After Ying Bojian comforted him, Ximen Qing wiped away his tears and sent a servant to prepare the meal. Not long after, Wu Dajiu and Wu Erjiu arrived. After paying their respects at the altar, they exchanged a few words with Ximen Qing to express their condolences. Everyone then went to the side room.
The poem reads:
The fragrance of the beautiful lady drifts far away,
Her thoughts linger from afar.
Separated by a thousand miles, light and shadow are divided,
Wind and moon pass by on each side.
Dai'an rushed to tell Yuemeng, "How is it? I told you so, but you didn't believe me; as soon as Ying Er came, a few words would make the master eat." Pan Jinlian said, "You little rascal, you sly old fox, always standing up for him outside, can't you hold him?" Dai'an said, "I've served the master since I was a kid; how can I not understand his thoughts?" Yuemeng asked, "Who else ate with him?" Dai'an said, "Uncle, Second Uncle just arrived, plus Master Wen, along with Ying Er, Xie, Han, and Brother-in-law, a total of eight people." Yuemeng said, "Let your brother-in-law eat in the back, don't squeeze in the front!" Dai'an said, "Brother-in-law's already sitting." Yuemeng ordered, "You and the servant go to the kitchen to get the food. Serve him a bowl of porridge separately, in case he hasn't eaten yet today." Dai'an said, "Who else? I’m the only one here; everyone else is busy with the funeral preparations, and Wang Jing went to borrow planks from the in-laws." Yuemeng said, "Have Shutong go with you; don't let him dawdle!" Dai'an said, "Shutong and Huatong are in front of the deceased, one is knocking the gong, the other is in charge of burning incense." Yuemeng said, "Where’s Chunhong? The master sent him to trade silk with Ben Si again—he doesn't like the silk; he insists on trading for that rough mourning cloth that costs six coins a yard." Yuemeng said, "Five coins is fine, why insist on exchanging!" She also said, "Tell that Huatong kid to hurry up; what's he dawdling for?" Dai'an then, together with Huatong, brought the food and set it on the Eight Immortals table.
Everyone is eating when Ping An walks in and reports, "Old Man Xia sent over three squads of guards." Ximen Qing glanced at it and said, "Give them three silver taels. Write a reply to Old Man Xia saying, 'Thank you!'"
After the meal, the bowls and chopsticks were cleared away, and Mr. Han, the painter invited by Baoping, arrived. After Ximen Qing greeted him, he said, "Could you please paint a posthumous portrait?" Mr. Han replied, "I understand." Wu Dajiu said, "It's too late to start; I'm afraid she may have changed in appearance." Mr. Han said, "It doesn't matter; I can still capture her likeness in a posthumous portrait." Just then, Ping An came to report, "Uncle Hua is outside." Ximen Qing accompanied Huazi You to mourn for a while in front of the spirit tablet, completed the rites, and asked everyone, "What time did she pass?" Ximen Qing said, "She passed away at the Dog hour. Even at the end, she was still speaking clearly; she had just laid down, and when the maid got up to check on her, she found she had stopped breathing." At this moment, Mr. Han's young assistant came holding a drawing board and took out some paint from his sleeve. Huazi You asked, "Is the brother-in-law going to paint a posthumous portrait now?" Ximen Qing replied, "I feel distressed and have to leave an image to look at later and cherish her memory." He instructed the people in the main room to step aside, lifted the curtain, and brought Mr. Han and Uncle Hua to the spirit tablet. When Mr. Han lifted the mourning cloth, he saw Li Ping'er wearing a dark blue scarf. Although she had been ill for a long time, her complexion was vibrant, her appearance unchanged, only slightly yellow in color, with lovely red lips. Ximen Qing couldn't hold back his tears. Baiping and the qin boy stood nearby with the drawing board and paint. Mr. Han immediately understood. Everyone surrounded him, asking him to paint, and Ying Bo said, "Sir, this is how she looked during her illness; usually, she was radiant and beautiful." Mr. Han said, "You don't need to instruct me; I know. May I ask, sir, did this lady come to the Yue Temple to burn incense on the first day of the fifth month? Did you see her?" Ximen Qing replied, "Indeed. She was well at that time. Sir, please paint with care; create a full-body portrait and a half-body portrait for the spirit tablet. I'll give you a bolt of satin and ten taels of silver." Mr. Han said, "With your instructions, I will certainly put in my best effort." After a while, he completed a half-body portrait, truly a beauty, with delicate skin whiter than snow. He showed it to everyone, and it was truly a stunning portrait. Ximen Qing looked at it and instructed Dai An, "Take this to your mother and the others to see. If anything looks off, let them point it out so we can make adjustments."
