第八十回　　懦弱迎春腸回九曲　姣怯香菱病入膏肓 Meek Yingchun Suffers in Agony; Delicate Xiangling Falls Mortally Ill

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話說金桂聽了，將脖項一扭，嘴唇一撇，鼻孔里哧了兩聲，拍著掌冷笑道：“菱角花誰聞見香來著？Now, when Jingui heard this, she twisted her neck, curled her lip, snorted twice through her nostrils, and clapped her hands with a cold laugh. “Who ever heard of water-chestnut blossoms being fragrant?若說菱角香了，正經那些香花放在那里？If water-chestnut blossoms are fragrant, where does that leave all the flowers that truly deserve the name?可是不通之极！”香菱道：“不獨菱角花，就連荷葉蓮蓬，都是有一股清香的。What utter nonsense!” Xiangling said, “It is not only water-chestnut blossoms—even lotus leaves and seedpods have a fresh fragrance of their own.但他那原不是花香可比，若靜日靜夜或清早半夜細領略了去，那一股香比是花兒都好聞呢。It cannot really be compared with floral perfume; but if you savor it closely on a still day, in a quiet night, at dawn, or at midnight, you will find that scent lovelier than any flower’s.就連菱角，雞頭，葦葉，蘆根得了風露，那一股清香，就令人心神爽快的。”金桂道：“依你說，那蘭花桂花倒香的不好了？”香菱說到熱鬧頭上，忘了忌諱，便接口道：“蘭花桂花的香，又非別花之香可比。”一句未完，金桂的丫鬟名喚寶蟾者，忙指著香菱的臉兒說道：“要死，要死！Even water chestnuts, gorgon fruit, reed leaves, and reed roots, when touched by wind and dew, give off a fresh scent that clears and refreshes the mind.” Jingui said, “According to you, then, orchids and cassia flowers do not smell so fine after all?” Carried away by the liveliness of the discussion, Xiangling forgot the taboo and promptly replied, “The fragrance of orchids and cassia flowers is beyond comparison with that of other flowers.” Before she could finish, Jingui’s maid Baochan pointed hurriedly at her face and cried, “You’ll be the death of yourself!你怎麼真叫起姑娘的名字來！”香菱猛省了，反不好意思，忙陪笑賠罪說：“一時說順了嘴，奶奶別計較。”金桂笑道：“這有什麼，你也太小心了。How can you actually speak Mistress’s name aloud?” Xiangling suddenly realized her mistake and, thoroughly embarrassed, hastened to smile and apologize. “It slipped out before I thought. Please don’t take offense, Mistress.” Jingui smiled. “What does it matter? You are much too careful.但只是我想這個‘香’字到底不妥，意思要換一個字，不知你服不服？”香菱忙笑道：“奶奶說那里話，此刻連我一身一体俱屬奶奶，何得換一名字反問我服不服，叫我如何當得起。Only, I have been thinking that the character ‘Xiang,’ Fragrance, is not quite suitable after all, and I mean to replace it with another. I wonder whether you will consent?” Xiangling hurriedly smiled. “How can Mistress say such a thing? Now my whole person, body and soul, belongs to you. If you wish to change even my name, how could you ask whether I consent? I am not worthy of such consideration.奶奶說那一個字好，就用那一個。”金桂笑道：“你雖說的是，只怕姑娘多心，說‘我起的名字，反不如你？Whichever character Mistress thinks best, that is the one I shall use.” Jingui smiled. “What you say is true enough, but I fear Miss Baochai may take it amiss and say, ‘Is the name I gave her not as good as yours?你能來了幾日，就駁我的回了。’”香菱笑道：“奶奶有所不知，當日買了我來時，原是老奶奶使喚的，故此姑娘起得名字。You have scarcely been here a few days, yet already you are overturning my decisions.’” Xiangling smiled. “There is something Mistress does not know. When I was first bought, I was meant to wait upon the old mistress, and that was why Miss Baochai gave me my name.後來我自伏侍了爺，就與姑娘無涉了。Later, when I became Master Xue’s attendant, the matter no longer concerned Miss Baochai.如今又有了奶奶，益發不與姑娘相干。Now that Mistress is here, it concerns Miss Baochai less than ever.況且姑娘又是极明白的人，如何惱得這些呢。”金桂道：“既這樣說，‘香’字竟不如‘秋’字妥當。Besides, Miss Baochai is an exceptionally sensible person. How could so small a thing anger her?” Jingui said, “If that is so, then ‘Qiu,’ Autumn, would certainly suit you better than ‘Xiang.’菱角菱花皆盛于秋，豈不比‘香’字有來歷些。”香菱道：“就依奶奶這樣罷了。”自此後遂改了秋字，寶釵亦不在意。Water chestnuts and their blossoms both flourish in autumn; does that not give the name a better foundation than ‘Fragrance’?” Xiangling replied, “Then let it be as Mistress says.” From then on her name was changed to Qiuling, and Baochai took no notice of it.

话说金桂听了，将脖项一扭，嘴唇一撇，鼻孔里哧了两声，拍著掌冷笑道：“菱角花谁闻见香来著？若说菱角香了，正经那些香花放在那里？可是不通之极！”香菱道：“不独菱角花，就连荷叶莲蓬，都是有一股清香的。但他那原不是花香可比，若静日静夜或清早半夜细领略了去，那一股香比是花儿都好闻呢。就连菱角，鸡头，苇叶，芦根得了风露，那一股清香，就令人心神爽快的。”金桂道：“依你说，那兰花桂花倒香的不好了？”香菱说到热闹头上，忘了忌讳，便接口道：“兰花桂花的香，又非别花之香可比。”一句未完，金桂的丫鬟名唤宝蟾者，忙指著香菱的脸儿说道：“要死，要死！你怎么真叫起姑娘的名字来！”香菱猛省了，反不好意思，忙陪笑赔罪说：“一时说顺了嘴，奶奶别计较。”金桂笑道：“这有什么，你也太小心了。但只是我想这个‘香’字到底不妥，意思要换一个字，不知你服不服？”香菱忙笑道：“奶奶说那里话，此刻连我一身一体俱属奶奶，何得换一名字反问我服不服，叫我如何当得起。奶奶说那一个字好，就用那一个。”金桂笑道：“你虽说的是，只怕姑娘多心，说‘我起的名字，反不如你？你能来了几日，就驳我的回了。’”香菱笑道：“奶奶有所不知，当日买了我来时，原是老奶奶使唤的，故此姑娘起得名字。后来我自伏侍了爷，就与姑娘无涉了。如今又有了奶奶，益发不与姑娘相干。况且姑娘又是极明白的人，如何恼得这些呢。”金桂道：“既这样说，‘香’字竟不如‘秋’字妥当。菱角菱花皆盛于秋，岂不比‘香’字有来历些。”香菱道：“就依奶奶这样罢了。”自此后遂改了秋字，宝钗亦不在意。

只因薛蟠天性是“得隴望蜀”的，如今得娶了金桂，又見金桂的丫鬟寶蟾有三分姿色，舉止輕浮可愛，便時常要茶要水的故意撩逗他。Xue Pan, however, was by nature one who, having gained Long, coveted Shu. Now that he had married Jingui, he noticed that her maid Baochan possessed a certain prettiness and a flirtatious, enticing manner, and he was forever deliberately teasing her by calling for tea or water.寶蟾雖亦解事，只是怕著金桂，不敢造次，且看金桂的眼色。Baochan understood his meaning well enough, but she feared Jingui and dared not act rashly, so for the time being she watched for signs of her mistress’s wishes.金桂亦頗覺察其意，想著：“正要擺布香菱，無處尋隙，如今他既看上了寶蟾，如今且舍出寶蟾去與他，他一定就和香菱疏遠了，我且乘他疏遠之時，便擺布了香菱。Jingui had also discerned his intentions and thought, “I have been wanting to bring Xiangling to heel but could find no opening. Now that he has taken a fancy to Baochan, I shall surrender Baochan to him for the present. He is sure to grow distant from Xiangling, and while he is estranged from her, I can deal with Xiangling.那時寶蟾原是我的人，也就好處了。”打定了主意，伺机而發。Baochan will still be my creature afterward, and that will make matters easy.” Having settled upon this plan, she waited for an opportunity to put it into effect.

