Chapter 139 The Grand Banquet of the Tang Dynasty (Part 3)
Lu Xiaoqi, along with Wang Wei, Yuwen Kai, Su Jun, and Han Shanggong, attended the grand Tang Dynasty banquet in a VIP box on the top floor. She was there both to join in the fun and to see what everyone thought. The others, including her parents, had already participated in the rehearsals.
As soon as Zhao Mengfu and Guan Daosheng entered, they were so attracted by the murals in the private room that they didn't even bother to greet everyone and stood there for a long time without changing their posture.
The painting they were looking at was a landscape painting on the wall, magnificent in scale and lofty in artistic conception.
The painting depicts a mighty river and towering mountains, with peaks rising one after another amidst the clouds and mist. The open spaces stretch to the horizon, while the secluded depths beckon exploration. The composition is well-balanced, with a harmonious interplay of density and emptiness. Although it is merely a wall, it seems to truly capture the magnificent landscape, giving the viewer a profound sense of a vast world within a small space.
They seemed to be nailed to that mural.
Zhao Mengfu's finger hovered over the mural, as if he wanted to touch it but was afraid of disturbing the immortals in the painting. He kept murmuring in admiration: "The brushwork is ancient and elegant, and the spirit is vivid... I wonder who painted this?"
It's astonishing that such a magnificent aura could be contained within the walls, almost leaping out! It's simply indescribably wonderful.
Guan Daosheng was also deeply moved, his eyes filled with the shock of seeing such a masterpiece and a few tears. His mind was in turmoil, and it took him a long time to calm down.
"Doesn't my husband find the artistic conception of this painting rather familiar?" she asked, frowning, as if she had noticed something.
"It does feel familiar..." Zhao Mengfu murmured, a look of shock appearing on his face as if he had just realized something. "This is...this is..."
A calm voice came from behind: "This is Wu Daozi's 'Three Hundred Li of Scenery on the Jialing River'!"
Zhao Mengfu closed his eyes, his voice hoarse with ecstasy: "Indeed, indeed!" His voice rose slightly, and his speech became rapid with excitement, "The composition and spirit of this painting are magnificent and awe-inspiring. Only by seeing this painting can one truly understand the grandeur of the painting sage!"
Guan Daosheng turned his head and asked, "Mr. Mojie, is this Wu Daozi's original work?"
Everyone was drawn over.
Lu Xiaoqi gasped inwardly, "Holy crap! A genuine work by Wu Daozi..."
She mainly came to watch the rehearsals last time, and when she looked at the scenery, she only saw the building itself and some general things. She didn't notice that such a masterpiece was hidden in the private room of Hua'e Xianghui Building!
Wang Wei shook his head, put his hands behind his back, looked at the wall, and sighed with endless regret: "This is not the original. The original is on the wall of Xingqing Palace, and it no longer exists."
Lu Xiaoqi asked curiously, "Is there any story behind this painting?"
Everyone seemed to have a lot to say.
Wang Wei smiled and then told her the story: "Years ago, after the An Lushan Rebellion was quelled, Emperor Xuanzong was welcomed back to Chang'an from Sichuan and abdicated in favor of the Crown Prince... who later became known as Emperor Suzong of Tang. Emperor Xuanzong moved to Xingqing Palace, and one day he longed for the landscapes of Sichuan..."
Therefore, Li Longji summoned Wu Daozi and another painter, Li Sixun, to Sichuan and asked them to paint the scenery so that he could recall and enjoy it. However, Wu Daozi only traveled around Sichuan and did not bring back any paintings.
Li Longji was furious and wanted to punish him. But Wu Daozi said that the scenery of the Jialing River was already in his mind and heart, and that he could let the Emperor Emeritus see the scenery he longed for in just one day.
Wu Daozi wielded his brush on the walls of Xingqing Palace, and within a single day, he had painted the entire landscape of the Jialing River, spanning three hundred miles.
