In the main hall of Xueli Courtyard, Nanny Zhan watched as a stick of incense burned to completion, then nodded with a smile: “Miss truly is worthy of being Prime Minister Qin’s legitimate daughter – indeed clever beyond compare and quick to grasp the essence. You’ve learned this standing posture extremely well! You must be quite tired by now, why don’t you rest a moment?”

“Thank you, Nanny Zhan.” Though Qin Yining agreed, her dignified posture didn’t shift an inch – only her expression relaxed somewhat.

Seeing her this way, Nanny Zhan liked her even more.

“Miss learns and applies knowledge immediately – you possess exceptional spiritual aptitude. Though everyone understands these rules and etiquette, not everyone can perform them beautifully. What you must do going forward is make these new habits penetrate deep into your bones, letting every bone and every piece of flesh in your body possess new memories. Only then can you achieve the bearing of one who remains composed in the face of change.”

“Nanny Zhan speaks truly.” Qin Yining deeply agreed and nodded earnestly.

“In the future, every movement of Miss – whether sitting, reclining, or walking – every gesture and smile, this servant will carefully explain to Miss, helping you understand what kind of feelings each of your actions and expressions will convey to others.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining blinked thoughtfully.

Seeing her expression, Nanny Zhan couldn’t help but instruct: “You are a grown young lady now. Some things this servant needn’t say for you to understand – a noble lady of your breeding has her entire future resting upon the path of marriage. Moreover, as a precious daughter from such an illustrious family background, your future in-laws will certainly not be of weak standing.

“As a woman, to earn the affection of your husband’s family, domestic management, needlework, character, and talents are all important. But in the life of a great household, interactions with people are inevitable. Naturally, filial piety toward elders and harmony with sisters-in-law are most crucial. Being able to accurately control your every movement during social interactions, precisely expressing various meanings, and analyzing people’s moods and psychology from their subtle gestures – though not everyone can master such skills, Miss should attempt to understand them.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining looked at Nanny Zhan with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.

This was the first time since Qin Yining returned to the mansion that someone had laid out her predetermined future before her. Yet the person being so candid with her was not her mother, grandmother, or any female elder, but rather an etiquette instructor.

She knew that Nanny Zhan had only come to teach rules – there were many things she needn’t say.

Such extraordinary care filled her with deep gratitude.

When Nanny Zhan met Qin Yining’s pair of large, expressive eyes that seemed capable of speech, her heart filled with affection. She smiled and said: “Just like Miss’s current expression – this servant can clearly see your joy and gratitude. What I just described is precisely this meaning – being able to use body language yourself while also reading others’ body language. Mastering these skills will bring Miss much convenience in your future husband’s household. You may not have systematized these concepts, yet you’re already unconsciously using them. Moreover, this servant has felt your goodwill.”

Qin Yining’s face showed a slight blush as she nodded: “I understand.”

Nanny Zhan continued: “Rules and etiquette are actually two separate concepts. Rules are a type of regulation – making mistakes might invite mockery, or worse, bring deadly consequences. Etiquette, however, is the ability to make others feel as refreshed as a spring breeze during interactions.”

“This manifests not only through physical bearing, but also through one’s speech, tone, dress, color coordination, and so forth. During this period, this servant will also explain clothing combinations to Miss. For instance, what feelings different color pairings evoke, or what jewelry should match which garments. This way, when Miss encounters strangers in the future, you’ll first form impressions of them based on their preferred attire.”

“So the people I observe might deliberately dress and behave in certain ways – perhaps to mislead others, or perhaps to enhance others’ particular impressions, intentionally presenting themselves for me to see?”

Nanny Zhan’s smile deepened: “Miss is astute.”

“No, it’s because of Nanny’s caring guidance. I grew up in rural wilderness and had no exposure to these matters. I imagine no one would have analyzed these things for me in such detail. Your few pointers have benefited me immensely and will be of tremendous help to my future.” Qin Yining gratefully bowed: “I must trouble Nanny much more in the days ahead.”

Stepping aside to avoid her bow, Nanny Zhan returned the courtesy with a deep bow of her own.

Though she had come under the Empress’s decree and had no choice in the matter, after an afternoon of contact, she genuinely liked and respected the young lady before her, finding her candid and endearing without any affectation.

Having served in the palace for many years, Nanny Zhan had seen women of all kinds. Beautiful ones were plentiful, clever ones not rare, but one who clicked with her like Qin Yining was the first.

Interacting with Qin Yining, she felt neither that the girl was excessively polite and fawning (losing the dignity befitting a Prime Minister’s daughter), nor that she was arrogantly self-important in a way that would be annoying and make one reluctant to speak. She could maintain their relationship at a comfortable distance that made even someone as experienced in human nature as Nanny Zhan want to share more of her knowledge.

“The time is about right for today. Miss surely has other matters to attend to, so this servant will take her leave now.” Nanny Zhan smiled as she rose.

Qin Yining quickly said: “Nanny has worked hard all afternoon. I’ve already ordered an evening meal prepared. Please stay so we can dine together – would that be acceptable?”

“Miss’s gracious invitation fills this servant with gratitude. However, you are the Prime Minister’s precious jewel with noble status, while this servant dare not presume. Your kind intention is appreciated, but I must respectfully decline.” Nanny Zhan smiled as she politely refused.

