Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 582 - 230 steward (continued)

Ruo Lan this time didn’t remain indifferent, so once she had Ma Chengteng’s approval, she went ahead and rearranged the study schedule for two individuals.

Starting at six in the morning (Mao Hour), they would study characters with their tutor for two Shichen Chinese Time spans; afterward, they followed the old nanny to learn about etiquette for one Shichen; they rested for half a Shichen at noon. Early in the Wei Hour (1-3 pm), they practiced characters for half a Shichen and then continued with etiquette lessons for another Shichen. Thereafter until the third quarter of the You Hour (5-7 pm), they learned needlework from the embroideress. In the evening, they were to learn the arts of Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting.

As a result, Ma Linlin and Loo Ying had to study for six and a half Shichen (thirteen hours) every day, which essentially meant they spent all their time apart from eating and sleeping on studies.

When Ma Linlin saw the schedule brought by Zhuang Ruolan, she immediately tore it up into pieces. Having been pampered since childhood, Ma Linlin couldn’t bear such hardship. The next morning she slept until the sun was high and didn’t get up until much later. Ma Linlin didn’t believe that Zhuang Ruolan could really do anything to her.

Zhuang Ruolan indeed didn’t harm Ma Linlin, but she could punish Ma Linlin’s personal maids. Two personal maids were beaten with ten heavy boards each. Zhuang Ruolan said, "This is a light sentence for your first offense. If next time you fail to serve the Miss diligently, you will be sold." Zhuang Ruolan was making an example of them.

Ma Linlin angrily exclaimed, "These are my maids, by what right do you punish them? You just can’t stand to see me or my mother well off."

Zhuang Ruolan had no desire to reason with Ma Linlin and directly demanded she go to the school. Ma Linlin absolutely refused to go and fiercely said, "If you force me to go, I’ll make sure the tutor regrets it."

Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "Very well, spirited. Someone, take the young lady to the school."

Once Ma Linlin reached the school, she actually began to curse at the tutor, venting her anger on him. Annoyed by her attitude, the tutor left.

Zhuang Ruolan didn’t waste words, and simply said, "Take the Eldest Miss to the ancestral hall." As a cousin-in-law, she was not allowed to physically punish her, but she could use other methods.

The ancestral hall housed the spirit tablets of the Ma Family ancestors. It was generally where one was sent only when they had committed an error. The weather in February was already cold, and the ancestral hall had no heating, making a stay there considerably harsh. But Zhuang Ruolan was not Lady Cheng; she didn’t have any sympathy for Ma Linlin. She had her dragged to the ancestral hall and then locked the doors.

Ma Linlin shouted and screamed in the ancestral hall, but sadly, no one outside would respond. She didn’t dare to damage the ancestral tablets, lest her father would surely kill her.

Upon hearing the news, Lady Cheng rushed over in a fury to confront Zhuang Ruolan: "Immediately let Linlin out. If you don’t, don’t blame me for being rude.">

Zhuang Ruolan fainted from anger on the spot, and the main courtyard erupted into chaos. Lady Cheng, also furious, went straight to the ancestral hall and demanded that the six old nannies guarding it open the door.

These six nannies, however, were not arranged by Zhuang Ruolan but left by Ma Chengteng. At the time, Ma Chengteng had decreed that they were to follow the orders of the Eldest Young Madam, and if they dared defy this, they would be driven out immediately. Therefore, the six nannies could not possibly listen to Lady Cheng.

Mother and daughter cried at each side of the door.

Ma Linlin was confined from morning till evening. To ensure she remembered this lesson, Zhuang Ruolan ordered only a bowl of hot water and a bun to be sent during the midday meal and nothing else.

This major incident was of course known to Yueyao. Xi Yu clicked her tongue, "The Eldest Young Madam really took drastic action this time."

Yueyao said, "If my cousin learns her lesson from this and studies properly with her tutor and nanny, then that is good."

Xi Yu felt that made sense.

Madam Tang, having heard the news, found it very strange, "What did the Eldest Miss do to provoke such drastic action from her sister-in-law?" It wasn’t the first time that the Eldest Miss lacked manners; why the sudden severe action now? There certainly had to be a reason.

Su Zhu relayed the information she had found out.

Madam Tang was speechless, "No wonder the sister-in-law took such severe action. Not to mention a family of officials like the Ma Family, even in their own home, the sisters knew how to read and write."

It was very late by the time Ma Chengteng came back. Lady Cheng found him and poured out her grievances. Ma Chengteng left her with a stern warning, "If you cause more trouble, tomorrow I will send you back to your parent’s home."

Lady Cheng immediately kept quiet.

Ma Chengteng personally went to the ancestral hall. Seeing his daughter so wan and pitiable, he felt a twinge of heartache. Yet, considering what Ma Linlin had done, he too steeled his heart. If Ma Linlin was unwilling to sincerely study with her tutor and nanny, then she could stay in the ancestral hall indefinitely.

Ma Linlin’s defiance was crushed, and the next day, she obediently studied with her tutor and nanny.

Simultaneously, Yueyao began to formally study the role of steward under Zhuang Ruolan. Although Ma Yue had helped during his wedding, Yueyao was only an observer; the real work was done by those around her. Now Zhuang Ruolan wouldn’t allow anyone to help her. Yueyao had to learn on her own and then manage by herself.

