Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 230 Congratulations on your disappointment
The rank of Yi Hai (乙亥) is in the twelfth rank, which is a relatively high position.

After all, with thousands of troops crossing this bridge, achieving a first or second place on the list is already quite remarkable!

Furthermore, although the four lists (A, B, C, and D) are not ranked in any particular order, those listed earlier are still considered better, at least in people's eyes. This is implicitly due to the unspoken rules of officialdom.

In other words, generally speaking, under the same conditions, List A is higher than List B, and List B is higher than List C, and so on, in order.

Of course, in any ranking, Grade A is always higher than Grade B.

"OK!"

"Okay... haha... hmph..."

"Hmm... This is... wonderful!"

When Madam Wang, who was standing beside Sheng Hong, heard this news, she immediately burst out laughing!

However, because of her exaggerated movements, Madam Wang laughed so hard she almost choked, and accidentally made a sound like a pig squealing!
But at this point, no one cared about that anymore.
Not to mention the Sheng family members who were almost ecstatic, even the families of other candidates from neighboring families were looking at this side with envious, jealous, and hateful eyes.

Judging from their expressions, let alone the squeals of pigs, they would gladly kneel on the ground like pigs for a whole day if it were any high school that could get them into that situation.

"Second brother passed?"

Rulan and Minglan, who had been keeping a close eye on the situation outside, were immediately thrilled upon seeing this!
"Minglan, what they're saying outside... is that Second Brother has been diagnosed?"

Rulan sat in the carriage, seemingly somewhat uncertain.

"Yes, Fifth Sister, Second Brother has indeed passed the imperial examination!"

"It seems I've passed the first-class, second-tier, Yi-Hai position!"

Because of Sheng Changquan's daily training, Minglan's ears were more sensitive than Rulan's. Seeing that Rulan seemed to be doubting, Minglan immediately told her Sheng Changbai's ranking.

"ah!"

"Really?"

Rulan's face was flushed, and she looked very excited!

"Second brother passed!"

"My second brother won!"

After receiving confirmation from Minglan, Rulan was overjoyed!

Since there were only two people in the carriage, Rulan pulled Minglan over and exclaimed excitedly, "Great news, Minglan! My second brother passed!"

They were siblings after all, so Rulan's pride at this moment was something she couldn't share with outsiders.

"Ok!"

"I heard it too, Second Brother definitely won!"

Minglan didn't mind Rulan's loss of composure. She also blushed and repeated the sentence, still feeling happy for him!
Although Sheng Changbai is not Minglan's biological brother from the same mother, he is still Minglan's brother after all. Blood is thicker than water, and there is still genuine affection between the two.

At this moment, the two little girls couldn't stay in the carriage any longer. They felt that the space was too small and they couldn't express their joy at all!

Moreover, they also wanted to personally congratulate Sheng Changbai!

So, without thinking, they jumped out of the car.

"Hey! My two ladies, you'd better watch out!"

Because of her advanced age, Old Madam Sheng did not come to Donghua Gate to wait. Instead, she sent her most capable maid, Fang Mama, to wait for news.

At this moment, Madam Fang suddenly saw Minglan and her two daughters jumping down from the carriage in a carefree manner, and she immediately became anxious!

She quickly ran forward and helped the two little girls stand up.

"Oh! Mama Fang... Mama Fang!"

Ru Lan's face tightened, and she felt a little flustered.

Because Rulan was faster when she jumped down, she was the first one caught by Madam Fang!
However, because Rulan's jumping out of the car was really clumsy, if it weren't for Fang's mother helping her in time, Rulan would have embarrassed herself in front of everyone!

"Mom!"

At this moment, Minglan successfully stood beside Rulan and timidly called out to her.

"Mama Fang..."

Rulan and Minglan exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat embarrassed—they had been caught making a mistake.

"How dare you two young girls do this?"

Mother Fang didn't say it all outright; she only hinted at it.

"Auntie Fang, we were wrong!"

Minglan was more familiar with Madam Fang, so she immediately became very obsequious and apologized to Madam Fang, saying, "Madam Fang, we will never dare to do it again next time!"

"Uh-huh!"

"I don't dare anymore! I don't dare anymore!"

