Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 141 Reaction
"but!"

Sheng Changquan pondered for a while, and then slowly said, "The chief examiner, Lord Cui, once advised me that it would be best if I did not directly accept the title of Xiucai."

He said that the imperial examination system values ​​integrity and uprightness the most. Although I, as the top candidate in the prefecture, could be directly admitted as a scholar, it would be more proper to pass the provincial examination and be admitted through this route!

"Firstly, it allows me to make friends with other students taking the imperial examinations in the same year and expand my network. Secondly, it allows me to use my genuine abilities to overcome all external doubts!"

"After all, in the prefectural examination, some people will inevitably feel that they have underperformed and want to compete with me again. If I can participate in the academy examination and pass it, then I suppose no one will have anything to say."

Sheng Changquan recounted everything that had been on his mind lately, intending to seek advice from Sheng Hong.

"Ok!"

"It makes sense!"

Sheng Hong sat upright in his seat, stroking his beard as he pondered for a long time before finally saying, "If Changquan can pass the academy examination again, then it is only right."

Sheng Hong was well aware of his son's abilities. After all, his expectations for Sheng Changquan were not just for a mere Xiucai degree. If he couldn't even pass the provincial examination, how could he possibly become a Juren and enter the imperial court?

"Yes!"

Seeing that Sheng Hong also agreed with Sheng Changquan's idea, Minglan couldn't help but say, "Who knows, my brother might be able to pass the imperial examination again and even achieve the highest honors in all three levels!"

"Hahaha!"

"Ming'er is right. If Changquan can try harder, it might not be impossible!"

When Minglan revealed his innermost desires, Sheng Hong couldn't help but laugh out loud!
"hehe!"

"Then I'll accept your kind words, elder sister!"

Seeing this, Sheng Changquan smiled slightly and agreed, though he had the same idea in mind.

After all, aren't all orthodox Confucian scholars driven by such ambition?

"Oh, right, Hong'er!"

After everyone had chatted and laughed for a while, Old Madam Sheng gave her instructions!

"Chang Quan did a good job this time!"

"In a little while, take him to the ancestral hall in the back to burn incense and inform the ancestors of the Sheng family!"

Actually, the old lady wanted to share this good news with Grandpa Shengxu underground so that he would be happy. Of course, whether there was any competitive element involved is unknown.

Grandma Sheng was strong-willed her whole life, but she was only ever hurt by Grandpa Sheng Xu.

Wasn't the old man a third-place scholar? Well then, she'll raise another top scholar to show him, and let her grandson outshine him!
"Yes, mother!"

"Yes, Grandmother!"

Sheng Hong and his son were unaware of what the old lady was thinking. Upon hearing her instructions, they both responded and quickly stood up.

"Mother."

At this moment, seeing the weariness on the old lady's face, Sheng Hong quickly said goodbye, "Mother, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave now!"

"Ah."

As people get older, it's inevitable that they will have some energy deficiency, so Grandma Sheng waved her hand and did not refuse: "Go ahead, after you finish offering incense, you should go and rest early!"

"I have to go to the yamen tomorrow!"

"Yes, mother!"

Sheng Hong first bowed respectfully, then gestured to Minglan beside him to help the old lady into her room to rest. Minglan smiled slightly and walked to the old lady's side with great understanding, saying, "Grandmother, your granddaughter has come to keep you company!"

"You!"

The old lady smiled and tapped Minglan's little head, then got up and followed Minglan into the back room. Mother Fang smiled and watched the grandmother and granddaughter laughing and joking as they walked back.

After watching Old Madam Sheng being helped away by Minglan, Sheng Hong turned around and called out to Sheng Changquan, "Changquan, let's go!"

"Go to the ancestral hall first, offer incense and pay respects to our ancestors!"

"Yes, Father!"...

Linqi Pavilion.

"what?"

"Quan-ge'er actually got the top score?"

Lin Qinshuang learned about Sheng Changquan from Zhou Xueniang beside her, and her face immediately turned furious!

In fact, Lin Qinshuang did one thing very well: she was always very good at maintaining appearances, whether in public or in private. If Wang Daniangzi were in Lin Qinshuang's shoes, she would definitely call Sheng Changquan a brat or a beast.

Lin Qinshuang, however, was different. Even though she hated him to the extreme, she still called him "brother" on the surface, appearing very affectionate.

"Yes, young lady!"

Zhou Xueniang stepped forward and continued to report in a low voice, "I have already had people inquire, and it is indeed the case!"

"It can't be wrong!"

"no!"

"That does not work!"

After receiving confirmation from Zhou Xueniang, Lin Qinshuang could no longer maintain her composure!

"If this continues, won't my Feng-ge'er be outshone?"

Although Sheng Changfeng also passed the preliminary examination on his first attempt, his results were not as outstanding as Sheng Changquan's. Moreover, Lin Qinshuang was born into an official family, and she understood the ways of officialdom and knew the weight of being the top scholar.

"Oh, right, Xue Niang!"

Lin Qinshuang suddenly remembered something and quickly summoned her confidant to ask, "Do you know which examination Sheng Changquan was the top scorer in?"

"County examination? Or prefectural examination?"

Lin Qinshuang sincerely hoped to hear what she wanted to hear from the other party. After all, being the top scholar in the county was one thing, but being the top scholar in the prefecture would almost certainly confirm Sheng Changquan's status as a scholar!

You have to understand, becoming a scholar at the age of seven is such an honor!

What a bright future awaits us!
But she harbored an unspeakable grudge against Sheng Changquan...

The thought sent chills down Lin Qinshuang's spine!

"Young lady, the top scorers in both the county and prefectural examinations are Quan-ge'er!"

Zhou Xueniang didn't understand the specific meaning, but she knew that the top spot was hard-won and that Sheng Changquan had gained power and was no longer the same as before, who was not valued by others.

"This... a double chance?"

Lin Qinshuang finally realized cruelly that things seemed to be developing in the direction she least wanted.

……

In the ancestral hall.

After offering incense with Sheng Changquan and reporting to the ancestors, Sheng Hong took him aside and began to question him carefully about the questions in the imperial examination.

a long time.

After Sheng Changquan recounted the entire situation, Sheng Hong tentatively asked, seemingly casually, "By the way, Changquan!"

"Who is this Chief Examiner Cui that you mentioned to the old lady before?"

"Could it be Lord Cui Yue from the Hanlin Academy?"

Although Sheng Hong's question seemed casual, Sheng Changquan knew perfectly well that this was probably what he was most concerned about tonight.

"Father."

Sheng Changquan had no intention of teasing his father, nor would he dare to. He replied respectfully, "The chief examiner that day was none other than Lord Cui Yue!"

Many thanks to the generous donations from Da Lao Huo Xi, Lao Zhou Jia Da Gong Zi, Hong Chen Tian Luo Sheng Tian, ​​and Jian Ying 2015!


(End of this chapter)