第六十六回　情小妹耻情歸地府　冷二郎一冷入空門 A Loving Maiden Dies of Shame; A Cold Young Man Turns to the Monastic Life

話說鮑二家的打他一下子，笑道：“原有些真的，叫你又編了這混話，越發沒了捆兒。The story goes that Bao Er's wife gave him a slap and said with a laugh, "There was some truth in it to begin with, but you've spun it into such nonsense that it's gotten completely out of hand.你倒不象跟二爺的人，這些混話倒象是寶玉那邊的了。”尤二姐才要又問，忽見尤三姐笑問道：“可是你們家那寶玉，除了上學，他作些什麼？”興兒笑道：“姨娘別問他，說起來姨娘也未必信。You don't sound like one of Second Master's own men at all — this kind of nonsense sounds more like something from over at Baoyu's place." You Erjie was just about to ask further when she suddenly heard You Sanjie ask with a smile, "Speaking of which, that Baoyu of yours — apart from studying, what does he do all day?" Xing'er said with a laugh, "Don't ask about him, madam — even if I told you, you probably wouldn't believe it.他長了這麼大，獨他沒有上過正經學堂。Grown to this age, he alone has never attended a proper school.我們家從祖宗直到二爺，誰不是寒窗十載，偏他不喜歡讀書。In our family, from the ancestors down to Second Master, everyone toiled ten years over the books by a cold window — yet he alone dislikes studying.老太太的寶貝，老爺先還管，如今也不敢管了。He's the Old Lady's treasure — the Master used to try to discipline him, but nowadays he no longer dares.成天家瘋瘋顛顛的，說的話人也不懂，幹的事人也不知。All day long he carries on like a madman — the things he says, nobody understands, and the things he does, nobody can fathom.外頭人人看著好清俊模樣兒，心里自然是聰明的，誰知是外清而內濁，見了人，一句話也沒有。Everyone outside looks at his fine, handsome face and assumes he must naturally be clever inside as well — but who would have guessed that he's clear on the outside and muddled within; when he meets people, he can't get a single word out.所有的好處，雖沒上過學，倒難為他認得幾個字。If there's anything good to say about him, it's that although he's never been to school, it's remarkable that he manages to recognize a fair number of characters.每日也不習文，也不學武，又怕見人，只愛在丫頭群里鬧。Day after day he neither studies letters nor practices the martial arts, and he's afraid to meet people — he only likes to romp about among the maids.再者也沒剛柔，有時見了我們，喜歡時沒上沒下，大家亂頑一陣，不喜歡各自走了，他也不理人。Besides, he has no proper sense of firmness or gentleness — sometimes when he sees us, if he's in a good mood, he forgets all about rank and status, and we all romp around together for a while; if he's not in the mood, everyone just goes their own way and he pays no attention to anyone.我們坐著臥著，見了他也不理，他也不責備。Whether we're sitting or lying about, if we see him and don't bother to get up, he doesn't scold us for it either.因此沒人怕他，只管隨便，都過的去。”尤三姐笑道：“主子寬了，你們又這樣，嚴了，又抱怨。That's why nobody's afraid of him — everyone just does as they please, and it all works out fine." You Sanjie said with a laugh, "When the master is lenient, you all behave like this; if he were strict, you'd complain instead.可知難纏。”尤二姐道：“我們看他倒好，原來這樣。One can see he's hard to deal with either way." You Erjie said, "We always thought well of him — so this is how he really is.可惜了一個好胎子。”尤三姐道：“姐姐信他胡說，咱們也不是見一面兩面的，行事言談吃喝，原有些女兒氣，那是只在里頭慣了的。What a shame — such a fine natural endowment wasted." You Sanjie said, "Sister, you believe his nonsense — but it's not as if we've only met him once or twice. In his manner and speech and eating and drinking, he does have something of a girlish air about him, but that's only because he's grown used to living among the women in there.若說糊涂，那些兒糊涂？As for saying he's muddleheaded — where exactly is he muddleheaded?姐姐記得，穿孝時咱們同在一處，那日正是和尚們進來繞棺，咱們都在那里站著，他只站在頭里擋著人。Do you remember, sister, when we were all together during the mourning, that day when the monks came in to circle the coffin — we were all standing there, and he alone stood in front, blocking people back.人說他不知禮，又沒眼色。People said he didn't know propriety and had no tact.過後他沒悄悄的告訴咱們說：‘姐姐不知道，我并不是沒眼色。Afterward, didn't he quietly tell us, 'Sister, you don't understand — it's not that I have no tact.想和尚們髒，恐怕氣味熏了姐姐們。’接著他吃茶，姐姐又要茶，那個老婆子就拿了他的碗倒。I thought the monks were unclean, and I was afraid their odor might offend you sisters.' Then, when he was drinking his tea and you, sister, asked for more tea, that old woman took his very bowl to pour it in.他赶忙說：‘我吃髒了的，另洗了再拿來。’這兩件上，我冷眼看去，原來他在女孩子們前不管怎樣都過的去，只不大合外人的式，所以他們不知道。”尤二姐聽說，笑道：“依你說，你兩個已是情投意合了。He hastily said, 'I've already drunk from this one and made it dirty — wash it separately before bringing it back.' Watching these two incidents with a cool eye, I realized that whatever he does in front of girls passes well enough — it's only that it doesn't quite fit the manner outsiders expect, and that's why they don't understand him." Hearing this, You Erjie said with a laugh, "By what you say, the two of you are already of one heart and mind.竟把你許了他，豈不好？”三姐見有興兒，不便說話，只低頭磕瓜子。Why not simply have you promised to him — wouldn't that be splendid?" San-jie, seeing that Xing'er was present, found it awkward to speak, and only lowered her head to crack melon seeds.興兒笑道：“若論模樣兒行事為人，倒是一對好的。Xing'er said with a laugh, "As for looks and manner and conduct, they would indeed make a fine match.只是他已有了，只未露形。Only he's already spoken for — it just hasn't been made public yet.將來准是林姑娘定了的。In the future it's certain to be settled with Miss Lin.因林姑娘多病，二則都還小，故尚未及此。Since Miss Lin is often ill, and besides, they're both still young, the matter hasn't been taken up yet.再過三二年，老太太便一開言，那是再無不准的了。”大家正說話，只見隆兒又來了，說：“老爺有事，是件机密大事，要遣二爺往平安州去，不過三五日就起身，來回也得半月工夫。In another two or three years, once the Old Lady brings it up, there will be no question of it not being approved." Just as everyone was talking, Long'er came in again and said, "The Master has some business — a confidential and important matter — and wants to send Second Master to Ping'an Prefecture. He'll set off within three to five days, and the round trip will take about half a month.今日不能來了。He won't be able to come today.請老奶奶早和二姨定了那事，明日爺來，好作定奪。”說著，帶了興兒回去了。Please ask the old mistress to settle that matter with Second Aunt soon, so that when Second Master comes tomorrow, he can make the final decision." So saying, he took Xing'er and went back.

