Qin Huining’s words moved the Old Madam’s heart.

There were quite a few young ladies in the household. Third Miss would soon reach her coming-of-age ceremony, and her betrothal to the second son of Earl Jian’an’s mansion was already eight or nine parts settled. To add this layer of golden instruction from a palace instructor would truly be beneficial for the Prime Minister’s daughters.

The difficulty was that the Empress had said to send Nanny Zhan to teach Qin Yining, with no mention of including others. If they were particularly familiar with Nanny Zhan, offering some gold and silver might persuade her to agree – after all, herding one sheep or a flock makes little difference. But since they weren’t acquainted, making such a request abruptly would be inappropriate.

Moreover, the Empress personally dispatching an instructor to teach a minister’s legitimate daughter was an uncommon honor – this was specifically a grace bestowed upon the main branch, with no reason for other branches to share in it.

The Old Madam found herself torn, wanting all her granddaughters to benefit while not wishing to offend those above.

“Old Madam.” While the Old Madam was deep in thought, Nanny Qin smiled as she entered: “Third Madam has arrived.”

The Old Madam raised an eyebrow and tapped her tobacco pipe against the small white porcelain spittoon, the brass striking porcelain with a loud “dong” sound.

“Why is she coming so late again tonight?”

Qin Huining nimbly took a large towel to help the Old Madam dry her feet, putting on white socks for her, while other maids came in to carry away the wooden foot-washing basin.

When Third Madam entered, she witnessed the scene of Qin Huining helping the Old Madam put on warm boots.

“Old Madam.” Third Madam bowed, then smiled: “I must say, in this entire mansion, no one can compare to Hui Jie’er’s filial devotion. This daughter-in-law is truly ashamed.”

Hearing this, the Old Madam couldn’t help but laugh, scolding without anger: “You mischievous monkey, speaking such words in front of your niece – aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Huining also smiled cooperatively, though inwardly she rolled her eyes. When it came to competing in filial devotion and currying favor, everyone used their own methods. Third Madam hadn’t come early herself – whose fault was that?

However, Qin Huining knew that Third Madam still held considerable face with the Old Madam. Though Third Master was born of a concubine, the third branch was the Qin family’s economic pillar. Third Madam was usually generous, and the Old Madam had received countless amounts of gold and silver from her as private funds. Compared to the proud, domineering, noble-born First Madam and the scheming Second Madam who was dull as a post, Third Madam was actually the Old Madam’s favorite.

Qin Huining didn’t want to offend this living god of wealth, so she smiled and said: “Third Aunt is joking. It’s only because I live nearby and happened to arrive first. Third Aunt’s filial heart surpasses us juniors – please don’t tease me.”

“How could that be? Hui Jie’er was personally raised by the Old Madam, knows propriety and keeps to rituals, adheres to filial duty, shares deep affection with the Old Madam, and her filial heart is most sincere.”

Third Madam smiled as she sat on the embroidered stool that Nanny Qin brought over, then said: “Old Madam, I just heard that Nanny Zhan, sent by the Empress, has been arranged to stay at Cuizhu Pavilion?”

As soon as these words left her mouth, Qin Huining smiled.

It seemed she had gained an ally.

Her purpose was to prevent Qin Yining from monopolizing this advantage while gaining some learning herself, while Third Madam’s concern was likely for her legitimate daughter Qin Jianing.

The Old Madam also understood Third Madam’s meaning, sighing as she handed her brass tobacco pipe to Nanny Qin for safekeeping: “Hui Jie’er was just discussing this very matter with me.”

Third Madam looked at Qin Huining with some surprise, then quickly showed a smile of kindred spirits, moving closer to the Old Madam: “So what are your thoughts, Old Madam?”

The Old Madam said: “Naturally, I hope all our family’s girls can have good prospects, but this Nanny Zhan was specifically arranged by the Empress for Yi Jie’er. It’s rather difficult to make such a request.”

Hearing this, Third Madam smiled, rising to take the milk bird’s nest soup that Nanny Qin was about to serve the Old Madam, carefully attending to the Old Madam’s needs, passing the spoon and napkin with thoughtful gestures. After dismissing Nanny Qin to take away the empty bowl, she brought over an exquisite rinse bowl to help the Old Madam rinse her mouth, only then returning to her seat.

Throughout this, the Old Madam was served so attentively that her mood improved greatly. Thinking more carefully, as the family’s matriarch and an old noble lady with imperial commendation, surely her influence combined with Qin Huaiyuan’s would make asking Nanny Zhan to do something not particularly difficult.

Qin Huining and Third Madam exchanged glances.

Third Madam thought for a moment then smiled: “This matter will surely require some arrangements. The costs for these arrangements will naturally come from me.”

“No need for that.” The Old Madam smiled and waved her hand. “Seeking benefits for my own granddaughters – I’ll use silver from the public funds.”

Qin Huining timely hugged the Old Madam’s arm and acted coquettishly: “Grandmother, all us sisters in the family are counting on you. I’m sure Xiao Xi is sensible and well-behaved, and surely won’t object.”

The Old Madam laughed: “Even if someone were dissatisfied with this matter, it wouldn’t be her place to complain. Enough, all of you go. Tomorrow I’ll speak with the eldest daughter-in-law.”

“Yes.” Third Madam and Qin Huining joyfully stood up.

Third Madam bowed and withdrew, while Qin Huining lingered by the Old Madam’s side for a long while before returning to her own warm chamber.

After Qin Huining retired, she didn’t forget to instruct Bi Tao to arrange for a young maid to watch for outside movements.

