Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 124 The Shen Family
Lord Shen, whose real name is Shen Shouzhen, is the current patriarch of the prestigious Shen family in Shandong. He is also the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the current imperial court, holding the rank of a third-grade official.

Shen Shouzhen's family in Shandong was a renowned family with a long history of scholarship and integrity. In addition, Shen Shouzhen was the top scholar in the imperial examination approved by the late emperor when he was young, so he had an excellent starting point in his official career.

Shen Shouzhen not only comes from a prominent family, but is also cunning and shrewd. Although he is upright in his conduct, he is also quite shrewd.

During the reign of the late emperor, Shen Shouzheng adhered to the proper relationship between ruler and subject. He neither submitted memorials to impeach the faction under the treacherous minister Li Ang, nor did he echo the words of the treacherous party. He simply diligently completed his tasks and followed the gentleman's principle of cherishing his life.

After the Battle of Yumen Pass decades ago, a new emperor ascended the throne. Shen Shouzhen seized the opportunity and, with his abilities, stood out under the emperor, rising through the ranks and becoming a faction leader in the court.
Therefore, the Shen family was considered one of the top families in Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital.

“Changquan, this is a rule set by my father. He required me not to reveal my identity when I'm out in public. You…”

"You won't blame me!"

Shen Li looked at Sheng Changquan with considerable nervousness, his face showing a tense and fearful expression.

It was obvious that he had already regarded Sheng Changquan as his close friend and did not want to lose this friendship.

Although Shen Li was born into the Shen family and was the son of Shen Shouzhen, who was known as the "cunning fox," Sheng Changquan could see that Shen Li was different from his father!
Putting aside their abilities, Shen Li's personality alone is quite naive!
She was so naive that she was almost pedantic. Of course, this innocent and somewhat adorable nature was quite appealing to Sheng Changquan. At the very least, he could "deceive her with reason"!
"Of course not!"

Regardless of what Sheng Changquan was thinking, he maintained his public persona. With a "magnanimous" wave of his hand and a pat on his chest, he solemnly declared his principles: "When I make friends, I only value their character and never pay attention to anything else!"

"Whether he is rich and powerful or a commoner, as long as we share the same ideals and get along well, then we are brothers!"

"brother?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Li felt a surge of excitement. He murmured something unconsciously, then immediately grabbed Sheng Changquan's right hand to express his feelings.
"Yes, brother, that's brother!"

"Changquan, what you said really resonated with me!"

Shen Li excitedly grabbed Sheng Changquan, displaying the same "Me too" expression he had when Zhang Sanye swore brotherhood back then, his face full of excitement!
"Actually, I've always wanted to find a friend like Changquan said, someone who doesn't care about family background and shares the same ideals!"

"However, for various reasons, I simply cannot find such a person!"

Shen Li blinked, and said with considerable sadness, "Actually, I understand. Those who are willing to be my friends are only doing so because of my father!"

"And those who don't know the details often choose to distance themselves from me because of my own inadequacy!"

"so!"

Shen Li was filled with mixed emotions: "Chang Quan, right now you're the only one who's willing to be my friend even though you don't know me!"

Shen Li became more and more excited as he spoke, and he was so moved that he seemed to be losing control of himself.

Sheng Changquan was also somewhat bewildered!
Then I thought about it again and understood some things.

He glanced helplessly at Shen Li, who was trembling with excitement, and said, "Shen Du, your thinking is still a bit extreme!"

Although Sheng Changquan intended to use Shen Li, he wouldn't harm him. He just wanted to achieve mutual benefit without Shen Li's knowledge.

After all, what bad intentions could Sheng Changquan, who was still just a child, possibly have?

At this moment, Sheng Changquan saw that Shen Li, a child who clearly lacked love, was already showing signs of going astray, so he immediately spoke up and pointed out: "Friends get to know each other through various opportunities. There may be some influence from interests, but more importantly, there must be mutual understanding and appreciation!"

"You must never look down on people because of your father!"

"In this world, you will always find many friends who can walk with you in the future..."

"..." Sheng Changquan rambled on and on, but Shen Li was clearly stuck on one point. The more Sheng Changquan talked, the more he felt that the other party was a good brother who was truly sincere to him.

"Changquan, stop talking!"

Shen Li interrupted Sheng Changquan and said, "No matter what happens in the future, I, Shen Li, am very fortunate to have a friend like you!"

Shen Li clearly didn't take Sheng Changquan's words to heart.

"Let's set aside everything else for now and go check out the poetry gathering!"

Seeing how concerned Sheng Changquan was about him, Shen Li was moved and decided to use his family's reputation to help Sheng Changquan make a name for himself. At the very least, he would use the Shen family's connections to help Sheng Changquan.

"Um... okay!"

Seeing that Shen Li was unwilling to discuss the matter, Sheng Changquan did not force him. After all, it was impossible to forcibly change a person's beliefs in a short period of time.

"Be mindful of your own conduct when alone, then let's go take a look!"

"it is good!"

Shen Li nodded with pleasure and continued walking forward with Sheng Changquan. Just as they entered the polo field, they happened to witness an exciting polo match.

……

"Minglan, I must get that hairpin!"

After examining the hairpin closely, Yanran immediately glared fiercely at Minglan.

"What's wrong, Sister Yanran!"

Minglan knew that Yanran wasn't the type to fight with others for jewelry, so there must be a reason why she was speaking like this.

"Minglan!"

Thinking of her sad memories, Yanran's eyes immediately welled up with tears again!
"Minglan, do you know? That hairpin... is a keepsake from my late mother!"

"what?"

Minglan was also shocked!

"This...how could this happen..."

"it is true!"

Yanran wiped away her tears, her tone inexplicably resentful: "A few years ago, when I went to my father's post, things would often go missing from my room, and those things that went missing were all the dowry jewelry that my mother left me!"

"Whether it's big or small, expensive or cheap, once it's gone, it can never be found again, and can never be traced!"

“I cried to my father, but every time he scolded me, saying that I was just forgetful and lost these things!”

"And among those things was this Nine-Turned Silk Phoenix Hairpin!"

It will most likely be released on May 1st. I'm planning to stockpile chapters this month...

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(End of this chapter)