Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 97 He Family
However, this Granny Kong was quite old and inevitably felt homesick. Furthermore, she also longed to return to her roots, so she petitioned the Emperor for a favor and was allowed to leave the palace.
According to rumors circulating in Tokyo, when Granny Kong left the palace, even the current Empress couldn't help but shed tears because she was grateful for her kindness in the past. She praised her for her noble and unassuming character, saying she was a true elder.

This statement caused a sensation in almost every noble family in the capital city, who all rushed to invite Granny Kong to their homes to teach their daughters. However, except for one or two families who really couldn't refuse, Granny Kong turned down all the others.

Moreover, after teaching those noble ladies, Granny Kong simply went back to her hometown. No matter how others pleaded with her, she remained unmoved and politely declined, saying that she was reluctant to leave her homeland and longed to return home!
Therefore, Granny Kong was able to escape.

This time, the reason why Old Madam Sheng was able to invite Granny Kong to the Sheng family was mainly due to the old friendship between the two of them from their early years.

That's already incredibly rare!

"The old lady has already said that the nanny Kong she is inviting will be staying at our Sheng family for a few more years. Her purpose is to have her thoroughly teach these children, so that Mo'er and Ru'er can understand what rules and etiquette are!"

"Fortunately, this will ensure that the children can find their spouses smoothly and happily in the future!"

Sheng Hong glanced at everyone at the table, thus setting the tone for the matter, and said, "Alright, this matter is settled!"

After saying that, he got up and left, heading straight to the government office.

Only three groups of people, each with a different reaction, were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

……

And so, peaceful days passed for a long time.

According to Sheng Changquan's observation, there were only three people around him who were dissatisfied with Sheng Hong's decision. Among them, besides a certain young master in the academy who was somewhat unhappy, Mo Lan and Ru Lan were also somewhat unhappy.

However, Mo Lan was unwilling to leave Qi Heng and thus lost the opportunity to marry into the Qi State Duke's Mansion, while Ru Lan was somewhat unhappy because she didn't want to be disciplined and attend classes anymore. As for the others, they continued to live ordinary lives.

Some buried themselves in their studies, others roamed freely in poetry gatherings, and even Sheng Changquan, who excelled in both literature and martial arts, lived a life of routine, with each day lasting only a few weeks. Apart from the occasional minor setbacks caused by Madam Wang, the Sheng family was generally peaceful and happy.

Just as Lin Qinshuang and Madam Wang were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the legendary Granny Kong, an inconspicuous carriage rolled in from the west gate of the city.

……

In front of the Sheng Mansion.

"Hongwen, go and deliver our family's invitation."

Inside the carriage, a woman's voice, rich with historical charm and vicissitudes, suddenly rang out.

"Yes, Grandmother!"

A clear and gentle male voice followed, responding, and then the sound of footsteps moving around rang out.

"Squeak!"

A man dressed in a light blue robe leaned out of the carriage, holding a dark blue invitation card. He climbed out of the carriage and stood on the carriage floor.

"Master!"

The driver had already jumped off the carriage when it stopped, arranged benches for the two distinguished guests, and waited for them to disembark.

"Oh, okay! Thank you, Uncle Qin!"

The man in blue smiled gently and thanked Uncle Qin, who was driving the carriage.

"Hehe! Young master, what are you saying? This old man does this kind of work, there's no need for thanks!"

Although Qin Bo said this, anyone could see the joy in his smiling eyes. After all, everyone wants to be respected.

The man in blue knew Qin Bo's temperament, but he didn't take it to heart. He just smiled and immediately got out of the carriage.

"Grandmother, your grandson is off now!" The man in blue turned and said to the old woman in the carriage.

"Go!"

Then, a soft yet authoritative voice came from inside the carriage.

The man in blue bowed, then straightened up, straightened his clothes, and calmly walked to the door of the Sheng family. He handed his visiting card to the doorman inside: "I am He Hongwen of the He family of Baishitan. Please convey my greetings."

……

"What? The He family's daughter is here?"

Upon hearing the news from the doorman, the old lady in Shou'an Hall was immediately excited and instructed the servant outside, "Quickly! Go and invite them in!"

As she spoke, the old lady hurriedly stood up, called to the housekeeper beside her, and quickly walked towards the door: "I thought it would take another five or six days to arrive, but I didn't expect this young lady to arrive so early!"

"This really caught me off guard!"

"No! I have to go greet her!"

But to everyone's surprise, no sooner had the old lady finished speaking than a rather shrewish voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Hey~ big sister, please don't get up!"

"Let me, your younger sister, come and see you instead!"

A few breaths later, an old lady dressed in a dark brown jacket embroidered with gold, orchids, and silver sesame seeds walked in briskly from the courtyard gate.

"Hey! You old codger!"

When Old Mrs. He walked up to Old Mrs. Sheng, Old Mrs. Sheng finally smiled and scolded, "What, do you still think that this old woman is older than you and can't even walk?"

"Oh dear, sister! You're really wronging me!"

Grandma He hurried a few steps and went straight to Grandma Sheng, took her hand, and said aggrievedly, "Sister, I was just eager to see you, how could I dare to say anything bad about you!"

"Besides, we're only a few months apart in age, why would I mind that you're older?"

"If you think I'm old, aren't you just saying I'm old too?"

"You!"

Grandma Sheng was overjoyed to see her former best friend: "Of all of us, you have the sharpest tongue. I never imagined that after all these years, you haven't changed at all!"

"Haha! You haven't changed at all, old lady! You're still so elegant and graceful, making this country bumpkin feel ashamed of herself!"

Grandma He raised an eyebrow and smiled as she turned the tables on him!
"Humph!"

Grandma Sheng pretended to be angry: "If your He family of Baishitan is considered a poor, run-down family in the countryside, then what about the other families?"

"Wouldn't that make them even worse off than a destitute person?"

The He family of Baishitang is a prestigious family, which prospered starting with the great-grandfather of the He family. He founded the Baishitang Academy, becoming a pioneer among scholars and leading the literati for decades. This is how the name Baishitang came to be.

Although the descendants are not as prominent as their ancestors, they are still wealthy and powerful, and their children and grandchildren are capable. Even though Mr. He has retired from his official post, Mrs. He's eldest son is still a high-ranking official, serving as a parent to the people. Although he is not as successful as Sheng Hong, he is still quite remarkable.

(End of this chapter)