Busy Days
"This isn't called a clock, it's called a watch," Zhao Ruxi said. She certainly wouldn't dare give someone a clock as a gift.
She added, "Because it can be carried in your pocket and taken anywhere, it's also called a pocket watch."
If a clock can be used to harvest several crops of chives, then a watch certainly can too.
Making mechanics very precise is not easy. Under limited conditions, if they wanted to make the pocket watch smaller, they would need to spend more time and effort, which would increase the cost.
Therefore, they simply made the first generation of pocket watches larger. The second generation of pocket watches could be smaller and more exquisite.
Although this pocket watch is a bit large, it is still relatively flat, so it's still usable to carry it in your pocket if you're wearing thick clothes in winter.
Despite his serious demeanor, Peng Guoan also had a childlike side. Upon hearing this, he immediately closed the pocket watch and put it in his pocket.
In summer, when clothes are thin, even a small pocket watch is noticeable. Not to mention this large one. When tucked into one's pocket, it bulges out in a round shape.
When Zhao Ruxi brought the pocket watch home, she gave one to Zhao Yuanxun. Zhao Yuanxun had done the same thing before, and was mocked by Lady Zhu a few times.
Seeing Peng Guoan's action, she was unsurprised, and her expression remained unchanged.
The maids and servants inside the room couldn't help but lower their heads and suppress their laughter.
Peng Guoan was completely unaware. He took out his pocket watch from his pocket, opened it, and looked at it with obvious delight.
Zhao Ruxi's gift really hit the nail on the head.
Others can estimate the time by observing the shadows in the sun, but he cannot.
He was the Imperial Academy, and the Imperial Academy required precise timing for classes to begin and end. It was incredibly inconvenient without something to carry with him to tell the time. This pocket watch would be much more convenient.
He glanced at the watch in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then put it back in the small box and handed it back to Zhao Ruxi: "This thing is too valuable, you should take it back."
Zhao Ruxi declined, saying, "It's not particularly valuable. This was brought back from Jiangnan by someone I asked. I think it will be available in the capital soon. I also got one for my master and one for my father. Uncle Peng, you need this most when you're going to and from class, so please don't be so polite with me."
"You not only spent your rest time teaching me, but also arranged for so many other teachers to guide me. I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart; this gratitude cannot be measured by money. So many people have offered you gold to beg for your help, but you might not even acknowledge them."
These words were extremely comforting to Peng Guoan.
He and the great scholars of the Imperial Academy were not people who could be persuaded with money. They were very aloof. If they liked you, they would give you advice even without paying a penny; if they didn't like you, you couldn't persuade them even if you offered them a mountain of gold and silver.
He thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Since it's your kind offer and I need it, I'll accept it."
During his many years as Imperial Academy, his disciples and students presented him with numerous gifts, including many fine inkstones and a considerable amount of good ink.
He made up his mind that during the last lesson, to wish Zhao Ruxi good results in the provincial examination, he would give Zhao Ruxi a fine inkstone and several pieces of good ink. Fine inkstones and good ink are not cheap, and their values are roughly the same.
Next, Zhao Ruxi diligently shuttled between the exhibition hall and the Peng Family, attending classes with these great Confucian scholars.
Because the Peng Family had previously sent someone to propose marriage, she was worried that it would be inconvenient for her to go to the Peng Family.
If the Peng Family doesn't give up, and every time she goes to class, the eligible bachelor from the Peng Family will occasionally bump into her on the street, or simply use an excuse to go to Peng Guoan's house, she will definitely feel very uncomfortable.
But the Peng Family members are truly of good character, and such a thing did not happen.
As for the schedule, Peng Guoan had originally arranged a very flexible class schedule for her, leaving her with plenty of free time outside of classes. However, the great scholars added more classes one by one, filling her schedule to the brim. This was during the hottest months of June and July, which made Lady Zhu extremely distressed.
"You yourself said you don't like being an official, and your family doesn't need you to take the imperial examinations to bring honor to the family. So why are you working so hard?"
Zhao Ruxi was also helpless.
She didn't want to either.
Although she was a top student in modern times, she always knew that there are always mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people. Back then, she wasn't the top scorer in the college entrance examination; she was only the third-ranked student in science in her province.
In ancient times, making money, accumulating points, and changing one's fate as cannon fodder were already exhausting enough. She planned to take the imperial examination casually, just enough to pass, which would be a way to give an explanation to Madam Cui and also provide an excuse to go to Jiangnan. She had no ambition to become the top scholar, second-place scholar, third-place scholar, or so on.
But if these great scholars put in so much effort, wouldn't she embarrass them if she did poorly on the exam? She couldn't just coast along.
These days, she has to attend classes during the day and review, preview, and write essays at night so she won't be unable to answer the teachers' questions or hand in her homework the next day. She's practically working herself to the bone; it's driving her crazy.
Didn't you see her dark circles are almost showing? Waaaaah.
But she can't say these things yet; to say them would be considered pretentious.
When Xu Chongwen and Zhao Jing'an learned that she had gained the "favor" of the great scholars at the Imperial Academy and was receiving private tutoring from them every day, their envious and jealous glances were... tsk tsk...
Forget it, I won't say anymore. Talking about it will only bring tears to my eyes.
Knowing the situation, Lady Zhu couldn't bear to see her daughter's face filled with grief and indignation. She changed the subject, saying, "Your coming-of-age ceremony is coming up soon. What are you planning to do? Should we have a banquet? If we do, you'll need to ask your teachers for a few days off. Making jewelry, styling clothes, and attending the banquet—you'll have to do all of that yourself. I can't do it for you."
"No, I don't want to." Zhao Ruxi refused outright.
Hearing what Lady Zhu said gave her a headache. It was too much trouble, wasn't it? She hated social engagements the most.
Another thing is that hosting a banquet costs a lot of money. Although she is not short of money now, it is really not worth spending it. She puts in a lot of effort, and in the end, the other party may not appreciate it and may even find fault with her.
Perhaps she's watched too many palace intrigue dramas; doesn't she know that these kinds of banquets are the perfect setting for trouble? Not only is it expensive and laborious, but she also provides the venue for others to cause trouble, and afterwards, she has to clean up their messes. What's the point?
"We can't refuse," Lady Zhu said seriously. "Which noble lady in the capital doesn't have a coming-of-age ceremony? If you don't, people will think I don't care about you."
"Mother, don't scare me." Zhao Ruxi looked perfectly clear-headed. "The coming-of-age ceremony is just an announcement to outsiders that my daughter has grown up and can be sold... oh no, I mean, can be married off. You all hurry up and come to see her; if you like her, take her home."
As she spoke, she rolled her eyes.
Lady Zhu was both annoyed and amused, and slapped her on the forehead. "What nonsense are you spouting?"