第一百回　　破好事香菱結深恨　悲遠嫁寶玉感離情 A Spoiled Match Fills Xiangling with Hatred; A Distant Marriage Grieves Baoyu with Parting

話說賈政去見了節度，進去了半日不見出來，外頭議論不一。The story goes that Jia Zheng went in to see the Commissioner, and for a long while after going in he did not come out, so that outside there was no end of speculation.李十兒在外也打聽不出什麼事來，便想到報上的饑荒，實在也著急，好容易聽見賈政出來，便迎上來跟著，等不得回去，在無人處便問：“老爺進去這半天，有什麼要緊的事？”賈政笑道：“并沒有事。Li Shi'er, waiting outside, could not learn anything either, and thinking of the famine reported in the gazette he too grew truly anxious; at last, when he heard that Jia Zheng was coming out, he went up and fell in beside him, and unable to wait until they got back, asked him where no one else was by: "Master, you were in there so long — was there some urgent matter?" Jia Zheng said with a smile, "It was nothing at all."只為鎮海總制是這位大人的親戚，有書來囑托照應我，所以說了些好話。"It was only that the Commander-in-Chief of Zhenhai is a relative of this gentleman's, and had sent a letter asking him to look after me, so he said a few kind words."又說我們如今也是親戚了。”李十兒聽得，心內喜歡，不免又壯了些膽子，便竭力縱恿賈政許這親事。"He also said that we are now relatives too." When Li Shi'er heard this, his heart rejoiced, and, his courage somewhat bolstered, he did all he could to urge and encourage Jia Zheng to agree to the match.賈政心想薛蟠的事到底有什麼挂礙，在外頭信息不早，難以打點，故回到本任來便打發家人進京打聽，順便將總制求親之事回明賈母，如若願意，即將三姑娘接到任所。Jia Zheng, thinking to himself that whatever complications might still attach to Xue Pan's affair, and that news from the capital would not arrive soon, so that it would be hard to make arrangements from a distance, therefore, on returning to his post, sent a household servant to the capital to make inquiries, and at the same time to report to the Lady Dowager on the Commander-in-Chief's proposal of marriage — if she was willing, San-jie could be brought at once to his post.家人奉命赶到京中，回明了王夫人，便在吏部打聽得賈政并無處分，惟將署太平縣的這位老爺革職，即寫了稟帖安慰了賈政，然後住著等信。The servant, under orders, hurried to the capital and reported to Lady Wang, and upon inquiring at the Board of Civil Office learned that Jia Zheng himself faced no disciplinary action, only that the official who had been acting magistrate of Taiping county had been dismissed from office; he thereupon wrote a letter reassuring Jia Zheng, and then stayed on waiting for further word.

话说贾政去见了节度，进去了半日不见出来，外头议论不一。李十儿在外也打听不出什么事来，便想到报上的饥荒，实在也著急，好容易听见贾政出来，便迎上来跟著，等不得回去，在无人处便问：“老爷进去这半天，有什么要紧的事？”贾政笑道：“并没有事。只为镇海总制是这位大人的亲戚，有书来嘱托照应我，所以说了些好话。又说我们如今也是亲戚了。”李十儿听得，心内喜欢，不免又壮了些胆子，便竭力纵恿贾政许这亲事。贾政心想薛蟠的事到底有什么挂碍，在外头信息不早，难以打点，故回到本任来便打发家人进京打听，顺便将总制求亲之事回明贾母，如若愿意，即将三姑娘接到任所。家人奉命赶到京中，回明了王夫人，便在吏部打听得贾政并无处分，惟将署太平县的这位老爷革职，即写了禀帖安慰了贾政，然后住著等信。

且說薛姨媽為著薛蟠這件人命官司，各衙門內不知花了多少銀錢，才定了誤殺具題。Now as for Aunt Xue — over this matter of Xue Pan's homicide case, no one knows how much silver had been spent in the various yamen offices before the charge was finally settled as manslaughter.原打量將當舖折變給人，備銀贖罪。The original plan had been to sell off the pawnshop to raise silver to redeem the offense.不想刑部駁審，又托人花了好些錢，總不中用，依舊定了個死罪，監著守候秋天大審。But unexpectedly the Board of Punishments sent the case back for reexamination, and though more money was spent again through go-betweens, none of it did any good, and in the end the sentence was fixed as death, with him held in custody to await the autumn assizes.薛姨媽又氣又疼，日夜啼哭。Aunt Xue, both furious and heartsick, wept day and night.寶釵雖時常過來勸解，說是：“哥哥本來沒造化。Baochai, though she often came over to comfort and reason with her, would say: "My brother simply never had good fortune."承受了祖父這些家業，就該安安頓頓的守著過日子。"Inheriting all this family property from our grandfather, he ought to have settled down and lived out his days in peace."在南邊已經鬧的不象樣，便是香菱那件事情就了不得，因為仗著親戚們的勢力，花了些銀錢，這算白打死了一個公子。"Already down south he had made such a disgraceful mess of things — that business with Xiangling alone was bad enough, and only because we relied on relatives' influence and spent a good deal of silver was it made to pass as though a young gentleman had simply been beaten to death for nothing."哥哥就該改過做起正經人來，也該奉養母親才是，不想進了京仍是這樣。"My brother ought then to have mended his ways and become a decent, upright man, and seen to supporting our mother properly — but instead, once he got to the capital, he was just the same as before."媽媽為他不知受了多少氣，哭掉了多少眼淚。"There's no telling how much anger Mother has swallowed on his account, nor how many tears she's cried."給他娶了親，原想大家安安逸逸的過日子，不想命該如此，偏偏娶的嫂子又是一個不安靜的，所以哥哥躲出門的。"When we got him married, we had hoped that everyone could live out their days in peace and comfort, but as fate would have it, of all people the sister-in-law he married turned out to be a restless, quarrelsome one, and that is why my brother took to staying away from home."真正俗語說的‘冤家路兒狹’，不多幾天就鬧出人命來了。"Truly, as the saying goes, 'enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road' — it wasn't many days before it ended in a man's death."媽媽和二哥哥也算不得不盡心的了，花了銀錢不算，自己還求三拜四的謀干。"Mother and Second Brother certainly cannot be said not to have done their utmost — quite apart from the silver spent, he himself went about begging and pleading on every side."無奈命里應該，也算自作自受。"But it is no help — it must be fate, and one may as well call it bringing it on himself."