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

Chapter 146 A Pair of Bad Friends

Yuan Tianxi came to the Beijing News Office early this morning to sign the contract.

Yao Maofang was worried that he wouldn't be able to get into the Tongzhengshi Si Yamen (Office of Transmission), so he specially arranged for a minor official from the Jingbao Si (Office of the Capital Gazette) to wait at the entrance.

Upon meeting Yuan Tianxi, they led him to the Beijing Gazette Office.

Yao Maofang handed the drafted contract to Yuan Tianxi: "I have long admired Mr. Yuan's name. It is an honor to meet you today."

Although one was an official and the other a commoner, Yuan Tianxi was renowned, and Yao Maofang couldn't really put on airs in front of him.

Yuan Tianxi lowered his head and carefully examined the contract: "I am just an ordinary commoner, unworthy of such praise from you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Yao Maofang's lips twitched, feeling that his words were very perfunctory.

However, the two were complete strangers with no real connection, so a few simple pleasantries were enough to maintain appearances.

Yuan Tianxi's attention was focused on the contract. He read it through from beginning to end, and after confirming that there were no traps, he signed his name.

Yao Maofang put away the contract that Yuan Tianxi had signed and said, "Mr. Yuan, the master is waiting for you in the office."

Yuan Tianxi then followed Yao Maofang to Wen Zongji's office.

Wen Zongji stood up to greet him: "Mr. Yuan, this is your desk for reviewing manuscripts."

He pointed to the desk next to him and introduced it to Yuan Tianxi.

This desk was recently moved in by Wen Zongji and is placed to the left of his desk.

Yuan Tianxi was, after all, a renowned Confucian scholar, and it wouldn't be appropriate to have him share an office with others.

Yuan Tianxi was taken aback: "Is my review of manuscripts required at the Beijing Newspaper Office?"

He wasn't an employee of the Beijing Newspaper Bureau; strictly speaking, he was just cooperating with them.

The Beijing Daily paid him a fee, and he used his fame and talent to endorse the Beijing Daily.

Wen Zongji said, "Of course not. Most of the time, Mr. Yuan can review the manuscript at home. It's only in the last few days of finalizing the manuscript that we need to discuss together where revisions are needed."

Yuan Tianxi suddenly realized: "I see."

"I am very pleased that Mr. Yuan is willing to cooperate with the Beijing Gazette Bureau. I invite Mr. Yuan to Wangchunlou for drinks at noon today. It will surely be the best wine."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tianxi's appetite was immediately whetted, but he said modestly, "Lord Wen is too kind."

"Of course," Wen Zongji pointed to the desk, "There's still some time before noon, Mr. Yuan can take a look at the articles we've selected and see if any of them catch your eye."

"it is good."

With good wine to keep him entertained, Yuan Tianxi was very motivated and started reviewing the manuscript without saying a word.

Yao Mao took his leave of Wen Zongji and departed.

Wen Zongji returned to his desk and sat down, where he also began reviewing manuscripts.

He was responsible for reviewing the content that would be published in the political section. This part was the most important, and every word had to be reviewed by Wen Zongji to ensure there were no problems before it could be approved. Wen Zongji dared not be perfunctory in this regard.

The two didn't disturb each other and were completely absorbed in reviewing the manuscript, so time passed quickly.

When Wen Zongji noticed the soreness in his neck, he looked up and glanced outside, only to realize that it was almost noon.

He was stunned for a moment, not expecting time to pass so quickly. He turned to look at Yuan Tianxi and saw that he was still reading the article intently.

Wen Zongji stood up and walked to Yuan Tianxi, saying, "Mr. Yuan."

Yuan Tianxi looked up blankly, clearly still lost in thought about reviewing the manuscript.

Wen Zongji smiled and said, "It's getting late, we should head to Wangchun Tower."

Wangchun Tower?

liqueur?

Yuan Tianxi's brain immediately equated the two things, and he stood up: "Okay, let's go... these articles?"

