1 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

话说平儿出来，吩咐林之孝家的道：“‘大事化为小事，小事化为没事’，方是兴旺之家。要是一点子小事便扬铃打鼓，乱折腾起来，不成道理。如今将他母女带回，照旧去当差，将秦显家的仍旧追回，再不必提此事，只是每日小心巡察要紧。”说毕，起身走了。柳家的母女忙向上磕头。林家的就带回园中，回了李纨探春。二人都说：“知道了。宁可无事，很好。”When Ping'er came out, she gave instructions to Lin Zhixiao's wife, saying: "Only a flourishing family can turn great matters into small ones and small ones into nothing at all." If one makes a big fuss over the slightest matter, causing unnecessary commotion, it would be unreasonable. Now bring back the mother and daughter, let them resume their duties as before. Retrieve Qin Xian's wife once more and do not mention this matter again; what is most important is to be vigilant and conduct daily inspections with care." After saying this, she got up and left. Liu Jia's mother and daughter hurriedly kowtowed toward her. Lin Jia's wife took them back to the garden and reported to Li Wan and Tanshun. Both of them said, "We understand." "It is better to have no trouble at all."

2 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

司棋等人空兴头了一阵。那秦显家的好容易等了这个空子钻了来，只兴头了半天。在厨房内正乱著收家伙、米粮、煤炭等物，又查出许多亏空来，说：“粳米短了两担，长用米又多支了一个月的，炭也欠著额数。”一面又打点送林之孝的礼，悄悄的备了一篓炭一担粳米在外边，就遣人送到林家去了；又打点送账房儿的礼，又备几样菜蔬请几位同事的人，说：“我来了，全仗你们列位扶持。自今以后，都是一家人了，我有照顾不到的，好歹大家照顾些。”Siqi and the others had only been excited for a while in vain. Qin Xian's wife, who had waited so long for this opportunity to take advantage of the situation, was only excited for half a day. While in the kitchen, they were just busy collecting utensils, rice, and coal when many shortages were discovered. It was said: "Two dan of jingmi [a type of rice] are missing; more than a month's supply of longyongmi has been taken out, and the quota for firewood is also short." At the same time, they were preparing a gift to send to Lin Zhixiao. Quietly, they had prepared one basket of firewood and two dan of jingmi outside, then sent them to Lin's home through someone else; They also prepared a gift for the accounting office and arranged several kinds of vegetables to invite some colleagues, saying: "Now that I am here, I rely entirely on your support." From now on, we are all one family. If there is anything I fail to take care of, please be kind enough to help out."

3 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

正乱著，忽有人来说：“你看完了这一顿早饭，就出去罢。柳嫂儿原无事，如今还交给他管了。”秦显家的听了，轰去了魂魄，垂头丧气，登时偃旗息鼓，卷包而去。送人之物，白白去了许多，自己倒要折变了赔补亏空。连司棋都气了个直眉瞪眼，无计挽回，只得罢了。While they were still in a state of confusion, someone suddenly came and said: "After you finish this early meal, go out at once." "Liu Sao originally had no responsibilities, but now she has been put in charge again." Upon hearing this, Qin Xian's wife was so shocked that she lost her composure. Her head hung low in dejection; at once, she gave up all pretense and left with her tail between her legs, packing up and going away. All the gifts intended for others were wasted in vain; she herself would now have to sell things off to make up for the shortages. Even Siqi was so angry that her eyebrows furrowed and she glared, but with no way to recover the situation, she could only give up.

4 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

赵姨娘正因彩云私赠了许多东西，被玉钏儿吵出，生恐查问出来，每日捏著一把汗，偷偷的打听信儿。忽见彩云来，告诉说：“都是宝玉应了，从此无事。”赵姨娘方把心放下来。Zhao Yinniang was just worried because Caiyun had secretly given her many things, and this had been revealed by Yu Zhuan. She feared that an investigation would uncover the truth, so every day she lived in anxiety, secretly seeking out news. Suddenly Caiyun came and told her: "It is all settled by Baoyu; from now on, there will be no trouble." Only then did Zhao Yinniang feel at ease.

5 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

谁知贾环听如此说，便起了疑心，将彩云凡私赠之物都拿出来了，照著彩云脸上摔了来，说：“你这‘两面三刀’的东西，我不稀罕！你不和宝玉好，他怎么肯替你应？你既有担当给了我，原该不叫一个人知道，如今你既然告诉了他，我再要这个，也没趣儿！”Little did they know that after hearing this, Jia Huan became suspicious and took out all the private gifts Caiyun had given to Zhao Yinniang. He threw them at Caiyun's face and said: "You two-faced wench! I don't want these!" "If you were not close to Baoyu, how would he have agreed to cover for you?" "If you had given me these things with the intention of keeping it a secret, no one should have known. Now that you've told him, I don't want them anymore—it would be pointless!"

6 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

彩云见如此，急的赌咒，起誓，至于哭了。百般解说，贾环执意不信，说：“不看你素日，我索性去告诉二嫂子，就说你偷来给我，我不敢要。你细想去罢！”说毕，摔手出去了。急的赵姨娘骂：“没造化的种子，这是怎么说？”气的彩云哭了个泪乾肠断。赵姨娘百般的安慰他：“好孩子，他辜负了你的心！我横竖看的真，我收起来，过两日，他自然回转过来了。”说著，便要收东西。彩云赌气，一顿卷包起来，趁人不见，来至园中，都撇在河内，顺水沉的沉，漂的漂了。自己气的夜里在被内暗哭了一夜。Caiyun, upon hearing this, became so anxious that she swore oaths and took vows, even crying. She tried every means to explain, but Jia Huan insisted on disbelieving her and said: "If I didn't consider your usual behavior, I would go straight to my second aunt and tell her that you stole these things for me, but I dared not accept them." "You had better think it over carefully!" After saying this, he stormed out with a dramatic gesture. Zhao Yinniang hurriedly scolded: "You wretched child! What are you talking about?" Caiyun was so upset that she cried until her tears dried up and her heart ached. Zhao Yinniang tried every way to comfort her, saying: "Good child, it is he who has betrayed your sincerity!" "I have watched carefully and know the truth. I will keep them for now, and in a couple of days, he will naturally come around." As she spoke, she was about to take back the things. In a fit of anger, Caiyun packed everything up and, taking advantage of no one being around, went to the garden. She threw all the items into the river; some sank while others floated away with the current. She was so upset that she secretly wept through the night, hidden under her quilt.

7 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

当下又值宝玉生日已到。原来宝琴也是这日，二人相同。王夫人不在家，不曾像往年热闹，只有张道士送了四样礼，换的寄名符儿；还有几处僧尼庙的和尚姑子送了供尖儿并寿星、纸马、疏头，并本宫星官值年太岁、周岁换的锁。家中常走的男女，先一日来上寿。王子腾那边，仍是一套衣服，一双鞋袜，一百寿桃，一百束上用银丝挂面。薛姨妈处减一半。其馀家中：尤氏仍是一双鞋袜；凤姐儿是一个宫制四面扣合堆绣荷包，装一个金寿星，一件波斯国的玩器。各庙中遣人去放堂舍钱。又另有宝琴之礼，不能备述。姐妹中皆随便，或有一扇的，或有一字的，或有一画的，或有一诗的，聊为应景而已。At this time, it happened to be Baoyu's birthday. Originally, Baoqin also had her birthday on the same day; thus, both of them shared the same birthday. Madam Wang was not at home and so it did not turn out as lively as in previous years. Only Master Zhang the Taoist sent four gifts, along with a name-changing amulet; In addition, several Buddhist monks and nuns from temples sent offerings such as ceremonial food items, images of the God of Longevity, paper horses, memorial scrolls, and locks representing the current year's guardian stars and the annual earth god, all for changing one's protective amulets. The usual male and female visitors from the household came to offer birthday greetings a day in advance. From Wang Ziteng's side, there was still one set of clothing, a pair of shoes and socks, 100 longevity peaches, and 100 bundles of silver-threaded noodles used for special occasions. Xue Yimama's gift was half as much. As for the rest of the family: You Shi still sent a pair of shoes and socks; Madam Feng was given an embroidered sachet made in the palace style with four fastening flaps, containing a golden longevity star and one exotic trinket from Persia. People were sent to various temples to make offerings of money in the prayer halls. There were also separate gifts for Baoqin, which cannot be fully described here. Among the sisters, everyone gave gifts at their own discretion—some a fan, some an inscription, some a painting, or a poem; these were merely small tokens to suit the occasion.

8 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

这日，宝玉清晨起来，梳洗已毕，便冠带了，来至前厅院中，已有李贵等四个人在那里设下天地香烛。宝玉炷了香，行了礼，奠茶烧纸后，便至宁府中宗祠祖先堂两处行毕了礼。出至月台上，又朝上遥拜过贾母、贾政、王夫人等。一顺到尤氏上房，行过礼，坐了一回，方向荣府。先至薛姨妈处，再三拉著，然后又见过薛蝌，让一回，方进园来。晴雯麝月二人跟随，小丫头夹著毡子，从李氏起，一一挨著。比自己长的房中到过，复出二门，至四个奶奶家，让了一回，方进来。虽众人要行礼，也不曾受。回至房中，袭人等只都来说一声就是了：王夫人有言，不令年轻人受礼，恐折了福寿，故此，皆不磕头。On this day, after Baoyu got up in the early morning and finished washing and dressing, he put on his formal attire and went to the front hall courtyard. Already there were four people including Li Gui who had set up incense and candles for a ritual offering to heaven and earth. Baoyu lit the incense, performed the ritual, and after offering tea and burning paper money, he went to both the ancestral hall in the Ning mansion and the family shrine, where he completed the ceremonies. Coming out onto the moon platform, he once again bowed from a distance toward Grandma Jia, Master Jia, and Madam Wang. He then proceeded in order to You Shi's main room, performed the proper courtesies, sat for a while, and finally went toward the Rong mansion. He first visited Xue Yimama, who insisted on keeping him for a while; after that, he paid his respects to Xue Kai and exchanged greetings before finally entering the garden. Qingwen and Shuyue followed him, while a small maid carried a felt mat as they passed by Li Shi one after another. He paid visits to the rooms of those who were older than himself, then exited through the second gate and visited the four madams' homes for a brief call before finally returning. Although many people wanted to perform courtesies toward him, he did not accept them. When he returned to his room, Xi Ren and the others only came in briefly to greet him. Madam Wang had given instructions that young people should not be made to receive formal courtesies, for fear of diminishing their fortune and longevity; therefore, none of them kowtowed.

