道：“你这个小猴精，又捣鬼吊白的，你姐姐有什么好地方了？”那小厮笑道：“别哄我了，早已知道了。单是你们有内牵，难道我们就没有内牵不成？我虽在这里听哈，里头却也有两个姊妹成个体统的，什么事瞒了我们！”

正說著，只聽門內又有老婆子向外叫：“小猴兒們，快傳你柳嬸子去罷，再不來可就誤了。”柳家的聽了，不顧和小廝說話，忙推門進去，笑說：“不必忙，我來了。”一面來至廚房，——雖有幾個同伴的人，他們都不敢自專，單等他來調停分派——一面問眾人：“五丫頭那去了？”眾人都說：“才往茶房里找他們姊妹去了。”柳家的聽了，便將茯苓霜擱起，且按著房頭分派菜饌。Just as they were talking, an old woman's voice called from inside the gate, "You little monkeys, hurry and fetch your Aunt Liu—if she doesn't come soon it'll be too late!" Hearing this, Mrs. Liu stopped bantering with the boy and quickly pushed the door open and went in, saying with a laugh, "No need to rush, I'm coming." She went straight to the kitchen—though there were several other women working there, none of them dared take charge on their own, and all were waiting for her to come and arrange things—and asked the others, "Where has Wu-er gone?" They all said, "She just went to the tea room to look for her sisters." Hearing this, Mrs. Liu set the poria powder aside for the moment and began assigning the dishes according to which household they were for.忽見迎春房里小丫頭蓮花兒走來說：“司棋姐姐說了，要碗雞蛋，炖的嫩嫩的。”柳家的道：“就是這樣尊貴。Just then Lianhua'er, the little maid from Yingchun's rooms, came in and said, "Sister Siqi says she wants a bowl of eggs, steamed nice and soft." Mrs. Liu said, "So particular, aren't you all."不知怎的，今年這雞蛋短的很，十個錢一個還找不出來。"I don't know why, but eggs are terribly scarce this year—you couldn't find one even at ten cash apiece."昨兒上頭給親戚家送粥米去，四五個買辦出去，好容易才湊了二千個來。"Yesterday, when they sent porridge-rice to relatives' houses, four or five buyers went out and it was all they could do to scrape together two thousand of them."我那里找去？"Where am I supposed to find any now?"你說給他，改日吃罷。”蓮花兒道：“前兒要吃豆腐，你弄了些餿的，叫他說了我一頓。"You go tell her to have it some other day." Lianhua'er said, "The other day she wanted bean curd, and you gave us some that had gone sour, and she gave me a scolding over it."今兒要雞蛋又沒有了。"Now today she wants eggs and there aren't any again."什麼好東西，我就不信連雞蛋都沒有了，別叫我翻出來。”一面說，一面真個走來，揭起菜箱一看，只見里面果有十來個雞蛋，說道：“這不是？"It's not as if eggs were something so precious—I don't believe you don't even have eggs. Don't make me go rummaging." So saying, she really did come over, lifted the lid of the food chest, and looked—and sure enough there were a dozen or so eggs inside. She said, "Aren't these eggs?"你就這麼利害！"You're really something, aren't you!"吃的是主子的，我們的分例，你為什麼心疼？"What we eat comes out of our young mistresses' own allowance—why should you begrudge it?"又不是你下的蛋，怕人吃了。”柳家的忙丟了手里的活計，便上來說道：“你少滿嘴里混唚！"It's not as if you laid these eggs yourself, that you're so afraid of people eating them." Mrs. Liu quickly dropped what she was doing and came forward, saying, "Watch your mouth, don't talk such nonsense!"你娘才下蛋呢！"It's your mother who lays eggs!"通共留下這幾個，預備菜上的澆頭。"These few are all that's left, kept in reserve as garnish for the dishes."姑娘們不要，還不肯做上去呢，預備接急的。"Even when the young ladies don't ask for them, I'm reluctant to use them up—I'm keeping them in case of an emergency."你們吃了，倘或一聲要起來，沒有好的，連雞蛋都沒了。"If you eat them now, and then suddenly there's a call for eggs and there are none left—not even plain ones."你們深宅大院，水來伸手，飯來張口，只知雞蛋是平常物件，那里知道外頭買賣的行市呢。"You girls, raised deep in these grand households, have only ever had to hold out your hand for water and open your mouth for rice—you only know eggs as some ordinary everyday thing, how would you know the going prices out there in the markets?"別說這個，有一年連草根子還沒了的日子還有呢。"Never mind eggs—there was a year when even grass roots ran out, and people still had to get by."我勸他們，細米白飯，每日肥雞大鴨子，將就些兒也罷了。"I've always advised them, with fine polished rice and white grain, and fat chicken and duck every single day, it wouldn't hurt to just make do a little."吃膩了膈，燙焯又鬧起故事來了。"But once they get sick of it all and their appetites turn jaded, they start making a fuss over blanched greens and the like."雞蛋，豆腐，又是什麼面筋，醬蘿卜炸兒，敢自倒換口味，只是我又不是答應你們的，一處要一樣，就是十來樣。"Eggs, bean curd, and now it's gluten, and fried radish in sauce—changing their tastes as they please. But I'm not the one assigned to wait on every single one of you—if each place wants something different, that's a dozen different things right there."我倒別伺候頭層主子，只預備你們二層主子了。”蓮花聽了，便紅了面，喊道：“誰天天要你什麼來？"I might as well stop serving the top-tier mistresses altogether and just cook for you second-tier ones instead." Hearing this, Lianhua'er's face flushed red, and she cried out, "Who's been asking you for things every single day?"你說上這兩車子話！"Look at you going on with two whole cartloads of talk!"叫你來，不是為便宜卻為什麼。"I was sent here for nothing but a bit of convenience—what else could it be for?"前兒小燕來，說‘晴雯姐姐要吃蘆蒿’，你怎麼忙的還問肉炒雞炒？"The other day when Xiaoyan came and said, 'Sister Qingwen wants to eat some wild artemisia,' how come you were so quick to ask whether to fry it with pork or with chicken?"小燕說‘葷的因不好才另叫你炒個面筋的，少擱油才好。’你忙的倒說‘自己發昏’，赶著洗手炒了，狗顛兒似的親捧了去。"When Xiaoyan said, 'It's precisely because the meat dishes weren't good that she's asking you to fry up some gluten instead, and go easy on the oil,' you hurried to say, 'How muddleheaded of me,' and rushed to wash your hands and fry it up, then trotted off like a dog wagging its tail to deliver it in person."今兒反倒拿我作筏子，說我給眾人聽。”柳家的忙道：“阿彌陀佛！"But today you turn around and use me as your scapegoat, saying such things about me in front of everyone!" Mrs. Liu said hastily, "Amitabha!"這些人眼見的。"All these people here have seen it with their own eyes."別說前兒一次，就從舊年一立廚房以來，凡各房里偶然間不論姑娘姐兒們要添一樣半樣，誰不是先拿了錢來，另買另添。"Never mind that one time the other day—ever since this kitchen was set up last year, whenever anyone from any of the rooms, young lady or maid, wanted to add so much as half a dish extra, who hasn't had to bring the money first, so it could be bought and added separately?"