The Korean team members, who had been boasting loudly that they would win, were left utterly speechless as they watched the Chinese delegation from the Grant Family enter with graceful composure. Every mouth hung open in stunned silence; not a single word could be uttered.
Clarence, who had bragged he would instantly defeat Cici Grant in the opening round, nearly toppled out of his seat in disbelief.
When the Japanese contestants saw Cici Grant’s ceremonial Tang attire and poised etiquette, the Japanese advisor, Earl Field, was so moved he almost burst into tears.
This was the genuine, ancient etiquette that had been lost to history!
Today, it has finally been revived before our very eyes!
It’s as if the heavens themselves have witnessed this moment!
Cici Grant led her team to their designated performance area, gathering her sleeves in a traditional gesture and nodding respectfully to the other competitors.
Her gaze lowered, she spoke with deliberate clarity: "Honored guests, I greet you."
The Japanese advisor grew so frantic, he nearly rushed over to question the leading lady—where on earth had she learned such impeccable etiquette?
During the High Tang and Song dynasties, Chinese civilization was revered and emulated by Japan, Korea, and neighboring nations.
Tea artistry itself originated in China before spreading across the world.
That’s why the authentic, ancient tea ceremony has become the most mysterious, noble, and elegant standard of ritual.
Sadly, after the Song Dynasty and the Mongol invasion, much of this etiquette faded into the river of history.
Today, most of the world only knows the Japanese tea ceremony, forgetting that Chinese tea artistry is even more profound and vast.
Cici Grant’s attire today is a meticulous recreation of the Tang Envoy Tea Mistress’s ceremonial dress and etiquette from the High Tang period.
Her every gesture, every smile, was the embodiment of a textbook example—how could any true tea expert not be utterly enthralled?
The Grant Family’s archives hold records and paintings of ancient royal banquets, along with detailed manuals of ceremonial conduct and procedures.
With Grandma Grant personally selecting Cici Grant as the family’s representative, their preparations were thorough and deliberate.
This time, the Grant Family intends to use this competition to let the whole world see—who are the true masters of culture!
Five judges sat at the panel: Earl Field for Europe, Charles Yin for Africa and the Middle East, folklorist Mr. Matsumoto representing Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, Ms. Eliza for Australia, and Professor Elaine Dong, a senior historian from China whose eyes instantly brimmed with tears.