第六十二回　憨湘雲醉眠芍藥裀　獃香菱情解柘榴裙 Tipsy Xiangyun Sleeps Among the Peonies; Simple Xiangling Explains a Pomegranate Skirt

話說平兒出來吩咐林之孝家的道：“大事化為小事，小事化為沒事，方是興旺之家。Now to tell of Ping'er, who came out and instructed Lin Zhixiao's wife, saying: 'Turning big matters into small ones, and small matters into no matters at all — that is the mark of a household that is truly flourishing.若得不了一點子小事，便揚鈴打鼓的亂折騰起來，不成道理。If every little trifle that comes along is turned into a great commotion with gongs and drums, that simply won't do.如今將他母女帶回，照舊去當差。Now take the mother and daughter back and let them return to their duties as before.將秦顯家的仍舊退回。Send Qin Xian's wife back to where she came from.再不必提此事。And let there be no more mention of this matter.只是每日小心巡察要緊。”說畢，起身走了。The important thing is simply to be careful in the daily rounds of inspection.' Having said this, she rose and left.柳家的母女忙向上磕頭，林家的帶回園中，回了李紈探春，二人皆說：“知道了，能可無事，很好。”司棋等人空興頭了一陣。Mother and daughter of the Liu family hastily kowtowed in gratitude, and Lin's wife took them back into the garden and reported to Li Wan and Tanchun, who both said, 'Very well, so long as no trouble comes of it, it's all for the best.' Siqi and the others had gotten excited over nothing.那秦顯家的好容易等了這個空子鑽了來，只興頭上半天。Qin Xian's wife, who had waited so long for just this chance to squeeze in, had only half a day's worth of triumph.在廚房內正亂著接收家伙米糧煤炭等物，又查出許多虧空來，說：“粳米短了兩石，常用米又多支了一個月的，炭也欠著額數。”一面又打點送林之孝家的禮，悄悄的備了一簍炭，五百斤木柴，一擔粳米，在外邊就遣了子侄送入林家去了，又打點送帳房的禮，又預備幾樣菜蔬請幾位同事的人，說：“我來了，全仗列位扶持。She was in the midst of the confusion in the kitchen, taking over the utensils, rice, coal, and other supplies, when it was discovered that a great deal was missing — it was said, 'The polished rice is two piculs short, the ordinary rice has been drawn a month ahead, and the charcoal too falls short of its proper quota.' At the same time she was busy preparing gifts to send to Lin Zhixiao's wife — quietly she got ready a basket of charcoal, five hundred catties of firewood, and a load of polished rice, and had her nephews take them outside straight to the Lin household; she also prepared gifts for the accounting office, and readied several dishes to invite a few of her fellow workers, saying, 'Now that I have come, I depend entirely on all of you to support me.自今以後都是一家人了。From today on we are all one family.我有照顧不到的，好歹大家照顧些。”正亂著，忽有人來說與他：“看過這早飯就出去罷。Where I fail to look after things properly, I trust you will all look after them for me one way or another.' In the midst of this bustle, someone suddenly came and told her, 'Once you've seen this morning's meal through, you may as well leave.柳嫂兒原無事，如今還交與他管了。”秦顯家的聽了，轟去魂魄，垂頭喪氣，登時掩旗息鼓，卷包而出。Sister Liu never was in any trouble after all, and the matter has now been handed back to her to manage.' When Qin Xian's wife heard this, it was as if her very soul had been knocked out of her; crestfallen, she at once furled her banner and silenced her drums, and packed up her bundle and went out.送人之物白丟了許多，自己倒要折變了賠補虧空。The many gifts she had sent out were all wasted for nothing, and she herself was left to sell off her belongings to make up the shortfall.連司棋都氣了個倒仰，無計挽回，只得罷了。Even Siqi was so furious she nearly fell over backward, but with no way to retrieve the situation, she had no choice but to let it drop.趙姨娘正因彩雲私贈了許多東西，被玉釧兒吵出，生恐查詰出來，每日捏一把汗打聽信兒。Aunt Zhao, on account of the many things Caiyun had secretly given away, which Yuchuan'er had made a fuss about, was in constant dread that the matter would be investigated and found out, and every day she kept her palms sweating with anxiety, listening for news.忽見彩雲來告訴說：“都是寶玉應了，從此無事。”趙姨娘方把心放下來。Then suddenly Caiyun came and told her, 'It was all taken care of by Baoyu owning up to it, so there's nothing more to worry about from now on.' Only then did Aunt Zhao's heart settle.誰知賈環聽如此說，便起了疑心，將彩雲凡私贈之物都拿了出來，照著彩雲的臉摔了去，說：“這兩面三刀的東西！Who could have known that when Jia Huan heard of this, he grew suspicious, and taking out every single thing Caiyun had secretly given him, he flung them straight in Caiyun's face, saying, 'You double-faced, two-timing thing!我不稀罕。I don't want any of it.你不和寶玉好，他如何肯替你應。If you weren't on such good terms with Baoyu, how could he ever have been willing to take the blame in your place?你既有擔當給了我，原該不與一個人知道。If you truly had the nerve to give these things to me, you ought never to have let a single soul know of it.如今你既然告訴他，如今我再要這個，也沒趣兒。”彩雲見如此，急的發咒賭誓，至於哭了，百般解說，賈環執意不信，說：“不看你素日之情，去告訴二嫂子，就說你偷來給我，我不敢要。Now that you've gone and told him, there's no more pleasure for me in keeping any of it.' Seeing him like this, Caiyun grew frantic and swore oaths upon oaths, even weeping, and explained herself in every way she could think of, but Jia Huan stubbornly refused to believe her, saying, 'Were it not for our long-standing affection, I'd go and tell Second Sister-in-law that you stole these things and gave them to me, and that I dare not accept them.你細想去。”說畢，摔手出去了。Think it over carefully.' With that, he flung his sleeve free and stormed out.急的趙姨娘罵：“沒造化的种子，蛆心孽障。”氣的彩雲哭個淚乾腸斷。Aunt Zhao, in her agitation, cursed him: 'You luckless wretch, you maggot-hearted little devil!' Caiyun, in her fury and grief, wept until her tears ran dry and her heart nearly broke.趙姨娘百般的安慰他：“好孩子，他辜負了你的心，我看的真。Aunt Zhao comforted her in every way she could: 'Good child, he has failed to appreciate your true feelings — I can see that clearly.讓我收起來，過兩日他自然回轉過來了。”說著，便要收東西。Let me put these things away for you; in a day or two he'll naturally come around.' So saying, she reached to gather up the things.彩雲賭氣一頓包起來，乘人不見時，來至園中，都撇在河內，順水沉的沉漂的漂了。Caiyun, in a fit of resentment, bundled them all up herself, and when no one was looking, went into the garden and threw the whole lot into the stream, letting them sink and drift away with the current.自己氣的夜間在被內暗哭。That night, still seething, she wept quietly beneath her quilt.

话说平儿出来吩咐林之孝家的道：“大事化为小事，小事化为没事，方是兴旺之家。若得不了一点子小事，便扬铃打鼓的乱折腾起来，不成道理。如今将他母女带回，照旧去当差。将秦显家的仍旧退回。再不必提此事。只是每日小心巡察要紧。”说毕，起身走了。柳家的母女忙向上磕头，林家的带回园中，回了李纨探春，二人皆说：“知道了，能可无事，很好。”司棋等人空兴头了一阵。那秦显家的好容易等了这个空子钻了来，只兴头上半天。在厨房内正乱著接收家伙米粮煤炭等物，又查出许多亏空来，说：“粳米短了两石，常用米又多支了一个月的，炭也欠著额数。”一面又打点送林之孝家的礼，悄悄的备了一篓炭，五百斤木柴，一担粳米，在外边就遣了子侄送入林家去了，又打点送帐房的礼，又预备几样菜蔬请几位同事的人，说：“我来了，全仗列位扶持。自今以后都是一家人了。我有照顾不到的，好歹大家照顾些。”正乱著，忽有人来说与他：“看过这早饭就出去罢。柳嫂儿原无事，如今还交与他管了。”秦显家的听了，轰去魂魄，垂头丧气，登时掩旗息鼓，卷包而出。送人之物白丢了许多，自己倒要折变了赔补亏空。连司棋都气了个倒仰，无计挽回，只得罢了。赵姨娘正因彩云私赠了许多东西，被玉钏儿吵出，生恐查诘出来，每日捏一把汗打听信儿。忽见彩云来告诉说：“都是宝玉应了，从此无事。”赵姨娘方把心放下来。谁知贾环听如此说，便起了疑心，将彩云凡私赠之物都拿了出来，照著彩云的脸摔了去，说：“这两面三刀的东西！我不稀罕。你不和宝玉好，他如何肯替你应。你既有担当给了我，原该不与一个人知道。如今你既然告诉他，如今我再要这个，也没趣儿。”彩云见如此，急的发咒赌誓，至于哭了，百般解说，贾环执意不信，说：“不看你素日之情，去告诉二嫂子，就说你偷来给我，我不敢要。你细想去。”说毕，摔手出去了。急的赵姨娘骂：“没造化的种子，蛆心孽障。”气的彩云哭个泪干肠断。赵姨娘百般的安慰他：“好孩子，他辜负了你的心，我看的真。让我收起来，过两日他自然回转过来了。”说著，便要收东西。彩云赌气一顿包起来，乘人不见时，来至园中，都撇在河内，顺水沉的沉漂的漂了。自己气的夜间在被内暗哭。

當下又值寶玉生日已到，原來寶琴也是這日，二人相同。At this time Baoyu's birthday had arrived; it turned out that this was also Baoqin's birthday, the two of them sharing the same day.因王夫人不在家，也不曾象往年鬧熱。Since Lady Wang was not at home, the occasion was not celebrated with the bustle of former years.只有張道士送了四樣禮，換的寄名符兒，還有幾處僧尼廟的和尚姑子送了供尖兒，并壽星紙馬疏頭，并本命星官值年太歲周年換的鎖兒。There was only Taoist Zhang, who sent four kinds of gifts and a renewed charm for Baoyu's nominal ordination, and monks and nuns from several temples who sent offerings of fruit and cakes, together with paper images of the God of Longevity, prayer texts, and a renewed amulet-lock for the Star Lord of his birth-year and the Year God presiding over that year.家中常走的女先兒來上壽。The blind ballad-singers who regularly frequented the household came to offer birthday greetings.王子騰那邊，仍是一套衣服，一雙鞋襪，一百壽桃，一百束上用銀絲挂麵。From Wang Ziteng's household, as always, came a suit of clothes, a pair of shoes and stockings, a hundred longevity peaches, and a hundred bundles of fine silver-thread noodles for the emperor's table.薛姨娘處減一等。From Aunt Xue's side the gifts were a grade lower.其餘家中人，尤氏仍是一雙鞋襪，鳳姐兒是一個宮製四面和合荷包，里面裝一個金壽星，一件波斯國所製玩器。As for the rest of the family, You-shi again gave a pair of shoes and stockings, and Xifeng gave a palace-made 'Four-Sided Harmony' purse containing a gold figure of the God of Longevity and a curio made in Persia.各廟中遣人去放堂舍錢。Messengers were sent to the various temples to distribute alms in the main halls.又另有寶琴之禮，不能備述。There were, besides, gifts for Baoqin as well, too numerous to detail here.姐妹中皆隨便，或有一扇的，或有一字的，或有一畫的，或有一詩的，聊复應景而已。Among the sisters, gifts were given casually, as each saw fit — a fan from one, a piece of calligraphy from another, a painting from a third, a poem from a fourth — merely tokens to mark the occasion.

這日寶玉清晨起來，梳洗已畢，冠帶出來。That day Baoyu rose early, and once he had washed and combed his hair, he came out properly capped and girdled.至前廳院中，已有李貴等四五個人在那里設下天地香燭，寶玉炷了香。When he reached the courtyard of the front hall, Li Gui and four or five others had already set out incense and candles for Heaven and Earth, and Baoyu lit the incense.行畢禮，奠茶焚紙後，便至宁府中宗祠祖先堂兩處行畢禮，出至月台上，又朝上遙拜過賈母，賈政，王夫人等。After finishing the ritual bows, offering tea, and burning paper money, he went on to perform the same rites at the ancestral hall and the ancestors' shrine in the Ning mansion, then went out onto the terrace and, facing the proper direction, made distant obeisance to Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and the others.一順到尤氏上房，行過禮，坐了一回，方回榮府。From there he went straight on to You-shi's main room, performed the courtesy bow, sat for a while, and only then returned to the Rong mansion.先至薛姨媽處，薛姨媽再三拉著，然後又遇見薛蝌，讓一回，方進園來。He went first to Aunt Xue's quarters, where Aunt Xue held onto him again and again, and then he ran into Xue Ke, with whom he exchanged courtesies for a while, before at last entering the garden.晴雯麝月二人跟隨，小丫頭夾著氈子，從李氏起，一一挨著，長的房中到過。Qingwen and Sheyue followed along behind him, with a young maid carrying a felt mat under her arm, and starting from Li Wan's quarters, he went one by one to the rooms of all his elders.复出二門，至李，趙，張，王四個奶媽家讓了一回，方進來。He then went back out through the second gate to the quarters of the four wet-nurses, the Li, Zhao, Zhang, and Wang families, exchanged courtesies with them for a while, and only then came back in.雖眾人要行禮，也不曾受。Although everyone wished to bow to him in return, he would not accept it.回至房中，襲人等只都來說一聲就是了。Back in his own quarters, Xiren and the others merely came and offered him a word of greeting, and that was all.王夫人有言，不令年輕人受禮，恐折了福壽，故皆不磕頭。Lady Wang had given orders that the young people were not to accept formal obeisance, for fear it would diminish their fortune and longevity, and so no one kowtowed.

