As the most famous restaurant in the capital, Zuixianlou had a certain threshold; those who could dine there were either rich or noble.
Who can say that etiquette at the dinner table and the drinking table is not etiquette? And who dares to say that these etiquettes are useless?
“But Your Highness, it is not the behavior of a gentleman to criticize others without their knowledge!” the etiquette instructor said with difficulty.
"At this moment, others are scenery in your eyes, but how do you know that you are not scenery in others' eyes?" Ye Jingchen said cryptically.
It's certainly not good to talk badly about others behind their backs, but without negative examples, he won't achieve the effect he wants.
"What others say about me behind my back is their business, but I am unwilling to speak ill of others behind their backs; this is my principle," the lecturer insisted.
Ye Jingchen looked up at him, and the man met his gaze, his back ramrod straight.
“Sir, you are a gentleman, which is admirable! However, what I need is a good teacher. If you are not up to the task, then I will have to find another teacher to teach us etiquette,” Ye Jingchen said calmly.
A gentleman is indeed a good person; who wouldn't want to be a gentleman?
But sometimes, and in certain positions, one is destined not to be too gentlemanly.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince—" The man looked at Ye Jingchen in astonishment, not understanding why His Highness the Crown Prince would replace him after just a few words!
"Sir, you have read many books, so you should know that from ancient times to the present, no emperor can be described as a gentleman. The people living in peace and prosperity and the world being at peace are a thousand times more important than the integrity of a gentleman! Therefore, what I need is a good teacher, not a gentleman."
"But if everyone were a virtuous person, why would the country and the family not be at peace?" the man asked excitedly.
"But this is only the most ideal assumption, and the inherent flaws of human nature are endless and immeasurable."
"Perhaps you would be a good teacher, but you are not suitable to teach me." Ye Jingchen gave him a way out.
The man paced back and forth in front of the carved window, glancing occasionally at the lobby on the first floor. After several hesitations and struggles, he ultimately failed to utter a single word.
“Sir, you don’t need to force yourself. Being a principled gentleman is also admirable,” Ye Jingchen said, bowing to him as a disciple.
"I am ashamed!" The man sighed, no longer forcing himself, bowed to Ye Jingchen, and stepped aside.
"Yun Shu, why do you think people should observe etiquette?" Ye Jingchen asked Yun Shu.
Yun Shu was just watching the commotion in a daze when he was suddenly called out by the Crown Prince, and he immediately became nervous.
Why should people observe etiquette? How would he know?
Why did His Highness suddenly call on him? He's just a terrible student!
Yun Shu looked bewildered, but her mind was racing.
"Don't be nervous. There's no standard answer to this question. You just need to express your own opinion," Ye Jingchen comforted him softly.
There is no standard answer?
Yun Shu was overjoyed.
He thought for a moment and tentatively answered, "Because elders prefer polite children?"
"That's right, your answer is correct." Ye Jingchen affirmed his answer.
Yun Shu scratched her head and grinned foolishly.
"Actually, it's not just the elders in the family who like polite children; look at these diners below—"
Ye Jingchen pointed to the diners below and asked, "Don't you all have a better impression of those who are polite?"
After Ye Jingchen asked this question, the three children used it as a standard to observe the diners below, and after observing them, their likes and dislikes became very clear.
People with elegant manners and good etiquette are pleasing to the eye even when they are eating.
As for some people with vulgar behavior, they are simply unpleasant to look at.
"Therefore, etiquette is like a person's second face, leaving a very important first impression on others," Ye Jingchen said to them.
The three children nodded in agreement, and secretly vowed to themselves that they would study etiquette class properly in the future.
From an outsider's perspective, it would be incredibly embarrassing if one didn't learn proper etiquette.
"Of course, learning etiquette is only the simplest level of 'knowing etiquette.' Etiquette is not just about what's on the surface, but also about what's in our hearts."
“Look at that table—doesn’t that person’s every move seem very polite? But look at the expression on his face, so arrogant, looking down on the people at his table. Isn’t that ugly? This kind of person only knows the outward ‘etiquette’ but doesn’t understand the inner ‘etiquette’. So to outsiders, he looks pretentious and ridiculous.”
"Inner courtesy is respect, humility, honesty, and tolerance. These beautiful qualities have nothing to do with your identity, class, or even your education. They are the most precious qualities that are truly within you!" Ye Jingchen said earnestly.
"Your Highness is so amazing! What you said makes so much sense!" Yun Shu looked at Ye Jingchen with starry eyes.
Although he doesn't quite understand what he's saying now, his father has said similar things to him. It's amazing that His Highness the Crown Prince can have the same insights as his father at such a young age!
Wu Zemin and Gu Beichen were a few years older than Yun Shu and had read many more books, so they could generally understand what Ye Jingchen was saying.
But it was precisely because I could understand it that I was even more deeply moved.
They are clearly of similar age, so why does His Highness the Crown Prince have such insights?
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness!" Wu Zemin and Gu Beichen exchanged a glance and bowed to Ye Jingchen as disciples.
"As the sage said, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me!' His Highness the Crown Prince is our teacher!" Wu Zemin said sincerely.
"You're wrong, it should be a group of four. Even though I'm not good at studying, you can't just ignore me as a person, can you?" Yun Shu retorted earnestly, though she was a little unhappy.
Wu Zemin: ...
Gu Beichen: ...
Ye Jingchen: ...
“Xiao Yunshu, what you said makes a lot of sense, but—I think you should rewrite your Analects.” Ye Jingchen said, suppressing a laugh.
Yun Shu was shocked. "Why do I have to repeat the course? I've finally made it this far!"
"Reviewing the old helps one understand the new, you said that yourself, do you remember?" Ye Jingchen said, unable to resist patting his head.
Yun Shu's face immediately fell.
Of course he remembered those words. The day before he became the Crown Prince's study companion, his father made him read those words for a full quarter of an hour so that he would never forget them!
"Alright, we've finished lunch and class, let's go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to visit Xie Chang'an!" Ye Jingchen said with a smile.
"Yay!" Yun Shu cheered.
"Gentlemen, today's class is over. You may leave now," Ye Jingchen said to the two lecturers.
These two have learned a lesson from Ye Jingchen today, especially the etiquette instructor, who insists on his gentlemanly way, but is extremely uneasy at this moment.
As the Crown Prince's lecturer, although he did not have a clear official rank, he was still considered a subordinate and close associate of the Eastern Palace. This was the best way out for students like him who had passed the imperial examinations but whose rankings were not very high. But now, it seemed that he was about to lose this job.
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