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However, when everyone saw that the hawk’s claw was firmly grasping Xiao Linshuang’s wrist, they all stood up in astonishment.

Lin Yuan was both anxious and angry, and stepped forward to snatch Xiao Linshuang’s hand, "Sister, she is just a child!"

But before Lin Yuan could get close, Sister Chang turned her head, her eyes exceptionally cold and indifferent, staring at her so intensely that for a moment her mind actually paused.

This might be the calm and composure developed from living in the deep palace for a long time, after all, the other party was a lady nearing seventy years old, having lived a longer life than her two lifetimes combined.

Lady Liu and Lin Jiaxin were also frightened by their youngest daughter’s crying and quickly began to plead.

Sister Chang’s expression softened a bit, but it was still clear and cold, "Madam Lin, did the princess not tell you about my rules beforehand?"

Upon hearing this, Lady Liu faltered, tugging at her husband’s sleeve before sitting back down.

Princess Anle had mentioned that Sister Chang was different from other sisters; her teaching methods were somewhat unusual, but the results of a month’s teaching were comparable to others’ one year!

Therefore, she did not like interference from others.

"My lady, what is this..." Lin Jiaxin, concerned for his daughter, was puzzled by Lady Liu’s interference.

Lady Liu could not bear to look up at her daughter anymore and whispered in her husband’s ear for a moment.

Lin Jiaxin was initially shocked, then distressed, but his gaze became exceptionally firm when he looked at Lin Yuan.

Their daughter had to establish herself in the Capital city, and the harshness now was protection for their future.

If one day their daughters angered some dignitaries due to inadequate etiquette, wouldn’t that just invite disaster?

Alas. Lin Jiaxin sighed and also lowered his head, no longer looking at the children.

Lady Liu, with downcast eyes, picked up a bowl and continued to feed Xiao Yongyan, fiercely avoiding eye contact.

After all, Princess Anle had said that Sister Chang was measured in her actions; not to mention maiming or crippling, as long as the children were obedient, they would not even feel pain.

And at this moment, Xiao Linshuang truly wasn’t in pain!

Seeing that her parents were ignoring her, the little girl crying intensely widened her eyes in surprise; but no matter how she begged, her parents just kept their heads down eating without speaking a word, even Lao Fan lowered his head and faced the chicken soup in his bowl.

Lao Fan, having been in the Capital city for many years, was very aware of Sister Chang’s reputation; admittedly, although she was serious and seldom smiled, her methods were a bit peculiar, but the ladies she instructed were all top-notch.

Not to mention distant cases, just taking the younger generation in the Capital city like Su Qiuyu, Yao Hanai, and Yan Ruchun, each one was a lady of great renown trained by her.

Moreover, ordinary families couldn’t even hire her if they wished.

A rich family, anxious a few years ago, wanted to cultivate their only daughter into an Imperial Concubine and offered one hundred taels of gold to hire Sister Chang.

However, Sister Chang didn’t even glance at the offer and politely declined.

If it weren’t for Princess Anle’s sake today, Sister Chang probably wouldn’t have come to Lin Yuan’s house to instruct anyone.

Since everyone else was ignoring her, Xiao Linshuang also shut her mouth, pouting and grumbling.

This truly dumbfounded Lin Yuan; her little sister who had been crying earth-shatteringly just a moment ago had suddenly stopped, could it be that she was pretending?

"Little sister, you..."

Lin Yuan had not yet finished her sentence when Sister Chang had already withdrawn her hawk’s claw, coldly saying, "Miss need not act this way, as long as you all obediently learn the rules, I will not casually bring out this treasure."

Having gained freedom for her wrist, Xiao Linshuang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately refrained from reaching for the red bean bun again and obediently sat back down in her chair.

Lin Wei and Xiao He hurried over, concerned for her wrist, but no matter how thoroughly the two searched, they couldn’t find any trace of injury on Xiao Linshuang’s wrist, not even a slight red mark.

How strange.

At this moment, Lin Yuan also noticed that Sister Chang’s eagle claw was quite similar to a chicken’s foot, sharp at the top, yet incredibly smooth inside. Its design was remarkably intricate.

What astonished her more was that the sharp tips of the eagle claw could serve as weapons for self-defense.

Moreover, the more she looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.

When Sister Chang kept it back by her side, Lin Yuan suddenly realized—wasn’t that just Sister Chang’s walking stick?

No wonder it hadn’t left any marks when gripping Xiao Linshuang’s wrist; it was what Sister Chang used for support.

Such ingenious craftsmanship! The design was truly clever!

This ingenious device, Lin Yuan believed, was not something an old lady could come up with, which made her incredibly curious about who the real inventor was.

Even though they had released Xiao Linshuang, Sister Chang’s demand had not lessened by a fraction; she gestured to a maid by her side, saying to everyone, "Please, young ladies, pick up your chopsticks and learn with Qiaoer. Whoever can correctly pick up ten peanuts will be permitted to eat."

It then dawned on everyone why there had been a stack of raw peanuts on the table that morning—they were meant to be practiced with.

The sisters looked at each other; picking up peanuts didn’t seem that difficult!

Lin Wei and Xiao He exchanged glances, then both picked up their chopsticks, studying Qiaoer’s technique.

"Second sister, third sister, you really lack backbone. Are you really going to bow down to this old witch just for a meal?"

Having been grabbed by Sister Chang’s eagle claw, Xiao Linshuang was not about to easily comply.

She urged the two not to learn, while looking towards her eldest sister: "Look at our eldest sister, she’s the one with real backbone.

It’s just one meal; it’s not like we’ll starve.

Eldest sister, let’s all not learn, let’s protest until, ahem, eldest sister? What, what are you doing?"

Lin Yuan looked up with a natural smile, shaking the chopsticks in her hand, "What do you think? Of course, I’m learning the rules!"

Xiao Linshuang opened her mouth wide, hardly believing that the most rebellious eldest sister would also have a day when she obediently learned the rules!

"You! You’re really too disloyal!" Xiao Linshuang wanted to continue reproaching, but when she saw that Lin Wei had successfully picked up ten peanuts and received Sister Chang’s approval, she finally couldn’t sit still.

"Second sister, you succeeded?" Xiao Linshuang muttered unconsciously until she saw Lin Wei happily start eating. She then grabbed the chopsticks next to her and began learning as well.

What about face or backbone when eating is what matters? How can one talk about face or backbone on an empty stomach? Without food to sustain it, the skeleton would fall apart. Better to satiate hunger first, then worry about face!

The sisters were very intelligent. How to use chopsticks—a simple task—certainly did not stump them. Lin Yuan was the second to master it, Xiao He third, and even Xiao Linshuang, who was the last to pick up the chopsticks, promptly followed Xiao He’s footsteps and perfectly completed the task.