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

Chapter 108 Zhou Lanzhi

The second floor of the attic on the island in the middle of Wufu Lake

Zuo Mingxuan and Pei Rujing stood together by the window, watching the young men who were arriving on the island one after another.

Wen Zongji was already handsome, and as soon as he appeared, Pei Rujing's gaze immediately fell on him.

Looking at the other men, none of them could outshine Wen Zongji, and Pei Rujing smiled with satisfaction.

A husband's good looks are a wife's glory!

Zuo Mingxuan's gaze swept across everyone's faces listlessly. She wasn't a looks-obsessed person, and a man's appearance wasn't a plus for her.

Of course, ugly men would never catch Zuo Mingxuan's eye.

Seeing that she wasn't very interested, Pei Rujing raised an eyebrow and said, "Looks like you wasted your time at this banquet... wasn't there anyone who caught your eye?"

Zuo Mingxuan: "What makes something pleasing to the eye?"

Pei Rujing was speechless for a moment when asked, "I don't know either."

Her situation and Wen Zongji's situation were too unique for her to offer Zuo Mingxuan any advice.

Zuo Mingxuan tugged at Pei Rujing's sleeve and gestured with her lips in one direction.

Pei Rujing looked over in that direction.

Then I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time—An Qingyan.

"An Si? She's here too?"

Zuo Mingxuan said, "I heard that the Duchess of Anguo has been trying to find suitable husbands for An Si, but she doesn't like any of them. I heard that she even stopped eating and drinking because of this. After all, she is the only legitimate daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Anguo, so they can't force her too much. Therefore, the marriage has not been settled yet."

"But Duke Anguo's determination to arrange her marriage is unwavering, so An Si also came to today's banquet."

Pei Rujing's expression was strange: "An Si wouldn't still be thinking about your brother, would he?"

It wasn't a secret in their circle that An Qingyan had feelings for Zuo Hanyu.

Zuo Mingxuan shrugged: "Who knows?"

At this moment, Madam Wu led a woman up to the pavilion. The woman had an oval face, snow-white skin, and an outstanding temperament. Every smile and frown of hers exuded a scholarly air.

Upon seeing the two, the crowd that had been chatting earlier gathered around: "Madam Wu, this must be Miss Zhou. She is truly elegant and beautiful, and one cannot help but like her at first sight."

"Indeed, the Sixth Young Master is truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife."

The older women looked at Zhou Lanzhi with admiration.

Zhou Lanzhi said softly, "Ladies, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."

"Look at him, so humble."

Madam Wu held Zhou Lanzhi's hand, clearly very satisfied with this daughter-in-law: "Lanzhi is always humble, and I like her unassuming and easygoing manner."

After these words were spoken, the crowd showered them with praise once again.

Not far away, Pei Rujing and Zuo Mingxuan watched this scene.

Zuo Mingxuan clicked her tongue: "As expected of the granddaughter personally raised by the great scholar Zhou, her temperament is extraordinary and unmatched by ordinary people. No wonder Madam Wu likes her so much. However, the youngest son of the main wife cannot inherit the family business after all. Madam Wu chose a daughter-in-law with a gentle temperament, probably to prevent her from whispering in the ear of the sixth young master of the Wu family and causing discord among the brothers in the future."

Pei Rujing glanced at her: "You're thinking far ahead."

"I've been worrying about the future of the mahjong club lately, and I've gotten used to thinking things through."

……

Attic

Wen Zongji looked up and saw Pei Rujing. He smiled at her and then looked away.

He looked around and noticed that some young people were casually glancing up at the attic.

It seems that many people are really looking forward to this matchmaking event.

After all, those who come here are all well-matched in terms of social standing. As long as you find someone you like, it's basically a done deal. There's no need to worry about issues like mismatched family backgrounds.

Then look at Pei Shirong... He's looking up at the attic again.

Wen Zongji: "?"

Didn't you seem impatient and want to slip away before?

