manynovel Chapter 137 might also be included.
Chapter 137 might also be included.
As it turns out, good luck doesn't always favor one person.
Wen Zongji wasn't very good at fishing to begin with, so it was perfectly normal for him to lose to Pei Rujing after losing his novice status.
Pei Rujing said smugly, "I'll pick out a few big fish; I'm going to have a whole fish feast tonight."
After saying that, she paused, turned to look at Wen Zongji, and said, "I'm going to have dinner on the ship before I go back."
Wen Zongji nodded: "I'll do as my wife says."
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing smiled even more sweetly and went over to take Wen Zongji's arm: "Husband, you had a lot of fun today."
She loved being with Wen Zongji like this.
As darkness fell, lanterns were lit throughout the pleasure boat, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene bathed in their glow.
At the same time, many more pleasure boats have appeared on this river, which should all be used for sightseeing.
The nights are not as hot as the days, and the river surface is much cooler than the shore.
Therefore, the cruise ships are especially crowded in the summer.
The pleasure boats were spaced out appropriately; the Su Chuan River was large enough to accommodate them, so there was no need for them to crowd together.
Pei Rujing, waiting for the whole fish feast, stood on the deck and pointed to the painted boats in the distance: "Why are all the lanterns on those painted boats red... It seems like there's more than one painted boat over there?"
Because it was too far away, Pei Rujing squinted and couldn't see clearly. She just noticed that among all the painted boats on the water, only that particular boat with red lanterns was very conspicuous.
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji's expression turned strange for a moment, then he feigned a puzzled look: "That's true. Why are there red lanterns hanging there?"
The steward explained, "Young master, madam, that's a pleasure boat."
Pei Rujing's expression changed instantly. She turned to look at Wen Zongji, scrutinizing him suspiciously: "Husband, do you really not know?"
Wen Zongji looked completely innocent: "My wife and I are both experiencing boating for the first time. How could we have ever seen a pleasure boat before?"
He had never seen a pleasure boat before, but he had heard of them and recognized them at first glance.
However, he knew Pei Rujing's personality all too well. If he dared to say that he knew about the pleasure boat, he wouldn't be able to have any peace and quiet today.
Pei Rujing's expression softened, but she still ordered, "Turn the ship around and return to the capital."
The steward replied, "Yes, madam."
Anyway, they'll be heading back after the whole fish feast, so this is just an early return trip.
After the steward left, Pei Rujing looked at Wen Zongji with a smile, but her tone was full of warning: "My husband should know what he should and shouldn't be curious about, right?"
Wen Zongji nodded quickly: "I'm only curious about my wife, I don't care about anything else."
Pei Rujing was satisfied and said sweetly, "You know what's good for you."
The main reason she trusted Wen Zongji so much was that Wen Zongji's conduct was indeed beyond reproach.
Before his marriage, Wen Zongji devoted himself to his studies and never went to any brothels.
After getting married, the two spent every day together, and Wen Zongji never strayed.
Given his good credit, Pei Rujing would habitually warn Wen Zongji, but she wouldn't really doubt him.
……
Eating the fish I caught myself, I felt that the chefs on the pleasure boat had improved their skills considerably.
After enjoying the fish feast, the pleasure boat approached the capital, so the two disembarked and planned to take a carriage back to the city.
But on the shore, they encountered Pei Shirong and... An Guanglu.
Wen Zongji was stunned for a moment. How did these two end up together?
He remembered that Pei Shirong had apparently beaten up An Guanglu.
The two men were also stunned when they saw Wen Zongji and his companion.
"Little sister?"
"Brother Wen."
Pei Rujing frowned: "Why are you two together?"
Pei Shirong came over and explained, "I was planning to go on the pleasure boat when I ran into him."
An Guanglu was somewhat intimidated by Pei Rujing, but looked at Wen Zongji and said, "The Beijing Gazette has recently gained a great reputation in the capital. Brother Wen, you have made such a great achievement so soon after taking charge of the Beijing Gazette Bureau. Congratulations!"
Wen Zongji cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Brother An."
An Guanglu failed the examination for the position of Shujishi, but through the connections of the Duke of Anguo, he has now obtained a formal position and is working in the Ministry of Revenue.
Pei Rujing made no attempt to hide her dislike for An Guanglu: "Second brother, don't get involved with this person, lest he corrupt you."
She remembered hearing Zuo Mingxuan mention An Guanglu, a man known for his womanizing ways, who practically lived in brothels, having patronized the most beautiful courtesans from several brothels.
He was the most popular patron of courtesans!
An Guanglu touched his nose, smiled awkwardly, and didn't dare to refute.
Pei Shirong said, "I know."
An Guanglu was in an even more awkward position.
These brother and sister really don't know how to save face for others.
Wen Zongji coughed lightly and pulled Pei Rujing, saying, "It's getting late, we should go back."
Pei Rujing nodded, then turned to look at Pei Shirong: "Second Brother, you're not planning to return to the city tonight?"
There was a curfew in the city, and by the time they had finished having fun, the city gates would have been closed long ago.
Pei Shirong nodded: "I'll stay at the estate outside the city tonight."
The Duke of Pei's mansion owns many properties and estates, so Pei Shirong is not in a situation where he cannot find a place to stay.
Pei Rujing nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Pei Shirong is not a child, and he is a martial artist, so Pei Rujing doesn't need to worry about him too much.
After saying goodbye to Pei Shirong, Pei Rujing and Wen Zongji got into the carriage and left.
An Guanglu looked at Pei Shirong: "Lord Pei, how about we..."
Pei Shirong took a step back: "My little sister told me to stay away from you and not come near me."
After saying that, Pei Shirong rushed onto the painted boat first.
An Guanglu laughed angrily: "Am I some kind of plague god?"
The servant standing to the side dared not speak.
An Guanglu shook his head irritably: "Forget it, let's go have some fun on the pleasure boat."
The entire Anguo Duke's mansion is now preoccupied with An Qingyan's marriage prospects, but An Qingyan doesn't seem to like any of them, making the atmosphere in the mansion quite tense.
An Guanglu was getting restless, so he went out to find some amusement.
Meeting Pei Shirong was indeed an accident, but he had no intention of antagonizing Pei Shirong and had hoped to ease tensions, but now it seems that's out of the question.
……
On the carriage
Pei Rujing said, "Second brother is out playing at this time, I'm afraid something has happened that's bothering him."
Wen Zongji was taken aback: "Why do you say that, my lady?"
"He's always been like this. When he's upset, he goes to stay at the manor outside the city and comes back after he's calmed down. Mother says that Second Brother seems carefree, but he only reports good news and never bad news. He never tells Mother about anything that makes him unhappy at the Duke of Pei's mansion."
"Why didn't you ask that, madam?"
Pei Rujing looked out the window: "Because Second Brother doesn't want to talk about it."
Wen Zongji remained silent and took Pei Rujing's hand.
"That……"
Pei Rujing said, "I'll go see my elder brother tomorrow; he'll definitely know."
Looking at Pei Rujing's profile, Wen Zongji suddenly realized that he didn't actually understand Pei Rujing that well.
She seemed arrogant and unrestrained, and didn't care about anything.
But her concern and understanding of her family was far deeper than he had imagined.
And now, he might be among them.