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《第四回 歲盡頭千金收屋券 月圓夜萬里接鄉書 Chapter 4: Year Ends Head Thousand Gold Collect House Deed, Moon Round Night Ten Thousand Miles Receive Home Letter》[View] [Edit] [History]
An aligned English translation of this text is available and can be displayed alongside the source text (instructions). Please note that AI has been used in creating these translations. Translation setting: [None] [English]1  | 第四回 歲盡頭千金收屋券 月圓夜萬里接鄉書 Chapter Four: At Year's End, a Thousand Gold Pieces Are Paid for the House Deed; On the Night of the Full Moon, Letters from Home Arrive from Ten Thousand Li Away |
| 2 | 話說李紈、寶釵在黛玉處聽說王夫人請她，不知裏頭鬧了什麼，連忙進來。誰知王夫人將晴雯肯去的話告訴寶玉，寶玉便立時要見晴雯。王夫人生怕晴雯古怪，過分地逼著弄得改變了，一時沒了主意，忙叫玉釧兒請她兩個。 It is said that Li Wan and Baochai, having heard from Daiyu about Lady Wang's invitation to her, did not know what had happened inside, so they hurried in. Little did they know that Lady Wang had told Baoyu about Qingwen's willingness to go, and upon hearing this, Baoyu immediately wanted to see Qingwen. Lady Wang was afraid that Qingwen, being peculiar in nature, might be overly pressured and change her mind. At a loss for what to do at the moment, she hurriedly called Yu Zhuan to invite them both. |
| 3 | 那寶玉在碧紗櫥里似病非病地悶了好幾天，也到王夫人處走走，也替蘭哥兒講講，只是，心坎里總橫著一個黛玉，其次晴雯。幾回子要至大觀園去，又見賈政不時出進，生怕他查問出來，又復不敢到園裏去。卻想：「這兩箇回生的人恰好都在咫尺，比古人中轉生到別處、回生到別家的僥倖了許多，只是我對面不能相見。據太太說來，晴雯已說開了，況且從前過去時怎樣分訣的，如今紅綾襖還在我身上，料想見面後情分越好。只不知林妹妹心裡到底恨得我怎樣？就使我去見了林妹妹，我願意一言不發，聽憑她搜根到底盡盡絕絕地數說我。她終有說完的時候，也容我照依著一樣的剖一剖，就把我這箇心當真地剜出來叫她看看也好。她再不明白就死在她那裏，化了灰飛了煙叫她看著，她心兒里也可回不回？」 Baoyu, in the Green Gauze Bower, had been brooding for several days in a state between illness and not-illness. He occasionally visited Lady Wang, and also spoke on behalf of Lan'ge, but always, Daiyu lingered heavily in his heart, followed by Qingwen. Several times he wanted to go to the Grand View Garden, but seeing that Jia Zheng was frequently coming and going, he feared being questioned by him and thus dared not go into the garden again. Yet he thought, "These two people who have returned to life are both within arm's reach; compared to the ancients whose reincarnations took them elsewhere or into other families, this is much more fortunate. Yet I cannot meet them face to face." According to what Madam said, Qingwen had already agreed. Moreover, considering how we parted before and since I still wear the red brocade robe she gave me, I suppose our feelings will grow even closer after meeting again. I just wonder in my heart how deeply Lin Miaomiao still hates me? Even if I were to go see Lin Miaomiao, I would be willing to say not a word and let her scold me thoroughly from root to branch until she has exhausted every grievance. She will eventually finish speaking, and I would allow myself to explain in the same manner. Even if I were truly to carve out my heart for her to see, it would be fine. If she still does not understand, let me die there and turn to ashes and smoke for her to see; perhaps then the feelings in her heart may or may not return?" |
| 4 | 寶玉左思右想，顛顛倒倒總不過是這些念頭，哪裡還有心到寶釵身上。幸虧寶釵大方，明知他這個古怪性情，總要慢慢兒平復轉來的。他心兒裏自然那麼想，誰去理他。倒是李紈看不過意，想起從前賈珠的性情，嫡親兄弟一東一西，合著兩句俗話說「恩愛夫妻不到頭」，又說「不是冤家不聚頭」了。李紈倒在暗裏掉淚。每每的回味兒，念念蘭哥兒罷了。這正是各人心裡的想頭。 Baoyu thought back and forth, his mind in turmoil, but all he could think about were these very thoughts. He had no heart left for Baochai at all. Fortunately, Baochai was generous-minded; she well knew of his peculiar temperament and understood that it would take time for him to gradually recover. Of course he thought like this in his heart, but who would go out of their way to care about him? It was actually Li Wan who felt uneasy about it, recalling the former nature of Jia Zhu. The full-blooded brothers were now separated east and west; this matched two common sayings: "Loving couples do not live to see each other's end," and "If they are not destined enemies, they would never meet head-on." Li Wan secretly shed tears in private. She often reflected on the past, thinking only of Lan'ge. This was precisely what each person had in mind. |
| 5 | 寶玉千頭萬緒，忽想起傻大姐這孩子倒實心，也會跑，便悄悄地抓些果子給她，叫她到瀟湘館去「打聽林姑娘、晴雯姐姐做什麼事情、講什麼話，和誰人玩笑、頑不頑，悄悄地告訴我，我還有好東西、多少玩意兒賞給你。」這傻大姐點點頭跑去了。不多時跑回來，悄悄地道：「太太吩咐不許人進去，亦且林姑娘吩咐，是誰通不許進去。又是老爺纔進去呢，晴雯姐姐通不見。」這傻大姐說完了，又抓些果子兒跑去了。 Baoyu, overwhelmed with thoughts, suddenly remembered that Xiao'erjia was a sincere child and quick on her feet. So he secretly gave her some fruits and told her to go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to "find out what Lin Ge'er and Miss Qingwen are doing, what they're saying, who they're joking around with, whether or not they're playing, and quietly tell me; I have good things and many trinkets to reward you." Xiao'erjia nodded and ran off. Not long after, she ran back and whispered, "Madam has ordered that no one is allowed in, and Miss Lin also gave instructions—nobody at all may enter." "Even Uncle Jia just went in, but Miss Qingwen was not seen at all." After finishing her report, Xiao'erjia took some more fruits and ran off again. |
