Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 489 A Young Girl's Feelings
"call!!"

Sheng Changquan put down his pen and let out a long, silent sigh, as if he were expelling all the pent-up frustration that had been building up in his chest for nine days and nine nights.

"Finally, it's finished!"

He picked up the rough earthenware cup beside him and took a sip of the tea, which had long since cooled and even had a rusty, astringent taste.

The cells were small and simple, and the only thing they could provide was a small amount of boiled water that was distributed by the servants in large wooden buckets every morning. The little bit of water left in his cup was the last bit of water he would get for the day.

However, even with Sheng Changquan's physical strength, the continuous writing had left his throat dry and tight. He forced himself to endure the discomfort and moistened his lips and tongue with the last bit of water.

He stretched his wrists, which were sore and stiff from holding the pen for a long time, and felt a slight tingling sensation, especially at the shallow mark on his right wrist where Mo Lan had once scratched him. Yet, Sheng Changquan's mind was clear.

"It was only a short time after all. It seems I'll have to be more careful with this injury in the future."

Sheng Changquan then realized that his superpower was not so perfect, and he still needed a period of transition after being injured to fully recover.

However, we should leave those for later; the most important thing right now is to focus on these articles.

He first carefully laid the draft of the article on the table, weighing it down steadily with a heavy inkstone. Then he took off his dark blue brocade vest and carefully covered the manuscript paper with it.

This is to prevent moisture or wind and rain from getting in at night.

After doing all that, he bent down with difficulty and spread out the cotton quilt he had brought on the narrow "bed" behind him, which was only big enough for one person to lie on their side. The cell was cramped, so he could only curl up and lie on his back. The cold wooden board sent shivers of cold through the thin quilt.

"All right!"

"You need to rest now, and you can copy it when you are more energetic tomorrow."

Sheng Changquan silently reviewed tomorrow's arrangements and went over the key arguments of the article he had written today in his mind. Only after confirming that everything was in order did his mind gradually calm down.

"Dang——! Dong——!"

In the distance came the dull, slow sound of a gong emanating from an old official patrolling the examination hall, accompanied by hoarse shouts, echoing through the deathly silent hall.

Sheng Changquan closed his eyes, forcing himself to ignore the suppressed coughs, the creaking of the wooden planks as he turned over, and the faint, desperate sobs coming from a corner. He adjusted his breathing and slowly sank into a restless, light sleep.

……

Not only was the examination room tense, but the atmosphere in the Sheng family mansion these past few days, though seemingly calm on the surface, was like a taut bowstring.

At Wei Rui Xuan, Wang Ruofu's anxiety was on the surface.

She was restless every day, either kowtowing to the gods and Buddhas in the Buddhist hall and reciting the Diamond Sutra at lightning speed, or pulling Liu's mother aside and rambling on and on...

"Do you think Quan-ge'er's hand injury will be a problem?"

"The cell is so cold, is the blanket he brought thick enough?"

"The food..."

"..."

Ultimately, it all boils down to one sentence: "Alas, the heavens! How can we endure this!"

In response, Liu's mother could only offer kind words of comfort. Sheng Hong, a Confucian gentleman who usually adhered to the principle of "Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits," revealed an extremely contradictory side at this moment.

During the day, whether in the government office or his study, he maintained his composed demeanor, discussing current events and commenting on articles, seemingly unconcerned about his son's imperial examination.

But once night fell and all was quiet, after Wang Ruofu had fallen asleep, he would quietly get up, take only a trusted follower, carry a lantern, and slip into the Sheng family ancestral hall with light steps.

Inside the ancestral hall, candlelight flickered and incense smoke curled upwards.

Sheng Hong first straightened his clothes, then respectfully bowed to the ancestral tablets, muttering, "Ancestors above, your unworthy descendant Sheng Hong..." Then, he looked around to make sure no one was there, and then knelt down on the prayer mat with a "plop"!
His movements were so swift that they were completely different from his usual dignified demeanor.

