If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Take a break and have something to eat."

Zhou Wu brought back gifts from his friends, and picked out all the food from them, taking it to the backyard.

Wu Tianji glanced at Zhou Wu and then told everyone to rest.

"Everyone, take a break."

In the theater, Wu Tianji's words carried more weight than Zhou Wu's.

"Come on, have something to eat and some water."

Zhou Wu, a nobleman of the empire and a local lord, is now acting like a logistics support officer.

"Wow, Shufangzhai's braised duck is my favorite. It's a pity I can't buy it even if I want to eat it. You're really something, sir."

The food my friends brought back were all from famous old brands in Beijing, things that are usually impossible to buy, otherwise I wouldn't have dared to bring them out.

"These must be Liu Xintang's Fire Crystal Persimmons. As expected, his are the most authentic. How did you know, sir? Miss Wu likes his Fire Crystal Persimmons the most."

I don't know anything about it. It was a gift from someone. But Zhou Wu couldn't say that, so he could only smile awkwardly.

"Hehe, eat more if you like it. Rehearsals are quite tiring too."

"Lord Zhou really knows how to care for people."

That sarcastic tone sounded exactly like someone was teasing Zhou Wu and Wu Tianji.

However, since they were all young women, Zhou Wu was too embarrassed to say anything.

"Even delicious food can't shut you up, right?"

Wu Tianji, who was standing to the side, couldn't bear to watch any longer. Fearing that Zhou Wu would really get angry, she pretended to scold him, and then quickly explained to him.

"The girls were just joking, there's no need to take it seriously."

. . . . . .

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, at the Imperial Palace.

Now that Zhou Wu had returned, he naturally received an invitation from the palace. However, because he was worried about the girl at the theater, Zhou Wu did not go to the palace alone first, but instead accompanied Wu Tianji and the others.

"Why don't you go first? We can just follow the eunuch ourselves."

Wu Tianji was afraid of delaying Zhou Wu's important business, so she tried to persuade him several times, but Zhou Wu just wouldn't listen.

"It's okay. If you go too early, you'll just be sitting there, staring at each other."

As soon as Zhou Wu finished speaking, the eunuchs came to summon everyone to prepare to go in. Since they were performers, they naturally did not enter through the main gate.

However, because of Zhou Wu, the eunuch's attitude was very good.

"Lord Zhou, taking shortcuts is a rule in the palace, this..."

The eunuch, fearing that Zhou Wu would find fault with him, quickly offered an explanation.

"Following the rules is perfectly fine."

Zhou Wu is feeling a bit frustrated. He's clearly a reasonable person, but for some reason, everyone seems to be afraid of him.

The group arrived at a large hall and entered through the back door.

"Gentlemen, this is where the banquet will be held tonight. You will be performing here in a little while."

So this is the backstage area; you can even hear the people in front talking.

"Where's Zhou Wu? Why didn't that little bastard Zhou Wu come?"

Upon hearing the loud, boisterous voice, Zhou Wu knew it was the retired emperor.

However, the people in the theater looked at Zhou Wu with admiration, realizing how much he was favored.

"Your Majesty, Lord Zhou will be here shortly."

The eunuch leading the group happened to be at the front at that moment and reported back to the Emperor Emeritus.

"Then I'll go out first. You guys take your time to prepare."

"Yes, you should go quickly, don't keep His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus waiting."

At this moment, Wu Tianji was more like a wife instructing her husband. Seeing Zhou Wu so favored in the court, she didn't know why she was also extremely happy.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus, and Your Majesty the Empress."

Zhou Wu walked out from behind the stage in a generous manner and bowed.

"No gifts."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Hey kid, why are you so late? You should punish yourself with three drinks."

The moment the retired emperor saw Zhou Wu, he tried to set a trap for him, but Zhou Wu was no ordinary man and would not fall for it so easily.

“Very well, however much the Emperor Emeritus drinks, I will drink as much.”

"You dare to resist the decree?"

"Your Majesty, you've wronged me. You are the Emperor Emeritus, and I am but a subject. How dare I drink more than you? That would be treason! That's why I said I would drink as much as Your Majesty drinks."

Although I know it's fallacious reasoning, it does seem to make sense.

"Hmph, seeing that you're still so stubborn, I guess you're living a pretty comfortable life."

"It's all thanks to His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus that the Great Dragon enjoys favorable weather and abundant harvests, and the people's lives are getting better and better. We officials can naturally share in this peace and prosperity."

Following the Emperor Emeritus's words and even managing to flatter him, Zhou Wu truly lived up to his reputation. The other ministers attending the banquet secretly gave Zhou Wu a thumbs up.

"Zhou Wu, since you're late, please take a seat."

"Thank you, Queen."

The Empress saw the Emperor Emeritus and Zhou Wu arguing, and it was hard to tell who was winning. However, it was clear that the Emperor Emeritus was not as quick-witted as Zhou Wu. In order to protect the Emperor Emeritus from losing face in front of the court, the Empress stepped in to defuse the situation.

The retired emperor hadn't gained any advantage, so he had also set his sights on Zhou Wu.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and everyone began to toast each other.

Zhou Wu also spotted Li Zheng in the crowd.

"Li Zheng, isn't this bastard fishing in the South China Sea?"

Zhou Wu stood up, holding a wine cup, pretending to offer a toast, and quietly approached Li Zheng.

"Hey, when did you get back?"

"You arrived in the capital this morning, and I arrived this afternoon."

Li Zheng is no longer as afraid of Zhou Wu as before, probably because he no longer has so many distracting thoughts and now only wants to do something practical.

Why did you come back?

"You're being funny. As a prince, it's only natural for me to return home to reunite with my father and mother during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Uh~"

She glanced at Zhou Wu as if he were an idiot, which made Zhou Wu so angry that he didn't believe her. However, what she said seemed to make sense, so Zhou Wu had no answer.

"Fourth Brother, what are you two talking about?"

Li Xixue's sudden outburst broke the awkward silence.

"Oh, I'm just catching up with your fourth brother."

"Isn't Fourth Brother always in the South China Sea? What's there to reminisce about?"

"Haha, your fourth brother is often disobedient and always likes to run around, isn't that right, Li Zheng?"

Zhou Wu reached out and pinched Li Zheng's cheek hard, causing Li Zheng's face to contort in pain, but he couldn't retaliate because his sister was present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I have specially invited the original cast of The Legend of the White Snake to perform live."

"Okay~!"

"I can't believe I got to see the Legend of the White Snake."

"I heard that the actress who played the White Snake was also incredibly beautiful."

Thunderous applause erupted from below, especially from the princes and grandsons, who all gazed expectantly at the stage.

"Heh~heh~heh~~~~heh~heh~heh, the West Lake is beautiful in March."

A familiar opening line.

Although Zhou Wu had seen it many times, this was the first time such a superb performance had been seen by the imperial relatives and nobles of the capital.