Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 307 He Hongwen’s character

"what happened?"

Sheng Changquan had some doubts.

Because he had been busy reviewing his lessons and analyzing the dynamics of the court these past few days, he hadn't noticed what the old ladies were talking about.

However, because he had just heard someone calling him, Sheng Changquan suddenly looked up, wanting to see what was happening in the room.

However, since he hadn't clearly heard what had happened before, he could only pause for a moment before giving Old Mrs. He, who was looking at him, a fawning smile, trying to cover up his distraction with the smile.

"Uh……"

However, Sheng Changquan's smile left Old Madam He somewhat stunned!

"This... Quan-ge'er... what is this?"

Grandma He glanced at Sheng Changquan and wondered to herself, "Could it be that this young man is begging for...praise?"

She found it somewhat amusing and couldn't help but glare at Sheng Changquan, assuming that the kid was cheating again.

As mentioned earlier, Sheng Changquan learned his medical skills from Old Madam He, so Old Madam He was indeed a mentor to him. Moreover, given the friendship between Old Madam Sheng and Old Madam He, the relationship between the two was almost like that between a grandmother and grandson.

"You kid!"

Grandma He chuckled and scolded, then turned to Grandma Sheng and Grandma Da across from her, saying with a wry smile, "Look at your grandson, he's standing here staring at me expectantly, begging for praise!"

The term "seeking praise" was a new word that Grandma He had heard Sheng Changquan mention. As the name suggests, it was quite easy to understand.

"what?"

"Brother Quan?"

Both elderly women were taken aback upon hearing this, and then turned to look at Sheng Changquan, who was still somewhat bewildered.

Upon closer inspection, just as Grandma He had said, her face displayed a look of "longing".

In fact, Sheng Changquan only thought that everyone had noticed his absent-mindedness, so he tried to please and beg for forgiveness, but he did not expect that it would cause such a misunderstanding.

"This kid!"

Grandma Sheng laughed first, trying to exonerate Sheng Changquan, saying, "Hehe, do you think this child, Quan'er, has any future?"

"Look at her, with such a lazy nature, do you think she can succeed?"

Grandma Sheng used a feigned retreat to advance, deliberately belittling Sheng Changquan, and said with a smile, "If in the future, if Quan'er really can be as you say, then I will be laughing in my sleep!"

"Ha ha!"

"Sister-in-law, you'd better prepare to laugh yourself awake!"

Seeing Sheng Changquan's increasingly embarrassed expression, the old lady chuckled and teased, "In my opinion, the fact that Quan-ge'er is taking the initiative to ask us for praise only proves how excellent he is."

"If he weren't so 'composed,' I really wouldn't have a high opinion of him!"

The old lady's eyes were full of smiles as she concluded, "But now!"
"I think what Sister He said is absolutely right. Quan-ge'er is bound to have a bright future!"

Friendships between women can develop in strange ways, sometimes easily, sometimes difficult. After just a few words, the old lady and the old lady He had already become close sisters.

Yeah, my old lady!
Of course, it cannot be ruled out that they each have their own calculations and want to use each other to do something.

"Composed?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Changquan's face immediately darkened.

He finally understood that these three elders were indirectly praising his shamelessness!
"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this and seeing Sheng Changquan's expression, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.

"Well……"

Seeing this, Sheng Changquan could only give a wry smile and pretend to be aggrieved, so that everyone would laugh even harder.

"Beep!"

Just as everyone in the hall was laughing, someone suddenly came in from outside to report some news.

When Fang's mother, who had been staying by Grandma Sheng's side, saw the newcomer, she immediately stepped aside and exchanged a few words with him.

Because Old Madam Sheng is quite particular about etiquette, the servants and maids usually communicate with Mama Fang through her to relay information.

The same is true at this moment.

"Grandma, the young master of the He family is here!"

After hearing the news from the visitor, Madam Fang immediately went into the hall and reported to Old Madam Sheng above.

"Yo!"

"Is that Hongwen?"