Wen Zongji said, "I will have someone send them to the Yuan residence. I would like to ask Mr. Yuan to select the best one and give his comments. Of course, if he is not satisfied with any of them, there is no need to select. There will be new articles submitted in the future, and I believe that there will be one that will satisfy Mr. Yuan."

Yuan Tianxi nodded: "I read a few articles. The language and wording are full of youthful vigor and high spirits. It's a kind of youthful spirit that I haven't seen in a long time. It really makes me nostalgic."

The two walked out of the office together.

Wen Zongji said, "Mr. Yuan is only thirty years old; he's still a young man."

In later generations, this age would be considered the prime of a man's life.

Yuan Tianxi became famous too early and experienced a series of events, including becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, alcoholism, trouble-making, and being dismissed from his post. These things wore down his spirit and made him look much more weathered.

Yuan Tianxi smiled and said, "Lord Wen is really good at comforting people... But I was just expressing my feelings. I'm quite satisfied with myself now."

Many things are in the past, and Yuan Tianxi is not one to dwell on the past.

"Mr. Yuan is magnanimous!"

As they talked, they arrived at the entrance of the yamen. Wen Zongji invited Yuan Tianxi to get into his carriage and go to Wangchun Tower together.

Wangchun Tower

Wen Zongqi waved his hand and said, "Second Brother Fang, it's my treat today. Eat and drink as you please."

Fang Sichu glanced at him disdainfully: "Don't think I don't know your mother restricts your allowance. How much money do you have?"

Wen Zongqi immediately deflated: "Are we still friends? How could you undermine me like this?"

"Because if I don't tell you, and you can't come up with the money later, won't I be the one paying?"

Wen Zongqi, shameless as ever, chuckled and said, "Why bother distinguishing between you and me?"

Both came from noble families, had known each other since childhood, and had always been good friends.

However, the Marquis of Yong'an was different from the Marquis of Zhongyong. The Marquis of Yong'an was not a founding noble, so his family's title had not yet reached the point of being cut off after five generations.

The pressure on the Yong'an Marquis's mansion was not as great as that on the Zhongyong Marquis's mansion.

Logically speaking, Wen Zongqi, who was burdened with the pressure of his family, should have been determined to study hard and revitalize the family.

But Wen Zongqi was just too heartless and decided to lie down from the beginning, not wanting to feel any pressure at all.

Fang Sichu has a capable older brother, but he himself is not an ambitious person.

So, they happily gave up.

The two of them have basically given up on each other.

Fang Sichu pushed away Wen Zongqi's large face that was close to her: "In the past, we didn't need to distinguish so carefully, but things are different now."

"What's the difference?"

Fang Sichu straightened his collar, coughed lightly, and said smugly, "I'm getting engaged."

"engagement?"

Wen Zongqi's eyes widened: "Are you crazy? Why would you be so foolish as to jump into a fire pit?"

It was precisely because he didn't want to get married that Jiang restricted his allowance.

Fang Sichu said, "It's time to get married. Besides, Miss Zuo is a very nice girl. We get along well, and she doesn't mind that I'm not ambitious."

"Miss Zuo?"

Wen Zongqi was completely stunned: "The Grand Secretary's granddaughter?"

Fang Sichu nodded.

"Fang Er, you're finished!"

Fang Sichu frowned: "What's wrong?"

"Miss Zuo and my third sister-in-law are good friends. My third sister-in-law has my third brother completely under her thumb. You can imagine what your future holds."

Wen Zongqi grinned wickedly, his gaze toward Fang Sichu filled with schadenfreude.

Fang Sichu didn't care: "What's the big deal? I'm a man, what's wrong with giving way to her?"

Wen Zongqi shuddered immediately: "Those words make me feel terrible. No, you've hurt my fragile heart, you have to buy me a drink to make it up to me."

Fang Sichu was speechless: "...You really know how to seize every opportunity."

Should we invite them or not?

"please!"

Fang Sichu gritted her teeth.