Explore Chapter 73 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 Mrs. Jin laid out the box of bank gold on her bed. She caressed the pieces with her hand, feeling a growing reluctance to part with them. She thought to herself, this gold, while not a vast fortune, was still worth over a hundred thousand dollars. If she gave it all away without keeping any back, she might earn their fleeting goodwill. But in the end, they'd likely still resent it as too little. What if she ignored the whole matter? Observing the current state of the Jin Family, it was clear its fortunes had declined. Apart from these savings in her hands, they likely had no other means to secure such a windfall. She decided it was better to seize this chance to divide the gold among them. Everyone would get a share, and it would prevent future complaints. Her mind made up, she told the old amah to summon the young masters.
After Jin Quan's passing, aside from Mei Li who lived in the city with Mrs. Jin, and Zhenhua who was long married and didn't count, the five brothers all resided in the Western Hills. Receiving their mother's call saying she had orders for them, they all hurried over. Seeing her five sons standing before her in a row, Mrs. Jin said, "You are all men with children of your own soon enough. Must I still worry about you? I always say it was a fine thing how harmoniously you brothers got along before. But since your father passed, you've drifted apart. As the proverb goes, 'Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all endeavors.' This has caused me endless anxiety day and night. I've called you here for no other reason than this. I have a batch of gold here. Take it and divide it among yourselves. From now on, live properly and don't make me worry anymore."
Hearing his mother suddenly dividing the family property, Yanxi was startled. "What do you mean by this, Mother?" he said. "How can a family like ours split up? If we divide the property, who knows when a split might cause a complete collapse." Mrs. Jin replied, "How much can I possibly leave you? You all have your own assets. Frankly, I'm just leaving you a safety net. If times get hard in the future, you'll still have food to eat. You must understand, when a person falls into poverty, no relative or friend is reliable. Even your own siblings may not be of much help. It's your mother who's digging into her burial funds." As she spoke, she divided the gold on the bed into five portions, each roughly two or three hundred taels. She wrapped each portion in a cloth bundle and set them aside.
Mrs. Jin continued, "Let me make this clear. Once you have this gold, I won't interfere with what you choose to do with it. But there's one condition. Don't squabble over it in front of me. Whoever takes their share, just walk out of this room. I want to see if you still have a shred of conscience." Seeing their mother speak thus, none dared say another word. They each took their gold and left, crestfallen.
After her sons had gone, Mrs. Jin sat alone on the bed in a daze. She thought, since the old master's death, this family had simply fallen apart. Her daughter, now with Xie Yushu, had at least found her place. Leng Qingqiu, living with her child at the Leng Residence, naturally had a hard life. Fortunately, she had spirit and refused to come begging to her. Mei Li was still young and didn't understand much. But Yanxi, that child, used to be so extravagant. Now, with this small share of money, he'd probably blow it all in less than two months. What would he do then?
As she was lost in thought, the door curtain lifted and Leng Qingqiu entered with little Xuan'er. Mrs. Jin quickly wiped the tear stains from her face and smiled. "What brings you here with time to spare?" Leng Qingqiu said, "I heard you were distributing gold to my brothers, so I brought the child to see." Mrs. Jin sighed. "So you know about family affairs. I had no choice but to do this. Fortunately, you don't mind." Leng Qingqiu replied, "That's not why I came. I wanted to discuss something with you. I think I should move out. For one, the child is growing older every day and needs a quiet place to study. For another, I could find some work to do."
Mrs. Jin said, "I won't stop you if you want to work. But where would you move?" Leng Qingqiu answered, "My mother still has a few rooms. I thought of moving back there." Mrs. Jin listened, then bowed her head for a long moment. "If you want to go back, I can't stop you. But think it over. The rooms there are cramped, not as comfortable as here." Leng Qingqiu said, "It may be comfortable here, but sitting idle until the mountain is empty is no solution either. I'm still young. A little hardship doesn't matter."
Seeing her resolute tone and expression, Mrs. Jin knew her mind was made up. "Since you've decided," she said, "I'll have someone pack your things tomorrow." Leng Qingqiu said, "Don't trouble yourself. I can manage." With that, she took her leave.
