Previously
前情
Last time, on Mount Shaoshi: Xuanci and Ye Erniang died; Xuzhu found his parents and lost them in a day; Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo both took vows, and Xiao Feng went back to Liao.
上回少室山散场：玄慈、叶二娘死了，虚竹一天之内认了爹娘又送走他们；萧远山、慕容博双双皈依，萧峰回了大辽。
Chapter 1: The Road West
第一回 一路向西
After Mount Shaoshi broke up, three men travelled west together: Xiao Feng, Xuzhu and Duan Yu.
少室山散了之后，有三个人一路向西：萧峰、虚竹、段誉。
Why west? A letter had come from the Prince of Zhennan of Dali, telling Duan Yu to bring the princess of Xixia home as his wife.
往西做什么？大理镇南王有信来，要段誉把西夏公主娶回去。
Two of the prince's household, Ba Tianshi and Zhu Danchen, had the errand. They were more anxious than their young master, and they had a further worry.
巴天石、朱丹臣两个家臣领了这差事。他们比公子还急，另有一层顾虑。
Xiao Feng was a great lord of Liao and Xuzhu master of Vulture Palace. If either took it into his head to compete, their young master would lose.
萧峰是辽国南院大王，虚竹是灵鹫宫主人。这两位若也动了求亲的念头，自家公子争不过。
So they put the matter plainly, and asked the two men to stand aside.
于是索性把话挑明，当面求二人让一步。
Xiao Feng sighed and said that since A'zhu's death he had no thought of marrying.
萧峰叹了口气，说阿朱死了以后，他没有再娶的意思。
Xuzhu went red to the ears, waved both hands, and said he would certainly not put himself forward — he would help his third brother win the match.
虚竹满面通红，连连摇手，说自己决计不行，一定帮三弟把这头亲事办成。
A'zi cut in: our father is guarding against the two of you.
阿紫在旁边插嘴：爹爹这是防着你们俩呢。
Mu Wanqing, Zhong Ling and A'zi were of the party. Wang Yuyan was with them too.
队伍里还有木婉清、钟灵、阿紫。王语嫣也在。
Wang Yuyan's life had been picked up off the ground. Hearing that her cousin meant to go to Xixia and marry, she had fallen behind on some pretext, slipped away from Deng Baichuan and the rest, and thrown herself off a cliff.
王语嫣这条命是捡回来的。她听说表哥要去西夏求亲，借故落在众人后头，避开邓百川他们，一个人跳了崖。
She went off the edge with such force that Yun Zhonghe caught her by the wrist. He caught her, and his mind was not clean.
跳出去力道太大，云中鹤一把抓住了她的手腕。人是抓住了，心思却不干净。
South Sea Crocodile God insisted that Old Four had turned good for once; Yun Zhonghe contradicted him on the spot:
南海鳄神一口咬定老四这一回是改做好事，云中鹤自己当场顶回去：
the man called Yun likes pretty girls, and seeing Miss Wang throw herself off, he could not bear to let her go — he meant to carry her home for a few days as his wife.
姓云的最喜欢美貌姑娘，见到王姑娘跳崖寻死，自然舍不得——他是要抓她回去，做几天老婆。
And so four of them hung below the cliff in a chain: Duan Yanqing on the staff, Crocodile God holding Yun Zhonghe's hair, Yun Zhonghe holding Wang Yuyan by both wrists.
四个人就这样串成一条绳吊在崖下：段延庆抓杆棒，南海鳄神抓云中鹤的头发，云中鹤抓王语嫣的两只手腕。
Thirty yards below, the valley floor was all rock standing up like blades.
底下几十丈，全是刀剑一样朝上竖着的石头。
It was Xuzhu who hauled them up one by one, and Wang Yuyan last — she had fainted, and there was a ring of purple-black finger marks on each wrist.
后来是虚竹把他们一个一个提上来，最后才拉王语嫣——她已经晕了，手腕上一圈紫黑的指印。
Murong Fu was not of the party. He and his four retainers had reached Lingzhou first, and on arriving he set his men to beat and wound several Tubo warriors. He wanted this match, and wanted it badly.
慕容复不在这一路。他带四大家将先到了灵州，一到就遣人把几个吐蕃武士打伤。这门亲事他要得很急。
The Xixia proclamation had gone up that summer.
西夏的皇榜是这年夏天贴出来的。
Princess Wenyi was nearly of age, it said, and the king would choose a consort from among unmarried men of letters and arms, handsome and outstanding; the choosing would begin at the Mid-Autumn festival.
榜上写：文仪公主年将及笄，国王要征选一位文武双全、俊雅英伟的未婚男子为驸马，定在八月中秋起选拔。
Wenyi was the title on the notice. By mouth, in the palace and out of it, she was called the Princess of Yinchuan. The same woman.
文仪是封号，写在榜上；宫里宫外口头叫的，是银川公主。同一个人。
Men of any kingdom, of any birth or station, who thought themselves first-rate might present themselves. A man who answered the call and was not chosen might still be given office according to his ability.
不论哪一国人，也不论出身门第，自认是天下一等一人才的，都可投文晋谒。应选而落第的，也量才授官。
Gongye Qian could read Xixia script. He had taken this proclamation from the hand of a dying Beggar Clan disciple and carried it all the way to Lingzhou.
公冶乾看得懂西夏文。这张榜文是他从一个垂死的丐帮弟子手里接过来的，一路带到灵州。
And he put the arithmetic plainly to Murong Fu: the notice spoke only of a man's quality and skill, not of rank or family. Only under such a notice could a commoner with no office at all hope to beat the princes of kingdoms.
他给慕容复算得清楚：榜上只论人品本事，不论爵位门第。一个白丁，只有在这种榜文底下才争得过各国王子。
What the notice did not say was that the match was of the princess's own seeking.
榜上没写的是：这桩亲事，是公主自己求来的。
The whole of this road is in this one line:
这一路的故事，都在这句里：
"Thinking in vain to seek a fair mate — where is the good match?"
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition, chapter 44 title 「念枉求美眷 良缘安在」
——《天龙八部》（修订版·第四十四章回目） Nian means to think of; wang means in vain. Qiu mei juan: to seek a fine mate. Liang yuan an zai: and where is the good match to be found? Set against Duan Yu, the line fits to the letter — the woman he followed all that way had no place in her eyes for him.
念，是想。枉，是白费。求美眷，是想求一个好人儿。良缘安在，是好姻缘在哪里。这一句搁在段誉身上，一分不差——他这一路追的人，眼里没有他。
Chapter 2: At the Mouth of the Well
第二回 井上
It was near the Mid-Autumn and every inn in Lingzhou was full, so the party lodged in a temple outside the walls.
