第九十八回　苦絳珠魂歸離恨天　病神瑛淚灑相思地 The Suffering Daiyu's Soul Returns to Heaven; The Ailing Baoyu Weeps upon the Earth of Longing

話說寶玉見了賈政，回至房中，更覺頭昏腦悶，懶待動彈，連飯也沒吃，便昏沉睡去。The story goes that after Baoyu had seen Jia Zheng, he returned to his room feeling even more dizzy and muddled in the head, too listless to move, and without even eating his meal he fell into a heavy, clouded sleep.仍舊延醫診治，服藥不效，索性連人也認不明白了。They went on calling in doctors to examine him, but the medicines had no effect, and in the end he could no longer even recognize people clearly.大家扶著他坐起來，還是象個好人。When everyone helped him sit up, he still seemed much like his old self.一連鬧了幾天，那日恰是回九之期，若不過去，薛姨媽臉上過不去，若說去呢，寶玉這般光景。This went on in a turmoil for several days running, and it happened that the day was the appointed date for the "third-day return visit"; if they did not go, Aunt Xue would lose face, yet if they were to go, there was Baoyu in such a state.賈母明知是為黛玉而起，欲要告訴明白，又恐氣急生變。The Lady Dowager knew perfectly well that it was all on account of Daiyu, and wanted to tell him the truth plainly, yet she feared that in his agitation some crisis might result.寶釵是新媳婦，又難勸慰，必得姨媽過來才好。Baochai, being a new bride, would be hard to comfort by herself; it would be best if Aunt Xue could come over.若不回九，姨媽嗔怪。But if they did not make the third-day return visit, Aunt Xue would be offended.便與王夫人鳳姐商議道：“我看寶玉竟是魂不守舍，起動是不怕的。So she discussed it with Lady Wang and Xifeng, saying: "As I see it, Baoyu is quite beside himself and his soul is not settled in his body, but there's no fear in moving him about.用兩乘小轎叫人扶著從園里過去，應了回九的吉期，以後請姨媽過來安慰寶釵，咱們一心一意的調治寶玉，可不兩全？”王夫人答應了，即刻預備。We'll use two small sedan-chairs and have people support him through the garden, so as to fulfill the auspicious date of the return visit; afterward we'll invite Aunt Xue over here to comfort Baochai, and we can devote ourselves single-mindedly to treating Baoyu — won't that serve both purposes?" Lady Wang agreed, and preparations were made at once.幸虧寶釵是新媳婦，寶玉是個瘋傻的，由人掇弄過去了。Fortunately Baochai was a new bride and Baoyu was in a mad, foolish state, so the whole affair was managed and got through by others arranging everything.寶釵也明知其事，心里只怨母親辦得糊涂，事已至此，不肯多言。Baochai too knew perfectly well how matters stood; in her heart she only blamed her mother for having handled things so confusedly, but since matters had reached this point, she was unwilling to say much.獨有薛姨媽看見寶玉這般光景，心里懊悔，只得草草完事。Only Aunt Xue, seeing Baoyu in such a state, felt regret in her heart, but had no choice but to get the affair over with hastily.

话说宝玉见了贾政，回至房中，更觉头昏脑闷，懒待动弹，连饭也没吃，便昏沉睡去。仍旧延医诊治，服药不效，索性连人也认不明白了。大家扶著他坐起来，还是象个好人。一连闹了几天，那日恰是回九之期，若不过去，薛姨妈脸上过不去，若说去呢，宝玉这般光景。贾母明知是为黛玉而起，欲要告诉明白，又恐气急生变。宝钗是新媳妇，又难劝慰，必得姨妈过来才好。若不回九，姨妈嗔怪。便与王夫人凤姐商议道：“我看宝玉竟是魂不守舍，起动是不怕的。用两乘小轿叫人扶著从园里过去，应了回九的吉期，以后请姨妈过来安慰宝钗，咱们一心一意的调治宝玉，可不两全？”王夫人答应了，即刻预备。幸亏宝钗是新媳妇，宝玉是个疯傻的，由人掇弄过去了。宝钗也明知其事，心里只怨母亲办得糊涂，事已至此，不肯多言。独有薛姨妈看见宝玉这般光景，心里懊悔，只得草草完事。

到家，寶玉越加沉重，次日連起坐都不能了。Once home, Baoyu grew still more gravely ill, and by the next day he could not even sit up.日重一日，甚至湯水不進。He grew worse with each passing day, until at last he could not even take soup or water.薛姨媽等忙了手腳，各處遍請名醫，皆不識病源。Aunt Xue and the others were thrown into a flurry, sending everywhere to invite famous physicians, but none of them could identify the source of his illness.只有城外破寺中住著個窮醫，姓畢，別號知庵的，診得病源是悲喜激射，冷暖失調，飲食失時，憂忿滯中，正氣壅閉：此內傷外感之症。Only a poor physician living in a dilapidated temple outside the city, surnamed Bi and styled Zhi'an, diagnosed the source of the illness as being the violent clash of grief and joy, disorder between cold and warmth, irregular eating and drinking, and worry and resentment congesting within, blocking the flow of the vital energy — a case of internal injury combined with an external ailment.于是度量用藥，至晚服了，二更後果然省些人事，便要水喝。So he measured out the medicine accordingly; by evening it was taken, and sure enough, after the second watch Baoyu regained some awareness and asked for water to drink.賈母王夫人等才放了心，請了薛姨媽帶了寶釵都到賈母那里暫且歇息。Only then did the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the others feel their minds set at ease, and they invited Aunt Xue to bring Baochai over to the Lady Dowager's quarters to rest there for the time being.

到家，宝玉越加沉重，次日连起坐都不能了。日重一日，甚至汤水不进。薛姨妈等忙了手脚，各处遍请名医，皆不识病源。只有城外破寺中住著个穷医，姓毕，别号知庵的，诊得病源是悲喜激射，冷暖失调，饮食失时，忧忿滞中，正气壅闭：此内伤外感之症。于是度量用药，至晚服了，二更后果然省些人事，便要水喝。贾母王夫人等才放了心，请了薛姨妈带了宝钗都到贾母那里暂且歇息。

