radicalducati Chapter 144 Alcohol Famine
Chapter 144 Alcohol Famine
After leaving the Yuan residence, I returned to the carriage.
Pei Rujing said, "Mr. Yuan is much more tactful than before."
When Yuan Tianxi became Pei Rujing's tutor, he had only recently left the imperial court and still retained the aloofness of a scholar. Even if he was poor, he was only willing to do jobs like teaching.
Now he can freely discuss remuneration with Wen Zongji.
Wen Zongji said, "After experiencing many things, you will always change."
Pei Rujing nodded in agreement: "Uncle truly admires Mr. Yuan's talent. I've heard Mother lament it several times. At that time, Uncle had just ascended the throne and was in the process of cultivating his confidants. Mr. Yuan was not lacking in talent and ability, and should have had a very good career, but unfortunately..."
Wen Zongji thought of Yuan Tianxi's gentle and polite demeanor just now and wondered, "Judging from our interaction just now, I really couldn't tell that Mr. Yuan was so obsessed with wine."
Pei Rujing said, "My uncle has tried to get him to quit drinking or reduce his dependence on alcohol, but it's no use. Mr. Yuan seems to be born with a passion for alcohol."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji inexplicably thought of a term—skin thirst syndrome.
Could it be that Yuan Tianxi suffers from alcoholism?
The thought was fleeting, and Wen Zongji didn't think much of it. He was somewhat interested in Yuan Tianxi, but only hoped to cooperate well with him.
Pei Rujing didn't say anything more. She came to see Yuan Tianxi simply to fulfill a childhood memory. After all, Yuan Tianxi was the only man who satisfied her.
Back to Yunguangyuan
The two hadn't had dinner yet when they went straight to the Yuan residence after finishing their shift. Yuan Tianxi probably didn't expect that they hadn't eaten yet, and since the two sides weren't actually very familiar with each other, they left the Yuan residence after discussing the cooperation with Yuan Tianxi.
Therefore, I haven't eaten yet.
Fortunately, the small kitchen always kept dinner ready, and as soon as the two returned, the maids had already set out the meal.
Pei Rujing didn't have a big appetite, and she ate even less in the evening. She ate a few bites and then put down her chopsticks, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Wen Zongji eat.
Wen Zongji's eating habits were neither like those of a scholar who ate slowly and deliberately, nor like those of a boorish person who wolfed down his food. He was the kind of person who appeared to be well-mannered and whose every move was impeccable, but who ate very quickly.
Pei Rujing enjoyed watching Wen Zongji eat; it gave her the feeling that she could eat an extra bowl herself.
Wen Zongji took a sip of soup, then looked up at her: "Does my wife have any plans for tomorrow?"
Pei Rujing shook her head: "No. What's wrong?"
"I remembered that I promised Shuyu that I would occasionally take her out of the manor for a stroll, but I've been busy with the Imperial Gazette Office these days, and even on my days off I've been spending time with you, so I've neglected her somewhat. If you don't mind, how about I take Shuyu out of the manor tomorrow?"
To my shame, Wen Zongji wanted to be a good elder brother.
However, his attention was completely occupied by the Beijing News Bureau and Pei Rujing, and he really couldn't think of Wen Shuyu.
Upon hearing this, Pei Rujing readily agreed: "No problem, but that doesn't include your aunt."
She still didn't want to be alone with Aunt Chen.
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "Even if my wife wanted to invite my concubine out of the manor, my concubine would not agree."
Pei Rujing didn't want to get along with Aunt Chen, and Aunt Chen was also afraid of Pei Rujing.
Reducing meetings and avoiding spending time alone with each other are ideas they both share.
Pei Rujing said, "I'm going to Xinya Garden tomorrow, so I'll take Shuyu with me. She's pretty good at mahjong, so she can join the mahjong club and attend their gatherings, which will keep her from getting bored."
All I can say is that she truly lives up to Pei Rujing's reputation.
