Volume 1, Chapter 19: Have You No Shame?

Upon returning to Jifeng Courtyard, Xie Qiqi saw Xie Wenyuan standing at the entrance, dressed in his scarlet official robes and accompanied by several people.

Xie Qiqi instinctively shrank back, feeling an inexplicable panic. What did her eldest brother want with so many people in tow?

Xie Wenyuan gave her a cold glance and spoke directly.

"Qiqi, I have come to see you because there is an important matter to discuss."

He stepped aside to reveal a tall, older woman standing behind him.

"Qiqi, this is Nanny Jiang, who has retired from service in the palace. She is well-versed in literature and the arts, and is proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I have personally requested her to be your governess. From now on, you will study diligently under her and must never be willful or reckless again!"

Nanny Jiang had been difficult to secure; Xie Wenyuan had even had to beg the Crown Prince to intervene on his behalf. He felt he had done all he could for Xie Qiqi; if she did not cherish this opportunity, she would no longer be worthy of his care.

Xie Qiqi was stunned and looked at Nanny Jiang.

The woman was tall for a lady, nearing forty, with a square face and hair combed with meticulous precision. Beneath her bright, smooth forehead lay a pair of deep, stern eyes.

Even though Xie Qiqi no longer wished to be close to Xie Wenyuan, she could not refuse Nanny Jiang. Studying with her master today had made her realize how ignorant she truly was. She needed an education to understand her medical texts, and Nanny Jiang’s arrival was like refreshing rain after a long drought.

"Qiqi greets Nanny Jiang." Xie Qiqi bowed respectfully.

Xie Wenyuan then pointed to the young girl standing beside the nanny.

"This is Jiang Xing, Nanny Jiang’s foster daughter. She will stay at Jifeng Courtyard with the Nanny. Miss Jiang is not a servant, so do not bully her, Qiqi!"

Xie Qiqi looked at Jiang Xing. She was fifteen or sixteen, slim, with large, sparkling eyes and delicate features. However, the look she gave Xie Qiqi was one of disdain and disgust.

Xie Qiqi was taken aback. This was her first time meeting Jiang Xing; why did she have such an attitude toward her?

...

The next day.

Nanny Jiang directed that mornings be spent on literacy and afternoons on etiquette. After breakfast, Xie Qiqi hurried to the study next door. Nanny Jiang’s arrival had disrupted her plans to study medicine at the Hundred Herbs Hall; she would have to find a way for Yan'er to deliver a message to her master later.

Nanny Jiang was already there, and Jiang Xing sat at another desk, ostensibly to study along with her. Nanny Jiang did not mince words.

"Fourth Miss, I am here by order to educate you. Etiquette, scholarship, and the arts are all mandatory parts of my curriculum..."

"Perhaps you have heard of my reputation, so you should know that I am known for my strictness."

Xie Qiqi, enduring the pain in her backside, stood up after just sitting down and said respectfully, "Qiqi is willing to listen to your teachings, Nanny."

Nanny Jiang possessed such vast knowledge that she must be an exceptional teacher, and Xie Qiqi admired those with true ability. Nanny Jiang gave her a complex look and asked in a low voice, "Fourth Miss, Master Xie says you have not yet finished the 'Thousand Character Classic.' Is that true?"

Xie Qiqi’s face flushed red. Even after the humiliation she had already faced from Yue Yue, Nanny Jiang’s question still made her feel deeply ashamed. Yet, she replied honestly, "In response to you, Nanny, it is true."

Nanny Jiang recalled her meeting with Madam Xie, who had described Xie Qiqi’s past behavior in terms that were beyond words. *Forget it,* she thought. *If this unruly girl were easy to teach, Master Xie wouldn't have hired me at such a high price. I shall treat this as a challenge for myself.*

"It is best that you are willing to listen. Let us begin."

Nanny Jiang placed a copy of the *Thousand Character Classic* on Xie Qiqi’s desk. "I have set a task for you: learn twenty characters a day and copy them twenty times with care. If you fail to complete the task, you will be punished."