寶玉片時清楚，自料難保，見諸人散後，房中只有襲人，因喚襲人至跟前，拉著手哭道：“我問你，寶姐姐怎麼來的？Baoyu, clear-headed for a moment, reckoned to himself that he might not survive; seeing that after everyone had dispersed only Xiren remained in the room, he called her to his side, took her hand, and said weeping: "Let me ask you — how did it come about that Sister Bao is here?我記得老爺給我娶了林妹妹過來，怎麼被寶姐姐赶了去了？I remember Father married me to Cousin Lin — how did she get driven away by Sister Bao?他為什麼霸占住在這里？Why has she taken over and settled in here?我要說呢，又恐怕得罪了他。I would like to speak of it, but I'm afraid of offending her.你們聽見林妹妹哭得怎麼樣了？”襲人不敢明說，只得說道：“林姑娘病著呢。”寶玉又道：“我瞧瞧他去。”說著，要起來。Have you heard how much Cousin Lin has been crying?" Xiren dared not tell him the truth plainly, and could only say, "Miss Lin is ill." Baoyu then said, "I'll go and see her," and with that tried to get up.豈知連日飲食不進，身子那能動轉，便哭道：“我要死了！But how could his body move, when for days he had taken neither food nor drink? So he wept and said, "I am going to die!我有一句心里的話，只求你回明老太太：橫豎林妹妹也是要死的，我如今也不能保。I have something on my mind — I only beg you to report it clearly to the Lady Dowager: Cousin Lin is bound to die in any case, and I too cannot be saved now.兩處兩個病人都要死的，死了越發難張羅。There are two sick people in two places, both bound to die, and once dead it will be all the harder to manage things.不如騰一處空房子，趁早將我同林妹妹兩個抬在那里，活著也好一處醫治伏侍，死了也好一處停放。Better to clear out an empty room and carry Cousin Lin and me there together while there's still time — while alive we can be treated and tended in one place, and once dead we can be laid out together in one place.你依我這話，不枉了幾年的情分。”襲人聽了這些話，便哭的哽嗓氣噎。If you'll grant me this, it won't have been for nothing, these years of affection between us." Hearing these words, Xiren wept until her throat choked and her breath caught.寶釵恰好同了鶯兒過來，也聽見了，便說道：“你放著病不保養，何苦說這些不吉利的話。Just then Baochai happened to come in with Yingr, and having overheard this too, said: "Here you are, not taking care to nurse your illness — why must you say such inauspicious things?老太太才安慰了些，你又生出事來。The Lady Dowager has only just been somewhat comforted, and now you go and stir up trouble again.老太太一生疼你一個，如今八十多歲的人了，雖不圖你的封誥，將來你成了人，老太太也看著樂一天，也不枉了老人家的苦心。All her life the Lady Dowager has doted on you alone, and now she is a woman past eighty; though she does not look to you for any title of honor, still, if in time to come you make something of yourself, she would have one more day's joy in seeing it, and it would not be for nothing, all the old lady's loving care.太太更是不必說了，一生的心血精神，撫養了你這一個兒子，若是半途死了，太太將來怎麼樣呢。As for Aunt Wang, there's no need even to speak of it — a whole lifetime's heart's blood and energy spent raising this one son of hers; if you were to die midway, what would become of her in the future?我雖是命薄，也不至于此。And as for me, though my fate is a thin one, it has not come to this.据此三件看來，你便要死，那天也不容你死的，所以你是不得死的。Looking at these three considerations, even if you wished to die, Heaven itself would not allow it — so you are not permitted to die.只管安穩著，養個四五天後，風邪散了，太和正氣一足，自然這些邪病都沒有了。”寶玉聽了，竟是無言可答，半晌方才嘻嘻的笑道：“你是好些時不和我說話了，這會子說這些大道理的話給誰聽？”寶釵聽了這話，便又說道：“實告訴你說罷，那兩日你不知人事的時候，林妹妹已經亡故了。”寶玉忽然坐起來，大聲詫异道：“果真死了嗎？”寶釵道：“果真死了。Just rest quietly, and after four or five days of recuperation, once the pernicious wind has dispersed and the true harmonious vital energy is restored in full, naturally all these evil ailments will vanish of themselves." Hearing this, Baoyu found he had no reply to make, and after a good while he laughed a little and said, "You haven't spoken to me for quite some time — now you come out with all this fine reasoning, for whose benefit?" On hearing this, Baochai said further, "I'll tell you honestly, then: during those two days when you were unconscious, Cousin Lin had already passed away." Baoyu suddenly sat up and cried out in astonishment, "Is she really dead?" Baochai said, "She really is dead.豈有紅口白舌咒人死的呢。How could I possibly, with an open mouth and bare words, curse someone to death for no reason?老太太，太太知道你姐妹和睦，你聽見他死了自然你也要死，所以不肯告訴你。”寶玉聽了，不禁放聲大哭，倒在床上。The Lady Dowager and Aunt Wang knew how close you two cousins were, and feared that hearing of her death you too would naturally want to die, and so they were unwilling to tell you." Hearing this, Baoyu could not help but burst into loud weeping, and collapsed back onto the bed.

宝玉片时清楚，自料难保，见诸人散后，房中只有袭人，因唤袭人至跟前，拉著手哭道：“我问你，宝姐姐怎么来的？我记得老爷给我娶了林妹妹过来，怎么被宝姐姐赶了去了？他为什么霸占住在这里？我要说呢，又恐怕得罪了他。你们听见林妹妹哭得怎么样了？”袭人不敢明说，只得说道：“林姑娘病著呢。”宝玉又道：“我瞧瞧他去。”说著，要起来。岂知连日饮食不进，身子那能动转，便哭道：“我要死了！我有一句心里的话，只求你回明老太太：横竖林妹妹也是要死的，我如今也不能保。两处两个病人都要死的，死了越发难张罗。不如腾一处空房子，趁早将我同林妹妹两个抬在那里，活著也好一处医治伏侍，死了也好一处停放。你依我这话，不枉了几年的情分。”袭人听了这些话，便哭的哽嗓气噎。宝钗恰好同了莺儿过来，也听见了，便说道：“你放著病不保养，何苦说这些不吉利的话。老太太才安慰了些，你又生出事来。老太太一生疼你一个，如今八十多岁的人了，虽不图你的封诰，将来你成了人，老太太也看著乐一天，也不枉了老人家的苦心。太太更是不必说了，一生的心血精神，抚养了你这一个儿子，若是半途死了，太太将来怎么样呢。我虽是命薄，也不至于此。据此三件看来，你便要死，那天也不容你死的，所以你是不得死的。只管安稳著，养个四五天后，风邪散了，太和正气一足，自然这些邪病都没有了。”宝玉听了，竟是无言可答，半晌方才嘻嘻的笑道：“你是好些时不和我说话了，这会子说这些大道理的话给谁听？”宝钗听了这话，便又说道：“实告诉你说罢，那两日你不知人事的时候，林妹妹已经亡故了。”宝玉忽然坐起来，大声诧异道：“果真死了吗？”宝钗道：“果真死了。岂有红口白舌咒人死的呢。老太太，太太知道你姐妹和睦，你听见他死了自然你也要死，所以不肯告诉你。”宝玉听了，不禁放声大哭，倒在床上。