只因薛蟠天性是“得陇望蜀”的，如今得娶了金桂，又见金桂的丫鬟宝蟾有三分姿色，举止轻浮可爱，便时常要茶要水的故意撩逗他。宝蟾虽亦解事，只是怕著金桂，不敢造次，且看金桂的眼色。金桂亦颇觉察其意，想著：“正要摆布香菱，无处寻隙，如今他既看上了宝蟾，如今且舍出宝蟾去与他，他一定就和香菱疏远了，我且乘他疏远之时，便摆布了香菱。那时宝蟾原是我的人，也就好处了。”打定了主意，伺机而发。

這日薛蟠晚間微醺，又命寶蟾倒茶來吃。One evening, when Xue Pan was slightly tipsy, he again ordered Baochan to bring him tea.薛蟠接碗時，故意捏他的手。As he took the cup, he deliberately squeezed her hand.寶蟾又喬裝躲閃，連忙縮手。Baochan made a show of dodging him and hurriedly snatched her hand away.兩下失誤，豁啷一聲，茶碗落地，潑了一身一地的茶。Between their two false moves, there came a crash: the teacup fell to the floor, splashing tea all over them and the ground.薛蟠不好意思，佯說寶蟾不好生拿著。Embarrassed, Xue Pan pretended that Baochan had failed to hold it properly.寶蟾說：“姑爺不好生接。”金桂冷笑道：“兩個人的腔調兒都夠使了。Baochan said, “Sir failed to take it properly.” Jingui sneered, “You have both played your parts quite well enough.別打諒誰是傻子。”薛蟠低頭微笑不語，寶蟾紅了臉出去。Do not imagine everyone else a fool.” Xue Pan lowered his head and smiled without speaking, while Baochan flushed and went out.一時安歇之時，金桂便故意的攆薛蟠別處去睡，”省得你饞癆餓眼。”薛蟠只是笑。When it was time to retire, Jingui deliberately drove Xue Pan off to sleep elsewhere, saying, “That will save you from staring about like a ravenous lecher.” Xue Pan merely laughed.金桂道：“要作什麼和我說，別偷偷摸摸的不中用。”薛蟠聽了，仗著酒蓋臉，便趁勢跪在被上拉著金桂笑道：“好姐姐，你若要把寶蟾賞了我，你要怎樣就怎樣。Jingui said, “If you want something, tell me. Sneaking about is no use.” Emboldened by the wine that hid his blushes, Xue Pan seized the opportunity to kneel on the bedclothes, take Jingui’s hand, and say with a laugh, “Dear sister, if you will give me Baochan, you may do whatever you like with me.你要人腦子也弄來給你。”金桂笑道：“這話好不通。If you wanted a human brain, I would fetch you one.” Jingui laughed. “What nonsense.你愛誰，說明了，就收在房里，省得別人看著不雅。If you fancy someone, say so plainly and take her into your room; it will save others from having to watch such unseemly behavior.我可要什麼呢。”薛蟠得了這話，喜的稱謝不盡，是夜曲盡丈夫之道，奉承金桂。What could I possibly want in return?” Delighted by this reply, Xue Pan thanked her profusely and that night exerted himself to the utmost as a husband in order to please Jingui.次日也不出門，只在家中廝奈，越發放大了膽。The next day he did not go out, but stayed at home pestering Baochan and grew bolder than ever.至午後，金桂故意出去，讓個空兒與他二人。In the afternoon Jingui deliberately went out, leaving the two of them an opportunity.薛蟠便拉拉扯扯的起來。Xue Pan at once began pawing and pulling at Baochan.寶蟾心里也知八九，也就半推半就，正要入港。Baochan had already guessed most of what was afoot and, half resisting and half yielding, was just about to come to the point.誰知金桂是有心等候的，料必在難分之際，便叫丫頭小舍兒過來。But Jingui had been waiting deliberately and, judging that they must be at the most compromising moment, summoned a young maid called Xiaoshe’er.原來這小丫頭也是金桂從小兒在家使喚的，因他自幼父母雙亡，無人看管，便大家叫他作小舍兒，專作些粗笨的生活。This little maid had also served Jingui’s family from childhood. Because both her parents had died when she was very young and no one looked after her, everyone called her Xiaoshe’er, Little Waif, and she was employed exclusively on coarse, heavy tasks.金桂如今有意獨喚他來吩咐道：“你去告訴秋菱，到我屋里將手帕取來，不必說我說的。”小舍兒聽了，一徑尋著香菱說：“菱姑娘，奶奶的手帕子忘記在屋里了。Jingui now deliberately called her alone and instructed her, “Go and tell Qiuling to fetch my handkerchief from my room, but do not say the order came from me.” Xiaoshe’er obeyed, went straight to Xiangling, and said, “Miss Ling, Mistress has left her handkerchief in her room.你去取來送上去豈不好？”香菱正因金桂近日每每的折挫他。Wouldn’t it be well if you fetched it and brought it to her?” Xiangling had been continually tormented by Jingui of late.不知何意，百般竭力挽回不暇。Unable to understand the reason, she had all she could do to try in every way to regain her favor.聽了這話，忙往房里來取。On hearing this, she hurried to the room to fetch the handkerchief.不防正遇見他二人推就之際，一頭撞了進去，自己倒羞的耳面飛紅，忙轉身回避不迭。She unexpectedly caught the two of them in the midst of their feigned resistance and yielding, and blundered straight in. Her own face and ears flamed with shame, and she hastily turned away and fled.那薛蟠自為是過了明路的，除了金桂，無人可怕，所以連門也不掩，今見香菱撞來，故也略有些慚愧，還不十分在意。Xue Pan believed that the arrangement had been openly sanctioned and that, apart from Jingui, there was no one to fear; he had not even shut the door. Seeing Xiangling burst in, he therefore felt a little ashamed, but did not take it very seriously.無奈寶蟾素日最是說嘴要強的，今遇見了香菱，便恨無地縫兒可入，忙推開薛蟠，一徑跑了，口內還恨怨不迭，說他強奸力逼等語。Baochan, however, had always been boastful and fiercely proud. Encountering Xiangling then, she wished the ground would swallow her. She thrust Xue Pan away and ran off, all the while bitterly complaining that he had forced himself upon her and tried to rape her.薛蟠好容易圈哄的要上手，卻被香菱打散，不免一腔興頭變作了一腔惡怒，都在香菱身上，不容分說，赶出來啐了兩口，罵道：“死娼婦，你這會子作什麼來撞尸游魂！”香菱料事不好，三步兩步早已跑了。After great difficulty Xue Pan had coaxed her almost within his grasp, only for Xiangling to spoil everything. All his excited desire consequently turned into savage rage against Xiangling. Without allowing her to explain, he rushed out, spat at her twice, and cursed, “You dead whore! What are you doing here, blundering about like a wandering corpse?” Realizing that trouble was coming, Xiangling had already fled in a few quick steps.薛蟠再來找寶蟾，已無蹤跡了，于是恨的只罵香菱。When Xue Pan went back to look for Baochan, she had vanished, so in his fury he did nothing but curse Xiangling.至晚飯後，已吃得醺醺然，洗澡時不防水略熱了些，燙了腳，便說香菱有意害他，赤條精光赶著香菱踢打了兩下。After supper that evening he was already quite drunk. While he was bathing, the water happened to be a little too hot and scalded his foot; he accused Xiangling of deliberately trying to harm him and, stark naked, chased her down and kicked and struck her a couple of times.香菱雖未受過這氣苦，既到此時，也說不得了，只好自悲自怨，各自走開。Though Xiangling had never suffered such humiliation before, matters had reached a point where nothing could be said. She could only grieve and lament in private before going away by herself.

这日薛蟠晚间微醺，又命宝蟾倒茶来吃。薛蟠接碗时，故意捏他的手。宝蟾又乔装躲闪，连忙缩手。两下失误，豁啷一声，茶碗落地，泼了一身一地的茶。薛蟠不好意思，佯说宝蟾不好生拿著。宝蟾说：“姑爷不好生接。”金桂冷笑道：“两个人的腔调儿都够使了。别打谅谁是傻子。”薛蟠低头微笑不语，宝蟾红了脸出去。一时安歇之时，金桂便故意的撵薛蟠别处去睡，”省得你馋痨饿眼。”薛蟠只是笑。金桂道：“要作什么和我说，别偷偷摸摸的不中用。”薛蟠听了，仗著酒盖脸，便趁势跪在被上拉著金桂笑道：“好姐姐，你若要把宝蟾赏了我，你要怎样就怎样。你要人脑子也弄来给你。”金桂笑道：“这话好不通。你爱谁，说明了，就收在房里，省得别人看著不雅。我可要什么呢。”薛蟠得了这话，喜的称谢不尽，是夜曲尽丈夫之道，奉承金桂。次日也不出门，只在家中厮奈，越发放大了胆。至午后，金桂故意出去，让个空儿与他二人。薛蟠便拉拉扯扯的起来。宝蟾心里也知八九，也就半推半就，正要入港。谁知金桂是有心等候的，料必在难分之际，便叫丫头小舍儿过来。原来这小丫头也是金桂从小儿在家使唤的，因他自幼父母双亡，无人看管，便大家叫他作小舍儿，专作些粗笨的生活。金桂如今有意独唤他来吩咐道：“你去告诉秋菱，到我屋里将手帕取来，不必说我说的。”小舍儿听了，一径寻著香菱说：“菱姑娘，奶奶的手帕子忘记在屋里了。你去取来送上去岂不好？”香菱正因金桂近日每每的折挫他。不知何意，百般竭力挽回不暇。听了这话，忙往房里来取。不防正遇见他二人推就之际，一头撞了进去，自己倒羞的耳面飞红，忙转身回避不迭。那薛蟠自为是过了明路的，除了金桂，无人可怕，所以连门也不掩，今见香菱撞来，故也略有些惭愧，还不十分在意。无奈宝蟾素日最是说嘴要强的，今遇见了香菱，便恨无地缝儿可入，忙推开薛蟠，一径跑了，口内还恨怨不迭，说他强奸力逼等语。薛蟠好容易圈哄的要上手，却被香菱打散，不免一腔兴头变作了一腔恶怒，都在香菱身上，不容分说，赶出来啐了两口，骂道：“死娼妇，你这会子作什么来撞尸游魂！”香菱料事不好，三步两步早已跑了。薛蟠再来找宝蟾，已无踪迹了，于是恨的只骂香菱。至晚饭后，已吃得醺醺然，洗澡时不防水略热了些，烫了脚，便说香菱有意害他，赤条精光赶著香菱踢打了两下。香菱虽未受过这气苦，既到此时，也说不得了，只好自悲自怨，各自走开。