中秋将近，灵州的客店全住满了，一行人只好住进城外一座庙里。
Duan Yu could not sleep; he got up and went out into the courtyard.
段誉睡不着，索性起身，走到院子里。
Moonlight lay over everything, and a figure in white stood by the pond. It was Wang Yuyan.
月光铺了一地，池塘边站着个白衣人影。是王语嫣。
Duan Yu drew back behind a tree and did not dare breathe. A ring spread on the water; a few drops fell into it. Her tears.
段誉缩回树后，不敢出声。池面起了一圈涟漪，几滴水珠落下去——是她的眼泪。
She said she had better die, and have done with this endless torment.
她说：我还是死了的好，免得受这无穷无尽的煎熬。
He could not hold back. He came out and began with an apology: whatever the fault was, it was his.
段誉忍不住了，从树后出来，一开口就是赔罪，说千不是万不是，都是他的不是。
She stamped her foot: you fool, my grief is mine — it has nothing to do with you.
王语嫣跺脚：你这呆子，我自己伤心，跟你全不相干。
He rose. Before he could speak she hid her face against his shoulder.
段誉站起来，还没说话，她忽然把脸埋在他肩上。
And told him the truth: her cousin meant to be Xixia's consort.
她把实话说了出来：表哥要去做西夏驸马。
Gongye Qian had talked to her: for the restoring of Yan, private feeling must go.
公冶乾劝过她，说为兴复大燕，顾不得儿女私情。
Duan Yu was struck still — and then a thought rose in him: if her cousin takes the princess, he will not compete with me for Yanmei.
段誉先是一呆，跟着心里冒出一个念头：她表哥娶了公主，就不来跟我争嫣妹了。
She thrust him away: I took you for a good man, and that is why I told you. And you are glad of it — you are laughing at me.
王语嫣一把推开他：我还当你是好人，才跟你说。原来你幸灾乐祸，反来笑我。
Duan Yu swore at heaven that if there were one grain of gladness in him, may the thunder split his skull. The oath finished, he came to himself: the end he rejoiced in was the end she grieved at.
段誉指天发誓，说若有半分幸灾乐祸之心，教他天雷劈顶。誓发完了，他自己也醒了：他乐的那一头，正是她痛的那一头。
He changed his mind.
他改了主意。
Miss Wang, do not grieve, he said. I shall talk Master Murong out of it and tell him to marry you soon.
王姑娘，你不用伤心。我去劝慕容公子，叫他不可去做西夏驸马，要他及早和你成婚。
And if talk will not do it, I shall take the consort's place myself. Once I have it, your cousin cannot — and then he will have to marry you.
劝不动，我就自己去抢这个驸马来做。我做成了，你表哥做不成，就非和你成婚不可了。
Next day they moved into the guest house, all passing as Duan Yu's servants.
次日众人住进宾馆，都充作段誉的随从。
At midnight Murong Fu carried him out of the town and threw him down.
半夜，慕容复把他提出城外，往地下一摔。
What did you say to my cousin last night? he said coldly.
慕容复冷笑：昨晚你跟我表妹说什么话来？
We happened to meet, said Duan Yu, and spoke of nothing.
段誉道：不过刚巧撞到，说了几句不相干的话。
Then Murong Fu recited, sentence by sentence, what he had meant to say.
慕容复便把他想说的话一句一句背了出来。
That husband and wife must love each other.
夫妇之间，情投意合最要紧。
That to be man and wife with a princess he had never met was a very bad thing.
与公主素不相识，旦夕之间便成夫妻，那是大大的不妥。
Duan Yu started: Miss Wang told you all that?
段誉吃一惊：王姑娘都跟你说了？
You want the consort's place, he said, and fear I shall compete; so you frame a speech to trap me.
慕容复冷笑：你想作驸马，怕我来争，便编好一套说辞，先来诱我。
I cannot let you marry the princess of Xixia, said Duan Yu, nor watch Miss Wang kill herself for you.
段誉道：我不能让你娶西夏公主，不能眼见王姑娘为你寻死。
Your mouth is full of right and duty, said Murong Fu, and your belly is full of vipers.
慕容复道：你满口仁义道德，一肚皮蛇蝎心肠。
That sentence put him in the well.
这一句，把自己送进了井里。
Cousin, come here! he called. Duan Yu turned — moonlight on the ground, and no Wang Yuyan. Then a grip closed on his back and he was lifted. Some dozen yards on there was a dry well, and Murong Fu raised him and threw.
慕容复忽然高叫：表妹，你过来。段誉回头，满地清光，哪里有王语嫣。背上一紧，人已被提起。走了数丈，前面一口枯井，慕容复举手一掷。
Wang Yuyan had followed the whole way, and every word of the quarrel she had heard. She ran to the well and looked down: he had struck the hard mud and did not move. She thought him dead.
王语嫣就跟在后头，两人的争辩，她一句一句都听见了。她扑到井边往下看：段誉摔在硬泥上，一动不动。她只当他跌死了。
Murong Fu stood behind her and brought out what he had held in a long while.
慕容复站在她背后，把压了许久的一件事说了出来。
In the mill by Lake Tai, with no clothes on, hiding in the straw with this Duan fellow — what were you doing?
太湖之畔的碾坊里，你赤身露体，和这姓段的一同躲在柴草堆里，却在干些什么？
I saw it with my own eyes.
那是我亲眼目睹。
And then she understood: the masked warrior Li Yanzong was her cousin.
王语嫣这才明白：那个蒙面武士李延宗，就是表哥。
She threw herself into his arms: cousin — you will not go and be Xixia's consort?
她投身入怀：表哥，你不去做西夏驸马了罢？
Murong Fu started as if struck. This is bad, he thought. Murong Fu, you are soft over a woman and short of breath, and you have nearly ruined the great affair.
慕容复斗然全身一震，心道：糟糕。慕容复，你儿女情长，英雄气短，险些儿误了大事。
He put her from him and hardened his heart: cousin, the bond between us is finished.
当即伸手将她推开，硬起心肠摇头：表妹，你我缘分已经尽了。
She walked slowly toward the well; halfway there she turned: cousin, may you have your wish — marry the princess, and be emperor of Yan.
王语嫣慢慢向井边走去，走到一半，回过头来：表哥，祝你得遂心愿，娶了西夏公主，又做大燕皇帝。
He knew she meant to die.
慕容复知她要去寻死。
His hand went out for her arm; his mouth opened to cry No.
