第六十七回　饋土物顰卿念故里　訊家童鳳姐蓄陰謀 Local Gifts Make Daiyu Miss Home; Questioning a Page-Boy, Xifeng Hatches a Plot

話說尤三姐自盡之後，尤老娘和二姐兒，賈珍，賈璉等俱不胜悲慟，自不必說，忙令人盛殮，送往城外埋葬。The story goes that after You Sanjie killed herself, Old Mother You, Er-jie, Jia Zhen, Jia Lian and the others were overcome with grief beyond words — needless to say — and hastily had her placed in her coffin and sent outside the city for burial.柳湘蓮見尤三姐身亡，痴情眷戀，卻被道人數句冷言打破迷關，竟自截發出家，跟隨瘋道人飄然而去，不知何往。Liu Xianglian, seeing that You Sanjie had died, was consumed with foolish longing and attachment, but a few cold words from a Taoist priest shattered his delusion, and he cut off his hair then and there to become a monk, drifting away after the mad Taoist, no one knew where.暫且不表。For now we shall say no more of this.

话说尤三姐自尽之后，尤老娘和二姐儿，贾珍，贾琏等俱不胜悲恸，自不必说，忙令人盛殓，送往城外埋葬。柳湘莲见尤三姐身亡，痴情眷恋，却被道人数句冷言打破迷关，竟自截发出家，跟随疯道人飘然而去，不知何往。暂且不表。

且說薛姨媽聞知湘蓮已說定了尤三姐為妻，心中甚喜，正是高高興興要打算替他買房子，治家伙，擇吉迎娶，以報他救命之恩。Now, when Aunt Xue heard that Xianglian had already settled on taking You Sanjie as his wife, she was overjoyed, and was just happily planning to buy him a house, set up a household, and choose an auspicious day to receive the bride, so as to repay him for saving his life.忽有家中小廝吵嚷“三姐兒自盡了”，被小丫頭們聽見，告知薛姨媽。Suddenly a houseboy was heard clamoring that 'Third Sister has killed herself,' and the little maids overheard it and told Aunt Xue.薛姨媽不知為何，心甚歎息。Aunt Xue, not knowing why, sighed deeply in her heart.正在猜疑，寶釵從園里過來，薛姨媽便對寶釵說道：“我的兒，你聽見了沒有？Just as she was puzzling over it, Baochai came in from the garden, and Aunt Xue said to her, 'My child, have you heard?'你珍大嫂子的妹妹三姑娘，他不是已經許定給你哥哥的義弟柳湘蓮了么，不知為什麼自刎了。'That Third Miss, the younger sister of your cousin Jia Zhen's wife — wasn't she already promised in marriage to your brother's sworn brother Liu Xianglian? — for some reason she's cut her own throat.'那柳湘蓮也不知往那里去了。'And that Liu Xianglian, no one knows where he's gone either.'真正奇怪的事，叫人意想不到。”寶釵聽了，并不在意，便說道：“俗話說的好，‘天有不測風雲，人有旦夕禍福’。'It's truly a strange affair, quite beyond anyone's expectation.' Baochai, hearing this, took it in stride, and said, 'As the saying goes so well, "Heaven has unpredictable storms, and man has sudden fortune and misfortune."'這也是他們前生命定。'This too must be fated from a former life.'前日媽媽為他救了哥哥，商量著替他料理，如今已經死的死了，走的走了，依我說，也只好由他罷了。'The other day, Mother, because he saved my brother, you were discussing arranging things for him — but now, the one who died has died, and the one who left has left, and to my mind, there's nothing to do but let it be.'媽媽也不必為他們傷感了。'There's no need for you to grieve over them, Mother.'倒是自從哥哥打江南回來了一二十日，販了來的貨物，想來也該發完了，那同伴去的伙計們辛辛苦苦的，回來幾個月了，媽媽和哥哥商議商議，也該請一請，酬謝酬謝才是。'What matters more is that it's been ten or twenty days since my brother returned from the south, and the goods he brought back for trade should by now be all sold off; the clerks who traveled with him worked hard and have been back for months now — you and my brother should talk it over and really ought to invite them for a meal, to show some thanks.'別叫人家看著無理似的。”'Don't let people think we're being inconsiderate.'

且说薛姨妈闻知湘莲已说定了尤三姐为妻，心中甚喜，正是高高兴兴要打算替他买房子，治家伙，择吉迎娶，以报他救命之恩。忽有家中小厮吵嚷“三姐儿自尽了”，被小丫头们听见，告知薛姨妈。薛姨妈不知为何，心甚叹息。正在猜疑，宝钗从园里过来，薛姨妈便对宝钗说道：“我的儿，你听见了没有？你珍大嫂子的妹妹三姑娘，他不是已经许定给你哥哥的义弟柳湘莲了么，不知为什么自刎了。那柳湘莲也不知往那里去了。真正奇怪的事，叫人意想不到。”宝钗听了，并不在意，便说道：“俗话说的好，‘天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福’。这也是他们前生命定。前日妈妈为他救了哥哥，商量著替他料理，如今已经死的死了，走的走了，依我说，也只好由他罢了。妈妈也不必为他们伤感了。倒是自从哥哥打江南回来了一二十日，贩了来的货物，想来也该发完了，那同伴去的伙计们辛辛苦苦的，回来几个月了，妈妈和哥哥商议商议，也该请一请，酬谢酬谢才是。别叫人家看著无理似的。”

母女正說話間，見薛蟠自外而入，眼中尚有淚痕。Just as mother and daughter were talking, Xue Pan came in from outside, traces of tears still on his face.一進門來。As soon as he came through the door,便向他母親拍手說道：“媽媽可知道柳二哥尤三姐的事么？”薛姨媽說：“我才聽見說，正在這里和你妹妹說這件公案呢。”薛蟠道：“媽媽可聽見說柳湘蓮跟著一個道士出了家了么？”薛姨媽道：“這越發奇了。he clapped his hands and said to his mother, 'Mother, do you know about Second Brother Liu and You Sanjie?' Aunt Xue said, 'I just heard about it — your sister and I were just talking over the whole affair.' Xue Pan said, 'Mother, have you heard that Liu Xianglian has gone off to become a monk, following some Taoist priest?' Aunt Xue said, 'That's even stranger still.'怎麼柳相公那樣一個年輕的聰明人，一時糊涂，就跟著道士去了呢。'How could young Master Liu, such a clever young man, in a moment of confusion, just go off following a Taoist priest?'我想你們好了一場，他又無父母兄弟，只身一人在此，你該各處找找他才是。'I think, since the two of you were such good friends, and he has no parents or brothers, all alone here — you really ought to search everywhere for him.'靠那道士能往那里遠去，左不過是在這方近左右的廟里寺里罷了。”薛蟠說：“何嘗不是呢。'That Taoist can't have gone very far — he must be somewhere in one of the temples or monasteries nearby.' Xue Pan said, 'That's exactly what I thought.'我一聽見這個信兒，就連忙帶了小廝們在各處尋找，連一個影兒也沒有。'As soon as I heard the news, I hurried and took the houseboys to search everywhere, but there wasn't even a shadow of him to be found.'又去問人，都說沒看見。”薛姨媽說：“你既找尋過沒有，也算把你作朋友的心盡了。'I asked people too, and they all said they hadn't seen him.' Aunt Xue said, 'Well, since you searched and couldn't find him, you've at least done your duty as a friend.'焉知他這一出家不是得了好處去呢。'Who's to say this becoming a monk isn't a good turn of fortune for him?'只是你如今也該張羅張羅買賣，二則把你自己娶媳婦應辦的事情，倒早些料理料理。'Still, you ought to see to your business affairs now, and second, you should get an early start on handling the matters concerning your own marriage.'咱們家沒人，俗語說的‘夯雀兒先飛’，省得臨時丟三落四的不齊全，令人笑話。'There's no one else in our family to manage things — as the saying goes, "the clumsy bird takes flight first" — so as to avoid a last-minute scramble with things left undone and incomplete, which would make people laugh at us.'再者你妹妹才說，你也回家半個多月了，想貨物也該發完了，同你去的伙計們，也該擺桌酒給他們道道乏才是。'Besides, your sister was just saying that you've been home more than half a month now, and the goods ought to be all sold, so you really should lay out a table of wine for the clerks who went with you, to thank them for their trouble.'人家陪著你走了二三千里的路程，受了四五個月的辛苦，而且在路上又替你擔了多少的驚怕沉重。”薛蟠聽說，便道：“媽媽說的很是。'They accompanied you two or three thousand li, endured four or five months of hardship, and along the way bore no end of fright and burden on your account.' Hearing this, Xue Pan said, 'Mother is quite right.'倒是妹妹想的周到。'It's my sister who's thought things through so carefully.'我也這樣想著，只因這些日子為各處發貨鬧的腦袋都大了。'I'd been thinking the same, but these past days my head's been in a whirl from getting the goods delivered everywhere.'又為柳二哥的事忙了這幾日，反倒落了一個空，白張羅了一會子，倒把正經事都誤了。'And then these last few days I've been busy over the matter of Second Brother Liu, and it came to nothing — I fussed over it for nothing and ended up neglecting the real business.'要不然定了明兒後兒下帖兒請罷。”薛姨媽道：“由你辦去罷。”'Why don't I just set it for tomorrow or the day after and send out the invitations.' Aunt Xue said, 'Go ahead and handle it as you see fit.'

母女正说话间，见薛蟠自外而入，眼中尚有泪痕。一进门来。便向他母亲拍手说道：“妈妈可知道柳二哥尤三姐的事么？”薛姨妈说：“我才听见说，正在这里和你妹妹说这件公案呢。”薛蟠道：“妈妈可听见说柳湘莲跟著一个道士出了家了么？”薛姨妈道：“这越发奇了。怎么柳相公那样一个年轻的聪明人，一时糊涂，就跟著道士去了呢。我想你们好了一场，他又无父母兄弟，只身一人在此，你该各处找找他才是。靠那道士能往那里远去，左不过是在这方近左右的庙里寺里罢了。”薛蟠说：“何尝不是呢。我一听见这个信儿，就连忙带了小厮们在各处寻找，连一个影儿也没有。又去问人，都说没看见。”薛姨妈说：“你既找寻过没有，也算把你作朋友的心尽了。焉知他这一出家不是得了好处去呢。只是你如今也该张罗张罗买卖，二则把你自己娶媳妇应办的事情，倒早些料理料理。咱们家没人，俗语说的‘夯雀儿先飞’，省得临时丢三落四的不齐全，令人笑话。再者你妹妹才说，你也回家半个多月了，想货物也该发完了，同你去的伙计们，也该摆桌酒给他们道道乏才是。人家陪著你走了二三千里的路程，受了四五个月的辛苦，而且在路上又替你担了多少的惊怕沉重。”薛蟠听说，便道：“妈妈说的很是。倒是妹妹想的周到。我也这样想著，只因这些日子为各处发货闹的脑袋都大了。又为柳二哥的事忙了这几日，反倒落了一个空，白张罗了一会子，倒把正经事都误了。要不然定了明儿后儿下帖儿请罢。”薛姨妈道：“由你办去罢。”

