Early the next morning, the door was pushed open. Granny Feng stood outside the screen with the maidservants and said, "County Princess, Young Master, it's time to get up. You'll need to go to the Main Courtyard to pay your respects soon."
Wen Zongji had not slept well the previous night. He drifted in and out of the original host's memories while also recalling events from his past life. He had no idea how long it took before he finally fell asleep.
When he heard Granny Feng's call, it felt as if he had only just closed his eyes.
Wen Zongji opened his eyes and sat up, only to see Pei Rujing still sleeping soundly, with no intention of getting up at all.
He got out of bed and, still in his inner garments, walked out from behind the screen. "The County Princess is still asleep," he said.
Without paying any attention to the strange looks from Granny Feng and the others, he headed straight to the outer chamber, where Chang Dong and the others were waiting with his clothes.
Normally, a married man would be dressed by his wife or maidservants, and there would be no need to go to the outer chamber for such a bothersome task.
But Wen Zongji did not receive such treatment, nor was he accustomed to having others close to him. He took the clothes from Chang Dong and dressed himself.
However, tying up his hair was more complicated, and Wen Zongji could not manage it on his own, so he had to let Chang Dong and the others help.
Chang Dong and An Feng had served the original host for many years and were already skilled at tasks like dressing and tying hair.
Meanwhile, Granny Feng led the others into the inner chamber and saw that Pei Rujing was still fast asleep.
Beside Pei Rujing was another quilt that had been pushed aside, clearly indicating that although the two had shared a bed the previous night, they had not consummated the marriage.
Preparing two quilts had been Pei Rujing's instruction, but refusing to share a bed on the wedding night was truly damaging to Wen Zongji's dignity. Granny Feng had tried for a long time to persuade Pei Rujing to abandon this idea but had not succeeded.
Granny Feng and the others had spent the previous night in fear, standing guard outside the door, worried that Wen Zongji might lose his composure and harm Pei Rujing.
Yet after waiting all night, there was not a single sound from inside the room.
Early that morning, Granny Feng eagerly led the others in to wake them up.
She had expected to face Wen Zongji's anger, but he showed no signs of being upset at all.
Upon entering the inner chamber, Pei Rujing was sleeping peacefully, as if the lack of consummation had no effect on either of them.
Qing He and the others exchanged glances. "Granny, this…"
Granny Feng steadied herself. "Let's wake the County Princess first."
Dong Xiu stepped forward, approached the bed, and gently woke Pei Rujing.
Pei Rujing opened her eyes groggily.
She had not slept well either the previous night. How could she sleep soundly with a stranger lying beside her?
She worried that Wen Zongji's agreement not to consummate the marriage was merely a delaying tactic and that he would force himself on her once she fell asleep.
Pei Rujing remained on high alert, keeping a close watch on Wen Zongji. If he made any suspicious moves, she would immediately shout to call Granny Feng and the others in.
However, after staying vigilant for half the night, Wen Zongji showed no signs of movement. Instead, Pei Rujing grew so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open and eventually drifted off to sleep.
Now, awakened by Dong Xiu, Pei Rujing sat up abruptly. First, she checked that her inner garments were still properly worn, then looked around. "Where is he?"
Granny Feng replied, "The Young Master went to the outer chamber to dress and wash up. County Princess, it's getting late. You still need to go and pay your respects to the Marquis and Madam."
Pei Rujing breathed a sigh of relief and yawned sleepily.
Qing He and the others immediately sprang into action, helping Pei Rujing with her makeup and dressing.
Granny Feng couldn't help but remind her, "County Princess, although your status is noble, you are now married into the Marquisate. The Marquis and his wife are your parents-in-law, and the respect due to them must still be observed."
In truth, refusing to consummate the marriage last night had not only damaged Wen Zongji's dignity but also brought shame upon the Marquisate.
Normally, on the day after a bride enters the household, someone would come to collect the wedding handkerchief as proof of her chastity.
However, due to Pei Rujing's noble status, the Marquisate had waived this step.
Fortunately, it had been waived; otherwise, the entire Marquisate would have been in turmoil today.
Pei Rujing was still somewhat drowsy and replied casually, "I understand."