9 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

一时，贾环贾兰来了，袭人连忙拉住，坐了一坐，便去了。宝玉笑道：“走乏了！”便歪在床上。方吃了半盏茶，只听外头咭咭呱呱，一群丫头笑著进来。原来是翠墨、小螺、翠缕、入画、邢岫烟的丫头篆儿，并奶子抱著巧姐儿，彩鸾绣鸾八九个人，都抱著红毡子来了，笑说道：“拜寿的挤破了门了。快拿面来我们吃！”刚进来时，探春、湘云、宝琴、岫烟、惜春也都来了。宝玉忙迎出来，笑说：“不敢起动。－－快预备好茶。”进入房中，不免推让一回，大家归坐。After a while, Jia Huan and Jia Lan arrived; Xi Ren quickly pulled him aside. They sat for a moment before leaving. Baoyu smiled and said: "I'm tired from all the walking!" He then leaned back on the bed. He had just drunk half a cup of tea when he heard giggling and chatter from outside, as a group of maids came in laughing. It turned out to be Cuimo, Xiaolu, Cilv, Ruhua, Xueyan's maid Zhuaner, and a wet nurse carrying Qiaojie, along with Cailuan, Xiuluan, and about eight or nine others. They were all holding red felt mats and laughed as they said: "The door has been crowded to pieces by those coming to offer birthday greetings." "Quickly bring out the noodles for us to eat!" When they first came in, Tanshun, Xiangyun, Baoqin, Xiuyan, and Xichun had already arrived. Baoyu hurriedly came out to greet them, smiling and saying: "I dare not trouble you all." "Quickly prepare some good tea." After entering the room, they naturally exchanged polite greetings and then all took their seats.

10 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

袭人等捧过茶来，才吃了一口，平儿也打扮的花技招展的来了。宝玉忙迎出来，笑说：“我方才到凤姐姐门上回进去，说不能见我；我又打发进去让姐姐来著。”平儿笑道：“我正打发你姐姐梳头，不得出来问你。后来听见又说让我，我那里禁当的起？所以特给二爷来磕头。”宝玉笑道：“我也禁当不起。”袭人早在门旁安了座，让他坐。平儿便拜下去，宝玉作揖不迭，平儿又跪下去，宝玉也忙还跪下，袭人连忙搀起来。又拜了一拜，宝玉又还了一揖。袭人笑推宝玉：“你再作揖。”宝玉道：“已经完了，怎么又作揖？”袭人笑道：“这是他来给你拜寿。今日也是他的生日，你也该给他拜寿。”宝玉喜的忙作揖，笑道：“原来今日也是姐姐的好日子。”平儿赶著也还了礼。湘云拉宝琴岫烟说：“你们四个人对拜寿，直拜一天才是。”探春忙问：“原来邢妹妹也是今日，我怎么就忘了？”忙命丫头：“去告诉二奶奶，赶著补了一分礼，和琴姑娘的一样，送到二姑娘屋里去。”丫头答应著去了。Xi Ren and others served tea, but just as they had taken a sip, Ping'er arrived, dressed up in such a way that her floral ornaments seemed to flutter. Baoyu hurried out to greet her, smiling and saying: "I had just returned from visiting Madam Feng's gate when I was told that she could not see me; and I even sent someone in to invite her." Ping'er smiled and said: "I was just sending your sister to have her hair done, so I couldn't come out to visit you." Later, when I heard that they said to invite me as well, how could I possibly be worthy of such an honor? That is why I specially came here to kowtow before Second Master." Baoyu smiled and said: "I am not worthy of it either." Xi Ren had already arranged a seat for her by the door and invited her to sit. Ping'er then knelt down, and Baoyu kept bowing repeatedly. Ping'er kneeled again, and Baoyu hurriedly returned the gesture by kneeling as well; Xi Ren quickly helped her up. Ping'er bowed once more, and Baoyu responded with another bow. Xi Ren laughed and pushed Baoyu: "You should bow again." Baoyu said: "Aren't the courtesies already completed? Why bow again?" Xi Ren smiled and said: "She is here to offer you birthday greetings. Today is also her birthday, so you should also offer her birthday greetings." Baoyu was delighted and hurriedly bowed, smiling and saying: "I didn't know today is also a happy day for you, sister." Ping'er quickly returned the courtesy. Xiangyun pulled Baoqin and Xiuyan aside and said: "The four of you could keep exchanging birthday greetings all day long." Tanshun hurriedly asked: "So Xueying is also celebrating her birthday today? How could I have forgotten?" She quickly ordered a maid: "Go tell Second Madam to hurriedly prepare an additional gift, the same as what was given to Miss Qin, and send it to Second Miss's room." The maid replied and went off.

11 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

岫烟见湘云直口说出来，少不得要到各房去让让。探春笑道：“倒有些意思。一年十二个月，月月有几个生日。人多了，就这样巧。也有三个一日的，两个一日的。大年初一也不白过，大姐姐占了去，－－怨不得他福大，生日比别人都占先－－又是大祖太爷的生日冥寿。过了灯节，就是大太太和宝姐姐，他们娘儿两个遇的巧。三月初一是太太的，初九是琏二哥哥。二月没人。”袭人道：“二月十二是林姑娘，怎么没人？－－只不是偺们家的。”探春笑道：“你看我这个记性儿！”宝玉笑指袭人道：“他和林妹妹是一日，他所以记得。”探春笑道：“原来你两个倒是一日？每年连头也不给我们磕一个。平儿的生日，我们也不知道，这也是才知道的。”平儿笑道：“我们是那牌儿名上的人，生日也没拜寿的福，又没受礼的职分，可吵嚷什么？可不悄悄儿的就过去了吗？今日他又偏吵出来了。等姑娘回房，我再行礼去罢。”探春笑道：“也不敢惊动。只是今日倒要替你作个生日，我心里才过的去。”宝玉湘云等一齐都说：“很是。”探春便吩咐了丫头：“去告诉他奶奶说：我们大家说了，今日一天不放平儿出去，我们也大家凑了分子过生日呢。”Xiuyan, seeing that Xiangyun had openly mentioned it, could not help but go to each room to make the proper calls. Tanshun smiled and said: "This is actually quite interesting." There are twelve months in a year, each with several birthdays to celebrate. With so many people, it's only natural that some birthdays would coincide by chance. Some days have three birthdays, others two on the same day. New Year's Day is not wasted either, as the eldest sister has claimed it—no wonder she is so fortunate; her birthday takes precedence over others. It is also the anniversary of Great Grandfather's birthday and death. After the Lantern Festival, it was the birthdays of Madam Da and Baochai; their mother and daughter coincidentally shared the same day. On the first day of the third month is Madam Tai's birthday, and on the ninth it is Lian Er Gege's. February has no birthdays." Xi Ren said: "On the twelfth of February is Miss Lin's birthday—how can there be no one?" "—It's just not someone from our family." Tanshun laughed and said: "Look at my terrible memory!" Baoyu pointed to Xi Ren with a smile, saying: "He shares the same birthday as Miss Lin, so he remembers." Tanshun laughed and asked: "So you two actually share the same birthday?" Every year, not even a single bow of greeting is given to us. "We didn't know about Ping'er's birthday either; we just found out now." Ping'er smiled and said: "We are just common people on the roster; we don't have the fortune to receive birthday blessings, nor do we hold any position that entitles us to gifts. What is there to make a fuss about?" Wouldn't it just quietly pass by like that? But today, he insisted on making a scene. "When Miss returns to her room, I will go and pay my respects then." Tanshun laughed and replied: "We wouldn't dare disturb you. "But today, I must throw a birthday celebration for you; only then will my conscience be at ease." Baoyu, Xiangyun and others all said in unison: "That's very kind of you." Tanshun then gave instructions to the maidservant: "Go tell his grandmother that we all agreed today not to let Ping'er go out at all, because we are pooling our contributions together for a birthday celebration."

12 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

丫头笑著去了，半日回来说：“二奶奶说了，多谢姑娘们给他脸。不知过生日给他些什么吃。只别忘了二奶奶，就不来絮聒他了。”众人都笑了。探春因说道：“可巧今日里头厨房不预备饭，一应下面弄菜，都是外头收拾。偺们就凑了钱，叫柳家的来领了去，只在偺们里头收拾倒好。”众人都说：“很好。”The maid went off with a smile and returned after some time, saying: "Madam Er said she is very grateful for the honor you all have given her. She doesn't know what to serve him for his birthday meal." "Just don't forget Madam Er, and she won't bother you anymore." Everyone laughed. Tanshun then said: "It's fortunate that the kitchen inside is not preparing any meals today; all the noodle-making and cooking of dishes will be handled outside. "We can pool our money, have Liu's wife come and take it away, and have her prepare everything here for us." Everyone said: "That sounds good."

13 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

探春一面遣人去请李纨、宝钗、黛玉；一面遣人去传柳家的进来，吩咐他内厨房中快收拾两桌酒席。柳家的不知何意，因说：“外厨房都预备了。”探春笑道：“你原来不知道，今日是平姑娘的好日子，外头预备的是上头的；这如今我们私下又凑了分子，单为平姑娘预备两桌请他。你只管拣新巧的菜蔬预备了来，开了账，我那里领钱。”柳家的笑道：“今日又是平姑娘的千秋？我们竟不知道。”说著，便给平儿磕头，慌得平儿拉起他来。柳家的忙去预备酒席。Tanshun sent someone to invite Li Wan, Baochai and Daiyu while speaking. At the same time, she sent word for Liu's wife to come in and gave her instructions to quickly prepare two banquets in the inner kitchen. Liu's wife did not know what it was about, so she said: "The outer kitchen has already prepared everything." Tanshun laughed and said: "You didn't know, did you? Today is a special day for Miss Ping. What was prepared outside is for the upstairs." "Now we have secretly pooled our contributions and are preparing two banquets especially for Miss Ping to invite her." "Just go ahead and prepare some fresh and delicately made dishes, list the expenses on an account, and I will pay for it." Liu's wife smiled and asked: "So today is also Miss Ping's birthday?" "We didn't even know about it." As she spoke, Liu's wife knelt down and kowtowed to Ping'er. Hurriedly, Ping'er pulled her up. Liu's wife hurried off to prepare the banquet.