Lu Xiaoqi suddenly understood after hearing this.
The painting master is indeed a painting master, so amazing.
"Is Wu Daozi in your card collection?" she secretly asked the system.
The system's response was ambiguous: "It depends on the player's luck."
“Just a few days ago, my lord and Master Cao mentioned this story,” Guan Daosheng murmured, feeling that the world had changed so much. “I never expected to see its true form today.”
They've been busy creating paintings for the hotel lately and haven't been to Hua'e Xianghui Tower yet. They never expected to receive such a wonderful surprise upon their arrival today.
Zhao Mengfu was so engrossed in it that he remained speechless for a long time before finally saying, "The so-called 'texturing, rubbing, dotting, and dyeing' techniques of later generations are all secondary compared to this kind of divine charm!"
"The original painting is in Xingqing Palace. This copy was probably made here by Emperor Xuanzong or Emperor Suzong later," Wang Wei speculated.
But it is ultimately a painting by Wu Daozi.
It should be noted that Xingqing Palace was destroyed in the war long ago, and even later generations like Zhao Mengfu had never seen the true appearance of this painting. Now, it can be said that it has reappeared in the world.
Lu Xiaoqi felt uneasy, wondering if she should take some precautions to protect the painting, which was clearly a national treasure!
She asked the system, and the system told her not to worry: "This Hua'e Xianghui Tower is not the one in history, but a replica made using special technology. Everything inside will be automatically repaired if it is damaged in any way."
Lu Xiaoqi finally relaxed.
She looked around again and felt that everything here, from the painted beams and rafters to the patterns on the coffered ceiling, and even the lamps and utensils, was full of antiquity. If they were all antiques, then it would be impossible to open them to the public; they should just be closed off.
Seeing the complex emotions in Wang Wei's eyes, Lu Xiaoqi wanted to change the subject, so she asked curiously, "Mr. Mojie, what do you think of the arrangement and atmosphere of our banquet today? How does it compare to the banquet that Emperor Xuanzong held in the real Hua'e Xianghui Tower back then?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Wei withdrew his gaze and said gently, "The exquisite beauty and craftsmanship of the form, objects, music and dance are even more remarkable."
The banquet held in the building back then, though extremely luxurious, was attended by people at the pinnacle of power and influence. Their attendance was not merely for entertainment; their hearts were filled with complex emotions. Today's banquet, however, is meticulously prepared, with exquisite details. What's even more remarkable is that all the guests present are completely immersed in the experience, enjoying themselves immensely. This purity is something that could never have been achieved back then.
Lu Xiaoqi silently raised her eyebrows, not expecting his perspective, but she felt it actually made a lot of sense.
While everyone was still discussing these old stories, the opening ceremony began to be heard in the lobby downstairs.
"The grand feast begins!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing. Except for Zhao Mengfu and Guan Daosheng, who were still reluctant to leave, everyone else gathered around the railing.
"It's a pity that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang didn't open the ceremony..." A thought flashed through Lu Xiaoqi's mind as she looked at the civil official who was opening the ceremony.
When she came to watch the rehearsal, she originally wanted to suggest that the actors play Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, and then do the opening scene. After all, the Grand Tang Night Banquet was meant to imitate the palace banquet held by Emperor Ming of Tang at the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, so the host should be Emperor Ming of Tang.
However, although Li Guinian, Wang Wei, and others had accepted the modern atmosphere and some concepts, the ideological imprint of "imperial power is supreme" still remained, especially since Li Longji was the emperor they had worshipped. Therefore, after understanding this, Lu Xiaoqi gave up the idea and did not mention it to them.
Looking back now, the opening wasn't bad at all.
......
At the start of the banquet, the music of string and wind instruments paused briefly, and was replaced by a series of clear and orderly tinkling sounds of jade pendants.
