EFB Chapter 318 Casual Chat
Chapter 318 Casual Chat
On the male side, the Crown Prince naturally sat in the main seat.
Wen Zongjing was somewhat nervous when he first met the Crown Prince.
He passed the imperial examination by sheer luck, but his ranking was very low, and he failed to become a probationary official. With the help of Wen Chuanhong, he went to the Ministry of Rites to serve as a probationary official.
Seeing the Crown Prince at this moment, he felt somewhat uneasy.
Although this is a common tactic used by many powerful families, the Crown Prince did not care about such a trivial matter.
Wen Zongjing felt a little uneasy.
After sitting down, he ate his food in silence, no longer as lively and talkative as before.
Wen Zongji and Wen Chuanhong sat on either side of the Crown Prince.
Wen Zongji raised his glass in a toast: "Thank you, Your Highness, and everyone else, for attending Rui'er's first birthday celebration."
Everyone clinked glasses together.
After they finished their drinks, Wen Zongren laughed and said, "You're too polite. We're all family, there's no need for thanks."
Wu Fengyuan laughed and said, "Yes, yes, although we have different fathers and mothers, we can still be family."
Strictly speaking, he was the only outsider here.
"It's a pity we both had sons, otherwise we could have arranged a marriage between our children."
Wen Zongji was speechless. Why do people in this era like to arrange marriages between children?
Pei Rujing had told him about Zuo Mingxuan's desire to arrange a marriage between their children.
Unlike his usual serious demeanor, the Crown Prince said with a relaxed expression, "There's no rush for the marriage. Rui-ge'er picked up a calligraphy brush today, so you must supervise his studies more in the future and strive to help him surpass his parents."
Wen Zongji said helplessly, "It was just an accident. Rui-ge'er is still young, and I don't plan to push him too hard before he turns six."
This is not because he spoils his children. Children under six years old don't remember much, and even when they start school, their memory isn't at its best.
Since that's the case, instead of wasting time, it's better to let him enjoy his childhood and focus on his studies after he turns six.
Wen Zongren was inexplicably implied, but he glanced at Wen Zongji and said nothing.
Rui Ge'er is Wen Zongji's son, so naturally it was Wen Zongji who decided how to arrange Rui Ge'er's studies.
The crown prince nodded upon hearing this: "Six years old is not too late."
They were all educated people, and they knew very well that if you were good at reading, it didn't really matter whether you started reading at six or eight years old.
"Then bring Rui-ge'er to the palace more often, whether there's a reason or not. Father Emperor likes him very much."
That way, I won't have to keep urging him about his marriage.
The Crown Prince was helpless; even the Empress was less anxious than Emperor Shun'an.
I wonder what Emperor Shun'an is so anxious about.
Having a grandson isn't something you can just rush.
Wen Zongji replied, "Your humble servant will discuss this with the county princess."
The Crown Prince nodded, then turned to Wen Chuanhong and said, "Lord Zhongyong, the Ministry of Rites deserves much credit for the successful conclusion of this imperial examination. You have worked hard."
The Minister of Rites was Han Shize, but he was busy managing the cabinet and didn't have much energy to oversee the Ministry of Rites. All the affairs of the Ministry of Rites were handled by Wen Chuanhong.
This imperial examination was naturally also presided over and arranged by Wen Chuanhong.
Wen Chuanhong said, "It is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Your Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery family is all outstanding. If all the civil and military officials were as dedicated to serving the court as you are, Father Emperor would have a much easier time."
Wen Chuanhong lowered his head slightly and did not answer.
Like Wen Zongjing, Jiao Yansong didn't speak, but just ate quietly.
But he kept an eye on everything at the dinner table.
At the dinner table, apart from the Crown Prince, Wen Chuanhong was clearly the one with the highest status.
However, it was obvious to the naked eye that the Crown Prince and Wen Zongji had a better relationship, which was clearly evident in their tone of voice and demeanor.
No wonder there are rumors that Wen Zongji is highly regarded by the Crown Prince.
This is not just a rumor!
Jiao Yansong's gaze deepened. He thought he had overestimated Wen Zongji's potential as much as possible, but now it seemed he had underestimated it.
Having gained the Crown Prince's trust, as long as Wen Zongji continues to work steadily and surely, he is almost certain to enter the cabinet.
The marriage he entered into by accident seemed a little too good.
Thinking of this, Jiao Yansong turned to look at Wen Shuyu.
Wen Shuyu was serving food to Aunt Chen, speaking softly to ease Aunt Chen's tension.
Her delicate face was adorned with a smile, exuding elegance and gentleness.
Compared to Wen Shuxuan beside her, she only lacked a bit of maturity.
Wen Shuyu seemed to notice Jiao Yansong's gaze and turned to look at him.
The two exchanged a glance, then casually looked away.
Pei Rujing and Wen Shuxuan happened to witness this scene.
The two blinked, thinking that this was the first time they had ever seen such a calm engaged couple.
The key point is that Jiao Yansong's calmness is understandable; after all, he is a man.
Wen Shuyu used to be a shy person, but in the past two years, she has become much more dignified and composed due to her experiences. However, she was nervous and a little shy when she came to discuss marriage.
When the engagement actually happened, she became even more composed, not at all like someone about to get married.
Wen Shuxuan looked at Pei Rujing.
Pei Rujing shook her head gently, indicating that she didn't understand either.
Why didn't Zhao Hongrong come with his younger sister?
When Pei Rujing invited Wen Shuxuan, she thought Zhao Hongrong would come along too.
Wen Shuxuan said, "I was afraid of spoiling my sister-in-law's fun, so I didn't let him come along."
"Does he listen to you?"
"He was afraid of his brothers."
The beating Zhao Hongrong received after being put in a sack left him with considerable psychological trauma.
In the past two years, apart from accompanying Wen Shuxuan to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence during the Lunar New Year, he has never gone near the residence at other times.
Pei Rujing sneered: "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."
The eldest princess glared at her: "Watch your words, what are you talking about, ghosts and all that?"
Then she looked at Rui Ge'er and said softly, "Rui Ge'er, don't be afraid."
Pei Rujing looked speechless: "Mother, Rui-ge'er still doesn't understand."
The eldest princess said, "It's always good to pay more attention. Children are easily frightened, and sometimes you can't even find the reason. Don't take it lightly."
What could Pei Rujing say? "...Mother, I understand."
Pei Rujing lost interest in talking about Zhao Hongrong with Wen Shuxuan, and the conversation abruptly ended.
……
The baby's first birthday celebration was lively all day long. After Wen Zongji saw everyone off, the county princess's mansion finally returned to quiet.
Rui Ge'er has already been taken back to his room to sleep by his wet nurse.
After taking a bath, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing lay in bed, talking about what had happened that day.
"No matter what, the fact that Rui-ge grabbed the calligraphy brush has a good meaning. Granny has already told Qinghe to put the brush away, and when Rui-ge grows up and goes to school, he can use that brush."
A calligraphy brush that can be used as a first birthday gift must be of good quality and is definitely qualified to be used as a calligraphy brush for Rui Ge'er.
Wen Zongji asked, "What should we do with the Emperor's seal?"
Pei Rujing casually said, "Just put it away. It's a first birthday gift from your uncle to Rui-ge'er."
Although it was meant to be used as part of the baby's first birthday celebration, there was no reason for Emperor Shun'an to take back something he had sent out.
Therefore, when the crown prince left, he didn't mention the seal at all.
Wen Zongji nodded: "Alright, then have someone put it away."
All the gifts received today are for Rui Ge'er. They will keep them safe for him and give them to him in the future.