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这里探春又邀了宝玉，同到厅上去吃面，等到李纨宝钗一齐来全，又遣人去请薛姨妈和黛玉。因天气和暖，黛玉之疾渐愈，故也来了。花团锦簇，挤了一厅的人。谁知薛蝌又送了巾、扇、香、帛四色寿礼给宝玉，宝玉于是过去陪他吃面。两家皆办了寿酒，互相酬送，彼此同领。至午间，宝玉又陪薛蝌吃了两杯酒。宝钗带了宝琴过来给薛蝌行礼把盏毕，宝钗因嘱咐薛蝌：“家里的酒，也不用送过那边去；这虚套竟收了，你只请夥计们吃罢。我们和宝兄弟进去，还要待人去呢，也不能陪你了。”薛蝌忙说：“姐姐兄弟只管请，只怕夥计们也就好来了。”Meanwhile, Tanshun invited Baoyu again and went with him to the hall for noodles. After Li Wan and Baochai had both arrived, she sent someone else to invite Auntie Xue and Daiyu. Because the weather was mild and warm, Miss Daiyu's illness had gradually improved, so she also came. The hall was crowded with people, flowers and decorations filling it like a scene of splendor. Little did they know that Xue Ke had also sent four kinds of birthday gifts to Baoyu: a towel, a fan, incense and silk. Thus, Baoyu went over to keep him company for noodles. Both families had prepared birthday banquets, exchanging gifts and hospitality with each other. By midday, Baoyu accompanied Xue Ke for two cups of wine. After Baochai, together with Baoqin, had come over to offer their respects and served wine to Xue Ke, Baochai instructed him: "The wine at home need not be sent across there; just keep the empty formality and invite the staff to drink instead." "We are going in with Baoyu; we still have guests to entertain, so we can't keep you company anymore." Xue Ke hurriedly said: "Sisters and brothers may go ahead. I think the staff will come soon as well."

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宝玉忙又告过罪，方同他妹妹回来。一进角门，宝钗便命婆子将门锁上，把钥匙要了，自己拿著。宝玉忙说：“这一道门何必关？又没多的人走。况且姨妈、姐姐、妹妹都在里头，倘或要家去取什么，岂不费事？”宝钗笑道：“小心没过逾的。你们那边，这几日，七事八事，竟没有我们那边的人，可知是这门关的有功效了。要是开著，保不住那起人图顺脚走近路，从这里走，拦谁的是？不如锁了，连妈妈和我也禁著些，大家别走。纵有了事，也就赖不著这边的人了。”宝玉笑道：“原来姐姐也知道我们那边近日丢了东西？”宝钗笑道：“你只知道玫瑰露和茯苓霜两件，乃因人而及物；要不是里头有人，你连这两件还不知道呢。殊不知还有几件，比这两件大的呢。要以后叨登不出来，是大家的造化；要叨登出来了，不知里头连累多少人呢。你也是不管事的人，我才告诉你。平儿是个明白人，我前日也告诉了他。皆因他奶奶不在外头，所以使他明白了。要不犯出来，大家落得丢开手；要犯出来，他心里已有了稿儿，自有头绪，就冤枉不著平人了。你只听我说，以后留神小心就是了。－－这话也不可告诉第二个人。”Baoyu quickly apologized again before returning with his sister. As soon as they entered through the side gate, Baochai ordered an old woman to lock the door and took the key from her, keeping it herself. Baoyu hurriedly said: "Why must we close this gate?" There aren't that many people coming and going. Besides, Auntie, sisters and younger siblings are all inside; if they need to go home for something, wouldn't it be troublesome?" Baochai smiled and said: "Better safe than sorry." "On your side, these past few days have been full of all sorts of affairs. There hasn't been a single person from our side coming over; this clearly shows the effectiveness of keeping this gate locked." "If it were left open, who could stop those people from taking a shortcut through here for convenience?" "It's better to lock it. Even Mother and I are restricted this way; no one should go out." "Even if something happens, we can't be blamed for it anymore." Baoyu smiled and said: "So you also know that things have been stolen on our side recently?" Baochai laughed and said: "You only know about the two incidents of rose essence and polyporus powder, which were traced back to people; if it weren't for someone inside, you wouldn't even know about those two incidents." What you don't realize is that there are actually several other cases, more serious than these two. If they never come to light in the future, it will be a blessing for everyone; if they do surface, we don't know how many people inside will be implicated. You are also not in charge of these matters; that's why I told you." "Pinger is a sensible person, and I informed him about it the day before yesterday as well. It's because his grandmother isn't around outside, so he had to be made aware." If nothing turns up, we can all conveniently wash our hands of it; if something does come to light, he already has a plan in mind and will know where to start, so innocent people won't be wrongfully accused. "Just listen to me; from now on, be alert and careful." "—And don't tell a single other person about this."

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说著，来到沁芳亭边，只见袭人、香菱、侍书、晴雯、麝月、芳官、蕊官、藕官十来个人，都在那里看鱼玩呢，见他们来了，都说：“芍药栏里预备下了，快去上席罢。”宝钗等随携了他们，同至芍药栏中红香圃三间小敞厅内。连尤氏已请过来了，诸人都在那里，只没平儿。As they spoke, they arrived at the Qinfang Pavilion and saw Xi Ren, Xiangling, Shishu, Qingwen, Sheyue, Fangguan, Riguang, Ouguan, and about ten others there watching fish. Seeing them arrive, everyone said: "The banquet has been prepared in the Peony Fence; come quickly to take your seats." Baochai and others led them along, arriving at the small open hall of Hongxiangpu within the Peony Fence. Even You Shi had already been invited over; everyone else was there, except for Ping'er.

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原来平儿出去，有赖林诸家送了礼来，连三接四，上中下三等家人，拜寿送礼的不少。平儿忙著打发赏钱道谢，一面又色色的回明了凤姐儿，不过留下几样，也有不受的，也有受下即刻赏与人的。忙了一回，又直等凤姐儿吃过面，方换了衣服，往园里来。刚进了园，就有几个丫鬟来找他，一同到了红香圃中。只见筵开玳瑁，褥设芙蓉，众人都笑说：“寿星全了！”上面四座，定要让他们四个人坐。四人皆不肯。薛姨妈说：“我老天拔地，不合你们的群儿，我倒拘的慌，不如我到厅上，随便躺躺去倒好。我又吃不下什么去，又不大吃酒，这里让他们倒便宜。”尤氏等执意不从。宝钗道：“这也罢了，倒是让妈妈在厅上歪著自如些。有爱吃的送些过去，倒还自在。且前头没人在那里，又可照看了。”探春笑道：“既这样，恭敬不如从命。”因大家送到议事厅上，眼看著命小丫头们铺了一个锦褥并靠背引枕之类，又嘱咐：“好生给姨太太捶腿。要茶要水，别推三拉四的。回来送了东西来，姨太太吃了，赏你们吃。只别离了这里。”It turned out that Ping'er had gone out because many people from the Lin and Zhu families had come to present gifts. One after another, numerous family members from upper, middle, and lower ranks came to offer birthday blessings and presents. Ping'er was busy distributing money as thanks, while also reporting each gift to Fengjie in detail. She only kept a few items; some were refused outright, and others were immediately given away to the people who brought them. After a while of busy work, she waited until Fengjie had finished her noodles before changing clothes and heading to the garden. No sooner had she entered the garden than several maidservants came looking for her, and together they arrived at Hongxiangpu. They saw a banquet laid out with tortoiseshell decorations and lotus-patterned cushions, and everyone laughed and said: "The birthday celebrant is here! All the guests are gathered!" Four seats were reserved at the head of the table for four specific people to sit. The four all refused. Auntie Xue said: "I'm an old woman out of place, not part of your group. I feel awkward being here; it would be better for me to go up to the hall and lie down somewhere." "I can't eat much, nor do I drink a lot of wine; it's more convenient for them here without me." You Shi and others insisted she stay. Baochai said: "Well then, it's better for Mother to lie down in the hall more comfortably." We can send some of the dishes she likes over; that would be more at ease. Besides, there are no people in front, so it will also allow for better supervision." Tanshun smiled and said: "If that's the case, then politeness is less important than obeying your wishes." Everyone then accompanied her to the Hall of Deliberation. They watched as young maidservants spread out a brocade cushion along with backrests and pillows, and were instructed: "Take good care to massage Auntie's legs." When she needs tea or water, don't hesitate or make excuses. If you bring something back for her to eat, Auntie will share it with you as a reward." "Just don't leave this place."

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小丫头子们都答应了，探春等方回来。终久让宝琴岫烟二人在上，平儿面西坐，宝玉面东坐。探春又接了鸳鸯来，二人并肩对面相陪。西边一桌：宝钗、黛玉、湘云、迎春，惜春依序，一面又拉了香菱玉钏儿二人打横。三桌上尤氏李纨，又拉了袭人彩云陪坐。四桌上便是紫鹃、莺儿、睛雯、小螺、司棋等人团坐。The young maidservants all agreed, and Tanshun and the others returned. Eventually, Baoqin and Xiumyan were seated at the upper seats; Ping'er sat facing west, while Baoyu sat facing east. Tanshun also invited Yuanyang to join them; the two of them sat side by side, opposite each other for company. At the western table: Baochai, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Yingchun, and Xichun sat in order; on one side, they also invited Xiangling and Yuchuan to sit crosswise. At the third table were You Shi and Li Wan, who had also invited Xi Ren and Caiyun to join them. At the fourth table were Tujuan, Ying'er, Qingwen, Xiaolu, Siqi and others sitting together.

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当下探春等还要把盏。宝琴等四人都说：“这一闹，一日也坐不成了！”方才罢了。两个女先儿，要弹词上寿，众人都说：“我们这里没人听那些野话，你厅上去，说给姨太太解闷儿去罢。”一面又将各色吃食拣了，命人送给薛姨妈去。宝玉便说：“雅坐无趣，须要行令才好。”众人中，有说行这个令好的，又有说行那个令才好的。黛玉道：“依我说，拿了笔砚，将各色令都写了，拈成阄儿。偺们抓出那个来，就是那个。”众人都道：“妙极！”即命拿了一副笔砚花笺。At that moment, Tanshun and others still wanted to serve wine. Baoqin and the other three said, "With all this commotion, we won't be able to sit here for a whole day!" Only then did they stop. Two female entertainers wanted to perform a narrative ballad as part of the birthday celebration, but everyone said, "We don't have anyone here who listens to those kinds of stories. Go to the main hall and tell them to Auntie for entertainment." At the same time, they selected various kinds of food and sent them to Xue Aima. Baoyu then said, "Sitting quietly is dull; we must play a drinking game instead." Among the crowd, some suggested playing one kind of drinking game was good, while others insisted another type would be better. Daiyu said, "In my opinion, we should take out the brush and inkstone, write down all kinds of drinking games, and draw lots." "Whoever draws which one will play that game." Everyone said, "That's brilliant!" They immediately ordered someone to bring out a set of brushes, inkstone, and flower paper.

