Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 433 Beginning

Inside the Wei Rui Xuan, the candlelight was still burning.

Sheng Hong had changed into casual clothes and was sitting at the kang table, flipping through an official document by lamplight.

Originally, Sheng Hong wanted to stay at Linxi Pavilion. However, Lin Qinshuang cried out in an exceptionally poignant and sorrowful tone today because Mo Lan was unable to attend the banquet, as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed. Sheng Hong tried his best to explain that the old lady had her own considerations and that Grand Secretary Yu valued Chang Quan's talent and learning, but she wouldn't listen to a word. She only complained about the favoritism and cried that Mo Lan's future was ruined.

Sheng Hong's head was throbbing from her crying. He was furious but couldn't vent his anger on a sickly beauty, so he simply turned away and came to Wei Rui Xuan to find some peace and quiet.

At this moment, Madam Wang sat opposite, holding needle and thread in her hand, but she seemed absent-minded, glancing at Sheng Hong from time to time.

Seeing his furrowed brows, clearly not focused on the official documents, Wang Ruofu finally couldn't help but put down her needlework, lean closer, and whisper, "Master, you said..."

"Today, Grand Secretary Yu invited Changquan alone and even presented him with such a valuable antique inkstone. What... what does this mean?" She paused, lowering her voice further with a hint of hope. "Grandma only took Minglan with her. Does Grand Secretary Yu... really have some kind of intention?"

She still harbored thoughts of the possibility of Yu Yanran becoming her daughter-in-law. After all, the Yu family was of noble birth, and a marriage between them would benefit the Sheng family, Changbai's future, and Rulan's marriage.

"A woman's view!"

Sheng Hong looked up from the official document, his brows furrowing even more, his tone impatient: "Who is Grand Secretary Yu? His gift of the inkstone shows his appreciation for Changquan's talent and future prospects, and is an expectation and encouragement for the younger generation! How can this be confused with arranging a marriage for a granddaughter?"

He adopted the air of a lord, and his voice deepened: "If there were truly an intention to arrange a marriage, why would they only give an inkstone as a gift? For noble families like theirs, marriage is all about formalities and proper betrothal!"

"With Grand Secretary Yu about to retire, he is becoming increasingly cautious in his actions. This move is to show his attitude: he appreciates Changquan's talent and is willing to help him in his future career, but he does not want to interfere too much in matters of marriage and will let nature take its course. Mother also expressed the same sentiment at Shou'an Hall today."

Finally, he brought up Old Madam Sheng, intending to completely dispel Wang Ruofu's idea.

Wang Ruofu was taken aback, somewhat unwilling: "Then... what about Miss Yanran? The old lady took Minglan to see Old Madam Yu, surely it wasn't for nothing?"

"Ming didn't say anything when she came back?"

"Why can't Old Madam Yu meet the Sheng family's daughter?"

Sheng Hong rolled his eyes: "Minglan is well-educated and has a graceful demeanor. Taking her is the safest option. As for the rest, we shouldn't speculate!"

Sheng Hong's tone hardened, carrying a warning, "This matter ends here! Changfeng and Changquan's imperial examinations are imminent, that's the most important thing!"

"You all need to behave yourselves and stop disturbing them! Also, keep Rulan in check and prevent her from joining in the commotion!"

He felt a surge of irritation when he recalled Lin Qinshuang's tearful complaints.

Seeing Sheng Hong's ashen face, Wang Ruofu knew that asking any further questions would only make things worse, so she reluctantly shut her mouth. In her heart, she cursed Lin Qinshuang hundreds of times, feeling that it was all because of her instigation that the master was unhappy and that she herself had also been implicated.

……

In the warm chamber of Mu Cang Zhai, Minglan had not yet rested.

She sat under the lamp, holding an embroidery hoop in her hand, her needle and thread weaving as she embroidered a half-open magnolia flower. Her expression was serene and gentle, like a painting of a lady.

However, deep within her lowered eyes shone a brightness that was completely different from her tranquil appearance—calm as ice yet burning as fire.

The trip to the Yu residence, the gift of inkstones and attitude from Grand Secretary Yu, and her grandmother's words in the carriage all made her realize that Yu Yanran's relationship with Xiao Qi was probably over.

While this was somewhat regrettable, it also felt like a shackle had been removed, making another plan in her heart clearer and more urgent—it was time to start taking care of Lin Qinshuang and her daughter!
The blood debt they owed must be repaid!

Minglan was engrossed in holding the needle and thread in her hands.

Mo Lan cried and made a scene at the manor today because she couldn't go to the Yu manor, which must have deepened her resentment towards her and her brother.

Minglan believed that at this moment, Molan's heart must feel as if it were being entangled by a poisonous vine.

Since that's the case, Minglan simply decided to get involved and become the target of Molan's jealousy, drawing all their malice onto herself.

As for her little sister, she only needs to focus on moving towards the light, and let her, as the elder sister, handle these dark schemes and dirty revenge!
“Jealousy…” Minglan murmured to herself, her fingertips gently brushing across the delicate silk threads on the embroidery hoop, a faint yet chilling smile curving her lips.

The seed of "jealousy" had been buried deep in Mo Lan's seemingly aloof but actually twisted heart by Lin Qinshuang for many years. Now, it was time to let it sprout, grow wildly, and eventually become a poisonous vine that could completely devour Mo Lan's sanity!
The first step in Minglan's plan was to make Molan feel the pain of being "deprived" at all times and in all places!

