Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 301 The matter of Qigen is settled
"Let me tell you, Sheng Shulan is one of us in life, and she will be a ghost of the Sun family in death!"

"Want a divorce? No way!"

Sun Zhigao's face was flushed as he glared fiercely at Sheng Changquan!
At this moment, he no longer had any intention of getting close to Sheng Changquan.

You must understand, without Sheng Shulan, the Sun family would never have a life of wealth and comfort again. How could he possibly tolerate that?
"Correct!"

"That's right!"

"Our Sun family will never agree to this!"

At this moment, Madam Sun no longer cared about being frightened earlier. When she heard Sheng Changquan say this, she quickly ran over and approached Sheng Changquan and the others to bolster their confidence, saying, "Let me tell you, if that little bitch Shulan wants a divorce, it will only be if both my son and I are dead!"

"Otherwise, don't even think about it!"

At this moment, Madam Sun Huang acted much more fiercely than Sun Zhigao!
"disagree?"

Sheng Changquan raised his eyelids, maintaining his previous expressionless demeanor, and said calmly, "Scholar Sun, this is not something you can simply disagree with."

"what?"

Sun Zhigao's anger flared: "Does your refusal mean you can force us to divorce?"

"Don't forget, I am also a scholar, and I am qualified to see the county magistrate!"

Sun Zhigao thought that Sheng Changquan was using his power to intimidate him, so he immediately revealed his trump card and the Sun family's backup plan.

As mentioned before, although having the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) did not bring any material benefits, it did bring many political advantages, such as the ability to meet officials directly without having to kneel before them.

Therefore, Sun Zhigao planned that if the Sheng family really abused their power, he would file a complaint. If it didn't work in the county, he would go to the prefecture. In short, he would definitely make the other party pay the price.

Sun Zhigao judged others by his own standards and believed that the other party would not risk the greater good for such a small matter, and would not be willing to let the Sheng family's reputation be damaged. Therefore, he had such confidence.

Of course, this was also because the Sheng family had a good reputation in Youyang City and was considered a virtuous family that accumulated good deeds. Otherwise, if it were someone with a worse reputation, Sun Zhigao would naturally not have dared to act so recklessly.

However, this was all by accident. He just happened to have a good idea of ​​the temperament of Sheng Hong, the head of the second branch of the family in the capital. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the right to be so arrogant.

"What's the harm in going to see the county magistrate?"

Sheng Changquan suddenly laughed: "Scholar Sun, I never said anything to force you."

"All of this is just what you yourselves have said."

Sheng Changquan took two steps forward, approaching the Sun family mother and son, and continued, "However, there is something I would like to ask you."

"I heard that your Sun family is planning to take a concubine soon, is that right?"

Upon hearing Sheng Changquan's words, Sun Zhigao's expression changed slightly, and he vaguely sensed the meaning behind the other party's words.

"Is this... an accusation that I favor my concubine over my wife, trying to ruin my reputation?"

Sun Zhigao was naturally familiar with the ways scholars attacked each other. After all, he had previously planned to tarnish Sheng Changquan's academic name and even ruin the reputation of the entire Sheng family.

"That's right, my son wants to take a concubine!"

"What? No?"

Sun Huangshi did not notice Sun Zhigao's shifting gaze, and simply assumed that Sheng Changquan had run out of tricks and was preparing to attack their family by mentioning the matter of taking a concubine.

"Hmph! I'll tell you!"

"The reason my son is taking a concubine is because the girls in your Sheng family can't bear sons; they're like barren hens!"

Sun Huangshi, relying on her age and seniority, put her hands on her hips and launched into a tirade against Sheng Changquan like a shrew, causing Sheng Changquan to frown and take several steps back to avoid her spittle.

"My son is a literary star descended from heaven, a famous child prodigy in Youyang City. He passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve!"

"Right now, he is a seasoned scholar and a respected elder, a senior figure to you all!"

Sun Huangshi ultimately revealed her vulgarity. She arrogantly uttered the words Sun Zhigao had used to deceive her, assuming that even among scholars, seniority was a matter of ranking.

"And most importantly, our Sun family is a noble family with only one heir per generation, and we must never let our lineage die out!"

