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

For several days

Wen Zongji always woke up naturally, while Pei Rujing always got up earlier than him.

After waking up, I did my usual health-preserving exercises a few times.

Now, practicing health-preserving boxing has become second nature to Wen Zongji. His body is noticeably more muscular, and there are faint traces of abdominal muscles in his abdomen. He has finally broken away from the weak and scholarly state of the original owner.

After finishing his health-preserving boxing routine, Wen Zongji went inside.

Breakfast was ready, and Pei Rujing was waiting for him.

Previously, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing ate breakfast together, but now it's the other way around.

After resting for several days, I finally recovered from the fatigue of months of seclusion and reading.

After finishing his breakfast, Wen Zongji said, "I'll go to the Jade Pavilion in a little while."

In the months since he transmigrated, Wen Zongji has never spent time alone with Aunt Chen, and they have rarely even met.

Wen Zongji, an orphan, can accept Wen Shuyu as his younger sister without hesitation, but he doesn't know how to face Aunt Chen.

Mother--

For Wen Zongji, it was a completely unfamiliar term.

"Oh," Pei Rujing nodded, then hesitated and said, "Shall I come with you?"

Wen Zongji shook his head: "No need. With the county princess here, my aunt will inevitably feel uncomfortable."

Strictly speaking, Aunt Chen is not Pei Rujing's mother-in-law, and Pei Rujing does not need to call her mother-in-law.

"Then you can go by yourself. Granny, prepare some gifts for your aunt."

Pei Rujing didn't really want to go either. Aunt Chen was Wen Zongji's birth mother, but she was only Wen Chuanhong's concubine.

Pei Rujing didn't mind sending Yu Cuiting more things, but she couldn't do anything else.

Wen Zongji was aware of this as well.

Their social statuses meant they couldn't be close, so it was best for them to stay at a distance.

Changdong and Anfeng, carrying the things prepared by Granny Feng, followed Wen Zongji to the Jade Pavilion.

The weather was nice today, and Aunt Chen and Wen Shuyu were sitting in the courtyard doing needlework.

Upon seeing Wen Zongji enter, both men showed joy on their faces, but their subsequent reactions were quite different.

Wen Shuyu put down her needlework and ran happily to Wen Zongji: "Brother, did you come to see me?"

Wen Zongji nodded with a smile: "That's right."

Aunt Chen wanted to get closer to Wen Zongji, but she couldn't move her feet. She could only say somewhat reservedly, "Third Young Master..."

Wen Zongji sighed inwardly and said gently, "Auntie, just call me Zongji."

Aunt Chen stared at him blankly.

Wen Zongji explained, "I was blinded by greed before and didn't understand you, Aunt. Now that I'm married, I have more responsibilities, and I understand things I didn't understand before. Please forgive my previous rudeness, Aunt."

That's all he could say.

He can't possibly say that his previous bad attitude towards you was because he looked down on your status and thought you were a burden to him, can he?

Aunt Chen quickly waved her hand: "Third... Zongji, it's all my fault, I can't help you."

Aunt Chen was gentle and compliant, never fighting or grabbing, but she wasn't completely ignorant. She just loved the original owner of this body too much to care about such things.

Wen Zongji didn't want to dwell on the past, so he had Changdong and Anfeng put down the gifts: "These are all prepared by the county princess for my aunt. There are many tonics in them. My aunt should take good care of herself."

Aunt Chen was flattered and said, "Please thank the county princess for me."

Having spent more time with Wen Zongji, Wen Shuyu was no longer as reserved as before and asked, "Brother, do you have any for me?"

Wen Zongji, remembering that Granny Feng was always considerate, said, "Yes. Look for it yourself."

Wen Shuyu was pleased, but didn't immediately look for it. Instead, she asked another question: "My brother said he'd take me shopping when he had time..."

She had been thinking about this ever since Wen Zongji finished the imperial examination.

She waited every day for Pei Rujing to invite her to play mahjong, but it never happened.

Just when I was feeling disappointed, Wen Zongji unexpectedly came to Yucui Pavilion.

Wen Zongji was taken aback, but quickly remembered that he had indeed said that, and smiled, "The weather is perfect today, let me take you and your aunt out for a stroll."

Aunt Chen hadn't expected to be involved: "I... I guess I won't go?"

That's what she said, but Aunt Chen still longed for it.

Because she was truly trapped in the Jade Pavilion, she had hardly ever left the mansion over the years.

Wen Zongji made a direct decision: "It's settled then. I'll have someone prepare the carriage. Aunt and Shuyu, please change your clothes first. We'll meet at the gate of the mansion."

"it is good."

Wen Shuyu immediately pulled Aunt Chen back to her room, not giving her another chance to refuse.

……

After leaving Yucui Pavilion, Wen Zongji did not immediately return to Yunguang Courtyard. Instead, he went to the main courtyard to pay his respects to Madam Jiang and also mentioned taking Concubine Chen out of the mansion.

Madam Jiang said gently, "Your aunt has had a hard life all these years. Now that you're married, it would be good to take her out for a stroll."

Because of Pei Rujing's help in teaching Zhao Hongrong a lesson, Wen Shi felt closer to Wen Zongji, and her feelings went beyond just being that of a stepmother.

Wen Zongji said, "Mother is right. I was ignorant before, and I owe Aunt a lot."

Madam Jiang smiled and said, "It's not too late now. Alright, you still need to accompany your aunt out of the manor, so I won't keep you any longer. Go ahead."

Wen Zongji stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "Zongji takes his leave."

After Wen Zongji left, Madam Jiang sighed, "Marriage really can change a person."

Granny Liu chimed in, "That's right. The Third Young Master is not only much more composed, but he also seems more cheerful than before, no longer so taciturn."

Jiang seemed to be deep in thought: "Zongqi should be nineteen this year. Shouldn't I also find him a marriage partner?"

She harbored illusions.

After Wen Zongqi gets married, will he also undergo a change like Wen Zongji?

She knew she had spoiled her youngest son, but she couldn't bring herself to be ruthless and correct him.

Now, all we can do is hope that our daughter-in-law can keep Wen Zongqi in check.

If that's the case, then Wen Zongqi should be married to a more assertive woman.

Just like Wen Zongji and Princess Anhe!

"Check what banquets are being held in the capital recently. It's been a while since I've attended one; it's time to show my face."

Liu had only had an idea at first, but the more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and she couldn't sit still any longer.

……

Wen Zongji was unaware that because of him, Madam Jiang had decided to find a strong-willed wife for him.

Back at Yunguang Courtyard, Wen Zongji told Pei Rujing about taking Aunt Chen and Wen Shuyu out of the manor for fun: "Does the county magistrate want to come along?"

Pei Rujing was somewhat conflicted.

Of course she wanted to go, but she didn't know how to get along with Aunt Chen.

Out of consideration for Wen Zongji, she wouldn't treat Aunt Chen badly, but she certainly couldn't be a dutiful daughter-in-law.

Wen Zongji held her hand: "Just play normally, don't worry too much about your aunt, otherwise she will feel uncomfortable."

It's impossible for two people to never see each other again.

Pei Rujing nodded: "Okay then."

Once Pei Rujing confirmed her departure, the maids began to get busy.

It's late February now, and the weather is unpredictable, cold one day and hot the next.

It's a nice day, and quite warm outside.

But just in case the weather changes, the maids still prepared cloaks.

Once everything was ready, the two left Yunguang Courtyard together.