Chapter Summaries

Chen Caozhi attended the Xie residence’s Pure Conversation Gathering, where Yuan Tong and Zhuge Zeng’s teams debated before Xie Daoyun. After Yuan Tong and Zhi Fahan lost both rounds to Fan Wuzi, Xie Daoyun was called to debate Fan, but Chen Caozhi’s presence left her distracted and uncertain.

• Xie Daoyun learned Chen Caozhi had arrived and went with Liu Xu to the main hall, where she listened from behind a folding screen.
• Yuan Tong and Zhi Fahan debated Zhuge Zeng and Fan Ning on whether a white horse was a horse, and Fan Ning refuted their side.
• Zhuge Zeng proposed whether the Changes could predict success in perilous ventures, and Fan Ning defeated Zhi Fahan again.
• Xie Wan invited Xie Daoyun to propose a topic and debate Fan Ning, while Yuan Tong hoped she would win and preserve the gatherings.
• Xie Daoyun struggled to focus because Chen Caozhi was present and privately lamented that he had made things difficult for her.

At the Xie residence, Xie Daoyun asked Chen Caozhi to assist her in a debate against Zhuge Zeng and Fan Wuzi, turning the gathering into a test of her marriage prospects. Chen and Xie Daoyun defeated Fan Wuzi’s argument together, and Zhuge Zeng left after Fan declined to continue.

• Xie Daoyun asked Chen Caozhi to assist her in the debate, and Zhuge Zeng agreed to the arrangement.
• Zhuge Zeng argued that heaven and earth were not benevolent because they cherished nothing, and Chen Caozhi countered that their lack of benevolence meant unawareness rather than cruelty.
• Fan Wuzi challenged Chen Caozhi’s interpretation, and the two debated at length without either conceding.
• Xie Daoyun supported Chen Caozhi’s argument by distinguishing the meaning of heaven and earth’s lack of benevolence from the sage’s teaching for governing the mind.
• Fan Wuzi admitted that he could not withstand the two of them, and Zhuge Zeng left the gathering looking ashamed.

Chen Caozhi reunited with Xie Daoyun through their debate at the Xie Residence and arranged to visit Jiangling Lake the next day. On the way there, he diverted Zhi Fahan’s questions about Buddhist doctrine with a koan-like challenge, leaving the monk pondering the movement of the mind.

• Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun joined forces to defeat Fan Wuzi in debate, while Xie Wan worried that Daoyun’s skill was harming her marriage prospects.
• Chen Caozhi heard Xie Daoyun play “Spring Always Remains” and reflected on the joy and difficulty of their reunion.
• Gu Kaizhi invited Chen Caozhi to visit Elder Zhu Fatai, but Chen declined because he planned to go to Jiangling Lake.
• Chen Caozhi set out for Jiangling Lake with Xiao Chan, Ran Sheng, and Lai Zhen, hoping to see Lu Weiwei.
• Zhi Fahan caught up with Chen Caozhi and asked about the Buddha’s flower and Kasyapa’s smile; Chen posed questions about whether the wind, tree, or mind moved.
• Zhi Fahan hurried back to Dong'an Temple to consult Master Zhi, contemplating Chen Caozhi’s words as he went.

Chen Caozhi traveled to Jiangling Lake to meet Lu Weiwei, but an encounter with hostile guards at a tomb raised questions about a woman they called both a princess and their lady. Lu Weiwei arrived at the lake and saw Chen Caozhi waiting in Guo Pu Pavilion, overwhelmed by their reunion after three years apart.

• Lu Na approved Zhang Wenwan and Lu Weiwei’s outing to Jiangling Lake while he went to court.
• Banli followed Chen Caozhi’s trail to the lake and found tracks leading toward the western shore.
• Chen Caozhi sent Zhi Fahan away, then traveled to the lake with Xiao Chan, Ran Sheng, and Lai Zhen.
• Chen Caozhi encountered guards near the Marquis of Guiyi’s tomb, where they mistakenly called a woman a princess before correcting themselves to lady.
• Banli told Chen Caozhi that Lu Weiwei would soon arrive and directed him to wait at Guo Pu Pavilion.
• Lu Weiwei arrived with Zhang Wenwan, saw Chen Caozhi in the pavilion, and was moved to tears by their reunion after three years.