Returning to her room, Leng Qingqiu found Yanxi sitting there. "When did you arrive?" she asked. Yanxi said, "I heard you were moving out, so I came to ask why." Leng Qingqiu replied, "There's nothing much to say. My staying here is improper in name and unjustified in reason. Now that you've divided the family property, I have even less reason to stay."
Yanxi said, "You say I divided the family? It wasn't division. Mother just gave me some money for pocket expenses." Leng Qingqiu said, "Whether it's division or not, my mind is set. Say no more." Seeing her icy demeanor devoid of any affection, Yanxi felt a deep pang of sorrow. "You don't want me," he said, "but will you forsake the child too?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "The child is mine by birth. Naturally, I'll take him. Don't worry. I won't let him suffer."
Knowing he couldn't persuade her, Yanxi could only heave a sigh and leave the room. He thought, to think our once loving marriage would end like this. It was something he could never have imagined even in his dreams. He stood alone in a daze for a while when Jin Rong came in with a visiting card. "Seventh Master," he said, "a Mr. Song outside wishes to see you." Yanxi took the card and saw the name "Song Runqing" printed on it. "Show him in," he said.
Song Runqing entered and cupped his hands in greeting. "Seventh Master, I've come to ask a favor." Yanxi said, "Please, have a seat." Song Runqing sat down, cleared his throat twice, then said, "My relative's family is truly destitute and cannot go on. We were much obliged to you for your past kindness. Now... now we still hope you can help a little." Yanxi said, "I'm like a clay Bodhisattva crossing a river-hardly able to save myself. I'm afraid I can't help you much."
Song Runqing stood up and bowed again. "Seventh Master, you are a generous man. Surely you cannot stand by and watch us perish." Pressed relentlessly, Yanxi had no choice. "I don't have much money on hand," he said. "Here's a little gold. Take it." He took twenty or thirty taels of gold and handed it to Song Runqing. Song Runqing took it, hefted it in his palm, and laughed. "Seventh Master is truly magnanimous. But... but this bit of gold won't accomplish much."
Yanxi thought, such people truly have no conscience. I treat him like this, and he still complains it's too little. No wonder Leng Qingqiu wants to divorce me. Probably she sees I'm poor now. This thought filled him with boundless vexation. He went out alone to the small tavern at the lane entrance and drank two cups of wine. By the time he returned, it was already dark. Walking into his own courtyard, he saw the room where Leng Qingqiu stayed brightly lit and filled with the clamor of voices.
Yanxi walked in and saw Leng Qingqiu directing the old amah to pack things. little Xuan'er stood to one side, staring blankly. Yanxi took little Xuan'er's hand and asked, "Is your mother really leaving?" little Xuan'er nodded. Yanxi asked, "Will you miss your father?" little Xuan'er shook his head, then suddenly burst out crying with a loud wail.
Leng Qingqiu came over and gathered little Xuan'er into her arms. "Good child, don't cry," she said. "Mother will take you to Grandma's house. There are fun things there too." As she spoke, she shot a glance at Yanxi. Knowing she was putting on a show for him, Yanxi felt a surge of bitterness. He almost shed tears, then turned and walked out of the room.
That night, Yanxi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. At dawn, he heard commotion from Leng Qingqiu's side-porters, sedan chairs, and horses creating a racket. Unable to bear it, Yanxi went over again. He saw Leng Qingqiu had already packed her luggage neatly and was about to board the sedan chair. little Xuan'er, wearing a set of new clothes, was being carried by an old amah.
Seeing Yanxi approach, Leng Qingqiu said, "I'm leaving. Take care of yourself from now on." Yanxi said, "You... don't you have a single word more for me?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "What more is there to say? Let the past be as yesterday dead. Let what comes be as today born." With that, she entered the sedan chair. The bearers lifted it and rushed off as if flying.
Mr. Yanxi, I am gone. From now on, we are strangers. All that went before, let it be as yesterday dead. I have taken the child with me. Please rest assured, I will do my utmost to raise him, to make him a useful person. The things you gave me, I have left in the trunk. Please take them back. Our predestined affinity is exhausted. There is no need for further remembrance. I wish you happiness in your future.
