Unable to Promise

"Master, when will the exam results be released?" Zhao Ruxi asked.

Madam Cui felt somewhat uncomfortable when this matter was brought up.

She said, "There aren't many students, so I should be able to finish grading the papers today; at the latest, it will be tomorrow or the day after."

Although the Capital Women's Academy was far superior to Beining in terms of both its teaching staff and the students' prior academic foundation, the noble ladies were already in a high position from the start, and coupled with the constraints of their families, they could not control their own destinies. As a result, very few of them participated in the imperial examinations.

Even if some did participate, it was only to prove that their talents were no less than those of men, and to gain the reputation of a talented woman in the capital, thus increasing their chances of marriage.

As long as the graders don't slack off, they can finish grading the papers in an hour, let alone a whole day.

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "Okay, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Madam Cui nodded, looking at Zhao Ruxi, hesitant to speak.

Zhao Ruxi guessed what she wanted to say.

Yesterday, out of guilt Madam Cui suggested that Zhao Ruxi go to the Capital Women's Academy, but deep down she was definitely reluctant to let her go. However, Madam Cui couldn't bring herself to say that Zhao Ruxi should risk Consort Jin to stay at the Beining Women's Academy, which is why she was so conflicted.

Zhao Ruxi naturally wouldn't make any promises just to Madam Cui.

Beining Women's Academy helped her a lot. Not to mention the care that Madam Cui and others had given her, she was also grateful to the academy and Madam Cui for the opportunity to meet her master there and be accepted as his disciple.

She wasn't afraid of offending Consort Jin.

Because of her master's connections, and because the Emperor had purchased her painting, she was now considered someone on the Emperor's radar. Consort Jin, concerned for her own reputation before the Emperor, dared not openly do anything to her. At most, she would sabotage her efforts, having others make things difficult for her and cause her trouble.

For the sake of the Beining Women's Academy and for the kindness of Madam Cui and the others towards her, she was willing to endure this trouble.

But what she's doing now is no ordinary thing. If she's intentionally being watched, her hidden secrets could very well be discovered.

Although her workshop made parts from several different materials mixed together, by disassembling the clocks that were auctioned off and comparing the internal parts with those from her workshop, it could be discovered that the clocks auctioned off came from her workshop.

In this way, her relationship with Xiao Lingyan would likely be exposed.

At that point, it won't just Consort Jin targeting her out of dislike or making things difficult for her. The Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince will definitely put her and her family to death. It might even implicate her master and fellow disciples.

"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan," which perfectly describes the situation she is currently facing.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn't confront Consort Jin head-on at this stage. It wasn't worth causing a big problem over something as trivial as whether or not to attend the Capital Women's Academy.

She bowed to Madam Cui and got into the carriage.

Upon returning to the capital, Zhao Ruxi did not go home, but went directly to the Kang Residence.

Kang Shilin is getting old, and now that it's cold and the roads are slippery with snow, Kang Yannian and the others don't want the old man to go out, worried that his health can't handle it and that he might have an accident.

Kang Shilin then asked the academy for leave. He stayed at home unless absolutely necessary.

However, he was not lonely. People from the painting academy would come to his door from time to time to discuss painting techniques, and his four apprentices would also visit him often.

To be with her master, Zhao Ruxi even moved her painting practice to her master's studio, where she would paint for half an hour every day before going home.

Upon arriving at the Kang Residence, there was no need for announcements; the gatekeeper simply let them in.

Kang Shilin's studio was in the outer courtyard, not far from the main gate. Zhao Ruxi went there familiarly and saw Wu Zong there, standing behind Kang Shilin watching him paint.

Zhao Ruxi shushed the servants in the room, walked to Wu Zong's side, waved gently to him, and then stood there watching Kang Shilin paint.

Kang Shilin's painting was nearing completion; he stopped painting shortly after Zhao Ruxi arrived.

"Master, this painting is truly wonderful," Zhao Ruxi praised sincerely.

Kang Shilin's previous paintings were full of ethereal beauty, but this painting breaks through his original style.

If the landscapes in his previous paintings existed only in dreams, elusive and intangible, now the landscapes in his paintings, while still possessing an ethereal quality, have gained a sense of reality and vicissitude, a foundation that makes people want to explore them, and are more capable of touching people's hearts.

Wu Zong nodded.

He prefers his master's current style.

Kang Shilin patted Zhao Ruxi's head. "Influenced by you."

During this time, Zhao Ruxi came to the Kang Residence to paint, but she did not continue to paint a complete painting. Instead, she practiced various painting techniques. Kang Shilin watched from the side and was greatly inspired. He also tried to change his own style.

Unexpectedly, a new breakthrough occurred.

Kang Shilin looked at his painting with satisfaction.

He established his painting style when he was forty. More than twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Although he has mastered this style, he gets tired of it after a while.

He'd like to change his style, but it's not that easy.

Unexpectedly, after taking on a young apprentice, his painting skills improved dramatically.

Kang Shilin felt he didn't have much ability to teach his apprentice, but he benefited greatly from his youngest apprentice's influence.

He stroked his beard and said, "Zhiwei, pick any one of my paintings; consider it your master's way of thanking you."

If it were offered to someone else, Zhao Ruxi definitely wouldn't accept it.

Her master and fellow disciples treated her extremely well; this kindness cannot be measured by any material gain.

But she really liked her master's paintings. Now that her master had finally agreed, she didn't want to miss out.

As if afraid Kang Shilin would change his mind, she quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master."

This reaction and speed amused Kang Shilin and Wu Zong.

Zhao Ruxi didn't care, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Kang Shilin: "Master, can I choose now?"

"Go pick one!" Kang Shilin waved his hand and said readily.

Zhao Ruxi happily followed Kang Shilin into the painting studio and unceremoniously reached for Kang Shilin's most prized painting.

"Junior Sister, you..." Wu Zong's eyes turned red with jealousy.

He wanted it too; he really liked the painting. He especially hoped that one day he could win his master's favor and ask him for it.

But to my surprise, my junior sister beat me to it.

His heart ached terribly!

Although the junior sister is very cute, compared to the master's paintings, this sibling affection is nothing.

He turned to look at Kang Shilin.

The Emperor himself requested this painting, and his master refused to give it away. He simply didn't believe his master would be willing to give it to his junior sister.

"Alright, take it." Although Kang Shilin was a little reluctant, he still said generously.

"Ah, Master, you're so kind!"

Zhao Ruxi immediately took the painting down, rolled it up, put it into a scroll, and then held it tightly in her arms, staring at Wu Zong with wide eyes as if he were a thief.