忽然眼前漆黑，辨不出方向，心中正自恍惚，只見眼前好象有人走來，寶玉茫然問道：“借問此是何處？”那人道：“此陰司泉路。Suddenly all before his eyes turned pitch black, and he could make out no direction; just as his mind was lost in a daze, he saw what seemed to be someone walking toward him. Baoyu asked blankly, "May I ask what place this is?" The man said, "This is the road to the Springs of the Nether World.你壽未終，何故至此？”寶玉道：“适聞有一故人已死，遂尋訪至此，不覺迷途。”那人道：“故人是誰？”寶玉道：“姑蘇林黛玉。”那人冷笑道：“林黛玉生不同人，死不同鬼，無魂無魄，何處尋訪！Your allotted span of life is not yet ended — why have you come here?" Baoyu said, "I just heard that an old friend of mine had died, and so I came seeking her, and without noticing it lost my way." The man said, "Who is this old friend?" Baoyu said, "Lin Daiyu of Gusu." The man gave a cold laugh and said, "In life Lin Daiyu was unlike other people, and in death she is unlike other ghosts — she has no soul and no spirit, so where would you go seeking her!凡人魂魄，聚而成形，散而為氣，生前聚之，死則散焉。In ordinary mortals, the soul and spirit gather to form a body, and disperse to become mere vapor; while alive these are gathered together, and at death they scatter.常人尚無可尋訪，何況林黛玉呢。Even an ordinary person could not be sought out and found after death — how much less Lin Daiyu.汝快回去罷。”寶玉聽了，呆了半晌道：“既云死者散也，又如何有這個陰司呢？”那人冷笑道：“那陰司說有便有，說無就無。You had best go back at once." Hearing this, Baoyu stood stupefied for a good while, then said, "If it is said that the dead simply disperse, then how can there be this Nether World at all?" The man gave a cold laugh and said, "As for the Nether World — say it exists, and it exists; say it does not, and it does not.皆為世俗溺于生死之說，設言以警世，便道上天深怒愚人，或不守分安常，或生祿未終自行夭折，或嗜淫欲尚氣逞凶無故自隕者，特設此地獄，囚其魂魄，受無邊的苦，以償生前之罪。It is all simply that worldly people are sunk in doctrines of life and death, so this teaching was set forth to warn the world, saying that Heaven above is deeply angered at foolish men — those who do not keep to their proper station and live in contentment, or those whose allotted span and emolument are not yet exhausted yet who cut their own lives short, or those addicted to lust, given to venting their spleen and indulging violence, who perish by their own doing for no cause — and for these it specially established this hell, to imprison their souls and spirits, to suffer boundless torment, in payment for the sins of their lifetime.汝尋黛玉，是無故自陷也。For you to go seeking Daiyu is to cast yourself into this without cause.且黛玉已歸太虛幻境，汝若有心尋訪，潛心修養，自然有時相見。Moreover, Daiyu has already returned to the Land of Illusion; if you truly have it in your heart to seek her, cultivate yourself with a quiet mind, and in time you will naturally meet again.如不安生，即以自行夭折之罪囚禁陰司，除父母外，欲圖一見黛玉，終不能矣。”那人說畢，袖中取出一石，向寶玉心口擲來。But if you do not settle down to live out your span, you will be imprisoned in the Nether World for the crime of cutting your own life short, and apart from never seeing your parents again, you will never in the end be able to see Daiyu either." When the man had finished speaking, he drew a stone from his sleeve and hurled it straight at Baoyu's chest.寶玉聽了這話，又被這石子打著心窩，嚇的即欲回家，只恨迷了道路。Hearing these words, and struck in the chest by the stone besides, Baoyu was so frightened that he wanted at once to go home, only he was vexed that he had lost his way.正在躊躇，忽聽那邊有人喚他。Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard someone over there calling to him.回首看時，不是別人，正是賈母，王夫人，寶釵，襲人等圍繞哭泣叫著。Turning his head to look, it was none other than the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, Baochai, Xiren, and the others, gathered round him weeping and calling out.自己仍舊躺在床上。He found himself still lying on the bed.見案上紅燈，窗前皓月，依然錦銹叢中，繁華世界。He saw the red lamp on the table and the bright moon before the window — it was still the world of brocade and splendor, of flourishing prosperity.定神一想，原來竟是一場大夢。Steadying his mind and thinking it over, he realized it had all been but a great dream.渾身冷汗，覺得心內清爽。His whole body was drenched in cold sweat, yet he felt his mind clear within.仔細一想，真正無可奈何，不過長歎數聲而已。Thinking it over carefully, there was truly nothing to be done about it, and he could only heave several long sighs.寶釵早知黛玉已死，因賈母等不許眾人告訴寶玉知道，恐添病難治。Baochai had known long since that Daiyu was dead, but because the Lady Dowager and the others had forbidden anyone to let Baoyu know, fearing it would aggravate his illness beyond cure, she had said nothing.自己卻深知寶玉之病實因黛玉而起，失玉次之，故趁勢說明，使其一痛決絕，神魂歸一，庶可療治。Yet she herself understood full well that Baoyu's illness had truly arisen on account of Daiyu, with the loss of the jade being only secondary, and so she had seized the moment to tell him plainly, so that he might grieve it out once and for all, his spirit and soul settle back into one, and thus perhaps be cured.賈母王夫人等不知寶釵的用意，深怪他造次。The Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the others, not understanding Baochai's intent, blamed her deeply for having acted so rashly.後來見寶玉醒了過來，方才放心。It was only afterward, seeing Baoyu wake up, that they finally felt at ease.立即到外書房請了畢大夫進來診視。At once they went to the outer study and invited Doctor Bi in to examine him.那大夫進來診了脈，便道：“奇怪，這回脈氣沉靜，神安郁散，明日進調理的藥，就可以望好了。”說著出去。The doctor came in, took his pulse, and said: "Strange — this time the pulse is calm and settled, the spirit is at peace and the congestion dispersed; tomorrow, once he takes some restorative medicine, there should be hope of recovery." So saying, he went out.眾人各自安心散去。Everyone, their minds now at ease, dispersed to their own quarters.

忽然眼前漆黑，辨不出方向，心中正自恍惚，只见眼前好象有人走来，宝玉茫然问道：“借问此是何处？”那人道：“此阴司泉路。你寿未终，何故至此？”宝玉道：“适闻有一故人已死，遂寻访至此，不觉迷途。”那人道：“故人是谁？”宝玉道：“姑苏林黛玉。”那人冷笑道：“林黛玉生不同人，死不同鬼，无魂无魄，何处寻访！凡人魂魄，聚而成形，散而为气，生前聚之，死则散焉。常人尚无可寻访，何况林黛玉呢。汝快回去罢。”宝玉听了，呆了半晌道：“既云死者散也，又如何有这个阴司呢？”那人冷笑道：“那阴司说有便有，说无就无。皆为世俗溺于生死之说，设言以警世，便道上天深怒愚人，或不守分安常，或生禄未终自行夭折，或嗜淫欲尚气逞凶无故自陨者，特设此地狱，囚其魂魄，受无边的苦，以偿生前之罪。汝寻黛玉，是无故自陷也。且黛玉已归太虚幻境，汝若有心寻访，潜心修养，自然有时相见。如不安生，即以自行夭折之罪囚禁阴司，除父母外，欲图一见黛玉，终不能矣。”那人说毕，袖中取出一石，向宝玉心口掷来。宝玉听了这话，又被这石子打著心窝，吓的即欲回家，只恨迷了道路。正在踌躇，忽听那边有人唤他。回首看时，不是别人，正是贾母，王夫人，宝钗，袭人等围绕哭泣叫著。自己仍旧躺在床上。见案上红灯，窗前皓月，依然锦锈丛中，繁华世界。定神一想，原来竟是一场大梦。浑身冷汗，觉得心内清爽。仔细一想，真正无可奈何，不过长叹数声而已。宝钗早知黛玉已死，因贾母等不许众人告诉宝玉知道，恐添病难治。自己却深知宝玉之病实因黛玉而起，失玉次之，故趁势说明，使其一痛决绝，神魂归一，庶可疗治。贾母王夫人等不知宝钗的用意，深怪他造次。后来见宝玉醒了过来，方才放心。立即到外书房请了毕大夫进来诊视。那大夫进来诊了脉，便道：“奇怪，这回脉气沉静，神安郁散，明日进调理的药，就可以望好了。”说著出去。众人各自安心散去。

