Sheng Xiyan has a cute smile, bright and refreshing.

Upon hearing this, Ma Ma was stunned and didn't quite understand what Sheng Xiyan meant.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "I remember when Ma Ma came, she seemed to have brought a ruler with her?"

Ma Ma said awkwardly, "Your servant, your servant..." She thought that she had gotten used to carrying it with her, and she had never thought of using the ruler on Sheng Xiyan. How could she have the courage to do that?

"Since it's something you carry with you, just take it with you." After Sheng Xiyan said this, she passed by her and walked straight forward.

Ma Ma hurried back to the house to get the ruler. No matter what, this was a chance to show off in front of Miss Shengda. If Miss Shengda looked at her favorably, she wouldn't have to worry about her future.

Anyway, the ruler is with her, and Miss Shengda will spank whomever she wants to spank, without any hesitation!

After leaving Sheng Mansion, the carriage headed straight to Anping Marquis Mansion without delay.

Only Mrs. Lou was here today. Seeing that Sheng Xiyan came without even bringing a invitation in advance, she couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong with this Miss Shengda?" Lady Lu complained to the nanny beside her, "She does things carelessly and without any rules. She comes to my house as soon as she says so. Even in Lingnan, we have never seen anyone act like this."

The nanny knew what she wanted to hear, and said with a smile, "Maybe Miss Shengda got the jade bracelet last time, and she thought that the lady was not in her right mind, so she came to take advantage of her again."

"That's right." Mrs. Lou sneered, "I don't know what's wrong with the old woman. She takes things so seriously on weekdays. If I dare to move, she will make a fuss for days."

Relying on the wealth of the Lingnan Palace, Marquis Anping did not care about the lady's private property, but Lu did care.

When Lou got married, the Marquis of Anping had not yet had an heir, and the family was still very poor. They were well matched, and she did not have much dowry. She had been envious of the jade bracelets, hairpins, and gold and silver jewelry of the Madam Tai for a long time, but whenever she wanted to take even one or two of them, the Madam Tai would make a scene. She usually kept silent for days, but now she banged on the door and threw things, making the argument so intense that beating her was useless.

This commotion is really outrageous.

When in Lingnan, Xue Chongzhi still had some prestige among the common people. Marquis Anping was afraid that any movement would be discovered, so he ordered her not to move and also warned her that he would divorce her if she dared to touch the lady's things again.

Only then did Mrs. Lou stop thinking about it.

Over the years, she always thought in her heart that when the old woman died, those things would be hers sooner or later. If she was still unwilling, she would beat the old woman up. Only then did she bear it with difficulty.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the old woman gave the jade bracelet she had been dreaming about to someone else.

How can this not annoy her? !

"Ms. Shengda is really resourceful. She can even coax a fool into submission." The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Her usually gentle face was filled with murderous intent. "This old woman has let me down for taking care of her for so many years. She is really heartless."

"Madam is kind-hearted," the nanny said, and then asked, "Do you want to bring Miss Shengda in?"

People are here, if we don't let them in, wouldn't that be disrespecting the Zhenbei Palace?

Mrs. Lou curled her lips and asked someone to come in.

After a while, Sheng Xiyan was led into the main courtyard. After they exchanged greetings, she smiled as she sat down and said, "Madam, I am sorry for coming here without sending a letter in advance."

Just as Lady Lou was about to make a veiled remark, Sheng Xiyan spoke up before her: "However, the princess often said that the Chu and Xue families were close friends, and they visited each other frequently in the past, so there was no need for a visitor card."

Lou: “…”

She has already said all these words, what else can I say?

She could only smile and say, "The princess is right. Miss Shengda, you don't need to send a letter when you come."

Sheng Xiyan maintained her calm demeanor and smiled faintly, saying, "Madam, you have just arrived in the capital, so you must be unfamiliar with the place. When I came the day before yesterday, you hadn't packed yet. You must have worked hard on this long journey."

Lu followed her words and said, "Yes, I'm afraid it will take a while to clean up." What she meant was that she was very busy, and if there was nothing else, Sheng Xiyan wouldn't have to come here so often in the future.

