The next morning, Yuan Qi had to go out to set up his stall again.
Granny Wang was waiting at the entrance of Peony Residence early in the morning. This time, she was determined not to let the Seventh Miss escape. Yesterday, she had been scolded by the Fourth and Sixth Misses for letting the Seventh Miss run away; she was truly wronged.
She spoke arrogantly: "Seventh Miss, Madam said that you should first learn the rules. The first rule of this household is that you must get Madam's permission before going out."
Yuan Qi stood on the steps, looking down at Wang Mama, and could clearly see the fine lines on her face. Wang Mama was not yet fifty years old, with some white hair at her temples. She was not tall, but she had a strong voice and spoke like a cannon.
"Seventh Miss, we are a prominent family with rules. Even if Fourth Miss is to marry the Crown Prince and become his consort, she must still abide by the rules, and be a model of adherence to them. She cannot make the slightest mistake. If she does, she will not only lose face for the Jiang family, but also for the royal family."
Granny Wang argued vehemently, "Seventh Miss grew up in a Taoist temple and doesn't know the rules of the secular world. In a few days, the manor will hold a coming-of-age ceremony for Fourth Miss. The manor will be full of guests, and even the Crown Prince and several princes and princesses will be back. If Seventh Miss doesn't know the rules and embarrasses the Jiang family, then our entire Jiang family will lose face."
"There are only four days left until Fourth Miss's coming-of-age ceremony. Seventh Miss, please hurry up and learn the rules and etiquette so as not to embarrass yourself on the occasion. Seventh Miss, you don't intend to just stay out of the house and call it a day, do you? Let me tell you, that won't do..."
Granny Wang rattled off a whole bunch of grand principles, which Yuan Qi found utterly tiresome.
She didn't really understand the etiquette and rules of this little world, but learning them wasn't out of the question. She obediently agreed, "Okay, but I'll only learn for half a day."
Granny Wang wasn't buying Yuan Qi's act: "Seventh Miss, that won't do. You must learn until you've mastered it. Miss Qi, learning etiquette and understanding principles are the most basic things for dealing with people. You absolutely cannot find it troublesome. I will do my best to teach you until you've mastered it completely."
Yuan Qi readily agreed, then turned and went back into the house.
This obedient and compliant attitude made Granny Wang feel a little unreal. Afraid that Yuan Qi was playing a trick on her, she followed him into the room and told Green Bamboo and Red Fir to quickly close the door to prevent Yuan Qi from running out.
For some reason, Granny Wang felt that Yuan Qi was unusually energetic.
"Let's start with posture. Seventh Miss, as a lady of a prominent family, you must stand and sit properly. When sitting, keep your back straight, look straight ahead, and do not look around. Do not slouch or bend over. Seventh Miss is a lady of a prestigious family and a model for women of noble lineage. Whether you are in the mansion or outside, and whether or not someone is watching you, you must maintain an elegant posture."
"Correct posture not only makes one appear noble and elegant, but also benefits physical health, preventing bone deformities and diseases. When attending banquets, pay special attention to your posture. Whether sitting on a round stool, a grand chair, a daybed, or even kneeling, keep your upper body upright, and avoid raising your chin too high or lowering your head..."
She even gave a demonstration herself: "Look, this is how it is, Miss Seven. Have you learned it? Come, show me how it's done."
Yuan Qi admired Wang Mama's dedication and professional skills. She could say so much just from her sitting posture. Yuan Qi admired Wang Mama; she was so thoughtful.
Yuan Qi had learned rules in her previous two lives; in fact, she had learned quite a bit, though the rules of the past were slightly different from those of the present.
She memorized everything after Wang Mama demonstrated it once, and even gave Wang Mama a precise demonstration.
Wang Mama was sent by the Madam and was prepared to make things difficult for Yuan Qi today. If Yuan Qi made even the slightest mistake while learning the rules, she would make him repeat it a thousand times. She would feel sorry for the Madam if she didn't torture him half to death.
Although Yuan Qi is young, her movements are standard and precise, dignified, noble and elegant, with her back straight and shoulders open, exuding the air of a noble lady.
Even the notoriously picky Granny Wang couldn't find a fault with it. Back when the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Misses were learning manners, it took them seven days just to learn one sitting posture.
She strongly suspected that Yuan Qi had studied etiquette.
"Granny, is there anything you did wrong?"
Yuan Qi spoke in a calm and measured manner, without any haste or delay.
Granny Wang looked at it again and again, but couldn't find any fault with it.
"Seventh Miss is doing quite well. Now let's learn how to stand..."
The rules for standing were numerous, and Granny Wang gave many more points to note, leaving Yuan Qi in awe. However, these were all child's play for Yuan Qi.
Having cultivated for two lifetimes, her five senses were far superior to those of ordinary people, and her memory and learning abilities were several times that of ordinary people. After Wang Mama explained it once and demonstrated it once, Yuan Qi learned it all.
After learning how to stand, Yuanqi learned the rules of walking, eating, drinking, and answering elders' questions, all in one go.
Their learning speed is astonishing.
In just half a day, Yuan Qi learned the rules and etiquette that others would take three months to learn.
Wang Mama subconsciously felt that Yuan Qi learned quickly but also forgot quickly. After learning everything once, Wang Mama had Yuan Qi demonstrate it again from the beginning.
Yuan Qi made no mistakes, and Granny Wang was very reluctant to let him go.
Before leaving, Granny Wang instructed Yuan Qi to abide by these rules, as she would be checking them.
As soon as Granny Wang left, Yuan Qi collapsed onto the daybed and had Green Bamboo and Red Fir bring her tea.
Green Bamboo and Red Fir looked at each other, unsure whether Seventh Miss's formidable strength was a good thing or a bad thing. Her talent for learning must be top-tier in the manor, perhaps dozens of times smarter than the eldest young master.
After lunch, Yuan Qi went out as usual, without informing Xiangli Mingzhu.
As she passed by the flower hall, she saw officials from the Ministry of Rites explaining the most important part of the coming-of-age ceremony to Jiang Bailu.
Although the coming-of-age ceremony is a woman's rite of passage, it is very important for her. After the ceremony, a woman can get married and learn to manage a household. The coming-of-age ceremony is a threshold; passing it means that a woman has grown up and can get involved in many things.
However, the coming-of-age ceremony was also very tedious and cumbersome. Jiang Bailu found it very difficult to understand. The officials from the Ministry of Rites explained it no less than ten times and even demonstrated it themselves many times. They explained the meaning and precautions for changing the hair ornaments, such as that the head should not move at all and the hair ornaments should not sway in the slightest, as swaying was considered unlucky.
Jiang Bailu was thirsty and irritable: "Lord Song, you must be tired too. Shall we rest for a while before practicing again?"
Jiang Bailu was, after all, the future Crown Princess, and perhaps even the future Empress. The officials of the Ministry of Rites dared not offend her and had no choice but to agree.
When Yuan Qi saw Jiang Bailu looking over, he waved goodbye to her in a "friendly" manner.
"Stop right there!"
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