有的沒的，名聲好聽，說我單管姑娘廚房省事，又有剩頭兒，算起帳來，惹人惡心：連姑娘帶姐兒們四五十人，一日也只管要兩只雞，兩只鴨子，十來斤肉，一吊錢的菜蔬。"Whether it's true or not, it sounds nice to say I run the young ladies' kitchen so easily and even skim off a profit. But if you actually work out the accounts, it's enough to turn your stomach: counting both young ladies and maids, forty or fifty people, and all I'm allotted for a whole day is two chickens, two ducks, ten-odd catties of meat, and a string of cash worth of vegetables."你們算算，夠作什麼的？"You all do the math—what can that possibly be enough for?"連本項兩頓飯還撐持不住，還擱的住這個點這樣，那個點那樣，買來的又不吃，又買別的去。"It's barely enough to cover the two regular meals as it is—how could it possibly stand this one ordering this and that one ordering that, and then not even eating what's bought, so I have to go buy something else besides?"既這樣，不如回了太太，多添些分例，也象大廚房里預備老太太的飯，把天下所有的菜蔬用水牌寫了，天天轉著吃，吃到一個月現算倒好。"If that's how it is, it would be better to report to the Mistress and ask for a bigger allowance, the way the main kitchen does for the Old Lady's meals—write out every dish under heaven on a slate and rotate through them day by day, and settle accounts fresh every month—that would be better."連前兒三姑娘和寶姑娘偶然商議了要吃個油鹽炒枸杞芽兒來，現打發個姐兒拿著五百錢來給我，我倒笑起來了，說：‘二位姑娘就是大肚子彌勒佛，也吃不了五百錢的去。"Why, the other day, when Third Miss and Miss Bao happened to talk it over and wanted some wolfberry shoots fried in oil and salt, they actually sent a maid over with five hundred cash for me, and I laughed and said, 'Even if the two young ladies were pot-bellied Maitreya Buddhas, they couldn't eat five hundred cash worth of that.'這三二十個錢的事，還預備的起。’赶著我送回錢去。'A matter of twenty or thirty cash, I can certainly manage that much myself.' And I hurried to send the money back.到底不收，說賞我打酒吃，又說‘如今廚房在里頭，保不住屋里的人不去叨登，一鹽一醬，那不是錢買的。But in the end they wouldn't take it back, saying it was a reward for me to buy wine with, and also saying, 'Now that the kitchen is set up inside here, there's no guarantee the people in our rooms won't come poking about—even a bit of salt or soy sauce, isn't that all bought with money?'你不給又不好，給了你又沒的賠。'If you don't give it to them it looks bad, but if you do give it, you've nothing left to make up the loss with.'你拿著這個錢，全當還了他們素日叨登的東西窩兒。’這就是明白体下的姑娘，我們心里只替他念佛。'So you take this money and consider it repayment for all the little things they've helped themselves to on the sly.' Now that is what I call a young lady who truly understands and looks out for those below her—in our hearts we can only chant the Buddha's name in gratitude for her.沒的趙姨奶奶聽了又氣不忿，又說太便宜了我，隔不了十天，也打發個小丫頭子來尋這樣尋那樣，我倒好笑起來。But then, when Aunt Zhao heard of it, she couldn't help feeling put out, and said I was getting off far too easy, and within ten days or so she too sent a little maid over demanding this and that—it was enough to make me laugh.你們竟成了例，不是這個，就是那個，我那里有這些賠的。”"You've all made a regular habit of it now—if it's not one thing it's another—where am I supposed to get enough to keep making up the difference?"

正说著，只听门内又有老婆子向外叫：“小猴儿们，快传你柳婶子去罢，再不来可就误了。”柳家的听了，不顾和小厮说话，忙推门进去，笑说：“不必忙，我来了。”一面来至厨房，——虽有几个同伴的人，他们都不敢自专，单等他来调停分派——一面问众人：“五丫头那去了？”众人都说：“才往茶房里找他们姊妹去了。”柳家的听了，便将茯苓霜搁起，且按著房头分派菜馔。忽见迎春房里小丫头莲花儿走来说：“司棋姐姐说了，要碗鸡蛋，炖的嫩嫩的。”柳家的道：“就是这样尊贵。不知怎的，今年这鸡蛋短的很，十个钱一个还找不出来。昨儿上头给亲戚家送粥米去，四五个买办出去，好容易才凑了二千个来。我那里找去？你说给他，改日吃罢。”莲花儿道：“前儿要吃豆腐，你弄了些馊的，叫他说了我一顿。今儿要鸡蛋又没有了。什么好东西，我就不信连鸡蛋都没有了，别叫我翻出来。”一面说，一面真个走来，揭起菜箱一看，只见里面果有十来个鸡蛋，说道：“这不是？你就这么利害！吃的是主子的，我们的分例，你为什么心疼？又不是你下的蛋，怕人吃了。”柳家的忙丢了手里的活计，便上来说道：“你少满嘴里混唚！你娘才下蛋呢！通共留下这几个，预备菜上的浇头。姑娘们不要，还不肯做上去呢，预备接急的。你们吃了，倘或一声要起来，没有好的，连鸡蛋都没了。你们深宅大院，水来伸手，饭来张口，只知鸡蛋是平常物件，那里知道外头买卖的行市呢。别说这个，有一年连草根子还没了的日子还有呢。我劝他们，细米白饭，每日肥鸡大鸭子，将就些儿也罢了。吃腻了膈，烫焯又闹起故事来了。鸡蛋，豆腐，又是什么面筋，酱萝卜炸儿，敢自倒换口味，只是我又不是答应你们的，一处要一样，就是十来样。我倒别伺候头层主子，只预备你们二层主子了。”莲花听了，便红了面，喊道：“谁天天要你什么来？你说上这两车子话！叫你来，不是为便宜却为什么。前儿小燕来，说‘晴雯姐姐要吃芦蒿’，你怎么忙的还问肉炒鸡炒？小燕说‘荤的因不好才另叫你炒个面筋的，少搁油才好。’你忙的倒说‘自己发昏’，赶著洗手炒了，狗颠儿似的亲捧了去。今儿反倒拿我作筏子，说我给众人听。”柳家的忙道：“阿弥陀佛！这些人眼见的。别说前儿一次，就从旧年一立厨房以来，凡各房里偶然间不论姑娘姐儿们要添一样半样，谁不是先拿了钱来，另买另添。有的没的，名声好听，说我单管姑娘厨房省事，又有剩头儿，算起帐来，惹人恶心：连姑娘带姐儿们四五十人，一日也只管要两只鸡，两只鸭子，十来斤肉，一吊钱的菜蔬。你们算算，够作什么的？连本项两顿饭还撑持不住，还搁的住这个点这样，那个点那样，买来的又不吃，又买别的去。既这样，不如回了太太，多添些分例，也象大厨房里预备老太太的饭，把天下所有的菜蔬用水牌写了，天天转著吃，吃到一个月现算倒好。连前儿三姑娘和宝姑娘偶然商议了要吃个油盐炒枸杞芽儿来，现打发个姐儿拿著五百钱来给我，我倒笑起来了，说：‘二位姑娘就是大肚子弥勒佛，也吃不了五百钱的去。这三二十个钱的事，还预备的起。’赶著我送回钱去。到底不收，说赏我打酒吃，又说‘如今厨房在里头，保不住屋里的人不去叨登，一盐一酱，那不是钱买的。你不给又不好，给了你又没的赔。你拿著这个钱，全当还了他们素日叨登的东西窝儿。’这就是明白体下的姑娘，我们心里只替他念佛。没的赵姨奶奶听了又气不忿，又说太便宜了我，隔不了十天，也打发个小丫头子来寻这样寻那样，我倒好笑起来。你们竟成了例，不是这个，就是那个，我那里有这些赔的。”

正亂時，只見司棋又打發人來催蓮花兒，說他：“死在這里了，怎麼就不回去？”蓮花兒賭氣回來，便添了一篇話，告訴了司棋。Right in the middle of this uproar, Siqi sent someone to hurry Lianhua'er along, saying, "Has she died here or something, that she still hasn't come back?" Lianhua'er, out of spite, went back and added a whole embellished account of it all when she told Siqi.司棋聽了，不免心頭起火。Hearing this, Siqi couldn't help but flare up with anger.此刻伺候迎春飯罷，帶了小丫頭們走來，見了許多人正吃飯，見他來的勢頭不好，都忙起身陪笑讓坐。Having just finished waiting on Yingchun through her meal, she came over bringing the little maids with her. Seeing that a number of people were eating and that Siqi's manner boded no good, they all quickly rose, smiling, and offered her a seat.司棋便喝命小丫頭子動手，”凡箱柜所有的菜蔬，只管丟出去餵狗，大家賺不成。”小丫頭子們巴不得一聲，七手八腳搶上去，一頓亂翻亂擲的。Siqi shouted an order for the little maids to set to work: "Whatever vegetables and dishes are in the chests and cupboards, just throw them all out to feed the dogs—nobody's going to profit from this!" The little maids, only too glad for the excuse, rushed forward all at once, hands and feet flying, turning everything over and flinging it about in a mad scramble.眾人一面拉勸，一面央告司棋說：“姑娘別誤聽了小孩子的話。