歇一時，賈環賈蘭等來了，襲人連忙拉住，坐了一坐，便去了。After resting a while, Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and the others came in; Xiren hurriedly took hold of them and had them sit for a bit, and then they left.寶玉笑說走乏了，便歪在床上。Baoyu laughingly said he was tired from all the walking, and lay down slantwise on the bed.方吃了半盞茶，只聽外面咭咭呱呱，一群丫頭笑進來，原來是翠墨、小螺、翠縷、入畫、邢岫煙的丫頭篆兒，并奶子抱巧姐兒，彩鸞、繡鸞八九個人，都抱著紅氈笑著走來，說：“拜壽的擠破了門了，快拿麵來我們吃。”剛進來時，探春、湘雲、寶琴、岫煙、惜春也都來了。He had barely finished half a cup of tea when he heard chattering and laughing outside, and a crowd of maids came trooping in with laughter — it turned out to be Cuimo, Xiaoluo, Cuilü, Ruhua, Xiu Yan's maid Zhuan'er, together with the wet-nurse carrying Qiaojie, and Cailuan, Xiuluan, eight or nine of them in all, each carrying a red felt mat and coming in laughing, saying, 'The birthday-wishers are jamming the very door — quick, bring us some noodles to eat!' Just as they came in, Tanchun, Xiangyun, Baoqin, Xiu Yan, and Xichun all arrived as well.寶玉忙迎出來，笑說：“不敢起動，快預備好茶。”進入房中，不免推讓一回，大家歸坐。Baoyu hastily came out to greet them, laughing and saying, 'I couldn't dare put you to the trouble — quick, prepare some good tea.' They went into the room, and after the inevitable round of polite deference over seating, everyone settled into their places.襲人等捧過茶來，才吃了一口，平兒也打扮的花枝招展的來了。Xiren and the others brought the tea in, and they had scarcely taken a sip when Ping'er, dressed up as gaily as a spray of blossoms, arrived as well.寶玉忙迎出來，笑說：“我方才到鳳姐姐門上，回了進去，不能見，我又打發人進去讓姐姐的。”平兒笑道：“我正打發你姐姐梳頭，不得出來回你。Baoyu hastily came out to meet her, laughing and saying, 'I went to Sister Feng's door just now, and word was sent in, but I couldn't see her, so I also sent someone in to invite you, sister.' Ping'er said with a smile, 'I was just then attending to your sister's hair-combing, and couldn't come out to answer you.後來聽見又說讓我，我那里禁當的起，所以特赶來磕頭。”寶玉笑道：“我也禁當不起。”襲人早在外間安了坐，讓他坐。Afterward, when I heard you'd sent word inviting me too, how could I possibly deserve such an honor — so I hurried especially to come and kowtow.' Baoyu said with a laugh, 'Nor could I possibly deserve that from you.' Xiren had already arranged a seat in the outer room, and invited her to sit.平兒便福下去，寶玉作揖不迭。Ping'er dropped into a curtsy, and Baoyu bowed back again and again without pause.平兒便跪下去，寶玉也忙還跪下，襲人連忙攙起來。Then Ping'er knelt down, and Baoyu hastily knelt down in return as well; Xiren rushed to pull them both up.又下了一福，寶玉又還了一揖。She dropped another curtsy, and Baoyu returned it with another bow.襲人笑推寶玉：“你再作揖。”寶玉道：“已經完了，怎麼又作揖？”襲人笑道：“這是他來給你拜壽。Xiren pushed Baoyu with a laugh, saying, 'Bow again.' Baoyu said, 'But it's already over — why should I bow again?' Xiren said with a smile, 'This time she came to wish you happy birthday.今兒也是他的生日，你也該給他拜壽。”寶玉聽了，喜的忙作下揖去，說：“原來今兒也是姐姐的芳誕。”平兒還萬福不迭。But today happens to be her birthday too, so you ought to wish her happy birthday in return.' When Baoyu heard this, he was delighted and hastily bowed, saying, 'So today is also your birthday, sister!' Ping'er kept dropping curtsy after curtsy in return.湘雲拉寶琴岫煙說：“你們四個人對拜壽，直拜一天才是。”探春忙問：“原來邢妹妹也是今兒？Xiangyun pulled at Baoqin and Xiu Yan, saying, 'The four of you ought to keep bowing birthday wishes to each other — you could go on bowing the whole day through!' Tanchun asked hastily, 'So Cousin Xing's birthday is today too?我怎麼就忘了。”忙命丫頭：“去告訴二奶奶，赶著補了一分禮，與琴姑娘的一樣，送到二姑娘屋里去。”丫頭答應著去了。How could I have forgotten!' She hastily ordered a maid, 'Go and tell Second Mistress to hurry and make up an extra gift, the same as Miss Qin's, and send it over to Second Miss Xiu's room.' The maid assented and went off.岫煙見湘雲直口說出來，少不得要到各房去讓讓。Xiu Yan, seeing that Xiangyun had blurted it out so plainly, had no choice but to go around to each room to exchange courtesies.探春笑道：“倒有些意思，一年十二個月，月月有幾個生日。Tanchun said with a smile, 'This is rather interesting — twelve months in a year, and every month has several birthdays in it.人多了，便這等巧，也有三個一日，兩個一日的。With so many people, it happens by coincidence that some days have three people sharing a birthday, and some have two.大年初一日也不白過，大姐姐占了去。Even New Year's Day itself isn't spent for nothing — Eldest Sister has claimed that one.怨不得他福大，生日比別人就占先。No wonder her fortune is so great, that her birthday should take precedence over everyone else's.又是太祖太爺的生日。It's also the birthday of our Founding Ancestor.過了燈節，就是老太太和寶姐姐，他們娘兒兩個遇的巧。After the Lantern Festival comes Grandmother's birthday, and Cousin Bao's too — those two happen to coincide.三月初一日是太太，初九日是璉二哥哥。The first day of the third month is Lady Wang's, and the ninth is Cousin Lian's.二月沒人。”襲人道：“二月十二是林姑娘，怎麼沒人？There's no one in the second month.' Xiren said, 'The twelfth of the second month is Miss Lin's birthday — how can there be no one?就只不是咱家的人。”探春笑道：“我這個記性是怎麼了！”寶玉笑指襲人道：“他和林妹妹是一日，所以他記的。”探春笑道：“原來你兩個倒是一日。It's only that she's not one of our own family.' Tanchun said with a laugh, 'What's the matter with my memory!' Baoyu pointed at Xiren with a laugh and said, 'Her birthday is the same day as Cousin Lin's, that's why she remembers.' Tanchun said with a smile, 'So the two of you actually share the same day!每年連頭也不給我們磕一個。And every year you never so much as kowtow to us even once.平兒的生日我們也不知道，這也是才知道。”平兒笑道：“我們是那牌兒名上的人，生日也沒拜壽的福，又沒受禮職分，可吵鬧什麼，可不悄悄的過去。We never even knew when Ping'er's birthday was either — we've only just found out now.' Ping'er said with a smile, 'People of our sort, on the register as we are, have no such good fortune as to receive birthday greetings, nor any standing to accept gifts, so what would be the point of making a fuss? Better to let it pass quietly.今兒他又偏吵出來了，等姑娘們回房，我再行禮去罷。”探春笑道：“也不敢驚動。And today she just had to go and blurt it out. Once you young ladies have gone back to your rooms, I'll go and pay my respects then.' Tanchun said with a smile, 'We wouldn't presume to trouble you.只是今兒倒要替你過個生日，我心才過得去。”寶玉湘雲等一齊都說：“很是。”探春便吩咐了丫頭：“去告訴他奶奶，就說我們大家說了，今兒一日不放平兒出去，我們也大家湊了分子過生日呢。”丫頭笑著去了，半日，回來說：“二奶奶說了，多謝姑娘們給他臉。It's only that today we mean to celebrate your birthday for you properly — only then will my mind be at ease.' Baoyu, Xiangyun, and the rest all said together, 'Quite right.' Tanchun then instructed a maid, 'Go and tell her mistress that we've all agreed we won't let Ping'er go out all day today — we're all pooling our shares to give her a birthday celebration.' The maid went off laughing, and after a good while came back and reported, 'Second Mistress says many thanks to you young ladies for giving her this honor.不知過生日給他些什麼吃，只別忘了二奶奶，就不來絮聒他了。”眾人都笑了。She doesn't know what you'll be giving her to eat for her birthday, but so long as you don't forget Second Mistress herself, she won't come and pester you about it.' Everyone burst out laughing.探春因說道：“可巧今兒里頭廚房不預備飯，一應下麵弄菜都是外頭收拾。Tanchun then said, 'As it happens, the inner kitchen isn't preparing meals today — all the noodles and dishes are being handled by the outer kitchen.咱們就湊了錢叫柳家的來攬了去，只在咱們里頭收拾倒好。”眾人都說是极。Let's pool some money and have Liu's wife take charge of it, and have it all prepared right here inside — that would be best.' Everyone agreed this was an excellent idea.探春一面遣人去問李紈，寶釵，黛玉，一面遣人去傳柳家的進來，吩咐他內廚房中快收拾兩桌酒席。Tanchun sent someone at once to ask Li Wan, Baochai, and Daiyu, while at the same time sending someone to summon Liu's wife in, and instructed her to prepare two tables of wine and dishes in the inner kitchen right away.柳家的不知何意，因說外廚房都預備了。Liu's wife, not understanding what was meant, said that the outer kitchen had already prepared everything.探春笑道：“你原來不知道，今兒是平姑娘的華誕。Tanchun said with a smile, 'So you don't know — today is Miss Ping's birthday.外頭預備的是上頭的，這如今我們私下又湊了分子，單為平姑娘預備兩桌請他。What's prepared outside is for the masters above; but now we've privately pooled our own shares to prepare two tables especially for Miss Ping, to invite her to a meal.你只管揀新巧的菜蔬預備了來，開了帳和我那里領錢。”柳家的笑道：“原來今日也是平姑娘的千秋，我竟不知道。”說著，便向平兒磕下頭去，慌的平兒拉起他來。Just choose whatever fresh and clever dishes you like and have them prepared, then draw up the bill and come to me for the money.' Liu's wife said with a smile, 'So today is also Miss Ping's birthday — I really had no idea.' So saying, she at once knelt down to kowtow to Ping'er, and in her flustered haste Ping'er pulled her back up.柳家的忙去預備酒席。Liu's wife hurried off to prepare the feast.

歇一时，贾环贾兰等来了，袭人连忙拉住，坐了一坐，便去了。宝玉笑说走乏了，便歪在床上。方吃了半盏茶，只听外面咭咭呱呱，一群丫头笑进来，原来是翠墨、小螺、翠缕、入画、邢岫烟的丫头篆儿，并奶子抱巧姐儿，彩鸾、绣鸾八九个人，都抱著红毡笑著走来，说：“拜寿的挤破了门了，快拿面来我们吃。”刚进来时，探春、湘云、宝琴、岫烟、惜春也都来了。宝玉忙迎出来，笑说：“不敢起动，快预备好茶。”进入房中，不免推让一回，大家归坐。袭人等捧过茶来，才吃了一口，平儿也打扮的花枝招展的来了。宝玉忙迎出来，笑说：“我方才到凤姐姐门上，回了进去，不能见，我又打发人进去让姐姐的。”平儿笑道：“我正打发你姐姐梳头，不得出来回你。后来听见又说让我，我那里禁当的起，所以特赶来磕头。”宝玉笑道：“我也禁当不起。”袭人早在外间安了坐，让他坐。平儿便福下去，宝玉作揖不迭。平儿便跪下去，宝玉也忙还跪下，袭人连忙搀起来。又下了一福，宝玉又还了一揖。袭人笑推宝玉：“你再作揖。”宝玉道：“已经完了，怎么又作揖？”袭人笑道：“这是他来给你拜寿。今儿也是他的生日，你也该给他拜寿。”宝玉听了，喜的忙作下揖去，说：“原来今儿也是姐姐的芳诞。”平儿还万福不迭。湘云拉宝琴岫烟说：“你们四个人对拜寿，直拜一天才是。”探春忙问：“原来邢妹妹也是今儿？我怎么就忘了。”忙命丫头：“去告诉二奶奶，赶著补了一分礼，与琴姑娘的一样，送到二姑娘屋里去。”丫头答应著去了。岫烟见湘云直口说出来，少不得要到各房去让让。探春笑道：“倒有些意思，一年十二个月，月月有几个生日。人多了，便这等巧，也有三个一日，两个一日的。大年初一日也不白过，大姐姐占了去。怨不得他福大，生日比别人就占先。又是太祖太爷的生日。过了灯节，就是老太太和宝姐姐，他们娘儿两个遇的巧。三月初一日是太太，初九日是琏二哥哥。二月没人。”袭人道：“二月十二是林姑娘，怎么没人？就只不是咱家的人。”探春笑道：“我这个记性是怎么了！”宝玉笑指袭人道：“他和林妹妹是一日，所以他记的。”探春笑道：“原来你两个倒是一日。每年连头也不给我们磕一个。平儿的生日我们也不知道，这也是才知道。”平儿笑道：“我们是那牌儿名上的人，生日也没拜寿的福，又没受礼职分，可吵闹什么，可不悄悄的过去。今儿他又偏吵出来了，等姑娘们回房，我再行礼去罢。”探春笑道：“也不敢惊动。只是今儿倒要替你过个生日，我心才过得去。”宝玉湘云等一齐都说：“很是。”探春便吩咐了丫头：“去告诉他奶奶，就说我们大家说了，今儿一日不放平儿出去，我们也大家凑了分子过生日呢。”丫头笑著去了，半日，回来说：“二奶奶说了，多谢姑娘们给他脸。不知过生日给他些什么吃，只别忘了二奶奶，就不来絮聒他了。”众人都笑了。探春因说道：“可巧今儿里头厨房不预备饭，一应下面弄菜都是外头收拾。咱们就凑了钱叫柳家的来揽了去，只在咱们里头收拾倒好。”众人都说是极。探春一面遣人去问李纨，宝钗，黛玉，一面遣人去传柳家的进来，吩咐他内厨房中快收拾两桌酒席。柳家的不知何意，因说外厨房都预备了。探春笑道：“你原来不知道，今儿是平姑娘的华诞。外头预备的是上头的，这如今我们私下又凑了分子，单为平姑娘预备两桌请他。你只管拣新巧的菜蔬预备了来，开了帐和我那里领钱。”柳家的笑道：“原来今日也是平姑娘的千秋，我竟不知道。”说著，便向平儿磕下头去，慌的平儿拉起他来。柳家的忙去预备酒席。

這里探春又邀了寶玉，同到廳上去吃麵，等到李紈寶釵一齊來全，又遣人去請薛姨媽與黛玉。Here Tanchun also invited Baoyu, and together they went to the hall to eat noodles; once Li Wan and Baochai had both arrived, she sent someone to invite Aunt Xue and Daiyu as well.因天氣和暖，黛玉之疾漸愈，故也來了。Since the weather was mild and warm and Daiyu's illness was gradually improving, she came too.花團錦簇，擠了一廳的人。It was a riot of flowers and brocade, the whole hall crowded with people.

