socalfunplaces Chapter 7 Gate
Chapter 7 Gate
Returning to the bride's parents' home on the third day after her wedding!
The third day after the wedding is the day the bride returns to her parents' home. Although Pei Rujing angered Madam Jiang, she still prepared a generous return gift.
After all, this concerns the reputation of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion and how much the mansion values Pei Rujing.
This is the advantage of having a mistress of the house. Wen Zongji didn't have to worry about the return visit gifts from beginning to end. When he set off the next day, the carriage carrying the return visit gifts followed behind him.
Inside the carriage
Seeing that Wen Zongji was still reading in the carriage, Pei Rujing, unusually concerned, asked, "Do you think you'll pass the imperial examination next year?"
Wen Zongji turned to the next page: "Until the results are announced, who dares to say they've definitely passed?"
Pei Rujing frowned: "A mere scholar like myself is not worthy of me!"
Wen Zongji: "I hope to pass the exam even more than the county magistrate."
"What time did you return to your room last night?"
"Late Hai hour? I wasn't paying much attention. Did I disturb the county princess?"
Wen Zongji remembered that when he returned to his room, Pei Rujing was already fast asleep, her breathing was light and steady, and it was clear that she was not pretending to be asleep.
He thought to himself that his little wife was really carefree; it was only the second night, and she could sleep so soundly, not afraid of what he might do.
Pei Rujing shook her head: "I will instruct the kitchen to stew ginseng soup for you every night from now on. If you keep staying up like this, your body will inevitably suffer. If you don't replenish it, I'm afraid you won't even be able to endure the nine-day imperial examination. When will you pass the exam?"
That's quite possible. The original owner of this body was not in good health. He fell ill after the provincial examination and it took him half a month to recover.
Wen Zongji was genuinely surprised by Pei Rujing's thoughtfulness.
Before Wen Zongji could even express his gratitude, Pei Rujing's delicate face turned cold, her expression turning fierce: "If you fail the imperial examination next year, you'll have to spit out all this ginseng soup just as you drank it!"
Wen Zongji: "...Princess, we are husband and wife."
Is it really necessary to be so heartless?
Pei Rujing scoffed, "If we weren't husband and wife, would I care whether you live or die?"
How could lips with a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius utter such cold words?
Seeing her like this, Wen Zongji couldn't help but ask, "Hasn't the county princess ever tried to refuse this marriage proposal?"
Although Pei Rujing's reputation was damaged by public opinion in the capital, she was clearly not entirely passive given her position.
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing was momentarily stunned, her face turning icy cold: "Who do you think you are? Don't think that just because we're married you can interfere in my affairs."
Wen Zongji's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had touched a nerve with his young wife. The delicate woman now seemed like a hedgehog covered in thorns.
As the atmosphere grew quiet, the two remained silent for the rest of the time.
Wen Zongji continued reading.
Pei Rujing looked out the car window at the bustling noise on the street.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped, and Granny Feng's voice rang out: "Princess, son-in-law, we have arrived at the Princess's residence."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji put down his books and got out of the carriage first. As soon as he looked up, he saw the four large characters "Princess's Residence".
With its high walls, vermilion gates and green tiles, and gilded bronze rings, one can feel its magnificence even without going inside.
Seeing Pei Rujing lift the carriage curtain, Wen Zongji extended his hand to her.
Pei Rujing didn't even look at him: "Qinghe!"
Qinghe quickly came over and helped Pei Rujing down from the carriage.
Ignored, Wen Zongji withdrew his hand with a normal expression.
Aunt Wan, who had been waiting at the door, exchanged a glance with Granny Feng upon seeing this scene.
Granny Feng shook her head with a wry smile.
Aunt Wan sighed inwardly, then greeted her with a smile: "The Princess got up early this morning to wait for the County Princess, and even instructed the kitchen to prepare the County Princess's favorite dishes."
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing's eyes immediately reddened, all traces of her sharpness vanished, and she pouted sweetly, saying, "Auntie, I miss my mother."
Even though she had only been gone for two days, it felt like an eternity.
Aunt Wan held Pei Rujing's hand tenderly: "Princess, don't cry, the Eldest Princess is waiting for you."
After saying that, Aunt Wan looked at Wen Zongji and said, "Young Master, the two young masters are here too."
The two young masters naturally refer to Pei Rujing's eldest brother, Pei Shizhao, and her second brother, Pei Shirong.
The princess's two sons were one a scholar and the other a warrior. The eldest son was only twenty-three years old, but he was already a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel.
Compared to Wen Zongren, who was still waiting for the final examination of the Hanlin Academy at the age of twenty-five, Pei Shizhao was far superior.
The second son, Pei Shirong, is the same age as Wen Zongji. He is currently training at the Five Armies Military Command, and his future prospects are not bad either.
Wen Zongji smiled gently: "I am preparing for next year's imperial examination. If I could get some guidance from you, elder brother, I would be more confident."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Wan couldn't help but glance at Wen Zongji again.
Long before the incident at the Duke of Anguo's mansion, the Eldest Princess had thoroughly investigated the original owner of this body.
The original owner was a bookworm, introverted, and not good at socializing. There wasn't much information about him, except perhaps the assessment that he was a decent student but mediocre and uninteresting.
Just now, Pei Rujing ignored Wen Zongji in public, showing him no respect whatsoever. Yet, Wen Zongji showed no sign of unease. When his two brothers-in-law were mentioned, he showed no inferiority or sycophancy.
This is clearly inconsistent with the intelligence.
Or perhaps they all underestimated Wen Zongji?
Aunt Wan's mind was racing, but she showed no sign of anything amiss. She invited Pei Rujing and Wen Zongji into the sedan chair that had been prepared in advance, and the sedan chair bearers carried them to the main hall.
Sitting in the sedan chair, Wen Zongji showed no nervousness whatsoever about meeting his mother-in-law. On the contrary, he even lifted the curtain to admire the scenery of the Princess's residence.
In October in the capital, most trees have already lost their leaves, leaving only dry branches. However, many evergreen trees are planted on both sides of the road in the Princess's residence, which retain a touch of green even in the cold winter.
Wen Zongji suspected that this was standard practice in every mansion, since the Marquis's mansion was no exception.
However, the Princess's residence was significantly larger than the Marquis's residence, and its decor was more luxurious and grand.
This is not a difference in whether one has money or not, but rather a matter of regulations. The regulations of a marquis's residence are clearly incomparable to those of the princess's residence.
This eldest princess was not only Emperor Shun'an's elder sister, but also the late emperor's only legitimate daughter, enjoying the highest level of imperial favor and status.
The sedan chair carriers were quite skilled; from the mansion gate all the way to the main hall in the front courtyard, Wen Zongji didn't feel any bumps along the long journey, but rather found it quite comfortable.
Upon arrival at their destination, the sedan bearers alighted from the sedan chair, Chang Dong lifted the curtain, and Wen Zongji stepped down.
"Mother!"
As soon as Pei Rujing got out of the sedan chair, she rushed forward with delight.
Wen Zongji looked in the direction of the sound and saw several people standing on the steps in front of him. The person in the lead was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had an air of nobility just by standing there.
This person is none other than the eldest princess!
The moment the princess saw Pei Rujing, a smile appeared on her face. She hugged Pei Rujing and said with concern, "Jing'er, my dear, I've missed you so much."
Pei Shirong, tall and imposing, stepped forward and leaned closer: "Little sister, have you been wronged? Just tell me, and your second brother will stand up for you."
These words were spoken to Pei Rujing, but Pei Shirong's gaze kept drifting towards Wen Zongji.