Chapter Summaries

Chen Caozhi met and debated the gifted Xi Chao at Tongxuan Temple, then learned the stranger’s identity when Lu Na summoned him to the Governor’s Residence. Xi Chao, traveling to persuade Xie An to leave retirement, asked Chen Caozhi to debate with him again before departing for Kuaiji.

• Chen Caozhi donated incense money at Tongxuan Temple and debated Buddhist and Daoist teachings with a wealthy young man atop the pagoda for three double-hours.
• Chen Caozhi left when Ran Sheng complained of hunger, then returned to Peach Grove Cottage and wrote a letter to Ding Youwei before Ding Chunqiu departed for Qiantang.
• Lu Na’s stewards summoned Chen Caozhi to the Governor’s Residence, where he recognized the young man as Xi Chao, also known as Xi Jiabin.
• Xi Chao told Lu Na that he was traveling to Kuaiji on Huan Wen’s orders to invite Xie An to leave retirement, then asked Chen Caozhi whether Xie An would accept.
• Chen Caozhi said Xie An would remain retired if Xie Wan could shoulder the responsibility, and Xi Chao invited him to another private debate before leaving for Kuaiji.

Lu Weiwei sent loquats to Chen Caozhi, while Xi Chao offered to help him restore the Qiantang Chen Clan’s aristocratic status and enter Grand Marshal Huan’s service. Chen Caozhi received Xi Chao at Peach Grove Cottage, where Zhu Yingtai and Zhu Yingting arrived to share the fruit.

• Lu Weiwei learned that Xi Chao had come to meet Chen Caozhi, left before seeing him, and sent him two baskets of loquats.
• At Lu Na’s feast, Lu Na praised Chen Caozhi and offered him a literary registrar post, while Xi Chao proposed recruiting him into the Western Headquarters.
• Xi Chao admired Chen Caozhi’s flute and discussed how their meeting at Tongxuan Pagoda had come about through causes and conditions.
• As they walked to Peach Grove Cottage, Chen Caozhi explained his analysis of the Xie Clan and revealed that his chief aim was to restore the Qiantang Chen Clan’s aristocratic status.
• Xi Chao promised to speak with Jia Bizhi and advised Chen Caozhi to build his reputation before joining Grand Marshal Huan’s service; Chen Caozhi agreed to serve the country.
• At Peach Grove Cottage, Xi Chao tasted Lu Weiwei’s loquats, and Zhu Yingtai and Zhu Yingting arrived asking to share them.

Xi Chao praised Chen Caozhi’s learning, treated him as a valued companion, and left for Kuaiji after urging him to conduct himself wisely. As Chen prepared to return to Qiantang, Zhu Yingtai stayed behind, Lu Weiwei went to Huating, and Lu Na arranged an office position for Liu Shangzhi.

• Zhu Yingtai and Zhu Yingting paid their respects to Xi Chao at Peach Grove Cottage, and Zhu Yingting spoke with him privately before leaving.
• Xi Chao discussed Chen Caozhi’s doctrine of “suchness,” praised his talents, and brought him to a banquet where the Wu Commandery gentry treated Chen with greater courtesy.
• Xi Chao departed for Kuaiji with Chen Caozhi accompanying him part of the way, and advised Chen to conduct himself wisely.
• After Xi Chao left, Chen Caozhi played “Remembering an Old Friend,” and Zhu Yingtai emerged and said he had heard the tune while seeing Zhu Yingting back to Shangyu.
• Lu Weiwei left for the Lu Clan’s country residence in Huating, while Chen Caozhi told Lu Na he would return to Qiantang and asked him to help Liu Shangzhi find a position.
• Liu Shangzhi impressed Lu Na with his calligraphy, and Lu Na offered him a clerkship with the prospect of a Ninth Rank post in two years.

Chen Caozhi left Wu Commandery amid a huge public farewell, but Zhu Yingtai failed to appear, leaving him to wonder about their parting. After traveling to Huating to meet Lu Weiwei, he arrived at her garden, where Duan Chu accidentally said that Master Chen belonged to her young lady, silencing the maids.

• Chen Caozhi departed the Xu Clan Thatched Cottage, and Ran Sheng discovered that Zhu Yingtai had already moved out without saying farewell.
• Abbot Li, Lu Na, Xu Zao, and hundreds of people accompanied Chen Caozhi to the post pavilion, where admirers gave him food and embroidered sachets.
• Chen Caozhi traveled onward with Xu Miao and Liu Shangzhi, who accompanied him as far as Qingpu and promised to visit him later.
• Chen Caozhi continued toward Huating with Ran Sheng and Lai De, then met a steward from the Lu residence who escorted him to the estate.
• Duan Chu brought Chen Caozhi to Lu Weiwei at Little Cherished Garden, where she accidentally told the maids that Master Chen belonged to Young Lady Weiwei.

