第七十三回　痴丫頭誤拾綉春囊　懦小姐不問累金鳳 A Foolish Maid Finds an Embroidered Pouch; A Timid Young Lady Loses a Gold Phoenix

話說那趙姨娘和賈政說話，忽聽外面一聲響，不知何物。Now it is told that as Concubine Zhao was speaking with Jia Zheng, they suddenly heard a crash outside, though they could not tell what it was.忙問時，原來是外間窗屜不曾扣好，塌了屈戍了吊下來。When they hurriedly asked, it turned out that the outer window-frame had not been properly fastened; it had collapsed, bending its hinges and falling loose.趙姨娘罵了丫頭幾句，自己帶領丫鬟上好，方進來打發賈政安歇。Concubine Zhao scolded the maids a few times, then personally supervised them as they put it right, before returning to see Jia Zheng settled for the night.不在話下。No more need be said of this.

话说那赵姨娘和贾政说话，忽听外面一声响，不知何物。忙问时，原来是外间窗屉不曾扣好，塌了屈戍了吊下来。赵姨娘骂了丫头几句，自己带领丫鬟上好，方进来打发贾政安歇。不在话下。

卻說怡紅院中寶玉正才睡下，丫鬟們正欲各散安歇，忽聽有人擊院門。Meanwhile, in Happy Red Court, Baoyu had only just gone to bed, and the maids were about to disperse for the night, when suddenly someone knocked at the courtyard gate.老婆子開了門，見是趙姨娘房內的丫鬟名喚小鵲的。An old serving-woman opened the gate and saw that it was Xiaoqiao, a maid from Concubine Zhao’s rooms.問他什麼事，小鵲不答，直往房內來找寶玉。When asked what she wanted, Xiaoqiao made no answer, but went straight inside to find Baoyu.只見寶玉才睡下，晴雯等猶在床邊坐著，大家頑笑，見他來了，都問：“什麼事，這時候又跑了來作什麼？”小鵲笑向寶玉道：“我來告訴你一個信兒。Baoyu had only just lain down, and Qingwen and the others were still sitting beside the bed, all laughing and joking; when they saw her come in, they asked, “What is it? What have you come running here for at this hour?” Xiaoqiao smiled and said to Baoyu, “I have some news for you.方才我們奶奶這般如此在老爺前說了。Just now our mistress said such-and-such to Master in front of us.你仔細明兒老爺問你話。”說著回身就去了。Take care tomorrow, when Master questions you.” With that, she turned and left.襲人命留他吃茶，因怕關門，遂一直去了。Xiren called for her to stay and have some tea, but, fearing that the gates would be shut, she went straight away.

却说怡红院中宝玉正才睡下，丫鬟们正欲各散安歇，忽听有人击院门。老婆子开了门，见是赵姨娘房内的丫鬟名唤小鹊的。问他什么事，小鹊不答，直往房内来找宝玉。只见宝玉才睡下，晴雯等犹在床边坐著，大家顽笑，见他来了，都问：“什么事，这时候又跑了来作什么？”小鹊笑向宝玉道：“我来告诉你一个信儿。方才我们奶奶这般如此在老爷前说了。你仔细明儿老爷问你话。”说著回身就去了。袭人命留他吃茶，因怕关门，遂一直去了。

這里寶玉聽了，便如孫大圣聽見了緊箍咒一般，登時四肢五內一齊皆不自在起來。When Baoyu heard this, he felt like the Great Sage Sun upon hearing the Tight-Fillet Spell: in an instant, every limb and every organ in his body grew uneasy.想來想去，別無他法，且理熟了書預備明兒盤考。After turning it over and over, he could think of no other course but to master his books in readiness for the examination tomorrow.口內不舛錯，便有他事，也可搪塞一半。If he could recite without stumbling, then even if some other matter arose, he might at least bluff his way through half of it.想罷，忙披衣起來要讀書。Having reached this conclusion, he hurriedly threw on his clothes and rose to study.心中又自後悔，這些日子只說不提了，偏又丟生，早知該天天好歹溫習些的。Inwardly he regretted that, having kept saying these past few days that the matter had been dropped, he had perversely let his lessons go rusty; had he known, he ought at least to have reviewed a little every day.如今打算打算，肚子內現可背誦的，不過只有“學”“庸”“二論”是帶注背得出的。Taking stock now, he found that of what he could presently recite by heart, there were only the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, and the two Analects, which he could repeat together with their commentaries.至上本《孟子》，就有一半是夾生的，若憑空提一句，斷不能接背的，至”下孟”，就有一大半忘了。By the first volume of Mencius, half of it was already only half-learned: if a line were picked at random, he would certainly be unable to continue it; as for the second volume, he had forgotten well over half.算起五經來，因近來作詩，常把《詩經》讀些，雖不甚精闡，還可塞責。As for the Five Classics, since he had lately been composing poetry, he had often read some of the Book of Songs; though his understanding was not very exact or profound, it might still serve to discharge his obligation.別的雖不記得，素日賈政也幸未吩咐過讀的，縱不知，也還不妨。Although he could not remember the others, fortunately Jia Zheng had never ordinarily ordered him to study them, so ignorance of them would do no great harm.至于古文，這是那幾年所讀過的幾篇，連“左傳”“國策”“公羊”“谷粱”漢唐等文，不過幾十篇，這幾年竟未曾溫得半篇片語，雖閒時也曾遍閱，不過一時之興，隨看隨忘，未下苦工夫，如何記得。As for classical prose, there were only the few dozen pieces he had read several years ago, including passages from the Zuo Commentary, the Intrigues of the Warring States, the Gongyang and Guliang Commentaries, and works of the Han and Tang; in all these years he had not reviewed so much as half a piece or a single phrase, and though in idle moments he had sometimes browsed through them all, it had been only a passing fancy—forgotten as quickly as read—and, having never worked hard at them, how could he remember?這是斷難塞責的。There was no possible way to bluff through that.更有時文八股一道，因平素深惡此道，原非圣賢之制撰，焉能闡發圣賢之微奧，不過作後人餌名釣祿之階。Then there was the business of eight-legged examination essays, a form he had always profoundly detested: it was no creation of the sages, so how could it expound their subtlest mysteries? It was merely a ladder by which later men angled for fame and fished for office.雖賈政當日起身時選了百十篇命他讀的，不過偶因見其中或一二股內，或承起之中，有作的或精致，或流蕩，或游戲，或悲感，稍能動性者，偶一讀之，不過供一時之興趣，究竟何曾成篇潛心玩索。Before Jia Zheng left, he had selected a hundred or so essays and ordered Baoyu to read them; but Baoyu had only occasionally read one when he found, in one or two of its sections or in its transitions and openings, some passage that was exquisite, free-flowing, playful, or sorrowful enough to stir his feelings—and then only for a moment’s diversion; when had he ever studied a whole essay with concentrated attention?如今若溫習這個，又恐明日盤詰那個，若溫習那個，又恐盤駁這個。Now, if he reviewed this one, he feared that tomorrow he would be examined on that one; and if he reviewed that one, he feared he would be challenged on this.況一夜之功，亦不能全然溫習。Besides, one night’s work could not possibly cover them all.因此越添了焦燥。Thus he grew more and more agitated.自己讀書不致緊要，卻帶累著一房丫鬟們皆不能睡。His own studying would not in itself have mattered much, but it kept every maid in his rooms from sleeping.襲人麝月晴雯等幾個大的是不用說，在旁剪燭斟茶，那些小的，都困眼朦朧，前仰後合起來。Needless to say, the senior maids—Xiren, Sheyue, Qingwen, and the others—remained beside him, trimming the candlewicks and pouring tea; but the younger ones were all bleary-eyed with weariness, nodding backward and forward.晴雯因罵道：“什麼蹄子們，一個個黑日白夜挺尸挺不夠，偶然一次睡遲了些，就裝出這腔調來了。Qingwen scolded them: “You wretched little creatures! As if lying like corpses day and night were never enough for you—just once you have to stay up a little late, and you start putting on this performance.再這樣，我拿針戳給你們兩下子！”Carry on like that, and I’ll give each of you a couple of jabs with a needle!”

