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

Chapter 114 The Next Step in Life

After watching a puppet show, it started to get dark outside.

Pei Rujing remembered Wen Zongji saying that the puppet show was just one of the gifts. After the puppeteers left, Pei Rujing reached out to him and asked, "What about the next gift?"

Wen Zongji pulled her up and left the main courtyard: "I'll take the county princess to get the second gift."

Pei Rujing asked, "Where are we going?"

Wen Zongji remained silent, simply holding Pei Rujing's hand and walking forward: "Actually, I've been thinking about what birthday gift to give the county princess. As a noble lady, the gifts she receives are all incredibly precious. If I wanted to buy a birthday gift that would satisfy her with money, it's highly unlikely I could manage it."

"In that case, I'll have to do it myself. The first thing I brought out was the puppet show, and this is the second."

As they talked, the two entered the pavilion, where a long brocade box was placed on the stone table.

Pei Rujing quickened her pace, picked up the brocade box, and turned to Wen Zongji to confirm, "My gift?"

Wen Zongji nodded: "Are you satisfied?"

Pei Rujing immediately opened the brocade box and found a cylindrical object inside. She asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Wen Zongji explained to her, "This thing is called a kaleidoscope. I saw it in an ancient book. It can present colorful scenes through certain methods."

Wen Zongji picked up the kaleidoscope and demonstrated to Pei Rujing: "If you bring one eye close here, you can see interesting things."

"I want to give it a try."

Pei Rujing took the kaleidoscope, closed her right eye, and brought her left eye closer, whereupon she saw a magnificent starry sky.

"Wow—" Pei Rujing exclaimed in delight, "So beautiful, how did you do that?"

Wen Zongji remained silent, only raising his hand to turn the kaleidoscope.

The next moment, the scene before Pei Rujing's eyes changed, transforming into a picture of blooming flowers, as if she were surrounded by blossoms.

"How amazing."

Pei Rujing had never seen such an interesting thing before.

Wen Zongji said, "I have limited materials available, so this is the best I can do."

He knew the principle of kaleidoscopes, but there were very few colored fragments that could be found in ancient times. It was already a result of Mao Zheng's hard work and painstaking efforts to piece together these two patterns.

In other words, Pei Rujing found it novel because she had never seen it before. However, upon closer inspection, she would find that both the starry sky picture and the flower-filled picture were actually quite simple and had many flaws.

But Pei Rujing, engrossed in acquiring new gadgets, didn't care about any of that.

There were only two pictures, but she played with them for a long time, constantly asking Wen Zongji how he did it.

Wen Zongji explained to her that it was due to mirror reflection, but Pei Rujing didn't understand and didn't care, and continued to ask.

After a moment, Qinghe came over and said, "Princess, son-in-law, Wangchunlou has delivered the food. Where is it placed?"

This is Wen Zongji's newly purchased house. He only hired a few servants to guard the gate and did not hire a cook.

Besides, it was Pei Rujing's birthday today, so it was impossible to make do. Wen Zongji then asked Changdong to order dishes from Wangchunlou.

Wen Zongji said, "Just put it here. It's quite comfortable with the gentle breeze here."

Pei Rujing was still obsessed with kaleidoscopes: "I'll listen to my husband."

So the maids set out dinner on the stone table in the pavilion.

Wen Zongji took the kaleidoscope from Pei Rujing: "Let's eat first, it's not too late to play after we finish eating."

Pei Rujing pouted but didn't forcefully snatch it away. She excitedly said, "I'm going to take it to Xinya Garden tomorrow to show Zuo San. She's definitely never seen anything so interesting before."

Wen Zongji chuckled, "When the county princess first obtained the glass mirror, she showed it off to Miss Zuo. Now she's going to show it off again. Isn't she afraid Miss Zuo will be so angry that she'll stop associating with the county princess?"

"No way, I'll just let her play with it too."

Wen Zongji served her some food: "Let's eat."

Pei Rujing nodded.

After eating for a while, Pei Rujing looked at the completely dark sky, snapped out of her reverie at the kaleidoscope, and suddenly remembered that today was not only her birthday, but also the day they consummated their marriage.

Pei Rujing pursed her lips, glanced at Wen Zongji, and asked, "Are we staying here tonight?"

Wen Zongji nodded: "I won't be returning to the Marquis's residence today."

With Wen Zongji by their side, it wasn't a big deal for the two not to return to the Marquis's residence; after all, a young couple always needs some private space.

