Xu Miao was thoughtful and cautious. Feeling that their presence would disturb Mother Chen Lady Li, who was in poor health, he consulted Gu Kaizhi and told Chen Caozhi they would like to find lodgings nearby. When Chen Caozhi mentioned this to his mother, Mother Chen Lady Li said, "How could we allow that? The only houses nearby belong to the tenant farmers at the southern foot of Nine Luminaries Mountain, six or seven li away. How could we send honored guests to stay there?"
Chen Caozhi said, "Gu Kaizhi likes reciting poetry at night and fears disturbing your rest."
Mother Chen Lady Li said, "Just let Master Gu and Master Xu stay on the third floor. Your mother likes a lively house. Hearing you recite poetry, talk, and laugh from a distance will put my mind at ease."
Chen Caozhi said, "All right, then. I'll arrange for Chang Kang and Xianmin to stay on the third floor."
After dinner that day, Liu Shangzhi wanted to return to Liu Family Fort and give his parents a pleasant surprise as well. He also said that Liu Family Fort was only fifteen li away, less than a two-hour journey, so he could come over to join them whenever he wished.
Liu Shangzhi took his leave of Mother Chen Lady Li and departed Chen Family Cove with two manservants and a maid. Chen Caozhi, Xu Miao, Gu Kaizhi, and Ding Chunqiu accompanied him along the road to see him off.
The sky had not yet grown completely dark. No moon was visible on this night of the fifth day of the ninth month. Stars began appearing one after another in the autumn sky, and autumn insects chirped in the grass beside the road.
Gu Kaizhi said, "Brother Shang Zhi, you won't have much