The little girl said, "So you're looking for my uncle by marriage. He just went out and will be back shortly. Sir, why not come inside and sit for a while?"
Zhang Yu said, "No need. I will wait here. He should be back soon."
The little girl thought for a moment, then suddenly turned and ran off. She called out to the other children, and they all ran into the house together. After a while, they carried out a wooden bench between them and placed it before Zhang Yu, saying in clear young voices, "Please sit, sir."
Zhang Yu glanced at her and did not refuse her kindness. He sat down there. Seeing that the little girl was quite clever, especially with those clear, bright eyes, black and white distinct, holding a lively spirit within them, he asked, "What is your name? How old are you this year?"
The little girl had clearly received a good education. She answered, "In reply to sir's question, this girl is named Shan Zhaorong, and I am eight this year."
From the letter Yu Mingyang had sent him, Zhang Yu learned that his wife's elder brother was Shan Li, currently a clerk at the Household Office.
Though the two families had originally been far apart in status, the other side had taken the initiative in seeking this marriage. The chief reason was that Yu Mingyang had once been Shan Li's student.
He said, "Have you begun studying?"
The little girl said, "I have. Before entering the Academy, I studied for two years at the family school. I only barely recognize a few characters and can recite several children's poems."
Zhang Yu looked at her for a few moments and nodded. "If you intend to cultivate the Dao in the future, you may first