While he was weeping, Jin Rong came in and said, "Seventh Master, the mistress summons you." Yanxi wiped his eyes and went to the main quarters. Mrs. Jin asked, "Has Leng Qingqiu left?" Yanxi nodded. Mrs. Jin sighed. "Perhaps it's for the best. I see she has high aspirations. She might make something of herself in the future. But what will you do now?"
Yanxi said, "Me? I'll eat when there's food and drink when there's wine, taking each day as it comes." Mrs. Jin said, "Don't you have any plans at all?" Yanxi replied, "Plans for what? Father is dead, my wife is gone, the family is divided. What hope do I have left?"
Seeing him so self-destructive, Mrs. Jin could say no more and only sighed. Yanxi sat for a while, then took his leave. Reaching the main gate, he saw a group of beggars surrounding an old vagrant, laughing and jeering. Yanxi drew closer and saw the old beggar was none other than Old Liu, the former gatekeeper of the Jin Family.
Seeing Yanxi, Old Liu promptly kowtowed. "Seventh Master, how are you, sir?" Yanxi asked, "Old Liu, how have you fallen to such a state?" Old Liu said, "Ah, Seventh Master, don't ask. Ever since the mansion disbanded, I haven't found work. Now I'm old, no one wants me. I have no choice but to beg here."
Hearing this, Yanxi felt a profound sadness. He fished out a few dollars from his pocket and gave them to Old Liu. "Take this money. Use it." Old Liu took the money and kowtowed again. "Thank you, Seventh Master. You are truly a good man. Even when I served at the mansion, you were kind to me. Now that you've fallen on hard times, you're still so generous."
Yanxi gave a bitter laugh and, without a word, turned and walked away. He thought, Old Liu says I've fallen on hard times. He's right. Haven't I? Before, I rode in an automobile just to take a few steps. Now I can't even afford a rickshaw. Before, a single meal cost dozens of dollars. Now I can't even afford a simple pancake. Isn't this falling on hard times?
Lost in these thoughts, he reached the lane entrance. He saw a peddler carrying a pole of candied haws pass by, clanging a gong and hawking his wares. Yanxi suddenly remembered how, when he and Leng Qingqiu were courting, he often bought her candied haws to eat. Now, Leng Qingqiu was gone, and there was no one to eat candied haws.
As Yanxi stood there distracted, someone suddenly clapped him on the shoulder from behind. "Seventh Master, why are you standing here alone in a daze?" Yanxi turned to see it was Qiu Xizhen. "Miss Qiu," he said, "long time no see."
Qiu Xizhen laughed. "Seventh Master, you noble people have short memories. We met at the cinema just last month." Yanxi said, "Really? I'd forgotten." Qiu Xizhen asked, "How is your family these days, Seventh Master?" Yanxi replied, "Well enough, thank you for asking."
Qiu Xizhen said, "Seventh Master, your complexion doesn't look good. Is something troubling you?" Yanxi said, "Nothing's wrong. I've just been staying up late." Qiu Xizhen laughed. "Seventh Master, you can't fool me. I know you're upset because your wife left."
Hearing this, Yanxi flushed slightly. "Miss Qiu, what are you talking about?" Qiu Xizhen said, "Seventh Master, no need to hide it from me. Who doesn't know about it? To be frank, it's for the best. Someone as strait-laced as her wasn't a match for you anyway."
Yanxi said, "Miss Qiu, don't say that. It's just that I, Jin Yanxi, have no luck." Qiu Xizhen said, "Seventh Master, you're too modest. With your character, why fear you won't find someone better? If you don't mind, I'm available anytime."
Finding her speech frivolous, Yanxi said, "Miss Qiu, I have matters to attend to. Let's talk another day." With a nod, he walked away. Qiu Xizhen stood there, watching Yanxi's retreating back. She snorted coldly and muttered to herself, "Ungrateful wretch! Do you still think you're the Jin Seventh Master of old?"
Yanxi, I'm writing this letter with no other intent. Hearing that you are deeply despondent saddens me. Although I have left, I still hope you will pull yourself together. You are still young, with much promise ahead. Don't lose heart over a setback. I have started a tutorial school on Falling Flowers Lane, dedicated to taking in poor, unschooled children. If you have time, you can come and see. little Xuan'er is doing well. He misses you. Leng Qingqiu.
