Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 482 Ending
Mo Lan's homecoming was quite an ordeal.

Liang Han stormed off in a rage, practically crushing the threshold of the Sheng residence.

However, before the lingering awkwardness and coldness in the hall had dissipated, Sheng Hong summoned his trusted confidant, Dong Rong, in a deep voice.

"Go to the Yongchang Marquis's residence immediately," Sheng Hong said in a low but clear voice. "Don't mention Mo Lan or Liang Liulang's insolence. Just tell the Marquis and his wife everything that happened today, especially Liang Liulang's disrespect towards the Yue family and his trampling on the Sheng family's dignity. Remember, just state the facts, don't make any comments, and be respectful in your tone and humble in your manner."

Dong Rong understood immediately and bowed to accept the order: "Yes, sir. I understand. I will only plead your case, not file a complaint."

Sheng Hong waved wearily, and as Dong Rong withdrew, the anger in his eyes gradually cooled, settling into a deeper calculation.

Now that everything has settled and Mo Lan has married into the Liang family, the die is cast. To argue with Liang Han now would only cause the two families to become enemies, and would be detrimental to the Sheng family in every way.

Sheng Hong was able to navigate the political arena for many years thanks to his ability to assess situations and act accordingly.

In particular, his deep conversation with the old lady had enlightened him: although Mo Lan's marriage was successful, maintaining the relationship with the Yongchang Earl and his wife was the long-term solution.

The Earl of Yongchang had extensive connections in the court. His sons, especially Changbai and Changquan who were about to take the imperial examination, would all need the support and assistance of these family friends and nobles for their future careers.

He could give Liang Han, his good-for-nothing son-in-law, a hard time and set rules for him, but he had to be very polite and respectful to his in-laws.

This kinship relationship needs to be carefully cultivated.

……

As dusk settled, the lights came on in the small hall of the Sheng family mansion's inner courtyard, where a simple yet exquisite family banquet was laid out.

Sheng Hong sat at the head of the table, his face still gloomy and iron-like. Clearly, the recent setbacks had left him still angry, and the chopsticks in front of him were barely touched.

In stark contrast was Madam Wang, who sat to his left. Her eyebrows and eyes radiated an irrepressible lightness, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Even the way she served the dishes carried a triumphant rhythm.

"Try this freshly served pickled goose feet; it's so refreshing and appetizing." She diligently placed the dish into Sheng Changbai and Hai Chaoyun's bowls.

Sheng Changbai had just returned from the Hanlin Academy, travel-worn and still in his official robes. Hai Chaoyun, as always, was gentle and serene, with a hint of weariness in her eyes, yet her poise as a lady of high birth remained undiminished.

She silently placed a clean, glistening shrimp into her husband's bowl. Changbai asked a few questions in a low voice about what had happened during the day. Upon hearing that his father had publicly rebuked Liang Han, his handsome brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "Father handled it appropriately."

There was no judgment in his tone, only an understanding of his father's authority and an acceptance of the necessity to maintain the family's dignity.

"laugh--"

A crisp chuckle broke the silence of the gathering.

Rulan shoveled rice grains into her bowl, her little mouth pouting, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain: "Fourth Sister's appearance today, tsk tsk, she's dressed in silk and satin from head to toe, with gold and jade hairpins adorning her head, looking like a golden pheasant with its tail feathers spread!"

"It's a pity that the powder on his face is so thick that it could crumble in the wind! And that sixth brother-in-law of Liang, his eyes are practically on the top of his head, looking down on people. He deserves to be scolded by Father and kicked out in a sorry state!"

Her voice was clear and bright, with the straightforwardness unique to young girls, yet it also accurately pierced through Mo Lan's elaborate facade.

Sitting next to her, Hua Lan looked better than a few days ago. Her face, still pale from recovering from a serious illness, was gradually regaining its spirit, as if she had found her anchor in the days since returning home.

She steadily picked up a piece of the tenderest steamed sea bass belly with serving chopsticks and gently placed it into Minglan's bowl beside her. Her voice was neither loud nor soft, carrying a worldly wisdom and aloofness: "It's common to climb the social ladder and marry into wealth. But one must also consider whether one has the destiny to enjoy it."

"Wealth and glory that are forced are nothing but illusions, beautiful to look at but easily shattered."

These words, spoken softly and subtly, were nonetheless profound and insightful. They were both a precise critique of Mo Lan's overestimation of her abilities and a merciless condemnation of Lin Qinshuang's cunning attempt to climb into the master's bedchamber. Who among the assembled guests did not understand the unspoken message?

It's just that, as a junior, there are some things she can't say outright.

Minglan quietly lowered her eyelashes, taking small bites of the fish her sister had picked up for her. Her movements were elegant and refined, as if the surrounding chatter was just a passing breeze.

