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

Chapter 31 Pei Rujing: If I say east, he dares not go west.

Wen Zongji's wish to have some tea and rest was finally granted.

Pei Rujing found a better shopping buddy and abandoned Wen Zongji.

"There's a teahouse over there, why don't you go in and have some tea?"

Then he and Zuo Mingxuan continued shopping.

Wen Zongji shrugged, went into the teahouse and asked for a private room, so he could take a look at the books he had bought at Yunxiufang.

Zuo Mingxuan watched Pei Rujing arrange things for Wen Zongji, her eyes flashing slightly. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Anhe is quite capable; she has actually taught her husband to be so obedient."

Pei Rujing, bursting with vanity, said smugly, "Of course. At home, I always say east, and he wouldn't dare to go west."

As for the incident where she was frightened into submission by Wen Zongji, the county princess said she couldn't remember when it happened.

Zuo Mingxuan said thoughtfully, "It seems that marrying down does have some advantages."

Granny Feng's lips twitched, fearing that Zuo Mingxuan would be led astray, and she hurriedly said, "Miss Zuo, marrying down means that the man's status is lower. Although you can be more assertive in front of your husband, you may need to use your dowry to support the family. Moreover, once you marry into his family, you will be their daughter-in-law and need to follow the rules to serve your parents-in-law. The more ordinary the family, the more demands the parents-in-law will have. They will use filial piety to pressure you, and you will have no way to resist."

Zuo Mingxuan asked, "Did the Marquis's residence instruct you to establish rules?"

Her eldest brother got married last year, and after her sister-in-law entered the family, she would visit her mother's courtyard every morning and evening to pay her respects.

His mother was already very kind; she didn't deliberately make things difficult for her sister-in-law, nor did she make her stand while serving her meals.

In the stories she read, some daughters-in-law had to serve their mothers-in-law until they washed up and went to bed before they could go back to rest.

That's truly terrifying!

Pei Rujing raised her chin: "I am the county princess! Who dares to make me set the rules?"

Zuo Mingxuan said enviously, "That's right, you are a county princess."

When Pei Rujing came of age and was granted the title of county princess, it made Zuo Mingxuan and other girls green with envy.

Unfortunately, she was Emperor Shun'an's beloved niece; such a thing is something we can only envy.

"Did the Lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong deliberately make things difficult for you?"

Pei Rujing shook her head: "No, we haven't even met that many times."

Most recently, Pei Rujing took the initiative to invite Jiang to play mahjong at Yunguang Courtyard.

Mahjong?

Pei Rujing said, "Hey, Zuo San, do you want to come to the Marquis's residence to play with me tomorrow? I'll show you a new game, it's really fun!"

Previously, Wen Zongji had asked her to invite her friends over, but Pei Rujing never even considered Zuo Mingxuan.

The two women were of similar social standing, and their relationship was sometimes good and sometimes bad. They would often bicker and not speak to each other for a month or two.

But with An Qingyan as a comparison, Pei Rujing found Zuo Mingxuan much more pleasing to the eye, and thus became interested in inviting her.

Zuo Mingxuan agreed without hesitation: "Okay."

She happens to be interested in Pei Rujing's married life.

Zuo Mingxuan is one year younger than Pei Rujing. She just held her coming-of-age ceremony this year and has reached the age to discuss marriage. She is both nervous and somewhat looking forward to getting married.

"By the way, did you know that An Si's confinement has been lifted?"

Zuo Mingxuan mentioned An Qingyan.

Pei Rujing's face instantly turned cold: "Don't mention her, she's bad luck!"

"You've met before?"

Zuo Mingxuan knew Pei Rujing quite well. She could tell from her expression that they had met before, and Pei Rujing had probably suffered a loss at An Qingyan's hands.

Pei Rujing glared at her: "I already said I wouldn't mention her."

