第七十六回　凸碧堂品笛感凄清　凹晶館聯詩悲寂寞 At Convex Emerald Hall a Flute Stirs Sadness; At Concave Crystal Lodge Linked Verses Mourn Loneliness

話說賈赦賈政帶領賈珍等散去不提。As our story goes, Jia She and Jia Zheng led Jia Zhen and the others away; of them we shall say no more.且說賈母這里命將圍屏撤去，兩席并而為一。Meanwhile, Grandmother Jia ordered the screens removed and the two tables joined into one.眾媳婦另行擦桌整果，更杯洗箸，陳設一番。The daughters-in-law wiped the tables afresh and rearranged the fruit, changed the cups and washed the chopsticks, setting everything out anew.賈母等都添了衣，盥漱吃茶，方又入坐，團團圍繞。Grandmother Jia and the others put on extra clothing, washed their hands and rinsed their mouths, and took tea; only then did they sit down again in a close circle.賈母看時，寶釵姊妹二人不在坐內，知他們家去圓月去了，且李紈鳳姐二人又病著，少了四個人，便覺冷清了好些。Glancing around, Grandmother Jia saw that Baochai and her sister were not among them and knew they had gone home to celebrate the full moon; and with both Li Wan and Xifeng ill, four people were missing, making the gathering feel considerably quieter.賈母因笑道：“往年你老爺們不在家，咱們越性請過姨太太來，大家賞月，卻十分鬧熱。Grandmother Jia said with a smile, “In former years, when your fathers were away, we would simply invite your Aunt over, and everyone would admire the moon together; it was wonderfully lively.忽一時想起你老爺來，又不免想到母子夫妻兒女不能一處，也都沒興。Then, all at once, we would remember your fathers and think how mothers and sons, husbands and wives, and parents and children could not be together, and that would dampen everyone’s spirits.及至今年你老爺來了，正該大家團圓取樂，又不便請他們娘兒們來說說笑笑。This year your fathers are here, and we ought properly to enjoy a family reunion; yet that makes it inconvenient to invite your aunt and her children over to talk and laugh with us.況且他們今年又添了兩口人，也難丟了他們跑到這里來。Besides, two people have been added to their household this year, so it would be hard for them to leave those two behind and come here.偏又把鳳丫頭病了，有他一人來說說笑笑，還抵得十個人的空兒。And, of all times, that girl Feng has fallen ill; she alone, with her talk and laughter, can fill the absence of ten people.可見天下事總難十全。”說畢，不覺長歎一聲，遂命拿大杯來斟熱酒。It only goes to show that nothing in this world can ever be perfect.” When she had finished, she could not help heaving a long sigh, and ordered a large cup brought and filled with hot wine.王夫人笑道：“今日得母子團圓，自比往年有趣。Lady Wang said with a smile, “To have mother and sons reunited today is naturally more enjoyable than in former years.往年娘兒們雖多，終不似今年自己骨肉齊全的好。”賈母笑道：“正是為此，所以才高興拿大杯來吃酒。Though there were more women and children here in past years, that could never compare with the happiness of having one’s own flesh and blood all together this year.” Grandmother Jia laughed. “That is precisely why I am so pleased that I have called for a large cup of wine.你們也換大杯才是。”邢夫人等只得換上大杯來。You must change to large cups too.” Lady Xing and the others had no choice but to do so.因夜深体乏，且不能胜酒，未免都有些倦意，無奈賈母興猶未闌，只得陪飲。Since the night was late and they were weary, and none could hold much wine, they all inevitably felt somewhat drowsy; but Grandmother Jia’s pleasure had not yet waned, so they had to remain and drink with her.賈母又命將罽氈舖于階上，命將月餅西瓜果品等類都叫搬下去，令丫頭媳婦們也都團團圍坐賞月。Grandmother Jia next ordered felt rugs spread on the steps, and had the mooncakes, watermelons, fruit, and other foods carried down, so that the maids and daughters-in-law might also sit in a circle and admire the moon.賈母因見月至中天，比先越發精彩可愛，因說：“如此好月，不可不聞笛。”因命人將十番上女孩子傳來。Seeing that the moon had reached the zenith and was even more brilliant and lovely than before, Grandmother Jia said, “With such a fine moon, we must have flute music.” She therefore ordered the girls of the ten-part ensemble to be summoned.賈母道：“音樂多了，反失雅致，只用吹笛的遠遠的吹起來就夠了。”說畢，剛才去吹時，只見跟邢夫人的媳婦走來向邢夫人前說了兩句話。Grandmother Jia said, “Too much music would only spoil the elegance. It will be enough to have the flute-player perform from a distance.” As the girl was just going off to play, one of Lady Xing’s attendants came over and spoke a few words to her mistress.賈母便問：“說什麼事？”那媳婦便回說：“方才大老爺出去，被石頭絆了一下，歪了腿。”賈母聽說，忙命兩個婆子快看去，又命邢夫人快去。Grandmother Jia at once asked, “What is it?” The woman replied, “Just now, as the Elder Master was leaving, he tripped over a stone and twisted his leg.” On hearing this, Grandmother Jia hurriedly sent two old serving-women to see how he was, and told Lady Xing to go at once as well.邢夫人遂告辭起身。Lady Xing accordingly took her leave and rose.賈母便又說：“珍哥媳婦也趁著便就家去罷，我也就睡了。”尤氏笑道：“我今日不回去了，定要和老祖宗吃一夜。”賈母笑道：“使不得，使不得。Grandmother Jia then said, “Zhen’s wife, you may as well take this opportunity to go home too. I shall soon be going to bed.” Madam You laughed. “I am not going home today; I am determined to drink with our Old Ancestress all night.” Grandmother Jia laughed. “No, no, that will never do.你們小夫妻家，今夜不要團圓團圓，如何為我耽擱了。”尤氏紅了臉，笑道：“老祖宗說的我們太不堪了。You are a young married couple; should you not enjoy a reunion tonight? How could you delay it on my account?” Madam You blushed and laughed. “Old Ancestress makes us sound quite shameless.我們雖然年輕，已經是十來年的夫妻，也奔四十歲的人了。Young though we may be, we have been husband and wife for over ten years and are nearly forty.況且孝服未滿，陪著老太太頑一夜還罷了，豈有自去團圓的理。”賈母聽說，笑道：“這話很是，我倒也忘了孝未滿。Besides, our period of mourning is not yet over. It is proper enough for me to spend the night amusing the Old Lady, but how could there be any question of our going off to enjoy a reunion of our own?” Grandmother Jia laughed on hearing this. “Quite right. I had forgotten that your mourning is not yet over.可怜你公公已是二年多了，可是我倒忘了，該罰我一大杯。Poor father-in-law of yours has been gone more than two years, yet I actually forgot. I deserve to drink a large cup as a forfeit.既這樣，你就越性別送，陪著我罷了。In that case, do not trouble to escort her; stay here with me.你叫蓉兒媳婦送去，就順便回去罷。”尤氏說了。Have Rong’s wife see her out, and she can go home at the same time.” Madam You gave the necessary instructions.蓉妻答應著，送出邢夫人，一同至大門，各自上車回去。Rong’s wife assented, escorted Lady Xing out, and accompanied her to the main gate, where each entered her own carriage and returned home.不在話下。Of this there is no more to tell.

话说贾赦贾政带领贾珍等散去不提。且说贾母这里命将围屏撤去，两席并而为一。众媳妇另行擦桌整果，更杯洗箸，陈设一番。贾母等都添了衣，盥漱吃茶，方又入坐，团团围绕。贾母看时，宝钗姊妹二人不在坐内，知他们家去圆月去了，且李纨凤姐二人又病著，少了四个人，便觉冷清了好些。贾母因笑道：“往年你老爷们不在家，咱们越性请过姨太太来，大家赏月，却十分闹热。忽一时想起你老爷来，又不免想到母子夫妻儿女不能一处，也都没兴。及至今年你老爷来了，正该大家团圆取乐，又不便请他们娘儿们来说说笑笑。况且他们今年又添了两口人，也难丢了他们跑到这里来。偏又把凤丫头病了，有他一人来说说笑笑，还抵得十个人的空儿。可见天下事总难十全。”说毕，不觉长叹一声，遂命拿大杯来斟热酒。王夫人笑道：“今日得母子团圆，自比往年有趣。往年娘儿们虽多，终不似今年自己骨肉齐全的好。”贾母笑道：“正是为此，所以才高兴拿大杯来吃酒。你们也换大杯才是。”邢夫人等只得换上大杯来。因夜深体乏，且不能胜酒，未免都有些倦意，无奈贾母兴犹未阑，只得陪饮。贾母又命将罽毡铺于阶上，命将月饼西瓜果品等类都叫搬下去，令丫头媳妇们也都团团围坐赏月。贾母因见月至中天，比先越发精彩可爱，因说：“如此好月，不可不闻笛。”因命人将十番上女孩子传来。贾母道：“音乐多了，反失雅致，只用吹笛的远远的吹起来就够了。”说毕，刚才去吹时，只见跟邢夫人的媳妇走来向邢夫人前说了两句话。贾母便问：“说什么事？”那媳妇便回说：“方才大老爷出去，被石头绊了一下，歪了腿。”贾母听说，忙命两个婆子快看去，又命邢夫人快去。邢夫人遂告辞起身。贾母便又说：“珍哥媳妇也趁著便就家去罢，我也就睡了。”尤氏笑道：“我今日不回去了，定要和老祖宗吃一夜。”贾母笑道：“使不得，使不得。你们小夫妻家，今夜不要团圆团圆，如何为我耽搁了。”尤氏红了脸，笑道：“老祖宗说的我们太不堪了。我们虽然年轻，已经是十来年的夫妻，也奔四十岁的人了。况且孝服未满，陪著老太太顽一夜还罢了，岂有自去团圆的理。”贾母听说，笑道：“这话很是，我倒也忘了孝未满。可怜你公公已是二年多了，可是我倒忘了，该罚我一大杯。既这样，你就越性别送，陪著我罢了。你叫蓉儿媳妇送去，就顺便回去罢。”尤氏说了。蓉妻答应著，送出邢夫人，一同至大门，各自上车回去。不在话下。

