Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 253 Past Events in the Journal

Ze and Tang Zhong.

The study, in the Zhiyuan Hall.

At this moment, Sheng Changquan, dressed in a blue robe with a jade belt around his waist, sat regally behind his desk with an air of exceptional elegance.

He held a pen in one hand and a book in the other, his eyes fixed intently on the contents of the book, showing no sign of distraction and appearing very focused.

Compared to Qi Heng's previous appearance, Sheng Changquan is a proper scholar.

After all, scholars study with great dedication, like "hanging their heads from the rafters and pricking their thighs with awls," so how could they be as absent-minded as Qi Heng was before!
Since he was in his own study, Sheng Changquan didn't care about manners. He simply messed up his hair, loosely tied it together with a dark blue ribbon, roughly gathered it up, and put it behind his head.

Because it wasn't tied up tightly, his thick, black hair was casually draped behind his head and "lazily" rested on his shoulders.

However, even with such "improper behavior," coupled with Sheng Changquan's handsome face, his temperament was still as dazzling and pleasing as a firefly in the night.

On the other hand, Sheng Changquan's "unruly" appearance was not because Cuiming, Ziyuan and others were lazy and didn't comb his hair. On the contrary, they constantly asked their young master to allow them to tidy up his sideburns and groom his appearance, striving to keep Sheng Changquan's image perfect.

However, Sheng Changquan chose to refuse; his current stance was one he himself had requested.

Perhaps due to some habits from his previous life, Sheng Changquan was not used to having long hair and always felt that it was in the way. However, in this world, people believe that "our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents," so under this strict set of etiquette, Sheng Changquan could only blend in with the world and keep his hair long like everyone else.

To be honest, he does look quite elegant with long hair. Sheng Changquan only misses his short hair when he's getting ready.

After all, long hair, besides making you more handsome, also has some troublesome side effects.

Therefore, in the end, Sheng Changquan could only dress up in this disheveled manner in his private time to relax.

Over time, he actually grew to like this relaxed state even more; in fact, it helped soothe his mind and increase his learning efficiency.

"I see!"

Looking at the book in his hand, Sheng Changquan smiled.

In fact, this book is no ordinary thing. It is the handwritten notes of Sheng Changquan's grandfather, Sheng Xu, which is his final reflection on his life's journey in the imperial examinations.

In fact, it wasn't just Old Master Sheng; Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai did the same. They also recorded their experiences with the imperial examinations in a notebook for the Sheng family's descendants to study carefully.

Even Sheng Changfeng had such a notebook, but because his imperial examination was not yet over, he could not include his notebook in the Sheng family's library.

Meanwhile, in the Sheng family's secret library, there were already the examination notes of three people: Sheng Xu, Sheng Hong, and Sheng Changbai, who had just been awarded the second-class Jinshi degree.

Since the time of the patriarch Sheng, all the leaders of the Sheng family have had the wish to revitalize the family's reputation. From the patriarch Sheng to the old master Sheng, then to Sheng Hong, and finally to Sheng Changbai, four generations of the family have all had such a grand ambition.

However, the Sheng family's rise to power ultimately began with the generation of the old patriarch, so the Sheng family's foundation was still quite shallow. Compared with those long-established families, if the Sheng family wanted to catch up, it had to accumulate strength bit by bit.

That being said, putting aside his character, Mr. Sheng Xu was extremely capable.

Especially in the matter of revitalizing the family, he was extremely diligent and dared not slacken. Sheng Hong's obsession was also due to the influence of Old Master Sheng.

Old Master Sheng knew that the Sheng family's foundation was weak, so he always thought about consolidating the foundation of the Sheng family. However, times have changed. In the current court, the fastest and best way to stand out and revitalize the family business is through the imperial examination.

Therefore, Old Master Sheng attached great importance to the education of the Sheng family's descendants, and this old tradition of the Sheng family—keeping notes—is the family precept he left behind.

To be honest, the imperial examination notes left by his father played a significant role in Sheng Hong's success in achieving the top three ranks under such difficult circumstances.

