At this moment, Jun Jiuli, who was being thought of by Tao Qianmian, was leisurely and contentedly watching Nanny Rong teach Zheng Wan'er etiquette in the pavilion.
Nanny Rong also had children, and after retiring from the palace to live in old age, her days were very leisurely. Her young grandson had a talent for academics, so the high compensation offered by Qiu Xia was very much to her liking.
Nanny Rong thought that since she had received so much money from the General's wife, she had to teach this young lady everything she knew, so she was exceptionally strict.
"Miss Zheng, your steps are too large."
"Miss Zheng, don't sway when you walk, and don't move your shoulders. Keep your back straight. Yes, walk."
"Stop, stop, stop."
"Your facial expressions don't need to be so varied, try again."
Today was Zheng Wan'er's first lesson in walking. Next, there would be speaking, smiling, dealing with people, serving tea, bowing, and dining.
She had already stood in this courtyard for two hours today, but she still couldn't meet Nanny Rong's requirements. She had been punished by having her hands spanked many times.
However, Zheng Wan'er did not show any dissatisfaction. She believed that she would be the General's wife in the future. If her manners and etiquette were too poor, it would be a disgrace to her Qianmian brother, so she could only grit her teeth and endure.
However, looking at Jun Jiuli, who was leisurely drinking tea in the pavilion, she couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy.
That woman was clearly a lowly merchant's daughter, yet she became Qianmian brother's legal wife, with better food and clothing than she had ever had before. Why was it that Qianmian brother loved her?
"Miss Zheng, do not let your eyes wander, you will be punished to stand for another quarter of an hour."
At this moment, she even hated Nanny Rong, thinking that once she ascended to a high position, she would make this old woman pay. She was merely a servant, how dare she act so haughty towards her.
Nanny Rong, who had become a human spirit, could not fail to see the disdain in her eyes. Seeing that the General's wife did not pay much attention to this young lady, she became even more severe.
She directly used a thin bamboo stick to strike Zheng Wan'er's slender calf. "Straighten your legs and stand firm. If this bowl falls, you will have extra practice."
Shui Wa: "Haha, can't this female lead put away that dismissive look? She's old, not stupid."
"She's still young, it's normal not to be able to hide her thoughts."
At this moment, Dong Chun came to report, "Madam, everyone is here."
Jun Jiuli put down her teacup, "Let's go, another good show is about to begin."
As they passed by the two who were training, Dong Chun slipped some silver into Nanny Rong's hand.
"Momo, Miss Wan'er is dull-witted, you will have to trouble yourself more."
Zheng Wan'er, who was standing nearby, was very unconvinced. She stomped her foot, and with a "snap," the bowl on her head cracked.
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked pleadingly at Nanny Rong. Seeing that Nanny Rong's expression remained unchanged, she turned to look at Jun Jiuli.
She said pitifully, "Aunt Jiang, my leg hurts. She hit me so hard."
"Wan'er, in the manor, you should call me Madam. Do you know that strict teachers produce brilliant students? Nanny Rong's etiquette is praised by the current Emperor. It is your honor to have her teach you, do not be anxious."
Zheng Wan'er bit her lip. She didn't like these words at all. She still had to say, "It is Wan'er's stupidity. Momo's punishment is right."
She completely avoided mentioning calling Jun Jiuli Madam, which showed that in her heart, Jun Jiuli was not worthy of the position of Madam Tao.
"Thank you for your trouble, Momo. There are still some matters in the manor that I need to attend to, so I will not stay here to accompany you."
Nanny Rong gave a standard bow, "You are too kind, Madam. This is all my duty. You truly dote on this Miss Zheng."
Jun Jiuli returned a nod and a slight smile.
"Farewell, Madam."
Dong Chun and Qiu Xia, the two maids, were meticulously trained by Master Jiang for Jiang Li. One was skilled in household management and cooking, and the other was skilled in martial arts and medicine. In her previous life, not long after the original owner died, they were sent back to Jiangnan by Tao Chuzhu under the guise of retirement.
They grew up with the original owner and had deep affection for her. They married two talented stewards of the Jiang Manor, Wei Wenzhu and Sun Youwei, respectively.
The four of them were orphans taken in by Master Jiang and were loyal to the original owner. They were now working in the businesses in the capital.
Wei Wenzhu managed the most prestigious clothing store in the capital, and Sun Youwei managed the most famous jewelry store of the Jiang family.
These two industries had never fallen into Tao Qianmian's hands because of these two. However, they were eventually given to that scoundrel Tao Chuzhu.
In addition to these two, there was also Yang Yunxian in this hall. He was one of Tao Qianmian's confidants and had been managing the other industries of the Jiang family.
He was secretly abducted by Qiu Xia. When he saw that he was still in the General's Manor, he did not appear as flustered. Now, seeing Jun Jiuli enter, he bowed very humbly and politely.
"If Madam has something to ask of me, you only need to inform me. Why go to such great lengths."
With a look from Jun Jiuli, Qiu Xia understood and slipped him a pill.
"This medicine is called the Seven-Day Intestinal Rupture Pill. If you obediently follow the Madam's instructions, you will be fine. Otherwise, you will die of intestinal rupture in seven days, and there will be no cure. No one in this capital can resolve this poison."
Yang Yunxian's face was full of defiance, "I will not betray the General, Madam, you should give up this idea."
"Oh, you are so indifferent to life and death. Are your wife, children, and family also like this?"
"You... you are despicable."
"Are you not despicable for trying to seize my Jiang family's assets? Tell me honestly about your hidden stakes, and hand over the accounts of the embezzled money. Otherwise, see if I act faster or if your General protects you faster."
Saying this, she tossed a small jade token at his feet. Yang Yunxian's eyes were burning with rage; it was his son's personal belonging.
Dong Chun took out paper and brush, and he wrote down everything.
He handed the items to Sun Youwei and Wei Wenzhu. "Take these things, divide them between the two of you, and see who is more suitable for which position."
"Yes, Madam," the two said in unison.
"Dong Chun, while these two are away, the businesses in the capital will be managed by you. Qiu Xia, you will protect Dong Chun's safety."
Dong Chun: "Madam, this is not appropriate. If I leave, who will protect your safety?"
"This General's Manor is so large, with countless guards, who can eat me? Just obey my orders."
"Yes."
At this moment, Yang Yunxian, who was kneeling on the ground, was sweating profusely and trembling with pain. "The... the antidote, the... antidote."
Qiu Xia gave him another pill.
"This pill can only provide temporary relief. If the account list you hand over is false, or if you dare to speak of today's events, I will make sure your entire family suffers."
Yang Yunxian quickly kowtowed in gratitude, "Your servant dares not, your servant dares not, thank you Madam for sparing my life." He never wanted to experience such pain again.
The others all went to prepare for the next tasks. Yang Yunxian, seeing that he was no longer needed here, hastily left.
After going out, he immediately went to see a doctor at Hui Chun Tang. However, after all the doctors examined his pulse, they all said that he was not poisoned and was in good health, possibly due to excessive worry and overthinking. This made Yang Yunxian dare not have any other thoughts.