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132
THE Lî Kî.
BK. II.


29. Shun was buried in the wilderness of Зhang-wû, and it would thus appear that the three ladies of his harem were not buried in the same grave with him[1]. Ki Wû-jze said, "Burying (husband and wife) in the same grave appears to have originated with the duke of Kâu."

Part II.

1. At the mourning rites for Зǎng-jze, his body was washed in the cook-room[2].

2. During the mourning for nine months[3] one should suspend his (musical) studies. Some one has said, "It is permissible during that time to croon over the words (of the pieces)."

3. When Зze-kang was ill, he called (his son), Shǎn-hsiang, and addressed him, saying, "We speak of the end of a superior man, and of the death of


  1. From the first part of the Shû King we know that Shun married the two daughters of Yâo. The mention of "three" wives here has greatly perplexed the commentators. Where Зhang-wû was is also much disputed.
  2. The proper place for the operation was the principal chamber. There is only conjecture to account for the different place in the case of Зǎng-jze.
  3. In relationships of the third degree: as by a man for a married aunt or sister, a brother's wife, a first cousin, &c.; by a wife, for her husband's grand-parents, uncles, &c.; by a married woman, for her uncle and uncle's wife, a spinster aunt, brothers, sisters, &c. See Appendix at the end of this Book.