Lu Weiwei reunited with Chen Caozhi at Guo Pu Pavilion, where their first embrace and renewed affection strengthened her hope that they would marry. Lady Lu supported their relationship but warned that Chen Caozhi still had to win over Lu Shi, then let the two walk together by the lake.

• Lady Lu led Lu Weiwei to Guo Pu Pavilion, where Chen Caozhi was waiting for her.
• Lu Weiwei stumbled as she hurried to Chen Caozhi, and he caught her in his arms before they shyly held hands.
• Chen Caozhi invited Lu Weiwei to visit Dong'an Temple and Mount Hua in Jurong to see the Jewel Magnolias.
• Lady Lu met Chen Caozhi in the pavilion and urged him to find a way to persuade Lu Shi to approve the marriage.
• Chen Caozhi vowed to marry Lu Weiwei and cherish her, and Lady Lu allowed them to walk together beside the lake.

Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei reunited and reaffirmed their intention to marry despite her family’s opposition. After they encountered a curious woman from the Marquis of Guiyi’s household, Chen reassured Lu Weiwei that their relationship was no secret and they were not eloping.

• Lady Lu sent Duan Chu and Zanhua after Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei, while Ran Sheng told them about the growth of Chen Family Cove.
• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei walked together, held hands, and agreed that she would wait up to three more years for him to marry her.
• Lu Weiwei asked Chen Caozhi for advice to help Aunt Zhang conceive, and they arranged for her to contact him about visiting Dong'an Temple.
• A woman in a carriage questioned Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei about their relationship and offered them a carriage if they were eloping, but Chen said he would marry Lu properly.
• Lu Weiwei recognized the woman as belonging to the Marquis of Guiyi’s household and worried she would spread word of their meeting, but Chen reassured her.

Chen Caozhi spent the day with Lu Weiwei, who agreed to wait three more years for him, then visited the Xie Residence and played the Keting Flute for Xi Chao and the Xie family. As his music moved Xie Daoyun, she wondered what she could do before such a clear song.

• Lu Weiwei told Zhang Wenwan that Chen Caozhi had asked her to wait three years, and Zhang worried that he could not gain a distinguished office so quickly.
• Chen Shang told Chen Caozhi that Sun Tai had become magistrate of Feng'an County and was likely to visit again with something to tell him.
• Chen Caozhi set out for the Xie Residence with Gu Kaizhi and Liu Shangzhi, and Xi Chao joined them, discussing the court’s opposition to Duke Huan’s plan to move the capital.
• Xi Chao told Chen Caozhi he would take him to Gushu around the fourth or fifth month, after escorting Huan Ji and the Princess of Xin'an to Jingzhou.
• At the Xie Residence, Chen Caozhi played “Invitation to a Fine Night” on the Keting Flute, and Xie Daoyun listened from behind a curtain, wondering, “What now!”

Liu Dan watched Chen Caozhi play the recorder and realized Xie Daoyun had feelings for him, then urged her niece to pursue him despite his planned marriage to the Lu Clan Lady. Xie Daoyun denied loving him, though Chen’s refusal to move into the Xie residence left her visibly relieved and saddened.

• Liu Dan discovered that the recorder player was Chen Caozhi and saw Xie Daoyun absorbed in his music.
• Xie Wan and Xi Chao arranged to take Chen Caozhi to the Lu Residence on the nineteenth so Xie Wan could view Wei Xie's painting.
• Liu Dan questioned Xie Daoyun about Chen Caozhi and inferred that Daoyun’s past rejection of suitors stemmed from her feelings for him.
• Xie Wan invited Chen Caozhi to stay at the Xie residence, but Chen politely declined and said he was comfortable at Gu’s residence.
• Liu Dan told Xie Daoyun to fight for Chen Caozhi if she loved him, but Daoyun insisted she only admired him.

Chen Caozhi attended Huan Ji and Sima Daofu’s wedding, met several powerful officials, and confronted the Celestial Masters leader Lu Song over his warning to stay away from the Lu Clan Lady. He left for the wedding feast expecting Lu Song’s schemes to bring about his downfall.

