The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 166 Not Greedy for the Bright Moon in My Embrace
Life is unpredictable, and in the end, he still missed her.

Cheng Mian deeply regretted that he had gritted his teeth and dragged his sickly body to participate in the autumn examination, instead of thinking that he could avoid the Yan family's affairs by taking the exam again three years later.

He was born with good looks, came from a wealthy family, and possessed genuine talent and learning. He firmly believed that whenever he entered the capital and distinguished himself, he would encounter such an opportunity. He simply felt that three years of experience would be enough for him to become more thorough and cautious, and thus he would not be easily schemed against.

His youthful ignorance caused him to miss out on the love of his life.

"The teahouse is about to close. If Master Cheng wants to buy tea, please come early tomorrow." Shang Mingshu politely asked him to leave, as she and Cheng Mian should not be involved any further.

Cheng Mian slowly smiled and said, "It's getting late, it's time to go home. Third Sister... farewell."

He just wanted to see her from afar, but he had already been presumptuous to walk up to her without realizing it. It was rare that she was still able to save face for him. If he delayed any longer, he might cause her trouble.

Without daring to hesitate even for a moment, fearing that his remaining rationality would be unable to control him and he would no longer be able to take a step, Cheng Mian endured the dense, needle-like pain in his chest, turned around, and numbly moved forward step by step, lifting his feet which felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

When he reached the corner, he couldn't help but stop and turn around, only to see a glimpse of her clothes disappearing around the corner.

He was dejected and disappointed, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips, and continued on his way like a walking corpse.

Shang Mingshu left decisively. Hesitation will only lead to trouble. She could tell that Cheng Mian had not let go of her. The two should never cross paths again, which would be better for both her and Cheng Mian.

As soon as Shang Mingshu returned home, Hemai respectfully presented her with a box, saying, "My lady, a gentleman who claims to be surnamed Tan sent this over, instructing me to personally deliver it to you."

"Surname Tan?" Shang Mingshu raised her eyebrows.

The person in the capital surnamed Tan had some connection with her, and that person was none other than Tan Si.

The box gleamed with the luster of tung oil. It was an ordinary linden wood box, but it was inlaid with unusual mother-of-pearl. The workmanship was meticulous but not smooth enough, and it was immediately obvious that it was not an item deliberately displayed for sale in the market.

Her slender, pale fingers rested on the mother-of-pearl inlaid design of twin lotus blossoms, a beautiful sight with its iridescent colors. Shang Mingshu couldn't help but think of the inkstone Cheng Mian had given her years ago, which he had personally carved.

Compared to Tan Si, Cheng Mian was still too reserved.

A pure and innocent young man like Cheng Mian is a rare find in this world.

"Deliver it to the Tan family personally." Shang Mingshu handed the box to He Sui unopened.

Tan Si had moved long ago, but Shang Mingshu knew that he would wait for her reply at his old address.

Upon arriving in the capital, Tan Si became famous overnight for kneeling, gaining the favor of Grand Secretary Yan. This year, he shone brightly in the imperial examinations, becoming the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations. His act of rescuing a child from his horse is still talked about today.

In just a few months, the dilapidated courtyard of the Tan family transformed Tan Si from a thin, impoverished young man into a tall, handsome, and talented young man, like a bamboo or pine tree. As the harvest arrived, a sense of loss enveloped him.

"Third Sister...do you have a message for me?" Tan Si asked persistently, looking at the box that had clearly never been opened.

The ears of grain bowed respectfully and withdrew silently.

No further words were needed. Tan Si stood beneath a withered tree sprouting new buds, staring down at the object in his hand. After a long while, he looked up at the moon and sighed, "The moon hangs in the sky, its clear light spreading everywhere. How can the eyes of a mortal be worthy to perceive its splendor?"

For him, Shang Mingshu was like a bright moon hanging high in the night sky. She descended from the heavens and illuminated a path for him when he was at his lowest, most helpless, and most desperate. It was a broad road that would allow him to realize his ambitions.

At that time, he was only focused on seeking justice for his own feet; he had no other thoughts.
Once everything had settled down and his parents were arranging his marriage, he suddenly remembered his elegant wife. After much effort, he found out about her and knew that she was surrounded by outstanding individuals. He studied diligently, even to the point of exhaustion, and finally achieved the rank of third-place scholar. He wanted to see if he had even the slightest chance...

I embrace the bright moon, enclose my heart as a box, treasure it like a precious gem, and protect it for life.

He slowly opened the box, only to find it empty. He would never have the chance to express the sentiment behind the gift.

Turning around, Tan Si found a wooden stick and dug a deep pit under the old tree. He gently placed the box in, tamped the soil down, and buried it deeply. He stood under the tree for a long time. The moon leaned against the west tower. When he looked up, he could no longer see the moon's shadow. Only then did he turn around and leave silently step by step.

On his way back, he stared at his own shadow, almost greedily, constantly telling himself to let go: "I do not covet the bright moon to embrace me, but only thank its gentle light for accompanying me; when I look up in the future and see its radiance, I will cherish the memory in my heart, and that will last forever..."

"Master!" The servant who had been looking out in front of the Tan family mansion finally saw Tan Si's figure and rushed forward with tears in his eyes.

Tan Si, despite his young age, is already the pillar of the Tan family, and the servants in the mansion all call him "Master".

A servant's greeting made Tan's mother, who was eagerly awaiting her son's return, rush out to greet him. No one knows a son better than his mother; she knew perfectly well what her son had gone to do. Although her son's face was impeccable at the moment, she knew that his hopes had been dashed, otherwise his joy would have been uncontrollable.

"Mother, please agree to the marriage proposal from the Marquis's family for me tomorrow." Tan Si took the initiative to help his mother up.

Mother Tan felt a pang of pain in her heart: "Eldest son, I will go and see that woman myself..."

Tan's mother knew better than anyone how deeply her son admired a woman he had only met once. He mentioned that the woman's eyes shone with a light as bright as moonlight.

I admire her decisiveness, her strategy, her efficiency, and her talent...

"Mother." With a flick of his finger, Tan Si interrupted his mother, "My mind is made up. A marriage alliance with the Marquis's family will be beneficial to my career."

"Eldest son, you know perfectly well that the young lady of the Marquis's mansion..." Mother Tan couldn't bear to see her outstanding son suffer such injustice.

The lady of the Marquis's mansion is the legitimate daughter of the emperor. The reason why such a lady of such a prestigious family would take a fancy to her son is because the Tan family has no power or influence, and Tan Si is a handsome and talented man who is now a protégé of Chief Minister Yan.

This woman was immoral in her boudoir, became pregnant secretly, and after a forced abortion, her health was ruined, and she could no longer have children...

When these noble families came to propose marriage, they didn't hide anything, openly telling them that whether or not they accepted was the Tan family's choice. Because of the connection with Chief Minister Yan, they wouldn't coerce them, nor would they become angry or resentful after being rejected.

“Mother, I have someone in my heart, and she is a perfect match for the Lady of the Marquis’s Mansion. I have my own plans, and she has her own needs, so that neither of us will be at a disadvantage.” Tan Si had thought this through very clearly.

Shang Mingshu is his light, but this light can only illuminate him for a while. He should learn to tear through the darkness himself and become a ray of light. The Tan family was once manipulated and bullied by others, with no one to turn to for help. This must never happen again!

Tan's mother gently stroked Tan Si's face with her rough hands, and silent tears streamed down her cheeks...