Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 405 Circle Name
Inside the main room of the Red Makeup Pavilion, Zhang Guifen was carefully examining the roster that Uncle Zhong had sent over.

"I really should start making arrangements!" Zhang Guifen thought to herself. "Otherwise, the variables that follow will likely become even greater!"

"Moreover, and most importantly, if I don't give an explanation, things will definitely be even more difficult when it comes to the subsequent expedition!"

Zhang Guifang still couldn't forget about going to war.

In fact, Zhang Guifen was not unaware of what Zhongbo was worried about; in fact, she saw it clearly.

Born into a family of military merit, the education she received from a young age naturally gave her a keen eye for situations. Moreover, the Duke of Yingguo and his son had analyzed the reasons with her, so she understood the thorny nature of the current situation.

However, Zhang Guifen had not experienced much of the world, and the Duke of England's mansion had protected her so well that she still retained too much naivety in her heart.

"However, although the current situation is unclear, with the reputation of the British Duke's Mansion, no one should dare to offend us, right?"

Despite her girlish nature, Zhang Guifen still harbored a sliver of hope.

"How about I select a few names first?"

Zhang Guifang's eyes lit up, and she immediately had an idea.

"It's not that I'm not looking, it's just that I don't like any of these. I'm just keeping an eye on them for now!"

Looking at the candidates in her hand, Zhang Guifen muttered to herself, "These guys are all the same, all weak scholars who can't lift a finger. How can they be worthy of a daughter of a military family like me?"

Zhang Guifen gritted her teeth inwardly!
"These people are clearly delaying my important campaign!"

Unlike other noble ladies, Zhang Guifen was pampered from a young age because her family had no other legitimate daughters. In particular, the Duke of Ying's family was a family of martial arts heroes for generations, so she loved to practice martial arts and wield weapons from a young age.

Although her skills were not particularly outstanding due to limitations in talent, she certainly exuded a heroic aura compared to those who had studied diligently for ten years or those pampered children of wealthy families.

Recalling the people she had seen at the meeting, a hint of disdain flashed in Zhang Guifen's eyes.

"Even if all of them were put together, they probably couldn't withstand a single lash from my whip!"

Of course, Sheng Changquan was included among "those people".

Although Sheng, who has been proficient in the art of disguise since childhood, may not be top-notch in other areas, his ability to disguise himself is unparalleled in the world.

After all, no one else has had the opportunity to practice this "unique skill" from a young age like him.

"Fine, we can't just not choose any!"

"Otherwise, my mother will definitely punish me!"

Recalling her mother's instructions, Zhang Guifang felt a pang of unease. After all, as a tough girl, Zhang Guifang was not afraid of her father's physical punishment, but she was terrified of her mother's tearful onslaught!

With this in mind, although she was reluctant, she still selected a few as backup options.

"Let's choose the eldest son of the Yuan family in Henan first."

After comparing the two, Zhang Guifang decided to "compromise" for herself first. She called over a maid, took a brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and heavily circled a name.

"Well, besides Yuan Shanjian, there's also Qi Yuanruo."

Thinking of the most handsome man in the family of a meritorious official, Zhang Guifen's mind raced: "It is said that quite a few girls in the capital have taken a fancy to this Qi Yuanruo!"

She thought that if she chose a name like that, the Duchess of England would probably have a headache.

After all, these two men are considered "ideal husbands" by many noble ladies!

Recalling the rumors circulating in the capital, Zhang Guifen couldn't help but chuckle to herself: "Hehe, I guess Mother won't have time to look for me this time, will she?"

Zhang Guifen felt she was quite clever and "generously" gave Qi Heng a chance.

"Alright, these two will do for now!" Trying to maintain a certain level of composure, Zhang Guifen let out a soft sigh of relief after circling the two names.

"Wait, there's that guy too!"

Just as Zhang Guifen was about to put down what she was holding, she suddenly remembered the figure she had seen when they first met. After thinking for a moment, she finally said, "Hmm, let's add him in too!"

