Hehe

But what could he do when he had chosen such an unreliable master? Wu Huaisi could only return the greeting and gesture. An old woman brought a brocade box to Zhao Ruxi, opened it, and revealed a set of writing implements inside.

"This is a gift from your senior brother, please accept it, junior sister," Wu Huaisi said.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhao Ruxi is now a worldly person, after all, she spends all her time in the jewelry store, handling gold, silver, jewels and jade every day. Just one glance was enough for her to know that this senior brother was extraordinary.

You can't tell from the other things, but just looking at the pair of jade paperweights in the brocade box—crystal clear, exquisitely carved—you know they're valuable. And what could be a lesser piece that matches them?

"This is your second senior brother Gong Cheng," Kang Shilin said, pointing to another person.

Zhao Ruxi bowed again.

Although this second senior brother was middle-aged, he was a handsome uncle with a very kind expression.

He smiled slightly at Zhao Ruxi and returned the greeting, saying, "Junior Sister." He also presented her with a gift.

The servant opened it, and inside the brocade box was a scroll.

"This is a painting I made, a gift for my junior sister," Gong Cheng said, then added shyly, "I have another favor to ask of you, senior brother."

"Second Senior Brother, don't be so polite. We're family now. Just let me know if you need anything," Zhao Ruxi said.

Upon hearing the words "family," Zhao Yuanxun's lips twitched.

"I'd like to ask my junior sister to paint a portrait of my mother," Gong Cheng said. "Also, I heard from Master that you plan to teach your painting style to others. I'd like to ask if I can learn from you as well?"

"No problem," Zhao Ruxi readily agreed. "Portrait drawing is no problem, and learning to draw is no problem either."

Before teaching others to sketch, she hadn't planned to draw portraits for people. After all, it wouldn't be good to promise one thing and then go back on another. If she charged, people would say she was greedy; if she didn't charge, wouldn't she be exhausted? And even if she worked herself to the bone, some people might still be dissatisfied. It was a thankless task.

But this was her senior, practically family. He'd given her a gift first, then made a request, so she couldn't refuse.

However, she could also tell that this senior brother had a clear and upright gaze, and was not cunning. He was probably like their master, completely obsessed with painting skills and not paying much attention to worldly affairs, so he seemed a bit out of touch with human relationships.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a direct request, especially right after giving a gift.

He could have easily asked his master to inquire with her later. If she agreed, great; if not, there would be no awkwardness between them.

As she thought this, she glanced at Wu Huaisi and saw the helplessness on his face. It seemed that he was also helpless with this second junior brother.

"However..." Gong Cheng was very Gao Xing to see Zhao Ruxi agree, but then he raised his doubts, "Junior Sister, can this painting style only be done in black and white? Can it be done in color?"

He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "You know, older people are a bit superstitious about black and white things; they always feel they're unlucky."

Although ink wash painting existed in ancient times, it was mostly used for landscapes; colored brushes were still used for painting figures.

"I really can't do that," Zhao Ruxi said with difficulty. "As Master knows, I use charcoal for my drawings. Charcoal is black, and paper is white, so it's just black and white. I really don't know how to do color."

Sketching is Western Ocean drawing technique. When drawing figures using Western Ocean techniques, there are of course colors, such as colored pencil sketches, gouache, watercolors, and oil paintings.

Zhao Ruxi is studious and intelligent; she had learned these painting techniques in her previous life. However, she hadn't spent enough time and effort on them, and her skills weren't refined. If she had more time in this life, she could definitely master them.

But having time and knowing how to paint isn't enough; you also need the right conditions. Without colored pencils, gouache, watercolors, or oil paints, these techniques are simply out of the question.

She really didn't know anything about making Western Ocean painting pigments. To make them would require a long time of research and experimentation, and would cost a lot of manpower, resources, and money. For her, it was a project she would never complete in her lifetime.

"Why did you think of using charcoal to draw? Why not just use a brush with paint?" Wu Huaisi also became interested in this topic.

Zhao Ruxi had already prepared a good excuse. "Everyone knows that I was switched at birth. Although my adoptive parents treated me well, their family wasn't well-off. They did their best to let me read and write, but paper and pens were still limited. I also like to draw, and I knew that my family was struggling, so I secretly drew on the ground with charcoal while they were cooking. Sometimes I drew bowls, sometimes the stove, and sometimes my adoptive mother."

Hearing her words, Zhao Yuanxun felt a pang of sadness.

His daughter was exceptionally talented, far surpassing their meticulously raised Zhao Jingli in both learning and interpersonal skills. Had she stayed in the Marquis's mansion and been properly raised, who knows what a remarkable person she would have become. But that damned Lady Wei had thrown her to the countryside.

Hearing her words, Kang Shilin and the others were somewhat moved. Wu Huaisi, in particular, secretly rejoiced that he had accepted Zhao Yuanxun's request and helped him bring the Wei Qiu family to justice.

Kang Shilin suddenly asked, "Do you know why I took you as my apprentice?"

Zhao Ruxi shook her head. "I don't know." Actually, she did know, because she was smart.

The person who was hit by the system is officially certified by the great god of transmigration; if she's not smart, who is?

System: "Hehe."

"Because you have a natural talent. Not just in your painting, but also in your way of dealing with people. You are free-spirited, unrestrained, and have a pure heart. If you had been raised in a mansion, you might have been bound by rules and regulations. So, fate has made you who you are."

Kang Shilin was very satisfied with this.

Among the many children from wealthy and noble families in the capital, there are some who are quite intelligent. However, under the strict rules and regulations, they are all extremely obedient and rigid.

The system sneered in Zhao Ruxi's mind once more, "Heh."

Yarn is free-spirited, unrestrained, and has a childlike heart.

This guy just doesn't know who you big shots are. If he did, he'd be begging and pleading to befriend you. This girl in front of me is the most mercenary, calculating, and stingy person ever. ←_←

Although Zhao Ruxi couldn't hear the system's internal monologue, she knew what it meant from that sneer. If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, she would have drowned the guy in her spittle.

However, Kang Shilin's words did make her blush.

"Master, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary, worldly person. You'll understand once we get to know each other better." (This is definitely a pun on "black sesame filling" and doesn't need a direct translation.)

Then she quickly added, "But I've already kowtowed to you, and you've accepted my apprenticeship gift. No returns allowed, you know."