Zhao Ruyu Grew More Beautiful

Seeing Zhao Ruxi stand up as well, she quickly added, "Miss Xi, since you're staying in the capital with your grandmother, you don't need to worry about things at home. Just focus on your studies. The imperial examinations are coming up soon, so work hard and try to get a top score in the exams."

Originally, Lady Zhu neither supported nor opposed Zhao Ruxi's participation in the imperial examination.

She felt that for a family like theirs, and for Zhao Ruxi, who was a girl, participating in the imperial examinations and achieving good results was merely icing on the cake; but to have to put in so much hard work and effort, getting up early and working late, was something she couldn't bear to see, and she felt it was unnecessary.

But now she hopes that her daughter can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, so that Zhao Ruxi can realize her dream as soon as possible, serve as an official for a year or two, get married and have children, and have no regrets.

Zhao Ruxi didn't stand on ceremony with her mother and nodded in agreement.

She had important things to do. Besides, there were so many servants in the mansion that the masters didn't need to help with packing and tidying up. Lady Zhu was just giving instructions; she didn't need to do anything.

Sure enough, the imperial edict was issued the next morning after the court session. Zhao Yuanxun was appointed as the Vice Prefect of Gusu Prefecture, and was required to take office within half a month.

If it's just Zhao Yuanxun leaving alone, this two-week period is quite generous. He only needs to pack some luggage, take a few servants, and then stay directly at the yamen (government office) after arriving in Gusu. He won't even need to find a place to stay.

But now, with families to support, the Earl of Suiping's Residence is suddenly overwhelmed with work.

Looking at the piles of trunks and boxes that Lady Zhu had packed, Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but sigh, "Mother, that house has all kinds of furniture. You only need to pack some clothes."

She used to travel abroad with her mentor to attend various conferences and work on projects, and she always carried just a rolling suitcase. Lady Zhu here was practically a house move.

"Don't worry about that, go back to your book." Lady Zhu ruthlessly shooed Zhao Ruxi away.

Although there was a lot of stuff to pack, there were a lot of servants in the house, and only three people were moving, so the packing was done quickly.

The Earl of Suiping's Residence had a meal at the Zhu Mansion, and then invited the second and third branches of the family to have another meal. After that, Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu set off with Zhao Jingtai and a group of servants.

Zhou Chun and Liu Quan had already gone to Jiangnan to tidy up the house. Accompanying Zhao Yuanxun and the others was Zhaoming, who had now been promoted by Zhou Chun to be his deputy.

Zhou Chun had taken Zhaoming to inspect and check the accounts of those houses and shops in Jiangnan more than once, so Zhaoming was quite familiar with the area.

After seeing off her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, the old lady felt empty inside and her mood suddenly plummeted.

While Zhao Ruxi was busy comforting the old lady, she was also thinking about Zhao Ruyu.

She hadn't seen Zhao Ruyu for a while. This time, she clearly noticed that Zhao Ruyu was much prettier than before.

Her facial features were still the same, but their harmony was much better. Her skin was snow-white and delicate, so much so that you could hardly see her pores. She seemed to glow when she stood there.

Zhao Ruxi knew that Zhao Ruyu must have taken the Beauty Pill.

Regardless of whether the system has any obstacles, it probably wants to earn as many points as possible from the host, right? Zhao Ruyu must have spent a lot of money on this Beauty Pill.

She spent so much effort earning points, only to buy a Beauty Pill. What is Zhao Ruyu trying to do?

Thinking this, Zhao Ruxi wrote a letter to Xiao Lingyan, inquiring about Fu Yunkai and Fu Yunlang.

Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi confirmed their relationship and were deeply in love, but Xiao Lingyan rarely dared to see Zhao Ruxi.

Although the Crown Prince was not deposed, many of his high-ranking officials were demoted; Consort Jin lost favor, and because of the Third Prince's affair, the Emperor had not visited her palace for more than two months, and the Third Prince's influence was also significantly weakened.

They were suppressed, while he and Xiao Lingpu were at the height of their fame, becoming the focus of everyone's attention and a thorn in the side of some people who wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.

If he were to come to the Earl of Suiping's Residence, or arrange to meet Zhao Ruxi outside, it would be easy for others to notice something amiss.

Therefore, the two could only communicate through correspondence.

Upon receiving Zhao Ruxi's letter, Xiao Lingyan immediately wrote back, telling her that Fu Yunkai had encountered Eighth Miss Mu once after returning to the capital, and that meeting suddenly changed his mind. He was planning to send someone to the Mu Family to propose marriage.

As for Fu Yunlang, he had been in less contact with Zhao Ruyu recently due to the war, but he had not changed his mind. He planned to tell his mother about his engagement to Zhao Ruyu after his elder brother got engaged.

Xiao Lingyan also said that if the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan did not agree to the marriage between Fu Yunlang and Zhao Ruyu, he would have Noble Consort Cen Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan her to the palace to give her some advice. He thought that with Lady He's boldness and Fu Dayong's somewhat suspicious nature, they would agree to the marriage.

Upon hearing that Fu Yunkai was going to propose to Mu Qingqiang, Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but exclaim "Eh!" in surprise.

Xiao Lingpu originally intended for Fu Yunkai to marry Mu Qingqiang, but after meeting Mu Qingqiang once, Fu Yunkai disliked her aristocratic manners and cold personality, so he refused after just one meeting.

Why did he suddenly change his mind and take the initiative to propose marriage?

After thinking it over, Zhao Ruxi gave up the idea of writing to Mu Qingqiang to inquire about this matter.

Ever since Mu Qingqiang visited, the two of them had been corresponding occasionally and had become good friends. Normally, she should show concern for a good friend in this situation.

However, she had some connection with Fu Yunkai before, and Mu Qingqiang's marriage was not something she could decide on her own. If she rashly wrote to inquire, not only would she not be able to help Mu Qingqiang, but she might also cause unnecessary trouble.

Furthermore, the Fu and Mu families are not yet engaged, and the news hasn't even spread yet. How could she possibly know about this? Just explaining this is a troublesome matter.

Therefore, it's best for her to pretend she doesn't know the news.

As for Fu Yunlang and Zhao Ruyu...

Thinking about Zhao Ruyu's sudden change in beauty, Zhao Ruxi felt a vague unease in her heart.

She felt that Zhao Ruyu had gone to so much trouble to earn points and buy Beauty Pill, not just because she wanted to marry Fu Yunlang.

Fu Yunlang's feelings have never changed. If she wants to marry him, as long as Fu Yunlang persists, it will eventually happen. Even if it doesn't, wouldn't it be better to exchange his points for something else then? It's much better than these empty formalities, isn't it?

Now that she's bought Beauty Pill, Zhao Ruxi feels that she has grand ambitions.

Could it be that she wants to enter the palace and become a concubine?

According to the original plot that Zhao Ruyu knew, Xiao Ge would die next year; everyone except the Third Prince would die.

If the original plot continues on its own trajectory, it would be best for Zhao Ruyu to marry the Third Prince as a concubine— the Third Prince is already married; even if he were not, Zhao Ruyu's status and position wouldn't be high enough. She only has beauty and nothing else, so she's only fit to be a concubine.