Sure enough, the next morning upon rising, she learned that Third Madam had indeed sent many things to the Old Madam in the middle of the night.

Originally, Qin Huining didn’t think much of it, but when she heard that Third Madam had also sent gift boxes to Xueli Courtyard early in the morning, and that even the second branch had arranged for a proper nanny to deliver gifts, her heart became unbalanced.

When had Second Aunt and Third Aunt ever been so courteous to her before?

Blood relatives truly received different treatment!

At Xueli Courtyard.

Qin Yining instructed her people to accept the gifts, entertained the delivering nannies with tea, chatted for a while, then politely saw them off.

On the round table in the side room, several bolts of fashionably colored fabric along with fine tea and writing materials were from Second Madam.

In an exquisite black lacquered cosmetic case was a complete set of jade hair ornaments and the latest fragrant oils and rouge powders from Suxin Pavilion, sent by Third Madam.

Qin Yining didn’t understand much about these cosmetics and powders, but she knew they were valuable. After thinking, she instructed Rui Lan: “Carefully inventory everything and record it in a separate ledger. As for these items, use what should be used.”

Hearing this, Rui Lan couldn’t help but rejoice.

Miss was trusting her to manage the private treasury and record social exchanges!

“This servant understands and will not disappoint Miss’s trust!” Rui Lan solemnly bowed to Qin Yining.

Qin Yining knew that the events of that night had left Rui Lan uneasy. Arranging this task for her now served two purposes: first as a test, second as reassurance. If those around her lived in constant fear and couldn’t share confidences, how could they unite against external threats?

“Go attend to your duties.” Qin Yining’s voice was gentle as she smiled and continued rushing to copy the Classic of Filial Piety.

Rui Lan nodded joyfully, as excited as if she’d been injected with chicken blood, and went to carefully organize things with Nanny Zhu.

Seeing that the time was about right, Qin Yining planned to finish writing the last sentence then go to the main house to pay respects to the Old Madam.

Just as she had this thought, a maid’s voice came from outside: “Miss, Nanny Qin has arrived.”

Qin Yining was surprised and quickly placed her wolf-hair brush on the white porcelain blue-and-white brush rest, smiling as she rose to greet her: “Nanny Qin has come – please enter, please sit.”

“Fourth Miss, I hope you are well.” Nanny Qin smiled and bowed. Rui Lan brought over a brocade stool, but she didn’t sit, only lowered her head gently: “This servant has come to relay a message and must return immediately – there are still many matters at Cixiao Garden.”

“Is there some urgent matter the Old Madam wishes to instruct? Please speak, Nanny.” Qin Yining looked at her earnestly.

Nanny Qin smiled: “The Old Madam says that today all the young ladies are excused from evening attendance, and should properly study etiquette with Nanny Zhan. At the first quarter of the si hour, please go to Xinning Garden to begin lessons.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile on her face, but immediately understood in her heart.

With such a formidable etiquette instructor arriving, naturally all the branches couldn’t restrain themselves – who told them there were so many girls in the family?

Moreover, though she hadn’t witnessed it personally, Qin Yining could guess that Qin Huining must have done something regarding this matter.

With Qin Huining’s temperament, how could she possibly allow an excellent instructor to teach only Qin Yining alone?

Seeing that Qin Yining showed no surprise and maintained her dignified smile like soft spring water in sunlight that made people feel comfortable just looking at it, Nanny Qin spoke the rest even more gently.

“The tutor that the Prime Minister requested for you has also arrived – I hear he’s an old scholar of exceptional learning, now settled in the outer courtyard. The Old Madam says that from now on, Miss will study etiquette with the other young ladies under Nanny Zhan in the mornings, and study with the tutor in the afternoons.”

Speaking to this point, Nanny Qin’s smile became even more sincere: “Miss receiving such attention from the Old Madam is truly cause for congratulation.”

“This is all due to the Old Madam’s loving care and affection. I’m very grateful and will certainly study diligently, not disappointing her expectations. Please convey my gratitude to the Old Madam – when I have time, I’ll go kowtow and thank her personally.”

“Yes, this servant will certainly relay your words.” Nanny Qin bowed again.

Qin Yining exchanged pleasantries while seeing Nanny Qin off to the corridor.

Just as Nanny Qin’s foot hadn’t yet touched the ground stepping down from the platform, they saw Ji Xiang and Ruyi, the head maids from Cixiao Garden, leading maids and matrons carrying many items.

Nanny Qin was greatly surprised.

She had just come from Cixiao Garden – what instructions couldn’t the Old Madam have given all at once? What were these things for Qin Yining now?

Ji Xiang and Ruyi approached and bowed to Qin Yining.

Ji Xiang smiled: “This servant comes on the Old Madam’s orders. Just now Nanny Zhan said that though Cuizhu Pavilion is nice, it’s too lonely. Nanny Zhan genuinely likes Miss and specifically requested the Old Madam’s permission to stay at Xueli Courtyard. Both the Old Madam and First Madam have agreed – these are Nanny Zhan’s belongings.”

She gestured toward the bedding, pillows, and daily necessities behind them.

Sturdy matrons also came forward carrying two loads of items, which appeared to contain fabric, quilts, charcoal baskets, and such.

Ruyi smiled: “Fourth Miss, these are things the Old Madam specifically instructed us to bring you. The Old Madam says the weather has turned cold and you must dress warmly – absolutely must not catch cold or wind-sickness.”

Was this some kind of compensation for sharing her etiquette instructor?

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “Thank you, sisters. Please convey my gratitude to the Old Madam on my behalf.”