Visiting Xiao Ruotong

Zhao Ruxi then added, "Please don't forget to tell the academy that I won't be attending class this afternoon."

"I won't forget, go back now." Kang Shilin waved and went back to continue painting.

After leaving the painting academy, Zhao Ruxi instructed Uncle Lu to go to Gathered Treasures Studio.

She was supposed to take Xu Yongyi back to the Marquis's residence today, but it got too late, so she asked Uncle Lu to explain.

Xu Yongyi was just worried about her, and he was relieved to know she was alright. He said he would go again when he had time, since there was no rush.

"Miss, it's getting late. If we don't leave soon, it will be dark before we get back to the capital, and the city gates will be closed, which would be terrible," Qingfeng reminded her.

Even Uncle Lu, who was usually silent, spoke up from the front, "Yes, young lady, we can't delay any longer."

"There's no need to take a detour. Just turn there, I'll say a few words and leave. It won't take long," Zhao Ruxi said.

Xiao Ruotong helped her when she was in her most difficult time, and now that she's in trouble, Zhao Ruxi can't just ignore it. Her schedule is packed, and if she doesn't go now, who knows when she'll have time to inquire.

Hearing Zhao Ruxi say this, Qingfeng and Uncle Lu fell silent.

When Uncle Lu reached the intersection, he drove his carriage into the entrance of Gathered Treasures Studio.

Zhao Ruxi is the chief designer of Gathered Treasures Studio, and the doormen are all familiar with her.

Without needing to announce her arrival, she went straight upstairs and asked Shopkeeper Wang, "I heard from Master Kang that something happened to Master Xiao's family? What happened? Is it serious?"

Shopkeeper Wang had heard about the Earl of Suiping's Residence long ago. He hadn't seen Zhao Ruxi for many days, and was about to ask Zhao Ruxi a question when he Gao Xing to see her again.

He suppressed his smile and sighed, "It's something I can't tell you, Miss Xu. It's just that my young lady has fallen ill because of it. Miss Xu, please go see her. The Princess Consort has already taken her back to the Zhennan Prince of Zhennan's Residence the capital. My young lady has always liked you and always praises you in front of us. A few words of comfort from you might help her feel better."

"Our young lady has returned to the Earl of Suiping's Residence. From now on, please ask Shopkeeper Wang to address my young lady as Miss Zhao," Qingfeng corrected.

This was something Zhao Yuanxun had asked her to do. Since his own daughter couldn't easily correct him, the servants had to step in.

Shopkeeper Wang quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Miss Zhao."

Zhao Ruxi waved her hand. "It's alright."

Hearing him say that, Zhao Ruxi knew about Xiao Ruotong's matter, Shopkeeper Wang was hesitant to bring it up.

She didn't ask any more questions and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll go after dinner."

After asking for the address of the Prince of Zhennan's Residence, Zhao Ruxi borrowed ink and brushes from the silver shop to write a visiting card, then took her leave and returned directly to the capital.

Uncle Lu escorted her to her doorstep, but instead of going in himself, he drove his carriage to the Prince of Zhennan's Residence to deliver his visiting card.

Upon entering, Zhao Ruxi, following custom, first went to pay her respects to the old lady.

"You're back? Quickly, have your meal." The First Madam hurriedly instructed the servants to set the table.

Zhao Ruxi had already instructed them not to wait for her to eat tonight, and the First Madam was also worried that the old woman would go hungry, so they all ate first.

Previously, the old lady didn't want to see people from the second and third branches of the family when she ate alone. However, eating alone with the eldest branch of the family could easily lead to rumors of unfair treatment and mistreatment of the illegitimate son. To avoid trouble, she simply didn't invite anyone and ate alone.

Now that the family has split up, there are only a few people left from the eldest son's branch, so they don't make a fuss. They eat together now, usually in the dining hall of the Rongxi Hall.

Zhao Ruxi moved to the dining hall, with the First Madam accompanying her.

