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Now it seems that Nanny Qi might have been deliberately teaching her, wanting to temper her character for fear that she would act impulsively in the future.

That was probably for the best, since his Little Concubines were all to become mothers. It would be good for them to restrain themselves. Although he thought this, he could not object to her, lest the Little Concubine become angry.

After Lian Hua had her moment of pride, she thought about how unbearable it would be if it were always like this in the future. Her shoulders slumped, and she stood in front of the Emperor, fiddling with her fingers and sighing.

Seeing her like this, the Emperor felt a bit of heartache and gently smoothed her hair, asking softly, "What happened today to make you like this?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Hua found herself at a loss for words. She wiggled out of the Emperor’s embrace and began to speak nonstop, "So many things happened! It began after I went to Huaqing Pool to scoop up some fish..."

After Nanny Qi had dismissed the Noble Consort and Steward Zhang, she called out to her. Lian Hua thought she was going to be reprimanded, but instead, she was just asked to sit inside and wait for the meal, without having to worry about the kitchen.

She also asked Xiao Jizi to inform Xiao Linzi when he returned.

She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like she and Xiao Jizi had overthought.

When it was time for the midday meal, she had wanted to set up a small low table as usual and let Xiao Jizi and the others dine there, but before she could arrange it, Nanny Qi had already taken care of it and instructed the others to eat in the servant’s quarters.

Seeing Nanny Qi’s expression, she hesitated and dared not speak up, thinking to herself that Nanny Qi did not understand the private affairs of Canglan Court. They would eat separately for now and she could discuss it slowly with Nanny Qi once they became more familiar.

To her surprise, after everyone had their midday meal and taken the fetus-preserving medicine, Nanny Qi gathered everyone in the Side Hall.

She was told to sit while the others stood and was informed that they needed to properly learn the rules.

After the announcement, Pang Ya began to recite the palace regulations, one by one.

She didn’t take it seriously at first, feeling sleepy after eating. Listening to Pang Ya recite the regulations monotonously was just like listening to a teacher read; she nodded off bit by bit, nearly falling asleep sitting there, not knowing what was being discussed.

Once Pang Ya finished reciting, Nanny Qi continued to talk endlessly about palace etiquette, behavior, and various other matters before finally asking her if she had listened carefully.

At that point, her spirit had drifted away, only vaguely opening her eyes slightly and nodding perfunctorily.

Once she nodded, Nanny Qi finally left her be, saying that since the master had already been informed, she would start from today on, and then allowed her to take a nap.

When she woke up refreshed, she saw Nanny Qi sitting upright in the hall through the curtains of the Crescent Moon Gate.

Confused, she parted the curtains on either side of the Small Crescent Moon Gate, and Nanny Qi turned to ask if she had slept well. She nodded doubtfully, took a few steps, and then heard Pang Ya’s voice from outside, "Stand properly, don’t tremble."

Right after that, she heard a "smack—" sound, like, like the sound of a whip striking flesh.

Suddenly, she had an ominous premonition and quickly stepped to the wide-open hall door, only to see Xiao Qing, Xiao Jizi, and Xiao Linzi standing in a row outside the courtyard, each with a basin on their head, looking pitiable.

She didn’t know how long they had been holding the basins, but their hands were beginning to tremble.

She stared in disbelief, doubting what she saw, and turned to look back at Nanny Qi.

Nanny Qi clasped her hands in front of her chest and slowly stood up, informing her that this had happened with her permission.

Confused, she asked when this had happened, as she had not been aware.

With a calm and detached tone, Nanny Qi explained that it was after lunch but before the afternoon rest, and she had personally agreed that if the master’s tasks were not performed well, it would mean the servants had not fulfilled their duty and deserved punishment.

Having said this, she began to point out her flaws, such as improper appearance, inappropriate sitting and standing postures, inelegant gestures, non-standard salutations, and speaking while eating, among other things.

She criticized every aspect of her behavior from the moment she returned from fishing until she woke up.

She was so shocked by these revelations that she couldn’t help but exclaim out loud, admiring Grandma Qi’s impressive memory.

When she realized what was happening, Lian Hua was at a loss for words, wondering how this could be possible.

At that time, Nanny Qi and her Pang Ya had said so much that she only wanted to sleep, unable to remember everything that had been discussed. It was like when, as a child, her teacher assigned homework hidden within endless chatter—who could pay attention to that!

It’s all over, she had doomed Xiao Jizi and the others.

No wonder they looked so gloomy and hesitant before her afternoon rest; she hadn’t thought much of it at the time due to extreme tiredness.

Now, she realized it was because of Nanny Qi’s formidable presence—no, her aura—that she had truly doomed them.

Lian Hua looked outside at the three servants.

They were truly pitiable; Pang Ya was like a bully, wielding a spiky rattan, waving it occasionally.

If they didn’t stand correctly, they were beaten; if their hands trembled, they were beaten; if they spilled water, they were beaten.

The sight of them in distress pained her.

Unable to restrain herself, she weakly asked Nanny Qi if she could take the punishment for them, sparing Xiao Jizi and the others, as they looked so pitiful. Could her previous agreement be considered void?

Nanny Qi, with a stern face, rejected the idea, stating that such notions of personal accountability were not fashionable in the palace.

Just making them stand without kneeling was already a special mercy.

If the servants had not played their advisory role well, then punishment was necessary.

There was no logic in punishing the master while the servants merely watched.

Moreover, as a Beauty, she should maintain the aura of a master. Constantly changing commands and reneging on decisions would undermine the master’s authority and influence over others.

Lian Hua felt that Nanny Qi’s reasoning was sound, but looking outside at the three servants neatly holding water basins, she felt dizzy with worry, fearing she might lose her hair over this. Finally, she timidly asked how she could spare them from punishment.

Nanny Qi gave a slight smile, the first time Lian Hua had seen her smile, and instinctively, Lian Hua shuddered, sensing that the situation was not simple.

Sure enough, Nanny Qi stated that as long as the master performed well, the servants would also be credited and would naturally avoid punishment. She then asked Lian Hua if she were willing to learn properly.

Lian Hua nodded vigorously and agreed. She was not afraid of being punished herself but was worried about her people enduring shared punishment, which was even more agonizing for her.

Everyone who played with her as a child knew that she was loyal; they loved to play with her. Humph, she was not the type to abandon her companions.

Once Lian Hua agreed, the strenuous training began.

Nanny Qi took out a book on court etiquette and guided her meticulously on her behavior and actions, insisting that she follow them precisely.

The slightest mistake would result in having Xiao Jizi and the others refill their water basins, enduring a grueling afternoon until the Emperor arrived in the evening.

After explaining, Lian Hua looked at the Emperor with a pitiful gaze, unable to help but hug His Majesty, burying her head in his chest, muttering, "Your Majesty, I feel so pitiful. Will you hold me? Did I do well?" While speaking, she couldn’t help but rub against the Emperor’s chest, whining for comfort.