A Quiet, Virtuous Maiden Grieves and Writes “Five Beauties”; A Dissolute Young Gentleman Leaves Behind a Nine-Dragon Pendant

Jia Rong saw that everything at home had been properly arranged, so he hurried back to the temple and reported to Jia Zhen. That night they assigned duties to the stewards and servants, and prepared all the banners, carrying poles, and other things needed for the funeral. They chose the fourth day, at the hour of mao, to bring the coffin into the city, and sent word to all their friends and relatives. On that day the funeral was magnificent, and guests gathered like clouds. From Iron Threshold Temple to the Ning Mansion, no fewer than tens of thousands of people lined the road to watch. Some sighed; some envied. There were also a few half-educated scholars who quoted the saying, “A funeral should be marked by frugality and grief rather than lavish display,” and all along the road opinions differed. It was late afternoon when they arrived, and the coffin was placed in the main hall. After the offerings and lamentations were over, friends and relatives gradually dispersed, leaving only members of the clan to receive and see off guests. Of close relatives, only Uncle......