話猶未了，外面小廝進來回說：“管總的張大爺差人送了兩箱子東西來，說這是爺各自買的，不在貨帳里面。Before she had finished speaking, a houseboy came in from outside to report, 'Steward Zhang has sent someone with two boxes of things, saying these are what the young master bought for himself, not part of the trade goods.'本要早送來，因貨物箱子壓著，沒得拿，昨兒貨物發完了，所以今日才送來了。”一面說，一面又見兩個小廝搬進了兩個夾板夾的大棕箱。'They meant to send them earlier, but the boxes were buried under the trade goods and couldn't be gotten at; only yesterday, once the goods were all delivered, could they get them out — that's why they're only being sent today.' Even as he spoke, two houseboys were seen carrying in two large brown-wood cases bound with wooden boards.薛蟠一見，說：“噯喲，可是我怎麼就糊涂到這步田地了！The moment Xue Pan saw them, he said, 'Oh dear, how could I have been so muddleheaded!'特特的給媽和妹妹帶來的東西，都忘了沒拿了家里來，還是伙計送了來了。”寶釵說：“虧你說，還是特特的帶來的才放了一二十天，若不是特特的帶來，大約要放到年底下才送來呢。'These things I especially brought back for Mother and Sister — I completely forgot to bring them home, and now the clerk has had to send them over.' Baochai said, 'And you dare say that — these were things especially brought for us, and they still sat for ten or twenty days; if they hadn't been especially brought, I suppose they wouldn't have been sent until the end of the year.'我看你也諸事太不留心了。”薛蟠笑道：“想是在路上叫人把魂嚇掉了，還沒歸竅呢。”說著大家笑了一回，便向小丫頭說：“出去告訴小廝們，東西收下，叫他們回去罷。”薛姨媽同寶釵因問：“到底是什麼東西，這樣捆著綁著的？”薛蟠便命叫兩個小廝進來，解了繩子，去了夾板，開了鎖看時，這一箱都是綢緞綾錦洋貨等家常應用之物。'I see you're careless about everything.' Xue Pan laughed and said, 'I suppose someone gave me such a fright on the road that my soul hasn't settled back into place yet.' At this everyone laughed for a while, and then he said to a little maid, 'Go out and tell the houseboys to take the things in and let them go back.' Aunt Xue and Baochai then asked, 'What exactly are these things, bound and tied up like this?' Xue Pan had two houseboys called in, untied the ropes, removed the boards, and unlocked it to look — this one case was full of silks, satins, damasks, foreign goods, and other everyday household articles.薛蟠笑著道：“那一箱是給妹妹帶的。”親自來開。Xue Pan said with a laugh, 'That other case is what I brought for Sister,' and came himself to open it.母女二人看時，卻是些筆，墨，紙，硯，各色箋紙，香袋，香珠，扇子，扇墜，花粉，胭脂等物，外有虎丘帶來的自行人，酒令兒，水銀灌的打筋斗小小子，沙子燈，一出一出的泥人兒的戲，用青紗罩的匣子裝著，又有在虎丘山上泥捏的薛蟠的小像，與薛蟠毫無相差。When mother and daughter looked, it turned out to be brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, notepaper of every color, scent-sachets, scent-beads, fans, fan-pendants, face powder, rouge, and the like, and besides these, self-moving figures brought from Huqiu, drinking-game tokens, little mercury-filled tumbling boys, sand-lamps, and clay figurines acting out scene after scene of plays, all packed in cases covered with green gauze; and there was also a little clay figure of Xue Pan himself, made at Huqiu, that looked exactly like him, without the slightest difference.寶釵見了，別的都不理論，倒是薛蟠的小像，拿著細細看了一看，又看看他哥哥，不禁笑起來了。When Baochai saw it, she paid no attention to the other things, but picked up the little figure of Xue Pan and looked at it closely, then looked at her brother, and couldn't help bursting out laughing.因叫鶯兒帶著幾個老婆子將這些東西連箱子送到園里去，又和母親哥哥說了一回閒話兒，才回園里去了。She then told Yingr to take a few old women and carry these things, cases and all, to the garden, and after chatting a while longer with her mother and brother, she went back to the garden.這里薛姨媽將箱子里的東西取出，一分一分的打點清楚，叫同喜送給賈母并王夫人等處不提。Here Aunt Xue took the things out of the case, sorted them clearly into separate shares, and had Tongxi deliver them to the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the others — but of that we need say no more.

话犹未了，外面小厮进来回说：“管总的张大爷差人送了两箱子东西来，说这是爷各自买的，不在货帐里面。本要早送来，因货物箱子压著，没得拿，昨儿货物发完了，所以今日才送来了。”一面说，一面又见两个小厮搬进了两个夹板夹的大棕箱。薛蟠一见，说：“嗳哟，可是我怎么就糊涂到这步田地了！特特的给妈和妹妹带来的东西，都忘了没拿了家里来，还是伙计送了来了。”宝钗说：“亏你说，还是特特的带来的才放了一二十天，若不是特特的带来，大约要放到年底下才送来呢。我看你也诸事太不留心了。”薛蟠笑道：“想是在路上叫人把魂吓掉了，还没归窍呢。”说著大家笑了一回，便向小丫头说：“出去告诉小厮们，东西收下，叫他们回去罢。”薛姨妈同宝钗因问：“到底是什么东西，这样捆著绑著的？”薛蟠便命叫两个小厮进来，解了绳子，去了夹板，开了锁看时，这一箱都是绸缎绫锦洋货等家常应用之物。薛蟠笑著道：“那一箱是给妹妹带的。”亲自来开。母女二人看时，却是些笔，墨，纸，砚，各色笺纸，香袋，香珠，扇子，扇坠，花粉，胭脂等物，外有虎丘带来的自行人，酒令儿，水银灌的打筋斗小小子，沙子灯，一出一出的泥人儿的戏，用青纱罩的匣子装著，又有在虎丘山上泥捏的薛蟠的小像，与薛蟠毫无相差。宝钗见了，别的都不理论，倒是薛蟠的小像，拿著细细看了一看，又看看他哥哥，不禁笑起来了。因叫莺儿带著几个老婆子将这些东西连箱子送到园里去，又和母亲哥哥说了一回闲话儿，才回园里去了。这里薛姨妈将箱子里的东西取出，一分一分的打点清楚，叫同喜送给贾母并王夫人等处不提。

且說寶釵到了自己房中，將那些玩意兒一件一件的過了目，除了自己留用之外，一分一分配合妥當，也有送筆墨紙硯的，也有送香袋扇子香墜的，也有送脂粉頭油的，有單送頑意兒的。Now, when Baochai reached her own room, she went over the trinkets one by one, and apart from what she kept for her own use, she sorted them properly into shares — some to be sent as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, some as scent-sachets, fans, and scent-pendants, some as rouge, powder, and hair oil, and some purely as playthings.只有黛玉的比別人不同，且又加厚一倍。Only Daiyu's share was different from the others, and doubled in generosity besides.一一打點完畢，使鶯兒同著一個老婆子，跟著送往各處。Once everything was sorted and packed, she sent Yingr, together with an old woman, to deliver them to the various places.

且说宝钗到了自己房中，将那些玩意儿一件一件的过了目，除了自己留用之外，一分一分配合妥当，也有送笔墨纸砚的，也有送香袋扇子香坠的，也有送脂粉头油的，有单送顽意儿的。只有黛玉的比别人不同，且又加厚一倍。一一打点完毕，使莺儿同著一个老婆子，跟著送往各处。

這邊姊妹諸人都收了東西，賞賜來使，說見面再謝。On their side, all the young ladies received the gifts and gave rewards to the messenger, saying they would give thanks in person when they met.惟有林黛玉看見他家鄉之物，反自触物傷情，想起父母雙亡，又無兄弟，寄居親戚家中，那里有人也給我帶些土物？Only Lin Daiyu, on seeing these local products from her own homeland, was moved to sorrow instead — thinking of how both her parents had died, how she had no brothers, and how she lived as a dependent in a relative's house — who, after all, would ever bring local gifts back for her?想到這里，不覺的又傷起心來了。Thinking of this, she could not help but grow sorrowful again.紫鵑深知黛玉心腸，但也不敢說破，只在一旁勸道：“姑娘的身子多病，早晚服藥，這兩日看著比那些日子略好些。Zijuan understood Daiyu's feelings well, but dared not speak of it openly, and only comforted her from the side, saying, 'Miss, your health has been poor, and you take medicine morning and night; these past couple of days you've been looking somewhat better than before.'雖說精神長了一點兒，還算不得十分大好。'Although your spirits have improved a little, it still can't be called fully recovered.'今兒寶姑娘送來的這些東西，可見寶姑娘素日看得姑娘很重，姑娘看著該喜歡才是，為什麼反倒傷起心來。'These things Miss Bao sent today show how highly she has always regarded you, Miss — you ought to be pleased at the sight of them, so why grow sorrowful instead?'這不是寶姑娘送東西來倒叫姑娘煩惱了不成？'Isn't it strange that Miss Bao sending gifts should instead cause you distress?'就是寶姑娘聽見，反覺臉上不好看。'If Miss Bao herself heard of it, she would only feel embarrassed.'再者這里老太太們為姑娘的病体，千方百計請好大夫配藥診治，也為是姑娘的病好。'Besides, the Old Ancestress and the others here have gone to every length to find good doctors and prepare medicines for your illness, Miss, all so that you might recover.'這如今才好些，又這樣哭哭啼啼，豈不是自己遭踏了自己身子，叫老太太看著添了愁煩了么？'Now that you're just starting to feel a little better, to weep and cry like this again — isn't that mistreating your own health, and only adding to the Old Ancestress's worries when she sees it?'況且姑娘這病，原是素日憂慮過度，傷了血氣。'Besides, Miss, your illness originally came from too much brooding and worry, which injured your blood and vital energy.'姑娘的千金貴体，也別自己看輕了。”紫鵑正在這里勸解，只聽見小丫頭子在院內說：“寶二爺來了。”紫鵑忙說：“請二爺進來罷。”'You mustn't make light of your own precious health, Miss.' Just as Zijuan was in the middle of consoling her, a little maid was heard outside in the courtyard saying, 'Master Bao has arrived.' Zijuan hurriedly said, 'Please ask the young master in.'

