Explore Chapter 68 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.
The marriage of Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu was a major event. Whether to hold it publicly or privately, the family welcomed it with open arms. Since Leng Qingqiu was a modern woman, Mrs. Jin did not want to slight her and advocated for a civilized approach: an open gathering at home to serve as a ceremony. Fortunately, in the Jin Family, apart from a few younger siblings, everyone had been through marriage themselves. There was no need to avoid any suspicions. Thus, a date was set, invitations were sent out, and the couple hosted a day of reception. This news spread. Not only were the Jin Family members enthusiastic, but relatives and friends also found it intriguing. Since Jin Yanxi's marriage had stirred up much gossip in social circles, now that he had actually wed Leng Qingqiu, everyone wanted to see what kind of person this new young mistress was. Consequently, as soon as the invitations were sent, those who received them came in droves to offer congratulations.
On that day, since it was a Sunday, Jin Quan did not go to his office and instead presided over everything at home. Mrs. Jin was even more delighted. She directed the servants to refurbish the inside and out, making everything sparkle anew. In the main hall, several banquet tables were set. In the courtyard, a small stage was erected, preparing to call a troupe of young actors to perform a few operas and liven up the atmosphere. Jin Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu, as the hosts of the day, rose early and dressed neatly. They received guests in the main hall. Leng Qingqiu wore a water-red patterned silk lined jacket and a skirt of black Indian silk. With a light application of makeup on her face, she appeared even more delicate and charming. Yanxi donned a robe of blue serge and a black satin mandarin jacket. He looked radiant and jubilant.
Among the guests, the men went to the main hall, hosted by Jin Quan and Yanxi. The women went to the inner rooms, hosted by Mrs. Jin and Leng Qingqiu. Naturally, a group of young men and women were present, such as Second Miss Wu, Qiu Xizhen, Zeng Meiyun, and Liu Baoshan. They all came. Upon seeing Leng Qingqiu, everyone could not help but scrutinize her closely. Although Leng Qingqiu was not a stunning beauty, her dignified and graceful demeanor made one forget all vulgarity. They secretly praised Yanxi for his good taste. Leng Qingqiu felt somewhat shy meeting so many strangers, but her comportment remained composed and her responses were appropriate. Mrs. Jin watched from the side, her heart filled with even more joy.
After some lively commotion, everyone took their seats to drink and dine. Naturally, there were many jokes during the banquet. Liu Baoshan stood up first, raising his wine cup and addressing Yanxi. "Old Seventh, today is your joyous occasion. We should toast you. But this cup of wine is not easy to drink. If you want to drink it, you must agree to one condition." Yanxi smiled. "What condition? Tell me. As long as I can do it, I will agree." Liu Baoshan said, "The condition is simple. You and Miss Leng must kiss in front of everyone." Upon hearing this, everyone clapped in approval. Yanxi smiled and glanced at Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu had already lowered her head in shyness. Mrs. Jin laughed. "Mr. Liu always loves to joke. Today is their happy day, so let them off." Liu Baoshan replied, "Since you say so, Aunt, we will drop it. But Old Seventh still has to drink his wine." Yanxi said, "I will drink, I will drink." With that, he raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. Everyone then clamored for Leng Qingqiu to drink. Leng Qingqiu refused, merely declining. In the end, Mrs. Jin drank a cup on her behalf to settle the matter.
After the banquet ended, everyone sat in the drawing room for a while. Jin Quan, being older, felt somewhat tired from sitting too long and went in first to rest. Here, the group of young people became even more uninhibited, chatting and laughing. Liu Baoshan said, "I heard that Old Seventh and Miss Leng met at a poetry club. Miss Leng must be a poet. Why not ask Miss Leng to compose a poem on the spot for us to admire?" Upon hearing this, Leng Qingqiu quickly said, "How would I know how to compose poetry? Mr. Liu, do not tease me." Yanxi also said, "She really cannot compose poetry. Do not make things difficult for her." Second Miss Wu smiled. "Seventh Master always protects Seventh Young Mistress like this. But if not poetry, she must perform something to let us all broaden our horizons." Pressed by everyone, Leng Qingqiu had no choice. She said, "I truly cannot do anything. Since you insist on me making a fool of myself, I will casually sing a tune." Everyone clapped in welcome.