Dai An took the painting to the backyard and said to Yue Niang, "The master asked you to see how well Liu Niang's portrait was painted and where it doesn't resemble her, so you can tell Mr. Han to make corrections." Yue Niang replied, "It's such a waste of effort; no one even knows where she is buried, and they're starting to paint portraits again." Pan Jinlian chimed in, "Are those her children? Painting a portrait to carry on the incense offerings so her children can pay their respects! When all six wives are dead, it would be better to paint six portraits then." Meng Yulou and Li Jiaor came over to take a look and said, "Madam, look! Sister Li's portrait actually captures her usual appearance beautifully, but her lips are a bit flat." Yue Niang looked and said, "The left forehead is slightly low, and her eyebrows should be a bit more curved. How could this painter get the portrait so wrong!" Dai An said, "He saw Liu Niang once in the temple; he just thought of it and painted it like this."
After a while, Wang Jing came in and said, "Ladies, once you’ve looked it over, take it out. The Qiao family has arrived; let them have a look." Dai An went to the front and said to Mr. Han, "Inside it says the lips are a bit flat, the left forehead is slightly low, and the eyebrows need to be a bit more curved." Mr. Han replied, "That's fine." He then picked up the brush and made some adjustments before showing it to Qiao Dahuo. Qiao Dahuo said, "Mother-in-law, this portrait is really well painted, but it lacks a bit of spirit." Ximen Qing was very pleased, poured three cups of wine for Mr. Han, and treated him to a meal, then took out a piece of silk and ten taels of silver for him, saying, "First, paint the half-length portrait to hang up; we can do the full-length portrait after the funeral. Use deep blue and deep green, with a proper crown and robe, and silk backing." Mr. Han said, "No need to tell me; I know what to do." After receiving the silver, he had a young boy carry the painting board and took his leave. Qiao Dahuo and the others looked at the finished coffin again and asked, "Has mother-in-law been laid to rest?" Ximen Qing replied, "The coroner came and then she was laid to rest. The grand funeral will have to wait three days." After finishing his tea, Qiao Dahuo said his goodbyes.
In a short while, the coroner arrived. They spread out paper and rolled up the quilt, and Ximen Qing personally bathed Li Bing'er. He insisted that Chen Jingji act as a filial son, closed her eyes, and placed a pearl in her mouth. The preparation of the body was quickly completed, the body was laid out properly, and the family mourned. Lai Xing had already ordered four glistening gold sacrificial items for the funeral, with two on each side. The incense burner, candlesticks, and incense box placed before the altar were all made by a silversmith and placed on the table, shining brightly. Ximen Qing also provided ten taels of silver to have silversmiths make three sets of silver wine cups. He and Ying Bojue jointly arranged various aspects of the funeral: first, he gave five hundred taels of silver and one hundred coins to Han Huoji for managing the accounts; Ben Si and Lai Xing were responsible for purchasing and managing the external kitchen; Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Wen Xiucan, and Gan Huoji took turns welcoming guests who came to pay their respects; Cui Ben was in charge of the offerings; Lai Xing managed the external warehouse; Wang Jing managed the wine room; Chunhong and Huatong were specifically responsible for attending to the spirit; Ping'an and four bailiffs were specifically responsible for knocking on wooden boards and offering incense paper; a literate individual was assigned to register visitors at the entrance with four bailiffs, record the date of chanting scriptures, hold umbrellas, and raise banners. All personnel arrangements were confirmed, notices were posted on the screen wall, and everyone performed their duties. At this time, Huang Zhuang Xue sent people to deliver sixty spruce wood planks, thirty bamboo poles, three hundred rush mats, and one hundred hemp ropes. Ximen Qing rewarded the messengers with five silver coins, sent them off with a reply, and instructed the carpenters to build a larger shed with two doors for entry and exit, with the screen wall positioned in the center. Three more sheds were built in the front kitchen, seven sheds outside the main gate, and twelve monks from Bao'en Temple were invited to chant the scriptures for the deceased, providing daily tea, water, and meals.
