WBSGVS Chapter 195 V2

Qingli casually sat down on the soft couch, lifting her chin slightly. “Fine, you show me how it’s done first.”

“This…” Nanny Chang’s face darkened. Teaching etiquette wasn’t meant to be a performance. She felt completely disrespected, and her expression turned sour. “Your Highness, what I’m teaching is proper court etiquette—not a stage act!”

Qingli’s face dropped. “If you’re not happy, then get out.”

Her cold voice rang out without the slightest courtesy. Nanny Chang’s face turned even uglier. She pulled out a discipline ruler and said sternly, “Your Highness, you must be mistaken. His Majesty sent me here to teach you etiquette. With that kind of attitude, extend your hand—I’m going to have to correct you!”

Qingli laughed softly, voice laced with threat. “Nanny Chang, if you dare lay a single finger on me, I’ll have you carried out of Chaoyang Hall horizontally. Believe it or not.”

Carried out horizontally?

Nanny Chang nearly burst into laughter—but the moment her eyes met Qingli’s, filled with a cold, sharp glint, her rage faltered. Her grip on the discipline ruler tightened, but she couldn’t bring herself to swing it.

She suddenly remembered—this girl wasn’t just any palace maid or newcomer. If she truly angered Qingli, the princess could have her killed on the spot, and no one would bother lifting a finger for a mere servant.

Nanny Chang’s heart sank. She instinctively turned to Nanny Qiu, who had urged her to step forward in the first place.

Nanny Qiu was more cautious by nature. She had sensed from the beginning that this princess wasn’t as easy to deal with as they had thought. Watching the confrontation now, she let out a bitter inward sigh and quickly plastered a flattering smile on her face.

“Your Highness, surely you jest. You’re of noble blood. Nanny Chang wouldn’t dare lay a hand on you.” She nudged Nanny Chang aside. “Let me show you the proper etiquette as a demonstration instead.”

Nanny Chang stepped back, still in a daze. Nanny Qiu then proceeded to demonstrate.

As a princess, Qingli didn’t need to bow to many people, so the gestures required were relatively simple. Nanny Qiu, not daring to overstep, kept the demonstration concise and to the point.

Once she finished, Qingli nodded. “Got it.” Then she waved them off.

This time, the two women left quickly, practically scrambling to get away.

And so it went for the next few days. Each day, the nannies would present the required etiquette once, say little else, and promptly leave.

Qingli remained motionless throughout, sometimes even appearing to doze off.

She was still using her nights to train in martial arts, spending her afternoons reading and studying metaphysics, and rising early to eat breakfast with Sima Yan. Her sleep schedule was tight, and these etiquette sessions became the perfect time to nap.

The only servant who regularly attended to her was Baizhu. Other palace attendants rarely got close to her, especially not the two nannies.

So they never knew the real reason behind Qingli’s lack of cooperation. All they saw was a princess who made no effort at all, blatantly defying their authority. Yet because of her status, even with an imperial order, they didn’t dare discipline her.

When Sima Qinghe came to check on their progress and heard these reports, she frowned, unsure of what to do.

Her previous encounters with Qingli had left her feeling wary—the girl had been too aggressive and forceful, which made Qinghe instinctively avoid her. Now, hearing about Qingli’s resistance, she hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn’t dare approach her personally.

After some thought, she decided to hand the matter over to Sima Chang.

Since women of the inner palace couldn’t frequently meet with men, Sima Chang often spent time with his former study companion, Yi Han. The two would usually hang out whenever they were free, and today, they were joined by Fu Cheng.

Compared to Yi Han’s cold demeanor, Fu Cheng was gentle and warm. His eyes carried a soft charm, and he had both the elegance of a scholar and the proud spirit of a swordsman. He was the ideal husband in the eyes of many noble ladies.

Recent family troubles hadn’t impacted him much—everything had been resolved smoothly.

Once the Emperor issued the marriage decree, the reputation of Princess Leyi (Qingli) spread quickly through the capital with careful orchestration. The engagement was set, and Zhou Xing kept his promise, handing over the necessary evidence. The Fu family was now safe.

Freed from surveillance and control, Fu Cheng was once again the confident young man of old.

But when the news from Sima Qinghe’s side arrived, the previously relaxed atmosphere between the three men vanished.

Sima Chang scowled. “That Leyi sure keeps throwing us curveballs. Even the nannies sent by Father are being treated like this?”

Yi Han’s eyes darkened. “Fu Cheng, are you sure she’s Sima Qingli?”

Fu Cheng nodded firmly. “She hasn’t been switched.”

“That’s impossible,” Sima Chang muttered. “If she keeps acting this way and the Chu delegation notices anything odd during the betrothal, Zhou Xing will make trouble again! We should at least get her out of the country before that happens—we haven’t even fully neutralized Zhou Xing yet!”

Yi Han turned to Sima Chang. “Her weak spot is her younger brother?”

Sima Chang’s expression tightened. He felt a growing sense of unease. Someone who could sever all emotional ties to two palace maids who had cared for her for five years—remembering only their betrayals—wasn’t likely to submit easily.

“I think we shouldn’t,” he said quickly. “If we lay a finger on Sima Yan, she might lose control completely.”

Yi Han’s expression darkened. Nothing worked. Was it possible that none of them could control a powerless princess, one who had nothing going for her aside from her birth?

Growing frustrated, he suddenly turned to Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng blinked. “What are you looking at me for?”

Yi Han’s eyes gleamed. “You’re probably the first man she’s met. His Majesty himself has praised the Fu family’s long-standing traditions. You’re the best-mannered among our generation. What if…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Sima Chang immediately understood. His eyes lit up. “Yi Han’s right! Fu Cheng, this job can only be handled by you.”

Fu Cheng’s expression shifted, looking uneasy.

Yi Han added slowly, “Or would you rather see Princess Yueqin worrying herself sick over this?”

Fu Cheng nearly lost his composure. He glared at Yi Han but still clenched his jaw and nodded. “Fine.”

Sima Chang smiled in satisfaction. “Perfect. You’ll stay at my place tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll arrange for you two to meet—she visits the Qilin Hall every day to see her brother.”

Fu Cheng had regained his calm. With a refined and composed expression, he offered a faint smile. “Very well.”