第九十一回　縱淫心寶蟾工設計　布疑陣寶玉妄談禪 Baochan Cunningly Lays a Lustful Snare; Baoyu Idly Talks of Chan and Sows Doubt

話說薛蝌正在狐疑，忽聽窗外一笑，唬了一跳，心中想道：“不是寶蟾，定是金桂。The story goes that Xue Ke was in the midst of his suspicions when he suddenly heard a laugh outside the window, which gave him a start; he thought to himself, "If it isn't Baochan, it must be Jingui.只不理他們，看他們有什麼法兒。”聽了半日，卻又寂然無聲。I'll simply pay them no mind and see what tricks they have." He listened for a long while, but all was silent again.自己也不敢吃那酒果。He himself dared not touch that wine and fruit.掩上房門，剛要脫衣時，只聽見窗紙上微微一響。He shut the door and was just about to undress when he heard a faint rustle against the window paper.薛蝌此時被寶蟾鬼混了一陣，心中七上八下，竟不知是如何是可。By this time Xue Ke, having been thrown into confusion by Baochan's mischief, was all in a fluster inside, not knowing what he ought to do.聽見窗紙微響，細看時，又無動靜，自己反倒疑心起來，掩了怀，坐在燈前，呆呆的細想，又把那果子拿了一塊，翻來覆去的細看。Hearing the faint rustle on the window paper, he looked closely, but there was no further movement; instead he grew suspicious of himself, drew his robe shut, sat before the lamp, and pondered blankly, picking up a piece of the fruit and turning it over and over as he examined it.猛回頭，看見窗上紙濕了一塊，走過來覷著眼看時，冷不防外面往里一吹，把薛蝌唬了一大跳。Suddenly he turned his head and saw a damp patch on the window paper; he went over and was peering at it with narrowed eyes when, without warning, someone blew in from outside, giving Xue Ke a great fright.聽得吱吱的笑聲，薛蝌連忙把燈吹滅了，屏息而臥。He heard a giggling titter, and Xue Ke hastily blew out the lamp and lay holding his breath.只聽外面一個人說道：“二爺為什麼不喝酒吃果子，就睡了？”這句話仍是寶蟾的語音。He heard someone outside say, "Second Master, why haven't you drunk the wine or eaten the fruit, and gone to bed already?" The voice was still Baochan's.薛蝌只不作聲裝睡。Xue Ke made no sound and pretended to be asleep.又隔有兩句話時，又聽得外面似有恨聲道：“天下那里有這樣沒造化的人。”薛蝌聽了是寶蟾又似是金桂的語音，這才知道他們原來是這一番意思，翻來覆去，直到五更後才睡著了。After another sentence or two, he heard what sounded like a resentful voice outside say, "Where in the world is there such a luckless fool." Xue Ke, hearing it, thought it was Baochan's voice, yet it also seemed like Jingui's, and only then did he understand what the two of them had been up to all along; he tossed and turned, and did not fall asleep until after the fifth watch.剛到天明，早有人來扣門。Just as day was breaking, someone was already knocking at the door.薛蝌忙問是誰，外面也不答應。Xue Ke hastily asked who it was, but there was no answer from outside.薛蝌只得起來，開了門看時，卻是寶蟾，攏著頭髮，掩著怀，穿一件片錦邊琵琶襟小緊身，上面繫一條松花綠半新的汗巾，下面并未穿裙，正露著石榴紅灑花夾褲，一雙新繡紅鞋。Xue Ke had no choice but to get up and open the door to look, and there stood Baochan, her hair gathered up but unbound, clutching her robe closed, wearing a short close-fitting jacket with a pipa-shaped front trimmed in patterned brocade, a half-worn pine-green sash tied about it, and below she wore no skirt at all, so that her pomegranate-red flower-sprigged lined trousers showed plainly, along with a pair of newly embroidered red shoes.原來寶蟾尚未梳洗，恐怕人見，赶早來取家伙。It turned out Baochan had not yet washed or dressed, and fearing to be seen like that, had come early to fetch the things.薛蝌見他這樣打扮，便走進來，心中又是一動，只得陪笑問道：“怎麼這樣早就起來了？”寶蟾把臉紅著，并不答言，只管把果子折在一個碟子里，端著就走。Seeing her got up this way, Xue Ke walked over, his heart stirred once again, and he could only force a smile and ask, "Why are you up so early?" Baochan, her face flushing red, said nothing at all, only folded the fruit onto a plate and picked it up to leave.薛蝌見他這般，知是昨晚的原故，心里想道：“這也罷了。Seeing her like this, Xue Ke knew it was because of the night before, and he thought to himself, "Well, so be it.倒是他們惱了，索性死了心，也省得來纏。”于是把心放下，喚人舀水洗臉。It's just as well if they're offended and give up on this for good — it saves me the trouble of being pestered." With that his mind was set at ease, and he called for someone to bring water so he could wash his face.自己打算在家里靜坐兩天，一則養養心神，二則出去怕人找他。He himself resolved to sit quietly at home for a couple of days, partly to calm his mind and spirit, and partly because he was afraid of running into people if he went out.原來和薛蟠好的那些人因見薛家無人，只有薛蝌在那里辦事，年紀又輕，便生許多覬覦之心。It happened that the associates who had been on good terms with Xue Pan, seeing that there was no one in charge at the Xue household except young Xue Ke handling affairs, and he being so young besides, began to hatch all sorts of covetous designs.也有想插在里頭做跑腿的，也有能做狀子的，認得一二個書役的，要給他上下打點的，甚至有叫他在內趁錢的，也有造作謠言恐嚇的：种种不一。Some hoped to wedge themselves in as errand-runners, some who knew how to draft petitions and were acquainted with a clerk or two wanted to handle bribes for him at every level, some even wanted him to let them skim money on the inside, and some spread rumors to intimidate him — all manner of schemes.薛蝌見了這些人，遠遠躲避，又不敢面辭，恐怕激出意外之變，只好藏在家中，聽候傳詳。Whenever Xue Ke saw these people coming, he kept well out of their way, yet dared not refuse them to their faces either, fearing to provoke some unforeseen trouble, so he could only hole up at home and wait to hear how the case proceeded.不提。No more of this for now.

