Old Madam had not forgotten that everyone had come today to celebrate her birthday. She raised her wine cup.
"Thank you all for traveling so far to celebrate this old woman's birthday. Let me offer you a toast."
Everyone rose and drank a cup together.
Then the opera troupe, which had long been ready, came in.
Old Madam loved watching opera most of all.
This troupe was renowned throughout Jiangnan.
Its distinctive Jiangnan vocal style was something one could never tire of hearing.
The Duke of Southern State's Residence had spent fifty thousand taels of silver to buy the troupe.
The banquet soon grew lively.
Yet today, Old Madam had no mind for opera. She kept Li Ping'an by her side, asking him about one thing after another.
"Shisan, you did well in this matter."
For once, Yan Qi offered a word of praise to this illegitimate son of his.
Yan Shisan remained unmoved, merely inclining his head slightly to show his respect.
Yan Qi glanced at Yan Shisan's clothes and frowned slightly.
"Hasn't the household been giving you your monthly allowance? What sort of appearance is this, dressed in such rags!
"Send someone to the accounts office for some silver and have a few sets of clothes made."
Yan Shisan said, "Thank you, Father."
Of all the dishes on the table before Li Ping'an, the only one he recognized was a plate of soy-braised beef.
The beef was sliced paper-thin, chewy and savory, with a distinctive flavor.
It also carried an indescribably rich aroma.
"Old Ox should like this beef."
People in the hall cast glances at Li Ping'an from time to time, deeply curious about the man who had brought the Fusang Tree seed back to the Yan Clan.
Li Ping'an sat beside the seat of honor, looking