第九回　　　戀風流情友入家塾　起嫌疑頑童鬧學堂 A Romantic Friend Enters the Family School; Naughty Boys Stir Up Trouble in the Classroom

話說秦業父子專候賈家的人來送上學擇日之信。The story goes that Qin Ye and his son were waiting expressly for someone from the Jia family to come with word of the date chosen for school to begin.原來寶玉急于要和秦鐘相遇，卻顧不得別的，遂擇了後日一定上學。”後日一早請秦相公到我這里，會齊了，一同前去。”打發了人送了信。As it happened, Baoyu was so eager to meet with Qin Zhong that he gave no thought to anything else, and so fixed on the day after next for school to begin without fail. "The day after next, early in the morning, please have Master Qin come to my place, so we can meet up and go together," he said, and sent someone off with the message.

话说秦业父子专候贾家的人来送上学择日之信。原来宝玉急于要和秦钟相遇，却顾不得别的，遂择了后日一定上学。”后日一早请秦相公到我这里，会齐了，一同前去。”打发了人送了信。

至是日一早，寶玉起來時，襲人早已把書筆文物包好，收拾的停停妥妥，坐在床沿上發悶。When that day came and Baoyu rose early in the morning, Xiren had already wrapped up his books, brushes, and other things, packed everything up neatly, and was sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in gloomy thought.見寶玉醒來，只得伏侍他梳洗。Seeing that Baoyu had woken, she had no choice but to attend him as he washed and combed his hair.寶玉見他悶悶的，因笑問道：“好姐姐，你怎麼又不自在了？Baoyu, noticing how downcast she looked, asked her with a smile, "Dear sister, why are you out of sorts again?難道怪我上學去丟的你們冷清了不成？”襲人笑道：“這是那里話。Surely you're not blaming me for leaving you all lonesome by going off to school?" Xiren said with a smile, "What kind of talk is that?讀書是极好的事，不然就潦倒一輩子，終久怎麼樣呢。Studying is an excellent thing; otherwise you'd drift through life shiftless, and where would that end up?但只一件：只是念書的時節想著書，不念的時節想著家些。There's just one thing: when you're reading, keep your mind on your books, and when you're not reading, think a bit of home.別和他們一處頑鬧，碰見老爺不是頑的。Don't go romping about with the others there — running into the Master is no laughing matter.雖說是奮志要強，那工課宁可少些，一則貪多嚼不爛，二則身子也要保重。Although you should apply yourself and strive to do well, it's better to take on somewhat less schoolwork — for one thing, biting off more than you can chew does no good, and for another, you must take care of your health.這就是我的意思，你可要体諒。”襲人說一句，寶玉應一句。That's all I mean to say — I hope you'll bear it in mind." To each thing Xiren said, Baoyu gave his assent.襲人又道：“大毛衣服我也包好了，交出給小子們去了。Xiren went on, "I've packed up your heavy fur garments too, and handed them over to the boys.學里冷，好歹想著添換，比不得家里有人照顧。It's cold at school, so be sure to remember to put on more when needed — it's not like at home, where there's someone to look after you.腳爐手爐的炭也交出去了，你可著他們添。I've also sent along the charcoal for your foot-warmer and hand-warmer — you must tell them to refill it.那一起懶賊，你不說，他們樂得不動，白凍坏了你。”寶玉道：“你放心，出外頭我自己都會調停的。That bunch of lazy rascals — if you don't say something, they're only too glad to sit idle, and you'll be frozen through for nothing." Baoyu said, "Don't worry, once I'm out there I can manage all this myself.你們也別悶死在這屋里，長和林妹妹一處去頑笑著才好。”說著，俱已穿戴齊備，襲人催他去見賈母，賈政，王夫人等。And you mustn't mope yourselves to death shut up in this room either — it would be better if you went often to laugh and play with Cousin Lin." By the time he finished speaking he was fully dressed, and Xiren urged him to go pay his respects to Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and the others.寶玉又去囑咐了晴雯麝月等幾句，方出來見賈母。Baoyu also went and gave a few instructions to Qingwen, Sheyue, and the others before finally coming out to see Grandmother Jia.賈母也未免有幾句囑咐的話。Grandmother Jia, too, naturally had a few words of instruction for him.然後去見王夫人，又出來書房中見賈政。He then went to see Lady Wang, and afterward went out to the study to see Jia Zheng.偏生這日賈政回家早些，正在書房中與相公清客們閒談。As luck would have it, Jia Zheng had come home earlier than usual that day, and was in the study chatting idly with his secretaries and hangers-on.忽見寶玉進來請安，回說上學里去，賈政冷笑道：“你如果再提‘上學’兩個字，連我也羞死了。When he suddenly saw Baoyu come in to pay respects and report that he was off to school, Jia Zheng gave a cold laugh and said, "If you mention those two words 'going to school' again, you'll shame even me to death.依我的話，你竟頑你的去是正理。By my reckoning, you'd do just as well to go off and play instead — that would be the more honest course.仔細站髒了我這地，靠髒了我的門！”眾清客相公們都早起身笑道：“老世翁何必又如此。Mind you don't dirty my floor standing there, or dirty my door leaning against it!" At this all the hangers-on had already risen to their feet, saying with a laugh, "Old Sir, why must you talk so?今日世兄一去，三二年就可顯身成名的了，斷不似往年仍作小兒之態了。Once our young friend goes off today, in two or three years he'll surely make a name for himself, and will certainly no longer carry on in his old childish ways.天也將飯時，世兄竟快請罷。”說著便有兩個年老的攜了寶玉出去。And besides, it's nearly mealtime — our young friend had best be off." So saying, two of the older men took Baoyu by the hand and led him out.

至是日一早，宝玉起来时，袭人早已把书笔文物包好，收拾的停停妥妥，坐在床沿上发闷。见宝玉醒来，只得伏侍他梳洗。宝玉见他闷闷的，因笑问道：“好姐姐，你怎么又不自在了？难道怪我上学去丢的你们冷清了不成？”袭人笑道：“这是那里话。读书是极好的事，不然就潦倒一辈子，终久怎么样呢。但只一件：只是念书的时节想著书，不念的时节想著家些。别和他们一处顽闹，碰见老爷不是顽的。虽说是奋志要强，那工课宁可少些，一则贪多嚼不烂，二则身子也要保重。这就是我的意思，你可要体谅。”袭人说一句，宝玉应一句。袭人又道：“大毛衣服我也包好了，交出给小子们去了。学里冷，好歹想著添换，比不得家里有人照顾。脚炉手炉的炭也交出去了，你可著他们添。那一起懒贼，你不说，他们乐得不动，白冻坏了你。”宝玉道：“你放心，出外头我自己都会调停的。你们也别闷死在这屋里，长和林妹妹一处去顽笑著才好。”说著，俱已穿戴齐备，袭人催他去见贾母，贾政，王夫人等。宝玉又去嘱咐了晴雯麝月等几句，方出来见贾母。贾母也未免有几句嘱咐的话。然后去见王夫人，又出来书房中见贾政。偏生这日贾政回家早些，正在书房中与相公清客们闲谈。忽见宝玉进来请安，回说上学里去，贾政冷笑道：“你如果再提‘上学’两个字，连我也羞死了。依我的话，你竟顽你的去是正理。仔细站脏了我这地，靠脏了我的门！”众清客相公们都早起身笑道：“老世翁何必又如此。今日世兄一去，三二年就可显身成名的了，断不似往年仍作小儿之态了。天也将饭时，世兄竟快请罢。”说著便有两个年老的携了宝玉出去。