Two rows of maids dressed in pale yellow dresses filed in, their steps light as if treading on clouds, carrying various porcelain plates as lustrous as jade. Their movements were silent, with only the soft rustling of their skirts, yet they possessed a dignified and elegant sense of ceremony.
The building was quiet, save for the melodious sounds of a female musician playing a pipa on the circular stage in the center of the hall.
Everyone craned their necks to watch the waitresses serve the dishes, excitedly discussing the upcoming menu.
"I don't think it will taste very good. I've eaten similar banquets before, and the dishes were generally just so-so. Many of them were cold by the time they arrived, and the taste was just so-so."
"It's all about participation; the main thing is to experience the atmosphere."
"Yeah, I think it's been pretty worth it so far, but I wonder how the song and dance performance will be later."
Across from Qin Yue, two young women, one in yellow and the other in green, chattered and took selfies. They clearly had no expectations for the dishes that were about to be served to them.
"Those restaurants with an old-fashioned banquet style on the market do have mediocre food, I've eaten there myself," Qin Yue whispered to her fans in the live stream. "But I think today should be alright."
After all, the head chef is Lee Seonjo!
Do you know how envious she was when she saw the feedback from those lucky enough to have tasted Chef Li's dishes in the foodie group?!
"However, it seems they intend to let the guests eat something first to fill their stomachs," Qin Yue continued. "That's good, after all, food is an important part of a banquet."
Agreed!
[And preferably not just pretty food, but real, delicious food.]
I'd be really angry if I spent so much money and the food was just so-so.
Speaking of which, Qinghe Ancient Town has a pretty good reputation for its food, so maybe this time it really will be good.
Qin Yue was originally a food vlogger and restaurant review host, so her fans naturally had higher expectations and demands for food.
She picked up an almond cookie from the table and took a bite, savoring the taste: "It smells so good. Just eating this cookie tells me that the food later will definitely be delicious."
The young woman across from me finally finished taking a selfie. Hearing her words, she looked up, a look of utter disbelief on her face. Each guest had cookies and fruit laid out on a small table in front of them, looking quite exquisite, but they had been busy taking pictures and hadn't had time to eat them yet.
Upon hearing Qin Yue's words, the girl in yellow whispered to her friend, "As expected of someone who does live streaming, she exaggerates too much."
The girl in green happened to take a piece and put it in her mouth. After taking a bite, her eyes lit up: "No, no, it's really delicious..."
Before they could finish speaking, the maid had already entered their private room. She walked lightly to the table in front of them, bowed slightly, and gently placed down the Yue kiln porcelain plates that she was holding, which were as smooth as jade and as blue as sky.
Upon closer inspection, there were three small snacks on the plate, so exquisitely presented that they resembled works of art rather than food.
One dish is a piece of sashimi as thin as a cicada's wing, with a pinkish sheen, garnished with a clump of golden sauce; another dish is a plate of lotus root slices as white as jade, served with glossy and fragrant sesame sauce; and yet another dish is made of colorful shredded vegetables.
"Please enjoy the Five Flavors of the Immortals Cup, esteemed guest." The maid's voice was as clear and melodious as the tinkling of jade pendants.
Qin Yue asked curiously, "There are clearly only three dishes, so why is it called the Five Flavors Cup?"
The maid smiled sweetly, lightly touching the rim of the plate with her slender finger, and explained softly, "Because in this one cup you can taste all five flavors: sour, sweet, salty, savory, and spicy. The sashimi is fresh, complemented by the sweet and sour flavor of the minced fish; the lotus root is salty and crisp, paired with the rich aroma of sesame; and the five-shredded vegetables are seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce. May you, sir, wander through the heavens and savor the pleasures of all five flavors with just one sip."
She spoke eloquently, clearly having undergone rigorous training. After explaining, she nodded slightly to everyone and gracefully departed.
"Wow!"
After she left, the two girls finally realized what had happened and immediately exclaimed in amazement, their gazes towards the dish in front of them changing completely.