大凡養兒女是為著老來有靠，便是小戶人家還要掙一碗飯養活母親，那里有將現成的鬧光了反害的老人家哭的死去活來的？"After all, one raises sons and daughters so as to have support in one's old age; even in a poor household the children still struggle to earn a bowl of rice to support their mother — where is it heard of that a son squanders what there already is on hand, and instead makes the old mother weep herself half to death?"不是我說，哥哥的這樣行為，不是兒子，竟是個冤家對頭。"It's not that I mean to speak ill, but with conduct like my brother's, he is no son at all — he is more like a mortal enemy."媽媽再不明白，明哭到夜，夜哭到明，又受嫂子的氣。"If Mother still cannot see her way clear, she will weep from morning to night and from night to morning, and on top of that suffer the sister-in-law's temper."我呢，又不能常在這里勸解，我看見媽媽這樣，那里放得下心。"As for me, I cannot always be here to comfort her, and seeing Mother in such a state, how can my heart ever rest easy?"他雖說是傻，也不肯叫我回去。"He, though he is called simple, still will not let me go back home."前兒老爺打發人回來說，看見京報唬的了不得，所以才叫人來打點的。"The other day the Master sent someone back to say that he had been utterly alarmed to see the capital gazette, and that is why he sent someone to come and settle matters."我想哥哥鬧了事，擔心的人也不少。"I think that with my brother having caused such trouble, there must be no small number of people worried over it."幸虧我還是在跟前的一樣，若是離鄉調遠聽見了這個信，只怕我想媽媽也就想殺了。"Luckily I am still here at your side just the same; if I were off in some distant place married far away and heard such news, I fear that missing Mother alone would be enough to be the death of me."我求媽媽暫且養養神，趁哥哥的活口現在，問問各處的帳目。"I beg Mother, for the time being, to rest and compose herself, and while my brother is still alive to be asked, to look into the accounts in various places."人家該咱們的，咱們該人家的，亦該請個舊伙計來算一算，看看還有幾個錢沒有。”薛姨媽哭著說道：“這幾天為鬧你哥哥的事，你來了，不是你勸我，便是我告訴你衙門的事。"Whatever others owe us, and whatever we owe others, we really ought to invite an old clerk to come and go over the books, to see just how much money is left." Aunt Xue said through her tears, "These past days, what with the trouble over your brother's affair, whenever you came, either you were consoling me or I was telling you about the doings at the yamen."你還不知道，京里的官商名字已經退了，兩個當舖已經給了人家，銀子早拿來使完了。"You still don't know — the licenses for the capital shops have already been surrendered, the two pawnshops have already been handed over to other people, and the silver was long ago taken and spent."還有一個當舖，管事的逃了，虧空了好幾千兩銀子，也夾在里頭打官司。"There is one more pawnshop where the manager has run off, leaving a deficit of several thousand taels, and that too is caught up in a lawsuit."你二哥哥天天在外頭要帳，料著京里的帳已經去了幾萬銀子，只好拿南邊公分里銀子并住房折變才夠。"Your Second Brother is out every day pressing for payment of debts; by his reckoning, the debts here in the capital alone have already swallowed up several tens of thousands of taels, and it will only just be enough if we take the silver from our share down south and sell off the house we live in besides."前兩天還聽見一個荒信，說是南邊的公當舖也因為折了本兒收了。"Just the other day I even heard an unconfirmed rumor that the pawnshop jointly held down south has also had to close on account of losses."若是這麼著，你娘的命可就活不成的了。”說著，又大哭起來。"If that is so, then your mother's life really cannot go on." So saying, she again broke into loud weeping.寶釵也哭著勸道：“銀錢的事，媽媽操心也不中用，還有二哥哥給我們料理。Baochai too wept as she tried to console her: "There is no use in Mother fretting over money matters — there is still Second Brother to manage things for us."單可恨這些伙計們，見咱們的勢頭兒敗了，各自奔各自的去也罷了，我還聽見說幫著人家來擠我們的訛頭。"The one truly hateful thing is these clerks — seeing that our fortunes have collapsed, it would be one thing if they simply each went their own way, but I have even heard that some are helping outsiders come and extort money from us."可見我哥哥活了這麼大，交的人總不過是些個酒肉弟兄，急難中是一個沒有的。"It just shows that in all his years my brother has never made friends with anyone but a crowd of drinking companions — when trouble came, not one of them was to be found."媽媽若是疼我，聽我的話，有年紀的人，自己保重些。"If Mother loves me and will listen to what I say, being of an age now, she should take better care of herself."媽媽這一輩子。"As for Mother's whole life —"想來還不致挨凍受餓。"I think it will not, after all, come to freezing or starving."家里這點子衣裳家伙，只好聽憑嫂子去，那是沒法兒的了。"As for the clothes and household things here at home, we can only let Sister-in-law have her way with them — there is nothing else to be done."所有的家人婆子，瞧他們也沒心在這里，該去的叫他們去。"As for all the servants and old women, one can see their hearts are no longer in staying here, so those who ought to go should simply be let go."就可怜香菱苦了一輩子，只好跟著媽媽過去。"It is only poor Xiangling who has suffered all her life, and now can only follow along with Mother."實在短什麼，我要是有的，還可以拿些個來，料我們那個也沒有不依的。"If anything is truly lacking, whatever I have I can still bring over some of it — I'm sure the one at our house would not object."就是襲姑娘也是心術正道的，他聽見我哥哥的事，他倒提起媽媽來就哭。"Even Xiren is upright and fair-minded at heart — when she heard about my brother's affair, she actually brought up Mother's name and wept."我們那一個還道是沒事的，所以不大著急，若聽見了也是要唬個半死兒的。”薛姨媽不等說完，便說：“好姑娘，你可別告訴他。"