A Stark Contrast

Zhao Jingli knew that Zhao Ruxi had good handwriting. During the time he came to learn arithmetic from Zhao Ruxi, he watched Zhao Ruxi practice calligraphy every day. He watched Zhao Ruxi's handwriting improve day by day.

Although Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy was good at that time, it was still imitating Master Mingcang's calligraphy and did not have its own style.

Looking at the bold and unrestrained calligraphy on the Xuan paper, Zhao Jingli was extremely surprised.

"Yes, once when I was practicing calligraphy, Commandery Princess Qingyang came over, looked at my writing, and gave me some pointers. I suddenly understood it," Zhao Ruxi explained.

"Impressive." Zhao Jingli gave Zhao Ruxi a thumbs up.

At first, he was somewhat unwilling. But now he has become numb to Zhao Ruxi's achievements.

Whether it was painting, calligraphy, mathematics, or the imperial examinations, Zhao Ruxi shone brightly in every single one of them, reaching the pinnacle in each. Even the most talented men in the capital couldn't compare to her, let alone him. The phrase "looking up to her from afar" wouldn't even be appropriate; "looking up to her like a towering mountain" would be a more accurate description of their relationship.

However, Zhao Jing'an, who rarely visited the Earl of Suiping's Residence, was astonished by Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy.

He asked, "Did Commandery Princess Qingyang ever see your calligraphy? What did she say?"

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "I've met him before." She had just met him yesterday.

She said, "It's a style of its own."

Xiao Ruotong's praise was plentiful, but Zhao Ruxi didn't want to repeat it all, so she simply summarized it into these four words.

Zhao Jing'an: "..."

Not to mention Zhao Jing'an, even Zhao Jingli was surprised.

Xiao Ruotong is very famous in the calligraphy world; even her teacher, Qin Zhe, often admits that he is inferior to her. She even said that Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy "has formed its own unique style," so doesn't that mean Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy can be considered a distinct school of calligraphy?

Is this related to her paintings, and could it be considered as establishing a new school of thought?

Just as Zhao Jing'an was about to say something, a servant rushed in, shouting, "Miss, Young Master, Lord Qi and Lord Gan have arrived!"

Zhao Ruxi quickly got up and said as she walked out, "Let's go greet them."

Zhao Jing'an had no choice but to swallow back the words he was about to say.

He followed the two of them out. Looking at Zhao Ruxi's tall and slender figure, and recalling his grandmother's words and Zhao Ruyu's actions, his feelings were very complicated.

The eldest brother, the fifth sister, and the sixth sister all switched places. But in reality, it was Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Ruxi who swapped lives.

Zhao Ruyu enjoyed a life of luxury and excellent education in the Marquis's mansion, while Zhao Ruxi suffered in the countryside and never received any formal education.

However, Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Ruxi's achievements were completely different, and worlds apart.

Zhao Jing'an Zhao Ruyu lived her life. The siblings used to be very close, and their house wasn't very big after they separated. Zhao Ruxi often mentioned how Zhao Jingli lived her life, and Zhao Jing'an would come over from time to time; he had seen it all with his own eyes.

Zhao Ruxi's achievements today are due to her intelligence, but even more so to her positive attitude towards life and learning, and her exceptional diligence. Zhao Ruyu is no different from Zhao Rurui; all she thinks about is how to marry a good man.

Even when Zhao Ruyu practiced the piano diligently for a period, it was only a fleeting enthusiasm; moreover, Zhao Jing'an suspected that Zhao Ruyu wasn't diligent at that time, but rather possessed. He had clearly seen her pained, unwilling yet compelled expression as she practiced. He was puzzled at the time and asked Zhao Ruyu Zhao Ruyu, but she only offered various excuses. What else could this be but being possessed?

Zhao Ruxi was unaware that Zhao Jing'an had suddenly had an epiphany today, and afterwards seemed like a completely different person, working diligently to improve himself. She met Qi Xugu and Gan Lun at the gatehouse, answering their questions about the imperial examinations while leading them to the outer courtyard hall.

Liu Quan is currently in Gusu managing Zhao Yuanxun's life. Ma Sheng is currently in charge of the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

All the refreshments and tea were prepared in the hall. Qi Xugu and Gan Lun, being older and of higher status, did not refuse and took the seats of honor.

Gan Lun Gao Xing to hear that his student had performed well in the exam and seemed quite confident, so he quickly gave Qi Xugu a wink.

Qi Xugu said, "We've all been thinking about you. Now that we hear you did well on the exam, we're relieved."

"It wasn't bad, just a normal performance. I don't think I made any major mistakes. But we don't know how I did in the end yet; we'll have to wait for the final results," Zhao Ruxi said quickly.

The ancients valued humility, so she dared not boast.

"Since Miss Zhiwei has no problem with the provincial examination, she should have no problem with the palace examination as well. Recently, the Ministry of Revenue has a lot of urgent accounts to settle. I wonder if Miss Zhiwei could spare two or three days to help us with the calculations? If you are quick, you might be able to finish them in a day or two," Qi Xugu said.

"Well..." Zhao Ruxi smiled awkwardly and said apologetically, "I'm really sorry, Lord Qi, but I have to prepare for the palace examination and probably won't have time to do accounting. As you know, the palace examination tests knowledge of court politics, and I don't know enough about it. My senior brother collected some materials for me recently, but time was tight, and I only read a small part. I was just thinking of taking advantage of these few days to catch up."

She pointed to Zhao Jingli: "This is my cousin. He studied mathematics with me for a while and even became a student of Master Gan. His skill level is no worse than mine. Lord Qi's accounts are so urgent, why don't you let him help you with the calculations? Actually, the officials in the Ministry of Revenue are all very capable; those accounts are naturally no problem for them. But since it's urgent, having my cousin lend a hand will make things easier for them."

Qi Xugu: "..."

He never expected Zhao Ruxi to reject him.

Although he came today to snatch someone, he also wanted to do Zhao Ruxi a huge favor.

Since Zhao Ruxi has participated in the imperial examination and intends to become an official, is there any Ministry of Revenue in the entire Great Jin that would be more suitable for Zhao Ruxi to serve?

Zhao Ruxi had previously demonstrated her exceptional mathematical abilities in addressing the issue of border provisions; if she were to go to the Ministry of Revenue to calculate accounts during the upcoming provincial and imperial examinations, she would gain another merit. Therefore, when she passed the imperial examinations and was appointed to an official position, the emperor would certainly appoint her to the Ministry of Revenue, and she would be able to rightfully be given a position of the Principal Seventh Rank Subordinate Sixth Rank, which would be one rank higher than what she was originally given. Because of her previous merits, the court officials would not dare to object.

Isn't this the best thing ever? It couldn't be better for Zhao Ruxi herself and for the Ministry of Revenue.

Why can't this child understand my good intentions?

He winked at Gan Lun, then turned to Zhao Jingli and began to inquire about his experience learning mathematics.

Gan Lun then stood up and said, "Zhiwei, come out here for a moment, I have something to say to you."