第19章 出生是人生的起点（11）

　　焦大：焦大从小儿跟着太爷出过三四回兵，从死人堆里把太爷背出来，才得了命；自己挨着饿，却偷了东西给主子吃；两日没水，得了半碗水，给主子喝，他自己喝马溺。不过仗着这些功劳情分，有祖宗时，都另眼相待，如今谁肯难为他？他自己又老了，又不顾体面，一味的好酒，喝醉了无人不骂。

　　Jiao Da： Jiao Da went out with Jia Rong’s great-grandfather on three or four expeditions when he wasyoung， and saved his master’s life by carrying him off a battlefield heaped with corpses. He went hungryhimself but stole food for his master； and after two days without water， when he got half a bowl he gave it to hismaster and drank horse urine himself. Because of these services， he was treated with special considerationin the great-grandfather’s time and nobody likes to interfere with him now. But since growing old he has noregard for appearances. He does nothing but drink and when he’s drunk he abuses everyone.

　　一天，焦大趁着酒兴，先骂大总管赖二，说他不公道，欺软怕硬！有好差事就派别人；象这等深更半夜送人的事，就派我，没良心的王八羔子！瞎充管家！你也不想想，焦大太爷跷起一只腿，比你的头还高些。二十年头里的焦大太爷眼里有谁？别说你们这一把子的杂种们！”正骂得兴头上，贾蓉送凤姐的车出来，众人喝他不住，贾蓉忍不住便骂了几句，叫人“捆起来！等明日酒醒了，再问他还寻死不寻死！”那焦大哪里有贾蓉在眼里？反大叫起来，赶着贾蓉叫：“蓉哥儿，你别在焦大跟前使主子性儿！别说你这样儿的，就是你爹、你爷爷，也不敢和焦大挺腰子呢！不是焦大一个人，你们作官儿，享荣华，受富贵！你祖宗九死一生挣下这个家业，到如今不报我的恩，反和我充起主子来了。不和我说别的还可以，再说别的，咱们白刀子进去，红刀子出来！”众人见他太撒野，只得上来了几个，揪翻捆倒，拖往马圈里去。焦大益发连贾珍都说出来，乱嚷乱叫，说：“要往祠堂里哭太爷去，那里承望到如今生下这些畜生来！每日偷狗戏鸡，爬灰的爬灰，养小叔子的养小叔子，我什么不知道？咱们‘胳膊折了往袖子里藏’！”众小厮见说出来的话有天没日的，唬得魂飞魄丧，把他捆起来，用土和马粪满满的填了他一嘴。凤姐叫贾蓉：“何不远远的打发他到庄子上去就完了？”“留在家里，岂不是害？亲友知道，岂不笑话咱们这样的人家，连个规矩都没有？”贾蓉允诺了。结果如何，众所周知。不管焦大多么忠心，他毕竟只是个老奴才而已。

