With Feng Buqing's standard opening act, the star puppet showcase drew back its curtain.
Next, the works of talented prodigies from every side took the stage one after another.
Star puppets themselves were not something young people were expected to focus on. Thus, apart from those born into star-puppet families, most were merely dabbling for the prize money of the showcase, trying their hand at it.
Making a fool of oneself cost nothing; winning a prize meant a huge profit.
Therefore, quite a few of these children of Tai Yu's high-ranking officials were indeed able to bring out their works and demonstrate a thing or two.
Since this was not a primary contest of talent or combat power, but mainly for amusement, the young masters and ladies were not afraid of failing or embarrassing themselves. A simple "forgive my poor showing" was enough to brush away the awkwardness.
Overall, with amusing star puppets appearing one after another—and with most of them being downright ridiculous, creating plenty of jokes—the atmosphere was thoroughly cheerful. Waves of delighted laughter made this winding-stream banquet feel relaxed and pleasant.
After all, Kanglong Chen Palace was hosting today, and it was not yet the time for formal competition at the Divine Treasury Assembly. Even if some of the children of Tai Yu's high-ranking officials present had grudges against one another, they would give Kanglong Chen Palace some face. They would endure what they should endure and laugh when they should laugh.
By this point, the star puppet showcase could already be considered a success. It displayed the importance the elders and upper echelons placed on star puppets, while also making this winding-stream banquet lighthearted and harmonious, bringing the relationships between Tai Yu's youngest generation of future pillars closer together.
The future of a nation lay in