Sheng Xiyan pretended not to understand and continued with a smile, "That's what I said. Madam has a lot of things to do. Last time, you said that you were afraid that you would not be able to handle it, so you had to lock up the Madam. I thought so too. Otherwise, why would Madam lock up the Madam when she treated her so well?"

Sheng Xiyan kept talking about "locking up", and Lou's face became a little stiff. She always felt that there was something sharp in her words, but she was still smiling and speaking in a soft voice, as if she was just chatting with her casually.

"So, I thought that you, Madam, had been working really hard, so I went to the palace yesterday and asked the Queen Mother to find a nanny for you."

Lou was stunned for a moment, dumbfounded, not quite understanding what she was saying.

What does it mean to ask for a nanny for her?

Is that what it means literally?

Luo's head was buzzing and her eyes looked strange.

Before she could figure it out, Sheng Xiyan called out, "Mammy Ma."

A stern-looking, unsmiling nanny walked out from behind Sheng Xiyan and nodded slightly at Lou arrogantly: "Madam." This was considered a greeting.

Nanny Ma was the nanny beside the Empress Dowager and also an elder in the palace. Whenever she went out, any lady would politely call her "Mammy". Facing a marquis' wife, she didn't need to perform any formalities at all.

Lu looked at Madam Ma blankly. After a while, she smiled and asked, "Miss Shengda, what do you mean?"

"The Queen Mother specially asked Mother Ma to come here to help you." Sheng Xiyan said matter-of-factly, "You should be grateful to the Queen Mother."

Lou quickly sorted out her thoughts.

In other words, Sheng Xiyan asked for a nanny for herself?

It was an honor for the Queen Mother to bestow a nanny, but why was this person brought by Sheng Xiyan?

Ma Ma said expressionlessly, "Madam, this is my badge." She took out the badge for entering and exiting Cining Palace and showed it to her, "The Queen Mother asked me to come here." She was not afraid of lying at all.

Ma Ma straightened her back and raised her chin slightly, as if she was looking at people with the corner of her eyes. Even though she was facing a marquis's wife, she still looked arrogant, not at all humble like she was in front of Sheng Xiyan.

Lu couldn't help but shrink back a little.

In Lingnan, there were many respectable noblemen, and Lou was used to being high and mighty. But facing Ma's critical gaze, she couldn't help but wonder what she had done wrong.

For a moment, I didn't know what to do with my hands and feet.

"The Queen Mother said so." Sheng Xiyan said with a smile, "If you have anything to say, just tell Mammy Ma."

Lou said quickly, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."

This waist badge is real. Ma's overall demeanor and every move that seemed to be measured with a ruler are all obviously from the palace. Besides, no matter how bold Sheng Xiyan is, she wouldn't dare to falsely convey the Empress Dowager's words, right?

Are the rules in the capital so different from those in Lingnan?

Before she could figure it out, Sheng Xiyan said again: "Madam, I want to go see the Madam."

When Lu was about to say that the Madam was taking a nap, Sheng Xiyan said, "The Queen Mother is also very concerned about the Madam. Let me take a look at her for her."

Sheng Xiyan blatantly used the Queen Mother as a cover.

She was sure that Lou Shi would not be able to enter the palace for a while, and as for the future, Lou Shi was afraid that she would have no future...

The Anping Marquis's Mansion had just arrived in the capital, and they had no relatives serving in the court, so they really didn't know the current attitude of the palace towards the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, especially towards this Miss Sheng. Upon hearing this, they had no choice but to agree: "Miss Sheng, please follow me."

Lu led Sheng Xiyan to the lady's Rongfu Hall, where a heavy lock was still hung on the door.

Lou said a few words in embarrassment, such as "I'm worried that the lady will get lost," and asked someone to open the door.

In the main room, the old lady sat alone on the Luohan bed, isolated from the world. Her dull and dazed look made Sheng Xiyan feel sad.

This is not a matter of one or two days, or one or two years, but more than ten or twenty years.

"Madam." Sheng Xiyan hid the sadness in her eyes and walked over with a smile, "I came to see you. How are you feeling today?"

Sheng Xiyan winked at Mammy Ma, who shuddered and immediately understood. She said with a stern face, "Madam, is this the residence of your wife's wife?"

Lou's attention was diverted by her, and she quickly said, "Yes, yes."

