Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 505 Results Announcement (Part 2)

But the "master" that Liu's mother spoke of was quite different.

In the study, Sheng Hong was conducting a "secret matter" that could not be known to outsiders.

Speaking of which, he even took a day off today, ostensibly for "rest," but in reality, he was in a state of utter confusion and couldn't concentrate on reading a single word of the official documents spread out on his desk.

The official first furtively checked that the doors and windows were tightly closed, then, with utmost reverence, he took out a small memorial tablet wrapped in bright yellow brocade from the most hidden compartment of the bookshelf.

—It wasn't the ancestor of the Sheng family, but rather the "Wenqu Xingjun" deity he secretly worshipped!
What a virtuous gentleman who believed in “the Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits”!
Then, Sheng Hong skillfully lit three sticks of fine sandalwood incense.

His expression was devout and his face respectful. As the smoke rose, it reflected the fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

Sheng Hong bowed and kowtowed repeatedly before the memorial tablet, muttering in a very low voice, "Star Lord above, your faithful son Sheng Hong sincerely kowtows!"

“I dare not hope for first place, I only pray that my son Changquan will be on the list this time, and be granted the title of Jinshi, bringing glory to my Sheng family… If this wish is fulfilled, I will definitely rebuild his golden statue and offer sacrifices to him throughout the four seasons…”

He became more and more nervous as he spoke, as if the God of Literature could truly hear him, his posture devout yet somewhat comical and ridiculous.

And just as he was bowing for the third time, almost wishing that "I would be content if I could get into the top two ranks of the class,"—

"Oh!"

The study door was suddenly kicked open!

His trusted servant, Dong Rong, was rushing so fast that he tripped over the threshold and fell flat on his face. Ignoring the pain, Dong Rong raised his head, his face a mixture of ashes and ecstasy. His voice was hoarse but frighteningly loud, almost a shout: "Master!"

"Master! This is wonderful news!"

"bingo!"

"Seventh Young Master has passed! He's the top scholar! The top scholar in the imperial examination!"

At this moment, Dong Rong was more excited than anyone else!

"what?!"

Sheng Hong was so startled by the sudden commotion that he frantically tried to cover the incense burner and memorial tablet with his wide sleeves, his movements so chaotic that he almost knocked the incense burner over.

When Dong Rong's words "top scholar" clearly entered his ears, the initial panic was instantly overwhelmed by an indescribable and immense joy!

"what?!"

Sheng Hong subconsciously asked a question in return.

but.

Before Dong Rong could reply, he suddenly straightened his back, as if the God of Literature had truly appeared.

In an instant, he became radiant, all of Sheng Hong's tension and anxiety vanished, replaced by an almost manic joy.

He clapped his hands and laughed loudly and heartily, almost lifting the roof off the study:
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good! Our ancestors have blessed us! Star Lord..."

Sheng Hong quickly corrected himself, saying, "Uh, it's the ancestors who have blessed us! It's the ancestors who have blessed us!"

"Bring glory to our family! Bring glory to our family! How fortunate the Sheng family is! My son has made us proud! He has truly made us proud!"

After laughing, he realized he had lost his composure.

So Sheng Hong quickly coughed twice, trying to straighten his face and regain the dignity of the head of the family, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but stretch upwards, and the joy between his eyebrows and eyes was like a boiling kettle lid, bubbling out, impossible to suppress.

Sheng Hong repeatedly ordered Dong Rong, who was still lying on the ground, his voice trembling with excitement: "Quick! Get up!"

"Go check on how things are up ahead! Oh, and hurry and tell the old lady the good news! There will be a huge reward! Everyone in the household will be rewarded! A reward of three months' salary... no, a reward of six months' salary!"

However, there was no need for Dong Rong to report it, as Fang's mother had already received the news.

Compared to Sheng Hong's study, the scene inside Shou'an Hall was quite different.

As soon as Fang's mother entered the main room, her face beamed with an irrepressible, genuine smile, like an autumn chrysanthemum in full bloom, and her steps were much lighter than usual.

"Grandma, Grandma!" Her voice was filled with rare excitement and a slight tremor. "Great news! The news has come that Quan-ge'er has passed the imperial examination! He's the top scholar!"

Grandma Sheng, who was silently reciting scriptures while fiddling with her prayer beads, suddenly stopped upon hearing this.

The string of warm, smooth sandalwood prayer beads slipped gently onto the soft brocade couch with a soft "snap."

She remained silent for a moment, a fleeting, elusive ripple passing through the depths of her eyes, but that ripple quickly subsided.

She didn't tilt her head back or take a deep breath; she simply closed her eyelids slightly. When she opened them again, her weathered eyes held a calm contentment. A deep and steady smile slowly spread across the old lady's lips as she whispered, "Good, good child."

"Grandma, it's first place! The top scholar!" Fang's mother excitedly added. "I heard that."

The old lady nodded slightly, her tone still calm, with a worldly wisdom: "This child is quiet and reserved, able to endure loneliness, and willing to work hard. Today's achievements are all the result of his past hard work, and are not unexpected."