这里宝玉听了，便如孙大圣听见了紧箍咒一般，登时四肢五内一齐皆不自在起来。想来想去，别无他法，且理熟了书预备明儿盘考。口内不舛错，便有他事，也可搪塞一半。想罢，忙披衣起来要读书。心中又自后悔，这些日子只说不提了，偏又丢生，早知该天天好歹温习些的。如今打算打算，肚子内现可背诵的，不过只有“学”“庸”“二论”是带注背得出的。至上本《孟子》，就有一半是夹生的，若凭空提一句，断不能接背的，至”下孟”，就有一大半忘了。算起五经来，因近来作诗，常把《诗经》读些，虽不甚精阐，还可塞责。别的虽不记得，素日贾政也幸未吩咐过读的，纵不知，也还不妨。至于古文，这是那几年所读过的几篇，连“左传”“国策”“公羊”“谷粱”汉唐等文，不过几十篇，这几年竟未曾温得半篇片语，虽闲时也曾遍阅，不过一时之兴，随看随忘，未下苦工夫，如何记得。这是断难塞责的。更有时文八股一道，因平素深恶此道，原非圣贤之制撰，焉能阐发圣贤之微奥，不过作后人饵名钓禄之阶。虽贾政当日起身时选了百十篇命他读的，不过偶因见其中或一二股内，或承起之中，有作的或精致，或流荡，或游戏，或悲感，稍能动性者，偶一读之，不过供一时之兴趣，究竟何曾成篇潜心玩索。如今若温习这个，又恐明日盘诘那个，若温习那个，又恐盘驳这个。况一夜之功，亦不能全然温习。因此越添了焦燥。自己读书不致紧要，却带累著一房丫鬟们皆不能睡。袭人麝月晴雯等几个大的是不用说，在旁剪烛斟茶，那些小的，都困眼朦胧，前仰后合起来。晴雯因骂道：“什么蹄子们，一个个黑日白夜挺尸挺不够，偶然一次睡迟了些，就装出这腔调来了。再这样，我拿针戳给你们两下子！”

話猶未了，只聽外間咕咚一聲，急忙看時，原來是一個小丫頭子坐著打盹，一頭撞到壁上了，從夢中驚醒，恰正是晴雯說這話之時，他怔怔的只當是晴雯打了他一下，遂哭央說：“好姐姐，我再不敢了。”眾人都發起笑來。Before she had finished speaking, there came a thump from the outer room; when they hurried to look, they found that a little maid had dozed off sitting up and struck her head against the wall. Startled awake from her dream just as Qingwen spoke, she stared blankly, thinking Qingwen had hit her, and pleaded tearfully, “Dear sister, I’ll never do it again.” Everyone burst out laughing.寶玉忙勸道：“饒他去罷，原該叫他們都睡去才是。Baoyu hurriedly interceded: “Let her be; they really ought all to have been sent to sleep.你們也該替換著睡去。”襲人忙道：“小祖宗，你只顧你的罷。You should take turns sleeping too.” Xiren hastily said, “Little ancestor, just attend to your own business.通共這一夜的功夫，你把心暫且用在這幾本書上，等過了這一關，由你再張羅別的去，也不算誤了什麼。”寶玉聽他說的懇切，只得又讀。There is only this one night: for the moment, set your mind on these few books; once you are safely past this hurdle, you may occupy yourself with anything else you please, and nothing will have been lost.” Hearing the earnestness in her words, Baoyu had no choice but to resume reading.讀了沒有幾句，麝月又斟了一杯茶來潤舌，寶玉接茶吃了。He had read only a few lines when Sheyue poured another cup of tea to moisten his tongue, and Baoyu took it and drank.因見麝月只穿著短襖，解了裙子，寶玉道：“夜靜了，冷，到底穿一件大衣裳才是。”麝月笑指著書道：“你暫且把我們忘了，把心且略對著他些罷。”Seeing that Sheyue wore only a short jacket and had taken off her skirt, Baoyu said, “It is late and cold; you really ought to put on a long outer garment.” Sheyue smiled and pointed to the book: “Forget about us for the moment, and turn at least a little of your attention to that.”

话犹未了，只听外间咕咚一声，急忙看时，原来是一个小丫头子坐著打盹，一头撞到壁上了，从梦中惊醒，恰正是晴雯说这话之时，他怔怔的只当是晴雯打了他一下，遂哭央说：“好姐姐，我再不敢了。”众人都发起笑来。宝玉忙劝道：“饶他去罢，原该叫他们都睡去才是。你们也该替换著睡去。”袭人忙道：“小祖宗，你只顾你的罢。通共这一夜的功夫，你把心暂且用在这几本书上，等过了这一关，由你再张罗别的去，也不算误了什么。”宝玉听他说的恳切，只得又读。读了没有几句，麝月又斟了一杯茶来润舌，宝玉接茶吃了。因见麝月只穿著短袄，解了裙子，宝玉道：“夜静了，冷，到底穿一件大衣裳才是。”麝月笑指著书道：“你暂且把我们忘了，把心且略对著他些罢。”

話猶未了，只聽金星玻璃從後房門跑進來，口內喊說：“不好了，一個人從牆上跳下來了！”眾人聽說，忙問在那里，即喝起人來，各處尋找。Before she had finished, Jinxing and Boli came running in through the rear door, shouting, “Something terrible! Someone has jumped down from the wall!” On hearing this, everyone hurriedly asked where; they called the servants up at once and searched everywhere.晴雯因見寶玉讀書苦惱，勞費一夜神思，明日也未必妥當，心下正要替寶玉想出一個主意來脫此難，正好忽然逢此一驚，即便生計，向寶玉道：“趁這個机會快裝病，只說唬著了。”此話正中寶玉心怀，因而遂傳起上夜人等來，打著燈籠，各處搜尋，并無蹤跡，都說：“小姑娘們想是睡花了眼出去，風搖的樹枝兒，錯認作人了。”晴雯便道：“別放謅屁！Qingwen, seeing how miserably Baoyu studied, taxing his mind all night with no certainty that matters would go well the next day, had just been trying to devise a way to rescue him from his predicament. This sudden alarm gave her the very opening she needed, and a plan came to her; she said to Baoyu, “Quickly take this chance to pretend you are ill—say the fright has made you sick.” This was exactly what Baoyu wished to hear, so the night-watch servants were summoned, lanterns were lit, and every place was searched. When no trace was found, they all said, “The young girls must have been seeing things through sleepy eyes; a branch swaying in the wind looked like a person to them.” Qingwen said, “Stop spouting your lying nonsense!你們查的不嚴，怕得不是，還拿這話來支吾。You failed to search properly, yet instead of admitting it, you try to fob us off with this tale.才剛并不是一個人見的，寶玉和我們出去有事，大家親見的。It was not just one person who saw it: Baoyu and all of us had gone outside on some business and saw it with our own eyes.如今寶玉唬的顏色都變了，滿身發熱，我如今還要上房里取安魂丸藥去。Now Baoyu has been so frightened that the color has left his face and his whole body is feverish; I must go to the main house for some spirit-calming pills.太太問起來，是要回明白的，難道依你說就罷了不成。”眾人聽了，嚇的不敢則聲，只得又各處去找。When Madam asks about it, we shall have to give her a clear account; surely you do not think your explanation will put an end to the matter?” Hearing this, the servants were too frightened to utter a word and had no choice but to search everywhere again.晴雯和玻璃二人果出去要藥，故意鬧的眾人皆知寶玉嚇著了。Qingwen and Boli duly went out to fetch medicine, deliberately making enough commotion for everyone to know that Baoyu had been frightened ill.王夫人聽了，忙命人來看視給藥，又吩咐各上夜人仔細搜查，又一面叫查二門外鄰園牆上夜的小廝們。When Lady Wang heard, she hurriedly sent someone to see him and administer medicine; she also ordered all the night-watch servants to search carefully, while at the same time sending inquiries to the young male servants keeping watch beyond the inner gate and along the walls of the neighboring gardens.于是園內燈籠火把，直鬧了一夜。Thus lanterns and torches moved throughout the Garden, and the uproar continued all night.至五更天，就傳管家男女，命仔細查一查，拷問內外上夜男女等人。At the fifth watch, the male and female stewards were summoned and ordered to investigate carefully and interrogate all the men and women who had been on watch inside and outside.賈母聞知寶玉被嚇，細問原由，不敢再隱，只得回明。When Grandmother Jia learned that Baoyu had been frightened, she questioned them closely about the cause; they dared conceal it no longer and had to report the truth.賈母道：“我必料到有此事。Grandmother Jia said, “I knew something of this kind was bound to happen.如今各處上夜都不小心，還是小事，只怕他們就是賊也未可知。”當下邢夫人并尤氏等都過來請安，鳳姐及李紈姊妹等皆陪侍，聽賈母如此說，都默無所答。Nowadays the night watch everywhere is careless—that in itself is a small matter; for all we know, the watchmen themselves may be thieves.” Just then, Lady Xing, You-shi, and the others came to pay their respects, while Xifeng, Li Wan, and the young ladies were all in attendance; hearing Grandmother Jia speak thus, none of them made any reply.獨探春出位笑道：“近因鳳姐姐身子不好，幾日園內的人比先放肆了許多。Only Tanchun left her seat and said with a smile, “Lately, because Sister Xifeng has been unwell, the people in the Garden have grown far more unruly than before.先前不過是大家偷著一時半刻，或夜里坐更時，三四個人聚在一處，或擲骰或鬪牌，小小的頑意，不過為熬困。Formerly they merely stole half an hour here and there, or when sitting up on night watch, three or four would gather together to throw dice or play cards—petty amusements merely to keep themselves awake.近來漸次發誕，竟開了賭局，甚至有頭家局主，或三十吊五十吊三百吊的大輸贏。But recently they have grown steadily more outrageous and have actually set up gambling dens, complete with bankers and organizers, where thirty, fifty, or even three hundred strings of cash may be won or lost.半月前竟有爭鬪相打之事。”賈母聽了，忙說：“你既知道，為何不早回我們來？”探春道：“我因想著太太事多，且連日不自在，所以沒回。A fortnight ago, there was even a quarrel that came to blows.” Hearing this, Grandmother Jia hurriedly said, “If you knew, why did you not report it to us sooner?” Tanchun replied, “I thought Madam had so many concerns and had been unwell day after day, so I did not report it.只告訴了大嫂子和管事的人們，戒飭過幾次，近日好些。”賈母忙道：“你姑娘家，如何知道這里頭的利害。I merely told Sister-in-law and the household managers; after several warnings, things have improved somewhat lately.” Grandmother Jia said hastily, “You are an unmarried girl—how could you understand the dangers involved?你自為耍錢常事，不過怕起爭端。You think gambling is commonplace and that the only danger is that it may cause quarrels.殊不知夜間既耍錢，就保不住不吃酒，既吃酒，就免不得門戶任意開鎖。Little do you know that if people gamble at night, they can hardly avoid drinking; and once they drink, doors and gates will inevitably be opened and unlocked at will.或買東西，尋張覓李，其中夜靜人稀，趨便藏賊引奸引盜，何等事作不出來。Whether buying things or seeking out this person and that, they take advantage of the stillness and emptiness of the night to harbor thieves and bring in adulterers and robbers—what mischief would they not commit?況且園內的姊妹們起居所伴者皆系丫頭媳婦們，賢愚混雜，賊盜事小，再有別事，倘略沾帶些，關系不小。Moreover, the young ladies living in the Garden have no companions but maids and married servants, among whom the worthy and the foolish are all mixed together. Theft would be a small matter; if some other scandal arose and any of the girls were even slightly implicated, the consequences would be grave.這事豈可輕恕。”探春聽說，便默然歸坐。How can such conduct be lightly pardoned?” Hearing this, Tanchun silently returned to her seat.鳳姐雖未大愈，精神因此比常稍減，今見賈母如此說，便忙道：“偏生我又病了。”遂回頭命人速傳林之孝家的等總理家事四個媳婦到來，當著賈母申飭了一頓。Though Xifeng was not yet fully recovered and consequently had less energy than usual, when she heard Grandmother Jia speak thus, she hastily said, “And just at this time I had to fall ill!” Turning her head, she ordered someone to summon at once Lin Zhixiao’s wife and the other four matrons who jointly managed the household, and reprimanded them in Grandmother Jia’s presence.賈母命即刻查了頭家賭家來，有人出首者賞，隱情不告者罰。Grandmother Jia ordered them to identify the bankers and gamblers at once, offering rewards to informers and punishment to anyone who concealed what they knew.林之孝家的等見賈母動怒，誰敢徇私，忙至園內傳齊人，一一盤查。Seeing Grandmother Jia in a rage, Lin Zhixiao’s wife and the others dared show no partiality; they hurried into the Garden, assembled everyone, and examined them one by one.雖不免大家賴一回，終不免水落石出。Though everyone inevitably denied it for a while, in the end the truth came to light.查得大頭家三人，小頭家八人，聚賭者通共二十多人，都帶來見賈母，跪在院內磕響頭求饒。They discovered three chief bankers, eight lesser ones, and more than twenty gamblers in all; all were brought before Grandmother Jia, where they knelt in the courtyard, knocking their heads loudly on the ground and begging for mercy.賈母先問大頭家名姓和錢之多少。Grandmother Jia first asked the names of the chief bankers and how much money had been involved.原來這三個大頭家，一個就是林之孝家的兩姨親家，一個就是園內廚房內柳家媳婦之妹，一個就是迎春之乳母。Of the three chief bankers, one proved to be a relative by marriage of Lin Zhixiao’s wife, another was the younger sister of Cook Liu in the Garden kitchens, and the third was Yingchun’s wet nurse.這是三個為首的，餘者不能多記。These three were the ringleaders; the rest are too numerous to record.賈母便命將骰子牌一并燒毀，所有的錢入官分散與眾人，將為首者每人四十大板，攆出，總不許再入，從者每人二十大板，革去三月月錢，撥入圊廁行內。Grandmother Jia ordered the dice and cards all burned, and all the money confiscated and distributed among the servants; each ringleader was to receive forty strokes, be driven out, and never permitted to return, while each follower was to receive twenty strokes, lose three months’ wages, and be assigned to work at the privies.又將林之孝家的申飭了一番。She then reprimanded Lin Zhixiao’s wife once more.林之孝家的見他的親戚又與他打嘴，自己也覺沒趣。Lin Zhixiao’s wife felt thoroughly embarrassed when her relative even answered her back.迎春在坐，也覺沒意思。Yingchun, who was present, also felt ill at ease.黛玉，寶釵，探春等見迎春的乳母如此，也是物傷其類的意思，遂都起身笑向賈母討情說：“這個媽媽素日原不頑的，不知怎麼也偶然高興。Daiyu, Baochai, Tanchun, and the others, seeing Yingchun’s wet nurse treated thus, felt a natural sympathy for one of their own kind; they therefore rose and smilingly pleaded with Grandmother Jia: “This nurse has never ordinarily gambled; we do not know what possessed her to indulge herself just this once.求看二姐姐面上，饒他這次罷。”賈母道：“你們不知。For Second Sister’s sake, please pardon her this time.” Grandmother Jia said, “You do not understand.大約這些奶子們，一個個仗著奶過哥兒姐兒，原比別人有些体面，他們就生事，比別人更可惡，專管調唆主子護短偏向。These nurses all presume upon having suckled the young masters and young ladies and enjoy more dignity than other servants; when they stir up trouble, they are all the more detestable, for they are forever encouraging their young masters and mistresses to shield faults and show favoritism.我都是經過的。I have seen it all before.況且要拿一個作法，恰好果然就遇見了一個。Besides, I needed to make an example of someone, and as it happens, here is just such a person.你們別管，我自有道理。”寶釵等聽說，只得罷了。Do not interfere; I know what I am doing.” Hearing this, Baochai and the others had no choice but to desist.