• Chen Caozhi and Chen Shang attended the wedding at the Minister of Works' Office, where Xi Chao introduced Chen Caozhi to Wang Tanzhi, Wang Shu, Wang Biaozhi, and Huan Mi.
• Chen Caozhi greeted Lu Na and Quan Li; Lu Shi recognized him, while Quan Li told him he would soon retire and return home.
• Huan Ji arrived with a large procession, married Sima Daofu, and took her to the Grand Marshal's Residence as Lu Weiwei watched from the bridal party.
• As Chen Caozhi walked behind the procession with Chen Shang and Sun Tai, Sun Tai introduced him to Lu Song, a leader of the Way of the Celestial Masters.
• Lu Song warned Chen Caozhi to stop pursuing the Lu Clan Lady, but Chen Caozhi retorted that Lu Ziyu should choose his associates carefully.
• Chen Caozhi left with Chen Shang for the wedding feast, predicting that Lu Song would die after his unlawful schemes failed.

Chen Caozhi spent the evening discussing Confucian learning with Fan Wuzi, who abandoned his plan to debate him after recognizing his ability. At the Minister of Works' Office assessment, Lu Shi demanded severe punishment if Chen Caozhi failed, and the gathering prepared to test his learning.

• Kong Wang visited Chen Caozhi and Gu Kaizhi, then left when Fan Ning arrived because his name violated a taboo on Fan Ning's father's name.
• Fan Ning told Chen Caozhi he would attend the assessment but remain silent, and asked to debate him privately that night.
• Chen Caozhi and Fan Ning discussed Confucian ideals in the Gu Residence's garden until late, and Fan Ning declared himself Chen Caozhi's inferior and vowed never to debate again.
• Sima Yu invited Chen Caozhi to the Minister of Works' Office, where Chen greeted the assembled officials and scholars, including Xie Daoyun, while Lu Shi refused to return his greeting.
• Lu Shi demanded that Chen Caozhi be barred from office for life if he failed the assessment, and Yu Yun supported the proposed penalty.

Chen Caozhi rejected the assumption that he would ask for permission to marry Wei Rui and instead requested Mingsheng Lake for the Qiantang Chen Clan if he passed the Grand Zhongzheng Assessment. He cleared five examiners’ questions, but Han Kangbo began a deeper metaphysical debate as the next major test.

• Chen Caozhi said he would accept dismissal if he failed the assessment and requested Mingsheng Lake for his clan if he passed.
• Sima Yu agreed to consider the request after the assessment, and Chen Caozhi began answering questions from the Grand Zhongzhengs.
• Chen Caozhi impressed Wang Biaozhi and Yuan Dan with his interpretations of poetry, music, and emotion.
• Jiang Sixuan proposed playing Go with Chen Caozhi after the questioning, while Lu Na and Wang Ningzhi also questioned him.
• Han Kangbo challenged Chen Caozhi to debate substance and function, and Xie Daoyun watched closely as the difficult test began.

Chen Caozhi impressed the gathering with his arguments on the Book of Changes and was recognized as having passed his examination, while Fan Ning praised his learning rather than challenge him. He then narrowly lost a Go game to Jiang Sixuan, as Xie Daoyun reunited with Gu Kaizhi and asked him to keep her identity and visit to the capital private.

• Chen Caozhi answered Han Kangbo’s questions about substance, function, and the images of the Book of Changes, leaving Han Kangbo and Yu Yun speechless.
• Sun Chuo admitted that Chen Caozhi’s words had made his own Mysterious-Words Poetry seem worthless, and Sima Yu asked whether anyone objected to Chen Caozhi passing the examination.
• Lu Shi recommended Fan Ning as a challenger, but Fan Ning praised Chen Caozhi’s mastery of metaphysics and Confucianism and cited his ideas about the heart and innate knowledge.
• Zhu Daoqian recognized a connection between Chen Caozhi’s words and Buddhist teachings, then left with Zhu Fatai to return to Shan Mountain.
• Jiang Sixuan played Go against Chen Caozhi, who lost by one and a half stones, while Xie Daoyun predicted the result would favor black.
• Xie Daoyun met Gu Kaizhi outside the hall, asked him not to reveal her presence to the Xie Residence, and agreed to visit the Gu Residence.

