第二十三回 芳影突生疑细君兴妒 闲身频作乐公子呼穷 (Chapter 23: A Lovely Figure Stirs Doubt, the Jealous Wife Makes a Scene; The Idle Young Master Revels Often, Yet Cries Poverty)

The next day, Hua Boping came and said to Yanxi, "Last night, when I went to Second Master Liu's house, I heard that you and Miss Leng Qingqiu have grown very close and are about to get engaged. Is this true?" Yanxi replied, "Where did you hear that? Although we are acquainted, there is nothing deep between us." Hua Boping said, "Why are you still hiding it from me? Master Liu himself told me. He said his wife heard it from an inside source, who happens to be your Third Sister-in-law. I don't think this could be false." Hearing this, Yanxi felt rather puzzled. He thought to himself, although Third Sister-in-law knew he was associating with Leng Qingqiu, she didn't know the extent of their relationship. If she had just mentioned it casually, it wouldn't matter, but if she intentionally spread a rumor that they were engaged, that would be troublesome. So he said, "Where did such talk come from? Miss Leng Qingqiu and I are merely ordinary friends. How could it reach the point of marriage? How could Third Sister-in-law start such a rumor?" Hua Boping replied, "I don't know about that. But I believe Master Liu's words must have some basis." Yanxi said, "Alright, let's not talk about this for now. I have a favor to ask. Can you help me?" Hua Boping said, "What is it? As long as I can, I'll certainly help." Yanxi said, "I'm temporarily short on cash and would like to borrow a few hundred dollars from you. Do you think you could manage?" Hua Boping laughed and said, "What are you talking about? With a friendship like ours, borrowing a few hundred dollars is nothing. How much do you need?" Yanxi said, "If possible, please lend me five hundred dollars." Hua Boping said, "Of course, of course. But I don't have that much on me. Let me write you a check." He then took out a checkbook from his pocket, filled out a check for five hundred dollars with his fountain pen, and handed it to Yanxi. Yanxi took it and saw the date was today. He was very pleased and said, "Thank you so much. I'll repay you in a few days." Hua Boping said, "What's the hurry? Feel free to use it."

Hua Boping sat for a while longer and then left. As soon as he was gone, Yanxi immediately took an automobile to the Leng Residence. Seeing Leng Qingqiu, he first smiled and then said, "I have something for you." Leng Qingqiu asked, "What is it?" Yanxi said, "It's something you'll love." As he spoke, he took out a small brocade box from his pocket and handed it to Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu took it, opened it, and saw a pair of pearl earrings. The Pearls were perfectly round and large, about the size of soybeans, and exceptionally lustrous. Leng Qingqiu said, "Such a valuable item-how could I possibly accept it?" Yanxi smiled and said, "You think this is valuable? I have even more precious gifts for you." Leng Qingqiu said, "I absolutely cannot accept it. We are neither relatives nor close friends. What reason is there for you to give me such an expensive gift?" Yanxi said, "Don't you understand my feelings? I'm giving you this not for any particular reason, but simply to express my sincerity. If you refuse, it means you look down on me." Leng Qingqiu said, "The more you talk like that, the less I dare accept it. Please take it back." Yanxi said, "Since I've already brought it, how can I take it back? If you truly won't accept it, I'll just throw it away." He picked up the brocade box, pretending he was about to throw it. Leng Qingqiu quickly stopped him, saying, "Don't throw it! Let me think about it."

Seeing her hesitate, Yanxi said, "What is there to think about? Won't you even grant me this small favor of accepting a little gift?" Leng Qingqiu said, "It's not that I won't grant you the favor. It's just that accepting such a valuable thing makes me uneasy." Yanxi said, "Why should you feel uneasy? As long as you care for me, even if you were to accept my whole self, I would do so willingly." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but blush and lowered her head, saying, "You're talking more and more improperly." Yanxi said, "These are my sincere feelings. What's improper about that?" With that, he stuffed the brocade box into Leng Qingqiu's hand. Leng Qingqiu then stopped refusing. Yanxi was overjoyed to see her accept it. He sat for a while longer but left soon after because Leng Qingqiu had to attend class.

