Chen Caozhi, Xie Daoyun, and their party of more than forty traveled east along the Qilin River south of Wu Commandery's seat. It was the tenth month, before the Beginning of Winter; the weather had just turned austere, cold one moment and warm the next. The trees on either side of the road grew barer by the day, and the flowers offered little variety. Only wild yellow chrysanthemums bloomed in clumps and clusters, coloring the scene with the mood of autumn and winter.
Xiao Chan sat in the ox cart, watching Young Master Caozhi and Master Zhu ride side by side with their reins held lightly. At first, she had thought Master Zhu rather feminine in speech and manner, fearing he belonged among those who shared the leftover peach and cut sleeve. Yet throughout their days on the road, both Master Zhu and Young Master Caozhi had been perfectly courteous. When they stopped for the night, they discussed calligraphy and painting, savored tea and played Go, or spoke of past and present-a friendship between gentlemen-
Xiao Chan said, "Although Master Zhu shows others no warmth in word or expression, he and Young Master Caozhi are very close. But when it comes to temperament, Young Lady Lu is still the best. Young Lady Lu is just like Lady Youwei. Young Master Caozhi and his elder brother, Master Qingzhi, both like women who are gentle yet strong-"
At this thought, Xiao Chan shook her head with a smile, silently scolding herself for her foolishness. How could she compare Young Lady Lu with Master Zhu?
Then she heard Master Zhu say, "Zizhong, Lu Qin is in Huating. If you go, he is bound to humiliate you with his words. If word spreads, your reputation will suffer."
Chen Caozhi was silent for a moment