At the Hour of the Dragon on the first day of the eleventh month, Dai Kui and Chen Caozhi left the Xie Clan's estate together. They said their farewells at the little ferry landing below Cao'e Pavilion. Dai Kui untied his boat and boarded, then cupped his hands. "Caozhi, I shall sweep a couch clean and await you at my thatched cottage on the Shan River."
Chen Caozhi bowed deeply. "Whether at the end of this month or the beginning of the next, I shall certainly come to visit you, sir."
Dai Kui smiled. "Caozhi, do not imitate that Wang Ziyou, visiting Dai on a snowy night without seeing Dai." With a laugh, he departed.
Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng spurred their horses into a gallop and reached the small town of Dongguan in less than an hour. Xiao Chan and the others were already craning their necks in anticipation, and they set out together at once.
"Young master," Xiao Chan said, "today is your birthday. When we stop at noon, let us have the innkeeper prepare Chive-Leaf Shuiyin Pancakes."
"Elder Brother and I already ate Shuiyin Bing at the Xie Clan's estate," Ran Sheng said.
Xiao Chan said happily, "Master Zhu had someone prepare them, did he not? How thoughtful of him."
Ran Sheng glanced at Chen Caozhi, thinking, *Earlier, that Xie Clan household soldier was waiting at Cao'e Pavilion and said Master Zhu had ordered him to wait there. Yet when Elder Brother and I reached the estate, they said Master Zhu had gone to Zhu Family Manor. How strange! Master Zhu was not at the estate, but the Lady of the Xie Family was. I remember that at Wuyi Lane in Jiankang early this year, that Lady Daoyun invited Elder Brother to assist her in debate-Elder Brother