话说鲍二家的打他一下子，笑道：“原有些真的，叫你又编了这混话，越发没了捆儿。你倒不象跟二爷的人，这些混话倒象是宝玉那边的了。”尤二姐才要又问，忽见尤三姐笑问道：“可是你们家那宝玉，除了上学，他作些什么？”兴儿笑道：“姨娘别问他，说起来姨娘也未必信。他长了这么大，独他没有上过正经学堂。我们家从祖宗直到二爷，谁不是寒窗十载，偏他不喜欢读书。老太太的宝贝，老爷先还管，如今也不敢管了。成天家疯疯颠颠的，说的话人也不懂，干的事人也不知。外头人人看著好清俊模样儿，心里自然是聪明的，谁知是外清而内浊，见了人，一句话也没有。所有的好处，虽没上过学，倒难为他认得几个字。每日也不习文，也不学武，又怕见人，只爱在丫头群里闹。再者也没刚柔，有时见了我们，喜欢时没上没下，大家乱顽一阵，不喜欢各自走了，他也不理人。我们坐著卧著，见了他也不理，他也不责备。因此没人怕他，只管随便，都过的去。”尤三姐笑道：“主子宽了，你们又这样，严了，又抱怨。可知难缠。”尤二姐道：“我们看他倒好，原来这样。可惜了一个好胎子。”尤三姐道：“姐姐信他胡说，咱们也不是见一面两面的，行事言谈吃喝，原有些女儿气，那是只在里头惯了的。若说糊涂，那些儿糊涂？姐姐记得，穿孝时咱们同在一处，那日正是和尚们进来绕棺，咱们都在那里站著，他只站在头里挡著人。人说他不知礼，又没眼色。过后他没悄悄的告诉咱们说：‘姐姐不知道，我并不是没眼色。想和尚们脏，恐怕气味熏了姐姐们。’接著他吃茶，姐姐又要茶，那个老婆子就拿了他的碗倒。他赶忙说：‘我吃脏了的，另洗了再拿来。’这两件上，我冷眼看去，原来他在女孩子们前不管怎样都过的去，只不大合外人的式，所以他们不知道。”尤二姐听说，笑道：“依你说，你两个已是情投意合了。竟把你许了他，岂不好？”三姐见有兴儿，不便说话，只低头磕瓜子。兴儿笑道：“若论模样儿行事为人，倒是一对好的。只是他已有了，只未露形。将来准是林姑娘定了的。因林姑娘多病，二则都还小，故尚未及此。再过三二年，老太太便一开言，那是再无不准的了。”大家正说话，只见隆儿又来了，说：“老爷有事，是件机密大事，要遣二爷往平安州去，不过三五日就起身，来回也得半月工夫。今日不能来了。请老奶奶早和二姨定了那事，明日爷来，好作定夺。”说著，带了兴儿回去了。

這里尤二姐命掩了門早睡，盤問他妹子一夜。Here, You Erjie had the doors shut and went to bed early, questioning her younger sister closely the whole night through.至次日午後，賈璉方來了。Not until the afternoon of the next day did Jia Lian finally arrive.尤二姐因勸他說：“既有正事，何必忙忙又來，千萬別為我誤事。”賈璉道：“也沒甚事，只是偏偏的又出來了一件遠差。You Erjie urged him, saying, "Since you have real business to attend to, why rush over here again? Whatever you do, don't let me be the cause of any delay in your affairs." Jia Lian said, "It's nothing much — it's just that, of all things, another out-of-town assignment has come up.出了月就起身，得半月工夫才來。”尤二姐道：“既如此，你只管放心前去，這里一應不用你記挂。I'll set off once the month is out, and it will take half a month before I'm back." You Erjie said, "In that case, just go with an easy mind — there's nothing here that needs your concern.三妹子他從不會朝更暮改的。Our third sister is not someone who changes her mind from morning to evening.他已說了改悔，必是改悔的。Since she's already said she's repented and reformed, then reformed she surely is.他已擇定了人，你只要依他就是了。”賈璉問是誰，尤二姐笑道：“這人此刻不在這里，不知多早才來，也難為他眼力。She's already chosen the man herself — you need only go along with her wishes." Jia Lian asked who it was, and You Erjie said with a smile, "This man isn't here at the moment, and there's no telling how soon he'll come — one must admire her judgment, though.自己說了，這人一年不來，他等一年，十年不來，等十年，若這人死了再不來了，他情願剃了頭當姑子去，吃長齋念佛，以了今生。”賈璉問：“倒底是誰，這樣動他的心？”二姐笑道：“說來話長。She said herself that if the man doesn't come for a year, she'll wait a year; if he doesn't come for ten years, she'll wait ten years; and if the man should die and never come at all, she'd rather shave her head and become a nun, eating vegetarian fare and chanting sutras for the rest of her life." Jia Lian asked, "Just who is it, that has stirred her heart so?" Erjie said with a smile, "It's a long story.五年前我們老娘家里做生日，媽和我們到那里與老娘拜壽。Five years ago, on our grandmother's birthday, Mother and the two of us went there to wish her long life.他家請了一起串客，里頭有個作小生的叫作柳湘蓮，他看上了，如今要是他才嫁。Her household had hired a troupe of amateur players, and among them was one who played the young male lead, called Liu Xianglian — she fell for him then, and now she says she'll marry no one but him.舊年我們聞得柳湘蓮惹了一個禍逃走了，不知可有來了不曾？”賈璉聽了道：“怪道呢！Last year we heard that Liu Xianglian had gotten into some trouble and fled — we don't know whether he's ever come back." When Jia Lian heard this, he said, "So that explains it!我說是個什麼樣人，原來是他！I was wondering who it could be — so it's him!果然眼力不錯。Her judgment really is not bad.你不知道這柳二郎，那樣一個標致人，最是冷面冷心的，差不多的人，都無情無義。You don't know this about young Liu — as handsome a man as he is, he is also the coldest-faced and coldest-hearted of men; toward ordinary people he shows neither feeling nor affection.他最和寶玉合的來。The only one he really gets along with is Baoyu.去年因打了薛呆子，他不好意思見我們的，不知那里去了一向。Last year, after he beat up that fool Xue, he felt too embarrassed to see us, and no one knew where he'd gone off to all this while.後來聽見有人說來了，不知是真是假。Later I heard someone say he'd come back, but I don't know whether it's true or not.一問寶玉的小子們就知道了。If we just ask Baoyu's page boys, we'll know at once.倘或不來，他萍蹤浪跡，知道幾年才來，豈不白耽擱了？”尤二姐道：“我們這三丫頭說的出來，幹的出來，他怎樣說，只依他便了。”But if he doesn't come at all — he drifts about like duckweed on water, there's no telling how many years it might be before he shows up — wouldn't that mean she's wasted all this waiting for nothing?" You Erjie said, "Our third sister is a girl who does whatever she says — whatever she has decided, just go along with it."

