novelhk Chapter 285 The Crown Prince Arrives at the County Princess's Residence
Chapter 285 The Crown Prince Arrives at the County Princess's Residence
The next day, Wen Zongji still got up early to go to work.
The bed in the new study was big enough that Wen Zongji slept comfortably, at least without feeling any soreness.
Pei Rujing and Princess Changning got up shortly after Wen Zongji went to his duty.
After breakfast, the wet nurse brought Rui Ge'er over.
Princess Changning held Ruige'er's little hand, and they both smiled: "Cousin, Ruige'er smiled."
Pei Rujing said calmly, "He smiles at everyone."
Princess Changning continued to play with him.
At one month old, Rui Ge'er did nothing but eat and sleep, and couldn't recognize people. Even his parents, Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing, didn't seem special to him.
In other words, Rui Ge'er has a good personality; he'll laugh no matter who teases him, and he's very accommodating.
After playing with Rui Ge'er for a while, Princess Changning turned to Pei Rujing and asked, "Cousin, shall we go shopping?"
The weather in Beijing in June is very nice; it's not too hot today.
Pei Rujing knew that Princess Changning wouldn't stay obediently in the county princess's residence, so she said, "Let's go."
Princess Changning glanced at Rui-ge'er: "Should we take Rui-ge'er with us?"
Pei Rujing shook her head: "He's still too young."
"All right."
The two of them went shopping together.
……
In the blink of an eye, Princess Changning had been staying at the county princess's residence for half a month.
Except for not being able to sleep with Pei Rujing at night, Princess Changning spent all her time with Pei Rujing.
Wen Zongji wanted to spend some time alone with Pei Rujing during his vacation, but he couldn't get rid of Princess Changning, who was like a third wheel.
Gradually, Pei Rujing also became impatient.
She wasn't a good-natured person to begin with, and she tolerated Princess Changning for so long, even after giving birth and being overwhelmed with maternal love. But now her time has come.
"You should return to the palace."
That morning at breakfast, Pei Rujing said...
Princess Changning, however, was having so much fun that she forgot all about returning home: "No, I haven't had enough fun yet."
Pei Rujing glanced at her: "Then I'll go to the palace and ask my aunt to take you back."
Princess Changning's face immediately fell: "Cousin, you can't do this to me."
Pei Rujing ignored her.
Princess Changning is adept at taking advantage of others' opportunities, so we must not be soft-hearted at this time.
At the same time, Wen Zongji was accompanying the Crown Prince on an inspection of the open space next to the West Garden.
The area is no longer as desolate as before. The Ministry of Works has already begun to clear the land, and a small courtyard can be built soon.
Holding the blueprints, Wen Zongji explained to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, ten courtyards will be built on this vacant land. After discussing with the Ministry of Works, I have decided to create ten different styles for the ten courtyards, such as poetic and picturesque, grand and luxurious, or tranquil and serene."
"This means that each courtyard is unique!"
"So that you can sell them for a higher price, right?"
The Crown Prince then spoke.
Wen Zongji cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is wise."
The Crown Prince chuckled: "It's not that I'm wise; I just know you won't do anything in vain. You're so concerned; it's definitely not just for the courtyard to look nice."
Wen Zongji said, "Everyone hates being the same as everyone else, and who doesn't want to be unique? This little courtyard can satisfy that need."
"Being close to the West Garden, there's a chance to see the Emperor and high-ranking officials. The courtyard is unique; I guarantee you won't find anything similar in the entire capital."
"Who wouldn't want to own such a unique courtyard?"
The Crown Prince understood and said, "However, when it comes to wealth, no one can compare to merchants. If you hold a public auction, the ones who ultimately buy these ten courtyards will probably all be merchants."
Wen Zongji asked, "Does Your Highness not wish to sell it to merchants?"
"Not really. Merchants are profit-driven. They live near the West Garden, so they'll probably publicize it extensively, and even use it to consolidate their business."
Wen Zongji said, "This is exactly what the people who bought these courtyards wanted. No matter who bought them, they wouldn't make a fortune in silence. They couldn't do it quietly; they would definitely publicize it."
Since the auction is public, the final buyer is naturally also public.
The reason these ten courtyards can fetch high prices is not because of their interior design, but because they are close to Xiyuan.
The Crown Prince shook his head: "It was my oversight. Since Father has given his permission, then go ahead and do it."
"Yes."
……
County Princess's Mansion
Princess Changning was trying to figure out a way to stay in the county princess's residence, but before she could come up with a solution, she saw Wen Zongji and the crown prince walk in together.
Princess Changning rubbed her eyes, making sure she wasn't mistaken, and exclaimed in surprise, "Royal brother, you've actually left the palace?"
"I have some things to take care of."
Wen Zongji quickly explained, "It's almost lunchtime, so I would like to invite Your Highness to have lunch at my residence."
Pei Rujing turned to Qinghe and instructed, "Have the kitchen prepare more dishes."
Qinghe responded and left.
She often accompanied Pei Rujing to the palace, so she knew a little about the Crown Prince's tastes.
The Crown Prince looked at Princess Changning and said, "You've had enough fun this time. After you finish your meal, come back to the palace with me."
"oh."
When Princess Changning saw the Crown Prince, she knew she couldn't escape today, so she didn't bother to struggle anymore.
Then, the Crown Prince walked to Pei Rujing's side, glanced at Rui Ge'er in her arms, took off the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in Rui Ge'er's arms: "It's our first meeting. Your cousin is giving Rui Ge'er a little trinket. Play with it as you like."
This mutton fat jade pendant is no small trinket.
The prince had carried it on his body for many years.
Pei Rujing frowned: "He's still too young to play with this. You should give him a different gift."
The Crown Prince gently touched Rui'er's little face and said softly, "Gifts given away shouldn't be taken back. Cousin, please keep them."
"Okay then."
Pei Rujing was not a pretentious person. Since the Crown Prince refused to take it back, she asked Granny Feng to put it away.
"I heard your uncle and aunt are interested in finding you a wife for the Crown Prince?"
The Crown Prince was taken aback: "Where did you hear that, Cousin?"
Princess Changning, who was standing nearby, immediately looked up at the sky.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and secretly made a mental note of a grudge against Princess Changning.
"The Empress Dowager does have this idea, but ever since the Emperor decreed that girls under the age of sixteen could not serve the Emperor, most women in the capital have married after the age of sixteen."
"As the Crown Prince, I naturally have to set an example. Even if I am chosen as the Crown Princess through torture, we will not get married anytime soon."
The crown prince is only seventeen years old. Even if members of the royal family marry early, they must be over eighteen years old, and the woman must be over sixteen years old.
It's not easy to find someone who meets both the requirements and satisfies the Empress.
That's why the Crown Prince said he wouldn't get married anytime soon.
Pei Rujing looked at him: "Have you ever thought about what the future Crown Princess will be like?"
The Crown Prince said calmly, "It would be enough if I could manage the harem like my mother."
"What about the others?"
"That's all."
Pei Rujing was stunned: "Such low standards?"
The Crown Prince chuckled: "Cousin, that's quite a demand."
"It's not that the requirements are low, it's that the standards are too low."
"A person's character cannot be understood in just a few words; it requires a long period of time to get to know them."
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "I didn't expect Your Highness to be so insightful at such a young age."
No wonder everyone says the Crown Prince is mature beyond his years.
This is truly reflected in every aspect.