Seeing Nanny Zhangâs face quickly darken, Xie PanâEr knew there was no room for negotiation.
She reckoned she couldnât bargain with Nanny Zhang anymore, fearing it would displease her. But she couldnât stand by and watch Nanny Zhang stray further down this unyielding path. She had to find a way to make Nanny Zhang abandon this notion.
With that thought, she turned to find Elder Madame Ji, or perhaps Huo XingâEr or Zhu Xiuxiuâanyone who might be able to persuade Nanny Zhang.
However, just as she was about to move, she heard Nanny Zhangâs cold, stern voice.
"Miss Xie, teaching the Eldest Princess is my duty. You sympathize with her youth, as do I, but you must also consider the future. She is the Eldest Princess of the Great Han and may attain an even more noble status in the future. If she doesnât master etiquette and decorum now, the reputation of our Great Han will be at stake. Do you still intend to stop me?"
Xie PanâEr opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but Nanny Zhang spoke again before she could.
"If Miss Xie insists on obstructing me, then I shall go and request Eunuch Ling to reassign me to the Palace. I will ask Eunuch Ling to send another imperial Nanny to instruct the Eldest Princess!"
A threat, an undisguised threat!
Xie PanâEr knew Nanny Zhang had seen through her intentions. Feeling utterly helpless, she could only force a smile and say, "Nanny, it is only right that you teach the Eldest Princess the grand rites of kneeling and bowing. How could I possibly stop you? I was merely thinking of finding a suitable place for you, thatâs all!"
Only after Xie PanâEr said this did Nanny Zhangâs expression soften slightly.
However, she still said, "Thereâs no need to find another location for practice. The Hall in the Princessâs Courtyard will do! Itâs spacious!"
Xie PanâErâs scalp tingled, and she quickly said, "That wonât do, it wonât do at all! We must change locations!"
Nanny Zhangâs expression changed faster than one could flip a page as she looked at Xie PanâEr.
Xie PanâEr steeled herself against Nanny Zhangâs questioning gaze and said, "Donât you think the Garden outside would be more appropriate? I feel the Garden is more spacious and brighter."
The main thing is, if lightning strikes in the Garden, it wonât cause too much trouble! But if the Princessâs Courtyard were struck by lightning, that would be difficult to explain later.
Nanny Zhang took a deep breath, repeatedly suppressing the anger welling up inside her.
This Xie PanâEr is not only deeply liked by the Eldest Princess, but she also has the favor of Elder Madame Ji, as well as the Second and Third Madames of the Ji Family. Antagonizing her would be unwise, even though she thoroughly disliked this personâs interference in her teaching curriculum!
So, she nodded and then proactively stood by the doorway, waiting for the Eldest Princess, who was currently eating breakfast.
Xie PanâEr watched Xiaosuisui finish her meal and wash her hands in the copper basin Yun Duo brought over. Then she began giving instructions. "You, go to Zhiwei Restaurant and buy the Eldest Princessâs favorite preserved fruit. Have Yunxiang go to Bright Moon Pavilion and fetch the newly made clothes for the Eldest Princess."
Yunxiang nodded, cleared the table, and then went out.
Xie PanâEr called out, "Xiaobai!"
Xiaobai darted out from somewhere.
Xie PanâEr placed Xiaobai on the table and said to Xiaosuisui, "You play with Xiaobai for a bit. I need to step out for a moment. Donât go out to learn etiquette with Nanny until I return, understood?"
Xiaosuisui didnât quite understand Xie PanâErâs arrangements but nodded in agreement nonetheless.
Seeing Xie PanâEr exit the Hall, Nanny Zhangâs gaze fixed on her. She stared so intensely it was as if she wanted to bore a hole right through Xie PanâErâs body!