Explore Chapter 4 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.
The second plan Yanxi had in mind could not be pursued outside; he had to start planning at home. Asking the men in the family for money was difficult since everyone was tight on funds, so it seemed more prudent to approach the womenfolk. Among them, his eldest sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, and Aunt Cui could probably lend him some. His mother might also give him a little. Having decided, without further deliberation, he first went to find Aunt Cui, walking into the courtyard and deliberately making his footsteps heavier.
Hearing Aunt Cui speaking alone inside, probably on the phone, Yanxi did not enter but stood in the courtyard, listening to what she said. He heard Aunt Cui speaking in Suzhou dialect: "What rotten luck! I lost over twelve hundred dollars last night. I didn't even get to play four rounds properly. Because I came back a bit late, the old man wouldn't have it." Yanxi thought to himself that it was no use asking her now. She had lost over a thousand dollars last night and must be somewhat unhappy today. With that thought, he went to find his third sister-in-law, Wang Yufen. This row of houses had three courtyards, where his father lived with one wife and two concubines. Behind this row were two courtyards where his elder brothers and their wives resided. In the middle was a passage hall, and beyond it were two courtyards where Yanxi's three sisters and third brother Jin Pengzhen and his wife lived separately.
Coming from Aunt Cui's place, Yanxi followed the western veranda along the wall and turned through the moon gate into second brother Jin Hesun's courtyard. Upon entering, he saw his second sister-in-law, Cheng Huichang, walking out with a large stack of booklets in her hands. Spotting Yanxi, she rushed forward, grabbed his hand, and said, "Old Seventh, I was just looking for you." As she spoke, she placed the stack of booklets on a rockery stone. Then she pulled out another booklet and handed it to Yanxi, saying, "You should contribute too." Yanxi looked and saw it was a donation book for the Huiming Girls' School. He smiled and said, "Second Sister-in-law, when there's something good, you don't think of me, but for something like this, you come to me. I think you should go find Father instead." Cheng Huichang sneered, "Find Father? Forget it, don't go looking for trouble! Last time I gave him a copy of the Women's Advancement Association charter, and before I could even speak, he frowned and said, 'Who's trying to show off again? They'll probably ask for donations. If I have money, I'd rather help the poor than give it to them for show.' I didn't dare say another word and just left." Yanxi talked while flipping through the donation book. Some had written fifty dollars, others thirty. Fifth sister Minzhi and sixth sister Runzhi had both written fifty. Cheng Huichang herself had written the most, two hundred dollars. Yanxi smiled and said, "If you're starting with the eldest, you shouldn't come to me first; you should go to Eldest Brother. If by closeness, you shouldn't start with me either; you should find Second Brother." Huichang replied, "I was actually going to find Eldest Brother, but I ran into you, so here I am." Yanxi asked, "What about Second Brother?" Huichang said, "He has money, but he won't spend it like this. He'd rather squander it in the alleyways." Just then, Yanxi's second brother, He Sun, rushed out from inside and said, "Didn't I donate? I gave you money, and you threw it on the ground." Huichang retorted, "Who wants your ten dollars? If I write it down and people ask, it'll just embarrass me. It's better if you don't donate at all." Yanxi had originally planned to give ten dollars, but hearing that Second Brother's ten dollars had been rejected, he smiled and said, "Since both elder sisters gave fifty, I'll write thirty." Huichang laughed, "Old Seventh, you're quite polite." Yanxi chuckled. Huichang added, "I'll be blunt. Your Jin Family siblings should swap roles. The young ladies should become young masters, and the young masters should become young ladies." He Sun smiled, "You're the one to say that. Didn't Fifth and Sixth Sister donate more?" Huichang said, "Their hearts are naturally much broader than yours. Even Eighth Sister, young as she is, is better than you brothers." He Sun smiled at Yanxi and said, "Money is truly something. It really creates an atmosphere."
