第六十四回　幽淑女悲題五美吟　浪蕩子情遺九龍 A Gentle Maiden Sadly Writes the 'Five Beauties'; A Reckless Youth Leaves a Nine-Dragon Pendant

話說賈蓉見家中諸事已妥，連忙赶至寺中，回明賈珍。The story goes that Jia Rong, seeing that all matters at home were now in order, hurried to the temple to report to Jia Zhen.于是連夜分派各項執事人役，并預備一切應用幡杠等物。Thereupon, through the night, he assigned the various duties to the attendants and servants, and prepared all the banners, poles, and other things that would be needed.擇于初四日卯時請靈柩進城，一面使人知會諸位親友。They chose the mao hour of the fourth day to bring the coffin into the city, and at the same time sent people to notify all the relatives and friends.是日，喪儀焜耀，賓客如雲，自鐵檻寺至宁府，夾路看的何止數萬人。On that day, the funeral rites were resplendent and the guests as numerous as clouds; from Tiejian Temple all the way to the Ning mansion, the onlookers lining both sides of the road numbered no fewer than tens of thousands.內中有嗟歎的，也有羡慕的，又有一等半瓶醋的讀書人，說是“喪禮與其奢易莫若儉戚”的，一路紛紛議論不一。Among them were some who sighed in admiration, some who were envious, and also a sort of half-baked scholar who said, 'In funeral rites, rather than extravagance it is better to have simplicity and true grief' — all along the way people argued back and forth without agreement.至未申時方到，將靈柩停放在正堂之內。It was not until the hours of wei and shen that they arrived, and the coffin was set down in the main hall.供奠舉哀已畢，親友漸次散回，只剩族中人分理迎賓送客等事。Once the offerings had been made and the mourning observed, the relatives and friends gradually dispersed and went home, leaving only the clansmen to divide up the tasks of welcoming and seeing off guests.近親只有邢大舅相伴未去。Of the close relatives, only Uncle Xing stayed on to keep company, without leaving.賈珍賈蓉此時為禮法所拘，不免在靈旁籍草枕塊，恨苦居喪。Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, bound at this time by ritual propriety, could not avoid lying on straw mats with clods of earth for pillows beside the bier, bitterly enduring the mourning.人散後，仍乘空尋他小姨子們廝混。After the people had dispersed, they still took advantage of free moments to go off and carouse with their sisters-in-law.寶玉亦每日在宁府穿孝，至晚人散，方回園里。Baoyu too wore mourning clothes at the Ning mansion every day, and only returned to the Garden in the evening once everyone had dispersed.鳳姐身体未愈，雖不能時常在此，或遇開壇誦經親友上祭之日，亦扎掙過來，相幫尤氏料理。Xifeng's health had not yet recovered, and though she could not be there constantly, whenever there were days when the altar was set up for chanting sutras or relatives and friends came to offer sacrifices, she would still force herself over to help You-shi manage things.

话说贾蓉见家中诸事已妥，连忙赶至寺中，回明贾珍。于是连夜分派各项执事人役，并预备一切应用幡杠等物。择于初四日卯时请灵柩进城，一面使人知会诸位亲友。是日，丧仪焜耀，宾客如云，自铁槛寺至宁府，夹路看的何止数万人。内中有嗟叹的，也有羡慕的，又有一等半瓶醋的读书人，说是“丧礼与其奢易莫若俭戚”的，一路纷纷议论不一。至未申时方到，将灵柩停放在正堂之内。供奠举哀已毕，亲友渐次散回，只剩族中人分理迎宾送客等事。近亲只有邢大舅相伴未去。贾珍贾蓉此时为礼法所拘，不免在灵旁籍草枕块，恨苦居丧。人散后，仍乘空寻他小姨子们厮混。宝玉亦每日在宁府穿孝，至晚人散，方回园里。凤姐身体未愈，虽不能时常在此，或遇开坛诵经亲友上祭之日，亦扎挣过来，相帮尤氏料理。

一日，供畢早飯，因此時天氣尚長，賈珍等連日勞倦，不免在靈旁假寐。One day, after the morning offering was made, since the days were still long at this season and Jia Zhen and the others had been worn out from days of labor, they could not help dozing off beside the bier.寶玉見無客至，遂欲回家看視黛玉，因先回至怡紅院中。Seeing that no guests had come, Baoyu decided to go home to see Daiyu, and so first returned to Yihong Courtyard.進入門來，只見院中寂靜無人，有幾個老婆子與小丫頭們在回廊下取便乘涼，也有睡臥的，也有坐著打盹的。As he entered the gate, he found the courtyard silent and empty; a few old women and young maids were taking their ease in the cool of the veranda — some lying down asleep, some sitting and dozing.寶玉也不去驚動。Baoyu did not disturb them.只有四兒看見，連忙上前來打帘子。Only Si'er saw him, and hurried forward to lift the curtain.將掀起時，只見芳官自內帶笑跑出，幾乎與寶玉撞個滿怀。Just as she was lifting it, Fangguan came running out from inside laughing, and nearly ran straight into Baoyu's arms.一見寶玉，方含笑站住，說道：“你怎麼來了？Seeing it was Baoyu, she stopped short with a smile and said, 'When did you get here?'你快與我攔住晴雯，他要打我呢。”一語未了，只聽得屋內嘻嘩喇的亂響，不知是何物撒了一地。'Quick, stop Qingwen for me — she wants to hit me!' Before she had even finished speaking, a clattering commotion was heard from inside the room, as if something had been scattered all over the floor.隨後晴雯赶來罵道：“我看你這小蹄子往那里去，輸了不叫打。Right behind her Qingwen came chasing after, scolding, 'Let's see where you think you're running off to, you little wretch — you lost and won't let yourself be hit for it.'寶玉不在家，我看你有誰來救你。”寶玉連忙帶笑攔住，說道：“你妹子小，不知怎麼得罪了你，看我的分上，饒他罷。”晴雯也不想寶玉此時回來，乍一見，不覺好笑，遂笑說道：“芳官竟是個狐狸精變的，竟是會拘神遣將的符咒也沒有這樣快。”又笑道：“就是你真請了神來，我也不怕。”遂奪手仍要捉拿芳官。'Baoyu isn't home — let's see who's going to save you now.' Baoyu hastily stepped in with a smile to stop her, saying, 'Her little sister is young — whatever she's done to offend you, for my sake, let her off.' Qingwen had not expected Baoyu to be back at this moment, and catching sight of him so suddenly, could not help laughing, and said with a smile, 'So Fangguan really is a fox spirit in disguise — even the fastest summoning charm for commanding spirits and dispatching generals couldn't have brought you here this quick.' Then she added with a laugh, 'Even if you had truly summoned a god, I still wouldn't be afraid.' And she wrenched her hand free, still meaning to catch Fangguan.芳官早已藏在寶玉身後。But Fangguan had already hidden herself behind Baoyu.寶玉遂一手拉了晴雯，一手攜了芳官。So Baoyu took Qingwen by one hand and Fangguan by the other,進入屋內。and went into the room.看時，只見西邊炕上麝月、秋紋、碧痕、紫綃等正在那里抓子兒贏瓜子兒呢。Looking around, he saw Sheyue, Qiuwen, Bihen, Zixiao and the others on the kang on the west side, playing a game of grabbing pebbles to win melon seeds.卻是芳官輸與晴雯，芳官不肯叫打，跑了出去。It turned out Fangguan had lost to Qingwen and, unwilling to accept the forfeit of being hit, had run off outside.晴雯因赶芳官，將怀內的子兒撒了一地。Qingwen, in chasing after Fangguan, had scattered the pebbles she was holding all over the floor.寶玉歡喜道：“如此長天，我不在家，正恐你們寂寞，吃了飯睡覺睡出病來，大家尋件事頑笑消遣甚好。”因不見襲人，又問道：“你襲人姐姐呢？”晴雯道：“襲人么。Baoyu said happily, 'On such long days as these, with me away from home, I was just afraid you'd all be bored, eating your meals and sleeping so much you'd sleep yourselves sick — it's good that you've all found something to play at and amuse yourselves with.' Not seeing Xiren, he asked further, 'Where is your Sister Xiren?' Qingwen said, 'Xiren?'越發道學了，獨自個在屋里面壁呢。'She's gotten even more of a moralist — she's sitting alone in the room facing the wall.'這好一會我沒進去，不知他作什麼呢，一些聲氣也聽不見。'I haven't gone in for quite a while now — I don't know what she's doing, not a sound to be heard.'你快瞧瞧去罷，或者此時參悟了，也未可定。”寶玉聽說，一面笑，一面走至里間。'You'd better go have a look — maybe by now she's attained enlightenment, who knows.' Hearing this, Baoyu laughed and walked into the inner room.只見襲人坐在近窗床上，手中拿著一根灰色絛子，正在那里打結子呢。There he found Xiren sitting on the bed by the window, a gray silk cord in her hands, busy tying knots.見寶玉進來，連忙站起來，笑道：“晴雯這東西編派我什麼呢。Seeing Baoyu come in, she quickly stood up and said with a smile, 'What has that Qingwen been making up about me now?'我因要赶著打完了這結子，沒工夫和他們瞎鬧，因哄他們道：‘你們頑去罷，趁著二爺不在家，我要在這里靜坐一坐，養一養神。’他就編派了我這些混話，什麼‘面壁了’‘參禪了’的，等一會我不撕他那嘴。”寶玉笑著挨近襲人坐下，瞧他打結子，問道：“這麼長天，你也該歇息歇息，或和他們頑笑，要不，瞧瞧林妹妹去也好。'I was rushing to finish this knot and had no time to fool around with them, so I put them off, saying, "Go on and play, all of you — with the second master away, I want to sit here quietly a while and rest my spirits." And she went and made up all this nonsense about me, "facing the wall," "meditating on Chan," and such — just wait, I'll tear that mouth of hers.' Baoyu, laughing, sat down close beside Xiren to watch her tie the knot, and asked, 'On such a long day as this, you ought to rest a while too, or go play and laugh with them — or else it would be good to go see Cousin Lin.'怪熱的，打這個那里使？”襲人道：“我見你帶的扇套還是那年東府里蓉大奶奶的事情上作的。'It's so hot — what do you need to make that for?' Xiren said, 'I noticed the fan pouch you're wearing is still the one made the year of the affair over young Mistress Rong's death at the Eastern mansion.'那個青東西除族中或親友家夏天有喪事方帶得著，一年遇著帶一兩遭，平常又不犯做。'That dark-colored thing can only be worn when there's a summer mourning in the clan or among relatives and friends — it comes up only once or twice a year, so ordinarily there's no need to make one.'如今那府里有事，這是要過去天天帶的，所以我赶著另作一個。'But now that there's mourning at that mansion, you'll be going over there and wearing it every day, so I've been rushing to make another one.'等打完了結子，給你換下那舊的來。'Once I finish tying this knot, I'll have you change out the old one.'你雖然不講究這個，若叫老太太回來看見，又該說我們躲懶，連你的穿帶之物都不經心了。”寶玉笑道：“這真難為你想的到。'You may not care about such things yourself, but if the Old Ancestress were to come back and see it, she'd say we've been lazy and careless, not even attending to what you wear.' Baoyu said with a smile, 'It's really good of you to think of it.'只是也不可過于赶，熱著了倒是大事。”說著，芳官早托了一杯涼水內新湃的茶來。'Only don't overwork yourself rushing it — if you make yourself ill from the heat, that would be no small matter.' As he spoke, Fangguan had already brought over a cup of tea freshly chilled in cold water.因寶玉素昔秉賦柔脆，雖暑月不敢用冰，只以新汲井水將茶連壺浸在盆內，不時更換，取其涼意而已。Because Baoyu had always been of a delicate constitution, even in the hot months no one dared give him ice; they simply took freshly drawn well water and set the teapot, tea and all, to soak in a basin, changing the water from time to time, just to get a cooling effect.寶玉就芳官手內吃了半盞，遂向襲人道：“我來時已吩咐了茗煙，若珍大哥那邊有要緊的客來時，叫他即刻送信，若無要緊的事，我就不過去了。”說畢，遂出了房門，又回頭向碧痕等道：“如有事往林姑娘處來找我。”于是一徑往瀟湘館來看黛玉。Baoyu drank half a cup from Fangguan's hand, then said to Xiren, 'When I left, I already told Mingyan that if any important guests arrived on Brother Zhen's side, he should send word to me at once; if there's nothing pressing, I won't go over.' Having said this, he went out the door, and turning back said to Bihen and the others, 'If anything comes up, come find me at Miss Lin's place.' And so he headed straight to Xiaoxiang Lodge to see Daiyu.