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香菱近日学了诗，又天天学写字，见了笔砚，便巴不得，连忙起来说：“我写。”众人想了一回，共得十来个，念著，香菱一一写了。搓成阄儿，掷在一个瓶中，探春便命平儿拈。平儿向内搅了一搅，用箸夹了一个出来，打开一看，上写著“射覆”二字。宝钗笑道：“把个令祖宗拈出来了，射覆，从古有的，如今失了传，这是后纂的，比一切的令都难。这里头倒有一半是不会的，不如毁了，另拈一个雅俗共赏的。”探春笑道：“既拈了出来，如何再毁？如今再拈一个，要是雅俗共赏的，便叫他们行去，偺们行这一个。”说著，又叫袭人拈了一个，却是“拇战”。湘云先笑著，说：“这个简断爽利，合了我的脾气。我不行这个‘射覆’，没的垂头丧气闷人，我只猜拳去了。”探春道：“惟有他乱令，宝姐姐快罚他一锺。”宝钗不容分说，笑灌了湘云一杯。Xiangling had recently learned poetry and was practicing calligraphy every day; upon seeing the brush and inkstone, she eagerly volunteered right away, saying, "Let me write." After thinking for a while, everyone came up with about ten options. As they recited them, Xiangling wrote each one down. They rolled the slips into small pieces and put them in a bottle; Tanshun then ordered Ping'er to draw one. Ping'er stirred the bottle a bit, then used chopsticks to pick out one slip. When she opened it, it read "Shefu." Baochai smiled and said, "You've drawn the most ancient of all drinking games—Shefu. It's an old game that has been lost to time; this is a later version, and it's harder than any other game." "Half of you here probably don't know how to play it. It would be better if we discard this one and draw another game that both the refined and common people can enjoy." Tanshun smiled and said, "Since it has already been drawn, how could we possibly discard it?" "We can draw another one now. If that turns out to be a game everyone can enjoy, we'll let them play it, while we play this one." As she spoke, she ordered Xi Ren to draw another slip, which turned out to be "Muzhan." Xiangyun laughed first and said, "This one is simple, decisive, and straightforward—it suits my personality perfectly." "I don't want to play 'Shefu,' which would only make me feel down and bored. I'll just go play finger-guessing instead." Tanshun said, "Only she dares to break the rules; Miss Bao, quickly give her a penalty drink." Without allowing any objections, Baochai laughed and poured a cup of wine down Xiangyun's throat.

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探春道：“我吃一杯。我是令官，也不用宣，只听我分派。取了骰子令盆来，从琴妹妹掷起，挨著掷下去，对了点的二人射覆。”Tanshun said, "I'll drink one." "As the game leader, I don't need to announce anything; just listen and follow my instructions." They brought out the dice and a game bowl. Starting with Qinni meimei, they took turns rolling them in order; whoever matched the number rolled would play "Shefu."

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宝琴一掷是个三。岫烟宝玉等皆掷的不对，直到香菱方掷了个三。宝琴笑道：“只好室内生春，若说到外头去，可太没头绪了。”探春道：“自然，三次不中者罚一杯。你覆他射。”Baoqin rolled a three. Xiumyan, Baoyu and others all rolled numbers that didn't match; it wasn't until Xiangling rolled a three. Baoqin smiled and said, "We can only talk about spring indoors; if we were to mention things outside, it would be too vague." Tanshun replied, "Of course. Anyone who fails three times in a row will have to drink one cup as punishment." "You describe something for him to guess."

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宝琴想了一想，说了个“老”字。香菱原生于这令，一时想不到，满室满席都不见有与“老”字相连的成语。湘云先听了，便也乱看，忽见门斗上贴著“红香圃”三个宇，便知宝琴覆的是“吾不如老圃”的“圃”字；见香菱射不著，众人击鼓又催，便悄悄的拉香菱，教他说“药”字。黛玉偏看见了，说：“快罚他，又在那里传递呢！”闹得众人都知道了，忙又罚了一杯，恨的湘云拿筷子敲黛玉的手；于是罚了香菱一杯。Baoqin thought for a moment and said the word "lǎo" (old). Xiangling, who was originally unfamiliar with this game, couldn't think of anything at once; no one in the room or among the guests could find an idiom connected to the word "lǎo" (old). Xiangyun, upon hearing this, looked around randomly. Suddenly she saw the words "Hongxiangpu" (Red Fragrance Garden) pasted on the door lintel and realized that Baoqin had described the character "pǔ" in the phrase "Wu bu ru laopu" (I am not as good as an old gardener). Seeing that Xiangling could not guess it, and with the crowd beating drums to urge her on, she quietly pulled at Xiangling's sleeve and told her to say the word "yao" (medicine). Daiyu happened to see this and said, "Quickly punish them—they are passing hints again!" The commotion was overheard by everyone present. They hurried to give her another penalty cup, and Xiangyun angrily hit Daiyu's hand with chopsticks in frustration; Thus, Xiangling was also given a penalty cup.

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下则宝钗和探春对了点子，探春便覆了一“人”字。宝钗笑道：“这个‘人’字泛得很。”探春笑道：“添一个字，两覆一射，也不泛了。”说著，便又说了一个“窗”字。宝钗一想，因见席上有鸡，便猜著他是用“鸡窗”“鸡人”二典了，因射了一个“埘”字。探春知他射著，用了“鸡栖于埘”的典，二人一笑，各饮一口门杯。Next, Baochai and Tanshun matched numbers; Tanshun described the word "rén" (person). Baochai smiled and said: "This 'rén' character is too broad." Tanshun laughed and said, "Add another word—two descriptions for one guess—and it won't be so vague anymore." As she spoke, Tanshun added the word "chuang" (window). Baochai thought for a moment, and seeing there was chicken on the table, guessed that Tanshun had used the allusions "jichuang" (chicken window) and "jiren" (chicken person). Thus, she guessed the character "ji." Tanshun knew that Baochai had correctly guessed, and since she used the allusion "ji qi yu ji" (chickens roost in a chicken coop), both of them smiled and took a sip from their cups.

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湘云等不得，早和宝玉“三”“五”乱叫，猜起拳来。那边尤氏和鸳鸯隔著席，也“七”“八”乱叫，搳起拳来。平儿袭人也作了一对。叮叮当当，只听得腕上镯子响。一时湘云赢了宝玉，袭人赢了平儿，二人限酒底酒面。湘云便说：“酒面要一句古文，一句旧诗，一句骨牌名，一句曲牌名，还要一句时宪书上有的话：共总成一句话。酒底要关人事的果菜名。”Xiangyun could not wait any longer, and had already started shouting "three," "five" with Baoyu, playing finger-guessing wildly. On the other side of the table, You Shi and Yuanyang were also shouting "seven," "eight" randomly across from each other, playing finger-guessing. Ping'er and Xi Ren formed a pair as well. Clang, clang—only the sound of bangles on their wrists could be heard. At one point, Xiangyun beat Baoyu and Xi Ren beat Ping'er; the two pairs were required to give a toast with both an opening line and closing line. Xiangyun said, "The opening line of the toast must include one classical Chinese phrase, one line from an old poem, one name of a domino tile, one name of an opera tune, and also one sentence that can be found in the official calendar: altogether forming one complete sentence." "The closing line must include the names of fruits or vegetables related to human affairs."

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众人听了，都说：“惟有他的令比人唠叨。－－倒也有些意思。”便催宝玉快说。宝玉笑道：“谁说过这个？也等想一想儿。”黛玉便道：“你多喝一锺，我替你说。”宝玉真个喝了酒，听黛玉说道：落霞与孤鹜齐飞，风急江天过雁哀，却是一只折脚雁，叫得人九回肠，－－这是鸿雁来宾。说得大家笑了。众人说：“这一串子倒有些意思。”黛玉又拈了一个榛瓤，说酒底道：榛子非关隔院砧，何来万户擣衣声？”令完。鸳鸯袭人等皆说的是一句俗话，都带一个“寿”字，不须多赘。Everyone, upon hearing this, said: "Only her rules are more complicated than others'." "—but there's actually some charm to it." They hurried Baoyu along and urged him to speak quickly. Baoyu smiled and said, "Who ever made up such a rule?" "I need to think about it for a moment." Daiyu then said, "You should drink another cup; I'll say the toast for you." Baoyu really drank the wine and listened as Daiyu said: "The falling clouds fly together with solitary geese; in the wind, over the river sky, wild geese cry mournfully. It is a lame goose, whose cries twist one's heart nine times—this is 'Hongyan Laibin' (the arrival of wild geese)." Everyone laughed at her words. The crowd said, "This string of lines actually has some charm." Daiyu then picked up a chestnut kernel and said for the closing line: "Chestnuts have nothing to do with the stone slabs in another courtyard—why is there the sound of ten thousand households pounding clothes?" The drinking game was completed. Yuanyang, Xi Ren and others all recited a common saying that included the word "shou" (longevity), so there was no need to elaborate further.

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大家轮流乱了一阵。这上面湘云又和宝琴对了手，李纨和岫烟对了点子。李纨便覆了一个“瓢”字，岫烟便射了一个“绿”字，二人会意，各饮一口。湘云的拳却输了，请酒面酒底。宝琴笑道：“请君入瓮。”大家笑起来，说：“这个典用得当！”湘云便说道：“奔腾澎湃，江间波浪兼天涌，须要铁索缆孤舟，－－既遇著一江风，不宜出行。”说的众人都笑了，说：“好个诌断了肠子的！怪道他出这个令，故意惹人笑。”又催他快说酒底儿。湘云吃了酒，夹了一块鸭肉，呷了口酒，忽见碗内有半个鸭头，遂夹出来吃脑子。众人催他：“别只顾吃，你到底快说呀！”湘云便用箸子举著，说道：“这鸭头不是那丫头，头上那有桂花油？”Everyone took turns in a chaotic round of play for a while. On this turn, Xiangyun once again paired up with Baoqin, and Li Wan matched numbers with Xiumyan. Li Wan then described the character "piao," and Xiumyan guessed the word "lv." The two understood each other's meaning, and both took a sip. Xiangyun lost her finger-guessing game and had to give the opening and closing lines of her toast. Baoqin laughed and said, "Please follow me into the jar." Everyone burst out laughing and said: "This allusion is used perfectly!" Xiangyun then said: "Rushing and surging, the waves of the river surge up to the sky; one must use an iron chain to moor a solitary boat—since we've encountered a wind from the river, it's not suitable for travel." Everyone laughed and said: "What a cleverly twisted line!" "No wonder she suggested this game—it was deliberately meant to provoke laughter." They urged her again to quickly say the closing line of her toast. Xiangyun drank the wine, took a piece of duck meat with her chopsticks, sipped some more wine, and suddenly saw half a duck head in the bowl. She immediately picked it out and ate its brain. Everyone urged her: "Don't just keep eating—quickly say your closing line!" Xiangyun held up the chopsticks and said: "This duck head is not that girl; how could there be osmanthus oil on its head?"

