nashuaworldcup Chapter 340 Jiao Yansong's Helplessness
Chapter 340 Jiao Yansong's Helplessness
Wen Zongji stared directly at Jiao Yansong.
Jiao Yansong was unusually restless. After a moment of silence, he said, "Third Brother, it's almost Madam's birthday. Since Tong'er and Sheng'er were born, Madam hasn't properly celebrated her birthday. I'm thinking of organizing a birthday celebration for her and would like to ask Third Brother about Madam's preferences."
Wen Zongji said quietly, "You're asking me about your wife's preferences? Brother-in-law, you've been married for three years, haven't you?"
Jiao Yansong was somewhat embarrassed and lowered his eyes without saying a word.
Wen Zongji said, "Men and women are different, and I don't know much about Shuyu either."
The original owner didn't think much of this younger sister and had no interest in getting to know her. Although Wen Zongji cared about Wen Shuyu a bit, it was only to improve her life. He probably didn't know as much about Wen Shuyu as Pei Rujing did.
Jiao Yansong was somewhat disappointed.
Seeing his listless appearance, Wen Zongji sighed and gave him some advice: "Brother-in-law, just ask her if you want to know anything. If she is unwilling to tell you, just ask her a few more times. No one will ignore sincerity."
Jiao Yansong asked doubtfully, "Really?"
"certainly."
Jiao Yansong thought that Wen Zongji and Pei Rujing had a deep and loving relationship, so they must be quite good at the ways of husband and wife.
"Okay, I'll give it a try."
……
County Princess's Mansion
Pei Rujing knew that Wen Zongji had dined with Jiao Yansong that evening. As soon as Wen Zongji returned, he asked, "What did Jiao Yansong want with you?"
Seeing Pei Rujing's gossipy expression, Wen Zongji didn't keep her in suspense: "He wanted to celebrate Shuyu's birthday, but I didn't know Shuyu's preferences, so he came to ask me."
Pei Rujing scoffed, "Now you're finally paying attention... What did your husband say?"
Wen Zongji changed his clothes: "I told him I didn't know either, and that he should ask Shuyu himself."
"That's right, you should let him ask it himself."
Wen Zongji truly doesn't understand Wen Shuyu.
Then, Pei Rujing said with a mischievous smile, "But even if he goes to ask, he probably won't get any information."
Wen Zongji paused: "Why?"
Pei Rujing said, "Shuyu is reserved by nature. She is used to treating Jiao Yansong with the utmost respect. If Jiao Yansong really asks, Shuyu will just take it as a polite remark and won't take it seriously."
"...Wouldn't it be enough if Jiao Yansong just asked a few more times, letting Shuyu see his sincerity?"
Pei Rujing smiled and said, "Although I always criticize Jiao Yansong, I also admit that he is an upright gentleman. When has he ever been insincere?"
Jiao Yansong has always been sincere in his work.
Wen Zongji: "..."
Oh no, he seems to have come up with a terrible idea.
Such a thought crossed Wen Zongji's mind, but he didn't say it aloud. Anyway, I was genuinely offering this idea, and whether it would be effective or not was beyond my control.
Pei Rujing looked on with amusement: "I'll have to ask Shuyu in a few days what Jiao Yansong said to him."
Life was still too leisurely, so Pei Rujing looked for fun everywhere, even her sister and brother-in-law.
On the other side, Jiao Mansion
After Jiao Yansong and Wen Zongji finished their meal and returned to their residence, the two children were already asleep. Wen Shuyu was writing a story in the study. Jiao Yansong had finished bathing and changing his clothes and waited for her for a long time before Wen Shuyu returned to the inner room.
"Staying up late all the time is bad for your health."
Jiao Yansong said.
Wen Shuyu nodded: "I know, I'm feeling very inspired today, and I can't sleep until I finish writing."
She knew that staying up late was bad, but inspiration always seemed to strike at night, only it hadn't been this late before.
The two lay on the bed, and Wen Shuyu's eyelids were already too heavy to open.
After a moment's thought, Jiao Yansong asked, "Madam, your birthday is coming up soon. What are your plans for this year?"
Wen Shuyu closed her eyes and said, "It's enough for the family to have a meal together."
Wen Shuyu was an illegitimate daughter, and Aunt Chen was not a favored concubine. Her birthday was always celebrated very simply. Aunt Chen would cook her a bowl of longevity noodles, embroider a purse or make her a piece of clothing as a birthday gift, and that would be it.
She used to envy Wen Shuxuan for being able to celebrate his birthday in a grand way, but as she got older, she stopped caring.
Many desires exist only at a specific time, and afterwards, the desire fades.
Jiao Yansong said, "My wife works hard taking care of the housework and the children. I would like to give her a proper birthday celebration."
He was too embarrassed to say that he wanted to celebrate Wen Shuyu's birthday, so he made up an excuse instead.
Wen Shuyu had no doubt that Jiao Yansong would say such a thing. The reason why the two got along well was because Jiao Yansong did not take Wen Shuyu's efforts for granted and he would understand her hard work.
"No need for that. For me, the best birthday gift is simply for the whole family to be together."
Jiao Yansong frowned: "Isn't there anything you want, my husband?"
Wen Shuyu said with some helplessness, "What I just said is exactly what I wanted... It's getting late, and my husband has to work tomorrow, so he should get some rest."
She was already very sleepy and had no interest in talking to Jiao Yansong anymore.
Jiao Yansong wanted to ask more questions, but Wen Shuyu cut him off.
He was always a gentleman and considerate, and seeing that Wen Shuyu was really too sleepy, he didn't want to ask any more questions and had to give up.
But in the following days, Jiao Yansong brought up the topic of celebrating his birthday many times, and Wen Shuyu always gave the same answer. What made him even more confused was that Wen Shuyu seemed to think the same way and didn't deliberately stand on ceremony with him.
That's terrible.
But he didn't have any good ideas, and Jiao Yansong was in a dilemma.
……
Wen Zongji was unaware of Jiao Yansong's troubles; he was instructing Zhao Liu on what to pay attention to while on duty in Shuntian Prefecture.
The final results of the legal education competition are in. Zhao Liu has overcome all obstacles and successfully become a minor official in Shuntian Prefecture.
Shuntian Prefecture gave him three days to handle some trivial matters, and today was the day he was to report for duty.
Logically speaking, it was just a minor official on duty, and there was no need for Wen Zongji, the Prefectural Magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, to come forward.
But he was the one who organized the legal education competition, and he had seen Zhao Liu's performance; Zhao Liu was a capable person.
Considering Zhao Liu's identity as a fisherman, and to avoid the officials praising him while belittling him, Wen Zongji stepped forward to support him.
The effect was naturally excellent.
As soon as Wen Zongji left, the other minor officials took the initiative to come over and greet Zhao Liu, and even helped him integrate himself.
Zhao Liu was grateful to Wen Zongji, and knew that this might be the only time he and Wen Zongji would cross paths. He did not take advantage of his power to bully others, but simply used Wen Zongji's kindness to adapt to his new identity as soon as possible.
He has already achieved a leap in social class through the legal education competition, and he must settle down in Shuntian Prefecture so that his next generation can also have such an opportunity.
This is his biggest wish now.
When Wen Zongji finished his shift that day, he saw Jiao Yansong outside the yamen, paused, and then walked over to his side.
Jiao Yansong still invited Wen Zongji to dinner.
Wen Zongji waved his hand in refusal: "Brother-in-law, I can't help you. If you really want to celebrate Shuyu's birthday, you might as well go to your aunt."
In this world, no one understands Wen Shuyu better than Aunt Chen.