话犹未了，只听金星玻璃从后房门跑进来，口内喊说：“不好了，一个人从墙上跳下来了！”众人听说，忙问在那里，即喝起人来，各处寻找。晴雯因见宝玉读书苦恼，劳费一夜神思，明日也未必妥当，心下正要替宝玉想出一个主意来脱此难，正好忽然逢此一惊，即便生计，向宝玉道：“趁这个机会快装病，只说唬著了。”此话正中宝玉心怀，因而遂传起上夜人等来，打著灯笼，各处搜寻，并无踪迹，都说：“小姑娘们想是睡花了眼出去，风摇的树枝儿，错认作人了。”晴雯便道：“别放诌屁！你们查的不严，怕得不是，还拿这话来支吾。才刚并不是一个人见的，宝玉和我们出去有事，大家亲见的。如今宝玉唬的颜色都变了，满身发热，我如今还要上房里取安魂丸药去。太太问起来，是要回明白的，难道依你说就罢了不成。”众人听了，吓的不敢则声，只得又各处去找。晴雯和玻璃二人果出去要药，故意闹的众人皆知宝玉吓著了。王夫人听了，忙命人来看视给药，又吩咐各上夜人仔细搜查，又一面叫查二门外邻园墙上夜的小厮们。于是园内灯笼火把，直闹了一夜。至五更天，就传管家男女，命仔细查一查，拷问内外上夜男女等人。贾母闻知宝玉被吓，细问原由，不敢再隐，只得回明。贾母道：“我必料到有此事。如今各处上夜都不小心，还是小事，只怕他们就是贼也未可知。”当下邢夫人并尤氏等都过来请安，凤姐及李纨姊妹等皆陪侍，听贾母如此说，都默无所答。独探春出位笑道：“近因凤姐姐身子不好，几日园内的人比先放肆了许多。先前不过是大家偷著一时半刻，或夜里坐更时，三四个人聚在一处，或掷骰或鬪牌，小小的顽意，不过为熬困。近来渐次发诞，竟开了赌局，甚至有头家局主，或三十吊五十吊三百吊的大输赢。半月前竟有争鬪相打之事。”贾母听了，忙说：“你既知道，为何不早回我们来？”探春道：“我因想著太太事多，且连日不自在，所以没回。只告诉了大嫂子和管事的人们，戒饬过几次，近日好些。”贾母忙道：“你姑娘家，如何知道这里头的利害。你自为耍钱常事，不过怕起争端。殊不知夜间既耍钱，就保不住不吃酒，既吃酒，就免不得门户任意开锁。或买东西，寻张觅李，其中夜静人稀，趋便藏贼引奸引盗，何等事作不出来。况且园内的姊妹们起居所伴者皆系丫头媳妇们，贤愚混杂，贼盗事小，再有别事，倘略沾带些，关系不小。这事岂可轻恕。”探春听说，便默然归坐。凤姐虽未大愈，精神因此比常稍减，今见贾母如此说，便忙道：“偏生我又病了。”遂回头命人速传林之孝家的等总理家事四个媳妇到来，当著贾母申饬了一顿。贾母命即刻查了头家赌家来，有人出首者赏，隐情不告者罚。林之孝家的等见贾母动怒，谁敢徇私，忙至园内传齐人，一一盘查。虽不免大家赖一回，终不免水落石出。查得大头家三人，小头家八人，聚赌者通共二十多人，都带来见贾母，跪在院内磕响头求饶。贾母先问大头家名姓和钱之多少。原来这三个大头家，一个就是林之孝家的两姨亲家，一个就是园内厨房内柳家媳妇之妹，一个就是迎春之乳母。这是三个为首的，余者不能多记。贾母便命将骰子牌一并烧毁，所有的钱入官分散与众人，将为首者每人四十大板，撵出，总不许再入，从者每人二十大板，革去三月月钱，拨入圊厕行内。又将林之孝家的申饬了一番。林之孝家的见他的亲戚又与他打嘴，自己也觉没趣。迎春在坐，也觉没意思。黛玉，宝钗，探春等见迎春的乳母如此，也是物伤其类的意思，遂都起身笑向贾母讨情说：“这个妈妈素日原不顽的，不知怎么也偶然高兴。求看二姐姐面上，饶他这次罢。”贾母道：“你们不知。大约这些奶子们，一个个仗著奶过哥儿姐儿，原比别人有些体面，他们就生事，比别人更可恶，专管调唆主子护短偏向。我都是经过的。况且要拿一个作法，恰好果然就遇见了一个。你们别管，我自有道理。”宝钗等听说，只得罢了。