Zhang Guifen actually had a good impression of Sheng Changquan.

Of course, it's just a feeling of liking.

Upon thinking of this, Zhang Guifen immediately dipped her brush in ink again. At the same time, she flipped through the roster in her hand and muttered to herself, "Hmm, let me see, where is this name?"

"Let me see! Let me take a look..."

"Huh? It's here?"

Zhang Guifen didn't know what pattern Zhongbo had used to arrange the names, and it took her a long time to find Sheng Changquan's name in the middle to the end.

In fact, Zhang Guifen was unaware that Sheng Changquan's position was deliberately adjusted by Zhong Bo.

As an old man, Zhongbo was shrewd and knew that most people like to look at the beginning or the end of things, and rarely look at the middle, let alone the middle or the end, unless there is a special reason and someone is deliberately looking for it.

It is quite obvious that Zhang Guifen deliberately sought out names this time.

Originally, Zhongbo thought highly of Sheng Changquan, believing him to be a reliable talent and a good match for Zhang Guifen. However, when he reported Sheng Changquan's name to the Duchess of England, he was met with her opposition.

The Duchess of England did not think highly of Sheng Changquan. She had Zhongbo conduct a detailed investigation into Sheng Changquan's situation, and there were three points that she found unacceptable.

Among them, what the British Duchess cared about most was Sheng Changquan's status as an illegitimate son.

Zhang Guifen was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying's mansion. Not to mention that Sheng Changquan was an illegitimate son of the Sheng family, even if he were the legitimate son, the difference between him and the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying's mansion was like heaven and earth.

Unless Sheng Changquan's talent was truly extraordinary, enabling him to win the imperial examination and become the top scholar, even if he were to become the second or third scholar, the Duchess of Yingguo would still feel sorry for her daughter.

Of course, there are too many personal feelings involved here. To be honest, Zhongbo felt that as long as Sheng Changquan could rank among the top three and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he would be qualified to marry the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yingguo.

The second reason why the British Duchess did not approve of Sheng Changquan was because of Old Madam Sheng.

That's right, it's all because of Old Mrs. Sheng!
However, it wasn't because of her character, but because of what she had gone through.

Because of the scene at the meeting, Zhang Guifen specifically mentioned Sheng Changquan, so under the orders of the Duchess of Yingguo, Zhongbo naturally did his best to find out about Sheng Changquan's situation. Especially after learning that the old lady Sheng was from the Yongyi Marquis's family but still suffered such a fate, the Duchess of Yingguo disliked Sheng Changquan even more.

It wasn't because the Duke of England's mansion and the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion had any grudges; it was purely because the behavior of the late Scholar Sheng back then was chilling.

The practice of favoring a concubine over one's wife is enough to make anyone reject the idea!
Not to mention, the current Sheng Hongsheng still retains his father's "style," although he has become more restrained. However, in a family like the Duke of England's mansion, which places great importance on family tradition...

In short, the Sheng family is now a complete mess.

As for the last point, the Duchess of England felt that being well-matched in social standing was also important.

Young people may not understand and think that feelings can determine everything, but in the eyes of someone like the Duchess of England, who has been through it all, one's living environment is definitely an important factor in determining whether one will be happy in the future.

Although the Duchess of England knew that her daughter probably wouldn't care about these things, as a mother, she couldn't bear to see Zhang Guifen suffer. Moreover, she was also worried about Sheng Changquan's character.

You can know a person's face but not their heart. Who knows if Sheng Changquan will lose his balance due to the power imbalance between the two, thus causing a tragedy?

As someone with experience, the Duchess of England was genuinely worried, which is why she specifically asked Zhongbo to keep Sheng Changquan's name hidden.

As for removing Sheng Changquan directly from the list, that would be absolutely unacceptable.

After all, her daughter had finally made some progress, and the Duchess of England was reluctant to let her "disappear without a trace."

Thank you to all the big names who supported me: Midsummer Night's Dream v, Little Bookworm in a Book Drought, yiy445, Book Friend 20230606334102, Teacher...
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