一时，宝钗、袭人回来，各自房中去了，不提。
Shortly afterwards, Bao-chai and Aroma returned from the front room.
且说过了几天，便是场期。
A few days later it was time for the examination.
别人只知盼望他爷儿两个作了好文章，便可以高中的了，只有宝钗见宝玉的工课虽好，只是那有意无意之间，却别有一种冷静的光景。
All the family were full of eager anticipation, hoping that the two boys would write creditable compositions and bring the family honour.
All except for Bao-chai; while it was true that Bao-yu had prepared well, she had also on occasions noticed a strange indifference in his behaviour.
知他要进场了，头一件，叔侄两个都是初次赴考，恐人马拥挤，有什么失闪；第二件，宝玉自和尚去后，总不出门，虽然见他用功喜欢，只是改的太速太好了，反倒有些信不及，只怕又有什么变故。
As this was the first examination for which he and Jia Lan had entered, she feared they might meet with some mishap in the throng of people and horses; moreover ever since the monk's departure Baoyu had stayed indoors, and though she had rejoiced to see him studying she was sceptical about his sudden conversion and afraid of some new misfortune.
所以进场的头一天，一面派了袭人带了小丫头们同着素云等给他爷儿两个收拾妥当，自己又都过了目，好好的搁起，预备着，一面过来同李纨回了王夫人，拣家里老成的管事的多派了几个，只说怕人马拥挤碰了。
And so, the day before the examination, she sent Xiren with some maids to help Suyun pack the young gentlemen's things; and when she had made sure that everything needed was ready, she went with Li Wan to ask Lady Wang to send more than the usual number of experienced stewards with them, ostensibly to prevent their being jostled in the crowd.
次日，宝玉、贾兰换了半新不旧的衣服、欣然过来见了王夫人。
The next day Baoyu and Jia Lan, in clothes neither new nor shabby, presented themselves cheerfully to Lady Wang.
王夫人嘱咐道：“你们爷儿两个都是初次下场，但是你们活了这么大，并不曾离开我一天。
"This is your first examination," she warned them. "The first time in all these years that you've ever left me.
就是不在我跟前，也是丫头媳妇们围着，何曾自己孤身睡过一夜？
Even when I wasn't keeping an eye on you, you were surrounded by maids and serving-women, never sleeping for a single night alone.
今日各自进去，孤孤凄凄，举目无亲，须要自己保重。
Today, when you both go into the examination, you are bound to feel rather lonely with none of the family by you.
You must take special care.
早些作完了文章出来，找着家人，早些回来，也叫你母亲、媳妇们放心。”
Come out as soon as you've finished your compositions to find our family servants, then come straight back to set the minds of your mothers and wife at rest."
王夫人说着，不免伤起心来。
As she spoke, Lady Wang herself was greatly moved by the occasion.
贾兰听一句答应一句。
Jia Lan had assented to each sentence,
只见宝玉一声不哼，待王夫人说完了，走过来给王夫人跪下，满眼流泪，磕了三个头，说道：“母亲生我一世，我也无可答报。
whereas Baoyu had said nothing.
But when his mother finished he came over to kneel before her, shedding tears.
After kowtowing three times he said, "I can never repay the mother who gave birth to me.
只有这一入场，用心作了文章，好好的中个举人出来，那时太太喜欢喜欢，便是儿子一辈子的事也完了，一辈子的不好也都遮过去了。”
But if I can do this one thing successfully, if I can do my very best and pass this examination, then perhaps I can bring you a little pleasure.
Then my worldly duty will be accomplished and I will at least have made some small return for all the trouble I have caused you.”
王夫人听了，更觉伤心，便道：“你有这个心，自然是好的，可惜你老太太不能见你的面了！”
This upset Lady Wang even more. "It's good, of course, for you to feel that way," she said. "If only the old lady could have lived to see you now!"
那宝玉只管跪着，不肯起来，便说道：“老太太见与不见，总是知道的，喜欢的。
Bao-yu remained kneeling however and would not rise.‘Even though Grandmother is not here,' he said, ‘I am sure she knows about it and is happy.
既能知道了喜欢了，便是不见也和见了的一样。
So really it is just as if she were present.
只不过隔了形质，并非隔了神气啊。”
We're separated in form only, not in spirit."
李纨见王夫人和他如此，一则怕勾起宝玉的病来，二则也觉得光景不大吉祥，连忙过来说道：“太太，这是大喜的事，为什么这样伤心？
Li Wan feared that this scene might provoke Bao-yu to one of his fits.Besides, she sensed something inauspicious.She hurried forward: ‘Mother, today we should be filled with joy.
You mustn't upset yourself like this.
况且宝兄弟近来很知好歹，很孝顺，又肯用功。
Think how sensible and dutiful and hard-working Bao-yu has been of late.
只要带了侄儿进去，好好的作文章，早早的回来，写出来请咱们的世交老先生们看了，等着爷儿两个都报了喜，就完了。”
All he needs to do now is to sit the examinations with Lan, write his papers properly and come home early.
Then he can show copies of what he has written to some scholars connected with the family, and we'll just wait for the good news.”
一面叫人搀起宝玉来。
She told one of the maids to help Bao-yu to his feet.
日后兰哥还有大出息，大嫂子还要带凤冠穿霞帔呢。”
What is more, Lan has a brilliant future ahead of him, while you yourself will one day become a lady of noble rank and dress in the finest robes.”
中乡魁宝玉却尘缘 沐皇恩贾家延世泽
Bao-yu becomes a Provincial Graduate and severs worldly ties The House of Jia receives Imperial favour and renews ancestral glory