Chapter Summaries

Lu Weiwei confessed her determination to marry Chen Caozhi despite her clan’s opposition, while Zhang Wenwan promised to help but hoped she would eventually forget him. Later, news reached Chen Caozhi that Lu Weiwei had refused an arranged match with Kong Wang, who withdrew his proposal, leaving their marriage unresolved.

• Zhang Wenwan warned Lu Weiwei that the Lu Clan would not accept a marriage to Chen Caozhi because of the Chen Clan’s lower standing, but Lu Weiwei said she would marry no one else.
• Lu Weiwei knelt and begged Zhang Wenwan to help her; Zhang comforted her and promised to think of a way, though she privately intended to delay matters until Lu Weiwei forgot Chen Caozhi.
• Lai De reported that he had delivered Chen Caozhi’s painting to Lu Weiwei, and Ding Youwei reassured Chen Caozhi that Lu Weiwei would remain steadfast and said she would visit her.
• Ding Youwei traveled to Huating in the tenth month but learned that Lu Weiwei had gone to Jiankang with her father and Zhang Wenwan.
• Xie Daoyun’s letter reported that Lu Shi had accepted Kong Wang’s proposal without Lu Na’s consent, but Lu Weiwei refused to marry and public criticism drove Kong Wang to withdraw his proposal and return to Kuaiji.

Chen Caozhi spent the winter at Chen Family Cove as friends departed for new posts and reunited to admire his paintings. In Jiankang, Xi Chao identified Yingtai as Xie Daoyun and considered how her secret affection for Chen Caozhi might be used to ease tensions between northern and southern gentry clans.

• Liu Shangzhi told Chen Caozhi that Lu Na had invited him to Jiankang as a secretary-assistant, and he shared Lu Na’s letter praising Chen Caozhi’s prospects.
• Ding Chunqiu and Liu Shangzhi left for new posts, while Xu Miao and Gu Kaizhi visited Chen Caozhi; Gu Kaizhi admired Chen Caozhi’s paintings and renewed their friendly rivalry.
• Xu Miao told Chen Caozhi that Fan Wang had been appointed to oversee military affairs in several provinces, a move intended to check Huan Wen.
• Jia Bizhi told Xi Chao about the letter signed Yingtai, and Xi Chao concluded that Yingtai was Xie Daoyun, who had secretly studied recorder music with Chen Caozhi.
• Xi Chao warned Jia Bizhi to keep Xie Daoyun’s affection secret and said he would report the matter to Huan Wen, hoping to turn it to political advantage.

Xi Chao escorted Xi Xuan and Xi Daomao back to Jingkou for Xi Tan’s funeral and learned that Xi Xuan still resented Xie Daoyun for rejecting her sons. Meanwhile, Huan Wen’s power grew, Emperor Mu died and Sima Pi took the throne, while Chen Caozhi received news that Lu Shi planned to drive him out of Jiankang and separate him from Lu Weiwei.

• Xi Jian’s choice of the bare-bellied Wang Xizhi as Xi Xuan’s husband established the old marriage connection between the Xi and Wang clans, while Xi Chao returned to Jingkou with Xi Xuan and Xi Daomao after Xi Tan’s death.
• Xi Xuan recalled how Xie Daoyun had rejected Wang Ningzhi and Wang Huizhi, and ordered Wang Xianzhi to defeat Xie Daoyun at a future gathering; Xi Chao privately worried that Xianzhi was meant to marry Daomao.
• Huan Huo captured Xuchang and defeated Murong Chen, strengthening the Huan family’s standing.
• Emperor Mu, Sima Dan, died without an heir, and Empress Dowager Chu Suanzi named Sima Pi as his successor; Sima Pi ascended the throne as Emperor.
• Chen Caozhi received Liu Shangzhi’s letter describing Xie Xuan’s entry into Huan Wen’s Western Headquarters, Lu Weiwei’s situation, and Lu Shi’s threat to humiliate Chen and force him to leave Jiankang.

After completing his mourning for his mother, Chen Caozhi returned to public life as the Qiantang Chen Clan’s wealth and reputation continued to grow. Huan Wen and Wang Shu both sent envoys to recruit him, leaving the chapter with Chen Caozhi receiving two prestigious offers at Chen Family Cove.