他伸手想拉她手臂，口中想呼「不可」。
But he knew that if he spoke or pulled her back, he could not tell whether he would ever be free of her tenderness again.
可他知道，只要一出声、一伸手，此后能否摆脱表妹这番柔情纠缠，那就难以逆料。
So his mouth opened and no sound came out; his hand was out, and he did not pull her back. She saw his face and guessed his mind: so cold a man.
于是他的嘴巴张开，却无声音发出；一只手伸了出去，却不去拉王语嫣。王语嫣看见了他的脸，猜到了他的心情：此人竟然凉薄如此。
Master Duan, she cried, I will die with you.
她叫道：段公子，我和你死在一起。
And leapt head first into the well.
纵身一跃，向井中倒冲了下去。
Chapter 3: At the Bottom
第三回 井底
Wang Yuyan came down, and her head struck him square on the point at the centre of his chest, and woke him.
王语嫣从井口落下来，脑袋正撞在段誉胸口的膻中穴上，把他撞醒了。
From the mouth of the well Murong Fu's voice came down.
井口上，慕容复的声音传下来。
Cousin, in the end your heart was all Master Duan's.
表妹，你毕竟内心深爱段公子。
You two could not be man and wife in life; but to lie in one grave in death — that much of your wish is granted.
你二人虽然生不能成为夫妻，死而同穴，也总算得遂了你的心愿。
The one in his arms spoke, very low: Master Duan, I have been stupid past all forgiving. You were always so good to me, and I was always so cold.
怀里那个人忽然开口，声音很轻：段公子，我真是糊涂透顶。你一直待我这么好，我却一直那样待你。
Duan Yu was struck dumb: Wang Yuyan?
段誉惊得呆了：你是王姑娘？
Yes.
是啊。
It was too dark at the bottom of the well; he could hear her voice and see nothing.
井底太黑，他听得见声音，看不见脸。
He had always held her in reverence, and scrambled up to set her down — but the well was narrow and full of mud, and the moment he stood his feet sank and it came up to his chest.
段誉素来敬她，慌忙站直了要把她放下，可井底既窄，又满是污泥，他一站直，两脚就往里陷，泥没到胸口。
To lay her down in that was not to be thought of. So he held her across his arms and apologised without ceasing: forgive me, Miss Wang — we must make shift.
放在泥里那是万万不可的，只好横抱着，一路道歉：得罪，得罪，王姑娘，只能从权了。
She had always been composed and correct; now she could not hold it. She put her arm round his neck and whispered.
她向来娴雅守礼，此刻却忍不住了，伸臂搂住他脖子，在耳边低声说。
Duan Lang, so long as you do not scorn me, nor hold against me how cold I was — I will follow you all my life.
段郎，只须你不嫌我，不恼我昔日对你冷漠无情，我愿终身跟随着你。
She wept: he never held me in his heart. Only now do I know who truly loves me, who holds me dear.
王语嫣垂泪：他却从来没将我放在心上。我到此刻方才知道，这世上谁是真的爱我、怜我。
Hearing her still shield him, Duan Yu grew anxious: and if your cousin repented, and was suddenly kind to you again — what then?
段誉听她口气里还有回护之意，心里又急起来：倘若你表哥一旦悔悟，忽然又对你好了，那你怎么样？
"Duan Lang, I may be a foolish woman, but I am not one to throw away decency. Today I pledge myself to you for three lives; to turn my heart again after that — would that not be a stain on my honour?"
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「段郎，我虽是个愚蠢女子，却决不是丧德败行之人，今日我和你定下三生之约，若再三心两意，岂不有亏名节？」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） While the two talked at the bottom, the two above had come to blows.
井底下两个人在说话，井口上那两个人已经打起来了。
All Duan Yu's mind was on Wang Yuyan; of the fight overhead he heard nothing.
段誉全副心神都在王语嫣身上，上面呼喝恶斗，他一句没听见。
Murong Fu had just spoken of one grave in death when a voice behind him said, coldly: false tears, false man.
慕容复刚说完「死而同穴」，背后有人冷冷道：假惺惺，伪君子。
Then Jiumozhi shouted, and Murong Fu felt two pains at once, at the spine and at the belly; his limbs went numb and he could not move.
蓦地里鸠摩智大喝一声，慕容复只觉腰间、腹部同时一痛，手足麻软，再也动弹不得。
Jiumozhi whistled, and four Tubo warriors came running out of the trees.
鸠摩智撮唇作哨，树林里奔出四名吐蕃武士。
I knew this boy's father in the old days; let him keep a whole corpse. Throw him into that dry well.
我和这小子的父亲昔日相识，且容他留个全尸。你们将他投入这口枯井。
Wind above their heads — they shrank back against the wall. A thump, and someone had landed in the well.
头顶忽然呼呼风响，两人往井壁一靠，砰的一声，有人落在井里。
It was Murong Fu. Jiumozhi had sealed his point; he could hear and speak, and not stir a finger.
正是慕容复。他被鸠摩智点了穴，能听能言，就是不能动。
Wang Yuyan's voice shook: cousin, what have you come for now? I belong to Master Duan. If you mean to kill him, kill me with him.
王语嫣颤声道：表哥，你又来干什么？我此身已属段公子，你若要杀他，那就连我也杀了。
Duan Yu was overjoyed. He had not feared for his own life; he had feared that at the sight of her cousin her old love would kindle again, and hearing her say this he was eased.
段誉大喜。他不担心慕容复来害自己，只怕王语嫣见了表哥，旧情复燃；听她这么说，登时放心。
Hearing her say this he was eased, and said: Master Murong, go and be Xixia's consort; I shall not stand in your way. But your cousin is mine now.
又道：慕容公子，你去做你的西夏驸马，我决计不再劝阻。你的表妹，却是我的了。
Murong Fu thought: they do not know I am helpless, and fear my hand — so much the better. I will stall them.
慕容复心想：他二人不知我已受制于人，反倒怕我出手，我且施个缓兵之计。
So he said: cousin, once you marry Master Duan we are all one family. How could I harm him?
当下说道：表妹，你嫁段公子后，咱们已成一家人，我如何再会相害？
Duan Yu was kind-hearted and Wang Yuyan innocent, and neither knew much of the world; at that they were overjoyed and thanked him.
段誉宅心仁厚，王语嫣天真烂漫，两个都不通世务，一听之下大喜过望，连声道谢。
Murong Fu worked at his sealed point in silence and could not loosen it, and was angry: at any other time my cousin would have run to lift me up.
