The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 149 Rejecting Three Prodigies
Zhang Yushuang returned home after writing a letter, which caused quite a stir in the Changguo Duke's mansion. They looked down on Shang Shi, who was merely a merchant, and worried that Zhang Yushuang had been bewitched. Furthermore, the concubine who had given birth to an illegitimate son suspected that Shang Shi was deceiving Zhang Yushuang in an attempt to ruin her marriage and thus curry favor with the Duke's family.

The Duke of Changguo was also worried that his daughter would be taken advantage of. It was Zhang Shizi who overruled the objections of others and instructed his servants to prepare generous gifts and send them to the Shang family to express his gratitude for the hospitality of the Shang family to Zhang Yushuang and to show his support for Zhang Yushuang's decision.

She couldn't help but confide in Lu Yi that her sister and Shang Mingshu's friendship had reached the point of being close family ties.

"Sanlang, my sister originally wanted to set you up with this Lady Shang." Prince Zhang suddenly remembered this and couldn't help but mention it casually, then teased Lu Yi, "But Lady Shang politely declined, hahahahaha... Sanlang, you've finally been rejected by a young lady!"

As Zhang Yushuang said, Lu Yi's family background, his own excellence, and his handsome appearance made him the object of desire for many noble ladies in the capital. They could search the entire capital and find no woman who would refuse him.

Lu Yi recalled his brief encounter with Shang Mingshu but didn't take it to heart. Shang Mingshu was indeed a beautiful woman, and she had dealt with his father with composure and grace that day. If it weren't for his second brother's affair, and Zhang Yushuang had introduced him to such a woman, he might have been willing to get to know her better.

He wouldn't have any thoughts about Cheng She.

"But don't be discouraged," Prince Zhang comforted her. "It's not just you; Xu's eldest son was also rejected. Oh, and your second brother too—his wife said they were just casual acquaintances..."

Zhang Shizi had met all three of them, especially Xu Tianxing. In fact, he and Xu Tianxing were of the same generation and were often compared during their youth. Lu Yi and Cheng She were both several years younger than him.

The three men were undoubtedly young talents, the pride of heaven, each with their own strengths. He never imagined that one day a woman would be able to shut out such a group of three. He was quite eager to go to Huizhou Prefecture to see the woman's charm with his own eyes.

Well, at the beginning of the year, he will personally go to Huizhou Prefecture to bring his sister home.

"Just casual acquaintances?" Lu Sanlang frowned slightly, stood up and took his leave.

"Hey, Sanlang..."

No matter how Zhang Shizi called out, Lu Sanlang didn't turn his head, making Zhang Shizi wonder if he had said something wrong...

After returning home, Lu Sanlang sent people to investigate Cheng She again. The previous rumors about Cheng She and Shang Mingshu were sent by people from the Lu family who stayed in Huizhou Prefecture. They did not dare to investigate Cheng She too openly, for fear of arousing Cheng She's resentment.

This was a huge misunderstanding. Lu Sanlang not only sent people to investigate thoroughly, but also personally went to see Cheng Mian.

When he learned the whole story, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He never expected that his arrogant older brother was just being wishful.

He felt that he might really be able to go to Huizhou Prefecture, and perhaps he could win back his brother's heart and resolve his father's inner conflict!
Shang Mingshu was completely unaware of this, and Zhang Yushuang decided to stay and spend the New Year with them. Shang Mingshu then took her to experience the festive atmosphere of Huizhou Prefecture firsthand.

From Lunar New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival, there are different activities every day.

The tradition of ancestor worship and the New Year's Eve dinner is observed throughout this vast country. In Huizhou Prefecture, there is a custom of lighting lanterns, with either oil lamps or octagonal palace lanterns lit both inside and outside the house. The three Shang sisters chose the latter.

The mansion was very large, and the three sisters decided on a whim to order their own food, starting from different places. Shang Wenshu was accompanied by Du Zhong, Shang Zishu was accompanied by Chen Che, and Shang Mingshu and Zhang Yushuang naturally went together.

