On the mid-autumn night, the newly risen, brilliant moon shone in from beyond the upstairs gallery. The shadows of the railings spread across the floor were blurred and drowned by the light of the Wild Goose and Fish Lamp indoors. The autumn wind rustled, and the Fortified Manor lay quiet.
After a long silence of thought, Chen Caozhi finally said, "Third Brother, I cannot go to Jiankang."
At first, Chen Shang had thought Chen Caozhi was considering something else. Never had he expected him to say he would not go to Jiankang. Startled, he said, "Sixteenth Brother, why do you say that? Going to Jiankang is the foremost matter for our clan. Your reputation has already spread there. Among the capital's powerful gentry, some are jealous, some admire you, and some dismiss you, but all are awaiting your visit. Grand Minister over the Masses Sima Yu loves pure conversation above all else. Whenever he has a day off, the Minister of Works' Office is packed with distinguished guests. High officials, eminent men, and famous monks gather there, waving their Dust-Tail Fans and ruyi scepters, while debates rise one after another. Those classic debates between Yin Hao and Sun Sheng on 'the subtlety of the Changes' images lies beyond visible forms,' and between Yin Hao and Zhi Daolin on 'the four fundamental theories of talent and nature,' all took place at Sima Yu's residence. Staff Officer Xi once told the grand minister of your attainments in Confucian learning, Xuanxue, and Buddhism, saying that Chen Caozhi's brilliance in pure conversation was no less than Yin Hao's in his day. That is why the grand minister sincerely looks forward to your visit to Jiankang. You might not even need to undergo the assessment by the Grand Zhongzheng of the eighteen provinces. If your