Socialite training base?

A few days later, Moonlight Pavilion, Heaven Dou City's largest finishing school for young ladies, held its annual graduation ceremony. Most of the city's prominent nobles were invited to attend.

As the carriage stopped steadily in front of the Moonlight Pavilion, Ning Rongrong had just lifted the curtain when she saw a welcoming maid waiting at the bottom of the white jade steps by the entrance.

She was wearing the standard silver-white uniform of the Moonlight Pavilion, with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the neckline. Her hair bun was adorned with only a simple silver hairpin. Upon seeing Ning Rongrong, she curtsied in a standard manner, "Miss Ning."

Ning Rongrong hopped out of the carriage, handing her cloak to the maid as she did. Her voice was light and familiar, "Are all the guests here yet? Has Crown Prince Brother arrived?"

The maid took the clothing and led the young lady inside, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has already arrived and is chatting with the lords in the main hall. Most of the guests are here."

The maid followed closely behind her, explaining as she guided the way.

Hearing that everyone had arrived, Ning Rongrong blinked, "Earl Chen Chu is here too? Where is he?"

Ever since she lost face in the sect's main hall last time, coupled with her father repeatedly mentioning Chen Chu to her, she now regarded him with great importance, seeing him as her arch-nemesis.

"I'm right here. Miss Rongrong, are you looking for me for something?"

Before the maid could reply, Chen Chu, who had somehow appeared behind her, had been listening to their conversation the whole way.

Ning Rongrong suddenly turned around. She saw Chen Chu dressed in a dark brocade robe, a jade belt cinching his waist, holding a folding fan in his hand. He was not far behind her, looking at her playfully, a slight, enigmatic smile on his lips.

Her eyes widened, and her tone deepened slightly, "Who's looking for you? I was just asking casually."

"It's fine if you were just asking casually," Chen Chu put away his smile and walked a few steps forward. "You'd better not cause trouble for me, little girl, or I won't indulge you."

He walked up to her side, left a warning, and then strode towards the main hall, muttering as he walked, "I wonder what Sect Master Ning was thinking, letting this troublemaker out alone."

Chen Chu's words made Ning Rongrong's face flush, partly from anger and partly from embarrassment.

She clenched the hem of her skirt, stomped her foot as she looked at Chen Chu's retreating back, "Who's the troublemaker? You're the troublemaker!"

The maid stood by the side, not daring to breathe. She had been at the Moonlight Pavilion for three years and had seen her fair share of noble youths' tempers, but she had never seen anyone like Miss Ning and Earl Chen, who started bickering the moment they met.

"Let's go! Don't mind him!" Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and strode towards the main hall. After two steps, she turned back, her face serious, and instructed, "What he just said, you are not allowed to repeat it."

The maid quickly nodded, "Yes, Miss Ning."

Entering the main hall, Ning Rongrong immediately saw Xue Qinghe sitting next to the main seat on the east side, talking with the Minister of War. She suppressed the anger on her face and quickly walked over, curtsying in a standard manner, "Crown Prince Brother."

Xue Qinghe looked up and saw her, a gentle smile appearing on his face, "Rongrong is here. Please, have a seat."

Ning Rongrong nodded, "My father is unable to come due to sect affairs and has specifically asked Rongrong to deliver this letter to Crown Prince Brother."

With that, she took a letter from her soul tool bag and handed it to Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe chuckled and praised Rongrong for being sensible and capable.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Chu also met several of the empire's generals, or more accurately, the sons of several powerful generals.

For example, Ge Long's second son, Ge Tian.

"Greetings, General of the Town Army. For you to command the capital's guard forces at such a young age, your future achievements are truly limitless."

As the two individuals with the most prominent family backgrounds and power at this banquet, they naturally had to get acquainted and exchange pleasantries.

Chen Chu smiled brightly, "I dare not, I dare not. Marshal Ge Long is known as the pillar of the empire, uniting the three armies and aweing Star Luo. I have long admired him."

They chatted about this and that. The nobles around them were startled to see them interacting so warmly, yet no one dared to join the conversation.

After a while, footsteps were heard from outside the hall. Tang Yuehua entered, holding a jade ruyi scepter. Her gaze swept across the hall, and an instant silence fell.

Chen Chu's attention was also drawn to her. As expected of a woman who possessed the Noble Ring, the aura she exuded was truly captivating. No wonder these nobles spared no expense to support her.

"Today is the 37th graduation ceremony of the Moonlight Pavilion," Tang Yuehua's voice was not loud, but it carried a profound solemnity. "Three years ago, these children entered the Moonlight Pavilion to learn etiquette and courtesy. Today, upon graduation, they must also uphold and practice etiquette."

She raised her hand, signaling, "The first item: a bow of respect to the teacher."

With that, thirty-two graduating students filed out from both sides, forming three rows, and bowed deeply to Su Manqing. Their movements were perfectly synchronized.

Ning Rongrong, seated among the guests, immediately spotted Chen Chu at the front. Seeing him chatting and laughing with everyone made her even more indignant.

Xue Qinghe finished reading Ning Fengzhi's letter, folded it, and put it in his sleeve. He leaned closer to Ning Rongrong's ear and said, "Your father said you should restrain your temper, not argue with Chen Chu, or cause him trouble. Instead, follow Madam Yuehua and learn the rules of the Moonlight Pavilion and noble etiquette."

Ning Rongrong's face flushed, and she glared at him playfully, "Crown Prince Brother, you're helping him too!"

Xue Qinghe smiled and shook his head, "I'm supporting what's right, not just who's related. Chen Chu has a good temper, and even he can't stand you. You're quite something, girl."

Just as Ning Rongrong was about to retort, she heard Tang Yuehua announce, "The second item: academic display." She quickly stopped talking and looked towards the center of the hall.

What followed was the usual song and dance, which Chen Chu found quite enjoyable. So this was the life of nobles, truly not bad.

Ge Tian, seeing Chen Chu's enthusiastic look, curved his lips slightly and leaned closer, "Brother Chen, have you seen anyone you favor or like? If so, I can have someone prepare them."

Chen Chu was startled by his question. Just as he had expected, this graduation ceremony had attracted so many second-generation nobles and young talents, led by the Crown Prince. This was a noble selection of brides, a way to internally absorb these beautiful women.

"Brother Ge seems quite familiar with this 'business.' However, I'm not interested in these young girls. I prefer more mature women."

"After all, women are like wine; they only reveal their true flavor after a certain aging and refinement."

Seeing Chen Chu earnestly expounding his theory of women being like wine, Ge Tian nodded as if he understood, seemingly agreeing with the statement.

"General Chen's words are quite insightful. I, for one, find myself agreeing. These young girls lose their novelty after a few encounters; it's the ones with more experience and depth that are truly satisfying."

Ge Tian looked at the stage, continuing his selection for a while, but found no one suitable. It wasn't until his gaze fell upon the voluptuous Tang Yuehua on the stage that he realized how extraordinary she was upon closer inspection.

"General Chen, your taste is indeed sharp. But we dare not pursue Madam Yuehua."

Tang Yuehua's status was special. Even seasoned womanizers like Prince Xue Xing couldn't win her over, let alone them. They could only sigh at the missed opportunity.