A Few Words

The legitimate branch must have at least two sons before one can be trusted to join the army and go to the battlefield. In case the person who goes to the battlefield does not return, the vast Marquis of Suiping's Residence will not be taken over by the illegitimate branch.

The children of the legitimate branch are shedding blood and sweat on the front lines, fighting for the future of the Marquis's family, while the children of the illegitimate branch are waiting to reap the benefits from behind. Is there such a good thing in the world?

This is also why Zhao Yuanxun loved his first wife and also took a concubine, and why the first wife tacitly allowed the old lady to arrange concubines for him.

They must be from the direct line of the family, and have at least two sons.

With the arrival of Zhao Jingli and then Zhao Jingtai, everyone was overjoyed. So they carefully tutored Zhao Jingli, preparing to use all the family's resources and the little connection they had left to help him secure a position in the army once he turned sixteen.

The reason why the old lady, the first lady, and Zhao Yuanxun were so distressed when they found out that the children had been switched at birth was not only because they couldn't bear to part with Zhao Jingli, whom they had carefully raised, but also because of this.

Now that all the children have been reinstated, only Zhao Jingtai remains as the sole male heir of the direct line. For whatever reason, they would never allow such a sole descendant to serve in the army and endure hardship and danger.

This raised questions about Zhao Jingtai's future.

He was a prince, a nobleman, and held a title; it was impossible for him to participate in the imperial examinations.

If he didn't participate in the imperial examinations and couldn't join the army as a military officer, what else could he do?

The Earl of Suiping's Residence can only wait for its decline.

But now that Zhao Ruxi has become Kang Shilin's apprentice, they have seen hope.

Gong Cheng and Wu Zong were both scions of noble families. Because they were skilled in painting, and the government needed people with this talent, they entered officialdom.

With talent, family resources to nurture them, a mentor like Kang Shilin, and a senior brother like Wu Huaisi, their careers are destined to be smoother than those of ordinary people.

Kang Shilin took Zhao Ruxi as his apprentice because he valued her talent and brilliance. The Marquis of Suiping's Residence naturally couldn't expect Zhao Jingtai to become his apprentice as well. But Zhao Jingtai could learn painting from his sister.

Even if he didn't become a master, it wouldn't have been difficult for Zhao Yuanxun to simply become someone with painting skills like Gong Cheng and Wu Zong, and secure a real position in the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War Court of Judicial Review of Judicial Review through his relatives and friends.

When they first saw Zhao Ruxi's paintings, they didn't think much of it, assuming it was just ordinary, and never considered having Zhao Jingtai learn painting from his sister.

Kang Shilin accepted Zhao Jingtai as his disciple, they were overjoyed and saw a bright future ahead of them.

"Mother, everything will be alright. Not only has Miss Xi become Master Withered Wood's apprentice, Young Master Tai also received praise from Master Wu this morning. After what happened, the child has grown up, become more sensible, and knows how to study hard."

Zhao Jingtai was looking at Zhao Ruxi with bright, admiring eyes when he heard his mother suddenly praise him. He scratched his head and became embarrassed.

Compared to his sister, he was far inferior.

"Good, good." The old lady let out a long sigh of relief. "Young Master Tai, you should study hard and learn to paint from your sister too. When you grow up, the family will arrange a job for you. With a job and a willingness to work hard, your future will definitely be bright."

"Yes, Grandmother," Zhao Jingtai replied, standing up.

The old lady then turned to Zhao Ruxi: "Miss Xi, don't you agree?"

The First Madam glanced at Zhao Ruxi and gave her a meaningful look, signaling her to agree for the time being and try to please the Old Madam.

Zhao Ruxi understood and smiled, "Grandmother, don't worry. Not to mention my master, even my senior brothers are very capable. My second senior brother is in the Ministry of Works, and my third senior brother is in the Court of Judicial Review. They must be short-handed. If Young Master Tai is willing to learn painting from me, and he learns well, it shouldn't be a problem for him to find a job related to painting."

"Very good, very good." The old lady was greatly pleased to hear this.

While his father was telling his grandmother about his trip to the Kang Residence to become an apprentice, Zhao Jingtai whispered to Zhao Ruxi, "Sister, you're amazing."

Children are simple-minded. Although he had a good relationship with Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an, Lady Wei switched Zhao Jingli and Zhao Ruxi, intending for Zhao Jingli to steal his position as heir. Zhao Jingli's mother was so vicious that his affection for his two older brothers immediately turned into hatred.

Lately, he hasn't wanted to see his two older brothers.

Since his father and sister hadn't returned yet, his grandmother and mother told him how miserable his fifth sister's life had been in the countryside. Zhao Jingtai felt sympathy for her and a strong sense of closeness and protectiveness towards his own sister welled up within him.

Now that he knows how amazing his older sister is, his admiration for his two older brothers, Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an, quickly shifts to Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Jingtai was a bit of a bear, but he was very good-looking, and his appearance resembled Lady Zhu more. Moreover, he was her own younger brother. Zhao Ruxi was an only child in her previous life and had always hoped to have a younger brother or sister. Now that she saw this younger brother, she felt very close to him.

Seeing Zhao Jingtai's chubby little face, she couldn't help but reach out and ruffle his hair, asking, "Do you like drawing? When I have time, I'll teach you how to draw, okay?"

Zhao Jingtai nodded vigorously. "Okay."

After the family finished dinner and left Rongxi Hall, Zhao Ruxi parted ways with the three women, including the First Madam.

Slender Bamboo Courtyard isn't ready yet; she's currently staying at Tea Tasting Residence.

Autumn nights fall quickly, and they eat late, so it was already completely dark by then. Qingfeng and Dianjiang, carrying lanterns, flanked Zhao Ruxi as they walked forward. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the darkness, startling Dianjiang.

"Fifth Sister, it's me," Zhao Ruyu said quickly.

Zhao Ruxi frowned as she looked at her, then glanced behind her and noticed Fushu standing far away with a lantern, cautiously looking in their direction.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Can I speak with you alone for a few minutes?"

Zhao Ruxi glanced at her, then walked straight ahead. "Come in and let's talk."

"Let's talk right here outside. I'll leave after a few words," Zhao Ruyu insisted.

"I have nothing to hide. If Sixth Sister insists on speaking to you in this dark place, making me dismiss the maids, I will suspect that you harbor resentment towards me because of your mother's matter and are plotting something against me," Zhao Ruxi said coldly.

These are turbulent times, Matron Yuan was instructed by the Madam to pay close attention to the young lady's safety. She had been waiting in the room for a long time without seeing Zhao Ruxi and the others return, and was just about to go and meet them with a lantern when she heard Zhao Ruxi's words.

She immediately shielded Zhao Ruxi like a mother hen protecting her chicks, and said sternly, "Sixth Miss, what do you want to do?"

After returning home, Zhao Ruyu thought about it again and again, feeling uneasy. She really only came over to say a few words to Zhao Ruxi.

Seeing the misunderstanding between Zhao Ruxi and Matron Yuan, she quickly waved her hand. "I really didn't mean any harm, really. Lady Wei has never treated me well, why would I hold a grudge against you because of her? Do I want to live too long? I just have a few words I want to say to my sister, you can come inside and say them."