第五十五章 出入一人钱皱眉有自 奔忙两家事慰醉无由 (Chapter Fifty-Five: A Lone Worrier over Finances Finds Her Cause; Futile Rush between Two Families Offers No Solace)

At this time, with Jin Quan's fall from the premiership, it was as if the family's very source of sustenance had toppled. Although Mrs. Jin still had tens of thousands of dollars at her disposal, how could such a sum possibly cover the immense expenditures of the household? Moreover, the family's public accounts-for rent, food, wages, and sundries-already exceeded a thousand dollars monthly. The budget Yufen had proposed would not even last a month. What was to be done? In the days when her husband was in office, she had been utterly unaware of such hardships. Only after he ceased to be premier did she come to understand that in this life, one truly could not go a single day without money. Without it, death was impossible, and life unendurable.

Having lain awake pondering this for half the night, she rose early the next morning and took an automobile straight to the head office of the Bank of China. She met with the bank manager and spent the entire morning in consultation. People at the bank said that if she handled it herself, the risks would be greater, but if she entrusted it to the bank, the bank had several safer methods. Mrs. Jin thought to herself that since it involved risk either way, letting the bank handle it would save her trouble. There and then, she handed over the entire sum of two hundred thousand dollars, entrusting it all to the bank to manage.

Upon Mrs. Jin's return home that same afternoon, a call came from the bank reporting that the bond trades had gone quite well. After deducting interest, a profit of over two thousand dollars had been made. Mrs. Jin was naturally pleased. The next day, the bank sent over the trading statement. Net of interest, the profit stood at three thousand eight hundred dollars. Seeing that it was both profitable and apparently steady, Mrs. Jin felt her anxieties somewhat eased.

A few days later, it was time for Mei Li to return to school. Mrs. Jin's inclination was still to send her. The school Mei Li attended was run by Americans and located outside the city, allowing her to return home only once a week. Since Mrs. Jin herself had little to occupy her at home, and believing young girls should not be left idle for too long, she decided to let her daughter return to the school as before.

This left Mrs. Jin all alone in the house, and she felt the solitude all the more keenly. Although Peifang, Huichang, Yufen, and Aunt Cui would sometimes come to keep her company, each had her own preoccupations. Theirs was a superficial cordiality that masked deeper discord; how could their conversations ever be anything but strained and superficial? Thus, when boredom struck, Mrs. Jin much preferred to go sit in Leng Qingqiu's room for a while, engaging in idle talk, which brought her more solace. Consequently, Leng Qingqiu's quarters became Mrs. Jin's favored refuge for passing the time.

That afternoon, Mrs. Jin went again to Leng Qingqiu's room. Finding the room without a fire, Leng Qingqiu led her guest into the study to sit. Mrs. Jin looked around. Apart from scrolls of calligraphy and painting, a zither and a Go board, the walls were lined with books. She casually picked up a volume. It was "Drinking Water Lyrics." Opening it, she saw that from beginning to end, Leng Qingqiu had annotated the text with crimson circles and dots to mark the pauses and passages. Mrs. Jin remarked, "You have always had a fondness for lyric poetry?" Leng Qingqiu smiled. "It's merely something to while away the idle hours."

Mrs. Jin said, "That is the pursuit of a person of true sensibility. Since you enjoy this, I happen to have a copy of 'Among the Flowers' and another of 'Exquisite Lyric Poems' at my place. I shall have them sent over for you to peruse." Leng Qingqiu replied, "Thank you, Madam."

Mrs. Jin said, "Do not thank me. They are of no use lying idle with me. However, these books were purchased at considerable expense by your late father-in-law. Do not think lightly of them." Leng Qingqiu said, "Since they were left by my father-in-law, I dare not accept them all the more."

Mrs. Jin said, "What logic of predestined affinity is that? Are you forbidden from taking something left by your father-in-law? I am giving them to you; you are no stranger to this family." Seeing Mrs. Jin's insistence, Leng Qingqiu had no choice but to accept.

After a while, Mrs. Jin inquired about Yanxi, saying he had been away from home constantly of late, and she had no idea what kept him so busy. Leng Qingqiu said, "He is likely occupied with social engagements outside." Mrs. Jin said, "A man should not be left with too much idleness. Yet what exactly he is busy with out there, I do not know."

