Explore Chapter 97 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, after Jin Yanxi lost his official position that day, his household grew increasingly desolate day by day. In the past, carriages and horses crowded his gate. Now, sparrows could be caught at the door, truly revealing the fickleness of human relationships and the vicissitudes of the world.
Yanxi sat alone in the study, brooding. He remembered how glorious things were when his father was alive. But now, with the tree fallen, the monkeys have scattered, and there was no one to consult with. After much thought, he had no choice but to seek help from his wife, that is, Leng Qingqiu.
Since separating from Yanxi, Leng Qingqiu had been living in a small building outside the city, reciting Buddhist scriptures and chanting sutras daily, detached from worldly affairs. When Yanxi arrived at the small building, he saw the courtyard was quiet and still, and could not help but feel ashamed.
Entering, he found Leng Qingqiu sitting by the window reading a book. Seeing Yanxi arrive, she did not rise, only asking indifferently, "Seventh Master, what brings you here today with such leisure?" Upon hearing this, Yanxi felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
Yanxi then told her about losing his official position and added, "Now the household is in dire straits, I hope you can lend me a hand." Leng Qingqiu sighed and said, "I advised you long ago to restrain yourself, but you wouldn't listen. Now you come to me for help. What can a weak woman like me do?"
The two sat in silence for a while. After some time, Leng Qingqiu finally said, "I still have some private savings here. Take them to tide you over. But I hope you will reform from now on and take good care of yourself." Yanxi took the money, his face flushed with shame.
Returning home, Yanxi reflected on the past. His fluctuating life seemed like a dream. When he first met Leng Qingqiu on Falling Flowers Lane, how enchanting it was. Yet now things had come to such a state. Truly, fate plays tricks on people.
While lost in sighing, a servant suddenly came to report that an old friend had come to visit. Yanxi hurried out to meet him. It turned out to be a friend from the old poetry club days, who was also down on his luck now. The two faced each other with sighs, talking about old times, filled with emotion.
After seeing his friend off, Yanxi strolled alone in the garden. He saw that the once-bustling pavilions and towers were now desolate. Only the plants and trees remained as before, and he could not hold back his tears.
That night, Yanxi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He remembered all the kindness of Leng Qingqiu and thought of his own folly, regretting it too late. Only at dawn did he drift into a fitful sleep.