慕容复暗自运气解穴，一时解不开，心里又怒：若在平时，表妹早就奔过来扶我起身了。
One step would have brought her to his side; but she feared he had some scheme against Duan Yu, and she feared Duan Yu would take it ill. So she never took that step.
她只须跨出一步，便到了他身畔；可她既怕他另有计谋加害段誉，又怕段誉多心，这一步终于没有跨出去。
At last he steadied himself, loosed the point, and rose with a hand on the kerb.
慕容复好容易定下心，运气解开了穴道，手扶井栏站起身来。
At the mouth of the well Jiumozhi was gasping; something slipped from the front of his robe.
井口上，鸠摩智喘得厉害，衣襟里忽然掉出一件东西。
He snatched at it in mid-air and called up the Dragon-Grab — which would have brought it back at any other time; now his force would only swell outward and would not come to his palm.
他伸手一抄，已自不及，急忙运起「擒龙手」凌空抓落；若在平时定能抓回，这会儿内劲不受使唤，只往外胀，运不到掌心。
He knew his breath had gone wrong because of that book; without a thought he jumped in after it.
他知道内息运错全从这本经上来，当下不加思索，纵身就跳了下去。
Murong Fu had just got to his feet when something slapped down past him. In the dark he could not tell what, and stepped aside from it.
井底的慕容复刚站起身，啪的一声，有物从身旁落下，黑暗中也不知是什么，他自然而然往旁一让。
And a good thing he did: an instant later a man came down the shaft and all but struck him.
幸好让了这一步——紧接着一个人从上面直落下来，几乎撞在他身上。
It was Jiumozhi. He struck two palms downward to slow himself, and they did not slow him — they pushed him, and his head struck hard on the brick that lined the rim.
是鸠摩智。他双掌下拍，这两掌非但没减势，反把他一推，脑袋重重撞在井圈内缘的砖头上。
At his old strength the brick would have shattered; now lights burst before his eyes and he pitched face first into the mud, mouth and nose buried.
以他本来功力，这一撞砖头必碎；这会儿他眼前金星直冒，一头栽进井底的烂泥里，口鼻全埋。
He shouted: I am here! And the moment he opened his mouth the mud poured in.
他大叫：我在这里！一开口，烂泥就涌进嘴里。
The four above heard nothing, and took it that he had tired of waiting and told them to weight the well.
上面四个人听不见，只当国师不耐烦久等，吩咐他们用大石压住井口。
They held their preceptor in awe of a god and chose the largest; in moments a dozen of a hundred catties each lay over the mouth, and the well was sealed.
这些人对国师敬若天神，拣石唯恐不巨，片刻之间，百来斤的大石堆了十二三块，井口牢牢封死。
Wang Yuyan spoke first: listen — they have weighted the mouth with stones. How are we to get out?
王语嫣先开口：你听，吐蕃武士用大石压住了井口，咱们却如何出去？
So long as I may stay with you, what does it matter? said Duan Yu. With you beside me this mud well is a land of perfume.
段誉道：只须得能和你厮守，不能出去，又有何妨？你既在我身旁，臭泥井便是众香国。
Jiumozhi heard every word in the mud and was startled: the boy is alive too?
鸠摩智在泥里听得清清楚楚，微微一惊：这姓段的小子居然也没死？
He picked up the book and burst out laughing.
他拾起经书，忽然哈哈大笑。
He could not stop. His breath surged, his wits went wild, and he struck and kicked in the mud; each blow fell on the brick, and sometimes it shattered, and sometimes there was no strength in him at all.
他止不住笑，内息鼓荡，神智昏乱，在污泥里拳打足踢，一拳一脚都打在井圈砖上，有时打得砖块粉碎，有时又全无气力。
Wang Yuyan pressed close to him and whispered: he has gone mad. He has gone mad.
王语嫣吓得贴到段誉身边，低声道：他疯了，他疯了。
He has, said Duan Yu. Murong Fu said nothing; he set his hands and feet to the bricks and began to climb.
段誉道：他当真疯了。慕容复却不作声，施展壁虎游墙功，贴着井圈往上爬。
The monk only laughed, laughed and gasped, and his fists came faster.
鸠摩智只是大笑，笑一阵，喘一阵，拳脚却越打越快。
Wang Yuyan took her courage: master, sit down and rest a while. You must steady yourself.
王语嫣鼓起勇气劝道：大师，你坐下来好好歇一歇，须得定一定神才是。
Steady myself! he spat. If I could steady myself I would!
鸠摩智笑骂：我能定就好了！我定你个头！
There was no room in that well to turn. His hand shot out and caught her by the shoulder.
井圈里能有多少回旋余地，他一伸手就抓到了王语嫣的肩头。
She cried out and twisted away. Duan Yu thrust himself in front of her: get behind me.
王语嫣一声惊呼，急速避开。段誉抢过去挡在她身前：你躲在我后面。
And in that instant the monk's two hands closed on his throat and tightened.
便在这时，鸠摩智双手已扣住他咽喉，用力收紧。
His breath stopped; he could not speak. Wang Yuyan caught the monk's arms with both hands and pulled.
段誉顿觉呼吸急促，说不出话来。王语嫣大惊，忙伸手去扳他手臂。
But the monk in his madness had a strength past nature; she might as well have tried to shift a pillar.
鸠摩智疯狂之余，气力大得异乎寻常，她这一扳，宛如蜻蜓撼石柱。
Cousin! she cried. Cousin, come and help — the monk is strangling Master Duan!
她急叫：表哥，表哥，你快来帮手，这和尚要扼死段公子啦。
Murong Fu thought: that boy shamed me before the world on Mount Shaoshi and stripped me of my name. Let him die.
慕容复心想：段誉这小子在少室山上打得我面目无光，令我从此在江湖上声威扫地。他要死便死他的，我何必出手相救？
And this monk's arm is more than I can match. Let them ruin each other — best if both die.
何况这凶僧武功极强，我远非其敌，且让他二人斗个两败俱伤，最好是同归于尽。
He hooked his fingers into a crack, flattened himself to the wall, and said nothing.
他手指穿入砖缝，贴身井圈，默不作声。
She cried till her voice cracked; he might have been deaf.
王语嫣叫得声嘶力竭，他只作没听见。
That was the second hand.
这是第二只手。
The one at the mouth had not pulled; this one at the bottom did not reach out.
井口上那只没有拉，井底这只没有伸。
In desperation she opened her mouth and bit him on the right arm.
她急了，忽然张口往他右臂上咬去。
Jiumozhi felt the sudden pain, and the force that had surged and boiled in him poured out in a flood, from the palm of his hand into Duan Yu's throat.