　　何况他的忠心是对“太爷”呢，“太爷”早已死去多年，他如何懂得？难怪他的忠心最后变成了悲剧。

　　One day， Jiao Da was fairly letting himself go. Roaring drunk， he lashed out at the head steward LaiErh’s injustice， calling him a cowardly bully.“You give all the soft jobs to others， but when it comes to seeingsomeone home late at night in the dark you send me. Black-hearted son of a turtle！ A fine steward you are！ Ican lift my leg up higher than your head. Twenty years ago I’d nothing but contempt for this household， not tomention you bastards， you crew of turtle-eggs.”He was cursing away full blast as Jia Rong saw Xifeng in hercarriage out， and ignored all the servants’ shouts to him to be quiet. Jia Rong could hardly let this pass. Heswore at Jiao Da and told men to tie him up.“We’ll ask him tomorrow， when he’s sobered up， what he meansby this disgraceful behaviour，”he blustered. Jiao Da had a low opinion， of course， of Jia Rong. He bore downon him bellowing still more angrily：“Don’t try to lord it over Jiao Da， young Brother Rong！ Not to speak ofthe likes of you， not even your dad or grand-dad dare stand up to Jiao Da. If not for me， and me alone， you’dhave no official posts， fancy titles or riches. It was your great-granddad who built up this estate， and ninetimes I snatched him back from the jaws of death. Now instead of showing yourselves properly grateful， youtry to lord it over me. Shut up， and I’ll overlook it. Say one word more， and I’ll bury a white blade in you andpull it out red！”Some servants overpowered Jiao Da and dragged him off towards the stables， for this timehe had really gone too far. Then he let loose a flood of abuse in which even Jia Zhen was included.“Let mego to the Ancestral Temple and weep for my old master，”he fumed.“Little did he expect to beget suchdegenerates， a houseful of rutting dogs and bitches in heat， day in and day out scratching in the ashes(a slangterm for adultery between a man and his daughter-in-law) and carrying on with younger brothers-in-law.

　　Don’t think you can fool me. I only tried to hide the broken arm in your sleeve.”These obscenities frightenedthe servants half out of their wits. Hurriedly trussing him up， they stuffed his mouth with mud and horse-dung. Xifeng told Jia Rong：“Pack him off to some distant farm and have done with it.”“He’s nothing but asource of trouble. If this came to the ears of our relatives and friends， how they’d laugh at the lack of rules andorder here.”Jia Rong promised. What comes to Jiao Da， everybody knows. No matter how loyal he’s been tothe Jias， he’s only an old servant after all. Let alone his loyalty to his old master who’s been dead many years，how could he understand？ It’s no wonder that his loyalty has finally turned into a tragedy.

　　香菱：香菱出身于乡宦之家，其父是个绅士，姓甄名费，字士隐，其母封氏，性情贤淑，深明礼义，家中虽不甚富贵，然本地也推他们为望族了。香菱原本叫甄英莲，其谐音“真应怜”，是金陵十二钗副册中最为薄命的，也是大观园的女子中受压迫、受欺凌、受侮辱的代表，是封建女子薄命的缩影。

　　Xiangling： Xiangling was born of a local official family. Her father is a gentleman named Zhen Fei，whose courtesy name is Shiyin. Her mother， nee Feng， is a worthy virtuous woman with a strong sense ofpropriety and right. Although neither very rich nor noble， their family is highly regarded in that locality.

　　Xiangling’s original name is Zhen Yinglian， the homophone for“What a pity”.She is the most unfortunategirl of the Second Register of Twelve Beauties of JinLing. She is also the representative of those girls andmaids who are oppressed， bullied and humiliated in the Grand View Garden. She is the microcosm of allunfortunate feudal women.

　　香菱五岁时，其父令家仆霍启抱了她去看社火花灯。半夜中，霍启因要小解，便将她放在一家门槛上坐着，待他小解完了来抱时，哪有她的踪影？急得霍启直寻了半夜，至天明不见，那霍启也不敢回来见主人，便逃往他乡去了。香菱被那种单拐幼女养至十二三岁带至他乡转卖的拐子拐去了！她现在成了一个十二三岁的漂亮姑娘。她被打怕了，万不敢说，只说卖她的人是她亲爹，因无钱还债才卖的。可巧一个小乡宦之子冯渊遇见了那个拐子，便一眼看上了这个姑娘，立意买来作妾。他兑了银子，设誓不近男色，也不再娶第二个了，所以郑重其事，必得三日后方进门。谁料天下竟有不如意事，第二日，她偏又卖与了薛家！若卖与第二家还好，这薛公子的混名，人称他“呆霸王”，最是天下第一个弄性尚气的人，而且使钱如土。结果，薛、冯两家都不肯收回银子，各要领人。那薛公子便喝令下人动手，将冯公子打了个稀烂，把那可怜的姑娘，生拖死拽，弄回家去了。