| 6 | 寶玉一無主意，竟將這瀟湘館看得似屬官上衙門還更難些，只得來向太太要晴雯。太太也沒法，只得去請她兩箇。寶玉聽見她兩個來，也害臊，就先去了。這兩個媳婦走進房來，先把黛玉、惜春戲笑的話告知。 Baoyu had no idea what to do; he now regarded Xiaoxiang Pavilion as even more difficult to access than an official's office. He could only come to Lady Wang and ask for Qingwen. Lady Wang had no choice but to go and invite them both. lineno Baoyu, upon hearing that they were coming, felt embarrassed and left first. The two wives entered the room and first informed her of the teasing remarks made by Daiyu and Xichun. |
| 7 | 太太笑道：「這也真正笑話。前日一個做和尚，今日一個做道姑，通有惜春這孩子在裡頭。如今和尚是做不成了，道姑又要新新地做起來，他們兩個真配對呢。鬧得人腦子也疼了。但是林姑娘呢？實在也委曲些，我也不是說一面話的。從前行事原覺得沒主意些，咱們這樣人家，兒女大事可不該明公正氣的。寶玉這孩子雖則淘氣，有他老子在家，怕他扳了天？偏是鳳丫頭在裡頭鬼張鬼智的，老太太依了她誰再拗她。從前不是這樣求你姨媽，姨媽怎樣肯將寶丫頭許過來。這寶丫頭過來也怪可憐兒的，到底費了賈家什麼事來。就是鳳丫頭呢，難道不是我的姪女兒。如今老爺提起來還怪我回護呢。從前鳳丫頭過來怎麼樣過來的，寶丫頭比她什麼，那時候倒無緣無故叫林姑娘頂這名兒。你前日說她過去的時候神明似的，樣樣知道。如今紫鵑又在那裏，鳳丫頭這些施為誰還瞞得她。前日寶玉說得好：『從前老太太、老爺、太太原告訴我說娶的是林妹妹，而且拜堂進房的時候還說是林妹妹。』寶丫頭，聽這話我也知道你不存心，從前不是老太太誇過的，說你比林丫頭強就在這不存心上頭。我這話不過各人憑一箇理就是了。索性林丫頭不回轉來也罷了，世界上有幾箇回轉來的人？她如今偏偏又回轉來了。寶玉果真不回來我還活甚的？若就林丫頭回轉來講，他倒不回來也罷了，他如今偏又回來了。我若珠兒在呢，也看破些，如今實在疼他。他死死活活地粘住林丫頭，林丫頭偏又這樣！這不是害寶玉，是害我了。而今還把晴雯也掉在那邊，這晴雯又是他的心上人兒。這孩子原也好，我前日當面說開了，她就知規著矩的，怎麼不疼她。你們怎麼哄她來走走，哄哄這箇，就叫她慢慢地同著紫鵑勸著林丫頭也明白過來。林丫頭肯叫我當面說開，也就大家說開了。 Lady Wang smiled and said, "This is indeed a joke." "The day before yesterday one became a monk, today another becomes a nun—Xichun is always involved in these things." "Now becoming a monk is no longer possible, but the girl wants to become a nun anew; they really make a pair." It's enough to give someone a headache. But what about Miss Lin? She has indeed been treated unfairly, and I am not one to take sides. In the past, her actions seemed indecisive; but in our kind of family, matters concerning children and marriage should be handled openly and fairly. Baoyu may be a mischievous child, but with his father at home, is there any fear that he could turn the sky upside down? It's just that Feng Yide is in there, scheming and plotting like a ghost; with Old Lady following her, who else would dare to oppose her? It was not until we earnestly asked your aunt before that Aunt agreed to betroth Bao'er to us. Poor Bao'er has been quite pitiable since coming over; after all, what did the Jia family ever do to her? And as for Feng Yide—she is not my niece? Now, even Master Jia brings it up and blames me for shielding her. How did Feng Yide come over in the past? What is Bao'er compared to her, yet at that time, for no reason at all, Miss Lin was made to bear this name. You said the day before yesterday that when she came over, she seemed like a deity, knowing everything. Now Zijuan is there too; who can hide anything from her about Feng Yide's actions? The day before yesterday, Baoyu said it well: "Originally, Old Lady, Master Jia, and Madam all told me that I was to marry Lin Miaomiao; even at the time of the wedding ceremony and entering the bridal chamber, they still called her Lin Miaomiao." Bao'er, from these words I know you do not mean to be malicious. As Old Lady once praised before, your strength over Lin Yade is precisely in this lack of malice. My words are only meant for each person to rely on their own sense of reason. If Lin Yade never returns, so be it; how many people in the world actually return from death? Yet she has returned precisely now. If Baoyu really does not return, what is the point of me living? As for Lin Yade returning—if he had not returned, that would have been fine. But now he has returned precisely again. If my son Zhu'er were still here, I might have seen through things more clearly; but now I truly care for him. He clings to Lin Yade with life and death, yet Lin Yade insists on being this way! This is not harming Baoyu—it's harming me. Now Qingwen has also been left over there, and she too is one of his beloveds. This child was originally good; I spoke plainly to her the other day, and she has since behaved properly—how could one not care for her? How about you coax her to come out and take a walk? If you gently persuade this one, she can gradually join Zijuan in persuading Lin Yade to understand as well. If Lin Yade is willing for me to speak plainly to her face, then everyone's matters will be resolved openly. |