Yanxi was eager to borrow money and didn't want to get entangled with them. He said to Huichang, "Second Sister-in-law, just write it down for me. I don't have the money on me now; I'll send it over later." With that, he headed back. Walking behind, he saw Wang Yufen wearing an apricot-yellow cheongsam, standing with her back to the full-length mirror, repeatedly turning to look at her reflection. Her husband, Jin Pengzhen, called from inside, "This is so annoying! You said you'd leave at one o'clock, and it's already two, and you're still not ready. Forget it, I'm not waiting." Yufen said, "What's the rush? We can't just leave like you men, at a moment's notice." Peng Zhen asked, "Why not?" Yufen replied, "You can wait or not. This is how I am when I go out." Yanxi saw his brother and sister-in-law bickering yet flirting, so he didn't dare enter and coughed outside the door. Yufen turned and smiled, "Old Seventh, you have time to visit me! No one comes to the temple without a reason. You must want something." Yanxi laughed, "Third Sister-in-law, your opera skills are improving. You open your mouth with opera lines." Yufen smiled, "What's that? I'll perform an opera for you tomorrow." Yanxi said, "I heard the Deng ladies have organized a Brilliance Society. Are you involved, Third Sister-in-law?" Yufen gestured toward the room with her mouth and waved her hand, saying, "I don't associate with them. I learned a few songs from Hua Yuexiang." Yanxi remarked, "No wonder. I was wondering why young ladies would promote female performers. So it's about learning from them as teachers." Yufen began, "Who's like..." but Peng Zhen interrupted, "Enough, enough. No need to go out. Just sit down and chat about opera." Yufen insisted, "I will chat, I will! Who are you to stop me?" Yanxi saw the couple about to leave and smiled as he walked away.
Back in his room, Yanxi muttered to himself, "What bad luck! I intended to borrow money, but ended up donating thirty dollars. With this, I can't buy the house." He sat alone, brooding. After a few hours, Jin Rong returned and said, "I met that Wang Desheng again. We talked for a long time, but couldn't agree on a price." Yanxi said, "I don't necessarily want that dilapidated house; we can just rent it for a few months. But one thing: if we rent, I want both connected houses together." Jin Rong asked, "One of those houses is already occupied. How can we rent it?" Yanxi explained, "I mean subletting. I don't need the tenant to move out. Why wouldn't that work?" Jin Rong thought for a moment, understood Yanxi's intention, and said, "It might work, but Wang Desheng is very cunning. I'm afraid he'll try to overcharge us." Yanxi impatiently said, "Let him overcharge! How much could it be? At most a thousand dollars a month." Jin Rong exclaimed, "That much?" Yanxi concluded, "Then it's settled! I give you two days to get it done. If not, I won't let it slide." Jin Rong tried to speak further, but Yanxi cut him off, "No more talk. Just do it. If you don't, I'll find someone else." Jin Rong dared not argue and left.
The next day, Jin Rong met Wang Desheng again at the wine shop, offering a high price upfront: one hundred fifty dollars for renting both places. After much back-and-forth, they settled on two hundred dollars a month, with an extra hundred as a tip for Wang Desheng. Wang Desheng hesitated for a while and said, "The rent is enough. But we can't rent out the Leng Residence house. If the owner asks why you want to sublet, what do I say?" Jin Rong suggested, "Just say it's for convenience." Wang Desheng questioned, "Convenience for what? One gate faces Circle Lane, the other Falling Flowers Lane, with no connection. The tenant is settled there. If we rent it from under them and then sublet it back, wouldn't that be a joke?" Jin Rong thought that made sense and stayed silent. Wang Desheng suddenly had an idea, smiled, and said to Jin Rong, "I have a method. You don't need to rent that house, and I guarantee your young master will be pleased." He explained his plan to Jin Rong. Jin Rong laughed, "Excellent! Let's do that." Wang Desheng said, "The rent doesn't need to be so high; one hundred fifty will do. But..." Jin Rong assured him, "Naturally, what I promised stands. With your plan, we save fifty a month, and I'll add another hundred for your trouble. But our young master is impatient. The sooner, the better." Wang Desheng replied, "The house is right here. There's no delay. Once you pay the rent, it's done." Jin Rong saw the deal was settled and went back to report. Yanxi was satisfied and wrote a thousand-dollar check, handing it to Jin Rong to arrange the house and furnishings. He gave a three-day deadline, with plans to move in on the fourth day. Jin Rong knew his temper and worked day and night, hiring over a dozen paperhangers to refurbish the house immediately. The owner, a man in the antique business who knew how to profit, was more than willing to rent out the old house for one hundred fifty dollars a month. Wang Desheng spun a tale, and the owner believed it.
