Preface to the Tomb of the Mandarin Ducks

When I was young, I happened to read the Story of Jiao and Hong a tragic romance and felt deep sorrow. A Jiao swore unto death to be faithful to no other, and Shen Sheng followed her in death. Each reached the height of their emotions. They found peace of mind, and like a pair of mandarin ducks, they departed this world together. Yet, beyond their life and death, I cannot help but beat time to the rhythm of their story and sigh in admiration.

The right half of the manuscript spread contains a rectangular frame with eight empty vertical columns. A small brown age stain appears near the top right corner.