Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

The eunuch raised his hand, and his attendant brought over a small table with a bundle of thin bamboo slips on it, which looked like pre-written ritual instructions.

The young eunuch gently unfolded the bundle of bamboo slips and whispered:

"The title is of utmost importance."

"Your Majesty should be addressed as 'Father Emperor'; the Empress should be addressed as 'Mother Empress'. Your Highness should refer to yourself as—"

He paused, glanced up at Liu Bian to see if he was listening attentively, and after confirming, continued:

"In front of His Majesty, one may address him as 'son'; when others are present, it is inappropriate to address him as 'your subject' or 'son'... The safest approach is to address him as 'son' rather than 'your subject,' or one may simply reply with 'yes.'"

Liu Bian's heart stirred slightly. He didn't need to make any mistakes here, but he could test the waters a bit.

He pretended not to understand and asked in a low voice:

"And what about when you see the Attendant?"

Empress He glanced over, a sharp glint hidden deep in her eyes.

The young eunuch trembled, seemingly afraid that Empress He would misunderstand something, and hurriedly said:

"The Attendants are palace officials who serve the imperial family. When Your Highness sees them, you may address them as 'Attendants'."

Empress He withdrew her gaze, but her fingertips continued to tap lightly on the table.

Liu Bian nodded, having already answered his question, and did not ask any further questions.

The young eunuch then continued speaking, his voice becoming much calmer:

"The second thing is, advancing and retreating."

"Entering the gate—first straighten your clothes, then your appearance. Approaching—stop every three steps, and when you stop, bow with your hands clasped. Retreating—do not turn your back, and do not walk quickly."

After saying this, the attendant behind him stood up and demonstrated it to Liu Bian in the middle of the hall.

Then, the eunuch turned slightly to the side and said to Liu Bian:

"Please, Your Highness, do as the Empress does."

Liu Bian nodded, his eyes serious.

He first smoothed out his clothes and straightened his toes before taking a step.

Both the first and second steps were flawless.

He should stop at the third step.

However, it was as if he tripped over the edge of the crimson carpet beneath his feet. His toes brushed against it slightly, and his body leaned forward, causing him to take an extra half step.

Empress He saw this and wanted to get up to help, but immediately stopped herself.

The young eunuch did not speak immediately, but instead tapped the bundle of thin scrolls on the table. The tap was silent, yet remarkably clear in the otherwise quiet hall.

Liu Bian froze immediately, a hint of panic appearing on his face, his fingers clenching his sleeves.

He glanced up at Empress He, then quickly withdrew his half-step, shifted his toes, and stood back where he should have been.

Then he cupped his hands and bowed to Empress He.

The young eunuch then spoke up, "Your Highness, take three steps and stop, prioritize stability over speed."

Liu Bian lowered his head and said softly, "...I'll remember."

He breathed a sigh of relief.

It's wrong, but not obviously.

The changes were made quickly, even with a hint of fear.

It was exactly what Xun Yu and he said: controllable.

The young eunuch raised his hand: "Please do it again, Your Highness."

Liu Bian walked very steadily this time, without making any mistakes, and did everything in accordance with the rules.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the eunuch's eyes, and he nodded, saying:

"Your Highness is indeed clever; you remembered it after being taught only once."

"Therefore, we can teach the third thing: how to deal with it."

He said slowly, "When others ask questions, Your Highness need not say much. Answer one question at a time. If you can use one word, don't use a whole sentence."

"for example--"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed outside the hall, as if asking casually:

"If someone asks Your Highness what the etiquette was taught today, how should Your Highness answer?"

Liu Bian looked up and fell into deep thought.

He knew how to answer, but he needed to think about it.

After about two breaths, he spoke softly, with a hint of inquiry in his voice: "Teach... how to proceed?"

The eunuch's smile deepened: "Good."

Upon hearing this, Empress He lightly tapped the table with her fingertips and said:

"Since you have taught me clearly, you may leave now."

The eunuch immediately bowed:

"Yes, we take our leave."

He left the hall, having already made his assessment of Liu Bian:

This child is teachable, manageable, intelligent but not unruly.

Only when Liu Bian knew that the figure outside the hall had completely disappeared did he slowly release his hand from his sleeve.

I've finally finished the first test the teacher assigned.

Huangmen Province.

The candlelight was dim, but the cigarette smoke was strong.

Guo Sheng sat on the side of the couch, twirling a string of small jade beads in his hand, listening to the visitor's reply.

"...Your Highness took an extra half step, immediately admitted your mistake, and walked correctly on the second try. You are very intelligent."

Guo Sheng hummed in agreement, then asked, "How did His Highness react at the time?"

"I'm a little scared and a little nervous," the person replied.

"You know fear." Guo Sheng nodded. "But it's controllable."

He looked up at the person who had just arrived: "How's Zhang Rang doing?"