賈政因問：“跟寶玉的是誰？”只聽外面答應了兩聲，早進來三四個大漢，打千兒請安。Jia Zheng then asked, "Who is it that attends Baoyu?" From outside came two answering calls, and at once three or four strapping fellows came in, dropping to one knee to pay their respects.賈政看時，認得是寶玉的奶母之子，名喚李貴。Jia Zheng looked them over and recognized among them the son of Baoyu's wet-nurse, named Li Gui.因向他道：“你們成日家跟他上學，他到底念了些什麼書！He said to him, "You lot go along with him to school every single day — just what books has he actually been reading!倒念了些流言混語在肚子里，學了些精致的淘氣。He's only gone and stuffed his head with idle gossip and nonsense, and picked up some refined mischief besides.等我閒一閒，先揭了你的皮，再和那不長進的算帳！”嚇的李貴忙雙膝跪下，摘了帽子，碰頭有聲，連連答應“是”，又回說：“哥兒已念到第三本《詩經》，什麼‘呦呦鹿鳴，荷葉浮萍’，小的不敢撒謊。”說的滿座哄然大笑起來。Just wait till I have a free moment — I'll skin you first, and then settle accounts with that good-for-nothing!" This so frightened Li Gui that he at once dropped to his knees, took off his hat, and knocked his head on the floor with an audible sound, answering "Yes, yes" again and again, and then reported, "Young Master has already gotten to the third volume of the Book of Songs — something about 'Yo-yo cry the deer' and 'lotus leaves floating on the pond' — I would not dare tell a lie." This set the whole room roaring with laughter.賈政也撐不住笑了。Even Jia Zheng could not help laughing.因說道：“那怕再念三十本《詩經》，也都是掩耳偷鈴，哄人而已。He then said, "Even if he reads another thirty volumes of the Book of Songs, it's all just covering one's ears while stealing the bell — deceiving others, nothing more.你去請學里太爺的安，就說我說了：什麼《詩經》古文，一概不用虛應故事，只是先把《四書》一氣講明背熟，是最要緊的。”李貴忙答應“是”，見賈政無話，方退出去。Go and give my respects to the old gentleman at the school, and tell him I said this: as for the Book of Songs and ancient prose, there's no need to go through the motions with any of that — the most important thing is first to have the Four Books explained thoroughly and memorized solid." Li Gui hastily answered, "Yes," and seeing that Jia Zheng had nothing more to say, withdrew.

贾政因问：“跟宝玉的是谁？”只听外面答应了两声，早进来三四个大汉，打千儿请安。贾政看时，认得是宝玉的奶母之子，名唤李贵。因向他道：“你们成日家跟他上学，他到底念了些什么书！倒念了些流言混语在肚子里，学了些精致的淘气。等我闲一闲，先揭了你的皮，再和那不长进的算帐！”吓的李贵忙双膝跪下，摘了帽子，碰头有声，连连答应“是”，又回说：“哥儿已念到第三本《诗经》，什么‘呦呦鹿鸣，荷叶浮萍’，小的不敢撒谎。”说的满座哄然大笑起来。贾政也撑不住笑了。因说道：“那怕再念三十本《诗经》，也都是掩耳偷铃，哄人而已。你去请学里太爷的安，就说我说了：什么《诗经》古文，一概不用虚应故事，只是先把《四书》一气讲明背熟，是最要紧的。”李贵忙答应“是”，见贾政无话，方退出去。

此時寶玉獨站在院外屏聲靜候，待他們出來，便忙忙的走了。Meanwhile Baoyu had been standing alone outside the courtyard, holding his breath and waiting quietly, and as soon as they came out he hurried off at once.李貴等一面撣衣服，一面說道：“哥兒聽見了不曾？Li Gui and the others, brushing off their clothes as they walked, said, "Did you hear all that, young master?可先要揭我們的皮呢！He's going to skin us first of all!人家的奴才跟主子賺些好体面，我們這等奴才白陪著挨打受罵的。Other people's servants get some credit and honor from following their masters, while servants like us just get to accompany you and take the beatings and scoldings for nothing.從此後也可怜見些才好。”寶玉笑道：“好哥哥，你別委曲，我明兒請你。”李貴道：“小祖宗，誰敢望你請，只求聽一句半句話就有了。”說著，又至賈母這邊，秦鐘早來候著了，賈母正和他說話兒呢。From now on you really ought to take some pity on us." Baoyu said with a smile, "Good brother, don't feel wronged — I'll treat you tomorrow." Li Gui said, "Little ancestor, who would dare hope for you to treat us — we'd be satisfied just to have you heed half a word of what we say." So talking, they came again to Grandmother Jia's quarters, where Qin Zhong had already arrived and was waiting, and Grandmother Jia was just then talking with him.于是二人見過，辭了賈母。The two boys then greeted each other, and took their leave of Grandmother Jia.寶玉忽想起未辭黛玉，因又忙至黛玉房中來作辭。Baoyu suddenly remembered that he had not yet said goodbye to Daiyu, and so hurried off to her room to take his leave.彼時黛玉才在窗下對鏡理妝，聽寶玉說上學去，因笑道：“好，這一去，可定是要‘蟾宮折桂’去了。At that moment Daiyu was seated by the window doing her makeup before the mirror, and hearing Baoyu say he was off to school, she said with a smile, "Very good — off you go, this time surely to 'pluck the laurel branch from the moon palace.'我不能送你了。”寶玉道：“好妹妹，等我下了學再吃飯。I won't see you off." Baoyu said, "Dear sister, wait for me to come back from school before you eat.和胭脂膏子也等我來再制。”勞叨了半日，方撤身去了。And wait for me to come back before making the rouge paste too." He rambled on like this for a good while before finally taking himself off.黛玉忙又叫住問道：“你怎麼不去辭辭你寶姐姐呢？”寶玉笑而不答，一徑同秦鐘上學去了。Daiyu hastily called him back and asked, "Why aren't you going to say goodbye to your Cousin Bao?" Baoyu only smiled without answering, and went straight off to school together with Qin Zhong.原來這賈家之義學，離此也不甚遠，不過一里之遙，原系始祖所立，恐族中子弟有貧窮不能請師者，即入此中肄業。Now this charitable school of the Jia clan was not very far away, only about a li's distance. It had originally been founded by the clan's first ancestor, out of concern that there might be clan sons too poor to hire a tutor, so that they could enroll here for their studies.凡族中有官爵之人，皆供給銀兩，按俸之多寡幫助，為學中之費。All those in the clan who held official rank contributed silver, each according to the amount of his stipend, to help defray the school's expenses.特共舉年高有德之人為塾掌，專為訓課子弟。They had jointly chosen a man advanced in years and virtue to serve as headmaster, devoted entirely to instructing the clan's sons.如今寶秦二人來了，一一的都互相拜見過，讀起書來。Now that Bao and Qin had arrived, the two of them paid their respects to everyone in turn, and settled down to their studies.自此以後，他二人同來同往，同坐同起，愈加親密。From then on the two of them came and went together, sat and rose together, and grew ever closer.又兼賈母愛惜，也時常的留下秦鐘，住上三天五日，與自己的重孫一般疼愛。Moreover, Grandmother Jia was so fond of him that she often kept Qin Zhong there for three or five days at a stretch, cherishing him just as she did her own great-grandsons.因見秦鐘不甚寬裕，更又助他些衣履等物。Seeing that Qin Zhong's family was not very well off, she further helped him with clothes, shoes, and other such things.不上一月之工，秦鐘在榮府便熟了。In less than a month's time, Qin Zhong had become quite at home in the Rong mansion.寶玉終是不安本分之人，竟一味的隨心所欲，因此又發了癖性，又特向秦鐘悄說道：“咱們倆個人一樣的年紀，況又是同窗，以後不必論叔侄，只論弟兄朋友就是了。”先是秦鐘不肯，當不得寶玉不依，只叫他“兄弟”，或叫他的表字“鯨卿”，秦鐘也只得混著亂叫起來。Baoyu, after all, was never one to stay within bounds, and simply followed his whims however he pleased; so once again a fancy took hold of him, and he said to Qin Zhong privately, "The two of us are the same age, and classmates besides — from now on there's no need to speak of uncle and nephew, let's just be brothers and friends." At first Qin Zhong would not agree, but Baoyu would not let it drop, and simply called him "brother," or by his courtesy name "Jingqing," so that Qin Zhong too had no choice but to fall into calling him just as casually in return.