这里尤二姐命掩了门早睡，盘问他妹子一夜。至次日午后，贾琏方来了。尤二姐因劝他说：“既有正事，何必忙忙又来，千万别为我误事。”贾琏道：“也没甚事，只是偏偏的又出来了一件远差。出了月就起身，得半月工夫才来。”尤二姐道：“既如此，你只管放心前去，这里一应不用你记挂。三妹子他从不会朝更暮改的。他已说了改悔，必是改悔的。他已择定了人，你只要依他就是了。”贾琏问是谁，尤二姐笑道：“这人此刻不在这里，不知多早才来，也难为他眼力。自己说了，这人一年不来，他等一年，十年不来，等十年，若这人死了再不来了，他情愿剃了头当姑子去，吃长斋念佛，以了今生。”贾琏问：“倒底是谁，这样动他的心？”二姐笑道：“说来话长。五年前我们老娘家里做生日，妈和我们到那里与老娘拜寿。他家请了一起串客，里头有个作小生的叫作柳湘莲，他看上了，如今要是他才嫁。旧年我们闻得柳湘莲惹了一个祸逃走了，不知可有来了不曾？”贾琏听了道：“怪道呢！我说是个什么样人，原来是他！果然眼力不错。你不知道这柳二郎，那样一个标致人，最是冷面冷心的，差不多的人，都无情无义。他最和宝玉合的来。去年因打了薛呆子，他不好意思见我们的，不知那里去了一向。后来听见有人说来了，不知是真是假。一问宝玉的小子们就知道了。倘或不来，他萍踪浪迹，知道几年才来，岂不白耽搁了？”尤二姐道：“我们这三丫头说的出来，干的出来，他怎样说，只依他便了。”

二人正說之間，只見尤三姐走來說道：“姐夫，你只放心。Just as the two of them were talking, You Sanjie came walking in and said, "Brother-in-law, you need not worry at all.我們不是那心口兩樣的人，說什麼是什麼。I am not the sort of person whose heart and mouth say different things — whatever I say, that is exactly what I mean.若有了姓柳的來，我便嫁他。If this man surnamed Liu ever comes, I will marry him.從今日起，我吃齋念佛，只伏侍母親，等他來了，嫁了他去，若一百年不來，我自己修行去了。”說著，將一根玉簪，擊作兩段，”一句不真，就如這簪子！”說著，回房去了，真個竟非禮不動，非禮不言起來。From this day on, I will eat only vegetarian food and chant the sutras, and simply serve our mother, waiting until he comes, and then go and marry him; and if a hundred years pass and he never comes, I shall go off and cultivate myself in religion." So saying, she took a jade hairpin and snapped it in two: "If a single word of this is untrue, let me be like this hairpin!" With that she went back to her room, and from then on she truly did nothing and said nothing that was not proper.賈璉無了法，只得和二姐商議了一回家務，复回家與鳳姐商議起身之事。Jia Lian, having no other recourse, could only discuss household affairs with Erjie for a while, and then went back home to talk with Fengjie about the matter of his departure.一面著人問茗煙，茗煙說：“竟不知道。At the same time he sent someone to ask Mingyan, and Mingyan said, "I really don't know.大約未來，若來了，必是我知道的。”一面又問他的街坊，也說未來。He probably hasn't come — if he had, I'd surely know about it." Then he also asked around among Liu's neighbors, and they too said he hadn't come.賈璉只得回复了二姐。Jia Lian had no choice but to report this back to Erjie.至起身之日已近，前兩天便說起身，卻先往二姐這邊來住兩夜，從這里再悄悄長行。As the day of his departure drew near, he announced two days ahead that he would set off, but in fact he first went to stay two nights at Erjie's place, meaning to slip away quietly on his long journey from there.果見小妹竟又換了一個人，又見二姐持家勤慎，自是不消記挂。He found that the younger sister had indeed become a completely different person, and seeing too how diligently and carefully Erjie managed the household, he naturally had nothing left to worry about.

二人正说之间，只见尤三姐走来说道：“姐夫，你只放心。我们不是那心口两样的人，说什么是什么。若有了姓柳的来，我便嫁他。从今日起，我吃斋念佛，只伏侍母亲，等他来了，嫁了他去，若一百年不来，我自己修行去了。”说著，将一根玉簪，击作两段，”一句不真，就如这簪子！”说著，回房去了，真个竟非礼不动，非礼不言起来。贾琏无了法，只得和二姐商议了一回家务，复回家与凤姐商议起身之事。一面著人问茗烟，茗烟说：“竟不知道。大约未来，若来了，必是我知道的。”一面又问他的街坊，也说未来。贾琏只得回复了二姐。至起身之日已近，前两天便说起身，却先往二姐这边来住两夜，从这里再悄悄长行。果见小妹竟又换了一个人，又见二姐持家勤慎，自是不消记挂。

