Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Meanwhile, He Hongwen was caught between his cousin's infatuation and Minglan's estrangement, and in a dilemma, he temporarily buryed his head in the sand, hoping that time would heal all wounds.

However, time never stops in Tokyo. While his worries were still lingering in his heart, the auspicious day for the release of the imperial examination results arrived, instantly attracting the attention of the entire city.

On this day, it seemed as if all the hustle and bustle of Tokyo had converged on the Gongyuan Street area, and the melancholy of other places seemed insignificant in the face of such liveliness.

……

On the day the results were released.

The teahouse across from Gongyuan Street.

That morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, the scene in front of Gongyuan Street was already quite different.

The streets were packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, and all sorts of carriages and palanquins blocked the way. Vendors took the opportunity to sell tea, snacks, and even scholars were rushing to write auspicious words, making it a lively scene.

The teahouses facing the street were already fully booked, and the prices of the private rooms on the second floor were more than three times higher than usual. Those who could secure a place there were either rich or noble, or candidates who were extremely confident in their chances of passing the imperial examination, all hoping to be the first to see the imperial edict that would determine their fate.

Sheng Changquan and his four friends booked a private window seat with an excellent location. Shen Li, who was unable to take the exam due to poor health, came to cheer on his friend. Liu Renyuan, Niu Xingwen, and Lian Zhuo, although they had passed the provincial examination, felt that they were not ready yet. They took the exam more to gain experience and practice. Therefore, they were quite relaxed and even more composed than the main candidate.

The private room was elegantly decorated, with several plates of exquisite tea snacks and a pot of fine Longjing tea on the table. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the guests took their seats, chatting and laughing, which eased the tense atmosphere of waiting.

“Brother Changquan,” Liu Renyuan, known for his straightforward nature, broke the silence first. He took a sip of tea and joked with a smile, “From today onwards, we should probably call you ‘Shenghui Yuan’! Don’t forget to give us good brothers a hand then!”

Although Shen Li hadn't taken the exam, he was more nervous than anyone else. He picked up his teacup and put it down repeatedly, his eyes constantly glancing at the surging crowd downstairs. Upon hearing this, he quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Brother Changquan is exceptionally talented, even Scholar Zhuang has praised him highly. He will surely achieve great success today and bring glory to us!"

His words were sincere, but his eyes held a different thought—Sheng Changquan was the "prospective brother-in-law" he had carefully chosen for his sister Shen Jun. If he could pass the imperial examination this time, the chances of this marriage succeeding would be even greater.

However, among the few people present, only he knew this idea; the others were unaware of it.

On the other side, Lian Zhuo and Niu Xingwen were relatively calm.

Niu Xingwen, the oldest and most prudent among them, stroked his short beard and said with a smile, "We are merely testing the waters this time, and seeing the situation is our primary goal. Whether we succeed or fail, it all depends on fate."

"But you, Changquan," he turned to Sheng Changquan, his eyes filled with expectation, "have studied hard for more than ten years. Today, you must live up to everyone's expectations."

Even so, a faint, almost imperceptible expectation remained deep in his eyes; after all, who wouldn't want to pass the imperial examination in middle age?

Lian Zhuo nodded in agreement: "Brother Niu is right. Brother Changquan is a top scholar in Bianjing, with a solid foundation. He will surely continue his glorious legacy this time."

"My brothers are too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

Sheng Changquan remained calm and composed as he picked up the celadon teapot and leisurely refilled the tea for his brothers, his movements fluid and natural.

"The path of the imperial examination is like drinking water; only the person drinking knows whether it is hot or cold. The situation on the exam is ever-changing, and it is difficult to have complete control. Changquan only asks to do his best and have a clear conscience."

He spoke humbly, yet his eyes were clear and bright, exuding a calm and confident demeanor.

