svetikya Chapter 120 Domineering yet Protective
Chapter 120 Domineering yet Protective
Returning home after duty
Wen Zongji changed out of his official robes before entering the inner room.
Pei Rujing was playing with a kaleidoscope. This kaleidoscope was her favorite, and she would take it out to play with it from time to time. It was also very precious to her.
When Pei Rujing first got the kaleidoscope, she was eager to show it to Zuo Mingxuan and show it off.
However, the idea has now been abandoned, and it has never been shown to any outsiders.
Granny Feng and the others only knew that Pei Rujing treasured the kaleidoscope, but they never knew what was so special about it.
Pei Rujing was captivated by the feeling of having this treasure all to herself, and she was even more unwilling to let outsiders see the kaleidoscope.
Wen Zongji sat down and said, "Haven't you had enough fun yet? I'll make you a new one another day."
"OK."
Pei Rujing happily agreed.
"Are you going to visit your mother-in-law at the Princess's residence today?"
Pei Rujing nodded: "I went. Mother also told me some things from the past."
"Before?" Wen Zongji noticed her unusual expression and guessed, "Is it related to Duke Pei?"
Because Pei Rujing disliked Duke Pei, Wen Zongji never addressed Duke Pei as "father-in-law" in front of Pei Rujing.
Pei Rujing pouted and nodded; just mentioning this matter made her feel very bad.
She disliked Duke Pei to begin with, and now that she learned that Duke Pei had ulterior motives in marrying the Eldest Princess, and that it even caused Wen Zongji to be viewed with suspicion by the Eldest Princess, Pei Rujing disliked Duke Pei even more.
Seeing that she had no intention of confiding in him, Wen Zongji did not press her for details, but simply said, "We younger generations have no right to interfere in the affairs of our elders. If you are worried about your mother-in-law, you can spend more time with her."
He didn't connect it to himself, and thought Pei Rujing was worried about the eldest princess.
Pei Rujing didn't explain, she just nodded: "That person is so annoying, I never want to see him again."
In fact, over the past seventeen years, Pei Rujing has seen the Duke of Pei very few times.
Otherwise, the relationship between father and daughter wouldn't be so strained.
Wen Zongji pulled Pei Rujing into his arms and said, "If you don't want to see her, then don't."
Pei Rujing closed her eyes slightly.
As for what the eldest princess said about Wen Zongji, even if Pei Rujing was naive, she knew that these things should not be said to Wen Zongji.
Besides, she didn't take it to heart.
In his view, comparing Wen Zongji to Duke Pei was an insult to him.
After a brief moment of intimacy, Wen Zongji said, "I remember my wife mentioning before that Chai Dingchong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was a protégé of the Left Grand Secretary?"
Pei Rujing nodded: "Yes."
"I would like to see Lord Chai. Would you be so kind as to ask Miss Zuo to arrange a meeting with him?"
Pei Rujing frowned: "If you want to see him, you don't need Zuo San. I can help you."
"There are some official matters to discuss," Wen Zongji said, looking at Pei Rujing. "It would be even better if you were willing to help, my lady."
Pei Rujing frowned and looked up: "What are you talking about? What is it that I'm unwilling to help you with?"
Wen Zongji reassured her, "My lady, please don't misunderstand. I just feel that you've never been interested in politics."
Pei Rujing's brows relaxed upon hearing this, and she leaned against him again: "Anyway, I'm just helping you see him. You'll have to talk about whatever you want."
"That's natural."
"However, Lord Chai is, after all, an important official in the court, and I cannot see him entirely under your name. I would appreciate it if you could help me send out an invitation with both of our names on it."
I believe that when Chai Dingchong saw Wen Zongji's name, he knew who he really wanted to see.
"The location will be Wangchunlou."
At this moment, Granny Feng spoke up: "Young master, you and Lord Chai are complete strangers. Since you are meeting to discuss important matters, perhaps it would be more appropriate to find a quiet place to enjoy tea and talk business."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji felt that what Granny Feng said made sense: "Then let's listen to Granny and find a good teahouse."
"I'll have to trouble you to come with me then, my wife."
He didn't understand Chai Dingchong's personality. What if this man, seeing that Pei Rujing wasn't there, became disobedient and didn't listen to him? Then this meeting would have been a waste.
It would have been better to bring Pei Rujing with him from the beginning. At least out of respect for Pei Rujing, Chai Dingchong would have listened attentively to Wen Zongji finish speaking.
Pei Rujing nodded: "Okay."
Just as we finished talking, dinner was ready.
The two had dinner together and then went for a walk.
This has almost become their habit; unless something else takes their time, the two of them will go for a walk after dinner to digest their food.
Pei Rujing took Wen Zongji's hand, looked up at him, and asked, "You went to the Office of Transmission; did your mission not go smoothly?"
Wen Zongji: "Why do you ask that?"
Pei Rujing raised her hand to smooth his slightly furrowed brows: "Because your brows have been furrowed ever since you came back."
Wen Zongji was slightly taken aback, and touched his brow: "I didn't even notice."
"Has someone been bullying you?"
"How could that be?" Wen Zongji said, feigning smugness. "I am the husband of Princess Anhe. Who would dare to bully me?"
"Then why are you so troubled?"
Wen Zongji explained: "The Capital Gazette Office was newly established by the Office of Transmission, and there was no experience to follow. I wanted to run the Capital Gazette well, so I naturally had to put in a lot of effort."
Pei Rujing asked, "So you want to see Chai Dingchong because of this matter?"
Wen Zongji nodded: "That's right."
Pei Rujing said earnestly, "I will help you."
Wen Zongji chuckled: "My wife's help in getting me to see Lord Chai is still a great favor. As for the rest, if I can't persuade Lord Chai, it's because I'm incompetent."
"Can……"
Wen Zongji interrupted her: "Wife, we've already finished our shifts, let's not talk about so much official business. The moonlight is beautiful tonight, look up and take a look."
Pei Rujing had no choice but to swallow her words and, following Wen Zongji's guidance, looked up at the sky.
"Is it pretty?"
Looking at the bright moon hanging in the sky, and the twinkling lights around it.
Pei Rujing murmured, "Beautiful, but not as beautiful as the starry sky in a kaleidoscope."
Wen Zongji said, "But that starry sky is fictional, while everything in front of us is real."
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing raised her hand and gently touched his cheek, her eyes bright: "You are real, that starry sky is real, it was a gift from you."
The two locked eyes, and for a fleeting moment, Wen Zongji's heart seemed to skip a beat.
Pei Rujing, oblivious to Wen Zongji's odd behavior, tilted her head and asked, "Am I wrong?"
Wen Zongji withdrew his gaze: "Whatever my wife says is right."
Pei Rujing smiled.
She loved hearing Wen Zongji say those words. An ordinary woman might have thought the man was being perfunctory, but Pei Rujing could hear the boundless indulgence that Wen Zongji showed her.
Looking back on the months since their marriage, Wen Zongji had indeed been indulging her.
"Husband, do you know I have a bad temper?"
Wen Zongji paused, wondering what kind of deadly question this was now.
However, Pei Rujing did not wait for his answer and continued, "Many people know that I have a bad temper. If I am unhappy, I will not give face to anyone. I can even overturn the Prime Minister's table."
After saying that, Pei Rujing turned to look at Wen Zongji and said seriously, "You are my husband. If anyone dares to bully you, I will stand up for you."
Wen Zongji was lost in thought.
This young wife, whom he always felt was not yet fully grown up, said so firmly and domineeringly that she would "stand up for him."
This experience is both novel and exciting!