She turned her gaze to Madam Fang and instructed, "This is a joyous occasion. Send word to all those in charge to be cautious. It's fine to be happy, but don't get too carried away and lose your composure. The imperial examination is the real leap over the dragon gate, and nothing is set in stone yet."

Knowing that the old lady was hiding her joy, Madam Fang quickly replied, "Yes, madam, don't worry, this old servant will go and give the instructions right away."

The old lady paused for a moment, then said, "Go and call them all to the front hall. The whole family can share this good news."

……

At this moment, in Mucangzhai, Minglan was embroidering a handkerchief by the window, but the stitches betrayed the turmoil and unease in her heart.

Little Peach, standing nearby, was also listening intently, absentmindedly peeling fruit, while Danju seemed to be tidying up her dressing table, but her eyes kept drifting towards the window.

"It's a hit! It's a hit..."

When the clear announcement of good news, the deafening sound of firecrackers, and the overwhelming waves of cheers surged in, the three of them froze simultaneously.

Minglan felt the embroidery needle pierce her fingertip with a "clang," drawing blood, but she felt nothing.

"girl!"

Danju was the first to react, letting out a soft gasp of surprise and delight, and quickly went forward to check Minglan's fingers.

Xiao Tao then jumped up with a loud "Whoa!" scattering the fruit she was holding all over the ground, her round, apple-like face beaming with ecstasy. Her voice was high-pitched and bright: "I got it! I got it! Girl! Did you hear that?"

"It's the Seventh Young Master! The Seventh Young Master has won the imperial examination! First place! First place!" She was so excited that she spun around in place and almost bumped into the table.

Minglan slowly stood up, pushed away Danju's hand, walked quickly to the window, and pushed open the window frame. She looked at the festive smoke that filled the sky above the front yard, listened to the boiling voices, bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes quickly reddened, and her almond eyes instantly filled with tears.

Danju thoughtfully handed over a clean, soft handkerchief, her eyes also filled with joyful tears, and said softly, "Miss, this is a great joyous occasion, you should be happy."

Even so, Danju's voice was choked with emotion.

Minglan neither took the handkerchief nor cried out loud. She simply let large tears roll down her cheeks silently, while her lips curled up into a radiant smile, full of relief and pride.

Xiao Tao squeezed to the window, clinging to the window frame, excitedly babbling incoherently: "Great! Let's see who dares to look down on Seventh Young Master now! Let's see who dares to... Miss, shouldn't our Mu Cang Zhai also give out reward money?"

Her last, unconscious question instantly dispelled the somber atmosphere, carrying with it her unique naive charm.

Danju couldn't help but playfully pat her lightly: "You silly girl, all you know is how to give money!"

However, his eyes were full of smiles.

Minglan was also amused and burst into laughter through her tears. Through her teary eyes, she whispered, "Rewards, everyone will be rewarded."

At this moment, the huge weight in her heart finally lifted completely.

……

On the other side, Rulan was in her room, picking and choosing among the hairpins and necklaces in her dressing case, pouting as if none of them suited her taste.

Suddenly, a deafening commotion erupted outside, with firecrackers crackling and popping, interspersed with the faint sounds of words like "Huiyuan" and "Sheng Family".

Startled by the sudden commotion, she nearly dropped a jade hairpin.

She frowned in displeasure and muttered to herself, "What's all the noise about... You're really ignorant! Isn't it only natural for Seventh Brother to pass the imperial examination with top honors? Is it really worth all this shouting?"

Rulan actually had a hundred times more confidence in Sheng Changquan than he did.

As the older sister who had personally witnessed her younger brother pass the county, prefectural, provincial, and municipal examinations, winning the top spot in all four and achieving the "minor triple crown" miracle, she had long believed that the position of the top scholar in the provincial examination was a piece of cake.

She feigned disgust at the noise outside, but inwardly she was secretly overjoyed. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with excitement as she mentally calculated: "Haha, this is great! Xiao Qi has passed the imperial examination with top honors, so I'll be the elder sister of the top scholar! Let's see which of those girls dares to brag about their brother who just passed the provincial examination!"

Then, she rested her chin on her hands, lost in even grander fantasies, and murmured to herself, "Alas, it's a pity that I still have to wait several more days for the palace examination. Otherwise, I could go out tomorrow and claim to be the top scholar's sister! That would be so glorious!"

She sighed twice with a look of "something not quite right," as if the top scholar title was already hers for the taking.

"Miss! Miss!"

Her personal maid, Magpie, practically stumbled in, panting heavily, her forehead covered in sweat, but her face beaming with barely suppressed joy. Her voice was shrill and bright: "He won! He really won! The Seventh Young Master won! He's the top scholar! Everyone outside is shouting it! They're throwing money all over the streets!"

Rulan raised her chin, trying to make a nonchalant "I knew it would turn out this way" expression, but the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her.

She curled her lip, deliberately snorted, and said with a hint of nonchalance, "Hmph! I told you! With Xiao Qi in charge, success is guaranteed! Is this little thing really worth all this panic?"

However, after saying that, she couldn't help but turn her body to the side, prick up her ears, and listen intently to the lively sounds outside the window, her eyes filled with undisguised pride and smugness.