| 8 | 你們還不知寶玉的靠背呢，他老子一席話通聽見了。老爺原說同你們商議商議，千穩萬妥，你老爺哪一天不到瀟湘館去走遭？你看他今日煩得怎樣似的，又去了。」 You still don't know Baoyu's back; he heard every word his father said. Master Jia originally said he would discuss it with you all, ensuring everything was thoroughly secure and well-considered. Which day has passed without your master visiting Xiaoxiang Pavilion? Look at how troubled he is today—off he went again." |
| 9 | 正說間，賈政已回來，一面進老太太屋裏，著人來請王夫人過去。只見賈政坐在交椅上歎氣，王夫人生怕他受著黛玉的言語又要乾連到自己身上，便道：「你不放心林姑娘麼？」 Just as they were speaking, Jia Zheng had already returned. He entered Old Lady's room and sent someone to summon Lady Wang over. They saw Jia Zheng sitting on a chair, sighing. Lady Wang was afraid that his resentment over Daiyu's words might involve her as well and said, "Are you not at ease with Miss Lin?" |
| 10 | 賈政搖頭道：「你們大家都疼她，她面上也好了，也不生分我。她的事你們慢慢地商議，有什麼不妥的，我倒不為此。」 Jia Zheng shook his head and said, "You all dote on her; she appears well now and does not treat me coldly. "You may discuss her affairs at your leisure. If there is anything improper, I am actually not concerned about this." |
| 11 | 王夫人道：「外頭的事情饑荒麼？」賈政點頭道：「很饑荒。」王夫人道：「本來不是時候了。」 Lady Wang asked, "Are things outside in a state of famine?" Jia Zheng nodded and said, "Very much so." Lady Wang said, "It is already too late for that originally." |
| 12 | 賈政歎氣道：「說起來實在惹氣，從前的帳頭帳腦，不要說你不管，我也不問。不知璉兒媳婦攪得怎麼樣的裡頭。若說帳目上原有，但出出進進，兩邊歸起來就沒清頭。本來呢，勢分也大了，零碎也多了，各樣什物也貴了，還有人情趕熱市的，單靠著祖上產業，出氣多，進氣少。就是家人工食、牲口麩料，一個月要開銷幾個錢？這些沒良心的吃著、拿著、埋怨著，誰還吃素呢？如今璉兒的空把式也穿了，他鬧得這樣，叫他還有什麼貼在裡頭？無不過拿我旗號址吧。他這會子招架不來，我就自己出去，這把式更不好打呢。恍恍的聽見南城外西帳也不少了，這還了得！我們這樣人家如何使這項錢？便使使轉不過更怎麼樣？如今少我們的也有，但只是貼些去纔好開發人家。倒也是箇時候了，多少空頭帳，璉兒只拿西間壁這所空房子抵當。這房子原是一萬五千銀子抵上的，講回贖也久了。那房主到這時候纔在那裏尋主顧，還說同這府裏一樣大小規模，要找給我們，好笑不好笑？璉兒還逢人抵當，等這項出豁呢。現今呢，公分也缺了。怎麼樣有三五千銀子且拉過二十邊去。」 Jia Zheng sighed and said, "To speak of it is truly frustrating. As for the previous accounts and matters—don't say you didn't manage them; I never asked either." I don't know what kind of mess Lin'er's wife has stirred up inside. If it were just the original accounts, but with constant outflows and inflows, when both sides are tallied together, there is no clear resolution. Originally, the family's status and influence have grown too large; expenses have become more numerous, and various items have increased in value. Moreover, people chase after those who are popular or influential, so relying solely on ancestral property results in more expenditures than income. Even just the wages for household servants and feed for livestock—how much does it cost each month? These heartless people eat, take, and complain at the same time—who among them still eats plain food? Now Lin'er's empty gestures are being worn out; with the way he has caused trouble, what else does he have left to rely on? It is nothing but using my name as a shield. Now that he cannot hold up, I will have to go out myself; this situation is even harder to manage. I vaguely heard that the western camp outside the southern city has not decreased in number—how can this be tolerated! How could a family like ours possibly spend money on such things? Even if we try to shift the burden, what else can be done? Now there are those who lack our support; but it is only by giving a little that we can properly manage relations with others. It really is time; there are so many empty accounts, and Lin'er only uses that vacant house in the western wing to cover them. This house was originally mortgaged for 15,000 taels of silver; it has been a long time since the redemption period began. Now, at this point in time, the landlord is only just there looking for a buyer, and still says it's as large-scale as our estate, demanding we buy it from him—how ridiculous! Lin'er is still pawning things off on people, waiting for this matter to be resolved. Nowadays, even the public shares are lacking. How can we manage to pull through with three or five thousand taels for twenty more sides?" |
| 13 | 王夫人聽著驚呆了，原有些體己怕充了公，便慢慢地道：「怎麼好？可好叫兩個媳婦尋尋去。」 Lady Wang was stunned by what she heard. Fearing that her private savings might be seized for public use, she slowly said, "What can we do?" "Perhaps it would help to send the two wives out to look around." |
| 14 | 賈政歎氣道：「孩子們東西沒奈何且典當著，過了年再跳還她卻也便當。」兩個都在婆婆房裡，王夫人便過來告訴了。她兩個知道時候近年，賈政發急，連忙回房去收拾。 Jia Zheng sighed and said, "The children's belongings must be pawned for now; it will be convenient enough to return them after the New Year." Both were in their mother-in-law's room, so Lady Wang went over and informed them. The two of them knew that the time was approaching for the New Year and saw that Jia Zheng was anxious, so they hurried back to their rooms to prepare. |
