Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 507 Family Reunion
……

As Rulan led the magpie through the familiar corridor, the more they walked, the more intense the joyous and festive atmosphere became in the mansion.

The servants all moved with a brisk pace, their faces beaming with pride, as if the winner of the imperial examination was one of their own nephews. In their hands, they held freshly cut flowers to be arranged in vases, or carried delicate pastries freshly baked, or offered brewed fragrant tea. Their steps were hurried yet orderly. Upon seeing Rulan, they all stopped to pay their respects, and words of congratulations filled the air.

"Congratulations to Fifth Miss!"

"Congratulations, Fifth Miss! The Seventh Young Master has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination! What a joyous occasion!"

……

The overwhelming enthusiasm was like a warm spring breeze, further infecting Rulan and making her proud of her family and her younger brother even stronger. The little bit of pride she had in the room earlier quickly fermented into a feeling of triumph.

She slightly raised her chin, trying to maintain her composure, but her bright eyes and the uncontrollable upward curve of her lips betrayed her good mood.

……

When she stepped into the front hall, she found it already quite lively.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu were already seated at the head of the table, both beaming with joy.

Wang Ruofu was talking to Sheng Hong with her head tilted to the side, her face filled with unconcealed joy and pride. She gently waved the handkerchief in her hand, her tone more than an octave higher than usual, revealing an unusual lightness and excitement: "...It's truly thanks to the ancestors, and the spirit of the old man in heaven!"

"Changquan, this child, is usually quiet and only knows how to bury himself in his studies, yet he has such a promising future! He's going to be the top scholar in the college entrance examination!"

At this point, Madam Wang started counting on her fingers: "Speaking of which, this counts as five consecutive imperial examinations! When has our Sheng family ever had such an honor? This is an immense honor!"

Having received the good news some time ago, and after the initial shock, she has now regained some of the composure of a matriarch.

Although she wasn't as out of control as before, her frequent glances towards the door, her anticipation of her son's return, and her wide smile clearly revealed her excitement and joy.

As the legal mother, she was proud that her illegitimate son, who was registered under her name, was so successful and brought unprecedented glory to the entire Sheng family. She felt proud and genuinely happy for the Sheng family and for herself.

However, this joy was mixed with some other emotions.

As her gaze swept across the room filled with the joyous clamor caused by Sheng Changquan, Madam Wang couldn't help but recall the scene a few years ago when her own son, Changbai, passed the imperial examination.

Naturally, they were happy at that time, as the Sheng family was experiencing double joy – the patriarch was promoted and the son passed the imperial examination.

But the lively atmosphere seemed...

It seems to be almost the same as it is today?

Even though Changbai wasn't the top student, compared to Sheng Changquan's top scorer, it seemed... he was slightly inferior.
As soon as this thought arose, a slightly sour feeling welled up in Wang Ruofu's heart, like drinking a bowl of sweet soup but unexpectedly chewing on a piece of undissolved sugar, a sweet taste with a bit of a gritty feeling.

"Even if my son Bai'er had passed the imperial examination, this wouldn't have been better..." she muttered to herself, unconsciously clenching her handkerchief.

But she quickly suppressed this inappropriate comparison.

The old lady's words, which had previously analyzed the pros and cons for her, still echoed in her ears: If Changquan could achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations, or even win the moon, it would be a great benefit to the entire Sheng family and to all her children.

Hua Lan's status in the Yuan family will surely rise, and that mean-spirited and snobbish Madam Yuan will no longer dare to mistreat her.

Needless to say, Changbai, as a brother, would also be a powerful ally in officialdom. When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal.

As for Rulan...

Her son's future marriage prospects will be greatly enhanced by this favorable wind!

Thinking of these tangible benefits, especially the thought that her beloved Rulan would have a better future, the slight sourness in Wang Ruofu's heart was instantly washed away by immense satisfaction and pleasure. She couldn't help but cover the corners of her mouth with her handkerchief again, afraid that her wide smile would be too obvious and cause her to lose the dignity of a mistress.

After all, Changquan was a child registered under her name and raised in her home, so his glory naturally included a share of her hard work and dignity.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard, listening to his wife's words with a smile, nodding occasionally, displaying the composure of a family head. However, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes were much deeper than usual, clearly indicating that he was extremely pleased.

His voice was steady, yet it was full of satisfaction and pride: "Yes, Changquan is indeed hardworking. His success today is due to his own diligence. He has lived up to his years of hard work."

The official thought to himself, "If I put in a little more effort, I could win the sixth prize in a row!"

Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu, no one has ever been able to achieve the highest honor of passing all six imperial examinations in a row!

Sheng Hong's gaze swept across the hall, looking at his family members gathered together in a joyful atmosphere. His heart was filled with satisfaction and pride at the prosperity of his family and the success of his descendants.

At this moment, Minglan and Rulan walked in one after the other.

Minglan had calmed down a bit from the initial excitement of hearing the good news, though a slight red tinge of joy remained in the corners of her eyes. Her expression, however, was even brighter and more gentle. She stepped forward with composure, curtsied gracefully, and said in a soft, melodious voice, "Daughter congratulates Father and Mother." Her manners were impeccable, and her every word and action exuded the elegance of a lady from a prominent family.

