Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 432 Warning
As night deepened, the Sheng Mansion returned to tranquility.

The study of Zeyutang, inside Zhiyuantang, was brightly lit by candlelight.

Sheng Changquan sat alone by the window. The sandalwood box on the table was already open, and the ancient inkstone named "Songyan" lay quietly on the velvet cushion. Its color was like ink, warm and restrained, as if it had collected all the wisdom accumulated by time and countless sages.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow that mingled with the flickering candlelight, illuminating his serene face in a soft, half-lit manner.

His slender fingers, with an almost reverent air, gently stroked the cold stone of the inkstone.

Beneath your fingertips, the delicate and smooth texture seems to silently tell the story of its long and eventful history.

This inkstone carries the expectations of Grand Secretary Yu, and it is also like a mirror, reflecting his own complex emotions.

"Pine smoke?"

Sheng Changquan's lips curled slightly, revealing a cold yet resolute smile. His deep voice was particularly clear in the quiet study: "The pine can withstand frost and snow, while smoke dissipates with the wind."

"From this day forward, I will only stand like a pine tree, tall between heaven and earth, and will never become a wisp of smoke that drifts in the wind and vanishes in an instant!"

The matter of Grand Secretary Yu's retirement was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples of thought in his mind.

“Originally, I thought that Yu Zhenghao’s scandal was Sun Zhixing’s doing, intended to damage the Yu family’s reputation and weaken Grand Secretary Yu’s influence in the court. But…” His eyes were sharp as knives, “Based on the clues 'he' passed on, plus the subtle clues sent by the Wan family, the mastermind behind this scheme against Yu Zhenghao was not him at all.”

However, that makes sense. After all, Sun Zhixing has been under Shen Shouzhen's watchful eye the whole time, so the other party couldn't have made such a scheme without alerting the Shen family.

As for who did it, it's obvious; just look at who ultimately benefits.

Therefore, the arrow is pointing to Xiao Qinyan, the newly appointed Grand Secretary!

This conclusion sent a chill down Sheng Changquan's spine.

Xiao Qinyan was known for his smooth-talking, worldly-wise, and adept social skills. He was a representative of the "newly rich" who rose rapidly after the new emperor ascended the throne.

Why would he target Grand Secretary Yu, who had deep roots in the government?
Does he think he can use this opportunity to secure his position?
Sheng Changquan immediately suspected that Xiao Qinyan was blinded by his own involvement and had been misled by his appointment to the cabinet.

However, that's unlikely!

and so……

"Heh," Sheng Changquan let out a barely audible sneer, tinged with mockery, "Indeed, in this imperial court, there is no such thing as absolute right and wrong?"

"It's all just a matter of intertwined interests, with everyone pursuing their own path."

He recalled the undercurrents he had sensed at the Yu residence earlier that day, and the scrutinizing gaze of the person named Shen Qingheng in the crowd.

"Today, it's Grand Secretary Xiao scheming against the Yu family; tomorrow, who will scheme against the Xiao family?"

"Who knows when, from this seemingly clear-cut black and white, an unexpected 'blood' will suddenly emerge!"

However, what made Sheng Changquan think even more deeply was: "Xiao Qinyan's foundation is far less solid than that of Grand Secretary Yu. What makes him think he can stand firm in this court that is about to become even more turbulent because of Grand Secretary Yu's retirement?"

"Or?"

"Is there someone even higher up, someone more secretive, standing behind him?"

"Is it some noble person from the palace?"

"Or is it some force that holds military power?"

Xiao Qinyan's rapid entry into the cabinet was itself unusual.

Sheng Changquan slowly ground a small spoonful of snow water taken from plum blossoms, and the ink stick glided across the "pine soot" inkstone, making a soft and steady rustling sound.

In the stillness of the night, the sound was like a lurking dragon groaning in the abyss, carrying the implication of gathering strength and waiting for its chance to strike.

He wasn't in a hurry to find all the answers; with limited information available, excessive speculation would only throw him into disarray. What he needed was patience, like grinding an ancient inkstone, slowly and deliberately working on it, patiently waiting for the truth to come out.

After a while, he let out a soft breath, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and his gaze fell on the mountain of books piled on his desk.

"Sigh! Why should I think so much at this moment?" He smiled bitterly, with a hint of self-mockery. "The most important thing right now is the imperial examination! That's the only key to unlock that door."

Without official rank and fame, all plans are castles in the air.

The gift of an inkstone from Grand Secretary Yu, the admonition from Sheng Hong, and even the attention from Shen Qingheng were all based on the "future" he might have.

If I fail in the imperial examination, all of this will be like a dream come true.

He calmed his mind, like an old monk in meditation, his deep and sharp gaze replaced by focused concentration.

He picked up a meticulously annotated collection of policy essays and immersed himself in it again, his pen occasionally gliding across the paper, leaving neat and powerful handwriting.
In the light, his figure stood tall and solitary, with only the ancient pine-smoke inkstone silently accompanying him, witnessing the young man gathering the strength to break free from his cocoon in the still night. ...

Outside Zhiyuan Hall, in the shadow of the eaves, a petite figure was crouching low, cautiously peering through the cracks in the window into the study. It was none other than Jiegeng, the head maidservant of Sheng Changquan.

