Ordinary Gu poisons are administered by injecting the Gu into the human body to achieve their purpose.
Besides the Gu, Xiao Yuanhuai also had other poisons in his body, and it was these poisons that caused the Gu in his body to take effect.
This poison was introduced later; if he only had this Gu, he would have been bedridden for the rest of his life.
However, after being poisoned again, the Gu poison was activated and began to devour his body, causing him to almost die prematurely instead of living out his life with illness.
This shows that the person who used the poison did not want him to participate in the conflict, but someone was worried about him, so they poisoned him to make him die in the territory of Yan.
Ning Yao shook her head as she thought of Xiao Wu, who had been killed by Hua Yan that day.
"A royal struggle, truly deserving of its name!"
When they left the guesthouse, Liu Zi and the others had already arrived.
"Third Miss!"
Ning Yao nodded: "Master Li will continue to study those dishes today. It's hard on you two, running back and forth like this every day."
Li Dashan laughed heartily: "Miss, what are you saying? We feel fulfilled running around like this. Even if we don't earn wages, we feel at ease being busy. There's just one thing I don't quite understand."
"Oh? What is it?"
Li Dashan said, "I've studied those dishes quite thoroughly, and I've memorized the recipes. But I just don't have the ingredients to make them, so I don't know how well they'll turn out. If I had the ingredients, I could identify what's lacking and improve them as I research."
Ning Yao nodded: "What you said is a problem. I'll figure out the ingredients. You can take care of other things first."
"Third Miss, now that the rains have fallen, we can grow some vegetables in the fields. However, there are many vegetables in the recipes you gave me that I've never heard of. Do you think we could replace these unavailable ingredients?"
Ning Yao was very satisfied with Li Dashan. He learned things quickly, had a good memory, was quick-witted, had his own ideas, and could apply what he learned to other situations. He was especially good at cooking; he was a natural talent for it.
“Master Li, we’re not in a hurry. Shuiyunjian isn’t in a rush to open for business. I’ve heard of these ingredients in Beijing before, and I’ll find a way to get them.”
Hearing Ning Yao say this, Li Dashan stopped worrying. Since the family would find a solution, he only needed to do his job.
"Alright, I'll do as Miss says! Let's get back to work!"
"Go."
Li Dashan and his son Li Lang walked ahead, while Liu Zi lagged behind.
"Third Miss, Tingyun and the others have arrived and are in the front hall now."
Ning Yao nodded: "Okay, I understand. You can go ahead and get busy."
In the front hall, Tingyun and the others were waiting with their luggage.
"Fourth Sister, what does it mean that Third Miss asked us to bring our luggage?"
Tingyun shook her head: "I don't know either, maybe there are things to arrange."
Moon Butterfly said, "No matter what it is, we just need to listen carefully."
Qin Ya glanced at the door and saw Ning Yao's figure. She quickly said, "Don't say anything, the Third Miss is here."
Everyone quickly stood up, and Ning Yao led Zhi Lan into the hall.
"This servant greets the Third Miss!"
"Have you forgotten the rules we talked about last time? Get up first!" As she spoke, Ning Yao had already passed them and sat in the seat of honor.
"What rules did I mention last time? Does anyone remember?" Ning Yao's face was tense and her expression was displeased.
Seeing that Ning Yao was angry, Qin Ya quickly stepped forward and said, "The Third Miss said that we don't need to call ourselves servants, nor do we need to kneel before everyone. Although we come from a brothel, we are not registered as slaves. We only need to greet people properly."
Ning Yao nodded: "Since you remember, then don't make the same mistake again. I not only want to make money with Pinglan Tower, but I also want to make money in a superior way, so that they send money to me and beg me to accept it, instead of making you bow and scrape and smile like before, understand?"
Tingyun and the others were terrified and timidly replied, "We understand."
Ning Yao frowned, clearly dissatisfied with their behavior, and raised her voice to scold them, "Louder! I can't hear you!"
Their voices immediately became firm and resonant: "We understand!"
"Alright, get up and sit down."
After the group sat down, Ning Yao explained why she had called them over.
“You are all aware of my previous plans for Pinglan Tower. I called you here today to change you.”
“I have hired two etiquette instructors to teach you manners and etiquette for a month. You will eat here during this month, and I want to see you transformed after a month.”
"Zhilan, take them to the West Garden. They will eat, live, and be taught there for the rest of the month. Then go and inform the Madam that they have arrived and that I need to go out starting today."
Zhilan said, "This servant understands. Please follow me."
Tingyun and the other four bowed to Ning Yao and took their leave, then followed Zhilan away.
After settling the five people in, Zhilan went to Anyuan to inform Madam Ning.
Just then, Madam Ning was playing with her grandson.
"Everyone's here? Let's go take a look. Qiong'er, take your things."
"Your daughter knows, Mother."
Ning Qiong handed Ning Yiyi over to Zhihe and got up to follow Madam Ning.
The manor has two gardens, one in the east and one in the west, located in the training ground in the third courtyard.
The West Garden is quite large, more than enough to accommodate several people.
Tingyun and the others waited anxiously for the arrival of the etiquette master.
"Judging from what Miss San is saying, this lady of etiquette seems to be a madam?"
"Then isn't that the Third Miss's mother?"
"Don't make wild guesses. We'll just call you Master from now on."
After entering the West Garden, Lady Ning saw five women, each with their own unique charm. Although they had shed their gorgeous clothes and hairpins, their beauty was still undeniable.
No wonder they can make a name for themselves at Pinglanlou.
"Greetings, Master."
Madam Ning asked with great interest, "You call me Master?"
The newcomer was slender, dressed in a dark green dress, with her long, dark hair tied back and secured with a jade hairpin.
Despite her simple and plain attire, her air of an aristocratic lady made the five men afraid to look her in the eye.
The young woman beside her was even more imposing, but the gentle smile on her face diminished her sharp aura somewhat.
Thinking of Ning Yao's instructions and the purpose of her visit, Tingyun braced herself and replied, "The Third Miss said she has hired a master of etiquette for us, so we should address you as Master."
Madam Ning nodded: "Alright, since that's the case, I won't say anything more. Let's get straight to the point."
"Zhimei, bring the things up."
Zhi Mei stepped forward with a tray containing porcelain cups filled with water, and Ning Qiong placed one on each person's head.
Tingyun and the others remained stiff, making sure the cups on their heads didn't fall off.
"Put this cup on your head and walk around the courtyard for half an hour. If the cup doesn't fall or the tea spills, you've passed. If the cup falls or the tea spills, add another half hour until you pass."
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