第二回
冷子兴大谈贾家事
林黛玉初入荣国府
Chapter 2
Leng Zixing kept on talking about the affairs of Family Jia
Lin Daiyu entered the Rongguo Mansion for the first time
雨村乐逍遥，游历到扬州，
闻听林如海，一手主盐务。
Free and unfettered Yucun traveled to Yangzhou.
He learned Lin Ruhai was in charge of salt affairs.
林家人丁稀，只有一小女，
乳名唤黛玉，年方五岁许。
Not with too many members there was only a little girl in Family Lin
The infant name of the girl was Daiyu just at about the age of five.
聪明且清秀，夫妻惜如宝，
欲请高师来，教书勤指导。
The girl was wise and beautiful the couple treated her like treasure.
They wanted to engage a skillful teacher to guide her with her study.
雨村得讯息，托人获此职，
暂住在林家，安身度时日。
Learning this Yucun asked someone to help him to have got this job.
He thus settled down here by way of temporarily living in Family Lin.
岂料一年后，林妻患病亡，
黛玉悲情重，复发旧病状。
Quite unexpectedly Lin’s wife died of a disease a year later.
Daiyu was so sad that she had a recurrence of an old illness.
多日无书教，雨村闷得慌，
漫步到郊外，随意赏风光。
Yucun felt boring for having nothing to do for quite a few days.
He rambled to the suburb and started admiring scenery at will.
雨村入酒肆，偶遇冷子兴，
听说荣国府，贾家怪事情。
Entering a tavern by the road he met with Leng Zixing occasionally.
Leng told him many strange stories of Family Jia in Rong Manssion.
贾府二公子，生来口衔玉，
家人皆欢喜，取名贾宝玉。
The second son of Family Jia had a jade in his mouth when he was born.
All of the family members loved him and gave him a name of Jia Baoyu.
如今七八岁，淘气且怪异，
总是说怪话，见人笑嘻嘻。
He was then seven or eight years old and very naughty and odd.
He always said something odd and would grin to anyone he met.
常说女儿贵，骨肉水来做，
男人身低贱，泥土相混合。
He often said women were noble because their flesh was made of water.
But all men were humble because their flesh was made of mud and soil.
见女心清爽，沉醉女儿香，
见男神恍惚，厌恶臭皮囊。
Seeing women his mind was clear and their fragrance would intoxicate him.
Seeing men he was absent-minded and their stink flesh made him disgust.
雨村闻听后，笑言太新鲜，
只怕宝公子，来历不简单。
On hearing this Yucun smilingly said these things were really new to him.
He thought that the background of Baoyu was probably not so simple.
子兴继续夸，贾府女儿真，
贾政有长女，取名唤元春。
Zixing kept on praising that the girls of Family Jia were all pure.
He said the first daughter of Jia Zheng was named Yuanchun.
宫中为贵妃，帝王宠爱深，
二女唤迎春，三女乃探春。
She was a highest-ranking imperial concubine called guifei.
The second daughter was Yingcun, the third was Tanchun.
三女非嫡出，偏房赵氏生，
四女名惜春，出身更不同。
Not true-born the third was born by Jia’s concubine Madam Zhao.
The fourth was named Xichun with a more different background.
本为贾珍妹，实应属宁府，
只缘史太君，疼爱众孙女。
She was in nature the sister of Jia Zhen so she should belong to Ning Manssion.
The grandmother called Shi Taijun loved all of her granddaughters too deeply.
不分荣宁府，全部揽身边，
个个受宠爱，身价皆不凡。
She gathered all girls in both Rong Manssion and Ning Manssion around her.
She made a pet of each of them so all of these girls enjoyed a lofty prestige.
雨村欲起身，又遇张如圭，
一同遭罢免，相见亲加倍。
Just going to leave Yucun met with another one named Zhang Rugui.
They felt much more intimated ‘cause they were dismissed together.
告知京中事，启用革职官，
子兴催雨村，尽快把家还。
He said the royal court started using the dismissed officials.
