The audience arrived, and the actors took their positions.
Orannal did not hesitate to draw the long saber from his waist, holding it menacingly at Morian's throat.
He perfectly embodied the legendary, inviolable emperor who would abandon everything for power.
"National Teacher, having observed the celestial phenomena, have you foreseen whether I will be able to defeat the foreign tribes in the future?"
"Your Majesty knows the answer in your heart."
Morian did not look at Orannal at all, raising his head to gaze at the vast expanse of the sky as if seeking release.
"Even after a thousand years, you still lack the capability."
...
The old professors listened, half-understanding, and picked up their pens to meticulously record things on their personal notepads.
Standing below the performance stage, they were overcome with unprecedented excitement by this thrilling scene, daring not to make a sound.
At that moment, it felt as though they were facing an S-class psychic powerhouse of the empire.
Strangely, no mental energy was used throughout the performance, yet everyone could still feel such a heavy pressure, unable to lift their heads even an inch, filled with the urge to prostrate themselves in sincere fear.
It was only after Orannal snorted coldly and departed that the old professors snapped back to reality, realizing they were covered in a cold sweat.
"How did that feel?"
Lu Mingming's voice chimed in, a timely reminder.
Upon hearing Lu Mingming's voice, the old professors awoke as if from a dream.
Lu Mingming observed everyone's expressions, a strange sense of satisfaction rising within her.
Even after descending the tower, everyone had not yet recovered from the confrontation between the emperor and the national teacher.
"Next is mealtime."
The streets outside the palace were bustling with life. Along the roads were stalls built almost entirely of bamboo and wooden planks. Occasionally, small cubs, clutching strings of items they couldn't understand, would run past, leaving behind the exceptionally sweet scent of red fruit.
The vendors' clothing was not as refined or beautiful as Lu Mingming's, but the fresh, vibrant colors also exuded a sense of vitality.
The entire street had an ancient, artistic charm. The old professors' eyes were dazzled as they walked, finding no fault with anything.
Occasionally, traveling merchants sold local specialties and flora and fauna of Blue Star, calling them souvenirs.
Of course, adhering to the principle of small profits but quick turnover, Lu Mingming did not allow the people of Blue Star to set prices too high; the more expensive parts were at the eateries.
"If you're interested, you can buy a box from the shops run by the young ladies downstairs. They usually cost sixty star coins, and the taste varies from one shop to another."
After the guests were seated, the small kitchen served the dishes under Lu Mingming's watchful eye.
The dishes for VIP service were all secretly developed and prepared by Lu Mingming, not published on the star network.
Besides osmanthus cakes, there were steamed soup dumplings, blanched shrimp, crab-stuffed oranges, snow pear and white fungus soup, steamed meat with rice flour, and squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, all meticulously prepared by Lu Mingming.
Things never before heard of in the interstellar era were served plate by plate. The porcelain plates with a blue-green base made the spread of dishes appear even more luxurious.
"These dishes can be replaced. If you want custom orders, you can inquire about the day's menu."
Lu Mingming kindly reminded them.
[Wow, 5000 star coins for eight dishes of ancient culinary art?! A single dish at the research institute costs 3000 star coins, this is such a great deal!!]
[Someone knock me out quickly so I can fast-forward to the day I grab a Blue Star tour ticket!]
[Could these things be fake? I'm skeptical, don't get carried away by excessive marketing.]
[I don't think so. Even if Lu Mingming made them, it's unlikely she'd have such exquisite creativity.]
Seeing the barrage of comments, the old professors couldn't help but ask, "Are these new creations that you came up with?"
Lu Mingming honestly shook her head.
"These are traditional delicacies of Blue Star."
She added silently in her heart, though these traditional delicacies were known only to him.
Furthermore, the difficulty was so high that Lu Mingming had failed more than three times during the experimental phase, finally managing to restore only about six or seven-tenths of the original work.
"We have banquet tables here, which are even more expensive, with a total of 18 dishes."
Lu Mingming said as she took out the menu.
All the dishes were clearly priced.
