Chapter 14: Court Etiquette

Chapter 14: Court Etiquette

"So, how are you settling into the Crown Prince's mansion? Are you comfortable there?"

Upon returning to the mansion, Xue Qinghe immediately spotted Wang Si, who was wandering leisurely around his residence.

Seeing Wang Si, Xue Qinghe couldn't help but smile broadly.

"It's pretty good here, but the rooms are too big and spacious. It feels a bit lonely being alone in such a large space."

Hearing this assessment, Xue Qinghe laughed and patted Wang Si's shoulder.

"Brother Wang, you're so straightforward. To be honest, I also feel that there aren't enough people in such a huge mansion. However, my father and mother have strict requirements for me, and they don't allow too many people to come over."

Hearing this, Wang Si glanced at the maid who had been constantly following Xue Qinghe—the one whom Xue Qinghe had asked to show him around, 'Xiaoya'.

Noticing Wang Si's glance, Xue Qinghe smiled and playfully nudged him on the shoulder.

"What? Are you also interested in having a personal maid to take care of you?"

Wang Si choked at those words and involuntarily averted his gaze, his expression giving him away.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe revealed a knowing look, as if to say, "I knew it."

"Never mind, we don't need to rush into arranging a maid for you. These things take time."

Xue Qinghe patted Wang Si's shoulder again, giving him a meaningful look that said, "You know what I mean."

Then, he waved at his maid, signaling for her to bring out the lunch that had been prepared in advance.

"I heard from people at the Royal Academy that you have a big appetite, so I had them prepare extra!"

A group of servants emerged from the other side of the Crown Prince's mansion, carrying tray after tray of exquisite dishes.

Seeing the sumptuous spread, Wang Si couldn't help but swallow, his mouth watering.

"Your Highness, I do have a hearty appetite, but it's not as exaggerated as they say. There's no need to prepare so much food for me."

Xue Qinghe just smiled in response.

"Don't worry, we won't have this much food every day. My little treasury couldn't handle that!"

Hearing this, Wang Si shot Xue Qinghe a slightly resentful glance. "I thought we'd be having feasts like this every day!"

Xue Qinghe simply laughed it off.

"Brother Wang, you don't know the value of a penny until you've had to manage a household. How about this—from now on, I'll give you fifty gold soul coins every week, and you can arrange your own meals for the week?"

Wang Si's eyes lit up at the offer.

"Now that's what I call a good deal!"

During his first week at the Tian Dou Royal Academy, he hadn't had to spend any money thanks to the Crown Prince, but not having any funds of his own had still been uncomfortable.

Xue Qinghe was a bit surprised when Wang Si readily agreed.

Fifty gold soul coins per week—he had actually agreed to that? Then it dawned on him that fifty gold soul coins were indeed a negligible amount for him.

But for Wang Si, it was a small fortune, especially since he currently had no source of income.

Although Wang Si exuded a rustic air, and Xue Qinghe felt comfortable in his presence, the royal nobility placed great importance on etiquette.

While family members might not mind, others could use this as an opportunity to gossip and cause trouble.

After some contemplation, Xue Qinghe made a firm decision.

…………

"Your Highness, do I really need to learn court etiquette?"

As he stood before the entrance of Yue Xuan, Wang Si felt a sense of trepidation.

The owner of Yue Xuan was none other than Tang Yuehua!

Tang Yuehua, the sister of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, and the famous Tang Third Aunt.

Wang Si, who had already been forced to side with Qian Renxue, was well aware that he would inevitably be at odds with Tang San in the future.

However, he really didn't want to get entangled with that family any sooner than necessary!

"What nonsense are you spouting? When you go out, you not only represent yourself but also me. Your behavior reflects on both of us."

As he said this, Xue Qinghe leaned in close to Wang Si's ear.

"Those who study at Yue Xuan are all nobles. It's a great opportunity for you to expand your social network. Naturally, where there are many nobles, there will be some inevitable troubles.

The issues you'll face here are similar to those at the Royal Academy, but the people here value face and etiquette more.