Rulan imitated Zhang Fei, nodding along with him in a "Me too" manner, looking pitiful.

In fact, they knew that such actions were inappropriate. After all, it was not only dangerous, but also very damaging to their image, and it did not have the demeanor of a lady from an official family.

If word gets out, not only will people laugh at them, but they might even say that the Sheng family has a bad reputation!
"Mama Fang..."

Rulan and Minglan didn't say anything more, simply maintaining their pitiful expressions as they obediently watched their mother, who looked terrified. "Sigh~"

Seeing the two girls' expressions, Madam Fang naturally didn't say anything more. Besides, everyone's attention was focused on Madam Wang at the moment, so few people noticed their rude behavior.

"Alright, Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss, you'd better watch out next time!"

"You absolutely must not make this mistake again when you're out here!"

"Whee!"

Upon hearing Fang Mama's words, Rulan and Minglan immediately relaxed, their faces breaking into smiles.
Then, Minglan sweetly flattered Madam Fang, saying, "Madam Fang, we knew you were the most charitable person in this family!"

"Yes, yes, Aunt Fang, you are truly our savior!"

Not only was Minglan sweet-talking, but Rulan also realized what was going on at this moment and quickly flattered Madam Fang!
"Alright! Alright!"

Amused by the two little girls, Madam Fang waved her hand and pointed to the spot where the boys were gathered, saying with a smile, "Brother Bai is right over there. You two little girls, why don't you go and congratulate Brother Bai!"

Because of Old Madam Sheng's influence, Fang's mother held a somewhat unusual position in the Sheng family.

Not to mention the younger generation like Minglan, even the heads of the family, such as Sheng Hong and Madam Wang, had to show respect and deference to Madam Fang.

Therefore, in the hearts of Sheng Changbai and others, Madam Fang was considered their elder, so it was not a problem for her to call Sheng Changbai "Brother Bai".

The reason why everyone respects Madam Fang is not only because of her relationship with Old Madam Sheng, but more importantly because of her character.

Fang's mother truly loved the Sheng family's children from the bottom of her heart, treating them as her own. Moreover, she knew how to conduct herself appropriately and was tactful.

Whenever there are outsiders present, she always acts like a servant, completely lacking the domineering manner of an elder.

How can such a kind and respectable old man not be worthy of respect!
"whee……"

"Auntie Fang, we'll be going now!"

Minglan and Rulan exchanged a glance, then called out to Mama Fang. After that, they held hands and ran quickly to Sheng Changbai's side.

At this moment, Sheng Changbai was standing with Sheng Changquan, and apart from their respective servants Han Niu and Chang Qing, there was no one else around them. As for Sheng Changfeng, who was originally standing next to them, he had pushed forward because he hadn't heard his name called, so he was trying to find out if his name was on the list.

Did he miss something?

Now that things have come to this, Sheng Changfeng is starting to panic!
He could no longer maintain his composure, so he squeezed into the crowd, half nervous and half embarrassed, desperately trying to see the name Sheng Changfeng.

Not only that, Lin Qinshuang and Mo Lan, the mother and daughter pair, also squeezed in with Sheng Changfeng. The three of them squeezed into the crowd at the front, trying to get closer to Donghua Gate and seize the last chance to find Sheng Changfeng's name on the list.

Unfortunately, such things are already predetermined. If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't. There's no chance to seize any opportunity.
It all comes down to strength.

……

"Second brother!"

From afar, Rulan began to call out loudly to Sheng Changbai.

"Ok?"

Hearing someone calling his name, Sheng Changbai turned around with some confusion.

"Ru'er, Ming'er!"

Seeing his two younger sisters running towards him in the distance, Sheng Changbai said gently, "Hey! Be careful! Slow down!"

"Don't fall!"

Regardless, as the older brother, Sheng Changbai did a very good job.

"Den!"

Unfortunately, Sheng Changbai's advice was of no use. In fact, after hearing his reply, Rulan and Minglan not only did not slow down, but even slightly quickened their pace and ran even faster.

"Whoo~"

"Second brother, you...you've won!"

When Rulan ran up to Sheng Changbai in one breath, that was her first sentence.

"It...it's a hit!"

Rulan spoke with a proud expression, panting slightly.

