A Visit to Extend an Invitation

"There are five judges in total, one of whom is me, and Zhou Wenbai and Fang Jingye are also judges. The other two are teachers from the Imperial Academy," Kang Shilin said.

He then added, "This competition is hosted by the Imperial Academy, and the painting competition is overseen by Fang Jingye."

Hearing this list of names, Zhao Ruxi had a headache. "Master, if this is the case, and I win a prize in the competition, won't people gossip about you?"

Kang Shilin was her teacher, while Zhou Wenbai and Fang Jingye studied sketching under her for about half a year. Although they were not officially recognized as her students and were both older, they were indeed her students.

Three of the five judges are so close to her; if she wins first place, others will surely accuse the judging of being unfair based solely on that.

In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second. If you put Picasso's paintings and Xu Beihong's paintings side by side, whose painting is the best?

Kang Shilin stroked his beard, also stumped by the question.

Zhao Ruxi's eyes darted around, and she said, "How about this?"

She explained the plan to the two of them, and before Kang Shilin could speak, Wu Zong exclaimed, "That's a great idea!"

Zhao Ruxi smiled and said, "Then let's do it that way."

Although Kang Shilin was somewhat disappointed, he could only nod in agreement in order to prevent his apprentice from being criticized.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Ruxi did not linger at the Kang Residence any longer. She and Wu Zong bid farewell, parted ways at the gate, and went home separately.

As soon as she arrived at the entrance of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, she saw Zhao Yuanxun waiting at the gatehouse.

"Father, what are you doing here?" Zhao Ruxi asked curiously.

"I've been waiting for you," Zhao Yuanxun said, handing Zhao Ruxi an invitation.

This is a visiting card with a pinkish-purple cover, featuring hand-carved openwork patterns that make it appear extremely exquisite; if you bring it closer, you can even smell a delicate fragrance.

This is clearly a visiting card used by a woman.

Zhao Ruxi glanced at her father suspiciously and opened the visiting card.

Two lines of text were written in delicate handwriting, and the signature was Xiao Yuyue.

"This..." Zhao Ruxi frowned as soon as she saw the name.

She looked up at Zhao Yuanxun: "Princess Pingyang? Where is she?"

Zhao Yuanxun nodded. "Your grandmother and mother are talking to her in the hall."

He gave his daughter a deep look, but said nothing more.

Ever since he heard his daughter analyze the political situation so eloquently, observed the people she associated with, and learned that her paintings had fetched astronomical prices, Zhao Yuanxun knew that his daughter had long since reached a height he could never reach in his entire life.

He felt that his vision and abilities were limited and that he could not help his daughter, so he stopped interfering in her affairs long ago.

Although he didn't know why Princess Pingyang had come, he believed his daughter would handle things well, and he didn't need to say anything more.

"I understand. Dad, you should go back now. It's cold, and your cough has just healed; don't catch a cold again."

Zhao Yuanxun waved his hand. "Don't worry about me, go and take care of your business."

Zhao Ruxi nodded and led Qingfeng into the Earl's residence.

"Go ahead and tell her I'm back. Go back to the backyard to change your clothes before coming to the main hall. Please wait a moment, Princess," she instructed.

Qingfeng responded and parted ways with Zhao Ruxi, heading to the main hall. Zhao Ruxi, on the other hand, returned to the backyard, pondering how to handle the situation as she walked.

Princess Pingyang was Emperor Xiao Ge's cousin, and she was in her thirties.

Because her father, Prince Kang, died early and she had little power, and the prince she married was also of average status, Xiao Yuyue was a person who had the title of princess but was not valued by others.

Although the Capital Women's Academy was nominally under the name of Consort Jin, Consort Jin, confined to the inner palace, naturally could not come out to manage the academy. Like Grand Princess Shangde, she only held the title and would only make decisions when the academy encountered major events.

For the sake of her son's future, Xiao Yuyue had been currying favor with Consort Jin all these years. After Consort Jin obtained the management rights of the Capital Women's Academy, Xiao Yuyue won out among a group of competitors and took on the important task of managing the Capital Women's Academy on behalf of Consort Jin.

Her status at the academy was similar to that of Madam Cui.

Now she has suddenly come to our door in person, without even sending a formal invitation, but instead waiting here. Needless to say, it must be because Zhao Ruxi has achieved excellent results in the annual examination, and she is putting on a show of respect and humility to invite Zhao Ruxi to study at the Capital Women's Academy.

Zhao Ruxi changed her clothes and went to the front hall.

"Princess Pingyang, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting." As soon as Zhao Ruxi entered, she respectfully squatted down and bowed, her attitude extremely sincere.

"Please don't be so polite." Xiao Yuyue stood up and personally helped Zhao Ruxi up, smiling very kindly and warmly. "It was my abruptness and presumptuousness. I was so excited to see your outstanding results in the annual exam that I couldn't contain my excitement, which led to this impolite behavior. Please forgive me."

"Princess, please don't say that," the old lady quickly said. "It is our honor that you have come to our door in person; how could it be considered impolite?"

"Indeed," Zhao Ruxi said. "I am deeply honored and humbled Ruxi the Princess's favor."

In ancient etiquette, people were accustomed to being humble and often referred to themselves as "servant." Since the other party was, after all, a member of the royal family, and given the current status of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, the only way to avoid appearing impolite was to lower one's stance.

Seeing Zhao Ruxi's attitude, Xiao Yuyue's smile brightened.

"Sit down, let's sit down and talk," she said to Zhao Ruxi, gesturing to the seat to her left.

After Zhao Ruxi was seated, the group exchanged a few more pleasantries before Xiao Yuyue said, "It's getting late, so I'll get straight to the point."

"I've reviewed your annual exam paper. Your handwriting is beautiful and neat, without a single mistake. The examiner gave it an excellent grade. This clearly demonstrates your outstanding talent and solid foundation. As you know, each year the lower-level academies have one or two spots for direct admission to the Capital Women's Academy 'Capital Women's Academy. With your grades, I'm confident I'll see you there next year."

She looked at Zhao Ruxi and said, "Logically, I didn't need to make this trip. I could have just waited for you to enroll after the New Year. After all, your household registration is in the capital, so you should be a student at the Capital Women's Academy. But because of your family background, you ended up in Beining. Now you can rightfully enter the Capital Women's Academy based on your exam results, and you certainly won't let this opportunity slip by. I only came here because I saw your exam paper and was eager to learn. Zhiwei, you can't refuse me and make me a laughingstock."

As she spoke, she covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed, as if she had told a joke.

She chuckled twice, then said seriously, "Now, I am officially informing you that you have been accepted into the Capital Women's Academy Capital Women's Academy. You can begin your studies there after the New Year. Congratulations!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Ruxi knew that Consort Jin's decision to entrust the management of the Capital Women's Academy to Xiao Yuyue was not without reason.

This woman is a formidable character. Her words just now, a perfect blend of kindness and firmness, showcased the art of conversation to its fullest extent.

If she refused to enter the Capital Women's Academy, it would be both against the rules and disrespectful. This was clearly leaving her with only one option.