The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 143 I cannot accomplish anything by myself.
“The mountain road is rugged and difficult to travel, Third Madam, why don’t you wait a little longer?” Cheng She looked at the slender Shang Mingshu carrying the nearly tall, even more robust Shang Zishu on her back, and was somewhat worried. “Uncle Shang is well, Third Madam, please rest assured.”

Concerned about Shang Mingshu's anxiety about the situation at home, Cheng She added, "As for Shang Wenshu and the other woman, the fact that he encountered Shang Mingshu here, and that she showed no signs of grief, means she is safe and sound."

“Second Master Cheng, my elder sister urgently needs medical attention.” Shang Mingshu understood Cheng She’s good intentions and said gently, “Don’t worry, I won’t be so anxious as to disregard the lives of my sister and me.”

Cheng She then saw clearly that Shang Zishu, her face still damp, was leaning limply against Shang Mingshu's back, her lips slightly parted, her breathing rapid, like a fish out of water. He was slightly startled and felt very guilty: "It was my negligence..."

Shang Mingshu shook her head slightly and stepped forward: "It has nothing to do with Second Master Cheng. I should thank Second Master Cheng for arriving in time to save my sister."

"I'll clear the way." Cheng She knew Shang Mingshu was anxious, so he didn't say anything more and walked ahead to clear the way, trying to make the road as smooth as possible.

Shang Mingshu stood firmly on her feet, while Shang Zishu, delirious with fever, clung even tighter to her younger sister.

As they descended the mountain, they happened to run into He Mu and his group who were returning from their journey. Du Zhong, who was using acupuncture on himself to stay upright and not faint, knew that Shang Zishu's condition was critical, so he immediately took over. He had no medicine on him, so he could only give Shang Zishu acupuncture to reduce her fever.

"Madam, there is no pen and ink. I will read out a prescription. If I faint after we return to the city, please get the medicine for Second Madam according to the prescription..." Shang Wenshu and Du Zhong rode on horseback, led by He Mu. He read out the prescription to Shang Wenshu in a low voice.

She read it three times in a row, and Shang Wenshu silently memorized it, especially the dosage of each medicine. Shang Wenshu had a natural talent for numbers and remembered it perfectly. Only then did Du Zhong faint with a smile.

"Du Zhong, wake up! Where is your own prescription?" Shang Wenshu gently shook Du Zhong.

No matter how she called him, Du Zhong didn't wake up. She had to check his breathing every now and then to make sure he was still alive.

At the city gate, Shang Jinliang and Xiao Yushi waited with the doctor. They were relieved to see their three daughters return alive. The doctor immediately took care of Shang Zishu and Du Zhong.

Shang Zishu's fever was not serious because of the acupuncture with Eucommia ulmoides. It was Eucommia ulmoides who was on the verge of death. If it weren't for the precious life-saving medicine, she would have died on the way. Even so, when Cheng She invited Physician Pu, he only said, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate."

He wasn't sure if Du Zhong would survive.

Shang Wenshu stayed by the bedside, never taking off her clothes or sleeping, to take care of her.

"Shi Houqiong has been arrested and has confessed to his crimes without reservation..." Shang Jinliang returned from the government office the next day, but his face did not show much joy. "The Imperial Envoy and General Xu searched the Shi family's residence and found a secret passage. The entrance mechanism of the secret passage has been destroyed. If it is forcibly opened, it will cause the entire mansion to collapse and the secret passage will also be destroyed."

"He denies colluding with the Japanese pirates?" Shang Mingshu showed no surprise. Shi Houqiong was a cunning old fox. She had even suspected that Shi Houqiong would deny hiring someone to kill them, but now he actually admitted to hiring someone. "Where are the rest of the Shi family?"

Shang Jinliang: "The two children are missing, and the Shi family has not found any evidence of collusion with the Japanese pirates." "It doesn't matter, there's still Chi Wulang." Shang Mingshu went to such great lengths to capture Chi Wulang alive precisely to prevent Shi Houqiong from being stubborn.