Chen Caozhi visited Lu Weiwei, and the two shared a private, affectionate day before he prepared to leave. On a boat at Flat Lake, Weiwei asked him to visit for her birthday and showed him the red mole on her ankle, tying it to his story of the red cord.

• Duan Chu blurted out that Chen Caozhi belonged to Lu Weiwei, and Chen rebuked her before Weiwei arrived and invited him to see her painting.
• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei spoke privately, and he told her he would describe her as the woman destined to be his wife.
• Lu Weiwei and Chen Caozhi ate bean porridge, then traveled with the maids to Flat Lake to view the lotus pond.
• Chen Caozhi rowed Lu Weiwei out among the lotus leaves, held her hand, and kissed its back as she confessed how much she liked him.
• Lu Weiwei asked Chen Caozhi to visit her on the eighth day of the eighth month for her birthday, and he promised to come and bring her a gift.
• Lu Weiwei showed Chen Caozhi the red mole on her right ankle and told him to remember it when he gave her the red cord.

Chen Caozhi left the Lu Clan villa and was joined by Zhu Yingtai, who accompanied him across the Songjiang and played the zither for him. As they continued on foot, Chen Caozhi suddenly realized their farewell resembled the Eighteen-Mile Farewell of Liang and Zhu, and wondered if he was Liang Shanbo.

• Chen Caozhi left the Lu Clan villa and told Ran Sheng and Lai De to keep his affection for Lu Weiwei secret.
• At Huating Ferry, Zhu Yingtai arrived to see Chen Caozhi off and crossed the Songjiang with him.
• Zhu Yingtai played Ji Kang's "Long Clarity" on an ancient seven-stringed zither while Chen Caozhi listened.
• Zhu Yingtai accompanied Chen Caozhi farther on foot, and he agreed to walk her back to the ferry afterward.
• Chen Caozhi thought their parting resembled the Eighteen-Mile Farewell of Liang and Zhu and wondered if he was Liang Shanbo.

Chen Caozhi traveled toward Qiantang with Zhu Yingtai, who hoped he might recognize her feelings but found him oblivious even when she showed him her unpowdered face. The journey continued through rain, and Zhu Yingtai became interested in Chen Caozhi’s writing as they neared Yuhang.

• Chen Caozhi walked and debated with Zhu Yingtai during their journey, then rode in the cart when the heat left her breathless.
• At an inn in Guangdai, Zhu Yingtai showed Chen Caozhi her unpowdered face and questioned him about her disguise, but he failed to notice she was a woman.
• Zhu Yingtai explained that she had stayed behind and hurried after Chen Caozhi so they could travel home together, while he treated the journey as an ordinary pleasure.
• After Chen Caozhi left, Zhu Yingtai examined her reflection, let down her hair, and lay awake regretting how much she had explained to him.
• Chen Caozhi’s party traveled through rain and reached Yanguan County after the skies cleared; Zhu Yingtai read his manuscript, praised it, and took it to copy.

Chen Caozhi returned to Qiantang with Zhu Yingtai, visited Feng Mengxiong and the Ding family, and told Ding Youwei that Xi Chao would help the Qiantang Chen Clan join the gentry. The chapter ended with Ding Youwei asking Chen Caozhi about Zhu Yingtai, while he failed to understand what she meant.

• Chen Caozhi and Zhu Yingtai visited Feng Mengxiong, who praised Chen Caozhi for standing up to Chen Liu, though Feng Lingbo did not come out to see him.
• Chen Caozhi and Zhu Yingtai visited the Ding Clan Villa, where Ding Yi treated Chen Caozhi warmly and acknowledged Ding Youwei as his sister-in-law.
• Ding Chunqiu learned that Lu Na planned to appoint Chen Caozhi as the Wu Commandery Literary Registrar the following month.
• Ding Youwei suspected Zhu Yingtai was a woman after noticing her voice, build, and graceful manner, and Zhu Yingtai sensed that Ding Youwei had seen through her disguise.
• Chen Caozhi told Ding Youwei that Xi Chao would help the Qiantang Chen Clan pursue gentry status, and Ding Youwei urged him to discuss the plan with the clan head.
• Ding Youwei asked Chen Caozhi to tell her about Zhu Yingtai, but Chen Caozhi did not understand what she meant.

