Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 581 - 229 Steward (Part 1)_2

Zhuang Ruolan looked at Yueyao and then thought about Ma Linlin, unable to help but sigh that the difference between the two was truly like that between the clouds and the mud!

After thinking for a moment, Yueyao said, "Cousin-in-law, I will talk to Uncle about this matter myself." It seemed inappropriate to have her cousin-in-law speak on her behalf.

Zhuang Ruolan nodded and said, "Cousin-in-law knows your ability. It’s okay not to follow the nurturing nanny and teacher for now. But starting from tomorrow, you must learn stewardship from me." Yueyao was already eleven years old and needed to learn how to manage household affairs.

Yueyao readily agreed.

By coincidence, that same afternoon, Yueyao received a letter from Mingzhu, who complained about the complicated and exhausting duties of the steward.

Ever since the day Mingzhu said she could help manage household duties, Madam Ping had taken the opportunity to have Mingzhu learn stewardship under her. These days, Madam Ping kept Mingzhu by her side to observe her manage household affairs. After about ten days, she began letting Mingzhu handle some minor tasks. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Mingzhu initially only observed, but now having to manage tasks herself, even though they were minor, was still quite troubling. She felt she had trapped herself. If it weren’t for her casual remark, she wouldn’t have to do all these trivial chores.

Yueyao replied to Mingzhu with a smile.

After reading Yueyao’s reply, Mingzhu laughed, "Bai Yi, Yueyao says she is also learning stewardship from Young Lady Ma. She even wants to compete with me to see who does better when the time comes!"

Bai Yi chuckled, "Then the young lady should not think about backing out." Mingzhu had been complaining for a few days, talking about giving up. Bai Yi was indeed worried that Mingzhu might quit midway.

Mingzhu became annoyed, "You just know how to underestimate people. When have I ever said I was going to back out? Can’t I just complain for a moment?" She had never thought about actually stopping the work. If Yueyao found out, she would again say that Mingzhu lacks patience and stability.

As Mingzhu dealt with household affairs that day, she kept a smile on her lips. Madam Ping found it amusing, and upon asking, she laughed upon knowing that Yueyao and Mingzhu were having a competition. Yueyao really had a lot of methods.

Thinking of Yueyao, Madam Ping could not help but recollect the method Yueyao had mentioned. Perhaps, it was indeed worth a try. With this thought, Madam Ping became even more attentive in teaching Mingzhu. With Yueyao motivating her from behind, Mingzhu didn’t feel tired at all.

The nurturing nanny and teacher requested by Ma’s Mansion had finally arrived. Zhuang Ruolan scheduled Ma Linlin and Loo Ying’s study time: one hour for learning calligraphy, one for learning etiquette, one for needlework, and half an hour for learning the Six Arts. In Zhuang Ruolan’s opinion, learning calligraphy and etiquette were most important, followed by needlework. The arts of Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting were attractive yet impractical like embroidered pillows.

Ma Linlin complained bitterly after studying for a day and repeatedly said that besides the Six Arts, she would not learn anything else. However, what she did not know was that the teacher who taught her calligraphy had also found Zhuang Ruolan and frankly stated that she could not teach such a student.

Upon hearing the teacher’s words, Zhuang Ruolan’s expression turned into a colorful palette. Finally, Zhuang Ruolan had to double the offerings to persuade the teacher to reluctantly agree.

Next, the nanny who taught etiquette and the embroideress came along, but the only one who did not arrive was the teacher for the Six Arts.

Zhuang Ruolan laughed angrily, "I have really never seen such an affluent young lady."

Cai Yun and Cai Yi were also speechlessly astonished. If it were not for what the teacher said, they would not believe that the Eldest Miss could only write her own name, and even recognize only a few characters. Even they, following the young lady, recognized quite a few characters.

Zhuang Ruolan, touching her forehead, thought that Ma Linlin’s situation was worse than she had imagined: "Go to the front yard and invite the Eldest Young Master, telling him that I have important matters to discuss with him." Ma Linlin’s messed-up state after getting married would surely bring disgrace to the Ma Family, potentially causing trouble for her own daughter as well. Not for her own sake but for her daughter’s, Zhuang Ruolan was determined to rigorously reform Ma Linlin, even if it meant clashing with Lady Cheng.

Ma Peng hurried over, asking, "What happened? Are you feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing that Ma Linlin hardly recognized any characters, Ma Peng’s first reaction was disbelief. Although their family was not a scholarly family, it was impossible for them to raise an illiterate daughter! Such news would bring utter disgrace upon the Ma Family.

Zhuang Ruolan helplessly said, "I also hope it’s not true."

Ma Peng’s expression suddenly darkened.

Zhuang Ruolan diplomatically stated her intentions, "Luckily, we discovered this in time. In the next two years, we must tightly supervise her and make sure she learns calligraphy and etiquette properly. Otherwise, with her current state, it would even be difficult to discuss marriage arrangements." Zhuang Ruolan’s words were rather tactful.

Ma Peng, feeling somewhat guilty, said, "I didn’t want to tire you, but it turns out that you still need to work hard." This matter had to be handled by Zhuang Ruolan, as he was not very familiar with such affairs.

Zhuang Ruolan smiled and said, "What I mean is, we need to let father know about this. With father’s orders, I can then take action." She was not afraid of offending Lady Cheng and Ma Linlin; her concern was that Ma Chengteng might interfere when the time came, which could prevent anything from being accomplished.

Ma Peng stood up and said, "Don’t worry, I will talk to father right now."

Ma Peng briefed Ma Chengteng about Ma Linlin’s performance on the first day: "Father, Mr. Wu said that my sister only knows how to write her own name, but even those characters resemble earthworms. Mr. Tian said that her etiquette is a complete mess, and she even talked back to Mr. Tian in class; the embroideress said she lacked patience, and not even a quarter of an hour into learning, she already cut the fabric."

Ma Chengteng became so angry that his face turned pale.

Seizing the moment, Ma Peng conveyed Zhuang Ruolan’s intentions: "Father, my sister is already twelve years old and will soon be of age for marriage. This time, we really need to put in a lot of effort."

Ma Chengteng nodded and said, "Leave this matter to your wife."

Ma Peng voiced Zhuang Ruolan’s concerns. Ma Chengteng waved his hand and said, "If she dares not to do it, the family rules will deal with her."