Chen Caozhi climbed the steps, removed his shoes, and walked slowly into the Thatched Cottage in his socks. With a warm smile, he first bowed to Xu Miao. "Did you arrive yesterday, Xianmin?" He then cupped his hands in greeting to the Zhu Clan brothers, who sat side by side.
Delighted to see Chen Caozhi, Xu Miao rose. "Zizhong, you've come at just the right time. These two Brother Zhus are formidable debaters. I fall far short of them. How embarrassing, how embarrassing."
Before Chen Caozhi arrived, Xu Miao had felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Though his arguments had failed him and his words had run dry, he had still been unwilling to concede. Now that Chen Caozhi was here, he felt a weight lift from him and readily admitted that he could not outdebate the Zhu Clan brothers. It was up to Chen Caozhi now. When he discussed philosophical principles with Chen Caozhi, Gu Kaizhi, Liu Shangzhi, and Ding Chunqiu at Peach Grove Cottage, Chen Caozhi spoke with flowing ease, producing one subtle insight after another. Xu Miao knew he was no match for him.
Chen Caozhi seated himself calmly beside Xu Miao, rested his hands on his knees, and sat upright. The first thing he noticed was the scent of First-Grade Agarwood, the incense worn by the Zhu Clan brothers five paces away. First-Grade Agarwood was expensive and smelled very pleasant, but Chen Caozhi had always felt some distaste for men perfuming themselves. These Zhu Clan brothers not only wore incense but also powdered their faces, and thickly at that—at least as heavily as He Zhu of Kuaiji—
The Zhu Clan brothers were about Chen Caozhi's height, both over seven chi tall. They sat erect and looked remarkably alike. The one in the place of honor