一日，供毕早饭，因此时天气尚长，贾珍等连日劳倦，不免在灵旁假寐。宝玉见无客至，遂欲回家看视黛玉，因先回至怡红院中。进入门来，只见院中寂静无人，有几个老婆子与小丫头们在回廊下取便乘凉，也有睡卧的，也有坐著打盹的。宝玉也不去惊动。只有四儿看见，连忙上前来打帘子。将掀起时，只见芳官自内带笑跑出，几乎与宝玉撞个满怀。一见宝玉，方含笑站住，说道：“你怎么来了？你快与我拦住晴雯，他要打我呢。”一语未了，只听得屋内嘻哗喇的乱响，不知是何物撒了一地。随后晴雯赶来骂道：“我看你这小蹄子往那里去，输了不叫打。宝玉不在家，我看你有谁来救你。”宝玉连忙带笑拦住，说道：“你妹子小，不知怎么得罪了你，看我的分上，饶他罢。”晴雯也不想宝玉此时回来，乍一见，不觉好笑，遂笑说道：“芳官竟是个狐狸精变的，竟是会拘神遣将的符咒也没有这样快。”又笑道：“就是你真请了神来，我也不怕。”遂夺手仍要捉拿芳官。芳官早已藏在宝玉身后。宝玉遂一手拉了晴雯，一手携了芳官。进入屋内。看时，只见西边炕上麝月、秋纹、碧痕、紫绡等正在那里抓子儿赢瓜子儿呢。却是芳官输与晴雯，芳官不肯叫打，跑了出去。晴雯因赶芳官，将怀内的子儿撒了一地。宝玉欢喜道：“如此长天，我不在家，正恐你们寂寞，吃了饭睡觉睡出病来，大家寻件事顽笑消遣甚好。”因不见袭人，又问道：“你袭人姐姐呢？”晴雯道：“袭人么。越发道学了，独自个在屋里面壁呢。这好一会我没进去，不知他作什么呢，一些声气也听不见。你快瞧瞧去罢，或者此时参悟了，也未可定。”宝玉听说，一面笑，一面走至里间。只见袭人坐在近窗床上，手中拿著一根灰色绦子，正在那里打结子呢。见宝玉进来，连忙站起来，笑道：“晴雯这东西编派我什么呢。我因要赶著打完了这结子，没工夫和他们瞎闹，因哄他们道：‘你们顽去罢，趁著二爷不在家，我要在这里静坐一坐，养一养神。’他就编派了我这些混话，什么‘面壁了’‘参禅了’的，等一会我不撕他那嘴。”宝玉笑著挨近袭人坐下，瞧他打结子，问道：“这么长天，你也该歇息歇息，或和他们顽笑，要不，瞧瞧林妹妹去也好。怪热的，打这个那里使？”袭人道：“我见你带的扇套还是那年东府里蓉大奶奶的事情上作的。那个青东西除族中或亲友家夏天有丧事方带得著，一年遇著带一两遭，平常又不犯做。如今那府里有事，这是要过去天天带的，所以我赶著另作一个。等打完了结子，给你换下那旧的来。你虽然不讲究这个，若叫老太太回来看见，又该说我们躲懒，连你的穿带之物都不经心了。”宝玉笑道：“这真难为你想的到。只是也不可过于赶，热著了倒是大事。”说著，芳官早托了一杯凉水内新湃的茶来。因宝玉素昔秉赋柔脆，虽暑月不敢用冰，只以新汲井水将茶连壶浸在盆内，不时更换，取其凉意而已。宝玉就芳官手内吃了半盏，遂向袭人道：“我来时已吩咐了茗烟，若珍大哥那边有要紧的客来时，叫他即刻送信，若无要紧的事，我就不过去了。”说毕，遂出了房门，又回头向碧痕等道：“如有事往林姑娘处来找我。”于是一径往潇湘馆来看黛玉。

將過了沁芳橋，只見雪雁領著兩個老婆子，手中都拿著菱藕瓜果之類。Just as he was crossing Qinfang Bridge, he saw Xueyan leading two old women, all of them carrying water chestnuts, lotus roots, melons, and fruit of various kinds.寶玉忙問雪雁道：“你們姑娘從來不吃這些涼東西的，拿這些瓜果何用？Baoyu hurriedly asked Xueyan, 'Your young lady never eats such cold things — what are these melons and fruits for?'不是要請那位姑娘奶奶么？”雪雁笑道：“我告訴你，可不許你對姑娘說去。”寶玉點頭應允。'Isn't it to invite some young lady or mistress over?' Xueyan said with a smile, 'I'll tell you, but you mustn't tell my young lady I told you.' Baoyu nodded in agreement.雪雁便命兩個婆子：“先將瓜果送去交與紫鵑姐姐。Xueyan then instructed the two old women, 'Take the fruit ahead and hand it over to Sister Zijuan.'他要問我，你就說我做什麼呢，就來。”那婆子答應著去了。'If she asks about me, just tell her I'm busy with something and will be along shortly.' The old women agreed and went off.雪雁方說道：“我們姑娘這兩日方覺身上好些了。Only then did Xueyan explain, 'Our young lady has only just begun to feel a little better these past two days.'今日飯後，三姑娘來會著要瞧二奶奶去，姑娘也沒去。'After the meal today, Third Miss came to ask her along to see Second Mistress, but our young lady did not go.'又不知想起了甚么來，自己傷感了一回，題筆寫了好些，不知是詩是詞。'And I don't know what she happened to think of, but she grew sad by herself for a while, and picked up her brush and wrote a good deal — I don't know whether it was poems or song lyrics.'叫我傳瓜果去時，又聽叫紫鵑將屋內擺著的小琴桌上的陳設搬下來，將桌子挪在外間當地，又叫將那龍文鼒放在桌上，等瓜果來時聽用。'When she sent me to fetch the fruit, I also heard her tell Zijuan to clear the things off the small zither table in the room, move the table out to the middle of the outer room, and put that dragon-patterned tripod censer on top of it, to be ready for use when the fruit arrived.'若說是請人呢，不犯先忙著把個爐擺出來。'If she meant to invite someone over, there'd be no need to go to the trouble of setting out a censer first.'若說點香呢，我們姑娘素日屋內除擺新鮮花果木瓜之類，又不大喜熏衣服，就是點香，亦當點在常坐臥之處。'And if it were just to burn incense, our young lady's room normally has nothing but fresh flowers and fruit, papaya and the like, and she doesn't much care for scenting her clothes — even if she wanted to burn incense, she'd burn it where she usually sits and sleeps.'難道是老婆子們把屋子熏臭了要拿香熏熏不成。'Surely it's not that the old women have made the room smell bad and it needs incense to cover it up?'究竟連我也不知何故。”說畢，便連忙的去了。'Really, even I don't know the reason for it.' Having said this, she hurried off.寶玉這里不由的低頭心內細想道：“据雪雁說來，必有原故。Baoyu could not help but lower his head and think it over carefully: 'From what Xueyan says, there must be some reason behind it.'若是同那一位姊妹們閒坐，亦不必如此先設饌具。'If it were just to sit idly with one of her cousins, there'd be no need to set out the dishes and vessels beforehand like this.'或者是姑爹姑媽的忌辰，但我記得每年到此日期老太太都吩咐另外整理肴饌送去與林妹妹私祭，此時已過。'Perhaps it's the death-anniversary of her father or mother, but I remember that every year, when that date comes, the Old Ancestress always orders special dishes prepared and sent to Cousin Lin for a private offering — and that date has already passed.'大約必是七月因為瓜果之節，家家都上秋祭的墳，林妹妹有感于心，所以在私室自己奠祭，取《禮記》：‘春秋荐其時食’之意，也未可定。'It's probably that, this being the seventh month with its festival of melons and fruit, when every household goes to tend the autumn graves, Cousin Lin has been moved in her heart and so is making her own offering privately in her room, taking the meaning from the Book of Rites: "In spring and autumn, offer the food of the season" — that may well be it, though I can't be sure.'但我此刻走去，見他傷感，必极力勸解，又怕他煩惱郁結于心，若不去，又恐他過于傷感，無人勸止。'But if I go there now and find her grieving, I would surely try my hardest to comfort her, yet I'm afraid that would only leave her vexation bottled up inside; and if I don't go, I'm afraid she'll grieve too much with no one there to stop her.'兩件皆足致疾。'Either way could well bring on illness.'莫若先到鳳姐姐處一看，在彼稍坐即回。'Better to first go have a look at Cousin Xifeng's, sit there a while, and then come back.'如若見林妹妹傷感，再設法開解，既不至使其過悲，哀痛稍申，亦不至抑郁致病。”想畢，遂出了園門，一徑到鳳姐處來。'If I do find Cousin Lin grieving, I can find some way to console her then — that way she won't grieve too much, and having let out some of her sorrow, she won't fall ill from suppressed feelings either.' Having thought this through, he left the Garden gate and went straight to Xifeng's place.

将过了沁芳桥，只见雪雁领著两个老婆子，手中都拿著菱藕瓜果之类。宝玉忙问雪雁道：“你们姑娘从来不吃这些凉东西的，拿这些瓜果何用？不是要请那位姑娘奶奶么？”雪雁笑道：“我告诉你，可不许你对姑娘说去。”宝玉点头应允。雪雁便命两个婆子：“先将瓜果送去交与紫鹃姐姐。他要问我，你就说我做什么呢，就来。”那婆子答应著去了。雪雁方说道：“我们姑娘这两日方觉身上好些了。今日饭后，三姑娘来会著要瞧二奶奶去，姑娘也没去。又不知想起了甚么来，自己伤感了一回，题笔写了好些，不知是诗是词。叫我传瓜果去时，又听叫紫鹃将屋内摆著的小琴桌上的陈设搬下来，将桌子挪在外间当地，又叫将那龙文鼒放在桌上，等瓜果来时听用。若说是请人呢，不犯先忙著把个炉摆出来。若说点香呢，我们姑娘素日屋内除摆新鲜花果木瓜之类，又不大喜熏衣服，就是点香，亦当点在常坐卧之处。难道是老婆子们把屋子熏臭了要拿香熏熏不成。究竟连我也不知何故。”说毕，便连忙的去了。宝玉这里不由的低头心内细想道：“据雪雁说来，必有原故。若是同那一位姊妹们闲坐，亦不必如此先设馔具。或者是姑爹姑妈的忌辰，但我记得每年到此日期老太太都吩咐另外整理肴馔送去与林妹妹私祭，此时已过。大约必是七月因为瓜果之节，家家都上秋祭的坟，林妹妹有感于心，所以在私室自己奠祭，取《礼记》：‘春秋荐其时食’之意，也未可定。但我此刻走去，见他伤感，必极力劝解，又怕他烦恼郁结于心，若不去，又恐他过于伤感，无人劝止。两件皆足致疾。莫若先到凤姐姐处一看，在彼稍坐即回。如若见林妹妹伤感，再设法开解，既不至使其过悲，哀痛稍申，亦不至抑郁致病。”想毕，遂出了园门，一径到凤姐处来。

正有許多執事婆子們回事畢，紛紛散出。Just then a number of matron-attendants had finished reporting on their duties and were filing out.鳳姐兒正倚著門和平兒說話呢。Xifeng was leaning against the door talking with Pinger.一見了寶玉，笑道：“你回來了么。As soon as she saw Baoyu, she said with a smile, 'So you're back?'我才吩咐了林之孝家的。'I just gave instructions to Lin Zhixiao's wife.'叫他使人告訴跟你的小廝，若沒什麼事趁便請你回來歇息歇息。'To have someone tell the page boys who follow you that, if there's nothing pressing, they should ask you to come back and rest a while.'再者那里人多，你那里禁得住那些氣味。'Besides, there are so many people over there — how could you stand all those smells.'不想恰好你倒來了。”寶玉笑道：“多謝姐姐記挂。'I didn't expect you'd come just now on your own.' Baoyu said with a smile, 'Thank you, Cousin, for thinking of me.'我也因今日沒事，又見姐姐這兩日沒往那府里去，不知身上可大愈否，所以回來看視看視。”鳳姐道：“左右也不過是這樣，三日好兩日不好的。'I had nothing to do today, and besides, seeing that you hadn't been over to that mansion these past two days, I didn't know whether you'd recovered much, so I came back to see how you were.' Xifeng said, 'It's all the same either way — good for three days, bad for two.'老太太，太太不在家，這些大娘們，噯，那一個是安分的，每日不是打架，就拌嘴，連賭博偷盜的事情，都鬧出來了兩三件了。'With the Old Ancestress and Madam away from home, all these women — ah, not one of them behaves herself; every day it's either fighting or quarreling, and there've even been two or three cases of gambling and theft stirred up.'雖說有三姑娘幫著辦理，他又是個沒出閣的姑娘。'Though Third Miss has been helping to manage things, she's still an unmarried young lady.'也有叫他知道得的，也有往他說不得的事，也只好強扎掙著罷了。'There are things that can be let her know, and things that can't be told to her, so I just have to force myself to struggle through it.'總不得心靜一會兒。'I never get a moment's peace of mind.'別說想病好，求其不添，也就罷了。”寶玉道：“雖如此說，姐姐還要保重身体，少操些心才是。”說畢，又說了些閒話，別了鳳姐，一直往園中走來。'Never mind hoping to get well — I'd be content just not to get worse.' Baoyu said, 'Even so, Cousin, you must still take care of your health and worry less.' Having said this, they chatted a while longer of other things, and then he took his leave of Xifeng and walked straight on into the Garden.

