In the process where spirit merges with flesh, Zhou Xuan's body would occasionally shudder.
But the shudders were subtle, and the wakeful Xu Li and Song Jie, both exhausted, responded slowly and noticed nothing amiss.
...
Finally, daybreak arrived,
The Zhou Family's Troupe's canteen had readied noodles with shredded pork early on, waiting for the troupe members to finish eating before the auspicious time they had agreed upon. After a brief rest, they would be ready for the Nuo parade.
The four senior brothers didn't go to eat; they were waiting to seal the coffin.
First, the master carpenter hammered a nail into each of the four corners of the coffin.
These nails required professional skill; a slight misalignment would lead to the coffin lid coming off during the procession, causing a great embarrassment.
Four nails could secure the coffin, but five coffin nails were needed.
The last nail, the burial nail, was to be hammered in by a relative.