As for that other one of ours, he still thinks nothing has happened, and so is not greatly worried; if he were to hear of it, he too would be frightened half to death." Before Aunt Xue could let her finish, she said, "Good girl, whatever you do, don't tell him."他為一個林姑娘幾乎沒要了命，如今才好了些。"Over that Lin girl he nearly lost his own life, and only now has he gotten a little better."要是他急出個原故來，不但你添一層煩惱，我越發沒了依靠了。”寶釵道：“我也是這麼想，所以總沒告訴他。”正說著，只聽見金桂跑來外間屋里哭喊道：“我的命是不要的了！"If worry over this were to bring on some mishap in him, not only would it add another layer of trouble for you, but I would have all the less to depend on." Baochai said, "That is just what I think too, and that is why I have never told him." Just as they were speaking, they suddenly heard Jingui come running into the outer room, crying and shouting, "My life is not worth keeping!"男人呢，已經是沒有活的分兒了。"As for my husband, there's no hope left of his living."咱們如今索性鬧一鬧，大伙兒到法場上去拼一拼。”說著。"Let's just make a real scene of it now, and all go to the execution ground together to have it out." So saying —便將頭往隔斷板上亂撞，撞的披頭散發。she began banging her head wildly against the partition board, until her hair came undone and hung all about her.氣得薛姨媽白瞪著兩只眼，一句話也說不出來。Aunt Xue was so enraged that she stared with wide, blank eyes, unable to get out a single word.還虧得寶釵嫂子長，嫂子短，好一句，歹一句的勸他。It was only thanks to Baochai, calling her "sister-in-law" this and "sister-in-law" that, with one soft word and one hard, that she managed to talk her down.金桂道：“姑奶奶，如今你是比不得頭里的了。Jingui said, "Sister-in-law, things are different for you now than before."你兩口兒好好的過日子，我是個單身人兒，要臉做什麼！”說著，便要跑到街上回娘家去，虧得人還多，扯住了，又勸了半天方住。"The two of you live your lives together nicely, while I am all alone — what do I have to keep up appearances for!" So saying, she made to run out into the street to go back to her mother's house; luckily there were still enough people about, and they held her back, and only after a good long while of persuading did she settle down.把個寶琴唬的再不敢見他。This frightened Baoqin so badly that she no longer dared even to see her.若是薛蝌在家，他便抹粉施脂，描眉畫鬢，奇情异致的打扮收拾起來，不時打從薛蝌住房前過，或故意咳嗽一聲，或明知薛蝌在屋，特問房里何人。Whenever Xue Ke was at home, Jingui would powder her face and rouge it, pencil her eyebrows and dress her hair, tricking herself out in all manner of strange and captivating fashions, and would pass by in front of Xue Ke's rooms time after time, sometimes coughing on purpose, sometimes, knowing perfectly well Xue Ke was inside, making a point of asking who was in the room.有時遇見薛蝌，他便妖妖喬喬，嬌嬌痴痴的問寒問熱，忽喜忽嗔。Sometimes when she happened to meet Xue Ke, she would put on airs, coy and coquettish, asking after his health with mock tenderness, one moment all smiles, the next all pretend anger.丫頭們看見，都赶忙躲開。Whenever the maids saw this, they all hurried to get out of the way.他自己也不覺得，只是一意一心要弄得薛蝌感情時，好行寶蟾之計。She herself was not even aware of it, being wholly absorbed, heart and mind, in trying to stir Xue Ke's feelings, so that Baochan's scheme could then be carried out.那薛蝌卻只躲著，有時遇見，也不敢不周旋一二，只怕他撒潑放刁的意思。Xue Ke, for his part, only tried to keep out of her way; when he did happen to meet her, he dared not fail to humor her a little, for fear of her making an unseemly, shameless scene.更加金桂一則為色迷心，越瞧越愛，越想越幻，那里還看得出薛蝌的真假來。What was worse, Jingui, being infatuated with his looks, found him lovelier the more she looked, and the more she thought of him the more her fancies ran wild, so that she was quite unable to tell true feeling from false in anything Xue Ke did.只有一宗，他見薛蝌有什麼東西都是托香菱收著，衣服縫洗也是香菱，兩個人偶然說話，他來了，急忙散開，一發動了一個醋字。There was only one thing — she noticed that whatever things Xue Ke had, he always entrusted to Xiangling to keep for him, and it was Xiangling too who mended and washed his clothes; whenever the two of them happened to be talking and she came upon them, they would hastily break apart, which only stirred up all the more jealousy in her.欲待發作薛蝌，卻是舍不得，只得將一腔隱恨都擱在香菱身上。She wanted to vent her anger on Xue Ke, but could not bear to, and so could only heap all her pent-up resentment upon Xiangling.卻又恐怕鬧了香菱得罪了薛蝌，倒弄得隱忍不發。Yet she also feared that if she made trouble for Xiangling, it might offend Xue Ke, so that in the end she held herself back and said nothing.

且说薛姨妈为著薛蟠这件人命官司，各衙门内不知花了多少银钱，才定了误杀具题。原打量将当铺折变给人，备银赎罪。不想刑部驳审，又托人花了好些钱，总不中用，依旧定了个死罪，监著守候秋天大审。薛姨妈又气又疼，日夜啼哭。宝钗虽时常过来劝解，说是：“哥哥本来没造化。承受了祖父这些家业，就该安安顿顿的守著过日子。在南边已经闹的不象样，便是香菱那件事情就了不得，因为仗著亲戚们的势力，花了些银钱，这算白打死了一个公子。哥哥就该改过做起正经人来，也该奉养母亲才是，不想进了京仍是这样。妈妈为他不知受了多少气，哭掉了多少眼泪。给他娶了亲，原想大家安安逸逸的过日子，不想命该如此，偏偏娶的嫂子又是一个不安静的，所以哥哥躲出门的。真正俗语说的‘冤家路儿狭’，不多几天就闹出人命来了。妈妈和二哥哥也算不得不尽心的了，花了银钱不算，自己还求三拜四的谋干。无奈命里应该，也算自作自受。大凡养儿女是为著老来有靠，便是小户人家还要挣一碗饭养活母亲，那里有将现成的闹光了反害的老人家哭的死去活来的？不是我说，哥哥的这样行为，不是儿子，竟是个冤家对头。妈妈再不明白，明哭到夜，夜哭到明，又受嫂子的气。我呢，又不能常在这里劝解，我看见妈妈这样，那里放得下心。他虽说是傻，也不肯叫我回去。前儿老爷打发人回来说，看见京报唬的了不得，所以才叫人来打点的。我想哥哥闹了事，担心的人也不少。幸亏我还是在跟前的一样，若是离乡调远听见了这个信，只怕我想妈妈也就想杀了。我求妈妈暂且养养神，趁哥哥的活口现在，问问各处的帐目。人家该咱们的，咱们该人家的，亦该请个旧伙计来算一算，看看还有几个钱没有。”薛姨妈哭著说道：“这几天为闹你哥哥的事，你来了，不是你劝我，便是我告诉你衙门的事。你还不知道，京里的官商名字已经退了，两个当铺已经给了人家，银子早拿来使完了。还有一个当铺，管事的逃了，亏空了好几千两银子，也夹在里头打官司。你二哥哥天天在外头要帐，料著京里的帐已经去了几万银子，只好拿南边公分里银子并住房折变才够。前两天还听见一个荒信，说是南边的公当铺也因为折了本儿收了。若是这么著，你娘的命可就活不成的了。”说著，又大哭起来。宝钗也哭著劝道：“银钱的事，妈妈操心也不中用，还有二哥哥给我们料理。单可恨这些伙计们，见咱们的势头儿败了，各自奔各自的去也罢了，我还听见说帮著人家来挤我们的讹头。