Chapter 78: Teaching Nanny Li a Lesson

Arriving at the gate of the courtyard, Wei Ruo indeed saw Madam Li, whom she had not seen for a long time; she appeared darker and thinner than two months ago.

Madam Li knelt on both knees, and as soon as she saw Wei Ruo approaching, she began to kowtow and apologize to her.

Her actions drew several servants of the household to pause and gather at the entrance of the Pine Listening Pavilion, watching the scene unfold.

Seeing this, Xiumei furrowed her brows, tugging at Wei Ruo's sleeve and whispering her concern, "Miss, what should we do? Madam Li must be doing this on purpose! Making such a commotion and drawing so many people to watch—what is she trying to achieve?"

"I know exactly what she intends," Wei Ruo replied, fully aware. "She wants to ruin my reputation."

When Wei Ruo had just entered the household, Madam Li was assigned to instruct her in proper etiquette. In name, she was half a teacher to Wei Ruo, and as an old servant of the Earl’s household, her kneeling and kowtowing before Wei Ruo made for an unsightly spectacle.

The day Wei Ruo and Madam Li clashed, their confrontation was intense—a battle of wills. Based on her usual demeanor, Wei Ruo’s reaction to Madam Li’s kowtowing would not be gratitude; she’d likely respond with sarcasm.

If she did, she would earn a reputation for bullying the old servants of the household, leaving the staff with a poor impression of their young mistress.

"So what should we do?" Xiumei fretted.

"Don’t worry, just watch me," Wei Ruo said, gently patting Xiumei's hand.

She then strode up to Madam Li. "Madam Li, you mustn’t do this!"

"If the young lady doesn’t forgive me today, I will remain kneeling and never rise!" Madam Li said, her face full of sorrow.

"What do you mean by these words, Madam Li? When have I ever blamed you? Please, get up—you're a senior in this household, and you’ve just suffered hardship at the estate. You mustn’t kneel like this!"

Wei Ruo moved forward to help Madam Li up.

Madam Li looked up, astonished at Wei Ruo.

The Wei Ruo in her memory was arrogant, uncouth, and unruly—never willing to learn proper manners, always acting self-important. When they previously quarreled, Wei Ruo confronted her head-on.

Given what she knew of Wei Ruo, this response was entirely unexpected!

"You’re not angry with me, Miss?" Madam Li asked.

"I quarreled with you that day because you made a grave mistake—lives were at stake, and I was naturally anxious. Now, matters have passed; my second brother has recovered, and you have already been punished. Why should I continue to blame you, unless… you intend to repeat your mistakes and continue opposing me?" There was a faint smile at the corner of Wei Ruo’s lips.

"No, no, I have mended my ways and will never err again!" Madam Li hurriedly replied.

She moved to kowtow once more.

"Madam Li, what are you doing? I’ve already forgiven you; why keep kowtowing?"

---

"I am ashamed, afraid you will not truly forgive me."

"You mustn’t, Madam Li—you are of advanced age. If you ruin your health and collapse at my door, what then? Xiumei, quickly help Madam Li up."

"Yes, Miss."

Xiumei stepped forward briskly.

"Come now, Madam Li, stand up." Without giving Madam Li time to react, Xiumei slipped her hands under Madam Li’s arms and lifted her up.

Madam Li was still dazed when Wei Ruo continued, "Now check her knees to see if they’ve been injured."

At these words, Madam Li panicked and tried to stop her, "No need, no need, I’m not hurt!"

But her speed was no match for Xiumei’s. In a flash, Xiumei reached for Madam Li’s knees.

Instead of hard kneecaps, her hands found something soft.

Xiumei immediately understood. With quick hands, she reached under Madam Li’s skirt and removed the kneepads tied to her knees.

When the kneepads appeared before everyone, surprise flashed across their faces, soon replaced by disdain.

Wei Ruo spoke calmly, "Madam Li truly cares for her health—coming to apologize to me, she still remembered to protect her knees."

Madam Zhang had just arrived at Pine Listening Pavilion to speak with Wei Ruo, and caught sight of this scene. Unable to hold back, she burst out laughing.

With Madam Zhang leading the way, the other maids watching also began to giggle.

Hearing the laughter, Madam Li was overwhelmed with shame and fury. She snatched the kneepads from Xiumei’s hands and fled.

Xiumei returned to Wei Ruo’s side, smiling. "Miss, how did you know she’d tied kneepads?"

"The ground here is paved with rough flagstones; even young knees wouldn’t endure kneeling long, let alone someone Madam Li’s age. She wasn’t truly here to apologize, so of course she wouldn’t let herself suffer," Wei Ruo explained.

"I see—Miss, you are so clever!"

"And I have my Xiumei’s quick eyes and hands!"

"That's why I’m fit to stay by your side for a lifetime!" Xiumei laughed.

Mistress and maid returned to the courtyard, chatting and laughing, while the rest of the onlookers dispersed.

---

Madam Li fled in embarrassment back to Plum Watching Pavilion.

Seeing her return in such a state, Wei Qingwan anxiously approached to inquire, "Madam, what happened?"

"Miss, what is going on? I was only away in the countryside for two months, yet the young lady’s temperament has changed so much." Madam Li still could not believe it.

"Well... I don’t know either. I’ve never truly understood my elder sister," Wei Qingwan murmured, lowering her head. "Madam, you always said she was coarse and arrogant, that the proper behavior she displayed before our parents and brothers was just an act. Yet all this time, I’ve never seen her punished for any arrogance; instead, she often uses etiquette to suppress me."

Wei Qingwan continued, "Earlier, when Madam said you wanted to give her a piece of your mind, I tried to stop you for this very reason."

Madam Li’s brows knit tightly, her anger evident. "It seems I underestimated this Wei Qingruo! Don’t worry, Miss, I was careless this time. Now that I’m back, I’ll have plenty of time to deal with her slowly!"

"Madam, isn’t this wrong... what if..."

"Don’t worry, Miss, this is all my own idea. No matter what happens, I’ll take full responsibility; I’ll never implicate you!" Madam Li assured Wei Qingwan.

"How can that be? Madam, you do all this for me! How can I stand aside?"

"My punishment was entirely Wei Qingruo’s fault—she and I have been at odds. This time, you pleaded for me and got me back to the household a month early. I owe you a debt of gratitude, so in reason and emotion, I must do this. Please, Miss, don’t try to dissuade me."

Madam Li was resolute.

---

Two nights later, as the Wei household was enjoying tea after dinner, Wei Mingting, who had not returned home in seven days, suddenly appeared.

He was still clad in armor, his battle robe unremoved, his face streaked with dirt, and his hair disheveled.