When Qi Yougui got home, Nanny Liu and three other servant women and maids had already left, leaving only his own old wife and his son and daughter-in-law to tidy up the remaining things.
Speaking of remaining things, it was just about straightening up the banquet that had been dismantled in the main house, along with the tables, stools, bowls, and dishes used by the retinue of county officials and servants for dining. Since there were many people eating, a lot of items had been borrowed from neighbors, and they had to be cleaned and returned afterward.
The children in the family had been kept busy in a corner by Lady Wang all along. Only now, when the guests had all left, did they have time to come out, reheat the food, and have this belated lunch.