话说薛蝌正在狐疑，忽听窗外一笑，唬了一跳，心中想道：“不是宝蟾，定是金桂。只不理他们，看他们有什么法儿。”听了半日，却又寂然无声。自己也不敢吃那酒果。掩上房门，刚要脱衣时，只听见窗纸上微微一响。薛蝌此时被宝蟾鬼混了一阵，心中七上八下，竟不知是如何是可。听见窗纸微响，细看时，又无动静，自己反倒疑心起来，掩了怀，坐在灯前，呆呆的细想，又把那果子拿了一块，翻来覆去的细看。猛回头，看见窗上纸湿了一块，走过来觑著眼看时，冷不防外面往里一吹，把薛蝌唬了一大跳。听得吱吱的笑声，薛蝌连忙把灯吹灭了，屏息而卧。只听外面一个人说道：“二爷为什么不喝酒吃果子，就睡了？”这句话仍是宝蟾的语音。薛蝌只不作声装睡。又隔有两句话时，又听得外面似有恨声道：“天下那里有这样没造化的人。”薛蝌听了是宝蟾又似是金桂的语音，这才知道他们原来是这一番意思，翻来覆去，直到五更后才睡著了。刚到天明，早有人来扣门。薛蝌忙问是谁，外面也不答应。薛蝌只得起来，开了门看时，却是宝蟾，拢著头发，掩著怀，穿一件片锦边琵琶襟小紧身，上面系一条松花绿半新的汗巾，下面并未穿裙，正露著石榴红洒花夹裤，一双新绣红鞋。原来宝蟾尚未梳洗，恐怕人见，赶早来取家伙。薛蝌见他这样打扮，便走进来，心中又是一动，只得陪笑问道：“怎么这样早就起来了？”宝蟾把脸红著，并不答言，只管把果子折在一个碟子里，端著就走。薛蝌见他这般，知是昨晚的原故，心里想道：“这也罢了。倒是他们恼了，索性死了心，也省得来缠。”于是把心放下，唤人舀水洗脸。自己打算在家里静坐两天，一则养养心神，二则出去怕人找他。原来和薛蟠好的那些人因见薛家无人，只有薛蝌在那里办事，年纪又轻，便生许多觊觎之心。也有想插在里头做跑腿的，也有能做状子的，认得一二个书役的，要给他上下打点的，甚至有叫他在内趁钱的，也有造作谣言恐吓的：种种不一。薛蝌见了这些人，远远躲避，又不敢面辞，恐怕激出意外之变，只好藏在家中，听候传详。不提。

且說金桂昨夜打發寶蟾送了些酒果去探探薛蝌的消息，寶蟾回來將薛蝌的光景一一的說了。Now to speak of Jingui: the night before, she had sent Baochan to deliver some wine and fruit to sound out how things stood with Xue Ke, and Baochan, upon returning, had described Xue Ke's whole manner in full.金桂見事有些不大投机，便怕白鬧一場，反被寶蟾瞧不起，欲把兩三句話遮飾改過口來，又可惜了這個人，心里倒沒了主意，怔怔的坐著。Seeing that things had not gone quite smoothly, Jingui feared she had made a fuss for nothing and would only be looked down upon by Baochan; she wanted to smooth it over and change her tack with a sentence or two, and yet she also hated to let such a man slip away — she was quite at a loss and sat there in a daze.那知寶蟾亦知薛蟠難以回家，正欲尋個頭路，因怕金桂拿他，所以不敢透漏。Little did she know that Baochan too was aware Xue Pan would find it hard to come home again, and she had already been looking for a way out for herself; only, fearing Jingui might catch her at it, she had not dared let anything slip.今見金桂所為先已開了端了，他便樂得借風使船，先弄薛蝌到手，不怕金桂不依，所以用言挑撥。Now, seeing that Jingui had already opened the way with her own actions, Baochan was only too glad to make use of the favorable wind to sail her own boat — get Xue Ke into her hands first, and never fear that Jingui would object — and so she used her words to stir things up.見薛蝌似非無情，又不甚兜攬，一時也不敢造次，後來見薛蝌吹燈自睡，大覺掃興，回來告訴金桂，看金桂有甚方法，再作道理。Seeing that Xue Ke did not seem entirely unmoved, yet was not encouraging her either, she dared not act rashly for the moment; but later, when she saw Xue Ke blow out the lamp and go to sleep on his own, she was thoroughly deflated, and went back to tell Jingui, to see what scheme Jingui might have, before deciding what to do next.及見金桂怔怔的，似乎無技可施，他也只得陪金桂收拾睡了。And when she found Jingui sitting there in a daze, seemingly with no trick left to try, she had no choice but to keep Jingui company and settle down to sleep.夜里那里睡得著，翻來覆去，想出一個法子來：不如明兒一早起來，先去取了家伙，卻自己換上一兩件動人的衣服，也不梳洗，越顯出一番嬌媚來。But how could she sleep that night — tossing and turning, she worked out a plan: better to get up early the next morning, go first to fetch the things, but change into one or two fetching garments herself, and not bother to wash or dress her hair, so as to show off all the more charm and allure.只看薛蝌的神情，自己反倒裝出一番惱意，索性不理他。She would simply watch Xue Ke's expression, and put on an air of vexation herself, and make a show of ignoring him entirely.那薛蝌若有悔心，自然移船泊岸，不愁不先到手。If Xue Ke then showed any sign of regret, he would naturally steer his own boat to shore, and there would be no worry of not landing him first.及至見了薛蝌，仍是昨晚這般光景，并無邪僻之意，自己只得以假為真，端了碟子回來，卻故意留下酒壺，以為再來搭轉之地。But when she actually saw Xue Ke, he was exactly as he had been the night before, with no trace of any improper intent, so she had no choice but to take the false for true, pick up the plate, and go back, though she deliberately left the wine pot behind as a pretext to return again later.只見金桂問道：“你拿東西去有人碰見么？”寶蟾道：“沒有。”“二爺也沒問你什麼？”寶蟾道：“也沒有。”金桂因一夜不曾睡著，也想不出一個法子來，只得回思道：“若作此事，別人可瞞，寶蟾如何能瞞？Jingui then asked her, "Did anyone see you carrying the things over?" Baochan said, "No one." "Did Second Master ask you anything?" Baochan said, "No, nothing." Jingui, not having slept a wink all night, could think of no scheme either, and could only reflect to herself, "If I were to go about this, others might be kept in the dark, but how could I possibly hide it from Baochan?不如我分惠于他，他自然沒有不盡心的。Better that I share a bit of favor with her — she will surely not fail to serve me faithfully then.我又不能自去，少不得要他作腳，倒不如和他商量一個穩便主意。”因帶笑說道：“你看二爺到底是個怎麼樣的人？”寶蟾道：“倒象個糊涂人。”金桂聽了笑道：“你如何說起爺們來了。”寶蟾也笑道：“他辜負奶奶的心，我就說得他。”金桂道：“他怎麼辜負我的心，你倒得說說。”寶蟾道：“奶奶給他好東西吃，他倒不吃，這不是辜負奶奶的心么。”說著，卻把眼溜著金桂一笑。And since I cannot go myself, I'll need her to be my legs anyway — better by far to talk it over with her and settle on some safe, sound plan." So, smiling, she said, "What do you make of Second Master, in the end — what sort of person is he?" Baochan said, "He seems rather a dull, muddled sort of person." Jingui laughed on hearing this, "How is it you've taken to talking about the young masters like that." Baochan too laughed, "He's failed to appreciate Madam's kind heart — that's why I say so of him." Jingui said, "How has he failed to appreciate my heart — go on, tell me." Baochan said, "Madam gave him good things to eat and he wouldn't eat them — isn't that failing to appreciate Madam's heart?" As she said this, she slid her eyes toward Jingui with a smile.金桂道：“你別胡想。Jingui said, "Don't go imagining things.我給他送東西，為大爺的事不辭勞苦，我所以敬他，又怕人說瞎話，所以問你。I sent him things because of all the trouble he's taken over your brother's affair without complaint, and so I mean to show him regard — but I was also afraid people might spread idle talk, and that's why I asked you.你這些話向我說，我不懂是什麼意思。”寶蟾笑道：“奶奶別多心，我是跟奶奶的，還有兩個心么。These things you're saying to me now, I don't understand what you mean by them." Baochan said, smiling, "Don't take it the wrong way, Madam — I'm your own maid, do I have some other heart than yours?但是事情要密些，倘或聲張起來，不是頑的。”金桂也覺得臉飛紅了，因說道：“你這個丫頭就不是個好貨！Only, such a matter needs to be kept quiet; if word got out, it would be no small joke." Jingui too felt her face flush red, and said, "You're no good, this maid of mine!想來你心里看上了，卻拿我作筏子，是不是呢？”寶蟾道：“只是奶奶那麼想罷咧，我倒是替奶奶難受。I suppose you've taken a fancy to him yourself, and are only using me as a pretext — isn't that it?" Baochan said, "That's only how Madam is imagining it — as for me, I only feel bad on Madam's account.奶奶要真瞧二爺好，我倒有個主意。If Madam truly thinks well of Second Master, I have an idea, in fact.奶奶想，那個耗子不偷油呢，他也不過怕事情不密，大家鬧出亂子來不好看。Consider, Madam — what rat doesn't steal oil? He's only afraid that things won't stay quiet enough, that it will come out and cause a scandal, and that won't look good for anyone.依我想，奶奶且別性急，時常在他身上不周不備的去處張羅張羅。To my mind, Madam ought not to be impatient — just go about, now and then, tending to whatever he's lacking or in need of, wherever it's wanting.他是個小叔子，又沒娶媳婦兒，奶奶就多盡點心兒和他貼個好兒，別人也說不出什麼來。He's your husband's younger brother, and hasn't taken a wife yet either; if Madam shows him a bit more consideration and cultivates good feeling with him, no one else can say a word against it.過幾天他感奶奶的情，他自然要謝候奶奶。After a few days, once he's grateful to Madam for your kindness, he's bound to want to thank Madam for it properly.那時奶奶再備點東西兒在咱們屋里，我幫著奶奶灌醉了他，怕跑了他？At that point Madam can prepare a little something more in our rooms, and I'll help Madam get him drunk — how could he possibly get away then?他要不應，咱們索性鬧起來，就說他調戲奶奶。If he refuses, we can simply raise a scene and say he tried to take liberties with Madam.他害怕，他自然得順著咱們的手兒。He'll be frightened, and naturally he'll have to go along with whatever we want.他再不應，他也不是人，咱們也不至白丟了臉面。And if even then he still refuses, he's no man at all, and we won't have lost face for nothing either.奶奶想怎麼樣？”金桂聽了這話，兩顴早已紅暈了，笑罵道：“小蹄子，你倒偷過多少漢子的似的，怪不得大爺在家時離不開你。”寶蟾把嘴一撇，笑說道：“罷喲，人家倒替奶奶拉纖，奶奶倒往我們說這個話咧。”從此金桂一心籠絡薛蝌，倒無心混鬧了。What does Madam think?" Hearing this, Jingui's cheeks were already flushed red, and she scolded with a laugh, "You little wretch, anyone would think you'd seduced no end of men yourself — no wonder your master couldn't bear to be parted from you while he was home." Baochan pursed her lips and said with a laugh, "Oh, enough of that — here I am playing matchmaker for Madam, and Madam turns around and says such things about me instead." From this time on Jingui set her whole heart on winning Xue Ke over, and had no more mind left for making trouble.家中也少覺安靜。The household, too, grew somewhat quieter.

