第九十四回　宴海棠賈母賞花妖　失寶玉通靈知奇禍 At a Crab-Apple Feast the Dowager Sees an Ill Omen; The Loss of the Jade Foretells Disaster

話說賴大帶了賈芹出來，一宿無話，靜候賈政回來。The story goes that Lai Da took Jia Qin away with him, and nothing happened all night; they quietly waited for Jia Zheng to return.單是那些女尼女道重進園來，都喜歡的了不得，欲要到各處逛逛，明日預備進宮。As for the nuns and Daoist women who had been brought back into the Garden, they were overjoyed beyond measure, wanting to go about looking at all the various places, since tomorrow they were to be made ready to enter the palace.不料賴大便吩咐了看院的婆子并小廝看守，惟給了些飲食，卻是一步不准走開。Unexpectedly, Lai Da instructed the old women and young servants who kept watch over the courtyards to guard them closely; though they were given food and drink, they were not permitted to stir a single step outside.那些女孩子摸不著頭腦，只得坐著等到天亮。Those girls could make no sense of it, and had no choice but to sit and wait until daybreak.園里各處的丫頭雖都知道拉進女尼們來預備宮里使喚，卻也不能深知原委。The maids throughout the Garden all knew that the nuns had been brought in to be made ready for service in the palace, but none of them could fathom the full particulars.

话说赖大带了贾芹出来，一宿无话，静候贾政回来。单是那些女尼女道重进园来，都喜欢的了不得，欲要到各处逛逛，明日预备进宫。不料赖大便吩咐了看院的婆子并小厮看守，惟给了些饮食，却是一步不准走开。那些女孩子摸不著头脑，只得坐著等到天亮。园里各处的丫头虽都知道拉进女尼们来预备宫里使唤，却也不能深知原委。

到了明日早起，賈政正要下班，因堂上發下兩省城工估銷冊子立刻要查核，一時不能回家，便叫人告訴賈璉說：“賴大回來，你務必查問明白。The next morning, just as Jia Zheng was about to go off duty, the office sent down the account books of the two provincial construction projects which had to be checked and verified at once, so that he could not get home for a while; he therefore sent someone to tell Jia Lian, saying: "When Lai Da comes back, you must be sure to question him thoroughly and get to the bottom of it.該如何辦就如何辦了，不必等我。”賈璉奉命，先替芹兒喜歡，又想道：若是辦得一點影兒都沒有，又恐賈政生疑，”不如回明二太太討個主意辦去，便是不合老爺的心，我也不至甚擔干系。”主意定了，進內去見王夫人，陳說：“昨日老爺見了揭帖生氣，把芹兒和女尼女道等都叫進府來查辦。"Handle it however it ought to be handled, and there is no need to wait for me." Having received this order, Jia Lian first felt glad on Qin'er's behalf, and then thought to himself: "If this is handled so that there is not the slightest trace left of it, I fear Father will grow suspicious after all; better to report to Aunt Wang and get her instructions on how to proceed — even if it does not suit Father's wishes exactly, at least I won't bear so much of the responsibility myself." His mind made up, he went inside to see Lady Wang and reported to her: "Yesterday when Father saw the placard he grew angry, and had Qin'er and the nuns and Daoist women all summoned into the mansion for investigation.今日老爺沒空問這种不成体統的事，叫我來回太太，該怎麼便怎麼樣。"Today Father has no time to deal with such an unseemly matter, and has sent me to report to you, Aunt, so that it may be handled however you see fit.我所以來請示太太，這件事如何辦理？”王夫人聽了，詫异道：“這是怎麼說！"That is why I have come to ask your instructions — how should this matter be dealt with?" When Lady Wang heard this she said in astonishment: "What is this you're telling me!若是芹兒這麼樣起來，這還成咱們家的人了么！"If Qin'er has really gone and behaved like this, can he still be counted a member of our family!但只這個貼帖兒的也可惡，這些話可是混嚼說得的么。"But whoever put up that placard is detestable too — how can such things be said so recklessly, out of nowhere?你到底問了芹兒有這件事沒有呢？”賈璉道：“剛才也問過了。"Did you actually ask Qin'er whether there was any such matter or not?" Jia Lian said: "I just asked him a moment ago.太太想，別說他干了沒有，就是干了，一個人干了混帳事也肯應承么？"Consider, Aunt: never mind whether he really did it or not — even if he had done it, would anyone who had done such a disgraceful thing be willing to admit to it himself?但只我想芹兒也不敢行此事，知道那些女孩子都是娘娘一時要叫的，倘或鬧出事來，怎麼樣呢？"But I think Qin'er would hardly dare do such a thing; I do know that those girls were all ones the Imperial Consort might at any time wish to summon, and if it should ever come to a scandal, what then?依侄兒的主見，要問也不難，若問出來，太太怎麼個辦法呢？”王夫人道：“如今那些女孩子在那里？”賈璉道：“都在園里鎖著呢。”王夫人道：“姑娘們知道不知道？”賈璉道：“大約姑娘們也都知道是預備宮里頭的話，外頭并沒提起別的來。”王夫人道：“很是。"To my nephew's mind, it would not be hard to look into it if we wished, but if it were looked into and something did turn up, Aunt, what would you do about it then?" Lady Wang said: "Where are those girls now?" Jia Lian said: "They are all locked up in the Garden." Lady Wang said: "Do the young ladies know of it?" Jia Lian said: "I believe the young ladies too have all heard that they are being made ready for the palace; nothing else has been mentioned outside." Lady Wang said: "Very well.這些東西一刻也是留不得的。"These creatures cannot be kept here even a moment longer.頭里我原要打發他們去來著，都是你們說留著好，如今不是弄出事來了么。"Earlier I had actually meant to send them away, but all of you said it would be better to keep them — and now see, hasn't trouble come of it after all.你竟叫賴大那些人帶去，細細的問他的本家有人沒有，將文書查出，花上幾十兩銀子，雇只船，派個妥當人送到本地，一概連文書發還了，也落得無事。"You must have Lai Da and the others take them away; question them carefully as to whether they have any family of their own, look up their papers, spend a few tens of taels of silver, hire a boat, and send a reliable person to escort them back to their native places; return their papers to them along with everything else, and be done with the matter without further trouble.若是為著一兩個不好，個個都押著他們還俗，那又太造孽了。"If, for the sake of one or two who behaved badly, we were to force every single one of them back into secular life against her will, that would be far too great a sin to commit.若在這里發給官媒，雖然我們不要身价，他們弄去賣錢，那里顧人的死活呢。"And if we were to hand them over here to the official brokers, even though we ourselves would ask no price for them, they would only sell them off for money, and who would care then whether they lived or died?芹兒呢，你便狠狠的說他一頓。"As for Qin'er, you are to give him a thorough scolding.除了祭祀喜慶，無事叫他不用到這里來，看仔細碰在老爺氣頭兒上，那可就吃不了兜著走了。"Except for ancestral rites and happy occasions, tell him he need not come here at all when there is no business — mind he does not carelessly run into Father while Father is in a temper, or he'll find himself in more trouble than he can handle.并說與帳房兒里，把這一項錢糧檔子銷了。"Also tell the accounting office to close out this item of funds and provisions.還打發個人到水月庵，說老爺的諭：除了上墳燒紙，若有本家爺們到他那里去，不許接待。"And send someone to Water Moon Priory to convey Father's instruction: aside from visits to sweep graves and burn paper offerings, if any of the young men of the family go there, they are not to be received.若再有一點不好風聲，連老姑子一并攆出去。”"And if there should be even the slightest further breath of scandal, the old nun herself is to be driven out along with the rest."

到了明日早起，贾政正要下班，因堂上发下两省城工估销册子立刻要查核，一时不能回家，便叫人告诉贾琏说：“赖大回来，你务必查问明白。该如何办就如何办了，不必等我。”贾琏奉命，先替芹儿喜欢，又想道：若是办得一点影儿都没有，又恐贾政生疑，”不如回明二太太讨个主意办去，便是不合老爷的心，我也不至甚担干系。”主意定了，进内去见王夫人，陈说：“昨日老爷见了揭帖生气，把芹儿和女尼女道等都叫进府来查办。今日老爷没空问这种不成体统的事，叫我来回太太，该怎么便怎么样。我所以来请示太太，这件事如何办理？”王夫人听了，诧异道：“这是怎么说！若是芹儿这么样起来，这还成咱们家的人了么！但只这个贴帖儿的也可恶，这些话可是混嚼说得的么。你到底问了芹儿有这件事没有呢？”贾琏道：“刚才也问过了。太太想，别说他干了没有，就是干了，一个人干了混帐事也肯应承么？但只我想芹儿也不敢行此事，知道那些女孩子都是娘娘一时要叫的，倘或闹出事来，怎么样呢？依侄儿的主见，要问也不难，若问出来，太太怎么个办法呢？”王夫人道：“如今那些女孩子在那里？”贾琏道：“都在园里锁著呢。”王夫人道：“姑娘们知道不知道？”贾琏道：“大约姑娘们也都知道是预备宫里头的话，外头并没提起别的来。”王夫人道：“很是。这些东西一刻也是留不得的。头里我原要打发他们去来著，都是你们说留著好，如今不是弄出事来了么。你竟叫赖大那些人带去，细细的问他的本家有人没有，将文书查出，花上几十两银子，雇只船，派个妥当人送到本地，一概连文书发还了，也落得无事。若是为著一两个不好，个个都押著他们还俗，那又太造孽了。若在这里发给官媒，虽然我们不要身价，他们弄去卖钱，那里顾人的死活呢。芹儿呢，你便狠狠的说他一顿。除了祭祀喜庆，无事叫他不用到这里来，看仔细碰在老爷气头儿上，那可就吃不了兜著走了。并说与帐房儿里，把这一项钱粮档子销了。还打发个人到水月庵，说老爷的谕：除了上坟烧纸，若有本家爷们到他那里去，不许接待。若再有一点不好风声，连老姑子一并撵出去。”

賈璉一一答應了，出去將王夫人的話告訴賴大，說：“是太太主意，叫你這麼辦去。Jia Lian assented to every word, then went out and told Lai Da all that Lady Wang had said, adding: "This is Aunt's own decision — she says you are to handle it this way.辦完了，告訴我去回太太。"Once it is done, tell me so that I may report back to Aunt.你快辦去罷。"Go and see to it at once.回來老爺來，你也按著太太的話回去。”賴大聽說，便道：“我們太太真正是個佛心。"When Father comes home, you are to report to him too, following exactly what Aunt has said." On hearing this, Lai Da said: "Our lady is truly Buddha-hearted.這班東西著人送回去。"This whole lot are to be sent off home.既是太太好心，不得不挑個好人。"Since Her Ladyship means to be kind, we must be sure to pick out a trustworthy man for the task.芹哥兒竟交給二爺開發了罷。"As for young Master Qin, why not simply hand him over to the Second Master here to deal with as he sees fit.那個貼帖兒的，奴才想法兒查出來，重重的收拾他才好。”賈璉點頭說：“是了。”即刻將賈芹發落。"As for whoever posted that placard, this humble servant will find some way to track him down, and he had better be dealt with severely." Jia Lian nodded and said: "Very well." He at once disposed of the matter concerning Jia Qin.賴大也赶著把女尼等領出，按著主意辦去了。Lai Da likewise hurried to lead the nuns and the others out, and carried out the arrangements as instructed.晚上賈政回家，賈璉賴大回明賈政。That evening when Jia Zheng returned home, Jia Lian and Lai Da reported the matter to him in full.賈政本是省事的人，聽了也便撂開手了。Jia Zheng was by nature one who liked to avoid trouble, and on hearing the report he simply let the matter drop.獨有那些無賴之徒，聽得賈府發出二十四個女孩子出來，那個不想。It was only among the disreputable idlers, once word got out that the Jia household had let twenty-four girls go free, that there was not one who did not covet them.究竟那些人能夠回家不能，未知著落，亦難虛擬。Whether those girls actually managed to get home in the end or not remained unknown, and it would be hard to say for certain.

