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

Chapter 16 Wen Shuyu delivers a purse

When Granny Feng arrived at the main courtyard, Madam Zhong was playing there with Wen Ge'er.

Granny Feng then presented the prepared bird's nest and conveyed Pei Rujing's invitation.

"Seeing that the county princess was bored, the son-in-law got her a little gadget called mahjong. It requires four people to play. The county princess would like to invite the madam and the heir's wife to Yun Guang Courtyard to play mahjong together. Is the madam free?"

Jiang looked up at the sun. It was truly as if the sun had risen in the west. Pei Rujing had actually invited them?

"I happen to have some free time today, so I'll go over with my eldest son in a bit."

After receiving the reply, Granny Feng left the main courtyard.

Madam Zhong handed Wen Ge'er to the wet nurse: "Mother-in-law, what is the county princess trying to do?"

Madam Zhong, who had been a bride herself, was truly surprised that Pei Rujing hadn't observed any proper etiquette whatsoever. She didn't even pretend to be proper. She had been married for a month and hadn't shown her face except for the day she paid her respects.

There were all sorts of opinions about this county princess within the prefecture.

Some say she's ill-mannered, that the new bride doesn't even know how to serve her parents-in-law.

Some say she was unsociable; despite marrying a son of a concubine, she didn't manage affairs in the household and stubbornly stayed in Yunguang Courtyard, never stepping out and never interacting with anyone.

Of course, regardless of which version of events is used, the fact that Princess Anhe is not someone to be trifled with is universally acknowledged throughout the Marquis's residence.

Madam Jiang was quite open-minded: "Go to Yunguang Courtyard and you'll find out what she's up to. You're sisters-in-law, it's always good for you to visit each other more often."

Zhong nodded, but in his heart he was thinking of letting nature take its course.

Pei Rujing was of higher status than her, but she married Wen Zongren, the heir of a marquis's family, while Pei Rujing only married a concubine's son. Wen Zongji was no match for Wen Zongren at all.

Moreover, Madam Zhong had already given birth to the eldest grandson of the household, and her position was as secure as could be. She had no intention of currying favor with Pei Rujing.

……

Yunguangyuan

The first person to arrive at Yunguang Academy was Wen Shuyu, who came as soon as she received the invitation.

Entering the inner room, Wen Shuyu found only Pei Rujing there, and felt a pang of fear: "Hello, sister-in-law. Where is my brother?"

She brought a purse she wanted to give to Wen Zongji.

Pei Rujing leaned back on the couch and gestured for her to sit down: "Your brother is reading in the study. Sit down for a while. When your mother-in-law and sister-in-law arrive, I'll teach you how to play mahjong."

She was too lazy to teach them one by one, so she preferred to wait until everyone was together and play together, just like Wen Zongji had taught them. They could learn in a couple of rounds and then they would be good to go.

Being alone with Pei Rujing made Wen Shuyu even more uneasy. Her delicate face was slightly lowered, and she only dared to steal glances at Pei Rujing.

Qinghe served tea: "Second Miss, please have some tea."

Wen Shuyu whispered her thanks: "Thank you."

Qinghe repeatedly said, "Second Miss, please don't be so kind to this servant."

Wen Shuyu pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.

After drinking tea for a while, no one spoke in the room. Wen Shuyu felt uneasy and couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, may I go see my brother?"

Although the original owner had a bad attitude towards Wen Shuyu, the two were siblings after all, and Wen Shuyu naturally relied on Wen Zongji.

Pei Rujing readily agreed and gestured to Dongxiu, "Take the second young lady to see the young master."

"Yes."

Dongxiu came out and led Wen Shuyu to see Wen Zongji.

Upon seeing Wen Shuyu, Changdong, who was waiting outside the study, immediately went inside to report.

Wen Zongji put down his brush: "Let Shuyu in."

Wen Shuyu entered the study and saw that Wen Zongji's desk was covered with open books and sheets of paper filled with writing. She paused, then asked, "Have I disturbed you, brother?"

Wen Zongji shook his head, stood up, and said, "I've been reading for a long time and was just about to take a break. Have you greeted the County Princess?"

Wen Shuyu nodded: "My sister-in-law asked me to play something called mahjong with her. I've never heard of it before."