　　When Xiangling was five， her father told their servant Huo Qi to take her out to see the fireworks andornamental lanterns. Towards midnight Huo Qi set the little girl down on a doorstep while he stepped roundthe corner to urinate. When he came back she had gone. He made a frantic search for her all night. And atdawn， not daring to face his master without her， he ran away to another district. Xiangling was kidnappedby this type of kidnappers who make a point of stealing small girls and bring them up somewhere out of theway until they’re twelve or thirteen， then take them elsewhere to sell according to their looks. She’s now agood-looking girl of twelve or thirteen. She’s been beaten so much she’s afraid to talk； she just insists that theseller is her father， selling her to clear his debts. It so happened that the son of one of the minor local gentryFeng Yuan ran into the kidnapper and no sooner set eyes on this girl than he fell for her and made up hismind to buy her for his concubine. He paid down his silver and swore to have no more to do with men and totake no other wife. That was why he insisted on her coming to him three days later. But this world is full ofdisappointments： the very next day she was sold to the Xues. Any other family wouldn’t have been so bad； butthis young Xue， otherwise known as the Stupid Tyrant， is the most vicious ruffian alive， who throws moneyabout like dirt. As a result， both Xue and Feng refused to take back their money—both wanted the girl. Thenyoung Xue ordered his men to beat young Feng into a pulp and dragged the poor girl off by force more deadthan alive.

　　当日买了香菱时，原是老太太使唤的，故宝钗姑娘给她取名香菱。后来服侍了薛蟠，就变成了薛蟠的小妾。当薛蟠要取夏金桂为正配时，她不仅不争风吃醋，反而由衷地高兴，因为她设想新夫人会保护她，分担她的责任，使她生活更安静些；二则又知是个有才有貌的佳人，自然是典雅和平的。因此，心里盼过门的日子，比薛蟠还急十倍呢。当宝玉说：“我倒替你担心虑后”时，香菱反正色道：“这是怎么说？素日咱们都是厮招厮敬，今日忽然提起这些事来，怪不得人人都说你是个亲近不得的人！”香菱日日忙乱着薛蟠娶过亲。好容易盼得一日娶过来，她便十分殷勤小心伏侍。

　　When Xiangling was bought， it was to serve the old lady； that’s why Miss Baochai gave her the nameXiangling. Later， since she started waiting on Xue Pan， She’s become his little concubine. When Xue Panwould marry Xia Jingui， she was really glad instead of fighting for their husband’s favours， for she imaginedhis new wife would protect her and share her responsibilities， enabling her to lead a quieter life. And havingheard that this young lady was talented as well as beautiful， she assumed she must be refined and gentle too.

　　She was therefore ten times more eager even than Xue Pan for her arrival. When Baoyu said：“I’m ratherworried for you”， she solemnly answered：“What a thing to say！ We’ve always treated each other withrespect， but now you’re suddenly talking like this—the idea！ No wonder everyone says it’s no good beingtoo familiar with you.”Xue Pan’s marriage kept her busy every day. Finally the day came when the bridearrived， and she began waiting hand and foot on her new mistress.

　　原来这夏小姐被她寡母惯坏了，外具花柳之姿，内秉风雷之性；自己尊若菩萨，他人秽如粪土。见有香菱这等一个才貌俱全的爱妾在室，越发添了“宋太祖灭南唐”之意，岂容另一个同床而眠？只因薛蟠是天性“得陇望蜀”的，如今娶了金桂，又见金桂的丫头宝蟾有三分姿色，便时常要茶要水的故意撩逗他。宝蟾虽亦解事，只是怕着金桂，不敢造次，且看金桂的眼色。金桂亦颇觉察其意，想着：“正要摆布香菱，无处寻隙，如今他既看上了宝蟾，我且舍出宝蟾与他，他一定就和香菱疏远了。我且乘他疏远之时，便摆布了香菱。那时宝蟾原是我的人，也就好处了。”然后，安歇之时，金桂便故意撵薛蟠别处去睡，“省的得了馋痨似的，”金桂道：“要做什么和我说，别偷偷摸摸的，不中用。”薛蟠听了，仗着酒盖脸，就势跪在被上，拉着金桂笑道：“好姐姐！你若把宝蟾赏了我，你要怎样，就怎样。”

