Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 469 Four Requirements
See this.

The sharp, icy glint in Old Madam Sheng's eyes vanished in an instant, quickly replaced by a deeper, more unfathomable calm.

She continued, her voice carrying an unquestionable authority and unwavering resolve: "Secondly, if the Sixth Young Master has engaged in any inappropriate behavior before the marriage, or uttered any words that would disgrace the Sheng family's daughters, then my words today are hereby nullified!"

"I'll submit the impeachment memorials from the Censorate without hesitation! As for my old acquaintances in the palace, I'll have to bother them a bit and ask them if the rules of Bianjing still apply to the sons of nobles!"

"I wouldn't dare! Absolutely not!"

The Earl of Yongchang answered almost hastily, veins throbbing on his forehead, his gaze like a whip lashing out at Liang Han, who was slumped on the ground, and Madam Wu, whose face was deathly pale. The warning was blatant and carried an overwhelming threat.

Liang Han trembled even more violently, almost curling up into a ball. Madam Wu's lips moved, but in the end, it only turned into a silent moan, and her nails dug deeply into her palms.

"Thirdly," the old lady's voice did not soften, but instead carried a heavy weight, a matter of family dignity, "since it is a marriage alliance, then it must be done according to the rules of marriage alliance. The three letters and six rites, the formal marriage ceremony, none of them can be omitted!"

"Although time is of the essence, like putting out a fire, the dignity that the Sheng family daughter deserves must be shown! If your family dares to use the excuse of haste to treat us with disrespect or reduce our standards, it will be considered a breach of contract! At that time, don't blame me for not showing any consideration for our last shred of courtesy!"

"...Of course! Of course!"

Yongchangbo squeezed out these two words through gritted teeth, his heart aching as if being torn apart.

Did the entire set of six rites need to be completed a little over a month before the imperial examination?
This is practically emptying the Liang family's coffers, and it will force him to abandon his earl's airs and beg the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, and other government departments to make exceptions and provide conveniences!

This is not just a financial loss, but also another form of public humiliation!
But the word "breach of contract" hung over his head like a sword of Damocles, leaving him with no other choice.

"Fourthly," the old lady's gaze finally turned to Madam Wu, her eyes calm and serene, yet seemingly able to penetrate the fine clothes and see into the darkest corners of people's hearts, causing Madam Wu to involuntarily shiver, "Now that she has entered your Liang family, she is like water spilled from my Sheng family. I only hope that your esteemed household will treat her well."

She paused, then her tone suddenly hardened, carrying a chilling sense of utter desperation: "If my daughter from the Sheng family suffers any injustice or unfair treatment while in your household... this old woman, with her frail bones, might just have to fight to the death, even at the cost of her title, to go to the Kunning Palace and demand an explanation from Her Majesty the Empress! To ask how this noble family 'treats' its new bride!"

This was no longer a warning, but the most blatant threat of death, barely securing a sliver of breathing room for Mo Lan's thorny future.

"Grandma, you're too kind! You're too kind!"

Yongchangbo's heart pounded wildly, and cold sweat instantly soaked his inner shirt. He immediately stepped forward, adopting an extremely humble posture, almost swearing an oath: "Now that you've entered my household, you're a member of the Liang family! I will... I will definitely treat you as my own daughter and take good care of you! Please rest assured, Madam!"

After saying that, he tugged hard at Madam Wu's sleeve.

Forced by the chilling gaze and her husband's strength, Madam Wu had no choice but to lower her head and nod stiffly, her voice dry and hoarse like the grinding of sand.

"Yes...yes, Lord Feng, rest assured. I...I also have children, and naturally I will...I will treat them as my own..."

Every word felt like chewing bitter herbs; the surging hatred and resentment in her heart almost consumed her.

Treat him like your own son? That lowly bastard doesn't even deserve it!

The tense, almost suffocating atmosphere in the hall finally eased slightly due to the Earl of Yongchang's complete surrender.

However, what permeated the air was not warmth, but a chilling, icy sense of dust settling down, heavy with hypocrisy.

"Ugh……"

In that brief, deathly silence, the icy solemnity on Old Madam Sheng's face, like snow melting in the spring sun, melted away subtly and slowly. She sighed softly, a sigh that, though not loud, was exceptionally clear in the quiet flower hall, carrying a weariness born of a life lived through countless vicissitudes…

understand?

