The news that Shen Zhimou, daughter of Chancellor Shen, had been rejected for marriage became the laughingstock of Chang’an overnight. Even old men and women in the streets and alleys squatted beneath tree roots to gossip about it
“Oh, Old Madam Zhang, have you heard?”
“I have, I have. Shen Zhimou was rejected by Young Master Dong.”
“That Young Master Dong really is a piece of work.”
“At least Shen Zhimou was lucky. She found herself a general straight away.”
“Where did you hear that? It can’t be true. I heard Shen Zhimou is going to marry the one on the throne.”
