Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 506 Influence
"hey-hey……"

Rulan sat alone in front of her dressing table, listening to the faint praises of the Sheng family and Sheng Changquan coming from outside the window. She couldn't help but rest her chin on her hand and smile foolishly at the mirror, revealing a row of fine white teeth.

The girl in the mirror had smiling eyes and was clearly in a very good mood.

"Hmph, at least they have some discernment, knowing how capable Xiao Qi is!" she muttered to herself, feeling quite pleased with herself, as if half of the praise had fallen on her.

"Let's see who dares to look down on our Sheng family's daughters now!"

Just as she was feeling smug, her keen ears suddenly caught a series of slightly hurried but unusually steady footsteps outside the courtyard gate, as well as a rather familiar male voice that, though deliberately lowered, was still recognizable and talking quietly with the old woman guarding the gate.

Rulan's silly smile vanished instantly. She sat up abruptly, her delicate eyebrows twitching slightly in confusion.

"Huh? A magpie." She turned her head and looked at her personal maid, who was also listening intently to the sounds outside, her tone tinged with uncertainty: "Listen carefully, the one speaking outside the courtyard gate... why does it sound so much like... Dong Rong's voice?"

Upon hearing this, the magpie immediately held its breath and listened intently.

As the most well-informed maid among the servants, she naturally knew who Dong Rong was—he was the longest-serving and most capable personal attendant of Master Sheng Hong, who was usually very respectable and rarely came to the courtyards of the young ladies in the backyard.

“Girl,” Magpie listened for a few moments, a look of confirmation on her face, and said in a low voice, “It seems…it really is Brother Dongrong!”

Her tone also carried a hint of surprise and importance: "Brother Dongrong is the most capable person by the master's side. He usually only moves around in the front study and the yamen. If it weren't for something extremely important, the master would never send him to our backyard in person!"

These words immediately made Rulan's heart jump.

What is it that requires Father's trusted confidant to personally deliver the message?
Could it be... that Xiao Qi has returned?
still is……

Various thoughts raced through her mind.

"Quickly!" Rulan couldn't care less about maintaining her ladylike demeanor anymore. She hurriedly pushed Xique and urged, "Go out and see! Ask carefully if Father has given any important instructions. But... but is it related to Xiaoqi?"

Ultimately, her biggest concern was still for her younger brother.

"Hey! Don't worry, young lady, I'll go right away!"

The magpie responded and, like a nimble swallow, darted away quickly.

Rulan was restless in the room and had no interest in looking at the jewelry anymore. She just craned her neck and stared at the door.

In no time, the magpie came running back with light steps, a relaxed and excited smile on her face. Before she could even stand still, she hurriedly replied, "Miss! I've found out!"

"It's Brother Dongrong! The master specifically sent him to deliver messages to each courtyard!"

Magpie's eyes sparkled, and her tone was cheerful: "Master said that it is a great joy that the Seventh Young Master has passed the imperial examination. He asked all the masters of each courtyard to gather in the front hall, firstly to celebrate together as a family, and secondly to have a good festivities after the Seventh Young Master returns! Brother Dongrong also said that the Old Madam has already gone to the front!"

It turned out they were going to wait for Xiao Qi's return in the front hall. Upon hearing this, Ru Lan felt a sense of relief, and the suppressed joy surged up again, mixed with a touch of smugness that she thought, "I knew it all along."

She cleared her throat, trying to appear somewhat reserved, and slightly raised her chin: "Okay, I understand."

"Since it's Father and Grandmother's wish, let's hurry over and not keep the elders waiting."

As she spoke, she stood up, tidied her sideburns in front of the mirror one last time, making sure she was still the beautiful, poised, and elegant fifth daughter of the Sheng family. Then, with light but controlled steps, she led Xique towards the front hall. However, the slight upturn of her lips and the bright eyes ultimately betrayed her true emotions.

