Lu Weiwei took her two maids, Duan Chu and Zanhua, around to the bank of the Nine-Bend River behind the Wanshan Inn. Seeing four private soldiers of the Lu Clan following them, she instructed, "You needn't follow. I'm only going to admire the autumn mallows here by the river." The four soldiers stopped and followed no farther.
Seeing Lu Weiwei's hurried steps and delighted expression, Duan Chu really thought there must be some prized autumn mallows along the riverbank. Ever since our Little Lady wept so bitterly when she parted from Lady Tongyun that day, she hasn't cried again, but she often sits lost in thought on her own and scarcely speaks. It's truly worrying. Fortunately, she still loves flowers. Flowers can ease her cares.
Duan Chu and Zanhua exchanged a glance, both secretly delighted.
The Nine-Bend River twisted and turned. Lu Weiwei and her two maids walked downstream along its bank. Rounding a bend, they saw two horses tethered beneath an alder. The tall Ran Sheng stepped out from behind the tree, but Chen Caozhi was nowhere to be seen.
Surprised and delighted to see Ran Sheng, Duan Chu hurriedly asked, "Xiao Sheng, what are you doing here? Where's Master Chen?"
Ran Sheng bowed, then turned with a smile toward the Nine-Bend River, signaling for Lu Weiwei and her two maids to look that way-
A boat more than twenty feet long, with a bamboo canopy, lay moored by the river. Chen Caozhi stood at its bow and called, "Wei Rui, over here."
Duan Chu and Zanhua looked from Chen Caozhi to Lu Weiwei, then stared at each other. Only now did they understand why their Little Lady was so delighted. Master Chen had been waiting here!
Lu Weiwei's face shone, seven parts happiness and three parts shyness. "Master