20210414 culture
Homework 7 from Apr 7 for Apr 14, 2021
Quicklinks: Course Homepage. Joint translation terms Homework 1, Mar 3 Chapters 1-4, 2, Mar 10 Chapters 6-7, 3, Mar 17 Chapters 11-13, 4, Mar 24 Chapters 15-17, 5, Mar 31 Chapters 4-7, 6, Apr 7 Chapters 8-10, 7, Apr 14 Chapters 13-15 , 8, Apr 21 Chapters 17-19etc.
《红楼梦》程甲本
Please find the most beautiful translations of names and jointly agree to use them. Please also list common terms and joint translation here:
- Jia Baoyu = Precious Jade
- Jia Yucun = Rain Village
- Lin Daiyu = Mascara Jade
- Zhen Shiyin = Hide-the-facts
- ...(everybody please add more here)
Péng Jiāyù 彭佳钰
宝玉大不自在，争奈父女之情，也不好拦阻。于是贾母定要贾琏送他去，仍叫带回来。一应土仪盘费，不消繁说，自然要妥贴。作速择了日期，贾琏与林黛玉辞别了众人，带领仆从，登舟往扬州去了。要知端的，且听下回分解。
◎第十三回 秦可卿死封龙禁尉 王熙凤协理宁国府 话说凤姐儿自贾琏送黛玉往扬州去后，心中实在无趣，每到晚间，不过同平 儿说笑一回就胡乱睡了。这日夜间正和平儿灯下拥炉倦绣，早命浓熏绣被，二 人睡下，屈指算行程该到何处，不知不觉已交三鼓。平儿已睡熟了。凤姐方觉 睡眼微蒙，恍惚只见秦氏从外走进来，含笑说道：“婶婶好睡！我今日回去，你也不送我一程。因娘儿们素日相好，我舍不得婶婶，故来别你一别。还有一件心 愿未了，非告诉婶婶，别人未必中用。”
凤姐听了，恍惚问道：“有何心愿？只管托我就是了。”秦氏道：“婶婶，你是 个脂粉队里的英雄，连那些束带顶冠的男子也不能过你，你如何连两句俗语也 不晓得？常言：‘月满则亏，水满则溢’，又道是：‘登高必跌重。’如今我们家赫赫扬扬，已将百载，一日倘或‘乐极生悲’，若应了那句‘树倒猢狲散’的俗语，岂不虚称了一世诗书旧族了！”凤姐听了此话，心胸不快，十分敬畏，忙问道：“这话虑的极是，
Shū Lín 舒琳
但有何法可以永保无虞？”秦氏冷笑道：“婶婶好痴也！‘否极泰来’，荣辱自古周而复始，岂人力所能常保的。但如今能于荣时筹画下将来衰时的世业，亦可以常永保全了。即如今日诸事俱妥，只有两件未妥，若把此事如此一行，则后日可保永全了。”
凤姐便问：“何事？”秦氏道：“目今祖茔虽四时祭祀，只是无一定的钱粮；第 二，家塾虽立，无一定的供给。依我想来，如今盛时固不缺祭祀供给，但将来败 落之时，此二项有何出处？莫若依我定见，趁今日富贵，将祖茔附近多置田庄、 房舍、地亩，以备祭祀供给之费皆出自此处，将家塾亦设于此。合同族中长幼， 大家定了则例，日后按房掌管这一年的地亩钱粮、祭祀供给之事。如此周流，又 无争竞，也设有典卖诸弊。便是有罪，己物可入官，这祭祀产业，连官也不人的。 便败落下来，子孙回家读书务农，也有个退步，祭祀又可永继。若目今以为荣华 不绝，不思后日，终非长策。眼见不日又有一件非常喜事，真是烈火烹油、鲜花 着锦之盛。要知道，也不过是瞬息的繁华，一时的欢乐，万不可忘了那‘盛筵必 散’的俗语。若不早为后虑，只恐后悔无益了。”凤姐忙问：“有何喜事？”秦氏道：“天机不可泄漏。只是我与婶婶好了一场，临别赠你两句话，须要记着。”
but what plan is there adequate to preserve it from future injury？"
"My dear sister-in-law，" rejoined Mrs. Ch'in with a sardonic smile， "you're very simple indeed！ When woe has reached its climax， weal supervenes. Prosperity and adversity， from days of yore up to the present time， now pass away， and now again revive， and how can （prosperity） be perpetuated by any human exertion？ But if now， we could in the time of good fortune， make provision against any worldly concerns， which might arise at any season of future adversity， we might in fact prolong and preserve it. Everything， for instance， is at present well-regulated； but there are two matters which are not on a sure footing， and if such and such suitable action could be adopted with regard to these concerns， it will， in subsequent days， be found easy to perpetuate the family welfare in its entity."
"What matters are these？" inquired lady Feng.
"Though at the graves of our ancestors，" explained Mrs. Ch'in， "sacrifices and oblations be offered at the four seasons， there's nevertheless no fixed source of income. In the second place， the family school is， it is true， in existence； but it has no definite grants-in-aid. According to my views， now that the times are prosperous， there's， as a matter of course， no lack of offerings and contributions； but by and bye， when reverses set in， whence will these two outlays be met from？ Would it not be as well， and my ideas are positive on this score， to avail ourselves of the present time， when riches and honours still reign， to establish in the immediate vicinity of our ancestral tombs， a large number of farms， cottages， and estates， in order to enable the expenditure for offerings and grants to entirely emanate from this source？ And if the household school were also established on this principle， the old and young in the whole clan can， after they have， by common consent， determined upon rules， exercise in days to come control， in the order of the branches， over the affairs connected with the landed property， revenue， ancestral worship and school maintenance for the year （of their respective term.） Under this rotatory system， there will likewise be no animosities； neither will there be any mortgages， or sales， or any of these numerous malpractices； and should any one happen to incur blame， his personal effects can be confiscated by Government. But the properties， from which will be derived the funds for ancestral worship， even the officials should not be able to appropriate， so that when reverses do supervene， the sons and grandsons of the family may be able to return to their homes， and prosecute their studies， or go in for farming. Thus， while they will have something to fall back upon， the ancestral worship will， in like manner， be continued in perpetuity. But， if the present affluence and splendour be looked upon as bound to go on without intermission， and with no thought for the day to come， no enduring plan be after all devised， presently， in a little while， there will， once again， transpire a felicitous occurrence of exceptional kind， which， in point of fact， will resemble the splendour of oil scorched on a violent fire， or fresh flowers decorated with brocades. You should bear in mind that it will also be nothing more real than a transient pageant， nothing but a short-lived pleasure！ Whatever you do， don't forget the proverb， that 'there's no banquet， however sumptuous， from which the guests do not disperse；' and unless you do， at an early date， take precautions against later evils， reGREt will， I apprehend， be of no avail."
"What felicitous occurrence will take place？" lady Feng inquired with alacrity.
