Explore Chapter 18 of 'Moment in Peking' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
At this time, Zeng Wenpu was gravely ill in Hangzhou. He had never suffered from any serious ailment; it was merely the result of years of toil that had suddenly laid him low. He lay in bed for over ten days, attended in turns by Mrs. Zeng, Mannia, Sunya, and Jingya. Pingya remained in Beijing and did not come. Half of Zeng Wenpu's illness could be attributed to anxiety as well. Ever since they had fled their home, he had been in constant fear, worrying that their family fortune would be lost and his descendants would be scattered. Now that the overall situation seemed to be stabilizing, his mind and body were utterly spent.
One day, Niu the God of Wealth suddenly arrived in Hangzhou and sought an audience with Zeng Wenpu. It turned out that Niu had offended one of Yuan Shikai's confidants in Shouzhou and was being pursued for arrest by Yuan's order. He had fled south to take refuge. Knowing that Zeng Wenpu had an old association with Yuan Shikai, Niu hoped to ask him to intercede. Since Zeng Wenpu was too ill to receive visitors, Mrs. Zeng and Jingya received him instead. When Jingya heard Niu's purpose, he was displeased and said, "My father is seriously ill and cannot even take care of himself. How could he possibly find the strength to attend to your affairs?" Niu pleaded repeatedly, but Jingya continued to refuse. In the end, Mrs. Zeng, out of regard for their old acquaintance, agreed to write a letter to Yao Si'an, asking him to try to arrange matters in Beijing. Niu the God of Wealth showered them with endless thanks before taking his leave.
A few days later, Zeng Wenpu's condition gradually improved. When he heard about Niu's situation, he sighed and said, "This man is a snob, but now that he is in trouble, we cannot refuse to help. However, I am in no position to save myself; I had better entrust this matter to Brother Yao." He then wrote another letter and sent a messenger to Beijing.
Upon receiving Zeng Wenpu's letter in Beijing, Yao Si'an made arrangements to mediate. When Yuan Shikai learned that Niu the God of Wealth had already fled, he did not pursue the matter further. Yao Si'an then wrote back to Zeng Wenpu, informing him that the matter was settled and adding that Beijing was gradually returning to peace. He urged Zeng Wenpu to return to the capital as soon as possible. Zeng Wenpu was deeply grateful for Yao Si'an's kindness.
At this time, the Yao Si'an household was welcoming a guest from afar. It turned out that Mannia's father, Mr. Zhu, had passed away, leaving Mannia with no one to rely on. The elder Mrs. Zeng therefore entrusted the Yao family to take her in. Yao Si'an and his wife gladly agreed and sent someone to bring Mannia to Beijing. When Mannia first arrived at the Yao mansion and met the members of the family, she felt a flutter of anxiety. But Yao Si'an was genial and kind, and the sisters Mulan and Mochou received her warmly, so her heart gradually settled. From then on, Mannia settled in the Yao household and studied reading and calligraphy together with Mulan and Mochou.