贾琏一一答应了，出去将王夫人的话告诉赖大，说：“是太太主意，叫你这么办去。办完了，告诉我去回太太。你快办去罢。回来老爷来，你也按著太太的话回去。”赖大听说，便道：“我们太太真正是个佛心。这班东西著人送回去。既是太太好心，不得不挑个好人。芹哥儿竟交给二爷开发了罢。那个贴帖儿的，奴才想法儿查出来，重重的收拾他才好。”贾琏点头说：“是了。”即刻将贾芹发落。赖大也赶著把女尼等领出，按著主意办去了。晚上贾政回家，贾琏赖大回明贾政。贾政本是省事的人，听了也便撂开手了。独有那些无赖之徒，听得贾府发出二十四个女孩子出来，那个不想。究竟那些人能够回家不能，未知著落，亦难虚拟。

且說紫鵑因黛玉漸好，園中無事，聽見女尼等預備宮內使喚，不知何事，便到賈母那邊打聽打聽，恰遇著鴛鴦下來，閒著坐下說閒話兒，提起女尼的事。Now to speak of Zijuan: since Daiyu was gradually recovering, and there was nothing to do in the Garden, hearing that the nuns and the rest were being made ready for service in the palace but not knowing quite why, she went over to the Old Lady's quarters to ask about it, and happened to meet Yuanyang coming down; being at leisure, they sat down for a chat, and the subject of the nuns came up.鴛鴦詫异道：“我并沒有聽見，回來問問二奶奶就知道了。”正說著，只見傅試家兩個女人過來請賈母的安，鴛鴦要陪了上去。Yuanyang said in surprise: "I haven't heard anything about it myself; I'll ask Second Mistress when I get back and then I'll know." Just as they were speaking, two women sent from the Fu family arrived to pay their respects to the Old Lady, and Yuanyang meant to go up and attend on them.那兩個女人因賈母正睡晌覺，就與鴛鴦說了一聲兒回去了。But since the Old Lady was just then having her midday nap, the two women simply left word with Yuanyang and went back.紫鵑問：“這是誰家差來的？”鴛鴦道：“好討人嫌。Zijuan asked: "Whose house sent them?" Yuanyang said: "They're thoroughly tiresome, those two.家里有了一個女孩兒生得好些，便獻寶的似的，常常在老太太面前夸他家姑娘長得怎麼好，心地怎麼好，禮貌上又能，說話兒又簡絕，做活計兒手兒又巧，會寫會算，尊長上頭最孝敬的，就是待下人也是极和平的。"Their family has one girl who's rather good-looking, and they carry on as though showing off some treasure, forever praising to the Old Lady's face how fine their young lady looks, how good her heart is, how accomplished she is in manners, how clever and quick her speech, how deft her hands at needlework, how she can both write and reckon accounts, how most filial she is toward her elders — and even toward the servants she is said to be perfectly gentle and fair.來了就編這麼一大套，常常說給老太太聽。"Every time they come they spin out this whole long tale, and are forever telling it to the Old Lady.我聽著很煩。"I get quite weary listening to it.這幾個老婆子真討人嫌。"These old women are truly tiresome.我們老太太偏愛聽那些個話。"But our Old Lady, of all things, loves to hear such talk.老太太也罷了，還有寶玉，素常見了老婆子便很厭煩的，偏見了他們家的老婆子便不厭煩。"It's not just the Old Lady, either — there's Baoyu too: ordinarily when he sees old women he finds them quite tiresome, and yet when he sees the old women from that family, he doesn't find them tiresome at all.你說奇不奇！"Isn't that strange, wouldn't you say!前兒還來說，他們姑娘現有多少人家兒來求親，他們老爺總不肯應，心里只要和咱們這种人家作親才肯。"Just the other day they came again and said that their young lady presently has any number of families seeking her hand, but their old master won't consent to any of them — he has his heart set on making a match only with a family such as ours.一回夸獎，一回奉承，把老太太的心都說活了。”紫鵑聽了一呆，便假意道：“若老太太喜歡，為什麼不就給寶玉定了呢？”鴛鴦正要說出原故，聽見上頭說：“老太太醒了。”鴛鴦赶著上去。"First they praise her to the skies, then they flatter and flatter, until they've quite won the Old Lady's heart over." Zijuan, hearing this, was struck dumb for a moment, then said, feigning idle curiosity: "If the Old Lady is so pleased with her, why doesn't she simply settle the match with Baoyu at once?" Yuanyang was just about to explain the reason when word came from above: "The Old Lady is awake." Yuanyang hurried up at once.

且说紫鹃因黛玉渐好，园中无事，听见女尼等预备宫内使唤，不知何事，便到贾母那边打听打听，恰遇著鸳鸯下来，闲著坐下说闲话儿，提起女尼的事。鸳鸯诧异道：“我并没有听见，回来问问二奶奶就知道了。”正说著，只见傅试家两个女人过来请贾母的安，鸳鸯要陪了上去。那两个女人因贾母正睡晌觉，就与鸳鸯说了一声儿回去了。紫鹃问：“这是谁家差来的？”鸳鸯道：“好讨人嫌。家里有了一个女孩儿生得好些，便献宝的似的，常常在老太太面前夸他家姑娘长得怎么好，心地怎么好，礼貌上又能，说话儿又简绝，做活计儿手儿又巧，会写会算，尊长上头最孝敬的，就是待下人也是极和平的。来了就编这么一大套，常常说给老太太听。我听著很烦。这几个老婆子真讨人嫌。我们老太太偏爱听那些个话。老太太也罢了，还有宝玉，素常见了老婆子便很厌烦的，偏见了他们家的老婆子便不厌烦。你说奇不奇！前儿还来说，他们姑娘现有多少人家儿来求亲，他们老爷总不肯应，心里只要和咱们这种人家作亲才肯。一回夸奖，一回奉承，把老太太的心都说活了。”紫鹃听了一呆，便假意道：“若老太太喜欢，为什么不就给宝玉定了呢？”鸳鸯正要说出原故，听见上头说：“老太太醒了。”鸳鸯赶著上去。

紫鵑只得起身出來，回到園里。Zijuan had no choice but to rise and take her leave, returning to the Garden.一頭走，一頭想道：“天下莫非只有一個寶玉，你也想他，我也想他。As she walked along she thought to herself: "Is Baoyu the only man under heaven? You want him, and she wants him too.我們家的那一位越發痴心起來了，看他的那個神情兒，是一定在寶玉身上的了。"Our own young lady has grown ever more infatuated of late; judging by her manner, her heart is fixed on Baoyu without a doubt.三番五次的病，可不是為著這個是什麼！"All her repeated bouts of illness these past times — what else could they be for, if not this!這家里金的銀的還鬧不清，若添了一個什麼傅姑娘，更了不得了。"In this household the matter of the gold and the jade is tangled enough as it is; if on top of that some Miss Fu or other is added in, it will be even more impossible to sort out.我看寶玉的心也在我們那一位的身上，聽著鴛鴦的說話竟是見一個愛一個的。"And as I see it, Baoyu's heart is fixed on our young lady too — yet to judge by what Yuanyang says, he seems to be one who loves whomever he happens to see before him.這不是我們姑娘白操了心了嗎？”紫鵑本是想著黛玉，往下一想，連自己也不得主意了，不免掉下淚來。"Won't our young lady simply have worried herself sick over him for nothing, then?" Zijuan had originally been thinking of Daiyu's own case, but as she thought further along these lines, she found she could no longer make sense of anything even for herself, and could not help but shed a few tears.要想叫黛玉不用瞎操心呢，又恐怕他煩惱，若是看著他這樣，又可怜見兒的。She wanted to tell Daiyu not to trouble her mind over such idle worry, yet feared it would only distress her; but then, seeing Daiyu in such a state as she was, it was pitiful to watch too.左思右想，一時煩躁起來，自己啐自己道：“你替人耽什麼憂！Turning the matter over and over in her mind, she grew restless, and finally spat at herself in exasperation: "What business have you got worrying yourself sick on someone else's account!就是林姑娘真配了寶玉，他的那性情兒也是難伏侍的。"Even supposing Miss Lin truly were matched with Baoyu, her temperament being what it is, she would still be hard enough to wait upon.寶玉性情雖好，又是貪多嚼不爛的。"Baoyu's disposition, good as it is, is still one that craves more than it can ever properly digest.我倒勸人不必瞎操心，我自己才是瞎操心呢。"Here I am urging others not to fret needlessly, when it's I myself who am the one fretting needlessly.從今以後，我盡我的心伏侍姑娘，其餘的事全不管！”這麼一想，心里倒覺清淨。"From now on, I shall simply devote my whole heart to waiting upon my young lady, and trouble myself no further about anything else!" With this thought, her mind felt clear and at ease again.回到瀟湘館來，見黛玉獨自一人坐在炕上，理從前做過的詩文詞稿。When she got back to Bamboo Lodge, she found Daiyu sitting alone on the kang, sorting through the poems and lyrics she had written in years past.抬頭見紫鵑來，便問：“你到那里去了？”紫鵑道：“我今兒瞧了瞧姐妹們去。”黛玉道：“敢是找襲人姐姐去么？”紫鵑道：“我找他做什麼。”黛玉一想這話，怎麼順嘴說了出來，反覺不好意思，便啐道：“你找誰與我什麼相干！Looking up and seeing Zijuan come in, she asked: "Where have you been?" Zijuan said: "I went to look in on the young ladies today." Daiyu said: "Off to find Sister Xiren, I suppose?" Zijuan said: "What would I want with her?" Daiyu, reflecting on how the remark had slipped out so readily, felt rather embarrassed herself, and spat out: "What's it to me whom you go looking for!倒茶去罷。”"Go and pour the tea."

