Side Story: Zhao Ruyu 3

Having received a positive reply from Zhao Ruxi, Zhao Jingli sent a servant to the Prince Jingping's Estate to fetch Zhao Ruyu the next day.

"What happened? Has Zhao Ruyu repaired her relationship with the Zhao Family?" Consort of Prince of Jingping asked in surprise.

The old nanny beside her smiled and said, "She saw the Crown Princess yesterday; perhaps she has gained her forgiveness. If their relationship is repaired, it would be a good thing for us."

Consort of Prince of Jingping nodded. "If that's the case, I might consider making her my official wife."

For over a year, she had been looking for a wife for her son. However, she couldn't find a suitable candidate, and she was also concerned about the relationship between Zhao Ruxi and Zhao Ruyu, fearing that bringing in a new daughter-in-law might Gao Xing the Crown Princess.

Therefore, she has never finalized a marriage proposal for Xiao Sijie.

"Go with her, give her all the respect due to her, and report back to me immediately if anything happens," Consort of Prince of Jingping instructed.

"Yes," the nanny replied.

When Zhao Ruyu noticed that the person who accompanied her out had changed from the old woman in charge of chores to the nanny who served the princess, her eyes darkened slightly, but she said nothing.

Arriving at the Zhao Family by carriage, she immediately identified herself as the nanny upon entering, saying to Zhao Jingli, "This is the Princess's personal nanny, whose status is even higher than ours as concubines. Brother, please have someone treat her well and not neglect her."

Zhao Jingli understood and immediately sent the housekeeper to invite the nanny to their side for tea.

The old woman had originally wanted to hear what Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Jingli were saying, but now she had no choice but to go, as she couldn't embarrass Zhao Jingli.

As soon as the nanny left, Zhao Ruyu eagerly asked, "How did it go, eldest brother? Second brother?"

Zhao Jing'an's feelings for Zhao Ruyu were ultimately different. Now, with Zhao Ruyu's future at stake, Zhao Jing'an deliberately stayed home instead of visiting friends today.

"Her Majesty said she can arrange for you to go to Gusu as an instructor," Zhao Jingli said, then recounted the friendship between Zhao Yuanxun and Zhang Shun. "Once you go, Prefect Zhang and his wife will surely treat you like a niece and take good care of you."

Zhao Ruyu originally thought that Zhao Ruxi would arrange for her to go to the county Women's Academy. After all, the resources of county-level Women's Academy are not good, and capable and famous people generally do not go there to teach.

She had a good reputation for her musical skills, and even won third place in a skills competition. The county Women's Academy valued her abilities and naturally wouldn't be too picky about her background.

She never expected that Zhao Ruxi would arrange for her to go to Gusu and even plan to have Zhang Shun and his wife take care of her.

She couldn't hold back any longer, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sister..." Zhao Jing'an called out quickly upon seeing this.

Zhao Ruyu covered her face with a handkerchief and cried for a while before choking out, "I never imagined that even after I had willingly fallen into depravity and slid into the abyss, Your Majesty would still be willing to lend a helping hand to save me."

Zhao Jingli sighed, "The Empress has always been magnanimous. As long as someone sits upright and acts righteously, she will always help them."

His abilities, his career, and his marriage were all arranged by Zhao Ruxi.

The two were about the same age, and he had once harbored resentment towards Zhao Ruxi. But as long as he was willing to be positive and motivated, Zhao Ruxi would forgive him and do her best to help him.

He was eternally grateful to Zhao Ruxi.

"So what are your plans? Have you made up your mind?" Zhao Jing'an asked.

If his thinking was somewhat skewed before, now, after being brainwashed and educated by his wife Xu Xue, brother-in-law Xu Chongwen, and elder brother and sister-in-law, his thinking is absolutely both politically correct and professionally competent.

He wholeheartedly agreed with Zhao Ruyu to leave the Prince Jingping's Estate and start anew.

