Explore Chapter 80 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 death of Jin Quan was like the collapse of a corner of the sky for the Jin Family, but for Leng Qingqiu, it felt as if the ground had given way. In Jin Quan's lifetime, Yanxi was not entirely satisfied with Leng Qingqiu, but out of respect for his father, he maintained a demeanor of three parts courtesy and seven parts fear. Now that his father was gone, whom did he have to fear? Thus, towards Leng Qingqiu, he no longer felt the same fear or showed the same courtesy as before. Leng Qingqiu, seeing him thus, assumed that Yanxi was grieving over his father's death and naturally irritable about all dissatisfactions, so she forgave him. However, Yanxi, freed from both courtesy and fear, began to frequent the outside world for amusement, staying out for long hours, sometimes even all day without returning. Leng Qingqiu, alone in the room, naturally felt lonely and had no choice but to turn to book for distraction.
Sometimes Mrs. Jin would come to the room for a visit. Seeing Leng Qingqiu in this state, she remarked, "You are quite diligent. What about Seventh Brother? Has he gone out to play again?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "He probably went to a friend's house." Mrs. Jin asked, "Friends? From where? These days, there are many rumors outside, saying that Seventh Brother often mingles with opera performers. Opera performers are lowly people. Surely Seventh Brother wouldn't stoop to that?" Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu felt a sting in her heart. She forced a smile and said, "Where did you hear such talk, Mother? I don't think Seventh Brother would do such a thing." Mrs. Jin said, "I think so too. But since such rumors exist, you should advise him not to lose his dignity." Leng Qingqiu replied, "Yes, I often advise him." Mrs. Jin sat for a while longer before leaving. Alone, Leng Qingqiu grew more and more distressed. She thought about how she had dropped out of school for marriage, lost her virtue to Yanxi, and married into the Jin Family for his sake. Reflecting on these layers of thoughts and comparing them with her current circumstances, she felt that everything, from beginning to end, had been a mistake. At this realization, tears streamed down like rain.
In the evening, Yanxi returned, his face flushed and reeking of alcohol. Leng Qingqiu was reading a book. She glanced up as he entered, then continued reading. Yanxi said, "You are truly diligent, reading from morning till night." Leng Qingqiu replied, "Look at you, coming back drunk again. If you're drunk, go to sleep and don't disturb me." Yanxi retorted, "How strange you talk. This is my room. Why can't I come in?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Although this room is yours, you should enter with decorum and not bring in those vulgar airs from outside." Hearing this, Yanxi sneered and said, "What do you mean by that? How have I been vulgar outside? If you don't explain clearly, I won't let this rest today!" Leng Qingqiu put down her book and stood up. "What will you do if you don't let it rest? Your father has passed away, and the hundred days of mourning aren't even over. Yet you carry on with this debauchery. Can your conscience bear it?"
Yanxi said, "Don't bring up my father. While my father was alive, I did nothing wrong. And now, I haven't done anything wrong either. Do you think that since my father died, I should stay indoors day and night, keeping you company? Sorry, I can't do that." Leng Qingqiu said, "I don't need your company. But you should still exercise some restraint. There are many rumors outside, saying you mingle with opera performers every day." Yanxi replied, "So what if I mingle with opera performers? Society is equal now. Opera performers are people too. Why can't I be friends with them?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Being friends is fine, but you should still consider your own dignity." Yanxi retorted, "What dignity? Don't lecture me with such words. I find it hard to accept." Seeing Yanxi press his point relentlessly without yielding an inch, Leng Qingqiu turned pale with anger. She said, "Fine! Since you don't accept it, I won't say another word. From now on, I will absolutely not interfere in your affairs." With that, she angrily opened the cabinet door, took out a blanket, and a pillow, and placed them on the sofa.
Yanxi asked, "What are you doing?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "We'll sleep separately, so you won't be annoyed by me." Yanxi said, "You're being ridiculous. Occasional quarrels between husband and wife are common. Why go so far as to sleep apart?" Leng Qingqiu said, "It's not an occasional quarrel. I feel our temperaments are fundamentally incompatible. Sooner or later, we'll have to separate. It's better to do so early." Yanxi asked, "What do you mean by that? Do you want a divorce?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "Divorce? I haven't thought of that yet. But this constant bickering can't go on forever." Hearing this, Yanxi stood dumbfounded for a moment, then sighed and went to the bedside. Leng Qingqiu ignored him and lay down on the sofa.
