My Marriage Is Going to Be Discussed

Zhao Ruxi knew nothing of this. She placed the exam paper on the table and looked at Madam Cui.

Madam Cui didn't realize what was happening at first, thinking the child wanted her praise, so she smiled and nodded approvingly.

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

Didn't her master send someone to tell Madam Cui about what happened this afternoon last night? It's unlikely, given how impatient her master is... But it's also possible. The old man is so engrossed in painting that he's completely forgotten about it.

With that in mind, Zhao Ruxi decided to stop playing games with Madam Cui. She bowed to the two of them and walked out of the classroom.

"Wait a minute." Madam Cui suddenly remembered what happened last night and quickly called out to Zhao Ruxi, whispering, "You don't need to come this afternoon. Your master has already spoken with the academy; if you want to attend classes this afternoon, you can come; if you don't want to, you don't have to come."

Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed and bowed deeply to Madam Cui, saying, "Thank you, Master."

"However, you have to guarantee that you'll advance in all ten-day exams, otherwise you'll lose your free time this afternoon," Madam Cui added.

Zhao Ruxi blinked. "What if I get promoted to Class Jia?"

"... to be promoted to Class Jia, that is, to be in the top five..."

Madam Cui originally wanted to say that she should be ranked first, but then she thought that was too demanding. Men who have money and power don't want to suffer the hardships of the imperial examinations. Zhao Ruxi's family was already well-off, and now that she has taken Kang Shilin as her teacher and wants to focus on painting, there is even less need for her to participate in the imperial examinations. That old man Kang Shilin even wants her to give up the idea of taking the imperial examinations and concentrate on painting.

If she pushes Zhao Ruxi too hard and Zhao Ruxi says she doesn't want to take the exam anymore, wouldn't she become a sinner against the academy?

"Alright then." Zhao Ruxi thought getting fifth place was no big deal. In her previous life, she had always gotten first place from childhood to adulthood.

She cheerfully bowed to the two teachers and then left the classroom.

Upon exiting the classroom, she slowed her pace, glanced back at it, and hesitated, wondering whether to go find Xu Xue first and greet Mu Qingqiang later. After all, there was still quite a while before the exams ended. She was pressed for time; she had to accompany Xu Xue to sell storybooks and couldn't linger here.

But as she looked up, she saw Mu Qingqiang hand in her paper, exchange a few words with Madam Cui, and then come out.

Zhao Ruxi quickly went to greet her.

"Qingqiang," she called out, "Why did you hand in your paper so quickly?"

She knew that Mu Qingqiang came from a family with a strong academic background, and that she herself was intelligent, ranking second in the class after herself, alongside He Yuqi.

He Yuqi relied on hard work, while Mu Qingqiang relied on intelligence and a solid foundation built from childhood.

"Let's talk over there," Mu Qingqiang said, pointing to the small door leading out from the North Academy. Her voice was hoarse.

Zhao Ruxi understood and went out with her.

After finding a quiet spot to stand, Mu Qingqiang said, "I came here to take the exam, hoping to give myself some closure. But my mind is completely blank; I can't remember anything. Seeing you hand in your paper, I just left."

She gazed at Zhao Ruxi with her slightly swollen eyes. "At the academy, you're the only person I find acceptable."

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

Thank you.

My family is arranging a marriage for me, so they won't let me come to school anymore. Today might be the last time I sit in the classroom with you all, studying and taking exams together.

Zhao Ruxi was taken aback. "If we're engaged, does that mean I can't go to school?" It's just engagement, not marriage.

Mu Qingqiang shook her head. "My family has strict rules; girls who are engaged can't run around outside."

Zhao Ruxi paused for a moment, then asked, "What about your cousin?"

Mu Qingqiang smiled bitterly, "She postponed the marriage proposal because of me. This time, she'll be stuck at home just like me."

She looked at Zhao Ruxi: "Can you come see me in the future? My house isn't far from yours, you can just ask. Just tell the gatekeeper you're looking for Eighth Miss Mu. I'll instruct the gatekeeper to let you in whenever you come."

From this perspective, the Mu Family must also be a powerful and influential family.

Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then why didn't you go to the Capital Women's Academy, but instead came to the Beining Women's Academy? Is your household registration in Beining?"

Mu Qingqiang was somewhat surprised. "Don't you know that the magistrate of Beining County is surnamed Mu? That's my father. I came here because my father came to take up his post."

Zhao Ruxi: "..." Sorry, she really didn't know.

"As for the Capital Women's Academy..." Mu Qingqiang revealed a disdainful expression, "A bunch of noble ladies, each one acting like a saint, yet always speaking and acting cryptically, you could easily fall into a trap. That's bad enough. But those people are also extremely sycophantic, with several princesses, county princesses, and other noblewomen forming their own cliques, constantly fighting amongst themselves. Even if they invited me, I wouldn't go there."

Zhao Ruxi never imagined that the Capital Women's Academy would be like this.

"Isn't it said that the academy prioritizes character in admissions? Although some people in our academy have their own ulterior motives, generally speaking, their intentions are good."

"In the absence of powerful figures, character naturally matters most," Mu Qingqiang said dismissively. "But could Consort Jin refuse to let her niece from her maternal family enter the academy? Would she dare not accept several young masters and princesses? Would she dare to turn away the eldest granddaughters of the three ministers and six ministries?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruxi nodded in agreement.

When she first heard about the admission requirements for the Capital Women's Academy, she wondered how such rules could be enforced. Only an extremely powerful and principled empress could maintain such fairness, right?

Mu Qingqiang continued, "Back when Empress Shengyao was alive, the Capital Women's Academy did indeed only consider character, not family background. But how many women in the world are like Empress Shengyao? Consort Jin's position is already illegitimate. What other options does she have besides currying favor with court officials and noblewomen to gain support? If she herself is not upright, how can she be fair in admitting students?"

Zhao Ruxi was startled.

Having watched countless palace intrigue and family dramas, she knew that those who dared to speak ill of the royal family never met a good end. After transmigrating here, even the unrestrained and unconventional Mr. Kang Shilin kept quiet about the royal family. Hearing Mu Qingqiang's bold remarks all of a sudden, Zhao Ruxi was truly taken aback.

Fortunately, they were in a relatively secluded place. Everyone was in class, and there was no one around.

Mu Qingqiang was unaware of what she had said that she shouldn't have.

She said, "I don't have many friends, and you're the only one I find agreeable. You must remember to come visit me."

"Okay, I'll come see you," Zhao Ruxi said.

She paused for a moment, then said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I've arranged to go out with Xu Xue."

Mu Qingqiang nodded and said, "Go ahead, I'll wait for my seventh sister here."

Zhao Ruxi waved goodbye to her and hurried towards the pavilion.