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

Chapter 66 The Best Couples Are Those Who Complement Each Other

After paying their respects to the acacia tree, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing did not leave immediately, but strolled around the market outside Xiangguo Temple.

Perhaps because these vendors targeted high-ranking officials and dignitaries, Wen Zongji discovered that there were many vendors selling calligraphy, paintings, seals, or flowers and plants.

Compared to other markets, this place is inexplicably more elegant.

Are all the calligraphy and paintings here genuine?

Wen Zongji asked Pei Rujing.

Pei Rujing shook her head: "Most of them aren't, but some people have managed to buy genuine ones."

understood!

This is similar to the antique market in later generations. Even though people know that most of them are fake, some still take a chance and think they are lucky enough to buy genuine items.

Wen Zongji then observed the people browsing the market for a while and said, "Although most of the people who come to Xiangguo Temple are high-ranking officials and nobles, most of the people who come to this market are ordinary people."

Otherwise, these vendors selling fake calligraphy and paintings wouldn't have been able to exist for so long.

High-ranking officials and nobles don't need to gamble here.

Pei Rujing didn't care about any of that. She paused, stopped in front of a stall, and stared blankly at the mahjong tiles displayed there.

The vendor enthusiastically said, "Young master, madam, you two have excellent taste! This is the most popular pastime among women in the capital—mahjong. These days, it's embarrassing to walk down the street without knowing how to play mahjong. If you buy a set of mahjong tiles, I'll give you a free 'Mahjong Manual' that will teach you how to play in detail."

Pei Rujing frowned: "Who gave you permission to sell this?"

The vendor was stunned.

This isn't some strategic commodity like tea or salt; who needs permission to sell mahjong tiles?

"My wife was just joking."

Wen Zongji smoothed things over and pulled Pei Rujing away.

Pei Rujing retorted angrily, "Why are you pulling me here! That's something you researched, and you didn't even use it to make money, so why should anyone else?"

Wen Zongji said, "It's just a small gadget. It's their freedom to make and sell it. How can we stop them?"

There are no patents these days.

Even if it exists, it can't be stopped.

After all, piracy is everywhere.

Pei Rujing sneered: "How can we not stop them? I'll have my second brother take men and arrest all those selling mahjong tiles, people and goods, and throw them in jail. I want to see who dares to sell mahjong tiles again."

Wen Zongji couldn't help but laugh: "Infantry battalions aren't used for this."

"Then let's go to Shuntian Prefecture. The prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is a student of Grand Secretary Zuo. Let Zuo San accompany me to Shuntian Prefecture. I don't believe the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture won't even give me this much face."

Wen Zongji found this interesting: "The county princess is of noble status. Even if she doesn't bring Miss Zuo with her, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture should still give her face."

Pei Rujing curled her lips: "Those old foxes in the court are the best at being outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. My elder brother once told me that if I want people to work for me honestly, I either have to offer them great benefits or exploit their weaknesses."

"Zuo San is the direct granddaughter of Grand Secretary Zuo. She only asked the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to do a small favor. If he still makes excuses, I'm afraid that in a few days, news of his ingratitude and disrespect for his mentor will spread."

"In front of the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Zuo San's status is more useful than mine."

Wen Zongji seemed to be seeing Pei Rujing in a new light: "I never imagined that the county princess possessed such wisdom."

Pei Rujing smiled smugly: "Of course."

The next moment, Pei Rujing's expression changed from sunny to stormy: "You mean I was stupid before?"

Wen Zongji immediately shook his head: "Absolutely not."

Pei Rujing, however, didn't believe him and lunged at Wen Zongji, baring her teeth and claws: "I won't let you get away with this!"

Wen Zongji quickly stepped aside: "Princess, please don't get agitated. We're outside."

Pei Rujing didn't care about any of that and continued to chase after Wen Zongji.

Wen Zongji had no choice but to keep dodging.

The two chased each other through the bustling market, causing others to instinctively dodge them.

"Whose wife is this, so barbaric, openly chasing and beating her husband?"

"That's right. That man looks like a frail scholar. He's going to have a lot of trouble marrying such a shrew."

"Tsk tsk, this woman is quite beautiful, but unfortunately her temper is too explosive, and not everyone can handle her."

Even though Wen Zongji couldn't hear the other people's comments, he knew that they were attracting too much attention.

Wen Zongji, not wanting to be the butt of the joke, stopped and turned to stop Pei Rujing: "Madam, there are quite a few people watching us make a fool of ourselves."

"Who dares!"

Pei Rujing glared fiercely at everyone.

Everyone else lowered their heads, and no one dared to meet her gaze.

"Can we talk about it back at the manor?"

Pei Rujing felt the subtle gaze upon her and frowned, "Return to the manor!"

These people didn't know her identity, and unless they revealed it themselves, they couldn't stop people from watching the spectacle.

Feeling irritated, Pei Rujing pulled Wen Zongji back to the carriage quickly.

……

Back to Yunguangyuan

Pei Rujing put her hands on her hips: "Tell me, how are you going to make me feel better?"

Wen Zongji pondered for a moment and said, "What the county princess said just now actually had a flaw."

Pei Rujing: "?"

Wen Zongji said, "The county princess knows that those people in the court are all old foxes. Even if Miss Zuo is the direct granddaughter of Grand Secretary Zuo, if the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture wants to go against his wishes, he has plenty of ways to do so. For example, he can arrange things in front of you, but if the people below don't put in the effort, then he can't be blamed."

Pei Rujing glared at him: "You mean the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture won't listen to me?"

"No," Wen Zongji shook his head, "I'll probably listen. After all, it's really just a small matter, and there's no need to offend the county princess."

Pei Rujing was bewildered: "Then what exactly are you trying to say?"

Wen Zongji pulled Pei Rujing down to sit: "I just wanted to remind the county princess not to trust other people's character too much, and not to think that a person's weaknesses are easy to control."

"Human hearts are complex!"

The county magistrate is still too naive.

Her background meant she naturally knew a lot and had a lot of experience, but it was all superficial, making her easy to be taken advantage of.

Pei Rujing found Wen Zongji's words baffling: "What nonsense! When did I ever want to control anyone?"

Wen Zongji didn't say anything more. It didn't matter that his little wife didn't understand; it was enough that he did.

That's how it is.

If both husband and wife are full of ulterior motives, their relationship will be very tiring.

That's good.

"It's nothing, I've just thought of a way to apologize to the county princess!"

After saying this, without waiting for Pei Rujing to ask any questions, Wen Zongji picked her up by the waist, went around the screen, and threw her onto the bed.

Wen Zongji raised his hand and unbuckled his belt, causing his outer robe to fall off and reveal his inner garment. Through the gap, one could vaguely see his chest.

He approached Pei Rujing step by step until he pinned her down completely.

Pei Rujing swallowed hard and subconsciously closed her eyes.

As for getting angry or anything?

She had long forgotten about it...