且说金桂昨夜打发宝蟾送了些酒果去探探薛蝌的消息，宝蟾回来将薛蝌的光景一一的说了。金桂见事有些不大投机，便怕白闹一场，反被宝蟾瞧不起，欲把两三句话遮饰改过口来，又可惜了这个人，心里倒没了主意，怔怔的坐著。那知宝蟾亦知薛蟠难以回家，正欲寻个头路，因怕金桂拿他，所以不敢透漏。今见金桂所为先已开了端了，他便乐得借风使船，先弄薛蝌到手，不怕金桂不依，所以用言挑拨。见薛蝌似非无情，又不甚兜揽，一时也不敢造次，后来见薛蝌吹灯自睡，大觉扫兴，回来告诉金桂，看金桂有甚方法，再作道理。及见金桂怔怔的，似乎无技可施，他也只得陪金桂收拾睡了。夜里那里睡得著，翻来覆去，想出一个法子来：不如明儿一早起来，先去取了家伙，却自己换上一两件动人的衣服，也不梳洗，越显出一番娇媚来。只看薛蝌的神情，自己反倒装出一番恼意，索性不理他。那薛蝌若有悔心，自然移船泊岸，不愁不先到手。及至见了薛蝌，仍是昨晚这般光景，并无邪僻之意，自己只得以假为真，端了碟子回来，却故意留下酒壶，以为再来搭转之地。只见金桂问道：“你拿东西去有人碰见么？”宝蟾道：“没有。”“二爷也没问你什么？”宝蟾道：“也没有。”金桂因一夜不曾睡著，也想不出一个法子来，只得回思道：“若作此事，别人可瞒，宝蟾如何能瞒？不如我分惠于他，他自然没有不尽心的。我又不能自去，少不得要他作脚，倒不如和他商量一个稳便主意。”因带笑说道：“你看二爷到底是个怎么样的人？”宝蟾道：“倒象个糊涂人。”金桂听了笑道：“你如何说起爷们来了。”宝蟾也笑道：“他辜负奶奶的心，我就说得他。”金桂道：“他怎么辜负我的心，你倒得说说。”宝蟾道：“奶奶给他好东西吃，他倒不吃，这不是辜负奶奶的心么。”说著，却把眼溜著金桂一笑。金桂道：“你别胡想。我给他送东西，为大爷的事不辞劳苦，我所以敬他，又怕人说瞎话，所以问你。你这些话向我说，我不懂是什么意思。”宝蟾笑道：“奶奶别多心，我是跟奶奶的，还有两个心么。但是事情要密些，倘或声张起来，不是顽的。”金桂也觉得脸飞红了，因说道：“你这个丫头就不是个好货！想来你心里看上了，却拿我作筏子，是不是呢？”宝蟾道：“只是奶奶那么想罢咧，我倒是替奶奶难受。奶奶要真瞧二爷好，我倒有个主意。奶奶想，那个耗子不偷油呢，他也不过怕事情不密，大家闹出乱子来不好看。依我想，奶奶且别性急，时常在他身上不周不备的去处张罗张罗。他是个小叔子，又没娶媳妇儿，奶奶就多尽点心儿和他贴个好儿，别人也说不出什么来。过几天他感奶奶的情，他自然要谢候奶奶。那时奶奶再备点东西儿在咱们屋里，我帮著奶奶灌醉了他，怕跑了他？他要不应，咱们索性闹起来，就说他调戏奶奶。他害怕，他自然得顺著咱们的手儿。他再不应，他也不是人，咱们也不至白丢了脸面。奶奶想怎么样？”金桂听了这话，两颧早已红晕了，笑骂道：“小蹄子，你倒偷过多少汉子的似的，怪不得大爷在家时离不开你。”宝蟾把嘴一撇，笑说道：“罢哟，人家倒替奶奶拉纤，奶奶倒往我们说这个话咧。”从此金桂一心笼络薛蝌，倒无心混闹了。家中也少觉安静。

