The bright moon and the empty courtyard are like water like a Chinese year

Chapter 1 The life of wealthy wives and concubines in the Republic of China

When: Autumn 1930
Location: Song's

Seven days later, Mrs. Song Jiatai (Li Yue) will be celebrating her [-]th birthday. The entire Song family is busy preparing for the banquet, and Mrs. Song Jiatai (Hui Yi) is leading Steward Song to take care of everything.

Because the eldest wife of the Song family (Hui Yi) is the first wife, a lady of a famous family, with a good background and good education, and the Qi family is also a well-known family in Shanghai, everyone in the family respects and respects her very much. Song Yaoguang, who is in charge of the family, is even more so.

In addition, in the big families in the old society, due to the long-standing habit of monogamy and multiple concubines, under this ugly system, no matter whether it is a wife or a concubine, they are used to treating the wife (Li Yue) every day. Greetings and serving tea in the morning are traditions and one of the "family rules" of the Song family.

Location: Mrs. (Huiyi) Room - Kitchen - Corridor

Early in the morning, before dawn, it was only four o'clock in the morning (also known as dawn in Yinshi), and the eldest wife (Hui Yi) of the Song family had already gotten up to dress up, arrange her makeup, take a bath and change clothes, bring the housekeeper Song and close The maid Lan Xiang went to the kitchen to make breakfast for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) herself. At five o'clock (sunrise at Maoshi, also known as the beginning of the day), the sun had just appeared and when it was rising, she took Steward Song and her close maid Lan Together, Xiang set off to Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) room, preparing to greet Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) and offer tea.This is the case every day, day after day, year after year, as always, again and again, follow the rules, and do it tirelessly.

Venue: Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) Room

"Boom. Boom. Boom"

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With a gentle knock on the door, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) stood at the door of Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) room with Steward Song and her close maid Lan Xiang, waiting for the door of Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) close maid Mei Xiang to open the door. , went to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue)'s room to greet Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) and offer tea.

"Morning lady, morning"

Mei Xiang, the close maidservant of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), lowered her head and bowed slightly, respectfully addressing her.

"Mother, morning, please greet my mother"

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) lowered her head and bowed slightly to respectfully address Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) who was sitting at the dressing table combing her hair and makeup.

"Mrs., early"

Steward Song and Mrs. (Hui Yi)'s close maid Lan Xiang also followed Mrs. (Hui Yi) and bowed slightly to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) who was sitting at the dressing table combing her hair and makeup respectfully.

After Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) finished dressing, changed her clothes, and sat on the sofa at the coffee table, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) personally picked up the "tea" in the hands of Butler Song, bent down, bowed her head, and respectfully greeted Standing in front of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), she said to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue): "Mother, please drink tea"!
"How about Ruoli's marriage? When will Weiren, Weijia, and Ruoxi come back from their studies abroad?" Madam Tai (Li Yue) put down the "tea" and looked anxiously at the eldest wife (Hui Yi) asked.

"Mother, I'm already looking for a partner for Ruoli's marriage. Yaoguang and I are very concerned about Ruoli's marriage. We have taken a fancy to a few families, and they are all very good. They are very close to our family. It's suitable, but I haven't confirmed which one yet, after all, it's my daughter's marriage, Yaoguang and I don't want to make a hasty decision."

"The second young master of the Qi family, your elder brother's second son, your nephew, Qi Shaoli, isn't he very good? I have played with Ruoli since I was a child, childhood sweethearts, I see that the relationship between the two of them is very good, and the Qi family We are also related by marriage, if Ruoli marries, wouldn't it be more intimate, more intimate?"

"Mother, I have watched Shao Li grow up since he was a child. Of course, it would be the best to marry Ruoli and get closer. But Shao Li is uncertain, playful, and, girl Friends change more frequently than clothes."

"Last month, I heard that she was jealous because of a showgirl, got into a fight, and went to the police station. I was worried that Ruoli would be wronged if she married her!"

