Where Did the Gap Lie?

Zhao Ruxi knew that Gan Lun was trying to persuade her, so she apologized to Qi Xugu and followed Gan Lun out.

After sitting down in the side hall, Gan Lun said, "You silly child, Lord Qi is just showing his appreciation for talent and creating opportunities for you. Otherwise, which Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) doesn't start as a seventh or eighth-rank official?"

Gan Lun meticulously explained Qi Xugu's good intentions to Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi gave a wry smile.

She knew exactly what Qi Xugu meant. He came today not only to let her make a contribution, but also because he was afraid she would be snatched away by someone else, so he was doing her a favor.

"Master, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Lord Qi's kindness," Zhao Ruxi said. "If I can truly pass the imperial examination, I'd like to take advantage of my current lack of family burdens and travel to see the beautiful landscapes of our Great Jin. Therefore, I'd like to request a posting to a distant region to serve as an official. Please, Master, explain this to Lord Qi for me."

"Why... why did you decide to transfer to an external agency?" Gan Lun asked in surprise.

No matter how he tried to persuade her, Zhao Ruxi remained stubborn.

Gan Lun had no choice but to return to the main hall with Zhao Ruxi.

In the hall, Qi Xugu had already tested Zhao Jingli once and found that although his mathematical ability was not as amazing as Zhao Ruxi's, it was still quite good. He was thinking about how to place Zhao Jingli.

Although there is no principle of avoiding conflict of interest among relatives and friends in the capital, close blood relatives still try to avoid working in the same government office to prevent mutual cover-ups and favoritism.

If Zhao Ruxi were older and had been in the Ministry of Revenue for a long time, he would retire soon, and it wouldn't be a problem to bring in another young person from the Zhao Family family. But since Zhao Ruxi and Zhao Jingli are the same age and entered the Ministry of Revenue at the same time, it's not easy to arrange a replacement.

Seeing Zhao Ruxi and Gan Lun enter, he couldn't think about that matter anymore. His eyes were fixed on Gan Lun, wanting to know how his persuasion had gone. Zhao Ruxi was the most important person he wanted.

Gan Lun gave a wry smile and said bluntly, "Zhiwei said she wants to be transferred out."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled and turned to look at Zhao Ruxi.

As the eldest brother, Zhao Jingli frowned disapprovingly and said, "Why are you thinking of being sent out to work?"

Zhao Ruxi was already hoarse from talking to Gan Lun and really didn't want to repeat herself to Zhao Jingli.

She waved her hand and said, "My grandmother, parents, and master all agree. I just want to go out and see the world, to understand the hardships of the people below."

Everyone was speechless.

The elders don't object at all, so what's the point of them saying anything?

Zhao Ruxi laughed again, "This is just my plan. It's too early to talk about it now. Maybe I won't even be on the list, so there's no point in saying anything then."

"Pah, pah, pah! Children say the darndest things, but the bad ones come true!" Gan Lun immediately retorted, then glared at Zhao Ruxi. "Don't talk nonsense."

Zhao Ruxi was taken aback, then laughed and quickly admitted her mistake, "Master, I was wrong."

Gan Lun then looked at Qi Xugu.

Qi Xugu was somewhat Gao Xing.

He was a high-ranking official, quite old, old enough to be Zhao Ruxi's grandfather. He personally came to Zhao Ruxi's door to present him with the credit and invite Zhao Ruxi to take a position in the Ministry of Revenue, which was considered extremely courteous. Zhao Ruxi not only didn't appreciate it, but also directly refused him.

He said, "Since your elders don't object, it's not appropriate for us outsiders to say anything."

With that, he stood up and said, "I have some matters to attend to at my office, so I'll take my leave now."

Gan Lun quickly stood up to take his leave.

Zhao Ruxi knew she had been ungrateful, and it was understandable that Qi Xugu Gao Xing.

She respectfully escorted the two to the gate and watched their carriage drive away from the alley before turning around.

"If I go to the Ministry of Revenue, you won't be able to go," she said to Zhao Jingli.

Qi Xugu initially tested Zhao Jingli, but his expression changed after learning she had refused his offer. He left without mentioning that Zhao Jingli should take a position in the Ministry of Revenue. If Zhao Jingli and his brother hadn't understood the ins and outs of this situation, they would probably have harbored resentment towards her.

Although she herself wanted to be transferred to the outside post, and it wasn't intentional on her part to give Zhao Jingli a place, she still didn't want Zhao Jingli to misunderstand her.

Zhao Jingli did have some resentment in his heart just now, but that resentment quickly dissipated.

Zhao Ruxi had her own ideas and wanted to be transferred to a post outside the capital. She couldn't simply abandon her own ideas and grant his request just to avoid offending Minister Qi, could she?

His mathematics was taught by Zhao Ruxi; this opportunity today was also given to him by Zhao Ruxi. How could he possibly have even the slightest bad idea?

Ashamed!

He had never considered the rule that two close relatives could not work in the same government office.

Hearing Zhao Ruxi's words, he was stunned for a long while before saying with reddened eyes, "Fifth Sister, you... you don't have to do this."

Zhao Ruxi quickly waved her hand. "No. I originally wanted to be transferred out, and I won't stop because of you, nor will I transfer out because of you. Don't overthink it."

Even though she said that, Zhao Jingli still felt guilty, especially the slight resentment that had just arisen in his heart, which made him feel ashamed.

"Keep studying arithmetic diligently, don't rush. As long as you have the ability, even if you stay in the countryside, someone will invite you to become an official; if you don't have the ability, even if you hang around in front of these adults every day, they won't pay any attention to you," Zhao Ruxi added.

She wasn't sure what Qi Xugu was thinking. Was he truly angry with her and didn't want to use Zhao Jingli anymore? Or would he continue using Zhao Jingli after his anger subsided? She didn't know Qi Xugu well, so she couldn't guess.

"Remember this saying: Opportunity favors the prepared mind." She then poured another bowl of hearty chicken soup into Zhao Jingli.

Zhao Jingli stood there in a daze, as if struck by a sudden enlightenment; even Zhao Jing'an seemed to have suddenly realized something.

Seeing the two of them standing there motionless, and not wanting to just go in, Zhao Ruxi interrupted their thoughts and asked, "Would you like to come in and sit for a while longer, or are you going back?"

Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an then came to their senses.

Zhao Jingli cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you very much for your guidance and advice today, Fifth Sister. Jingli have learned a great deal. We will come to celebrate again when you pass the imperial examination with flying colors. We won't go in today; please say goodbye to Grandmother and Aunt on our behalf."

Zhao Jing'an also cupped his hands in farewell, and the two took their leave.

The two remained silent the entire way until they reached the second house gate, where Zhao Jing'an finally spoke, "Brother, the gap between us and Fifth Sister is just too vast. Do you think she's naturally intelligent? How come we can't even catch up to her?"

"Her intelligence is undeniable. But more importantly, she's a very insightful person. Look at the depth and breadth of her understanding of problems; compared to her, we're worlds apart. Why such a difference? Look at her; she always has a clear goal. Once she sets a goal, she strives towards it single-mindedly, no matter how difficult it is, her steps are firm. On the other hand, we are always aimless, and even when we have a goal, we are easily distracted and unwilling to put in the effort, so we achieve nothing," Zhao Jingli said.