"Huh?"
Only after Lin Ke reminded her did his mother snap back to her senses.
What was I about to do again? Never mind, let me squish the little darling I gave birth to first... wow, little Lin Ke's cheeks feel so nice...
No, no!? What was I about to say...
Right! The matter with my elder sister...
Lin Ke's mother remembered. She immediately planted her little hands on her hips and pouted. "Lin Ke, tell me, did you talk back to your elder mother today!?"
"No, I didn't." Lin Ke puffed out his cheeks and opened his bright eyes wide, pretending to be a clueless little brat... a good little boy.
What was that about never acting cute again? Ridiculous.
Lin Ke was a diehard fan of the law of eating your own words.
Hearing his answer, Lin Ke's mother looked puzzled. She lowered her hands, then turned to look at the first wife.
Smiling, the first wife waved a hand with exquisite grace and easygoing composure, shooting Lin Ke a challenging glance.
"Forget it, little sister. It was nothing, really. He only pointed straight at my nose and berated me for being a woman of the Brando Family. No big deal. Let it go, let it go. Really, children don't know any better."
Lin Ke's adorable expression froze.
His mother's slender eyebrows, however, shot up. She planted her hands on her slim waist again and raised her voice. "Lin Ke!! How could you say something like that!?"
Lin Ke pursed his lips, then his eyes began to mist over. "I... I didn't! I... waaah!! I didn't!"
He was crying!
Young Master Lin Ke was actually crying!
Everyone in the dining room panicked. Many servants looked at Lin Ke with eyes full of sympathy.
After all, Young Master Lin Ke treated servants like them exceptionally well.
Steward Billy, of course, stood smiling to one side, while the captain of the guards and the head maid lowered their heads, not daring to move.
Young Master Lin Ke, crying? What a joke.
His mother, however, was flustered. She quickly crouched down and frantically wiped away his tears with both hands. "Don't cry, Lin Ke. Be good, Lin Ke. Be good."
Across from them, the first wife stopped smiling when she saw Lin Ke cry. She simply watched quietly, amusement in her eyes. "Forget it, little sister. He's still young, still a child... why don't we just give him a few dozen lashes and leave it at that?"
Lin Ke: "..."
Was that a thing a human being should say?
Lin Ke's mother also glanced at the first wife, looking dazed.
"Boohoo... I didn't... boohoo..." Lin Ke's voice grew quieter as he softly sniffled.
His mother's heart ached. She scooped little Lin Ke into her arms and gently patted his back before addressing the first wife. "Elder sister..."
The first wife reached out and gently stroked Lin Ke's head. "He's only a child. He doesn't understand anything. Perhaps he overheard that personal manservant of his wagging his tongue."
"Mm-hmm." Lin Ke's mother nodded, then patted his back. "Did you hear that, little Lin Ke? You mustn't say things carelessly again~" She made no mention of Little John.
Before Lin Ke could speak, the first wife headed toward the dining table. "Today's wild boar smells wonderful. Sows aren't very tasty, though. I still prefer roast suckling pig. That soft, tender flavor is truly exquisite. What a shame..."
As she spoke, the first wife extended a hand toward Lin Ke's mother and smiled. "Come along, little sister. Let's taste this sow together."
Well, damn.
Was she openly using figurative language to insult us, mother and son, because my mother came from a commoner family...?
Resting against his mother's shoulder, Lin Ke narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.
Only the head maid, standing closest behind him, saw his expression.
Lin Ke glanced at her twice. The head maid naturally lowered her head, pretending she had not seen that glint in his eyes.
In this castle, Lin Ke treated everyone well. Only with the head maid, the captain of the guards, the procurement captain, and the head of farming was he strict.
Those four did not dare step out of line.
"Here, little Lin Ke. Sit by yourself."
His mother set him in his seat and gently pinched his cheek. "Be good from now on. You must act like a little grown-up and not cry, understand?"
Oh, Mother. Just this afternoon, you told me not to act like a little grown-up.
Although inwardly exasperated, Lin Ke gave a firm nod of his little head. "Mm!"
Then it was time for dinner.
Lin Ke could not be bothered to match wits with the first wife anymore and focused on the food instead.