Upon hearing this news, Old Mrs. Sheng's eyes immediately lit up!
She turned to her old friend, Mrs. He, and asked, "Has Hongwen arrived?"

"Yes, it is indeed this child!"

Grandma He smiled slightly, her face revealing a genuine look of doting affection.

“Hongwen was originally with me, traveling by boat from the other side of the waterway.”

Grandma He knew that everyone was curious about why she and her grandson were walking one after the other, so she explained, "However, when he was at the dock, he saw a white carp leap across the river."

"Therefore, they stayed there specifically to have someone catch the fish."

"They said it was meant for Minglan!"

At this point, Old Madam He turned to look at Minglan below the hall, a slight smile playing on her lips: "This child said that he once promised Minglan that he would give her a white carp from the Han River!"

"That's why he took so long to arrive."

The white carp of the Han River comes in many varieties. It is not just the white-striped carp; any white carp that lives in the Han River can also be called the white carp of the Han River.

This fish is a top-quality ingredient with extremely nourishing properties. It is not only highly beneficial to the human body, but also has an exceptional and delicious flavor.

The Han River is a major river that runs from north to south, and it was also the most important canal for the imperial court's grain transport.

In addition, some wealthy families, disliking the hardships of land travel, often traveled by boat from south to north, traversing the world.

In comparison, waterways are much more comfortable than land routes.

Of course, it's also much more expensive!

However, for an official family like the He family of Baishitan, this was insignificant. On the contrary, for the old man, traveling by water would be more convenient.

After all, the elderly are not in good health and it is not easy for them to travel long distances by land, so waterway is the best choice.

Sheng Changquan and his group also planned to return to Beijing by water this time.

"Ok?"

As soon as Old Mrs. He said this, everyone in the room immediately understood the deeper meaning behind it.

"So that's why you two have such a good relationship!"

Apart from a few elders, everyone else suddenly realized what was going on.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became somewhat subtle, and everyone's expressions also changed, as if something was stirring in their hearts.

However, none of the people present were ordinary. The three elderly ladies were beyond question, and Sheng Wei was an even more astute fellow, so naturally he wouldn't say anything.

Even Li, who had been scolded by the old lady, only smiled slightly and did not say anything.

To be honest, as long as it doesn't involve her children, Li is quite intelligent; otherwise, the old lady wouldn't have chosen such a daughter-in-law back then.

As for Minglan's generation, Wen Shi, as the eldest grandson's wife of the East Mansion, would naturally be dignified and poised in front of her mother-in-law and other elders, so she wouldn't say anything. Shulan, being gentle and the older sister, would also refrain from teasing.

As for Sheng Changquan, he was even more speechless, because his expression became somewhat strange, as if he had suddenly realized something. He frowned and looked sullen, probably pondering something in his mind.

Of the group, only Pinlan became much more excited, winking and making funny faces at Minglan.

Faced with Pinlan's funny antics, Minglan on the other side felt a little uncomfortable. In fact, she had never thought anything would happen between her and He Hongwen. She thought they were just ordinary family friends.

But she really didn't expect that the other party would actually...

"Cough cough!"

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly delicate, Sheng Changquan finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"grandmother!"

"Since Brother He has already arrived, I'll go to the entrance to greet him!"

Sheng Changquan didn't want everyone's attention to be focused on his older sister, which would create a kind of moral blackmail against her.

After all, Old Mrs. He's almost explicit implication was really going too far.

You see, if it were just a few of them in the arena, it wouldn't be a problem, since the news wouldn't get out. But that's not the case now.

Although the relationship between the East and West Mansions is currently very close, there is still a risk of leaks. If any of the Li family, Wen family, or others accidentally let something slip, Minglan will be the one who suffers in the end.

In fact, Sheng Changquan wasn't the only one frowning in the room. The old lady was also deep in thought, her white eyebrows twitching slightly, as if she had something on her mind.

"Well, you go ahead!"