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众人越发笑起来。引得晴雯小螺等一干人都走过来说：“云姑娘会开心儿，拿著我们取笑儿，快罚一杯才罢！怎么见得我们就该擦桂花油呢？倒得每人给瓶子桂花油擦擦！”黛玉笑道：“他倒有心给你们一瓶子油，又怕罣误著打窃盗官司。”众人不理论，宝玉却明白，忙低了头。彩云心里有病，不觉的红了脸。宝钗忙暗暗的瞅了黛玉一眼。黛玉自悔失言，原是打趣宝玉的，就忘了村了彩云了，自悔不及，忙一顿的行令猜拳岔开了。Everyone laughed even harder. It was so amusing that Qingwen, Xiaolu and others came over to say: "Miss Yun is good at making people happy; she's teasing us. She must drink a cup as punishment!" "How do you know we should be anointed with osmanthus oil?" "We might as well each get a bottle of osmanthus oil to rub on!" Daiyu laughed and said, "She actually wants to give you a bottle of oil, but she's afraid it might lead to accusations of theft." Everyone ignored the remark, but Baoyu understood and quickly looked down. Caiyun had her own troubles in mind and could not help blushing. Baochai quickly shot a glance at Daiyu out of the corner of her eye. Daiyu regretted her words immediately. She had originally been teasing Baoyu but forgot that she had also insulted Caiyun. Unable to undo the damage, she quickly started playing drinking games and finger-guessing to change the subject.

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底下宝玉可巧和宝钗对了点子，宝钗便覆了一个“宝”字，宝玉想了一想，便知是宝钗作戏，指著自己的“通灵玉”说的，便笑道：“姐姐拿我作雅谑，我却射著了。说出来，姐姐别恼，就是姐姐的讳，‘钗’字就是了。”众人道：“怎么解？”宝玉道：“他说‘宝’，底下自然是‘玉’字了；我射‘钗’字，旧诗曾有‘敲断玉钗红烛冷’，岂不射著了？”湘云说道：“这用时事，却使不得。两个人都该罚。”香菱道：“不止时事，这也是有出处的。”湘云道：“‘宝玉’二字，并无出处，不过是春联上或有之，诗书纪载并无，算不得。”香菱道：“前日我读岑嘉州五言律，现有一句，说：‘此乡多宝玉。’怎么你倒忘了？后来又读李义山七言绝句，又有一句，‘宝钗无日不生尘。’我还笑说：‘他两个名字，都原来在唐诗上呢。’”众人笑说：“这可问住了，快罚一杯。”湘云无话，只得饮了。大家又该对点搳拳。Next, Baoyu happened to match numbers with Baochai. Baochai described the character "bǎo" (treasure). After thinking for a moment, Baoyu realized that she was joking and referring to his own "Tonglingyu" (the spiritual jade he wore), so he smiled and said: "Sister is making fun of me in an elegant way, but I've actually guessed it." "I'll say it out loud; sister, don't be angry. It's simply your name—'chāi'." Everyone asked: "How do you explain that?" Baoyu said, "She mentioned 'bǎo' (treasure), and naturally the character below it is 'yù' (jade);" "I guessed the word 'chāi,' because there is an old poem that says, 'The red candle grows cold as a hairpin snaps in two'—doesn't this match perfectly?" Xiangyun said, "This is using current events, which isn't allowed." "Both of you should be punished." Xiangling said, "It's not just a current event; this line also has its source in literature." Xiangyun said, "The term 'Baoyu' has no literary source; it may appear on spring couplets at most, but there is no record of it in poetry or historical texts. It doesn't count." Xiangling said, "The other day I read a five-character regulated verse by Cen Jiahou. There is one line that says: 'This land abounds in treasures and jade.'" "How could you have forgotten?" "Later, when I read a seven-character quatrain by Li Yishan, there was another line: 'A hairpin of treasure is never free from dust.'" "I even laughed and said, 'Their two names actually appear in Tang poetry!'" Everyone laughed and said, "That's a tough one—quick, take a drink as punishment." Xiangyun had no retort and had to drink. Everyone then began matching numbers again for the drinking game.

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这些人因贾母王夫人不在家，没了管束，便任意取乐。呼三喝四，喊七叫八，满厅中红飞翠舞，玉动珠摇，真是十分热闹。玩了一回，大家方起席散了，却忽然不见了湘云。只当他外头自便就来，谁知越等越没了影儿。使人各处去找，那里找的著？Since Lady Jia and Madam Wang were not at home, these people had no one to discipline them, so they freely indulged in amusement. They shouted numbers at random—three here, four there; seven and eight called out in all directions. The entire hall was filled with flying reds and greens, jingling jade and tinkling pearls—it was indeed extremely lively. After playing for a while, everyone finally rose from the table to disperse, but Xiangyun suddenly went missing. They assumed she had gone outside for a moment and would return soon, but to their surprise, the longer they waited, the more her figure vanished. People were sent out in all directions to look for her, but where could she possibly be found?

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接著林之孝家的同著几个老婆子来，一则恐有正事呼唤；二则恐丫鬟们年轻，趁王夫人不在家，不服探春等约束，恣意痛饮，失了体统：故来请问有事无事。探春见他们来了，便知其意，忙笑道：“你们不放心，来查我们来了？我们并没有多吃酒，不过是大家玩笑，将酒作引子。妈妈们别耽心。”李纨尤氏也都笑说：“你们歇著去罢，我们也不敢叫他们多吃了。”林之孝家的等人笑说：“我们知道。连老太太让姑娘们吃酒，姑娘们还不肯吃呢，何况太太们不在家，自然玩罢了。我们怕有事，来打听打听；二则天长了，姑娘们玩一会子，还该点补些小食儿。素日又不大吃杂项东西，如今吃一两杯酒，若不多吃些东西，怕受伤。”探春笑道：“妈妈说的是，我们也正要吃呢。”回头命取点心来。两旁丫鬟们齐声答应了，忙去传点心。探春又笑让：“你们歇著去，或是姨妈那里说话儿去。我们即刻打发人送酒你们吃去。”林之孝家的等人笑回：“不敢领了。”又站了一回，方退出去了。平儿摸著脸，笑道：“我的脸都热了，也不好意思见他们。依我说，竟收了罢，别惹他们再来，倒没意思了。”探春笑道：“不相干，横竖偺们不认真喝酒就罢了。”Just then Lin Zhixiao's wife arrived with several old women; first of all, they were afraid there might be important business to attend to. Secondly, they were worried that the young maidservants, taking advantage of Madam Wang's absence from home, might disobey Tanchun and others' discipline, indulge in drinking freely, and lose their decorum. Therefore, they came to inquire whether there was anything happening or not. Tanchun saw them coming and immediately understood their intention, so she hurriedly smiled and said, "You don't feel at ease and have come to check on us?" "We haven't actually drunk too much wine; we were just joking around, using the wine as a pretext." "Please don't worry, Madam." Li Wan and You Shi also laughed and said, "You may go rest now; we wouldn't dare let them drink too much." Lin Zhixiao's wife and others smiled and said, "We know." "Even when the old lady lets the young ladies drink wine, they still refuse to do so. How much more so now that Madam is not at home—of course they would just play around." "We were afraid something might happen and came here to check up on things;" "Secondly, since it's getting late, the young ladies should take a break from playing and have some light snacks." "On ordinary days they don't eat much of various kinds of food, so now that they've had one or two cups of wine, if they don't have a bit more to eat, we're afraid they might get sick." Tanchun laughed and said, "You're right, Madam. We were just about to have some ourselves." She turned around and ordered for snacks to be brought out. The maidservants on both sides responded in unison, then hurried off to fetch the snacks. Tanchun smiled again and said, "You may go rest or go talk with Auntie." "We'll send someone right away to bring wine for you to drink." Lin Zhixiao's wife and the others smiled and replied, "We wouldn't dare accept it." They stood there for a while longer before finally taking their leave. Ping'er touched her face and laughed, saying, "My face is all flushed; I'm too embarrassed to see them." "In my opinion, we should just stop now. Otherwise, if they come again, it will be pointless." Tanchun laughed and said: "It doesn't matter. As long as we don't take the drinking seriously, it's fine."

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正说著，只见一个小丫头笑嘻嘻的走来，说：“姑娘们快瞧，云姑娘吃醉了，图凉快，在山子后头一块青石板磴上睡著了。”众人听说，都笑道：“快别吵嚷！”说著，都走来看时，果见湘云卧于山石僻处一个石磴子上，业经香梦沈酣。四面芍药花飞了一身，满头脸衣襟上皆是红香散乱。手中的扇子在地下，也半被落花埋了，一群蜜蜂蝴蝶闹，嚷嚷的围著。又用鲛帕包了一包芍药花瓣枕著。众人看了，又是爱，又是笑，忙上来推唤搀扶。湘云口内犹作睡语说酒令，嘟嘟嚷嚷说：“泉香酒冽，……醉扶归，……宜会亲友。”众人笑推他说道：“快醒醒儿，吃饭去。这潮磴上还睡出病来呢！”Just as they were speaking, a little maid servant came over with a beaming smile and said: "Misses, come quickly! Miss Xiangyun is drunk. Seeking coolness, she's sleeping on an emerald stone step behind the rock formation." Hearing this, everyone laughed and said: "Don't make a fuss!" As they spoke, everyone came over to look. Indeed, Xiangyun was lying on a stone step in a secluded spot among the rocks, already fast asleep in a deep slumber. Peach blossom petals had scattered all over her body; red fragrance was disheveled on her head, face, and collar. The fan in her hand had fallen to the ground, half-buried beneath falling flowers; a crowd of bees and butterflies buzzed noisily around her. She was also using a piece of 鲛 silk (a fine fabric) to pillow a bundle of peach blossom petals beneath her head. Everyone looked on, both fond and amused, and hurried over to push her awake and help her up. Xiangyun, still half-asleep and muttering incoherently from her drunkenness, mumbled: "The spring water is fragrant, the wine clear... supporting her as she stumbles home drunk... it's suitable for meeting relatives and friends." Everyone laughed and pushed her gently, saying: "Wake up quickly and go have a meal." "If you sleep here on the damp stone step any longer, you'll catch an illness!"