Time stopped for five seconds—

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The eldest wife (Hui Yi) immediately said: Mother, don’t worry, although Ruoli is not my own, but the second concubine’s (Yiyi) child, I love every Yaoguang’s child equally, no Will be eccentric, as Yaoguang's wife, Ruoli and Ruoxi are the same in my heart, I love her as much as Ruoxi, and because of this, I don't want to rush to decide her future happiness."

"Huiyi, how can mother not understand your heart? I hope you can also understand my heart as a grandma."

"Mother, don't worry, I will take care of this matter. In addition, Weiren and Weijia's schools will graduate after this semester, and they will come back immediately after graduation. Weiren and Ruoxi I still have to participate in the school's graduation activities, and I may not be able to come back until later, I have written to inform them, asking them to come back to attend your old man's birthday as much as possible, and hope that they can come back in time after receiving my letter."

"Okay, you and Yaoguang can figure it out. When Weiren and Weijia come back from graduation, remember to arrange for them to work in Yaoguang's. After all, it's better for your own family to take care of your own business. It's more reliable than outsiders."

"As for Ruoxi is a girl again, like Ruoli, when she graduates, arrange a good marriage for her, marry a good husband, that's better than anything else, don't you think so, Huiyi?"

"Yes. Yes. Mother, you are right. You are right. When Yao Guang returns from Hong Kong, I will discuss it with him and make arrangements. Mother, don't worry!"

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At this time, while the eldest wife (Hui Yi) and Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) were talking, the third concubine (Minxiu) also knocked on the door with her handmaid Zhuxiang.

"Mother, good morning, Mrs. Good morning, please greet Mother, please greet Mrs."

The third concubine (Minxiu) lowered her head and bowed slightly to the wife (Li Yue) and the eldest wife (Huiyi) respectfully.

"Mrs. Tai, morning, Mrs. Tai, morning"

The third concubine (Minxiu)'s maidservant, Zhuxiang, also bowed her head slightly and called out respectfully.

"Third aunt, good morning"

Housekeeper Song and maid Lan Xiang, who were beside the eldest wife (Hui Yi), lowered their heads and bowed slightly at the same time, calling respectfully and in unison.

"Minxiu, why are you the only one here today to say hello to mother? (Yiyi) Where's her? Don't you make an appointment to come here every day? Why are you the only one today?"

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) looked at the third concubine (Minxiu) who came to pay her respects and tea to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) alone today, and asked curiously out of concern.

"Ma'am, before I came here today, I wanted to go to the second concubine (Yiyi) to call her in her room first, and then come here with her. I didn't know that the second concubine (Yiyi), her close maid, Juxiang, came to me early in the morning and told me She is sick today, so I can't come with me to say hello and tea to my mother."

Third Aunt Tai Minxiu replied slowly and respectfully.

"Second Aunt (Yiyi) is she sick? What is it? Is it serious? Huiyi, you will ask the housekeeper to ask a doctor to look at it later. If it is not serious, send a maid to the nearby pharmacy to prescribe some medicine and come back. .”

Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) was very nervous after hearing the report from the third concubine (Minxiu), and asked and gave instructions to the condition of the second concubine (Yiyi) very concerned.

"My mother, I'll go and have a look later. If it's serious, I'll ask Dr. Wu from Huai'an Hall to come over. Mother, don't worry, old man."

five seconds later—

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"By the way, mother, yesterday I heard Mei Xiang say that your throat is a little uncomfortable. I specially ordered the kitchen to cook a bowl of rock sugar Sydney for you this morning. Mother, you will drink it while it is hot."

"Sydney pears promote body fluid and moisten dryness, and have the effect of clearing heat and reducing phlegm. It is especially suitable for consumption in autumn. Moreover, pears also have the effects of moistening lungs and clearing dryness, relieving cough and reducing phlegm, nourishing blood and strengthening muscles, which is good for the throat and the body. "

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) responded warmly and caringly to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue)'s exhortations.

"Mother, I also heard from Mei Xiang that you are unwell and cannot sleep at night. Today, I specially asked the kitchen to cook a bowl of bird's nest porridge for you. You can try it later."

