The next day, Su Xiaoyu dragged her feet as she made her way to Second Young Lady Xiao Lingxi's "Jinxiu Pavilion" with the grim determination of someone marching to their execution.
The atmosphere here was distinctly different from the Madam's Yilan Courtyard.
While the Madam's courtyard was orderly yet peaceful, this place exuded an air of… restlessness and pickiness.
Su Xiaoyu stood in the middle of the courtyard as Xiao Lingxi, who had been idly toying with the leaves of a potted orchid, tossed the leaf aside, stood up, crossed her arms, and slowly circled her.
Finally, she let out a soft snort through her nose, looking down at her with disdain.
"I really don't know what Big Brother sees in you, insisting on sending you to me."
Su Xiaoyu thought to herself: [I'd like to know that too! Young Marquis, you've really done me in!]
But on her face, she forced the most docile smile she could muster: "Second Young Lady, this humble servant is clumsy. If I make any mistakes in the future, please instruct me."
"Instruct you?" Xiao Lingxi sneered, "I don't have time for that. Since you've come to my Jinxiu Pavilion, you must follow my rules."
She glanced at her maid Zisu, who understood immediately and stepped forward, instructing Su Xiaoyu:
"Miss Xiaoyu, this is the ledger detailing Second Young Lady's daily routines and tasks. You must memorize it thoroughly."
Su Xiaoyu's eyelids twitched. Sure enough, when she took it and looked:
Work begins at Mao hour, three marks. The Rosewood Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Dressing Table must be wiped three times daily—morning, noon, and evening—using soft cotton cloth. It must be so clean that no dust remains when fingertips brush over it, and the mother-of-pearl must reflect light clearly enough to see one's reflection.
The young miss's pet cat "Xuetuan" has a delicate stomach. The fish it eats must be freshly killed and deboned, and the goat's milk mixed in must be delivered fresh that very morning.
Then there's the hibiscus tree in the courtyard. The young miss requires a handkerchief dyed with hibiscus petals. The color must exactly match that of the blossoms on the branch. It must be ready by this time tomorrow…
Su Xiaoyu's eyes nearly popped out of her head!
Was this being a maid?
This was clearly being a feather artisan, head imperial chef, and master dyer all rolled into one!
These KPIs were even more ruthless than her black-hearted boss from her previous life! This was practically working people to death like donkeys!
She had transmigrated into this book to take it easy, not to experience workplace bullying and perverse performance evaluations in a different setting!
Holding this seemingly light but actually heavy-as-a-thousand-pound paper, she could already envision her future tragic life of being completely drained and exploited!
Xiao Lingxi appreciated her stunned expression, curling her lips in satisfaction as she leaned on Zisu's hand and walked toward the inner chamber, casually tossing back:
"Doing it well is your duty. If you can't do it well… hmph, my Jinxiu Pavilion doesn't keep idle people."
For the rest of the day, Su Xiaoyu indeed found herself in deep trouble.
She was staring helplessly at a basin of crushed hibiscus flowers and a pot of hot water, holding a white cloth in her hand, trying to dye it to the "exact match" color demanded by the Second Young Lady.
Her sleeves and dress were stained with patches of blue and purple, and unbeknownst to her, several streaks of color had smeared across her face, making her look both disheveled and pitiful.
This was the scene that greeted Xiao Jingheng when he entered.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi was reclining lazily on a daybed under the corridor, comfortably closing her eyes as one young maid carefully fanned her while another fed peeled grapes to her mouth.
Hearing footsteps, Xiao Lingxi lazily opened her eyes. Seeing it was her elder brother, she immediately startled and rolled off the daybed in fright.
"B-big brother! What brings you here?"
While straightening her dress, she signaled Zisu to quickly take Su Xiaoyu away.
Then she forced a sweet smile and stepped forward: "Please, have a seat."
Xiao Jingheng took in everything, including his sister's little maneuvers.
His expression remained calm as he gave a faint "Mm" and sat on the stone stool.
His gaze swept over the grapes on the stone table before glancing at the corner where Su Xiaoyu had been working, where crushed petals and ruined dyed fabric still lay scattered.
"Just came to check on you," he said flatly, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger.
"How are you finding the new maid? Is she working out?"