可见我哥哥活了这么大，交的人总不过是些个酒肉弟兄，急难中是一个没有的。妈妈若是疼我，听我的话，有年纪的人，自己保重些。妈妈这一辈子。想来还不致挨冻受饿。家里这点子衣裳家伙，只好听凭嫂子去，那是没法儿的了。所有的家人婆子，瞧他们也没心在这里，该去的叫他们去。就可怜香菱苦了一辈子，只好跟著妈妈过去。实在短什么，我要是有的，还可以拿些个来，料我们那个也没有不依的。就是袭姑娘也是心术正道的，他听见我哥哥的事，他倒提起妈妈来就哭。我们那一个还道是没事的，所以不大著急，若听见了也是要唬个半死儿的。”薛姨妈不等说完，便说：“好姑娘，你可别告诉他。他为一个林姑娘几乎没要了命，如今才好了些。要是他急出个原故来，不但你添一层烦恼，我越发没了依靠了。”宝钗道：“我也是这么想，所以总没告诉他。”正说著，只听见金桂跑来外间屋里哭喊道：“我的命是不要的了！男人呢，已经是没有活的分儿了。咱们如今索性闹一闹，大伙儿到法场上去拼一拼。”说著。便将头往隔断板上乱撞，撞的披头散发。气得薛姨妈白瞪著两只眼，一句话也说不出来。还亏得宝钗嫂子长，嫂子短，好一句，歹一句的劝他。金桂道：“姑奶奶，如今你是比不得头里的了。你两口儿好好的过日子，我是个单身人儿，要脸做什么！”说著，便要跑到街上回娘家去，亏得人还多，扯住了，又劝了半天方住。把个宝琴唬的再不敢见他。若是薛蝌在家，他便抹粉施脂，描眉画鬓，奇情异致的打扮收拾起来，不时打从薛蝌住房前过，或故意咳嗽一声，或明知薛蝌在屋，特问房里何人。有时遇见薛蝌，他便妖妖乔乔，娇娇痴痴的问寒问热，忽喜忽嗔。丫头们看见，都赶忙躲开。他自己也不觉得，只是一意一心要弄得薛蝌感情时，好行宝蟾之计。那薛蝌却只躲著，有时遇见，也不敢不周旋一二，只怕他撒泼放刁的意思。更加金桂一则为色迷心，越瞧越爱，越想越幻，那里还看得出薛蝌的真假来。只有一宗，他见薛蝌有什么东西都是托香菱收著，衣服缝洗也是香菱，两个人偶然说话，他来了，急忙散开，一发动了一个醋字。欲待发作薛蝌，却是舍不得，只得将一腔隐恨都搁在香菱身上。却又恐怕闹了香菱得罪了薛蝌，倒弄得隐忍不发。

一日，寶蟾走來笑嘻嘻的向金桂道：“奶奶看見了二爺沒有？”金桂道：“沒有。”寶蟾笑道：“我說二爺的那种假正經是信不得的。One day, Baochan came in smiling and said to Jingui, "Did you see Second Master just now?" Jingui said, "No." Baochan said with a smile, "I've always said that Second Master's kind of false propriety can't be trusted."咱們前日送了酒去，他說不會喝，剛才我見他到太太那屋里去，那臉上紅扑扑兒的一臉酒氣。"The other day when we sent wine over to him, he said he didn't drink, but just now I saw him going into Madam's room, and his face was all flushed red, reeking of wine."奶奶不信，回來只在咱們院門口等他，他打那邊過來時奶奶叫住他問問，看他說什麼。”金桂聽了，一心的怒氣，便道：“他那里就出來了呢。"If you don't believe me, just wait at the entrance to our courtyard when he comes back, and when he passes by there, call out and stop him and ask him about it, and see what he says." Hearing this, Jingui, her heart full of anger, said, "As if he'd even come out for that."他既無情義，問他作什麼！”寶蟾道：“奶奶又迂了。"Since he has no feeling for me at all, what's the use of asking him anything!" Baochan said, "Now you're being too old-fashioned, ma'am."他好說，咱們也好說，他不好說，咱們再另打主意。”金桂聽著有理，因叫寶蟾瞧著他，看他出去了。"If he's willing to talk it out, well and good for us too; if he isn't, then we'll think of something else." Jingui found this reasonable, and told Baochan to keep watch and see when he went out.寶蟾答應著出來。Baochan agreed and went out.金桂卻去打開鏡奩，又照了一照，把嘴唇兒又抹了一抹，然後拿一條灑花絹子，才要出來，又似忘了什麼的，心里倒不知怎麼是好了。Jingui, meanwhile, went and opened her mirror case, looked at herself once more, touched up her lips again, and then took up a flower-sprigged silk handkerchief; just as she was about to go out, it was as if she had forgotten something, and in her heart she could not quite settle on what to do.只聽寶蟾外面說道：“二爺今日高興呵，那里喝了酒來了？”金桂聽了，明知是叫他出來的意思，連忙掀起帘子出來。Just then she heard Baochan outside saying, "Second Master, you're in fine spirits today — wherever did you go drinking?" Hearing this, Jingui, knowing full well this was meant to call her out, hastily lifted the curtain and came out.只見薛蝌和寶蟾說道：“今日是張大爺的好日子，所以被他們強不過吃了半鐘，到這時候臉還發燒呢。”一句話沒說完，金桂早接口道：“自然人家外人的酒比咱們自己家里的酒是有趣兒的。”薛蝌被他拿話一激，臉越紅了，連忙走過來陪笑道：“嫂子說那里的話。”寶蟾見他二人交談，便躲到屋里去了。There she saw Xue Ke saying to Baochan, "Today is old Zhang's birthday, and they pressed me so hard I couldn't refuse, so I drank half a cup — even now my face is still burning." Before he had even finished speaking, Jingui at once broke in, "Naturally other people's wine tastes better than our own family's wine." Stung by her remark, Xue Ke flushed redder still, and hastily came over with an apologetic smile, saying, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying." Seeing the two of them talking together, Baochan slipped away into the room.

一日，宝蟾走来笑嘻嘻的向金桂道：“奶奶看见了二爷没有？”金桂道：“没有。”宝蟾笑道：“我说二爷的那种假正经是信不得的。咱们前日送了酒去，他说不会喝，刚才我见他到太太那屋里去，那脸上红扑扑儿的一脸酒气。奶奶不信，回来只在咱们院门口等他，他打那边过来时奶奶叫住他问问，看他说什么。”金桂听了，一心的怒气，便道：“他那里就出来了呢。他既无情义，问他作什么！”宝蟾道：“奶奶又迂了。他好说，咱们也好说，他不好说，咱们再另打主意。”金桂听著有理，因叫宝蟾瞧著他，看他出去了。宝蟾答应著出来。金桂却去打开镜奁，又照了一照，把嘴唇儿又抹了一抹，然后拿一条洒花绢子，才要出来，又似忘了什么的，心里倒不知怎么是好了。只听宝蟾外面说道：“二爷今日高兴呵，那里喝了酒来了？”金桂听了，明知是叫他出来的意思，连忙掀起帘子出来。只见薛蝌和宝蟾说道：“今日是张大爷的好日子，所以被他们强不过吃了半钟，到这时候脸还发烧呢。”一句话没说完，金桂早接口道：“自然人家外人的酒比咱们自己家里的酒是有趣儿的。”薛蝌被他拿话一激，脸越红了，连忙走过来陪笑道：“嫂子说那里的话。”宝蟾见他二人交谈，便躲到屋里去了。

這金桂初時原要假意發作薛蝌兩句，無奈一見他兩頰微紅，雙眸帶澀，別有一种謹願可怜之意，早把自己那驕悍之氣感化到爪洼國去了，因笑說道：“這麼說，你的酒是硬強著才肯喝的呢。”薛蝌道：“我那里喝得來。”金桂道：“不喝也好，強如象你哥哥喝出亂子來，明兒娶了你們奶奶兒，象我這樣守活寡受孤單呢！”說到這里，兩個眼已經乜斜了，兩腮上也覺紅暈了。At first this Jingui had meant only to pretend to scold Xue Ke a little, but the moment she saw his two cheeks faintly flushed and his eyes moist and languid, there was about him a certain shy, pitiable air that at once melted away all her overbearing fierceness to who knows where, and she said with a laugh, "So you mean to say you only drank because they forced it on you." Xue Ke said, "I really can't drink at all." Jingui said, "It's just as well you don't — better than your elder brother, who drank himself into disaster; one day, once you've married our young lady, imagine me left like this, a widow in all but name, keeping to a lonely, empty room!" By the time she said this, her eyes had already gone half-lidded and sidelong, and a flush had risen on both her cheeks.薛蝌見這話越發邪僻了，打算著要走。Seeing that her words were growing more and more improper, Xue Ke thought of getting away.金桂也看出來了，那里容得，早已走過來一把拉住。