In her previous life, when she was the Crown Prince’s consort, Xuexue put in great effort to master the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting to win over Zhang Ruixuan’s favor.
However, to conceal her outstanding talents, in the past few days, Situ Yongjie had hired a Teacher and an Old Maid to teach her various skills, which she followed to the letter!
Situ Yongjie: "Mother, rest assured, I have hired all the necessary Teachers for Xuexue."
"That’s very good indeed," the Old Madam nodded, then turned to Xuexue and asked, "Xuexue, how is your learning with the Teachers your father hired for you? If you need anything, just tell your grandmother."
Xuexue was very modest: "Thank you, Grandmother, all is well! I don’t need anything for now, but I will tell Grandmother if I do."
Xuexue knew very well that the Old Madam’s sudden care and enthusiasm meant that the old lady had taken a liking to her resources.
Indeed, the Old Madam’s previous favor for Situtu Qinger was not out of genuine affection, but rather for her beautiful appearance and the potential to connect the General’s Mansion to the Royal Family.
Now, hearing that Xuexue had received guidance from the Empress Dowager and The Emperor, she naturally started to pay more attention.
The Old Madam nodded: "That’s good!"
"Grandmother, I want to eat chicken," Situ Zhi, unable to bear their closeness, intentionally interjected loudly.
"Goodness me! Little ancestor, your grandmother was talking to your elder sister! Ask the Maid to serve you some," she said.
"No, Zhizhi wants grandmother to serve him," Situ Zhi insisted on making trouble, refusing to see Xuexue have any peace.
It was because of her that his mother had been sent away to the manor, leaving him, once the overbearing young master of the General’s Mansion, to suffer greatly during this period without his mother’s protection.
Connecting to the Imperial Kinsmen was a big deal for the General’s Mansion, and the Old Madam was somewhat preoccupied. Though having ties to the Imperial Kinsmen was important, Situ Zhi, as the sole heir of the General’s Mansion, was also crucial.
"Alright, alright! Little ancestor, your grandmother will serve you," the Old Madam, with no way out, served him some chicken and even reached to give him a piece of colorful tofu.
Unexpectedly, Situ Zhi grabbed the piece of colorful tofu from the bowl and slammed it down on the ground, cursing as he did, "I refuse to eat the tofu made by that little cheap person!"
Instantly, everyone at the dining table was stunned for a moment.
Upon regaining their senses, Situtu Qinger and Situ Yu covered their mouths and chuckled stealthily, while Situ Dieer showed no expression at all.
Situ Yongjie was angry: "Zhizhi, what is this behavior? Grandmother kindly served you, and even if you are not grateful, how can you throw it on the ground?"
Situ Zhi showed no remorse, chin held high, and said arrogantly, "I merely threw away the food made by that little cheap person, not grandmother."
Without a second thought, Situ Yongjie swung a slap at him.
Everyone in the room was stunned, including Situ Zhi himself, who dumbfoundedly touched his cheek, and after a moment, burst into loud crying.
The Old Madam’s heart ached terribly, she quickly embraced him in her arms: "Don’t cry, my dear grandson, you make your grandmother’s heart ache."
"Daddy... daddy... hit me," Situ Zhi sobbed miserably.
"Grandmother will scold him, don’t cry!" With that, the Old Madam turned to Situ Yongjie and said, "Jiejie, you too, Zhizhi is young and ignorant, you should not stoop to his level! You don’t even know your strength, look, his face has five palm prints, it pains me as a grandmother to see this, don’t you, his father, feel anything?"