正有许多执事婆子们回事毕，纷纷散出。凤姐儿正倚著门和平儿说话呢。一见了宝玉，笑道：“你回来了么。我才吩咐了林之孝家的。叫他使人告诉跟你的小厮，若没什么事趁便请你回来歇息歇息。再者那里人多，你那里禁得住那些气味。不想恰好你倒来了。”宝玉笑道：“多谢姐姐记挂。我也因今日没事，又见姐姐这两日没往那府里去，不知身上可大愈否，所以回来看视看视。”凤姐道：“左右也不过是这样，三日好两日不好的。老太太，太太不在家，这些大娘们，嗳，那一个是安分的，每日不是打架，就拌嘴，连赌博偷盗的事情，都闹出来了两三件了。虽说有三姑娘帮著办理，他又是个没出阁的姑娘。也有叫他知道得的，也有往他说不得的事，也只好强扎挣著罢了。总不得心静一会儿。别说想病好，求其不添，也就罢了。”宝玉道：“虽如此说，姐姐还要保重身体，少操些心才是。”说毕，又说了些闲话，别了凤姐，一直往园中走来。

進了瀟湘館院門看時，只見爐裊殘煙，奠餘玉醴。Entering the gate of Xiaoxiang Lodge, he saw the censer still trailing the last wisps of smoke, and the remains of the wine offering.紫鵑正看著人往里搬桌子、收陳設呢。Zijuan was overseeing the servants as they carried the table back inside and put away the furnishings.寶玉便知已經祭完了，走入屋內，只見黛玉面向里歪著，病体懨懨，大有不胜之態。Baoyu knew at once that the offering was already finished, and went into the room, where he found Daiyu lying turned toward the wall, looking sickly and languid, as if scarcely able to bear it.紫鵑連忙說道：“寶二爺來了。”黛玉方慢慢的起來，含笑讓坐。Zijuan quickly announced, 'Master Bao is here.' Only then did Daiyu slowly rise, and with a smile invited him to sit.寶玉道：“妹妹這兩天可大好些了？Baoyu said, 'Cousin, are you feeling much better these past two days?'氣色倒覺靜些，只是為何又傷心了？”黛玉道：“可是你沒的說了，好好的我多早晚又傷心了？”寶玉笑道”妹妹臉上現有淚痕，如何還哄我呢。'Your color does seem calmer, but why have you been grieving again?' Daiyu said, 'Now you're really talking nonsense — when have I been grieving, out of nowhere like that?' Baoyu said with a smile, 'Cousin, there are still tear-marks on your face — how can you still try to fool me?'只是我想妹妹素日本來多病，凡事當各自寬解，不可過作無益之悲。'It's only that I think, Cousin, you're prone to illness as it is, and in everything you ought to comfort yourself and not indulge in useless grief.'若作踐坏了身子，使我……”說到這里，覺得以下的話有些難說，連忙咽住。'If you wear down your health and make me...' — reaching this point, he felt the words that followed were hard to say, and hastily swallowed them back.只因他雖說和黛玉一處長大，情投意合，又願同生死，卻只是心中領會，從來未曾當面說出。For although he had grown up together with Daiyu, their feelings in perfect accord, and though he was willing to share life and death with her, this was something he had only ever understood in his heart, and had never once spoken of it to her face.況兼黛玉心多，每每說話造次，得罪了他。Moreover, Daiyu was sensitive and suspicious by nature, and he had often offended her before by speaking rashly.今日原為的是來勸解，不想把話又說造次了，接不下去，心中一急，又怕黛玉惱他。Today he had come precisely to console her, but instead he had again spoken carelessly and could not go on; growing flustered in his heart, he was also afraid Daiyu would be angry with him.又想一想自己的心實在的是為好，因而轉急為悲，早已滾下淚來。And then, thinking again how his own intentions had truly been for her good, his anxiety turned to sorrow, and before he knew it the tears were rolling down.黛玉起先原惱寶玉說話不論輕重，如今見此光景，心有所感，本來素昔愛哭，此時亦不免無言對泣。Daiyu had at first been annoyed that Baoyu spoke without weighing his words, but now, seeing him like this, she was moved in her heart, and being one who was already given to tears by nature, she too could not help weeping silently along with him.

进了潇湘馆院门看时，只见炉袅残烟，奠余玉醴。紫鹃正看著人往里搬桌子、收陈设呢。宝玉便知已经祭完了，走入屋内，只见黛玉面向里歪著，病体恹恹，大有不胜之态。紫鹃连忙说道：“宝二爷来了。”黛玉方慢慢的起来，含笑让坐。宝玉道：“妹妹这两天可大好些了？气色倒觉静些，只是为何又伤心了？”黛玉道：“可是你没的说了，好好的我多早晚又伤心了？”宝玉笑道”妹妹脸上现有泪痕，如何还哄我呢。只是我想妹妹素日本来多病，凡事当各自宽解，不可过作无益之悲。若作践坏了身子，使我……”说到这里，觉得以下的话有些难说，连忙咽住。只因他虽说和黛玉一处长大，情投意合，又愿同生死，却只是心中领会，从来未曾当面说出。况兼黛玉心多，每每说话造次，得罪了他。今日原为的是来劝解，不想把话又说造次了，接不下去，心中一急，又怕黛玉恼他。又想一想自己的心实在的是为好，因而转急为悲，早已滚下泪来。黛玉起先原恼宝玉说话不论轻重，如今见此光景，心有所感，本来素昔爱哭，此时亦不免无言对泣。

卻說紫鵑端了茶來，打諒二人又為何事角口，因說道：“姑娘才身上好些，寶二爺又來慪氣了，到底是怎麼樣？”寶玉一面拭淚笑道：“誰敢慪妹妹了。”一面搭訕著起來閒步。Now Zijuan, bringing in the tea, wondered what the two of them had been quarreling about this time, and said, 'Miss has only just started feeling better, and now Master Bao has come and vexed her again — what is really going on?' Baoyu, wiping his tears, said with a smile, 'Who would dare vex your young lady,' and, covering his awkwardness, got up and wandered about the room.只見硯台底下微露一紙角，不禁伸手拿起。Just then he noticed the corner of a piece of paper peeking out from under the inkstone, and could not help reaching out to pick it up.黛玉忙要起身來奪，已被寶玉揣在怀內，笑央道：“好妹妹，賞我看看罷。”黛玉道：“不管什麼，來了就混翻。”一語未了，只見寶釵走來，笑道：“寶兄弟要看什麼？”寶玉因未見上面是何言詞，又不知黛玉心中如何，未敢造次回答，卻望著黛玉笑。Daiyu hurriedly rose to snatch it back, but Baoyu had already tucked it inside his robe, pleading with a smile, 'Dear Cousin, do let me have a look.' Daiyu said, 'Whatever it is, the moment you come in you go rummaging through things.' Before she had finished speaking, Baochai walked in and said with a smile, 'What does Cousin Bao want to look at?' Since Baoyu had not yet seen what words were written on it, and did not know what was in Daiyu's mind, he dared not answer rashly, and only looked at Daiyu with a smile.黛玉一面讓寶釵坐，一面笑說道：“我曾見古史中有才色的女子，終身遭際令人可欣可羡可悲可歎者甚多。Daiyu, inviting Baochai to sit, said with a smile, 'I have read in the old histories of many women of talent and beauty whose fates through life were such as to make one now rejoice, now envy, now grieve, now sigh.'今日飯後無事，因欲擇出數人，胡亂湊幾首詩以寄感慨，可巧探丫頭來會我瞧鳳姐姐去，我也身上懶懶的沒同他去。'Today, having nothing to do after the meal, I meant to pick out a few of them and dash off some poems to express my feelings; and it happened that Tanchun came to ask me along to see Cousin Xifeng, but I felt too listless and didn't go with her.'才將做了五首，一時困倦起來，撂在那里，不想二爺來了就瞧見了，其實給他看也倒沒有什麼，但只我嫌他是不是的寫給人看去。”寶玉忙道：“我多早晚給人看來呢。'I had just finished five of them when I suddenly grew drowsy and left them lying there — I didn't expect the second master would come in and spot them right away. It's really no matter if I let him see them, only I hate the way he goes around, right or wrong, showing my writing to other people.' Baoyu said hastily, 'When have I ever shown your writing to anyone?'昨日那把扇子，原是我愛那幾首白海棠的詩，所以我自己用小楷寫了，不過為的是拿在手中看著便易。'As for that fan yesterday, it was only because I loved those poems on the white begonia, so I copied them out myself in small regular script, simply so it would be easy to look at, holding it in my hand.'我豈不知閨閣中詩詞字跡是輕易往外傳誦不得的。'How could I not know that the poems and handwriting of the inner chambers are not to be carelessly passed around and recited abroad?'自從你說了，我總沒拿出園子去。”寶釵道：“林妹妹這慮的也是。'Ever since you spoke of it, I have never once taken it outside the Garden.' Baochai said, 'Cousin Lin's concern is quite justified.'你既寫在扇子上，偶然忘記了，拿在書房里去被相公們看見了，豈有不問是誰做的呢。'Once you'd written it on a fan, if you happened to forget and carried it into the study where the young gentlemen might see it, how could they fail to ask who had written it?'倘或傳揚開了，反為不美。'And if it should get spread about, it would only reflect badly.'自古道：‘女子無才便是德’，總以貞靜為主，女工還是第二件。'As the old saying goes, "In a woman, lack of talent is itself a virtue" — chastity and quietude should always come first, and needlework only second.'其餘詩詞，不過是閨中游戲，原可以會可以不會。'As for poetry and song, they are no more than pastimes of the inner chambers, and one may just as well know them as not.'咱們這樣人家的姑娘，倒不要這些才華的名譽。”因又笑向黛玉道：“拿出來給我看看無妨，只不叫寶兄弟拿出去就是了。”黛玉笑道：“既如此說，連你也可以不必看了。”又指著寶玉笑道：“他早已搶了去了。”寶玉聽了，方自怀內取出，湊至寶釵身旁，一同細看。'Young ladies of families such as ours have no need at all for a reputation for such talent.' Then, turning to Daiyu with a smile, she said, 'There's no harm in bringing it out for me to see, so long as we don't let Cousin Bao carry it off.' Daiyu said with a smile, 'If that's how you put it, then you needn't even look at it either' — and pointing at Baoyu, added with a laugh, 'He's already snatched it away.' Hearing this, Baoyu at last drew it out from inside his robe, and moved close beside Baochai so the two of them could look it over together.只見寫道：There they saw it read:

却说紫鹃端了茶来，打谅二人又为何事角口，因说道：“姑娘才身上好些，宝二爷又来怄气了，到底是怎么样？”宝玉一面拭泪笑道：“谁敢怄妹妹了。”一面搭讪著起来闲步。只见砚台底下微露一纸角，不禁伸手拿起。黛玉忙要起身来夺，已被宝玉揣在怀内，笑央道：“好妹妹，赏我看看罢。”黛玉道：“不管什么，来了就混翻。”一语未了，只见宝钗走来，笑道：“宝兄弟要看什么？”宝玉因未见上面是何言词，又不知黛玉心中如何，未敢造次回答，却望著黛玉笑。黛玉一面让宝钗坐，一面笑说道：“我曾见古史中有才色的女子，终身遭际令人可欣可羡可悲可叹者甚多。今日饭后无事，因欲择出数人，胡乱凑几首诗以寄感慨，可巧探丫头来会我瞧凤姐姐去，我也身上懒懒的没同他去。才将做了五首，一时困倦起来，撂在那里，不想二爷来了就瞧见了，其实给他看也倒没有什么，但只我嫌他是不是的写给人看去。”宝玉忙道：“我多早晚给人看来呢。昨日那把扇子，原是我爱那几首白海棠的诗，所以我自己用小楷写了，不过为的是拿在手中看著便易。我岂不知闺阁中诗词字迹是轻易往外传诵不得的。自从你说了，我总没拿出园子去。”宝钗道：“林妹妹这虑的也是。你既写在扇子上，偶然忘记了，拿在书房里去被相公们看见了，岂有不问是谁做的呢。倘或传扬开了，反为不美。自古道：‘女子无才便是德’，总以贞静为主，女工还是第二件。其余诗词，不过是闺中游戏，原可以会可以不会。咱们这样人家的姑娘，倒不要这些才华的名誉。”因又笑向黛玉道：“拿出来给我看看无妨，只不叫宝兄弟拿出去就是了。”黛玉笑道：“既如此说，连你也可以不必看了。”又指著宝玉笑道：“他早已抢了去了。”宝玉听了，方自怀内取出，凑至宝钗身旁，一同细看。只见写道：

西施Xi Shi

一代傾城逐浪花，吳宮空自憶兒家。A beauty who once toppled a kingdom now follows the waves and foam; in vain the palace of Wu still remembers her homeland.