这边姊妹诸人都收了东西，赏赐来使，说见面再谢。惟有林黛玉看见他家乡之物，反自触物伤情，想起父母双亡，又无兄弟，寄居亲戚家中，那里有人也给我带些土物？想到这里，不觉的又伤起心来了。紫鹃深知黛玉心肠，但也不敢说破，只在一旁劝道：“姑娘的身子多病，早晚服药，这两日看著比那些日子略好些。虽说精神长了一点儿，还算不得十分大好。今儿宝姑娘送来的这些东西，可见宝姑娘素日看得姑娘很重，姑娘看著该喜欢才是，为什么反倒伤起心来。这不是宝姑娘送东西来倒叫姑娘烦恼了不成？就是宝姑娘听见，反觉脸上不好看。再者这里老太太们为姑娘的病体，千方百计请好大夫配药诊治，也为是姑娘的病好。这如今才好些，又这样哭哭啼啼，岂不是自己遭踏了自己身子，叫老太太看著添了愁烦了么？况且姑娘这病，原是素日忧虑过度，伤了血气。姑娘的千金贵体，也别自己看轻了。”紫鹃正在这里劝解，只听见小丫头子在院内说：“宝二爷来了。”紫鹃忙说：“请二爷进来罢。”

只見寶玉進房來了，黛玉讓坐畢，寶玉見黛玉淚痕滿面，便問：“妹妹，又是誰氣著你了？”黛玉勉強笑道：“誰生什麼氣。”旁邊紫鵑將嘴向床後桌上一努，寶玉會意，往那里一瞧，見堆著許多東西，就知道是寶釵送來的，便取笑說道：“那里這些東西，不是妹妹要開雜貨舖啊？”黛玉也不答言。Just then Baoyu came into the room, and after Daiyu had asked him to sit, Baoyu, seeing her face streaked with tears, asked, 'Sister, who has upset you again this time?' Daiyu forced a smile and said, 'No one's upset me at all.' Beside her, Zijuan pursed her lips toward the table behind the bed, and Baoyu, catching her meaning, glanced over and saw a great pile of things heaped there; he knew at once they were what Baochai had sent, and teased, 'Wherever did all these things come from — are you thinking of opening a general store, Sister?' Daiyu made no reply.紫鵑笑著道：“二爺還提東西呢。Zijuan said with a smile, 'And you still bring up the things, Master Bao.'因寶姑娘送了些東西來，姑娘一看就傷起心來了。'Because Miss Bao sent some things over, and the moment Miss saw them, she grew sorrowful.'我正在這里勸解，恰好二爺來的很巧，替我們勸勸。”寶玉明知黛玉是這個緣故，卻也不敢提頭兒，只得笑說道：“你們姑娘的緣故想來不為別的，必是寶姑娘送來的東西少，所以生氣傷心。'I was just trying to console her, and it happens you've come at just the right moment, Master Bao — please help console her too.' Baoyu knew perfectly well what the real reason was, but did not dare bring it up directly, and could only say with a smile, 'I think Miss's reason for this can be nothing else than that Miss Bao sent too few things, and that's why she's upset and sorrowful.'妹妹，你放心，等我明年叫人往江南去，與你多多的帶兩船來，省得你淌眼抹淚的。”黛玉聽了這些話，也知寶玉是為自己開心，也不好推，也不好任，因說道：“我任憑怎麼沒見世面，也到不了這步田地，因送的東西少，就生氣傷心。'Set your mind at ease, Sister — next year I'll have someone go to the south, and bring you back two whole boatloads, so you won't have to shed any more tears over it.' Daiyu, hearing this, knew Baoyu was only trying to cheer her up; she could neither brush it off nor simply let it pass, and so said, 'However little I may know of the world, I haven't fallen so low as to be angry and sorrowful just because too few things were sent.'我又不是兩三歲的小孩子，你也忒把人看得小氣了。'I'm not a child of two or three, and you think far too meanly of me.'我有我的緣故，你那里知道。”說著，眼淚又流下來了。'I have my own reasons, which you couldn't possibly know.' So saying, her tears began to flow again.寶玉忙走到床前，挨著黛玉坐下，將那些東西一件一件拿起來擺弄著細瞧，故意問這是什麼，叫什麼名子，那是什麼做的，這樣齊整，這是什麼，要他做什麼使用。Baoyu hurried to the bedside and sat down beside Daiyu, picking up the things one by one to turn them over and examine them closely, purposely asking what this was, what it was called, what that one was made of to be so neat and fine, what this other thing was, and what it was used for.又說這一件可以擺在面前，又說那一件可以放在條桌上當古董兒倒好呢。He also said this piece would look good set out in front of one, and that piece would do nicely placed on the side table as a curio.一味的將些沒要緊的話來廝混。He went on and on with these idle, inconsequential remarks just to distract her.黛玉見寶玉如此，自己心里倒過不去，便說：“你不用在這里混攪了。Seeing Baoyu carrying on like this, Daiyu herself began to feel she couldn't go on this way, and said, 'There's no need for you to keep carrying on like this.'咱們到寶姐姐那邊去罷。”寶玉巴不得黛玉出去散散悶，解了悲痛，便道：“寶姐姐送咱們東西，咱們原該謝謝去。”黛玉道：“自家姊妹，這倒不必。'Let's go over to Sister Bao's.' Baoyu, only too glad to have Daiyu go out to dispel her gloom and ease her grief, said, 'Sister Bao sent us things, so we really ought to go thank her.' Daiyu said, 'We're all family here, sisters together — there's no need for that.'只是到他那邊，薛大哥回來了，必然告訴他些南邊的古跡兒，我去聽聽，只當回了家鄉一趟的。”說著，眼圈兒又紅了。'It's just that, now that Big Brother Xue is back, when we go over there he's sure to tell her about the historic sites down south, and I want to go listen — it'll be like taking a trip back to my old home.' As she said this, her eyes reddened again.寶玉便站著等他。Baoyu stood waiting for her.黛玉只得同他出來，往寶釵那里去了。Daiyu had no choice but to come out with him, and they went off to Baochai's.

只见宝玉进房来了，黛玉让坐毕，宝玉见黛玉泪痕满面，便问：“妹妹，又是谁气著你了？”黛玉勉强笑道：“谁生什么气。”旁边紫鹃将嘴向床后桌上一努，宝玉会意，往那里一瞧，见堆著许多东西，就知道是宝钗送来的，便取笑说道：“那里这些东西，不是妹妹要开杂货铺啊？”黛玉也不答言。紫鹃笑著道：“二爷还提东西呢。因宝姑娘送了些东西来，姑娘一看就伤起心来了。我正在这里劝解，恰好二爷来的很巧，替我们劝劝。”宝玉明知黛玉是这个缘故，却也不敢提头儿，只得笑说道：“你们姑娘的缘故想来不为别的，必是宝姑娘送来的东西少，所以生气伤心。妹妹，你放心，等我明年叫人往江南去，与你多多的带两船来，省得你淌眼抹泪的。”黛玉听了这些话，也知宝玉是为自己开心，也不好推，也不好任，因说道：“我任凭怎么没见世面，也到不了这步田地，因送的东西少，就生气伤心。我又不是两三岁的小孩子，你也忒把人看得小气了。我有我的缘故，你那里知道。”说著，眼泪又流下来了。宝玉忙走到床前，挨著黛玉坐下，将那些东西一件一件拿起来摆弄著细瞧，故意问这是什么，叫什么名子，那是什么做的，这样齐整，这是什么，要他做什么使用。又说这一件可以摆在面前，又说那一件可以放在条桌上当古董儿倒好呢。一味的将些没要紧的话来厮混。黛玉见宝玉如此，自己心里倒过不去，便说：“你不用在这里混搅了。咱们到宝姐姐那边去罢。”宝玉巴不得黛玉出去散散闷，解了悲痛，便道：“宝姐姐送咱们东西，咱们原该谢谢去。”黛玉道：“自家姊妹，这倒不必。只是到他那边，薛大哥回来了，必然告诉他些南边的古迹儿，我去听听，只当回了家乡一趟的。”说著，眼圈儿又红了。宝玉便站著等他。黛玉只得同他出来，往宝钗那里去了。

且說薛蟠聽了母親之言，急下了請帖，辦了酒席。Now, Xue Pan, having heard his mother's words, promptly sent out the invitations and prepared a feast.次日，請了四位伙計，俱已到齊，不免說些販賣帳目發貨之事。The next day, the four clerks he had invited all arrived, and inevitably they talked over matters of the accounts and the delivery of goods.不一時，上席讓坐，薛蟠挨次斟了酒。Before long the food was brought to the table and everyone was seated, and Xue Pan poured wine for each in turn.薛姨媽又使人出來致意。Aunt Xue also sent someone out to convey her regards.大家喝著酒說閒話兒。Everyone drank wine and chatted idly.內中一個問著薛蟠道：“怎麼不請柳二爺來？”薛蟠聞言，把眉一皺，歎口氣道：“那柳二爺竟別提起，真是天下頭一件奇事。One of them asked Xue Pan, 'How is it you didn't invite Second Master Liu?' At this, Xue Pan knit his brows and sighed, saying, 'Don't even bring up that Second Master Liu — it's truly the strangest thing in the whole world.'什麼是柳二爺，如今不知那里作柳道爺去了。”[2] 眾人都詫异道：“這是怎麼說？”薛蟠便把湘蓮前後事体說了一遍。'What "Second Master Liu"? Now he's gone off somewhere to be "Master Liu the Taoist," for all we know.' Everyone was astonished and said, 'What do you mean by that?' So Xue Pan told the whole affair of Xianglian from beginning to end.眾人聽了，越發駭异，因說道：“怪不的前日我們在店里仿仿佛佛也聽見人吵嚷說，有一個道士三言兩語把一個人度了去了，又說一陣風刮了去了。Hearing this, everyone was all the more astonished, and said, 'No wonder — the other day at the shop we too seemed to hear people clamoring about how some Taoist priest, with just a few words, had spirited a man away, and also saying a gust of wind had carried him off.'只不知是誰。'We just didn't know who it was.'我們正發貨，那里有閒工夫打聽這個事去，到如今還是似信不信的。'We were right in the middle of delivering goods, and had no leisure to look into it, so even now we've only half believed it.'誰知就是柳二爺呢。'Who would have thought it was Second Master Liu himself!'早知是他，我們大家也該勸他勸才是。'Had we known it was him, we should all have gone and reasoned with him.'任他怎麼著，也不叫他去。”內中一個道：“別是這麼著罷？”眾人問怎麼樣，那人道：“柳二爺那樣個伶俐人，未必是真跟了道士去罷。'No matter what, we wouldn't have let him go.' One among them said, 'Might it not be something else?' The others asked what he meant, and he said, 'A clever man like Second Master Liu — surely he wouldn't really have gone off following a Taoist priest.'他原會些武藝，又有力量，或看破那道士的妖術邪法，特意跟他去，在背地擺布他，也未可知。”薛蟠道：“果然如此倒也罷了。'He knows some martial arts, after all, and has strength — perhaps he saw through the Taoist's sorcery and evil arts, and went along with him on purpose, meaning to deal with him in secret; who can say?' Xue Pan said, 'If that's really how it is, then it's all right.'世上這些妖言惑眾的人，怎麼沒人治他一下子。”眾人道：“那時難道你知道了也沒找尋他去？”薛蟠說：“城里城外，那里沒有找到？'These people in the world who spread wicked talk to deceive the masses — why does no one ever deal with them properly?' The others said, 'When you found out, didn't you go looking for him?' Xue Pan said, 'Inside the city, outside the city — where didn't I search?'不怕你們笑話，我找不著他，還哭了一場呢。”言畢，只是長吁短歎無精打彩的，不象往日高興。'I don't mind if you laugh at me — when I couldn't find him, I even had a good cry over it.' Having said this, he did nothing but sigh long and heavily, listless and low-spirited, quite unlike his usual cheerful self.眾伙計見他這樣光景，自然不便久坐，不過隨便喝了幾杯酒，吃了飯，大家散了。Seeing him in such a state, the clerks naturally found it awkward to linger long, and after casually drinking a few more cups of wine and eating their meal, they all took their leave.