The comments section in Qin Yue's live stream was scrolling.
[Yes, yes, that's the style! Even Michelin-starred restaurants do it this way (chuckles). They introduce each dish before serving; that's what makes it high-class.]
[Whether it tastes good or not, the hype has already been spread. If people think it doesn't taste good, then it's just that the diners don't know how to appreciate good food.]
I actually think it's quite nice; it's entertaining. And that scene really brought back memories of ancient times.
[It looks pretty good, but there's so little of it...]
Upon seeing this, Qin Yue couldn't help but say, "This is an appetizer, so the portion won't be too large. It's just to whet your appetite and awaken your taste buds. So using 'five flavors' as the beginning is actually quite a clever design."
After she said that, the comments section stopped nitpicking.
Qin Yue's attention was completely drawn to the dish of "Golden Minced Fish and Jade Sashimi". As a food blogger, she knew that sashimi required extremely high standards of freshness of ingredients and skillful knife work.
She picked up a slice of fish; the flesh was almost translucent, gleaming like pearls under the soft lights of the private room. "See that? What truly excellent knife skills are? This is it."
I carefully dipped a little of the golden scrambled eggs sauce into my mouth and put it in.
The next second, her eyes widened suddenly!
The fish was cool and smooth, melting in your mouth with absolutely no fishy smell, only an intense sweetness. And the golden minced meat sauce was a stroke of genius—
“It’s a special sauce made by the chef, mixed with… wait, I can taste pumpkin puree, it’s smooth and sweet, and there should be a little bit of ginger and garlic added, so it has a slight spiciness,” Qin Yue tried to reconstruct the ingredients, “and maybe some orange juice was added, you can taste the slightly sour fruity aroma.”
These ingredients are well combined, perfectly complementing the natural flavor of the sashimi, creating an incredibly rich and complex flavor profile.
"tasty!"
A voice rang out from the side: "Delicious!"
It came from the two young girls, who looked excited and surprised. It wasn't that they had never eaten good food before, but they hadn't had any expectations, so they were very excited about such a big reversal.
This is not the unrealistic, traditional Chinese cuisine they imagine! This is truly a dish with profound cultural heritage, meticulous craftsmanship, and an amazing taste!
Qin Yue then tried the lotus root slices, dipping them in sesame sauce. The pristine white lotus root slices contrasted sharply with the dark sesame sauce, creating a striking visual effect. With a soft "crunch," the lotus root slices maintained their remarkable crispness, tinged with a slightly salty taste. The sesame sauce was rich and savory, with a full-bodied flavor, yet it didn't mask the natural sweetness of the lotus root at all; instead, the oil and aroma enhanced its refreshing quality.
The other dish was of the same quality as the previous two.
She devoured the appetizers, leaving not a drop of sauce on the plate.
Every time I see Xiaoyue so engrossed in eating that she doesn't even acknowledge me, I know it must be delicious.
[Hey streamer, at least give us a brief introduction!]
Qin Yue chuckled, quite satisfied, and gave a brief introduction to the dishes. Having been a food blogger for so long, and having done her homework before coming, she even knew some inside information, from the Tang people's love for raw meat to the Shaowei Banquet, and mentioning that today's chef had a deep understanding of Tang banquets.
The two girls next to her had also finished eating, put down their chopsticks, and listened attentively to her. They couldn't help but ask, "Is that chef really that good?"
"Amazing!" Qin Yue nodded. "She used to come out often when we were at Song Sao Fish Restaurant, but she was elusive and hard to catch. Now it's great, we just have to keep queuing up to grab her."
The girl in yellow was somewhat surprised: "I've eaten at Song Sao Fish Restaurant, but isn't that Chef Song?"
When did another Chef Li appear?
Qin Yue explained, and only then did she realize what had happened at Song Sao Fish Restaurant, and that there was a group of diners she could join. She felt like she'd missed out on a fortune!