一代倾城逐浪花，吴宫空自忆儿家。

效顰莫笑東村女，頭白溪邊尚浣紗。Do not mock the girl of the eastern village who imitated her frown — white-haired, she still washes silk beside the stream.

效颦莫笑东村女，头白溪边尚浣纱。

虞姬Yu Ji

腸斷烏騅夜嘯風，虞兮幽恨對重瞳。Her heart broke as Wuzhui neighed to the night wind; Yu, ah Yu, faced the double-pupiled eyes with hidden hatred.

肠断乌骓夜啸风，虞兮幽恨对重瞳。

黥彭甘受他年醢，飲劍何如楚帳中。Qing Bu and Peng Yue in later years willingly met the fate of being minced to pulp — how much better to drink the sword within the tent of Chu.

黥彭甘受他年醢，饮剑何如楚帐中。

明妃Mingfei

絕艷驚人出漢宮，紅顏命薄古今同。Of matchless beauty that startled all, she left the palace of Han; a fair face and a thin fate — the same now as of old.

绝艳惊人出汉宫，红颜命薄古今同。

君王縱使輕顏色，予奪權何畀畫工？Even if the sovereign made light of her beauty, why should the power to give or take away be entrusted to a mere court painter?

君王纵使轻颜色，予夺权何畀画工？

綠珠Lü Zhu

绿珠

瓦礫明珠一例拋，何曾石尉重嬌嬈。Broken tile and bright pearl cast away alike — did Commandant Shi ever truly prize her loveliness?

瓦砾明珠一例抛，何曾石尉重娇娆。

都緣頑福前生造，更有同歸慰寂寥。It was all because of the shallow fortune wrought in a former life, yet there was at least a companion in death to console her loneliness.

都缘顽福前生造，更有同归慰寂寥。

紅拂Hong Fu

红拂

長揖雄談態自殊，美人巨眼識窮途。With a sweeping bow and bold, forthright talk, his manner stood apart; the beauty with discerning eyes recognized a man at the end of his road.

长揖雄谈态自殊，美人巨眼识穷途。

尸居餘氣楊公幕，豈得羈縻女丈夫。A corpse-like man with breath still lingering in Lord Yang's tent — how could he ever hope to hold fast a woman of such heroic spirit?

尸居余气杨公幕，岂得羁縻女丈夫。

寶玉看了，贊不絕口，又說道：“妹妹這詩恰好只做了五首，何不就命曰《五美吟》。”于是不容分說，便提筆寫在後面。Baoyu read them and could not stop praising them, and then said, "Sister, you happen to have written exactly five poems—why not simply call them 'The Five Fair Ladies'?" Whereupon, without waiting for her to object, he took up his brush and wrote the title at the end.寶釵亦說道：“做詩不論何題，只要善翻古人之意。Baochai too said, "In writing poetry, whatever the subject may be, what matters is being skillful at turning the meaning of the ancients on its head.若要隨人腳蹤走去，縱使字句精工，已落第二義，究竟算不得好詩。If one merely follows in others' footsteps, then even if the diction is polished, it has already fallen to second-rate, and in the end cannot be counted as good poetry.即如前人所詠昭君之詩甚多，有悲挽昭君的，有怨恨延壽的，又有譏漢帝不能使畫工圖貌賢臣而畫美人的，紛紛不一。Take for instance the many poems earlier poets have written lamenting Zhaojun—some mourn and grieve for Zhaojun, some direct their resentment at Yan Shou, and others mock Emperor Han for failing to have his court painter portray his worthy ministers and instead painting a beauty—opinions scattered in every direction.後來王荊公复有‘意態由來畫不成，當時枉殺毛延壽’，永叔有‘耳目所見尚如此，萬里安能制夷狄’。Later Wang Jinggong wrote the lines, 'Her bearing and manner could never be captured in paint; the painter Mao Yanshou was killed in vain,' and Yongshu wrote, 'If what was seen close at hand could still be so misjudged, how could one govern the barbarians ten thousand li away?'二詩俱能各出己見，不與人同。Both poems manage to express a view entirely their own, not repeating what others have said.今日林妹妹這五首詩，亦可謂命意新奇，別開生面了。”Today Sister Lin's five poems can likewise be said to have novel and original conceptions, opening up an entirely new perspective."

宝玉看了，赞不绝口，又说道：“妹妹这诗恰好只做了五首，何不就命曰《五美吟》。”于是不容分说，便提笔写在后面。宝钗亦说道：“做诗不论何题，只要善翻古人之意。若要随人脚踪走去，纵使字句精工，已落第二义，究竟算不得好诗。即如前人所咏昭君之诗甚多，有悲挽昭君的，有怨恨延寿的，又有讥汉帝不能使画工图貌贤臣而画美人的，纷纷不一。后来王荆公复有‘意态由来画不成，当时枉杀毛延寿’，永叔有‘耳目所见尚如此，万里安能制夷狄’。二诗俱能各出己见，不与人同。今日林妹妹这五首诗，亦可谓命意新奇，别开生面了。”

仍欲往下說時，只見有人回道：“璉二爺回來了。Just as she was about to go on speaking, someone came in to report, "Master Lian the Second has come home.适才外間傳說，往東府里去了好一會了，想必就回來的。”寶玉聽了，連忙起身，迎至大門以內等待。Word just came from outside that he had gone over to the Eastern Mansion for quite a while; he's sure to be back soon." On hearing this, Baoyu at once rose and hurried to wait just inside the main gate.恰好賈璉自外下馬進來。Sure enough, Jia Lian had just dismounted outside and was coming in.于是寶玉先迎著賈璉跪下，口中給賈母王夫人等請了安。So Baoyu went forward to greet him and knelt down, and on Jia Lian's behalf paid respects to Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others.又給賈璉請了安。He also paid his respects to Jia Lian himself.二人攜手走了進來。The two of them then walked in hand in hand.只見李紈，鳳姐，寶釵，黛玉，迎，探，惜等早在中堂等候，一一相見已畢。There they found Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai, Daiyu, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, and the others already waiting in the central hall, and everyone greeted one another in turn.因聽賈璉說道：“老太太明日一早到家，一路身体甚好。They then heard Jia Lian say, "Grandmother will arrive home early tomorrow morning; she has been in very good health the whole way.今日先打發了我來回家看視，明日五更，仍要出城迎接。”說畢，眾人又問了些路途的景況。Today she sent me ahead to come home and see how things are; tomorrow at the fifth watch I must go out of the city again to meet her." When he had finished speaking, everyone went on to ask about conditions along the road.因賈璉是遠歸，遂大家別過，讓賈璉回房歇息。Since Jia Lian had just returned from a long journey, everyone then took their leave and let him go back to his room to rest.一宿晚景，不必細述。The events of that night's passing need not be told in detail.至次日飯時前後，果見賈母王夫人等到來。By around mealtime the next day, sure enough, Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others were seen arriving.眾人接見已畢，略坐了一坐，吃了一杯茶，便領了王夫人等人過宁府中來。After everyone had gone out to receive them, they sat for a little while and drank a cup of tea, and then led Lady Wang and the others over to the Ning mansion.只聽見里面哭聲震天，卻是賈赦賈璉送賈母到家即過這邊來了。As soon as they arrived they heard wailing that shook the heavens from within—it was because Jia She and Jia Lian, having escorted Grandmother Jia home, had then come straight over to this side.當下賈母進入里面，早有賈赦賈璉率領族中人哭著迎了出來。Grandmother Jia then went inside, where Jia She and Jia Lian, leading the clan members, were already weeping as they came out to greet her.他父子一邊一個挽了賈母，走至靈前，又有賈珍賈蓉跪著扑入賈母怀中痛哭。Father and son, one on each side, supported Grandmother Jia by the arm and walked to before the spirit tablet, where Jia Zhen and Jia Rong knelt and flung themselves into Grandmother Jia's arms, weeping bitterly.賈母暮年人，見此光景，亦摟了珍蓉等痛哭不已。Grandmother Jia, being elderly, was overcome at this sight and likewise embraced Zhen and Rong and wept without ceasing.賈赦賈璉在旁苦勸，方略略止住。Jia She and Jia Lian stood by, urging her earnestly to stop, and only then did she gradually calm down a little.又轉至靈右，見了尤氏婆媳，不免又相持大痛一場。She then moved on to the right side of the bier, where she saw Madam You and her daughter-in-law, and again could not help but hold onto them and weep bitterly for a good while.哭畢，眾人方上前一一請安問好。Once the weeping was over, everyone came forward one by one to pay their respects and ask after her health.賈珍因賈母才回家來，未得歇息，坐在此間，看著未免要傷心，遂再三求賈母回家，王夫人等亦再三相勸。Since Grandmother Jia had only just come home and had not yet had a chance to rest, Jia Zhen, seeing her sit there and worrying she would only grieve herself further, begged her again and again to go home and rest, and Lady Wang and the others likewise urged her repeatedly.賈母不得已，方回來了。Grandmother Jia, having no choice, then went back home.果然年邁的人禁不住風霜傷感，至夜間便覺頭悶目酸，鼻塞聲重。Sure enough, being of advanced age, she could not withstand the shock of grief and the chill of the wind and frost, and by nightfall she began to feel her head heavy and her eyes sore, her nose stuffed and her voice thick.連忙請了醫生來診脈下藥，足足的忙亂了半夜一日。They hastily sent for a doctor to take her pulse and prescribe medicine, and were kept busy fussing over her for a full half night and a day.幸而發散的快，未曾傳經，至三更天，些須發了點汗，脈靜身涼，大家方放了心。Fortunately the fever dispersed quickly and did not spread through her system; by the third watch she had broken into a slight sweat, her pulse settled and her body cooled, and only then did everyone feel at ease.至次日仍服藥調理。The next day she still took medicine to recuperate.

仍欲往下说时，只见有人回道：“琏二爷回来了。适才外间传说，往东府里去了好一会了，想必就回来的。”宝玉听了，连忙起身，迎至大门以内等待。恰好贾琏自外下马进来。于是宝玉先迎著贾琏跪下，口中给贾母王夫人等请了安。又给贾琏请了安。二人携手走了进来。只见李纨，凤姐，宝钗，黛玉，迎，探，惜等早在中堂等候，一一相见已毕。因听贾琏说道：“老太太明日一早到家，一路身体甚好。今日先打发了我来回家看视，明日五更，仍要出城迎接。”说毕，众人又问了些路途的景况。因贾琏是远归，遂大家别过，让贾琏回房歇息。一宿晚景，不必细述。至次日饭时前后，果见贾母王夫人等到来。众人接见已毕，略坐了一坐，吃了一杯茶，便领了王夫人等人过宁府中来。只听见里面哭声震天，却是贾赦贾琏送贾母到家即过这边来了。当下贾母进入里面，早有贾赦贾琏率领族中人哭著迎了出来。他父子一边一个挽了贾母，走至灵前，又有贾珍贾蓉跪著扑入贾母怀中痛哭。贾母暮年人，见此光景，亦搂了珍蓉等痛哭不已。贾赦贾琏在旁苦劝，方略略止住。又转至灵右，见了尤氏婆媳，不免又相持大痛一场。哭毕，众人方上前一一请安问好。贾珍因贾母才回家来，未得歇息，坐在此间，看著未免要伤心，遂再三求贾母回家，王夫人等亦再三相劝。贾母不得已，方回来了。果然年迈的人禁不住风霜伤感，至夜间便觉头闷目酸，鼻塞声重。连忙请了医生来诊脉下药，足足的忙乱了半夜一日。幸而发散的快，未曾传经，至三更天，些须发了点汗，脉静身凉，大家方放了心。至次日仍服药调理。

又過了數日，乃賈敬送殯之期，賈母猶未大愈，遂留寶玉在家侍奉。Several more days passed, and it came time for Jia Jing's funeral procession to be sent off; Grandmother Jia had still not fully recovered, so she kept Baoyu at home to attend to her.鳳姐因未曾甚好，亦未去。Xifeng, not being entirely well either, also did not go.其餘賈赦，賈璉，邢夫人，王夫人等率領家人僕婦，都送至鐵檻寺，至晚方回。The rest—Jia She, Jia Lian, Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and the others—led the household servants and attendants and all went to escort the coffin to Iron Threshold Temple, not returning until evening.賈珍尤氏并賈蓉仍在寺中守靈，等過百日後，方扶柩回籍。Jia Zhen, Madam You, and Jia Rong remained at the temple keeping watch over the coffin, and only after the hundred days had passed would they escort the coffin back to their native place.家中仍託尤老娘并二姐三姐照管。At home, matters were still entrusted to Old Mrs. You along with Second Sister and Third Sister to look after.

