Explore Chapter 98 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.
Jin Yanxi since his father's death, the family had fallen into decline. His brothers had gone their separate ways, each making a living. One day, he happened to return to the old house. He saw the courtyard overgrown with weeds, the former glory now a thing of the past.
He strolled into main quarters. Spider webs and dust covered everything. Tables and chairs were askew, a scene of desolation. Recalling the days when guests filled the halls with laughter and chatter, he couldn't help but shed tears.
While lost in sorrow, he suddenly heard laughter from next door. Walking over to look, it was Xiaolian chatting with a few elderly maids. Xiaolian had now been adopted as a foster daughter by his mother. Dressed and adorned, she resembled a young lady.
Xiaolian seeing Yanxi arrive, hurried forward to pay her respects. She said, "Seventh Master, what brings you back today with leisure?" Yanxi sighed and said, "I came back to see, never expecting it to be so desolate." Xiaolian said, "Madam often says, with the family fortunes like this, it's helpless. Now we only hope that the young masters will rouse themselves sooner and restore the family's honor."
Yanxi asked about the recent situation at home. Xiaolian told him everything. It turned out that Mrs. Jin, due to financial difficulties, had dismissed many servants. She kept only a few trusted ones. Xiaolian, because of her loyalty and cleverness, had won Madam's favor. She was even adopted as a foster daughter, treated no differently from a young lady.
Yanxi listened, feeling a myriad of emotions. He thought back to when Xiaolian was merely a maid. Now she had become half a mistress. Truly, the world is ever-changing. He also thought of Leng Qingqiu. Since their divorce, there had been no news of her. He wondered where she had drifted to.
After talking with Xiaolian for a while, Yanxi took his leave and went out. Walking in the desolate courtyard, the sun set in the west. He felt even more forlorn. He secretly resolved to strive hard and restore the family's reputation.
Returning to his own dwelling, he saw that Leng Qingqiu's old belongings were still there. Stirred by the scene, he felt another wave of sorrow. That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Thinking back and forth, before he knew it, dawn was breaking.