• Emperor Mu was buried, Wang Meng’s daughter became empress, and Wang Meng died at thirty-nine.
• Huan Wen recalled Xi Chao for another northern expedition, dismissed Fan Wang after he missed the appointed deadline, and saw Yu Xi and Yuan Zhen appointed to posts beyond his influence.
• Chen Caozhi completed his mourning and welcomed the Qiantang gentry and commoners who gathered to honor his mother and mark his return.
• Xie Xuan arrived as Huan Wen’s envoy, greeted Chen Caozhi warmly, and paid his respects at Chen Mother Lady Li’s grave.
• Recording Officer Zong arrived on Wang Shu’s orders to recruit Chen Caozhi as Provincial Literary Registrar, stunning the assembled gentry.
• Chen Caozhi accompanied Xie Xuan and Zong back to Chen Family Cove, where a large new fortified complex was under construction.

Chen Caozhi hosted Xie Xuan and Registrar Zong at a feast, then mourned his late mother by playing the recorder melodies he had once played for her. After Xie Xuan admired Chen Caozhi’s writings, he asked whether his elder sister Zhu Yingtai had written to him since their parting.

• Chen Caozhi declined to choose between serving in the Western Headquarters or Yangzhou until after his Grand Zhongzheng Assessment.
• Chen Caozhi entered his late mother’s untouched bedroom, found the moldy Hawthorn Pills he had made for her, and wept.
• Chen Caozhi played the two recorder melodies for his mother, moving the Chen clanspeople and guests and bringing Zongzhi and Run'er to tears.
• Xie Xuan read Chen Caozhi’s books and asked scribes to copy thirteen volumes so he could study them.
• Xie Xuan asked Chen Caozhi whether his elder sister Zhu Yingtai had written to him since they parted.

Chen Caozhi prepared to leave for Jiankang, where he hoped to join the Western Headquarters, while farewells, family celebrations, and plans for his journey unfolded at Chen Family Cove. With Xiao Chan chosen to accompany him, she ended the chapter anxious and excited about traveling by his side.

• Chen Caozhi told Xie Xuan that he had received no further letters from Xie Daoyun, and Xie Xuan urged him to seek advancement at the Western Headquarters.
• Chen Caozhi agreed to visit Governor Wang in Yangzhou after going to Jiankang, while Xie Xuan stayed at Chen Family Cove to copy his manuscripts and await Xu Miao's wedding.
• Xu Miao married Feng Lingbo, and Chen Caozhi, Ding Chunqiu, Xie Xuan, and Gu Kaizhi later escorted the couple as they departed Qiantang.
• Chen Shang and Chen Mo received ranks at the Qiyun Mountain gathering, and the Chen Clan prospered as the family prepared for Chen Caozhi's journey.
• Chen Caozhi's family selected Lai Zhen, Huang Xiaotong, Ran Sheng, and Xiao Chan to accompany him, and Ding Youwei insisted that Xiao Chan go.
• Xiao Chan was delighted to learn that Chen Caozhi had agreed to take her to Jiankang, then woke frightened from a dream in which she missed the departure.

Chen Caozhi began his journey to Jiankang, bidding farewell to his family, clansmen, and fellow villagers along the way. After reaching Yuhang for the night, he copied his books while Xiao Chan attended to him and quietly cherished traveling at his side.

• Chen Caozhi returned to his mother's grave before setting out, then rejoined the party and accepted farewells from the Chen estate's tenants and workers.
• At Maple Forest Ferry, the southern-bank clan leaders saw Chen Caozhi off, and the Liu Clan Chief asked him to deliver two bundles to Liu Shangzhi.
• After crossing the river, Chen Caozhi comforted Zongzhi and Run'er, gave them reading and calligraphy assignments, and taught them a farewell song.
• At the post pavilion outside Qiantang, Ding Youwei, Xiao Chan, and the children said goodbye to Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng.
• Chen Caozhi and his party reached Yuhang at nightfall, where Xiao Chan helped him bathe and he copied his books while she washed their clothes.

Chen Caozhi traveled toward Jiankang and visited Zhang Wenwan at the Lu Clan’s Huating residence, where she challenged his hope of marrying Lu Weiwei. He insisted he would not abandon her, but still did not know how to win the Lu clansmen’s approval.