襲人起初深怨寶釵不該告訴，惟是口中不好說出。At first Xiren deeply resented Baochai for having told him, thinking she should not have done so, only she found it hard to say so aloud.鶯兒背地也說寶釵道：“姑娘忒性急了。”寶釵道：“你知道什麼！Yingr too, behind her back, said to Baochai: "Miss, you were really too hasty." Baochai said, "What do you know about it!好歹橫豎有我呢。”那寶釵任人誹謗，並不介意，只窺察寶玉心病，暗下針砭。Whatever happens, I'm here to answer for it, come what may." Baochai let others speak ill of her without taking it to heart, and only watched closely for the sickness in Baoyu's heart, quietly applying her own remedies.一日，寶玉漸覺神志安定，雖一時想起黛玉，尚有糊涂。One day, Baoyu gradually felt his mind and spirit growing settled; though from time to time he thought of Daiyu, his mind on the matter was still confused.更有襲人緩緩的將“老爺選定的寶姑娘為人和厚，嫌林姑娘秉性古怪，原恐早夭，老太太恐你不知好歹，病中著急，所以叫雪雁過來哄你”的話時常勸解。What is more, Xiren would gently and repeatedly reassure him with words such as: "The reason Master chose Miss Bao is that she is gentle and generous by nature, whereas he felt Miss Lin's temperament was too strange, and feared besides that she would not live long; the Lady Dowager, worried that you in your illness might not know right from wrong and grow too agitated, therefore had Xueyan come over to deceive you a little."寶玉終是心酸落淚。Still, in the end Baoyu's heart ached and he shed tears.欲待尋死，又想著夢中之言，又恐老太太，太太生氣，又不能撩開。He wished to seek death, yet remembering the words spoken in his dream, and fearing too that the Lady Dowager and Aunt Wang would be angered, he could not bring himself to cast the matter aside.又想黛玉已死，寶釵又是第一等人物，方信金石姻緣有定，自己也解了好些。He thought too that Daiyu was already dead, and that Baochai was after all a person of the very first rank, so that he came at last to believe that the marriage of gold and stone had been fated, and his own heart found a good deal of relief.寶釵看來不妨大事，于是自己心也安了，只在賈母王夫人等前盡行過家庭之禮後，便設法以釋寶玉之憂。Seeing that things were no longer seriously in danger, Baochai's own mind grew easy too, and after she had fully performed the formal courtesies before the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the others, she set about finding ways to relieve Baoyu's cares.寶玉雖不能時常坐起，亦常見寶釵坐在床前，禁不住生來舊病。Although Baoyu could not often sit up, he would frequently see Baochai sitting by his bed, and could not help but feel his old inborn failing stir again.寶釵每以正言勸解，以”養身要緊，你我既為夫婦，豈在一時”之語安慰他。Baochai would always admonish him with proper, upright words, comforting him with such sayings as, "Nursing your health is what matters most — since you and I are now husband and wife, why should it depend on a single moment?"那寶玉心里雖不順遂，無奈日里賈母王夫人及薛姨媽等輪流相伴，夜間寶釵獨去安寢，賈母又派人服侍，只得安心靜養。Though Baoyu was not fully content at heart, there was nothing to be done, since by day the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and Aunt Xue took turns keeping him company, and at night Baochai retired alone to sleep while the Lady Dowager had people appointed to attend him, so that he had no choice but to settle his mind and rest quietly.又見寶釵舉動溫柔，也就漸漸的將愛慕黛玉的心腸略移在寶釵身上，此是後話。Seeing too how gentle and tender Baochai's manner was, he gradually, little by little, shifted the affection he had cherished for Daiyu somewhat onto Baochai — but this is a matter for later.

袭人起初深怨宝钗不该告诉，惟是口中不好说出。莺儿背地也说宝钗道：“姑娘忒性急了。”宝钗道：“你知道什么！好歹横竖有我呢。”那宝钗任人诽谤，并不介意，只窥察宝玉心病，暗下针砭。一日，宝玉渐觉神志安定，虽一时想起黛玉，尚有糊涂。更有袭人缓缓的将“老爷选定的宝姑娘为人和厚，嫌林姑娘秉性古怪，原恐早夭，老太太恐你不知好歹，病中著急，所以叫雪雁过来哄你”的话时常劝解。宝玉终是心酸落泪。欲待寻死，又想著梦中之言，又恐老太太，太太生气，又不能撩开。又想黛玉已死，宝钗又是第一等人物，方信金石姻缘有定，自己也解了好些。宝钗看来不妨大事，于是自己心也安了，只在贾母王夫人等前尽行过家庭之礼后，便设法以释宝玉之忧。宝玉虽不能时常坐起，亦常见宝钗坐在床前，禁不住生来旧病。宝钗每以正言劝解，以”养身要紧，你我既为夫妇，岂在一时”之语安慰他。那宝玉心里虽不顺遂，无奈日里贾母王夫人及薛姨妈等轮流相伴，夜间宝钗独去安寝，贾母又派人服侍，只得安心静养。又见宝钗举动温柔，也就渐渐的将爱慕黛玉的心肠略移在宝钗身上，此是后话。

卻說寶玉成家的那一日，黛玉白日已昏暈過去，卻心頭口中一絲微氣不斷，把個李紈和紫鵑哭的死去活來。Now to return to the day Baoyu was married: that very day, Daiyu had already fainted away during the daytime, yet a single thread of faint breath still lingered at her chest and lips, and this reduced Li Wan and Zijuan to weeping as though half-dead themselves.到了晚間，黛玉去又緩過來了，微微睜開眼，似有要水要湯的光景。By evening, Daiyu revived a little again, opening her eyes faintly, seeming as though she wanted water or broth.此時雪雁已去，只有紫鵑和李紈在旁。By this time Xueyan had already gone elsewhere, and only Zijuan and Li Wan were at her side.紫鵑便端了一盞桂圓湯和的梨汁，用小銀匙灌了兩三匙。Zijuan brought a cup of longan broth mixed with pear juice, and fed her two or three spoonfuls with a small silver spoon.黛玉閉著眼靜養了一會子，覺得心里似明似暗的。Daiyu rested quietly with her eyes closed for a while, feeling within her as though half clear and half clouded.此時李紈見黛玉略緩，明知是回光反照的光景，卻料著還有一半天耐頭，自己回到稻香村料理了一回事情。At this point, seeing Daiyu somewhat eased, Li Wan knew perfectly well this was but the last flare of a dying lamp, yet reckoning there was still perhaps half a day's respite left, she went back to Paddy-Sweet Cottage to attend to some matters.

却说宝玉成家的那一日，黛玉白日已昏晕过去，却心头口中一丝微气不断，把个李纨和紫鹃哭的死去活来。到了晚间，黛玉去又缓过来了，微微睁开眼，似有要水要汤的光景。此时雪雁已去，只有紫鹃和李纨在旁。紫鹃便端了一盏桂圆汤和的梨汁，用小银匙灌了两三匙。黛玉闭著眼静养了一会子，觉得心里似明似暗的。此时李纨见黛玉略缓，明知是回光反照的光景，却料著还有一半天耐头，自己回到稻香村料理了一回事情。

這里黛玉睜開眼一看，只有紫鵑和奶媽并幾個小丫頭在那里，便一手攥了紫鵑的手，使著勁說道：“我是不中用的人了。Here Daiyu opened her eyes and looked about; seeing only Zijuan, the wet-nurse, and a few young maids present, she reached out and grasped Zijuan's hand with one of hers, and said with great effort, gathering her strength: "I am a person of no more use now.你伏侍我幾年，我原指望咱們兩個總在一處。You have waited on me for years; I had always hoped the two of us would remain together always.不想我。……”說著，又喘了一會子，閉了眼歇著。I never thought that I..." So saying, she gasped for breath a while longer, then closed her eyes to rest.紫鵑見他攥著不肯松手，自己也不敢挪動，看他的光景比早半天好些，只當還可以回轉，聽了這話，又寒了半截。Seeing that Daiyu gripped her hand and would not let go, Zijuan dared not move either; noting that her condition seemed somewhat better than earlier in the day, she had thought there was still hope of a turn for the better, but on hearing these words her heart went half cold again.半天，黛玉又說道：“妹妹，我這里并沒親人。After a good while, Daiyu spoke again: "Sister, I have no kin of my own here.我的身子是乾淨的，你好歹叫他們送我回去。”說到這里又閉了眼不言語了。My body is clean and unsullied — whatever happens, have them send me back home." Having said this much, she closed her eyes again and spoke no more.那手卻漸漸緊了，喘成一處，只是出氣大入氣小，已經促疾的很了。Yet the hand gripped tighter and tighter, and her breath came all in gasps, the outgoing breath large and the incoming breath faint, already extremely hurried and labored.

