svetikya Chapter 110 Birthday Approaching
Chapter 110 Birthday Approaching
Shun'an Fifteenth Year
April has quietly passed, and May has arrived.
The weather in the capital was getting warmer, and the people on the streets were all wearing light clothing. The women were especially beautiful, with all kinds of pretty dresses that were dazzling to behold.
Wen Zongji had been in the Hanlin Academy for a month, living a very regular life.
Yan Zhengyun, the scholar in charge of Wen Zongji, was a meticulous and conscientious person. He would inquire about Wen Zongji's progress in reading classics and historical materials every few days. Wen Zongji was not allowed to slack off in the slightest.
However, Yan Zhengyun had no ill intentions. In fact, he praised Wen Zongji for his good progress in reading the book, saying that he would be able to participate in the compilation soon.
Wen Zongji could only thank him and then continue reading attentively.
Upon learning from Pei Shizhao that the Office of Transmission was preparing to establish an additional office, Wen Zongji was no longer anxious and simply waited patiently.
Moreover, he has no time to think about the Beijing Daily now.
Because—the county princess's birthday is coming soon.
This birthday is special, and Wen Zongji is determined to prepare a special birthday banquet for Pei Rujing.
Then we need to find a suitable place.
The Marquis's residence is definitely not suitable.
After all, outsiders don't know that they haven't consummated their marriage yet, and a seventeenth birthday isn't a major milestone. Making such a big fuss would seem abnormal to outsiders.
After finishing his shift that day, Wen Zongji sent An Feng back to the Marquis's residence to tell Pei Rujing that he would not be going home for dinner that night, while he himself took a carriage to Ruijin Hall.
Ruijintang
Seeing Wen Zongji walk in, Mao Zheng hurriedly came out from behind the counter to greet him, his face full of smiles: "Boss, our Top Ten Storybook Competition has had a great impact. Since the list of the Top Ten Storybooks was released, a large number of readers have come to buy storybooks every day. Basically, they buy one of the Top Ten Storybooks in the store every time."
"They may have wanted to judge our selection criteria, but after reading them, they all praised them. We also received many inquiries from readers asking when the second volume of these martial arts novels would be released."
"Master, our Ruijintang has become the most famous bookstore on this street. Even Cuiwenzhai has to concede to us."
Wen Zongji waved his hand: "These reputations are like castles in the air, just temporary hype, and they're not solid. Urge them to hurry up and write the second volume; it should be on sale by next month at the latest, so readers don't have to wait too long."
Mao Zheng nodded: "I have already spoken to them. If anyone delays, I will arrest them and lock them in a quiet room. They are not allowed to come out until they finish writing."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji couldn't help but laugh.
Regardless of the era, editors have always used this tactic to urge submissions.
"How's the matter I asked you to handle?"
Mao Zheng said, "I've looked at several houses these past few days, and they all meet your requirements. However, two of them are quite far from the Marquis's residence, and one is near Changxing Street, but it's too expensive. Although I've earned a lot of money selling storybooks these days, it's still not enough to buy the houses. If we have another month, it should be enough."
Hearing this, one can imagine how much money Ruijintang made.
Housing prices in Beijing are astronomical!
Wen Zongji said, "It doesn't matter if it's a bit far from the Marquis's residence, as long as my requirements are met."
Mao Zheng said, "Then I will buy the house tomorrow."
Wen Zongji nodded: "I'll go to the quiet room and have dinner there in a little while. Don't disturb me at other times."
"Yes."
Mao Zheng had gotten used to Wen Zongji's time here. Whenever he came, he would go straight to the quiet room and put a bunch of things in it.
……
Yunguangyuan
Upon learning that Wen Zongji wouldn't be returning for dinner again, Pei Rujing asked, "Did he go to Ruijintang again?"
An Feng nodded: "Exactly."
Pei Rujing waved for An Feng to leave, then turned to look at Granny Feng: "Granny, do you think he's preparing a birthday gift for me?"
The main reason is that Wen Zongji has gone to Ruijintang several times recently and hasn't come back for dinner.
He didn't hide it from Pei Rujing, and always made An Feng come back to report.
Pei Rujing could only think of this possibility, given his calm demeanor.
As Pei Rujing's birthday approached, Granny Feng's mood improved: "Of course, the young master has always been fond of the county princess."
Pei Rujing curled her lips: "The more mysterious he's being, the more curious I become about what he'll prepare. I hope it's not just some random piece of jewelry or something; I won't let him off the hook if he does."
Granny Feng said, "If it's just buying jewelry, why would it take so much time?"
"That's true," Pei Rujing said, even more excited. "We'll be able to see it in a few days."
"Princess, the Princess said she knows this birthday is a big day for you and your husband, so she won't be making preparations at the Princess's residence. She's also informed the two young masters. Also..."
Granny Feng paused for a moment before saying, "When Duke Pei learned that the Eldest Princess was not preparing a birthday banquet for you, he intended to celebrate your birthday at the Duke Pei's residence, but the Eldest Princess refused."
Pei Rujing's face turned cold: "I'm almost seventeen, and he suddenly thinks of throwing me a birthday banquet? Isn't he afraid Pei Ruyan will make a scene?"
Granny Feng only wanted Pei Rujing to know about this, and then changed the subject: "The Princess said that the county magistrate is going to celebrate her birthday with her husband this year. Don't forget to go to the palace to inform the Emperor, as the Emperor remembers the county magistrate's birthday every year."
Pei Rujing nodded: "Why would I need Mother to remind me of this? I've been thinking about going to the palace to see my uncle tomorrow. Besides, I need to tell Changning in advance, otherwise she'll keep bothering me."
Pei Rujing gets a headache whenever Princess Changning is mentioned. Sometimes she feels that Princess Changning is there specifically to bring her bad luck.
Granny Feng also thought of Princess Changning's infatuation with Pei Rujing and couldn't help but smile: "Princess Changning just likes the county princess too much."
It's rare to find cousins with such a close relationship.
Pei Rujing shook her head, not wanting to say more.
……
Wen Zongji stayed for a long time before returning to the Marquis's residence before curfew.
At this moment, Pei Rujing had finished bathing and was leaning against the bed reading a storybook.
Wen Zongji greeted Pei Rujing and went to the bathhouse to take a shower. When he came out, Pei Rujing was already lying in bed. When she saw him come out, she opened her arms to him.
Wen Zongji walked over, picked her up, and lay down, expertly encircling Pei Rujing in his arms.
Pei Rujing leaned against his chest: "Why are you back so late?"
Wen Zongji kissed her forehead: "When you're busy, it's easy to lose track of time. Changdong reminded me that curfew is coming soon."
Pei Rujing pursed her lips: "If you don't come back soon, I'm going to send people to look for you."
"What, are you afraid I'll get lost?"
Pei Rujing looked up at him: "What if they get kidnapped by bad guys?"
Wen Zongji chuckled: "Has the county princess been reading too many storybooks?"
Pei Rujing said with dissatisfaction, "I was just worried about you, and you laughed at me."
Wen Zongji gently coaxed, "Alright, alright, it was my fault. I'll apologize to the county princess."
Having said that, he flipped over and pinned Pei Rujing beneath him, his lips expertly finding hers and kissing her, their lips mingling intimately, creating an incredibly ambiguous atmosphere...