"It's so unruly, so unruly." Mammy Ma said unhappily with a straight face, "For a lady of Madam Tai's rank, the layout of this courtyard is so unruly!"

"Madam, please follow me."

Mammy Ma gave orders as a matter of course. Ruo was frightened by her and followed her out naturally. Mammy Ma pointed at the pine trees in the yard and asked, "How can you plant withered pine trees in the lady's yard, and..."

Ma Ma pointed and waved her hands towards the yard, expressing all kinds of disgust, and she almost hit Lu Ma in the face.

Lou was a little confused by the scolding and could only smile continuously.

Mammy Ma said unhappily, "Madam, please call everyone in the courtyard over here. The rules of this mansion are the worst I have ever seen in my life. Your mansion must be laughed at if anyone sees it."

She called herself a servant and showed no regard for Lou at all. She easily suppressed Lou with her words and actions. Lou nodded and quickly asked someone to call everyone in the yard.

She was extremely panicked.

When she was in Lingnan, she could plant whatever she wanted in the yard, there were no so many regulations.

Is it possible that pine trees cannot be planted?

For a moment, she didn't care about anything else and left Sheng Xiyan alone in the main room.

Sheng Xiyan closed the door. She looked at the Madam, softened her voice, and smiled lightly, "Madam, I am Chu Wu's daughter-in-law. Do you remember me?"

"Can I check your head?"

She didn't need to say anything more, Xigui obediently retreated to the door and stood guard.

After Sheng Xiyan walked over, she half-knelt on one knee on the Luohan bed, with her hands on the back of the lady's head.

The lady did not move or struggle.

According to Sheng Xiyan's estimation, the lady's injury was at least ten years old, and the surface wound must have healed long ago. It cannot be seen with the naked eye and can only be seen with the hands.

She slowed down her movements, using her thumb to press gently, inch by inch, on the back of her head.

She suddenly paused and murmured to herself, "It's here."

There was a depression under her fingers, and when she pressed it, it felt much softer than the surrounding brain shell.

Her judgment was correct. The lady had suffered a blow to the back of her head, which caused blood congestion and made her look unclear.

In this case, the acupuncture points can be slightly changed.

The acupuncture points Sheng Xiyan had found last time were intended to stimulate the lady's brief consciousness, but now, they could focus on clearing the blood stasis.

As long as the blood stasis can be cleared, there is still a chance of recovery.

But the chance is slim.

"Xi Gui, you watch carefully." Sheng Xiyan whispered, then knelt down on the Arhat bed, took out the silver needle from the needle bag, quickly inserted it into the Tianling, and twisted it carefully for a few breaths.

She was concentrating and no longer paying attention to what was happening outside.

This set of acupuncture techniques still only has seven stitches. Sheng Xiyan did not insert the needle as quickly as before, but rather slowly and even her breathing became extremely slow.

After the last needle was inserted, Sheng Xiyan let out a long breath. She was obviously a little tired after concentrating for a long time.

She glanced in Xigui's direction, and Xigui nodded to her to indicate that everything was fine, then turned his attention back to the lady.

"Madam," Sheng Xiyan said softly, "The things in the jade bracelet have been taken out, don't worry."

"I'll have to ask you to stay here for a few more days."

"Achen and... and he won't waste your efforts."

She changed her needlework, so she didn't know whether the lady was awake or confused now. However, with the lady's willpower, Sheng Xiyan was still somewhat confident that she could hear what she said.

The lady exerted force with her fingers, and the nail of her thumb lightly scratched the back of Sheng Xiyan's hand. The force was so light that if Sheng Xiyan had not been concentrating enough, she might have ignored it.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and squeezed her slightly cold hand.

"Girl." Xigui reminded gently.

The time was almost up, Sheng Xiyan took off the silver needles on Madam Tai's body and head, and said with a smile: "Madam Tai, please give me this jade hairpin."

The lady moved her little finger, and Sheng Xiyan took off her jade hairpin and said softly, "I'll keep it for you first and return it to you in a few days."

She had just put the jade hairpin on her hair when Lady Lou came in. In just a moment, Lady Lou's whole face became listless. She looked at Sheng Xiyan and forced a smile, saying, "Miss Sheng, you..."

