Lu Na skimmed a few entries, which contained quite a few words of longing. Caozhi had written these especially for Wei Rui to read. He closed the book and asked, "Caozhi, what kind of literary form is this?"
Chen Caozhi answered, "A diary."
"A diary?" Lu Na said with a smile. "Liu Xiang's New Prefaces says, 'He watches for his lord's faults and records them, making a record each day.' That is the duty of a historian. By keeping a diary, Caozhi, do you mean to examine yourself three times each day?" As he spoke, he handed the book to Lu Weiwei.
Lu Weiwei took the diary. It felt weighty in her hands and was finely bound. Master Chen had written it especially for her to read, and her heart filled with delight. Yet she did not open it, only held it in her hands as she knelt quietly.
Seeing Wei Rui treasure the book like a priceless jewel, Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan, smiled and said, "Though you were away from Jiankang, Caozhi, tales about you were circulating everywhere in the city. Recently another rumor has appeared, saying that a princess of the Yan Kingdom wanted you as her consort. Is there any truth to that?"
Chen Caozhi was startled. He had told only Huan Wen and Xi Chao about this. How had it become a rumor in Jiankang? Since even Lady Lu, who seldom ventured out, knew of it, the rumor must have been circulating for more than a day or two. Who could have leaked it? Though more than three hundred attendants and soldiers had accompanied his mission, only Ran Sheng, Shen Chiqian, Su Qi, Huang Xiaotong, six Shen Clan Private Soldiers, six Su Clan private soldiers, and four soldiers from the Western Headquarters had followed him to