Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

"Boom--!"

A loud gong rang out!

The sudden silence within the examination hall was shattered, and the lingering echo reverberated among the densely packed cells, announcing the end of this agonizing ordeal that had lasted for nine days and nine nights.

In an instant, inside and outside the examination hall, whether it was the exhausted students inside or the anxious relatives and friends outside, almost everyone felt a sudden sense of relief, a feeling of almost complete exhaustion.

For the scholars inside, these nine days were a double ordeal of physical and mental torture, while for those waiting outside, it was an endless torment of exhaustion. Their anxiety and worry were even greater because they knew nothing about the situation inside.

Inside the room with the character "甲" (jia) in the Xuanhao style, Sheng Changquan had already put down his pen and waited quietly for a long time.

When the final gong sounded, any touching of the pen or ink would be a violation. He simply sat calmly, watching a solemn-faced old yamen runner walk quickly over and begin collecting the exam papers with practiced ease.

The yamen runner first carefully checked the completeness of the anonymized names and seals, and then carefully arranged the stack of papers, which embodied nine days of painstaking effort, in order, smoothing out every possible curl. His movements were filled with an almost instinctive reverence for "literature" formed over many years, even though he himself might not be able to read a single word.

The entire process was meticulous and completely silent.

After a long while, Sheng Changquan slowly got up.

Even with his iron body, he was bound to feel sore and numb after being huddled in such a small space for nine days. However, he simply moved his slightly stiff shoulders and neck without making a sound. His figure remained as upright as a pine tree standing proudly in the wind and snow. He did not show any signs of weakness. Instead, he had internalized all the hardships and torments of the past nine days. His brows were filled with a calm and composed demeanor, and his eyes were deep, as if they contained inner brilliance.

In the distance, Qian Muzhi, the chief examiner of the provincial examination and Minister of Rites, stood with his hands behind his back, taking in the scene in front of the room with the highest score. His hair and beard were already gray, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and the majesty of a long-time official was revealed unintentionally.

"This kid is quite composed."

Qian Muzhi nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible appreciation.

As a high-ranking official and a literary giant in Jiangnan, he had seen countless talented young people, so it was truly rare for him to remain so composed in such a setting.

He had already noticed this young man during several inspections, not only because of the connection between his father, Sheng Hong, the Vice Minister of Works, and himself, who were from the same Jiangnan lineage, but also because of Sheng Changquan himself.

Even if the depth of the essay is yet to be known, the powerful and vigorous calligraphy alone is enough to make a strong first impression and stand out among thousands of exam papers, giving the candidate a significant advantage.

Moreover, he had only glimpsed a little of the strategies and doctrines of the classics, yet he already felt that the insights were extraordinary.

Thinking of this, Qian Muzhi glanced almost imperceptibly at another new face beside him, dressed in a scarlet robe and jade belt—Xiao Qinyan, who had just entered the cabinet and filled the position of Grand Secretary by means of thunderous methods, stepping on the Minister of Revenue Shen Shouzhen and the Minister of Personnel Sun Zhixing to make them both suffer losses, and then seizing the fatal handle of Grand Secretary Yu.

This newly appointed Grand Secretary, who came from a humble background, was standing alone in a corner, looking expressionlessly at the noisy crowd below.

This time, Xiao Qinyan was also appointed by the emperor as the vice president of the Golden Examination.

Unfortunately, although he was able to don the scarlet robe and jade belt that symbolized one of the highest powers in the court, the jade belt seemed to be forged from cold iron, cold and heavy.

Thinking of the cabinet members' indifferent rejection of him, Qian Muzhi couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

This cabinet is a deeper and colder place than he imagined.

The carp leaping over the dragon gate is a breathtaking step, but standing firm is even more difficult.

……

Outside the examination hall.

When the heavy vermilion gate finally opened again, the servants and relatives who had been waiting for a long time rushed forward like a flood. Shouts, searches, tears of joy upon receiving someone, and anxious inquiries from those who couldn't find them all burst forth, creating a noisy sea of ​​noise.

The Sheng family's reception today wasn't the largest.

Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai had to report to the yamen, Hai Chaoyun had to manage the household affairs and take care of the young children, Old Madam Sheng was too old to wait for long, and Changfeng was bedridden due to injury, so only Madam Wang Ruofu, along with the two young ladies Minglan and Rulan, and a group of capable servants and maids came.

The women, not wanting to be jostled in the crowd, stayed in the carriage a little further away, anxiously peering out through the cracks in the windows.

The head maids, Xiao Tao, Xi Que, and Jie Geng, moved nimbly through the crowd, tiptoeing anxiously as they searched. Xu Changqing, accompanied by several strong servants, stood guard on the perimeter, their eyes fixed intently on the exit. When Sheng Changquan's composed and upright figure appeared calmly and steadily at the door, Jie Geng, with her sharp eyes, was the first to spot him. She immediately jumped up excitedly, waving her arms, her clear voice piercing through the noise: "Seventh Young Master! Over here! Seventh Young Master is out!"

