Qin Huining's words tempted old madam.
There were many young ladies in the family, and third miss was going to be of marriageable age in a few days. Her marriage with the second master of the Count of Jian 'an's fu had already been discussed. Adding on the layer of gold from the palace, it would be a good thing for the young ladies of the prime minister's fu.
But the difficult thing was that the empress had said to let Nanny Zhan teach Qin Yining, but she didn't want to bring anyone else. If they were particularly familiar with Nanny Zhan and brought some gold and silver, she wouldn't be afraid that she wouldn't agree. Either way, it was the same as herding a sheep or releasing a flock of sheep. But they weren't familiar with each other, so it wouldn't be good to ask if they came rashly.
Moreover, the empress personally sending a nanny to teach the di daughter of an official's family was a rare honor. This was a grace that only the eldest branch received, so there was no reason for the other branches to also get a share.
Old madam was in a dilemma for a moment. She wanted her granddaughters to benefit, but she didn't want to offend the people above her.
"Old madam." Just as old madam was pondering, Mammy Qin came in with a smile and said, "Third madam is here."
Old madam raised her eyebrows and knocked her tobacco pipe on the side of the small white porcelain bowl. The brass and white porcelain made a loud buzzing sound.
"Why did she come again so late at night?"
Qin Huining deftly took a large towel to wipe old madam's feet and put on white socks for her. Another maidservant came in and carried out the wooden basin used to wash feet.
When Third Madam came in, she saw the scene of Qin Huining helping old madam put on her warm boots.
"Old madam." Third madam bowed and then said with a smile, "In my opinion, no one in this fu can compare to Sister Hui's filial piety. This daughter-in-law is really ashamed."
Old madam couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. She reprimanded without any anger, "Naughty monkey, you still talk like this in front of your niece. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Qin Huining also laughed when he heard this, but he secretly rolled his eyes. It was a competition of filial piety and trickery, each using their own abilities. Third Madam herself did not come early, who could she blame?
However, Qin Huining also knew that third wife still had some face in front of old madam. Don't look at how third old master was born from a concubine. The third wife was the Family's economic pillar. Usually, third wife wasn't stingy. Old madam didn't know how much gold and silver old madam received from her as her own. Compared to the arrogant and domineering First Madam who came from a noble background and the Second Madam who was full of schemes, Third Madam was the one that old madam liked the most.
Qin Huining didn't want to offend this living God of Wealth, so he smiled and said, "Third Aunt, you must be joking. It's just that I live nearby and happened to be one step ahead. Third Aunt's filial piety is even greater than us juniors. Please don't laugh at me."
"How could that be? Sister Hui was taught by old madam. She knows how to behave and scrupulously abide by filial piety. She has a deep relationship with old madam and her filial piety is also the most sincere. "
Third Madam smiled and sat down on the embroidered stool Mammy Qin brought over. She turned and said, "Old madam, I just heard that Mama Zhan, who was sent by the Empress, has been arranged to live in Cuizhuxuan?"
As soon as these words came out, Qin Huining smiled.
It seemed that she had gained an ally.
She didn't want to let Qin Huining take the lead and she could learn a thing or two from him. However, Third Madam was probably doing this for her legitimate daughter, Qin Jianing.
Old madam also understood Third Madam's meaning. She sighed and gave the brass tobacco pipe to Mammy Qin to put away. She said, "Sister Hui just told me about this matter."
Third Madam looked at Qin Huining with some surprise. However, in the blink of an eye, she showed a smile that showed that great minds think alike. She moved closer to old madam and said with a smile, "Then what does old madam think?"
Old madam said, "I naturally hope that all the girls in our family can have a good future. However, this Mama Zhan was specially arranged by the Empress to be given to Sister Yi. In the end, it's not good to ask."
Third Madam smiled when she heard this. She stood up and took the cow milk and bird's nest soup that Mammy Qin was about to give to old madam. She carefully served old madam. Her actions of passing the soup spoon and handkerchief were very considerate. After Mammy Qin sent out the empty bowl and brought an exquisite rinsing bowl to serve old madam to rinse her mouth, Third Madam sat back in her original position.
During this time, old madam was well served by Third Madam, so she was in a very good mood. She carefully thought about it. As the head of the family and the old madam with a title, presumably, it wouldn't be difficult for her and Qin Huaiyuan to order Mama Zhan to do something.
Qin Huining and Third Madam glanced at each other.
Third Madam thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Presumably, this matter will need to be arranged. Naturally, I will be the one to pay for it."
"There's no need for you." Old madam smiled and waved her hand, "For the welfare of my own granddaughters, I'll use the public's money."
Qin Huining timely hugged old madam's arm and acted coquettishly, "Grandmother, our family of sisters is counting on you. Presumably, Xiaoxi meimei is sensible and clever. She certainly won't oppose. "
Old madam smiled and said, "Even if someone is dissatisfied with this matter, it won't be her turn. Forget it, you all go. I will talk to eldest daughter-in-law tomorrow. "
"Yes." Third Madam and Qin Huining stood up happily.
Third Madam bowed and retreated. Qin Huining was bored by old madam's side. After a long time, he returned to his warm room.
Qin Huining rested and didn't forget to instruct Bitao to arrange for a maidservant to pay attention to the movements outside.
As a result, when she woke up early the next morning, she learned that Third Madam had instructed people to send many things to old madam in the middle of the night.