Hua Dajiu and Wu Erjiu sat for a while and then left. Ximen Qing asked Wen Xiucai to write a mourning message to be engraved, asking him to write "Mrs. Jing has passed away." Wen Xiucai discreetly showed it to Ying Bojue, who said, "This phrasing doesn’t make sense. Mrs. Wu is still in the main room. How can you write it like this? If this gets out, people will talk! Even Wu Dajiu would be put off by this. Let me slowly discuss with him again; you don’t write this for now." Everyone stayed until evening, then went home separately.
That night, Ximen Qing did not return to the back courtyard. He set up a cot next to Li Ping'er's spirit tablet, surrounded by a folding screen, and slept alone there, only allowing Chunhong and Shutong to serve him. Early the next morning, he went to Lady Yuemeng's room to wash up, put on white mourning attire, white socks, white shoes, wore a mourning hat, and tied a linen belt.
The next morning, Magistrate Xia came to offer condolences and comfort Ximen Qing. After Ximen Qing returned the courtesy, Wen Xiucai accompanied Magistrate Xia for tea, then saw him off. At the door, Ximen Qing instructed the registration personnel, "Receive them well, find out which yamen officials are not doing their job properly, and report to the yamen for punishment." After speaking, he rode away. Ximen Qing asked Wen Xiucai to send out invitations to relatives and friends to join him for scripture recitations in three days and to join him for a vegetarian breakfast. In the afternoon, preparations for the altar began, hanging Buddha statues, but I won’t elaborate on that here.
That day, Wu Yiner heard the news, took a sedan chair to the altar to cry, and burned joss paper. In the backyard, Lady Yuanniang came out to greet her. Wu Yiner bowed deeply to Lady Yuanniang, crying and saying, "Sister Liu has died; I had no idea at all, and no one told me. It's so sad!" Meng Yulou said, "You are her goddaughter; she hasn't been feeling well lately. Why didn't you come to see her?" Wu Yiner replied, "Third Sister, I know, who wouldn't come to see her? Honestly, if she hadn't passed away, I would have definitely come to see her! I really had no idea." Lady Yuanniang said, "You didn't come to see your godmother; she was still thinking of you and left you something to remember her by. I'll keep it for you." So she called for Xiaoyu, "Go and show Yiner the thing." Xiaoyu went to the inner room, took out a package, and opened it to reveal a set of satin clothes, two gold hairpins, and a gold hair ornament. Wu Yiner cried like a rainstorm, saying, "I knew she was not well; I should have come to take care of her for a few days." Afterward, she thanked Lady Yuanniang. Lady Yuanniang offered her tea and invited her to stay for three more days before she left.
