Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 430 Shen Qingheng

……

In the warm pavilion, a maid quietly entered and whispered a few words in Old Madam Yu's ear.

Grandma Yu's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of understanding and complexity flashed in her eyes.

Then, she smiled at Old Madam Sheng and said, "Old sister, it seems that my husband and the young master in your household get along very well!"

After saying this, before anyone could ask any questions, Old Madam Yu continued, "Unexpectedly, he actually gifted Quan-ge'er his treasured 'pine soot' inkstone, saying it was to encourage him to excel in the imperial examinations and serve the country!"

Upon hearing this, the warm pavilion instantly fell silent.

Gifting an inkstone, especially a famous antique inkstone, carries extraordinary significance.

This is not only a great affirmation of talent and learning, but also subtly reveals a sense of inheritance.

The gazes of the elderly ladies once again focused on Old Madam Sheng, their expressions now even more inquisitive.
—Could it be that the two families are about to form a marriage alliance?
Grandma Sheng paused slightly in her hand holding the Buddhist prayer beads, then her smile broadened, revealing just the right amount of surprise and humility.

"This...this is unacceptable! The Grand Secretary is too kind to this child!"

"What merit or ability does Changquan have to receive such a generous gift? It must be because of his rude words." Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said, "Fortunately, the Grand Secretary is so magnanimous and kind to us. The entire Sheng family is extremely grateful."

However, she was very perceptive: giving away an inkstone at this time was an expression of appreciation and expectation, and probably also a sign of a potential marriage.

This inkstone is both a gift to celebrate one's future and a token of marriage.

"But is Yanran really a good match for Quan-ge'er?"

Grandma Sheng glanced lightly at Yu Yanran's seat beside her, her heart heavy.

……

After the banquet, Sheng Changquan took his leave.

He walked out of his study, through the corridor, and as he reached the entrance to the plum grove, he saw a group of girls stepping into that sea of ​​fragrant snow.

Especially Yu Yanran, the head of the household, was the center of attention. She was slender and graceful, with a gentle and quiet profile and a calm, scholarly air about her.

She seemed to have seen Sheng Changquan as well. She paused for a moment, then lowered her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings as she curtsied. Her movements were as gentle as tender plum blossoms just beginning to bloom, delicate in the cool breeze. She possessed the natural shyness of a young girl, yet also the dignified bearing of a well-bred lady, showing no sign of frivolity.

Sheng Changquan also stopped and returned the greeting with composure and elegance.

Sheng Changquan turned his gaze to Minglan, the elder sister next to Yu Yanran. The two exchanged glances for a moment, understanding each other without saying a word.

Meanwhile, two faint blushes crept onto Yu Yanran's fair cheeks, adding to her beauty. She dared not linger and hurriedly led her maid into the depths of the plum grove. Only a faint, elegant plum fragrance remained in the air, intertwining with the faint scholarly aura emanating from her, lingering there.

The window of the adjacent warm pavilion was half-open, and from Old Madam Sheng's position, she could just take in that brief scene under the corridor.

"He knows how to advance and retreat with grace and composure," Old Madam Sheng thought to herself.

She was very satisfied with Sheng Changquan's response.

Once upon a time, Sheng Changquan was a pitiful orphaned child who needed her protection, but in the blink of an eye, he has become gentle and refined, a true gentleman.

For a moment, Old Mrs. Sheng seemed to realize something, but then she pondered to herself.

"Although Changquan has never said it outright, he has lofty aspirations and a broad mind."

"After all, without extraordinary effort and shrewdness, how could he have achieved such remarkable success in the imperial examinations?"

Grandma Sheng had a good eye on her grandson, Sheng Changquan. She knew that although he appeared kind, he was deep in thought and always had a melancholy and decisiveness beyond his years between his brows.

Is the gentle and refined lady from the Yu family truly his ideal match?
The old lady had this doubt lingering in her mind, but her expression remained impeccably calm and kind.

……

At this moment, in the plum grove, Minglan, Yu Yanran, and several other young ladies were strolling among the fragrant snow, surrounded by their maids.

These young women were all daughters of officials. Although not all of them came from prestigious families, they all had the demeanor and bearing of ladies from prominent families, which suited Grand Secretary Yu's taste.

Since the purpose was to find a suitable match for their granddaughter, the Yu family would not casually invite anyone.

Among the crowd, a young girl dressed in a lake-blue brocade jacket and skirt, with a silver fur vest over it, was particularly eye-catching.

She was tall and slender, with bright eyes and a touch of heroism, and her demeanor was graceful and poised. She was Shen Qingheng, the second daughter of Shen Wei, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Shen Wei is a rising star in the court, known for his pragmatism and competence. Although he is not the leader of the Qingliu faction, he holds the power to evaluate officials and is in an important position.

Shen Qingheng was influenced by her father from a young age, and her vision and knowledge were different from those of ordinary young ladies. She also had considerable insight into current affairs.

"Whee!"

As she looked up, Minglan recalled her younger brother's tall and elegant figure, and Yu Yanran's fleeting shyness at that moment.