鸠摩智猛觉右臂一痛，体内奔腾鼓荡的内力蓦然间一泻千里，自手掌心送入段誉的头颈。
The monk's foundation had been too firm for it; now the gate flew open and the force poured out without end.
原来段誉身上有一门北冥神功，专吸人内力。鸠摩智根基极稳，本来吸不动；此刻息关大开，内力便源源不绝地泻出。
Then Wang Yuyan shivered.
不料王语嫣猛然间打了个寒噤。
The art does not tell friend from enemy, and it drew even the little she had.
北冥神功不分敌我，连她那一点浅内力也被吸了过去。
In a little while all three had fainted away.
过不多时，三人一齐晕去。
Murong Fu heard no sound from the three below. He called, and got no answer, and took it that they had destroyed each other.
慕容复听下面三个人皆无声息，叫了几声，听不到回答，只当三人已然同归于尽。
A dozen great stones lay over the mouth, near ten thousand catties, and not a hair's breadth did they move.
十余块大石重重叠叠压住井口，几及万斤，如何推得动分毫。
They had made a night of it, and it was now daybreak; villagers were carrying vegetables in to market, and their road went past the well.
原来扰攘了大半夜，天色已明，城郊乡农挑了菜蔬进城去卖，正经过井边。
So he called out that this gold and silver was his, and they were not to be envious; he might spare them three thousand taels.
于是大声叫道：这些金银财宝都是我的，你们不得眼红，要分三千银子给你，倒也不妨。
The villagers were amazed and delighted, and fell on the stones in a swarm.
众乡农又惊又喜，一窝蜂去搬抬大石。
Murong Fu did not wait for the last of them: the moment the gap was wide enough for a man he went up the wall and shot out of the well.
慕容复不等石头全部搬开，一见露出的缝隙已足以通过身子，当即缘井壁而上，飕的一声窜了出去。
At noon the three came to, one after another. Wang Yuyan woke first.
直到午牌时分，井底三人才先后醒转。
She felt with her hand until she found him, called twice and got no answer, and thought him strangled.
她伸手一摸碰到了段誉，叫了两声不听应声，只当他已被鸠摩智扼死。
She held him and wept: I meant to make it up to you hereafter, and now you have died at that wicked monk's hands.
她抱着他哭：我只盼日后好好的补报于你，哪知道你竟命丧恶僧之手。
Then Jiumozhi said: the lady has it half right. This monk is a wicked one; but Master Duan did not die by my hand.
忽听得鸠摩智道：姑娘说对了一半。老衲虽是恶僧，段公子却并非命丧我手。
She caught her breath: then was it — was it my cousin?
王语嫣惊道：难道是，是我表哥下的毒手？
And at that moment Duan Yu's breath came smooth, and he woke.
便在这时，段誉内息顺畅，醒了过来。
Her voice was at his ear, and he was in her arms. He did not stir, for fear she should notice and let go.
听得王语嫣的娇声便在耳边，又觉得自己被她抱着，当下一动不敢动，唯恐被她察觉。
Jiumozhi said: your Duan Lang did not die by the wicked monk's hand — rather, the wicked monk nearly died by his.
鸠摩智道：你的段郎非但没有命丧恶僧之手，恰恰相反，恶僧险些儿命丧段郎之手。
Wang Yuyan wept: you might as well have strangled me too, and let me follow him below.
王语嫣垂泪：你还不如将我也扼死了，好让我追随段郎于黄泉之下。
Jiumozhi had lost his force but not his eyes; hearing the small careful breathing, he knew the trick, and sighed.
鸠摩智内力虽失，识见仍旧，听得他细细的呼吸之声，已知他的用意，轻轻叹了口气。
"Master Duan, I wrongly learned the seventy-two arts of Shaolin and my breath went astray, and the danger was past telling. Had you not drawn off my force, I would have died raving."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「段公子，我错学少林七十二绝技，走火入魔，凶险万状，若不是你吸去我的内力，老衲已然疯狂而死。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） Duan Yu was a modest man and could not keep still: why should the master be so modest? What virtue is in me, that I should have saved your life?
段誉是谦谦君子，忍不住开口：大师何必过谦？在下何德何能，敢说相救大师性命？
At the sound of his voice Wang Yuyan was overjoyed, and then checked, and understood that he had lain still on purpose.
王语嫣听到他开口，大喜之下又一愣，当即明白他故意不动，好让自己抱着他。
Jiumozhi sighed: I am a monk, and my greed to be first was greater than other men's. What I reap today was sown thirty years ago.
鸠摩智叹道：老衲虽在佛门，争强好胜之心却比常人犹盛，今日之果，实已种因于三十年前。
Duan Yu asked Wang Yuyan where Master Murong was.
段誉问王语嫣：慕容公子呢？
She gave a cry: my cousin? Oh — I had forgotten him.
王语嫣啊的一声：表哥呢？啊哟，我倒忘了。
Those four words were music to Duan Yu.
段誉听见「我倒忘了」这四个字，当真如闻天乐。
"This sutra — when you have the chance, be so good as to return it to Shaolin for me."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「这一本经书，公子他日有便，费神请代老衲还了给少林寺。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） And he gave Duan Yu the Yijin Jing, thick with mud.
说着将那本沾满污泥的《易筋经》交给段誉。
Will the master go back to Tubo? asked Duan Yu.
段誉问：大师要回吐蕃国去么？
"I am going back to the place I came from — though that is not necessarily Tubo."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「我是要回到所来之处，却不一定是吐蕃国。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） He took the rope the villagers had left, tested it, found the far end tied to a great stone, and climbed slowly out.
说着拉住众乡农留下的绳索，试了一试，知道上端缚在一块大石上，便慢慢攀援着爬了上去。
After a long while she said: Duan Lang, your throat may be hurt where he gripped it. Let us go up and look. I am not hurt at all, said Duan Yu, and there is no hurry. If you do not wish to go up, she said softly, I will stay here with you.
过了良久，王语嫣道：段郎，只怕你咽喉处给他扼伤了，咱们上去瞧瞧。段誉道：我一点也不痛，却也不忙上去。她柔声道：你不喜欢上去，我便在这里陪你。
Duan Yu was sorry to keep her, and put his left arm round her waist and pulled on the rope with his right — and such strength was in him that a light pull carried them both up several feet.
段誉过意不去，左手搂住她细腰，右手一拉绳索，竟然力大无穷，微一用力，两个人便上升数尺。
He did not yet know that what had poured into him was Jiumozhi's whole lifetime of force.