彼時金桂已暗和寶蟾說明，今夜令薛蟠和寶蟾在香菱房中去成親，命香菱過來陪自己先睡。Meanwhile Jingui had secretly explained her scheme to Baochan: that night Xue Pan and Baochan were to consummate their union in Xiangling’s room, while Xiangling was to come and sleep beside Jingui.先是香菱不肯，金桂說他嫌髒了，再必是圖安逸，怕夜里勞動伏侍，又罵說：“你那沒見世面的主子，見一個，愛一個，把我的人霸占了去，又不叫你來。At first Xiangling refused. Jingui accused her of considering the arrangement filthy, and then of seeking her own ease because she feared being disturbed at night to wait upon her. She also cursed her, saying, “That ignorant master of yours falls in love with every woman he sees. He has taken possession of my maid, yet will not even have you come here.到底是什麼主意，想必是逼我死罷了。”薛蟠聽了這話，又怕鬧黃了寶蟾之事，忙又赶來罵香菱：“不識抬舉！What is he really plotting? I suppose he means to drive me to my death.” When Xue Pan heard this, he feared that the affair with Baochan might fall through, so he hurried over and cursed Xiangling too: “You ungrateful creature!再不去便要打了！”香菱無奈，只得抱了舖蓋來。If you do not go at once, I’ll beat you!” Helpless, Xiangling had to gather up her bedding and come.金桂命他在地下舖睡。Jingui ordered her to spread it on the floor and sleep there.香菱無奈，只得依命。Xiangling had no choice but to obey.剛睡下，便叫倒茶，一時又叫捶腿，如是一夜七八次，總不使其安逸穩臥片時。She had barely lain down when Jingui called for tea; a little later she ordered her to massage her legs. She did this seven or eight times during the night, never allowing Xiangling to rest peacefully for a moment.那薛蟠得了寶蟾，如獲珍寶，一概都置之不顧。Having obtained Baochan, Xue Pan treasured her like a precious jewel and paid no attention to anything else.恨的金桂暗暗的發恨道：“且叫你樂這幾天，等我慢慢的擺布了來，那時可別怨我！”一面隱忍，一面設計擺布香菱。Jingui hated this and secretly vowed, “Enjoy yourself for these few days! Once I have slowly arranged everything, you must not blame me for what follows!” Outwardly she endured it, while inwardly devising schemes against Xiangling.

彼时金桂已暗和宝蟾说明，今夜令薛蟠和宝蟾在香菱房中去成亲，命香菱过来陪自己先睡。先是香菱不肯，金桂说他嫌脏了，再必是图安逸，怕夜里劳动伏侍，又骂说：“你那没见世面的主子，见一个，爱一个，把我的人霸占了去，又不叫你来。到底是什么主意，想必是逼我死罢了。”薛蟠听了这话，又怕闹黄了宝蟾之事，忙又赶来骂香菱：“不识抬举！再不去便要打了！”香菱无奈，只得抱了铺盖来。金桂命他在地下铺睡。香菱无奈，只得依命。刚睡下，便叫倒茶，一时又叫捶腿，如是一夜七八次，总不使其安逸稳卧片时。那薛蟠得了宝蟾，如获珍宝，一概都置之不顾。恨的金桂暗暗的发恨道：“且叫你乐这几天，等我慢慢的摆布了来，那时可别怨我！”一面隐忍，一面设计摆布香菱。

