Mei Wanying had only recently finished her postpartum confinement, and her body hadn't fully recovered. With Ling still so small, neither mother nor daughter could go out.
So they didn't go to join the festivities of the New Year's Eve lantern festival.
Mrs. Mei had been frail and sickly in recent years. Even after returning to her hometown, she was beset by one matter after another and hadn't managed to regain her energy and spirits.
Unable to go out, they had the manor decorated with lanterns, filling it with a festive air.
Not wanting to tire her mother, Mei Wanying said, "Let's not stay up for the New Year's vigil this year. You should get some rest."
New Year's Eve was a time to ring out the old and welcome the new, and Mrs. Mei insisted on observing the vigil. She said she wanted to pray for blessings and good fortune for Mei Wanying and Ling.
"You take Ling back to rest first. I'll go to the ancestral hall and have a talk with your father."
