Tang Wanning's grave was overgrown with weeds, and the words carved on the stone tablet had been eroded by wind and rain, making them difficult to discern.
The lower part of the tombstone, closer to the ground, was damp and covered in moss.
Ye Chutang pushed Ye Jingchuan and Kong Ru aside and knelt down.
She arranged the incense and candles, then began burning paper money.
"Mother, your daughter has been unfilial and hasn't been able to visit you all this time. Are you angry with me?"
"You loved me so much, surely you wouldn't bear to be angry. I've returned to the Ye family now, so I can visit you often in the future."
"Mother, don't worry about me. No one can bully me anymore. I will live well, very well."
After speaking, she bowed her head three times with deep sincerity.
You must have reunited with your biological daughter, haven't you?
I will live on her behalf and take back everything she lost!
I hope you both can have a better fate in your next life and live happily ever after.
After silently finishing her words, Ye Chutang stood up.
"Father, Madam Ye, kneel properly and apologize to my mother. Pray for her blessings."
She herself turned to pull the weeds from the grave.
Tang Wanning's grave had not been tended to for many years. Weeds were rampant, intertwined with shrubs, their roots deeply embedded.
But for Ye Chutang, who possessed earth-based abilities, this was no challenge; she cleared them with ease.
However, she deliberately slowed her pace, working for nearly an hour.
By the time she was done, Ye Jingchuan and Kong Ru's knees were swollen from kneeling.
When they left, neither of them could stand properly and had to be helped into the carriage by Chen Zhong.
Back at the Minister's Mansion.
Kong Ru went to meet Old Madam Ye.
"Mother, the master gave Chutang fifty thousand taels to learn proper etiquette. I was hoping to borrow Nanny Gui from your side to teach her."
Old Madam Ye, upon hearing that Ye Jingchuan had given Ye Chutang fifty thousand taels, was so enraged that she smashed the teacup in her hand.
"That wretched girl! Does she intend to drain the Minister's Mansion dry?"
"Just like her vulgar mother, reeking of money!"
"Always causing trouble. We should never have brought her back."
Seeing Old Madam Ye fuming, Kong Ru quickly tried to calm her.
"Mother, right now, the entire fate of the Minister's Mansion rests in Chutang's hands. Naturally, whatever she says goes."
Old Madam Ye was even less pleased upon hearing this.
"The Minister's Mansion will never be hers to control!"
With that, she turned to her personal maid, Guixiang.
"Guixiang, go teach the eldest young lady some proper manners. Teach her well!"
She wanted that wretched girl to understand that fifty thousand taels from the Minister's Mansion were not so easily claimed!
"Yes, Madam," Guixiang replied.
Kong Ru brought Nanny Gui to Ningchu Courtyard.
Shuang'er was kneeling in the courtyard.
Her injured forehead had only been roughly bandaged, and her face was pale as paper.
Dan'er was busy in the kitchen, and the entire courtyard was filled with the aroma of food.
Having grown up doing laundry and cooking, Dan'er was quite skilled in the kitchen.
Wangcai was pruning the flowers, plants, and trees in the courtyard.
When he saw Kong Ru arrive, he immediately bowed. "Greetings, Madam."
His voice was loud enough for Ye Chutang, who was in her boudoir, to hear.
Inside the boudoir, new furniture had been placed. While not as fine as before, it was still of decent quality.
Ye Jingchuan cared about appearances and wouldn't allow others to criticize the furnishings.
Ye Chutang placed the ancient medical book she was holding into her spatial storage and rose to go to the courtyard.
Dan'er also emerged from the kitchen and bowed to Kong Ru.
"Greetings, Madam."
After the poisoning incident, Ye Chutang no longer wanted to eat from the communal kitchen.
Dan'er was sent to the main kitchen every day to fetch ingredients and prepare private meals.
Kong Ru asked curiously, "Where did you go last night?"
Dan'er shook her head, "After fainting last night, I don't know what happened. When I woke up, I was in the small kitchen."
Kong Ru knew Dan'er wouldn't lie to her and nodded.
"Go ahead and get busy."
