Only after the rebellion succeeded did they realize that this place was...

Inside the bedroom, the two sisters sat head to head, chattering away about their secrets.

"Minglan, your eldest sister has finally reaped the rewards of her hard work, and she will surely rise to a position of great nobility in the future. At the very least, given her relationship with His Majesty, she will be a concubine or a high-ranking official in the palace."

Yu Yanran looked excited, her lips slightly upturned, her pink lips parted, and her eyes were full of envy.

She wasn't sure at first.

But when they arrived at the Sheng family's residence, they overheard many of the servants' whispers, which confirmed their suspicions.

"From now on, Minglan, you might just become the Empress's sister. See who in Bianliang will dare to look down on you then!"

Yu Yanran puffed out her chest, her face full of joy, genuinely happy for Minglan.

The bond between these two close sisters, built up over so many years, is far beyond what ordinary acquaintances can achieve.

"That's also my eldest sister's good fortune."

Minglan said softly, a hint of relief in her eyes, "Fortunately, it was an accidental acquaintance with His Majesty. If it had been some heartless man, that would have been terrible."

Seeing that she was still as cautious as ever even now, Yu Yanran couldn't help but pull her shoulders, turn her little head to face her, and wink mischievously: "Who knows, maybe our Minglan will be able to enter the palace in the future."

"Yanran, you're talking nonsense again."

Minglan shook her head helplessly.

Entering the palace is not so easy; not just anyone can go.

……

The next morning, things were not peaceful at the Sheng family residence.

Lin Qinshuang, with her two children, searched the entire Sheng family compound, turning it upside down, except for a few key areas, determined to find the lost letter.

Even with Sheng Changfeng relying on his past memories and leading people to search repeatedly, let alone the letter, the servants had not seen even a single piece of paper that resembled it.

If this continues, the Sheng family will likely lose all foothold in Linxi Pavilion, and even Lin Xiaoniang of the Sheng family will truly be sold off.

Last night, many servants in Wang Ruofu's room overheard what Sheng Hong said in his rage, and within a single night, the news spread rapidly throughout the entire Sheng family.

No, absolutely none.

Lin Qinshuang was almost going crazy and was about to lose her composure. Wu Mama and all the maids and servants beside her were already pale with fright and silent as cicadas in winter.

Even her two children, Sheng Changfeng and Mo Lan, dared not say anything at this moment, for fear of provoking their mother's wrath again.

"Changfeng! Think carefully again, where else did you go that day? Or, who else saw you with that letter?"

Lin Qinshuang suppressed her panic and managed to regain some composure, placing all her last hope on Sheng Changfeng.

But Sheng Changfeng had already racked his brains, and he stammered, "Mother...why don't we go and ask Grandmother?"

"Following Grandmother's orders, all the servants of the Sheng family were summoned and questioned one by one in front of her. Perhaps someone picked it up but didn't think much of it and didn't know what an important letter it was; or perhaps someone had temporarily forgotten about it and just threw it away as ordinary waste paper."

"If we, the people of Linxi Pavilion, were to ask each person individually, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, leaving us with absolutely no clue."

Sheng Changfeng is indeed quite intelligent; he hasn't wasted all those years of studying. Even in the past, he would have made some progress in the future.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Lin Qinshuang's eyes lit up. At this point, she had no choice but to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.

Although I feel that such behavior is somewhat shameful, if I am still unwilling to give up this face, then I will truly be doomed.

In the blink of an eye, the group arrived at Shou'an Hall.

Lin Qinshuang and her two children knelt down with a thud, choking back tears as they recounted the whole story.

Looking at the scene before her, Old Madam Sheng couldn't help but sigh softly. She then waved her hand and instructed the maidservant beside her, "Go and find everyone in the mansion. Even the eldest daughter-in-law, the master, and all the young masters and ladies from various places, call them all. Not one of them can be missing."

"This matter is not just a private affair of Linxi Pavilion; it is the most important matter for the entire Sheng family. If this matter is not handled properly, it will not only ruin one or one branch of the family, but also the future of the entire Sheng family."

As soon as Old Mrs. Sheng spoke, Fang's mother immediately responded and left.

In the end, no matter how much trouble Lin Qinshuang caused, she didn't dare to run wild at Shou'an Hall.

At most, he would just bicker and scheme with the eldest daughter-in-law in the Wei Rui Xuan.

Moreover, if this matter is not handled properly, Lin Qinshuang being sold off is a minor issue; the future of the Sheng family will likely be severely hampered. Even Old Madam Sheng is no longer willing to continue to indulge them in this way.

"Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Mother."

Lin Qinshuang and her two children hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude, their foreheads hitting the blue bricks heavily with a dull thud.

When Grandma Sheng saw this, she hesitated, but ultimately said nothing more.

Old Madam Sheng's words have always carried immense weight in the Sheng family. Even Sheng Hong used to have to listen to her respectfully, especially when it came to matters concerning the future of the Sheng family.

As the head of the Sheng family, he never dared to relax even slightly.

