GBP Chapter 1 The Big Wedding
Chapter 1 The Big Wedding
November of the fourteenth year of Shun'an
A cold wind howled, and the vermilion gates of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion were tightly shut, with the red lanterns hanging above swaying in the wind.
As the guests left, the joy of the wedding gradually faded away.
Yunguangyuan
Wen Zongji covered his head and slowly sat up from the ground, looking at the antique room in front of him with a look of confusion in his eyes.
Today was the company's annual party, and he was so happy that he drank a few more glasses than usual. On his way back, he called a designated driver, but when he turned a corner, he was hit head-on by a car. Already feeling dazed, he lost consciousness.
He thought he had miraculously survived and been saved by the doctor, but when he opened his eyes he found himself not in the hospital. Looking down at the bright red wedding dress he was wearing, he was completely dumbfounded.
With the help of her maid, Pei Rujing removed her wedding headdress, and her neck felt much lighter instantly.
Seeing Wen Zongji wake up, Pei Rujing's anger had not completely subsided. Granny Feng, who was standing nearby, hurriedly went over to help Wen Zongji up: "Young master, you still have to get up early tomorrow to pay your respects. Please go and take a bath first."
After saying this, Wen Zongji was pushed into the outer bathroom by Granny Feng, and two servants walked in at the same time.
Chang Dong immediately tried to take off Wen Zongji's clothes, but Wen Zongji instinctively took a step back and said, "I can do it myself."
An Feng glanced outside and whispered, "Young Master, what just happened? I heard a 'thump' sound?"
The two were very worried about Wen Zongji. They were servants and could not enter the inner room, which was full of Pei Rujing's people, so they could not feel at ease.
After taking off his wedding attire, Wen Zongji sat in the bathtub, his hands outstretched on the rim: "It's nothing."
After saying that, Wen Zongji closed his eyes to conceal his complicated expression.
Having successfully received the original owner's memories, Wen Zongji finally realized his predicament.
He crossed!
He transmigrated into the body of a illegitimate son of a marquis who had gotten incredibly lucky!
Why do I say that?
Because the original owner was an unimportant illegitimate son of a marquis's family, yet he married the daughter of the eldest princess, the current emperor's own niece, Princess Anhe!
However, no one, from the eldest princess to Pei Rujing, was willing to marry her off. It was only out of desperation that Pei Rujing was married to the original owner of this body.
The reason is also very simple.
Some time ago, the eldest son of the Duke of Anguo held his first birthday celebration. The original owner of this body had just passed the imperial examination and barely caught the eye of the Marquis of Zhongyong, so he was allowed to go to the Duke of Anguo's mansion with the Marquis's family.
In the past, the original owner never had the opportunity to go out for social engagements and network.
Marquis Zhongyong had four sons and two daughters. The original owner's birth mother, Consort Chen, gave birth to the original owner's third son and daughter, Wen Shuyu, who were born out of wedlock.
The eldest son and the youngest son were both born to the principal wife, Lady Jiang, who also gave birth to the eldest daughter of the Marquis's family.
The second son was also a son born out of wedlock, but he was born to a favored concubine. Although he was not as valued as the legitimate son, he would occasionally be taken out by the Marquis of Zhongyong to meet some people.
The original owner was not only an illegitimate son, but also dull-witted. He just buried himself in his studies and was like a nobody in the mansion. If he hadn't had so few children, the Marquis of Zhongyong might have forgotten that he had such a son.
When the results of the provincial examinations were released in September, the original owner's name was on the list, which was his only moment of glory in the manor.
This also gave me the opportunity to visit the Duke of Anguo's mansion.
The original owner was not good at socializing and felt inferior about his status as an illegitimate son. He always felt that if he took the initiative to make friends with people, they would only ridicule him, so he found a quiet place to stay.
This action, however, brought him trouble.
The original owner of this body had become so bookish that he was completely stupid and had no sense of vigilance. He believed a mere servant who told him that the Marquis of Zhongyong was waiting for him and foolishly followed him there.
When he arrived, he pushed open the door and went inside. There was no Marquis Zhongyong inside, only Pei Rujing changing her clothes.
Suddenly a man appeared in front of her. Pei Rujing screamed in fright. Before she could ask who Wen Zongji was, a group of people rushed in.
Pei Rujing's dress wasn't fully tied up yet, and Wen Zongji was standing next to her; this scene was definitely a case of catching someone in the act of adultery.
Then Pei Rujing's reputation was ruined.
In this era where traditional etiquette was paramount, Pei Rujing's only options, besides marrying Wen Zongji, were probably to become a nun.
Even though she was Emperor Shun'an's niece, she couldn't silence the public's opinions.