這里賈母仍帶眾人賞了一回桂花，又入席換暖酒來。Grandmother Jia, meanwhile, continued with the others to admire the osmanthus blossoms for a time, then returned to the table and had fresh warm wine brought.正說著閒話，猛不防只聽那壁廂桂花樹下，嗚嗚咽咽，悠悠揚揚，吹出笛聲來。While they were chatting idly, they suddenly heard, from beneath the osmanthus trees in the distance, the low, sobbing yet lingering and melodious notes of a flute.趁著這明月清風，天空地淨，真令人煩心頓解，萬慮齊除，都肅然危坐，默默相賞。With the bright moon and clear breeze, under a pure sky and over a spotless earth, the music truly made every vexation fall away and banished all their cares; they sat upright in reverent silence, savoring it together without a word.聽約兩盞茶時，方才止住，大家稱贊不已。They listened for about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea before the music ceased, and everyone praised it without end.于是遂又斟上暖酒來。More warm wine was then poured.賈母笑道：“果然可聽么？”眾人笑道：“實在可聽。Grandmother Jia smiled. “Was it not worth hearing?” The others laughed. “It was indeed.我們也想不到這樣，須得老太太帶領著，我們也得開些心胸。”賈母道：“這還不大好，須得揀那曲譜越慢的吹來越好。”說著，便將自己吃的一個內造瓜仁油松穰月餅，又命斟一大杯熱酒，送給譜笛之人，慢慢的吃了再細細的吹一套來。We would never have thought of anything like it ourselves. We need the Old Lady to lead us, so that our hearts and minds may be opened a little.” Grandmother Jia said, “That was still not quite good enough. The slower the melody they choose, the better.” As she spoke, she sent the flute-player one of the palace-made mooncakes filled with melon seeds, pine nuts, and rich oil from her own plate, together with a large cup of hot wine, telling her to eat and drink at leisure before playing another suite with particular care.媳婦們答應了，方送去，只見方才瞧賈赦的兩個婆子回來了，說：“右腳面上白腫了些，如今調服了藥，疼的好些了，也不甚大關系。”賈母點頭歎道：“我也太操心。The women assented and had just taken these things away when the two old serving-women who had gone to look after Jia She returned. They reported, “The top of his right foot is a little pale and swollen. He has now taken medicine, and the pain is better; it is nothing very serious.” Grandmother Jia nodded and sighed. “I worry far too much.打緊說我偏心，我反這樣。”因就將方才賈赦的笑話說與王夫人尤氏等聽。And yet they are forever accusing me of favoritism—see how I behave!” She then repeated Jia She’s earlier joke to Lady Wang, Madam You, and the others.王夫人等因笑勸道：“這原是酒後大家說笑，不留心也是有的，豈有敢說老太太之理。Lady Wang and the others smiled and reassured her: “It was only joking over wine. Anyone might speak carelessly on such an occasion; how could he possibly dare criticize the Old Lady?老太太自當解釋才是。”只見鴛鴦拿了軟巾兜與大斗篷來，說：“夜深了，恐露水下來，風吹了頭，須要添了這個。The Old Lady should set her mind at ease.” Just then Yuanyang brought a soft hood and a heavy cloak, saying, “The night is deep, and the dew may soon fall. The wind might chill your head, so you must put these on.坐坐也該歇了。”賈母道：“偏今兒高興，你又來催。You have sat long enough; it is time to rest.” Grandmother Jia said, “Just when I happen to be enjoying myself today, here you come to hurry me.難道我醉了不成，偏到天亮！”因命再斟酒來。Do you think I am drunk and mean to sit here till dawn?” She ordered more wine poured.一面戴上兜巾，披了斗篷，大家陪著又飲，說些笑話。She put on the hood and wrapped herself in the cloak, while everyone drank with her again and told amusing stories.只聽桂花陰里，嗚嗚咽咽，裊裊悠悠，又發出一縷笛音來，果真比先越發凄涼。Then, from the shadows beneath the osmanthus trees, low and plaintive, wavering and lingering, another slender thread of flute music arose, and this time it was indeed even more mournful than before.大家都寂然而坐。Everyone sat in complete silence.夜靜月明，且笛聲悲怨，賈母年老帶酒之人，聽此聲音，不免有触于心，禁不住墮下淚來。The night was still and the moon bright, and the flute sounded sorrowful and aggrieved. Grandmother Jia, old and warmed by wine, could not help being touched to the heart by the music, and tears fell from her eyes.眾人彼此都不禁有凄涼寂寞之意，半日，方知賈母傷感，才忙轉身陪笑，發語解釋。A feeling of desolation and loneliness stole over them all. Only after some time did they realize that Grandmother Jia was overcome with sorrow; then they hastily turned toward her with smiles, speaking to comfort and distract her.又命暖酒，且住了笛。They ordered more wine warmed and had the flute cease for the time being.尤氏笑道：“我也就學一個笑話，說與老太太解解悶。”賈母勉強笑道：“這樣更好，快說來我聽。”尤氏乃說道：“一家子養了四個兒子：大兒子只一個眼睛，二兒子只一個耳朵，三兒子只一個鼻子眼，四兒子倒都齊全，偏又是個啞叭。”正說到這里，只見賈母已朦朧雙眼，似有睡去之態。Madam You laughed. “Let me tell a joke too, to relieve the Old Lady’s melancholy.” Grandmother Jia forced a smile. “That would be better still; hurry and tell it to me.” Madam You began: “A family had four sons. The eldest had only one eye, the second only one ear, the third only one nostril, while the fourth had every part complete—but unfortunately he was mute.” Just as she reached this point, they saw that Grandmother Jia’s eyes had grown hazy and that she seemed about to fall asleep.尤氏方住了，忙和王夫人輕輕的請醒。Madam You stopped, and she and Lady Wang gently called Grandmother Jia awake.賈母睜眼笑道：“我不困，白閉閉眼養神。Grandmother Jia opened her eyes and laughed. “I am not sleepy; I merely closed my eyes to rest them.你們只管說，我聽著呢。”王夫人等笑道：“夜已四更了，風露也大，請老太太安歇罷。Go on talking. I am listening.” Lady Wang and the others laughed. “It is already the fourth watch. The wind and dew are heavy; please, Old Lady, retire for the night.明日再賞十六，也不辜負這月色。”賈母道：“那里就四更了？”王夫人笑道：“實已四更，他們姊妹們熬不過，都去睡了。”賈母聽說，細看了一看，果然都散了，只有探春在此。Tomorrow we can admire the moon on the sixteenth as well, and so not let this moonlight go to waste.” Grandmother Jia said, “How can it be the fourth watch already?” Lady Wang laughed. “It truly is. The young ladies could not stay awake and have all gone to bed.” Hearing this, Grandmother Jia looked around carefully and found that they had indeed dispersed; only Tanchun remained.賈母笑道：“也罷。Grandmother Jia laughed. “Very well, then.你們也熬不慣，況且弱的弱，病的病，去了倒省心。None of you is used to staying up late; besides, some are frail and some are ill. It gives me less to worry about if they have gone.只是三丫頭可怜見的，尚還等著。Only poor Third Girl is still waiting here.你也去罷，我們散了。”說著，便起身，吃了一口清茶，便有預備下的竹椅小轎，便圍著斗篷坐上，兩個婆子搭起，眾人圍隨出園去了。You go too; we shall break up now.” With that, she rose and took a sip of clear tea. A bamboo chair made as a small sedan had been prepared; wrapped in her cloak, she sat down in it, two old serving-women lifted it, and the others clustered around and followed her out of the garden.不在話下。Of this there is no more to tell.

这里贾母仍带众人赏了一回桂花，又入席换暖酒来。正说著闲话，猛不防只听那壁厢桂花树下，呜呜咽咽，悠悠扬扬，吹出笛声来。趁著这明月清风，天空地净，真令人烦心顿解，万虑齐除，都肃然危坐，默默相赏。听约两盏茶时，方才止住，大家称赞不已。于是遂又斟上暖酒来。贾母笑道：“果然可听么？”众人笑道：“实在可听。我们也想不到这样，须得老太太带领著，我们也得开些心胸。”贾母道：“这还不大好，须得拣那曲谱越慢的吹来越好。”说著，便将自己吃的一个内造瓜仁油松穰月饼，又命斟一大杯热酒，送给谱笛之人，慢慢的吃了再细细的吹一套来。媳妇们答应了，方送去，只见方才瞧贾赦的两个婆子回来了，说：“右脚面上白肿了些，如今调服了药，疼的好些了，也不甚大关系。”贾母点头叹道：“我也太操心。打紧说我偏心，我反这样。”因就将方才贾赦的笑话说与王夫人尤氏等听。王夫人等因笑劝道：“这原是酒后大家说笑，不留心也是有的，岂有敢说老太太之理。老太太自当解释才是。”只见鸳鸯拿了软巾兜与大斗篷来，说：“夜深了，恐露水下来，风吹了头，须要添了这个。坐坐也该歇了。”贾母道：“偏今儿高兴，你又来催。难道我醉了不成，偏到天亮！”因命再斟酒来。一面戴上兜巾，披了斗篷，大家陪著又饮，说些笑话。只听桂花阴里，呜呜咽咽，袅袅悠悠，又发出一缕笛音来，果真比先越发凄凉。大家都寂然而坐。夜静月明，且笛声悲怨，贾母年老带酒之人，听此声音，不免有触于心，禁不住堕下泪来。众人彼此都不禁有凄凉寂寞之意，半日，方知贾母伤感，才忙转身陪笑，发语解释。又命暖酒，且住了笛。尤氏笑道：“我也就学一个笑话，说与老太太解解闷。”贾母勉强笑道：“这样更好，快说来我听。”尤氏乃说道：“一家子养了四个儿子：大儿子只一个眼睛，二儿子只一个耳朵，三儿子只一个鼻子眼，四儿子倒都齐全，偏又是个哑叭。”正说到这里，只见贾母已朦胧双眼，似有睡去之态。尤氏方住了，忙和王夫人轻轻的请醒。贾母睁眼笑道：“我不困，白闭闭眼养神。你们只管说，我听著呢。”王夫人等笑道：“夜已四更了，风露也大，请老太太安歇罢。明日再赏十六，也不辜负这月色。”贾母道：“那里就四更了？”王夫人笑道：“实已四更，他们姊妹们熬不过，都去睡了。”贾母听说，细看了一看，果然都散了，只有探春在此。贾母笑道：“也罢。你们也熬不惯，况且弱的弱，病的病，去了倒省心。只是三丫头可怜见的，尚还等著。你也去罢，我们散了。”说著，便起身，吃了一口清茶，便有预备下的竹椅小轿，便围著斗篷坐上，两个婆子搭起，众人围随出园去了。不在话下。

