第九十二回　評女傳巧姐慕賢良　玩母珠賈政參聚散 Reading of Virtuous Women, Qiaojie Admires Them; Toying with Pearls, Jia Zheng Ponders Union and Parting

話說寶玉從瀟湘館出來，連忙問秋紋道：“老爺叫我作什麼？”秋紋笑道：“沒有叫，襲人姐姐叫我請二爺，我怕你不來，才哄你的。”寶玉聽了才把心放下，因說：“你們請我也罷了，何苦來唬我。”說著，回到怡紅院內。The story goes that as soon as Baoyu came out of Xiaoxiang Guan, he hastily asked Qiuwen, 'What does Father want me for?' Qiuwen said with a smile, 'He didn't call for you at all — it was Sister Xiren who told me to fetch you, Second Master. I was afraid you wouldn't come, so I tricked you.' Only upon hearing this did Baoyu's heart settle, and he said, 'If you wanted me to come, that would have been enough — why did you have to frighten me?' So saying, he returned to Yihong Yuan.襲人便問道：“你這好半天到那里去了？”寶玉道：“在林姑娘那邊，說起薛姨媽寶姐姐的事來，便坐住了。”襲人又問道：“說些什麼？”寶玉將打禪語的話述了一遍。Xiren asked, 'Where have you been all this while?' Baoyu said, 'I was over at Miss Lin's — we got to talking about Aunt Xue and Sister Baochai, and I stayed sitting there.' Xiren asked further, 'What did you talk about?' Baoyu recounted their exchange of Chan riddles from start to finish.襲人道：“你們再沒個計較，正經說些家常閒話兒，或講究些詩句，也是好的，怎麼又說到禪語上了。Xiren said, 'The two of you never have any sense — it would be fine to talk over ordinary household chit-chat, or discuss some lines of poetry, but why must you go on about Chan riddles again?又不是和尚。”寶玉道：“你不知道，我們有我們的禪机，別人是插不下嘴去的。”襲人笑道：“你們參禪參翻了，又叫我們跟著打悶葫蘆了。”寶玉道：“頭里我也年紀小，他也孩子氣，所以我說了不留神的話，他就惱了。'You're not monks, after all.' Baoyu said, 'You wouldn't understand — we have our own Chan logic, and no one else can get a word in.' Xiren said with a laugh, 'The two of you have addled yourselves with all this Chan-talk, and now you have us puzzling over your riddles too.' Baoyu said, 'Before, I was young, and she was childish too, so whenever I said something careless, she'd get upset.'如今我也留神，他也沒有惱的了。Now I'm more careful, and she doesn't get upset anymore.只是他近來不常過來，我又念書，偶然到一處，好象生疏了似的。”襲人道：“原該這麼著才是。'It's just that she hasn't come over often lately, and I've been busy with my studies, so when we do happen to meet, it feels as if we've grown a bit distant.' Xiren said, 'That's exactly how it ought to be.'都長了幾歲年紀了，怎麼好意思還象小孩子時候的樣子。”寶玉點頭道：“我也知道。'You've both grown a few years older — how could it still be proper to act as you did as children?' Baoyu nodded and said, 'I know that too.'如今且不用說那個。Let's not talk about that for now.我問你，老太太那里打發人來說什麼來著沒有？”襲人道：“沒有說什麼。”寶玉道：“必是老太太忘了。'Let me ask you — has anyone come from the Old Lady's with any word?' Xiren said, 'No, nothing at all.' Baoyu said, 'The Old Lady must have forgotten.'明兒不是十一月初一日么，年年老太太那里必是個老規矩，要辦消寒會，齊打伙兒坐下喝酒說笑。Isn't tomorrow the first day of the eleventh month? Every year it's an old custom at the Old Lady's place to hold a Winter-Warding gathering, where everyone sits down together to drink and laugh.我今日已經在學房里告了假了，這會子沒有信兒，明兒可是去不去呢？I've already asked for leave from the schoolroom today, but there's no word yet — should I go tomorrow or not?若去了呢，白白的告了假，若不去，老爺知道了又說我偷懶。”襲人道：“据我說，你竟是去的是。'If I go, then I'll have asked for leave for nothing; if I don't go, and Father finds out, he'll say I'm being lazy again.' Xiren said, 'In my opinion, you'd best go.'才念的好些兒了，又想歇著。You've only just started studying a bit better, and already you're thinking of taking a rest.依我說也該上緊些才好。To my mind, you ought to press on harder.昨兒聽見太太說，蘭哥兒念書真好，他打學房里回來，還各自念書作文章，天天晚上弄到四更多天才睡。Yesterday I heard Madam say that young Lan is doing very well in his studies — when he comes back from the schoolroom he still studies and writes essays on his own, staying up every night until past the fourth watch before going to bed.你比他大多了，又是叔叔，倘或赶不上他，又叫老太太生氣。You're much older than he is, and you're his uncle besides — if you should fall behind him, it would only make the Old Lady angry again.倒不如明兒早起去罷。”麝月道：“這樣冷天，已經告了假又去，倒叫學房里說：既這麼著就不該告假呀，顯見的是告謊假脫滑兒。'You'd better get up early and go tomorrow.' Sheyue said, 'In such cold weather, having already asked for leave and then going anyway would only make people at the schoolroom say: if that's how it is, you shouldn't have asked for leave at all — it's plainly a false excuse to shirk off.'依我說落得歇一天。To my mind, you might as well enjoy a day's rest.就是老太太忘記了，咱們這里就不消寒了么，咱們也鬧個會兒不好么。”襲人道：“都是你起頭兒，二爺更不肯去了。”麝月道：“我也是樂一天是一天，比不得你要好名兒，使喚一個月再多得二兩銀子！”襲人啐道：“小蹄子，人家說正經話，你又來胡拉混扯的了。”麝月道：“我倒不是混拉扯，我是為你。”襲人道：“為我什麼？”麝月道：“二爺上學去了，你又該咕嘟著嘴想著，巴不得二爺早一刻兒回來，就有說有笑的了。'Even if the Old Lady has forgotten, does that mean we can't hold our own Winter-Warding here? Wouldn't it be fine for us to make a little merry too?' Xiren said, 'It's all because you started this, that Second Master will be even less willing to go.' Sheyue said, 'I just take my pleasure a day at a time — I'm not like you, wanting a good name, so as to be kept on another month and earn two extra taels of silver!' Xiren spat at her, 'You little wretch, people are talking seriously here, and you come along with your nonsense again.' Sheyue said, 'I'm not talking nonsense at all — I'm speaking up for your sake.' Xiren said, 'For my sake, how?' Sheyue said, 'Once Second Master's gone off to school, you'll be pouting and sulking, longing for him to come back even one moment sooner, so you can be all smiles and chatter again.'這會兒又假撇清，何苦呢！And now you put on this show of having nothing to do with it — what's the use!我都看見了。”I've seen it all myself.

话说宝玉从潇湘馆出来，连忙问秋纹道：“老爷叫我作什么？”秋纹笑道：“没有叫，袭人姐姐叫我请二爷，我怕你不来，才哄你的。”宝玉听了才把心放下，因说：“你们请我也罢了，何苦来唬我。”说著，回到怡红院内。袭人便问道：“你这好半天到那里去了？”宝玉道：“在林姑娘那边，说起薛姨妈宝姐姐的事来，便坐住了。”袭人又问道：“说些什么？”宝玉将打禅语的话述了一遍。袭人道：“你们再没个计较，正经说些家常闲话儿，或讲究些诗句，也是好的，怎么又说到禅语上了。又不是和尚。”宝玉道：“你不知道，我们有我们的禅机，别人是插不下嘴去的。”袭人笑道：“你们参禅参翻了，又叫我们跟著打闷葫芦了。”宝玉道：“头里我也年纪小，他也孩子气，所以我说了不留神的话，他就恼了。如今我也留神，他也没有恼的了。只是他近来不常过来，我又念书，偶然到一处，好象生疏了似的。”袭人道：“原该这么著才是。都长了几岁年纪了，怎么好意思还象小孩子时候的样子。”宝玉点头道：“我也知道。如今且不用说那个。我问你，老太太那里打发人来说什么来著没有？”袭人道：“没有说什么。”宝玉道：“必是老太太忘了。明儿不是十一月初一日么，年年老太太那里必是个老规矩，要办消寒会，齐打伙儿坐下喝酒说笑。我今日已经在学房里告了假了，这会子没有信儿，明儿可是去不去呢？若去了呢，白白的告了假，若不去，老爷知道了又说我偷懒。”袭人道：“据我说，你竟是去的是。才念的好些儿了，又想歇著。依我说也该上紧些才好。昨儿听见太太说，兰哥儿念书真好，他打学房里回来，还各自念书作文章，天天晚上弄到四更多天才睡。你比他大多了，又是叔叔，倘或赶不上他，又叫老太太生气。倒不如明儿早起去罢。”麝月道：“这样冷天，已经告了假又去，倒叫学房里说：既这么著就不该告假呀，显见的是告谎假脱滑儿。依我说落得歇一天。就是老太太忘记了，咱们这里就不消寒了么，咱们也闹个会儿不好么。”袭人道：“都是你起头儿，二爷更不肯去了。”麝月道：“我也是乐一天是一天，比不得你要好名儿，使唤一个月再多得二两银子！”袭人啐道：“小蹄子，人家说正经话，你又来胡拉混扯的了。”麝月道：“我倒不是混拉扯，我是为你。”袭人道：“为我什么？”麝月道：“二爷上学去了，你又该咕嘟著嘴想著，巴不得二爷早一刻儿回来，就有说有笑的了。这会儿又假撇清，何苦呢！我都看见了。”

