She was the type who reigned supreme in this residence, least fond of being contradicted by anyone, even with Lin Qianqing, of course, except in front of the elderly grandma and Lin Xingyi.
Gu Youyou quietly stood to one side, watching as two sturdy maids ’invited’ her to Lin Qianqing’s courtyard.
Well, it was a gathering of comrades in similar misfortune.
Lin Qianqing’s spirits were lifted completely by having someone to keep her company, an emotion Gu Youyou could understand.
The two were lectured for four hours before the various rules and regulations were finally explained to them.
How they should walk, how to greet imperial consorts of different ranks, and so on.
When speaking, they must not look straight ahead but should lower their gaze to their own toes, etc...
After demonstrating once, the maids had them both give it a try.
Lin Qianqing had been learning for several days. Although she wasn’t very good, she wasn’t far off either, just remembering to act accordingly and to speak and conduct herself with caution was enough.
Gu Youyou learned it after just one lesson, much to the delight of the two maids.
They had thought that this country girl would give them a headache, and feared they might have to teach by lamplight at night, but they had not expected such a strong capacity for understanding.
Without comparison, there would be no harm done, and Lin Qianqing felt for the first time she had seen those two stern maids smile, their praise was anything but stingy.
"Miss Gu has excellent potential. Having taught for so many years, it’s the first time I’ve encountered such a student. Now we can rest easy, just worrying if there will be enough time for Miss Gu to learn well."
"Thank you for your praise," Gu Youyou responded respectfully, bowing to them.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad at all, the movements are standard, and the volume of your voice is appropriate," the maids nodded with satisfaction and said, "Shall we call it a day then? Misses, when you return, think it over carefully, and don’t get complacent just because you’ve been praised."
The two were delighted, especially Lin Qianqing. Suppressing the joy in her heart, she hastily bowed to the two maids, "Thank you for your instruction, maids!"
Gu Youyou’s courtyard was also followed to by Lin Qianqing.
With a face full of surprise, she said, "Cousin, how did you learn so quickly? You remembered all those things in one go. I tell you, I memorize scriptures better than I do any of these etiquette rules."
Gu Youyou, while turning the soil in several pots of medicinal herbs on the medicine shelf, simply said, "That’s because you are resistant to entering the palace, your heart isn’t in it, so naturally, you find it difficult to learn."
Lin Qianqing pouted, unconvinced.
She also took a small shovel to loosen the soil for a pot of herbs, then said, "I just feel... it’s troublesome, not as free and easy as at home."
Gu Youyou nodded in agreement.
Turning around, she took out a watering can and began watering the plants, continuing, "Although your aunt is strict with you, it’s for your own good. No matter how naughty you are or how angry you make her, at most she would scold you and punish you to stay put and copy scriptures. She won’t really do anything to you.
But in that place... didn’t your uncle tell you that the emperor would arrange your marriage? It’s likely to be one of the princes, and if you truly marry into the Imperial Family, your days will no longer be dictated by you, and aunt and uncle won’t be able to help you."
The mood dipped at Gu Youyou’s words.
Lin Qianqing listlessly shoveled the soil, nearly digging out the medicinal herbs that Gu Youyou had cared for diligently.
Gu Youyou quickly snatched the shovel from her hand and thrust the watering can into her hands, saying, "You’d better help me water them, all of them need water."
"Oh!" She merely uttered and turned to water the plants.
Gu Youyou shook her head helplessly.