As For The Inhabitants

"As for the inhabitants of the mansion, all of them, both masters and servants, seemed, in their dazzling holiday array, like walking flower gardens of brilliant embroidery and brocade. And all night long a confused hubbab of talking and shouting and laughter arose, punctuated by the continual, unceasing pops and bangs of exploding firecrackers." - Cao Xueqin, The Dream of the Red Chamber