She held her breath, her almond-shaped eyes wide, until she clearly saw her young master sitting up again, focused on his reading. Only then did she pat her chest gently with relief and let out a long sigh.

"Hehe, alright, are you finally at ease now?"

A gentle, smiling voice sounded behind Kikyo, startling her so much that she almost jumped up.

Kikyo turned around, patted her chest, and said reproachfully, "Oh! Shion! Why do you walk so quietly? You scared me to death!"

Ziyuan stood a few steps away, holding a small lacquered tray with a bowl of warm milk custard on it, smiling at her.

Shion is slightly taller than Kikyo, with gentle eyes and a composed demeanor. She wears a simple lotus-colored vest and has her hair neatly styled in two buns. She is the most worry-free person in Zeyutang.

Compared to Shion's gentle and composed nature, Kikyo still has more of a temperamental side.

She wore a light red shirt and a small pearl flower in her hair, making her look exceptionally lively and agile. Her eyes and brows exuded a cleverness, like a nimble little bird.

"If I didn't speak softly, how could I have seen our Zeyu Hall's 'Grand Eunuch' so worried about his master?" Ziyuan approached and teased in a low voice, "Young Master only came home a little late and went to Grand Secretary Yu's residence, but you act like you've lost your soul."

Kikyo blushed slightly at her words and pouted, trying to explain, "I... I was just worried! Aren't you worried about the young master?"

She leaned closer to Ziyuan, her big eyes blinking with undisguised curiosity and excitement. "You don't know! Yesterday, Sister Xiaotao secretly told me that Grand Secretary Yu's purpose in holding this plum blossom appreciation banquet is mainly to take a look at our young master!"

"I've heard that Miss Yanran is incredibly gentle and kind, beautiful, and comes from a distinguished family! If this deal goes through, she'll be the new mistress of our Zeyu Hall! How could I not care?"

As Sheng Changquan's personal maid, Jiegeng naturally paid special attention to the selection of the future mistress.

She was lively and couldn't keep secrets. Ever since she heard about Xiao Tao, she felt like she had a little rabbit jumping around in her heart, eagerly wanting to find out the results.

However, Sheng Changquan returned from the banquet with a normal expression and did not mention the matter of meeting her. Instead, he buried himself in books, which made Jie Geng anxious and led to her "spying" earlier.

Ziyuan shook her head helplessly, placed the tray on the stone bench under the corridor, and took Kikyo's hand to walk a few steps away so as not to disturb Sheng Changquan in the study.

She said earnestly, "Jiegeng, I know you care about the young master. But the young master's marriage is decided by the old lady and the master. How is it our place as servants to worry about it?"

"We should do our duty, take good care of the young master's food and daily life, and manage the inside and outside of Zeyu Hall so that the young master can study in peace. That is the proper thing to do."

Ziyuan was a little worried about Kikyo. She tapped Kikyo's smooth forehead and said in a soft voice, "I'll let it go today. The young master has a good temper and was focused on his studies and didn't see you peeking. I won't hold it against you."

"But you must remember, we are servants, and we cannot forget the rules and etiquette. If the young master really marries the mistress in the future, and you are found out by the new mistress for spying on her master's whereabouts in such an unruly manner, punishment will be a minor matter. What if she thinks you are frivolous and unreliable and transfers you away from Zeyu Hall? What will you do then?"

Upon hearing this, Kikyo's face paled, and she stuck out her tongue, finally realizing her recklessness.

She glanced back at the side room of the west wing of Zeyu Hall, not far behind her. That was where her personal maids lived, and candlelight still shone through the paper windows.

"I understand, Sister Ziyuan, I won't do it again."

She whispered, her tone filled with lingering fear and gratitude.

Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, Ziyuan's expression softened: "Alright, it's good that you know you were wrong. This bowl of milk soup is warm. Quietly take it in and place it on the young master's desk, without making a sound. I'll go check if Qingfeng and Mingyue are asleep, lest they kick off their blankets and catch a cold."

Zeyutang was located in a slightly remote area, but out of consideration for the elderly Mrs. Sheng, she arranged for several of Sheng Changquan's personal maids to live in the side rooms of the courtyard, making it easier to take care of him and also making the family feel closer.

Besides Cuiming, the head maid who was on night duty in the outer room of the study and ready to be ordered at any time, there were Ziyuan, Jiegeng, and two little maids, Qingfeng and Mingyue, who were only eleven or twelve years old and responsible for sweeping and running errands.

Kikyo nodded quickly, picked up the tray, and tiptoed toward the study door, while Shion turned and went toward the side room.

Pushing open the door to the side room, a warm breeze mixed with the faint fragrance of soapberry wafted out.

The room wasn't big, but it was clean and tidy. On two bunk beds side by side, two small figures were curled up in the warm quilt—it was Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Mingyue was sleeping soundly, her little face rosy, but Qingfeng was sleeping less peacefully, with one of his little arms sticking out of the blanket.

Ziyuan tiptoed over, carefully tucked Qingfeng's little arm back into the blanket, and then tucked the blanket in for her.

Looking at the two little girls' peaceful sleeping faces, Ziyuan smiled gently.

Although Zeyutang is not as powerful as Weiruixuan or Linxige, it has its own peace and warmth in this small courtyard.

……

Thank you for your support, Mr. Gong Xincheng!