Xiao Lingxi's heart tightened!
Had her brother discovered how she'd been giving Su Xiaoyu a hard time?
"She's… acceptable, just rather clumsy. I'm teaching her the proper manners now," Xiao Lingxi replied, forcing composure.
"Is that so?" Xiao Jingheng picked up the teacup Zisu offered, feigning casualness. "If she's clumsy, then teach her more thoroughly. If she proves truly incompetent…"
He paused slightly, noticing the sudden spark in Xiao Lingxi's eyes.
"…report to me, and I'll find you someone more clever. We can't let a maid disrupt your leisure time."
Xiao Lingxi's smile froze.
Her brother's words… sounded considerate, but why did she feel they carried more of a warning?
"Big brother is right," she responded woodenly, temporarily abandoning her little scheme to use this chance to get rid of Su Xiaoyu.
Immediately after, Xiao Jingheng stopped looking at her and instead clapped his hands twice.
Soon, Changfeng from outside the courtyard entered carrying a thick volume with a somber dark cover that looked substantial.
"Big brother, this is…"
Xiao Lingxi stared at the book with a sense of foreboding.
Then she heard Xiao Jingheng's emotionless voice:
"You've reached marriageable age and are no longer a child. Mother has entrusted me with your proper upbringing. This is the 'Cultivation and Learning Records for Ladies' Chambers' I've prepared for you. Starting today, you'll follow it."
Xiao Lingxi numbly accepted the heavy volume. Flipping randomly through a few pages, she instantly stared wide-eyed as if struck by lightning!
Clear listings appeared:
Early morning: Rise, recite "Admonitions for Women" and "Inner Instructions," must comprehend their meaning, daily recitation checks.
Morning proper: Calligraphy practice, copy one volume of master works, must capture both form and spirit.
Late morning: Poetry studies, must compose one poem or lyric daily according to assigned topics.
Noon…
Late afternoon…
"B-big brother!" Xiao Lingxi's voice already carried a sob.
"Poetry, rules, and etiquette are one thing, but the 'Gazetteer of Mountains and Rivers' and court affairs? Even writing policy essays? Aren't these things men study? What would I need these for?"
Making a sheltered young lady who only knew eating, drinking, and strolling through gardens concern herself with court politics—and write essays about them?
This was infinitely more painful than making her embroider flowers for a full month!
Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless, speaking with lofty justification.
"As the legitimate daughter of Hou Manor, you'll marry into wealth and nobility. If you only know romance and leisure, how will you fulfill the responsibilities of a matriarch? How will you share common topics with your husband? Broadening your horizons, understanding principles, knowing when to advance and retreat—these are the foundations of establishing yourself. Do you want to be looked down upon by your husband's family in the future? For them to think Marquis of Yongning's Mansion only raises useless daughters?"
After speaking, his gaze swept past Su Xiaoyu, who was trying to shrink her presence while inwardly ranting wildly. He continued, "From now on, I will arrive punctually at the hour of Shen each day to personally examine your studies. Su Xiaoyu must attend to record key points with brush and ink."
Beside them, Su Xiaoyu—who had been enjoying the drama—was stunned!
[What? I have to listen in too? Record key points?]
She wailed internally: [All that stuff about local customs and court politics sounds sleep-inducing! Young Marquis, if you want to torture the Second Young Lady, that's one thing, but why drag me into it too o(╥﹏╥)o]
Xiao Lingxi made one last attempt to resist, clutching at her final hope: "Elder brother… I—I won't be able to learn it…"
"If you can't learn it, then you'll keep studying until you can," Xiao Jingheng cut off her retreat directly. "Or would you prefer to be sent to the family academy in the suburbs for quiet contemplation? You may return only when your studies are complete."
The family academy in the suburbs was notoriously strict and unbearably dull—absolute hell for someone like Xiao Lingxi!
And with no fixed return date!
Xiao Lingxi instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
Tears welled in her eyes as she replied in a voice trembling with despair: "…Yes, elder brother."
Noting her utterly defeated expression and catching a glimpse of Su Xiaoyu's equally "my life is over" demeanor from the corner of his eye, Xiao Jingheng felt a faint trace of amusement flicker deep within his eyes.