半月光景，忽又裝起病來，只說心疼難忍，四肢不能轉動。After about two weeks she suddenly feigned illness again, claiming that the pain in her heart was unbearable and that she could not move her limbs.請醫療治不效，眾人都說是香菱氣的。Physicians were summoned, but their treatments had no effect, and everyone said Xiangling had made her ill with anger.鬧了兩日，忽又從金桂的枕頭內抖出紙人來，上面寫著金桂的年庚八字，有五根針釘在心窩并四肢骨節等處。After two days of turmoil, a paper figure was suddenly shaken out of Jingui’s pillow. Her birth date and eight characters were written upon it, and five needles had been driven into its heart and the joints of its four limbs.于是眾人反亂起來，當作新聞，先報與薛姨媽。At once everyone was thrown into confusion. Treating it as sensational news, they first reported it to Aunt Xue.薛姨媽先忙手忙腳的，薛蟠自然更亂起來，立刻要拷打眾人。Aunt Xue was immediately in a helpless fluster, while Xue Pan naturally became more frantic still and at once wanted to torture all the servants.金桂笑道：“何必冤枉眾人，大約是寶蟾的鎮魘法兒。”薛蟠道：“他這些時并沒有多空兒在你房里，何苦賴好人。”金桂冷笑道：“除了他還有誰，莫不是我自己不成！Jingui laughed. “Why wrong all these people? It was probably Baochan’s spell.” Xue Pan said, “She has hardly had a spare moment in your room lately. Why falsely accuse an innocent person?” Jingui sneered, “Who else could it be? Surely you do not think I did it myself!雖有別人，誰可敢進我的房呢。”薛蟠道：“香菱如今是天天跟著你，他自然知道，先拷問他就知道了。”金桂冷笑道：“拷問誰，誰肯認？Even if there were someone else, who would dare enter my room?” Xue Pan said, “Xiangling follows you every day now, so she is bound to know. Question her under torture first and we shall have the truth.” Jingui sneered, “No matter whom you torture, who would confess?依我說竟裝個不知道，大家丟開手罷了。If you ask me, we should pretend to know nothing and all let the matter drop.橫豎治死我也沒什麼要緊，樂得再娶好的。After all, it scarcely matters if I am killed. You will have the pleasure of marrying someone better.若据良心上說，左不過你三個多嫌我一個。”說著，一面痛哭起來。If we speak honestly, the simple truth is that all three of you find one of me too many.” With that she began to weep bitterly.薛蟠更被這一席話激怒，順手抓起一根門閂來，一徑搶步找著香菱，不容分說便劈頭劈面打起來，一口咬定是香菱所施。Provoked still further by these words, Xue Pan snatched up a door bar and rushed straight to find Xiangling. Without allowing her to explain, he struck her savagely about the head and face, insisting that she had cast the spell.香菱叫屈，薛姨媽跑來禁喝說：“不問明白，你就打起人來了。Xiangling cried out that she was innocent. Aunt Xue ran over and shouted at him to stop. “Before finding out the truth, you have already started beating her!這丫頭伏侍了你這幾年，那一點不周到，不盡心？This girl has served you for all these years. In what respect has she ever failed to be attentive and devoted?他豈肯如今作這沒良心的事！How could she now commit such a heartless deed?你且問個清渾皂白，再動粗鹵。”金桂聽見他婆婆如此說著，怕薛蟠耳軟心活，便益發嚎啕大哭起來，一面又哭喊說：“這半個多月把我的寶蟾霸占了去，不容他進我的房，唯有秋菱跟著我睡。First find out the rights and wrongs of it clearly, and only then resort to violence.” Hearing her mother-in-law speak like this, Jingui feared Xue Pan might be swayed, for he was easily influenced and softhearted. She therefore howled more loudly than ever, crying, “For more than half a month he has kept my Baochan entirely to himself and would not let her enter my room; only Qiuling has been sleeping beside me.我要拷問寶蟾，你又護到頭里。When I want Baochan tortured, you immediately protect her.你這會子又賭氣打他去。And now, out of spite, you have gone to beat Qiuling instead.治死我，再揀富貴的標致的娶來就是了，何苦作出這些把戲來！”薛蟠聽了這些話，越發著了急。Kill me, then choose another bride, rich and beautiful! Why go to the trouble of putting on all these tricks?” At these words Xue Pan grew more frantic than ever.薛姨媽聽見金桂句句挾制著兒子，百般惡賴的樣子，十分可恨。Aunt Xue heard how every sentence Jingui spoke was meant to control her son and saw her utterly shameless, spiteful behavior; she found it detestable in the extreme.無奈兒子偏不硬氣，已是被他挾制軟慣了。Unfortunately, her son had no backbone and had long grown accustomed to yielding tamely to Jingui’s control.如今又勾搭上了丫頭，被他說霸占了去，他自己反要占溫柔讓夫之禮。Now he had also taken up with her maid, allowing Jingui to accuse him of monopolizing the girl while she herself claimed the tender virtue of yielding her to her husband.這魘魔法究竟不知誰作的，實是俗語說的”清官難斷家務事”，此事正是公婆難斷床幃事了。As for who had actually performed this sorcery, no one knew. It was truly as the proverb says, “Even an honest magistrate finds family disputes hard to judge”; in this case, even parents could not judge affairs of the bedchamber.因此無法，只得賭氣喝罵薛蟠說：“不爭氣的孽障！With nothing else she could do, Aunt Xue angrily cursed Xue Pan: “You worthless monster!騷狗也比你体面些！Even a rutting dog has more decency than you!誰知你三不知的把陪房丫頭也摸索上了，叫老婆說嘴霸占了丫頭，什麼臉出去見人！Without anyone knowing, you went and pawed your wife’s dowry maid as well. Now you let your wife accuse you of taking possession of her girl. How can you have the face to go out and meet people?也不知誰使的法子，也不問青紅皂白，好歹就打人。You do not know who used this spell and have not inquired into right and wrong, yet you indiscriminately beat someone.我知道你是個得新棄舊的東西，白辜負了我當日的心。I have always known you were the sort to cast off the old when you get something new. All the care I once took was wasted on you.他既不好，你也不許打，我立即叫人牙子來賣了他，你就心淨了。”說著，命香菱”收拾了東西跟我來”，一面叫人去，”快叫個人牙子來，多少賣幾兩銀子，拔去肉中刺，眼中釘，大家過太平日子。”薛蟠見母親動了氣，早也低下頭了。If Xiangling is no good, you are still not to beat her. I shall summon a broker immediately and sell her; then your mind will be at ease.” She ordered Xiangling to “pack your things and come with me,” while telling someone else, “Fetch a broker quickly. Sell her for whatever few taels she will bring, pull out this thorn in the flesh and nail in the eye, and let everyone live in peace.” Seeing that his mother was angry, Xue Pan had already lowered his head.金桂聽了這話，便隔著窗子往外哭道：“你老人家只管賣人，不必說著一個扯著一個的。Hearing this, Jingui wept through the window, “You may sell whomever you please, madam, but there is no need to implicate one person while speaking of another.我們很是那吃醋拈酸容不下人的不成，怎麼‘拔出肉中刺，眼中釘’？Are we really such jealous shrews that we cannot tolerate anyone? Why speak of pulling out ‘a thorn in the flesh and a nail in the eye’?是誰的釘，誰的刺？Whose nail is she, and whose thorn?但凡多嫌著他，也不肯把我的丫頭也收在房里了。”薛姨媽聽說，氣的身戰氣咽道：“這是誰家的規矩？If anyone truly resented her, he would hardly have taken my maid into his room as well.” Hearing this, Aunt Xue trembled and choked with anger. “What family observes rules like these?婆婆這里說話，媳婦隔著窗子拌嘴。The mother-in-law is speaking here, and the daughter-in-law argues back through the window!虧你是舊家人家的女兒！And you call yourself the daughter of a respectable old family!滿嘴里大呼小喊，說的是些什麼！”薛蟠急的跺腳說：“罷喲，罷喲！Shouting and screaming at the top of your voice—what are these things you are saying?” Xue Pan stamped his feet in agitation. “Enough! Enough!看人聽見笑話。”金桂意謂一不作，二不休，越發發潑喊起來了，說：“我不怕人笑話！People will hear and laugh at us.” Jingui decided that she might as well go through with what she had begun, and became more abusive and clamorous than ever. “I am not afraid of people laughing!你的小老婆治我害我，我倒怕人笑話了！Your concubine works spells to harm me, and I am supposed to fear being laughed at!再不然，留下他，就賣了我。If you will not sell her, then keep her and sell me instead.誰還不知道你薛家有錢，行動拿錢墊人，又有好親戚挾制著別人。Who does not know that your Xue family is rich, that you use money at every turn to crush people, and have powerful relatives to bully others?你不趁早施為，還等什麼？If you are going to act against me, why not do it now? What are you waiting for?嫌我不好，誰叫你們瞎了眼，三求四告的跑了我們家作什麼去了！If you think me no good, why were you all so blind as to come begging at our house over and over again?這會子人也來了，金的銀的也賠了，略有個眼睛鼻子的也霸占去了，該擠發我了！”一面哭喊，一面滾揉，自己拍打。Now the bride has come, gold and silver have come with her, and you have seized the one maid who is at all presentable; it is time to drive me out!” As she screamed and wept, she rolled and thrashed about, beating herself.薛蟠急的說又不好，勸又不好，打又不好，央告又不好，只是出入咳聲歎氣，抱怨說運氣不好。Xue Pan was in such a frenzy that he could neither speak nor remonstrate, neither strike her nor plead with her. He merely went in and out sighing and groaning, complaining of his ill fortune.當下薛姨媽早被薛寶釵勸進去了，只命人來賣香菱。By then Baochai had persuaded Aunt Xue to go inside, though Aunt Xue still ordered someone to come and sell Xiangling.寶釵笑道：“咱們家從來只知買人，并不知賣人之說。Baochai smiled. “Our family has always known only how to buy servants, never how to sell them.媽可是氣的胡涂了，倘或叫人聽見，豈不笑話。Mother, you must be beside yourself with anger. If people heard of it, would they not laugh at us?哥哥嫂子嫌他不好，留下我使喚，我正也沒人使呢。”薛姨媽道：“留著他還是淘氣，不如打發了他倒乾淨。”寶釵笑道：“他跟著我也是一樣，橫豎不叫他到前頭去。If Brother and Sister-in-law dislike her, leave her to serve me. I happen to be short of attendants myself.” Aunt Xue said, “Keeping her will only lead to more trouble. It would be cleaner to send her away.” Baochai smiled. “It will be the same if she stays with me; in any case, I shall not let her go to the front apartments.從此斷絕了他那里，也如賣了一般。”香菱早已跑到薛姨媽跟前痛哭哀求，只不願出去，情願跟著姑娘，薛姨媽也只得罷了。Once she has severed all ties with that side, it will be as though she had been sold.” Xiangling had already run to Aunt Xue, weeping bitterly and begging not to be sent away, saying that she was willing to serve Miss Baochai. Aunt Xue had no choice but to let the matter rest.自此以後，香菱果跟隨寶釵去了，把前面路徑竟一心斷絕。From then on Xiangling did indeed go to live with Baochai and resolutely cut herself off from every path leading back to the front apartments.雖然如此，終不免對月傷悲，挑燈自歎。Even so, she could not help grieving beneath the moon and sighing alone beside her lamp.本來怯弱，雖在薛蟠房中幾年，皆由血分中有病，是以并無胎孕。She was frail by nature, and although she had spent several years in Xue Pan’s room, a disorder of the blood had prevented her from ever conceiving.今复加以氣怒傷感，內外折挫不堪，竟釀成干血之症，日漸羸瘦作燒，飲食懶進，請醫診視服藥亦不效驗。Now, in addition, anger, grief, and repeated torments from within and without proved more than she could endure, and developed into a wasting disease of the blood. She grew thinner daily and suffered fevers, had little appetite, and derived no benefit from medical examinations or medicines.那時金桂又吵鬧了數次，氣的薛姨媽母女惟暗自垂淚，怨命而已。During this time Jingui made several more scenes, until Aunt Xue and Baochai could only shed tears in secret and lament their fate.薛蟠雖曾仗著酒膽挺撞過兩三次，持棍欲打，那金桂便遞與他身子隨意叫打，這里持刀欲殺時，便伸與他脖項。Though Xue Pan, emboldened by drink, had defied her two or three times and raised a cudgel to strike her, Jingui would thrust her body toward him and tell him to strike as much as he pleased; when he took up a knife and threatened to kill her, she would stretch out her neck.薛蟠也實不能下手，只得亂鬧了一陣罷了。Xue Pan was genuinely unable to bring himself to do it, so after creating an uproar for a while he had to stop.如今習慣成自然，反使金桂越發長了威風，薛蟠越發軟了氣骨。Habit had now become second nature. Jingui consequently grew more overbearing than ever, while Xue Pan lost still more of his spirit and backbone.雖是香菱猶在，卻亦如不在的一般，雖不能十分暢快，就不覺的礙眼了，且姑置不究。Though Xiangling was still there, it was almost as if she were not. Jingui might not have been wholly satisfied, but Xiangling no longer offended her eye, so for the time being she let the matter drop.如此又漸次尋趁寶蟾。She then gradually began finding occasions to pick on Baochan.寶蟾卻不比香菱的情性，最是個烈火干柴，既和薛蟠情投意合，便把金桂忘在腦後。Baochan’s temperament, however, was quite unlike Xiangling’s. She was dry tinder to a raging fire; once she and Xue Pan had fallen passionately in love, she forgot Jingui entirely.近見金桂又作踐他，他便不肯服低容讓半點。When she lately found Jingui beginning to abuse her as well, she refused to humble herself or yield in the slightest.先是一沖一撞的拌嘴，後來金桂氣急了，甚至于罵，再至于打。At first they merely clashed and quarreled; later, as Jingui grew furious, she went so far as to curse Baochan and then to beat her.他雖不敢還言還手，便大撒潑性，拾頭打滾，尋死覓活，晝則刀剪，夜則繩索，無所不鬧。Though Baochan dared not answer back or strike in return, she would create a tremendous scene, tossing her head, rolling on the ground, and threatening suicide—brandishing knives and scissors by day and ropes by night, and stopping at nothing.薛蟠此時一身難以兩顧，惟徘徊觀望于二者之間，十分鬧的無法，便出門躲在外廂。Unable now to attend to both women at once, Xue Pan could only hover uncertainly between them. When their uproar became altogether unmanageable, he went out and hid in the outer quarters.金桂不發作性氣，有時歡喜，便糾聚人來斗紙牌，擲骰子作樂。When Jingui was not giving vent to her temper and happened to be in good spirits, she would gather people together to play cards and throw dice for amusement.又生平最喜啃骨頭，每日務要殺雞鴨，將肉賞人吃，只單以油炸焦骨頭下酒。All his life he had been especially fond of gnawing bones, and every day he insisted that chickens or ducks be slaughtered; he gave the meat to others and kept only the bones, fried crisp in oil, to go with his wine.吃的不奈煩或動了氣，便肆行海罵，說：“有別的忘八粉頭樂的，我為什麼不樂！”薛家母女總不去理他。If the food displeased him, or if something provoked his temper, he would let loose a torrent of abuse: “There are other cuckolds and whoresons enjoying themselves—why shouldn’t I?” The Xue mother and daughter simply ignored him.薛蟠亦無別法，惟日夜悔恨不該娶這攪家星罷了，都是一時沒了主意。Xue Pan had no other recourse; day and night he merely regretted having married this star of domestic discord, all because he had lost his head for a moment.于是宁榮二宅之人，上上下下，無有不知，無有不歎者。Thus everyone in the Ning and Rong mansions, high and low alike, knew of it, and all sighed over it.