"It's a new thing. If you like it, spend more time playing with the county princess."

From any perspective, there's no harm in getting closer to Pei Rujing.

Wen Shuyu didn't say much upon hearing this, but took out a purse that she had embroidered for a long time, and presented it to Wen Zongji, saying somewhat shyly, "This is a purse for my brother."

Wen Zongji took the purse. He had been engrossed in his studies these past few days and had almost forgotten about the purse.

But there was nothing unusual in front of him. He simply took off his old purse and put on the new one, sincerely praising, "Little sister's needlework is really good. It just so happens that my purse is also old."

Wen Shuyu felt a surge of excitement at having her feelings appreciated, and she lowered her head to secretly smile: "I'm glad my brother likes it."

Having accomplished her primary goal, Wen Shuyu obediently said, "I'll go keep my sister-in-law company and won't disturb my brother's studies."

Wen Zongji pulled Wen Shuyu back: "Wait a minute."

Wen Shuyu asked in confusion, "Elder brother?"

Wen Zongji laughed and said, "My little sister embroidered a purse for me, so I can't just leave without giving anything in return. Whatever my little sister wants, I'll have Changdong go out of the manor to buy it for you."

Wen Shuyu's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but worried about troubling Wen Zongji, she said something she didn't mean: "I don't want it."

Looking at his overly obedient younger sister, Wen Zongji patted her head with heartache: "It's alright. I often arrange for Changdong to go out of the mansion to buy things. Bringing you things is just a side thing."

Wen Shuyu stopped refusing and said shyly, "Brother, could you ask Changdong to buy some books for me?"

"What kind of books does my little sister like to read?"

I enjoy reading celebrity biographies and various travelogues.

Wen Shuyu also reads books to pass the time.

Wen Zongji nodded: "I've got it."

Wen Shuyu left the study happily.

Wen Zongji called Chang Dong in, told him Wen Shuyu's request, and added, "Young ladies all love beauty. After you buy the book, go to the jewelry shop and buy a hairpin for the second young lady."

"Yes."

Changdong loved doing these kinds of errand-running jobs; once he received an order, he left without saying a word.

Wen Zongji looked at An Feng: "Keep an eye on the main house. If anything happens, tell me immediately."

Pei Rujing's temper was unpredictable, and when she got angry, she wouldn't care about anyone. But Jiang Shi was her legal mother, and no matter what, Pei Rujing couldn't get the upper hand in front of her.

"Yes, young master."

the other side

When Wen Shuyu returned to the main room, she found that Madam Jiang and Madam Zhong had already arrived.

She quickly greeted them, saying, "Shuyu greets Mother and Sister-in-law."

Jiang was surprised that Pei Rujing had also invited Wen Shuyu. After a moment of surprise, she said, "Shuyu is here too. Please sit down. Let the county magistrate teach us how to play mahjong."

Pei Rujing called everyone to gather and then began teaching them how to play mahjong.

None of them were stupid. Pei Rujing led them through a few instructional games, and they quickly understood how to play mahjong.

Jiang became interested: "I never imagined that this little mahjong set could be so interesting. Did Zongji come up with this?"

Wen Shuyu, unaware that the mahjong game was orchestrated by Wen Zongji, looked at Pei Rujing in surprise: "Third Brother did this?"

Pei Rujing nodded: "He said it was to cheer me up, but I don't know where he got that idea from."

She was playing with a red tile in her hand. When she learned that this mahjong set was made by Wen Zongji himself, she found it more and more pleasing to the eye. When the maids were tidying up the mahjong set, she told them to be careful.

Madam Zhong glanced at Pei Rujing, who seemed calm, and said enviously, "I never thought my third brother could be so considerate."

Wen Zongren was kind and polite, and devoted himself to his official career. He was eager to take on the responsibilities of the Marquis's mansion. After returning home, he would only ask a few questions about Wen Ge'er, and then stay in the study until very late.

Madam Zhong had forgotten how long it had been since she had a quiet conversation with Wen Zongren.

Madam Jiang laughed and said, "Men are all like that. Once they get married, they learn many things on their own."

It now seems that this once taciturn illegitimate son is actually quite shrewd and knows how to please Princess Anhe.