| 15 | 不料王夫人請她兩個去支使晴雯來哄寶玉，倒反乾了這件正經。寶玉親自聽見，如何敢再去催逼太太，只是一毫不管，獨在黛玉身上出神便了。誰知間壁這所空宅到了十二月十三，終究寫了找絕契，來向賈政找了一千兩銀子去。這事也巧，恰恰林良玉來京買了間壁走通一宅兩院，也是天緣巧合，後文不表。 Unluckily, Lady Wang had asked the two of them to send Qingwen over to amuse Baoyu instead of attending to this important matter. Baoyu had personally overheard it, so how could he dare go and urge Lady Wang again? He simply paid no attention at all and remained lost in thought about Daiyu. Little did they know that by the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the vacant house next door was finally sold with a final deed, and its owner came to Jia Zheng demanding one thousand taels of silver. It was a coincidence that Lin Liangyu happened to come to the capital and bought the adjacent house with connected courtyards—truly a matter of fate. Further details will not be elaborated here. |
| 16 | 且說李紈回房收拾，下午便不到瀟湘館來。本意叫小丫頭子到王夫人那邊取些另物事送去，卻恐黛玉多心，疑她怠慢，叫素雲一同送來。黛玉和她好，並不疑忌，只怕她著了寒諒，便問問她好。那素雲也防黛玉疑心，就將收拾的緣故告知了。黛玉細細地聽了，吃了些。 Let us return to Li Wan, who went back to her room to tidy up and did not visit Xiaoxiang Pavilion in the afternoon. She originally intended to send a young maid to Lady Wang's side to fetch some special items and deliver them, but fearing that Daiyu might be sensitive and suspect neglect, she asked Suyun to bring them over together. Daiyu was on good terms with her and had no suspicions; she only feared that Suyun might catch a chill, so she inquired after her well-being. Suyun also feared that Daiyu would suspect something and thus explained the reason for the visit. Daiyu listened carefully, then ate some of what was brought. |
| 17 | 下午無事，心裏也替賈政想起這府裡艱難，也替賈政的言語差不多，便想起自己五六十個箱子裏原有一千多葉金在內，分開放下。聽紫鵑說從前老太太吩咐，不要放在眼邊，交琥珀、平兒放在庫內。如今這些箱子分毫不動，只怕還在裏頭。 In the afternoon, with nothing to do, she thought about how difficult it must be for Jia Zheng managing this estate and felt that his words were almost entirely reasonable. She then recalled that among her fifty or sixty trunks there had originally been over a thousand gold ingots stored inside, which she decided to separate and set aside. Zijuan told her that in the past Lady Dowager had given instructions not to keep them nearby, but instead to entrust Hupo and Ping'er with storing them in the warehouse. Now these trunks have remained untouched by even a single coin; they were probably still inside. |
| 18 | 黛玉本來心細，極有經緯，王熙鳳只在外面張羅，林黛玉全用心思運用，金箱記號哪有遺忘。便叫紫鵑、晴雯悄悄同老婆子、小丫頭揀揚字雙號的箱子搬一個來。那裡一面去搬，這裏黛玉一面的想：「這還是揚州帶來的，我已決計修行，怎麼帶到天上去。既有此項，一則幫了舅舅過年，二則還了老太太白疼了我的帳，一輩子也爽快。但是要在母舅前交與舅母方好。」 Daiyu had always been meticulous and highly organized. While Wang Xifeng was only managing things from the outside, Lin Daiyu carefully kept track of everything in her mind; how could she possibly forget the markings on the gold chests? She then instructed Zijuan and Qingwen to quietly ask an old woman and a young maid servant to select one of the trunks marked with double numbers under the Yang character and bring it over. While they went to fetch the trunk, Daiyu pondered on her own: "This was brought from Yangzhou. I have already resolved to pursue cultivation; how can I take it with me to heaven?" "If there is this amount, first it will help my uncle celebrate the New Year, and secondly, it will repay Lady Dowager for all her kindness toward me; I would feel relieved for the rest of my life." "But it should be handed over to my aunt in front of my uncle first, and that will be proper." |
| 19 | 又想一想：「我是要修仙的人，這回子為世情上倒望起葉子金來，這一念好俗呢。」便雙手摸著那箇小小攢銅的著衣手爐，笑吟吟起來。不時間搬了來，果是有的。黛玉只不過要留些與晴雯、紫鵑，「我仙去了，給她兩個做念。」便將六百兩葉金另外裝好，餘者仍舊各自安放了。 But then she thought again: "I am a person who wants to cultivate immortality, yet now for worldly matters I have begun thinking about gold ingots—this single thought is so vulgar." She then took the small copper hand warmer with a pattern of accumulated coins in her hands and smiled. Soon they brought it over, and indeed there was gold inside. Daiyu only wanted to leave some for Qingwen and Zijuan, saying, "After I become an immortal, this will serve as a memento for the two of them." She then separately packed six hundred taels' worth of gold ingots and returned the rest to their original places. |
| 20 | 便叫她兩個說道：「將來我的這些東西一毫也用不著，這幾個箱子你們愛的就留著念念我，不愛的就賞些院子裏人。」晴雯也懂了，笑道：「姑娘上天去麼？」林黛玉頓著鳳鞋尖笑道：「差不多。」紫鵑也笑道：「姑娘好上去，難道掉下我？我也要。」黛玉笑道：「你也要上去？好好。」 She then told the two of them, "In the future, none of my things will be of any use. These few trunks—whichever you like, keep as a memento; if not, give some to the people in the courtyard." Qingwen understood and smiled, saying, "Miss is going up to heaven?" Lin Daiyu tapped the tip of her phoenix-shaped shoe and laughed, saying, "More or less." Zijuan also smiled and said, "Miss will go up easily—wouldn't you leave me behind?" "I want to too." Daiyu laughed and said, "You also want to go up?" "Very well." |