半月光景，忽又装起病来，只说心疼难忍，四肢不能转动。请医疗治不效，众人都说是香菱气的。闹了两日，忽又从金桂的枕头内抖出纸人来，上面写著金桂的年庚八字，有五根针钉在心窝并四肢骨节等处。于是众人反乱起来，当作新闻，先报与薛姨妈。薛姨妈先忙手忙脚的，薛蟠自然更乱起来，立刻要拷打众人。金桂笑道：“何必冤枉众人，大约是宝蟾的镇魇法儿。”薛蟠道：“他这些时并没有多空儿在你房里，何苦赖好人。”金桂冷笑道：“除了他还有谁，莫不是我自己不成！虽有别人，谁可敢进我的房呢。”薛蟠道：“香菱如今是天天跟著你，他自然知道，先拷问他就知道了。”金桂冷笑道：“拷问谁，谁肯认？依我说竟装个不知道，大家丢开手罢了。横竖治死我也没什么要紧，乐得再娶好的。若据良心上说，左不过你三个多嫌我一个。”说著，一面痛哭起来。薛蟠更被这一席话激怒，顺手抓起一根门闩来，一径抢步找著香菱，不容分说便劈头劈面打起来，一口咬定是香菱所施。香菱叫屈，薛姨妈跑来禁喝说：“不问明白，你就打起人来了。这丫头伏侍了你这几年，那一点不周到，不尽心？他岂肯如今作这没良心的事！你且问个清浑皂白，再动粗卤。”金桂听见他婆婆如此说著，怕薛蟠耳软心活，便益发嚎啕大哭起来，一面又哭喊说：“这半个多月把我的宝蟾霸占了去，不容他进我的房，唯有秋菱跟著我睡。我要拷问宝蟾，你又护到头里。你这会子又赌气打他去。治死我，再拣富贵的标致的娶来就是了，何苦作出这些把戏来！”薛蟠听了这些话，越发著了急。薛姨妈听见金桂句句挟制著儿子，百般恶赖的样子，十分可恨。无奈儿子偏不硬气，已是被他挟制软惯了。如今又勾搭上了丫头，被他说霸占了去，他自己反要占温柔让夫之礼。这魇魔法究竟不知谁作的，实是俗语说的”清官难断家务事”，此事正是公婆难断床帏事了。因此无法，只得赌气喝骂薛蟠说：“不争气的孽障！骚狗也比你体面些！谁知你三不知的把陪房丫头也摸索上了，叫老婆说嘴霸占了丫头，什么脸出去见人！也不知谁使的法子，也不问青红皂白，好歹就打人。我知道你是个得新弃旧的东西，白辜负了我当日的心。他既不好，你也不许打，我立即叫人牙子来卖了他，你就心净了。”说著，命香菱”收拾了东西跟我来”，一面叫人去，”快叫个人牙子来，多少卖几两银子，拔去肉中刺，眼中钉，大家过太平日子。”薛蟠见母亲动了气，早也低下头了。金桂听了这话，便隔著窗子往外哭道：“你老人家只管卖人，不必说著一个扯著一个的。我们很是那吃醋拈酸容不下人的不成，怎么‘拔出肉中刺，眼中钉’？是谁的钉，谁的刺？但凡多嫌著他，也不肯把我的丫头也收在房里了。”薛姨妈听说，气的身战气咽道：“这是谁家的规矩？婆婆这里说话，媳妇隔著窗子拌嘴。亏你是旧家人家的女儿！满嘴里大呼小喊，说的是些什么！”薛蟠急的跺脚说：“罢哟，罢哟！看人听见笑话。”金桂意谓一不作，二不休，越发发泼喊起来了，说：“我不怕人笑话！你的小老婆治我害我，我倒怕人笑话了！再不然，留下他，就卖了我。谁还不知道你薛家有钱，行动拿钱垫人，又有好亲戚挟制著别人。你不趁早施为，还等什么？嫌我不好，谁叫你们瞎了眼，三求四告的跑了我们家作什么去了！这会子人也来了，金的银的也赔了，略有个眼睛鼻子的也霸占去了，该挤发我了！”一面哭喊，一面滚揉，自己拍打。薛蟠急的说又不好，劝又不好，打又不好，央告又不好，只是出入咳声叹气，抱怨说运气不好。当下薛姨妈早被薛宝钗劝进去了，只命人来卖香菱。宝钗笑道：“咱们家从来只知买人，并不知卖人之说。妈可是气的胡涂了，倘或叫人听见，岂不笑话。哥哥嫂子嫌他不好，留下我使唤，我正也没人使呢。”薛姨妈道：“留著他还是淘气，不如打发了他倒干净。”宝钗笑道：“他跟著我也是一样，横竖不叫他到前头去。从此断绝了他那里，也如卖了一般。”香菱早已跑到薛姨妈跟前痛哭哀求，只不愿出去，情愿跟著姑娘，薛姨妈也只得罢了。自此以后，香菱果跟随宝钗去了，把前面路径竟一心断绝。虽然如此，终不免对月伤悲，挑灯自叹。本来怯弱，虽在薛蟠房中几年，皆由血分中有病，是以并无胎孕。今复加以气怒伤感，内外折挫不堪，竟酿成干血之症，日渐羸瘦作烧，饮食懒进，请医诊视服药亦不效验。那时金桂又吵闹了数次，气的薛姨妈母女惟暗自垂泪，怨命而已。薛蟠虽曾仗著酒胆挺撞过两三次，持棍欲打，那金桂便递与他身子随意叫打，这里持刀欲杀时，便伸与他脖项。薛蟠也实不能下手，只得乱闹了一阵罢了。如今习惯成自然，反使金桂越发长了威风，薛蟠越发软了气骨。虽是香菱犹在，却亦如不在的一般，虽不能十分畅快，就不觉的碍眼了，且姑置不究。如此又渐次寻趁宝蟾。宝蟾却不比香菱的情性，最是个烈火干柴，既和薛蟠情投意合，便把金桂忘在脑后。近见金桂又作践他，他便不肯服低容让半点。先是一冲一撞的拌嘴，后来金桂气急了，甚至于骂，再至于打。他虽不敢还言还手，便大撒泼性，拾头打滚，寻死觅活，昼则刀剪，夜则绳索，无所不闹。薛蟠此时一身难以两顾，惟徘徊观望于二者之间，十分闹的无法，便出门躲在外厢。金桂不发作性气，有时欢喜，便纠聚人来斗纸牌，掷骰子作乐。又生平最喜啃骨头，每日务要杀鸡鸭，将肉赏人吃，只单以油炸焦骨头下酒。吃的不奈烦或动了气，便肆行海骂，说：“有别的忘八粉头乐的，我为什么不乐！”薛家母女总不去理他。薛蟠亦无别法，惟日夜悔恨不该娶这搅家星罢了，都是一时没了主意。于是宁荣二宅之人，上上下下，无有不知，无有不叹者。

