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

When Wen Zongji took office, the officials of the Court of Judicial Review were all waiting for him to make a name for himself. But they waited and waited, and all they saw was Wen Zongji going to and from work on time every day, never staying a moment longer than necessary. Apart from that, he would just look at case files or wander around the yamen.

If he wanted to learn something, he just wandered around and didn't talk to anyone.

This left the officials of the Court of Judicial Review completely bewildered. They could only do their jobs diligently to avoid giving Wen Zongji any ammunition to use against them and handing them over to him for punishment.

Based on this mentality, the atmosphere at Dali Temple was so harmonious that it was almost abnormal.

Wen Zongji seemed oblivious to this and continued to work his shifts on time.

I get up early to practice health-preserving boxing, have breakfast, and then go to the Dali Temple for my shift. In the office, I look at the case files of the previous Dali Temple official who handled his duties. When I get tired of looking at them, I go for a walk in the courtyard to see how others handle their official duties.

After relaxing for a while, I continued reading the case files.

When it's time, I'll finish my shift and go home.

Days passed by, and before they knew it, the year was over. Emperor Shun'an announced that he would stop writing, and the government offices began to close for the holidays.

As Lingjie grew up, she became more and more steady on her feet. She ran to Wen Zongji with her short legs, wanting to throw herself into his arms.

Wen Zongji quickly took a step back.

Ling'er's eyes widened in disbelief: "Daddy~"

Although he didn't speak, his eyes were full of accusation.

Wen Zongji quickly explained, "Father just came back from outside and is still covered in cold air. If you catch it, you'll get sick. Do you want to get sick, Ling'er?"

Ling'er blinked, vaguely recalling her last illness: "Ugh~"

Wen Zongji nodded: "Yes, if you're sick, you have to drink very bitter medicine so that you can get better."

"don't want--"

Ling Jie'er's expression changed drastically, and without Wen Zongji saying anything more, she quickly moved away from him.

Clearly, her previous experience of taking the medicine had left a deep scar on her.

Pei Rujing couldn't help but laugh. She walked over and tapped Ling'er's forehead, saying in an annoyed tone, "Now you can say two words."

She has been teaching Lingjie to say more words recently, but Lingjie is playful and active and not very enthusiastic about learning, so the teaching results are not obvious.

When Pei Rujing heard Ling Jie say "no," she understood that it wasn't that Ling Jie couldn't learn, but that she was too lazy.

Lingjie vaguely sensed that she might have made a mistake, so she hugged Pei Rujing's leg and smiled ingratiatingly at her: "Mother~"

Pei Rujing's anger vanished instantly when she heard her say that: "You little rascal."

Wen Zongji took off his official robes, went to the brazier to ward off the chill, and then walked to Pei Rujing and her daughter: "Ling'er is still young, take it slow, there's no need to rush."

Lingjie isn't mentally challenged; everything is normal. So it's okay if she learns a little slower.

Pei Rujing didn't really intend to settle scores with Ling Jie'er: "Taking a break?"

Wen Zongji nodded: "Yes, we don't need to go to the yamen tomorrow."

"When shall we return to the Marquis's residence, or on the 28th?"

In previous years, they would return to the Marquis's Mansion on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, stay there for a few days, attend the palace banquet together, and then return to the County Princess's Mansion after paying New Year's visits.

Wen Zongji nodded: "Just do it the same as in previous years."

Pei Rujing glanced at Qinghe: "Prepare the New Year's gifts."

Qinghe replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

Wen Zongji, feeling warm, picked up Lingjie and sat her on the couch. He looked at Ruige and said, "Ruige, you'll be six next year. It's time for you to start your studies. Your father will invite a great scholar to tutor you. Respecting your teacher is your duty. When the teacher arrives, you must show him respect."

Rui Ge'er nodded: "Father, I've got it."

The brothers in the Marquis's mansion had already started studying long ago. He once asked Wen Zongji why he didn't have to study. Wen Zongji told him that he would have to start studying when he turned six.

Rui Ge'er only knew that the descendants of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family had to study and understand principles, and that they would pass the imperial examinations to enter the court, but he didn't really understand what studying meant in detail.

All his understanding was hearsay; he wouldn't know what reading was, or whether he liked reading, until he was enlightened.

But since his cousins ​​had all started school, Rui was still curious about reading.

Pei Rujing asked, "Are you sure you want to see Mr. Yuan?"

Wen Zongji looked at her: "My lady, are you not satisfied with Mr. Yuan?"

Pei Rujing shook her head: "But he's getting old, and his health has been damaged by drinking. Can he still teach?"

Wen Zongji said, "Don't worry about that. I visited Mr. Yuan before. He is in good health. I'm not sure how long he can teach Rui-ge'er, but he will definitely be able to teach him for the first few years."

"Then let's do as my husband says."

Pei Rujing had no intention of interfering in Rui Ge'er's education; Rui Ge'er's schooling would definitely be arranged by Wen Zongji.

Hearing their conversation, Lingjie tugged at Wen Zongji's beard: "Book..."

Wen Zongji cried out in pain, "Ouch!" "Good girl, Ling'er, let go of Daddy's beard."

Pei Rujing quickly got up and took Lingjie'er's little hand, gently making her loosen her grip on Wen Zongji's beard: "How can you grab Daddy's beard? That's not good."

Lingjie was unhappy after being told off, and pouted as she looked at Pei Rujing.

Pei Rujing said irritably, "Am I not allowed to criticize you for doing something wrong?"

Ling Jie'er still pouted, looking at Pei Rujing with a wronged expression.

Wen Zongji was the first to soften: "Alright, alright, it doesn't hurt that much. Ling-jie definitely didn't mean it, right?"

Lingjie turned her head and buried her face in Wen Zongji's arms, looking like she had been wronged.

Pei Rujing laughed in exasperation: "She's even complaining?"

Pei Rujing didn't even raise her voice; she only said one sentence to her.

"Why are you so delicate?"

Wen Zongji held Pei Rujing's hand: "So what if our daughter is a little spoiled?"

Pei Rujing glanced at him: "Your daughter has a bad temper, but you don't seem to care."

Wen Zongji smiled and said, "I don't think it's a big deal that my wife has a bad temper. She's quite adorable."

Pei Rujing withdrew her hand and turned her head away: "Smooth talker."

That's what he said, but the corners of his mouth turned up.

After appeasing the older child, Wen Zongji continued to appease the younger one.

After he had coaxed the younger one into smiling, Wen Zongji realized that Rui Ge'er had been watching him the whole time.

"What's Rui-ge thinking about?"

Rui-ge said, "Father is so amazing. He made Mother and Ling-jie happy with just a few words."

Wen Zongji said, "This is your father's skill. Rui-ge'er should learn it well in the future."

Rui-ge'er was stunned: "Do I have to learn too?"

"Of course, you'll learn it to please your future wife."

Rui scratched his head, said "Oh," and agreed.

He still didn't quite understand, but he was obedient and would learn whatever Wen Zongji asked him to learn.

At this moment, a maid came to report that dinner was ready, and the family moved to a side hall to dine.

Not long after finishing dinner, the two little ones started to get sleepy.

After seeing the two little ones off, Wen Zongji and his companion took a bath, changed their clothes, and went to bed.

I slept without any dreams!