襲人正要罵他，只見老太太那里打發人來說道：“老太太說了，叫二爺明兒不用上學去呢。Xiren was just about to scold her when someone came from the Old Lady's with word: 'The Old Lady says Second Master needn't go to school tomorrow.'明兒請了姨太太來給他解悶，只怕姑娘們都來，家里的史姑娘，邢姑娘，李姑娘們都請了，明兒來赴什麼消寒會呢。”寶玉沒有聽完便喜歡道：“可不是，老太太最高興的，明日不上學是過了明路的了。”襲人也便不言語了。'Tomorrow Aunt Xue has been invited over to help him pass the time, and I daresay the young ladies will all be coming too — Miss Shi, Miss Xing, and Miss Li in the household have all been invited — tomorrow there's to be some sort of Winter-Warding gathering.' Before the woman had even finished, Baoyu was already delighted and said, 'Just so! The Old Lady is always the happiest at such things — now that not going to school tomorrow is by open and proper leave.' Xiren, for her part, said nothing more.那丫頭回去。The maid went back.寶玉認真念了幾天書，巴不得頑這一天。Baoyu had been studying diligently for several days, and he could hardly wait for this day of play.又聽見薛姨媽過來，想著”寶姐姐自然也來”。Hearing too that Aunt Xue was coming, he thought to himself, 'Sister Baochai will surely come as well.'心里喜歡，便說：“快睡罷，明日早些起來。”于是一夜無話。Pleased at heart, he said, 'Let's go to sleep quickly, and get up early tomorrow.' And so nothing more happened that night.到了次日，果然一早到老太太那里請了安，又到賈政王夫人那里請了安，回明了老太太今兒不叫上學，賈政也沒言語，便慢慢退出來，走了幾步便一溜煙跑到賈母房中。The next day, sure enough, he went early to pay his respects to the Old Lady, and then to Jia Zheng and Lady Wang, reporting that the Old Lady had said he need not go to school today. Jia Zheng said nothing, so Baoyu slowly withdrew, and after a few steps broke into a run, dashing straight to Grandmother Jia's quarters.見眾人都沒來，只有鳳姐那邊的奶媽子帶了巧姐兒，跟著幾個小丫頭過來，給老太太請了安，說：“我媽媽先叫我來請安，陪著老太太說說話兒。He found that none of the others had yet arrived — only Xifeng's wet nurse, bringing Qiaojie along with a few little maids, had come to pay respects to the Old Lady, saying, 'My mistress sent me ahead to pay respects and keep the Old Lady company with a bit of talk.'媽媽回來就來。”賈母笑道：“好孩子，我一早就起來了，等他們總不來，只有你二叔叔來了。”那奶媽子便說：“姑娘給你二叔叔請安。”寶玉也問了一聲“妞妞好？”巧姐兒道：“我昨夜聽見我媽媽說，要請二叔叔去說話。”寶玉道：“說什麼呢？”巧姐兒道：“我媽媽說，跟著李媽認了幾年字，不知道我認得不認得。'She'll come along shortly.' Grandmother Jia said with a smile, 'Good child, I got up early myself and have been waiting, but none of them has come — only your Second Uncle here.' The wet nurse then said, 'Miss, pay your respects to your Second Uncle.' Baoyu also asked, 'How is my little niece?' Qiaojie said, 'Last night I heard my mother say she wanted to ask Second Uncle over for a talk.' Baoyu said, 'About what?' Qiaojie said, 'My mother said that after studying characters with Nurse Li for several years, she doesn't know whether I've actually learned them or not.'我說都認得，我認給媽媽瞧。I told her I knew them all, and that I'd read them out for her to see.媽媽說我瞎認，不信，說我一天盡子頑，那里認得。My mother said I was just pretending to know them, and didn't believe me — she said I do nothing but play all day, so how could I possibly know them.我瞧著那些字也不要緊，就是那《女孝經》也是容易念的。To my eyes those characters aren't difficult at all — even the Nü Xiao Jing is easy enough to read.媽媽說我哄他，要請二叔叔得空兒的時候給我理理。”賈母聽了，笑道：“好孩子，你媽媽是不認得字的，所以說你哄他。'My mother says I'm fooling her, and wants to ask Second Uncle, whenever he has a free moment, to go over it with me.' Hearing this, Grandmother Jia said with a smile, 'Good child, your mother doesn't know how to read herself, and that's why she says you're fooling her.'明兒叫你二叔叔理給他瞧瞧，他就信了。”寶玉道：“你認了多少字了？”巧姐兒道：“認了三千多字，念了一本《女孝經》，半個月頭里又上了《列女傳》。”寶玉道：“你念了懂得嗎？'Tomorrow have your Second Uncle go over it with you where she can see, and then she'll believe it.' Baoyu said, 'How many characters have you learned?' Qiaojie said, 'I've learned more than three thousand characters, read through the Nü Xiao Jing, and half a month ago started on the Lienü Zhuan.' Baoyu said, 'Do you understand what you've read?'你要不懂，我倒是講講這個你聽罷。”賈母道：“做叔叔的也該講究給侄女聽聽。”寶玉道：“那文王妃是不必說了，想來是知道的。'If you don't, I might as well explain it to you.' Grandmother Jia said, 'As her uncle, you certainly ought to explain it to your niece.' Baoyu said, 'As for King Wen's consort, there's no need to speak of her — I imagine you already know about her.'那姜後脫簪待罪，齊國的無鹽雖丑，能安邦定國，是妃里頭的賢能的。There was Queen Jiang, who removed her hairpins to await punishment, and Wu Yan of the state of Qi, who though ugly was able to bring peace and order to the state — these were the worthy and capable ones among the consorts.若說有才的，是曹大姑、班婕妤、蔡文姬、謝道韞諸人。As for those of great talent, there were Madame Cao the Elder, Consort Ban Jieyu, Cai Wenji, Xie Dao'yun, and others of that sort.孟光的荊釵布裙，鮑宣妻的提瓮出汲，陶侃母的截髮留賓，還有畫荻教子的，這是不厭貧的。There was Meng Guang, with her thorn hairpin and cotton skirt, and Bao Xuan's wife, who carried jars to draw water herself, and Tao Kan's mother, who cut off her hair to entertain a guest, and the one who taught her son by tracing characters in the sand with a reed — these were the ones who never scorned poverty.那苦的里頭，有樂昌公主破鏡重圓，蘇蕙的回文感主。Among those who suffered hardship, there was Princess Lechang, whose broken mirror was made whole again, and Su Hui, whose palindrome poem moved her husband's heart.那孝的是更多了，木蘭代父從軍，曹娥投水尋父的尸首等類也多，我也說不得許多。Of the filial ones there are even more — Mulan, who went to war in her father's place, and Cao E, who threw herself into the river to find her father's body, and many others of that kind — I couldn't possibly name them all.那個曹氏的引刀割鼻，是魏國的故事。That story of a woman of the Cao family who took a knife and cut off her own nose is a tale from the state of Wei.那守節的更多了，只好慢慢的講。Those who kept their chastity are even more numerous — I'll have to tell you about them little by little.若是那些艷的，王嬙、西子、樊素、小蠻、絳仙等。As for the beauties, there were Wang Qiang, Xi Shi, Fan Su, Xiaoman, Jiangxian, and others.妒的是禿妾髮，怨洛神等類，也少。Of the jealous ones, there was the one who shaved her concubine's hair bald, and the resentment felt toward the Goddess of the Luo River, and other such cases — but there are few of these.文君、紅拂是女中的……”賈母聽到這里，說：“夠了，不用說了。Wenjun and Hongfu were among the women who...' At this point Grandmother Jia said, 'That's enough, no need to go on.你講的太多，他那里還記得呢。”巧姐兒道：“二叔叔才說的，也有念過的，也有沒念過的。'You've told her too much — how could she possibly remember it all?' Qiaojie said, 'Of what Second Uncle just told me, there are some I've already read, and some I haven't.'念過的二叔叔一講，我更知道了好些。”寶玉道：“那字是自然認得的了，不用再理。'For the ones I'd already read, once Second Uncle explained them, I understood a good deal more.' Baoyu said, 'Well, you clearly know the characters already — there's no need to go over them again.'明兒我還上學去呢。”巧姐兒道：“我還聽見我媽媽昨兒說，我們家的小紅頭里是二叔叔那里的，我媽媽要了來，還沒有補上人呢。'Tomorrow I still have to go back to school.' Qiaojie said, 'I also heard my mother say yesterday that our Xiaohong originally belonged to Second Uncle's household — my mother asked for her, and the vacancy hasn't been filled yet.'我媽媽想著要把什麼柳家的五兒補上，不知二叔叔要不要。”寶玉聽了更喜歡，笑著道：“你聽你媽媽的話！'My mother is thinking of filling it with a girl called Wu'er of the Liu family — I don't know whether Second Uncle wants her or not.' Hearing this, Baoyu was even more delighted, and said with a laugh, 'Just listen to your mother!'要補誰就補誰罷咧，又問什麼要不要呢。”因又向賈母笑道：“我瞧大妞妞這個小模樣兒，又有這個聰明兒，只怕將來比鳳姐姐還強呢，又比他認的字。”賈母道：“女孩兒家認得字呢也好，只是女工針黹倒是要緊的。”巧姐兒道：“我也跟著劉媽媽學著做呢，什麼扎花兒咧，拉鎖子，我雖弄不好，卻也學著會做幾針兒。”賈母道：“咱們這樣人家固然不仗著自己做，但只到底知道些，日後才不受人家的拿捏。”巧姐兒答應著“是”，還要寶玉解說《列女傳》，見寶玉呆呆的，也不敢再說。'Whoever she wants to fill it, let her fill it — why even ask whether I want it or not.' Then he turned to Grandmother Jia and said with a smile, 'Just look at Big Miss Niu here, with her little face and her cleverness besides — I daresay she'll surpass even Sister Feng one day, and she knows more characters than her mother too.' Grandmother Jia said, 'It's good for a girl to know characters, but needlework is still what really matters.' Qiaojie said, 'I've been learning from Nurse Liu too — embroidering flowers and doing chain-stitch and the like. I can't do it well yet, but I have learned to manage a few stitches.' Grandmother Jia said, 'In a household like ours, of course we don't depend on doing such work ourselves, but it's still important to know something of it, so that later on we won't be at the mercy of others.' Qiaojie answered 'Yes,' and wanted to ask Baoyu to explain more of the Lienü Zhuan, but seeing him sitting there in a daze, she did not dare to ask again.