　　金桂笑道：“这话好不通！你爱谁，说明了，就收在房里，省得别人看着不雅。我才不在乎呢！”薛蟠得了这话，喜的称谢不尽。次日午后，金桂故意出去，让个空儿与薛蟠和宝蟾。

　　金桂料着他俩在难分之际，便叫小丫头去告诉香菱把她屋里的绢子取了送去。香菱正因金桂近日每每的挫折她，不知何意，百般竭力挽回，听了这话，忙往房里去取，不防正遇见他二人推就之际，一头撞进去了，自己倒羞得耳面通红，转身回避不及。无奈宝蟾素日最是说嘴要强，今既遇见香菱，便恨无地可入，忙推开薛蟠，一经跑了。薛蟠的一腔兴头，变成了对香菱的一腔恶怒。不容分说，赶出来，啐了两口，骂道：“死娼妇！你这会子做什么来撞尸游魂？”于是，他直恨骂香菱。至晚饭后，已吃得醺醺然，洗澡时，不防水略热了些，烫了脚，便说香菱有意害他。他赤条精光，赶着香菱踢打。至此金桂已暗和宝蟾说明，今夜令薛蟠在香菱房中去成亲，命香菱过来陪自己安睡。香菱无奈，只得抱了铺盖来，金桂命她在地下铺着睡，香菱只得依命。刚睡下，便叫倒茶，一时又要捶腿；如是者，一夜七八次，总不使其安逸卧片时。闹了两天，忽又从金桂枕头内抖出个纸人来，上面写着金桂的年庚八字，有五根针钉在心窝并肋肢骨缝等处。“横竖治死我，也没什么要紧，”金桂说，“乐得再娶好的。若据良心上说，左不是你三个多嫌我！”薛蟠被这些话激怒，顺手抓起一根门闩来，一径抢步，找着香菱，不容分说，一口咬定是香菱所为，便劈头劈脸浑身打起来。香菱叫屈。薛姨妈跑来禁喝道：“不问明白就打起人来了！我知道你是个得新弃旧的东西！我即刻叫人牙子来卖了她，你就心净了。”她命香菱：“收拾了东西，跟我来！”一面叫人：

　　“去！快叫个人牙子来，多少卖几两银子，拔去肉中刺、眼中钉，大家过太平日子！”此刻，宝钗笑道：“咱们家只知买人，并不知卖人之说，妈妈可是气胡涂了。哥哥嫂子嫌她不好，留着我使唤，我正也没人呢。”香菱早已跑到薛姨妈跟前，痛哭哀求，不愿出去，情愿跟姑娘。薛姨妈只得罢了。此后，香菱果跟宝钗去了，把前面路径竟自断绝。但她仍不免对月伤悲，挑灯自叹。虽然在薛蟠房中几年，皆因血分中有病，是以并无胎孕。今复加以气怒伤肝，内外折挫不堪，竟酿成干血之症，日渐羸瘦，饮食懒进。有一天，金桂不知为什么来要香菱去作伴儿。可怜香菱不敢不顺从，带着病就去了。金桂想毒死香菱，不知宝蟾换了碗，结果她自己毒死了自己。这可就是“天理昭彰，自害自身”了！香菱终算是嫁给薛家了。但她正死于难产，给薛家遗下一子，以承宗祠。真应怜！根并荷花一茎香，平生遭际实堪伤，自从两地生孤木，致使香魂返故乡。

　　Now this Miss Xia was spoilt by her widowed mother. In appearance pretty as a flower， at heart shewas a termagant. She had as high an opinion of herself as if she were a goddess， and treated others like dirt.

