Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 55 Questioning
Shou'an Hall.

"The son has met his mother."

"Is Mother alright on her journey?"

Sheng Hong, who had rushed over from Zeyutang, sat down at the lower end of the main seat, bowed, and greeted an old woman in the hall.

The old woman had gray hair and dressed simply, exuding a dignified and aloof air. Her attire was also cold and unassuming, appearing simple and elegant, which seemed quite out of place with the wealth and luxury around her.

This person was none other than the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi, the matriarch of the Sheng family.

Similarly, she was Sheng Hong's legal mother.

When Sheng Hong greeted her, the old lady did not reply. Instead, she kept turning the prayer beads in her hand and muttering to herself, as if she were silently reciting a prayer.

for a long time.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere in the hall, Sheng Hong could no longer sit still. He immediately stood up in front of Old Madam Sheng, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply, and apologized, saying, "Mother!"

"It's all the son's fault. Mother, please scold him as you see fit!"

Sheng Hong stopped, bowing deeply, and stood respectfully in front of Old Madam Sheng, his face showing both "sincerity" and trepidation.

"Snapped!"

Grandma Sheng finally stopped reciting her prayer beads, and said with a slight tremor in her voice, "I wouldn't dare to scold you!"

"Who knows what you're really thinking about me!"

"I don't know where I got my ears, but I rushed down the mountain and came back to give you a whole bunch of trouble!"

In his haste, Sheng Hong bowed even lower, saying, "I dare not! I am ashamed!"

The current imperial court has always governed the country with filial piety. Regardless of the current state of the world, the kindness that Old Madam Sheng has shown to the Sheng family and to Sheng Hong is enough to make Sheng Hong dare not act recklessly!

Sheng Hong was born out of wedlock and lost his father at a young age, causing his family to decline. It was Old Madam Sheng who took on the responsibility, managing all the affairs of the household as a widow. She registered him under her name and granted him the status of a direct descendant. Under her careful guidance for decades, Sheng Hong finally passed the imperial examination and became an official.

Later, thanks to her own influence, Old Madam Sheng arranged for him to marry Wang Ruofu, the youngest daughter of Grand Secretary Wang. With the secret help of his wife's family, Sheng Hong's official career progressed smoothly, and he rose to his current position.

Therefore, how could Sheng Hong not adopt this attitude at this moment?
Seeing Sheng Hong's submissive attitude, Old Madam Sheng felt a lump in her throat.

"He's not my biological son after all!"

Grandma Sheng felt a pang of sadness.

After catching her breath, Old Madam Sheng finally calmed herself down and said, "Do you remember how your brother died young?"

"Ok?"

Sheng Hong was taken aback, then quietly glanced at the old woman above him and whispered, "I remember!"

After saying that, Sheng Hong stopped talking abruptly, unable to continue.

After all, a son should not speak ill of his father, and Sheng Hong did not want to talk much about those sordid things that happened decades ago.

Who would have expected!

"I only have this one son!"

Sheng Hong didn't say anything, but Old Madam Sheng started talking about it.

She spoke sharply, her voice strained and breathless, "Just like that, he was brutally murdered by that bitch!"

"Mother!"

Sheng Hong wanted to step forward to comfort her, but Old Madam Sheng stopped him from speaking.

"But now, your son..."

"Your son!!"

Grandma Sheng emphasized again, saying, "It was almost ruined by something exactly the same thing!"

"Don't you have any reaction at all?!"

Grandma Sheng slammed her hand on the table, her face full of disappointment and frustration!
"what!"

Upon seeing the old lady's anger, Sheng Hong quickly lifted his robe and knelt down hastily.

"Mother, it's all my fault...my fault!"

"It's all because my son is useless!"

"No!"

"You're useful!"

Grandma Sheng was still in a bad mood and continued, "You are so useful!" Sheng Hong, who was kneeling on the ground, didn't even raise his head. He just knelt on the ground nervously, banging his head on the ground, not daring to move.

"If you are useless, then you should follow the rules: the legal wife is supreme, and the direct descendant is honored!"

"It's not to the point of favoring a concubine over one's wife, causing unrest in the household!"

At this point, Old Madam Sheng seemed to realize something and sighed inwardly, "I know!"

“Your birth mother, Chun Xiaoniang, had a hard time raising you.”

"Although I am the legal wife, I was barely able to take care of myself at the time and was unable to look after you."

Grandma Sheng carefully analyzed Sheng Hong's thoughts and began to reason with him: "So, you're afraid that Lin Qinshuang will suffer the same hardships you did back then, with the child in tow."

"Then he gave her land and shops, and even provided her with a concubine who lived a more comfortable life than the first wife!"

"Yes!"

Sheng Hong knelt on the ground and whispered in defense, "Mother is so considerate of her son; every word she said touched my heart!"

Suddenly, he continued, "Mother!"

"My wife has a fiery temper, and my son is terrified of her..."

"This...this is..."

At this point, Sheng Hong couldn't continue.

After all, the world follows the principle of primogeniture, and even if he has a thousand reasons, he is still wrong in the end!
"Get up!"

When Grandma Sheng saw Sheng Hong's demeanor, Jie'er recalled the pitiful state of him and his mother back then, and felt a pang of sympathy in her heart.

"Everything has its rules. You're worried about Madam's temper, but you should have a way to deal with it!"

Grandma Sheng spoke gently and patiently, "Whether by coaxing, persuading, or even scarening..."

"Ultimately, we have to follow the rules!"

"But how do you do these things?"

At this point, Old Mrs. Sheng was also somewhat disappointed.

"Originally, everyone in the house had their own duties, but ever since you spoiled your concubines and neglected the eldest mistress, the hierarchy has become chaotic, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children has been blurred!"

Sheng Hong slowly rose from the ground, and only after observing the old lady's expression did he sit down and say, "Mother!"

“These unruly servants, they just take advantage of my delicate appearance and incompetence in managing the household.”

“They were always either hanging out and having fun or dawdling and shirking their duties. I beat them up badly and sold them off!”

"Humph!"

Old Mrs. Sheng knew what Sheng Hong meant, which was simply to take the blame for Lin Qinshuang. She couldn't help but put down her prayer beads heavily on the table.

"Whether you truly don't know what I mean or you simply refuse to accept my words!"

"I don't care anymore!"

Grandma Sheng discovered that this father and son were cut from the same cloth, from old age to young age, both favoring concubines over wives and acting irrationally!
"A living, breathing human life! Gone just like that!"

Grandma Sheng looked at Sheng Hong and said in a more serious tone, "There are some things I have to say, even if it offends you!"

"Whatever Mother says, I will obey." Sheng Hong lowered his head somewhat guiltily.

"Humph!"

Old Mrs. Sheng snorted coldly.

"This is all your fault, Lin Xiaoniang's fault, and she's done it so poorly!"

"Clearly, he's not a good council member."

Sheng Hong glanced at the old lady at the head of the table and said cryptically, "Yes!"

"In the end, only my mother can manage this family well."

"You don't need to use that to shut me up!"

Grandma Sheng said irritably, "At my age, and having just recovered from my illness, how can I have the energy to manage the household?"

"Please let me live a few more years!"

1420……

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(End of this chapter)