且说薛蟠听了母亲之言，急下了请帖，办了酒席。次日，请了四位伙计，俱已到齐，不免说些贩卖帐目发货之事。不一时，上席让坐，薛蟠挨次斟了酒。薛姨妈又使人出来致意。大家喝著酒说闲话儿。内中一个问著薛蟠道：“怎么不请柳二爷来？”薛蟠闻言，把眉一皱，叹口气道：“那柳二爷竟别提起，真是天下头一件奇事。什么是柳二爷，如今不知那里作柳道爷去了。”[2] 众人都诧异道：“这是怎么说？”薛蟠便把湘莲前后事体说了一遍。众人听了，越发骇异，因说道：“怪不的前日我们在店里仿仿佛佛也听见人吵嚷说，有一个道士三言两语把一个人度了去了，又说一阵风刮了去了。只不知是谁。我们正发货，那里有闲工夫打听这个事去，到如今还是似信不信的。谁知就是柳二爷呢。早知是他，我们大家也该劝他劝才是。任他怎么著，也不叫他去。”内中一个道：“别是这么著罢？”众人问怎么样，那人道：“柳二爷那样个伶俐人，未必是真跟了道士去罢。他原会些武艺，又有力量，或看破那道士的妖术邪法，特意跟他去，在背地摆布他，也未可知。”薛蟠道：“果然如此倒也罢了。世上这些妖言惑众的人，怎么没人治他一下子。”众人道：“那时难道你知道了也没找寻他去？”薛蟠说：“城里城外，那里没有找到？不怕你们笑话，我找不著他，还哭了一场呢。”言毕，只是长吁短叹无精打彩的，不象往日高兴。众伙计见他这样光景，自然不便久坐，不过随便喝了几杯酒，吃了饭，大家散了。

且說寶玉同著黛玉到寶釵處來。Now, Baoyu and Daiyu came together to Baochai's place.寶玉見了寶釵，便說道：“大哥哥辛辛苦苦的帶了東西來，姐姐留著使罷，又送我們。”寶釵笑道：“原不是什麼好東西，不過是遠路帶來的土物兒，大家看著新鮮些就是了。”黛玉道：“這些東西我們小時候倒不理會，如今看見，真是新鮮物兒了。”寶釵因笑道：“妹妹知道，這就是俗語說的‘物離鄉貴’，其實可算什麼呢。”寶玉聽了這話正對了黛玉方才的心事，連忙拿話岔道：“明年好歹大哥哥再去時，替我們多帶些來。”黛玉瞅了他一眼，便道：“你要你只管說，不必拉扯上人。On seeing Baochai, Baoyu said, 'Big Brother went to all that trouble bringing these things back — Sister, you should keep them for yourself, instead of giving them to us.' Baochai said with a smile, 'They're really nothing special, just local products brought from far away — everyone just finds them a bit of a novelty, that's all.' Daiyu said, 'When we were children we paid no attention to such things, but seeing them now, they really do seem like novelties.' Baochai then said with a smile, 'As you know, Sister, this is just what the saying means by "goods grow precious away from home" — really, what are they worth?' Baoyu, hearing this, found it touched exactly on what had been on Daiyu's mind a moment ago, and quickly changed the subject, saying, 'Whenever Big Brother goes again next year, he should bring back more for us, come what may.' Daiyu shot him a glance and said, 'If you want more, just say so for yourself — there's no need to drag other people into it.'姐姐你瞧，寶哥哥不是給姐姐來道謝，竟又要定下明年的東西來了。”說的寶釵寶玉都笑了。'Look at this, Sister — Brother Bao didn't even come to thank you, and already he's putting in an order for next year's goods.' This made both Baochai and Baoyu laugh.三個人又閒話了一回，因提起黛玉的病來。The three of them chatted idly a while longer, and the talk turned to Daiyu's illness.寶釵勸了一回，因說道：“妹妹若覺著身子不爽快，倒要自己勉強扎掙著出來走走逛逛，散散心，比在屋里悶坐著到底好些。Baochai offered some comforting words, and said, 'Sister, if you're not feeling well, you really should force yourself to come out and take a walk now and then to clear your mind — it's better in the end than sitting cooped up indoors feeling gloomy.'我那兩日不是覺著發懶，渾身發熱，只是要歪著，也因為時氣不好，怕病，因此尋些事情自己混著。'Those couple of days when I felt listless and feverish all over and just wanted to lie down, it was partly because the season's air was bad, and I was afraid of falling ill, so I found things to occupy myself with.'這兩日才覺著好些了。”黛玉道：“姐姐說的何嘗不是。'Only these past couple of days have I begun to feel better.' Daiyu said, 'What you say is quite true, Sister.'我也是這麼想著呢。”大家又坐了一會子方散。'I've been thinking the very same thing myself.' Everyone sat together a while longer before parting.寶玉仍把黛玉送至瀟湘館門首，才各自回去了。Baoyu, as always, saw Daiyu all the way to the gate of the Bamboo Lodge before each went back to their own rooms.

且说宝玉同著黛玉到宝钗处来。宝玉见了宝钗，便说道：“大哥哥辛辛苦苦的带了东西来，姐姐留著使罢，又送我们。”宝钗笑道：“原不是什么好东西，不过是远路带来的土物儿，大家看著新鲜些就是了。”黛玉道：“这些东西我们小时候倒不理会，如今看见，真是新鲜物儿了。”宝钗因笑道：“妹妹知道，这就是俗语说的‘物离乡贵’，其实可算什么呢。”宝玉听了这话正对了黛玉方才的心事，连忙拿话岔道：“明年好歹大哥哥再去时，替我们多带些来。”黛玉瞅了他一眼，便道：“你要你只管说，不必拉扯上人。姐姐你瞧，宝哥哥不是给姐姐来道谢，竟又要定下明年的东西来了。”说的宝钗宝玉都笑了。三个人又闲话了一回，因提起黛玉的病来。宝钗劝了一回，因说道：“妹妹若觉著身子不爽快，倒要自己勉强扎挣著出来走走逛逛，散散心，比在屋里闷坐著到底好些。我那两日不是觉著发懒，浑身发热，只是要歪著，也因为时气不好，怕病，因此寻些事情自己混著。这两日才觉著好些了。”黛玉道：“姐姐说的何尝不是。我也是这么想著呢。”大家又坐了一会子方散。宝玉仍把黛玉送至潇湘馆门首，才各自回去了。

且說趙姨娘因見寶釵送了賈環些東西，心中甚是喜歡，想道：“怨不得別人都說那寶丫頭好，會做人，很大方，如今看起來果然不錯。Now, Aunt Zhao, seeing that Baochai had sent Jia Huan some gifts, was very pleased at heart, and thought, 'No wonder everyone says that girl Bao is so good, so tactful in dealing with people, so generous — now I see it's really true.'他哥哥能帶了多少東西來，他挨門兒送到，并不遺漏一處，也不露出誰薄誰厚，連我們這樣沒時運的，他都想到了。'However much her brother brought back, she's sent it door to door without missing a single place, and without showing favor to one over another — even someone as luckless as me, she thought of.'若是那林丫頭，他把我們娘兒們正眼也不瞧，那里還肯送我們東西？”一面想，一面把那些東西翻來覆去的擺弄瞧看一回。'If it were that Lin girl, she wouldn't even give the two of us — mother and son — a proper glance, let alone send us any gifts.' So thinking, she turned the things over and over in her hands, examining them again and again.忽然想到寶釵系王夫人的親戚，為何不到王夫人跟前賣個好兒呢。Suddenly it occurred to her that since Baochai was a relative of Lady Wang's, why not go curry a little favor in front of Lady Wang over this?自己便蝎蝎螫螫的拿著東西，走至王夫人房中，站在旁邊，陪笑說道：“這是寶姑娘才剛給環哥兒的。So she herself, fussing and fidgeting, took the things and went to Lady Wang's room, stood to one side, and said with an ingratiating smile, 'These are what Miss Bao just gave to Huan.'難為寶姑娘這麼年輕的人，想的這麼周到，真是大戶人家的姑娘，又展樣，又大方，怎麼叫人不敬服呢。'It's remarkable that someone as young as Miss Bao should think of things so thoroughly — truly a young lady of a great house, so poised and so generous, how could one not admire and respect her?'怪不得老太太和太太成日家都夸他疼他。'No wonder the Old Ancestress and Madam praise her and dote on her all day long.'我也不敢自專就收起來，特拿來給太太瞧瞧，太太也喜歡喜歡。”王夫人聽了，早知道來意了，又見他說的不倫不類，也不便不理他，說道：“你自管收了去給環哥頑罷。”趙姨娘來時興興頭頭，誰知抹了一鼻子灰，滿心生氣，又不敢露出來，只得訕訕的出來了。'I didn't dare to presume and simply put them away myself, so I especially brought them for you to see, Madam, so that you too might share in the pleasure.' Lady Wang, hearing this, already understood her real purpose, and seeing how disjointed and out of place her talk was, could hardly ignore her outright, and said, 'Just take them and keep them for Huan to play with.' Aunt Zhao had come in high spirits, but instead found herself rebuffed and covered in dust, so to speak; she was full of anger but dared not show it, and could only slink out looking abashed.到了自己房中，將東西丟在一邊，嘴里咕咕噥噥自言自語道：“這個又算了個什麼兒呢。”一面坐著，各自生了一回悶氣。Back in her own room, she tossed the things aside, muttering and grumbling to herself, 'Well, what was the point of that, then?' and sat there sulking to herself for a good while.

且说赵姨娘因见宝钗送了贾环些东西，心中甚是喜欢，想道：“怨不得别人都说那宝丫头好，会做人，很大方，如今看起来果然不错。他哥哥能带了多少东西来，他挨门儿送到，并不遗漏一处，也不露出谁薄谁厚，连我们这样没时运的，他都想到了。若是那林丫头，他把我们娘儿们正眼也不瞧，那里还肯送我们东西？”一面想，一面把那些东西翻来覆去的摆弄瞧看一回。忽然想到宝钗系王夫人的亲戚，为何不到王夫人跟前卖个好儿呢。自己便蝎蝎螫螫的拿著东西，走至王夫人房中，站在旁边，陪笑说道：“这是宝姑娘才刚给环哥儿的。难为宝姑娘这么年轻的人，想的这么周到，真是大户人家的姑娘，又展样，又大方，怎么叫人不敬服呢。怪不得老太太和太太成日家都夸他疼他。我也不敢自专就收起来，特拿来给太太瞧瞧，太太也喜欢喜欢。”王夫人听了，早知道来意了，又见他说的不伦不类，也不便不理他，说道：“你自管收了去给环哥顽罢。”赵姨娘来时兴兴头头，谁知抹了一鼻子灰，满心生气，又不敢露出来，只得讪讪的出来了。到了自己房中，将东西丢在一边，嘴里咕咕哝哝自言自语道：“这个又算了个什么儿呢。”一面坐著，各自生了一回闷气。

卻說鶯兒帶著老婆子們送東西回來，回复了寶釵，將眾人道謝的話并賞賜的銀錢都回完了，那老婆子便出去了。Meanwhile, Yingr, having taken the old women to deliver the gifts, returned and reported back to Baochai, relating everyone's words of thanks along with the money given as reward; the old woman then went off.鶯兒走近前來一步，挨著寶釵悄悄的說道：“剛才我到璉二奶奶那邊，看見二奶奶一臉的怒氣。Yingr stepped closer and, leaning near Baochai, said quietly, 'Just now when I went over to Mrs. Lian's place, I saw that she had a face full of anger.'我送下東西出來時，悄悄的問小紅，說剛才二奶奶從老太太屋里回來，不似往日歡天喜地的，叫了平兒去，唧唧咕咕的不知了說些什麼。'When I had delivered the things and was coming out, I quietly asked Xiaohong about it, and she said that Mrs. Lian had just come back from the Old Ancestress's rooms, not looking cheerful and delighted as she usually does, and had called Pinger in, murmuring back and forth about something, I don't know what.'看那個光景，倒象有什麼大事的似的。'Judging by how things looked, it seemed as if something important were going on.'姑娘沒聽見那邊老太太有什麼事？”寶釵聽了，也自己納悶，想不出鳳姐是為什麼有氣，便道：“各人家有各人的事，咱們那里管得。'Miss, haven't you heard of anything happening with the Old Ancestress over there?' Baochai, hearing this, was puzzled herself, and could not think why Xifeng should be so angry, so she said, 'Every household has its own affairs — it's not for us to concern ourselves with them.'你去倒茶去罷。”鶯兒于是出來，自去倒茶不提。'Go on and pour the tea.' Yingr accordingly went out and off to pour the tea — but of that we need say no more.

