Nothing About Her Was Not to His Liking

Seeing Fu Yunkai leave, Zhang Changshen went to Zhao Ruxi and told her that it was time to leave the office and she could pack up and go.

"Okay, I'll leave as soon as I finish this." Zhao Ruxi looked up and smiled at Zhang Changshen. "Lord Zhang, please go back first. I'll be done soon."

Zhang Changshen picked up the portrait Zhao Ruxi had drawn, looked at it, and counted it. Including the one he had shown to Xiao Ge, there were nine in total.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "That's fast! It looks like it'll be finished by tomorrow."

"Yes," Zhao Ruxi said. "Tomorrow is a ten-day holiday, so I don't need to go to the academy. I can come and paint in the morning. I estimate you can send someone to Yangzhou by noon."

"Very well." Zhang Changshen cupped his hands in thanks to Zhao Ruxi. "On behalf of the people of Yangzhou, I thank Miss Zhao."

"Oh, right," he added, "I've discussed it with the Emperor, and he'll issue an edict ordering you to teach painting. Once he summons your teacher to the palace and obtains your teacher's consent, he'll send someone to fetch you back to deliver the edict."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruxi Gao Xing replied, "Thank you, sir."

Zhao Ruxi had almost finished her painting. Zhang Changshen went back to the front to pack up his things, and Zhao Ruxi finished her last painting, handing it to Zhong Shengrong, who had been waiting there. "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhong."

"It's my duty," Zhong Shengrong said with a smile. "The magistrate has instructed that I will be waiting for you at the yamen early tomorrow morning. You may come anytime."

"See you tomorrow." Zhao Ruxi packed her things and led Qingfeng and Ma Sheng out of the Court of Judicial Review.

Ma Sheng had just gone out and instructed Uncle Lu to bring out the carriage, which was now parked not far from the yamen gate.

Zhao Ruxi walked over and saw a person standing there talking to Uncle Lu.

Upon seeing her arrive, Uncle Lu hurriedly introduced her, "Miss, this is someone from the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence."

The man bowed to Zhao Ruxi and said, "Fifth Miss Zhao, I am Chang'an, a servant of the young master of the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence's mansion. My master wishes to speak with you for a few minutes. Would it be convenient for you?"

Zhao Ruxi frowned, wanting to say "It's inconvenient," when she saw a tall man get off a carriage not far away and walk towards her.

Judging from the brocade robes the man was wearing and the fact that there were no other carriages around, she guessed that this man must be Fu Yunkai.

Because he was a cannon fodder character who wouldn't survive more than three episodes, the original novel didn't describe Fu Yunkai much, only saying that he was handsome, had joined the army at a young age, was brave and resourceful, and was skilled in battle.

For the male protagonist, Fu Yunlang, his elder brother was someone he could never reach since birth. He lived in his elder brother's shadow throughout his childhood. He even resented his elder brother because of his brother's outstanding abilities.

It wasn't until his elder brother died on the battlefield alongside their father that he realized the heavy responsibility his brother had carried. He felt guilty and saddened, and finally worked hard to grow into a responsible and capable person, just like his elder brother in life.

With these scenes from the novel flashing through her mind, Zhao Ruxi looked up and glanced at Fu Yunkai, who was walking towards her.

Fu Yunkai was indeed much as described in the novel. He was tall and handsome, with eyes like deep pools that seemed bottomless. He should only be seventeen or eighteen years old now, but perhaps because of his experience fighting on the border, he appeared very mature, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was in his early twenties.

What a pity for such a person. Zhao Ruxi sighed inwardly.

Zhao Ruxi was scrutinizing Fu Yunkai with a critical eye, but Fu Yunkai's eyes lit up the moment he saw Zhao Ruxi.

She was tall and slender, with outstanding looks and a temperament unlike that of other ladies from wealthy families—refined, spirited, and magnanimous. She was exactly the kind of person he had always dreamed of.