是日一早出城，就奔平安州大道，曉行夜住，渴飲饑餐。That day he left the city early in the morning and headed straight down the highway to Ping'an Prefecture, traveling by day and resting by night, drinking when thirsty and eating when hungry.方走了三日，那日正走之間，頂頭來了一群馱子，內中一伙，主仆十來騎馬，走的近來一看，不是別人，竟是薛蟠和柳湘連來了。He had traveled only three days when, on the road one day, a group of pack animals came toward him from the opposite direction; among them was a party of master and servants, some ten men on horseback, and as they drew near, he saw that they were none other than Xue Pan and Liu Xianglian.賈璉深為奇怪，忙伸馬迎了上來，大家一齊相見，說些別後寒溫，大家便入酒店歇下，敘談敘談。Jia Lian, greatly astonished, urged his horse forward to meet them; everyone greeted each other at once, exchanging pleasantries about how they had fared since parting, and then they all went into a tavern to rest and have a proper talk.賈璉因笑說：“鬧過之後，我們忙著請你兩個和解，誰知柳兄蹤跡全無。Jia Lian said with a laugh, "After that quarrel, we were all busy trying to get the two of you reconciled, but who would have thought Brother Liu vanished without a trace.怎麼你兩個今日倒在一處了？”薛蟠笑道：“天下竟有這樣奇事。How is it that the two of you are together today?" Xue Pan said with a laugh, "There really are such strange coincidences in this world.我同伙計販了貨物，自春天起身，往回里走，一路平安。My clerks and I set out with our goods back in the spring, and on the way back the whole journey was peaceful.誰知前日到了平安州界，遇一伙強盜，已將東西劫去。But who could have known that a few days ago, upon reaching the border of Ping'an Prefecture, we ran into a gang of bandits who had already robbed us of our goods.不想柳二弟從那邊來了，方把賊人赶散，奪回貨物，還救了我們的性命。Unexpectedly, Brother Liu came along from that direction and drove the bandits off, recovered our goods, and even saved our lives.我謝他又不受，所以我們結拜了生死弟兄，如今一路進京。I wanted to thank him, but he wouldn't accept it, so instead we swore brotherhood to live and die together, and now we're traveling to the capital together.從此後我們是親弟親兄一般。From now on we are just like true blood brothers.到前面岔口上分路，他就分路往南二百里有他一個姑媽，他去望候望候。When we reach the fork in the road ahead, we'll part ways — he has an aunt some two hundred li to the south, and he's going to pay her a visit.我先進京去安置了我的事，然後給他尋一所宅子，尋一門好親事，大家過起來。”賈璉聽了道：“原來如此，倒教我們懸了幾日心。”因又聽道尋親，又忙說道：“我正有一門好親事堪配二弟。”說著，便將自己娶尤氏，如今又要發嫁小姨一節說了出來，只不說尤三姐自擇之語。I'll go on ahead to the capital to settle my own affairs, and then find him a house and a good marriage match, so we can all settle down together." Jia Lian, hearing this, said, "So that's how it was — it had us worried for several days." Then, on hearing him speak of finding a marriage match, he hastily said, "I happen to have a fine match that would suit my second brother." So saying, he told them about how he himself had married a lady of the You family, and how he was now about to see her younger sister married off as well — only he did not mention that You Sanjie had chosen her own husband.又囑薛蟠且不可告訴家里，等生了兒子，自然是知道的。He also cautioned Xue Pan not to tell the family for now — once a son was born, they would naturally find out.薛蟠聽了大喜，說：“早該如此，這都是舍表妹之過。”湘蓮忙笑說：“你又忘情了，還不住口。”薛蟠忙止住不語，便說：“既是這等，這門親事定要做的。”湘蓮道：“我本有願，定要一個絕色的女子。Xue Pan, hearing this, was overjoyed and said, "This should have happened long ago — it was all my cousin's fault." Xianglian quickly said with a laugh, "There you go forgetting yourself again — won't you hold your tongue?" Xue Pan hastily stopped and said nothing more, then said, "Since that's how things are, this match must certainly be made." Xianglian said, "I have always had a wish of my own — I was determined to have a woman of matchless beauty.如今既是貴昆仲高誼，顧不得許多了，任憑裁奪，我無不從命。”賈璉笑道：“如今口說無憑，等柳兄一見，便知我這內娣的品貌是古今有一無二的了。”湘蓮聽了大喜，說：“既如此說，等弟探過姑娘，不過月中就進京的，那時再定如何？”賈璉笑道：“你我一言為定，只是我信不過柳兄。Now, given the great kindness of you two brothers, I cannot be so particular any longer — I'll leave the decision entirely to you, and whatever you decide, I'll follow." Jia Lian said with a laugh, "Mere words are no proof — once Brother Liu sees her for himself, he'll know that the beauty and character of my sister-in-law are unmatched, past or present." Xianglian, delighted to hear this, said, "In that case, let me go visit my aunt first, and I'll be in the capital within the month at the latest — we can settle things then, what do you say?" Jia Lian said with a laugh, "Then it's agreed between us — only I don't quite trust Brother Liu.你乃是萍蹤浪跡，倘然淹滯不歸，豈不誤了人家。You drift about like duckweed with no fixed abode — if you should be delayed somewhere and fail to return, wouldn't that ruin the young lady's prospects?須得留一定禮。”湘蓮道：“大丈夫豈有失信之理。You must leave a betrothal token." Xianglian said, "How could a true man ever break his word?小弟素系寒貧，況且客中，何能有定禮。”薛蟠道：“我這里現成，就備一分二哥帶去。”賈璉笑道：“也不用金帛之禮，須是柳兄親身自有之物，不論物之貴賤，不過我帶去取信耳。”湘蓮道：“既如此說，弟無別物，此劍防身，不能解下。But I have always been poor, and besides, I'm traveling far from home — how could I possibly have a betrothal gift?" Xue Pan said, "I have things ready at hand — let me prepare a gift for Second Brother to take." Jia Lian said with a laugh, "There's no need for gold or silk either — it should be something Brother Liu owns personally, regardless of whether it's precious or cheap; I only need it to take back as a token of good faith." Xianglian said, "In that case, I have nothing else — this sword I carry for self-protection, I cannot part with it.囊中尚有一把鴛鴦劍，乃吾家傳代之寶，弟也不敢擅用，只隨身收藏而已。But in my pouch I still have a pair of Mandarin Duck Swords, a treasure handed down in my family — I myself have never dared to use them, and only carry them with me for safekeeping.賈兄請拿去為定。Brother Jia, please take them as the betrothal token.弟縱系水流花落之性，然亦斷不舍此劍者。”說畢，解囊出劍，捧與賈璉。Even though I am by nature one who drifts like water and falls like blossoms, I would never willingly part with these swords." Having said this, he opened his pouch, took out the swords, and presented them to Jia Lian with both hands.賈璉命人收了。Jia Lian had someone put them away safely.大家又飲了幾杯，方各自上馬，作別起程。The three of them drank a few more cups together, and only then did each mount his horse, bid farewell, and set off on his own way.正是：將軍不下馬，各自奔前程。Truly it was: the generals do not dismount, but each rides on toward his own destiny.

