Chapter 64 – These Could Be Life-Saving at Crucial Moments!

The next day, during the lunch break, Shen Nian took the opportunity to return to the Hou residence and personally sent the grandmother who would teach etiquette to Jing Lanyuan.

“This is Grandma Cao, who retired from the palace two years ago and has been living in retirement. She is a veteran from the palace and has previously served as an etiquette instructor.” Shen Nian introduced the two to each other. “Grandma, this is my wife. I’ll leave everything to you these few days.”

Xia Tian respectfully greeted Grandma Cao and then smiled as she introduced herself. “Hello, Grandma Cao, I’m Xia Tian. I’ll trouble you to teach me the etiquette in the next few days!”

Grandma Cao felt reassured seeing how polite the young lady was.

She had heard rumors that the heir of the Wu’an Marquis’ family had married a crude and unsophisticated peasant girl. When Shen Nian came to ask her, she had hesitated, worried that this wife might be difficult to get along with.

But now, meeting her in person, she realized the rumors were not to be trusted.

As these thoughts passed through her mind, Grandma Cao hid her surprise and responded kindly, “Young master and young mistress, you are too polite. I will do my best.”

Since Shen Nian had work to attend to, she didn’t stay long. After apologizing to Grandma Cao, she left.

After Shen Nian left, Xia Tian, with a cheerful smile, hooked her arm through Grandma Cao’s and led her into the main hall. “Grandma, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? How about we eat first? Afterward, we can start with the etiquette lessons.”

Grandma Cao paused, surprised that the young mistress was so friendly with her.

In the past, when she had been invited to teach etiquette at other noble families, the young ladies and madams, upon learning she was a palace veteran, were always very polite but kept their distance.

None of them were as approachable as this supposedly uncouth young mistress.

Having served nobles in the palace her entire life without having children of her own, Xia Tian’s actions unexpectedly warmed Grandma Cao’s heart.

When they entered the room and saw a large table of delicious dishes, Xia Tian even personally served her a bowl of soup and ate with her. Grandma Cao felt quite touched. In the past, she had always eaten with the maids when invited to teach.

This was the first time she had dined with the master of the house.

Moved by this, Grandma Cao taught with even more care and attention.

After lunch, Xia Tian asked Grandma Cao to rest for a while in a specially prepared room.

In the afternoon, they began the lessons on etiquette.

Grandma Cao taught in great detail, and Xia Tian learned with diligence.

She mastered almost every action after practicing it twice, thanks to her photographic memory.

Grandma Cao was amazed to see that Xia Tian had learned everything in less than half a day. She thought to herself that the young mistress was incredibly intelligent. No wonder the heir had married her.

Originally, Grandma Cao had planned to take several days to teach, but after this, she was ready to leave early.

“Grandma, don’t rush to leave. Didn’t we agree that we’d take a few days?” Xia Tian, seeing Grandma Cao preparing to leave, hurriedly stopped her.

“The young mistress has already learned everything. There’s nothing else I can teach here,” Grandma Cao said.

“Who said that? I still have other things to ask you!” Xia Tian insisted, pulling Grandma Cao toward the warm room.

“Grandma, it’s cold. Let’s sit on the kang and talk.” She turned to give an order, “Cuiyun, please bring tea for Grandma.”

Unable to refuse, Grandma Cao took off her shoes and sat down on the kang.

Xia Tian also climbed up, and the two sat across from each other at the kang table.

Xia Tian, seeing that Grandma Cao was waiting for her to ask something, leaned forward slightly and curiously asked, “Grandma, what exactly is the Ice Festival?” Yesterday, Shen Nian had mentioned taking her to the palace for the festival, but she had forgotten to ask what it actually was.

“The Ice Festival is an event held in the palace after the winter solstice each year. It features ice skating, ice sports, and so on…” Grandma Cao gave a brief explanation. Xia Tian thought to herself that it was probably something like an ice sports competition, with ice skating and figure skating, among other activities.

“Can women participate?”

“This is not restricted. If a young lady or a madam is interested, they can also participate,” Grandma Cao said with a smile.

Xia Tian nodded, leaning forward a little closer, and quietly asked, “Grandma, you know I come from a peasant background and have never seen much of the high society. Could you tell me what I need to pay attention to when I go to the palace?”

Grandma Cao was taken aback by this question. She was surprised that the young mistress, though unassuming in her appearance, had such sharp questions.

Considering the respect Xia Tian had shown her, she decided to share her advice.

Thus, Grandma Cao carefully explained everything that Xia Tian needed to be aware of when entering the palace.

The next two days passed happily with Xia Tian asking questions and Grandma Cao providing helpful guidance.

From Grandma Cao, Xia Tian learned important information about the etiquette around nobles and the underhanded tactics that were often used in powerful families.

When Grandma Cao left, Xia Tian gave her a large red envelope. If Grandma Cao hadn’t offered these useful tips, these hidden tactics would have been hard to guard against.

Knowing these things could be lifesaving at critical moments!

When Grandma Cao saw the two 100-tael silver notes in the envelope, her eyes widened. She pushed them back, saying, “Young mistress, the young master has already given me teaching fees. This red envelope is too much.”

“This is my thank you to you, Grandma. The things you taught me are worth far more than silver.” Xia Tian smiled and pushed the envelope back with sincerity.

Seeing the young mistress speak so genuinely, Grandma Cao no longer refused and accepted the envelope graciously.

“Grandma, if I need anything in the future, can I ask for your help?”

“Of course, I will always be at your service, madam.”

“Thank you, Grandma!”

After sending Grandma Cao off, Xia Tian took the opportunity to visit Ya Yizhai.

When Shopkeeper Xiao saw her, he instructed the staff to prepare tea and came over with a pouch, warmly greeting her.

“Madam, the painting has been sold for 1,000 taels. Here is your share,” he said, handing the pouch to Ning Xue behind Xia Tian.

“Did the price go up again?” Xia Tian was surprised!

“Yes, the Xuanying Xianji painting is still very popular, and many people have been inquiring about it,” Shopkeeper Xiao stroked his beard. “Madam, how is the custom painting for the client coming along?”

“It’s ready.” Xia Tian gestured for Mu Feng to bring the painting to Shopkeeper Xiao.

“Oh? So soon?” Shopkeeper Xiao didn’t expect the painting to be finished in less than half a month. It seemed this Xuanying Xianji worked quickly.

“Well, Shopkeeper Xiao should understand the principle that ‘rarity makes things precious,'” Xia Tian said with a wave of her hand.

Shopkeeper Xiao nodded, realizing he had been too eager.

“Alright, two paintings per month is already quite productive. Any more wouldn’t be worth as much.”

After leaving Ya Yizhai, Xia Tian took Ning Xue and Mu Feng for a walk around the street, buying some jewelry and trinkets.

She also exchanged 300 taels of silver and copper coins at the silver store, planning to use them as gifts for others.

That evening, when Shen Nian returned, Xia Tian told him that Grandma Cao had already left.

Shen Nian nodded in acknowledgment.

The next morning, shortly after breakfast, Xia Tian was sitting on the kang in the warm room copying a book when Shen Hui came again!