他还不知道，灌进他身上的，是鸠摩智一辈子的功力。
Halfway up, in his gladness, Duan Yu suddenly thought of Murong Fu: Yanmei, I have got what I wanted. But I wonder how your cousin has fared with the princess.
爬到中途，段誉心中喜乐，蓦地里想到慕容复：嫣妹，我今日心愿得偿，却不知你表哥求婚，成也不成。
At any other time the very thought would have broken her heart. Her heart had changed, and she hoped he might have the princess. She said: yes — let us go and see.
王语嫣本来一想到此事便即伤心欲绝，这时心情已变，反而盼他能娶得公主：是啊，咱们快瞧瞧去。
Chapter 4: Three Questions in the Dark
第四回 黑暗中的三句话
All that day the city was searched for Duan Yu.
段誉不见的这一天，城里找了翻天。
They did not find him by dark.
找到天黑，还是没有。
In the evening an official of the Xixia board of rites came to the guest house: on the fifteenth, the Mid-Autumn, the king would feast the suitors at the Xihua Palace, and the prince of Dali was asked to come without fail.
傍晚，西夏礼部一位主事到了宾馆，说次日八月十五，皇上在西华宫设宴，款待各地来求亲的佳客，请大理段王子务必光临。
But the four maids of Vulture Palace laughed. What your prince wants, they said, is only to bring the princess home; whether she is fair or plain is nothing to the father-in-law.
灵鹫宫四个丫头却笑了。她们说：王爷要的只是把公主娶回大理，公主是美是丑，做公公的原不放在心上。
It does not matter that Duan Yu cannot be found today. Let Miss Mu dress as a man — she is handsomer than he is — and go to the feast in her brother's place; is that not several goods at once?
眼前找不找得到段公子，原不要紧。木姑娘穿上男装，比段公子还俊，请她替哥哥去赴宴，岂不是一举数得？
Every eye turned to Mu Wanqing.
众人眼光都望向木婉清。
Ba Tiansi, said Mu Wanqing, you need not goad me. My brother — my brother —
木婉清道：巴司空，你也不用激我。我这个哥哥，我这个哥哥——
She thought how Duan Yu had gone off with Wang Yuyan, as she herself had once walked with him by night.
她想到段誉和王语嫣私下走了，就像当年自己和他深夜携手同行一般。
And now he was billing and cooing with another, while she sat here alone, and the ministers of Dali would have her marry a wife in his place.
如今他和旁人卿卿我我，自己却在这里冷冷清清，大理国的臣子反要自己代他去娶妻。
Next evening they came back to the guest house one by one, and Duan Yu was still not found. Since our third brother has gone, said Xiao Feng, let us all go.
次日傍晚，众人先后回到宾馆，还是没找到段誉。萧峰道：三弟既已走了，咱们也都走吧。
The words were not out of his mouth when the curtain lifted and a brisk, handsome young man came in.
话没说完，门帘一掀，进来一个英气勃勃的俊雅少年。
She was Mu Wanqing in a scholar's cap and gown. I am surnamed Duan, named Yu, she said, heir of the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. You will be careful how you speak to me.
木婉清道：在下姓段名誉，乃大理国镇南王世子，诸位言语之间，可得检点一二。
And deeper down there was another thought: you would fly off with Miss Wang and live easy; I shall bring you home a princess instead, and there will be quarrelling in the house, and you will have trouble enough.
她心里还隐隐有个念头：你想和王姑娘双飞双宿，过快活日子，我偏偏跟你娶一个公主娘娘来，整日价打打闹闹，教你多些烦恼。
In the Zhonghe Hall a hundred and more young men were already seated at the tables.
中和殿上，赴宴的少年已到了一百余人，散坐各席。
At the eastern table sat a heavy-browed, great-eyed young man in a red robe worked with a rearing tiger, eight warriors at his back.
东边一席上坐着一个浓眉大眼的少年，身材魁梧，披一件大红袍，袍上绣一头张牙舞爪的老虎，身后站着八名武士。
It was Zongzan, prince of Tubo.
是吐蕃国的宗赞王子。
Mu Wanqing was sorry to see Xiao Feng and Xuzhu standing, and said low: sit down and eat with me.
木婉清见萧峰等立在旁边，心下过意不去，低声道：萧大哥，虚竹二哥，你们坐下一起吃吧。
She knew Xiao Feng loved wine, and had a thought: pour, she said.
她知道萧峰好酒，心生一计，将手一摆：斟酒。
At the eastern table the prince of Tubo gnawed a piece of beef and tossed the bone aside — as if by chance and as if not, straight at Mu Wanqing.
东首席上那吐蕃王子啃完一块牛肉，把剩下的大骨头随手一掷，似有意似无意，竟是向木婉清飞来。
Zhu Danchen flicked it back with his fan; a Tubo warrior flung a bowl at him, and Ba Tianshi burst it into pieces with a palm-blow.
朱丹臣折扇一拨，骨头飞回去；吐蕃武士掷来大碗，又被巴天石一掌拍成数十片。
Then the bell rang, and two lines came out of the inner hall — some in fighting dress, some in loose robes, most carrying strange weapons.
忽然钟声当当响起，内堂走出两排人来，有的劲装，有的宽袍，手里大都拿着奇形兵刃。
Their leader, a noble in brocade, cried: this is the king's house; let no man be uncivil. These are men of our first rank hall.
为首一名锦袍贵官朗声道：皇宫内院，诸君不得无礼。这些都是一品堂中人士。
Then: the princess commands — when the gentlemen have eaten, let them all come to the outer library of the Qingfeng Pavilion for tea.
随后又道：公主娘娘有谕，请诸位嘉宾用过酒饭，齐赴青凤阁外书房用茶。
The noble led them through a great garden and round several covered walks.
众人由那名贵官引路，穿过一座大花园，转了几处回廊。
Passing a row of rockery, Mu Wanqing felt someone come up beside her.
经过一排假山时，木婉清忽觉身旁多了一人。
She looked sideways and started.
斜眼一看，不由得吓了一跳。
The man was in brocade and jade — it was Duan Yu.
那人锦袍玉带，竟然便是段誉。
You are startled, Master Duan, said Duan Yu under his breath, laughing.
段誉低声笑道：段殿下，你受惊啦。
So you know it all?
木婉清道：你都知道了？
Not all, said Duan Yu, but seeing the array I guessed a thing or two.
段誉笑道：没有都知道，但瞧这阵仗，也猜到了一二。
It is hard on you, Master Duan.
段殿下，可真难为你啦。
She glanced about, and saw two young men behind him.
