Crash Course 101

Ah, she hated this ceremony the most. After Gu Dai took her from the valley, she had undergone training from a relative, an old woman in the Xian estate named Xian Chen. Xinyi recalled how she messed things up. Chen taught her the Tea Ceremony Crash Course 101 and an Etiquette of a Noble Lady Kindergarten Lesson for two hours daily.

"You must serve tea as a new bride. Be careful not to bend so low as you serve. Always keep an amiable air and modesty. Don't show your teeth when you smile. You must serve tea to your mother-in-law since the father-in-law has expired, then…blah blah blah…"

"Do I really need to spend so much effort just for a tea ceremony? Can I just give them a cup each and finish?" Xinyi complained while sitting behind a desk with a book in front of her.

"No, you must learn to act and serve as a proper lady, befitting for the governor's wife."

Then when the actual practice came. Chen kept on yelling at her. "Your posture is wrong. You walk very fast, slower. Don't snort like a pig. It's disgusting. Cover your mouth when you smile. Never forget to use the saucer and cover the tea… blah, blah, blah…"

Her fair skin got red after Chen's tapping with a stick. It was not painful since it was only a slight tap but it would leave a red mark after being hit several times. Sometimes, when Chen turned her back, Xinyi wished to send a bird to poop or send a skunk to blow its nasty smell to the old lady.

The nagging Xinyi infuriated Xinyi, but held back, reminding herself that this person in front of her was her elder. Oh my, what she could do when Yan Ma's and Grandma Liu's brainwashing...,ah sorry,...teaching and guidance were implanted in her well. Ah, after three days, she got it right but not with flying colors as Chen told her, only a pass.

Xinyi had a hard time believing she was this bad with modesty and ladylike stuff in the upper-class of society. She was a smart girl. The animals even complimented her. Even Grand Liu and Yan Ma said so, but for a simple tea ceremony? She was…

For a girl who grew up with those teachings since birth, serving tea was like drinking and eating. But not for Xinyi who grew from the teaching of two older single ladies who came from humble birth...

Their teachings about etiquette were as simple as ABC: "Be polite, respect the elders with the utmost care. Respect your husband, so he will feed you and won't neglect you. Respect your son, so they will take care of you when you grow old. Don't shout at elders or you will get a good scolding. And…"

Ah, she was also nervous meeting her husband's mother. She couldn't deny she was excited to have someone to call mother and to have a sister like Lei An who didn't despise her. However, if she wanted to stay here longer, she had to do this ceremony and would suck the life of her if she messed up the whole ceremony. She rather died than messing it in front of her in-laws and disappoint them.

Here, outside Anjing Pavilion, she crouched down between thick shrubs surrounding her and a tree behind her. She thought she was well hidden. She thought. Her eyes went to her bag of jewelry then up to the sky. 'The sun is already up.'

At first, after she left Nùfàng Pavilion, she planned to go straight to the forest and ask the animals for assistance for her escape, but after the commotion, she came to Anjing. Now, she got stuck here. Curiosity got the better of her. It was her mistake for snooping. She regretted that she wished to cry for her foolishness and for not following her plan.

Xinyi sighed. Then she heard the guards and some maids went to Lei An.

"My lady, there is no one inside."

"I went to the back and no one is around."

As a person who only thought of the dispute of the two families as worthless strife and a lady who grew up through and through in a noble family, An's concerns for Xinyi was so deep. Her mind instantly swerved fast to the worst-case scenario… 'Was sister-in-law got depressed and went out somewhere, and committed suicide after being sent to this desolate place? She couldn't be that weak.'

"No, no, no, this can't be happening. You must find her. She must only have gone somewhere…," said Lei An as she wrung her hanky in her hands and about to rip it into two.

Suddenly, Lei Ming arrived in the scene. "What's going on here?" The guards and maids hastily bowed. Lei An touched her breast in relief and a smile broke on her face as she saw her brother.

While Xinyi's eyes widened and her face went pale, worsening the contrast of the ink-laden parts of her face against the untainted skin. 'Darn, I'm totally stuck now,' thought Xinyi as she crouched lower to totally hide under the bushes away from the prying eyes of Ming, who was observing the area while walking along the way.

"I'm glad you're here now, big brother. Sister-in-law is not here. We need to find her soon or…"

Before she could say more… a shouting guard was running toward them. When he reached Lei Ming, he gasped for air between words as he spoke. "Lord Lei, Lord Lei, Madame Lei has arrived. She's now waiting in the grand hall."

The siblings looked at each other. Lei An bit her lip and panic assailed her. Lei Ming closed his eyes in exasperation and exhaustion. Ming opened his eyes. "An mei mei, go ahead and welcome Ma. Wait for me. Don't say unnecessary things to her. Just tell her you don't know anything. I'll explain everything when I get back."

"How about sister-in-law?" Discontent tinged her tone.

"I'll take care of that. Also, inform the kitchen to prepare food for a welcome feast for Ma at lunch."

"Feast? Is that necessary? Ma is not that type…" Lei An's words were cut by a palm extended to her by her big brother.

"Just do as I say," Ming said with a wink.

"Okay," said Lei An and smiled. She got the hint to whom the feast was intended for. Lei An giggled as she walked away followed by the others.

After everyone had left…

Ming straightened her back and placed his hands on his waist and said aloud, "You may come out now, wife. Don't need to pretend you're not here. I know where you are."