Trading Barbs

Zhao Ruxi naturally knew why Gao Weiqiang had that expression.

After thinking for a moment, she called out to the car window, "Uncle Gao, Uncle Ma is coming back tomorrow. What are your plans?"

Gao Weiqiang was lost in thought, preoccupied with his own thoughts, when Zhao Ruxi asked him a question. He was a little taken aback and didn't understand what she meant. "Miss... young lady..."

"I'm short of people around me, especially trustworthy people. I think you've been very good working with me lately. But you used to be the head of the guards in the manor and served my father for so many years. If I were to ask you for a position, firstly, you might not be willing; secondly, my father would probably have his own thoughts. So I'm actually quite hesitant." Zhao Ruxi stated her thoughts directly.

Ever since she announced the training was suspended, Gao Weiqiang had been in low spirits, and she guessed that he probably wanted to stay by her side. However, as a servant, he couldn't bring himself to say that he didn't want to stay with his old master and wanted to be with his new master, which was why he looked so worried.

She was quite satisfied with Gao Weiqiang's performance during this period. His abilities were even better than Ma Sheng's, and he didn't talk too much in front of Zhao Yuanxun, nor did he boss her around just because he was an elder in the household.

After learning of Gao Weiqiang's idea, she had been hesitant for the past two days. She believed that if she asked Zhao Yuanxun Gao Weiqiang the man, her father would definitely give him to her. But she had already bought so many people and taken away Ma Sheng. If she took Gao Weiqiang away as well, there would be very few guards left in the mansion.

Furthermore, Ma Sheng was one of the first to follow her, and he has been working hard training new recruits during this time. He also knows of Xiao Lingyan's existence; Zhao Ruxi has promised to give him an important position.

If Gao Weiqiang were to come to her side as well, he would be inappropriate. He was originally Ma Sheng's superior and was more capable than Ma Sheng. It would be wrong to put Gao Weiqiang under Ma Sheng; but if Gao Weiqiang were still Ma Sheng's superior, Ma Sheng would likely have some reservations.

So after much deliberation, Zhao Ruxi decided to let Gao Weiqiang return to the Marquis's residence.

After Zhao Ruxi said that, even if Gao Weiqiang was a hundred percent willing to follow Zhao Ruxi, he couldn't bring himself to speak. The Earl was the girl's father; could he really say he wanted to be with the girl but not with the Earl?

"But your eldest son is already twenty years old this year, right? I've heard he's quite capable. Why don't you have your eldest son come and be my bodyguard? If it's inconvenient for him to leave home, your second or third son will also be fine," Zhao Ruxi said.

Gao Weiqiang's eldest son, Gao Sheng, also worked as a guard in the Earl's mansion; his second son, Gao Xing, was a servant to Zhao Yuanxun; and his third son Gao Deng, was the gatekeeper of the mansion.

Zhao Ruxi felt that bringing Gao Weiqiang's son over would make everyone happy, at least it would be fair to Gao Weiqiang for all the hard work he had put in following her around during this time.

Sure enough, Gao Weiqiang's worried expression vanished upon hearing this. He bowed to Zhao Ruxi from his horse and said, "Thank you, Miss. The manor doesn't need another guard Gao Sheng. That young man is older and more reliable, so let him serve you."

"Okay." Zhao Ruxi raised her hand. "I'll mention it to my father when I get back tonight."

Thank you, young lady.

They have just come out of the academy and are heading to the estate.

The training course at the Court of Judicial Review will likely start in a few days, and Zhao Ruxi won't be able to attend classes regularly for at least a while. Therefore, she should try to make time to visit the academy to build goodwill with the students, so as not to anger Madam Cui and the tutors too much.

The craftsmen will be arriving in the next few days, and Zhao Ruxi will have to go to the estate after class to arrange for the new recruits to be in their positions. As a result, she is so busy that she doesn't even have time to eat lunch and can only nibble on snacks in the carriage.

After Zhao Ruxi finished speaking with Gao Weiqiang, she was about to lower the curtain of the carriage window when she suddenly saw three people riding horses slowly passing by Gao Weiqiang.

One of the men looked familiar, and just as she was about to take a closer look, he reined in his horse, slowed down, and bowed to her, saying, "Is that Fifth Miss Zhao in the carriage? I am Fu Yunlang, the second son of the Marquis of Pingnan. May I ask if we could have a few words together at the teahouse?"

Upon hearing this name, Zhao Ruxi's expression turned cold.

No wonder she thought he looked familiar; Fu Yunlang and the Fu Yunkai brothers do bear some resemblance.

What could she and Fu Yunlang possibly have to talk about? They even went to a teahouse!

"No need, I have urgent business to attend to at the estate. Besides, I don't think I have anything to talk about with Young Master Fu."

Given the previous incident of seizing the estate, it's understandable that she wouldn't give Fu Yunlang a friendly look.

As Zhao Ruxi was speaking, she was about to instruct Uncle Lu to speed up when she saw a man in a white brocade robe leading two attendants riding up from behind.

Upon seeing Fu Yunlang, he slowed his horse and greeted him casually, "Young Master Fu Er Fu Yunlang, what are you doing here?"

After saying this, he turned his head, glanced at Zhao Ruxi first, then looked at the emblem on the carriage, and an expression of interest appeared on his face. "This is... Fifth Miss Zhao?"

The man was tall, with narrow eyes, thin lips, and a mole on his left cheek; his appearance was extremely ordinary.

Zhao Ruxi disliked his scrutinizing gaze and was about to lower the carriage curtain when the system suddenly announced in her mind, "Host, this is Jia Junze, the original owner's husband in the book."

Jia Junze, heir apparent of the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence?

Before Zhao Ruxi could react with surprise, Jia Junze spoke through the car window, "Fifth Miss Zhao, have you hidden away Ge Wu, the head craftsman of my jewelry store?"

Zhao Ruxi: "..." He started attacking her as soon as they met. It seems this person came with ill intentions. Maybe he came to cause trouble on purpose, and he wasn't just passing by.

She scrutinized the man's thick skin and said, "As far as I know, Ge Wu originally had no employer and had never signed a contract with any jewelry store. It doesn't make sense that he's your master craftsman. As for the word 'hidden,' ha... if this young master is uncultured, I advise you to keep your mouth shut, lest you become a laughingstock."

Jia Junze's face darkened, and he sneered, "A mere, dilapidated Earl of Suiping's Residence has produced such an arrogant little girl like you, daring to mock me. If you offend me, you won't even know how you die."

He raised his eyebrows, revealing a fierce look. "Besides, let me tell you, what I set my sights on is mine. If you dare to steal someone I've set my sights on, not only you, but even your father won't get away with it."

Zhao Ruxi, however, seemed completely oblivious to his menacing expression and threatening words. She pointed to the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion and asked, "Isn't that your jewelry store?" Then, pointing towards the capital, she added, "Isn't that your city?"

Fu Yunlang glanced at the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Ruxi scoffed and continued, "So what you've set your sights on is yours? That's quite an arrogance! Tomorrow my master goes to the palace, and I'll ask him to tell the Emperor what you said." As she spoke, she sized up Jia Junze, confirming, "You are indeed the heir of the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence, aren't you?"