Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 267: The Wedding Plans Fall Through, and the Chapter Comes to an End.
"Disrespectfully criticizing the late emperor? Impeached by the censor?"

Even though Minglan didn't understand politics, she could still sense that something was wrong.

"Brother, what does this censor want to do?"

"Could it be that someone is targeting the Ningyuan Marquis's residence?"

Minglan astutely grasped the crux of the matter and immediately brought it up.

You have to understand that Gu Tingye is just a spoiled brat in the capital right now. Even if he makes a bit of a splash, in the eyes of those big shots, it's just a joke. It won't attract their attention at all, let alone make them take action.

This impeachment by the censor is different. It means that someone has their eye on Gu Tingye, or to put it more clearly, someone wants to take action against the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion and attack the Gu family.

As for Gu Tingye's slander of the late emperor, it was merely a prelude.

"hehe!"

"Sister, you've got it all wrong!"

Sheng Changquan shook his head at Minglan and began to explain the political situation in the court to her.

"Sister, you don't understand!"

"Although there are conflicts between the civil and military officials of this dynasty, they would never provoke them at this moment!"

Sheng Changquan looked up and gazed in the direction of the palace, as if he could see the scene there: "Because the timing is not right!"

"The timing is wrong?"

Minglan didn't quite understand: "Why do you say that?"

Is there something special about this period of time?
"Correct!"

Sheng Changquan turned to look at Minglan and predicted with certainty, "At this time, there is absolutely no way anything major will happen in the court!"

"As the scholar said, the current focus of the court is divided into two points."

Sheng Changquan explained, "One is the question of who will become the Crown Prince, and the other is the matter of Yanzhou!"

"As long as the Emperor doesn't finalize these two matters, nothing else will happen in the court, let alone anyone taking action against a noble like Marquis Ningyuan!"

Although the current Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu Yankai, does not have top-notch military talent, he is still a good general. On the battlefield, he can not only serve as a brave vanguard officer, but also as a defender who can protect the army's retreat route.

Although he lacks extraordinary talent, he is not a mediocre person either.

After the passing of all the founding generals of the previous generation, Gu Yankai was considered one of the most capable among their descendants. Therefore, the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion was a force to be reckoned with in the military.

If someone were to use Gu Tingye's matter to attack the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, then unless they were a top-ranking civil official, such as a minister or a grand secretary, anyone else doing so would be courting death.

Seeing that Minglan still seemed a little confused, Sheng Changquan had no choice but to explain it in simpler terms: "Sister, you must remember!"

"The Ningyuan Marquis's family is one of the founding noble families of this dynasty. Their family has a complex and extensive network of connections."

"Not to mention anything else, the current Duke of England has an excellent relationship with Marquis Gu. Their two families visit each other from time to time to enhance their friendship."

"So, let's not even talk about how Uncle Gu's matter is not a big deal at all, and even if it is, it won't endanger the entire Ningyuan Marquis's mansion!"

Hearing Sheng Changquan say this, Minglan vaguely understood what he meant.

"Brother, then tell me, what's the deal with this censor?"

In fact, Minglan already had some guesses in her heart, but she dared not say it outright. She only said, "Could it be that this imperial censor is truly loyal to the emperor and loves his country, and is extremely filial to the late emperor?"

"hehe!"

"Sister, are you joking?"

Sheng Changquan was amused by Minglan's words: "Sister, how could there be such a person in this world?"

"Leaving aside others, even the current emperor hasn't truly shown the same respect to the late emperor!"

"That……"

"Then tell me, what happened?"

Minglan still remembered Gu Tingye's kindness, so she paid close attention to his affairs.

"Ah~"

Recalling the whole story, Sheng Changquan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"Actually, this matter is a family affair of Uncle Gu's family."

At this moment, Sheng Changquan's voice sounded strange, as if it contained some kind of emotion.

Was that a sneer?

Or perhaps, it can be called—

ridicule!

"Sister, have you ever thought about this? Uncle Gu said these words at home, so why were others overheard?"

"Could it even get out and reach the ears of the censor?"

Before Minglan could figure out the logic, Sheng Changquan continued, "It's very simple, the Gu family is actually involved in this matter!"

"This……"

Minglan's suspicions were confirmed, but she wished she hadn't guessed correctly.

"Could it be that the Gu family has someone...?"

"Someone...is deliberately trying to ruin Uncle Gu's future?"

