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

Chapter 284 Competing for Favor

The next day

When Wen Zongji returned to the county magistrate's mansion after his shift, he heard cheerful laughter coming from inside as soon as he got close.

He entered the inner room and saw Pei Rujing chatting and laughing with Princess Changning.

Even though the wooden couch was quite large, Princess Changning insisted on squeezing onto Pei Rujing's side, holding her hand intimately.

Upon seeing Wen Zongji enter, Princess Changning's smile vanished.

Wen Zongji cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Princess Changning feigned composure and raised her hand, saying, "We're all family, brother-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."

Wen Zongji looked at Pei Rujing and raised an eyebrow at her.

Last night we said Princess Changning would arrive in a few days, but she arrived today.

Pei Rujing shrugged at him.

Heaven knows that when she woke up today, she saw Princess Changning's astonishment and speechlessness.

Arriving at the county princess's residence early in the morning with her luggage, Pei Rujing couldn't help but ask her, "Was it really necessary to come so early?"

Princess Changning clung to Pei Rujing as soon as she saw her, not feeling that she had arrived early at all, but rather feeling wronged: "In the past, when I missed my cousin, I could invite her to stay overnight in the palace to keep me company, and I could also stay overnight at the Princess's residence. But since my cousin got married, we haven't been able to be close to each other. Now that my cousin has finally moved to the County Princess's residence, of course I have to come here early to play with her."

"I told my father that my princess residence will be next to the county princess residence from now on."

Pei Rujing chuckled, playfully hooking her nose and teasing her, "You're only eleven, and you're already thinking about what marriage will bring?"

The princess's residence was a gift bestowed upon a princess upon her marriage, signifying her departure from her family home.

Princess Changning blinked: "I just want to be closer to my cousin, what does that have to do with marriage?"

She was no longer someone who knew nothing, but marriage was too far away for her. She was simple-minded and didn't have any girlish worries, so she didn't feel shy about talking about marriage.

Upon seeing this, Pei Rujing said, "He's not grown up yet."

The county princess clearly forgot that before she married Wen Zongji, she was also clueless and not much better than Princess Changning.

Recalling what happened that morning, Pei Rujing said, "Changning's accommodation has been arranged; it's in the courtyard next door."

Princess Changning shook her head: "I want to sleep with my cousin."

After saying that, she emphasized, "I don't move around when I sleep anymore."

Having just regained his virginity, Wen Zongji couldn't bear to see his wife being abducted by Princess Changning: "Princess, the county princess is my wife."

Princess Changning frowned at him: "I know."

"Which couples sleep in separate rooms?"

Princess Changning retorted, "I miss my cousin! My brother-in-law has been monopolizing her for over two years, can't he let me have her?"

"cannot."

Wen Zongji refused very decisively.

Princess Changning was taken aback. Having been pampered since childhood, she had never been rejected so bluntly before. She blinked and immediately looked at Pei Rujing with a wronged expression: "Cousin~"

She acted coquettishly while shaking Pei Rujing's arm.

Pei Rujing realized that she hadn't spent much time with Princess Changning in a long time, and since Princess Changning had come all the way to the county princess's residence, if things didn't go as she wished, Princess Changning would probably stay even longer.

After a moment's hesitation, Pei Rujing held up her finger: "I'll only stay with you for one night."

Wen Zongji frowned.

Princess Changning, however, was dissatisfied: "It's too little."

Pei Rujing pulled her arm away: "Then you can sleep by yourself."

Princess Changning immediately compromised: "Alright, alright, I'll do whatever my cousin says."

Pei Rujing gave Wen Zongji a reassuring look—it's only one night, just bear with it and it will pass.

Seeing what Pei Rujing was trying to say, Wen Zongji's lips twitched, and he inexplicably felt like he'd been fooled.

This is unbelievable!

The feeling was even stronger when they saw Princess Changning's smug expression.

Pei Rujing sensed that something was wrong and stood up, saying, "Dinner has been prepared in the kitchen. Now that you're back, husband, let's eat."

The maids immediately began to set out the meal.

At the dinner table, Wen Zongji and Princess Changning sat on either side of Pei Rujing.

Wen Zongji knew that Pei Rujing rarely picked up fish to eat because she disliked fish bones. He picked up a piece of fish, removed the bones, and placed the boneless fish in Pei Rujing's bowl and plate: "Wife, I have removed the fish bones."

Pei Rujing turned to Wen Zongji and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, husband."

Princess Changning paused upon seeing this, glanced at the table, stood up, picked up Pei Rujing's bowl, and served her a bowl of mutton soup: "Cousin, this is your favorite mutton soup."

Pei Rujing blinked: "Thank you... but I can't eat that much for dinner."

Princess Changning waved her hand: "It's alright, cousin, drink as much as you want. If there's anything else you'd like to eat, just tell me and I'll get it for you."

After saying that, she gave Wen Zongji a defiant look.

Wen Zongji: "..."

Although he had just had a disagreement with Princess Changning, he wouldn't stoop to the level of arguing with a little girl.

But Princess Changning clearly didn't think that way!

This is how he and Pei Rujing usually get along; he enjoys taking care of Pei Rujing.

However, Princess Changning seemed to misunderstand that Wen Zongji was showing off to her.

Wen Zongji remained silent, ignoring Princess Changning's provocation.

Pei Rujing even tapped Princess Changning on the forehead: "Eat your meal properly and don't think about anything else."

Despite being several years older, he's still so childish.

Princess Changning rubbed her forehead and obediently said, "Oh."

After finishing his dinner, Wen Zongji went to take a bath.

Because Princess Changning wanted to sleep with Pei Rujing, Wen Zongji had to go elsewhere.

Knowing that Princess Changning was there, he couldn't be alone with Pei Rujing, so after bathing and changing, Wen Zongji went to the study.

Take out the blueprints set up by the Ministry of Works again and see if there are any oversights or areas for improvement.

Looking back at the elegant yet luxurious decorations of later generations, the most important thing is how to perfectly integrate them into this era.

Although a preliminary consensus had been reached with the Ministry of Works, Wen Zongji would naturally be even happier if a complete consensus could be reached.

However, his knowledge was limited, and he had been busy with work in his previous life, so he lacked the temperament to appreciate beauty. He only came across some well-decorated houses online, but they all had a strong modernist style.

Of course, there were also some antique-style items, but Wen Zongji could only remember a limited number.

the other side

After a long while, Princess Changning finally got her wish and slept with Pei Rujing again. She was so excited that she tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep, so she kept talking to Pei Rujing.

She mentioned the Empress's strict discipline, complained that the Crown Prince always thought she was stupid, and lamented that Emperor Shun'an was too busy to have time to dine with her.

After speaking to Emperor Shun'an and the others, he said, "After Cousin Xuan got married, she visited the palace less often, and you've all forgotten about Changning."

Hearing her disappointed tone, Pei Rujing's eyes flickered slightly: "We've all grown up, and we all need to have our own lives. Changning will be the same in the future."

This is an inevitable process!

Pei Rujing didn't try to coax Changning with sweet words; she wasn't stupid, she could figure it out herself.

Over time, you'll get used to it.