With the Apprenticeship Ceremony complete, the feast began in the main hall.
Servants streamed through the Feng Residence without cease, carrying platter after platter of exquisite delicacies to the tables.
Feng Yan sat in the seat of honor, with Wei Nisheng at his right.
Purple-and-Scarlet Robes filled the hall, wine cups crossed, and laughter rang out.
Just then, Qin Yan approached with a wine cup and patted Wei Nisheng on the shoulder. "Good lad. From today onward, you are Lord Feng's formal disciple. Study hard, and do not let him down."
Wei Nisheng rose and bowed. "I will keep your teachings firmly in mind, Qin Gong."
At that moment, the doorman's voice rang out from outside, cutting through the clamor in the main hall.
"Shen Duan, Grand Secretary Shen, has arrived!"
The entire hall fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
An elderly man in purple robes strode inside.
He was about fifty, with a lean frame, a narrow face, and slightly prominent cheekbones. His three long wisps of beard were meticulously trimmed, every strand lying perfectly in place.
It was Shen Duan, the reigning Chief Minister.
He walked into the main hall step by step, neither hurried nor slow. Reaching Feng Yan, he stopped with a broad smile.
"Why did you not invite me to witness you taking a disciple today, Lord Feng? Surely there is a seat for me?"
Feng Yan regarded him, his expression unchanged, and smiled faintly. "Since you have come uninvited, Grand Secretary Shen, naturally I can find you a seat. Someone, bring a chair."
Shen Duan stood on no ceremony. He chose a seat himself, directly opposite Feng Yan and facing the seat of honor.
Everyone knew what that position signified.
Once seated, Shen Duan's gaze swept over Feng Yan, then Wei Nisheng, before