Minglan is reborn, this time with no regrets!

The news that Ningyuan Hou had been stripped of his title quickly spread throughout the city of Bianjing, and everyone was discussing this major event.

In the evening, a group of children of officials gathered in Fanlou to discuss recent current affairs in the name of a poetry meeting.

"The emperor scolded Gu Yankai for his lack of personal ethics and poor management of his family, which caused the children of his family to quarrel over the title. In anger, he took away the title of his family and the red book and iron certificate left by his ancestors."

"My house is just across the street from his. The announcement of the decree in broad daylight was indeed a big deal, but I didn't see any house search. They only took away the title but didn't search the house. I've never heard of that."

"You don't understand. This is an insult to their family. Aren't they fighting for titles? Then take away the titles, so that they have nothing to fight for. Leave them with a bunch of dead things, let them eat up all the food, and see how they fight for it in the future. Don't you know? Several legitimate children of his family moved out of the mansion early this morning, and emptied the mansion's warehouse. They also spread everywhere that they had already separated when their parents were still alive, saying that they have nothing to do with the eldest branch. Haha, it's really a good thing that the water is gone and the geese fly away."

"I think that, judging from the fact that the title was taken away but the property was not confiscated, the emperor did not really want to punish the Gu family. I heard news from the palace that Marquis Gu was questioned by the emperor in the Zizheng Palace that day, and he was asked to choose one between his two sons. But Marquis Gu obviously has three sons, so why ask two sons to choose one? In my opinion, the emperor is clearly using this incident to warn Prince Yan and Prince Yong - to tell them that if they continue to fight, it would be putting the emperor in an unjust position. It is the father's fault for not raising and educating his children, and when sons and nephews fight, it is the head of the family who has not set a good example."

"Oh, so that's what it means! I was thinking, the son and nephew are fighting, but you don't say which ones are fighting, so you don't punish the son, but only scold the father. So that's what it means!"

"But the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong are fighting for the imperial power and the supreme position. How could they care about the relationship between father and son and brothers? I think our emperor is still too soft-hearted."

"Both princes have their own merits. No matter which one the emperor chooses, it will be a pity for the other one. It's a dilemma!"

Qiu Sanlang, who was sitting on the main seat, raised his eyebrows and said, "What's so difficult about choosing? Your father has been an official in the court for so many years, didn't he pass on any information to you?"

"My father is just a minor official of the fifth rank in the court. He pretends to be noble and never makes friends or curries favor with others. He only knows how to force me to study hard. And I am a bastard." Sheng Changfeng sneered at himself and drank the wine in the glass.

"Are kings, princes, generals and ministers of different races? What's wrong with being a bastard? Can a legitimate son definitely accomplish anything? I've never seen your brother smile!" A huge laugh instantly erupted in the room. "Even if such a person passes the imperial examination and enters the officialdom, he will still have difficulty making progress."

Qiu Sanlang took a sip and said, "I think what Brother Youguang said makes sense. People who can't see the situation clearly are destined to be chess pieces no matter how talented they are. Now among the royal family, Prince Yong is mediocre and Prince Yan is capable. Isn't it clear who will win?"

Sheng Changfeng: "Are you talking about Prince Yan...?"

Qiu Sanlang waved his hand: "Well, just know it in your heart, don't say it out loud."

"I know, I know, I know, hahaha! Alas, the Prince of Yan is of noble birth, his mother's family was an important official in three dynasties, he has been prosperous and wealthy for a long time, and he has many capable officials and generals under him. I really can't think of anyone else in the court except him!" Sheng Changfeng raised his wine glass and sighed, "Alas, it's still good to be in the royal family! No need to take the imperial examinations, no need to study hard."

The people present had different expressions. Some agreed and flattered, some covered their mouths and laughed, some sang loudly, and some fell down drunk. No one paid attention to the person sitting next to Chang Feng, who was holding the wine glass in his hand and thinking silently...

After the banquet, everyone was still not satisfied, so Qiu Sanlang led this group of drunken young men to Chunhua Tower.

The servant of Sheng Mansion followed Chang Feng and whispered, "Brother Feng, we have to go back. If we are any later, we will probably keep Miss Lin waiting for a long time."

Chang Feng pushed the servant away and said, "Just wait. She only praises my sister all day long and never sees me. When the results were announced that day, she came home and actually said that I would have to rely on my brother-in-law for support in the future... Bah! Who am I, Sheng Chang Feng? Do I need to rely on my brother-in-law?"

He was drunk and dizzy, and he spoke without reservation. Qiu Sanlang, who was standing by, heard him and put his arm around his shoulders, saying drunkenly, "Brother...brother, don't be afraid. I will definitely help you. My...my father is the humerus of the King of Yan. In the future, the King of Yan...haha, if you want...any official position, isn't it just a matter of...a word?"

Chang Feng was so excited that he threw himself on Qiu Sanlang: "This is a good brother! He is much better than the black-faced Guan Gong in my family!"

The group of young men burst into laughter again.

The servant felt his scalp tingle after hearing this. After thinking for a while, he leaned close to Chang Feng's ear and said, "How about we go to Tianshui Lane? Madam Zhu and the two brothers and sisters haven't seen you for a long time. Why don't we go see them?"

He was mainly worried that Chang Feng was being too harsh in his words to these people. If word got back to his lord Sheng Hong's ears, he would probably treat Linqi Pavilion even less favorably, and those who served in Linqi Pavilion would have even more difficult lives in the future.

Chang Feng couldn't understand. He stuck out his tongue and said, "It's been very hard for me to take care of the three of them. How much less wine have I drunk and how many good places have I avoided in order to maintain that courtyard? I originally said that having a daughter would be enough, but she didn't. She insisted on having another son. I cared about them and their mother and was afraid of their father. I wanted to stand out as soon as possible so that I could give them a name. But, God is unfair! I failed the exam. What can I do? What can I do? Look carefully, these people at the banquet today are all the future pillars of the country! I have no hope of passing the imperial examination. I can only rely on these brothers to help me in the future. So, you say, can I not go to Chunhua Tower? Does Madam Zhu know how to prepare for me? You still have no vision. You can't see the situation clearly. You can't even eat shit when it's hot."

Seeing that he could not persuade her, the servant had no choice but to smile cautiously and say no more.

The group played until dawn the next day before dispersing.

It was already noon when Changfeng got home. Danju saw from afar that Lin Xiaoniang was scolding Changfeng at the gate of the courtyard. She returned to Shou'an Hall and said to Minglan, "It seems that Brother Feng did not come home last night."

Minglan: "Brother San failed the imperial examination and is in a bad mood. It would be nice to go out and have some fun."

Danju: "If the master knew about this, he would be furious again."

Minglan: "Father is going to get angry later. Let's wait and see."

Danju: "What do you mean, young lady?"

Minglan held the embroidery frame and said, "I mean, don't go anywhere or ask anything for the next two days. Just stay in the room and accompany me to embroider."

Danju: “Yes…”

Outside the house, Xiao Tao rushed in anxiously: "Girl, I just went to the street to buy meat, and I heard that something big happened in Brother Gu's family!"

Minglan and Danju looked at each other and said helplessly, "I just taught Danju to behave herself, and you come to tear me down!"

Xiao Tao stared blankly and scratched her head: "Huh?"