Learning this Zixing urged Yucun to return home in a hurry.
托付林如海，赴京见贾政，
贾政若推荐，复职准成功。
He suggested he ask Nin Ruhai to see Jia Zheng in the capital.
If recommended by Jia Zheng, he would surely be reinstated.
次日见如海，如海满口应，
正好托雨村，送女快赴京。
Next day Yucun met Ruhai who readily granted his request.
Ruhai asked Yucun to take his daughter Daiyu to the Capital.
黛玉去贾府，投奔老祖宗，
趁机为雨村，推荐说人情。
Daiyu went to Family Jia to go to her grandmother for shelter.
Taking this chance Daiyu tried her best to recommend Yucun.
贾政见雨村，同姓皆欢喜，
推荐不犯难，自当尽心力。
Jia Zheng was glad to see Yucun due to the same family name Jia.
He readily promised to do his best to help him without problem.
雨村终如愿，难免暗欢悦，
金陵应天府，喜获一肥缺。
Attaining his wishes Yuncun could not help being delighted stealthily.
He got a lucrative post successfully from Yingtian prefecture of Jinling.
黛玉进荣府，自知寄篱下，
谨小且慎微，一路言语寡。
In Rong Mansion, Daiyu knew she depended on others for living.
Being timid and overcautious she was always a girl of few words.
觐见史太君，两舅站两边，
贾赦与贾政，左右相扶搀。
She went to pay a formal visit to her grandma with two sons beside her.
Jia She and Jia Zheng supported their mother on lift side and right side.
黛玉方欲拜，祖母搂入怀，
心肝加宝贝，伤心哭起来。
Before Daiyu paying respects her grandma already pulled her over.
She called her a treasure and started weeping with a great sorrow.
贾母哭过后，黛玉方认亲，
先拜诸长辈，再见姑娘们。
Family member identifying began for Daiyu after Mrs Jia stopped weeping.
She paid respects to the old generations first and then to the young girls.
嬷嬷两三个，丫鬟五六人，
前呼且后拥，三春皆现身。
There were two or three wet nurses as well as five to six servant girls.
Three daughters of Jia Zheng came with retinues before and behind.
迎春性温柔，亲善好心肠，
探春身高挑，顾盼神采扬。
Yingchun was either tender or kind-hearted.
Tanchun was tall, slim and often in high spirit.
惜春尚年幼，一团孩子气，
钗环与裙袄，穿着无二致。
Xichun was still rather young with clear childishness.
Their hair decorations and clothes were all the same.
阖家皆欢喜，寒暄行过礼，
落座见黛玉，瘦弱不胜衣。
After a small talk all the members were very happy.
They sat down and found Daiyu was extremely thin.
众人甚关切，连问用何药，
答曰服百药，无奈不见效。
All people were deeply concerned and asked about medicines.
She said she had taken all sorts of medicines yet with no effect.
黛玉三岁时，家来癞头僧，
欲度她出家，父母未答应。
A tinea-head monk entered her home when Daiyu was three.
He wanted to help her become a nun but her parents refused.
和尚遂警告，两条最较真：
不能听哭声，不能见外人。
The monk gave two warnings of great importance:
She could neither hear crying nor see outsiders.
无人肯相信，认定他胡言，
人参养荣丸，服用不间断。
No one believed him at all and thought he talked nonsense.
She had long been taking Ginseng yangrong pills constantly.
众人言谈间，后院传笑声，
连说我来迟，远客未能迎！
While talking they heard a laughter coming from back yard.
That lady said she was too late to meet the guest from afar!
黛玉暗责怪，此人真放荡，
迟来不道歉，反倒大声嚷。
Daiyu secretly blamed this woman for her licentiousness.
She did not say sorry for late coming but shouted instead.
丫鬟与媳妇，簇拥大美人，
风风且火火，凛凛闯进门。
Servant girls and daughter-in-laws clustered round a beauty.
They rushed into the room both rash and too much in haste.