The mother and daughter, Zhao Ruxi, no longer adhered to the rule of "not speaking while eating," and told her mother about Xiao Ruotong, saying, "Have someone prepare some gifts for me; I'm going to visit Master Xiao later."

"Alright." Upon hearing this, the First Madam quickly went to prepare the things herself.

Putting aside Xiao Ruotong's recent care for Zhao Ruxi, just the fact that they are on good terms will save Zhao Ruxi a lot of trouble when she attends banquets in the future. The First Madam is even willing to prepare more generous gifts for her.

These are valuable connections that my daughter cultivated herself.

Although the curfew was only in the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), people in ancient times went to bed early. Zhao Ruxi was worried that it would be inconvenient for her to go too late, so she quickly finished her meal and went to the Prince of Zhennan's Residence with her gifts.

Worried that Zhao Ruxi might make a mistake, the First Madam asked Matron Zhou and Qingfeng to accompany her.

Once inside the carriage, Zhao Ruxi finally had a chance to inquire about things at home, "Matron Zhou, is everything alright at home today?"

"It's nothing," said Matron Zhou. "The archways of the second and third branches of the household have been sealed off today. If people from the second and third branches want to come to our residence, they have to enter through the main gate. There are far fewer people in the residence now, making it much quieter, so Madam doesn't need to worry so much. Miss, please rest assured."

"Finished building? Good." Zhao Ruxi gave Zhao Yuanxun a thumbs up for his efficiency.

Now that the family has separated, the wall construction needs to be done quickly. We should move both houses out immediately to avoid further trouble.

"What about the back door? If they want to come in through the back door, it's not easy for us to stop them, is it?" she asked.

The original Duke of Sui's Residence was very large, with a total of four gates. The front and back gates faced main streets wide enough for two carriages to pass, while the left and right walls faced alleys and had side gates. Of course, there were also side gates and corner gates on either side of the main gate. Normally, the main gate was not opened; only the side gates and corner gates were used. The master used the side gates, and the servants used the corner gates.

"The First Madam said that there were fewer people in the manor and she was afraid that they wouldn't be able to take care of everyone, so she locked the back door and the west corner door, leaving only the main and side doors and the east corner door that leads to the kitchen."

"My parents arranged things so well, it should have been like this." Zhao Ruxi felt deeply fortunate to have such parents in this life.

Otherwise, you might be working incredibly hard at the front, but your allies at the back not only fail to help but also constantly cause trouble. Having such incompetent teammates is truly unbearable.

The Prince of Zhennan's Residence's mansion was not far from Kang Shilin's residence and also very close to the palace. After visiting such a place twice in a row, Zhao Ruxi truly understood the old lady.

A house in a location like the Earl of Suiping's Residence is something you couldn't buy even if you had ten times the money. It's close to the palace and the center of power. Not only is it safe, but the neighbors are all nobles of equal or even higher status. Visiting a top-tier wealthy family for a chat would only take the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

If you live far away, no matter how high your official rank, you will be looked down upon because you lack depth and character.

I heard that Wei Qiu used quite a few tricks back then to get the house he lives in now.

Because she had sent a visiting card, Zhao Ruxi was invited inside by an old woman as soon as she gave her name at the gate of the Prince of Zhennan's Residence.

The Prince of Zhennan's Residence was naturally larger than the Marquis of Suiping's Residence. Zhao Ruxi followed the old woman for quite a while, passing through countless halls and archways before finally entering a courtyard.

"Your Highness, Miss Zhao has arrived." The people in the courtyard saw Zhao Ruxi enter and hurriedly went in to report.

Upon hearing this, the old woman leading the way smiled at Zhao Ruxi and said, "It seems the princess wishes to see you, young lady. Please follow me." She led her up the steps and into the main room.

Princess of Zhennan was in her forties, well-maintained, and bore a resemblance to Xiao Ruotong.