“It’s alright,” Jiang Nuan pointed to the outer courtyard, “Just have them go and report the news.”
What if they don't know anyone?
Hearing this, Jiang Nuan smiled meaningfully, "Don't worry, if they couldn't even handle such a small matter, they wouldn't have been sent here."
She didn't know if these were people secretly watching her, but they must know everything about the Huang family.
“That’s true,” Xie said suddenly, “These are all people from the imperial court; they must be very capable.”
After hearing Jiang Nuan's explanation, Xie was completely relieved.
"What are we going to do?" Huang Lao Er asked, puzzled. "Are we just going to sit around drinking tea and chatting?"
“Of course not,” Jiang Nuan had already made up her mind. “The masters have been here for several days. Since we have some free time today, let’s learn etiquette first.”
"Us?" Huang Xiaosan asked tentatively, "Is Mother going too?"
"Yes, I'll watch the baby this afternoon, and you can take over with the breastfeeding."
Jiang Nuan had a premonition that she would have many opportunities to interact with people from all walks of life in the future.
Being lazy like this may make me feel comfortable, but it makes it difficult for me to integrate into other circles.
Therefore, it is essential to learn etiquette.
Whether or not bowing is required, it's always good to know proper etiquette.
At least, you won't be at a disadvantage from the very beginning when dealing with someone.
"My grandma wants to learn too?" Huang Lao Er exclaimed in surprise. "She's so old."
"Can't you learn just because you're old?" Old Huang scolded lightly. "Think before you speak in the future. Our grandma is the matriarch of the family. Think about the people at the door. Can she not learn? Even if she doesn't go out, she should still know a little bit."
“I understand,” Huang Lao Er nodded seriously. “I will definitely study hard.”
He didn't like these superficial things and originally wanted to just get by, but seeing his family's attitude, he started to take it seriously as well.
The etiquette for men and women is different. Hong Gu is skilled in managing the household and knows the various rules and etiquette for women, but she doesn't know much about the etiquette for men.
However, the contact between the students and the accountants was not extensive, and their understanding of the situation was not very clear.
Later, Jiang Nuan handed Huang Chuan and the others over to the team leader for instruction.
The leader's surname was Fang, and he was a commander of a thousand households.
Jiang Nuan felt that it was a waste of talent for such a person to guard her house, and at the same time, she fully realized the importance of Mei Yu and Qin Shi.
What she didn't know was that Ji Xuan sent Commander Fang to guard the area only to protect the Huang family.
Although Meiyu and Qin Shi are important, there is no need to make such a fuss.
Upon seeing this group of imposing people, Hong Gu immediately realized that the Huang family was no ordinary family. Since she already valued them, she did everything she could to demonstrate her worth.
When teaching, he was meticulous and attentive, spoke patiently and gently, and demonstrated the actions again and again without showing any impatience. Although it was a bit tedious, everyone learned very happily.
On the other hand, Huang Chuan's life wasn't so comfortable.
Fang Qianhu was born into a noble family and was well-versed in all kinds of etiquette. He was also strict and rigid, and if anyone did not do something correctly, he would lash them with a rattan cane to correct them.
Unfortunately, being a former member of the Imperial Guard, he was also an expert in torture, able to inflict pain without breaking bones, yet causing the victim to tremble all over.
"Brother Fang," Huang Laoda cried out after being beaten again for making a mistake, "be gentle, be gentle!"
“You won’t learn your lesson if you don’t feel pain,” Fang Qianhu said unmoved. “I’ve told you three times already that when you bow and greet someone, your left hand must be on top, but you always use your right hand.”
Huang Laoda: Can he say that he can't quite distinguish between left and right?
As if knowing what Boss Huang was thinking, Commander Fang's expression softened, "If you can't tell left from right, think about which hand you usually hold the knife with."
“Commander Fang,” Huang Lao Er explained on behalf of his elder brother, “My elder brother used to be left-handed, but he corrected it later, though he still uses both hands alternately.”
After understanding Huang Lao Er's meaning, Fang Qianhu said helplessly, "You guys practice according to what I just told you, and I'll help him get a feel for it."
"How do we find the feeling?" Huang Lao Er asked subconsciously.
I regretted it as soon as I said it.
Looking down at my slightly bluish arm, I knew without even guessing.
Being beaten is the most painful but also the most effective method. After a short while, Huang Chuan returned, not only able to distinguish between his left and right hands, but also rapidly improving his learning speed, showing a momentum of leaving others far behind.
After learning from her for an hour, Jiang Nuan waited for Hong Gu to finish speaking before slowly saying, "Master Hong, that's enough for this morning. It's time to cook. We'll continue this afternoon."
Hong Gu looked at the sky and immediately smiled apologetically, "It's my fault. I was only thinking about teaching quickly and didn't check the time. It really is time to cook. Even if we don't cook, the madam and young ladies should take a rest."
"You're too kind," Jiang Nuan asked with a smile. "Is there anything you'd like to eat, Master Hong? We can make it together today."
“I’m not picky about food,” Hong Gu was pleased to be valued by her master, even if it was just a polite gesture. “If I may be so bold as to say something that you might find offensive, I have never eaten better food in my entire life than at your residence. I always feel like I could swallow my tongue.”
What made her feel even more proud was that the food was prepared by the host family themselves.
In the past, when visiting wealthy families, not only were there fixed rules for meat and vegetables for each of the three meals, but we were also not allowed to eat from the same pot as the host.
Clear broth and water are fine, but sometimes it's even cold. Nothing compares to the comfort of the Huang family's food.
Thinking of this, Hong Gu suddenly remembered something, and her face turned pale.
She was originally a teacher of etiquette, so she naturally knew these taboos. However, for so many days, due to her hidden vanity and gluttony, she hadn't reminded her master of this matter.
I wonder if the host family will kick me out once they find out.
Immediately, I couldn't help but shrink back.
"Is Master Hong feeling unwell?" Jiang Nuan asked softly. "You must be tired after working for so long. Master, go back and rest first. I'll have someone bring you the food later."
“Madam Xie is so considerate,” Hong Gu said without trying to force herself. “I’ll go back and lie down for a while, so I won’t miss my afternoon class.”
"Your health is more important. Pushing these around for a while won't hurt."
"Madam Xie."
Hong Gu grew increasingly uneasy, quickly bowed, and hurried away.
"Mother, why is Master Hong acting so strangely all of a sudden?" Madam Xie scrutinized her back. "Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, don't you sense that she seems a little guilty?"
“I was very guilty,” Ms. Jin replied earnestly, “I was so anxious that I was sweating profusely.”
"Tell me," Xie said in a low voice, "did she do something to betray our family?"
“It can’t be that bad,” Wang shook her head. “Those masters have always lived in the front yard and have never entered the back yard. They have no chance to harm us.”
"But she's definitely not acting normally today."
“Don’t think so much,” Jiang Nuan interrupted her daughters-in-law’s discussion. “Just be more careful in your daily life. There are only five of them in the front yard. They don’t have to be afraid to do anything they want.”
Jiang Nuan had long noticed that the five teachers she had invited had formed their own little circle. They were unfamiliar with the Huang family, so it was normal for them to stick together for warmth. As long as it didn't affect the teaching, Jiang Nuan didn't care.
It seems we still need to be more careful.
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