Qi Zhongbin's arrival had clearly made the atmosphere at the main table livelier, at least. Old Master Mo drank several extra cups of wine and chatted with him nonstop, addressing him as Master Qi at every turn.
Perhaps, for Old Master Mo, talking with Qi Zhongbin made him feel more keenly that those bygone years had not been one long dream, and brought back clearer memories of his mother and the wife with whom he had grown old.
"Master Qi, come, come, another cup, another cup."
Old Master Mo raised his cup again, and Qi Zhongbin joined him in a drink, though each refill of the old master's cup grew shallower.
"Master Mo, I cannot hold my liquor. Though you have a fine capacity yourself, please indulge me!"
"Hahahahaha! All right, all right, all right."
Master Mo set down his cup. After those repeated words of agreement, his body swayed. Yi A Bao and the prefect of Tea Province beside him hurriedly reached out to steady him, while Stoneborn and his younger brother Mo Congxian quickly rose. Mo Xiaorong also hurried over from the neighboring table.
"Father, you've had too much!" "Father, why don't you go and rest?"
Old Master Mo knew the state of his own health. He made no fuss and let his children help him up.
Looking at the children around him, he thought of how his daughter Xiaorong had three sons. His eldest grandson was now in the capital preparing for the Spring Examinations, while the two younger boys had come together to celebrate his birthday.
His younger son Mo Congxian had a son and a daughter, and both grandchildren were here with him.
To outsiders, it was a great pity that his eldest son Stoneborn remained unmarried, but he was the child Master Mo worried