"the decrees of Heaven cannot be divulged； but as I have been very friendly with you， sister-in-law， for so long， I will present you， before I take my leave， with two lines， which it behoves you to keep in mind，" rejoined Mrs. Ch'in，--Shu Lin (talk) 07:35, 20 April 2021 (UTC)
Sū Xiāo 苏潇
因念道：
三春去后诸芳尽，各自须寻各自门。
凤姐还欲问时，只听二门上传事云板连叩四下，正是丧音，将凤姐惊醒，人 回：“东府蓉大奶奶没了。”凤姐吓一身冷汗，出了一回神，只得忙穿衣往王夫人处来。彼时台府皆知，无不纳闷，都有些疑心。那长一辈的，想他素日孝顺；平辈的，想他素日知睦亲密；下一辈的，想他素日的慈爱，以及家中仆从老小，想他素日怜贫惜贱、爱老慈幼之恩，莫不悲号痛哭。
闲言少叙，却说宝玉因近日林黛玉回去，剩得自己落单，也不和人玩耍，每 到晚间，便索然睡了。如今从梦中听见说秦氏死了，连忙翻身爬起来，只觉心中 似戳了一刀的，不觉“哇”的一声，直喷出一口血来。袭人等慌慌忙忙上来扶 着，问：“是怎么样的？”又要回贾母去请大夫。宝玉道：“不用忙，不相干。这是急火攻心，血不归经。”说着便爬起来，要衣服换了，来见贾母，即时要过去。袭人见他如此，心中虽放不下，又不敢拦阻，只得由他罢了。贾母见他要去，因说：“才咽气的人，那里不干净；二则夜里风大，等明早再去不迟。”宝玉那里肯依。贾母命人备车多派跟从人役，拥护前来。
一直到了宁国府前，只见府门大开，两边灯火，照如白昼，乱烘烘人来人往。 里面哭声摇山振岳。
Tāng Huì 汤惠
宝玉下了车，忙忙奔至停灵之室，痛哭一番，然后见过尤氏。谁知尤氏正犯了胃痛旧症，睡在床上。然后又出来见贾珍。彼时贾代儒、代修、贾敕、贾效、贾敦、贾赦、贾政、贾琮、贾珩、贾珖、贾琛、贾琼、贾磷、贾蔷、贾菖、贾菱、贾芸、贾芹、贾蓁、贾萍、贾藻、贾蘅、贾芬、贾芳、贾蓝、贾菌、贾芝等都来了。贾珍哭的泪人一般，正和贾代儒等说道：“合家大小，远近亲友，谁不知我这媳妇比儿子还强十倍。如今伸腿去了，可见这长房内绝灭无人了。”说着又哭起来。众人忙劝道：“人已辞世，哭也无益，且商议如何料理要紧。”贾珍拍手道：“如何料理，不过尽我所有罢了！”
正说着，只见秦业、秦钟并尤氏的几个眷属尤氏姊妹也都来了。贾珍便命 贾琼、贾琛、贾磷、贾蔷四个人去陪客，一面吩咐去请钦天监阴阳司来择日，择准停灵七七四十九日，三日后开丧送讣闻。这四十九日，单请一百零八僧众在大 厅上拜《大悲忏》，超度前亡后化鬼魂；另设一坛于天香楼，是九十九位全真道 士，打十九日解冤洗业醮。然后停灵于会芳园中，灵前另外五十众高僧，五十位 高道，对坛按七作好事。
那贾敬闻得长孙媳死了，因自为早晚就要飞升，如何肯又回家染了红尘， 将前功尽弃，故此并不在意，只凭贾珍料理。
Alighting from his carriage Precious Jade hurried to the room where Keqing lay and having wept there went in to see Madam You, who happened to lay in the bed because of an old disease of stomachache. He then paid his respects to Jia Zhen. By now Jia Dairu had arrived with Jia Daixiu, Jia Chi, Jia Xiao, Jia Dun, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Cong, Jia Bin, Jia Heng, Jia Guang, Jia Chen, Jia Qiong, Jia Lin, Jia Qiang, Jia Chang, Jia Ling, Jia Yun, Jia Qin, Jia Zhen, Jia Ping, Jia Zao, Jia Heng, Jia Fen, Jia Fang, Jia Lian, Jia Jun, Jia Zhi. Bathed in tears, Jia Zhen was telling Jia Dairu and the others, “Everyone in the family, old and young, distant or close, knows that my daughter-in-law was infinitely superior to my son. Now that she has gone, my branch of the family is fated to die out.” With that he broke down again. The man present tried to console him: “ Now that she has departed this world it is useless to weep. The main thing now is to decide what must be done .” “What must be done?”Jia Zhen clapped his hands. “I am ready to dispose of all in my possession.”
He was interrupted by the arrival of Qin Ye, Qin Zhong and other relatives of Madam You as well as her younger sisters. Leaving Jia Qiong, Jia Chen, Jia Lin and Jia Qiang to keep the guests company, Jia Zhen sent to invite someone from the Department of Astrology to choose auspicious days. It was decided that the body should remain in the house for seven times senven or forty-nine days, and mourning should start the third day after her death with the issue of obituary notices. During the forty-nine days a hundred and eight Buddhist monks were to perform the Litany of Great Compassion in the main hall to release the souls of those passed away before and after her and win remission for the sins of the deceased. At an alter erected in the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, ninety-nie Taoists of the Perfect Truth Sect should pray for forty-nine days for absolution. The coffin would then be taken to the Garden of Concentrated Fragrance, where another fifty high bonzes and fifty high Taoists would sacrifice before it once every seventh day during the forty-nine days.
Jia Jing alone was untouched by the death of this eldest grandson’s wife. Expecting to attain immortality shortly himself, how could he go home to be soiled by mundane dust and squander all the merit he had acquired? So he left all the funeral arrangements to his son.
Táng Qǐzhōu 唐启洲 Mr.
且说贾珍恣意奢华，看板时，几副杉木板皆不中意。可巧薛蟠来吊，因见贾珍寻好板，便说：“我们木店里有一副板，叫作什么樯木，出在潢海铁网山上，作了棺材，万年不坏。这还是当年先父带来的，原系忠义亲王老千岁要的，因他坏了事，就不曾用。现在还封在店里，也没有人买得起。你若是要，就来看看。”贾珍听说甚喜，即命抬来，大家看时，只见帮皆厚八寸，纹若槟榔，味若檀麝，以手扣之，声如玉石。大家称奇。贾珍笑问道：“价值几何？”薛蟠笑道“拿着一千两银子只怕没买处，什么价不价，赏他们几两银子作工钱便是了。”贾珍听说，忙谢不尽，即命解锯造成。贾政因劝道：“此物恐非常人可享，殓以上等杉木也罢了。”贾珍如何肯听。
忽又听见秦氏之丫鬟名唤瑞珠的，见秦氏死了，也触柱而亡。此事可罕，合族都称叹。贾珍遂以孙女之礼殡殓之，一并停灵于会芳园之登仙阁。又有小丫鬟名宝珠的，因秦氏无出，乃愿为义女，请任摔丧驾灵之任。贾珍甚喜，即时传命，从此皆呼宝珠为小姐。那宝珠按未嫁女之礼，在灵前哀哀欲绝。
于是合族人丁并家下诸人都各遵旧制行事，自不得错乱。贾珍因想道：“贾蓉不过是黉门监，灵幡上写时不好看，便是执事也不多。”因此，心下甚不自在。
Precious Merchant indulged herself in luxury and found it hard to choose an ideal coffin plank. Coil Xue happened to visit at this time. Finding Precious Merchant was choosing for a good plank, he said," There is a plank in our wood store. It is found on the Iron Net Mountain at Huanghai and is named Qiang. If you use it as the coffin, it won't rot for thousands of years. It was ordered by Old Thousand and was brought back by my dead father. However, considering his crime, the wood has never been used, and as no one can afford it, it is still lying in the store now. If you are interested, now and have a look." Precious Merchant was so delighted when hearing this that she immediately asked the servants to bring it here. The width of the wood was eight cun, with areca-not-like stripes and a smell of sandalwood and musk. When being knocked, it sounds like the jade. Everyone complimented the wood, including Precious Merchant, smiling contentedly and asked the price of it. Coil Xue laughed," Don't think about the price. We only worry no one would buy it. Just pay several silver and that's a deal." Hearing this, Precious Merchant hurriedly expressed her gratitude and immediately requested others to separate it. Politics Merchant persuaded," It is not for a normal person to enjoy. It's okay if we use another good plank," but how could Precious Merchant listen to his advice?
It was heard that one of Qin's maids, named Omen Bead, committed suicide on the news of Qin's death. It was so rarely seen that the whole family was shocked. Precious Merchant encoffined her following the rules for a dead granddaughter and buried her together at the Immortal Pavilion in the Meeting Fragrance Garden. As Qin had no descendant, another young maid named Precious Bead willingly become an adopted daughter and offered to play a role in the funeral. Precious Merchant was really happy and asked others to call her miss ever since. That Precious Bead followed the rule of an unmarried women to cry sadly in front of the tomb.
