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.