Flattery

Xiao Lingyan this matter; Kang Shilin and Wu Huaisi will also consider her needs, so she doesn't need to do anything. If she does anything, it will give people something to talk about, cause criticism, and put Wu Huaisi in a difficult position.

But she couldn't say this to her grandmother and mother, and she was also afraid that the old lady and Lady Zhu would let it slip in front of outsiders, causing big trouble for everyone.

How dare they interfere when the imperial court appoints officials?

Lady Zhu and the old lady exchanged a glance, then sighed, "Very well. Let's wait and see."

Little did they know that if Zhao Ruxi wanted to go anywhere, it would be easy to arrange if Kang Shilin went to the palace to speak with the Emperor, and with Wu Huaisi providing the necessary conditions.

But Zhao Ruxi was unwilling to do so.

Now, the old lady and Lady Zhu's thinking and perspective are not what they used to be. Every time Zhao Ruxi analyzes things for them, she takes a global perspective, which gives the old lady and Lady Zhu a broader view. When they encounter problems, they also think about them from a big picture perspective.

Even if Zhao Ruxi didn't say why, the old lady and Lady Zhu knew that if Zhao Ruxi did this, the emperor's impression of her would worsen, Kang Shilin would be in a difficult position, and it would also cause trouble for Wu Huaisi.

With Wu Huaisi in that position, he must have had many political enemies, and others are waiting to find fault with him. Once Zhao Ruxi provides this leverage, those people certainly won't let it go.

Having figured this out, the two looked at each other, both showing expressions of pride.

They've become quite capable themselves under the influence of their granddaughter (daughter).

"I'll send someone to inform my master and father of the good news." Zhao Ruxi stood up. "Mother, if you have anything to give to Father and Young Master Tai, please have them take it with them on their way."

"I've already packed everything." Lady Zhu turned to her maid, Qingye, and instructed, "Go and fetch the things, and give them to them."

After thinking for a moment, she was still worried, so she stood up and said, "I'll write another letter to the Earl and ask them to take it with them." In the letter, she wanted to remind her husband to think things through carefully and for the long term, and to always consider their daughter's future.

Thinking about it, she asked the old lady again, "Do you have any instructions for him? I'll write them down in a bit."

Reflecting on her earlier realization, the old lady also had some words to advise her son, so she cheerfully said, "I'll have the maidservant write a letter for me too."

Just as the two were about to get up, a servant came to report, "Madam, Madam, Miss, many people have come to offer their congratulations."

The two men were taken aback, then quickly said, "Please come in quickly."

Lady Zhu then stopped Zhao Ruxi, who was trying to sneak away. "Just send someone to inform your master of the good news. Your father isn't in a hurry. You come with me to greet the guests who are offering their congratulations."

Zhao Ruxi had no choice but to stop in her tracks.

She had experienced that once before when she passed the imperial examination, and she was truly terrified of those scenes where she had to smile and listen to flattery. She had wanted to find an excuse to slip away just now, but now that her mother had spoken, she had no choice but to comply.

She sighed and turned to the servant who had brought the news, asking, "Who has arrived?"

"The second and third wives' families are all here, as are Master Xu and Madam Xu; there's also the clan head and several elders from the clan."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Lady Zhu and the old lady exchanged a glance.

When the eldest son's family had a conflict with Zhao Yuankun, the clan sided with Zhao Yuankun. Later, after Zhao Yuankun died and Zhao Yuanxun became an official in the Court of Judicial Review, the clan chief and the clan members all started to curry favor with the eldest son's family.

Later, Zhao Ruxi passed the provincial examination with top honors, and Zhao Yuanxun was subsequently appointed to an outside post. The people in the clan felt that the Earl of Suiping's Residence was rising again, and they visited the Earl of Suiping's Residence more frequently, coming to pay their respects to the old lady every few days.

Zhao Yuanxun and his family of three went to Gusu, and Zhao Ruxi was busy all day long. The old lady suddenly felt that the mansion was empty, so she did not refuse these people to come to the Earl of Suiping's Residence. However, she stopped them when they tried to get close to Zhao Ruxi. Later, as more people came, they chatted and gossiped all day long, which annoyed her.

Thinking about how things would probably be even more unsettling in the future, the old lady got a headache and said, "It's better if I go with you to your post in another region; at least I'll have some peace and quiet."

Madam Lady Zhu smiled and said, "It's good that you've come to your senses." Then she turned to Zhao Ruxi and said, "No matter how impatient you are, you still have to deal with this joyous occasion. You don't need to entertain the other family members; just talk to Aunt Xu Family."

"Okay," Zhao Ruxi nodded in agreement.

Since there was no male head of the household at the Earl of Suiping's Residence, and even the underage young master Zhao Jingtai was not at home, Ma Sheng asked Zhao Yuanliang and his son to entertain the male guests on his behalf.

The female guest was then ushered into the main hall of the inner courtyard.

When Zhao Ruxi and her two companions arrived, the hall was already filled with many people.

Guided by the old lady and Lady Zhu, Zhao Ruxi greeted each of the women in the clan.

"Oh my, Miss Xi is so clever, better than so many men. When Miss Xi first returned to the manor, I said that this child has a full forehead and is definitely a lucky one. Look, not only is she capable, but since you came back, so many good things have happened to the manor. Not only the manor, but our entire Zhao Family is now benefiting from Miss Xi's good fortune. Who doesn't praise our Zhao Family family when we go out? Even our girls can get second place in the imperial examination." The clan head's wife praised Zhao Ruxi as soon as she saw her.

Zhao Ruyu, who was listening nearby, rolled her eyes.

I wonder who was laughing behind my back, saying that Zhao Ruxi was from the countryside and might bring shame to the Zhao Family in the future.

Zhao Ruxi had a bad life in her past life, and these people were the ones who enjoyed belittling her the most. It was as if their daughter's value would skyrocket if she were outshone by the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence. They were typical people who couldn't stand seeing others do well.

She turned her head and stared intently at Zhao Ruxi. When Zhao Ruxi sensed her gaze and looked back, she quickly looked away.

Upon hearing the clan chief's wife's words, the others also began to flatter her.

Knowing her daughter disliked such things, Lady Zhu quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, saying, "She's just a child; she can't take praise so easily. Let's all sit down and have some tea. This 'Mandarin Duck Milk Roll' is a recipe that County Princess of Qingyang brought from the Prince of Zhennan's Residence. Everyone, please try it and see what you think."

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the mandarin duck milk rolls. While eating the snacks, they also praised Zhao Ruxi's connections.

However, Zhao Ruxi was no longer there. Madam Xie and Xu Xue were not members of the Zhao Family family. Although they had married into the Zhao Family, they were still excluded. Moreover, they didn't need to squeeze in to flatter and fawn over Zhao Ruxi at this time, so they stood outside the crowd.

Zhao Ruxi invited them to sit down in another corner and had a maid bring them some snacks and tea.

"Auntie, when is Chongwen's wedding?" Zhao Ruxi asked.

"The end of next month," Madam Xie said with a helpless expression.

When she was choosing an auspicious date, she picked the closest one possible. But she still didn't make it before the imperial examination.