却说莺儿带著老婆子们送东西回来，回复了宝钗，将众人道谢的话并赏赐的银钱都回完了，那老婆子便出去了。莺儿走近前来一步，挨著宝钗悄悄的说道：“刚才我到琏二奶奶那边，看见二奶奶一脸的怒气。我送下东西出来时，悄悄的问小红，说刚才二奶奶从老太太屋里回来，不似往日欢天喜地的，叫了平儿去，唧唧咕咕的不知了说些什么。看那个光景，倒象有什么大事的似的。姑娘没听见那边老太太有什么事？”宝钗听了，也自己纳闷，想不出凤姐是为什么有气，便道：“各人家有各人的事，咱们那里管得。你去倒茶去罢。”莺儿于是出来，自去倒茶不提。

且說寶玉送了黛玉回來，想著黛玉的孤苦，不免也替他傷感起來。Now, after Baoyu had seen Daiyu back and returned, thinking of her loneliness and hardship, he too could not help but feel sorrowful on her account.因要將這話告訴襲人，進來時卻只有麝月秋紋在房中。Wanting to tell Xiren about it, he came in only to find Sheyue and Qiuwen in the room.因問：“你襲人姐姐那里去了？”麝月道：“左不過在這幾個院里，那里就丟了他。He asked, 'Where has your Sister Xiren gone?' Sheyue said, 'She can't be anywhere but around these few courtyards — how could she possibly be lost?'一時不見，就這樣找。”寶玉笑著道：“不是怕丟了他。'You just don't see her for a moment and already you're searching like this.' Baoyu said with a smile, 'It's not that I'm afraid of losing her.'因我方才到林姑娘那邊，見林姑娘又正傷心呢。'It's because I just went over to Miss Lin's place, and found Miss Lin in the middle of feeling sorrowful again.'問起來卻是為寶姐姐送了他東西，他看見是他家鄉的土物，不免對景傷情。'Asking about it, it turned out to be because Sister Bao had sent her some gifts, and seeing they were local products from her own homeland, she couldn't help being moved to sorrow by the sight of them.'我要告訴你襲人姐姐，叫他閒時過去勸勸。”正說著，晴雯進來了，因問寶玉道：“你回來了，你又要叫勸誰？”寶玉將方才的話說了一遍。'I wanted to tell your Sister Xiren, so she could go over sometime when she's free and comfort her.' Just as he was speaking, Qingwen came in, and asked Baoyu, 'So you're back — and now who is it you want comforted this time?' Baoyu repeated what he had just said.晴雯道：“襲人姐姐才出去，聽見他說要到璉二奶奶那邊去。Qingwen said, "Sister Xiren just went out — I heard her say she was going over to Mistress Lian's."保不住還到林姑娘那里。”寶玉聽了，便不言語。"She might well go on to Miss Lin's place too." Hearing this, Baoyu said nothing.秋紋倒了茶來，寶玉漱了一口，遞給小丫頭子，心中著實不自在，就隨便歪在床上。Qiuwen brought in tea; Baoyu rinsed his mouth with a sip and handed the cup to a little maid, feeling truly ill at ease inside, and simply flopped down on the bed.

且说宝玉送了黛玉回来，想著黛玉的孤苦，不免也替他伤感起来。因要将这话告诉袭人，进来时却只有麝月秋纹在房中。因问：“你袭人姐姐那里去了？”麝月道：“左不过在这几个院里，那里就丢了他。一时不见，就这样找。”宝玉笑著道：“不是怕丢了他。因我方才到林姑娘那边，见林姑娘又正伤心呢。问起来却是为宝姐姐送了他东西，他看见是他家乡的土物，不免对景伤情。我要告诉你袭人姐姐，叫他闲时过去劝劝。”正说著，晴雯进来了，因问宝玉道：“你回来了，你又要叫劝谁？”宝玉将方才的话说了一遍。晴雯道：“袭人姐姐才出去，听见他说要到琏二奶奶那边去。保不住还到林姑娘那里。”宝玉听了，便不言语。秋纹倒了茶来，宝玉漱了一口，递给小丫头子，心中著实不自在，就随便歪在床上。

卻說襲人因寶玉出門，自己作了回活計，忽想起鳳姐身上不好，這幾日也沒有過去看看，聞說賈璉不在家[3]，正好大家說說話兒。Now, since Baoyu had gone out, Xiren did some needlework for a while by herself, then suddenly remembered that Sister Feng had not been well and that she had not been over to see her these past few days; hearing that Jia Lian was not at home,[3] she thought it a good chance for the two of them to have a chat.便告訴晴雯：“好生在屋里，別都出去了，叫寶玉回來抓不著人。”晴雯道：“噯喲，這屋里單你一個人記挂著他，我們都是白閒著混飯吃的。”襲人笑著，也不答言，就走了。So she told Qingwen, "Mind you stay properly in the room — don't all go out, or Baoyu will come back and find no one here." Qingwen said, "Oh my, as if you were the only one in this room who thinks of him — the rest of us are just idling about eating for nothing, I suppose." Xiren only laughed and, without answering, went off.

却说袭人因宝玉出门，自己作了回活计，忽想起凤姐身上不好，这几日也没有过去看看，闻说贾琏不在家[3]，正好大家说说话儿。便告诉晴雯：“好生在屋里，别都出去了，叫宝玉回来抓不著人。”晴雯道：“嗳哟，这屋里单你一个人记挂著他，我们都是白闲著混饭吃的。”袭人笑著，也不答言，就走了。

剛來到沁芳橋畔，那時正是夏末秋初，池中蓮藕新殘相間，紅綠離披。Just as she reached the side of Qinfang Bridge — it being then the turn from late summer into early autumn — the lotus and lily roots in the pond showed fresh growth mixed with withered stalks, red and green scattered in disarray.襲人走著，沿堤看頑了一回。Xiren walked along, strolling and looking at the sights along the bank for a while.猛抬頭看見那邊葡萄架底下有人拿著撣子在那里撣什麼呢，走到跟前，卻是老祝媽。Suddenly she looked up and saw someone under the grape trellis over there, holding a duster and flicking at something; when she came up close, it turned out to be old Mother Zhu.那老婆子見了襲人，便笑嘻嘻的迎上來，說道：“姑娘怎麼今日得工夫出來逛逛？”襲人道：“可不是。When the old woman saw Xiren, she came forward beaming and said, "Miss, how is it you have the time to come out for a stroll today?" Xiren said, "Indeed I do."我要到璉二奶奶家瞧瞧去。"I'm on my way to look in on Mistress Lian."你在這里做什麼呢？”那婆子道：“我在這里赶蜜蜂兒。"What are you doing here?" The old woman said, "I'm out here chasing off the bees."今年三伏里雨水少，這果子樹上都有虫子，把果子吃的疤瘌流星的掉了好些下來。"This year, during the hottest spell of summer, there was little rain, and the fruit trees have all got bugs in them; the fruit has been eaten full of scars and blemishes, and a good many have dropped off."姑娘還不知道呢，這馬蜂最可惡的，一嘟嚕上只咬破三兩個兒，那破的水滴到好的上頭，連這一嘟嚕都是要爛的。"You may not know this, Miss, but these hornets are the most hateful things — on one cluster they'll only bite open two or three, but the juice from the broken ones drips onto the good ones, and then the whole cluster ends up rotting."姑娘你瞧，咱們說話的空兒沒赶，就落上許多了。”襲人道：“你就是不住手的赶，也赶不了許多。"Look, Miss, in just the time it took us to talk, without my chasing them, ever so many have already landed." Xiren said, "Even if you kept chasing them without stopping, you couldn't chase away all that many."你倒是告訴買辦，叫他多多做些小冷布口袋兒，一嘟嚕套上一個，又透風，又不遭塌。”婆子笑道：“倒是姑娘說的是。"You'd do better to tell the purchasing steward to have a lot of little gauze bags made, one to slip over each cluster — that way the air still gets through, and nothing gets ruined." The old woman said with a smile, "Now that, Miss, is well said indeed."我今年才管上，那里知道這個巧法兒呢。”因又笑著說道：“今年果子雖遭踏了些，味兒倒好，不信摘一個姑娘嘗嘗。”襲人正色道：“這那里使得。"This is only my first year in charge of this, so how would I know such a clever trick." Then she added with a smile, "Though the fruit's been spoiled some this year, the taste is good all the same — if you don't believe me, let me pick one for you to try, Miss." Xiren said seriously, "How could that possibly do."不但沒熟吃不得，就是熟了，上頭還沒有供鮮，咱們倒先吃了。"Not only is it unripe and not fit to eat, but even once it's ripe, it hasn't yet been offered up fresh to the ancestors above, and here we'd be eating it first."你是府里使老了的，難道連這個規矩都不懂了。”老祝忙笑道：“姑娘說得是。"You've grown old in service in this household — surely you haven't forgotten even a rule like that." Old Mother Zhu said hastily with a smile, "You're quite right, Miss."我見姑娘很喜歡，我才敢這麼說，可就把規矩錯了，我可是老糊涂了。”襲人道：“這也沒有什麼。"I only dared say it because I saw you looked so pleased — I quite forgot the rule; I really have grown muddled in my old age." Xiren said, "It's nothing much."只是你們有年紀的老奶奶們，別先領著頭兒這麼著就好了。”說著遂一徑出了園門，來到鳳姐這邊。"It's only that you older women of some years shouldn't be the ones to set such an example — that's all." So saying, she went straight out through the garden gate and made her way over to Sister Feng's place.

