In the side hall, several large round rosewood tables had been pushed together, and steaming dishes came out in a steady stream.
Gathered Worthies Tower served the finest banquet in Tianjin. As people said, "Its roots are in Shandong cuisine, but it carries the freshness of Tianjin's rivers and sea."
At the center sat a dish of official-style braised sole, glossy and reddish-brown, a painstaking dish simmered over a low flame;
beside it was a huge bowl of "Family Reunion," its sea cucumber, shrimp, and fish maw stewed until tender and deeply flavored, the broth thick enough to cling to chopsticks; there were also freshly steamed "Silver Thread Rolls," soft and white, fragrant with wheat.
The wine was twenty-year-old Daughter Red that Second Senior Brother Zheng Tonghe had been saving. The moment its clay seal was broken, a rich aroma filled the room and swept away the lingering chill.
"Come on, come on! Fill them up! Every last cup!"
Eighth Senior Brother Li Tingyun had an openhearted nature, and today he was genuinely delighted.
Tin wine pot in hand, he ignored all rules of seniority and went around pouring for his fellow disciples.
"Today we're drinking to our little junior brother's magnificent Fate Pattern! Human Registry Official, Sky-Supporting Jade Pillar! Who wouldn't give a thumbs-up when they heard those titles?"
Li Tingyun reached Qin Geng and filled his wine bowl to the brim, until it spilled over the edge. "Xiao Wu, your eighth brother's a rough man. I don't know how to make those fancy speeches. But you have to drink this one! You've brought honor to the Ye School!"
Qin Geng rose without hesitation and lifted his bowl in both hands. "Eighth Senior Brother, I'll drain it! Without all my senior brothers' help, I wouldn't be where I am