After speaking, she turned to look at Ye Chutang.
"Chu'er, this is Nanny Gui. She will teach you proper etiquette. Learn well and don't disappoint your father."
"I will learn well and not disappoint my mother."
Kong Ru couldn't be bothered to argue, "I have to go arrange the homecoming banquet for two days later. I'm leaving now."
As she left, she cast a warning glance at Shuang'er.
Shuang'er trembled with fear, burying her head in her chest like a quail.
After Kong Ru left, Nanny Gui was eager to establish the rules for Ye Chutang.
"Miss..."
Ye Chutang raised her hand to interrupt, "Let's talk after I finish breakfast. Otherwise, I won't have the energy to learn etiquette."
"Dining is an art in itself, this old servant..."
"Three meals a day, there's no rush for this one."
Just then, Dan'er came out of the small kitchen with a tray.
"Miss, you may dine now."
With that, she carried the tray into the adjoining dining room.
Ye Chutang had only had a bit of bread in the morning, and now nearing noon, she was quite hungry.
She entered the dining room, savoring the aroma and appearance of the delicious dishes, and began to eat heartily.
Seeing Ye Chutang enjoying her meal, Dan'er felt relieved.
After finishing her meal, Ye Chutang began learning the etiquette of a noble lady from Nanny Gui.
She was serious about learning the rules.
Because she wanted the original host's name to be famous in the capital.
A good reputation, not a bad one!
But she wasn't naive; whenever Nanny Gui tried to deliberately make things difficult, she would immediately fight back.
"Nanny, your explanations are so abstract. Why not demonstrate yourself?"
"Nanny, your curtsy doesn't match what you said; it's not low enough."
"Oh dear, your tea pouring gesture is all wrong. Do you really know how to teach?"
"I know I need to take small steps, but Nanny, you're walking like a crawling worm!"
"..."
Two days later.
Nanny Gui wasn't sure how much etiquette Ye Chutang had learned, but she had taught all the rules once through.
Her old arms, legs, and back were about to give out!
"Miss, I've taught you everything I can. The old lady wants you to dine with everyone tonight."
Ye Chutang understood; it was a dinner to test her progress.
She nodded, "Understood, you may leave."
Over the past two days, she was exhausted and needed a good rest to face those troublesome people.
Nanny Gui left Ningchu Courtyard as if fleeing.
Before returning to her room, Ye Chutang glanced at Shuang'er, who had been kneeling in the courtyard for three days.
During these three days, she had only drunk some water given by Wangcai and was already emaciated.
"Kneeling here until you die won't help. Leave."
Shuang'er knew Ye Chutang was the only one who could save her.
"Miss, I was wrong. I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future, with no ulterior motives!"
She was well aware that once she left Ningchu Courtyard, the lady wouldn't spare her.
"Paying the price for your choices is only right."
Shuang'er knocked her head against the ground.
Her forehead wound hadn't healed, and fresh blood immediately stained the bandage.
"Please, Miss, give me a chance to make amends."
Ye Chutang knew very well that Shuang'er didn't truly want to be her servant; she was just trying to make a living.
When Shuang'er found a better path, she would undoubtedly betray her without hesitation!
Such a person could be a curse, but if used wisely, she could be a sharp blade!
"I don't keep useless people around. Think carefully about what value you have. Once I've rested, I want to hear your answer."
Shuang'er respectfully replied, "Yes, Miss."
Ye Chutang returned to her room, drank some spring water, and lay down for a nap.
She slept for nearly an hour before Steward Chen arrived.
"Miss, the master invites you to the front yard for dinner."
"I understand. I'll be there shortly."
Ye Chutang got up to wash and dress, with Dan'er helping her with her hair and clothes.
By the time she left the main house, Steward Chen had already departed.
She looked at Shuang'er, who was still kneeling, and asked, "Have you figured out your value?"
Shuang'er nodded, "I have nimble hands..."
She was interrupted just as she began to speak.
"I'm not interested in things anyone can do. Don't waste my time."
Shuang'er heard the dissatisfaction in Ye Chutang's tone and quickly got to the point.
"I know a secret related to the late Madam."