刚来到沁芳桥畔，那时正是夏末秋初，池中莲藕新残相间，红绿离披。袭人走著，沿堤看顽了一回。猛抬头看见那边葡萄架底下有人拿著掸子在那里掸什么呢，走到跟前，却是老祝妈。那老婆子见了袭人，便笑嘻嘻的迎上来，说道：“姑娘怎么今日得工夫出来逛逛？”袭人道：“可不是。我要到琏二奶奶家瞧瞧去。你在这里做什么呢？”那婆子道：“我在这里赶蜜蜂儿。今年三伏里雨水少，这果子树上都有虫子，把果子吃的疤瘌流星的掉了好些下来。姑娘还不知道呢，这马蜂最可恶的，一嘟噜上只咬破三两个儿，那破的水滴到好的上头，连这一嘟噜都是要烂的。姑娘你瞧，咱们说话的空儿没赶，就落上许多了。”袭人道：“你就是不住手的赶，也赶不了许多。你倒是告诉买办，叫他多多做些小冷布口袋儿，一嘟噜套上一个，又透风，又不遭塌。”婆子笑道：“倒是姑娘说的是。我今年才管上，那里知道这个巧法儿呢。”因又笑著说道：“今年果子虽遭踏了些，味儿倒好，不信摘一个姑娘尝尝。”袭人正色道：“这那里使得。不但没熟吃不得，就是熟了，上头还没有供鲜，咱们倒先吃了。你是府里使老了的，难道连这个规矩都不懂了。”老祝忙笑道：“姑娘说得是。我见姑娘很喜欢，我才敢这么说，可就把规矩错了，我可是老糊涂了。”袭人道：“这也没有什么。只是你们有年纪的老奶奶们，别先领著头儿这么著就好了。”说著遂一径出了园门，来到凤姐这边。

一到院里，只聽鳳姐說道：“天理良心，我在這屋里熬的越發成了賊了。”襲人聽見這話，知道有原故了，又不好回來，又不好進去，遂把腳步放重些，隔著窗子問道：“平姐姐在家里呢么？”平兒忙答應著迎出來。The moment she entered the courtyard, she heard Sister Feng saying, "Heaven's justice and my own conscience — the longer I toil away in this house, the more I turn into some kind of thief!" Hearing this, Xiren knew there was something behind it, and finding it awkward either to turn back or to go straight in, she made her footsteps heavier and called through the window, "Is Sister Ping in?" Ping'er hurried to answer and came out to greet her.襲人便問：“二奶奶也在家里呢么，身上可大安了？”說著，已走進來。Xiren then asked, "Is the mistress in as well? Is she much recovered now?" As she spoke, she had already stepped inside.鳳姐裝著在床上歪著呢，見襲人進來，也笑著站起來，說：“好些了，叫你惦著。Sister Feng, who had been lying propped up on the bed for show, saw Xiren come in and rose with a smile, saying, "I'm much better — sorry to have made you worry."怎麼這幾日不過我們這邊坐坐？”襲人道：“奶奶身上欠安，本該天天過來請安才是。"How is it you haven't been over to sit with us these past few days?" Xiren said, "With you not well, madam, I really ought to have come every day to pay my respects."但只怕奶奶身上不爽快，倒要靜靜兒的歇歇兒，我們來了，倒吵的奶奶煩。”鳳姐笑道：“煩是沒的話。"But I was afraid that with you feeling unwell, you'd want quiet rest, and if we came, we'd only disturb and vex you." Sister Feng said with a smile, "There's no question of being vexed."倒是寶兄弟屋里雖然人多，也就靠著你一個照看他，也實在的離不開。"It's rather that in Brother Bao's rooms, though there are plenty of people about, it's really you alone he depends on to look after him — you truly can't be spared from there."我常聽見平兒告訴我，說你背地里還惦著我，常常問我。"I've often heard from Ping'er that behind the scenes you still think of me and ask after me often."這就是你盡心了。”一面說著，叫平兒挪了張杌子放在床旁邊，讓襲人坐下。"That alone shows how conscientious you are." So saying, she had Ping'er move a stool to the bedside and invited Xiren to sit down.丰兒端進茶來，襲人欠身道：“妹妹坐著罷。”一面說閒話兒。Feng'er brought in tea; Xiren half-rose and said, "Sit down, sister," and then they went on chatting of this and that.只見一個小丫頭子在外間屋里悄悄的和平兒說：“旺兒來了。Just then a little maid in the outer room was heard quietly telling Ping'er, "Wang'er is here."在二門上伺候著呢。”又聽見平兒也悄悄的道：“知道了。"He's waiting at the second gate." Then Ping'er was heard answering quietly as well, "I know."叫他先去，回來再來，別在門口兒站著。”襲人知他們有事，又說了兩句話，便起身要走。"Tell him to go off for now and come back later — he shouldn't stand about at the gate." Xiren, sensing they had some matter afoot, exchanged a few more words and then rose to leave.鳳姐道：“閒來坐坐，說說話兒，我倒開心。”因命平兒：“送送你妹妹。”平兒答應著送出來。Sister Feng said, "Do come sit and chat with me when you're free — it cheers me up." Then she told Ping'er, "See your sister out." Ping'er assented and saw her out.只見兩三個小丫頭子，都在那里屏聲息氣齊齊的伺候著。There were two or three little maids all standing there, holding their breath and waiting in perfect silence.襲人不知何事，便自去了。Not knowing what the matter was, Xiren simply went on her way.

一到院里，只听凤姐说道：“天理良心，我在这屋里熬的越发成了贼了。”袭人听见这话，知道有原故了，又不好回来，又不好进去，遂把脚步放重些，隔著窗子问道：“平姐姐在家里呢么？”平儿忙答应著迎出来。袭人便问：“二奶奶也在家里呢么，身上可大安了？”说著，已走进来。凤姐装著在床上歪著呢，见袭人进来，也笑著站起来，说：“好些了，叫你惦著。怎么这几日不过我们这边坐坐？”袭人道：“奶奶身上欠安，本该天天过来请安才是。但只怕奶奶身上不爽快，倒要静静儿的歇歇儿，我们来了，倒吵的奶奶烦。”凤姐笑道：“烦是没的话。倒是宝兄弟屋里虽然人多，也就靠著你一个照看他，也实在的离不开。我常听见平儿告诉我，说你背地里还惦著我，常常问我。这就是你尽心了。”一面说著，叫平儿挪了张杌子放在床旁边，让袭人坐下。丰儿端进茶来，袭人欠身道：“妹妹坐著罢。”一面说闲话儿。只见一个小丫头子在外间屋里悄悄的和平儿说：“旺儿来了。在二门上伺候著呢。”又听见平儿也悄悄的道：“知道了。叫他先去，回来再来，别在门口儿站著。”袭人知他们有事，又说了两句话，便起身要走。凤姐道：“闲来坐坐，说说话儿，我倒开心。”因命平儿：“送送你妹妹。”平儿答应著送出来。只见两三个小丫头子，都在那里屏声息气齐齐的伺候著。袭人不知何事，便自去了。

卻說平兒送出襲人，進來回道：“旺兒才來了，因襲人在這里我叫他先到外頭等等兒，這會子還是立刻叫他呢，還是等著？Now, having seen Xiren out, Ping'er came back in and reported, "Wang'er has just come; since Xiren was here I told him to wait outside for a bit — shall I call him in right away now, or have him wait a while longer?"請奶奶的示下。”鳳姐道：“叫他來。”平兒忙叫小丫頭去傳旺兒進來。"I await your instructions, madam." Sister Feng said, "Have him come in." Ping'er quickly sent a little maid to fetch Wang'er in.這里鳳姐又問平兒：“你到底是怎麼聽見說的？”平兒道：“就是頭里那小丫頭子的話。Then Sister Feng asked Ping'er, "Now tell me exactly how you came to hear of this." Ping'er said, "It was just what that little maid said a moment ago."他說他在二門里頭聽見外頭兩個小廝說：‘這個新二奶奶比咱們舊二奶奶還俊呢，脾氣兒也好。’不知是旺兒是誰，吆喝了兩個一頓，說：‘什麼新奶奶舊奶奶的，還不快悄悄兒的呢，叫里頭知道了，把你的舌頭還割了呢。’”平兒正說著，只見一個小丫頭進來回說：“旺兒在外頭伺候著呢。”鳳姐聽了，冷笑了一聲說：“叫他進來。”那小丫頭出來說：“奶奶叫呢。”旺兒連忙答應著進來。"She said that inside the second gate she heard two young pages outside saying, 'This new Second Mistress is even better-looking than our old Second Mistress, and her temper's good too.' I don't know whether it was Wang'er or someone else, but whoever it was gave the two of them a good scolding, saying, 'What's this about a new mistress and an old mistress — keep your voices down this instant! If word of this gets inside, they'll cut out your tongues!'" Just as Ping'er was speaking, a little maid came in and reported, "Wang'er is waiting outside." On hearing this, Sister Feng gave a cold laugh and said, "Have him come in." The little maid went out and said, "The mistress is calling for you." Wang'er hastily assented and came in.旺兒請了安，在外間門口垂手侍立。Wang'er made his bow of greeting and stood with his hands at his sides at the outer doorway.鳳姐兒道：“你過來，我問你話。”旺兒才走到里間門旁站著。Sister Feng said, "Come here — I have something to ask you." Only then did Wang'er move to stand beside the inner door.鳳姐兒道：“你二爺在外頭弄了人，你知道不知道？”旺兒又打著千兒回道：“奴才天天在二門上聽差事，如何能知道二爺外頭的事呢。”鳳姐冷笑道：“你自然不知道。Sister Feng said, "The Second Master has taken up with someone outside — do you know of it or not?" Wang'er, bowing again, replied, "Your servant waits on duty at the second gate day after day; how could I possibly know of the Second Master's affairs outside?" Sister Feng said with a cold laugh, "Of course you wouldn't know."你要知道，你怎麼攔人呢。”旺兒見這話，知道剛才的話已經走了風了，料著瞞不過，便又跪回道：“奴才實在不知。"If you did know, how would you have gone about stopping people from talking?" Hearing this, Wang'er realized that word of what had just happened had already leaked out, and reckoning he could not hide it, he knelt again and answered, "Your servant truly does not know."就是頭里興兒和喜兒兩個人在那里混說，奴才吆喝了他們兩句。"It was only that a moment ago Xing'er and Xi'er were over there chattering nonsense, and your servant called out a word or two to check them."內中深情底里奴才不知道，不敢妄回。"As for the details underneath it all, your servant does not know, and dares not answer rashly."求奶奶問興兒，他是長跟二爺出門的。”鳳姐聽了，下死勁啐了一口，罵道：“你們這一起沒良心的混帳忘八崽子！"I beg you, madam, to ask Xing'er — he's the one who's always out with the Second Master." Hearing this, Sister Feng spat hard and cursed, "The whole pack of you, conscienceless, worthless, low-down turtle spawn!"都是一條藤兒，打量我不知道呢。"You're all cut from the same vine — thinking I wouldn't find out."先去給我把興兒那個忘八崽子叫了來，你也不許走。"Go first and fetch me that turtle-spawn Xing'er — and you're not to leave either."問明白了他，回來再問你。"Once I've got it straight from him, I'll come back and question you."好，好，好，這才是我使出來的好人呢！”那旺兒只得連聲答應幾個是，磕了個頭爬起來出去，去叫興兒。"Fine, fine, fine — so these are the fine people I've been employing!" Wang'er could do nothing but answer "yes, yes" several times over, kowtow, scramble to his feet, and go out to fetch Xing'er.