袭人正要骂他，只见老太太那里打发人来说道：“老太太说了，叫二爷明儿不用上学去呢。明儿请了姨太太来给他解闷，只怕姑娘们都来，家里的史姑娘，邢姑娘，李姑娘们都请了，明儿来赴什么消寒会呢。”宝玉没有听完便喜欢道：“可不是，老太太最高兴的，明日不上学是过了明路的了。”袭人也便不言语了。那丫头回去。宝玉认真念了几天书，巴不得顽这一天。又听见薛姨妈过来，想著”宝姐姐自然也来”。心里喜欢，便说：“快睡罢，明日早些起来。”于是一夜无话。到了次日，果然一早到老太太那里请了安，又到贾政王夫人那里请了安，回明了老太太今儿不叫上学，贾政也没言语，便慢慢退出来，走了几步便一溜烟跑到贾母房中。见众人都没来，只有凤姐那边的奶妈子带了巧姐儿，跟著几个小丫头过来，给老太太请了安，说：“我妈妈先叫我来请安，陪著老太太说说话儿。妈妈回来就来。”贾母笑道：“好孩子，我一早就起来了，等他们总不来，只有你二叔叔来了。”那奶妈子便说：“姑娘给你二叔叔请安。”宝玉也问了一声“妞妞好？”巧姐儿道：“我昨夜听见我妈妈说，要请二叔叔去说话。”宝玉道：“说什么呢？”巧姐儿道：“我妈妈说，跟著李妈认了几年字，不知道我认得不认得。我说都认得，我认给妈妈瞧。妈妈说我瞎认，不信，说我一天尽子顽，那里认得。我瞧著那些字也不要紧，就是那《女孝经》也是容易念的。妈妈说我哄他，要请二叔叔得空儿的时候给我理理。”贾母听了，笑道：“好孩子，你妈妈是不认得字的，所以说你哄他。明儿叫你二叔叔理给他瞧瞧，他就信了。”宝玉道：“你认了多少字了？”巧姐儿道：“认了三千多字，念了一本《女孝经》，半个月头里又上了《列女传》。”宝玉道：“你念了懂得吗？你要不懂，我倒是讲讲这个你听罢。”贾母道：“做叔叔的也该讲究给侄女听听。”宝玉道：“那文王妃是不必说了，想来是知道的。那姜后脱簪待罪，齐国的无盐虽丑，能安邦定国，是妃里头的贤能的。若说有才的，是曹大姑、班婕妤、蔡文姬、谢道韫诸人。孟光的荆钗布裙，鲍宣妻的提瓮出汲，陶侃母的截发留宾，还有画荻教子的，这是不厌贫的。那苦的里头，有乐昌公主破镜重圆，苏蕙的回文感主。那孝的是更多了，木兰代父从军，曹娥投水寻父的尸首等类也多，我也说不得许多。那个曹氏的引刀割鼻，是魏国的故事。那守节的更多了，只好慢慢的讲。若是那些艳的，王嫱、西子、樊素、小蛮、绛仙等。妒的是秃妾发，怨洛神等类，也少。文君、红拂是女中的……”贾母听到这里，说：“够了，不用说了。你讲的太多，他那里还记得呢。”巧姐儿道：“二叔叔才说的，也有念过的，也有没念过的。念过的二叔叔一讲，我更知道了好些。”宝玉道：“那字是自然认得的了，不用再理。明儿我还上学去呢。”巧姐儿道：“我还听见我妈妈昨儿说，我们家的小红头里是二叔叔那里的，我妈妈要了来，还没有补上人呢。我妈妈想著要把什么柳家的五儿补上，不知二叔叔要不要。”宝玉听了更喜欢，笑著道：“你听你妈妈的话！要补谁就补谁罢咧，又问什么要不要呢。”因又向贾母笑道：“我瞧大妞妞这个小模样儿，又有这个聪明儿，只怕将来比凤姐姐还强呢，又比他认的字。”贾母道：“女孩儿家认得字呢也好，只是女工针黹倒是要紧的。”巧姐儿道：“我也跟著刘妈妈学著做呢，什么扎花儿咧，拉锁子，我虽弄不好，却也学著会做几针儿。”贾母道：“咱们这样人家固然不仗著自己做，但只到底知道些，日后才不受人家的拿捏。”巧姐儿答应著“是”，还要宝玉解说《列女传》，见宝玉呆呆的，也不敢再说。

你道寶玉呆的是什麼？Now, what was it that had put Baoyu into such a daze?只因柳五兒要進怡紅院，頭一次是他病了不能進來，第二次王夫人攆了晴雯，大凡有些姿色的，都不敢挑。It was only because of the matter of Liu Wu'er wishing to enter Yihong Yuan. The first time, she had fallen ill and could not come in; the second time, Lady Wang had driven out Qingwen, and after that no one dared to choose any girl with the least bit of good looks.後來又在吳貴家看晴雯去，五兒跟著他媽給晴雯送東西去，見了一面，更覺嬌娜嫵媚。Later, when he went to Wu Gui's house to see Qingwen, Wu'er had gone along with her mother to bring Qingwen some things, and Baoyu had caught a glimpse of her then — she had struck him as all the more delicate and charming.今日虧得鳳姐想著，叫他補入小紅的窩兒，竟是喜出望外了。Now, today, thanks to Xifeng's remembering her and proposing to fill Xiaohong's vacancy with her, it had turned out to be a joy quite beyond his expectation.所以呆呆的想他。That was why he sat there lost in thought about her.