| 21 | 這林黛玉原是天下聰明不過的第一個人，這一句話卻好笑，似她這箇人要上天就上天定了，連丫頭也跟著去，豈不好笑。可見黛玉心已定到這樣，哪裡還有想到寶玉分兒。真個聽憑寶玉化灰化煙，也一毫不相干的了。 Lin Daiyu was originally the most intelligent person in the world. This single remark, however, was quite amusing—someone like her, who had decided to go up to heaven, would naturally take even her maids along with her; how comically absurd! It was clear that Daiyu's mind had already been made up to this extent—how could she still have any thoughts of Baoyu? She would truly let Baoyu turn into ashes or smoke, with not the slightest concern. |
| 22 | 不過黛玉聽見晴雯不一同跟著上天，也就覺得她終是那一路的，不如由她各人奔各人的，黛玉心裡觸到，卻也未曾露相。到了明日，王夫人、賈政先後進來，恰好遇著。黛玉便當著賈政，將葉金六百兩交與王夫人，說將就湊著年用。 However, when Daiyu heard that Qingwen would not follow her up to heaven together, she felt that after all, Qingwen was still of a different sort; it might be better for each to pursue their own path. Though this thought touched her heart, she did not show any sign of it outwardly. The next day, Lady Wang and Jia Zheng came in one after the other and happened to meet her. Daiyu, in front of Jia Zheng, handed over six hundred taels of gold ingots to Lady Wang and said it would help cover the expenses for the New Year. |
| 23 | 王夫人道：「怎麼倒動起你的體己來？」賈政便道：「她這孩子實心，就使她的。」黛玉也喜。賈政去了，王夫人等候寶釵來了，李紈、惜春也來了，王夫人也去了。 Lady Wang said, "Why are you even using your own private savings?" Jia Zheng then said, "This child is sincere; let her use it." Daiyu was also pleased. After Jia Zheng left, Lady Wang waited for Baochai to arrive; Li Wan and Xichun also came. Afterward, Lady Wang departed as well. |
| 24 | 王夫人倒不為這金子歡喜，卻疑心黛玉回心過來，悄悄問晴雯。那晴雯還不直說麼，她要上天，不要這些俗物了。王夫人又驚又笑，只把頭來搖，心裏便忖道：「寶玉這實心孩子便怎麼樣？」這日天晚，李紈等也都去了。 Lady Wang was not particularly pleased about the gold; instead, she suspected that Daiyu had changed her mind and secretly asked Qingwen. Qingwen did not hesitate to say directly: She wanted to go up to heaven and no longer needed these worldly things. Lady Wang was both surprised and amused, shaking her head as she thought to herself, "What will happen to this sincere child Baoyu?" That day, when evening came, Li Wan and the others also left. |
| 25 | 這裏紫鵑、晴雯都說昨日搬箱子的時候，箱子原放在閣兒上。這閣前倒罷了，那一帶閣道上隔著玻璃倒望得遠。小丫頭們還說，前日下雪的時候更好看呢。怪不得這班小東西整日間在樓梯上咕咚咕咚的，叫著她也不理，只往上頭鑽，一似掉了什麼似的。 Meanwhile, Zijuan and Qingwen both said that during yesterday's moving of the trunks, they had originally been placed on the attic. The view from this side of the attic was nothing special, but from that stretch of corridor with glass in between, one could see far ahead. The young maids even said it had looked even more beautiful the day before when it snowed. No wonder these little things were always clattering up and down the stairs all day, calling out to her but getting no response—she only kept climbing upward as if something had fallen. |
| 26 | 黛玉道：「今日幾時了？」紫鵑道：「昨日大月半」黛玉道：「這麼著，今日月亮很好，不知天上雲彩怎樣？」 Daiyu asked, "What time is it today?" Zijuan replied, "It was the fifteenth day of a big month yesterday." Daiyu said, "Then today must have a very nice moon. I wonder how the clouds look in the sky?" |
| 27 | 柳嫂子在院子裏說道：「雲彩兒吹盡了，西風到晚也止了，你看這個天青得好看呢。」晴雯道：「姑娘也大好了，咱們等月亮上來大家上去玩玩。」黛玉也依了。 Liu Pozi, speaking from outside the courtyard, said, "The clouds have all blown away, and by evening the west wind has died down. Look how beautifully clear the sky is." Qingwen said, "Miss seems much better now; let's wait for the moon to rise and go up there together to have some fun." Daiyu agreed. |
| 28 | 這些小丫頭聽不得一聲，就咕咚咕咚上去望，亂說八道地道：「東邊亮得很了」，又說道：「這裏也射過來了，」又說道：「咱們這竹子裏也花花綠綠的，」又拍手道：「慈鴨都家去完了，」只惹得柳嫂子在院子裏仰著頭、擺著手、悄悄地說她們，又趕到那一邊去搖搖手。這晴雯聽見也趕出來喝著。 These young maids could not resist the slightest encouragement and immediately clattered up to look, chattering nonsense: "The east side is already very bright," they said. Then someone else added, "It's shining over here too!" Another exclaimed, "Even in our bamboo grove it looks colorful and sparkling!" Someone even clapped her hands and shouted, "All the geese have gone home!" This only amused Liu Pozi, who stood outside the courtyard with her head tilted upward, waving her hand quietly at them, then hurried over to the other side and shook her hand again. Qingwen, hearing this, rushed out and scolded them. |
