Chapter 38: A Brief Display, Stunned Spectators-A matriarca renasce como madrasta e a família do marido canalha se arrepende profundamente(Uma flor desabrocha.)

Lin Wanqing personally escorted Nanny Zhao to the courtyard of Mother Lu.

"Mother, this is Nanny Zhao, who served as my governess."

Nanny Zhao stepped forward and performed a bow with fluid grace. "This servant pays her respects to you, Madam. May you be blessed with eternal fortune."

Mother Lu had seen much of the world over the years and had encountered many governesses from prominent families, but none possessed the bearing of Nanny Zhao. Every movement was dignified and disciplined; every word was spoken with neither arrogance nor servility. Her presence was truly remarkable.

Seeing Lin Wanqing—who had been personally trained by this very woman—standing beside her, looking even more refined than her teacher, Mother Lu beamed with satisfaction.

"Very good, very good indeed. Nanny Zhao, I leave those two headstrong girls of mine to you. Do not hold back in your instruction. If they refuse to heed your guidance, you have my permission to punish them."

A governess was distinct from a standard house manager; while still a servant, she held the authority to impose physical discipline on the young ladies under her tutelage, provided it remained within reasonable bounds, such as small penalties like striking the palms.

Nanny Zhao curtsied. "This servant will do her utmost to instruct the two young ladies and shall not fail your expectations, Madam."

Seeing the nanny’s lack of sycophancy and her quiet confidence, Mother Lu was immensely pleased. "Someone, go and summon the two young ladies. Let them meet Nanny Zhao."

A maid-in-waiting from the courtyard received the order and hurried away. A quarter of an hour later, Lu Jinrong and Lu Huixin arrived together.

As soon as Lu Jinrong entered the yard, she began rolling her eyes at Lin Wanqing. Lu Huixin, while refraining from such an overt display, was hardly respectful either.

After paying their respects to Mother Lu, their acknowledgments of Lin Wanqing were perfunctory. Lu Jinrong skipped the gesture entirely, glaring at Lin Wanqing with a look that clearly challenged: "And what are you going to do about it?"

Lin Wanqing remained indifferent, far too composed to be angered by such trifles. Mother Lu, however, was mortified by their behavior, her face flushing with shame.

"Presumptuous! Who taught you such manners? Perform your bows again, properly!"

Lu Huixin, being far more shrewd than Lu Jinrong, sensed her mother's anger and immediately bowed to Lin Wanqing, offering a submissive excuse: "Mother, I was lost in thought just now; I did not intend to slight you. Please do not blame me."

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "It is no matter. However, when you are out in the world, you must not lose focus when greeting others. Otherwise, people will mock the General’s Mansion for lacking discipline."

Seeing Lin Wanqing subtly undermining her before their mother, Lu Huixin’s expression darkened, but unable to lash out, she had to stifle her frustration and reply, "Mother is right to lecture me; I will remember this."

Mother Lu’s expression softened slightly as she turned to Lu Jinrong. Lu Jinrong turned her head away, pretending not to notice, which immediately ignited Mother Lu’s temper.

Lin Wanqing shook her head at her with a smile. "Mother, it is a small matter. I do not mind; it is not worth your anger."

Still, Mother Lu was vexed; her own daughter’s lack of propriety was a source of great embarrassment. Nanny Zhao, however, remained unperturbed. Unfazed by Lu Jinrong’s insolence, she remarked coolly, "The eldest young lady’s manners are indeed quite lacking. I fear the instruction will be difficult."

Worried that Nanny Zhao might resign—as a truly capable governess was hard to find—Mother Lu fretted. A young lady’s conduct and character were paramount to her future marriage and the family’s reputation. "I have spoiled her since she was a child. Nanny, I must ask you to put in extra effort."

Nanny Zhao curtsied. "Rest assured, Madam."

Lu Jinrong caught the drift and turned to glare at Lin Wanqing. "Is this the governess you brought here?"

Lin Wanqing replied, "It was your mother’s wish." *So, take your anger to your mother; do not target the wrong person.*

Lu Jinrong, finding Nanny Zhao’s presence stifling, protested, "Mother! You actually let Lin Wanqing choose a governess for me? She hates me to the bone; anyone she picks will surely try to break me. Send this woman away and find another!"

Seeing her daughter’s unreasonable tantrums, Mother Lu’s face turned stern. "Enough! Nanny Zhao was invited specifically for you and Huixin. From today on, you will follow her guidance. You are not to leave the estate until you have mastered your manners."

"What? Mother, you are grounding us?" Lu Jinrong stomped her foot in distress. "Mother, has Lin Wanqing bewitched you? Can’t you see she has ill intentions? You..."

"Enough!" Mother Lu slammed her hand on the table. "Look at yourself! Where is the grace of a noble lady? You are no different from a street ruffian!"

Lu Jinrong protested, "What is wrong with how I am? Our Lu family is a military household; why bother with such affected, pretentious mannerisms?" As she spat out the word "pretentious," she cast a pointed glance at Lin Wanqing, ensuring everyone knew exactly whom she meant.

Lin Wanqing smiled slightly. She suddenly stepped forward, reached out, caught Lu Jinrong’s arm, twisted it, lifted her into the air to spin her around, and then set her down firmly before strolling back to her original spot.

Everyone was stunned into silence, and Lu Jinrong’s face turned deathly pale. Only Banxia and Zisu, the two young maids, held their chins high with pride. Calling their mistress pretentious? Such blind arrogance!

Lin Wanqing said calmly, "Since you claim to be a descendant of a military family, you must surely be skilled in martial arts. Why not show us a few moves?"

Lu Jinrong, trembling, dared not speak.

Lin Wanqing chuckled. "If you deem proper manners to be pretentious, then show us your natural, unconstrained disposition. Prove to everyone that even without discipline, you can uphold the prestige of the General’s Mansion."

"Aside from your pedigree, what else do you have to offer?"

"Is it your talent for destroying the century-old foundation of the General’s Mansion in less than three years?"

"You possess no true skill, yet you are self-important, convinced you excel at everything. While you are a daughter at home, your family may tolerate you, but two years from now, when you are married, will your husband’s family treat you the same? If you encounter a sister-in-law like yourself, how will you silence her? With your unreasonable brawling?"

She then turned to Lu Huixin. "This applies to you as well. Learning manners is not about rigid rules; it is about learning the logic and wisdom behind them. It is about understanding human nature and weighing the pros and cons."

"The General’s Mansion may protect you for a time, but the only things that can protect you for a lifetime are your own capability and wits."

"If you truly do not wish to learn, I shall have someone escort Nanny Zhao away right now."

With that, Lin Wanqing summoned a servant to send the nanny away.

Lu Huixin hurried to speak, "Mother, I am willing to learn."