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湘云慢启秋波，见了众人，又低头看了一看自己，方知是醉了。原是纳凉避静的，不觉因多罚了两杯酒，娇娜不胜，便睡著了，心中反觉自悔。早有小丫头端了一盆洗脸水，两个捧著镜奁。众人等著他。他便在石磴上重新匀了脸，拢了鬓，连忙起身，同著来至红香圃中。又吃了两杯浓茶。探春忙命将醒酒石拿来，给他衔在口内。一时又命他吃了些酸汤，方才觉得好了些。当下又选了几样果菜给凤姐儿送去，凤姐儿也送了几样来。Xiangyun slowly opened her eyes and saw the people around her. Looking down at herself, she finally realized that she had been drunk. She had originally gone there to cool off and find some quiet, but without realizing it, she had drunk a few more cups of wine as punishment. Overcome by her delicate constitution, she fell asleep, and now felt regretful in her heart. A little maid servant had already brought a basin of water for washing the face, while two others carried a mirror and its case. Everyone waited for her. She then sat up on the stone step, washed and re-applied her face cosmetics, combed her hair back into place, hurriedly stood up, and returned with them to Hongxiangpu. She drank two more cups of strong tea. Tanchun quickly ordered the hangover stone to be brought and had her put it in her mouth. After a while, she also ordered him to have some sour soup, which finally made him feel somewhat better. At the time, they also selected several kinds of fruits and vegetables to send over to Fengjie, who in turn sent a few dishes back.

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宝钗等吃过点心，大家也有坐的，也有立的，也有在外观花的，也有倚栏看鱼的，各自取便，说笑不一。探春便和宝琴下棋，宝钗岫烟观局。黛玉和宝玉在一簇花下唧唧哝哝，不知说些什么。只见林之孝家的和一群女人，带了一个媳妇进来。那媳妇愁眉泪眼，也不敢进厅来，到阶下便朝上跪下磕头。探春因一块棋受了敌，算来算去，总得了两个眼，便折了官著儿，两眼只瞅著棋盘，一只手伸在盒内，只管抓棋子作想，－－林之孝家的站了半天－－因回头要茶时才看见，问什么事。After Baochai and the others had eaten their snacks, some sat down, some stood, some went outside to admire the flowers, and some leaned on the railing watching fish. Everyone did as they pleased, chatting and laughing in various ways. Tanchun played chess with Baoqin while Baochai and Xiumian watched the game. Daiyu and Baoyu whispered together under a cluster of flowers, not knowing what they were talking about. Just then Lin Zhixiao's wife and a group of women brought in a young married woman. The young married woman had tearful eyes and a sorrowful expression; she did not dare to enter the hall, but knelt on the steps below and bowed her head toward the upper part of the courtyard. Tanchun, who was in the middle of a chess game and had just lost an important piece, calculated again and again. She finally realized she had formed two eyes for her group and decided to sacrifice another piece. Her eyes remained fixed on the board while one hand reached into the box, continuously picking up pieces as if deep in thought—Lin Zhixiao's wife had been standing there for quite a while. Only when Tanchun turned around to ask for tea did she notice and inquire what was going on.

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林之孝家的便指那媳妇说：“这是四姑娘屋里小丫头彩儿的娘，现是园内伺候的人。嘴很不好，才是我听见了。问著他，他说的话也不敢回姑娘。竟要撵出去才是。”探春道：“怎么不回大奶奶？”林之孝家的道：“方才大奶奶往厅上姨太太处去，顶头看见，我已回明白了，叫回姑娘来。”探春道：“怎么不回二奶奶？”平儿道：“不回去也罢，我回去说一声就是了。既这么著，就撵他出去，等太太回来再回。请姑娘定夺。”探春点头，仍又下棋。这里林之孝家的带了那人出去。不提。Lin Zhixiao's wife then pointed at the young married woman and said, "This is the mother of Cai'er, a minor maid servant in the Fourth Miss's quarters. She currently serves within the garden." "She has a very bad mouth; it was I who overheard it." When asked, the words she spoke were so disgraceful that they could not be reported to you, Miss. "She should be expelled immediately." Tanchun asked, "Why didn't you report this to the head mistress?" Lin Zhixiao's wife replied, "Just now the head mistress was going to her auntie in the main hall. I met her face-to-face and had already explained everything clearly, asking her to report it to you, Miss." Tanchun asked: "Why didn't you inform the second mistress?" Ping'er said, "There's no need to go back. I'll just let her know." "If that is the case, then send her out and report it again when Madam returns." "Please let Miss decide." Tanchun nodded and continued playing chess. Meanwhile, Lin Zhixiao's wife led the woman out of there. This will not be mentioned further.

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黛玉和宝玉二人站在花下，遥遥盼望。黛玉便说道：“你家三丫头倒是个乖人。虽然叫他管些事，也倒一步不肯多走；差不多的人，就早作起威福来了。”宝玉道：“你不知道呢：你病著时，他干了几件事，这园子也分了人管，如今多掐一根草也不能了。又蠲了几件事，单拿我和凤姐姐做筏子。最是心里有算计的人，岂止乖呢！”黛玉道：“要这样才好。偺们也太费了。我虽不管事，心里每常闲了，替他们一算，出的多，进的少。如今若不省俭，必致后手不接。”宝玉笑道：“凭他怎么后手不接，也不短了偺们两个人的。”黛玉听了，转身就往厅上寻宝钗说笑去了。Daiyu and Baoyu stood under the flowers, gazing distantly ahead. Daiyu then said: "Your third little sister is really a clever girl." Although she has been given some responsibilities, she still refuses to take even one extra step. "Ordinary people would have already started showing off their authority and privileges." Baoyu said: "You don't know. When you were ill, she handled several important matters. She has already assigned people to manage different parts of the garden; now not even a single blade of grass can be taken without permission." She also eliminated several unnecessary tasks, using only me and Aunt Feng as scapegoats. "She is the kind of person who always has a plan in mind—she's not just clever!" Daiyu said, "Only then would it be good." "We've been too careless." Although I don't manage affairs, whenever my mind is idle, I often think about it and find that their expenses far exceed their income. "If they do not now practice thrift, there will certainly be trouble later on." Baoyu smiled and said: "No matter how tight things get afterward, it won't affect the two of us." Hearing this, Daiyu turned around and went to look for Baochai in the hall, chatting and laughing as she went.

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宝玉正欲走时，只见袭人走来，手内捧著一个小连环洋漆茶盘，里面可式放著两锺新茶，因问他：“往那里去呢？我见你两个半日没吃茶，巴巴的倒了两锺来，他又走了。”宝玉道：“那不是他？你给他送去。”说著，自拿了一锺。袭人便送了那锺去。偏和宝钗在一处，只得一锺茶，便说：“那位喝时，那位先接了，我再倒去。”宝钗笑道：“我倒不喝，只要一口漱漱就是了。”说著，先拿起来喝了一口，剩了半杯，递在黛玉手内。袭人笑说：“我再倒去。”黛玉笑道：“你知道我这病，大夫不许多吃茶，这半锺尽够了，难为你想的到！”说毕，饮乾，将杯放下。袭人又来接宝玉的。宝玉因问：“这半日不见芳官，他在那里呢！”袭人四顾一瞧，说：“才在这里的，几个人斗草玩，这会子不见了。”Just as Baoyu was about to leave, Xiren came over holding a small lacquered tea tray with intricate inlaid patterns. Inside the tray were two cups of freshly brewed tea. She asked him, "Where are you going?" "I saw that neither of you had drunk any tea for half a day, so I specially prepared two cups for you. But he went away again." Baoyu said: "Wasn't that him?" "Just take it to him." As he spoke, Baoyu took one of the cups himself. Xiren then took the other cup and went to deliver it. Unfortunately, Baochai was there as well, so only one cup of tea remained. Xiren said: "Whoever wants to drink it first may take the cup; I will go get another for the other person." Baochai smiled and said, "I don't really want to drink it. Just let me rinse my mouth with a sip." As she spoke, Baochai took the cup first and drank a sip, leaving half of it in the cup before handing it to Daiyu. Xiren smiled and said: "I'll go get another one for you." Daiyu laughed and said, "You know about my illness; the doctor told me not to drink too much tea. This half cup is more than enough. It's very thoughtful of you to think of this!" After saying that, Daiyu drank the remaining tea and set down the cup. Xiren then came to take Baoyu's cup. Baoyu asked, "I haven't seen Fangguan for half a day now—where is he?" Xiren looked around and said, "He was here just a moment ago. A few people were playing at picking flowers and grasses; now he's gone."

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宝玉听说，便忙回房中，果见芳官面向里，睡在床上。宝玉推他说道：“快别睡觉，偺们外头玩去。一会子好吃饭。”芳官道：“你们吃酒，不理我，叫我闷了半天，可不来睡觉罢了。”宝玉拉了他起来，笑道：“偺们晚上家里再吃。回来我叫袭人姐姐带了你桌上吃饭，何如？”芳官道：“藕官蕊官都不上去，单我在那里，也不好。我也吃不惯那个面条子，早起也没好生吃。才刚饿了，我已告诉了柳婶子先给我做一碗汤，盛半碗粳米饭送来，我这里吃了就完事。若是晚上吃酒，不许叫人管著我，我要尽力吃够了才罢。我先在家里，吃二三斤好惠泉酒呢；如今学了这劳什子，他们说怕坏嗓子，这几年也没闻见。趁今儿，我可是要开斋了。”宝玉道：“这个容易。”Hearing this, Baoyu hurried back to his room. Sure enough, he saw Fangguan lying on the bed with his face turned inward. Baoyu pushed him and said, "Don't sleep anymore; let's go out to play." "We'll have a good meal in a while." Fangguan said, "You were all drinking wine and ignored me. I was bored for hours—of course I came to sleep." Baoyu pulled him up and smiled, saying, "We can drink at home tonight." "When we come back, I'll have Aunt Xiren take you to the table for a meal. How does that sound?" Fangguan said: "Guoguan and Rui'guan didn't go up there, only I was present. It wouldn't be good." "I'm not used to eating that kind of noodles either; I didn't even eat properly at breakfast this morning." "I just got hungry, so I already told Aunt Liu to make me a bowl of soup and bring half a bowl of steamed rice. Once I eat this here, it will be all settled." "If we drink wine tonight, don't let anyone stop me. I won't stop until I've had my fill." "When I was at home before, I used to drink two or three jin of good Huiquan wine; " "now that I've taken up this nonsense, they say it might damage my voice. I haven't even smelled any for years." "I'm definitely breaking my fast today," said Fangguan. Baoyu said, "That's easy."