又过了数日，乃贾敬送殡之期，贾母犹未大愈，遂留宝玉在家侍奉。凤姐因未曾甚好，亦未去。其余贾赦，贾琏，邢夫人，王夫人等率领家人仆妇，都送至铁槛寺，至晚方回。贾珍尤氏并贾蓉仍在寺中守灵，等过百日后，方扶柩回籍。家中仍托尤老娘并二姐三姐照管。

卻說賈璉素日既聞尤氏姐妹之名，恨無緣得見。Now, Jia Lian had long heard of the reputation of the You sisters and had regretted having no occasion to meet them.近因賈敬停靈在家，每日與二姐三姐相認已熟，不禁動了垂涎之意。Recently, with Jia Jing's coffin laid out at home, he had grown familiar with Second Sister and Third Sister day after day, and could not help but be stirred by covetous thoughts.況知與賈珍賈蓉等素有聚麀之誚，因而乘机百般撩撥，眉目傳情。Moreover, knowing that there was already gossip about improper goings-on between them and Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, he took every opportunity to provoke and tease them in every way, exchanging meaningful glances.那三姐卻只是淡淡相對，只有二姐也十分有意。Third Sister, however, only met him with cool indifference, whereas Second Sister too showed a good deal of interest in return.但只是眼目眾多，無從下手。But there were too many eyes about, and he had no way to make a move.賈璉又怕賈珍吃醋，不敢輕動，只好二人心領神會而已。Jia Lian was also afraid Jia Zhen would grow jealous, and dared not act rashly—the two of them could only exchange understanding through unspoken looks.此時出殯以後，賈珍家下人少，除尤老娘帶領二姐三姐并幾個粗使的丫鬟老婆子在正室居住外，其餘婢妾，都隨在寺中。By this time, after the funeral procession had gone, Jia Zhen's household had few people left; aside from Old Mrs. You, who, leading Second Sister and Third Sister and a few maids and old women for rough work, lived in the main rooms, all the other maids and concubines had gone along to stay at the temple.外面僕婦，不過晚間巡更，日間看守門戶。The women servants outside did no more than patrol at night and watch the gates in the daytime.白日無事，亦不進里面去。During the day, with nothing to do, they did not even go into the inner quarters.所以賈璉便欲趁此下手。So Jia Lian thought to take this opportunity to make his move.遂托相伴賈珍為名，亦在寺中住宿，又時常借著替賈珍料理家務，不時至宁府中來勾搭二姐。He therefore, under the pretext of keeping Jia Zhen company, also took up lodging at the temple, and at the same time, often using the excuse of managing household affairs for Jia Zhen, went repeatedly to the Ning mansion to seduce Second Sister.

却说贾琏素日既闻尤氏姐妹之名，恨无缘得见。近因贾敬停灵在家，每日与二姐三姐相认已熟，不禁动了垂涎之意。况知与贾珍贾蓉等素有聚麀之诮，因而乘机百般撩拨，眉目传情。那三姐却只是淡淡相对，只有二姐也十分有意。但只是眼目众多，无从下手。贾琏又怕贾珍吃醋，不敢轻动，只好二人心领神会而已。此时出殡以后，贾珍家下人少，除尤老娘带领二姐三姐并几个粗使的丫鬟老婆子在正室居住外，其余婢妾，都随在寺中。外面仆妇，不过晚间巡更，日间看守门户。白日无事，亦不进里面去。所以贾琏便欲趁此下手。遂托相伴贾珍为名，亦在寺中住宿，又时常借著替贾珍料理家务，不时至宁府中来勾搭二姐。

一日，有小管家俞祿來回賈珍道：“前者所用棚杠孝布并請杠人青衣，共使銀一千一百十兩，除給銀五百兩外，仍欠六百零十兩。One day, the young steward Yu Lu came to report to Jia Zhen, saying, "For the mourning sheds, staffs, and mourning cloth used earlier, together with the hire of the blue-clad pallbearers, a total of one thousand one hundred and ten taels of silver was spent; of this, five hundred taels have been paid, leaving six hundred and ten taels still owed.昨日兩處買賣人俱來催討，小的特來討爺的示下。”賈珍道：“你且向庫上領去就是了，這又何必來問我。”俞祿道：“昨日已曾上庫上去領，但只是老爺賓天以後，各處支領甚多，所剩還要預備百日道場及廟中用度，此時竟不能發給。Yesterday the merchants from both places came to press for payment, and I have come especially to ask for your instructions, sir." Jia Zhen said, "Just go to the treasury and draw it out—why bother coming to ask me?" Yu Lu said, "Yesterday I already went to the treasury to draw it, but ever since the master passed away to Heaven, there has been so much drawn out for various expenses everywhere, and what remains must still be kept in reserve for the hundred-day rites and temple expenses, so just now they simply cannot issue it.所以小的今日特來回爺，或者爺內庫里暫且發給，或者挪借何項，吩咐了小的好辦。”賈珍笑道：“你還當是先呢，有銀子放著不使。So today I have come especially to report to you, sir—perhaps you could issue it for the time being from your own private stores, or arrange to borrow it from some other source; just give me your instructions and I can see to it." Jia Zhen said with a laugh, "You still think it's like before, when there was silver just sitting there unused.你無論那里借了給他罷。”俞祿笑回道：“若說一二百，小的還可以挪借，這五六百，小的一時那里辦得來。”賈珍想了一回，向賈蓉道：“你問你娘去，昨日出殯以後，有江南甄家送來打祭銀五百兩，未曾交到庫上去，你先要了來，給他去罷。”賈蓉答應了，連忙過這邊來回了尤氏，复轉來回他父親道：“昨日那項銀子已使了二百兩，下剩的三百兩令人送至家中交與老娘收了。”賈珍道：“既然如此，你就帶了他去，向你老娘要了出來交給他。You'll just have to borrow it from wherever you can and pay them." Yu Lu said with a smile, "If it were one or two hundred, I could still manage to borrow it, but this five or six hundred—I really don't know where I could get it on the spot." Jia Zhen thought for a while, then said to Jia Rong, "Go ask your mother—yesterday, after the funeral procession, the Zhen family of Jiangnan sent five hundred taels as a memorial offering, which hasn't yet been handed over to the treasury; go get it first and give it to him." Jia Rong assented, hurried over to this side to report to Madam You, then came back and reported to his father, "Two hundred taels of that sum have already been used; the remaining three hundred taels were sent home and given to Grandmother You to keep." Jia Zhen said, "Since that's how it is, you take him along, go ask your grandmother for it, and hand it over to him.再也瞧瞧家中有事無事，問你兩個姨娘好。While you're at it, see whether anything's the matter at home, and ask after your two aunts.下剩的俞祿先借了添上罷。”As for what's still owing, let Yu Lu borrow it for now to make up the rest."

一日，有小管家俞禄来回贾珍道：“前者所用棚杠孝布并请杠人青衣，共使银一千一百十两，除给银五百两外，仍欠六百零十两。昨日两处买卖人俱来催讨，小的特来讨爷的示下。”贾珍道：“你且向库上领去就是了，这又何必来问我。”俞禄道：“昨日已曾上库上去领，但只是老爷宾天以后，各处支领甚多，所剩还要预备百日道场及庙中用度，此时竟不能发给。所以小的今日特来回爷，或者爷内库里暂且发给，或者挪借何项，吩咐了小的好办。”贾珍笑道：“你还当是先呢，有银子放著不使。你无论那里借了给他罢。”俞禄笑回道：“若说一二百，小的还可以挪借，这五六百，小的一时那里办得来。”贾珍想了一回，向贾蓉道：“你问你娘去，昨日出殡以后，有江南甄家送来打祭银五百两，未曾交到库上去，你先要了来，给他去罢。”贾蓉答应了，连忙过这边来回了尤氏，复转来回他父亲道：“昨日那项银子已使了二百两，下剩的三百两令人送至家中交与老娘收了。”贾珍道：“既然如此，你就带了他去，向你老娘要了出来交给他。再也瞧瞧家中有事无事，问你两个姨娘好。下剩的俞禄先借了添上罢。”

賈蓉與俞祿答應了，方欲退出，只見賈璉走了進來。Jia Rong and Yu Lu assented and were just about to withdraw when Jia Lian walked in.俞祿忙上前請了安。Yu Lu hastily stepped forward to pay his respects.賈璉便問何事，賈珍一一告訴了。Jia Lian asked what the matter was, and Jia Zhen told him everything.賈璉心中想道：“趁此机會正可至宁府尋二姐。”一面遂說道：“這有多大事，何必向人借去。Jia Lian thought to himself, "This is just the chance to go to the Ning mansion and look for Second Sister." So he said aloud, "What a small matter—why go borrowing from other people over this?昨日我方得了一項銀子還沒有使呢，莫若給他添上，豈不省事。”賈珍道：“如此甚好。Yesterday I happened to come into a sum of silver that I haven't used yet; better to use that to make up the amount—wouldn't that save trouble?" Jia Zhen said, "That would be excellent.你就吩咐了蓉兒，一并令他取去。”賈璉忙道：“這必得我親身取去。Just instruct Rong-er, and have him go get it along with you." Jia Lian said quickly, "This I must go fetch in person.再我這幾日沒回家了，還要給老太太，老爺，太太們請請安去。Besides, I haven't been home these past few days, and I still need to go pay my respects to Grandmother, Father, and Mother.到大哥那邊查查家人們有無生事，再也給親家太太請請安。”賈珍笑道：“只是又勞動你，我心里倒不安。”賈璉也笑道：“自家兄弟，這有何妨呢。”賈珍又吩咐賈蓉道：“你跟了你叔叔去，也到那邊給老太太，老爺，太太們請安，說我和你娘都請安，打聽打聽老太太身上可大安了？I'll also stop by my elder brother's to check whether the servants there have been up to anything, and pay my respects to my mother-in-law as well." Jia Zhen said with a smile, "It's only that I'm putting you to more trouble again—it makes me uneasy." Jia Lian too said with a smile, "We're brothers of the same family—what trouble could that be?" Jia Zhen then instructed Jia Rong further, "Go along with your uncle, and while you're over there, pay your respects to Grandmother, Father, and Mother too, and tell them your mother and I both send our regards, and find out how Grandmother's health is—has it much improved?還服藥呢沒有？”賈蓉一一答應了，跟隨賈璉出來，帶了幾個小廝，騎上馬一同進城。Is she still taking medicine?" Jia Rong assented to it all, and followed Jia Lian out, bringing along a few page boys, and they mounted their horses and rode into the city together.

