Chapter 64: Xu Nian Learns Etiquette, Luo Jin Confronts the Truth

“Are you saying this was a reward from the Princess Consort of Zhenbei?”

Madam Guan nodded.

“Yes, but I still don’t understand what kind of background the Xu family has. I don’t believe that such grand rewards and even the assignment of female officials happened just because of a simple tea recipe.”

Deep down, Madam Guan had a suspicion, but since it involved that “noble figure,” she dared not voice it carelessly.

“What do you think about letting Pingting learn etiquette with them as well?”

Captain Wang had no objections but still reminded her, “If the Xu family agrees, that would be great. But if they don’t, don’t show them any attitude.”

“Hmph! You make it sound like I’m unreasonable. Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

—

“Keep your shoulders level, back straight, arms positioned as if holding a drum… Miss Xu, look straight ahead. Stop glancing around.”

Caught in the act, Xu Nian immediately adjusted her posture. Ever since the two female officials had arrived at the Xu household, she felt like she had returned to her student days—her schedule packed from morning till night, and if she didn’t do well, she would get her palms smacked as punishment.

Just thinking about the first time she was punished made Xu Nian want to crawl into a hole out of embarrassment.

“Alright, that’s all for today. Tomorrow, we will start learning how to receive guests.”

Xu Nian let out a breath of relief—finally, no more pacing back and forth, standing up and sitting down repeatedly. Any more practice, and she felt like she’d collapse.

Xiuer quickly took small steps towards Xu Nian and handed her a prepared handkerchief. Xu Nian chuckled, “Class is over, you should relax a little too.” Xiuer had suffered alongside her—Instructor Liuyun didn’t just train her but also made Xiuer practice.

“Ahem—”

Hearing the sound, Xu Nian quickly changed her words, “Xiuer, you performed really well today! You’re becoming more and more like a proper senior maid. Keep up the good work! Keep it up!”

Liuyun found her amusing. Miss Xu seemed quite interested in etiquette, yet whenever it was time to learn, she always tried to slack off.

For Xu Nian, this interest was more instinctual—she had always loved collecting information about archaeology and intangible cultural heritage. Now, being able to witness imperial court etiquette firsthand naturally made her curious. But if she had to train hard enough to become one of them, that was another story entirely.

“Miss Xu, please rest for now. Don’t forget about your guqin lesson in the afternoon.”

Xu Nian forced a stiff smile. If this were a modern company, Liuyun would undoubtedly be recognized as an exemplary employee—her dedication was on another level.

“Miss, please have your meal first. We only have half an hour.”

Over the past week, Xu Nian felt like she had lived through an entire year. No, this wouldn’t do—“Happiness is best when shared.” She had to send a letter to Wang Pingting.

Ever since she had helped Wang Pingting come up with a plan to retrieve her red tassel spear, it had been four or five days without any news from her.

Previously, Madam Guan had visited to consult with Instructor Liuyun and the guqin instructor, and both had agreed that Wang Pingting could join in learning proper etiquette. However, several days had passed, and there was still no sign of that girl making a move.

Xiuer watched as her mistress stormed into the study, unsure of what to do. In the end, she followed her inside.

Xu Nian swiftly finished writing a letter to Wang Pingting, handed it to Xiuer, and instructed, “Have someone deliver this to the Captain’s residence.”

After taking care of that, Xu Nian finally felt some of her frustration dissipate. She picked up her chopsticks and finally began eating.

As she ate, her mind began to wander, and she couldn’t help but think of Luo Jin’an. He was just as heartless—she hadn’t heard any news from him in a long time either.

She wondered if he had even received the letter she had sent last time. Why hadn’t he replied? She hesitated, debating whether she should write to him again. But in the end, she dismissed the idea.

After her meal, Xu Nian took a stroll in the courtyard to aid digestion. Just then, the guqin instructor arrived with Xu Ling. Although Xu Ling couldn’t participate in the imperial etiquette lessons with Xu Nian, the guqin instructor had agreed to teach her embroidery.

Xu Nian’s afternoon schedule included tea appreciation, flower arranging, chess, and historical studies. Compared to the morning’s etiquette training, she much preferred the afternoon lessons under the guqin instructor.

However, now the one suffering wasn’t Xu Nian but the guqin instructor. The reason? Xu Nian’s chess skills were absolutely dreadful. No matter how many times the instructor emphasized that playing chess was like a battle, requiring careful strategy and foresight, Xu Nian always played as if she were a reckless bull charging forward.

Xiuer, seeing that the guqin instructor had finished guiding the second miss on her embroidery, prepared to set up the chessboard as usual. To her surprise, the instructor stopped her.

“No need to set up the board today. Here is a chess manual. I expect Miss Xu to familiarize herself with all the strategies in this book within a month.”

Xu Nian accepted the book with a sheepish expression. She truly had no talent for Go and was completely clueless about it.

The reason the guqin instructor was so insistent on improving Xu Nian’s chess skills was simple—Prince Luo Jin’an’s favorite pastime was playing chess.

Before they had arrived, the senior maid had already informed them of the princess consort’s true intentions for sending them here. Xu Nian, however, remained completely unaware.

—

Zhenbei Royal Manor

The Princess Consort of Zhenbei held a report in her hands, detailing Xu Nian’s recent training progress and daily performance. She was reading with such focus that she didn’t notice Luo Jin’an had entered the room.

It wasn’t until the senior maid coughed heavily twice that she snapped out of her thoughts.

“Mother, what are you reading so intently?”

“Oh, nothing important, just some trivial matters.”

Luo Jin’an glanced at her suspiciously. He knew his mother’s expressions better than anyone. He walked over and picked up the two reports on the desk. The more he read, the darker his expression became.

The princess consort, feeling uneasy, explained, “Mother is only doing this for your sake. Since you’ve taken a liking to the girl, I sent people to teach her proper etiquette so she won’t make a fool of herself in the future. Besides, having female officials guide her is beneficial for her as well.”

Luo Jin’an felt a pang of frustration—he had not considered this carefully enough.

“Mother, you don’t understand. Nian Nian has a free-spirited nature. Sending two people to strictly discipline her like this will only make her feel stifled. Besides, I never said I wanted to marry her as the princess consort.”

The princess consort was momentarily confused.

“Then what do you mean, An’er? Are you saying you only want her as a concubine?”

Luo Jin’an hurriedly responded, “Mother, don’t say such things! Haven’t you always said that daughters are the most precious? Then please, treat Nian Nian like a daughter and cherish her.”

The princess consort gazed at her youngest son, whose eyes were turning red. Feeling a deep sorrow, she asked, “Don’t tell me that girl from the Xu family doesn’t like you?”

Luo Jin’an clenched his fists before slowly releasing them.

“I was never meant to be blessed with happiness. Why should I drag someone else down with me? Mother, if you truly care for me, then please, treat Nian Nian as you would your own child.”

The princess consort was left speechless.

She watched as her son’s lonely figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Unable to contain the sorrow in her heart any longer, she collapsed onto the desk and wept bitterly.