此時寶玉已過了百日，出門行走。By this time the hundred days had passed for Baoyu, and he was going out again.亦曾過來見過金桂，“舉止形容也不怪厲，一般是鮮花嫩柳，與眾姊妹不差上下的人，焉得這等樣情性，可為奇之至极。”因此心下納悶。He too had come to see Jingui, and thought, “There is nothing fierce or strange in her appearance or bearing; she is as fresh as blossom and tender willow, in no way inferior to the other girls. How can she possess such a disposition? It is extraordinary in the extreme.” This left him greatly puzzled.這日與王夫人請安去，又正遇見迎春奶娘來家請安，說起孫紹祖甚屬不端，“姑娘惟有背地里淌眼抹淚的，只要接了來家散誕兩日。”王夫人因說：“我正要這兩日接他去，只因七事八事的都不遂心，所以就忘了。One day, when he went to pay his respects to Lady Wang, he happened to meet Yingchun’s nurse, who had come to call upon the family. She spoke of Sun Shaozu’s gross misconduct: “The young mistress can do nothing but weep in secret, and only wishes to be brought home for a couple of carefree days.” Lady Wang said, “I have been meaning to send for her these last few days, but one vexation after another has driven it from my mind.前兒寶玉去了，回來也曾說過的。Baoyu went there the other day and mentioned it when he came back.明日是個好日子，就接去。”正說著，賈母打發人來找寶玉，說：“明兒一早往天齊廟還願。”寶玉如今巴不得各處去逛逛，聽見如此，喜的一夜不曾合眼，盼明不明的。Tomorrow is an auspicious day, so we shall fetch her then.” As she spoke, Grandmother Jia sent someone to summon Baoyu, saying, “Early tomorrow morning you are to go to the Temple of the God of Mount Tai to redeem a vow.” Baoyu now longed for any chance to go sightseeing; delighted by this news, he did not close his eyes all night, waiting impatiently for dawn.

此时宝玉已过了百日，出门行走。亦曾过来见过金桂，“举止形容也不怪厉，一般是鲜花嫩柳，与众姊妹不差上下的人，焉得这等样情性，可为奇之至极。”因此心下纳闷。这日与王夫人请安去，又正遇见迎春奶娘来家请安，说起孙绍祖甚属不端，“姑娘惟有背地里淌眼抹泪的，只要接了来家散诞两日。”王夫人因说：“我正要这两日接他去，只因七事八事的都不遂心，所以就忘了。前儿宝玉去了，回来也曾说过的。明日是个好日子，就接去。”正说著，贾母打发人来找宝玉，说：“明儿一早往天齐庙还愿。”宝玉如今巴不得各处去逛逛，听见如此，喜的一夜不曾合眼，盼明不明的。

次日一早，梳洗穿帶已畢，隨了兩三個老嬤嬤坐車出西城門外天齊廟來燒香還願。Early the next morning, when he had finished washing, dressing, and putting on his ornaments, he rode in a carriage with two or three old matrons out through the western gate to the Temple of the God of Mount Tai, there to burn incense and redeem the vow.這廟里已是昨日預備停妥的。Everything at the temple had been made ready the day before.寶玉天生性怯，不敢近猙獰神鬼之像。Baoyu was timid by nature and dared not go near the ferocious images of gods and demons.這天齊廟本系前朝所修，极其宏壯。The Temple of the God of Mount Tai had originally been built under the previous dynasty and was exceedingly grand.如今年深歲久，又极其荒涼。But after so many years it had become exceedingly desolate.里面泥胎塑像皆极其凶惡，是以忙忙的焚過紙馬錢糧，便退至道院歇息。The clay images within were all extremely savage in appearance, so he hurriedly burned the paper horses and spirit money, then withdrew to the Daoist quarters to rest.一時吃過飯，眾嬤嬤和李貴等人圍隨寶玉到處散誕頑耍了一回。After the meal, the matrons, Li Gui, and the others clustered around Baoyu and accompanied him as he wandered about amusing himself for a while.寶玉困倦，复回至靜室安歇。When Baoyu grew weary, he returned to a quiet room to rest.眾嬤嬤生恐他睡著了，便請當家的老王道士來陪他說話兒。Afraid that he might fall asleep, the matrons invited old Daoist Wang, the man in charge, to come and keep him talking.這老王道士專意在江湖上賣藥，弄些海上方治人射利，這廟外現挂著招牌，丸散膏丹，色色俱備，亦長在宁榮兩宅走動熟慣，都與他起了個渾號，喚他作”王一貼”，言他的膏藥靈驗，只一貼百病皆除之意。This old Daoist Wang made a special business of traveling about selling medicines and concocting exotic secret remedies with which he treated people for profit. Outside the temple hung his signboard, and he stocked pills, powders, plasters, and elixirs of every kind. He was also a familiar visitor at both the Ning and Rong mansions, where they had given him the nickname “Wang One-Plaster,” meaning that his plasters were so efficacious that a single application cured every illness.當下王一貼進來，寶玉正歪在炕上想睡，李貴等正說”哥兒別睡著了”，廝混著。Wang One-Plaster now came in. Baoyu was reclining on the kang, about to doze off, while Li Gui and the others were teasing him and saying, “Don’t fall asleep, young master.”看見王一貼進來，都笑道：“來的好，來的好。When they saw Wang One-Plaster enter, they all laughed and cried, “You have come at just the right time!王師父，你极會說古記的，說一個與我們小爺聽聽。”王一貼笑道：“正是呢。Master Wang, you are wonderfully good at telling old tales; tell one for our young master.” Wang One-Plaster laughed. “Just so.哥兒別睡，仔細肚里面筋作怪。”說著，滿屋里人都笑了。Don’t sleep, young master, or the sinews in your belly may start misbehaving.” At this, everyone in the room burst out laughing.寶玉也笑著起身整衣。Baoyu laughed too, sat up, and straightened his clothes.王一貼喝命徒弟們快泡好釅茶來。Wang One-Plaster loudly ordered his apprentices to brew some good strong tea at once.茗煙道：“我們爺不吃你的茶，連這屋里坐著還嫌膏藥氣息呢。”王一貼笑道：“沒當家花花的，膏藥從不拿進這屋里來的。Mingyan said, “Our master will not drink your tea; even sitting in this room, he finds the smell of plasters offensive.” Wang One-Plaster laughed. “Don’t be silly, young fellow; no plasters are ever brought into this room.知道哥兒今日必來，頭三五天就拿香熏了又熏的。”寶玉道：“可是呢，天天只聽見你的膏藥好，到底治什麼病？”王一貼道：“哥兒若問我的膏藥，說來話長，其中細理，一言難盡。Knowing the young master was sure to come today, we began fumigating it with incense three or five days ago.” Baoyu said, “Indeed. Every day I hear how excellent your plasters are, but what ailments do they actually cure?” Wang One-Plaster replied, “If you ask about my plasters, young master, it is a long story; their subtle principles cannot be exhausted in a few words.共藥一百二十味，君臣相際，賓客得宜，溫涼兼用，貴賤殊方。They contain altogether one hundred and twenty ingredients: sovereign and minister support one another, host and guest are properly matched, warming and cooling drugs are used together, and different prescriptions suit rich and poor.內則調元補氣，開胃口，養榮衛，宁神安志，去寒去暑，化食化痰，外則和血脈，舒筋絡，出死肌，生新肉，去風散毒。Internally they restore the vital principle and replenish the qi, stimulate the appetite, nourish the nutritive and defensive energies, calm the spirit and settle the mind, dispel cold and heat, and digest food and phlegm; externally they harmonize the blood vessels, relax the sinews and channels, remove dead flesh, generate new tissue, expel wind, and disperse toxins.其效如神，貼過的便知。”寶玉道：“我不信一張膏藥就治這些病。Their effect is miraculous—anyone who has used one knows.” Baoyu said, “I do not believe that a single plaster can cure all these ailments.我且問你，倒有一种病可也貼的好么？”王一貼道：“百病千災，無不立效。Let me ask you: there is one particular illness—can your plaster cure that too?” Wang One-Plaster replied, “Of a hundred illnesses and a thousand afflictions, there is not one on which it does not take immediate effect.若不見效，哥兒只管揪著胡子打我這老臉，拆我這廟何如？If it fails, young master, you may seize me by the beard and slap this old face, or tear down my temple—what do you say?只說出病源來。”寶玉笑道：“你猜，若你猜的著，便貼的好了。”王一貼聽了，尋思一會，笑道：“這倒難猜，只怕膏藥有些不靈了。”寶玉命李貴等：“你們且出去散散。Only tell me the source of the complaint.” Baoyu laughed. “You must guess. If you can guess it, then you can cure it.” Wang One-Plaster pondered for a while, then laughed. “That is difficult to guess. I fear my plaster may not be so efficacious after all.” Baoyu ordered Li Gui and the others, “Go out and amuse yourselves for a while.這屋里人多，越發蒸臭了。”李貴等聽說，且都出去自便，只留下茗煙一人。With so many people in here, the room only grows hotter and smellier.” At this, Li Gui and the rest went out to do as they pleased, leaving Mingyan alone behind.這茗煙手內點著一枝夢甜香，寶玉命他坐在身旁，卻倚在他身上。Mingyan held a lighted stick of Sweet-Dream incense in his hand; Baoyu told him to sit beside him, then leaned against him.王一貼心有所動，便笑嘻嘻走近前來，悄悄的說道：“我可猜著了。Something stirred in Wang One-Plaster’s mind; grinning, he drew near and whispered, “I think I have guessed it.想是哥兒如今有了房中的事情，要滋助的藥，可是不是？”話猶未完，茗煙先喝道：“該死，打嘴！”寶玉猶未解，忙問：“他說什麼？”茗煙道：“信他胡說。”唬的王一貼不敢再問，只說：“哥兒明說了罷。”寶玉道：“我問你，可有貼女人的妒病方子沒有？”王一貼聽說，拍手笑道：“這可罷了。I suppose that now the young master has begun affairs of the bedchamber, you want some strengthening medicine—is that not so?” Before he had finished, Mingyan shouted, “Damn you! Slap your mouth!” Baoyu, still not understanding, hurriedly asked, “What did he say?” Mingyan replied, “Pay no heed to his nonsense.” Wang One-Plaster was so frightened that he dared ask no more and merely said, “Then tell me plainly, young master.” Baoyu said, “I want to know whether you have a prescription to cure a woman’s jealousy.” Wang One-Plaster clapped his hands and laughed. “That defeats me.不但說沒有方子，就是聽也沒有聽見過。”寶玉笑道：“這樣還算不得什麼。”王一貼又忙道：“貼妒的膏藥倒沒經過，倒有一种湯藥或者可醫，只是慢些兒，不能立竿見影的效驗。”寶玉道：“什麼湯藥，怎麼吃法？”王一貼道：“這叫做‘療妒湯’：用极好的秋梨一個，二錢冰糖，一錢陳皮，水三碗，梨熟為度，每日清早吃這麼一個梨，吃來吃去就好了。”寶玉道：“這也不值什麼，只怕未必見效。”王一貼道：“一劑不效吃十劑，今日不效明日再吃，今年不效吃到明年。Not only have I no prescription—I have never even heard of one.” Baoyu laughed. “Then you are not much of a doctor.” Wang One-Plaster hastily added, “I have never encountered a plaster for jealousy, but there is a decoction that might cure it; only it works slowly and cannot produce an immediate effect.” Baoyu asked, “What decoction is it, and how is it taken?” Wang One-Plaster replied, “It is called ‘Jealousy-Curing Decoction.’ Take one excellent autumn pear, two qian of rock sugar, one qian of dried tangerine peel, and three bowls of water; cook until the pear is done. Eat one such pear every morning, and after eating them day after day, you will be cured.” Baoyu said, “That is nothing much, but I doubt it will work.” Wang One-Plaster replied, “If one dose does not work, take ten; if it does not work today, take it again tomorrow; if it does not work this year, keep taking it until next year.橫豎這三味藥都是潤肺開胃不傷人的，甜絲絲的，又止咳嗽，又好吃。In any case, all three ingredients moisten the lungs and stimulate the appetite without harming anyone; the mixture is sweet, checks coughs, and tastes good besides.吃過一百歲，人橫豎是要死的，死了還妒什麼！Keep taking it past the age of a hundred; sooner or later a person must die, and once dead, what jealousy can remain?那時就見效了。”說著，寶玉茗煙都大笑不止，罵”油嘴的牛頭”。Then the cure will have taken effect.” At this, Baoyu and Mingyan laughed without stopping and called him a “glib-tongued ox-headed demon.”王一貼笑道：“不過是閒著解午盹罷了，有什麼關系。Wang One-Plaster laughed. “It was only a little diversion to drive away the midday drowsiness; what harm is there in that?說笑了你們就值錢。If I can make you laugh, that alone makes me worth something.實告你們說，連膏藥也是假的。To tell you the truth, even my plasters are fakes.我有真藥，我還吃了作神仙呢。If I possessed real medicine, I would have taken it myself and become an immortal.有真的，跑到這里來混？”正說著，吉時已到，請寶玉出去焚化錢糧散福。If genuine medicine existed, would I have come here to scrape a living?” As he spoke, the auspicious hour arrived, and Baoyu was invited outside to burn the spirit money and distribute the consecrated offerings.功課完畢，方進城回家。Only when the rites were completed did he return home within the city.

