blogombal Chapter 228 The Busy Post-New Year Period
Chapter 228 The Busy Post-New Year Period
Although Pei Rujing had planned to travel out of the city with Wen Zongji after the New Year, they couldn't go out right after the New Year because they still had to pay New Year's visits.
They not only had to deal with the people who came to the Marquis's residence to pay New Year's greetings, but also had to visit other people's residences to offer New Year's greetings.
For example, Wen Zongji had only recently entered officialdom, and his only real superior was the Crown Prince, so he didn't have many people to pay New Year's visits to.
All he needed to do was visit Jiang Zhengming's residence to offer New Year's greetings, since Jiang Zhengming had helped him a great deal.
Jiang Zhengming was Wen Zongren's maternal grandfather, so Wen Zongji did not plan to go alone; he went with Wen Zongren and a few others.
In addition, Wen Zongji accompanied Pei Rujing on her return visit to her parents' home.
Lady Wei has been taken to the Princess's residence by the Eldest Princess.
Upon arriving at the Princess's residence, Pei Rujing went to the inner quarters, where the brothers Pei Shizhao and Pei Shirong entertained Wen Zongji.
The group already knew each other well, so there was no need for awkward small talk.
Pei Shirong accused Pei Shizhao: "Brother, Mother brought my sister-in-law here to rest during her pregnancy. There are so many maids and servants in the Princess's residence, you can't be of much help here, why haven't you returned to the Duke's mansion yet?"
Pei Shizhao accompanied the eldest princess to escort Lady Wei to the princess's residence, and ended up staying there as well, and has not yet returned to the Duke's residence.
Now that Pei Shirong is the only one left in the mansion, he doesn't usually feel it, but now he feels unwell all over.
Pei Shizhao sipped his tea calmly: "My wife is pregnant. As her husband, even if there's nothing I can do, I must stay by her side."
Wen Zongji wholeheartedly agreed: "Brother is right. I read in a book that a woman's emotions fluctuate greatly after she becomes pregnant. Your presence by my side can help ease her mood. Besides, pregnancy is not easy for a woman, so we should naturally consider her feelings."
Pei Shirong sighed, "Leaving me all alone in the Duke's mansion, I haven't been able to find anyone to talk to these past few days."
Pei Shizhao said, "You can move in too."
Pei Shirong's eyes lit up, but then he shook his head: "If you and your sister-in-law don't go back to the manor, Father is probably already angry. If I move back here, will Father be so angry that he comes to our door? I'd better not cause trouble for Mother."
Pei Shizhao glanced at him: "You've become sensible now."
Pei Shirong retorted, "What are you talking about? I've always been very sensible, okay!"
Pei Shizhao declined to comment.
Pei Shirong looked at Wen Zongji: "Zongji, we still have a few days off. Since we're just killing time anyway, why don't we invite Miss Mei to go out and have some fun?"
Wen Zongji looked at Pei Shirong and smiled: "Second brother and wife are indeed siblings, they think alike."
Pei Shirong was quite pleased: "Does my little sister also want us to go out and play together?"
"No, it's just the two of us. My wife was planning to go on a trip after the New Year, just like my second brother."
Pei Shirong was disappointed upon hearing this: "Hmph, now that you have a husband, you've forgotten about your brother. Little sister, you're really something."
Wen Zongji said, "If Second Brother wants to invite Miss Mei out, just send her an invitation. You two are already engaged, so there's no need to be so secretive."
Pei Shirong scratched his head: "Wouldn't Miss Mei feel embarrassed without you guys?"
On the few occasions he went out with Mei Yilan, he was always with Wen Zongji and a few others; otherwise, he wouldn't have always tried to use Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing as an excuse.
"Second brother, you'll know once you try it. Anyway, there's nothing to lose."
Pei Shirong was persuaded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Main courtyard of the rear residence
Pei Rujing was pulling the princess aside to tell her about her and Wen Zongji's plans to go on a trip.
Wei listened quietly to the baby, her hands still sewing a small outfit for the infant.
The eldest princess tapped Pei Rujing's forehead: "Zongji has been very busy ever since he took over the Capital Gazette Office. He finally had a few days to relax, and you dragged him around everywhere. You don't care about him at all."
Pei Rujing retorted, "It wasn't me who forced him; my husband agreed. Besides, going out for a trip and seeing the beautiful landscapes of our Great Chu will help him relax."
The eldest princess was speechless: "Your logic is so twisted."
Pei Rujing chuckled, her gaze falling on Wei Shi: "Sister-in-law, isn't it a bit early for you to start making clothes so soon after you're pregnant?"
Madam Wei smiled gently and said, "It will come in handy eventually."
The eldest princess waved her hand and said, "Everyone goes through this process. When I was pregnant with Shizhao, I wanted to make all his clothes from birth to adulthood, but after a couple of days I got tired of it and handed them all over to the embroiderers in the manor."
Pei Rujing's expression was strange: "Mother couldn't continue because she wasn't good at needlework, was she?"
She had never seen the princess sew anything since she was a child. Given the princess's affection for Pei Rujing, if she were skilled in needlework, she would definitely do something for her.
The eldest princess glanced at her: "You, who can't even do a little needlework, have the right to talk to me like that?"
At least she can make her own clothes, even though they don't look good and aren't comfortable to wear.
Pei Rujing pointed to the rough shape of the clothes in Wei's hand: "But my sister-in-law is very good at needlework, so my little nephew might like the clothes she makes."
Wei said, "If that's really the case, then I'll keep making it for him."
She was skilled in needlework and enjoyed sewing her own clothes; many of Pei Shizhao's undergarments were sewn by Wei.
The eldest princess said, "Children are naughty and need their clothes changed several times a day. You can't manage it all by yourself. Don't tire yourself out."
She was afraid that because the child was hard-won, Mrs. Wei would spoil him too much.
Madam Wei nodded: "Please rest assured, Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law will act within her means."
Pei Rujing suddenly became interested upon hearing this: "Mother, were my eldest and second brothers very mischievous when they were young?"
The eldest princess glanced at her and said, "None of them can compare to you."
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing was completely taken aback: "How could that be? I'm such a good girl!"
The princess's lips twitched: "...You really have no self-awareness."
"My nanny clearly said that I was a beautiful and adorable child."
"Yes, she's especially cute when she's asleep, but when she wakes up she's a little devil. I have to hold her to stop her from crying. After she learned to walk, she became even more lively. A group of people have to watch over her. If we're not careful, she'll run off somewhere."
Pei Rujing felt increasingly uneasy as she listened, and decisively ended the topic: "Mother, let's talk about my eldest brother and second brother instead."
She wasn't particularly interested in what happened to her when she was a child.
Upon hearing this, the Princess and Lady Wei exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.
At times, the county princess is indeed quite adorable.
For example, right now.
Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing had lunch at the Princess's residence before leaving.
After returning to the Marquis's residence, Qinghe and the others began packing their luggage. They planned to set off early the next morning and return the day before Wen Zongji went on duty, so as not to waste a single day of their holiday.
Wen Zongji had no objection to this; he said he would listen to Pei Rujing completely, so naturally he would not have any objections.
That night, the two went to bed early and late to get enough rest for the next few days of sightseeing.