What meat was on the menu?

"Then send someone to buy meat." She replied obliviously. 

She didn't understand why meat was a big deal. It could be bought. The guests could additionally eat something else. They had plenty of rice, beans, peas and other things available. 

Her mother laughed out loud dryly just once, "Ha! it's one day before the royal wedding and the emperor is feeding not just almost the entire empire but over five hundred thousand invited guests from all over the world. I have already checked and every shop, market, stall or restaurant in the empire has run out of all things meaty."

"They are just hoarding them to sell at a high price tomorrow." Fey joined them with an opinion as always. "It's just business. If we want to feed our guests anything meaty as mother has said, we will have to instruct people to kill some animals or go fishing right now." 

"Have you checked the black street?" Carolyn slid over and asked.