誰知薛蝌又送了巾扇香帛四色壽禮與寶玉，寶玉于是過去陪他吃麵。It turned out that Xue Ke had also sent four kinds of birthday gifts — kerchiefs, fans, incense, and silk — to Baoyu, so Baoyu went over to keep him company over noodles.兩家皆治了壽酒，互相酬送，彼此同領。Both households had prepared birthday wine, exchanging it back and forth, and each accepted the other's in turn.至午間，寶玉又陪薛蝌吃了兩杯酒。By midday, Baoyu again sat with Xue Ke and drank a couple of cups of wine with him.寶釵帶了寶琴過來與薛蝌行禮，把盞畢，寶釵因囑薛蝌：“家里的酒也不用送過那邊去，這虛套竟可收了。Baochai brought Baoqin over to pay respects to Xue Ke, and after pouring him a cup of wine, Baochai took the occasion to tell Xue Ke, 'There's no need to send our household's wine over to that side either — this empty formality can simply be dispensed with.你只請伙計們吃罷。Just invite the shop assistants to enjoy it.我們和寶兄弟進去還要待人去呢，也不能陪你了。”薛蝌忙說：“姐姐兄弟只管請，只怕伙計們也就好來了。”寶玉忙又告過罪，方同他姊妹回來。Cousin Bao and I still have to go back in to receive guests, so we can't keep you company any longer.' Xue Ke said hastily, 'You and Cousin Bao go right ahead — I expect the assistants will be arriving shortly anyway.' Baoyu hastily made his apologies once more, and only then went back with his cousins.

一進角門，寶釵便命婆子將門鎖上，把鑰匙要了自己拿著。The moment they entered the corner gate, Baochai ordered an old woman to lock it, and asked for the key to keep herself.寶玉忙說：“這一道門何必關，又沒多的人走。Baoyu said hastily, 'Why lock this gate? Hardly anyone extra passes through it anyway.況且姨娘，姐姐，妹妹都在里頭，倘或家去取什麼，豈不費事。”寶釵笑道：“小心沒過逾的。Besides, Auntie and my cousins are all inside — if anyone needs to go home to fetch something, wouldn't it be a nuisance?' Baochai said with a smile, 'There's no such thing as being too careful.你瞧你們那邊，這幾日七事八事，竟沒有我們這邊的人，可知是這門關的有功效了。Just look at your side — these past few days there's been one incident after another, yet not a single person from our side has been involved. You can see how effective it's been to keep this gate shut.若是開著，保不住那起人圖順腳，抄近路從這里走，攔誰的是？If it were left open, there's no telling but that certain people, for the sake of convenience, might take a shortcut through here — and whom could you blame then?不如鎖了，連媽和我也禁著些，大家別走。Better to keep it locked, and restrain even Mother and myself from using it too, so that no one goes through at all.縱有了事，就賴不著這邊的人了。”寶玉笑道：“原來姐姐也知道我們那邊近日丟了東西？”寶釵笑道：“你只知道玫瑰露和茯苓霜兩件，乃因人而及物。Then even if something happens, no blame can fall on anyone from this side.' Baoyu said with a laugh, 'So you already know that things have gone missing on our side these past few days?' Baochai said with a smile, 'You only know about the two things, the rose dew and the poria powder — and that only because you happened to know the person involved and so learned of the objects too.若非因人，你連這兩件還不知道呢。If it weren't for that connection, you wouldn't even know about these two.殊不知還有幾件比這兩件大的呢。Little do you realize there are several other matters, bigger than these two.若以後叨登不出來，是大家的造化，若叨登出來，不知里頭連累多少人呢。If they never come to light in the future, it will be everyone's good fortune; but if they do come out, there's no telling how many people would be dragged into it.你也是不管事的人，我才告訴你。It's only because you're not someone who meddles in such matters that I'm telling you at all.平兒是個明白人，我前兒也告訴了他，皆因他奶奶不在外頭，所以使他明白了。Ping'er is a sensible person, and I told her the other day too, precisely because her mistress wasn't around to see to things herself, so I let her in on it to keep her aware.若不出來，大家樂得丟開手。If nothing comes out, everyone can happily let the matter drop.若犯出來，他心里已有稿子，自有頭緒，就冤屈不著平人了。But if it does break out, she'll already have a draft account in her mind and a clear thread to follow, so that no innocent person will be wrongly blamed.你只聽我說，以後留神小心就是了，這話也不可對第二個人講。”Just listen to what I say — from now on simply be careful and watchful, that's all, and don't repeat this to anyone else.'

說著，來到沁芳亭邊，只見襲人、香菱、待書、素雲、晴雯、麝月、芳官、蕊官、藕官等十來個人都在那里看魚作耍。So saying, they came to the side of Qinfang Pavilion, where they saw Xiren, Xiangling, Daishu, Suyun, Qingwen, Sheyue, Fangguan, Ruiguan, Ouguan, and some ten others, all there watching the fish for amusement.見他們來了，都說：“芍藥欄里預備下了，快去上席罷。”寶釵等隨攜了他們同到了芍藥欄中紅香圃三間小敞廳內。Seeing them arrive, everyone said, 'Everything's been laid out at the peony trellis — hurry and come take your seats.' Baochai and the others then brought them all along to the three small open halls of Hongxiangpu, within the peony trellis.連尤氏已請過來了，諸人都在那里，只沒平兒。Even You-shi had already been invited over, and everyone was there — only Ping'er was missing.

原來平兒出去，有賴林諸家送了禮來，連三接四，上中下三等家人來拜壽送禮的不少，平兒忙著打發賞錢道謝，一面又色色的回明鳳姐兒，不過留下幾樣，也有不收的，也有收下即刻賞與人的。It turned out that when Ping'er had gone out, gifts had arrived from the Lai and Lin families and others, one after another without pause, with no small number of servants of the upper, middle, and lower ranks coming to offer birthday wishes and gifts; Ping'er was busy handing out reward money and expressing thanks, while at the same time reporting each item in detail to Xifeng — in the end only a few things were kept, some were declined, and some were accepted and immediately given away as rewards to others.忙了一回，又直待鳳姐兒吃過麵，方換了衣裳往園里來。After being busy with this for a while, she waited until Xifeng had finished her noodles before changing her clothes and coming to the garden.

剛進了園，就有幾個丫鬟來找他，一同到了紅香圃中。No sooner had she entered the garden than several maids came looking for her, and together they went to Hongxiangpu.只見筵開玳瑁，褥設芙蓉。There the feast was spread out on tortoiseshell-inlaid tables, and cushions embroidered with lotus blossoms were laid out.眾人都笑：“壽星全了。”上面四座定要讓他四個人坐，四人皆不肯。Everyone laughed, 'Now all the birthday stars are gathered.' They insisted that the four seats of honor be taken by the four of them, but all four declined.薛姨媽說：“我老天拔地，又不合你們的群兒，我倒覺拘的慌，不如我到廳上隨便躺躺去倒好。Aunt Xue said, 'I'm old and ungainly, and I don't really fit in with your crowd — I'd only feel awkward and constrained. Better that I go lie down at ease in the hall.我又吃不下什麼去，又不大吃酒，這里讓他們倒便宜。”尤氏等執意不從。I can't eat much anyway, nor drink much wine, so it would be better to let the young ones have this place to themselves.' You-shi and the others insisted and would not agree.寶釵道：“這也罷了，倒是讓媽在廳上歪著自如些，有愛吃的送些過去，倒自在了。Baochai said, 'Very well then — better to let Mother lie at ease in the hall, and send over whatever she'd like to eat; that would be more comfortable for her.且前頭沒人在那里，又可照看了。”探春等笑道：“既這樣，恭敬不如從命。”因大家送了他到議事廳上，眼看著命丫頭們舖了一個錦褥并靠背引枕之類，又囑咐：“好生給姨媽捶腿，要茶要水別推三扯四的。And besides, there's no one out front just now, so she can keep an eye on things too.' Tanchun and the others said with a smile, 'In that case, deference is not as good as obedience.' So everyone escorted her to the reception hall, and personally saw to it that the maids spread out a brocade cushion together with a backrest and bolsters and the like, and further instructed them, 'Be sure to massage Auntie's legs properly for her, and when she wants tea or water, don't be slow or make excuses.'回來送了東西來，姨媽吃了就賞你們吃。When you come back after delivering the things, whatever Auntie doesn't finish, she'll give to you to eat.只別離了這里出去。”小丫頭們都答應了。Just don't go wandering off from here." The little maids all assented.探春等方回來。Only then did Tanchun and the others come back.終久讓寶琴岫煙二人在上，平兒面西坐，寶玉面東坐。In the end they had Baoqin and Xiuyan sit in the seats of honor, Ping'er sat facing west, and Baoyu sat facing east.探春又接了鴛鴦來，二人并肩對面相陪。Tanchun then fetched Yuanyang, and the two of them sat side by side facing the others to keep them company.西邊一桌，寶釵黛玉湘雲迎春惜春，一面又拉了香菱玉釧兒二人打橫。At the table on the west side sat Baochai, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Yingchun, and Xichun, and they also pulled in Xiangling and Yuchuan'er to sit at the side.三桌上，尤氏李紈又拉了襲人彩雲陪坐。At the third table, You-shi and Li Wan also pulled in Xiren and Caiyun to sit with them.四桌上便是紫鵑，鶯兒，晴雯，小螺，司棋等人圍坐。At the fourth table sat Zijuan, Yinger, Qingwen, Xiaoluo, Siqi, and the others, gathered together.當下探春等還要把盞，寶琴等四人都說：“這一鬧，一日都坐不成了。”方纔罷了。Just then Tanchun and the others wanted to pour toasts again, but Baoqin and the other three all said, "At this rate, with all this fuss, we won't get to sit down all day." Only then did they stop.兩個女先兒要彈詞上壽，眾人都說：“我們沒人要聽那些野話，你廳上去說給姨太太解悶兒去罷。”一面又將各色吃食揀了，命人送與薛姨媽去。The two women storytellers wanted to perform a ballad to offer birthday wishes, but everyone said, "None of us wants to listen to those vulgar tales—go to the hall and tell them to Auntie Xue to help her pass the time." At the same time they picked out various kinds of food and had someone send them to Aunt Xue.寶玉便說：“雅坐無趣，須要行令才好。”眾人有的說行這個令好，那個又說行那個令好。Baoyu then said, "Sitting here quietly is dull—we really ought to play a drinking game." Some of the others said this game was good, others said that game was better.黛玉道：“依我說，拿了筆硯將各色全都寫了，拈成鬮兒，咱們抓出那個來，就是那個。”眾人都道妙。Daiyu said, "In my opinion, let's take brush and inkstone and write down every kind, roll them into lots, and whichever one we draw, that's the one we'll play." Everyone said this was a splendid idea.即拿了一副筆硯花箋。So they at once fetched a set of brush, inkstone, and decorated notepaper.香菱近日學了詩，又天天學寫字，見了筆硯便圖不得，連忙起座說：“我寫”。Xiangling had recently been studying poetry, and was practicing her handwriting every day besides, so the moment she saw the brush and inkstone she couldn't resist—she hurriedly rose from her seat and said, "Let me write."大家想了一回，共得了十來個，念著，香菱一一的寫了，搓成鬮兒，擲在一個瓶中間。Everyone thought for a while and came up with about ten games in all; as they called them out, Xiangling wrote them down one by one, rolled them into lots, and dropped them into a vase.探春便命平兒揀，平兒向內攪了一攪，用箸拈了一個出來，打開看，上寫著”射覆”二字。Tanchun then told Ping'er to pick one out. Ping'er stirred them around inside, picked one out with a pair of chopsticks, and opened it—on it were written the two words "guess-the-hidden-object."寶釵笑道：“把個酒令的祖宗拈出來。‘射覆’從古有的，如今失了傳，這是後人纂的，比一切的令都難。Baochai laughed and said, "You've drawn out the grandfather of all drinking games. 'Guess-the-hidden-object' has existed since ancient times, but the true method has since been lost—what we have now was compiled by later people, and it's harder than any other game.這里頭倒有一半是不會的，不如毀了，另拈一個雅俗共賞的。”探春笑道：“既拈了出來，如何又毀。Among us here, a good half don't even know how to play it—better to tear it up and draw another one that both the refined and the ordinary can enjoy." Tanchun laughed and said, "Now that it's been drawn, how can we just tear it up?如今再拈一個，若是雅俗共賞的，便叫他們行去。Let's draw another one now, and if it turns out to be one that both refined and ordinary people can enjoy, we'll have them play it.咱們行這個。”說著又著襲人拈了一個，卻是”拇戰”。We'll play this one." So saying, she had Xiren draw another lot, and it turned out to be "finger-guessing."史湘雲笑著說：“這個簡斷爽利，合了我的脾氣。Shi Xiangyun said with a laugh, "This one's brisk and simple—it suits my temperament exactly.我不行這個‘射覆’，沒的垂頭喪氣悶人，我只划拳去了。”探春道：“惟有他亂令，寶姐姐快罰他一鐘。”寶釵不容分說，便灌湘雲一杯。I won't play this 'guess-the-hidden-object'—no point sitting here hanging my head, all gloomy and bored. I'll just go play finger-guessing." Tanchun said, "Only she would disrupt the game like this—Sister Bao, quick, fine her a cup." Without letting her argue, Baochai poured a cup straight into Xiangyun.探春道：“我吃一杯，我是令官，也不用宣，只聽我分派。”命取了令骰令盆來，”從琴妹擲起，挨下擲去，對了點的二人射覆。”寶琴一擲，是個三，岫煙寶玉等皆擲的不對，直到香菱方擲了一個三。Tanchun said, "I'll drink a cup too. I'm the game-master, so I need no formal announcement—just listen to how I assign things." She had the dice and dice-tray brought out. "Starting with Sister Qin, we'll throw in turn down the line, and whichever two throw matching numbers will play the guessing game together." Baoqin threw first and got a three; Xiuyan, Baoyu, and the others all threw numbers that didn't match, until finally Xiangling also threw a three.寶琴笑道：“只好室內生春，若說到外頭去，可太沒頭緒了。”探春道：“自然。Baoqin said with a smile, "We can only draw on things inside the room for our clues—if we go outside for them, there'll be no end of confusion." Tanchun said, "Naturally.三次不中者罰一杯。Whoever fails three times in a row is fined a cup.你覆，他射。”寶琴想了一想，說了個“老”字。You give the hidden clue, and she guesses." Baoqin thought for a moment and said the word "old."香菱原生于這令，一時想不到，滿室滿席都不見有與“老”字相連的成語。Xiangling was quite new to this game, and for a moment couldn't think of anything—looking around the whole room and table, she couldn't spot any set phrase linked to the word "old."湘雲先聽了，便也亂看，忽見門斗上貼著“紅香圃”三個字，便知寶琴覆的是“吾不如老圃”的“圃”字。Xiangyun, hearing this, also began glancing around at random, and suddenly noticed the three characters "Red Fragrance Arbor" pasted above the doorway—she immediately realized that the character Baoqin was hinting at was the "garden" in the phrase "I am not as good as an old gardener."見香菱射不著，眾人擊鼓又催，便悄悄的拉香菱，教他說“藥”字。Seeing that Xiangling couldn't guess it, and with everyone beating the drum to hurry her along, Xiangyun quietly tugged at Xiangling and told her to say the word "peony."黛玉偏看見了，說”快罰他，又在那里私相傳遞呢。”哄的眾人都知道了，忙又罰了一杯，恨的湘雲拿筷子敲黛玉的手。Daiyu happened to see this and said, "Quick, fine her—she's over there secretly passing the answer along again." This alerted everyone, and they hastily fined Xiangyun another cup, which so annoyed her that she rapped Daiyu's hand with her chopsticks.于是罰了香菱一杯。So Xiangling too was fined a cup.下則寶釵和探春對了點子。Next, Baochai and Tanchun's throws matched.探春便覆了一個“人”字。Tanchun gave the hidden clue with the character "person."寶釵笑道：“這個‘人’字泛的很。”探春笑道：“添一字，兩覆一射也不泛了。”說著，便又說了一個“窗”字。Baochai laughed and said, "That character 'person' is much too broad." Tanchun laughed and said, "I'll add another character—two clues for one guess, and it won't be too broad anymore." So saying, she added the character "window."寶釵一想，因見席上有雞，便射著他是用“雞窗”“雞人”二典了，因射了一個“塒”字。Baochai thought it over, and since there was chicken on the table, she guessed that Tanchun was drawing on the two allusions "rooster's window" and "cock-crowing attendant," and so she guessed the character "roost."探春知他射著，用了“雞栖于塒”的典，二人一笑，各飲一口門杯。Tanchun, knowing she had guessed correctly, had indeed used the allusion "the chickens roost in the coop"; the two of them laughed, and each drank a mouthful from the forfeit cup.湘雲等不得，早和寶玉“三”“五”亂叫，划起拳來。Xiangyun could not wait any longer, and had already started shouting "three," "five," at random with Baoyu, playing finger-guessing.那邊尤氏和鴛鴦隔著席也“七”“八”亂叫划起來。Over there, You-shi and Yuanyang, across the table from each other, were also shouting "seven," "eight," at random and playing along.平兒、襲人也作了一對划拳，叮叮當當，只聽得腕上的鐲子響。Ping'er and Xiren also paired up to play, the bracelets on their wrists jingling and clinking as they went.一時湘雲贏了寶玉，襲人贏了平兒，尤氏贏了鴛鴦，三個人限酒底酒面，湘雲便說：“酒面要一句古文，一句舊詩，一句骨牌名，一句曲牌名，還要一句時憲書上的話，共總湊成一句話。Presently Xiangyun beat Baoyu, Xiren beat Ping'er, and You-shi beat Yuanyang; the three losers were required to give a "wine-face" and a "wine-base" verse. Xiangyun said, "For the wine-face, you need a line from ancient prose, a line from an old poem, the name of a domino set, the name of a tune, and a line from the almanac—all joined together into one sentence.酒底要關人事的果菜名。”眾人聽了，都笑說：“惟有他的令也比人嘮叨，倒也有意思。”便催寶玉快說。For the wine-base, it must be the name of a fruit or vegetable that relates to some human affair." When the others heard this, they all laughed and said, "Only she could make even a drinking-game rule more long-winded than anyone else's—but it is rather amusing." They then urged Baoyu to hurry up and speak.寶玉笑道：“誰說過這個，也等想一想兒。”黛玉便道：“你多喝一鐘，我替你說。”寶玉真個喝了酒，聽黛玉說道：Baoyu said with a laugh, "Who's ever done this before—let me think for a moment." Daiyu said, "Drink an extra cup, and I'll say it for you." Baoyu really did drink the wine, and listened as Daiyu recited:

刚进了园，就有几个丫鬟来找他，一同到了红香圃中。只见筵开玳瑁，褥设芙蓉。众人都笑：“寿星全了。”上面四座定要让他四个人坐，四人皆不肯。薛姨妈说：“我老天拔地，又不合你们的群儿，我倒觉拘的慌，不如我到厅上随便躺躺去倒好。我又吃不下什么去，又不大吃酒，这里让他们倒便宜。”尤氏等执意不从。宝钗道：“这也罢了，倒是让妈在厅上歪著自如些，有爱吃的送些过去，倒自在了。且前头没人在那里，又可照看了。”探春等笑道：“既这样，恭敬不如从命。”因大家送了他到议事厅上，眼看著命丫头们铺了一个锦褥并靠背引枕之类，又嘱咐：“好生给姨妈捶腿，要茶要水别推三扯四的。回来送了东西来，姨妈吃了就赏你们吃。只别离了这里出去。”小丫头们都答应了。探春等方回来。终久让宝琴岫烟二人在上，平儿面西坐，宝玉面东坐。探春又接了鸳鸯来，二人并肩对面相陪。西边一桌，宝钗黛玉湘云迎春惜春，一面又拉了香菱玉钏儿二人打横。三桌上，尤氏李纨又拉了袭人彩云陪坐。四桌上便是紫鹃，莺儿，晴雯，小螺，司棋等人围坐。当下探春等还要把盏，宝琴等四人都说：“这一闹，一日都坐不成了。”方才罢了。两个女先儿要弹词上寿，众人都说：“我们没人要听那些野话，你厅上去说给姨太太解闷儿去罢。”一面又将各色吃食拣了，命人送与薛姨妈去。宝玉便说：“雅坐无趣，须要行令才好。”众人有的说行这个令好，那个又说行那个令好。黛玉道：“依我说，拿了笔砚将各色全都写了，拈成阄儿，咱们抓出那个来，就是那个。”众人都道妙。即拿了一副笔砚花笺。香菱近日学了诗，又天天学写字，见了笔砚便图不得，连忙起座说：“我写”。大家想了一回，共得了十来个，念著，香菱一一的写了，搓成阄儿，掷在一个瓶中间。探春便命平儿拣，平儿向内搅了一搅，用箸拈了一个出来，打开看，上写著”射覆”二字。宝钗笑道：“把个酒令的祖宗拈出来。‘射覆’从古有的，如今失了传，这是后人纂的，比一切的令都难。这里头倒有一半是不会的，不如毁了，另拈一个雅俗共赏的。”探春笑道：“既拈了出来，如何又毁。如今再拈一个，若是雅俗共赏的，便叫他们行去。咱们行这个。”说著又著袭人拈了一个，却是”拇战”。史湘云笑著说：“这个简断爽利，合了我的脾气。我不行这个‘射覆’，没的垂头丧气闷人，我只划拳去了。”探春道：“惟有他乱令，宝姐姐快罚他一钟。”宝钗不容分说，便灌湘云一杯。探春道：“我吃一杯，我是令官，也不用宣，只听我分派。”命取了令骰令盆来，”从琴妹掷起，挨下掷去，对了点的二人射覆。”宝琴一掷，是个三，岫烟宝玉等皆掷的不对，直到香菱方掷了一个三。宝琴笑道：“只好室内生春，若说到外头去，可太没头绪了。”探春道：“自然。三次不中者罚一杯。你覆，他射。”宝琴想了一想，说了个“老”字。香菱原生于这令，一时想不到，满室满席都不见有与“老”字相连的成语。湘云先听了，便也乱看，忽见门斗上贴著“红香圃”三个字，便知宝琴覆的是“吾不如老圃”的“圃”字。见香菱射不著，众人击鼓又催，便悄悄的拉香菱，教他说“药”字。黛玉偏看见了，说”快罚他，又在那里私相传递呢。”哄的众人都知道了，忙又罚了一杯，恨的湘云拿筷子敲黛玉的手。于是罚了香菱一杯。下则宝钗和探春对了点子。探春便覆了一个“人”字。宝钗笑道：“这个‘人’字泛的很。”探春笑道：“添一字，两覆一射也不泛了。”说著，便又说了一个“窗”字。宝钗一想，因见席上有鸡，便射著他是用“鸡窗”“鸡人”二典了，因射了一个“埘”字。探春知他射著，用了“鸡栖于埘”的典，二人一笑，各饮一口门杯。湘云等不得，早和宝玉“三”“五”乱叫，划起拳来。那边尤氏和鸳鸯隔著席也“七”“八”乱叫划起来。平儿、袭人也作了一对划拳，叮叮当当，只听得腕上的镯子响。一时湘云赢了宝玉，袭人赢了平儿，尤氏赢了鸳鸯，三个人限酒底酒面，湘云便说：“酒面要一句古文，一句旧诗，一句骨牌名，一句曲牌名，还要一句时宪书上的话，共总凑成一句话。酒底要关人事的果菜名。”众人听了，都笑说：“惟有他的令也比人唠叨，倒也有意思。”便催宝玉快说。宝玉笑道：“谁说过这个，也等想一想儿。”黛玉便道：“你多喝一钟，我替你说。”宝玉真个喝了酒，听黛玉说道：

落霞與孤鶩齊飛，風急江天過雁哀，卻是一只折足雁，叫的人九回腸，這是鴻雁來賓。"The evening glow and the lone wild duck fly together; the wind is fierce, and over the river and sky a wild goose passes, crying mournfully—but it is a wild goose with a broken leg, and its cry twists one's very bowels nine times over—this is 'the wild geese arrive as guests.'"

說的大家笑了，說：“這一串子倒有些意思。”黛玉又拈了一個榛穰，說酒底道：This made everyone laugh, and they said, "That whole string does have some wit to it." Daiyu then picked up a hazelnut kernel and gave the wine-base:

榛子非關隔院砧，何來萬戶搗衣聲。"The hazelnut has nothing to do with the fulling-block next door—so whence comes the sound of a thousand households pounding cloth?"

令完，鴛鴦襲人等皆說的是一句俗話，都帶一個“壽”字的，不能多贅。Once the game was finished, Yuanyang, Xiren, and the others all gave common sayings, each containing the character "longevity," which need not be recorded in detail here.

大家輪流亂划了一陣，這上面湘雲又和寶琴對了手，李紈和岫煙對了點子。Everyone took turns playing finger-guessing at random for a while; meanwhile Xiangyun was again matched against Baoqin, and Li Wan's throw matched Xiuyan's.李紈便覆了一個“瓢”字，岫煙便射了一個“綠”字，二人會意，各飲一口。Li Wan gave the hidden clue with the character "gourd-ladle," and Xiuyan guessed the character "green"; the two understood each other's meaning, and each drank a mouthful.湘雲的拳卻輸了，請酒面酒底。Xiangyun lost at finger-guessing, and was asked for a wine-face and wine-base.寶琴笑道：“請君入瓮。”大家笑起來，說：“這個典用的當。”湘雲便說道：Baoqin said with a laugh, "Please, sir, step into the urn." Everyone burst out laughing, saying, "That allusion is well used." Xiangyun then said:

奔騰而砰湃，江間波浪兼天涌，須要鐵鎖纜孤舟，既遇著一江風，不宜出行。"Surging and crashing, the river's waves rise up to meet the sky; one must moor the lone boat with an iron chain—having met with a gale across the whole river, it is not fit to set out on a journey."

說的眾人都笑了，說：“好個謅斷了腸子的。This made everyone laugh, and they said, "What a bowel-twisting bit of nonsense that was!怪道他出這個令，故意惹人笑。”又聽他說酒底。No wonder she proposed this game—she meant to make everyone laugh on purpose." Then they listened as she gave the wine-base.湘雲吃了酒，揀了一塊鴨肉呷口，忽見碗內有半個鴨頭，遂揀了出來吃腦子。Xiangyun drank her wine, picked out a piece of duck meat and took a bite, then suddenly noticed half a duck head in the bowl, so she picked it out and ate the brains.眾人催他”別只顧吃，到底快說了。”湘雲便用箸子舉著說道：The others hurried her on, saying, "Don't just keep eating—hurry up and say it already!" Xiangyun then held it up with her chopsticks and said:

這鴨頭不是那丫頭，頭上那討桂花油。"This duck-head is not that maidservant's head—where would it get osmanthus oil to put on it?"

眾人越發笑起來，引的晴雯、小螺、鶯兒等一干人都走過來說：“雲姑娘會開心兒，拿著我們取笑兒，快罰一杯才罷。This set everyone laughing even harder, and it drew Qingwen, Xiaoluo, Yinger, and the rest of that group over, who said, "Miss Yun certainly knows how to amuse herself, making fun of us like this—she must be fined another cup before we'll let this go.怎見得我們就該擦桂花油的？What makes you say that we're the ones who ought to be putting on osmanthus oil?倒得每人給一瓶子桂花油擦擦。”黛玉笑道：“他倒有心給你們一瓶子油，又怕挂誤著打盜竊的官司。”眾人不理論，寶玉卻明白，忙低了頭。On the contrary, you owe each of us a bottle of osmanthus oil to put on!" Daiyu said with a laugh, "She'd love to give you each a bottle of oil, only she's afraid of getting entangled in a lawsuit for theft." No one else paid this any mind, but Baoyu understood at once, and hastily lowered his head.彩雲有心病，不覺的紅了臉。Caiyun had a guilty conscience about the matter, and without meaning to, she blushed.寶釵忙暗暗的瞅了黛玉一眼。Baochai quickly shot Daiyu a covert glance.黛玉自悔失言，原是趣寶玉的，就忘了趣著彩雲，自悔不及，忙一頓行令划拳岔開了。Daiyu at once regretted her slip of the tongue—she had only meant to tease Baoyu, and had forgotten she'd also be teasing Caiyun; full of regret but unable to take it back, she quickly changed the subject by plunging back into the game of finger-guessing.