這里眾媳婦收拾杯盤碗盞時，卻少了個細茶杯，各處尋覓不見，又問眾人：“必是誰失手打了。As the daughters-in-law were clearing away the cups, plates, bowls, and dishes, they found that a delicate teacup was missing. After searching everywhere without success, they asked the others, “Someone must have dropped and broken it.撂在那里，告訴我拿了磁瓦去交收是證見，不然又說偷起來。”眾人都說：“沒有打了，只怕跟姑娘的人打了，也未可知。Wherever you have thrown the pieces, tell me, so I can take them for the inventory as proof; otherwise they will say it was stolen.” Everyone replied, “None of us broke it. Perhaps one of the young ladies’ attendants did; there is no knowing.你細想想，或問問他們去。”一語提醒了這管家伙的媳婦，因笑道：“是了，那一會兒記得是翠縷拿著的。Think carefully, or go and ask them.” This reminded the woman in charge of the utensils, and she laughed. “That is it! I remember Cuilü was holding it at one point.我去問他。”說著便去找時，剛下了甬道，就遇見了紫鵑和翠縷來了。I shall go and ask her.” She set off to find her, but had only just stepped onto the paved walk when she met Zijuan and Cuilü coming toward her.翠縷便問道：“老太太散了，可知我們姑娘那去了？”這媳婦道：“我來問那一個茶鐘往那里去了，你們倒問我要姑娘。”翠縷笑道：“我因倒茶給姑娘吃的，展眼回頭，就連姑娘也沒了。”那媳婦道：“太太才說都睡覺去了。Cuilü asked, “Has the Old Lady’s party broken up? Do you happen to know where our young lady has gone?” The woman said, “I have come to ask where that teacup went, and instead you ask me for your young lady!” Cuilü laughed. “I poured tea for my young lady to drink, but in the blink of an eye, when I turned back, young lady and all had disappeared.” The woman said, “Her Ladyship just said that they had all gone to bed.你不知那里頑去了，還不知道呢。”翠縷向紫鵑道：“斷乎沒有悄悄的睡去之理，只怕在那里走了一走。You do not even know where she has gone to amuse herself.” Cuilü said to Zijuan, “There is no possibility that she slipped off to bed without a word; she must have gone for a walk somewhere.如今見老太太散了，赶過前邊送去，也未可知。Now that she sees the Old Lady’s party has broken up, perhaps she has hurried ahead to see her off.我們且往前邊找找去。Let us go and look for her up front.有了姑娘，自然你的茶鐘也有了。Once we find the young lady, your teacup will naturally turn up too.你明日一早再找，有什麼忙的。”媳婦笑道：“有了下落就不必忙了，明兒就和你要罷。”說畢回去，仍查收家伙。Look for it again first thing tomorrow; what is the hurry?” The woman laughed. “So long as I know where it is, there is no need to hurry. I shall ask you for it tomorrow.” With that, she went back and continued checking the utensils.這里紫鵑和翠縷便往賈母處來。Zijuan and Cuilü, meanwhile, went toward Grandmother Jia’s quarters.不在話下。Of this there is no more to tell.

这里众媳妇收拾杯盘碗盏时，却少了个细茶杯，各处寻觅不见，又问众人：“必是谁失手打了。撂在那里，告诉我拿了磁瓦去交收是证见，不然又说偷起来。”众人都说：“没有打了，只怕跟姑娘的人打了，也未可知。你细想想，或问问他们去。”一语提醒了这管家伙的媳妇，因笑道：“是了，那一会儿记得是翠缕拿著的。我去问他。”说著便去找时，刚下了甬道，就遇见了紫鹃和翠缕来了。翠缕便问道：“老太太散了，可知我们姑娘那去了？”这媳妇道：“我来问那一个茶钟往那里去了，你们倒问我要姑娘。”翠缕笑道：“我因倒茶给姑娘吃的，展眼回头，就连姑娘也没了。”那媳妇道：“太太才说都睡觉去了。你不知那里顽去了，还不知道呢。”翠缕向紫鹃道：“断乎没有悄悄的睡去之理，只怕在那里走了一走。如今见老太太散了，赶过前边送去，也未可知。我们且往前边找找去。有了姑娘，自然你的茶钟也有了。你明日一早再找，有什么忙的。”媳妇笑道：“有了下落就不必忙了，明儿就和你要罢。”说毕回去，仍查收家伙。这里紫鹃和翠缕便往贾母处来。不在话下。

原來黛玉和湘雲二人并未去睡覺。As it happened, neither Daiyu nor Xiangyun had gone to bed.只因黛玉見賈府中許多人賞月，賈母猶歎人少，不似當年熱鬧，又提寶釵姊妹家去母女弟兄自去賞月等語，不覺對景感怀，自去俯欄垂淚。Daiyu had seen so many people in the Jia household admiring the moon, yet Grandmother Jia still lamented that there were too few and that it was not as lively as in former years; and she had mentioned how Baochai and her sister had gone home to admire the moon with their mother and brother. Moved by the scene and her own thoughts, Daiyu had gone alone to lean over the railing and weep.寶玉近因晴雯病勢甚重，諸務無心，王夫人再四遣他去睡，他也便去了。Bao-yu, because Qingwen had lately become gravely ill, had no heart for anything; after Lady Wang repeatedly urged him to go to bed, he had done so.探春又因近日家事著惱，無暇游玩。Tanchun, too, had lately been vexed by household affairs and had no leisure for amusement.雖有迎春惜春二人，偏又素日不大甚合。Yingchun and Xichun were there, but Daiyu had never been particularly close to either of them.所以只剩了湘雲一人寬慰他，因說：“你是個明白人，何必作此形像自苦。Thus only Xiangyun remained to comfort her. She said, “You are an intelligent person; why put on such a display and torment yourself?我也和你一樣，我就不似你這樣心窄。I am in the same position as you, yet I am not so narrow-hearted.何況你又多病，還不自己保養。Besides, you are often ill; why do you not take better care of yourself?可恨寶姐姐，姊妹天天說親道熱，早已說今年中秋要大家一處賞月，必要起社，大家聯句，到今日便棄了咱們，自己賞月去了。How infuriating Baochai is! Day after day she talked of sisterly affection and intimacy, and long ago said that at Mid-Autumn this year we must all admire the moon together, revive the poetry club, and compose linked verses. Yet today she has abandoned us and gone to admire the moon on her own.社也散了，詩也不作了。The club has dispersed, and no one writes poetry anymore.倒是他們父子叔侄縱橫起來。Instead, the fathers and sons and uncles and nephews have taken over the field.你可知宋太祖說的好：‘臥榻之側，豈許他人酣睡。’他們不作，咱們兩個竟聯起句來，明日羞他們一羞。”黛玉見他這般勸慰，不肯負他的豪興，因笑道：“你看這里這等人聲嘈雜，有何詩興。”湘雲笑道：“這山上賞月雖好，終不及近水賞月更妙。You know how well Emperor Taizu of Song put it: ‘Beside one’s own bed, how can another be allowed to sleep soundly?’ If they will not compose, the two of us shall make linked verses ourselves and shame them tomorrow.” Seeing how Xiangyun comforted her, Daiyu would not disappoint her high spirits, and said with a smile, “Listen to all the clamor here. How could anyone feel inspired to write poetry?” Xiangyun laughed. “Admiring the moon on this hill is pleasant enough, but it can never equal admiring it beside the water.你知道這山坡底下就是池沿，山坳里近水一個所在就是凹晶館。You know that directly below this slope lies the edge of the pond, and in a hollow by the water stands Aojing Hall.可知當日蓋這園子時就有學問。You can see that there was learning behind the design of this garden.這山之高處，就叫凸碧；The high place on this hill is called Tubi, ‘Convex Emerald’;山之低洼近水處，就叫作凹晶。the low, hollow place near the water is called Aojing, ‘Concave Crystal.’這‘凸’‘凹’二字，歷來用的人最少。The two characters ‘convex’ and ‘concave’ have seldom been used through the ages.如今直用作軒館之名，更覺新鮮，不落窠臼。Using them outright as the names of pavilions makes them seem all the fresher and avoids every commonplace convention.可知這兩處一上一下，一明一暗，一高一矮，一山一水，竟是特因玩月而設此處。These two places—one above and one below, one bright and one dim, one high and one low, one mountain and one water—seem to have been built expressly for viewing the moon.有愛那山高月小的，便往這里來；Those who love the sight of the moon appearing small above a high mountain may come here;有愛那皓月清波的，便往那里去。those who love the bright moon over clear rippling water may go there.只是這兩個字俗念作‘洼’‘拱’二音，便說俗了，不大見用，只陸放翁用了一個‘凹’字，說‘古硯微凹聚墨多’，還有人批他俗，豈不可笑。”林黛玉道：“也不只放翁才用，古人中用者太多。It is only because these two characters are commonly mispronounced as ‘wa’ and ‘gong’ that people regard them as vulgar and seldom use them. Lu Fangweng once used the character ‘ao’ in the line, ‘An ancient inkstone, slightly hollowed, gathers ample ink,’ and someone even criticized him for vulgarity. Is that not ridiculous?” Lin Daiyu said, “Fangweng was by no means the only one to use it; the ancients used it in countless places.如江淹《青苔賦》，東方朔《神异經》，以至《畫記》上云張僧繇畫一乘寺的故事，不可胜舉。There are Jiang Yan’s ‘Rhapsody on Green Moss,’ Dongfang Shuo’s Classic of Marvels, and even the story in the Record of Painting about Zhang Sengyou painting Yicheng Temple—to list them all would be impossible.只是今人不知，誤作俗字用了。It is simply that people today do not know this and mistakenly treat the characters as vulgar forms.實和你說罷，這兩個字還是我擬的呢。To tell you the truth, I was the one who proposed these two names.因那年試寶玉，因他擬了幾處，也有存的，也有刪改的，也有尚未擬的。That year when Bao-yu was tested, he suggested names for several places; some were retained, some deleted or altered, and others had still not been named.這是後來我們大家把這沒有名色的也都擬出來了，注了出處，寫了這房屋的坐落，一并帶進去與大姐姐瞧了。Later, all of us proposed names for the remaining unnamed places, added the literary sources, wrote down the locations of the buildings, and submitted everything together for Elder Sister to inspect.他又帶出來，命給舅舅瞧過。She then sent them back out to be shown to Uncle.誰知舅舅倒喜歡起來，又說：‘早知這樣，那日該就叫他姊妹一并擬了，豈不有趣。’所以凡我擬的，一字不改都用了。To our surprise, Uncle was quite delighted with them and said, ‘Had I known, I should have asked all the sisters to propose names along with him that day. Would that not have been amusing?’ So every name I proposed was used without changing a single character.如今就往凹晶館去看看。”Let us go to Aojing Hall and have a look now.”

