Hearing that there was food and drink, Li Zhuo didn't care about anything else and immediately set off. Li Qiu was afraid that if they didn't go, they would be mocked by the others, so he cupped his fists toward Old Patriarch Wu and said, "We gladly accept your hospitality, though we're afraid we're intruding upon you."
Old Patriarch Wu stroked his beard and smiled, "Not at all, not at all! The presence of such young heroes brings great honor to my humble home. I'm only too happy to have you—how could I possibly mind the interruption? Steward Huang! Quickly, have the backyard prepare a feast at once. I shall share a drink with our young heroes." Old Huang acknowledged the order and left.
The four youths followed Old Patriarch Wu into the main hall. In the center stood an Eight Immortals table, above which hung a scroll depicting "Spring Ox Tilling the Fields." On either side of the painting was a couplet: the right side read, "Every single grain of rice is obtained with ultimate difficulty," and the left side read, "Diligence and thrift are the best guidelines for a household," with the horizontal scroll above proclaiming, "Never forget your roots."
Chapter 21