Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 23 Sheng Xu
Of course, whether the fact that he was the third-ranked scholar was a factor in Grandma Sheng's choice of Grandpa Sheng is something worth pondering.

After all, the third-ranked scholar was undoubtedly the most handsome among the talented scholars of that time, and similarly, he was probably the most talented among the handsome ones.

Otherwise, how could he possibly become the third-ranked scholar? (See Li Jiao Enjun's "Seeking Pleasure" for reference)
In short, the consequence of Old Mrs. Sheng's insistence on marrying Sheng Xu was that she completely broke ties with her family.

Although they didn't completely cut off all contact, after she married into the Sheng family, Old Madam Sheng rarely returned to her parents' home, even though she had suffered countless humiliations there.

As Sheng Xu's lawfully wedded wife, Old Madam Sheng hadn't even had two years of peaceful life before her husband insisted on taking a concubine.

In this world, apart from royal men, no one else may marry multiple wives; at most, they may only marry one wife.

Of course, concubines were only considered household slaves, not masters in the household.

Therefore, when Old Madam Sheng was pregnant, Sheng Xu used the excuse that she was unable to serve him, and instead brought in two well-educated, gentle and charming concubines.

Among them was Sheng Hong's biological mother, Chun Xiao Niang.

Later, things got really interesting.

After giving birth to her legitimate son, Old Madam Sheng gradually lost faith in her husband and stopped interfering in his affairs. Old Master Sheng Xu was quite happy with this. Apart from official business, he only liked to linger in the courtyard of his favorite concubine, Liu Xiaoniang, after returning home.

Sheng Xu's favoritism towards his concubine and his neglect of his wife, along with his reckless behavior, gradually fueled Liu Xiaoniang's growing ambitions.

Back then, Old Madam Sheng lacked experience and made a careless mistake, causing her own child to suffer a terrible fate, resulting in her child being harmed at the young age of a child!
Having lost her beloved son and been abandoned by her husband, Old Madam Sheng had no choice but to turn to her family for help and insist on divorcing Sheng Xu!
At that time, Marquis Yongyi was still the father of Old Madam Sheng. When he saw his beloved daughter being treated so badly, Marquis Yongyi was naturally furious and immediately ordered his two children, who were Old Madam Sheng's two older brothers, to go to her house.

The two brothers-in-law were honest men who obeyed their father's orders and gave Sheng Xu a good beating!
At the same time, in front of Sheng Xu, he ordered Liu Xiaoniang to be beaten to death right in front of him.

Sheng Xu suffers from kidney deficiency.

那时候的盛旭，早就因为中举之后的花天酒地从而败坏了自己的身子，再加上先是受到了两个大舅哥的胖揍，又痛失爱妾，几重打击之下，本就不甚康健的身体一下子就垮了。

At that time, Sheng Xu, due to his talent and a bit of cunning and opportunity, had already become a Hanlin Academician in the Hanlin Academy, a third-rank official. Therefore, his downfall angered the court, which then blamed the Yongyi Marquis's mansion for the crime.

Fortunately, there was a reason for the incident. Although the crown prince chosen by Emperor Huizong had succeeded to the throne and was known as Emperor Renzong, the specific affairs were handled by Empress Dowager Mingsu, Emperor Renzong's stepmother. Empress Dowager Mingsu was a member of the direct line, so when she heard about Sheng Xu's matter, she simply said, "Although there is a legal obligation, there is no moral obligation!"

Moreover, even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes. After all, Marquis Yongyi was still a family member of Shengxu. Furthermore, after the imperial physicians dispatched by the court investigated, it was confirmed that the main reason for Shengxu's death was his poor health. Therefore, the court only held him accountable and let the Marquis Yongyi's family off the hook.

However, the court's decision could not quell the anger of the civil officials. After all, the venerable Master Sheng Xu, who had achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examinations, was also a member of the Qingliu faction. Therefore, in the days that followed, the Yongyi Marquis's mansion was constantly attacked by the civil officials, and its own strength suffered a considerable blow.

However, the then-Marquis Yongyi still felt it was quite worthwhile. After all, as long as his beloved daughter could successfully divorce and get rid of the Sheng family, Marquis Yongyi, as a father, would be greatly gratified. At that time, after the matter of Sheng Xu was completely settled, Marquis Yongyi originally planned to let Old Madam Sheng continue with the divorce, and after the divorce was successful, she could choose another good husband to spend the rest of her life with.

However, the old man Yongyi really did not expect that at this time, the old lady Sheng would choose to take the most difficult path.

Sheng Xu's departure stirred up a tender feeling in Old Madam Sheng's heart. She remembered all the good things Sheng Xu had done for her in the past, as well as the kindness of her former father-in-law. After all, Sheng Xu's father had truly treated Old Madam Sheng as his own son.

The shrewdness and competence of Old Master Sheng can be seen from the fact that he was able to raise a scholar who could enter the imperial palace from a merchant family. If Old Master Sheng had not passed away early, leaving Sheng Xu without anyone to manage him, then Sheng Xu and the Sheng family would not have ended up in such a state.

Old Madam Sheng was of noble character and integrity, and she had a great fondness for the weak. After she made up her mind, she was determined to continue to uphold the Sheng family's reputation as a member of the Sheng family, and at the same time, she registered Chun Xiaoniang's son, Sheng Hong, under her own name.

At that time, Chun Xiaoniang died just like her own son, through underhanded means in the inner quarters. Old Madam Sheng pitied the Sheng family and Sheng Hong. At that time, Sheng Hong was like an orphan, not eating well or dressing warmly. Even his studies were difficult, far from the life of a normal illegitimate son.

However, by doing this, Old Madam Sheng found herself in a very awkward position, both inside and outside the Yongyi Marquis's mansion.

His beloved daughter's actions deeply hurt the old Marquis Yongyi. Upon receiving the news, he was heartbroken and immediately petitioned the emperor to pass on the title of Marquis Yongyi to his eldest son. He then disappeared from public life, no longer concerning himself with court affairs or the outside world.

After the incident of inheriting the title, Old Madam Sheng also went to her father's house to ask to see him and beg for a family meeting. Unfortunately, the old Marquis Yongyi refused and shut the door, refusing to see her.

Thus, Old Madam Sheng severed all ties with the Yongyi Marquis's residence, especially after the old Yongyi Marquis passed away.

After all, the Yongyi Marquis's mansion had suffered considerable losses because of the old lady Sheng's affair, at the very least attracting attacks from the civil officials. But at the very end of the matter, she suddenly changed her mind and stayed with the Sheng family.

Therefore, the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion became a laughing stock in the imperial court.

At the very least, it was a joke told by civil officials.

……

That's why Zhou Xueniang spoke of Sheng Hong in such a meaningful way.

At the very least, Sheng Hong's view of his illegitimate sons far surpassed that of others in this world. Although due to worldly reasons, Sheng Hong still valued his legitimate sons quite a bit, at times, he treated his legitimate and illegitimate sons equally.

For now, it's one update per day, and one more update for every 100 more recommendation votes~~ (before it goes on sale and a contract is signed)

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(End of this chapter)