你道宝玉呆的是什么？只因柳五儿要进怡红院，头一次是他病了不能进来，第二次王夫人撵了晴雯，大凡有些姿色的，都不敢挑。后来又在吴贵家看晴雯去，五儿跟著他妈给晴雯送东西去，见了一面，更觉娇娜妩媚。今日亏得凤姐想著，叫他补入小红的窝儿，竟是喜出望外了。所以呆呆的想他。

賈母等著那些人，見這時候還不來，又叫丫頭去請。Grandmother Jia, waiting for the others and seeing that they still had not come by this hour, sent a maid to go and fetch them.回來李紈同著他妹子，探春、惜春、史湘雲、黛玉都來了，大家請了賈母的安。Presently Li Wan came, along with her sister-in-law, and Tanchun, Xichun, Shi Xiangyun, and Daiyu all arrived as well, and everyone paid their respects to Grandmother Jia.眾人廝見。They all greeted one another.獨有薛姨媽未到，賈母又叫請去。Aunt Xue alone had not yet arrived, so Grandmother Jia again sent someone to invite her.果然姨媽帶著寶琴過來。Sure enough, Aunt Xue soon came over, bringing Baoqin with her.寶玉請了安，問了好。Baoyu paid his respects and asked after her health.只不見寶釵、邢岫煙二人。Only Baochai and Xing Xiuyan were nowhere to be seen.黛玉便問起“寶姐姐為何不來？”薛姨媽假說身上不好。Daiyu then asked, 'Why hasn't Sister Baochai come?' Aunt Xue gave the excuse that she wasn't feeling well.邢岫煙知道薛姨媽在坐，所以不來。As for Xing Xiuyan, knowing that Aunt Xue was present, she chose not to come.寶玉雖見寶釵不來，心中納悶，因黛玉來了，便把想寶釵的心暫且擱開。Though Baoyu was puzzled at heart to see that Baochai had not come, since Daiyu was there, he set aside for the moment his thoughts of Baochai.不多時，邢王二夫人也來了。Before long, Lady Xing and Lady Wang arrived as well.鳳姐聽見婆婆們先到了，自己不好落後，只得打發平兒先來告假，說是正要過來，因身上發熱，過一回兒就來。When Xifeng heard that her elders had already arrived and felt she ought not to be the last, she had no choice but to send Ping'er ahead to make her excuses, saying that she had been just about to come but had come down with a fever, and would arrive shortly.賈母道：“既是身上不好，不來也罷。Grandmother Jia said, 'If she isn't feeling well, then let her not come at all.'咱們這時候很該吃飯了。”丫頭們把火盆往後挪了一挪兒，就在賈母榻前一溜擺下兩桌，大家序次坐下。'It's high time we had our meal.' The maids moved the braziers back a little and set out two tables in a row before Grandmother Jia's couch, and everyone sat down in their proper order.吃了飯，依舊圍爐閒談，不須多贅。After the meal, they sat around the brazier chatting as before, which needs no further elaboration.

贾母等著那些人，见这时候还不来，又叫丫头去请。回来李纨同著他妹子，探春、惜春、史湘云、黛玉都来了，大家请了贾母的安。众人厮见。独有薛姨妈未到，贾母又叫请去。果然姨妈带著宝琴过来。宝玉请了安，问了好。只不见宝钗、邢岫烟二人。黛玉便问起“宝姐姐为何不来？”薛姨妈假说身上不好。邢岫烟知道薛姨妈在坐，所以不来。宝玉虽见宝钗不来，心中纳闷，因黛玉来了，便把想宝钗的心暂且搁开。不多时，邢王二夫人也来了。凤姐听见婆婆们先到了，自己不好落后，只得打发平儿先来告假，说是正要过来，因身上发热，过一回儿就来。贾母道：“既是身上不好，不来也罢。咱们这时候很该吃饭了。”丫头们把火盆往后挪了一挪儿，就在贾母榻前一溜摆下两桌，大家序次坐下。吃了饭，依旧围炉闲谈，不须多赘。

且說鳳姐因何不來？Now, why was it that Xifeng did not come?頭里為著倒比邢王二夫人遲了，不好意思，後來旺兒家的來回說：“迎姑娘那里打發人來請奶奶安，還說并沒有到上頭，只到奶奶這里來。”鳳姐聽了納悶，不知又是什麼事，便叫那人進來，問：“姑娘在家好？”那人道：“有什麼好的，奴才并不是姑娘打發來的，實在是司棋的母親央我來求奶奶的。”鳳姐道：“司棋已經出去了，為什麼來求我？”那人道：“自從司棋出去，終日啼哭。At first it was simply that she was embarrassed at having come later than Lady Xing and Lady Wang; but then Wang'er's wife came in to report, 'Someone has been sent from Miss Ying's to pay respects to you, madam, and to say that she hasn't gone up to the main hall at all, but has come straight here to you.' Xifeng was puzzled to hear this, not knowing what the matter could be, and had the person brought in, asking, 'Is the young lady well at home?' The person said, 'What's there to be well about — this humble one wasn't sent by the young lady at all. It's really Siqi's mother who begged me to come and plead with you, madam.' Xifeng said, 'Siqi has already been sent away — why should she come pleading to me?' The person said, 'Ever since Siqi was sent out, she has wept all day long.'忽然那一日他表兄來了，他母親見了，恨得什麼似的，說他害了司棋，一把拉住要打。Then suddenly, one day, her cousin came. When her mother saw him, she was filled with such hatred that words could hardly express it, saying he had ruined Siqi, and she grabbed hold of him meaning to beat him.那小子不敢言語。The young man did not dare say a word.誰知司棋聽見了，急忙出來老著臉和他母親道：‘我是為他出來的，我也恨他沒良心。Who would have thought that Siqi, hearing this, hurried out and, steeling herself, said to her mother, 'It was for his sake that I was sent away, and I too hate him for being so heartless.'如今他來了，媽要打他，不如勒死了我。’他母親罵他：‘不害臊的東西，你心里要怎麼樣？’司棋說道：‘一個女人配一個男人。'Now that he's come, and you mean to beat him, Mother, you might as well strangle me instead.' Her mother scolded her, 'You shameless creature, what is it you want?' Siqi said, 'A woman belongs to one man.'我一時失腳上了他的當，我就是他的人了，決不肯再失身給別人的。I once made a misstep and fell into his trap, but from that moment I became his, and I will never give myself to another man.我恨他為什麼這樣膽小，一身作事一身當，為什麼要逃。What I resent is that he was so faint-hearted — a man ought to answer for what he's done himself, so why did he have to run away?就是他一輩子不來了，我也一輩子不嫁人的。Even if he never came back for the rest of his life, I would still never marry anyone else, for as long as I live.媽要給我配人，我原拼著一死的。If you, Mother, insist on marrying me off to someone, I am already resolved to die rather than submit.今兒他來了，媽問他怎麼樣。Now that he's here today, ask him yourself, Mother, what he intends.若是他不改心，我在媽跟前磕了頭，只當是我死了，他到那里，我跟到那里，就是討飯吃也是願意的。’他媽氣得了不得，便哭著罵著說：‘你是我的女兒，我偏不給他，你敢怎麼著。’那知道那司棋這東西糊涂，便一頭撞在牆上，把腦袋撞破，鮮血直流，竟死了。'If he hasn't changed his heart, then let me kowtow to you here, Mother, and consider me dead — wherever he goes, I'll follow him, and I'd be content even to go begging for food at his side.' Her mother, beside herself with anger, wept and scolded, saying, 'You are my daughter, and I will not give you to him no matter what — what can you possibly do about it?' Who would have expected that foolish creature Siqi to dash her head against the wall, splitting it open, the blood pouring out, until she actually died of it.他媽哭著救不過來，便要叫那小子償命。Her mother wept and tried to save her, but it was no use, and she wanted to have the young man pay with his life for it.他表兄說道：‘你們不用著急。Her cousin said, 'There's no need for any of you to be so anxious.'我在外頭原發了財，因想著他才回來的，心也算是真了。'I had actually made my fortune out there, and it was because I couldn't stop thinking of her that I came back — my feelings, at least, were true enough.'你們若不信，只管瞧。’說著，打怀里掏出一匣子金珠首飾來。'If you don't believe me, just look for yourselves.' So saying, he drew out from inside his robe a box of gold, pearls, and jewelry.他媽媽看見了便心軟了，說：‘你既有心，為什麼總不言語？’他外甥道：‘大凡女人都是水性楊花，我若說有錢，他便是貪圖銀錢了。Seeing this, her mother's heart softened, and she said, 'If you really had these feelings, why did you never say a word about it?' Her nephew said, 'Women, generally speaking, are as fickle as water and willow catkins — if I had told her from the start that I had money, she would only have been coveting my silver.'如今他只為人，就是難得的。'As it is, she cared only for the man himself — and that's rare indeed.'我把金珠給你們，我去買棺盛殮他。’那司棋的母親接了東西，也不顧女孩兒了，便由著外甥去。'Let me give you this gold and these pearls, and I'll go buy a coffin to have her properly laid to rest.' Siqi's mother took the things and, giving no more thought to her daughter, simply let her nephew go about it as he pleased.那里知道他外甥叫人抬了兩口棺材來。Little did she know that her nephew had two coffins carried in.司棋的母親看見詫异，說：‘怎麼棺材要兩口？’他外甥笑道：‘一口裝不下，得兩口才好。’司棋的母親見他外甥又不哭，只當是他心疼的傻了。Siqi's mother, seeing this, was astonished and said, 'Why should you need two coffins?' Her nephew said with a smile, 'One won't be enough to hold everything — two will do better.' Seeing that her nephew was not even weeping, Siqi's mother took it that he was simply stunned with grief.豈知他忙著把司棋收拾了，也不啼哭，眼錯不見，把帶的小刀子往脖子里一抹，也就抹死了。How could she have known that, having hurriedly seen to Siqi's laying-out, and without shedding a single tear, the moment no one was looking he drew a small knife he carried and slashed it across his own throat, and died of it on the spot.司棋的母親懊悔起來，倒哭得了不得。Siqi's mother was overcome with regret, and wept without end.如今坊上知道了，要報官。Now the neighborhood watch has learned of it and means to report it to the authorities.他急了，央我來求奶奶說個人情，他再過來給奶奶磕頭。”鳳姐聽了，詫异道：“那有這樣傻丫頭，偏偏的就碰見這個傻小子！'She's frantic with worry, and begged me to come and ask you, madam, for a favor — she'll come herself afterward to kowtow to you.' Hearing this, Xifeng said in astonishment, 'Whoever heard of such a foolish girl — and to have run into just such a foolish young man too!'怪不得那一天翻出那些东西来，她心里没事人似的，敢只是这么个烈性孩子。No wonder that day when those things were found on her, she seemed as calm as if nothing were the matter — I suppose she was just that kind of fierce, unyielding girl all along.論起來，我也沒這麼大工夫管他這些閒事，但只你纔說的叫人聽著怪可怜見兒的。Properly speaking, I haven't the time to spare for such trifling matters, but what you've just told me does make one feel for her, poor thing.也罷了，你回去告訴他，我和你二爺說，打發旺兒給他撕擄就是了。”鳳姐打發那人去了，才過賈母這邊來。'Very well, then. Go back and tell her that I'll speak to your Second Master, and have Wang'er sent to sort things out for her.' Xifeng sent the man away, and only then went over to Grandmother Jia's side.不提。No more of this for now.