"I never imagined that my grandfather's talent was so extraordinary!"

After reading what Grandpa Sheng had recorded, Sheng Changquan was filled with admiration.

It was because he saw something in it that only existed in later generations.

For example, one part of it describes the most crucial learning methods, and these are methods that are almost perfectly summarized.

In addition to these scientific learning methods, Mr. Sheng also provided some examples in his notebook to prove them.

For example, after high school, he taught students in two different ways, and recorded their different learning progress in a book for his own comparison.

Although it may seem unethical to do this, this world values ​​the principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher. As a teacher, Old Master Sheng also has the right to act in this way.

As expected, the two men's learning efficiency differed greatly. It was precisely because of this that Old Master Sheng valued his achievements so much, regarding them as the foundation to be passed down through generations of the Sheng family.

"Grandfather is really amazing!"

After reading the entire notebook, Sheng Changquan suddenly felt a surge of respect: "It seems that not only is he handsome, but his intelligence is also far beyond that of ordinary people!"

Besides his own strength, Old Master Sheng's appearance was also extremely attractive, otherwise he would not have won the third place.

After all, the title of third-place scholar is usually reserved for handsome men.

Of course, it goes without saying that this is how Old Master Sheng attracted the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi's family—Old Madam Sheng.

"hehe!"

Recalling this story, Sheng Changquan couldn't help but smile.

"It's a pity that we only have a portrait of the old man at home now, but no photos. We don't know how handsome he really was."

At this time, the emphasis in painting was on artistic conception, but realism was not pursued in depth. After all, people's thinking was still somewhat restricted at this time, and they had never thought about pursuing realism.

Of course, there may be people in this world who want to pursue realism, but due to external factors such as talent and teachers, such people rarely appear in front of the public.

"Boom!"

Sheng Changquan placed the book in his hand on the table and gently closed the pages.

This notebook is not the one written by Old Master Sheng, because the original manuscript had long been carefully collected by Sheng Hong and enshrined in the ancestral hall. The one in Sheng Changquan's hand is actually a copy he made himself.

"Boom! Boom!"

Just as Sheng Changquan put down his notes and was about to get up, Ziyuan suddenly knocked on the door.

"Young Master, Miss Ming has arrived!"

Ziyuan had been keeping a close eye on the movements inside Zhiyuan Hall. Upon seeing Sheng Changquan's actions, she immediately got up, knocked on the nearby door frame, and softly reported something.

As time passed and Sheng Changquan grew up, regardless of his age or status, the Zeyutang courtyard gradually became more orderly. With Minglan's help, Sheng Changquan divided the courtyard into several sections.

Among them, Cuiming had been with Sheng Changquan the longest and their relationship was the deepest, so she was chosen to serve as the head housekeeper in Sheng Changquan's courtyard and assist him in handling miscellaneous affairs.

Since Ziyuan loves reading the most, she will be in charge of Sheng Changquan's study. As for Jiegeng, who is lively and clever, she will serve as Zeyutang's "diplomatic ambassador," responsible for communication with the outside world.

As for Qingfeng and Mingyue, because they were still young, they had no status and could only follow behind the three older sisters, doing whatever they were told.

Of course, these titles were not explicitly stated, but rather implied in this manner.

"Hmm? My older sister is here?"

Sheng Changquan was surprised!
"Ziyuan, when did you arrive, elder sister?"

Sheng Changquan stood up, walked outside the study, and asked Ziyuan, who was standing next to him.

"Young Master, the Sixth Miss has been here for quite some time!"

As Ziyuan took out her key and locked the door of Zhiyuan Hall for Sheng Changquan, she began to explain.

"However, since the Sixth Miss saw that you were reading, Young Master, she didn't want us to disturb you."

Because the study is the most important room in the courtyard, Zhiyuan Hall must be locked when no one is around, and the key is in Ziyuan's hands, who is responsible for its safekeeping.

"Ah."

Sheng Changquan nodded thoughtfully, also having some guesses in his mind—"Now, the only one coming to me is about Qi Heng!"

"In that case, Shion, I'll take my leave first!"

