9 to 11 PM.
Outside Wendan Hall.
Maids and servants were bustling about, with servants busily climbing ladders to replace lantern candles. In the distance, eight maids stood in waiting, each holding a food box filled with abalone soup, lamb soup, chicken broth, white fungus soup, small wontons, scallion oil noodles, shrimp noodles...
These dishes were all served in white porcelain bowls, with a small white porcelain stove underneath, lit by candlelight to keep them warm anytime they were eaten.
Inside Wendan Hall.
Official Chen sat in the Taishi Chair with his eyes closed, resting, while Chen Ji sat on the chair to his left, slowly sipping tea.
No one wanted to speak first.
Until Chen Xu, dressed in a black Daoist robe, arrived at the door and bowed, saying, "Family Head, Qi Xianshu, Hu Junye, and Yang Zhan have arrived, all seeking an audience. Who shall be brought in first?"