Before she finished speaking, her eyes fell on the jade hairpin in Sheng Xiyan's hair. She was very familiar with the style of this jade hairpin. It was clearly the one that the lady had always worn.

Sheng Xiyan smiled at her shyly, adjusted the jade hairpin, and said, "It was given by the Madam. Madam, this is really too expensive. I am a little embarrassed..."

Lou: “…”

Lou's heart was filled with anger, and she couldn't help wanting to curse. What on earth was wrong with this young lady? She really came here today to take the lady's jewelry, right?

Lou was furious, and her smile became even more forced: "Grandmother, this is because she likes you, Miss Shengda."

Sheng Xiyan smiled shyly and never mentioned returning the jade hairpin again.

Lou: “…”

Previously, the Marquis was always worried about the fact that the old woman gave the jade bracelet to Miss Shengda, and suspected that the old woman was pretending to be crazy. Now it seems that the Marquis was indeed too suspicious.

It's either a jade bracelet or a jade hairpin. She comes here time and again just to coax the old woman to add some makeup to her!

"Madam, it's getting late. I'll take my leave now. I'll come back to visit you in a few days."

Lou: “…” Still coming???

Sheng Xiyan brushed her sleeves and smiled softly, "Madam Ma, I'll leave it to you."

Mrs. Lou was shocked. This, this means we have to keep Ma Ma here?

Just now, that Mammy bossed her around and beat her so hard that she couldn't even lift her face.

Sheng Xiyan said with a smile: "Madam, if you don't need it, just return it to the Queen Mother."

Mrs. Lou: “…” How dare she!

Lou agreed awkwardly and sent her out.

Finally gone!

Lou rubbed her forehead. Whenever she saw this grand lady, her forehead started to throb. If this continued, she would have a stroke sooner or later.

Just as she was about to sit down and take a rest, Mammy said sternly, "Madam, stand up."

Lou was startled and looked over subconsciously.

Ma Ma snorted coldly and said with a fake smile: "Madam, I heard that your family is just a small family in Lingnan, right? Your family background is not good enough in the capital."

Lou's face suddenly turned red.

Indeed, her family background is the pain in her heart.

Her family was in decline, and there was nothing she could do. It was fine in Lingnan, but after coming to the capital, she saw that everyone there was a nobleman or a lady from a prominent family. Their demeanor made her feel uneasy even when she looked at them from a distance.

Ma's words easily touched the most inferior corner of Lu's heart, and she stood up subconsciously.

But even such obedience did not earn Mammy Ma a satisfied nod. Mammy Ma looked her up and down with a critical eye and said, "Madam, the way you stand is not okay."

She had a ruler in her hand and without hesitation, she hit Lu's back with it.

This ruler was specially used in the palace and was made of fine iron. When it was driven one ruler down, it hurt so much that Lou almost couldn't stand still.

"Mammy!"

Lou gritted her teeth and was about to scold her, but Nanny Ma said first: "Madam, in a few days it will be the first day of the new year, and you will go to the palace to pay respects. Look at yourself, you can't even stand properly. When the time comes, don't blame me for not reminding you, you may not even be qualified to greet the Queen Mother."

Ma Ma sneered, "Your family background is already bad. If you can't even follow the rules, who would dare to socialize with you? Who would be willing to socialize with you? You will be laughed at by others."

That makes a lot of sense. Lady Lou has been in the capital for a few days now, but she has barely received a response to her messages, let alone going to the palace to pay respects to the empress dowager. Her father told her that the emperor was planning to give his son a future, so their family would have to stay in the capital for a long time.

Lou had almost imagined the scene of herself being ostracized by those noble ladies. Her straight back bent unconsciously, and her expression was filled with listlessness and uneasiness.

She couldn't help but doubt herself.

Is she that bad?

Ma Ma is the palace's education nanny, who is specifically responsible for disciplining those disobedient concubines and palace maids. If she wants someone to be obedient, she must first strike at her self-esteem, break her pride, and make her feel inferior and self-deprecating before she can be obedient.

Nanny Ma didn't understand why Sheng Xiyan kept her here. She only knew that Sheng Xiyan wanted her to teach this marquis' wife a lesson.

Of course she had to get the job done!

"If you understand, just stretch out your hand," said Mammy sternly.