Teaching the people of Blue Star had been arduous during this time, but they were improving, and the food they made now was not bad.
[The steamed soup dumplings are only 300 star coins.]
[What is Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? Buddhism is probably the faith of Venus, right? It costs nearly 2500 star coins.]
[They look so delicious. I can smell the rich aroma from every holographic picture, my mouth is watering... It's a pity this spread on the menu costs a hundred thousand star coins.]
[Forget a hundred thousand star coins, I'd be willing to spend a hundred thousand star coins to treat both sets of parents to this meal on my wedding day! This is an experience!]
The old professors' eyes scanned each dish one by one, finally settling on the last picture – a bit of longing for the legendary Manchu Han Imperial Feast.
One by one, they became eager, calculating that their accumulated bonuses over the years might be enough for them to indulge.
Seeing their thoughts, Lu Mingming quickly said, "The Manchu Han Imperial Feast requires booking in advance, and there are no seats available today."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this, the old professors' thoughts settled, and they began planning to try and grab tickets again during the next Blue Star ticket release period.
They absolutely had to book seats for the Manchu Han Imperial Feast!
Lu Mingming could see the determination in everyone's expressions, and a vague, ominous premonition arose.
Why did she feel like she had attracted these interstellar people too much, leading to the current biggest concern possibly being the number of cooks needed?
Unable to secure their preferred Manchu Han Imperial Feast, everyone automatically turned their attention to the various dishes.
Having these dishes was good enough.
A bite of the steamed soup dumplings caused the broth to burst in their mouths, bringing immense satisfaction; the crab-stuffed oranges were filled with rich, tender crab meat, mixed with the sweet and sour orange juice, each bite offering a refreshing fragrance.
The steamed meat with rice flour, blanched shrimp, and squirrel-shaped mandarin fish each had its unique characteristics, receiving great praise from the tourists. Some even ate so much that they immediately called for another plate.
The main purpose today was to advertise Blue Star, so Lu Mingming did not hesitate to agree to the kitchen's request for another dish.
After a satisfying meal, Aunt Shi, playing the role of the hotel owner, came up to collect payments one by one, absolutely ensuring that no one would have the chance to leave without paying.
Having guided them thus far, Lu Mingming, as a half-guide, finally released the tourists to find places they wanted to visit.
Some wanted to re-experience the palace tour and perhaps encounter those three handsome men.
The old professors preferred the lively atmosphere of the countryside more. They sat in a tea house on the street, watching the people of Blue Star live their happy lives, disguised as commoners.
It seemed they had a good experience this time. With a slight improvement next time, they could enhance the connection and immersion with ancient culture.
Lu Mingming stood under a tree on the street, slowly making plans, when a voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"How was my performance just now?"
Lu Mingming, lost in thought, instinctively trembled, her pupils constricting as she looked back. She met a pair of icy blue eyes.
Orannal's expression was exceptionally gentle. With relaxed brows and soft eyes, he gazed at Lu Mingming for a long time, a faint smile curving his lips, completely devoid of the killing intent from his performance, his gaze filled only with Lu Mingming.
"Ahem... Not bad, keep up the good work next time."
Lu Mingming replied, feigning composure.
Orannal chuckled softly, "Did you forget this is our only performance?"
He deliberately moved closer to Lu Mingming, his warm breath spraying into her ear. "If you wish, I can perform privately for you alone."
Lu Mingming instantly lost her ability to maintain a calm facade. A faint, ethereal smoky-red color spread from her cheeks to the roots of her ears.
After a moment of silence, Lu Mingming stammered nervously:
"That kind of thing... We can talk about it later, I need to go check on their work..."
Her cheeks burned with a vibrant blush, her head lowered, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
Orannal suddenly felt his throat dry, a fire igniting from within, entwined with reason.
He struggled to control his desire, his gaze gradually darkening, like a deep pool of water.
His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice low and hoarse, filled with helplessness and indulgence.
"Take your time, I'll wait for you."
Upon hearing his words, Lu Mingming felt extremely hot all over. For the first time, she quickly retreated in a dejected manner.