Explore Chapter 11 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.
After Mulan returned to Beijing, life gradually settled down. She and Mochou studied and practiced calligraphy every day, did needlework, and occasionally visited the Zeng family. Tiren became more and more outrageous, taking advantage of his mother's indulgence to often bully his two younger sisters. Father Yao Si'an saw this but always remained aloof from worldly affairs, believing that children have their own destinies and too much interference would be counterproductive.
One day, Tiren returned home dead drunk and started looking for trouble as soon as he entered the courtyard. Seeing Mulan and Mochou trying on newly made clothes beneath the magnolia tree, he went over and grabbed Mulan's sleeve, saying they were parading in such an ostentatious manner-what kind of decency was that? Mulan flushed with anger, broke free from his grip, and retorted a few words. Enraged and humiliated, Tiren raised his hand to strike her, but fortunately Elder Sister Shanhu, hearing the commotion, rushed over to stop him.
Mulan felt aggrieved, but recalled the story of Zhuangzi her father often told: “Heaven and earth are ruthless; they treat all things as straw dogs. The sage is ruthless; he treats the common people as straw dogs.” In life, one should simply let things take their natural course - why bother contending with a scoundrel like him? She sighed, took Mochou's hand and went back inside, folded the new dress and put it away, refusing to wear it ever again.
Mochou was gentler in nature than Mulan and not very angry. She simply advised her sister, “Brother has always been like that. Let’s just avoid him.” Mulan shook her head and said, “We don’t provoke him, but he comes to provoke us. When will this ever end?” As the sisters were talking, Mother, Mrs. Yao, walked in. Seeing Mulan's reddened eyes, she asked what had happened. Mulan refused to say, so Mochou had to recount the incident. After listening, Mrs. Yao was silent for a while, then said only, “He is your elder brother. Be more tolerant of him.”
Mulan understood that her mother’s words also contained great helplessness. Tiren was the eldest son and the only boy in the Yao family, spoiled since childhood, and now he grew increasingly unruly. Father, having seen through the ways of the world, was too lazy to interfere. Mother wanted to discipline him but could not. Mulan had no choice but to swallow her anger, hoping that one day she could leave this home early and find a quiet place.
After a few days, the Zeng family sent an invitation saying that Mrs. Zeng's birthday was approaching and requesting the Yao women to come for a feast. Mulan, delighted at the prospect of seeing Manniang, dragged Mochou to pick out clothes. They tried on numerous outfits beneath the magnolia blossoms, finally selecting a simple moon-white blouse paired with an emerald green skirt. Mulan thought to herself that Manniang loved simplicity most, so she would definitely like this outfit.
That afternoon, Mulan and Mochou accompanied their mother by sedan chair to the Zeng residence. As soon as they entered, they saw Manniang standing in the corridor, dressed in a lotus-pink outfit that made her look even more delicate. The two girls clasped hands and talked endlessly. Manniang whispered to Mulan that Pingya had returned a few days earlier, and she felt both joyful and shy. Mulan smiled with pursed lips and said that was indeed a good omen. Manniang blushed and lightly slapped her.
During the feast, Mrs. Zeng had Mulan sit beside her and constantly piled food onto her plate. Mulan gazed at the array of delicacies on the table, but her mind was on the few magnolia trees in the garden. She thought, after spring passes and the flowers wither, she herself might have to leave Beijing and return to Hangzhou. At that time, would she still be able to see Manniang? Would she still see the Zeng family and the friends who had treated her like family? An indescribable melancholy suddenly surged within her.
After the feast, they returned home. Mulan, sitting in the sedan chair, lifted the curtain and looked out. The locust trees lining the streets had turned green, and the evening breeze carried wafts of floral fragrance. She thought, life is full of partings and reunions, just like the blooming and withering of flowers. But as long as she kept that affection in her heart, she would never feel alone no matter where she went. She silently resolved to be a person like the magnolia flower - proud yet tender, blooming brilliantly no matter what storms she might face.