The previous doubts and nonchalance vanished in an instant, replaced by a feeling of winning the lottery and a strong anticipation for the dishes to come.
After the appetizers, the second course was soup.
Even before the lid of the stew pot was lifted, an extremely elegant and mellow aroma wafted out. Unlike any strong or overpowering smell, it was like a wisp of cloud, gently lingering around the tip of the nose, making one's heart itch.
"Snow Baby Stewed Orchid Soup, please enjoy it, Your Excellency." The maid announced the dish softly, still wearing that perfectly timed smile.
The comments in Qin Yue's live stream started scrolling again.
Here it comes! Soup! Sounds so healthy!
What is a Snow Baby? It's a really cute name.
[I can't smell it, I'm so anxious! Host, please describe what it smells like!]
Just as Qin Yue was about to ask what the snow baby was, she saw the maid about to speak and stopped her, saying, "Let me taste it first and see if I can guess what it is."
The maid covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Please, sir."
Qin Yue took a deep breath. The top notes alone were enough to captivate her: "It smells so good. You can smell it even before you open the lid."
She carefully lifted the lid of the bowl, and saw a dozen or so uniformly sized, flawless white fish balls, as small as longan fruits, floating quietly in the clear, almost transparent, light brown broth. The broth was crystal clear, garnished only with two or three emerald green water shield leaves, like newly sprouted orchids, truly living up to its name, "Orchid Soup."
“Look at this soup,” Qin Yue zoomed in with the camera, her voice filled with amazement, “It’s so clear, it’s definitely a clear broth that’s been carefully prepared, not a milky white thick soup. And these fish balls, look at them, so small, so round, don’t they look like little pearls?”
She scooped up a spoonful; the soup was clear and bright, without a trace of oil. She put it in her mouth, and the warm broth instantly enveloped her taste buds.
"Mmm—!" she couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
This soup...it's so incredibly flavorful! It's a very pure, very sophisticated kind of umami. It's not made with MSG or concentrated broth; it's the kind of exquisite freshness achieved through long, slow simmering of old hen, ham, and dried scallops, followed by repeated filtering and clarification. The flavor is incredibly complex, yet it's refreshingly light and not greasy at all.
Then, she gently bit open a "snow baby".
"Wow, it's fish balls!" Her eyes lit up again.
It's fish balls!
However, upon further reflection, it seems more like fish balls.
[Fish balls...aren't they the same as the jade fish balls at Song Sao Fish Restaurant? Isn't that a bit unoriginal?]
Someone in the live stream who had eaten at Song Sao Fish Restaurant immediately asked a question.
"No, no, no, its texture is completely different from that of jade fish balls!" Qin Yue shook her head. "I've eaten jade fish balls from Song Sao Fish Restaurant many times. Its characteristics are its bouncy and tenderness. The fish meat paste is ground very finely, and it may contain a little bit of lard or fat. It's oily and bouncy, with a very firm texture. It's the kind of home-style, very satisfying delicacy."
“But this Snow Baby in front of me,” she said, taking another bite and savoring it carefully, thinking about how to describe it, “is exquisite in its tenderness and melt-in-your-mouth texture! Can you imagine? It hardly needs to be bitten with your teeth; just a gentle touch with your tongue and palate and it melts! It’s like taking a small bite of a warm cloud or a cotton candy, but the freshness of the fish bursts in your mouth in a very rich way.”
The maid, listening nearby, nodded slightly and explained, "Your Excellency has indeed grasped the essence of this dish. We repeatedly pound and remove the tendons from the fish meat, using only the finest fish paste. Then we mix in a little bit of chicken paste and tofu, and add almost no starch or excess oil that would affect the texture. Chef Li said that it doesn't aim for a chewy texture, but rather for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth and tenderness. This is also a representative dish of the Tang Dynasty court's pursuit of the ultimate refinement."
As soon as she finished speaking, longtime fans in the live stream responded immediately.
