Before the banquet, the wine must be of high-quality Bingye, according to etiquette, it's not filled to the brim, but only half a cup is poured. The color is purely golden and bright yellow, with a hint of ice upon entry, extremely refreshing and delicious, with a crisp fragrance.

  Dim sum, on the other hand, emphasizes clarity, lightness, freshness and originality as its four key elements. During preparation, it strives to maintain the original flavor and juice. At ordinary banquets, chicken dim sum may be considered fresh, but at high-end banquets, crab roe is naturally used instead, in small quantities, to stimulate appetite.

  The grand dining hall environment, including the music played, is also particular. The piece being played now is "Spring Chapter". It must create a very good atmosphere for the participants, with a sense of harmony and freshness, which has already reached an artistic level.

  For ladies who do not drink alcohol, a special floral tea is also available.

  Apart from dim sum and wine, there was also a soup served in a small black floral bowl. Upon taking a sip, it turned out to be made with seafood, but without any meat added, the flavor was extremely fresh and delicious.

  Everyone was silent, quietly savoring, with only the sound of silk and bamboo filling the air.

  This is because the first dish is to open one's appetite, to create a perfect start for oneself. To truly enjoy it, one must be wholehearted. Everyone present understands this point, so there's no need to say it.

  After the dishes were served, the maid came forward to collect them. Only then was the main course presented, along with wine for the formal dinner. At this point, people's appetites had been whetted, and it was time to serve these various main courses and wines. Moreover, the music changed to "Summer is Coming", making the atmosphere even more lively and beautiful, further adjusting the mood of the banquet.

  Everyone present began chatting and laughing with each other, relaxing their reserve, and the whole atmosphere became lively and warm.

  "Come, this golden scale white silk fish is not bad, I'll let you have some!" Xiao Bing said in a low voice, personally helping him to pick: "If it's mixed with this kind of ice leaf, it will be even more perfect."

  Fang Xian's previous life. What kind of treatment is this? Seeing her eyes fluttering, his heart felt warm and he didn't refuse. From the piece she pierced with the fork, he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, feeling the entrance was fresh and tender. Then he took another sip. This ice leaf wine had a sweet and beautiful entrance, with a lingering fragrance, but its alcohol content was very light. The two flavors mixed together, and it was impossible to describe in words.

  "Is this the only degree?" Fang Xin asked involuntarily.

  "Do you want to drink more? Or should we stop, wine is a good thing, but it needs to be in moderation. It's better warm than strong, and enjoyable without getting drunk. Getting slightly tipsy is the best, if you harm your body then it's excessive." Xiao Bing said with some hesitation, then raised an eyebrow and smiled: "How about I call for some of the same type of fourth-grade ice leaf instead?"

  "Never mind, I was just asking." As soon as he thought of this, he remembered that in this world, most wines had a very low alcohol content, generally around 5 degrees, which was considered first-class and even young people could drink it in moderation. It could also be sold directly in beverage stores.

  Between 5 and 10 degrees is second-order, between 10 and 20 degrees is third-order, between 20 and 30 degrees is fourth-order, and between 30 and 40 degrees is fifth-order - the empire originally had this wine culture.

  The empire does not prohibit drinking, but hopes to drink in moderation. Since it is impossible to control the amount of drinking by citizens, we can only work hard on the production link. The higher the alcohol content, the stricter the approval and the higher the tax.

  However, after it becomes a custom, there are actually fewer people who drink high-proof liquor. Even if they overindulge, it's better to drink wine with an alcohol content of 2-3 degrees.

  Fang Xinye also took the bottle and poured wine for her. The two of them clinked glasses, took a sip, and then picked up a piece of fish meat, still feeling that it was incredibly tender and fresh: "Bingbing, what's the origin of this fish?"

  Xiao Bing sipped, slightly flushed with a peach blossom red, her eyes even clearer than water: "Oh, this fish, as the name suggests, its scales were once golden in color, and there are white threads running through its body. But don't look at it like that, it's actually a very ferocious fish species, doesn't eat aquatic plants, only eats fish and shrimp, so the meat is fresh and delicious, you can have more."

  In fact, the dishes were not many, only eight in total, and it was naturally different from those on Earth that were full of dishes, stacked one after another, with dozens of plates. However, each dish was extremely delicious and flavorful, and the portion was sufficient. Fang Xin felt a sense of wonder as he ate.

  "Is it expensive?" Fang Xin asked casually.

  "Although it's a bit rare, it's not expensive. It's probably around 50 yuan per catty in the market. If you like it, I can make some for you to eat when I get back, but mine won't be as good as what a fourth-level chef makes."

  "In my heart, as long as it's you who made it, it tastes better than a five-star chef."

  "I'm so drunk, my heart is melting." Xiao Bing thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, and even if he didn't drink, he would still feel intoxicated. Fang Xin carefully observed and discovered that although the banquet seemed exquisite, its cost was actually within the means of ordinary people. With technology advancing to this point, controlling the ecosystem through wild farming was crucial; overhunting would lead to depletion, while underhunting would lead to waste. By maintaining ecological balance, current annual yields were more than ten times those of the Earth's natural output.

  With the development of Shanghai's foreign agriculture, food has become extremely cheap in this world. Last time I had a good meal that cost only 30 or 40 yuan, and most of it went to the chef.