She was Sheng Changquan's biological older sister, and at this moment, her joy and pride were far greater than anyone else's. However, due to her nature, she expressed it more reservedly and modestly.

Rulan followed behind her, her feelings quite complex and subtle.

She was naturally delighted. The Sheng family had produced a top scholar, and she felt incredibly proud as she walked out. The smugness she felt in the room hadn't completely faded yet.

But when she calmed down, especially after meeting Minglan, she would always think that this honor belonged to Minglan's younger brother, not her own brother Changbai...

Upon thinking of this, Rulan's joy was involuntarily mixed with a hint of indescribable awkwardness and competitiveness.

At this moment, she bowed respectfully, her voice softer than usual, with a slight, almost imperceptible slur: "Daughter congratulates Father and Mother."

Rulan's gaze lingered for a moment, but she quickly glanced at Minglan and whispered, "...Congratulations, Seventh Brother."

After speaking, he lowered his eyes slightly, staring at the tips of his shoes, as if the embroidered patterns on them had suddenly become extremely interesting.

No one noticed Rulan's little scheme, except for Minglan, who glanced up casually and smiled helplessly to herself.

"Beep, bab, bab..."

Just then, Hai Chaoyun arrived carrying Zhuo Jie'er, who was just learning to speak and had a beautiful, delicate face.

A sincere smile graced her gentle face. She held her daughter's little hand and waved towards her parents-in-law, coaxing softly, "Zhuo'er, come on, congratulate your seventh uncle! Our family has produced a literary star!"

Little Zhuojie naturally didn't understand anything about the God of Literature and the God of Literature. She was only infected by the lively atmosphere in the room and the smiles on her grandmother's and parents' faces. She thought it was some kind of fun game, so she giggled and waved her chubby little fists, making a couple of babyish babbling sounds. Her innocent and cute appearance immediately made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more harmonious and joyful.

at this time!

A slightly hesitant and somewhat thin figure appeared silently at the hall entrance, attracting the attention of several sharp-eyed servants, and the laughter and chatter inside the hall unconsciously subsided.

It turned out to be Sheng Changfeng.

He wore a slightly worn, lake-blue robe. Although the material was good, it couldn't hide his desolate air. His face was so pale it was almost transparent, and there were heavy dark circles under his eyes. His eyes, which used to be full of smiles and radiate a dashing and debonair look, were now empty and filled with a complex, almost numb silence.

He was once an outstanding young man, full of talent and high spirits, but now...

His gaze slowly swept across the festive atmosphere in the hall, and his ears were filled with praise for Sheng Changquan—"Seventh Brother" and "Top Scholar"—each word piercing his heart like a needle.

When he heard someone excitedly describing the grand occasion of the announcement of the results and how dazzling the three words "Sheng Huiyuan" were, his right hand, hanging by his side, suddenly convulsed, and he subconsciously wanted to curl up.

At his wrist, the wide cuff slipped slightly, vaguely revealing a section of grotesque, not yet fully healed pink flesh—this was a permanent wound left by his biological mother, Lin Qinshuang, who plotted to murder Sheng Changquan but accidentally injured him, completely crushing all his hopes of taking the imperial examinations and bringing glory to his family.

Today, he inexplicably stepped out of the room that had confined him for so long. Perhaps it was the sting of the deafening gongs and cheers outside, or perhaps it was the overwhelming wave of joy that seemed to lift the roof off, or perhaps... it was the deepest resentment and twisted longing in his heart that drove him to see with his own eyes what this glory, which he had once dreamed of but could never attain, truly looked like.

He silently and almost imperceptibly moved to the least conspicuous corner of the hall, found a stool and sat down. He never looked up at anyone or made a sound, like a gray shadow, completely out of place with the room full of gold and laughter. He was surrounded by an unyielding melancholy and despair.

The old lady was finally helped out by Fang's mother and Cuiming, one on each side, and sat down peacefully in the main seat.

Her gaze was kind and wise as she slowly swept over her children and grandchildren. She paused briefly on Sheng Changfeng, who was almost shrinking into the shadows in the corner, and let out a barely audible sigh. A trace of pity and complexity flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper sense of relief.

She looked at everyone and said slowly, "Good, good. This is because Changquan is hardworking and diligent, studying day and night without slacking off. It is also because the Sheng family has accumulated virtue and good fortune."

She paused, then her tone became calm and alert: "The palace will probably receive the news soon. It is a good thing to be favored and honored by the Emperor, but at times like these, we must be more careful in our words and deeds and keep to our duties."

"It should be known that the moon wanes after it is full, and water overflows when it is full. When things are at their peak, one must be humble and introspective in order to maintain prosperity and long-term peace. Next is the palace examination, which will determine the final ranking, so one must not be careless."

Upon hearing this, everyone composed themselves and agreed, and the lively atmosphere in the hall subsided slightly, becoming more solemn.

"Mother is absolutely right!"

Sheng Hong nodded, glanced at everyone, and echoed, "You all heard that, right? Before the palace examination, you must keep a low profile!"

"Otherwise, it would be terrible if it affected Quan-ge'er's ranking in the palace examination!"

"Before the imperial examination? Impact?"

Upon hearing this, Rulan pouted, secretly thinking to herself, "It won't affect anything! Xiao Qi will definitely be the top scholar!"

Among the Sheng family members, only Lan has such trust in Sheng Changquan!