Aggressiveness

People like Kang Shilin and Xiao Ruotong, who come from prominent families, are highly talented, and are also artists, share a common trait: they are aloof and arrogant, looking down on ordinary people.

However, Xiao Ruotong appeared innocent and harmless, while Kang Shilin appeared very aggressive.

What kind of aggression was it? It is said that when the late emperor was eleven or twelve years old and still a young prince, he went out to play with Kang Shilin. The two argued over who should own a rabbit that they both shot. They ended up rolling on the ground and fighting fiercely. The late emperor was beaten black and blue by Kang Shilin. When he returned home, he complained to his father and was punished by his father by being made to kneel.

Despite their playful bickering, the two still enjoyed spending time together. A couple of days later, they sneaked out again to visit a brothel. When they were discovered, both of them received a severe beating on their backsides.

Later, when they grew up, the previous emperor ascended the throne. Kang Shilin disliked his vulgarity and didn't like to hang out with him. But their childhood friendship—having dated prostitutes together, studied together, and even shared a beating—was more than just ordinary.

However, Kang Shilin wasn't as naive as Xiao Ruotong when he was young. You see, he has a fiery temper and a sharp tongue, but he knows when and how he criticizes people. If you don't provoke him, or if you're not a bad person and deserve forgiveness, he won't target you. But if he looks down on you and you still provoke him, then he'll make you suffer to the fullest.

Therefore, despite Kang Shilin's sharp tongue, thanks to his principles and his relationship with the late emperor, no one in the court dares to offend him now.

"What kind of beat-up horse did you send out? Why haven't you called them back yet?" Kang Shilin sat back down in his chair, glaring at them with a huff.

Shen Feiyang looked at Madam Cui for help.

Madam Cui smiled slightly and asked Kang Shilin, "Did you come to my place to ask about something?"

Another good thing about Kang Shilin is that he always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor towards women of good character.

So, facing Madam Cui, he slightly restrained his explosive temper and replied, "Xu Xi promised to teach us her painting technique, and said the class would start in the next few days. I've already gathered everyone, but she's nowhere to be found. How can I not be anxious?"

Xu Xi painted a remarkably lifelike portrait of Kang Shilin, which Kang Shilin showed to the teachers at the academy, and everyone knew about it. However, Xu Xi Kang Shilin never mentioned Xu Xi's promise to teach them painting at the academy.

Xiao Ruotong knew this because Xu Xi had drawn jewelry designs for her jewelry shop. She was quite close to Xu Xi, and Kang Shilin had inquired about Xu Xi's situation with Xiao Ruotong, asking her to ask Xu Xi's opinion, which is how she found out.

Both of them were so engrossed in their own fields of calligraphy and painting, and held high positions, that they never even considered mentioning the matter to the academy.

Xu Xi was the kind of person who preferred to make a fortune quietly and was even less willing to publicize it. He wished that no one else knew about this except for a few of them. Naturally, he wouldn't say anything.

So the painting class was almost ready to start and was just waiting to begin, Beining Women's Academy had no idea about it.

Madam Cui paused for a moment before asking, "What teaching method? What class?"

"It's just teaching us to draw. Since she's not just teaching me, but also a few other people, she's planning to open a drawing class. But don't worry, it won't be in the academy, it'll be outside, so it won't take up your time," Kang Shilin said nonchalantly.

"But... but aren't you her teacher? And now she's teaching you too, isn't this just making things chaotic?" Madam Cui couldn't understand Kang Shilin's behavior.

She knew these guys were obsessed with painting and disregarded social norms. But regardless, Kang Shilin was in his sixties or seventies, and Xu Xi was a proper teacher at the academy. If he were to learn from Xu Xi privately, that would be fine. But for Xu Xi to open a painting class and teach students as a formal teacher, and for Kang Shilin to become a student, wouldn't that be a joke? Kang Shilin might be unreliable, but surely he wasn't that unreliable?

Kang Shilin waved his hand dismissively. "She's collecting tuition fees, saying she doesn't care about the master-disciple relationship."

"Tuition fees?" Madam Cui's eyebrows twitched again. "How much?"

Three thousand taels.

Three thousand taels each?

"Yes." Kang Shilin stroked his chin and added, "They said they'd only teach for a short period, and whether you learn it or not depends entirely on yourself."

"..."

Madam Cui was at a loss for words.

Kang Shilin is being unreasonable, but why is Xu Xi being unreasonable too? That child clearly seems quite smart and well-behaved, completely different from this prickly Old Master Kang, isn't she?

The scholar-official class of this era valued morality above all else and was ashamed to talk about money. When accepting disciples, they would never specify how much tuition they would charge. At most, they would receive some gifts during festivals, the value of which depended on the family's financial situation. Even a basket of cabbages was not considered a small gift.

Xu Xi only cared about money, not about the master-disciple relationship. He would take the money, teach painting, and then disband the group when the time was up, acting as if no one would recognize anyone else after they left.

What is this if not absurdity?

Kang Shilin was impatient. Although the capital wasn't far, it would still take at least half an hour to travel there and back. He simply didn't have the patience to wait.

After speaking with Madam Cui, he stood up. "No, I can't wait any longer, I'm going to find her."

He turned to Madam Cui and Shen Feiyang and instructed them, "You two tell Shangde to make sure Xu Xi stays here and doesn't go to that filthy place Capital Women's Academy."

"Zhao Ruxi, her name is Zhao Ruxi now." Madam Cui also stood up.

"Fine, fine, Zhao Ruxi Zhao Ruxi it is." Kang Shilin waved his hand impatiently and walked out with his hands behind his back.

"Uncle, Uncle, wait a minute! My mother will be back soon. If she sees you're not here, she'll definitely give me a beating," Shen Feiyang called out from behind.

Ever since Kang Shilin came to teach at the Beining Academy, Grand Princess Shangde has repeatedly invited him to her home, but he has declined each time.

Now that Kang Shilin has finally come to visit, he left without even having a cup of tea. I wonder how his mother will hold him accountable when she gets back.

"It's not like I'm being beaten up, so what does it have to do with me?" Despite his age, Kang Shilin was still incredibly agile and walked very fast.

Shen Feiyang didn't dare to stop him outright, so he could only see him to the door.

As Kang Shilin approached the door and was about to get into the carriage, he noticed something was wrong. He turned around and saw Madam Cui following behind him.

"What are you doing?" Kang Shilin asked, glaring at him. "Aren't you going to stay here and talk to the princess about the child?"

"I'll go with you too, to see Zhao Ruxi and try to persuade her," Madam Cui said with a smile. "Don't worry, Young Master Shen will convey your message to the princess."

Kang Shilin stroked his beard and thought for a moment, deciding that Madam Cui's purpose did not conflict with his own. Moreover, with Madam Cui present, it would be more convenient for him to see Zhao Ruxi.

He didn't stop her, saying, "Go if you want to."