Huan Xi left the spacious room hung with plain curtains and, seething with resentment, went to the guest quarters where Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng were staying. Standing in the courtyard, he shouted, "Chen Caozhi, come out and see me!"
Chen Caozhi was talking with Ran Sheng by lamplight. Hearing Huan Xi's rude shouting, he rose and walked slowly outside, then asked courteously, "What are your instructions, Heir Apparent?"
Huan Xi sneered. "Stop pretending to be innocent. What business is it of yours if I recruit Murong Chui? Why did you obstruct me?"
Chen Caozhi smiled. "So that is what this is about. Heir Apparent, please come inside to talk."
Huan Xi wanted to hear what sophistry Chen Caozhi would offer, then humiliate him to his face. With a cold snort, he strode inside and knelt with his hands on his knees, glaring as he waited for Chen Caozhi to explain himself-
Perfectly composed, Chen Caozhi took a sip from his teacup and slowly set it down, but offered Huan Xi no tea. "Since you have already asked Duke Huan about this, Heir Apparent, you need only obey his orders. What else is there to say?"
Huan Xi had never expected Chen Caozhi to speak to him with such contempt. His lungs nearly burst with fury, and he shouted, "Chen Caozhi, did you invite me inside just to humiliate me?"
"Precisely," Chen Caozhi said.
Huan Xi began trembling uncontrollably. He opened his mouth to speak, but only hoarse, rasping sounds came out. He wanted to spring to his feet, draw his saber, and hack wildly at Chen Caozhi, but his feet had cramped and stiffened with rage until he could barely move. His ears, however, had not gone deaf, and every word Chen Caozhi spoke remained perfectly clear. "What virtue