allonlinenovel Chapter 290 Turnaround
Chapter 290 Turnaround
Because the matter of public opinion involved military officers, although Wen Zongji made timely amends, the public opinion certainly could not be allowed to continue to escalate.
At this time, there was still more than a month before the project was completed, which did not conform to Wen Zongji's plan to release a definite message half a month before the completion.
But that's how things are often; plans can't keep up with changes.
To prevent unfavorable public opinion about military generals from escalating too much, Wen Zongji decided to release the news in advance.
Of course, he also had ways to stall for time.
On this day, the Floating Life Newspaper published a new issue of its supplement.
A space was left next to the front page, with the simple words: "This newspaper has found out the purpose of the small courtyard built on the east side of Xiyuan. The rumors circulating are all false. Please make rational judgments and do not be misled. Specific information will be announced in seven days."
Zuo Mingxuan read it aloud word by word, then repeated with a half-smile, "'Please make rational judgments and don't be misled.' Tsk tsk, just looking at that sentence, the public would probably think your newspaper is so kind-hearted. While other newspapers are scrambling to ride the wave and grab a share of the profits, only you are stepping in to cool things down. Who would have thought that the uproar in Beijing these days was all caused by you?"
Wen Shuxuan's manipulation of public opinion could only be kept secret from the common people, not from the high-ranking officials in the court.
Zuo Mingxuan naturally knew this as well.
After all, her father-in-law, the Marquis of Yong'an, is currently the leading figure among the military officers, guarding the border year-round and representing the glory of a military general.
"My husband said that he only knows that it is Brother Wen who is manipulating public opinion, otherwise he would have to let others know how powerful the sons of the nobility are."
Pei Rujing listened as she kept talking non-stop since she arrived, while she played with Rui Ge'er in her arms, shaking his little hand.
After Zuo Mingxuan finished speaking, Pei Rujing said, "We didn't expect the public opinion to involve military officers. My husband even said he would invite you two to dinner another day to apologize."
The people who went to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence to demand an explanation did not include those from the Marquis of Yong’an’s residence.
After all, the Marquis of Yong'an was not in the capital.
Zuo Mingxuan waved her hand: "I was just saying. Given our relationship, why would we need these things? My husband is easygoing and will forget about it afterward. Besides, Brother Wen has already made amends. I heard that the next issue of the Beijing Daily will feature Wu Xinbo, and the issue after that will feature my father-in-law. That's enough."
Pei Rujing glanced at him: "Third Brother Wen? Is that what his wife, Si Chu, calls him?"
"Yes, it's more intimate. Always calling him Lord Wen is too formal."
"You can also call him brother-in-law."
Zuo Mingxuan's eyes widened: "You want to take advantage of me? No way!"
The two have known each other since childhood, but are only one year apart in age. Zuo Mingxuan has never called Pei Rujing "sister".
Pei Rujing shrugged: "Whatever."
She was just saying it casually, knowing that Zuo Mingxuan wouldn't agree.
Zuo Mingxuan rolled her eyes and leaned closer to look at Rui Ge'er: "Rui Ge'er is getting fairer and fairer."
It makes you want to pinch it.
"So fair and tender, come here, let your aunt give you a kiss."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zuo Mingxuan kissed Rui Ge'er on the cheek.
"If you like children so much, why don't you have one yourself?"
Zuo Mingxuan touched her belly: "We are trying, but when the baby comes is not something I can decide."
Pei Rujing: "...You dare to say anything."
Zuo Mingxuan said nonchalantly, "Oh, I'm not a little girl anymore, what can't I say?"
Pei Rujing narrowed her eyes: "I remember you were always outspoken before you got married, so it shouldn't have anything to do with marrying you."
Zuo Mingxuan chuckled and did not refute.
However, she really liked Rui Ge'er, and every time she came, she would play with him for a long time without getting annoyed.
Pei Rujing had only been a mother for a few months, and it was a very new and exciting time for her; she wanted to share everything with everyone.
"I told my husband that Rui-ge'er can lift his head by himself, and he asked if he would roll over soon. I specifically asked the wet nurse, and she said that we could try to teach Rui-ge'er to roll over, and he might learn it in a while."
"After my husband found out, he took a day off yesterday. We didn't go anywhere, but took turns teaching Rui Ge'er to turn over."
Pei Rujing wanted to laugh just thinking about that scene.
The two of them were like little kids, tossing and turning in bed over and over again.
"Has Rui-ge'er learned it?"
"Learned nothing! He just laughed when he saw the two of us roll over. He probably thought we were teasing him."
"Hahaha--"
Zuo Mingxuan smiled too.
Pei Rujing looked at her with ill intent: "You always want to be Rui-ge'er's godmother, shouldn't you do your part too?"
Zuo Mingxuan's smile froze: "...No need."
Pei Rujing looked at her with a quiet gaze.
Zuo Mingxuan struggled, "I have to go back to the mansion soon, how can I let my hair be messed up?"
"It's alright, I have plenty of skillful maids here."
"That won't do either. If the people from the Yong'an Marquis's residence see that I've changed my hairstyle, they might think I've done something to betray my husband."
Pei Rujing's face darkened: "Zuo San, how dare you say such things?"
Who would fabricate their own story?
They really have no inhibitions when it comes to speaking.
"I just understand people's hearts."
"Fine, I won't make things difficult for you."
Although it would be easy for a maid to recreate Zuo Mingxuan's hairstyle, since it wasn't a particularly novel one.
But Pei Rujing was really afraid that Zuo Mingxuan would say something outrageous again, so she decided to give up.
……
When Wen Zongji returned home from his shift, his first question was, "Did you teach Rui-ge'er to turn over today?"
Pei Rujing said, "They did teach him, the wet nurse and Qinghe took turns teaching him, but your son showed no signs of learning at all, he just watched the fun."
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "No rush. He'll learn as he watches it more often."
Pei Rujing wasn't in a hurry at first. If Wen Zongji hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have known that babies need to be taught how to roll over.
"Zuo San came today, and I mentioned inviting him and his wife to dinner. She said it didn't need to be so formal, but we could get together when you have time."
Wen Zongji pondered, "Since we're getting together, there aren't enough people from our two families. Let's invite my eldest and second eldest brothers' families too; it'll be more lively with more people."
"Call your fourth brother here as well."
Wen Zongren and his group had a generally strained relationship with Pei Rujing's family.
It was only because Wen Zongqi and Fang Sichu had a good relationship, and Wen Zongqi was naturally outgoing, that they didn't feel awkward.
Pei Rujing nodded: "Okay... By the way, is Fourth Brother getting engaged?"
Wen Zongji was taken aback: "Is that so?"
Pei Rujing looked at him speechlessly: "Your brother is so indifferent? I heard from my younger sister that my mother-in-law has already taken a liking to a girl, and this time it's not up to my fourth brother; she's already planning to propose marriage to the girl's family."
Wen Zongji frowned: "Marriage is about two people living together. If Fourth Brother really disagrees, even if they get married, they may not be of one mind, which will inevitably make the bride feel wronged."
"I heard that my mother-in-law knew she was too soft-hearted to control her fourth brother, so she specially chose a shrew. Once the new bride is married, she will hand over the management of the fourth brother's courtyard to her. I think that rather than worrying about whether the new bride will be wronged, we should be more worried about whether your brother will be mistreated."
Wen Zongji remained silent.
If that's the case, it's really hard to say who wronged whom.