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

Everyone who was supposed to be present at the literary gathering was there, and of course, several heavyweight Confucian scholars had to be the final speakers.

Only in this way can their weight be shown. This emphasis on pomp and circumstance is still very important at times, at least among scholars, they will not feel that the great Confucian scholars are showing off.

After agreeing on a time to view the house with Tan Hao, Landlord Jiang's mind was clearly no longer on the literary gathering, and he even lost interest in appreciating the rare fine tea.

The remaining people were just recovering from their shock. Jiang Wenqing was the most direct: "Dad, you've already made an agreement with the Tan family? Will we be able to come up with that much money?"

He was worried that his father would put on a show of wealth and end up having to borrow money at high interest rates to pay for the house. He didn't want to be in debt before he even became an official. How could he be an honest official then?

Imagine him being heavily in debt and constantly threatened by loan sharks; wouldn't he be thinking about taking bribes to pay off his debts?

Oh dear, oh dear! I can't think about it! That scene is too gruesome!

"What nonsense are you thinking about now!?"

Landlord Jiang was speechless. His son, even in middle age, was still so unreliable, always thinking about this and that, instead of using his brain for something useful!

"Don't worry about these trivial matters. When have you ever cared about household chores? Now you're suddenly anxious?"

Landlord Jiang waved his hand impatiently. His son's big face was practically touching his forehead, and it was an eyesore!

Jiang Wenqing refused to give up. "Father, please tell your son the truth. Can our family really come up with 30,000 taels?"

This question received no answer, only a freshly rolled eye from Landlord Jiang.

"Father, today is a literary gathering hosted by the Tan family. Let's take a walk around. As for the rest, we can talk about it when we get back to the inn."

Jiang Xiaoqi stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "There are outsiders here; how can we keep talking about money?"

Xue Wai Ren Xu: I shouldn't be here, I should be under the car?

Jiang Wenqing snorted in tacit approval after hearing his son's words.

Tan Hao went to see Master Tan in person. He needed to tell his father about the Jiang family's decision to buy the house and also help arrange a time to view the property.

As for meeting insightful people at literary gatherings, he had long since put that aside.

Based on his interactions with the Jiang family, he felt he would never encounter any more interesting scholars than the Jiang family.

Besides, a person's energy is limited; he couldn't be as all-encompassing, shrewd, and adept at social maneuvering as his father...

He interacts with people based on feeling and whether they are compatible.

He didn't know that this was what later generations called a compatible aura.

Tan Hao found Master Tan in the front yard, where Master Tan was receiving a distinguished scholar from Jiangnan.

Upon seeing his son arrive, he didn't rush to interrupt his conversation with the famous man. After carefully settling him in, he leisurely left the warm pavilion.

Tan Hao stood quietly outside the warm pavilion, without urging anyone, until Master Tan came out. He then explained the matter in a few words, and Master Tan's face lit up with joy.

His house was easy to sell; plenty of people were willing to pay a lot of money to buy it. However, deciding who would buy the house wasn't simply a matter of who offered the most money.

The Jiang family already had members holding the fifth rank in officialdom, and several others holding the sixth or seventh rank. Although they weren't a prominent family, they were still far better off than these merchants.

Of course, the truly prominent families wouldn't even look at their family, let alone have them curry favor with them.

Moreover, he learned that the Jiang family and the Liu family were related, and this "Liu" was the same "Liu" in the palace.

This Jiang family is far from being as low-key and without background as they appear. Otherwise, with so many scholars present today, why would he target just a few members of the Jiang family?

Tan Zheyuan isn't stupid!

With the connection of his son's former classmates, he already had a natural advantage. If he added fuel to the fire, he wouldn't have to worry about getting even closer to the Jiang family.

"Let's set the date for the day after tomorrow. I'm sure the Jiang family wants to settle down as soon as possible. Hao'er, you should pay close attention to that. Isn't that your good friend?"

They've just arrived in the capital and don't know anyone here. If they need anything, we should do our best to help!

Although Tan Hao suspected his father had ulterior motives, he still nodded. He would certainly help Ming Fei's family if they needed anything, out of friendship and camaraderie...

"Alright, Mr. Ouyang is almost here. I need to go greet him. If you're free, come with me. Don't stay in the back all day."

These renowned scholars and Confucian masters are rarely seen in ordinary times. Meeting them more often will benefit you in your future imperial examinations!

"Mr. Ouyang? Which Mr. Ouyang?"

"You child, have you gone mad from reading too much? How many Master Ouyangs are there in the Great Zhou Dynasty?!"

Mr. Tan was somewhat pleased with himself. Seeing his usually composed son finally acting like a young man, he also showed a rare tenderness.

He was still very satisfied with his smart and studious son. Whether the Tan family could produce an official in the future depended on Hao'er!

Tan Hao was somewhat stunned, his legs unconsciously following Master Tan forward. Was it really that great scholar Ouyang?!

His father actually managed to get that person to come!