Everyone in the family acted as the old discipline without any mistake. Precious Merchant wondered," Lotus Merchant is only a student from the Imperial College. He doesn't write well on the band of mourning, and doesn't arrange many affairs." Thinking about this, she felt quite uncomfortable.--Tang Qizhou (talk) 15:09, 16 April 2021 (UTC)
Téng Bìxiá 滕璧霞
可巧这日正是首七第四日，早有大明宫掌宫内监戴权，先备了祭礼遣人来， 次坐了大轿，打道鸣锣，亲来上祭。贾珍忙接陪，让坐至逗蜂轩献茶。贾珍心中 早打定了主意，因而趁便就说要与贾蓉捐个前程的话。戴权会意，因笑道：“想 是为丧礼上风光些？”贾珍忙道：“老内相所见不差。”戴权道：“事倒凑巧，正有个美缺。如今三百员龙禁尉缺了两员，昨儿襄阳侯的兄弟老三来求我，现拿了一千五百两银子送到我家里。你知道，咱们都是老相好，不拘怎么样，看着他爷爷的分上，胡乱应了。还剩了一个缺，谁知永兴节度使冯胖子要求与他孩子捐， 我就没工夫应他。既是咱们的孩子要捐，快写个履历来。”贾珍忙命人写了一 张红纸履所来。戴权看了，上写着：
江南应天府江宁县监生贾蓉，年二十岁。曾祖，原任京营节度使世袭一等神威将军贾代化。祖，丙辰科进士贾敬。父，世袭三品爵威烈将军贾珍。
戴权看了，回手递与一个贴身的小厮收了，道：“回去送与户部堂官老赵， 说我拜上他起一张五品龙禁尉的票，再给个执照，就把这履历填上，明日我来兑 银子送过去。”小厮答应了。戴权告辞，贾珍款留不住，只得送出府门。临上轿， 贾珍问：“银子还是我到部去兑，还是送人内相府中？”戴权道：“若到部里兑，你又吃亏了；不如平准一千两银子送到我家就完了。”
Wáng Chǔyí 王楚仪
贾珍感谢不尽，因说：“待服满后，亲带大小犬到府叩谢。”于是作别。
接着又听喝道之声，原来是忠靖侯史鼎的夫人来了。王夫人、邢夫人、凤 姐等刚迎入正房，又见锦乡侯、川宁侯、寿山伯三家祭礼也摆在灵前；少时，三人下轿，贾珍接上大厅。如此亲朋你来我去，也不能计数。只这四十九日，宁国府街上一条白漫漫人来人往，花簇簇官来官去。
贾珍令贾蓉次日换了吉服，领凭回来。灵前供用执事等物俱按五品职例， 灵牌疏上皆写“诰授贾门秦氏宜人之灵位”。会芳园临街大门洞开，两边起了 鼓乐厅，两班青衣按时奏乐，一对对执事摆的刀斩斧截。更有两面朱红销金大 牌竖在门外，上面大书道：“防护内廷紫禁道御前侍卫龙禁尉。”对面高起着宣 坛，僧道对坛，榜上大书“世袭宁国公冢孙妇防护内廷御前侍卫龙禁尉贾门秦 氏宜人之丧。四大部洲至中之地，奉天永建太平之国，总理虚无寂静教门僧录 司正堂万、总理元始正一教门道纪司正堂叶生等，敬谨修斋，朝天叩佛”以及 “恭请诸‘伽蓝’‘揭谛’‘功曹’等神，圣恩普锡，神戚远振，四十九日销灾洗业平安水陆道场”等语，亦不及繁记。
只是贾珍虽然心意满足，但里面尤氏又犯了旧疾，不能料理事务，惟恐各 诰命来往，亏了礼数，怕人笑话，因此心中不自在。
Wáng Jìngyí 王静怡
当下正忧虑时，因宝玉在侧，便问道：“事事都算安贴了，大哥哥还愁什么？”贾珍便将里面无人的话告诉了他。宝玉听说，笑道：“这有何难，我荐一个人与你，权理这一个月的事，管保妥当。”贾珍忙问：“是谁？”宝玉见坐间还有许多亲友，不便明言，走向贾珍耳边说了两句。贾珍听了，喜不自胜，笑道：“这果然妥贴，如今就去。”说着，拉了宝玉，薛了众人，便往上房里来。
可巧这日非正经日期，亲友来的少，里面不过几位近亲堂客，邢夫人、王夫 人、凤姐并合族中的内眷陪坐。闻人报：“大爷进来了。”唬的众婆娘“唿”的一声，往后藏之不迭，独凤姐款款站了起来。
贾珍此时也有些病症在身，二则过于悲痛，因拄个拐踱了进来。邢夫人等 因说道：“你身上不好，又连日事多，该歇歇才是，又进来做什么？”贾珍一面拄拐，扎挣着要蹲身跪下请安道乏；邢夫人等忙叫宝玉搀住，命人??椅子与他坐。 贾珍不肯坐，因勉强陪笑道：“侄儿进来有一件事要求二位婶婶并大妹妹。”邢 夫人等忙问：“什么事？”贾珍忙忙道：“婶婶自然知道，如今孙子媳妇没了，侄儿媳妇又病倒，我看里头着实不成体统。要屈尊大妹妹一个月，在这里料理料理，我就放心了。”
Wáng Qìnyú 王沁瑜
邢夫人笑道：“原来为这个。你大妹妹现在你二婶婶家，只和你 二婶婶说就是了。”王夫人忙道：“他一个小孩子，何曾经过这些事，倘或料理不清，反叫人笑话，倒是再烦别人好。”贾珍笑道：“婶婶的意思，侄儿猜着了，是怕大妹妹劳苦了。若说料理不开，从小儿大妹妹玩笑时就有杀伐决断，如今出了阁，在那府里办事，越发历练老成了。我想了这几日，陈了大妹妹再无人可求 了。婶婶不看侄儿与侄儿媳妇面上，只看死的分上罢！”说着流下泪来。
王夫人心中为的是凤姐未经过丧事，怕他料理不起，被人见笑；今见贾珍 苦苦的说，心中已活了几分，却又眼看着凤姐出神。那凤姐素日最喜揽事，好卖 弄能干，今见贾珍如此央他，心中早已允了；又见王夫人有活动之意，便向王夫 人道：“大哥说得如此恳切，太太就依了罢。”王夫人悄悄的问道：“你可能么？” 凤姐道：“有什不能！算外面的大事，已经大哥哥料理清了，不过是里面照管 照管。便是我有不知的，问太太就是了。”王夫人见说得有理，便不出声。贾珍 见凤姐允了，又陪笑道：“也管不得许多了，横竖要求大妹妹辛苦辛苦。我这里 先与大妹妹行礼，等完了事，我再到那府里去谢。”说着就作揖下去，凤姐连忙还礼不迭。
Wáng Zǐhán 王子涵
贾珍便命人取了宁国府对牌来，命宝玉送与凤姐，说道：“妹妹爱怎么就怎 么样办，要什么，只管拿这个取去，也不必问我。只求别存心替我省钱，要好看 为上；二则也同那府里一样待人才好，不要存心怕人抱怨。只这两件外，我再没 不放心的了。”凤姐不敢就接牌，只看着王夫人，王夫人道：“你大哥既这么说，你就照看照看罢了。只是别自作主意，有了事打发人问你哥哥嫂子一声儿要 紧。”宝玉早向贾珍手里接过对牌来，强递与凤姐了。贾珍又问：“妹妹还是住 在这里，还是天天来呢？若是天天来，越发辛苦了。我这里赶着收拾出一个院 落来，妹妹住过这几日，倒安稳。”凤姐笑说：“不用，那边也离不得我，倒是天天来的好。”贾珍说：“也罢，也罢。”然后又说了一回闲话，方才出去。
一时女眷散后，王夫人因问凤姐：“你今儿怎么样？”凤姐道：“太太只管请 回去；我须得先理出一个头绪来才回得去呢。”王夫人听说，便先同邢夫人回去， 不在话下。
这里凤姐来至三间一所抱厦内坐了，因想：头一件是人口混杂，遗失东西； 二件，事无专管，临期推委；三件，需用过费，滥支冒领；四件，任无大小，苦乐不均；五件，家人豪纵，有脸者不能服钤束，无脸者不能上进。此五件实是宁府中风俗。不知凤姐如何处治，且听下回分解。 Jia Zhen took the Ning Mansion tally from his sleeve and asked Baoyu to hand it to her. “You will have a free hand, cousin,” he promised. “Just use this to requisition whatever, you want, there’s no need to consult me. I’ve only two requests to make. First, please don’t try to spare me expense, as I want everything done handsomely. And secondly, treat the servants here as you would your own, don’t be afraid they may resent it. Apart from these two provisos, nothing else worries me.” Xifeng did not venture to take the tally but glanced at Lady Wang. “Do as your cousin asks,” said Lady Wang. “But don’t take too much upon yourself. If there are any decisions to make, send to ask him and your sister-in-law what should be done.” Baoyu had already taken the tally from Jia Then and forced it on Xifeng. “Would you prefer to stay here or to come over every day?” Jia Zhen asked her. “Coming over every day might be rather tiring. Why not let me clear out an apartment for you to stay in. Wouldn’t that save you trouble?” “There’s no need,” replied Xifeng gaily. “They can’t do without me over there. I’ll come every day.” Jia Zhen did not insist but left them after a little further chat. As soon as the visitors had gone Lady Wang asked Xifeng what she proposed to do now. “Please don’t wait for me, madam. I must sort things out before I come home.” So Lady Wang left first with Lady Xing, while Xifeng retired to a small three-roomed annex to reflect as follows: First, this household is such a mixed one that things may get lost; Secondly, unless duties are assigned the servants may shirk work; Thirdly, the heavy expenditure may lead to extravagance and faked receipts; Fourthly, if no distinction is made between large tasks and small ones, some will have a harder time than others; Fifthly, these servants are so out of hand that those with any pretensions may defy me, and those with none won’t do their best. These were indeed the’ five distinguishing features of the Ning Mansion. To know how Xifeng coped, read the following chapter.
