Chapter 86: The Tutor Teaches Etiquette
Yun Chu recalled that in her previous life, the Prince of Pacifying the West had remained unmarried until his thirties or forties.
She had never heard of Yin Pin seeking a princess consort for the Prince of Pacifying the West.
Of course, it was also possible that in her past life, she rarely left the Xie residence and naturally remained unaware of such royal matters.
She couldn't help but think of the two children from the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
Though she had seen them not long ago, it felt as if an eternity had passed, and longing washed over her like a tide.
She didn't understand why she cared so much about these two children, as if they were meant to share some bond in her previous life...
When Yun Chu returned to the Xie residence, Chen Defu happened to arrive to submit the account books.
The Ice Shop had been open for over half a month, and the accounts showed nearly forty thousand taels of silver in profit.
As temperatures continued to rise in June, ice prices would increase further, promising even greater profits.
"Madam, the Summer Retreat Courtyard has been prepared," Chen Defu said with a bow. "It can open to the public tomorrow. Do you have any further instructions?"
The Summer Retreat Courtyard was what Yun Chu had previously proposed—a place freely provided to commoners for escaping the heat, established under the Yun family name. During the hottest hours each afternoon, ice blocks would be placed throughout the courtyard, allowing those who couldn't afford ice to find some relief from the summer's intense heat.
After some thought, Yun Chu added, "Prepare some herbal cooling tea and place it in the courtyard. Those in need can help themselves."
Chen Defu nodded and went to arrange it.
These past few days, the Ice Shop's business had been increasingly prosperous, to the point where describing it as making money hand over fist wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Fortunately, she had foreseen this and opened several additional ice shops to distribute the customer flow; otherwise, who knew how much envy it might have provoked.
Meanwhile, Xie Jingyu was gradually becoming busier.
Previously, because he had offended the Marquis Xuanwu, much of his official duties had been reassigned by Lord Yu.
But now that he had suddenly become the future father-in-law of the Anjing Prince, there was no question about the relative importance between the Anjing Prince and the Marquis Xuanwu. More and more people came to flatter him.
The gloom that had hung over the Xie family seemed to dissipate just like that.
Although the Old Madam didn't particularly like Yun Chu, she genuinely admired her granddaughter-in-law. If not for Yun Chu's foresight, how could the Xie family have suddenly become relatives of the imperial household?
Once Ping Jie'er officially became the Princess Consort, the entire Xie family would ascend to another level, no longer the minor household that could be easily manipulated as before.
Yun Chu received several invitation cards from various madams but declined them all using the excuse of being busy with wedding preparations.
While she was occupied with reviewing the account books, Ting Shuang hurried in from the doorway: "Madam, someone has arrived from the palace."
It turned out that Consort De had sent an Etiquette Tutor specifically to teach Xie Ping the rules of the palace.
A smile appeared on Xie Ping's face. The fact that Consort De would do this indicated her acceptance of her as a future daughter-in-law. She would definitely not let Consort De down.
She properly performed a bow to the arriving Granny Fu: "I'll be troubling Granny Fu from now on."
"This old servant is but a subordinate and doesn't deserve such courtesy from the mistress," Granny Fu avoided her bow and raised her eyes to say, "Miss Xie's bowing posture is incorrect. If you use such a posture to pay respects to the Empress and Emperor after entering the palace, you will surely be punished."
Yun Chu interjected, "Ordinary families rarely have opportunities to enter the palace, and I neglected to teach Ping Jie'er these matters. Please instruct her carefully, Granny Fu. Our Xie family being punished is a minor matter, but we fear implicating Consort De and the Anjing Prince."Granny Fu lowered her gaze. "Rest assured, Madam Xie. This old servant has come to the Xie residence precisely to teach these etiquettes to the future Princess Anjing. Until the eldest Miss Xie masters them, I shall reside here."
Yun Chu nodded and instructed someone to arrange accommodations for Granny Fu in the eastern wing of Xie Ping's courtyard.
She calculated inwardly: the wedding would take place in three months, meaning Xie Ping would only be Princess Anjing for about half a month. At least the arduously learned etiquettes wouldn't go entirely to waste.
Xie Ping was indeed suffering.
She had assumed learning palace manners would be like studying, never imagining it would be so grueling.
At dawn, Granny Fu made her stand in the pavilion with a book balanced on her head and two trays held in her hands, requiring her to maintain this posture for a full two hours.
After standing practice came walking lessons. Walking seemed simple enough, but Granny Fu made her clutch a fruit between her thighs—it must neither fall nor be crushed during movement. Any mistake meant starting over, until her skirt hem ceased swaying even slightly, earning Granny Fu's grudging approval.
Throughout this process, Granny Fu frequently struck her with a ruler.
Her arms were reddened from the blows, too tender to touch, yet she continued walking lessons on an empty stomach.
When the day's instruction ended, Granny Fu placed a bowl of dark liquid before Xie Ping. "Drink this, eldest Miss Xie."
Wrinkling her nose at the nauseating odor, Xie Ping asked, "What is it?"
"Abortifacient," Granny Fu replied coldly. "Conception may occur within seven days of intimacy. This ensures you won't carry a child."
In the Anjing Prince's household, any woman who shared the prince's bed received Contraception Concoction the following morning.
Having delayed this long, only abortifacient remained suitable.
Xie Ping's face stiffened.
She and the prince hadn't consummated their relationship—pregnancy was impossible.
"Eldest Miss Xie remains unwed. Should you swell with child before marriage, would you not make our prince a laughingstock?" Granny Fu's voice turned icy. "Moreover, you've not yet reached marriageable age—your body isn't ready for childbirth. Drink."
Biting her lip, Xie Ping said, "Set your mind at ease, Granny. I'd never create such scandal."
She knew both contraception concoction and abortifacient severely impacted women's health. Fearing she might become infertile like her mother, she refused to drink.
Granny Fu stared coldly, then stepped forward and gripped Xie Ping's jaw when she showed no intention of drinking.
"This old servant offends."
The dark medicine was forced down Xie Ping's throat. Choking and coughing, she clutched her neck. "Gr-Granny Fu, you teach decorum... how can you be so improper? I-I'm the future Princess Anjing! How dare you!"
"You remain the Xie family's eldest miss for now." Granny Fu retreated a step. "When you later become Princess Anjing, this old servant will submit to your judgment."
Tears streamed from Xie Ping's coughing fit.
Even within the Xie residence, a servant dared force her against her will.
After marrying into Anjing Prince's household—Consort De's territory—would she have any voice at all?
Might even the lowest servant bully her with impunity?
Xie Ping bit her lower lip and retreated to her inner chamber, desperately trying to vomit the medicine.
But it was futile.
News of these events naturally reached Yun Chu's ears.
She shook her head. "This is only the beginning."Being bullied by the matron was nothing compared to the true catastrophe that would befall her after marrying into the Anjing Prince's residence, when misfortune struck the prince.
As she pondered this, she looked up and saw Xie Jingyu entering the Sheng Residence.
Dressed in a moon-white robe, he carried himself with an elegant and scholarly demeanor. His brisk strides clearly revealed his cheerful mood.
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