The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 132 Shang Mingshu Must Pay for Her Blood Debt

"Wait, you want me to take action within three days to disrupt my plans? If you have a brilliant plan, why not tell me?" Shi Houqiong suppressed her anger and called out to Du Zhong.

Du Zhong stood in the courtyard, holding an umbrella. The lanterns swaying under the eaves of the surrounding houses cast their light on him. Snowflakes were falling, and his face was mostly obscured by the umbrella, with only his well-defined jawline visible. He slowly turned his head and said, "Master Shi, there's no need to test me. What I did today is not to gain your trust. How you deal with the merchants is your business. I will not participate or interfere. Our cooperation is over. Once I am safe, I will deliver the antidote for your son."

The cloak brushed aside the falling snow, and Du Zhong's figure disappeared into the snowy night.

"Is he trustworthy?" After Du Zhong disappeared, a burly man sent by the Japanese pirates walked out from behind Shi Houqiong.

“Han Ang is in his hands.” Shi Houqiong turned around. “If he were our enemy, he would have handed Han Ang over to the imperial envoy long ago, and Shang Jinliang would have been released long ago.” Shi Houqiong still had some doubts about Du Zhong, but Du Zhong’s actions these days had dispelled his suspicions.

Today, he has come to realize even more deeply that there is no room for compromise between Du Zhong and the merchants.

Moreover, Du Zhong never inquired about their plans, nor did he want to meet with the people behind him. Several times, he deliberately arranged for the cunning Du Zhong to avoid them, because he didn't want to know any of his secrets and thus invite trouble.

Clever, cunning, and cold-blooded.

Unfortunately, she could not be used by him and was preoccupied with her love for her children.

On the other hand, if Du Zhong hadn't been so swayed by his affections for his children, his plan wouldn't have gone so smoothly this time.

Without Du Zhong, dealing with the Shang family wouldn't be difficult for him, but bringing down Prefect He would be extremely challenging...

"When will we do it?"

Shi Houqiong's eyes were cold and sharp: "The day after tomorrow."

Shi Houqiong did not wait for Shang Mingshu to return, even though his arrangements might not be able to stop her.

How do we get started?

Han Ang is in Du Zhong's hands. He has been sending people to search for him these past few days, but they haven't found him yet. The imperial envoy is not someone they can bribe. Finding out in advance that the imperial envoy would be coming is already the limit of their ability.

However, this imperial envoy is incorruptible and meticulous in handling cases. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to prove that Shang Jinliang colluded with Prefect He, and there is also insufficient evidence to prove that Shang Jinliang smuggled gunpowder!
"Breakout!"

****
Shang Mingshu entered Fengyang Prefecture in Huizhou and encountered an acquaintance.

"My lady, Madam Zhu is downstairs again, demanding to see you," He Sui said softly as she entered the room, lifting her skirt.

Madam Zhu was Fang Xuyun. Before Fang Degui died, he sent the Fang family members away. The government arrested some of them. Fang Xuyun was already married off at that time. She married the second wife of the wealthy Zhu family in Fengyang Prefecture. This Zhu family was older than Liu Xun, and his grandson was the same age as her.

When Shang Mingshu arrived at Fengyang Prefecture, she came to see her. Shang Mingshu did not want to see anyone, but she came every day for three consecutive days.

"Has it been investigated?" Shang Mingshu stood by the window, holding a hand warmer. The window faced the main entrance of the inn. The streets were covered with a layer of snow, and there wasn't a single pedestrian hurrying by.

Fang Xuyun didn't bring anyone with her.

Or perhaps there's no one to take them along.

"It's all been found out." He Sui handed over the folded letter. Shang Mingshu held the hand warmer in one hand and tossed the letter aside with the other. It recorded every detail of Fang Xuyun's marriage into the Zhu family. He Mu had spent money to find out from the Zhu family's servants and collateral relatives.

With just a few casual glances, Shang Mingshu understood how much pain and suffering Fang Xuyun was going through.

"He Sui, what do you think she has left?" Shang Mingshu threw the letter into the charcoal stove before she finished reading it, watching the flames curl up the letter and slowly burn it.

“Madam Zhu is now penniless.” He Sui read the contents of the letter.

"What can a person with nothing do when she sees her enemy?" Shang Mingshu gently stroked the heater with her fingertips.

He Sui didn't reply. She had grown up with Shang Mingshu and knew all of Shang Mingshu's habits. Shang Mingshu's words weren't directed at her; they were a soliloquy.

"Has Zhang San Niangzi replied?" Shang Mingshu turned her head and asked.

He Sui: "The Third Madam originally disliked the cold winter weather, but she found it hard to refuse the gift you gave her. She said she would invite the magistrate's daughter to come with her, and they would arrive in about an hour."

Shang Mingshu nodded.

The reason she was delayed here for three days was that she was entangled by Fang Xuyun as soon as she entered Fengyang Prefecture. Fang Xuyun was not capable of controlling her itinerary so accurately, so she must have been instructed by someone. Shang Mingshu did just what she wanted.

Another reason was that she went to the capital to deliver a visiting card to the Duke of Changguo's mansion. The Duke's mansion said that Zhang San Niangzi was visiting relatives in Fengyang Prefecture. She was passing through Fengyang Prefecture. If it weren't for Fang Xuyun's matter, she only planned to send a gift to stabilize the relationship between the two.

Since Fang Xuyun has come to her door, Shang Mingshu might as well show her some kindness.

The journey has been uneventful. Her family had already clashed with the Shi family. Otherwise, given Shi Houqiong's hatred for her, those who were hunting her down would have been relentless. The fact that they haven't made a move yet shows that Shi Houqiong doesn't want to alert them.

“My lady, Madam Zhu is kneeling outside, crying and pleading to repent to you in person, begging you to give her a chance,” He Mu’s voice rang out from the outer room.

Shang Mingshu has always been delicate, and she tries to choose the best place to stay. Now she is in the best room of the largest inn in Fengyang Prefecture. The bedroom is next to the inner room, and there is a small reception hall outside the inner room. It is too far away for her to hear the outside sounds.

"Has anyone been sent to the Zhu residence?" Shang Mingshu asked.

"Not yet. I heard that Master Zhu is not in the manor today," He Mu replied respectfully. He knew that Shang Mingshu had invited Zhang San Niangzi over for a reason, so he did not make any decisions on his own.

"Send someone over there, no need to ask anyone else," Shang Mingshu instructed.

"Yes," He Mu replied, then asked, "Madam Zhu is still kneeling at the door, begging..."

"Let her beg for half an hour, then invite her to tidy up her appearance. Tell her I'm willing to see her, but don't let her see Lady Zhang." Shang Mingshu smiled faintly.

The inn was extremely deserted during the heavy snowfall of winter, especially this expensive inn. Only five or six rooms were occupied, and most of the occupants were not busybodies or gossips. Even the servants were kept in check.

Fang Xuyun pleaded tearfully in front of Shang Mingshu's door for a long time, but few people came. She had originally planned to force Shang Mingshu to open the door for her due to the pressure of gossip.

Her hatred for Shang Mingshu deepened! If it weren't for Shang Mingshu, how could her family have been destroyed? How could she have married a man old enough to be her grandfather as her second wife! And endured the ridicule of her stepson who was older than her parents!

Everything is thanks to Shang Mingshu, and she will make Shang Mingshu pay for her crimes at all costs!
"Ming Shu, I am truly ashamed of what I did in the past. These days, I have been unable to eat or sleep. I married into Fengyang Prefecture and cannot easily return home. I have always wanted to confess to you in person. Today, I am fortunate to meet you and only want to see you..." Fang Xuyun cried out loudly.