紫鹃只得起身出来，回到园里。一头走，一头想道：“天下莫非只有一个宝玉，你也想他，我也想他。我们家的那一位越发痴心起来了，看他的那个神情儿，是一定在宝玉身上的了。三番五次的病，可不是为著这个是什么！这家里金的银的还闹不清，若添了一个什么傅姑娘，更了不得了。我看宝玉的心也在我们那一位的身上，听著鸳鸯的说话竟是见一个爱一个的。这不是我们姑娘白操了心了吗？”紫鹃本是想著黛玉，往下一想，连自己也不得主意了，不免掉下泪来。要想叫黛玉不用瞎操心呢，又恐怕他烦恼，若是看著他这样，又可怜见儿的。左思右想，一时烦躁起来，自己啐自己道：“你替人耽什么忧！就是林姑娘真配了宝玉，他的那性情儿也是难伏侍的。宝玉性情虽好，又是贪多嚼不烂的。我倒劝人不必瞎操心，我自己才是瞎操心呢。从今以后，我尽我的心伏侍姑娘，其余的事全不管！”这么一想，心里倒觉清净。回到潇湘馆来，见黛玉独自一人坐在炕上，理从前做过的诗文词稿。抬头见紫鹃来，便问：“你到那里去了？”紫鹃道：“我今儿瞧了瞧姐妹们去。”黛玉道：“敢是找袭人姐姐去么？”紫鹃道：“我找他做什么。”黛玉一想这话，怎么顺嘴说了出来，反觉不好意思，便啐道：“你找谁与我什么相干！倒茶去罢。”

紫鵑也心里暗笑，出來倒茶。Zijuan too laughed secretly to herself, and went out to pour the tea.只聽見園里的一疊聲亂嚷，不知何故，一面倒茶，一面叫人去打聽。Just then they heard a great commotion of voices in the Garden, one after another; not knowing what it was about, Zijuan poured the tea while sending someone out to find out.回來說道：“怡紅院里的海棠本來萎了幾棵，也沒人去澆灌他。The servant came back and said: "Several of the begonias in Happy Red Court had withered, and no one had been tending them.昨日寶玉走去，瞧見枝頭上好象有了骨朵兒似的。"Yesterday Baoyu went by and thought he saw what looked like buds forming on the branches.人都不信，沒有理他。"No one believed it, and no one paid it any mind.忽然今日開得很好的海棠花，眾人詫异，都爭著去看。"But today the begonias have suddenly bloomed most splendidly, and everyone is amazed, all crowding to go and see them.連老太太，太太都哄動了來瞧花兒呢，所以大奶奶叫人收拾園里敗葉枯枝，這些人在那里傳喚。”黛玉也聽見了，知道老太太來，便更了衣，叫雪雁去打聽，”若是老太太來了，即來告訴我。”雪雁去不多時，便跑來說：“老太太，太太好些人都來了，請姑娘就去罷。”黛玉略自照了一照鏡子，掠了一掠鬢發，便扶著紫鵑到怡紅院來。"Even the Old Lady and Her Ladyship have been drawn out to look at the flowers, and so the Eldest Mistress has had people clearing away the withered leaves and dead branches in the Garden, which is why everyone is being called out there." Daiyu heard this too, and knowing the Old Lady was coming, changed her clothes and sent Xueyan to find out more, saying: "If the Old Lady has arrived, come and tell me at once." Before long Xueyan came running back and said: "The Old Lady, Her Ladyship, and a good many others have all arrived; please, Miss, go over there now." Daiyu glanced briefly at herself in the mirror, smoothed her hair at the temples, and then, leaning on Zijuan's arm, made her way to Happy Red Court.已見老太太坐在寶玉常臥的榻上，黛玉便說道：“請老太太安。”退後，便見了邢王二夫人，回來與李紈，探春，惜春，邢岫煙彼此問了好。There she found the Old Lady already seated on the couch where Baoyu usually lay; Daiyu said: "I pay my respects to the Old Ancestress." Then, stepping back, she greeted Lady Xing and Lady Wang, and turning around exchanged greetings with Li Wan, Tanchun, Xichun, and Xing Xiuyan.只有鳳姐因病未來，史湘雲因他叔叔調任回京，接了家去，薛寶琴跟他姐姐家去住了，李家姐妹因見園內多事，李嬸娘帶了在外居住：所以黛玉今日見的只有數人。Only Xifeng was absent on account of illness; Shi Xiangyun had been fetched home by her uncle, who had been transferred back to the capital; Xue Baoqin had gone to stay at her sister's home; and the Li sisters, seeing how much trouble there had been of late in the Garden, had been taken by their Aunt Li to live outside — so that today Daiyu found only a handful of people gathered there.大家說笑了一回，講究這花開得古怪。Everyone talked and laughed together for a while, marveling at how strangely the flowers had bloomed.賈母道：“這花兒應在三月里開的，如今雖是十一月，因節氣遲，還算十月，應著小陽春的天氣，這花開因為和暖是有的。”王夫人道：“老太太見的多，說得是。The Old Lady said: "These flowers ought properly to bloom in the third month; though it is now the eleventh month, since the solar terms have run late, it may still be reckoned as the tenth month, corresponding to the weather of a 'little springtime in winter' — it is quite possible for the flowers to bloom on account of the mild warmth." Lady Wang said: "The Old Ancestress has seen so much of the world, what she says must be right.也不為奇。”邢夫人道：“我聽見這花已經萎了一年，怎麼這回不應時候兒開了，必有個原故。”李紈笑道：“老太太與太太說得都是。"It is nothing so very strange after all." Lady Xing said: "I heard that this shrub has already been withered a whole year; why should it suddenly bloom out of season like this now — there must be some reason behind it." Li Wan said with a smile: "What the Old Ancestress and Her Ladyship say is quite right.据我的糊涂想頭，必是寶玉有喜事來了，此花先來報信。”探春雖不言語，心內想：“此花必非好兆。"But to my own foolish way of thinking, it must be that some happy event is coming to Baoyu, and this flower has come ahead of time to bring the news." Tanchun said nothing, but thought to herself: "This flower can hardly be a good omen.大凡順者昌，逆者亡。"As a general rule, what follows its proper course flourishes, and what goes against it perishes.草木知運，不時而發，必是妖孽。”只不好說出來。"For a plant to sense the turning of fortune and burst into bloom out of its season — this must surely be an uncanny, ill omen." But she did not care to say so aloud.獨有黛玉聽說是喜事，心里触動，便高興說道：“當初田家有荊樹一棵，三個弟兄因分了家，那荊樹便枯了。Daiyu alone, hearing it called a happy omen, felt something stir within her, and said cheerfully: "Long ago there was a family named Tian that had a single thorn-tree; when the three brothers divided the family property, that thorn-tree withered away.後來感動了他弟兄們仍舊在一處，那荊樹也就榮了。"Later, once it had moved the brothers to remain together after all, the thorn-tree flourished again as before.可知草木也隨人的。"From this we may know that plants and trees follow the fortunes of people too.如今二哥哥認真念書，舅舅喜歡，那棵樹也就發了。”賈母王夫人聽了喜歡，便說：“林姑娘比方得有理，很有意思。”正說著，賈赦，賈政，賈環，賈蘭都進來看花。"Now that Second Brother has taken earnestly to his studies, and Uncle is pleased with him, that tree too has burst into bloom." The Old Lady and Lady Wang were both delighted to hear this, and said: "What Miss Lin says makes good sense — very well put indeed." Just as they were speaking, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan all came in to see the flowers.賈赦便說：“据我的主意，把他砍去，必是花妖作怪。”賈政道：“見怪不怪，其怪自敗。Jia She said: "To my mind, it ought to be cut down — this must be some flower-spirit up to mischief." Jia Zheng said: "Regard a strange thing as not strange, and its strangeness will fade of itself.不用砍他，隨他去就是了。”賈母聽見，便說：“誰在這里混說！"There's no need to cut it down; just let it be." When the Old Lady heard this she said: "Who's talking such nonsense here!人家有喜事好處，什麼怪不怪的。"When people have something happy and good happening to them, what's all this talk of spirits and strangeness?若有好事，你們享去，若是不好，我一個人當去。"If it bodes well, all of you may share in the good fortune; if it bodes ill, I alone will bear the consequences.你們不許混說。”賈政聽了，不敢言語，訕訕的同賈赦等走了出來。"None of you are to talk such nonsense." On hearing this, Jia Zheng dared not say another word, and withdrew rather sheepishly together with Jia She and the others.