Chen Caozhi lost narrowly to Jiang Sixuan at Go but gained further recognition and substantial rewards from Sima Yu for himself and the Qiantang Chen Clan. He prepared to serve at the Western Headquarters while reassuring Xiao Chan and helping preserve Xie Daoyun's disguise from Gu Kaizhi.

• Jiang Sixuan defeated Chen Caozhi at Go, praised his skill, and received his promise to write out thirteen chapters of Go principles.
• Chen Caozhi agreed to visit Fan Wang with Fan Ning, while Xi Chao viewed his broad connections as useful for balancing rival factions.
• Xie Wan arranged to meet Chen Caozhi at Hengtang the following afternoon and left with Xie Daoyun disguised as Zhu Yingtai.
• Sima Yu appointed Chen Shang Clerk of Documents, proposed raising Chen Caozhi to the second rank, and granted the Qiantang Chen Clan Mingsheng Lake and twenty Protected Households.
• Chen Caozhi reassured Xiao Chan after his suggestion that she remain in Jiankang made her fear he no longer wanted her service.
• Chen Caozhi deflected Gu Kaizhi's questions about Zhu Yingtai and discouraged him from recommending Zhu Yingtai to Sima Yu.

Xie Daoyun visited Chen Caozhi, read the weiqi manual he was writing, and asked him to support her in future debates. Chen Caozhi later went with Xie Wan to visit Lu Na, where Lu Weiwei accidentally ruined her painting after hearing they had arrived.

• Xie Daoyun visited Chen Caozhi and praised his calligraphy and the first nine chapters of his weiqi manual.
• Xie Daoyun warned Chen Caozhi about Huan's ambitions and asked him to help her in debates in the third and fourth months; Chen Caozhi agreed.
• Chen Caozhi completed the manual, attributed it to Ban Gu, and lent it to Xie Daoyun to copy.
• Chen Caozhi set out to visit Lu Na with Xi Chao and Xie Wan, while Zhi Fahan asked him to visit Master Zhi the next day.
• Lu Weiwei heard that Xie Wan and Chen Caozhi had arrived, trembled, and blotted her nearly finished painting.

Chen Caozhi restored Lu Weiwei’s ruined painting by turning its ink stains into three islands, delighting Lu Na and Xie Wan. After exchanging a distant greeting with Lu Weiwei at Hengtang, Chen learned he would visit Dong'an Temple the next morning, and Zhang Wenwan agreed to take Lu Weiwei there.

• Xie Wan and Chen Caozhi visited Lu Na, who welcomed them despite the family’s opposition to Chen’s marriage with Lu Weiwei.
• Chen Caozhi transformed the ink stains on Lu Weiwei’s Spring Dawn over Jiangling Lake into three islands named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou.
• Lu Weiwei received the restored painting and went boating to an island on Hengtang, where she exchanged a warm greeting with Chen Caozhi as he passed by.
• Duan Chu learned from Banli that Chen Caozhi would visit Dong'an Temple the next morning at Zhi Fahan’s invitation.
• Lu Weiwei asked to see Chen Caozhi at the temple, and Zhang Wenwan agreed to take her.

Zhang Wenwan and Lu Weiwei traveled to Dong'an Temple with Chen Caozhi and Zhi Fahan, where Chen learned that Wang Xizhi was visiting. The group entered the temple, and a commotion arose behind the Buddhist hall as someone praised a young master's enormous calligraphy.

• Lu Na agreed to Zhang Wenwan's pilgrimage and privately considered adopting Lu Long as his heir if she had no child.
• Lu Qin urged Zhang Wenwan to visit Daoist Leader Lu Song instead, but she continued toward Dong'an Temple.
• Zhang Wenwan and Lu Weiwei met Chen Caozhi and Zhi Fahan on the road, and Chen spoke with them during the journey.
• At Tang Mountain, Chen Caozhi learned that Wang Xizhi had arrived at Dong'an Temple and looked forward to meeting him.
• Zhi Fahan led the party into the temple, where they heard someone praising a young master's enormous characters.