这里黛玉睁开眼一看，只有紫鹃和奶妈并几个小丫头在那里，便一手攥了紫鹃的手，使著劲说道：“我是不中用的人了。你伏侍我几年，我原指望咱们两个总在一处。不想我。……”说著，又喘了一会子，闭了眼歇著。紫鹃见他攥著不肯松手，自己也不敢挪动，看他的光景比早半天好些，只当还可以回转，听了这话，又寒了半截。半天，黛玉又说道：“妹妹，我这里并没亲人。我的身子是干净的，你好歹叫他们送我回去。”说到这里又闭了眼不言语了。那手却渐渐紧了，喘成一处，只是出气大入气小，已经促疾的很了。

紫鵑忙了，連忙叫人請李紈，可巧探春來了。Zijuan, thrown into alarm, hastily sent someone to fetch Li Wan, and as it happened Tanchun arrived just then.紫鵑見了，忙悄悄的說道：“三姑娘，瞧瞧林姑娘罷。”說著，淚如雨下。Seeing her, Zijuan hastily said in a low voice: "Third Miss, please come and look at Miss Lin." As she spoke, her tears fell like rain.探春過來，摸了摸黛玉的手已經涼了，連目光也都散了。Tanchun came over and felt Daiyu's hand — it was already cold, and even her gaze had grown unfocused.探春紫鵑正哭著叫人端水來給黛玉擦洗，李紈赶忙進來了。Tanchun and Zijuan were just weeping and calling for water to be brought to wash Daiyu when Li Wan hurried in.三個人才見了，不及說話。The three of them had barely caught sight of one another, with no time yet to speak,剛擦著，猛聽黛玉直聲叫道：“寶玉，寶玉，你好……”說到“好”字，便渾身冷汗，不作聲了。when, just as they were wiping her, they suddenly heard Daiyu cry out in a clear voice: "Baoyu, Baoyu, you..." At the word "you," cold sweat broke out over her whole body, and she fell silent.紫鵑等急忙扶住，那汗愈出，身子便漸漸的冷了。Zijuan and the others hastily held her up, but the sweat only poured out the more, and her body gradually grew cold.探春李紈叫人亂著攏頭穿衣，只見黛玉兩眼一翻，嗚呼，香魂一縷隨風散，愁緒三更入夢遙！Tanchun and Li Wan had people bustling about to comb her hair and dress her properly, when all at once Daiyu's eyes rolled back — alas! Her fragrant soul, a single thread, scattered upon the wind; her sorrows, at the third watch, drifted far off into dream.

紫鹃忙了，连忙叫人请李纨，可巧探春来了。紫鹃见了，忙悄悄的说道：“三姑娘，瞧瞧林姑娘罢。”说著，泪如雨下。探春过来，摸了摸黛玉的手已经凉了，连目光也都散了。探春紫鹃正哭著叫人端水来给黛玉擦洗，李纨赶忙进来了。三个人才见了，不及说话。刚擦著，猛听黛玉直声叫道：“宝玉，宝玉，你好……”说到“好”字，便浑身冷汗，不作声了。紫鹃等急忙扶住，那汗愈出，身子便渐渐的冷了。探春李纨叫人乱著拢头穿衣，只见黛玉两眼一翻，呜呼，香魂一缕随风散，愁绪三更入梦遥！

當時黛玉氣絕，正是寶玉娶寶釵的這個時辰。The very moment Daiyu's breath failed was precisely the hour at which Baoyu was marrying Baochai.紫鵑等都大哭起來。Zijuan and the others all burst into loud weeping.李紈探春想他素日的可疼，今日更加可怜，也便傷心痛哭。Li Wan and Tanchun, thinking of how lovable she had always been, and how much more pitiable she was now, likewise grieved and wept bitterly.因瀟湘館離新房子甚遠，所以那邊并沒聽見。Because the Bamboo Lodge was very far from the new bridal chamber, nothing of this was heard over there.一時大家痛哭了一陣，只聽得遠遠一陣音樂之聲，側耳一聽，卻又沒有了。After a time, when everyone had wept bitterly for a spell, they suddenly heard, far in the distance, a burst of music; but when they turned an ear to listen closely, it was gone again.探春李紈走出院外再聽時，惟有竹梢風動，月影移牆，好不凄涼冷淡！When Tanchun and Li Wan went out beyond the courtyard to listen again, there was nothing but the wind stirring the bamboo tips and the moon's shadow shifting across the wall — how desolate and cold and cheerless it was!一時叫了林之孝家的過來，將黛玉停放畢，派人看守，等明早去回鳳姐。Presently they had Lin Zhixiao's wife called over, and once Daiyu had been properly laid out, they assigned people to keep watch over her, intending to report to Xifeng the next morning.

当时黛玉气绝，正是宝玉娶宝钗的这个时辰。紫鹃等都大哭起来。李纨探春想他素日的可疼，今日更加可怜，也便伤心痛哭。因潇湘馆离新房子甚远，所以那边并没听见。一时大家痛哭了一阵，只听得远远一阵音乐之声，侧耳一听，却又没有了。探春李纨走出院外再听时，惟有竹梢风动，月影移墙，好不凄凉冷淡！一时叫了林之孝家的过来，将黛玉停放毕，派人看守，等明早去回凤姐。

鳳姐因見賈母王夫人等忙亂，賈政起身，又為寶玉惛憒更甚，正在著急异常之時，若是又將黛玉的凶信一回，恐賈母王夫人愁苦交加，急出病來，只得親自到園。Xifeng, seeing that the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang were already in a flurry over Jia Zheng's departure, and that Baoyu's confusion had grown even worse, so that they were at a moment of extraordinary anxiety, feared that if she were now to report Daiyu's death on top of all this, the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang might be overwhelmed by grief upon grief and fall ill from the shock; so she had no choice but to go to the Garden in person.到了瀟湘館內，也不免哭了一場。Once she reached the Bamboo Lodge, she too could not help but weep a good while.見了李紈探春，知道諸事齊備，便說：“很好。Seeing Li Wan and Tanchun, and finding that everything had been properly seen to, she said: "Very good.只是剛才你們為什麼不言語，叫我著急？”探春道：“剛才送老爺，怎麼說呢。”鳳姐道：“還倒是你們兩個可怜他些。Only, why did you two say nothing just now, and let me worry so?" Tanchun said, "Just now everyone was seeing Uncle Zheng off — how could we have said anything?" Xifeng said, "Well, at least the two of you have shown her some pity.這麼著，我還得那邊去招呼那個冤家呢。As things stand, I still have to go over there and see to that troublesome creature.但是這件事好累墜，若是今日不回，使不得，若回了，恐怕老太太擱不住。”李紈道：“你去見机行事，得回再回方好。”鳳姐點頭，忙忙的去了。But this matter is a heavy burden — if I don't report it today, that won't do, yet if I do report it, I'm afraid the Lady Dowager won't be able to bear it." Li Wan said, "Go and act according to how things stand; report it when the moment is right, and that will be best." Xifeng nodded and hurried off.

凤姐因见贾母王夫人等忙乱，贾政起身，又为宝玉惛愦更甚，正在著急异常之时，若是又将黛玉的凶信一回，恐贾母王夫人愁苦交加，急出病来，只得亲自到园。到了潇湘馆内，也不免哭了一场。见了李纨探春，知道诸事齐备，便说：“很好。只是刚才你们为什么不言语，叫我著急？”探春道：“刚才送老爷，怎么说呢。”凤姐道：“还倒是你们两个可怜他些。这么著，我还得那边去招呼那个冤家呢。但是这件事好累坠，若是今日不回，使不得，若回了，恐怕老太太搁不住。”李纨道：“你去见机行事，得回再回方好。”凤姐点头，忙忙的去了。