紫鹃也心里暗笑，出来倒茶。只听见园里的一叠声乱嚷，不知何故，一面倒茶，一面叫人去打听。回来说道：“怡红院里的海棠本来萎了几棵，也没人去浇灌他。昨日宝玉走去，瞧见枝头上好象有了骨朵儿似的。人都不信，没有理他。忽然今日开得很好的海棠花，众人诧异，都争著去看。连老太太，太太都哄动了来瞧花儿呢，所以大奶奶叫人收拾园里败叶枯枝，这些人在那里传唤。”黛玉也听见了，知道老太太来，便更了衣，叫雪雁去打听，”若是老太太来了，即来告诉我。”雪雁去不多时，便跑来说：“老太太，太太好些人都来了，请姑娘就去罢。”黛玉略自照了一照镜子，掠了一掠鬓发，便扶著紫鹃到怡红院来。已见老太太坐在宝玉常卧的榻上，黛玉便说道：“请老太太安。”退后，便见了邢王二夫人，回来与李纨，探春，惜春，邢岫烟彼此问了好。只有凤姐因病未来，史湘云因他叔叔调任回京，接了家去，薛宝琴跟他姐姐家去住了，李家姐妹因见园内多事，李婶娘带了在外居住：所以黛玉今日见的只有数人。大家说笑了一回，讲究这花开得古怪。贾母道：“这花儿应在三月里开的，如今虽是十一月，因节气迟，还算十月，应著小阳春的天气，这花开因为和暖是有的。”王夫人道：“老太太见的多，说得是。也不为奇。”邢夫人道：“我听见这花已经萎了一年，怎么这回不应时候儿开了，必有个原故。”李纨笑道：“老太太与太太说得都是。据我的糊涂想头，必是宝玉有喜事来了，此花先来报信。”探春虽不言语，心内想：“此花必非好兆。大凡顺者昌，逆者亡。草木知运，不时而发，必是妖孽。”只不好说出来。独有黛玉听说是喜事，心里触动，便高兴说道：“当初田家有荆树一棵，三个弟兄因分了家，那荆树便枯了。后来感动了他弟兄们仍旧在一处，那荆树也就荣了。可知草木也随人的。如今二哥哥认真念书，舅舅喜欢，那棵树也就发了。”贾母王夫人听了喜欢，便说：“林姑娘比方得有理，很有意思。”正说著，贾赦，贾政，贾环，贾兰都进来看花。贾赦便说：“据我的主意，把他砍去，必是花妖作怪。”贾政道：“见怪不怪，其怪自败。不用砍他，随他去就是了。”贾母听见，便说：“谁在这里混说！人家有喜事好处，什么怪不怪的。若有好事，你们享去，若是不好，我一个人当去。你们不许混说。”贾政听了，不敢言语，讪讪的同贾赦等走了出来。

那賈母高興，叫人傳話到廚房里，快快預備酒席，大家賞花。The Old Lady, in high spirits, sent word to the kitchen to prepare a feast quickly, so that everyone might enjoy the flowers together.叫：“寶玉，環兒，蘭兒各人做一首詩志喜。She called out: "Baoyu, Huan'er, Lan'er — each of you compose a poem to mark this joyful occasion.林姑娘的病才好，不要他費心，若高興，給你們改改。”對著李紈道：“你們都陪我喝酒。”李紈答應了”是”，便笑對探春笑道：“都是你鬧的。”探春道：“饒不叫我們做詩，怎麼我們鬧的。”李紈道：“海棠社不是你起的么，如今那棵海棠也要來入社了。”大家聽著都笑了。"Miss Lin has only just recovered from her illness, so she needn't trouble herself over it — though if she feels like it, she may correct yours for you." Then, turning to Li Wan, she said: "All of you are to keep me company with some wine." Li Wan assented, then turned to Tanchun with a laugh and said: "This is all your doing." Tanchun said: "Even sparing us from having to make poems, how is this our doing?" Li Wan said: "Wasn't it you who founded the Begonia Club in the first place? Now even that begonia shrub wants to join the club." Everyone burst out laughing at this.一時擺上酒菜，一面喝著，彼此都要討老太太的歡喜，大家說些興頭話。Presently the wine and dishes were set out, and as they drank, each of them, wishing to please the Old Lady, offered up cheerful, high-spirited remarks.寶玉上來，斟了酒，便立成了四句詩，寫出來念與賈母聽道：Baoyu came forward, poured out the wine, and at once composed four lines of verse, which he wrote out and read aloud to the Old Lady:

那贾母高兴，叫人传话到厨房里，快快预备酒席，大家赏花。叫：“宝玉，环儿，兰儿各人做一首诗志喜。林姑娘的病才好，不要他费心，若高兴，给你们改改。”对著李纨道：“你们都陪我喝酒。”李纨答应了”是”，便笑对探春笑道：“都是你闹的。”探春道：“饶不叫我们做诗，怎么我们闹的。”李纨道：“海棠社不是你起的么，如今那棵海棠也要来入社了。”大家听著都笑了。一时摆上酒菜，一面喝著，彼此都要讨老太太的欢喜，大家说些兴头话。宝玉上来，斟了酒，便立成了四句诗，写出来念与贾母听道：

海棠何事忽摧隤，今日繁花為底開？Why did the begonia so suddenly wither and fade — why today has it burst into such lavish bloom?

海棠何事忽摧𬯎，今日繁花为底开？

應是北堂增壽考，一陽旋复占先梅。It must be that the Northern Hall's longevity is on the increase, that the turning yang has come round again ahead of the plum.

应是北堂增寿考，一阳旋复占先梅。

賈環也寫了來念道：Jia Huan too had written something, and read it aloud:

贾环也写了来念道：

草木逢春當茁芽，海棠未發候偏差。When plants and trees meet spring they should sprout and grow; the begonia failed to bloom then, its season gone awry.

草木逢春当茁芽，海棠未发候偏差。

人間奇事知多少，冬月開花獨我家。Of all the wondrous things there are under heaven, in the eleventh month only our house has flowers in bloom.

人间奇事知多少，冬月开花独我家。

賈蘭恭楷謄正，呈與賈母，賈母命李紈念道：Jia Lan copied his out neatly in formal script and presented it to the Old Lady, who bade Li Wan read it aloud:

贾兰恭楷誊正，呈与贾母，贾母命李纨念道：

煙凝媚色春前萎，霜浥微紅雪後開。Mist-wrapped, its charming color withered before spring; now, damp with frost, its faint red opens after the snow.

烟凝媚色春前萎，霜浥微红雪后开。

莫道此花知識淺，欣榮預佐合歡杯。Do not say this flower lacks understanding — its joyous flourishing comes early to grace the cup of reunion.

莫道此花知识浅，欣荣预佐合欢杯。

賈母聽畢，便說：“我不大懂詩，聽去倒是蘭兒的好，環兒做得不好。When the Old Lady had heard them all, she said: "I don't understand poetry very well myself, but to my ear Lan'er's is the best, and Huan'er's is not so good.都上來吃飯罷。”寶玉看見賈母喜歡，更是興頭。"Come, everyone, let's go and eat." Seeing how pleased the Old Lady was, Baoyu grew even more elated.因想起：“晴雯死的那年海棠死的，今日海棠复榮，我們院內這些人自然都好。Then it occurred to him: "The year Qingwen died was the very year this begonia died too; now that the begonia has come back to bloom again, surely everyone in our courtyard will fare well from now on.但是晴雯不能象花的死而复生了。”頓覺轉喜為悲。"But Qingwen cannot be like the flower, dying and then coming back to life again." All at once his joy turned to sorrow.忽又想起前日巧姐提鳳姐要把五兒補入，或此花為他而開，也未可知，卻又轉悲為喜，依舊說笑。Then he suddenly remembered how, a few days before, Qiaojie had mentioned that Xifeng meant to bring Wu'er in to fill a vacant place — perhaps, who could say, this flower had bloomed on her account — and with that thought his sorrow turned back to joy again, and he went on talking and laughing as before.

贾母听毕，便说：“我不大懂诗，听去倒是兰儿的好，环儿做得不好。都上来吃饭罢。”宝玉看见贾母喜欢，更是兴头。因想起：“晴雯死的那年海棠死的，今日海棠复荣，我们院内这些人自然都好。但是晴雯不能象花的死而复生了。”顿觉转喜为悲。忽又想起前日巧姐提凤姐要把五儿补入，或此花为他而开，也未可知，却又转悲为喜，依旧说笑。

賈母還坐了半天，然後扶了珍珠回去了。The Old Lady sat on a good while longer, and then, leaning on Zhenzhu's arm, went back to her rooms.王夫人等跟著過來。Lady Wang and the others followed along behind.只見平兒笑嘻嘻的迎上來說：“我們奶奶知道老太太在這里賞花，自己不得來，叫奴才來伏侍老太太，太太們，還有兩匹紅送給寶二爺包裹這花，當作賀禮。”襲人過來接了，呈與賈母看。Just then they saw Ping'er come forward smiling to meet them, saying: "Our mistress heard that the Old Lady was here enjoying the flowers; since she herself could not come, she has sent this humble servant to wait upon the Old Lady and the ladies, and has also sent two lengths of red silk for Master Bao to wrap around the flowers as a gift of congratulation." Xiren came forward and took them, presenting them for the Old Lady to see.賈母笑道：“偏是鳳丫頭行出點事兒來，叫人看著又体面，又新鮮，很有趣兒。”襲人笑著向平兒道：“回去替寶二爺給二奶奶道謝。The Old Lady said with a smile: "Leave it to that girl Feng to think up just such a little gesture — it makes for something both dignified and delightfully fresh; very charming indeed." Xiren said to Ping'er with a smile: "When you go back, thank Second Mistress on Master Bao's behalf.要有喜大家喜。”賈母聽了笑道：“噯喲，我還忘了呢，鳳丫頭雖病著，還是他想得到，送得也巧。”一面說著，眾人就隨著去了。"If there's to be joy, let everyone share in it." On hearing this the Old Lady laughed and said: "Oh dear, I nearly forgot — sick as that girl Feng is, it's still she who thinks of things, and sends something so fitting too." So saying, everyone followed along after her.平兒私與襲人道：“奶奶說，這花開得奇怪，叫你鉸塊紅綢子挂挂，便應在喜事上去了。Ping'er, taking Xiren aside privately, said: "Our mistress says that since this flower has bloomed so strangely, you should cut a piece of red silk and hang it up, so as to turn the matter toward good fortune instead.以後也不必只管當作奇事混說。”襲人點頭答應，送了平兒出去。"From now on, there's no need to go on making a great mystery of it as something uncanny." Xiren nodded in agreement, and saw Ping'er out.不題。No more of this for now.

