Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 427 Backhand
Inside the Mucangzhai room, the lamplight was dim.

Sheng Minglan did not rest.

She was wearing a simple nightgown, her long, black hair loosely tied up, sitting on the heated kang bed by the window.

There were no account books, no yellowed paper notes, and no wax pills recording the conspiracy on the kang table.

Only a simple, slightly worn silver bracelet lay quietly on the soft brocade.

The bracelet wasn't expensive; it even had some minor wear on the edges. Under the dim light, it gleamed with a warm and understated luster.

“Miss,” Xiao Tao entered quietly, her eyes slightly red and her voice hoarse with sobs, “Seventh Young Master just arrived, and I told him you should rest.”

Sheng Minglan did not turn her head, but simply hummed in agreement, then shifted her gaze from the bracelet to the embroidery "Lady Li Guarding Niangzi Pass" hanging on the wall.

Lady Li, dressed in military attire and holding a gun, stood proudly at the pass, her heroic posture revealing a quiet fortitude in the flickering candlelight.

"I see."

Sheng Minglan stood up, took off the embroidery, and silently ran her fingertips over the fine, cool silk threads.

Xiao Tao approached, her eyes slightly red, her voice hoarse and nasal: "Miss, Sister Xiao Die... has already been sent away."

Just now, Xiao Die, Wei Xiao Niang's former personal maid, carrying the marks of time and deep longing, delivered Wei Xiao Niang's old keepsake—this silver bracelet—to Sheng Minglan.

"Sister Xiaodie... she was holding this bracelet, crying so hard she almost passed out. She said..."

"She said... this was something Wei Xiaoniang forced on her before she was kicked out of the manor, saying it was... to keep her safe and prevent her from going hungry..."

Xiao Tao choked up as she recalled Wei Xiaoniang: "...Sister Xiaodie also said that even in the most difficult times, she couldn't bear to pawn it and always kept it close to her body... Now, it's returned to its rightful owner..."

Xiao Tao couldn't continue speaking and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

Sheng Minglan reached out her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly, and touched the cool silver bracelet.

There were no blood-written accusations, and no names of the enemies.

This bracelet, carrying the last bit of warmth from her mother, was the only way she could think of for her loyal servant, who was about to be expelled, when she herself was powerless to help him.

Her mother, until her death, only wished that her children "grow up well," nothing more.

Tears fell silently, dripping onto the cold silver bracelet, leaving a small, dark, damp stain.

Sheng Minglan gripped the bracelet tightly, the chill seeming to pierce her heart from her fingertips, bringing a sharp, suffocating pain.

"Grow up well..." Sheng Minglan's voice was as soft as a sigh, with broken sobs, repeating her mother's humble yet profound wish.

This prayer was like a dull knife, repeatedly cutting into her heart.

My mother used her last strength to plan for their safety, but the poisonous woman who killed my mother is now in charge of the Sheng family's inner quarters, living a life of luxury and even... trying to extend her poisonous hand to her only brother!
Sheng Minglan had long seen through Lin Qinshuang's poisonous malice.

My mother left nothing behind except this bracelet, which is full of goodwill.

But can the blood debt that Lin Qinshuang owed for her mother's life be silently erased?

Mother wants them to be safe, but enemies are eyeing them covetously. How can they possibly achieve this peace?
Aunt Wei spoke evasively, calling it a "misunderstanding," but the hatred she couldn't suppress, the deep sorrow in Xiao Die's eyes, and the truth pieced together from the clues over the years... were all silently screaming!

A chilling hatred, like a venomous dragon lurking in the abyss, finally awakened amidst the stark contrast between her silent grief and the warmth left by her mother, and tightly entwined itself around Sheng Minglan's heart.

The tears in his eyes evaporated instantly, leaving only a bottomless, cold pool, so calm it was chilling.

No evidence?

No last words?

It's ok.

Some debts don't need proof; they only need to be known in the heart, and they will fight to the death!
Sheng Minglan slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing through the deep night, fixed like a sharp arrow on the brightly lit Linxi Pavilion.

That gaze was cold and resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

a long time.