So, in less than half an incense stick's time, the entire Sheng family, from masters to servants, gathered at Shou'an Hall, making it more lively than ever before.

"Mother."

Sheng Hong quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. His gaze swept over Lin Qinshuang and the others kneeling on the ground, a fleeting, almost imperceptible tenderness flashing in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant, leaving only a cold, hard expression.

Wang Ruofu is also here today.

With such a major incident occurring in the Sheng family, Princess Pingning and the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Yingguo are handling the affairs in the palace, so there is no need for her to rush back.

We must first clean up the troubles in the inner quarters of the Sheng family before we can feel at ease.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu sat down briefly.

The next moment, Old Madam Sheng's calm and deep voice slowly rang out in the hall: "I have called you here today because there is an important matter."

"Think carefully, have you seen a single letter within the Sheng family compound in the past few days? Even think carefully about any possible scraps of paper; do you believe they exist or not?"

The old lady spoke.

Immediately, a murmur of whispers filled the Shou'an Hall. Even the young men and women standing outside the hall began to discuss the matter quietly with their servants.

Now, even Sheng Changbai, who had been studying away from home, has hurriedly returned to his family home.

He was standing to one side, his brow furrowed, speaking in a low voice to his attendant, his face full of solemnity.

He had only been away from home for a few days, and so many troubles had already arisen in the Sheng family. Even he, the usually impartial "Iron-Faced Bodhisattva," found it difficult to resolve these family disputes.

"A letter? What letter, young lady?"

Standing at the very back, Xiao Tao tucked the rose pastry in her hand behind her sleeve before lowering her voice and secretly asking Minglan beside her.

"It's a letter from my eldest sister, a letter from His Majesty in the palace to my eldest sister."

Minglan briefly recounted the whole story to Xiaotao.

Although Xiao Tao didn't understand the important matters of the household and the court, she was very knowledgeable about gossip that was comparable to storytelling tales, and she could understand the general idea as soon as she heard it.

She nodded earnestly, but her face still looked dazed.

These two, mistress and servant, have always kept a low profile within the Sheng family; this is their way of surviving.

Minglan sighed inwardly as she looked at the chaos inside Shou'an Hall.

This will probably cause Grandma a lot of trouble.

At present, the only person she cares about most in the Sheng family is her grandmother.

Seeing that Xiao Tao beside her was also frowning, Minglan quickly turned around to comfort her and said softly, "Alright, Xiao Tao, this is a big matter, but it has little to do with us."

"If we find this letter later, that would be best; if we don't, I believe that thanks to your kindness, we will be safe and sound."

"But perhaps... Father's career will face more obstacles as a result, and it might even temporarily implicate my second brother."

As Minglan spoke, she glanced at Sheng Changbai, who had just returned home, and a hint of helplessness appeared on her face.

Ultimately, these were all undeserved disasters.

But at that moment, she suddenly heard Xiao Tao's silly, flustered voice: "Miss...Miss. A few days ago, I think...I think...maybe...I might have picked up a letter."

Xiao Tao's voice was soft and delicate, yet it startled Minglan.

Her previous nonchalant and slightly dazed demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by eyes filled with terror.

"Xiao Tao".

Minglan lowered her voice, her tone tinged with urgency, "This matter cannot be told a single lie, much less joked about. Otherwise, if Father, Mother, and Grandmother become angry, even I won't be able to protect you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao was terrified. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she choked out again, "Miss... I really did find it. Otherwise... otherwise, please just pretend that Xiao Tao never said what she just said, and never saw the letter..."

Xiao Tao spoke cautiously, wishing she could bite her own tongue off.

Minglan would never dare to do that.

Even my grandmother has personally gotten involved in this matter.

How could she, as the granddaughter, turn a blind eye?

It's one thing to be powerless, but since we've run into each other, we should naturally lend a hand.

Minglan rolled her eyes, leaned close to Xiaotao's ear, and whispered a few words of advice.

Then, Xiao Tao quietly left Shou'an Hall, and hardly anyone noticed.

Not long after.

She hurried back with small, quick steps, now carrying something in her hand.

The object was covered in mud and grime, and it looked like a useless thing that had been discarded. Even if it were lying on the street, no one would give it a second glance.

……

At this moment, Shou'an Hall was still bustling with noise.

Lin Qinshuang and her two children were questioning the servants one by one, but with little success.

Sheng Hong's gaze toward the mother and son grew increasingly cold, clearly indicating that he had lost much of his patience.

But at this moment, everyone was frowning and at a loss.

Minglan, who usually had a low profile within the Sheng family, suddenly took small steps, like a terrified quail, shrinking her body as she cautiously walked forward.

This unusual behavior immediately made her the most conspicuous person in the hall.

Seeing this, Old Madam Sheng seemed to realize something. Her previously stern face relaxed, and a look of understanding flashed in her eyes. She gently beckoned to her.

Minglan nodded, then quickened her pace and walked up to them, bowing respectfully: "Grandmother, Father, Mother."

Finally, her gaze fell on her older sister, Hua Lan, with a hint of apology.