贾母还坐了半天，然后扶了珍珠回去了。王夫人等跟著过来。只见平儿笑嘻嘻的迎上来说：“我们奶奶知道老太太在这里赏花，自己不得来，叫奴才来伏侍老太太，太太们，还有两匹红送给宝二爷包裹这花，当作贺礼。”袭人过来接了，呈与贾母看。贾母笑道：“偏是凤丫头行出点事儿来，叫人看著又体面，又新鲜，很有趣儿。”袭人笑著向平儿道：“回去替宝二爷给二奶奶道谢。要有喜大家喜。”贾母听了笑道：“嗳哟，我还忘了呢，凤丫头虽病著，还是他想得到，送得也巧。”一面说著，众人就随著去了。平儿私与袭人道：“奶奶说，这花开得奇怪，叫你铰块红绸子挂挂，便应在喜事上去了。以后也不必只管当作奇事混说。”袭人点头答应，送了平儿出去。不题。

且說那日寶玉本來穿著一裹圓的皮襖在家歇息，因見花開，只管出來看一回，賞一回，歎一回，愛一回的，心中無數悲喜離合，都弄到這株花上去了。Now to tell of that day: Baoyu had originally been resting at home in a fur-lined robe that wrapped all the way round, but on seeing the flowers in bloom, he kept coming out to look at them again and again, to admire them, to sigh over them, to delight in them, until all the countless griefs and joys, partings and reunions in his heart had somehow fastened themselves upon this one flowering shrub.忽然聽說賈母要來，便去換了一件狐腋箭袖，罩一件元狐腿外褂，出來迎接賈母。Then, hearing suddenly that the Old Lady was coming, he went and changed into a fox-fur archer's jacket, over which he threw a black-fox-trimmed overcoat, and came out to receive her.匆匆穿換，未將通靈寶玉挂上。In the haste of changing his clothes, he forgot to put the Numinous Jade of Understanding back on.及至後來賈母去了，仍舊換衣。1. By the time Grandmother Jia had gone, it was time to change clothes again.襲人見寶玉脖子上沒有挂著，便問：“那塊玉呢？”寶玉道：“才剛忙亂換衣，摘下來放在炕桌上，我沒有帶。”襲人回看桌上并沒有玉，便向各處找尋，蹤影全無，嚇得襲人滿身冷汗。2. Xiren, seeing nothing hanging from Baoyu's neck, asked, "Where's that jade?" Baoyu said, "Just now, in the flurry of changing clothes, I took it off and set it on the kang table—I didn't put it on." Xiren looked back at the table and saw no jade there at all; she searched everywhere, but there was not a trace of it, and she broke out in a cold sweat all over.寶玉道：“不用著急，少不得在屋里的。3. Baoyu said, "No need to fret—it can't help but be somewhere in the room.問他們就知道了。”襲人當作麝月等藏起嚇他頑，便向麝月等笑著說道：“小蹄子們，頑呢到底有個頑法。4. Just ask them and you'll know." Xiren, assuming that Sheyue and the others had hidden it to give him a fright in fun, said to Sheyue and the others with a smile, "You little wretches, there's a proper way to joke around.把這件東西藏在那里了？5. Where have you hidden the thing?別真弄丟了，那可就大家活不成了。”麝月等都正色道：“這是那里的話！6. Don't really lose it—if you do, none of us will be able to go on living." Sheyue and the others said in all seriousness, "What kind of talk is this!頑是頑笑是笑，這個事非同兒戲，你可別混說。7. A joke is a joke and this matter is no child's play—you'd better not talk nonsense.你自己昏了心了，想想罷，想想擱在那里了。8. You've muddled your own wits—think it over, think where you put it down.這會子又混賴人了。”襲人見他這般光景，不象是頑話，便著急道：“皇天菩薩小祖宗，到底你擺在那里去了？”寶玉道：“我記得明明放在炕桌上的，你們到底找啊。”襲人，麝月，秋紋等也不敢叫人知道，大家偷偷兒的各處搜尋。9. Now you're going and slandering people for nothing." Seeing this manner of theirs, Xiren felt it did not look like joking, and grew anxious, saying, "Heaven and all the Bodhisattvas, little ancestor, where in the world did you set it down?" Baoyu said, "I distinctly remember putting it on the kang table—you all had better search, and be quick about it." Xiren, Sheyue, Qiuwen and the others dared not let anyone else know, and secretly searched everywhere among themselves.鬧了大半天，毫無影響，甚至翻箱倒籠，實在沒處去找，便疑到方才這些人進來，不知誰撿了去了。10. They fussed about for the better part of a day with not the slightest trace of it, even overturning trunks and baskets, and truly having nowhere left to search, they began to suspect that among the people who had come in just now, someone unknown had picked it up.襲人說道：“進來的誰不知道這玉是性命似的東西呢，誰敢撿了去呢。11. Xiren said, "Of everyone who came in, who doesn't know this jade is treated like a life itself—who would dare pick it up.你們好歹先別聲張，快到各處問去。12. Whatever you do, don't make a stir about it yet—go quickly and ask around everywhere.若有姐妹們撿著嚇我們頑呢，你們給他磕頭要了回來，若是小丫頭偷了去，問出來也不回上頭，不論把什麼送給他換了出來都使得的。13. If one of the sisters picked it up meaning to give us a fright in fun, kowtow to her and beg it back; if some young maid stole it, once it's found out don't report it above—no matter what is given to trade it back, that will do.這可不是小事，真要丟了這個，比丟了寶二爺的還利害呢。”麝月秋紋剛要往外走，襲人又赶出來囑咐道：“頭里在這里吃飯的倒先別問去，找不成再惹出些風波來，更不好了。”麝月等依言分頭各處追問，人人不曉，個個驚疑。14. This is no small matter—if this is truly lost, it's worse by far than losing Master Bao himself." Just as Sheyue and Qiuwen were about to go out, Xiren ran out after them again to caution them, "Don't go asking first among those who were eating in here earlier—if the search comes to nothing and it stirs up more trouble, that would be even worse." Sheyue and the others followed these words and went off in different directions to inquire everywhere, but no one knew anything, and everyone was alarmed and puzzled.麝月等回來，俱目瞪口呆，面面相窺。15. When Sheyue and the others came back, they all stood dumbstruck, staring blankly at one another.寶玉也嚇怔了。16. Baoyu too was frightened out of his wits.襲人急的只是干哭。17. Xiren, in her distress, could only cry without tears.找是沒處找，回又不敢回，怡紅院里的人嚇得個個象木雕泥塑一般。18. There was nowhere left to search, and yet they dared not report it upward; everyone in Yihong Yuan was frightened stiff as if carved of wood or molded of clay.

且说那日宝玉本来穿著一裹圆的皮袄在家歇息，因见花开，只管出来看一回，赏一回，叹一回，爱一回的，心中无数悲喜离合，都弄到这株花上去了。忽然听说贾母要来，便去换了一件狐腋箭袖，罩一件元狐腿外褂，出来迎接贾母。匆匆穿换，未将通灵宝玉挂上。及至后来贾母去了，仍旧换衣。袭人见宝玉脖子上没有挂著，便问：“那块玉呢？”宝玉道：“才刚忙乱换衣，摘下来放在炕桌上，我没有带。”袭人回看桌上并没有玉，便向各处找寻，踪影全无，吓得袭人满身冷汗。宝玉道：“不用著急，少不得在屋里的。问他们就知道了。”袭人当作麝月等藏起吓他顽，便向麝月等笑著说道：“小蹄子们，顽呢到底有个顽法。把这件东西藏在那里了？别真弄丢了，那可就大家活不成了。”麝月等都正色道：“这是那里的话！顽是顽笑是笑，这个事非同儿戏，你可别混说。你自己昏了心了，想想罢，想想搁在那里了。这会子又混赖人了。”袭人见他这般光景，不象是顽话，便著急道：“皇天菩萨小祖宗，到底你摆在那里去了？”宝玉道：“我记得明明放在炕桌上的，你们到底找啊。”袭人，麝月，秋纹等也不敢叫人知道，大家偷偷儿的各处搜寻。闹了大半天，毫无影响，甚至翻箱倒笼，实在没处去找，便疑到方才这些人进来，不知谁捡了去了。袭人说道：“进来的谁不知道这玉是性命似的东西呢，谁敢捡了去呢。你们好歹先别声张，快到各处问去。若有姐妹们捡著吓我们顽呢，你们给他磕头要了回来，若是小丫头偷了去，问出来也不回上头，不论把什么送给他换了出来都使得的。这可不是小事，真要丢了这个，比丢了宝二爷的还利害呢。”麝月秋纹刚要往外走，袭人又赶出来嘱咐道：“头里在这里吃饭的倒先别问去，找不成再惹出些风波来，更不好了。”麝月等依言分头各处追问，人人不晓，个个惊疑。麝月等回来，俱目瞪口呆，面面相窥。宝玉也吓怔了。袭人急的只是干哭。找是没处找，回又不敢回，怡红院里的人吓得个个象木雕泥塑一般。

大家正在發呆，只見各處知道的都來了。19. Just as everyone stood there dazed, all those who had heard of it from every quarter came pouring in.探春叫把園門關上，先命個老婆子帶著兩個丫頭，再往各處去尋去，一面又叫告訴眾人：若誰找出來，重重的賞銀。20. Tanchun ordered the garden gates shut, first had an old woman take two maids to go searching everywhere yet again, and at the same time had word passed to everyone: whoever found it would be richly rewarded in silver.大家頭宗要脫干系，二宗聽見重賞，不顧命的混找了一遍，甚至于茅廝里都找到。21. Everyone, first wanting to clear themselves of blame, and second hearing of the rich reward, searched recklessly all over without regard for anything, even searching as far as the privies.誰知那塊玉竟象繡花針兒一般，找了一天，總無影響。22. Who would have thought that jade seemed like a needle dropped in the sea—search as they might for a whole day, there was not the slightest trace of it.李紈急了，說：“這件事不是頑的，我要說句無禮的話了。”眾人道：“什麼呢？”李紈道：“事情到了這里，也顧不得了。23. Li Wan, growing anxious, said, "This is no laughing matter—I'm going to say something rather rude." Everyone said, "What is it?" Li Wan said, "Things having come to this pass, there's no more room for courtesy.現在園里除了寶玉，都是女人，要求各位姐姐，妹妹，姑娘都要叫跟來的丫頭脫了衣服，大家搜一搜。24. Right now in the garden, apart from Baoyu, everyone is a woman—I must ask each of you elder and younger sisters, and the young ladies, to have the maids who came with you take off their clothes so we can all search them.若沒有，再叫丫頭們去搜那些老婆子并粗使的丫頭。”大家說道：“這話也說的有理。25. If nothing turns up, then have the maids go and search those old women and the maids who do the rough work." Everyone said, "That's reasonable enough.現在人多手亂，魚龍混雜，倒是這麼一來，你們也洗洗清。”探春獨不言語。26. Right now there are too many hands and too much confusion, fish and dragons all mixed together—doing it this way will also clear your own names." Tanchun alone said nothing.那些丫頭們也都願意洗淨自己。27. Those maids, too, were all willing to clear themselves.先是平兒起，平兒說道：“打我先搜起。”于是各人自己解怀，李紈一氣兒混搜。28. Pinger began first, saying, "Start the search with me." Thereupon each person undid her own clothing, and Li Wan searched through the whole lot without discrimination.探春嗔著李紈道：“大嫂子，你也學那起不成材料的樣子來了。29. Tanchun rebuked Li Wan, saying, "Sister-in-law, you too have picked up the manner of those good-for-nothings.那個人既偷了去，還肯藏在身上？30. If someone had really stolen it, would she still be willing to keep it on her person?況且這件東西在家里是寶，到了外頭，不知道的是廢物，偷他做什麼？31. Besides, this thing is a treasure in this household, but outside, to those who don't know what it is, it's a useless object—why would anyone steal it?我想來必是有人使促狹。”眾人聽說，又見環兒不在這里，昨兒是他滿屋里亂跑，都疑到他身上，只是不肯說出來。32. I think it must be that someone has played a spiteful trick." Hearing this, and also noting that Huan'er was not present—yesterday he had been running wild all through the rooms—everyone suspected him, only no one was willing to say so outright.探春又道：“使促狹的只有環兒。33. Tanchun went on, "The only one who plays spiteful tricks is Huan'er.你們叫個人去悄悄的叫了他來，背地里哄著他，叫他拿出來，然後嚇著他，叫他不要聲張。34. Send someone quietly to fetch him here, coax him privately, get him to hand it over, then give him a scare and tell him not to make a fuss about it.這就完了。”大家點頭稱是。35. That will settle the matter." Everyone nodded in agreement.