Wǔ Sīyí 伍斯仪
◎第十四回 林如海捐馆扬州城 贾宝玉路谒北静王
话说宁国府中都总管来升闻知里面委请了凤姐，因传齐同事人等说道： “如今请了西府里琏二奶奶管理内事，倘或他来支取东西，或是说话，须要小心 伺候。每日大家早来晚散，宁可辛苦这一个月，过后再歇息，不要把老脸面丢 了。那是个有名的烈货，脸酸心硬，一时恼了，不认人的。”众人都道：“有理。” 又有一个笑道：“论理，我们里面也该得他来整治整治，部忒不像了。”正说着，只见来旺媳妇拿了对牌来领呈文经榜纸札，票上开着数目。众人连忙让坐倒茶， 一面命人按数取纸；来旺抱着同来旺媳妇一路来至仪门，方交与来旺媳妇自己 抱进去了。
凤姐即命彩明定造册簿；即时传了来升媳妇，要家口花名册查看；又限明 日一早传齐家人媳妇进府听差。大概点了一点数目单册，问了来升媳妇几句 话，便坐车回家。
至次日卯正二刻，便过来了。那宁国府中婆子媳妇闻得到齐，只见凤姐与 来升媳妇分派众人执事，不敢擅入，在窗外打听。听见凤姐和来升媳妇道：“既 托了我，我就说不得要讨你们嫌了。我可比不得你们奶奶好性儿，由着你们去。 再不要说你们‘这府里原是这么样’的话，如今可要依着我行，错我半点儿，管 不得谁是有脸的，谁是没脸的，一例清白处治。”
Sheng, chief steward of the Ning Mansion, heard the news that Siste Phoenix was to take charge, he summoned all his colleagues and he told them, “Madam Jia Lian of the West Mansion is coming to supervise our household, when she asks for things or gives orders, we must be extra careful. Better turn up earlier and leave later everyday, working hard this month and resting afterwards, in order not to lose face. You know what a tenor she is, sour-faced, hard-hearted and no respecter of persons once she’s angry.” They agreed, and one said with a laugh, “actually we need her to get this place into shape. Things are too out of hand.” Just then Lai Wang’s wife came along with a tally and a receipt for the amount required, to fetch sacrificial paper and paper for supplications and prayers. They made her take a seat and have some tea while someone went for the amount required and carried it for her to the inner gate, where he handed it over to her to take inside. Then Sister Phoenix ordered Sunshine to prepare a register and sent for Lai Sheng’s wife to bring her a list of the staff. She announced that all the men-servants’ wives were to come to her early the next morning for instructions. After checking quickly through the list and asking Lai Sheng’s wife some questions, she went home in her carriage. She was back at half past six the next morning to find all the old serving women and stewards’ wives assembled. They did not venture into the antechamber when they saw that Sister Phoenix and Lai Sheng’s wife were busy assigning tasks, but from outside the window they heard her tell the latter: “Since I have been put in charge here, I dare say I shall make myself unpopular. I’m not as good-tempered as your own mistress who lets you do what you want to do; So don’t tell me how things used to be managed here, but just do as I command. If you disobeyed my order, I will deal with you publicly, no matter how much face the offender may have.”
Wú Xīnxīn 吴欣欣
说罢，便吩咐彩明念花名册，接名一个一个叫进来看视，一时看完，又吩咐 道：“这二十个分作两班，一班十个，每日在内单管人客来往倒茶，别事不用他们管。这二十个也分作两班，每日单管本家亲戚茶饭，也不管别事。这四十个人 也分作两班，单在灵前上香添油，挂幔守灵，供饭供茶，随起举哀，也不管别事。 这四个人专在内荼房收管杯碟茶器，若少了一件，四人分赔。这四个人单管酒 饭器皿，少一件也是分赔。这八个人单管收祭礼。这八个单管各处灯油、蜡烛、 纸札，我总支了来，交与你八个人，然后按我的定数再往各处分派。这二十个每 日轮流各处上夜，照管门户，监察火烛，打扫地方。这下剩的按房分开，某人守 某处，某处所有桌椅古玩起，至于痰盒掸帚，一草一苗，或丢或坏，就问这看守之人赔补。来升家的每日揽总查看，或有偷懒的，赌钱吃酒打架拌嘴的，立刻来回我。你要徇情，经我查出，三四辈子的老脸，就顾不成了。如今都有了定规，以后那一行乱了，只和那一行说话。素日跟我的人，随身俱有钟表，不论大小事， 皆有一定时刻，横竖你们上房里也有时辰钟：卯正二刻我来点卯，巳正吃早饭， 凡有领牌回事的，只在午初二刻。成初烧过黄昏纸，我亲到各处查一遍，回来上 夜的交明钥匙。第二日仍是卯正二刻过来。说不得咱们大家辛苦这几日罢，事 完了，你们大爷自然赏你们的。”
Yāo Yáng 么阳
说毕，又吩咐按数发与茶叶、油烛、鸡毛掸子、笤帚等物，一面又搬取家伙： 桌围、椅搭、坐褥，毡席、痰盒、脚踏之类，一面交发，一面提笔登记，某人管某处，某人领物件，开得十分清楚。众人领了去，也都有了投奔，不似先时只拣便宜的做，剩下苦差没个招揽。各房中也不能趁乱迷失东西。便是人来客往，也都安静了，不比先前紊乱无头绪，一切偷安窃取等弊，一概都蠲了。
凤姐自己威重令行．心中十分得意。因见尤氏犯病，贾珍也过于悲哀，不 大进饮食，自己每日从那府中熬了各样细粥，精美小菜，令人送来劝食。贾珍也 另外吩咐每日送上等菜到抱厦内，单与凤姐。凤姐不畏勤劳，天天按时刻过来， 点卯理事，独在抱厦内起坐，不与众妯娌合群，便有眷客来往，也不迎送。
这日乃五七正五日上，那应佛惜正开方破狱，传灯照亡，参阎君，拘都鬼，延 请地藏王，开金桥，引幢幡；那道士们正伏章申表，朝三清，叩玉帝，禅僧们行香，放焰口，拜水忏；又有十二众青年尼僧，搭绣衣，靸红鞋，在灵前默诵接引诸咒，十分热闹。
那凤姐知道今日人客不少，寅正便起来梳洗，及收抬完备，更衣盥手，喝了 几口奶子，漱口已毕，正是卯正二刻了。来旺媳妇率领众人伺候已久。 After talking, he ordered the tea leaves, oil candles, feather dusters, brooms and other things to be distributed according to the number, and at the same time he took out the objects: table circumference, chair, sitting mat, felt mat, sputum box, footrest, etc., and handed over at the same time, while holding a pen to register clearly who was in charge of a place, who took an object. Everyone took something, and all of them turned around. It's not like before when they only chose the cheapest, and there was nothing left to recruit, nothing lost in the chaos in each room. Even when people come and go, they are all quiet, no more chaotic and clueless than before, and all the evils such as stealing are all diminished. Xi Feng saw her own majesty, feeling very proud. Seeing Ms.You's illness, Zhen Merchant was too sad and eat little. She cooked all kinds of porridge and exquisite side dishes from the house every day, which was sent for persuasion. Zhen Merchant also ordered the delivery of high-quality dishes every day, only to Lady Feng. Lady Feng was not afraid of industrious work, came on time every day, clicked on the directors, sat up in the holding hall alone, don't gregarious with all the wives,even there will be guests coming and going, they will not be greeted. This day is the Thiry-fifth Day after Death, and the Buddha should open the way to break the hell, pass the lamp to the death, visit Yama , arrest the ghost, invite Ksitigarbha, open the golden bridge, and erect the flags; the Taoist priests were on the ground , appealed to the Three Qing Dynasty, knocked on the Jade Emperor, the monks performed incense, let off the flames, and worshipped water; there were also twelve young nuns,
Yì Míngxiá 易明霞
凤姐出至厅前，上了车，前面一对明角灯，上写“荣国府”三个大字。来至宁府大门首，门灯朗挂，两边一色矗灯，照如白昼，白汪汪穿孝家人两行侍立。请车至正门上，小厮退去，众媳妇上来揭起车帘。凤姐下了车，一手扶着丰儿，两个媳妇执着手把灯照着，撮拥凤姐进来。宁府诸媳妇迎着请安。风姐款步入会芳园中登仙閣灵前，一见棺材，那眼泪恰似断线之珠，滚将下来。院中多少小厮垂手侍立，伺候烧纸。凤姐吩咐一声：“供茶烧纸。”只听一棒锣鸣，诸乐齐奏，早有人端过一张大圈椅来，放在灵前，凤姐坐了放声大哭，于是里外上下男女都接声嚎哭。
一时贾珍、尤氏令人劝止，凤姐方止住。来旺媳妇倒茶濑口毕，凤姐方起 身，别了族中诸人，自人抱厦来，接名查点，各项人数，俱已到齐，只有迎送亲客上的一人未到，即令传来。那人惶恐，凤姐冷笑道：“原来是你误了！你比他们有体面，所以不听我的话。”那人回道：“小的天天都来的早，只有今儿来迟了一步，求奶奶饶过初次。”正说着，只见荣国府中的王兴媳妇来了，在前探头。凤姐且不发放这人，却问：“王兴媳妇来作什么？”王兴媳妇近前说：“领牌取线，打车轿网络。”说着将个帖儿递上去，
Yuán Jìng 袁静
凤姐令彩明念道：“大轿两顶，小轿四顶，车四辆，共用大小络子若干根，每根用珠儿线若干斤。”凤姐听了数目相合，便命彩明登记，取荣国对牌掷下。王兴家的去了。
凤姐方欲说话，只见荣国府的四个执事人进来，都是要支取东西领牌的，凤姐命他们要了帖念过，听了一共四件，因指两件道：“这个开销错了，再算清了来领。”说着将帖子掷下。那二人扫兴而去。
凤姐因见张材家的在旁，因问：“你有什么事？”张材家的忙取帖子回道： “就是方才车轿围做成，领取裁缝工银若干两。”凤姐听了，收了帖子，命彩明登记。待王兴交过，得了买办的回押相符，然后与张材家的去领。一面又命念那 一件，是为宝玉外书房完峻，支领买纸料糊裱。凤姐听了．即命收帖儿登记，待 张材家的缴清再发。
凤姐便说道：“明儿他也来迟了，后儿我也来迟了，将来都没有人了。本来 要饶你，只是我头一次宽了，下次就难管别人了，不如开发的好。”登时放下睑 来，命带出去打二十板子，众人见凤姐--Zhao Ke (talk) 09:27, 18 April 2021 (UTC)动怒，不敢怠慢，拉出去照数打了，进来回复；凤姐又掷下宁府对牌：“说与来升革他一月银米。”吩咐：“散了罢。”众人方各自办事去了。那时被打之人亦含羞饮泣而去。彼时荣宁两处领牌交牌人往来不绝，凤姐又一一开发了。 