Three days later, the monk struck the wooden fish, chanted scriptures in the temple, and burned paper money. The family members donned mourning attire. Chen Jingji wore the most elaborate mourning attire and offered prayers before the Buddha. Neighbors, relatives, friends, and officials all came to offer condolences, and there was an overwhelming number of people offering paper money. The feng shui master arrived early to prepare for the funeral. After the rites, the body was laid to rest in the coffin. Ximen Qing instructed Wu Yueniang to retrieve four sets of quality garments and put them in the coffin, along with four silver ingots at the corners. Huazi protested, stating, "Brother-in-law, there's no point in putting these in. Gold and silver will rust over time; it's not a long-term solution." Ximen Qing was adamant about including them. After the coffin lid was nailed shut with long nails, the family wept uncontrollably. Ximen Qing was also overcome with grief, constantly shouting, "My little sister, I will never see you again!" After crying for a long time, the feng shui master was graciously entertained and sent off. All the family members wore mourning clothes, and when they burned incense, the entrance was draped in white. Wen Xiucai recommended Du Zhongshu from the north to write the tomb inscription. Du Zhongshu, also known as Chun and styled Yunye, previously served in the Ninghe Hall under Emperor Zhenzong and now enjoyed a life of leisure at home. Ximen Qing prepared gold and silver offerings to invite him. Fruits were prepared in the mourning hall, and Ximen Qing personally offered Du Zhongshu three cups of wine, accompanied by Ying Bojue and Wen Xiucai. A large piece of red silk was spread out for the tomb inscription. Ximen Qing wanted to write "Imperial decree to entomb the deceased Lady Li of the Ximen family in brocade" in eleven characters, but Ying Bojue objected repeatedly, saying, "The main wife is still alive; how can we write it like this!" Du Zhongshu said, "Since she has given birth to a son, there is no harm according to etiquette." After much discussion, the character "Gong" was omitted and replaced with "Shi Ren." Wen Xiucai said, "Gong Ren refers to a titled lady; Shi Ren is just a common term for a wife in the family." So, with white powder, the characters "Imperial decree" were pasted with gold foil and hung in front of the spirit. A spirit tablet was also written. Du Zhongshu was graciously thanked and treated to a banquet before being sent on his way.
That day, Qiao Dahushu, Wu Dajiu, Hua Dajiu, Han Yifu, and Shen Yifu each brought sacrificial livestock and offerings to burn spirit money. Qiao Dahushu's wife, Wu's eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, and Hua's eldest sister-in-law all came in sedan chairs to mourn and cry. Lady Yu and others also wore mourning hats, wore their hair tied at their waists, and dressed in mourning skirts made of hemp. They came out to pay their respects and express their condolences, then served tea and vegetarian meals in the backyard. Only Hua's eldest sister-in-law and Hua Dajiu wore the heaviest mourning attire, while others wore lighter mourning attire. When Li Guifang heard about it, she also came in a sedan chair to offer paper money, and when she saw Wu Yiner here, she said, "When did you come? Why didn't you tell me? Oh, you dear child, I was only thinking of you!" Wu Yiner replied, "I didn't know Sixth Sister had passed away. If I had known earlier, I would have come to see her." Lady Yu entertained them in the backyard.
After a while, the seventh day of mourning arrived, and the sixteen high monks from Baoren Temple, led by Langsengguan, presided over the water and land ritual, reciting the "Lotus Sutra" and repenting. Relatives and friends were all present. That day, the Daoist priest from Yuhuang Temple came to burn paper and offer sacrifices, and also participated in the twenty-seventh day ceremony. Ximen Qing stayed in the mourning hall to eat vegetarian meals. Suddenly, a servant came to report, "Mr. Han has sent the portrait." Everyone saw that the person in the portrait was wearing a hat with gold and jade inlay, adorned with double phoenix pearls, dressed in a bright red embroidered robe, with a fair complexion and a lifelike expression. Ximen Qing was thrilled to see it. The portrait was hung up, and everyone praised, "It's just like the real thing!" As everyone enjoyed their vegetarian meals in the mourning hall, he instructed, "The portrait still needs to be more detailed." Mr. Han said, "I just made some quick touches; I wouldn't dare to be careless!" Ximen Qing generously rewarded him for his work, and then he left.