此时宝玉独站在院外屏声静候，待他们出来，便忙忙的走了。李贵等一面掸衣服，一面说道：“哥儿听见了不曾？可先要揭我们的皮呢！人家的奴才跟主子赚些好体面，我们这等奴才白陪著挨打受骂的。从此后也可怜见些才好。”宝玉笑道：“好哥哥，你别委曲，我明儿请你。”李贵道：“小祖宗，谁敢望你请，只求听一句半句话就有了。”说著，又至贾母这边，秦钟早来候著了，贾母正和他说话儿呢。于是二人见过，辞了贾母。宝玉忽想起未辞黛玉，因又忙至黛玉房中来作辞。彼时黛玉才在窗下对镜理妆，听宝玉说上学去，因笑道：“好，这一去，可定是要‘蟾宫折桂’去了。我不能送你了。”宝玉道：“好妹妹，等我下了学再吃饭。和胭脂膏子也等我来再制。”劳叨了半日，方撤身去了。黛玉忙又叫住问道：“你怎么不去辞辞你宝姐姐呢？”宝玉笑而不答，一径同秦钟上学去了。原来这贾家之义学，离此也不甚远，不过一里之遥，原系始祖所立，恐族中子弟有贫穷不能请师者，即入此中肄业。凡族中有官爵之人，皆供给银两，按俸之多寡帮助，为学中之费。特共举年高有德之人为塾掌，专为训课子弟。如今宝秦二人来了，一一的都互相拜见过，读起书来。自此以后，他二人同来同往，同坐同起，愈加亲密。又兼贾母爱惜，也时常的留下秦钟，住上三天五日，与自己的重孙一般疼爱。因见秦钟不甚宽裕，更又助他些衣履等物。不上一月之工，秦钟在荣府便熟了。宝玉终是不安本分之人，竟一味的随心所欲，因此又发了癖性，又特向秦钟悄说道：“咱们俩个人一样的年纪，况又是同窗，以后不必论叔侄，只论弟兄朋友就是了。”先是秦钟不肯，当不得宝玉不依，只叫他“兄弟”，或叫他的表字“鲸卿”，秦钟也只得混著乱叫起来。