The next day, Leng Qingqiu got up early and, without a word, went to Mrs. Jin's room. Mrs. Jin, noticing her slightly swollen and red eyes, asked, "Leng Qingqiu, what's wrong? Did you quarrel with Seventh Brother again?" Leng Qingqiu said, "We didn't quarrel, but I feel it's meaningless to live in the Jin Family like this. I want to move out." Hearing this, Mrs. Jin was startled. She said, "What nonsense is this? Did Seventh Brother bully you? Tell me, and I'll reprimand him." Leng Qingqiu replied, "It's not that Seventh Master bullied me, but I feel I'm superfluous here. It's better to move out and keep things clean." Mrs. Jin said, "Don't say such things. You married into the Jin Family, so you are part of the family. How can you talk of moving out? If Seventh Brother has done wrong, tell me, and I'll punish him."
Seeing Mrs. Jin's earnest persuasion, Leng Qingqiu's heart softened, and she couldn't bring herself to insist on moving out. She said, "Actually, Seventh Master hasn't done anything wrong. It's just that I feel our temperaments don't quite match." Mrs. Jin said, "Young couples always have occasional quarrels. With time, things will naturally improve. Why take it to heart? You're a clever person. You should think more broadly." Leng Qingqiu, seeing Mrs. Jin console her persistently, found it hard to say more. She sat for a while before returning to her room.
Back in the room, she saw Yanxi had already gotten up and was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Leng Qingqiu entered, but he paid no attention. Without a word, Leng Qingqiu went to freshen up. Afterward, seeing Yanxi still reading the newspaper, she asked, "What are your plans for amusement today?" Yanxi replied indifferently, "No plans. Probably going out again." Leng Qingqiu said, "Father has passed away, and the hundred days aren't over. If you keep running out every day, people might gossip, don't you think?" Yanxi put down the newspaper and said, "You're lecturing me again. Didn't I say yesterday? I don't want you meddling in my affairs." Seeing the conversation going nowhere, Leng Qingqiu said no more. She picked up a book and sat aside to read.
Yanxi sat for a while, feeling bored, then changed into a set of clothing and prepared to go out again. Leng Qingqiu couldn't help asking, "Where are you going?" Yanxi said, "None of your business." With that, he walked out. Seeing him like this, Leng Qingqiu angrily threw the book onto the table, leaned over it, and wept again.
Yanxi went out without a specific destination, simply unwilling to stay home and endure Leng Qingqiu's stifling anger. He got into an automobile and told the driver to head to the market. There, he ordered a pot of tea at a teahouse, bought a few newspapers, and spent the morning reading and drinking tea. Still bored, he went to a theater to watch an opera. After the show, he went to a restaurant for dinner. There, he ran into two friends who pulled him along for drinks. Yanxi, feeling listless, now had company and drank to his heart's content until he was drunk. It wasn't until eleven at night that he finally returned home.
At home, he saw Leng Qingqiu was already asleep. Feeling somewhat ashamed, he quietly went to bed. The next day, he woke up very late, and Leng Qingqiu had long been up. Yanxi got up, washed his face, and was about to go out when Leng Qingqiu said, "What exactly do you do all day outside? Father has passed away, and there are many family matters you should attend to." Yanxi replied, "What family matters need my attention? As long as there's money to spend and food to eat, isn't that enough?" Leng Qingqiu said, "All you care about is having money and food. Do you know that since Father's death, the family income has decreased significantly? We need to be more frugal from now on."
Yanxi laughed and said, "You're quite the accountant. But for a family like ours, even if we economize, how much can we save? We'd only become a laughingstock." Leng Qingqiu said, "Economizing isn't shameful. What is there to laugh at? When Father was alive, the family income was high, and expenses were large-that was understandable. But now, with less income, if we continue spending as before, we'll likely fall into debt within two years." Yanxi said, "If we go into debt, we'll deal with it then. Father hasn't been gone long. How can I bother with such trivial accounts now?" With that, he prepared to go out again.