當日寶蟾自去取了酒壺，仍是穩穩重重一臉的正氣。That day, when Baochan herself went to fetch the wine pot, she wore once again a perfectly composed, altogether proper air.薛蝌偷眼看了，反倒後悔，疑心或者是自己錯想了他們，也未可知。Xue Ke, stealing a glance at her, felt regret instead, suspecting that perhaps he had misjudged the two of them after all — who could say.果然如此，倒辜負了他這一番美意，保不住日後倒要和自己也鬧起來，豈非自惹的呢。If that were really so, he would have spurned her good intentions for nothing, and it was not impossible that trouble might yet break out between the two of them later on — would that not be trouble of his own making?過了兩天，甚覺安靜。After a couple of days, things felt quite calm indeed.薛蝌遇見寶蟾，寶蟾便低頭走了，連眼皮兒也不抬，遇見金桂，金桂卻一盆火兒的赶著。Whenever Xue Ke met Baochan, she would simply lower her head and walk on by, not even raising her eyelids; but when he met Jingui, she would come rushing up all warmth and eagerness.薛蝌見這般光景，反倒過意不去。Seeing this state of affairs, Xue Ke felt all the more uneasy in his conscience.這且不表。But no more of this for now.

当日宝蟾自去取了酒壶，仍是稳稳重重一脸的正气。薛蝌偷眼看了，反倒后悔，疑心或者是自己错想了他们，也未可知。果然如此，倒辜负了他这一番美意，保不住日后倒要和自己也闹起来，岂非自惹的呢。过了两天，甚觉安静。薛蝌遇见宝蟾，宝蟾便低头走了，连眼皮儿也不抬，遇见金桂，金桂却一盆火儿的赶著。薛蝌见这般光景，反倒过意不去。这且不表。

且說寶釵母女覺得金桂幾天安靜，待人忽親熱起來，一家子都為罕事。Now to speak of Baochai and her mother: they found that Jingui had been quiet for several days running, and had suddenly grown warm and affectionate toward everyone, which the whole household thought most remarkable.薛姨媽十分歡喜，想到必是薛蟠娶這媳婦時沖犯了什麼，才敗坏了這幾年。Aunt Xue was overjoyed, thinking that surely something had been offended against at the time Xue Pan married this daughter-in-law, which was why things had gone so badly these past years.目今鬧出這樣事來，虧得家里有錢，賈府出力，方才有了指望。Now that this trouble had broken out, it was only thanks to the family's having money and the Jia household's exerting itself on their behalf that there was any hope at all.媳婦兒忽然安靜起來，或者是蟠兒轉過運氣來了，也未可知，于是自己心里倒以為希有之奇。That the daughter-in-law had suddenly turned quiet was perhaps a sign that Pan's luck was turning at last — who could say — and so in her own heart she took it for a rare and wonderful thing.這日飯後扶了同貴過來，到金桂房里瞧瞧。That day, after the meal, she had Tonggui support her over to Jingui's rooms to have a look.走到院中，只聽一個男人和金桂說話。As she reached the courtyard, she heard a man's voice talking with Jingui.同貴知机，便說道：“大奶奶，老太太過來了。”說著已到門口。Tonggui, sensing what was happening, quickly called out, "Madam, the old mistress has come over," and by the time he said this they were already at the door.只見一個人影兒在房門後一躲，薛姨媽一嚇，倒退了出來。Just then a figure ducked back behind the bedroom door, and Aunt Xue, startled, backed away out again.金桂道：“太太請里頭坐。Jingui said, "Please, Mother, come in and sit.沒有外人，他就是我的過繼兄弟，本住在屯里，不慣見人，因沒有見過太太。There's no outsider here — this is only my adoptive brother; he lives out in the village and isn't used to seeing people, and that's why he hasn't met Mother before.今兒才來，還沒去請太太的安。”薛姨媽道：“既是舅爺，不妨見見。”金桂叫兄弟出來，見了薛姨媽，作了一個揖，問了好。He only arrived today, and hasn't yet been to pay his respects to Mother." Aunt Xue said, "Since he's your brother, there's no harm in meeting him." Jingui called her brother out, and he, on seeing Aunt Xue, made a bow and asked after her health.薛姨媽也問了好，坐下敘起話來。Aunt Xue also asked after his health, and they sat down and fell to talking.薛姨媽道：“舅爺上京幾時了？”那夏三道：“前月我媽沒有人管家，把我過繼來的。Aunt Xue said, "How long has your brother been in the capital?" This Xia San said, "Last month, since my mother had no one to manage the household, she had me adopted over.前日才進京，今日來瞧姐姐。”薛姨媽看那人不尷尬，于是略坐坐兒，便起身道：“舅爺坐著罷。”回頭向金桂道：“舅爺頭上末下的來，留在咱們這里吃了飯再去罷。”金桂答應著，薛姨媽自去了。I only arrived in the capital a few days ago, and today I've come to see my sister." Aunt Xue, seeing the man was not ill-mannered, sat only a little while longer and then rose, saying, "Do sit, brother." Turning back to Jingui she said, "Since your brother has only just arrived, why not keep him here to eat before he goes." Jingui assented, and Aunt Xue went on her way.金桂見婆婆去了，便向夏三道：“你坐著，今日可是過了明路的了，省得我們二爺查考你。Once Jingui saw her mother-in-law had gone, she said to Xia San, "Sit down — today you've properly been introduced through the front gate, so there's no need to worry about our Second Master questioning you.我今日還叫你買些東西，只別叫眾人看見。”夏三道：“這個交給我就完了。I want you to buy me some things today too — only don't let the others see." Xia San said, "Just leave that to me.你要什麼，只要有錢，我就買得來。”金桂道：“且別說嘴，你買上了當，我可不收。”說著，二人又笑了一回，然後金桂陪夏三吃了晚飯，又告訴他買的東西，又囑咐一回，夏三自去。Whatever you want, so long as there's money for it, I can get it for you." Jingui said, "Don't talk big just yet — if you buy something shoddy, I won't accept it." So saying, the two of them laughed together again for a while, after which Jingui kept Xia San for supper, told him again what to buy, gave him further instructions, and then Xia San took his leave.從此夏三往來不絕。From this time on, Xia San came and went without let-up.雖有個年老的門上人，知是舅爺，也不常回，從此生出無限風波，這是後話。Although there was an old gatekeeper who knew he was the young mistress's adopted brother, he did not often report it, and from this arose no end of trouble later on — but that is a matter for later.不表。No more of this for now.

