Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 492 Confirmation
"Quan-ge'er is indeed a well-behaved boy."

Grandma Yu, who was sorting through the silk threads, nodded upon hearing this: "He is handsome, well-educated, and what's even more remarkable is that he is also very tactful in dealing with people."

Her words carried the kindness and praise of an elder.

Yu Yanran, who was quietly embroidering a half-open hibiscus with her head down, trembled slightly when she heard the words "Seventh Son of the Sheng Family," and the tiny embroidery needle almost missed its mark.

She hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to be tangled in the silk thread, and softly echoed, "Grandpa and Grandma are right."

Inside, she felt a slight burning sensation at the base of her ears, and her heart pounded like a rabbit's. Unexpectedly, the profile of the aloof yet handsome young man from the last flower festival flashed before her eyes, the image so vivid that it startled even herself.

In Bianjing, the person who showed the most direct and fervent interest in Sheng Changquan was probably Rong Feiyan, the younger sister of Consort Rong.

The Rong Mansion's courtyard was quite spacious. Although it lacked the profound heritage of a prestigious family, it was maintained in a luxurious and neat manner.

At this moment, Rong Feiyan, dressed in a fiery red outfit, wielded her long whip with great force, the "crackling" sound indicating her excellent mood.

She lashed the bamboo grove in the corner a few times, causing the leaves to flutter, before finally stopping with a satisfied air. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her cheeks were flushed.

Ever since she encountered the villain, Rong Feiyan begged her older sister to find her a martial arts master. And now, this rather fierce whip technique is the result of her years of hard work.

"happy!"

Rong Feiyan took the warm handkerchief handed to her by the maid, wiped her face haphazardly, and smiled so brightly it was dazzling: "This whip is unusually obedient today!"

She leaned closer to her trusted maid, Peony, her eyes shining brightly: "Hey, have you heard anything about what I asked you to inquire about?"

"When Young Master Sheng left the examination hall, did he really not collapse like those pedantic scholars?"

Peony smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss, it's absolutely true! Our people saw it clearly. Young Master Sheng walks very steadily. Many ladies are praising him in private, saying that this Young Master Sheng is both scholarly and martial."

"I knew it!" Rong Feiyan clapped her hands, beaming with pride. "Those scholars who would fall over in a gust of wind aren't even worthy of carrying his shoes!"

Her mind was filled with the memory of that day when she was in despair, and how that person had rescued her like a god, his arms strong and powerful, his demeanor cold and aloof...

Just then, a high-pitched voice, characteristic of eunuchs, suddenly came from outside the door: "Her Highness Consort Rong has bestowed a reward—"

Rong Feiyan quickly composed herself and led her people out to greet them.

The one who came was my sister's trusted eunuch, who brought nothing more than some fashionable palace flowers, brocade, and exquisite imperial pastries.

After thanking the emperor for the reward, the eunuch leaned closer and whispered, "Her Majesty also instructed the Second Miss that there are many people and eyes in Bianjing these days. If you go out to banquets or garden parties, you should be more careful and reserved in your words and actions. The young master of the Sheng family is of course very good, but now that everyone is watching, if you are too enthusiastic, it may attract unnecessary gossip, which will not be good for either his or your reputation."

Rong Feiyan's bright smile faded slightly. She pouted, but still replied, "I know. Go back and tell my sister that I understand, so she can rest assured."

She was straightforward, but she also knew the hardships her sister faced in the palace and the Rong family's immense influence. After the eunuch left, she looked at the plate of brightly colored palace flowers and fiddled with them somewhat boredly.

She understood what her sister meant, but the little flame in her heart wasn't so easily extinguished.

"Or, when I should go to the palace, I can beg my sister to help him..."

Gradually, a bold idea popped into Rong Feiyan's mind.
Almost simultaneously, in the study of Shen Shouzheng's residence, the Minister of Revenue, a completely different scene unfolded.

Shen Shouzhen looked at the article that his son Shen Li had brought to him like a treasure. It turned out to be a policy essay written by Sheng Changquan in the past, which discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the Grand Canal.

After carefully reading it, he tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed: "Your insight is accurate and hits the nail on the head. Although the proposed strategy is a bit radical, it is not a castle in the air. What is even more commendable is your courage to speak your mind."

"With such a son in the Sheng family, his future is promising." He had temporarily lost the battle with Xiao Qinyan and was feeling somewhat depressed, but seeing such fresh and sharp insights made him feel a little better.