Leng Qingqiu said, "Going out again? I advise you to rest at home today." Yanxi replied, "I feel stifled at home. It's better to go out." Seeing she couldn't stop him, Leng Qingqiu let him be. After Yanxi left, Leng Qingqiu thought to herself, how could this situation ever resolve? Since she had married him, she naturally hoped for his betterment. If he continued this debauchery without attending to proper business, he would surely ruin the family. With Father gone, there was no responsible person managing the household. Eldest Brother Feng Ju was also someone who only knew how to spend, not earn. The other brothers were even more focused on amusement. This family property seemed unlikely to last long.
Thinking this, Leng Qingqiu grew very anxious. She decided to wait for Yanxi to return and advise him properly. But when Yanxi came back that day, he was drunk again, and Leng Qingqiu couldn't utter a single word of what she had intended. The next day, Yanxi went out early again. Helpless, Leng Qingqiu went to Mrs. Jin's room to discuss the matter with her.
Mrs. Jin, seeing her troubled expression, asked, "What's worrying you now?" Leng Qingqiu said, "I see Seventh Master playing outside every day without caring for family affairs. What will become of us in the future? I was hoping you could advise him." Mrs. Jin sighed and said, "Haven't I advised him? But he doesn't listen. What can I do? This child was pampered since childhood. Now that his father is gone, he's even less restrained." Leng Qingqiu said, "If he continues like this, I fear the family property won't last long." Mrs. Jin replied, "I'm worried about that too. Since your father passed away, the family income is less than a third of what it was, yet expenses remain the same. What can we do? I've spoken to your Eldest Brother, telling him to be more frugal, but he loves spending too. My words fall on deaf ears."
Leng Qingqiu said, "Since you know this, Mother, you should take action. We can't just watch this continue." Mrs. Jin said, "I've already made up my mind: we should divide the family property." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu was startled. She said, "Divide the family? Father hasn't been gone a hundred days. How can we talk of dividing the family?" Mrs. Jin said, "I've had this thought for a while, but while your father was alive, I couldn't bring it up. Now that he's gone, if I don't mention it, I fear this family property will be squandered by them. I want to divide the property while I still have breath, so each can manage their own share. For better or worse, I won't interfere anymore."
Seeing Mrs. Jin's firm resolve, Leng Qingqiu knew it couldn't be changed. She said, "Since you've decided to divide the family, I naturally have no say as a daughter-in-law. But after the division, Seventh Master will have even less restraint. I'm afraid he'll act even more recklessly." Mrs. Jin said, "After the division, if he acts recklessly, he'll be spending his own money. Once it's gone, he'll learn hardship. Now, he's spending from the common pool, so he doesn't feel the pain." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu also found it reasonable and said no more. She sat for a while before returning to her room.
In the evening, when Yanxi returned, Leng Qingqiu told him, "Today, Mother said she plans to divide the family property." Yanxi heard this and laughed. "Divide the family? That's great! After the division, I'll be free. No more of your constant nagging about my spending." Leng Qingqiu said, "All you think about is freedom. Do you know that your share of the family property is limited? If you keep spending recklessly, it'll be gone in a few years." Yanxi said, "Don't worry. I have plans. After the division, with money in hand, I'll embark on a grand venture. You'll see." Hearing him talk like this, Leng Qingqiu knew it was empty boasting with no substance. She felt even more troubled and stopped discussing it with him.
A few days later, Mrs. Jin indeed called the four brothers-Feng Ju, He Sun, Peng Zhen, and Yanxi-together to discuss dividing the family. Feng Ju said, "Father hasn't been gone long. How can we divide the family so soon? People might gossip." Mrs. Jin replied, "Am I more afraid of gossip than of the family property being squandered? None of you brothers know how to earn money, only how to spend. If we don't divide now, this family property will be wasted by you. My mind is made up. No more arguments. Just discuss how to divide it."
Peng Zhen said, "Since you insist on dividing, Mother, we sons naturally cannot disobey. But as for the method of division, we leave it to you." Mrs. Jin said, "My idea is to pool all current cash, stock, land, and house, divide it into four equal shares, and distribute one to each of you four brothers. As for the family's antique, calligraphy and painting, clothing, and jewelry, these are my cherished possessions. I won't divide them for now. After my death, you can dispose of them as you wish."
