The banquet began and everyone presented their gifts. Emperor Zongwen and the Empress appeared for just a moment before leaving the banquet to the young people. Men and women were sat separately in two rows that spread out from the center table. Mo Xuetong sat on the left of the Fifth Princess. She was now the Princess Anping of the royal family and was thus more noble than the other young ladies. Ling Fengyan, You Yue'e, Luo Mingzhu, and Chen Ya'er followed.

The male guests ...