Compensation

He looked at Zhao Ruxi and said, "Only painters of the national level, recognized by everyone, can serve as judges. This is a great honor, and also the court's recognition of your painting skills and character. Are you willing to take on this important task?"

He was worried that Zhao Ruxi wouldn't understand the implications, so he was giving her a heads-up. It would be good if Zhao Ruxi was willing to be the judge. If not, she could still demonstrate her humility and high moral character before the Emperor.

It must be said that the master and apprentice were of one mind, and Zhao Ruxi immediately understood his good intentions.

She bowed towards the palace and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However Zhiwei only been studying painting with my master for half a year. Although I have won first place in this competition thanks to Your Majesty's grace, Zhiwei painting skills are still immature and I need to study and practice more."

"Furthermore, there are many senior figures in the art world, many of whom have been famous for a long time. Zhiwei. How can I possibly surpass these seniors to be a judge in this competition? Zhiwei unworthy of Your Majesty's honor."

Kang Shilin nodded to Eunuch Xie and said, "What she said makes sense. When you go back, please thank the Emperor for us. We, master and disciple, appreciate the Emperor's kindness. However, Zhiwei is still young. If she is praised too highly, it's tantamount to killing her with compliments. Such a promising talent is rare; let her develop properly."

"This servant will certainly convey Mister Kumu and Miss Zhiwei's words to His Majesty," said Eunuch Xie, glancing at Kang Shilin and Zhao Ruxi.

Seeing that Kang Shilin didn't seem to understand, he had no choice but to explain, "Mister Kumu did promise His Majesty a painting by Miss Zhiwei. His Majesty said that since Miss Zhiwei's painting today received a perfect score of ten from all five judges, it must be exceptionally good. Why not present this one?"

Kang Shilin glanced at Zhao Ruxi.

Today's contestants' paintings should have been collected and kept by the Imperial Academy College, and exhibited for half a month after the rankings were announced before being returned to the artists.

However, when Zhao Ruxi announced her withdrawal from the competition, she immediately rolled up the painting and took it with her. It's still in Zhao Ruxi's possession.

Zhao Ruxi hurriedly said, "That painting is in my residence. I'll have someone fetch it, and I'll trouble you, sir, to present it to me."

After Zhao Ruxi personally expressed her opinion, Kang Shilin then spoke up, "His Majesty wants that painting, of course there's no problem. However, since His Majesty has declared Zhiwei the first-place winner of the competition, everything must be done according to the rules. Zhiwei Eunuch Xie, please report this to His Majesty and see what he says."

"Yes, this servant will certainly convey Mister Kumu's words to His Majesty," said Eunuch Xie.

However, the art exhibition doesn't happen so quickly. The participants finish their paintings and leave, and these paintings are still just individual sheets of paper that need to be framed before they can be hung up for exhibition.

Kang Shilin understood Xiao Ge's eagerness to see the painting. After explaining the situation, he wouldn't stop Xiao Ge from taking the painting.

He said, "No matter what, that painting belongs to the Emperor. Zhiwei, have someone fetch it."

Zhao Ruxi nodded and instructed Qingfeng to lead Ma Sheng wife back to retrieve the painting.

After receiving the painting, Eunuch Xie took his leave, and Zhao Ruxi followed suit and went home.

Back in the palace, Eunuch Xie recounted Kang Shilin and Zhao Ruxi's words to Xiao Ge verbatim.

Xiao Ge nodded in approval, "He's a discerning person. Uncle's judgment is always so excellent."

Eunuch Xie was also a person who loved and understood painting; otherwise, no matter how trusted he was, he would not have been able to represent the Emperor at the auction and spend a large sum of money to buy a painting that the Emperor had never even seen before.

He also greatly admired Zhao Ruxi, judging from both her paintings and her personality.

He couldn't help but speak up for Zhao Ruxi: "Someone capable of painting such works, Miss Zhiwei, must be no ordinary person. She must be a person of great vision and ambition."

Xiao Ge nodded. "Since the master and apprentice are unwilling to be the judges, let's compensate Zhao Zhiwei in other ways. Wasn't Zhao Yuanxun's original position revoked by me? Go and see if there are any suitable positions for him. Once selected, inform him that he should come to take up his post after the New Year."

Ultimately, this trouble was caused by Princess Pingyang. And Princess Pingyang was Consort Jin's person, as well as his cousin. Since these two had done something wrong, he had to make an effort to appease them.

"Oh my, I wonder how happy the Earl of Suiping will be to hear this news. He really has raised a fine daughter," Eunuch Xie said jokingly.

Zhao Ruxi had no idea that because she refused to be a judge, the Emperor compensated her father by giving him a job.

The next day, she received a system notification: "Wisdom Points +1000."

Zhao Ruxi was Gao Xing.

Participating in competitions was definitely more worthwhile. It's a pity she can't participate in painting competitions anymore.

But there were no painting competitions, only the imperial examinations.

She studied even harder.

In Xiao Lingyan's villa, he asked his subordinates, "How's the investigation on Princess Pingyang going?"

There were always people from Xiao Lingyan's faction around Zhao Ruxi. However, they only followed her from a distance to protect her safety, so as not to infringe on her privacy.

Xiao Lingyan was fully aware of the conflicts between Zhao Ruxi and Consort Jin and Princess Pingyang, as well as Zhao Ruxi's experiences in the painting competition.

Zhao Ruxi is a smart and capable person, whose abilities are no less than mine. Xiao Lingyan had suffered at her hands in his previous life and was fully aware of this.

Therefore, when Zhao Ruxi had conflicts with Consort Jin and Princess Pingyang, he did not intervene, believing that Zhao Ruxi would not suffer any losses.

Even though Zhao Ruxi chose to swallow her anger for the sake of the bigger picture in this round, Xiao Lingyan believed that once he and Xiao Lingpu had the upper hand in the future, they would definitely have a chance to get justice for her, so he was not in a hurry to take action.

When Zhao Ruxi went to participate in the competition, he really wanted to watch it live. His silk shop was right next to the painting competition venue, and he could stand on the second floor and have a clear view of everything below, which was very convenient.

However, because of Xiao Ge's attention to Zhao Ruxi, and the grudge between Consort Jin and Zhao Ruxi, his presence on the second floor of the silk shop would easily make people aware of his interest in the competition.

Once suspicions arise and the investigation deepens, his relationship with Zhao Ruxi might be exposed.

Previously, it was precisely because he and Zhao Ruxi had no theoretical connection or interest that they were able to meet frequently without being noticed.

So he didn't go to the painting competition, but instead appeared at the archery competition venue.

He didn't go to the scene, but he sent people instead. He knew exactly what happened at the time.

Xiao Ge was concerned about Consort Jin and did not directly punish Xiao Yuyue. Although Consort Jin removed Xiao Yuyue from her position as the academy's administrator, Xiao Lingyan still felt it wasn't enough and wanted to make things difficult for Xiao Yuyue.

The subordinate then recounted the events at Xiao Yuyue's home. However, it wasn't anything serious; it was all trivial matters.

Xiao Yuyue was a princess, and she had also curried favor with Consort Jin, so her husband didn't dare to act recklessly. Therefore, her family was relatively harmonious.

"Keep an eye on her during this time. Whenever you have the chance, trip her up. In short, don't let her have it easy," Xiao Lingyan instructed.