Explore Chapter 22 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.
In the twenty-eighth year of the Guangxu reign, Tiren had turned eighteen and grown even more handsome. He often idled outside, making undesirable friends, and Yinping gradually became an indispensable part of his life. Mrs. Yao had long sensed the situation. She was anxious but dared not speak plainly to her husband, fearing that Yao Si'an might fly into a rage and drive Tiren out of the house. She could only secretly advise Yinping to be more restrained, but Yinping, relying on Tiren's favor, paid no heed to the mistress's words.
One day, Tiren suddenly told his mother that he wanted to marry Yinping. Mrs. Yao was taken aback and shook her head repeatedly. "Are you crazy? She is a maidservant, and what is your status? Your father will never agree!" But Tiren was determined. He said if his wish were not granted, he would run away from home. Both angry and frightened, Mrs. Yao had no choice but to pacify her son for the time being, saying that they would discuss it when his father returned.
After Yao Si'an returned from Hangzhou, Tiren indeed raised the matter of marrying Yinping in person. Yao Si'an was silent for a long time, then said slowly, "You are still young and do not understand the significance of marriage. Although Yinping is good, she is not from a family of equal status, and you will become a laughingstock. If you truly like her, you can take her as a concubine, but your lawful wife must be from a matching family." Tiren was unconvinced but dared not argue further.
When Yinping learned of this, she was both pleased and worried. She was pleased that Tiren was sincere to her, but worried that the Yao family would never allow her to be the lawful wife. Recalling her own lonely and helpless background, she could not help weeping secretly. Seeing her distress, Tiren promised to find a way to give her a good life.
Meanwhile, with her father's support, Mulan entered a newly established girls' school in Beijing-the Southern School. This school was founded by several enlightened gentry and taught Chinese classics, arithmetic, geography, history, as well as English and music. Mulan felt like a fish in water and studied very diligently. Her favorite subject was English. The young female teacher taught in a lively and interesting manner, and soon Mulan had learned several English songs.
There were many girls from well-bred families at the Southern School. Mulan made several like-minded friends. They read, wrote, played the qin together, and occasionally discussed current affairs. Mulan felt that her world had broadened. She began to understand the meaning of the "new education" her father often spoke of. When she came home, she often told her younger sister Mochou about the interesting things at school. Mochou was full of envy and longed to start school as soon as possible.
When the Zeng family learned that Mulan had entered the Southern School, Mrs. Zeng was quite moved. She said to Zeng Wenpu, "The two Yao girls are really born at the right time. Our daughters should also learn the new ways." However, Zeng Wenpu shook his head and said, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Reading a little and knowing a few characters is enough. It is not good for them to be seen in public." Mrs. Zeng did not press the matter further, but secretly envied Mulan's freedom.
Every time Mulan visited the Zeng family, she would tell Manniang stories about school. Manniang listened with fascination but sighed that she was not so blessed. Mulan comforted her, saying, "When the times change in the future, women will also be able to go out and work, and you can learn new things too." Manniang smiled bitterly, knowing in her heart that she was destined to be an old-fashioned woman all her life.
That autumn, the affair between Tiren and Yinping finally came to a head. Yinping was pregnant. Yao Si'an flew into a rage and demanded that Yinping abort the child. Tiren protected Yinping, had a fierce quarrel with his father, and fled the house with Yinping that very night. Mrs. Yao was so anxious that she fell ill and took to her bed. Shanhu and Mulan were busy taking care of their mother, and the household was in chaos.
After Yao Si'an calmed down and felt that continuing this way was not a solution, he sent someone to find Tiren and agreed to let Yinping give birth, but on the condition that they must leave Beijing and go to Hangzhou to manage the family business there. Tiren had no choice but to agree. Yinping wept bitterly but had to follow Tiren south.
When Mulan bid farewell to her brother, her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She recalled her father's often-repeated saying, "Things turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme," and felt that the outcome for her brother and Yinping might have been predestined. Turning to look at her younger sister Mochou beside her, she made a secret resolution: she must forge a new path for herself--never depending on a man like Yinping, nor swallowing her anger like her mother.
The courses at the Southern School became increasingly advanced. Mulan's English had reached a level where she could hold simple conversations with the foreign teacher. She began to read some translated Western novels and gained a vague understanding of concepts like freedom and equality. She lent these books to Sunya, but Sunya was not very interested; he only liked to hear her talk about school. Sometimes Mulan thought how wonderful it would be if she could go to school with Sunya, but she also knew that the Zeng family would never allow their son to attend a girls' school.
Days passed one after another, and Mulan gradually grew up. Her horizons broadened, and her heart expanded. She began to realize that the world was changing, and what she had to do was seize the opportunity and live her own life.