Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The governess, Yang, spoke in a calm and clear tone, her words precise and well-enunciated. She wore a light green qipao with a cape, the collar and cuffs embroidered with delicate patterns. Everything about her appearance was immaculate. Yun Wei observed closely and realized that Yang was an exceptionally meticulous person. She smiled without revealing her teeth and kindly said, “The girls of the Tong family are all well-raised, so I don’t need to say much.”

She then shifted her tone and continued, “However, since the old lady has asked me to teach you, I will say a few more words. You are all daughters of esteemed families and future candidates for the selection of noblewomen. I will explain the palace rules and the preferences of the noble families clearly, so that no mistakes are made during the selection and your futures are not delayed.”

The old lady nodded and said, “I am a red sash, so I do not need to be part of the selection. Your mothers have all gone through it themselves and have taught you privately. However, what Governess Yang teaches you will be the most comprehensive. Pay attention and learn carefully.”

“There is one more thing, Governess Yang,” the old lady added. “We have known each other for over thirty years. Although you have been in the palace all this time, our relationship remains unchanged. I entrust these granddaughters of mine to you; I trust you.”

“Rest assured, Old Madam,” Governess Yang said with a smile. “Looking at these bright young ladies, I can already tell they will grow into noble women of great repute. It is my good fortune to be able to teach them the proper manners.”

Governess Yang’s calm gaze swept over the girls. It was hard to tell which one she lingered on longer; it was as if, in an instant, she had taken in everything about them. She didn’t speak unnecessarily, but her presence was commanding, impossible to ignore. Yun Wei held her breath, wondering if this was the skill honed in the palace—the ability to keep one’s emotions hidden, to take in everything at once. Yang was a seasoned governess in the palace, and if the noble consorts there were even more skilled, one misstep could lead to disastrous consequences.

A chill ran through Yun Wei’s heart. She didn’t want to live a life constantly being calculated and observed. If she were to be eliminated, she hoped it would be with dignity. After meeting with Governess Yang, and as nightfall arrived, the old lady instructed the maidservants to prepare the meal. The granddaughters were to accompany her for dinner. Governess Yang quietly stood to the side, silent but still commanding attention, making it impossible for the girls to ignore her.

Jing Yi, who had been reflecting on her past mistakes, hadn’t lost her ambition. She wasn’t going to give up just yet. Neither would Aunt Rongxian, so Jing Yi tried her best to show good manners. However, the more she tried to show her politeness, the more mistakes she made, dropping her chopsticks twice.

The old lady furrowed her brows, and Rongxian softly remarked, “Jing Yi hasn’t fully recovered from her illness.” The old lady’s frown deepened, and she gave Rongxian a look. Rongxian, realizing her mistake, quickly stepped back. Yun Lan seemed completely unaffected by the presence of Governess Yang. She simply carried out her tasks—washing her hands, rinsing her mouth, drinking tea—smoothly and naturally, even more so than usual.

As for Yun Xin, who was also up for selection, she was steady and composed, neither standing out nor making any mistakes. But Yun Jing, who was ill, seemed frail and weak, her eyes flashing with unwillingness. Missing this selection meant she would be too old for the next one. Just thinking about it made her eyes red and tearful as she ate, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

“That’s enough. Tomorrow, we begin learning the rules,” the old lady said after the meal.

After dinner, the old lady waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave. The old lady seemed calm and unhurried. She gently peeled some tea leaves from a porcelain teapot, remaining silent for a long while.

“Don’t you want to hear it?”

“I know you’ll say it eventually, so why should I rush?” The old lady glanced at Governess Yang and sighed, “Since I’ve entrusted them to you, I trust you. To be honest, I didn’t expect you to leave the palace. I thought you… well, I thought…”

“I didn’t want to grow old in the palace. I’ve seen too much there. I always wanted to step outside and get some fresh air. With no family left, I was struggling with life’s necessities. When I heard you were looking for a governess, I thought I’d just come along and offer my services,” Governess Yang replied with a cheerful smile.

The old lady almost spit out her tea in surprise. Despite this, she coughed and scolded with a laugh, “I don’t even know you? You still can’t find food? How many noble houses and dukes would be eager to have you, and yet here you are, complaining. You’ve accumulated enough wealth over the years to buy a small estate, adopt a nephew, and live out your days in peace.”

