The next moment, as the dance reached its apex, the third prince stepped forward and burst out in song. "He lay there—quietly, his last breath having expired—! As though he were—a fallen leaf, floating in the wind—to his soul we pay our respects, our tears!"

The fourth prince took over. "With my mournful voice—I sing out my sorrow, in order that— you may depart with ease—!"

Zhang Lie didn't know whether the second prince would indeed depart with ease; if he were the one in the coffin, he certainly wouldn't.

Nevertheless, the song and dance continued. It was the fifth prince's turn. "As though you had—dreamt a marvelous dream—never to...