Chapter Fifty-Nine: Release

An autumn rain brings a chill, and behind the earthen gates of the village, the funeral procession moves slowly, the fine drizzle echoing the heavy atmosphere. The bleak wind sweeps across the wild grass of the land; though everyone is dressed warmly, the chill still creeps in. Amidst that desolate field stand the villagers of Earthen Gate Village, solemnly watching, some sighing, others quietly sobbing. Before them rises a marble tomb, engraved with two names: Mother Yun, of the Chu family, and Father Yun, Yun Shang. Gou Ye and Yun Niang kneel before the gravestone, scattering paper money with their hands. Staring at the cold stone, Gou Ye is filled with indescribable emotions. Though the two could not be together in life, he hopes that in another world, they will be united forever, free from the torment of illness; perhaps this is a kind of release for Mother. Gou Ye thinks this as he looks worriedly at Yun Niang beside him.

Since Mother Yun passed, Yun Niang has been unnaturally calm—so calm, it is frightening. For the past two days, she has kept vigil beside her mother’s coffin, refusing food and drink, not speaking, showing no trace of emotion, which worries Gou Ye more than anything. If these feelings are not released, suppressed day after day, sooner or later something terrible will happen. Gou Ye has tried to persuade her to cry if she needs to, but Yun Niang remains unmoved. Her restrained indifference leaves everyone deeply concerned.

“Mother, go in peace. I promise you I will fulfill what I vowed. I will take good care of Yun Niang. With you as witness, we are now husband and wife, and I will fulfill my duties as a husband. If you know this in the afterlife, you may comfort Father as well,” Gou Ye says as he bows his head, Yun Niang following suit, yet her expression unchanged, not uttering a word since the funeral began.

The village chief slowly approaches, helping them up and sighing, “I never expected your mother to leave this world so soon. You both must restrain your grief, live well, and take care of each other. If your mother knows, she would want to see you happy.” He gently pats Yun Niang’s head and continues in a heavy voice, “Yun Niang, child, Grandpa knows you’re hurting, but you mustn’t let your sorrow harm your body. That’s not what your mother would want. Though she is gone, you still have Gou Ye, you still have all of us; Earthen Gate Village is still your home. You’re not alone—everyone worries about you. If you’re sad, cry it out, and you’ll feel better.”

Yun Niang nods calmly. “Thank you, Grandpa.” These are her first words since the funeral, and after speaking them, she remains emotionless. Gou Ye supports her out of the crowd and has the maid help her into the carriage.

Turning, Gou Ye walks over to Gu Shen. “Brother Gu, we need to think of something. Yun Niang hasn’t eaten or drunk for two days, and what worries me most is that she never cries. Since Mother passed, she’s kept the same expression. I’m really afraid something will go wrong.”

Gu Shen sighs softly. He noticed something was off with Yun Niang when he arrived this morning, at first thinking it was extreme grief, but now it seems more serious. “You’re right. If this continues, Yun Niang will have problems. We must find a way to make her cry.”

Gou Ye asks Gu Shen to discuss with everyone, then rushes to the carriage to be with Yun Niang. He comforts her, tries to talk about other topics, hoping to distract her, but Yun Niang only smiles faintly, then suddenly collapses into Gou Ye’s arms. Gou Ye is startled and calls for help, pinching her philtrum as he waits. After a while, Yun Niang’s eyelids flutter, and Gou Ye finally breathes a long sigh of relief.

Back in the village, Gou Ye carries Yun Niang into the house, instructs the maid to bring a bowl of steaming noodle soup, and gently feeds her a spoonful. “Yun Niang, be good, eat a little. You won’t be able to bear this much longer.”

Yun Niang looks at Gou Ye, sees his anxious, worried face, and at last slowly opens her mouth to accept the soup. She gently takes the bowl, picks up the spoon, and eats, one mouthful at a time. When finished, she calmly sets the bowl aside, turns away, and climbs onto the bed. Gou Ye watches over her for a long time, sensing from her breathing that she has fallen asleep, then quietly leaves the room.

Gu Shen has gathered everyone in the dining hall. When Gou Ye arrives, they all inquire about Yun Niang’s condition. Gou Ye sighs and shakes his head.

“Have you come up with any good ideas?” Gou Ye asks.

Guo Bingyin suddenly says, “If you ask me, master, why not pretend to give her a beating? Maybe a scare will make her cry.” Everyone, including Guo Bingjin, looks at Guo Bingyin with disdain.

Gu Shen says, “Gou Ye, perhaps we should try letting Yun Niang see some of Mother Yun’s belongings. Maybe if she spends time with them, her emotions will stir and she’ll cry.”

Gou Ye thinks for a moment and shakes his head. “I’ve considered that, Brother Gu, but if seeing Mother’s things could make her cry, it would have happened already. The room is full of her belongings, but I don’t know which item might truly move Yun Niang.”

Caisheng, staring at the table, mutters, “If she were a man, it’d be easy—just drink a lot of wine, and all the emotions come out.”

This careless remark from Caisheng gives Gou Ye a sudden idea. He steps forward and says, “Caisheng’s suggestion is worth trying. Tonight, let’s prepare a banquet in the hall. Remember, our mission tonight is to get Yun Niang drunk. Dali, go ready the wine. Xiaodie, prepare tonight’s food.”

Once everything is arranged, Gou Ye returns to Yun Niang’s room. Watching her sleep, he sits beside her, his gaze full of tenderness and affection. Gently stroking her hair, his heart aches for her. He lies down next to her, holding her in his arms without hesitation. Yun Niang slowly opens her eyes, feeling Gou Ye’s embrace, and silently grasps his hand. Neither speaks; they simply lie there quietly, until both drift into sleep.

They sleep until evening, awakened only when the maid comes in to call them. Gou Ye, knowing everyone is ready, takes Yun Niang to the dining hall.

Though the meal is lavish, Yun Niang doesn’t touch her chopsticks, and everyone sits still, waiting. Gou Ye finally picks up his chopsticks. “Let’s eat and drink as we please. Gu Shen, stay the night—there’s a spare bed upstairs in Caisheng’s room.”

With these words, everyone begins to eat, doing their best to lighten the atmosphere with laughter and conversation. Yun Niang remains unmoved, sitting quietly. Gu Shen pours a bowl of wine and sets it before Yun Niang. “Yun Niang, I won’t say much tonight. We’ve known each other as friends, and I know how much you’re hurting. As a friend, I feel it too. I won’t offer empty comfort—just take this bowl, as a tribute to Mother Yun.”

Yun Niang hesitates, then suddenly drinks the wine in one gulp. With the first round, everyone follows, drinking with Yun Niang. Soon, her cheeks flush red, her eyes grow hazy, and everyone stands together. “Let us send Mother Yun off with this bowl,” Gu Shen says, and everyone raises their cups. Just as they are about to drink, Yun Niang suddenly bursts into loud, uncontrollable sobs.