鳳姐到了寶玉那里，聽見大夫說不妨事，賈母王夫人略覺放心，鳳姐便背了寶玉，緩緩的將黛玉的事回明了。When Xifeng reached Baoyu's quarters, she heard the doctor say there was no cause for alarm, and the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang felt somewhat relieved; Xifeng then, out of Baoyu's hearing, slowly and clearly reported the matter of Daiyu's death to them.賈母王夫人聽得都唬了一大跳。On hearing it, both the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang were given a great fright.賈母眼淚交流說道：“是我弄坏了他了。Tears streaming down her face, the Lady Dowager said: "It is I who have ruined her.但只是這個丫頭也忒傻氣！”說著，便要到園里去哭他一場，又惦記著寶玉，兩頭難顧。And yet, that girl was really too foolish besides!" So saying, she wanted to go to the Garden at once to weep over her, yet she was also worried about Baoyu, and found she could not attend to both at once.王夫人等含悲共勸賈母不必過去，“老太太身子要緊。”賈母無奈，只得叫王夫人自去。Lady Wang and the others, restraining their own grief, all urged the Lady Dowager not to go over there — "Your health, Old Ancestress, matters most." The Lady Dowager, having no other choice, could only tell Lady Wang to go in her place.又說：“你替我告訴他的陰靈：‘并不是我忍心不來送你，只為有個親疏。She added further: "Tell her spirit on my behalf: it is not that I had the heart not to come and see her off — it is only that there is a difference between closer and more distant kin.你是我的外孫女兒，是親的了，若與寶玉比起來，可是寶玉比你更親些。You are my granddaughter through my daughter, and close kin indeed — but compared with Baoyu, still, Baoyu is closer to me than you.倘寶玉有些不好，我怎麼見他父親呢。’”說著，又哭起來。If something should happen to Baoyu, how could I ever face his father?" So saying, she began to weep again.王夫人勸道：“林姑娘是老太太最疼的，但只壽夭有定。Lady Wang consoled her, saying: "Miss Lin was the one Old Ancestress loved most of all, but the length of one's allotted life is fixed by fate.如今已經死了，無可盡心，只是葬禮上要上等的發送。Now that she has already died, there is nothing more we can do for her, except to see that the funeral rites are of the finest order.一則可以少盡咱們的心，二則就是姑太太和外甥女兒的陰靈兒，也可以少安了。”賈母聽到這里，越發痛哭起來。In this way, first, we can do something to satisfy our own hearts a little, and second, the spirits of our sister-in-law and her daughter may also find a measure of peace." On hearing this, the Lady Dowager wept all the more bitterly.鳳姐恐怕老人家傷感太過，明仗著寶玉心中不甚明白，便偷偷的使人來撒個謊兒哄老太太道：“寶玉那里找老太太呢。”賈母聽見，才止住淚問道：“不是又有什麼緣故？”鳳姐陪笑道：“沒什麼緣故，他大約是想老太太的意思。”賈母連忙扶了珍珠兒，鳳姐也跟著過來。Xifeng, fearing the old lady would grieve too much, and counting on the fact that Baoyu's mind was still rather unclear, secretly sent someone to tell a small lie to soothe the Lady Dowager, saying: "Baoyu is over there asking for you, Old Ancestress." Hearing this, the Lady Dowager checked her tears and asked, "Is there some other reason behind this?" Xifeng said with a smile, "No other reason — he's most likely just missing you, Old Ancestress." The Lady Dowager at once had Zhenzhu'er support her, and Xifeng followed along as well.

凤姐到了宝玉那里，听见大夫说不妨事，贾母王夫人略觉放心，凤姐便背了宝玉，缓缓的将黛玉的事回明了。贾母王夫人听得都唬了一大跳。贾母眼泪交流说道：“是我弄坏了他了。但只是这个丫头也忒傻气！”说著，便要到园里去哭他一场，又惦记著宝玉，两头难顾。王夫人等含悲共劝贾母不必过去，“老太太身子要紧。”贾母无奈，只得叫王夫人自去。又说：“你替我告诉他的阴灵：‘并不是我忍心不来送你，只为有个亲疏。你是我的外孙女儿，是亲的了，若与宝玉比起来，可是宝玉比你更亲些。倘宝玉有些不好，我怎么见他父亲呢。’”说著，又哭起来。王夫人劝道：“林姑娘是老太太最疼的，但只寿夭有定。如今已经死了，无可尽心，只是葬礼上要上等的发送。一则可以少尽咱们的心，二则就是姑太太和外甥女儿的阴灵儿，也可以少安了。”贾母听到这里，越发痛哭起来。凤姐恐怕老人家伤感太过，明仗著宝玉心中不甚明白，便偷偷的使人来撒个谎儿哄老太太道：“宝玉那里找老太太呢。”贾母听见，才止住泪问道：“不是又有什么缘故？”凤姐陪笑道：“没什么缘故，他大约是想老太太的意思。”贾母连忙扶了珍珠儿，凤姐也跟著过来。

走至半路，正遇王夫人過來，一一回明了賈母。Halfway there, she happened to meet Wang furen coming the other way, and told her everything in full.賈母自然又是哀痛的，只因要到寶玉那邊，只得忍淚含悲的說道：“既這麼著，我也不過去了。Jia Mu was naturally grieved again, but since she still had to go to Baoyu's side, she could only hold back her tears and, choking with sorrow, say: "Since it's come to this, I won't go over there after all.由你們辦罷，我看著心里也難受，只別委屈了他就是了。”王夫人鳳姐一一答應了。You all handle it as you see fit — it pains my heart just to look at it, only don't let her be wronged." Wang furen and Xifeng both assented.賈母才過寶玉這邊來，見了寶玉，因問：“你做什麼找我？”寶玉笑道：“我昨日晚上看見林妹妹來了，他說要回南去。Only then did Jia Mu come over to Baoyu's side; seeing Baoyu, she asked, "What were you looking for me for?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Last night I saw Lin meimei come, and she said she wanted to go back south.我想沒人留的住，還得老太太給我留一留他。”賈母聽著，說：“使得，只管放心罷。”襲人因扶寶玉躺下。I thought no one could keep her here, so I'll need Old Ancestress to keep her here for me." Jia Mu listened and said, "That can be done, just set your mind at ease." Xiren then helped Baoyu lie down.

走至半路，正遇王夫人过来，一一回明了贾母。贾母自然又是哀痛的，只因要到宝玉那边，只得忍泪含悲的说道：“既这么著，我也不过去了。由你们办罢，我看著心里也难受，只别委屈了他就是了。”王夫人凤姐一一答应了。贾母才过宝玉这边来，见了宝玉，因问：“你做什么找我？”宝玉笑道：“我昨日晚上看见林妹妹来了，他说要回南去。我想没人留的住，还得老太太给我留一留他。”贾母听著，说：“使得，只管放心罢。”袭人因扶宝玉躺下。