  So ordinary families can also afford to treat guests to this kind of feast, but the grand hall, music, chefs, etiquette and other comprehensive enjoyment is not only a matter of personal family wealth, but also a matter of cultural accomplishment. Without such refinement, even eating this meal would be tasteless.

  The empire has changed from eating its flesh to eating its flavor, and then to eating its art, and even further to eating its Tao.

  If we say that having enough to eat and wear is the first level, then eating meat is the second level, eating delicious food is the third level, and eating artistic food is the fourth level. Now, even ordinary people in the empire are at least at the second or third level, while the middle class has begun to pursue the fourth level. As for the way of eating, today's banquet can only give a glimpse of it, which is still a privilege of a few people. Thinking about this, I feel relieved and look forward to other dishes, and ordered a meat soup for Xiao Bing.

  Xiao Bing took his hand and ate, with a happy face. At this time, there was no need to speak, just savoring the moment, occasionally looking up to see everyone smiling at them, including Xiao Bing's father, who had initially been somewhat dissatisfied but now seemed calm.

  Then someone came forward and said, "There's food with fish, food with soup, but we also need music and dance. Ah Bing, you're good at playing the zither, I've heard that Fang Xin is good at sword fighting, why don't we have a combination of music and dance together?"

  As soon as this proposal came out, all the distinguished guests present shouted "good".

  The two of them exchanged a glance, Xiao Bing slightly nodded her head, and Fang Xin understood. He then said: "When the elder has given an order, how dare the younger generation not follow it?"

  As they spoke, the two of them stood up, and immediately someone presented a water basin. After washing their hands, Fang Xin held his sword and rose to his feet, while Xiao Bing knelt down and began to play the guqin, a seven-stringed zither with a rich, dark wood color. Her jade-like hands adjusted the strings, her expression calm and serene, her eyes focused intently on the instrument. The atmosphere around her seemed to solidify, like jade or pearls, complementing her intricately layered ancient-style long dress, which was full of elegance and poise.

  This is indeed a very touching scroll painting, which makes Fang Xing think of the principle of "inner and outer beauty" in women's education in this world.

  This world also has a sword song, that is, the Yue girl's sword song, which is closely related to the Yue Men Swordsmanship learned by Fang Xin.

  It seems like they have a spiritual connection, Fang Xin strolled up, his energy condensed in just a few breaths, and then a sound of the guqin echoed, shattering the entire hall. Xiao Bing played the instrument with one hand and sang with the other, her voice as clear as ice jade, crisp as breaking ice: "The Way has gates and doors, it also has yin and yang, opening and closing, yin declines and yang rises."

  "With a 'ting' sound, the long sword was drawn from its scabbard. As soon as it was unsheathed, everyone in the scene felt a chill between their eyebrows and were suddenly shocked. Upon closer inspection, there was no sword aura, but even so, everyone looked at each other in dismay."

  "The way of the sword is internal mental strength, external calm appearance. It looks like a gentle wife, but takes away like a fearful tiger. The shape unfolds, waiting for the energy to move with the spirit."

  Fang Xin wields his sword, one stroke after another, but it's still just basic sword techniques. Since it's called a dance, it's not meant for actual combat. This kind of sword dance is only used to adjust the body's muscle structure and has a beautiful posture, making it suitable as a form of exercise.

  It was just a flash of sword light, and everyone in the scene saw that every sword, every move, every breath, and every step formed a unity, with one energy and one sword penetrating all. This wonderful place is hard to describe.

  Especially the entire sword power is still increasing, after more than a dozen moves, wherever the sword goes, the condensed great power and strength can almost shake the four directions, and those who face it feel the sword intent is solemn, as if they want to move.

  "As swift as a day, like a rabbit jumping, chasing the form and pursuing the shadow, shining like a phantom. Breathing in and out, not subject to laws or prohibitions. Moving horizontally and vertically, advancing and retreating, without being heard. This way is such that one person can resist a hundred, and a hundred people can resist ten thousand."

  Until the sword can penetrate more and more, in the end, with a thrust it is like lightning, having an irresistible force, with a turn it is like a dragon dancing, with a sound it is almost like thunder.

  Xiao Hongqin's face was calm at this time, but her eyes lit up with a fiery glow, as if burning. This sword technique had already reached the pinnacle of human achievement. If there was still sword energy emanating from it, it would be like condensing the blue light of the ocean in the midst of the hall, and that would be the beginning of transcending to sainthood. With one sword in hand, she could make the world dance. The sword energy condensed into a sea of depth, and the sound shook all directions. In her lifetime, she had only seen this three times, including once at an imperial banquet in the empire, where everyone was shocked and covered in cold sweat.

  This child's sword is just one step away from this holy stage.

  The song ended and the zither stopped playing. Fang Xin sheathed his sword, and the entire arena was silent. The crowd quietly savored Fang Xin's exceptional swordsmanship.

  A moment later, Xiao Hongqin stood up and said: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Ah Xin's swordsmanship can be called the unity of sword intent, without any hindrance, has reached the pinnacle of skill. With time, it will surely enter the realm of the saints. Today's banquet, seeing this sword technique, can be said to be a one-time courtesy to surpass all banquets. My daughter has such a husband, it is extremely honorable!"

  As soon as he said this, it was settled, and Fang's family member just woke up, but his face immediately turned green, and he couldn't even laugh.