Everyone tried at once to pull the girls back and to plead with Siqi, saying, "Miss, please don't be misled by a child's talk."柳嫂子有八個頭，也不敢得罪姑娘。"Even if Sister Liu had eight heads, she still wouldn't dare offend you, Miss."說雞蛋難買是真。"It's true that eggs are hard to come by."我們才也說他不知好歹，憑是什麼東西，也少不得變法兒去。"We were just telling her ourselves that she doesn't know what's good for her—no matter what it is, she has to find some way to manage it."他已經悟過來了，連忙蒸上了。"She's already come to her senses and is steaming the eggs right now."姑娘不信瞧那火上。”司棋被眾人一頓好言，方將氣勸的漸平。"If you don't believe it, Miss, just look over there on the stove." With everyone's kind words pressing in on her, Siqi's temper gradually cooled.小丫頭們也沒得摔完東西，便拉開了。Before the little maids could finish smashing everything, they were pulled apart and away.司棋連說帶罵，鬧了一回，方被眾人勸去。Siqi went on scolding and railing for a while longer before everyone finally managed to talk her into leaving.柳家的只好摔碗丟盤自己咕嘟了一回，蒸了一碗蛋令人送去。Mrs. Liu, left to herself, could only bang about with bowls and plates, grumbling under her breath for a while, before steaming a bowl of eggs and having someone send it over.司棋全潑了地下了。Siqi poured the whole bowl out onto the ground.那人回來也不敢說，恐又生事。The person who had delivered it didn't dare say anything upon returning, fearing it would only stir up more trouble.柳家的打發他女兒喝了一回湯，吃了半碗粥，又將茯苓霜一節說了。Mrs. Liu had her daughter drink some soup and eat half a bowl of congee, and then told her about the matter of the poria powder.五兒聽罷，便心下要分些贈芳官，遂用紙另包了一半，趁黃昏人稀之時，自己花遮柳隱的來找芳官。After hearing this, Wu-er decided in her heart that she would give some of it to Fangguan, so she wrapped up half of it separately in paper, and at dusk, when few people were about, slipped along under cover of the flowers and willows to go find Fangguan.且喜無人盤問。To her relief, no one stopped to question her.一徑到了怡紅院門前，不好進去，只在一簇玫瑰花前站立，遠遠的望著。She made her way straight to the gate of Happy Red Court, but felt it wasn't proper to go in, so she simply stood before a cluster of rose bushes, watching from a distance.有一盞茶時，可巧小燕出來，忙上前叫住。After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xiaoyan happened to come out, and Wu-er hurried forward to call and stop her.小燕不知是那一個，至跟前方看真切，因問作什麼。Xiaoyan couldn't tell at first who it was, and only recognized her once she came close, then asked what she wanted.五兒笑道：“你叫出芳官來，我和他說話。”小燕悄笑道：“姐姐太性急了，橫豎等十來日就來了，只管找他做什麼。Wu-er said with a smile, "Call Fangguan out for me, I want to speak with her." Xiaoyan laughed quietly and said, "You're too impatient, sister—she'll be along in ten days or so anyway, why go looking for her now?"方才使了他往前頭去了，你且等他一等。"She was just sent up to the front a moment ago—wait for her a bit."不然，有什麼話告訴我，等我告訴他。"Otherwise, if you have something to say, tell me, and I'll pass it on to her."恐怕你等不得，只怕關園門了。”五兒便將茯苓霜遞與了小燕，又說這是茯苓霜，如何吃，如何補益，”我得了些送他的，轉煩你遞與他就是了。”說畢，作辭回來。"I'm afraid you can't wait that long—they'll be closing the garden gates soon." Wu-er then handed the poria powder to Xiaoyan, explaining that it was poria powder, how it should be taken, and how nourishing it was. "I got hold of some to give her—would you trouble yourself to pass it on to her for me?" With that, she took her leave and turned back.

正乱时，只见司棋又打发人来催莲花儿，说他：“死在这里了，怎么就不回去？”莲花儿赌气回来，便添了一篇话，告诉了司棋。司棋听了，不免心头起火。此刻伺候迎春饭罢，带了小丫头们走来，见了许多人正吃饭，见他来的势头不好，都忙起身陪笑让坐。司棋便喝命小丫头子动手，”凡箱柜所有的菜蔬，只管丢出去喂狗，大家赚不成。”小丫头子们巴不得一声，七手八脚抢上去，一顿乱翻乱掷的。众人一面拉劝，一面央告司棋说：“姑娘别误听了小孩子的话。柳嫂子有八个头，也不敢得罪姑娘。说鸡蛋难买是真。我们才也说他不知好歹，凭是什么东西，也少不得变法儿去。他已经悟过来了，连忙蒸上了。姑娘不信瞧那火上。”司棋被众人一顿好言，方将气劝的渐平。小丫头们也没得摔完东西，便拉开了。司棋连说带骂，闹了一回，方被众人劝去。柳家的只好摔碗丢盘自己咕嘟了一回，蒸了一碗蛋令人送去。司棋全泼了地下了。那人回来也不敢说，恐又生事。柳家的打发他女儿喝了一回汤，吃了半碗粥，又将茯苓霜一节说了。五儿听罢，便心下要分些赠芳官，遂用纸另包了一半，趁黄昏人稀之时，自己花遮柳隐的来找芳官。且喜无人盘问。一径到了怡红院门前，不好进去，只在一簇玫瑰花前站立，远远的望著。有一盏茶时，可巧小燕出来，忙上前叫住。小燕不知是那一个，至跟前方看真切，因问作什么。五儿笑道：“你叫出芳官来，我和他说话。”小燕悄笑道：“姐姐太性急了，横竖等十来日就来了，只管找他做什么。方才使了他往前头去了，你且等他一等。不然，有什么话告诉我，等我告诉他。恐怕你等不得，只怕关园门了。”五儿便将茯苓霜递与了小燕，又说这是茯苓霜，如何吃，如何补益，”我得了些送他的，转烦你递与他就是了。”说毕，作辞回来。

正走蓼漵一帶，忽見迎頭林之孝家的帶著幾個婆子走來，五兒藏躲不及，只得上來問好。Just as she was walking along by Knotweed Bank, she suddenly saw Mrs. Lin Zhixiao coming toward her with several other women. There was no time for Wu-er to hide, so she had no choice but to step forward and greet her.林之孝家的問道：“我聽見你病了，怎麼跑到這里來？”五兒陪笑道：“因這兩日好些，跟我媽進來散散悶。Mrs. Lin Zhixiao asked, "I heard you were ill—how do you come to be wandering about here?" Wu-er answered with a smile, "I've been feeling better these past couple of days, so I came in with my mother to get some fresh air."才因我媽使我到怡紅院送家伙去。”林之孝家的說道：“這話岔了。"And just now my mother sent me to Happy Red Court to deliver some utensils." Mrs. Lin Zhixiao said, "That doesn't add up."方才我見你媽出來我才關門。"I saw your mother come out just now myself, and only then did I close the gate."既是你媽使了你去，他如何不告訴我說你在這里呢，竟出去讓我關門，是何主意？"If your mother had sent you there, why didn't she tell me you were still inside, and instead just went out and let me lock the gate—what was the idea behind that?"可知是你扯謊。”五兒聽了，沒話回答，只說：“原是我媽一早教我取去的，我忘了，挨到這時我才想起來了。"That just proves you're lying." Wu-er had no answer to give, and could only say, "It's just that my mother told me early this morning to go fetch it, and I forgot, and only just now remembered."只怕我媽錯當我先出去了，所以沒和大娘說得。”林之孝家的聽他辭鈍色虛，又因近日玉釧兒說那邊正房內失落了東西，幾個丫頭對賴，沒主兒，心下便起了疑。"My mother probably assumed I'd already gone out ahead of her, that's why she didn't mention it to you, ma'am." Hearing how clumsy her words were and how guilty she looked, and also because Yuchuan'er had recently mentioned that some things had gone missing from the main rooms over there, with several maids blaming one another and no one owning up to it, Mrs. Lin Zhixiao began to grow suspicious.可巧小蟬，蓮花兒并幾個媳婦子走來，見了這事，便說道：“林奶奶倒要審審他。