Miao'er thanked them with a smile, and the four of them slowly walked along the pond toward the flower hall. Xu Zhi looked around as they walked. The pond seemed to be quite deep, and only a few lotus flowers were planted in one corner of the pond. However, they were not as beautiful as the lotus flowers in the Yun family's villa. Only about ten lotus flowers had bloomed sparsely.

The entire garden is square in layout. Besides the flower hall, there are several small courtyards around the pond. The rest of the area is planted with many flowering trees. The four corners are planted with seasonal flowering trees according to the four seasons. Xu Zhi could only recognize that one corner was planted with plum blossoms, another with cypress, and another with osmanthus. In the corner near the flower hall, there were many flower beds of various sizes, and the flowers planted in them were in full bloom at the moment.

Those attending the banquet were all wives of the heads of various families. If they had any young girls of marriageable age, they would bring them along. As Xu Zhi walked along the bluestone path by the pond, she saw many brightly dressed young girls among the flowers and trees. The sounds of laughter and chatter came from near and far, making Xu Zhi think that youth is truly wonderful.

Before they even reached the flower hall, Madam Shen came out with two maids to greet Xu Zhi. She smiled and said, "Madam Zheng, please take a seat. My abilities are limited, and I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality."

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "You're too kind, Madam Shen."

Xu Zhi was never a talkative person in public, and she would only offer simple greetings to everyone. She really couldn't find another person like Ping Shi, with whom she could have casual conversation.

Xu Zhi disliked these kinds of social gatherings. She saw that many people wore masks on their faces, putting on a suitable mask for different people, and then tearing off the mask and putting on another one when they met someone else.

Sui'er ran over from the flower path, holding two slightly wilted flowers in her hand. Seeing Miao'er standing behind Xu Zhi, she shuffled over to her side, handed Miao'er a flower, and said with a smile, "Second sister, here's a flower for you to wear."

Miao'er smiled and took the ugly-looking flower, putting it directly in her hair. She then asked Sui'er with a grin, "Third sister, do you think second sister looks good wearing this flower?"