After several days, Zhuang Ruolan assigned Yueyao the task of distributing the monthly allowance to the maids and nannies. Yueyao had paid out all the money she had, yet there were a few maids who hadn’t received their monthly allowance. The total for these few maids was six taels of silver.

Six taels of silver was a minor issue, but Yueyao felt embarrassed about making such a mistake just after taking charge of handling matters for the first time.

Zhuang Ruolan, seeing Yueyao’s face turning as red as rouge, couldn’t help but laugh, not at Yueyao’s mistake, but because during their long acquaintance, Yueyao had always behaved like a little adult. It was rare to see her in such an awkward state, "Making mistakes when you’re just learning is inevitable; just be more careful in the future."

Yueyao hung her head, clearly in a bad mood.

Zhuang Ruolan, seeing Yueyao’s downcast demeanor, smiled to console her, "It’s just a trivial matter; you shouldn’t take it to heart. When I first started learning stewardship from my aunt, I was also very flustered and made frequent mistakes. As time went by and I gained experience, it got better."

Yueyao shook her head, "Cousin-in-law, it’s not about the issue of one or two taels of silver; I just..." She had thought that distributing money was an easy task, so she hadn’t paid much attention to it, resulting in this mistake.

Zhuang Ruolan knew what Yueyao meant and smilingly said, "Knowing the reason is good; as long as you learn from this lesson and don’t repeat the error, that’s what counts. Do you agree?"

Yueyao nodded slightly.

Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "Don’t underestimate the role of a steward; there’s a lot to learn! From now on, you must take it seriously, because it’s easy to make mistakes if you’re not careful."

Yueyao nodded repeatedly; no matter the situation, one must never be arrogant or complacent, and one must always be meticulous in everything, "Cousin-in-law, then where exactly did these six taels of silver go? I’ve already asked the maids and old nannies below, but no one has more money." This matter was truly strange. frёeωebɳovel.com

Cai Yun laughed from the side, "The monthly allowances were correct, it’s just that a few maids near the Eldest Miss were punished by having a month’s pay deducted, which adds up to six taels. The six taels of silver were deducted, but you issued them as usual."

Yueyao’s eyes widened, "Then why didn’t the people below say anything? They even said they hadn’t received extra money."

Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "Of course they wouldn’t say anything; they hope the mistress makes mistakes often so they can take advantage of the confusion."

Yueyao pondered deeply. This was no longer just about the six taels of silver, but rather involved dealing with people’s hearts and how to manage subordinates effectively.

Ma Chengteng was amused when he heard the news; he hadn’t expected that Yueyao would stir up such a blunder just after starting to learn stewardship. Ma Chengteng specifically called Yueyao over and said, "Learning painting is important, but when you get married, you’ll also have to manage household affairs. Follow your cousin closely and learn well." Ma Chengteng hoped Yueyao would become a Great Painter, but eventually, she would marry, and a daughter-in-law who couldn’t manage household affairs just wouldn’t do.

Yueyao’s face turned even redder, as if it was smeared with rouge. If there had been a hole, she probably would have crawled into it from embarrassment.

Ma Chengteng laughed heartily.

Yueyao now realized that Ma Chengteng was intentionally teasing her and stomped her feet in annoyance.

When Mingzhu received the letter from Yueyao, she couldn’t help laughing as she read about the incident, "Bai Yi, Yueyao is even worse at stewardship than I am!" At least she had never been duped like that.

Bai Yi rolled his eyes; she couldn’t really compare herself to Yueyao. Mingzhu was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Jingning’s Residence, favored by both the Marquis and the Princely Heir; with the Heir’s Wife watching over, the servants wouldn’t dare deceive her. Bai Yi said, "Miss, you are two years older than Yueyao." What Bai Yi meant was that Mingzhu really had nothing to be proud of.

Mingzhu found Bai Yi to be exceedingly dull.

Zhi Hua came over and said, "Miss, Miss Zhao is here."

Bai Yi said, "The Heir’s Wife treats you so well. Miss, you should avoid contact with this person in the future, or you will be criticized from all sides."

Mingzhu initially didn’t react much, but her expression darkened at Bai Yi’s words. Ever since the conversation with Yueyao, Mingzhu had discussed the issue with Bai Yi and Zhi Qin, and that was when Mingzhu realized that Zhao Yuner was actually targeting her brother. The thought of being used by someone who wanted to be her brother’s woman disgusted Mingzhu. Mingzhu said unpleasantly, "Tell her I’m asleep. Ask her to come another day." Mingzhu’s temper had improved a lot, or else in the past, she might have thrown Zhao Yuner out on the spot.

Mingzhu sat down and said, "We need to find a way to get rid of her."

Bai Yi shook his head and replied, "Miss, Zhao Yuner is someone the Madam wants to keep; if you send her away and Madam finds out, she certainly won’t be pleased. Just keep your distance from her in the future."

Bai Yi truly hoped that Mingzhu would not get involved in this matter, which fundamentally stemmed from the Heir’s Wife not yet having provided an heir. If this issue were resolved, the mansion would be much more peaceful. If unresolved, even if Zhao Yuner left, there would surely be a Li Yuner or a Zhang Yuner to replace her. Thus, this wasn’t something Mingzhu could involve herself in.

Mingzhu pursed her lips, "Mother really likes these people." First Bai Han, and now Zhao Yunren, all those with ill intentions.

Bai Yi shook his head. Such people, having desires from the Madam, would naturally flatter her incessantly. Unlike Yueyao, who had no desires from the Madam and would rather keep her distance from her.