　　The presence of such a charming and talented concubine as Xingling had filled her with the same resolveas the First Emperor of Song when he decided to wipe out the Prince of Southern Tang， demanding，“Howcan I let another sleep alongside my bed？”Now Xue Pan was a living example of the saying“To covet theland of Shu after getting the region of Long.”After marrying Jingui， he was struck by her maid Baochan’scharms. He often flirted with her when asking her to fetch him tea or water. Baochan knew what he wanted，but dared not encourage him until she knew how her mistress felt about it. Jingui was well aware of what washappening.“It’s Xiangling I want to trap， but I can’t find any pretext，”she reflected.“As he’s keen onBaochan now， I may as well let him have her and he’s bound to lose interest in Xiangling. Then I can settleher hash. Since Baochan is my maid， she’ll be easy to handle later.”Then， at bedtime， Jingui deliberatelyurged her husband to sleep elsewhere.“I don’t want to see you eating your heart out，”she said.“Ifyou want something， tell me，”she continued.“Acting on the sly is no good.”Emboldened by wine，Xue Pan knelt on the quilt and nuzzled her.“Good sister， just give me Baochan and I’ll do whatever yousay！”“What senseless talk！”she retorted.“If you’ve taken a fancy to someone， say so outright， and wecan make her your concubine to avoid any hint of scandal. Why should I care？”Xue Pan was so delightedwith this assurance that he thanked her most profusely. After lunch the next day， Jingui deliberately went outto clear the coast for both Xue Pan and Baochan. When Jingui reckoned that they would be locked together，she called for a young maid and said：“Go and tell Xiangling to fetch my handkerchief from my room andtake it to me.”Xiangling， upset by all Jingui’s recent unkindness to her， had been trying in every way toplacate her； so on hearing this she hurried to her mistress’s room. All unwittingly she burst in just as the two ofthem were setting to work. Flushing crimson up to her ears， she promptly fled. Baochan， however， had a sharptongue and a strong sense of self-importance. Xiangling’s sudden intrusion made her wish the earth wouldswallow her up. At once she pushed Xue Pan away and rushed out of the room. Xue Pan’s frustration， owingto Xiangling， naturally turned his excitement into savage hatred for her. He ran out and spat at her.“Youdamn bitch！”he swore.“Why come barging in here now？”He loosed off more abuse at Xiangling. Afterdinner that evening， befuddled with wine， he happened to scald his feet because the bath water was ratherhot. Blaming this on Xiangling he ran out， stark naked as he was， to kick and beat her. By now Jingui had toldBaochan in confidence to spend the night with Xue Pan in Xiangling’s room and become his concubine. Sheordered Xiangling to sleep with her. Xiangling had no choice but to carry her bedding over. And when Jinguiordered her to sleep on the floor， again she had to comply. But no sooner had she lain down than Jingui calledfor tea， then presently told her to massage her legs， rousing her seven or eight times altogether， so that therewas no sleep for Xiangling that night. Then one day， from Jingui’s pillow-case there fell out a paper effigyinscribed with the date of her birth and her horoscope. Five needles had been thrust through it： one throughthe heart and one through each of the limbs.“Anyway， if I’m done to death what does it matter？”Jinguisaid.“Wouldn’t you love to marry a better wife？ I know very well that the three of you all want me out of theway！”Goaded by these taunts， Xue Pan grabbed hold of a doorbar and rushed to find Xiangling. Withoutgiving her a chance to speak he started beating her， insisting that she was the one who had worked thiswitchcraft. As Xiangling protested her innocence Aunt Xue came running over to stop her son.“How canyou beat her without first investigating？”she scolded.“I know you： off with the old love and on with thenew！ I shall send for a broker at once and sell her off to set your mind at rest.”She told Xiangling，“Getyour things together. Come on！”She then ordered the servants，“Fetch a broker at once. We’ll sell herfor whatever she’ll fetch， to rid ourselves of this pest， this thorn in the flesh. Only then can we have anypeace.”This very moment， Baochai smilingly said：“Our family only buys maids， never sells any. Youranger’s making you talk foolishly， mother. If my brother and sister-in-law dislike her， why not keep her towait on me？ I need another maid.”Xiangling had already run up to Aunt Xue and tearfully begged her not todrive her away but to let her wait on Miss Baochai. So finally Aunt Xue relented. After that， Xiangling movedinto Baochai’s quarters and had no more to do with the young couple； still， she could not help bewailing herfate to the moon and sighing before the lamp. Though she had lived with Xue Pan for several years， becauseof irregular menses she had never conceived a child. Now anger and grief further undermined her health，and these upsets aggravated her anaemia. She fell into a consumption and lost her appetite. Then one day， forsome reason， Jingui came and asked to have Xiangling to keep her company. The poor girl dared not disobey，bad as her health was， she went there. Jingui wanted to poison Xiangling. But she didn’t know that Baochanhad changed the bowls around and consequently she poisoned herself. Truly，“heaven is just， and each reapsas he has sown.”Xiangling has eventually married into the Xue family. But she is dying now in childbirthleaving behind her a son to carry on the Xues’ line. What a pity！

