Explore Chapter 69 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 when Yanxi went for a carriage ride with Leng Qingqiu, he found it increasingly difficult to put her out of his mind. Day after day, he was lost in wild fancies. That afternoon, he sat alone in his study, holding a book in hand but gazing out the window, his thoughts already soaring to Falling Flowers Lane.
Suddenly, the telephone rang. Jin Rong answered it and reported that Miss Bai Xiuzhu was calling, asking if Seventh Master was at home. Yanxi frowned and signaled Jin Rong to say he was not in. Jin Rong complied, hung up the phone, and Yanxi sighed, muttering to himself, "Truly, idle weeds and wildflowers only bring vain vexation."
It turned out that in recent days, since the wall gate of the Leng Residence had been opened, Yanxi often went over to discuss poetry and literature with Song Runqing. Seizing the opportunity, he occasionally caught a glimpse of Leng Qingqiu. But Leng Qingqiu was always aloof. Sometimes she would exchange a few words before promptly leaving, leaving Yanxi's heart in turmoil, unsure of her true intentions.
Just as he was sitting gloomily, Aunt Cui lifted the curtain and entered, laughing, "Old Seventh, what are you daydreaming about alone here? Could it be you're thinking of that Miss Leng again?" Yanxi blushed and hurriedly said, "Aunt Cui, don't tease me. I'm reading." Aunt Cui walked over, glanced at the book in his hand-which was held upside down-and couldn't help but chuckle.
Yanxi, feeling embarrassed, put the book down and stood up. Aunt Cui said, "Your elder brother and the others are playing cards in the back. Why don't you join them for some fun?" Yanxi replied, "I don't care for cards. It's quieter here." Aunt Cui said, "Quieter? I think your mind is anything but quiet." With that, she pursed her lips in a smile and turned to leave.
Yanxi, stung by her words, felt even more vexed. He casually strolled out of the study, passed through the moon gate, and arrived at the rear garden. It was already early summer weather. The garden was shaded by green trees, and the clamor of cicadas filled the air. He walked along the gravel path to a stand of wisteria. The flowers had already faded, leaving a canopy of dense emerald green, with many seed pods hanging down like beans.
Yanxi recalled that in spring, when the wisteria was in full bloom, he had chanced to meet Leng Qingqiu here. She was wearing a light blue gown, standing beneath the flowers, truly like a figure from a painting. Now the flowers had withered and she was nowhere to be seen, leaving only melancholy behind.
Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard voices from behind the rockery. It was two maids whispering. One said, "Have you heard? Miss Bai came yesterday and cried to the mistress for a long time, saying that Seventh Master ignores her now." The other replied, "No wonder the mistress looked displeased today. So that's why."
Yanxi, hearing this, was startled. Afraid they might see him, he quickly turned and walked away. He thought to himself, this matter with Xiuzhu is ultimately troublesome. I must bring it to a conclusion soon. But then, thinking of Leng Qingqiu's serene demeanor, he felt that Xiuzhu was too flamboyant, not a kindred spirit.
Unconsciously, he walked to the wall gate again. This gate was now often left open for convenience between the two households. Yanxi paced over and saw that the courtyard of the Leng Residence was quiet. Several slender bamboos shaded the green gauze windows. Inside, the curtains were drawn low, and a faint shadow could be seen, but he didn't know if it was Leng Qingqiu.
He didn't dare to intrude rashly and stood in the courtyard for a while. Nanny Han emerged from the side room and, seeing him, quickly smiled and said, "Young Master Jin has come. Why not sit inside? The master is at home." Yanxi said, "I was just passing by and looking around. How is your young lady?" Nanny Han replied, "The young lady is in her room reading."
Just as Yanxi was thinking of seizing the chance to enter, he heard a faint cough from inside the room. Then Leng Qingqiu's voice said, "Nanny Han, who has come?" Nanny Han answered, "It's Young Master Jin." The window was pushed open halfway. Leng Qingqiu peered out, saw it was Yanxi, and her face slightly reddened. She nodded and then closed the window again.
Yanxi's heart stirred, but he felt it inappropriate to stay longer. He said to Nanny Han, "I have no particular business. I'll visit another day." After speaking, he turned back. When he reached his own courtyard and looked back, he saw the emerald curtains still drawn low, quiet without a sound. Unconsciously, infinite sorrow arose in his heart.
Returning to the study, Jin Rong handed him a letter, saying it had just been delivered by the gatekeeper. Yanxi opened it and saw it was in Xiuzhu's handwriting. It invited him to dinner at the German Hotel that evening to talk face-to-face. Yanxi frowned, threw the letter on the table, and instructed Jin Rong, "Go make a phone call and say I have something on tonight and cannot come."
Jin Rong assented and left. Yanxi lay down on the sofa, closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was a tangled mess. He thought, Xiuzhu must not be offended. Her family and the Jin Family are old friends, and his two elder brothers are on good terms with her brothers. If a rift occurs, it would look bad on the face. But if he humors her, he fears Leng Qingqiu might misunderstand if she finds out.
Just as he was in a dilemma, Peng Zhen pushed the door open and entered, laughing, "Old Seventh, meditating alone here? Come, go with me to the opera. Tonight, Yang Xiaolou is headlining. It's a shame to miss it." Yanxi said listlessly, "I don't want to go. Third Brother, go by yourself." Peng Zhen said, "You've changed so much lately. You used to never miss an opera, but now you can't be persuaded to go."
Yanxi said, "It's nothing. I just feel lazy." Peng Zhen approached and whispered, "Is it love troubles? I hear you've recently hit it off with that Miss Leng next door, very predestined affinity." Yanxi hurriedly said, "Third Brother, don't talk nonsense. We merely discuss poetry and literature." Peng Zhen laughed heartily and, saying no more, left on his own.
As evening approached, a few dark clouds gathered on the horizon. A light rain began to fall. Yanxi stood under the eaves, watching the rain beat against the banana leaves. Each sound pierced his ears, adding to his melancholy. He thought of Leng Qingqiu reading by her window, wondering if she was listening to the rain at this moment.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew. It caused the bamboo curtain of the Leng Residence to flutter up. Faintly, he saw Leng Qingqiu sitting by the window. She held a scroll of book but wasn't reading it, instead gazing absently at the rain outside. Yanxi stared transfixed, unconsciously taking two steps forward. Leng Qingqiu seemed to notice. She turned her head, and their eyes met. She hastily stood up and let the curtain fall.
Yanxi stood there in a daze for a long time. Then Jin Rong came to invite him for dinner, and he snapped out of it. The meal was tasteless. His mind merely turned over and over the fleeting glimpse of Leng Qingqiu's image.
At night, the rain stopped. The moon broke through the clouds, casting a clear radiance over the courtyard. Yanxi couldn't sleep. He threw on his clothes and walked into the garden. The moonlight was like water. Flower shadows were sparse, and the wisteria trellis appeared even more serene under the moonlight.
He walked to the wall and listened, but there was not a sound from the other side. Presumably everyone was asleep. Only from within Leng Qingqiu's window did a faint light seep through, casting a hazy glow on the curtain. Yanxi sighed and softly chanted, "Silent are the verdant curtains and embroidered screens, a solitary lamp shines bright before my eyes. Idle weeds and wildflowers arouse vain resentment, when can I pour out the feelings in my heart?"