The merchant's wife takes on a different appearance. It is a radiant festival that lasts for only four days.

This couplet talks about how even the master and his wife, typically seen in their usual roles, take on different appearances or roles during a special time. It refers to a "sparkling festival of four days," suggesting a brief, vibrant period when things change. It beautifully captures the temporary nature of celebrations and how people, even those in positions of authority, might shed their everyday personas to partake in the joy and festivities. It's about a short, bright interval where life takes on a different, more festive hue.