是日一早出城，就奔平安州大道，晓行夜住，渴饮饥餐。方走了三日，那日正走之间，顶头来了一群驮子，内中一伙，主仆十来骑马，走的近来一看，不是别人，竟是薛蟠和柳湘连来了。贾琏深为奇怪，忙伸马迎了上来，大家一齐相见，说些别后寒温，大家便入酒店歇下，叙谈叙谈。贾琏因笑说：“闹过之后，我们忙著请你两个和解，谁知柳兄踪迹全无。怎么你两个今日倒在一处了？”薛蟠笑道：“天下竟有这样奇事。我同伙计贩了货物，自春天起身，往回里走，一路平安。谁知前日到了平安州界，遇一伙强盗，已将东西劫去。不想柳二弟从那边来了，方把贼人赶散，夺回货物，还救了我们的性命。我谢他又不受，所以我们结拜了生死弟兄，如今一路进京。从此后我们是亲弟亲兄一般。到前面岔口上分路，他就分路往南二百里有他一个姑妈，他去望候望候。我先进京去安置了我的事，然后给他寻一所宅子，寻一门好亲事，大家过起来。”贾琏听了道：“原来如此，倒教我们悬了几日心。”因又听道寻亲，又忙说道：“我正有一门好亲事堪配二弟。”说著，便将自己娶尤氏，如今又要发嫁小姨一节说了出来，只不说尤三姐自择之语。又嘱薛蟠且不可告诉家里，等生了儿子，自然是知道的。薛蟠听了大喜，说：“早该如此，这都是舍表妹之过。”湘莲忙笑说：“你又忘情了，还不住口。”薛蟠忙止住不语，便说：“既是这等，这门亲事定要做的。”湘莲道：“我本有愿，定要一个绝色的女子。如今既是贵昆仲高谊，顾不得许多了，任凭裁夺，我无不从命。”贾琏笑道：“如今口说无凭，等柳兄一见，便知我这内娣的品貌是古今有一无二的了。”湘莲听了大喜，说：“既如此说，等弟探过姑娘，不过月中就进京的，那时再定如何？”贾琏笑道：“你我一言为定，只是我信不过柳兄。你乃是萍踪浪迹，倘然淹滞不归，岂不误了人家。须得留一定礼。”湘莲道：“大丈夫岂有失信之理。小弟素系寒贫，况且客中，何能有定礼。”薛蟠道：“我这里现成，就备一分二哥带去。”贾琏笑道：“也不用金帛之礼，须是柳兄亲身自有之物，不论物之贵贱，不过我带去取信耳。”湘莲道：“既如此说，弟无别物，此剑防身，不能解下。囊中尚有一把鸳鸯剑，乃吾家传代之宝，弟也不敢擅用，只随身收藏而已。贾兄请拿去为定。弟纵系水流花落之性，然亦断不舍此剑者。”说毕，解囊出剑，捧与贾琏。贾琏命人收了。大家又饮了几杯，方各自上马，作别起程。正是：将军不下马，各自奔前程。

且說賈璉一日到了平安州，見了節度，完了公事。Now to speak of Jia Lian: in due course he arrived at Ping'an Prefecture, had his audience with the military governor, and completed his official business.因又囑他十月前後務要還來一次，賈璉領命。The governor further instructed him that he must come again around the tenth month, and Jia Lian accepted the order.次日連忙取路回家，先到尤二姐處探望。The next day he hurried to take the road home, going first to visit You Erjie.誰知賈璉出門之後，尤二姐操持家務十分謹肅，每日關門閤戶，一點外事不聞。It turned out that ever since Jia Lian had left, You Erjie had managed the household with the utmost care and discipline, keeping the doors shut every day and hearing nothing of outside affairs.他小妹子果是個斬釘截鐵之人，每日侍奉母姊之餘，只安分守己，隨分過活。Her younger sister had indeed proven to be a person as resolute as one who cuts through nails and severs iron — every day, aside from waiting on her mother and elder sister, she simply kept to her proper place and lived quietly within her lot.雖是夜晚間孤衾獨枕，不慣寂寞，奈一心丟了眾人，只念柳湘蓮早早回來完了終身大事。Though at night, alone under her quilt and pillow, she was unused to such solitude, still, having set her heart against everyone else, she thought only of Liu Xianglian, longing for him to return soon so that the great matter of her life might be settled.這日賈璉進門，見了這般景況，喜之不盡，深念二姐之德。That day, when Jia Lian came through the door and saw how things stood, his joy knew no bounds, and he was deeply moved by Erjie's virtue.大家敘些寒溫之後，賈璉便將路上相遇湘蓮一事說了出來，又將鴛鴦劍取出，遞與三姐。After they had exchanged the usual pleasantries, Jia Lian told them about meeting Xianglian on the road, and then took out the Mandarin Duck Swords and handed them to San-jie.三姐看時，上面龍吞夔護，珠寶晶熒，將靶一掣，里面卻是兩把合体的。When San-jie examined them, she saw dragons and hornless dragons worked into the guard, with pearls and gems glittering brightly; when she drew the hilt, it turned out to be a pair of swords joined as one.一把上面鏨著一“鴛”字，一把上面鏨著一“鴦”字，冷颼颼，明亮亮，如兩痕秋水一般。One blade had the character "yuan" engraved upon it, the other the character "yang," and both were icy cold and dazzling bright, like two streaks of autumn water.三姐喜出望外，連忙收了，挂在自己繡房床上，每日望著劍，自笑終身有靠。San-jie was overjoyed beyond expectation, and quickly put them away, hanging them above her bed in her embroidered chamber; every day she would gaze at the swords and smile to herself, thinking that her whole life now had something to rely on.賈璉住了兩天，回去复了父命，回家合宅相見。Jia Lian stayed two days, then went back to report to his father that his mission was accomplished, and returned home to see the whole household.那時鳳姐已大愈，出來理事行走了。By that time Fengjie had largely recovered and was already up and about, managing affairs again.賈璉又將此事告訴了賈珍。Jia Lian also told Jia Zhen about this matter.賈珍因近日又遇了新友，將這事丟過，不在心上，任憑賈璉裁奪，只怕賈璉獨力不加，少不得又給了他三十兩銀子。Jia Zhen, having recently taken up with some new friends, had let the matter drop and paid it no mind, leaving everything to Jia Lian's discretion; only, worried that Jia Lian alone might not have enough funds, he could not do otherwise than give him another thirty taels of silver.賈璉拿來交與二姐預備妝奩。Jia Lian took this and handed it over to Erjie to prepare the trousseau.

且说贾琏一日到了平安州，见了节度，完了公事。因又嘱他十月前后务要还来一次，贾琏领命。次日连忙取路回家，先到尤二姐处探望。谁知贾琏出门之后，尤二姐操持家务十分谨肃，每日关门合户，一点外事不闻。他小妹子果是个斩钉截铁之人，每日侍奉母姊之余，只安分守己，随分过活。虽是夜晚间孤衾独枕，不惯寂寞，奈一心丢了众人，只念柳湘莲早早回来完了终身大事。这日贾琏进门，见了这般景况，喜之不尽，深念二姐之德。大家叙些寒温之后，贾琏便将路上相遇湘莲一事说了出来，又将鸳鸯剑取出，递与三姐。三姐看时，上面龙吞夔护，珠宝晶荧，将靶一掣，里面却是两把合体的。一把上面錾著一“鸳”字，一把上面錾著一“鸯”字，冷飕飕，明亮亮，如两痕秋水一般。三姐喜出望外，连忙收了，挂在自己绣房床上，每日望著剑，自笑终身有靠。贾琏住了两天，回去复了父命，回家合宅相见。那时凤姐已大愈，出来理事行走了。贾琏又将此事告诉了贾珍。贾珍因近日又遇了新友，将这事丢过，不在心上，任凭贾琏裁夺，只怕贾琏独力不加，少不得又给了他三十两银子。贾琏拿来交与二姐预备妆奁。