She swallowed the food in her mouth before raising her head, her voice soft as if afraid of disturbing something: "Sixth brother just sent someone to tell me that he is studying hard in his study today and will have dinner there as well. He asks Father and Mother not to wait for him, and also asks his brothers and sisters not to disturb him while he is studying."

She skillfully changed the subject, shifting the focus to the boy who carried the Sheng family's greatest hopes for the future.

When Sheng Changquan was mentioned, a crack finally appeared on Sheng Hong's icy expression, and a hint of warmth and expectation appeared in his eyes: "Quan'er is sensible and knows what's important. The imperial examination is just around the corner, and nothing is more important than his future. Let him be. Make sure to give the order that the study should be quiet and that all services should be provided thoroughly. Do not let him be distracted."

Just as the atmosphere eased slightly, a faint, suppressed wail and chaotic pulling sounds, like an ominous wind, drifted in from afar and entered the small hall. Madam Wang's cheerful brows instantly furrowed, and with displeasure at being disturbed, she raised her voice and asked, "What's all this commotion outside?"

A stewardess practically stumbled in, her face pale and her voice panting: "Reporting to Master and Madam, it's...it's happened in Feng-ge's courtyard!"

"It's Zhou Xueniang! She... she somehow found out that even the Fourth Miss's homecoming today couldn't save Lin Xiaoniang, and she also heard rumors that the Master was going to punish all the servants in Linxi Pavilion... so she... she went crazy and desperately tried to rush this way, shouting that she wanted to see the Master and to seek justice for Lin Xiaoniang!"

"Several old women almost couldn't hold her down. They kicked and bit her like she didn't care about her life! She was shouting something like 'Brother Feng, save me'... Now she's been gagged, tied up tightly, and dragged out to await her fate!"

The name "Zhou Xueniang" was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the rage that Sheng Hong had just suppressed in his eyes!
He slammed his hand on the table, the cups, plates, and bowls clanging loudly, startling everyone.

"You shameless, ignorant wretch!" Sheng Hong's voice was like a blade tempered with ice, filled with thunderous fury. "Looks like I didn't hit you hard enough before!"

"These treacherous servants around the Lin family are bullying and intimidating, instigating their master to commit such despicable acts and tarnishing the reputation of the Sheng family! Not a single one of them can be spared! Pass on my order—"

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, each word landing like a thunderclap, resounding and leaving no room for doubt!
"All the maids, servants, and boys who have served Lin Qinshuang in Linxi Pavilion, regardless of their position or length of service, shall be sold off without exception! Sold far away, the farther the better!"

He paused, his chest heaving violently, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes completely crushed, leaving only a cold resolve.

He took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising: "Lin Qinshuang! You have failed to properly educate your daughter, causing Molan to behave improperly and disgrace the family! You are wicked, arrogant and spoiled, and have repeatedly refused to change your ways! From this day forward, strip her of all titles and honors! Remove her from Linxi Pavilion immediately! Have her escorted to the most remote manor in the northern suburbs of the city! Give her a woodshed to live in, and assign two of the most uncouth old women to guard her, providing her only coarse food and water every day! She shall not leave the manor without dying!"

"In this lifetime, you are never to set foot in Bianjing again!"

“North Suburbs Estate,” “Firewood Ward,” “Grassroots Woman,” “No One Can Leave Without Death”… These cold words, when put together, paint a picture more despairing than death itself.

The village was far from human habitation, the land was barren, and the woodshed was like a steamer in summer and an ice cave in winter, no different from a prison.

For Lin Qinshuang, who once lived a life of luxury and power, and who spent half her life scheming to climb the social ladder and enjoy wealth and honor, this was nothing short of the cruelest form of torture. Stripped of the fine clothes, status, and calculations that sustained her, and left like a rag in a desolate place to fend for herself, this was the most thorough irony and destruction of all that she had ever sought.

The verdict struck like a cold iron chain, slamming heavily into the silent hall, as if the air itself had frozen.

Hua Lan and Ru Lan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with undisguised, thorough, and pure joy, as if years of pent-up frustration had finally been released.

Hai Chaoyun lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, making it impossible to discern her emotions. Only her hands, resting on her knees, curled slightly.

Minglan's hand holding the chopsticks tightened almost imperceptibly under the cover of her wide sleeves, her knuckles turning slightly white, before slowly and gradually loosening, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

A faint, cold glint flashed across the depths of her eyes, like a pebble sinking into a deep, cold pool, instantly returning to a calm indifference.

Sheng Changbai took a deep breath and let out a barely audible sigh. He understood his father's ruthless actions at this moment. This was a necessary cleansing after the Sheng family had suffered a great humiliation. It was a belated explanation for the family, for his father, and for those who had long since disappeared into the past.

So he ultimately remained silent and said nothing.