Yan Xia did not refuse the suggestion. Rising slowly, Yan Xia said, "Thank you all for your affection. In that case, let me say a few words first."
The surrounding gentry turned their attention over, and the clamor from the crowd on the outskirts dwindled until even the stray dogs and cats dared not make a sound.
"Everyone, I am delighted that our triennial Noble Clan Ball could proceed smoothly today. On behalf of the Yan Clan, I thank everyone attending the banquet and all our friends who have come to support us. Though we call this a ball, it is really a gathering for finding marriage partners. Young ladies and gentlemen alike, if someone catches your eye, take this opportunity to get to know one another. And our friends who have come to join the festivities should not be discouraged, either. You have a fair chance yourselves. Later, we will also be giving you some money as a token of thanks for coming."
Having finished, Yan Xia waved a hand, signaling that everyone could begin eating.
After sitting down, the clan heads waited for Yan Xia to pick up the chopsticks before reaching for the food themselves. From this small detail, Zeng Mu could tell that Yan Xia apparently held the highest standing among the nine clans.
Though they had laid out a grand banquet, food was clearly not the main attraction for the gentry. Besides, eating in the square under so many people's gazes did feel strangely awkward. After all, the chief purpose of today's ball was still to arrange marriages between the clans.
Though they called them marriage alliances, it would have been more accurate to call them a choice made out of necessity.
For the legitimate descendants of clan heads, other clans or members of the