At this, Mrs. Jin sighed. "These days, I find myself envying those humble households where the entire family lives together in harmony. What happiness they must know! A family like ours may appear grand and bustling, but at its core, each person goes their own separate way. What meaning is there in that?"

Hearing these words, Leng Qingqiu knew that Mrs. Jin harbored many grievances within. Finding it difficult to offer suitable comfort, she simply kept her company with more idle talk. Mrs. Jin stayed for about an hour before returning to her own quarters. The moment she departed, Leng Qingqiu sank into her chair, lost in thought. This elderly lady, she reflected, was profoundly, desolately lonely.

In the evening, when Yanxi returned, Leng Qingqiu told him about Mrs. Jin's afternoon visit. Yanxi said, "That is just her way. She will be herself again presently."

Leng Qingqiu said, "It is not like that. I feel she is deeply troubled. When you have the time, you should go and keep her company." Yanxi said, "Haven't I been going? But the moment I do, she interrogates me-'Where have you been? Where are you going?' If I tell the truth, she doubts me. If I lie, I cannot fool her. So I simply avoid going."

Leng Qingqiu said, "That is not right. A son must be filial towards his mother. It is only natural for a mother to question her son. Avoiding her makes it seem as if you have a guilty conscience." Yanxi laughed. "What guilty conscience could I possibly have? Don't talk nonsense."

Leng Qingqiu said, "If you have no guilty conscience, why fear your mother's questions?" Yanxi said, "It's not fear, it's the nuisance of it all." Leng Qingqiu said, "That is even more wrong. How can one speak of 'nuisance' between mother and son?"

Seeing Leng Qingqiu so earnest, Yanxi said, "Fine. Starting tomorrow, I'll go keep her company every day." Leng Qingqiu said, "It's not about going every single day. You should visit when you have the time." Yanxi said, "I know."

Though he gave his verbal assent, by the next day he had completely forgotten the matter. Returning in the afternoon from his engagements outside, he went straight back to his study without visiting the main quarters.

No sooner had he sat down than Jin Rong entered with a letter. Yanxi took it and saw it was from Shanghai. The sender's name at the bottom of the envelope read "Qian Fa." Yanxi knew this was from Manager Qian, who handled the family's stock transactions. He quickly opened the letter. It read:

To Mr. Yanxi: Your instructions have been duly executed. After the trades, a net profit of twelve thousand dollars has been realized and credited to your account. However, the bond market has been highly volatile of late. Please advise promptly whether to continue operations with your capital. Respectfully, Qian Daoshou.

Yanxi was overjoyed to see the profit of twelve thousand dollars. He thought to himself that he had been fretting over a lack of funds, and now this windfall had arrived just in time. He immediately wrote a reply, instructing Manager Qian to continue the operations.

After finishing the letter, he went to the main quarters, intending to inform Mrs. Jin of the matter. As he approached the room, he heard Mrs. Jin's voice from within saying, "What do you all think we should do about this? I am utterly without any idea."

This was followed by Peifang's voice. "The matter must of course proceed. However, given our family's present circumstances, I fear we cannot produce such a large sum of money."

Yufen said, "The money itself is available. But once this sum is moved, the family's monthly income will decrease. The days to come might become even more difficult."

Mrs. Jin said, "What you say is true. However, this marriage alliance with the Bai family was mentioned even in your father's time. Now that the Bai family has made a formal proposal, we cannot very well refuse. Besides, the two young people seem to get along quite well."

Yanxi heard this and realized it was a marriage proposal from the Bai family. He thought to himself that his affair with Xiuzhu was long over; why was it being brought up again now? He entered the room and saw Mrs. Jin, Peifang, and Yufen sitting together in discussion.

Mrs. Jin, seeing Yanxi enter, said, "You have come at just the right moment. The Bai family has sent a proposal to formalize the engagement between you and Xiuzhu. What is your opinion on the matter?"

Yanxi said, "Was that matter not concluded long ago? Why bring it up again now?"

Mrs. Jin said, "That was then, this is now. In the past, with your father here, we could put it off. Now your father is gone, and since Minister Bai has personally spoken, how can we refuse?"

Yanxi said, "This is my own affair. I shall decide for myself. I do not wish to become engaged at present."

Yufen said, "Seventh Brother, that is not the way to look at it. Marriage has always been a matter decided by one's parents. Now that Mother has agreed, how can you refuse?"

