“He refused!? Oh my god, he actually refused to kiss Princess Yuna!?”
The noble youths in the hall erupted in shock. Even Steve widened his eyes in disbelief as he stared at Du Chen.
Du Chen smiled faintly, turned around, picked up a glass of fiery red wine from the table, and slowly tasted it, seemingly finding the drink more captivating than the girl in front of him.
He had no choice; after all, Du Chen practiced the Lotus Sutra, a form of chastity cultivation. While he was still a normal man who would naturally feel attracted to a beautiful woman, if he made any mistake, the Lotus Sutra would mercilessly turn him into a living eunuch!
Moreover, the Lotus Sutra forbade Du Chen from any contact with women. But what exactly counted as "contact" with women? After all, the creator of this technique was an ancient person from China, where strict etiquette rules existed between men and women. What if even kissing a woman’s hand counted as violating the rules?
He didn't dare to take such risks; this was directly related to his lifelong happiness!
Thus, Du Chen had only one attitude towards women—especially beautiful ones: ignore them completely and eliminate any possibility of mistakes!
Princess Yuna’s expression held a hint of embarrassment, yet she smiled gracefully. "My name is Yuna, the empire's eldest princess. Nice to meet you, Francis Saint Sigru Cain!"
Those who understood imperial etiquette knew that a noble calling another noble by their full name in an informal setting expressed displeasure. However, Du Chen did not fully grasp this world's etiquette yet.
Realizing he might have offended her, Du Chen coughed lightly and quickly replied, "Princess Yuna, I apologize sincerely with this glass of wine, but I really never kiss anyone's hand!"
"Francis!" Steve quietly urged Du Chen, reminding him not to disrespect the princess. Yet Steve also felt incredulous, thinking: Ancestor Sigru, my dear brother is truly… unique. He's definitely the first to refuse Princess Yuna in the entire continent of Eins!
Yuna smiled, turning her gentle smile into a soft chuckle. She tilted her head slightly to the left, saying playfully, "I see. You may use another form of greeting instead."
The noble youths were stunned. Good heavens, Princess Yuna was hinting that Francis could greet her even more intimately—by kissing her cheek!
Du Chen maintained his smile, but inside he felt annoyed. Did this Princess Yuna have some problem? Why must the greeting involve kissing? Couldn't shaking hands or bowing suffice? It seemed as if she demanded a kiss!
"Princess, I'm really sorry, but I've recently recovered from a serious illness and am still learning etiquette. Many actions are still unfamiliar to me. If I act rashly now, it might be very rude."
He declined again. Steve was caught between laughter and tears, thinking tomorrow’s headlines would be: Francis Refuses to Kiss Princess Yuna!
Yuna misunderstood Du Chen's intentions. She thought, Who said Francis was the disgrace of the Saint Cain family? Playing hard to get—wasn't that the strategy her flirtatious royal brother often mentioned?
This Francis wasn't just smart; he was "cunning!"
Thus, Yuna playfully scolded, "Are you perhaps suggesting an even closer form of greeting?"
Beyond kissing the cheek was kissing the lips!
But Du Chen asked blankly, "What is a closer form of greeting?"
Princess Yuna flushed slightly, glaring at Du Chen, "Are you suggesting you want to kiss my lips?"
Du Chen secretly decided that even if he offended the princess tonight, he absolutely couldn't kiss her. The Lotus Sutra’s training trumped everything. What was this princess thinking, insisting on being kissed by him?
"Princess, I'm sorry, but I don’t want to kiss your lips either."
Everyone’s shock turned into numbness.
Princess Yuna looked slightly upset, "Well then, it seems I really cannot get a kiss from you, Francis." She brushed her golden hair aside and prepared to leave Du Chen's side.
Steve became anxious, quickly signaling Du Chen. Tonight's purpose was to establish Francis’s position for future career advancement, not to offend the princess.
Seeing Steve’s expression, Du Chen thought, My brother has treated me very well, I can't trouble him! Du Chen picked up another glass of strong wine, hurried to Yuna's side, and downed it in one go. "Haha, Princess, let me be honest, I really can't kiss you because… I ate garlic today! See, I'm trying to mask the smell with strong wine!"
Yuna covered her mouth in surprise, then laughed, "Haha, Francis, you are truly amusing. So you like garlic! That’s the funniest thing I've heard today! What else do you like?"
Under the jealous eyes of other noble youths and Steve's astonished gaze, Du Chen casually chatted with Princess Yuna.
Later, Steve whispered teasingly to Du Chen while toasting him, "My dear brother, was that your strategy to woo the princess? Very clever, indeed my true disciple! Finally, you've opened your mind!"
Du Chen calmly replied, "It wasn't a strategy. I'm genuinely uninterested in her."
"Come on, stop pretending!" Steve laughed wickedly. "But be careful; Princess Yuna is the most beautiful girl in the capital, and many eyes are on her. It’s not wise to offend too many people for her sake."
Steve finished his wine, saying, "Enjoy yourself, brother. I'm off to flirt!" and disappeared into the dance floor with a young woman.
Du Chen sighed, somewhat exasperated by his brother’s antics.
Princess Yuna remained enthusiastic, and Du Chen politely responded to her while avoiding further intimacy. Suddenly, he felt the familiar tingling from the Lotus Sutra signaling a chance to do a good deed!
Du Chen quickly surveyed the hall. In a dim corner, he spotted Frith, the finance minister's son, walking suspiciously close with a dazed young woman toward a side door.
"Frith! What are you doing!?" Du Chen shouted, quickly intercepting them.
Everyone's attention turned toward Frith and the young woman. Du Chen swiftly retrieved something from Frith's pocket, revealing a small paper packet filled with white powder.
Understanding immediately, the crowd gasped. Du Chen sternly said, "Frith, such dishonorable behavior is disgraceful! Tonight, hundreds witness your shame!"
Frith angrily reached for his artifact, but Steve warned coldly, "Charlie, my second brother, it seems someone is challenging Saint Cain’s honor!"
Charlie reluctantly backed Steve, warning Frith, "If you want a duel, I, Charlie Saint Sigru Cain, a fourth-level green-robed warrior, accept!"
Frith backed down. Princess Yuna ordered Frith thrown out and banned from future parties.
Du Chen smiled, satisfied he had done another good deed.
Yuna thanked Du Chen for preventing embarrassment at her event. Du Chen politely excused himself to rest.
Soon, the young woman approached, thanking Du Chen warmly and shyly asking, "Francis, may I have this dance as thanks?"
Seeing Steve smirk from afar, Du Chen thought in alarm, Oh no, is this girl trying to seduce me?
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrYodNwFnn
