Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 388 Change of Face
"Sister, what's wrong with you?"

As Sheng Changquan approached, he asked, "Just now, I heard Ziyuan and the others say that you two had an argument in the house?"

Sheng Changquan glanced furtively at Aunt Wei and Minglan not far away, secretly calculating the current situation in his mind.

Did they really have a fight?

Sheng Changquan was skeptical.

"Auntie, did my sister make you angry?"

However, when he saw Minglan sitting together intimately with Aunt Wei, Sheng Changquan felt reassured.

He understood that whatever it was, it was now in the past.

However, at this moment, he had a serious expression on his face, as if he was resolutely stating his position.

"Auntie, don't worry!"

Without asking who was right or wrong, Sheng Changquan said directly, "I know this must all be my sister's fault. Aunt, tell me what happened, and I'll go tell Grandmother and ask her to punish my sister!"

"what?"

Minglan was taken aback, and then immediately wanted to scold, "Xiao Qi, you!"

"hehe!"

Seeing Sheng Changquan acting this way on purpose, Aunt Wei couldn't help but laugh and say, "Alright, Quan-ge'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Ming'er is so well-behaved and sensible, how could she make a mistake?"

"hey-hey!"

Sheng Changquan smiled knowingly, then, meeting his older sister's "angry" gaze, he said ingratiatingly, "Yes! Yes! Aunt, you're right!"

“My older sister is so understanding, how could she possibly talk back to you, Aunt?”

"Look at my foul mouth!"

Sheng Changquan gently "caressed" his mouth a few times, as if he were slapping himself.

"Auntie, I was just misled by Ziyuan and the others."

After saying a few words to Aunt Wei, Sheng Changquan quickly turned to Minglan and explained, "Sister, it's not my fault. They told me that you were making a fuss this afternoon. I was just anxious and misunderstood!"

"All right!"

Aunt Wei didn't want to continue the topic, lest it arouse Minglan's suspicion, so she changed the subject, saying, "Quan-ge'er, where did you go today? Why are you only coming back now?"

As she spoke, a hint of heartache appeared in her eyes: "How come you're still working so hard even after passing the provincial examination? It's only now that you've finally come back!"

Aunt Wei didn't quite understand the "social interactions" of scholars. After passing the autumn imperial examination, it was like taking a half-step into the officialdom, and sometimes one had to socialize.

Moreover, these social engagements are not only time-consuming and mentally taxing, but also put a strain on the stomach.

If it weren't for Sheng Changquan's innate talent and extraordinary abilities that allowed him to control his own body at will, he would probably be in an even more sorry state now.

After all, if you want to rise to the top, you have to pass the "alcohol test".

"Yes, Xiaoqi, how was your essay today? Was there anything wrong with it?"

At this point, Minglan stopped giving Sheng Changquan meaningful glances. She withdrew her angry gaze and asked with concern, "I heard that in previous years, the top scholar in the provincial examinations would be harassed at these literary gatherings. What about you?"

"Haha, Auntie, Sister, don't worry!"

Sheng Changquan laughed heartily, appearing quite pleased with himself.

"There were a few interesting stories at this literary gathering, but they're nothing to me!"

"..."

Actually, that "little story" is neither insignificant nor particularly big.

……

At the meeting.

"Oh? Brother Zhuang, what brings you here...?"

After hearing what Li Yancheng said, anyone would know that he was going to be the one to stick his neck out.

Immediately, people around Zhuang Wen became excited.

Zhuang Wen, Li Yancheng's fellow townsman, is also his biggest fan. Of course, calling him a fan is a bit of an exaggeration; after all, even a fan wouldn't go so far as to offend a promising classmate for the sake of their idol.

Those who are capable of studying, and even those who can participate in the provincial examinations, are not stupid; their relationships are merely based on mutual benefit.

After all, Li Yancheng is the nephew of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Rites, just like... so-and-so is the nephew of Consort Wu.

—There are people in higher positions!
"This is for Sheng Jieyuan... um?"

The man didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

"That's right, I just can't see it..."

Zhuang Wen raised an eyebrow, ready to lock onto his "enemy".

"Cough cough!"

Just then, Li Yancheng suddenly coughed lightly twice.

Although the voice was soft, it immediately silenced Zhuang Wen.

"Huh? Brother Zhuang, why did you stop talking?"

Others continued to fan the flames, saying, "What don't you like? You just can't stand him?"

Although Li Yancheng was Lord Shen's junior, there were always people with higher family backgrounds present. The one who spoke was named An Yan, the youngest son of Gong Juchuan of Jingguo. Although he was good at studying, he was frivolous and liked excitement.

He's usually there when things are lively, and even when things aren't lively, he'll join in the fun.

At this moment, that's it.

As the youngest son of the family, he could not inherit the family's title, so the Duke and Duchess of Jingguo inevitably spoiled him, making him act more and more "willfully".

"Young Master An is joking."

Li Yancheng knew that An Yan was a troublemaker and didn't want to bother with him much; he just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

"What Zhuang Wen meant was that seeing is believing, and he just misspoke because he was excited."

"Really?"

An Yan glanced at Li Yancheng, who was all smiles, and snorted, "That's not what I meant."

"Brother Zhuang! You seemed quite defiant just now. I wonder if you're going to put on a heroic show and challenge Sheng Jieyuan to a duel?"

"If so, I will immediately go to find Sheng Jieyuan and have him come here!"

An Yan looked at Zhuang Wen with anticipation, hoping he would continue to display the same momentum he had just displayed.

"Uh... Young Master An is joking. I... I just... I just misspoke."

Just from a casual glance from Li Yancheng, Zhuang Wen immediately knew he was wrong.

Considering Li Yancheng's usual behavior, how could he possibly turn against someone in front of so many people?
His specialty is stabbing people in the back.

"Ahem...uh...I was just trying to make the acquaintance of Scholar Sheng!"

"Yes, make friends, just make friends!"

Zhuang Wen's expression changed, and he forced a smile, showing no trace of his previous arrogance.

"Young Master An, I'm about to offer a toast to Scholar Sheng. Would you like to come with me?"

An Yan's eyes were filled with disdain as he watched Zhuang Wen act like a master of disguise.

"No need, I don't possess such a skill as yours!"

"Hehe, is that so...? Then I'll take my leave!"

Zhuang Wen chuckled dryly, then, as if he hadn't noticed the sarcasm in the other person's words, he picked up his wine glass and walked towards Sheng Changquan.

Behind him, Li Yancheng squinted at Sheng Changquan, who was surrounded by a crowd, and said softly, "Young Master An, Sheng Jieyuan's demeanor is truly remarkable. Don't you really want to make his acquaintance?"

"Ok?"

An Yan glanced sideways at Sheng Changquan in the center of the crowd, his tone somewhat sour.

"Where are you going? There are so many people, there's no way we can squeeze in!"

(End of this chapter)