Hearing this, Yanxi calculated inwardly that such a division would give him several hundred thousand, which pleased him greatly. He said, "Mother's method is fair. I agree." Feng Ju and He Sun, seeing their mother's determination and Yanxi's agreement, found it hard to object. Mrs. Jin, seeing no dissent, said, "Since you all agree, I'll hire a lawyer to formalize the division. Afterward, each of you will establish your own households. I won't bother managing you anymore."
Thus, the matter of dividing the family was decided. Leng Qingqiu, listening on the side, felt an indescribable bitterness. Watching this once-grand family property about to split into four parts, each going its own way, she recalled the lively days when Jin Quan was alive. Now, reduced to such desolation and even division, it was truly too painful to look back.
A few days later, Mrs. Jin indeed hired a lawyer and divided the family property into four shares, managed separately by Feng Ju, He Sun, Peng Zhen, and Yanxi. Mrs. Jin kept a portion for her own retirement and, along with the concubines Aunt Cui and Second Concubine, continued living in the original residence. Feng Ju, He Sun, and Peng Zhen moved out with their families. Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu also received a house and moved out.
Leng Qingqiu followed Yanxi to their newly allotted house. It was also an old estate, but far inferior to Jin Quan's Premier's Residence. Yanxi, however, was delighted, thinking he was now free to do as he pleased. Leng Qingqiu, seeing the family divided and Yanxi still so foolish, grew even more anxious. But there was nothing she could do. She had to take each day as it came.
After the division, Yanxi, with cash in hand, indulged in even greater extravagance. Today he hosted banquets, tomorrow he gambled. Within a few months, he had spent half of his allotted cash. Leng Qingqiu advised him, but he wouldn't listen. Sometimes, when her advice grew urgent, he would quarrel with her. Leng Qingqiu, unable to bear it, would move to another room to sleep. Though living in the same house, they were like two separate households, rarely speaking.
By now, the hundred days since Jin Quan's death had passed. Mrs. Jin, depressed by the family's fragmentation, decided to go to the Western Hills for a while to change her surroundings. Feng Ju and his brothers dared not stop her. Mrs. Jin took Aunt Cui, Second Concubine, and some servants to the Western Hills.
With Mrs. Jin gone, Yanxi became even more unrestrained. He simply stopped returning home, renting a small residence outside where he lived with the opera performers, the White Lotus sisters, indulging in pleasure. Leng Qingqiu at home was furious to death, but there was nothing she could do. She could only spend her days weeping.
Dear Yanxi: We have been married for barely a year, yet you have changed so drastically, far beyond my expectations. I have completely lost hope in you now. Since you prefer the White Lotus sisters, stay with them. I will no longer interfere. From today onward, I am separating from you. When you come to your senses someday, we may meet again. Our marriage was freely entered into. I had hoped to grow old with you, but given the current situation, I fear that wish may not come true. Writing this letter pains me deeply, but I must do it. Please take care.
Yanxi read the letter and sneered. He said to Jin Rong, "Go back and tell the young mistress that since she wants to separate, so be it. I'll return in a few days to settle things with her." Jin Rong agreed and left. White Lotus asked from the side, "Whose letter is it?" Yanxi said, "It's from your first wife. She wants to separate from me." White Lotus laughed. "That's great! If she separates from you, you can stay here permanently." Yanxi smiled. "That's what I think too." With that, he stuffed the letter into his pocket and continued playing cards, not giving it another thought.
After sending the letter, Leng Qingqiu knew Yanxi wouldn't return and held no hope. Alone in her room, she reflected on the past and present, unable to hold back tears. She thought, if she had known it would come to this, why had she married him? But now, having fallen into his trap, what was there to say? She could only look after herself.
From that day on, Leng Qingqiu lived alone in the allotted house, keeping to herself and finding companionship only in books. As for Yanxi, after receiving Leng Qingqiu's letter, he reveled in his freedom, not even returning home, spending all his time with the White Lotus sisters. After the division of the Jin Family, Feng Ju, He Sun, and Peng Zhen each went their own way, with little interaction. Thus, the once-magnificent Residence of Premier Jin fragmented into disarray, a shadow of its former self.