Extra: Zhao Ruyu 9

Madam Zhang was extremely disappointed by Zhao Ruyu's rejection.

The suitor was a scion of a prominent family in Jiangnan. He had been married before, but his wife had died, and he wanted to remarry. He had a son and a daughter.

His eldest daughter, twelve years old, was admitted to the Women's Academy this year. Because she greatly admired Zhao Ruyu's gentle nature and superb piano skills, and was very dissatisfied with the stepmother her elders had chosen for her father, the young girl strongly recommended Zhao Ruyu to her father.

After hearing about it, the man asked around to find out more about Zhao Ruyu, and even went to the academy gate to catch a glimpse of Zhao Ruyu from afar. Finally, he asked someone to inquire with Madam Zhang and asked her to be the matchmaker.

Madam Zhang thought that the man was of good character, family background, and appearance. Although being a stepmother is difficult, Zhao Ruyu was the girl herself who had chosen her. The young master of that family was only eight years old this year, and she could still raise him well. That's why she came to propose to Zhao Ruyu.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ruyu didn't even ask about the conditions and rejected them outright.

When Zhao Ruxi first came to Jiangnan, Zhang Shun and his wife even considered having Zhang Family nephew marry Zhao Ruxi.

Now, facing Zhao Ruyu, they hadn't completely given it a second thought. Zhao Ruxi's willingness to help Zhao Ruyu showed that there was still sisterly affection between them. By marrying Zhao Ruyu, they could be considered to have become true relatives with the Crown Princess.

But the Crown Princess entrusted Zhao Ruyu to them, and for them to have such a plan is like "stealing from their own lap," squandering the little goodwill the Zhao Family had towards them, and completely losing more than they gained.

Furthermore, neither of their families had suitable candidates. Men of Zhao Ruyu's age were already married with children. There were no men who could match Zhao Ruyu in terms of appearance, character, or talent, let alone a widower like him.

So after receiving Zhao Ruxi's letter and before Zhao Ruyu came, the couple thought through the pros and cons and gave up the idea.

But older women are naturally inclined to play matchmaker, Madam Zhang, seeing how wonderful Zhao Ruyu was, was very willing to act as her matchmaker.

Unfortunately, Zhao Ruyu wasn't interested in that.

While Madam Zhang expressed her regret, Zhao Ruyu changed the subject. "You don't need to arrange my marriage, Madam. But I do have a marriage proposal I'd like to ask you to help me with."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang immediately perked up and said with a smile, "Teacher Zhao, please tell me what you need. If it's within my power, I will certainly do it for you."

Zhao Ruxi called Fushu forward and said, "This maid of mine has served me since I was a child. Later, she came with me to the Prince Jingping's Estate. She has always been loyal, kind-hearted, intelligent, and capable. I treat her like a sister and once vowed to treat her well and arrange a marriage for her."

"But at that time, her marriage could only be arranged with a low-ranking servant in the Prince's mansion. I had no say in the marriage, and I didn't know if it would be good or bad. I wasn't comfortable staying in the Prince Jingping's Estate at the time. If I left, she would be in an even more difficult position after getting married. I also had selfish motives; I didn't want to let her leave the mansion. Without her, I would have no one else I could trust. So she has been delayed until now. I'm sorry to her."

"Miss..." Fushu's eyes suddenly reddened.

She knew Zhao Ruyu's concerns. She knew the girl was helpless and her loyalty to Zhao Ruyu had never changed. But being unmarried in her twenties meant that even if she married, she would only be able to marry a widower. She also harbored resentment about her marriage prospects.

But hearing the girl say these words now, she felt only bitterness in her heart.

Zhao Ruyu continued, "Now that I'm here, life is relatively peaceful. It's time to find her a good family. I will release her from slavery, recognize her as my sworn sister, and give her a dowry of two hundred taels of silver. Madam is familiar with Gusu, and I would like to ask Madam to find me a respectable family so that Fushu can live a good life."

