Princess of Nankang, Sima Xingnan, was the daughter of Emperor Ming of Jin, Sima Shao, and the elder sister of the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yu, by the same mother. Thus, Huan Ji and Princess of Xin'an, Sima Daofu, were united in a Cousin Marriage through his mother's side. The young couple's discord was no secret. The Princess of Nankang had tried several times to counsel them, but they seemed to have been enemies in a previous life. Whatever she said, neither would listen. Each found the other displeasing in every way, and they faced each other in silence-
Huan Ji chiefly resented the Princess of Xin'an's contemptuous remark that he was a Military Family Son. It was an intolerable insult. Moreover, on their wedding night, Sima Daofu had dared to quarrel with her, so that they had neither drunk the nuptial wine nor consummated their marriage. He was too ashamed to tell his mother any of this. Had he followed his own inclinations, he would long since have divorced this unworthy wife-
As for Princess of Xin'an, Sima Daofu, she found Huan Ji even less pleasing. The Flesh Mole above his left eyebrow disgusted her; she could scarcely bear to look at him. Some years earlier, when love had first begun to stir in her heart, she had heard that Wang Xizhi's youngest son, Wang Xianzhi, possessed both talent and beauty, and that his elegant, cultivated charm was unrivaled in his day. She had secretly admired him, but unfortunately she was already betrothed to Huan Ji. She had not yet met Huan Ji then and had not known he would be so repulsive. Nor had she seen Wang Xianzhi; she knew only his reputation. But she had seen Chen Caozhi. That day at the Elegant Speech Teahouse, when Chen