The conversation returned to Zongzhi's marriage, and Ding Youwei asked, "How many months can you stay in Jiangdong this time, little brother?"
Chen Caozhi said, "I may have to head north in August or September."
Ding Youwei said, "Once Zongzhi returns this time, let us settle his marriage. He is nineteen already. There are young ladies from the Chen Commandery Yuan Clan, the Wu Commandery Zhang Clan, and the Taiyuan Wang Clan. You should choose for him, little brother."
Chen Caozhi had previously heard that both the Chen Commandery Yuan Clan and the Wu Commandery Zhang Clan wanted a marriage alliance with Zongzhi. Now the Taiyuan Wang Clan had joined them. He quickly asked whether the young lady was Wang Tanzhi's daughter or Wang Yun's.
Ding Youwei said, "Wang Yun's daughter. Her maiden name is Wang Fahui."
Chen Caozhi's dark brows knitted slightly. He knew of this Wang Fahui, another well-known woman of Eastern Jin. After Emperor Jianwen, Sima Yu, passed away, Crown Prince Sima Yao ascended the throne and was to appoint an empress. Xie An and the other ministers considered the Taiyuan Wang Clan illustrious and Wang Yun, Minister of the Five Armies, a man of excellent character and reputation. Although his daughter Wang Fahui was three years older than Emperor Xiaowu, Sima Yao, she was still made empress. They had assumed that with a family such as the Taiyuan Wang Clan and a father of the celebrated Wang Yun's character, Wang Fahui could hardly be lacking in either virtue or looks. Who could have expected that she would not only love drink as her father and brothers did, but also have a violent temper? Sima Yao was fourteen then, and Wang Fahui seventeen. In the palace, she often berated him, and when drunk, she would throw tantrums