The goal is to make Mo Lan feel that all the glory, opportunities, and attention that might have originally belonged to her are flowing into Ming Lan's pocket like a river!
She wanted Mo Lan to live in a constant, sharp, suffocating sense of "injustice".

Tomorrow will be the day the operation officially begins...

"Ah!"

Minglan sneered inwardly, the needle tip piercing the silk with a cold glint.

When people are in a state of extreme anxiety, panic, or resentment, they are most likely to lose their rationality, take risks, and do foolish things that ruin their future!

Lin Qinshuang, for the sake of her beloved daughter's future and her own future glory, will definitely stop at nothing, and even be willing to raise the butcher's knife again!

“Lin Qinshuang, Mo Lan…” Minglan silently recited these two names in her heart, her eyes sharp as ice needles: “You owe my mother your life, and you owe my brother and me what you owe us, it’s time to pay it back with interest.”

She wouldn't do it herself; she would lay a trap, forcing the mother and daughter to walk into it step by step, to jump into the grave they had dug themselves and willingly entered!
As for Sheng Changquan, her Xiao Qi, she will do everything in her power to ensure he always walks on the bright and upright path of justice.

The next morning, the three sisters went to Shou'an Hall to pay their respects.

Just as Minglan had predicted, Rulan grabbed her as she was about to leave, her voice clear and bright, filled with undisguised curiosity and a touch of deliberate boasting: "Minglan! Minglan! Wait a minute!"

"Tell me quickly, what was it like when you went to Grand Secretary Yu's residence yesterday?"

Rulan chattered excitedly in front of Molan, like a happy magpie.

"I heard Merlin is very beautiful?"

"Also, did Grand Secretary Yu really give Brother Quan a very valuable antique inkstone?"

As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Mo Lan, whose face was gloomy and whose pace had slowed down.

Upon hearing the words "Yu Mansion," "Plum Grove," and "Ancient Inkstone," Mo Lan felt as if she had been pricked by a needle. She stopped in her tracks, her hands clenched into fists in her sleeves, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She forced a gentle smile onto her face, but her eyes were like poisoned knives, coldly sweeping over Minglan.

Minglan glanced at Molan, understanding dawned on her, but a perfectly timed, slightly shy and nostalgic smile appeared on her face, and her voice was gentle: "Yes, the plum grove of the Yu family is indeed well-deserved of its reputation."

“Red plum blossoms, white plum blossoms, and green calyxes bloomed in competition, their subtle fragrance filling the air, so elegant and refined. Old Mrs. Yu was also very kind and approachable, chatting with me for quite a while.” She paused, then added as if casually, “During the banquet, I also met many ladies, all of whom praised our Sheng family's daughters for their manners and upbringing. Sister Qingheng from the Shen family, the wife of Vice Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel, even inquired about my embroidery.”

She deliberately omitted the fact that Shen Qingheng's focus was actually on Sheng Changquan, only highlighting her "favor".

Every word felt like a small hammer striking Mo Lan's heart.

The splendor, the praise, the favor of noble ladies...

These should have belonged to Sheng Molan!

"Why?
Why Sheng Minglan?!

As an illegitimate child, what right does she have to represent the Sheng family at a banquet hosted by a noble family like Grand Secretary Yu?
What makes him so special to win over Old Mrs. Yu?
Why should she be praised by those high-society ladies?
She, Sheng Molan, is the true jewel of the Sheng family!
She excels in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; in every way, her appearance and demeanor are inferior to Minglan's.

The old lady is so biased, and the father is so foolish!

That wretched girl Minglan actually got to steal the spotlight in front of outsiders!
This is utterly humiliating! All that praise, all that admiration, should have been hers!

"Wow!"

Rulan chimed in without a care in the world, her tone full of envy: "That's wonderful! I really want to go see it too!"

"Minglan, you're amazing! You manage to win the favor of so many ladies!"

At this point, Rulan felt a pang of jealousy.

"No wonder my mother said that the old lady dotes on you and Quan-ge the most!"

This unintentional remark, like the last straw, completely crushed Mo Lan's already crumbling reason.

"enough!"

Mo Lan whirled around, her smile instantly vanishing, twisting into a vicious, jealous grin. Her voice was shrill and piercing, "Sheng Minglan! Stop putting on airs! What are you showing off for?!"

"Just because she got close to your brother and went to the Yu residence, she thinks she's some kind of phoenix?"

"You lowly illegitimate daughter, how dare you be so smug in front of me?!"

Her voice drew the attention of the maids and servants who had not yet dispersed.

"Ah!"

Rulan was initially a little uncomfortable, but seeing Molan's appearance, she was overjoyed.

"Fourth sister, aren't you also a girl born out of wedlock?"

Ru Lan puffed out her chest and said proudly, "Now, I am the only legitimate daughter in our Sheng family!"

"you!……"

Mo Lan glared at Ru Lan, furious at her lack of martial ethics!
Minglan sneered inwardly, but her face instantly changed to one of shock and grievance, her eyes reddening as if she were about to cry: "Fourth Sister... how... how could you say that?"

"My younger sister didn't mean to show off; she was just answering my fifth sister's question truthfully..."

"Truth? I think you're deliberately trying to disgust me!"