In the eyes of the Xu family, Wu's maternal uncle was a legendary figure. Back then, when people talked about Wu's third-ranked scholar, everyone would give him a thumbs up and praise his brilliant and outstanding literary talent. They would also add that he was as handsome as Pan An. Who would have thought that this same third-ranked scholar would resign from the Hanlin Academy after only two years?
Such a person arouses curiosity, and when news of the arrival of Uncle Wu's uncle caused some commotion in the mansion.
Looking at the hopeful and curious expressions on everyone's faces in the mansion, and even the whispers behind their backs, Zhang Zhaoci asked Granny Lu, "Granny, what kind of person is this Uncle Wu from the Wu family?"
Granny Lu sighed as she reminisced about the past, saying, "Good looks lead to good academic performance."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "How could someone who isn't academically gifted be a third-place scholar? Just how good-looking are they?"
Granny Lu said, "Our Third Master is the best-looking among the masters in the manor, but that's only because he has some traits that resemble the Marquis. Once you meet him, you'll know just how good he really is."
Zhang Zhaoci became even more curious, so he changed his clothes and went to the old lady's courtyard.
The old lady's courtyard was already filled with servants. Zhang Zhaoci saw that everyone looked very excited, almost like fans chasing celebrities at a modern airport. Zhang Zhaoci couldn't help but become even more curious about this uncle of the Wu family.
The old lady's room was already crowded with people. Ning stood in front of the old lady and said, "Grandmother, since my uncle has come, he should be arranged to stay at our house. I have already given the order. He will stay in the courtyard next to the Marquis's study. That courtyard is spacious, and there are several clumps of bamboo planted in the corner. It is the most tranquil place."
The old lady said with a smile, "You can arrange these things. Uncle Wu has not returned to the capital for many years. I wonder what he is like now. I remember that back then, all the girls in the capital liked this top scholar."
Hearing the old lady praise her younger brother, even Wu, who was usually serious, beamed with joy. Ning said, "It's a pity I wasn't born yet at that time, so I never got to see my uncle's handsome appearance."
It was rare for the old lady to be in such a good mood today. She said, "Oh dear, Rao'er wasn't even born yet back then. I remember the heir was only a few days old. Everyone said that Wu Tanhua was the most handsome Tanhua since the founding of this dynasty."
The top two scholars in the imperial examination, Zhuangyuan and Bangyan, didn't have any special requirements regarding appearance. However, the Tanhualang (third-place scholar) had to be exceptionally handsome to be worthy of the title.
Yao said, "I heard my father say that our uncle was more talented in writing than the top scholar, but he was only ranked third because he was good-looking. My father still has many of my uncle's articles from back then."
When the young ladies arrived together, the old lady's room was filled with chatter, everyone curious about this Wu Tanhua.
The old lady asked Wu Shi, "Eldest daughter, now that your uncle is here, please select a few honest and reliable people to serve him."
The Wu family now only has a courtyard that has been uninhabited for many years. There are only a few servants sent to guard the house. After Wu Tanhua built the academy in Jiangnan, he took his family there. This time he came back because he wanted to go back to his own home. So the courtyard needs to be properly renovated. However, Wu Tanhua wrote to Wu Shi, saying that after the wedding, he would continue to return to the south. There was no need to renovate the courtyard.
Ms. Wu agreed. She had been in a good mood these past few days. Her brothers from her maternal family were coming back, and seeing them was something she had been looking forward to for a long time. Most importantly, Ms. Wu wanted to tell her younger brother about the resentment in her heart. After a woman gets married, if she suffers grievances in her husband's family, she always likes to talk to her maternal family. It's best if her maternal family can stand up for her. Even if they can't, confiding in her maternal family is something that can make her feel better.
Madam Wu bowed slightly and said, "Mother, I have already arranged for the people. They are all people I brought with me as part of my dowry, and they are very easy to use."
The old lady nodded and then said to Ning Shi, "Have someone carefully inquire about the servants who came back with Uncle Wu, find out Uncle Wu's dietary preferences, and arrange for the kitchen to prepare them. Don't be impolite."
The old lady's arrangements were unusually thoughtful and meticulous, which surprised everyone, but they all bowed in agreement.
Not long after, someone came to inform the old lady that Wu's maternal uncle had entered the hanging flower gate accompanied by the Marquis. Zhang Zhaoci could hear hushed conversations inside and outside the room. It was only because the old lady was there that people couldn't make a loud noise. If they were allowed, someone would probably have screamed.
Thinking back to the behavior of young men and women chasing after celebrities in modern times, Zhang Zhaoci almost burst out laughing. She quickly picked up a handkerchief and pressed it to her mouth to cover it up.
Not long after, footsteps were heard outside. A maid at the door lifted the curtain, and the Marquis, his son, and several brothers accompanied a handsome middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties with a few wisps of beard. This man was none other than the legendary Uncle Wu, the third-ranked scholar Wu Muyue.
The Xu family has strict rules, and the noisy environment just now showed everyone's eagerness to see the Wu family's third-ranked scholar. But now, there is complete silence.
After Wu's uncle entered, he knelt before the old lady and kowtowed three times. The old lady asked the Marquis to help him up. Granny Shen brought over a rose-covered armchair. After Wu, the third-ranked scholar, sat down, the old lady said with a smile, "Our third-ranked scholar has finally returned."
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