Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 428 Plum Appreciation Banquet

He walked to the desk and his gaze fell on the open policy essay. The ink was dry, and each character was as powerful as iron hooks, penetrating the back of the paper.

However, the powerful and unsettling atmosphere conveyed between the lines could not dispel the gloom that lingered in his heart—Lin Qinshuang's treacherous scheme, the trap set in Lüliang Mountain, Lu Hongti's solitary peril, and the treacherous "plum blossom banquet" at the Yu residence tomorrow.

Sheng Changquan sat down silently, hiding in the darkness.

……

The following day, at the residence of Grand Secretary Yu.

The fragrance of plum blossoms wafts through the air, refreshing and delightful.

The Sheng family carriage stopped at the side gate. Old Madam Sheng, supported by Mama Fang, stepped out of the carriage with dignified bearing.

Minglan followed closely behind, wearing a crimson brocade jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, and an overcoat of moon-white cloak trimmed with silver fox fur. Her simple elegance exuded nobility, and a newly picked pink plum blossom was pinned to her temple, adding to her lively and charming appearance.

Her gaze was calm and composed as she surveyed the Grand Secretary's residence. Every blade of grass and every tree exuded the profound and dignified atmosphere accumulated by the family over many years.

Sheng Changquan lagged half a step behind, his blue robe imposing, his expression solemn, his gaze deep and unfathomable as it swept over the many doorways.

Because she sensed what Grand Secretary Yu meant, Old Madam Sheng only brought Minglan and her brother to the event.

However, this action caused quite a stir in the family.

However, the atmosphere in Linxi Pavilion and Weirui Courtyard of the Sheng Mansion was completely different at this time.

……

Shengfu.

Linqi Pavilion.

"Why?!"

Upon hearing the news, Lin Qinshuang was furious, her face contorted with rage. She swept the newly arranged plum blossoms, vase and all, to the ground, the sound of the porcelain shattering piercing the air, petals scattered and in disarray.

"Why should we only take that Quan boy and Ming girl? What makes our Mo Lan inferior to them?"

"Is Mo Lan's talent or appearance not outstanding?"

She twisted the handkerchief in her hand and paced quickly around the room, her voice shrill and sharp, almost piercing the roof.

"At an event like the one at Grand Secretary Yu's residence, with so many distinguished guests coming and going, it's the perfect opportunity to show off! Even if..."

"Even if Grand Secretary Yu has taken a liking to that illegitimate son's talent and wants to find a suitable son-in-law for his granddaughter, how can we let that girl Minglan take advantage of such a great opportunity!"

"That old lady is so biased! How could my lord be so blind to their true colors, allowing them to treat my Molan like this!"

"Our Molan's future has been ruined!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, her chest heaving violently. She grabbed a pillow from the bed and pounded it hard, as if the pillow were an enemy blocking her daughter's path to success.

Mo Lan lay on the embroidered stool, sobbing softly, tears streaming down her face like a broken string: "Father... Father only has Chang Quan and Ming Lan in his heart, has he ever thought of his daughter even a little bit?"

"The plum blossom viewing banquet at Grand Secretary Yu's residence is attended by all the prominent families in the capital. If I could meet one or two of these distinguished guests, I would die content!"

"Now...it's all gone! It must be Minglan who gossiped about it to the old lady!"

She raised her tearful eyes, her gaze filled with grievance and resentment, hating Minglan and Changquan to the core, and for a moment even forgetting about Liang Han, whom she had been longing for.

"My Mo'er..."

Lin Qinshuang couldn't help but hug Minglan tightly, feeling a pang of tenderness for her...

……

The main courtyard, Wei Rui Xuan.

"Snap!" As Madam Wang Ruofu was picking crab shells, upon hearing Liu Mama's report, she slammed the silver skewer and crab shell heavily onto the plate, making a crisp sound.

"What?! You only brought Minglan?!"

Her voice was already loud, but it rose eight octaves higher, making the roof beams seem to tremble.

"Where is Rulan?"

Why didn't you bring my Rulan with you?

"Is the Yu family mansion a place of mountains of knives and seas of fire?"

"Minglan can go, but my own daughter can't? The old lady's favoritism is boundless!"

