While Kong Wang and Chen Caozhi discussed the classics and metaphysics, Xiao Chan and A Jiao, two young women of similar age and the same status, were also discussing matters of the bedchamber.
This was the private courtyard the Gu household had assigned to Chen Caozhi and Chen Shang, with a small timber-and-earth building laid out in the shape of the character 品. The entrance led into the main hall, with side rooms on either side. Chen Shang occupied the eastern rooms, while Chen Caozhi lived in the western rooms. Xiao Chan shared Chen Caozhi's quarters, one sleeping in the inner room and the other in the outer room.
A Jiao and Xiao Chan knelt across a small rosewood table from each other. Lightly stirring the pile of scented sachets on the table, A Jiao glanced at Xiao Chan and asked with a smile, "Xiao Chan, does your master treat you well?"
"Very well. My young master is the finest person under heaven-" Seeing the teasing look on A Jiao's face, Xiao Chan stopped, a little bashful.
A Jiao grinned. "That's right. Your young master is the most handsome man in Jiangzuo. I heard someone say that Jiangzuo Wei Jie, Chen Caozhi, has already eclipsed Wang Yishao's most handsome seventh son, Wang Xianzhi. Just look at how many young ladies in Jiankang today had their dresses torn in the crush to catch a glimpse of your young master. They threw him a whole heap of sachets, too. The embroidery on these is so exquisite. Mine can't compare-"
Xiao Chan was beaming as she listened, but A Jiao suddenly added, "You really are fortunate, Xiao Chan. Your young master only has you at present, doesn't he? Such a handsome master-how do you bear all his attentions?"
Xiao Chan froze, then realized