A Strategy for Winning Over His Future Father-in-Law?

Zhao Ruxi was a very observant person. That day, when she met Xiao Lingyan at Gathered Treasures Studio, Shopkeeper Wang treated her with more respect and warmth than usual, and she guessed that there might be two reasons. One was that she had persuaded Xiao Ruotong that day, and Xiao Ruotong returned to the Duke of Ying's Residence the next day; the other was that she had become an apprentice of Mr. Kang Shilin, thereby raising her status.

Therefore, when she visited the Prince of Zhennan's Residence for the second time, the Princess of Zhennan was much warmer towards her than the first time. She sent her an invitation, presumably intending to curry favor with her. She would never be displeased that she was late for the banquet because she had official business.

And so what if she was displeased? Zhao Ruxi had no intention of dealing with these women of the inner quarters any further.

As for Lady Zhu's idea of befriending the Prince of Zhennan's Residence to get more invitations, take her to more banquets in the future, meet more noble ladies, and ultimately promote her and find her a good marriage, she politely declined.

"Mother, think about all the things I've done since returning to the manor. Don't you think I deserve to be treated like a boy? I have my own world to live in. My achievements are in the court and in building my own career. I don't need to curry favor with those noble ladies to elevate my status."

She patiently explained, "Just look at this time, why did the Princess of Zhennan send me an invitation? Is it because I visited Master Xiao? No, Mother. It's because I'm Mister Kumu's apprentice."

Lady Zhu was startled and looked at Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi nodded to her. "This time, I'm working for the Court of Judicial Review. Not only will those noble ladies look up to me, but even the high-ranking officials in the court will respect me. I can stand upright and honorable in front of others based on my own abilities, living a life that is comparable to the husbands and sons of these noble ladies. Why should I lower myself to please them? Doing so would not only be useless to me, but also harmful, making me look down on for no reason. That would be putting the cart before the horse."

"Well said." A deep voice rang out from outside the door, and then Zhao Yuanxun appeared in the doorway.

He looked at Zhao Ruxi, his dark eyes shining brightly, and his whole being was radiant, which made Lady Zhu stare in a daze.

How long has it been since she's seen a husband like this?

When Zhao Yuanxun was still the heir apparent, he visited the Zhu family and was once so full of vigor. However, later, due to poor health and the loss of his career prospects, he fell into seclusion, becoming serious and taciturn.

"What Miss Xi said is well said. My Xiaoxi is already quite a figure now, and in the future she will become a renowned scholar like Mister Kumu. Her future is bright. Madam, you mustn't drag her into the inner quarters. It's extremely foolish to choose a dark alley over a bright road."

As Zhao Yuanxun spoke, he walked in and sat down in a chair.

Lady Zhu did not argue with her husband, nor did she feel displeased by his words.

Because she knew Zhao Yuanxun too well. Zhao Yuanxun was a calm and humble person. If he hadn't encountered such a great stroke of good fortune, Zhao Yuanxun wouldn't be acting so ecstatically.

"Did something good happen to you?" she asked.

Zhao Yuanxun took the tea brought by the maid, drank it all in one gulp, and then said with great pride, "Hey, guess who I'm having dinner with tonight? Or rather, who's treating me to dinner tonight?" Only then did Lady Zhu and Zhao Ruxi notice the faint smell of alcohol on Zhao Yuanxun.

Zhao Yuanxun was in poor health and rarely drank alcohol. He would only drink a couple of cups of wine on important occasions or for great celebrations.

Lady Zhu's mind raced through recent events, but she couldn't fathom what good things the Earl's mansion could possibly have to offer.

As Zhao Ruxi recalled Xiao Lingyan's words, a bad premonition welled up in her heart.

Sure enough, Zhao Yuanxun then said smugly, "It's General Fu Yunkai, the Young General Fu of the Marquis of Pingnan."

"He invited you for drinks?" Lady Zhu asked doubtfully, then her eyes lit up. "He wants to invite you to take a position in the army?"

Only in this way can we explain why her husband was so Gao Xing.

"Haha, no." Zhao Yuanxun laughed, looking at Zhao Ruxi, "He's here to apologize to me."

"Really?" Lady Zhu was Gao Xing to hear this. "It seems Young General Fu is a reasonable person after all."

"Isn't that right?" Zhao Yuanxun said. "He personally sent an invitation to my villa for drinks, explained the matter of buying the estate that day, and said many things expressing his admiration for me. Alas, I, Zhao Yuanxun, have been a good-for-nothing all my life, never expecting that a General Who Proclaims Martial Might would apologize to me and befriend me. I've thought about it, and it's all because our daughter is capable, valued by the Emperor and Lord Zhang the Dali Court of Judicial Review, and protected by Mister Kumu and Lord Wu."

The General Who Proclaims Martial Might is Subordinate Fourth Rank. Fu Yunkai achieved military merit at a young age and became the General Who Proclaims Martial Might. Even though Zhao Yuanxun was older than him, he greatly admired him. The Marquis of Pingnan was a role model for military generals.

Military officers are different from civil officials. Civil officials tend to be jealous of each other, and no matter how outstanding others are, there will always be many who are unconvinced. Military officers are different; they are more straightforward. They admire those who are brave and skilled in battle, who can win battles and annihilate the enemy, and who can establish their careers through military achievements, regardless of their background.

After all, military generals throughout history earned their titles by risking their lives on the battlefield.

Zhao Ruxi's expression turned somewhat strange upon hearing Zhao Yuanxun's words.

She remembered what Xiao Lingyan had said.

"Besides apologizing, what else did he say to you?" she asked.

Zhao Yuanxun misunderstood her meaning.

He sighed and said, "No. I know what you want to ask. But with my status, even if he wanted to invite me to serve in the army, I couldn't go. Besides, the Emperor himself issued an edict to remove me from my sinecure. He's only been gone a short time, and he's already trying to get me here. I'm afraid I'll cause him trouble."

He waved his hand. "Forget it, I'll just stay at home. I insisted on taking the job before because I wanted to find a way out for you and elevate your status. Now that you're successful and can support your brother, I'll just stay home and recuperate."

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhu smiled and said, "Isn't that exactly right? I've always said that your good health is the most important thing."

Zhao Ruxi listened to their conversation silently.

Although she didn't want to be presumptuous, nor did she think she was truly a heartthrob, Xiao Lingyan's reminder and Fu Yunkai's actions tonight made it hard for her not to overthink things.

Fu Yunkai invited Zhao Yuanxun to dinner tonight, probably because of her.

What is he trying to do?

First, win over the father-in-law, intending to use "parents' orders and matchmaker's words" to directly arrange the marriage, excluding her from the picture?