During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there lived a distinguished minister named Xi Jian, who held the esteemed position of Grand Commandant. He had a beloved daughter, Xi Xuan, who had just reached a marriageable age. She was not only beautiful but also exceptionally talented. Xi Jian, doting on his daughter, was determined to find her a husband who possessed both talent and appearance.
Xi Jian shared a deep friendship with the Prime Minister, Wang Dao, and they served at court together. Knowing that Wang’s family had many accomplished and handsome young men, Xi Jian shared his intention with Wang Dao after one morning’s court session. Wang Dao gladly agreed, saying, “That’s easy. I have many nephews and sons. Just send someone to my mansion to choose. Whoever you select, I will consent.”
Xi Jian then dispatched his trusted steward with lavish gifts to the Wang residence. Upon hearing that the Grand Commandant’s envoy had arrived to select a son-in-law, the young men of the Wang family all dressed up meticulously and presented themselves with great decorum. The steward looked them over one by one but noticed someone was missing. The Wang family steward then led him to the study in the eastern courtyard. There, lying on a bed against the eastern wall, was a young man, bare-bellied and reclining casually, completely indifferent to the selection process.
Upon returning, the steward reported to Xi Jian: “There were over twenty young masters in the Wang family. Hearing of your search for a son-in-law, they all eagerly presented themselves except for one young man, who was lying on the eastern bed, bare-bellied and completely unconcerned.” Xi Jian exclaimed with delight, “That’s precisely the kind of son-in-law I want!” He immediately went to see for himself and found the young man to be not only open-minded and free-spirited but also refined and talented. On the spot, he confirmed the betrothal. This young man, who lay bare-bellied on the eastern bed, was none other than Wang Xizhi, later revered as the “Sage of Calligraphy” .
This is the origin of the idiom “Eastern Bed Son-in-Law,” which has since been used to describe an ideal and satisfactory son-in-law.
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