Five Blessings Tower, the largest tavern in Guangning Guard, featured a three-story red lacquered building adorned with carved designs, its entrance graced by round lanterns bearing couplets -- one line reading "Where will you lodge at dusk, my lord", the other "Come dawn, I shall not stay".
On the whitewashed bamboo walls were a variety of decorative murals. The ground floor housed a stage for operatic performances, while the third-floor corridor invited guests to linger and watch. The second and third floors were furnished with endless rows of octagonal tables, and around the corner were the lodgings.
It could not really be called luxurious, but it had a unique folk charm.
It was this Five Blessings Tower that Cha Xiaodao chose for his lodging.
By this time, the night had deepened. The shopkeeper, waiters, and guests had all retired to their rooms to sleep. Cha Xiaodao was also in his guest room.