贾蓉与俞禄答应了，方欲退出，只见贾琏走了进来。俞禄忙上前请了安。贾琏便问何事，贾珍一一告诉了。贾琏心中想道：“趁此机会正可至宁府寻二姐。”一面遂说道：“这有多大事，何必向人借去。昨日我方得了一项银子还没有使呢，莫若给他添上，岂不省事。”贾珍道：“如此甚好。你就吩咐了蓉儿，一并令他取去。”贾琏忙道：“这必得我亲身取去。再我这几日没回家了，还要给老太太，老爷，太太们请请安去。到大哥那边查查家人们有无生事，再也给亲家太太请请安。”贾珍笑道：“只是又劳动你，我心里倒不安。”贾琏也笑道：“自家兄弟，这有何妨呢。”贾珍又吩咐贾蓉道：“你跟了你叔叔去，也到那边给老太太，老爷，太太们请安，说我和你娘都请安，打听打听老太太身上可大安了？还服药呢没有？”贾蓉一一答应了，跟随贾琏出来，带了几个小厮，骑上马一同进城。

在路叔侄閒話，賈璉有心，便提到尤二姐，因夸說如何標致，如何做人好，舉止大方，言語溫柔，無一處不令人可敬可愛，“人人都說你嬸子好，据我看那里及你二姨一零兒呢。”賈蓉揣知其意，便笑道：“叔叔既這麼愛他，我給叔叔作媒，說了做二房，何如？”賈璉笑道：“你這是頑話還是正經話？”賈蓉道：“我說的是當真的話。”賈璉又笑道：“敢自好呢。On the way, uncle and nephew chatted idly, and Jia Lian, with an ulterior motive, brought up Second Sister You, praising at length how lovely she was, how well she conducted herself, how graceful her bearing, how gentle her speech—there was not a single point about her that did not command respect and affection. "Everyone says your aunt is good, but in my opinion, how could she come anywhere near your Second Aunt?" Jia Rong, guessing his meaning, said with a smile, "Since you're so fond of her, uncle, why don't I play matchmaker for you and arrange for her to become your second wife—how would that be?" Jia Lian said with a smile, "Are you joking, or are you serious?" Jia Rong said, "I mean it in earnest." Jia Lian again said with a smile, "That would certainly be splendid.只是怕你嬸子不依，再也怕你老娘不願意。It's only that I'm afraid your aunt won't consent, and also that your grandmother might not be willing.況且我聽見說你二姨兒已有了人家了。”賈蓉道：“這都無妨。Besides, I've heard that your Second Aunt is already promised to someone." Jia Rong said, "None of that matters.我二姨兒三姨兒都不是我老爺養的，原是我老娘帶了來的。Neither Second Aunt nor Third Aunt were fathered by my grandfather—they came along with my grandmother from before.聽見說，我老娘在那一家時，就把我二姨兒許給皇糧庄頭張家，指腹為婚。I've heard that when my grandmother was living in that other household, she promised Second Aunt, even before she was born, to the Zhang family, stewards of the imperial-grain estates.後來張家遭了官司敗落了，我老娘又自那家嫁了出來，如今這十數年，兩家音信不通。Later the Zhang family got embroiled in a lawsuit and fell on hard times, and my grandmother then married out of that household as well; it's been over ten years now, and the two families have had no contact.我老娘時常報怨，要與他家退婚，我父親也要將二姨轉聘。My grandmother often complains about it and wants to break off the engagement with that family, and my father too has wanted to arrange a different match for Second Aunt.只等有了好人家，不過令人找著張家，給他十幾兩銀子，寫上一張退婚的字兒。All that's needed is to wait until a good match comes along, then simply send someone to find the Zhang family, give them ten-odd taels of silver, and have them write out a document dissolving the engagement.想張家窮极了的人，見了銀子，有什麼不依的。Considering how utterly poor the Zhang family has become, once they see the silver, what reason would they have to refuse?再他也知道咱們這樣的人家，也不怕他不依。Besides, they well know the sort of household ours is—they wouldn't dare refuse in any case.又是叔叔這樣人說了做二房，我管保我老娘和我父親都願意。And with someone like you, uncle, asking for her as a second wife, I guarantee both my grandmother and my father would be willing.倒只是嬸子那里卻難。”It's only with my aunt that it might be difficult."

在路叔侄闲话，贾琏有心，便提到尤二姐，因夸说如何标致，如何做人好，举止大方，言语温柔，无一处不令人可敬可爱，“人人都说你婶子好，据我看那里及你二姨一零儿呢。”贾蓉揣知其意，便笑道：“叔叔既这么爱他，我给叔叔作媒，说了做二房，何如？”贾琏笑道：“你这是顽话还是正经话？”贾蓉道：“我说的是当真的话。”贾琏又笑道：“敢自好呢。只是怕你婶子不依，再也怕你老娘不愿意。况且我听见说你二姨儿已有了人家了。”贾蓉道：“这都无妨。我二姨儿三姨儿都不是我老爷养的，原是我老娘带了来的。听见说，我老娘在那一家时，就把我二姨儿许给皇粮庄头张家，指腹为婚。后来张家遭了官司败落了，我老娘又自那家嫁了出来，如今这十数年，两家音信不通。我老娘时常报怨，要与他家退婚，我父亲也要将二姨转聘。只等有了好人家，不过令人找著张家，给他十几两银子，写上一张退婚的字儿。想张家穷极了的人，见了银子，有什么不依的。再他也知道咱们这样的人家，也不怕他不依。又是叔叔这样人说了做二房，我管保我老娘和我父亲都愿意。倒只是婶子那里却难。”

賈璉聽到這里，心花都開了，那里還有什麼話說，只是一味呆笑而已。By the time Jia Lian had heard this far, his heart had blossomed with joy, and he had no more words to say—he could only grin foolishly.賈蓉又想了一想，笑道：“叔叔若有膽量，依我的主意管保無妨，不過多花上幾個錢。”賈璉忙道：“有何主意，快些說來，我沒有不依的。”賈蓉道：“叔叔回家，一點聲色也別露，等我回明了我父親，向我老娘說妥，然後在咱們府後方近左右買上一所房子及應用家伙，再撥兩窩子家人過去伏侍。Jia Rong thought a moment longer, then said with a smile, "If you have the nerve, uncle, and follow my plan, I guarantee there'll be no trouble—it'll just cost a bit more money." Jia Lian said hastily, "What's the plan? Tell me quickly—there's nothing I wouldn't agree to." Jia Rong said, "When you get home, uncle, don't let on by so much as an expression; let me first report it to my father and arrange it properly with my grandmother, and then, somewhere nearby behind our mansion, buy a house along with the necessary furnishings, and assign a couple of households of servants over to wait on her.擇了日子，人不知鬼不覺娶了過去，囑咐家人不許走漏風聲。Choose an auspicious day and marry her in without anyone the wiser, and instruct the servants not to let word leak out.嬸子在里面住著，深宅大院，那里就得知道了。With aunt living inside those deep courtyards, how would she ever come to find out?叔叔兩下里住著，過個一年半載，即或鬧出來，不過挨上老爺一頓罵。You'd be keeping two households, uncle, and after a year or half a year, even if it did come out, it would amount to no more than a scolding from Father.叔叔只說嬸子總不生育，原是為子嗣起見，所以私自在外面作成此事。You need only say, uncle, that since aunt could never bear children, it was purely for the sake of an heir that you arranged this privately outside.就是嬸子，見生米做成熟飯，也只得罷了。As for aunt herself, once the rice is already cooked into rice, she'll have no choice but to accept it.再求一求老太太，沒有不完的事。”And if you further plead with Grandmother, there's nothing that can't be settled."

贾琏听到这里，心花都开了，那里还有什么话说，只是一味呆笑而已。贾蓉又想了一想，笑道：“叔叔若有胆量，依我的主意管保无妨，不过多花上几个钱。”贾琏忙道：“有何主意，快些说来，我没有不依的。”贾蓉道：“叔叔回家，一点声色也别露，等我回明了我父亲，向我老娘说妥，然后在咱们府后方近左右买上一所房子及应用家伙，再拨两窝子家人过去伏侍。择了日子，人不知鬼不觉娶了过去，嘱咐家人不许走漏风声。婶子在里面住著，深宅大院，那里就得知道了。叔叔两下里住著，过个一年半载，即或闹出来，不过挨上老爷一顿骂。叔叔只说婶子总不生育，原是为子嗣起见，所以私自在外面作成此事。就是婶子，见生米做成熟饭，也只得罢了。再求一求老太太，没有不完的事。”

自古道“欲令智昏”，賈璉只顧貪圖二姐美色，聽了賈蓉一篇話，遂為計出萬全，將現今身上有服，并停妻再娶，嚴父妒妻种种不妥之處，皆置之度外了。As the old saying goes, "desire clouds wisdom"—Jia Lian, thinking of nothing but his greed for Second Sister's beauty, upon hearing this speech from Jia Rong, at once considered his plan foolproof, and set entirely aside all the improprieties involved—that he was currently in mourning, that he would be keeping his present wife while taking another, and that his stern father would be jealous, and every other awkward point.卻不知賈蓉亦非好意，素日因同他姨娘有情，只因賈珍在內，不能暢意。Yet little did he know that Jia Rong too had no good intentions of his own; having long carried on an affair with his aunt, he had only been unable to indulge it freely because Jia Zhen was present.如今若是賈璉娶了，少不得在外居住，趁賈璉不在時，好去鬼混之意。Now, if Jia Lian married her, she would inevitably go to live outside, and then, taking advantage of times when Jia Lian was away, he could go carry on with her as he pleased—that was his real intention.賈璉那里思想及此，遂向賈蓉致謝道：“好侄兒，你果然能夠說成了，我買兩個絕色的丫頭謝你。”說著，已至宁府門首。Jia Lian never thought so far as this, and instead turned to Jia Rong and thanked him, saying, "Good nephew, if you truly manage to arrange this, I'll buy two exceptionally beautiful maids to reward you." As he spoke, they had already reached the gate of the Ning mansion.賈蓉說道：“叔叔進去，向我老娘要出銀子來，就交給俞祿罷。Jia Rong said, "You go on in, uncle, ask my grandmother for the silver, and just hand it over to Yu Lu.我先給老太太請安去。”賈璉含笑點頭道：“老太太跟前別說我和你一同來的。”賈蓉道：“知道。”又附耳向賈璉道：“今日要遇見二姨，可別性急了，鬧出事來，往後倒難辦了。”賈璉笑道：“少胡說，你快去罷。I'll go pay my respects to Grandmother first." Jia Lian nodded with a smile, saying, "Don't mention in front of Grandmother that you and I came together." Jia Rong said, "I understand." Then, leaning close to Jia Lian's ear, he added, "If you happen to run into Second Aunt today, don't be too impatient, or if it stirs up trouble, it'll be hard to manage afterward." Jia Lian said with a laugh, "Enough nonsense, go on, quickly.我在這里等你。”于是賈蓉自去給賈母請安。I'll wait for you here." Whereupon Jia Rong went off by himself to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia.

自古道“欲令智昏”，贾琏只顾贪图二姐美色，听了贾蓉一篇话，遂为计出万全，将现今身上有服，并停妻再娶，严父妒妻种种不妥之处，皆置之度外了。却不知贾蓉亦非好意，素日因同他姨娘有情，只因贾珍在内，不能畅意。如今若是贾琏娶了，少不得在外居住，趁贾琏不在时，好去鬼混之意。贾琏那里思想及此，遂向贾蓉致谢道：“好侄儿，你果然能够说成了，我买两个绝色的丫头谢你。”说著，已至宁府门首。贾蓉说道：“叔叔进去，向我老娘要出银子来，就交给俞禄罢。我先给老太太请安去。”贾琏含笑点头道：“老太太跟前别说我和你一同来的。”贾蓉道：“知道。”又附耳向贾琏道：“今日要遇见二姨，可别性急了，闹出事来，往后倒难办了。”贾琏笑道：“少胡说，你快去罢。我在这里等你。”于是贾蓉自去给贾母请安。

賈璉進入宁府，早有家人頭兒率領家人等請安，一路圍隨至廳上。Jia Lian went into the Ning mansion, and already the head servant, leading the household staff, came to pay their respects and accompanied him all the way to the hall.賈璉一一的問了些話，不過塞責而已，便命家人散去，獨自往里面走來。Jia Lian asked them a few questions, no more than a matter of form, then told the servants to disperse and went on by himself further inside.原來賈璉賈珍素日親密，又是兄弟，本無可避忌之人，自來是不等通報的。Now, Jia Lian and Jia Zhen had always been close, being cousins besides, with nothing between them requiring formality, so he had always gone in without being announced.于是走至上房，早有廊下伺侯的老婆子打起帘子，讓賈璉進去。So he walked to the main chamber, where the old woman on duty under the eaves at once rolled up the portiere to let Jia Lian in.賈璉進入房中一看，只見南邊炕上只有尤二姐帶著兩個丫鬟一處做活，卻不見尤老娘與三姐。Jia Lian went into the room and looked, and saw that on the kang on the south side there was only Second Sister You, together with two maids, doing needlework, but Old Mrs. You and Third Sister were nowhere to be seen.賈璉忙上前問好相見。Jia Lian hurried forward to greet her and exchange courtesies.尤二姐含笑讓坐，便靠東邊排插兒坐下。Second Sister You, smiling, offered him a seat, and herself sat down leaning against the partition on the east side.賈璉仍將上首讓與二姐兒，說了幾句見面情兒，便笑問道：“親家太太和三妹妹那里去了。Jia Lian in turn offered the seat of honor to Second Sister, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then asked with a smile, "Where have my mother-in-law and Third Sister gone off to?怎麼不見？”尤二姐笑道：“才有事往後頭去了，也就來的。”此時伺候的丫鬟因倒茶去，無人在跟前，賈璉不住的拿眼睨著二姐。How is it I don't see them?" Second Sister You said with a smile, "They had something to attend to and went to the back just now; they'll be along shortly." Just then the maid in attendance had gone off to pour tea, and with no one else present, Jia Lian kept fixing his eyes on Second Sister.二姐低了頭，只含笑不理。Second Sister lowered her head and only smiled without responding.賈璉又不敢造次動手動腳，因見二姐手中拿著一條拴著荷包的絹子擺弄，便搭訕著往腰里摸了摸，說道：“檳榔荷包也忘記了帶了來，妹妹有檳榔，賞我一口吃。”二姐道：“檳榔倒有，就只是我的檳榔從來不給人吃。”Jia Lian, not daring to be too forward and reach out with his hands, noticed Second Sister toying with a silk handkerchief with a purse tied to it, and so, making conversation, reached down and felt about at his waist, saying, "I forgot to bring my betel-nut purse along—sister, if you have any betel nut, give me a bit to chew." Second Sister said, "Betel nut I do have, only I never share mine with anyone."

