Looking at Gu Qinlan, whom she had personally trained, she was even better than Gu Qinlan, and Princess Duan's satisfaction was evident.
"Very well, Granny Zhang, from now on I entrust my two unfilial daughters to you. You can teach them freely. If they are naughty and disobedient, punish them severely as you see fit."
The governess was different from the ordinary head governess; although she was a servant, she had the right to administer corporal punishment to the girls she was training. Of course, this punishment was only within appropriate limits, such as a light tap on the palm of the hand or other minor punishment.
Granny Zhang bowed slightly: "This old servant will do her utmost to teach the two young ladies and live up to the old lady's expectations."
Princess Duan was extremely satisfied to see that her words were sincere, without any obsequiousness, and full of confidence. "Someone, go and call the two young ladies here, and let them get to know Granny Zhang."
When the maidservant in Princess Duan's courtyard received the order, she hurriedly set off. Soon after, about fifteen minutes later, Zheng Huiyi and Zheng Huaiyu arrived at the scene together.
As soon as Zheng Huiyi stepped into the courtyard, she immediately rolled her eyes at Gu Qinlan with dissatisfaction. Although Zheng Huaiyu did not openly roll her eyes, her attitude was far from respectful.
After the two women paid their respects to Princess Duan, they gave Gu Qinlan a perfunctory response. Zheng Huiyi skipped this step entirely, her gaze clearly defiant as she stared at Gu Qinlan, as if writing the words: "What can you do to me?" on her face.
Gu Qinlan didn't care at all, and wouldn't even get angry over such a trivial matter.
On the contrary, Princess Duan blushed with embarrassment at her daughters' behavior.
"Outrageous! What kind of behavior is this! Quickly bow again!"
Zheng Huaiyu was clearly much smarter than Zheng Huiyi. Upon seeing that Princess Duan was angry, he immediately bowed to Gu Qinlan again, while pleading for forgiveness: "Mother, I was indeed preoccupied with my own thoughts and lost my composure just now. I did not mean to offend you. Please forgive me."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and said gently, "It's alright, but in the future, when you go out, you must not be careless in your etiquette, otherwise outsiders will mistakenly think that the Duan Prince's family is not strict in its discipline."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Huaiyu's face immediately darkened, but she could not lash out, so she could only swallow her anger and say, "Mother's teachings are absolutely right, and I will remember them."
Princess Duan's expression softened slightly, and she then turned to look at Zheng Huiyi.
Zheng Huiyi turned her head away, pretending not to see, and Princess Duan couldn't help but want to get angry. Gu Qinlan smiled and shook her head, indicating that she didn't need to be angry: "Mother, this is just a small matter, I don't care about it, it's not worth getting angry about."
Princess Duan was still annoyed, after all, her daughter's improper behavior had been seen by outsiders, which was really embarrassing.
Granny Zhang remained unusually calm, unmoved by Zheng Huiyi's rudeness, and simply said, "This young lady does indeed lack manners, and I'm afraid she will be quite difficult to teach."
Princess Duan was somewhat worried, fearing that Granny Zhang might quit, as an excellent governess was truly rare. She hurriedly said, "She has been spoiled by me since she was little, so I hope Granny Zhang will take good care of her."
Granny Zhang gave a slight bow and calmly replied, "Please rest assured, Madam."
Zheng Huiyi immediately understood the meaning and turned to glare angrily at Gu Qinlan: "Is this the nanny you hired?"
Gu Qinlan replied calmly, "This is my mother's arrangement."
The implication is that if you have grievances, take them out on your mother; don't target the wrong person.
The moment Zheng Huiyi's gaze fell upon Granny Zhang's face, she felt a stern aura wash over her. Immediately, she felt a surge of discontent and protested uncontrollably, "Mother, how could you be so decisive as to let Gu Qinlan find a governess for me? She already harbors resentment towards me, and the person she chooses will surely be extremely harsh on me. You must expel this governess immediately and replace her with someone else."
Princess Duan's face turned ashen upon seeing her daughter's unruly and unreasonable behavior. She angrily rebuked her, "Stop talking nonsense! I carefully selected Zhang Mama for you and Huixin. From today onwards, you will follow Zhang Mama to learn etiquette. Only when you have mastered etiquette can you step out of the mansion."
"How could this be, Mother? Are you trying to put us under house arrest?"
Zheng Huiyi was extremely anxious and stamped her feet repeatedly. "Mother, have you been bewitched by Gu Qinlan and failed to see her sinister intentions? You..."
"shut up!"
Princess Duan was furious. She slammed her hand on the table, making the cups and plates on it shake. "Look at yourself now! Where is the demeanor of a lady from a noble family? You are no different from a street ruffian!"
Zheng Huiyi retorted defiantly, "What's wrong with what I'm doing? Our Zheng family is a family of generals, why should we imitate those pretentious manners?"
When she mentioned the word "affected," her gaze deliberately swept over Gu Qinlan, as if to make everyone understand who she was referring to.
Gu Qinlan smiled gently, then stepped forward, grabbed Zheng Huiyi's arm tightly, twisted it sharply, and then easily lifted her whole body up, drawing an arc in the air before gently putting her down, and finally calmly returning to her original position.
Everyone who witnessed this scene paled, and Zheng Huiyi's face turned ashen.
Only Fuyu and Hongye are exceptions.
The two young maids proudly puffed out their chests.
When have their masters ever been pretentious? They're simply blind!
Gu Qinlan said calmly, "Since Miss Zheng claims to be from a military family, she must possess some extraordinary skills. Why not demonstrate one or two here for everyone's enjoyment?"
Zheng Huiyi turned pale and remained silent.
Gu Qinlan chuckled and continued, "You pride yourself on being unconventional and naturally magnanimous, so let us see how you can maintain the honor of the Duan Prince's Mansion even without learning etiquette."
"Besides your background, what else do you have to be proud of?"
"Could it be that 'talent' of yours that destroyed the century-old foundation of the Duan Prince's Mansion in just three short years?"
"You have no talent, yet you think highly of yourself and claim to be omnipotent. When you were at your parents' home, your relatives were tolerant and patient with you, but two years later, when you get married, will your husband's family treat you the same way? If you encounter a sister-in-law who is just as arrogant as you, what makes you think you can shut her up? Just because you're being unreasonable?"
At this point, she turned her head and sharply swept her gaze across Zheng Huaiyu: "These words also apply to you. A woman's learning of etiquette is not merely about following those rigid rules, but about understanding the wisdom and philosophy contained within them, mastering the art of interpersonal communication, and learning to weigh the pros and cons."
“The Prince Duan’s mansion may be able to protect you for a while, but the only thing that can ensure your lifelong well-being is your own wisdom and skill.”
"If you really have no intention of learning, I will send someone to send Granny Zhang back right now."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinlan summoned a servant to come in and prepare to send Granny Zhang away. Zheng Huaiyu blurted out eagerly, "Mother, I'm willing to learn."
Zheng Huiyi suddenly tugged at Zheng Huaiyu and said anxiously, "Huaiyu, how could you be so stupid? Didn't you see that she had ulterior motives? This old woman must have been hired by her to torment us."
They must unite to deal with Gu Qinlan's scheme.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
