Even as a carp escapes the metal hook,
  Flirts its tail and shakes its head
  And returns not.

In front of the door La Chia said to his mistress: 

“Wait a moment!  I will call a little palankeen to take you to the house of Liu.”

She answered: 

“In this very court are my friends, my sisters, who have always been in sympathy with me.

“I must take leave of them; and I cannot neglect to thank them for the money they have lent me.”

Accompanied by her Lord, she went to each pavilion to greet her friends.  Now, one of them, Yuch-lang, was a very close friend of Shih-niang, so, seeing that she had not done her hair, she led her to her own toilet-table, and ran to call another friend, Hsu Su-Su.  Then she took from her coffers many ornaments of king-fisher leather and bracelets and jasper pins, even embroidered robes and girdles ornamented with phoenix.  She gave them to Shih-niang, over-coming her with gratitude.

She also ordered a feast of congratulation, to which all their friends were invited, and finally, at the end of day, offered the pair a bed for the night.

When she was alone with Li Chia, Shih-niang asked: 

“Where shall we go when we have left the capital?  Has my Lord made a decision on this point?”

“My father,” he answered, “is still angry with me.  If, in addition, he learns that I have married my Little-Sister, and that I am coming back with her, he will doubtless be carried quite away by rage.  I have not found a satisfactory plan.”

“Your father has feelings from Heaven.  He could not break completely with you.  Would it not be better for us to go to him, and to keep to our boat while you pray your friends to go and ask for a harmonious reconciliation?  After that, leading your slave, you may re-enter your dwelling in peace.”

“That is an excellent plan,” he answered.

Next day they thanked Yuch-lang again, and went to the house of Liu.  On seeing the learned man, Shih-niang knelt down to express her gratitude to him, saying: 

“Later we may both know how to return your kindness.”

Liu hastened to answer, according to the polite formality: 

“Your admirable sentiment far exceeds my most poor action.  You are a heroine among women.  Why, then, do you hang such words to your/teeth?”

All day the three of them drank wine of joy.  Then the pair chose a suitable day for their journey, and obtained horses and palankeens.  When the time for their departure drew near, Yuch-lang, Hsu-Su, and all those friends came to bear the couple company.  Yuch-lang sent her servants to bring a metal casket, furnished with a golden lock, and gave it to Shih-niang, who placed it in her palankeen without opening it.

The porters and servants urged the travelers forward, and they started.  Liu and the beautiful women escorted them as far as the other side of the Ch’ung-wen gate, and there they drank a last cup together.  They separated with tears.