Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 104 Inquiry
Zhiyuantang.

Xu Changqing successfully brought Xiao Tao over without disturbing Minglan.

"Little Peach Sister, the young master is inside."

Xu Changqing pointed to the study in the courtyard and said to Xiao Tao.

"Ok!"

Xiao Tao nodded with a smile on her face.

To be honest, except in special circumstances, Xiaotao is always smiling. No matter what, she almost always faces life with a smile. She is an optimistic and cheerful girl.

"Brother Quan, you were looking for me?"

Xiao Tao skipped and hopped into the study in Zhiyuan Hall, and asked the question directly.

Because Xiao Tao is different from ordinary people, she is not only like a sister to Ming Lan, but she also delivered Sheng Changquan when he was born. Therefore, she and Sheng Changquan are very close. They are like siblings, and their speech and actions are different from those of ordinary servants.

Sometimes, in Xiao Tao's eyes, Sheng Changquan was like her child, and she couldn't help but dote on him.

"Sister Xiaotao, you're here!"

In the study, Sheng Changquan had sent everyone away early, leaving only Xiao Tao behind.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Seeing Sheng Changquan's actions, Xiao Tao asked with some doubt, "Brother Quan, what are you doing?"

"Cough cough!"

Sheng Changquan told Xu Changqing to stand guard outside, while he closed the door to the room and said in a low voice, "Sister Xiaotao, I have something to ask you!"

Meeting Xiao Tao's increasingly curious gaze, Sheng Changquan thought for a moment before slowly saying, "Sister Xiao Tao, do you know what my sister is thinking right now?"

"idea?"

Xiao Tao didn't understand, so she simply asked directly, "Brother Quan, I don't understand what you mean!"

"What are you referring to about the girl's thoughts?"

As a younger brother, Sheng Changquan was somewhat embarrassed to inquire about his daughter's feelings, but as Minglan's only brother, he had to find out what was going on.

"It's about my sister and the young master!" Sheng Changquan said bluntly.

"what?!"

Xiao Tao was startled at first, but quickly recovered.

After all, Sheng Changquan and Minglan are siblings. Even if he knew Minglan's feelings, he wouldn't harm her. So, after thinking about it, Xiaotao calmed down.

However, despite this, the loyal Xiao Tao would not speak without Minglan's orders.

Xiao Tao thought for a moment, then feigned ignorance and said, "Brother Quan, what could possibly happen between the young lady and the young master?"

"They just studied together years ago, so stop asking around!"

Xiao Tao glanced at Sheng Changquan, whose face was somewhat dark, and felt a little embarrassed herself, so she continued, "Brother Quan, the young lady knows what she's doing!"

Got it!
Since Xiao Tao said that, it means that Sheng Changquan guessed correctly; Minglan is indeed somewhat tempted!

However, it's understandable. After all, given Qi Heng's background as the heir of the Duke's mansion, it's already quite remarkable that he could put aside his pride and persist for so long towards Minglan!

Moreover, Qi Heng is a rare person. Not only is he ambitious and virtuous, but he is also exceptionally handsome, known as "Tokyo's Number One Handsome Man"!
In the eyes of everyone in the capital, Qi Heng was like a phoenix tree standing tall in the wind, always attracting countless phoenixes to fall to him.

"Sister Xiaotao!"

Sheng Changquan ignored Xiao Tao's vehement denials and directly asked, "So you mean my sister does have some thoughts about this?" "Ah? No...no!"

Xiao Tao panicked. She didn't know where she had given herself away, so she hurriedly tried to cover it up, saying, "Brother Quan, you misheard me. I didn't say that!"

"You...you shouldn't talk nonsense!"

"This concerns the young lady's reputation!"

Sheng Changquan didn't speak, but just quietly watched Xiao Tao.

For some reason, every servant who had been silently watched by Sheng Changquan felt fear and dread, even though Sheng Changquan had said and done nothing!

Even Minglan sometimes complains in private that it's no wonder Sheng Changquan and Sheng Changbai have the best relationship, because they are both the kind of people who can make others feel uncomfortable.

Sheng Changquan is alright; as long as he doesn't deliberately put on that kind of show, it won't have any impact. But Sheng Changbai is different; it seems that that mysterious and serious gene is already engraved in his bones.

Those who have done nothing wrong and have no flaws in their hearts are fine; at most, they will feel a little uncomfortable when they see Sheng Changbai. But it's different for those who have done bad things; they will always be terrified and scared in front of Sheng Changbai!

It's just that the situation doesn't allow it, otherwise those guys would definitely be thinking of sprouting a pair of wings and flying away from Sheng Changbai, so that they would never see him again!

It has to be said, Sheng Changbai... might actually have some special abilities that make people uncomfortable.

……

"Brother Quan, you...you..."

"What...what are you going to do?"

Xiao Tao wasn't the clever and adaptable type of person, but she had one advantage: she was bold.

Of course, it's also possible that Xiao Tao is naturally a bit carefree. In front of people who don't know her well, she might be mistaken for a fool. However, Sheng Changquan understands that Xiao Tao is the kind of person who is wise in disguise.

The reason why Xiao Tao acted out of line and was nervous in front of Sheng Changquan was simply because she was worried that her relationship with Sheng Changquan as siblings would be hurt.

Because I care, I'm afraid.

"Sister Xiaotao, you're not trying to fool me!"

Seeing that Xiao Tao was still stubbornly refusing to admit it, Sheng Changquan had no choice but to reveal his evidence: "I remember that my sister should have another pair of knee pads, the ones embroidered with gold ingots!"

Seeing that Xiao Tao's eyebrows were all furrowed, Sheng Changquan pressed her, "Sister Xiao Tao, that thing shouldn't be in your room anymore, right?"

"Ah? This...this..."

Xiao Tao hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin.

Because that item was given out through Xiao Tao, she naturally knew about it. Upon hearing Sheng Changquan's words, Xiao Tao was at a loss for words.

If they say they do, what if Sheng Changquan asks them to reveal it themselves? But if they say they don't, wouldn't that expose Minglan's secret?

Xiao Tao was torn between two options, and her expression showed her inner turmoil.

"Alright, Sister Xiaotao!"

Sheng Changquan didn't want to make things difficult for Xiao Tao, so he said directly, "You don't need to say anything, I understand!"

Now that Sheng Changquan had already figured out the answer from Xiao Tao's reaction, there was no need to ask any further questions.

Thank you to Qingcheng Xiaoge, Tingfeng Juanyu, Quanyongzhiliu, and book friend 20210211135546177 for your generous donations. Also, thank you to Any-way, Quanyongzhiliu, Maosi Fozu, Tiaodong de Chayedan, and Qingcheng Xiaoge for your monthly ticket support. However, since this is how the author's assistant displays it, I can only thank you all in advance!
Because I've been really busy lately, I even went back to my hometown to look at houses, so updates have been less frequent!
I can only try my best to keep updating. As for the current situation of one update per day, I will see how I am doing when the book is published and make changes accordingly. At the very least, I will guarantee at least two updates per day then, and we'll see about the rest later!

Honestly, it takes me more than two hours to write one chapter, and almost four hours for two. I'm truly a disciple of the "clumsy writer" school...

Please forgive me, everyone!


(End of this chapter)