20demayo Chapter 76 Wen Zongji: I underestimated the county princess
Chapter 76 Wen Zongji: I underestimated the county princess
Wen Zongji and his group met at the gate of the mansion, and the two carriages drove out of Tianjing Lane, where the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion was located.
Wen Shuyu and Aunt Chen rode in the same carriage, their excitement never subsiding from the moment they left the mansion.
"Auntie, it's so lively outside!"
Even before entering the bustling city center, Wen Shuyu was already incredibly excited just seeing the crowds of people coming and going on the street.
She had never left the manor since she was a child, always confined to the Marquis's residence, or rather, to the small world of the Jade Pavilion. She was really feeling too stifled.
Everything outside the mansion was new to her.
She is interested in even ordinary flowers and plants.
Aunt Chen, however, wasn't as excited as she was; instead, she seemed a little uneasy: "Why didn't Zongji say that the county princess would be coming with us?"
Aunt Chen was actually somewhat intimidated by Pei Rujing.
She knew that Pei Rujing hadn't gone to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the Marquis since she married into the Marquis's household.
Before serving Wen Chuanhong, Aunt Chen was Jiang's maid, and she was very familiar with Jiang's methods.
Although kind and benevolent, she was not lacking in cunning; the entire inner quarters of the Marquis's mansion were under Jiang's control.
Despite being a favored concubine for so many years, Aunt Zhou never managed to get anything out of Jiang Shi.
However, after Pei Rujing married into the Marquis's mansion, no rules were established for her, yet Madam Jiang never uttered a single complaint.
Aunt Chen was not very knowledgeable. In her mind, Madam Jiang was an insurmountable mountain, but Pei Rujing easily climbed over that mountain.
Aunt Chen felt from the bottom of her heart that Pei Rujing was not someone to be trifled with.
Wen Shuyu took Chen Yiniang's arm and said, "Sister-in-law is very well, Auntie, there's no need to be so nervous."
Wen Shuyu had clearly forgotten how reserved and cautious she had been in front of Pei Rujing.
Aunt Chen's anxiety could not be alleviated by Wen Shuyu's few words.
The carriage slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Changxing Street.
Wen Zongji helped Pei Rujing down from the carriage.
On the other side, Aunt Chen and her daughter Wen Shuyu also stepped off the carriage.
Wen Shuyu pulled Aunt Chen over and said, "Brother, sister-in-law, there are so many people here."
Aunt Chen took a deep breath, not wanting to embarrass Wen Zongji, and forced a smile as she looked at Pei Rujing: "Princess."
Pei Rujing said gently, "My husband specially brought his concubine out today, so you must have a good time."
She can't be affectionate, but she can easily put on a nice face.
The county magistrate is not a firecracker; she doesn't dislike everyone.
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "The county princess is right, aunt should have a good look around."
After saying that, the group walked into Changxing Street together, with Qinghe and the others following behind. The guards of the Marquis's Mansion stood guard on both sides, alert to any potential dangers.
It was Wen Shuyu's first time leaving the mansion. She was so excited at first, but she became so timid after entering the crowd. She clung tightly to Aunt Chen, afraid of being separated from her by the crowd.
On the contrary, seeing Pei Rujing's gentle attitude, Aunt Chen's anxiety dissipated, and she was able to concentrate more on appreciating the everyday life of the city.
Seeing Wen Shuyu's nervousness, Aunt Chen took her hand and tried to distract her: "These hairpins are quite nice, see if there's anything you want?"
When leaving the mansion this time, Aunt Chen made sure to bring all her savings with her.
I can't afford anything too expensive, but I can afford the hairpins at this stall.
Pei Rujing and Wen Zongji lagged behind them. Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing wanted to step forward.
Wen Zongji pulled her back and whispered, "What does the county princess want to do?"
Pei Rujing said, "What good things could there be in the hairpins here? I'll take them to Jinmantang."
Jinmantang is a famous jewelry shop in Beijing!
Wen Zongji had guessed this, which is why he stopped her: "I brought my aunt and younger sister out shopping so they could relax and unwind. Shopping is fun; if the county princess arranges all of this, what fun will they have left?"
"The county princess has already given Jade Pavilion many gifts, so there's no need to buy anything else. Let's just stroll around casually, and when we get tired, we can find a place to sit down and rest. Isn't that nice?"
Pei Rujing was only willing to treat Aunt Chen and her daughter better because of Wen Zongji, so she didn't insist after Wen Zongji stopped her.
Over there, Wen Shuyu quickly took a liking to a hairpin.
Wen Zongji glanced at Chang Dong.
Chang Dong understood and immediately went to pay the bill.
Aunt Chen, who was a step too late, said, "...I'll take care of it."
Wen Zongji said, "I promised my little sister I would give her a hairpin. Auntie can't make me go back on my word, can she?"
Aunt Chen had no choice but to give up.
The group continued walking, and Wen Shuyu was interested in everything.
There were puppet carvers, sugar figurine makers, and magicians—
All of these things made Wen Shuyu stop and look.
But what attracts her most is juggling.
Seeing those high-impact acrobatic performances like washing hands in boiling oil and breaking stones on their chests, Wen Shuyu watched intently and couldn't help but ask Wen Zongji, "Are their bodies made of iron? How come they're completely unharmed?"
Pei Rujing chuckled: "Little sister, don't you know that all juggling is fake? It's just an illusion."
Wen Shuyu asked in confusion, "But I can't see any flaws."
Knowing it's a smokescreen, but unable to find any flaws, one can't help but suspect it's real.
Wen Zongji said, "These are all the methods people use to make a living. If you can see through their tricks, they won't be able to keep their jobs."
Wen Shuyu frowned: "I'm just curious."
Aunt Chen looked at her helplessly: "You're just too curious."
Even after they had finished watching the acrobatic performance and moved away from the troupe, Wen Shuyu was still thinking: "Breaking a boulder on one's chest can be done skillfully on a rock, but what about washing hands in boiling oil? That's real oil, and the boiling appearance can't be faked."
"Be careful!"
Because she was distracted, Wen Shuyu almost bumped into someone, but luckily Aunt Chen caught her in time.
Wen Shuyu was startled and quickly pulled her scattered thoughts back.
Wen Zongji said, "Little sister, the things you're curious about are all in books. Read more books, and you'll always find the answers."
Wen Shuyu nodded: "Okay."
Pei Rujing raised an eyebrow at Wen Zongji and whispered, "You're really good at lying."
Wen Zongji defended himself: "I didn't lie. These tricks of acrobatic troupes have been passed down from generation to generation. Who knows, some travelogue might have written about these things."
It's just hard to find.
Wen Shuyu had nothing much to do at home, so reading more books wouldn't hurt.
Pei Rujing rolled her eyes at him: "Have you ever found it?"
"certainly."
Pei Rujing looked at him suspiciously: "Really?"
Wen Zongji smiled but remained silent.
I don't believe it.
"There's nothing I can do about that."
"When we get back home, you'll perform for me."
Taking the opportunity, Wen Zongji made a demand: "Other acrobatic troupes get paid for their performances, what do I get?"
Pei Rujing said, "I'll give you a tip too."
"I don't want any reward money."
"What do you want?"
Wen Zongji asked meaningfully, "What does the county princess think?"
Pei Rujing, who had already been corrupted by Wen Zongji, understood almost instantly. She subconsciously looked around and said in embarrassment and anger, "Are you crazy! We're outside."
"I didn't say anything about doing anything outside," Wen Zongji said, looking at her with amusement. "I underestimated you, Princess."
Pei Rujing: "..."
I just want to hit someone.