大家正在发呆，只见各处知道的都来了。探春叫把园门关上，先命个老婆子带著两个丫头，再往各处去寻去，一面又叫告诉众人：若谁找出来，重重的赏银。大家头宗要脱干系，二宗听见重赏，不顾命的混找了一遍，甚至于茅厮里都找到。谁知那块玉竟象绣花针儿一般，找了一天，总无影响。李纨急了，说：“这件事不是顽的，我要说句无礼的话了。”众人道：“什么呢？”李纨道：“事情到了这里，也顾不得了。现在园里除了宝玉，都是女人，要求各位姐姐，妹妹，姑娘都要叫跟来的丫头脱了衣服，大家搜一搜。若没有，再叫丫头们去搜那些老婆子并粗使的丫头。”大家说道：“这话也说的有理。现在人多手乱，鱼龙混杂，倒是这么一来，你们也洗洗清。”探春独不言语。那些丫头们也都愿意洗净自己。先是平儿起，平儿说道：“打我先搜起。”于是各人自己解怀，李纨一气儿混搜。探春嗔著李纨道：“大嫂子，你也学那起不成材料的样子来了。那个人既偷了去，还肯藏在身上？况且这件东西在家里是宝，到了外头，不知道的是废物，偷他做什么？我想来必是有人使促狭。”众人听说，又见环儿不在这里，昨儿是他满屋里乱跑，都疑到他身上，只是不肯说出来。探春又道：“使促狭的只有环儿。你们叫个人去悄悄的叫了他来，背地里哄著他，叫他拿出来，然后吓著他，叫他不要声张。这就完了。”大家点头称是。

李紈便向平兒道：“這件事還是得你去才弄得明白。”平兒答應，就赶著去了。36. Li Wan then said to Pinger, "This matter can only be got to the bottom of if you go." Pinger assented and hurried off at once.不多時同了環兒來了。37. Before long she came back together with Huan'er.眾人假意裝出沒事的樣子，叫人沏了碗茶擱在里間屋里，眾人故意搭訕走開。38. Everyone put on an air of having nothing going on, had someone brew a bowl of tea and set it in the inner room, and then deliberately drifted off on some pretext of chatting.原叫平兒哄他，平兒便笑著向環兒道：“你二哥哥的玉丟了，你瞧見了沒有？”賈環便急得紫漲了臉，瞪著眼說道：“人家丟了東西，你怎麼又叫我來查問，疑我。39. It had originally been arranged for Pinger to coax him; Pinger said to Huan'er with a smile, "Your second brother's jade is lost—did you happen to see it?" Jia Huan flushed crimson with agitation and said, glaring, "Somebody else lost something, and now you call me in to question me, suspecting me.我是犯過案的賊么！”平兒見這樣子，倒不敢再問，便又陪笑道：“不是這麼說，怕三爺要拿了去嚇他們，所以白問問瞧見了沒有，好叫他們找。”賈環道：“他的玉在他身上，看見不看見該問他，怎麼問我。40. Am I some kind of convicted thief!" Seeing him like this, Pinger dared not press further, and said instead with an ingratiating smile, "That's not what I meant—I was only afraid Third Master might have taken it to give them a fright, so I just asked in passing whether you'd seen it, so as to help them look." Jia Huan said, "His jade is on his own person—whether it's been seen or not ought to be asked of him, why ask me.捧著他的人多著咧！41. Plenty of people wait on him hand and foot!得了什麼不來問我，丟了東西就來問我！”說著，起身就走。42. When something good comes along, no one comes to ask me—but the moment something's lost, it's straight to me!" With that he rose and made to leave.眾人不好攔他。43. No one there could well stop him.這里寶玉倒急了，說道：“都是這勞什子鬧事，我也不要他了。44. At this Baoyu himself grew anxious and said, "It's all this wretched thing causing trouble—I don't even want it anymore.你們也不用鬧了。45. There's no need for you all to make such a fuss either.環兒一去，必是嚷得滿院里都知道了，這可不是鬧事了么。”襲人等急得又哭道：“小祖宗，你看這玉丟了沒要緊，若是上頭知道了，我們這些人就要粉身碎骨了！”說著，便嚎啕大哭起來。46. Now that Huan'er has gone off like that, he's bound to shout it all over the courtyard—isn't that making even more of a stir?" Xiren and the others, in their distress, wept again and said, "Little ancestor, never mind whether this jade being lost matters or not—if the elders above find out, all of us will be smashed to pieces!" And with that she burst into loud wailing.

李纨便向平儿道：“这件事还是得你去才弄得明白。”平儿答应，就赶著去了。不多时同了环儿来了。众人假意装出没事的样子，叫人沏了碗茶搁在里间屋里，众人故意搭讪走开。原叫平儿哄他，平儿便笑著向环儿道：“你二哥哥的玉丢了，你瞧见了没有？”贾环便急得紫涨了脸，瞪著眼说道：“人家丢了东西，你怎么又叫我来查问，疑我。我是犯过案的贼么！”平儿见这样子，倒不敢再问，便又陪笑道：“不是这么说，怕三爷要拿了去吓他们，所以白问问瞧见了没有，好叫他们找。”贾环道：“他的玉在他身上，看见不看见该问他，怎么问我。捧著他的人多著咧！得了什么不来问我，丢了东西就来问我！”说著，起身就走。众人不好拦他。这里宝玉倒急了，说道：“都是这劳什子闹事，我也不要他了。你们也不用闹了。环儿一去，必是嚷得满院里都知道了，这可不是闹事了么。”袭人等急得又哭道：“小祖宗，你看这玉丢了没要紧，若是上头知道了，我们这些人就要粉身碎骨了！”说著，便嚎啕大哭起来。

眾人更加傷感，明知此事掩飾不來，只得要商議定了話，回來好回賈母諸人。47. Everyone grew still more distressed, knowing full well the matter could not be concealed, and had no choice but to settle on a story so that when they went back they could report it properly to Grandmother Jia and the others.寶玉道：“你們竟也不用商議，硬說我砸了就完了。”平兒道：“我的爺，好輕巧話兒！48. Baoyu said, "There's no need for you to discuss anything at all—just say flatly that I smashed it, and that will be the end of it." Pinger said, "My good sir, what an easy thing to say!上頭要問為什麼砸的呢，他們也是個死啊。49. If the elders ask why it was smashed, we'd all be as good as dead too.倘或要起砸破的碴兒來，那又怎麼樣呢？”寶玉道：“不然便說我前日出門丟了。”眾人一想，這句話倒還混得過去，但是這兩天又沒上學，又沒往別處去。50. And suppose they wanted to see the broken pieces—then what?" Baoyu said, "If not that, then say I lost it the other day when I went out." Everyone thought this over—this excuse might just pass muster—but then, these past two days he hadn't even gone to school, let alone anywhere else.寶玉道：“怎麼沒有，大前兒還到南安王府里聽戲去了呢，便說那日丟的。”探春道：“那也不妥。51. Baoyu said, "How could there be nowhere—didn't I go to the Nan'an Prince's mansion to hear the opera just the other day? Say it was lost that day." Tanchun said, "That won't do either.既是前兒丟的，為什麼當日不來回。”眾人正在胡思亂想，要裝點撒謊，只聽得趙姨娘的聲兒哭著喊著走來說：“你們丟了東西自己不找，怎麼叫人背地里拷問環兒。52. If it was lost the other day, why wasn't it reported at the time?" Just as everyone was racking their brains, trying to concoct a lie, they suddenly heard Concubine Zhao's voice, weeping and shouting as she came, saying, "You lose something yourselves and don't look for it, and instead have someone secretly interrogate Huan'er behind my back.我把環兒帶了來，索性交給你們這一起洑上水的，該殺該剮，隨你們罷。”說著，將環兒一推說：“你是個賊，快快的招罷！”氣得環兒也哭喊起來。53. I've brought Huan'er here myself—just hand him straight over to this pack of you who curry favor by dragging others down; kill him, flay him, do as you please." So saying, she gave Huan'er a shove and said, "You're a thief—confess this instant!" Huan'er, enraged, began to wail and shout as well.

众人更加伤感，明知此事掩饰不来，只得要商议定了话，回来好回贾母诸人。宝玉道：“你们竟也不用商议，硬说我砸了就完了。”平儿道：“我的爷，好轻巧话儿！上头要问为什么砸的呢，他们也是个死啊。倘或要起砸破的碴儿来，那又怎么样呢？”宝玉道：“不然便说我前日出门丢了。”众人一想，这句话倒还混得过去，但是这两天又没上学，又没往别处去。宝玉道：“怎么没有，大前儿还到南安王府里听戏去了呢，便说那日丢的。”探春道：“那也不妥。既是前儿丢的，为什么当日不来回。”众人正在胡思乱想，要装点撒谎，只听得赵姨娘的声儿哭著喊著走来说：“你们丢了东西自己不找，怎么叫人背地里拷问环儿。我把环儿带了来，索性交给你们这一起洑上水的，该杀该剐，随你们罢。”说著，将环儿一推说：“你是个贼，快快的招罢！”气得环儿也哭喊起来。