Just then, as it happened, Xiaochan, Lianhua'er, and a few other married women came by, and seeing what was going on, said, "Mrs. Lin, you really ought to question her properly."這兩日他往這里頭跑的不象，鬼鬼唧唧的，不知幹些什麼事。”小蟬又道：“正是。"These past couple of days she's been sneaking around in here looking quite suspicious, sneaky and furtive, who knows what she's been up to." Xiaochan added, "That's exactly right."昨兒玉釧姐姐說，太太耳房里的柜子開了，少了好些零碎東西。"Yesterday Sister Yuchuan said that the cabinet in the Mistress's side room had been found open, and quite a few odds and ends were missing."璉二奶奶打發平姑娘和玉釧姐姐要些玫瑰露，誰知也少了一罐子。"Mrs. Lian sent Miss Ping'er and Sister Yuchuan to fetch some rose essence, and it turned out a whole jar of that was missing too."若不是尋露，還不知道呢。”蓮花兒笑道：“這話我沒聽見，今兒我倒看見一個露瓶子。”林之孝家的正因這些事沒主兒，每日鳳姐兒使平兒催逼他，一聽此言，忙問在那里。"If they hadn't gone looking for the essence, no one would even know about it yet." Lianhua'er said with a laugh, "I hadn't heard about that, but today I did see a bottle that looked like it held rose essence." Since Mrs. Lin Zhixiao had been troubled precisely by these unresolved matters, with Xifeng sending Ping'er every day to press her for an answer, the moment she heard this she hastily asked where it was.蓮花兒便說：“在他們廚房里呢。”林之孝家的聽了，忙命打了燈籠，帶著眾人來尋。Lianhua'er said, "It's in their kitchen." Hearing this, Mrs. Lin Zhixiao at once ordered lanterns lit, and led everyone off to search.五兒急的便說：“那原是寶二爺屋里的芳官給我的。”林之孝家的便說：“不管你方官圓官，現有了贓證，我只呈報了，憑你主子前辯去。”一面說，一面進入廚房，蓮花兒帶著，取出露瓶。Wu-er, panicking, said, "That was given to me by Fangguan from Master Bao's rooms!" Mrs. Lin Zhixiao said, "Whether it's Fangguan or Roundguan makes no difference to me—now that there's evidence of the stolen goods, I'll simply report it, and you can go argue your case before your mistress." So saying, she went into the kitchen, and with Lianhua'er leading the way, took out the bottle of essence.恐還有偷的別物，又細細搜了一遍，又得了一包茯苓霜，一并拿了，帶了五兒，來回李紈與探春。Fearing there might be other stolen items as well, she had the place searched thoroughly once more, and found a packet of poria powder besides, which she took along with the rest. Bringing Wu-er with her, she went to report to Li Wan and Tanchun.

正走蓼溆一带，忽见迎头林之孝家的带著几个婆子走来，五儿藏躲不及，只得上来问好。林之孝家的问道：“我听见你病了，怎么跑到这里来？”五儿陪笑道：“因这两日好些，跟我妈进来散散闷。才因我妈使我到怡红院送家伙去。”林之孝家的说道：“这话岔了。方才我见你妈出来我才关门。既是你妈使了你去，他如何不告诉我说你在这里呢，竟出去让我关门，是何主意？可知是你扯谎。”五儿听了，没话回答，只说：“原是我妈一早教我取去的，我忘了，挨到这时我才想起来了。只怕我妈错当我先出去了，所以没和大娘说得。”林之孝家的听他辞钝色虚，又因近日玉钏儿说那边正房内失落了东西，几个丫头对赖，没主儿，心下便起了疑。可巧小蝉，莲花儿并几个媳妇子走来，见了这事，便说道：“林奶奶倒要审审他。这两日他往这里头跑的不象，鬼鬼唧唧的，不知干些什么事。”小蝉又道：“正是。昨儿玉钏姐姐说，太太耳房里的柜子开了，少了好些零碎东西。琏二奶奶打发平姑娘和玉钏姐姐要些玫瑰露，谁知也少了一罐子。若不是寻露，还不知道呢。”莲花儿笑道：“这话我没听见，今儿我倒看见一个露瓶子。”林之孝家的正因这些事没主儿，每日凤姐儿使平儿催逼他，一听此言，忙问在那里。莲花儿便说：“在他们厨房里呢。”林之孝家的听了，忙命打了灯笼，带著众人来寻。五儿急的便说：“那原是宝二爷屋里的芳官给我的。”林之孝家的便说：“不管你方官圆官，现有了赃证，我只呈报了，凭你主子前辩去。”一面说，一面进入厨房，莲花儿带著，取出露瓶。恐还有偷的别物，又细细搜了一遍，又得了一包茯苓霜，一并拿了，带了五儿，来回李纨与探春。

那時李紈正因蘭哥兒病了，不理事務，只命去見探春。At that time Li Wan, being preoccupied with young Lan-ge'er's illness, was not attending to household affairs, and simply told them to go see Tanchun instead.探春已歸房。Tanchun had already retired to her room.人回進去，丫鬟們都在院內納涼，探春在內盥沐，只有待書回進去。When word was sent in, the maids were all out in the courtyard cooling themselves, while Tanchun was inside washing up; only Daishu went in to report.半日，出來說：“姑娘知道了，叫你們找平兒回二奶奶去。”林之孝家的只得領出來。After a good while, she came out and said, "The young mistress has heard, and says you are to go find Ping'er and report to the Second Mistress instead." Mrs. Lin Zhixiao had no choice but to lead the group out again.到鳳姐兒那邊，先找著了平兒，平兒進去回了鳳姐。When they reached Xifeng's quarters, they first found Ping'er, who went in and reported the matter to Xifeng.鳳姐方才歇下，聽見此事，便吩咐：“將他娘打四十板子，攆出去，永不許進二門。Xifeng had only just lain down to rest, but upon hearing of this, gave the order: "Give her mother forty strokes of the board and drive her out—she is never to be allowed through the inner gate again."把五兒打四十板子，立刻交給庄子上，或賣或配人。”平兒聽了，出來依言吩咐了林之孝家的。"Give Wu-er forty strokes of the board as well, and hand her over to the estate at once, to be either sold off or married off to someone." Hearing this, Ping'er came out and relayed the order to Mrs. Lin Zhixiao accordingly.五兒唬的哭哭啼啼，給平兒跪著，細訴芳官之事。Terrified, Wu-er broke down weeping and knelt before Ping'er, pouring out in detail the whole matter concerning Fangguan.平兒道：“這也不難，等明日問了芳官便知真假。Ping'er said, "This isn't hard to settle—once Fangguan is questioned tomorrow, the truth of it will be clear."但這茯苓霜前日人送了來，還等老太太，太太回來看了才敢打動，這不該偷了去。”五兒見問，忙又將他舅舅送的一節說了出來。"But as for the poria powder, someone sent it a few days ago, and we're still waiting for the Old Lady and the Mistress to come back and look it over before anyone dares touch it—so it shouldn't have been possible for you to steal it." When Wu-er heard this question, she hastily explained the matter of it having been sent by her uncle.平兒聽了，笑道：“這樣說，你竟是個平白無辜之人，拿你來頂缸。Hearing this, Ping'er said with a smile, "If that's how it is, then you're an entirely innocent person caught up in this and made to take the blame in someone else's place."此時天晚，奶奶才進了藥歇下，不便為這點子小事去絮叨。"It's late now, and the Mistress has only just taken her medicine and settled down to rest—it wouldn't do to go bothering her over such a small matter."如今且將他交給上夜的人看守一夜，等明兒我回了奶奶，再做道理。”林之孝家的不敢違拗，只得帶了出來交與上夜的媳婦們看守，自便去了。"For now, let's hand her over to the night-watch women to keep watch over her for the night, and tomorrow I'll report to the Mistress and decide what's to be done." Mrs. Lin Zhixiao did not dare object, and had no choice but to take her out and hand her over to the women on night duty to guard, before going off about her own business.

