Xiao Ge
Wu Zong recounted the entire process of Zhao Ruxi's portrait drawing, saying, "Before going, I was worried that she would be scared after hearing about the case, but my junior sister didn't even blink, and her expression didn't change at all. She's much more impressive than those new recruits to the Dali Court of Judicial Review."
Kang Shilin's mustache twitched. "That's right, don't you even know whose apprentice you are?"
"Master, you have such good taste!" Wu Zong with compliments as if they were free.
"Lord Zhang immediately wanted to send Junior Sister to the Court of Judicial Review. Junior Sister is a sensible person and refused on the spot. You didn't see our Lord's expression; he was so disappointed."
Kang Shilin was indeed amused by these words.
"By the way, Master, I've reached an agreement with Lord Zhang regarding teaching painting to the various government offices. I also asked him to request an imperial edict from the Emperor, just in case anyone goesssips about Junior Sister taking money. Lord Zhang has already gone to the palace; someone from the palace or your home might come looking for you soon."
Upon hearing this, Kang Shilin nodded and said, "Then you'll definitely have to come find me."
Now that Zhao Ruxi is his apprentice, Xiao Ge would absolutely not dare to issue an imperial edict to Zhao Ruxi without his permission. That would be asking for trouble.
Sure enough, just as the two directed their servants to move the easel into the house, the Kang Family's steward arrived. "Master, the Emperor has summoned you to the palace. I've come to escort you back to the capital."
"Alright, let's go." Kang Shilin said readily.
When Kang Shilin entered the palace, Xiao Ge, upon hearing of his arrival, personally came out to greet him and led him to the soft couch, where the two sat facing each other.
Xiao Ge then personally brought out a plate of pastries and placed it in front of Kang Shilin, saying to him, "Uncle, you said these pastries were good last time, so I specially asked the imperial chef to make them for you. Please try them. If you like them, have a servant take a box back later."
Seeing that Xiao Ge no longer addressed him as "I" and was still so attentive, Kang Shilin was very pleased.
He picked up a piece of pastry, put it in his mouth, tasted it, and nodded, saying, "Not bad."
Xiao Ge smiled, pushed the teacup towards him, and said, "You've taken on a new apprentice. If Zhang Changshen hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known. I studied painting with you when I was young, though I wasn't talented enough and you rejected me, so I wasn't accepted as your disciple. But I was still an outsider. Now that you've taken on a new junior sister, I, as her senior brother, should give her a gift."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, and a eunuch brought forward a beautiful little box.
Kang Shilin knew perfectly well what Xiao Ge was saying. What a load of rubbish! It was just a reward for inviting Zhao Ruxi to teach officials to paint.
The original agreement of money and goods being exchanged has been rephrased, allowing her to curry favor with him and gain favors from both him and the maid for no reason. It seems emperors are all cunning and treacherous.
At this moment, the eunuch opened the box and handed it to Kang Shilin. Kang Shilin saw that there was a piece of paper inside. He picked it up and saw that it was a deed for a shop. He nodded in satisfaction and a smile appeared on his face.
"That's great, your junior sister will definitely like this gift," he said.
If the box contained gold or silver jewelry, or jade antiques, he would definitely turn against Xiao Ge. Who was he trying to fool with that stuff?
Everything bestowed by the palace is marked and registered. No matter how priceless these items are, they cannot be bought or sold.
No matter what it is, once it can't be converted into cash, it's just an inanimate object, worthless. And yet you have to take good care of it; if it's lost, damaged, or stolen, you'll be held accountable—it's a real hassle.
That thing is useless except for being an honor. In any case, Kang Shilin hates that kind of thing the most.
The shop is great. Even if you can't buy or sell it, and you don't run a business yourself, just renting it out will bring in income every month. That's a truly sincere gift.
Because of the late emperor, Xiao Ge spent more time with Kang Shilin than with his own uncle. Kang Shilin often carried the young Xiao Ge out of the palace to play.
Most importantly, Kang Shilin's personality was particularly pleasing to the emperor—he never abused his status or acted recklessly, and he never interfered in court affairs. Yet, if you did something foolish, he could give you a stern warning and make you realize your mistake.
Therefore, not only did the late emperor enjoy chatting and drinking with Kang Shilin, but Xiao Ge also felt genuinely close to this cousin.
Seeing that Kang Shilin was satisfied, Xiao Ge was also very Gao Xing. He personally poured him another cup of tea, chatted with him for a few minutes, and then got down to business.
"I heard from Zhang Changshen that Junior Sister's painting technique is very practical and greatly beneficial to the court in catching criminals. I'm thinking of having her teach the officials in the yamen to paint. What do you think, sir?"
"That girl has suffered terribly since birth, all because Wei Qiu failed to raise her properly. I wanted her to buy a farm in Wei Qiu, but the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence snatched it away halfway. To be honest, I'm very angry, extremely angry."
At this point, Kang Shilin picked up his teacup and took two large gulps, as if he needed water to extinguish the fire in his heart.
Xiao Ge quickly poured him another cup and said, "I've already reprimanded Fu Yunkai. He'll come to apologize to you in a little while and return the estate to Junior Sister."
"Why should I apologize? It's not like you stole my estate," Kang Shilin said. "And we don't want the estate either. Otherwise, the military officers will say we stole from the Fu Family, and that girl can't stand it."
"Alright, then apologize to Junior Sister." Xiao Ge readily agreed. "Actually, we can still take back the estate. The Fu Family seized it, and now I'm helping you get it back. If you don't accept it, wouldn't I lose face? Take it. After what happened with Wei Qiu, the court officials will probably have to live with their tails between their legs. It will be difficult to get back the estates and shops of disgraced officials in the short term. Why should we turn down money? Don't you agree? You're the one who taught me this."
"Tsk, you emperors certainly know how to talk!" Kang Shilin glanced at him sideways. "Do you think I don't know? If I didn't take this estate, the Fu Family would be stuck in a terrible predicament. You're siding with the Fu Family and trying to do me a favor? Do you think I'm stupid?"
"Haha, you're still so perceptive, how could I dare to play tricks on you? What I said is the truth." Xiao Ge laughed without batting an eye.
"Then I, Old Kang, will give you face and accept this estate." Kang Shilin finally gave him a way out.
"Thank you very much, Uncle." Xiao Ge was overjoyed and quickly pushed the plate of snacks over there even more attentively. "As you know, although I appear to be the emperor, I actually have to watch the faces of my court officials every day. It's not easy for me either."
He sighed, "Take the Marquis of Pingnan for example. He's brave and resourceful, a truly rare talent. But you see, he never used to bother with the Court of Judicial Review. This time, he sent that brat Fu Yunlang to cause trouble Court of Judicial Review. Isn't that a test of my and the civil officials' intentions? What do you think he's trying to do?"