A few days later, Yanxi could bear it no longer and quietly went alone to Falling Flowers Lane. Arriving at the gate of the Leng Residence, he saw a sign hanging outside that read "Leng Qingqiucharity tutorial school". Yanxi stood outside the gate, not daring to enter.
Leng Qingqiu said, "Sit for a while. I'll make some tea." She went inside. Yanxi sat alone, looking around. Though the room was shabby, it was clean and tidy. A few textbooks and a vase of wildflowers sat on the table.
Leng Qingqiu went to the kitchen for a while, then brought out two bowls of noodles and placed them on the table. "There's nothing special. Please make do with this." Yanxi said, "It's fine."
The two ate the noodles in silence, neither speaking a word. After finishing, Leng Qingqiu cleared the bowls and chopsticks. Yanxi said, "Let me help wash them." Leng Qingqiu said, "No need. You're a guest. I couldn't trouble you."
Her excessive politeness made Yanxi feel even worse. After sitting a while longer, he stood to take his leave. Leng Qingqiu saw him to the door. "If you have time in the future," she said, "you can come and visit." Yanxi said, "Alright."
After walking a few steps, Yanxi turned back. He saw Leng Qingqiu still standing at the door, watching him. Yanxi waved to her, and she went inside.
Walking home, Yanxi thought, Leng Qingqiu is truly a woman of spirit. Leaving me, she didn't fall into ruin. Instead, she started a school. And me? I, Jin Yanxi, a full-grown man, am I inferior to a woman? From now on, I must pull myself together, achieve something, to be worthy of her heartfelt effort.
Thinking this, he reached his doorstep. Jin Rong came out to meet him. "Seventh Master, where have you been? The mistress is looking for you." Yanxi asked, "What does she want?" Jin Rong said, "I don't know. It seems something important."
Yanxi asked, "What happened?" Mrs. Jin said, "Your second brother has gambled away all the gold he received. Now his creditors are at the door, making an awful scene." Yanxi said, "Is that so? I'll go see."
With that, he went to He Sun's courtyard. He saw He Sun sitting there dejectedly while Cheng Huichang berated him. Seeing Yanxi arrive, Cheng Huichang said, "Seventh Master, you've come just in time. Your second brother is simply inhuman. He lost all the gold Mother gave him in a single night. Now they're here demanding payment, and he says he has none. What should we do?"
He Sun said, "How was I to know my luck would be so bad? I lost over a dozen rounds in a row and the gold was gone." Yanxi said, "Second Brother, you're too foolish. Mother gave us the gold as a safety net. How could you gamble it away?"
He Sun said, "I regret it now, but what good is regret?" Cheng Huichang said, "Seventh Master, lend us some money to pay off the debt. Otherwise, if they make a scene, it will shame us all."
Yanxi said, "Where would I get money? The little gold I received is long spent." Cheng Huichang said, "Can't you think of some way?" Yanxi said, "What way could I possibly think of?"
After the creditors were gone, Cheng Huichang said to Yanxi, "Seventh Master, you must help us find a way." Yanxi said, "I truly have no way. Unless we ask Mother." Cheng Huichang said, "Where would Mother have money? She gave all her gold to us."
After thinking for a long time, he suddenly remembered an old friend who worked in a bank. Perhaps he could borrow some money. He went to find that friend. The friend was quite generous and agreed to lend him five hundred dollars. Yanxi took the money and returned to give it to Cheng Huichang.
Her attitude made Yanxi very uncomfortable. He walked out, thinking, this family is truly finished. Not even a year after Father's death, things have come to this. Who knows what other troubles lie ahead.
Yanxi asked, "Why move to the Western Hills?" Mei Li said, "Mother says the city expenses are too high. We can't afford it. Housing is cheaper in the Western Hills, and it's quieter." Yanxi said, "If Mother has decided, then move."
A few days later, Mrs. Jin indeed moved with Mei Li to the Western Hills. Yanxi had originally wanted to go too, but Mrs. Jin said someone needed to stay in the city to manage things. Yanxi had no choice but to remain.