原來這學中雖都是本族人丁與些親戚的子弟，俗語說的好：“一龍生九种，种种各別。”未免人多了，就有龍蛇混雜，下流人物在內。Now although everyone in this school was either a member of the clan itself or the son of some relation, as the saying goes so well, "A dragon gives birth to nine offspring, and each is different from the rest" — with so many people gathered together, it was inevitable that dragons and snakes should mix, and that some low, disreputable characters should be among them.自寶，秦二人來了，都生的花朵兒一般的模樣，又見秦鐘靦腆溫柔，未語面先紅，怯怯羞羞，有女兒之風，寶玉又是天生成慣能作小服低，賠身下氣，情性体貼，話語綿纏，因此二人更加親厚，也怨不得那起同窗人起了疑，背地里你言我語，詬誶謠諑，布滿書房內外。From the time Bao and Qin had come, both as handsome as flowers, and with Qin Zhong so bashful and gentle — blushing before he even spoke, timid and shy, with something of a girl's demeanor — while Baoyu for his part was by nature always given to playing the deferential and humble one, lowering himself and softening his manner, tender in feeling and clinging in speech — the two of them grew ever more intimate, so that it was hardly to be wondered at that those fellow students grew suspicious, and behind their backs traded gossip and slander, filling the schoolroom and its surroundings with talk.原來薛蟠自來王夫人處住後，便知有一家學，學中廣有青年子弟，不免偶動了龍陽之興，因此也假來上學讀書，不過是三日打魚，兩日晒网，白送些束脩禮物與賈代儒，卻不曾有一些兒進益，只圖結交些契弟。Now ever since Xue Pan had come to live with Lady Wang, he had learned that there was a clan school, well stocked with young lads, and could not help now and then feeling stirrings of a taste for Longyang; so he too came pretending to study, though it was, as they say, three days fishing and two days drying the net — he merely wasted his tuition gifts on Jia Daiju without gaining the slightest benefit, his sole aim being to make friends of the "sworn-brother" kind.誰想這學內就有好幾個小學生，圖了薛蟠的銀錢吃穿，被他哄上手的，也不消多記。Who would have thought that within this very school there were already several young students who, for the sake of Xue Pan's money and the food and clothing he provided, had let themselves be won over by him — there is no need to record them all in detail.更又有兩個多情的小學生，亦不知是那一房的親眷，亦未考真名姓，只因生得嫵媚風流，滿學中都送了他兩個外號，一號“香怜”，一號“玉愛”。There were, moreover, two amorous young students — whose branch of relations they belonged to was not known, nor has their true names been ascertained — who, simply because they were so charming and comely, had been given nicknames by the whole school: one was called "Xiangyou" (Fragrant Pity), and the other "Yu'ai" (Beloved Jade).雖都有竊慕之意，將不利于孺子之心，只是都懼薛蟠的威勢，不敢來沾惹。Although everyone secretly admired them, harboring designs not altogether wholesome toward these young boys, all were afraid of Xue Pan's power and dared not go near them.如今寶，秦二人一來，見了他兩個，也不免綣繾羡慕，亦因知系薛蟠相知，故未敢輕舉妄動。Now that Bao and Qin had come, upon seeing these two they too could not help feeling a wistful attraction, but knowing them to be Xue Pan's intimates, they likewise did not dare act rashly.香，玉二人心中，也一般的留情與寶，秦。And in their own hearts, Xiang and Yu likewise held tender feelings for Bao and Qin in return.因此四人心中雖有情意，只未發跡。So although the four of them harbored feelings for one another, nothing had yet come of it.每日一入學中，四處各坐，卻八目勾留，或設言托意，或詠桑寓柳，遙以心照，卻外面自為避人眼目。Every day, once in the schoolroom, the four would sit apart in different places, yet their eyes would meet and linger; sometimes they spoke in veiled words to convey their meaning, sometimes hinted through verses about mulberry and willow, communing at a distance in silent understanding, while outwardly each took care to avoid drawing others' eyes.不意偏又有幾個滑賊看出形景來，都背後擠眉弄眼，或咳嗽揚聲，這也非止一日。Unexpectedly, however, a few sly rascals caught on to what was happening, and behind their backs would wink and make faces, or cough loudly to signal — and this went on for more than one day.可巧這日代儒有事，早已回家去了，只留下一句七言對聯，命學生對了，明日再來上書，將學中之事，又命賈瑞暫且管理。As it happened, on this particular day Jia Daiju had some business and had already gone home early, leaving behind only a seven-character couplet for the students to match, telling them to bring their work to be reviewed when he returned the next day, and putting Jia Rui in temporary charge of the school's affairs.妙在薛蟠如今不大來學中應卯了，因此秦鐘趁此和香怜擠眉弄眼，遞暗號兒，二人假裝出小恭，走至後院說梯己話。As luck would have it, Xue Pan no longer came to put in his required appearance at school very often these days, so Qin Zhong seized the chance to trade winks and secret signals with Xiangyou, and the two of them, pretending to go relieve themselves, slipped off to the back courtyard to have a private word.秦鐘先問他：“家里的大人可管你交朋友不管？”一語未了，只聽背後咳嗽了一聲。Qin Zhong asked him first, "Do the elders at home keep watch over who you make friends with?" Before he had even finished speaking, a cough sounded from behind them.二人唬的忙回頭看時，原來是窗友名金榮者。Startled, the two of them hastily turned to look, and found it was a fellow classmate named Jin Rong.香怜有些性急，羞怒相激，問他道：“你咳嗽什麼？Xiangyou, somewhat quick-tempered, provoked by shame and anger, demanded of him, "What are you coughing for?難道不許我兩個說話不成？”金榮笑道：“許你們說話，難道不許我咳嗽不成？Am I not even allowed to talk with him?" Jin Rong said with a laugh, "You're allowed to talk — am I not even allowed to cough?我只問你們：有話不明說，許你們這樣鬼鬼祟祟的幹什麼故事？Let me just ask you this: if you've something to say, why not say it openly — what business are you two up to, sneaking about like this?我可也拿住了，還賴什麼！I've caught you red-handed — what's the use of denying it!先得讓我抽個頭兒，咱們一聲兒不言語，不然大家就奮起來。”秦，香二人急的飛紅的臉，便問道：“你拿住什麼了？”金榮笑道：“我現拿住了是真的。”說著，又拍著手笑嚷道：“貼的好燒餅！First you'll have to let me take my cut, and then we'll none of us say a word about it — otherwise we'll all fall out." Qin and Xiang, flushed crimson with anxiety, asked, "Caught us at what?" Jin Rong said with a laugh, "That I've caught you, there's no denying." So saying, he clapped his hands and shouted with a laugh, "What a fine sesame cake stuck together!你們都不買一個吃去？”秦鐘香怜二人又氣又急，忙進去向賈瑞前告金榮，說金榮無故欺負他兩個。Won't any of you buy one to eat?" Qin Zhong and Xiangyou, both furious and flustered, hurried inside to report Jin Rong to Jia Rui, saying that Jin Rong had bullied the two of them without cause.原來這賈瑞最是個圖便宜沒行止的人，每在學中以公報私，勒索子弟們請他，後又附助著薛蟠圖些銀錢酒肉，一任薛蟠橫行霸道，他不但不去管約，反助紂為虐討好兒。Now this Jia Rui was above all a man out for petty gain and without any sense of decency, forever using his position at the school to serve his private ends, extorting treats from the other students; later on he had also attached himself to Xue Pan for the sake of some money and wine and meat, and let Xue Pan run wild and lord it over everyone as he pleased — far from restraining him, he instead helped the tyrant do his mischief in order to curry favor.偏那薛蟠本是浮萍心性，今日愛東，明日愛西，近來又有了新朋友，把香，玉二人又丟開一邊。But that Xue Pan was by nature as fickle as duckweed drifting on water — loving this one today, that one tomorrow — and having lately taken up with new friends, he had cast Xiang and Yu aside.就連金榮亦是當日的好朋友，自有了香，玉二人，便棄了金榮。Even Jin Rong had once been his good friend in earlier days, but once Xiang and Yu came along, Xue Pan had dropped Jin Rong.近日連香，玉亦已見棄。And now recently even Xiang and Yu in turn had been cast off.故賈瑞也無了提攜幫襯之人，不說薛蟠得新棄舊，只怨香，玉二人不在薛蟠前提攜幫補他，因此賈瑞金榮等一干人，也正在醋妒他兩個。So Jia Rui too had lost anyone to look after and support him, yet rather than blame Xue Pan for casting off the old for the new, he resented Xiang and Yu instead for not having put in a good word or lent him a hand with Xue Pan — and so Jia Rui, Jin Rong, and their whole crowd were at this very time consumed with jealousy of the two of them.今見秦，香二人來告金榮，賈瑞心中便更不自在起來，雖不好呵叱秦鐘，卻拿著香怜作法，反說他多事，著實搶白了幾句。Now, seeing Qin and Xiang come to report Jin Rong, Jia Rui grew all the more uneasy in his heart; though he could not well scold Qin Zhong outright, he took it out on Xiangyou instead, accusing him of stirring up trouble and giving him a sharp dressing-down.香怜反討了沒趣，連秦鐘也訕訕的各歸坐位去了。Xiangyou, finding himself rebuffed for his trouble, and Qin Zhong along with him looking sheepish, both went back to their seats.金榮越發得了意，搖頭咂嘴的，口內還說許多閒話，玉愛偏又聽了不忿，兩個人隔座咕咕唧唧的角起口來。Jin Rong, all the more pleased with himself, shook his head and smacked his lips, still muttering all sorts of idle remarks, until Yu'ai, overhearing and unable to swallow it, began quarreling with him in low mutters across the seats.金榮只一口咬定說：“方才明明的撞見他兩個在後院子里親嘴摸屁股，一對一肏，撅草根兒抽長短，誰長誰先干。”金榮只顧得意亂說，卻不防還有別人。Jin Rong stuck flatly to his story, saying, "I saw it plain as day just now — the two of them kissing and groping each other's backsides out in the back courtyard, a proper pair going at it, drawing straws to see whose was longer, and whoever's longer goes first." Jin Rong, too pleased with himself to hold his tongue, never thought that someone else might be listening.誰知早又触怒了一個。Little did he know he had already provoked yet another person to anger.你道這個是誰？And who might this be, you ask?原來這一個名喚賈薔，亦系宁府中之正派玄孫，父母早亡，從小兒跟著賈珍過活，如今長了十六歲，比賈蓉生的還風流俊俏。It turns out this was one named Jia Qiang, likewise a direct-line great-great-grandson of the Ning household, whose parents had died early, so that from childhood he had lived under Jia Zhen's care; now grown to sixteen, he was even more dashing and handsome than Jia Rong.他弟兄二人最相親厚，常相共處。The two of them, as cousins, were the closest of friends and were often together.宁府人多口雜，那些不得志的奴仆們，專能造言誹謗主人，因此不知又有什麼小人詬誶謠諑之詞。In the Ning mansion, with so many people and so much loose talk, those servants who felt themselves ill-used were especially given to inventing slanders against their masters, so that who knows what sort of petty gossip and defamation had been spread about.賈珍想亦風聞得些口聲不大好，自己也要避些嫌疑，如今竟分與房舍，命賈薔搬出宁府，自去立門戶過活去了。Jia Zhen, it seems, had also gotten wind of some none-too-savory talk, and, wishing himself to avoid any suspicion, had now actually given Jia Qiang a house and told him to move out of the Ning mansion and set up his own household to live on his own.這賈薔外相既美，內性又聰明，雖然應名來上學，亦不過虛掩眼目而已。This Jia Qiang, being as handsome outwardly as he was clever within, came to school in name only — merely as a blind to cover appearances.仍是斗雞走狗，賞花玩柳。He still spent his time cockfighting and dog-racing, admiring flowers and dallying with the willows.總恃上有賈珍溺愛，下有賈蓉匡助，因此族人誰敢來触逆于他。Relying always on Jia Zhen's doting favor above and Jia Rong's backing below, none among the clan dared cross him.他既和賈蓉最好，今見有人欺負秦鐘，如何肯依？Being on such close terms with Jia Rong, how could he now stand by and let it pass, seeing someone bully Qin Zhong?如今自己要挺身出來報不平，心中卻忖度一番，想道：“金榮賈瑞一干人，都是薛大叔的相知，向日我又與薛大叔相好，倘或我一出頭，他們告訴了老薛，我們豈不傷和氣？He now wanted to step forward himself to right this wrong, but weighed the matter in his mind first, thinking, "Jin Rong, Jia Rui, and that whole lot are all intimates of Uncle Xue, and in the past I too was on good terms with Uncle Xue — if I come forward now, and they tell old Xue about it, won't that spoil the good feeling between us?待要不管，如此謠言，說的大家沒趣。Yet if I let it go, such rumors would leave everyone feeling humiliated.如今何不用計制伏，又止息口聲，又傷不了臉面。”想畢，也裝作出小恭，走至外面，悄悄的把跟寶玉的書童名喚茗煙者喚到身邊，如此這般，調撥他幾句。Why not now use a bit of scheming to bring them under control — that way I can put a stop to the talk without anyone losing face either." Having thought this through, he too pretended to go out to relieve himself, went outside, and quietly called over Baoyu's page boy, one named Mingyan, and gave him instructions, coaching him in just such and such a way.

