The dining room was located in the side wing to the left of the courtyard entrance. It was spacious enough to hold three large tables and accommodate forty to fifty people for a meal. It was clear that this was a household of some standing, though there were few people present today. The furniture was all of a traditional, antique style, crafted from heavy, dark reddish-black wood that made the room feel rather somber.
When the four of them walked in, a large table had already been set. Seven or eight people were standing around it. Upon seeing the old man enter, they hurried forward to welcome him and seated him at the head of the table. Their gazes then shifted to Zhao Tiezhu. Miao Zhihui had already spent the last while painting a scathing, exaggerated picture of him, making him sound like nothing more than an ignorant piece of trash. Of course, Zhao Tiezhu was unaware of this; he simply sat next to Wang Cuilian at the lower left-hand side of the grandfather's seat.
Following them were Third Great-Aunt, who was still wearing her apron, the second granduncle, and their respective children. Third Great-Aunt was quite decent. Once everyone was seated, she was the first to raise her glass and say, "Everyone, all the dishes we're eating today were made from Medicinal Vegetables brought by Xiaolian and her friend. You’ve all tasted them; the flavor is extraordinary. The wine is also the Taoxian Brew they brought along—I can already smell how good it is. They’ve traveled a long…
Chapter 527