……

In fact, not only were the masters in front happy, but Sheng Changquan's residence, "Zeyutang," was also immersed in an orderly celebration at this moment.

The composed head maid, Cuiming, though only pretty, was very methodical in her actions. When she heard the deafening commotion outside and the crystal-clear shouts of "Sheng Huiyuan," her heart skipped a beat, and she knew that her young master must have won!
Although her mind was racing, Cuiming quickly regained her composure.

Seeing that the maids were already overjoyed and some were even hugging each other, jumping and laughing excitedly, she immediately spoke up. Although her voice was not loud, it had its own authority: "Quiet down! The young master has not returned yet. We can't let things get messed up!"

She glanced around and quickly gave instructions: "Qingfeng, you're fast and steady, go and guard the second gate now! Keep a close eye on the movements outside, and as soon as you see the young master's carriage, come back and report immediately. Don't let anything go wrong!"

Although Cui Ming tried her best to remain calm, her slightly trembling fingertips and her eyes that suddenly lit up with excited tears betrayed the surging emotions in her heart.

Qingfeng jolted, immediately suppressed her smile, and solemnly replied, "Yes, Sister Cuiming, I'll go right away!"

After saying that, she ran off as swiftly as a light-footed deer.

Cuiming took a deep breath and turned to Jiegeng, whose face was flushed with excitement: "Jiegeng, go to the kitchen in the back and keep an eye on things. Prepare hot water, hangover soup, and the light snacks that the young master usually likes immediately. Be quick! We can't let things get chaotic when the young master comes back! Remember, make sure it's the one he cares about most!"

She was not only happy for her master, but also gratified for the old lady—this long-cherished wish of the old lady had finally come to fruition, and with such honor!

There is nothing more glorious than this!

"Okay! I'm going right now!" Kikyo finally snapped out of her euphoria. Her voice was crisp and bright, and she clapped her hands as if she were about to twirl and dance in the courtyard. "I won! Young Master really is the top scholar! I knew our young master was the most amazing person in the world!"

The pretty and lively Kikyo hugged the gentle maid Ziyuan next to her, laughing and jumping: "Sister Ziyuan! Did you hear that! It's first place! The top scholar! Let's see who in this mansion will dare to gossip behind our backs and look down on our courtyard!"

Ziyuan was gentle and pretty, and her temperament was the most calm and delicate. At this moment, she was also tightly enveloped by this great joy. With tears in her eyes, she nodded repeatedly and said softly, "I heard it, I heard it."

"Look how happy you are. Watch your step, don't fall."

Despite her words, her slightly reddened eyes and the barely suppressed upturn of her lips revealed her inner excitement and unease.

"Stop fooling around, or you'll knock over the furnishings in the young master's room." She carefully reminded everyone, her voice gentle yet firm. "Mingyue—", she turned to the two excited maids whose faces were flushed.

"Go to the young master's study and check it carefully again. Empty the ashes from the incense burner and replace it with a fresh stick of pine and cypress incense. Are the books, documents, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones all neatly arranged?"

"There must be absolutely no mess; everything must be neat and tidy to be befit our young master's current status!"

Ziyuan blinked, a smile on her face: "That's—Master Huiyuan!"

The younger, round-faced Mingyue blinked her innocent yet delighted eyes, unconsciously clutching a rag in her hand, and kept muttering, "Master Huiyuan...our young master is Master Huiyuan now..."

His adorable and innocent appearance caused the crowd, who were already excited, to burst into another round of joyful laughter.

Seeing that everyone was happy but had already started working in an orderly manner, Cui Ming felt a little relieved and added, "Be careful, everyone. It would be a great joy if the young master won, but we can't break the rules of our courtyard, and we can't give anyone a reason to say that we are frivolous."

Everyone responded in unison. The entire Zeyutang courtyard was now filled with a pure, proud, and immense happiness and joy, with a festive atmosphere and strict discipline amidst the busyness.