Explore Chapter 94 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.
It is said that Leng Qingqiu, after returning from Jin Residence that day, began to feel unwell. At first, she thought it was just a chill and paid it no mind. However, after a few days, her condition worsened instead, until she was confined to her bed.
Jin Yanxi initially came to see her once or twice daily, but gradually grew negligent. Sometimes he would not return home for entire days. Leng Qingqiu, lying alone on her sickbed, pondered over things, and suspicions began to arise in her mind.
One day, while she was in a daze, she suddenly overheard the maids whispering outside the window. They said that Yanxi had been getting very close to Miss Bai Xiuzhu recently, often meeting at some club. Upon hearing this, Leng Qingqiu felt as if cold water had been poured over her head, breaking out in a cold sweat.
With great effort, she propped herself up and called for her personal maid, Nanny Han, to inquire in detail. Seeing her frail condition, Nanny Han could not bear to hide the truth and had to briefly mention Yanxi's recent whereabouts. After hearing this, Leng Qingqiu felt even more distressed, and her illness grew worse.
When Yanxi returned, Leng Qingqiu wanted to ask but held back. Yanxi only offered a few perfunctory words before finding an excuse to go out again. Left alone with the solitary lamp, Leng Qingqiu recalled the attentiveness Yanxi had shown when courting her, contrasting it with his current neglect, and tears streamed down her face.
From then on, grievances lodged in both their hearts, and the crack in their affection deepened day by day. Leng Qingqiu, already weakened by illness and further tormented by this anguish, grew increasingly haggard in appearance.
As for Yanxi, with numerous social engagements outside and Bai Xiuzhu deliberately currying favor, he completely forgot about his ailing wife at home. Even when he occasionally returned, it was only for a brief visit, without a single word of tenderness.
Tossing and turning on her sickbed, Leng Qingqiu reflected in secret. Since marrying into the Jin Family, she had enjoyed a few days of wealth and comfort, but now she had come to such a desolate end. If she had known this would happen, why did she ever agree in the first place?
That day, Yanxi again did not return for the night. Leng Qingqiu waited until dawn, utterly exhausted. She called for Nanny Han to bring paper and brush, and with difficulty wrote a few lines, which were words of self-pity. After writing, she found them meaningless, tore them up, and tossed them aside.
Nanny Han comforted her by saying, "Young Mistress, please rest easy and recuperate. Master Yanxi is young and loves amusement. In a few days, he will naturally change his mind." Leng Qingqiu smiled bitterly and said, "Change his mind? I'm afraid that's unlikely."
Just as they were speaking, the sound of footsteps was heard outside the door. It was Yanxi returning. Leng Qingqiu hastily wiped away her tears and pretended to be asleep. Yanxi entered the room, glanced at Leng Qingqiu lying with her face to the wall, asked no questions, changed his clothing, and went out again.
From then on, the rift between Leng Qingqiu and Jin Yanxi deepened daily. One lay ill and wounded in spirit, while the other roamed free outside. Their former love and affection had long since vanished like smoke.