Wang Jingyuan entered the ladies' banquet room and paused to survey the room. There were eight large round tables set up; about half of the seats were already taken. Two of the tables were occupied by women who looked to be in their thirties and forties—these must be the wives of the ministers and officials. The other tables had younger ladies around Wang Jingyuan's age who giggled and chatted with their friends. These were the daughters of the upper class.