李紈正要勸解，丫頭來說：“太太來了。”襲人等此時無地可容，寶玉等赶忙出來迎接。54. Just as Li Wan was about to smooth things over, a maid came in and said, "Her Ladyship is here." At this, Xiren and the others had nowhere to hide themselves; Baoyu and the rest hurried out to receive her.趙姨娘暫且也不敢作聲，跟了出來。55. Concubine Zhao, for the moment, dared not make another sound, and followed along outside.王夫人見眾人都有驚惶之色，才信方才聽見的話，便道：“那塊玉真丟了么？”眾人都不敢作聲，王夫人走進屋里坐下，便叫襲人。56. Seeing that everyone wore a look of alarm, Lady Wang finally believed what she had just heard, and said, "Is that jade truly lost?" No one dared say a word; Lady Wang walked into the room and sat down, then called for Xiren.慌得襲人連忙跪下，含淚要稟。57. In a fright, Xiren hastily knelt down, tears welling as she prepared to report.王夫人道：“你起來，快快叫人細細找去，一忙亂倒不好了。”襲人哽咽難言。58. Lady Wang said, "Get up—quickly have people search carefully everywhere; flustering about like this will do no good." Xiren choked on her words and could not speak.寶玉生恐襲人真告訴出來，便說道：“太太，這事不與襲人相干。59. Fearing that Xiren might really blurt out the truth, Baoyu spoke up, "Mother, this has nothing to do with Xiren.是我前日到南安王府那里聽戲，在路上丟了。”王夫人道：“為什麼那日不找？”寶玉道：“我怕他們知道，沒有告訴他們。60. It was I who lost it on the road the other day, going to the Nan'an Prince's mansion to hear the opera." Lady Wang said, "Then why wasn't it looked for that day?" Baoyu said, "I was afraid they would find out, so I didn't tell them.我叫焙茗等在外頭各處找過的。”王夫人道：“胡說！61. I had Peiming and the others search everywhere outside." Lady Wang said, "Nonsense!如今脫換衣服不是襲人他們伏侍的么。62. Isn't it Xiren and the others who wait on you when you change your clothes these days.大凡哥兒出門回來，手巾荷包短了，還要問個明白，何況這塊玉不見了，便不問的么！”寶玉無言可答。63. Ordinarily, whenever a young master comes back from an outing and his handkerchief or purse is even a little short, they still ask about it carefully—how much more so when this jade itself has gone missing, and yet no one asked about it!" Baoyu had nothing to say in reply.趙姨娘聽見，便得意了，忙接過口道：“外頭丟了東西，也賴環兒！”話未說完，被王夫人喝道：“這里說這個，你且說那些沒要緊的話！”趙姨娘便不敢言語了。64. Hearing this, Concubine Zhao grew pleased with herself and hastily cut in, "Something was lost outside, and still Huan'er gets the blame!" Before she had finished speaking, Lady Wang cut her off sharply, "Here we're discussing this matter, and you go on about your irrelevant business!" At that, Concubine Zhao dared say no more.還是李紈探春從實的告訴了王夫人一遍，王夫人也急得淚如雨下，索性要回明賈母，去問邢夫人那邊跟來的這些人去。65. It was Li Wan and Tanchun who finally told Lady Wang the whole truth from beginning to end; Lady Wang, too, grew so anxious that her tears fell like rain, and she resolved to go report it plainly to Grandmother Jia and to go question the people who had come over from Lady Xing's side.

李纨正要劝解，丫头来说：“太太来了。”袭人等此时无地可容，宝玉等赶忙出来迎接。赵姨娘暂且也不敢作声，跟了出来。王夫人见众人都有惊惶之色，才信方才听见的话，便道：“那块玉真丢了么？”众人都不敢作声，王夫人走进屋里坐下，便叫袭人。慌得袭人连忙跪下，含泪要禀。王夫人道：“你起来，快快叫人细细找去，一忙乱倒不好了。”袭人哽咽难言。宝玉生恐袭人真告诉出来，便说道：“太太，这事不与袭人相干。是我前日到南安王府那里听戏，在路上丢了。”王夫人道：“为什么那日不找？”宝玉道：“我怕他们知道，没有告诉他们。我叫焙茗等在外头各处找过的。”王夫人道：“胡说！如今脱换衣服不是袭人他们伏侍的么。大凡哥儿出门回来，手巾荷包短了，还要问个明白，何况这块玉不见了，便不问的么！”宝玉无言可答。赵姨娘听见，便得意了，忙接过口道：“外头丢了东西，也赖环儿！”话未说完，被王夫人喝道：“这里说这个，你且说那些没要紧的话！”赵姨娘便不敢言语了。还是李纨探春从实的告诉了王夫人一遍，王夫人也急得泪如雨下，索性要回明贾母，去问邢夫人那边跟来的这些人去。

鳳姐病中也聽見寶玉失玉，知道王夫人過來，料躲不住，便扶了丰兒來到園里。66. Even while ill, Xifeng had heard that Baoyu's jade was lost, and knowing that Lady Wang had come over, she reckoned there was no avoiding it, so she had Fenger support her and came to the garden.正值王夫人起身要走，鳳姐嬌怯怯的說：“請太太安。”寶玉等過來問了鳳姐好。67. Just as Lady Wang was rising to leave, Xifeng, in a delicate, faltering voice, said, "I pay my respects to you, Aunt." Baoyu and the others came over and asked after Xifeng's health.王夫人因說道：“你也聽見了么，這可不是奇事嗎？68. Lady Wang then said, "Have you heard about this too? Isn't it the strangest thing?剛才眼錯不見就丟了，再找不著。69. Just now, the moment eyes were turned away, it was gone, and search as they might, it can't be found.你去想想，打從老太太那邊丫頭起至你們平兒，誰的手不穩，誰的心促狹。70. Go and think it over—among all the people here, from the maids on Grandmother's side down to your own Pinger, whose hands aren't to be trusted, whose heart is given to spite.我要回了老太太，認真的查出來才好。71. I mean to report it to Grandmother and have it thoroughly investigated.不然是斷了寶玉的命根子了。”鳳姐回道：“咱們家人多手雜，自古說的，‘知人知面不知心’，那里保得住誰是好的。72. Otherwise, it's as good as cutting off Baoyu's very life-cord." Xifeng replied, "In our household there are too many people and too many hands, all mixed together; as the old saying goes, 'One may know a face but not know the heart'—there's no guaranteeing who is good and who isn't.但是一吵嚷已經都知道了，偷玉的人若叫太太查出來，明知是死無葬身之地，他著了急，反要毀坏了滅口，那時可怎麼處呢。73. But now that there's already been such an uproar and everyone knows of it, if the thief is found out through Aunt's investigation, knowing full well it means death with no place even to be buried, out of desperation he might instead destroy the jade to silence the matter—what then?据我的糊涂想頭，只說寶玉本不愛他，撂丟了，也沒有什麼要緊。74. To my foolish way of thinking, it would be better simply to say that Baoyu never cared for it anyway and cast it aside somewhere, and that it's nothing serious.只要大家嚴密些，別叫老太太老爺知道。75. All that's needed is for everyone to be strict and careful, and not let Grandmother and Grandfather find out.這麼說了，暗暗的派人去各處察訪，哄騙出來，那時玉也可得，罪名也好定。76. Put it about this way, while secretly sending people to make inquiries everywhere, coaxing the truth out bit by bit—that way the jade can still be recovered, and the culprit's guilt can also be properly established.不知太太心里怎麼樣？”王夫人遲了半日，才說道：“你這話雖也有理，但只是老爺跟前怎麼瞞的過呢。”便叫環兒過來道：“你二哥哥的玉丟了，白問了你一句，怎麼你就亂嚷。77. I don't know what Aunt thinks of this?" Lady Wang was silent a good while before saying, "What you say does make sense, but how could it possibly be kept from your Uncle?" She then called Huan'er over and said, "Your second brother's jade is lost, and you were only asked about it in passing—why did you have to shout and carry on so.若是嚷破了，人家把那個毀坏了，我看你活得活不得！”賈環嚇得哭道：“我再不敢嚷了。”趙姨娘聽了，那里還敢言語。78. If word of it gets out and whoever has it destroys it, I don't know whether you'll come out of it alive or not!" Jia Huan, terrified, wept and said, "I won't shout anymore." Hearing this, Concubine Zhao no longer dared say a word.王夫人便吩咐眾人道：“想來自然有沒找到的地方兒，好端端的在家里的，還怕他飛到那里去不成。79. Lady Wang then instructed everyone, "It stands to reason there must be some spot that simply hasn't been searched yet—it was here safe and sound in the house, surely it hasn't sprouted wings and flown off somewhere.只是不許聲張。80. Only, no one is to breathe a word of this outside.限襲人三天內給我找出來，要是三天找不著，只怕也瞞不住，大家那就不用過安靜日子了。”說著，便叫鳳姐兒跟到邢夫人那邊商議踩緝。81. I give Xiren three days to find it for me; if it isn't found within three days, I'm afraid it won't be possible to keep it hidden any longer, and then none of you will have a peaceful day to live." So saying, she had Xifeng accompany her to Lady Xing's side to discuss tracking the matter down.不題。82. No more of that for now.

凤姐病中也听见宝玉失玉，知道王夫人过来，料躲不住，便扶了丰儿来到园里。正值王夫人起身要走，凤姐娇怯怯的说：“请太太安。”宝玉等过来问了凤姐好。王夫人因说道：“你也听见了么，这可不是奇事吗？刚才眼错不见就丢了，再找不著。你去想想，打从老太太那边丫头起至你们平儿，谁的手不稳，谁的心促狭。我要回了老太太，认真的查出来才好。不然是断了宝玉的命根子了。”凤姐回道：“咱们家人多手杂，自古说的，‘知人知面不知心’，那里保得住谁是好的。但是一吵嚷已经都知道了，偷玉的人若叫太太查出来，明知是死无葬身之地，他著了急，反要毁坏了灭口，那时可怎么处呢。据我的糊涂想头，只说宝玉本不爱他，撂丢了，也没有什么要紧。只要大家严密些，别叫老太太老爷知道。这么说了，暗暗的派人去各处察访，哄骗出来，那时玉也可得，罪名也好定。不知太太心里怎么样？”王夫人迟了半日，才说道：“你这话虽也有理，但只是老爷跟前怎么瞒的过呢。”便叫环儿过来道：“你二哥哥的玉丢了，白问了你一句，怎么你就乱嚷。若是嚷破了，人家把那个毁坏了，我看你活得活不得！”贾环吓得哭道：“我再不敢嚷了。”赵姨娘听了，那里还敢言语。王夫人便吩咐众人道：“想来自然有没找到的地方儿，好端端的在家里的，还怕他飞到那里去不成。只是不许声张。限袭人三天内给我找出来，要是三天找不著，只怕也瞒不住，大家那就不用过安静日子了。”说著，便叫凤姐儿跟到邢夫人那边商议踩缉。不题。