Thus, the marriage between the Princess's residence and the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence was arranged, and the six rites were completed in just one month. Today is their wedding day.
But the problem is that Pei Rujing feels frustrated.
She was the only daughter of the eldest princess and was pampered from childhood. Last year, on the day she came of age, Emperor Shun'an bestowed upon her the title of Princess Anhe, which was a great honor and a sign of imperial favor.
If the Crown Prince hadn't been so young, Pei Rujing might have become the Crown Princess.
As a result, she was forced to marry a son born out of wedlock; no wonder she couldn't be happy.
The original owner was also uncomfortable. During this time, many people congratulated him, but their mocking eyes were all ridiculing him for his clever scheme to marry into a good family, and they even joked that he would definitely be a henpecked husband in the future.
The original owner was a scholar who valued his reputation above all else.
In his heart, his husband was paramount. Regardless of Pei Rujing's status, once she married into the Marquis of Zhongyong's household, she was a member of the household, and it was her responsibility to be a good wife and mother.
Having been plied with alcohol today, the original owner, emboldened by the alcohol, entered the bridal chamber and lifted the veil. Standing before Pei Rujing, she looked down at her and said, "Help me change!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing's eyes widened instantly: "What did you say?"
The maids and servants standing nearby were also stunned, they really didn't expect the new son-in-law to be so bold.
The original owner snorted coldly: "Now that you are married to me, the husband is the head of the household, isn't it only natural for a wife to serve her husband?"
Pei Rujing was so angry that her eyes turned red, and she grabbed the ceremonial scales and smashed them on the original owner's head.
Then Wen Zongji came over!
Wen Zongji: "..."
There were so many things to complain about that he didn't know where to begin.
He's a company boss, a golden bachelor, and now he's not only married, but he's married to a sixteen-year-old girl. That's quite a leap!
"Young master?"
Chang Dong, who was standing nearby, called out softly, worried that Wen Zongji had fallen asleep.
Wen Zongji opened his eyes, took a deep breath, got out of the bathtub and changed into his undergarments. Changdong and Anfeng took turns using handkerchiefs to wring out Wen Zongji's hair.
When he came out of the bathroom and returned to the inner room, Pei Rujing had already changed into a red undergarment, clearly having already taken a bath.
Because of her bath, Pei Rujing's fair face had a slight blush, making her already delicate features even more alluring, like a red apple that made one want to take a bite.
Wen Zongji shook off the perverse thoughts in his mind.
The young wife before him was very beautiful, with bright, captivating black eyes and arched eyebrows, possessing a beauty that could topple cities, but she was only sixteen years old after all.
Pei Rujing's expression remained cold when she saw Wen Zongji.
Seeing that neither of them spoke, Granny Feng said, "Princess and son-in-law, you should rest early."
Then he went out with his maids and servants.
In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained in the inner room.
Wen Zongji walked towards Pei Rujing.
Before he could speak, Pei Rujing glared at him fiercely and said, "I will not consummate our marriage. If you dare to touch me, I will... have my second brother break your legs."
Because she married a son born out of wedlock, Pei Rujing became the laughingstock of the capital, and she hated Wen Zongji, the man who had made her lose face.
Wen Zongji yawned and said casually, "I know."
Then he lifted the blanket near the edge of the bed, lay down, closed his eyes, and started to sleep.
Pei Rujing: "..."
Startled by Wen Zongji's actions, it took him a while to come to his senses. He ran to the bedside and angrily said, "Get up! I haven't gotten into bed yet!"
Pei Rujing's blanket was inside, so Wen Zongji couldn't get up and she had to step over him to get over.
She doesn't want to!
Wen Zongji opened his eyes and got out of bed: "Princess, please—"
Pei Rujing was completely bewildered by Wen Zongji's series of actions.
The man in her mind, reeking of alcohol and arrogantly demanding her service, seemed like a completely different person from the one in front of her. But looking at that handsome face, they were clearly the same person.
"Isn't the county princess going to sleep?"
Pei Rujing snapped out of her daze: "Of course I want to sleep!"
Pei Rujing snorted coldly, got into bed, and crawled under her blankets, wrapping herself up tightly, as if afraid that Wen Zongji would bully her.
Wen Zongji glanced at the burning candles on either side of the bed and casually asked, "Would you like to blow them out?"
I've heard that some people like to sleep with the lights on, and I wonder which type this young wife is.
He had barely finished asking when he saw his young wife looking at him with a complicated expression: "These are wedding candles!"
Wedding candles are not only for celebration, but also symbolize the arrival of new children and prosperity. They should not be blown out, but allowed to burn out on their own.
Wen Zongji was silent for a moment, then crawled back under the covers: "Go to sleep!"
Having received the original owner's memories, his mind was in a daze, and he was able to ask such a stupid question.