"Zhang Changshi's men were sent back by the Empress yesterday, so it's our turn to go today. Zhang Changshi didn't say anything to his face, but he's not happy about it."

Guo Sheng smiled and said, "He'd be happy for no reason."

He was one of the Ten Attendants, yet he knew that among them, Zhang Rang was the most powerful and had the deepest influence; and if Guo Sheng wanted to live long, he had to climb up to a powerful figure.

Even though this big tree is still a sapling.

"Go," Guo Sheng said slowly, "send over the people you selected for the Empress yesterday."

The messenger acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Guo Sheng twirled the jade bead back into his palm and muttered to himself:

"If Madam He wants to establish an heir, then I will support her in doing so. If she succeeds, I will have made a contribution; if she fails, I will have a way out."

This is what eunuchs are.

I am not loyal to anyone, only to those who are beneficial to me.

Inside Changqiu Palace, it was winter, and the charcoal fire inside the hall was burning brightly.

Inside the side hall, Empress He was still seated in the main seat, while Liu Bian sat at a small table, waiting for Xun Yu to come and give his lesson.

Footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Chunjuan lifted the curtain first and whispered, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Master Xun has arrived."

"Your subject Xun Yu greets Your Majesty and Your Highness."

Empress He raised her hand in a gesture of respect: "No need for formalities."

"This student greets the teacher," Liu Bian returned the greeting. "What will you be discussing today, sir?"

Before Xun Yu could speak, another voice rang out from outside the hall:

"Your Highness, a messenger from the Imperial Secretariat, on the orders of Attendant Guo, has presented a minor official who wishes to serve as Your Highness's secretary and be at your beck and call."

Empress He nodded. She figured that the secretary Chun Juan had chosen yesterday wouldn't be available so soon, so she also told Guo Sheng about it.

Among the eunuchs, Guo Sheng was the only one who could be trusted.

"Announce."

Then, two eunuchs led a man into the hall. The man was dressed very simply, carrying only a wooden box in his hands. He bowed and said:

"This humble servant, Guo Changshi, pays his respects to Your Majesty and Your Highness."

He held up the wooden box and presented it:

Guo Changshi said: "Your Highness has just entered the palace. Recording names and daily life is a complicated matter. I wish to offer an official to be in charge of copying, so as to save Your Highness from trouble."

Empress He did not speak, but turned her gaze to Xun Yu.

This was Xun Yu's request; she wanted to hear Xun Yu's opinion.

Xun Yu spoke:

"Very well. If Your Highness wishes to learn etiquette, then a 'book' must be kept. From this day forward, all the etiquette taught by the Attendant, Your Highness's movements, and the names and clothing of the people seen in the palace—all shall be recorded by an official. Every evening, the book shall be presented to the Empress for inspection and then sealed."

The young official repeatedly promised.

Empress He nodded and said, "Chunjuan, take her away. After His Highness finishes his lessons, let her return to his desk to serve."

The curtain fell, leaving only Empress He, Liu Bian, and Xun Yu in the hall.

Empress He stood up and said, "Bian'er, listen carefully to your teacher's lesson. Your mother has important matters to discuss."

Liu Bian looked up and said, "I will follow Mother's teachings."

At this point, only the master and disciple remained in the hall.

Xun Yu turned to Liu Bian and whispered, "Your Highness, as I said yesterday, today's second lesson is about borrowing a knife."

Do you have any ideas?

Liu Bian's mind raced, and he asked, "Does the gentleman mean... Attendant Guo?"

Xun Yu smiled and nodded: "Indeed."

"Your Highness must take this secretary in, and take him in beautifully."

"Your Highness can allow him to nominally accompany the officials of rites and attendants, but in reality, he can enter the Empress's palace daily to report back. In this way, Guo Sheng will have face, Zhang Rang will have a way out, and Your Highness will have eyes and ears."

Liu Bian nodded, then asked, seemingly understanding but not quite:

"Sir, shouldn't a knife be used to wound the enemy?"

Xun Yu did not respond immediately, but instead turned his gaze to the outside of the hall.

"Use this knife first. If used well, it will naturally cut a slit for Your Highness—and be inserted into the servant's body."

Then, he turned to look at Liu Bian:

"Does Your Highness understand?"

"Use Guo Sheng's knife to sever Zhang Rang's face; use Zhang Rang's rules to protect the Empress's hand; use the Empress's title to establish the foundation of Your Highness's rule."

Liu Bian felt a chill run down his spine, as if the fog that had been shrouding him had been suddenly lifted.

Xun Yu's two lessons are interconnected.

Subsequently, Xun Yu began formally teaching. As a prince, Liu Bian was required to be proficient in the Four Books and Five Classics.

As night deepened, Xun Yu rose to take his leave after finishing his lecture for the day.

"Congratulations, sir."

Liu Bian stood at the palace gate, gazing intently at Xun Yu's retreating figure.