"Even if you take this case to the prefect's court, the Sun family is not afraid!"

Sun Huangshi was overconfident, believing that her reasons were excellent and that no matter how much anyone argued, they couldn't change them.

After all, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no offspring.

However, one condition must be met: Sun Zhigao and Sheng Shulan must truly be childless because of the woman's reasons.

However, according to Sheng Changquan's observation, this matter does not seem to be so simple.

Not to mention that Sun Huangshi's meddling made it very rare for the couple to have sex, Sun Zhigao's health also seemed to be... somewhat problematic.

Perhaps the reason for his lack of offspring lies mostly with himself.

However, Sheng Changquan had no intention of warning the other party; he simply tried to back away to avoid Sun Huangshi's biological weapons.

However, Xu Changqing, who was behind Sheng Changquan, was not afraid of these things. When he heard Sun Huangshi's "naive" words, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Old lady, he's just a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination. How come you make him sound like a top scholar?"

"A scholar who has been a licentiate for many years? Isn't it true that the younger a scholar is, the more accomplished they are?"

"What, do you really think your son, who has repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, is really that great?"

Xu Changqing chuckled gruffly, "Putting everything else aside, just take my young master as an example. He passed the provincial examination six years ago and became the top scholar of that year!"

"Moreover, even now, they receive a stipend from the imperial court every year, making them top-tier figures among scholars!"

Xu Changqing's eyes held an undisguised mockery as he said, "I wonder what kind of scholar this is from your Sun family?"

"What rank is it?"

"you……"

"you……"

After stammering "you" for a long time, Madam Sun still couldn't say anything else!

You must know that Sun Zhigao's scholar title was the greatest honor and source of confidence for the Sun family. But now, after hearing Xu Changqing's words, she suddenly realized that her family's trump card was so vulnerable!
Not only was Sun Huangshi speechless because she was cornered, but her heart was also burning with anxiety and fear!
"Oh no, is the second branch of the Sheng family this powerful?"

"How can a mere boy be more outstanding than my son?"

"Then... what should we do next?"

Sun Huangshi was terrified and quickly turned to look at her son beside her, her face full of anxiety.

"Humph!"

"That's right, so what if I want to bring Mei Niang into the family?"

Sun Zhigao completely ignored what Xu Changqing said, because he disdained to speak to anyone other than Sheng Changquan.

After all, only Sheng Changquan among them held an official title and could speak to him on equal footing. He, Sun Zhigao, Sun Daxiu, disdained to speak to a simple-minded, rough barbarian!
Seeing that Sun Zhigao was ignoring his gaze, Xu Changqing became angry!
If it weren't for Sheng Changquan's prior warning to be cautious, he would have punched the other party right now!
"That guy, he'll get what's coming to him!"

Xu Changqing glared at Sun Zhigao and immediately began to mentally arrange a full range of services for him in the future to vent his anger.

"Sheng Changquan, I'm telling you!"

"Your cousin couldn't give my Sun family a son or daughter, so why can't I find another woman?"

Sun Zhigao simply brought Sheng Changquan's threat to the surface: "This matter concerns the continuation of my Sun family line. Even if you take it to the Education Commissioner, I'm not afraid!"

His face was "resolute," as if he were a fighter who was not afraid of power.

"hehe!"

Sheng Changquan shook his head inwardly, finding the other party utterly ridiculous.

In his eyes, Sun Zhigao's behavior was nothing but a publicity stunt, utterly disgusting!
However, on the other hand, in today's world, no matter what it is, as long as it concerns the continuation of the family line, everything else will be put on hold.

Regardless of whose fault it is that Shulan and Sun Zhigao have no children, as long as Sun Zhigao uses Shulan's childlessness as a pretext, then the Sheng family is absolutely unreasonable.

Although it may seem a bit harsh, it is in accordance with etiquette and is a value that is generally accepted by the public.

Therefore, if Sheng Changquan were to use this matter to attack Sun Zhigao, it would be difficult to achieve any effect, unless he disregarded the family's reputation and used his power to intimidate others.

"hehe!"

"Scholar Sun, I didn't say anything about what I wanted to do!"

