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

Time passed, the sun began to set, and Pei Rujing became more and more addicted to the game.

Granny Feng reminded her, "Princess, it's time to dress and get ready."

Pei Rujing had just won a game and casually said, "Wait a minute."

Then he picked up the piece of paper next to him, dipped it in water, and approached Wen Zongji with a mischievous grin.

At this moment, Wen Zongji's face was covered with many paper strips.

While Pei Rujing also had some on her face, compared to Wen Zongji, there were very few.

Inspired by Zuo Mingxuan, Pei Rujing began adding prizes after becoming familiar with Gomoku.

Since the couple was obviously not suited to playing with silver, Wen Zongji suggested sticking notes on the paper.

Pei Rujing readily agreed, and this is how things have turned out.

Pei Rujing nestled in Wen Zongji's arms, leaning closer to examine him closely, muttering, "Let me see where it should be stuck—"

Wen Zongji put his arm around her and urged, "It's getting late, let's hurry up and finish applying the dressing so we can change."

Pei Rujing ignored him and searched for a while longer. Then, her eyes lit up, and she quickly slapped the note on Wen Zongji's head, the end of which rested right on his forehead.

Combined with the other notes on Wen Zongji's face, it became increasingly hilarious.

"Hahaha--"

Upon seeing this, Pei Rujing burst into laughter and fell into Wen Zongji's arms.

Wen Zongji looked up and only saw the end of the note. He hugged Pei Rujing tightly and smiled helplessly, "Go change your clothes when you've had enough fun."

Pei Rujing shook her head and said in a sweet voice, "I don't want to move."

Wen Zongji raised an eyebrow, and the next moment, he swept Pei Rujing up in his arms.

"ah--"

Pei Rujing gasped and instinctively hugged Wen Zongji's neck tightly.

His young wife was very light, and Wen Zongji felt no pressure holding her.

Wen Zongji carried Pei Rujing to the dressing table, placed her on a wooden chair, and turned to instruct Qinghe and the others, "Come and help the county princess with her makeup."

"Yes."

Pei Rujing glared at him, but didn't say anything more.

Wen Zongji also needed to change his clothes.

The clothes that Pei Rujing had previously made for Wen Zongji at Yunxiu Workshop were perfect for attending the palace banquet, so there was no need to worry about the clothes being too shabby.

In fact, Madam Jiang also arranged for the embroiderers in the mansion to make new clothes for Wen Zongji, but they certainly couldn't compare to the embroiderers from Yunxiu Workshop.

As for Wen Zongjing, since it was Wen Chuanhong who decided to add him at the last minute, the Marquis's mansion certainly didn't have time to make him new clothes. However, he was, after all, the son of a favored concubine, so he would definitely have clothes to show off.

After Wen Zongji finished changing his clothes, he sat in the outer room waiting for Pei Rujing.

After an unknown amount of time, someone from the main hospital came to inform us that it was time.

Wen Zongji got up and went into the inner room. Just as he was about to ask if he was done, he saw Pei Rujing walk out from behind the screen and immediately froze on the spot.

Pei Rujing wore a light blue long dress with a matching sash embroidered with exquisite patterns at the waist. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with elegant and luxurious headdresses, exuding an air of nobility.

Unlike her usual appearance without makeup, Pei Rujing wore makeup today, which made her already exquisite face stand out even more, making her bright and stunning, captivating everyone's attention.

Seeing Wen Zongji's stunned expression, Pei Rujing's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness. She gracefully approached him, raised her hand to lift his chin, and parted her alluring red lips slightly: "Does my husband like me like this?"

Wen Zongji's gaze was deep. He reached out and pulled Pei Rujing up to his level, his eyes burning with a intensity that seemed to want to devour her: "I love it!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing, who had been alluring and captivating, instantly transformed back into an innocent little rabbit. Her eyes lowered, and she dared not meet Wen Zongji's gaze. Her heart raced, and her face flushed an alluring red.

Pei Rujing, who has never experienced anything between a man and a woman, is just a paper tiger. As soon as she stretched out her claws, she was scared back by Wen Zongji.

Wen Zongji curled his lips, his gaze returning to its usual indifference, and released Pei Rujing: "Mother has already sent someone to summon us; it's time to set off."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out first.

Pei Rujing watched his retreating figure, then remembered her earlier hesitation. She coughed lightly, straightened her back, and followed him out, not daring to look at Qinghe and the others.

In fact, these maids were all trained by Granny Feng, and their manners and etiquette were impeccable. From the moment Wen Zongji walked in, they kept their eyes lowered, and none of them dared to peek into their masters' interactions.

……

All the masters of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion came together to attend the palace banquet. Several carriages were parked at the entrance of the mansion. When Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing arrived, they happened to run into Wen Zongren and his wife.

When Madam Zhong saw Pei Rujing, a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes, and she praised, "At this year's palace banquet, the county princess will once again outshine all the beauties."

Last year, Pei Rujing came of age and her beauty blossomed. Among the many women attending the palace banquet, none could match her beauty.

Pei Rujing smiled slightly but didn't say anything.

She's never been humble, but she also never boasts about how beautiful she is.

After all, beauty is an objective reality.

The county princess has been beautiful for sixteen years, and she's long been used to it.

When Wen Chuanhong arrived, everyone boarded the carriage, and the driver slowly drove it toward the palace.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. People are at home reuniting with their families. There are few pedestrians on the streets, and all the shops have their doors and windows tightly closed.

The carriage arrived at the palace gates without any hindrance.

At this time, the palace gate was already full of carriages.

The coachman found a spot to park the carriage, and Wen Chuanhong and the others got off and walked to the palace gate.

The imperial guards at the palace gate bowed and greeted the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor and the Princess of Anhe County.

Wen Chuanhong nodded and led everyone into the palace.

Upon entering the palace, the first thing that catches the eye is a long corridor with tall city walls on both sides and the ground paved with bluestone slabs.

Walking on the bluestone path, Wen Zongji felt a sense of solemnity. Anyone who dared to attack the palace would be defeated on this path.

As long as the imperial court deploys archers on the walls, the enemy is like a lamb to the slaughter, unable to even put up a fight.

After passing through the passageway, you will find yourself in a spacious square. The magnificent palaces in the outer court inspire awe and longing.

Because the Wenyuan Pavilion, the office of the Grand Secretariat, is located here!

That was the most sacred hall in the hearts of all civil officials.

It can be said that all officials who entered the civil service through the imperial examinations harbored ambitions of joining the cabinet.

Wen Zongji certainly had one too!

After passing through the outer court, at the palace gate connecting the outer court and the inner palace, a young eunuch approached and respectfully said, "My lord, gentlemen, please follow me."

The palace maid then approached Pei Rujing and said, "Madam, Princess, this servant will show you the way."

The inner palace was a very important place in the imperial palace. Even high-ranking officials could not wander around in the inner palace and had to be led by palace servants.

Anyone walking alone in the inner palace could be arrested by the imperial guards without asking any questions, and even if they accidentally killed someone, they deserved it.

Having already learned about the palace rules, Wen Zongji obediently followed behind the young eunuch and separated from Pei Rujing and the others.

The palace banquets were held with male and female guests separated, and were hosted separately by Emperor Shun'an and the Empress.

Wen Zongji's destination was Linhua Hall!