Explore Chapter 11 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 returning in the carriage alongside Leng Qingqiu that day, her image lingered incessantly in Jin Yanxi’s thoughts. The following day, he found a pretext to call at the Leng residence. Song Runqing received him, and after the usual courtesies were exchanged, Yanxi inquired after Leng Qingqiu. "She is reading inside," said Song Runqing. "Might I trouble you to ask her to step out for a moment?" Yanxi inquired. Song Runqing then dispatched Nanny Han to summon her.
Leng Qingqiu emerged and, upon seeing Yanxi, gave a slight nod. Yanxi said, "Your instruction the other day proved most enlightening. Today, I came specifically to seek your counsel." Leng Qingqiu replied, "You flatter me, Master Jin. What little could I possibly know?" Yanxi then produced several poetry collections and began discussing them with her. Leng Qingqiu’s views were singularly perceptive, and Yanxi found himself utterly captivated.
In the midst of their conversation, they suddenly heard the sound of feminine laughter outside. It proved to be Second Miss Wu and Qiu Xizhen paying a visit. "So, Seventh Master is here, indulging in such refined pastimes!" Second Miss Wu said with a laugh. Yanxi hurriedly rose to greet them. Noticing Leng Qingqiu seated there, Second Miss Wu asked, "And who might this be?" Yanxi introduced her: "This is Miss Leng Qingqiu." Second Miss Wu looked Leng Qingqiu over. Though she wore light makeup and simple attire, she possessed a distinct and uncommon grace, which secretly astonished the visitor.
Leng Qingqiu, observing that Second Miss Wu was fashionably dressed and spoke with a lively directness, knew at once she was a habitué of the social whirl. After exchanging a few words with her, Second Miss Wu, finding Leng Qingqiu’s conversation exceptionally refined, found herself rather taken with the girl. Qiu Xizhen, however, merely jested and laughed with Yanxi, paying Leng Qingqiu scant heed.
After sitting a while, Second Miss Wu invited Yanxi to attend a soirée. Yanxi declined. "So, now that Seventh Master has new friends, he pays us no mind," said Second Miss Wu. "Not at all," Yanxi hastily assured her. "I shall certainly accompany you another day." Only then did Second Miss Wu depart with a smile.
Yanxi conversed with Leng Qingqiu a little longer before finally taking his leave. On the journey home, he mused that Leng Qingqiu possessed a rare and penetrating intelligence, setting her quite apart from ordinary women. This only served to fortify his resolve to win her heart.
Upon returning home, he saw Mei Li running over. "Seventh Brother, where have you been? Sister Xiuzhu telephoned for you." "I went out to attend to some business," Yanxi replied. "Sister Xiuzhu sounded quite displeased. You’d better watch your step," Mei Li cautioned. Yanxi acknowledged her words, but his thoughts remained fixed solely on Leng Qingqiu.
The next day, Yanxi sent another gift to the Leng residence. Mrs. Leng felt profoundly embarrassed. "For Master Jin to incur such expense-how can we accept gifts so often?" said Leng Qingqiu. "Quite so," agreed Mrs. Leng, "yet to refuse outright might seem discourteous." Leng Qingqiu suggested, "Perhaps we might send something in return." Mrs. Leng thought this an excellent idea.
Leng Qingqiu thus personally embroidered a handkerchief and presented it to Yanxi. He received it as a priceless treasure and thereafter kept it constantly on his person.
Now, after that day’s encounter with Leng Qingqiu, Second Miss Wu had made inquiries and learned she was a lady of modest means, yet possessed of both talent and beauty. Second Miss Wu herself had long harbored feelings for Yanxi; now, seeing his heart so captured by Leng Qingqiu, she could not help but feel a sour twinge of jealousy. One day, she invited Yanxi to a café and asked, "Seventh Master, what manner of lady is this Miss Leng, that she holds you so spellbound?" Yanxi said, "She is a lady of refined simplicity, quite unlike the denizens of the social whirl." Second Miss Wu gave a cold laugh. "So that is the type Seventh Master favors." Yanxi offered no reply.
Second Miss Wu continued, "I counsel you to take care. Such women may appear innocent, but their schemes run deep." "I know where to draw the line," Yanxi replied. Seeing he would not be swayed, Second Miss Wu left in a fit of pique.
From then on, Yanxi became an even more frequent visitor to the Leng residence, and the affection between him and Leng Qingqiu grew with each passing day. Though aware of Yanxi’s illustrious family background, Leng Qingqiu was moved by his sincerity, and tender feelings gradually stirred within her heart.
One day, Yanxi invited Leng Qingqiu to attend the opera. She was at first reluctant, but in the end could not withstand his earnest entreaties and consented. Sitting side by side in the theatre, Yanxi attended to her every need with the utmost care, filling Leng Qingqiu’s heart with warmth.
After the performance, Yanxi escorted Leng Qingqiu home. In the carriage, Yanxi said, "Leng Qingqiu… I have something I must tell you." "What is it?" she asked. "My feelings… my feelings for you are sincere," he stammered. Leng Qingqiu lowered her head in silence. Yanxi reached for her hand. She drew it back gently, yet her manner held no sharp rejection.
Once home, Leng Qingqiu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Memories of Yanxi-his words, his attentions-flooded her mind, bringing a flush of happiness tempered by a deep-seated anxiety.