Grandma Sheng glanced at her old friends with a meaningful look, her expression somewhat inscrutable. However, when she heard Sheng Changquan say this, she still spoke up, "It's not just you, Pinlan and Minglan, you two go over there too!"

Because they had some things to discuss, Old Madam Sheng simply sent the two unmarried girls away as well.

"Yes, Grandmother!"

"Yes, Great-Grandmother!"

Minglan and Pinlan naturally noticed the unusual situation, so they both politely bowed and then quickly left with Sheng Changquan.

After all, the younger generation doesn't really like having elders around.

"My dear sister, the reason I invited you here is actually because I need to ask you for a favor..."

"..."

After the three children left, Old Mrs. Sheng immediately addressed Old Mrs. He.

……

"Whoo~"

After Minglan and Pinlan went out with Sheng Changquan, they immediately breathed a long sigh of relief.

"whee……"

When Minglan and Pinlan saw that the other was in sync with them, they immediately burst into laughter.

"By the way, Minglan, what about you and that Brother He..."

Pinlan suddenly remembered what had happened before and began to tease her, "What exactly happened?"

"From what I overheard Old Mrs. He saying, it seems like..."

"Hmm? Minglan, you understand!"

Pinlan didn't finish her sentence, but looked at Minglan with an ambiguous gaze, as if she wanted to provoke her into revealing some secrets.

"Sister Pinlan~"

Minglan glared at Pinlan reproachfully and said disapprovingly, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"There's absolutely nothing between me and Brother He!"

"Besides, I never thought about having anything going on with him!"

After all, they are sisters, and the two Lans have a very good relationship, so Minglan spoke very freely.

Of course, the main reason is that Minglan knows that Pinlan is pure of heart and not the kind of person who spreads rumors or makes trouble unreasonably.

"what?"

"So it was He Hongwen who was in unrequited love!"

Pinlan suddenly realized!
"what?"

Minglan gently pushed Pinlan, glared at her, and said, "Sister Pinlan, don't talk nonsense!"

"What if someone overhears this?"

"Then my reputation will be ruined!"

"Well!"

Pinlan playfully stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, saying, "Minglan, what are you afraid of?"

"There are only the three of us now. As long as Changquan doesn't say anything, who else would know?"

Pinlan shamelessly pinned the blame for the possible leak on Sheng Changquan.

In response, Sheng Changquan could only roll his eyes helplessly before continuing to walk forward.

The three of them were on their way to greet He Hongwen at the gate.

"Oh, right, Minglan!"

Seeing Minglan speechless, Pinlan couldn't help but feel a little smug: "What kind of person is He Hongwen?"

After a few jokes, Pinlan started to show concern for Minglan.

"What is his temperament like? Is he a good man?"

Minglan is not young anymore, so Pinlan is very concerned about Minglan's marriage. After hearing about He Hongwen's news, she thought that as Minglan's cousin, she should naturally inquire about it.

Of course, besides the deep sisterly bond, there's also a bit of curiosity and gossip involved.

"actually."

Minglan rolled her eyes at Pinlan again, then whispered, "I've only met Brother He a few times, I'm not very familiar with him!"

Minglan glanced at Sheng Changquan beside her and said, "My younger brother is quite close to him, so he might be more familiar with him."

"After all, he learned most of his medical skills from Old Madam He, so the two of them can be considered fellow disciples!"

"Huh? Really?"

Upon hearing this, Pinlan immediately turned her gaze to Sheng Changquan.

Sheng Changquan, who had been eavesdropping on his sister and Pinlan's conversation, immediately replied without turning his head when he heard this.

“Brother Hongwen has a good temperament. He is gentle and refined, with a peaceful disposition. He is a true gentleman and a skilled physician.”

"what?"

"Brother Changquan, your evaluation is quite high!"

Hearing Sheng Changquan's evaluation, Pinlan became curious: "But if that's the case, why do you seem not very satisfied with He Hongwen?"

It was obvious that she had seen Sheng Changquan's frown earlier.

(End of this chapter)