Changing Targets

"Do you know why I've taken such great risks to work on these secret formulas all this time? It's simply because I want to secure a place for myself. I don't want to end up like Fourth Sister," Zhao Ruyu sighed.

She became more and more beautiful, albeit gradually and subtly, but the change was so drastic that her family was bound to suspect something. It would be terrible if everyone thought she was possessed by an evil spirit.

So when she first took the Beauty Pill, she bought some beauty and skin-nourishing herbs and spent all day tinkering with them in the yard, then applying them to her face, and doing body-shaping exercises every night before bed.

In her previous life, after becoming the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan, she feared losing her husband's favor and that Fu Yunlang would take a concubine. So she bought several beauty formulas at a high price and used them to apply to her face and body to take care of herself while Fu Yunlang was busy outside.

After being reborn, she was still young and full of collagen, so she didn't need beauty products or skincare. Besides, the herbs in those prescriptions were too expensive for her to afford.

To maintain appearances, she reduced the amount of medicinal herbs, only using a token amount from her monthly allowance to apply to her face, in order to gain people's trust.

Believe it or not, ever since she became beautiful, Zhao Rurui has been spending all her time tinkering in the yard, and has become much less likely to make veiled accusations and disturbances, making things much quieter for everyone.

Hearing her daughter's words, Fushu felt even more heartbroken.

She said, "Miss, whatever you need me to do, just tell me. I will do it for you and won't let you worry about it at all."

"You're so kind, Fushu. I've always known that you're the kindest person to me in this world," Zhao Ruyu said, moved.

In both her lives, Fushu was loyal to her. Now that she's doing well in this life, she'll make sure Fushu does too.

Xiao Lingyan wrote to his superior again to report what happened today. As a result, he still received a bad romantic encounter as a reward.

Zhao Ruxi was unconcerned about Zhao Ruyu's antics; she simply couldn't be bothered with them.

She knew that Xiao Lingyan was not the kind of superficial person; he would look down on so-called beauties who only had looks but no intelligence.

Putting aside the countless beauties he'd seen in the palace in this life, even considering the numerous beauties created by the four great evil arts in his past life—Eastern and Western beauties, with varying styles from serene to fiery—he still couldn't stand any of them. Why did he have to be fixated on this crooked tree of hers?

Even though he gave up the privileges of having multiple wives and concubines in ancient times, and knew full well her intolerant nature, he still insisted on being with her. What else could she possibly worry about?

As long as Xiao Lingyan doesn't have that kind of heart, he doesn't need to fear how many unwanted romantic advances he may have.

Zhao Ruxi has recently returned to her previous busy schedule.

As the imperial examination approached, the Imperial Academy began to set questions for students who were to participate in the spring examination. Five essays were required each day. Peng Guoan would send a servant to give the questions to Zhao Ruxi every day. Zhao Ruxi would then write the essays within the allotted time and send them to Peng Guoan, Peng Guoan then distribute them to several other teachers for grading.

With such a busy schedule every day, Zhao Ruxi has completely stopped all other activities related to earning points, except for earning some calligraphy points while writing articles.

Under such an intense study schedule, she also needed some gossip to entertain herself. She was genuinely curious about what kind of shady dealings Zhao Ruyu might pull.

Therefore, Zhao Ruxi used the spies that the old lady and Lady Zhu had planted in the second branch of the family to keep a close eye on Zhao Ruyu's movements.

Then she heard that Zhao Ruyu had ordered a servant from the second branch of the family to inquire about the whereabouts of the fourth young Prince Jingping's Estate.

The fourth young master of the Prince Jingping's Estate? Zhao Ruxi pondered: Why does this name sound so familiar?

Zhao Ruxi thought for a while before remembering that Lady Zhu had mentioned such a person to her before. There had been an official matchmaker who came to her door to propose marriage on behalf of the fourth young master of the Prince Jingping's Estate.

Zhao Ruxi: "..."

What kind of ill-fated relationship did Zhao Ruyu have with her?

Zhao Ruxi tried again to recall the book called "A Happy Life in Ancient Times," hoping it would mention the fourth young master of the Prince Jingping's Estate. Unable to recall any information, she sent Ma Sheng Prince Jingping's Estate inquire about his name.

"Miss, that fourth young master's name is Xiao Sijie."

"Xiao Sijie?" Zhao Ruxi continued to recall the original text, but still couldn't remember it.

It seems that Xiao Sijie was just a minor character in the original novel.

Although the original novel didn't mention him, since he truly existed in this world, Zhao Ruyu must have known about his existence and fate in her previous life.

When the Prince Jingping's Estate came to propose marriage on behalf of the fourth young master, Lady Zhu praised the family for its upright family traditions and said that the Consort of Prince of Jingping Prince Jingping's Estate an excellent person. The fourth young master also seemed to be of good character.

This also aligns with Zhao Ruyu's criteria for a long-term meal ticket.

Is she now planning to seduce him, marry him, and live a good life?

Zhao Ruxi smiled and shook her head, then instructed Lady Luo, "Tell them to continue monitoring her movements." She then turned her attention to the article.

Zhao Ruxi handed over the small intelligence network of the Earl of Suiping's Residence to the Lady Luo.

Lady Luo had served in the Earl of Suiping's Residence for many years and was very familiar with the servants of the second and third branches. Having served Zhao Ruxi for so long, both she and her husband were loyal and capable. Zhao Ruxi entrusted them with many tasks.

Zhao Ruxi also did not intend to tell Xiao Lingyan about Zhao Ruyu's matter.

The political situation on Xiao Lingyan's side is already complex and troublesome enough, requiring him to deal with both overt and covert attacks from all sides. Of course, the targets of these attacks are mostly Xiao Lingpu, while Xiao Lingyan faces less pressure and is often just incidental. But there are still many things to do.

To Xiao Lingyan, Zhao Ruyu was nothing more than an irrelevant figure. She was just hopping around in her own corner, having no impact on the political situation whatsoever. Therefore, Zhao Ruxi felt that Xiao Lingyan didn't need to waste any energy paying attention to her.

Half a month later, Zhao Ruxi heard that Zhao Ruyu was wearing new clothes and jewelry, dressed up beautifully, and frequently took a carriage to a lake near the west of the city for a spring outing.

Xiao Sijie loves to paint. Now that it's springtime, with the weeping willows in full bloom and the peach blossoms in full bloom, Xiao Sijie often goes to the lakeside to paint.

Imagine Zhao Ruyu strolling along the lake, a beautiful woman in a picturesque setting, surely she and Xiao Sijie would have a wonderful and romantic encounter.

Not to mention Zhao Ruyu, even Zhao Rurui often went out and encountered various noble young men who were out enjoying the spring outing.

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Ruxi couldn't help but sigh: Spring is truly a restless season.

But she soon didn't even have time to feel sentimental.

The imperial examination is approaching.

Before the exam, Xiao Lingyan made a special trip to meet her secretly and asked, "Are you confident?"

Zhao Ruxi patted the books beside her with an air of confidence. "Back then, I was accepted into both Tsinghua University and Peking University Universities. You're asking if I'm confident?"

Xiao Lingyan laughed, patted her head, and said regretfully, "What a pity. If it weren't for my special status, I would definitely have a competition with you to see who is more capable."