Green Mountain

Outside Zhang Mansion, in Cuiyun Lane, twenty tables were set out, bearing dishes such as roast chicken, braised pork knuckle, red-braised big carp and sliced meat soup, which were served incessantly. The neighbors merely needed to sit down to eat, and after finishing at one table they would leave, making room for another group of people; this was the origin of the "flowing banquet."

Inside Zhang Mansion, distinguished guests were arranged in eight courtyards, each equipped with a long, low table that could seat eighteen people, the dishes and desserts spread out resplendently.

Before the main banquet began, the invited high-ranking officials and nobility gathered together, each in turn offering congratulations to Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin.

Chen Ji and Xiao Man stood idly in a corner. Xiao Man asked in a low voice, "Young Master, how did you become acquainted with Second Miss Zhang? It seems you have a very good relationship. According to the rumors, Second Miss Zhang is quite fierce and never shows a pleasant face to outsiders."

Unmoved, Chen Ji replied, "Where do all these questions come from? You never used to like prying into matters this much."

Xiao Man widened her eyes, "Young Master, have you forgotten? Xiao Man loves to catch up on the Zhang Family’s long tales and the Li Family’s short stories."

Chen Ji: "...That’s not a good habit, though."

Xiao Man pouted, "Aunt loved to listen to the Zhang Family’s long tales and the Li Family’s short stories too. I remember when I was a child, accompanying her to the Jingjiao Manor to check accounts, when she heard a group of old ladies gossiping at the village entrance, she had someone move a chair so she could listen all afternoon."

Chen Ji wondered, "What did they talk about?"