Three Thousand Taels for a Stake

The easel was reusable; the charcoal pencils and pancakes were cheap. But since she provided these things, fewer people gossiped.

It must be that someone saw how easily she made money and got jealous. Because it was an imperial decree, they didn't dare to criticize her openly, so they just gossiped and talked nonsense behind her back. Senior Brother Wu Zong was uncomfortable with this, which is why he asked her to slow down the pace of the painting class.

Otherwise, as officials of the Court of Judicial Review, they would certainly hope that these officials would learn as soon as possible and return to play their role, rather than asking her to slow down the pace.

She's now owed another big favor by her senior.

"Senior brother, since this matter is attracting attention, why don't you tell Lord Zhang to pass on the message that fewer people should come from each province? If three to five people come from each province, three or four provinces can study together, and my class can be completed quickly. It will save me trouble, and the lower levels will spend less money. You know I'm in business, so making less money on this is also my contribution to the Great Jin," Zhao Ruxi said.

Originally, it was said that if a dozen or so people came from one province, and each person earned 1,500 taels of silver, the income from that province would be 20,000 to 30,000 taels. There were quite a few provinces in the Great Jin. So, by this calculation, she could earn 300,000 to 400,000 taels of silver from this alone, which was indeed very impressive.

She'd instantly incurred everyone's hatred; how could she possibly develop her strength discreetly and secretly make money?

That's not good.

"There's no need for that," Wu Zong said. "Can't we survive because of other people's gossip? You just need to stretch things out and make it seem like this money wasn't easy to earn. Don't worry about anything else. Each of our paintings costs several thousand or even tens of thousands of taels of silver. Are you saying you can't even charge 1,500 taels for teaching your unique painting skills to others?"

Hearing Wu Zong say this, Zhao Ruxi fell silent and nodded, saying, "Alright, then I'll listen to my senior brother."

This well-behaved appearance warmed Wu Zong's heart.

In truth, Zhao Ruxi knew that without Kang Shilin and her three senior brothers, she would never have been able to earn this money securely. She was indebted to them.

She happened to have something to say to them, "Senior brother, as I told you before, I plan to send someone to the south to purchase a type of jade called Feicui, intending to open a jewelry store. I sent someone to inquire about it some time ago, and I expect to hear back soon. I plan to use the tuition fees you paid to Master and Second Senior Brother as investment funds, and when we make a profit, I'll share the profits with you."

Seeing that Wu Zong was about to speak, she quickly waved her hand. "I know you don't lack money, but I've received a lot of help from you. This is just a small token of my appreciation. You can't refuse, can you? That would be treating me like family."

As she spoke, she gave Wu Zong a threatening look.

Wu Zong felt a warm glow in his heart.

He initially treated Zhao Ruxi well only because she was his master's disciple, and he felt obligated to take care of her out of respect for his master. But after spending some time together, his kindness towards Zhao Ruxi became genuinely due to Zhao Ruxi own actions.

This junior sister is very sensible, impeccable in her conduct, and grateful for kindness. Most importantly, she is very capable, handling most situations on her own and doing so exceptionally well. For example, when she painted portraits of criminals at the Court of Judicial Review, she made Wu Zong look very impressive in front of Zhang Changshen; and because of this painting training class, the Emperor even summoned him to inquire about it.

In addition, the junior sister's personality is also likable. She speaks humorously and acts decisively, which is especially good for Wu Zong's temperament.

In any case, Wu Zong really liked his junior sister.

If it weren't for the difference between men and women, he really wanted to be like his master and reach out his devilish hands to pat his junior sister's cute little head.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you, senior brother," he said readily.

Zhao Ruxi immediately gave Wu Zong a bright smile.

She then added obsequiously, "Senior brother, would you like to invest some more with Master? And could you mention it to our eldest brother for me? If he's interested, he could also invest three thousand taels of silver."

Needless to say, her master was excellent; among her three senior brothers, Wu Zong had taken the best care of her. She wanted to repay her master and Wu Zong in some way. Gong Cheng invested three thousand taels of silver as a donation, and that would be enough.

However, since both the master and his two senior brothers have invested in the business and will receive dividends in the future, it would be unfair to exclude Wu Huaisi.

"My master and I will stop investing. This is enough."

After spending some time together, Wu Zong realized that Zhao Ruxi was a reliable person. Since she was asking them to invest more money, this business had a high chance of making money. Naturally, he and his master couldn't take advantage of their junior sister any longer.

"I'll ask your senior brother for you. If he refuses, then so be it. Anyway, you've already asked, so if there's no money to share later, he can't really say anything." Wu Zong's words clearly favored his junior sister over his senior brother.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Zhao Ruxi clasped her hands in a fist salute to him.

Wu Zong waved his hand. "Alright, don't think about it too much. I'm going to go paint in front of the studio."

"Oh, right, I almost forgot." After taking a few steps, he stopped, took out a silver note from his pocket, and handed it to Zhao Ruxi. "This is the tuition fee County Princess of Qingyang gave to my master. My master asked me to give it to you. Also, regarding the matter of you being too busy lately to draw jewelry designs for her jewelry shop, my master has already spoken to her. Anyway, she doesn't rely on that jewelry shop for a living. The jewelry designs you drew for her a while ago have already opened up sales channels for her shop, so that's fine. She said it's no problem and she's quite grateful to you."

Zhao Ruxi suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She truly didn't know how to thank her master and senior brother.

Master and senior brother truly consider everything for her.

After Wu Zong returned to the front to paint, Zhao Ruxi stood in the garden for a long time before returning to the front.

As evening fell and everyone packed up to leave, Zhao Ruxi walked up to Xiao Ruotong and asked, "Sister Ruotong, are you going back to the capital?"

Xiao Ruotong continued painting, saying, "I'm not going back. I'll stay at the estate here."

Zhao Ruxi waved to the people who were saying goodbye to her, and said to Xiao Ruotong, "Everyone has left, and it's getting dark. Even if you stay at the manor, you can't go back too late. Be careful."

Nanny Yun quickly stepped forward and advised, "Yes, young lady, everyone else has left, let's go too."

Xiao Ruotong then stopped.

She turned her head and looked around, finding that almost everyone in the courtyard had left, except for Mr. Zhou Wenbai, who was slowly packing his things. She smiled apologetically at Zhao Ruxi, "I've completely lost track of time."

Seeing that Zhou Wenbai and his entourage had also left, Zhao Ruxi smiled at Nanny Yun and said, "I need to say a few words to Sister Ruotong. Please trouble Granny Yun to pack your things."

"Roll up the drawing paper, don't fold it," Xiao Ruotong instructed, then got up and followed Zhao Ruxi to the side, asking, "Is it about the jewelry design? Mister Kumu told me. It was my oversight not to tell you sooner. You're so busy now, you definitely don't have the time or energy to draw jewelry designs. Gathered Treasures Studio's business is on track now, you don't need to draw for me anymore."