Chapter 8: Changing Personnel

Qiu Heng had much to learn during those ten years, and the most grueling part was martial arts. Standing still for an hour was easy for her, but she still had five people to kill; she truly had no time to enjoy such leisure.

"Sixth Miss may begin." In the eyes of Nanny Zhu, Qiu Heng’s momentary silence was nothing but reluctance, and she sneered inwardly.

So what if her standing, walking, sitting, and reclining were impeccable? When she had mastered the lessons was entirely up to her to decide.

"May I ask Nanny Zhu to clarify what standard I am expected to reach? Should I take the other young ladies as a benchmark, or are there other requirements?"

Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhu’s face darkened immediately. "Sixth Miss need only do as this servant says. When you have reached the standard, I will inform you."

Qiu Heng shook her head. "Without a clear goal, I will be unable to eat or sleep."

What kind of absurd excuse was this?

The shock she had felt upon seeing Qiu Heng’s every gesture, which was inferior to no noble lady, turned into annoyance at being provoked.

"If this is Sixth Miss’s attitude, please forgive this servant for my incompetence. I shall have to ask the Old Madam to appoint someone else to teach you."

"Then I shall go ask Grandmother." Qiu Heng turned and began to walk away.

Nanny Zhu was stunned for a moment before chasing after her.

What was wrong with this Sixth Miss? Was she not afraid of threats?

As they stepped out of Lengxiang Residence, Qiu Heng glanced calmly to her left.

The branches of a flowering shrub swayed slightly, and a young servant boy sprinted away.

"Young Master, the Sixth Miss has come out. It looks like she’s heading to Qiansong Hall."

"Good!" Qiu Song clapped his hands, grabbed his slingshot, and ran off.

Meanwhile, Nanny Zhu caught up to Qiu Heng and warned in a low voice, "The Old Madam just arranged for Sixth Miss to learn her etiquette properly, and now you are going to cause a scene with her? Are you not afraid of the Old Madam’s punishment?"

Qiu Heng walked slowly, looking perfectly innocent. "I am going to reason with Grandmother."

Reason? A little girl who had never been properly raised was truly foolish and laughable.

"Sixth Miss had better think carefully. If you displease the Old Madam, I will have no choice but to be even stricter with you."

Qiu Heng tilted her head. "If Nanny Zhu does not wish to disturb the Old Madam, we can return to Lengxiang Residence. From now on, I will learn with ease, and Nanny Zhu can teach with ease."

"As a servant, I have no such thoughts." Nanny Zhu remained expressionless, rejecting the hint to slack off.

Of the five young ladies in the Earl’s mansion—even counting the eldest who had entered the palace—none had ever been so insubordinate. She wanted to see what kind of favor the Sixth Miss could curry with the Old Madam; truly, the ignorant were fearless!

"Nanny Zhu is so upright and unyielding; no wonder Grandmother chose you to teach me—" As Qiu Heng spoke, her foot suddenly slipped.

A whistling sound cut through the air, and an object struck Nanny Zhu squarely on the cheek.

Nanny Zhu let out a miserable shriek, startling the birds perched in the trees so that they flew off in a flurry. The young boy hiding behind the shrub, his look of triumph not yet faded, realized he had hit the wrong person and scurried away.

Qiu Heng leaned down to pick up the object that had struck Nanny Zhu and tucked it into her sleeve. "Are you alright, Nanny Zhu?"

Nanny Zhu’s cheek felt numb; she opened her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood-flecked saliva. She stared at the bloody spit for a moment, her vision went black, and she fainted.

Among the maids and servants who rushed over at the sound, someone shouted, "Oh my, Nanny Zhu is hemophobic!"

After a chaotic commotion, Qiu Heng arrived before the Old Madam with the unconscious Nanny Zhu.

The Old Madam’s face was livid. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Nanny Zhu and I were talking in the garden when something suddenly flew over and hit her on the cheek." Qiu Heng opened her palm. "This mud pellet is what hit her."