On the afternoon of the third day, Yanxi rode in an automobile to see the new house. Wang Desheng, the caretaker, was there supervising the workers. Yanxi saw that every room was freshly papered and sparkling clean, with the inside and outside thoroughly swept, no longer looking dilapidated. Wang Desheng, seeing Yanxi's elegant and imposing demeanor, recognized him as a wealthy young master. He stepped forward, bent one knee, lowered his hands, and bowed in respect. Jin Rong在一旁介绍, "He's the caretaker here." Yanxi smiled, reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten-dollar bill, and handed it to him, saying, "For you to buy shoes." Wang Desheng was overjoyed and bowed again to Yanxi. Turning to Jin Rong, he smiled, "That matter is already done. Let's go take a look." He led the way.
Just as they passed a corridor, a loud crashing sound echoed. Wang Desheng turned and smiled, "Listen, that's the noise. Let's hurry." They reached the back garden, where a large section of the eastern short wall had collapsed, with broken bricks still tumbling down. On the other side was a corner of a neighboring courtyard. Someone exclaimed, "Oh no! The wall fell." Out stepped two women and a young lady. One middle-aged woman supported the young lady and said, "That startled me. How did it just collapse?" The young lady said, "Good. The rent collector is over there. Ask him to inform the landlord." She pointed in their direction. Wang Desheng nodded early and walked through the gap, saying, "What luck! I'm here. Let me go tell the landlord." The middle-aged woman asked, "Has the house next door been rented out?" Wang Desheng replied, "Yes, it has." The woman said, "Then it's inconvenient for both families. It should be repaired quickly." Wang Desheng smiled, "They're both our properties. It's fine. Some people even share courtyards." As they talked, Yanxi listened nearby, casually observing the garden trees and stealing glances at the young lady, who was the very person he admired. She wore a fitted black outfit with short sleeves revealing fair arms and a short collar showing a fair neck. On her feet were narrow black velvet shoes with thin soles, paired with white cotton socks. Her dark hair was styled into two neat buns, complementing her pale complexion. The contrast of black and white was harmoniously striking, making her appear elegantly charming. The young lady, since Yanxi stood near the wall gap, couldn't help but glance at him. He wore a light blue brocade robe with a printed black satin jacket, adorned with red crystal buttons, and a gray felt bowl-shaped hat with a triple-colored silk band. She thought, where did such a fashionable young man come from? For a moment, he seemed familiar, but she couldn't recall. Yanxi turned to speak to Wang Desheng, and inadvertently, their eyes met. The young lady quickly looked away and walked off. Wang Desheng said to Yanxi, "Young Master Jin, this is Mrs. Leng. She is very kind." Yanxi smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Mrs. Leng. Wang Desheng introduced to Mrs. Leng, "This is Seventh Master Jin. He'll be moving in soon. His father is Prime Minister Jin." Mrs. Leng, seeing Yanxi's fashionable attire and hearing he was the prime minister's son, couldn't help but size him up. Since Wang Desheng introduced them, she smiled at Yanxi. Yanxi said, "From now on, we'll be neighbors. If there's anything lacking, please advise me, Auntie." Mrs. Leng, hearing him call her "Auntie," found him amiable and kindly smiled, "Young Master Jin, no need for such courtesy. We don't know much." Then she said to Wang Desheng, "Please tell the landlord to fix this wall soon." Wang Desheng readily agreed, "No trouble. It'll be repaired promptly."
Mrs. Leng returned to her room. Upon entering, her daughter Leng Qingqiu immediately asked, "Mom, do you know that young man over there?" Mrs. Leng replied, "How would I know him?" Leng Qingqiu said, "If you don't know him, why were you talking to him?" Mrs. Leng explained, "That rent collector, Wang, was being meddlesome and introduced us. The young man politely called me Auntie, so how could I ignore him? According to Wang, his father is Prime Minister Jin." Leng Qingqiu remarked, "Looking at his attire, he does seem like a young master. He seems familiar, like I've seen him somewhere." Mrs. Leng smiled, "Where have you seen him? It's just what you often call a psychological effect. Because he's dressed so fashionably, he reminds you of other fashionable people you've seen, so he feels familiar." Leng Qingqiu thought that might be right and let it go.