"Miss..." Fushu knelt on the ground, crying, and shook her head, saying, "This servant doesn't want a dowry. The fact that you've released me from my slave status is already a great kindness to me."

She's now in charge of Zhao Ruyu's courtyard, so she knows Zhao Ruyu's financial situation, including her monthly income and expenses.

It's not easy for a young woman to support her family. She carefully budgets every penny.

She also knew why Zhao Ruyu had brought those three people out of the Prince Jingping's Estate in the first place.

A girl who looks like this isn't safe without a few servants around her.

Rather than buying women of unknown background from outside, it's better to have three whose character you know well. Besides, Consort of Prince of Jingping would be too embarrassed to ask for their money in front of the eldest young mistress. These three are well-mannered and literate; each of them cost more than ten taels of silver when we bought them. By taking them, the young lady can save some money.

But if she brought them along, she would have to support them and pay them a monthly allowance. As for the two guards from the Zhao Residence, the young lady would naturally feel embarrassed to ask them to go back to the Zhao Family to collect their monthly allowances, so she would have to pay them. Therefore, the household expenses were rather high compared to the young lady's income.

The young woman herself didn't have much money, and they wanted to give her two hundred taels as a dowry. But she'd also need money for clothes, so Fushu certainly wouldn't accept the money.

The girl had always been good to her. It was truly unfortunate that her marriage was delayed.

"Silly girl, get up quickly." Zhao Ruyu stood up and personally helped Fushu up, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. "I'm not so poor that I can't even afford a dowry of two hundred taels of silver. You've been through thick and thin with me. It hurts me to see your marriage delayed. Don't you even want a chance for me to make it up to you? You don't intend to acknowledge me as your sister?"

"No, I'm not." Fushu shook her head, crying.

"Then let's not talk about it anymore. It's settled then."

As Madam Zhang watched, she felt even more that Zhao Ruyu was a good person.

Zhao Ruyu has been here for almost half a year, but in that time Zhao Ruyu has never been seen to have new clothes made or jewelry made, which shows that she is not well-off.

Yet she was able to give two hundred taels of silver to her maid as a dowry, release her from slavery, and adopt her as a sworn sister, which shows her benevolence and righteousness.

"Alright, I'll take care of this," she said. "But Miss Fushu, what are your requirements for a husband's family? Tell me first. If there's a suitable one, I'll let you know."

With reddened eyes and her head bowed, Fushu said somewhat shyly, "I don't have any requirements, just someone of good character and kind heart."

She followed Zhao Ruyu from before the Zhao Family family split up to after, and then went with her to the Prince Jingping's Estate, so she had seen all sorts of men. She was used to men's infidelity and had no more expectations.

She didn't believe in that nonsense about never taking a concubine. As long as he was kind-hearted and had a good conscience, he wouldn't mistreat her if they couldn't make it work and she wanted a divorce.

That's enough.

Madam Zhang asked in surprise, "You're willing to be a stepmother?"

Hearing this, Zhao Ruyu's guilt deepened.

She stubbornly went to the Prince's mansion to become a concubine, which not only ruined her own life but also ruined Fushu's. Fortunately, when she was reborn, she vowed to repay Fushu's loyalty.

Before Fushu could speak, she interjected, "No, Fushu will not be a stepmother."

She looked at Madam Zhang: "Therefore, I must ask Madam Zhang to carefully select a husband for Fushu. If Fushu lives well in the future, I will surely repay your kindness."

As she spoke, she stood up and bowed to Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang was startled and quickly stood up to avoid him, scolding, "Teacher Zhao, what are you doing? Don't be so polite. If I may presume to say something, I consider you my daughter. Fushu is your sworn sister, so she's like my daughter. Isn't it my duty to arrange a marriage for my daughter? Please, don't say anything like that."

If Madam Zhang initially treated Zhao Ruyu out of consideration for Zhao Ruxi and Zhao Yuanxun, now she genuinely wants to be good to Zhao Ruyu.