...In the evening, after the maids had set out the bowls and chopsticks, passed the dishes, and brought the soup, and everything on the dining table was ready, everyone took their seats. Old Lady Wen sat alone at the head of the table, while Lady Zhu and Lady Yu stood respectfully to her left and right, attending to her. To Old Lady Wen's right sat, in order, the eldest branch's eldest daughter-in-law Jiang Xuesui, third daughter-in-law Xie Nongyu, and the second branch's newly-wed second daughter-in-law Shen Yan. The first two seats to her left were empty, reserved for Lady Zhu and Lady Yu to sit later; the third seat and below were occupied by the eldest branch's eldest daughter Wen Yuan'ai, second daughter Wen Yuanhuan, the second branch's fourth young lady Wen Yuanjia who had just returned, and the third branch's fifth young lady Wen Yuanxi. This was the dining area for the womenfolk.
Preview