At a quarter to three in the afternoon, the argument inside the Moon-Viewing Tower reached its peak.
A student Jiang Yu had invited leaped onto a table, raised his arm, and shouted,
"Everyone! What good does it do to argue here?
Anyone with courage, come with me to the Wei Residence!
Ask him to his face what gives a Provincial Graduate the right to skip even the Deer Crying Banquet and stay home mourning a servant!
If he can give us an answer, we'll accept him! If he can't..."
"Then we'll petition the court to strip him of his Provincial Graduate title!"
"Strip him of his Provincial Graduate title!"
"Strip him of his Provincial Graduate title!"
The cries rose one after another, surging like a tide, each wave higher than the last.
Some hesitated, and some shrank back, but more were swept along by the emotion. Their blood ran hot, and they joined the shouting.
"Let's go! To the Wei Residence!"
"Let's go!"
A great crowd streamed after them, at least fifty or sixty strong.
Every one of them brimmed with righteous indignation, as though marching to condemn some criminal guilty of every unforgivable sin.
Jiang Yu stood at the second-floor window, watching the formidable procession head west along the long street. At last, he could no longer hide the smile at the corners of his mouth.
"The show has begun."
Shen Yi sat behind him, watching his back, his palms slick with sweat.
Grandfather, I really don't want to go back to Guilin Prefecture!
Meanwhile, in the Small Courtyard of the Wei Residence.
The rites of an elder were observed, with the coffin lying in state for seven days.
White candles flickered in the mourning hall. Before the spirit tablet hung a sword intent: none could obstruct it.