Sister Phoenix ordered Colorful Light to read out the number of strings of beads and tassels. She said, “It needs two palanquin and four sedan-chairs as well as four carriages. Finding the figures correct, Sister Phoenix told Colorful Light to register them and and gave a Rong Mansion tally to Wang Xing's wife, who left then. Before Sister Phoenix could say something there came four stewards from the Rong Mansion with intents for stores. Sister Phoenix had their orders read out and pointed at two of the four items. "These figures are wrong. Come back when you have worked them out correctly. "The two stewards whose intents she tossed back withdrew very sheepishly. Then she noticed Zhang Cai's wife and asked her business. The woman handed her an order form, saying, "The covers for the carriages and Sedan-chairs are finished, and I have come for the money for the tailor. " King Phoenix told Colorful Light to enter this, and when Wang Xing's wife had returned the tally and fetched the accountant's receipt for the right sum Zhang Cai's wife was sent to get the money. Another order for wall-paper to paper Precious Jade's outer study was read out and registered. After Zhang Cai's wife has finished her business and returned the tally, the other was sent with it to get Wall-paper. Then she said, "If you are late today and I'm late tomorrow, there will soon be nobody here. I should have liked to let you off, but if I overlook the first offence, the others will get out of hand. I shall be obliged to make an example of you. " With a stern look, she ordered the woman to be taken out and given twenty strokes with bamboo. She then threw down the Ning Mansion tally and gave orders that Lai Sheng should dock this usher of a month's wages. When the others heard this and saw Sister Phoenix's angry frown, they dared not show slackness in carrying out her orders. Some hastily dragged out the woman; others passed on the order to Lai Sheng. After the usher had been given twenty strokes she had to turn to kowtow to Sister Phoenix. Then she dismissed the servants. After a while, a steady stream of domestics from both mansions kept coming to hand in or apply for intents, while the woman who had been beaten left shamefully. --Yuan Jing (talk) 04:22, 18 April 2021 (UTC)
Sister Phoenix ordered Colorful Light to read out the number of strings of beads and tassels. She said, “It needs two palanquin and four sedan-chairs as well as four carriages. Finding the figures correct, Sister Phoenix told Colorful Light to register them and and gave a Rong Mansion tally to Wang Xing's wife, who left then. Before Sister Phoenix could say something there came four stewards from the Rong Mansion with intents for stores. Sister Phoenix had their orders read out and pointed at two of the four items. "These figures are wrong. Come back when you have worked them out correctly. "The two stewards whose intents she tossed back withdrew very sheepishly. Then she noticed Zhang Cai's wife and asked her business. The woman handed her an order form, saying, "The covers for the carriages and Sedan-chairs are finished, and I have come for the money for the tailor. " King Phoenix told Colorful Light to enter this, and when Wang Xing's wife returned the tally and fetched the accountant's receipt for the right sum Zhang Cai's wife was sent to get the money. Another order for wall-paper to paper Precious Jade's outer study was read out and registered. After Zhang Cai's wife has finished her business and returned the tally, the other was sent with it to get Wall-paper. Then she said, "If you are late today and I'm late tomorrow, there will soon be nobody here. I should have liked to let you off, but if I overlook the first offence, the others will get out of hand. I shall be obliged to make an example of you. " With a stern look, she ordered the woman to be taken out and given twenty strokes by bamboo. She then threw down the Ning Mansion tally and gave orders that Lai Sheng should dock this usher of a month's wages. When others heard this and saw Sister Phoenix's angry frown, they dared not show slackness in carrying out her orders. Some hastily dragged out the woman; others passed on the order to Lai Sheng. After the usher had been given twenty strokes she had to turn to kowtow towards Sister Phoenix. Then she dismissed the servants. After a while, a steady stream of domestics from both mansions kept coming to hand in or apply for intents, while the woman who had been beaten left shamefully.--Zhao Ke (talk) 09:27, 18 April 2021 (UTC)
Zhào Kē 赵轲 Mr.
于是宁府中人才知凤姐利害，自此各兢兢业业，不敢偷安，不在话下。
如今且说宝玉，因见人众，恐秦钟受了委曲，遂同他往凤姐处坐坐，凤姐正 吃饭，见他们来了，笑道：“好长腿子，快上来罢。”宝玉道：“我们偏了。”凤姐道：“在这边外头吃的，还是那边吃的？”宝玉道：“同那些浑人吃什么！原是那边，我还同老太太吃了来的。”说著，一面归坐。
凤姐饭毕，就有宁府一个媳妇来领牌，为支取香灯，凤姐笑道：“我算着你 今儿该来支取，想是忘了。要终久忘了，自然是你包出来，都便宜了我。”那媳妇笑道：“何尝不是忘了，方才想起来，再迟一步，也领不成了。”说毕，领牌而去。
一时登记变牌。秦钟因笑道：“你们两府里都是这牌，倘别人私造一个，支 了银子去，怎样？”凤姐笑道：“依你说，都没王法了。”宝玉因道：“怎么咱们家没人来领牌子支东西？”凤姐道：“他们来领的时候，你还做梦呢。我且问你，你们多早晚才念夜书呢？”宝玉道：“巴不得今日就念才好，只是他们不快给收拾出书房，也是没法。”凤姐笑道：“你请我一请，包管就快了。”宝玉道：“你也不中用，他们该做到那里的时候，自然有了。”凤姐道：“就是他们做也得要东西，搁不住我不给对牌，是难的。”
Then those who belonged to Ning Mansion knew Sister Phoenix's fierceness. They did their own work and did not dare to be lazy, of course. Now Precious Jade met them, being afraid that Qin Zhong may suffer wrong, and sat towards Sister Phoenix with him. Sister Phoenix was eating and saw them, "How fast you are! Come here." Precious Jade said, "Our way is slanting. " Sister Phoenix said, "Where did you eat, out of here or there?" Precious Jade said, "Why should we eat with those bastards? I ate with an old woman there." With his words, he sat down.
After eating, there is a woman in Ning Mansion to get a plate for drawing a Fragrance lighting. Sister Phoenix smiled, "I consider that you will come to draw it today, and you may forget it. If you forget it forever, then I take advantage of you." The woman smiled, "I do forget, but I just recall it. If I come here later, I think I can not get it, too. " She went away after saying the words.
When they registered the plate, Qin Zhong smiled, "Both your plates are like this. If someone makes it on his own, he takes the money away. How about that?" Sister Phoenix said, "If it is that, there is no rules." Precious Jade said, "Why do not our servants come to get something?" Sister Phoenix replied, "When they are here, you are still dreaming. Well, I ask you one thing. When will you start to study?" Precious Jade said, "I would like to start today. But they have not cleared up the schoolroom. That's the problem." Sister Phoenix said, "You can ask me for help. It will be down as soon as possible." Precious Jade said, "You can not do that, too. When they finished their things, it will be down naturally." Sister Phoenix said, "It is that they should do things with right plate. It will be difficult with wrong plate."--Zhao Ke (talk) 09:21, 18 April 2021 (UTC)
Bào Qìnwén 鲍沁雯
宝玉听说，便猴向凤姐身上立刻要牌，说：“好姐姐，给他们牌，好支东西去收拾。”凤姐道：“我乏的身上生疼，还搁的住你这揉搓？你放心罢，今儿才领了裱糊纸去了，他们该要的还等叫去呢，可不傻了？”宝玉不信，凤姐便叫彩明查册子与宝玉看了。
正闹着，人来回：“苏州去的昭儿来了。”凤姐急命唤进来。昭儿打千儿请 安。凤姐便问：“回来做什么的？”昭儿道：“二爷打发回来的。林姑老爷是九月初三巳时没的。二爷带了林姑娘同送林姑爷的灵到苏州，大约赶年底就回来。 二爷打发小的来报个信请安，讨老太太示下。还瞧瞧奶奶家里好，叫把大毛衣 服带几件去。”凤姐道：“你见过别人了没有？”昭儿道：“都见过了。”说毕，连忙退出。凤姐向宝玉笑道：“你林妹妹可在咱们家住长了。”宝玉道：“了不得，想来这几日他不知哭的怎样呢。”说着蹙眉长叹。
凤姐见昭儿回来，因当着人不及细问贾琏，心中自是记挂，待要回去，奈事 未了毕，少不得耐到晚上回来，复令昭儿进来，细问一路平安信息。连夜打点大 毛衣服，和平儿亲自检点包囊，再细细追想所需何物，一并包裹交付昭儿。又细 细吩咐昭儿：“在外好生小心伏侍，不要惹你二爷生气。时时劝他少吃酒，别勾 引他认得混账女人，———回来打折你的腿！”
Chén Kērǔ 陈柯汝
赶乱完了，天已四更，睡下，不觉早又天明，忙梳洗过宁府来。
那贾珍因见发引日近，亲自坐车带了阴阳司吏，往铁槛寺来踏看寄灵所 在；又一一嘱咐住持色空好生预备新鲜陈设，多请名憎，以备接灵使用。色空忙 备晚斋，贾珍也无心茶饭，因天晚不及进城，竟在净室胡乱歇了一夜。次日早， 便进城来料理出殡之事；一面又派人先往铁槛寺，连夜另外修饰停灵之处，并厨 茶等项，接灵人口。
凤姐见发引日期在限，也预先逐细分派料理，一面又派荣府中车轿人从跟 王夫人送殡，又顾自己送殡去占下处。目今正值缮国公诰命亡故，邢王二夫人 又去吊祭送殡；西安郡王妃华诞，送寿礼；镇国公诰命生了长男，预备贺礼；又有胞兄王仁连家眷回南，一面写家信禀叩父母并带往之物；又有迎春染疾，每日请医服药，看医生启帖、症源、药案……各事冗杂，亦难尽述。又兼发引在迩，因此忙的凤姐茶饭无心，坐卧不宁。刚到了宁府，荣府的人跟着；既回到荣府，宁府的人又跟着。凤姐虽然如此之忙，只因素性好胜，惟恐落人褒贬，故费尽精神，筹划得十分整齐，于是合族中上下无不称叹。
这日伴宿之夕，里面两班小戏并耍百戏的，与亲朋等伴宿。尤氏犹卧于内 室，一切张罗款待，独是凤姐一人周全承应，
After Phoenix Sister finished her business, it was 1’oclock already. She slept for a little while and found it was soon morning again; so she dressed up quickly and arrived at Ning mansion.