誰知八月內湘蓮方進了京，先來拜見薛姨媽，又遇見薛蝌，方知薛蟠不慣風霜，不服水土，一進京時便病倒在家，請醫調治。As it turned out, it was not until the eighth month that Xianglian finally arrived in the capital. He came first to pay his respects to Aunt Xue, and there he met Xue Ke, and only then learned that Xue Pan, unused to the hardships of travel and unable to adjust to the change of climate, had fallen ill as soon as he entered the capital and was at home under a doctor's care.聽見湘蓮來了，請入臥室相見。On hearing that Xianglian had come, Xue Pan asked that he be shown into his bedroom to meet him.薛姨媽也不念舊事，只感新恩，母子們十分稱謝。Aunt Xue too set aside all thought of the old grievance and thought only of the recent kindness, and mother and son thanked him most warmly.又說起親事一節，凡一應東西皆已妥當，只等擇日。They also brought up the matter of the marriage, saying that everything necessary had already been arranged, and they were only waiting to choose an auspicious date.柳湘蓮也感激不盡。Liu Xianglian, too, was endlessly grateful.

谁知八月内湘莲方进了京，先来拜见薛姨妈，又遇见薛蝌，方知薛蟠不惯风霜，不服水土，一进京时便病倒在家，请医调治。听见湘莲来了，请入卧室相见。薛姨妈也不念旧事，只感新恩，母子们十分称谢。又说起亲事一节，凡一应东西皆已妥当，只等择日。柳湘莲也感激不尽。

次日又來見寶玉，二人相會，如魚得水。The next day he came again to see Baoyu, and when the two of them met, it was like fish finding water.湘蓮因問賈璉偷娶二房之事，寶玉笑道：“我聽見茗煙一干人說，我卻未見，我也不敢多管。Xianglian then asked about Jia Lian's secretly taking a second wife, and Baoyu said with a laugh, "I heard about it from Mingyan and the others, but I've never seen her myself, and I didn't dare pry into it.我又聽見茗煙說，璉二哥哥著實問你，不知有何話說？”湘蓮就將路上所有之事一概告訴寶玉，寶玉笑道：“大喜，大喜！I also heard from Mingyan that Cousin Lian asked about you quite earnestly — I wonder what that was about?" Xianglian then told Baoyu everything that had happened on the road, and Baoyu said with a laugh, "Congratulations, congratulations!難得這個標致人，果然是個古今絕色，堪配你之為人。”湘蓮道：“既是這樣，他那里少了人物，如何只想到我。It's rare to find such a beauty — truly a peerless beauty of past or present, well matched to a man like you." Xianglian said, "If that's so, surely she has no lack of fine men to choose from — why would she think only of me?況且我又素日不甚和他厚，也關切不至此。Besides, I've never been particularly close to him in the past, so his concern shouldn't run this deep.路上工夫忙忙的就那樣再三要來定，難道女家反赶著男家不成。There on the road, in such haste, he pressed again and again to settle the betrothal right away — surely it isn't a case of the bride's side chasing after the groom's side?我自己疑惑起來，後悔不該留下這劍作定。I've grown suspicious myself, and now regret that I left the sword behind as a betrothal token.所以後來想起你來，可以細細問個底里才好。”寶玉道：“你原是個精細人，如何既許了定禮又疑惑起來？That's why I later thought of you — you might be able to look into the matter carefully for me." Baoyu said, "You've always been a careful, sharp-minded man — how is it that you first agreed to give the betrothal gift and are only now growing suspicious?你原說只要一個絕色的，如今既得了個絕色便罷了。You yourself said all along that you wanted nothing but a woman of matchless beauty — now that you've gotten one of matchless beauty, that should be the end of it.何必再疑？”湘蓮道：“你既不知他娶，如何又知是絕色？”寶玉道：“他是珍大嫂子的繼母帶來的兩位小姨。Why doubt any further?" Xianglian said, "If you didn't even know he'd married her, how do you know she's a matchless beauty?" Baoyu said, "She's one of the two younger sisters brought along by Elder Sister-in-law Zhen's stepmother.我在那里和他們混了一個月，怎麼不知？I spent a whole month there mixing with them — how could I not know?真真一對尤物，他又姓尤。”湘蓮聽了，跌足道：“這事不好，斷乎做不得了。They're truly a pair of ravishing beauties — and fittingly enough, their surname is You, 'alluring.'" When Xianglian heard this, he stamped his foot and said, "This is bad — this match absolutely cannot go through.你們東府里除了那兩個石頭獅子乾淨，只怕連貓兒狗兒都不乾淨。In your Eastern Mansion, aside from those two stone lions at the gate, I'm afraid even the cats and dogs aren't clean.我不做這剩忘八。”寶玉聽說，紅了臉。I won't be made into some leftover cuckold." When Baoyu heard this, he flushed red.湘蓮自慚失言，連忙作揖說：“我該死胡說。Xianglian, ashamed of his own careless words, hastily bowed with clasped hands and said, "I deserve to die for talking such nonsense.你好歹告訴我，他品行如何？”寶玉笑道：“你既深知，又來問我作甚么？Please, in any case, tell me — what is her character really like?" Baoyu said with a laugh, "Since you already know so much, why come and ask me at all?連我也未必乾淨了。”湘蓮笑道：“原是我自己一時忘情，好歹別多心。”寶玉笑道：“何必再提，這倒是有心了。”湘蓮作揖告辭出來，若去找薛蟠，一則他現臥病，二則他又浮躁，不如去索回定禮。Even I myself may not count as 'clean' by now." Xianglian said with a laugh, "It was only that I lost my composure for a moment — please, whatever you do, don't take it to heart." Baoyu said with a laugh, "There's no need to bring it up again — to do so would only show that you really do take it to heart." Xianglian bowed and took his leave. As for going to find Xue Pan — firstly, he was presently lying ill, and secondly, he was rash and hot-tempered — it seemed better instead to go and demand the betrothal gift back.主意已定，便一徑來找賈璉。Once his mind was made up, he went straight to find Jia Lian.賈璉正在新房中，聞得湘蓮來了，喜之不禁，忙迎了出來，讓到內室與尤老相見。Jia Lian was in the new bridal chamber when he heard that Xianglian had come; unable to contain his joy, he hurried out to meet him and led him into the inner room to meet old madam You.湘蓮只作揖稱老伯母，自稱晚生，賈璉聽了詫异。Xianglian only bowed with hands clasped, calling her "venerable aunt," and referred to himself as "your junior"; hearing this, Jia Lian was taken aback.吃茶之間，湘蓮便說：“客中偶然忙促，誰知家姑母于四月間訂了弟婦，使弟無言可回。While they were taking tea, Xianglian said, "Being unexpectedly pressed for time while away from home, who could have known that my aunt had, back in the fourth month, already betrothed me to a bride, leaving me no way to refuse.若從了老兄背了姑母，似非合理。Were I to comply with you, elder brother, and go against my aunt's wishes, that would hardly seem reasonable.若系金帛之訂，弟不敢索取，但此劍系祖父所遺，請仍賜回為幸。”賈璉聽了，便不自在，還說：“定者，定也。If this concerns only a matter of gold and silk betrothal gifts, I dare not ask for their return, but this sword was left to me by my grandfather, so I beg you to be so good as to return it to me." Hearing this, Jia Lian felt uneasy, and said, "A betrothal token is a betrothal token.原怕反悔所以為定。It was precisely for fear of a change of heart that it was made a fixed token.豈有婚姻之事，出入隨意的？How can a matter of marriage be entered into and withdrawn from at will?還要斟酌。”湘蓮笑道：“雖如此說，弟願領責領罰，然此事斷不敢從命。”賈璉還要饒舌，湘蓮便起身說：“請兄外坐一敘，此處不便。”那尤三姐在房明明聽見。This needs further consideration." Xianglian said with a smile, "Though you put it that way, I am willing to accept any blame or punishment, but on this matter I dare absolutely not comply." Jia Lian was about to go on talking, but Xianglian rose and said, "Please come outside, elder brother, and let us talk it over there; it is not convenient here." You Sanjie, who was in the room, heard every word of this clearly.好容易等了他來，今忽見反悔，便知他在賈府中得了消息，自然是嫌自己淫奔無恥之流，不屑為妻。Having waited with such difficulty for him to come, she now suddenly saw him go back on his word, and she knew at once that he must have heard something about her while at the Jia mansion — naturally he despised her as one of a shameless, wanton sort, unworthy to be his wife.今若容他出去和賈璉說退親，料那賈璉必無法可處，自己豈不無趣。If she now let him go outside and speak with Jia Lian about breaking off the match, she reckoned Jia Lian would have no way to handle it, and would she herself not then be put to shame?一聽賈璉要同他出去，連忙摘下劍來，將一股雌鋒隱在肘內，出來便說：“你們不必出去再議，還你的定禮。”一面淚如雨下，左手將劍并鞘送與湘蓮，右手回肘只往項上一橫。As soon as she heard Jia Lian was about to go outside with him, she hastily unfastened the sword, concealed the female blade against her elbow, came out and said, "There is no need for you gentlemen to go out and discuss this further — here, take back your betrothal gift." As she spoke, tears fell like rain; with her left hand she handed the sword, sheath and all, to Xianglian, while with her right hand she swept the blade she had hidden at her elbow straight across her own throat.可怜“揉碎桃花紅滿地，玉山傾倒再難扶”，芳靈蕙性，渺渺冥冥，不知那邊去了。Pitiful indeed — "the peach blossoms crushed to crimson cover the ground, the jade mountain toppled, never again to be propped up" — her fragrant spirit and lovely nature vanished into the dim and boundless beyond, gone none knew where.當下唬得眾人急救不迭。At this everyone was thrown into terror and rushed to save her, but too late.尤老一面嚎哭，一面又罵湘蓮。Old madam You wailed and sobbed, and in the same breath cursed Xianglian.賈璉忙揪住湘蓮，命人捆了送官。Jia Lian hastily seized hold of Xianglian and ordered someone to bind him and send him to the authorities.尤二姐忙止淚反勸賈璉：“你太多事，人家并沒威逼他死，是他自尋短見。You Erjie hurriedly wiped away her tears and instead urged Jia Lian, "You are making too much of this — no one forced or threatened him to death; he took his own life of his own accord.你便送他到官，又有何益，反覺生事出丑。Even if you send him to the authorities, what good would that do? It would only stir up trouble and bring shame on us.不如放他去罷，豈不省事。”賈璉此時也沒了主意，便放了手命湘蓮快去。Better to let him go — would that not spare everyone the trouble?" Jia Lian, at a loss what to do by this point, let go of him and told Xianglian to leave at once.湘蓮反不動身，泣道：“我并不知是這等剛烈賢妻，可敬，可敬。”湘蓮反扶尸大哭一場。Xianglian, on the contrary, did not move, but said weeping, "I had no idea she was a wife of such fierce integrity — admirable, truly admirable." Instead he went to the body and wept bitterly over it.等買了棺木，眼見入殮，又俯棺大哭一場，方告辭而去。He waited until the coffin was bought and watched her placed in it, then bent over the coffin and wept bitterly once more before finally taking his leave and departing.

