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

Chapter 15 New Mahjong Partners

Yunguangyuan

The snow outside had mostly melted, and the sun hung in the sky, bringing a touch of warmth.

The sound of banging could be heard from inside the main room from time to time.

"Eighty thousand!"

"I won!"

Pei Rujing pushed the cards over, the joy of winning gone from her face.

Granny Feng was too old to play with Pei Rujing, so it was only Qinghe and a few other maids who kept her company.

But after she got past the beginner stage, Pei Rujing became more and more skilled at the game, while the maids won less and less.

Pei Rujing always wins, so it doesn't feel as interesting anymore.

I glanced at the sky outside; it was already lunchtime.

Pei Rujing looked at Granny Feng and said, "Granny, go and ask him if he's coming over for lunch."

Granny Feng smiled and left.

Although it is unknown how Wen Zongji coaxed Pei Rujing that day, their relationship visibly improved. Every day, Pei Rujing would have someone ask Wen Zongji if he would be coming back for a meal.

Pei Rujing never cared about these things before; on the contrary, she felt more comfortable being alone.

On the other side, Wen Zongji put down his book, rubbed his throbbing forehead, and once again admired the scholars of ancient times.

It's amazing that they can memorize so many books.

Wen Zongji has never liked things that require rote memorization. If it weren't for the original owner's memories, Wen Zongji wouldn't know how much he would have suffered.

Standing by the window, I feel the warm sunshine and lazily stretch.

An Feng walked in and asked, "Young Master, Granny Feng has been sent to ask if you will be having lunch in the main room?"

Wen Zongji smiled slightly upon hearing this. His little wife wasn't so heartless after all; she already knew to care about his meals.

"I'll be there in a bit."

"Yes."

An Feng went out to reply.

Upon receiving Wen Zongji's accurate reply, Granny Feng's smile deepened, and she instructed the kitchen to prepare more of Wen Zongji's favorite dishes and send them to the main room.

……

As it was almost time for dinner, Wen Zongji arrived at the main room and saw Pei Rujing lying listlessly on the table.

"Why aren't you playing mahjong?"

Wen Zongji had been teaching Pei Rujing how to play mahjong for half a month. A few days ago, when he came over for lunch, he saw that Pei Rujing was so engrossed in playing mahjong that she didn't want to eat.

Pei Rujing pouted: "Qinghe and the others are too stupid. Playing with them is always a losing game. It's no fun at all."

Wen Zongji couldn't help but laugh. He remembered when he first started teaching Pei Rujing, she was upset because she didn't win as much as Dongxiu. Today, she was bored because she won too much.

He really does have a childlike mindset, changing his mind every now and then.

"Why not just invite a few close friends over to hang out with you?"

Pei Rujing did not seem happy upon hearing this; instead, her eyes flickered.

Wen Zongji asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Granny Feng coughed lightly: "The county princess dislikes socializing, so..."

"oh--"

Being bad at socializing is obviously an excuse, but it's true that Pei Rujing didn't have any good friends.

Pei Rujing blushed slightly, but stubbornly said, "Some people approach me with ill intentions, and Mother told me to stay away from them."

Wen Zongji knew his young wife was proud, so he didn't tease her too much. He said, "If the county princess doesn't mind, you can ask Shuyu to come and play with you."

He didn't mention Aunt Chen. Aunt Chen was used to being cautious and timid, and she might not be able to let loose in front of Pei Rujing.

Upon hearing the name, Pei Rujing paused for a moment before realizing, "Your sister?"

Wen Zongji raised an eyebrow: "You've already forgotten about the purse you gave the county princess?"

Pei Rujing rolled her eyes at him: "This county princess has a very good memory, that's why I didn't forget. But having only your sister isn't enough."

"There are quite a few women in the mansion. If the county princess finds any of them pleasing to the eye, she may invite them to come and play."

Pei Rujing pondered, "Besides my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, there doesn't seem to be anyone else."

Although there were many women in the family, only Jiang and Zhong were truly favored by Pei Rujing. The other concubines were simply not good enough for her.