The third concubine (Minxiu), who was standing next to the eldest wife (Hui Yi), followed the words of the eldest wife (Hui Yi), and said warmly to the wife (Li Yue) with concern.

"Okay. Okay. Mother will remember your thoughts. You are so filial to me. It seems that my birthday, I believe you will definitely organize it well, hehe (modal particle)."

Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) said with a smile on her face.

"Mother, don't worry, old man, I guarantee that you will be satisfied on your birthday. If you don't have other orders, then I (Minxiu) and I will go out first, so you can use it early."

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) pulled the third concubine (Minxiu) beside her and replied respectfully.

"Go. Go." Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) said with a smile while holding bird's nest porridge in both hands.

Walking out of the wife's (Li Yue) room, the third concubine (Minxiu) and the eldest wife (Hui Yi) went back to their rooms.

"Song Butler, I still won't go back to my room. I'm a little worried. I'm afraid that the maids and servants will be too slow to do things. This will affect Mrs. Tai (Li Yue)'s birthday this time. Let's go to the hall and side hall first. Let's see how they arrange it, it will be done in another seven days, if you haven't arranged it properly, you have to hurry up."

On the way back to the room, the eldest lady (Hui Yi) hurriedly turned and walked towards the hall, and said to Butler Song.

On the way to the hall, in the corridor, and on the windows, besides the maids and servants who are cleaning, you can see lanterns and festoons everywhere, everyone performing their duties, some carrying things that need to be prepared for the birthday banquet, potted plants, some Holding the congratulatory gifts sent by the guests in advance, each of them walked in their own way. Whenever they saw the eldest wife (Hui Yi) passing by, they would smile and bow to the eldest wife (Hui Yi) respectfully. respectfully said:

"Hello, madam. Good morning, madam."

Before approaching the hall, there was a sudden crackling sound in the hall.

Venue: Song House (Lobby)

"Bang crackling" the vase on the coffee table in the hall broke. . .

"What the hell happened" Who broke the vase?
Seeing that the eldest wife (Hui Yi)'s face darkened, Steward Song immediately asked eagerly.

"It's me, Steward Song. When I was cleaning the coffee table, I accidentally bumped into it." Maid A lowered her head and replied apologetically.

"How many times have I said, you have to be serious when you do things, and you have to keep your eyes bright. What's wrong with doing things so sloppily? Especially on festive days, don't be messy, don't rush, and don't be careless. If something happens , can you bear it?" Steward Song sternly instructed Maid A with her hips akimbo.

"I'm sorry, Steward Song, I didn't do it on purpose, I was not careful, I will definitely pay attention in the future, and don't make mistakes again." Maid A lowered her head and replied guiltily.

"Sui Sui Ping An, Sui Sui Ping An, don't do this again next time. Quickly clean up the vase fragments," the kind-hearted lady (Hui Yi) sat in the hall and watched Maid A ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Maid A bowed her head respectfully and replied.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Huawang Master Zhang has sent a list of "flowers" for Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) birthday banquet. He said that I will let you have a look and choose which one you like first. If you have a good look, you can go immediately." Send someone to bring them to the Song residence." Maid B asked the eldest wife (Hui Yi) for instructions respectfully holding the "flower" list.

"Peony, Rhododendron, and Anthurium." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) looked carefully at the list of "flowers" and replied after thinking for a moment.

"After the flowers are delivered, Steward Song, please carefully check the number of flower pots and order them to be placed in various positions. This time, the birthday banquet of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), in short, everything is a good omen. It is booming and lucky. Do you know that this is the best way to benefit the Song family?" The eldest wife (Hui Yi) looked at Steward Song and asked again.

"Yes, Ma'am, I will take care of them closely, please rest assured!" Steward Song immediately replied.