As soon as she made this move, everyone around her seemed to understand something, and the noisy Shouan Hall became eerily quiet.

Before anyone could ask, Minglan spoke softly, "Elder sister, that letter... was picked up by my Xiaotao from the path by the middle gate a few days ago."

The wind was strong that day, and the letter was blown away. My daughter, Xiaotao, noticed that the envelope looked a bit unusual, so she picked it up without thinking.

My daughter, Xiaotao, didn't recognize any of the characters, so after taking it back, she just casually left it in Mucangzhai and didn't think much of it.

My grandmother just summoned us all, and that's when Xiao Tao suddenly remembered this matter.

Please forgive me, elder sister.

"What about the letter?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Lan's eyes lit up instantly, and she eagerly stepped forward.

She, who had been silent and listless just moments before, suddenly smiled, her eyebrows and eyes sparkling with a hint of joy, and her whole being came alive.

Minglan handed over the crumpled letter in her hand.

The envelope was indeed made of jade-colored paper used exclusively by the imperial court, with faint cloud patterns printed on it, making it clear at a glance that it was different from ordinary white paper.

However, the letter was now covered in mud and had some crooked creases. Even the faint scent of ink had been completely obscured by the dust of the past few days.

If Minglan hadn't taken it out at this moment, probably no one would have guessed that it was the crucial letter concerning the future of the Sheng family.

"Although Xiaotao didn't open it, it was accidentally scratched a little while we were on the way... Please forgive me, big sister."

Minglan continued speaking softly, with a hint of trepidation.

By this time, Hua Lan had already taken the letter into her hand, her movements trembling slightly with nervousness.

She carefully pulled out the letter and gently unfolded it.

The people around instinctively craned their necks, but only halfway through before quickly pulling them back.

What a joke.

This letter contains matters concerning the emperor's private affairs.

If a subject dares to spy on even a little bit of it, it is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family.

Hua Lan only read the first half of the line before an irrepressible joy appeared on her lips, her face radiant with happiness, and her eyes slightly reddened.

Before she had even finished reading the letter, she excitedly hugged Minglan tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, thank you, Sixth Sister. If it weren't for you, Sixth Sister, I really don't know when this letter would have been found."

Hua Lan had not finished reading the letter yet.

But the affection revealed between the lines of that letter, and Liu Hong's candid explanation of his own situation, had completely shattered the barrier between them.

Hua Lan's previous letter had already conveyed all her feelings as a young woman, and now Liu Hong's reply has made his feelings even more explicit.

When the time is right, I will surely bring her to the palace in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men, so that we can rekindle our past romance.

Only when the letters of affection have reached this stage can it be considered a true pledge of lifelong love.

Even though their statuses are now worlds apart.

He was the emperor, the supreme ruler.

She was merely the daughter of an official, but this letter, as a token of their love, was enough to show that Liu Hong had never forgotten her, Hua Lan, and was willing to spend the rest of his life with her.

"Hua'er, this letter..."

Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong both craned their necks, staring eagerly at the letter in Hua Lan's hand, their faces full of urgency.

Although they couldn't read the contents of the letter, that didn't mean they couldn't learn something from their own daughter.

When her parents asked, Hualan naturally didn't hide anything.

She spoke a few words softly, her shy, girlish demeanor and flushed cheeks making it all the more obvious.

"Father, Mother, and... it is the man outside who has also expressed his feelings to his daughter. When the time is right, we will meet again and continue our love."

Hua Lan's words fell softly.

Wang Ruofu's face lit up with joy, his voice trembling with excitement as he clutched his chest and exclaimed, "This letter...this letter is a token of love between His Majesty and Hua'er!"

At this moment, Sheng Hong also seemed to suddenly understand, and finally realized everything.

He clapped his hands together heavily, muttering to himself, "No wonder. No wonder His Majesty valued this letter so much. So that's how it is, so that's how it is... Fortunately, this letter has been returned intact, lost but found again. Otherwise, wouldn't my Sheng family have truly missed out on such a wonderful marriage opportunity?"

Sheng Hong glanced at Hua Lan, whose face was flushed with shyness, and then looked at Ming Lan in front of him. He quickly stepped forward, his face showing an unprecedented gentleness and a rare hint of fatherly love. He said softly, "Ming'er, my good Ming'er. You have done a great service to the Sheng family this time."

Even Madam Wang Ruofu looked at Minglan with more affection and fondness at this moment.

Deep down, she knew that without this letter, the relationship between her son Hua'er and His Majesty would have faced many more obstacles.

She nodded repeatedly, tightly grasped Minglan's soft hand, and said excitedly, "Good child! You are all good daughters of the Sheng family! Sixth girl, you have been a great help this time. Your mother doesn't know how to thank you enough!"

In the blink of an eye.

Minglan, who had always kept a low profile, unexpectedly became a great contributor to the entire Sheng family.

Immediately afterward, Lin Qinshuang and her two children also rushed forward to thank Minglan one by one, their faces full of relief at surviving the ordeal, with not a trace of their former arrogance.

Now, Sheng Minglan is completely famous!