If one's etiquette was not well-learned, Xiao Momo would not care about their status and would immediately employ strict methods.
Conversely, as long as her requirements were met, even if the person's status was low, she would be amiable and exceedingly respectful.
Most people in the Imperial Harem were those who fawned over the powerful and trampled on the weak; it was rare to find someone so upright, so Shen Zhinian showed Xiao Momo even more courtesy.
In her previous life, as Lu Jianglin was promoted, Shen Zhinian's imperial titles were continuous, and she eventually became a first-rank Imperial Madam, often entering the palace for banquets. Her etiquette and manners were naturally impeccable.
A smile gradually appeared on Xiao Momo's strict face, and her gaze towards Shen Zhinian grew increasingly satisfied.
She did not take credit, bowing slightly and saying, "It's all because Ma'am taught me well."
Even with Xiao Momo's strict nature, she developed a fondness for this Rou Daying, who was intelligent, sensible, and unpretentious, and she proactively spoke to her about matters in the Imperial Harem.
With memories from her previous life, Shen Zhinian had some understanding of the Imperial Concubines in the Imperial Harem, but it was never as detailed as what Xiao Momo knew.
Knowing that Xiao Momo intended to guide her, Shen Zhinian listened very carefully.
...
Main courtyard.
The matter was settled, and Madam Zhou only hoped her daughter would live well in the Lu family.
Seeing Shen Nanqiao and Lu Jianglin enter hand in hand, looking utterly smitten, her anxious heart finally eased a little.
But the Lu family was poor; how could Nan Qiao's future life compare to Shen Zhinian, who had entered the Imperial Harem!
Madam Zhou was dying of resentment but had to force out a warm smile to accept her daughter and son-in-law's greetings.
After exchanging greetings, Lu Jianglin went to the study to speak with Shen Father.
The female family members of the Shen Mansion dared not disturb Shen Zhinian there and instead gathered around Shen Nanqiao, speaking pleasantries. After all, no matter how she married, Madam Zhou was the mistress, and they only had to curry favor.
"Look at the First Young Lady's rosy cheeks; the Young Master must have cherished you to the bone these three days of marriage!"
"Does that even need saying? When they came in just now, the Young Master couldn't bear to let go of the First Young Lady's hand!"
"Which woman doesn't want a husband who knows her every need? The First Young Lady has married well!"
"..."
Shen Nanqiao listened to everyone's flattery, maintaining a serene, chrysanthemum-like smile on her face, but her heart was blooming with joy!
Not to mention marrying Lu Jianglin and potentially becoming a first-rank Imperial Madam in the future, just her husband's doting love was something she could only dream of in her previous life!
The Emperor's Imperial Harem had so many women, and she, being of noble character, disdained to vie for favor with those vulgar commoners, leading to her life not just declining, but plummeting!
Aside from being conferred the title of Guiren by the Emperor during the selection, she never received an ounce of favor afterward; anyone in the entire Imperial Harem could step on her.
And in this life, not only did her husband hold her in his hands for fear of dropping her and keep her in his mouth for fear of melting her, but the entire Lu family also revered her!
Aside from her mother-in-law and husband's relationship being somewhat overly intimate, and her mother-in-law hinting at the Lu family's poverty, hoping she would use her dowry to subsidize them, everything else was good.
But Shen Nanqiao felt that the flaw did not obscure the jade; her mother-in-law had been a widow for many years and had always relied on her husband, so it was normal for their mother-son bond to be deep.
Moreover, if she now used her dowry to subsidize the Lu family, everyone in the Lu family would remember her kindness, and once her husband was ennobled as a marquis and appointed a minister, no woman would be able to shake her position!
Shen Zhinian's happy life was finally snatched by her!
Especially upon hearing that Shen Zhinian had only been conferred the title of Daying, Shen Nanqiao covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed.
In her previous life, she was at least a Guiren when she entered the Imperial Harem, and still lived so miserably, let alone in this life, where Shen Zhinian didn't even match her starting point!
Learning that Shen Zhinian was in her own courtyard, learning etiquette with Xiao Momo, a hint of schadenfreude flashed in Shen Nanqiao's eyes, but her expression remained aloof.
"...A Shen family daughter should be as noble as a chrysanthemum, not contending or grasping, and even if she is only the lowest-ranking Daying, she must live with dignity. I hope Rou Daying can achieve this while learning etiquette."
"Why don't we go and take a look?"
Madam Zhou hesitated slightly.
"Nan Qiao, your Shen Father said you are not allowed to disturb Rou Daying."
Shen Nanqiao, of course, wanted to go, and she wanted to bring everyone along to watch Shen Zhinian make a fool of herself!
"Mother, once one enters the Imperial Harem, it is as deep as the sea. Everyone doesn't know when they will see Rou Daying again, so of course, we should go see her. I'm sure Shen Father will not blame us if he knows."
"Moreover, the etiquette taught by the Ma'am in the Imperial Harem must be top-notch; even if we just observe, our future demeanor can greatly improve."
In her previous life, it was also Xiao Momo who came to the Shen Mansion to teach her palace rules, and Shen Nanqiao still felt lingering fear when she thought about it!
She had never seen anyone so rigid, harsh, and strict; the long cane in her hand showed no mercy.
As long as there was even a slight deviation in her bowing movements, Xiao Momo's cane would fall mercilessly, and that was a piercing pain!
Yet, Xiao Momo served before the Emperor and even said that His Majesty had exceptionally conferred her the title of Guiren, so she should learn the rules even better to avoid being criticized after entering the Imperial Harem.
Even if Shen Nanqiao wanted to pressure her with her status as a Guiren, the other party was not afraid. Often, by the end of the day, there wasn't a single part of her body that didn't ache!
In this life, it was finally Shen Zhinian's turn to suffer this hardship!
She wanted everyone in the Shen Mansion to see Shen Zhinian's disgrace!
Although Madam Zhou didn't know the intricacies, she understood Shen Nanqiao's intentions and immediately agreed with a wave of her hand.
She had heard that the Ma'am who taught etiquette in the Imperial Harem was the most severe, and she also wanted to see Shen Zhinian being punished.
However, who would have known... when Shen Nanqiao, full of anticipation, led everyone to Shen Zhinian's courtyard, what they saw was such a scene—
In the pavilion, Shen Zhinian and Xiao Momo sat facing each other, with pastries and fragrant tea on the table. The two were sipping tea and chatting. Xiao Momo had a benevolent smile on her face, and when facing Shen Zhinian, her expression even carried a hint of respect.
Shen Nanqiao was utterly dumbfounded!
How could this be?!
In her previous life, Xiao Momo, let alone sitting down and drinking tea with her, hadn't even given her a single smile from beginning to end; she was either being beaten or made to stand!
Why was Xiao Momo so good to Shen Zhinian in this life?!
So good that she was completely different from the strict, harsh person in her memory!
Where did things go wrong?!
"Greetings, Rou Daying!"
Madam Zhou had already suppressed the feel oppressed in her heart and led the female family members to bow to Shen Zhinian.
Xiao Momo put down her teacup and coldly swept her gaze over Shen Nanqiao.
"Who are you? You've seen Rou Daying, why do you not bow?"
At this moment, the person before her and the Xiao Momo in her memory perfectly overlapped.
Shen Nanqiao's heart was filled only with the fear of being dominated; her legs went soft with fright, and it was thanks to her personal maid's support that she didn't fall to the ground.
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