却说平儿送出袭人，进来回道：“旺儿才来了，因袭人在这里我叫他先到外头等等儿，这会子还是立刻叫他呢，还是等著？请奶奶的示下。”凤姐道：“叫他来。”平儿忙叫小丫头去传旺儿进来。这里凤姐又问平儿：“你到底是怎么听见说的？”平儿道：“就是头里那小丫头子的话。他说他在二门里头听见外头两个小厮说：‘这个新二奶奶比咱们旧二奶奶还俊呢，脾气儿也好。’不知是旺儿是谁，吆喝了两个一顿，说：‘什么新奶奶旧奶奶的，还不快悄悄儿的呢，叫里头知道了，把你的舌头还割了呢。’”平儿正说著，只见一个小丫头进来回说：“旺儿在外头伺候著呢。”凤姐听了，冷笑了一声说：“叫他进来。”那小丫头出来说：“奶奶叫呢。”旺儿连忙答应著进来。旺儿请了安，在外间门口垂手侍立。凤姐儿道：“你过来，我问你话。”旺儿才走到里间门旁站著。凤姐儿道：“你二爷在外头弄了人，你知道不知道？”旺儿又打著千儿回道：“奴才天天在二门上听差事，如何能知道二爷外头的事呢。”凤姐冷笑道：“你自然不知道。你要知道，你怎么拦人呢。”旺儿见这话，知道刚才的话已经走了风了，料著瞒不过，便又跪回道：“奴才实在不知。就是头里兴儿和喜儿两个人在那里混说，奴才吆喝了他们两句。内中深情底里奴才不知道，不敢妄回。求奶奶问兴儿，他是长跟二爷出门的。”凤姐听了，下死劲啐了一口，骂道：“你们这一起没良心的混帐忘八崽子！都是一条藤儿，打量我不知道呢。先去给我把兴儿那个忘八崽子叫了来，你也不许走。问明白了他，回来再问你。好，好，好，这才是我使出来的好人呢！”那旺儿只得连声答应几个是，磕了个头爬起来出去，去叫兴儿。

卻說興兒正在帳房兒里和小廝們玩呢，聽見說二奶奶叫，先唬了一跳，卻也想不到是這件事發作了，連忙跟著旺兒進來。Now, Xing'er had been fooling about with the other pages in the accounting office; hearing that the mistress was calling for him gave him a start, though it never occurred to him that this particular matter had come to light, and he hurried in after Wang'er.旺兒先進去，回說：“興兒來了。”鳳姐兒厲聲道：“叫他！”那興兒聽見這個聲音兒，早已沒了主意了，只得乍著膽子進來。Wang'er went in first and reported, "Xing'er is here." Sister Feng said sharply, "Send him in!" Hearing that tone, Xing'er had already lost all presence of mind, and could only steel himself and go in.鳳姐兒一見，便說：“好小子啊！The moment Sister Feng saw him, she said, "A fine young fellow you are!"你和你爺辦的好事啊！"A fine piece of business you and your master have gotten up to!"你只實說罷！”興兒一聞此言，又看見鳳姐兒氣色及兩邊丫頭們的光景，早唬軟了，不覺跪下，只是磕頭。"Just tell the truth of it!" The moment Xing'er heard this, and saw Sister Feng's expression and the look of the maids on either side of her, he was already frightened weak, and before he knew it he had dropped to his knees and could do nothing but kowtow.鳳姐兒道：“論起這事來，我也聽見說不與你相干。Sister Feng said, "As for this matter, I've heard it said it has nothing to do with you."但只你不早來回我知道，這就是你的不是了。"But that you didn't come earlier to let me know — that alone is your fault."你要實說了，我還饒你，再有一字虛言，你先摸摸你腔子上幾個腦袋瓜子！”興兒戰兢兢的朝上磕頭道：“奶奶問的是什麼事，奴才同爺辦坏了？”鳳姐聽了，一腔火都發作起來，喝命：“打嘴巴！”旺兒過來才要打時，鳳姐兒罵道：“什麼糊涂忘八崽子！"If you tell the truth now, I'll still let you off; but if there's a single word of falsehood, you'd better feel your neck first and see how many heads are sitting on it!" Trembling, Xing'er kowtowed upward and said, "What matter is the mistress asking about — has your servant done wrong along with the master?" On hearing this, Sister Feng's whole store of anger flared up at once, and she shouted, "Slap his face!" Just as Wang'er stepped up to strike him, Sister Feng cursed, "What kind of muddle-headed turtle spawn are you!"叫他自己打，用你打嗎！"I told him to slap himself — who asked you to do it!"一會子你再各人打你那嘴巴子還不遲呢。”那興兒真個自己左右開弓打了自己十幾個嘴巴。"There'll be time enough in a moment for you to slap your own face too." So Xing'er really did lay into himself, striking his own face left and right a dozen-odd times.鳳姐兒喝聲“站住”，問道：“你二爺外頭娶了什麼新奶奶舊奶奶的事，你大概不知道啊。”興兒見說出這件事來，越發著了慌，連忙把帽子抓下來在磚地上咕咚咕咚碰的頭山響，口里說道：“只求奶奶超生，奴才再不敢撒一個字兒的謊。”鳳姐道：“快說！”興兒直蹶蹶的跪起來回道，”這事頭里奴才也不知道。Sister Feng called out, "Stop!" and asked, "This business of the Second Master taking a new mistress somewhere outside, with talk of a new one and an old one — I suppose you know nothing of that either." When Xing'er heard the matter spoken of outright, he grew all the more flustered; he snatched his cap off and knocked his head against the brick floor with thud after thud, saying, "I only beg the mistress to spare me — your servant will never dare tell a single lying word again." Sister Feng said, "Out with it, quickly!" Xing'er straightened up on his knees and answered, "At first, your servant knew nothing of this matter either."就是這一天，東府里大老爺送了殯，俞祿往珍大爺廟里去領銀子。"It was on that very day — the old master of the East Mansion had gone to see off a funeral procession, and Yu Lu had gone to the temple where Cousin Zhen was to collect some silver."二爺同著蓉哥兒到了東府里，道兒上爺兒兩個說起珍大奶奶那邊的二位姨奶奶來。"The Second Master went along with young Master Rong to the East Mansion, and on the way the two of them, master and young master, fell to talking about the two young ladies on Mistress Zhen's side."二爺夸他好，蓉哥兒哄著二爺，說把二姨奶奶說給二爺。”鳳姐聽到這里，使勁啐道：“呸，沒臉的忘八蛋！"The Second Master praised how fine she was, and young Master Rong, coaxing him along, said he'd arrange for the second young lady to be given to the Second Master." On hearing this, Sister Feng spat hard and said, "Pah! Shameless turtle egg!"他是你那一門子的姨奶奶！”興兒忙又磕頭說：“奴才該死！”往上瞅著，不敢言語。"And just what kind of relation is she to you, that you'd call her your 'auntie'!" Xing'er quickly kowtowed again and said, "Your servant deserves to die!" — and, glancing up, dared say nothing more.鳳姐兒道：“完了嗎？Sister Feng said, "Is that the end of it?"怎麼不說了？”興兒方才又回道：“奶奶恕奴才，奴才才敢回。”鳳姐啐道：“放你媽的屁，這還什麼恕不恕了。"Why have you stopped talking?" Only then did Xing'er answer, "If the mistress will forgive your servant, then your servant will dare go on." Sister Feng spat, "None of your mother's nonsense — this is no time to talk of forgiving or not."你好生給我往下說，好多著呢。”興兒又回道：“二爺聽見這個話就喜歡了。"Just get on and tell me properly — there's plenty more to come, I'm sure." Xing'er went on, "When the Second Master heard this, he was delighted."後來奴才也不知道怎麼就弄真了。”鳳姐微微冷笑道：“這個自然么，你可那里知道呢！"Afterward, your servant doesn't quite know how it came to be made real." Sister Feng gave a faint cold laugh and said, "Naturally you wouldn't — how could the likes of you know!"你知道的只怕都煩了呢。"What you do know is probably tiresome enough as it is."是了，說底下的罷！”興兒回道：“後來就是蓉哥兒給二爺找了房子。”鳳姐忙問道：“如今房子在那里？”興兒道：“就在府後頭。”鳳姐兒道：“哦。”回頭瞅著平兒道：“咱們都是死人哪。"Very well, go on with what came after!" Xing'er answered, "After that, it was young Master Rong who found a house for the Second Master." Sister Feng asked quickly, "And where is this house now?" Xing'er said, "Just behind the mansion." Sister Feng said, "Oh." Then, turning to glance at Ping'er, she said, "Here we are, the pair of us, might as well be dead for all we knew."你聽聽！”平兒也不敢作聲。"Just listen to this!" Ping'er, for her part, did not dare make a sound.興兒又回道：“珍大爺那邊給了張家不知多少銀子，那張家就不問了。”鳳姐道：“這里頭怎麼又扯拉上什麼張家李家咧呢？”興兒回道：“奶奶不知道，這二奶奶……”剛說到這里，又自己打了個嘴巴，把鳳姐兒倒慪笑了。Xing'er went on, "Cousin Zhen's side gave the Zhang family I don't know how much silver, and after that the Zhang family stopped pressing the matter." Sister Feng said, "Now how does some Zhang family or Li family come into this at all?" Xing'er answered, "You don't know, madam, but this Second Mistress—" Just as he got that far, he slapped his own face again, which made Sister Feng laugh in spite of her anger.兩邊的丫頭也都抿嘴兒笑。The maids on both sides likewise pressed their lips together to keep from laughing.興兒想了想，說道：“那珍大奶奶的妹子……。”鳳姐兒接著道：“怎麼樣？Xing'er thought a moment and said, "That younger sister of Mistress Zhen's…" Sister Feng broke in, "Well, what about her?"快說呀。”興兒道：“那珍大奶奶的妹子原來從小兒有人家的，姓張，叫什麼張華，如今窮的待好討飯。"Out with it!" Xing'er said, "That younger sister of Mistress Zhen's had, in fact, been engaged since childhood to a family surnamed Zhang, a man called Zhang Hua or some such, who by now is so poor he's all but reduced to begging."珍大爺許了他銀子，他就退了親了。”鳳姐兒聽到這里，點了點頭兒，回頭便望丫頭們說道：“你們都聽見了？"Cousin Zhen promised him a sum of silver, and so he broke off the engagement." Hearing this, Sister Feng nodded and, turning to the maids, said, "You all heard that?"小忘八崽子，頭里他還說不知道呢！”興兒又回道：“後來二爺才叫人裱糊了房子，娶過來了。”鳳姐道：“打那里娶過來的？”興兒回道：“就在他老娘家抬過來的。”鳳姐道：“好罷咧。”又問：“沒人送親么？”興兒道：“就是蓉哥兒。"This little turtle spawn, claiming just now he knew nothing about it!" Xing'er went on, "After that, the Second Master had the house papered and fitted out, and she was brought over as a bride." Sister Feng said, "Brought over from where?" Xing'er answered, "She was carried straight over from her own mother's house." Sister Feng said, "Very well, indeed." Then she asked, "Did no one go along to see the bride off?" Xing'er said, "Only young Master Rong."還有幾個丫頭老婆子們，沒別人。”鳳姐道：“你大奶奶沒來嗎？”興兒道：“過了兩天，大奶奶才拿了些東西來瞧的。”鳳姐兒笑了一笑，回頭向平兒道：“怪道那兩天二爺稱贊大奶奶不離嘴呢。”掉過臉來又問興兒，“誰服侍呢？"And a few maids and old women besides — no one else." Sister Feng said, "Didn't Mistress Rong come?" Xing'er said, "It was two days later that Mistress Rong finally brought some things over to see her." Sister Feng gave a small laugh and, turning to Ping'er, said, "No wonder those couple of days the Second Master had nothing but praise for Mistress Rong on his lips." Then she turned back and asked Xing'er again, "Who waits on her there?"自然是你了。”興兒赶著碰頭不言語。"It must be you, of course." Xing'er hastened to knock his head on the ground and said nothing.鳳姐又問，“前頭那些日子說給那府里辦事，想來辦的就是這個了。”興兒回道：“也有辦事的時候，也有往新房子里去的時候。”鳳姐又問道：“誰和他住著呢。”興兒道：“他母親和他妹子。Sister Feng asked further, "All that talk earlier about him being sent to attend to matters at that mansion — I suppose this is the 'matter' he was really attending to." Xing'er answered, "There were times he really was attending to business, and times he went to the new house as well." Sister Feng asked again, "Who lives there with her?" Xing'er said, "Her mother, and her younger sister."昨兒他妹子各人抹了脖子了。”鳳姐道：“這又為什麼？”興兒隨將柳湘蓮的事說了一遍。"Yesterday her younger sister cut her own throat." Sister Feng said, "And whatever for?" Xing'er thereupon related the whole business of Liu Xianglian.鳳姐道：“這個人還算造化高，省了當那出名兒的忘八。”因又問道：“沒了別的事了么？”興兒道：“別的事奴才不知道。Sister Feng said, "That girl may count herself fortunate after all — she's spared becoming some notorious cuckold's wife." Then she asked further, "Is there nothing else?" Xing'er said, "Your servant knows nothing else."奴才剛才說的字字是實話，一字虛假，奶奶問出來只管打死奴才，奴才也無怨的。”鳳姐低了一回頭，便又指著興兒說道：“你這個猴兒崽子就該打死。"Every word your servant has just said is the truth; if there's a single false word and the mistress finds it out, you may beat your servant to death and I'll have no complaint." Sister Feng lowered her head for a moment, then pointed at Xing'er and said, "You little monkey spawn deserve to be beaten to death as it is."這有什麼瞞著我的？"What business had you keeping this from me?"你想著瞞了我，就在你那糊涂爺跟前討了好兒了，你新奶奶好疼你。"I suppose you thought that by keeping it from me you'd curry favor with that muddle-headed master of yours, and that your new mistress would dote on you nicely."我不看你剛才還有點怕懼兒，不敢撒謊，我把你的腿不給你砸折了呢。”說著喝聲“起去。”興兒磕了個頭，才爬起來，退到外間門口，不敢就走。"If it weren't that you showed some fear just now and didn't dare lie, I'd have your legs broken for you." So saying, she barked, "Get up and go." Xing'er kowtowed once, then scrambled up and withdrew to the outer doorway, not daring to leave outright.鳳姐道：“過來，我還有話呢。”興兒赶忙垂手敬聽。Sister Feng said, "Come back — I still have more to say." Xing'er hurried back, hands at his sides, listening respectfully.鳳姐道：“你忙什麼，新奶奶等著賞你什麼呢？”興兒也不敢抬頭。Sister Feng said, "What's your hurry — is your new mistress waiting to reward you with something?" Xing'er did not dare even raise his head.鳳姐道：“你從今日不許過去。Sister Feng said, "From this day on, you are not to go over there."我什麼時候叫你，你什麼時候到。"Whenever I call for you, that is when you are to come."遲一步兒，你試試！"Be so much as a step late, and you'll see what happens!"出去罷。”興兒忙答應幾個”是”，退出門來。"Now get out." Xing'er hastily answered "yes, yes" several times and withdrew out the door.鳳姐又叫道：“興兒！”興兒赶忙答應回來。Sister Feng called out again, "Xing'er!" Xing'er hurried back in answer.鳳姐道：“快出去告訴你二爺去，是不是啊？”興兒回道：“奴才不敢。”鳳姐道：“你出去提一個字兒，提防你的皮！”興兒連忙答應著才出去了。Sister Feng said, "Go on out and tell your Second Master about all this, why don't you?" Xing'er answered, "Your servant would not dare." Sister Feng said, "If you breathe so much as a word of this outside, you'd better mind your hide!" Xing'er quickly assented and only then went out.鳳姐又叫：“旺兒呢？”旺兒連忙答應著過來。Sister Feng called again, "Where's Wang'er?" Wang'er hastened to answer and came forward.鳳姐把眼直瞪瞪的瞅了兩三句話的工夫，才說道：“好旺兒，很好，去罷！Sister Feng fixed him with a hard stare for the space of two or three sentences before she finally spoke: "Well, Wang'er, very good indeed. Off you go!"外頭有人提一個字兒，全在你身上。”旺兒答應著也出去了。"If word of this leaks out anywhere, it will fall entirely on your head." Wang'er assented and likewise went out.

