Yelu Sage had put effort into learning Han etiquette. Throughout the meal, she made no mistakes in protocol. However, because of the addition of an outsider, the atmosphere seemed somewhat oppressive compared to usual – even the Yanbei Prince, who loved joking and teasing people, maintained his princely dignity from beginning to end.

After finishing the meal, the Yanbei Prince was about to leave when Yelu Sage called out to him as he stood up: “Your Highness…”

The Yanbei Prince looked at her expressionlessly.

Yelu Sage’s expression seemed somewhat hesitant. Just when everyone thought she would directly ask the Yanbei Prince when he would visit her courtyard, as she had done when she first arrived, she instead said: “Your Highness, this is my first time in Yunyang City. I wonder if you would allow me to go out and take a look around?”

The Yanbei Prince raised an eyebrow, then glanced at the Princess Consort: “If you want to go out, report to the Princess Consort and bring some people with you.” After saying this, the Yanbei Prince left without looking back.

Xiao Jingxi also had business to attend to, so he left after the Yanbei Prince departed.

Once the Yanbei Prince was gone, Yelu Sage said to the Princess Consort: “Princess Consort, I have several maids who have served by my side since childhood. They didn’t enter the manor with me yesterday – I wonder if they could enter the manor to serve me now?”

Yelu Sage had eight dowry maids, all brought from the Liao Kingdom. When she entered the manor yesterday, these maids had been stopped and were still staying at the villa outside.

The Princess Consort pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said: “Originally, according to our manor’s rules, they wouldn’t be allowed to enter. However, since they’ve been serving you personally since childhood, it’s not impossible to make an accommodation. But before entering the manor, they need to learn some rules from the manor’s etiquette nannies.”

Yelu Sage immediately showed gratitude: “Thank you, Princess Consort.”

Hearing her mode of address, the Princess Consort nodded with an unchanged expression and summoned Nanny Xin. In front of Yelu Sage, she instructed Nanny Xin to send several etiquette nannies to the villa to teach Yelu Sage’s maids the manor’s protocols.

“Our manor has many rules. They’ll probably need to study for about a month before they can enter the manor. During this time, please bear with using the manor’s maids for service,” the Princess Consort said gently from her seat of honor.

Learning etiquette for a month before entering the manor was quite a long time. However, Yelu Sage only frowned slightly before nodding in agreement, then said: “Princess Consort, may I go out to look around today?”

Since the Prince had already given instructions, the Princess Consort naturally didn’t obstruct. She was about to have the maid Sujin make arrangements when Yelu Sage looked toward Xiao Jinglin: “Is the Princess free today? Could you accompany me for a walk? When I was in my homeland, I had long admired the Princess’s reputation and never had the chance to meet you. I’ve yearned for you greatly in my heart.”

Yelu Sage used the word “yearned” when referring to Xiao Jinglin – it was unclear if this was due to her imperfect Chinese.

Although Xiao Jinglin had previously warned Ren Yaoqi not to have contact with Yelu Sage, when Yelu Sage extended this invitation to her, she glanced at the Princess Consort. Xiao Jinglin also wanted to find an opportunity to probe this Liao princess’s background. The Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s arrangement of Yelu Sage’s residence near her Xihe Hall was partly intended for her to keep watch over this princess.

The Princess Consort smiled tolerantly and said to Xiao Jinglin, “You have nothing to do at home anyway. Go accompany the Princess for a look around.”

Xiao Jinglin glanced at Ren Yaoqi, wondering whether to bring her along. Yelu Sage noticed Xiao Jinglin’s glance and proactively extended an invitation: “If the Young Madam is free, why don’t you come along too?”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Yelu Sage and smiled.

Ren Yaoqi rarely spoke, but had been carefully observing this Liao princess’s words and actions. She discovered that this princess seemed very accustomed to controlling the initiative. Although she was very careful to appear amiable and submissive, habits from long-held positions of authority weren’t easily concealed in her words and behavior.

It seemed this princess held some status in the Liao Kingdom, but it was unclear why she had been sent for political marriage. Usually, royal women sent for political marriages were relatively unfavored, since marriage alliances had awkward positions. Limited by their foreign status, even if they bore children, their chances of inheritance were very slim.

The Princess Consort thought it over and agreed to let Ren Yaoqi go out as well. Although she also felt it best for Ren Yaoqi not to have much contact with Yelu Sage, with Xiao Jinglin present and Ren Yaoqi being very cautious, she felt reassured.

Ren Yaoqi went back to change into clothes suitable for going out. When she emerged, Xiao Jinglin was already waiting at her door. Xiao Jinglin said somewhat hesitantly: “Maybe you shouldn’t go after all.”

Ren Yaoqi took Xiao Jinglin’s arm and smiled: “I haven’t been out for a long time either. It would be nice to go shopping. Aren’t you there? What’s to fear? Besides, I’m bringing Leshan and Leshui.”

Xiao Jinglin thought about it and said nothing more.