一時賈母歇晌，大家散出，都知賈母今日生氣，皆不敢各散回家，只得在此暫候。Presently Grandmother Jia took her midday rest, and everyone withdrew; knowing that she was angry that day, they did not dare disperse to their own quarters but had to wait there for the time being.尤氏便往鳳姐處來閒話了一回，因他也不自在，只得往園內尋眾姑嫂閒談。You-shi went to Xifeng’s rooms and chatted for a while, but as Xifeng was still unwell, she had no choice but to go into the Garden and seek out the young ladies and sisters-in-law for conversation.邢夫人在王夫人處坐了一回，也就往園內散散心來。Lady Xing sat for a time with Lady Wang, then also went into the Garden to divert herself.剛至園門前，只見賈母房內的小丫頭子名喚傻大姐的笑嘻嘻走來，手內拿著個花紅柳綠的東西，低頭一壁瞧著，一壁只管走，不防迎頭撞見邢夫人，抬頭看見，方才站住。Just as she reached the Garden gate, she saw a little maid from Grandmother Jia’s quarters, called Silly Dajie, coming toward her with a broad grin, holding something gaudily colored in her hand; she walked on with her head bent, examining it all the while, and, not watching where she was going, nearly collided head-on with Lady Xing before looking up and stopping.邢夫人因說：“這痴丫頭，又得了個什麼狗不識兒這麼歡喜？Lady Xing said, “What piece of worthless nonsense has this foolish girl found now, to make her so delighted?拿來我瞧瞧。”原來這傻大姐年方十四五歲，是新挑上來的與賈母這邊提水桶掃院子專作粗活的一個丫頭。Bring it here and let me see.” This Silly Dajie was only fourteen or fifteen, a newly selected maid assigned to Grandmother Jia’s quarters to carry water, sweep the courtyard, and perform other heavy work.只因他生得体肥面闊，兩只大腳作粗活簡捷爽利，且心性愚頑，一無知識，行事出言，常在規矩之外。She was stout, broad-faced, and large-footed, quick and efficient at rough work; but she was also simple and foolish, utterly ignorant, and her deeds and words often went beyond all propriety.賈母因喜歡他爽利便捷，又喜他出言可以發笑，便起名為“呆大姐”，常悶來便引他取笑一回，毫無避忌，因此又叫他作“痴丫頭”。Grandmother Jia liked her brisk efficiency and also found her remarks amusing, so she named her “Daft Dajie”; whenever she felt bored, she would summon the girl to provide some laughter, without any reserve, and for this reason the girl was also called “the foolish maid.”他縱有失禮之處，見賈母喜歡他，眾人也就不去苛責。Even when she behaved improperly, everyone saw that Grandmother Jia liked her and therefore refrained from judging her too harshly.這丫頭也得了這個力，若賈母不喚他時，便入園內來頑耍。The girl took advantage of this privilege, and whenever Grandmother Jia did not require her, she would go into the Garden to play.今日正在園內掏促織，忽在山石背後得了一個五彩繡香囊，其華麗精致，固是可愛，但上面繡的并非花鳥等物，一面卻是兩個人赤條條的盤踞相抱，一面是幾個字。That day, while hunting crickets in the Garden, she had found behind a rock a many-colored embroidered perfume-purse. It was certainly lovely in its ornate delicacy, but what was embroidered on it was not flowers, birds, or anything of that sort: on one side were two stark-naked people entwined in an embrace, and on the other were several written characters.這痴丫頭原不認得是春意，便心下盤算：“敢是兩個妖精打架？The foolish girl had no notion that it was an erotic picture, and wondered to herself, “Could these be two demons fighting?不然必是兩口子相打。”左右猜解不來，正要拿去與賈母看，是以笑嘻嘻的一壁看，一壁走，忽見了邢夫人如此說，便笑道：“太太真個說的巧，真個是狗不識呢。Otherwise they must be a husband and wife fighting.” Unable to puzzle it out however she tried, she was about to take it to show Grandmother Jia; thus she went along grinning, looking at it as she walked. When Lady Xing spoke to her, she laughed and said, “Madam has guessed it exactly—it truly is some worthless thing no one can make sense of.太太請瞧一瞧。”說著，便送過去。Please have a look, Madam.” So saying, she handed it over.邢夫人接來一看，嚇得連忙死緊攥住，忙問“你是那里得的？”傻大姐道：“我掏促織兒在山石上揀的。”邢夫人道：“快休告訴一人。Lady Xing took one look and, badly startled, immediately clutched it tight, asking hurriedly, “Where did you find this?” Silly Dajie replied, “I found it on the rocks while I was hunting crickets.” Lady Xing said, “You must not tell a soul.這不是好東西，連你也要打死。This is an evil thing, and you could be beaten to death for having it.皆因你素日是傻子，以後再別提起了。”這傻大姐聽了，反嚇的黃了臉，說：“再不敢了。”磕了個頭，呆呆而去。Only because everyone knows you are a fool will you be spared; never mention it again.” Hearing this, Silly Dajie turned pale with fright and said, “I shall never dare.” She kowtowed and went away in a daze.邢夫人回頭看時，都是些女孩兒，不便遞與，自己便塞在袖內，心內十分罕异，揣摩此物從何而至，且不形于聲色，且來至迎春室中。Lady Xing looked around and saw only young girls, to whom she could not conveniently hand it; she therefore slipped it into her own sleeve, inwardly much astonished and pondering where it could have come from, though she betrayed nothing in word or expression, and proceeded to Yingchun’s rooms.迎春正因他乳母獲罪，自覺無趣，心中不自在，忽報母親來了，遂接入內室。Yingchun, already dispirited and ill at ease because her wet nurse had been punished, suddenly heard that her mother had come and escorted her into the inner room.奉茶畢，邢夫人因說道：“你這麼大了，你那奶媽子行此事，你也不說說他。When tea had been served, Lady Xing said, “You are grown up now; when your nurse behaves in this fashion, why did you not remonstrate with her?如今別人都好好的，偏咱們的人做出這事來，什麼意思。”迎春低著頭弄衣帶，半晌答道：“我說他兩次，他不聽也無法。Everyone else was behaving properly, yet it had to be one of our people who did such a thing—what is the meaning of it?” Yingchun lowered her head and toyed with her sash; after a long while she answered, “I spoke to her twice, but she would not listen, so there was nothing I could do.況且他是媽媽，只有他說我的，沒有我說他的。”邢夫人道：“胡說！Besides, she is my nurse: she may scold me, but I cannot scold her.” Lady Xing said, “Nonsense!你不好了他原該說，如今他犯了法，你就該拿出小姐的身分來。If you misbehave, she ought naturally to correct you; but now that she has broken the rules, you ought to assert your position as a young mistress.他敢不從，你就回我去才是。If she dared disobey, you should have reported her to me.如今直等外人共知，是什麼意思。What is the meaning of waiting until all the outsiders knew of it?再者，只他去放頭兒，還恐怕他巧言花語的和你借貸些簪環衣履作本錢，你這心活面軟，未必不周接他些。Furthermore, if she was acting as banker, I fear she may have wheedled you into lending her hair ornaments, clothes, or shoes to use as capital; with your yielding nature and tender heart, you may well have helped her out.若被他騙去，我是一個錢沒有的，看你明日怎麼過節。”迎春不語，只低頭弄衣帶。If she has cheated you of them, I have not a penny to give you; let us see how you will celebrate the festivals tomorrow.” Yingchun said nothing, but merely lowered her head and played with her sash.邢夫人見他這般，因冷笑道：“總是你那好哥哥好嫂子，一對兒赫赫揚揚，璉二爺鳳奶奶，兩口子遮天蓋日，百事周到，竟通共這一個妹子，全不在意。Seeing her like this, Lady Xing sneered and said, “It all comes of that fine brother and sister-in-law of yours—the grand and glorious Second Master Lian and Mistress Feng, that heaven-obscuring pair who supposedly attend to everything, yet take no heed whatsoever of their one and only sister.但凡是我身上掉下來的，又有一話說，——只好憑他們罷了。If you had been born of my own body, there would be something more to say—but as it is, we can only let them do as they please.況且你又不是我養的，你雖然不是同他一娘所生，到底是同出一父，也該彼此瞻顧些，也免別人笑話。Besides, I did not raise you; though you and he were not born of the same mother, you share the same father, after all, so you ought to look after one another and spare yourselves the ridicule of others.我想天下的事也難較定，你是大老爺跟前人養的，這里探丫頭也是二老爺跟前人養的，出身一樣。It seems to me that affairs in this world are hard to judge: you were born to one of the Elder Master’s women, while that girl Tanchun here was likewise born to one of the Second Master’s women, so your origins are the same.如今你娘死了，從前看來你兩個的娘，只有你娘比如今趙姨娘強十倍的，你該比探丫頭強才是。Now that your mother is dead, I recall that of the two mothers, yours was ten times better than Concubine Zhao is now; by rights you ought to be far superior to Tanchun.怎麼反不及他一半！How is it, then, that you are not half her equal?誰知竟不然，這可不是异事。Yet contrary to all expectation, so it is—is that not strange?倒是我一生無兒無女的，一生乾淨，也不能惹人笑話議論為高。”旁邊伺侯的媳婦們便趁机道：“我們的姑娘老實仁德，那里象他們三姑娘伶牙俐齒，會要姊妹們的強。Better to be like me, childless all my life, with my whole life clean and no cause for anyone’s ridicule or gossip.” The wives attending nearby seized the opportunity to say, “Our young lady is honest and kind-hearted; how could she compare with Third Young Lady, who has such a sharp tongue and always knows how to get the better of her sisters?他們明知姐姐這樣，他竟不顧恤一點兒。”邢夫人道：“連他哥哥嫂子還如是，別人又作什麼呢。”一言未了，人回：“璉二奶奶來了。”邢夫人聽了，冷笑兩聲，命人出去說：“請他自去養病，我這里不用他伺候。”接著又有探春的小丫頭來報說：“老太太醒了。”邢夫人方起身前邊來。They know perfectly well what Second Young Lady is like, yet they show her no consideration at all.” Lady Xing said, “If even her own brother and sister-in-law behave so, what can be expected of anyone else?” Before she had finished, someone reported, “Second Mistress Lian has arrived.” Lady Xing gave two cold laughs and ordered someone to tell her, “Ask her to go and nurse her illness; I need no attendance from her here.” Then one of Tanchun’s little maids came to report, “The Old Lady is awake.” Only then did Lady Xing rise and return to the front.迎春送至院外方回。Yingchun escorted her as far as the courtyard before returning.繡桔因說道：“如何，前兒我回姑娘，那一個攢珠累絲金鳳竟不知那里去了。Xiuhuo then said, “Well, you see? The other day I reported to you, miss, that the gold phoenix ornament worked in filigree and set with pearls had somehow disappeared.回了姑娘，姑娘竟不問一聲兒。Even after I told you, you did not ask a single question about it.我說必是老奶奶拿去典了銀子放頭兒的，姑娘不信，只說司棋收著呢。I said the old nurse must have taken it to pawn for gambling capital, but you would not believe me and only said Siqi had put it away.問司棋，司棋雖病著，心里卻明白。When I asked Siqi, ill though she was, her mind was perfectly clear.我去問他，他說沒有收起來，還在書架上匣內暫放著，預備八月十五日恐怕要戴呢。I went to ask her, and she said she had not put it away: it had been left for the time being in its box on the bookshelf, because you might need to wear it for the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month.姑娘就該問老奶奶一聲，只是臉軟怕人惱。You ought to ask the old nurse about it, miss; you are simply too tender-faced, for fear of angering people.如今竟怕無著，明兒要都戴時，獨咱們不戴，是何意思呢。”迎春道：“何用問，自然是他拿去暫時借一肩兒。But now I fear there is no getting it back. If everyone wears theirs tomorrow and we alone do not, what will that look like?” Yingchun said, “Why ask? Naturally she took it away to pawn for a little while.我只說他悄悄的拿了出去，不過一時半晌，仍舊悄悄的送來就完了，誰知他就忘了。I thought she had slipped it out secretly and would quietly return it after an hour or two, and that would be the end of it; who knew she would forget all about it?今日偏又鬧出來，問他想也無益。”繡桔道：“何曾是忘記！And today, of all days, this uproar had to break out. It is no use asking her now.” Xiujú said, “She never forgot!他是試准了姑娘的性格，所以才這樣。She has taken your measure, miss, and knows your nature; that is why she dares behave this way.如今我有個主意：我竟走到二奶奶房里將此事回了他，或他著人去要，或他省事拿幾吊錢來替他賠補。Now I have an idea: I shall go straight to Second Mistress’s rooms and report the matter. She can either send someone to demand it back or, to save trouble, provide a few strings of cash to redeem it for her.如何？”迎春忙道：“罷，罷，罷，省些事罷。What do you say?” Yingchun hurriedly replied, “No, no, no—let us have less trouble.宁可沒有了，又何必生事。”繡桔道：“姑娘怎麼這樣軟弱。I would rather go without it; why stir up a fuss?” Xiujú said, “How can you be so weak, miss?都要省起事來，將來連姑娘還騙了去呢，我竟去的是。”說著便走。If everything is hushed up to avoid trouble, one day they will cheat you away as well. I am going.” With that, she set off.迎春便不言語，只好由他。Yingchun said nothing and had no choice but to let her go.

