"A send-off? What send-off?"
Before those at the table could react, Xu Taiping's voice suddenly came from behind them.
Everyone turned to see Xu Taiping entering the Front Courtyard with several jars of wine, followed by Ping'an, Bai Yu, and Xiaohei carrying food.
At once, everyone stepped forward to help carry the dishes, laughing and talking over one another-
"It's this little lass Liang Zhu. She wants to give you a rousing send-off for the Heaven-Treading Contest!"
"Right, by winning the Golden Scale Assembly to send you off!"
"Taiping, I remember you won the Golden Scale Assembly once too, didn't you?"
"I did."
Amid the laughter and chatter, Xu Taiping, Buyu, Jiang Zhi, and the others helping with the food set the dishes on the table one by one.
By now, Liang Zhu's face had flushed crimson, and she did not know whether to stand or sit.
Seated beside Dugu Qingxiao, Xu Ziyan took Liang Zhu's hand and said gently,
"Let's discuss this after we've eaten."
But Liang Zhu looked at Dugu Qingxiao with unwavering insistence and said,
"Please grant my wish, Master!"
Dugu Qingxiao pressed a hand to his forehead and shook his head. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he looked at Xu Taiping with a smile and said,
"If your Junior Martial Uncle agrees, I'll let you go!"
Liang Zhu's eyes lit up. She immediately walked over to Xu Taiping and pleaded with her eyes,
"Please grant my wish, Junior Martial Uncle!"
Dugu Qingxiao promptly shot Xu Taiping several meaningful looks, but Xu Taiping seemed not to have heard at all. He smiled at Liang Zhu and said,
"Of course. You have my permission."
At Xu Taiping's answer, Liang Zhu first froze, then grew so excited that she lost some of her composure.
"Thank you,