After Yuto finished discussing with Xiao, and returned to the others, Ningguang spoke up, "If everyone doesn't mind, you can rest and tour the Jade Chamber for a while, or you can walk around the city.
The celebration banquet will still take some time to prepare.
Once your fatigue has vanished, you may return to the Jade Chamber.
We're celebrating both the completion of the Jade Chamber and Liyue Harbor's successful navigation of the crisis.
This banquet is sure to be unprecedentedly lively."
With that, Ningguang went to arrange the specifics of the banquet and to tally the casualties and property losses from the battle.
Additionally, Beidou's The Crux Fleet contributed greatly to this battle but suffered the most severe losses.
As Beidou's good friend, she had to go and comfort her.
As for Yuheng Star Keqing, she began to take charge of summarizing and implementing the aftermath of the battle.
Although The Millelith's losses were within the expected range, Keqing reviewed the entire plan and still found many flaws.
If there had been more time, a barrier could have been set up in advance in Guyun Stone Forest and the waters near Liyue to guard against the tidal waves caused by Beisht.
Without Yuto's help, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
These were all lessons, not to be repeated next time.
Yun Jin and the Yun-Han Opera Troupe members, who had been waiting at Yuehai Pavilion, immediately began to busy themselves with stage construction and performance preparations after receiving the signal.
This was a crucial performance that determined whether the Yun-Han Opera Troupe could become famous in Liyue, so naturally, no one was willing to be careless.
Although the Yun-Han Opera Troupe already had some reputation in Liyue, performing on the Jade Chamber was undoubtedly the best way to amplify their fame.
What's more, at today's celebration banquet, Yun Jin's new opera, "the divine damsel of devastation," would make its debut on the Jade Chamber.
With such a good promotional opportunity, it naturally couldn't be easily missed.
In addition, the drinks and delicacies for the banquet had also begun to be prepared, except this time, Ningguang did not invite the head chefs from Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion.
On the contrary, Ningguang invited Chef Mao and Xiangling, the father and daughter from Wanmin Restaurant.
Compared to the exquisite delicacies of Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion, Wanmin Restaurant's dishes were clearly more suitable for a private banquet.
As the lamps were lit, the lights shone brightly.
No matter when or where, overlooking the beautiful night view of Liyue Harbor from the Jade Chamber always gave one a strong sense of everyday life, not to mention that a huge stage had already been set up on the open space outside the Jade Chamber at this time.
On one side was an elegant opera performance, and on the other was Liyue's magnificent natural landscape.
When Yuto saw this scene, he had a strange thought: it was a pity that Zhongli couldn't attend this banquet.
Ningguang only set up three tables for this banquet.
One table was for Ningguang's business partners, another for Ningguang's subordinates and colleagues, and the third table was for Yuto and his group.
Ningguang, Yuto, Shenhe, Ganyu, Lumine, Paimon, Kuki Shinobu, and Ann gathered at one table.
Yuto looked at the large group of beautiful women at the table, feeling very happy.
Paimon: "Wow, everyone's seated!
This is my first time attending Miss Ningguang's banquet on the Jade Chamber.
I feel like there will be so much delicious food."
Yuto: "Paimon, then you should eat a lot.
I heard Ningguang invited Xiangling and Chef Mao to cook.
You know their cooking style—delicious and filling."
Ningguang: "All of you are my esteemed guests, Ningguang's guests.
Having come today, I hope you all return fully satisfied.
Guests who cannot drink alcohol, please substitute with other beverages.
Good wine is pleasant, but not only good wine is pleasant.
I believe the beautiful scenery on the Jade Chamber can also intoxicate the heart and mind."
After the opening remarks, the banquet officially began.
Yuto looked around and noticed a few people seemed to be missing, so he asked, "Miss Ningguang, why don't I see Beidou and Keqing?
Didn't you invite them?"
Ningguang merely smiled slightly and explained, "Keqing's old habit has resurfaced.
She's always so impetuous.
At this moment, she should be busy with the defensive fortifications in the waters near Liyue.
As for Beidou, I just learned that The Crux Fleet lost six escort ships and twenty-eight sailors in this incident.
The losses are truly heavy, and many sailors' bodies have not been found to this day.
After the crisis passed, Beidou is leading the remaining fleet to search for and salvage the bodies overnight.
Of course, The Millelith is also helping.
After this battle, I met with Beidou.
Her state at the time was not suitable for attending the banquet.
The Crux Fleet rendered outstanding service in this battle, and I am already considering compensation measures for her fleet."
Yuto: "Is that so? Some people still died?
It's a pity that it happened so suddenly then."
Ningguang: "Don't think that way.
There are always casualties in war.
In other words, even without the subsequent battle with Osial, if only Beisht had been involved and you hadn't intervened, Liyue's casualties would never be as they are now.
Regarding this matter, although it is a transaction between two nations, I still must toast you, and I also wish for a long and harmonious relationship between Liyue and Inazuma."
With that, Ningguang raised her wine glass and drained it.
Seeing this, Yuto naturally couldn't be outdone.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere of the banquet gradually reached its climax with the splendid performance of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe members on stage.
Just then, Yun Jin, the leading actress of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, finally took the stage under the eager gaze of the audience below.
Many of the audience members were Yun Jin's fans, and they came specifically for the new opera "the divine damsel of devastation," having been looking forward to it for several sleepless nights.
It was only a pity that Yun Jin's biggest fan, Zhongli, was not invited.
Even Shenhe, who had been quietly sitting by, stopped her chopsticks upon seeing her long-lost friend and sat up straight, watching Yun Jin, anticipating the upcoming performance.
Because she knew that what Yun Jin was about to perform was a story about her, a beautified story.
"Alas—
A lone swan broken, never to be paired again, a foolish person's foolish resentment, lost in madness, all because of that evil sacrifice bringing disaster.
If not for the heroine drawing her sword, all would have perished.
Mortal fate hazy, immortal fate vast, family ties scattered, invited to the Crimson Palace.
Red threads bind the rotten woodcutter, traces of snow and mud, distant.
The crane returns, but the ancient stone pillar is gone, spiderwebs vainly entangle the soul banner, cause and effect in the mortal dust, vast and boundless, vanishing like smoke.
the divine damsel of devastation should have ended here, but today I add another stroke—to sing for—all of you—to hear—
A lofty tune is not necessarily unknown, there are always kindred spirits to harmonize with the pure lyrics.
Red tassels flutter, swords like meteors, pointing directly at the raging tide, cleansing the sea.
At that time, the crane returned, with no one to rely on in the vast world, leaving alone.
Today, she returns again, with old friends and family filling the hall, gathered together at this moment!"
Shenhe watched Yun Jin's spectacular performance on stage, listening to the profound lyrics, and was filled with mixed emotions for a moment.
Thinking of her own childhood experiences, there was a sense of absurd incongruity, but the latter half of the lyrics elevated the entire opera, making it stirring and lingering.
Just then, Shenhe felt her cold hand enveloped by a warm and familiar one.
Looking back, she saw her beloved smiling brightly at her.
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Yes!" Shenhe seemed to have a thousand words at this moment, but they all condensed into a single word.
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