Leng Qingqiu then stood up and sang a segment from "The Peony Pavilion," the "Garden Stroll." Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, with rising and falling tones, very pleasing to the ear. After listening, everyone praised her incessantly. Second Miss Wu held Leng Qingqiu's hand and smiled. "No wonder Seventh Master is so captivated. So Seventh Young Mistress is a woman of many talents." Leng Qingqiu modestly demurred. Everyone chatted a while longer. Seeing that it was getting late, the guests gradually took their leave. Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu accompanied them all the way to the main gate.
After the guests had dispersed, Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu returned to their room. Both felt somewhat tired. But their hearts were filled with sweet joy. Leng Qingqiu said, "I am utterly exhausted today." Yanxi smiled. "Though tired, we are very happy, aren't we?" Leng Qingqiu nodded. Yanxi asked, "Are you hungry? I will have them bring something to eat." Leng Qingqiu replied, "I am not hungry, just very thirsty." Yanxi then pressed the electric bell and had the maid bring two cups of tea. Drinking tea, they chatted idly for a while before retiring to rest separately.
The next day, Yanxi rose a bit later. After washing up, he was about to go to Leng Qingqiu's room when Jin Rong entered and reported, "Seventh Master, the automobile is ready." Yanxi asked, "Why prepare the automobile?" Jin Rong smiled. "How could Seventh Master forget? Didn't you agree with Young Mistress yesterday to go to the Western Hills for an outing today?" Yanxi thought for a moment and indeed remembered saying that. He said, "Alright, go invite Young Mistress. Tell her I will wait for her in the car." Jin Rong assented and left.
Yanxi walked to the main gate. The automobile was indeed parked there. He got in first. After waiting a while, he saw Leng Qingqiu walk out from inside, wearing a pale green silk blouse and a black gauze skirt. Yanxi quickly got out of the car and helped her in. They sat side by side. The chauffeur confirmed the destination and drove straight to the Western Hills.
The weather was fine that day, with a gentle breeze and bright sun. Along the way, the trees were lush and wildflowers bloomed brilliantly. The scenery was utterly charming. Leng Qingqiu leaned against the car window, constantly looking outside, her heart feeling very relaxed. Yanxi was also in high spirits. He pointed out the scenery outside the window to Leng Qingqiu. Chatting and laughing, they不知不觉 arrived at the Western Hills.
Yanxi had the chauffeur drive the car to the Western Hills hotel. They got out, found a seat by the window, ordered a few dishes, and ate slowly. While eating, they gazed at the mountain scenery outside. In the distance, peaks overlapped. Nearby, trees clustered densely. A stream of spring water flowed out from a mountain ravine, making a murmuring sound. Leng Qingqiu said, "This place is wonderful, much fresher than the city." Yanxi replied, "If you like it here, we can come often in the future." Leng Qingqiu smiled and nodded.
After finishing their meal, they sat and drank tea for a while. Yanxi said, "Let's take a walk up the mountain." Leng Qingqiu agreed, "Good." So they left the hotel and walked along the mountain path. On both sides of the path were tall trees, their thick shade blocking the sun, making it very cool. Not far along, they saw a waterfall pouring straight down from the mountaintop into a deep pool, splashing countless water droplets. Leng Qingqiu stood by the pool, mesmerized. Yanxi asked, "Is this waterfall beautiful?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "Extremely beautiful. I once read Li Bai's poem: 'The flying stream descends straight down three thousand feet, suspected to be the Silver River falling from the ninth heaven.' I always thought it was the poet's exaggeration. Now, seeing this waterfall, I feel the words are not excessive." Yanxi smiled. "You always cannot leave poetry." Leng Qingqiu also laughed.
They walked a bit further and felt somewhat tired. They sat down to rest on a large rock by the path. Leng Qingqiu breathed lightly, her face flushed and beads of sweat on her forehead. Yanxi took out a handkerchief and wiped her sweat. Leng Qingqiu looked up at Yanxi, a grateful smile on her face. Yanxi held her hand. They sat silently for a while, both feeling an indescribable joy filling their hearts.
After sitting for a while, Yanxi said, "Let's go back. It's getting late." Leng Qingqiu nodded. They followed the same path back down the mountain. Arriving at the parking spot, they saw the chauffeur cleaning the car. Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu got in and instructed him to drive back.
As the car reached the city gate, it suddenly stopped. Yanxi asked, "What happened?" The chauffeur replied, "There's a car ahead that broke down, blocking the road. We cannot pass." Yanxi leaned out to look. Indeed, he saw an automobile stopped in the middle of the road, with a few people gathered around repairing it. Yanxi said, "We will wait for a while."