Minglan's mouth felt inexplicably dry.

"Ok!"

Sheng Changquan responded softly, saying, "I had someone inquire before, and they said that after the news spread, some people heard Uncle Gu and his elder brother arguing!"

"Therefore, if nothing unexpected happens, this matter should be the work of Gu Tingyu, the heir of the Marquis of Ningyuan and the elder brother of Second Uncle Gu!"

"Gu Tingyu?"

Minglan clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her face also heavy.

"But...but..."

Why would he do this?

Minglan was puzzled: "Is it just because Uncle Gu isn't his biological brother?"

Everyone knows about the Ningyuan Marquis's family affairs.

After all, whenever and wherever such matters concern the inner quarters of the household, they generally spread very quickly.

"Not entirely, right?"

Sheng Changquan nodded first, then shook his head: "Actually, even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. We outsiders wouldn't know the real reasons behind this."

"In short, there must be some special reason behind this, otherwise the Gu family would not be able to maintain such a peaceful state."

After this incident, the Ningyuan Marquis's residence remained calm and peaceful. Apart from Gu Tingye moving out of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, Gu Tingyu continued to act as the young master, as if nothing had happened in the entire Gu family.

"This……"

After hearing Sheng Changquan's account of the Gu family's reaction, Minglan felt sorry for Gu Tingye and thought he was very pitiful!
"Is this how Lord Gu intends to let things go? As his father, will he just let his second uncle be bullied like this by his elder brother?"

Minglan was still indignant on Gu Tingye's behalf.

"I don't know!"

"But I suspect that their Ningyuan Marquis's residence, like our Sheng family, probably has many secrets and hidden agendas!"

Sheng Changquan shrugged and said this in a joking tone.

"ah!"

Minglan, who was originally angry, glared at her younger brother reproachfully!
"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"How could our family be the same as the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion?"

Minglan, who had an inexplicable longing for family affection, did not want to hear such words and immediately became somewhat unhappy.

"Good! Good!"

"Sister, I misspoke, please don't be angry!"

Seeing Minglan's expression, Sheng Changquan had no choice but to immediately smile and admit his mistake.

"Humph!"

"Brother, don't talk nonsense again next time!"

Minglan gently poked Sheng Changquan's head with her finger and whispered a warning: "Otherwise, if someone hears this, it will damage the reputation of our Sheng family!"

"Moreover, it will be extremely detrimental to your future!" People in this world value family unity; individuals and families share both prosperity and adversity.

"Yes!"

"Sister, I've got it!"

Sheng Changquan smiled slightly and nodded obediently.

"Ok!"

Seeing this, Minglan smiled with satisfaction, but did not pursue Sheng Changquan's "minor mistake" any further.

However, Minglan did not notice that although Sheng Changquan expressed his opinion with a smile, the smile on his face was only superficial and did not come from the heart at all.

His gentle smile didn't reach his eyes, but only lingered at the corners of his mouth.

It seems he has other plans.

……

"Oh, right, little brother!"

Minglan suddenly came to her senses.

After hearing about the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, she suddenly remembered the matter between Gu Tingye and Yu Yanran, and immediately asked, "How is the matter between Second Uncle Gu and Sister Yanran?"

"Is it also about what happened between them?"

Minglan didn't finish speaking; she just stared at Sheng Changquan, quietly waiting for his answer.

"Oh, Sister Yanran!"

Sheng Changquan composed himself, lowered his head and thought for a while before saying, "Yes, their marriage is off."

Sheng Changquan provided the answer: "However, the Yu family did not refuse because Uncle Gu failed the exam; there was another reason."

After talking for so long, Sheng Changquan was also a little thirsty. He picked up a cup of tea from the side, moistened his mouth, and continued, "Sister, do you know?"

"Uncle Gu already has a son and a daughter!"

When this matter was mentioned, Sheng Changquan's face also showed some unusual expression.

"Actually, none of us know that Uncle Gu had already met a lover before returning to the capital, and even had two children with her!"

"Tsk! Tsk!"

Sheng Changquan clicked his tongue, finding it somewhat unbelievable!

"This Second Uncle Gu is quite responsible. It seems that the reason he moved out of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion this time is also because of this lover."

Sheng Changquan didn't notice Minglan's furrowed brows beside him, and continued, "It seems that the Gu family doesn't agree to let Gu Ershu's lover into the family at all, and is only willing to take in his two children!"