且说宝钗母女觉得金桂几天安静，待人忽亲热起来，一家子都为罕事。薛姨妈十分欢喜，想到必是薛蟠娶这媳妇时冲犯了什么，才败坏了这几年。目今闹出这样事来，亏得家里有钱，贾府出力，方才有了指望。媳妇儿忽然安静起来，或者是蟠儿转过运气来了，也未可知，于是自己心里倒以为希有之奇。这日饭后扶了同贵过来，到金桂房里瞧瞧。走到院中，只听一个男人和金桂说话。同贵知机，便说道：“大奶奶，老太太过来了。”说著已到门口。只见一个人影儿在房门后一躲，薛姨妈一吓，倒退了出来。金桂道：“太太请里头坐。没有外人，他就是我的过继兄弟，本住在屯里，不惯见人，因没有见过太太。今儿才来，还没去请太太的安。”薛姨妈道：“既是舅爷，不妨见见。”金桂叫兄弟出来，见了薛姨妈，作了一个揖，问了好。薛姨妈也问了好，坐下叙起话来。薛姨妈道：“舅爷上京几时了？”那夏三道：“前月我妈没有人管家，把我过继来的。前日才进京，今日来瞧姐姐。”薛姨妈看那人不尴尬，于是略坐坐儿，便起身道：“舅爷坐著罢。”回头向金桂道：“舅爷头上末下的来，留在咱们这里吃了饭再去罢。”金桂答应著，薛姨妈自去了。金桂见婆婆去了，便向夏三道：“你坐著，今日可是过了明路的了，省得我们二爷查考你。我今日还叫你买些东西，只别叫众人看见。”夏三道：“这个交给我就完了。你要什么，只要有钱，我就买得来。”金桂道：“且别说嘴，你买上了当，我可不收。”说著，二人又笑了一回，然后金桂陪夏三吃了晚饭，又告诉他买的东西，又嘱咐一回，夏三自去。从此夏三往来不绝。虽有个年老的门上人，知是舅爷，也不常回，从此生出无限风波，这是后话。不表。

一日薛蟠有信寄回，薛姨媽打開叫寶釵看時，上寫：One day a letter came from Xue Pan; Aunt Xue opened it and had Baochai read it, and it read as follows:

一日薛蟠有信寄回，薛姨妈打开叫宝钗看时，上写：

男在縣里也不受苦，母親放心。"Your son is not suffering in the county jail, so Mother need not worry.但昨日縣里書辦說，府里已經准詳，想是我們的情到了。But yesterday the clerk at the county office said that the prefecture had already approved and forwarded the report, and it seemed our efforts had borne fruit.豈知府里詳上去，道里反駁下來。Who would have thought that after the prefecture sent it up, the circuit intendant's office sent it back down with objections.虧得縣里主文相公好，即刻做了回文頂上去了。Fortunately the county magistrate's secretary is capable, and at once drafted a reply and sent it back up.那道里卻把知縣申飭。But the circuit office in turn reprimanded the magistrate for it.現在道里要親提，若一上去，又要吃苦。Now the circuit intendant wants to examine me in person, and if it once goes up to that level, I shall have to suffer again.必是道里沒有托到。It must be that the right hands were not reached at the circuit office.母親見字，快快托人求道爺去。The moment Mother sees this letter, please hurry and find someone to approach the circuit lord on my behalf.還叫兄弟快來，不然就要解道。Also tell my brother to come at once — otherwise I shall have to be sent under escort to the circuit court.銀子短不得。Money must not be lacking.火速，火速。Urgent, urgent!"

男在县里也不受苦，母亲放心。但昨日县里书办说，府里已经准详，想是我们的情到了。岂知府里详上去，道里反驳下来。亏得县里主文相公好，即刻做了回文顶上去了。那道里却把知县申饬。现在道里要亲提，若一上去，又要吃苦。必是道里没有托到。母亲见字，快快托人求道爷去。还叫兄弟快来，不然就要解道。银子短不得。火速，火速。

薛姨媽聽了，又哭了一場，自不必說。Hearing this, Aunt Xue wept once again, which goes without saying.薛蝌一面勸慰，一面說道：“事不宜遲。”薛姨媽沒法，只得叫薛蝌到縣照料，命人即便收拾行李，兌了銀子，家人李祥本在那里照應的，薛蝌又同了一個當中伙計連夜起程。Xue Ke, while comforting her, said at the same time, "This matter brooks no delay." Aunt Xue, having no other recourse, could only send Xue Ke to attend to things at the county seat; she had people pack the luggage at once and had silver weighed out, and Xue Ke, together with the family servant Li Xiang who was already there looking after matters, and one more shop assistant besides, set out that very night.

薛姨妈听了，又哭了一场，自不必说。薛蝌一面劝慰，一面说道：“事不宜迟。”薛姨妈没法，只得叫薛蝌到县照料，命人即便收拾行李，兑了银子，家人李祥本在那里照应的，薛蝌又同了一个当中伙计连夜起程。

那時手忙腳亂，雖有下人辦理，寶釵又恐他們思想不到，親來幫著，直鬧至四更才歇。Everything was in a great flurry at the time; although the servants were seeing to it, Baochai, fearing they might overlook something, came in person to help, and they were kept busy at it until past the fourth watch before resting.到底富家女子嬌養慣的，心上又急，又苦勞了一會，晚上就發燒。After all, being a wealthy family's daughter, pampered from childhood, and with her mind in such anxious turmoil besides, on top of the exhausting labor, she came down with a fever that very night.到了明日，湯水都吃不下。By the next day she could not even swallow broth or water.鶯兒去回了薛姨媽。Yingr went to report this to Aunt Xue.薛姨媽急來看時，只見寶釵滿面通紅，身如燔灼，話都不說。Aunt Xue hurried in anxiously to look, and found Baochai's face flushed crimson all over, her body burning as if on fire, unable to say a word.薛姨媽慌了手腳，便哭得死去活來。Aunt Xue, utterly beside herself, wept until she nearly fainted away.寶琴扶著勸薛姨媽。Baoqin supported her and tried to comfort Aunt Xue.秋菱也淚如泉涌，只管叫著。Qiuling too wept streams of tears, calling out to her the whole while.寶釵不能說話，手也不能搖動，眼乾鼻塞。Baochai could not speak, could not even move her hand, her eyes were dry and her nose stopped up.叫人請醫調治，漸漸蘇醒回來。They sent for a doctor to treat her, and gradually she came back to consciousness.薛姨媽等大家略略放心。Aunt Xue and the rest were somewhat relieved at last.早驚動榮宁兩府的人，先是鳳姐打發人送十香返魂丹來，隨後王夫人又送至寶丹來。Word of this soon reached both the Rong and Ning mansions; first Xifeng sent someone with Ten-Fragrance Life-Restoring Pills, and afterward Lady Wang too sent over Perfect Elixir Pills.賈母邢王二夫人以及尤氏等都打發丫頭來問候，卻都不叫寶玉知道。Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and You-shi and the others all sent maids to inquire after her, but none of it was allowed to reach Baoyu's ears.一連治了七八天，終不見效，還是他自己想起冷香丸，吃了三丸，才得病好。For seven or eight days running they treated her, but to no effect at all, until at last she herself thought of the Cold Fragrance Pills, and after taking three of them, she finally began to recover.後來寶玉也知道了，因病好了，沒有瞧去。Later Baoyu came to know of it too, but since she had already recovered, he did not go to see her.