Lou subconsciously stretched out her hands, palms facing upward, and then, a ruler came down on her fiercely.

With a "pop" sound.

Lou shivered in pain.

This is what it feels like to be hit with a ruler. When she hit the old woman with the ruler, the old woman didn't even make a sound. How could it be so painful?

"Snap" again.

Lou screamed in surprise.

Seeing that she wanted to retract her hand after feeling the pain, Ma Ma said quickly: "Madam, look at you, you have a poor family background, and you are plain-looking. Now you can't even learn the rules. What else can you rely on? You are just a marquis' wife. What do you count for in the capital?!"

Lou's body froze, and she dared not retract her hand.

Mammy Ma said slowly, "I teach you the rules for your own good. Madam, don't you agree?"

Nanny Ma had a smile on her face, as if she was worried about Lu.

Lou was a little unsure and said hesitantly, "Is it, is it?"

"It seems that Madam still doesn't know what's wrong."

Another blow from the ruler came down, and Lou shrank her neck in pain.

After all ten strokes of the cane were completed, Mammy said calmly, "Madam, please stand like this. I will teach you how to sit, lie down, and walk."

These ten rulers were a killing stick. When Lou received these rulers, her confidence as the marquis' wife was instantly destroyed.

She stood there obediently, not daring to move unless Mammy Ma told her to, her eyes full of inferiority and self-blame.

By the time Anping Hou returned, Lou's legs were almost stiff from standing.

Nanny Ma finally let her go and allowed her to rest.

Mrs. Lou politely asked someone to take Ma Ma away, and her respectful attitude was as if she was facing not a slave but a respected elder.

After Nanny Ma left, Lou became completely paralyzed. She leaned on Marquis Anping's shoulder and told him what had happened while crying.

If you ask me about the strangeness, Marquis Anping also thinks it is quite strange. Even if the empress dowager wants to give away a nanny, she can just give her the gift herself and pass on the message. Why would she let Miss Shengda bring her?

Anping Hou suspected that Sheng Xiyan was deliberately trying to embarrass Lou, so he asked Lou to deliver a sign to the palace.

However, what does the Anping Marquis Mansion count for in such a huge capital city?

Whether it was Lady Lou or Marquis Anping himself who submitted the plaques, there was no response at all, like a drop in the ocean.

After waiting for a day, the Marquis of Anping finally spent a lot of money to bribe a palace eunuch. He asked humbly, and the eunuch looked at him sideways and said condescendingly: "Ms. Shengda is kind-hearted. Seeing that you have just arrived in the capital and don't know the ways of the people, she specially asked the Queen Mother to send a nanny to your mansion. What's the matter? Do you think the Queen Mother is meddling in your affairs?"

How could Anping Hou dare to accuse the Queen Mother of meddling in other people's affairs? When he learned that it was really given by the Queen Mother, the suspicion in his heart finally disappeared. After returning home, he reminded Lady Lou to listen carefully to Madam Ma.

The light in Lou's eyes dimmed completely.

She had been learning the rules from Nanny Ma for two days, from morning to night, without any rest. She had originally wanted to go and vent her anger on the Madam, but Nanny Ma was staring at her and she had no time to spare.

When Sheng Xiyan came again, she saw that she had obviously lost weight and looked listless. She didn't even bother with Sheng Xiyan's suggestion to go see the lady, and was kept back by Madam Ma so she didn't have time to go with her.

Sheng Xiyan was deeply touched by Lu's thoughtfulness, and when she left, she left Nanny Xu with Lu.

Lou: “…”

She was sad and wanted to cry, but Nanny Ma said that even crying has its rules and one cannot cry randomly.

Sheng Xiyan left happily. She planned to come to see the lady every other day and then use acupuncture to slowly recuperate.

With two maids around, Mrs. Lou certainly won't have the time or opportunity to bully the lady anymore. So let's leave it like this for now. As for the rest, we'll have to wait for Chu Yuanchen.

She had made an appointment with Cheng Chuyu, so instead of going home, she went straight to Huashang Street.

Cheng Chuyu was already waiting for her in front of the bookstore. When she saw her, she immediately came over with great interest and said, "Sister Yan, have you heard that Zhao Yuanrou and Zhou Jingxun eloped?"