却说兴儿正在帐房儿里和小厮们玩呢，听见说二奶奶叫，先唬了一跳，却也想不到是这件事发作了，连忙跟著旺儿进来。旺儿先进去，回说：“兴儿来了。”凤姐儿厉声道：“叫他！”那兴儿听见这个声音儿，早已没了主意了，只得乍著胆子进来。凤姐儿一见，便说：“好小子啊！你和你爷办的好事啊！你只实说罢！”兴儿一闻此言，又看见凤姐儿气色及两边丫头们的光景，早唬软了，不觉跪下，只是磕头。凤姐儿道：“论起这事来，我也听见说不与你相干。但只你不早来回我知道，这就是你的不是了。你要实说了，我还饶你，再有一字虚言，你先摸摸你腔子上几个脑袋瓜子！”兴儿战兢兢的朝上磕头道：“奶奶问的是什么事，奴才同爷办坏了？”凤姐听了，一腔火都发作起来，喝命：“打嘴巴！”旺儿过来才要打时，凤姐儿骂道：“什么糊涂忘八崽子！叫他自己打，用你打吗！一会子你再各人打你那嘴巴子还不迟呢。”那兴儿真个自己左右开弓打了自己十几个嘴巴。凤姐儿喝声“站住”，问道：“你二爷外头娶了什么新奶奶旧奶奶的事，你大概不知道啊。”兴儿见说出这件事来，越发著了慌，连忙把帽子抓下来在砖地上咕咚咕咚碰的头山响，口里说道：“只求奶奶超生，奴才再不敢撒一个字儿的谎。”凤姐道：“快说！”兴儿直蹶蹶的跪起来回道，”这事头里奴才也不知道。就是这一天，东府里大老爷送了殡，俞禄往珍大爷庙里去领银子。二爷同著蓉哥儿到了东府里，道儿上爷儿两个说起珍大奶奶那边的二位姨奶奶来。二爷夸他好，蓉哥儿哄著二爷，说把二姨奶奶说给二爷。”凤姐听到这里，使劲啐道：“呸，没脸的忘八蛋！他是你那一门子的姨奶奶！”兴儿忙又磕头说：“奴才该死！”往上瞅著，不敢言语。凤姐儿道：“完了吗？怎么不说了？”兴儿方才又回道：“奶奶恕奴才，奴才才敢回。”凤姐啐道：“放你妈的屁，这还什么恕不恕了。你好生给我往下说，好多著呢。”兴儿又回道：“二爷听见这个话就喜欢了。后来奴才也不知道怎么就弄真了。”凤姐微微冷笑道：“这个自然么，你可那里知道呢！你知道的只怕都烦了呢。是了，说底下的罢！”兴儿回道：“后来就是蓉哥儿给二爷找了房子。”凤姐忙问道：“如今房子在那里？”兴儿道：“就在府后头。”凤姐儿道：“哦。”回头瞅著平儿道：“咱们都是死人哪。你听听！”平儿也不敢作声。兴儿又回道：“珍大爷那边给了张家不知多少银子，那张家就不问了。”凤姐道：“这里头怎么又扯拉上什么张家李家咧呢？”兴儿回道：“奶奶不知道，这二奶奶……”刚说到这里，又自己打了个嘴巴，把凤姐儿倒怄笑了。两边的丫头也都抿嘴儿笑。兴儿想了想，说道：“那珍大奶奶的妹子……。”凤姐儿接著道：“怎么样？快说呀。”兴儿道：“那珍大奶奶的妹子原来从小儿有人家的，姓张，叫什么张华，如今穷的待好讨饭。珍大爷许了他银子，他就退了亲了。”凤姐儿听到这里，点了点头儿，回头便望丫头们说道：“你们都听见了？小忘八崽子，头里他还说不知道呢！”兴儿又回道：“后来二爷才叫人裱糊了房子，娶过来了。”凤姐道：“打那里娶过来的？”兴儿回道：“就在他老娘家抬过来的。”凤姐道：“好罢咧。”又问：“没人送亲么？”兴儿道：“就是蓉哥儿。还有几个丫头老婆子们，没别人。”凤姐道：“你大奶奶没来吗？”兴儿道：“过了两天，大奶奶才拿了些东西来瞧的。”凤姐儿笑了一笑，回头向平儿道：“怪道那两天二爷称赞大奶奶不离嘴呢。”掉过脸来又问兴儿，“谁服侍呢？自然是你了。”兴儿赶著碰头不言语。凤姐又问，“前头那些日子说给那府里办事，想来办的就是这个了。”兴儿回道：“也有办事的时候，也有往新房子里去的时候。”凤姐又问道：“谁和他住著呢。”兴儿道：“他母亲和他妹子。昨儿他妹子各人抹了脖子了。”凤姐道：“这又为什么？”兴儿随将柳湘莲的事说了一遍。凤姐道：“这个人还算造化高，省了当那出名儿的忘八。”因又问道：“没了别的事了么？”兴儿道：“别的事奴才不知道。奴才刚才说的字字是实话，一字虚假，奶奶问出来只管打死奴才，奴才也无怨的。”凤姐低了一回头，便又指著兴儿说道：“你这个猴儿崽子就该打死。这有什么瞒著我的？你想著瞒了我，就在你那糊涂爷跟前讨了好儿了，你新奶奶好疼你。我不看你刚才还有点怕惧儿，不敢撒谎，我把你的腿不给你砸折了呢。”说著喝声“起去。”兴儿磕了个头，才爬起来，退到外间门口，不敢就走。凤姐道：“过来，我还有话呢。”兴儿赶忙垂手敬听。凤姐道：“你忙什么，新奶奶等著赏你什么呢？”兴儿也不敢抬头。凤姐道：“你从今日不许过去。我什么时候叫你，你什么时候到。迟一步儿，你试试！出去罢。”兴儿忙答应几个”是”，退出门来。凤姐又叫道：“兴儿！”兴儿赶忙答应回来。凤姐道：“快出去告诉你二爷去，是不是啊？”兴儿回道：“奴才不敢。”凤姐道：“你出去提一个字儿，提防你的皮！”兴儿连忙答应著才出去了。凤姐又叫：“旺儿呢？”旺儿连忙答应著过来。凤姐把眼直瞪瞪的瞅了两三句话的工夫，才说道：“好旺儿，很好，去罢！外头有人提一个字儿，全在你身上。”旺儿答应著也出去了。

鳳姐便叫倒茶。Sister Feng then called for tea to be poured.小丫頭子們會意，都出去了。The little maids, understanding her meaning, all withdrew.這里鳳姐才和平兒說：“你都聽見了？Only then did Sister Feng say to Ping'er, "You heard all of that?"這才好呢。”平兒也不敢答言，只好陪笑兒。"Isn't this fine indeed." Ping'er did not dare say anything in reply and could only force a smile to keep her company.鳳姐越想越氣，歪在枕上只是出神，忽然眉頭一皺，計上心來，便叫：“平兒來。”平兒連忙答應過來。The more Sister Feng thought about it, the angrier she grew; she lay back against the pillow lost in thought, and then suddenly, knitting her brows, a scheme came to her mind, and she called, "Ping'er, come here." Ping'er hastened to answer and came over.鳳姐道：“我想這件事竟該這麼著才好——”[4]未知鳳姐如何辦理，下回分解。Sister Feng said, "I think this matter had really better be handled this way—"[4] What Sister Feng's plan was to be is not yet known; that will be told in the chapter to follow.

凤姐便叫倒茶。小丫头子们会意，都出去了。这里凤姐才和平儿说：“你都听见了？这才好呢。”平儿也不敢答言，只好陪笑儿。凤姐越想越气，歪在枕上只是出神，忽然眉头一皱，计上心来，便叫：“平儿来。”平儿连忙答应过来。凤姐道：“我想这件事竟该这么著才好——”[4]未知凤姐如何办理，下回分解。

注释Notes