Jingui saw this too, and how could she let him go — she had already stepped over and caught hold of him with one hand.薛蝌急了道：“嫂子放尊重些。”說著渾身亂顫。Xue Ke, alarmed, said, "Sister-in-law, please behave yourself," trembling all over as he spoke.金桂索性老著臉道：“你只管進來，我和你說一句要緊的話。”正鬧著，忽聽背後一個人叫道：“奶奶，香菱來了。”把金桂唬了一跳，回頭瞧時，卻是寶蟾掀著帘子看他二人的光景，一抬頭見香菱從那邊來了，赶忙知會金桂。Jingui, brazening it out all the more, said, "Just come inside — I have something important to say to you." In the midst of this commotion, they suddenly heard someone behind them call out, "Madam, Xiangling is coming." This gave Jingui such a start that her hand loosened; turning to look, it was Baochan, who had lifted the curtain to watch the two of them, and, glancing up and seeing Xiangling coming from that direction, had hastily given Jingui warning.金桂這一驚不小，手已松了。This gave Jingui no small fright, and her hand had already let go.薛蝌得便脫身跑了。Xue Ke seized the chance and slipped free, running off.那香菱正走著，原不理會，忽聽寶蟾一嚷，才瞧見金桂在那里拉住薛蝌往里死拽。Xiangling, as it happened, had simply been walking along without paying attention, when she suddenly heard Baochan cry out, and only then saw Jingui there holding on to Xue Ke and dragging him hard toward the inner rooms.香菱卻唬的心頭亂跳，自己連忙轉身回去。Xiangling was so startled that her heart pounded wildly, and she hastily turned around and went back the way she had come.這里金桂早已連嚇帶氣，呆呆的瞅著薛蝌去了。Jingui, for her part, half in fright and half in fury, stood there staring blankly after Xue Ke as he went.怔了半天，恨了一聲，自己掃興歸房，從此把香菱恨入骨髓。After standing stunned for a long while, she let out a bitter sigh, and, thoroughly put out, went back to her room, and from that time on hated Xiangling to the very marrow of her bones.那香菱本是要到寶琴那里，剛走出腰門，看見這般，嚇回去了。As for Xiangling, she had originally meant to go to Baoqin's, but just as she stepped out through the corner gate, seeing this scene, she was so frightened that she turned back.

这金桂初时原要假意发作薛蝌两句，无奈一见他两颊微红，双眸带涩，别有一种谨愿可怜之意，早把自己那骄悍之气感化到爪洼国去了，因笑说道：“这么说，你的酒是硬强著才肯喝的呢。”薛蝌道：“我那里喝得来。”金桂道：“不喝也好，强如象你哥哥喝出乱子来，明儿娶了你们奶奶儿，象我这样守活寡受孤单呢！”说到这里，两个眼已经乜斜了，两腮上也觉红晕了。薛蝌见这话越发邪僻了，打算著要走。金桂也看出来了，那里容得，早已走过来一把拉住。薛蝌急了道：“嫂子放尊重些。”说著浑身乱颤。金桂索性老著脸道：“你只管进来，我和你说一句要紧的话。”正闹著，忽听背后一个人叫道：“奶奶，香菱来了。”把金桂唬了一跳，回头瞧时，却是宝蟾掀著帘子看他二人的光景，一抬头见香菱从那边来了，赶忙知会金桂。金桂这一惊不小，手已松了。薛蝌得便脱身跑了。那香菱正走著，原不理会，忽听宝蟾一嚷，才瞧见金桂在那里拉住薛蝌往里死拽。香菱却唬的心头乱跳，自己连忙转身回去。这里金桂早已连吓带气，呆呆的瞅著薛蝌去了。怔了半天，恨了一声，自己扫兴归房，从此把香菱恨入骨髓。那香菱本是要到宝琴那里，刚走出腰门，看见这般，吓回去了。

是日，寶釵在賈母屋里聽得王夫人告訴老太太要聘探春一事。That same day, Baochai, in the Lady Dowager's rooms, happened to overhear Lady Wang telling the old lady about the matter of betrothing Tanchun.賈母說道：“既是同鄉的人，很好。The Lady Dowager said, "If it's someone from the same home region, that's very good."只是聽見那孩子到過我們家里，怎麼你老爺沒有提起？”王夫人道：“連我們也不知道。”賈母道：“好便好，但是道兒太遠。"Only, I hear that this young man has been to our house before — how is it that your husband never mentioned it?" Lady Wang said, "Even we did not know of it." The Lady Dowager said, "Good as it may be, still, the place is so terribly far away."雖然老爺在那里，倘或將來老爺調任，可不是我們孩子太單了嗎。”王夫人道：“兩家都是做官的，也是拿不定。"Even though the Master is stationed out there, if in future he should be transferred elsewhere, would not our girl be left all alone, with no one of her own nearby?" Lady Wang said, "Both families are official families, so it's hard to say for certain."或者那邊還調進來，即不然，終有個葉落歸根。"Either that side will be transferred back in, or, failing that, in the end everyone returns to their roots eventually."況且老爺既在那里做官，上司已經說了，好意思不給么？"Besides, since the Master is serving as an official there, and his superior has already spoken for the match, how could it be proper to refuse?"想來老爺的主意定了，只是不做主，故遣人來回老太太的。”賈母道：“你們願意更好。"I imagine the Master's mind is already made up, only he does not presume to decide on his own, and so has sent someone to report to the Old Ancestress." The Lady Dowager said, "If you are all willing, so much the better."只是三丫頭這一去了，不知三年兩年那邊可能回家？"It is only that once this third girl goes off, there is no knowing whether, in two years or three, she will be able to come home from over there."若再遲了，恐怕我赶不上再見他一面了。”說著，掉下淚來。"And if it drags on too long, I'm afraid I won't live to see her again." So saying, she began to shed tears.王夫人道：“孩子們大了，少不得總要給人家的。Lady Wang said, "The children have grown up, and sooner or later they must all be given in marriage to someone."就是本鄉本土的人，除非不做官還使得，若是做官的，誰保得住總在一處。"Even someone from our own home region — unless he holds no office, that would do well enough, but if he is an official, who can guarantee he will always stay in one place?"只要孩子們有造化就好。"So long as the children have good fortune, that is all that matters."譬如迎姑娘倒配得近呢，偏是時常聽見他被女婿打鬧，甚至不給飯吃。"Take Second Miss Ying, for instance — she was married close by, as it happens, and yet we constantly hear that she is bullied and beaten by her husband, even to the point of being denied food."就是我們送了東西去，他也摸不著。"Even when we send things over to her, they never actually reach her hands."近來聽見益發不好了，也不放他回來。"Lately I hear it has gotten even worse, and they won't even let her come home."兩口子拌起來就說咱們使了他家的銀錢。"Whenever the couple quarrels, he goes so far as to say that we have used up his family's silver."可怜這孩子總不得個出頭的日子。"It's pitiful — this poor child never seems to have a day of relief in sight."