It's So Hard to Be a Person

She stood up. "Something's probably wrong. I'll go check it out."

Zhao Yuanxun hesitated for a moment, then stood up as well. "Let's go together." He glanced at Lady Zhu, "Your mother will come too."

When the teachers from the academy come to visit, the parents should naturally greet them.

But when Lady Zhu noticed her husband's strange expression and they were walking out together, she whispered to Zhao Yuanxun when Zhao Ruxi wasn't looking, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the people who came?"

"No. But one of them is Mr. Kang Shilin," Zhao Yuanxun said.

Seeing that his wife hadn't reacted yet, he said, "It's the Layperson Kumu."

Lady Zhu's expression changed, and her heart skipped a beat.

That old gentleman, though without a title or official position, held an extremely high status. In the entire capital, who dared not give him face?

She composed herself and told herself to stay calm and not embarrass her daughter.

The three went to the main hall, where Zhao Ruxi introduced them to each other, and they exchanged greetings.

As soon as he sat down, Kang Shilin eagerly said to Zhao Ruxi, "Xi'er, I've found the place and the people you wanted. When will you start teaching?"

Zhao Ruxi glanced at Madam Cui and said, "If the academy still allows me to study there, then we'll go to the place you choose; if I can't study there anymore, how about we find a place in the capital? That way, everyone will be closer and won't have to travel so far." The main reason was that it was inconvenient for her.

She initially asked Kang Shilin to help her find a house near the academy, the closer the better. But now, they won't let you study there anymore, and you're going to teach painting near the academy? What kind of situation is that? Wouldn't it be better to avoid each other and create awkwardness?

Kang Shilin frowned and looked at Madam Cui: "When will you finally reach a conclusion? Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?"

Madam Cui: "..."Is this the time to discuss this?

Kang Shilin was old and of high status, but he acted like a child, and Madam Cui didn't want to pay him any attention.

She forced a smile and reassured Kang Shilin, "Let me talk to Zhao Ruxi first."

Turning to Kang Shilin, she began to undermine him. "Zhao Ruxi, you haven't discussed teaching painting with your elders, have you? I advise you to discuss it with them and think it over carefully before you act. If you do this, you'll face criticism later."

Zhao Ruxi was taken aback. "What criticism?"

When she made this suggestion, neither Madam Xiao nor Master Kang had any objections. In fact, they were quite Gao Xing, feeling that this approach solved many problems.

Why does Madam Cui seem to find this approach problematic?

"Hey Cui girl, what are you doing? So you came along with me just to sabotage me? Get out, get out, get out! This is none of your business, don't meddle. If you ruin my plans, I'm telling you, I'm not letting you off the hook."

Seeing Kang Shilin's furious expression, Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu were both a little confused.

Both of them turned their gazes to Zhao Ruxi.

"Miss Xi, what exactly happened?" Lady Zhu asked.

Seeing that Master Kang was trying to drive Madam Cui away without saying a word, Madam Cui was in a very awkward situation, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Ignoring her mother's questions, Zhao Ruxi quickly stepped forward to Master Kang: "Teacher, please calm down. Madam Cui is only thinking of me, afraid that I'll be criticized later. Let's solve the problem first, okay? Anyway, I'll definitely teach you that painting method, and the class will be held. At most, we'll change the format so people won't gossip."

Kang Shilin then let Madam Cui go. However, he was still full of resentment, glaring at Madam Cui with his small eyes.

Madam Cui has been a champion of women's rights for so many years, she's not afraid of him.

She straightened her clothes and sat down again, expressionless, her eyes unblinking, completely unaffected by Kang Shilin's glare.

Kang Shilin had no choice but to sit back down dejectedly.

Only then did Zhao Ruxi have time to tell her parents about teaching Master Kang and the others to paint. When she mentioned the tuition fee of three thousand taels of silver, she was quite embarrassed, worried that those present would think she was asking for an exorbitant price and was greedy for money.

"This, this..." Lady Zhu was dumbfounded when she understood what was going on, and she couldn't understand her daughter's actions.

She couldn't help but turn to look at her husband.

Zhao Yuanxun also frowned.

Kang Shilin wasn't stupid; he knew something was wrong as soon as he saw the situation, and quickly asked Madam Cui, "Cui girl, is there anything wrong with what we're doing?"

Something's wrong; there's a huge problem.

However, Madam Cui knew that Kang Shilin wasn't ignorant of the ways of the world, but rather indifferent to them. After all, his status and position were what they were, and he was a renowned scholar. In the art world, if he claimed to be second, no one would dare to claim to be first. As long as he was a little unrestrained, no one would take him seriously. Over time, this old gentleman threw the rules to the back of his mind and did whatever he wanted, becoming quite willful.

She had no choice but to explain the reasons to Kang Shilin.

When Kang Shilin heard that this would draw criticism, he waved his hand and said, "Let them talk. These moralists do nothing all day but gossip about this and that, like a bunch of long-tongued women. If we want to please them, how can we survive?"

Madam Cui gave a wry smile, "You, sir, can manage, but Zhao Ruxi can't. The child is young and has a weak constitution. With all this talk, how can she face anyone? What if she does something rash..."

She stopped there, leaving Kang Shilin to interpret the meaning on his own.

Kang Shilin stared at Madam Cui, then turned to Zhao Ruxi and asked, "Ruxi, are you scared?"

Zhao Ruxi dared not say she was not afraid.

She had reflected on herself when she took the imperial examinations, realizing that she lacked the ability, courage, and willpower to fight against society. She wanted to enjoy a good life and didn't want to be constantly criticized and live a life of hardship.

It's the same now. It's not worth enduring criticism just to earn that little bit of money. If she wants to make money, she has plenty of ways.

She nodded and said firmly, "I'm afraid."

She was afraid, but she said it so confidently. Kang Shilin was so angry he was practically fuming.

He scoffed, "Coward."

Zhao Ruxi wasn't afraid of him at all. She sniffed at him and said, "You're such a coward."

Zhao Yuanxun was startled, fearing that Zhao Ruxi would anger Kang Shilin. He wouldn't be able to protect her then.

Unexpectedly, Kang Shilin burst into laughter, pointed at Zhao Ruxi, and jokingly scolded, "You brat."

He chuckled a few times, then sighed deeply, his face turning worried. Stroking his few strands of goatee, he said, "Is there really no way?"

Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu did not dare to say a word.

They didn't want their daughter to experience any pressure.

Zhao Ruxi sighed, her face full of sorrow. "It seems there's no more." Her little bit of money, just like that, vanished. And there's the danger of being forced to become a court painter. Life is truly difficult!