Yanxi said, "Third Sister-in-law, that is not the case. Times have changed. Marriage must be agreed upon by the individuals themselves."

Mrs. Jin said, "Old Seventh, I know what is on your mind. You are still thinking of that girl from the Leng Residence, are you not? Let me tell you, a family like ours and a family like the Lengs are simply not on equal footing. Even if I were to bring her here as a daughter-in-law, she would never withstand the rigors of our household etiquette."

Yanxi said, "It is not that I necessarily wish to marry her. It is simply that Miss Bai and I have already grown apart. To force a union now would not lead to happiness in the future."

Peifang said, "Seventh Brother, you and Xiuzhu used to be very close, did you not? Why speak of growing apart now?"

Yanxi said, "That was then, this is now. What was good then may not be good now. Moreover, marriage is a lifelong commitment. Both parties must be willing."

Mrs. Jin said, "Say no more. I have already given my word to Minister Bai. In a couple of days, we shall formally announce the engagement."

Seeing his mother so resolute, Yanxi knew further argument was futile. He fell silent and returned to his own room. He thought to himself that this matter required careful, long-term consideration.

That evening, Yanxi went to seek out Song Runqing, hoping to entrust him with proposing to the Leng Residence on his behalf. Arriving at the Leng Residence, he found Song Runqing alone at home, reading poetry. Yanxi explained his intentions to him.

After hearing him out, Song Runqing pondered for a long moment before saying, "This matter might be rather difficult to arrange. Consider: your family is currently proposing to the Bai family. How can you simultaneously propose to the Leng Residence?"

Yanxi said, "I have not agreed to the Bai family's proposal. If the Leng Residence consents, I will find a way."

Song Runqing said, "It is not that simple. Your Jin Residence is a family of reputation. How can you treat the grave matter of marriage so lightly? Once you have proposed to the Bai family, you cannot propose to another. That is the established custom."

Yanxi said, "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible! I don't care about such things."

Song Runqing said, "You may not care, but the Leng Residence must. Consider: what kind of family is the Leng Residence? Do you think they would agree?"

Yanxi said, "That is precisely why I need your help, Uncle. If you are willing to speak on my behalf, I believe Mrs. Leng might perhaps agree."

Song Runqing said, "I will help, of course, but the hope of success is very slim."

Yanxi said, "Regardless, please go and make the proposal." As he spoke, he took out a cheque from his person and handed it to Song Runqing, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Song Runqing took the cheque and saw it was for a thousand dollars. Greatly pleased, he said, "I will certainly speak for you. However, I dare not guarantee the outcome."

Yanxi said, "As long as you are willing to do your utmost, I will be eternally grateful."

Upon leaving the Leng Residence, Yanxi felt somewhat reassured. He thought that if Leng Qingqiu could be persuaded to agree, he would surely find a way to manage matters with his mother.

Who could have known that two days later, Song Runqing returned with a reply: Mrs. Leng had refused. Mrs. Leng had said that the Jin Residence was a great family, and their own humble household dared not aspire so high. Moreover, since the Jin Residence was currently proposing to the Bai family, they could not possibly consent.

Yanxi heard this, and his heart turned cold. He thought to himself that this path, too, was now closed.

Just at that moment, Jin Rong brought in another letter, this one also from Manager Qian. The letter stated that the bond market had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and his funds had suffered a loss of over twenty thousand dollars. If he did not inject additional capital now, even the principal was in danger of being lost.

Yanxi was greatly alarmed. He thought that this was truly the end. Not only was the profit gone, but the principal itself was about to be lost. What was to be done?

He thought and thought but could find no solution. Having no other choice, he was forced to turn once more to Mrs. Jin for help. Upon hearing his tale, Mrs. Jin sighed. "I told you long ago that government bonds were a risky venture. You would not listen. Now see what has happened?"

Yanxi said, "It is too late for regrets now. Please, Mother, help me think of a way to salvage the principal."

Mrs. Jin said, "What way can I possibly think of? The family's money is all deposited in the bank, tied up in bonds. Where would we find any more funds now?"

Yanxi said, "Are we just to stand by and watch it all vanish?"

Mrs. Jin said, "What else can we do but stand by and watch?"

Seeing his mother unwilling to help, Yanxi had no choice but to withdraw. He thought to himself that he had indeed reached the very end of his rope.