那时李纨正因兰哥儿病了，不理事务，只命去见探春。探春已归房。人回进去，丫鬟们都在院内纳凉，探春在内盥沐，只有待书回进去。半日，出来说：“姑娘知道了，叫你们找平儿回二奶奶去。”林之孝家的只得领出来。到凤姐儿那边，先找著了平儿，平儿进去回了凤姐。凤姐方才歇下，听见此事，便吩咐：“将他娘打四十板子，撵出去，永不许进二门。把五儿打四十板子，立刻交给庄子上，或卖或配人。”平儿听了，出来依言吩咐了林之孝家的。五儿唬的哭哭啼啼，给平儿跪著，细诉芳官之事。平儿道：“这也不难，等明日问了芳官便知真假。但这茯苓霜前日人送了来，还等老太太，太太回来看了才敢打动，这不该偷了去。”五儿见问，忙又将他舅舅送的一节说了出来。平儿听了，笑道：“这样说，你竟是个平白无辜之人，拿你来顶缸。此时天晚，奶奶才进了药歇下，不便为这点子小事去絮叨。如今且将他交给上夜的人看守一夜，等明儿我回了奶奶，再做道理。”林之孝家的不敢违拗，只得带了出来交与上夜的媳妇们看守，自便去了。

這里五兒被人軟禁起來，一步不敢多走。Here Wu-er, now held under a kind of house arrest, dared not take a single step beyond where she was told.又兼眾媳婦也有勸他說，不該做這沒行止之事，也有報怨說，正經更還坐不上來，又弄個賊來給我們看，倘或眼不見尋了死，逃走了，都是我們不是。Among the married women there, some tried to console her, saying she shouldn't have done such an improper thing, while others complained that it was hardly their proper turn for night duty as it was, and now on top of it they'd been landed with a thief to watch over—if she should try to kill herself or run off the moment their backs were turned, it would all be blamed on them.于是又有素日一干與柳家不睦的人，見了這般，十分趁願，都來奚落嘲戲他。And then there were those who had long been on bad terms with the Liu family, who, seeing things turn out this way, were thoroughly delighted, and all came around to mock and jeer at her.這五兒心內又氣又委屈，竟無處可訴，且本來怯弱有病，這一夜思茶無茶，思水無水，思睡無衾枕，嗚嗚咽咽直哭了一夜。Wu-er, filled with both anger and a sense of injustice, had nowhere at all to voice her grievance, and being by nature timid and frail besides, already unwell—that whole night she longed for tea and had none, longed for water and had none, longed for sleep and had neither quilt nor pillow, and simply sobbed and wept the entire night through.

这里五儿被人软禁起来，一步不敢多走。又兼众媳妇也有劝他说，不该做这没行止之事，也有报怨说，正经更还坐不上来，又弄个贼来给我们看，倘或眼不见寻了死，逃走了，都是我们不是。于是又有素日一干与柳家不睦的人，见了这般，十分趁愿，都来奚落嘲戏他。这五儿心内又气又委屈，竟无处可诉，且本来怯弱有病，这一夜思茶无茶，思水无水，思睡无衾枕，呜呜咽咽直哭了一夜。

誰知和他母女不和的那些人，巴不得一時攆出他們去，惟恐次日有變，大家先起了個清早，都悄悄的來買轉平兒，一面送些東西，一面又奉承他辦事簡斷，一面又講述他母親素日許多不好。As it turned out, those who had been on bad terms with the mother and daughter were only too eager to see them driven out at once, and, fearing that things might change by the next day, all rose early the next morning and quietly came to win Ping'er over—bringing her little gifts, flattering her for handling matters so decisively, and at the same time recounting all sorts of past faults of the mother's.平兒一一的都應著，打發他們去了，卻悄悄的來訪襲人，問他可果真芳官給他露了。Ping'er accepted their words one by one and sent them all off, but then quietly went to call on Xiren, to ask her whether Fangguan had indeed given the rose essence to Wu-er.襲人便說：“露卻是給芳官，芳官轉給何人我卻不知。”襲人于是又問芳官，芳官聽了，唬天跳地，忙應是自己送他的。Xiren said, "The essence was indeed given to Fangguan, but who Fangguan passed it on to, I have no idea." Xiren then went and asked Fangguan about it, and Fangguan, hearing this, was thrown into a great panic and quickly admitted that she herself had given it to Wu-er.芳官便又告訴了寶玉，寶玉也慌了，說：“露雖有了，若勾起茯苓霜來，他自然也實供。Fangguan then told Baoyu about it as well, and Baoyu too grew alarmed, saying, "The matter of the essence is settled now, but if it leads to questions about the poria powder, she'll naturally have to confess the truth of that too."若聽見了是他舅舅門上得的，他舅舅又有了不是，豈不是人家的好意，反被咱們陷害了。”因忙和平兒計議：“露的事雖完，然這霜也是有不是的。"And if it comes out that it was obtained through her uncle's household, her uncle will get into trouble over it too—wouldn't that mean someone's good intentions ended up being turned into our doing them harm?" So he hurried to talk it over with Ping'er: "The matter of the essence may be settled, but there's still the fault concerning the powder."好姐姐，你叫他說也是芳官給他的就完了。”平兒笑道：“雖如此，只是他昨晚已經同人說是他舅舅給的了，如何又說你給的？"Dear sister, just have her say that the powder was given to her by Fangguan too, and that will settle it." Ping'er said with a smile, "Even so, she already told people last night that it was given to her by her uncle—how can she now say it was given by you?"況且那邊所丟的露也是無主兒，如今有贓證的白放了，又去找誰？"Besides, the essence that went missing over there still has no one accounting for it—if the one caught with the actual evidence is simply let off, then who else is there left to look to?"誰還肯認？"Who else would be willing to admit to it?"眾人也未必心服。”晴雯走來笑道：“太太那邊的露再無別人，分明是彩雲偷了給環哥兒去了。"And besides, everyone else won't necessarily be satisfied either." Qingwen came in just then and said with a laugh, "As for the essence from the Mistress's rooms, there's no one else it could be—it's perfectly clear that Caiyun stole it to give to Huan-ge'er."你們可瞎亂說。”平兒笑道：“誰不知是這個原故，但今玉釧兒急的哭，悄悄問著他，他應了，玉釧也罷了，大家也就混著不問了。"You mustn't talk such nonsense." Ping'er said with a smile, "Who doesn't know that's the reason, but just now Yuchuan'er was crying in a panic, and when we asked her quietly, she admitted it, so once Yuchuan was satisfied, everyone else just let the matter drop without questioning further.難道我們好意兜攬這事不成！Could it be that we went out of our way to take this business on ourselves?可恨彩雲不但不應，他還擠玉釧兒，說他偷了去了。What's infuriating is that Caiyun not only wouldn't admit it, she even turned on Yuchuan'er, saying that she was the one who'd stolen it.兩個人窩里發炮，先吵的合府皆知，我們如何裝沒事人。The two of them started firing at each other from within, and the quarrel was loud enough that the whole household soon knew of it, so how could we pretend nothing had happened?少不得要查的。There's no avoiding an investigation now.殊不知告失盜的就是賊，又沒贓證，怎麼說他。”寶玉道：“也罷，這件事我也應起來，就說是我唬他們頑的，悄悄的偷了太太的來了。Little do they know that the one who reports a theft is the thief herself, and with no evidence, how can anyone accuse her of it?" Baoyu said, "Never mind, I'll take this matter upon myself too, and just say it was I who played a trick on them and secretly took Madam's things.兩件事都完了。”襲人道：“也倒是件陰騭事，保全人的賊名兒。Then both matters will be settled." Xiren said, "That would indeed be an act of hidden virtue, preserving someone's reputation from the name of thief.只是太太聽見又說你小孩子氣，不知好歹了。”平兒笑道：“這也倒是小事。It's only that when Madam hears of it she'll say you're being childish again, not knowing good from bad." Ping'er said with a smile, "That's a minor matter, after all.如今便從趙姨娘屋里起了贓來也容易，我只怕又傷著一個好人的体面。