In the afternoon, with nothing to do, Leng Qingqiu chatted with the family's Nanny Han. Nanny Han said, "Miss, haven't you been to the house next door? It's actually quite large." Leng Qingqiu replied, "Good, let's go see. From here, I always see the trees over there and imagine it must be nice. But they're moving in, so we shouldn't run into anyone." Nanny Han assured, "It's fine. They won't move in until tomorrow." Leng Qingqiu smiled, "Let's go then. If Mom asks, I'll say you took me." Nanny Han laughed, "Alright. It's not like we're going miles away. Who's going to kidnap us?" They walked through the wall gap to the other side. Leng Qingqiu saw workers busy papering and painting inside and out. The tender leaves on the trees in the courtyard were lush and green. Under the shade, many potted roses, peonies, and herbaceous peonies were newly placed, creating a lively scene. To the north, under a wisteria trellis, stood a row of three large rooms, especially ornately decorated. The external window frames were freshly painted vermilion, still glossy and wet. The glass windows were all fitted with carved snow gauze. Leng Qingqiu commented, "Such an old house, so big-renovating it seems wasteful. Wouldn't it be better to rent a new place with that money?" Nanny Han agreed, "True, but perhaps there's some predestined affinity reason." Pushing the door open, they saw the walls covered in foreign leather-print wallpaper, gleaming brightly. Leng Qingqiu said, "That's even more expensive. Our school's reception room uses this paper. I heard it costs dozens of dollars per room. This room must be for their master." Nanny Han said, "I heard only one young master lives here, with no wife." Leng Qingqiu wondered, "Why would a single young man rent such a big house?" Nanny Han shrugged, "Who knows? That's what they say." As they talked, elegant wooden furniture and antique decorations were being carried in piece by piece. Among them was a purple sandalwood screen with a white silk panel embroidered with a peacock spreading its tail, vivid as if alive. Leng Qingqiu pointed it out to Nanny Han, "This screen is fine Hunan Embroidery, probably worth one or two hundred dollars." Nanny Han came closer to look. Just then, someone said, "If someone's watching, don't move those." Leng Qingqiu turned and saw the well-dressed young man from yesterday, now in a Western suit, standing on the other side of the wisteria trellis. Leng Qingqiu blushed deeply, tugged at Nanny Han, and whispered, "Someone's here. Let's go, quickly." Nanny Han flustered, momentarily disoriented, walked out to a veranda cluttered with furniture, not the way they came, and retreated. The young man said, "It's alright, it's alright. We're neighbors. That way leads to the main gate. Let me show you back here." He led the way. At the wall gap, he added, "Take it slow. Don't rush. Be careful not to fall!" Nanny Han said, "Thank you." Leng Qingqiu stayed silent, holding Nanny Han's hand, hurrying home, her heart pounding. She complained to Nanny Han, "It's all your fault for suggesting we go play. Now we've run into someone. How embarrassing." Nanny Han defended, "We're all neighbors. Looking at the house is fine." Mrs. Leng, hearing them murmur, came over and asked, "What are you talking about?" Leng Qingqiu didn't dare hide it and explained their visit next door. Mrs. Leng said, "Going to look is fine. But with that wall down, it's inconvenient for us. The landlord should fix it soon. Besides, I heard this Young Master Jin is only organizing some poetry club here, not bringing his family, which makes it even more awkward." Leng Qingqiu asked, "Who told you that, Mom?" Mrs. Leng replied, "Your uncle said so. He heard it from the rent collector."
Before she finished speaking, Nanny Han's husband, Han Guanjin, entered carrying two large red gift boxes. He opened the lids: one side held steamed red and white osmanthus cakes and crispy harmony pastries, the other bottles of wine and snacks from a southern goods store. Mrs. Leng exclaimed, "Oh! Where did these come from?" Han Guanjin explained, "The servant from next door brought them. He said their young master sent them, following southern custom since we're all from the south. He asked us not to return them." Mrs. Leng said, "Yes! In our hometown, there's this tradition: when moving somewhere, you send gifts to the neighbors, meaning to sweeten their mouths for future harmony. But usually, it's just a plate of cakes or pastries, or a few zongzi. Nothing as lavish as this."
