Refusal

Now that another day has passed and there's nothing much to do here, she decided to go.

"Junior sister, how's the renovation of your house going? Lord Zhang asked me to tell you that someone will be coming to learn painting in a few days," Wu Zong said.

"Just paint the walls, tidy up the floor, and fix the windows. It'll be done in two or three days," Zhao Ruxi said.

She asked Broker Li to introduce her to some bricklayers to renovate the newly purchased house, especially the courtyard where she planned to live, which they tidied up according to her preferences.

"Just get everything sorted out. And while you're at it, prepare the charcoal pencils," Wu Zong added.

"Okay, thank you, senior brother, I understand."

Seeing that nothing was wrong, Zhao Ruxi went to the estate.

When they arrived at the village, the newlyweds were learning to read.

They didn't train all day. Zhao Ruxi gave them a schedule: in the morning, they would memorize half of the Three Character Classic, review what they had learned the day before, train for an hour after breakfast, then have half an hour of lessons, and that would be the end of the morning. After a half-hour rest, they would train for another half hour and study for another half hour, and finally study the rules for another half hour.

This training has been effective. Now, when newlyweds see her, they can generally bow respectfully and call out "Miss" in a audible voice.

When Ma Sheng saw Gao Weiqiang calling him and handing over the task of teaching etiquette to Wu Wushi, he went into the room where Zhao Ruxi was resting. "Miss."

"This is Xiaoming, my new servant. Tomorrow he'll train and learn with you all." Zhao Ruxi pointed to Xiaoming.

"Yes." Ma Sheng bowed to Zhao Ruxi before glancing at Xiaoming.

Zhao Ruxi asked Gao Weiqiang to take Xiaoming to the etiquette class, and then asked Ma Sheng to sit down, "How have you been these past two days?"

"They're all doing quite well. Besides the ones who already knew how to read and follow rules, the other six children here are quite clever. Whether it's training, learning to read, or learning rules, they all learn very quickly and diligently," Ma Sheng said.

Those who had previously learned to read and write and to follow the rules were all people sold off by corrupt officials. They had been highly regarded in the household before, which is why they had the opportunity to learn to read. The officials did not relax their scrutiny of these people, but focused on observing their character.

Zhao Ruxi had given orders to Ma Sheng's family of four, instructing each of them to write comments on the newcomers every day. The four family members had to write their own comments; copying was not allowed. It didn't matter if the two children didn't do well; they just needed to write.

The Ma Sheng family knew this was a rare opportunity, so they diligently carried out Zhao Ruxi's orders these past few days. Even if they didn't do well, they still tried their best, which pleased Zhao Ruxi greatly.

Zhao Ruxi nodded, first looked at the comments Ma Sheng had submitted, then went out to check on the two courtyards before leaving.

While Zhao Ruxi was living a carefree life, Fu Yunkai was restless at home.

If it weren't for the fact that it would seem too reckless, he would have rushed to the Earl of Suiping's Residence that morning to ask Zhao Yuanxun about the result.

Unfortunately, his appointment with Zhao Yuanxun was for dinner.

Inside the Earl of Suiping's Residence, Zhao Yuanxun was also restless. However, his state of mind was completely different from Fu Yunkai's; he felt embarrassed.

At the time, both of them were very confident about the marriage and did not consider the possibility of failure. Even though Zhao Yuanxun knew that the marriage required Zhao Ruxi's consent, he felt that even if his daughter disagreed, she would not refuse outright and should be given some time to observe and consider.

This kind of response is perfectly normal for a marriage proposal.

Which family with a daughter isn't reserved? They'll always say they need to think about it, and won't agree immediately, lest it seem like their daughter is unwanted, too eager to get married, and looked down upon by her future in-laws.

Therefore, Zhao Yuanxun didn't feel awkward about the two meeting for drinks the next day. So when Fu Yunkai suggested it, he agreed.

But now, if I have to refuse them, it will be extremely awkward to meet them again.

But no matter what, he had to go to the dinner he had arranged, and he had to make it clear to Fu Yunkai that he was refusing.

Zhao Yuanxun checked the time and, recalling the excuse he and his wife had discussed the previous night, took a carriage to the restaurant from the day before.

Chang'an had been eagerly anticipating this for a long time.

Upon seeing Zhao Yuanxun alight from his carriage, he eagerly stepped forward to help him, saying, "Be careful, Your Excellency."

Fu Yunkai said he was waiting upstairs, but he had been looking out the window the whole time. When he saw Zhao Yuanxun arrive, his heart pounded, and he quickly left the private room and went downstairs to greet him.

"Uncle."

"Hehe, my dear nephew, you've arrived so early?" Zhao Yuanxun said with a smile.

Only then did he realize that Fu Yunkai always arrived earlier than him at every meal.

He initially thought it was out of respect for him as a senior, but now he realized that the kid's behavior was a classic case of "unsolicited kindness is either a trap or a thief's scheme."

The restaurant staff, who had already received a generous reward from Fu Yunkai, quickly served the dishes as soon as the two were seated.

Fu Yunkai, who had been waiting anxiously, now calmed down and let Zhao Yuanxun drink and eat first.

After Zhao Yuanxun had eaten and drunk for a while, he asked, "I wonder if I was impolite enough when I visited your residence last night? What were the old lady and madam's impressions of me?"

"No, no, not at all, not at all rude," Zhao Yuanxun said with a smile.

He put down his chopsticks and looked at Fu Yunkai: "But, my dear nephew, I'm sorry. You know I admire you very much. It's just that my wife has only just recognized her daughter and is reluctant to let her get married. My daughter has suffered for so many years and has finally had a few days of peace. She doesn't want to go and serve her in-laws too soon, which would be too much trouble."

He glanced at the teacup in front of him, ignoring Fu Yunkai's unpleasant expression, and continued, "Your situation is special. The Emperor has already shown you great mercy by allowing you to stay in the capital for a year and a half. During this time, you will definitely have to get married. Therefore, I'm afraid our two families are not destined to be together."

This was the reason for his refusal that he and Lady Zhu had come up with.

Regardless of Fu Yunkai's reasons for proposing marriage, he still harbored feelings for Fu Yunkai. He didn't want to offend the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence too much because of this, so he could only politely decline.

Upon hearing this, Fu Yunkai's heart sank to the bottom. He had gone to great lengths to please Zhao Yuanxun precisely because he was worried about this issue.

"Can't we get engaged this year, and I come back to marry you in two years?" he asked.

Without He Ying as a comparison, he might have given up. He not only needed a wife to continue his family line, but also a marriage to solidify the status of the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence. Although Zhao Ruxi was the best candidate, there were suitable families in the capital.

But he wanted to marry a wife he truly loved. He didn't just see her as a tool for marriage or a woman to bear children; he longed for a wife with whom he shared a deep and abiding affection.

Although he had only met Zhao Ruxi once, he knew that love at first sight must exist in this world.