　　Sweet is she as the lotus in flower，Yet none so sorely oppressed；After the growth of a lonely tree in two soilsHer sweet soul will be dispatched to its final rest.

　　薛蟠：薛公子学名薛蟠，表字文起，性情奢侈，言语傲慢，虽也上过学，不过略识几个字，终日惟有斗鸡走马，游山玩景而已；虽是皇商，一应经济世事，全然不知，不过赖祖上之旧情分，户部挂个虚名，支领钱粮，其余事体，自有伙计老家人等措办。他本是书香继世之家，只因幼年丧父，寡母又怜他是个独根孤种，未免溺爱纵容些，遂致老大无成；且家中有百万之富，现领着内帑钱粮，采办杂料。寡母王氏乃现任京营节度王子腾之妹，与荣国府贾政的夫人王氏是一母所生的姊妹。薛蟠素闻京都乃第一繁华之地，正思一游，便趁此机会，一来送妹待选，二来望亲，三来亲自入部销算旧账，再计新支，——其实只为游览上国风光之意，因此早已检点下行装细软，以及馈送亲友各色土物人情等类，正择日起身，不想偏遇着那拐子，买了英莲。薛蟠见英莲生得不俗，立意买了作妾，又遇冯家来夺，因恃强喝令豪奴将冯渊打死，便将家中事务，一一嘱托了族中人并几个老家人，自己同着母亲妹子，竟自起身长行去了。人命官司，他却视为儿戏，自谓花上几个钱，没有不了的。薛蟠与他妈和妹子在荣府住了不到一个月，他发现贾宅中凡有的子侄，俱已认熟了一半，都是那些纨绔气习，莫不喜与他来往，今日会酒，明日观花，甚至聚赌嫖娼，无所不至，引诱得薛蟠比当日更坏了十倍。

