The crescent moon was like a beauty's eyebrow, a faint stroke on the western horizon. Beneath the boundless starry sky, Jiankang lay like a game board, the Qinhuai River like a ribbon. The Chen Clan residence beside the river blazed with lights, its front courtyard clamorous and its rear courtyard quiet. Where the eastern and western Double-Corridor Towers met, the Xie Residence servants led by Liu Xu and Yinfeng stood on one side, and the Lu Residence servants led by Duan Chu and Zanhua on the other, waiting silently. As soon as Chen Caozhi entered the inner courtyard, they all stepped forward and bowed. Those from the Lu Residence said, "Master Chen, please ascend the West Tower." Those from the Xie Residence said, "Master Chen, please ascend the East Tower." Their voices were clear and perfectly synchronized, as though well trained.
Marrying two wives at once was bound to involve a little more trouble. Although Chen Caozhi had anticipated the predicament of his wedding night, he had not devised any good solution beforehand. With such delicate matters, he could only adapt as circumstances arose and act when the opportunity presented itself. He had been to both Chang'an and Ye City and maneuvered there with ease; these eastern and western Double-Corridor Towers were hardly a dragon's pool or a tiger's den. Surely he could find a way to satisfy both sides-
Chen Zongzhi, Chen Run'er, and several other Chen Clan children stood behind Chen Caozhi, watching the excitement. Run'er's eyes curved into smiling crescents, her expression brimming with interest-
Chen Caozhi asked Liu Xu, Duan Chu, and the others, "Did your ladies send you to welcome me?"
Quick-witted Liu Xu said, "This is merely our way of showing you courtesy, Master Chen. Our lady knew nothing of it." Liu Xu took