這里李紈等紛紛議論，便傳喚看園子的一干人來，叫把園門鎖上，快傳林之孝家的來，悄悄兒的告訴了他，叫他吩咐前後門上，三天之內，不論男女下人從里頭可以走動，要出時一概不許放出，只說里頭丟了東西，待這件東西有了著落，然後放人出來。83. Here Li Wan and the others discussed the matter at length, then summoned the whole staff in charge of watching the garden, had the garden gates locked, and quickly sent for Lin Zhixiao's wife, telling her quietly to instruct the front and back gatekeepers that for three days, male and female servants might move about inside as they pleased, but once out, none were to be let out again on any account—simply saying that something had been lost inside, and that people would be let out again once the matter was settled.林之孝家的答應了”是”，因說：“前兒奴才家里也丟了一件不要緊的東西，林之孝必要明白，上街去找了一個測字的，那人叫做什麼劉鐵嘴，測了一個字，說的很明白，回來依舊一找便找著了。”襲人聽見，便央及林家的道：“好林奶奶，出去快求林大爺替我們問問去。”那林之孝家的答應著出去了。84. Lin Zhixiao's wife assented, and then said, "The other day something unimportant went missing at my own home too, and Lin Zhixiao insisted on getting to the bottom of it—he went out into the street and found a fortune-teller who read characters, a man called Liu Tiezui, 'Iron Mouth Liu.' He analyzed a character and explained it so clearly that when we went back, we found the thing right away, just as he'd said." Hearing this, Xiren hastened to beg Lin's wife, "Dear Mother Lin, go quickly and ask Uncle Lin to inquire on our behalf." Lin Zhixiao's wife agreed and went out.邢岫煙道：“若說那外頭測字打卦的，是不中用的。85. Xing Xiuyan said, "As for those outside fortune-tellers and character-readers, they're of no real use.我在南邊聞妙玉能扶乩，何不煩他問一問。86. I heard back home in the south that Miaoyu is able to work the planchette for spirit-writing—why not trouble her to make an inquiry.況且我聽見說這塊玉原有仙机，想來問得出來。”眾人都詫异道：“咱們常見的，從沒有聽他說起。”麝月便忙問岫煙道：“想來別人求他是不肯的，好姑娘，我給姑娘磕個頭，求姑娘就去，若問出來了，我一輩子總不忘你的恩。”說著，赶忙就要磕下頭去，岫煙連忙攔住。87. Besides, I've heard it said that this jade originally had something of the miraculous about it, so I should think an answer could be got." Everyone marveled, saying, "We've known her all this while and never once heard her mention such a thing." Sheyue at once asked Xiuyan, "I imagine she wouldn't be willing if just anyone asked her—dear young lady, let me kowtow to you; please go and ask her for us. If it can be found out this way, I shall never forget your kindness as long as I live." So saying, she made to kowtow at once, and Xiuyan hurriedly stopped her.黛玉等也都慫恿著岫煙速往櫳翠庵去。88. Daiyu and the others also all urged Xiuyan to hurry over to Longcui An at once.一面林之孝家的進來說道：“姑娘們大喜。89. Just then Lin Zhixiao's wife came in and said, "Congratulations, young ladies, wonderful news.林之孝測了字回來說，這玉是丟不了的，將來橫豎有人送還來的。”眾人聽了，也都半信半疑，惟有襲人麝月喜歡的了不得。90. Lin Zhixiao came back from having the character read and said this jade cannot possibly be lost for good—sooner or later, someone is bound to return it." Hearing this, everyone was half-believing, half-doubting, only Xiren and Sheyue were overjoyed beyond words.探春便問：“測的是什麼字？”林之孝家的道：“他的話多，奴才也學不上來，記得是拈了個賞人東西的‘賞’字。91. Tanchun then asked, "What character was used for the reading?" Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "He said a great deal, more than I could ever repeat—I only remember that the character drawn was 'shang' (賞), meaning to bestow a gift on someone.那劉鐵嘴也不問，便說：‘丟了東西不是？’”李紈道：“這就算好。”林之孝家的道：“他還說，‘賞’字上頭一個‘小’字，底下一個‘口’字，這件東西很可嘴里放得，必是個珠子寶石。”眾人聽了，夸贊道：“真是神仙。92. That Liu Tiezui didn't even need to ask, and said straight off, 'Haven't you lost something?'" Li Wan said, "That's already a good sign." Lin Zhixiao's wife went on, "He also said, at the top of the character 'shang' is a 'small' (小), and at the bottom a 'mouth' (口)—this thing could very well fit in the mouth, so it must be some kind of pearl or gem." Hearing this, everyone praised him, saying, "He really is like an immortal.往下怎麼說？”林之孝家的道：“他說底下‘貝’字，拆開不成一個‘見’字，可不是‘不見’了？93. What did he say after that?" Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "He said that below is the character 'bei' (貝, 'shell/treasure'), and if you take it apart it doesn't quite form the character 'jian' (見, 'to see')—isn't that exactly 'not to be seen' (不見, i.e. missing)?因上頭拆了‘當’字，叫快到當舖里找去。‘賞’字加一‘人’字，可不是‘償’字？94. And because the top part, once separated out, forms the character 'dang' (當, as in pawnshop), he said to go quickly to the pawnshops to look. And if you add a 'person' (人) radical to 'shang' (賞), doesn't that make the character 'chang' (償, 'to repay')?只要找著當舖就有人，有了人便贖了來，可不是償還了嗎。”眾人道：“既這麼著，就先往左近找起，橫豎幾個當舖都找遍了，少不得就有了。95. So all you need is to find the pawnshop, and there will be the person; once you have the person, you can redeem it back—and isn't that exactly 'repaying' it?" Everyone said, "If that's how it is, let's start by searching nearby—search through all the pawnshops round about one by one, and surely it will turn up.咱們有了東西，再問人就容易了。”李紈道：“只要東西，那怕不問人都使得。96. Once we have the object itself, finding the person afterward will be easy." Li Wan said, "As long as we get the object, it won't matter even if we never find out who did it.林嫂子，煩你就把測字的話快去告訴二奶奶，回了太太，先叫太太放心。97. Sister-in-law Lin, please be so good as to go at once and tell Second Mistress about this character-reading, and report to Aunt as well, so she can set her mind at ease first.就叫二奶奶快派人查去。”林家的答應了便走。98. And ask Second Mistress to send people quickly to search." Lin's wife assented and went off at once.

这里李纨等纷纷议论，便传唤看园子的一干人来，叫把园门锁上，快传林之孝家的来，悄悄儿的告诉了他，叫他吩咐前后门上，三天之内，不论男女下人从里头可以走动，要出时一概不许放出，只说里头丢了东西，待这件东西有了著落，然后放人出来。林之孝家的答应了”是”，因说：“前儿奴才家里也丢了一件不要紧的东西，林之孝必要明白，上街去找了一个测字的，那人叫做什么刘铁嘴，测了一个字，说的很明白，回来依旧一找便找著了。”袭人听见，便央及林家的道：“好林奶奶，出去快求林大爷替我们问问去。”那林之孝家的答应著出去了。邢岫烟道：“若说那外头测字打卦的，是不中用的。我在南边闻妙玉能扶乩，何不烦他问一问。况且我听见说这块玉原有仙机，想来问得出来。”众人都诧异道：“咱们常见的，从没有听他说起。”麝月便忙问岫烟道：“想来别人求他是不肯的，好姑娘，我给姑娘磕个头，求姑娘就去，若问出来了，我一辈子总不忘你的恩。”说著，赶忙就要磕下头去，岫烟连忙拦住。黛玉等也都怂恿著岫烟速往栊翠庵去。一面林之孝家的进来说道：“姑娘们大喜。林之孝测了字回来说，这玉是丢不了的，将来横竖有人送还来的。”众人听了，也都半信半疑，惟有袭人麝月喜欢的了不得。探春便问：“测的是什么字？”林之孝家的道：“他的话多，奴才也学不上来，记得是拈了个赏人东西的‘赏’字。那刘铁嘴也不问，便说：‘丢了东西不是？’”李纨道：“这就算好。”林之孝家的道：“他还说，‘赏’字上头一个‘小’字，底下一个‘口’字，这件东西很可嘴里放得，必是个珠子宝石。”众人听了，夸赞道：“真是神仙。往下怎么说？”林之孝家的道：“他说底下‘贝’字，拆开不成一个‘见’字，可不是‘不见’了？因上头拆了‘当’字，叫快到当铺里找去。‘赏’字加一‘人’字，可不是‘偿’字？只要找著当铺就有人，有了人便赎了来，可不是偿还了吗。”众人道：“既这么著，就先往左近找起，横竖几个当铺都找遍了，少不得就有了。咱们有了东西，再问人就容易了。”李纨道：“只要东西，那怕不问人都使得。林嫂子，烦你就把测字的话快去告诉二奶奶，回了太太，先叫太太放心。就叫二奶奶快派人查去。”林家的答应了便走。

眾人略安了一點兒神，呆呆的等岫煙回來。99. Everyone felt somewhat comforted, and waited in a daze for Xiuyan to return.正呆等，只見跟寶玉的焙茗在門外招手兒，叫小丫頭子快出來。100. Just as they were waiting in a daze, they saw Peiming, who attended Baoyu, waving from outside the gate, calling for a young maid to come out quickly.那小丫頭赶忙的出去了。101. The young maid hurried out at once.焙茗便說道：“你快進去告訴我們二爺和里頭太太奶奶姑娘們天大喜事。”那小丫頭子道：“你快說罷，怎麼這麼累贅。”焙茗笑著拍手道：“我告訴姑娘，姑娘進去回了，咱們兩個人都得賞錢呢。102. Peiming said, "Go in quickly and tell our Second Master and the ladies and young ladies inside the tremendous good news." The young maid said, "Just tell me quickly—why all this fuss?" Peiming laughed and clapped his hands, saying, "I'll tell you, miss—go in and report it, and the two of us will both get a reward.你打量什麼，寶二爺的那塊玉呀，我得了准信來了。”未知如何，下回分解。103. What do you suppose it is? It's Master Bao's jade—I've come with sure news of it." What happened is not yet known; that will be told in the chapter to follow.

众人略安了一点儿神，呆呆的等岫烟回来。正呆等，只见跟宝玉的焙茗在门外招手儿，叫小丫头子快出来。那小丫头赶忙的出去了。焙茗便说道：“你快进去告诉我们二爷和里头太太奶奶姑娘们天大喜事。”那小丫头子道：“你快说罢，怎么这么累赘。”焙茗笑著拍手道：“我告诉姑娘，姑娘进去回了，咱们两个人都得赏钱呢。你打量什么，宝二爷的那块玉呀，我得了准信来了。”未知如何，下回分解。