Xie Qiqi nodded quickly. "Nanny, I will definitely study hard!"

Nanny Jiang nodded and began to teach. The twenty characters were taught within an hour, followed by the copying exercise. Xie Qiqi’s hands were bandaged from her burns, making it difficult to hold the brush. She wrote clumsily, her characters looking like chicken scratch. Nanny Jiang stood by, watching; she intended to scold her, but when she saw the bandaged hands, the words died in her throat.

Jiang Xing, sitting nearby, wanted to laugh, but a glare from Nanny Jiang stopped her. After a while, Nanny Jiang stepped out.

As soon as she was gone, Jiang Xing leaned toward Xie Qiqi. "Fourth Miss, it’s just the two of us here, why are you putting on such an act? I despise you rich young ladies the most—you rely on your status to bully others!"

"I heard you often frame your sister and abuse the servants... It’s no wonder your engagement was called off. Someone as vicious as you deserves to never be married off!"

Xie Qiqi held her brush steadily, unmoved.

"Hey, is your face made of city walls? Don't you feel any shame?"

Seeing that Xie Qiqi ignored her, Jiang Xing grew angry and swiped her hand at Xie Qiqi’s. Xie Qiqi’s hand shook, and the ink spilled across the page in a long streak.

Xie Qiqi’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Jiang Xing. At that moment, Nanny Jiang walked back in. Jiang Xing made a face at Xie Qiqi and immediately lowered her head to continue writing.

Nanny Jiang walked to the desk, saw the long ink smear, and frowned, but she said nothing and sat aside to read. Xie Qiqi glanced at the nanny, her prepared defense never finding a chance to be voiced. *This Nanny Jiang is much better than my eldest brother,* she thought. *If it were him, he would have scolded me for wasting paper without asking for the truth.*

She had an opportunity to learn and had met such a capable teacher; she must cherish this.

Xie Qiqi wrote until lunchtime. Before Yan'er could go to the kitchen, Qiuju and a kitchen helper arrived with the meal. Xie Qiqi didn't say a word. There were three dishes and a soup, and the portions were generous. Nanny Jiang was famous in the capital; if Mother Liang wasn't a fool, she wouldn't dare ruin the Xie family’s reputation in front of her. She was finally enjoying the fruits of Nanny Jiang’s presence and could finally eat her fill.

As she ate, she caught a glimpse of Qiuju pulling Jiang Xing into her room for a whispered conversation. Xie Qiqi remembered the look of disgust Jiang Xing had given her, and her heart tightened.

*My eldest brother suddenly hired a governess for me—could Yue Yue have instigated this? What is she planning to do to me next?*

During the etiquette training in the afternoon, Xie Qiqi could barely hold on after an hour. Her body was already weak, and she had received five heavy boards earlier, only managing to keep going thanks to the pills her master had given her. But she had reached her limit.

*Smack!*

Nanny Jiang struck her arm heavily, her stern face showing a flicker of irritation. "Fourth Miss, I just taught you this movement. Why is it getting worse? Did you even watch my demonstration?"

Xie Qiqi swayed, feeling the world go dark. She pleaded, "Nanny, I want to rest. I can't go on..."

Nanny Jiang said sharply, "You asked to rest half an hour ago, and I allowed it! How long have we been practicing now, and you ask again? No. If you don't do this movement correctly, you are not allowed to rest!"

Yan'er arrived with water and, seeing this scene, felt both anxious and heartbroken. She couldn't help but whisper, "Nanny Jiang, my young lady is not well. Could you let her rest for a moment?"

Before Nanny Jiang could answer, Jiang Xing glared at Yan'er and scolded, "What does a little maid like you know? Strict teachers produce outstanding students—if she isn't treated strictly, what could she possibly learn?"

"Besides, Master Xie said that the Fourth Miss is devious and full of tricks, and that you, her little maid, have picked up all her wicked ways! If you try to lie for her again, see if I don't have Master Xie sell you off!"

Yan'er was too frightened to speak further and limped back, retreating into the shadows.