It was said that the 22nd day of the third month of the sixth year of the Qing calendar was a lucky day. So after Fan Xian arrived in Jiangnan, the first spring opening bidding of the palace treasury had been set for that date.
In the beautiful spring sunshine, a breeze brought warmth. The young Suzhou masters and girls all went out of the city for a walk. On the wide official roads, the not-yet grown grass was flattened by the birds startled into flight. The green hills and running streams outside the city became good places for men and women to meet. There was a light and wonderful atmosphere in the air.