"Ah~"

Seeing his younger sister's reckless behavior, Sheng Changbai frowned, seemingly wanting to lecture Rulan.

"Second brother, today is a special day, please don't hold it against fifth sister!"

Sheng Changquan, who was standing to the side, saw through Sheng Changbai's thoughts and immediately smiled and offered a word of advice.

"This……"

"Ugh……"

Sheng Changbai unconsciously twitched his right hand, as if he was hesitating.

However, thinking that Rulan was also happy for him, Sheng Changbai didn't say anything in the end, but secretly gave Rulan a stern look, giving her a "lecture with his eyes".

"Wow!"

Rulan had caught her breath by now. She angrily pulled Minglan aside and hid on the other side, secretly making faces at Sheng Changbai and huffing in a coquettish voice, "Hmph!"

"Second brother, I kindly offered you my congratulations, and you treat me like this!"

"This is truly a case of good intentions gone unrewarded!"

In fact, it was only during this joyous occasion that Rulan dared to speak to Sheng Changbai like this!

In any other situation, when facing Sheng Changbai, Rulan would definitely be as obedient as a little rabbit!
In the Sheng family, the person Rulan feared most was Hualan, because Hualan would both beat and scold her, yet always seemed to be in the right. This caused Rulan not only to suffer physical pain but also emotional trauma.

Secondly, there's the angry father, Sheng Hong.

After all, it was indeed painful for him to take the blow!

Next up is Sheng Changbai!
For some reason, whenever Rulan saw her second brother's serious face, she would always feel guilty and afraid.

Actually, it was only because Rulan didn't tell her mother that she heard the same complaints from Madam Wang!

Even Wang Da Niangzi, as his mother, sometimes felt intimidated by Sheng Changbai, feeling that she couldn't control him, let alone his sister.

"hehe!"

Minglan was used as a shield by Rulan and pulled in front of Sheng Changbai, but she was not afraid at all. She just obediently congratulated him, "Second brother, congratulations on passing the imperial examination!"

"Yes!"

Sheng Changquan added from the side, "This can be considered a reward for your decades of hard work, Second Brother!"

Sheng Changbai first nodded gently to Minglan to express his gratitude, and then he turned to Sheng Changquan and said, "Changquan, as long as you work hard, you will definitely be able to reach this point too!"

"You might even go further!"

Sheng Changbai had an inexplicable sense of trust in Sheng Changquan, believing that he was capable of inheriting the legacy of his grandfather Sheng Xu and taking on a new chapter for the Sheng family!
Among the major aristocratic families today, the only one the Sheng family can boast of is Sheng Xu, the grandfather of the Sheng family, who became a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations.

Few people may know the Sheng family, but many know the family of Sheng Tanhua!

However, the title of the third-ranked scholar in the Sheng family was only a fleeting moment, and it still requires future generations to continuously cultivate the Sheng family's reputation with various achievements.

However, Sheng Changbai chose Sheng Changquan instead!

"Second brother, you're too modest!"

Adhering to his philosophy of "surviving," Sheng Changquan said with great humility, "I think that in the end, the one who will achieve the greatest success in our Sheng family is you!"

"The day he wears blue and purple robes and sits leisurely in the inner court will be nothing more than a matter of turning one's hand for Second Brother!"

"Ah~"

Sheng Changbai shook his head in opposition but did not say anything more. He looked at Sheng Changquan and said earnestly, "Changquan, your second brother is not lying. I really hope you can write your name there!"

Sheng Changbai pointed to the largest blank space on the Donghua Gate ahead.

That is the place where the top scorer in each imperial examination, the "Huiyuan," is inscribed.

"There!"

Sheng Changquan looked at the blank space, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes!
"I think I should still be able to write my name on it!"

Although he didn't say it aloud, Sheng Changbai sensed the change in Sheng Changquan's emotions.

He patted his younger brother on the shoulder, but did not say anything more.

Everything is understood without words.

……

It just so happened.

"In the thirty-second year of the Xuanjing reign, Zhu Lei, a native of Xiuning, Shezhou, Jiangnan Circuit, was among those who passed the metropolitan examination, ranking first in the first class of the imperial examination!"

The one who uttered the greeting finished speaking.

However, Sheng Changfeng's name was never mentioned.

(End of this chapter)