The day of the funeral approaching, Cousin Zhen with Yin Yang officials went to Iron Threshold Temple by carriages to check the place where coffin would be buried. He required the abbot No Sex to prepare new instruments needed carefully, and to invite good monks for receiving the coffin. No Sex was occupied with supper preparation. Cousin Zhen was not in the mood to eat or drink. As it was late for him to go back home, he slept in a room of the temple casually. The next morning, he went back home to deal with relevant things about carrying out the coffin upon burial for which he sent people to repair the place timely where coffin would be placed, and arranged teas as well as assistant people needed in Iron Threshold Temple.
The day of carrying out the coffin upon burial approaching, Phoenix Sister dispersed tasks to people in a detailed way in advance. She arranged people and carriages in Rong mansion to accompany Lady Wang when carrying out the coffin. She also made sure that she had a satisfactory place to sleep there.A mass of things happened at this period: the Duke of Shanguo’s wife had just died, Lady Xing and Lady Wang had to send sacrificial gifts and attend her funeral; the birthday presents had to be sent to the consort of the Prince of Xi’an. Then a first son was born to the Duke of Zhengguo and congratulatory gifts had to be sent. Then Phoenix Sister had to write a letter home and prepare gifts for her brother Wang Ren to take when he returned south with his family. Then Welcome Spring fell ill and every day they had to call in doctors, study their diagnoses, discuss the cause of the illness and decide on prescriptions...
As the day of the funeral approached, Phoenix was so occupied that she did not want to eat or drink, and was nervous. When she just arrived at Ning mansion, servants of Rong mansion followed her for an arrangement; when she just came back at the Rong mansion, attendants from Ning mansion asked her for a resolution.Though Phoenix Sister was so busy, she lifted her spirits and arranged everything very well, which was praised by the whole families. She did this because she was a kind of person who wanted to be powerful and was afraid to be criticized.
Now the time had come for the wake. The family’s two troupes of actors and some musicians, dancers and acrobats were to perform a long programme of items, and the place was crowded with relatives and friends. As Madam You was still lying in the inside room, Phoenis Sister took charge of all greetings and disposition.
Dài Mùyǔ 戴沐雨
台族中虽有许多妯娌，也有羞口羞脚的，也有不惯见人的，也有惧贵怯官的，种种之类，俱不及凤姐举止大雅，言语典则，因此也不把众人放在眼里，挥霍指示，任其所为，旁若无人。一夜中灯明火彩，客送官迎，百般热闹，自不用说。至天明吉时，一般六十四名青衣请灵。前面铭旌上大书：“诰封一等宁国公冢孙妇防护内廷紫禁道御前侍卫龙禁尉享强寿贾门秦氏宜人之灵柩。”一应执事陈设，皆系现赶新做出来的，一色光彩夺目。宝珠自行未嫁女之礼，摔丧驾灵，十分哀苦。
那时官客送殡的，有镇国公牛清之孙现袭一等伯牛继宗，理国公柳彪之孙 现袭一等子柳芳，齐国公陈冀之孙世袭三品威镇将军陈瑞文，治国公马魁之孙 世袭三品威远将军马尚，修国公候晓明之孙世袭一等于侯孝康；缮国公诰命亡 故，其孙石光珠守孝不得来。这六家与荣宁二家，当日所称“八公”的便是。余 者更有南安郡王之孙，西宁郡王之孙，忠靖侯史鼎，平原侯之孙世袭二等男蒋子 宁，定城侯之孙世袭二等男兼京营游击谢鲲，襄阳侯之孙世袭二等男戚建辉，景 田侯之孙五城兵马司裘良。余者锦乡伯公子韩奇、神武将军公子冯紫英，陈也 俊、卫若兰等，诸王孙公子，不可枚数。堂客也共有十来顶大轿，三四十顶小轿， 连家下大小轿车辆，不下百十余乘。
Dèng Dān 邓丹
连前面各色执事陈设百耍，浩浩荡荡，一带摆三四里远。
走不多时，路上彩棚高搭，设席张筵，和音奏乐，俱是各家路祭：第一棚是东 平王府的祭，第二棚是南安郡王的祭，第三棚是西宁郡王的祭，第四棚便是北静 郡王的祭。原来这四王，当日惟北静王功最高，及今子孙犹袭王爵。现令北静 王世荣年未弱冠，生得美秀异常，情性谦和。近闻宁国府冢孙妇告殂，因想当日 彼此祖父有相与之情，同难同荣，未以异姓相视，因此不以王位自居，上日也曾 探丧上祭，如今又设路奠，命麾下各官在此伺候。自己五更入朝，公事一毕，便 换了素服，坐大轿，鸣锣张伞而来，至棚前落轿，手下各官两旁拥侍，军民人众不得往还。
一时只见宁府大殡浩浩荡荡、压地银山一般从北而至。早有宁府开路传 事人等报与贾珍，贾珍急命前面住扎，同贾赦贾政三人连忙迎来，以国礼相见。 世荣在轿内欠身，含笑答礼，仍以世交称呼接待，并不自大。贾珍道：“犬妇之 丧，累蒙郡驾下临，荫生辈何以克当。”世荣笑道：“世交至谊，何出此言？”遂回头令长府官主祭代奠。贾赦等一旁还礼，复亲身来谢恩。世荣十分谦逊，因问贾政道：“那一位是衔玉而诞者？久欲得一见为快，今日一定在此，何不请来。” 贾政忙退下，命宝玉更衣，领他前来谒见。
Dīng Zhòngxià 丁仲夏
那宝玉素闻得世荣是个贤王，且才貌俱全，风流跌宕，不为官俗国体所缚，每思相会，只是父亲拘束，不克如愿，今见反来叫他，自是喜欢。一面走，一面瞥见那世荣坐在轿内，好个仪表。不知近前又是怎样，且听下回分解。
◎第十五回 王凤姐弄权铁槛寺 秦鲸卿得趣馒头庵
话说宝玉举目见北静王世荣头上戴着净白簪缨银翅王帽，穿着江牙海水 五爪龙白蟒袍，系着碧玉红鞓带；面如美玉，目似明星，真好秀丽人物。宝玉忙 抢上来参见，世荣忙从轿内伸手搀住。见宝玉藏着束发银冠，勒着双龙出海抹 额，穿着白蟒箭袖，围着攒珠银带；面若春花，目如点漆。世荣笑道：“名不虚传，果然如‘宝’似‘玉’。”问：“衔的那宝贝在那里？”宝玉见问，连忙从衣内取出，递与世荣。世荣细细看了，又念了那上头的字，因问：“果灵验否？”贾政忙道：“虽如此说，只是未曾试过。”世荣一面极口称奇，一面理顺彩绦，亲自与宝玉带上，又携手问宝玉几岁，现读何书。宝玉一一答应。
世荣见他语言清朗，谈吐有致，一面又向贾政笑道：“令郎真乃龙驹凤雏， 非小王在世翁前唐突，将来‘雏凤清于老凤声’，未可量也。”贾政陪笑道：“犬子岂敢谬承金奖，敕藩郡余祯，果如所言，亦荫生辈之幸矣。”
Looking up, Precious Jade saw that the Prince of Beijing had on a princely silver-winged cap with white tassels, a white robe embroidered with zigzag wave patterns and five-clawed dragons, and a red leather belt studded with green jade. With his face fair as jade, his eyes bright as stars, he was truly a handsome figure. Precious Jade started forward to make his obeisance. As the prince from his palanquin raised him up, he noticed that Precious Jade was wearing a sliver chaplet in the form of two dragons rising from the sea, an archer’s coat embroidered with white serpents, and a silver belt set with pearls. “You live up to your name,” remarked the prince. “You are really like precious jade. But where is that gem with which you came into the world?””Precious Jade hastily took the jade from inside his garments and handed it to the prince, who examined it carefully and read the inscription. “Does it actually have magic powers?” he asked.“So they say,” answered Jia Zheng. “But it has never yet been put to the test.” The prince was very struck by the jade and, smoothing its silken cord, with his own hands he put it round Precious Jade’s neck. Then taking the boy’s hand he asked him his age and what he was studying. The clarity and fluency of Precious Jade’s answers made the prince turn to observe to Jia Zheng, “Your son is truly a dragon’s colt or young phoenix. May I venture to predict that in time to come this young phoenix may even surpass the old one?” “My worthless son does not deserve such high praise,” rejoined Jia Zheng hurriedly with a courteous smile. “If thanks to the grace of Your Highness such proves the case, that will be our good fortune.”