木婉清向左右一张，见段誉身后跟着两个青年公子。
One was about thirty, with slanting brows and a cold, proud look.
一个三十岁上下，双眉斜飞，颇有高傲冷峭之态。
The other was beautiful.
另一个容貌绝美。
A moment's looking and she knew Wang Yuyan in man's dress, and her anger rose: you are a fine one — off without a word with Miss Wang, and leave me to carry the beam for you.
略一注视，便认出是王语嫣所扮，登时怒从心起：你倒好，不声不响的和王姑娘走了，却叫我来跟你背这根木梢。
Do not be angry, little sister, said Duan Yu; it is a long story.
段誉道：好妹子，你别生气，这件事说来话长。
I was thrown into a well of mud and nearly starved to death at the bottom of it.
我给人投在一口烂泥井里，险些儿活活饿死在地底。
At that her care overrode her anger: are you hurt? Your colour is bad.
木婉清听他曾经遇险，关怀之情登时盖过了气恼：你没受伤么？我瞧你脸色不大好。
He told it through: hands on his throat, Wang Yuyan biting the monk, and a force pouring into him.
他把井底那一场讲了一遍：给人扼住咽喉，王语嫣咬了那和尚一口，一股力道灌进他身子里。
At the words "Wang Yuyan bit him," Mu Wanqing's face went cold.
木婉清听到「王语嫣咬了一口」，脸上就冷了下来。
The maid had another word from the princess: the ladies in men's dress, and gentlemen past forty, should rest in the Ningxiang Hall; the rest were to come to the inner library.
宫女又传公主的话：女扮男装的姑娘，年过四十的先生，都留在凝香堂喝茶，其余各位去内书房。
Mu Wanqing and Wang Yuyan were cold with alarm: so they had been seen through.
木婉清、王语嫣暗自心惊：原来早给瞧出来了。
The inner library was hung with paintings. One was a lady of old times dancing with a sword, and her face was Wang Yuyan's exactly.
内书房里挂着字画。有一幅古装仕女舞剑图，画中人和王语嫣一模一样。
Xuzhu knew the wall for Li Qiushui's work — Li Qiushui, the late consort of the Xixia king, and an elder of the Xiaoyao school. He said quickly: third brother, you must not look at these drawings.
虚竹认得这壁画。那是李秋水的遗刻，李秋水是西夏的皇太妃，也是逍遥派的前辈。他急道：三弟，这种图形看不得。
Too late. Bao Butong, the argumentative one of Murong Fu's men, had tried to copy the figures on the wall; the rest pulled the scrolls aside to look, and were soon capering about the room.
可已经晚了。慕容复手下那个爱抬杠的包不同逞强去学壁上人形，众人纷纷揭开字画来看，一个个手舞足蹈。
Xiao Feng wrenched a chair-back loose, rubbed it to splinters between his palms, and threw.
萧峰一把拗下椅背，在掌中搓成数十块碎屑，扬手打出。
Whiss, whiss — the wicks of the oil lamps and the candles went out one after another. The library was black dark.
嗤嗤声中，一盏盏油灯、一支支蜡烛，火头一一熄灭。书房里一团漆黑。
In the dark the girl said: the princess has three questions, and begs each gentleman in turn to answer.
黑暗中，那少女道：公主现有三个问题，敬请各位挨次回答。
One went first: I am Bao Butong, and I ask only to look once on her face.
一人抢先：在下包不同，只盼一睹公主芳容。
Where in his life had he been happiest? In a china shop, where he was prenticed as a boy and beaten daily, until one day he went wild and smashed every bowl in the place.
问他生平最快乐之地，他道：一家瓷器店中。小时候在那里做学徒，老板日日打骂，有一日他狂性大发，将碗碟茶壶打得稀巴烂。
The name of the one he loved most? Bao Buliang.
最爱之人叫什么名字？包不靓。
And what did she look like? She was six, one eye large and one small, her nose in the air — his treasure of a daughter.
相貌如何？年方六岁，眼睛一大一小，鼻孔朝天——是他的宝贝女儿。
Duan Yu stepped up.
段誉上前。
At the first question he answered without thinking: in the mud at the bottom of a dry well.
第一问，他脱口而出：一口枯井的烂泥之中。
The company laughed: is he a turtle?
众人失笑：难道是只乌龟？
At the second, hands plucked at his sleeve on either side and whispered that he should say the Prince of Zhennan.
第二问，左右两边有人拉扯他的衣袖，低声教他说镇南王。
Those I love most are of course my father and mother.
他便道：我最爱的自然是爹爹、妈妈。
At the third: my father has a square face, thick brows and great eyes.
第三问，他道：我爹爹四方脸蛋，浓眉大眼。
And there he stopped, and a chill went through him: I take after my mother in face, not my father.
说到这里，心中一凛：原来我相人只像我娘，不像爹爹。
Zongzan, prince of Tubo, answered all three in a breath: happiest would be the bridal chamber; the one he loved most was the princess of Yinchuan; and her face was of course that of a goddess.
吐蕃王子宗赞一口气答完：最快乐是日后成婚的洞房，最爱是银川公主，相貌自然像神仙一般。
Then Murong Fu's voice: I am Murong Fu of Swallow Dock at Gusu.
忽听慕容复的声音：在下姑苏燕子坞慕容复。
So we have heard of Master Murong, who returns a man's own art upon him.
宫女道：原来是「以彼之道，还施彼身」的慕容公子。
Tell me, between you and Lord Xiao, whose skill stands higher?
不知公子与萧大侠相比，武功谁高谁下？
Murong Fu went red to the ears.
慕容复登时面红耳赤。
The maid begged pardon and asked: where in your life have you been happiest?
宫女致歉，才问：公子生平在什么地方最是快乐逍遥？
Asked it himself, he had no word. All his life he had laboured for the restoring of Yan, and had never once been happy.
问到自己时，他却张口结舌：他一生为兴复燕国奔走，从未有过快乐之时。
"For me to be truly happy — that would be in the future, not the past."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「要我觉得真正快乐，那是将来，不是过去。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） The maid took him to mean the day he should be made consort, and asked again: the name of the one you have loved most?
那宫女还当他说的是被招为驸马那日，又问：生平最爱之人叫什么名字？
He started, and sighed.
慕容复一怔，叹了口气。
"There is no one I love most."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「我没什么最爱之人。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） "In that case the third question need not be put."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「如此说来，这第三问也不用了。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） I hope that after I have seen the princess, said Murong Fu, I may answer the lady's second and third questions.
慕容复道：我盼得见公主之后，能回答姊姊第二、第三个问题。
Lord Xiao, said the maid, I must put these questions to you too.
