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

Chapter 39 Receiving Pei Rujing from the Marquis Zhang's Residence

Just as the group finished their breakfast, a servant reported, "The Princess, the County Princess, and the son-in-law have arrived outside the manor."

The eldest princess was taken aback: "Zongji is here?"

Pei Rujing curled her lips into a smile.

Zuo Mingxuan clicked her tongue and looked at her: "You two seem to have a good relationship. You've only been apart for one night, and Young Master Wen has already come to pick up the County Princess."

Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing suddenly found Zuo Mingxuan more agreeable.

The eldest princess looked at Pei Rujing with suspicion: "Zongji needs to prepare for the imperial examination, how can he have time to travel like this?"

Pei Rujing felt a pang of guilt and said, "Who knows!"

She was simply fed up with Princess Changning and Zuo Mingxuan, so when Wen Zongji came to pick her up, she wouldn't have to ride in the same carriage as those two.

As for the rest, Pei Rujing obviously couldn't think about that much.

Princess Changning frowned, "The bad guy who stole my cousin is here?"

Pei Rujing pinched her cheek and said fiercely, "I already said you have to call me brother-in-law, otherwise don't expect me to play with you anymore."

Princess Changning nodded with a pitiful expression.

So Wen Zongji entered the main hall and had just finished paying his respects to the Princess when he saw a beautiful little girl with tears in her eyes calling out to him, "Brother-in-law."

Wen Zongji: "..."

Why do you sound so aggrieved?

Pei Rujing walked up to Wen Zongji, her eyes sparkling: "You've come to pick me up?"

Wen Zongji nodded.

Pei Rujing was smug, but pretended to be dissatisfied and said, "I'm not a child, why would I need you to pick me up?"

Wen Zongji looked puzzled, wanting to ask Pei Rujing if she had lost her memory.

Out of the corner of his eye, Wen Zongji noticed the gazes of the Eldest Princess and Zuo Mingxuan, and suddenly realized that his little wife was putting on an act.

Wen Zongji coughed lightly: "The county princess did not return last night, and I was worried about her."

The eldest princess looked very pleased.

Zuo Mingxuan stared intently at the two of them, her eyes shining brightly. She thought to herself that seeing people being affectionate in real life was more exciting than reading a storybook.

Princess Changning felt even more like crying. With Wen Zongji's arrival, Pei Rujing paid even less attention to her.

Waaah—

The eldest princess said, "Jing'er, since Zongji has come to fetch you, you should go back to the manor with him."

Then the eldest princess instructed Wen Zongji: "Zongji, the imperial examination is not far away. The most important thing for you now is to concentrate on your studies. If Jing'er is willful and mischievous, do not let her have her way."

Pei Rujing was displeased upon hearing this: "Mother, I'm not being silly."

The eldest princess gave her a look, telling her to interpret it herself.

Wen Zongji cupped his hands in greeting: "Your son-in-law will respectfully follow your mother-in-law's teachings."

After saying this, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing left Plum Garden together.

Zuo Mingxuan and Princess Changning watched longingly, wanting to follow, but unfortunately neither of them dared to speak up.

Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing left Plum Garden and boarded the Marquis's carriage. Pei Rujing leaned lazily against the carriage and sighed, "Finally, I'm rid of those two annoying people."

Wen Zongji looked at her with amusement: "Is this why the county princess sent me to pick you up?"

Pei Rujing retorted confidently, "Shouldn't you have come?"

"It's time! It's time!"

Pei Rujing was satisfied.

"Did you enjoy the hot spring last night?"

Wen Zongji asked with concern.

As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Rujing's face turned red.

The blush-inducing questions Zuo Mingxuan asked resurfaced in Pei Rujing's mind.

She can't forget it even if she wants to.

Wen Zongji looked at her in surprise, then reached out and touched her forehead: "What's wrong, Princess...? You're so hot. Did you catch a cold last night?"