The Chen family had not yet completely eliminated Chen Jin and his son. Chen Che's risky trip was not without its dangers. Mrs. Chen was worried that Chen Che would encounter danger on his return journey, so she decided to let Chen Che stay in Shangjia to spend the last New Year with Shang Zishu at her parents' home.

"Why is it called 'lighting lanterns'?" Zhang Yushuang asked curiously, accompanying Shang Mingshu as they lit one octagonal palace lantern after another. Strings of lanterns lit up, illuminating the entire white-walled, black-tiled mansion. The light shone through the red gauze, and the vibrant color made the house inside and out glow with a festive light. "Lighting lanterns..." Shang Mingshu pronounced it in the Huizhou dialect, which sounded like "lighting a rooster," "meaning the prosperity of the family."

"Oh~" Zhang Yushuang couldn't help but imitate the slang, and the two of them playfully teased each other.

The three sisters each lit their own lamps, and finally gathered in the central hall, where they agreed to stay up all night together.

Zhang Yushuang prepared mahjong tiles. In the capital, she often played them with her siblings and the children of officials she associated with. Shang Mingshu had some experience with them before, but Shang Wenshu and Shang Zishu had never had any contact with them.

After Zhang Yushuang explained the rules in detail, the four ladies tried out two rounds. Soon, Shang Wenshu and Shang Zishu got the hang of it. Full of confidence, Zhang Yushuang won the first two rounds. However, as Shang Wenshu became more proficient, with her excellent memory and arithmetic skills, Zhang Yushuang could only win by pure luck.

Unfortunately, Shang Zishu, who was luckier than her, kept getting her cards stolen. By the time dawn broke, Zhang Yushuang had lost to three other players. Later, the group went back to their rooms to rest while yawning.

Du Zhong and Chen Che sat to one side and talked late into the night.

The three Shang sisters, along with Zhang Yushuang, first paid New Year's visits to Xiao Yushi and Shang Jinliang, receiving lucky money. Then they worshipped their ancestors together, followed by morning tea and a meal of food and drink.

Morning tea involves drinking tea leaves first, followed by sweetened tea, symbolizing "bitter before sweet".

The name "Li Shi Mian" (利市面) means "always bringing good fortune".

Every custom was different from those in Kyoto, and Zhang Yushuang, who had never spent the New Year in Fengyang Prefecture before, found it all very novel.

Next, Shang Mingshu took Zhang Yushuang to see dragon and lion dances, folk artisans' bench dragon and fish lantern performances, participate in the fish lantern activity to pray for good weather, watch the human pyramid and big knife lantern dance, and listen to Huizhou folk songs and Mulian opera...

Lanterns illuminate the streets, riddles are guessed, and lanterns parade through the streets...

Everyone cast aside their worries and immersed themselves in the joy of the New Year.

During the New Year holiday, Xu Tianxing did not return to the Xu family, but instead came to Huizhou Prefecture to be with Madam He. During this time, Madam He invited Xiao Yu and her three sisters, Shang Mingshu, to visit the residence several times, seemingly intending to bring them together.

Shang Mingshu left gracefully and with impeccable manners.

Before the Lunar New Year, Cheng Qin, the head of the Cheng family, and his wife paid a special visit to Shang Jinliang to sincerely apologize for Cheng Mian's matter. Shang Jinliang, who understood the cause and effect, did not blame him. The Cheng family's enthusiasm for Shang remained undiminished.

Cheng She also frequently visited Shang Jinliang to seek his advice and discuss the follow-up matters concerning the Shi family.

Shang Mingshu encountered Cheng She several times, and Shang Zishu and Zhang Yushuang always whispered in her ear that Cheng She had feelings for her, but Shang Mingshu never felt it. Every time he saw her, he was always well-mannered and respectful.

During the Lantern Festival, at the lantern fair, I happened to run into the two of them at the same time. At that time, Shang Mingshu was guessing lantern riddles with Zhang Yushuang. This year, several wealthy merchants jointly funded the creation of a glass palace lantern, which was hung high up. Long lines were extended from the eight sides of the palace lantern, hanging lanterns with riddles on them.