Plans

Although she diligently accumulates points, she pays close attention to balancing work and rest. After writing or drawing for a while, she will go out for a walk in the garden or practice a set of boxing.

She doesn't want to develop cervical spondylosis at such a young age.

Qingfeng followed Zhao Ruxi as she saw Caidie out of the courtyard. The two then headed towards the garden, admiring the beautiful spring blossoms. Qingfeng asked, "Miss, Lord Qi has mentioned several times that you should take a position in the Ministry of Revenue. The Court of Judicial Review isn't quite suitable for you. In my opinion, the Ministry of Revenue would be the best place for you."

"As you've heard from Madam, it's truly not easy to take up a post in another place. You're unfamiliar with the area, and you can't understand the local dialect. It will take at least six months to a year to establish yourself there, and it will require a lot of effort. But once you've established yourself, you'll have to return to Beijing."

Others might not know, but Qingfeng knew that Zhao Ruxi wouldn't be staying away from home for long. Although she didn't know why Zhao Ruxi was going to another place at this time, Xia Tian was already sixteen years old and would have to get married by next year at the latest.

She continued to persuade him, "It would be much better to be an official in the capital. Your home is here, Lord Qi favors and relies on you, and with the Emperor and Mister Kumu around, no one would dare to bully you."

There was another reason she didn't say, nor dared to say it aloud. But she knew that her daughter understood without her saying it— the Prince of Qi was also in the capital.

If they go to another place, it will be difficult for the girl to even see Prince of Qi. Qingfeng is really worried that by the time they return, Prince of Qi will already be married. You see, Prince of Qi is a year or two older than the girl, and he's also of marriageable age.

Zhao Ruxi sighed, "Qingfeng, I have my reasons for going to another place. You don't need to worry, I will make all the arrangements."

She paused, turned to look at Qingfeng, and said with a smile, "Including your marriage with Wang Tong."

Qingfeng blushed immediately and said reproachfully, "Miss, if you keep acting like this, I won't dare to tell you what's on my mind."

"I'm not joking, I'm telling the truth," Zhao Ruxi said seriously. "Trust me, everything will be arranged properly."

Qingfeng suppressed her coquettish expression and nodded solemnly. "This servant trusts you, Miss. Wherever you go, this servant will go."

"Okay." Zhao Ruxi continued walking forward. "I'll be back after a year's assignment, at most a year and a half. Don't worry."

Xiao Lingyan couldn't let her wander around in other places, while he himself was being painfully pressured to get married in the capital.

In their past life, they were both approaching thirty and hadn't confessed their feelings. Now that they've finally realized their love for each other in ancient times, she naturally wouldn't wait until they became "leftover women" in the traditional sense, causing them both to suffer from pressure to marry and the gossip of others before finally getting married.

If the plot continues as it was in the original novel, the turmoil may end by this time next year; if the situation changes and the political turmoil becomes extremely prolonged, she will choose to return and marry Xiao Lingyan, and together they will weather the storms of life.

She wasn't afraid of dying; what she feared most was dying with regrets.

"Miss, Commandery Princess Qingyang has arrived," Yicui ran over and reported.

"Okay, I'm coming." Zhao Ruxi returned to Slender Bamboo Courtyard.

Given the close relationship between Xiao Ruotong and Zhao Ruxi, they had reached the point where she could visit Zhao Ruxi without first presenting a formal invitation. At this moment, she stood at the gate of the courtyard, waiting for Zhao Ruxi to return from the garden.

"You must have worked hard on the imperial examination. I'm here to reward you," Xiao Ruotong said with a smile.

Zhao Ruxi clapped her hands as she looked at the food boxes carried by the maids and servants behind her, exclaiming, "Oh dear, I'm in for a treat again!"

The chefs at the Prince of Zhennan's Residence were of imperial caliber, and their pastries were far superior to those of the Earl of Suiping's Residence. In her previous life, Zhao Ruxi was a food enthusiast who always sought out local delicacies wherever she went.

After arriving in ancient times, although she became wealthy, she was busy all day long, striving to change her fate as cannon fodder, and had no time to sample all the delicacies of the capital.

The powerful and wealthy in the capital always felt that the food outside was coarse and not as good as the fine and hygienic ingredients used in their own homes. Therefore, the old lady Lady Zhu did not approve of Zhao Ruxi asking the maid to buy food outside.

After trying the food outside twice, Zhao Ruxi felt that what they said made some sense. Putting aside the taste, even in terms of the refinement of the ingredients, the food outside still couldn't compare to that of the wealthy and noble families who were meticulous about their food.

The most delicious food she had ever eaten was first from the Prince of Zhennan's Residence, and second from the Kang Residence. Both the old Princess Consort of Prince of Zhennan and Kang Shilin loved good food, so they used top-notch chefs.

She once casually praised the pastries at the Prince of Zhennan's Residence, and Xiao Ruotong remembered it. From time to time, she would send her maid to deliver some to reward her for her hard work in studying.

The two took their seats, Zhao Ruxi asked Dianjiang and Yicui to distribute some snacks to the old lady and Lady Zhu. She then washed her hands and began to enjoy her meal.

"What are your plans after passing the imperial examination?" Xiao Ruotong asked.

"I want to serve as an official in a remote area for a year and see the hardships of the people there," Zhao Ruxi said to Xiao Ruotong without hiding it from her.

Xiao Ruotong sighed softly, "I envy you. I also want to go out for a walk to clear my head." Staying in the capital sometimes makes her feel very depressed.

"Come on, come with me," Zhao Ruxi said. "My mother and grandmother are going to Gusu anyway, and my mother is worried about me being alone in my post. If you come with me, you'll keep me company. When I'm not busy with official duties, I'll accompany you on sightseeing. If you get tired of staying here, you can come back."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, I'll ask my master to plead with the Emperor to assign me a place closer to the capital. That will make it much easier for you to come and go."

Xiao Ruotong's eyes shone like stars. "Really? That's wonderful! I must persuade my mother to let me go to your post with you."

"The princess dotes on you so much, she shouldn't object. If you're worried, just ask her to bring more guards for you. The Great Jin is very peaceful now, nothing will happen."

"Mm." Xiao Ruotong nodded, her smile radiant.

"How are things going between you and my senior brother?" Zhao Ruxi asked, taking a bite of the milk tea roll.

Xiao Ruotong's smile faded slightly, and she lowered her eyes to look at the teacup in her hand. "We haven't even had a chance to meet."

Zhao Ruxi thought for a moment and said, "My senior brother has been serving in the Court of Judicial Review ever since he became an official. I wonder if he's interested in being transferred to a post outside the capital. If he were willing to be transferred there and come with me to be my superior, that would be wonderful."

Xiao Ruotong's eyes lit up as she looked at Zhao Ruxi: "Will it work?"

"I don't know." Zhao Ruxi shook her head. "Let me ask my master and senior brother."

"Then don't tell him I want to go with you. If you do, he might not go," Xiao Ruotong said.

"Don't worry, do you think I'm that stupid?" Zhao Ruxi gave her a reproachful look, and they both laughed.