Chen Caozhi encountered Wang Xianzhi at Dong'an Temple, where Wang’s monumental calligraphy had sparked a dispute between their attendants. After Wang challenged him to write on the wall, Chen began writing a verse with his left hand as Wang Xizhi and Zhi Daolin watched.

• Ran Sheng argued with Wang Xianzhi’s book attendant over whose young master was the better calligrapher, while Chen Caozhi praised the characters on the temple wall.
• Wang Xianzhi arrived with Xi Daomao, introduced himself to Chen Caozhi, and challenged him to write large characters.
• Zhi Daolin and Wang Xizhi arrived, and Wang Xizhi praised Chen Caozhi’s poem and calligraphy from three years earlier.
• Chen Caozhi accepted Wang Xianzhi’s challenge and asked for a large Purple-Hare Brush.
• Chen Caozhi wrote a twenty-character Buddhist verse on the wall with his left hand, surprising Ran Sheng.

At Dong'an Temple, Chen Caozhi wrote two contrasting Chan verses in left- and right-handed calligraphy, prompting Zhi Daolin to recognize their Buddhist insight and Wang Xizhi to praise Chen’s originality while urging Wang Xianzhi to learn from him. Xi Xuan welcomed Chen and the Lu women, encouraged the possibility of Chen and Lu Weiwei’s marriage, and the chapter ended with Weiwei leaving after her maid whispered to her.

• Chen Caozhi wrote Shenxiu’s gradual-enlightenment verse with his left hand and a verse expressing sudden enlightenment with his right.
• Zhi Daolin praised Chen Caozhi’s verses, tried to bow to him, and returned to his meditation chamber to contemplate them.
• Wang Xizhi critiqued Chen Caozhi’s calligraphy and told Wang Xianzhi to overcome his pride and learn from Chen.
• Xi Xuan met Chen Caozhi and the Lu women, admired Chen’s talent, and invited them to share loquats and visit the temple.
• Xi Xuan encouraged Zhang Wenwan to expect Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei to marry, while Weiwei blushed at the suggestion.
• After a vegetarian meal, Duan Chu whispered to Lu Weiwei, who asked her mother to let her step out.

Lu Weiwei went with Chen Caozhi to see the Jewel Magnolia on Mount Hua, while Zhang Wenwan confided in Xi Xuan about her wish to arrange Weiwei’s marriage to Chen Caozhi despite Lu Shi’s opposition. On the mountain path, Chen Caozhi gathered thorns to pin up Weiwei’s long skirt, and she tenderly sucked the blood from his pricked finger before they continued hand in hand.

• Zhang Wenwan let Lu Weiwei leave with Chen Caozhi and their companions, but made Chen promise to bring her back before five.
• Zhang Wenwan told Xi Xuan that Weiwei refused other suitors and that Lu Shi opposed her marrying Chen Caozhi; Xi Xuan encouraged her to judge the match by character.
• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei walked hand in hand along the secluded mountain path while their companions kept their distance.
• Chen Caozhi pricked his finger while picking thorns, and Lu Weiwei sucked the wound until it stopped bleeding.
• Chen Caozhi used the thorns to pin up Lu Weiwei’s skirt so she could walk more easily, and she took his hand again as they continued.

Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei visited Mount Hua, where they shared their first kiss, then returned toward Dong'an Temple after soaking their tired feet at a hot spring. Lu Weiwei went back to Jiankang with Zhang Wenwan while Chen Caozhi stayed at the temple, and the emperor sent riders to summon him.

• Zhi Fahan led Chen Caozhi, Lu Weiwei, and their companions to Mount Hua, where Lu Weiwei admired the Jewel Magnolias and collected fallen petals to make Chen Caozhi a sachet.
• Chen Caozhi kissed Lu Weiwei beneath a magnolia tree, and they promised to marry each other.
• Lu Weiwei struck her toe on the return path, and Chen Caozhi helped her soak her bruised foot in a hot spring.
• Zhang Wenwan took Lu Weiwei back to Jiankang while Chen Caozhi stayed at Dong'an Temple at Zhi Fahan's master's invitation.
• At Jiankang's eastern gate, riders announced that the emperor wished to summon Chen Caozhi of Qiantang.