原来这学中虽都是本族人丁与些亲戚的子弟，俗语说的好：“一龙生九种，种种各别。”未免人多了，就有龙蛇混杂，下流人物在内。自宝，秦二人来了，都生的花朵儿一般的模样，又见秦钟腼腆温柔，未语面先红，怯怯羞羞，有女儿之风，宝玉又是天生成惯能作小服低，赔身下气，情性体贴，话语绵缠，因此二人更加亲厚，也怨不得那起同窗人起了疑，背地里你言我语，诟谇谣诼，布满书房内外。原来薛蟠自来王夫人处住后，便知有一家学，学中广有青年子弟，不免偶动了龙阳之兴，因此也假来上学读书，不过是三日打鱼，两日晒网，白送些束修礼物与贾代儒，却不曾有一些儿进益，只图结交些契弟。谁想这学内就有好几个小学生，图了薛蟠的银钱吃穿，被他哄上手的，也不消多记。更又有两个多情的小学生，亦不知是那一房的亲眷，亦未考真名姓，只因生得妩媚风流，满学中都送了他两个外号，一号“香怜”，一号“玉爱”。虽都有窃慕之意，将不利于孺子之心，只是都惧薛蟠的威势，不敢来沾惹。如今宝，秦二人一来，见了他两个，也不免绻缱羡慕，亦因知系薛蟠相知，故未敢轻举妄动。香，玉二人心中，也一般的留情与宝，秦。因此四人心中虽有情意，只未发迹。每日一入学中，四处各坐，却八目勾留，或设言托意，或咏桑寓柳，遥以心照，却外面自为避人眼目。不意偏又有几个滑贼看出形景来，都背后挤眉弄眼，或咳嗽扬声，这也非止一日。可巧这日代儒有事，早已回家去了，只留下一句七言对联，命学生对了，明日再来上书，将学中之事，又命贾瑞暂且管理。妙在薛蟠如今不大来学中应卯了，因此秦钟趁此和香怜挤眉弄眼，递暗号儿，二人假装出小恭，走至后院说梯己话。秦钟先问他：“家里的大人可管你交朋友不管？”一语未了，只听背后咳嗽了一声。二人唬的忙回头看时，原来是窗友名金荣者。香怜有些性急，羞怒相激，问他道：“你咳嗽什么？难道不许我两个说话不成？”金荣笑道：“许你们说话，难道不许我咳嗽不成？我只问你们：有话不明说，许你们这样鬼鬼祟祟的干什么故事？我可也拿住了，还赖什么！先得让我抽个头儿，咱们一声儿不言语，不然大家就奋起来。”秦，香二人急的飞红的脸，便问道：“你拿住什么了？”金荣笑道：“我现拿住了是真的。”说著，又拍著手笑嚷道：“贴的好烧饼！你们都不买一个吃去？”秦钟香怜二人又气又急，忙进去向贾瑞前告金荣，说金荣无故欺负他两个。原来这贾瑞最是个图便宜没行止的人，每在学中以公报私，勒索子弟们请他，后又附助著薛蟠图些银钱酒肉，一任薛蟠横行霸道，他不但不去管约，反助纣为虐讨好儿。偏那薛蟠本是浮萍心性，今日爱东，明日爱西，近来又有了新朋友，把香，玉二人又丢开一边。就连金荣亦是当日的好朋友，自有了香，玉二人，便弃了金荣。近日连香，玉亦已见弃。故贾瑞也无了提携帮衬之人，不说薛蟠得新弃旧，只怨香，玉二人不在薛蟠前提携帮补他，因此贾瑞金荣等一干人，也正在醋妒他两个。今见秦，香二人来告金荣，贾瑞心中便更不自在起来，虽不好呵叱秦钟，却拿著香怜作法，反说他多事，著实抢白了几句。香怜反讨了没趣，连秦钟也讪讪的各归坐位去了。金荣越发得了意，摇头咂嘴的，口内还说许多闲话，玉爱偏又听了不忿，两个人隔座咕咕唧唧的角起口来。金荣只一口咬定说：“方才明明的撞见他两个在后院子里亲嘴摸屁股，一对一肏，撅草根儿抽长短，谁长谁先干。”金荣只顾得意乱说，却不防还有别人。谁知早又触怒了一个。你道这个是谁？原来这一个名唤贾蔷，亦系宁府中之正派玄孙，父母早亡，从小儿跟著贾珍过活，如今长了十六岁，比贾蓉生的还风流俊俏。他弟兄二人最相亲厚，常相共处。宁府人多口杂，那些不得志的奴仆们，专能造言诽谤主人，因此不知又有什么小人诟谇谣诼之词。贾珍想亦风闻得些口声不大好，自己也要避些嫌疑，如今竟分与房舍，命贾蔷搬出宁府，自去立门户过活去了。这贾蔷外相既美，内性又聪明，虽然应名来上学，亦不过虚掩眼目而已。仍是斗鸡走狗，赏花玩柳。总恃上有贾珍溺爱，下有贾蓉匡助，因此族人谁敢来触逆于他。他既和贾蓉最好，今见有人欺负秦钟，如何肯依？如今自己要挺身出来报不平，心中却忖度一番，想道：“金荣贾瑞一干人，都是薛大叔的相知，向日我又与薛大叔相好，倘或我一出头，他们告诉了老薛，我们岂不伤和气？待要不管，如此谣言，说的大家没趣。如今何不用计制伏，又止息口声，又伤不了脸面。”想毕，也装作出小恭，走至外面，悄悄的把跟宝玉的书童名唤茗烟者唤到身边，如此这般，调拨他几句。