前兒我惦記他，打發人去瞧他，迎丫頭藏在耳房里不肯出來。"The other day, worrying about her, I sent someone to look in on her, and Ying-er hid herself in the side room and would not come out."老婆子們必要進去，看見我們姑娘這樣冷天還穿著幾件舊衣裳。"The old women insisted on going in, and saw that our young lady, even in such cold weather, was still wearing several layers of worn old clothes."他一包眼淚的告訴婆子們說：‘回去別說我這麼苦，這也是命里所招，也不用送什麼衣服東西來，不但摸不著，反要添一頓打。"With tears streaming down, she told the old women, 'When you go back, don't tell anyone how badly off I am — this too was brought on by fate, and there's no need to send any clothes or things either, for not only would they never reach me, it would only earn me another beating.'"說是我告訴的。’老太太想想，這倒是近處眼見的，若不好更難受。"'Say it was I who told you so.' When I think it over, Old Ancestress, this is something seen with my own eyes close at hand, and it is hard enough to bear as it is — if it were not so, it would be even harder to endure."倒虧了大太太也不理會他，大老爺也不出個頭！"And to think that the First Lady pays no mind to it, and the First Master never once steps in to speak for her!"如今迎姑娘實在比我們三等使喚的丫頭還不如。"Nowadays Ying-er really fares worse than even our third-rate maidservants here."我想探丫頭雖不是我養的，老爺既看見過女婿，定然是好才許的。"As for our Tan-girl, though she is not my own daughter, since the Master has already met the young man himself, he surely would not have agreed to it unless it were a good match."只請老太太示下，擇個好日子，多派幾個人送到他老爺任上。"I only ask the Old Ancestress to give the word, to choose an auspicious day, and to send a good number of people along with her to her father's post."該怎麼著，老爺也不肯將就。”賈母道：“有他老子作主，你就料理妥當，揀個長行的日子送去，也就定了一件事。”王夫人答應著“是”。"Whatever needs to be done, the Master certainly will not skimp on it." The Lady Dowager said, "With her father to decide the matter, you need only see to the arrangements properly; pick a good day for a long journey and send her off — that will settle the matter." Lady Wang answered, "Yes."寶釵聽得明白，也不敢則聲，只是心里叫苦：“我們家里姑娘們就算他是個尖兒，如今又要遠嫁，眼看著這里的人一天少似一天了。”見王夫人起身告辭出去，他也送了出來，一徑回到自己房中，并不與寶玉說話。Baochai, listening, understood it all clearly, but dared not utter a sound; only in her heart she lamented, "Among the young ladies of our family, she was reckoned among the very best, and now she too must marry off far away — before our eyes, the people here grow fewer by the day." Seeing Lady Wang rise to take her leave, she too saw her out, then went straight back to her own room, and said nothing at all to Baoyu.見襲人獨自一個做活，便將聽見的話說了。Finding Xiren working alone at her needlework, she told her what she had just heard.襲人也很不受用。Xiren too felt very ill at ease over it.

是日，宝钗在贾母屋里听得王夫人告诉老太太要聘探春一事。贾母说道：“既是同乡的人，很好。只是听见那孩子到过我们家里，怎么你老爷没有提起？”王夫人道：“连我们也不知道。”贾母道：“好便好，但是道儿太远。虽然老爷在那里，倘或将来老爷调任，可不是我们孩子太单了吗。”王夫人道：“两家都是做官的，也是拿不定。或者那边还调进来，即不然，终有个叶落归根。况且老爷既在那里做官，上司已经说了，好意思不给么？想来老爷的主意定了，只是不做主，故遣人来回老太太的。”贾母道：“你们愿意更好。只是三丫头这一去了，不知三年两年那边可能回家？若再迟了，恐怕我赶不上再见他一面了。”说著，掉下泪来。王夫人道：“孩子们大了，少不得总要给人家的。就是本乡本土的人，除非不做官还使得，若是做官的，谁保得住总在一处。只要孩子们有造化就好。譬如迎姑娘倒配得近呢，偏是时常听见他被女婿打闹，甚至不给饭吃。就是我们送了东西去，他也摸不著。近来听见益发不好了，也不放他回来。两口子拌起来就说咱们使了他家的银钱。可怜这孩子总不得个出头的日子。前儿我惦记他，打发人去瞧他，迎丫头藏在耳房里不肯出来。老婆子们必要进去，看见我们姑娘这样冷天还穿著几件旧衣裳。他一包眼泪的告诉婆子们说：‘回去别说我这么苦，这也是命里所招，也不用送什么衣服东西来，不但摸不著，反要添一顿打。说是我告诉的。’老太太想想，这倒是近处眼见的，若不好更难受。倒亏了大太太也不理会他，大老爷也不出个头！如今迎姑娘实在比我们三等使唤的丫头还不如。我想探丫头虽不是我养的，老爷既看见过女婿，定然是好才许的。只请老太太示下，择个好日子，多派几个人送到他老爷任上。该怎么著，老爷也不肯将就。”贾母道：“有他老子作主，你就料理妥当，拣个长行的日子送去，也就定了一件事。”王夫人答应著“是”。宝钗听得明白，也不敢则声，只是心里叫苦：“我们家里姑娘们就算他是个尖儿，如今又要远嫁，眼看著这里的人一天少似一天了。”见王夫人起身告辞出去，他也送了出来，一径回到自己房中，并不与宝玉说话。见袭人独自一个做活，便将听见的话说了。袭人也很不受用。

卻說趙姨娘聽見探春這事，反歡喜起來，心里說道：“我這個丫頭在家忒瞧不起我，我何從還是個娘，比他的丫頭還不濟。Now, when Aunt Zhao heard of this matter of Tanchun's, she was, on the contrary, delighted, and said to herself, "This girl of mine has always looked down on me at home so — how is it that I, who am after all her mother, should count for even less than her own maid."況且洑上水護著別人。"And besides, she has always sided with others and taken their part, currying favor."他擋在頭里，連環兒也不得出頭。"With her standing in the way, even Huan-er could never get his due."如今老爺接了去，我倒乾淨。"Now that the Master is having her fetched away, I shall be rid of her, and all the better for it."想要他孝敬我，不能夠了。"As for hoping she would ever show me filial devotion, that is simply out of the question now."只願意他象迎丫頭似的，我也稱稱願。”一面想著，一面跑到探春那邊與他道喜說：“姑娘，你是要高飛的人了，到了姑爺那邊自然比家里還好。"I only wish she'd turn out like that Ying girl — then I too would have gotten my wish." So thinking, she hurried over to Tanchun's side to wish her joy, saying, "Miss, you're about to soar high now — once you're at your husband's family's side, it will surely be better than here at home.想來你也是願意的。Thinking it over, you must be willing too.便是養了你一場，并沒有借你的光兒。After all, I raised you all this while, and I never got to bask in your good fortune.就是我有七分不好，也有三分的好，總不要一去了把我擱在腦杓子後頭。”探春聽著毫無道理，只低頭作活，一句也不言語。Even if I was seven-tenths bad, I was still three-tenths good — once you're gone, don't just push me to the back of your mind." Tanchun, hearing this, found it utterly unreasonable, and only bowed her head over her needlework, not saying a single word.趙姨娘見他不理，氣忿忿的自己去了。Seeing that she paid her no attention, Aunt Zhao stormed off in a huff.

