After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

They traveled only a hundred or so miles and entered the city before nightfall.

The capital city is indeed different from the surrounding small towns; the people here seem to only come alive after the sun sets.

Many people take their families out for a walk after dinner to digest their food, strolling around the streets and occasionally buying a piece of malt candy or a small toy for their hungry children to cheer them up.

Having both money and free time, what a wonderful life!

If only the whole country could live like this, with people living in peace and contentment, free from war.

Jiang Xiaoqi shook his head and chuckled. When did he become so concerned about the country and its people? Had he read too many classic texts and become so ingrained in his mind?

To rectify one's mind, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.

Well, I'm just idling around anyway, and if I don't work towards the third goal, I feel like I'll lose my sense of purpose.

It's too small a step to only let family members improve. Jiang Mingfei wants to try to accomplish what his master couldn't.

Landlord Jiang was puzzled as to what his grandson was staring at. Although the capital was prosperous, it shouldn't be enough to leave one speechless.

He felt someone tap his shoulder, turned around and saw his grandfather: "Grandfather, let's buy a house in the capital!"

"What?" What do you mean, buy a house? This abrupt and nonsensical question left Landlord Jiang completely bewildered. Shouldn't they be looking for an inn to settle down first?

Many candidates for the spring imperial examinations arrived in the capital early. Although they arrived relatively early, the inns closest to the examination venues in the capital were in high demand.

Jiang Xiaoqi scratched his head and explained with a smile, "Grandfather, I've thought it over carefully. If our trip to the capital is only for the imperial examinations, staying at an inn will suffice."

However, if someone in our family passes the imperial examination this spring, having a house would be much more convenient and would also make it easier to settle the family.

Moreover, I will also be taking the provincial examination in a few years, followed by the metropolitan examination. My grandson thinks he should be able to go to the capital in a few years as well.”

After listening, Landlord Jiang stroked his beard and pondered for a moment: "Your idea is not without merit. But a house in the capital is not something you can just buy on a whim. We are newcomers here, so I'm afraid we'll have to go through some trouble."

Jiang Xiaoqi, however, said confidently, "Grandfather, don't worry. I brought enough money with me before I came. However, we are indeed new here, so we still need to ask someone we know for directions."

"You, you've made up your mind to buy it? Well then, buying a house would indeed be more convenient, so your grandfather will agree. But land is so expensive right under the emperor's nose, so a small one that's enough to live in will do."

“Grandson knows. We’ll inquire about it before the literary gathering in a few days. On the day of the gathering, I’ll ask Tan Hao to inquire again. He’s from the capital, so he definitely has more connections than we do.”

"Yes, the literary gathering is in six days, so we need to make some preparations."

Jiang Xiaoqi didn't understand what her grandfather meant. Was it to prepare some poems and essays? Or something else?

Tan Hao had been feeling uneasy ever since he sent out the ten invitations.

It was indeed her mother who sent the invitations to the female guests, but as for the male guests... her father's intentions were too obvious.

Tan Hao is now unsure whether he will be able to maintain a normal relationship with his friend in the future. He hopes the Jiang family will come, but he also hopes they won't.

The Tan family's waterside villa has excellent scenery and is very suitable for literary figures to gather here. The Tan family is also very good at interpersonal relationships. Anyone with the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) can participate in this literary gathering for free.

The intention was clear: the Tan family wanted to befriend future scholars and officials, and to establish a connection with them before they rose to prominence.

Master Tan is indeed a businessman; he is a master at casting a wide net. Some of the scholars who came may never have a chance to become Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), but so what?

Even those who passed the imperial examinations could be selected for official positions. So what if it was a minor one? Often, the one who could exert influence wasn't necessarily the highest-ranking official, since a local official was more powerful than a county magistrate.

Some relationships, when used properly, can change the course of many major events. As the saying goes, never underestimate any seemingly insignificant person.

Of course, the literary gathering was not only for those who had passed the provincial examinations, but also for those who had failed the provincial examinations. They had to pay an entrance fee of ten taels of silver to participate in the gathering.

However, many scholars would still pay money just to meet a few successful candidates at the literary gathering and learn from them. They would consider the ten taels of silver as "tutoring fees" and wouldn't feel bad about it at all.

On the day of the literary gathering, scholars and literati gathered at the Tan Family Villa. They played chess, drank tea, and admired the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the hall. Despite the large number of people, there was no noise at all.

The pavilions and towers were covered with reed and cloth curtains to block the wind. They were not only not ugly, but also added a touch of elegance. They complemented the colorful chrysanthemums that were blooming bravely, making people forget the cold and willingly linger in the open courtyard.

Jiang Xiaoqi glanced around and took a general look at the surrounding arrangements, and came to one conclusion: the Tan family was quite good at making things happen!

Tan Hao had been arranged by his father to receive the guests early in the morning, and finally saw the Jiang family when his legs were almost numb from the cold.

Jiang Xiaoqi was also looking around, and their eyes met in the air.

Tan Hao was unaware that Jiang Xiaoqi was praising him in his heart: As expected of the organizer's child, the boy has long since shed his former shyness and can now stand on his own.

"Brother Tan, it's been a long time." Jiang Xiaoqi bowed respectfully.

Tan Hao greeted them warmly, but became somewhat flustered upon seeing the five people beside Jiang Xiaoqi.

Jiang Xiaoqi introduced his family and Tan Hao to each other. After they exchanged greetings, the landlord Jiang led the scholars to find a warm place to stay.

Landlord Jiang: What are these people thinking? It's almost winter, and they're still trying to be sophisticated in the yard. Let's see if they're still sophisticated when their snot drips down their noses!

Tan Hao, of course, would not accept the ten taels of silver entrance fee from Jiang Xiaoqi, a mere scholar. He simply left the task of greeting guests at the door to the steward and wandered around with his friend.

"This used to be a lotus pond, but the flowers have faded by now. I'll bring you back to see it after the imperial examinations next spring. Hongxuan used to love this place the most..."

Jiang Xiaoqi noticed the disappointment in Tan Hao's eyes and quickly chimed in, "Your house is wonderful in every way, with beautiful scenery at every turn, and there are views to enjoy in all four seasons."

I wonder if houses in the capital are easy to buy? I've been so busy these past few days that I haven't had time to find a broker to help me look.

"What? Mingfei's family wants to buy a house in the capital? Are there any requirements?"

"Of course, it would be best to be close to the examination hall. If that's not possible, then a relatively quiet place suitable for exam preparation would be ideal. A three-courtyard house would be best, but if that's not possible, a two-courtyard house would be a good option."

Tan Hao pondered for a moment, actually wondering if his family had a suitable house that he could transfer to the Jiang family at a low price.

The Jiang family has five candidates who have passed the imperial examinations. I believe my father would be happy to use a house to establish a good relationship, but would Mingfei agree? Would he think that his family's intentions are too obvious?

Forget it, I'll ask my father first, so Mingfei won't get his hopes up for nothing.