Emperor Sima Yu ordered the palace attendants to escort Princess Xinan, Sima Daofu, back to Yongfu Palace, and asked her birth mother, Consort Xu, to comfort her daughter. After the weeping Sima Daofu had left, Emperor Sima Yu pondered alone, thinking over what Daofu had just said about Li Jingshu stirring up Lu Weiwei. After much consideration, he finally ordered the palace superintendent to summon Chen Caozhi, the Sima of Si Province, for an audience-
When Chen Caozhi arrived at Shiqian Hall, a palace eunuch said that the emperor was watching fish at the small pond behind the hall. He had already instructed that Sima Chen should go straight to see him upon arriving, without waiting to be announced-
The midday winter sun was pleasantly warm. Emperor Sima Yu stood beside the small pond with his broad sleeves hanging down, watching the fish swim back and forth, rather envying their happiness. Hearing footsteps, he asked without turning, "Caozhi?"
"Your servant is here." Chen Caozhi hurried forward several steps and was about to bow when Emperor Sima Yu said, "No need for ceremony. Come and look at these fish."
Chen Caozhi approached the pond. Within the bluestone pool, roughly ten feet square, dozens of fish darted through the water: yellowcheek carp, small silvery bream, and, most numerous of all, little carp of assorted colors. Their brilliant hues flashed as they wove back and forth, a delightful sight.
With apparent serenity, Emperor Sima Yu said, "The minnows swim out at their leisure. Such is the happiness of fish."
This came from the brilliant debate about happiness and mutual understanding between Zhuang Zhou and his friend Hui Shi as they strolled over the Hao River-the famous exchange: "You are not a fish. How do you know the happiness of fish?" "You are not