| 29 | 誰知道黛玉的心靜，只聽見「慈鴨家去完了」，陡然間觸起雙親亡過無家可歸，忽然間淚落不止。那些老婆子們次第將閣上火爐溫著，依了黛玉，只在中間點一盞小小玻璃燈，也用小鏡屏遮著不許它分著月色。這裏黛玉、紫鵑、晴雯便慢慢地轉過曲屏風來。 Little did they know, Daiyu's heart was calm and still. She only heard the words "All the geese have gone home," which suddenly stirred in her a deep sense of sorrow for having lost both parents and no place to return to; she broke down in tears uncontrollably. The old women in turn warmed the brazier on the attic as instructed by Daiyu, lighting only a small glass lamp at its center. They also used small mirror screens to block it from reflecting moonlight. Meanwhile, Daiyu, Zijuan, and Qingwen slowly turned around the curved screen. |
| 30 | 紫鵑便叫仔細些，只為屏風後花磚下年深月久，多有竹鞭行過來，就在磚縫裏迸出一筍，皆因曾經封鎖之故。靠著扶梯邊也還長起一根竹竿撐到樓板上，砍了一大半，還枯了小半竿。小丫頭們時常去搖著它玩。黛玉等到了閣上，索性將玻璃窗開了。 Zijuan called out to be careful, explaining that behind the screen, under the flower bricks, after many years, bamboo rhizomes had spread through and sprouted shoots from the cracks in the bricks—this was due to the previous sealing. Even by the side of the ladder, a bamboo stalk had grown up to support itself against the floorboard. It was cut halfway through and the remaining half had withered. The young maids often went over to shake it for fun. When Daiyu and the others arrived at the attic, they decided to open the glass windows completely. |
| 31 | 這冷氣卻也不小，雖則護著貂鼠、暖著火爐也剛敵個住。遠遠的一輪明月湧將上來，這裏天也大，閣也高，月亮也起得快，倒像有人趕著走似的，直把這一簇人全浸在大月光里。黛玉便說：「你們不必拘著，各人隨意走走。」黛玉便撿一月亮正面處扶了欄桿立住了。 The cold air was quite strong; even with sable fur for warmth and a brazier nearby, it barely kept them warm enough. From afar, a bright full moon rose swiftly. The sky was vast, the attic high, and the moon climbed quickly, as if someone were chasing it forward, directly immersing this group of people in its radiant glow. Daiyu then said, "You need not be拘束; feel free to walk around as you please." Daiyu picked a spot where the moonlight shone directly and leaned against the railing, standing there. |
| 32 | 仔細看，恍恍的山河影子也辨出來，只見這大觀園也不小，立在這裏十分冷清，比從前凹晶館同史湘雲聯句時看月亮還皎潔親近些。便想：「這月亮果然可愛，我最捨不得。誰人還能做一兩句贊它？就算鮑照的『纖纖如玉鉤，娟娟似娥眉』像些，也不能說出它精神來。這樣圓月怎麼讚好，那杜甫、李白的『金盆』、『玉盤』更俗些兒了。白香山『照他幾許人斷腸』，王安石《梅花詩》『好借月魂來映獨』，算好了，也不過旁面說說，有些意思罷了，其實這樣空明精彩，誰人說得親切。」 Looking carefully, she could vaguely discern the shadows of rivers and mountains. She saw that this Grand View Garden was not small at all; standing here, it felt especially desolate and quiet—brighter and more intimate than when she had viewed the moon with Shi Xiangyun reciting couplets together by the Concave Crystal Pavilion before. She thought to herself: "This moon is indeed lovely; I find it hardest to part with." Who could compose a couplet or two in its praise? Even though Bao Zhao's lines, "Fine as a jade hook, graceful like the eyebrow of Chang'e," resemble it somewhat, they still cannot capture its essence. How could one properly praise such a full moon? Even Du Fu and Li Bai's metaphors of "golden basin" or "jade plate" seem somewhat vulgar by comparison. Bai Juyi's line, "It casts sorrow into the hearts of many," and Wang Anshi's plum blossom poem, "Good to borrow the moon's soul to illuminate solitude," are well done, but they only speak from a side perspective—there is some meaning, but in truth, who could ever express so intimately this vast clarity and brilliance? |
| 33 | 又想：「這月亮到底是個圓，照下來這樣可愛。照上去便怎樣？要得知道，總要上面去纔好，不要天上還另有個月亮。我若立定志修成了，怎麼不許我上面看去，也便四下裏望望。這大觀園中樓臺上的瓦，明靚靚著了油似的，這些樹木遠遠的同這碧巒翠障分別不出。近的也便水洗過似的，那一曲一曲的池子如鏡子新磨。再望去遠遠的即是榮國府，這燈火之影也還如火龍一條。」暗暗點頭道：「這府裡事情也難，舅舅年紀也漸漸大了，怎麼得個經緯人出來把持把持。」 She thought again: "This moon is ultimately full; it shines down like this, so lovely. What if it shines upward?" To know for sure, one must go up there. There shouldn't be another moon in the heavens above. If I resolve to cultivate and succeed, how could they not allow me to go up there and look around? The tiles on the pavilions and towers in this Grand View Garden gleamed as if polished with oil, while these trees from afar blended seamlessly into the emerald hills and green barriers. The nearer ones looked as if freshly washed, with each winding pool reflecting like newly polished mirrors. Looking further out into the distance was the Rongguo Mansion, and even its shadow of lights still resembled a single fiery dragon. She nodded silently and thought, "Managing this estate is difficult enough. My uncle's age is gradually increasing; how can someone capable emerge to take charge and manage things properly?" |
