Explore Chapter 12 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.
Time flew by, and two years had passed in the blink of an eye. After her husband's death, Manniang's mother fell into grief and illness, and soon passed away as well. Old Lady Zeng, pitying Manniang's orphaned solitude, consulted with her son Zeng Wenpu and decided to formally betroth Pingya and Manniang.
Pingya was summoned back from Beijing to Tai'an for the grand betrothal ceremony. Manniang wore a bright red wedding dress. Although not yet officially married into the family, she was already considered a member of the Zeng household. After the betrothal, Pingya returned to Beijing to prepare for the provincial examination.
Manniang stayed in Tai'an to keep Old Lady Zeng company. She spent her days embroidering and reading, yet her heart never stopped longing for Pingya. Mulan often wrote from Beijing, sharing news of the capital's novelties, and Manniang would reply, confiding her innermost thoughts.
Pingya passed the provincial examination, filling the Zeng family with joy and excitement. Zeng Wenpu decided that Pingya should remain in Beijing to prepare for the metropolitan examination, while Manniang waited patiently at home.
That winter, a momentous event occurred in Beijing: the Guangxu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi died one after another, and the Xuantong Emperor ascended the throne. With the court in turmoil, Zeng Wenpu grew deeply anxious about his son's future.