公子重耳謂申生曰：「為此者，非子之罪也，子胡不進辭？
If you explain matters, you will surely escape punishment.” “That will not do,” said Shensheng.
辭之必免於罪。
“If I explain the matter, Li Ji will surely bear the blame for what has occurred.
」申生曰：「不可。
Our lord is advanced in years—without Li Ji he would be unable to take his repose or enjoy his meals.
我辭之，驪姬必有罪矣。
How can I cause his lordship to live his last years in sorrow?” “If you are not going to offer an explanation, then you had better go elsewhere at once,” said Chong’er.
吾君老矣，微驪姬寢不安席，食不甘味，如何使吾君以恨終哉！
“That wouldn’t do,” said Shensheng.
」重耳曰：「不辭則不若速去矣。
“Going elsewhere and not dying would be the same as hating our lord.
」申生曰：「不可。
去而免於死，是惡吾君也。
Who among the other lords would be willing to offer lodging to one who advertises his father’s faults in order to gain a fair name?
夫彰父之過而取美，諸侯孰肯內之。
At home I would be at odds with my clan, and abroad I would be a fugitive—this would only add to my offenses.
入困於宗，出困於逃，是重吾惡也。
I have heard that a loyal officer does not expose his ruler’s faults, that a wise officer does not multiply his own offenses, and that a courageous officer does not flee from death.
吾聞之：忠不暴君，智不重惡，勇不逃死。
This being the case, I will meet the situation by yielding up my person.” He then fell on his sword and died.
如是者，吾以身當之。
A man of discernment, hearing of this, exclaimed, “It was Heaven’s will, oh prince!” As is said in the Odes, “Bits of petal, tiny stems, / Stitched into shell-embroidery; / Those slanderers of men / Indeed have gone too far.”20 18 Lord Xian of Jin 晉獻公: p.n. Guizhu 詭諸; r. 676–651.
」遂伏劍死。
Shensheng 申生 was his eldest son. Li Ji 驪姬 was the daughter of the chief of the Li Rong 驪戎, a non-Chinese tribe.
君子聞之曰：「天命矣夫，世子！
When Lord Xian destroyed the Li Rong in 672, he took Li Ji and her younger sister as consorts and bestowed great favor on Li Ji.
」詩曰：「萋兮斐兮，成是貝錦。
彼譖人者，亦已太甚。」
She gave birth to a son, Xi Qi 希 奇, then slandered the other princes so that Xi Qi might in time come to the throne.