　　Xue Pan： Young Xue’s name is Pan， his courtesy name Wenqi， and since the age of five or six hehad shown himself extravagant in his habits and insolent in his speech. At school he merely learned a fewcharacters， spending all his time on cockfights， riding or pleasure trips. Although a Court Purveyor， he knewnothing of business or worldly affairs but prevailed on his grandfather’s old connections to find him a well-paid sinecure in the Board of Revenue and left all business to his agents and old family servants. He came ofa scholarly Jinling family， but having lost his father while still a child he was thoroughly spoiled by his motheras the only son and heir， with the result that he grew up good for nothing. For they were millionaires， inreceipt of an income from the State Treasury as Purveyors for the Imperial Household. His widowed mother，née Wang， is the younger sister of Wang Ziteng， Commander-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Garrison， andthe sister of Lady Wang， wife of Jia Zheng of the Rong Mansion. Xue Pan had long heard of the splendours ofthe capital， now had three pretexts for a visit to it： First， to escort his sister there for the selection； secondly，to see his relatives； and thirdly， to clear his accounts and decide on further outlay. His real reason， of course，was to see the sights of the great metropolis. He had long since packed his luggage and valuables andprepared local specialities of every kind as gifts for relatives and friends. An auspicious day for departurehad just been chosen when he met the kidnapper who was selling Yinglian and， struck by her good looks，promptly purchased her. When Feng Yuan demanded her back， Xue Pan relying on his powerful positionordered his bullies to beat the young man to death. Then entrusting the family affairs to some clansmen andold servants， he left with his mother and sister. To him a murder charge was just a trifle which could easily besettled with some filthy lucre. After less than a month Xue Pan stayed with his mother and sister in the RongMansion， he found himself on familiar terms with half the Jia sons and nephews， and all the rich young men offashion among them enjoyed his company. One day they would meet to drink， the next to look at flowers， andsoon they included him in gambling parties or visits to the courtesans’ quarters， with the result that Xue Panrapidly became even ten times worse than before.

　　在冯紫英举办的聚会上，宝玉笑道：“听我说罢：这么滥饮，易醉而无味，我先喝一大海，发一新令，有不遵者，连罚十大海，逐出席外，与人斟酒。”冯紫英、蒋玉菡等都道：

　　“有理，有理。”宝玉拿起海来，一气饮尽，说道：“如今要说‘悲’‘愁’‘喜’‘乐’四个字，却要说出‘女儿’来，还要注明这四个字的原故。说完了，喝门杯，酒面要唱一个新鲜曲子，酒底要席上生风一样东西——或古诗、旧对、《四书》《五经》成语。”薛蟠不等说完，先站起来拦道：“我不来，别算我。这竟是玩我呢！”云儿也站起来，推他坐下，笑道：“怕什么？这还亏你天天喝酒呢！难道连我也不及？我回来还说呢。说是了罢，不是了不过罚上几杯，那里就醉死了你？如今一乱令，倒喝十大海，下去斟酒不成？”众人都拍手道：“妙！”薛蟠听说无法，只得坐了。听宝玉说道：“女儿悲，青春已大守空闺；女儿愁，悔教夫婿觅封侯；女儿喜，对镜晨妆颜色美；女儿乐，秋千架上春衫薄。”众人听了，都说道：“好！”薛蟠独扬着脸，摇头说：“不好！该罚！”众人问：“如何该罚？”薛蟠道：“他说的我全不懂，怎么不该罚？”云儿便拧他一把，笑道：“你悄悄儿的想你的罢。

　　回来说不出来，又该罚了。”于是拿琵琶听宝玉唱道：“滴不尽相思血泪抛红豆；开不完春柳春花满画楼……”下该薛蟠。薛蟠道：“我可要说了，女儿悲——”又咳嗽了两声，方说道：“女儿悲，嫁了个男人是乌龟。”众人听了都大笑起来。薛蟠瞪了瞪眼，又说道：

　　“女儿愁——绣房钻出个大马猴。”众人哈哈笑道：“该罚，该罚！先还可恕，这句更不通了。”说着，便要斟酒。宝玉道：“押韵就好。”薛蟠道：“令官都准了，你们闹什么！”

　　云儿笑道：“下两句越发难说了，我替你说罢。”薛蟠道：“胡说！当真我就没好的了？听我说罢：女儿喜，洞房花烛朝慵起。”众人听了，都诧异道：“这句何其太雅？”薛蟠道：

　　“女儿乐，一根××往里戳。”众人听了，都回头说道：“该死，该死！快唱了罢。”薛蟠便唱道：“一个蚊子哼哼哼……”众人都怔了，说道：“这是个什么曲儿？”薛蟠还唱道：

　　“两个苍蝇嗡嗡嗡……”众人都道：“罢，罢，罢！”薛蟠道：“爱听不听。——这是新鲜曲儿，叫做‘哼哼韵’儿，你们要懒怠听，连酒底儿都免了，我就不唱。”众人都道：“免了罢，倒别耽误了别人家。”

