The lengthy Scene 32, “<i>ying xiang ku xiang</i>”: “Receiving the memorial statue and lamenting before the statue”
is popularly known as “ying-ku” for short.
In the first part, a statue carved of sandalwood of the ill-fated imperial consort Yang Guifei
is greeted by the emperor who personally escorts the statue into her shrine.
As he offers wine to the statue,
he is reminded of their love and the tragic events that brought about her death.
This scene is from <i>The Palace of Eternal Life</i>, by the Qing dynasty playwright Hong Sheng;
a fifty-scene play based on the historical romance
of emperor Tang Minghuang and a palace lady, Yang Yuhuan.
Tang Minghuan is said to be so taken by her beauty and talent that he makes her his consort,
and elevates her to the rank of <i>guifei</i>, imperial consort.
With Yang Guifei at his side, Tang Minghuan indulges himself in wine, women, and music,
neglecting matters of state.
Meanwhile, An Lushan, a favorite of Tang Minghuang, foments rebellion against the emperor,
who is forced to abandon the capital, and escape to Sichuan.
On the way, the imperial guards mutinied,
demanding the death of Yang Guifei and her clan brother,
the prime minister, threatening to defect.
Minghuang, to his eternal regret, has no choice but to grant Yang Guifei
the honorable way out: suicide by hanging.