Chapter 287: Chapter 287

287 Etiquette learning training

Liu Jin Yu bowed the way Sun Fuguo had taught her earlier. Xiaoming had left for the imperial court, so Liu Jin Yu was a little nervous.

Zhu Liling didn’t like the way she bowed and asked Court Lady Hong to teach Liu Jin Yu all the formal etiquette. Zhu Liling took a seat and rested her hand on the bolster. She dismissed all of the servants from the chamber.

“Have a seat,” Zhu Liling told Liu Jin Yu. She went to the broad chair and sat down on it. The heavy clothes were making her itchy, but she managed to sit in them.

“I have told you to stay away from my son,” Zhu Liling initiated the conversation. She glared at Liu Jin Yu coldly and continued, “I do not want to make my son go away from me. That’s why I agreed to this marriage.”

“How can I believe Her Majesty, the Queen?” She was skeptical of Zhu Liling’s support for the Crown Prince. “Her Majesty sent assassins to kill me. She may do it again. It is not difficult for her to not kill me. The Crown Prince already thinks that Her Majesty is on his side. But if I died mysteriously, he would never blame anyone and would even agree to marry a noble woman.” Liu Jin Yu thought the Queen would do this and her relationship with her son would not be hampered.

Zhu Liling smiled and said, “You indeed are smart. You thought way too far. You are right. I am capable of killing you, but I won’t do it.”

Liu Jin Yu was astonished to hear her statement. She was curious to know what was on the Queen’s mind.

“Eunuch Lianying was very close to me. He worked for me for a very long time, yet he attacked my son and tried to take his life. If there had been any other woman at your place, she would not have taken the risk of her life to save the Crown Prince. That’s why you are qualified for the position of the Crown Princess. Moreover, I want my son to be happy rather than live in pain,” Zhu Liling explained her true intentions behind supporting Xiaoming’s decision.

Liu Jin Yu pursed her lips together. She apologized for being suspicious of the Queen.

.....

“The marriage is next month and before that you have to learn all the etiquette of being a lady. Xiaoming will not be able to help you if you make a mistake while learning all these things. I don’t get off easily when I punish.” Zhu Liling’s words seemed like a warning to Liu Jin Yu. She didn’t have to make any mistakes.

“The way you bowed earlier wasn’t graceful at all. Also, the way you talk isn’t right either.”

Liu Jin Yu lightly slapped her lips and apologized to Zhu Liling.

“The way you keep your gaze fixed on the person at a position higher than you, is also wrong.”

Liu Jin Yu immediately lowered her eyes and wondered how she should look at someone. Xiaoming never told her about such a thing.

“The way you sit isn’t the way a noble lady sits.”

Promptly, Liu Jin Yu straightened her back.

“The way you walk isn’t a noble lady’s walk.”

Liu Jin Yu ended up looking into Zhu Liling’s eyes.

“The way you dress up isn’t the choice of a noble lady. You have to control your mouth movements and eye movements well. Your smile must be adjusted according to the situation. All these will be a part of etiquette learning training,” Zhu Liling explained to her.

“Pardon me, Your Majesty!?” Liu Jin Yu gulped as Zhu Liling glared at her. She lowered her eyes. “When a person smiles or laughs, there is no control over it. Who thinks of controlling his or her smile?” She could not believe that there were certain ways to smile among the noble ladies.

“You should not speak when your elder is speaking. Also, you must be humble while speaking,” Zhu Liling reprimanded her. Jin Yu apologized to her. “You will not stay in the Crown Prince’s manor anymore. You will stay in the western palace till the time you both get married.”

Liu Jin Yu nodded her head.

“One important thing I would like to add. Help my son grow. He stood for someone this way for the first time. He could have been severely punished, but he didn’t care for that. Despite your lack of a strong political background, I believe you will help the Crown Prince become stronger,” Zhu Liling stated.

Liu Jin Yu assured Zhu Liling that she would always be a shield, a supporter, and a great wife to Xiaoming. Zhu Liling smiled a little, but she didn’t let it show on her face.

She stood up and, seeing her, Liu Jin Yu also rose to her feet.

Zhu Liling came close to her and held her chin. Liu Jin Yu was startled, so she curled her fingers to see the Queen this close for the first time.

“Your skin is good,” Zhu Liling said and let go of her chin.

“The training will be tougher, so be prepared for it. Don’t whine and complain about it to the Crown Prince, or else your punishment will be increased. You have to learn some basic chinese characters as well since you cannot remain illiterate. If I find out that you slacked off during your training, then I will personally ask the King to annul this marriage agreement,” Zhu Liling pronounced.

Liu Jin Yu was shocked to hear the last statement of the Queen.

“I will never do it, Your Majesty. I will complete my training whole-heartedly,” Liu Jin Yu loudly said, as if she was a soldier who got the command from the General of the army.

Zhu Liling smiled a little again and then, walked out of the chamber.

Liu Jin Yu could not believe that the Queen said that to her. She rested her hand on her chest and took deep breaths.