一时贾母歇晌，大家散出，都知贾母今日生气，皆不敢各散回家，只得在此暂候。尤氏便往凤姐处来闲话了一回，因他也不自在，只得往园内寻众姑嫂闲谈。邢夫人在王夫人处坐了一回，也就往园内散散心来。刚至园门前，只见贾母房内的小丫头子名唤傻大姐的笑嘻嘻走来，手内拿著个花红柳绿的东西，低头一壁瞧著，一壁只管走，不防迎头撞见邢夫人，抬头看见，方才站住。邢夫人因说：“这痴丫头，又得了个什么狗不识儿这么欢喜？拿来我瞧瞧。”原来这傻大姐年方十四五岁，是新挑上来的与贾母这边提水桶扫院子专作粗活的一个丫头。只因他生得体肥面阔，两只大脚作粗活简捷爽利，且心性愚顽，一无知识，行事出言，常在规矩之外。贾母因喜欢他爽利便捷，又喜他出言可以发笑，便起名为“呆大姐”，常闷来便引他取笑一回，毫无避忌，因此又叫他作“痴丫头”。他纵有失礼之处，见贾母喜欢他，众人也就不去苛责。这丫头也得了这个力，若贾母不唤他时，便入园内来顽耍。今日正在园内掏促织，忽在山石背后得了一个五彩绣香囊，其华丽精致，固是可爱，但上面绣的并非花鸟等物，一面却是两个人赤条条的盘踞相抱，一面是几个字。这痴丫头原不认得是春意，便心下盘算：“敢是两个妖精打架？不然必是两口子相打。”左右猜解不来，正要拿去与贾母看，是以笑嘻嘻的一壁看，一壁走，忽见了邢夫人如此说，便笑道：“太太真个说的巧，真个是狗不识呢。太太请瞧一瞧。”说著，便送过去。邢夫人接来一看，吓得连忙死紧攥住，忙问“你是那里得的？”傻大姐道：“我掏促织儿在山石上拣的。”邢夫人道：“快休告诉一人。这不是好东西，连你也要打死。皆因你素日是傻子，以后再别提起了。”这傻大姐听了，反吓的黄了脸，说：“再不敢了。”磕了个头，呆呆而去。邢夫人回头看时，都是些女孩儿，不便递与，自己便塞在袖内，心内十分罕异，揣摩此物从何而至，且不形于声色，且来至迎春室中。迎春正因他乳母获罪，自觉无趣，心中不自在，忽报母亲来了，遂接入内室。奉茶毕，邢夫人因说道：“你这么大了，你那奶妈子行此事，你也不说说他。如今别人都好好的，偏咱们的人做出这事来，什么意思。”迎春低著头弄衣带，半晌答道：“我说他两次，他不听也无法。况且他是妈妈，只有他说我的，没有我说他的。”邢夫人道：“胡说！你不好了他原该说，如今他犯了法，你就该拿出小姐的身分来。他敢不从，你就回我去才是。如今直等外人共知，是什么意思。再者，只他去放头儿，还恐怕他巧言花语的和你借贷些簪环衣履作本钱，你这心活面软，未必不周接他些。若被他骗去，我是一个钱没有的，看你明日怎么过节。”迎春不语，只低头弄衣带。邢夫人见他这般，因冷笑道：“总是你那好哥哥好嫂子，一对儿赫赫扬扬，琏二爷凤奶奶，两口子遮天盖日，百事周到，竟通共这一个妹子，全不在意。但凡是我身上掉下来的，又有一话说，——只好凭他们罢了。况且你又不是我养的，你虽然不是同他一娘所生，到底是同出一父，也该彼此瞻顾些，也免别人笑话。我想天下的事也难较定，你是大老爷跟前人养的，这里探丫头也是二老爷跟前人养的，出身一样。如今你娘死了，从前看来你两个的娘，只有你娘比如今赵姨娘强十倍的，你该比探丫头强才是。怎么反不及他一半！谁知竟不然，这可不是异事。倒是我一生无儿无女的，一生干净，也不能惹人笑话议论为高。”旁边伺侯的媳妇们便趁机道：“我们的姑娘老实仁德，那里象他们三姑娘伶牙俐齿，会要姊妹们的强。他们明知姐姐这样，他竟不顾恤一点儿。”邢夫人道：“连他哥哥嫂子还如是，别人又作什么呢。”一言未了，人回：“琏二奶奶来了。”邢夫人听了，冷笑两声，命人出去说：“请他自去养病，我这里不用他伺候。”接著又有探春的小丫头来报说：“老太太醒了。”邢夫人方起身前边来。迎春送至院外方回。绣桔因说道：“如何，前儿我回姑娘，那一个攒珠累丝金凤竟不知那里去了。回了姑娘，姑娘竟不问一声儿。我说必是老奶奶拿去典了银子放头儿的，姑娘不信，只说司棋收著呢。问司棋，司棋虽病著，心里却明白。我去问他，他说没有收起来，还在书架上匣内暂放著，预备八月十五日恐怕要戴呢。姑娘就该问老奶奶一声，只是脸软怕人恼。如今竟怕无著，明儿要都戴时，独咱们不戴，是何意思呢。”迎春道：“何用问，自然是他拿去暂时借一肩儿。我只说他悄悄的拿了出去，不过一时半晌，仍旧悄悄的送来就完了，谁知他就忘了。今日偏又闹出来，问他想也无益。”绣桔道：“何曾是忘记！他是试准了姑娘的性格，所以才这样。如今我有个主意：我竟走到二奶奶房里将此事回了他，或他著人去要，或他省事拿几吊钱来替他赔补。如何？”迎春忙道：“罢，罢，罢，省些事罢。宁可没有了，又何必生事。”绣桔道：“姑娘怎么这样软弱。都要省起事来，将来连姑娘还骗了去呢，我竟去的是。”说著便走。迎春便不言语，只好由他。

