East City School

After Qiangu Shizhen left the farm, only a few days passed before another person was sent to the farm.

This person delivered a message to Ye Tian, informing him that His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, would be staying at Butterfly Farm in three days.

He was instructed to make early preparations for the reception.

Upon receiving this news, the entire farm was plunged into a frenzy of activity.

It wasn't Ye Tian causing the commotion, but rather the arrival of a court steward.

The steward, named Aude, softly yet firmly instructed the farm staff:

"Do you know who is coming?"

"This is none other than the heir to the entire Heaven Dou Empire, His Highness Xue Qinghe!"

"I'm here today not for any other reason but to teach you ignorant folks some manners!"

Aude looked at everyone with disdain, covering his nose with a handkerchief, and said, "If any of you disgrace yourselves in front of His Highness and make him feel disgusted, I won't let you off!"

It wasn't just the farm staff undergoing training; Ye Tian, as the 'farm owner,' was also among them.

As for the intricate and cumbersome court etiquette, none of the farm's people were familiar with it.

During a break, they all lamented, beating their chests and wailing, "Is this something humans can learn? Court etiquette is way too complicated!"

"If this is a requirement for becoming a noble, then it looks like I have no chance in this lifetime."

"That wretched eunuch Aude, he sure knows how to make people suffer."

Ye Tian, too, was at his wits' end with the etiquette training.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, knowing that as long as Aude didn't call for a stop, they had to continue.

Chen Jian, an old man, quietly muttered beside Ye Tian, "If Aude wasn't a palace eunuch, I'd have slapped him to death by now."

"That's not a bad thought," Ye Tian chuckled, shaking his head.

But it was all just talk. Starting a fight with the Heaven Dou Empire wouldn't be worth it.

By evening, Aude had genuinely given up on the farm staff.

With a face full of disgust, he looked at them and said, "Forget it, even if I taught you all for another three years, you'd never learn this elegant etiquette!"

"Just remember this! In front of His Highness, never look him in the eye! And if he doesn't speak first, you are absolutely not to do anything!"

Aude was just going through the motions. In reality, he hadn't been sent by the Crown Prince but by the Prince's tutor, tasked with giving the common folk at the farm a bit of forewarning.

This was mainly because the Crown Prince had insisted that the farm not be cleared of its workers, so he could experience the local customs and lifestyle.

This made Aude sigh inwardly, thinking how rare it was to have a Crown Prince who cared for the common people in this way. Such a benevolent prince only appears once in a century!

Truly, it was the good fortune of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the good fortune of its people!

"Rest assured, Steward Aude, we've taken your words to heart," Ye Tian complimented casually, performing an awkward attempt at courtly etiquette as he saw Aude off.

Seeing how clumsy Ye Tian's etiquette was, Aude nearly spat out blood in frustration.

Today's lessons had been in vain!

Grumbling under his breath, he mounted his horse and left.

As they watched Aude's figure disappear into the distance, the farm staff couldn't hold back their insults.

"That wretched eunuch is finally gone!"

"My back and waist are killing me. If we had to practice for one more day, I'd be ruined."

"This Crown Prince doesn't seem like a good person either."

"Exactly, if he's coming, just come, why make us commoners suffer?"

"Master Ye Tian is the best! We've been working on the farm for two and a half years, and everyone's homes have been rebuilt."

"If Master Ye Tian were the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, only then would commoners have a good life!"

"That's right. In my opinion, Master Ye Tian is the one who truly deserves to be emperor!"

Hearing their discussions, Ye Tian chuckled in amusement and said, "Now, now, don't go saying things like that."

"According to the laws of the Heaven Dou Empire, speaking recklessly about the throne is a serious crime."

"Not only would it harm you, but it would also harm me."

The farmers spoke freely, but he had to give them a gentle reminder.

Chen Jian stepped forward and scolded, "It's fine to grumble in private, but if anyone dares to talk like this in public again, don't blame me for being harsh!"

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly nodded in agreement.

"Old Chen, we're just venting. We wouldn't dare discuss such things in public!"

"Exactly, we know the Empire's laws. Talking about the emperor could get an entire family exiled. We'd never speak of it outside."

"That's for the best," Chen Jian responded calmly, waving his hand. "It's getting late. After dinner, everyone should get some rest."

The staff said their farewells to Ye Tian and Chen Jian and headed to the dining hall.

Ye Tian, on the other hand, made his way to the small courtyard of the farm.

Chen Jian followed him.

When they reached the front of the courtyard, Ye Tian stopped, gazing into the darkness, and beckoned with his hand, "Someone, come here."

The next moment.

A soldier with a determined look stepped out from the shadows, bowing to Ye Tian and said, "Awaiting your orders, Master!"

These were his secret sentinels, quietly protecting him.

Even professional intelligence officers would find it difficult to detect them near the farm.

"Tell Thirteen to withdraw all secret sentries from around the farm."

Qian Renxue would soon arrive, and her current identity was that of the Crown Prince.

With the prince's entourage, there would undoubtedly be a military escort.

Having too many secret sentries would only be inconvenient.

"As you command," the soldier saluted again, retreating slowly back into the shadows.

After this, Ye Tian entered the small courtyard.

A young girl with long black hair greeted him. She was dressed in a maid's uniform, her hands clasped nervously, her voice as soft as a songbird: "Master, dinner is ready."

Ye Tian glanced at the black-haired girl in surprise. "Su Xiaoxin, are you healed?"

"Thanks to Aunt Qin Xuan's care, I'm almost fully recovered," Su Xiaoxin replied softly, not daring to meet Ye Tian's gaze.

Chen Jian smiled and explained, "After she recovered, Xiaoxin begged me to let her come to the courtyard to take care of you, Master Ye Tian."

"I had intended to let her rest for two more months."

"But this girl is just too stubborn."

Ye Tian gently ruffled Xiaoxin's hair, smiling warmly. "Such a clever girl."

Su Xiaoxin immediately lifted her head, pleading, "Master, my wounds are healed. Please allow me to stay and serve you. Otherwise, I won't know how to repay your kindness."

She simply wanted to repay Ye Tian for saving her life in any small way she could.

If she was forbidden from doing so, she wouldn't know what else she could do.

"I never save people expecting anything in return."

Ye Tian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "From the looks of it, even if I told you to rest, you wouldn't be able to stay idle."

He then turned to Chen Jian and waved his hand, "Old Chen, let Xiaoxin stay in the courtyard and do some lighter tasks for now. After two more months, when she's fully recovered, send her to East City School."

East City School was an ordinary school established by Ye Tian, where children learned literacy and vocational skills.

"School? You mean the kind where teachers teach knowledge?" Su Xiaoxin's face lit up with excitement.

She had never seen a school in her entire life.

Chen Jian smiled kindly. "Yes, once you graduate from East City School, you might even become Master Ye Tian's right-hand person."

Hearing this, Su Xiaoxin's eyes sparkled as she hurriedly bowed to Ye Tian.

In a firm voice, she declared, "I will study hard!" 

(End of Chapter)