"Earl Yongchang," the old lady's voice suddenly softened, no longer the thunderous force of before, but a deep, earnest tone of an elder, "What I did today was like a knife, every word was piercing, not because the Sheng family was unreasonable, nor because I was heartless."

Her gaze swept over the taut face of the Earl of Yongchang, then over the barely suppressed resentment in Madam Wu's eyes, and finally landed on Liang Han, who was trembling in the corner. She said slowly, "As parents, it is only natural to love our children deeply. Liu Lang was young and foolish, and he went astray. I... can understand some of the pain in your hearts."

This sudden "understanding" left both Yongchangbo and Madam Wu stunned and somewhat bewildered, yet their vigilance remained.

The old lady's tone shifted, revealing a worldly wisdom: "However, precisely because we are both parents, we should understand even more that the mistakes of our children are the responsibility of the parents. If this matter is not properly resolved today, it will not only ruin the reputation of our two families, accumulated over generations, but also the hopes of countless clansmen! If the Sheng family is like this, then the Liang family..."

"And isn't it the same?"

She emphasized the words "Liang family" slightly.

The Earl of Yongchang was suddenly jolted. Yes, if the censors were to impeach him, he, as the head of the family, would be the first to be implicated!
At that time, it's not impossible that the emperor will be furious and strip him of his title and demote him!

"Although marriage may begin out of necessity," the old lady's voice was even more calm, even carrying a hint of persuasion, "it is not necessarily all a bad thing."

"After the storm has passed, the scandal has been covered up, the reputation of both families has been preserved, Liu Lang has settled down, and my daughter has become well-behaved. Given time, it is not impossible for them to have a... seemingly respectable marriage. It is better than a fight to the death, with both families destroyed, making a laughing stock for others who can then benefit from it."

She paused slightly, looked directly at the Earl of Yongchang, and offered the carefully prepared "sweet date," her tone sincere: "Moreover, the Sheng and Liang families are one a scholar-official and the other a noble family. If we can take this opportunity to turn hostility into friendship, we may well be able to help each other in the future."

“My son, Sheng Hong, holds a low position in the Ministry of Works, but he still has some practical experience. If your family needs any assistance in matters concerning river works, construction, and equipment under the Ministry of Works, as long as it does not violate national laws and regulations, the Sheng family will do its best to accommodate you.”

"Furthermore," the old lady said in a softer tone, with a sense of certainty about the family's future, "my eldest grandson, Changbai, though not as noble and illustrious as the Marquis, has still received imperial favor and obtained the title of Jinshi. He now works in the Hanlin Academy and is known for his maturity, integrity, diligence, and pragmatism. His Majesty often says that this is a place for cultivating talent and preserving prestige, and there is always a future for him."

Upon hearing Old Madam Sheng mention Changbai's status as a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and his title of Hanlin (a scholar in the Hanlin Academy), the Earl of Yongchang narrowed his eyes, feeling somewhat moved!

What kind of place is the Hanlin Academy?
That place is the residence of the emperor's close ministers and the future prime minister!

The name Sheng Changbai instantly rose to a new and highly promising position in the mind of the Earl of Yongchang.

"And then there's my youngest grandson, Changquan," the old lady said, her tone carrying a hint of gentle, grandmotherly expectation. "Although he's young, he's quite bright when it comes to studying. He was lucky enough to get the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination), which has earned him some reputation among scholars."

"This child is a bit impulsive, but his foundation is solid. In the future, he may be able to learn from and exchange ideas with the sons of your family, especially those young men who aspire to fame and fortune, and work together to plan for the future. Having more friends means having more paths, which is always a good thing."

Compared to Sheng Changbai, Sheng Changquan's genius as a young scholar was even more dazzling.

Moreover, without Madam Sheng saying much, the Earl of Yongchang had already heard of Sheng Changquan's reputation. After all, besides his famous calligraphy, he was a hot favorite to be the top scholar in this year's imperial examination.

"Sheng Changquan?"

Yongchangbo thought of the next generation of the Liang family, especially his illegitimate sons.

"They are all illegitimate sons, so it should be easier for them to establish connections and expand their networks."

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