Consider it a learning experience."

Listening to Xue Qinghe's reasonable analysis, Wang Si couldn't help but retort.

"To be frank, don't you think I'm just idling about, and you want to give me something to do to keep me busy?

"You guessed that? Since that's the case, you don't want to go to Yue Xuan, but you have to."

Wang Si sighed silently upon hearing this and then followed Xue Qinghe into Yue Xuan.

A woman in a silver palace dress had been waiting at the entrance for a long time. As soon as the two of them walked in, the woman greeted them politely.

"Your Highness? It's really rare for you to come here. Who's the young man next to you?"

Xue Qinghe saw the woman in the palace dress, politely reached out, and bowed.

"Teacher Tang, it's been a long time. You're still so young and beautiful."

After greeting each other, Xue Qinghe pushed Wang Si forward.

"Teacher Tang, this is a friend of mine. He has never been exposed to court etiquette before, so I want him to learn from you."

Tang Yuehua looked at the young boy who had been forcibly pushed forward by the Crown Prince, her attention focusing on his awkward toes and fingers.

It was clear that the boy was a bit afraid, and on top of that fear, he seemed to have some resistance to court etiquette.

"Child, don't be afraid. Court etiquette isn't as scary as you think. The Crown Prince graduated from my classes when he was seven years old.

By observing him, it's not difficult to see that what's truly important in court etiquette isn't rigid, stiff movements or ornate, elegant words.

What truly matters is a relaxed mindset and coordinated bodily movements."

As she spoke, Tang Yuehua took Wang Si's hand and was about to help him straighten out the stiff joints in his fingers.

However, in a surprising move, the hand she had grabbed was quickly withdrawn from her grasp.

Xue Qinghe, standing beside them, laughed and playfully patted Wang Si's shoulder.

"Who would've thought, Brother Wang, that you'd be so shy!"

Wang Si remained silent, offering no comment.

Tang Yuehua merely smiled lightly at this, and then she summoned her martial soul, the "Ring of Flexibility."

Noble Domain activated.

A gentle aura began to spread outward from Tang Yuehua, enveloping both Wang Si and Xue Qinghe.

In response to this gentle aura, Xue Qinghe simply closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

However, Tang Yuehua's attention was focused on Wang Si, and she frowned slightly.

"Why are you resisting my noble domain? The purpose of my noble domain is to help people relax their spirits. Why are you so tense?"

Tang Yuehua frowned, puzzled by Wang Si's reaction.

Hearing Tang Yuehua's words, Wang Si opened his eyes to glance at her before closing them again.

Tang Yuehua's perception told her that Wang Si was no longer resisting her noble halo, but at the same time, her noble halo didn't seem to have any effect on him.

Why? Why did he resist her noble halo? And how was he able to avoid the influence of the noble halo without resisting it?

"Well, isn't Teacher Tang's noble halo amazing?"

Xue Qinghe opened his eyes and saw that Wang Si had taken a couple of deep breaths, his body relaxing. He couldn't help but tease him.

"Teacher Tang's noble halo is indeed powerful. Is it her domain, Teacher Tang?

I thought only Soul Saints or Douluos had domain skills. Is Teacher Tang a Douluo or a Titled Douluo?"

Wang Si asked curiously.

When it came to Tang Yuehua's level, Xue Qinghe coughed awkwardly.

But Tang Yuehua didn't mind.

"I'm just an ordinary person. My domain skill is due to a mutation in my martial soul.

Although my martial soul naturally has a domain, my level is stuck at the ninth rank, so I can't progress any further."

As Tang Yuehua explained, Xue Qinghe poked Wang Si's waist, signaling him not to rub salt in her wound.

…………

For the entire afternoon, Wang Si, accompanied by Xue Qinghe, endured a tedious lesson on the subtle facial expressions associated with playing the hand violin.

Naturally, some of the noble youths whispered among themselves about Wang Si's poor performance, but out of respect for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, no one dared to voice their opinions aloud.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end