Explore Chapter 8 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, Yanxi, along with Xiuzhu and Mei Li, at the foot of the Western Hills, had crashed into someone's donkey, injuring its owner as well. They gave the man several dozen dollars at the time, which naturally pleased him. Yanxi, Xiuzhu, and Mei Li had come in high spirits but returned in low spirits, greatly displeased. Xiuzhu blamed Yanxi for driving too carelessly, while Mei Li remained silent. Yanxi offered no defense, saw Xiuzhu home, and then went back himself.
Upon arriving home, Jin Rong greeted him, saying, "Seventh Master, you've returned just in time. The house on Quan'er Hutong has been tidied up. Would you like to go and see it?" Yanxi replied, "Of course I want to see it. Tell Zhang Shun to prepare the automobile. I'll go right away." Jin Rong assented and left. Yanxi went to the main residence, paid his respects to his mother, Mrs. Jin, exchanged a few words, then came out, boarded the automobile, and headed straight for Quan'er Hutong.
Arriving at the new house, he found it completely renewed. The furnishings inside and the flowers and trees in the courtyard were all arranged in perfect order. Yanxi was overjoyed. He sat down in the study and asked Jin Rong to invite Song Runqing over. Soon, Song Runqing arrived. Yanxi discussed poetry and literature with him, finding him very congenial. Song Runqing said, "Mr. Jin, you've fixed up this house so beautifully. It truly reflects the refined taste of a cultured person." Yanxi laughed and replied, "How can I be considered cultured? I merely seek some peace and quiet."
As they spoke, Nanny Han from Mrs. Leng's side brought over a tray of pastries, saying they were a gift from Mrs. Leng for Young Master Jin to sample. Yanxi promptly expressed his thanks and asked Nanny Han to set them down. Nanny Han said, "Our mistress says that Young Master Jin has sent over so many things. She feels truly embarrassed. These simple pastries are nothing much." Yanxi responded, "Please convey my thanks to Mrs. Leng. I'll pay my respects to her another day." Nanny Han assented and left.
Yanxi said to Song Runqing, "Mrs. Leng is really too polite." Song Runqing replied, "My relative knows that Mr. Jin is a scholar, so she holds you in high esteem." Yanxi, thinking of Leng Qingqiu, asked, "Is Miss Leng at home today?" Song Runqing said, "She is. She's busy making spring attire." Yanxi asked, "But spring is almost over. Why make spring clothes now?" Song Runqing explained, "Her classmate is getting married. She needs to wear new clothes to the wedding banquet, so she's hurrying to finish them."
Yanxi took this to heart. After Song Runqing left, he called Jin Rong over and instructed, "Go to the jewelry shop and pick out some fine pearl jewelry, suitable for a female student. Keep it simple and elegant. Have it boxed up and delivered here." Jin Rong asked, "Is it for Miss Leng?" Yanxi nodded. Jin Rong understood and left.
The next day, Jin Rong brought the jewelry box. Yanxi opened it to find a pearl necklace, a pair of pearl earrings, and a pearl brooch, all lustrous and perfectly round, gleaming brilliantly. Yanxi was very satisfied. He told Jin Rong to deliver it to the Leng Residence, saying it was a gift from him to Miss Leng to add to her trousseau, congratulating her on her classmate's wedding joy. Jin Rong followed orders and left.
Over at the Leng residence, Leng Qingqiu was sewing clothing, with Mrs. Leng and Nanny Han assisting by her side. Suddenly, Jin Rong arrived with a brocade box, saying it was a gift from Seventh Master Jin for the young lady. Leng Qingqiu opened it to see the pearl jewelry. She said to Mrs. Leng, "Mother, this gift is too valuable. We cannot accept it." Mrs. Leng also said, "Exactly. Young Master Jin has already sent so many things. How can we accept this pearl jewelry?"
