Stopped on the Road
After reaching an agreement, everyone boarded the carriage and rode off. Gao Weiqiang and the other two rode alongside them.
The carriage was stopped shortly after entering Beining County.
"Miss," Gao Weiqiang, the head of the guards at the Earl of Suiping's Residence, rode up and reported to Zhao Ruxi, "Shopkeeper Huang of the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion wishes to see you."
Zhao Ruxi frowned but remained silent.
Gathered Treasures Studio opened before she was put in solitary confinement, and business was booming. Although she didn't go to see it yesterday, and didn't mention it to Xiao Ruotong last night, judging from Shopkeeper Wang's ability and style, this prosperity would only continue and even become more prosperous.
In this situation, what was the purpose of Shopkeeper Huang from the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion coming here to stop her?
If Shopkeeper Huang had come before Lady Wei was arrested and the Wei Family collapsed, it might have been because of Fu Yunlang and Zhao Ruyu's relationship, and he was scheming to interfere in her marriage with the Wei Family. But now that time has passed and the Wei Family's situation is irreversible, Fu Yunlang and Shopkeeper Huang wouldn't be so foolish as to scheme against her again, would they?
"I'm in a hurry to get to the academy, so I can't get off the carriage to talk to him. Let him say what he has to say," she said.
Gao Weiqiang went to deliver the message, and soon Huang Xing walked over.
He bowed deeply to Zhao Ruxi in the carriage and said, "Miss Zhao, I apologize for what happened last time. My master heard about it and severely reprimanded me, ordering me to come and apologize to you. I've finally managed to meet you on the road, so please allow me to apologize to you."
As he spoke, he bowed deeply again.
Zhao Ruxi frowned deeply, her voice cold. "Shopkeeper Huang, there's no need for such formalities. It's just a small matter; a word is all it takes. I have to rush to school now, so I won't say any more to Shopkeeper Huang. Farewell." With that, she raised her hand, making a cupped-hand gesture, and was about to lower the carriage curtain.
"Miss Zhao, to express my apologies, I would like to offer you a small gift. I hope you will accept it." As he spoke, the waiter next to him quickly placed a box in front of Gao Weiqiang.
Gao Weiqiang didn't answer, but looked up at Zhao Ruxi, waiting for her instructions.
Zhao Ruxi's expression grew even colder. "No need. I won't accept anything without merit. Uncle Gao, let's go." With that, she directly lowered the carriage curtain.
Gao Weiqiang turned around, walked to the front of the horse, mounted it, and prepared to leave with the carriage.
Huang Xing, disregarding his pride, shouted towards the carriage that hadn't yet started moving, "Miss Zhao, our jewelry store is willing to offer 150 taels of silver for each design and half a percentage of the cost of each piece of jewelry to hire you to draw jewelry designs."
"I'm too busy with my studies to spare the time, I'm sorry." Zhao Ruxi's clear voice floated out of the carriage window as the carriage slowly moved forward and soon disappeared into the distance.
Huang Xing stared blankly in the direction the carriage had gone, unable to come to his senses for a long time.
They've already offered a very high price, so why didn't this Miss Xu even turn her head? How much did Gathered Treasures Studio actually pay her for that jewelry design? It couldn't have been two hundred taels, could it?
They've planned so well, so why isn't this Miss Xu taking the bait? What is he supposed to do?
When Zhao Ruxi arrived at the academy, she did not go directly to the North Academy, but instead went to find Madam Cui.
Although Madam Cui spoke with certainty yesterday, she is not the headmaster of the academy. Whether Zhao Ruxi can study here is not her decision; she will have to ask Grand Princess Shangde for help when she returns.
If Grand Princess Shangde disagrees, Zhao Ruxi won't be able to finish her studies.
Although she arrived at the academy very early, Zhao Ruxi had stayed there for a few days recently and was quite familiar with Madam Cui's daily routine.
"Good morning, Teacher Cui." As soon as she entered, Zhao Ruxi greeted him with a smile.
But before she could finish speaking, her expression faltered.
Not only were Madam Cui and Madam Chen seated in the room, but Grand Princess Shangde, whom they had met briefly during the entrance exam, was also present.
Zhao Ruxi reacted quickly, regaining her composure in time, and greeted Grand Princess Shangde: "This student, Zhao Ruxi, greets Your Highness." She also greeted Madam Cui and Madam Chen.
"So you're Xi'er? Come, sit down." Grand Princess Shangde smiled and waved, gesturing to the seat below her.
Upon hearing the affectionate term "Xi Yatou," Zhao Ruxi felt relieved.
"I wouldn't dare," Zhao Ruxi said, sitting down in the last seat.
In the class on "Women's Virtues," the teacher said that everyone should sit in their proper place; this is called fulfilling one's duty. Observing etiquette and knowing when to advance and retreat are the hallmarks of a well-mannered person.
Now that her status is far inferior to that of Grand Princess Shangde, she should sit further away to highlight Grand Princess Shangde through her own humility, thus showing her respect for the princess.
In modern society where "everyone is equal," seating arrangements at meetings are based on social status. So, although Zhao Ruxi was slightly unhappy with this concept, she carried it out without any hesitation.
Sure enough, seeing Zhao Ruxi's actions, Grand Princess Shangde, Madam Cui, and Madam Chen smiled even more.
"There's no need to be so formal. You've become Mister Kumu's apprentice, so you're practically family to me now," Grand Princess Shangde said with a smile.
Zhao Ruxi quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare."
"You are Mister Kumu's disciple, and Mister Kumu teaches at the academy, so it's perfectly reasonable for you to study there. So just focus on your studies and don't worry about anything else," Grand Princess Shangde added.
Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed and quickly stood up to bow, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Shangde gestured for her to sit down, then asked, "I heard from Madam Cui that you are very intelligent and a very good student?"
"Madam Cui is too kind. I am too dull to deserve your praise."
Seeing that Zhao Ruxi was both humble and well-behaved, Grand Princess Shangde became increasingly satisfied with her.
She chatted with Zhao Ruxi for a few more minutes, offering her encouragement, before getting up to leave.
After seeing Grand Princess Shangde off, Madam Cui said to Zhao Ruxi, "You've come back just in time. The exam is tomorrow, so study hard today and get good grades tomorrow."
Zhao Ruxi got excited as soon as she heard about the exam.
The top student isn't afraid of exams. Good exam results earn her points, which allow her to advance to the fast track. Once she's in the fast track, graduation is just around the corner.
Having studied for so many years in her previous life, she really didn't want to stay in the academy for too long again; she hoped to graduate as soon as possible.
She originally entered the academy wanting a powerful backer to deal with the Marquis's mansion. Now that the Marquis's mansion has become the Earl's mansion, the person she had to be wary of has become someone who loves her and whom she wants to protect. She really doesn't want to stay in the academy anymore.
The Earl's family is so poor, and she herself is even poorer; she has to find a way to work hard and earn money. Studying at the academy all day really makes everything inconvenient.
After bidding farewell to Madam Cui, Zhao Ruxi did not go to the North Academy, but instead went to Class Ding's classroom.
She used to come to the academy early to practice calligraphy, and Xu Xue would accompany her. Later, she moved to the North Academy, and Xu Xue still came to the academy early every day.
According to Xu Xue, the mornings are quiet, making it highly efficient for writing stories, reading, or practicing calligraphy. She also fell in love with the time she spent writing alone in the classroom early in the morning.
Therefore, if you go to Class Ding's dormitory at this time, you will definitely see Xu Xue.