且说凤姐因何不来？头里为著倒比邢王二夫人迟了，不好意思，后来旺儿家的来回说：“迎姑娘那里打发人来请奶奶安，还说并没有到上头，只到奶奶这里来。”凤姐听了纳闷，不知又是什么事，便叫那人进来，问：“姑娘在家好？”那人道：“有什么好的，奴才并不是姑娘打发来的，实在是司棋的母亲央我来求奶奶的。”凤姐道：“司棋已经出去了，为什么来求我？”那人道：“自从司棋出去，终日啼哭。忽然那一日他表兄来了，他母亲见了，恨得什么似的，说他害了司棋，一把拉住要打。那小子不敢言语。谁知司棋听见了，急忙出来老著脸和他母亲道：‘我是为他出来的，我也恨他没良心。如今他来了，妈要打他，不如勒死了我。’他母亲骂他：‘不害臊的东西，你心里要怎么样？’司棋说道：‘一个女人配一个男人。我一时失脚上了他的当，我就是他的人了，决不肯再失身给别人的。我恨他为什么这样胆小，一身作事一身当，为什么要逃。就是他一辈子不来了，我也一辈子不嫁人的。妈要给我配人，我原拼著一死的。今儿他来了，妈问他怎么样。若是他不改心，我在妈跟前磕了头，只当是我死了，他到那里，我跟到那里，就是讨饭吃也是愿意的。’他妈气得了不得，便哭著骂著说：‘你是我的女儿，我偏不给他，你敢怎么著。’那知道那司棋这东西糊涂，便一头撞在墙上，把脑袋撞破，鲜血直流，竟死了。他妈哭著救不过来，便要叫那小子偿命。他表兄说道：‘你们不用著急。我在外头原发了财，因想著他才回来的，心也算是真了。你们若不信，只管瞧。’说著，打怀里掏出一匣子金珠首饰来。他妈妈看见了便心软了，说：‘你既有心，为什么总不言语？’他外甥道：‘大凡女人都是水性杨花，我若说有钱，他便是贪图银钱了。如今他只为人，就是难得的。我把金珠给你们，我去买棺盛殓他。’那司棋的母亲接了东西，也不顾女孩儿了，便由著外甥去。那里知道他外甥叫人抬了两口棺材来。司棋的母亲看见诧异，说：‘怎么棺材要两口？’他外甥笑道：‘一口装不下，得两口才好。’司棋的母亲见他外甥又不哭，只当是他心疼的傻了。岂知他忙著把司棋收拾了，也不啼哭，眼错不见，把带的小刀子往脖子里一抹，也就抹死了。司棋的母亲懊悔起来，倒哭得了不得。如今坊上知道了，要报官。他急了，央我来求奶奶说个人情，他再过来给奶奶磕头。”凤姐听了，诧异道：“那有这样傻丫头，偏偏的就碰见这个傻小子！怪不得那一天翻出那些东西来，她心里没事人似的，敢只是这么个烈性孩子。论起来，我也没这么大工夫管他这些闲事，但只你才说的叫人听著怪可怜见儿的。也罢了，你回去告诉他，我和你二爷说，打发旺儿给他撕掳就是了。”凤姐打发那人去了，才过贾母这边来。不提。

且說賈政這日正與詹光下大棋，通局的輸贏也差不多，單為著一只角兒死活未分，在那里打劫。Now to tell of Jia Zheng: that day he was in the middle of a game of go with Zhan Guang. The overall balance of gains and losses was about even, except that in one corner the life and death of a group had not yet been settled, and they were in the middle of a ko fight over it.門上的小廝進來回道：“外面馮大爺要見老爺。”賈政道：“請進來。”小廝出去請了，馮紫英走進門來。A page from the gate came in to report, 'Master Feng is outside asking to see you, sir.' Jia Zheng said, 'Show him in.' The page went out to fetch him, and Feng Ziying walked in through the door.賈政即忙迎著。Jia Zheng hastened to greet him.馮紫英進來，在書房中坐下，見是下棋，便道：“只管下棋，我來觀局。”詹光笑道：“晚生的棋是不堪瞧的。”馮紫英道：“好說，請下罷。”賈政道：“有什麼事么？”馮紫英道：“沒有什麼話。Feng Ziying came in and sat down in the study, and seeing they were in the middle of a game, said, 'Please, go on with your game — I'll just watch.' Zhan Guang said with a smile, 'My poor play isn't worth watching.' Feng Ziying said, 'Not at all — please, go on.' Jia Zheng said, 'Is there something on your mind?' Feng Ziying said, 'Nothing in particular.'老伯只管下棋，我也學幾著兒。”賈政向詹光道：“馮大爺是我們相好的，既沒事，我們索性下完了這一局再說話兒。'You go right on with your game, sir — I'll pick up a move or two myself just watching.' Jia Zheng said to Zhan Guang, 'Master Feng is a good friend of ours — since there's nothing pressing, let's just go ahead and finish out this game before we talk.'馮大爺在旁邊瞧著。”馮紫英道：“下采不下采？”詹光道：“下采的。”馮紫英道：“下采的是不好多嘴的。”賈政道：“多嘴也不妨，橫豎他輸了十來兩銀子，終久是不拿出來的。'Master Feng can watch from the side.' Feng Ziying said, 'Are you playing for stakes or not?' Zhan Guang said, 'For stakes.' Feng Ziying said, 'If it's for stakes, then I'd better not say too much.' Jia Zheng said, 'It's no matter if you do — after all, even if he loses ten-odd taels of silver, he'll never actually pay up in the end.'往後只好罰他做東便了。”詹光笑道：“這倒使得。”馮紫英道：“老伯和詹公對下么？”賈政笑道：“從前對下，他輸了，如今讓他兩個子兒，他又輸了。'In the end I'll just have to make him stand treat as a penalty instead.' Zhan Guang said with a smile, 'That would certainly do.' Feng Ziying said, 'Do you and Master Zhan play even, sir?' Jia Zheng said with a smile, 'We used to play even, and he lost; now I give him a two-stone handicap, and he still loses.'時常還要悔幾著，不叫他悔他就急了。”詹光也笑道：“沒有的事。”賈政道：“你試試瞧。”大家一面說笑，一面下完了。'And he still often wants to take back a move or two — if I don't let him take it back he gets all flustered.' Zhan Guang too said with a laugh, 'That's not true at all.' Jia Zheng said, 'Just try it and see.' So talking and laughing together, they finished out the game.做起棋來，詹光還了棋頭，輸了七個子兒。When they tallied up the score, even with the handicap returned, Zhan Guang had lost by seven stones.馮紫英道：“這盤終吃虧在打劫里頭。Feng Ziying said, 'In the end, this game was lost in the ko fight.'老伯劫少，就便宜了。”'You had fewer ko threats, sir, and that's what gave you the advantage.'