Dù Xīnyǔ 杜心语
世荣又道：“只是一件，令郎如此资质，想老太夫人自然钟爱；但吾辈后生，甚不宜溺爱，溺爱则未免荒失了学业。昔小王曾蹈此辙，想令郎亦未必不如是也。若令郎在家难以用功，不妨常到寒第，小王虽不才，却多蒙海内众名士凡至都者，未有不垂青目，是以寒第高人颇聚，令郎常去谈谈会会，则学问可以日进矣。”贾政忙躬身答道：“是。”
世荣又将腕上一串念珠卸下来，递与宝玉，道：“今日初会，仓卒无敬贺之 物，此系圣上所赐蕶苓香念珠一串，权为贺敬之礼。”宝玉连忙接了，回身奉与贾政。贾政与宝玉一齐谢过了。于是贾赦、贾珍等一齐上来请回舆，世荣道：“逝 者已登仙界，非碌碌你我尘寰中人也。小王虽上叨天恩，虚邀郡袭，岂可越仙輀 而进也？”贾赦等见执意不从，只得告辞谢恩回来，命手下人掩乐停音，将殡过 完，方让北静王过去。不在话下。
且说宁府送殡，一路热闹非常。刚至城门，又有贾赦、贾政、贾珍诸同寅属 下各家祭棚接祭，一一的谢过，然后出城，竟奔铁槛寺大路而来。彼时贾珍带着 贾蓉来到诸长辈前让坐轿上马，因而贾赦一辈的各自上了车轿，贾珍一辈的也 将要上马；凤姐因记挂着宝玉，怕他在郊外纵性不服家人的话，贾政管不着，惟 恐有闪失，因此命小厮来唤他。
Guō Yàbō 郭亚波
宝玉只得到他车前。凤姐笑道：“好兄弟，你是个尊贵人，同女孩儿一般人品，别学他们猴在马上。下来，咱们姐儿两个同车，岂不好么？”宝玉听说，便下了马，爬上凤姐车内，二人说笑前进。
不一时，只见那边两骑马直奔凤姐车，下马扶车回道：“这里有下处，奶奶 请歇歇更衣。”凤姐命请邢王二夫人示下，那二人回说：“太太们说不歇了，叫奶奶自便。”凤姐便命歇歇再走。小厮带着轿马岔出人群，往北而来。宝玉在车 内急命请秦相公。那时秦钟正骑着马随他父亲的轿，忽见宝玉的小厮跑来请他 去打尖，秦钟远看这宝玉所骑的马，搭着鞍笼，随着凤姐的车往北而去，便知宝 玉同凤姐一车，自己也带马赶上来，同入一庄门内。
那庄农人家，无多房舍，妇女无处回避；那些村姑庄妇见了凤姐、宝玉、秦钟 的人品衣服，几疑天人下降。凤姐进入茅屋，先命宝玉等出去玩玩。宝玉会意， 因同秦钟带了小厮们各处游玩。凡庄家动用之物，俱不曾见过的，宝玉见了，都 以为奇，不知何名何用。小厮中有知道的，一一告诉了名目并其用处。宝玉听 了，因点头道：“怪道古人诗上说：‘谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。’正为此也。”一面说，一面又到一间房内，见炕上有个纺车，越发以为稀奇。小厮们又告以：“纺线织布之用。”
Huáng Fāngfāng 黄芳芳
宝玉便上炕摇转作耍，只见一个村妆丫头，约有十七八岁，走来说道：“别弄坏了！”众小厮忙喝住了，宝玉也住了手，说道：“我因不曾见过，所以 试一试玩儿。”那丫头道：“你们不会，我转给你瞧。”秦钟暗拉宝玉道：“此卿大有意趣。”宝玉推他道：“再胡说，我就打了。”说着，只见那丫头纺起线来，果然好看。忽听那边老婆子叫道：“二丫头，快过来！”那丫头丢了纺车，一径去了。
宝玉怅然无趣。只见凤姐打发人来叫他两个进去。凤姐洗了手，换了衣 服，问他换不换，宝玉道：“不换。”也就罢了。仆妇们端上茶食果品来，又倒上香茶来，凤姐等吃过茶，待他们收拾完备，便起身上车。外面旺儿预备赏封，赏了那庄户人家，那庄妇人等来谢赏。宝玉留心看时，并不见纺线之女。走不多远，却见这二丫头怀里抱了个小孩子，想是他的兄弟，同着几个小女孩子说笑而来。宝玉情不自禁，然身在车上，只得以目相送。一时电卷风驰，回头已无踪迹了。
说笑间，忽已赶上大殡。早已前面法鼓金饶，幢幡宝盖，铁槛寺中僧众已 列路旁。少时到了寺中，另演佛事，重设香坛，安灵于内殿偏室之中，宝珠安理 寝室为伴。
Huáng Lìpèi 黄沥霈
外面贾珍款待一应亲友，也有扰饭的，也有就告辞的，一一谢过乏， 从公、侯、伯、子、男，一起一起的，散至未末方散尽了。里面的堂客皆是凤姐陪伴接待，先从诰命散起，也到晌午方散完了。只有几个近亲本族，等僦过三日道场方去呢。那时邢王二夫人知凤姐必不能回家，便要进城。王夫人要带了宝玉 同去，宝玉乍到郊外，那里肯回去？只要跟凤姐住着，王夫人只得交与凤姐而 去。
原来过铁槛寺是宁荣二公当日修造的，现今还有香火地亩，以备京中老了 人口，在此停灵。其中阴阳两宅俱是预备妥帖的，好为送灵人口寄居。不想如 今后人繁盛，其中贫富不一，或情性参商：有那家业艰难安分的，便住在这里了； 有那有钱有势尚排场的，只说这里不方便，一定另外或村庄，或尼庵，寻个下处， 为事毕宴退之所。即今秦氏之丧，族中诺人，皆权在铁槛寺下榻。独凤姐嫌不 方便，因遣人来和馒头庵的姑子净虚说了，腾出两间房来做下处。原来这馒头 庵就是水月寺，因他庙里做的馒头好，就起了这个浑号，高铁槛寺不远。
当下和尚工课已完，奠过晚茶，贾珍便命贾蓉请凤姐歇息。凤姐见还有几 个妯娌陪着女亲，自己便辞了众人，带了宝玉秦钟往水月庵来。原来秦业年迈 多病，不能在此，只命秦钟等待安灵罢，那秦钟只跟着凤姐宝玉。
Huáng Xiàolán 黄笑兰
一时到了水月庵，净虚带领智善智能两个徒弟出来迎接，大家见过。凤姐等至净室更衣净手毕，因见智能儿越发长高了，模样越发出息了，因说道：“你们师徒怎么这些日子也不往我们那里去？”净虚道：“可是这几日都没有工夫，因胡老爷府里产了公子，太太送了十两银子来这里。叫请几位师父念三日‘血盆经’，忙的没个空儿，就没有来请奶奶的安。”
不言老尼陪着凤姐，且说秦钟宝玉二人正在殿上玩耍，因见智能过来，宝 玉笑道：“能儿来了。”秦钟说：“理那东西作什么？”宝玉笑道：“你别弄鬼！那一 日在老太太房里，一个人没有，你楼着他作什么？这会子还哄我。”秦钟笑道： “这可是没有的话。”宝玉道：“有没有也不管你，你只叫住他倒碗茶来我吃，就 丢开手。”秦钟笑道：“这又奇了！你叫他倒去，还怕他不倒？何必要我说呢。” 宝玉道：“我叫他倒的是无情意的，不及你叫他倒的是有情意的。”秦钟只得说 道：“能儿倒碗茶来。”那能儿自幼在荣府走动，无人不识，常和宝玉秦钟玩笑，如 今长大了，渐知风月，便看上了秦钟人物风流，那秦钟也爱他研媚，二人虽未上 手，却已情投意合了。智能走去倒了茶来。秦钟笑说：“给我。”宝玉又叫：“给 我！”智能儿抿嘴笑道：“一碗茶也争，难道我手上有蜜！”
Huáng Zǐlóng 黄梓龙 Mr.