The cool silver bracelet was gently placed back into the brocade box by Sheng Minglan and placed beside her pillow.

Her gaze fell firmly back to the other end of the kang table—the painting "Li Niangzi Guarding Niangziguan," which carried her mother's last expectations.

Her fingertips brushed across the fine, cool silk threads once more, stripping away the last trace of vulnerability that belonged to a young lady confined to her chambers, leaving only a deep, still pool and a resolute air like that of Lady Li. Her mother embroidered this picture hoping only that her daughter would learn some strength to protect herself.

How could her mother have foreseen that this embroidered handkerchief would ultimately become the spark that ignited the flames of revenge in her daughter's heart and inspired her to protect her loved ones!

“Grow up well…” Sheng Minglan repeated softly, her gaze shifting from the resolute face on the embroidered handkerchief to Linxi Pavilion again. “Mother, don’t worry. My brother will definitely stand upright in front of others and have a bright future.”

"As for those who have tainted you and now want to harm my brother... your daughter will seek revenge."

"Daughter, come and clean this muddy backyard!"

She carefully put away the embroidered handkerchief and placed it close to her body.

The cold silk threads pressed tightly against my heart, continuously infusing me with a calm yet powerful force.

"Peach."

Sheng Minglan's voice returned to its usual gentle tone, but carried an unquestionable command.

"The servant is here."

Looking at the chilling calm in the girl's eyes, Xiao Tao lowered her voice even further.

"you listen to me……"

Sheng Minglan took Xiao Tao's hand, and their whispers filled the quiet room. A web of revenge, using gentleness as its blade and the hearts of men as its trap, was quietly being set in motion.

……

In fact, Sheng Changquan did not go far.

He was hidden in the shadows of the outer corridor of Mu Cang Zhai, like a part of the night.

The lingering fear on Xiao Tao's face as she came out to close the door, and the long-standing, quiet silhouette on the window paper of Mu Cang Zhai, coldly confirmed his suspicions.

He left quietly and silently returned to his study.

Cui Ming and Zi Yuan seemed to have sensed something. They restrained the few little people in the courtyard, leaving space for Sheng Changquan.

Xu Changqing had not yet returned, and the room was silent.

Sheng Changquan walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and quickly wrote a few lines on a piece of plain paper. His handwriting was as sharp as a knife: "Investigate all items that have entered and left Linxi Pavilion recently, paying particular attention to items sent out of the mansion. From today onwards, remember to keep a close eye on Zhou Xueniang and her confidants, and pay attention to whether any unfamiliar faces come into contact with the Fourth Miss. If there is any unusual activity, report to me immediately. Do everything in your power to ensure the Sixth Miss's absolute safety and leave no trace."

After finishing writing, he folded the plain paper into a tiny square, walked to the window, and let out a very faint yet penetrating partridge whistle into the night sky.

A moment later, a figure that almost blended into the night silently landed outside the window, took the note, and then vanished like a ghost.

This was his emergency contact with Xu Changqing, activated only in emergencies to relay messages between the master and servant.

Sheng Changquan stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing in the direction of Mu Cangzhai, his expression complex and unreadable.

“Sister, I know what you’re going to do. Mother left you nothing but the hope that you would grow up well. You want to use your own way to avenge that blood debt and protect the safety of us siblings.”

"But sister, the inner quarters of the Sheng family are dirtier than you think, and Father's heart is more twisted than you think."

You go ahead with your schemes and collect your debts; those shady dealings will only dirty your hands and tarnish your reputation!

Sheng Changquan sighed softly: "Fine, I'll handle this potentially disastrous situation that could backfire."

A cold glint flashed in Sheng Changquan's eyes, like the glint of a blade in the dark night.

He would never let his sister get even a speck of dirt on her, nor would he allow Lin Qinshuang's blood to splatter even a tiny bit onto her clothes.

His older sister must remain cleanly outside this beautiful hell, just as her mother hoped... to grow up well.

The siblings, one in the light and one in the dark, each embarked on their own battlefield.

The fate of the Sheng family is destined to change.

Sheng Changquan stood there for a long time.

In the silence, only the occasional crackling of the candlelight broke the stillness.

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