The maids first brought over three basins of clean water for them to wash their hands. Once they had finished, the maids prepared to carry the basins away.
"Leave the basins here." The first wife raised a hand to stop them, then waved to the head maid.
"Yes." The head maid bowed in acknowledgment and signaled to the maids behind her.
The maids then brought mint water in wineglasses for the three of them to rinse their mouths.
After rinsing, the first wife spat the water into her basin and announced, "From now on, at dinner, we will all spit our mouth-rinsing water into the handwashing basins!"
The dining room fell quiet for less than a second.
Then Steward Billy was the first to bow. "My lady's noble character truly shines brighter than the waters of Orlan Lake to the south at noon."
The head maid also bowed in admiration. "My lady's consideration for the servants is an honor for us all."
Even Lin Ke's mother smiled faintly when she heard this. She said to Lin Ke beside her, "Little Lin Ke, do you understand? What your elder mother did saves three servants from having to carry the mouth-rinsing basins, so they can do other things... elder sister really is so kind! And we can save a little money too!"
Lin Ke: "..."
Once I become the King of Azan, I'll get rid of all these premeal handwashing basins and mouth rinses. Wouldn't that make my character shine brighter than the sun?
He could not be bothered to speak.
For now, he was only a child. Even if he sympathized with the servants' plight, he could hardly shatter the etiquette born of the prevailing times.
Often, this aristocratic etiquette was not truly necessary, but it was necessary to the nobles as a way of distinguishing their status from that of commoners and slaves.
Until he had enough power, he would not attempt to overthrow or resist it. That would earn him the contempt and rejection of the entire aristocracy.
As he pondered, the three of them finished their portions of translucent water-blue grass salad, small and refreshing pure-purple raspberries, and pickled sourfruit, one after another.
With the appetizers finished, the main course came next.
After the main course came the side dishes, then snacks, then dessert, and finally fruit juice.
The portions had been adjusted to suit the three diners' appetites through repeated trial and error.
There was neither too much nor too little, usually just a few pieces or a few small plates, modest but exquisite.
There was a little too much wild boar today, but the leftovers could be distributed among the servants. They did not have to finish it all.
Still, by the time they reached the side dishes, Lin Ke was mentally exhausted.
After all, their posture, gestures, and everything else while eating had to appear exceptionally elegant. Moreover, they were not allowed to speak until it was time to drink the juice!!
Although he had started practicing at age three, he still found it rather unbearable.
Lin Ke could not help thinking viciously, Once I become the damn King of Azan...
Huh, wait.
A sudden flash of inspiration struck him.
Once I become... the King of Azan?
Maybe... I could give it a try?
At last, they reached the fruit juice, when they were free to speak.
Neither the first wife nor Lin Ke's mother had spoken yet. Servants were wiping their mouths.
They used silk handkerchiefs that had been rinsed many times-after all, such handkerchiefs were expensive.
Only the truly great nobles could afford to discard one after every meal. They could only replace theirs once they wore out.
Before his mouth had even been wiped, Lin Ke suddenly spoke, his expression solemn. "I am... the King of Azan!"
I am... the King... of Azan?
The atmosphere in the dining room abruptly froze.
Everyone, including the servants attending them with lowered heads, turned in unison to look at the adorable little boy at the table.
Silence... stillness... tranquility... and then...
The atmosphere remained frozen for over ten seconds, ten times as long as when the first wife had announced they would no longer need separate mouth-rinsing basins.
"Pfft~"
Lin Ke's mother covered her mouth and burst into laughter, only to realize it was inappropriate.
She hurriedly picked up her berry juice and took a big gulp before suppressing her laughter to say, "Little Lin Ke! Little Lin Ke will have to wait many, many years before he can become the King of Azan!"
The first wife said nothing.
Steward Billy discreetly glanced around, then spoke with a cheerful smile. "It seems our master's Torrent Knights have an heir! The glory of Azan will continue to shelter us for many, many years!"
At those words, everyone immediately looked expectant and proud to share in that honor.
Lin Ke, however, could not be bothered with their flattery at the moment. Instead, he hurried to check the system.
In any case, he was a child whose words were taken lightly. Whatever he said would not have much impact.
He blinked.
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