Originally, Qin Huining didn't think much of it. However, when she heard that Third Madam had woken up early and sent a gift box to Snow Pear Courtyard, and that even the second branch had instructed a proper mama to send gifts, her heart felt unbalanced.
Why didn't Second Aunt and Third Aunt treat her politely in the past?
Their biological children were truly treated differently!
Snow Pear Courtyard.
Qin Yining instructed people to accept the gifts and entertained the mama who had come to deliver the gifts to drink tea. After chatting for a while, she politely sent the guests off.
On the round table in the side room, there were several fashionable rulers, as well as first-rate tea leaves, brushes, and ink, which had been gifted by Second Madam.
Inside the exquisite black lacquer dresser was a set of green jade head ornaments and the newest perfume from Pure Heart Pavilion, which had been gifted by Third Madam.
Qin Yining didn't know much about rouge and face powder, but he knew that they were expensive. After thinking for a while, he instructed Ruilan, "Carefully count the things and record them in an account book. As for these things, use what you need to use. "
Ruilan couldn't help but feel happy when she heard this.
Miss trusted her and wanted her to manage the private storehouse and record the people's relationships!
"This servant understands. I won't fail to live up to Miss's trust!" Ruilan solemnly bowed to Qin Yining.
Qin Yining knew that what had happened that night made Ruilan uneasy. Now that he had arranged a task for her, one was to test her, and the other was to reassure her. If the people around her were always on tenterhooks and couldn't communicate with each other, how could they unite against the outside world?
"Go do your work." Qin Yining's voice was gentle. He smiled and continued to copy the "Book of Filial Piety."
Ruilan nodded happily. As if she had been injected with chicken blood, she excitedly went to tidy up carefully with Mama Zhu.
Seeing that it was almost time, Qin Yining planned to finish writing the last sentence and then go to the upper room to greet old madam.
Unexpectedly, just as he had the idea, a maidservant's voice came from outside, "Miss, Mammy Qin is here."
Qin Yining was surprised. He hurriedly put the weasel hair brush on the white porcelain and blue and white flower brush. He stood up and greeted with a smile, "Mammy Qin is here. Please come in and sit down."
"Fourth Miss, nice to meet you." Mammy Qin smiled and bowed. Ruilan brought a brocade cup, but she didn't sit down. She just bowed her head and said gently, "This servant came to pass on a message. I said that I will go back. There is still a pile of work to do in Ci Xiao Garden."
"But what is old madam's urgent order? Nanny, please tell me. "Qin Yining looked at her seriously.
Mammy Qin smiled and said, "Old madam said that today, all the girls will be excused from being muddle-headed. She asked you to learn the rules from Nanny Zhan. Miss, please go to Xingning Garden to start learning in the early morning."
Qin Yining nodded with a smile on his face, but he immediately understood in his heart.
With such an excellent etiquette instructor, none of the branches would be able to endure it. After all, there were so many girls in the family.
Although he didn't see it with his own eyes, Qin Yining guessed that Qin Huining must have done something.
With Qin Huining's temperament, how could he allow such an excellent instructor to teach only Qin Yining?
Mammy Qin saw that Qin Yining wasn't surprised and still had a dignified smile. It was like a soft spring under the sun, making people feel comfortable. The following words were even more gentle.
"The teacher that Prime Minister invited for you has also arrived. I heard that he is an excellent scholar. He has been placed in the outer courtyard. Old madam said that in the future, Miss and the other girls will learn etiquette from Nanny Zhan in the morning and study with the teacher in the afternoon. "
At this point, Mammy Qin's smile became more sincere. "It's really worth celebrating that Miss has been valued by old madam."
"It's all because of old madam's kindness and love. I'm very grateful. I will definitely study hard and live up to her expectations. Mammy Qin, please convey my gratitude to old madam. When I have time, I will go and kowtow to old madam to thank her."
"Yes, this servant will definitely convey your words." Mammy Qin bowed again.
Qin Yining and Mammy Qin exchanged pleasantries and sent her to the corridor.
Unexpectedly, before Mammy Qin's foot landed on the ground, she saw Ci Xiao Garden's head maidservant Ji Xiang and Ru Yi, along with other maidservants and older female servants, carrying a lot of things.
Mammy Qin was very surprised.
She came from Ci Xiao Garden. What instructions did old madam have that couldn't be said in one breath? Were these things for Qin Yining?
Ji Xiang and Ru Yi came forward and bowed to Qin Yining.
Ji Xiang smiled and said, "This servant came at old madam's order. Just now, Nanny Zhan said that although Cuizhuxuan is good, it's too cold and cheerless. Nanny Zhan likes Miss from the bottom of her heart, so she specially asked old madam to allow her to live in Snow Pear Courtyard. Old madam and First Madam have already agreed. These are Nanny Zhan's things."
As she spoke, she turned around and pointed to the bedding, pillows, and other daily necessities behind her.
Another sturdy older female servant came forward with two loads of things. Inside, there were still clothes, rulers, quilts, charcoal baskets, and the like.
Ru Yi smiled and said, "Replying to Fourth Young Lady, these were brought to you by old madam's order. Old madam said that the weather is cold, so you must wear warm clothes and don't catch a cold."
Was this a kind of compensation for taking away her position as an etiquette instructor?
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