At noon, Mr. Qiao came to offer sacrifices, with over fifty bearers carrying offerings of pigs and sheep, gold and silver paper money, silk and satin fabrics, spirit money, incense, and candles. They carried the high ancestral tablet, with gongs and drums ringing out and colorful flags waving. Ximen Qing and Chen Jingji wore mourning clothes to pay their respects in front of the ancestral tablet. Mr. Qiao also invited Shang Juren, Zhu Tangguan, Wu Dajiu, Liu Xueguan, Hua Qianhu, Duan Qinjia, and seven or eight other relatives and friends to offer incense in front of the ancestral tablet. After the three offerings were completed, everyone knelt down to listen to the Yin and Yang master recite the blessing:
"In the seventh year of Weizheng, the year of Dingyou, the first day of the ninth month of Gengshen, the twenty-second day of Xinsi, the living Qiao Hong and others respectfully offer the offerings of pigs and sheep to the late mother-in-law Ximen Ruren Li, they say: 'Alas! The nature of Ruren is generous and kind, managing the household diligently, being kind to everyone, fully observing the duties of a woman, and gaining reputation in the village. She is elegant and fragrant, matched with a gentleman, like a phoenix. Blue jade has been planted and pearls have shone. We hope to harmonize the qin and se in eternity, and enjoy longevity without bounds. Why did she fall ill and her dream of prosperity shatter? Who wouldn't mourn the death of a good person? A frail woman cherished by her loved ones. Unexpectedly, fate did not favor her, and she lost her partner. Regretfully separated in the afterlife, unable to see each other. This cup of wine is filled with deep affection. May the spirit be pleased and enjoy it.'"
After the officials and guests finished their offerings, they exchanged greetings and then set up a banquet in the spirit pavilion to entertain. Then Mr. Qiao's wife, Cui Qinjamu, Zhu Tangguan's wife, Shang Juren's wife, and Duan Dajie and other female relatives came to offer sacrifices, with gongs and drums ringing out and a ghost team dancing in front of the ancestral tablet. After Wu Yue finished crying with them, she invited them to the back to drink tea and eat, with a feast of fine food and wine, the details of which are too numerous to mention.
Ximen Qing was drinking with everyone in the mourning hall when suddenly the sound of a wooden clapper came from the front. A flustered servant rushed in to report, "Governor Hu has come to pay his respects and is getting out of the sedan chair at the entrance!" Ximen Qing quickly put on his mourning attire and went to greet him at the spirit tablet. Wen Xiucai, dressed in plain clothes, came out to welcome him, first holding incense and candles to enter. Then Governor Hu, similarly dressed in plain clothes and adorned with a gold belt, arrived. Many officials surrounded him, and upon reaching the spirit tablet, Governor Hu knelt down, held the incense high, lit it, and bowed twice. Ximen Qing hurriedly said, "Please rise, sir, thank you for your efforts!" and quickly returned the gesture. Governor Hu said, "When did your wife pass away? I only found out yesterday. I'm late, I'm late!" Ximen Qing replied, "My concubine suddenly fell ill and passed away. I appreciate your esteemed presence to offer your condolences." Wen Xiucai bowed beside them, inviting Governor Hu to the hall for a cup of tea. Governor Hu stood up to take his leave, and Wen Xiucai escorted him out to the gate and assisted him into the sedan chair. The attendees continued to eat until the afternoon before dispersing.
The next day, Zheng Ai Yue's family came to burn joss paper in the courtyard. Ai Yue came to the spirit tablet and burned joss paper. Yue Niang noticed that she had also brought eight trays of pastries, offerings, and rice soup, and quickly gifted her a full piece of white silk to make a mourning gown. Wu Yin'er and Li Gui Jie each sent three coins as a condolence gift and informed Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing said, "What’s this small amount of money? Let’s have everyone give her a full piece of silk!" Yue Niang invited them to the back room for tea and invited them to stay overnight.