却说赵姨娘听见探春这事，反欢喜起来，心里说道：“我这个丫头在家忒瞧不起我，我何从还是个娘，比他的丫头还不济。况且洑上水护著别人。他挡在头里，连环儿也不得出头。如今老爷接了去，我倒干净。想要他孝敬我，不能够了。只愿意他象迎丫头似的，我也称称愿。”一面想著，一面跑到探春那边与他道喜说：“姑娘，你是要高飞的人了，到了姑爷那边自然比家里还好。想来你也是愿意的。便是养了你一场，并没有借你的光儿。就是我有七分不好，也有三分的好，总不要一去了把我搁在脑杓子后头。”探春听著毫无道理，只低头作活，一句也不言语。赵姨娘见他不理，气忿忿的自己去了。

這里探春又氣又笑，又傷心，也不過自己掉淚而已。Here Tanchun felt anger, amusement, and sorrow all at once, and in the end could only shed her own tears.坐了一回，悶悶的走到寶玉這邊來。After sitting for a while, she walked over, downhearted, to Baoyu's side.寶玉因問道：“三妹妹，我聽見林妹妹死的時候你在那里來著。Baoyu then asked her, "Third Sister, I heard you were there when Cousin Lin died.我還聽見說，林妹妹死的時候遠遠的有音樂之聲。I also heard that when Cousin Lin died, there was the sound of music far off in the distance.或者他是有來歷的也未可知。”探春笑道：“那是你心里想著罷了。Perhaps she had some special origin — who can say?" Tanchun said with a smile, "That's just something you imagined in your own mind.只是那夜卻怪，不似人家鼓樂之音。It's only that the sounds that night were strange, not like the drums and music of ordinary folk.你的話或者也是。”寶玉聽了，更以為實。Perhaps what you say is true after all." Hearing this, Baoyu was all the more convinced it was real.又想前日自己神魂飄蕩之時，曾見一人，說是黛玉生不同人，死不同鬼，必是那里的仙子臨凡。He recalled again that the other day, when his spirit had drifted off, he had seen someone who said that Daiyu, in life unlike other people and in death unlike other ghosts, must have been some immortal maiden come down into the mortal world.忽又想起那年唱戲做的嫦娥，飄飄艷艷，何等風致。Then he suddenly remembered the Chang'e from the opera performed that year, so ethereal and lovely, of such exquisite bearing.過了一回，探春去了。After a while, Tanchun left.因必要紫鵑過來，立即回了賈母去叫他。Because he insisted on having Zijuan come to him, he immediately sent word to Grandmother Jia to have her summoned.無奈紫鵑心里不願意，雖經賈母王夫人派了過來，也就沒法，只是在寶玉跟前，不是噯聲，就是歎氣的。But Zijuan was unwilling at heart; although Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang had assigned her to come, there was nothing to be done about that — in front of Baoyu she did nothing but sigh, one moment groaning, the next sighing.寶玉背地里拉著他，低聲下氣要問黛玉的話，紫鵑從沒好話回答。Baoyu, when no one was watching, would take hold of her and, in a low and humble voice, try to ask her about Daiyu, but Zijuan never once gave him a civil answer.寶釵倒背底里夸他有忠心，并不嗔怪他。Baochai, on the contrary, privately praised her for her loyalty and did not blame her at all.那雪雁雖是寶玉娶親這夜出過力的，寶釵見他心地不甚明白，便回了賈母王夫人，將他配了一個小廝，各自過活去了。As for Xueyan, although she had exerted herself on the night of Baoyu's wedding, Baochai saw that she was not very quick-witted, and so reported to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang and had her married off to a young page, so that each went their own way to live separately.王奶媽養著他，將來好送黛玉的靈柩回南。Nurse Wang was kept on, so that in the future she could accompany Daiyu's coffin back to the south.鸚哥等小丫頭仍伏侍了老太太。Yinger and the other young maids went back to waiting on the Old Ancestress.寶玉本想念黛玉，因此及彼，又想跟黛玉的人已經雲散，更加納悶。Baoyu, already missing Daiyu, went from thinking of her to thinking of this, and reflecting that those who had once attended her had now scattered like clouds, grew all the more melancholy.悶到無可如何，忽又想起黛玉死得這樣清楚，必是離凡返仙去了，反又喜歡。When his gloom had reached the point where nothing could be done about it, he suddenly thought again that Daiyu had died so lucidly that she must have left the mortal world and returned to the immortals, and at that his mood turned to joy instead.忽然聽見襲人和寶釵那里講究探春出嫁之事，寶玉聽了，啊呀的一聲，哭倒在炕上。Just then he happened to overhear Xiren and Baochai discussing the matter of Tanchun's marrying away, and on hearing it Baoyu let out a cry of "Ah!" and collapsed weeping onto the kang.唬得寶釵襲人都來扶起說：“怎麼了？”寶玉早哭的說不出來，定了一回子神，說道：“這日子過不得了！Startled, Baochai and Xiren both hurried over to help him up, saying, "What's wrong?" But Baoyu was already crying too hard to speak; only after collecting himself for a while did he say, "I can't go on living like this!我姊妹們都一個一個的散了！My sisters and cousins are scattering one by one!林妹妹是成了仙去了。Cousin Lin has become an immortal and gone.大姐姐呢已經死了，這也罷了，沒天天在一塊。Eldest Sister is already dead — well, that's that, at least we weren't together every day anyway.二姐姐呢，碰著了一個混帳不堪的東西。Second Sister ran into an utterly worthless wretch of a husband.三妹妹又要遠嫁，總不得見的了。Third Sister is now to be married off far away, and I'll never get to see her again.史妹妹又不知要到那里去。Cousin Shi, who knows where she'll end up going.薛妹妹是有了人家的。Cousin Xue already has a family arranged for her.這些姐姐妹妹，難道一個都不留在家里，單留我做什麼！”襲人忙又拿話解勸。Of all these sisters and cousins, is not a single one to stay at home — what's the use of leaving only me here!" Xiren hurriedly tried to talk him round and comfort him.寶釵擺著手說：“你不用勸他，讓我來問他。”因問著寶玉道：“据你的心里，要這些姐妹都在家里陪到你老了，都不要為終身的事嗎？Baochai waved her hand and said, "There's no need for you to try to talk him round — let me question him." So she asked Baoyu, "According to what's in your heart, you want all these sisters and cousins to stay at home keeping you company until you're old, and none of them are ever to see to their own life's affairs?