During the Song Dynasty, Cai Yuanzhang was passing through Suzhou. The prefect hosted a banquet for him.

Hearing that Su Qiong, a government slave known as 'Old Nine' from Suzhou, was skilled in composing ci poems, he asked her to compose one on the spot, using the character '九' (jiu - nine) as the rhyme.

The ci poem was: 'Han Yu's literary works overshadow the world, Xie An's disposition is elegant and refined. A beautiful day and lovely scenery at the west pavilion, I dare to offer a cup of fragrant wine. Remembering the high selection in Nangong. Brothers vie for the top spot. Auspicious mist rises from golden censers and jade palaces, securing the ninth place in the imperial examination.'