誰知迎春乳母子媳王住兒媳婦正因他婆婆得了罪，來求迎春去討情，聽他們正說金鳳一事，且不進去。As it happened, the wife of Wang Zhu’er, the son of Yingchun’s wet nurse, had come to ask Yingchun to intercede for her mother-in-law, who had got into trouble; hearing them discuss the gold phoenix, she stayed outside for the moment.也因素日迎春懦弱，他們都不放在心上。Besides, Yingchun had always been so meek that none of them took her seriously.如今見繡桔立意去回鳳姐，估著這事脫不去的，且又有求迎春之事，只得進來，陪笑先向繡桔說：“姑娘，你別去生事。But now, seeing that Xiujú was determined to report the matter to Xifeng, she judged that it could no longer be covered up; and since she also had a favor to ask of Yingchun, she had no choice but to enter and say coaxingly to Xiujú, “My dear, do not go stirring up trouble.姑娘的金絲鳳，原是我們老奶奶老糊涂了，輸了幾個錢，沒的撈梢，所以暫借了去。That gold-filigree phoenix of our young mistress’s was only borrowed for a while by our old mistress, who in her muddled old age lost a little money gambling and had no stake with which to win it back.原說一日半晌就贖的，因總未撈過本兒來，就遲住了。She originally meant to redeem it within a day or half a day, but because she never managed to win back her capital, the matter was delayed.可巧今兒又不知是誰走了風聲，弄出事來。And today, by ill luck, someone let the secret out and caused all this trouble.雖然這樣，到底主子的東西，我們不敢遲誤下，終久是要贖的。Even so, it belongs to our mistress, and we would not dare delay indefinitely; sooner or later we shall redeem it.如今還要求姑娘看從小兒吃奶的情常，往老太太那邊去討個情面，救出他老人家來才好。”迎春先便說道：“好嫂子，你趁早兒打了這妄想，要等我去說情兒，等到明年也不中用的。Now I must also beg you, miss, to remember the affection owed to the woman whose milk you drank as a child, and go to the Old Lady to plead for mercy, so that the poor old soul may be released.” Yingchun answered at once, “My good sister-in-law, you had better give up that foolish hope now. If you wait for me to plead for her, you could wait until next year and it would still do no good.方才連寶姐姐林妹妹大伙兒說情，老太太還不依，何況是我一個人。Just now Baochai, Daiyu, and all the others pleaded together, yet the Old Lady would not relent—much less would she listen to me alone.我自己愧還愧不來，反去討臊去。”繡桔便說：“贖金鳳是一件事，說情是一件事，別絞在一處說。I am already too ashamed to face her; do you expect me to go and invite further humiliation?” Xiujú said, “Redeeming the gold phoenix is one matter, and pleading for mercy another. Do not muddle them together.難道姑娘不去說情，你就不贖了不成？Surely you do not mean that if our young mistress will not plead for you, you will refuse to redeem it?嫂子且取了金鳳來再說。”王住兒家的聽見迎春如此拒絕他，繡桔的話又鋒利無可回答，一時臉上過不去，也明欺迎春素日好性兒，乃向繡桔發話道：“姑娘，你別太仗勢了。Sister-in-law, bring back the gold phoenix first, and then we can talk.” When Wang Zhu’er’s wife heard Yingchun reject her so flatly, while Xiujú’s sharp words left her no answer, she felt humiliated; and, knowing perfectly well that Yingchun was habitually mild-tempered, she turned on Xiujú and said, “My dear, do not presume too much on your position.你滿家子算一算，誰的媽媽奶子不仗著主子哥兒多得些益，偏咱們就這樣丁是丁卯是卯的，只許你們偷偷摸摸的哄騙了去。Look through the whole household: whose nurse or foster-mother does not use her young master or mistress to gain a few advantages? Why must everything be so cut and dried with us, while you people are allowed to coax and cheat things away in secret?自從邢姑娘來了，太太吩咐一個月儉省出一兩銀子來與舅太太去，這里饒添了邢姑娘的使費，反少了一兩銀子。Ever since Miss Xing came, Madam ordered that one tael a month be saved and given to your aunt; so although Miss Xing’s expenses have been added here, our allowance has actually been reduced by a tael.常時短了這個，少了那個，那不是我們供給？Whenever this or that runs short, is it not we who provide it?誰又要去？Who ever comes asking for it?不過大家將就些罷了。We all merely make do as best we can.算到今日，少說些也有三十兩了。By now, at the lowest reckoning, it must amount to thirty taels.我們這一向的錢，豈不白填了限呢。”繡桔不待說完，便啐了一口，道：“作什麼的白填了三十兩，我且和你算算帳，姑娘要了些什麼東西？”迎春聽見這媳婦發邢夫人之私意，忙止道：“罷，罷，罷。Surely all the money we have spent lately has not simply gone to fill a bottomless pit!” Before she could finish, Xiujú spat and said, “What thirty taels have you thrown away? Let me reckon the account with you: what things has our young mistress ever asked for?” Hearing the woman expose Xing-furen’s private arrangement, Yingchun hurriedly stopped her: “Enough, enough, enough.你不能拿了金鳳來，不必牽三扯四亂嚷。If you cannot bring back the gold phoenix, there is no need to drag in this and that and shout such nonsense.我也不要那鳳了。I do not want the phoenix anymore.便是太太們問時，我只說丟了，也妨礙不著你什麼的，出去歇息歇息倒好。”一面叫繡桔倒茶來。Even if the ladies ask about it, I shall merely say that I lost it, so you will suffer no harm. You had better go out and rest awhile.” At the same time, she told Xiujú to pour some tea.繡桔又氣又急，因說道：“姑娘雖不怕，我們是作什麼的，把姑娘的東西丟了。Both angry and anxious, Xiujú said, “Even if you do not care, miss, what are we servants here for, if we let your belongings be lost?他倒賴說姑娘使了他們的錢，這如今竟要准折起來。And now she turns around and accuses you of spending their money, as though this should be set off against what they owe.倘或太太問姑娘為什麼使了這些錢，敢是我們就中取勢了？Suppose the ladies ask why you spent all that money—will they not suspect that we took advantage and pocketed it in between?這還了得！”一行說，一行就哭了。This is outrageous!” As she spoke, she burst into tears.司棋聽不過，只得勉強過來，幫著繡桔問著那媳婦。Siqi could bear it no longer and was forced to come over, despite herself, to help Xiujú question the woman.迎春勸止不住，自拿了一本《太上感應篇》來看。Unable to stop them, Yingchun took up a copy of the Taishang Ganying Pian and began to read.

谁知迎春乳母子媳王住儿媳妇正因他婆婆得了罪，来求迎春去讨情，听他们正说金凤一事，且不进去。也因素日迎春懦弱，他们都不放在心上。如今见绣桔立意去回凤姐，估著这事脱不去的，且又有求迎春之事，只得进来，陪笑先向绣桔说：“姑娘，你别去生事。姑娘的金丝凤，原是我们老奶奶老糊涂了，输了几个钱，没的捞梢，所以暂借了去。原说一日半晌就赎的，因总未捞过本儿来，就迟住了。可巧今儿又不知是谁走了风声，弄出事来。虽然这样，到底主子的东西，我们不敢迟误下，终久是要赎的。如今还要求姑娘看从小儿吃奶的情常，往老太太那边去讨个情面，救出他老人家来才好。”迎春先便说道：“好嫂子，你趁早儿打了这妄想，要等我去说情儿，等到明年也不中用的。方才连宝姐姐林妹妹大伙儿说情，老太太还不依，何况是我一个人。我自己愧还愧不来，反去讨臊去。”绣桔便说：“赎金凤是一件事，说情是一件事，别绞在一处说。难道姑娘不去说情，你就不赎了不成？嫂子且取了金凤来再说。”王住儿家的听见迎春如此拒绝他，绣桔的话又锋利无可回答，一时脸上过不去，也明欺迎春素日好性儿，乃向绣桔发话道：“姑娘，你别太仗势了。你满家子算一算，谁的妈妈奶子不仗著主子哥儿多得些益，偏咱们就这样丁是丁卯是卯的，只许你们偷偷摸摸的哄骗了去。自从邢姑娘来了，太太吩咐一个月俭省出一两银子来与舅太太去，这里饶添了邢姑娘的使费，反少了一两银子。常时短了这个，少了那个，那不是我们供给？谁又要去？不过大家将就些罢了。算到今日，少说些也有三十两了。我们这一向的钱，岂不白填了限呢。”绣桔不待说完，便啐了一口，道：“作什么的白填了三十两，我且和你算算帐，姑娘要了些什么东西？”迎春听见这媳妇发邢夫人之私意，忙止道：“罢，罢，罢。你不能拿了金凤来，不必牵三扯四乱嚷。我也不要那凤了。便是太太们问时，我只说丢了，也妨碍不著你什么的，出去歇息歇息倒好。”一面叫绣桔倒茶来。绣桔又气又急，因说道：“姑娘虽不怕，我们是作什么的，把姑娘的东西丢了。他倒赖说姑娘使了他们的钱，这如今竟要准折起来。倘或太太问姑娘为什么使了这些钱，敢是我们就中取势了？这还了得！”一行说，一行就哭了。司棋听不过，只得勉强过来，帮著绣桔问著那媳妇。迎春劝止不住，自拿了一本《太上感应篇》来看。