“How many still remember what happened back then? Who knows me now?” Yang governess smiled faintly, sighed deeply, and continued, “When I was in the palace, I thought about how wonderful it would be to leave and live freely, following my heart. But once I left the palace, everything changed—people, things… and I can’t even make myself laugh like I used to.”

“Whether I stay at your estate or not, after I’ve finished teaching the girls, we can chat. I’m old now, and I can’t be as tough as I used to be.”

“The emperor once said you were too tough, and the Empress Dowager also said the same when she was still alive. If you had often visited the palace, the Tong family would not be what it is now.”

Yang governess lowered her head and quietly added, “But perhaps it’s better this way. The emperor is very sentimental. Since the late Lord passed away, the emperor will certainly protect the Tong family.”

“Enough about old matters,” the old lady said, still unable to hold back her thoughts. Yang governess smiled and replied, “To be honest, the best of your girls is the fourth one. When she went to the palace to meet Concubine Yi, she was recognized as your granddaughter. She managed to meet the Concubine De twice secretly, and it’s really rare for a girl to gain favor with both Concubine Yi and Concubine De. She’s one of them. Though she has a few flaws, they don’t overshadow her merits. She will definitely marry well in the future. But whether that’s a blessing or a curse, who can say? Life in the palace is not easy to navigate. Right now, she’s young and has fewer entanglements, so she can handle things well. But in the future, it will be far from easy.”

“I’ve already told her these things, but that girl is very determined. She insists on going down one path without looking back. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, I, this old lady, can’t control that. How many more years do I have left? I just want to enjoy my old age in peace, watch over the Tong family, and be able to face your husband. That’s all I could ask for.”

The old lady didn’t mention Yun Lan’s situation with the Fourth Prince. After a brief pause, she asked, “Anything else?”

Yang governess looked surprised and confused. “Who are you talking about? Did I not get it right? Is it the cousin?”

“Don’t pretend to be confused. I’m talking about Yun Wei,” the old lady said, and her wrinkles around her eyes softened into a smile as she mentioned Yun Wei. Yun Wei often came to bother her, clinging to her, cuddling with her, and speaking sweetly and softly, making it seem like all her worries could be forgotten. Over time, Yun Wei became another treasured person in the old lady’s heart. “How is my little girl?”

“She’s like a jade, old madam. Yun Wei is like a raw jade stone; the Fourth Miss has already formed her habits, so it’s harder to change her. She can only be refined and polished. But the Sixth Miss is different. If she’s sculpted well, she will become a rare treasure. It’s hard to say who’s better. I have one more thing to say, though—let’s put everything else aside—about the Sixth Miss…”

“In terms of looks, there are very few who can compare to her. The Fourth Miss can’t.”

The old lady leaned back, smiling with satisfaction and teasing, “You have sharp eyes, but you’re used to seeing beauties.”

Yang governess gently tugged at her hair. Women like her, older governesses, had their own way of doing things. The old lady’s expression turned serious as she softly said, “Let me tell you. I can’t bear to send Yun Wei to the palace, or to marry a prince or a beile (title refers to prince or nobleman). The Tong family doesn’t have that kind of face. I don’t want Yun Wei to be a concubine. That’s why I asked you to come here. I want you to help her with a dignified exit from the selection, to ensure that her reputation isn’t damaged in the process.”

Yang governess hesitated, but the old lady clenched her teeth and said, “If it doesn’t work out, I’ll go to the Empress Dowager and beg her. There’s still some old affection there, and the Empress Dowager will give me some grace.”

“I’ll help you think of a way. This is definitely not impossible.” Yang governess nodded solemnly.

The old lady smiled and said, “I knew you’d have a way. However, you must make sure to teach Yun Wei everything she needs to know. Running the household, managing the internal affairs, even if she never uses it in the future, she still needs to understand it. I’ll never let my girl suffer.”

The old lady’s temperament was firm and stubborn. She had supported the Tong family all her life. If she was kind to someone, she did so with all her heart. Yun Wei didn’t rank as high as the Tong family in her heart, but she was second.