Consort Lin's face was adorned with a gentle smile. Despite having had no sleep the previous night, there was no trace of exhaustion, only a fragile beauty. If she were a man, the delicate Consort Lin would surely have stirred a sense of pity.
"Eldest Miss, do you think Madam can persuade wet nurse Sheng to return?"
"I don't know," Xiao Man replied slowly. "After all, Prince Qin is a man who never plays by the rules."
Consort Lin's heart stirred. "Could it be that Old Madam went out today to Prince Qin's manor?"
Xiao Man glanced at Consort Lin from the corner of her eye. Not too foolish.
Although Madam Yan held the title of Madam, she was no match for Prince Qin. Only Old Madam herself could persuade the wet nurse to return.
"It seems this matter is settled. Old Madam has personally intervened; it's a done deal."
Consort Lin was overjoyed. If it succeeded, she would definitely have the Fourth Miss learn as well!
Xiao Man and Consort Lin went to the upper courtyard together and saw Third Consort and Second Miss there as well.
Old Madam looked at Xiao Man, who had just completed her courtesies, and said, "Man'er, your grandmother went before Prince Qin and pleaded for wet nurse Sheng to be your governess. You must know wet nurse Sheng's background, right?"
"This granddaughter knows. Wet nurse Sheng is Prince Qin's wet nurse," Xiao Man replied obediently.
"That's good. Prince Qin has agreed to let wet nurse Sheng be your governess. However, His Highness Prince Qin also instructed that wet nurse Sheng must not suffer any grievances in the General's manor. Do you understand?"
"This granddaughter understands."
"If wet nurse Sheng needs to hit or punish you, you must accept it obediently. If you dare to do anything improper towards wet nurse Sheng, then don't blame your grandmother for not protecting you," Old Madam warned sternly.
"This granddaughter remembers."
"Old Madam," Third Consort finally found an opportunity to interject. "Wet nurse Sheng is quite famous in the capital. There are more than just the Eldest Miss in the manor who has come of age. Why not let Second Miss also learn alongside her?"
Old Madam looked at Second Miss, who was standing to the side, nervously twisting her handkerchief, and Consort Lin, whose face was filled with anticipation. She slightly lowered her eyebrows and pondered for a moment. "Very well. Since wet nurse Sheng has been invited, and her main purpose is to teach the eldest daughter etiquette and rules, it might as well be for Second Sister and Fourth Sister to learn together. This way, no one can say I play favorites."
"Thank you, Grandmother," Second Miss quickly said. Although she was benefiting from Xiao Man's good fortune, being able to learn was excellent.
The group left the upper courtyard with joyous hearts.
However, as soon as Third Consort exited the upper courtyard, she hurried to Xiao Man and said, "Eldest Miss, Second Miss will be learning with you. Eldest Miss won't be unhappy, will she?"
"No, it's wonderful to have a sister accompanying me. Moreover, this is something Grandmother agreed to," Xiao Man replied with a slight smile.
Third Consort glanced suspiciously at Xiao Man. Xiao Man's temper had indeed improved recently.
In the past, if anyone dared to speak to her like this, Xiao Man would have already resorted to her whip. This was also why Xiao Man was unpopular in the manor; she was too arrogant and overbearing, often beating and scolding the household members.
Third Consort watched Xiao Man's retreating back and approached Second Miss, asking, "Xiang'er, don't you think Eldest Miss is acting a bit strange?"
Xiao Xiang glanced at Xiao Man's back. "When has she ever acted normal?"
"That's true."
Third Consort thought carefully. Xiao Man had indeed never acted normal. Sometimes, even they couldn't fathom Xiao Man's temper.
However, Xiao Man's overbearing nature was deeply ingrained. Even if she pretended to be obedient before Old Madam these past two days, it was unlikely she could maintain it for long before her true colors showed.
After everyone left, Old Madam sighed with a worried expression.
"Is Old Madam worried that Second Miss and Fourth Miss won't be able to endure the hardship of learning?" Wet nurse Xu brewed a cup of ginseng tea for Old Madam and asked gently.
"It's not that I'm worried about those two. I just feel uneasy. Wet nurse Sheng's strictness is common knowledge. Eldest daughter has always been accustomed to being overbearing. A governess without status or background cannot control her. She herself understands this, which is why she didn't object to my decision. But when did Xiao Man become so obedient? She didn't utter a single word of dissent. This makes me feel uncertain."
"Eldest Miss is disobedient, and you're vexed. Eldest Miss is obedient, and you're also vexed. Old Madam, do you want Eldest Miss to be obedient or disobedient?"
"Naturally, I want her to be obedient. But she's just not the type of person to be obedient!" Old Madam said vexedly. "I'm afraid that she's only pretending to be well-behaved in front of me now, and will revert to her old self as soon as she meets wet nurse Sheng. If she treats wet nurse Sheng the way she treated that marriage broker..."
"Then Prince Qin might skin Eldest Miss alive," Wet nurse Xu chimed in. "I don't think Eldest Miss would do that."
"I'm still not at ease. How about this: tomorrow, you go to Shuiyue Xiaozhu and stand guard. If Xiao Man dares to act up, I authorize you to take action first and then report. Teach her a good lesson."
"Yes, Old Madam."
Wet nurse Sheng arrived at the Protector General's manor the next morning. Old Madam personally received her.
Although wet nurse Sheng was just a wet nurse, she represented Prince Qin. Even Old Madam had to show her some respect.
"Why don't you quickly pay your respects to wet nurse Sheng?" Old Madam said, looking at the three people standing beside her.
"Greetings, wet nurse Sheng."
Wet nurse Sheng's gaze swept over the young ladies before finally settling on Eldest Miss Xiao Man.
Prince Qin had instructed her to probe this Eldest Miss. Although she was puzzled by Prince Qin's request, having lived in the palace for many years, she had long cultivated the habit of not asking what she shouldn't ask and not saying what she shouldn't say.
"Wet nurse Sheng, I had originally intended for you to be the governess for the eldest daughter. However, the other two young ladies in the manor heard of your reputation and were very impressed. They begged me to allow them to receive some guidance from you. I agreed. I hope you will forgive me. Of course, the remuneration will be for three people," Old Madam quickly explained, not missing the glances wet nurse Sheng cast at the other two.
Wet nurse Sheng smiled. "Old Madam is too polite. It's just two more people. I can still manage. However, I have always been strict, and I fear the three young ladies may not be able to endure it."
"Wet nurse Sheng, please teach as you see fit. Whether it's hitting or punishing, it's up to you. I will have no complaints," Old Madam said, looking at the three standing by. "If any of you three cannot endure this hardship or cause trouble for wet nurse Sheng, don't blame me, your grandmother, for being heartless."
"Your granddaughter will certainly not disappoint Grandmother."
Old Madam then withdrew her gaze with satisfaction. "Since the primary purpose is to instruct the eldest daughter, wet nurse Sheng's resting place has been arranged in the Eldest Miss's courtyard. Perhaps Old Madam can have the Eldest Miss show wet nurse Sheng her resting place?"
"Thank you, Old Madam. My residence is not far from the Protector General's manor. I will not be staying in the manor and will return home to live each day. Please rest assured, Old Madam, I will not delay the studies of the three young ladies."
"In that case, I trouble wet nurse Sheng."