By then, the evening banquet was nearly over. Before long, the music would end and the guests would disperse.
Although Lang Cheng and his wife occasionally said rather strange things during the meal, Magistrate Peng was grateful for their generous donation and thought nothing of it. When the banquet ended, he accompanied Xing Yan in seeing the couple all the way to the gates.
As the young man stood before the gates, waving farewell to the two gallant guests, his gracious words and composed bearing made Lord Peng, standing beside him, nod inwardly in approval.
After seeing the couple off, Xing Yan turned and bowed to Peng Xiangpu.
"Your nephew is grateful for your generous hospitality tonight, sir. Now that the banquet is over, I would like to return to my room and rest, so I can patrol the residence again around midnight."
Since Lord Peng had kept affectionately calling him his "worthy nephew," Xing Yan had adopted the corresponding form of address. After all, despite having been a Daoist of Shangqing Palace for so long, he still could not get used to calling himself "this humble Daoist" or "this junior Daoist."
Seeing Xing Yan take his leave, Magistrate Peng laughed heartily.
"You are mistaken, my worthy nephew! Our family banquet at Peng Residence has yet to begin."
"Oh? A family banquet...?"
The young man, already thoroughly fed and watered, had not expected another dinner. The grandeur of these officials' households really was extraordinary. He heard Peng Xiangpu continue:
"Do not hesitate, my worthy nephew. In a moment, I shall summon my daughter to join you for some more food and wine."
At this point, Magistrate Peng drew closer and said with the utmost warmth:
"To tell you the truth, my worthy nephew, after knowing you for these past two