那时手忙脚乱，虽有下人办理，宝钗又恐他们思想不到，亲来帮著，直闹至四更才歇。到底富家女子娇养惯的，心上又急，又苦劳了一会，晚上就发烧。到了明日，汤水都吃不下。莺儿去回了薛姨妈。薛姨妈急来看时，只见宝钗满面通红，身如燔灼，话都不说。薛姨妈慌了手脚，便哭得死去活来。宝琴扶著劝薛姨妈。秋菱也泪如泉涌，只管叫著。宝钗不能说话，手也不能摇动，眼干鼻塞。叫人请医调治，渐渐苏醒回来。薛姨妈等大家略略放心。早惊动荣宁两府的人，先是凤姐打发人送十香返魂丹来，随后王夫人又送至宝丹来。贾母邢王二夫人以及尤氏等都打发丫头来问候，却都不叫宝玉知道。一连治了七八天，终不见效，还是他自己想起冷香丸，吃了三丸，才得病好。后来宝玉也知道了，因病好了，没有瞧去。

那時薛蝌又有信回來，薛姨媽看了，怕寶釵耽憂，也不叫他知道。At that time another letter arrived from Xue Ke; Aunt Xue read it, but fearing it would worry Baochai, did not let her know of it.自己來求王夫人，并述了一會子寶釵的病。She herself went to entreat Lady Wang, and at the same time related something of Baochai's illness.薛姨媽去後，王夫人又求賈政。After Aunt Xue had gone, Lady Wang in turn went to entreat Jia Zheng.賈政道：“此事上頭可托，底下難托，必須打點才好。”王夫人又提起寶釵的事來，因說道：“這孩子也苦了。Jia Zheng said, "As for this matter, the higher levels can be approached, but the lower ones are hard to reach — proper arrangements must be made." Lady Wang then brought up the matter of Baochai again, saying, "That child has suffered enough as it is.既是我家的人了，也該早些娶了過來才是，別叫他糟踏坏了身子。”賈政道：“我也是這麼想。Since she is already as good as one of our family, she really ought to be married in soon, rather than let her health be ruined like this." Jia Zheng said, "I have been thinking the same myself.但是他家亂忙，況且如今到了冬底，已經年近歲逼，不無各自要料理些家務。But their household is in such disorder just now, and besides, it is already the end of the year, with the year drawing to a close, and there is no avoiding that each family has its own household matters to attend to.今冬且放了定，明春再過禮，過了老太太的生日，就定日子娶。Let us have the betrothal gifts sent this winter, and the formal wedding gifts presented next spring; once Grandmother's birthday is past, we can fix a date for the wedding.你把這番話先告訴薛姨太太。”王夫人答應了。You go and tell Aunt Xue this, first of all." Lady Wang assented.到了明日，王夫人將賈政的話向薛姨媽述了。The next day, Lady Wang related Jia Zheng's words to Aunt Xue.薛姨媽想著也是。Aunt Xue, thinking it over, agreed that this was indeed reasonable.到了飯後，王夫人陪著來到賈母房中，大家讓了坐。After the meal, Lady Wang accompanied her over to Grandmother Jia's rooms, where everyone offered them seats.賈母道：“姨太太才過來？”薛姨媽道：“還是昨兒過來的。Grandmother Jia said, "Has Aunt Xue only just come over?" Aunt Xue said, "I came over yesterday already."因為晚了，沒得過來給老太太請安。”王夫人便把賈政昨夜所說的話向賈母述了一遍，賈母甚喜。"...because it was late, I couldn't come over to pay my respects to you, Old Ancestress." Wang furen then repeated to Grandmother Jia everything Jia Zheng had said the night before, and Grandmother Jia was very pleased.說著，寶玉進來了。As she spoke, Baoyu came in.賈母便問道：“吃了飯了沒有？”寶玉道：“才打學房里回來，吃了要往學房里去，先見見老太太。Grandmother Jia asked, "Have you eaten?" Baoyu said, "I just came back from the schoolroom; after eating I must go back to the schoolroom, so I came first to see you, Old Ancestress.又聽見說姨媽來了，過來給姨媽請請安。”因問：“寶姐姐可大好了？”薛姨媽笑道：“好了。”原來方才大家正說著，見寶玉進來，都煞住了。I also heard that Auntie had come, so I came to pay my respects to her." He then asked, "Is Cousin Bao much better now?" Aunt Xue said with a smile, "She's better." It turned out that they had all just been talking, but when they saw Baoyu come in, they broke off at once.寶玉坐了坐，見薛姨媽情形不似從前親熱，”雖是此刻沒有心情，也不犯大家都不言語。”滿腹猜疑，自往學中去了。Baoyu sat for a while, and noticing that Aunt Xue's manner was not as warm as before—though it was true no one was in the mood just then, still there was no call for everyone to fall silent—his mind filled with suspicion, and he went off to school by himself.

那时薛蝌又有信回来，薛姨妈看了，怕宝钗耽忧，也不叫他知道。自己来求王夫人，并述了一会子宝钗的病。薛姨妈去后，王夫人又求贾政。贾政道：“此事上头可托，底下难托，必须打点才好。”王夫人又提起宝钗的事来，因说道：“这孩子也苦了。既是我家的人了，也该早些娶了过来才是，别叫他糟踏坏了身子。”贾政道：“我也是这么想。但是他家乱忙，况且如今到了冬底，已经年近岁逼，不无各自要料理些家务。今冬且放了定，明春再过礼，过了老太太的生日，就定日子娶。你把这番话先告诉薛姨太太。”王夫人答应了。到了明日，王夫人将贾政的话向薛姨妈述了。薛姨妈想著也是。到了饭后，王夫人陪著来到贾母房中，大家让了坐。贾母道：“姨太太才过来？”薛姨妈道：“还是昨儿过来的。因为晚了，没得过来给老太太请安。”王夫人便把贾政昨夜所说的话向贾母述了一遍，贾母甚喜。说著，宝玉进来了。贾母便问道：“吃了饭了没有？”宝玉道：“才打学房里回来，吃了要往学房里去，先见见老太太。又听见说姨妈来了，过来给姨妈请请安。”因问：“宝姐姐可大好了？”薛姨妈笑道：“好了。”原来方才大家正说著，见宝玉进来，都煞住了。宝玉坐了坐，见薛姨妈情形不似从前亲热，”虽是此刻没有心情，也不犯大家都不言语。”满腹猜疑，自往学中去了。