贾琏进入宁府，早有家人头儿率领家人等请安，一路围随至厅上。贾琏一一的问了些话，不过塞责而已，便命家人散去，独自往里面走来。原来贾琏贾珍素日亲密，又是兄弟，本无可避忌之人，自来是不等通报的。于是走至上房，早有廊下伺侯的老婆子打起帘子，让贾琏进去。贾琏进入房中一看，只见南边炕上只有尤二姐带著两个丫鬟一处做活，却不见尤老娘与三姐。贾琏忙上前问好相见。尤二姐含笑让坐，便靠东边排插儿坐下。贾琏仍将上首让与二姐儿，说了几句见面情儿，便笑问道：“亲家太太和三妹妹那里去了。怎么不见？”尤二姐笑道：“才有事往后头去了，也就来的。”此时伺候的丫鬟因倒茶去，无人在跟前，贾琏不住的拿眼睨著二姐。二姐低了头，只含笑不理。贾琏又不敢造次动手动脚，因见二姐手中拿著一条拴著荷包的绢子摆弄，便搭讪著往腰里摸了摸，说道：“槟榔荷包也忘记了带了来，妹妹有槟榔，赏我一口吃。”二姐道：“槟榔倒有，就只是我的槟榔从来不给人吃。”

賈璉便笑著欲近身來拿。Jia Lian, smiling, moved to draw near and take it.二姐怕人看見不雅，便連忙一笑，撂了過來。Second Sister, afraid it would look unseemly if someone saw, quickly smiled and tossed it over to him.賈璉接在手中，都倒了出來，揀了半塊吃剩下的撂在口中吃了，又將剩下的都揣了起來。Jia Lian caught it in his hand, poured it all out, picked out half a chewed piece and put it in his mouth, and tucked the rest away inside his clothes.剛要把荷包親身送過去，只見兩個丫鬟倒了茶來。Just as he was about to hand the purse back to her himself, the two maids came in with the tea.賈璉一面接了茶吃茶，一面暗將自己帶的一個漢玉九龍珮解了下來，拴在手絹上，趁丫鬟回頭時，仍撂了過去。Jia Lian, taking the tea and drinking it with one hand, with the other secretly undid a jade pendant carved with nine dragons that he wore, tied it to the handkerchief, and, taking the moment when the maid turned her head, tossed it back over to her.二姐亦不去拿，只裝看不見，坐著吃茶。Second Sister made no move to take it, only pretended not to notice, and sat drinking her tea.只聽後面一陣帘子響，卻是尤老娘三姐帶著兩個小丫鬟自後面走來。Just then they heard a rustle of the portiere from behind, and it was Old Mrs. You and Third Sister coming from the back, together with two little maids.賈璉送目與二姐，令其拾取，這尤二姐亦只是不理。Jia Lian shot a glance at Second Sister, signaling her to pick it up, but Second Sister still paid no attention.賈璉不知二姐何意，甚是著急，只得迎上來與尤老娘三姐相見。Jia Lian, not knowing what Second Sister meant by this, grew quite anxious, but had no choice but to come forward and greet Old Mrs. You and Third Sister.一面又回頭看二姐時，只見二姐笑著，沒事人似的，再又看一看絹子，已不知那里去了，賈璉方放了心。Turning to glance at Second Sister again, he saw she was smiling, as though nothing at all had happened; looking once more for the handkerchief, he found it already gone from where it had been—only then did Jia Lian's mind ease.

贾琏便笑著欲近身来拿。二姐怕人看见不雅，便连忙一笑，撂了过来。贾琏接在手中，都倒了出来，拣了半块吃剩下的撂在口中吃了，又将剩下的都揣了起来。刚要把荷包亲身送过去，只见两个丫鬟倒了茶来。贾琏一面接了茶吃茶，一面暗将自己带的一个汉玉九龙珮解了下来，拴在手绢上，趁丫鬟回头时，仍撂了过去。二姐亦不去拿，只装看不见，坐著吃茶。只听后面一阵帘子响，却是尤老娘三姐带著两个小丫鬟自后面走来。贾琏送目与二姐，令其拾取，这尤二姐亦只是不理。贾琏不知二姐何意，甚是著急，只得迎上来与尤老娘三姐相见。一面又回头看二姐时，只见二姐笑著，没事人似的，再又看一看绢子，已不知那里去了，贾琏方放了心。

于是大家歸坐後，敘了些閒話。Everyone then took their seats again and made idle conversation for a while.賈璉說道：“大嫂子說，前日有一包銀子交給親家太太收起來了，今日因要還人，大哥令我來取。Jia Lian said, "My elder sister-in-law said that the other day a packet of silver was given to my mother-in-law to keep; today, since it's needed to repay someone, my elder brother has sent me to fetch it.再也看看家里有事無事。”尤老娘聽了，連忙使二姐拿鑰匙去取銀子。I've also come to see whether anything's the matter at home." On hearing this, Old Mrs. You at once sent Second Sister to fetch the key and get the silver.這里賈璉又說道：“我也要給親家太太請請安，瞧瞧二位妹妹。Meanwhile Jia Lian went on to say, "I also wanted to come pay my respects to my mother-in-law, and to see how my two sisters are doing.親家太太臉面倒好，只是二位妹妹在我們家里受委屈。”尤老娘笑道：“咱們都是至親骨肉，說那里的話。Mother-in-law, you're looking quite well, only I'm afraid my two sisters have had to put up with hardship staying at our house." Old Mrs. You said with a smile, "We're all close kin of one flesh and blood—what is there to say about that.在家里也是住著，在這里也是住著。Living at home is living somewhere, and living here is living somewhere too.不瞞二爺說，我們家里自從先夫去世，家計也著實艱難了，全虧了這里姑爺幫助。To be honest with you, Second Uncle, ever since my late husband passed away, our household's circumstances have truly grown difficult, and it's entirely thanks to the help of our son-in-law here that we've managed.如今姑爺家里有了這樣大事，我們不能別的出力，白看一看家，還有什麼委屈了的呢。”正說著，二姐已取了銀子來，交與尤老娘。Now that such a great matter has befallen our son-in-law's family, we've had no other way to lend a hand, and can only look after the house for him—what hardship could there possibly be in that?" Just as she was speaking, Second Sister had already fetched the silver and handed it over to Old Mrs. You.尤老娘便遞與賈璉。Old Mother You then handed it to Jia Lian.賈璉叫一個小丫頭叫了一個老婆子來，吩咐他道：“你把這個交給俞祿，叫他拿過那邊去等我。”老婆子答應了出去。Jia Lian told a young maidservant to fetch an old woman, and instructed her, saying: "Take this and give it to Yu Lu, and tell him to take it over there and wait for me." The old woman assented and went out.

于是大家归坐后，叙了些闲话。贾琏说道：“大嫂子说，前日有一包银子交给亲家太太收起来了，今日因要还人，大哥令我来取。再也看看家里有事无事。”尤老娘听了，连忙使二姐拿钥匙去取银子。这里贾琏又说道：“我也要给亲家太太请请安，瞧瞧二位妹妹。亲家太太脸面倒好，只是二位妹妹在我们家里受委屈。”尤老娘笑道：“咱们都是至亲骨肉，说那里的话。在家里也是住著，在这里也是住著。不瞒二爷说，我们家里自从先夫去世，家计也著实艰难了，全亏了这里姑爷帮助。如今姑爷家里有了这样大事，我们不能别的出力，白看一看家，还有什么委屈了的呢。”正说著，二姐已取了银子来，交与尤老娘。尤老娘便递与贾琏。贾琏叫一个小丫头叫了一个老婆子来，吩咐他道：“你把这个交给俞禄，叫他拿过那边去等我。”老婆子答应了出去。

只聽得院內是賈蓉的聲音說話。Just then he heard, from within the courtyard, the sound of Jia Rong's voice speaking.須臾進來，給他老娘姨娘請了安，又向賈璉笑道：“才剛老爺還問叔叔呢，說是有什麼事情要使喚。In a moment he came in, paid his respects to Old Mother You and his "aunties," then turned to Jia Lian with a smile and said: "Just now Father was asking about you, Uncle, saying there was something he wanted you for.原要使人到廟里去叫，我回老爺說叔叔就來。He meant to send someone to the temple to fetch you, but I told Father that you, Uncle, would be coming presently.老爺還吩咐我，路上遇著叔叔叫快去呢。”賈璉聽了，忙要起身，又聽賈蓉和他老娘說道：“那一次我和老太太說的，我父親要給二姨說的姨父，就和我這叔叔的面貌身量差不多兒。Father also told me that if I met you on the road, Uncle, I should tell you to hurry over." Hearing this, Jia Lian was about to rise at once, when he heard Jia Rong say to his old lady: "That time I told Old Lady that the brother-in-law Father wants to find for Second Auntie looks much like this uncle of mine in face and build.老太太說好不好？”一面說著，又悄悄的用手指著賈璉和他二姨努嘴。Did Old Lady say it would do or not?" As he spoke, he secretly pointed his finger at Jia Lian and pursed his lips toward Second Sister.二姐倒不好意思說什麼，只見三姐似笑非笑，似惱非惱的罵道：“坏透了的小猴兒崽子！Second Sister, feeling embarrassed, said nothing, but Third Sister, half-smiling and half-scowling, cursed: "You thoroughly wicked little monkey imp!沒了你娘的說了！Have you no shame at all, running your mouth like that!多早晚我才撕他那嘴呢！”一面說著，便赶了過來。One of these days I'll tear that mouth of yours!" As she spoke, she rushed over at him.賈蓉早笑著跑了出去，賈璉也笑著辭了出來。Jia Rong had already run off laughing, and Jia Lian too took his leave laughing and came out.走至廳上，又吩咐了家人們不可耍錢吃酒等話。Walking to the hall, he further instructed the servants that there was to be no gambling or drinking, and the like.又悄悄的央賈蓉，回去急速和他父親說。He also quietly urged Jia Rong to go back at once and speak to his father about it.一面便帶了俞祿過來，將銀子添足，交給他拿去。At the same time he brought Yu Lu over, made the silver up to the full sum, and gave it to him to take away.一面給賈赦請安，又給賈母去請安不提。He then went to pay his respects to Jia She, and afterward to the Lady Dowager as well — this need not be told in detail.