且说贾政这日正与詹光下大棋，通局的输赢也差不多，单为著一只角儿死活未分，在那里打劫。门上的小厮进来回道：“外面冯大爷要见老爷。”贾政道：“请进来。”小厮出去请了，冯紫英走进门来。贾政即忙迎著。冯紫英进来，在书房中坐下，见是下棋，便道：“只管下棋，我来观局。”詹光笑道：“晚生的棋是不堪瞧的。”冯紫英道：“好说，请下罢。”贾政道：“有什么事么？”冯紫英道：“没有什么话。老伯只管下棋，我也学几著儿。”贾政向詹光道：“冯大爷是我们相好的，既没事，我们索性下完了这一局再说话儿。冯大爷在旁边瞧著。”冯紫英道：“下采不下采？”詹光道：“下采的。”冯紫英道：“下采的是不好多嘴的。”贾政道：“多嘴也不妨，横竖他输了十来两银子，终久是不拿出来的。往后只好罚他做东便了。”詹光笑道：“这倒使得。”冯紫英道：“老伯和詹公对下么？”贾政笑道：“从前对下，他输了，如今让他两个子儿，他又输了。时常还要悔几著，不叫他悔他就急了。”詹光也笑道：“没有的事。”贾政道：“你试试瞧。”大家一面说笑，一面下完了。做起棋来，詹光还了棋头，输了七个子儿。冯紫英道：“这盘终吃亏在打劫里头。老伯劫少，就便宜了。”

賈政對馮紫英道：“有罪，有罪。Jia Zheng said to Feng Ziying, 'Forgive me, forgive me.'咱們說話兒罷。”馮紫英道：“小侄與老伯久不見面，一來會會，二來因廣西的同知進來引見，帶了四种洋貨，可以做得貢的。'Now let's talk.' Feng Ziying said, 'It's been a long time since I've seen you, uncle — I came partly just to visit, and partly because the sub-prefect from Guangxi has come to the capital for an audience, bringing with him four kinds of foreign goods fine enough to be offered as tribute.'一件是圍屏，有二十四扇槅子，都是紫檀雕刻的。'One item is a folding screen, with twenty-four panels, all carved of purple sandalwood.'中間雖說不是玉，卻是絕好的硝子石，石上鏤出山水人物樓臺花鳥等物。'The centers, though not jade, are of an exceptionally fine glass-like stone, carved through with mountains and water, figures, pavilions and towers, flowers and birds, and the like.'一扇上有五六十個人，都是宮妝的女子，名為《漢宮春曉》。'On one panel alone there are fifty or sixty figures, all women in palace dress, and it's called Spring Dawn in the Han Palace.'人的眉目口鼻以及出手衣褶，刻得又清楚又細膩。'The figures' brows and eyes, mouths and noses, down to their hands and the folds of their garments, are all carved both clearly and with the finest delicacy.'點綴布置都是好的。'The whole arrangement and composition is excellent.'我想尊府大觀園中正廳上卻可用得著。'I thought it might suit the main hall in your honored Daguan Yuan.'還有一個鐘表，有三尺多高，也是一個小童兒拿著時辰牌，到了什麼時候他就報什麼時辰。'There's also a clock, over three feet tall, with a little figure of a boy holding a time-tablet — whenever the hour comes round, he announces just what hour it is.'里頭也有些人在那里打十番的。Inside, there were also some people playing shifan music there.這是兩件重笨的，卻還沒有拿來。"These two are heavy and bulky, so they haven't been brought along yet.現在我帶在這里兩件卻有些意思兒。”就在身邊拿出一個錦匣子，見幾重白錦裹著，揭開了錦子，第一層是一個玻璃盒子，里頭金托子大紅縐綢托底，上放著一顆桂圓大的珠子，光華耀目。The two I've brought with me now, though, are rather interesting." So saying, he took out a brocade box from beside him, which was wrapped in several layers of white brocade. He opened the brocade wrapping, and the first layer was a glass box; inside, on a gold stand lined with crimson crepe silk, lay a pearl as large as a longan, its brilliance dazzling the eyes.馮紫英道：“据說這就叫做母珠。”因叫拿一個盤兒來。Feng Ziying said, "They say this is called the 'mother pearl.'" He then called for a tray to be brought.詹光即忙端過一個黑漆茶盤，道：“使得么？”馮紫英道：“使得。”便又向怀里掏出一個白絹包兒，將包兒里的珠子都倒在盤子里散著，把那顆母珠擱在中間，將盤置于桌上。Zhan Guang hurriedly brought over a black lacquer tea tray and asked, "Will this do?" Feng Ziying said, "It will." He then took out a white silk bundle from inside his robe, poured the pearls from the bundle out onto the tray so that they lay scattered about, placed the mother pearl in the middle, and set the tray on the table.看見那些小珠子兒滴溜滴溜滾到大珠身邊來，一回兒把這顆大珠子抬高了，別處的小珠子一顆也不剩，都粘在大珠上。They watched as the little pearls rolled, one by one, over to the side of the large pearl; after a while, when the large pearl was lifted up, not a single small pearl remained elsewhere — they had all stuck fast to the large pearl.詹光道：“這也奇怪。”賈政道：“這是有的，所以叫做母珠，原是珠之母。”那馮紫英又回頭看著他跟來的小廝道：“那個匣子呢？”那小廝赶忙捧過一個花梨木匣子來。Zhan Guang said, "How strange this is." Jia Zheng said, "Such things do exist — that is why it's called the mother pearl; it is truly the mother of pearls." Feng Ziying then turned to look at the young servant who had come with him and said, "Where is that box?" The servant hurriedly brought over a rosewood box.大家打開看時，原來匣內襯著虎紋錦，錦上疊著一束藍紗。When everyone opened it to look, they found the inside of the box lined with tiger-stripe brocade, on top of which lay a folded bundle of blue gauze.詹光道：“這是什麼東西？”馮紫英道：“這叫做鮫綃帳。”在匣子里拿出來時，疊得長不滿五寸，厚不上半寸，馮紫英一層一層的打開，打到十來層，已經桌上舖不下了。Zhan Guang asked, "What is this thing?" Feng Ziying said, "This is called the shark-silk canopy." When taken out of the box, folded, it measured less than five inches long and no more than half an inch thick; Feng Ziying unfolded it layer by layer, and by the time he had unfolded some ten layers, it could no longer be spread out on the table.馮紫英道：“你看里頭還有兩折，必得高屋里去才張得下。Feng Ziying said, "You see, there are still two more folds inside — it can only be spread out fully in a room with a high ceiling.這就是鮫絲所織，暑熱天氣張在堂屋里頭，蒼蠅蚊子一個不能進來，又輕又亮。”賈政道：“不用全打開，怕疊起來倒費事。”詹光便與馮紫英一層一層折好收拾。This is woven from shark silk; hung up in the main hall during the hot summer weather, not a single fly or mosquito can get in, and it is both light and lustrous." Jia Zheng said, "No need to unfold it all — I'm afraid folding it back up would be too much trouble." Zhan Guang then helped Feng Ziying fold it back up layer by layer and put it away.馮紫英道：“這四件東西价兒也不很貴，兩萬銀他就賣。Feng Ziying said, "These four items are not very dear in price — he will sell them for twenty thousand taels of silver.母珠一萬，鮫綃帳五千，《漢宮春曉》與自鳴鐘五千。”賈政道：“那里買得起。”馮紫英道：“你們是個國戚，難道宮里頭用不著么？”賈政道：“用得著的很多，只是那里有這些銀子。The mother pearl is ten thousand, the shark-silk canopy five thousand, and the 'Spring Dawn in the Han Palace' screen together with the chiming clock five thousand." Jia Zheng said, "How could we afford to buy them?" Feng Ziying said, "Your family is related to the throne by marriage — surely there is use for such things within the palace?" Jia Zheng said, "There is plenty of use for them, it's just that where would we find so much silver?等我叫人拿進去給老太太瞧瞧。”馮紫英道：“很是。”Let me have someone take them in to show the Old Lady." Feng Ziying said, "Very good."

贾政对冯紫英道：“有罪，有罪。咱们说话儿罢。”冯紫英道：“小侄与老伯久不见面，一来会会，二来因广西的同知进来引见，带了四种洋货，可以做得贡的。一件是围屏，有二十四扇槅子，都是紫檀雕刻的。中间虽说不是玉，却是绝好的硝子石，石上镂出山水人物楼台花鸟等物。一扇上有五六十个人，都是宫妆的女子，名为《汉宫春晓》。人的眉目口鼻以及出手衣褶，刻得又清楚又细腻。点缀布置都是好的。我想尊府大观园中正厅上却可用得著。还有一个钟表，有三尺多高，也是一个小童儿拿著时辰牌，到了什么时候他就报什么时辰。里头也有些人在那里打十番的。这是两件重笨的，却还没有拿来。现在我带在这里两件却有些意思儿。”就在身边拿出一个锦匣子，见几重白锦裹著，揭开了锦子，第一层是一个玻璃盒子，里头金托子大红绉绸托底，上放著一颗桂圆大的珠子，光华耀目。冯紫英道：“据说这就叫做母珠。”因叫拿一个盘儿来。詹光即忙端过一个黑漆茶盘，道：“使得么？”冯紫英道：“使得。”便又向怀里掏出一个白绢包儿，将包儿里的珠子都倒在盘子里散著，把那颗母珠搁在中间，将盘置于桌上。看见那些小珠子儿滴溜滴溜滚到大珠身边来，一回儿把这颗大珠子抬高了，别处的小珠子一颗也不剩，都粘在大珠上。詹光道：“这也奇怪。”贾政道：“这是有的，所以叫做母珠，原是珠之母。”那冯紫英又回头看著他跟来的小厮道：“那个匣子呢？”那小厮赶忙捧过一个花梨木匣子来。大家打开看时，原来匣内衬著虎纹锦，锦上叠著一束蓝纱。詹光道：“这是什么东西？”冯紫英道：“这叫做鲛绡帐。”在匣子里拿出来时，叠得长不满五寸，厚不上半寸，冯紫英一层一层的打开，打到十来层，已经桌上铺不下了。冯紫英道：“你看里头还有两折，必得高屋里去才张得下。这就是鲛丝所织，暑热天气张在堂屋里头，苍蝇蚊子一个不能进来，又轻又亮。”贾政道：“不用全打开，怕叠起来倒费事。”詹光便与冯紫英一层一层折好收拾。冯紫英道：“这四件东西价儿也不很贵，两万银他就卖。母珠一万，鲛绡帐五千，《汉宫春晓》与自鸣钟五千。”贾政道：“那里买得起。”冯紫英道：“你们是个国戚，难道宫里头用不著么？”贾政道：“用得著的很多，只是那里有这些银子。等我叫人拿进去给老太太瞧瞧。”冯紫英道：“很是。”