次日一早，梳洗穿带已毕，随了两三个老嬷嬷坐车出西城门外天齐庙来烧香还愿。这庙里已是昨日预备停妥的。宝玉天生性怯，不敢近狰狞神鬼之像。这天齐庙本系前朝所修，极其宏壮。如今年深岁久，又极其荒凉。里面泥胎塑像皆极其凶恶，是以忙忙的焚过纸马钱粮，便退至道院歇息。一时吃过饭，众嬷嬷和李贵等人围随宝玉到处散诞顽耍了一回。宝玉困倦，复回至静室安歇。众嬷嬷生恐他睡著了，便请当家的老王道士来陪他说话儿。这老王道士专意在江湖上卖药，弄些海上方治人射利，这庙外现挂著招牌，丸散膏丹，色色俱备，亦长在宁荣两宅走动熟惯，都与他起了个浑号，唤他作”王一贴”，言他的膏药灵验，只一贴百病皆除之意。当下王一贴进来，宝玉正歪在炕上想睡，李贵等正说”哥儿别睡著了”，厮混著。看见王一贴进来，都笑道：“来的好，来的好。王师父，你极会说古记的，说一个与我们小爷听听。”王一贴笑道：“正是呢。哥儿别睡，仔细肚里面筋作怪。”说著，满屋里人都笑了。宝玉也笑著起身整衣。王一贴喝命徒弟们快泡好酽茶来。茗烟道：“我们爷不吃你的茶，连这屋里坐著还嫌膏药气息呢。”王一贴笑道：“没当家花花的，膏药从不拿进这屋里来的。知道哥儿今日必来，头三五天就拿香熏了又熏的。”宝玉道：“可是呢，天天只听见你的膏药好，到底治什么病？”王一贴道：“哥儿若问我的膏药，说来话长，其中细理，一言难尽。共药一百二十味，君臣相际，宾客得宜，温凉兼用，贵贱殊方。内则调元补气，开胃口，养荣卫，宁神安志，去寒去暑，化食化痰，外则和血脉，舒筋络，出死肌，生新肉，去风散毒。其效如神，贴过的便知。”宝玉道：“我不信一张膏药就治这些病。我且问你，倒有一种病可也贴的好么？”王一贴道：“百病千灾，无不立效。若不见效，哥儿只管揪著胡子打我这老脸，拆我这庙何如？只说出病源来。”宝玉笑道：“你猜，若你猜的著，便贴的好了。”王一贴听了，寻思一会，笑道：“这倒难猜，只怕膏药有些不灵了。”宝玉命李贵等：“你们且出去散散。这屋里人多，越发蒸臭了。”李贵等听说，且都出去自便，只留下茗烟一人。这茗烟手内点著一枝梦甜香，宝玉命他坐在身旁，却倚在他身上。王一贴心有所动，便笑嘻嘻走近前来，悄悄的说道：“我可猜著了。想是哥儿如今有了房中的事情，要滋助的药，可是不是？”话犹未完，茗烟先喝道：“该死，打嘴！”宝玉犹未解，忙问：“他说什么？”茗烟道：“信他胡说。”唬的王一贴不敢再问，只说：“哥儿明说了罢。”宝玉道：“我问你，可有贴女人的妒病方子没有？”王一贴听说，拍手笑道：“这可罢了。不但说没有方子，就是听也没有听见过。”宝玉笑道：“这样还算不得什么。”王一贴又忙道：“贴妒的膏药倒没经过，倒有一种汤药或者可医，只是慢些儿，不能立竿见影的效验。”宝玉道：“什么汤药，怎么吃法？”王一贴道：“这叫做‘疗妒汤’：用极好的秋梨一个，二钱冰糖，一钱陈皮，水三碗，梨熟为度，每日清早吃这么一个梨，吃来吃去就好了。”宝玉道：“这也不值什么，只怕未必见效。”王一贴道：“一剂不效吃十剂，今日不效明日再吃，今年不效吃到明年。横竖这三味药都是润肺开胃不伤人的，甜丝丝的，又止咳嗽，又好吃。吃过一百岁，人横竖是要死的，死了还妒什么！那时就见效了。”说著，宝玉茗烟都大笑不止，骂”油嘴的牛头”。王一贴笑道：“不过是闲著解午盹罢了，有什么关系。说笑了你们就值钱。实告你们说，连膏药也是假的。我有真药，我还吃了作神仙呢。有真的，跑到这里来混？”正说著，吉时已到，请宝玉出去焚化钱粮散福。功课完毕，方进城回家。