宫女道：萧大侠，婢子也要冒犯虎威。
My elder brother has gone, said Xuzhu.
虚竹道：我大哥已经走啦。
Xiao Feng had thought what he would answer, and at the thought of A'zhu his heart broke, and he turned and went out.
原来萧峰想到这三个问题该如何答，念及阿朱，胸口一痛，转身出了书房。
What is the gentleman's name? said the maid.
宫女道：先生尊姓大名？
My religious name is Xuzhu, he said. I am a monk, and I did not come to seek the match; I came with my third brother.
虚竹道：我道号虚竹子。我是出家人，决不是来求亲的，不过陪着我三弟来而已。
Where have you been happiest?
她问：先生平生最快乐的地方？
Xuzhu sighed: in a dark ice cellar.
虚竹轻叹一声：在一个黑暗的冰窖之中。
No one in the hall understood. There was an ice cellar under the Xixia palace, a place that never saw the sun, and never saw a soul.
堂上没人听懂。西夏皇宫底下确实有一座冰窖，那地方见不着天日，也见不着人。
Only Xuzhu knew that one person had come into it.
只有虚竹知道，那地方其实来过一个人。
A girl whose name he did not know and whose face he had never seen. She came at night and went before dawn, and she came many times. She called him Dream Lover, and he called her Dream Girl.
一个姑娘，他不知姓名，也没见过脸。她夜里来，天亮前走，来了好多回。她管他叫「梦郎」，他管她叫「梦姑」。
Then she stopped coming. That was all.
后来她不来了。就这么断了。
A woman gave a low cry, and a porcelain cup fell and shattered on the floor.
忽听一个女子低呼，呛啷一声，一只瓷杯掉在地上打得粉碎。
And the name of the one you loved most?
她又问：最爱之人叫什么名字？
Ah — I do not know her name.
虚竹道：唉，我不知道那位姑娘叫什么名字。
And the company roared. Then this girl must have been beautiful beyond telling?
众人都哈哈大笑。她道：那这位姑娘的容貌定然美丽非凡了？
What she looked like, said Xuzhu, that too I have never seen.
虚竹道：她容貌如何，也是从来没看见过。
And in the laughter a woman's voice asked low: are you "Dream Lover"?
哄笑声中，忽听一个女子声音低低问：你可是「梦郎」么？
Xuzhu was shaken: are you "Dream Girl"? I have thought myself to death over you.
虚竹大吃一惊：你可是「梦姑」么？这可想死我了。
"Dream Lover, I could not find you, and so I asked my father to put up the notice, to bring you here."
— Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, revised edition 「梦郎，我便是找你不到，这才请父皇贴下榜文，邀你到来。」
——《天龙八部》（修订版） The notice said a consort was wanted. All she wanted was to find one man.
榜上写的是招驸马。她要的只是找一个人。
A hundred suitors staked kingdoms, armies and careers on it, and answered the questions wrong.
一百多个来求亲的，把家国、兵马、前程都押了上去，答错了题。
The monk who staked nothing, and could not even give her name, answered right.
那个什么也没押、连对方姓名都答不出的和尚，答对了。
Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan found each other again. When she heard that the happiest place in his life was the mud of a dry well, she laughed and said low: so would mine be.
段誉和王语嫣重会。她听他说最快乐之地是在枯井的烂泥之中，吃吃而笑，低声道：我也是一样。
A maid handed Duan Yu a note, and said Master Xuzhu had left it.
宫女递来一张书笺，说是虚竹先生留下的。
Duan Yu read it: I am very well, happier than I can say. I am sorry to have brought you on a fool's errand, and to have broken faith with your honoured father; but there was no help for it. It was signed "Second Brother."
段誉看了，上面写：我很好，极好，说不出的快活。要你空跑一趟，真是对你不起，对段老伯又失信了，不过没有法子。末了署「二哥」。
Zongzan, sure the princess had sent for him, sprang and snatched it, and struck at Duan Yu's chest.
宗赞当是公主邀他，扑来抢了，一拳打向段誉胸口。
Duan Yu never thought of dodging; the force in him came back out, and Zongzan flew several paces.
段誉没闪避，砰的一声，身上那股内息立时反弹，宗赞直飞出数步。
Then he snatched at a paper in Mu Wanqing's hand.
他又去抢木婉清手里的一张纸。
Whump — he flew backwards over the heads of twenty men before he landed.
呼的一声，他倒飞出去，越过数十人的头顶才摔倒。
And as he landed he read it aloud: a formidable man means to kill my father, which is to say your father. Go and save him.
一着地，他便举纸大声念：有厉害人物要杀我的爸爸，也就是要杀你的爸爸，快快去救。
Not long after you went in, said Mu Wanqing, Meijian and Lanjian came: several formidable men had laid a trap for our father in southern Shu, on the road home.
木婉清道：你们进去不久，梅剑和兰剑进宫来说，有几个厉害人物设下陷阱要加害爹爹，布在蜀南一带，正是爹爹回大理的必经之地。
There is only one person in your eyes, she said coldly.
她冷冷道：你眼中只有王姑娘，哪里还瞧得见别人？
Duan Yu went red: we set out tonight.
段誉脸上一红：咱们连夜上道。
That night the south gate of Lingzhou opened once, and Duan Yu and his people went out of it.
这一夜，灵州城的南门开了一回，段誉一行出了城。
And so the bride search at Xixia broke up. Of the hundred men and more who came to sue for her, not one took the princess home.
西夏这一场招亲，就此散了。求亲的一百多人，谁也没娶到公主。
Only the monk who came to make up the numbers went in, and did not come out again.
只有那个来凑数的和尚进去了，没再出来。
Ba Tianshi was not in that first party. He had gone to the board of rites to take leave, saying the Prince had fallen gravely ill on the road and his son must go to him. When he caught them at a run, they were thirty li out.
巴天石没赶上这一拨。他先去礼部辞行，说镇南王途中染了急病，世子要赶去侍奉。等他施展轻功追上，众人已走出三十余里。
Two divisions of the Vulture Palace had already gone ahead to warn him. But a warning is a warning, and no one stops the man himself.
灵鹫宫玄天、朱天两部已赶在前头示警。可示警是示警，人是拦不住的。
He did not know that by the time they found the man they were chasing, it would be too late.
他不知道，这一去追的人，追到的时候已经晚了。
The Prince had walked into one trap. Duan Yu was walking into another.
镇南王走进了别人的圈套。段誉走进了另一重。
To know what happened next, listen to the next instalment.
欲知后事如何，且听下回分解。