Jin Rong said, "Our Seventh Master says it's just a small token for Miss Leng's classmate's wedding. He insists that you accept it. If it's returned, it would put Seventh Master in an awkward position." Mrs. Leng hesitated, unsure. Song Runqing, standing nearby, said, "Mr. Jin means well. Elder sister, you should accept it. We can return the favor later." Seeing Song Runqing say this, Mrs. Leng told Leng Qingqiu, "Since that's the case, you should accept it."
Leng Qingqiu had no choice but to accept. After Jin Rong left, Leng Qingqiu took out the jewelry to examine it closely. Indeed, they were fine pearls, and she felt secretly pleased. Mrs. Leng said, "Young Master Jin is so thoughtful. I really don't know how to repay him." Song Runqing smiled and said, "Mr. Jin is a broad-minded person who doesn't care about such things. We just need to remember his kindness in our hearts."
Leng Qingqiu put on the pearl necklace and looked in the mirror. It made her skin appear like jade, even more refined and captivating. Nanny Han praised from the side, "Young lady, wearing this, you truly look like a fairy from a painting." Leng Qingqiu felt embarrassed and quickly took it off, placing it back in the box.
Two days later, Yanxi invited Song Runqing over, saying that at Liu Baoshan's residence, a peony flower party was being held. Several friends, including female guests, had been invited, and he asked Mr. Song to come and enjoy himself. Song Runqing said, "How am I fit to attend such a grand gathering?" Yanxi replied, "They're all acquaintances. Mr. Song, no need to stand on ceremony." Song Runqing agreed.
On that day, Yanxi and Song Runqing rode together in the automobile to Liu Baoshan's residence. They saw the courtyard filled with blooming peonies, red and white intermingling, as resplendent as brocade. Quite a few guests had arrived, men and women, creating a lively scene. Second Miss Wu was also there, wearing a bright red cheongsam, dressed to the nines, chatting and laughing with several male guests.
Yanxi saw Second Miss Wu and merely nodded. He then went with Song Runqing to drink tea under the flower trellis. Liu Baoshan came over to greet them, laughing, "Old Seventh, why are you so reserved today? Won't you go chat with Miss Wu?" Yanxi said, "Today I'm accompanying Mr. Song to admire the flowers. I'm not here for anything else."
Soon, the stage performance began, featuring "The Playful Dragon and the Phoenix." Second Miss Wu and several female guests sat in the front row, watching with great interest. Yanxi gazed from afar and saw Second Miss Wu leaning very close to a man beside her, whispering and laughing intimately. Yanxi recalled Feng Ju's words and felt somewhat uneasy.
Song Runqing, however, was captivated by the performance. He said to Yanxi, "This opera is quite well-sung." Yanxi replied noncommittally. During the intermission, Liu Baoshan invited everyone to the banquet for dinner. During the meal, there was raucous drinking games and a general clamor. Yanxi forced himself to socialize, his mind only on Leng Qingqiu, wondering what she was doing that day.
Arriving at Quan'er Hutong, Yanxi saw Song Runqing home, then went to the new house himself. Jin Rong greeted him, saying, "Seventh Master, Miss Leng went out today to attend her classmate's wedding." Yanxi asked, "Oh? What clothing did she wear?" Jin Rong replied, "According to Nanny Han, she wore that lotus-root-colored silk long gown and the pearl necklace. She looked absolutely stunning."
Yanxi sat alone for a while, then took out his diary and wrote a few lines, recording the day's events. After writing, he leaned back in his chair, thinking about how to take the next step to get closer to Leng Qingqiu. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a zither from next door, melodious and graceful. It was Leng Qingqiu playing. Yanxi listened intently until the music stopped, only then awakening as if from a dream.
By now, the moonlight had risen, casting a clear glow into the room. Yanxi walked into the courtyard and saw light flickering in the upstairs window next door, with shadows moving. He thought: That must be Leng Qingqiu's boudoir. How he regretted the wall between them, unable to fly over. He stared blankly for a long while before finally returning to his room to rest.