Granny Feng sighed, hoping only that they could pass the morning greetings smoothly and without incident.
By the time Pei Rujing had finished dressing and stepped out of the inner chamber, Wen Zongji had already been waiting for her for quite some time.
Wen Zongji glanced over, and a flicker of admiration unconsciously flashed in his eyes.
Pei Rujing wore a red dress that accentuated her graceful figure. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her features were as exquisite as a painting, as if she had stepped out of a masterpiece.
Pei Rujing lifted her chin haughtily and said, "Let's go."
Watching her like a proud white swan, Wen Zongji's lips curved into a smile. "After you, County Princess."
Today was the day for the bride to pay respects to her parents-in-law, but Wen Zongji, having been reborn, was no calmer than Pei Rujing.
The morning wind was bitingly cold. Before stepping out, Qing He fastened a red cloak around Pei Rujing's shoulders.
Wen Zongji, dressed in a moon-white cotton robe, led the way out of the room, with Pei Rujing following closely behind.
Wen Zongji resided in Yunguang Courtyard, which was not particularly close to the Main Courtyard. As the two walked along the bluestone path, they frequently encountered busy servants.
"Greetings to the County Princess and the Third Young Master."
The sounds of salutations rose and fell in succession.
From the memories of the original host, Wen Zongji knew he had been an insignificant presence in the mansion. While the servants had never dared to bully him, such enthusiastic greetings as now had never occurred before.
Wen Zongji glanced at Pei Rujing beside him and inwardly sighed. Marrying Pei Rujing had ultimately been a great advantage for the original host.
The group proceeded directly to the Main Courtyard, where Granny Liu, who served by the side of Lady Jiang, the wife of Marquis Zhongyong, had long been waiting. Upon seeing the two, she hurriedly smiled and said, "The Marquis and his wife have been waiting for the Third Young Master and the County Princess."
Observe how well-spoken she was. Along the way, all the servants had greeted Pei Rujing first, but only Granny Liu placed Wen Zongji ahead.
Pei Rujing raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Are you implying that we are late?"
The smile on Granny Liu's face stiffened, and she wondered if her expression had been misinterpreted. Wasn't she emphasizing the importance the Marquis and his wife placed on them? Where was there any implication of blame?
Granny Feng quickly interjected, "County Princess, it would be best to go in and pay your respects now."
Granny Liu dared not say more and hurriedly guided the two into the main hall.
At that moment, Wen Chuanhong, Marquis Zhongyong, and Lady Jiang sat in the main seats. In addition, several of Wen Zongji's brothers were present, and all the masters of the Marquisate had gathered.
As the two walked in, everyone's expressions varied. Lady Jiang smiled and said, "Marquis, seeing Ji Ge'er and the County Princess standing together like this, they do look well-matched."
A touch of warmth appeared on Wen Chuanhong's face. "You are right, my lady. However, now that the third son is married, we can no longer call him Ji Ge'er."
Typically, only unmarried young men were addressed as "Ge'er" by their elders.
Lady Jiang nodded. "It was my oversight."
Nearby, servants placed two kneeling cushions before Wen Chuanhong and his wife, while two maids stood on either side holding tea, clearly prepared for the tea-serving ceremony.
Pei Rujing frowned. She didn’t even have to kneel when entering the palace to see her uncle, the emperor.
Wen Chuanhong waved his hand. “Remove the kneeling cushion. Offering tea is enough.”
Lady Jiang immediately agreed. “The Marquis is right. The County Princess has already married into the Marquisate, so we are family now. There’s no need for so many formalities.”
Pei Rujing’s expression softened.
Because of this marriage, she held no goodwill toward the entire Marquisate. The fact that Wen Chuanhong and his wife were willing to remove the kneeling cushion on their own initiative at least showed they had no intention of pressuring Pei Rujing with their status as parents-in-law.
“Father-in-law, mother-in-law, please have some tea—”
Since Wen Chuanhong and his wife had offered a way out, and Pei Rujing was someone who responded better to kindness than force, she obediently completed the tea-offering ceremony.
Wen Chuanhong and Lady Jiang drank the tea and simultaneously presented the gifts they had prepared.
With that, the tea ceremony concluded.