Chapter 476 The Palace Maid Wants to Retire (2)

After leaving the palace, Wen Shichu had no plans to return to his hometown to marry his cousin.

The original owner was already 25 years old, and her cousin would only be older than her. Men of this era would have been married and had children by the age of 25, and would have become grandfathers in a few years. It was impossible for them to still be waiting for the original owner, not knowing whether she could leave the palace smoothly.

Only the original owner, who was so naive and simple, would think that her cousin was still waiting for her wholeheartedly.

The original owner's parents and brothers were still alive, but these family members were not reliable. Before the original owner entered the palace, she was almost sold to a brothel by her parents. In order to earn more money for her brother's education, the original owner's mother even cried and asked her to understand the family's difficulties and not to blame her parents and brothers, saying that this was her fate, and when her brother became successful in the future, he would definitely redeem her and treat her well...

Fortunately, although the original owner was a little naive, she was not completely stupid after all, and it happened that it was time for the palace to select palace maids, so she disobeyed her parents for the only time and secretly signed up for the palace selection, and was luckily selected.

The original owner felt guilty towards her family because of this disobedience. After entering the palace, she honestly saved all her salary and sent it back to her parents for household expenses.

But when Shi Chu came, she was not the soft-hearted and kind-hearted original owner. She would not recognize those heartless family members.

She had no plans to return to her hometown, so she settled down in the capital. After all, she was a female official in the Queen's palace before she retired. With this title, she could also work as an etiquette teacher in wealthy families and teach those rich ladies the rules and manners.

Of course, if she didn't work as an etiquette teacher, she could find something else to do so she wouldn't starve to death.

Wen Shichu found an agent and bought a small house with two entrances. Although the house was small, the environment was very good. Most of the people living around it were minor officials of the fifth or sixth rank, and some were wealthy businessmen. Therefore, the security was very good and there were no troubles. It was very suitable for a single woman like Wen Shichu to live in.

People from noble families all have very keen senses. Wen Shichu had only lived in Guihua Hutong for half a month when the housekeeper of a duke's family came to ask her to teach the rules and etiquette to the young ladies in the mansion.

She came from the Queen's palace. Although she had retired, the title of Queen was still useful. Therefore, those who came to invite her treated her with respect and did not show any contempt or disdain towards her.

Among these families, Wen Shichu chose Wuyang Hou, whose family tradition was relatively well-reputed. Wuyang Hou's family was prosperous, with four or five girls, and Wuyang Hou was the most generous, so Wen Shichu decided to go to his house.

"Aunt Wen, I'm leaving these girls in my family in your care. Please be sure to teach them the rules and etiquette. If they do anything wrong, punish them. We won't interfere with you." The old lady of Wuyang Hou said to Wen Shichu kindly.

"Please rest assured, old lady. Since you trust me and hand them over to me, I will naturally teach them well and live up to your trust." Wen Shichu said.

Wen Shichu did not have much time for class. After all, the young ladies had to take other courses. Music, chess, calligraphy and painting were all compulsory courses for the ladies of noble families. In addition, there was needlework, which was also a very important course. Therefore, the etiquette class taught by Wen Shichu only took up one hour a day.

Wen Shichu was not a very strict teacher. The young ladies of the Wuyang Marquis' family were the oldest twelve years old and the youngest only eight years old. They were at the age of being the most innocent and lively, and loved to play and make noises. However, the rules and etiquette classes were courses that restrained them and restricted their nature, so they often could not persist for too long.

"Aunt Wen, can I take a break? I'm so tired just standing like this." Li Ming'an, the third daughter of Marquis Wuyang, asked Wen Shichu coquettishly.

Wen Shichu shook his head: "No, you haven't even been standing for half an incense stick of time, you can't stop."

"But, but I'm still young. My sisters are older than me, so they have to stand longer. I'm young, so I have to stand shorter!" Li Mingan said, blinking her beautiful big eyes.

"No matter how short it is, it can't be less than half an incense stick, right? Stop talking now. If you continue, I will make you stand for two incense sticks." Wen Shichu said without any mercy.

"That's right, third sister, don't try to cheat. I have been standing there for two incense sticks and I haven't said anything yet!" said the second lady Li Mingxiu with a pout.

"Second Miss, don't make such indecent movements!" Wen Shichu saw her pouting and couldn't help but remind her, "Also, straighten your chest and don't slouch your shoulders. This will make your posture bad and over time, your spine will become crooked."

When Li Mingxiu heard this, he immediately straightened his chest and dared not look around anymore.

Li Ming'an muttered with glee, "Serves her right!" Seeing Shichu staring at her indifferently, she immediately became serious and shut her mouth.

Among the three girls, the most well-behaved and sensible one is the eldest girl, Li Minghui. Although her two younger sisters would move around from time to time, or couldn't help talking and making some small movements, she seemed not to hear or see anything at all, and did not move at all. She would maintain whatever posture Wen Shichu asked her to maintain, and even if her little face turned red from exhaustion, she would grit her teeth and persevere.

Teachers all love obedient and sensible children, and Wen Shichu is no exception, so she praised Li Minghui: "The eldest lady is indeed worthy of being the eldest sister. She has the best manners, persists the longest, and can remain quiet. She is very much like an eldest sister."

When Li Minghui heard this, her face immediately turned red with shame, she felt both proud and shy, but she remained motionless, without affecting her standing posture at all.

Wen Shichu was very satisfied.

About half an hour later, the three girls finished today's etiquette class, and Wen Shichu went off work leisurely. Her job was really lucrative and leisurely, and it was simply the best choice of life for a palace maid after retirement.

As long as she doesn't get involved in the master's family affairs, she is the most comfortable and leisurely person.

Unfortunately, Wen Shichu ran into her least-worried student, Li Minghui, who seemed to be secretly having an affair with a poor student with a low academic record.

As mentioned before, the Wuyang Marquis' family is prosperous. This prosperity does not only refer to the Wuyang Marquis' branch, but also to other branches. With a large population, not everyone is rich and has no worries about food and clothing. Some are doing well like the Wuyang Marquis, and some are not doing so well, and are almost the same as ordinary farmers.

After all, Marquis Wuyang is the main branch. Whether for the sake of reputation or the long-term development of the family, the training of other children in the family is essential. Therefore, Marquis Wuyang set up a family school to take in children with talent for reading in the family and hired teachers to teach them in order to achieve long-term development of the family.

However, a large family has a large population and naturally many relatives. As the clan school has been running for a long time, gradually even the children of relatives have been accepted.

(End of this chapter)