Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 346 Meeting and Getting Acquainted
"Who knows, maybe my sister and Changquan are the real perfect match?"

After carefully considering the personalities of these two people, Shen Li couldn't help but reveal a shameless smile.

This shameless act immediately sent a chill down the spine of Sheng Changquan, who had misunderstood the situation.

"what?"

Sheng Changquan felt utterly disgusted: "How can Shen Li's face be so repulsive?"

Although he didn't know the cause or effect, Sheng Changquan still felt a kind of "malice" in the dark, as if someone was plotting against him.

However, Sheng Changquan did not know that this was not a scheme, but rather his good brother offering him warmth and support.

Actually, there's a reason why Shen Li looks like this.

In his view, his elder sister Shen Jun was not only beautiful and graceful, but also had a gentle and dignified manner and manners, showing the demeanor of a well-bred lady.

Aside from being a bit irritable with herself, she's always gentle and kind to everyone else.

and!

This gentle and tender demeanor was not a disguise for Shen Jun, but rather a reflection of her naturally gentle and considerate nature.

However, for some reason, apart from Shen Li himself, everyone else could be treated so gently by her, but only her own younger brother was always strictly controlled by her and could not experience her tender and gentle side.

Perhaps this is the origin of the saying "an elder sister is like a mother".

After all, it was precisely because of Shen Li's differences that Shen Jun disciplined him strictly and bound him with strictness.

On the other hand, it is precisely because of this that outsiders have the following perception of Shen Jun—that she is a gentle and delicate noblewoman.

Those who knew Shen Jun all praised her for being knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle, and kind, believing that she was indeed a daughter of a prestigious family with a long and distinguished lineage.

Similarly, in these people's minds, she was a typical daughter of a high-ranking family.

However, outsiders see her as a weak woman, but they are unaware of Shen Jun's inner strength. In fact, she is a heroine who is no less capable than any man.

Shen Jun's character and abilities are already outstanding, especially her resilience, which is what people admire most!

And this "person" is none other than Shen Shouzheng, the "tiger father" whom Shen Li fears like a tiger.

Even he himself was ashamed of his own lack of perseverance in the face of Shen Jun's tenacity!
Shen Li still remembers one thing, a story about him.

When he was young, Shen Li was a late bloomer, so he always spoke unclearly, making it difficult for people to understand him. Even when he was five or six years old, he was still like this.

At that time, Shen Li's father, Lord Shen, was also very busy with affairs. On the one hand, he had to go to the yamen to handle the government affairs, and on the other hand, he was in a hurry to suppress the clan's affairs.

Shen Li's clumsy performance caused a series of negative reactions within the Shen family.

Moreover, when Lord Shen gave birth to Shen Li, both he and his wife were already quite old, especially Madam Shen, who had damaged her health during the birth of Shen Li.

Therefore, it has been basically concluded that Lord Shen will only have one legitimate son, Shen Li.

Therefore, the clan was in disarray, and many clansmen were forming alliances for their own benefit, attempting to force Lord Shen to give up Shen Li and pass the position of clan leader to another clansman.

Of course, these people also knew that the position of the main branch was unshakeable, so they were not foolish enough to think that their own branch could replace the main branch and become the legitimate branch.

All they wanted was to have their offspring adopted under Lord Shen's name, in order to achieve the goal of "blood transfusion".

It was precisely for this reason that Lord Shen felt somewhat overwhelmed at that time, and consequently neglected Shen Li's education, only having people take care of his food, clothing, and lodging, while forgetting his most important teachings.

Therefore, from an outsider's perspective, this is a sign that Lord Shen has given up on him.

Furthermore, given Lord Shen's personality, whether his negligence at that time was truly "negligence" or "abandonment" is something no one can really say for sure.

Perhaps only Lord Shen himself knows.

But the only thing we know for sure is that Shen Li would never be in his current state without someone else's help.

As for Shen Li's mother, Madam Shen, she was also in tears every day because of Shen Li's terrible performance. She felt that she had let down her husband, her parents-in-law, and even more so, the ancestors of Lord Shen's lineage.