| 34 | 忽然遠遠的深樹飄出一聲鐘聲來，真個地迥天空，倍覺悠揚入耳。也似有傾經之聲，月裏望去約是櫳翠庵，便想到：「惜春姐姐立志也堅，但只管念這些經做什麼，我若是心裏一明，立刻就去了。」紫鵑等怕她著了寒，半中間也將五回皮酒化了養榮丸催她服了，慢慢地一同下來。 Suddenly, from far away among the deep trees, a bell's sound drifted out. Truly, with its distant echo across land and sky, it sounded especially lingering and pleasant to the ear. It also seemed to carry the sound of chanting scriptures. Looking toward where the moonlight fell, it appeared to be Longcui Nunnery. She thought: "Sister Xichun has a firm resolve, but what is the point in merely chanting these scriptures? If I achieve enlightenment within my heart, I would leave immediately." Zijuan and the others were afraid she might catch a chill. Halfway through, they melted five doses of píjiǔ (a type of medicinal wine) into Yangrong Pills to urge her to take them, then slowly came down together with her. |
| 35 | 進房坐定，半晌這黛玉心頭還亮汪汪有個月亮，眼睛也還晃晃的。便慢慢地從頭至尾想起來：「從小兒父母雙亡送到這裏，老太太原也十分疼我，否則小孩兒家怎麼就與寶玉一房。這寶玉也可恨，前世孽障似的，一直粘著我，我也呆得緊，怎麼也看不破。我原自己糊塗，為什麼像蜘蛛網兒似的就粘住了。到底算個什麼？心裡頭七七八八的，還防著寶釵、湘雲，誰知她們倒也各不相干。雖則寶玉纏得緊，難道不是我自己尋進苦海去的。這個鳳嫂子同襲人一明一暗背後面前的竟弄到我這樣。那寶玉瘋顛的時候，我也迷了本性，一個女孩兒家想起來也害臊。到了鳳嫂子鬧鬼的時候我就比什麼不如，到過去的時候燒這絹子，回過來還叫出他名字來，這是何苦呢！我如今是另一世的人了，各色各樣看破了，天大亮了，他們還要來哄我，當我什麼人呢？我的父母統亡過了，只有這個良玉哥哥，雖則叔伯兄弟，他也從小父母雙亡，我媽懷裏長大的。他這個孝順，世上還有麼？他愛我則敢比老太太實心些。我只等他來同他去。我的事情我自己做主，他敢不順著我？我若不做一個蘭香真人，也不是林黛玉了。」從來人的主見，最怕是從頭至尾的想來，末後定個結局。如今黛玉這麼想，主意真箇定了。 After entering the room and settling in, for a long while Daiyu still felt as if there was a moon glowing brightly within her chest, and her eyes continued to shimmer. She slowly began to think back from the beginning: "Since I was a child, after both my parents passed away and I was sent here, Lady Dowager originally loved me very much. Otherwise, how could a little girl have been placed in the same room as Baoyu?" "This Baoyu is also hateful, like a karmic burden from the past life. He has always clung to me, and I was equally foolish, unable to see through it." "I was originally confused myself; why did we get entangled like a spider's web?" "In the end, what does it amount to?" Her heart was filled with all sorts of thoughts, and she still worried about Baochai and Xiangyun. Little did she know that they had nothing to do with it at all. "Although Baoyu clung tightly, was I not myself who plunged into this sea of suffering?" "This Madam Feng and Xi Ren, one openly and the other secretly, behind my back and in front of me, have actually driven me to this state." "When Baoyu was acting crazy, I also lost my true nature. Thinking back on it now as a girl, I feel ashamed." "When Madam Feng was causing trouble, I felt worse than anything. When she burned the handkerchief in the past and called out his name when returning it—what was the point of all that suffering!" "I am now a person reborn in another life. I have seen through all these matters, and everything is as clear as daylight. They still try to deceive me—what do they take me for?" "My parents are both gone. The only one left is my elder brother Liangyu. Though he is a cousin, since his own parents also passed away when he was young and he grew up in my mother's arms," "His filial piety—does the world still have such a thing?" "He loves me more sincerely than even Lady Dowager." "I will only wait for him to come and go with him." "My affairs are my own decision. Would he dare not follow me?" "If I do not become a true person of virtue like Lanxiang, then I am no longer Lin Daiyu." "Human resolve has always been most afraid of thinking through from beginning to end, and finally settling on an outcome." "Now that Daiyu thinks this way, her decision is truly made. |
| 36 | 正想著，遠遠似有喜鵲叫，黛玉還捨不得這個月色，重新走到外間，叫晴雯移了椅子扶上去站著，扯開窗子又看起月亮來。遠遠地聽那喜鵲叫聲，似乎有好幾個一群，驚著月亮，像天亮了，飛出窠來。黛玉便憶著「月明星稀，烏鵲南飛」之句，觸起鄉思。只見院子裏竹影斑斑駁駁，如畫譜一般，又觸著《琵琶記》上「何處是修竹、吾廬三徑」，也就懶懶地下來。 She was still thinking when, from afar, it seemed as if magpies were calling. Still reluctant to part with the moonlight, Daiyu went back out to the outer room and called Qingwen to move a chair over and help her up so she could stand and open the window again to gaze at the moon. From afar, she heard the calls of magpies, as if several flocks were together, startled by the moonlight. It seemed like dawn had come and they flew out from their nests. Daiyu recalled the lines, "When the moon is bright, stars are few; crows and magpies fly southward," which stirred up homesickness in her. Looking out, she saw the bamboo shadows in the courtyard were mottled and scattered like a painting scroll. This reminded her of the lines from The Pipa Record: "Where are the tall bamboos and my three paths?" She then lazily descended. |
