In the end, Du You did not fulfill his wish to go see the items the second day. For on the first day of his arrival, just after reaching the inn, there followed a slew of visits, from local officials to some minor nobility.
Then came a variety of invitations, asking Du You to attend all sorts of balls and banquets.
"Now I understand what these nobles do with their time—they're all so idle."
These invitations to balls and banquets were still quite important, being a crucial part of the nobility's daily social interactions. Whether for major or minor affairs, many discussions took place at these events.
Even the resolution of some conflicts and the emergence of new ones occurred within these settings.
Being absent would be seen as being antisocial. Even imperial law stipulated that if a noble stayed in a new city for more than three days, they must partake in a public banquet, to meet and mingle with the local nobility.
