GBP Chapter 313 is complete.
Chapter 313 is complete.
Writing storybooks was Wen Shuyu's hobby, and she found joy in the process. She could lock herself in her study for days to come up with plot ideas. Aunt Chen once commented that she was so engrossed in writing storybooks that she became obsessed.
So the first question Wen Shuyu asked was whether Jiao Yansong minded her writing storybooks.
After all, in the eyes of a scholar like him, writing vernacular stories was probably something that couldn't be presented in a respectable manner.
Jiao Yansong said he didn't mind, which made Wen Shuyu want to continue the conversation.
Jiao Yansong asked, "Besides writing storybooks, what other hobbies does Miss Wen have?"
Wen Shuyu said, "I am a member of the mahjong club. When I have nothing to do, I go back to the club to play mahjong... By the way, after I get married, I will probably go out of the mansion often."
Jiao Yansong said, "I have just entered officialdom and will most likely be very busy and have no time to accompany you. My parents are not in the capital and there are no parents to serve in the mansion. Miss Wen can leave the mansion whenever she wants."
"Do you have any brothers? You are the eldest son, shouldn't you bring your parents to live with you and take care of them in the future?"
Jiao Yansong said, "I have a younger brother by blood and several younger brothers by marriage. Whether or not we will bring our parents to live with us in the future depends on their wishes. If they are willing, I will definitely bring them over; it is my duty as a son."
Wen Shuyu was not surprised by this answer. It is a matter of filial piety. One should not forget who one is just because one has not achieved great success.
Seeing that Wen Shuyu had nothing to say, Jiao Yansong said, "I'm not much of a romantic person, and I easily forget other things when I'm reading. However, I'm not interested in women. As long as I can have a legitimate son before I turn forty, I will not take a concubine or have any maids."
He had grown accustomed to the intrigues and backstabbing within his father's household and felt that women were simply a nuisance.
He wouldn't even consider getting married if it weren't for the need to continue his family line.
Therefore, the prerequisite for him to take a concubine was that he had not yet had a legitimate son.
After listening, Wen Shuyu thought for a moment and said, "I'm not very romantic and not good at talking. As for the eldest son, that depends on fate. Let's do as you say."
After saying that, the two remained silent for a while.
Jiao Yansong asked, "Is there anything else Miss Wen would like to know?"
Recalling scenes from storybooks, Wen Shuyu asked, "Do you have a bad temper?"
"What?"
Jiao Yansong thought he had misheard.
Wen Shuyu, thinking he hadn't understood, asked bluntly, "If we argue in the future, will you hit me?"
Jiao Yansong's eyes widened: "A gentleman should conduct himself with integrity. It is not the act of a gentleman to lay a hand on a woman. It is despicable. How could I do such a thing?"
He couldn't believe Wen Shuyu would ask such a question. Did he look like a despicable person who would lay a hand on a woman?
"Oh," Wen Shuyu said, indicating that she had heard him. "Then I have nothing more to ask."
After listening, Jiao Yansong asked uncertainly, "So, does that mean we've agreed?"
He wasn't quite sure.
After all, they didn't have much experience.
Wen Shuyu looked at him: "Lord Jiao, is there nothing you want to ask me, or do you have any requirements for your future wife?"
Jiao Yansong pondered: "I hadn't thought about it before, but I've been thinking about it recently. I think as long as I can manage the household well and not distract me, that's enough."
Also, don't be too clingy; he can't stand clingy women.
Wen Shuyu didn't seem like a clingy person, so Jiao Yansong didn't mention that.
Wen Shuyu said, "I have never managed the inner quarters before; I only learned a little from my sister-in-law."
"It's okay, you can learn slowly."
……
While waiting for Wen Shuyu, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing carried Rui Ge'er and began to stroll around Xiangguo Temple. They first went to the acacia tree to fulfill their vows, and then wandered around the area, occasionally introducing Rui Ge'er to what each thing was.
Rui Ge'er is interested in everything, and he listened very attentively, occasionally responding with baby talk.
When they felt it was about time, the two returned to the bamboo forest, where they saw Wen Shuyu and Jiao Yansong walking out of the forest.
Wen Shuyu's eyes lit up when she saw the two of them, and she walked over to them, saying, "Brother, sister-in-law."
Jiao Yansong raised an eyebrow as he looked at Wen Shuyu, who was noticeably more lively than before.
Jiao Yansong cupped his hands in greeting: "Princess, Lord Wen."
Pei Rujing nodded.
Wen Zongji said, "We have other matters to attend to; let's talk another day."
No need to ask anything; you can tell from their demeanor that they are getting along very well.
As for anything else, we'll ask Wen Shuyu when the time comes.
Jiao Yansong said, "Princess and Lord Wen, please take care... Miss Wen, see you another day."
Wen Shuyu glanced at him and smiled slightly.
After Wen Zongji and his entourage left, the attendant asked, "Young Master, is it settled already?"
He felt it was all a bit unreal; in the blink of an eye, he was going to have a mistress?
"Miss Wen is very nice; she doesn't mind that I'm boring."
Jiao Yansong always felt that he would not be a good husband, as his mind was mostly on officialdom and he would have little time for his future wife.
So from the very beginning he made it clear that he was a boring person, and marrying him meant no romance, no daily surprises, and certainly no bedroom fun.
All he could do was not take a concubine before he turned forty.
Wen Shuyu accepted.
Jiao Yansong could tell that Wen Shuyu genuinely didn't care and wasn't saying it against his conscience.
Since that's the case, then let's settle on it.
Once he gets married, he can focus on his career and won't be bothered by marriage anymore.
Meanwhile, Wen Zongji and his entourage left Xiangguo Temple.
Once inside the carriage, Pei Rujing eagerly asked, "Shuyu, how is it?"
Wen Shuyu blinked: "It should be successful."
Wen Zongji: "...What do you mean?"
"It probably means he'll come to propose marriage another day."
"So fast?"
Pei Rujing was stunned and turned to look at Wen Zongji.
Wen Zongji shook his head: "Don't look at me like that, I haven't experienced this either, so I'm not sure if this is a bit too fast... What did you guys talk about? How did it suddenly get to the point of proposing marriage?"
"I just said I like writing storybooks and asked him if he minded. He said he didn't mind. He said he was a boring person and asked me if I minded, and I said I didn't mind either. Also, he said he would only take a concubine if he had no children by the age of forty."
"Did he bring it up himself?"
"Exactly."
Pei Rujing said, "There is some sincerity involved."
In Pei Rujing's view, if Jiao Yansong could marry Wen Shuyu, it would be a great honor for him, so he should naturally show some sincerity.
Wen Zongji nodded: "Since Shuyu is fairly satisfied with Jiao Yansong, then you should go and talk to Mother, so that she won't be caught off guard."
Jiang knew that Wen Zongji was looking for a match for Wen Shuyu, but she did not yet know the specific candidate.
Jiang is Wen Shuyu's legal mother and the person in the Marquis's mansion who has the most say in Wen Shuyu's marriage. If Jiao Yansong really wants to ask for Wen Shuyu's hand in marriage, he must get Jiang's consent.
Pei Rujing naturally understood the key point: "Okay, I'll go tomorrow."
Wen Shuyu said gratefully, "Thank you, brother and sister-in-law."
They really put a lot of effort into arranging her marriage.