The dining area was silent, with only the clacking sounds of the cutlery and bowls being placed on the table. The number of people having a meal together that day almost reached thirty. Out of the fifteen elders, ten of them had assembled for that impromptu lunch.
In addition, all thirteen of the housemates, the headmaster, the emperor, and the empress were present. Just before the emperor and empress could take a bite of their meals, one of their servants walked up with a few silver needles. With these, she poked a hole in their meal. Once she had deduced that it was safe to eat, she bowed and moved back into her position.
The emperor showed the first elder an amicable smile that seemed to chill the room a few degrees lower, "I apologize for this. I hope that you do not think that we are slighting you and your chefs. This is just but a precaution."