Gu Nanjiao arranged for Yingniang to stay in a rented courtyard, where it was quiet. Every morning, the first thing Lu Xiaomei did was to study with Yingniang.

Yingniang realized that Lu Xiaomei was really not cut out for studying. She had been teaching her one word all day, but Lu Xiaomei still couldn't learn it, and Yingniang felt like crying.

When the topic turned to "Rules for Women" and "Instructions for Women," Lu Xiaomei threw the books aside and said nonchalantly, "Why learn them? It's a waste of time. I'd rather learn more characters."

Yingniang angrily complained to Gu Nanjiao: "The standard for a well-bred lady is, first of all, to be well-versed in 'Rules for Women' and 'Instructions for Women,' and secondly, to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Only in this way can she be a good wife and mother. Do you know what she said?"

Yingniang sighed: "She said it's a malignant tumor, and I'm poisoning it. Look at what she's saying!"

"Since ancient times, which woman hasn't adhered to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, and been careful in her words and deeds? It really makes me furious."

Gu Nanjiao quickly comforted Yingniang: "One should respect one's teacher and the way. She really shouldn't have spoken so directly. I will talk to her. But there's no need to teach 'Rules for Women' and 'Instructions for Women' anymore. I think they are just reins that bind women, restrict their thoughts, and turn a person into a puppet. Some of the dross should be removed."

Yingniang seemed not to understand: "Wh...what?"

"To put it simply, do these two books advocate that women should not leave the house? If Yingniangzi had stayed at home as the books say and had not gone out to find a livelihood, she probably would have had trouble even finding food and clothing. Since Yingniangzi is able to go out and become a teacher, it means that she is extremely opposed to the idea of ​​women staying at home and not leaving the house, so there is no need to tell my younger sister about it."

Yingniang nodded: "What you said makes some sense. I didn't say that my younger sister should abide by it, but she needs to know what the Rules for Women and the Instructions for Women are about. However, your younger sister is really not cut out to be a lady of a prominent family. Of the four arts, she only has some talent in painting."

Gu Nanjiao smiled and said, "Having one thing that's acceptable is fine. Everyone should have some talent. Unlike me, I don't even have a talent that I can be proud of. By the way, what about my little sister's painting? Let me see how it is."

Yingniang said, "I'll bring it to you tomorrow so you can see it!"

The next day, Lu Xiaomei skipped and hopped to Meiweizhai, followed by Yingniang, who was panting heavily.

"Lu Wanning, what did I teach you? A woman should walk with light, graceful steps, how come you run faster than a rabbit?"

Upon hearing Yingniang's words, Lu Xiaomei pouted and complained to Gu Nanjiao, "Sister-in-law, I have never offended you, so why did you hire such a pedantic female tutor for me?"

Lu's mother's eyes darkened slightly, and she scolded her younger sister angrily: "How dare you speak of the teacher like that? Don't you understand the importance of respecting teachers?" Lu's mother rarely spoke so harshly, which frightened Lu's younger sister so much that she dared not utter a word.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment, and Yingniang laughed awkwardly twice: "Haha, well, today I brought her painting to show you. I do have some talent for painting, ha-ha."

Lu Xiaomei quickly glanced at her mother's expression, and seeing that it had eased somewhat, she hurriedly handed the painting in her hand to Gu Nanjiao as if to take credit: "Sister-in-law, take a look, the teacher said my painting is quite good."

Hearing what Lu Xiaomei said, Gu Nanjiao and Lu's mother both became a little curious.

If my younger sister is very good at drawing and truly has that talent, then naturally we should focus on nurturing her skills.

After all, if Lu Yanzhao really passes the exam, he might go to the capital to become an official, and his whole family would definitely go with him.

In the capital, where ladies from prominent families abound, it's impossible to be without something presentable.

When they saw Lu Xiaomei's painting, Lu's mother and Gu Nanjiao were stunned!

Can this scribbles even be called art? And he even has talent for it?

Is Yingniang an abstract artist?

Gu Nanjiao looked at Yingniang with suspicion, wondering if Yingniang was truly competent.

Yingniang's heart skipped a beat when Gu Nanjiao looked at her. Lu Xiaomei's painting was indeed hard to look at; even a three-year-old child could paint better than her.

However, among the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, this painting skill definitely indicates talent.

Will Manager Gu think she's not up to the task and fire her?

Yingniang broke out in a cold sweat: "Manager Gu... I... I really taught her with all my heart, and she does have a talent for painting."

"It's alright, you taught well. Little sister's painting is very abstract! Keep it up!" Gu Nanjiao comforted her, then turned to Lu's mother and said, "Children need more encouragement. She's only been learning for a short time, and her painting is already very good. We can't discourage little sister's enthusiasm."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaomei's lips twitched, and she thought to herself, "I didn't draw an elephant! But I'm really happy that my sister-in-law praised me."

...

At lunchtime, Meiweizhai was as packed as ever.

Wang Fu walked in with his head held high, followed by four fierce-looking thugs, while Yang Meiqin followed closely behind with her head bowed.

Seeing the noisy lobby, Wang Fu frowned in disdain and asked Yang Meiqin, "You mean, this is the shop that Gu Nanjiao opened?"

"Yes, it was the white-robed gentleman with the jade fan who gave the money. The two have been secretly dating for a long time."

Upon hearing the words "Young Master in White," a glint of malice flashed in Wang Fu's eyes, which he made no attempt to conceal.

"Hmph, I knew she had no money to open such a big store. She's shameless."

Hearing Wang Fu's words, Yang Meiqin felt smug. Let them fight, if she doesn't have an easy time, Gu Nanjiao won't have an easy time either.

When Yang Meiqin was brought back to the Wang family, she thought that Madam Wang would harm her, but unfortunately she didn't.

Madam Wang was very shrewd; otherwise, Wang Dafu wouldn't have only had two children, Wang Fu and Wang Sang, all these years. The concubines who survived under Madam Wang's rule were all formidable individuals.

Wang Dafu had more than a dozen concubines in his backyard. People would often go to Hama Village to inquire about Yang Meiqin's past. What they found out was that she was a promiscuous widow who had been with every man in the village. She was especially known for her unborn child, whose father was still unknown.

The concubines, seizing upon Yang Meiqin's scandalous past in Hama Village, relentlessly exposed her indiscretions, including her alleged prostitution. Eventually, even Qiaohong betrayed her and became Wang Dafu's concubine.

For a moment, Yang Meiqin cried out to heaven and earth in vain. The baby in her womb, she didn't know who had tripped her, had simply fallen and miscarried.

Yang Meiqin gritted her teeth in hatred. How could the child who had been beaten by Li Shi and had not fallen even when he tripped and fell in front of Gu Nanjiao beheaded, be killed so easily when he was in the Wang family?

After losing her child, Wang Dafu abandoned her like trash. The people in the mansion treated her poorly, and Yang Meiqin couldn't even get a full meal. For a time, Yang Meiqin lived a life of unbearable suffering, worse off than even a servant.

It is unknown when Wang Fu thought of her, but he asked Cuiyu to find Yang Meiqin and ask her how to use the "Death Under the Flowers" perfume.

When Yang Meiqin heard Wang Fu angrily cursing Gu Nanjiao through gritted teeth, her eyes lit up.

Wang Fu actually had a grudge against Gu Nanjiao? She felt her chance had come.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

She pledged her loyalty to Wang Fu, promising to teach him how to win a man's heart. She assured him that if Wang Fu did as she said, he would not only gain Bai Gongzi's favor but also teach Gu Nanjiao a lesson.