Volume One: Flames on the Frontier Chapter Seventy-Six: Mind Your Manners at the Table

At this hour, entering the residence for a chat could only mean dining together. The two exchanged smiles, both thinking, "Yuan Hui is grateful for our support and is making an effort to build ties." This was an invitation they could not refuse.

To show respect, He Yu and Qingyun changed into finer attire and brought a pair of double-handled jade cups, engraved with the character for longevity, as a gift. Anticipating the need for social calls in Pingcheng, they had brought several gold, silver, and jade pieces along for such occasions.

Yuan Hui's residence was nearby, and they arrived shortly. Yuan Hui welcomed them personally; seeing their elegant dress and ceremonial attitude, he was quite pleased.

After exchanging formal greetings, Qingyun presented the jade cups herself, offering wishes for longevity to their elder. Yuan Hui was moved and said, "Such generous gifts from the Master and Lady; I am honored to accept." At his command, the gifts were put away.

Suddenly, Yuan Hui raised his voice and declared, "The He family of Lujiang, the Chen family of Yingchuan—truly their reputation is well-deserved, with profound strength. The Master and Lady's breadth and bearing are far above the petty, narrow-minded folk."

He Yu and Qingyun were perplexed by Yuan Hui's sudden outburst, but his tone did not seem directed at them. At that moment, hoofbeats sounded outside; Lu Yi rode past on a tall horse. He had just returned from overseeing the forging of a studded hammer and, upon passing Yuan Hui’s door, overheard the pointed remarks, which infuriated him. Seeing He Yu and Qingyun standing with Yuan Hui, all dressed in their finery, it was clear they had allied themselves. Lu Yi felt even more slighted, snorted coldly, and rode off. His lodging was next door in the Jixian Residence; he and Yuan Hui had once been friends, and had traveled here together, but a single dispute now set them at odds.

He Yu found it amusing: "These scions of noble families are sometimes bold and carefree, and other times so petty—like the characters in 'A New Account of the Tales of the World.' Truly fascinating."

He decided to tease Yuan Hui and put on a mournful face, saying, "Elder Yuan, you've ruined things for my wife and me; Master Lu is not broad-minded, and seeing us together, he will surely bear a grudge. When we meet again, he will surely mistreat me."

"He dares! What’s so remarkable about the Lu family of Fanyang? I pay them no mind. If Lu Yi troubles you or your wife, I will be the first to stand against him," Yuan Hui replied hotly.

Though nearly sixty, Yuan Hui had a child's temperament—quick to anger, hardly subtle or shrewd, but honest and easy to befriend.

Qingyun laughed, "With Elder Yuan’s words, we are reassured, indeed."

He Yu and Qingyun addressed him as "Elder Yuan" left and right, flattering him so much that he beamed, ushering them into the inner rooms.

Intent on forging ties, Yuan Hui laid out a sumptuous meal. He Yu knew that the more the guests enjoyed themselves, the happier the host would be—and after a busy morning, he was indeed hungry. Secretly, he signaled Qingyun to eat and drink freely.

Qingyun smiled demurely. She always listened to her husband, but when it came to dining etiquette, she had been strictly trained from childhood; it was ingrained in her bones. She paid careful attention to manners and could not indulge as He Yu did.

He Yu watched Qingyun’s refined bearing, delighted: "Though my wife is straightforward, she is always a lady. She eats with such grace. Suddenly, I think of Deng’er—she doesn't care much for refinement, but is so frugal she can't bear to eat well."

He Yu understood the psychology of modern socializing: the more relaxed he was, the more Yuan Hui felt respected. So he ate heartily, filling his belly.

After the meal, they were served fragrant tea and chatted for another hour before taking their leave. He Yu had only been in this world for half a year, mostly within the Chen family estate; this was his first close encounter with noble youths, and he found them indeed different.

Yuan Hui wished to send them home in a carriage, but as He Yu and Qingyun lived nearby and preferred to walk and enjoy the scenery, they politely declined.

Walking home, He Yu mused, "Yuan Hui is a declining scion, yet his conversation is interesting. The Cui family of Qinghe must be even more learned, and the powerful Wang and Xie clans in the south likely possess even greater vision. People are social creatures; since I’ve been thrust into this era, I should make the most of it, meet these noble families, and truly experience the elegance of Wei and Jin times—so as not to waste this mysterious opportunity."

He then thought, "In life, comfort is precious. Qingyun is admirable in every way, but in social settings, she’s still a bit reserved, always holding back, which looks exhausting. I should find a way to encourage her."

With that, he spoke casually, "Wife, are you full? Did Elder Yuan’s cooking suit your taste?"

