Granny Sun hadn't expected this either. The doctor she had secretly consulted had said that Xu's pregnancy was going very well: "Young lady, even for the sake of the child in your belly, you... you should at least have a little bit of food."
When Xu looked at the wild vegetable and mixed flour cornbread that Granny Sun brought out, she felt like vomiting. She had never eaten anything like this since she was a child. Even during times of war, she ate rice. Now that she was pregnant, she should eat more refined food. She never expected that the imperial physician would tell her to eat more coarse grains.
How could she possibly swallow this? Just the smell was unbearable for her.
In the main courtyard, Yan Qiyu was studying with his teacher, surnamed Chen, in the study. He had been specially invited by Yan Zhili.
Mr. Du had been serving as Yan Zhili's advisor for a long time. Originally, Yan Zhili wanted to recommend him to his elder brother so that he could get an official position, but Mr. Du refused. Therefore, Yan Zhili gave Mr. Du a lot of money. This time, Yan Zhili invited Mr. Du to teach his children. Mr. Du hesitated for a moment and said that he would teach for a few days first and see.
In the morning, Mr. Du taught Yan Qiyu separately, but in the afternoon, Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu attended class together.
Actually, the focus of the teaching in the morning and afternoon is different. In the morning, it is more about helping Yan Qiyu build a foundation, learning things like reading, writing poetry and essays. In the afternoon, Mr. Du often tells a story and then has them discuss it with each other.
Yan Shujin was also very busy. After practicing martial arts with her master in the morning, she would go to her mother's place to learn things from the aunt in the palace who was in charge of teaching etiquette.
Aunt Yu, who was sent by Chen Qiu to pick up Yan Shujin's family and secretly told her about the situation in the capital on the way, is now staying by Yan Shujin's side.
Yan Shujin didn't have anyone she could trust, so she entrusted all the affairs of the house to Aunt Yu. Aunt Yu was also very busy lately, not only overseeing the renovation of the courtyard, but also selecting suitable people to train a few close maids for Yan Shujin.
The tutors sent by Chen Qiu were not stupid. They had all witnessed the fall of the previous dynasty. Blood flowed like rivers in the palace back then, and it was not easy for them to survive. Even the most favored princess of the previous dynasty was now just a concubine.
However, they still looked down on him to some extent, after all, in their eyes, someone like Liu Qin was just lucky.
But who knows how long their good fortune will last? Countless men in the capital divorced their wives and remarried. After seeing the noble ladies, many men forgot about their wives and children.
Nowadays, there are many people in the capital who used to follow the Yan brothers, and the women who are in charge of their households are all former noblewomen.
With her looks, demeanor, and shrewdness, a noblewoman could easily win over those people if she lowered her pride.
"Aunt Fang, you're saying that's how people in the palace walk?" Yan Shujin looked at those tiny steps, and was shocked that it took them so long to cover such a short distance. "How long would it take to walk from here to the main gate?"
Aunt Fang said gently, "Because at that time, the palace valued tranquility. 'The way of a woman lies in her own opinion. Quietness, chastity, and gentleness are what the ancients admired. Gentleness, obedience, and respectfulness are essential for managing the household...'"
"So when they encounter trouble, they can't even run away. And if they really value propriety, righteousness, integrity, and the three obediences and four virtues, then what about the women in my father's courtyard, my uncle's palace, and even the women in the homes of those uncles and elders outside? Weren't they all supposed to be ladies from noble families back then?" Yan Shujin said solemnly, "My mother and I don't need to learn how to become those women from the previous dynasty."
Aunt Fang's expression froze, and she felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at Yan Shujin.
Yan Shujin asked, "I wonder if Aunt Fang understands what I mean? Neither Mother nor I need to become someone else. I've heard that the previous dynasty was extravagant and indulgent, with thousands upon thousands of people serving in the palace. I think we can find someone who understands me."
Aunt Fang quickly knelt down and said, "This servant understands, please give this servant another chance."
Yan Shujin felt that Aunt Fang probably hadn't heard about her hitting someone.
Liu Qin said softly, "It's good that Aunt Fang understands. Do you think there's anything my daughter and I need to change?"
Aunt Fang's attitude became much more respectful: "Two distinguished guests..."
Before speaking, Aunt Fang hesitated, wondering whether to go along with Liu Qin and Yan Shujin directly. She felt that if she did, they might really be sent back. Moreover, according to what Yan Shujin said, they needed to change, but not become like the women of the previous dynasty.
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