Now he had only one thought in his mind: it was her.

"Fifth Miss Zhao." He bowed slightly from about ten paces away. "My name is Fu Yunkai. I've been waiting here to apologize to you."

He was already tall and had long legs, and in the time it took to speak, he stood five steps away from Zhao Ruxi, stopped, and bowed deeply to Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi stepped aside to avoid his bow and said calmly, "General Fu, there's no need for such formality. I already asked Lord Zhong to tell you that Young Master Fu Er General Fu didn't offend me, so there's no need for you to apologize. Your household only needs to obtain Lord Zhang's forgiveness."

Seeing that she had already turned her head as she spoke, seemingly about to get into the carriage, Fu Yunkai quickly interrupted her before she finished speaking, saying, "No matter what, my brother was rude and caused you displeasure, young lady. I dare not ask for your forgiveness, I can only express my sincere apologies."

As he spoke, he took the gift box from the servant and presented it to Zhao Ruxi with a sincere expression. "To express my apologies, Yunkai brought some local specialties from the border for Lord Zhang and Miss Zhao. Lord Zhang has already accepted them with pleasure, so please don't find them too offensive, Fifth Miss Zhao."

He opened the gift box, revealing the textile inside. "This is a type of textile from the border region. It can't compare to the exquisite beauty of textiles from Jiangnan, but it has the advantage of being rugged and wild, possessing a unique charm. As a painter, you will surely like it. This is just a small gift, not worth much, but it represents Yunkai's good intentions. If you are no longer bothered by what happened today, please accept it."

After hearing his long speech, Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but give him a strange look.

"General Fu is eloquent and his words are truly remarkable. If I were to refuse this gift, it would seem that I am petty. Therefore, I will accept this gift."

As she spoke, she gestured to Qingfeng. Qingfeng stepped forward and took the gift box from Fu Yunkai's hand.

Fu Yunkai felt there was something off about Zhao Ruxi's words; they didn't seem like kind words. However, he was still overjoyed that Zhao Ruxi had accepted his gift.

He was about to say a few more words when he saw Zhao Ruxi turn around and walk towards the carriage, her movements swift and decisive.

Since his fiancée passed away, Fu Yunkai has often encountered women when he goes out. These women are always shy when they see him, secretly glancing at him but then avoiding his gaze. They say goodbye and turn around, but their steps are so slow that it's as if something is stuck to the ground, and they can't walk more than a few steps in half a day.

In contrast, Zhao Ruxi's decisiveness struck a chord with Fu Yunkai.

As expected of the person he chose, he truly admires Miss Zhao's way of doing things.

Moreover, her voice was very pleasant, and her words were very skillful, combining softness with firmness. Even when she mocked him, she was never impolite; her words were exquisite.

Sigh, there's nothing about it that doesn't suit my taste.

Fu Yunkai's lips curled up involuntarily, and he felt extremely pleased.

He suddenly felt grateful to his younger brother.

If it weren't for his younger brother's outburst today, how would he have met Zhao Ruxi, and how would he have known that this girl was so charming and so to his liking? It really is fate.

"Master, let's go back." Chang'an saw that the young lady's carriage had already left, but his young master was still standing there dumbfounded, smiling with a foolish look on his face. He suddenly felt that he couldn't bear to look at him.

His second son is fair-skinned and refined, a handsome young man, and this posture suits him perfectly.

But his father was resolute and rugged, quick and decisive in beheading people, and really not suited to playing the role of a lovesick young man.

Fu Yunkai snapped out of his daze, glared fiercely at his servant, turned and got into the carriage, ordering, "To the Kang Residence."

The biggest obstacle for him to marry his beloved was not Zhao Yuanxun, the Earl of Suiping, but rather Fifth Miss Zhao's new master Mister Kumu.

That old gentleman was eccentric and aloof; he was a true scholar and a man of great talent, and probably would look down on this uncouth soldier.

He needs to think carefully about how to win over the Layperson Kumu.