Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 468 Forced
The three words "Censorate" struck Wu's head like three thunderbolts carrying the chill of the underworld and the thunder of the palace.

The feigned arrogance on her face vanished instantly, leaving only a deathly pallor and a deep-seated, overwhelming fear.

Her meticulously maintained fingers, adorned with dazzling gemstone rings, gripped the cold, hard rosewood armrests of the armchair beneath her. Her knuckles bulged from the excessive force, turning a horrifying bluish-white, and her exquisitely manicured nails almost seemed to embed themselves into the hard wood grain!

The large phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and jewels on her head swayed wildly with the violent trembling of her body. The hanging gold tassels and pearl necklaces collided rapidly, making a series of small, dense, and extremely chaotic "crackling" sounds, just like her heartbeat, which was on the verge of collapse, being completely crushed by the double terror of the "Censorate" and the unfathomable "past love in the palace"!

Countless fragments flashed uncontrollably through her mind—the deep sisterly bond between the old woman and the late empress, the sporadic interactions between the old woman and the current empress, and the power that lay dormant deep within the palace. With just a letter from this old woman, or even a single word delivered into the inner court, it could be transformed into a raging inferno that would burn everything!

The censor's impeachment is not scary; what is scary is the scrutiny and disgust from the deepest part of the palace that may be triggered by the impeachment!

"Bang!"

Yongchang Bo suddenly sprang up from his seat, the force of which knocked over the rosewood stool behind him!
"Old lady! Why did it have to come to this! Why did it have to come to this!"

His face was twisted with unprecedented panic and rage. He stared in disbelief at Old Madam Sheng's calm face, which concealed a destructive power. Then, his fiery gaze, like a poisoned whip, lashed out at Liang Han, who was trembling in the corner, and finally landed on Madam Wu's distraught face. His voice was forced with urgency and a hint of pleading.

Previously, when Madam Wu discussed the matter with Earl Yongchang, he had already thought that it would be best if Madam Wu could intimidate the Sheng family, but if she couldn't, or even if the Sheng family wanted to destroy everything, then he would step in to mediate.

Who would have thought... that the worst-case scenario would indeed unfold.

"Lord Sheng, please calm your anger! Calm your fury! There is still room for maneuver in this matter!"

"This matter... must absolutely not be brought before the Emperor, lest it ruin the reputations of both families!"

The Earl of Yongchang knew that he could still deal with the Censorate, but once the unfathomable palace intrigue behind this old woman was stirred up, it would be a real catastrophe!
Grandma Sheng slowly raised her eyelids, her deep, ocean-like gaze falling on the face of the Earl of Yongchang. Her eyes were calm and still, yet they carried an immense weight: "A way to turn things around? Earl of Yongchang, tell me, how can we turn things around?"

"Your lady just claimed that my Sheng family's daughter 'seduced' others, was 'unrestrained,' and 'poorly raised'! Your sixth son committed beastly acts, yet he's innocent? Should my Sheng family's century-old reputation be allowed to be slandered and trampled upon by you?"

Old Mrs. Sheng's tone was not harsh, but every word was like a knife, scraping away at the very marrow.

Cold sweat instantly beaded on the forehead of the Earl of Yongchang. He turned sharply to Madam Wu, his eyes sharp as knives, carrying an unquestionable command: "Foolish! Quickly apologize to Lord Sheng!"

"Sixth Brother's outrageous act is a result of the Liang family's failure to properly educate their son, thus tarnishing the reputation of the Sheng family's daughter! What does it have to do with the Sheng family, or even with the Sheng family's upbringing and family traditions?!"

His words not only rebuked Madam Wu, but also completely overturned her previous slanderous remarks, firmly pinning the blame on his son and exonerating the Sheng family.

Madam Wu trembled at her husband's sharp, knife-like gaze. When she met Old Madam Sheng's icy stare and thought of the Censorate and the deep palace, her fragile pride shattered completely.

Her lips trembled, her face turning pale and then red. Finally, under the menacing gaze of the Marquis of Yongchang, she stood up with great difficulty and stiffness, slightly curtsied in the direction of Old Madam Sheng, her voice dry and tight, filled with unspeakable humiliation.