| 37 | 這裡紫鵑、晴雯恐怕夜深了，催她進房，催她上床，那黛玉還遮著燈，戀著窗上的竹樹之影，不肯就睡。晴雯只得做起消夜活計來。叫小丫頭子，搬了火爐子進房來，只在火爐上燉起一勺水來，將白荷花蘭花鹵衝開，將寶釵送來的百合冷香丸化了，勸黛玉吃些。兩個也陪著吃了，說些閒話。聽得喧喧嚷嚷地好些人叩門進來，十分詫異。 Zijuan and Qingwen, fearing it was getting too late, urged her to go back into the room and get into bed. But Daiyu still held up a lamp, lingering over the shadows of bamboo and trees on the window, unwilling to sleep. Qingwen had no choice but to start preparing snacks for the night. She called a young maid to bring in the brazier, and on it she boiled a ladle of water. She poured hot water over white lotus and orchid sauce, melted Baochai's gift of Lily Cold Scented Pills, and urged Daiyu to take some. The two also ate along with her, chatting about trivial matters. They heard a loud clamor as many people knocked and came in, which greatly surprised them. |
| 38 | 開了門時，聽見說南邊有家信到了，又說是良大爺有信來了，是老爺叫周瑞引進來的。黛玉大喜，便問：「來的是誰？」周瑞便在外間答應道：「是王大爺。」黛玉喜歡得很，便說：「叫他進來。」 When the door was opened, they heard that a letter from the south had arrived. It was also said that Master Liang had sent a letter, and it was brought in by Master Zhou Rui at the master of the house's request. Daiyu was greatly delighted and asked, "Who is here?" Zhou Rui answered from the outer room, "It's Master Wang." _limited_streaming_ |
| 39 | 這王大爺叫王元，小名叫孝順哥兒，願是林運台的舊門上，亦是兩代老家人，年紀六十六七歲，好不忠心護主，在林家的分兒也就是賴大身分。也有好些的子孫事業，只因一心向了小主，還在林府內總管一切事情。這番專差他上京，有許多的重大事情交給他辦。這良玉的本生母雖與南安郡王親戚，卻因承祧過來，這邊親些，故此一直來到榮國公府中。 This Master Wang was named Wang Yuan, with the nickname Xiaoshun Geer. He used to be a gatekeeper for Lin Yuntai and was also an old family servant of two generations. In his sixties or seventies, he was very loyal in protecting his master, and within the Lin household, his status was equal to that of Lai Da. He also had many descendants and a thriving family, but because he was wholeheartedly devoted to the young master, he still managed all affairs within Lin's mansion. This time, a special errand had been assigned to him for going to the capital, with many important matters entrusted to him. Although Liangyu's biological mother was related to the Prince of Nan'an, because he had been adopted into this family line, his ties here were closer. Therefore, he had come directly to the Rongguogong Mansion. |
| 40 | 當下黛玉敬他是兩代的忠心老僕，就先立起來。這王元走進來就翻身下去，一個一個的磕了三個頭，站起來打了一個千，請姑娘安。黛玉道：「你老人家罷了。你老人家還硬朗，路上很辛苦，你還好？」 At that moment, Daiyu respected him as a loyal servant of two generations and immediately stood up first. Wang Yuan walked in, knelt down at once, and kowtowed three times one after another. Then he stood up, performed a deep bow, and greeted the young lady with respect. Daiyu said, "Please rise, old sir." "You are still strong and healthy. The journey must have been very tiring—how are you?" |
| 41 | 這王元又打一個千，立起來挺挺地站著，垂了手立在房門邊，替大爺請了姑娘安，然後捲起馬蹄袖子，彎轉腰向懷裏取出書信，雙手遞與紫鵑，紫鵑接過送與黛玉。這黛玉接在手且不看，先問：「大爺好？」王元道：「很好。」又問：「家裡事情好？」王元道：「很好。」又道：「大爺幾時動身？幾時到？」 Wang Yuan performed another deep bow, then stood up straight and respectfully with his hands hanging down by the side of the door. He delivered a message from Master Liang to Daiyu on behalf of his master. Then he rolled up his horse蹄 sleeves, bent over, took out the letter from inside his robe, and presented it with both hands to Zijuan, who in turn handed it over to Daiyu. Daiyu took the letter but did not look at it first; instead she asked, "Is Master well?" Wang Yuan replied, "Very well." She asked again, "Are the family affairs well?" Wang Yuan replied, "Very well." She then asked, "When did Master set out?" "When will he arrive?" |
| 42 | 王元道：「小的臨起身時，大爺吩咐說趕年內起身，那到的時候還拿不准。」又問：「這裏舅太爺處的信呢？」王元道：「已投了，當面請過安了，小的纔到。因為牲口車輛多，城門上累墜了，進城來天就黑了。小的還有同來的家人們十幾個，先招了店去，小的先帶他們的手本來請安。」說著，便將手本遞交紫鵑。 Wang Yuan replied, "When I was about to leave, Master instructed me that he would set out before the end of this year. As for when he will arrive, it is still uncertain." She asked again, "What about the letter from Uncle Taiye here?" Wang Yuan replied, "It has already been delivered. I personally paid my respects to him before arriving here." Because there were many animals and wagons, we got delayed at the city gate. By the time we entered the city, it was already dark. "There are also more than ten other family servants who came with me. I first sent them to find an inn, and I have come ahead with their visiting cards to pay my respects." As he spoke, he handed the visiting cards over to Zijuan. |
| 43 | 紫鵑接過來送在桌上。黛玉道：「你老人家也乏了，歇著吧。」王元道：「小的明日還要上來回話。」黛玉道：「曉得了，歇著罷。」王元應了一個是，便慢慢地退出，同這些人去了。這裡黛玉方才拆開家書來看。不知寫些什麼在裡頭，且聽下回分解。 Zijuan took them and placed them on the table. Daiyu said, "You must be tired, old sir. Please rest." Wang Yuan replied, "I still need to come back tomorrow to report." Daiyu said, "Understood. Please rest then." Wang Yuan responded with a "Yes," and slowly withdrew, going off with the others. Here, Daiyu finally opened the letter to read it. What was written inside remains unknown; we shall hear of it in the next chapter. |
URN: ctp:ws369061
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