Yanxi returned home and saw the maid, Nanny Wu, standing under the corridor. She said, "Seventh Master, you're back. The Young Mistress asks you to go to her room." Yanxi asked, "What does the Young Mistress want with me?" Nanny Wu said, "I don't know. She just told me to fetch you." Yanxi then went to Peifang's room. Peifang was sitting on the sofa. Seeing Yanxi enter, she gave a cold laugh and said, "Seventh Brother, you've been very busy these past few days." Yanxi asked, "Busy with what?" Peifang said, "You know what you've been busy with. Tell me, who is this other woman you've been seeing?" Yanxi said, "What other woman?" Peifang said, "Don't pretend. Everyone is saying you're about to get engaged to some Miss Leng Qingqiu." Hearing this, Yanxi was startled and said, "Where did this rumor come from?" Peifang said, "A rumor? I heard it with my own ears." Yanxi asked, "Who did you hear it from?" Peifang said, "You'd never guess. I heard it from your Third Sister-in-law." Yanxi asked, "How would she know?" Peifang said, "She heard it from someone else too. Listen, Seventh Brother, you can have your fun, but don't let it become a scandal. Our family isn't the sort where just anyone can waltz in." Yanxi said, "There's no need for you to worry. I know my limits." Peifang said, "It's good if you know your limits. I'm just reminding you." Yanxi said, "If you have nothing else to say, I'll be going." Peifang said, "Why the rush? I still have something to ask you. I heard you've been complaining about being terribly broke lately. Is that true?" Yanxi asked, "Who said that?" Peifang said, "Never mind who said it. The point is, the word is out. Let me tell you, people outside know our Jin Family is wealthy and all want to get something out of us. You especially need to be careful not to be taken advantage of." Yanxi said, "I'm a grown man. Don't you think I know better than that? There's no need for your excessive concern." Peifang said, "Fine, consider it excessive concern. You may go." This was exactly what Yanxi had been waiting to hear. He left with a smile.

Here, Peifang grew more and more suspicious. She thought to herself, if Seventh Brother really were engaged to this Miss Leng Qingqiu, it would be quite troublesome. They might as well strike first and put him in his place. After thinking for a moment, she called Yufen on the telephone. Yufen asked, "Eldest Sister-in-law, what's the matter?" Peifang said, "Are you free? If you are, please come over for a chat." Yufen said, "Alright, I'll be right there."

After a while, Yufen indeed arrived. Peifang told her what she had heard. Yufen said, "I've also heard a whisper of this, but not as concretely as you say. In my opinion, Seventh Brother and that Miss Leng Qingqiu might just be having a bit of fun on a whim. It's unlikely they're truly planning to get engaged." Peifang said, "One can't be sure. You know Seventh Brother's temper. If he really likes someone, he's capable of anything. I think we should find a way to stop him." Yufen asked, "How do we stop him?" Peifang said, "I'd like you to visit the Leng Residence and see for yourself what kind of girl she really is. If she's genuinely decent, of course we can't stop him. But if she's a questionable character, we should be blunt and give her a warning." Yufen said, "That's a good plan. I'll go tomorrow."

The next day, Yufen indeed went to visit the Leng Residence. When Leng Qingqiu heard that the Third Young Mistress of the Jin Family had come, she was quite puzzled. She thought, we've never had any dealings before, so why is she visiting me? But since the guest had arrived, she couldn't very well refuse to see her and had to come out to receive her. Upon seeing Leng Qingqiu, Yufen scrutinized her carefully. She saw that Leng Qingqiu was elegantly beautiful, with exceptionally refined manners and speech. Yufen couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration. After chatting for a while, Yufen asked, "I've heard Miss Leng Qingqiu is very well-educated. May I ask which school you attend?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "Peiben Girls' School." Yufen said, "Peiben Girls' School is an excellent school. May I ask how old you are, Miss Leng Qingqiu?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Nineteen." Yufen said, "The same age as our Seventh Brother. Does he come here often?" Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but blush and said, "Mr. Yanxi has visited a few times." Yufen said, "That child, Seventh Brother, is just a bit too casual. I hope Miss Leng Qingqiu won't take offense." Leng Qingqiu said, "Mr. Yanxi is quite polite." Yufen chatted a while longer before taking her leave.

Yufen returned home and went to see Peifang. Peifang asked, "Did you see her? What is she like?" Yufen said, "Yes, I saw her. She's actually quite nice, very elegant, and knows how to speak appropriately. She doesn't seem like someone from a lowly family." Peifang said, "So, from what you say, she's not a bad person?" Yufen said, "From what I saw, she probably isn't the frivolous type. But how deep the feelings are between her and Seventh Brother, I really don't know." Peifang said, "We haven't met her ourselves. Since you've seen her, why don't we simply invite her for a meal tomorrow to see her in person? What do you think?" Yufen said, "That could work. If she's a good girl, of course we shouldn't oppose Seventh Brother's association with her. If not, we'll deal with it then." Peifang said, "Let's do that."