這茗煙乃是寶玉第一個得用的，且又年輕不諳世事，如今聽賈薔說金榮如此欺負秦鐘，連他爺寶玉都干連在內，不給他個利害，下次越發狂縱難制了。This Mingyan was Baoyu's most trusted body-servant, and being young and unversed in the ways of the world, on now hearing Jia Qiang tell how Jin Rong had bullied Qin Zhong in a way that implicated even his own master Baoyu, he thought that unless Jin Rong were taught a sharp lesson, he would only grow more unruly and impossible to control next time.這茗煙無故就要欺壓人的，如今得了這個信，又有賈薔助著，便一頭進來找金榮，也不叫金相公了，只說”姓金的，你是什麼東西！”賈薔遂跺一跺靴子，故意整整衣服，看看日影兒說：“是時候了。”遂先向賈瑞說有事要早走一步。This Mingyan was one to bully others even without cause, and now, armed with this news and backed by Jia Qiang besides, he barged straight in looking for Jin Rong, no longer calling him "Master Jin" but simply saying, "You, Jin whatever-your-name-is, what do you think you are!" Jia Qiang thereupon stamped his boots once, deliberately straightened his clothes, glanced at the shadow of the sun, and said, "It's about time," and went first to tell Jia Rui that he had some business and needed to leave a bit early.賈瑞不敢強他，只得隨他去了。Jia Rui did not dare press him to stay, and had no choice but to let him go.這里茗煙先一把揪住金榮，問道：“我們肏屁股不肏，管你相干，橫豎沒肏你爹去罷了！Here, Mingyan grabbed hold of Jin Rong first and demanded, "Whether we go at each other's backsides or not is none of your business — anyway, it's not your father we've been at, so there!你是好小子，出來動一動你茗大爺！”唬的滿屋中子弟都怔怔的痴望。If you're such a fine fellow, come out and try laying a hand on your Grandfather Ming!" This so startled the students in the whole room that they all stood staring blankly.賈瑞忙吆喝：“茗煙不得撒野！”金榮氣黃了臉，說：“反了！Jia Rui hurriedly shouted, "Mingyan, don't run wild!" Jin Rong, his face yellow with rage, said, "This is mutiny!奴才小子都敢如此，我只和你主子說。”便奪手要去抓打寶玉秦鐘。Even a low servant boy dares to act like this — I'll just take it up with your master." So saying, he wrenched his hand free and moved to grab and strike at Baoyu and Qin Zhong.尚未去時，從腦後颼的一聲，早見一方硯瓦飛來，并不知系何人打來的，幸未打著，卻又打在旁人的座上，這座上乃是賈蘭賈菌。Before he could reach them, there came a whoosh from behind, and an inkstone came flying through the air — no one knew who had thrown it — and though it luckily missed its mark, it struck instead the seat of some others nearby, the seat belonging to Jia Lan and Jia Jun.

这茗烟乃是宝玉第一个得用的，且又年轻不谙世事，如今听贾蔷说金荣如此欺负秦钟，连他爷宝玉都干连在内，不给他个利害，下次越发狂纵难制了。这茗烟无故就要欺压人的，如今得了这个信，又有贾蔷助著，便一头进来找金荣，也不叫金相公了，只说”姓金的，你是什么东西！”贾蔷遂跺一跺靴子，故意整整衣服，看看日影儿说：“是时候了。”遂先向贾瑞说有事要早走一步。贾瑞不敢强他，只得随他去了。这里茗烟先一把揪住金荣，问道：“我们肏屁股不肏，管你相干，横竖没肏你爹去罢了！你是好小子，出来动一动你茗大爷！”唬的满屋中子弟都怔怔的痴望。贾瑞忙吆喝：“茗烟不得撒野！”金荣气黄了脸，说：“反了！奴才小子都敢如此，我只和你主子说。”便夺手要去抓打宝玉秦钟。尚未去时，从脑后飕的一声，早见一方砚瓦飞来，并不知系何人打来的，幸未打著，却又打在旁人的座上，这座上乃是贾兰贾菌。

這賈菌亦系榮國府近派的重孫，其母亦少寡，獨守著賈菌。This Jia Jun was likewise a great-grandson of a close branch of the Rong household; his mother too had been widowed young, and lived on alone raising Jia Jun by herself.這賈菌與賈蘭最好，所以二人同桌而坐。Jia Jun and Jia Lan were the closest of friends, and so the two of them sat together at the same table.誰知賈菌年紀雖小，志氣最大，极是淘氣不怕人的。Who would have thought that although Jia Jun was young in years, his spirit was the boldest of all, and he was extremely mischievous, afraid of no one.他在座上冷眼看見金榮的朋友暗助金榮，飛硯來打茗煙，偏沒打著茗煙，便落在他桌上，正打在面前，將一個磁硯水壺打了個粉碎，濺了一書黑水。Sitting there, he had watched with a cold eye as one of Jin Rong's friends secretly aided Jin Rong by flinging an inkstone at Mingyan; but it happened to miss Mingyan and land instead on his own table, striking right in front of him, smashing a porcelain water-dropper to bits and splattering black ink all over his books.賈菌如何依得，便罵：“好囚攮的們，這不都動了手了么！”罵著，也便抓起硯磚來要打回去。How could Jia Jun let this pass? He cursed, "You wretched jailbirds — so you've all come to blows, have you!" and cursing still, snatched up his own inkstone to hurl it back.賈蘭是個省事的，忙按住硯，极口勸道：“好兄弟，不與咱們相干。”賈菌如何忍得住，便兩手抱起書匣子來，照那邊掄了去。Jia Lan, being one who liked to avoid trouble, hastily pressed down his hand on the inkstone and pleaded earnestly, "Good brother, this is none of our affair." But how could Jia Jun restrain himself? He seized his book-box in both hands and hurled it toward the other side.終是身小力薄，卻掄不到那里，剛到寶玉秦鐘桌案上就落了下來。Being small and not very strong, however, he could not throw it that far, and it landed instead right on Baoyu and Qin Zhong's table.只聽嘩啷啷一聲，砸在桌上，書本紙片等至于筆硯之物撒了一桌，又把寶玉的一碗茶也砸得碗碎茶流。There was a great clatter as it crashed onto the table, scattering books, papers, brushes, inkstones, and the like all across it, and also smashing a bowl of Baoyu's tea, so that the bowl broke and the tea spilled everywhere.賈菌便跳出來，要揪打那一個飛硯的。Jia Jun then jumped up, meaning to grab and strike whoever had thrown the inkstone.金榮此時隨手抓了一根毛竹大板在手，地狹人多，那里經得舞動長板。Jin Rong, at this point, had snatched up a broad bamboo board close at hand, but with the room so cramped and so crowded with people, how could there be room to swing a long board like that?茗煙早吃了一下，亂嚷：“你們還不來動手！”寶玉還有三個小廝：一名鋤藥，一名掃紅，一名墨雨。Mingyan had already taken a blow from it, and shouted wildly, "Aren't you all going to come help!" Baoyu had, besides Mingyan, three other page boys: one named Chuyao, one Saohong, and one Moyu.這三個豈有不淘氣的，一齊亂嚷：“小婦養的！How could these three not be mischief-makers themselves? All together they shouted wildly, "You son of a bitch!動了兵器了！”墨雨遂掇起一根門閂，掃紅鋤藥手中都是馬鞭子，蜂擁而上。They've taken up weapons!" Moyu thereupon snatched up a door bar, while Saohong and Chuyao each had a horsewhip in hand, and the three of them swarmed forward together.賈瑞急的攔一回這個，勸一回那個，誰聽他的話，肆行大鬧。Jia Rui, in a fluster, tried now to block this one, now to plead with that one, but who would listen to him? The brawl raged on unchecked.眾頑童也有趁勢幫著打太平拳助樂的，也有膽小藏在一邊的，也有直立在桌上拍著手兒亂笑，喝著聲兒叫打的。Among the other unruly boys, some took the chance to throw a few safe punches for the fun of it, some, timid, hid off to one side, and others stood right up on the tables, clapping their hands, laughing wildly, and shouting encouragement to fight on.登時間鼎沸起來。In an instant the whole room was boiling over like a cauldron.