三人正沒開交，可巧寶釵，黛玉，寶琴，探春等因恐迎春今日不自在，都約來安慰他。While the three were still wrangling without end, Baochai, Daiyu, Baoqin, Tanchun, and the others happened to arrive, having agreed to come and comfort Yingchun for fear that today’s events had upset her.走至院中，聽得兩三個人較口。As they entered the courtyard, they heard two or three people quarreling.探春從紗窗內一看，只見迎春倚在床上看書，若有不聞之狀。Looking through the gauze window, Tanchun saw Yingchun reclining on the bed with a book, as though she heard nothing.探春也笑了。Tanchun smiled too.小丫鬟們忙打起帘子，報道：“姑娘們來了。”迎春方放下書起身。The little maids hurriedly raised the curtain and announced, “The young ladies are here.” Only then did Yingchun put down her book and rise.那媳婦見有人來，且又有探春在內，不勸而自止了，遂趁便要去。Seeing visitors arrive, with Tanchun among them, the woman stopped of her own accord, without needing to be admonished, and seized the chance to leave.探春坐下，便問：“才剛誰在這里說話？After sitting down, Tanchun asked, “Who was speaking here just now?倒象拌嘴似的。”迎春笑道：“沒有說什麼，左不過是他們小題大作罷了。It sounded rather like a quarrel.” Yingchun smiled. “It was nothing; they were merely making a mountain out of a molehill.何必問他。”探春笑道：“我才聽見什麼‘金鳳’，又是什麼‘沒有錢只和我們奴才要’，誰和奴才要錢了？Why bother asking?” Tanchun smiled and said, “Just now I heard something about a ‘gold phoenix,’ and something about ‘having no money and asking us servants for it.’ Who has been asking servants for money?難道姐姐和奴才要錢了不成？Surely you have not been asking servants for money, Second Sister?難道姐姐不是和我們一樣有月錢的，一樣有用度不成？”司棋繡桔道：“姑娘說的是了。Do you not receive the same monthly allowance as we do, and the same provision for your expenses?” Siqi and Xiujú said, “That is exactly right, miss.姑娘們都是一樣的，那一位姑娘的錢不是由著奶奶媽媽們使，連我們也不知道怎麼是算帳，不過要東西只說得一聲兒。All the young ladies are treated alike. Which young lady’s money is not managed by her nurses and foster-mothers? Even we do not know how the accounts are kept; whenever anything is wanted, one need only say so.如今他偏要說姑娘使過了頭兒，他賠出許多來了。Yet she insists that our young mistress has overspent and that they have had to make up a great deal themselves.究竟姑娘何曾和他要什麼了。”探春笑道：“姐姐既沒有和他要，必定是我們或者和他們要了不成！But when has our young mistress ever asked them for anything?” Tanchun smiled. “If Second Sister has not asked them for it, then perhaps one of us has?你叫他進來，我倒要問問他。”迎春笑道：“這話又可笑。Call her in; I should like to question her.” Yingchun laughed. “Now that is absurd.你們又無沾礙，何得帶累于他。”探春笑道：“這倒不然。The matter has nothing to do with any of you; why drag her into further trouble?” Tanchun smiled. “That is not so.我和姐姐一樣，姐姐的事和我的也是一般，他說姐姐就是說我。You and I are alike, Second Sister; your affair is also mine. To speak of you is to speak of me.我那邊的人有怨我的，姐姐聽見也即同怨姐姐是一理。If someone in my quarters resents me and you hear it, by the same reasoning that is the same as resenting you.咱們是主子，自然不理論那些錢財小事，只知想起什麼要什麼，也是有的事。We are the mistresses, and naturally do not concern ourselves with trifling matters of money; sometimes we simply ask for whatever occurs to us.但不知金累絲鳳因何又夾在里頭？”那王住兒媳婦生恐繡桔等告出他來，遂忙進來用話掩飾。But I do not understand how the gold-filigree phoenix came to be mixed up in all this.” Fearing that Xiujú and the others would expose her, Wang Zhu’er’s wife hurried in and tried to cover the matter with excuses.探春深知其意，因笑道：“你們所以糊涂。Tanchun knew her purpose perfectly well and said with a smile, “This is where you have been foolish.如今你奶奶已得了不是，趁此求求二奶奶，把方才的錢尚未散人的拿出些來贖取了就完了。Your mother-in-law has already been found at fault. You should take this opportunity to plead with Second Mistress, and use some of the money confiscated just now, before it is distributed, to redeem the ornament; then the matter will be settled.比不得沒鬧出來，大家都藏著留臉面，如今既是沒了臉，趁此時縱有十個罪，也只一人受罰，沒有砍兩顆頭的理。This is not like before the affair came to light, when everyone concealed it to save face. Now that face has already been lost, even if there are ten offenses, only one person will be punished; there is no reason to cut off two heads.你依我，竟是和二奶奶說說。Take my advice and speak to Second Mistress directly.在這里大聲小氣，如何使得。”這媳婦被探春說出真病，也無可賴了，只不敢往鳳姐處自首。What good can come of raising your voice and making a scene here?” Tanchun had put her finger on the woman’s true weakness, leaving her no room for denial, though she still dared not go to Xifeng and confess.探春笑道：“我不聽見便罷，既聽見，少不得替你們分解分解。”誰知探春早使個眼色與待書出去了。Tanchun smiled. “Had I not heard of it, that would be the end of the matter; but since I have, I can hardly avoid helping you explain yourselves.” No one knew that Tanchun had already given Daishu a signal to go out.

三人正没开交，可巧宝钗，黛玉，宝琴，探春等因恐迎春今日不自在，都约来安慰他。走至院中，听得两三个人较口。探春从纱窗内一看，只见迎春倚在床上看书，若有不闻之状。探春也笑了。小丫鬟们忙打起帘子，报道：“姑娘们来了。”迎春方放下书起身。那媳妇见有人来，且又有探春在内，不劝而自止了，遂趁便要去。探春坐下，便问：“才刚谁在这里说话？倒象拌嘴似的。”迎春笑道：“没有说什么，左不过是他们小题大作罢了。何必问他。”探春笑道：“我才听见什么‘金凤’，又是什么‘没有钱只和我们奴才要’，谁和奴才要钱了？难道姐姐和奴才要钱了不成？难道姐姐不是和我们一样有月钱的，一样有用度不成？”司棋绣桔道：“姑娘说的是了。姑娘们都是一样的，那一位姑娘的钱不是由著奶奶妈妈们使，连我们也不知道怎么是算帐，不过要东西只说得一声儿。如今他偏要说姑娘使过了头儿，他赔出许多来了。究竟姑娘何曾和他要什么了。”探春笑道：“姐姐既没有和他要，必定是我们或者和他们要了不成！你叫他进来，我倒要问问他。”迎春笑道：“这话又可笑。你们又无沾碍，何得带累于他。”探春笑道：“这倒不然。我和姐姐一样，姐姐的事和我的也是一般，他说姐姐就是说我。我那边的人有怨我的，姐姐听见也即同怨姐姐是一理。咱们是主子，自然不理论那些钱财小事，只知想起什么要什么，也是有的事。但不知金累丝凤因何又夹在里头？”那王住儿媳妇生恐绣桔等告出他来，遂忙进来用话掩饰。探春深知其意，因笑道：“你们所以糊涂。如今你奶奶已得了不是，趁此求求二奶奶，把方才的钱尚未散人的拿出些来赎取了就完了。比不得没闹出来，大家都藏著留脸面，如今既是没了脸，趁此时纵有十个罪，也只一人受罚，没有砍两颗头的理。你依我，竟是和二奶奶说说。在这里大声小气，如何使得。”这媳妇被探春说出真病，也无可赖了，只不敢往凤姐处自首。探春笑道：“我不听见便罢，既听见，少不得替你们分解分解。”谁知探春早使个眼色与待书出去了。