原来黛玉和湘云二人并未去睡觉。只因黛玉见贾府中许多人赏月，贾母犹叹人少，不似当年热闹，又提宝钗姊妹家去母女弟兄自去赏月等语，不觉对景感怀，自去俯栏垂泪。宝玉近因晴雯病势甚重，诸务无心，王夫人再四遣他去睡，他也便去了。探春又因近日家事著恼，无暇游玩。虽有迎春惜春二人，偏又素日不大甚合。所以只剩了湘云一人宽慰他，因说：“你是个明白人，何必作此形像自苦。我也和你一样，我就不似你这样心窄。何况你又多病，还不自己保养。可恨宝姐姐，姊妹天天说亲道热，早已说今年中秋要大家一处赏月，必要起社，大家联句，到今日便弃了咱们，自己赏月去了。社也散了，诗也不作了。倒是他们父子叔侄纵横起来。你可知宋太祖说的好：‘卧榻之侧，岂许他人酣睡。’他们不作，咱们两个竟联起句来，明日羞他们一羞。”黛玉见他这般劝慰，不肯负他的豪兴，因笑道：“你看这里这等人声嘈杂，有何诗兴。”湘云笑道：“这山上赏月虽好，终不及近水赏月更妙。你知道这山坡底下就是池沿，山坳里近水一个所在就是凹晶馆。可知当日盖这园子时就有学问。这山之高处，就叫凸碧；山之低洼近水处，就叫作凹晶。这‘凸’‘凹’二字，历来用的人最少。如今直用作轩馆之名，更觉新鲜，不落窠臼。可知这两处一上一下，一明一暗，一高一矮，一山一水，竟是特因玩月而设此处。有爱那山高月小的，便往这里来；有爱那皓月清波的，便往那里去。只是这两个字俗念作‘洼’‘拱’二音，便说俗了，不大见用，只陆放翁用了一个‘凹’字，说‘古砚微凹聚墨多’，还有人批他俗，岂不可笑。”林黛玉道：“也不只放翁才用，古人中用者太多。如江淹《青苔赋》，东方朔《神异经》，以至《画记》上云张僧繇画一乘寺的故事，不可胜举。只是今人不知，误作俗字用了。实和你说罢，这两个字还是我拟的呢。因那年试宝玉，因他拟了几处，也有存的，也有删改的，也有尚未拟的。这是后来我们大家把这没有名色的也都拟出来了，注了出处，写了这房屋的坐落，一并带进去与大姐姐瞧了。他又带出来，命给舅舅瞧过。谁知舅舅倒喜欢起来，又说：‘早知这样，那日该就叫他姊妹一并拟了，岂不有趣。’所以凡我拟的，一字不改都用了。如今就往凹晶馆去看看。”

說著，二人便同下了山坡。With that, the two of them went down the slope together.只一轉彎，就是池沿，沿上一帶竹欄相接，直通著那邊藕香榭的路徑。They had only to turn a corner to reach the pond’s edge, where a continuous bamboo railing ran along the bank and joined the path leading to Lotus-Fragrance Pavilion.因這幾間就在此山怀抱之中，乃凸碧山庄之退居，因洼而近水，故顏其額曰“凹晶溪館”。The few rooms there nestled within the embrace of the hill and formed a secluded retreat belonging to Tubi Lodge. Because the ground was hollow and close to the water, the plaque over it read ‘Aojing Creek Hall.’因此處房宇不多，且又矮小，故只有兩個老婆子上夜。As there were few rooms there and they were small and low, only two old serving-women kept watch at night.今日打聽得凸碧山庄的人應差，與他們無干，這兩個老婆子關了月餅果品并犒賞的酒食來，二人吃得既醉且飽，早已息燈睡了。Having learned that the staff of Tubi Lodge were on duty that day and that the matter had nothing to do with them, the two old women shut themselves in with the mooncakes, fruit, and the food and wine given as rewards. Having eaten and drunk their fill, they had long since put out the lamps and gone to sleep.黛玉湘雲見息了燈，湘雲笑道：“倒是他們睡了好。When Daiyu and Xiangyun saw that the lamps were out, Xiangyun laughed. “It is just as well that they are asleep.咱們就在這卷棚底下近水賞月如何？”二人遂在兩個湘妃竹墩上坐下。Why do we not sit under this covered veranda and admire the moon beside the water?” The two accordingly sat down on a pair of mottled-bamboo stools.只見天上一輪皓月，池中一輪水月，上下爭輝，如置身于晶宮鮫室之內。Above them shone a round, bright moon, and in the pond another watery moon; the two vied in radiance, as though the girls had entered a crystal palace or the chamber of the merfolk.微風一過，粼粼然池面皺碧舖紋，真令人神清氣淨。Whenever a light breeze passed, the glistening pond wrinkled into rippling patterns of emerald, truly clearing the spirit and purifying the mind.湘雲笑道：“怎得這會子坐上船吃酒倒好。Xiangyun laughed. “How wonderful it would be if we could sit in a boat drinking wine just now.這要是我家里這樣，我就立刻坐船了。”黛玉笑道：“正是古人常說的好，‘事若求全何所樂’。If this were my home, I would board a boat at once.” Daiyu laughed. “The ancients put it well: ‘If all things were made perfect, where would pleasure be found?’据我說，這也罷了，偏要坐船起來。”湘雲笑道：“得隴望蜀，人之常情。I should say this is quite good enough, yet you insist on taking a boat.” Xiangyun laughed. “Once one has gained Long, one longs for Shu; it is only human nature.可知那些老人家說的不錯。It shows that what the old people say is true.說貧窮之家自為富貴之家事事趁心，告訴他說竟不能遂心，他們不肯信的；They say that poor families imagine everything goes exactly as the rich and noble wish; if you tell them that even the rich cannot have all their desires fulfilled, they refuse to believe it.必得親歷其境，他方知覺了。Only when they have experienced such circumstances themselves will they understand.就如咱們兩個，雖父母不在，然卻也忝在富貴之鄉，只你我竟有許多不遂心的事。”黛玉笑道：“不但你我不能趁心，就連老太太，太太以至寶玉探丫頭等人，無論事大事小，有理無理，其不能各遂其心者，同一理也，何況你我旅居客寄之人哉！”湘雲聽說，恐怕黛玉又傷感起來，忙道：“休說這些閒話，咱們且聯詩。”Take the two of us: though we have no parents, we are still fortunate enough to live amid wealth and honor, yet you and I have so many disappointments.” Daiyu laughed. “Not only can you and I not have everything as we wish; even the Old Lady, Her Ladyship, Bao-yu, Tanchun, and the rest, whether in great matters or small, whether their wishes are reasonable or not, are alike unable to have everything their own way. How much more must that be true of you and me, mere guests lodging far from home!” Hearing this, Xiangyun feared that Daiyu would become sorrowful again, and hastily said, “Enough of this idle talk; let us compose linked verses.”

