Chapter 6: Teaching You How to Bow!

“Big Sister is absolutely right! In the future, I am to be a man who accomplishes great things; naturally, I cannot neglect etiquette and rules.” As Mu Qingyuan spoke, he stepped down from the *kang*. A nanny had already stepped forward to help him put on his shoes and socks, and only then did he go before Madam Li to pay his respects. “Child greets Mother!”

Madam Li was still somewhat dazed at this moment. In the past, if she even spoke in a slightly stern tone, this concubine-born son would throw a tantrum before the Old Madam. What had happened today? How did a few short sentences from A-Nuan change his mind?

The Old Madam, seeing her beloved concubine-born grandson acting so sensibly, did not say anything. After all, as a concubine-born son, paying respects to his mother was only natural. However, glancing to the side, she saw that Concubine Song’s face was as white as paper!

Although the Old Madam felt a pang of sympathy, she could not let people say her grandson was ignorant of the rules, failing to pay respects upon seeing his legal mother! She turned her head, pretending not to see Concubine Song’s unsightly expression.

Unexpectedly, after Mu Qingyuan finished his salutations, he went before Mu Xinnuan and performed a deep, formal bow. “Greetings, Big Sister.”

Mu Qingyuan’s actions annoyed Mu Xinyao. Why should her own brother bow to the child born of that woman? As for Concubine Song, her face became even uglier!

Mu Xinnuan, however, smiled. Her eyes narrowed slightly, radiating a deep warmth. “Little Brother, this *zuoyi* is a traditional etiquette of our dynasty. You clasp your hands and arch them high, bending your body slightly to show respect. A-Yuan’s movements were excellent, but there was one thing wrong. Would you like Sister to teach you?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Old Madam, who had been pretending to sip tea, paused. She set the tea aside gently and looked at Mu Xinnuan with a solemn expression. This girl had never been close to Mu Qingyuan; why was she acting so strangely today?

Mu Qingyuan blinked, then said with a blank expression, “I ask Big Sister for your guidance.”

Mu Xinnuan nodded slightly, appearing very satisfied with his attitude. “The *zuoyi* has different applications for different occasions. Clasping the right fist and covering it with the left hand is called a ‘lucky bow,’ often used for joyous occasions like the New Year. Conversely, it is an ‘ominous bow,’ generally used for funerals. A woman’s gesture is the opposite of a man’s; the left fist covered by the right hand is the ‘lucky bow.’ Has A-Yuan remembered?”

Concubine Song’s face turned even worse. Just now, she had been too busy being annoyed to realize that Mu Qingyuan’s hand gesture had been wrong! Now that Mu Xinnuan had seized this handle, she feared things would not end well!

The Old Madam’s eyes darkened, and a sharp glint flashed through them, landing squarely on Madam Li!

Madam Li sat upright in her chair and naturally felt it, but she felt her daughter had done very well. He was a six-year-old young master, yet he didn't even understand the most basic etiquette; it was simply laughable!

Hearing this, Mu Qingyuan’s small face flushed slightly, and he was naturally ashamed. He raised his eyes to look at Mu Xinnuan and, seeing her looking at him with warm smiles, felt his heart settle. This Big Sister had never liked to be close to him. He had often seen his older brother playing with her or even reciting books together. Back then, he had thought, how wonderful would it be if she were his own sister?

It was no wonder Mu Qingyuan had such thoughts. Mu Xinnuan was beautiful, having inherited Madam Li’s looks, and even at a young age, her grace was beginning to bloom. Coupled with her proper upbringing, her speech and actions were vastly different from Mu Xinyao’s; she always gave people the feeling of a warm sun, making one unable to help but want to draw near. Mu Qingyuan, seeing her every day, wanted to be close to her even more.

Seeing Mu Xinnuan speaking to him so kindly today, Mu Qingyuan felt as if he were dreaming! If not for the presence of so many people, he might have jumped for joy!

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, and the atmosphere was extremely stifling. Even Madam Li felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, yet Mu Xinnuan still wore a faint, soft smile on her face.

Mu Qingyuan’s face reddened, and he suddenly looked up at Madam Li. Then, he actually performed the salute to Madam Li once more. “Child greets Mother.”

Madam Li was slightly stunned before she smiled reluctantly. “Good child, rise. You are still young; you can learn these rules properly in the future.”

“Yes, child thanks Mother.”

After Mu Qingyuan finished speaking, he looked at Mu Xinnuan, tilting his head with a fawning expression. “Big Sister, did A-Yuan do it right this time?”

Mu Xinnuan reached out her right hand and gently patted his head, laughing, “A-Yuan is truly clever. Sister only said it once and you remembered. Sister is very happy.”

“Really? Is A-Yuan really very smart?” The tone in this sentence was filled with excitement and joy.

Mu Xinnuan nodded at him, then looked at the Old Madam on the *kang*. “Grandmother, although our Mu family is not a wealthy or noble house, we are a family of scholars. Father is now serving as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works; how can the sons of our Mu family bring shame to Father and the family?”

Seeing that Mu Xinnuan not only held no malice toward Mu Qingyuan but clearly showed affection, the Old Madam immediately felt relieved.

“A-Nuan is right! It was all this old woman’s negligence. Later, I will speak with your father and have him find a tutor as soon as possible to begin A-Yuan’s education.”

Concubine Song had not expected things to take such a turn, and even Mu Xinyao was stunned, unable to understand. Today’s events were very strange; this Mu Xinnuan had never liked to be close to her younger brother, so why was she acting so out of character today?

Although Madam Li was displeased in her heart, she did not say anything, merely echoing with a smile.

Mu Xinnuan, however, shook her head. “Grandmother, that is not appropriate! A-Yuan is still living in the inner courtyard; how can he invite a tutor to begin his education?”

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam thought of her grandson, who was already six. By rights, at seven, he could move to the front to have his own courtyard. Mu Xuan had been moved out at five! But outside? And as a concubine-born son? Thinking of her son’s attitude toward Mu Qingyuan, the Old Madam hesitated.

A dark glint flashed in the depths of Mu Xinnuan’s eyes. Today, she wanted the Old Madam to give the order to send Mu Qingyuan to the front courtyard. Do not think she was doing this out of the goodness of her heart for Mu Qingyuan! She simply did not want Concubine Song and Mu Xinyao to lead him astray! If he was to be led astray, it had to be toward her side!

“The Eldest Miss is indeed thoughtful, but A-Yuan is still too young. If he moves to the front courtyard, I fear the servants will not be able to take good care of him.” How could Concubine Song bear to have her precious son moved to the outer courtyard at such a young age? Although she hoped he would become successful, he was only six; which family’s son left the inner residence before seven?

Mu Xinnuan smiled softly. “What are you saying, Concubine Song? Could it be that Father would mistreat A-Yuan? A concubine-born son is still a son. Besides, in A-Nuan’s opinion, A-Yuan is already excellent and will certainly be valued by Father. A-Yuan, don’t you agree?”