美人披锦绣，奕奕神采飞，
珠光加宝气，灿灿金碧辉。
Wearing colorful silk clothes the beauty was in high spirit.
Bedecked with jewels she was splendid and magnificent.
恍若神妃来，翩翩仙子降，
沉鱼落雁美，可惜太张扬。
She was like a god princess or fairy maiden coming to the world.
She had extremely beautiful looks but she was insolent an’ wild.
黛玉起身拜，贾母笑辣子，
不知怎称呼，众女忙告知。
Daiyu stood up to pay respects but Mrs Jia called Feng peper.
She didn’t know how to call her an’ others told her what to do.
此乃琏二嫂，谁人不知晓，
黛玉在扬州，母亲常提到。
Everyone knew this was Lian-er-sao, second sister-in-law.
Daiyu often heard mom say it when she was in Yangzhou.
大舅名贾赦，长子即贾琏，
舅母内侄女，嫁与他为伴。
Her first uncle was named Jia She with Jia Lian as his first son.
As the inner niece of Daiyu’s ant, this woman married Jia Lian.
学名王熙凤，黛玉称嫂嫂，
牵起姑娘手，上下仔细瞧。
Her name was Wang Xifeng and Daiyu called her sister-in-law.
She held Daiyu’s hand an’ looked at her carefully up an’ down.
连声夸黛玉，模样真标致，
吩咐婆子们，洒扫快安置。
She praised Daiyu constantly saying she was extremely pretty.
Then she ordered maidservants to make a quick arrangement.
二舅名贾政，舅母乃王氏，
黛玉走上前，拜见来相识。
Her second uncle was Jia Zheng with Mrs Wang as her aunt.
Daiyu went over to pay respects an’ got acquainted with her.
舅母忙扶起，和蔼且可亲，
随即拉家常，谈起一家人。
She was helped up by this aunt who was kind and amiable.
This aunt talked about daily life and then about her family.
言及三姊妹，品貌皆端正，
唯有混账儿，实乃祸根生。
She mentioned three sisters with decorous appearance.
She also had a sneaking son who was source of disaster.
寺庙还愿去，眼下尚未归，
归来若相见，千万别理会。
Going to redeem a vow to a god in a temple he had not come.
She was asked not to care about him when he returned home.
黛玉自应承，继而进晚餐，
餐后遂闲谈，人人乐开颜。
Daiyu certainly made a promise and continued her supper.
After dinner everyone was engaged in chitchat pleasantly.
众人畅谈间，忽闻脚步声，
丫鬟忙相告，宝玉已回程。
While talking, everyone heard steps coming suddenly.
Servant girls reported hurriedly that Baoyu came back.
转眼一公子，进门堆笑脸，
面若美冠玉，色如春花艳。
All of a sudden, a young lad came in smilingly in a flash.
His face is nice as jade with a peach-blossom-like color.
最是奇特处，美玉挂胸前，
黛玉乍相见，竟然心惊颤。
The most peculiar thing was the jade hanging in front of his chest.
Daiyu should be shaken with fear when seeing it for the first time.
不禁暗思忖，此玉好面熟，
似曾见识过，但忘在何处。
She couldn’t help thinking that this jade was quite familiar.
It seemed that she once saw it but forgot where she saw it.
宝玉见贾母，连忙去请安，
贾母却吩咐，先见亲娘面。
Seeing Mrs Jia, Baoyu hurriedly stepped over to pay respects.
But old Mrs Jia requested him to see his mother first anyway.
转眼宝玉回，贾母方引荐，
此乃汝亲妹，运命实可怜。
Baoyu turned back in a moment and Mrs Jia began introducing.
She told Baoyu that Daiyu was his sister who had a poor destiny.
宝玉细端详，难言姿容美，
弱柳扶轻风，娇花照碧水。
Carefully looking, he found Daiyu’s beauty was beyond description.
She was like willow blown by breeze and a flower setting off water.
宝玉问佳人，芳名可告知，
黛玉忙相告，有名却无字。
Baoyu asked the beauty if or not she could tell her name to him.