Following Pei Shirong's gaze, he asked, "Second Brother, who have you taken a fancy to?"

Pei Shirong withdrew his gaze: "I didn't fancy any of them. These women are all beautiful, but their tempers are all terrible. I don't want to marry a tyrant."

Wen Zongji inexplicably thought of Pei Rujing.

He felt a little strange. Could it be that Pei Shirong had been traumatized by Pei Rujing?

Wen Zongji said, "Second brother, you are mistaken. Women are usually more docile in front of their husbands."

Pei Shirong glanced at him: "Do you even believe what you're saying?"

Wen Zongji: "...Second Brother, what do you mean by that?"

No wonder his mother-in-law said he was brainless. He tried to comfort her, but Pei Shirong just wanted to hurt him.

Pei Shirong, oblivious to Wen Zongji's unusual expression, said bluntly, "How could I not know my sister? Wen Shun has absolutely no relation to her. She might give you some face in public, but as for private matters, hmph, you'd be a fool not to grovel before her."

"Second Brother understands the County Princess so well; on the day of your return visit, you were worried I would bully her?"

"What if you upset your little sister? I'm her older brother, so it's only right that I protect her."

"If you could give half the patience you have for the county princess to your future wife, and think what she thinks and worry about what she worries about, I believe your relationship would be very good."

Pei Shirong's gaze wavered for a moment before he suddenly said, "My elder brother and sister-in-law have a very good relationship."

Wen Zongji nodded: "I've heard the county princess mention it."

"But do you know why they have such a good relationship?"

Why?

Pei Shirong explained, "Because my elder brother is a gentleman who is polite and respectful to his wife."

Wen Zongji was somewhat puzzled: "What does this have to do with my second brother?"

"Although I am skilled in martial arts, I am not an ignorant and reckless man. My wife shares my honor and disgrace, and I should respect her."

Pei Shirong patted Wen Zongji on the shoulder: "Little sister is little sister, and wife is wife. No matter what, wife can't compare to little sister."

Wen Zongji remained silent: "That's not what I meant."

Pei Shirong waved his hand: "I need to find out which family those two girls from earlier belong to. If I don't make any moves, I'm afraid Mother won't let me off the hook."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Wen Zongji had a lot to say but didn't know how to express it.

No wonder people need to study. If everyone were like Pei Shirong, unable to understand what he was saying, it would drive people crazy.

……

What happened next actually had little to do with Wen Zongji, who was already married. If unmarried young men and women had their eyes on someone, they would find a way to meet him or inquire about him.

The host, Wu Fengyuan, also went to accompany his fiancée.

Fortunately, the island in the middle of the lake is not small. Wen Zongji walked along the lake and enjoyed the shimmering lake view, which was quite a unique experience.

"What are you thinking about?"

Pei Rujing walked up to Wen Zongji's side without anyone noticing.

Wen Zongji smiled slightly at her and said, "I'm wondering when the county princess will come to see me."

Pei Rujing raised an eyebrow: "You guessed I would come looking for you?"

Wen Zongji shook his head: "You're lying to the county magistrate, how could I possibly guess?"

Pei Rujing laughed in exasperation and raised her hand to slap him: "You're just teasing me... Where's my second brother? Has he taken a fancy to any girls?"

"Probably. He just said he went to inquire about information."

Pei Rujing nodded: "That's good. Mother also said that if he doesn't take any action, she'll tell me to urge him."

After all, they were mother and son, and Pei Shirong had anticipated the princess's prediction.

"When do we leave?"

Wen Zongji was getting a little annoyed.

Pei Rujing said, "Now is fine. I came here to ask you to leave together."

Wen Zongji asked, "Has the county princess spoken to Madam Wu?"

Pei Rujing said, "Of course I told them."

The county magistrate is not completely ignorant of etiquette.

"Let's go then."

They were just there to make up the numbers at this banquet.

After leaving the Wu residence, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing boarded the carriage.