When Wen Zongji told Jiang about this, Jiang was not surprised at all.

I couldn't help but admire how good their relationship was.

She too had come from a young age, and Wen Chuanhong had done something quite remarkable—it was already a miracle that he could remember her birthday.

……

After dinner, the maids cleared away the food, and Wen Zongji pulled Pei Rujing to her feet: "Let's go, let's take the county princess to see the third gift."

Pei Rujing was stunned: "There's more?"

"This is the last one."

Pei Rujing turned to look at him, her eyes bright and affectionate: "Why did you prepare so many gifts?"

Wen Zongji pondered for a moment, then half-jokingly said, "I'm afraid the county magistrate might be dissatisfied and find fault with me, so I'm preparing a few extra just in case."

Pei Rujing pouted: "As long as you prepared it with care, I'll like it and won't nitpick."

"There are so many gifts, doesn't the county princess like them?"

"Of course I like it."

Who doesn't like receiving more gifts?

"Then let's go see the last gift and see if the princess likes it."

The two returned to the main courtyard, but stopped abruptly the moment they stepped inside.

Pei Rujing stared blankly at everything in front of her, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say.

Before her was a row of lanterns hanging high, all with red lampshades, creating a very festive atmosphere.

But that's not the point. The point is that every side of the slideshow features Pei Rujing.

Some were standing, some were sitting, some were happy, some were angry...

Various versions of Pei Rujing were presented to her as the carousel turned.

Wen Zongji said softly, "My painting skills are not good enough to capture even a fraction of the county princess's likeness. Please do not be offended."

He had studied sketching in his previous life, but his figure drawing was only so-so; he usually only managed to capture the form but not the spirit.

However, thanks to the atmosphere and the revolving lantern effect, the flaws in the painting technique are not obvious.

At least Pei Rujing didn't think it looked bad.

Her eyes reddened slightly, and she couldn't help but throw herself into Wen Zongji's arms: "No, it's so well drawn, you're the best!"

Wen Zongji held her in his arms, inhaling the fragrance of her hair: "I'm glad you like it."

After embracing tightly for a while, Pei Rujing finally stepped out of Wen Zongji's arms. The two held hands as they walked past the row of lanterns, into the room, through the screen, and into the inner chamber.

At this time, the inner room had been decorated as a bridal chamber, with red bedding and curtains, wedding candles lit on both sides of the bed, and nuptial wine placed on the table.

At this moment, Qinghe walked in, carrying a tray with a red veil and a wedding scale on it.

Wen Zongji pulled Pei Rujing to the bedside, made her sit down, and picked up the red veil from the tray: "Princess, no matter why we are married, tonight is our wedding night. Would you like me to lift your veil one more time?"

Pei Rujing's heart was filled with turmoil. She really didn't expect Wen Zongji to be so thoughtful, even preparing a red veil and nuptial wine.

She thought that they would celebrate her birthday properly today and then naturally consummate their marriage, since their relationship was already just one step away from that.

But Wen Zongji did not use this as an excuse; instead, he recreated their wedding night for her.

Pei Rujing's eyes glistened with tears as she nodded heavily.

Wen Zongji smiled and personally placed the veil over Pei Rujing's head.

Then he took the wedding scale, lifted a corner of the veil, and lifted the veil for Pei Rujing, revealing her bright and beautiful face.

Wen Zongji placed the ceremonial scales and veil back on the tray, smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, and bowed with his hands clasped: "My lady, I pay my respects."

Pei Rujing smiled and rose to give a curtsy, saying, "Greetings, my husband!"

Wen Zongji turned and walked to the table to pour the nuptial wine for the two of them. Then he returned to Pei Rujing's side and handed her one of the cups: "My wife, may we be together with you year after year from now on."

Pei Rujing nodded, raised her hand and slipped it through Wen Zongji's arm. The two looked at each other and drank the nuptial wine together.

After finishing his drink, Wen Zongji put the glass back, then turned around and walked step by step toward Pei Rujing.

Looking at the bright red wedding quilt behind her, Pei Rujing suddenly felt the reality of their impending marriage. A strange unease gripped her, and she turned away, saying, "I haven't bathed yet, I'll go bathe first..."

Before he could speak, Wen Zongji swept him up in his arms and said, "It's not too late to take a bath later."

After saying that, Pei Rujing was placed on the bed by Wen Zongji, who then waved his hand to pull down the bed curtains.

As the curtains concealed the spring light on the bed, only a room full of enchanting beauty remained.