賈政便著人叫賈璉把這兩件東西送到老太太那邊去，並叫人請了邢王二夫人鳳姐兒都來瞧著，又把兩件東西一一試過。Jia Zheng then had someone call Jia Lian to take the two items over to the Old Lady's quarters, and also sent for Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and Xifeng to come and look, and had the two items tried out one by one.賈璉道：“他還有兩件：一件是圍屏。Jia Lian said, "He still has two more items: one is a folding screen.一件是樂鐘。The other is a musical clock.共總要賣二萬銀子呢。”鳳姐兒接著道：“東西自然是好的，但是那里有這些閒錢。Altogether he wants twenty thousand taels of silver for them." Xifeng then said, "The things are certainly fine, but where would we find so much spare money?咱們又不比外任督撫要辦貢。We're not like the governors-general posted outside who have tribute gifts to prepare.我已經想了好些年了，象咱們這种人家，必得置些不動搖的根基才好，或是祭地，或是義庄，再置些墳屋。I've been thinking about this for years now — a family like ours really ought to establish some unshakeable foundation, such as sacrificial land, or a charitable estate, and also acquire some tomb dwellings.往後子孫遇見不得意的事，還是點兒底子，不到一敗涂地。That way, if in later generations the descendants meet with hard times, there will still be a little foundation left, so that things don't collapse completely.我的意思是這樣，不知老太太、老爺、太太們怎麼樣。That is my thinking on it — I don't know how the Old Lady, the masters, and the mistresses feel about it.若是外頭老爺們要買，只管買。”賈母與眾人都說：“這話說的倒也是。”賈璉道：“還了他罷。If the gentlemen outside want to buy these, let them buy them by all means." Grandmother Jia and everyone else said, "That is well said indeed." Jia Lian said, "Then let's just return them to him.原是老爺叫我送給老太太瞧，為的是宮里好進。It was only that Father had me bring them for the Old Lady to look at, since it would make entry into the palace easier.誰說買來擱在家里？Who said anything about buying them to keep at home?老太太還沒開口，你便說了一大些喪氣話！”The Old Lady hasn't even said a word yet, and you've already gone on with a whole lot of discouraging talk!"

贾政便著人叫贾琏把这两件东西送到老太太那边去，并叫人请了邢王二夫人凤姐儿都来瞧著，又把两件东西一一试过。贾琏道：“他还有两件：一件是围屏。一件是乐钟。共总要卖二万银子呢。”凤姐儿接著道：“东西自然是好的，但是那里有这些闲钱。咱们又不比外任督抚要办贡。我已经想了好些年了，象咱们这种人家，必得置些不动摇的根基才好，或是祭地，或是义庄，再置些坟屋。往后子孙遇见不得意的事，还是点儿底子，不到一败涂地。我的意思是这样，不知老太太、老爷、太太们怎么样。若是外头老爷们要买，只管买。”贾母与众人都说：“这话说的倒也是。”贾琏道：“还了他罢。原是老爷叫我送给老太太瞧，为的是宫里好进。谁说买来搁在家里？老太太还没开口，你便说了一大些丧气话！”

說著，便把兩件東西拿了出去，告訴了賈政，說老太太不要。So saying, he took the two items back out, and told Jia Zheng that the Old Lady did not want them.便與馮紫英道：“這兩件東西好可好，就只沒銀子。He then said to Feng Ziying, "These two things are fine as fine can be, it's just that we haven't the silver.我替你留心，有要買的人，我便送信給你去。”馮紫英只得收拾好，坐下說些閒話，沒有興頭，就要起身。I'll keep an eye out for you, and if anyone wants to buy them, I'll send you word." Feng Ziying had no choice but to pack everything up; he sat down and made some idle conversation, but without much heart in it, and was about to take his leave.賈政道：“你在我這里吃了晚飯去罷。”馮紫英道：“罷了，來了就叨扰老伯嗎！”賈政道：“說那里的話。”正說著，人回：“大老爺來了。”賈赦早已進來。Jia Zheng said, "Stay and have dinner here before you go." Feng Ziying said, "Never mind that — must I trouble you the moment I arrive, old uncle!" Jia Zheng said, "What kind of talk is that?" Just as they were speaking, someone announced, "The Elder Master has arrived." Jia She had already come in.彼此相見，敘些寒溫。They greeted one another and exchanged a few pleasantries about the weather.不一時擺上酒來，肴饌羅列，大家喝著酒。Before long, wine was set out, dishes were arranged in rows, and everyone began to drink.至四五巡後，說起洋貨的話，馮紫英道：“這种貨本是難消的，除非要象尊府這种人家，還可消得，其餘就難了。”賈政道：“這也不見得。”賈赦道：“我們家里也比不得從前了，這回兒也不過是個空門面。”馮紫英又問：“東府珍大爺可好么？After four or five rounds, the talk turned to foreign goods, and Feng Ziying said, "Goods of this kind are inherently hard to sell off — unless it's a household like yours, honored sir, which could still manage it; for anyone else it would be difficult." Jia Zheng said, "That's not necessarily so." Jia She said, "Our household, too, is no longer what it once was; these days it's nothing more than an empty façade." Feng Ziying then asked, "How is Elder Master Zhen of the East Mansion getting on?我前兒見他，說起家常話兒來，提到他令郎續娶的媳婦，遠不及頭里那位秦氏奶奶了。The other day I saw him, and in the course of family chitchat, he mentioned that his son's newly remarried wife is far inferior to that Madame Qin of before.如今後娶的到底是那一家的，我也沒有問起。”賈政道：“我們這個侄孫媳婦兒，也是這里大家，從前做過京畿道的胡老爺的女孩兒。”紫英道：“胡道長我是知道的。As for whose family this new wife actually comes from, I did not think to ask." Jia Zheng said, "This grandnephew's wife of ours is likewise from a prominent family here — she is the daughter of a certain Mr. Hu, who once served as Circuit Intendant of the Capital District." Ziying said, "Circuit Intendant Hu I know of.但是他家教上也不怎麼樣。But his family upbringing isn't up to much.也罷了，只要姑娘好就好。”Well, never mind — as long as the young lady herself is good, that's what matters."

说著，便把两件东西拿了出去，告诉了贾政，说老太太不要。便与冯紫英道：“这两件东西好可好，就只没银子。我替你留心，有要买的人，我便送信给你去。”冯紫英只得收拾好，坐下说些闲话，没有兴头，就要起身。贾政道：“你在我这里吃了晚饭去罢。”冯紫英道：“罢了，来了就叨扰老伯吗！”贾政道：“说那里的话。”正说著，人回：“大老爷来了。”贾赦早已进来。彼此相见，叙些寒温。不一时摆上酒来，肴馔罗列，大家喝著酒。至四五巡后，说起洋货的话，冯紫英道：“这种货本是难消的，除非要象尊府这种人家，还可消得，其余就难了。”贾政道：“这也不见得。”贾赦道：“我们家里也比不得从前了，这回儿也不过是个空门面。”冯紫英又问：“东府珍大爷可好么？我前儿见他，说起家常话儿来，提到他令郎续娶的媳妇，远不及头里那位秦氏奶奶了。如今后娶的到底是那一家的，我也没有问起。”贾政道：“我们这个侄孙媳妇儿，也是这里大家，从前做过京畿道的胡老爷的女孩儿。”紫英道：“胡道长我是知道的。但是他家教上也不怎么样。也罢了，只要姑娘好就好。”