底下寶玉可巧和寶釵對了點子。Next, as it happened, Baoyu's throw matched Baochai's.寶釵覆了一個“寶”字，寶玉想了一想，便知是寶釵作戲指自己所佩通靈玉而言，便笑道：“姐姐拿我作雅謔，我卻射著了。Baochai gave the hidden clue with the character "precious." Baoyu thought about it for a moment and realized that Baochai was playfully referring to the Jade of Spiritual Understanding he wore; he said with a laugh, "Sister, you're making an elegant joke at my expense, but I've guessed it anyway.說出來姐姐別惱，就是姐姐的諱‘釵’字就是了。”眾人道：“怎麼解？”寶玉道：“他說‘寶’，底下自然是‘玉’了。Don't be angry, sister, when I say it—it's your own name, the character 'hairpin.'" Everyone asked, "How do you work that out?" Baoyu said, "She said 'precious,' and naturally what follows is 'jade.'我射‘釵’字，舊詩曾有‘敲斷玉釵紅燭冷’，豈不射著了。”湘雲說道：“這用時事卻使不得，兩個人都該罰。”香菱忙道：“不止時事，這也有出處。”湘雲道：“‘寶玉’二字并無出處，不過是春聯上或有之，詩書紀載并無，算不得。”香菱道：“前日我讀岑嘉州五言律，現有一句說‘此鄉多寶玉’，怎麼你倒忘了？As for my guessing the character 'hairpin'—there's an old line of poetry, 'She snapped her jade hairpin as the red candle grew cold'—isn't that a correct guess?" Xiangyun said, "But you can't use current events like this—both of you should be fined." Xiangling hastily said, "It's not just a current reference—there's a literary source for it too." Xiangyun said, "The two characters 'Bao' and 'Yu' have no literary source at all—at most they might turn up on a New Year's couplet, but there's no record of them in poetry or the classics, so it doesn't count." Xiangling said, "The other day I was reading Cen Jiazhou's five-character regulated verse, and there's actually a line that says, 'In this land there is much precious jade'—how could you have forgotten that?後來又讀李義山七言絕句，又有一句‘寶釵無日不生塵’，我還笑說他兩個名字都原來在唐詩上呢。”眾人笑說：“這可問住了，快罰一杯。”湘雲無語，只得飲了。And later I was also reading a seven-character quatrain by Li Yishan, and there's a line, 'Not a day passes that the precious hairpin does not gather dust'—I even laughed at the time and said that both their names actually come from Tang poetry." Everyone laughed and said, "Well, that's stumped you—quick, drink a fine cup." Xiangyun had nothing to say, and had no choice but to drink.大家又該對點的對點，划拳的划拳。Then everyone went back to it, some matching throws for the guessing game, others playing finger-guessing.這些人因賈母王夫人不在家，沒了管束，便任意取樂，呼三喝四，喊七叫八。With Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang both away from home, these young people had no one to restrain them, and so they amused themselves however they pleased, shouting "three" and "four," calling out "seven" and "eight."滿廳中紅飛翠舞，玉動珠搖，真是十分熱鬧。All through the hall, red sleeves fluttered and green ones danced, jade ornaments swayed and pearls trembled—it was truly a lively scene.頑了一回，大家方起席散了一散，倏然不見了湘雲，只當他外頭自便就來，誰知越等越沒了影響，使人各處去找，那里找得著。After they had amused themselves for a while, everyone finally rose from the table to stretch and stroll about a bit, and suddenly Xiangyun was nowhere to be seen. They assumed she had merely stepped outside to relieve herself and would be back shortly, but the longer they waited the less sign there was of her; they sent people to search everywhere, but nowhere could she be found.

接著林之孝家的同著幾個老婆子來，生恐有正事呼喚，二者恐丫鬟們年青，乘王夫人不在家不服探春等約束，恣意痛飲，失了体統，故來請問有事無事。Just then, Mrs. Lin Zhixiao arrived together with several old matrons; worried that there might be some pressing matter requiring the young ladies, and also fearing that the young maids, taking advantage of Lady Wang's absence, might refuse to be restrained by Tanchun and the others and drink themselves into unruly excess, losing all sense of propriety, she had come to ask whether anything was the matter.探春見他們來了，便知其意，忙笑道：“你們又不放心，來查我們來了。The moment Tanchun saw them arrive she understood their purpose at once, and said with a laugh, "There you go again, not trusting us, coming to check up on us.我們沒有多吃酒，不過是大家頑笑，將酒作個引子，媽媽們別耽心。”李紈尤氏都也笑說：“你們歇著去罷，我們也不敢叫他們多吃了。”林之孝家的等人笑說：“我們知道，連老太太叫姑娘吃酒姑娘們還不肯吃，何況太太們不在家，自然頑罷了。We haven't been drinking much—we're only using the wine as a bit of a spark for our fun. There's no need for you nannies to worry." Li Wan and You-shi also said with a laugh, "You go and rest now—we won't let them drink too much either." Mrs. Lin Zhixiao and the others said with a laugh, "We know how it is—even when Old Ancestress herself tells the young ladies to drink, they're reluctant; how much more so with the mistresses away from home—of course you're all just having a bit of fun.我們怕有事，來打聽打聽。We were only afraid something might have come up, so we came to ask around.二則天長了，姑娘們頑一回子還該點補些小食兒。And besides, the days are long now, so after amusing yourselves for a while, you young ladies really ought to have a little something to eat to tide you over.素日又不大吃雜東西，如今吃一兩杯酒，若不多吃些東西，怕受傷。”探春笑道：“媽媽們說的是，我們也正要吃呢。”因回頭命取點心來。You're not in the habit of eating odd bits of food on ordinary days, and now that you've had a cup or two of wine, if you don't eat enough, we're afraid it might do you harm." Tanchun said with a laugh, "You nannies are quite right—we were just about to have something to eat anyway." So saying, she turned and ordered someone to fetch refreshments.兩旁丫鬟們答應了，忙去傳點心。The maids standing on either side assented and hurried off to have refreshments brought.探春又笑讓：“你們歇著去罷，或是姨媽那里說話兒去。Tanchun then invited them again with a smile, "Go and rest now, or else go over to Auntie's place and have a chat.我們即刻打發人送酒你們吃去。”林之孝家的等人笑回：“不敢領了。”又站了一回，方退了出來。We'll send someone over with wine for you to drink right away." Mrs. Lin Zhixiao and the others answered with a smile, "We wouldn't dare accept that." They stood about a while longer before finally withdrawing.平兒摸著臉笑道：“我的臉都熱了，也不好意思見他們。Ping'er touched her cheeks and said with a laugh, "My face has gone quite hot—I'm too embarrassed to face them.依我說竟收了罷，別惹他們再來，倒沒意思了。”探春笑道：“不相干，橫豎咱們不認真喝酒就罷了。”In my opinion, we should just clear things away—let's not provoke them into coming back again, or it'll spoil the fun." Tanchun said with a laugh, "It doesn't matter—so long as we're not drinking in earnest, it's fine either way."

正說著，只見一個小丫頭笑嘻嘻的走來：“姑娘們快瞧雲姑娘去，吃醉了圖涼快，在山子後頭一塊青板石凳上睡著了。”眾人聽說，都笑道：“快別吵嚷。”說著，都走來看時，果見湘雲臥于山石僻處一個石凳子上，業經香夢沉酣，四面芍藥花飛了一身，滿頭臉衣襟上皆是紅香散亂，手中的扇子在地下，也半被落花埋了，一群蜂蝶鬧穰穰的圍著他，又用鮫帕包了一包芍藥花瓣枕著。Just as they were speaking, a little maid came up grinning and said, "Young ladies, come quick and see Miss Yun—she got drunk and went to cool off, and has fallen asleep on a blue stone bench behind the rockery." When the others heard this, they all said with a laugh, "Quick, don't make a fuss." So saying, they all went over to look, and there indeed was Xiangyun, lying on a stone bench in a secluded spot among the rocks, already deep in a sweetly fragrant sleep; peony petals had scattered all over her, and her hair, face, and the front of her dress were strewn with red and fragrance; the fan in her hand had fallen to the ground and was half buried under fallen petals, while a swarm of bees and butterflies buzzed noisily around her, and she had wrapped a bundle of peony petals in a shark-silk handkerchief to use as a pillow.眾人看了，又是愛，又是笑，忙上來推喚挽扶。When the others saw this, they were both charmed and amused, and hurried over to shake her and call her awake, helping her up by the arm.湘雲口內猶作睡語說酒令，唧唧嘟嘟說：Xiangyun was still murmuring drinking-game verses in her sleep, mumbling on and on:

泉香而酒冽，玉碗盛來琥珀光，直飲到梅梢月上，醉扶歸，卻為宜會親友。"The spring water is fragrant and the wine is clear; served in a jade bowl it glows amber; we drank on until the moon rose above the plum branches, and were helped home drunk—yet it was fitting, for it is right to gather with kin and friends."

眾人笑推他，說道：“快醒醒兒吃飯去，這潮凳上還睡出病來呢。”湘雲慢啟秋波，見了眾人，低頭看了一看自己，方知是醉了。The others laughingly shook her, saying, "Wake up quickly and come eat—sleeping on this damp bench, you'll make yourself ill." Xiangyun slowly opened her autumn-clear eyes, and seeing everyone around her, she looked down at herself and only then realized she was drunk.原是來納涼避靜的，不覺的因多罰了兩杯酒，嬌嫋不胜，便睡著了，心中反覺自愧。She had originally only come here to cool off in the quiet, but having been fined a couple of extra cups of wine, her delicate constitution couldn't bear it, and before she knew it she had fallen asleep; now she felt rather ashamed of herself.連忙起身扎掙著同人來至紅香圃中，用過水，又吃了兩盞釅茶。She hurriedly got up and, struggling to steady herself, went along with the others to the Red Fragrance Arbor, where she washed up and then drank two cups of strong tea.探春忙命將醒酒石拿來給他銜在口內，一時又命他喝了一些酸湯，方才覺得好了些。Tanchun quickly had a sober-up stone brought for her to hold in her mouth, and after a while also had her drink some sour soup, and only then did Xiangyun begin to feel a little better.

