Where Do You Want to Go?

Kang Shilin will then go to the palace to make another request. As long as Xiao Ge doesn't have any ulterior motives towards Zhao Ruxi, he will definitely agree to her being sent to a post outside the capital. Otherwise, he will definitely be taught a lesson by Kang Shilin.

"Alright, I'll take care of it," said Noble Consort Cen.

Xiao Ge's cold treatment of her wasn't due to dislike of her personally, but purely out of fear of the Cen Family. Her relationship with Xiao Ge, however, wasn't particularly problematic.

Xiao Ge stayed overnight here without touching her entirely because he was mindful of the Cen Family; he couldn't give her the contraceptive soup, yet he also didn't want her to have another child. She, in turn, wasn't interested in a man whose heart belonged to another woman.

Based on her understanding of Xiao Ge, she was quite confident that she could persuade Xiao Ge.

Having received his mother's assurance, Xiao Lingyan left the palace and immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Zhao Ruxi.

So Zhao Ruxi left the Kang Residence and was on her way back to the Earl of Suiping's Residence when Ma Sheng, who was riding alongside the carriage, was stopped by someone. "Brother Ma, it's been a long time."

Ma Sheng turned to look, and after thinking for a long time, he remembered that this person should be one of the Granny Wang of Prince of Qi. When the girl participated in the imperial examination, and he sent out the Wang family, who had tried to poison her, this guy took the Granny Wang away, interrogated them, and then handed them back.

He realized this man must have come to receive a message for His Highness Prince of Qi, so he quickly slowed his horse, cupped his hands in return, and said, "Brother, it's been a long time. What have you been up to lately?"

The man rode forward and laughed, "I recently went out on a business trip." He took out a small silver lock from his pocket and handed it over, "I didn't attend your son's one-month celebration, so consider this silver lock a gift from your uncle."

Ma Sheng took the silver lock and found that, in addition to the silver lock, a small note had also been slipped into his hand.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the man took his leave. Ma Sheng then rode forward, called out to Qingfeng, and handed her the silver lock and the note through the carriage window.

Qingfeng glanced at it and realized it was a letter from His Highness Prince of Qi to the young lady that she couldn't understand, so she quickly handed it to Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi glanced at the note and instructed Uncle Lu, "Return to the Kang Residence."

Kang Shilin saw his young apprentice return, he asked in bewilderment, "What happened?"

"Master, I thought about it in the carriage on the way back, and I felt that if you went to the Emperor's door so rashly, he might have some reservations. Why don't you ask Eunuch Xie about the situation? If it's feasible, you can go to the palace to ask tomorrow. Anyway, sending an official requires the help of our eldest brother, so it shouldn't be that quick. Going to the palace tomorrow will still be enough time."

Kang Shilin thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, that's fine too."

Although Xiao Ge was close to him, he was still an emperor with his own temper and pride. Anyone would Gao Xing if he came to his door and accused him of coveting beauty and treating him like a thief, let alone an emperor.

Maintaining this close relationship with Xiao Ge wasn't easy for him, so he couldn't act rashly and ruin it. He also wanted Xiao Ge to take care of his descendants.

It's always good to be cautious. Doing some research beforehand makes things easier.

Kang Shilin had frequented the palace for decades and had his own network of connections within it. He had once saved two palace servants.

After Zhao Ruxi left, he immediately sent someone to deliver a message to a young eunuch in the palace, instructing him to go and inquire about news from Eunuch Xie.

Things weren't very efficient when it came to working in the palace. These eunuchs all had their own duties and couldn't wander around aimlessly. They had to find an opportunity to pass on information or inquire about things.

Therefore, it wasn't until evening that the young eunuch replied to him, saying that Eunuch Xie had told him to try offering his advice the next day.

Kang Shilin knew that palace eunuchs didn't like to make definitive statements. Since Eunuch Xie had said this, he must have guessed that Xiao Ge had no romantic feelings for Zhao Ruxi, let alone any intention of taking her into the palace. Therefore, if he spoke up, Xiao Ge wouldn't be angry and would most likely agree.

So he felt relieved.

The following afternoon, assuming that Xiao Ge had finished dealing with state affairs, he went out and entered the palace.

Before he could even speak, Xiao Ge said, "Uncle, you've come for Zhao Zhiwei, haven't you? Don't worry, you previously asked Little Xie to tell me that Zhao Zhiwei wanted to be transferred to a post outside the capital, and I will grant that request. Although it's customary for the top scholar to enter the Hanlin Academy as a probationary official, rules are made by people. Zhao Zhiwei's situation is special; she wants to be transferred outside the capital, so I will grant her request."

Kang Shilin was unaware that it was Xiao Lingyan who had instructed Noble Consort Cen to intervene. He had given Xiao Ge some advice the night before, and upon hearing this, he was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. He quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Ge quickly helped him up, sighing, "I cherish talent. If Zhao Zhiwei were a man, how wonderful it would be! I could keep her by my side and nurture her; it wouldn't be impossible for her to become a marquis or prime minister in the future. But she is a woman, and a young girl at that. I cannot keep her by my side and risk damaging her reputation."

"Furthermore, she will be getting married in two years, and it's uncertain whether her husband's family will still allow her to serve as an official. Since she wishes to be transferred to a post outside the capital, I will naturally grant her that wish."

He did agree to Zhao Zhiwei's request to be sent to a post outside the capital, but as an emperor, calculating gains and losses had become instinctive for him, and he would not let go of the favors he deserved.

With these words, not only was his uncle even more grateful to him, but Zhao Zhiwei would also be loyal to him. At the same time, he could also Zhao Zhiwei for the dividends Zhao Zhiwei had given him for the safe and the textile factory.

In any case, he only admired Zhao Zhiwei and had no other intentions.

He had seen far too many women become like that after entering the palace. He had been the crown prince for nearly thirty years and the emperor for nearly twenty. If Zhao Zhiwei were taken into the palace, even if he gave her the title of empress, it would still be considered ruining her.

After so many years in the Great Jin, it's not easy for such a talented woman to emerge. She's destined to be remembered in history. He must be a fool to ruin her life. History will surely call him a tyrant.

He was not a womanizer. Although he had previously favored Consort Jin, it was because Consort Jin personality suited his taste, and he felt comfortable with her, so he didn't bother with other women.

That's why he abandoned Consort Jin so easily after she made a mistake.

A king is not afraid of being heartless, but of being too sentimental. Bearing the weight of the nation and its people on his shoulders, yet seeing only women in his eyes, the Xiao Family's empire is doomed to perish sooner or later.

Since he was doing someone a favor, he decided to go all the way.

He asked, "Where does Zhao Zhiwei want to be sent as an official? What are your thoughts?"

Kang Shilin knew Xiao Ge's temperament well, so he didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "She originally wanted to go to Jiangnan. But now that the Earl of Suiping is in Gusu, she wants to avoid it. I think it would be good to send her to a place closer to the capital in Anzhou Province. You know I can't stay idle. If she's sent to a post closer to the capital, I can go visit her when I get bored. You'll feel more at ease knowing she's closer, won't you?"

Xiao Ge: "..." So the master and disciple had already planned this all along.

Fortunately, he didn't intend to leave Zhao Zhiwei in the capital, otherwise he would have been severely scolded by his uncle.