At night, relatives and friends gathered for the vigil, and a troupe from Haiyan was invited to perform. Li Ming, Wu Hui, Zheng Feng, and Zheng Chun were all there to help. Ximen Qing arranged fifteen banquet tables in the spirit hall, with notable guests such as Qiao Dahuzi, Wu Dajiu, Wu Erjiu, Hua Dajiu, Shen Yifu, Han Yifu, Ni Xiucai, Wen Xiucai, Ren Yiguan, Li Zhi, Huang Si, Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Zhu Shinian, Sun Guazui, Bai Laiguang, Chang Zhijie, Fu Rixin, Han Daoguo, Gan Chushen, Ben Dichuan, Wu Shunchen, along with two nephews and six or seven neighbors, all seated. More than ten large candles were lit, and the guests gathered around the spirit hall, setting up screens and curtains for the feast while watching the performance outside. After the ceremony, Ximen Qing and Jing Ji returned the respects, then sat down at their seats. The actors began their performance of "The Story of Jade Ring"—the two lifetimes of love between Wei Gao and Lady Yuxiao. After a while, Wei Gao, played by a male actor, sang a scene, followed by Lady Yuxiao, played by a female actor. The chef served up soup and roast goose. Ying Bojue said to Ximen Qing, "I heard the three girls from the courtyard are here; why not bring them out to toast Qiao Laoyin, the uncles, and everyone else? They understand the play and can liven things up." Ximen Qing then asked Dai'an to go in and say, "Please bring the three girls out." Qiao Dahuzi said, "This is not quite appropriate. They are here to mourn; how can we ask them to toast?" Bojue said, "Laoyin, you don't know. These little fairies shouldn't be left sitting around. — Drag them out quickly! I say, Second Uncle, Liu Niang is gone, so as a sign of filial piety, she should also toast each of us!" Dai'an went in for a while, saying, "They heard Second Uncle was here and were reluctant to come out." Bojue said, "In that case, I'll go." After walking a few steps, he sat back down. Ximen Qing smiled and said, "Why did you come back?" Bojue said, "I wanted to pull those three little fairies out, give them a piece of my mind, and then leave." Later, Dai'an went to invite them again, and the three girls came out slowly. They were all dressed in white jackets and blue skirts, awkwardly bowed to the guests, and took a seat off to the side. Bojue said, "Why are you hesitating to come out when we're here?" The three girls did not speak, toasted the guests, and sat down on the side. The drums sounded, and the troupe took the stage, with the male actor playing Wei Gao and the female actor playing County Magistrate Bao, arriving at Yuxiao's house. The madam came out to welcome them, and County Magistrate Bao said, "Go call the girl out." The madam said, "County Magistrate Bao, you really don’t know how to say it. Our girl doesn't go out easily. You have to at least say 'please'; how can you just say 'call her out'?" Li Guijie smiled and said, "This guy Bao, just like Ying Huazi, is an ignorant fool who doesn't know the rules!" Bojue said, "Little fairy, I don't know the rules; why does your mother like me?" Guijie said, "She likes you? Get lost!" Ximen Qing said, "Just watch the play and stop chatting. And you, have a drink!" Bojue finally stopped talking. The actors performed another scene, then left the stage.
On the left side watching the play are all familiar faces, including Aunt Wu, Second Aunt, Miss Yang, Granny Pan, Aunt Wu, Aunt Meng, as well as Wu Shunchen's wife Zheng Sanjie, Sister Duan, and the sisters of the family. On the right side, there are Chunmei, Yuxiao, Lanxiang, Yingchun, and Xiaoyu, all crowded together watching the play attentively. At this moment, Zheng Jiduan, responsible for pouring tea, walked past with a plate of tea with nuts from under the curtain. He was stopped by Chunmei and asked, "Who is this tea for?" Zheng Ji replied, "It's for the several ladies over there." Chunmei then took a cup of tea. Unexpectedly, Xiaoyu heard that the actress playing the lead role was also named Yuxiao, so she pulled Wang Xiao and said, "You wicked woman, your old flame is here! The madam wants you to go entertain the guests, why aren't you going out?" With that, she pushed Wang Xiao out, directly pushing her outside the curtain, causing the tea in Chunmei's hand to spill all over herself. She scolded, "You shameless woman! What's wrong with you! You spilled my tea; luckily, the cup didn't break!"