As for now, it would be easy enough to dig up the stolen goods from Concubine Zhao's room, but I'm afraid it would wound the dignity of another good person.別人都別管，這一個人豈不又生氣。Never mind anyone else — wouldn't this one person alone be angered all over again?我可怜的是他，不肯為打老鼠傷了玉瓶。”說著，把三個指頭一伸。The one I feel for is her, unwilling to harm Yuping just to catch a rat." As she spoke, she held up three fingers.襲人等聽說，便知他說的是探春。When Xiren and the others heard this, they knew at once she meant Tanchun.大家都忙說：“可是這話，竟是我們這里應了起來的為是。”平兒又笑道：“也須得把彩雲和玉釧兒兩個業障叫了來，問准了他方好。Everyone hastily said, "That's exactly right — it's best that we here take the blame ourselves." Ping'er went on with a smile, "We'll still need to call those two little troublemakers, Caiyun and Yuchuan'er, and get a clear answer from them before this can be settled properly.不然他們得了益，不說為這個，倒象我沒了本事問不出來，煩出這里來完事，他們以後越發偷的偷，不管的不管了。”襲人等笑道：“正是，也要你留個地步。”平兒便命人叫了他兩個來，說道：“不用慌，賊已有了。”玉釧兒先問賊在那里，平兒道：“現在二奶奶屋里，你問他什麼應什麼。Otherwise, they'll have gotten off easy, and rather than admitting it was for this reason, it'll look as though I lacked the ability to get to the bottom of it and just gave up and dropped the matter to be done with it — and from then on they'll only grow bolder, one stealing and the other turning a blind eye." Xiren and the others said with a smile, "Just so — you must leave yourself room to maneuver too." Ping'er then had someone call the two of them over and said, "No need to panic, the thief has already been found." Yuchuan'er asked at once where the thief was, and Ping'er said, "Right here in Second Mistress's room — whatever I ask you, you answer.我心里明知不是他偷的，可怜他害怕都承認。In my heart I knew perfectly well it wasn't she who stole it, but I pitied her — she was so frightened she admitted to everything.這里寶二爺不過意，要替他認一半。Then Master Bao here, unable to bear it, wanted to take half the blame for her.我待要說出來，但只是這做賊的，素日又是和我好的一個姊妹，窩主卻是平常，里面又傷著一個好人的体面，因此為難，少不得央求寶二爺應了，大家無事。I meant to speak the truth of it, but the one who actually did the stealing has always been a sister close to me, while the one who harbored the goods is an ordinary sort, and besides, it would wound the dignity of a good person in the process — so I was in a difficult spot, and had no choice but to beg Master Bao to take the blame, so that everyone could be at peace.如今反要問你們兩個，還是怎樣？Now, instead, I have to ask the two of you — what's it going to be?若從此以後大家小心存体面，這便求寶二爺應了，若不然，我就回了二奶奶，別冤屈了好人。”彩雲聽了，不覺紅了臉，一時羞惡之心感發，便說道：“姐姐放心，也別冤了好人，也別帶累了無辜之人傷体面。If from now on everyone is careful and preserves each other's dignity, then I'll ask Master Bao to take the blame; but if not, I'll go and report it to Second Mistress, and not let a good person be wrongly accused." When Caiyun heard this, she could not help flushing red, and in a moment a sense of shame and conscience stirred within her, and she said, "Sister, set your mind at ease — don't wrong a good person, and don't drag an innocent person's dignity down with this either.偷東西原是趙姨奶奶央告我再三，我拿了些與環哥是情真。The stealing was originally because Aunt Zhao begged me over and over, and I took some things and gave them to Brother Huan — that much is true.連太太在家我們還拿過，各人去送人，也是常事。Even back when Madam was still at home we used to take things now and then, each of us sending them off to people — that was a common enough thing.我原說嚷過兩天就罷了。I only thought that after a couple of days' fuss it would blow over.如今既冤屈了好人，我心也不忍。Now that it's ended up wrongly accusing a good person, I can't bear it in my heart.姐姐竟帶了我回奶奶去，我一概應了完事。”眾人聽了這話，一個個都詫异，他竟這樣有肝膽。Sister, just take me straight to report to the Mistress — I'll admit to everything myself and be done with it." When everyone heard this, they were each astonished — that she should have such courage and integrity.寶玉忙笑道：“彩雲姐姐果然是個正經人。Baoyu quickly said with a smile, "Sister Caiyun really is an upright person.如今也不用你應，我只說是我悄悄的偷的唬你們頑，如今鬧出事來，我原該承認。There's no need for you to admit to it now — I'll simply say it was I who stole it secretly to play a trick on you all; now that it's caused such a stir, I really ought to own up to it.只求姐姐們以後省些事，大家就好了。”彩雲道：“我幹的事為什麼叫你應，死活我該去受。”平兒襲人忙道：“不是這樣說，你一應了，未免又叨登出趙姨奶奶來，那時三姑娘聽了，豈不生氣。I only ask you sisters to spare yourselves trouble from now on, and all will be well." Caiyun said, "Why should something I did be pinned on you? Whether I live or die, I ought to bear it myself." Ping'er and Xiren hastily said, "That's not how it should be — if you admit to it, it will inevitably drag Aunt Zhao's name into it, and when Third Miss hears of it, won't she be angered?竟不如寶二爺應了，大家無事，且除這幾個人皆不得知道這事，何等的乾淨。It's far better for Master Bao to take the blame, so that everyone is spared trouble, and besides, apart from the few of us here, no one else need know of this at all — how much cleaner that would be.但只以後千萬大家小心些就是了。Only, from now on, everyone must be very careful indeed.要拿什麼，好歹奈到太太到家，那怕連這房子給了人，我們就沒干系了。”彩雲聽了，低頭想了一想，方依允。Whatever needs replacing, it can wait however long it takes until Madam comes home — even if it meant giving away this very house to someone else, we'd have nothing more to do with it." When Caiyun heard this, she lowered her head, thought it over for a moment, and then consented.于是大家商議妥貼，平兒帶了他兩個并芳官往前邊來，至上夜房中叫了五兒，將茯苓霜一節也悄悄的教他說系芳官所贈，五兒感謝不盡。So it was settled among them, and Ping'er brought the two of them along with Fangguan to the front, and at the night-duty room called Wu'er over, and quietly had her say that the fuling powder had been a gift from Fangguan as well; Wu'er was endlessly grateful.平兒帶他們來至自己這邊，已見林之孝家的帶領了幾個媳婦，押解著柳家的等夠多時。Ping'er brought them all back to her own quarters, where she found that Lin Zhixiao's wife had already been leading several other wives, holding the woman from the Liu family under guard, waiting there for quite some time.林之孝家的又向平兒說：“今兒一早押了他來，恐園里沒人伺候姑娘們的飯，我暫且將秦顯的女人派了去伺候。Lin Zhixiao's wife also said to Ping'er, "Since she was brought in under guard early this morning, I was afraid there'd be no one in the garden to serve the young ladies their meals, so for the time being I've assigned Qin Xian's wife to go and attend to it.姑娘一并回明奶奶，他倒乾淨謹慎，以後就派他常伺候罷。”平兒道：“秦顯的女人是誰？