Zuo Mingxuan chuckled and said, "Tell me, you know that ever since my older brother got married last year, An Si hasn't wanted to see me. We really haven't seen each other for a long time."

An Qingyan's long-cherished wish to marry Zuo Hanyu is none other than Zuo Mingxuan's own brother.

Pei Rujing's eyes lit up when she heard Zuo Hanyu mentioned, and she asked with great interest, "Third Brother Zuo, how is your older brother and sister-in-law's relationship?"

Zuo Mingxuan was completely confused: "Why are you suddenly concerned about my older brother and sister-in-law's relationship?"

"Oh, never mind that, just tell me what happened."

Zuo Mingxuan pondered for a moment and said, "It should be alright. As the younger sister, it's not appropriate for me to pry into my elder brother's private affairs. I've only heard from Mother that he usually stays in the main room, and only goes to the maid's room when my sister-in-law is not available."

The Zuo family were related to the maternal relatives, but they were also a scholarly family. They generally did not allow concubines to be taken before the birth of their legitimate son.

Pei Rujing was dissatisfied: "Can't you talk about something specific?"

Otherwise, how would she possibly hurt An Qingyan's heart?

Zuo Mingxuan looked at her strangely: "Anhe, you don't happen to have feelings for my older brother like An Si, do you?"

Pei Rujing's eyes widened: "How is that possible!"

Zuo Mingxuan looked at her without saying a word.

Pei Rujing could only say, "It's all because An Si mocked me about my marriage before, which almost made me furious. I had no choice but to use your older brother to get revenge on An Si."

Zuo Mingxuan understood; it was fortunate that Pei Rujing could come up with such a wicked plan.

"However, this is ultimately my elder brother's private matter, this..."

Pei Rujing glanced at her: "I'll invite you to the Plum Garden outside the city for a hot spring another day."

How could she not understand Zuo Mingxuan?

That tone is clearly asking for something in return.

Zuo Mingxuan has betrayed her own brother countless times.

It was through this that Zuo Mingxuan gained a lot of benefits from An Qingyan back then.

Zuo Mingxuan immediately beamed and said, "My eldest brother is so good to my sister-in-law. When she was sick, he was so worried and stayed by her bedside for a whole day and night to take care of her. When she went back to her parents' house for a day, he missed her terribly and went to pick her up after his shift. And..."

Pei Rujing listened excitedly: "Isn't your older brother and sister-in-law's relationship excellent?"

Zuo Mingxuan looked at her with a grin: "Because I made all of that up."

Pei Rujing was dumbfounded: "Made...made up?"

"Didn't you want to take it out on An Si? Of course, the better the relationship between my older brother and sister-in-law, the more An Si can't stand it! How could I, as the younger sister, know about my older brother's private affairs? I can only make it up."

"Don't forget the hot springs!"

Zuo Mingxuan smiled like a little fox.

Pei Rujing was speechless: "If I needed to make things up, why would I need you?"

Zuo Mingxuan said, "But I can be your witness."

Pei Rujing remained silent.

To be fair, she did need Zuo Mingxuan as a witness. After all, An Qingyan wasn't stupid; she wouldn't believe everything Pei Rujing said.

Since Zuo Mingxuan was indeed useful, Pei Rujing said, "You'll definitely get your share of the hot springs!"

"When are we going?"

Zuo Mingxuan, who was very skilled at demanding benefits, knew the principle that promises expired and were invalid, so she immediately confirmed the time with Pei Rujing.

Pei Rujing rolled her eyes at her: "Have you forgotten that I got married? I only left the manor today. How can I leave again so soon?"

"But aren't you the one who always has the final say in front of your husband?"

Pei Rujing: "..."

She made that boast herself, what can she do about it?

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zuo Mingxuan said, "I'm going to the Marquis's residence to visit you tomorrow, right? After we're done, we can go for a soak in the hot springs and then have a hot pot meal. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Pei Rujing was deeply moved: "Okay, tomorrow it is!"