Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 107: The Best of the Best (Subscription Request)

Shen Lu didn't wait for Zhang Luan to see him off, he just dragged him into the yard.

When the two entered the door, Zhang Luan was still a little unhappy: "Ruxue, what's wrong with you today? Can't you tell me later if you have something important to say? This will neglect the guests..."

As they were talking, Jin came out from the kitchen with a dark face and glared at Zhang Luan fiercely.

"Master Shen is here? Please come in. I will prepare tea right away."

Jin greeted him cordially.

Shen Lu was still wondering why his sister-in-law was in such a terrible state.

Don’t you like me?
"I dare not trouble my sister-in-law. I just come here to talk to Lai Zhan for a few words and then leave. I won't bother you any more." Shen Lu bowed quickly.

Jin glared at her husband fiercely again, then turned and went back to the kitchen.

Zhang Luan invited Shen Lu to the main hall and said with a smile: "As a woman, you have long hair but little knowledge. Don't be so polite... Speaking of which, my Zhang family hasn't had servants for many years. In the past, the Zhang family of Xingji was also a powerful family."

Shen Lu was puzzled and said, "Then my sister-in-law..."

"Tsk, she doesn't want me to accept those slaves, as if I would do something to them... Didn't I take concubines in the past? She still feels resentful about it."

Zhang Luan looked indifferent.

Shen Lu couldn't help but feel ashamed.

He was also thinking in his heart, you are such a good guy, Zhang Laizhan. Your family is so poor that you can barely make ends meet, yet you still dare to take a concubine. It would be fine if your wife was infertile, but your wife gave birth to two sons and a daughter for you. Why do you still want to take a concubine?
It seems that you are the kind of person who "changes his mind easily when the mood is strong, and a lustful person speaks lightly", no wonder your wife dislikes you today.

"Ruxue, if you have anything to say, tell me."

After the host and the guest sat down, Zhang Luan went straight to the point.

Shen Lu said: "The preliminary selection has ended. Your daughter has passed the selection successfully. Tomorrow she will be sent to the Ministry of Rites for the re-selection. This stage is very critical."

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "I know that, but it's not necessary for a busy person like you to make a special trip, right?"

Shen Lu said anxiously, "Minister Li is a little worried about this matter. He is afraid that there will be some deviation in the selection tomorrow... After all, our daughter still needs to be shown to the public. If she is not pretty, then... can I take a look at her in advance?

"I am not doing this rashly. It is because Minister Li is worried about me. I have brought some gifts here as a gift for my niece. I hope Brother Lai Zhan can be lenient with me."

Zhang Luan was originally worried that something big had happened that made Shen Lu so anxious and worried, but when he heard that he just wanted to see his daughter, he immediately smiled again.

"I thought it was something... As a younger generation, what's wrong with coming out to offer her uncle a cup of tea? Why should we be so particular about etiquette?

"Yanling, quickly ask your sister to come out and serve tea to Uncle Shen."

Zhang Luan greeted Zhang Yanling who was standing at the door.

Zhang Yanling turned and went to the kitchen. Soon, Zhang Yu came over with lotus steps, holding a wooden tray with two cups of tea on it.

When she entered the main hall, Shen Lu raised his head and looked over. It seemed that even the sunlight shining into the room through the window sill had lost its luster in an instant.

"Uncle, please have some tea."

As Zhang Yu was speaking, she walked to the table and placed the teacups in the wooden tray one by one.

Then he picked up another cup and handed it respectfully to Shen Lu.

The eyes are beautiful and the smile is charming.

Her breath is as fragrant as orchid and her spirit is as graceful as jade.

It is also said that a single smile makes all the beauties in the palace pale in comparison.

Shen Lu was so stunned by Zhang Yu's beauty that he stood there for a moment, not even noticing that he was drooling. It was obvious that the scene before him was something he had never expected. After he came to his senses, he stood up and hurriedly took the cup of tea. After getting it in his hand, he was still a little dazed.

"You learn?"

Zhang Luan looked over with a bad expression.

You coward, is this disrespectful to the elderly? You were distracted when you saw my daughter?

