By a twist of fate, the illegitimate son of the Marquis's family marries the county princess.

Chapter 102 Casual Chat After Dinner

Returning home after duty

When Wen Zongji returned to Yunguang Courtyard, while the servants were setting out the meal, Pei Rujing told him about her visit to Ruijin Hall that day.

"I plan to use Xinya Garden as the venue for the judges' selection process."

Wen Zongji asked, "Isn't that a place where mahjong clubs gather?"

"It will only take a few days."

Pei Rujing was too lazy to find another house for the storytelling competition, especially since it was only for a few days, there was no need to specially set aside a house, and Xinya Garden was just right.

Big enough!

There are also enough rooms in the front yard.

At that time, we will put a few more desks in each room, and each room can accommodate five to ten judges. A dozen or so rooms will be enough.

Wen Zongji said, "There are only a few days left before the competition officially begins. Since the county magistrate has decided to use Xinya Garden, I will have Mao Zheng arrange for people to decorate Xinya Garden and make enough rooms."

"Genders are different. To avoid any accidents, it would be best to arrange male and female judges in different courtyards."

Pei Rujing nodded: "That's what I thought too. There are quite a few servants in Xinya Garden. We can have them guard the entrances of the two courtyards to prevent any clueless people from going to the wrong place."

"Let's do it this way."

After saying that, the two began their dinner.

After dinner, Pei Rujing took Wen Zongji for a walk.

In early April, the temperature in the evening was just right, with a cool breeze, which was very comfortable.

Although the sun has completely set, it is not yet completely dark and there is still light.

Walking on the path outside Yunguang Academy

Wen Zongji brought up the matter of meeting the Crown Prince today.

Pei Rujing was slightly taken aback: "Why did the Crown Prince summon you?"

"I wrote some essays for the palace examination, which the Crown Prince found quite interesting, so he summoned me to ask him about them."

Hearing that it had nothing to do with her, Pei Rujing immediately lost her curiosity: "The Crown Prince has always been like this. Although he is younger than me, he is dull and boring. When he was young, he was focused on studying. In recent years, he has been going to the cabinet to observe politics, and his mind has been on the government. My aunt has complained to me that the Crown Prince can't even go to Fengyi Palace to dine with her more than a few times a month."

Wen Zongji smiled and said, "For the crown prince to be so diligent is a blessing to the nation!"

Pei Rujing pouted: "You certainly know how to talk."

That's just how it is.

Pei Rujing said, "Although the Crown Prince is dull, he is steady and thoughtful in his dealings. As long as you don't make any mistakes, he won't do anything to you."

Wen Zongji found it somewhat amusing: "Couldn't it be because I'm exceptionally capable, and the Crown Prince favors me greatly?"

"sure."

Pei Rujing nodded: "I don't understand matters of the imperial court."

Wen Zongji choked, realizing that Pei Rujing had never cared about such things.

Pei Rujing took Wen Zongji's arm and said, "However, I am the Crown Prince's cousin. We grew up together and have a very special bond. If you have really made a mistake, I can plead for you, and the Crown Prince will give me face."

Wen Zongji smiled: "Then I'll thank you in advance, County Princess."

Pei Rujing said smugly, "So, don't make me angry, or you'll make me feel good."

"Feeling good?"

Wen Zongji raised an eyebrow: "Isn't the county princess satisfied enough? Perhaps she wants to celebrate her birthday early?"

Pei Rujing understood almost instantly, and she immediately became furious and embarrassed: "Wen Zongji!"

Wen Zongji deliberately misinterpreted the situation: "It seems the county princess doesn't want to celebrate her birthday, then we can postpone it in the future."

Pei Rujing was so angry she gritted her teeth and retorted, "Fine, if Mother asks again next time, I'll just say you don't want to."

Wen Zongji immediately deflated.

I almost forgot that there's still the powerful Princess above me!

Wen Zongji coughed lightly: "It was just a joke, Princess, why take it seriously?"

Pei Rujing snorted coldly, released her grip on his arm, and turned her head away from him.