However, without the support of a powerful family like his, Xiao Qinyan might not have been able to maintain his success.

Shen Li felt honored, as if he were the one being praised: "Father is right. I am far inferior to Brother Changquan in terms of talent."

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open, and Shen Jun entered carrying a cup of freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea. She happened to hear her father's last words, "The future is promising."

She paused almost imperceptibly, lowered her eyelashes, and gently placed the teacup on the cool jade table not far from her father, her movements so gentle that they made no sound.

Throughout the entire process, she didn't look up at her father or brother even once, and quietly withdrew as if she had just completed an ordinary little task.

Back in her clean and elegant boudoir, she sat down in front of the embroidery frame by the window, but did not pick up the needle and thread.

Outside the window, bamboo sways in the breeze, and sunlight filters through the gaps, casting dappled patterns of light.

Unconsciously, she stroked a warm, smooth jade pendant hidden in her sleeve. Her father's admiring assertion and her brother's adoring tone were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating subtle yet lasting ripples in her seemingly calm heart.

"Perhaps... he is the right one..."

Each of the daughters had their own ideas about Sheng Changquan, but the one from the British ducal family was the only exception.

Although Zhang Guifen was constantly urged to get married by her elders, and she even shortlisted a few names, none of them left much of a mark on her heart. What she was thinking about right now was going to the battlefield, hoping to be like her father and brothers, dominating the battlefield and winning glory for the country.

Unfortunately, before this "heroine" could even make her mark, she was reprimanded by her own husband and "suppressed" within the mansion, forbidden from leaving.
……

Sheng Changquan was completely unaware of these lingering girlish feelings and the discussions from all sides, and had no time to pay attention to anything else.

His "rest" was very methodical. Every day without fail, he practiced spear techniques for half an hour in the training ground. The sound of the spear tip cutting through the air was sharp and steady. Afterwards, he would either drink tea and talk with Shen Li, Liu Renyuan and others who came to visit, and occasionally discuss some classics and historical articles; or he would be alone in his study reading geography, military strategy and other miscellaneous books, with a focused expression, as if he had not relaxed after the imperial examination, but had entered another silent preparation.

A few days later, Xu Changqing returned quietly, bringing back detailed information about the He family.

"Young master, the investigation has been completed."

Xu Changqing's voice was extremely low, almost a whisper: "The Cao family's daughter is indeed threatening her life, crying incessantly every day. Young Master He is soft-hearted, and in private, he not only asked people to search for famous doctors to cure his cousin's 'infertility,' but it seems that he also... he secretly used his own savings to help the Cao family without telling Old Madam He, and the amount was not small."

"After Old Madam He noticed, the grandmother and grandson seemed to have a disagreement. However, Madam He's attitude was... rather ambiguous. She neither forcefully stopped Young Master He nor clearly stated that she would cut off the Cao family's hopes. It seemed that she wanted to see the Sheng family's reaction and attitude, and also... let Young Master He deal with this hot potato himself so that she could observe..."

After listening, Sheng Changquan's face remained calm and composed, but his eyes gradually turned cold, like the frozen surface of a lake in the dead of winter, exuding a chilling aura.

He paused for a moment, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the rosewood desk, producing a crisp sound.

"Understood." His voice was calm and unwavering, revealing no emotion whatsoever. "Prepare a decent thank-you gift, something substantial and appropriate, and personally deliver it to the He family in my name. Be sure to express your sincere gratitude to Old Madam He for the medicine and her care."

"Again..." He paused, his tone carrying an unmistakable chill, "Find a way to let He Hongwen know that the sixth daughter of the Sheng family is as graceful as an orchid and as clear as a mirror, the most proud and pure. She cannot tolerate even the slightest hesitation or wavering, and she cannot stand those who think they are compassionate but are actually indecisive and make trouble for themselves and others."

Xu Changqing understood immediately. This was a strategy of first being courteous and then resorting to force, which not only maintained proper etiquette and formality but also clearly defined an inviolable bottom line, even carrying a hint of condescending warning and scrutiny.

He bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew as he had come.

Sheng Changquan got up and walked to the window, pushed it open halfway, and saw that the courtyard was bathed in the spring sunshine, with fragrant flowers and busy bees and butterflies.

With the imperial examination imminent, he needs to be single-minded and in top form. However, he must first brush away and clear away the dust and troubles that are trying to taint his sister. After the results are announced, the winds of Bianjing City will likely change drastically because of the names on the imperial list. He is ready to welcome all the glory and eliminate all hidden dangers.