She held up her handkerchief and smiled subtly, attracting the attention of many of her friends. "Sister Sheng, is that your younger brother?"

Before anyone could ask, one of the girls standing nearby suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

Ok?
Minglan looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Shen Qingheng.

Meeting Minglan's gaze, Shen Qingheng did not flinch. Instead, she blinked, her clear and sharp eyes turning back to look directly at Minglan honestly.

“My father, Shen Wei, once read your younger brother’s articles and mentioned that Sheng Liulang’s policy essays were sharp and to the point. Today, I have seen them and he is indeed extraordinary.”

She took a step forward, her voice clear and cheerful, and asked with a hint of curiosity.

She specifically mentioned her father's official position and that he had read policy essays, which not only revealed her family background but also showed that she was not just concerned with superficial appearances.

Minglan was slightly surprised, but smiled and was about to reply.

But then Yu Yanran, who had been bowing her head shyly, suddenly raised her eyes and took over the conversation in a soft but clear voice: "Sister Shen has a good eye. It is indeed the sixth son of the Sheng family. My grandfather was just having tea and discussing philosophy with the sixth son in the study. I suppose he also greatly admires the sixth son's knowledge and insights."

Her tone was calm and natural, as if she were merely stating facts, but the mention of "ancestors" and "discussions in the study" subtly added weight to Sheng Changquan's reputation and cleverly distanced her from Shen Qingheng's somewhat direct probing, making her intention to protect him self-evident.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingheng glanced between Yu Yanran and Minglan, a knowing yet slightly amused smile playing on her lips. She did not back down because of Yu Yanran's words, but instead became even more interested.

She looked at Minglan and nodded gracefully in greeting: "I see!"

"Grand Secretary Yu is a man of profound learning. With his guidance, Sheng Liulang's future is limitless. Sister Sheng, the imperial examination is just around the corner. I wonder what Sheng Liulang's direction is for this year's policy essay..." She seemed to want to discuss it further, but a familiar girl next to her gently tugged at her sleeve, indicating that the occasion was inappropriate.

Shen Qingheng then realized that she had been a bit carried away. She covered her mouth and smiled, but there was little embarrassment in her eyes, only a lingering sense of satisfaction: "I was being presumptuous. Please don't take offense, Sister Sheng."

"Not at all." Minglan reached out and took Shen Qingheng's hand, smiling as she said, "My younger brother should thank Lord Shen for his guidance..."

"..."

In fact, Minglan was unaware that her younger brother's reputation had already spread throughout Bianjing City.

After all, besides the fact that Sheng Changquan himself was indeed talented, his "self-promotion" had already made him a well-known scholar in Bianjing, a city full of powerful figures. In addition, he was handsome and had brilliant writing skills, making him a strong candidate for the imperial examination and even a top-ranking scholar. Therefore, in families who wanted to find a suitable match for their daughters, Sheng Changquan was already a hot commodity.

……

Grand Secretary Yu did not leave the study immediately. He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the sparse plum grove outside, his eyes filled with a sense of profound distance.

“He’s a good kid…” he sighed softly, his tone complicated.

Sheng Changquan is a gem in the rough, with a steadfast will and limitless potential.

His granddaughter, Yanran, is gentle, quiet, well-educated, and a rare lady.

however……

After their conversation, Sheng Changquan's demeanor was indeed elegant and composed, impeccable, and even showed the innocence that one would expect at his age.

However, the more innocent he appeared, the clearer Grand Secretary Yu became about his true nature.

After all, they had dealt with each other before, especially since Sheng Changquan dared to agree to deliver a message to the Shen family, which showed that he was not content with the ordinary and had the potential to become a trendsetter.

That is why Grand Secretary Yu deliberately avoided discussing this matter at the banquet. Besides the need to keep it a secret, another purpose was to temper him and help him develop some composure.

Sure enough, Sheng Changquan understood immediately. In this discussion, he didn't mention that matter at all, as if it had never happened.

This kind of person, with this kind of temperament, is too profound and too dangerous.

His gentle demeanor is like a greenhouse orchid that needs careful nurturing and protection from wind and rain.

What she needs is a gentle and refined husband who can give her a lifetime of stability, not a trendsetter destined to fight in turbulent waves.

"Keep your heart sincere... forge ahead bravely..." Grand Secretary Yu murmured repeatedly, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

This young man's "sincerity" is loyalty to his aspirations and his duty to protect others, not romantic love.

His "unyielding advance" is likely treading a treacherous path strewn with thorns and paved with bones, and his granddaughter may not be able to bear such a heavy burden.

"So be it..." Elder Yu sighed deeply, completely letting go of the secret expectation in his heart.

Sheng Changquan is a good person, but... he's not suitable for Yanran.

Twisted melons are not sweet.

That ancient inkstone with "pine soot" was his final, pure expectation and farewell to this talented young man.

As for marriage... let fate decide...

Grand Secretary Yu gazed out the window, remaining silent.