Chapter Thirty-One: Learning the Rules

Li Luo understood and thanked Nanny Zhao for her guidance. Her eyes were slightly red; Nanny Zhao hadn’t held back in the slightest, and after just three strikes, Li Luo’s palm was already flushed with pain.

Throughout the day, the sound of the ruler striking grew ever sharper, and most of the pain fell upon Li Luo. At lunchtime, when the maids were allowed in to serve the young ladies, Liu Zhu noticed Li Luo’s trembling hands unable to grasp her chopsticks. Upon looking at her palms, she found them badly swollen.

Liu Zhu anxiously took Li Luo’s hand. “Miss, what happened? How could they beat you like this? Those nannies are far too cruel!”

“Liu Zhu, mind your words. I’m not in pain. The nannies did this for my own good. Go fetch me a spoon,” Li Luo replied, glancing at her own palm, thinking she would simply apply some ointment later.

Across the table, Su Baihan sneered when she saw Li Luo unable to feed herself. “Li Luo, are you even worse than a three-year-old? Why not have your maid feed you?”

Li Luo looked at Su Baihan with indifference. Just then, Liu Zhu returned with a small spoon. Li Luo ate with dignity and composure, knowing she needed her strength for the lessons in etiquette ahead.

After an hour’s rest at noon, the lessons continued. All four girls bore marks on their hands from the ruler, but Li Luo devoted herself fully, ignoring Su Baihan’s continual mockery: “Li Luo, what’s the matter with your head? If you can’t learn, you might as well go back to your courtyard and save the Su family some embarrassment.”

Li Luo always turned a deaf ear to such words. Su Baihan, eager to hurl another insult, fell silent as soon as she noticed Nanny Zhao’s gaze upon them. She lowered her eyes and dared not speak further; her own hands still ached painfully and she had no wish to invite more punishment.

As dusk fell and the sun set in the west, attendants from each courtyard came to fetch the young ladies for supper—except for Li Luo, who was kept behind. Nanny Zhao’s face was stern. “Miss Li, your lessons today were lacking. You’ll stay and review them.”

Pride glimmered in Su Baihan’s eyes as she curtsied to the nannies and was collected by a maid sent by Yao Ruoshui. Su Sann’er was likewise escorted away by someone sent by her concubine mother. The youngest, Su Dongxuan, looked timidly at Li Luo. “Big sister, I…”

“Hurry back, lest Auntie grows anxious. I still have things I don’t understand and wish to ask the nannies about. Don’t worry about me,” Li Luo replied warmly. Though Su Dongxuan had never helped her, her moment of hesitation made Li Luo feel that someone in this world still cared for her.

Taking a deep breath, Li Luo turned from Su Dongxuan and demonstrated the day’s lessons to Nanny Zhao once more—walking, sitting—until both nannies nodded their approval and allowed her a short rest.

“Miss Li, let’s review the dining etiquette now,” said Nanny Chang, clapping her hands. Several maids silently brought out dishes, their movements so soundless that Li Luo was filled with admiration.

“Please be seated, Miss,” Nanny Chang invited. Li Luo was hungry, her eyes shining at the sight of the food, but she kept the rules in mind. Her skirt remained perfectly still as she sat; her hand trembled as she picked up the bamboo chopsticks. Gritting her teeth, she lifted a piece of jade bamboo shoot, parted her lips, and placed it in her mouth, chewing and swallowing with decorum.

Next came the soup, which she ladled into her bowl without a sound. Once she was half full, she set down her bowl and chopsticks. Only then did the nannies nod. “That will be all for today, Miss. Go back and rest early.”

After paying her respects, Li Luo was helped back to her quarters by Liu Zhu. Inside, Liu Zhu fetched a brass basin and cloths to help her clean up. Seeing Li Luo’s palms now more frightening than they had been in the morning brought tears to her eyes. “Miss, let me apply some ointment right away.”

“Don’t cry. The nannies did this for my sake. It’s nothing, as long as I learn the rules well—it’s all worth it,” Li Luo said, her face weary. The ointment was cool and soothing on her wounds.

“Don’t say another word, Miss. You have another day ahead. Don’t read tonight—just rest well,” Liu Zhu said, her voice choked. Li Luo nodded gently, comforting her maid. “I know you care for me, Liu Zhu. Don’t be sad.”

Changing into her nightclothes, Li Luo lay on her couch, gazing at her injured hands with resolve. She closed her eyes peacefully, her heart full of anticipation for the next day.

The following morning, Li Luo woke early. After breakfast, attended by Liu Zhu, she went to Songhua Court. She was the first to arrive; Nanny Zhao and Nanny Chang had not yet come. Seizing the moment, Li Luo quietly reviewed the previous day’s lessons. She only opened her eyes when she heard footsteps approaching.

“Oh my, big sister. You were the last to leave yesterday and the first to arrive today. Such diligence! But I fear you lack the aptitude—no matter how hard you try, you’ll never master it,” Su Baihan taunted as soon as she saw her.

Li Luo smiled softly. Her hands, now mostly healed, were covered with ointment. More footsteps sounded outside, and she closed her mouth at once as Nanny Zhao and Nanny Chang entered. Su Baihan, too, fell silent, for the nannies valued discipline above all. Both girls quickly rose to greet them.

“Good morning, Nannies.”

“Good morning, Miss Li and Fourth Miss. Take your seats. Lessons will begin soon,” Nanny Chang replied. Su Baihan stalked angrily to her seat, and soon Su Sann’er and Su Dongxuan arrived as well.

With everyone assembled, Nanny Zhao began to teach a new ritual—this time, the formal salute. All four girls knelt, hands crossed at the waist. In just the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, their legs began to tremble, but the nannies showed no sign of letting them rise. Su Baihan was full of frustration and longed to run back to her courtyard, but Yao Ruoshui’s warning words kept her in place.

Li Luo did not fear hardship; she was convinced that mastering these rules would be of great benefit to herself. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to the lessons, gradually catching up despite her earlier setbacks.

Time passed quickly. The young ladies of the Su family did not study at Songhua Court every day—every ninth day, they were given a day of rest. Today was such a day. Li Luo woke at the usual hour, but unable to go back to sleep, she let Liu Zhu and Liu Ying help her up.

She asked Liu Zhu to bring her the box in which she kept her monthly allowance, then turned to the dressing table. “Liu Ying, bring me my jewelry box as well.”

Liu Ying, though puzzled, did as she was told. She listened as Li Luo muttered, counting her silver and then turning her gaze to her jewelry.

“Miss, what are you doing? Why the sudden interest in your jewelry?”

Li Luo lowered her eyes, and her next words made both maids’ hearts race with alarm. “Oh, I’m thinking of pawning the jewelry I don’t use. That way, I’ll have more silver on hand and won’t be caught unprepared in an emergency.”

Liu Ying immediately waved her hands in protest. “Miss, you mustn’t! All the jewelry in the household is registered, and the nannies check it regularly. If they notice pieces missing from your box, they’ll ask questions, and you’ll have a hard time explaining yourself.”