This chapter opens with a description of the jade pendant that was given to Ming-ling's mother by a nobleman. Ming's family is poor, and the pendant is a very important item. Ming asks his mother to pawn the pendant so that he can buy new clothes to wear to the wedding. Ming tells his mother that he is late for the wedding because he has called out to her several times. He tells her that if she is late, she will be unhappy, and he will have to help her with her change of clothes