Two days later, Peifang indeed sent an invitation asking Leng Qingqiu to dinner. Receiving the invitation, Leng Qingqiu felt very conflicted. If she didn't go, she feared offending the Jin Family. If she went, she truly didn't want to. Later, she discussed it with her mother. Mrs. Leng said, "Since they have kindly invited you, you cannot refuse. Besides, our family is respectable, so we have nothing to fear." Seeing her mother say this, Leng Qingqiu had no choice but to agree to go. On the appointed day, Leng Qingqiu went to the Jin Family for the dinner. Peifang, Yufen, and Huichang all came out to receive her. Seeing Leng Qingqiu's dignified demeanor and her air of unassailable propriety, they all secretly admired her. During the meal, Peifang asked, "Miss Leng Qingqiu, do you see our Seventh Brother often?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "Not very often." Huichang said, "Our Seventh Brother is a good person, but he's still a bit childish. I hope Miss Leng Qingqiu will guide him when needed." Leng Qingqiu said, "Mr. Yanxi is very intelligent. There's no need for me to guide him." Yufen said, "Miss Leng Qingqiu is too modest." They chatted and talked, and the atmosphere was quite lively.

After the meal, Leng Qingqiu sat for a short while and then said she had to leave. Peifang said, "Since you're here, Miss Leng Qingqiu, why not stay a little longer? Seventh Brother should be back soon." Leng Qingqiu said, "No, I have other matters. I'll come visit another day." Seeing her insistence, Peifang didn't press her to stay. After Leng Qingqiu left, Yufen said to Peifang, "I think she's quite a good person. If Seventh Brother really likes her, perhaps we shouldn't necessarily oppose it." Peifang said, "I think so too. But let's wait and see a bit more."

Here, Leng Qingqiu returned home feeling very uneasy. She thought to herself, those people from the Jin Family were clearly investigating her. Yanxi and she were merely friends. Why should they pay such attention? It would be better to see less of him in the future. The next day, Yanxi came again. Seeing him, Leng Qingqiu said coolly, "Mr. Yanxi, please come less often in the future. Our house is small, and our hospitality is lacking. I'm afraid we might neglect you." Hearing this, Yanxi was taken aback and asked, "Why do you say such a thing? Have I somehow offended you?" Leng Qingqiu said, "It's not a matter of offense. I just think we are merely ordinary friends. If we meet too frequently, I'm afraid people might gossip." Yanxi asked, "Who would dare gossip?" Leng Qingqiu said, "There's no need for you to ask. In short, please come less often from now on." Yanxi saw her cold demeanor, so different from before, and felt very bewildered. He sat for a while, then had to leave dejectedly.

Yanxi returned home, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He thought, it must be that someone in his family had spoken ill of him in front of her, which is why she suddenly became distant. The more he thought, the more convinced he was. He stormed straight into Peifang's room in one breath. Peifang was combing her hair. Seeing Yanxi enter fuming, she asked, "Seventh Brother, who are you angry with now?" Yanxi said, "Who am I angry with? I'm angry with you!" Peifang asked, "Why are you angry with me?" Yanxi said, "I ask you, why did you go to Miss Leng Qingqiu's place to investigate me? And why did you invite her to dinner? What did you say about me?" Peifang said, "Oh! So that's what this is about. Our visit to the Leng Residence was merely a social call. Can you call that an investigation? Inviting her to dinner was just fulfilling our duty as hosts. What's wrong with that? As for what we said about you, we didn't say anything bad. We just said you were a bit childish. Is that considered speaking ill of you?" Yanxi said, "Your visit and your dinner invitation might seem insignificant to you, but today Miss Leng Qingqiu told me not to come anymore. It's obvious you've been meddling." Peifang said, "How strange. We acted with good intentions, and this is the thanks we get. Fine, since you suspect us, we just won't interfere anymore." Yanxi said, "Not interfering would be even better." With that, he turned and left.

Here, Peifang was also very angry. She went to find Yufen and told her what Yanxi had said. Yufen said, "Since he's so ungrateful, let's simply wash our hands of it and see what mess he gets himself into." Peifang said, "I think so too."

From then on, the relationship between Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu cooled considerably. Though Yanxi was anxious, there was nothing he could do.