说著，二人便同下了山坡。只一转弯，就是池沿，沿上一带竹栏相接，直通著那边藕香榭的路径。因这几间就在此山怀抱之中，乃凸碧山庄之退居，因洼而近水，故颜其额曰“凹晶溪馆”。因此处房宇不多，且又矮小，故只有两个老婆子上夜。今日打听得凸碧山庄的人应差，与他们无干，这两个老婆子关了月饼果品并犒赏的酒食来，二人吃得既醉且饱，早已息灯睡了。黛玉湘云见息了灯，湘云笑道：“倒是他们睡了好。咱们就在这卷棚底下近水赏月如何？”二人遂在两个湘妃竹墩上坐下。只见天上一轮皓月，池中一轮水月，上下争辉，如置身于晶宫鲛室之内。微风一过，粼粼然池面皱碧铺纹，真令人神清气净。湘云笑道：“怎得这会子坐上船吃酒倒好。这要是我家里这样，我就立刻坐船了。”黛玉笑道：“正是古人常说的好，‘事若求全何所乐’。据我说，这也罢了，偏要坐船起来。”湘云笑道：“得陇望蜀，人之常情。可知那些老人家说的不错。说贫穷之家自为富贵之家事事趁心，告诉他说竟不能遂心，他们不肯信的；必得亲历其境，他方知觉了。就如咱们两个，虽父母不在，然却也忝在富贵之乡，只你我竟有许多不遂心的事。”黛玉笑道：“不但你我不能趁心，就连老太太，太太以至宝玉探丫头等人，无论事大事小，有理无理，其不能各遂其心者，同一理也，何况你我旅居客寄之人哉！”湘云听说，恐怕黛玉又伤感起来，忙道：“休说这些闲话，咱们且联诗。”

正說間，只聽笛韻悠揚起來。As they spoke, the lingering strains of a flute arose.黛玉笑道：“今日老太太，太太高興了，這笛子吹的有趣，到是助咱們的興趣了。Daiyu laughed. “The Old Lady and Her Ladyship are in high spirits today. This flute is being played charmingly, and actually adds to our inspiration.咱兩個都愛五言，就還是五言排律罷。”湘雲道：“限何韻？”黛玉笑道：“咱們數這個欄杆的直棍，這頭到那頭為止。We both favor five-character lines, so let us make it a five-character regulated sequence.” Xiangyun asked, “What rhyme shall we set?” Daiyu laughed. “Let us count the upright bars of this railing, from this end all the way to the other.他是第幾根就用第幾韻。Whichever number the bar proves to be, we shall use the rhyme bearing that number.”若十六根，便是‘一先’起。If there were sixteen, we would begin with the rhyme category “One: Xian.”這可新鮮？”湘雲笑道：這倒別致。”于是二人起身，便從頭數至盡頭，止得十三根。Now wouldn’t that be novel?” Xiangyun laughed. “That would indeed be ingenious.” So they rose and counted from the first to the last, but found only thirteen.湘雲道：“偏又是‘十三元’了。Xiangyun said, “As luck would have it, that makes ‘Thirteen: Yuan.’這韻少，作排律只怕牽強不能押韻呢。There are few words in this rhyme category; I fear a regulated sequence will force us into strained rhymes.少不得你先起一句罷了。”黛玉笑道：“倒要試試咱們誰強誰弱，只是沒有紙筆記。”湘雲道：“不妨，明兒再寫。You will simply have to begin.” Daiyu laughed. “Let us see which of us proves stronger. The only trouble is that we have no brush and paper to record it.” Xiangyun said, “Never mind; we can write it down tomorrow.只怕這一點聰明還有。”黛玉道：“我先起一句現成的俗語罷。”因念道：Surely we have wit enough to remember this much.” Daiyu said, “I’ll begin with a ready-made commonplace.” She recited:

正说间，只听笛韵悠扬起来。黛玉笑道：“今日老太太，太太高兴了，这笛子吹的有趣，到是助咱们的兴趣了。咱两个都爱五言，就还是五言排律罢。”湘云道：“限何韵？”黛玉笑道：“咱们数这个栏杆的直棍，这头到那头为止。他是第几根就用第几韵。若十六根，便是‘一先’起。这可新鲜？”湘云笑道：这倒别致。”于是二人起身，便从头数至尽头，止得十三根。湘云道：“偏又是‘十三元’了。这韵少，作排律只怕牵强不能押韵呢。少不得你先起一句罢了。”黛玉笑道：“倒要试试咱们谁强谁弱，只是没有纸笔记。”湘云道：“不妨，明儿再写。只怕这一点聪明还有。”黛玉道：“我先起一句现成的俗语罢。”因念道：

三五中秋夕，On the Mid-Autumn night, the fifteenth,

湘雲想了一想，道：Xiangyun thought for a moment and said:

湘云想了一想，道：

清游擬上元。Our moonlit outing vies with Lantern Night.撒天箕斗燦，Across the heavens, Dipper and Winnowing Basket blaze;

清游拟上元。撒天箕斗灿，

林黛玉笑道：Lin Daiyu laughed and continued:

匝地管弦繁。All round the earth, pipes and strings abound.幾處狂飛盞，In many places wine cups fly in revelry;

匝地管弦繁。几处狂飞盏，

湘雲笑道：“這一句‘幾處狂飛盞’有些意思。Xiangyun laughed. “That line, ‘In many places wine cups fly in revelry,’ has something to it.這倒要對的好呢。”想了一想，笑道：I must match it well.” After thinking a moment, she laughed and said:

湘云笑道：“这一句‘几处狂飞盏’有些意思。这倒要对的好呢。”想了一想，笑道：

誰家不啟軒。What household has not opened its casement?輕寒風剪剪，A faint chill—the wind blows keen;

谁家不启轩。轻寒风剪剪，

黛玉道：“對的比我的卻好。Daiyu said, “Your match is better than mine.只是底下這句又說熟話了，就該加勁說了去才是。”湘雲道：“詩多韻險，也要舖陳些才是。But the next line lapses into familiar phrases again. From here on, you ought to put more effort into it.” Xiangyun said, “A long poem with difficult rhymes needs some leisurely elaboration too.縱有好的，且留在後頭。”黛玉笑道：“到後頭沒有好的，我看你羞不羞。”因聯道：If we have any really good lines, let us save them for later.” Daiyu laughed. “If you have none left when later comes, we shall see whether you are ashamed.” She continued:

黛玉道：“对的比我的却好。只是底下这句又说熟话了，就该加劲说了去才是。”湘云道：“诗多韵险，也要铺陈些才是。纵有好的，且留在后头。”黛玉笑道：“到后头没有好的，我看你羞不羞。”因联道：

良夜景暄暄。On this fine night, the scene is warm and mild.爭餅嘲黃發，They vie for cakes and tease the yellow-haired aged;

良夜景暄暄。争饼嘲黄发，

湘雲笑道：“這句不好，是你杜撰，用俗事來難我了。”黛玉笑道：“我說你不曾見過書呢。Xiangyun laughed. “That is a bad line. You invented it to confound me with some vulgar custom.” Daiyu laughed. “I always said you had never read any books.吃餅是舊典，唐書唐志你看了來再說。”湘雲笑道：“這也難不倒我，我也有了。”因聯道：Eating cakes is an old allusion. Read the histories and treatises of the Tang before you argue.” Xiangyun laughed. “That will not defeat me; I have one too.” She continued:

湘云笑道：“这句不好，是你杜撰，用俗事来难我了。”黛玉笑道：“我说你不曾见过书呢。吃饼是旧典，唐书唐志你看了来再说。”湘云笑道：“这也难不倒我，我也有了。”因联道：

分瓜笑綠嬡。They divide melons and laugh with green-tressed maidens.香新榮玉桂，Fresh fragrance—the jade cassias flourish;

分瓜笑绿嫒。香新荣玉桂，

黛玉笑道：“分瓜可是實實的你杜撰了。”湘雲笑道：“明日咱們對查了出來大家看看，這會子別耽誤工夫。”黛玉笑道：“雖如此，下句也不好，不犯著又用‘玉桂’‘金蘭’等字樣來塞責。”因聯道：Daiyu laughed. “That ‘dividing melons’ really is something you made up.” Xiangyun laughed. “Tomorrow we can look it up together and let everyone see; do not waste time now.” Daiyu laughed. “Even so, the next line is no good. There is no need to shirk your task by stuffing it with stock expressions like ‘jade cassia’ and ‘golden orchid.’” She continued:

黛玉笑道：“分瓜可是实实的你杜撰了。”湘云笑道：“明日咱们对查了出来大家看看，这会子别耽误工夫。”黛玉笑道：“虽如此，下句也不好，不犯著又用‘玉桂’‘金兰’等字样来塞责。”因联道：

色健茂金萱。Bright in hue, the golden daylilies thrive.蜡燭輝瓊宴，Candles illumine the jeweled banquet;

色健茂金萱。蜡烛辉琼宴，

湘雲笑道：“‘金萱’二字便宜了你，省了多少力。Xiangyun laughed. “Those two words, ‘golden daylilies,’ made things easy for you and saved you no end of effort.這樣現成的韻被你得了，只是不犯著替他們頌圣去。You happened upon such a ready-made rhyme, but there was no need to sing their praises as though hymning the sovereign.況且下句你也是塞責了。”黛玉笑道：“你不說‘玉桂’，我難道強對個‘金萱’么？Besides, your next line is shirking the task too.” Daiyu laughed. “If you had not written ‘jade cassias,’ would I have forced in ‘golden daylilies’?再也要舖陳些富麗，方才是即景之實事。”湘雲只得又聯道：Besides, we must spread out a little splendor and magnificence to describe the scene truthfully.” Xiangyun had no choice but to continue:

