I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

The night is low and the stars are shining.

The lights in Sheng Mansion were just coming on, illuminating the deep courtyard.

Inside the house, Minglan was sitting with Xiaotao and Danju under the lamp. Her nimble fingers were dancing as the needle and thread shuttled back and forth, and pairs of thick knee pads gradually took shape.

The needle tip penetrated the cloth densely and carefully, and Minglan's eyes were focused and serious, as if all the intricate emotions were sewn into the needle and thread.

Xiao Tao sewed while secretly observing Ming Lan. A smile played on her lips, and she couldn't help but jokingly said, "Miss, we've already made enough knee pads for the eldest and second young masters. Why are you making more?"

Danju was more composed, but she couldn't help but agree: "Yes, girl, I've made several pairs of these."

Minglan pursed her lips and smiled, pretending to be nonchalant. "It's better to make a few more pairs as a backup, so that if they get worn out, we can have replacements."

She tried her best to hide the subtle shyness in her eyes, but she couldn't stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks.

Xiaotao and Danju looked at each other and understood each other tacitly.

They all knew in their hearts who this extra pair of knee pads was made for.

On the other side, Wang Ruofu was directing the servants to check off the clothes, writing brushes, and food that had been prepared long ago, while muttering to them, "These are all made of top-quality materials and are comfortable to wear. And these cakes are all freshly made in the kitchen and are very nourishing to the stomach..."

Her face was full of anticipation and worry, and she wanted to stuff all the best things into Changfeng and Changbai's bags.

Lin Qinshuang, on the other hand, looked weak and frail. She snuggled up to Changfeng, tears streaming down her face. She said in a delicate voice, "My son, you must take good care of yourself after you enter the Imperial Examination Hall. Mother will be waiting for you to return home after you pass the exam..."

As she spoke, she stuffed an exquisite sachet into Chang Feng's hand. The sachet was filled with amulets and spices that she had sewn herself.

Molan appeared calm and elegant. She sat at the desk and laid out the gifts that had been prepared long ago one by one.

She first took out a pair of jade pendants carved from the finest Hetian jade. The jade pendants were warm and delicate, and the carvings were ingenious. She handed them to Changbai and Changfeng respectively.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, I obtained this jade pendant specifically for you. I wish you all the best on your journey and a safe return."

Changbai took the jade pendant, examined it carefully, and nodded approvingly: "Molan is thoughtful."

Chang Feng took the jade pendant with a smile and played with it in his hand: "My sister still loves me."

Molan took out a set of four treasures of the study, including the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, all of which were of top quality. She stroked the pen and said softly:

"Here are the Hu brushes, Hui ink, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstones. I wish you, my elder and second brothers, great inspiration and inspiration."

Finally, she took out an exquisite food box and opened it. Inside were several plates of delicious snacks. She explained:

"This is the sweet-scented osmanthus cake and lotus seed soup I made myself. If you, eldest brother and third brother, are not used to the food in the Imperial Examination Hall, you can try this to relieve your fatigue."

Changbai and Changfeng felt a warm feeling in their hearts when they looked at the gifts that Molan had carefully prepared.

They knew that although Molan was a little spoiled on a daily basis, she was sincere to them, her brothers.

As the night deepened, the Sheng Mansion gradually became quiet.

Minglan sat alone in front of the window, looking at the bright moonlight outside, with a thousand thoughts in her mind.

She gently stroked the extra knee pads, her eyes gentle yet firm.

The next morning, Qi Heng sent people to deliver many gifts to thank the Sheng family for their daily care.

The gifts filled half of the hall, and the dazzling array of items fully demonstrated the luxury of the Duke of Qi's mansion.

Among them, the gifts given to Molan were particularly generous, including not only silks and satins, jewelry, but also a purple-hair brush that no one else had.

The purple-hair brush had a smooth handle and a sharp tip, and one could tell at a glance that it was something of great value.

When Molan saw the gifts, she just glanced at them indifferently, without showing much joy on her face.

She picked up a few items at random, then told Buwei to take the rest back, saying calmly, "Thank Young Master Qi for me. There are too many things, and I don't need them."

Her words were neither too enthusiastic nor offensive to Qi Heng's taste; she struck the right balance.

After Buwei left, Minglan sent Xiaotao and Danju away and quietly took out the carefully sewn knee pads from under her pillow.

She folded the knee pads and placed them in an exquisite sandalwood box.

She gently stroked the lid of the box, silently saying in her heart: I hope you will pass the imperial examination and return safely.

She called Buwei over, handed him the box, and whispered, "Give this to Young Master Qi for me, and say... I wish him all the best."

Buwei took the box, responded respectfully, and left in a hurry.

Not long after, Buwei returned to Duke Qi's Mansion, and Qi Heng was anxiously waiting for news.

As soon as he saw Buwei, he couldn't wait to ask, "Did Miss Molan accept the gift?"

Buwei bowed and reported: "My Lord, Miss Molan accepted a few of the items and asked me to bring the rest back. She also asked me to give you an inkstone, saying that she wishes you success in the imperial examination."

When Qi Heng heard this, a hint of disappointment flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

He picked up the Duan inkstone given by Molan and looked at it carefully. The inkstone felt soft to the touch and there were exquisite patterns carved on the surface. It was obvious that it was carefully selected by Molan.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"What else?" he asked casually.

After a moment's hesitation, Buwei reported truthfully, "Also... the Sixth Miss asked me to bring you something."

As he spoke, he presented the sandalwood box.

Qi Heng's eyes fell on the box, but he didn't reach out to take it. He just said lightly: "Put it away."

His mind was completely focused on the Hui inkstone given to him by Fang Molan, and he didn't notice at all what kind of heavy feelings were contained in the box he had casually put aside.

On the day of the scientific expedition, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

There were already crowds of people outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

People from the Sheng family and the Princess's Mansion came to see Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng off.

Wang Ruofu and Lin Qinshuang both had red eyes and gave them many warnings, fearing that they would be wronged in the Imperial Examination Hall.

Molan was dressed in simple and elegant clothes, standing beside Changbai and Changfeng, comforting them in a soft voice, with proper and graceful manners.

Minglan stood in the crowd, but her eyes were always fixed on the distance.

She heard that the entire street was booked by the Duke of Qi's Mansion to build momentum for Qi Heng, and the scene was very grand.

Finally, she saw Qi Heng riding a horse and slowly coming towards her.