[Got it! Song Sao is a lady from Jiangnan, and this snow baby is the Princess and the Pea from the palace!]
One offers a chewy, satisfying texture, the other melts in your mouth—I want them both! Adults don't make choices.
[This sounds so high-class... This soup is like a cow chewing on a peony, completely wasting my time.]
[The maid was so professional, and Xiaoyue's explanation was excellent too; the comparison made everything clear!]
The two girls next to them were also carefully tasting it, their faces showing expressions of being amazed by the ultimate taste.
"This fish ball... it really disappears as soon as you put it in your mouth, leaving only the fresh taste!" the girl in yellow whispered to her companion.
"This soup is so delicious! It feels so comforting and warm in my stomach." Another person nodded in agreement.
After finishing a bowl of soup, I felt not only no burden, but also a sense of comfort and warmth from the inside out, soothed by its pure and fresh flavor. The taste buds that had been fully stimulated when I tasted the Five Flavors Cup were now gently soothed and ready to welcome the main dishes to come.
For a moment, the atmosphere inside the building became even more tranquil and elegant, with everyone either quietly or gulping down their soup.
But backstage, it was a completely different story.
Unlike the glamorous banquet area in front of the building, the backstage area was brightly lit, and the air was filled with a scent mixed with pine resin, cosmetics, and a faint smell of sweat—the tense excitement unique to the pre-performance period.
"Is everything ready?" Li Guinian, as the artistic director and director of this performance, scanned every corner with lightning speed.
"Reporting to the offering, the drum stand has been checked repeatedly and is in perfect condition," the drummer replied with a bow.
"The pipa, konghou, and fangxiang have all been tuned and tested."
"The props—the lotus platform, the shawl and feather robe—are all in place, without any mistakes!"
The air was thick with a mixture of tension, excitement, and intense focus. No one spoke loudly; all communication was conducted in hushed tones, yet actions were efficient and swift, like the high-speed, silent operation of gears within a precision instrument.
Inside the changing area, rustling sounds filled the air. Dozens of dancers were making their final preparations. They wore light, colorful gauze skirts, long embroidered shawls draped over their arms, and elaborate hair ornaments with swaying floral crowns. Their makeup was so exquisite that they resembled apsaras descending from a mural.
Zhu Cui led the makeup artists and assistants to move among them, smoothing out the last wrinkles and securing any loose hairpins.
Gongsun Jin whispered the final instructions: "Eyes! Pay attention to your eyes, they should be gentle and distant... Your steps should be light, like walking on clouds, remember that!"
At this moment, her gaze fell upon Zhao Feiyan, who was slightly frowning and gently adjusting the almost transparent cloud-patterned shawl draped over her arm. Gongsun Jin turned around, smoothed out the wrinkles, took a few steps back, and said with satisfaction:
"alright."
Zhao Feiyan smiled gently: "Thank you."
She happened to notice that the tassel on the prop sword that Gongsun Jin was wearing was messy, so she went over and straightened it.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Standing together, one is dashing and the other is gentle and graceful; they are completely different, yet equally exquisite in their beauty.
Li Guinian observed this scene, a subtle hint of satisfaction appearing on his stern face. Having two equally outstanding dancers in the same troupe isn't always a good thing; it can easily lead to conflict. Fortunately, these two have different styles and have both experienced the vicissitudes of life, so they no longer care about empty fame. After the initial period of adjustment, Zhao Feiyan and Gongsun Jin, while not exactly sisters, certainly share a mutual appreciation.
Just then, a staff member reminded them, "It's almost time for the offering."
Li Guinian took a deep breath, his voice low yet clear enough to reach everyone's ears: "Gentlemen, the elegance of a century, the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, all rests on tonight, on our hands..."
"Get ready!"
......
After enjoying the delicious Snow Baby Stew with Orchid, Qin Yue leaned back on the table contentedly, looking forward to the main course even more.