宝玉先抢得了，喝着， 方要问话，只见智善来叫智能去摆果碟子，一时来请他两个去吃果茶。他两个 那里吃过些东西？略坐一坐仍出来玩耍。
凤姐也略坐片时，便回至净室歇息，老尼相送。此时众婆娘媳妇见无事， 都陆续散了，自去歇息，跟前不过几个心腹小婢，老尼便趁机说道：“我有一事， 要到府里求太太，先请奶奶一个示下。”凤姐问：“何事？”老尼道：“阿弥陀佛！ 只因当日我先在长安县善才庵内出家的时节，那时有个施主姓张，是大财主。 他有个女儿小名金哥，那年都往我庙里来进香，不想遇见了长安府太爷的小舅 子李衙内。那李衙内一心看上，要娶金哥，打发人来求亲，不想金哥已受了原任 长安守备的公子的聘定。张家若退亲，又怕守备不依，因此说已有了人家。谁 知李公子执意要娶他女儿，张家正无计策，两处为难。不料守备家一知此信，也 不问青红皂白，便来作践辱骂，说：‘一个女儿许几家人家？’偏不许退定礼，就打 官司告状起来。那家急了，只得着人上京来寻门路，赌气偏要退定礼。我想如 今长安节度云老爷，与府上相契，可以求太太与老爷说声，发一封书，求云老爷 和那守备说一声，不怕他不依。若是肯行，张家连倾家孝顺也都情愿。”
Baoyu grabbed hold of the cup and started drinking, and before he could speak again Zhishan came to fetch Zhineng to lay the table.Presently she returned to invite them to have some refreshments, but the tea and cakes served in the convent did not tempt them. They sat a while, then escaped as soon as they could to amuse themselves elsewhere. Xifeng retired presently, too, to the rest room accompanied by the abbess. When the older maid-servants saw there was nothing to do they went off to bed themselves, leaving only a few trusted younger maids in attendance.The abbess seized this chance to say, "There"s something I've been meaning to go and ask Her Ladyship, but I"d like to have your advice on it first, madam." "What is it?" asked Xifeng."Amida Buddha!" sighed the abbess."When I became a nun in Shancai Convent in the county of Changan, one of our benefactors was a very wealthy man called Zhang, whose daughter Jinge often came to our temple to offer incense. A young Mr. Li, who is brother-in-law to the prefect of Changan, met her there. He fell in love at first sight and sent to ask for her hand; but she was already engaged to the son of the former inspector of Changan. The Zhangs would have liked to cancel the engagement but were afraid the inspector might object, so they explained to the Lis that she was betrothed. Still young Mr. Li insisted on having her, making things very difficult for the Zhangs. "When word of this reached the inspector"s family, without even finding out the truth of the matter they came and stormed,,How many more men will you engage your daughter to?" They refused to take back the betrothal gift stook the matter to court. "The girl"s family are desperate. They've sent to the capital to enlist help and are quite determined to return the gifts. "Well, I understand that General Yun the Military Governor of Changan is on friendly terms with your family. If Lady Wang would get His Lordship to write to General Yun, asking him to have a word with the inspector, I'm sure he'd drop the suit. And the Zhangs would gladly give any-thing - even their whole fortune - in return for this favour.”
Lǐ Yìhào 李艺浩
凤姐听了笑遭：“这事倒不大，只是太太再不管这样的事。”老尼道：“太太 不管，奶奶可以主张了。”凤姐笑道：“我也不等银子使，也不做这样的事。”净虚 听了，打去妄想，半响叹道：“虽如此说，只是张家已知我来求府里。如今不管这 事，张家不知道没工夫管这事，不希罕他的谢礼，倒像府里连这点子手段也没有 的一般。”
凤姐听了这话，便发了兴头，说道：“你是素日知道我的，从来不信什么阴 司地狱报应的，凭是什么事，我说要行就行。你叫他拿三千两银子来，我就替他 出这口气。”老尼听说，喜之不胜，忙说：“有，有！这个不难。”凤姐又道：“我比 不得他们扯蓬拉牵的图银子。这三千两银子，不过是给打发去说的小厮们作盘 缠，使他赚几个辛苦钱，我一个钱也不要。便是三万两我此刻还拿的出来。”老 尼忙答应道：“既如此，奶奶明日就开恩也罢了。”凤姐道：“你瞧瞧我忙的，那一 处少了我？我既应了你，自然快快的了结。”老尼道：“这点子事，在别人跟前，就 忙的不知怎么样；若是奶奶跟前，再添上些，也不够奶奶一发挥的。只是俗语说 的：‘能者多劳。’太太见奶奶大小事都妥帖，越发都推给奶奶了，奶奶也要保重 贵体才是。”一路奉承的话，凤姐越发受用，也不顾劳乏，更攀谈起来。
Liú Tíngyáng 刘廷阳
谁想秦钟趁黑晚无人，来寻智能，刚至后面房中，只见智能独在那里洗茶 碗。秦钟便搂着亲嘴，智能急的跺脚说：“做什么！”就要叫唤。秦钟道：“好人， 我已急死了！你今儿再不依我，我就死在这里。”智能道：“你想怎么样？除非 等我出这牢坑，离了这些人，才好呢。”秦钟道：“这也容易，只是远水救不得近 火。”说着一口吹了灯，满屋漆黑，将智能抱到炕上，就云雨起来。那智能百般的 挣挫不起，又不好叫的，少不得依了。正在得趣，只见一人进来，将他二人按住， 也不出声，他二人唬得魂飞魄丧。倒是那人“嗤”的一声笑了，方知是宝玉。秦 钟连忙起来抱怨道：“这算什么？”宝玉道：“你倒不依？咱们就叫喊起起来。”羞的 智能趁暗中跑了。宝玉拉着秦钟出来道：“你可还和我强？”秦钟笑道：“好人， 你只别嚷的众人知道，你要怎样我都依你。”宝玉笑道：“这会子也不用说，等一 会睡下再细细的算帐。”一时宽衣安歇的时节，凤姐在里间，宝玉秦钟在外间，满 地下皆是家下婆子打铺坐更。凤姐因怕“通灵玉”失落，便等宝玉睡下，令人拿 来塞在自己枕边。宝玉不知与秦钟算何帐目，未见真切，此系疑案，不敢创纂。 一宿无语。
至次日一早，便有贾母王夫人打发了人来看宝玉，又命多穿两件衣服，无 事宁可回去。
Liú Zhuōfán 刘卓凡 Mr.
宝玉那里肯回去？又有秦钟恋着智能，调唆宝玉求凤姐再住一 天。凤姐想了一想：丧仪大事虽妥，还有些小事未安排，可以借此再住一日，岂 不又在贾珍跟前送了满情，二则又可以完了净虚的那件事，三则顺了宝玉的心。 因有此三益，便向宝玉道：“我的事都完了。你要在这里逛，少不得越发辛苦了， 明儿是一定要走的了。”宝玉听说，千“姐姐”万“姐姐”的央求：“只住一日，明儿 必回去的。”于是又住了一夜。
凤姐便命悄悄将昨日老尼之事说与来旺儿，旺儿心中俱已明白，急忙进 城，找着主文的相公，假托贾琏所嘱，修书一封，连夜往长安县来。不过百里之 遥，两日工夫，俱已妥协。那节度使名唤云光，久悬贾府之情，这些小事，岂有不 允之理，给了回书，旺儿回来，不在话下。
且说凤姐等又过了一日，次日方别了老尼，着他三日后往府里去讨信。那 秦钟与智能，百般不忍分离，背地里多少幽期密约，俱不用细述，只得含恨而别。 凤姐又到铁槛寺中照望一番。宝珠执意不肯回家，贾珍只得派妇女相伴。且听 下回分解。
Precious Jade did not want to go home. In addition, Bell Qin falls in love with Ability Wet and he instigated Precious Jade to beg for living another day there. Sister Phoenix considered that the most important affair about the funeral was finished but there were still some little things to arrange, so they could live for another day. There are three advantages. First, it helped to do favours at no great cost to Treasure Merchant. Second, Emptiness Quiet’s could be solved. Third, it obeyed Precious Jade’s will. Sister Phoenix told to Precious Jade that “My affairs were finished and solved. You hanging out here is adding to my painstaking. Tomorrow we should leave without negotiation. Hearing that, Precious Jade pleaded by calling her “sister” for thousands of times. “Just one day. Tomorrow must be the date to go back home,” Precious Jade said. Therefore, they lived there for another night. Sister Phoenix ordered some one to tell the thing about the old Buddhist nun to Brightie. Brightie had known clearly and rushed to the downtown to find the minister in charge of the art. He lied that it was Vessel Merchant who ordered to write a letter and then he went to Chang’ an County overnight. Just one hundred miles and two days, the affair was dealt with well. The khrom named Cloudlight, who remembered the kindness of Jia mansion. So, such a little affair was easily dealt with. Cloudlight wrote a letter and let Brightie to bring back. Sister Phoenix waited for another day and bid farewell to the old Buddhist nun the next day and asked her to go to Jia mansion to get the letter. Bell Qin and Ability Wet could not bear the pain of separation. How many secret meetings they had in privacy did not deserve narrating in detail. They had to say goodbye to each other in regret. Sister Phoenix went to Iron Sill Temple to visit Jewel. She was still unwilling to go back home, so Treasure Merchant had to send some maids to accompany her. Other stories would be analysed and explained below.