"Mmm." Zhao Ruyu nodded vigorously.

She raised her eyes and looked at Zhao Jingli expectantly. "Brother, what do you think I should do to leave the Prince Jingping's Estate?"

Having lived a second life, she knew perfectly well what Consort of Prince of Jingping was thinking and why she hadn't arranged a marriage for Xiao Sijie for so long.

Consort of Prince of Jingping was reluctant to part with Zhao Ruxi, who was behind her, but she also disliked Zhao Ruxi's low birth and dishonorable way of entering the mansion. She was afraid that if she made Zhao Ruxi her official wife, people would laugh at her for being opportunistic. In addition, Zhao Ruxi's attitude was unclear, so the princess kept putting the matter off.

This matter involves the Prince Jingping's Estate, and if it is not handled properly, it will affect Zhao Ruxi's reputation. Zhao Jingli naturally asked Zhao Ruxi about it in his letter yesterday.

He told Zhao Ruxi the method she had taught him, "Go back to your residence and go directly to Consort of Prince of Jingping and the Crown Prince. Explain your thoughts to them and request to leave the residence."

Zhao Ruyu had considered countless methods, but she had never thought of doing it this way.

She was stunned. "Will this work? What if they don't release them?"

"Whether it works or not, you'll know once you try," Zhao Jingli said. "As long as you're determined, they won't be able to keep you, nor will they dare to."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruyu suddenly understood. "I get it."

She stood up and bowed to them, saying, "Thank you, elder brother, sister-in-law, and second brother. I'll be going now."

Zhao Jingli stood up. "If they agree, send someone to inform me, and your sister-in-law and I will personally come to pick you up. Stay for a few days after returning, and then go to Gusu."

"Yes, thank you." Zhao Ruyu was about to cry again, but she forced back her tears, bowed once more, and then left.

Back at the Prince Jingping's Estate, she went to the main courtyard. Before she could even speak, the maid guarding the gate greeted her with a smile, "Concubine Zhao is back? The Princess Consort said she would like to see you. Please come in."

This attitude is completely different from yesterday; they even used honorifics.

Zhao Ruyu glanced at her, nodded, and followed the nanny into the main courtyard and into the hall.

"Please wait a moment, Concubine Zhao. I will go and inform the Princess Consort," said the old woman who had followed her to the Zhao Family.

"Thank you for your trouble, Granny."

Consort of Prince of Jingping did not keep Zhao Ruyu waiting; she arrived shortly afterward.

"Are your family members all in good health?" she asked with a smile.

Not only Zhao Ruyu, but even Fushu looked up and glanced at Consort of Prince of Jingping.

Consort of Prince of Jingping had never met Zhao Ruyu before. Even when they occasionally bumped into each other on the street, she would always have a stern face and ignore her. This was truly the first time she had been treated this way.

"All is well, thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Zhao Ruyu replied respectfully.

She bowed to Consort of Prince of Jingping and said, "I'm going back today to discuss the divorce with my family."

She raised her head and looked at Consort of Prince of Jingping: "Your Highness, I want to divorce the Crown Prince."

As a concubine, the question of divorce was irrelevant. She and Xiao Sijie had no marriage certificate, and she didn't bring a dowry when she entered the household.

If she wants to leave, she can simply tell them. Conversely, if the Prince Jingping's Estate wants her to leave, they can simply push her out the door.

She used that word simply to express an attitude: her breakup with Xiao Sijie was amicable. It wasn't that she didn't want him, nor that he divorced her.

Consort of Prince of Jingping's exquisitely made-up face suddenly cracked, and she cried out in shock, "What did you say?"

"I told her I didn't want to stay here anymore. I wanted to go home, and my family agreed," Zhao Ruyu said.

Consort of Prince of Jingping stared blankly at Zhao Ruyu for a long while, then suddenly laughed and scolded, "You silly child, what are you saying? I was just saying I wanted to make you my official wife. Don't say those jokes again."