"May our ancestors bless us! May they grant us their blessings!" He lowered his voice, but his tone was unusually devout and urgent. "Bless Changquan to pass the imperial examination this time! It would be best if he could achieve the top rank! If he can become the top scholar, bringing glory to my Sheng family, his grandson Sheng Hong will definitely rebuild the ancestral hall, recast the golden statue, and worship it every year. I will never forget it!"

He kowtowed three times, his forehead turning red, and then mumbled about Sheng Changquan's minor achievements, as if this would increase the chances of his ancestors' blessings.

After kowtowing, he hurriedly got up, carefully brushed the dust off his knees, and resumed his sanctimonious appearance before quietly slipping back into his bedroom as if nothing had happened.

If Wang Ruofu were to witness this scene, he would be utterly astonished.

Not only the Sheng family mansion, but also the residence of Shen Shouzhen, the Minister of Revenue, has been shrouded in the atmosphere of the imperial examinations these past few days.

Shen Shouzhen's eldest son, Shen Li, also participated in the imperial examination. However, everyone in the Shen family, including Shen Li himself, knew that he had limited talent and that passing the examination was already a stroke of luck. This time, he was more of a test-taker than a candidate, and he had no hope of achieving top honors.

Shen Shouzhen was more concerned about Sheng Changquan, the exceptionally talented member of the Sheng family.

Inside the study, Shen Shouzhen stroked his beard, pondering to himself, "Changquan is a man of strong will and exceptional talent. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be fine in this imperial examination."

His eyes revealed undisguised admiration, and his calculations became increasingly clear: such a fine son-in-law would be a match made in heaven if he could be paired with his gentle and well-mannered Jun'er.

After all, his son and he were quite close.

Shen Jun was aware of her father's thoughts. Moreover, not only her father, but also her younger brother would often talk about the young master of the Sheng family in front of her. If it weren't for maintaining her dignity as the eldest sister, Shen Jun would have given Shen Li a good beating.

Who are your true family members?!

Although, the young master of the Sheng family... is indeed... very outstanding...

Thinking of this, two blushes inevitably rose on Shen Jun's fair face. When she was alone, she would occasionally think of that handsome figure she had met once before, and she would lower her head and her heart would beat faster.

In the stillness of the night, Shen Jun would quietly return to her boudoir, dismiss the maids, take out a small and exquisite peace buckle from the depths of her dressing case, clasp her hands together, and devoutly whisper to the bright moon outside the window: "May the gods bless Young Master Sheng... that his literary talent will flow freely and that he will pass the imperial examination with flying colors."

A young girl's feelings are unspoken.

However, things were not entirely harmonious within the Shen residence.

Madam Shen, also known as Lady Shen, sat in her room, sighing to her trusted nanny, "Master always says that young master Sheng is good, but the Sheng family's social standing... is ultimately a bit too humble. Besides, his birth mother..."

She paused, not continuing, "How can anyone compare to my nephew Yan Cheng? Yan Cheng is such a good boy, we know him well, he's filial and sensible, and his studies are excellent. He'll definitely pass the imperial examination this time!"

She completely forgot that her husband, Shen Shouzhen, had privately warned her that Li Yancheng was "malicious and cunning."

Li Yancheng was very good at making his aunt happy. With a few sweet words like "Aunt treats me like her own mother" and "I will definitely be good to Aunt in the future," he made Shen Lishi dizzy and eager to marry her daughter back to her parents' home, so that the family would become even closer.

Li Yancheng was also in the examination hall at this moment. He was indeed quite talented and had a good reputation in his ancestral home. His essays were beautifully written and he was good at understanding the examiners' thoughts. He was confident that his talent was no less than that of Sheng Changquan. He only regretted not having the title of "Little Four Scholars" like Sheng Changquan. In this examination, he was determined to surpass Sheng Changquan so that his aunt would have more confidence to persuade Shen Shouzheng.