Explore Chapter 10 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.
Ever since Jin Yanxi had set up his new residence in Falling Flowers Lane, he had been preoccupied with how to get closer to Leng Qingqiu. Under the pretext of organizing a poetry club, he invited a few friends, as well as Song Runqing and Leng Qingqiu. On the day of the poetry club's first gathering, Yanxi had refreshments prepared early and tidied up his study meticulously, awaiting the arrival of the guests.
Song Runqing arrived as promised with Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu wore a pale blue qipao that day, simple yet elegant. Yanxi was delighted at the sight and hurried to greet them. Soon, the other so-called poets also arrived one after another. They were Yanxi's former classmates, mere dilettantes in their daily lives.
The poetry club commenced. As the host, Yanxi proposed the theme "Spring" for everyone to compose poems. Song Runqing spoke up first. "This theme is excellent," he said. "Though I lack talent, I'll cast a brick to attract jade." He then recited a seven-character quatrain with mediocre verses, yet boasting incessantly.
Yanxi, thinking of Leng Qingqiu, deliberately showed off by composing a poem himself. It employed some ornate phrases, but the rhymes were rather forced. Leng Qingqiu sat aside, listening silently without a word. She only occasionally offered a faint smile.
When it was the turn of the others, some racked their brains, while others improvised nonsense. Most of their poems were vulgar and laughable. One composed the line, "The spring breeze caresses the face, willow strands are long." Another followed with, "Before flowers, under the moon, intoxicating fragrance." In their rhyming contest, an aura of sourness and numbness permeated the room.
Leng Qingqiu, seeing everyone in such a state, found it amusing in her heart. But for the sake of courtesy, she lowered her head to hide her smile. Yanxi, noticing her expression, thought she was displeased. So he changed the subject and had refreshments served for everyone to take a break.
Song Runqing, however, was enthusiastic and proposed a joint poem composition. Everyone readily agreed. Thus, line by line, they pieced together a long poem full of flaws and lacking in tonal patterns. Leng Qingqiu finally couldn't resist and softly pointed out an error in allusion. Only then did everyone realize it. But unwilling to admit it, they glossed over it vaguely.
The poetry club lasted half a day before gradually dispersing. Yanxi specifically detained Song Runqing and Leng Qingqiu for a brief chat before seeing them off. As Leng Qingqiu was leaving, Yanxi whispered, "Today was hasty. I'll invite you for guidance another day." Leng Qingqiu merely smiled without a word and left with Song Runqing.
Yanxi returned to his room, recalling Leng Qingqiu's every smile and frown, his heart fluttering. Thinking of the absurdities of his poet friends, he felt that although this poetry club was intended to get closer to the beauty, it had become a joke. But he didn't mind, only looking forward to the next opportunity to meet again.