Explore Chapter 41 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, ever since that day Yanxi had shared a carriage ride home with Leng Qingqiu, her memory had become even more firmly lodged in his mind. He thought to himself: 'Though we are neighbors now, there remains a distance when we meet. I must find a chance to draw closer to her.' After much pondering, a plan suddenly came to him.
The next day, he ordered Jin Rong to prepare wine and dishes, saying he intended to invite Song Runqing over for a drink. Jin Rong went off to do his bidding. Yanxi then instructed that the small study be tidied and a soft couch prepared behind a screen, to be used for resting after drinking.
As evening fell, Song Runqing indeed arrived as invited. Yanxi pressed the wine upon him earnestly. Yet, while he himself drank only a few cups, he feigned the manner of one who drinks deeply. Before long, he pretended to be drunk, his speech slurred and muddled, and he slumped forward onto the table. Seeing him in such a state, Song Runqing quickly said, "Brother Yanxi, perhaps you should rest a while?" Yanxi mumbled a reply, "It's nothing, nothing." Deliberately, he knocked his wine cup to the floor.
Jin Rong stepped forward to assist him. In a low voice, Yanxi said, "Help me to the couch behind the screen to lie down." Understanding his master's intent, Jin Rong and Song Runqing helped him over. Yanxi closed his eyes, pretending to sleep, but his ears remained keenly alert to the goings-on in the outer room.
Seeing Yanxi drunk and unconscious, Song Runqing felt it improper to stay long and made to take his leave. Suddenly, voices were heard outside the window. It was Leng Qingqiu and Nanny Han passing by the study. Leng Qingqiu asked, "Is uncle still here?" Song Runqing came out and said, "Yanxi is drunk, resting now. Please, do come in and sit for a moment."
Leng Qingqiu had initially been reluctant to enter. But upon hearing that Yanxi was intoxicated, a slight flutter stirred within her heart. She followed Nanny Han into the study. Seeing Yanxi lying silently behind the screen, she whispered, "How did he become so drunk?" Song Runqing replied, "Carried away by the moment, he drank a few cups too many."
Nanny Han went to prepare tea, and Song Runqing stepped out briefly on some business. Leng Qingqiu sat alone by the desk. Seeing the poetry manuscript lying in disarray, she began tidying it out of habit. Suddenly, she heard Yanxi mumbling from behind the screen, "Water… water…" After a moment's hesitation, she poured a cup of tea. Approaching the screen, she said softly, "Young Master Jin, here is some tea."
Squinting, Yanxi saw Leng Qingqiu standing before him, graceful as jade. He was secretly delighted, but continued his drunken act as he took the cup. His fingers deliberately brushed against her wrist. A blush rose to Leng Qingqiu's cheeks, and she took a step back. Yanxi drank the tea and sighed, "This wine is truly trouble. I'm afraid I made quite a spectacle of myself today in front of Master Song."
Leng Qingqiu said, "Since you know it causes trouble, you should drink less in the future." Yanxi replied, "You are right, miss. But sometimes my heart is troubled, and I cannot help but seek solace in wine." Leng Qingqiu asked, "Young Master Jin, a wealthy man of leisure, what troubles could you have?" Yanxi said, "Wealth does not guarantee peace of mind. For instance… for instance, a true confidant is hard to find."
Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat. She turned to leave. Yanxi said urgently, "Miss, please stay! I have something to say. It is stuck in my throat like a fishbone." She stood still but did not turn around. Yanxi continued, "Since our first meeting in the alleyway that day, I have been unable to forget you. I know this is presumptuous of me. But where the heart is fixed, one cannot control oneself."
Leng Qingqiu chided in a low voice, "Young Master Jin, you are drunk. Do not speak nonsense." Yanxi insisted, "At this moment, I am perfectly clear-headed. If a single word of what I say is false, may I be struck by lightning." Leng Qingqiu became even more flustered. She quickly walked out from behind the screen. Just then, Nanny Han entered with a bowl of sobering soup and asked, "What is it, miss?" Leng Qingqiu shook her head without answering and left directly.
Seeing her depart, Yanxi knew his plan had worked. His heart was filled with joy. He lay there a while longer before pretending to sober up. He rose and took his leave of Song Runqing. Song Runqing asked, "Are you feeling better now?" Yanxi replied, "I have troubled you. I shall thank you properly another day."
Returning to his own rooms, Yanxi recalled the expression on Leng Qingqiu's face-a blend of reproach and something like pleasure. He reasoned she was not entirely unmoved. From then on, he thought even more about how to advance further and achieve his heart's desire.
Let us turn to Leng Qingqiu. After returning to her room, her thoughts were in turmoil. She reflected that Yanxi's words had seemed sincere and earnest, not like a pretense. Yet, their family backgrounds were vastly different, making it an unlikely match. Mrs. Leng noticed her unusual demeanor and asked, "Qiu'er, what is the matter?" Leng Qingqiu hurriedly replied, "It is nothing. I am merely tired from reading." With that, she retreated into the inner chamber.
That night, both Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu lay awake with their own thoughts, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Indeed: With a drunken face, a clever plan was executed in plain sight; through whispered words behind a screen, feelings were unwittingly revealed. If you wish to know what happened thereafter, please listen to the next chapter.