王夫人便道:“打听准了么?
‘So you're sure the news is genuine?” she asked.
果然这样,老爷也愿意,合家也放心。
"If so, the master will be pleased and our minds will be set at rest too.
不是这样回来,只怕叫那些混账东西把老爷的性命都坑了呢。”
If he hadn't been recalled like this, those scoundrels might have been the death of him!"
王夫人道:“自从你二叔放了外任,并没有一个钱拿回来,把家里的倒掏摸了好些去了。
‘Ever since your uncle Zheng has been at this post,'replied Lady Wang, ‘not a penny has been remitted.On the contrary, he has been secretly sending here for considerable sums.
你瞧那些跟老爷去的人,他男人在外头不多几时,那些小老婆子们都金头银面的妆扮起来了,可不是在外头瞒着老爷弄钱?
And look at those men who went with him: They hadn't been gone long before their wives started dolling themselves up with gold and silver trinkets.
Obviously they've been raking in money outside without the master knowing.
你叔叔就由着他们闹去。
He just lets them get away with it.
要弄出事来,不但自己的官做不成,只怕连祖上的官也要抹掉了呢。”
If there'd been a scandal, not only would he be dismissed -- our ancestors might even be deprived of their titles!"
方才我听见参了,吓的了不得,直等打听明白才放心。
‘I confess that I was very shocked when I first heard the news.But now that I know the full facts of the case I feel considerably easier about it.
也愿意老爷做个京官,安安逸逸的做几年,才保得住一辈子的声名。
It will be much better for Uncle Zheng this way.He will be able to work here in the capital in peace and quiet for a few years, without endangering his reputation any further.
就是老太太知道了,倒也是放心的。
I think even Grandmother will be quite relieved when she hears the whole story.
只要太太说的宽缓些。”
provided you reassure her."
贾琏答应了,才要出来,只见薛姨妈家的老婆子慌慌张张的走来,到王夫人里间屋内,也没说请安,便道:“我们太太叫我来告诉这里的姨太太说,我们家了不得了,又闹出事来了!”
Jia Lian assented and was on the point of leaving when in hurried one of Aunt Xue's old serving-women in a fluster.
Not stopping to pay her respects she blurted out: "Our mistress has sent me, madam, to tell you that another dreadful thing has happened in our family!"
婆子便说:“我们家二爷不在家,一个男人也没有,这件事情出来,怎么办!
"Master Ke is away, we've no man in the house; so how are we to cope?”
要求太太打发几位爷们去料理料理。”
She wants you, madam, to send some gentlemen over to help us out."
王夫人听着不懂,便着急道:“到底要爷们去干什么?”
"But what do you want them for?” asked Lady Wang impatiently, having no idea what she was talking about.
施毒计金桂自焚身 昧真禅雨村空遇旧
Jingui Plots Murder and Destroys Herself Jia Yucun, Blind to the Truth, Meets an Old Friend in Vain
婆子道:“我们大奶奶死了!”
‘It's Mrs Pan!She's dead!” blurted out the old woman at last.
王夫人听了,啐道:“呸,那行子女人死就死了罢咧,也值的大惊小怪的。”
‘Pfui!”exclaimed Lady Wang when she heard this. ‘So that baggage is dead!
Is that what all the fuss is about?”
婆子道:“不是好好儿死的,是混闹死的。
‘But it wasn't reg'lar, Your Ladyship.I mean, the way she died.
Such a to-do!
说着就要走。
She set off back to the Xue compound.
那婆子没听见打发人去,只听见说“别理他”,他便赌气跑回去了。
The first part, about ‘going and having a look', failed to reach the old woman's ears.She only caught the words ‘a complete waste of time' and went running home in a great huff to Aunt Xue,
好容易那婆子来了,便问:“姨太太打发谁来?”
‘Well, who is Lady Wang going to send?”
婆子叹说道:“人再别有急难事。
"It's no use!" The old woman sighed.
什么好亲好眷,看来也不中用。
Her Ladyship wouldn't lift a finger for us!