Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun bade farewell to Wei Sien and Zhi Mindu and left the Wei Clan's manor. Xie Daoyun said to Chen Caozhi, "When I lived at Dongshan, Master Zhi Mindu saw me many times. Fortunately, you expounded the Buddhist scriptures today, Zizhong, and Master Zhi was so delighted and full of praise that he never paid attention to me."
Chen Caozhi smiled. "Rest assured, Brother Yingtai. Even if Master Zhi Mindu has some suspicions, he will only keep them to himself, not tell outsiders."
Xie Daoyun smiled and said, "Master Zhi invited you to ascend the dais and preach, Zizhong. The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. Has there ever been a layman who preached to monks?"
Chen Caozhi smiled. "Perhaps Master Zhi intends to invite me to preside over Qiguang Temple."
Xie Daoyun cast Chen Caozhi a sidelong glance and said with a smile, "If Zizhong enters the monastery, what will become of the Lu Clan Lady?" She had adapted what others said about her Third Uncle, Xie An: "If Anshi will not come forth, what will become of all the people under heaven?"
Chen Caozhi changed the subject. "It is nearly the end of the Wei Hour. Let us go and visit Master Xie Shen, Xie Xingsi."
Led by a runner from the Commandery Office, the party set off toward the Kuaiji Xie Clan's manor, ten li away.
Xie Daoyun lifted the carriage curtain to speak with Chen Caozhi. "Since Master Xingsi retired as court chronicler, he has often visited Dongshan to discuss the classics and history with my Third Uncle. He seems to be compiling a history of the Later Han."
Chen Caozhi remembered that the Book of the Later Han included among the Twenty-Four Histories had been written by Fan