"Fortunately, you captured Chi Wulang. The prefect is now investigating his identity and has found out that it was a lie. Once Du Zhong wakes up and testifies, Shi Houqiong will be unable to escape the charge of colluding with the Japanese pirates." Shang Jinliang looked at his daughter with even more relief and pride, and had to admit that he was getting old. "This time, we were able to eradicate the Shi family completely, all thanks to you."

"I couldn't have accomplished this by myself alone." Shang Mingshu didn't take credit. "It was our whole family working together. Du Zhong contributed just as much as I did."

"You're right." Shang Jinliang was even happier. His daughter wasn't arrogant about her achievements. In the past, he would have regretted that Shang Mingshu was a boy. But after experiencing so much, he had come to terms with it. "Du Zhong deserves a lot of credit this time."

Before Shang Mingshu left, her family had a secret meeting. That night, Shang Mingshu said to them, "If Third Master Cheng gets into trouble, it can distract me and Second Master Cheng. Shi Houqiong is wary of Second Master Cheng. He tried to take action several times, but I thwarted his plans. I also took the initiative to prevent him from burning down the tea trees. I'm afraid he will also have some reservations about me."

I'm not sure if he'll make a move when I go to the capital. Fortunately, although we merchants have his spies, they're just idle people and can't do much. He'll have to start from within us. I've left him an opening. You keep an eye on this person. If he shows any signs of trouble, he'll definitely have murderous intent.

We must then turn the tables and take the initiative; how to proceed is a matter for you, Father, to decide.”

The gap that Shang Mingshu mentioned was the Shang Qian family, who had been expelled from the city's charitable institution.

Everyone thought that she was helpless against Shang Qianshi because Shang Jinliang valued the elders of the clan. If Shang Mingshu really wanted to deal with an old woman, she would have countless ways to do so quietly. Shang Qianshi deliberately left her behind.

As expected, the Shi family contacted the Shang Qian clan, asking them to test the Shang clan members to see if anyone was willing to join them in dealing with Shang Jinliang. The Shang clan members were not particularly clever, and many were greedy and ugly, but the heads of each branch were still able to distinguish between insiders and outsiders.

The Shi family failed, but the Shang family made a move. This was a signal. Shang Jinliang met secretly again and devised a plan with Du Zhong to lure the snake out of its hole. He deliberately let the Shi family see Du Zhong relentlessly pursuing Shang Wenshu several times, and Shang Wenshu firmly refused, causing the Shi family to approach Du Zhong...

Wen Yan's successful defection brought the Shi family a taste of success. Shi Houqiong became much more cautious towards Du Zhong, probing him repeatedly and delaying her actions, which forced Du Zhong and Shang Wenshu to put on a grand show.

Only by concealing Shang Zishu's true reaction could Shi Houqiong barely believe that Du Zhong had no way out.

The plan wasn't particularly meticulous or clever, but its strength lay in Shi Houqiong's intense hatred for the Shang family and his desire to eradicate them completely. Shi Guangchao's death was unbearable for him, and the pain and hatred in his heart made him eager to make Shang Mingshu pay with her life.

Even though he suspected it might be a trap, his gambler's mentality still made him unable to resist taking the plunge. He thought, what if it works? What if he misses this golden opportunity?
“This time, Magistrate Gao played a crucial role in enabling Shi Houqiong to fail…” Shang Jinliang had something else to tell Shang Mingshu: “Prefect He and I were secretly harmed by Shi Houqiong. The Imperial Envoy did not want to believe that we had deliberately fallen into Shi Houqiong’s trap. It was only after Magistrate Gao intervened that the Imperial Envoy believed us.”

This was all thanks to the good deeds Shang Mingshu had done. She knew that Magistrate Gao was a good official, so she put aside her past prejudices, dealt with the matter objectively, and did not use Prefect He to take action against Magistrate Gao. Magistrate Gao was grateful and reciprocated her kindness.

The imperial envoy was sent by the court, but Shi Houqiong knew about it before they did, almost ruining their grand plan.