He knew that among the people present, apart from Shen Li, Niu and Lian, and even his family friend Liu Renyuan, their friendships were more or less influenced by family backgrounds and interests, and were not purely platonic. However, genuine friendship is rare in this world, and it was already difficult to find such companions who could support each other.

As they talked, Sheng Changquan's gaze inadvertently swept over the bustling crowd downstairs.

Suddenly, his gaze paused briefly on a figure.

He was a young man in an indigo long gown, standing alone under a willow tree at the edge of the crowd. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his expression was cold and aloof, completely out of place with the fervor and anxiety around him.

That person seemed to possess an invisible barrier, shutting out all the noise and leaving only a solitary and aloof demeanor.

Sheng Changquan's heart stirred slightly, and he thought to himself: This person has an extraordinary demeanor and is definitely not an ordinary student. But I wonder what his background is? Why is he here alone?
He silently memorized the figure, thinking he might be able to inquire about it later.

"Knock! Knock!"

Just then, a gentle knock came at the door of the private room, interrupting Sheng Changquan's thoughts.

The waiter pushed open the door and entered, followed by a young man.

The newcomer was around twenty years old, dressed in a moon-white silk robe with a matching gauze overlay, a jade belt around his waist, and a gold-plated folding fan in his hand. He had a handsome face, fair skin, clear features, and a perfectly placed smile on his lips. He exuded an air of refined elegance and composure. He was none other than Yuan Shen, the renowned scholar from Henan Province.

"Gentlemen, my name is Yuan Shen. I apologize for disturbing you." Yuan Shen bowed calmly, his voice clear and pleasant. "The private room next door is already full. It seems that a few of my fellow graduates are here waiting for good news. May I trouble you to allow me a corner to wait for the imperial edict together?"

His words were humble and polite, his smile gentle, but his eyes quickly scanned the five people in the private room, finally settling on Sheng Changquan, who had the calm demeanor and the most outstanding temperament among them.

Sheng Changquan and the others had already heard of Yuan Shencai's reputation and knew that he was a hot candidate in this year's imperial examination. Upon seeing this, they all stood up to return the greeting.

As the elder, Niu Xingwen spoke first, his smile hearty: "Young Master Yuan, you're too kind! It's fate that we met, how could you say it's an intrusion? Please, take a seat! Waiter, bring another set of cups and a pot of fresh tea!"

"Thank you, brother." Yuan Shen sat down calmly and gracefully. His gaze fell on Sheng Changquan again, his smile deepening, with just the right amount of curiosity and admiration: "If I am not mistaken, this extraordinary brother must be the famous Sheng Changquan, who has won the top three honors in the imperial examinations in Bianjing?"

"I've long admired your name, and meeting you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."

“Brother Yuan, you flatter me. My mere reputation is nothing to boast about.” Sheng Changquan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression remaining calm and neither humble nor arrogant. “Brother Yuan is a renowned scholar from the Luoyang region, with a family tradition of learning and a far-reaching reputation for his talent. I, Changquan, have long admired you.”

"It is a pleasure to meet you today."

Their eyes met in mid-air. Although they both wore smiles and spoke politely, they both saw a subtle scrutiny and assessment in each other's eyes.

Yuan Shen's smile was gentle and refined, but his eyes concealed a shrewd calculation. Sheng Changquan, on the other hand, was as calm and composed as a mountain, responding appropriately without showing any fear.

"boom!"

Just as the group finished exchanging pleasantries and was about to enjoy their tea, a tremendous uproar erupted downstairs—the imperial edict had been posted!

"Let them go! Let them go!"

"Look! The notice has been posted!"

"Make way! Make way!"

In an instant, all the conversations in the teahouse ceased. Sheng Changquan and the others rushed to the window, leaning on the railing to gaze into the distance, holding their breath as they listened intently to the servants calling out names downstairs and the bursts of joyful shouts from the crowd.

A chorus of jubilant shouts rose like a tidal wave, clearly piercing through the noise and striking the eardrums of everyone upstairs: "We got it!!" (End of Chapter)