There Are Lots of Benefits to Marrying Me

Zhao Ruxi has been considering this issue for the past few days. According to her original idea, she would naturally be willing to go to Jiangnan to serve as an official now. Although with the title of Juren, she would only be able to become a minor official, her original intention in taking the imperial examination was to lead her family to Jiangnan under a legitimate reason.

The three elders of the Earl of Suiping's Residence now dote on her greatly, and if she were to take up a post in Jiangnan, they would certainly not feel comfortable letting her go alone.

Zhao Jingtai is still young. The literary atmosphere in Jiangnan is very strong. Rather than letting him study in the clan school, it would be better to let him go to Jiangnan to see the world, study in the academies Jiangnan, broaden his horizons, and make friends. Whether in terms of interpersonal skills or academic performance, he will surely make great progress. It will only benefit him and not harm him.

The only difficult case is Zhao Yuanxun. He has just become a sixth-rank official, which is his lifelong dream. He will absolutely not abandon his post to go to Jiangnan with her.

Unless he is also transferred to Jiangnan.

With Wu Huaisi involved, it's not impossible to do it.

But is she really going to leave the capital like this?

With her current level, regardless of her ranking in the imperial examination, she should at least pass.

She still vividly remembered Madam Cui's request for her to participate in the imperial examinations. Was she really going to throw Madam Cui's earnest expectations to the back of her mind just to avoid any risk to herself?

Thinking of how Grand Princess Shangde and Madam Cui had devoted themselves to running the newspaper and the textile factory, Zhao Ruxi hesitated.

Another reason for her hesitation was her master and fellow disciples.

The political turmoil this winter mainly involved the border soldiers and the faction of the second and Fifth Prince who had close ties with the Fu Family, and had little impact on other officials in the court.

Her three senior brothers and Kang Yannian were all officials in the imperial court, so this political turmoil wouldn't affect them, and she couldn't possibly persuade them to leave.

Master is getting old and shouldn't be too tired from traveling; besides, if there are any changes in the capital, he will also be concerned about it. With him in the capital, the senior brothers will have an extra layer of protection. So, whether from the perspective of the senior brothers or from her perspective, it's impossible for her to persuade Master and the senior brothers to go to Jiangnan at this time.

She went to Jiangnan at this time, and by this time next year, she probably won't be able to run back to the capital to persuade them to leave.

Therefore, from any perspective, now is not a good time to go to Jiangnan.

Furthermore...

She raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Lingyan.

Xiao Lingyan had, after all, traveled from the modern world with her. Although they used to bicker, it was just for fun. They didn't harbor any deep hatred for each other; on the contrary, they had developed a strange bond. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to make the decision to help Xiao Lingyan in the first place.

This winter is a critical time for Xiao Lingyan's life. Can she really stay in Jiangnan and live a peaceful life?

Seeing her looking at him, Xiao Lingyan raised an eyebrow and gave Zhao Ruxi a captivating smile, "What? Can't let me go?"

"Get lost." Zhao Ruxi kicked the foot he was extending in front of her. "Don't flatter yourself."

She glanced at him sideways. "I just thought that if I passed the provincial examination with top honors, it would be a huge disappointment to Grand Princess Shangde and Madam Cui if I didn't participate in the metropolitan examination."

Xiao Lingyan nodded, looking at her meaningfully, and said, "No need to explain, I understand."

"You know nothing!" Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but curse.

Xiao Lingyan didn't argue. He suddenly straightened his clothes, sat up straight, and said seriously, "Xu Xi, you've reached marriageable age in ancient times. There have been quite a few suitors coming to propose these past few days. Here, unless you're widowed, it's impossible to remain single forever. What are your thoughts on this?"

Zhao Ruxi was puzzled by his sudden change of topic. She gave him a suspicious look before replying, "No rush. I'm only fifteen. It's not too late to think about it next year or the year after. I can handle this pressure now."

Xiao Lingyan coughed, his gaze drifting as he looked at the pond's surface, and said, "How about we make do for now?"

Before Zhao Ruxi could speak, he hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean we'd get married now, just engaged, that's all. We won't get married until the dust settles on that coup next year."

Seeing that Zhao Ruxi was still looking at him suspiciously and did not immediately refute him, he turned his gaze back to Zhao Ruxi and said very sincerely, "Let me analyze it for you. There are many benefits to getting engaged to me. You could say there are only benefits and no drawbacks."

He started counting on his fingers. "Look, first of all, for over a year, until the coup ends, those suitors who swarm like flies won't come knocking, and you won't have to endure the pressure from your family to get married. Secondly..."

He looked at Zhao Ruxi with a sorrowful expression. "If my fate is irreversible and I die this winter, and you want to remain single for the rest of your life, then choose to be a widow. No one will make things difficult for you."

"If you want to get married, since I'm dead and you haven't married into the family, there's no issue of widowhood. You can marry if you want, and no one will object. Because of the mourning period, you can postpone the marriage for a year, which is just the right time. You won't have to take the risk of marrying into the wrong family and being punished, nor will you have to mourn for too long and waste your youth..."

At this point, he suddenly became depressed. He turned his head to look at a clump of water plants in the pond next to him, and didn't continue speaking.

Zhao Ruxi initially thought he was trying to gain sympathy through acting and wanted to scold him. But seeing him like this, she was touched and didn't know what to say.

After a long pause, she asked, "But what if you don't die? People say good people don't live long, while bad people live for a thousand years. I don't think you're destined for a short life; you'll definitely live a very long time. If you live, what will I do?"

"What should I do? Marry me." Xiao Lingyan had also composed himself, turned around and said, his eyes full of seriousness, with a hint of trepidation.

However, he quickly concealed his seriousness and trepidation, saying in a light tone, "Marrying me will have many advantages."

He then extended his long, slender fingers and explained to Zhao Ruxi, "If I survive, Xiao Lingpu will surely be the emperor by now. I am a prince. Just look at the old princess consort of the Prince of Zhennan's Residence's Mansion to see what kind of status she holds in the capital."

"The Prince of Zhennan is still just a prince, and the old princess is already a transcendent figure among the women of the capital. Even if the concubines in the palace have high ranks, they can't leave. Noble Consort Cen, so she won't make things difficult for you; as your sister-in-law, the Empress can only try to win you over. Outside the palace, you are above all the other noble ladies. You are of higher status than everyone else. When others see you, they can only bow to you and flatter you. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you want without anyone restricting you."