Just as the eldest wife (Hui Yi) was communicating with Steward Song, at this time, the maidservant B came over and asked the eldest wife (Hui Yi) respectfully: "Eldest wife, may I ask you this time, Mrs. What repertoire are you going to perform at the birthday banquet? Master Lin, the head of the Quanfu Opera Troupe, sent someone over with a list of repertoires, asking you to choose a play, which will be performed on the night of Mrs. Tai’s (Li Yue) birthday banquet. .”

"Come on, let me have a look." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) took the track list from Maid C and said to her.

After a while—

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"Just the Peking opera "Magu's Birthday" and the Cantonese opera "Eight Immortals' birthday celebration."

"As for "Farewell My Concubine", "Farewell My Concubine", "Major Minister of the Six Kingdoms", and "Legend of the White Snake", these are all inappropriate."

"Although these are also the favorite songs of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), after all, that day is her birthday, and it is a day of great joy. It is too unlucky to perform these songs."

The eldest lady (Hui Yi) replied after thinking for a moment.

"Yes, Mrs." After hearing the answer from Mrs. (Hui Yi), Maid C took over the track list from Mrs. (Hui Yi), took it away, and went to work.

"Let's go, Steward Song, Lan Xiang, let's go see Second Aunt (Yiyi)."

"See where she feels uncomfortable, whether she is really sick or fake."

At this moment, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) thinks of the second concubine (Yiyi)'s vitriolic, arrogant, domineering, domineering, unforgiving face in her mind, and her heart is full. I don't believe such a person at all. Will be sick is full of doubts and curiosity about her illness.

Location: Second Aunt (Yiyi) Room

"Second Aunt, here comes the ginseng soup. The kitchen has just finished stewing, so I brought it for you." Juxiang, the maidservant next to the second concubine (Yiyi), was holding the ginseng soup in her hand, and walked towards the second concubine (Yiyi) slowly and tremblingly. ) beside the bed.

At this moment, the second concubine (Yiyi) was lying on the bed, and when she heard Ju Xiang, the maidservant near her, came over with ginseng soup, she got up slowly.

"I asked you to get me something to eat in the kitchen, what's the matter with you?"

"After so long, you went all morning and just brought back a cup of ginseng soup?"

"Answer me, are you dumb?"

"You're really useless, you can't do a little thing well."

The second concubine (Yiyi) accused Juxiang, the close maidservant, with an evil face.

After receiving the ginseng soup from Ju Xiang, he looked at it, smelled it, and said to Ju Xiang, "What kind of ginseng is this? It's so small, it doesn't have any ginseng flavor."

"This is the best ginseng in Northeast China sent by the best friend in the master's business. Last time the master came to see you and heard that you liked it, so he asked me to keep one and said that if you need it in the future, I can stew it for you. Soup, to nourish the body." Ju Xiang replied respectfully.

"Why don't I smell like it? I don't want to drink this kind of ginseng soup that doesn't taste like ginseng."

"Tell me, did you tamper with the ginseng soup and replace the ginseng?"

The second concubine (Yiyi) started her true performance again, pinching her arm to the close maid Juxiang and said viciously.

"Second Aunt, I really didn't lie to you, it is really the northeast ginseng given by the master"

Facing the unreasonableness of the second concubine (Yiyi), Ju Xiang, the close maidservant, waved her hand to clarify.

"Whether it's cheating or not, and whether it's real ginseng, only you, Ju Xiang, know, and you know it best."

"Looking at the strange eyes you stare at the master and the young master every day, who knows what is going on in your mind?"

"I think you have tampered with the ginseng soup, trying to make me half dead, so that you can seduce the master or the young master and make you an aunt, right?"

"You dead girl, you can't do little things well, do you want to piss me off so that you can be happy?"

The second concubine (Yiyi) talked more and more vigorously, the more she said, the more shameful she was, pinching the arm of the maidservant Juxiang with her fingers again and again Facing such a situation, the maidservant Juxiang was very helpless and aggrieved, but I can only stand aside and bow my head to accept such unreasonable accusations.

At this time, the eldest wife (Huiyi) and housekeeper Song, who walked to the door of the second concubine's (Yiyi) room, couldn't bear it anymore and decided to come in and talk.

