Different from Her Previous Life

She won third place in the music competition at the end of the year, which made her somewhat famous. Her former girlfriends, who used to ignore her, were now willing to invite her to banquets.

Sure enough, because news of Zhao Ruxi had spread everywhere, Zhao Ruyu was immediately surrounded by these sisters as soon as she arrived.

Zhao Ruyu was stunned when she heard the news the day before yesterday.

She rushed to the Earl of Suiping's Residence to find Zhao Ruxi, but was stopped by Matron Yuan, who said that her young lady had caught a cold from the old lady. In order not to pass on the illness to Zhao Ruyu, she would not see her and asked her to go back.

Zhao Ruyu dared not risk her life, so she had no choice but to slink home.

Now that everyone was asking her, she felt guilty and forced a smile, saying, "I really didn't know. As you all know, we separated from the family. I have to go to school, and my fifth sister is busy too. She has to learn to paint, and she has to go to Beining to teach those officials how to paint portraits. She also has to take the imperial examinations. She's busy like a spinning top every day, so we rarely have the chance to see each other."

Before anyone could ask further, she continued, "When I heard the news, I went to ask her immediately. But she had caught a cold after being sick from my grandmother and wasn't seeing guests, so I didn't get to see her."

Everyone secretly looked down on Zhao Ruyu.

Qi Xuan said, "It's been several days, her illness should be better by now, right? The plum blossoms in our manor are in bloom, I'm hosting a small banquet in three days, just a few of us sisters, could you please give her the invitation for me?"

As she spoke, she handed over a beautifully designed invitation.

Zhao Ruyu readily accepted the invitation, but stated beforehand, "If my fifth sister's illness hasn't improved, she might not be able to come."

"That's alright. Since she's not fully recovered, we'll postpone our small banquet. We'll hold it again when she's better," Qi Xuan said.

Seeing that Zhao Ruyu remained silent, Xiao Ziyi raised an eyebrow. "She wouldn't even give me this much face, would she?"

"Leaving aside others, let's just talk about the relationship between the Duke of Wei's Residence and your family. The Duke of Wei's Residence helped your family a lot in the past. She should at least give them that favor, right? Don't forget your relatives and friends just because you've become successful."

She was the daughter of Qi Xuan's maternal uncle, and the two cousins grew up together. She also knew quite a bit about the affairs between the Duke of Wei's Residence and the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

Qi Xuan didn't speak, but she stared intently at Zhao Ruyu, waiting for Zhao Ruyu to express her opinion, and knew that she thought the same thing.

Zhao Ruyu tightened her grip on the invitation, nodded, and said, "Okay, I will definitely persuade Fifth Sister to attend the banquet."

Qi Xuan and Xiao Ziyi were finally satisfied.

Only then did someone mention, "By the way, have you heard? Princess Pingyang will no longer be managing our Capital Women's Academy after the New Year."

"What?" Everyone was taken aback.

"Wasn't Princess Pingyang appointed by Consort Jin? Why isn't she managing the academy anymore?" Everyone asked in unison.

"I heard she did something that angered Consort Jin, so Consort Jin took back her authority."

"Then who will replace her?"

"It's still unclear. It seems even Consort Jin herself hasn't decided."

Hearing these comments, Zhao Ruyu was in turmoil.

In my past life, none of these things happened. Could Zhao Ruxi really wield such power that she could influence decisions within the palace?

If that's the case, wouldn't everyone's fate be about to change?

During this period Zhao Ruyu's worries erupted like a volcano.

She suppressed her inner turmoil, patiently waited for the banquet to end, and then hurriedly left the Duke of Wei's Residence, heading straight for the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

Fortunately, she did not lose her mind and wisely did not go directly to see Zhao Ruxi, but instead sought an audience with Lady Zhu.

The old lady claimed to be ill, Zhao Ruxi claimed to be ill, and Zhao Yuanxun was genuinely ill, so Lady Zhu could no longer claim to be ill.

Zhao Ruyu requested an audience, and she met her in a side hall.

"Ruyu, what is it? There are many sick people in our household. You shouldn't come here unless you have to, or you might catch their illness," Lady Zhu said gently to Zhao Ruyu.

"Today I went to the Duke of Wei's Residence for a small banquet hosted by Fourth Miss Qi. At the banquet, everyone talked about Fifth Sister and expressed their admiration. Sister Qi said that although we are all relatives, we have never met Fifth Sister, which is a great pity. Since it is the end of the year and we have a rare break, and the plum blossoms at her mansion are in full bloom, she would like to invite Fifth Sister to a small banquet at her mansion."

As she spoke, Zhao Ruyu handed the invitation to Lady Zhu.

"But your fifth sister is still sick," Lady Zhu said.

Back when the Earl of Suiping's Residence was still the Duke's Mansion, it had very close ties with the Duke of Wei's Residence.

After the Duke of Sui and the old Duke of Wei both passed away, the Duke of Wei's Residence retained their position as dukes due to their merits, but the Duke of Sui's Residence's title was downgraded by one rank.

Whether it was because of this relationship or because the older generation with whom they had the closest relationship had passed away, the relationship between the two governments had gradually faded.

Although the Earl of Suiping's Residence would help if it needed something, the Duke of Wei's Residence would do so within its capabilities, but there was always a certain condescending attitude.

Therefore, Zhao Yuanxun was reluctant to associate with that household unless absolutely necessary.

Before Zhao Ruxi became famous, the Qi sisters never invited her to their small banquets. Now that she's famous, invitations from the Duke of Wei's Residence are coming to her door.

This made Lady Zhu sigh inwardly at the coldness and indifference of the world.

"It's alright. Sister Qi said that the small banquet will only be held when Fifth Sister recovers from her illness, and it's specially waiting for Fifth Sister," Zhao Ruyu said obediently.

Lady Zhu's mouth tasted bitter.

To avoid trouble, none of them planned to attend the banquet. But they probably couldn't refuse the invitation from the Duke of Wei's Residence. The friendship between the two families, and the Duke of Wei's Residence's assistance to them, made it impossible to decline.

After being pressured by Lady Zhu, Zhao Ruyu finally said, "I want to go see Fifth Sister. She should be better by now, right? I heard from the doctor that colds are contagious at the onset, but stop spreading after a few days."

Thinking that perhaps it would be better for Zhao Ruxi to refuse Zhao Ruyu, Lady Zhu nodded and said, "Since you're so concerned, go and see her."

Since Zhao Ruyu was determined, she was not stopped from coming to Slender Bamboo Courtyard this time. She repeatedly asked to see Zhao Ruxi, and after Matron Yuan reported to her twice, Zhao Ruyu was finally allowed to pass.

As soon as she entered, Zhao Ruyu asked Zhao Ruxi, "How did you do that?"

"What?" Zhao Ruxi asked, bewildered.

"How did you manage to get what happened to Princess Pingyang?" Zhao Ruyu asked again.

Zhao Ruxi naturally knew what she was referring to. But she pretended not to understand and asked again, "What is it, Princess Pingyang?"

Zhao Ruyu waved her hand, signaling Qingfeng and the others to leave.

Qingfeng looked at his master, and seeing Zhao Ruxi nod, he led Dianjiang out.

"Princess Pingyang's management of the Capital Women's Academy has been taken back. This didn't happen in my previous life. How did you manage to do that?" Zhao Ruyu asked in a low voice.

The mere mention of this incident sends chills down her spine.