賈母出來到寶釵這邊來。Jia Mu came out and went over to Baochai's side.那時寶釵尚未回九，所以每每見了人倒有些含羞之意。At that time Baochai had not yet made her third-day visit home, so whenever she saw people she still had a somewhat bashful air.這一天見賈母滿面淚痕，遞了茶，賈母叫他坐下。That day, seeing Jia Mu's face streaked with tears, she poured tea, and Jia Mu told her to sit.寶釵側身陪著坐了，才問道：“聽得林妹妹病了，不知他可好些了？”賈母聽了這話，那眼淚止不住流下來，因說道：“我的兒，我告訴你，你可別告訴寶玉。Baochai sat down beside her at an angle to keep her company, and then asked, "I heard Lin meimei was ill — I wonder if she's gotten any better?" Hearing this, Jia Mu could not stop her tears from flowing, and said, "My child, let me tell you, but you mustn't tell Baoyu.都是因你林妹妹，才叫你受了多少委屈。It was all because of your Lin meimei that you were made to suffer so many grievances.你如今作媳婦了，我才告訴你。Now that you've become his wife, I'll tell you.這如今你林妹妹沒了兩三天了，就是娶你的那個時辰死的。Your Lin meimei has been gone two or three days now — she died at the very hour you were being married.如今寶玉這一番病還是為著這個，你們先都在園子里，自然也都是明白的。”寶釵把臉飛紅了，想到黛玉之死，又不免落下淚來。This whole bout of illness Baoyu has now is still on her account. You were all in the garden before, so of course you understand it too." Baochai's face flushed crimson, and thinking of Daiyu's death, she too could not help but shed tears.賈母又說了一回話去了。Jia Mu talked a while longer and then left.自此寶釵千回萬轉，想了一個主意，只不肯造次，所以過了回九才想出這個法子來。From then on Baochai turned the matter over a thousand times in her mind and thought up a plan, only she would not act rashly, so it was not until after her third-day visit home that she thought of this method.如今果然好些，然後大家說話才不至似前留神。Now that he was indeed somewhat better, only then did everyone speak more freely, no longer as guarded as before.獨是寶玉雖然病勢一天好似一天，他的痴心總不能解，必要親去哭他一場。Only Baoyu, though his illness improved day by day, could not shake off his obsessive grief, and insisted he must go in person to weep for her once.賈母等知他病未除根，不許他胡思亂想，怎奈他郁悶難堪，病多反复。Jia Mu and the others, knowing his illness had not been rooted out, forbade him from indulging in wild thoughts, but there was no help for his gloom and distress, and his illness kept relapsing.倒是大夫看出心病，索性叫他開散了，再用藥調理，倒可好得快些。It was the doctor who saw that this was a sickness of the heart, and said it would be better to let him vent it out freely, and then treat him with medicine afterward — that way he would recover faster.寶玉聽說，立刻要往瀟湘館來。Hearing this, Baoyu wanted to go to Xiaoxiang Guan at once.賈母等只得叫人抬了竹椅子過來，扶寶玉坐上。Jia Mu and the others had no choice but to send someone to fetch a bamboo chair and help Baoyu sit in it.賈母王夫人即便先行。Jia Mu and Wang furen went on ahead at once.到了瀟湘館內，一見黛玉靈柩，賈母已哭得淚乾氣絕。On arriving at Xiaoxiang Guan, at the sight of Daiyu's coffin, Jia Mu had already wept until her tears were spent and her breath failing.鳳姐等再三勸住。Xifeng and the others urged her again and again to stop.王夫人也哭了一場。Wang furen also wept a good while.李紈便請賈母王夫人在里間歇著，猶自落淚。Li Wan then asked Jia Mu and Wang furen to rest in the inner room, though she herself kept shedding tears.

贾母出来到宝钗这边来。那时宝钗尚未回九，所以每每见了人倒有些含羞之意。这一天见贾母满面泪痕，递了茶，贾母叫他坐下。宝钗侧身陪著坐了，才问道：“听得林妹妹病了，不知他可好些了？”贾母听了这话，那眼泪止不住流下来，因说道：“我的儿，我告诉你，你可别告诉宝玉。都是因你林妹妹，才叫你受了多少委屈。你如今作媳妇了，我才告诉你。这如今你林妹妹没了两三天了，就是娶你的那个时辰死的。如今宝玉这一番病还是为著这个，你们先都在园子里，自然也都是明白的。”宝钗把脸飞红了，想到黛玉之死，又不免落下泪来。贾母又说了一回话去了。自此宝钗千回万转，想了一个主意，只不肯造次，所以过了回九才想出这个法子来。如今果然好些，然后大家说话才不至似前留神。独是宝玉虽然病势一天好似一天，他的痴心总不能解，必要亲去哭他一场。贾母等知他病未除根，不许他胡思乱想，怎奈他郁闷难堪，病多反复。倒是大夫看出心病，索性叫他开散了，再用药调理，倒可好得快些。宝玉听说，立刻要往潇湘馆来。贾母等只得叫人抬了竹椅子过来，扶宝玉坐上。贾母王夫人即便先行。到了潇湘馆内，一见黛玉灵柩，贾母已哭得泪干气绝。凤姐等再三劝住。王夫人也哭了一场。李纨便请贾母王夫人在里间歇著，犹自落泪。

寶玉一到，想起未病之先來到這里，今日屋在人亡，不禁嚎啕大哭。The moment Baoyu arrived, recalling how he had come here before he fell ill, and now the room remained but the person was gone, he could not help wailing aloud.想起從前何等親密，今日死別，怎不更加傷感。Recalling how close they had once been, how could this final parting in death not make him grieve all the more?眾人原恐寶玉病後過哀，都來解勸，寶玉已經哭得死去活來，大家攙扶歇息。Everyone, fearing Baoyu would grieve too much so soon after his illness, all came to comfort and dissuade him; Baoyu had already wept himself half-dead, and they all supported him to rest.其餘隨來的，如寶釵，俱极痛哭。The rest who had come along, such as Baochai, all wept most bitterly as well.獨是寶玉必要叫紫鵑來見，問明姑娘臨死有何話說。Only Baoyu insisted on having Zijuan brought to see him, so he could ask clearly what the young lady had said before she died.紫鵑本來深恨寶玉，見如此，心里已回過來些，又見賈母王夫人都在這里，不敢灑落寶玉，便將林姑娘怎麼复病，怎麼燒毀帕子，焚化詩稿，并將臨死說的話，一一的都告訴了。Zijuan had originally borne deep resentment toward Baoyu, but seeing him like this, her heart softened somewhat; and seeing that Jia Mu and Wang furen were both present, she did not dare vent her feelings on Baoyu, so she told him one by one how the young lady's illness had recurred, how she had burned the handkerchief, how she had burned her poem drafts, and what she had said just before dying.寶玉又哭得氣噎喉乾。Baoyu wept again until he choked and his throat went dry.探春趁便又將黛玉臨終囑咐帶柩回南的話也說了一遍。Tan Chun took the opportunity to also repeat once more Daiyu's dying instruction that her coffin be taken back south.賈母王夫人又哭起來。Jia Mu and Wang furen began weeping again.多虧鳳姐能言勸慰，略略止些，便請賈母等回去。It was fortunate that Xifeng was skilled with words and comforted them, so that they calmed down somewhat, and then asked Jia Mu and the others to go back.寶玉那里肯舍，無奈賈母逼著，只得勉強回房。Baoyu was reluctant to leave that place, but there was no help for it since Jia Mu pressed him, so he had to force himself to return to his room.

宝玉一到，想起未病之先来到这里，今日屋在人亡，不禁嚎啕大哭。想起从前何等亲密，今日死别，怎不更加伤感。众人原恐宝玉病后过哀，都来解劝，宝玉已经哭得死去活来，大家搀扶歇息。其余随来的，如宝钗，俱极痛哭。独是宝玉必要叫紫鹃来见，问明姑娘临死有何话说。紫鹃本来深恨宝玉，见如此，心里已回过来些，又见贾母王夫人都在这里，不敢洒落宝玉，便将林姑娘怎么复病，怎么烧毁帕子，焚化诗稿，并将临死说的话，一一的都告诉了。宝玉又哭得气噎喉干。探春趁便又将黛玉临终嘱咐带柩回南的话也说了一遍。贾母王夫人又哭起来。多亏凤姐能言劝慰，略略止些，便请贾母等回去。宝玉那里肯舍，无奈贾母逼著，只得勉强回房。

賈母有了年紀的人，打從寶玉病起，日夜不宁，今又大痛一陣，已覺頭暈身熱。Jia Mu, being advanced in years, had been unsettled day and night ever since Baoyu fell ill, and now, having wept so bitterly again, she already felt dizzy and feverish.雖是不放心惦著寶玉，卻也掙扎不住，回到自己房中睡下。Though she was worried and anxious about Baoyu, she could not force herself to hold up any longer, and went back to her own room to lie down.王夫人更加心痛難禁，也便回去，派了彩雲幫著襲人照應，并說：“寶玉若再悲戚，速來告訴我們。”寶釵是知寶玉一時必不能舍，也不相勸，只用諷刺的話說他。Wang furen's heart ached all the more unbearably, and she too went back, assigning Caiyun to help Xiren look after him, saying, "If Baoyu grieves again, come tell us at once." Baochai knew that for the time being Baoyu could not possibly let go of his feelings, so she did not try to advise him, only used sarcastic remarks to needle him.寶玉倒恐寶釵多心，也便飲泣收心。Baoyu, for his part, feared that Baochai might take it to heart, and so he swallowed his tears and reined in his feelings.歇了一夜，倒也安穩。He rested through the night and was actually quite peaceful.明日一早，眾人都來瞧他，但覺氣虛身弱，心病倒覺去了幾分。The next morning, everyone came to see him; though he felt weak in breath and body, the sickness of the heart seemed to have lessened somewhat.于是加意調養，漸漸的好起來。So they took extra care in nursing him, and he gradually recovered.賈母幸不成病，惟是王夫人心痛未痊。Fortunately Jia Mu did not fall ill from it, only Wang furen's heartache had not yet healed.那日薛姨媽過來探望，看見寶玉精神略好，也就放心，暫且住下。That day Aunt Xue came over to visit, and seeing Baoyu's spirits somewhat improved, she too set her mind at ease, and stayed on for the time being.