Just then, Leng Qingqiu's uncle, Song Runqing, came in from outside and asked about the gifts. Han Guanjin told him and picked up a calling card from the box to show him. Song Runqing couldn't help exclaiming, "So it's really him!" Everyone was puzzled. Mrs. Leng asked, "Second Brother, do you know this person?" Song Runqing said, "If I knew him, that would be something." Mrs. Leng inquired, "Why were you surprised by the card?" Song Runqing explained, "I heard from Wang Desheng that the neighbor is Prime Minister Jin's son, but I didn't believe it. Now this card says Jin Hua, styled Yanxi, which matches the Jin family's generation naming. Who else could it be? With such gifts and a card, the face is significant. What should we do?" Mrs. Leng said, "By southern custom, we can't refuse. Refusing would mean looking down on them, not wanting to be neighbors." Song Runqing objected, "How can that be? If such a family isn't worthy of being our neighbors, who is? Accept it! We have no gifts to reciprocate now, but tomorrow I'll visit to thank him personally." Mrs. Leng said, "That's not necessary." Song Runqing interrupted, "Elder Sister, you handle household affairs well, but in matters of social etiquette, I have some experience. If the prime minister's son sends gifts and we just accept without thanking, what would that look like?" He fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a calling card, handed it to Han Guanjin, and said, "Tell the servant that the uncle here will visit tomorrow to express thanks, and here's a card for now." Then he told Mrs. Leng, "You should tip the servants generously." Mrs. Leng followed his advice and accepted the gifts.
The next day, Song Runqing, dressed formally, went to thank Yanxi. Since it was his first visit, he didn't come through the wall gap but took a long detour via Circle Lane to the main gate, asking the gatekeeper to announce him. Yanxi, seeing Song Runqing's card and recalling that the gift-bearer Jin Rong mentioned this was the uncle, immediately invited him to the parlor. Song Runqing removed his hat outside and carried it in, bowing repeatedly as he entered. Yanxi saw a man around fifty with a thin mustache, a thunder-god-like face, and small coin-sized glasses, resembling a comic opera character. His clothing, though silk, was outdated by seven or eight years, with sleeves like brush holders clinging to his body. Yanxi thought, how could such a graceful lady have an uncle like this? Even Mrs. Leng was an elegant woman; why such a brother? But for the sake of his beloved, he didn't want to be cold. He said, "Please, sit! I haven't visited you yet, and you've come first. I'm honored." Song Runqing replied, "I heard Mr. Jin moved here and was very pleased, so I planned to visit first. Yesterday, you went to such trouble. My relatives are truly grateful." Yanxi smiled, "It's nothing. We're all southerners; it's southern custom. Where is your office, Mr. Song?" Song Runqing cupped his hands and frowned, "Laughably, it's a small poor office, the Narcotics Prohibition Office." Yanxi asked, "And your relatives?" Song Runqing said, "My sister is a widow. Her husband passed away three years ago." Yanxi inquired, "Do you live here too, Mr. Song?" Song Runqing answered, "Yes. Since their household is small, I live here to help watch over things." Yanxi smiled, "Since we're neighbors, please advise me if I fall short." Song Runqing hurriedly bowed, "I wouldn't dare. I heard you moved out to organize a poetry club with friends. Is that true?" Yanxi laughed, "That's the idea. But I can't compose poetry myself; I'll just host and learn from friends." Song Runqing said, "Speaking of poetry, my eldest brother was quite skilled, and I can manage a few lines. Once your poetry club is established, I'd love to observe." Yanxi, hearing he could write poetry, was pleased and said, "Excellent! If you don't mind, I'd like to learn from you." Song Runqing demurred, "You jest. With your family's literary heritage, how could you not write poetry?" Yanxi seriously said, "It's true. Because I can't, I want to start a club." Song Runqing offered, "Though I know little, my eldest brother left many poetry collections here with my relatives. Since we're close, we can study together often." Yanxi agreed, "Great. What time are you usually home, Mr. Song? Once things here are settled, I can visit daily for guidance." Song Runqing said, "My place is too cramped with nowhere to sit. Better if I come here occasionally." Yanxi smiled, "With just a wall between us, we can visit freely." Song Runqing, not expecting such a lasting connection from their first meeting, was delighted. They chatted happily for two hours before he left cheerfully.