• Xiao Chan watched Chen Caozhi write late into the night and privately resolved to serve him for life, whether or not he accepted her.
• Chen Caozhi and Chen Shang crossed the Songjiang, where the old boatman blessed Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei’s prospective marriage.
• Chen Caozhi and Chen Shang called on Zhang Wenwan at the Lu Clan’s Huating residence, and she agreed to receive them with Zhang Andao.
• Zhang Wenwan asked to speak with Chen Caozhi alone and questioned how he could expect to marry Lu Weiwei against the Lu clansmen’s opposition.
• Chen Caozhi admitted he did not know whom to persuade, then told Zhang Wenwan he could not retreat without betraying Lu Weiwei’s affection.

Chen Caozhi persuaded Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan, to travel to Jiankang with him and support Lu Weiwei, while Zhang Mo joined their journey after admiring Chen Caozhi’s paintings. The convoy reached Wu Commandery, where Chen Caozhi revisited places tied to Lu Weiwei before continuing toward Jiankang.

• Chen Caozhi convinced Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan, to accompany him to Jiankang so she could support Lu Weiwei.
• Zhang Mo admired Chen Caozhi’s Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Image and Four Seasons in the Mountain Dwelling, then decided to travel with him to Jiankang.
• Chen Caozhi and Lady Lu’s party departed for Jiankang alongside Chen Shang’s convoy, prompting Chen Shang to believe the Lu Clan was accepting Chen Caozhi as a son-in-law.
• In Wu Commandery, Chen Caozhi visited Zhenqing Daoist Abbey and learned from Daoist Li that Lu Weiwei had recently come to see the camellias and had grown thinner.
• Chen Caozhi visited Xu Zao’s cottage and Peach Grove Cottage with Ran Sheng, then left a Daoist Temple Camellia Painting for Daoist Li before departing Wu Commandery.

Lady Lu Zhang Wenwan arranged to enter Jiankang ahead of Chen Caozhi, leaving him a day to visit Mount Baohua. There, Chen Caozhi met the monk Zhi Fahan, who followed him to Jurong and sought a debate with a horse as the wager.

• Lady Lu thanked Chen Caozhi for his tea and asked him to remain in Jurong while she and Zhang Andao entered Jiankang first.
• Chen Caozhi went to Mount Baohua with Ran Sheng and Xiao Chan while Chen Shang stayed at the inn to recover.
• Chen Caozhi and his companions followed the fragrance of jewel magnolias to a cottage, where they met the monk Zhi Fahan and learned that his master was Zhi Daolin.
• Zhi Fahan offered his white horse if Chen Caozhi defeated him in debate, but Chen Caozhi refused to gamble and continued down the mountain.
• Zhi Fahan followed Chen Caozhi back to the inn in Jurong, still seeking a debate.

Chen Caozhi traveled toward Jiankang with Zhi Fahan, who was stumped by Chen’s account of the Buddha holding up a flower and gave Ran Sheng his white horse. After Zhi Fahan invited Chen to witness his debate with Xie Daoyun’s suitor, Chen’s party continued toward the capital, where Liu Shangzhi suddenly appeared on the road.

• Zhi Fahan tried to draw Chen Caozhi into metaphysical debate, but Chen told him the story of the Buddha’s flower and left him pondering its meaning.
• Zhi Fahan gave his white horse to Ran Sheng and invited Chen Caozhi to watch him assist Yuan Zicai in debating Xie Daoyun for her hand in marriage.
• At a crossroads, Chen Caozhi’s party encountered an ornate procession bound for Dong’an Temple, and a maid asked him for directions from its carriage.
• Chen Caozhi thought of Xie Daoyun and Lu Weiwei as his party continued toward Jiankang and prepared for Lu Shi’s anticipated humiliation.
• As Chen Shang’s party traveled toward Jiankang the next morning, Liu Shangzhi raced up in a tilted ox cart and called for Zizhong.

Chen Caozhi arrived in Jiankang after completing his years of mourning, where old friends welcomed him and crowds gathered to admire his appearance and reputation. The Prince of Kuaiji sent guards and a splendid carriage to escort him through the city as women showered his procession with flowers and fragrant sachets.

• Liu Shangzhi and A Jiao met Chen Caozhi’s party outside Qingxi Gate, and Liu read a letter from his father and discussed Chen Caozhi’s prospects with the Lu family.
• Liu Shangzhi warned that the elder Minister Lu might challenge Chen Caozhi’s learning or try to bar him from the Lu residence, but Chen Caozhi said he would visit soon.
• Gu Kaizhi joined Chen Caozhi, Liu Shangzhi, and Chen Shang as crowds gathered to see the famed young man enter Jiankang.
• Hao Ji arrived on the Prince of Kuaiji’s orders with guards and a carriage, then invited Chen Caozhi to ride through the city.
• Chen Caozhi entered Jiankang in the Prince of Kuaiji’s carriage while crowds admired him and young women scattered flowers and presented fragrant sachets.