If Wen Shuyu weren't Wen Zongji's sister, Pei Rujing wouldn't have given her a second glance.

Wen Zongji didn't say anything and didn't interfere with the interactions between the women.

But Granny Feng's eyes lit up. She had always hoped that Pei Rujing's relationship with the other people in the Marquis's mansion could be improved.

Especially the Chiang family!

After all, the other party is the legal mother, and naturally possesses the greater right.

Granny Feng said, "It's cold in winter, and the Madam and the Heir Apparent's wife should both have time. Why don't you invite them, Princess?"

Ultimately, the desire to play prevailed, and Pei Rujing said, "Granny, after lunch, go to the main courtyard and Hongyi Courtyard."

Hongyi Temple was Wen Zongren's residence.

It was the largest courtyard in the entire inner residence, excluding the main courtyard. When Wen Zongren grew up, he moved into Hongyi Courtyard. At that time, Wen Chuanhong had not yet been appointed as the heir apparent, but everyone knew who would be the heir apparent.

Granny Feng replied, "Yes."

Having found a new mahjong partner, Pei Rujing's mood improved considerably. Her emotions were written all over her face, and Wen Zongji could tell at a glance.

It seems the young wife never considered or refused?

I don't know if she's just carefree or overconfident!

……

Jade Pavilion

Aunt Chen was sewing a robe for Wen Zongji, her expression gentle and earnest.

Wen Shuyu sat next to her, holding a book in her hands, but her attention was not on the book.

He glanced at Aunt Chen hesitantly, then glanced again…

Without even looking up, Aunt Chen said, "If you want to see your brother, just go to Yun Guang Courtyard."

Wen Shuyu pursed her lips: "My sister-in-law doesn't seem to like me very much."

Pei Rujing has been married into the family for a month, but the two sisters-in-law have only seen each other once, on the second day after their wedding.

Pei Rujing didn't even pay her respects to Madam Jiang or observe proper etiquette, let alone to Aunt Chen.

Aunt Chen looked at her daughter: "Didn't you want to give the embroidered purse to Zongji?"

Wen Shuyu took Wen Zongji's words of comfort to heart and carefully embroidered a bamboo leaf purse for him, but she has not yet given it to him because of her timidity and hesitation.

Aunt Chen knew that her son's attitude towards them was generally indifferent, and his gentle demeanor on the day he paid his respects was probably just for show for Princess Anhe.

But after all, he was her son whom she had carried for ten months. Aunt Chen had no resentment towards Wen Zongji. On the contrary, she felt that her status was a burden to Wen Zongji.

Seeing Wen Shuyu hesitate so much even when giving him a purse, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Just then, a maid came in to report, "Auntie, Sister Qinghe has arrived."

As Pei Rujing married into the Marquis's mansion, her head maids became known to everyone as people not to be trifled with.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Chen immediately stood up. Before she could even leave the room, Qinghe entered and said with a smile, "The palace bestowed some top-quality bird's nest upon the county princess. The county princess was thinking of you, so she sent me to deliver a box to you."

Aunt Chen was flattered and overwhelmed by the words: "This... thank you, County Princess."

She wanted to refuse, but then she thought, what if it was a gift from her son to show his filial piety? She couldn't bear to refuse, and after some hesitation, she accepted it.

Qinghe looked at Wen Shuyu beside her: "The county princess has acquired a new trinket and would like to invite the second young lady to Yunguang Courtyard to play together. I wonder if the second young lady is free?"

Wen Shuyu's eyes lit up instantly, and she turned to look at Aunt Chen. Although she didn't say anything, her eyes were full of anticipation.

Ultimately, she longed to be close to her sister-in-law.

Aunt Chen also hoped that Wen Shuyu could get closer to Pei Rujing: "She's a young lady, she doesn't have much to do, so she'll naturally have free time."

After saying that, he instructed Wen Shuyu: "Be sensible when you go to Yunguang Courtyard, and don't cause trouble for the county princess."

Wen Shuyu obediently replied, "I know, Auntie."