Regret

"I heard that Zhao Zhiwei's participation in the imperial examination was strongly supported by Grand Princess Shangde and Madam Cui of the Beining Women's Academy. They not only started a newspaper to encourage us women to write articles, make a name for ourselves, and earn money, but also opened many textile factories specifically to hire common women. They did a lot for women."

"Oh, I know about the maidservant. My nanny's niece used to be scolded by her mother-in-law and beaten by her husband every day. My nanny would wipe away tears whenever she mentioned her, saying how miserable her life was. Half a year ago, she went to work in a textile factory and earned half a tael of silver a month, more than her husband earned. Her mother-in-law was afraid that her capable daughter-in-law would cause a divorce this year, so she dared not beat or scold her anymore. My nanny would always say that Grand Princess Shangde was a good person and would surely be rewarded in this life."

This made everyone feel much more favorably toward Grand Princess Shangde.

"I wish we could go to the Beining Women's Academy. I've heard the people there are very innocent and the atmosphere at the academy is very harmonious, unlike here, where everyone is always comparing themselves to others, forming cliques, and scheming against each other."

When this is mentioned, everyone looks regretful. "It's a pity we're not registered residents of Beining County, so we can't go."

"If it were Grand Princess Shangde... well, I shouldn't say that, hehe."

Although she didn't finish her sentence, everyone understood what she meant.

If Grand Princess Shangde had been in charge of the Capital Women's Academy, the atmosphere there would certainly not be like it is now.

Outside the teahouse, a group of people sat by the window. At the head of the group was a young man who looked out the window at the spirited Zhao Ruxi and suddenly poured the wine in his cup into his mouth.

A young man next to him patted him on the shoulder and said, "Sijie, what's wrong? You haven't given up yet?"

Xiao Sijie glanced at his friend but said nothing.

Xiao Sijie's good friend was Mu Qingqiang's cousin, named Mu Mingyuan. He and Xiao Sijie were classmates at the Imperial Academy and became close friends because they were kindred spirits. He had gone with Xiao Sijie to watch the painting competition and knew about the relationship between Xiao Sijie and Zhao Ruxi.

He sighed, gazing at the receding red figure outside the window, and said, "She is indeed outstanding. Compared to her, all the women in the capital are just ordinary. But such women often have high aspirations. If she were to marry, she certainly wouldn't tolerate her husband taking a concubine. Just look at the County Princess of Qingyang; she can't stand any injustice."

As a close friend, Mu Mingyuan knew Xiao Sijie very well.

Xiao Sijie was humble, sincere, diligent, and eager to learn. He never looked down on others because of his family background, nor did he spend his days fooling around like other scions of noble families. As a friend, he was truly impeccable; in terms of character, personality, and family background, few scions of noble families in the capital could compare to him.

However, he is gentle by nature and sentimental. He feels pity and admiration for beautiful women, and he will inevitably take the maids who have served him for many years as his concubines. As a husband, he is not a good choice.

Zhao Zhiwei exceptionally talented, even achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations and becoming an official in the court. Such a woman was truly remarkable. If she were to marry Xiao Sijie, wouldn't she be toiling away outside every day while her husband spent his time at home drinking and having fun with his maids and concubines?

Xiao Sijie's desire to marry Zhao Ruxi was merely a product of his admiration; he envisioned her as a collection of beauties from all over the world. Admiration was certainly present, but how long it would last was uncertain.

"Didn't you praise a woman a while ago, saying she was extremely beautiful, even more so than Zhao Zhiwei, that she was a painting just by standing there, not saying a word or moving, and that she was also very talented, with superb piano skills? I think you should ask her for marriage," Mu Mingyuan suggested.

Xiao Sijie was taken aback, then shook his head and sighed, "I told my mother, but she doesn't agree. She's already chosen a marriage for me and plans to propose soon."

His eyes were filled with conflicting pain. "I can't bear to hurt my mother. Besides... Yunniang is someone I've known since childhood. She's a very good woman, gentle and kind, and her calligraphy is exquisite. If I refuse this marriage, I'll surely break her heart."

Mu Mingyuan: "..."

He was speechless at his friend's chivalrous nature. Someone like that shouldn't be causing trouble for Zhao Zhiwei.

"That's good," he said. "As sons, we can't do much for our mothers, but we can still marry a daughter-in-law who pleases her. That's filial piety. What woman in the world can be better to us than our mother?"

Xiao Sijie nodded. "You're right. So marriage is something that depends on fate." He looked at the gradually dispersing crowd on the street and sighed, "I am ultimately not destined to be with Layperson Zhiwei."

Mu Mingyuan patted his shoulder. "Cherishing the people in front of you is the most important thing. Let's go back too." With that, he stood up and pulled Xiao Sijie downstairs.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ruxi had successfully completed a circuit along the Imperial Street and returned to East Glorious Gate.

She returned the horse to the Ministry of Rites official and followed Bai Wei into the palace. She changed out of her red dress and put on her official robes as a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), preparing to attend the Qionglin Banquet.

The Qionglin Banquet was held in the same hall where they took the imperial examination, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed compared to the previous two times.

Regardless of whether they were convinced or not, none of the scholars in the main hall dared to express any further dissatisfaction with Zhao Ruxi being chosen as the top scholar.

The top scholar was appointed by the emperor himself; questioning Zhao Zhiwei is tantamount to questioning the emperor.

Moreover, Zhao Zhiwei's status as the top scholar was already a fait accompli, and her senior brother was the Minister of Ministry of Personnel. What official positions they would appoint next would still have to go through Wu Huaisi's hands, so they really couldn't afford to offend him.

Therefore, they all congratulated Zhao Ruxi and said some flattering and polite things to her, their attitude even more enthusiastic than before.

The imperial examinations only considered exam scores and could not assess a person's character. Just like highly educated people today, there are those with high intelligence but also those with poor character.

Zhao Ruxi was only sixteen years old, beautiful as a flower, the daughter of a noble family, and her senior brothers were all high-ranking officials. Some of them felt that even though they were over twenty years old, married and had children, they were still very charming and could make Zhao Ruxi secretly fall in love with them.

So they went up to Zhao Ruxi, trying to get closer to her or make an invitation.

Zhu Hehuai naturally became a protector of the flower, always keeping his niece safe and acting as a strong guard against potential wolves, preventing any scholars with ulterior motives from getting close.

Zhao Ruxi maintained a cold demeanor throughout, only nodding in return and occasionally responding with a few words, rejecting all invitations.

Seeing that they couldn't get anything out of Zhao Ruxi, and fearing that continuing to pester her Zhao Ruxi and invite Wu Huaisi's secret retaliation, those people dared not be so tactless as to approach her again. Instead, they shifted their focus to talking to Duan Chen and Ding Lianjin.