Mister Kumu Was the Real Winner in Life

Having been classmates for several years, Gong Cheng knew Zhao Ruxi's personality very well.

He knew that Zhao Ruxi had taken a liking to Zuo Tang and wanted him to be her assistant. But she was worried that he wouldn't agree. Once she spoke up, Zuo Tang would have no choice but to agree, even if he didn't want to.

No matter how capable someone is, Zhao Ruxi will not want someone who is unwilling.

That's why she went through all this trouble.

Thinking of this, he said, "I will sort out the officials in the Ministry of Works who can assist Her Majesty, and then ask them about it. I will then present the list to Her Majesty."

Zuo Tang, who was listening nearby, initially thought Zhao Ruxi wanted him to be her assistant and was waiting to ask her questions. But as the two senior and junior disciples talked, he was no longer involved.

He was anxious, but he couldn't say it, and his expression showed some urgency.

To avoid suspicion, there were not only two officials, Gong Cheng and Zuo Tang, in the room, but also several officials from the Ministry of Works.

Upon hearing that Zhao Ruxi was looking for an assistant, these people were overjoyed, but their minds immediately began to scheming. They sifted through the Ministry of Works to see which of their relatives or confidants they could send to serve as assistants to the Crown Princess.

Given the Crown Prince's high regard for his wife, and the fact that she is the biological mother of the eldest grandson of the Emperor, anyone who gains her favor will have an incredibly smooth path to advancement.

Seeing that her senior brother understood her meaning, Zhao Ruxi changed the subject and started talking about something else. "How has Master been lately? I'll go see him in a bit."

After she became the Consort of the Prince of Qi, she couldn't visit the Kang Residence as often. It was Kang Shilin who went to see her, and the two maintained a close relationship.

Of course, Kang Shilin's frequent visits to the Prince of Qi's Residence were mainly because he wanted to see his young apprentice's paintings.

Since the coup, Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan's status has risen, and the threshold for obtaining information has also lowered. In addition, Zhao Ruxi only listens to gossip and does not get involved in confidential political affairs, so it is not difficult for the system to obtain these information, and the points required are very small.

Aside from the month she spent in postpartum confinement, Zhao Ruxi never stopped earning points. She accumulated a huge pile of points, so she bought herself a Color Discerning Pill.

With the help of this Color Discerning Pill, her use of color in her paintings improved significantly. This piqued Kang Shilin's interest in her painting process.

However, after she gave birth, she was moved to the East Palace; and since she was in postpartum confinement, it was inconvenient for Kang Shilin, even though he was old. The master and disciple had not seen each other for a long time.

Now that she had finally managed to leave the manor, Zhao Ruxi planned to visit her master.

"You have no idea how much Master worried about you. Before you gave birth, he was constantly sighing, fearing something might happen to you. He even sent people everywhere to find renowned doctors. We tried to persuade him that His Highness the Crown Prince would have doctors ready, but he wouldn't listen. During that time, there were more than a dozen doctors staying at the Kang Residence's villa. It wasn't until he heard that you were all well that Master dismissed them."

Zhao Ruxi had heard Xiao Lingyan mention this story before, and she was still deeply moved upon hearing it now.

After arriving in the Great Jin, she met many kind people. But apart from her family and Xiao Lingyan, no one could compare to Kang Shilin's kindness and gratitude towards her.

She was touched by Kang Shilin's kindness, but Zuo Tang and several other officials beside her were inwardly marveling at Mister Kumu's good fortune.

Mister Kumu grew up with the late emperor, and their relationship as cousins was even closer than that of blood brothers, which goes without saying. After the late emperor passed away and the current emperor ascended the throne, he treated Mister Kumu with the same affection and respect as a father.

When Kang Shilin took Zhao Ruxi as his apprentice, many people laughed at him for taking on a country bumpkin, while others marveled at Zhao Ruxi's good fortune.

In just three or four years, Zhao Ruxi not only enhanced Kang Shilin's reputation in terms of talent and learning, bringing him much glory, but she has also transformed into the Crown Princess.

If Mister Kumu lives longer, and the current emperor passes away while Xiao Lingyan ascends the throne, then as the empress's mentor, he will still enjoy the same high status as he does now.

Even if he passes away, based on this alone, Xiao Lingyan, Zhao Ruxi, and their children will surely take care of the Kang Family.

Because of Mister Kumu's skill in dealing with people, the Kang Family has benefited its descendants and will enjoy glory for one or two hundred years.

This Mister Kumu is truly a winner in life.

With her little one on her mind, Zhao Ruxi didn't plan to stay outside for long. After finishing her business, she stood up to say goodbye, "Alright, I'll go back now. We can discuss the rest after the assistant is chosen."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Highness." Gong Cheng led the officials to stand up and escort Zhao Ruxi out.

Fearing she would arrive empty-handed, Zhao Ruxi sent a servant to the Kang Residence to deliver a visiting card when she went to the Ministry of Works. So when she arrived at the Kang Residence, Kang Shilin had already returned from outside and was waiting at home.

"Come, come, let me show you my recent paintings." Kang Shilin was still a painting fanatic. Seeing Zhao Ruxi's rosy complexion, he knew that she was in good health, so he immediately pulled her to see the paintings.

During Zhao Ruxi's pregnancy, he witnessed the exquisite use of color in Zhao Ruxi paintings and gained many insights. Recently, he has integrated these insights, and his own use of color in his paintings has also made great progress.

Zhao Ruxi naturally didn't hold back her praise.

"Sigh, it's a pity I'm still far behind you," Kang Shilin sighed.

Zhao Ruxi opened her mouth, but then closed it again.

Each Color Discerning Pill costs 100,000 points, and it wasn't that she was reluctant to give it to Kang Shilin. However, this pill was made of advanced technology, and the system had set up restrictions to protect itself.

The pill must be taken out and swallowed immediately. It cannot be dissolved in water so that someone can swallow it without realizing it, nor can it pass through the hands of anyone else, otherwise it will vanish without a trace.

She couldn't very well just give Kang Shilin a pill, only for Kang Shilin to suddenly find that his sensitivity and ability to distinguish colors had greatly improved, could she? How would she explain that? And what if her master wanted her to give one to each of her fellow disciples?

She wouldn't tell anyone about the system except for Xiao Lingyan, who shared the same origins in the modern world. Even Xiao Lingyan had only guessed it himself. Moreover, due to the influence of modern system novels, he was quite understanding about it and wouldn't ask any questions, so she didn't need to explain.

The system doesn't allow her to explain.

So, she could only apologize to her master.

If her master falls ill, she can produce a Recovery Pill, claiming it's medicine she obtained elsewhere. As for the Color Discerning Pill, forget about it.

After staying with Kang Shilin for a while and seeing that her master was in good spirits and in good health, Zhao Ruxi felt relieved and returned to the palace.

Her family members frequently visited her at the palace, and they saw each other often, so she no longer returned to the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

But less than an hour after returning to the palace, Grand Princess Shangde arrived and asked, "I heard you went to the Ministry of Works?"

"My aunt is quite well-informed," Zhao Ruxi said with a smile.

"I'm waiting for you to leave the palace, how could I not be quick to respond?" Grand Princess Shangde said. "Didn't you say you wanted to visit the Women's Technical College after your confinement period? See when you're free, I'll make time to go with you."