次日又来见宝玉，二人相会，如鱼得水。湘莲因问贾琏偷娶二房之事，宝玉笑道：“我听见茗烟一干人说，我却未见，我也不敢多管。我又听见茗烟说，琏二哥哥著实问你，不知有何话说？”湘莲就将路上所有之事一概告诉宝玉，宝玉笑道：“大喜，大喜！难得这个标致人，果然是个古今绝色，堪配你之为人。”湘莲道：“既是这样，他那里少了人物，如何只想到我。况且我又素日不甚和他厚，也关切不至此。路上工夫忙忙的就那样再三要来定，难道女家反赶著男家不成。我自己疑惑起来，后悔不该留下这剑作定。所以后来想起你来，可以细细问个底里才好。”宝玉道：“你原是个精细人，如何既许了定礼又疑惑起来？你原说只要一个绝色的，如今既得了个绝色便罢了。何必再疑？”湘莲道：“你既不知他娶，如何又知是绝色？”宝玉道：“他是珍大嫂子的继母带来的两位小姨。我在那里和他们混了一个月，怎么不知？真真一对尤物，他又姓尤。”湘莲听了，跌足道：“这事不好，断乎做不得了。你们东府里除了那两个石头狮子干净，只怕连猫儿狗儿都不干净。我不做这剩忘八。”宝玉听说，红了脸。湘莲自惭失言，连忙作揖说：“我该死胡说。你好歹告诉我，他品行如何？”宝玉笑道：“你既深知，又来问我作甚么？连我也未必干净了。”湘莲笑道：“原是我自己一时忘情，好歹别多心。”宝玉笑道：“何必再提，这倒是有心了。”湘莲作揖告辞出来，若去找薛蟠，一则他现卧病，二则他又浮躁，不如去索回定礼。主意已定，便一径来找贾琏。贾琏正在新房中，闻得湘莲来了，喜之不禁，忙迎了出来，让到内室与尤老相见。湘莲只作揖称老伯母，自称晚生，贾琏听了诧异。吃茶之间，湘莲便说：“客中偶然忙促，谁知家姑母于四月间订了弟妇，使弟无言可回。若从了老兄背了姑母，似非合理。若系金帛之订，弟不敢索取，但此剑系祖父所遗，请仍赐回为幸。”贾琏听了，便不自在，还说：“定者，定也。原怕反悔所以为定。岂有婚姻之事，出入随意的？还要斟酌。”湘莲笑道：“虽如此说，弟愿领责领罚，然此事断不敢从命。”贾琏还要饶舌，湘莲便起身说：“请兄外坐一叙，此处不便。”那尤三姐在房明明听见。好容易等了他来，今忽见反悔，便知他在贾府中得了消息，自然是嫌自己淫奔无耻之流，不屑为妻。今若容他出去和贾琏说退亲，料那贾琏必无法可处，自己岂不无趣。一听贾琏要同他出去，连忙摘下剑来，将一股雌锋隐在肘内，出来便说：“你们不必出去再议，还你的定礼。”一面泪如雨下，左手将剑并鞘送与湘莲，右手回肘只往项上一横。可怜“揉碎桃花红满地，玉山倾倒再难扶”，芳灵蕙性，渺渺冥冥，不知那边去了。当下唬得众人急救不迭。尤老一面嚎哭，一面又骂湘莲。贾琏忙揪住湘莲，命人捆了送官。尤二姐忙止泪反劝贾琏：“你太多事，人家并没威逼他死，是他自寻短见。你便送他到官，又有何益，反觉生事出丑。不如放他去罢，岂不省事。”贾琏此时也没了主意，便放了手命湘莲快去。湘莲反不动身，泣道：“我并不知是这等刚烈贤妻，可敬，可敬。”湘莲反扶尸大哭一场。等买了棺木，眼见入殓，又俯棺大哭一场，方告辞而去。