Miss, please report to Mistress Lian on my behalf as well — she's a clean and careful sort, so from now on perhaps she could be assigned to serve there regularly." Ping'er said, "Who is Qin Xian's wife?我不大相熟。”林之孝家的道：“他是園里南角子上夜的，白日里沒什麼事，所以姑娘不大相識。I'm not very familiar with her." Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "She's the one on night duty at the south corner of the garden — during the day there's nothing much for her to do, so Miss wouldn't be very familiar with her.高高孤拐，大大的眼睛，最乾淨爽利的。”玉釧兒道：“是了。High cheekbones, big eyes, altogether a very neat and capable sort." Yuchuan'er said, "Oh, I know who she is.姐姐，你怎麼忘了？Sister, how could you forget?他是跟二姑娘的司棋的嬸娘。She's the aunt of Siqi, the one who serves Second Young Lady.司棋的父母雖是大老爺那邊的人，他這叔叔卻是咱們這邊的。”平兒聽了，方想起來，笑道：“哦，你早說是他，我就明白了。”又笑道：“也太派急了些。Although Siqi's parents belong to the Elder Master's side of the family, this aunt of hers belongs to our side." When Ping'er heard this, she suddenly remembered, and said with a smile, "Oh, if you'd said it was her from the start, I'd have understood at once." Then she added with a smile, "That's rushing things a bit too eagerly, isn't it.如今這事八下里水落石出了，連前兒太太屋里丟的也有了主兒。As it happens, this whole matter has now come out into the open on every side, and even the things that went missing from Madam's room the other day have found their owner.是寶玉那日過來和這兩個業障要什麼的，偏這兩個業障慪他頑，說太太不在家不敢拿。It was that day when Baoyu came over and asked these two little troublemakers for something, and the two of them, just to tease him, said Madam wasn't home and they didn't dare take anything.寶玉便瞅他兩個不提防的時節，自己進去拿了些什麼出來。So Baoyu, watching for a moment when the two of them weren't paying attention, went in himself and took some things out.這兩個業障不知道，就唬慌了。The two of them, not knowing this, were simply thrown into a panic.如今寶玉聽見帶累了別人，方細細的告訴了我，拿出東西來我瞧，一件不差。Now that Baoyu heard it had implicated others, he told me the whole story in detail and brought the things out for me to see — not a single item was missing.那茯苓霜是寶玉外頭得了的，也曾賞過許多人，不獨園內人有，連媽媽子們討了出去給親戚們吃，又轉送人，襲人也曾給過芳官之流的人。As for that fuling powder, Baoyu got it from outside, and he's given it away as gifts to a good many people besides — it's not only found among people in the garden; even the old nannies have begged some to take out to give to relatives, who in turn passed it on to others again, and Xiren too has given some to the likes of Fangguan.他們私情各相來往，也是常事。Such private exchanges of gifts among themselves are a common enough thing.前兒那兩簍還擺在議事廳上，好好的原封沒動，什麼就混賴起人來。The other day those two baskets of it were still sitting in the meeting hall, perfectly intact, the wrapping never even touched — so what business was there in falsely accusing anyone?等我回了奶奶再說。”說畢，抽身進了臥房，將此事照前言回了鳳姐兒一遍。Let me wait until I've reported to Mistress Lian before saying more." With that, she turned and went into the bedroom, and repeated the whole matter to Xifeng just as it had been told before.鳳姐兒道：“雖如此說，但寶玉為人不管青紅皂白愛兜攬事情。Xifeng said, "Even so, Baoyu is the sort who, without regard for right or wrong, loves to take troubles upon himself.別人再求求他去，他又擱不住人兩句好話，給他個炭簍子戴上，什麼事他不應承。Let anyone go and beg him just a little, and he can't withstand a few sweet words, and lets them saddle him with a basket of charcoal to wear — is there anything he wouldn't agree to take the blame for?咱們若信了，將來若大事也如此，如何治人。If we simply believe him, and in the future something serious comes up and it's the same story, how are we ever to govern people properly?還要細細的追求才是。This needs to be looked into carefully and thoroughly still.依我的主意，把太太屋里的丫頭都拿來，雖不便擅加拷打，只叫他們墊著磁瓦子跪在太陽地下，茶飯也別給吃。To my mind, we should bring in all the maids from Madam's room, and though we mustn't go so far as to flog them outright, we could at least make them kneel out in the sun on broken bits of porcelain tile, and give them neither tea nor food.一日不說跪一日，便是鐵打的，一日也管招了。If one day of that doesn't make them talk, kneel them another day — even if they were cast of iron, a day of it would be enough to make them confess.又道是‘蒼蠅不抱無縫的蛋’。There's also the saying, 'flies don't gather on an egg with no crack.'雖然這柳家的沒偷，到底有些影兒，人才說他。Even though this woman of the Liu family didn't actually steal anything, there must still be some shadow of suspicion on her, or else people wouldn't be talking about her at all.雖不加賊刑，也革出不用。Even without applying the punishment due a thief, she should still be dismissed and no longer employed.朝廷家原有挂誤的，倒也不算委屈了他。”平兒道：“何苦來操這心！‘得放手時須放手’，什麼大不了的事，樂得不施恩呢。Even in the Imperial court there are cases of dismissal for implication without proof of actual guilt, so it wouldn't really be wronging her." Ping'er said, "Why trouble yourself over this! 'When you can let go, you should let go' — it's hardly such a great matter that we should forgo the chance to show a little mercy.依我說，縱在這屋里操上一百分的心，終久咱們是那邊屋里去的。To my mind, even if we wear ourselves out with a hundred parts of care and worry over this household, in the end we're still bound for the other household eventually.沒的結些小人仇恨，使人含怨。There's no point in stirring up petty resentments among the lower sort and making people harbor grudges against us.況且自己又三災八難的，好容易怀了一個哥兒，到了六七個月還掉了，焉知不是素日操勞太過，氣惱傷著的。Besides, you yourself have had one misfortune after another lately — you were fortunate enough to conceive a young master, and then at six or seven months you lost the child; who's to say it wasn't from overexerting yourself in the day-to-day management, or from being upset and angered, that the harm was done.如今乘早兒見一半不見一半的，也倒罷了。”一席話，說的鳳姐兒倒笑了，說道：“憑你這小蹄子發放去罷。Now, while there's still time, it would be best to let half of it go and turn a blind eye to the rest." This little speech made Xifeng laugh after all, and she said, "Have it your way, you little imp, and settle it however you like.我才精爽些了，沒的淘氣。”平兒笑道：“這不是正經！”說畢，轉身出來，一一發放。I'm just starting to feel a bit better, no need to go stirring up trouble for myself." Ping'er said with a smile, "Now that's the sensible way to talk!" With that, she turned and went out, and settled each matter one by one.要知端的，且聽下回分解。To know how it all turned out in the end, one must hear the next chapter's explanation.