"However, these two children cannot be registered under Uncle Gu's name yet; they can only be collateral descendants of the Gu family."

Sheng Changquan thought that Gu Tingye was quite a man.

"However, Uncle Gu naturally disagrees with this matter!"

"Adding to that earlier incident, Uncle Gu Er moved out of the Gu family in a fit of anger, determined to completely sever ties with the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion!"

"Hey!"

Sheng Changquan shook his head, as if watching a spectacle.

"However, this old Marquis Gu is quite interesting!"

"When he saw that Uncle Gu was going to move out, he didn't try to stop him. Instead, he used a stick to drive him out!"

"However, the name of Second Uncle Gu was not crossed out in the Gu family genealogy, as if the old man had some other ideas."

Sheng Changquan spoke frivolously, completely unlike his previous composed demeanor.

"Hehe, this old man is quite arrogant!"

"Humph!"

Seeing Sheng Changquan's appearance, Minglan immediately became somewhat angry!

"Brother, what are you so happy about?"

"Didn't you realize that Uncle Gu has ulterior motives?"

"Uh? What do you mean?"

Sheng Changquan was still pondering Gu Yankai's temperament and hadn't yet understood Minglan's meaning.

"Humph!"

Minglan suddenly stood up, waving her fist, and said angrily, "If that's what you're saying, then Uncle Gu's original intention in asking to marry Sister Yanran was not what it seemed at all!"

Upon hearing Minglan's words, Sheng Changquan immediately understood what she meant.

"This doesn't count, does it?"

Sheng Changquan spoke up for Gu Tingye, saying, "Sister, although Uncle Gu's proposal to Sister Yanran may have some ulterior motives, he will definitely treat Sister Yanran well in the future!"

"Moreover, considering the situation of Grand Secretary Yu's family, unless Sister Yanran marries far away, there really is no one in the capital more suitable for her than Second Uncle Gu!"

Minglan remained silent because she knew Sheng Changquan was right.

After all, Yu Yanran's biological father, Lord Yu, is quite a difficult person to deal with!

It can't be cooked thoroughly, it's hard to chew, and it can't be cut into pieces.

"Moreover!" Sheng Changquan's voice continued, "Given Uncle Gu's personality, he will definitely protect Sister Yanran in the future!"

"Of course, this requires Sister Yanran to accept Uncle Gu's lover first!"

After saying a few words, Sheng Changquan turned to look at his older sister.

"No...I don't care!"

Seeing Sheng Changquan looking over, Minglan immediately retorted somewhat unreasonably, "Anyway, anyway, Gu Tingye is not a good person!"

"He's clearly trying to marry Sister Yanran and then use her as a clay statue on a Buddhist altar to keep the family in check!"

"In short, this guy is no good!"

Minglan was so angry that her face turned red. She didn't even want to call him Uncle Gu anymore, so she simply addressed him as Gu Tingye.

"Hehe, sister, don't be angry!"

"Uncle Gu has already suffered enough!"

Sheng Changquan smiled and comforted Minglan, saying, "Sister, you don't know, but that woman in Uncle Gu's family is not simple either!"

"Good guy!"

"After hearing that Uncle Gu might marry Sister Yanran, this woman secretly came to the Yu family's mansion alone, crying and begging!"

"She claimed that the Yu family should spare her life and ask Sister Yanran to drink a cup of tea that she had offered!"

Sheng Changquan shook his head: "That scene made Old Madam Yu so angry that she vomited blood!"

"So, the relationship between Uncle Gu and Sister Yanran is completely over!"

Sheng Changquan spread his hands and told Minglan the good news.

"what?"

Minglan never expected that Gu Tingye's marriage would be broken up in this way.

"no!"

"I want to go see Sister Yanran!"

Upon hearing what Sheng Changquan said, Minglan naturally couldn't sit still, after all, Yanran was her best friend.

Seeing this, Sheng Changquan naturally did not stop her; in fact, he secretly hoped that she would go to the Yu residence.

Because in this way, Minglan can temporarily forget about her upcoming journey.

"hehe!"

Watching Minglan hurriedly walk out with Xiaotao, Sheng Changquan stood behind and chuckled softly.

"Goodbye, elder sister!"

"I hope you'll recognize me at first glance next time we meet!"

……

(End of this chapter)