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说著，只见柳家的果遣人送了一个盒子来。春燕接著，揭开看时，里面是一碗虾丸鸡皮汤，又是一碗酒酿清蒸鸭子，一碟腌的胭脂鹅脯，还有一碟四个奶油松瓤卷酥，并一大碗热腾腾碧莹莹绿畦香稻粳米饭。春燕放在案上，走来安小菜碗箸，过来拨了一碗饭。芳官便说：“油腻腻的，谁吃这些东西！”只将汤泡饭吃了一碗，拣了两块腌鹅就不吃了。宝玉闻著，倒觉比往常之味又胜些似的，遂吃了一个卷酥；又命春燕也拨了半碗饭泡汤一吃，十分香甜可口。春燕和芳官都笑了。As he spoke, a box was indeed sent by Liu's family. Chunyan took the box and opened it. Inside was a bowl of shrimp meatball and chicken skin soup, another bowl of sweet rice wine steamed duck, a plate of pickled crimson goose breast, a small dish containing four pieces of cream-filled pine-flake pastry, and a large bowl of hot, clear green fragrant rice made from the best short-grain rice. Chunyan placed it on the table and came over to arrange small bowls, chopsticks, and serving dishes for the side dishes. She then served a bowl of rice. Fangguan immediately said, "This is so greasy—who wants to eat this stuff!" He only had a bowl of rice soaked in soup and picked out two pieces of pickled goose, after which he stopped eating. Baoyu smelled it and found the food even more delicious than usual; so he ate one of the cream-filled pastries. He then ordered Chunyan to take half a bowl of rice and soak it in soup, which tasted especially delicious and pleasant. Chunyan and Fangguan both laughed.

40 打开字典憨湘云醉... :

吃毕，春燕便将剩的要交回。宝玉道：“你吃了罢，若不够，再要些来。”春燕道：“不用要，这就够了。方才麝月姐姐拿了两盘子点心给我们吃了，我再吃了这个，尽够了，不用再吃了。”说著，便站在桌旁，一顿吃了。又留下两个卷酥，说：“这个留下给我妈吃。晚上要吃酒，给我两碗酒吃就是了。”宝玉笑道：“你也爱吃酒？等著偺们晚上痛喝一回。你袭人姐姐和睛雯姐姐的量也好，也要喝，只是每日不好意思的。趁今儿大家开斋。还有件事，想著嘱咐你，竟忘了，此刻才想起来：以后芳官全要你照看他。他或有不到处，你提他。袭人照顾不过这些人来。”春燕道：“我都知道，不用你操心。但只五儿的事怎么样？”宝玉道：“你和柳家的说去，明儿真叫他进来罢。等我告诉他们一声就完了。”After they finished eating, Chunyan was about to return the leftovers. Baoyu said: "You eat it. If you're not full enough, just ask for more." Chunyan replied, "No need to get any more; this is already enough." "Just before, Aunt Shuyue brought us two trays of snacks to eat. If I also have this, it's more than enough; there is no need for anything else." As she spoke, Chunyan stood by the table and quickly finished eating. She also left two cream-filled pastries and said: "I'll leave these for my mother to eat." "If we are going to drink wine tonight, just give me two bowls of wine." Baoyu laughed and said: "Do you also like drinking wine?" "Wait for us to have a good, hearty drink tonight." "Aunt Xiren and Aunt Jin'wen can also hold their liquor well. They would like to drink too, but they just don't feel comfortable doing so every day." "Tonight is the perfect opportunity for everyone to break their fast." "There was another matter I wanted to remind you about, but I forgot. Only now do I remember: from now on, you must take full care of Fangguan." "If he ever falls short in anything, you should remind him." "Xiren is already overwhelmed with taking care of all these people." Chunyan said, "I know everything. You don't need to worry about it." "But how is Wu'er's matter going?" Baoyu said: "Go and talk to Liu's family, and have them really let him in tomorrow." "I'll just give them a word of warning, and that will settle it."

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芳官听了，笑道：“这倒是正经事。”春燕又叫两个小丫头进来，伏侍洗手倒茶。自己收了家伙，交给婆子，也洗手，便去找柳家的。不在话下。Fangguan heard this and laughed, saying: "This is actually something serious." Chunyan then called in two young maidservants to help with washing hands and serving tea. After she herself cleaned up the dishes and handed them over to an old woman, Chunyan washed her hands and went off in search of Liu's family. This need not be detailed further.

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宝玉便出来，仍往红香圃寻众姐妹。芳官在后，拿著巾扇。刚出了院门，只见袭人晴雯二人携手回来。宝玉问：“你们做什么呢？”袭人道：“摆下饭了，等你吃饭呢。”宝玉笑著将方才吃饭的一节，告诉了他两个。袭人笑道：“我说你是猫儿食。虽然如此，也该上去陪他们，多少应个景儿。”晴雯用手指戳在芳官额上，说道：“你就是狐媚子！什么空儿，跑了去吃饭！两个怎么约下了？也不告诉我们一声儿。”袭人笑道：“不过是误打误撞的遇见；说约下，可是没有的事。”晴雯道：“既这么著，要我们无用。明儿我们都走了，让芳官一个人，就够使了。”袭人笑道：“我们都去了，使得；你却去不得。”晴雯道：“惟有我是第一个要去：又懒，又夯，性子又不好，又没用。”袭人笑道：“倘或那孔雀褂子襟再烧了窟窿，你去了，谁能以补呢？你倒别和我拿三搬四的。我烦你做个什么，把你懒的‘横针不拈，竖线不动’。一般也不是我的私活烦你，横竖都是他的，你就都不肯做，什么我去了几天，你病的七死八活，一夜连命也不顾，给他做了出来？这又是什么缘故？－－你到底说话呀！怎么装憨儿和我笑？那也当不了什么。”晴雯笑著，啐了一口。大家说著，来至厅上。薛姨妈也来了，依序坐下吃饭。宝玉只用茶泡了半碗饭，应景而已。Baoyu then went out and returned to Hongxiangpu in search of his sisters. Fangguan followed behind, holding a towel and a fan. Just as they were leaving the courtyard gate, they saw Xiren and Jin'wen walking hand in hand back toward them. Baoyu asked: "What have you two been up to?" Xiren said, "The meal is ready. We were waiting for you to eat." Baoyu smiled and told the two of them about his earlier meal. Xiren laughed and said: "I was saying you're like a cat's food— "Although that may be the case, you should still go up there to keep them company and at least make an appearance." Jin'wen poked Fangguan's forehead with her finger and said, "You're nothing but a sly fox!" "What an opportunity to sneak off for a meal!" "How did the two of you manage to make plans together?" "You didn't even tell us about it!" Xiren laughed and said: "It was just a chance meeting; to say that you two made plans in advance is not true at all." Jin'wen said: "If it's like this, then we might as well be useless. Tomorrow, if all of us leave, just let Fangguan stay behind alone—he'll have enough to do!" Xiren laughed and said: "If we all go away, it would be fine; but you can't leave." Jin'wen said: "I am the first one who should go away. I'm lazy, clumsy, have a bad temper, and am useless." Xiren laughed and said: "If the peacock-feather robe's collar is burned again, who will mend it if you leave?" "Don't try to argue with me using all sorts of excuses." "What have I ever asked you to do that made you so lazy, not even picking up a needle or moving a thread?" "It's not even my private work that troubles you. Whether it is horizontal or vertical, all of it belongs to him. Yet you refuse to do any of it. What about the time I was away for a few days and you were so ill you nearly died, yet still risked your life through the night to finish making it for him?" "What is this all about then?" "—you must give me a straight answer!" "Why are you pretending to be silly and smiling at me?" "That doesn't count for much." Jin'wen laughed and spat out a mouthful. While chatting, they arrived at the hall. Aunt Xue had also come and everyone sat down in order to have their meal. Baoyu only took half a bowl of rice steeped with tea, just going through the motions.

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一时吃毕，大家吃茶闲话，又随便玩笑。外面小螺和香菱、芳官、蕊官、藕官、豆官等四五个人，满园玩了一回，大家采了些花草来，兜著坐在花草堆里斗草。这一个说“我有观音柳。”那一个说“我有罗汉松。”那一个又说“我有君子竹。”这一个又说“我有美人蕉。”这个又说“我有星星翠”；那个又说“我有月月红。”这个又说“我有牡丹亭上的牡丹花”；那个又说“我有琵琶记里的枇杷果。”豆官便说：“我有姐妹花。”众人没了。香菱便说：“我有夫妻蕙。”豆官说：“从没听见有个‘夫妻蕙’。”香菱道：“一个剪儿一个花儿叫做‘兰’，一个剪儿几个花儿叫做‘蕙’。上下结花的为‘兄弟蕙’，并头结花的为‘夫妻蕙’。我这枝并头的，怎么不是‘夫妻蕙’？”豆官没的说了，便起身笑道：“依你说，要是这两枝一大一小，就是‘老子儿子蕙’了？若是两枝背面开的，就是‘仇人蕙’了？你汉子去了大半年，你想他了，便拉扯著蕙上也有了夫妻了，好不害臊！”香菱听了，红了脸，忙要起身拧他，笑骂道：“我把你这个烂了嘴的小蹄子！满口里放屁胡说！”豆官见他要站起来，怎肯容他？就连忙伏身将他压住，回头笑著，央告蕊官等：“来帮著我拧他这张嘴！”两个人滚在地下。众人拍手笑说：“了不得了！那是一洼子水，可惜弄了他的新裙子！”豆官回头看了一看，果见傍边有一汪积雨，香菱的半条裙子都污湿了，自己不好意思，忙夺手跑了。众人笑个不住，怕香菱拿他们出气，也都笑著一哄而散。After finishing their meal, everyone had some tea and chatted idly, making small talk and joking around casually. Outside, Xiaolu and Xiangling, Fangguan, Riguang, Ouguan, Douguan, and several others played around the garden for a while. They picked some flowers and grasses, then sat among them in a heap, playing at picking flowers and grasses. One of them said, "I have the Guanyin willow." Another one said, "I have the Luohan pine." Yet another said, "I have the gentleman bamboo." This one then said, "I have the beauty banana plant." Another said, "I have Starry Jade," and another said, "I have the Month-by-Month Red." Another one said, "I have the peony flower from the Peony Pavilion," and another replied, "I have the loquat fruit from The Pipa Record." Douguan then said, "I have sister flowers." Everyone else had no more. Xiangling then said, "I have the husband-and-wife hui." Douguan said, "I've never heard of a 'husband-and-wife hui.'" Xiangling said, "One stem with one flower is called 'lan,' and one stem with several flowers is called 'hui.'" "Those that bloom in succession on the same stalk are called 'brother-and-brother hui,' and those with flowers blooming side by side at the top of a single stem are called 'husband-and-wife hui.'" "My branch has two flowers growing together—how is it not a 'husband-and-wife huit'?" Douguan had no reply and stood up laughing, saying, "According to you, if these two branches were one big and one small, would that be a 'father-and-son hui'?" "And if the two branches bloomed on opposite sides, it would be an 'enemy hui'?" "Your husband has been away for more than half a year, and now you miss him so much that even the hui plant must have husbands and wives—how unseemly!" Xiangling, upon hearing this, blushed and hurriedly tried to get up to pinch her, laughing and scolding, "I'll give you a good scolding for that mouth of yours, you little brat!" "You're just spouting nonsense out of your mouth like stinking flatulence!" Douguan, seeing that she was about to stand up, would not allow it. She quickly crouched down and pinned her, then turned around laughing and pleaded with Riguang and the others: "Come help me pinch this mouth of hers!" The two of them rolled on the ground. Everyone clapped their hands and laughed, saying, "This is something else!" "There's a puddle of water over there. Too bad it got her new skirt dirty!" Douguan turned around and took a look. Indeed, there was a puddle of rainwater nearby, and half of Xiangling's skirt had become dirty and wet. Embarrassed by this, she quickly pulled her hand away and ran off. Everyone kept laughing uncontrollably, afraid that Xiangling might take it out on them, so they all dispersed in a noisy group of laughter.

