"Yinzhu, Zhizi, I'm back!"
Wang Qingyao was in a good mood, her voice a few notes higher than usual.
However, this time, neither Zhizi nor Yinzhu came out to greet her.
As she wondered, the curtain of the side room on the left was lifted, and a嬷嬷 in an indigo jacket, her face expressionless, walked out.
It was Granny Sun from the First Madam's courtyard.
Behind her followed another嬷嬷 of similar age, wearing a dark red jacket, also with a stern expression, unlike the servants of the Wang family.
Zhizi and Yinzhu followed behind with downcast eyes. As they exited the room, Yinzhu quickly looked up and gave Wang Qingyao a meaningful glance.
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Too profound, she couldn't grasp the meaning.
Granny Sun stopped at the corridor, looking Wang Qingyao up and down with disdain.
"Second Miss has truly become more and more unruly. What kind of young lady runs around in men's clothing? Years ago, the嬷嬷 in Second Miss's courtyard passed away, and Second Miss didn't even report it to the First Madam, letting you run wild for so many years. Fortunately, the First Madam is benevolent, and she won't pursue this matter with you. She has even found you a new governess—"
The嬷嬷 in the dark red jacket stepped forward and curtsied to Wang Qingyao: "This old servant greets Second Miss."
Granny Sun continued, "Nian Mama came from the palace and understands etiquette best. Second Miss should learn from her well. When you get married, others won't say our Wang family has no manners!"
Wang Qingyao looked at her blankly: "Who are you?"
Granny Sun: "..."
She was the foremost person by the First Madam's side, and Second Miss didn't even recognize her? Truly ignorant.
Granny Sun's contempt deepened. She raised her head, straightened her chest, and proudly declared, "I am Granny Sun, by the First Madam's side!"
Wang Qingyao let out an "Oh" and sneered, "So you're just a servant. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a mistress."
Granny Sun stared at her in disbelief, unable to trust her own ears.
When had Second Miss become so audacious?
It took her a moment to realize that Wang Qingyao knew who she was; she was insulting her.
Her face instantly turned red, and hatred flickered in her eyes. She opened her mouth several times but couldn't utter a word.
Wang Qingyao's eyes curved, and she continued with a smile, "Logically, a嬷嬷 by the First Madam's side wouldn't be so ill-mannered as to not even offer the basic courtesies of greeting when meeting a mistress. You mustn't try to fool me just because I'm young!"
Her feigned innocence almost made Granny Sun spit blood, her face turning from green to white.
Granny Sun, acting on behalf of the First Madam, had always disregarded Wang Qingyao. She thought a few casual words would suffice for the task, but unexpectedly, Wang Qingyao had become so sharp and difficult, even daring to accuse her of lacking manners!
In front of outsiders, in front of so many servants!
Granny Sun was practically half a mistress in the manor, enjoying considerable prestige and authority. How could she endure such humiliation?
Yet, she couldn't find any reason to refute Wang Qingyao.
Granny Sun looked at Wang Qingyao, grinding her back teeth, thinking that there would be plenty of opportunities to torment her later. For now, it was wise to retreat.
With an unpleasant expression and a heart full of reluctance, she curtsied: "This old servant greets Second Miss."
Wang Qingyao's smile grew even brighter: "That's more like it. There's a saying: one lives and learns. Granny Sun, don't be shy. If you don't understand any etiquette, feel free to ask Nian Mama. Nian Mama will surely impart her wisdom."
Saying this, she turned to Nian Mama and smiled, "Nian Mama, am I right?"
Nian Mama nodded: "Second Miss is correct. Etiquette is something one can learn at any age."
Her cooperation surprised Wang Qingyao.
Granny Sun also hadn't expected Nian Mama to be so uncooperative, her face flushing with anger again. But then she thought that this Nian Mama was known for her rigidity and sternness, commanding respect even from the First Madam, so she swallowed her anger.
"Second Miss's reprimand is well-taken," Granny Sun said through gritted teeth. "This old servant has noted it. If there is nothing else, this old servant will take her leave..."
Wang Qingyao interrupted her: "There is one more thing. Mama, you'd best remember this: the First Madam is the mistress of the household, yet she cannot even attend to the managing嬷嬷 in her niece's courtyard. If this matter gets out, do you think people will say she is incapable, or that I am ignorant?"
Granny Sun's head shot up, meeting Wang Qingyao's gaze.
Wang Qingyao stopped smiling, looking at her expressionlessly: "From now on, do not speak such hypocritical words to me. You deliberately let me fend for myself, and now you dare to shift the blame?"
Granny Sun stared at her in shock, forgetting to retort.
How could Second Miss dare, how could she dare to tear down all pretense like this?
With a complex expression and even more complex feelings, Granny Sun retreated from Cold Fragrance Courtyard. Wang Qingyao led Nian Mama into the room.
The imperial decree for marriage was likely all but confirmed.
Otherwise, why would the Wang family send her a governess?
Wang Qingyao understood perfectly.
She poured a cup of hot tea for Nian Mama and said, "I will trouble Mama from now on."
Nian Mama said, "Second Miss is too kind." Then she added, "Second Miss is intelligent and perceptive, and must have guessed the reason for my arrival. Since you know you will soon be marrying into the Prince of Ding'an's manor, why bother with a mere servant? In the future, you will be the Princess Consort, and she will always be a servant. The difference is like heaven and earth; it's beneath you to even glance at her. You have endured for so many years, a few more months should not be difficult."
This Nian Mama, though seemingly stern, spoke with genuine concern for Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao was touched and solemnly bowed to Nian Mama: "Thank you, Mama, for your guidance. Qingyao will keep it in her heart."
...
As soon as Granny Sun returned to the main courtyard, she eagerly reported to the First Madam.
"...She said I lack manners, that Madam is incapable and cannot manage the household. She put on quite an air, looking down on everyone..."
Bai Shi, the First Madam, put down the abacus she was holding, and a hint of confusion appeared on her dignified oval face.
"Second Miss?"
A timid, worried figure flashed through her mind.
"Second Miss doesn't seem to have that kind of personality."
Granny Sun bent over and whispered, "Perhaps she knows she is about to be betrothed..."
Bai Shi twitched the corner of her mouth, revealing a gentle smile: "What a naive child." After a pause, she added, "Have you found out the reason for her frequent outings?"
"The person who followed her reported that Second Miss went to Changle Fang."
Bai Shi was slightly taken aback, then smiled again: "She truly is bold. Send word, do not restrain Second Miss. After all, she is to be a Princess Consort. A little genuine spirit can win the Prince's favor."
Granny Sun reluctantly replied, "Yes." She had hoped to use the First Madam to cause trouble for Second Miss.
Bai Shi then said, "Find a few maids of good family, young and beautiful. The Xiao family has only had one male heir for three generations, and there are rumors of a curse. After Second Miss marries, she should bear the Prince an heir as soon as possible."
Granny Sun's eyes lit up with joy: "Yes."