Chapter 425: Lady Calico Displays Her Divine Power
In the center of the capital stood the royal palace.
The palace was a small house about as tall as a person. Song You had to bend slightly to enter the door, but once inside, there was enough room to stand comfortably. The interior was about the size of half a typical village home in Great Yan. Given the cold of the island nights, a bonfire had been lit in the center of the palace hall, providing both warmth and light.
Song You sat cross-legged on the left side of the room, leaning against the wall. In front of him was a large banana leaf, neatly arranged with a modest meal: two small fish, each no wider than two fingers and perfectly identical in size, two curled-up bamboo shrimp, a skinned and beheaded mouse, and nine thin blades of grass.
The fish and shrimp were cooked, but the mouse was raw. The thin grass, about the length of a finger, looked similar to the kind Lady Calico often nibbled on along the roadside.
The meal was neatly balanced with both meat and greens, carefully presented.
Outside the banana leaf was a conch shell filled with cloudy water.
Lady Calico sat right beside Song You, and in front of her was a banana leaf similar to his. Except for the fish and shrimp, of which she had only one each, her meal was almost identical to his.
On either side of the room, several cats sat neatly in rows, likely the civil and military officials of the Cat Kingdom. They sat upright, their postures proper, and their expressions serious and attentive. Yet, many of them discreetly glanced at Song You and Lady Calico with curiosity.
In front of each cat was a banana leaf, nearly identical in size and shape. The food on their leaves was just like Lady Calico’s—perfectly portioned fish and shrimp, arranged with meticulous care. The meal reflected the formal and strict etiquette of the Cat Kingdom’s royal feast, where presentation and precision were key.
“Today, we welcome distinguished guests—a rare occasion indeed. Ministers and officials, please, enjoy the meal,” announced the tortoiseshell cat king.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the cats replied in unison before they began eating.