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香菱起身，低头一瞧，见那裙上犹滴滴点点流下绿水来，正恨骂不绝，可巧宝玉见他们斗草，也寻了些草花来凑戏。忽见众人跑了，只剩了香菱一个，低头弄裙，因问：“怎么散了？”香菱便说：“我有一枝夫妻蕙，他们不知道，反说我诌，因此闹起来，把我的新裙子也糟蹋了。”宝玉笑道：“你有夫妻蕙，我这里倒有一枝并蒂菱。”口内说著，手里真个拈著一枝并蒂菱花，又拈了那枝夫妻蕙在手内。香菱道：“什么夫妻不夫妻，并蒂不并蒂！你瞧瞧这裙子！”宝玉便低头一瞧，“嗳呀”了一声，说：“怎么就拉在泥里了？可惜！这石榴红绫最不禁染！”香菱道：“这是前儿琴姑娘带了来的。姑娘做了一条，我做了一条，今儿才上身。”宝玉跌脚叹道：“若你们家，一日糟蹋这么一件，也不值什么。只是头一件，既系琴姑娘带来的，你和宝姐姐每人才一件，他的尚好，你的先弄坏了，岂不辜负他的心？二则姨妈老人家的嘴碎，饶这么著，我还听见常说你们不知过日子，只会糟蹋东西，不知惜福。这叫姨妈看见了，又说个不清！”Xiangling stood up and looked down, only to see that the green water was still dripping from her skirt. She was cursing in anger when, by chance, Baoyu saw them playing at picking flowers, so he also gathered some grasses and flowers to join in the fun. Suddenly noticing that everyone had run off, leaving only Xiangling alone, who was now fiddling with her skirt, he asked, "Why did they all leave?" Xiangling then said, "I had a branch of husband-and-wife hui. They didn't know about it and instead mocked me, so we quarreled, and in the process my new skirt was ruined." Baoyu smiled and said, "You have a husband-and-wife hui; I happen to have a branch of twin-stemmed water lilies here." While speaking, he really did hold up a branch of twin-stemmed lilies in his hand. Then he also picked up the husband-and-wife hui and held it as well. Xiangling said, "What's this about husbands and wives or twin-stemmed flowers or not?" "Just look at my skirt!" Baoyu looked down and let out an "Ah!" of surprise, saying, "How did it get dragged into the mud?" What a pity! "This pomegranate-red brocade is especially prone to staining!" Xiangling said, "This was brought by Miss Qin the day before yesterday." "She made one and I made one, and today is the first time I've worn it." Baoyu stamped his foot in regret, saying, "If this were your family, ruining one like this every day wouldn't be such a big deal." "But since it's the first one, and because it was brought by Miss Qin, you and Baojiejie each only have one. Hers is still in good condition, but yours has already been ruined—doesn't that make a mockery of her kindness?" "Secondly, Auntie is an old lady with a lot of words. Even as it is now, I've often heard her say that you don't know how to manage your life and only know how to waste things without knowing the value of blessings." "If Auntie sees this, she'll have another fit!"

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香菱听了这话，却碰在心坎儿上，反倒喜欢起来。因笑道：“就是这话。我虽有几条新裙子，都不合这一样；若有一样的，赶著换了也就好了，过后再说。”宝玉道：“你快休动，只站著方好；不然，连小衣、膝裤、鞋面都要弄上泥水了。我有主意：袭人上月做了一条和这个一模一样的，他因有孝，如今也不穿，竟送了你换下这个来，何如？”香菱笑著摇头说：“不好。倘或他们听见了，倒不好。”宝玉道：“这怕什么？等他孝满了，他爱什么，难道不许你送他别的不成？你若这样，不是你素日为人了。况且不是瞒人的事，只管告诉宝姐姐也可。只不过怕姨妈老人家生气罢咧。”香菱想了一想有理，点头笑道：“就是这样罢了，别辜负了你的心。等著你。－－千万叫他亲自送来才好！”Xiangling heard these words and felt they struck right at her heart; instead of being upset, she was actually pleased. She smiled and said, "That's exactly what I need to hear." "I may have a few new skirts, but none are like this one;" "if I had another just like it, I would change into that right away and be fine. We can talk about it later." Baoyu said, "Don't move around anymore; just stand still;" "otherwise, your underclothes, knee pants, and even the soles of your shoes will get muddy." "I have an idea: Xiren made one exactly like this last month. He isn't wearing it now because of mourning, so I can give it to you as a replacement for this one. What do you think?" Xiangling smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, that's not good." "In case they hear about it, it might cause trouble." Baoyu said, "What's there to be afraid of?" "When his mourning period is over, if he wants something else, do you think it would stop you from giving him other things?" "If you act like this, it's not in line with your usual character." "Besides, there is nothing to hide. You can just tell Baojiejie about it as well." "It's only because we're afraid of Auntie getting angry." Xiangling thought for a moment and found it reasonable. She nodded with a smile, saying, "Then let's do that then; don't let your kindness go to waste." "I'll wait for you." "—but he must bring it in person!"

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宝玉听了，喜欢非常，答应了，忙忙的回来。一壁低头，心下暗想：“可惜这么一个人，没父母，连自己本姓都忘了，被人拐出来，偏又卖给这个霸王！”因又想起：“往日平儿也是意外，想不到的，今儿更是意外之意外的事了！”一面胡思乱想，来至房中，拉了袭人，细细告诉了他缘故。Baoyu, upon hearing this, was extremely pleased. He agreed and hurried back. While looking down, he thought to himself in his heart: "What a pity for such a person—without parents and even having forgotten her own family name. She was kidnapped out of nowhere and then sold to this tyrant!" He also thought, "In the past, Ping'er was an unexpected case, something unimaginable. Today's situation is even more unexpectedly surprising!" While lost in thought like this, he arrived at his room and pulled Xiren aside, telling him the whole story in detail.

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香菱之为人，无人不怜爱的。袭人又本是个手中撒漫的，况与香菱相好，一闻此信，忙就开箱取了出来，摺好，随了宝玉，来寻香菱，见他还站在那里等呢。袭人笑道：“我说你太淘气了，总要淘出个故事来才罢。”香菱红了脸，笑说：“多谢姐姐了！谁知那起促狭鬼使的黑心！”说著，接了裙子，展开一看，果然合自己的一样；又命宝玉背过脸去，自己向内解下来，将这条系上。袭人道：“把这腌臜了的交给我拿回去收拾了，给你送来。你要拿回去，看见了又是要问的。”香菱道：“好姐姐，你拿去不拘给那个妹妹罢。我有了这个，不要他了。”袭人道：“你倒大方的很。”香菱忙又拜了两拜，道谢袭人。一面袭人拿了那条泥污了的裙子就走。Xiangling's character was beloved by everyone without exception. Xiren was naturally a generous person, and since he got along well with Xiangling, upon hearing the news, he immediately opened his chest, took out the skirt, folded it neatly, followed Baoyu to find Xiangling. When they arrived, she was still standing there waiting for them. Xiren smiled and said, "I told you that you were too mischievous; you always have to stir up some kind of story before you're satisfied." Xiangling blushed and smiled, saying, "Thank you so much, sister!" "Who would have known those malicious little devils had such evil hearts!" As she spoke, she took the skirt and unfolded it. Indeed, it was exactly like her own; She then ordered Baoyu to turn around, undressed the ruined one from inside and fastened on this new one. Xiren said, "Hand me the dirty one so I can take it back and clean it up for you to bring over later." "If you take it back, they'll see it and ask questions again." Xiangling said, "Dear sister, just give it to any of the other girls when you take it away." "I have this one now and don't need that anymore." Xiren said, "You're being very generous indeed." Xiangling hurriedly bowed twice more to thank Xiren. Meanwhile, Xiren took the muddy skirt and left right away.

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香菱见宝玉蹲在地下，将方才夫妻蕙与并蒂菱用树枝儿挖了一个坑，先抓些落花来铺垫了，将这菱蕙安放上，又将些落花来掩了，方撮土掩埋平伏。香菱拉他的手笑道：“这又叫做什么？怪道人人说你惯会鬼鬼祟祟，使人肉麻呢。你瞧瞧！你这手弄得泥污苔滑的，还不快洗去！”宝玉笑著，方起身走了去洗手。香菱也自走开。Xiangling saw Baoyu squatting on the ground, using a branch to dig a small hole for the husband-and-wife hui and twin-stemmed lily. He first gathered some fallen flowers to line the bottom of the pit, placed the hui and lilies inside, then covered them with more fallen flowers before scooping up soil to carefully cover and level it over. Xiangling took his hand and laughed, asking, "What is this supposed to be called?" "No wonder everyone says you're always sneaking around in mysterious ways, making people feel awkward." "Just look at this!" "Your hands are all muddy and slimy with moss—don't you go wash them right away!" Baoyu laughed, then got up to go wash his hands. Xiangling also walked away on her own.

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二人已走了数步，香菱复转身回来叫住宝玉。宝玉不知有何话说，扎煞著两只泥手，笑嘻嘻的转来，问：“作什么？”香菱红了脸，只管笑，嘴里却要说什么，又说不出口来。因那边他的小丫头臻儿走来说：“二姑娘等你说话呢。”香菱脸又一红，方向宝玉道：“裙子的事，可别和你哥哥说就完了。”说毕，即转身走了。宝玉笑道：“可不是我疯了，往虎口里探头儿去呢！”说著，也回去了。After the two of them had taken several steps, Xiangling turned back and called out to Baoyu again. Baoyu did not know what she had to say, so with his two muddy hands flailing about, he came back smiling and asked, "What is it?" Xiangling blushed, kept laughing, but could not bring herself to say what she wanted to. Just then, his little maid Zhen'er came over and said, "The second young lady is waiting for you to speak with her." Xiangling's face turned red again, and she finally said to Baoyu, "As for the matter of the skirt, don't just finish it off by telling your elder brother." After saying this, she turned around and walked away immediately. Baoyu laughed and said, "Aren't I crazy for sticking my head into the tiger's mouth?" Saying this, he also went back.

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不知端详，下回分解。What will happen next remains to be seen in the following chapter.