Explore Chapter 108 of 'The Story of the Golden Powder Family' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Now, since Leng Qingqiu married Jin Yanxi, the first few months had drifted by in a sweet idyll. Yet Yanxi was ostentatious by nature and chafed under domestic confines, persisting in his nightly rounds of socializing and revelry, often returning deep into the night. Though Leng Qingqiu admonished him time and again, Yanxi would always brush it off with the excuse, "Social obligations with friends-I simply must go." Left to languish alone in her empty chamber, Leng Qingqiu gradually grew disillusioned and lonely in this new married life. Born into a scholarly family, she was of a serene disposition, fond of reading and composing poetry. Now wed into this opulent and bustling household, all she encountered were ladies and young misses adorned with pearls and finery, whose conversations revolved solely around mahjong tactics or opera plots, with not a soul to discuss elegant learning. A deeper sense of melancholy settled in her heart. One afternoon, with Yanxi out once more, Leng Qingqiu sat alone in her room. Gazing at the banana plants outside the window swaying in the breeze, she thought of her own circumstances and the myriad disappointments since marriage. Stirred by poetic inspiration, she took up her brush and penned a quatrain:
*Leaves of the plantain, heedless, furl and furl free,
In the autumn breeze, the courtyard's clear, void to see.
My fair lord knows not the heart's ache I endure,
Still speaks of carefree moods as in days past and pure.*
After writing, she recited it softly to herself, feeling that its plaintive sentiment perfectly captured her heart's plight. Suddenly, it occurred to her: Why not send this poem to Yanxi, to let him know her feelings? Though she knew he might not understand, it was better to convey a fragment of her heart than to bottle it up inside. So she took a Western envelope, sealed the poem within, and addressed it "For Mr. Yanxi's Personal Attention," then had the maid post it.
Over there, Yanxi received the letter. Opening it, he found a small poem. Not well-versed in poetry, he nonetheless sensed the lines' elegance tinged with sorrow and resentment, understanding that Leng Qingqiu had sent it as a token of affection. Yet he was at a friend's house immersed in mahjong, his spirits high. He casually tucked the poem into his pocket and turned his full attention back to the gaming table. By the time he returned home late that night, he had utterly forgotten the matter.
A few days later, Jin Quan, fearing that future generations might dispute over the family property due to the clan's large size and numerous members, summoned his sons to discuss the division of family property. Yanxi was also called. Jin Quan intended to roughly allocate the family property while he was still in good health, to avoid future conflicts. He said, "It is only natural for a large tree to branch out. This family fortune was built through my lifelong toil. You brothers will each need to establish your own households in the future. Today, I have called you here not to divide the property immediately, but to set a preliminary framework so that you may have a clear idea."
The eldest, Feng Ju, and the second, He Sun, listened and assented obediently, saying all was to be decided by their father. When it was Yanxi's turn to speak, being young and impetuous, and having absorbed many new-fangled ideas from his recent social engagements, he blurted out without hesitation. "Father, this thought is indeed for us brothers' sake. But in my view, wealth and assets are truly external things. As the ancients wisely said, descendants have their own fortunes; do not toil as an ox or horse for them. Father, you've labored hard all your life and ought to enjoy some peace now. Why trouble yourself over such worldly dross? If we brothers are capable, we can stand on our own without ancestral property; if we are unworthy, even mountains of gold and silver left to us would eventually be exhausted. So whether to divide the property or not, in my opinion, matters little."
These words were frank enough, but somewhat abrupt, showing no appreciation for his father's painstaking consideration. Jin Quan listened, and his face darkened. Feng Ju and He Sun were secretly anxious for Yanxi. After a long pause, Jin Quan said, "Seventh son, your words sound quite ambitious. But you are still young and do not know the hardships of the world. You say descendants have their own fortunes, which is true, but how can elders not plan for their descendants at all? Today, I called you to discuss this precisely so you may understand that starting an enterprise is hard, but maintaining it is harder still. And you, with a few airy words, dismiss my intentions entirely."
Yanxi saw that his father was angered and realized he had spoken out of turn. He quickly lowered his head and dared not argue further. Jin Quan continued, "Since your marriage, you have still been wandering outside all day, with no thought of self-improvement. I hear your new wife is well-educated and reasonable. You should stay home more, read some books, and learn to manage household affairs. Do not spend all day mixing with those profligate sons and adopt ostentatious habits."
Yanxi returned to his room, sullen and discontent. Leng Qingqiu saw his displeased expression and inquired what was wrong. Yanxi related how he had stumbled in speaking before his father, adding, "Father always looks down on me, saying I don't improve. But elder brother and second brother are merely guarding their ready-made positions-what great achievements have they made?" Leng Qingqiu advised, "Father's words are always for your good. If you restrain yourself in the future and socialize less outside, father will naturally be pleased." Yanxi said impatiently, "What do you women know about such matters!" With that, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep on his own.