这贾菌亦系荣国府近派的重孙，其母亦少寡，独守著贾菌。这贾菌与贾兰最好，所以二人同桌而坐。谁知贾菌年纪虽小，志气最大，极是淘气不怕人的。他在座上冷眼看见金荣的朋友暗助金荣，飞砚来打茗烟，偏没打著茗烟，便落在他桌上，正打在面前，将一个磁砚水壶打了个粉碎，溅了一书黑水。贾菌如何依得，便骂：“好囚攮的们，这不都动了手了么！”骂著，也便抓起砚砖来要打回去。贾兰是个省事的，忙按住砚，极口劝道：“好兄弟，不与咱们相干。”贾菌如何忍得住，便两手抱起书匣子来，照那边抡了去。终是身小力薄，却抡不到那里，刚到宝玉秦钟桌案上就落了下来。只听哗啷啷一声，砸在桌上，书本纸片等至于笔砚之物撒了一桌，又把宝玉的一碗茶也砸得碗碎茶流。贾菌便跳出来，要揪打那一个飞砚的。金荣此时随手抓了一根毛竹大板在手，地狭人多，那里经得舞动长板。茗烟早吃了一下，乱嚷：“你们还不来动手！”宝玉还有三个小厮：一名锄药，一名扫红，一名墨雨。这三个岂有不淘气的，一齐乱嚷：“小妇养的！动了兵器了！”墨雨遂掇起一根门闩，扫红锄药手中都是马鞭子，蜂拥而上。贾瑞急的拦一回这个，劝一回那个，谁听他的话，肆行大闹。众顽童也有趁势帮著打太平拳助乐的，也有胆小藏在一边的，也有直立在桌上拍著手儿乱笑，喝著声儿叫打的。登时间鼎沸起来。

外邊李貴等幾個大仆人聽見里邊作起反來，忙都進來一齊喝住。Outside, Li Gui and a few other senior servants, hearing the commotion breaking out within, hurried in together and shouted for everyone to stop.問是何原故，眾聲不一，這一個如此說，那一個又如彼說。When asked what the reason was, the voices did not agree — this one said it was thus, that one said it was so.李貴且喝罵了茗煙四個一頓，攆了出去。Li Gui first scolded Mingyan and the other three and drove them out.秦鐘的頭早撞在金榮的板上，打起一層油皮，寶玉正拿褂襟子替他揉呢，見喝住了眾人，便命：“李貴，收書！Qin Zhong's head had already struck against Jin Rong's writing board, raising a welt of broken skin, and Baoyu was just rubbing it for him with the hem of his jacket; seeing that everyone had been shouted to a stop, he ordered: "Li Gui, pack up the books!拉馬來，我去回太爺去！Bring the horse — I'm going to report this to the old master!我們被人欺負了，不敢說別的，守禮來告訴瑞大爺，瑞大爺反倒派我們的不是，聽著人家罵我們，還調唆他們打我們茗煙，連秦鐘的頭也打破。We were bullied by others, and dared not say anything more than that — Shouli went and told Master Rui about it out of respect for the rules, but Master Rui instead put the blame on us, listened while others cursed us, and even egged them on to beat our Mingyan, so that even Qin Zhong's head was broken.這還在這里念什麼書！What's the use of staying here to study any longer!茗煙他也是為有人欺侮我的。Mingyan too was only acting because someone was bullying me.不如散了罷。”李貴勸道：“哥兒不要性急。Better to just break up and go home." Li Gui urged him: "Young master, don't be so hasty.太爺既有事回家去了，這會子為這點子事去聒噪他老人家，倒顯的咱們沒理。Since the old master has already gone home on business, to go pester the old gentleman now over a small matter like this would only make it look as though we were in the wrong.依我的主意，那里的事那里了結好，何必去驚動他老人家。In my view, it's best to settle a matter where it arose, without troubling the old gentleman over it.這都是瑞大爺的不是，太爺不在這里，你老人家就是這學里的頭腦了，眾人看著你行事。This is entirely Master Rui's fault — with the old master not here, you, sir, are the head of this school, and everyone looks to you to act.眾人有了不是，該打的打，該罰的罰，如何等鬧到這步田地還不管？”賈瑞道：“我吆喝著都不聽。”李貴笑道：“不怕你老人家惱我，素日你老人家到底有些不正經，所以這些兄弟才不聽。When people are in the wrong, whoever should be beaten should be beaten, whoever should be punished should be punished — how could you let it get to this state and still do nothing?" Jia Rui said, "I shouted at them and none of them listened." Li Gui said with a smile, "Not to offend you, sir, but the truth is you've always been a bit improper in your ways, and that's why these boys don't listen to you.就鬧到太爺跟前去，連你老人家也是脫不過的。If this were carried all the way before the old master, even you, sir, would not escape blame.還不快作主意撕羅開了罷。”寶玉道：“撕羅什麼？So hurry and think of a way to smooth this over and settle it." Baoyu said, "Settle what?我必是回去的！”秦鐘哭道：“有金榮，我是不在這里念書的。”寶玉道：“這是為什麼？I am certainly going home!" Qin Zhong said, weeping, "As long as Jin Rong is here, I won't study in this place." Baoyu said, "Why is that?難道有人家來的，咱們倒來不得？Is it that if someone else's people come here, we ourselves can't?我必回明白眾人，攆了金榮去。”又問李貴：“金榮是那一房的親戚？”李貴想了一想道：“也不用問了。I will certainly tell everyone plainly and have Jin Rong driven out." Then he asked Li Gui, "Whose branch of the family is Jin Rong related to?" Li Gui thought it over and said, "There's no need to ask.若問起那一房的親戚，更傷了兄弟們的和氣。”If we go asking whose relation he is, it will only further hurt the harmony among the brothers."

