At dusk, Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng set out on foot for the Xie Residence in Wuyi Lane. At Vermilion Bird Bridge, Chen Caozhi paused on the eastern side, gazing at the shimmering ripples of the Qinhuai River, then at the deep mansions and sprawling compounds across the water. He thought, How difficult it is for Brother Yingtai to step beyond those high walls and deep courtyards! He was just about to cross Vermilion Bird Bridge when someone said, "Zizhong, here I am."
Chen Caozhi looked up in surprise and saw someone emerge from the shade of the locust trees on the eastern bank, face as pale as though powdered, robes flowing, slender figure seemingly too frail to bear the weight of clothing. Who else could it be but Xie Daoyun!
Seeing that Xie Daoyun remained beneath the locust trees rather than coming over, Chen Caozhi approached and bowed with clasped hands. "Brother Yingtai, have you been well since we parted?"
Her eyes sparkling, Xie Daoyun looked Chen Caozhi over and saw that he had grown still more handsome and spirited. Returning his greeting, she said, "I waited quite a while for you. I thought you would come to the banquet. When you failed to appear, I asked the steward and only then learned that Master Zhichuan had passed away. Zizhong, restrain your grief."
Chen Caozhi said sadly, "Master Ge bestowed blessings upon countless people. His death weighed more heavily than Mount Tai."
Xie Daoyun did not echo his words. She thought Chen Caozhi had praised his teacher too highly. How could someone who pursued immortality be said to have bestowed blessings upon countless people? When Xie Daoyun disagreed with something, she would never offer conventional, insincere assent.
Chen Caozhi understood her well, so he told her about Master Ge's