Qingyun, knowing her husband loved to jest, replied, "It was quite agreeable, though not as good as your southern dishes, but I am full." Discussing food while walking was rather improper, and she answered awkwardly. Born to a noble family, she had seen all delicacies; to talk of food and drink was beneath her.

He Yu laughed, "You’re calling yourself ‘your servant’ again. I’ve told you, I am not like others—I don’t like you to humble yourself."

Qingyun smiled, "You’re right, I forgot again." Compared to other women, she was already quite outgoing, but still not as independent as the modern women He Yu imagined.

He Yu said, "Since you’re full, you mustn’t eat again when we get home."

Qingyun blushed and scolded, "You rogue, I will eat." She had held back at the banquet for propriety, barely eating. He Yu noticed this; typically, men and women did not share tables at such events, but Qingyun’s special status made it acceptable. Still, eating heartily was unseemly, so she ate little and would need a snack at home.

He Yu laughed, "So you are hungry! Why not eat more just now?"

Qingyun pouted, "It’s not proper; I dared not." She sighed, "You’re wonderful in every way, but... but... truly, we have no shortage of food, but you..."

He Yu nearly burst out laughing. He had meant to urge Qingyun not to hold back, to be a woman of the twenty-first century, but instead she tried to persuade him to mind his manners, to be more elegant.

Qingyun even felt sad for He Yu, thinking his hearty eating was due to hardship in his youth. She often resolved to treat him better after their marriage, but feared hurting his pride and so never pressed the issue. Who would have thought her adorable husband would urge her not to be so reserved, to eat freely—something she simply could not do.

He Yu realized that, in everything else, Qingyun listened, but not in this. The sixteen-hundred-year gap could not be bridged so easily. He then thought that Qingyun already did well; if it were Deng’er, she would be completely ill at ease at such a gathering. Deng’er was charming and thrived in Lianyun Village, but before great families, she was naturally timid. Poor Deng’er—if only she were still alive.

Feeling sorry for Qingyun’s hunger, He Yu resolved to cook her some egg fried rice himself when they returned home. Of course, his status was now high, and cooking himself would be frowned upon, so he had to find a way to send the cooks and servants away.

Proper men should not enter the kitchen, and Qingyun was reluctant to let He Yu cook, but he insisted, so she enjoyed the meal, blissfully yet nervously. He Yu’s modern-style fried rice was delicious; Qingyun loved it. The first time she ate it, she was so touched by her husband’s care that she wept, even bowing to He Yu, which startled him. “If cooking rice moves you to bow, helping to wash your feet would make you jump off a roof,” He Yu once thought, amused.

He Yu was about to loosen his belt and prepare egg fried rice for his wife when a servant entered with a beautifully crafted invitation. He Yu unfolded it; it was from Cui Liang, inviting them to dinner. Cui Liang’s status was far above Yuan Hui’s, and could not be refused. Moreover, He Yu had already decided to meet more of these great families.

He Yu took the invitation and was about to enter the inner room when Qingyun brought out a string of coins, saying, "Take these as a reward." Soon after, someone outside bowed and called, "Thank you, Master He, for your generosity." He was a servant from the Cui household, and without permission, dared not enter directly.

He Yu was surprised: "So there’s even tipping for servants. If Qingyun hadn’t managed things, I wouldn’t have known. The Cui servants speak clearly and calmly, neither servile nor arrogant. Truly refined—much more proper than Yuan Hui’s rough-and-ready staff."

The servant waited outside as He Yu and Qingyun changed for the banquet. Because Cui Liang was of high rank, he did not reside in Jixian Residence, but lived in a courtyard in the northern city. Meticulous, he sent a carriage for the couple.

He Yu sighed, "Poor wife, you’ll have to go hungry again. How about some fruit?" He meant the modern kind of fruit. The Cui servant was already outside; preparing other snacks was impossible, so fruit would have to do. But then he thought, eating fruit in a carriage would be undignified, and might ruin her makeup.

Qingyun smiled, "It’s no matter. In a noble household like Cui’s, I won’t dine with you; I’ll have the company of other ladies."

Still, He Yu was doubtful: "Cui Liang is here to help defend the city; he may not bring his family. Qingyun may be a woman, but she manages affairs and is well-known—almost a local lord herself. Why shouldn’t she dine with the men? These great clans are so particular."

He Yu felt uneasy, but Qingyun cheerfully retreated to the inner room, where she applied her makeup with great care, emerging so radiant that He Yu was stunned. She had maintained her appearance from the earlier visit to Yuan Hui, and He Yu thought she only needed a touch-up to save time. Yet Qingyun started over, taking pains to prepare herself once more.