Upon nightfall, Chengdu Capital shone bright as daylight, especially in certain places only frequented by men, which resounded with the music of strings and woodwinds mingling with laughter and toasts.
Passersby did not find this amiss, some even cast envious glances, for these venues were veritable gold mines; without silver, you couldn't even dream of entering.
Thus, while some regarded these as dens of debauchery, many more saw them as symbols of status.
In the renowned Yunxiao Pavilion of the prefecture's city, one particularly large private room now filled with people—men and women alike, where every man was accompanied by a scantily clad Flower Girl, busily feeding or drinking with unrestrained enjoyment.
These were merchants who had come to partake in the grand event. A few among them were participants in the carving competition, including Yu Zhen, the chief apprentice of Master Lin Gonyun from Thousand Treasures Tower.