Chen Caozhi and Zhu Yingtai left the Ding Clan Villa for Chen Family Cove after Ding Yi warned Chen Caozhi about Chu Wenqian’s possible appointment as Qiantang County Magistrate. At Maple Forest Ferry, Zhu Yingtai reflected on her closeness with Chen Caozhi and asked him to play the flute as they crossed the river.

• Ding Youwei asked Chen Caozhi about Zhu Yingtai and Lu Weiwei, and Chen Caozhi described Zhu Yingtai as a talented, sharp-tongued friend.
• At Ding Yi’s banquet, Ding Yi discussed Chu Jian’s failed efforts against Chen Caozhi and warned that Chu Wenqian might use a county magistrate post for the Chu Clan’s benefit.
• Ding Chunqiu walked with Chen Caozhi and asked about Zhu Yingting, then Chen Caozhi returned to Ding Youwei’s courtyard for the night.
• The next morning, Chen Caozhi and Zhu Yingtai left for Chen Family Cove, and Chen Caozhi promised to bring Zongzhi and Run’er to visit Ding Youwei soon.
• On the road, Zhu Yingtai praised Ding Youwei and asked Chen Caozhi how Wu Commandery’s foremost lady of distinction compared with Qiantang’s, but Chen Caozhi redirected their conversation to a debate.
• At Maple Forest Ferry, Zhu Yingtai compared Chen Caozhi to the person in a painting and asked him to play the flute during their crossing.

Chen Caozhi returned to Chen Family Cove with Zhu Yingtai after a storm delayed their crossing, then showed him the beauty of Mingsheng Lake. As Zhu Yingtai spent the evening listening to Chen Caozhi play the flute, she wondered how many more times she would hear his music.

• A sudden storm sent Chen Caozhi, Ran Sheng, Zhu Yingtai, and the two maids downstream, where they waited aboard the ferry until Jing Nu, Lai Fu, Run'er, and Xiao Chan found them.
• After the rain stopped, Chen Caozhi and his companions traveled to Chen Family Cove, where Lady Li warmly welcomed Zhu Yingtai and spoke with Chen Caozhi about her continuing dizziness.
• Chen Caozhi took Zhu Yingtai, Zongzhi, Run'er, and the others to Mingsheng Lake, where Zhu Yingtai praised its scenery and regretted that they might not have another chance to go on an outing together.
• At dusk, Chen Caozhi returned with the group to Chen Family Cove and said he would climb Nine Luminaries Mountain with Zhu Yingtai the next morning before seeing him off.
• That night, Zhu Yingtai listened from the West Tower as Chen Caozhi played flute for Lady Li and wondered how often she would hear music like his again.

Zhu Yingtai visited Nine Luminaries Mountain with Chen Caozhi, then left Chen Family Cove while confronting their uncertain future and confessing that she had traveled to hear his music. She rode away believing Chen Caozhi cherished her only as a friend and longing for him despite herself.

• Chen Caozhi and Zhu Yingtai climbed Nine Luminaries Mountain with Run'er and Zongzhi, where Zhu recited a love poem and Chen played a yearning flute melody.
• Zhu Yingtai slipped on the descent, and Chen Caozhi caught her before walking with her back to Chen Family Cove.
• Before Zhu Yingtai left, she urged Chen Caozhi to seek out Xie Anshi at Kuaiji Dongshan and asked whether he felt reluctant to part.
• Zhu Yingtai realized Chen Caozhi knew she was a woman, and she admitted that she had traveled from Jiankang to hear his flute and had lingered near the Peach Grove to listen.
• Chen Caozhi wished Zhu Yingtai a safe journey, and she rode away reciting a poem about longing while thinking his feelings for her were only friendship.

After parting from Zhu Yingtai, Chen Caozhi told Chen Xian that Xi Chao might help the Qiantang Chen Clan gain gentry status and began planning their petition. He also learned more about Chen Liu’s family scandal and left the clan’s next steps in motion.

• Chen Caozhi watched Zhu Yingtai depart, then sent Lai De and Ran Sheng to deliver Liu Shangzhi’s letter to Patriarch Liu.
• Chen Caozhi told Chen Xian that Xi Chao had advised him to approach Registrar Jia about registering the Qiantang Chen Clan among the gentry.
• Chen Xian decided he and Chen Shang would travel to Jiankang after the Dragon Boat Festival, while he and Chen Caozhi prepared the clan’s Family Register and Family Record.
• Chen Caozhi advised Chen Xian not to expose Lu Clerk’s fraudulent gentry status until evidence of his wrongdoing became clear.
• Chen Xian told Chen Caozhi that Lu Kui was rumored to be having an affair with Chen Liu’s wife, and they suspected Chen Liu’s son might be Lu Kui’s child.
• Chen Caozhi agreed to visit Ding Youwei with Zongzhi and Run’er and urged Chen Xian to keep the clan’s petition secret.

