Spring flowers.

Chapter 18 Etiquette Nurse
In the front hall, Old Madam Wei, Old Master Wei, Madam Fang, and others were anxiously waiting for Wei Yishang to appear.

What they were waiting for was a reasonable explanation: how did Wei Yishang, this girl who didn't show off at all, attract that top scholar?

Judging from this display of effort, the third-ranked scholar is probably putting in a lot of effort to win her hand in marriage. This makes it even more puzzling; what exactly is it about Wei Yishang that makes her so alluring?
On her way to the front hall, Wei Yishang suddenly heard the system whisper in her ear:
[Host detected; a lot of trouble is coming. Please do not proceed to the front hall.]

Good grief, this is basically leaving all these family members hanging...

Thinking about all this, Wei Yishang felt that the future wouldn't be easy. But the thought of the generous rewards after successfully completing the mission cheered her up.

A salted fish, even if it stands up straight, is still just a salted fish with a protruding spine; it will never become a shark...

Wei Yishang sent her maid Cui'er to the front hall to inform them, while she returned to her residence and stared blankly at the oil lamp.

In the lobby, a heated discussion was taking place.

"What's wrong with Chang'er? She's never been sick before..." The old lady glanced at Fang Shi and continued chanting her Buddhist prayer beads.

"Perhaps she was too excited. Daughter-in-law will handle these matters." Fang frowned when she noticed that Wei Yishang's birth mother, Zhang, had not come either.

"Changlin, when you went to Ju County, did you see anything suspicious?" Master Wei asked his son.

Wei Changlin recalled his sister's conversation with the third-ranked scholar and didn't think anything was amiss.

"I haven't seen him, Father. I don't know what happened either."

“Master, this girl is so lucky to marry the third-ranked scholar. Our whole family will enjoy happiness together in the future. It’s a wonderful thing.”

"I'm not unaware of everyone's doubts," said Mrs. Xu with a smile. "I have my own doubts too."

But she learned from Wei Xinluo that Wei Yishang had helped her break the trap.

Wei Xinluo had the man caught, secretly put in his pocket, and then gave him a beating.

Helping her sister in this way shows Wei Yishang's kindness.

Xu would naturally help anyone who was good to her daughter.

“Master, no matter what, I will arrange for a etiquette tutor to teach Chang’er manners and etiquette, so as to avoid her embarrassing herself after marrying into the Ye family and disgracing the Wei family.”

Seeing that Xu was willing to speak up for Wei Yishang, and considering the recent interactions between Wei Xinluo and Wei Yishang, Fang hardened her heart.

"Discipline Chang'er properly and teach her some manners." Master Wei nodded approvingly, leaving everything to Madam Fang to decide.

The matchmaker came to discuss the proposed date. However, Master Wei did not want his illegitimate daughter to get married so hastily, and planned to first arrange an engagement, with the formal wedding taking place a year later.

After the negotiations concluded, the matchmaker returned to report. Master Wei glanced at his children and sighed, thinking that they would all be getting married in the future.

"Master, it is said that when a half-sister gets married, the eldest sister should marry first. Why not help Yingzi find a good marriage as well, so that both girls can get married in style?"

Lin watched Wei Yingzi's reaction from the side. This girl usually acted aloof and unapproachable, and she wondered what Wei Yingzi thought about her marriage.

“My daughter has no such intentions. She has no desire to use any means to climb the social ladder by relying on a man.”

Although Wei Yingzi outwardly expressed disdain, a resentment was already brewing in her heart. This Wei Yishang, a concubine's daughter, had actually managed to become a third-ranked scholar.

Wei Yingzi had always been fond of the son of the Duke of Song, but she had only ever seen him at a polo match. He was a handsome young man, as dashing as Pan An.

But she knew that they were not of the same social standing, and that she, from a humble family, could not possibly join the powerful Song family.

Why should Wei Yishang be allowed to do it?

Everyone thought so. Master Wei instructed Madam Fang to investigate further, to see what those two were doing and what kind of shady dealings they were up to.

In the backyard, Wei Yishang was quietly contemplating life in her boudoir. She thought that she should find some work to do to distract herself.

Since it's a business, you need to think about which trade to do and how to make money.

Silver, what a wonderful thing! Thinking of the thousand taels of silver I earned that day, now I have the start-up capital, right?

Wei Yishang pondered the plot of the book carefully, and also thought about what she had seen recently.

Although the country is currently prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, the opening up of trade means that trading in exotic goods can be a lucrative business.

But what exactly to resell? Wei Yishang thought about the shops on the street. Porcelain was particularly expensive these days, so why not resell some exotic items?

Thinking about her language skills, Wei Yishang sighed.

Just then, Wei Xinluo came to visit, bringing some nourishing medicinal herbs for Wei Yishang to make soup.

"Little sister, I heard you caught a cold, so I brought you some nourishing herbs to help you recover."

Wei Xinluo wore a newly made satin dress in a light lotus color, which looked both elegant and cool.

She walked over to Wei Yishang in a few quick steps, sat down, and stared at Wei Yishang.

"Sister, is there something wrong with my face?" Wei Yishang asked Wei Xinluo.

"No... I was just curious why the third-ranked scholar chose you among all the beauties..." Wei Xinluo looked at Wei Yishang's face and smoothed her stray hairs.

"It may not be my fault; perhaps that third-ranked scholar is blind. These thoughts are the root of all evil, drawing blame onto women."

"That's true... What is my sister thinking?"

Wei Xinluo noticed Wei Yishang staring at his clothes and asked, puzzled.

"Sister, your clothes are so beautiful, where were they made?" Wei Yishang thought that she had a thousand taels of silver, so she might as well open another clothing store.

However, we need to observe and learn from how the existing competitors in this industry operate.

"It's still that Xiang Sheng Ji shop, lots of people get their clothes made there, but the prices are a bit high."

Wei Xinluo thought that Wei Yishang wanted to have clothes made, and that he was worried that Wei Yishang didn't have the budget because of the high price.

Just then, the etiquette attendant arrived, and Wei Xinluo got up to take her leave.

"Miss, this old servant is Granny Liu, who serves the First Madam. I've come to teach you manners and etiquette. You must listen carefully."

The etiquette nanny had a fierce face and looked unfriendly.

Wei Yishang instantly understood Fang's meaning; it was simply to warn her not to get carried away with her success.

"boring……"

Wei Yishang complained.

“Young lady, please stand up straight and practice your composure.”

For two hours, Wei Yishang wasn't even allowed to drink water, and her feet ached from standing.

The kitchen served hot soup, and without asking Wei Yishang's opinion, the etiquette nanny picked it up and drank it all in one gulp.

She was just about to praise how comforting the drink was when she heard a scream. Suddenly, the etiquette nanny foamed at the mouth and died.

Cui'er quickly went to inform the old lady and the first wife, while Wei Yishang went to the outside of the Wei family's small kitchen and listened carefully to what the cook inside had to say.

"The money I just received is enough to live a carefree life for several months," a cook said with a hearty laugh.

"Do you know who gave it to you?" another cook asked.

At this moment, the space seemed to fall silent, and there was no sound from within.

(End of this chapter)