當下又選了幾樣果菜與鳳姐送去，鳳姐兒也送了幾樣來。Just then they also picked out a few kinds of fruit and vegetable dishes to send over to Xifeng, and Xifeng in turn sent over a few dishes as well.寶釵等吃過點心，大家也有坐的，也有立的，也有在外觀花的，也有扶欄觀魚的，各自取便說笑不一。After Baochai and the others had eaten their refreshments, some sat, some stood, some went outside to look at the flowers, and some leaned on the railing to watch the fish—each finding their own way to pass the time, chatting and laughing as they pleased.探春便和寶琴下棋，寶釵岫煙觀局。Tanchun then played a game of chess with Baoqin, while Baochai and Xiuyan watched.林黛玉和寶玉在一簇花下唧唧噥噥不知說些什麼。Lin Daiyu and Baoyu stood murmuring to each other beneath a cluster of flowers, no one knew what about.只見林之孝家的和一群女人帶了一個媳婦進來。Just then Mrs. Lin Zhixiao came in with a group of women, bringing a young wife with them.那媳婦愁眉苦臉，也不敢進廳，只到了階下，便朝上跪下了，碰頭有聲。The young wife wore a look of anguish on her face, and dared not enter the hall—she only came as far as the foot of the steps, then knelt down facing up, knocking her head against the ground with an audible sound.探春因一塊棋受了敵，算來算去總得了兩個眼，便折了官著，兩眼只瞅著棋枰，一只手卻伸在盒內，只管抓弄棋子作想，林之孝家的站了半天，因回頭要茶時才看見，問：“什麼事？”林之孝家的便指那媳婦說：“這是四姑娘屋里的小丫頭彩兒的娘，現是園內伺候的人。Tanchun, meanwhile, had a group of stones under attack, and no matter how she calculated it, she could only make out two eyes for them, so she gave up a formal move to save it—her eyes were fixed on the chessboard, while one hand reached into the box, fingering the stones over and over as she thought. Mrs. Lin Zhixiao stood there for a good while, and it was only when Tanchun turned to ask for tea that she noticed her, and asked, "What's the matter?" Mrs. Lin Zhixiao pointed at the young wife and said, "This is the mother of Cai'er, the little maid in the Fourth Miss's rooms—she's one of the women who works in the garden.嘴很不好，才是我聽見了問著他，他說的話也不敢回姑娘，竟要攆出去才是。”探春道：“怎麼不回大奶奶？”林之孝家的道：“方才大奶奶都往廳上姨太太處去了，頂頭看見，我已回明白了，叫回姑娘來。”探春道：“怎麼不回二奶奶？”平兒道：“不回去也罷，我回去說一聲就是了。”探春點點頭，道：“既這麼著，就攆出他去，等太太來了，再回定奪。”說畢仍又下棋。She has a very foul mouth—I just now heard her and questioned her about it, and what she said isn't even fit to repeat to you, Miss—she really ought to be turned out." Tanchun said, "Why didn't you report it to the Eldest Mistress?" Mrs. Lin Zhixiao said, "Just now the Eldest Mistress had gone to the hall to see Auntie Xue—I happened to run into her on the way and already reported it to her clearly, and she told me to come and report it to you, Miss." Tanchun said, "Why didn't you report it to the Second Mistress?" Ping'er said, "There's no need to report it to her—I'll go back and mention it to her myself, that will do." Tanchun nodded and said, "In that case, just turn her out, and when the mistresses come back, we'll report it and let them decide." Having said this, she went back to her chess game.這林之孝家的帶了那人去不提。Mrs. Lin Zhixiao then led the woman away, and no more need be said of that.黛玉和寶玉二人站在花下，遙遙知意。Daiyu and Baoyu, standing under the flowers off at a distance, understood what had happened without needing to be told.黛玉便說道：“你家三丫頭倒是個乖人。Daiyu then said, "That Third Sister of yours is really a shrewd one.雖然叫他管些事，倒也一步兒不肯多走。Even though she's been put in charge of some matters, she won't take a single step further than she has to.差不多的人就早作起威福來了。”寶玉道：“你不知道呢。An ordinary person in her place would long since have started throwing her weight around." Baoyu said, "You don't know the half of it.你病著時，他幹了好幾件事。While you were ill, she handled quite a few matters.這園子也分了人管，如今多掐一草也不能了。She's even divided up the garden and assigned people to manage it—now no one can so much as pluck an extra blade of grass.又觸了幾件事，單拿我和鳳姐姐作筏子禁別人。She's also run up against a few incidents, and specifically used me and Sister Feng as an example to warn off everyone else.最是心里有算計的人，豈只乖而已。”黛玉道：“要這樣才好，咱們家里也太花費了。She's someone with real calculation in her mind—it's not just a matter of being shrewd." Daiyu said, "That's exactly how it should be—our family spends far too extravagantly as it is.我雖不管事，心里每常閒了，替你們一算計，出的多進的少，如今若不省儉，必致後手不接。”寶玉笑道：“憑他怎麼後手不接，也短不了咱們兩個人的。”黛玉聽了，轉身就往廳上尋寶釵說笑去了。Although I don't manage any affairs myself, whenever I have a spare moment I often work out the accounts in my head for you all—more goes out than comes in, and if we don't economize now, we're bound to run short later on." Baoyu said with a laugh, "However short things may run, it won't be the two of us who go without." Hearing this, Daiyu turned and went off to the hall to find Baochai to chat and laugh with.寶玉正欲走時，只見襲人走來，手內捧著一個小連環洋漆茶盤，里面可式放著兩鐘新茶，因問：“他往那去了？Just as Baoyu was about to leave, he saw Xiren coming, carrying in her hands a small interlocking-ring foreign-lacquer tea tray, on which two cups of freshly brewed tea sat neatly placed; she asked, "Where's she gone off to?我見你兩個半日沒吃茶，巴巴的倒了兩鐘來，他又走了。”寶玉道：“那不是他，你給他送去。”說著自拿了一鐘。I saw the two of you hadn't had any tea in a good while, so I specially poured two cups, and now she's gone off again." Baoyu said, "There she is—go and take it to her." So saying, he took one cup for himself.襲人便送了那鐘去，偏和寶釵在一處，只得一鐘茶，便說：“那位渴了那位先接了，我再倒去。”寶釵笑道：“我卻不渴，只要一口漱一漱就夠了。”說著先拿起來喝了一口，剩下半杯遞在黛玉手內。Xiren then took the remaining cup over, but as luck would have it Daiyu was together with Baochai at the moment, and there was only the one cup of tea, so Xiren said, "Whichever of you is thirsty, take it first, and I'll go pour another." Baochai said with a laugh, "I'm not thirsty, though—just a mouthful to rinse my mouth will do." So saying, she picked it up first and took a sip, then handed the remaining half-cup to Daiyu.襲人笑道：“我再倒去。”黛玉笑道：“你知道我這病，大夫不許我多吃茶，這半鐘盡夠了，難為你想的到。”說畢，飲乾，將杯放下。Xiren said with a smile, "I'll go pour some more." Daiyu said with a smile, "You know about my condition—the doctor won't let me drink much tea, so this half-cup is quite enough. It's good of you to have thought of it." With that, she drank it all down and set the cup aside.襲人又來接寶玉的。Xiren then came to take Baoyu's cup as well.寶玉因問：“這半日沒見芳官，他在那里呢？”襲人四顧一瞧說：“才在這里幾個人鬪草的，這會子不見了。”寶玉聽說，便忙回至房中，果見芳官面向里睡在床上。Baoyu then asked, "I haven't seen Fangguan in quite a while—where is she?" Xiren looked around and said, "She was just here a moment ago, playing the grass-matching game with a few others, and now she's nowhere to be seen." When Baoyu heard this, he hurried back to his room, and there indeed found Fangguan lying on the bed with her face turned toward the wall, asleep.寶玉推他說道：“快別睡覺，咱們外頭頑去，一回兒好吃飯的。”芳官道：“你們吃酒不理我，教我悶了半日，可不來睡覺罷了。”寶玉拉了他起來，笑道：“咱們晚上家里再吃，回來我叫襲人姐姐帶了你桌上吃飯，何如？”芳官道：“藕官蕊官都不上去，單我在那里也不好。Baoyu shook her and said, "Come now, stop sleeping—let's go play outside, and we'll eat soon." Fangguan said, "You were all off drinking and paid no attention to me, leaving me bored for the longest time—of course I came to sleep." Baoyu pulled her up and said with a laugh, "We'll drink again this evening at home—when I get back I'll have Sister Xiren bring you to eat at our table, how about that?" Fangguan said, "Ouguan and Ruiguan aren't going either—it wouldn't look right for me to be there alone.我也不慣吃那個麵條子，早起也沒好生吃。Besides, I'm not used to eating those noodles, and I didn't eat properly this morning either.才剛餓了，我已告訴了柳嫂子，先給我做一碗湯盛半碗粳米飯送來，我這里吃了就完事。I got hungry just now, so I've already told Sister-in-law Liu to make me a bowl of soup and send over half a bowl of rice—I'll just eat here and be done with it.若是晚上吃酒，不許教人管著我，我要盡力吃夠了才罷。If we're drinking this evening, don't let anyone keep watch over me—I want to drink my fill and not stop until I've had enough.我先在家里，吃二三斤好惠泉酒呢。Back when I was still at home, I used to drink two or three catties of good Huiquan wine at a time.如今學了這勞什子，他們說怕坏嗓子，這幾年也沒聞見。But now that I've taken up this wretched business of opera-singing, they say it might ruin my voice, so these past few years I haven't even had a smell of it."乘今兒我是要開齋了。”寶玉道：“這個容易。”"Since today I'm going to break my fast." Baoyu said, "That's easy."

当下又选了几样果菜与凤姐送去，凤姐儿也送了几样来。宝钗等吃过点心，大家也有坐的，也有立的，也有在外观花的，也有扶栏观鱼的，各自取便说笑不一。探春便和宝琴下棋，宝钗岫烟观局。林黛玉和宝玉在一簇花下唧唧哝哝不知说些什么。只见林之孝家的和一群女人带了一个媳妇进来。那媳妇愁眉苦脸，也不敢进厅，只到了阶下，便朝上跪下了，碰头有声。探春因一块棋受了敌，算来算去总得了两个眼，便折了官著，两眼只瞅著棋枰，一只手却伸在盒内，只管抓弄棋子作想，林之孝家的站了半天，因回头要茶时才看见，问：“什么事？”林之孝家的便指那媳妇说：“这是四姑娘屋里的小丫头彩儿的娘，现是园内伺候的人。嘴很不好，才是我听见了问著他，他说的话也不敢回姑娘，竟要撵出去才是。”探春道：“怎么不回大奶奶？”林之孝家的道：“方才大奶奶都往厅上姨太太处去了，顶头看见，我已回明白了，叫回姑娘来。”探春道：“怎么不回二奶奶？”平儿道：“不回去也罢，我回去说一声就是了。”探春点点头，道：“既这么著，就撵出他去，等太太来了，再回定夺。”说毕仍又下棋。这林之孝家的带了那人去不提。黛玉和宝玉二人站在花下，遥遥知意。黛玉便说道：“你家三丫头倒是个乖人。虽然叫他管些事，倒也一步儿不肯多走。差不多的人就早作起威福来了。”宝玉道：“你不知道呢。你病著时，他干了好几件事。这园子也分了人管，如今多掐一草也不能了。又触了几件事，单拿我和凤姐姐作筏子禁别人。最是心里有算计的人，岂只乖而已。”黛玉道：“要这样才好，咱们家里也太花费了。我虽不管事，心里每常闲了，替你们一算计，出的多进的少，如今若不省俭，必致后手不接。”宝玉笑道：“凭他怎么后手不接，也短不了咱们两个人的。”黛玉听了，转身就往厅上寻宝钗说笑去了。宝玉正欲走时，只见袭人走来，手内捧著一个小连环洋漆茶盘，里面可式放著两钟新茶，因问：“他往那去了？我见你两个半日没吃茶，巴巴的倒了两钟来，他又走了。”宝玉道：“那不是他，你给他送去。”说著自拿了一钟。袭人便送了那钟去，偏和宝钗在一处，只得一钟茶，便说：“那位渴了那位先接了，我再倒去。”宝钗笑道：“我却不渴，只要一口漱一漱就够了。”说著先拿起来喝了一口，剩下半杯递在黛玉手内。袭人笑道：“我再倒去。”黛玉笑道：“你知道我这病，大夫不许我多吃茶，这半钟尽够了，难为你想的到。”说毕，饮干，将杯放下。袭人又来接宝玉的。宝玉因问：“这半日没见芳官，他在那里呢？”袭人四顾一瞧说：“才在这里几个人鬪草的，这会子不见了。”宝玉听说，便忙回至房中，果见芳官面向里睡在床上。宝玉推他说道：“快别睡觉，咱们外头顽去，一回儿好吃饭的。”芳官道：“你们吃酒不理我，教我闷了半日，可不来睡觉罢了。”宝玉拉了他起来，笑道：“咱们晚上家里再吃，回来我叫袭人姐姐带了你桌上吃饭，何如？”芳官道：“藕官蕊官都不上去，单我在那里也不好。我也不惯吃那个面条子，早起也没好生吃。才刚饿了，我已告诉了柳嫂子，先给我做一碗汤盛半碗粳米饭送来，我这里吃了就完事。若是晚上吃酒，不许教人管著我，我要尽力吃够了才罢。我先在家里，吃二三斤好惠泉酒呢。如今学了这劳什子，他们说怕坏嗓子，这几年也没闻见。乘今儿我是要开斋了。”宝玉道：“这个容易。”

說著，只見柳家的果遣了人送了一個盒子來。As she spoke, sure enough, Mrs. Liu had sent someone over with a box.小燕接著揭開，里面是一碗蝦丸雞皮湯，又是一碗酒釀清蒸鴨子，一碟腌的胭脂鵝脯，還有一碟四個奶油松瓤卷酥，并一大碗熱騰騰碧熒熒蒸的綠畦香稻粳米飯。Xiaoyan took it and opened it up — inside was a bowl of shrimp-ball and chicken-skin soup, a bowl of duck steamed with fermented rice, a plate of salted rouge-red goose breast, a plate of four cream pine-nut pastry rolls, and a large bowl of steaming, jade-green fragrant rice from the green paddies.小燕放在案上，走去拿了小菜并碗箸過來，撥了一碗飯。Xiaoyan set them on the table, went to fetch some side dishes along with a bowl and chopsticks, and served up a bowl of rice.芳官便說：“油膩膩的，誰吃這些東西。”只將湯泡飯吃了一碗，揀了兩塊腌鵝就不吃了。Fangguan said, "So greasy — who wants to eat this stuff?" She only ate a bowl of rice soaked in the soup, picked out two pieces of the salted goose, and stopped eating.寶玉聞著，倒覺比往常之味有胜些似的，遂吃了一個卷酥，又命小燕也撥了半碗飯，泡湯一吃，十分香甜可口。Baoyu, smelling it, felt it seemed even better than usual, so he ate one of the pastry rolls, then told Xiaoyan to serve him half a bowl of rice too, which he soaked in the soup and ate — it was thoroughly sweet and delicious.小燕和芳官都笑了。Xiaoyan and Fangguan both laughed.吃畢，小燕便將剩的要交回。When they had finished eating, Xiaoyan was about to send back what was left.寶玉道：“你吃了罷，若不夠再要些來。”小燕道：“不用要，這就夠了。Baoyu said, "You eat it — if it's not enough, we can ask for more." Xiaoyan said, "No need to ask for more, this is enough.方才麝月姐姐拿了兩盤子點心給我們吃了，我再吃了這個，盡不用再吃了。”說著，便站在桌邊一頓吃了，又留下兩個卷酥，說：“這個留著給我媽吃。"Just now Sheyue jiejie brought us two plates of pastries to eat, and now that I've had this too, I really don't need any more." So saying, she stood by the table and ate her fill at once, then set aside two of the pastry rolls, saying, "I'll keep these for my mother to eat.晚上要吃酒，給我兩碗酒吃就是了。”寶玉笑道：“你也愛吃酒？"Tonight when there's wine to drink, just give me two bowls of it." Baoyu laughed and said, "So you like drinking too?等著咱們晚上痛喝一陣。Wait until tonight, when we'll all have a good long drink together.你襲人姐姐和晴雯姐姐量也好，也要喝，只是每日不好意思。Your Xiren jiejie and Qingwen jiejie both hold their liquor well too, and want to drink, but every day they feel too shy to.今兒大家開齋。Today everyone's breaking their fast.還有一件事，想著囑咐你，我竟忘了，此刻才想起來。There's another matter I meant to tell you about, but I clean forgot — I've only just now remembered it.以後芳官全要你照看他，他或有不到的去處，你提他，襲人照顧不過這些人來。”小燕道：“我都知道，都不用操心。"From now on you'll have to look after Fangguan entirely — if there's somewhere she falls short, remind her; Xiren can't manage to look after all these people." Xiaoyan said, "I know all about it, there's no need to worry.但只這五兒怎麼樣？”寶玉道：“你和柳家的說去，明兒直叫他進來罷，等我告訴他們一聲就完了。”芳官聽了，笑道：“這倒是正經。”小燕又叫兩個小丫頭進來，伏侍洗手倒茶，自己收了家伙，交與婆子，也洗了手，便去找柳家的，不在話下。"But what about this Wu'er?" Baoyu said, "You go tell Mrs. Liu — tomorrow just have her come in directly, and I'll say a word to them and it'll be settled." Fangguan, hearing this, laughed and said, "Now that's a proper matter." Xiaoyan then called in two young maids to serve washing water and pour tea, while she herself gathered up the utensils, handed them to an old woman, washed her own hands, and went off to find Mrs. Liu — no need to go into that.寶玉便出來，仍往紅香圃尋眾姐妹，芳官在後拿著巾扇。Baoyu then came out and went on to Hongxiangpu to look for the sisters, with Fangguan following behind carrying his kerchief and fan.剛出了院門，只見襲人晴雯二人攜手回來。Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Xiren and Qingwen coming back hand in hand.寶玉問：“你們做什麼？”襲人道：“擺下飯了，等你吃飯呢。”寶玉便笑著將方才吃的飯一節告訴了他兩個。Baoyu asked, "What are you two up to?" Xiren said, "The meal's been laid out, we're waiting for you to eat." Baoyu, laughing, told the two of them about the meal he had just eaten.襲人笑道：“我說你是貓兒食，聞見了香就好。Xiren laughed and said, "I always say you eat like a cat — the moment something smells good, you're satisfied.隔鍋飯兒香。Rice from someone else's pot always smells better.雖然如此，也該上去陪他們多少應個景兒。”晴雯用手指戳在芳官額上，說道：“你就是個狐媚子，什麼空兒跑了去吃飯，兩個人怎麼就約下了，也不告訴我一聲兒。”襲人笑道：“不過是誤打誤撞的遇見了，說約下了可是沒有的事。”晴雯道：“既這麼著，要我們無用。"Even so, you ought to go up and sit with them a while, just to keep up appearances." Qingwen poked a finger at Fangguan's forehead and said, "You little vixen — sneaking off at some spare moment to go eat, how did the two of you arrange it without telling me a word?" Xiren laughed and said, "It was nothing but a chance encounter — as for arranging it, there was no such thing." Qingwen said, "Well, if that's how it is, then there's no use for the rest of us.明兒我們都走了，讓芳官一個人就夠使了。”襲人笑道：“我們都去了使得，你卻去不得。”晴雯道：“惟有我是第一個要去，又懶又笨，性子又不好，又沒用。”襲人笑道：“倘或那孔雀褂子再燒個窟窿，你去了誰可會補呢。"Tomorrow we might as well all leave, and let Fangguan alone be enough to serve you." Xiren laughed and said, "The rest of us could well leave, but you certainly cannot." Qingwen said, "I'm the very first one who ought to go — lazy, clumsy, bad-tempered, and no use at all." Xiren laughed and said, "If that peacock-feather jacket gets another hole burned in it, who would there be to mend it once you're gone?你倒別和我拿三撇四的，我煩你做個什麼，把你懶的橫針不拈，豎線不動。Don't you go putting on airs with me — whenever I ask you to do some little thing, you're so lazy you won't so much as pick up a needle crosswise or lengthwise.一般也不是我的私活煩你，橫豎都是他的，你就都不肯做。It's not even as if it were my own private work I'm troubling you with — one way or another it's all his, and yet you refuse to do any of it.怎麼我去了幾天，你病的七死八活，一夜連命也不顧給他做了出來，這又是什麼原故？Yet when I was away for a few days, sick as you were, half dead, you stayed up a whole night not even caring for your own life to get it finished for him — now what's the reason for that?你到底說話，別只佯憨，和我笑，也當不了什麼。”大家說著，來至廳上。"Come on, say something — don't just play the fool and laugh at me, that won't get you anywhere." Talking like this, they all arrived at the hall.薛姨媽也來了。Aunt Xue had come too.大家依序坐下吃飯。Everyone sat down in order and ate.寶玉只用茶泡了半碗飯，應景而已。Baoyu merely soaked half a bowl of rice in tea, just to go through the motions.一時吃畢，大家吃茶閒話，又隨便頑笑。After a while, when they had finished eating, everyone drank tea, chatted idly, and joked around at will.

