A Visit to the Peng Residence
Zhao Ruxi was slightly disappointed with this ranking, but it was already unexpected to outsiders.
Zhao Ruxi caught the Emperor's eye. With Grand Princess Shangde around, Xiao Ge also knew that Zhao Ruxi had participated in the provincial examination and was paying attention to her ranking.
Upon hearing Eunuch Xie report that Zhao Ruxi had ranked sixth, he raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, this girl certainly seems quite good."
He reigned as emperor for many years and was very familiar with the imperial examination system.
Because both the Xiucai and Juren examinations were held locally, they were heavily influenced by the region. In the entire Great Jin, the Xiucai and Juren examinations were most difficult to obtain in two places: the capital city and the Jiangnan region, which was known for its flourishing literary culture.
Although Zhao Ruxi only ranked sixth in the provincial examination, this was in the capital. If she were placed anywhere other than the capital or Jiangnan, she would undoubtedly be a top scholar.
"Did you plagiarize her article? Let me see."
The Emperor wanted to see Zhao Ruxi's essays for both the county and prefectural examinations, Eunuch Xie naturally wouldn't forget this time either. He specially ordered someone to copy her essays and present them to Xiao Ge.
"Hmm, not bad, as good as always, with a steady writing style." Xiao Ge nodded in satisfaction after reading it.
"Does she plan to take the provincial examination in the fall?" he asked.
"Her Highness the Princess said so," said Eunuch Xie.
Xiao Ge nodded.
After thinking for a moment, he wrote a letter to Kang Shilin, asking if Zhao Zhiwei needed Peng Guoan's guidance, and if so, he could put in a good word for her.
As the Imperial Academy the Imperial Academy, Peng Guoan's scholarship was undoubtedly exceptional. His subordinates at the Imperial Academy were all renowned Confucian scholars of the time. If needed, a word from him would suffice, and others would give him face by offering to tutor Zhao Zhiwei.
In Xiao Ge's view, the teachers at the Beining Women's Academy were certainly decent, but that was in comparison to the Women's Academy in other counties. They couldn't compare to the teachers at the Imperial Academy.
Although Zhao Zhiwei is a woman, she is a woman of great talent. Putting aside her painting skills, just the fact that she invented the safe and improved the spinning machine is enough for him, as the emperor, to reward her. Rather than bestowing upon her some jewelry that can only be looked at but not used, it would be better to give her some help in the imperial examinations.
He believed that his uncle would be very pleased with his gesture after receiving his letter.
As expected, Kang Shilin was Gao Xing upon receiving the letter and immediately sent someone to the Earl of Suiping's Residence to inquire about it.
Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed upon hearing this.
The teachers at the Beining Women's Academy were certainly capable of tutoring students for the preliminary and provincial examinations, but since the students at the Women's Academy almost never participated in higher-level examinations, their understanding of the questions and problem-solving strategies for the provincial and metropolitan examinations was definitely not as good as that of the teachers at the Imperial Academy.
She was overjoyed to receive guidance from Peng Guoan and others, something she had longed for.
She immediately went to the Kang Residence to express her wishes to her master.
"In that case, let's go to the Peng Residence now, and then ask the Emperor to put in a good word for you. That way, it won't seem like we're using our power to intimidate others, but rather that we're sincerely seeking knowledge," Kang Shilin said.
After saying this, he first wrote a letter to Xiao Ge, and then asked Zhao Ruxi to send a servant to buy some gifts on the street. The master and disciple then went to the Peng Residence.
Peng Guoan, as the Imperial Academy, has always cherished talent the most.
Ever since the last painting competition, when Peng Guoan saw Zhao Ruxi's painting and learned that she was the anonymous painter he greatly admired, he wished he could recruit her into the Imperial Academy as a student.
After the painting competition, he specially called his second son over and gave him some serious advice, telling him to visit his wife's family more often and to help them whenever they had any difficulties.
His thoughts differed from those of the Old Madam Duchess of Wei. The Old Madam Duchess of Wei was concerned with prosperity and disgrace, and the fickleness of human relationships. Peng Guoan, on the other hand, simply felt that Zhao Zhiwei was a rare talent, and also a relative by marriage. They had a responsibility and obligation to help her go further and become the glory of the Great Jin, so that she would not be suppressed or forgotten by the masses due to some objective reasons.
Now that Kang Shilin has brought Zhao Zhiwei to his door, asking him to take a look at Zhao Zhiwei's writings and offer some guidance, he naturally agreed without hesitation. There was no need for the Emperor to ask.
"Come over during your ten-day break." He was unusually stern, speaking very kindly to Zhao Ruxi. "I'll give you some pointers. Because it's an exam, you need to practice time management; you must write an essay within a certain time. Therefore, I'll have you write it on the spot, and I'll provide feedback immediately. So you might be here for half a day, so be prepared. Fortunately, your sister is here, so you won't feel too constrained."
"Thank you very much Lord Peng. I finally get a day off after ten days, and you still want me to take up half of it. I'm really sorry to trouble you," Zhao Ruxi said with a shy smile.
Peng Guoan waved his hand. "Why call me Lord Peng? I'm your sister's father-in-law, you should call me Uncle."
"Yes, Uncle Peng," Zhao Ruxi readily agreed.
Peng Guoan was finally satisfied and turned to Kang Shilin, saying, "Mister Kumu, I truly envy you for having such a good disciple."
Kang Shilin knew that Peng Guoan was a serious and upright man who would never flatter. Since he said he "envied," he must really be envious.
He immediately grinned, his small, squinty eyes disappearing completely. "Sigh, I have to admire my own eyesight. How did I manage to see my little apprentice's extraordinary talent and unique physique at a glance, and decide to take her under my wing immediately? It turns out I was right; she has never disappointed me, whether in painting, studying, or being a good person."
Zhao Ruxi rolled her eyes inwardly.
Her master was so smug! If he weren't her master, and if she weren't the one being praised, she'd definitely want to put a sack over his head and beat him up. Who praises themselves and their disciple like that?
Peng Guoan seemed completely oblivious to Kang Shilin's boastful intentions, and instead earnestly discussed with him how to judge people.
He also remarked with emotion, "Logically speaking, with so many students at the Imperial Academy, and a new cohort every year, I've met enough people. But in terms of discernment, I still fall far short of yours. Look at your four disciples; each one is an outstanding individual."
Peng Guoan also took on students, all of whom were gifted in their studies. He personally instructed them and had them study under his tutelage.
Although these people also passed the imperial examination, in terms of achievements, only one out of five was somewhat successful, while the others were really just average.
A person who is good at studying is not necessarily able to succeed in officialdom. And to become a scholar or literary giant, one needs both talent and opportunity.
Looking at Kang Shilin's disciples, Wu Huaisi and the other two, they were not only prominent figures in officialdom but also accomplished painters. Although Zhao Ruxi was a girl and still young, she quickly became a master painter, pioneering two different painting styles. Each of these four disciples was a talent.
Kang Shilin burst into laughter, finding Peng Guoan even more pleasing to the eye.
"Lord Peng, we've known each other for many years, and only today did I realize that we are like Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi," he said.
Zhao Ruxi rolled her eyes again.