Xu Di, Xu Zhi, and Xu Bai all stayed in Zhang Zhaoci's room, and the four of them, along with Granny Lu, held their usual nightly chat.
Xu Di said, "It's already this late, and my father still hasn't come back. I wonder what they've been talking about in the study."
Xu Bai said, "This uncle looks very handsome."
Having spent so many years with Xu Bai, Granny Lu naturally knew what handsome meant. She said, "Of course. Back then, the third-ranked scholar from the Wu family was truly a genius. Most importantly, he was exceptionally talented. That year, when the top scholar paraded through the streets, the streets were so congested that people couldn't move."
Xu Zhi asked, "What kind of scene would that be?"
Granny Lu said, "With a brilliant scholar like Wu Tanhua by our side, all the other scholars selected in the imperial examinations of this dynasty, no matter how handsome they are, seem to be missing something."
Xu Di said, "I'll be competing the year after next, and I really hope I can also be ranked in the top one."
Xu Bai said, "Even if you rank first again, you can't be chosen as the third-ranked scholar. I heard that the third-ranked scholar must be unmarried."
Xu Di said, "What if all three people in Group A are married?"
Xu Bai said, "During the palace examination, we should first select the good-looking ones and the most talented ones, and then choose them as the third-ranked scholar."
Xu Di said, "So it really comes down to looks."
Hsu Po said, "Being good-looking always makes it easier to get more benefits."
Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "No matter when, it's all about looks."
When Xu Rao returned, she saw several people talking in the room. When the three children saw Xu Rao enter the room, they quickly got off the kang (a heated brick bed) to greet her. Xu Rao said, "It's getting late. Go wash up and rest. The day after tomorrow is your brother's wedding day. Don't let not getting enough rest make you feel unwell on that day."
After the three children greeted their parents, they went back to rest. Zhang Zhaoci helped Xu Rao bring him water to wash his feet, and after watching him wash his feet, she said, "Why are you talking so late?"
Xu Rao said, "I talked with Wu Tanhua for a while. No wonder everyone admires him. He is a very learned man. He knows everything from astronomy to geography. There is nothing he can't talk about. He even has some knowledge of farming. Such a person would definitely benefit the region if he were an official. I just don't know why he is content to stay in a small academy."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "What if a capable person can cultivate many capable people?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao smiled and said, "Madam, you see things so clearly! How come I didn't think of that? Now that you mention it, I'm also thinking of becoming a teacher."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Please wait a little while. My mother and I are still hoping that you can go to more places to serve as an official, so that we can go and experience the local customs and culture."
Xu Rao sighed and said, "I've thought it all through. Since His Majesty has entrusted Yuyuan to me, it means he wants me to take the child to see more places. His Majesty is also a father, so naturally he thinks a lot about his child. This child will not be able to leave the capital at will after inheriting the throne. So let's take advantage of the fact that he is not yet an adult and see more places to broaden his horizons."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "The hearts of parents are truly pitiful. What's that saying again? Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them."
Xu Rao said, "Yes, that's exactly right. When children are still young and don't understand things, we think so much for them, so that they can learn the skills to cope with anything in the future. That's what's best for them. Zhao Ci, do you think we haven't done enough?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci exclaimed in surprise, "How could you think that?"
Xu Rao said, "Xu Di and Xu Bai were raised in a free-range manner since they were young. Xu Zhi is a girl, and she usually learns manners and household management from Granny Lu. I think we, as parents, have not disciplined our children enough."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Now that you mention it, I feel a little embarrassed. So tell me, how should we discipline them? Xu Di is getting married soon, and I think Xu Zhi is a very independent girl. I don't think I can make decisions for her own marriage; she has to choose for herself. As for Xu Bai, our situation is special, as you know. Even if we try to discipline him, he's already a child with his own mind, so we can't really discipline him."
Xu Rao said, "Ah, what you said makes a lot of sense. I'll serve as an official for a few years first. When I retire, we'll find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains. I'll open an academy to teach children, and you can open a small clinic to treat patients and prescribe medicine. We'll both be doing what we want to do. That would be a wonderful thing."
When Zhang Zhaoci heard Xu Rao's vision, he said, "What you're thinking is indeed good, but I don't know if it will be able to come true."
The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, and when they finally met, they chatted idly about their children and what they did every day. One talked and the other listened, and they felt very relaxed until the third watch of the night was played, at which point they slowly fell asleep.
The Hou mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Two servants came to hang red lanterns at the entrance of Wu's courtyard, and Wu scolded them for it. Just then, Wu Tanhua came over and followed Wu to the side hall where Wu was receiving guests.
Wu Tanhua said, "What are you doing, sister? There's a big celebration in the manor tomorrow, and you're here scolding the servants."
Madam Wu said, “Brother, I’ve been so miserable in this mansion all these years. Shao’er is my child, but everyone always puts that illegitimate son first. Di’er is just the eldest grandson, but what is his status? In this dynasty, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is very strict, but from the old lady to the marquis, and everyone in the mansion, they all favor that family. He’s just a fifth-rank official, but look at my illegitimate daughter-in-law, openly treating patients and prescribing medicine at home. What kind of behavior is that? And the eldest young master doesn’t study properly; he’s obsessed with trivial matters. Is this something a marquis’s family should do? Aren’t they afraid of being laughed at?”
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