She could take Wen Shuyu out of the mansion for Wen Zongji's sake, but she was ultimately not a considerate and gentle sister-in-law who could take care of Wen Shuyu in every way. Letting Wen Shuyu join the mahjong club would be a good solution that would solve the problem once and for all.
Wen Zongji had no objection to this: "That's fine. From now on, we only need to ask Mother's permission before leaving the manor."
Pei Rujing nodded: "I know."
After finishing their meal, the two went for a walk in the courtyard to digest their food, enjoying the cool summer breeze, and then chatted about the interesting things that had happened recently.
After their walk, the two went to shower and change.
It was half an hour later when the two of them lay down on the bed.
Pei Rujing instinctively moved closer to Wen Zongji, who took a step back: "Don't you know your current situation? Don't provoke me."
Pei Rujing is having her period today.
Wen Zongji even suspected that her clinginess last night was an attempt to use up her menstrual flow in advance.
Fortunately, it was a safe period, otherwise Wen Zongji really wouldn't dare to mess around with her like this.
Pei Rujing pouted: "You dislike me."
Wen Zongji's eyes widened: "Wife, you should speak with conscience."
He had better self-control before he started eating meat, but now that he's started eating meat, his self-control has plummeted.
Pei Rujing chuckled at his words: "Alright, alright, I won't bother you."
After saying that, he deliberately distanced himself from Wen Zongji. Once they were no longer close, Wen Zongji's emotions calmed down considerably.
"Will this work?"
Pei Rujing asked him.
Wen Zongji nodded: "Okay."
They share a blanket, so even if they're far apart, they can't be that far.
The two reached a friendly consensus and then closed their eyes to sleep together.
Wen Zongji had been busy all day, and after finishing his shift, he went to the Yuan residence to see Yuan Tianxi, which took a lot of energy. Before long, he fell asleep, and his breathing became steady and regular.
Pei Rujing opened her eyes, turned to look at Wen Zongji, and waved her hand in front of his eyes. Seeing that he did not react, she knew that he was asleep.
Pei Rujing smiled, gently moved her body, and leaned back into Wen Zongji's arms. Only after smelling the familiar scent did she feel at ease and close her eyes to fall asleep.
She was used to falling asleep in Wen Zongji's arms, and the deliberate distance she had just left made her very uncomfortable.
But she really didn't want to torment Wen Zongji, so she could only sneak over to him after he fell asleep.
……
The next day, when Wen Zongji woke up, he saw Pei Rujing nestled in his arms like a kitten, fast asleep.
Wen Zongji gently removed Pei Rujing's hand from his waist, quietly got out of bed, and began to change and wash up.
Thinking of his grand ambition to improve his physical fitness, Wen Zongji practiced his health-preserving boxing twice more today. After having breakfast, he took a carriage to the Office of the Commissioner of State Affairs.
Beijing News Office
Wen Zongji instructed, "Mr. Yuan has agreed to cooperate with the Beijing Gazette Bureau. He will come to the Beijing Gazette Bureau today to sign the contract. Maofang, you are in charge of this matter."
Yao Maofang nodded: "Yes, sir."
"In addition, the second issue of the Beijing Daily will include information about our upcoming 'Recommendations by Great Confucian Scholars' section in its literature column. Going forward, the Beijing Daily will alternately publish outstanding articles and articles that have received comments from great Confucian scholars. Furthermore, those who submit articles to the Beijing Daily are free to conceal their identities."
"If someone doesn't want to reveal their identity, they can choose to use a pen name."
Yao Maofang was stunned: "Would someone be unwilling to reveal their identity?"
An article that can be published in the section recommended by great scholars is undoubtedly of high quality. No scholar in the world would not want to make a name for themselves through this, so why would they deliberately hide their identity?
At least in the articles they have received so far, the authors have clearly stated their personal information.
Wen Zongji said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Perhaps some people just don't want to reveal their identities. We are only allowing them to hide their identities. Whether they hide them or not is their freedom."
Yao Maofang replied, "Your humble servant obeys."