allonlinenovel Chapter 158 Wen Zongjing's Wedding
Chapter 158 Wen Zongjing's Wedding
The next day
Wen Zongjing's wedding day
Early in the morning, Wen Zongji went to the front yard to meet with Wen Zongren and others.
The auspicious time has not yet arrived, and Wen Zongjing has not yet set off.
Upon arriving at the front yard, they discovered that Wen Zongqi had actually summoned Fang Sichu.
Wen Zongren said, "We are both already married. It would be too little for only Fourth Brother to accompany Second Brother to the wedding. Besides, good things come in pairs, so he called Sichu over."
Fang Sichu and Wen Zongqi were close friends since childhood. When they came to the Marquis's mansion, they felt as familiar with it as if it were their own home. The original owner of the body had been studying behind closed doors and had never met Fang Sichu, but Wen Zongren often saw Fang Sichu, so the two were quite familiar with each other.
Fang Sichu immediately said, "Please rest assured, Brother Wen, I will definitely accompany you and Zong Qi to bring the bride back."
Wen Zongqi joked, "You agreed to go pick up the bride so readily, are you thinking of gaining experience so you won't be nervous when you get married?"
Fang Sichu glared at him: "I didn't say that."
Wen Zongren laughed and said, "I almost forgot to congratulate Sichu."
The Fang family had already sent a matchmaker to the Zuo family to propose marriage, but according to custom and because of the importance they placed on their daughter, the Zuo family refused the Fang family's proposal.
But everyone knew that both families cared about their reputation. Since the Fang family had come to propose marriage, it must have been agreed upon with the Zuo family.
When the Fang family comes to propose marriage again, that will be the time when the two families are officially engaged.
Therefore, the affair between Fang Sichu and Zuo Mingxuan is an open secret in the entertainment circle.
Fang Sichu chuckled and said, "Thank you, Brother Wen."
Wen Zongjing was about to go to fetch the bride and was inevitably nervous. Seeing Fang Sichu like this, he smiled and said, "Fourth Brother is right. Second Young Master Fang might as well learn today so that you won't be nervous later."
Fang Sichu said helplessly, "I haven't even gotten engaged yet. We'll have to go through the six rites before we can get married, which means it will be at least next year. It's really too early for me to learn this now."
He walked up to Wen Zongji and said, "Third Brother Wen is the best; he didn't joke around with me."
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "Miss Zuo and the county princess are on good terms. I might help you stop her at the Zuo residence when the time comes."
Fang Sichu's lips stiffened: "You—"
Everyone else laughed.
Among them, Wen Zongqi laughed the most heartily.
Wen Zongren looked at him and said, "How dare you laugh?"
Wen Zongqi was stunned.
"Sichu is at least getting engaged soon, but what about you? Your mother has worried so much about you, and you don't even approve of a single thing. What exactly do you want to do?"
Great, the focus has shifted!
Fang Sichu lowered her head, suppressing a laugh.
Wen Zongqi said helplessly, "Brother, I haven't even had my coming-of-age ceremony yet. Isn't Mother being too hasty?"
"Sichu is the same age as you, and he will also have his coming-of-age ceremony next year, but that won't affect his engagement to Miss Zuo."
Wen Zongqi was speechless and could only glare at Fang Sichu fiercely.
Fang Sichu raised an eyebrow in a provocative manner.
It was Wen Zongqi who had just made fun of him.
As they were talking, the auspicious time arrived.
Fang Sichu and Wen Zongqi immediately went with Wen Zongjing to pick up the bride, while Wen Zongren and Wen Zongji went to Juanqinzhai to find Wen Chuanhong. They would then go to the gate of the mansion together to greet the guests.
It was still early, so the group wasn't in a hurry. Wen Chuanhong then called the two men to his study for a talk.
"Zongji, the reputation of the Beijing Daily in the capital is growing, and countless eyes are watching you. You must be careful in your actions and not rush into anything."
Wen Zongji nodded: "I will heed your teachings, Father. I have remembered them."