说著，只见柳家的果遣了人送了一个盒子来。小燕接著揭开，里面是一碗虾丸鸡皮汤，又是一碗酒酿清蒸鸭子，一碟腌的胭脂鹅脯，还有一碟四个奶油松瓤卷酥，并一大碗热腾腾碧荧荧蒸的绿畦香稻粳米饭。小燕放在案上，走去拿了小菜并碗箸过来，拨了一碗饭。芳官便说：“油腻腻的，谁吃这些东西。”只将汤泡饭吃了一碗，拣了两块腌鹅就不吃了。宝玉闻著，倒觉比往常之味有胜些似的，遂吃了一个卷酥，又命小燕也拨了半碗饭，泡汤一吃，十分香甜可口。小燕和芳官都笑了。吃毕，小燕便将剩的要交回。宝玉道：“你吃了罢，若不够再要些来。”小燕道：“不用要，这就够了。方才麝月姐姐拿了两盘子点心给我们吃了，我再吃了这个，尽不用再吃了。”说著，便站在桌边一顿吃了，又留下两个卷酥，说：“这个留著给我妈吃。晚上要吃酒，给我两碗酒吃就是了。”宝玉笑道：“你也爱吃酒？等著咱们晚上痛喝一阵。你袭人姐姐和晴雯姐姐量也好，也要喝，只是每日不好意思。今儿大家开斋。还有一件事，想著嘱咐你，我竟忘了，此刻才想起来。以后芳官全要你照看他，他或有不到的去处，你提他，袭人照顾不过这些人来。”小燕道：“我都知道，都不用操心。但只这五儿怎么样？”宝玉道：“你和柳家的说去，明儿直叫他进来罢，等我告诉他们一声就完了。”芳官听了，笑道：“这倒是正经。”小燕又叫两个小丫头进来，伏侍洗手倒茶，自己收了家伙，交与婆子，也洗了手，便去找柳家的，不在话下。宝玉便出来，仍往红香圃寻众姐妹，芳官在后拿著巾扇。刚出了院门，只见袭人晴雯二人携手回来。宝玉问：“你们做什么？”袭人道：“摆下饭了，等你吃饭呢。”宝玉便笑著将方才吃的饭一节告诉了他两个。袭人笑道：“我说你是猫儿食，闻见了香就好。隔锅饭儿香。虽然如此，也该上去陪他们多少应个景儿。”晴雯用手指戳在芳官额上，说道：“你就是个狐媚子，什么空儿跑了去吃饭，两个人怎么就约下了，也不告诉我一声儿。”袭人笑道：“不过是误打误撞的遇见了，说约下了可是没有的事。”晴雯道：“既这么著，要我们无用。明儿我们都走了，让芳官一个人就够使了。”袭人笑道：“我们都去了使得，你却去不得。”晴雯道：“惟有我是第一个要去，又懒又笨，性子又不好，又没用。”袭人笑道：“倘或那孔雀褂子再烧个窟窿，你去了谁可会补呢。你倒别和我拿三撇四的，我烦你做个什么，把你懒的横针不拈，竖线不动。一般也不是我的私活烦你，横竖都是他的，你就都不肯做。怎么我去了几天，你病的七死八活，一夜连命也不顾给他做了出来，这又是什么原故？你到底说话，别只佯憨，和我笑，也当不了什么。”大家说著，来至厅上。薛姨妈也来了。大家依序坐下吃饭。宝玉只用茶泡了半碗饭，应景而已。一时吃毕，大家吃茶闲话，又随便顽笑。

外面小螺和香菱，芳官，蕊官，藕官，荳官等四五個人，都滿園中頑了一回，大家采了些花草來兜著，坐在花草堆中鬪草。Outside, Xiaoluo, Xiangling, Fangguan, Ruiguan, Ouguan, Douguan, and the others — four or five of them — had all been playing about the garden, and had gathered flowers and grasses to hold in their skirts; they sat down among the pile of blossoms and grass to play the grass-matching game.這一個說：“我有觀音柳。”那一個說：“我有羅漢松。”那一個又說：“我有君子竹。”這一個又說：“我有美人蕉。”這個又說：“我有星星翠。”那個又說：“我有月月紅。”這個又說：“我有《牡丹亭》上的牡丹花。”那個又說：“我有《琵琶記》里的枇杷果。”荳官便說：“我有姐妹花。”眾人沒了，香菱便說：“我有夫妻蕙。”荳官說：“從沒聽見有個夫妻蕙。”香菱道：“一箭一花為蘭，一箭數花為蕙。This one said, "I have Guanyin willow." That one said, "I have arhat pine." Another said, "I have gentleman's bamboo." This one said again, "I have canna lily." Another said, "I have starry jade-grass." Another said, "I have monthly rose." This one said, "I have the peony from The Peony Pavilion." That one said, "I have the loquat from The Lute." Douguan then said, "I have sister flowers." When the others had run out, Xiangling said, "I have husband-and-wife hui-grass." Douguan said, "I've never once heard of a husband-and-wife hui-grass." Xiangling said, "A single stalk with one bloom is called an orchid; a single stalk with several blooms is called hui-grass.凡蕙有兩枝，上下結花者為兄弟蕙，有并頭結花者為夫妻蕙。Now, whenever a hui-grass has two stalks, if the blooms are set one above the other, it is called brother hui; if the blooms are set head to head together, it is called husband-and-wife hui.我這枝并頭的，怎麼不是。”荳官沒的說了，便起身笑道：“依你說，若是這兩枝一大一小，就是老子兒子蕙了。"This stalk of mine has its blooms set head to head — how could it not be one?" Douguan had nothing more to say, so she got up laughing and said, "By your reckoning, then, if the two stalks were one big and one small, it would be a father-and-son hui.若兩枝背面開的，就是仇人蕙了。And if the two stalks bloomed back to back, it would be an enemy hui.你漢子去了大半年，你想夫妻了？Your husband's been gone the better part of a year, and now you're pining for husband-and-wife, are you?便扯上蕙也有夫妻，好不害羞！Dragging in husbands and wives even for hui-grass — what a shameless thing to say!香菱聽了，紅了臉，忙要起身擰他，笑罵道：“我把你這個爛了嘴的小蹄子！Hearing this, Xiangling flushed red, and hastily made to get up and pinch her, cursing with a laugh, "You little wretch with the rotten mouth!滿嘴里汗憋的胡說了。Talking such sweaty nonsense out of that mouth of yours.等我起來打不死你這小蹄子！”荳官見他要勾來，怎容他起來，便忙連身將他壓倒。"Just wait till I get up, I'll beat the life out of you, you little wretch!" Seeing her about to lunge over, Douguan wasn't going to let her get up, and quickly threw her whole body on top of her to pin her down.回頭笑著央告蕊官等：“你們來，幫著我擰他這謅嘴。”兩個人滾在草地下。Turning her head, she laughingly begged Ruiguan and the others, "Come here, help me pinch this slanderous mouth of hers." The two of them rolled about on the grass.眾人拍手笑說：“了不得了，那是一洼子水，可惜污了他的新裙子了。”荳官回頭看了一看，果見旁邊有一汪積雨，香菱的半扇裙子都污濕了，自己不好意思，忙奪了手跑了。The others clapped their hands and laughed, saying, "Oh no, that's a puddle of water there — what a shame, her new skirt's going to get soiled!" Douguan turned to look, and sure enough there was a pool of rainwater beside them; half of Xiangling's skirt was already soiled and wet. Feeling embarrassed herself, she quickly pulled her hands free and ran off.眾人笑個不住，怕香菱拿他們出氣，也都哄笑一散。The others could not stop laughing, and fearing Xiangling might vent her anger on them, they all scattered laughing in a bunch.香菱起身低頭一瞧，那裙上猶滴滴點點流下綠水來。Xiangling got up and looked down, and saw green water still dripping down her skirt drop by drop.正恨罵不絕，可巧寶玉見他們鬪草，也尋了些花草來湊戲，忽見眾人跑了，只剩了香菱一個低頭弄裙，因問：“怎麼散了？”香菱便說：“我有一枝夫妻蕙，他們不知道，反說我謅，因此鬧起來，把我的新裙子也髒了。”寶玉笑道：“你有夫妻蕙，我這里倒有一枝并蒂菱。”口內說，手內卻真個拈著一枝并蒂菱花，又拈了那枝夫妻蕙在手內。She was still cursing on angrily without pause, when, as it happened, Baoyu, having seen them playing the grass game, had also gone looking for flowers and grasses to join in the fun. Suddenly seeing everyone had run off, with only Xiangling left bent over fussing with her skirt, he asked, "Why has everyone scattered?" Xiangling said, "I had a stalk of husband-and-wife hui-grass, and they didn't know of such a thing, and instead said I was making it up, so it turned into a scuffle, and my new skirt got dirtied too." Baoyu laughed and said, "You have husband-and-wife hui — I happen to have here a twin-stemmed water-caltrop." Even as he spoke, in his hand he was indeed holding a twin-stemmed caltrop blossom, and he also took the stalk of husband-and-wife hui into his hand.香菱道：“什麼夫妻不夫妻，并蒂不并蒂，你瞧瞧這裙子。”寶玉方低頭一瞧，便噯呀了一聲，說：“怎麼就拖在泥里了？Xiangling said, "Never mind husband-and-wife this or twin-stemmed that — just look at this skirt of mine." Only then did Baoyu look down, and he let out an "Ai-ya!" saying, "How did it get dragged into the mud like this?可惜這石榴紅綾最不經染。”香菱道：“這是前兒琴姑娘帶了來的。What a pity — this pomegranate-red silk stains so easily." Xiangling said, "This is what Qin guniang brought the other day.姑娘做了一條，我做了一條，今兒才上身。”寶玉跌腳歎道：“若你們家，一日遭踏這一百件也不值什麼。"Bao jiejie had one made, and I had one made too, and I only just put it on today for the first time." Baoyu stamped his foot and sighed, saying, "If it were your own household, spoiling a hundred of these in a single day wouldn't amount to anything.只是頭一件既系琴姑娘帶來的，你和寶姐姐每人才一件，他的尚好，你的先髒了，豈不辜負他的心。But for one thing, since it was brought by Qin guniang, and you and Bao jiejie each had only the one — hers is still fine, while yours has been dirtied first — wouldn't that be letting down her kind thought?二則姨媽老人家嘴碎，饒這麼樣，我還聽見常說你們不知過日子，只會遭踏東西，不知惜福呢。And for another, Aunt Xue is a bit sharp-tongued — even as things are, I've often heard her say that you all don't know how to manage a household, that you only know how to waste things and don't know how to cherish your blessings.這叫姨媽看見了，又說一個不清。”香菱聽了這話，卻碰在心坎兒上，反倒喜歡起來了，因笑道：“就是這話了。If Aunt Xue were to see this, she'd go on and on about it again without end." Hearing these words, Xiangling found they struck right at her heart, and instead of minding, she grew pleased, and said with a laugh, "That's exactly it.我雖有幾條新裙子，都不和這一樣的，若有一樣的，赶著換了，也就好了。I do have a few new skirts, but none of them match this one — if I had a matching one, I'd hurry and change into it, and that would settle it.過後再說。”寶玉道：“你快休動，只站著方好，不然連小衣兒膝褲鞋面都要拖髒。I'll deal with it afterward." Baoyu said, "Quick, don't move — just stand still, that's best, or else even your underclothes, leggings, and shoe-tops will get dragged filthy too.我有個主意：襲人上月做了一條和這個一模一樣的，他因有孝，如今也不穿。I have an idea: Xiren had one made last month that's identical to this one, but because she's in mourning she isn't wearing it now.竟送了你換下這個來，如何？”香菱笑著搖頭說：“不好，他們倘或聽見了倒不好。”寶玉道：“這怕什麼。Why don't I just have her give it to you to change into instead of this one?" Xiangling laughed and shook her head, saying, "That won't do — if the others were to hear of it, it wouldn't look good." Baoyu said, "What's there to be afraid of?等他們孝滿了，他愛什麼難道不許你送他別的不成。Once her mourning period is over, whatever she fancies, surely you won't be forbidden from giving her something else in return?你若這樣，還是你素日為人了！If you act like this, that's still just like your usual way of being!況且不是瞞人的事，只管告訴寶姐姐也可，只不過怕姨媽老人家生氣罷了。”香菱想了一想有理，便點頭笑道：“就是這樣罷了，別辜負了你的心。Besides, it's nothing that needs hiding from people — you're welcome to tell Bao jiejie about it too; it's only that we're afraid of upsetting Aunt Xue." Xiangling thought it over and found it reasonable, so she nodded and laughed, saying, "Let it be as you say then — I mustn't let your kind thought go to waste.我等著你，千萬叫他親自送來才好。”寶玉聽了，喜歡非常，答應了忙忙的回來。I'll wait for you here — be sure to have her bring it herself, that would be best." Hearing this, Baoyu was overjoyed, agreed, and hurried back.一壁里低頭心下暗算：“可惜這麼一個人，沒父母，連自己本姓都忘了，被人拐出來，偏又賣與了這個霸王。”因又想起上日平兒也是意外想不到的，今日更是意外之意外的事了。As he went, he walked along with his head down, secretly reckoning to himself, "What a pity — a person like this, with no parents, who has even forgotten her own original surname, carried off and sold by kidnappers, and of all people sold to this tyrant." And this made him think again of Ping'er the other day, which had also been an unexpected turn he never could have foreseen — and today's matter was an even more unexpected thing on top of the unexpected.一壁胡思亂想，來至房中，拉了襲人，細細告訴了他原故。Musing on wildly like this, he reached his room, took hold of Xiren, and told her the whole reason for it in detail.香菱之為人，無人不怜愛的。As for Xiangling's character, there was no one who did not pity and love her.襲人又本是個手中撒漫的，況與香菱素相交好，一聞此信，忙就開箱取了出來折好，隨了寶玉來尋著香菱，他還站在那里等呢。Xiren, moreover, was by nature open-handed, and besides she had always been on good terms with Xiangling; the moment she heard this news, she quickly opened her trunk, took the skirt out, folded it, and followed Baoyu to find Xiangling, who was still standing there waiting.襲人笑道：“我說你太淘氣了，足的淘出個故事來才罷。”香菱紅了臉，笑道：“多謝姐姐了，誰知那起促狹鬼使黑心。”說著，接了裙子，展開一看，果然同自己的一樣。Xiren laughed and said, "I always say you're too mischievous — you won't stop till you've stirred up a whole story out of it." Xiangling reddened and laughed, saying, "Many thanks, jiejie — who would have thought those little imps would play such a mean trick." As she spoke, she took the skirt, unfolded it and looked, and indeed it was just like her own.又命寶玉背過臉去，自己叉手向內解下來，將這條系上。She then had Baoyu turn his face away, and with her hands crossed she untied the soiled skirt herself and put on this new one.襲人道：“把這髒了的交與我拿回去，收拾了再給你送來。Xiren said, "Give me the dirtied one to take back — I'll have it cleaned and send it to you again.你若拿回去，看見了也是要問的。”香菱道：“好姐姐，你拿去不拘給那個妹妹罷。If you take it back yourself, whoever sees it will only ask questions." Xiangling said, "Dear jiejie, just take it and give it to whichever of the sisters you like.我有了這個，不要他了。”襲人道：“你倒大方的好。”香菱忙又萬福道謝，襲人拿了髒裙便走。Now that I have this one, I don't want that one back." Xiren said, "Aren't you generous!" Xiangling hastily made a bow of thanks again, and Xiren took the soiled skirt and left.

