A Heart of Iron

Zhao Yuanliang had borrowed money to bribe the Court of Judicial Review, and since he was already struggling financially in his household, he sold a shop to fill the gap.

The second branch of the family now owns two shops and a small estate. As long as the businesses are managed well and the number of staff in the household is reduced, the family's food and drink will not be a problem.

"Thank you." Hearing Zhao Ruxi's words, Zhao Jingli felt ashamed again.

Putting everything else aside, just these words alone show that Zhao Ruxi is far more sensible in her dealings with people. He, who has received so many years of education as a prince, is utterly ashamed.

But he rushed out to stop the carriage today while drunk, not to say those words.

His face flushed, and he shamelessly asked, "If... if I can do all of this, could I... could I learn to paint from you?"

He's been thinking about his future lately.

However, Zhao Yuanxun had always groomed him to be a military general. He didn't study the Four Books and Five Classics well, and he didn't think he was cut out for the imperial examinations. Now that he was no longer the Earl of Suiping, without money to bribe officials or connections, it would be difficult for him to pursue a military career.

Therefore, he was particularly confused.

Until he learned that Zhao Ruxi was valued by the Emperor and the Court of Judicial Review for her painting skills, and that Zhao Jingtai was learning painting from Zhao Ruxi, he could no longer suppress the thought in his mind.

If he and Jing'an both learn Zhao Ruxi's painting style, finding a job in the government office wouldn't be difficult, would it?

"Okay," Zhao Ruxi readily agreed.

In ancient times, clan power was highly valued. Regardless of anything else, Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an were her and Zhao Jingtai's cousins, and most importantly, both were of good character. If they were successful, the eldest branch of the family wouldn't have to worry about them so much. Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu could also put their worries about Zhao Jingli to rest.

As the saying goes: true prosperity comes from everyone's well-being. Win-win cooperation and mutual progress are the foundation of a family's prosperity.

Back at the mansion, after dinner, Zhao Ruxi told everyone about the incident.

Lady Zhu was very pleased, and looked at her daughter with gratitude in her eyes. "Miss Xi, I really don't know how to thank the Xu Family enough. They raised you so well, and you handle things with such magnanimity."

Zhao Ruxi waved her hand and asked Zhao Yuanxun, "Father, are Second Uncle and Third Uncle still holding their official positions? And that marriage that Third Aunt introduced to Second Uncle..."

Zhao Yuanxun told her to mind her own business, but she couldn't help asking anyway.

She's just destined to worry!

"Well, let them hold the official positions for now," Zhao Yuanxun said.

If he wanted to do something underhanded, he would have to use his connections.

But the three brothers had just divided the family property, and Zhao Yuanliang and Zhao Yuankun had just secured jobs when he sabotaged them. Even his friends who had helped him couldn't stand it and felt that he was a bad person and that they had made a mistake in befriending him.

The best approach in this situation is to go with the flow.

Since the situation regarding the Crown Prince hasn't changed much, he wasn't in a hurry to make a move and was simply observing the situation.

However, he couldn't bring himself to tell his daughter about these shameful thoughts.

But Zhao Ruxi was like a black sesame dumpling; as soon as Zhao Yuanxun said that, she immediately understood what Zhao Yuanxun meant.

She immediately nodded in agreement. "Yes, we can't rush it. We have to wait for the right opportunity."

Zhao Yuanxun: "..."

Lady Zhu silently retracted her earlier compliment.

Where did this wicked idea come from? Look at the two children in the Xu Family; this one of ours is definitely not something the Madam Xie couple could have taught.

Look at the terrible idea she gave the County Princess of Qingyang; it's driving me crazy!

Unaware of the couple's complex feelings, Zhao Ruxi asked Zhao Yuanxun, "What about Second Uncle's marriage?"

Zhao Yuanxun turned to look at Lady Zhu: "Let your mother speak."

Mentioning this, Lady Zhu became somewhat Gao Xing: "That's easy. Your second uncle is always greedy. I just need to introduce him to a better marriage, and your third uncle's plans will fall through."

"Did you find it?"

"Yes." Lady Zhu nodded. "I've already sent word to your second uncle. He's very satisfied with the marriage I introduced, and he trusts us even more. So he's already found an excuse to turn them down."

At this point, she seemed unwilling to continue, waving Zhao Ruxi away. "Alright, you don't need to worry about these things. Go back, wash up, and go to sleep. You're always so busy, you don't even come home before dark."

Zhao Ruxi trusted the couple's work quite a bit. If Lady Zhu didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't ask.

She guessed that the new wife Lady Zhu had found for Zhao Yuanliang must be a formidable character, otherwise she wouldn't be able to control Zhao Yuanliang or keep the concubines in the mansion in check. But that person must not be bad; perhaps she was divorced and unable to have children, so she wouldn't be bad to Zhao Jingli.

It must have taken a lot of effort for Lady Zhu to find such a marriage partner.

However, given tonight's events, Lady Zhu might postpone the marriage to give Zhao Jingli some experience. It seems Zhao Yuanliang will have to wait another year or two to get married.

Feel sorry for Zhao Yuanliang for two seconds.

After buying the servants and the house, Zhao Ruxi lived a regular life for the next few days: going to school in the morning, taking a stroll around the estate at noon to check on the servants' training, and returning to the painting academy to paint in the late afternoon.

Although her days were busy, they were very regular, and she felt more relaxed than before.

But things weren't going well for Fu Yunkai.

That day, his mother did something foolish and offended Zhao Ruxi. He had been trying to make amends for the mistake his mother had made. These past two days, he had been inviting Zhao Yuanxun to dinner repeatedly, ostensibly to apologize on behalf of his mother, but in reality, to further solidify their relationship. Once Zhao Yuanxun's attitude towards him improved, his chances of successfully proposing marriage would be much higher.

Unexpectedly, the wife and daughter of his father's subordinate came to visit him two days ago, and he became very clingy.

"Brother Yunkai, what kind of food do you like? I'll make it for you. You didn't know, did you? I'm a great cook! My dad, mom, and brother all praise me. I'm sure you'll love what I make."

Blocking Fu Yunkai's way was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old named He Ying. She had thick eyebrows and big eyes and should have been a heroic and spirited woman, but she was acting like a little girl, which annoyed Fu Yunkai.

"No need. I have a cook at home. I'll just tell them what I want to eat. Please excuse Miss He," Fu Yunkai said coldly.

"Furthermore, let me reiterate, although our Marquis of Pingnan's Residence is not a top-tier wealthy family, we still command significant military power. This outer study is a highly confidential place. If any important documents are lost, not only will our Marquis of Pingnan's family be executed, but your He Family will also be beheaded. Therefore, since you are here as a guest, young lady, please stay obediently in the backyard and do not wander around."

With that, he turned to the guards and said, "You two, go and receive five strokes of the military rod. If I see you letting outsiders in again, I will not let you off easily."