Wen Zongji put his arm around her waist, bent down and whispered in her ear, "Princess, don't be angry. Tonight..."

Wen Zongji's tone was barely audible, but Pei Rujing heard it clearly. Her cheeks flushed slightly. She wanted to stay angry, but she couldn't resist Wen Zongji's temptation.

Male beauty can be a trap!

The atmosphere between the two was too ambiguous, and the maids dared not get too close.

A little further away

After having dinner with Madam Jiang, Wen Zongren and Madam Zhong returned to Hongyi Temple together and happened to witness this scene.

Wen Zongren casually remarked, "Third Brother and the County Princess seem to have a good relationship."

Having said that, he turned his gaze away and continued walking towards Kogi-in.

A gentleman does not look at what is improper!

He couldn't possibly pry into his younger brother and sister-in-law's private interactions.

Madam Zhong, however, followed behind Wen Zongren with envy in her eyes. Remembering Madam Jiang's instructions, she said, "Wen-ge'er said he missed his father during the day."

Wen Zongren paused. After three years of marriage, some things didn't need to be said too clearly. He knew that Madam Zhong was inviting him to stay in the main room tonight.

Wen Zongren frowned slightly, but still agreed: "Perfect timing, I've been missing Brother Wen too."

After the final assessment, Jiang mentioned to him that he only had one son, Wen Ge'er, which was far too few.

The Jiang family already had their eldest grandson, so they didn't care whether the next child born was born of the legitimate wife or a concubine, but they had to have one.

Wen Zongren carried the burden of family responsibilities, but he was not particularly interested in women.

But he also knew that it was not right to have only Wen Ge'er as a son, so he agreed when he heard what Zhong said.

Thinking of having children, Wen Zongren asked, "How many months has my third brother been married?"

Madam Zhong thought for a moment and said, "We got married last November, so it's been over four months now. What's wrong?"

We had Wen-ge'er just three months after we got married.

Zhong realized that Wen Zongren felt Wen Zongji should also have children.

Zhong said, "This is ultimately a matter for Yunguang Academy."

Neither Wen Chuanhong nor Jiang Shi said anything; as the eldest sister-in-law, she couldn't meddle in other people's business.

Wen Zongren nodded: "That's true."

He was just mentioning it casually; Wen Zongji is still young, so it's normal for him not to have any children for the time being.

Having children has always depended on fate.

……

Wen Zongji was naturally unaware that Wen Zongren was concerned about his offspring.

After another absurd night, Wen Zongji went to work at the Hanlin Academy as usual the next day.

It was another routine and boring day.

There are countless classic texts and historical materials to read.

After just a few days at the Hanlin Academy, Wen Zongji was convinced that he was not suited to be an academic talent. He could seclude himself to study for the imperial examinations, but he could not dedicate his life to academic research.

After finishing his shift, the shrewd and resourceful Wu Fengyuan organized a gathering, taking Lu Nian'an and Wen Zongji to Wangchunlou for drinks.

Wen Zongji sent An Feng back to inform Pei Rujing, so that she wouldn't have to wait for him for dinner.

Wu Fengyuan joked, "People who are married are just different."

Wen Zongji glanced at him: "Isn't Brother Wu almost there too?"

Wu Fengyuan was already engaged, and the six formalities had been completed; the wedding date had been set.

Wu Fengyuan smiled and said, "I would like to invite Brother Lu and Brother Wen to attend the ceremony."

"I will definitely go."

Lu Nian'an and Wen Zongji both agreed.

They were born in the same year and had a good relationship, so naturally they went to support each other.

After that, the topic turned to Lu Nian'an: "Brother Lu, do you have someone you admire?"

Lu Nian'an shook his head.

"After the parade through the streets, has no one come to propose marriage to Brother Lu?"

Lu Nian'an said, "Of course there is, but we just don't have the right fate."

In other words, Lu Nian'an was not satisfied.

Upon hearing this, the two wisely refrained from asking further questions.

After all, they were just colleagues, so they couldn't ask too many questions.