After waiting a while, that car still was not fixed. Leng Qingqiu said, "Let's walk back. It's not far from home here." Yanxi asked, "Can you walk?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "I can walk." So they got out of the car and instructed the chauffeur to drive back once the car was repaired.
They walked side by side on the street. The sun was setting in the west, and multicolored evening clouds appeared on the horizon, casting a reddish glow on the faces of people on the street. Leng Qingqiu and Yanxi walked slowly in the evening breeze, feeling very comfortable. When they reached a lane entrance, Leng Qingqiu suddenly stopped. She said to Yanxi, "Wait here. I will go buy something." Yanxi asked, "Buy what?" Leng Qingqiu said, "I will buy some fruit." With that, she entered a fruit shop inside the alley.
Yanxi stood at the lane entrance waiting. Suddenly, he saw someone approaching from the opposite side, looking very familiar. Upon closer look, it was Bai Xiuzhu. Xiuzhu also saw Yanxi and walked over, greeting with a smile, "Seventh Master, long time no see." Yanxi had no choice but to smile and nod. Xiuzhu asked, "What are you doing here alone, Seventh Master?" Yanxi replied, "I am waiting for someone." Xiuzhu looked around and smiled. "Waiting for whom? Could it be Seventh Young Mistress?" Before Yanxi could answer, he saw Leng Qingqiu walk out of the fruit shop, carrying a bag of fruit.
Upon seeing Leng Qingqiu, the smile vanished from Xiuzhu's face. Leng Qingqiu walked up to Yanxi and also saw Xiuzhu, nodding in acknowledgment. Xiuzhu forced a smile and said, "Seventh Young Mistress is out too." Leng Qingqiu said, "Miss Bai, long time no see." Xiuzhu replied, "Indeed. I heard that Seventh Master and Seventh Young Mistress are married. I have not yet come to offer congratulations." Leng Qingqiu said, "You flatter me." Xiuzhu turned to Yanxi and said, "Now that Seventh Master has Seventh Young Mistress, you probably have forgotten old friends like us." Hearing this, Yanxi found it very grating, but he could only smile and say, "Not at all." Xiuzhu said, "I have some matters to attend to and must leave first. Goodbye." With that, she nodded and turned to walk away.
Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu watched Xiuzhu's back disappear around the street corner before walking home together. Leng Qingqiu walked in silence. Yanxi asked, "Why aren't you speaking?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "I have nothing to say." Yanxi said, "Are you unhappy because you saw Bai Xiuzhu?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Why would I be unhappy? But I find Miss Bai's words somewhat strange." Yanxi said, "Do not take her words to heart. She is always like that." Leng Qingqiu said, "I am not taking them to heart."
They returned home, and it was already dark. Mrs. Jin saw them return and asked, "Where did you go? You are only coming back now." Yanxi said, "We went to the Western Hills for an outing." Mrs. Jin said, "The Western Hills are very fun, right?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "Very fun, the scenery is extremely beautiful." Mrs. Jin smiled. "You two really know how to enjoy life."
After dinner, Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu returned to their room. Leng Qingqiu sat on a chair, silently pondering. Yanxi walked over, placed his hands on her shoulders, and said, "You seem somewhat unhappy today. Is it because of Bai Xiuzhu?" Leng Qingqiu looked up and said, "Not because of her. I was thinking that although our marriage has been conducted this way, the days ahead are long. I wonder if we can remain steadfast to the end?" Yanxi said, "Why think of such things? Since we are married, naturally we will remain steadfast." Leng Qingqiu said, "I hope so." Yanxi asked, "Do you not trust me?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "It is not that I do not trust you. I feel that worldly affairs are unpredictable." Yanxi said, "Do not胡思乱想. Our future days will surely be very happy." Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Leng Qingqiu's face.
That evening, Yanxi, having drunk a few extra cups of wine, felt somewhat tipsy and went to bed early. Leng Qingqiu could not sleep. She sat under the lamp and took out a book to read. After reading for a while, she felt somewhat tired. She walked to the window and looked out. The sky was dotted with stars, and the courtyard was quiet, without a sound. Leng Qingqiu recalled the events of the day. Her heart held an indescribable feeling-whether joy or worry, even she herself did not know.