In the "Miscellaneous Chapters" of Zhuangzi, a man named Xu Wugui was mentioned. Through Marquis Wu of Wei's favored concubine, he obtained an opportunity to meet Marquis Wu of Wei.
He had not come to lobby Marquis Wu of Wei like the School of Names did in those days, hoping to make him accept his own doctrine; nor had he come like Su Qin and Zhang Yi, discussing alliances and rival coalitions between states. He had come to offer Marquis Wu of Wei comfort.
Why would a feudal lord of an entire state need comfort from a man living in seclusion in the mountains?
Xu Wugui merely kept Marquis Wu of Wei company. This ruler who loved his people had not been happy for a long time, yet after chatting with Xu Wugui, Marquis Wu of Wei was indeed delighted.
"Ball juggling" was a type of acrobatics in which the performer tossed and caught several balls with both hands in an endless cycle. It was also common in Europe. The difference was that the man from Chu State, Yi Liao, mentioned by Xu Wugui, played with "bell-balls" that made sounds. Similar street performers could be found in Guangzhou, tossing bell-balls that gave off a mournful whistling sound.
Wan Ning had never seen such a sight. Like a child, she stood there watching for a while and then refused to leave. Only after her maid coaxed her by saying there were other things to see ahead did she reluctantly move on.
The female relatives of wealthy families were not forbidden from going out. That was thanks to the priests' efforts over many years, which had allowed them to leave their homes. Yet whenever they went out, they inevitably carried an umbrella. Its shadow concealed their faces, as though passersby would then