Shen Lu didn't know that he was being despised. He swallowed his saliva and said in a slightly embarrassed tone, "My dear niece, I didn't bring any good gifts. Here is a silver bracelet that I specially had made to give to Minister Li's wife as a New Year gift. I'm giving it to you now. It's just a small token of my respect."

Zhang Yu was stunned when he heard that, thinking, I just came in to serve tea, why did he even give me a silver bracelet?
It looks quite heavy!

She quickly looked at her father for help.

Zhang Luan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Ruxue, you are too polite. Also, why are you showing respect to a junior? Are you speaking incoherently?"

Seeing Shen Lu's embarrassed face, he said again: "Forget it, forget it, girl, just take it, this is a little gift from your uncle."

"Yes."

Zhang Yu took the bracelet with great grace and bowed respectfully before leaving the main hall.

The fragrance had disappeared, but Shen Lu still hadn't come back to his senses and stood there in a daze.

Zhang Luan made an inviting gesture: "Sit down and talk."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lu glanced at Zhang Luan and noticed the half-smile on his face. He was at a loss as to what to do. He sighed, "Laizhan, I was overthinking. My niece is so beautiful, I feel sorry for her. She is also well-educated and well-mannered... For such an outstanding lady to marry into the Eastern Palace is definitely not too high a target."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "I am from a poor family. No matter how elegant I am, I am still blocked by this low door lintel... Now that I have met you in person, you should feel relieved, right?"

"what!?"

Shen Lu was startled, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Laizhan, you are trying to trick me... My niece is so outstanding, why are you worried about not being selected? I am just wasting my time and energy and causing trouble for Brother Laizhan."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay. This is the tea your niece gave you. Don't you want to have a sip?"

Shen Lu suddenly realized that he was still holding the tea that Zhang Yu had just offered him. He felt a little awkward holding it in his hand, but he quickly brought it to his lips to take a sip. His eyes lit up and he couldn't help but blurt out praise: "Good tea."

"Haha, it's exactly the same as the one I gave you before. They're all top-quality Huangshan Cloud Mist Tea... I usually can't bear to drink it."

Zhang Luan was also very proud at this time.

After all, his daughter had earned face for him in front of his brother-in-law, and had also let his brother-in-law know that his desire to have his daughter chosen as the Crown Princess was not just a whim or an overestimation of his own abilities, but was based on real talent.

"Laizhan, I won't bother you any more. I'll go back and report to Minister Li."

Shen Lu put down the teacup and was about to leave.

"Don't sit around more?"

Zhang Luan tried to persuade him to stay, "Speaking of which, since arriving in the capital, I have yet to have a good drink with you. We were always delayed for one reason or another."

Shen Lu was determined to leave, and said quickly: "Business is the most important thing. Tomorrow is the first day of the re-election. Everything must be completed on the first, second and third day, and then the person will be sent to the palace for the Queen Mother to take a look.

"You don't have a decent luxury carriage in your house. I just bought a new one. It's very elegant and I'll send it to you later... Let your daughter ride in it to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow. This way, it will make it easier to leave a good impression on others."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Didn't they say that the Crown Princess doesn't have to be from a wealthy family? Why do we need such a grand ceremony?"

Shen Lu smiled and replied, "It's always good to be prepared... Tomorrow, the ladies from the capital will gather at the Ministry of Rites. You should be fully prepared so that our niece won't feel inferior when she is selected. At this time, every family will show off their talents, and we can't lose the most basic face and pomp."

"After all, he is the child's uncle, so he is very thoughtful." Zhang Luan sighed, "So, for someone like me who comes from a small family, my vision is still shallow after all."

"Oh, Lai Zhan, what are you talking about? We are all family. I am planning this not only for you, but also for myself. Our little niece will definitely be... a rare talent in the future."

Shen Lu also gained a little more confidence at this time.

Just with this outstanding appearance and extraordinary temperament, is it something that ordinary people can compare to?

This is exactly the case of “the orchid in the embroidered pavilion is an extraordinary item, it turns into a phoenix once it blooms”, so let’s just help our little niece to the top, and then reap the benefits from it!
Today I will update again for the fourth time and ask for subscriptions and monthly tickets! Thank you!

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(End of this chapter)