amaotonovel Chapter 231 As expected of cousins
Chapter 231 As expected of cousins
During lunch
Throughout the entire process, the Crown Prince's gaze toward Emperor Shun'an was filled with resentment.
Two whole hours!
He was tortured by Pei Rujing for two hours!
Pei Rujing plays chess without any strategy; she just plays randomly.
Not only that, she kept taking back her moves, showing no sportsmanship whatsoever. A game of chess lasted as long as an incense stick, and half of that time was spent by Pei Rujing constantly taking back her moves, replaying them, and then taking back her moves again.
The Crown Prince considered himself to be quite skilled at maintaining his composure, but he was almost driven to the brink of collapse by Pei Rujing.
He didn't hold much resentment towards Pei Rujing; that's just his cousin's personality—if she's unhappy, she'll vent it directly.
He resented Emperor Shun'an even more, because even though he had begged for help, Emperor Shun'an really didn't care whether he lived or died.
Emperor Shun'an remained expressionless and even had the leisure to serve food to Pei Rujing: "Anhe, eat more."
Pei Rujing nodded: "I used my brain a lot today, so I definitely need to replenish it."
Crown Prince: "..."
If it weren't for the worry that Pei Rujing would drag him into playing chess again, the Crown Prince would have sincerely asked—are you sure you have a brain?
The prince thought that even a three-year-old child, after simply learning the rules of Go, wouldn't play so badly.
After lunch, the Crown Prince went to the main hall to handle memorials, not wanting to stay any longer with the uncle and nephew.
As Emperor Shun'an watched the Crown Prince leave, he said, "Look what you've done to your cousin! I've never seen the Crown Prince so dejected."
"Wouldn't it be a good opportunity for my uncle to meet him?"
Emperor Shun'an chuckled: "You! Wen Zongji's trip out of the capital on official business is legitimate, why are you using it as a pretext for revenge?"
Pei Rujing blinked: "Because I'm petty."
Emperor Shun'an: "...Fine, I can't argue with you."
Pei Rujing firmly believes that as long as I lack morality, I cannot be held hostage.
Pei Rujing leaned back in her chair: "My husband and I have never been apart since we got married. He suddenly asked him to leave the capital for a month or two. What's wrong with me asking him to play chess with me? My temper has become much better. I didn't smash a single thing in the Eastern Palace."
Emperor Shun'an's lips twitched: "The Crown Prince probably wants you to smash up the Eastern Palace more."
"How could that be! Those things are priceless; the Crown Prince would never be willing to part with them."
Looking at Pei Rujing's innocent face, Emperor Shun'an inexplicably felt that she was all bark and no bite.
"Alright, you've vented your anger. Go visit Changning at Fengyi Palace later; she talks about you all the time... Or, after Wen Zongji leaves the capital, why don't you go to the palace and stay with Changning for a while?"
Pei Rujing shook her head: "No way."
Emperor Shun'an simply mentioned it briefly: "Alright, whatever you wish."
……
Yunguangyuan
When Wen Zongji finished his shift and entered the main room, he saw Pei Rujing leaning against the couch eating melons and fruits, looking to be in a good mood.
How did things get resolved?
Wen Zongji was somewhat surprised, but he didn't bring it up again to avoid making himself uncomfortable.
He took off his official robes and put on ordinary clothes.
As soon as she walked over and sat down, Pei Rujing said, "I've entered the palace today."
Wen Zongji was slightly taken aback: "My lady wouldn't be...?"
"I'm going to play chess with the Crown Prince."
Wen Zongji felt a slight sense of relief, but then asked in confusion, "Doesn't my wife dislike playing chess?"
"So I went to play chess with the Crown Prince... Don't be fooled by how calm and composed the Crown Prince usually is; he actually has a lot of flaws. He hates playing chess with people who are bad at it, and he hates it even more when others take back their moves."
Pei Rujing said quietly, "I dragged him to play chess with me for two hours."
Wen Zongji: "..."
What could he say?
They could only mourn for the Crown Prince in their hearts.
He could imagine how Pei Rujing would torment the Crown Prince.
"Why did you decide to play chess with the Crown Prince, my lady?"
"Didn't you teach me that revenge requires ruthlessness? I was just wondering what the Crown Prince hates? This method really works."
Wen Zongji was speechless once again.
He had no idea that Pei Rujing was so good at applying what she had learned; she had already mastered the things he had taught her a long time ago.
Is this some kind of magic formula that guarantees success everywhere?!
However, based on the principle of "better to die than to die myself," since the Crown Prince has paid the price, he should be fine... right?
This thought disappeared the next day after he was summoned by the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's expression was no different from usual, but upon seeing Wen Zongji, his first words were: "Since we have nothing to do today, let's play a game of chess."
Wen Zongji: "...This humble servant's chess skills are mediocre."
"It's alright. I'll teach you a lesson."
The Crown Prince was not originally interested in bullying weaker opponents, but because of Pei Rujing, he didn't mind bullying Wen Zongji.
Then, Wen Zongji had a proper master class and was so thoroughly defeated by the Crown Prince that he was almost at the point of not knowing how to play Go anymore.
But that wasn't the end of it. For the next few days, Wen Zongji had to go to the palace for an hour every day, ostensibly to play chess with the Crown Prince, but in reality, he was being tortured unilaterally.
Although my chess skills have indeed improved, being humiliated like this is truly disheartening.
The crown prince, however, was in a much better mood.
Wen Zongji had been studying chess scores since he took the imperial examination. Although his chess skills were not as good as the Crown Prince's, he was not a terrible player either. He could not trigger the Crown Prince's aversion to stupidity. The Crown Prince could feel good by tormenting him, which was also a way of getting back at him.
After being tortured, Wen Zongji was released by the Crown Prince and returned to the Capital Reporting Office.
Yao Maofang came in to report on official business and flattered, "The Crown Prince has summoned you for several days in a row, which shows how much he trusts you."
Wen Zongji: "..."
hehe--
He didn't see the truth in Shinju, but he was certain of one thing.
The Crown Prince and Pei Rujing are indeed cousins.
They're all petty and vengeful!
In the end, it was still him who suffered!
Wen Zongji had no intention of saying much to Yao Maofang, so he changed the subject and said, "I may be leaving the capital for a while, so you will be in charge of the Capital Gazette Office temporarily. Just continue as usual. If there is anything you cannot decide, write to me. If the situation is urgent, go to the Marquis's residence to find the County Princess. She will go to the palace to seek the Crown Prince's help."
Yao Maofang asked in surprise, "Your Excellency is leaving the capital?"
"The specifics haven't been decided yet, but just remember what I said."
Yao Maofang wisely refrained from asking further questions: "Yes, Your Excellency obeys."
……
Fortunately, the Crown Prince was sensible and let Wen Zongji go after tormenting him for several days.
However, Wen Zongji's competitive spirit had been aroused, and he spent more time studying chess scores. He even often dragged Yao Maofang to play chess with him. If Yuan Tianxi came to the Beijing News Office, Wen Zongji would also grab him to play chess.
His chess skills improved rapidly through playing against others.
A month passed quickly amidst this game of chess.
All the personnel dispatched to the branch offices in various prefectures have arrived and have begun selling the Beijing Gazette. Through cooperation with local bookstores, they have obtained their first round of funding, and the branch offices of the Beijing Gazette Bureau have begun to operate normally.
Wen Zongji was summoned to the palace by the Crown Prince once again.
This time, we're not playing chess; we're talking about serious business.
"We can't delay any longer. After you finish your shift today, pack your bags and leave Beijing for your business tomorrow."