Daiyu told her name to him immediately yet without alias at all.
信手引经典，宝玉张口来，
古今人物考，书上曾记载：
Conveniently citing the classics Baoyu made an easy explanation.
Both ancient and modern characters were all recorded by books:
西方有美石，可代墨画眉，
此石取名黛，清雅含韵味。
A beautiful stone in the west could replace ink to pencil eyebrows.
This stone was named Dai – graceful black color with great charm.
妹妹眉若蹙，何不叫颦颦，
含义最贴切，表字情最真。
Sister’s eyebrows seemed to be knitted, why don’t you have a name Pinpin?
Its meanings are appropriate and it can also be used to express true feelings.
宝玉问黛玉，可有通灵玉？
黛玉答一句，此物从未遇。
Baoyu asked Daiyu whether or not she had Lingtong jade.
Daiyu answered that she had never seen a jade like that.
想来太稀罕，岂能人人有？
听闻此言后，宝玉怒不休。
She also said maybe it was too rare to be known by anyone.
On hearing Daiyu’words, Baoyu flew into a rage immediately.
摘下胸前玉，哭着狠命摔，
妹妹如神仙，竟然都不戴。
Taking the jade from his chest Baoyu cried and threw it away.
He said his sister was as fairy maiden, but she didn’t wear it.
由此知此玉，绝非好东西，
留它有何用，摔掉不可惜！
From this, he knew this jade was by no means a good thing.
There was no use to keep it and it was not sorry to throw it.
众人吓破胆，争相去拾玉，
贾母哄宝玉，丫鬟递上去。
Everyone was scared to death and tried to be the first one to pick it up.
Mrs Jia did her best to coax Baoyu and the servant girl passed it to her.
祖母亲手戴，好言做解释，
千哄万哄后，才将事平息。
Grandma helped him to wear it and made a good explanation.
Everything was calmed down after she made every endeavor.
两娃尚年幼，相处颇和睦，
贾母自作主，两人住一处。
These two kids were very young and got along very well.
Mrs Jia decided for herself to let these two live together.
黛玉携紫鹃，碧纱橱内住，
宝玉带袭人，碧纱橱外住。
Daiyu took Zijuan to live within gauze parclose
And Baoyu took Xiren to live outsaide parclose.
黛玉众姐妹，次日趁清晨，
先去省贾母，再见王夫人。
Next morning Daiyu and all other girls gathered together.
They paid respects first to Mrs Jiao then to Mad. Wang.
凤姐王夫人，正在拆信件，
黛玉看见后，不知何因缘。
Sister Feng and Mad. Wang were opening letters.
But Daiyu saw them without knowing the reasons.
探春却知晓，信自金陵发，
众人在议论，涉及薛姨妈。
Tanchun knew the letters came from Jinling.
People said these letters related to aunt Xue.
薛家大公子，诨名呆霸王，
仗势犯命案，官司正在忙。
The first son of Family Xue had a nickname Dai Bawang.
He once killed a man and the lawsuit was not finished.
舅父王子腾，闻之心如火，
叫他进京来，一同商对策。
His uncle Wang Ziteng learned this and got angry.
He asked him to come here to plot counterplans.
黛玉众姐妹，不想添麻烦，
赶忙告辞去，前往拜李纨。
Daiyu and all other girls did not want to add troubles.
They had to leave away and then went to visit Li Wan.
李纨何许人，丈夫乃贾珠，
贾政之长子，命比黄连苦。
Who was this Li Wan? Her husband was Jia Zhu.
As Jia Zheng’s first son of, Jia Zhu’s luck was bad.
夭亡留小儿，五岁唤贾兰，
李纨长守寡，生活倍艰难。
Jia Zhu died and left a littile son Jia Lan at the age of five.
Li Wan remained a widow for a long time and led a hard life.
黛玉进府后，贾母颇宠爱，
姊妹易相处，遂愿住下来。
After entering Family Jia, Daiyu was loved ardently by Mrs Jia.
It was easy for girls to get along well and Daiyu settled down.
