Chapter 11: Yuanyang Refuses Marriage
第十一章：鸳鸯抗婚
Yuanyang was Grandmother Jia's most trusted servant. She had served the old lady for many years and knew every detail of the household. She was honest, loyal, and had a strong sense of right and wrong. Everyone in the mansion respected her.
鸳鸯是贾母最信任的丫鬟。她服侍老太太多年，了解府里的每一个细节。她诚实、忠诚，有强烈的是非观念。府里每个人都尊敬她。
One day, the eldest son of the family, Jia She, decided that he wanted Yuanyang to be his concubine. He sent his wife to speak with Yuanyang, promising her fine clothes, good food, and a comfortable life. "This is a great honor," the wife told her. "You should be grateful."
一天，府里的长子贾赦决定要纳鸳鸯为妾。他派妻子去和鸳鸯谈话，许诺给她漂亮的衣服、美味的食物和舒适的生活。"这是莫大的荣幸，"他妻子告诉她，"你应该感激。"
But Yuanyang had no desire to become a concubine. She valued her freedom and her dignity more than wealth and comfort. When she was pressed to accept, she made a bold decision. She went directly to Grandmother Jia, cut off a piece of her hair, and swore that she would never marry.
但鸳鸯不想做妾。她看重自己的自由和尊严，胜过财富和舒适。当她被逼接受时，她做了一个大胆的决定。她直接去找贾母，剪下一缕头发，发誓永远不嫁人。
"I would rather die than serve as a concubine," she declared, tears in her eyes. "I have served you faithfully all these years, and I wish to continue doing so. Please protect me from this fate." Grandmother Jia was deeply moved by Yuanyang's courage and anger at her eldest son.
"我宁愿死也不做妾，"她含着眼泪宣布，"我忠心服侍您这么多年，希望能继续这样做。请保护我免受这种命运。"贾母被鸳鸯的勇气深深打动，对长子感到愤怒。
The old lady refused to give Yuanyang away, and the matter was dropped. Yuanyang continued to serve Grandmother Jia with the same loyalty as before. Her brave act showed that even a servant could stand up for her rights and refuse to be treated as property.
老太太拒绝把鸳鸯交出去，这件事就这样搁置了。鸳鸯继续以同样的忠诚服侍贾母。她勇敢的行为表明，即使是丫鬟也能维护自己的权利，拒绝被当作财产对待。