Like all Dominican merchants, although the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce's lending office was small, it was also built next to a gold shop and close to the Port of Kings, but now the doors were closed - he was not alone, and with the growing rejection of Dominicans in the city of Turin, not many Dominican merchants dared to open their doors in the evenings and early mornings, because there were no soldiers patrolling the streets at that time.

Goodwin sat behind a long table in the shop, stacked with stacks of bonds and mortgages on a high table - all the result of decades of hard work and careful care, many of the Turin nobles who owed him debts, and on which Goodwin had earned a lot of money for the Chamber of Commerce, and on which the small poor Chamber of Commerce had thrived.

The door of the shop was pushed open, and little Goodwin walked in cautiously, and then locked the door again, and looked at his father nervously - it was impossible to have a "vacation" as a squire, but little Goodwin's temporary squire was only Edward's means of protecting him, and Sir Leonardo never restricted his movements.

Little Goodwin sat silently beside his father, listening to what he had to say about Edward, the old businessman looked very tired, he had never needed the help of his family so much as he did now, even if it was only his son who had not yet grown up: "Tell me, boy, what do you think we should do?"

"Father, what do you think Sir Edward Witwood would be willing to help us?" little Goodwin looked up at him with a handsome and immature face, "You told me that there is absolutely no help in this world that does not need to be reciprocated. ”

"That's right, just like doing business, there is a coming-and-going. Goodwin smiled and patted his son's soft black curls, "If there's anything in the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce that Sir Edward can look at, it's only money - he doesn't need our business channels, and he doesn't need us to introduce him to anyone, and I really don't know what he needs other than gold and silver coins." ”

"Then there's something else now. Little Goodwin pointed to the bonds on the table, "Now these things are what Sir Edward wants, and we can give him." ”

"Radiant Cross, kid, you know what a lot of money that is......"

"That's a very large amount of money, father, I know this, if it weren't for these things, our family wouldn't be blocked at home by those aristocratic lords who owe debts. Little Goodwin withheld his father's words, "But that's what Sir Edward needs—if he wants to buy a house, or armor, or good wine, he won't need our help." ”

"Besides, can we still get this money back in this situation?, are those Turin nobles still able to pay it back-so it is our best choice to exchange this money that will always remain on paper for Sir Edward's friendship and trust, and you have also seen the ability of this Sir to get him stronger and stronger, and we who follow him will not have to worry about having no money to make!"

The tired Goodwin looked at his son, and after hesitating for a long time, he only left a long sigh and a wry smile: "You have finally become able to speak, and you will definitely grow into a good businessman if you continue to do so." ”

"I can't convince you if you hadn't thought it through – I just did what every son does. Little Goodwin gently shook his father's hand: "That's to help you make up your mind." ”

.................. "No, no, that's completely wrong, you should have pressed the index finger of your right hand tightly - with all due respect, Your Highness, your gesture just now is like harassing those married ladies rather than greeting an equally noble messenger!"

Anson, who was wearing a golden-red dress and standing stiffly in front of the big mirror, had just raised his right hand, and the scolding of the court ceremonial officer Lord Bernard came from his ears, and His Royal Highness the Prince could only wave his sleeves in great irritability: "Then do it again!"

"Very good, Your Highness, your perseverance is admirable. The court ceremonial old man's gray eyebrows raised: "But I doubt that you are really studying patiently - there is less than a week to go, and the envoy group of Dominica will be back at any time, and your time is running out." ”

You're running out of time...... Anson couldn't help but roll his eyes, this mantra of Lord Bernard had been heard by more than one person, and every one of them remembered it vividly.

With only half of the time left before the Dominica Mission, Anson naturally had to start learning some etiquette for receiving foreign guests, from dressing to gestures, there was a whole set of rules about these red tape Turinees, but almost no one could fully follow them, and they could only be remembered at major ceremonial events, and then used temporarily.

Except, of course, Lord Bernard, the court ceremonial officer...... As a result, he became the main person in charge of His Highness Anson, and according to Lord Bernard's vision, the whole ceremony should be carried out strictly according to the rules of the dogma and liturgy, and His Royal Highness Anson was undoubtedly the core of the whole ceremony.

