Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian's wedding ceremony was hastily held in the main hall of the Zhang family courtyard.
In the chair at the center of the hall, Grandmother leaned sideways, her face flushed red. Zhang Cai and Guo Sufi stood on either side, straining to support her arms. When Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian kowtowed before her, Grandmother's face bloomed with a dazzling smile. Yet the flush on her cheeks visibly faded away. By the time the villager presiding over the rites called out, "The rites are complete! Bridegroom and bride, enter the bridal chamber!" the red had entirely drained from her face. Grandmother peacefully closed her eyes, a smile still hanging on her lips.
Guo Sufi and Zhang Cai felt their hands grow heavy. Guo Sufi immediately cried out in grief, "Mother!" It was the second time that day the word "Mother" had rung through the main hall—and the last.
At that moment, Liu Qian could no longer care about propriety. She tore off her red veil in one motion and, together with Guo Sufi and Zhang Cai, carried Grandmother's body back into the little room.
In the courtyard and the main hall, everyone looked at one another in dismay, unsure whether the Zhang family should be holding a wedding celebration or a funeral that day. Only close acquaintances who knew what had happened secretly wiped away their tears.
Supported by Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaolong entered the little room. Grandmother lay on the bed as if she were peacefully asleep. Free from the torment of illness, free from having to suppress her coughs for fear of disturbing her grandson's sleep, she rested serenely, a smile on her face. Looking at Grandmother's features, already carved deep into his heart, Zhang Xiaohua seemed unable to feel grief.