這里正說話，忽見平兒進來。While they were still talking, Pinger suddenly entered.寶琴拍手笑說道：“三姐姐敢是有驅神召將的符術？”黛玉笑道：“這倒不是道家玄術，倒是用兵最精的，所謂‘守如處女，脫如狡兔’，出其不備之妙策也。”二人取笑。Baoqin clapped her hands and laughed. “Can it be that Third Sister has a magic talisman for commanding spirits and summoning generals?” Daiyu laughed. “That is no Daoist occult art; it is the finest strategy of war—the marvelous tactic called ‘still as a maiden on guard, swift as a fleeing hare,’ taking the enemy unawares.” The two of them joked together.寶釵便使眼色與二人，令其不可，遂以別話岔開。Baochai gave them a warning look to stop, then changed the subject.探春見平兒來了，遂問：“你奶奶可好些了？When Tanchun saw Pinger arrive, she asked, “Is your mistress any better?真是病糊涂了，事事都不在心上，叫我們受這樣的委曲。”平兒忙道：“姑娘怎麼委曲？She truly must be delirious with illness, paying no attention to anything and leaving us to suffer such indignities.” Pinger hurriedly asked, “What indignity have you suffered, miss?誰敢給姑娘氣受，姑娘快吩咐我。”當時住兒媳婦兒方慌了手腳，遂上來赶著平兒叫”姑娘坐下，讓我說原故請聽。”平兒正色道：“姑娘這里說話，也有你我混插口的禮！Who dares vex you? Please tell me at once.” Wang Zhu’er’s wife now became flustered; she hurried up to Pinger, calling, “Sit down, miss, and let me explain the whole affair.” Pinger said sternly, “When the young ladies are speaking here, is it proper for the likes of you and me to interrupt?你但凡知禮，只該在外頭伺候。If you knew the least propriety, you would remain outside in attendance.不叫你進不來的地方，幾曾有外頭的媳婦子們無故到姑娘們房里來的例。”繡桔道：“你不知我們這屋里是沒禮的，誰愛來就來。”平兒道：“都是你們的不是。Unless summoned, you should not enter. Since when have married servants from the outer quarters been allowed to come unbidden into the young ladies’ rooms?” Xiujú said, “You do not know that there are no rules in our quarters: anyone who pleases may come.” Pinger replied, “That is all your fault.姑娘好性兒，你們就該打出去，然後再回太太去才是。”王住兒媳婦見平兒出了言，紅了臉方退出去。Since your young mistress is so good-natured, you should throw such people out first and report them to Madam afterward.” When Wang Zhu’er’s wife heard Pinger speak so, she flushed and finally withdrew.探春接著道：“我且告訴你，若是別人得罪了我，倒還罷了。Tanchun continued, “Let me tell you: if someone else had offended me, I might let it pass.如今那住兒媳婦和他婆婆仗著是媽媽，又瞅著二姐姐好性兒，如此這般私自拿了首飾去賭錢，而且還捏造假帳妙算，威逼著還要去討情，和這兩個丫頭在臥房里大嚷大叫，二姐姐竟不能轄治，所以我看不過，才請你來問一聲：還是他原是天外的人，不知道理？But now Zhu’er’s wife and her mother-in-law rely on her being the nurse and, seeing how mild Second Sister is, have privately taken her jewelry to gamble with; then they fabricated false accounts with ingenious calculations, tried to bully her into pleading for them, and shouted and clamored with these two maids in her very bedchamber. Second Sister is quite unable to control them, and I could not bear to watch it; that is why I sent for you to ask: is this woman some creature from beyond the heavens who knows nothing of proper conduct?還是誰主使他如此，先把二姐姐制伏，然後就要治我和四姑娘了？”平兒忙陪笑道：“姑娘怎麼今日說這話出來？Or has someone directed her to act like this, first subduing Second Sister and then proceeding to discipline me and Fourth Sister?” Pinger hurriedly smiled apologetically. “Why should you say such a thing today, miss?我們奶奶如何當得起！”探春冷笑道：“俗語說的，‘物傷其類’，‘齒竭唇亡’，我自然有些驚心。”平兒道：“若論此事，還不是大事，极好處置。How could our mistress bear such an accusation?” Tanchun sneered. “As the sayings go, ‘Creatures grieve for their own kind,’ and ‘When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.’ Naturally I feel somewhat alarmed.” Pinger said, “This is not really a serious matter and can easily be settled.但他現是姑娘的奶嫂，据姑娘怎麼樣為是？”當下迎春只和寶釵閱”感應篇”故事，究竟連探春之語亦不曾聞得，忽見平兒如此說，乃笑道：“問我，我也沒什麼法子。But since she is now your foster-sister-in-law, miss, how do you think she should be dealt with?” All this while Yingchun had been reading stories from the Ganying Pian with Baochai and had not heard even Tanchun’s words. Suddenly hearing Pinger address her, she smiled and said, “Why ask me? I have no remedy either.他們的不是，自作自受，我也不能討情，我也不去苛責就是了。If they are at fault, they must suffer the consequences themselves. I cannot plead for them, but neither shall I punish them harshly.至于私自拿去的東西，送來我收下，不送來我也不要了。As for the thing they took without permission, if they return it, I shall accept it; if they do not, I no longer want it.太太們要問，我可以隱瞞遮飾過去，是他的造化，若瞞不住，我也沒法，沒有個為他們反欺枉太太們的理，少不得直說。If the ladies ask, and I can conceal the matter and smooth it over, that will be their good fortune. If I cannot hide it, there is nothing I can do; I cannot lie to the ladies for their sake, so I shall have to tell the truth.你們若說我好性兒，沒個決斷，竟有好主意可以八面周全，不使太太們生氣，任憑你們處治，我總不知道。”眾人聽了，都好笑起來。If you say I am too good-natured and cannot make decisions, then should you have some excellent plan that will satisfy everyone without angering the ladies, deal with them however you please; I shall know nothing about it.” Everyone laughed on hearing this.黛玉笑道：“真是‘虎狼屯于階陛尚談因果’。Daiyu laughed. “This is truly ‘talking of cause and effect while wolves and tigers mass upon the palace steps.’若使二姐姐是個男人，這一家上下若許人，又如何裁治他們。”迎春笑道：“正是。If Second Sister were a man, how would she ever govern all the people in this household?” Yingchun laughed. “Exactly.多少男人尚如此，何況我哉。”一語未了，只見又有一個人進來。So many men are just the same; how much more so must I be?” Before she had finished speaking, another person entered.正不知道是那個，且聽下回分解。Who it was remains unknown; listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

这里正说话，忽见平儿进来。宝琴拍手笑说道：“三姐姐敢是有驱神召将的符术？”黛玉笑道：“这倒不是道家玄术，倒是用兵最精的，所谓‘守如处女，脱如狡兔’，出其不备之妙策也。”二人取笑。宝钗便使眼色与二人，令其不可，遂以别话岔开。探春见平儿来了，遂问：“你奶奶可好些了？真是病糊涂了，事事都不在心上，叫我们受这样的委曲。”平儿忙道：“姑娘怎么委曲？谁敢给姑娘气受，姑娘快吩咐我。”当时住儿媳妇儿方慌了手脚，遂上来赶著平儿叫”姑娘坐下，让我说原故请听。”平儿正色道：“姑娘这里说话，也有你我混插口的礼！你但凡知礼，只该在外头伺候。不叫你进不来的地方，几曾有外头的媳妇子们无故到姑娘们房里来的例。”绣桔道：“你不知我们这屋里是没礼的，谁爱来就来。”平儿道：“都是你们的不是。姑娘好性儿，你们就该打出去，然后再回太太去才是。”王住儿媳妇见平儿出了言，红了脸方退出去。探春接著道：“我且告诉你，若是别人得罪了我，倒还罢了。如今那住儿媳妇和他婆婆仗著是妈妈，又瞅著二姐姐好性儿，如此这般私自拿了首饰去赌钱，而且还捏造假帐妙算，威逼著还要去讨情，和这两个丫头在卧房里大嚷大叫，二姐姐竟不能辖治，所以我看不过，才请你来问一声：还是他原是天外的人，不知道理？还是谁主使他如此，先把二姐姐制伏，然后就要治我和四姑娘了？”平儿忙陪笑道：“姑娘怎么今日说这话出来？我们奶奶如何当得起！”探春冷笑道：“俗语说的，‘物伤其类’，‘齿竭唇亡’，我自然有些惊心。”平儿道：“若论此事，还不是大事，极好处置。但他现是姑娘的奶嫂，据姑娘怎么样为是？”当下迎春只和宝钗阅”感应篇”故事，究竟连探春之语亦不曾闻得，忽见平儿如此说，乃笑道：“问我，我也没什么法子。他们的不是，自作自受，我也不能讨情，我也不去苛责就是了。至于私自拿去的东西，送来我收下，不送来我也不要了。太太们要问，我可以隐瞒遮饰过去，是他的造化，若瞒不住，我也没法，没有个为他们反欺枉太太们的理，少不得直说。你们若说我好性儿，没个决断，竟有好主意可以八面周全，不使太太们生气，任凭你们处治，我总不知道。”众人听了，都好笑起来。黛玉笑道：“真是‘虎狼屯于阶陛尚谈因果’。若使二姐姐是个男人，这一家上下若许人，又如何裁治他们。”迎春笑道：“正是。多少男人尚如此，何况我哉。”一语未了，只见又有一个人进来。正不知道是那个，且听下回分解。