LRAB Chapter 43 Pei Rujing Demands New Year's Gift
Chapter 43 Pei Rujing Demands New Year's Gift
As the Lunar New Year approached, Wen Zongji returned to the main house later and later, leaving before dawn.
As a result, Pei Rujing never saw him except when they were having meals.
Granny Feng, concerned about Wen Zongji's health, said, "Young master, it's almost the end of the year; you should give yourself a rest."
Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Emperor Shun'an has long since stopped writing. Wen Chuanhong also took a break a few days ago.
On the contrary, Wen Zongji was so busy that he was nowhere to be seen.
Wen Zongji yawned, his dark circles under his eyes from staying up all night for several nights in a row: "Don't worry, Granny, I know what I'm doing."
He didn't catch up on his studies during this period for nothing; it was just a few nights of staying up late, which he could handle.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Granny Feng sighed helplessly and said, "Young master, you're going to a palace banquet tomorrow night, you should pay attention to your appearance."
Wen Zongji looks like he's been drained of his life force by a fox spirit.
If Granny Feng hadn't known that they hadn't consummated their marriage, she would have suspected that the young couple were too obsessed and lacked self-control.
Pei Rujing looked up at Wen Zongji and frowned, saying, "We must go back to our rooms and go to bed early tonight."
This was her first time appearing in public with Wen Zongji, and she absolutely couldn't afford to lose face because of him.
Wen Zongji nodded: "Okay."
He also remembered the palace banquet tomorrow night and had already decided to get a good rest tonight.
Pei Rujing nodded in satisfaction and continued eating.
……
Early the next morning
Because he went to bed early last night, Wen Zongji woke up today feeling refreshed and energetic. He practiced a set of health-preserving exercises and felt completely relaxed.
Pei Rujing also woke up groggily.
Wen Zongji had long noticed that his young wife was always groggy when she woke up, but she rarely stayed in bed. She was the kind of person who had a hard time getting out of bed, but she would still get up eventually.
After washing up and changing, Pei Rujing woke up.
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. As is customary, we will have dinner in the main courtyard and attend a palace banquet in the evening.
This is the second family gathering since Pei Rujing married into the family.
When Wen Zongji and his companion arrived, Wen Zongren and his family of three were already there, and Wen Zongqi, whom they rarely saw, also made an appearance.
Because of their frequent mahjong games, when Madam Zhong saw Pei Rujing arrive, she took the initiative to pull her over to talk.
Wen Shuyu grew bolder and approached Pei Rujing to greet her: "Sister-in-law."
Pei Rujing nodded.
Wen Chuanhong hasn't arrived yet.
Wen Zongqi sat there casually while Wen Zongren scolded him: "The teacher at the clan school said that you have been missing classes without reason this month and have not completed the assigned homework. What are you doing? If you can't even pass the county-level exam, even your father can't help you."
Wen Zongqi heard these words every time he met Wen Zongren, until his ears were calloused: "Brother, I'm just not cut out for studying. Don't make it sound so easy to pass the imperial examination. There are plenty of people in this world who can't pass it."
Wen Zongren frowned: "If you study hard, you will definitely pass the exam."
Wen Zongqi picked at his ear: "I've already told you I'm not cut out for studying."
"Then let's learn martial arts!"
Wen Zongqi's eyes widened: "Big brother, are you crazy? I'm eighteen already, way past the age of practicing martial arts."
"If you're willing, I'll ask my father to hire a martial arts instructor for you. It's never too late."
Wen Zongqi was on the verge of a breakdown: "Big brother, please let me go! I just like to eat, drink, and have fun. I don't cause trouble or bother you and Father. Isn't that enough?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongren's face darkened: "There are four of us brothers. My second and third brothers have already passed the provincial examination, and they may very well pass the metropolitan examination next year. We have all studied diligently for years for the future of our family. Why can you relax so easily? How is this fair to my second and third brothers?"
Wen Zongqi's face stiffened, and he pursed his lips, unable to speak.
Madam Jiang quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Today is New Year's Eve, a very auspicious day. Let's talk about it after the New Year."
Wen Zongren turned to look at Madam Jiang: "Mother, if you continue to indulge my fourth brother like this, he will accomplish nothing in the future."
Madam Jiang comforted Wen Zongren, saying, "Mother didn't say anything. I will definitely urge him to study after the New Year."
At this moment, Madam Zhong also came over and tugged at Wen Zongren's sleeve.
Wen Zongren glared at Wen Zongqi with disappointment, sighed, and said nothing more.
Wen Zongren then went to Wen Zongji's side and inquired about his studies.
Wen Zongji answered them one by one.
Wen Zongren's brows relaxed: "Third brother has a solid foundation and has made great progress in policy essays. He just needs to continue studying and not be nervous during the exam. He still has a chance to pass with flying colors."
Wen Zongji cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you for your kind words, elder brother."
Every time he met Wen Zongren, he felt that Wen Zongren was under a lot of pressure.
As the last heir to the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, Wen Zongren shoulders the responsibility of revitalizing his family.
Wen Zongji was not the original owner of this body, so he had little sense of family honor and could hardly understand the pressure Wen Zongren was under.
A short while later, Wen Chuanhong arrived, accompanied by Aunt Zhou and Wen Zongjing.
Clearly, Wen Chuanhong stayed at Aunt Zhou's place last night.
With Wen Chuanhong's arrival, everyone was present, and breakfast officially began.
Pei Rujing sat right next to Madam Jiang, with Wen Zongren sitting beside her and Wen Zongqi sitting next to Madam Zhong. This seating arrangement would likely remain the same from now on.
During the meal, Wen Chuanhong glanced at Wen Zongjing and said, "Second son, you'll come with me to the palace banquet tonight."
Suppressing his excitement, Wen Zongjing replied, "Yes."
Madam Jiang glanced at Aunt Zhou, who was eating with her head down, but said nothing.
In the past, Wen Chuanhong only brought Jiang Shi and his two legitimate sons to palace banquets. Later, Zhong Shi entered the family, and with Zhong Shi joining them, Wen Zongji and Wen Zongjing never attended palace banquets.
But this year, Pei Rujing entered the Marquis's mansion and married Wen Zongji.
Thanks to Pei Rujing, Wen Zongji was able to attend the palace banquet this year.
This put Wen Zongjing in an awkward position.
Wen Chuanhong suggested taking Wen Zongjing along, clearly influenced by Aunt Zhou's words.
As expected of a favored concubine!
Pei Rujing didn't care about the lawsuit between the people, nor did she care who went to the palace banquet or who didn't.
Wen Zongji glanced at Wen Shuyu, hesitated for a moment, and then gave up the idea.
In this era, a woman's status and position before marriage were determined by her father and brothers.
Wen Shuyu was only a concubine's daughter, so she couldn't get much help from Wen Chuanhong.
Wen Zongji has not yet entered officialdom.
Even though Pei Rujing brought Wen Shuyu to the palace banquet, their status was not high enough, and they were looked down upon for no reason.
Wen Shuyu is already sensitive, and forcing her to integrate into an environment that is not suitable for her identity will only harm her.
After finishing breakfast and returning to Yunguang Courtyard, Pei Rujing reached out to Wen Zongji, "Where's my gift?"
During this time, Pei Rujing has received New Year's gifts from other people in the Marquis's Mansion and the Princess's Mansion. The New Year's gifts prepared by Granny Feng have also been sent out.
Wen Zongji, however, remained completely silent.
Pei Rujing patiently waited until New Year's Eve, but seeing that he still hadn't made a move, she had no choice but to take it herself.