Chen Caozhi arrived in Jiankang to a citywide welcome, while Kong Wang and Lu Qin grew jealous and failed to humiliate him. At the Minister of Works' Office, Sima Yu scheduled Chen Caozhi's metaphysical assessment for the eighteenth, and an unknown woman arrived asking to see him.

• Lu Qin, He Zhu, and Kong Wang watched Chen Caozhi's triumphant arrival and plotted to embarrass him by having peasant women throw eggs at his carriage.
• An old woman and the two peasant women pelted Lu Qin's servant with eggs, while Chen Caozhi's carriage passed safely through the crowd.
• Sima Yu welcomed Chen Caozhi and his companions to a simple banquet, then set his assessment on the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi for the afternoon of the eighteenth.
• Chen Caozhi learned that Huan Ji had arrived to marry Sima Yu's eldest daughter and asked Chen Shang to prepare a wedding gift.
• Chen Caozhi presented Sima Yu with his writings and left the tea room, where a woman asked to see him.

Chen Caozhi met the Princess of Xin'an in Jiankang and hurried away to avoid becoming entangled in her attention. As Gu Kaizhi welcomed him to stay at the Gu residence, Chen Caozhi considered his own marriage prospects and the people he hoped to see in the capital.

• The Princess of Xin'an questioned Chen Caozhi about his age and birth month, but he and his companions left after he pretended Gu Kaizhi was ill.
• Gu Kaizhi laughed about Chen Caozhi's meeting with the princess and invited him and Chen Shang to stay at the Gu residence.
• Chen Caozhi recalled the tragic history of the Princess of Xin'an, Wang Xianzhi, and Xi Daomao, and resolved to avoid entanglement with the princess.
• Gu Kaizhi told Chen Caozhi that he was betrothed to Zhang Andao's daughter, and Chen Caozhi agreed to visit her family with him the next day.
• Gu Kaizhi mentioned that Xie Youdu was also betrothed and had left for the Western Headquarters, while Chen Caozhi thought about visiting Wuyi Lane and meeting Xie Daoyun.

Lu Shi confronted Zhang Wenwan and Zhang Mo over Chen Caozhi’s arrival in Jiankang, driving Wenwan and Lu Weiwei to leave for the Zhang Residence. That night, Chen Caozhi met Kong Wang, who privately asked to speak with him after silently judging his calligraphy.

• Lu Shi angrily questioned Zhang Wenwan about traveling with Chen Caozhi and threatened that Lu Na should divorce her if Lu Weiwei disgraced the Lu Clan.
• Zhang Mo defended Wenwan, argued fiercely with Lu Shi, and took Wenwan and Lu Weiwei to stay at Zhang Changzong’s residence.
• Lu Na learned his wife and daughter had left and went to the Zhang Residence to comfort them.
• Gu Kaizhi praised Chen Caozhi’s Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Image and planned to show it to Zhu Fatai at Waguansi.
• Kong Wang visited Gu Kaizhi’s Study, dismissed Chen Caozhi’s calligraphy in his thoughts, and asked to speak with him alone.

Chen Caozhi and Kong Wang privately compared their learning and calligraphy, and Kong Wang came to admire Chen’s scholarship and character. They became friends and parted with Kong wishing Chen Caozhi a good marriage.

• Chen Caozhi and Kong Wang agreed to compare classical scholarship, metaphysical debate, and calligraphy without setting a wager.
• Chen Caozhi answered Kong Wang’s difficult classical questions promptly, impressing him with his knowledge and interpretations.
• Kong Wang questioned Chen Caozhi about the Dao De Jing, then discussed other works with him as their conversation grew animated.
• Gu Kaizhi, Chen Shang, and Liu Shangzhi joined the discussion, and the group talked until the third watch of the night.
• Kong Wang examined Chen Caozhi’s calligraphy, admitted that it surpassed his own, and apologized for misjudging him.
• Chen Caozhi and Kong Wang agreed to visit one another often, and Kong Wang wished Chen Caozhi a good match.