Since he had already guessed a bit, Sheng Changquan simply went to find Minglan directly, so as not to make her anxious.

"Yes, Master."

Ziyuan responded from behind, but remained calm and composed.

……

Zeyu Hall, the main hall.

"Sister Cuiming, how has Quan-ge been lately?"

Although Minglan was anxious about Qi Heng's situation, Sheng Changquan was not around, so she had no way of finding out the truth. Therefore, she could only ask about other things and show concern for her younger brother.

In fact, Minglan had always been paying attention to Sheng Changquan's life.

After all, she really couldn't help with anything in terms of literary or martial arts; the only thing she could do was to take care of Sheng Changquan's daily needs.

"Miss Ming!"

"Brother Quan is still the same as always, without much change."

Because of the close relationship between Shou'an Hall's pear blossom cabinet and Zeyu Hall, and because Cuiming was familiar with Minglan and her brother, although she maintained a respectful demeanor when speaking, there was a hint of familiarity in her voice.

"It's better if you don't have it!"

Minglan nodded slightly, feeling somewhat comforted.

However, to prevent Sheng Changquan from deliberately having Cuiming report only good news and not bad news, she added a sentence.

"Sister Cuiming, if my brother is short of anything, please don't listen to his good news and not bad news. If there are any difficulties, just come to Shou'an Hall to find me!"

Minglan's words sounded domineering, but in reality, she would only act this way when it concerned Sheng Changquan.

Cuiming and the others all knew that Minglan and her brother had a difficult time in the Sheng family. Sheng Changquan was better off, as he was a male and under Sheng Hong's care, he rarely suffered any hardship.

But Minglan is different. The girls live in the backyard, so they often have to deal with some more insidious and subtle threats. When it doesn't involve Sheng Changquan, Minglan often chooses to back down and endure these things.

However, there is one thing that is taboo for her!
That means these things can't involve her younger brother, Sheng Changquan, otherwise she'll make a huge scene and expose these things to everyone.

Sheng Changquan had such an experience when he was still an infant.

At that time, Minglan was only five years old, but she made a huge fuss because her wet nurse, whether intentionally or unintentionally, forced a bowl of cold porridge into Sheng Changquan's mouth!

In the end, not only Madam Wang, but also all the people in charge, including Sheng Hong and Old Madam Sheng, came forward and gathered together to deal with the matter thoroughly. They directly investigated the wet nurse's dereliction of duty and severely punished her!
At the same time, Sheng Hong also beat up the steward who recommended the wet nurse, and finally kicked him out of the Sheng residence!
Of course, although Sheng Changquan couldn't speak at that time, he saw things more clearly than anyone else.

That incident was something Sheng Changquan deliberately revealed to Minglan, with the aim of forcing the wet nurse away.

By the way, the manager who recommended this wet nurse was a maidservant of Lin Qinshuang and a distant relative of Zhou Xueniang. She became a minor manager in the Sheng family through the connections of Linxi Pavilion.

At that time, Sheng Changquan, relying on his strong physique, deliberately ate cold porridge in front of Minglan to expose the matter, so as to drive away the ill-intentioned guy by his side in one fell swoop.

However, this only happened when Sheng Changquan was an infant and unable to take care of himself. Once he was able to speak, nothing like this ever happened again.

It's not that the other side didn't take action, but rather that all these schemes were thwarted by Sheng Changquan's words.

At that time, Sheng Changquan had no other skills. Apart from his mouth, he had no other way to do anything. Therefore, with his mouth that could both please Wang Ruofu and catch Lin Qinshuang complaining, Sheng Changquan finally managed to gain a firm foothold in Weiruixuan and win the favor of Madam Wang.

"Miss Ming, Cuiming understands!"

Only after seeing Cuiming's statement did Minglan feel relieved.

……

"Tread! Tread! Tread!"

Just as Minglan and Cuiming were talking, a series of footsteps suddenly came from outside the house.

"Sister, you were looking for me?"

Sheng Changquan hadn't arrived yet, but his voice came immediately.

(End of this chapter)