"What's going on? It's so noisy." The eldest lady (Hui Yi) walked in slowly and asked.

"Eldest Wife Song Steward." The second concubine (Yiyi)'s close maid, Juxiang, looked at the eldest wife (Huiyi) and Song Steward and bowed her head in aggrieved address.

"It turns out that the second concubine (Yiyi) is "teaching" the maid again. No wonder the voice is so loud that I can hear it in the corridor." Song Butler said mockingly.

"Song Butler" At this time, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) glanced at Song Butler who was standing beside her, and made a look to tell Song Butler to calm down.

"Eldest lady, it's very kind of you to come. You came to judge me. If you said that the servant girl did something wrong, should I be scolded?"

"Also, some servants cannot be tolerated, otherwise there will be no rules." The second concubine (Yiyi) replied to Butler Song's ridicule.

"Ju Xiang, what did you do to make the second aunt so angry?" The eldest wife (Hui Yi) hurriedly changed the subject and asked with concern.

"Eldest Wife, Second Aunt said she was not feeling well and wanted to eat, so she asked me to go to the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat, bring it to her, and stew a cup of ginseng soup by the way."

"When I went there, because there were only some snacks in the small kitchen, I saw that the second aunt (Yiyi) didn't like them, so I didn't take them. In addition, the stove for stewing ginseng soup happened to be broken, so I replaced them. I went to stew in the big kitchen, but came back late."

"After the second aunt (Yiyi) drank the ginseng soup I just served, she felt that the ginseng soup had no taste. She suspected that I had tampered with it and replaced the ginseng."

The second concubine (Yiyi)'s close maid, Juxiang, looks at the eldest wife (Huiyi) and replies aggrievedly.

"Ma'am, I really didn't do this. Please believe me. Since I was bought into the Song family at the age of six, I have regarded the Song family as my own home. I have always followed the rules and served my second concubine (Yiyi) wholeheartedly. I have never I have never had a different heart, and I dare not have a different heart."

"I really didn't secretly change the ginseng, please explain it clearly to my second aunt for me, let her trust me, and forgive me."

The second concubine (Yiyi)'s close maid, Juxiang, complained pitifully to the eldest wife (Huiyi) about being wronged.

"Ju Xiang, you damn girl, you dare to sue the eldest wife (Hui Yi) in front of me, and when you carry me behind your back, don't you want to climb into the bed of the master or the young master?" "Aren't you Are you willing to admit your mistake if I use family law?"

The second concubine (Yiyi) still cursed arrogantly in front of the eldest wife (Huiyi).

"Second aunt, even if Juxiang really made a mistake, she will naturally deal with it when the eldest wife is here, and what Juxiang made is only a small mistake, so she doesn't need your family to attend to it? What's more, the wife and the eldest wife are still there, It seems that it's not your turn to be the second concubine." Song Steward couldn't see it, and said righteously to the second concubine (Yiyi).

"Yo? Butler Song, are you bold now? Even my second concubine dares to say it. Is it possible that you are relying on the presence of the eldest wife (Hui Yi) and relying on the power of others? You don't have to look down on me." Are you in?" Second Aunt (Yiyi) said with something in her words.

"The servant girl is disobedient, so you can discipline her slowly. You have scolded and beaten her, and your anger should subside. Why are you so angry? Your health is important, isn't it?" the eldest wife (Hui Yi) said earnestly Said.

"Ma'am, if you want to be a good person, I won't stop you, but it's not good to connive at the servant girls, no matter how big or small, regardless of superiority or inferiority. Besides, Juxiang is my servant girl. Is it wrong to teach her a lesson?" Second Aunt (Yiyi) replied relentlessly.

"I believe that Ju Xiang is not such a person. She didn't mean to offend you. She was bought into the Song family by me since she was six years old. She has always been honest. I think there must be some misunderstanding between you two." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) said helplessly Go on.

"Misunderstanding? On weekdays, I see her always talking non-stop with those maids and servants. Who knows if she is still talking about me behind my back, and chewing my tongue." The second aunt (Yiyi) is still relentless. replied.

