manynovel Chapter 82 She finally got married.
Chapter 82 She finally got married.
"Wen Zongji, when I went out today, I heard that Ruijintang is going to hold a competition for the top ten storytelling works?"
Tomorrow is the palace examination, and Wen Zongji has been organizing his thoughts on the policy essay these past few days. Pei Rujing has not disturbed him. Today, she was bored and went out for a stroll by herself.
As a result, he heard about the competition being held by Ruijintang and couldn't help but ask Wen Zongji about it during dinner.
Wen Zongji nodded: "It was my order. It's a way to enhance Ruijintang's reputation and also to generate buzz for the upcoming book sales."
Pei Rujing then asked, "I also heard that Ruijintang is publicly recruiting judges, needing one hundred people, and each one must be a seasoned bookworm with three years of experience reading storybooks?"
"That's right, seasoned bookworms are better able to tell the quality of a story... Could it be that the county princess wants to be a judge?"
Wen Zongji felt that Pei Rujing wouldn't ask this for no reason.
Pei Rujing smiled: "My husband is so clever."
Wen Zongji's brow twitched: "This kind of competition is a mixed bag. The county princess is of noble status. It would be bad if someone were to offend her. The county princess should not go."
"That's easy. As long as Ruijin Hall provides a quiet place for all the judges and assigns people to guard them, there's nothing to worry about. Ruijin Hall isn't very big to begin with; it can't possibly accommodate a hundred judges, can it?"
Wen Zongji looked at her and said, "Princess, you came prepared."
They've even come up with a plan.
Pei Rujing served food to Wen Zongji, looking very considerate: "I happen to have a house near Changxing Street that I can lend to Ruijintang for a few days. The judges can come here every day to select the best stories until the top ten stories are chosen."
Wen Zongji said helplessly, "Why does the county princess have to get involved in this?"
"It's fun!"
Pei Rujing spoke as if it were perfectly reasonable.
What could Wen Zongji do? He could only agree.
"All right."
Pei Rujing was overjoyed: "I knew you were the best!"
"However, I have a request."
Pei Rujing's joy vanished: "What are your requirements?"
"If there are only one female judge among the one hundred judges, it will inevitably cause gossip. I will have Mao Zheng select thirty judges from the one hundred, and these thirty must be women. Since the county princess wants to be a judge, she should find a way to gather these thirty people for Ruijintang."
"You must meet the judges' requirements and be a seasoned bookworm with more than three years of reading experience."
Pei Rujing was stunned: "Where am I supposed to find so many people?"
Wen Zongji: "This is the issue that the county magistrate needs to consider."
Pei Rujing said with dissatisfaction, "You're deliberately making things difficult for me."
Wen Zongji looked at her with a smile: "Your Excellency is so capable, surely you can handle even such a small matter? In that case, then..."
"It's possible!"
Pei Rujing interrupted Wen Zongji: "Only thirty people, a piece of cake."
Wen Zongji said, "Then I look forward to the county princess's good news."
After finishing his dinner, Wen Zongji returned to his study.
Watching Wen Zongji leave, Pei Rujing's confident expression instantly turned into a worried look.
"Granny, where am I supposed to find thirty female judges for him?"
Granny Feng said, "If the county princess can't do it, why doesn't she tell her son-in-law?"
Pei Rujing pouted, "He's full of tricks. If I said I couldn't do it, he definitely wouldn't let me be a judge. How could I miss out on such a fun opportunity?"
The next moment, Pei Rujing had an idea and her eyes lit up: "I can go to Zuo San. She definitely meets the judges' requirements. We can think of a way together then."
Zuo Mingxuan had managed the mahjong club quite well, and in Pei Rujing's mind, she had become reliable.
"I'll go find Zuo San tomorrow!"
With this arrangement settled, Pei Rujing no longer had to worry.
Granny Feng couldn't help but remind her, "Princess, tomorrow is the day of the palace examination."
"I know."
Aren't you worried at all?
Isn't that a bit too ambitious?
Pei Rujing said confidently, "With the inkstone I gave him, there won't be any problem."
The county magistrate felt from the bottom of her heart that she was a blessed person, and that the inkstone would share some of her good fortune with Wen Zongji.
……
The next morning, Wen Zongji wore a light blue long gown newly made by the embroiderers of Yunguang Courtyard, with gold patterns adorning the collar and cuffs, exuding both nobility and exquisiteness.
Changdong and Anfeng tied Wen Zongji's hair up and secured it with a white jade hairpin.
Wen Zongji stood in front of the bronze mirror, tidying his clothes. Once everything was ready, he left Yunguang Courtyard.
The palace examination was held outside the Fengtian Hall in the imperial palace, which was also where the morning court was held.
The palace examination was subject to the same rigorous standards as the metropolitan examination, but with even higher requirements.
Check if their credentials match, and whether there are any substitute test-takers who are censors.
Those who searched them to check their clothing, food, etc., and found no contraband, were from the Imperial Household Department.
It is worth mentioning that the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the palace examination were all provided by the Imperial Household Department, but candidates could bring their own inkstones.
This is why Pei Rujing gave him an inkstone.
After the inspection was completed, Wen Zongji was led to his seat by a designated person and waited for the exam to begin.
The palace examination was presided over by Emperor Shun'an!
For many, this was a rare opportunity to see the emperor in person, and many eyes were fixed on that supreme position.
the other side
While Wen Zongji was being investigated, Pei Rujing had already gotten up, washed, and was having breakfast when she instructed, "Qinghe, arrange for a carriage to wait for me at the gate of the mansion."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Granny Feng asked, "Did the county princess go to see Miss Zuo so early?"
Pei Rujing shook her head: "It's been a long time since I've played with Changning. I don't want her to nag me next time I see her. I'll go to the palace to keep her company... and also pick up Wen Zongji to take him back to the manor."
It was absolutely just a side trip!
Granny Feng smiled but said nothing.
Phoenix Palace
Princess Changning didn't care why Pei Rujing had come; she was very excited to see her: "Cousin, I've missed you so much! Can you stay the night with me?"
Fearing that Pei Rujing might refuse, Princess Changning added, "We can each have our own blanket."
The Empress smiled knowingly: "Changning, I'm afraid your cousin won't be able to stay and keep you company. Is that right, Anhe?"
Pei Rujing, under the Empress's knowing gaze, feigned composure and said, "I'm married now, of course I have to go back to the manor."
Changning twisted her body, unwilling: "Then let Mother issue an imperial decree allowing my cousin to stay."
Following up on Princess Changning's words, the Empress said, "Your Majesty could send someone to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence to deliver an imperial edict. I believe the Marquis of Zhongyong will have no objections. I'm just afraid that Anhe himself might not be willing."
Pei Rujing, embarrassed and annoyed, looked up at the Empress and said, "My aunt is too wicked."
The Empress laughed heartily.
Having satisfied her wicked sense of humor, the Empress instructed Pei Rujing to take Princess Changning to her bedchamber to play.
Princess Changning was still young and didn't notice the illicit affair between the Empress and Pei Rujing. She excitedly pulled Pei Rujing back to her bedchamber.
The Empress sighed, "She's finally married. Even someone as kind as Anhe has learned to care for others now, and she even came to the palace to wait for me."
Today is the palace examination, and the Empress already knew that Wen Zongji was among the candidates today.