allonlinenovel Chapter 10: Is Wen Zongji not up to par?
Chapter 10: Is Wen Zongji not up to par?
Lobby
Wen Zongji was asking Pei Shizhao about the provincial examination. It would be foolish not to use the resources available. Wen Zongji was very open and asked all the questions he had about his studies yesterday. At the same time, he also made sure to ask about some things to note regarding the provincial examination.
Pei Shirong listened to their conversation from the side, his gaze showing some impatience.
He came today for two reasons: first, to see Pei Rujing return to her parents' home, and second, to warn Wen Zongji so that he would not bully Pei Rujing in the future.
As a result, he didn't even have a chance to warn Wen Zongji. Seeing Pei Shizhao and Wen Zongji getting more and more familiar with each other, Pei Shirong even suspected that if he warned Wen Zongji later, Pei Shizhao would actually help Wen Zongji.
In fact, Pei Shizhao did admire Wen Zongji.
"Zongji, your understanding of the classics is excellent, and your policy essays also have unique insights. As long as you perform well in the imperial examination, your chances of passing are extremely high."
Wen Zongji smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, elder brother."
The original owner's rote learning was quite useful; at the very least, he memorized everything in the books perfectly.
As for policy essays, which require mental effort, Wen Zongji was neither lacking in intelligence nor insightful.
Just as the two finished speaking, Pei Shirong was about to speak when Aunt Wan walked in with a person dressed in official robes.
Aunt Wan looked at Pei Shizhao: "Young Master, the Princess noticed that your complexion was not right, so she invited Physician Hu to examine your pulse."
Pei Shizhao's eyes flickered slightly, and he stood up, saying, "I'm sorry to have worried Mother. She probably caught a chill last night."
Pei Shirong stared intently at Pei Shizhao for a moment, then scratched his head and said, "Why can't I tell that my brother's expression is off?"
Pei Shizhao glanced at him: "You can't even feel your own fever, what else can you possibly see?"
Pei Shirong knew he was careless, but that didn't stop him from mocking Pei Shizhao: "My sister-in-law just went back to her parents' house for one night yesterday, and my brother caught a cold. He used to say I was clumsy and couldn't even take care of myself, but my brother isn't much better."
Pei Shizhao was too lazy to pay attention to his stupid younger brother who had no sense of propriety at all. While extending his wrist for Physician Hu to take his pulse, he explained, "My mother-in-law fell a few days ago, and your sister-in-law was worried so she went back to her parents' home to take care of her. I'll find an opportunity to formally introduce you two another day."
Wen Zongji smiled and said, "Filial piety comes first!"
Wen Zongji had learned about the situation of the Pei brothers, Pei Shirong and Pei Shizhao. Pei Shirong was not yet married, and Pei Shizhao had been married for less than two years. He had married the eldest daughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, surnamed Wei. The young couple did not have any children yet.
After taking Pei Shizhao's pulse, Physician Hu said, "Lord Pei's cold is not serious. I will prescribe a medicine, and you will be fine after drinking two doses."
Pei Shizhao nodded and looked at Wen Zongji and Pei Shirong: "It's been much colder these past two days, making it easy to catch a cold. Since Physician Hu is here, I'll take a look at you two as well."
Pei Shirong waved his hand: "I'm perfectly fine, no need to check."
Pei Shizhao pressed him down onto the wooden chair: "Shut up!"
Pei Shirong: "..."
Wen Zongji watched this scene quietly, a smile playing on his lips. He wasn't as naive as Pei Shirong. Although everything seemed natural, the way Physician Hu's gaze fell on him, whether intentionally or unintentionally, suggested that something was amiss.
However, it's best not to expose what you see. Whatever the princess wants to confirm, let nature take its course.
After Physician Hu finished examining Pei Shirong, it was soon Wen Zongji's turn.
Remembering his aunt's instructions on the way here, Physician Hu broke out in a cold sweat. He focused all his attention on taking Wen Zongji's pulse, but his expression gradually became strange.
Physician Hu glanced at Aunt Wan, shook his head almost imperceptibly, and then said, "Young Master Wen's pulse is weak and feeble, and his tongue is pale with a white coating, which should be a sign of qi and blood deficiency. He needs long-term nourishment. Too much medicine can harm the body. Young Master Wen can drink some medicinal food to regulate his body."
"Thank you, Physician Hu."
Wen Zongji was not surprised by this conclusion. The original owner almost fainted in the examination hall during the provincial examination, which shows how weak his body was.
Pei Shirong blurted out, "Brother-in-law, are you that weak?"
Wen Zongji's face immediately darkened.
No man should hear that!
Although his current physical condition is indeed somewhat weak.
But we see through it but don't say anything!
Sensing Pei Shizhao's death stare, Pei Shirong shrank back, immediately realizing he had said the wrong thing, and quickly tried to make amends: "What I meant was that I can help you train your body."
Pei Shizhao chimed in, "I've also gone through the imperial examinations, so I know how important it is to have a healthy body. Brother-in-law, why don't you train with Shirong to improve your health?"
Wen Zongji understood Pei Shizhao's good intentions, and he did indeed need to practice: "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Second Brother?"
Pei Shirong shook his head: "It's no trouble. You're just exercising, you don't need me to keep an eye on you all the time. I'll make a plan for you in a bit, you can practice for half a month first."
"it is good."
On the other side, Physician Hu handed the written prescription to the servants, and Aunt Wan saw Physician Hu off.
Auntie asked in the evening, "Is Physician Hu certain that the young master's health is alright?"
Physician Hu, no longer feeling nervous about knowing the Princess's private affairs, stroked his beard and said, "Although Young Master Wen's qi and blood are damaged, he does not have the pulse signs of kidney deficiency and yang weakness, so it will not affect his offspring."
The implication is that Wen Zongji was not only able to consummate his marriage, but it also did not affect his ability to have children.
Aunt Wan, who had been worried all the way, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He discreetly slipped a silver note to Physician Hu and then ordered someone to send Physician Hu back to the palace.
Auntie then hurried to the backyard and walked into the main room.
The eldest princess immediately looked over.
Aunt Wan shook her head with a relaxed smile on her face.
The princess felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders. Heaven knows how worried she was that Wen Zongji wouldn't make it. If that happened, her Jing'er would suffer so much.
Fortunately, by some stroke of luck, it wasn't the worst-case scenario.
However, new problems arose.
If Wen Zongji is healthy, why would he agree to Pei Rujing's decision not to consummate the marriage, and even have the idea of sleeping in separate rooms?
The princess turned to look at her daughter. She was beautiful and had skin as white as snow. Every smile and frown of hers was captivating. Sometimes even women couldn't help but be attracted to her. What man could resist touching her?
Then she recalled what Granny Feng had said about Wen Zongji being knocked unconscious by Pei Rujing with a wedding scale on their wedding night.
The eldest princess wondered if Wen Zongji felt embarrassed and resentful, and that scholars are often shy and unwilling to take the initiative to make advances, which was why the two had not consummated their marriage two days after their wedding.
Thinking this way, the eldest princess became dissatisfied with Wen Zongji. In matters of the bedchamber, it is the man who takes the initiative. If Wen Zongji does not take the initiative, does he expect Pei Rujing to take the initiative?