外面小螺和香菱，芳官，蕊官，藕官，荳官等四五个人，都满园中顽了一回，大家采了些花草来兜著，坐在花草堆中鬪草。这一个说：“我有观音柳。”那一个说：“我有罗汉松。”那一个又说：“我有君子竹。”这一个又说：“我有美人蕉。”这个又说：“我有星星翠。”那个又说：“我有月月红。”这个又说：“我有《牡丹亭》上的牡丹花。”那个又说：“我有《琵琶记》里的枇杷果。”荳官便说：“我有姐妹花。”众人没了，香菱便说：“我有夫妻蕙。”荳官说：“从没听见有个夫妻蕙。”香菱道：“一箭一花为兰，一箭数花为蕙。凡蕙有两枝，上下结花者为兄弟蕙，有并头结花者为夫妻蕙。我这枝并头的，怎么不是。”荳官没的说了，便起身笑道：“依你说，若是这两枝一大一小，就是老子儿子蕙了。若两枝背面开的，就是仇人蕙了。你汉子去了大半年，你想夫妻了？便扯上蕙也有夫妻，好不害羞！香菱听了，红了脸，忙要起身拧他，笑骂道：“我把你这个烂了嘴的小蹄子！满嘴里汗憋的胡说了。等我起来打不死你这小蹄子！”荳官见他要勾来，怎容他起来，便忙连身将他压倒。回头笑著央告蕊官等：“你们来，帮著我拧他这诌嘴。”两个人滚在草地下。众人拍手笑说：“了不得了，那是一洼子水，可惜污了他的新裙子了。”荳官回头看了一看，果见旁边有一汪积雨，香菱的半扇裙子都污湿了，自己不好意思，忙夺了手跑了。众人笑个不住，怕香菱拿他们出气，也都哄笑一散。香菱起身低头一瞧，那裙上犹滴滴点点流下绿水来。正恨骂不绝，可巧宝玉见他们鬪草，也寻了些花草来凑戏，忽见众人跑了，只剩了香菱一个低头弄裙，因问：“怎么散了？”香菱便说：“我有一枝夫妻蕙，他们不知道，反说我诌，因此闹起来，把我的新裙子也脏了。”宝玉笑道：“你有夫妻蕙，我这里倒有一枝并蒂菱。”口内说，手内却真个拈著一枝并蒂菱花，又拈了那枝夫妻蕙在手内。香菱道：“什么夫妻不夫妻，并蒂不并蒂，你瞧瞧这裙子。”宝玉方低头一瞧，便嗳呀了一声，说：“怎么就拖在泥里了？可惜这石榴红绫最不经染。”香菱道：“这是前儿琴姑娘带了来的。姑娘做了一条，我做了一条，今儿才上身。”宝玉跌脚叹道：“若你们家，一日遭踏这一百件也不值什么。只是头一件既系琴姑娘带来的，你和宝姐姐每人才一件，他的尚好，你的先脏了，岂不辜负他的心。二则姨妈老人家嘴碎，饶这么样，我还听见常说你们不知过日子，只会遭踏东西，不知惜福呢。这叫姨妈看见了，又说一个不清。”香菱听了这话，却碰在心坎儿上，反倒喜欢起来了，因笑道：“就是这话了。我虽有几条新裙子，都不和这一样的，若有一样的，赶著换了，也就好了。过后再说。”宝玉道：“你快休动，只站著方好，不然连小衣儿膝裤鞋面都要拖脏。我有个主意：袭人上月做了一条和这个一模一样的，他因有孝，如今也不穿。竟送了你换下这个来，如何？”香菱笑著摇头说：“不好，他们倘或听见了倒不好。”宝玉道：“这怕什么。等他们孝满了，他爱什么难道不许你送他别的不成。你若这样，还是你素日为人了！况且不是瞒人的事，只管告诉宝姐姐也可，只不过怕姨妈老人家生气罢了。”香菱想了一想有理，便点头笑道：“就是这样罢了，别辜负了你的心。我等著你，千万叫他亲自送来才好。”宝玉听了，喜欢非常，答应了忙忙的回来。一壁里低头心下暗算：“可惜这么一个人，没父母，连自己本姓都忘了，被人拐出来，偏又卖与了这个霸王。”因又想起上日平儿也是意外想不到的，今日更是意外之意外的事了。一壁胡思乱想，来至房中，拉了袭人，细细告诉了他原故。香菱之为人，无人不怜爱的。袭人又本是个手中撒漫的，况与香菱素相交好，一闻此信，忙就开箱取了出来折好，随了宝玉来寻著香菱，他还站在那里等呢。袭人笑道：“我说你太淘气了，足的淘出个故事来才罢。”香菱红了脸，笑道：“多谢姐姐了，谁知那起促狭鬼使黑心。”说著，接了裙子，展开一看，果然同自己的一样。又命宝玉背过脸去，自己叉手向内解下来，将这条系上。袭人道：“把这脏了的交与我拿回去，收拾了再给你送来。你若拿回去，看见了也是要问的。”香菱道：“好姐姐，你拿去不拘给那个妹妹罢。我有了这个，不要他了。”袭人道：“你倒大方的好。”香菱忙又万福道谢，袭人拿了脏裙便走。

香菱見寶玉蹲在地下，將方才的夫妻蕙與并蒂菱用樹枝兒摳了一個坑，先抓些落花來舖墊了，將這菱蕙安放好，又將些落花來掩了，方撮土掩埋平服。Xiangling saw Baoyu crouching on the ground, using a twig to dig a little pit, into which he first scattered some fallen petals as a bed, laid the caltrop blossom and the hui-grass carefully in place, then covered them with more fallen petals, and only then scooped earth over them and pressed it smooth.香菱拉他的手，笑道：“這又叫做什麼？Xiangling pulled at his hand and said with a laugh, "Now what's this supposed to be called?怪道人人說你慣會鬼鬼祟祟使人肉麻的事。No wonder everyone says you're forever up to these secretive little things that give people the creeps.你瞧瞧，你這手弄的泥烏苔滑的，還不快洗去。”寶玉笑著，方起身走了去洗手，香菱也自走開。Just look, your hands are all smeared with mud and moss — hurry and go wash them." Baoyu, laughing, only then got up and went off to wash his hands, and Xiangling too went off on her own.二人已走遠了數步，香菱复轉身回來叫住寶玉。The two of them had already walked several paces apart when Xiangling turned back again and called Baoyu to stop.寶玉不知有何話，扎著兩只泥手，笑嘻嘻的轉來問：“什麼？”香菱只顧笑。Not knowing what she wanted to say, Baoyu, holding up his two muddy hands, turned back grinning and asked, "What is it?" Xiangling only kept on laughing.因那邊他的小丫頭臻兒走來說：“二姑娘等你說話呢。”香菱方向寶玉道：“裙子的事可別向你哥哥說才好。”說畢，即轉身走了。Just then her little maid Zhen'er came over and said, "Er guniang is waiting to speak with you." Only then did Xiangling turn to Baoyu and say, "About the skirt — best not mention it to your brother." With that, she turned and walked off at once.寶玉笑道：“可不我瘋了，往虎口里探頭兒去呢。”說著，也回去洗手去了。Baoyu laughed and said, "As if I were mad enough to go poking my head into a tiger's mouth." So saying, he too went back to wash his hands.要知端詳，且聽下回分解。To know the particulars, listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.

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What it’s about

Baoyu's birthday is shared with Baoqin, Xiuyan and Ping'er, and the garden residents improvise a celebration while senior family members are away. The poetry club drinks, draws lots and plays verbal games whose allusions reveal each speaker's learning and temperament. Xiangyun drinks too freely, disappears from the party and is found asleep on a stone bench beneath peonies, wrapped in fallen petals while bees and butterflies hover around her. Her unguarded sleep turns drunkenness into one of the novel's most famous images of abundant, short-lived spring beauty.

Elsewhere Xiangling and the other girls play on the grass by matching the names of plants. Xiangling falls and stains her new pomegranate-red skirt, a gift from Baochai, and fears both ridicule and Xue Pan's anger. Baoyu privately helps her exchange it for an identical skirt belonging to Xiren, preserving her dignity without announcing the rescue. The episode's small acts of concealment are tender rather than conspiratorial: amid birthday spectacle, Baoyu notices the predicament of a concubine with little freedom, while Xiangyun's flower-covered sleep briefly embodies a garden life untouched by calculation.

When it was written 背景

This chapter is structured by games, doubled birthdays and accidental correspondences rather than a single crisis. The title's affectionate 憨 and 獃 suggest artless or foolish absorption: Xiangyun yields to wine and sleep, while Xiangling becomes engrossed in the plant-name contest. Peonies conventionally signify wealth and feminine beauty, and pomegranate red can evoke both brilliance and marriage or fertility; the novel makes those associations sensuous without turning the women into fixed emblems. Learners can follow the concrete sequence—birthday lots, drinking game, flower bed, grass game, stained skirt—while letting the dense quoted verse remain part of the party's texture.

Words in this chapter 生词

釵chāi釵chāi — hairpin
菱líng菱líng — (bound form) water caltrop (Trapa species)
湘Xiāng湘Xiāng — abbr. for Hunan 湖南 province in south central China · abbr. for Xiangjiang river in Hunan province
姐jiěHSK 1姐jiě — older sister (HSK 1)
薛xuē薛xuē — wormwood like grass (classical)
襲xí襲xí — (bound form) to raid; to attack · (bound form) to continue the pattern; to perpetuate · (literary) classifier for suits of clothing or sets of bedding
岫xiù岫xiù — cave · mountain peak
雯wén雯wén — multicolored clouds
玉yùHSK 4玉yù — jade (HSK 4)
蕙huì蕙huì — Coumarouna odorata
并bìngHSK 3并bìng — and · furthermore · also · together with · (not) at all · simultaneously · to combine · to join · to merge (HSK 3)
黛dài黛dài — umber-black dye for painting the eyebrow

第六十二回 憨湘雲醉眠芍藥裀 獃香菱情解柘榴裙 Tipsy Xiangyun Sleeps Among the Peonies; Simple Xiangling Explains a Pomegranate Skirt

What it’s about

When it was written 背景

Words in this chapter 生词

第六十二回　憨湘雲醉眠芍藥裀　獃香菱情解柘榴裙 Tipsy Xiangyun Sleeps Among the Peonies; Simple Xiangling Explains a Pomegranate Skirt