周瑞家的

“话说周瑞家的送了刘姥姥去后，便上来回王夫人话.”

" After seeing off Granny Liu , Mrs. Zhou went to report to Lady Wang . "

“周瑞家的与平儿忙起身，命刘姥姥”“只管等着，是时候我们来请你.”

" Pinger and Mrs. Zhou stood up at once , telling Granny Liu to wait till she was sent for . "

周瑞家的是王夫人的陪房和心腹奴仆，也是贾府最有实权的女管家之一。

Zhou Zui 's wife , who is Madame 's Wang 's faithful maidservant that follows the bride to her husband'house , is one of those household managers who have real power .

“问丫鬟们时，方知往薛姨妈那边闲话去了.周瑞家的听说，便转出东角门至东院，往梨香院来.”

" On being told by her maids that their mistress had gone to chat with Aunt Xue , she made her way through the east side gate and the east courtyard to Pear Fragrance Court . "

“周瑞家的不敢惊动，遂进里间来。只见薛宝钗穿着家常衣服，头上只散挽着髻儿，坐在炕里边，伏在小炕桌上同丫鬟莺儿正描花样子呢。”

" Not wanting to disturb them she went into the inner room where Baochai in a house dress , her hair pinned into a loose knot , was copying an embroidery pattern with her maid Yinger at the low table on the kang . "