The young poet, the zuo, asks the young master, the ni-cang, if he would like to recite a poem. The young master replies that he has heard of the poet's "exceptional talents" and asks if the poet would be willing to share a simple one. The poet replies that the poem is a "life of glamour admired" by others and that the poet will "fade past his prime" but that his eyes "still see the days / he might shine". The poet is impressed by the poem and wonders if the family sent the poet here alone. He asks the poet if he can make three "praiseful poems" as requested by the family, and the poet says that he will try.