外边李贵等几个大仆人听见里边作起反来，忙都进来一齐喝住。问是何原故，众声不一，这一个如此说，那一个又如彼说。李贵且喝骂了茗烟四个一顿，撵了出去。秦钟的头早撞在金荣的板上，打起一层油皮，宝玉正拿褂襟子替他揉呢，见喝住了众人，便命：“李贵，收书！拉马来，我去回太爷去！我们被人欺负了，不敢说别的，守礼来告诉瑞大爷，瑞大爷反倒派我们的不是，听著人家骂我们，还调唆他们打我们茗烟，连秦钟的头也打破。这还在这里念什么书！茗烟他也是为有人欺侮我的。不如散了罢。”李贵劝道：“哥儿不要性急。太爷既有事回家去了，这会子为这点子事去聒噪他老人家，倒显的咱们没理。依我的主意，那里的事那里了结好，何必去惊动他老人家。这都是瑞大爷的不是，太爷不在这里，你老人家就是这学里的头脑了，众人看著你行事。众人有了不是，该打的打，该罚的罚，如何等闹到这步田地还不管？”贾瑞道：“我吆喝著都不听。”李贵笑道：“不怕你老人家恼我，素日你老人家到底有些不正经，所以这些兄弟才不听。就闹到太爷跟前去，连你老人家也是脱不过的。还不快作主意撕罗开了罢。”宝玉道：“撕罗什么？我必是回去的！”秦钟哭道：“有金荣，我是不在这里念书的。”宝玉道：“这是为什么？难道有人家来的，咱们倒来不得？我必回明白众人，撵了金荣去。”又问李贵：“金荣是那一房的亲戚？”李贵想了一想道：“也不用问了。若问起那一房的亲戚，更伤了兄弟们的和气。”

茗煙在窗外道：“他是東胡同子里璜大奶奶的侄兒。Mingyan said from outside the window, "He's the nephew of Madam Huang from the eastern lane.那是什麼硬正仗腰子的，也來唬我們。What kind of strong backing is that, that he should come and try to scare us with it.璜大奶奶是他姑娘。Madam Huang is his aunt.你那姑媽只會打旋磨子，給我們璉二奶奶跪著借當頭。That aunt of yours only knows how to fawn and wheedle, kneeling before our Second Mistress Lian to borrow pawned goods on credit.我眼里就看不起他那樣的主子奶奶！”李貴忙斷喝不止，說：“偏你這小狗肏的知道，有這些蛆嚼！”寶玉冷笑道：“我只當是誰的親戚，原來是璜嫂子的侄兒，我就去問問他來！”說著便要走。In my eyes I look down on a mistress like that!" Li Gui hurriedly shouted at him again and again to stop, saying, "Only a little dog-humped whelp like you would know such things — such maggot-mouthed nonsense!" Baoyu said with a cold smile, "I was wondering whose relation he was — so it turns out he's the nephew of sister-in-law Huang. I'll go and have a word with him!" So saying, he made to go.叫茗煙進來包書。He called Mingyan in to wrap up the books.茗煙包著書，又得意道：“爺也不用自己去見，等我到他家，就說老太太有說的話問他呢，雇上一輛車拉進去，當著老太太問他，豈不省事。”李貴忙喝道：“你要死！As Mingyan wrapped the books, he said proudly, "Master, you don't even need to go see him yourself — just let me go to his house and say the Old Ancestress has something to ask him, hire a cart to haul him in, and question him right in front of the Old Ancestress — wouldn't that save trouble?" Li Gui hastily shouted at him, "You want to die!仔細回去我好不好先捶了你，然後再回老爺太太，就說寶玉全是你調唆的。Watch out, or once we're back I'll give you a good beating first, and then report to the Master and Madam that it was all you who put Baoyu up to this.我這里好容易勸哄好了一半了，你又來生個新法子。I've only just managed with great difficulty to talk things halfway calm, and here you come up with a new scheme.你鬧了學堂，不說變法兒壓息了才是，倒要往大里鬧！”茗煙方不敢作聲兒了。You've already stirred up trouble in the schoolroom — instead of finding some way to calm it down, you want to make it even bigger!" Only then did Mingyan not dare say another word.

茗烟在窗外道：“他是东胡同子里璜大奶奶的侄儿。那是什么硬正仗腰子的，也来唬我们。璜大奶奶是他姑娘。你那姑妈只会打旋磨子，给我们琏二奶奶跪著借当头。我眼里就看不起他那样的主子奶奶！”李贵忙断喝不止，说：“偏你这小狗肏的知道，有这些蛆嚼！”宝玉冷笑道：“我只当是谁的亲戚，原来是璜嫂子的侄儿，我就去问问他来！”说著便要走。叫茗烟进来包书。茗烟包著书，又得意道：“爷也不用自己去见，等我到他家，就说老太太有说的话问他呢，雇上一辆车拉进去，当著老太太问他，岂不省事。”李贵忙喝道：“你要死！仔细回去我好不好先捶了你，然后再回老爷太太，就说宝玉全是你调唆的。我这里好容易劝哄好了一半了，你又来生个新法子。你闹了学堂，不说变法儿压息了才是，倒要往大里闹！”茗烟方不敢作声儿了。

此時賈瑞也怕鬧大了，自己也不乾淨，只得委曲著來央告秦鐘，又央告寶玉。By this time Jia Rui too was afraid the matter would grow too big, and knowing he himself was not blameless, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and plead with Qin Zhong, and then plead with Baoyu as well.先是他二人不肯。At first the two of them would not agree.後來寶玉說：“不回去也罷了，只叫金榮賠不是便罷。”金榮先是不肯，後來禁不得賈瑞也來逼他去賠不是，李貴等只得好勸金榮說：“原是你起的端，你不這樣，怎得了局？”金榮強不得，只得與秦鐘作了揖。Afterward Baoyu said, "Very well, I won't go home after all — just have Jin Rong apologize and that will do." Jin Rong at first refused, but afterward, unable to withstand Jia Rui's pressing him to go and apologize, and with Li Gui and the others doing their best to persuade him, saying, "It was you who started this in the first place — if you don't do this, how else can it be settled?" — Jin Rong, unable to hold out, had no choice but to make a bow of apology to Qin Zhong.寶玉還不依，偏定要磕頭。But Baoyu still would not accept this, and insisted absolutely that he kowtow.賈瑞只要暫息此事，又悄悄的勸金榮說：“俗語說的好：‘殺人不過頭點地。’你既惹出事來，少不得下點氣兒，磕個頭就完事了。”金榮無奈，只得進前來與秦鐘磕頭。Jia Rui, wanting only to settle the matter for the time being, quietly urged Jin Rong further, saying, "As the saying goes so well, 'Even for killing a man, the worst is to bow one's head to the ground.' Since you've brought this trouble on yourself, you can't avoid swallowing a little of your pride — just kowtow once and it will be over." Jin Rong, having no other choice, had to step forward and kowtow to Qin Zhong.且聽下回分解。And what happened next will be told in the next chapter.

此时贾瑞也怕闹大了，自己也不干净，只得委曲著来央告秦钟，又央告宝玉。先是他二人不肯。后来宝玉说：“不回去也罢了，只叫金荣赔不是便罢。”金荣先是不肯，后来禁不得贾瑞也来逼他去赔不是，李贵等只得好劝金荣说：“原是你起的端，你不这样，怎得了局？”金荣强不得，只得与秦钟作了揖。宝玉还不依，偏定要磕头。贾瑞只要暂息此事，又悄悄的劝金荣说：“俗语说的好：‘杀人不过头点地。’你既惹出事来，少不得下点气儿，磕个头就完事了。”金荣无奈，只得进前来与秦钟磕头。且听下回分解。

注释Notes