In accordance with the village's customs, this grand banquet was to last until the end of the night.
The atmosphere of the banquet became more lively by the time it was dark. The stockyard outside the Yan Residence's courtyard had been luminated with a few dozen bonfires where roasted whole lambs were cooking on top of them. The theatrical troupe that Zhou Hongda invited began to sing in squeaky notes on the temporary stage amidst the blaze of the bonfire and the aroma of the mutton. The stage was also crowded by townsfolk of various ages. The atmosphere inside and outside the Yan Residence was more joyous than it was during the New Year.
Meanwhile, Yan Liqiang had already quietly escaped from the lively crowd and gone to a study room in his residence to discuss his plans with Lu Wenbin.
