What Was She Thinking?

"It's okay to be bad at something, but if you're bad and refuse to admit it, that's cowardly, a weakling." Hearing this, the man, ashamed, quickly squeezed out of the crowd and ran away.

"Alright, go back now." Zhao Ruxi nodded.

Today, people from the second and third branches of the Earl of Suiping's Residence and the Xu Family came to eat to celebrate Zhao Ruxi's success in the imperial examination. The women's table was set up in the inner courtyard, while the men's table was set up in the outer courtyard. In addition to the father and his two sons from the second branch, there were also Xu Yongyi and his son, as well as Zhao Jingning from the third branch.

Zhao Rurui had arrived at the Marquis's residence before Zhao Ruxi returned home. She originally intended to discuss her marriage with Lady Zhu, but she deliberately saved the matter for after dinner, when everyone sat down to drink tea and chat.

She said anxiously to Lady Zhu, "Aunt, I heard that right after the imperial examination ceremony, someone was already trying to find a husband for their child at the palace gate."

After the imperial examination, she wanted the old lady and Lady Zhu to help her select a few suitable candidates from among the successful candidates. As soon as the announcement ceremony was over and she knew for sure that they had passed the second-class imperial examination, she could begin to take action.

However, when Zhao Jingli went back last time, he gave her a good talking-to, saying that he would keep an eye out for her and that she should not bother the elders of the Earl of Suiping's Residence before the end of the palace examination. He also said that if she disobeyed, he would deduct her monthly allowance.

She was furious and went to Zhao Yuanliang to complain. Zhao Yuanliang simply told her to listen to Zhao Jingli.

Unfortunately, Zhao Jingli didn't know anyone and had no way of finding out about the candidates. The inn where the candidates were staying was worried about something happening before the palace examination, so they wouldn't let anyone near it. The innkeeper and waiters there dared not sell any information about the candidates, for fear that the candidates would come after them if they passed the imperial examination. In short, Zhao Jingli was completely unreliable.

Zhao Jingli kept saying that they would talk about it after the scholars finished their work.

But once she's finished with all that work, what will she have left to do? All the good stuff will have already been taken.

During the grand ceremony of announcing the list of successful candidates for marriage, she sent her servants to keep watch in the square. Sure enough, they saw people vying for husbands under the list, which made her even more anxious and agitated.

Upon hearing Zhao Rurui's words, Lady Zhu looked at Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi quickly shook her head. "I left as soon as I left the palace gates and knew nothing about this."

She glanced at Zhao Rurui, feeling worried about her cousin's intelligence.

"What kind of smart person would be the one to be snatched up by someone who's offering marriage proposals? Anyone with a brain knows that such families are unreliable. They'll find an excuse to refuse, then send someone to find out the details and choose a better family to marry into."

"So those who get caught are either incredibly stupid or greedy for wealth and status; the rest are the good ones. Are you sure you want my mother to catch one for you?"

Lady Su chuckled.

Seeing Zhao Rurui glaring at her, she quickly said, "Miss Rui, I'm sorry, Third Aunt wasn't laughing at you, it's just that Miss Xi's words were quite amusing."

Catch one! Anyone who didn't know better would think they were catching chickens or rabbits.

Poor newly appointed scholar!

Lady Zhu patted Zhao Rurui's arm and said, "You've heard what your sister said; those aren't good people. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out for you. But among the newly appointed scholars, there are only a few who aren't married. We're not a prominent family, so it's hard to say whether it will be our turn. Tell Young Master Li to keep an eye out too, and you should keep an eye on things yourself, so that I can't do anything about it and you won't blame me."

Besides asking Lady Zhu to keep an eye on things, Zhao Rurui also wanted to inquire about Zhao Ruxi's marriage prospects.

Zhao Ruxi will soon be sixteen, and her marriage is still undecided. She might be eyeing the same thing as Zhao Ruxi. But if that happens, won't Zhao Ruxi have another competitor?

She said, "Auntie, what are you saying? How could I complain? I'm grateful to you. By the way, my fifth sister is of marriageable age now. Does Auntie have any plans to choose a husband for her among the newly appointed scholars?"

"No need. I won't choose from the newly appointed scholars," Zhao Ruxi said.

When has Zhao Rurui ever cared about her? What ulterior motives did she have when she said that? Did she think others wouldn't know?

Lady Zhu glanced at Zhao Rurui, feeling annoyed, and had no desire to speak to her anymore.

She said, "Alright, you all go back first. We can talk about these things later."

Zhao Ruyu, feeling that Zhao Rurui had embarrassed the second wife's family, pulled her along, saying, "Let's go, let's go."

Having received confirmation, Zhao Rurui didn't press the matter further and left with the others.

Seeing that her daughter was also trying to slip away, Lady Zhu quickly grabbed her arm. "Don't go yet, sit down and tell me about the two people who delivered the invitations yesterday."

She had heard from the gatekeeper that Duan Chen was an extremely handsome young man. For a young man to personally come to Zhao Ruxi's door to deliver a visiting card was an open secret.

But this little devil at home had a different attitude; he simply turned the tables on her.

She had no idea what kind of person Zhao Ruxi wanted to marry.

"What can I say? There are no men in my family. If I accept their visit, I don't know how much gossip will spread. Do you think it's appropriate to have a bad reputation before the imperial examination?" Zhao Ruxi said helplessly.

"Tell me about your marriage arrangements, so I can have a better understanding and won't start worrying at the slightest sign of trouble." This time, Lady Zhu wasn't so easily fooled.

Zhao Ruxi thought for a moment and said, "Next year, I will definitely bring your son-in-law back."

Lady Zhu: "..."

"Alright, I'm going back to rest. I'm exhausted this morning. I still have a lot to do this afternoon." Taking advantage of Lady Zhu's momentary daze, Zhao Ruxi slipped away quickly.

"Hey, wait a minute." Lady Zhu came to her senses and only saw her daughter's back as she stood at the door.

Considering that Zhao Ruxi would have to deal with the emperor, ministers, and scholars that afternoon, she had no choice but to give up.

"Do you think she's taken a fancy to someone?" Lady Zhu asked Matron Zhou.

Matron Zhou naturally saw it too, but she couldn't agree with what Lady Zhu said.

She said, "Madam, even if the young lady has taken a fancy to someone, it's alright. She has her own plans. Her talent is top-notch, and her appearance is so outstanding, what kind of person could possibly catch her eye? He certainly wouldn't be bad. So, please relax and wait for her to bring her husband back."

Anyway, she could tell that the girl was very determined and her mind was made up. Even if she wasn't satisfied with the son-in-law Lady Zhu she had chosen, so what? It wouldn't change the girl's mind at all.

The girl wasn't raised on the charity of the Earl of Suiping's Residence; she's also very capable. She's only been back for two years, but how much benefit has she brought to the Earl of Suiping's Residence? The master's official position is entirely due to her.

If the wife opposes her daughter's marriage, it will not only be ineffective but will also strain the mother-daughter relationship. What's the point? After all, the girl is such a smart person; she can't possibly marry someone unreliable and ruin herself, can she?

Instead of worrying unnecessarily, it's better to relax and just wait and see the results.