Yelu Sage was faster than both Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi. When they appeared, she was already waiting by the carriage, and Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin saw her examining the carriage, which was larger than ordinary ones.

Today Yelu Sage wasn’t wearing Liao Kingdom attire, but rather a lake-green front-opening jacket embroidered with exquisite magnolia patterns. However, her frame was larger than Han women, with somewhat broader shoulders and hips, so wearing Han clothing always seemed somewhat incongruous.

Compared to Yelu Sage, although Xiao Jinglin was also taller than ordinary women, her frame was well-proportioned. So despite her strong presence, she wore Han women’s clothing with distinctive charm.

Yelu Sage looked over Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi, then tugged at her sleeves somewhat embarrassedly: “I’m still not used to your clothes, and I don’t wear them as beautifully as you do.”

The three boarded the same carriage together. Yelu Sage seemed curious about everything, even carefully and curiously examining the decorations inside the carriage.

The carriage carried the three out of the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. Since Xiao Jinglin didn’t speak, Ren Yaoqi asked: “Where would the Princess like to go shopping?”

Yelu Sage thought for a moment and smiled: “I’m completely unfamiliar with Yunyang City. You can arrange it.”

After pondering briefly, Ren Yaoqi instructed the woman driving outside to go to Zhengyang Street. Zhengyang Street was Yunyang City’s main thoroughfare, lined with shops on both sides and surrounded by stores selling everything – it was the most prosperous area in Yunyang City. Since they were going shopping, they might as well visit the lively places, which would be relatively safer too.

Yelu Sage naturally had no objections and looked around curiously all the way, appearing very enthusiastic.

Seeing her like this, Ren Yaoqi smiled and asked: “Has the Princess never been to Yanbei before?”

Yelu Sage was curiously watching a vendor carrying a pole of candied hawthorns. Hearing the question, she nodded: “Mm, this is my first time in Yanbei. It’s much livelier here than in our Great Liao, with many people selling things on the streets.”

The carriage slowly made two circuits on several main streets of Yunyang City. Throughout the journey, Yelu Sage’s enthusiasm never waned. Only when it was nearly noon did she say, “I heard that your teahouses and restaurants here all have storytellers and opera singers? I’ve never seen anyone tell stories, nor have I seen opera.”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, who said without hesitation: “Then let’s go sit in the teahouse ahead. It’s nearly noon anyway, and there are many good restaurants nearby. We can conveniently dine out.”

Ren Yaoqi didn’t object, and Yelu Sage looked very happy.

The teahouse Xiao Jinglin chose was one Ren Yaoqi had visited several times before. It accommodated female guests. The three entered discreetly through the teahouse’s back door, then were led by the female proprietress to a large private room on the second floor.

Xiao Jinglin ordered a pot of Longjing tea and several plates of snacks and dried fruits.

Since Yelu Sage said she wanted to hear storytelling, Xiao Jinglin didn’t have the teahouse cleared. Princess Xiao wasn’t accustomed to making a big fuss anyway. Although this was a second-floor private room, they could see the first floor through the latticed windows, while people outside couldn’t see their situation inside.

Whether by coincidence or not, today the storyteller on the first floor was recounting the life of the fourth Yanbei Prince, Xiao Qishan, specifically telling about the period when he repeatedly drove the Liao people out of Yanbei. The scene was very lively, with thunderous applause and continuous cheers from the audience.

After sitting down, Yelu Sage also listened very attentively. The storyteller was from Yanbei and naturally described the old prince as incomparably brave and extraordinarily wise.

Stories of single-handedly charging enemy camps, winning victories against overwhelming odds through surprise attacks, receiving divine assistance in desperate situations – he was the great hero of the Yanbei people. By comparison, the old Liao King in the storyteller’s mouth was sinister and cunning, cruel, stupid as a pig, with extraordinarily bad luck.

Xiao Jinglin sipped her tea with an unchanged expression. Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin and also nonchalantly introduced the snacks on the table to Yelu Sage, acting as if she hadn’t heard the commotion outside.

Only after this segment of the story ended did Yelu Sage say thoughtfully: “Everyone says the old Yanbei Prince was a great hero. I’ve heard some of his past deeds too, but I hadn’t heard of the things this storyteller mentioned.”

Before Xiao Jinglin or Ren Yaoqi could respond, Yelu Sage proactively changed the subject, asking curiously: “Do storytellers tell stories about the current Prince?”

Xiao Jinglin gave Yelu Sage a look: “Are you interested in my father’s affairs?”

Yelu Sage nodded very honestly upon hearing this and said seriously, “Yes, I want to understand the Prince better.”

Xiao Jinglin raised an eyebrow: “Didn’t you meet him before? You still don’t understand him?”

Hearing this, Yelu Sage paused and looked at Xiao Jinglin, but smiled and said, “I want to understand more.” She didn’t deny having met the Yanbei Prince before.

At this moment, the sound of firecrackers came from the street-facing window, very lively. Yelu Sage curiously got up to look.

After Hongying went to look and returned, she said: “Today is the day the Meng family is delivering dowry to the Yun residence.”