賈璉道：“聽得內閣里人說起，賈雨村又要陞了。”賈政道：“這也好，不知准不准。”賈璉道：“大約有意思的了。”馮紫英道：“我今兒從吏部里來，也聽見這樣說。Jia Lian said, "I heard someone from the Grand Secretariat say that Jia Yucun is about to be promoted again." Jia Zheng said, "That would be good, though I don't know whether it's certain." Jia Lian said, "It seems fairly likely." Feng Ziying said, "I came from the Board of Civil Office today, and I heard the same thing said there.雨村老先生是貴本家不是？”賈政道：“是。”馮紫英道：“是有服的還是無服的？”賈政道：“說也話長。Isn't old Mr. Yucun a member of your clan?" Jia Zheng said, "He is." Feng Ziying asked, "Is he within the mourning degrees, or outside them?" Jia Zheng said, "That is rather a long story.他原籍是浙江湖州府人，流寓到蘇州，甚不得意。His native place is Huzhou Prefecture in Zhejiang; he had drifted to Suzhou, where things went very badly for him.有個甄士隱和他相好，時常周濟他。There was a certain Zhen Shiyin who was on good terms with him and often helped him out with money.以後中了進士，得了榜下知縣，便娶了甄家的丫頭。Afterward he passed the metropolitan examination and was appointed a county magistrate straight off the list, and then he married a maidservant from the Zhen household.如今的太太不是正配。His present wife is not his original, principal wife.豈知甄士隱弄到零落不堪，沒有找處。Who would have thought that Zhen Shiyin himself ended up utterly ruined and destitute, with nowhere to turn.雨村革了職以後，那時還與我家并未相識，只因舍妹丈林如海林公在揚州巡鹽的時候，請他在家做西席，外甥女兒是他的學生。After Yucun was dismissed from office, at that time he was not yet acquainted with our family at all; it was only because my brother-in-law Lin Ruhai, Lord Lin, while serving as Salt Censor in Yangzhou, engaged him in his household as a tutor, and my niece was his pupil.因他有起复的信要進京來，恰好外甥女兒要上來探親，林姑老爺便托他照應上來的，還有一封荐書，托我吹噓吹噓。Since he had word of his reinstatement and was going up to the capital, it happened that my niece was also coming up to visit relatives, so Lord Lin entrusted him with escorting her on the journey, and also gave him a letter of introduction, asking me to speak well of him.那時看他不錯，大家常會。At the time he seemed a decent sort, and the two of us met often.豈知雨村也奇，我家世襲起，從代字輩下來，宁榮兩宅人口房舍以及起居事宜，一概都明白，因此遂覺得親熱了。”因又笑說道：“幾年門子也會鑽了。Who would have thought Yucun was remarkable in his own way — as to our family's hereditary rank, going all the way down from the 'Dai' generation, and the people, residences, and daily affairs of both the Ning and Rong mansions, he came to know everything about them, and so we grew close." He then added with a laugh, "Over the years he has certainly learned how to work his way in.由知府推升轉了御史，不過幾年，升了吏部侍郎，署兵部尚書。From prefect he was promoted and transferred to Censor, and within just a few years he rose to Vice Minister of the Board of Civil Office, and then acting Minister of the Board of War.為著一件事降了三級，如今又要升了。”馮紫英道：“人世的榮枯，仕途的得失，終屬難定。”賈政道：“象雨村算便宜的了。On account of one affair he was demoted three ranks, and now he's about to be promoted again." Feng Ziying said, "The flourishing and decline of human affairs, the gains and losses of an official career — in the end these are truly hard to foresee." Jia Zheng said, "Someone like Yucun counts himself fortunate indeed.還有我們差不多的人家就是甄家，從前一樣功勳，一樣的世襲，一樣的起居，我們也是時常往來。There is also another household much like ours — the Zhen family. In the past they had the same merit and honors, the same hereditary rank, the same style of living, and we too were on frequent visiting terms with them.不多幾年，他們進京來差人到我這里請安，還很熱鬧。Not many years ago, when they came up to the capital, they sent people to my house to pay their respects, and things were still quite lively.一回兒抄了原籍的家財，至今杳無音信，不知他近況若何，心下也著實惦記。Then all at once their family property in their native place was confiscated, and to this day there has been no news of them at all; I do not know how they are faring now, and it truly weighs on my mind.看了這樣，你想做官的怕不怕？”賈赦道：“咱們家是最沒有事的。”馮紫英道：“果然，尊府是不怕的。Seeing things turn out this way, don't you think anyone who holds office ought to be afraid?" Jia She said, "Our family is the one household with nothing at all to worry about." Feng Ziying said, "Indeed, your honored household need not be afraid.一則里頭有貴妃照應，二則故舊好親戚多，三則你家自老太太起至于少爺們，沒有一個刁鑽刻薄的。”賈政道：“雖無刁鑽刻薄，卻沒有德行才情。First, there is the Imperial Consort within the palace looking after your interests; second, you have many old friends and good relatives; and third, in your household, from the Old Lady down to the young masters, there is not a single person who is cunning or mean-spirited." Jia Zheng said, "Though there is no cunning or mean-spiritedness, there is also no virtue or talent to speak of.白白的衣租食稅，那里當得起。”賈赦道：“咱們不用說這些話，大家吃酒罷。”大家又喝了幾杯，擺上飯來。Living idly off rents and taxes as we do, how could we possibly deserve it." Jia She said, "Let's not speak of such things — everyone, let's drink." They all drank a few more cups, and then the meal was brought out.吃畢，喝茶。When they had finished eating, they drank tea.馮家的小廝走來輕輕的向紫英說了一句，馮紫英便要告辭了。A young servant from the Feng household came in and murmured a word quietly to Ziying, whereupon Feng Ziying made ready to take his leave.賈赦賈政道：“你說什麼？”小廝道：“外面下雪，早已下了梆子了。”賈政叫人看時，已是雪深一寸多了。Jia She and Jia Zheng asked, "What did he say?" The servant said, "It's snowing outside, and the night watch has already sounded." Jia Zheng had someone go and look, and found the snow was already more than an inch deep.賈政道：“那兩件東西你收拾好了么？”馮紫英道：“收好了。Jia Zheng said, "Have you packed those two items up properly?" Feng Ziying said, "All packed up.若尊府要用，价錢還自然讓些。”賈政道：“我留神就是了。”紫英道：“我再聽信罷。If your honored household wants them, the price can certainly be brought down a little." Jia Zheng said, "I'll keep it in mind." Ziying said, "I'll wait to hear from you, then.天氣冷，請罷，別送了。”賈赦賈政便命賈璉送了出去。The weather is cold — please, don't trouble yourselves seeing me off." Jia She and Jia Zheng then had Jia Lian see him out.未知後事如何，下回分解。What happened afterward is not yet known; that will be told in the next chapter.

贾琏道：“听得内阁里人说起，贾雨村又要升了。”贾政道：“这也好，不知准不准。”贾琏道：“大约有意思的了。”冯紫英道：“我今儿从吏部里来，也听见这样说。雨村老先生是贵本家不是？”贾政道：“是。”冯紫英道：“是有服的还是无服的？”贾政道：“说也话长。他原籍是浙江湖州府人，流寓到苏州，甚不得意。有个甄士隐和他相好，时常周济他。以后中了进士，得了榜下知县，便娶了甄家的丫头。如今的太太不是正配。岂知甄士隐弄到零落不堪，没有找处。雨村革了职以后，那时还与我家并未相识，只因舍妹丈林如海林公在扬州巡盐的时候，请他在家做西席，外甥女儿是他的学生。因他有起复的信要进京来，恰好外甥女儿要上来探亲，林姑老爷便托他照应上来的，还有一封荐书，托我吹嘘吹嘘。那时看他不错，大家常会。岂知雨村也奇，我家世袭起，从代字辈下来，宁荣两宅人口房舍以及起居事宜，一概都明白，因此遂觉得亲热了。”因又笑说道：“几年门子也会钻了。由知府推升转了御史，不过几年，升了吏部侍郎，署兵部尚书。为著一件事降了三级，如今又要升了。”冯紫英道：“人世的荣枯，仕途的得失，终属难定。”贾政道：“象雨村算便宜的了。还有我们差不多的人家就是甄家，从前一样功勋，一样的世袭，一样的起居，我们也是时常往来。不多几年，他们进京来差人到我这里请安，还很热闹。一回儿抄了原籍的家财，至今杳无音信，不知他近况若何，心下也著实惦记。看了这样，你想做官的怕不怕？”贾赦道：“咱们家是最没有事的。”冯紫英道：“果然，尊府是不怕的。一则里头有贵妃照应，二则故旧好亲戚多，三则你家自老太太起至于少爷们，没有一个刁钻刻薄的。”贾政道：“虽无刁钻刻薄，却没有德行才情。白白的衣租食税，那里当得起。”贾赦道：“咱们不用说这些话，大家吃酒罢。”大家又喝了几杯，摆上饭来。吃毕，喝茶。冯家的小厮走来轻轻的向紫英说了一句，冯紫英便要告辞了。贾赦贾政道：“你说什么？”小厮道：“外面下雪，早已下了梆子了。”贾政叫人看时，已是雪深一寸多了。贾政道：“那两件东西你收拾好了么？”冯紫英道：“收好了。若尊府要用，价钱还自然让些。”贾政道：“我留神就是了。”紫英道：“我再听信罢。天气冷，请罢，别送了。”贾赦贾政便命贾琏送了出去。未知后事如何，下回分解。