Viagem dos Fios de Seda

The red lanterns swayed, filling the air with festive joy, like the rosy glow of dawn breaking early, casting a warm, fiery hue over the humble gate. Yet from within, only sighs escaped.

At first light, the Chen family was to celebrate their daughter’s wedding as she was to be married off to the town. The bride, clad in her wedding finery, locked herself inside the room, refusing to come out no matter what.

Chen Dasheng wore a worried frown, leaning close to the door crack to plead, “My dear daughter, your father knows you feel wronged. Yes, Mr. Wu is older, but wouldn’t being his wife again be better than a concubine?”

“As long as you bear him a son, your life will be secure—no worries about food or clothing. Why suffer here with your poor parents in this desolate place? Isn’t that so?”

“Come on, open the door and hear your father’s counsel.”

“Daughter? Daughter?”

The old villager seemed exhausted from pleading; his tongue grew dry, and anger began to rise.

“A woman must marry when she comes of age; how could there be any other way? Do you want to become a nun instead?”

“What harm is there in your father asking for a little more dowry? This whole family needs to eat. Can you just watch your parents and brothers starve?”

“Open the door at once! Don’t test my patience! If you miss the auspicious time to leave, don’t blame me for being harsh!”

After long hours of coaxing, his hands red from pounding on the door, inside all he heard was the faint sound of sobbing—no other noise.

Chen Dasheng was puzzled: his