The more she thought about it, the more she felt cheated. How could she swallow this insult when her legitimate daughter had her chance to shine stolen by a concubine's daughter?
Although she might not really think highly of the Yu family's bookish granddaughter, the feeling of being outshone was like a thorn stuck in her heart.

"The master is also confused and blinded by greed!" Madam Wang turned angrily to Rulan, who was happily eating a crab roe pastry next to her. "Look at him! Does your father even have a shred of his own flesh and blood in his eyes? He always gives the best opportunities to others!"

"Ming is the old lady's darling. Changquan has grown up now. If you continue to be so heartless, you won't even get a hot bowl of soup in the future!"

Rulan was scolded by her mother. She looked up blankly, golden crumbs of pastry still clinging to the corners of her mouth, and mumbled, "Huh?"

"Enjoying plum blossoms?"

"It's freezing cold, what's the point? Minglan went, so be it. Isn't she the best at making the old lady happy? Mother, these crab roe pastries are really delicious, would you like to try some?"

As he spoke, he eagerly picked up a piece and handed it over.

Looking at her daughter's indifferent attitude, Madam Wang felt a lump in her throat, unable to vent her anger. She poked Rulan's smooth forehead hard with exasperation: "Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating!"

"You've been sold out and you're still happily counting the coins for them!"

She took the pastry with a huff, took a big bite as if to vent her anger, chewing with her cheeks bulging, as if she were biting the mother and daughter in Linxi Pavilion, and even resented Sheng Hong: that little hussy must have whispered something in the master's ear again!

The old lady... she selectively ignored it.

Although, in fact, it was Old Madam Sheng who led this trip.

……

The Yu residence, deep within the plum garden of the rear courtyard.

After the snow cleared, red plum blossoms, white plum blossoms, and green calyxes bloomed on the branches, their subtle fragrance filling the air and refreshing the soul.

With a kind and gentle face, Old Madam Yu, accompanied by Old Madam Sheng, strolled slowly along the plum grove path. Her words were full of open-mindedness and reluctance to part with old friends in the capital. Occasionally, her gaze would sweep over Minglan, who was following Old Madam Sheng, with a gentle smile.

Minglan smiled and responded politely, accompanying the two old ladies to appreciate the plum blossoms, taste tea, and chat idly. However, her thoughts, like a bird in the forest, would occasionally flit towards the direction of the outer study.

She had also guessed the real intention behind today's "plum blossom appreciation banquet," but the fact that Grand Secretary Yu hosted a separate banquet for Changquan made his intentions quite clear.

She secretly observed Old Mrs. Yu's expression and saw that she praised the Sheng family's upbringing in her conversation, especially when she mentioned Changquan, the admiration in her eyes was almost undisguised, which made her even more certain.

Old Mrs. Sheng was a very perceptive person; she had already understood the meaning behind Old Mrs. Yu's words.

She remained outwardly calm, only praising the Yu family's elegant plum grove, their upright family traditions, and how Grand Secretary Yu was a model official and a good person.

She occasionally glanced at her composed granddaughter Minglan beside her out of the corner of her eye, and then thought of Changquan, who was currently dealing with things in the study. The joy she felt for her granddaughter's excellence was mixed with a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Although Changquan has never said it outright, he has lofty aspirations. If he hadn't worked hard beyond what ordinary people could have made such a name for himself in the imperial examinations.
Grandma Sheng had a good eye on her grandson Sheng Changquan. She knew he was deep in thought and always had a melancholy and decisiveness beyond his years between his brows. Was the gentle and refined lady of the Yu family really a good match for him?
A hint of doubt crossed the old lady's mind, but her face remained impeccably calm and kind.

In fact, it wasn't just the Sheng and Yu families who were invited; the Yu family also invited several other families they were on good terms with.

After admiring the plum blossoms with Old Madam Yu, everyone entered the warm pavilion, where silver frost charcoal burned and the air was as warm as spring.

Old Mrs. Yu was in good spirits and was chatting casually with several ladies of similar status from official families. Old Mrs. Sheng was naturally present.

Thank you to the big shots Langya Hanzi and Ace for their monthly ticket support!