过了些时，贾赦、贾珍各到当差地方，恃有用度，暂且自安。
After Jia She and Jia Zhen reached their destinations, having money they settled down there for the time being,
写书回家，都言安逸，家中不必挂念。
and both wrote home that they were well and that the family was not to worry on their account.
于是贾母放心，邢夫人、尤氏也略略宽怀。
This relieved the old lady's mind, and Lady Xing and Madam You took comfort too.
一日，史湘云出嫁回门，来贾母这边请安。
Some days later, Shi Xiang-yun, who was now married and had paid her Ninth Day visit to her own home, came to call on Grandmother Jia.
贾母提起他女婿甚好，史湘云也将那里家中平安的话说了，请老太太放心，又提起黛玉去世，不免大家落泪。
The old lady, to whom she paid her respects, complimented her on her husband; and Xiangyun told her that her whole family was well and she need have no anxiety on that score.
Then, speaking of Daiyu's death, they both shed tears;
贾母又想起迎春苦楚，越觉悲伤起来。
and Grandmother Jia's distress was further increased by the thought of Ying-chun and her trials.
史湘云解劝一回，又到各家请安问好毕，仍到贾母房中安歇。
Xiang-yun remained with her for a time, doing her best to cheer her up, then went to call on the others, and returned later in the day to Grandmother Jia's apartment to rest.
言及薛家这样人家，“被薛大哥闹的家破人亡，今年虽是缓决人犯，明年不知可能减等？”
The conversation that evening turned to the Xue family, and Xiang-yun learned from Grandmother Jia how as the result of Pan's escapade the Xues were now facing total ruin.
Pan's death sentence had, it is true, been suspended, and he was still alive in gaol; but there was no telling whether or not they would be able to save his life by having the sentence commuted the following year.
贾母道：“你还不知道呢：昨儿蟠儿媳妇死的不明白，几乎又闹出一场事来。
"You haven't heard the latest," said the old lady. "The other day Pan's wife died in mysterious circumstances, nearly causing another scandal
还幸亏老佛爷有眼，叫他带来的丫头自己供出来了，那夏奶奶没的闹了，自家拦住相验，你姨妈这里才将皮裹肉的打发出去了。
But Lord Buddha in his all-seeing wisdom caused her own maid to come forward and tell us the whole story.
Mrs Xia for all her antics could do nothing in the face of the truth, and ended up asking herself for the inquest to be waived.
Your aunt Xue gave Pan's wife a makeshift burial.
如今守着蝌儿过日子。
She has young Ke living with her now.
你邢妹妹在大太太那边，也就很苦。
that's why your Cousin Xiuyan is staying with the Elder Mistress and having a thin time.
琴姑娘为他公公死了还没满服，梅家尚未娶去。
Baoqin hasn't married yet either, because Academician Mei's son is still in mourning for him.
你说说，真真‘六亲同运’。
^-5
薛家是这么着；二太太的娘家大舅太爷一死，凤丫头的哥哥也不成人；那二舅太爷是个小气的，又是官项不清，也是打饥荒，甄家自从抄家以后，别无信息。”
The Second Mistress' elder brother has died, Xifeng's elder brother is a nincompoop, and that niggardly Second Uncle of theirs has embezzled public funds; so they're in hot water as well.
As for the Zhen family, we've had no news of them since their house was raided."
贾母道：“自从出了嫁，二老爷回来说，你三姐姐在海疆很好。
‘Since her marriage, your uncle Zheng has returned from his post and he tells me that Tan is very happy at her new home, even though of course it is so far away down there on the coast.
只是没有书信，我也是日夜惦记。
We still haven't heard from her directly, and I do worry about her a great deal.
为我们家连连的出些不好事，所以我也顾不来。
We've had so many other troubles to contend with here, I simply haven't had time to do anything for her.
如今四丫头也没有给他提亲。
And then there's Xi-chun.
I still haven't been able to find a husband for her.
环儿呢，谁有功夫提起他来？
The less said about young Huan the better.
如今我们家的日子比你从前在这里的时候更苦了。
Oh, things have changed greatly since you were here, my dear - greatly for the worse, I'm afraid.
这一回来了，竟都改了样子了。
I can see for myself how they've changed.
我打量我隔了好些时没来，他们生疏我；我细想起来，竟不是的。
I thought at first they were holding aloof because I'd stayed away so long; but on thinking it over I realize it isn't that.
就是见了我，瞧他们的意思，原要象先一样的热闹，不知道怎么说说就伤起心来了，所以我坐了坐儿就到老太太这里来了。”
They wanted to be their old cheerful selves with me, but somehow as soon as we started talking they got upset.That's why I didn't stay long and came back here to you, Grannie.”