Upon hearing this, Yu Tingwan frowned and looked at Lin Yu. "It's still early before the Imperial Academy starts classes. Going now won't cause any delay. You're Li'er's uncle, and also Youniang's uncle. Aren't you being a bit too harsh on Youniang!"
"Who wants to be her uncle? Just got back and already acting like a sister to boss me around…" Lin Yu's voice gradually trailed off, but he rolled his eyes, clearly showing his impatience.
Lin Siqiong watched this scene, her expression unchanged, but inwardly she was grinning from ear to ear.
Raising her handkerchief to dab the corner of her mouth, Lin Siqiong then spoke in a gentle voice, "Yu'er, your sister is just concerned about Youniang. Please try to understand her!"
"What's there to understand!" Marquis Yong'an was extremely impatient. "Indulgent mothers spoil their children! From now on, you're not allowed to be this late again!"
Yu Tingwan gave Marquis Yong'an a deep look. "Yes."
Her voice remained soft, but carried a hint of barely perceptible coldness.
The Marchioness gave Marquis Yong'an a reproachful glance. "Why are you being so harsh, Houye? Tingwan and Youniang have just returned. These things take time to learn! Youniang, don't be afraid of your grandfather. He's just all bark and no bite."
Yu Youniang ran over to the Marchioness, wrapped her arms around the Marchioness's leg, and looked up at her. "Grandmother is so good to Youniang!"
Everyone in the Marquis Manor strictly adhered to etiquette and would never engage in such intimate gestures, as it was considered improper.
This was the first time the Marchioness had ever had a child hug her leg.
The feeling was somewhat unfamiliar, surprising her.
But upon closer reflection, she didn't find it unpleasant.
This must be what it feels like to have grandchildren around one's knees!
The Marchioness raised her hand and patted Yu Youniang's head, her voice also very gentle. "Youniang is my own dear granddaughter. Of course I must be good to Youniang!"
Hearing the Marchioness's words, Lin Siqiong tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
Marquis Yong'an frowned at Yu Youniang. "Stand properly! A proper young lady of the Marquis Manor shouldn't stand without proper posture. What kind of behavior is this!
This is the Marquis Manor. Now that you've returned, you must properly learn the rules of the Marquis Manor. Don't bring your rustic ways here."
Yu Youniang's eyes were full of confusion. She blinked. "Grandfather, is being close to Grandmother considered improper?"
But she used to hug her grandmother, grandfather, and her masters' legs like this when she wanted to act spoiled!
They never said she was improper. In fact, they would even compete for her affection if she didn't hug their legs first. Why is the Marquis Manor different?
Under the gaze of Yu Youniang's large, bright black eyes, Marquis Yong'an felt somewhat uncomfortable. He snorted again. "Who taught you to question your elders? Absolutely no sense of propriety! Today at the Imperial Academy, learn the rules properly! If there's a next time, you'll face the jiafa!"
With that, Marquis Yong'an flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
The Marchioness glanced worriedly at Marquis Yong'an's retreating back, then without hesitation, gently pushed Yu Youniang away. "Youniang, your grandfather means well. A young lady from a noble family truly shouldn't behave like this! Remember, you must not do this again in the future!"
Yu Youniang pouted. "Oh, Youniang understands."
If I can't hug, then I won't hug!
After all, there are plenty of people waiting for me to hug their legs! The line is already too long!
Lin Siqiong watched the scene quietly, her mood having already shifted from gloomy to bright, with a smile brimming in the corners of her eyes and brows, impossible to hide.
Her earlier worries had truly been unnecessary!
The Marchioness might be fooled by this little village girl, but Marquis Yong'an was someone who valued rules and propriety above all else—he would never fall for such tricks!
With her mind at ease, Lin Siqiong walked over to the Marchioness with a smile, wrapping her arms around the Marchioness's arm. "Mother, it's getting late. Let Li'er and Youniang set off quickly. It wouldn't be good for them to be late."
The Marchioness nodded gently. "You're right. Li'er, Youniang, hurry onto the carriage and go quickly!"
Lin Ruoli bowed to the Marchioness and Lin Siqiong, her movements precise and her posture elegant, exuding a gracefulness that belied her age.
"Grandmother, Mother, Li'er is off to school."
Seeing this, the Marchioness and Lin Siqiong both showed satisfaction in their eyes.
This was exactly how it should be!
Li'er was the future Crown Princess! Her manners and etiquette naturally had to be exceptional, with not the slightest room for laxity!
After bowing, Lin Ruoli ascended the wooden steps into the carriage, sitting upright and proper inside.
Yu Youniang, meanwhile, trotted over to Yu Tingwan.
Before Yu Youniang could say anything, Yu Tingwan had already crouched down, opening her arms to embrace Yu Youniang.
"Youniang, when you go to the Imperial Academy, study well with the teacher and don't be mischievous."
Yu Youniang planted a loud, smacking kiss on Yu Tingwan's cheek.
"Don't worry, Mother! Youniang will definitely study hard with the teacher!"
With that, Yu Youniang hopped and skipped her way up the wooden steps, her small figure radiating joy.
Once seated inside the carriage, Yu Youniang propped herself up on the bench with one hand while waving the other energetically.
"Mother, Grandmother, Auntie, Youniang is leaving! When I come back from school, I'll tell you all the interesting things that happened at the Imperial Academy!"
Hearing these words, Yu Tingwan's brow twitched fiercely.
She hadn't even arrived at the Imperial Academy yet, and she was already talking about interesting things happening. Yu Tingwan suddenly had a bad feeling.
But by then, the carriage curtain had already fallen, and the carriage was gradually moving away.
Yu Tingwan watched the receding carriage, her face filled with worry.
She could only hope Youniang would restrain herself a little and not stir up too much trouble!
Seeing the deep concern on Yu Tingwan's face, Lin Siqiong felt increasingly smug.
Only now did she start to worry?
Too late!
After today, everyone in the capital would know that the true eldest daughter of Yong'an Marquis Manor, who had been lost for many years, had not only married an unknown man but had also given birth to a little fool!
The thought of Yu Tingwan being pointed at and scorned by others filled Lin Siqiong with delight.
Lin Siqiong smiled at the Marchioness. "Mother, they've already left. Let's head back now too!"
"Alright." The Marchioness gently patted Lin Siqiong's hand before turning to Yu Tingwan. "Tingwan, come along with us. Your father and I have discussed it. Now that you're back, you must catch up on what you missed in the past."
"What I missed?" Yu Tingwan looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Mother?"
"Naturally, the things every young lady from a noble family should know: poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, culinary arts, and household management. Have you learned any of these?"
Yu Tingwan shook her head. "I haven't learned any of them."
Mother said that she could learn these things if she wanted to, and if she didn't, she didn't have to. Naturally, she didn't want to, so she never learned any of them.
The Marchioness immediately furrowed her brows. "Then do you know how to read?"
Could it be that she didn’t even know how to read?
Thinking this to herself, the Marchioness didn’t even notice the disdain that had filled her eyes.
Yu Tingwan saw the disdain in the Marchioness’s eyes and felt her heart sting once more. Her voice grew softer as she spoke, "I know how to read."
Only then did the Marchioness breathe a sigh of relief. "That’s good, then. Come, let’s return to the manor first. I’ll make arrangements for you gradually."
Lin Siqiong gave Yu Tingwan a smug look and, supporting the Marchioness, led the way into the Marquis Manor.
Yu Tingwan actually knew nothing at all! This was truly wonderful!
There was a gap of over twenty years between them. Even if Yu Tingwan studied herself to death, she would never catch up to her!