"Eldest lady, when you say this, is it possible that you want to say that I am indiscriminate and unreasonable?"

"Okay, then I'll show you how unreasonable it is." The second aunt (Yiyi) still replied relentlessly.

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now.Just when the conflict between the eldest wife (Huiyi) and the second concubine (Yiyi) was about to break out, the eldest lady (Ruoli) came in.

"Enough. Enough, Mom, have you had enough trouble? You are not ashamed, but I am ashamed."

"In this family, aunt has tolerated you in every possible way and accommodated you in every possible way. Don't you want daddy to know?"

"If Dad knows that you have wronged the maid and contradicted the aunt like this, what do you think will happen to Dad?"

"Don't you care about Dad at all?"

"I've had enough of having a mother like you. Sometimes, I really would rather my aunt be my mother."

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While talking, the eldest lady (Ruoli) ran out angrily.

"Ruoli. Ruoli" the second concubine (Yiyi) saw her daughter running out in such a rush, she shut up, stopped talking, and finally calmed down.

Venue: Room of the third wife (Minsu)
"Third Aunt, the round fan made from the Shu embroidery, Suzhou embroidery, Yue embroidery, and Hunan embroidery you ordered from Xiangluo Silk and Satin Factory, boss Liu of Xiangluo Silk and Satin Factory sent someone to deliver it."

The third concubine (Minxiu) approached the maid, Zhuxiang, and slowly walked into the third concubine's room with a few round fans in her hand and said to the third concubine (Minxiu).

"Put it on the table, I'll take a look."

"The color of the Shu embroidery sent over this time is pretty good. Later, you can take two of them to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) and send them to her."

"In addition, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) likes Cantonese embroidery, so I also sent two to her room, you know?"

"Also, for the second aunt (Yiyi), send her two embroidered ones too. Last time I went out with the master to buy the perfume, I forgot to give her a share. She told me for several days Quiet, don't forget this time."

"By the way, later you take the remaining Hunan embroidery round fans to Butler Song. When the eldest lady (Ruoli) and the second lady (Ruoxi) are here, give them one each."

The third concubine (Minxiu) looked in the mirror while looking left, right, touching up, pulling down, and arranging the clothes on her body, and said slowly to Zhuxiang, the maidservant next to her.

"Mom, did you just hear the {wonderful performance} of Big Mom and Second Mom in Second Mom's room?"

At this moment, the third lady Ruoxian came in with the book in her hand, took the hand of the third concubine (Minxiu), and sat down on the stool on the coffee table.

"You ghost girl, stop talking to me here, be careful when your second mother hears it, she's going to throw a tantrum again."

"Who is afraid of whom? Isn't she just a second concubine? What's so great about being a singing girl?"

"In the Song family, relying on grandma's love and giving birth to a son, I don't bother to care about her. If the eldest sister and second brother are not so kind to me, I don't even want to look at her."

"You know that your elder sister and your second elder brother treat you well and love you, that's fine. When someone beats a dog, it depends on the owner. If you don't look at the monk's face, you also have to look at the Buddha's face, right? You just look at your elder sister, For the sake of your second brother being so good to you, don't worry so much with your second mother, and only by calming things down can we coexist peacefully, isn't it?"

"Got it, Mom, I'm just talking casually, who has time to talk to her? I'm busy with studying, hmph"

"Hehe. You silly girl, when will you be able to understand something, just don't let mom worry about you."

"Mom, don't worry. Although I am not as good at studying as my brothers and sisters, I am not bad. You have to trust me, I will definitely make you look good, so don't worry."

"Okay. Okay. Mommy is waiting for that day. Mommy's daughter must be the best"

The third concubine (Minxiu) and the third miss Ruoxian, the mother and daughter, chatted with each other in the room.

Chapter 1 (End)
Note: The ones with () are just to inform the readers of their respective identities.When reading, you can remove the name in () by yourself.

(End of this chapter)