In short, at that time, almost no one in the Shen family had any hope for Shen Li or thought he could return to normal.

Except for one person, that is Shen Li's sister.

Shen Jun!

Shen Jun was only one year older than Shen Li; at that time, she was just a child.

However, just when everyone was neglecting Shen Li and was even about to give up on him, it was her!

Shen Jun stayed by her younger brother's side the whole time, teaching him to speak and recognize objects with her childish yet clear voice, over and over again...

Although Shen Li was not particularly talented, he had one obvious advantage from a young age: he was obedient.

Even if he didn't understand what his older sister was teaching him, and couldn't complete the task successfully, no matter what Shen Jun said, as long as Shen Li had the strength, he would obediently do it.

Therefore, after a long and long period of practice, Shen Li finally learned to speak clearly word by word, and then sentence by sentence, and finally complete paragraph by paragraph, thanks to Shen Jun's efforts.

The hardships during this period were unimaginable!
It was precisely because of this that Shen Li gradually caught up with his peers and learned to speak and study like an ordinary person. Although he was somewhat slow, he eventually succeeded in taking the imperial examination.

Now, he has even passed the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), thus qualifying him to inherit the position of head of the Shen family!
All of this was inseparable from the help of his older sister, Shen Jun.

That's why Shen Li and Shen Jun have such a close relationship, and Shen Li is willing to tell her everything.

In Shen Li's heart, Shen Jun held a much higher position than Lord Shen and his wife.

"Well, let's do it!"

Shen Li made up his mind and decided that he must make this marriage happen.

After all, Sheng Changquan's abilities were beyond question, and he believed that Sheng Changquan was the most likely and most promising candidate in the current dynasty to become the first scholar to achieve the highest honors in all three categories.

If Shen Jun marries him, she certainly won't make a mistake!

However, Shen Li forgot one thing: was his sister satisfied?

"Oh?"

"Changquan, do you really think so?"

At this moment, Shen Li came to his senses and noticed the strange group of people standing not far away, winking and making faces at him. However, he was in a hurry to ask Sheng Changquan, so he didn't speak. Instead, he faced Sheng Changquan and asked, "Do you think... this is better?"

"Ok!"

Sheng Changquan thought he had appeased Shen Li, so he quickly said, "Shen Du, that is indeed what I think."

"After all, these kinds of things still have to be arranged by parents and matchmakers, so we can't be willful."

Sheng Changquan, saying what he thought was right, continued, "After all, whether we live a good or bad life ultimately depends on ourselves!"

"Yes, Not Bad!"

Shen Li smiled broadly: "Chang Quan, you're absolutely right!"

"In that case, I'm relieved!"

Sheng Changquan was completely bewildered by Shen Li's words, wondering, "What is this guy talking about?"

"Anyway, it's not me who's going to get married."

What is he confident about?

"Haha, let's go!"

Shen Li didn't explain, but simply put his arm around Sheng Changquan's shoulder and walked towards his own courtyard. "Changquan, let's not talk about this for now, come with me to the study!"

"Give me a proper analysis of what my father said today. I want to know what it really meant."

"..."

Sheng Changquan listened to Shen Li's nagging, still feeling very puzzled!

But for some reason, he always felt that after saying "Don't worry," Shen Li treated him even more intimately.

"strangeness!"

Sheng Changquan shook his head silently to himself, feeling that Shen Li was becoming increasingly strange. No wonder he only had himself as a close friend.

"Ah~"

Sheng Changquan glanced at Shen Li, who was beaming beside him, and felt a pang of regret.

"What a pity about this guy..."

……

On the other side, after Shen Jun left, Madam Shen immediately set off to find Lord Shen.

She felt that it was necessary to let Lord Shen know about Shen Jun's attitude towards this matter as soon as possible, so as not to let him take a fancy to Sheng Changquan and then mismatch them, thus ruining her daughter's life.

After all, in Madam Shen's eyes, Sheng Changquan was not the best choice for a son-in-law.

In her opinion, given her daughter's family background, looks, and abilities, if it weren't for her doting on her daughter, she could easily have made her an empress.

Of course, once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. No matter how much Madam Shen values ​​family background, she wouldn't actually send her daughter there.

After all, she was her own daughter; how could Madam Shen possibly act in such a way?

Thinking of this, Madam Shen quickened her pace, as if her heart had become more anxious again!

Unfortunately, Madam Shen went to the front hall first, but she didn't encounter anyone there; Lord Shen and the others had already left.

Left with no other choice, Madam Shen turned back, intending to go to Lord Shen's study again before proceeding...

After all that effort, Madam Shen still couldn't find Lord Shen.

"strangeness?"

"Where has my lord gone?"

Madam Shen felt a little strange and couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be that they went to Li'er's courtyard?"

Just as Madam Shen was lost in thought, Lord Shen strolled in leisurely from outside, carrying a scroll of painting.

"Official!"

Upon seeing Lord Shen, Madam Shen immediately greeted him.

"Oh? So it's my wife!"

Lord Shen was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

"Official!"

Madam Shen first waved her hand, dismissing all the servants in the courtyard. Then she quickly walked a few steps to Lord Shen's side and whispered, "Have you had a detailed conversation with Sheng Changquan?"

"How's the little guy?"

Although she was supposed to sabotage Sheng Changquan and Shen Jun's relationship, Madam Shen was also quite curious about Sheng Changquan, since her son talked about him almost every day.

Thinking about it this way, this kid must be quite extraordinary!

"He!"

Lord Shen glanced at Madam Shen's face and immediately guessed the purpose of her visit: "She's quite a promising talent!"

"A promising talent?"

Madam Shen was slightly surprised!
"My lord, this... promising talent... is..."

"...What...does that mean?"

Madam Shen still couldn't quite believe it!
She truly hadn't expected to hear such a compliment from her husband.

You should know that Lord Shen is a very serious, or rather, strict person!
In his eyes, he always saw other people's shortcomings and flaws, and rarely, if ever, praised anyone. But now, he has actually said something like this!

As for her husband, Lady Shen, she naturally knew his temperament. Therefore, after he said those words, Lady Shen immediately became a little anxious!

After all, the more outstanding Sheng Changquan is, the easier it will be for his marriage to Shen Jun's family to be successful.

"hehe!"

Lord Shen saw through Madam Shen's little scheme and couldn't help but offer some advice: "Madam, don't be impatient, let me explain slowly!"

Lord Shen led Madam Shen into the house, then spread the scroll he was carrying on a screen next to him and said, "Madam, what do you think of this painting?"

Instead of offering an explanation immediately, Lord Shen took out Sheng Changquan's "Autumn Moon over a Cold River".

"what?"

Madam Shen was not an ignorant woman who knew nothing. In fact, due to her family's scholarly tradition, Madam Shen's research on calligraphy and painting was even more outstanding than that of her husband!

"My lord, are you saying that this painting was done by that brat Sheng Changquan?"

Looking at the calligraphy and painting that exuded a "brilliant" aura, Madam Shen was deeply shocked!
……

In Shen Li's courtyard.

"what?"

Why are you all standing outside?

When Shen Li pulled Sheng Changquan into his courtyard, he finally addressed his maids.

"Master!"

Shen Li's maids first curtsied to Sheng Changquan to fulfill their proper etiquette, and then, quite cleverly, peeked inside, silently "warning" him with their mouths: "Young Master!"

"The young lady is inside!"

After speaking silently, they looked at Shen Li with aggrieved expressions, as if they were accusing him of something.

"what?"

Shen Li was immediately startled!
Unfortunately, before he could say anything, a graceful figure emerged from the courtyard ahead.

"Shen~Li~"

"you!"

In the courtyard, Shen Jun had just uttered the word "you" when she suddenly stopped!
Because she had met Sheng Changquan.

"Oh it's you!"

(End of this chapter)