As one entered, they saw a circular platform in the center, with seats arranged in order according to the Four Symbols and Eight Trigrams. With the platform at its center, the seats were arranged in groups of two, four, and six, from near to far. This division of two, four, and six reflected not only distance but also status.
Seeing several people enter the hall, a clerk came to lead the way. He first looked at the invitations of several people, and then led them to the seats for six people.
As soon as they sat down, Zhong Lu pulled Lin Qinnian aside to talk.
Although it was called a conversation, in fact, most of the time he was talking to himself, asking and answering his own questions, and Lin Qinnian only nodded occasionally or answered yes or no.
Xu Jiang looked around quietly and found that most of the people had arrived.
Du Hui, Lou Jing and Li Tongxue arrived late. As soon as the three of them made eye contact with Xu Jiang, they walked over here.
"Mr. Lou, Mr. Du, Mr. Li, have you three received the invitation as well?"
Du Hui replied, "We harvest it every year."
When Xu Jiang saw that Yuan Zuzhi didn't come, she probably knew the reason and didn't ask.
When the three of them approached and saw Lin Qinnian sitting there, they were also surprised. Then they looked at Xu Jiang and their minds suddenly became clear.
Lou Jing smiled and said, "Brother Rushan, you are here too?"
When Lin Qinnian saw them, his expression relaxed a little, and he nodded and said, "Come and take a look."
No one exposed it.
Du Hui greeted him and saw Zhong Lu was there too. He said to him, "I knew you would come. You are indispensable every year."
Zhong Lu asked, "When were you missing again?" He glanced behind them and didn't see Yuan Zuzhi, so he asked, "Brother Yuan, why didn't you come?"
Lou Jing replied, "I'm busy teaching students."
"Oh, is that Hu Xu? I've mentioned him several times, but never had the chance to meet him."
Li Tongxue smiled and said, "It's a treasure, but you'll see it eventually."
Zhong Lu raised his eyebrows and understood.
Lou Jing and Du Hui were in the front four and exchanged a few words before leaving. Li Tongxue was also in the sixth position, so he stayed and sat with them.
He talked about court affairs with Zhong Lu, while Xu Jiang and Lin Qinnian sat quietly. Later, two more people came and sat down, and their six seats were complete.
A drum sounded, and servants came in one after another carrying tea and snacks.
The banquet has begun.
After tea and snacks were served, a master and two servants walked onto the round platform. Xu Jiang recognized the two servants as the fat and thin managers of Jisheng Bookstore. He presumably believed the man in fine clothes they were following was Zhou Shancai, the owner of Jisheng Bookstore.
Xu Jiang examined the man carefully. He was about thirty years old, of ordinary appearance. However, he had shiny skin, a plump figure, and was dressed in luxurious clothes and covered with ornaments. He exuded an air of pampered wealth.
He glanced at the guests, his eyes shrewd but his face friendly.
Xu Jiang thought to herself: What a smiling tiger.
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