且說金輝見了夫人何氏，盛誇施俊的人品學問。夫人聽了，也覺歡喜。原來何氏夫人就是唐縣何至賢之妹，膝下生得兩個兒女：女名牡丹，今年十六歲；兒名金章，年方七歲。老爺還有一妾，名喚巧娘。
且说金辉见了夫人何氏，盛夸施俊的人品学问。夫人听了，也觉欢喜。原来何氏夫人就是唐县何至贤之妹，膝下生得两个儿女：女名牡丹，今年十六岁；儿名金章，年方七岁。老爷还有一妾，名唤巧娘。
Now, Jin Hui went in to see his wife, Madam He, and could not say enough in praise of Shi Jun’s character and learning. His wife was pleased to hear it too. Madam He, as it happens, was the younger sister of He Zhixian of Tang County. She had borne two children: a daughter named Mudan (‘Peony’), sixteen this year, and a son named Jin Zhang, only seven. The master also had a concubine, called Qiaoniang.
且說夫人見老爺誇施俊不絕口，知有許婚之意，便問：「施賢姪到此何事？」金老爺道：「施公雙目失明，如今寫信前來，叫施俊在此讀書，從我看文章。雖是如此，書中卻有求婚之意。」何氏道：「老爺意下如何呢？」金公道：「當初施賢弟也曾提過，因女兒尚幼，並未聘定。不想如今施賢姪年紀長成，不但品貌端好，而且學問淵博，堪與我女兒匹配。」何氏道：「既如此，老爺何不就許了這頭親事呢？」金公道：「且不要忙。他既在此居住，我還要細細看看他的行止如何，如果真好，慢慢再提親不遲。」
且说夫人见老爷夸施俊不绝口，知有许婚之意，便问：「施贤姪到此何事？」金老爷道：「施公双目失明，如今写信前来，叫施俊在此读书，从我看文章。虽是如此，书中却有求婚之意。」何氏道：「老爷意下如何呢？」金公道：「当初施贤弟也曾提过，因女儿尚幼，并未聘定。不想如今施贤姪年纪长成，不但品貌端好，而且学问渊博，堪与我女儿匹配。」何氏道：「既如此，老爷何不就许了这头亲事呢？」金公道：「且不要忙。他既在此居住，我还要细细看看他的行止如何，如果真好，慢慢再提亲不迟。」
When his wife heard the master praising Shi Jun without end, she knew he had a match in mind, and asked, “What brings our worthy nephew Shi here?” “Lord Shi has lost the sight of both eyes,” said Lord Jin, “and now he has written asking that Shi Jun study here, with me to look over his compositions. That is what the letter says, but between the lines it asks for a marriage.” “And what do you think of it, sir?” said Madam He. “Brother Shi did raise it once, long ago,” said Lord Jin, “but our daughter was still young, and no betrothal was made. I never thought my worthy nephew would grow up not only handsome and upright but deeply learned besides — a fit match for our girl.” “In that case,” said Madam He, “why not give your word on the match, sir?” “Not so fast,” said Lord Jin. “Since he is living here, I want to watch his conduct closely first. If he really is good, there will be time enough to talk of a match later on.”
老爺夫人只顧講論此事，誰知有跟小姐的親信丫頭名喚佳蕙，是自幼兒服侍小姐的，（因他聰明伶俐，而且模樣兒生的俏麗，又跟著小姐讀書習字，文理頗通，故此起名用個「蕙」字，上面又加上個「佳」字，言他是香而且美。佳蕙既然如此，小姐的容顏學問可想而知了。）這日他正到夫人臥室，忽聽見老夫妻講論施俊才貌雙全，有許婚之意。他便回轉繡戶，嘻嘻笑笑道：「小姐大喜了！」牡丹小姐道：「你道的什麼喜？」佳蕙道：「方才我從太太那裡來，老爺正在講究。原來施老爺打發小官人來在我們這裡讀書，從著老爺看文章。老爺說他不但學問好，而且品貌極美。老爺太太樂得了不得，有意將小姐許配與他。難道小姐不是大喜麼？」牡丹正看書，聽說至此，把書一放，嗔道：「你這丫頭，益發愚頑了！這些事也是大驚小怪，對我說的麼？越大越沒出息了。還不與我退下！」
老爷夫人只顾讲论此事，谁知有跟小姐的亲信丫头名唤佳蕙，是自幼儿服侍小姐的，（因他聪明伶俐，而且模样儿生的俏丽，又跟着小姐读书习字，文理颇通，故此起名用个「蕙」字，上面又加上个「佳」字，言他是香而且美。佳蕙既然如此，小姐的容颜学问可想而知了。）这日他正到夫人卧室，忽听见老夫妻讲论施俊才貌双全，有许婚之意。他便回转绣户，嘻嘻笑笑道：「小姐大喜了！」牡丹小姐道：「你道的什么喜？」佳蕙道：「方才我从太太那里来，老爷正在讲究。原来施老爷打发小官人来在我们这里读书，从着老爷看文章。老爷说他不但学问好，而且品貌极美。老爷太太乐得了不得，有意将小姐许配与他。难道小姐不是大喜么？」牡丹正看书，听说至此，把书一放，嗔道：「你这丫头，益发愚顽了！这些事也是大惊小怪，对我说的么？越大越没出息了。还不与我退下！」
While the master and his lady were deep in talk about this, who should come by but the young lady’s trusted maid, Jiahui, who had waited on her mistress since they were both small. (She was clever and quick, pretty to look at besides, and had studied and practised her writing alongside the young lady until she could read and write quite well. So she was named with the character hui, a fragrant orchid, and above it was set jia, ‘fine’, to say she was both fragrant and lovely. If Jiahui was like this, you can imagine the young lady’s looks and learning.) That day she had just reached the mistress’s bedroom when she overheard the old couple talking of Shi Jun — how he had both talent and looks — and of their thought of betrothing their daughter to him. She went straight back to the young lady’s chamber, all giggles and smiles, and said, “Congratulations, miss! Wonderful news!” “What wonderful news?” said Mudan. “I’ve just come from the mistress,” said Jiahui, “and the master was talking it over. It seems Lord Shi has sent the young master here to study with us, with the master to look over his compositions. The master says he isn’t only learned, he’s ever so handsome too. The master and the mistress are tickled to death, and they’re thinking of promising you to him. Isn’t that wonderful news, miss?” Mudan had been reading. When Jiahui got this far she put down her book and said sharply, “You silly girl, you get more foolish every day! Is this the sort of thing to come making a fuss about to me? The bigger you grow, the less sense you have. Leave me at once!”