manynovel Chapter 106 The Actions of the Ministry of Personnel
Chapter 106 The Actions of the Ministry of Personnel
Princess's Residence
In the warm April sun, the princess was reclining, leisurely basking in the sunlight.
A servant hurried over: "Princess, the county princess and her husband have arrived outside the mansion."
The eldest princess immediately sat up straight: "Why didn't you send a message before you came?"
As she got up, she complained, "Jing'er is used to being mischievous, and Zongji seems quite composed, so why is he also being so reckless?"
Normally, Pei Rujing would return to the mansion alone, but this time she was with Wen Zongji. Logically, she should have informed the Princess's mansion in advance so that they could prepare how to entertain their son-in-law.
The eldest princess was caught completely off guard!
"Have the kitchen prepare more of Zongji's favorite dishes. Also, send someone to find Shizhao and Shirong and tell them to come over as soon as possible."
Auntie responded in the evening.
Lobby
Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing alighted from the sedan chair together. Pei Rujing quickly entered the house and threw herself into the arms of the Princess: "Mother~"
Wen Zongji cupped his hands and said, "Your son-in-law greets your mother-in-law."
The eldest princess nodded, then raised her hand and gently tapped Pei Rujing's forehead: "You, you've been married for so long, how can you still be so immature?"
Pei Rujing was completely bewildered: "Mother, what's wrong with me?"
"How can a woman take her husband to her parents' home without informing them beforehand?"
Upon hearing about this, Pei Rujing continued to cling to the Princess, saying, "My husband isn't an outsider. We don't need these things when we go home."
The eldest princess choked on her words, wishing she could pry open Pei Rujing's head to see what was inside.
Wen Zongji said, "Mother-in-law, what the county princess said is true. There is a saying among the people that a son-in-law is like half a son. From now on, I will often accompany the county princess to visit you. Do you expect me to make a big fuss every time? If that's the case, I won't dare to come so often."
The Princess felt much better after Pei Rujing's words left her speechless: "I still prefer what Zongji says."
After saying that, the eldest princess pushed Pei Rujing away: "You, you just rely on Zongji's favor to dote on you."
Pei Rujing pouted: "Mother, why do you always criticize me whenever we meet?"
The county magistrate was displeased.
She turned back to Wen Zongji's side, her face showing grievance.
Wen Zongji comforted her, "My mother-in-law is just concerned about us. Didn't the county princess want to talk to her about the competition?"
Pei Rujing turned her head: "I'm not saying anything more!"
The eldest princess looked speechless: "I thought you had toned down your temper, but it seems there's no change."
She's still so easily angered.
At this moment, the maids came in carrying a tea tray.
Wen Zongji then pulled Pei Rujing to sit down and personally took the tea from the maid and offered it to her: "Princess, please have some tea."
Pei Rujing took the tea blankly and sipped it.
Wen Zongji immediately said, "You're not allowed to be angry after drinking the tea. Alright, let's put this matter behind us."
Pei Rujing finally understood why Wen Zongji had been so attentive earlier, and couldn't help but laugh.
The eldest princess looked at the two of them and shook her head.
Now I finally understand why these two are so close; they're just too childish together.
"I've already sent someone to summon Shizhao and Shirong. You two can have a good chat in a bit."
Wen Zongji nodded: "Thanks to Second Brother for teaching me the health-preserving boxing, I must thank you properly."
The eldest princess smiled and said, "As long as it's useful. Shi Rong doesn't like studying, so he only has some talent in martial arts."
"My eldest and second eldest brothers are both outstanding, one in literature and the other in martial arts. I'm afraid countless people envy my mother-in-law."
"Hahaha—Zongji is indeed a scholar; his words are so pleasant to hear."
After saying that, the eldest princess glanced at Pei Rujing again: "She should learn from Zongji."
Pei Rujing turned to look at Wen Zongji: "Then I'll have to ask my husband to teach me."
Wen Zongji said, "The county princess is doing very well now."
Teaching a young wife to speak is no less difficult than turning a poor student into a top student.
Wen Zongji said it was too difficult, so he decided to give up.
Pei Rujing shrugged: "Mom, it's not that I don't want to learn."
The eldest princess promptly changed the subject: "What was that storytelling competition you were talking about earlier?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing immediately became interested and enthusiastically told the princess about her experience as a judge.
……
After an unknown amount of time, Pei Shizhao and Pei Shirong, the two brothers, walked in together.
Wen Zongji stood up: "Eldest brother, second brother."
Pei Shizhao nodded: "Although it's a little late, congratulations to Zongji on achieving the third-highest rank in the imperial examination."
"I am very grateful to my elder brother for giving me the 'Collection of Poems,' it has been very helpful to me."
The eldest princess looked at the two of them: "Why are you so late?"
Pei Shizhao sat down below the eldest princess: "It took some time to find Shirong."
Pei Shirong scratched his head awkwardly: "I didn't know my brother-in-law was coming back today, otherwise I would definitely be waiting for him at the mansion."
The eldest princess asked him, "What were you doing?"
"I heard there's a cockfighting competition today, so I'm going to watch the fun."
cockfighting?
Pei Rujing's expression shifted. She suddenly remembered the person Zuo Mingxuan had previously met, who seemed to be a cockfighting enthusiast.
However, this idea quickly disappeared from Pei Rujing's mind.
After all, Zuo Mingxuan didn't even fancy that person.
The eldest princess frowned: "You're almost married, how can you still be so unreliable?"
"marriage?"
Pei Rujing asked in confusion, "Second brother is engaged?"
Pei Shirong plopped down next to Pei Shizhao: "Mother is just looking at potential partners, nothing's been decided yet."
At this point, the eldest princess became angry: "Is it that I don't want to arrange a marriage? I asked you to go and find a wife, but you always made excuses. I only asked you to do this because I want you to marry a suitable wife. If you continue to be uncooperative, I will arrange the marriage for you directly."
Pei Shirong raised his hands in surrender: "Mother, I was wrong. I will definitely cooperate properly in the future."
Pei Rujing became curious: "What kind of woman does Second Brother want to marry?"
Pei Shirong looked at her: "Why are you suddenly curious about Second Brother's affairs?"
"Zuo San was also arranged to be matched by Madam Zuo. You two are in the same boat."
The eldest princess glared at her: "It's only natural for men to marry when they reach adulthood and for women to be betrothed when they reach marriageable age. What do you mean by 'misery loves company'? Would your mother harm your second brother?"
Pei Rujing shrank her neck and leaned closer to Wen Zongji: "That's not what I meant."
"Then read more books, so as to avoid saying inappropriate things."
It seems that the eldest princess has been quite infuriated by Pei Shirong lately, and even Pei Rujing has been affected.
Wen Zongji promptly changed the subject: "Brother, has there been any recent changes in the Ministry of Personnel regarding the Office of Transmission?"
Pei Shizhao's expression hardened: "How did Zongji know?"
Wen Zongji breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving a definite answer: "I'm not at liberty to say the specifics."
Pei Shizhao didn't press him: "Then let's talk about it when it's convenient."
The eldest princess suddenly remembered that a few days ago when she went to the palace to speak with the empress, Emperor Shun'an had lunch with the crown prince and praised Wen Zongji a few times at the table.
She had initially thought that Emperor Shun'an was doing it out of respect for Pei Rujing, but now it seemed that perhaps Wen Zongji had done something to catch Emperor Shun'an's eye.
This thought flashed through the princess's mind for a moment, but she did not ask anything.
Over the years, she has never inquired too much about matters of the court, and the same is true now.