Anson was pleased to hear Edward's proposal at first - the little prince hated being ignored because of his age, and cared about his presence at all times, and there was obviously nothing more like a grand and solemn ceremony.

The pomp and circumstance, the elaborate dress, and the fact that the Dominic strangers were smiling and receiving them with the noblest manners when they had marveled enough - no doubt he would be the centre of attention of all, and they would all utter all sorts of exclamations and surprises at his every move, and the mere thought of it would excite the little prince.

But when it came time to realize it, Anson immediately began to become impatient - he was tired of the old man who was always muttering, but he still maintained enough respect, but now Bernard was "intensified" by the affairs of the envoy group.

In the past, Bernard was still very strict with Anson from time to time, and he paid more attention to His Royal Highness Adele, and devoted himself to cultivating a virtuous and virtuous princess. Therefore, when he became a little strict with the little prince, he immediately couldn't stand it.

"That's all for today, it's almost afternoon. Anson, who was covered in heat, ripped off his robe and threw it on the large mirror: "I'm going to practice swordsmanship with Edward Witwood in the afternoon." ”

"Swordsmanship can be put aside for now, you have to learn how to toast and salute today, otherwise we can't move on to the next process. Bernard said coldly, "Please don't forget, Your Highness Anson - your every move in front of the Dominicans is to represent the face of the Marcherus family and all the people of Turin, and any mistake may have unknown effects, and I am trying to avoid this." ”

"Then we can also learn swordsmanship and practice these ritual moves over and over again. Anson waved his hand and said, "Anyway, please call Edward in at once—he should already be waiting outside." ”

"Then he can wait until you have learned these movements and postures—if necessary I can tell him to come back tomorrow, if you have not learned it by then. Bernard remained unmoved: "Everything has to be considered for the reception ceremony first, Your Highness Anson." ”

"I am His Royal Highness the Prince, I am the person in charge of the envoy group this time, you are just the person sent by my father to assist me - you are not allowed to order me!" The little prince who couldn't bear it finally became angry: "Now I order you to go and call Edward who is waiting outside in, do you have any opinions?!"

"I obey your orders, Your Highness Anson. Bernard stood silently and bowed to the little prince: "But please forgive me for retiring - I can't bear to stand in the same room as a farmer's descendant from a foreign country, with the ancient Turin blood flowing in my body!"

After saying that, Bernard left as usual, and did not even forget to fold the dress on the large mirror. Anson sat with his shoulders crossed, not even looking at it.

"Your Highness, I just saw Lord Bernard go out - did you make him angry again?" It didn't take long for Edward, who was smiling a little, to push open the door and walk in, still holding a practice wooden sword in his hand: "Time is running out, and in less than a week, Dominica's envoys ......"

"I know, I know! I can't forget you if you don't have to repeat it so many times, and I can't forget it now!" Anson stomped to his feet in frustration and yelled at Edward, "Look at what you've done, this old man is almost annoying me to death - who is he, why is he pointing fingers at me?!"

"But Your Highness, Lord Bernard, the Court Ceremonial Officer, is the most proficient in the statutes of the Kingdom, and if you want a grand enough ceremony, you can't do without his help. Edward "said" "Kindly" admonished: "And he is your elder, and you should have enough respect for him—he will certainly be at your side when the Dominica envoys come." ”

"The Radiant Cross is above, I've had enough!" the angry little prince showed a very helpless expression: "Can't you let him only be in charge of the details of the ceremony and so on, I don't want to see that old man pointing fingers at me again." ”

"I'm afraid not, Lord Bernard will be very persistent. Edward shook his head: "He must not want to see such a well-prepared ritual messed up, I'm afraid we can only ......"

"Then it's up to you to convince him that I can do it all on my own, and that he just needs to do the rest. The little prince's eyes showed a light of incomparable disgust: "Don't let Lord Bernard appear at the scene of the welcoming ceremony, understand?!"