Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

"Master and Madam specially sent me to bring good news to the eldest daughter—congratulations, eldest daughter! With your brothers being so accomplished, you are truly proud!"

Because Madam Fang had instructed that everyone who needed to hear should hear, this servant from the Sheng family, aside from any other merits, was particularly outstanding for his extremely loud voice.

Although others were politely kept outside the second gate, the loud and festive voice seemed to have wings, clearly reaching the ears of everyone in the main hall, without missing a single word!
This shout was like an incredibly loud and unexpected slap, slapping the entire main hall of the Yuan family with tremendous force, making everyone's ears ring and instantly silencing them!
Madam Yuan was already dizzy from the "consolation gifts" and hadn't even caught her breath when she suddenly heard the good news, especially the words "top scholar in the imperial examination" and "glorifying the family," which were like poison needles piercing her most painful spot!

"Who?"

"Who's making that noise?!"

She stood up abruptly, her finger trembling as she pointed towards the door, her whole body shaking with rage, her voice sharp and distorted: "Insolence!"

"Who let him in?! Get him out of here with sticks! Get him out of here!"

The butler turned pale and knelt down with a thud: "It's...it's someone from the Sheng family who came to announce the good news...They said...they said that our in-laws specially sent them to announce the good news to the eldest mistress..."

"...I...I dare not..."

"Bringing good news? I think they're just here to slap me in the face!"

"This is outrageous! The Sheng family has truly gone too far!"

Madam Yuan finally lost all control and reason. She swept the surviving teacups off the small table beside her, the precious porcelain shattering with a piercing sound, just like the snapping of her heartstrings.

Yuan Wenchun, standing to the side, added fuel to the fire with a sinister glint in his eye, as if he wanted to stir up trouble: "Mother, please calm down. Be careful not to hurt yourself with anger. It's not worth it."

"But the Sheng family... is really too inconsiderate. They know that the results will be released today, and our family... cough cough, yet they still come here in such a grand manner to announce the good news. Could it be that they think my second sister-in-law has suffered some great injustice in our family, and they are here to support her and show off?"

These words were extremely malicious, directly sowing discord and escalating a minor issue into a major one.

"He dares!"

Madam Yuan screamed, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Shut up! Aren't you chaotic enough already?!"

Old Master Yuan finally lost his temper and sternly stopped his eldest son, his brows furrowed into a tight knot.

Although he found the timing of the Sheng family's move infuriating and somewhat embarrassing, he was even more furious at his wife's outburst and his eldest son's stupidity and malice!
We've already become a laughing stock, do we really want to completely tear off the mask and add another topic of gossip?

Moreover, given the Sheng family's current momentum, they can no longer afford to underestimate them.

Old Master Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said to the butler in a deep voice, "Go! Tell the Sheng family that we have received the good news, and to convey our congratulations to the eldest mistress and our Yuan family!"

"Oh, right, regarding the reward, tell them to be polite and go back home!"

Lord Yuan had to maintain the last shred of dignity of his precarious Earl's mansion.

"It seems I'll have to pay more attention to Erlang from now on..."

Looking at the foolish and disheveled mother and child beside him, Old Man Yuan suddenly realized that he absolutely could not put all his eggs in one basket.

perhaps……

Upon thinking of this, Old Master Yuan's eyes also became deep and profound.

……

In stark contrast to the thunderous rage, chaos, and utter mess in the main courtyard, the scene in Hua Lan's courtyard was quite different.

Hua Lan had already learned of her younger brother's outstanding academic achievement through her trusted maid, and was happily pacing around the house with her son, Shi Ge'er, in her arms, her face beaming with barely suppressed joy and pride. When she heard the faint commotion coming from the front yard and her mother-in-law's screams, she already had a guess in her mind.

When she heard that familiar, loud voice announcing good news clearly piercing through the courtyard, she was first stunned, and then immediately realized that this must be her grandmother's doing!

It was her grandmother who was putting pressure on the Yuan family in this way, and standing up for her!

A surge of warmth and exhilarating relief instantly coursed through my body, washing away years of pent-up grievances and forbearance. All the cold looks, mistreatment, and injustices I had suffered in this family over the years seemed to find an outlet at this moment. A bittersweet feeling welled up inside me, and my eyes welled up with tears.

At this moment, Yuan Wenshao returned home after his shift. As soon as he entered the house, he noticed that the atmosphere inside was extremely strange. The servants were all silent and looked terrified.

He first heard sharp curses and the ear-piercing sound of porcelain shattering coming from the direction of his mother's main courtyard. His heart sank, and he guessed that his two good-for-nothing cousins ​​had failed the exam again, and his mother was in a rage.

He intended to avoid the limelight and return to his own courtyard, but he encountered Hua Lan, who was coming out of her room with a relaxed smile on her face, under the eaves.

When Hua Lan saw her husband, there was little worry or fear on her face. Instead, her eyes sparkled, and a barely suppressed, joyful smile played on her lips as she stepped forward to greet him: "My lord, you're back."

"Hmm? Madam, what's wrong...?"

Yuan Wenshao was taken aback by his wife's unusual expression, and looking at the atmosphere in the courtyard, he was even more puzzled.

"Hasn't my lord heard? There's some incredibly joyous news today!" Hua Lan's smile deepened, her voice light and cheerful. "My seventh brother, Changquan, has passed the imperial examination with top honors! He's the number one scholar!"

"The top scholar?!" Yuan Wenshao was shocked, hardly believing his ears. "The seventh brother of the Sheng family? He... he's so amazing?! He's actually the top scholar?!"

The title of top scholar in the imperial examination is no small matter; it signifies being the leader among countless students across the land! The future prospects are simply limitless!
"Absolutely true!" Hua Lan nodded vigorously, her face beaming with pride. "The people bringing good news almost broke down the gate of the Sheng family! It was so lively, with gongs and drums!"

"My father and mother were overjoyed and specially sent their trusted servant to tell us the good news!"

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at the direction of the still chaotic scene in the main courtyard, lowered her voice, but carried a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction: "Mother is currently furious because my cousin Wenchang and my younger brother Wenxian both failed the exam, and she has smashed several of their beloved cups."

"But the Yongchang Earl's Mansion and the Pingning Princess's Mansion 'timely' sent 'condolences' with writing materials... This is a real slap in the face."

She didn't say anything more, but her slightly raised eyebrows and clear eyes conveyed her joy perfectly.

Yuan Wenshao suddenly realized the origin of the strange atmosphere in the mansion.

No wonder my mother was so angry and out of control!
The contrast is so stark, it's a real slap in the face!
Then, considering Sheng Changquan's current status as the newly appointed top scholar in the provincial examination—he's about to participate in the palace examination, practically a guaranteed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), and even has a very high chance of being selected into the Hanlin Academy, becoming a close advisor to the emperor, with a bright future ahead...

The scales in his heart tipped violently in an instant, and his past resentment towards his mother for favoring his nephew and for wronging his virtuous wife was quickly amplified.

His gaze towards Hualan immediately softened like never before, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible eagerness and concern. His tone also became exceptionally solemn: "This...this is truly a momentous occasion! A momentous occasion indeed! Your parents-in-law must be overjoyed!"

"Seventh Brother has truly brought honor to the Sheng family! And to our Yuan family too! Excellent! Absolutely wonderful!" He rubbed his hands together, appearing even more excited than Hua Lan. "Madam, you've worked so hard! These past years... Sigh, tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow morning, you will take Shige'er, put on his new clothes, and ride in the most presentable carriage to return to the Sheng family in great style to offer your congratulations!"

"I'll personally go to the storeroom and select a few lavish gifts to show that our Yuan family values ​​this matter highly, and to share the joy with your family! No, I'll go prepare them right now!"

Looking at her husband's attitude, which was initially arrogant but later became obsequious and almost fawning, Hua Lan was filled with mixed emotions. Her feelings were a mixture of bitterness and relief, but more than anything, she felt a sense of relief that she could finally stand up straight and no longer depend on others, thanks to her brother's help!

She knew that from this day forward, for at least a considerable period of time, her life in the Yuan family would be much better. That mother-in-law, who was used to tormenting people, would have to think twice before trying to manipulate her at will, given the weight of her younger brother, the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination!
And this is just the beginning.

She looked forward to her seventh brother's success in the imperial examination, hoping he would pass with flying colors and parade through the streets on horseback. She believed that then he would be able to provide an even brighter future for his sisters.
Hua Lan could already imagine how wonderful and pleasant it would be to return to her familiar and warm family home tomorrow, and how interesting and ugly her brother-in-law Yuan Wenchun's face would be, who was always good at sowing discord and making fun of her.

Thinking of this, Hua Lan's smile deepened, a genuine and long-lost feeling of ease and anticipation. (End of Chapter)