那時迎春已來家好半日，孫家的婆娘媳婦等人已待過晚飯，打發回家去了。By then Yingchun had been home for half the day, and the matrons, married servants, and others from the Sun household had been given supper and sent back.迎春方哭哭啼啼的在王夫人房中訴委曲，說孫紹祖”一味好色，好賭酗酒，家中所有的媳婦丫頭將及淫遍。Yingchun was now sobbing out her grievances in Lady Wang’s room, saying that Sun Shaozu “does nothing but chase women, gamble, and drink to excess; he has violated nearly every married servant and maid in the household.略勸過兩三次，便罵我是‘醋汁子老婆擰出來的’。When I ventured to remonstrate with him two or three times, he cursed me as ‘a wife wrung out of a vat of vinegar.’又說老爺曾收著他五千銀子，不該使了他的。He also said that Father had once accepted five thousand taels of silver from him and ought not to have spent it.如今他來要了兩三次不得，他便指著我的臉說道：‘你別和我充夫人娘子，你老子使了我五千銀子，把你准折買給我的。Now he has demanded repayment two or three times without success, so he pointed in my face and said, ‘Don’t put on the airs of a fine lady with me. Your father spent five thousand taels of my silver and practically sold you to me in settlement.好不好，打一頓攆在下房里睡去。If you displease me, I’ll beat you and drive you off to sleep in the servants’ quarters.當日有你爺爺在時，希圖上我們的富貴，赶著相與的。When your grandfather was alive, he coveted our wealth and influence and eagerly sought our friendship.論理我和你父親是一輩，如今強壓我的頭，賣了一輩。Properly speaking, your father and I belong to the same generation, yet now he has forced himself above me and gained a generation in rank by selling you to me.又不該作了這門親，倒沒的叫人看著赶勢利似的。’”一行說，一行哭的嗚嗚咽咽，連王夫人并眾姊妹無不落淚。He ought never to have made this match at all; it only makes people think I was currying favor with the powerful.’” As she spoke she wept brokenly, until Lady Wang and all the girls were shedding tears.王夫人只得用言語解勸說：“已是遇見了這不曉事的人，可怎麼樣呢。Lady Wang could only comfort her, saying, “Now that you have fallen in with such an unreasonable man, what can be done?想當日你叔叔也曾勸過大老爺，不叫作這門親的。I remember that your uncle tried to dissuade your father from making this match.大老爺執意不聽，一心情願，到底作不好了。But your father stubbornly refused to listen and was bent upon it; in the end, it has turned out badly.我的兒，這也是你的命。”迎春哭道：“我不信我的命就這麼不好！My child, this too is your fate.” Yingchun wept. “I cannot believe my fate can be so wretched!從小兒沒了娘，幸而過嬸子這邊過了幾年心淨日子，如今偏又是這麼個結果！”王夫人一面勸解，一面問他隨意要在那里安歇。I lost my mother when I was little, but fortunately I spent several peaceful years here with you, Aunt; and now it must end like this!” While consoling her, Lady Wang asked where she wished to lodge during her stay.迎春道：“乍乍的離了姊妹們，只是眠思夢想。Yingchun replied, “Having so suddenly left my sisters, I think and dream of them constantly.二則還記挂著我的屋子，還得在園里舊房子里住得三五天，死也甘心了。Besides, I still long for my old rooms; if I could stay in my former quarters in the Garden for three or five days, I should be content even to die.不知下次還可能得住不得住了呢！”王夫人忙勸道：“快休亂說。Who knows whether I shall ever be able to stay there again?” Lady Wang hastily admonished her, “You must not talk such nonsense.不過年輕的夫妻們，閒牙斗齒，亦是萬萬人之常事，何必說這喪話。”仍命人忙忙的收拾紫菱洲房屋，命姊妹們陪伴著解釋，又吩咐寶玉：“不許在老太太跟前走漏一些風聲，倘或老太太知道了這些事，都是你說的。”寶玉唯唯的聽命。Young husbands and wives exchanging idle taunts is the common lot of countless people; why speak such words of ill omen?” She at once ordered the rooms at Purple Caltrop Isle to be put in order, told the girls to keep Yingchun company and console her, and instructed Baoyu, “You must not breathe a word of this before the Old Lady. If she hears of any of it, I shall know that you told her.” Baoyu obediently assented.迎春是夕仍在舊館安歇。That evening Yingchun again slept in her former residence.眾姊妹等更加親熱异常。All the girls showed her exceptional warmth and affection.一連住了三日，才往邢夫人那邊去。After staying there for three days, she finally went over to Lady Xing’s quarters.先辭過賈母及王夫人，然後與眾姊妹分別，更皆悲傷不舍。She first took leave of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, then parted from all the girls, and everyone was still more sorrowful and reluctant to let her go.還是王夫人薛姨媽等安慰勸釋，方止住了過那邊去。Only after Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, and the others had comforted and reasoned with them did their grief subside enough for Yingchun to go across.又在邢夫人處住了兩日，就有孫紹祖的人來接去。After she had stayed two days with Lady Xing, people from Sun Shaozu’s household came to fetch her.迎春雖不願去，無奈懼孫紹祖之惡，只得勉強忍情作辭了。Though Yingchun did not wish to go, she feared Sun Shaozu’s cruelty and had no choice but to suppress her feelings, force herself to take leave, and depart.邢夫人本不在意，也不問其夫妻和睦，家務煩難，只面情塞責而已。Lady Xing had never truly cared; she neither inquired whether husband and wife lived harmoniously nor concerned herself with Yingchun’s domestic troubles, but merely made a show of courtesy to discharge her obligation.終不知端的，且聽下回分解。What finally came of it remains unknown; listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

那时迎春已来家好半日，孙家的婆娘媳妇等人已待过晚饭，打发回家去了。迎春方哭哭啼啼的在王夫人房中诉委曲，说孙绍祖”一味好色，好赌酗酒，家中所有的媳妇丫头将及淫遍。略劝过两三次，便骂我是‘醋汁子老婆拧出来的’。又说老爷曾收著他五千银子，不该使了他的。如今他来要了两三次不得，他便指著我的脸说道：‘你别和我充夫人娘子，你老子使了我五千银子，把你准折买给我的。好不好，打一顿撵在下房里睡去。当日有你爷爷在时，希图上我们的富贵，赶著相与的。论理我和你父亲是一辈，如今强压我的头，卖了一辈。又不该作了这门亲，倒没的叫人看著赶势利似的。’”一行说，一行哭的呜呜咽咽，连王夫人并众姊妹无不落泪。王夫人只得用言语解劝说：“已是遇见了这不晓事的人，可怎么样呢。想当日你叔叔也曾劝过大老爷，不叫作这门亲的。大老爷执意不听，一心情愿，到底作不好了。我的儿，这也是你的命。”迎春哭道：“我不信我的命就这么不好！从小儿没了娘，幸而过婶子这边过了几年心净日子，如今偏又是这么个结果！”王夫人一面劝解，一面问他随意要在那里安歇。迎春道：“乍乍的离了姊妹们，只是眠思梦想。二则还记挂著我的屋子，还得在园里旧房子里住得三五天，死也甘心了。不知下次还可能得住不得住了呢！”王夫人忙劝道：“快休乱说。不过年轻的夫妻们，闲牙斗齿，亦是万万人之常事，何必说这丧话。”仍命人忙忙的收拾紫菱洲房屋，命姊妹们陪伴著解释，又吩咐宝玉：“不许在老太太跟前走漏一些风声，倘或老太太知道了这些事，都是你说的。”宝玉唯唯的听命。迎春是夕仍在旧馆安歇。众姊妹等更加亲热异常。一连住了三日，才往邢夫人那边去。先辞过贾母及王夫人，然后与众姊妹分别，更皆悲伤不舍。还是王夫人薛姨妈等安慰劝释，方止住了过那边去。又在邢夫人处住了两日，就有孙绍祖的人来接去。迎春虽不愿去，无奈惧孙绍祖之恶，只得勉强忍情作辞了。邢夫人本不在意，也不问其夫妻和睦，家务烦难，只面情塞责而已。终不知端的，且听下回分解。

注释Notes

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