The scene was heartbreaking. The bereaved family was pitiable, and the soldiers were grief-stricken. The Duke approached Qi Liang's wife, wishing to offer his condolences for the loss of this fine general right there at the roadside.
To everyone's surprise, she refused.
Her reason was this: her husband had died that day for the state. To accept the ruler's condolences at the roadside in the wilderness would be a violation of the proper ritual between ruler and subject.
In other words, for the Duke to casually mourn his subordinate at the roadside was far too perfunctory and abrupt for a hero who had given his life for the country — entirely lacking in proper ceremony.
The correct course, she said, was to wait until Qi Liang had been brought home, where his family would tend to his appearance and dress him in his general's official robes. Then, on the day of the formal funeral, the Duke could come in his capacity as ruler and offer his condolences with the dignity that befitted them both.
The Duke agreed. This was indeed the proper observance of ritual between ruler and subject. The wife of General Qi Liang thus preserved her husband's final dignity, and her courage in speaking truthfully has been admired by later generations.
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