The woman who had stepped forward to rebuke them was, of course, Chen Jiao.
How could she bear to hear someone slander her brother? But she had grown up sheltered in the inner chambers. When had she ever faced a scene like this? Lu Le's barbed mockery and the crowd's barrage of words soon left her flustered.
Lu Le refused to let it go. "What reputation does Chen Fangqing have? Does he write fine poems? Brilliant rhapsodies? He earns a little renown from one Strange Tales piece and thinks he belongs among the greats? What a joke!"
The people around them nodded.
Buoyed by their agreement, Lu Le smiled faintly. "To discourse on the Dao and fathom the profound is to understand Heaven and man! To debate policy and literature is to draw great meaning from subtle words! If either can reach the emperor's ears and help govern the realm, that is a grand and righteous path!"
"Exactly. The Green Willow Gathering draws so many people because Grand Scholar Yu and the others serve at court. If they appreciate your writing and see your talent, they might even mention you at court. That's the proper path!"
"Let the young lady understand: we're only speaking of the matter at hand. After all, who knew your brother's name a few days ago?"
"Forget distant examples. Take Young Master Jiang Yi, who just passed by. He accompanies Lord Yu not because of his family, but because of the literary reputation he's built over the years! Even eminent monks discuss his essays on Buddhism with him when they meet..."
With everyone speaking against her, Chen Jiao could think of no reply. She was so anxious she nearly cried. Feeling terribly alone, she recalled what the two Daoists had said that day.
*If only I