Qin Yining shook her head with a smile: “You are now my etiquette instructor, which makes you my teacher as well. For a disciple to share a meal with her teacher – if anything, the disciple would be overstepping boundaries! Please don’t be so formal.”

These words were so perfectly appropriate that Nanny Zhan had no way to refuse. She also wished to grow closer to Qin Yining, so she graciously thanked her and stayed.

The meal wasn’t an elaborate banquet, though Qin Yining had specifically instructed Nanny Zhu to go to the kitchen and spend some silver to add dishes. Four meat and four vegetable dishes plus a soup – since Nanny Zhu’s daughter-in-law worked in the kitchen, the preparation was more careful than usual meals, and the taste went without saying.

Throughout the meal, though they observed the rule of silence while eating, both felt their relationship had grown closer.

After the meal and tea, Nanny Zhan bid farewell again. Qin Yining instructed Rui Lan and Qiu Lu to escort Nanny Zhan back to the guest courtyard to rest, and had Qiu Lu remain at the guest courtyard for personal attendance, ensuring no neglect whatsoever.

Actually, when the mansion heard that an etiquette instructor had come from the palace, they initially paid little attention and had arranged for Nanny Zhan to stay in the west wing of Xueli Courtyard.

It was only after Qin Yining instructed Rui Lan in the afternoon to visit Xinning Garden to see Nanny Jin, explaining that this Zhan lady had come under the Empress’s personal decree, that Sun Shi immediately took the matter seriously. She specifically consulted with the Old Madam before arranging the guest courtyard.

After Rui Lan escorted Nanny Zhan and returned to Xueli Courtyard, Qin Yining was already having Nanny Zhu arrange brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone to continue copying the Classic of Filial Piety.

“Miss.” After bowing, Rui Lan took over Nanny Zhu’s position and smiled: “Everything has been arranged properly. Nanny Jin prepared Cuizhu Pavilion on the east side adjacent to the bamboo grove for Nanny Zhan – quite an elegant residence.”

Qin Yining didn’t lift her head, her brush flying across the paper: “I see.”

The mansion’s people acted too carelessly. Though it would naturally be good for Nanny Zhan to live in the same courtyard as her, any negligence toward this particular individual might offend those above and create future troubles.

Rui Lan thought of the courtyard that was incomparably more refined than Xueli Courtyard, then looked at her miss’s lovely profile, and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Looking at her own chicken-scratch handwriting on the paper, Qin Yining also wanted to sigh.

She was certain that when the Old Madam saw her copied Classic of Filial Piety, she would definitely find it detestable, perhaps even become furious and accuse her of perfunctory effort.

She had tried to write properly, but her handwriting was simply too ugly. Now she had given up.

Practicing calligraphy wasn’t accomplished in a day or night, yet the deadline for submission wouldn’t wait.

She absolutely had to think of a way to pass this test…

In the warm chamber of Cixiao Garden.

“You’re saying the instructor who came to teach Qin Yining etiquette was personally dispatched by the Empress’s decree?”

Qin Huining paused in her face-mask application while looking in the mirror: “How could such an exalted personage as the Empress think to arrange an instructor for that wild wench Qin Yining? It must be Father!”

Nanny Cai sighed: “It must surely be so.”

“Father has never shown me such concern before…” Qin Huining felt momentarily dejected, then her eyes turned cold and sharp: “What sort of person is this instructor?”

“I heard she once served Grand Consort Xuanyi and Imperial Noble Consort Lu Ming, then later went to Zhongcui Palace, specializing in selecting and training palace ladies during imperial beauty selections.”

“Such prestigious background!” Qin Huining pursed her lips while gazing at herself in the mirror, gradually becoming lost in thought.

She knew that with her current unclear origins, though she could still compete equally with Qin Yining in status, she relied on fourteen years of accumulated standing in the Prime Minister’s mansion.

What if someday Qin Yining surpassed her?

Even now, their parents and the Old Madam were already showing favoritism toward their blood daughter.

Though she could triumph over Qin Yining in poetry and literature, she had to admit that in terms of beauty, she wasn’t born with Qin Yining’s rich, captivating allure.

Though she might dismiss it verbally, saying “marry wives for virtue, take concubines for beauty” – that such fox-like seduction might not please future in-laws – what man didn’t appreciate beautiful features?

She had already been displaced from the legitimate daughter’s position, making future marriage prospects difficult. If she let Qin Yining have such an excellent etiquette instructor who could prove her rules and manners were flawless, wouldn’t that give her yet another advantage?

No, absolutely not! She couldn’t let things develop this way!

Qin Huining suddenly stood up, her hands gripping her skirt gradually tightening until her fingertips went white.

After a moment, she gradually relaxed, and Qin Huining’s eyes began to show a confident, scheming smile.

“Wet nurse, go see whether Grandmother has had her tea yet. I should go attend to Grandmother’s foot-washing.”

Nanny Cai acknowledged the order.

Soon after, Qin Huining appeared in the Old Madam’s room, personally serving the Old Madam’s foot-washing with her swollen face showing dutiful obedience, then personally lit a pot of tobacco for the Old Madam.

During casual conversation, she mentioned offhandedly: “…Nanny Zhan has such impressive credentials. If all the sisters in the mansion could study together, it would benefit our family’s young ladies… Second Uncle and Third Uncle’s families, if they knew our family’s girls could all benefit together, would surely be grateful to Father.”

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam fell into deep contemplation.