话说赵姨娘正在屋里抱怨贾环，只听贾环在外间屋里发话道：“我不过弄倒了药铞子，洒了一点子药，那丫头又没就死了，值的他也骂我你也骂我，赖我心坏，把我往死里遭塌？
“All I did was knock a skillet over and spill a bit of medicine!” yelled Jia Huan before his mother could finish. “That measly little brat of hers is still alive, isn't she?” Anyone would think I'd done her in, the way you two are going on at me about it, slandering me and dragging my name in the mud!
看你们怎么着？
That would teach you all a lesson!
只叫他们提防着就是了。”
Just tell them to watch out.”
那赵姨娘赶忙从里间出来，握住他的嘴，说道：“你还只管信口胡，还叫人家先要了你的命呢！”
Aunt Zhao came hurtling in and clapped a hand over his mouth. “You're asking for it, saying such dreadful things!
They'll have your neck first, my boy, see if they don't!”
娘儿两个吵了一回。
They kept it up like this for some time.
赵姨娘听见凤姐的话，越想越气，也不着人来安慰凤姐一声儿。
Jia Huan slipped in Xi-feng's barbed little message, which made his mother more implacable than ever.
过了几天，巧姐儿也好了。
There was now no question of her sending anyone over to Xi-feng's with an apology, and although Qiao-jie made a complete recovery a few days later,
因此，两边结怨比从前更加一层了。
the episode had deepened the feud between the two sections of the family.
一日，林之孝进来回道：“今日是北静郡王生日，请老爷的示下。”
One day, Lin Zhixiao reported to Jia Zheng, “Today is the birthday of the Prince of Beijing.What are your instructions, sir?”
贾政吩咐道：“只按向年旧例办了，回大老爷知道，送去就是了。”
“Send whatever we usually send,” replied Jia Zheng. “Report to Sir She first, before delivering the presents.”
林之孝答应了，自去办理。
“Very good sir,” said Lin, and went to make the necessary arrangements.
不一时贾赦过来，同贾政商议带了贾珍、贾琏、宝玉去给北静王拜寿。
Presently Jia She came over and they decided to take Jia Zhen, Jia Lian and Baoyu with them to offer congratulations.
别人还不理论，惟有宝玉素日仰慕北静王的容貌威仪，巴不得常见才好，遂连忙换了衣服，跟着来过北府。
The others took this as a matter of course, but Baoyu was most eager to see more of the prince whose distinguished appearance and manners had so impressed him.
He changed hastily into ceremonial dress and went with his father to the princes mansion,
贾赦、贾政递了职名候谕。
where Their Lordships sent in their cards, then waited to be summoned.
不多时，里面出来了一个太监，手里掐着数珠儿。
and before long a Eunuch Chamberlain of the Household emerged, fingering his beads,
见了贾赦、贾政，笑嘻嘻的说道：“二位老爷好？”
and beamed at the sight of them, asking:“How are you two gentlemen?”
贾赦、贾政也都赶忙问好，他兄弟三人也过来问了好。
Jia She and Jia Zheng greeted him in return, and the three young men followed suit.
那太监道：“王爷叫请进去呢。”
“His Imperial Highness will be pleased to receive you now.”
于是爷儿五个跟着那太监进入府中。
The eunuch led the five of them in,
过了两层门，转过一层殿去，里面方是内宫门。
past two gates and one court to the inner palace gate,
刚到门前，大家站住，那太监先进去回王爷去了。
Here they halted once more, while the eunuch went in to announce their arrival,
这里门上小太监都迎着问了好。
and the young eunuchs there stepped forward to greet them.
一时那太监出来，说了个“请”字，爷儿五个肃敬跟入。
Before long, the eunuch returned to invite them in, and they followed him respectfully.
只见北静郡王穿着礼服，已迎到殿门廊下。
The Prince, dressed in full robe of state, had paid them the compliment of coming out to receive them in one of the covered walks by the entrance to the main hall.