Explore Chapter 23 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.
Yao Madam, enraged by Tiren's outrageous behavior, fell ill and took to her bed. Mulan and Mochou attended her day and night. Though outwardly calm, Yao Si'an was deeply anxious. One day, Yao Madam said to Mulan, 'I fear I cannot hold on. Take good care of your sister and father.' Mulan nodded with tears in her eyes. Soon after, Yao Madam passed away. The entire Yao family was overwhelmed with grief.
At this time, Niu God of Wealth, Niu Sidao, learned of the Yao family's loss and sent lavish gifts. He had long wished to cultivate closer ties with the Yao clan, but Yao Si'an, being aloof and proud, was unwilling to associate with the Niu family. Zeng Wenpu acted as a mediator, arguing that although the Nius were snobbish, it would be unwise to refuse their gesture. Thus, Yao Si'an reluctantly accepted the Nius' kindness.
On the other hand, the Sun family mother and daughter were living a hard life in Tai'an. When Niu Sidao heard of this, he offered to support the Suns and proposed to betroth his son Niu Tongyi to Manniang. The Old Madam Zeng was displeased upon learning this, but refrained from outright refusal out of courtesy. Manniang's heart belonged only to Pingya, so she naturally declined. At that time, Pingya was studying in Beijing. When he learned of Manniang's predicament, he became anxious and asked for leave to return to Tai'an. The Zeng family decided to expedite the marriage between Pingya and Manniang. However, Pingya fell ill on his journey back to Tai'an and took to his bed immediately. Manniang tended to him with great care, but his condition fluctuated between improvement and relapse. Seeing Pingya seriously ill, the Niu family temporarily dropped the marriage proposal. Manniang's mother was grateful for the Nius' help, but worried about her daughter's marriage prospects as well.