贾母有了年纪的人，打从宝玉病起，日夜不宁，今又大痛一阵，已觉头晕身热。虽是不放心惦著宝玉，却也挣扎不住，回到自己房中睡下。王夫人更加心痛难禁，也便回去，派了彩云帮著袭人照应，并说：“宝玉若再悲戚，速来告诉我们。”宝钗是知宝玉一时必不能舍，也不相劝，只用讽刺的话说他。宝玉倒恐宝钗多心，也便饮泣收心。歇了一夜，倒也安稳。明日一早，众人都来瞧他，但觉气虚身弱，心病倒觉去了几分。于是加意调养，渐渐的好起来。贾母幸不成病，惟是王夫人心痛未痊。那日薛姨妈过来探望，看见宝玉精神略好，也就放心，暂且住下。

一日，賈母特請薛姨媽過去商量說：“寶玉的命都虧姨太太救的，如今想來不妨了，獨委屈了你的姑娘。One day, Jia Mu specially invited Aunt Xue over to discuss matters, saying, "Baoyu's life was saved entirely thanks to you, Aunt — now it seems there's no more danger, only your daughter has been wronged.如今寶玉調養百日，身体复舊，又過了姑娘的功服，正好圓房。Now that Baoyu has been recuperating for a hundred days and his body has recovered, and your daughter's mourning obligations have also passed, it is just the right time for the marriage to be consummated.要求姨太太作主，另擇個上好的吉日。”薛姨媽便道：“老太太主意很好，何必問我。I would ask you, Aunt, to take charge and choose another most auspicious day." Aunt Xue said, "Old Ancestress's idea is excellent, why ask me?寶丫頭雖生的粗笨，心里卻還是极明白的。Though Baochai is plain and unrefined in looks, at heart she is nonetheless extremely sensible.他的性情老太太素日是知道的。Her temperament is something Old Ancestress has long known.但願他們兩口兒言和意順，從此老太太也省好些心，我姐姐也安慰些，我也放了心了。I only hope the two of them live in harmony and accord — from then on Old Ancestress can also spare herself much worry, my sister too can find some comfort, and I myself will feel at ease.老太太便定個日子。Old Ancestress may simply fix a date.還通知親戚不用呢？”賈母道：“寶玉和你們姑娘生來第一件大事，況且費了多少周折，如今才得安逸，必要大家熱鬧幾天。Should the relatives also be notified or not?" Jia Mu said, "Baoyu's marriage is the single greatest event of his life, and moreover it has cost so much trouble and twists and turns — now that things have finally settled into peace, we must have everyone make merry for several days.親戚都要請的。All the relatives must be invited.一來酬願，二則咱們吃杯喜酒，也不枉我老人家操了好些心。”薛姨媽聽說，自然也是喜歡的，便將要辦妝奩的話也說了一番。First, to fulfill a vow of thanks; second, so that we can all drink a cup of wedding wine — it will not have been in vain that this old woman of mine spent so much care over it." Hearing this, Aunt Xue was naturally pleased as well, and went on to mention arranging the dowry.賈母道：“咱們親上做親，我想也不必這些。Jia Mu said, "Ours is a marriage between kin already related by marriage — I don't think all that is necessary.若說動用的，他屋里已經滿了。As for household things for daily use, her room is already full of them.必定寶丫頭他心愛的要你幾件，姨太太就拿了來。It must only be that there are a few pieces Baochai is especially fond of and wants from you, Aunt — just bring those over.我看寶丫頭也不是多心的人，不比的我那外孫女兒的脾氣，所以他不得長壽。”說著，連薛姨媽也便落淚。I can see Baochai is not one to brood over trifles, not like the temperament of that outside granddaughter of mine — which is why she was not granted long life." As she spoke, even Aunt Xue was moved to tears.恰好鳳姐進來，笑道：“老太太姑媽又想著什麼了？”薛姨媽道：“我和老太太說起你林妹妹來，所以傷心。”鳳姐笑道：“老太太和姑媽且別傷心，我剛才聽了個笑話兒來了，意思說給老太太和姑媽聽。”賈母拭了拭眼淚，微笑道：“你又不知要編派誰呢，你說來我和姨太太聽聽。Just then Xifeng came in and said with a smile, "What are Old Ancestress and Auntie thinking about again?" Aunt Xue said, "Old Ancestress and I were speaking of your Lin meimei, that's why we grew sad." Xifeng said with a smile, "Old Ancestress and Auntie, don't be sad for now — I just heard a funny story, and I mean to tell it to Old Ancestress and Auntie." Jia Mu wiped her tears and said with a faint smile, "Who knows who you're going to make fun of this time — go on, tell it, let me and your Aunt hear.說不笑我們可不依。”只見那鳳姐未從張口，先用兩只手比著，笑彎了腰了。If it turns out not funny, we won't let you off." Just then, before Xifeng had even opened her mouth, she was already gesturing with both hands, laughing so hard she bent double at the waist.未知他說出些什麼來，下回分解。Not yet known what she was about to say — that will be told in the next chapter.

一日，贾母特请薛姨妈过去商量说：“宝玉的命都亏姨太太救的，如今想来不妨了，独委屈了你的姑娘。如今宝玉调养百日，身体复旧，又过了姑娘的功服，正好圆房。要求姨太太作主，另择个上好的吉日。”薛姨妈便道：“老太太主意很好，何必问我。宝丫头虽生的粗笨，心里却还是极明白的。他的性情老太太素日是知道的。但愿他们两口儿言和意顺，从此老太太也省好些心，我姐姐也安慰些，我也放了心了。老太太便定个日子。还通知亲戚不用呢？”贾母道：“宝玉和你们姑娘生来第一件大事，况且费了多少周折，如今才得安逸，必要大家热闹几天。亲戚都要请的。一来酬愿，二则咱们吃杯喜酒，也不枉我老人家操了好些心。”薛姨妈听说，自然也是喜欢的，便将要办妆奁的话也说了一番。贾母道：“咱们亲上做亲，我想也不必这些。若说动用的，他屋里已经满了。必定宝丫头他心爱的要你几件，姨太太就拿了来。我看宝丫头也不是多心的人，不比的我那外孙女儿的脾气，所以他不得长寿。”说著，连薛姨妈也便落泪。恰好凤姐进来，笑道：“老太太姑妈又想著什么了？”薛姨妈道：“我和老太太说起你林妹妹来，所以伤心。”凤姐笑道：“老太太和姑妈且别伤心，我刚才听了个笑话儿来了，意思说给老太太和姑妈听。”贾母拭了拭眼泪，微笑道：“你又不知要编派谁呢，你说来我和姨太太听听。说不笑我们可不依。”只见那凤姐未从张口，先用两只手比著，笑弯了腰了。未知他说出些什么来，下回分解。