谁知和他母女不和的那些人，巴不得一时撵出他们去，惟恐次日有变，大家先起了个清早，都悄悄的来买转平儿，一面送些东西，一面又奉承他办事简断，一面又讲述他母亲素日许多不好。平儿一一的都应著，打发他们去了，却悄悄的来访袭人，问他可果真芳官给他露了。袭人便说：“露却是给芳官，芳官转给何人我却不知。”袭人于是又问芳官，芳官听了，唬天跳地，忙应是自己送他的。芳官便又告诉了宝玉，宝玉也慌了，说：“露虽有了，若勾起茯苓霜来，他自然也实供。若听见了是他舅舅门上得的，他舅舅又有了不是，岂不是人家的好意，反被咱们陷害了。”因忙和平儿计议：“露的事虽完，然这霜也是有不是的。好姐姐，你叫他说也是芳官给他的就完了。”平儿笑道：“虽如此，只是他昨晚已经同人说是他舅舅给的了，如何又说你给的？况且那边所丢的露也是无主儿，如今有赃证的白放了，又去找谁？谁还肯认？众人也未必心服。”晴雯走来笑道：“太太那边的露再无别人，分明是彩云偷了给环哥儿去了。你们可瞎乱说。”平儿笑道：“谁不知是这个原故，但今玉钏儿急的哭，悄悄问著他，他应了，玉钏也罢了，大家也就混著不问了。难道我们好意兜揽这事不成！可恨彩云不但不应，他还挤玉钏儿，说他偷了去了。两个人窝里发炮，先吵的合府皆知，我们如何装没事人。少不得要查的。殊不知告失盗的就是贼，又没赃证，怎么说他。”宝玉道：“也罢，这件事我也应起来，就说是我唬他们顽的，悄悄的偷了太太的来了。两件事都完了。”袭人道：“也倒是件阴骘事，保全人的贼名儿。只是太太听见又说你小孩子气，不知好歹了。”平儿笑道：“这也倒是小事。如今便从赵姨娘屋里起了赃来也容易，我只怕又伤著一个好人的体面。别人都别管，这一个人岂不又生气。我可怜的是他，不肯为打老鼠伤了玉瓶。”说著，把三个指头一伸。袭人等听说，便知他说的是探春。大家都忙说：“可是这话，竟是我们这里应了起来的为是。”平儿又笑道：“也须得把彩云和玉钏儿两个业障叫了来，问准了他方好。不然他们得了益，不说为这个，倒象我没了本事问不出来，烦出这里来完事，他们以后越发偷的偷，不管的不管了。”袭人等笑道：“正是，也要你留个地步。”平儿便命人叫了他两个来，说道：“不用慌，贼已有了。”玉钏儿先问贼在那里，平儿道：“现在二奶奶屋里，你问他什么应什么。我心里明知不是他偷的，可怜他害怕都承认。这里宝二爷不过意，要替他认一半。我待要说出来，但只是这做贼的，素日又是和我好的一个姊妹，窝主却是平常，里面又伤著一个好人的体面，因此为难，少不得央求宝二爷应了，大家无事。如今反要问你们两个，还是怎样？若从此以后大家小心存体面，这便求宝二爷应了，若不然，我就回了二奶奶，别冤屈了好人。”彩云听了，不觉红了脸，一时羞恶之心感发，便说道：“姐姐放心，也别冤了好人，也别带累了无辜之人伤体面。偷东西原是赵姨奶奶央告我再三，我拿了些与环哥是情真。连太太在家我们还拿过，各人去送人，也是常事。我原说嚷过两天就罢了。如今既冤屈了好人，我心也不忍。姐姐竟带了我回奶奶去，我一概应了完事。”众人听了这话，一个个都诧异，他竟这样有肝胆。宝玉忙笑道：“彩云姐姐果然是个正经人。如今也不用你应，我只说是我悄悄的偷的唬你们顽，如今闹出事来，我原该承认。只求姐姐们以后省些事，大家就好了。”彩云道：“我干的事为什么叫你应，死活我该去受。”平儿袭人忙道：“不是这样说，你一应了，未免又叨登出赵姨奶奶来，那时三姑娘听了，岂不生气。竟不如宝二爷应了，大家无事，且除这几个人皆不得知道这事，何等的干净。但只以后千万大家小心些就是了。要拿什么，好歹奈到太太到家，那怕连这房子给了人，我们就没干系了。”彩云听了，低头想了一想，方依允。于是大家商议妥贴，平儿带了他两个并芳官往前边来，至上夜房中叫了五儿，将茯苓霜一节也悄悄的教他说系芳官所赠，五儿感谢不尽。平儿带他们来至自己这边，已见林之孝家的带领了几个媳妇，押解著柳家的等够多时。林之孝家的又向平儿说：“今儿一早押了他来，恐园里没人伺候姑娘们的饭，我暂且将秦显的女人派了去伺候。姑娘一并回明奶奶，他倒干净谨慎，以后就派他常伺候罢。”平儿道：“秦显的女人是谁？我不大相熟。”林之孝家的道：“他是园里南角子上夜的，白日里没什么事，所以姑娘不大相识。高高孤拐，大大的眼睛，最干净爽利的。”玉钏儿道：“是了。姐姐，你怎么忘了？他是跟二姑娘的司棋的婶娘。司棋的父母虽是大老爷那边的人，他这叔叔却是咱们这边的。”平儿听了，方想起来，笑道：“哦，你早说是他，我就明白了。”又笑道：“也太派急了些。如今这事八下里水落石出了，连前儿太太屋里丢的也有了主儿。是宝玉那日过来和这两个业障要什么的，偏这两个业障怄他顽，说太太不在家不敢拿。宝玉便瞅他两个不提防的时节，自己进去拿了些什么出来。这两个业障不知道，就唬慌了。如今宝玉听见带累了别人，方细细的告诉了我，拿出东西来我瞧，一件不差。那茯苓霜是宝玉外头得了的，也曾赏过许多人，不独园内人有，连妈妈子们讨了出去给亲戚们吃，又转送人，袭人也曾给过芳官之流的人。他们私情各相来往，也是常事。前儿那两篓还摆在议事厅上，好好的原封没动，什么就混赖起人来。等我回了奶奶再说。”说毕，抽身进了卧房，将此事照前言回了凤姐儿一遍。凤姐儿道：“虽如此说，但宝玉为人不管青红皂白爱兜揽事情。别人再求求他去，他又搁不住人两句好话，给他个炭篓子戴上，什么事他不应承。咱们若信了，将来若大事也如此，如何治人。还要细细的追求才是。依我的主意，把太太屋里的丫头都拿来，虽不便擅加拷打，只叫他们垫著磁瓦子跪在太阳地下，茶饭也别给吃。一日不说跪一日，便是铁打的，一日也管招了。又道是‘苍蝇不抱无缝的蛋’。虽然这柳家的没偷，到底有些影儿，人才说他。虽不加贼刑，也革出不用。朝廷家原有挂误的，倒也不算委屈了他。”平儿道：“何苦来操这心！‘得放手时须放手’，什么大不了的事，乐得不施恩呢。依我说，纵在这屋里操上一百分的心，终久咱们是那边屋里去的。没的结些小人仇恨，使人含怨。况且自己又三灾八难的，好容易怀了一个哥儿，到了六七个月还掉了，焉知不是素日操劳太过，气恼伤著的。如今乘早儿见一半不见一半的，也倒罢了。”一席话，说的凤姐儿倒笑了，说道：“凭你这小蹄子发放去罢。我才精爽些了，没的淘气。”平儿笑道：“这不是正经！”说毕，转身出来，一一发放。要知端的，且听下回分解。