Wen Zongren smiled and said, "Father, please rest assured. My third brother is the most reliable in his actions. My maternal grandfather has praised him many times."
Wen Chuanhong said, "I've heard about it too. The 'Recommendation by a Great Confucian Scholar' in your new Beijing newspaper was written by Mr. Yuan. Was it Mr. Yuan who your father-in-law introduced you to him?"
Wen Zongji nodded: "Father is wise."
Wen Chuanhong waved his hand: "What's so wise about it? I know that my father-in-law and Mr. Yuan are close friends despite their age difference. Although they are quite different in age, they get along very well. I have met Mr. Yuan several times at the Jiang residence. Mr. Yuan's talent is indeed unmatched by many."
Most scholars would envy Yuan Tianxi's talent, which can be described as a gift from God.
However, Yuan Tianxi's setback in his official career made many people feel more at ease. Indeed, one cannot have both fish and bear's paw; it is difficult to have the best of both worlds in this world.
Wen Zongji also praised: "Mr. Yuan is learned and talented, and his comments are incisive. He can point out the strengths and weaknesses of the articles, but he is also gentle. It is the good fortune of the Beijing Newspaper Bureau to be able to persuade him to cooperate with the Beijing Newspaper Bureau."
Upon hearing this, Wen Chuanhong's stern face broke into a smile: "I am pleased that you think this way. Although Mr. Yuan has left the court, he is still a great Confucian scholar, and he deserves respect, not ridicule."
He was clearly pleased that Wen Zongji had not been blinded by worldly power.
Wen Zongji nodded: "My son thinks the same way."
Wen Chuanhong turned to Wen Zongren: "You've been in the Hanlin Academy long enough; you can start looking for a job next year. Is there any government office you'd like to go to?"
Wen Zongren successfully remained in the Hanlin Academy through the examination for probationary officials. With this official status, Wen Zongren could then pursue his next step.
After all, he was already three years too late.
Wen Zongren lowered his eyes: "Your son will follow your father's arrangements."
Wen Chuanhong frowned: "Just say what you're thinking. Why are you hiding things from me?"
Wen Zongren pursed his lips and said, "If Father does not object, I plan to go to the Ministry of Justice for training."
Wen Chuanhong pondered for a moment, then remained silent.
Wen Zongji chimed in: "Back when we were students, my teacher praised my elder brother for his talent in legal theory. I was always completely baffled by those legal common sense questions, but my elder brother handled them with ease."
Wen Zongren humbly stated, "Being able to solve problems doesn't mean you can do practical work; you have to try to find out."
But he is indeed interested in investigating and judging cases.
Moreover, starting one's career in the Ministry of Justice is not without its potential.
Wen Chuanhong said, "I will consider it."
Although he neither agreed nor objected.
Wen Zongren was delighted: "Thank you, Father."
He knew Wen Chuanhong well; Wen Chuanhong never gave a definitive answer before things were settled, but his statement meant he didn't oppose Wen Zongren going to the Ministry of Justice.
Wen Zongji and Wen Zongren cupped their hands in congratulations, wishing him that his wish had come true.
In fact, Wen Zongren's best choice was to go to the Ministry of Rites, because he could fully take over Wen Chuanhong's political resources, which would make his early promotion path smoother.
However, Wen Zongren clearly did not want to grow up under Wen Chuanhong's wing, and since he was genuinely interested in the case, he chose the Ministry of Justice.
After finishing their business, and seeing that it was getting late, Wen Chuanhong stood up: "Let's go, let's go greet the guests."
Wen Zongren and Wen Zongji followed Wen Chuanhong out of the study, and the three of them walked together toward the gate of the mansion.
By the time Wen Zongjing brought the bride back, it was almost dusk, and by then most of the guests had arrived.
Along the way to the gate of the mansion, a festive atmosphere was palpable. The characters for "happiness" were pasted on the doors and pillars of the surrounding houses, and the servants' clothes were adorned with red elements, creating a joyous scene.
The wedding night is truly one of the four great joys of life!