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CHAPTER 7 - ETIQUETTE AT THE DINING TABLE
As Sango listened to Hongyu's story, it was time for a meal. A female attendant from the Sho-fuku department invited her to the dining hall.
"Hey, you understand table manners, right?"
Sango shook her head nervously. With a frown on her face, she let out a deep sigh. They arrived in front of the room, and the attendant opened the door. Inside, there was a large round table.
"The farthest seat from the entrance is the head seat, and the closer ones are the lower seats. However, this doesn't always apply. It depends on the good views and feng shui. The direction you face affects your luck, so be mindful of that too."
"Uh... it's difficult."
"Get used to it."
Karetsu had a philosophy about the auspicious and inauspicious positioning of things. Sango had been thoroughly taught about it in the Shogi department.
The attendants started bringing in the meals. The round table had two stacked plates of different sizes, with the top one able to rotate. First, those sitting at the head would take their meals, and then those at the lower seats would rotate the plate to get theirs.
"Here, the attendants serve the food, so you don't have to worry. When eating outside, you have to serve yourself – but since you can't leave the Peony Palace, it doesn't matter."
Sango diligently copied down the table manners she was being taught. When she couldn't understand, she hoped to ask Konkon later, drawing diagrams and such to remember.
There were four dishes on the table. Hongyu had explained that they were appetizers.
1. Sansho-steamed chicken.
2. Yuzu tofu.
3. Salt-fried peanuts.
4. Cucumber seasoned with chili.
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The female attendant from the Sho-fuku department carefully explained each dish, but they were all unfamiliar to Sango, and she couldn't make heads or tails of it.
The attendants served each dish onto Hongyu's four plates, lining them up in front of him. When the serving was done, they folded their knees and said, "Please enjoy your meal." Hongyu thanked them.
Watching this, Sango learned not to say a meal prayer.
The female attendant on Sango's side also served each dish and, finally, said, "Please enjoy your meal." Sango smiled and thanked her, making the attendant's cheeks blush. She was a charming lady. While thinking so, Sango grasped the chopsticks.
Chopsticks were Karetsu's unique utensils, and Sango had struggled with them since her first day here. Picking up dishes with two sticks proved quite challenging. Somehow managing to grab the steamed chicken, her hands trembled.
Bringing it to her mouth, she couldn't even spare the composure to find the meal delicious. She stared at the plate of fried peanuts, wondering how to eat them. It was impossible to pick them up with chopsticks. Despite attempting, the skin made the chopsticks slip. Fried and oily, they were challenging to handle.
Trying too hard, her hands became numb. She wished for a spoon to scoop them up, but it was nowhere to be found.
It's over. Sango despaired. Suddenly, laughter echoed in the quiet room.
Startled, she looked up to see Hongyu with an expression that said, "Oops," covering his mouth.
Realizing she was seen struggling and laughed at, Sango felt embarrassed. However, considering it a good opportunity, she decided to ask about eating manners.
"Hongyu, this is difficult. The chopsticks are slippery."
"I thought so. You can eat this with your hands. Sorry, I couldn't talk to you because you were so earnest."
The latter part was unclear, but since Hongyu didn't seem angry, she took it as okay.
What she learned is that it's acceptable to eat fried peanuts with hands. However, using hands for meals, especially back in her homeland, was unthinkable. So, she double-checks.
"Is it okay to use hands?"
"Yeah."
"Good..."
She sighed with relief and thanked Hongyu. The peanuts, a new experience, were crispy and delicious. Eating them with her hands felt strange, but she convinced herself that it's Karetsu's culture.
Thanks to Hongyu's guidance, she managed to finish eating the peanuts. She expressed her gratitude once again.
"You're a strange one."
Although she couldn't hear it clearly, she could tell by the expression that she's being looked at with disbelief. She lowered her eyebrows and apologized briefly.
Next, soup was served. Two attendants placed large bowls on the table. The soup, with a ceramic ladle called "Renge" in front of her, made Sango relieved.
"This warms the stomach before the main dish comes out."
"Same as my homeland."
"Is that so?"
Appetizer, soup, main dish – the flow had remained mostly the same. The only differences were the dishes and utensils.
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A creamy soup was served in a white ceramic bowl. Blowing on hot food is considered impolite here, as making noise during meals lacks dignity. However, there's another reason in Karetsu.
"The act of blowing on food signifies infusing life through Senjutsu. It's not something to be done lightly."
"Senjutsu?"
"It's a spell used by an old master with an immortal body. It puts life into things."
"Uh-huh."
Not understanding it well, she decided to ask Konkon later. The soup contained something with a unique popping texture in her mouth. Upon asking, she found out it's dried fish fin. Impressed by the exotic ingredients, she continued eating.
Next was the main course. First, the side dishes: stir-fried vegetables and meat, steamed fish, and sautéed tofu. After finishing them, the main course of noodles and fried rice were brought.
Finally, a sweet treat after the meal. Today's dessert was almond tofu, a pure white pudding-like item. Scooping it up with a spoon, it jiggled. She thought it was solidified milk, but it turned out differently.
"That's made by powdering and solidifying the pits of apricots."
"Apricot…"
With a melting texture, smooth touch on the tongue, and a rich flavor that wasn't overly sweet, Sango was quietly moved by her first taste of almond tofu.
After the meal, fragrant tea was brought in. Hongyu was drinking alcohol.
"I get tired eating with you."
With every unfamiliar ingredient and etiquette, Sango had been repeating questions. Despite grumbling, Hongyu patiently taught her each time during meals. Once again, she expressed her gratitude.
"Really, my older brother has given me quite a troublesome person. Well, I'll thoroughly refine you to please Princess Hoshikifu. She will quickly conceive a child and disband this ridiculous gathering."
"Pregnant?"
"That's right. Tempt properly with good manners. Seduce and bear a child."
"Seduce… what?"
Hongyu was speaking passionately, but gradually, he became incoherent, and his words became unintelligible. He's been sipping alcohol since earlier.
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"Just be careful not to face the fukei… if that disappears, it'll be troublesome."
"What disappears, what's troublesome?"
"You should have it too…"
"Uh-huh."
At this point, Hongyu got drunk and fell asleep. The attendant looked troubled.
Not sure what to do, but considering that sleeping here might lead to catching a cold, Sango put Hongyu's arm around her shoulder and pulled him to the sleeping area.
From the dining room to the bedroom, sleeping platforms were arranged side by side. Somehow, someone from the Shoushin department must have brought the platforms.
Sango couldn't help but sigh, realizing that sleeping side by side like a couple was not acceptable. However, Sango was under palace punishment. In other words, she was a criminal. Therefore, she needed Hongyu's watchful eye. Besides, Hongyu was a younger man, so she convinced herself it's similar to being with Vire.
She rolled Hongyu onto the sleeping platform.
Taking off his hat, she touched his hair. Fortunately, there's no wax applied. Undoing the bun tied for easy sleep, his silky black hair flowed onto the sheets.
Sango had never seen such beautiful hair. It had a silky sheen that surprised her.
In her homeland, men having long hair is unimaginable. However, in Karetsu, it seemed to be normal. Long hair of the opposite gender didn't feel awkward, she attributed it to Hongyu's handsome appearance.
The crimson at the corner of his eyes suited him well.
Suddenly, thinking that makeup might stick to the futon, she wiped it off with the pad of her thumb. She did it quite firmly, expecting him to wake up, but he doesn't even stir.
She leaned in to gaze at his face. She thought he looked more beautiful than her, a woman.
Terrifying to think about the nobility of a foreign country.
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