若說別人，或者還有別的想頭。If it were someone else, perhaps there might be some other idea behind it.你自己的姐姐妹妹，不用說沒有遠嫁的，就是有，老爺作主，你有什麼法兒！As for your own sisters and cousins, needless to say there's nothing to be said against one marrying far away — and even if there were, once Uncle has made the decision, what can you possibly do about it!打量天下獨是你一個人愛姐姐妹妹呢，若是都象你，就連我也不能陪你了。Do you imagine that you are the only person in the whole world who is fond of sisters and cousins? If everyone were like you, then even I would be unable to stay and keep you company.大凡人念書，原為的是明理，怎麼你益發糊涂了。In general, the whole point of people studying books is to come to understand reason — how is it that you've grown all the more muddle-headed instead?這麼說起來，我同襲姑娘各自一邊兒去，讓你把姐姐妹妹們都邀了來守著你。”寶玉聽了，兩只手拉住寶釵襲人道：“我也知道。By this reasoning, Xiren and I should each go off on our own, and let you invite all your sisters and cousins to come and watch over you instead." Hearing this, Baoyu took hold of Baochai and Xiren with both hands and said, "I know that too.為什麼散的這麼早呢？But why must they scatter so soon?等我化了灰的時候再散也不遲。”襲人掩著他的嘴道：“又胡說。Wait until I've turned to ashes, and it won't be too late for them to scatter then." Xiren covered his mouth with her hand and said, "There you go talking nonsense again.才這兩天身上好些，二奶奶才吃些飯。It's only these last two days that you've been feeling a bit better, and only now has Second Mistress managed to eat a little food.若是你又鬧翻了，我也不管了。”寶玉慢慢的聽他兩個人說話都有道理，只是心上不知道怎麼才好，只得強說道：“我卻明白，但只是心里鬧的慌。”寶釵也不理他，暗叫襲人快把定心丸給他吃了，慢慢的開導他。If you go and have another relapse, I won't take care of you anymore." Baoyu, listening slowly, felt that what the two of them said both made sense, only he did not know in his own heart what he ought to do, and could only force himself to say, "I do understand, it's just that my heart is in an unbearable turmoil." Baochai paid him no more attention, but quietly told Xiren to hurry and give him a calming pill to take, and slowly worked to bring him around.襲人便欲告訴探春說臨行不必來辭，寶釵道：“這怕什麼。Xiren then wanted to tell Tanchun that she need not come to say farewell before her departure, but Baochai said, "What is there to be afraid of in that?等消停幾日，待他心里明白，還要叫他們多說句話兒呢。Once things have settled down for a few days and his mind is clear again, we should actually have them talk with each other a bit more.況且三姑娘是极明白的人，不象那些假惺惺的人，少不得有一番箴諫。Besides, Third Miss is an extremely sensible person, not like those hypocritical types — she is sure to have some words of admonishment for him.他以後便不是這樣了。”正說著，賈母那邊打發過鴛鴦來說，知道寶玉舊病又發，叫襲人勸說安慰，叫他不要胡思亂想。After that he won't be like this anymore." Just as she was speaking, word came that Grandmother Jia had sent Yuanyang over to say that, having learned Baoyu's old illness had flared up again, Xiren was to comfort and console him, and tell him not to let his thoughts run wild.襲人等應了。Xiren and the others assented.鴛鴦坐了一會子去了。Yuanyang sat for a while and then left.那賈母又想起探春遠行，雖不備妝奩，其一應動用之物俱該預備，便把鳳姐叫來，將老爺的主意告訴了一遍，即叫他料理去。Grandmother Jia then also recalled that, for Tanchun's journey far away, although there was no need to prepare a dowry, all the everyday articles she would need should still be got ready, so she summoned Xifeng, told her once through what Sir Jia had in mind, and had her go and see to it at once.鳳姐答應，不知怎麼辦理，下回分解。Xifeng agreed to do so; as for how she actually handled the matter, that will be told in the next chapter.

这里探春又气又笑，又伤心，也不过自己掉泪而已。坐了一回，闷闷的走到宝玉这边来。宝玉因问道：“三妹妹，我听见林妹妹死的时候你在那里来著。我还听见说，林妹妹死的时候远远的有音乐之声。或者他是有来历的也未可知。”探春笑道：“那是你心里想著罢了。只是那夜却怪，不似人家鼓乐之音。你的话或者也是。”宝玉听了，更以为实。又想前日自己神魂飘荡之时，曾见一人，说是黛玉生不同人，死不同鬼，必是那里的仙子临凡。忽又想起那年唱戏做的嫦娥，飘飘艳艳，何等风致。过了一回，探春去了。因必要紫鹃过来，立即回了贾母去叫他。无奈紫鹃心里不愿意，虽经贾母王夫人派了过来，也就没法，只是在宝玉跟前，不是嗳声，就是叹气的。宝玉背地里拉著他，低声下气要问黛玉的话，紫鹃从没好话回答。宝钗倒背底里夸他有忠心，并不嗔怪他。那雪雁虽是宝玉娶亲这夜出过力的，宝钗见他心地不甚明白，便回了贾母王夫人，将他配了一个小厮，各自过活去了。王奶妈养著他，将来好送黛玉的灵柩回南。鹦哥等小丫头仍伏侍了老太太。宝玉本想念黛玉，因此及彼，又想跟黛玉的人已经云散，更加纳闷。闷到无可如何，忽又想起黛玉死得这样清楚，必是离凡返仙去了，反又喜欢。忽然听见袭人和宝钗那里讲究探春出嫁之事，宝玉听了，啊呀的一声，哭倒在炕上。唬得宝钗袭人都来扶起说：“怎么了？”宝玉早哭的说不出来，定了一回子神，说道：“这日子过不得了！我姊妹们都一个一个的散了！林妹妹是成了仙去了。大姐姐呢已经死了，这也罢了，没天天在一块。二姐姐呢，碰著了一个混帐不堪的东西。三妹妹又要远嫁，总不得见的了。史妹妹又不知要到那里去。薛妹妹是有了人家的。这些姐姐妹妹，难道一个都不留在家里，单留我做什么！”袭人忙又拿话解劝。宝钗摆著手说：“你不用劝他，让我来问他。”因问著宝玉道：“据你的心里，要这些姐妹都在家里陪到你老了，都不要为终身的事吗？若说别人，或者还有别的想头。你自己的姐姐妹妹，不用说没有远嫁的，就是有，老爷作主，你有什么法儿！打量天下独是你一个人爱姐姐妹妹呢，若是都象你，就连我也不能陪你了。大凡人念书，原为的是明理，怎么你益发糊涂了。这么说起来，我同袭姑娘各自一边儿去，让你把姐姐妹妹们都邀了来守著你。”宝玉听了，两只手拉住宝钗袭人道：“我也知道。为什么散的这么早呢？等我化了灰的时候再散也不迟。”袭人掩著他的嘴道：“又胡说。才这两天身上好些，二奶奶才吃些饭。若是你又闹翻了，我也不管了。”宝玉慢慢的听他两个人说话都有道理，只是心上不知道怎么才好，只得强说道：“我却明白，但只是心里闹的慌。”宝钗也不理他，暗叫袭人快把定心丸给他吃了，慢慢的开导他。袭人便欲告诉探春说临行不必来辞，宝钗道：“这怕什么。等消停几日，待他心里明白，还要叫他们多说句话儿呢。况且三姑娘是极明白的人，不象那些假惺惺的人，少不得有一番箴谏。他以后便不是这样了。”正说著，贾母那边打发过鸳鸯来说，知道宝玉旧病又发，叫袭人劝说安慰，叫他不要胡思乱想。袭人等应了。鸳鸯坐了一会子去了。那贾母又想起探春远行，虽不备妆奁，其一应动用之物俱该预备，便把凤姐叫来，将老爷的主意告诉了一遍，即叫他料理去。凤姐答应，不知怎么办理，下回分解。