Chen Caozhi traveled with his family to the Ding Clan Villa, where he reunited with Ding Youwei and learned that Du Zigong was arranging for Sun Jingyuan to marry his widowed daughter. He ended the chapter considering what he knew of Sun Tai’s future role in the Way of the Celestial Masters and the coming upheaval.

• Chen Caozhi rode with Zongzhi, Run'er, and the maids to the Ding Clan Villa, while Run'er shared her hope that her mother would soon return to Chen Family Cove.
• Qingzhi teased Chen Caozhi about the sachets he had received from young ladies, and Run'er named Lu Weiwei as the woman he loved; Chen Caozhi joked that Run'er was Wu Commandery’s foremost lady.
• Chen Caozhi reflected that he could not rush into a marriage with the Feng Clan’s young lady just to satisfy his mother, because he hoped to marry someone he loved.
• Chen Caozhi, Zongzhi, and Run'er reunited with Ding Youwei at the villa, then Chen Caozhi paid his respects to Ding Yi and Ding Chunqiu.
• Ding Yi told Chen Caozhi that Du Zigong was taking Sun Jingyuan as his son-in-law, prompting Chen Caozhi to consider Sun Tai’s future rebellion and its consequences.

Chen Caozhi attended Sun Tai’s wedding, where he met Wang Ningzhi and Wang Huizhi at Du Zigong’s Daoist sanctuary and glimpsed their contrasting temperaments. He learned that the brothers were traveling to visit Xie An and seek Wang Ningzhi’s marriage to Xie Daoyun, leaving him to reflect that history seemed unchanged.

• Chen Caozhi accompanied Ding Yi and Ding Chunqiu to Sun Tai’s wedding at the Du estate, where Du Zigong praised Chen’s reputation and filial devotion.
• Wang Ningzhi and Wang Huizhi arrived at the sanctuary; Wang Ningzhi worshipped solemnly while Wang Huizhi examined the statues and observed Chen Caozhi.
• The Wang brothers left without attending the wedding feast, angering Sun Tai, who resented the upper gentry’s disregard for him.
• Ding Chunqiu told Chen Caozhi the brothers’ identities, and Ding Yi explained they were traveling to visit Xie An and propose to Xie Daoyun on Wang Ningzhi’s behalf.
• Chen Caozhi recalled Xie Daoyun’s future dissatisfaction with Wang Ningzhi and concluded that history had not changed.

Chen Caozhi returned to Chen Family Cove after spending more time with Ding Youwei and helped his clan brothers advance their studies. Growing alarmed by Lady Li’s worsening health, he sought a renowned physician’s help and declined Zhu Yingtai’s invitation to a gathering because he needed to stay home.

• Chen Caozhi let Zongzhi and Run'er spend half a day with Ding Youwei before taking them back toward Chen Family Cove, where he played his flute for a stranger in a passing carriage.
• After the Dragon Boat Festival, Chen Xian and Chen Shang left for Jiankang on secret clan business, and Chen Caozhi lent Chen Mo and Chen Tan his books and lecture notes to copy.
• Chen Caozhi practiced painting and played the newly named “Green Lotus Melody” for Lady Li, then noticed her fatigue and irregular heartbeat.
• Chen Caozhi recalled Master Ge’s warning to remain in Chen Family Cove after the fifth month, feared it concerned Lady Li’s illness, and wrote to Governor Lu Na asking for help inviting Yang Quan.
• Zhu Yingtai invited Chen Caozhi to an elegant gathering at Lord Xie's Eastern Mountain Villa, but he declined because of matters at home.

Chen Caozhi declined Zhu Yingtai’s invitation to Xie An’s gathering because he wanted to stay beside his ailing mother, Lady Li. When Master Zhi Mindu invited him to Qiguang Temple and Chen Caozhi learned the abbot could treat her, he decided to travel there and ask for help.

• Chen Caozhi refused Zhu Yingtai’s invitation to the Dongshan Gathering, explaining that he was tired from traveling and choosing to remain with Lady Li.
• Lady Li reminisced with Chen Caozhi at the village gate and instructed Xiao Chan to halve Tenant He’s rent and send his family camellia oil.
• Lingyou arrived from Qiguang Temple with Master Zhi Mindu’s invitation, but Chen Caozhi initially declined because Lady Li was unwell.
• Lady Li urged Chen Caozhi to visit Master Zhi Mindu, and Lingyou explained that the abbot was skilled in medicine and might make an exception to treat her.
• Chen Caozhi decided to leave for Qiguang Temple at once, asking Xiao Chan to care for Lady Li and promising to return within five days.