晚間回來，都見過了，便往瀟湘館來。When he came back in the evening, having paid his respects to everyone, he went straight to Xiaoxiang Guan.掀帘進去，紫鵑接著，見里間屋內無人，寶玉道：“姑娘那里去了？”紫鵑道：“上屋里去了。Lifting the curtain and going in, Zijuan received him; seeing no one in the inner room, Baoyu said, "Where has the young lady gone?" Zijuan said, "She's gone up to the main house.知道姨太太過來，姑娘請安去了。Knowing that Auntie had come over, the young lady went to pay her respects.二爺沒有到上屋里去么？”寶玉道：“我去了來的，沒有見你姑娘。”紫鵑道：“這也奇了。”寶玉問：“姑娘到底那裡去了？”紫鵑道：“不定。”寶玉往外便走。Didn't Second Master go up to the main house himself?" Baoyu said, "I went and came back, and I didn't see your young lady there." Zijuan said, "That is strange." Baoyu asked, "Where on earth has the young lady gone?" Zijuan said, "There's no telling." Baoyu turned and walked outside.剛出屋門，只見黛玉帶著雪雁，冉冉而來。Just as he stepped out the door, he saw Daiyu, with Xueyan attending her, coming along slowly.寶玉道：“妹妹回來了。”縮身退步進來。Baoyu said, "So you're back, sister." He drew himself back and stepped inside again.

晚间回来，都见过了，便往潇湘馆来。掀帘进去，紫鹃接著，见里间屋内无人，宝玉道：“姑娘那里去了？”紫鹃道：“上屋里去了。知道姨太太过来，姑娘请安去了。二爷没有到上屋里去么？”宝玉道：“我去了来的，没有见你姑娘。”紫鹃道：“这也奇了。”宝玉问：“姑娘到底那里去了？”紫鹃道：“不定。”宝玉往外便走。刚出屋门，只见黛玉带著雪雁，冉冉而来。宝玉道：“妹妹回来了。”缩身退步进来。

黛玉進來，走入里間屋內，便請寶玉里頭坐。Daiyu came in, walked into the inner room, and asked Baoyu to sit down within.紫鵑拿了一件外罩換上，然後坐下，問道：“你上去看見姨媽沒有？”寶玉道：“見過了。”黛玉道：“姨媽說起我沒有？”寶玉道：“不但沒有說起你，連見了我也不象先時親熱。Zijuan brought an outer garment for her to put on, and then Daiyu sat down and asked, "Did you go up and see Auntie?" Baoyu said, "I saw her." Daiyu said, "Did Auntie mention me?" Baoyu said, "Not only did she not mention you, but even toward me she was not as warm as before.今日我問起寶姐姐病來，他不過笑了一笑，并不答言。Today when I asked after Cousin Bao's illness, she only gave a little smile and made no answer at all.難道怪我這兩天沒有去瞧他么。”黛玉笑了一笑道：“你去瞧過沒有？”寶玉道：“頭幾天不知道，這兩天知道了，也沒有去。”黛玉道：“可不是。”寶玉道：“老太太不叫我去，太太也不叫我去，老爺又不叫我去，我如何敢去。Could it be she blames me for not having gone to see her these past two days?" Daiyu smiled a little and said, "Have you gone to see her or not?" Baoyu said, "The first few days I didn't know, and these past two days, though I knew, I still haven't gone." Daiyu said, "Just as I thought." Baoyu said, "Old Ancestress hasn't told me to go, Madam hasn't told me to go, and Master certainly hasn't told me to go—how would I dare go?若是象從前這扇小門走得通的時候，要我一天瞧他十趟也不難。If it were like before, when that little door could still be passed through, it would be no trouble for me to visit her ten times a day.如今把門堵了，要打前頭過去，自然不便了。”黛玉道：“他那里知道這個原故。”寶玉道：“寶姐姐為人是最体諒我的。”黛玉道：“你不要自己打錯了主意。Now that the door has been blocked up and one must go round by the front, it's naturally inconvenient." Daiyu said, "How would she know the reason for that." Baoyu said, "Cousin Bao by nature is the one who understands me best." Daiyu said, "You mustn't deceive yourself with wrong notions.若論寶姐姐，更不体諒，又不是姨媽病，是寶姐姐病。As for Cousin Bao, she would understand it even less—after all, it isn't Auntie who is ill, it's Cousin Bao herself who is ill.向來在園中，做詩賞花飲酒，何等熱鬧，如今隔開了，你看見他家里有事了，他病到那步田地，你象沒事人一般，他怎麼不惱呢。”寶玉道：“這樣難道寶姐姐便不和我好了不成？”黛玉道：“他和你好不好我卻不知，我也不過是照理而論。”寶玉聽了，瞪著眼呆了半晌。In the old days in the Garden, composing poems, admiring flowers, drinking wine—how lively it all was; now that things are kept apart, you see her family has had trouble, and she herself is ill to such a degree, yet you go about as if nothing were the matter—how could she not resent it?" Baoyu said, "Does that mean Cousin Bao won't be on good terms with me anymore?" Daiyu said, "Whether she's on good terms with you or not, I couldn't say; I'm merely speaking according to reason." Hearing this, Baoyu stared wide-eyed and sat stunned for a good while.黛玉看見寶玉這樣光景，也不睬他，只是自己叫人添了香，又翻出書來細看了一會。Seeing Baoyu in such a state, Daiyu paid him no more attention, but simply had someone add more incense, and took out a book to look over carefully for a time.只見寶玉把眉一皺，把腳一跺道：“我想這個人生他做什麼！Then Baoyu knitted his brows, stamped his foot, and said, "What's the use of this life of mine anyway!天地間沒有了我，倒也乾淨！”黛玉道：“原是有了我，便有了人，有了人，便有無數的煩惱生出來，恐怖，顛倒，夢想，更有許多纏礙。——才剛我說的都是頑話，你不過是看見姨媽沒精打彩，如何便疑到寶姐姐身上去？If I simply weren't in this world at all, how much cleaner it would be!" Daiyu said, "It is precisely because there is a 'self' that there comes to be an 'other'; and once there is an 'other,' countless troubles spring up—fear, confusion, delusion—and many more entanglements besides. What I said just now was all idle talk—you merely saw Auntie looking listless, so how did you come to suspect it had anything to do with Cousin Bao?姨媽過來原為他的官司事情心緒不宁，那里還來應酬你？Auntie came over precisely because her mind is troubled over that lawsuit affair of theirs—how could she have been in any mood to attend to you?都是你自己心上胡思亂想，鑽入魔道里去了。”寶玉豁然開朗，笑道：“很是，很是。It's all just wild imaginings of your own, and you've gone burrowing straight into a demon's path." Baoyu suddenly saw the light, and said with a laugh, "Quite right, quite right.你的性靈比我竟強遠了，怨不得前年我生氣的時候，你和我說過幾句禪語，我實在對不上來。Your spiritual insight is far, far superior to mine—no wonder that, the year before last, when I was angry, you spoke a few Chan sayings to me that I truly could not match.我雖丈六金身，還借你一莖所化。”黛玉乘此机會說道：“我便問你一句話，你如何回答？”寶玉盤著腿，合著手，閉著眼，噓著嘴道：“講來。”黛玉道：“寶姐姐和你好你怎麼樣？Though I be a sixteen-foot golden Buddha-body, I am still but transformed from a single blade of your grass." Taking the opportunity, Daiyu said, "Let me ask you one question—how would you answer?" Baoyu sat with legs crossed, palms joined, eyes closed, and lips pursed, saying, "Ask away." Daiyu said, "If Cousin Bao is good to you, what then?寶姐姐不和你好你怎麼樣？If Cousin Bao is not good to you, what then?寶姐姐前兒和你好，如今不和你好你怎麼樣？If Cousin Bao was good to you before, but is not good to you now, what then?今兒和你好，後來不和你好你怎麼樣？If she is good to you today, but later is not good to you, what then?你和他好他偏不和你好你怎麼樣？If you are good to her, but she insists on not being good to you, what then?你不和他好他偏要和你好你怎麼樣？”寶玉呆了半晌，忽然大笑道：“任憑弱水三千，我只取一瓢飲。”黛玉道：“瓢之漂水奈何？”寶玉道：“非瓢漂水，水自流，瓢自漂耳！”黛玉道：“水止珠沉，奈何？”寶玉道：“禪心已作沾泥絮，莫向春風舞鷓鴣。”黛玉道：“禪門第一戒是不打誑語的。”寶玉道：“有如三寶。”黛玉低頭不語。If you are not good to her, but she insists on being good to you, what then?" Baoyu sat stunned for a long while, then suddenly burst out laughing and said, "Though the weak waters number three thousand, I take but a single ladleful to drink." Daiyu said, "And what of the ladle floating upon the water?" Baoyu said, "It is not the ladle that floats upon the water—the water simply flows on, and the ladle simply floats, that is all!" Daiyu said, "And if the water stills and the pearl sinks, what then?" Baoyu said, "My Chan heart has already turned to catkin-down stuck fast in the mud—no more will it dance with the partridge in the spring breeze." Daiyu said, "The very first commandment of the Chan gate is to speak no false words." Baoyu said, "I swear it upon the Three Jewels." Daiyu lowered her head and said nothing.只聽見檐外老鴰呱呱的叫了幾聲，便飛向東南上去，寶玉道：“不知主何吉凶。”黛玉道：“人有吉凶事，不在鳥聲中。”忽見秋紋走來說道：“請二爺回去。Just then, from beyond the eaves, an old crow cawed a few times and flew off toward the southeast. Baoyu said, "I wonder what fortune or misfortune this portends." Daiyu said, "Whether a person meets good fortune or ill does not lie in the cries of birds." Suddenly they saw Qiuwen come in and say, "Please, Second Master, come back at once.老爺叫人到園里來問過，說二爺打學里回來了沒有。Master sent someone into the Garden to ask whether Second Master had come back from school yet.襲人姐姐只說已經來了。Sister Xiren simply told them you had already come back.快去罷。”嚇得寶玉站起身來往外忙走，黛玉也不敢相留。Hurry and go!" Startled, Baoyu rose to his feet and hurried out, and Daiyu did not dare to try to keep him.未知何事，下回分解。What the matter was is not yet known; that will be told in the next chapter.

