Chapter 235: Imperial Bearing

Chapter 235: A Regal Bearing

As he spoke, Lei Biao reached out with his big hand, ready to grab that braised, savory meat bone and take a big bite.

But just as his hand was halfway to the bone, Cheng Ge swiftly slapped it away.

Lei Biao: "???"

He furrowed his thick brows, and the irritation he'd just suppressed began to flare up again.

"What the hell are you up to now?" This pretty boy sure is a lot of trouble!

Cheng Ge, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed the irritation in his eyes. Carefully using chopsticks,

he scraped off a small piece of lean meat from the bone and placed it into the bowl in front of Lei Biao.

"Chief, you may not know this, but when the emperor in the palace dines, special eunuchs and palace maids serve the dishes. It's all about showing off status and following rules.

You're someone destined for great things. We need to start getting used to these formalities ahead of time."

Lei Biao had no idea what kind of life the emperor in the palace actually lived. Taken aback by Cheng Ge's words, he found it both strange and... a little awkward.

He glanced at the fingernail-sized piece of meat in his bowl, then at his own hand that had just been reaching for the bone.

Instinctively, he shifted his weight on the stool, as if that would make him more "emperor-like."

Somewhat awkwardly, he picked up his chopsticks, took that small piece of meat, and popped it into his mouth.

He even unconsciously tried to imitate the refined mannerisms he imagined an "emperor" would have—chewing slowly and deliberately.

But his gaze kept darting to Cheng Ge, as if watching for his reaction.

"...Hmm, this meat... tastes pretty good," he mumbled, commenting that it wasn't even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.

Cheng Ge immediately scraped off two slightly larger pieces and placed them into his bowl. "I'm glad you like it, Chief."

Lei Biao didn't hesitate. He picked them up and swallowed them in one bite, smacking his lips with lingering satisfaction. "Come on, give me more! That little bit ain't enough for nobody!"

But this time, Cheng Ge shook his head firmly and began a serious lecture.

"Chief, I'm afraid not! The emperor's dining custom is 'no more than three bites.'

Even for his favorite dish, after three bites, it must be removed to show restraint and imperial dignity. You need to get used to it."

Used to it, my ass! Lei Biao grew furious. Meat was his biggest temptation.

That tiny bit he'd just eaten hadn't even reached his stomach, and now he couldn't have more? What kind of ridiculous imperial rule was that?

"Slap!" He slammed his chopsticks on the table, his eyes glaring like copper bells as he prepared to explode. "I—"

But before he could finish, Cheng Ge suddenly turned his head, covered his mouth with his hand, and burst into a violent fit of coughing: "Cough! Cough, cough, cough...!"

His shoulders shook with the effort, his face turned pale, and the corners of his eyes reddened from the strain.

He clearly looked like he'd caught a chill after spending all night curled up on the wooden armchair.

Lei Biao's rage, ready to explode from his lips, was immediately stifled. Seeing Cheng Ge's sickly appearance

and remembering that he'd fallen ill because of "warming the bed" for him, that anger inexplicably fizzled, replaced by guilt.

Cheng Ge finally stopped coughing, his breath still unsteady,

but he raised his teary, red-rimmed eyes to look at Lei Biao and started his sales pitch.

"Chief... please don't be angry. I didn't mean to defy you.

It's just that... I've studied a bit of physiognomy since I was young. The first time I saw you yesterday, I was amazed!"

His tone turned extremely serious, with the certainty of a con man.

"Your three courts and five features—broad forehead, prominent nose, full jaw, especially the heroic aura between your brows—

this is clearly a dragon hidden in the depths, the unmistakable appearance of an emperor! You're no ordinary person, destined for greatness!"

Lei Biao was stunned by this stream of smooth talk, unconsciously touching his own face, both incredulous and secretly excited.

"R-really? A guy like me could become an emperor?" A bandit chief could actually become emperor?

Seeing that he had taken the bait, Cheng Ge immediately pulled his stool closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with stirring conviction.

"Chief, think about it. Throughout history, which founding emperor was born sitting on the golden throne?

Which dynasty's rise and fall didn't begin with seizing power?

Take it even further back—the founding emperor, Taizu of the previous dynasty, was said to have been a poor peasant who couldn't even get enough to eat!

As the saying goes, 'Are princes and generals born of noble stock?' If others can do it, Chief, you can too!"

Lei Biao felt the blood in his veins start to boil as he heard these words.

He could already picture himself wearing the imperial yellow robe, sitting on the dragon throne, looking majestic!

Yes! Why should that weakling in the capital be the only one who gets to be emperor?

With his strong fists and many brothers, why couldn't he dream of it?!

Cheng Ge pressed the advantage. "So, Chief, to ensure you become emperor smoothly in the future,

we need to start preparing now and get used to the emperor's rules and ceremonies.

Today's dining etiquette is just a small step."

Hearing this, Lei Biao felt that Cheng Ge was like a guiding light sent down from heaven,

every word striking the right chord. All his anger vanished.

If Cheng Ge had said dog shit was imperial palace cuisine at that moment, he might have hesitated but would have half-believed it.

He immediately sat up straight, trying to strike an "imperial" pose, though it looked a bit awkward,

but he did a complete 180 on his attitude. Tearing his eyes away from the tempting meat bone, he spoke gruffly yet with barely suppressed excitement.

"Hmm... m-my esteemed advisor makes sense! It was... ahem, my oversight! Then... we'll do it by the rules!"

Lei Biao suppressed his intense craving for meat, painstakingly maintaining an "imperial" demeanor, and endured that breakfast which he felt "even a bird couldn't get full on."

As soon as he put down his chopsticks, he was about to come up with an excuse to ask for more,

when Cheng Ge, sitting across from him, casually picked up a clean empty bowl.

Then... without any ceremony, he began to devour the remaining food on the table like there was no tomorrow!

Cheng Ge's chopsticks flew as he went straight for the meatiest pieces.

In an instant, he wolfed down half a large piece of braised meat, and rolled up a greasy pancake and shoved it into his mouth in a couple of moves.

The platter of meat bones was his special focus. He grabbed one with his bare hands and gnawed on it like a wild animal.

His cheeks bulged high, he ate with abandon, a far cry from the "royal etiquette" he had just taught Lei Biao.

Lei Biao stared wide-eyed, almost thinking he was hallucinating: "???"