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Ruofu, Minglan, and Rulan, who were in the carriage, immediately leaned out.

At this moment, Madam Wang no longer cared about her demeanor and hurriedly got out of the carriage with the help of Liu Mama, followed closely by Minglan and Rulan.

Minglan's gaze immediately and accurately locked onto her younger brother. Although he had lost some weight and his face was slightly pale in the sunlight, his eyes were still clear and sharp, his steps were steady, and his aura was calm and restrained, showing no sign of dishevelment or panic. Only then did her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, truly settle down. Her tightly pursed lips slowly relaxed into a relieved and proud smile, but there was a slight glint of tears in her eyes.

Sheng Changquan calmly walked through the chaotic crowd, his gaze serene as he met his family. He first bowed slightly to Wang Ruofu: "Mother, your son is out."

His voice was steady, with a low, hoarse quality, likely due to a lack of speaking and fatigue.

Madam Wang grabbed her son's hand; it was icy cold. Her heart ached, and she gasped for breath. She looked him up and down carefully, exclaiming in rapid succession, "Good! Good! My son! You're finally out! Look how thin your face is!"

"Quick! Get in the car! Let's go home! Mother has already had someone prepare chicken soup with top-quality old ginseng; we need to make sure we're well-nourished!"

Although he wasn't her biological son, Madam Wang was truly devoted to Sheng Changquan, provided that it didn't involve her own children.

Actually, there was another reason why Madam Wang was so agitated at this moment. Since this matter involved Hua Lan, it was not convenient to go into details.

"Brother Quan! You've finally come out!"

At this moment, Rulan also squeezed forward, chattering: "How was it inside? Were the questions difficult? Oh well, never mind, it's good that we're out!"

Minglan followed closely behind, keeping a close eye on her younger brother.

Sheng Changquan then looked at Minglan, his eyes softening slightly, and nodded gently: "Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister."

it is more than words.

Minglan smiled and nodded in response, her thousand concerns and myriad joys all contained in that silent gaze.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the examination hall gate, a completely different scene was unfolding.

"Sleeping Dragon" Dong Wenchang and "Young Phoenix" Yuan Wenxian were seen supporting each other, almost stumbling as they moved out.

The sight was truly horrific!
Dong Wenchang's once magnificent brocade robe was now wrinkled like dried pickled vegetables, stained with what appeared to be ink or oil stains. His hair ornament was askew, and a few strands of hair clung awkwardly to his sweaty forehead. His eyes were unfocused, his lips were chapped and peeling, and his legs trembled as he walked, as if his soul had been taken away.

Yuan Wenxian was even worse; his face was sallow, his eyes were sunken, and his steps were unsteady. He was only able to stay upright because his servants were supporting him. His expensive Hangzhou silk robe had a large tear under his arm, which must have been the "masterpiece" of the yamen runners during the search and had not yet been fully repaired, or it was a new injury after nine days of torment.

He was still muttering unconsciously, "...It's all over...it's all over...that question...how could I..."

These two self-proclaimed geniuses entered as arrogant and disdainful of others, like "Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Chicks," but emerged as wilted eggplants and drowned chickens, forming a tragic and comical contrast with Sheng Changquan, who stood tall and elegant, looking tired but still exuding a noble air.

Many eyes were already on them, filled with undisguised snickers and pointing fingers. The magnificent carriage they had arrived in, which showcased the grandeur of the Marquis of Zhongqin's mansion, now seemed to have become an ironic backdrop.

When Madam Wang caught a glimpse of the two men's disheveled state out of the corner of her eye, and compared it to her own son's refined and elegant demeanor, the pent-up anger in her heart was released with a sense of catharsis. She tried her best to keep a straight face, letting out a barely audible "humph" through her nose. She tightened her grip on Sheng Changquan's hand, raising her voice slightly, full of heartache.

"Hurry up, hurry up, this place smells awful, don't let it bother me! When we get home, Mom will give you a good bath!"

Minglan lowered her eyes, a faint, pleased smile curving her lips. She turned and gracefully helped her mother up, saying softly, "Mother, watch your step."

The group of people escorted Sheng Changquan onto the carriage, completely isolating him from the commotion behind them and the dejected state of Dong and Yuan.

The Sheng family's carriage smoothly drove away from the still bustling and turbulent place of the Imperial Examination Hall. The carriage was filled with the elegant scent of calming incense pills, mixed with Wang Ruofu's nagging concern. Sheng Changquan leaned against the soft pillows, his eyes slightly closed, and the light and shadows flowing outside the window swept across his calm face.

The fierce battle across the nine heavens has concluded; now, all that remains is to await the final outcome. (End of Chapter)