"Old...Old Lord, please calm your anger."

"Just now... just now I spoke carelessly in my haste... Liu Lang... he was drunk and acted immorally, committing a grave mistake. My Liang family... has failed the Sheng family's daughter..."

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, laced with blood and foam.

Old Madam Sheng watched Wu Da Niangzi's "apology" with a calm gaze, her face showing no hint of triumph, only a deep weariness and insight. She neither called out to her nor responded, but instead turned her gaze back to the Earl of Yongchang.

Uncle Yongchang understood immediately and stepped forward, lowering his posture even further, with an almost earnest "sincerity": "Grandma, please understand! Things have come to this point, pursuing right and wrong will only severely damage the reputation of both families."

"The most urgent task is to quell the storm and save face for both families."

He paused, observing the old lady's expression, and cautiously yet with an undeniable air, uttered the key point: "My son, Liang Han, though foolish and incompetent, has caused a great disaster, but he is still the legitimate son of the Liang family. Your fourth daughter... her reputation is already tarnished; if this matter were to escalate further, it would be a catastrophe for her. How about... the two families forming a marriage alliance?"

"Firstly, it saves face for both families and silences gossip; secondly, it gives Fourth Miss a place to settle down, so she won't... live a lonely life."

He emphasized "homecoming" and "lonely life" slightly, both to remind Sheng Jiamolan of her situation and to imply that this was the biggest "concession" and "grace" from the Liang family.

Grandma Sheng remained silent, her fingertips slowly twirling the smooth sandalwood prayer beads, producing a soft "rustling" sound.

The flower hall was deathly silent, save for the occasional crackling of the candlelight and the uncontrollable clattering of the jewels on Madam Wu's head.

Yongchangbo's heart was in his throat. He knew that the old woman was weighing her options and waiting for the Liang family to show their true "sincerity".

After a long silence, the old lady finally spoke, her voice carrying a weariness of having finally settled, yet incredibly clear: "Marriage... is acceptable."

Uncle Yongchang felt a sudden sense of relief, and a stiff smile of relief appeared on his face, but the old lady's next words instantly froze his smile.

"However, I and Sheng Hong have already witnessed the character of your sixth son today. My daughter, though born out of wedlock, is no ordinary person! Since the Earl of Yongchang has proposed a marriage alliance to preserve our reputation, then let him present his plan to do so!"

Her gaze suddenly sharpened!
"Firstly, the wedding date should be set sooner rather than later! It should be before the imperial examination!"

"Before the imperial examination?!" Marquis Yongchang and Madam Wu exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

There was only a little over a month left before the imperial examinations, which was far too rushed!
Madam Wu's expression changed drastically. If they were to get married before the imperial examinations, how could Liang Han possibly concentrate on his studies?
Although she knew that her youngest son was unlikely to pass the exam, Madam Wu still held onto a sliver of hope.

After all, Liang Han had only managed to pass the provincial examination by sheer luck, ranking poorly, so Madam Wu still harbored some hope that her son could achieve some academic success and bring back some shame...

"What?" Old Madam Sheng coldly interrupted their astonishment. "In urgent situations, one must act expediently! Does the Earl of Yongchang intend to delay until Xianhuai?"

"At that time, will you think the Sheng family hasn't lost enough face, or that the Liang family's scandals haven't shaken Bianjing enough?!"

Her words were like cold steel needles, piercing straight to the heart of the matter, pointing out the most unbearable yet most realistic concern—to prevent Mo Lan from secretly conceiving!
Getting married before the imperial examination is not only a way to cover up shame, but also the last chance to minimize losses!
Yongchang's face turned ashen; he instantly understood the old lady's resolute decision.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms, weighing the pros and cons in an instant.

finally……

Preserving the Earl's reputation and official career is paramount!
A marriage for a concubine's daughter should be hastily arranged!
Anyway, this unfilial son is probably not up to the task for the imperial examinations this spring. Thinking of Mr. Liang Han's evaluation of him a while ago, the Earl of Yongchang finally nodded with difficulty, his voice dry: "...Alright! As the old lady said, it will be before the imperial examinations!"

Thank you to the great Langya Hanzi and Qiu Shuyou 20201112143954393 for your support!