Pei Rujing slapped Wen Zongji's hand away and muttered through gritted teeth, "It's all Zuo San's fault!"

If Zuo Mingxuan hadn't asked her so many questions, she wouldn't have started overthinking.

When Wen Zongji heard this, he assumed it was a private matter between the women and did not ask any further questions.

Because her mind was not at peace, Pei Rujing didn't dare to look at Wen Zongji for long.

The two remained silent all the way to the Marquis's residence.

Back at Yunguang Courtyard, Wen Zongji went to his study, while Pei Rujing went into the inner room. Qinghe helped her take off her cloak, and the warmth in the room gradually dispelled the chill from Pei Rujing's body.

Granny Feng frowned and asked, "Princess, your husband got up early this morning to pick you up at Plum Garden. Why didn't you let him come inside for a cup of hot tea to warm up before going to his study?"

Pei Rujing rubbed her cheeks in annoyance: "It's all Zuo San's fault. Yesterday when we were soaking in the hot spring, he kept asking me about my bedroom affairs with Wen Zongji, which made me feel uncomfortable whenever I see Wen Zongji today."

Upon hearing this, Granny Feng couldn't help but laugh: "The county princess and her son-in-law are husband and wife, so what's there to be uncomfortable about?"

Pei Rujing lay on the table: "I'm just being awkward."

Granny Feng said gently, "Princess, your husband cares about you. You sent someone to fetch you last night, and he went early this morning. Now that he's back at Yunguang Courtyard, he can't even have a hot cup of tea. It's heartbreaking for him."

Pei Rujing pursed her lips, realizing she had gone a bit too far. She hadn't spoken much to Wen Zongji in the carriage; would he be angry?

Thinking of this, Pei Rujing panicked and stood up abruptly, instructing, "Qinghe, prepare tea and come with me to the study."

Upon hearing this, Granny Feng smiled.

In the study

Wen Zongji was sitting by the charcoal fire, warming his somewhat cold hands.

At this moment, Pei Rujing walked in.

This was the first time Pei Rujing had visited Wen Zongji's study since their marriage.

It's really not that big!

The room was divided into two rooms by a screen. The outer room was furnished with a tea table and chairs to entertain guests.

The inner room is a study, furnished with bookshelves, a desk, and a bed against the wall.

Pei Rujing's attention fell on the bed, and she thought that it was just as Wen Zongji had said. The bed was not wide and could only accommodate one person. It was cramped and uncomfortable. It was okay to take a short nap at noon, but it would definitely be uncomfortable if you stayed in it for a long time.

Upon seeing Pei Rujing, Wen Zongji stood up and said, "What brings you here, County Princess?"

Pei Rujing gestured for Qinghe to put down the hot tea: "Have a cup of hot tea to ward off the chill."

Wen Zongji looked flattered and said, "Your Highness has come to bring me tea in person. Thank you for your trouble."

Pei Rujing pursed her lips and explained, "I didn't mean to ignore you in the carriage just now."

Wen Zongji was taken aback.

He really didn't care about what happened in the carriage. Girls' thoughts are hard to guess, and Pei Rujing is especially so. As long as Pei Rujing doesn't do anything unusual, Wen Zongji won't bother trying to guess her thoughts.

"I know the county princess was in a bad mood at that time."

Pei Rujing sat down beside him: "It's not that I'm in a bad mood... Yesterday at Plum Garden, Zuo San kept asking about our bedroom affairs... Zuo San has no shame at all, he can ask any question."

Pei Rujing's earlobes involuntarily turned red; she felt embarrassed and shy talking to Wen Zongji about these things.

Wen Zongji understood immediately, his expression turning somewhat strange: "I really didn't see that coming."

Zuo Mingxuan is pretty and lively, but who would have thought she's a seasoned pro?

Pei Rujing complained, "She even said in front of Changning that she wasn't worried at all about corrupting the children."

Wen Zongji knew his wife was easily embarrassed, which explained his strange expression when he asked her about the hot springs.