　　At the party held by Feng Ziying，“Listen，”put in Baoyu.“If you drink so fast， you’ll soon be drunkand we shan’t have any fun. Suppose I empty a goblet first and we play a new game of forfeits？ Anyonewho doesn’t do as I say will have to drain ten goblets in succession and leave the table to wait on theothers.”When they all agreed to this， he picked up a goblet and drained it.“Now，”he said，“you must allmake four lines about a girl’s sorrow， her worry， her joy and her delight， explaining the reason for each. Thenyou must drink a cup of wine， sing a new popular song， and recite either a line from an old poem or couplet， ora saying from The Four Books or the Five Classics connected with some object on the table.”Before he hadfinished Xue Pan was on his feet protesting.“I’m not doing that. Count me out. You just want to make funof me.”Yun-erh stood up to push him back on to his seat.“What are you afraid of？”she teased.“Don’tyou drink every day？ Aren’t you even up to me？ I’m going to join in. If you do all right， well and good； if not，it won’t kill you to drink a few cups. Or would you rather refuse and have to drink ten goblets and wait on therest of us？”All clapped their approval and Xue Pan had to subside. Baoyu began：“The girl’s sorrow： Youthis passing but she remains single. \/“The girl’s worry： Her husband leaves home to make his fortune.\/“Thegirl’s joy： Her good looks in the mirror in the morning. \/“The girl’s delight： Swinging in a light springgown.”All cried“Good！”except Xue Pan， who shook his head.“No good，”he growled.“He ought topay a forfeit，”“Why？”asked the others.“Because I didn’t understand a word.”Yun-erh gave him apinch.“Be quiet and think out your lines. If you don’t， you’ll be the one to pay a forfeit.”She accompaniedBaoyu on the pipa as he sang： Like drops of blood fall endless tears of longing， \/ By painted pavilion growwillows and flowers untold... It was now Xue Pan’s turn.“All right，”he said.“Here goes. The girl’ssorrow...”He cleared his throat twice and persevered；“The girl’s sorrow： She marries a queer.”A roar oflaughter went up. His eyes bulging again he proceeded，“The girl’s worry...”A big gorilla springs out ofher boudoir.”Roaring with laughter they cried，“Make him pay the forfeit. The last could just pass but thisis impossible.”However， before they could fill the goblet Baoyu put in，“As long as he rhymes it， that’sgood enough.”“If the man in charge passes it，”blustered Xue Pan，“why should you lot kick up such afuss？”“The next two lines are more difficult，”said Yun-erh.“Suppose I do them for you？”“Nonsense.

　　You think I’ve nothing better coming？ Listen.“The girl’s joy： Rising late after her wedding night.”“Howpoetic he’s growing！”they exclaimed. The girl’s delight： A good fuck.”All turned away crying，“For shame！

　　Hurry up with your song.”Then he sang： A mosquito buzzes， hum-hum.“What sort of song do you callthis？”they demanded. He went on： Two flies drone， buzz-buzz.“That’s enough. Shut up！”they cried.“Allright， if you don’t want it. That’s a new song called Hum-hum. If you can’t be bothered to listen and want meto stop， you must let me off the drinking.”“We’ll let you off. You’re just holding up other people.”

　　薛蟠的婚事，他的家人和亲友吵嚷了半年。上次薛蟠出门时，顺路到了个亲戚家去。

　　他们原是老亲，且又和薛家是同在户部挂名行商，也是数一数二的大门户。合京城里，上至王侯，下至买卖人，都称他家是“桂花夏家”。一则是天缘，二来是“情人眼里出西施”。