The Old Madam took one look and knew whose handiwork it was—that child Song’er was acting up again.

In the Old Madam’s eyes, it was perfectly normal for her ten-year-old grandson to be a bit mischievous, so she changed the subject. "First, wake Nanny Zhu up."

After the maid pinched her philtrum, Nanny Zhu slowly regained consciousness. The moment she saw the Old Madam, she rolled over and knelt, complaining incoherently, "Please, Old Madam, seek justice for this servant! Just now, while I was walking on the path with the Sixth Miss, I was struck in the face by something unknown. It must be—"

Nanny Zhu had intended to say it must have been arranged by the Sixth Miss, but she was interrupted by the Old Madam’s cold voice. "A small accident. Nanny Zhu, just focus on recovering. Chuncao, go fetch two taels of silver for Nanny Zhu."

Seek justice? Did she expect her to punish Song’er? It seemed the saying that "servants bully their masters" was not without merit.

Nanny Zhu sensed the Old Madam’s coldness and swallowed the rest of her words.

What had happened in the short time she was unconscious?

Nanny Zhu had been sharp-tongued and disregarded the distinction between master and servant in front of Qiu Heng, relying on her status as a governess, but she dared not be presumptuous before the Old Madam. She secretly decided to figure out the situation first.

Qiu Heng spoke at the opportune moment: "Then, my governess—"

The Old Madam looked at Nanny Zhu, whose cheek was swollen and whose mouth still had traces of blood, and gasped inwardly: This girl with the hard-luck fate is truly a troublemaker; sending her away quickly is the only sensible thing to do.

"You go back first. A new governess will be there shortly."

"This granddaughter takes her leave."

Qiu Heng returned to Lengxiang Residence, where Nanny Wang greeted her with concern. "Is the young lady alright?"

"I am fine. Grandmother is sending me a new governess. Nanny Wang, which nanny do you think it will be?"

Nanny Wang thought for a moment. "There are three governesses currently in the mansion, and Nanny Zhu was the strictest. Of the remaining two, Nanny Yu and Nanny Li, I think it is most likely to be Nanny Yu."

"What kind of person is this Nanny Yu?"

"Nanny Yu has a flexible temperament and speaks pleasantly..."

Qiu Heng had learned enough, and the new governess arrived; it was indeed Nanny Yu.

Unlike Nanny Zhu, who had high cheekbones, Nanny Yu had a round face and looked kind. Her words were also much more polite. "Everyone’s gait is different by nature. Sixth Miss, please walk a few steps so I can see. If there is anything unsuitable, we can adjust it."

After Qiu Heng did as she was told, Nanny Yu fell silent.

She knew Nanny Zhu’s temperament; seeing that the Sixth Miss performed well, she would likely have been even stricter just to break her spirit.

Then... was Nanny Zhu’s injury and subsequent replacement really an accident?

"Please, Nanny Yu, give me your guidance."

"In my opinion, Sixth Miss is doing very well. Have you received training before?" Nanny Yu asked in a casual tone, pondering how she should proceed.

The Old Madam’s intention was clearly to keep the Sixth Miss quietly in Lengxiang Residence, not just to have her learn etiquette.

"I would like to discuss something with Nanny Yu."

"Please speak, Sixth Miss."

"Nanny Yu, please sit. Fangzhou, bring some tea and snacks."

Soon, Fangzhou arrived, setting down a pot of tea and a plate of snacks.

On the porcelain-white plate were four square snacks. They looked plain, white with a hint of red, and one could tell at a glance that they were soft and chewy.

Nanny Yu thought to herself: These snacks shouldn't taste bad.

"Nanny Yu, please have some tea to moisten your throat, and try a piece of red bean cake."

Nanny Yu had not yet decided what attitude to take toward this seemingly complex Sixth Miss, and this was a good way to stall for time. She took a sip of tea and picked up a piece of the snack, putting it into her mouth.

Fragrant, sweet, soft, and chewy—the exquisite texture stunned Nanny Yu.

How could there be such delicious red bean cake!