Sheng Changquan glanced at the Sun family mother and son opposite him and said softly, "I just want to ask your Sun family and confirm some things with you!"

"Oh, right!"

"Scholar Sun, do you not know the Meiniang you speak of?"

Sheng Changquan turned his back and slowly said, "Isn't she the girl who plays the flute best at Chunxiang Pavilion?"

"I heard that she was redeemed because she was pregnant, is that right?"

"you!"

"What...what exactly are you trying to say?"

When he heard Sheng Changquan mention the child, Sun Zhigao could no longer hold back and rushed forward, ready to grab Sheng Changquan's clothes.

"Sheng Changquan, what is your Sheng family trying to do?"

"I'm warning you, if you dare to harm a single hair on Meiniang's head, I will never forgive your Sheng family!"

At this moment, Sun Zhigao finally acted like a man and began to go all out.

However, he had been "carefree" for too long and was becoming somewhat useless. He was stopped by Xu Changqing just as he was about to make a move.

Of course, Xu Changqing didn't do anything; he simply stepped forward and used his body to block the way!
And then!
"boom!"

Sun Zhigao felt as if he had run into a wall, and he stumbled back several steps in utter embarrassment. If it weren't for Sun Huangshi supporting him from behind, he probably would have fallen flat on his backside.

"My son, are you alright?"

Sun Huangshi helped Sun Zhigao up, and the arrogance on her face was gone.

Although she didn't quite understand what her son was saying to others, she knew that their family seemed to be at a disadvantage.

"Sheng Changquan, what exactly do you want to do?"

Sun Zhigao had by now regained his senses and believed that the other party would not take any risks to do anything.

However, with his mind on his own child, Sun Zhigao's face remained grim as he warned in a hateful voice, "Let me tell you, I have already redeemed Meiniang. You have no chance to use her against me!"

"Really?"

Sheng Changquan stepped out from behind Xu Changqing, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Then may I ask, Scholar Sun, when you redeemed this girl named Meiniang, did you retrieve her indenture?"

The "personal contract" is an official document issued by human traffickers when they buy and sell people. It is the document used by women like Meiniang to register their household registration. Without it, there would be no way to register her household registration in the government office.

In other words, although Sun Zhigao had redeemed Meiniang, she was still bound by a slave contract and could not be considered a legitimate person. Similarly, she did not enjoy the rights that ordinary people had.

She was even worse off than those displaced people, as she had no chance to obtain household registration.

Without this physical bond, her children would not be able to be listed in the family genealogy and would not be able to inherit any family property.

Similarly, they cannot pass on their family line.

However, this kind of "graft" is a very secretive matter, and ordinary people don't understand these things at all, and don't know that those madams would deliberately cut it off.

In fact, the purpose of the brothel madams in doing this was very simple: they wanted to make another profit.

If the girl who has been redeemed is favored by her master and has a child who needs to be registered in the household, then naturally the master will discover this and will discuss with the madam how she can earn more money.

Conversely, it is not used.

However, generally speaking, most courtesans who leave their profession do not have children or are not valued by their masters, so whether they have children or not is not a big deal.

As for the wealthy and noble families, the madams would offer themselves to them, and so things remained peaceful.

In short, this whole "Qiqigen" thing is a scheme by brothels to deceive those who are ignorant, poor, and lack social standing.

Unfortunately, the Sun family was among them.

"Body-to-root?"

Sure enough, Sun Zhigao looked completely bewildered when Sheng Changquan brought this up.

Sheng Changquan didn't want to talk about these things, so he winked at Xu Changqing in front of him, signaling him to explain.

"hey-hey!"

Xu Changqing nodded knowingly and said to Sun Zhigao and his mother with a smile, "Scholar Sun, this indeterminate lineage is a matter of great importance, concerning whether your family line can be passed down!"

"..."

"So, now you understand, right?"

Xu Changqing laughed heartily: "If it weren't for this bond, your family's Mei Niang wouldn't have been able to carry on the Sun family line!"

"Besides, who knows, I might get beaten to death one day!"

Xu Changqing deliberately said something strange: "After all, she wasn't from a good family. Even if she dies, it'll just be a matter of paying some money in compensation!"

"Isn't that right, sir?"

(End of this chapter)