出門無所之，昏昏默默，自想方才之事。Once outside the gate he had nowhere in particular to go, and wandered on in a daze, lost in thought, brooding over what had just happened.原來尤三姐這樣標致，又這等剛烈，自悔不及。He thought of how You Sanjie had been so beautiful, and so fiercely upright besides, and he regretted, too late, what he had done.正走之間，只見薛蟠的小廝尋他家去，那湘蓮只管出神。As he was walking along like this, he happened to see a houseboy of Xue Pan's looking for him to bring him home, and Xianglian, absorbed in his thoughts, simply followed along in a daze.那小廝帶他到新房之中，十分齊整。The houseboy led him into a newly furnished bridal chamber, exceedingly neat and orderly.忽聽環珮叮當，尤三姐從外而入，一手捧著鴛鴦劍，一手捧著一卷冊子，向柳湘蓮泣道：“妾痴情待君五年矣。Suddenly he heard the tinkling of jade pendants, and You Sanjie came in from outside, in one hand holding the pair of mandarin-duck swords, in the other a rolled register, and said to Liu Xianglian in tears, "I waited on you in foolish devotion for five years.不期君果冷心冷面，妾以死報此痴情。Never expecting that you would truly prove so cold of heart and cold of face, I repaid that foolish devotion with death.妾今奉警幻之命，前往太虛幻境修注案中所有一干情鬼。I now go, by order of the Goddess of Disillusionment, to the Illusory Realm of Great Void, to register and record all the spirits of love bound up in this case.妾不忍一別，故來一會，從此再不能相見矣。”說著便走。I could not bear to leave without one meeting, and so I have come to see you once — from now on we can never meet again." So saying, she turned to go.湘蓮不舍，忙欲上來拉住問時，那尤三姐便說：“來自情天，去由情地。Unable to bear the parting, Xianglian hastily tried to step forward and take hold of her to ask further, but You Sanjie only said, "I came from the Heaven of Passion, and I return to the Land of Passion.前生誤被情惑，今既恥情而覺，與君兩無干涉。”說畢，一陣香風，無蹤無影去了。In a former life I was mistakenly ensnared by passion; now, having come to be ashamed of passion, I have awakened from it — with you I have no further connection." With these words, a gust of fragrant wind, and she vanished without a trace.湘蓮警覺，似夢非夢，睜眼看時，那里有薛家小童，也非新室，竟是一座破廟，旁邊坐著一個跏腿道士捕虱。Xianglian started awake, as if from a dream yet not quite a dream; when he opened his eyes and looked, there was no sign of the Xue family houseboy, nor was it a new bridal chamber at all — it was in fact a ruined temple, beside which sat a Taoist priest with legs crossed, catching lice.湘蓮便起身稽首相問：“此系何方？Xianglian rose and bowed with hands to the ground, asking, "What place is this?仙師仙名法號？”道士笑道：“連我也不知道此系何方，我系何人，不過暫來歇足而已。”柳湘蓮聽了，不覺冷然如寒冰侵骨，掣出那股雄劍，將萬根煩惱絲一揮而盡，便隨那道士，不知往那里去了。And may I ask the immortal master's name and religious title?" The priest said with a smile, "Even I do not know what place this is, nor who I am — I have merely come to rest my feet here a while." Hearing this, Xianglian felt an inexplicable chill, as though ice had pierced to his very bones; he drew out the male sword, and with a single sweep cut off his mane of ten thousand strands of earthly care, then followed the priest away, no one knowing where they went.後回便見。To be continued in the next chapter.

出门无所之，昏昏默默，自想方才之事。原来尤三姐这样标致，又这等刚烈，自悔不及。正走之间，只见薛蟠的小厮寻他家去，那湘莲只管出神。那小厮带他到新房之中，十分齐整。忽听环珮叮当，尤三姐从外而入，一手捧著鸳鸯剑，一手捧著一卷册子，向柳湘莲泣道：“妾痴情待君五年矣。不期君果冷心冷面，妾以死报此痴情。妾今奉警幻之命，前往太虚幻境修注案中所有一干情鬼。妾不忍一别，故来一会，从此再不能相见矣。”说著便走。湘莲不舍，忙欲上来拉住问时，那尤三姐便说：“来自情天，去由情地。前生误被情惑，今既耻情而觉，与君两无干涉。”说毕，一阵香风，无踪无影去了。湘莲警觉，似梦非梦，睁眼看时，那里有薛家小童，也非新室，竟是一座破庙，旁边坐著一个跏腿道士捕虱。湘莲便起身稽首相问：“此系何方？仙师仙名法号？”道士笑道：“连我也不知道此系何方，我系何人，不过暂来歇足而已。”柳湘莲听了，不觉冷然如寒冰侵骨，掣出那股雄剑，将万根烦恼丝一挥而尽，便随那道士，不知往那里去了。后回便见。