Chen Caozhi traveled to the Xie Clan's Dongshan estate to ask Master Zhi Mindu to treat his sick mother, but learned that Zhi Mindu had already left for Qiantang. After briefly meeting Xie An, Chen Caozhi hurried back toward home, leaving Xie An and Wang Huizhi impressed by his bearing.

• Chen Caozhi traveled through Kuaiji with Lingyou, Lai Zhen, and Jing Nu toward Qiguang Temple, while thinking about Zhu Yingtai and the Dongshan Gathering.
• Lingyou pointed out Mount Lanzhu, and Chen Caozhi recalled the Orchid Pavilion gathering and Wang Xizhi's preface as they continued toward Shangyu County.
• Chen Caozhi reached the Xie Clan's Dongshan estate and learned that Zhi Mindu had gone to Qiantang the previous day to treat his mother.
• Chen Caozhi paid his respects to Xie An, explained that he needed to return to Qiantang, and took his leave without attending the gathering.
• Xie An praised Chen Caozhi's composure, and Wang Huizhi described his arrival and departure as graceful as a startled swan.

Chen Caozhi realized that Zhu Yingtai was Xie Daoyun and that Zhu Yingting was Xie Xuan, then met Xie Daoyun at Cao Maid Pavilion. They spoke of her arranging for Master Zhi Mindu to treat Chen Caozhi’s mother, and she invited Chen Caozhi to return and visit the Cao'e Stele with her.

• Chen Caozhi learned that no one from the Zhu Clan had attended Xie Anshi’s gathering, then set out toward Qiantang with Lingyou, Lai Zhen, and Jing Nu.
• A Zhu Clan servant stopped Chen Caozhi and led him to wait at Cao Maid Pavilion, where Liu Xu arrived with Zhu Yingtai.
• Chen Caozhi recognized Zhu Yingtai as Xie Daoyun and deduced that Zhu Yingting was Xie Xuan, though Xie Daoyun continued to call Xie An a distant Zhu relative.
• Xie Daoyun explained that she had asked Master Zhi Mindu to travel to Qiantang and treat Chen Caozhi’s mother, and Chen Caozhi thanked her for her care.
• Xie Daoyun invited Chen Caozhi to return once his mother recovered so they could cross the Shan River and make rubbings of the Cao'e Stele.
• Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun discussed the Wang brothers, and she said neither Wang Ningzhi nor Wang Huizhi matched Chen Caozhi.

Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun shared a candid conversation at Cao'e Pavilion about his ambitions, her feelings, and his prospects of joining the gentry. As he left Dongshan, he warned her about Xie Wan’s coming northern expedition, while wondering whether their lifelong friendship would survive her marriage.

• Xie Daoyun praised Chen Caozhi’s talent, told him about Xie An’s interest in his music, and recounted Wang Huizhi’s snowy-night visit to Dai Andao.
• Chen Caozhi told Xie Daoyun that he planned to restore the Qiantang Chen Clan to the Gentry Register, and she cautioned him about the political risks of Huan Wen’s support.
• Xie Daoyun asked whether Chen Caozhi would marry Lu Weiwei after entering the gentry, and he admitted that it would still be difficult.
• As Xie Daoyun departed, Chen Caozhi warned her that Xie Wan’s northern expedition might achieve little; she said her third uncle would warn him.
• Chen Caozhi ate lunch with Lai Zhen, Jing Nu, and Lingyou, then departed while hearing zither music from a boat he believed carried Dai Andao.

Chen Caozhi reunited with Master Zhi Mindu and Xie Xuan, then brought the monk back to Chen Family Cove to examine Lady Li. Zhi Mindu revealed that she had a congenital heart illness beyond his power to cure, but prescribed careful nursing to prolong her life and left room for the physician Yang Quan to help.

• Chen Caozhi caught up with Master Zhi Mindu and Xie Xuan in Yuji County and discussed Buddhist teachings with Zhi Mindu.
• Xie Xuan revealed that the Wang brothers had come to seek Xie Daoyun's hand, then formally befriended Chen Caozhi.
• Chen Caozhi and Zhi Mindu returned to Chen Family Cove, where Zhi Mindu examined Lady Li and found no immediate cause for alarm.
• Zhi Mindu told Chen Caozhi that Lady Li had been born with a heart condition and that he could not cure it, but offered a prescription intended to prolong her life.
• Chen Caozhi agreed that Lady Li should stop taking Ge Zhichuan's ineffective pills and said he had also summoned Yang Quan to examine her.