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

Chapter 107 The Banquet Begins

Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing had lunch at the Princess's residence and played mahjong with her for an hour before leaving.

The Pei brothers, Pei Shizhao and Pei Shizhao, were also with them.

Before Pei Rujing boarded the carriage, she suddenly asked Pei Shirong, "Second Brother, were you also invited to Madam Wu's banquet?"

Pei Shirong sighed: "Yes. Mother said I have to go."

Pei Shizhao said, "At Madam Wu's banquet, everyone who receives an invitation comes from a distinguished family. You and Zongji are the same age; it will be too late if you don't get married soon. Don't keep making your mother worry about you."

"I know," Pei Shirong scratched his head, "It's not that I'm not cooperating, it's just that I'm not interested in any of the women that Mother has her eye on."

Pei Rujing immediately became interested: "You haven't even seen it, how do you know you're not interested?"

"My mother told me that she only chooses gentle and dignified women. These kinds of women are either too delicate and will make a fuss if they don't do what she wants, or they are too proper and strictly follow etiquette and rules in every move. They are not interesting at all. I have no interest in even meeting them."

Pei Shizhao frowned: "You've never had any contact with women, how do you know so much about them?"

Pei Shirong was speechless: "It's not like I haven't attended banquets before. I have eyes to see for myself."

He just hasn't spent time alone with a woman before, it's not like he's never seen a woman before.

Wen Zongji said, "Since you don't like this type of woman, you should tell your mother-in-law so that you won't be unhappy and your mother-in-law won't worry for nothing."

"I did say that, but when Mother asked me what kind I liked, I couldn't say."

He only knew what he disliked, but he didn't know what he liked.

Wen Zongji said, "Then Second Brother must attend Madam Wu's banquet this time; perhaps he can find someone he likes."

Pei Shirong shrugged: "...It doesn't matter if we can't find one. We can just listen to Mother. Anyway, the people she chooses are never bad. We can bring them into the household later if we meet someone we like."

Wen Zongji: "..."

Pei Rujing rolled her eyes at him: "My elder brother has been married for so long and hasn't mentioned taking a concubine, but you're not even married yet and you're already thinking about taking a concubine?"

Pei Shirong glanced at Pei Shizhao: "That's because my elder brother doesn't have a legitimate son yet. I won't take a concubine until I have a legitimate son. I still know my limits."

They were all legitimate sons, so they naturally supported the status of legitimate sons and attached more importance to them.

Pei Shizhao glanced at him: "My affairs are none of your business. Just don't make your mother worry about you."

Looking at Pei Rujing's calm expression, Wen Zongji sighed inwardly, realizing that his brother and husband were indeed treated differently.

Pei Rujing had no feelings about Pei Shirong taking a concubine. Even if she said a few words to him, it was just out of habit, not because she had any opinion about him taking a concubine.

What if it were him?

Wen Zongji shuddered; such thoughts were not to be entertained.

……

After bidding farewell to the Pei brothers, Pei Shizhao and Pei Shizhao boarded their carriage and returned to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence.

The next day, after finishing his shift, Wen Zongji returned home, changed into a moon-white casual outfit, and then went to the Wu residence for a banquet with Pei Rujing.

Seeing Pei Rujing's enthusiastic expression, Wen Zongji couldn't help but ask, "Is the county princess so happy?"

Pei Rujing nodded: "It's been a long time since I've attended a banquet. This one should be quite lively."

"If the county princess enjoys lively gatherings, she can attend more often in the future. There are many banquets held in the capital every month."

Pei Rujing raised her head and said arrogantly, "Not everyone is qualified to invite me to the banquet."

Wen Zongji smiled and said, "Then we'll organize it ourselves and invite whoever the county magistrate wants to invite."

Pei Rujing was only briefly tempted by the suggestion before rejecting it: "Forget it, it's too much trouble."

Wen Zongji: "...Isn't Granny Feng here?"

Hasn't Your Excellency the County Head long been used to being a hands-off manager?

"The banquet arrangements can be handled by the nanny, but once the guests arrive, I'll have to entertain them."

"That's true."

Wen Zongji then dropped the proposal.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the Wu residence, where the area was already full of carriages.

The two got off the carriage together and entered the Wu residence.

The male guests stayed in the front yard, while the female guests went to the back courtyard.

After entering the Wu residence, the two parted ways with the help of the servants.

Wen Zongji walked straight into the courtyard and saw Wu Fengyuan talking to someone.

Seeing Wen Zongji arrive, she immediately walked over to him and complained, "My mother is hosting a banquet, and I'm almost swamped with work."

Wen Zongji glanced at him: "Don't think I don't know, this is prepared for your future wife."

Wu Fengyuan looked around and whispered, "My mother has never liked crowds. Even if she wanted to give Miss Zhou face, she wouldn't make such a big fuss. It's just that some ladies with children of marriageable age but not yet engaged learned that my mother was going to hold a banquet, so they asked her to invite all the young men in the capital who are not yet married."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji had a thought: "...My mother-in-law shouldn't be included, right?"

Wu Fengyuan smiled slightly and remained silent.

Wen Zongji understood everything.

Just then, Pei Shirong walked over.

"Brother-in-law, you've finally arrived. I'm so annoyed with you."

"I just saw Second Brother chatting happily with someone?"

"What's so great about it? A bunch of people gathered together bragging about themselves, it's utterly boring to listen to."

Wen Zongji looked around and said, "There are quite a few snacks and fruits on this table. Second Brother, if you're bored, eat some more."

Since a gift was given, it's fine to eat a little more.

Wu Fengyuan said from the side, "In a little while, the women of the inner quarters will go to the pavilion on the island in the middle of the lake to admire the flowers, and we will also go to the island for a visit."

Since it's a large-scale matchmaking event, we should naturally give them a chance to meet.

But men and women are different after all, and it's not appropriate to put them face to face without regard for etiquette.

Fortunately, the Wu residence is large enough that it not only has a lake, but also a small island in the center of the lake with a two-story pavilion. The women can stand on the pavilion and observe the men below.

When these men looked up, they could see the women in the attic through the window. If they found each other attractive, they would naturally find an opportunity to meet privately.

This was the limit that Mrs. Wu could do.

With so many unmarried men and women coming to the Wu residence, her biggest concern was preventing any problems from arising.

At the very least, the affair between Pei Rujing and Wen Zongji must not be repeated in the Wu family.

As a result, the number of patrols at the Wu residence has doubled today, and the movements of outsiders are being strictly monitored.

Wen Zongji nodded: "We will follow your arrangements."

He could see the intention behind the Wu family's arrangement, but since it didn't concern him much, he would just follow their instructions.

Pei Shirong didn't have any objections.

He only planned to leave after the banquet ended.