The third and fourth dishes were served consecutively, each a single serving, but the portions were not small. The waitress explained that these two dishes were scallion and vinegar chicken and grilled shrimp.
The former is Chef Li's masterpiece, while the latter is also a famous dish at the Shaowei Banquet.
Scallion and vinegar chicken has long been famous among diners in Qinghe Ancient Town, but Qin Yue didn't pay much attention to it. She focused her attention on the Guangming Shrimp Grill—which is actually just grilled shrimp, but it uses extra-large black tiger shrimp that are plump and bouncy. The seasoning is also excellent. When it is served, it sizzles and smells delicious. It is irresistible to eat it while it is hot.
Hua'e Xianghui Tower was very considerate; the maids peeled shrimp for the group before leaving.
Qin Yue was originally on a diet and didn't eat rice at night, but she couldn't help but have a big appetite when faced with such delicious food, and she broke her diet and ate half a bowl of rice.
While they were eating, the group leaned against the railing and looked down, only to find that the musicians in the lobby downstairs had stopped playing their instruments and had already left.
"Huh? Why have all the musicians left?" the girl in yellow asked softly.
"I don't know, maybe... they'll change the program?" another girl guessed.
Qin Yue frowned slightly, just about to say something to the live stream audience.
Suddenly, a clear, melodious sound, like the sound of a jade chime from the heavens, rang out without warning, clearly reaching every corner of the building. The lingering sound cleansed the mind and spirit.
This sound instantly silenced all whispers and discussions, leaving the entire building completely quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to the stage.
Immediately following, two more jade chime sounds were heard at just the right interval.
"Clang, clang~~~~~~"
After the three chimes, the stage lights gradually dimmed, leaving only a single beam of light, as bright as moonlight, shining alone in the center of the stage.
Against the backdrop of absolute silence and darkness, that beam of light appeared incredibly sacred and captivating.
Then, a faint, almost imperceptible tinkling sound seemed to come from all directions, like the wind chimes under the eaves of a celestial palace being stirred by the heavenly wind.
As the bell rang, wisps and strands of pure white dry ice mist began to slowly seep out from the ground at the edge of the stage, like newly formed clouds, gradually spreading and engulfing the stage floor, and flowing gently.
In just a short while, the empty stage seemed to transform into a magnificent palace surrounded by clouds and mist, a heavenly palace!
"My God..." A girl behind Qin Yue couldn't help but cover her mouth and gasp, her eyes wide open.
Qin Yue also held her breath, her phone camera firmly pointed at the dreamlike stage: "Friends, it feels like a good show is about to begin."
Is the main dish finally about to be served?
Just then, a group of maids dressed in elegant light blue gauze dresses and carrying lotus lanterns emerged silently from the mist on either side of the stage, like fairies in the clouds. Their steps were extremely light and slow, as if they were walking on clouds, their feet not touching the ground.
They walked to the edge of the stage, faced the guests, bowed slightly, and then raised the lotus palace lanterns in their hands together.
Under the lamplight, their faces were beautiful, and their expressions were solemn.
The head maid, with a voice as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song, yet carrying an unyielding solemnity, announced in a loud voice:
"The ethereal music heralded the beginning of the glorious Tang Dynasty. The emperor favored the splendid attire, the feathered robes and magnificent chapters."
"We cordially invite all distinguished guests to cleanse their ears and minds and enjoy the 'Rainbow Feather Garment Dance' together!"
As soon as she finished speaking, all the lantern-bearing maids bowed again, and then, just as they had come, silently and slowly retreated into the misty backstage area, disappearing from sight.
Only that beam of moonlight still shrouded the stage shrouded in mist.
Silence descended once more, but everyone's hearts were in their throats, their blood was rushing, and their eyes were fixed on the stage, waiting, waiting for the legendary music and dance to break through the clouds.
Until the sound of string and wind instruments rang out again.
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