An Endless Stream
The old Duchess pressed her palm down, saying, "Alright, everyone, sit down."
She turned to Qi Xuan: "Miss Xuan don't have to go to school these days, come here to serve me every day. Don't go out and play with your group of girlfriends. The other girls should come too. There are some things you don't understand, and you might suffer a lot in the future. While I'm still alive, I'll teach you more."
Qi Xuan blushed, lowered her head, and replied, "Yes."
Zhao Ruxi also considered the concerns of the old lady and Lady Zhu.
The Duke of Wei's Residence were relatives, and the old Duchess was a sensible and reasonable woman; Lady Zhu could even go to their door to explain. But others were not so forgiving.
Zhao Ruxi spread her reputation as a painter, hoping to rise above others and elevate the status of the Earl of Suiping's Residence and herself, so that no one would dare to trample on her. She wasn't doing it to offend anyone.
Therefore, this matter cannot be resolved in this way.
When Lady Zhu went to the Duke of Wei's Residence, Zhao Ruxi wrote a letter and sent it to Kang Shilin through Qingfeng. She explained her current predicament and hoped that Kang Shilin would speak to Grand Princess Shangde on her behalf.
As long as Grand Princess Shangde makes it clear at the banquet that she is going to take the imperial examination and should not be disturbed, then anyone who tries to invite her to a banquet or comes to her door to bother her like she's a monkey is being rude and showing disrespect for Grand Princess Shangde.
Although Zhao Ruxi participated in the imperial examination for herself, it was also for the honor of the academy. As the honorary headmistress of the academy, shouldn't Grand Princess Shangde protect her under these circumstances?
Therefore, it was quite appropriate to use Grand Princess Shangde's power to keep these troubles out.
Princess Pingyang bribed Mei Zhongjun to ruin the reputation of Zhao Ruxi and Kang Shilin. Grand Princess Shangde later found out about this and was furious. She felt very guilty towards Zhao Ruxi and her master.
Compared to her reputation and the huge trouble she caused, what did that little estate she gave away matter?
Therefore, upon receiving Kang Shilin's letter, she responded very positively, attending banquets she hadn't intended to attend.
At the banquet, she subtly expressed her admiration for Zhao Ruxi, as if she wanted to adopt her as her goddaughter. She even declared that anyone who bullied Zhao Ruxi was essentially bullying her. She also praised Zhao Ruxi for her intelligence, noting that she had ranked first in the annual examinations at the Women's Academy. She planned to help Zhao Ruxi achieve good results in the imperial examinations, bringing honor to the Beining Women's Academy, and asked everyone not to disturb Zhao Ruxi.
Grand Princess Shangde is, after all, the Emperor's only younger sister. If she really wanted to be serious, even the Emperor would give her some leeway.
Therefore, after she made that statement, the number of invitations sent to the Earl of Suiping's Residence's residence decreased significantly. The few that did arrive were polite and polite, and she expressed understanding when they were refused.
Conversely, there were more posts expressing admiration for her artistic talent. This didn't require much social interaction; simply replying to a post was enough.
Since Zhao Ruxi couldn't possibly write the replies herself, the brothers Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jingtai, who came to learn from Zhao Ruxi, had an extra job of writing the replies for her.
The capital city has no shortage of shrewd people. Many, like the Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence, have sharp eyes and foresight.
When Zhao Ruxi gained recognition from the Court of Judicial Review for her sketching skills, and the Emperor issued an edict to organize painting training classes, her reputation for talent spread far and wide.
However, that style of painting was not recognized by the mainstream. People felt that her talent was only due to the novelty of her style, which just happened to suit the tastes of the Court of Judicial Review. Once those officials learned this style of painting, Zhao Ruxi would fade into obscurity and no longer be able to cause any significant waves.
Even if they make some money running training courses, for truly established and prestigious families, that amount of money is nothing; they wouldn't even earn as much as they would from buying an antique.
Therefore, although some people said that the Earl of Suiping's Residence was good, it was just praise and they didn't really think she had great talent. Even if there were suitors who came to propose marriage, they weren't of high caliber.
However, during this painting competition, everyone not only discovered that the painting worth 25,000 taels at the auction by an anonymous artist was painted by Zhao Ruxi, but also saw her paintings in person at the exhibition.
People say that one's handwriting reflects one's character, but paintings allow people to more directly perceive the artist's mind and vision.
You can't paint like this without a grand vision in your mind.
At this point, the powerful and influential people in the capital truly began to recognize Zhao Ruxi's artistic talent and her character.
Just like Xiao Ge and Peng Guoan, many people admired her as a person because of her paintings, and thus wanted to bring such a person into their own family to become their daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law.
Such an extraordinary woman not only brings wealth and honor to her family, but also connections and influence.
So many people admire Zhao Ruxi's paintings. When high-ranking officials or nobles came to request a painting, giving them one was a way to establish a good relationship. And if one wanted to ask someone for a favor, one didn't need anything else; just presenting them with a painting by Zhao Ruxi might just make things go smoothly.
Didn't you see that people like Grand Princess Shangde and Kang Shilin consciously became her backers? It's all because of her talent.
A woman with this talent can make a great contribution to her family, surpassing many men.
Moreover, she can also teach the younger generation in her family to paint. As long as they can learn even a fraction of her skills, they won't have to worry about not getting a good job in the imperial court.
Therefore, marrying such a woman as a daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law is truly a win-win situation.
Therefore, after the Peng Family arranged the marriage, suitors came in droves.
Putting aside everything else, even the Duke of Wei's Residence sent someone to convey a message, wanting to ask for Zhao Ruxi Ruxi's hand in marriage on behalf of the Wife of the Duke of Wei and was a year younger than Zhao Ruxi. Apart from that, the Duke of Wei's Residence really couldn't find any other men of suitable age. There were illegitimate sons, but if they were to propose marriage, it would be looking down on Zhao Ruxi, and it wouldn't be a marriage alliance, but rather an enmity.
This situation brought both joy and worry to the old lady, Zhao Yuanxun, and Lady Zhu.
"I won't consider marriage before I turn sixteen." Zhao Ruxi was also annoyed by Lady Zhu's repeated questions. "Mother, as you can see, I'm not worried about getting married. I will definitely choose a good match for myself when the time comes. Don't you trust my judgment?"
Lady Zhu had no choice but to relay Zhao Ruxi's words to the old lady and Zhao Yuanxun.
Zhao Yuanxun said, "Then let's listen to her."
Zhao Ruxi had explained even the most profound truths to them. They weren't unaware of those truths.
It's only when these desirable marriages, which they once longed for but could never have, are offered to them that they become tempted, feeling it would be a great pity to refuse.
Who knows if this opportunity will ever come again?
Zhao Ruxi was too opinionated to be persuaded, so they had no choice but to trust her.
The elders of the Earl of Suiping's Residence were no longer in a hurry, but some people couldn't sit still.
That day, Qingfeng hurriedly entered the room, dismissed everyone else, and quietly said to Zhao Ruxi, "Miss, when I woke up this morning, I saw a letter on my pillow." As he spoke, he handed the letter to Zhao Ruxi.