Upon hearing the commotion, Ximen Qing sent a servant to ask what was going on. Chunmei sat on a chair and said, "Go tell him, Yuxiao is such a promiscuous woman; she acts that way when she sees a man!" Once Ximen Qing got the full story, they continued drinking at the banquet, and the incident passed. Yu Niang walked over and reprimanded Xiaoyu, "You've been playing all day; it's time to head back and check who's still around." Xiaoyu said, "Big sister just went out; the two masters are still inside." Yu Niang said, "You little girls are supposed to be watching the play, not causing trouble!" Chunmei saw Yu Niang approaching and quickly stood up, saying, "Mother, ask her. They're all acting like they've caught a fever, acting wild and unruly, giggling and laughing without a care in the world." After Yu Niang scolded them, she went back.
At this time, Mr. Qiao and Scholar Ni were the first to leave. Uncle Shen, Doctor Ren, and Uncle Han were also preparing to leave but were stopped by Mr. Ximen, who said, "Boss, don't be in a hurry to leave. We are all friends, the gathering isn't over yet, and the in-laws are still here. Uncle Shen is next door, Uncle Han, Doctor Ren, and Uncle Hua are all outside the door. It's already late at night, the main door is still shut, what's the rush? Let's sit for a while; the play is not over yet." Mr. Ximen brought out four jars of wine and said, "After we finish these four jars of wine, I'll send you off." Then he set the reward money in front of Uncle Wu and said, "Whoever leaves first has to drink a penalty shot from Uncle Ren." So everyone sat down again. Mr. Ximen instructed the book boy, "Hurry up and urge those kids to bring the scripts, pick some lively songs." After a while, the drummers started drumming, and the actors in the last roles came on stage and asked Mr. Ximen, "Should we sing the 'Sending True Beauty' segment?" Mr. Ximen replied, "I don’t care, as long as it’s lively." The actress playing Yuxiao performed a scene. When Mr. Ximen heard the line "We may never meet again in this life, so I send this painting," he remembered what Mrs. Li looked like when she was sick, and he couldn't help feeling sad, tears streaming down his face, and he kept wiping them with a handkerchief from his sleeve. Mrs. Pan caught sight of this scene and pointed it out to Mrs. Yue, saying, "Look at him, he's such a softie. He's drinking and suddenly starts crying!" Mrs. Meng said, "You're so clever, can't you see that? The play has moments of joy and sorrow; he was probably touched by that part, reminiscing about someone, that's why he's crying." Mrs. Pan said, "I don't believe it. Shedding tears for no reason, worrying about people from the past, it’s all nonsense. If the performance makes me cry, then I'd say it's good." Mrs. Yue said, "Sister Liu, keep it down; we're trying to enjoy the show." Mrs. Meng said to Mrs. Jia, "Sister Liu has this temper; she just talks too fast."
Not provided.
The play was staged once more, and around dawn, everyone got up to leave. Ximen Qing stood at the door with a large wine cup to bid farewell to his guests, but they had all departed. Ximen Qing made arrangements with the theater troupe, saying, "Tomorrow, Lord Liu and Lord Xue will come to pay their respects, so we need to perform once more." The actors nodded in agreement. Ximen Qing hosted a meal for the actors, and they each went home to rest. Li Ming and his three friends also went home. Noticing the light of dawn breaking, Ximen Qing returned to the backyard to rest.
The red sun casts a pale, chilly light through the window; delicate wisps of smoke weave around the bamboo, and the dawn light is soft.
