Seeing Chen Caozhi's brows draw slightly together and hearing no immediate answer to his question, the Old Clan Chief, Chen Xian, softened his tone. "Caozhi, I know you think deeply and act with caution and restraint. You are no ordinary youth. But when it comes to love, how many heroes since ancient times have been able to cast it off freely? Not a few have lost themselves in it and made terrible mistakes. You must be careful."
Chen Caozhi knew he could not reach an understanding with Fourth Uncle on this subject, so he said, "Fourth Uncle, I would like to know where these rumors came from, and what exactly people are saying."
Chen Xian said, "I don't know where they first arose. Fourth Uncle heard them from an old Administrative Clerk at the County Yamen. He said that while studying in Wu Commandery, you were very closely involved with a Lu Clan lady. After you returned to Qiantang, that lady even came to Chen Family Cove to visit you. And when your mother's funeral procession set out, one of the young maids sent by the Lu Residence to offer sacrifices was dressed in mourning hemp. Very strange indeed!"
Chen Caozhi loved Lu Weiwei and had resolved to marry her. Sooner or later, their love would be laid bare before the world. When that happened, criticism would swarm and public indignation would surge; the pressure would be immense. Simply concealing it would never work. He could not keep it hidden forever, unless he had no intention of marrying Lu Weiwei. Now the first pressure had come from within his own clan. If he dared not bear even this much, how could he later face the pressure from the Lu Clan, or even all the gentry clans of the Three Wu?