Worries

She changed her clothes and went to the Kang Residence by carriage.

Kang Shilin had just returned from outside.

At such a glorious moment, he wouldn't sit at home bored. He took advantage of the time he was out watching the officials being praised to sit in the teahouse and receive a good round of flattery and praise, which is why he stayed out for so long before going home.

Upon hearing that Zhao Ruxi had arrived, he chuckled and said, "This child, is she here to bring me good news?"

Kang An chimed in, "Miss Zhao is not only impressive, making you look good, but also so filial; she always thinks of you first when something happens."

This made Kang Shilin burst into laughter.

At this moment, Zhao Ruxi entered with a servant.

"Master," she called out.

Kang Shilin had spent two years with his young apprentice. Usually, the boy was always smiling and appeared confident. But now, although he was smiling, his eyes were filled with anxiety, and Kang Shilin's heart immediately jumped.

He stood up and said, "Let's go talk in the study."

Seeing this, Kang An dismissed the other servants, leaving only himself in the study; Qingfeng, who had followed Zhao Ruxi in, stood there motionless without receiving any instructions from the young lady.

Although Kang Shilin was already in his sixties or seventies, he was very mindful of the boundaries in their interactions. No matter what confidential matters were involved, he always kept Kang An and Qingfeng in the conversation with Zhao Ruxi to prevent others from gossiping about Zhao Ruxi.

"What's wrong?" Kang Shilin asked as soon as they sat down. "What happened? Is someone trying to sabotage you because they're unhappy with your passing the imperial examination?"

"Master..." Zhao Ruxi hesitated to speak.

Although she was Kang Shilin's apprentice, she only spent less than two years with Kang Shilin. Xiao Ge, on the other hand, spent half his life with Kang Shilin, and their relationship was as close as that of father and son.

If she voiced her concerns, wouldn't that imply that Xiao Ge might be lustful and question his character? What would her master think of her?

Zhao Ruxi has a very generous personality and always speaks her mind frankly. She is never like this now, hesitant and timid, her fair and tender face all scrunched up.

"What is it? Just say it." Kang Shilin was impatient and couldn't stand people hesitating. "Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

He suddenly thought of something, "Is it about your marriage? That makes sense. You're almost sixteen now, and you've achieved great success, becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination. It's perfectly normal for someone to come and propose marriage."

He leaned forward, gazing earnestly at Zhao Ruxi, and asked, "Who is it?"

Zhao Ruxi was both amused and exasperated. "Master, what are you thinking?"

She had to speak frankly, "I originally begged my master to tell the Emperor that I didn't want to be a top-ranking scholar and wanted to be transferred to a post outside the capital. Have you inquired whether Eunuch Xie really spoke to the Emperor? Why did the Emperor still insist on appointing me as the top scholar?"

"Because the palace examination hadn't been held yet, saying we wouldn't be considered first-class Jinshi but only second-class would make the Emperor think we, master and disciple, were too arrogant. So I asked Little Xie to speak to him after the palace examination, after the Emperor had reviewed all the exam papers," Kang Shilin said.

"I know Little Xie well. His character is impeccable; he never goes back on his word. He must have spoken to the Emperor about that. As for why you were chosen as the top scholar, I've heard it all. Your calligraphy is too stunning, and your essays are exceptionally well-written. The Emperor, appreciating your talent, didn't want to bury your abilities for trivial matters, so he insisted on appointing you as the top scholar. You must have heard what he said in court today."

Zhao Ruxi could only nod. "I heard you."

"That's it," Kang Shilin said. "In my opinion, you should be the top scholar."

"Then can't I release it externally?" Zhao Ruxi asked anxiously.

"You really want to be transferred out?" Kang Shilin asked, his expression somewhat dismissive.

Although Zhao Ruxi had initially persuaded him, he had never truly approved of Zhao Ruxi's transfer to a post outside the capital.

He has the mindset of an old father.

Wouldn't it be better to stay peacefully in the capital? With him protecting her and several senior brothers looking after her, no one would dare to offend Zhao Ruxi. If she went to another place, and some ungrateful and tactless people offended her, they wouldn't be able to protect her even if they wanted to.

If something goes wrong, not only will his father be unable to bear the consequences, but the Great Jin will also lose a talented person. A master of painting, a master of calligraphy, and the first female champion—such a talent is rare, and should be carefully protected under our noses.

Seeing her master's reaction, Zhao Ruxi grew anxious and had no choice but to voice her thoughts. "Master, have you considered this? A top-ranking scholar is destined for the Hanlin Academy. I'm a young woman, going in and out of the palace every day, staying by the Emperor's side. What if the concubines in the palace see me as a thorn in their side and want to get rid of me as soon as possible?"

"Look at me, all I'm good at is studying and math, and that's why I've offended Consort Jin and Princess Xiangyang. How many underhanded tricks have they used against me? If I were to go back to the Emperor's side, would I even survive?"

Kang Shilin was taken aback, and his expression gradually became serious.

Xiao Ge was already in his forties, almost fifty, and he trusted his character. He wasn't a monarch who valued beauty. He valued talent more than beauty. So Kang Shilin didn't initially think in that direction.

Now that Zhao Ruxi brought it up, he realized that it was indeed a problem.

Xiao Ge had admired Zhao Zhiwei ever since he bought her paintings; now her calligraphy had amazed him, and her writing was so good and she was so talented that Xiao Ge insisted on making her the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Zhao Ruxi is so beautiful, has a sweet tongue, and is very capable. Who wouldn't like a woman like that?

Having had close contact with three emperors, Kang Shilin knew their nature best. They believed the world belonged to them, so the best women in the land should also be theirs to enjoy.

Although Xiao Ge is a good person and values talent more than beauty, with a talented and beautiful woman constantly in his sight, wouldn't he be tempted to bring her into the palace?

The position of Empress in the palace is currently vacant.

Today, Xiao Ge disregarded the opposition of all officials and insisted on appointing Zhao Ruxi as the top scholar; will he also disregard the opposition of the world and insist on making Zhao Ruxi empress tomorrow?

Kang Shilin looked up at Zhao Ruxi.

Given his apprentice's exceptional talent, she was certainly qualified to be an empress. But the question was, would she be willing? Moreover, his young apprentice was only sixteen years old, and marrying a man in his fifties was something that, not only would she be unwilling, but he, as Xiao Ge's cousin, would also be unwilling.

Isn't this like an old cow eating young grass?

Throughout history, emperors have rarely lived long lives. What if Xiao Ge's lifespan is also short? Would his young apprentice then be destined to spend the rest of his life alone in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

He asked, "When you repeatedly told me you wanted to be transferred to a different post and didn't want to be ranked first, did you also consider this factor?"