Xiao Chan was unsettled after A Jiao teased her about whether Chen Caozhi favored her, while Chen Caozhi’s arrival in Jiankang brought him an invitation from Xi Chao. Lu Weiwei learned she could meet Chen Caozhi at Jiangling Lake, and Zhang Wenwan was tempted to ask him for help with her infertility.

• A Jiao teased Xiao Chan about Chen Caozhi’s lack of intimacy with her and suggested she slip into his bed, leaving Xiao Chan restless that night.
• Hao Ji told Chen Caozhi that Xi Jiabin had arrived in the capital and invited him to meet, so Chen Caozhi changed his plans with Gu Kaizhi.
• At Zhang Mo’s residence, Lu Weiwei learned that Chen Caozhi had not come and felt disappointed, but Zhang Wenwan promised to take her to Jiangling Lake in two days so she could see him.
• Lu Weiwei suggested that Zhang Wenwan ask Chen Caozhi to treat her infertility, and Zhang Wenwan blushed but privately considered the possibility.
• Xi Chao reflected on Chen Caozhi’s rising reputation and his concealed connection to Xie Daoyun, then received word that Chen Caozhi had arrived and ordered him shown in.

Chen Caozhi discussed Huan Wen’s plan to move the capital to Luoyang with Xi Chao, offering a gradual strategy to restore the region before relocating the court. After meeting Huan Ji, who declared he would not marry the Princess of Xin'an, Chen returned to Gu Minzhi’s residence, where a stream of visitors sought him out.

• Xi Chao welcomed Chen Caozhi and urged him to bring Ran Sheng to the Western Headquarters, while Ran Sheng insisted he would only follow his young master.
• Xi Chao told Chen Caozhi that Huan Wen planned to move the capital to Luoyang and asked whether the proposal could succeed.
• Chen Caozhi warned that forcibly relocating southerners would provoke resentment and advised first pacifying and developing the north; Xi Chao praised his practical judgment.
• Xi Chao brought Chen Caozhi to meet Huan Ji, who said he no longer wanted to marry the Princess of Xin'an and would return to Jingzhou.
• Chen Caozhi returned to Gu Minzhi’s residence, reunited with Quan Li over a banquet, and then received Jia Bizhi and Zhi Fahan as visitors.

Chen Caozhi agreed to join Zhi Fahan in helping Yuan Zicai at the Xie residence and confirmed he would enter the Western Headquarters, while his growing reputation and courtship of Lu Weiwei stirred conflict in Jiankang. After impressing Zhang Changzong with his learning, Chen Caozhi left without knowing Lu Weiwei had watched him from behind a curtain.

• Zhi Fahan invited Chen Caozhi to Dong'an Temple and asked him to help Yuan Zicai at the Xie residence, and Chen Caozhi agreed to go the next evening.
• Chen Caozhi told Gu Kaizhi that he would enter the Western Headquarters in the fifth month, while Gu Kaizhi hoped they could marry on the same day.
• Chen Shang told Chen Caozhi that the Princess of Xin'an had refused to marry Huan Ji, but the Prince of Kuaiji and Xi Chao had persuaded Huan Ji to stay.
• Kong Wang told Lu Shi that Chen Caozhi surpassed him in learning and left the Lu Residence, prompting Lu Shi to plan to have provincial Grand Zhongzhengs examine Chen Caozhi.
• Chen Caozhi discussed metaphysics with Zhang Changzong, while Lu Weiwei watched him tearfully from behind a bamboo curtain with Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan.

Chen Caozhi arrived at the Xie residence in Wuyi Lane for a celebrated pure conversation, where Yuan Tong sought help against the formidable Fan Ning. As Xie Daoyun prepared to observe the gathering, she learned that Chen Caozhi had come, stirring her long-held feelings for him.

• Yuan Tong, Zhi Fahan, Gu Kaizhi, and Chen Caozhi reached the Xie residence during a heavy rain for its monthly pure conversation gathering.
• Yuan Tong asked Chen Caozhi to assist him against Fan Ning, but Chen Caozhi declined, so Zhi Fahan agreed to debate instead.
• Gu Kaizhi explained that Fan Ning was a renowned Confucian scholar who had defeated Sun Chuo in debate and challenged Zhi Daolin over the Zhuangzi.
• Xie Daoyun recalled her past with Chen Caozhi, reread his books, and reflected on her loneliness and the rumors linking him to Lu Weiwei.
• A maid told Xie Daoyun that Chen Caozhi had arrived at the residence, and she felt a sudden anticipation before going to observe the gathering.