只听得院内是贾蓉的声音说话。须臾进来，给他老娘姨娘请了安，又向贾琏笑道：“才刚老爷还问叔叔呢，说是有什么事情要使唤。原要使人到庙里去叫，我回老爷说叔叔就来。老爷还吩咐我，路上遇著叔叔叫快去呢。”贾琏听了，忙要起身，又听贾蓉和他老娘说道：“那一次我和老太太说的，我父亲要给二姨说的姨父，就和我这叔叔的面貌身量差不多儿。老太太说好不好？”一面说著，又悄悄的用手指著贾琏和他二姨努嘴。二姐倒不好意思说什么，只见三姐似笑非笑，似恼非恼的骂道：“坏透了的小猴儿崽子！没了你娘的说了！多早晚我才撕他那嘴呢！”一面说著，便赶了过来。贾蓉早笑著跑了出去，贾琏也笑著辞了出来。走至厅上，又吩咐了家人们不可耍钱吃酒等话。又悄悄的央贾蓉，回去急速和他父亲说。一面便带了俞禄过来，将银子添足，交给他拿去。一面给贾赦请安，又给贾母去请安不提。

卻說賈蓉見俞祿跟了賈璉去取銀子，自己無事，便仍回至里面，和他兩個姨娘嘲戲一回，方起身。Now, when Jia Rong saw that Yu Lu had gone off with Jia Lian to fetch the silver, having nothing else to do, he went back inside again and flirted and joked with his two "aunties" for a while before finally taking his leave.至晚到寺，見了賈珍回道：“銀子已經交給俞祿了。By evening he reached the temple, and seeing Jia Zhen, reported: "The silver has already been handed over to Yu Lu.老太太已大愈了，如今已經不服藥了。”說畢，又趁便將路上賈璉要娶尤二姐做二房之意說了。The Lady Dowager has already largely recovered, and is no longer taking any medicine now." Having said this, he took the chance to mention what Jia Lian had said on the way, of his wish to take You Erjie as a secondary wife.又說如何在外面置房子住，不使鳳姐知道，“此時總不過為的是子嗣艱難起見。He also told how Jia Lian meant to buy a house outside to live in, without letting Xifeng know of it — "for now it is really all on account of the difficulty in having an heir.為的是二姨是見過的，親上做親，比別處不知道的人家說了來的好。It's because Second Auntie is already known to us — marrying kin to kin is better than making a match with some unknown family elsewhere.所以二叔再三央我對父親說。”只不說是他自己的主意。That is why Second Uncle begged me again and again to speak to Father about it." He said nothing, however, of its having been his own idea.賈珍想了想，笑道：“其實倒也罷了。Jia Zhen thought it over for a while and said with a smile: "Actually it would do well enough.只不知你二姨心中願意不願意。Only I don't know whether your Second Auntie herself is willing or not.明日你先去和你老娘商量，叫你老娘問准了你二姨，再作定奪。”于是又教了賈蓉一篇話，便走過來將此事告訴了尤氏。Tomorrow you go first and talk it over with your old lady, and have her make sure of your Second Auntie's answer, and then we'll decide." Thereupon he further coached Jia Rong with what to say, then went over and told Madame You of the matter.尤氏卻知此事不妥，因而极力勸止。Madame You, however, knew this was improper, and so did everything she could to dissuade him.無奈賈珍主意已定，素日又是順從慣了的，況且他與二姐本非一母，不便深管，因而也只得由他們鬧去了。But it was no use — Jia Zhen's mind was already made up, and she, being used to submitting to him, and moreover not being born of the same mother as Second Sister, found it unfitting to interfere too deeply, so she had no choice but to let them go ahead as they pleased.至次日一早，果然賈蓉复進城來見他老娘，將他父親之意說了。The next morning, sure enough, Jia Rong went back into the city again to see his old lady, and told her his father's intentions.又添上許多話，說賈璉做人如何好，目今鳳姐身子有病，已是不能好的了，暫且買了房子在外面住著，過個一年半載，只等鳳姐一死，便接了二姨進去做正室。He added a great deal more besides, saying what a fine man Jia Lian was, that Xifeng was at present ill and could never recover, that for the time being a house would be bought for them to live in outside, and that after a year or half a year, just as soon as Xifeng died, Second Auntie would be brought in to become the principal wife.又說他父親此時如何聘，賈璉那邊如何娶，如何接了你老人家養老，往後三姨也是那邊應了替聘，說得天花亂墜，不由得尤老娘不肯。He also said how his father would see to the betrothal gifts, how Jia Lian's side would carry out the marriage, how they would bring the old lady herself over to be cared for in her old age, and how afterward Third Sister's marriage too would be arranged and paid for by that same side — he spun such a dazzling tale that Old Mother You could not help but consent.況且素日全虧賈珍周濟，此時又是賈珍作主替聘，而且妝奩不用自己置買，賈璉又是青年公子，比張華胜強十倍，遂連忙過來與二姐商議。Besides, she had always relied entirely on Jia Zhen's support, and now again it was Jia Zhen taking charge of the betrothal gifts; moreover she would not have to provide the dowry herself, and Jia Lian was a young gentleman, ten times better than Zhang Hua — so she hurried over at once to talk it over with Second Sister.二姐又是水性的人，在先已和姐夫不妥，又常怨恨當時錯許張華，致使後來終身失所，今見賈璉有情，況是姐夫將他聘嫁，有何不肯，也便點頭依允。Second Sister, being herself a woman of loose and pliant nature, had already been improperly involved with her brother-in-law, and had long resented having been wrongly betrothed to Zhang Hua in the first place, which had left her with no proper place to settle her whole life; now, seeing that Jia Lian had real feeling for her, and that it was her own brother-in-law arranging the match besides, what reason had she to refuse? So she too nodded her consent.當下回复了賈蓉，賈蓉回了他父親。She reported this back to Jia Rong at once, and Jia Rong reported it to his father.

却说贾蓉见俞禄跟了贾琏去取银子，自己无事，便仍回至里面，和他两个姨娘嘲戏一回，方起身。至晚到寺，见了贾珍回道：“银子已经交给俞禄了。老太太已大愈了，如今已经不服药了。”说毕，又趁便将路上贾琏要娶尤二姐做二房之意说了。又说如何在外面置房子住，不使凤姐知道，“此时总不过为的是子嗣艰难起见。为的是二姨是见过的，亲上做亲，比别处不知道的人家说了来的好。所以二叔再三央我对父亲说。”只不说是他自己的主意。贾珍想了想，笑道：“其实倒也罢了。只不知你二姨心中愿意不愿意。明日你先去和你老娘商量，叫你老娘问准了你二姨，再作定夺。”于是又教了贾蓉一篇话，便走过来将此事告诉了尤氏。尤氏却知此事不妥，因而极力劝止。无奈贾珍主意已定，素日又是顺从惯了的，况且他与二姐本非一母，不便深管，因而也只得由他们闹去了。至次日一早，果然贾蓉复进城来见他老娘，将他父亲之意说了。又添上许多话，说贾琏做人如何好，目今凤姐身子有病，已是不能好的了，暂且买了房子在外面住著，过个一年半载，只等凤姐一死，便接了二姨进去做正室。又说他父亲此时如何聘，贾琏那边如何娶，如何接了你老人家养老，往后三姨也是那边应了替聘，说得天花乱坠，不由得尤老娘不肯。况且素日全亏贾珍周济，此时又是贾珍作主替聘，而且妆奁不用自己置买，贾琏又是青年公子，比张华胜强十倍，遂连忙过来与二姐商议。二姐又是水性的人，在先已和姐夫不妥，又常怨恨当时错许张华，致使后来终身失所，今见贾琏有情，况是姐夫将他聘嫁，有何不肯，也便点头依允。当下回复了贾蓉，贾蓉回了他父亲。

次日命人請了賈璉到寺中來，賈珍當面告訴了他尤老娘應允之事。The next day he had someone invite Jia Lian to the temple, and Jia Zhen told him in person of Old Mother You's consent.賈璉自是喜出望外，感謝賈珍賈蓉父子不盡。Jia Lian was overjoyed beyond all expectation, and thanked Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, father and son, over and over without end.于是二人商量著，使人看房子打首飾，給二姐置買妝奩及新房中應用床帳等物。Thereupon the two of them discussed it together, sending people to look at houses and have jewelry made, and to buy a dowry for Second Sister along with the beds, curtains, and other things needed for the new household.不過幾日，早將諸事辦妥。In no more than a few days, everything had already been arranged.已于宁榮街後二里遠近小花枝巷內買定一所房子，共二十餘間。They had already settled on and bought a house of more than twenty rooms in Xiao Huazhi Lane, some two li behind Ning-Rong Street.又買了兩個小丫鬟。They also bought two young maidservants.忽然想起家人鮑二來[1]，當初他女人因和賈璉偷情，被鳳姐兒打鬧了一陣，含羞吊死了，賈璉著林之孝許了二百兩發送，又梯己給鮑二些銀兩，另日挑個媳婦給他。He suddenly thought of the servant Bao Er — earlier, Bao Er's wife, because of her secret affair with Jia Lian, had been made a scene of by Xifeng and, overcome with shame, had hanged herself; Jia Lian had had Lin Zhixiao promise two hundred taels for her funeral, and had privately given Bao Er some silver of his own besides, saying that some other day he would find him a wife.鮑二又有體面，又有銀子，便仍然奉承賈璉[2]。Bao Er, having thereby gained both face and money, went on fawning upon Jia Lian just as before.一時想起來，便叫了他兩口兒到新房子裡來，以備二姐兒過來時伏侍。Remembering this now, he sent for the couple to come to the new house, so as to have them ready to wait upon Second Sister when she came over.又使人將張華父子叫來，逼勒著與尤老娘寫退婚書。He also sent someone to summon Zhang Hua and his father, and forced them to write out a letter breaking off the betrothal with Old Mother You.卻說張華之祖，原當皇糧庄頭，後來死去。Now, Zhang Hua's grandfather had originally served as a headman over an imperial grain estate, but later died.至張華父親時，仍充此役，因與尤老娘前夫相好，所以將張華與尤二姐指腹為婚。By the time of Zhang Hua's father, he still held this same post, and because he was on good terms with Old Mother You's former husband, Zhang Hua and You Erjie had been betrothed to each other before either was born.後來不料遭了官司，敗落了家產，弄得衣食不周，那里還娶得起媳婦呢。Later, unexpectedly, they became entangled in a lawsuit and their family fortune collapsed, leaving them without even enough food and clothing — how then could he afford to take a wife?尤老娘又自那家嫁了出來，兩家有十數年音信不通。Old Mother You, moreover, had since married out of that family, and for over ten years the two households had had no news of each other.今被賈府家人喚至，逼他與二姐退婚，心中雖不願意，無奈懼怕賈珍等勢焰，不敢不依，只得寫了一張退婚文約。Now, summoned by servants of the Jia household and forced to annul the betrothal with Second Sister, though unwilling at heart, he could do nothing against his fear of Jia Zhen's overbearing power, and dared not refuse, so he had no choice but to write out a document annulling the engagement.尤老娘與了二十兩銀子，兩家退親不提。Old Mother You gave him twenty taels of silver, and the annulment of the betrothal between the two families need not be told further.

次日命人请了贾琏到寺中来，贾珍当面告诉了他尤老娘应允之事。贾琏自是喜出望外，感谢贾珍贾蓉父子不尽。于是二人商量著，使人看房子打首饰，给二姐置买妆奁及新房中应用床帐等物。不过几日，早将诸事办妥。已于宁荣街后二里远近小花枝巷内买定一所房子，共二十余间。又买了两个小丫鬟。忽然想起家人鲍二来[1]，当初他女人因和贾琏偷情，被凤姐儿打闹了一阵，含羞吊死了，贾琏著林之孝许了二百两发送，又梯己给鲍二些银两，另日挑个媳妇给他。鲍二又有体面，又有银子，便仍然奉承贾琏[2]。一时想起来，便叫了他两口儿到新房子里来，以备二姐儿过来时伏侍。又使人将张华父子叫来，逼勒著与尤老娘写退婚书。却说张华之祖，原当皇粮庄头，后来死去。至张华父亲时，仍充此役，因与尤老娘前夫相好，所以将张华与尤二姐指腹为婚。后来不料遭了官司，败落了家产，弄得衣食不周，那里还娶得起媳妇呢。尤老娘又自那家嫁了出来，两家有十数年音信不通。今被贾府家人唤至，逼他与二姐退婚，心中虽不愿意，无奈惧怕贾珍等势焰，不敢不依，只得写了一张退婚文约。尤老娘与了二十两银子，两家退亲不提。

這里賈璉等見諸事已妥，遂擇了初三黃道吉日，以便迎娶二姐過門。Here Jia Lian and the others, seeing that everything was now settled, chose the third day of the month, an auspicious day, so as to bring Second Sister over the threshold in marriage.未知如何，下回分解。What happened is not yet known; the next chapter will explain.正是：Truly it was:

这里贾琏等见诸事已妥，遂择了初三黄道吉日，以便迎娶二姐过门。未知如何，下回分解。正是：

只為同枝貪色欲，致教連理起戈矛。All for the sake of lust indulged among those of one same stock, the twining boughs of marriage were made to breed spears and lances.

只为同枝贪色欲，致教连理起戈矛。