黛玉进来，走入里间屋内，便请宝玉里头坐。紫鹃拿了一件外罩换上，然后坐下，问道：“你上去看见姨妈没有？”宝玉道：“见过了。”黛玉道：“姨妈说起我没有？”宝玉道：“不但没有说起你，连见了我也不象先时亲热。今日我问起宝姐姐病来，他不过笑了一笑，并不答言。难道怪我这两天没有去瞧他么。”黛玉笑了一笑道：“你去瞧过没有？”宝玉道：“头几天不知道，这两天知道了，也没有去。”黛玉道：“可不是。”宝玉道：“老太太不叫我去，太太也不叫我去，老爷又不叫我去，我如何敢去。若是象从前这扇小门走得通的时候，要我一天瞧他十趟也不难。如今把门堵了，要打前头过去，自然不便了。”黛玉道：“他那里知道这个原故。”宝玉道：“宝姐姐为人是最体谅我的。”黛玉道：“你不要自己打错了主意。若论宝姐姐，更不体谅，又不是姨妈病，是宝姐姐病。向来在园中，做诗赏花饮酒，何等热闹，如今隔开了，你看见他家里有事了，他病到那步田地，你象没事人一般，他怎么不恼呢。”宝玉道：“这样难道宝姐姐便不和我好了不成？”黛玉道：“他和你好不好我却不知，我也不过是照理而论。”宝玉听了，瞪著眼呆了半晌。黛玉看见宝玉这样光景，也不睬他，只是自己叫人添了香，又翻出书来细看了一会。只见宝玉把眉一皱，把脚一跺道：“我想这个人生他做什么！天地间没有了我，倒也干净！”黛玉道：“原是有了我，便有了人，有了人，便有无数的烦恼生出来，恐怖，颠倒，梦想，更有许多缠碍。——才刚我说的都是顽话，你不过是看见姨妈没精打彩，如何便疑到宝姐姐身上去？姨妈过来原为他的官司事情心绪不宁，那里还来应酬你？都是你自己心上胡思乱想，钻入魔道里去了。”宝玉豁然开朗，笑道：“很是，很是。你的性灵比我竟强远了，怨不得前年我生气的时候，你和我说过几句禅语，我实在对不上来。我虽丈六金身，还借你一茎所化。”黛玉乘此机会说道：“我便问你一句话，你如何回答？”宝玉盘著腿，合著手，闭著眼，嘘著嘴道：“讲来。”黛玉道：“宝姐姐和你好你怎么样？宝姐姐不和你好你怎么样？宝姐姐前儿和你好，如今不和你好你怎么样？今儿和你好，后来不和你好你怎么样？你和他好他偏不和你好你怎么样？你不和他好他偏要和你好你怎么样？”宝玉呆了半晌，忽然大笑道：“任凭弱水三千，我只取一瓢饮。”黛玉道：“瓢之漂水奈何？”宝玉道：“非瓢漂水，水自流，瓢自漂耳！”黛玉道：“水止珠沉，奈何？”宝玉道：“禅心已作沾泥絮，莫向春风舞鹧鸪。”黛玉道：“禅门第一戒是不打诳语的。”宝玉道：“有如三宝。”黛玉低头不语。只听见檐外老鸹呱呱的叫了几声，便飞向东南上去，宝玉道：“不知主何吉凶。”黛玉道：“人有吉凶事，不在鸟声中。”忽见秋纹走来说道：“请二爷回去。老爷叫人到园里来问过，说二爷打学里回来了没有。袭人姐姐只说已经来了。快去罢。”吓得宝玉站起身来往外忙走，黛玉也不敢相留。未知何事，下回分解。