湘云笑道：“‘金萱’二字便宜了你，省了多少力。这样现成的韵被你得了，只是不犯著替他们颂圣去。况且下句你也是塞责了。”黛玉笑道：“你不说‘玉桂’，我难道强对个‘金萱’么？再也要铺陈些富丽，方才是即景之实事。”湘云只得又联道：

觥籌亂綺園。Goblets and tallies mingle in the brocaded garden.分曹尊一令，Divided into teams, all honor one command;

觥筹乱绮园。分曹尊一令，

黛玉笑道：“下句好，只是難對些。”因想了一想，聯道：Daiyu laughed. “That last line is good, but rather difficult to match.” After thinking a moment, she continued:

黛玉笑道：“下句好，只是难对些。”因想了一想，联道：

射覆聽三宣。At guessing hidden objects, they heed the thrice-repeated call.骰彩紅成點，The dice show crimson spots;

射覆听三宣。骰彩红成点，

湘雲笑道：“‘三宣’有趣，竟化俗成雅了。Xiangyun laughed. “‘Thrice-repeated call’ is amusing—you have transformed the commonplace into elegance.只是下句又說上骰子。”少不得聯道：But the next line brings us back to dice.” She had no choice but to continue:

湘云笑道：“‘三宣’有趣，竟化俗成雅了。只是下句又说上骰子。”少不得联道：

傳花鼓濫喧。As the flower passes, the drum clamors without restraint.晴光搖院宇，Clear radiance shimmers over courts and halls;

传花鼓滥喧。晴光摇院宇，

黛玉笑道：“對的卻好。Daiyu laughed. “That is a good match.下句又溜了，只管拿些風月來塞責。”湘雲道：“究竟沒說到月上，也要點綴點綴，方不落題。”黛玉道：“且姑存之，明日再斟酌。”因聯道：But your next line slips away again; you keep using wind and moonlight to shirk the task.” Xiangyun said, “We have not actually mentioned the moon yet. We must embellish the poem with it or we shall stray from the subject.” Daiyu said, “Let it stand for now; we can reconsider it tomorrow.” She continued:

黛玉笑道：“对的却好。下句又溜了，只管拿些风月来塞责。”湘云道：“究竟没说到月上，也要点缀点缀，方不落题。”黛玉道：“且姑存之，明日再斟酌。”因联道：

素彩接乾坤。Its pure sheen joins heaven and earth.賞罰無賓主，In reward and penalty, none is host or guest;

素彩接干坤。赏罚无宾主，

湘雲道：“又說他們作什麼，不如說咱們。”只得聯道：Xiangyun said, “Why go on writing about them? We had better write about ourselves.” She could only continue:

湘云道：“又说他们作什么，不如说咱们。”只得联道：

吟詩序仲昆。In composing verse, we take turns as elder and younger.构思時倚檻，Pondering a line, now we lean upon the railing;

吟诗序仲昆。构思时倚槛，

黛玉道：“這可以入上你我了。”因聯道：Daiyu said, “Now that can bring you and me into it.” She continued:

黛玉道：“这可以入上你我了。”因联道：

擬景或依門。To capture the scene, at times we rest against the gate.酒盡情猶在，The wine is gone, but feeling lingers still;

拟景或依门。酒尽情犹在，

湘雲說道：“是時侯了。”乃聯道：Xiangyun said, “It is time now.” Then she continued:

湘云说道：“是时侯了。”乃联道：

更殘樂已諼。The watches wane, and merriment is forgotten.漸聞語笑寂，Gradually, talk and laughter fall silent;

更残乐已谖。渐闻语笑寂，

黛玉說道：“這時侯可知一步難似一步了。”因聯道：Daiyu said, “Now you see that every step grows harder than the last.” She continued:

黛玉说道：“这时侯可知一步难似一步了。”因联道：

空剩雪霜痕。Only traces of frost and snow remain.階露團朝菌，Dew on the steps beads upon the morning fungi;

空剩雪霜痕。阶露团朝菌，

湘雲笑道：“這一句怎麼押韻，讓我想想。”因起身負手，想了一想，笑道：“夠了，幸而想出一個字來，幾乎敗了。”因聯道：Xiangyun laughed. “How am I to rhyme with that? Let me think.” She rose, clasped her hands behind her back, and pondered awhile; then she laughed. “I have it! Luckily I thought of a word—I nearly came to grief.” She continued:

湘云笑道：“这一句怎么押韵，让我想想。”因起身负手，想了一想，笑道：“够了，幸而想出一个字来，几乎败了。”因联道：

庭煙斂夕棔。Evening mist in the courtyard closes round the silk tree.秋湍瀉石髓，Autumn torrents pour from the marrow of rocks;

庭烟敛夕棔。秋湍泻石髓，

黛玉聽了，不禁也起身叫妙，說：“這促狹鬼，果然留下好的。On hearing this, Daiyu could not help rising too and crying, “Wonderful! You little rogue—you really did save your best lines.這會子才說‘棔’字，虧你想得出。”湘雲道：“幸而昨日看歷朝文選見了這個字，我不知是何樹，因要查一查。Only now do you bring out the word ‘silk tree’; how ever did you think of it?” Xiangyun said, “Luckily, yesterday I saw the character in a selection of writings from successive dynasties. I did not know what tree it meant, so I wanted to look it up.寶姐姐說不用查，這就是如今俗叫作明開夜合的。Baochai said there was no need: it was simply what people now commonly call the day-opening, night-closing tree.我信不及，到底查了一查，果然不錯。I was not convinced and looked it up after all; she was perfectly right.看來寶姐姐知道的竟多。”黛玉笑道：“‘棔’字用在此時更恰，也還罷了。It seems Baochai truly knows a great deal.” Daiyu laughed. “The character is especially apt here, so that line passes well enough.只是‘秋湍’一句虧你好想。But your line about ‘autumn torrents’ was extraordinarily well conceived.只這一句，別的都要抹倒。That line alone eclipses all the others.我少不得打起精神來對一句，只是再不能似這一句了。”因想了一想，道：I shall have to summon all my energy to match it, though I cannot possibly equal it.” After thinking a moment, she said:

黛玉听了，不禁也起身叫妙，说：“这促狭鬼，果然留下好的。这会子才说‘棔’字，亏你想得出。”湘云道：“幸而昨日看历朝文选见了这个字，我不知是何树，因要查一查。宝姐姐说不用查，这就是如今俗叫作明开夜合的。我信不及，到底查了一查，果然不错。看来宝姐姐知道的竟多。”黛玉笑道：“‘棔’字用在此时更恰，也还罢了。只是‘秋湍’一句亏你好想。只这一句，别的都要抹倒。我少不得打起精神来对一句，只是再不能似这一句了。”因想了一想，道：

風葉聚云根。Windblown leaves gather at the roots of clouds.寶婺情孤洁，The Weaving Maid’s star keeps its lonely purity;

风叶聚云根。宝婺情孤洁，

湘雲道：“這對的也還好。Xiangyun said, “That is a fairly good match.只是下一句你也溜了，幸而是景中情，不單用‘寶婺’來塞責。”因聯道：But your next line slips away too. Fortunately, it conveys feeling through the scene, rather than merely using the Weaving Maid’s star to shirk the task.” She continued:

湘云道：“这对的也还好。只是下一句你也溜了，幸而是景中情，不单用‘宝婺’来塞责。”因联道：

銀蟾氣吐吞。The silver toad breathes its radiance in and out.藥經靈兔搗，The elixir, in the magic hare’s mortar, is pounded;

银蟾气吐吞。药经灵兔捣，

黛玉不語點頭，半日隨念道：Daiyu nodded without speaking and, after a long while, recited:

黛玉不语点头，半日随念道：

人向廣寒奔。Mortals hasten toward the Palace of Broad Cold.犯斗邀牛女，Trespassing on the Dipper, they seek the Cowherd and Weaving Maid;

人向广寒奔。犯斗邀牛女，

湘雲也望月點首，聯道：Xiangyun also gazed at the moon and nodded, then continued:

湘云也望月点首，联道：

乘槎待帝孫。Riding a star-raft, they await Heaven’s Granddaughter.虛盈輪莫定，Now full, now wanting—the orb is never fixed;

乘槎待帝孙。虚盈轮莫定，

黛玉笑道：“又用比興了。”因聯道：Daiyu laughed. “You are using metaphorical suggestion again.” She continued:

黛玉笑道：“又用比兴了。”因联道：

晦朔魄空存。Through dark and new moon, its pale soul vainly endures.壺漏聲將涸，The water-clock’s sound is nearly spent;

晦朔魄空存。壶漏声将涸，

湘雲方欲聯時，黛玉指池中黑影與湘雲看道：“你看那河里怎麼象個人在黑影里去了，敢是個鬼罷？”湘雲笑道：“可是又見鬼了。Just as Xiangyun was about to continue, Daiyu pointed out a dark shape in the pool and said, “Look—why does that thing in the water resemble someone hidden in the shadows? Could it be a ghost?” Xiangyun laughed. “Seeing ghosts again, are you?我是不怕鬼的，等我打他一下。”因彎腰拾了一塊小石片向那池中打去，只聽打得水響，一個大圓圈將月影蕩散复聚者幾次。I am not afraid of ghosts; let me strike it.” Bending down, she picked up a small stone and threw it into the pool. There came a splash, and a great circle scattered the moon’s reflection and let it gather again, several times over.只聽那黑影里嘎然一聲，卻飛起一個大白鶴來，直往藕香榭去了。Then a harsh cry sounded from the darkness, and a great white crane flew up and headed straight toward Ouxiang Pavilion.黛玉笑道：“原來是他，猛然想不到，反嚇了一跳。”湘雲笑道：“這個鶴有趣，倒助了我了。”因聯道：Daiyu laughed. “So it was that! I never thought of it and got quite a fright.” Xiangyun laughed. “What an amusing crane—it has actually helped me.” She continued:

湘云方欲联时，黛玉指池中黑影与湘云看道：“你看那河里怎么象个人在黑影里去了，敢是个鬼罢？”湘云笑道：“可是又见鬼了。我是不怕鬼的，等我打他一下。”因弯腰拾了一块小石片向那池中打去，只听打得水响，一个大圆圈将月影荡散复聚者几次。只听那黑影里嘎然一声，却飞起一个大白鹤来，直往藕香榭去了。黛玉笑道：“原来是他，猛然想不到，反吓了一跳。”湘云笑道：“这个鹤有趣，倒助了我了。”因联道：

窗燈焰已昏。The flame of the lamp at the window has dimmed.寒塘渡鶴影，Across the cold pool passes a crane’s shadow;

窗灯焰已昏。寒塘渡鹤影，

林黛玉聽了，又叫好，又跺足，說：“了不得，這鶴真是助他的了！When Lin Daiyu heard this, she cried out in admiration again and stamped her foot. “This is too much—that crane truly did help her!這一句更比‘秋湍’不同，叫我對什麼才好？‘影’字只有一個‘魂’字可對，況且‘寒塘渡鶴’何等自然，何等現成，何等有景且又新鮮，我竟要擱筆了。”湘雲笑道：“大家細想就有了，不然就放著明日再聯也可。”黛玉只看天，不理他，半日，猛然笑道：“你不必說嘴，我也有了，你聽聽。”因對道：This line surpasses even ‘autumn torrents.’ What can I possibly match it with? Only ‘soul’ will pair with ‘shadow.’ And ‘across the cold pool passes a crane’ is so natural, so effortless, so vivid and fresh—I may as well lay down my brush.” Xiangyun laughed. “Think carefully and you will find something; otherwise, we can leave it until tomorrow.” Daiyu merely stared at the sky and ignored her. After a long while, she suddenly laughed. “You need not boast. I have one too—listen.” She replied:

林黛玉听了，又叫好，又跺足，说：“了不得，这鹤真是助他的了！这一句更比‘秋湍’不同，叫我对什么才好？‘影’字只有一个‘魂’字可对，况且‘寒塘渡鹤’何等自然，何等现成，何等有景且又新鲜，我竟要搁笔了。”湘云笑道：“大家细想就有了，不然就放著明日再联也可。”黛玉只看天，不理他，半日，猛然笑道：“你不必说嘴，我也有了，你听听。”因对道：

冷月葬花魂。Beneath the cold moon is buried the soul of flowers.

湘雲拍手贊道：“果然好极！Xiangyun clapped her hands and praised it. “Splendid indeed!非此不能對。Nothing else could match my line.好個‘葬花魂’！”因又歎道：“詩固新奇，只是太頹喪了些。What a marvelous phrase, ‘the soul of flowers buried’!” Then she sighed. “The verse is certainly original, but rather too desolate.你現病著，不該作此過于清奇詭譎之語。”黛玉笑道：“不如此如何壓倒你。You are ill as it is and should not compose such excessively bleak and uncanny lines.” Daiyu laughed. “How else could I defeat you?下句竟還未得，只為用工在這一句了。”I have not yet found the next line; I spent all my effort on this one.”

湘云拍手赞道：“果然好极！非此不能对。好个‘葬花魂’！”因又叹道：“诗固新奇，只是太颓丧了些。你现病著，不该作此过于清奇诡谲之语。”黛玉笑道：“不如此如何压倒你。下句竟还未得，只为用工在这一句了。”

一語未了，只見欄外山石後轉出一個人來，笑道：“好詩，好詩，果然太悲涼了。Before she had finished speaking, someone came round from behind the rocks beyond the railing and laughed. “Fine poetry, fine poetry—but truly too sorrowful and desolate.不必再往下聯，若底下只這樣去，反不顯這兩句了，倒覺得堆砌牽強。”二人不防，倒唬了一跳。There is no need to continue. If the rest goes on in this vein, these two lines will lose their distinction, and the whole will instead seem piled up and strained.” The two had not expected anyone and were badly startled.細看時，不是別人，卻是妙玉。Looking closely, they saw that it was none other than Miaoyu.二人皆詫异，因問：“你如何到了這里？”妙玉笑道：“我聽見你們大家賞月，又吹的好笛，我也出來玩賞這清池皓月。Both were astonished and asked, “How did you come here?” Miaoyu laughed. “I heard everyone was admiring the moon and someone was playing the flute beautifully, so I came out too, to enjoy this clear pool and bright moon.順腳走到這里，忽聽見你兩個聯詩，更覺清雅异常，故此聽住了。My steps happened to bring me here, and when I suddenly heard you two composing linked verse, I found it extraordinarily pure and elegant, so I stopped to listen.只是方才我聽見這一首中，有幾句雖好，只是過于頹敗凄楚。Yet among the lines I just heard, though several are good, some are far too dispirited and mournful.此亦關人之氣數而有，所以我出來止住。Such things also bear upon a person’s destined fortune, and that is why I came out to stop you.如今老太太都已早散了，滿園的人想俱已睡熟了，你兩個的丫頭還不知在那里找你們呢。The Old Lady and the others dispersed long ago, and I imagine everyone in the garden is fast asleep. Your maids, meanwhile, must be searching everywhere for you.你們也不怕冷了？Are you not afraid of the cold?快同我來，到我那里去吃杯茶，只怕就天亮了。”黛玉笑道：“誰知道就這個時侯了。”Come quickly with me and have some tea at my place; dawn may soon be upon us.” Daiyu laughed. “Who knew it had grown so late?”

一语未了，只见栏外山石后转出一个人来，笑道：“好诗，好诗，果然太悲凉了。不必再往下联，若底下只这样去，反不显这两句了，倒觉得堆砌牵强。”二人不防，倒唬了一跳。细看时，不是别人，却是妙玉。二人皆诧异，因问：“你如何到了这里？”妙玉笑道：“我听见你们大家赏月，又吹的好笛，我也出来玩赏这清池皓月。顺脚走到这里，忽听见你两个联诗，更觉清雅异常，故此听住了。只是方才我听见这一首中，有几句虽好，只是过于颓败凄楚。此亦关人之气数而有，所以我出来止住。如今老太太都已早散了，满园的人想俱已睡熟了，你两个的丫头还不知在那里找你们呢。你们也不怕冷了？快同我来，到我那里去吃杯茶，只怕就天亮了。”黛玉笑道：“谁知道就这个时侯了。”

三人遂一同來至櫳翠庵中。The three of them went together to Longcui Nunnery.只見龕焰猶青，爐香未燼。Inside, the flame before the shrine still burned blue, and the incense in the brazier was not yet spent.幾個老嬤嬤也都睡了，只有小丫鬟在蒲團上垂頭打盹。The old serving women were all asleep; only a young maid sat nodding over her cushion.妙玉喚他起來，現去烹茶。Miaoyu woke her and told her to go and make fresh tea.忽聽叩門之聲，小丫鬟忙去開門看時，卻是紫鵑翠縷與幾個老嬤嬤來找他姊妹兩個。Suddenly there came a knock at the gate. The young maid hurried to open it and found Zijuan and Cuilü, accompanied by several old serving women, looking for the two young ladies.進來見他們正吃茶，因都笑道：“要我們好找，一個園里走遍了，連姨太太那里都找到了。They came in and found them drinking tea, and all laughed. “How you have made us search! We have been through the entire garden and even looked at your aunt’s quarters.才到了那山坡底下小亭里找時，可巧那里上夜的正睡醒了。When we had just reached the little pavilion at the foot of the hill, we happened to find the night watch there waking from sleep.我們問他們，他們說，方才亭外頭棚下兩個人說話，後來又添了一個，聽見說大家往庵里去。We questioned them, and they said that two people had been talking outside the pavilion under the awning; later a third joined them, and they heard them say they were all going to the nunnery.我們就知是這里了。”妙玉忙命小丫鬟引他們到那邊去坐著歇息吃茶。Then we knew you must be here.” Miaoyu quickly told the young maid to take them to sit and rest on the other side and give them tea.自取了筆硯紙墨出來，將方才的詩命他二人念著，遂從頭寫出來。She herself brought out brush, inkstone, paper, and ink, and asked the two to recite their poem; then she wrote it down from the beginning.黛玉見他今日十分高興，便笑道：“從來沒見你這樣高興。Seeing Miaoyu in exceptionally high spirits that day, Daiyu laughed. “I have never seen you so delighted.我也不敢唐突請教，這還可以見教否？I would not ordinarily dare presume to ask for your instruction, but might you offer your judgment on this poem?若不堪時，便就燒了；If it proves unworthy, simply burn it;若或可政，即請改正改正。”妙玉笑道：“也不敢妄加評贊。but if there is anything worth correcting, please make whatever changes are needed.” Miaoyu smiled. “I would not presume to offer reckless praise or criticism.只是這才有了二十二韻。It is only that the poem has now reached twenty-two rhymes.我意思想著你二位警句已出，再若續時，恐後力不加。I was thinking that, since both of you have already produced your finest lines, if you continue, you may not have strength enough for what follows.我竟要續貂，又恐有玷。”黛玉從沒見妙玉作過詩，今見他高興如此，忙說：“果然如此，我們的雖不好，亦可以帶好了。”妙玉道：“如今收結，到底還該歸到本來面目上去。I would gladly make a poor attempt at carrying it on, but fear I might mar it.” Daiyu had never seen Miaoyu compose poetry before; seeing her in such high spirits now, she hastened to say, “If that is truly so, then although ours is not very good, yours may redeem it.” Miaoyu said, “In bringing it to a close, we ought, after all, to return to its original spirit.若只管丟了真情真事且去搜奇撿怪，一則失了咱們的閨閣面目，二則也與題目無涉了。”二人皆道极是。If we cast aside genuine feeling and real experience merely to hunt for marvels and gather oddities, we shall, first, lose the character proper to ladies of the inner chambers, and second, stray from the subject.” Both agreed that she was perfectly right.妙玉遂提筆一揮而就，遞與他二人道：“休要見笑。Miaoyu thereupon took up the brush and completed the poem in one sweep, then handed it to the two of them, saying, “You must not laugh at me.依我必須如此，方翻轉過來，雖前頭有凄楚之句，亦無甚礙了。”二人接了看時，只見他續道：In my view, it must end this way for the mood to be turned around; then, although there are sorrowful lines earlier on, they will do no great harm.” The two took it and read what she had added:

三人遂一同来至栊翠庵中。只见龛焰犹青，炉香未烬。几个老嬷嬷也都睡了，只有小丫鬟在蒲团上垂头打盹。妙玉唤他起来，现去烹茶。忽听叩门之声，小丫鬟忙去开门看时，却是紫鹃翠缕与几个老嬷嬷来找他姊妹两个。进来见他们正吃茶，因都笑道：“要我们好找，一个园里走遍了，连姨太太那里都找到了。才到了那山坡底下小亭里找时，可巧那里上夜的正睡醒了。我们问他们，他们说，方才亭外头棚下两个人说话，后来又添了一个，听见说大家往庵里去。我们就知是这里了。”妙玉忙命小丫鬟引他们到那边去坐著歇息吃茶。自取了笔砚纸墨出来，将方才的诗命他二人念著，遂从头写出来。黛玉见他今日十分高兴，便笑道：“从来没见你这样高兴。我也不敢唐突请教，这还可以见教否？若不堪时，便就烧了；若或可政，即请改正改正。”妙玉笑道：“也不敢妄加评赞。只是这才有了二十二韵。我意思想著你二位警句已出，再若续时，恐后力不加。我竟要续貂，又恐有玷。”黛玉从没见妙玉作过诗，今见他高兴如此，忙说：“果然如此，我们的虽不好，亦可以带好了。”妙玉道：“如今收结，到底还该归到本来面目上去。若只管丢了真情真事且去搜奇捡怪，一则失了咱们的闺阁面目，二则也与题目无涉了。”二人皆道极是。妙玉遂提笔一挥而就，递与他二人道：“休要见笑。依我必须如此，方翻转过来，虽前头有凄楚之句，亦无甚碍了。”二人接了看时，只见他续道：

香篆銷金鼎，脂冰膩玉盆。The fragrant incense-tracery fades in the golden censer; greasy ice congeals in the jade basin.

香篆销金鼎，脂冰腻玉盆。

簫增嫠婦泣，衾倩侍兒溫。The flute redoubles the widow’s weeping; the coverlet awaits a maidservant’s warmth.

箫增嫠妇泣，衾倩侍儿温。

空帳懸文鳳，閒屏掩彩鴛。In the empty bed-curtains embroidered phoenixes hang; an idle screen conceals painted mandarin ducks.

空帐悬文凤，闲屏掩彩鸳。

露濃苔更滑，霜重竹難捫。The heavier the dew, the slipperier the moss; beneath deep frost, the bamboo is hard to grasp.

露浓苔更滑，霜重竹难扪。

猶步縈紆沼，還登寂歷原。Still we pace beside the winding pool; then climb once more the silent, desolate rise.

犹步萦纡沼，还登寂历原。

石奇神鬼搏，木怪虎狼蹲。Strange rocks grapple like spirits and demons; grotesque trees crouch like tigers and wolves.

贔屭朝光透，罘罳曉露屯。Through the stone tortoise-monster the morning light shines; on the carved lattice the dawn dew gathers.

赑屭朝光透，罘罳晓露屯。

振林千樹鳥，啼谷一聲猿。A thousand birds take wing and shake the woods; a lone ape’s cry rings through the valley.

振林千树鸟，啼谷一声猿。

歧熟焉忘徑，泉知不問源。Once the branching ways are known, how could we forget the path? Knowing the spring, we need not ask its source.

歧熟焉忘径，泉知不问源。

鐘鳴櫳翠寺，雞唱稻香村。A bell sounds from Longcui Temple; a cock crows in Daoxiang Village.

钟鸣栊翠寺，鸡唱稻香村。

有興悲何繼，無愁意豈煩。With spirits raised, why should sorrow follow? With no cares, how could the heart be troubled?

有兴悲何继，无愁意岂烦。

芳情只自遣，雅趣向誰言。Tender feelings can only be soothed alone; to whom may refined delights be told?

芳情只自遣，雅趣向谁言。

徹旦休云倦，烹茶更細論。Speak not of weariness though dawn has come; let us brew tea and discuss it more closely.

彻旦休云倦，烹茶更细论。

後書：《右中秋夜大觀園即景聯句三十五韻》。Below she wrote: “Thirty-five rhymes composed jointly from the Mid-Autumn night scenes in Daguanyuan.”黛玉湘雲二人皆贊賞不已，說：“可見我們天天是舍近而求遠。Daiyu and Xiangyun praised it without cease, saying, “Plainly, day after day, we have been neglecting what is close at hand to seek afar.現有這樣詩仙在此，卻天天去紙上談兵。”妙玉笑道：“明日再潤色。Here before us is such an immortal poet, yet every day we merely discuss warfare on paper.” Miaoyu laughed. “Tomorrow I shall polish it further.此時想也快天亮了，到底要歇息歇息才是。”林史二人聽說，便起身告辭，帶領丫鬟出來。By now it must be nearly dawn; in any case, you really ought to get some rest.” Hearing this, Lin and Shi rose to take their leave and led their maids outside.妙玉送至門外，看他們去遠，方掩門進來。Miaoyu escorted them beyond the gate and watched until they had gone far away; only then did she close the gate and return inside.不在話下。No more need be said of this.

后书：《右中秋夜大观园即景联句三十五韵》。黛玉湘云二人皆赞赏不已，说：“可见我们天天是舍近而求远。现有这样诗仙在此，却天天去纸上谈兵。”妙玉笑道：“明日再润色。此时想也快天亮了，到底要歇息歇息才是。”林史二人听说，便起身告辞，带领丫鬟出来。妙玉送至门外，看他们去远，方掩门进来。不在话下。

這里翠縷向湘雲道：“大奶奶那里還有人等著咱們睡去呢。Meanwhile, Cuilü said to Xiangyun, “There are still people waiting for us at the First Young Mistress’s rooms so that we may go to bed.如今還是那里去好？”湘雲笑道：“你順路告訴他們，叫他們睡罷。Where had we better go now?” Xiangyun laughed. “Since it is on your way, tell them to go to sleep.我這一去未免驚動病人，不如鬧林姑娘半夜去罷。”說著，大家走至瀟湘館中，有一半人已睡去。If I return there now, I shall inevitably disturb the invalid; I may as well impose upon Miss Lin for half the night.” As she spoke, they all made their way to Xiaoxiang Lodge, where half the household was already asleep.二人進去，方才卸妝寬衣，盥漱已畢，方上床安歇。The two went in, removed their ornaments, loosened their clothes, washed, and finally went to bed.紫鵑放下綃帳，移燈掩門出去。Zijuan lowered the gauze bed-curtains, moved the lamp, closed the door, and went out.誰知湘雲有擇席之病，雖在枕上，只是睡不著。But Xiangyun, as it happened, could not sleep in an unfamiliar bed; though she lay with her head on the pillow, she simply could not fall asleep.黛玉又是個心血不足常常失眠的，今日又錯過困頭，自然也是睡不著。Daiyu, too, suffered from weakness of the heart and blood and often lay awake; having missed the moment when drowsiness came over her tonight, naturally she could not sleep either.二人在枕上翻來复去。The two tossed and turned upon their pillows.黛玉因問道：“怎麼你還沒睡著？”湘雲微笑道：“我有擇席的病，況且走了困，只好躺躺罷。Daiyu asked, “Why are you still awake?” Xiangyun smiled faintly. “I cannot sleep in a strange bed, and besides, my drowsiness has passed; all I can do is lie here awhile.你怎麼也睡不著？”黛玉歎道：“我這睡不著也并非今日，大約一年之中，通共也只好睡十夜滿足的。”湘雲道：“卻是你病的原故，所以……”不知下文什麼，且聽下回分解。Why can you not sleep either?” Daiyu sighed. “My sleeplessness is nothing new today; in the course of a whole year, I suppose there are scarcely ten nights when I sleep to my full satisfaction.” Xiangyun said, “It is because of your illness, so…” What followed is unknown; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

这里翠缕向湘云道：“大奶奶那里还有人等著咱们睡去呢。如今还是那里去好？”湘云笑道：“你顺路告诉他们，叫他们睡罢。我这一去未免惊动病人，不如闹林姑娘半夜去罢。”说著，大家走至潇湘馆中，有一半人已睡去。二人进去，方才卸妆宽衣，盥漱已毕，方上床安歇。紫鹃放下绡帐，移灯掩门出去。谁知湘云有择席之病，虽在枕上，只是睡不著。黛玉又是个心血不足常常失眠的，今日又错过困头，自然也是睡不著。二人在枕上翻来复去。黛玉因问道：“怎么你还没睡著？”湘云微笑道：“我有择席的病，况且走了困，只好躺躺罢。你怎么也睡不著？”黛玉叹道：“我这睡不著也并非今日，大约一年之中，通共也只好睡十夜满足的。”湘云道：“却是你病的原故，所以……”不知下文什么，且听下回分解。