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

Chapter 60 A Joyful and Harmonious Moment

The mahjong set in the Zuo residence is not the one Pei Rujing gave them before; it has been remade using warm jade and is not cold to the touch.

Zuo Mingxuan secretly told Pei Rujing, "My mother specially had this made after the palace banquet."

Pei Rujing touched the warm jade mahjong set: "I'll have someone make a set for me later."

Warm jade is no ordinary item, but for a family with their wealth, it is something that can be easily obtained.

After everyone took their seats and arranged the cards, the group decided the dealer by rolling dice. Madam Wei rolled the highest number and was chosen as the dealer.

Pei Rujing sat in the seat below Madam Wei.

Madam Wei was the first to draw a card: "Princess, please go easy on me!"

Pei Rujing followed closely behind, grabbing a card: "I'll ask my elder brother for the money Aunt Wei lost."

Social etiquette?

The county princess doesn't play this game!

Madam Wei was full of fighting spirit: "To avoid my son-in-law spending money, I will try my best not to lose."

Madam Wu smiled and said, "I don't have a son-in-law as good as the Duke of Pei's son. The prize money I use is all my own money."

Liu looked at Zuo Mingxuan.

Zuo Mingxuan's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "Mother, you wouldn't marry me off just so you'd have a son-in-law to bring you good fortune, would you?"

Liu glared at her: "How could Mother possibly say such a thing!"

Zuo Mingxuan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

"However, husband and wife are one. Before I have a son-in-law, you must give me a good surprise."

Zuo Mingxuan: "..."

Is she really my mother, capable of saying such outrageous things?

Madam Wei laughed and said, "It seems that Xuan'er will have to find a wealthy husband in the future."

Madam Wu jokingly added, "I know quite a few suitable people. If Madam Zuo needs any, feel free to contact me."

Liu readily agreed: "Yes, I need it! Of course I need it!"

Zuo Mingxuan was originally sitting next to Liu Shi, thinking of helping Liu Shi with her ideas later. But now, listening to the others teasing her, Zuo Mingxuan couldn't stand it anymore and got up to move to Pei Rujing's side.

"Eight of Bamboo!"

Seeing that Zuo Mingxuan had run away after being teased, Madam Wu changed the subject to Pei Rujing: "I ran into the County Princess at the door just now. It was Young Master Wen who brought her here. They are a newlywed couple after all, their relationship is so good."

Liu's eyes lit up: "Really? Hongzhong!"

Zuo Mingxuan nodded: "Mother, I saw it too, and Young Master Wen will also come to pick up the county princess and take her back to the mansion."

Pei Rujing played a "two of coins" and calmly said, "He is my husband, so of course he should pick me up and drop me off."

The county princess was pampered growing up. She would appreciate Wen Zongji's gentleness and thoughtfulness, but she would not feel flattered. She would just take it for granted.

Madam Wei shook her head: "How can that be taken for granted! When I was young, my husband never gave me... a blank sheet of paper when I went out to banquets!"

Madam Wu couldn't help but laugh: "Who doesn't know that Imperial Censor Wei was famously mature beyond his years when he was young, acting meticulously and methodically, and his impeachment memorials were full of brilliant words. Everyone was afraid of him. Madam Wei, comparing yourself to Imperial Censor Wei is just asking for trouble."

Madam Wei chuckled, "That's true."

Liu tried to smooth things over: "Let alone Imperial Censor Wei, most men in this world are either indulging in eating, drinking, and merrymaking or busy with official duties. Someone as considerate as Young Master Wen is extremely rare."

Madam Wu chimed in, "Madam Zuo is right. My eldest son has been married for so many years and has two children, but I've never seen him show any concern for his wife. He's always busy with government affairs, just like his father."

Upon hearing Madam Wu's words, Madam Liu recalled something: "Is your sixth son also participating in this year's imperial examination?"

Madam Wu smiled and nodded: "Xiao Liu said he wants to go down and give it a try."

"Then you and Young Master Wen are the same age."

"Indeed," said Madam Wu, "Last time, when Xiao Liu came back from the gathering, he said that Young Master Wen had an extraordinary bearing, no wonder he's the county princess's husband... 80,000!"

Pei Rujing's lips curled into a smile as she pushed the tiles in front of her: "I won!"

Madam Wei sighed, "My estate is gone."

Zuo Mingxuan looked at Pei Rujing and saw that her eyes were full of smiles. She didn't know if it was because Madam Wu praised Wen Zongji or because she had won the game.

……

After sending Pei Rujing to the Zuo residence, Wen Zongji did not return to his own residence. The Zuo residence was not close to the Marquis's residence, and he still had to pick up Pei Rujing and return, so there was no need for him to travel back and forth.

Changdong was asked to find a teahouse nearby, and once there were seats available, Anfeng was sent to the Zuo residence to inform Granny Feng, so that they wouldn't be unable to find anyone.

The teahouse was very well decorated. There was a storyteller on a high platform on the first floor, and the audience cheered, making it very lively.

The private rooms on the second floor were soundproofed. Once Wen Zongji closed the door, not a sound could be heard. It was very quiet, so whether he was drinking tea to calm his mind or reading, he would not be disturbed.

dong dong dong-

Wen Zongji had just sat down when there was a knock on the door.

Changdong opened the door, revealing Lu Nian'an outside.

Wen Zongji stood up: "Brother Lu?"

Lu Nian'an laughed and said, "I saw Brother Wen on the street just now, and I thought I was seeing things."

Wen Zongji waved his hand: "Brother Lu, please sit down. It is fate that I met you today. I was just about to find an opportunity to thank you for answering my questions the other day."

Lu Nian'an sat next to Wen Zongji. Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face, but he still said frankly, "If I hadn't met Brother Wen today, I'm afraid I would be sleeping on the streets."

Wen Zongji was taken aback: "Over at Xiangguo Temple?"

He knew that Lu Nian'an came from a poor family and had been living in Xiangguo Temple since he came to the capital.

Lu Nian'an sighed: "Ever since that gathering, rumors have been circulating in Xiangguo Temple that I schemed against my fellow villagers and caused them to fail the provincial examination. The students who lived with me in Xiangguo Temple jointly wrote a letter to the abbot of Xiangguo Temple, demanding that I be expelled from Xiangguo Temple, so that the students living in Xiangguo Temple would not also be schemed against."

Wen Zongji suddenly remembered the argument between Lu Nian'an and that tall, thin man that day.

However, since he was unaware of the details, he refrained from commenting and instead asked, "Did Xiangguo Temple agree to the students' requests?"

Lu Nian'an nodded: "I understand the abbot of Xiangguo Temple; this matter has indeed caused widespread panic."

After understanding the situation, Wen Zongji said, "I have some silver on hand, which can help Brother Lu rent a courtyard in the capital until the imperial examination is over."

Forget about staying at an inn; even if he had money, he wouldn't be so extravagant.

On the day of the gathering, Lu Nian'an did indeed help Wen Zongji a lot. Spending some money to find Lu Nian'an a place to stay for two months would not be a problem.

Lu Nian'an quickly waved his hand: "I am not a shameless person, how could I let Brother Wen pay for my rent? I have already found a place to stay, but I don't have enough money for food and other expenses. I hope Brother Wen can help me find a job."

This was Lu Nian'an's real reason for taking the initiative to find Wen Zongji.