That evening, the cooks at Qingshan Villa prepared a whole fish banquet.
Yan Qing and a group of young nobles were enjoying the fish and wine, toasting and drinking heartily, exchanging cups and drinking merrily. The only slight unhappiness was the fact that Yan Qing would be away for several months. They were reluctant to see him go, expressing their farewells with sheer sentiment, their reluctance steeped in wine.
The drinking continued until midnight.
Cheng Chu, who had had too much to drink, dragged Yan Qing to the riverbank and rambled on about his departure. Most of his talk was about longing for Jiangnan, urging Yan Qing to write to him. If there were any beauties in Jiangnan, and if they were truly stunning, he must have their portraits painted and sent back to the Capital for his perusal. Also, any tasty treats or fun things or good items from Jiangnan should be sent back through the postal stations, to soothe his wounded little heart.
