The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 80: Encouragement to Pass the Imperial Examination
"General Xu, rest assured. The prefect and his wife are in good health." Shang Mingshu said without a trace of discomfort. "The people of Huizhou are simple and honest, and the counties are harmonious and supportive. Your Excellency quickly became familiar with Huizhou affairs after taking office. Before I left Huizhou, Your Excellency was conducting incognito inspections in various counties."

Shang Mingshu told Xu Tianxing in the simplest words that He Zhifu was doing very well in Huizhou Prefecture and had never suffered from a serious illness.

"Huizhou Prefecture is indeed a good place." Xu Tianxing nodded in agreement.

Xu Shaoxing said, "Miss San may not know that our general was born in Jining, but his ancestral home is actually from Huizhou Prefecture."

Shang Mingshu was a little surprised. Everyone thought the Xu family was from Jining, but she didn't expect his ancestral home was also Huizhou...

"It's an honor for the people of Huizhou Prefecture." Shang Mingshu was very polite and distant.

It was obvious that Shang Mingshu was deliberately avoiding suspicion, and Xu Tianxing didn't want to make things difficult for her. "Thank you, Madam Shang San, for telling my uncle and aunt the news. Shaoxing, you take Madam Shang San back."

"This..." Xu Shaoxing was anxious. When he met Xu Tianxing's gaze with a hint of pressure, he shuddered and hurriedly said to Shang Mingshu, "Mrs. Shang San, please come this way."

Shang Mingshu did not refuse Xu Shaoxing's farewell. Everyone knew what happened last night. Many people knew that she was invited by the government, and naturally there were people who pretended to be deaf and dumb and just liked to make up stories.

She doesn't care, but Xiao Yu does.

Being sent back politely by the government officials is a sign of attitude.

"How was it? Did you feel the slightest bit shaken after seeing General Xu?" Shang Mingshu had just returned and hadn't even sat down when Shang Zishu followed in, asking mysteriously, "I saw him yesterday under the moonlight. General Xu was quite heroic. His looks were slightly inferior to Second and Third Master Cheng, but his aura was something Third Master Cheng couldn't even compare to."

"Why? Are you interested?" Shang Mingshu sat down and poured herself a glass of warm water to moisten her lips. "If you're interested, I'll ask my aunt to ask Gongren about it."

"You just tease me." Shang Zishu patted her sister's shoulder lightly, turned around and sat down next to her. She picked up the teapot Shang Mingshu had put down and poured herself a glass of water. "How can you not know what I'm thinking? I want to marry into your family."

I had previously taken a liking to Chen Jin because I thought Chen Jin’s background was suitable for marrying into my family.

Shang Mingshu shook her head helplessly.

"What do you mean?" Shang Zishu couldn't figure out why Shang Mingshu had such an indescribable expression.

"Second sister, you want someone who is capable, wants to marry into my family's family, wants to be pretty, and has no ulterior motives. Where are you going to find them?" Shang Mingshu felt fortunate that Xiao Yu didn't know Shang Zishu's plan, otherwise she would be so anxious that she couldn't sleep.

"Look at Eucommia ulmoides, isn't it?" Shang Zishu was not convinced. Why did such a good thing happen to Shang Wenshu when she was so stupid? How could she not get such a good thing when she was so smart?

Shang Mingshu paused as she gripped the white porcelain cup and looked Shang Zishu up and down. "Second sister, are you jealous of the eldest sister?"

"I'm jealous of her?" Shang Zishu reacted violently, as if a fox had been caught by its tail. Her voice couldn't help but rise. "What is there about her that I'm jealous of?"

Shang Mingshu was just testing the waters, but now she was certain: "The man you want, my elder sister has it without any effort."

Shang Mingshu knew that Shang Zishu would not have any feelings for Du Zhong, but Du Zhong was her standard for choosing a son-in-law. There was such a person who completely met her standards, but this person was wholeheartedly devoted to Shang Wenshu. The most hateful thing was that Shang Wenshu was blind and could not see it. Wouldn't this make Shang Zishu, who already had a bad relationship with Shang Wenshu, angry?

"I don't have such thoughts about Du Zhong." Shang Zishu denied it in horror and jumped up from the stool.

Shang Mingshu couldn't help laughing and pulled Shang Zishu to sit down again: "I know that you, second sister, have no interest in Du Zhong." Shang Zishu is not a person who retreats. She and Shang Wenshu don't have much sisterhood. If she really admires Du Zhong, she will never do nothing. She must pull Shang Wenshu and Du Zhong to make things clear. No matter who Du Zhong chooses, she will be worthy of herself.

Shang Zishu breathed a sigh of relief.

Shang Mingshu said, "Second sister, fate is wonderful. Don't try to find someone based on your own expectations. Perhaps the person you marry in the future will have a look and personality you never imagined."

"Absolutely impossible." Shang Zishu refuted firmly, "I have the look I have in mind, so I have to find someone like that!"

"It was clearly meant to be about you, but now it's me." Shang Zishu reacted and wrinkled her nose at her sister, expressing her dissatisfaction. "Don't you have any feelings towards General Xu at all?"

Shang Mingshu simply shook her head.

Shang Zishu was just teasing her sister out of boredom. She was not disappointed no matter what answer Shang Mingshu gave her. She was different from Shang Jinliang.

Seeing Shang Mingshu was so straightforward, she stopped talking about this and the two sisters started talking about other things.

With an official ship accompanying them all the way, Shang Mingshu and his companions did not encounter any more setbacks on the journey. On the eighth day after leaving She County, they arrived at the Hangzhou dock. The manager of Xiang Mingzhai came to greet them early.

Xu Tianxing and his men took the Japanese pirates to the Hangzhou government office for handover, and Shang Mingshu and her family returned to the house purchased by Shang Jinliang in Hangzhou.

"Madam, there's a message from the outer courtyard saying that someone from the Cheng family is here to deliver a letter to you." Shang Mingshu came to her own courtyard and was watching the maid packing her bags when He Sui reported from outside the door.

This Cheng family member must be Cheng Mian. Shang Mingshu went outside in person. A servant with a delighted face bowed to Shang Mingshu immediately upon seeing her: "Madam San, I have been ordered to come and announce the good news. Our Third Master has passed the imperial examination."

Without Shang Mingshu's instructions, He Sui took out a bunch of money from his pocket and gave it to him.

Shang Mingshu also showed a sincere smile on her face. She was really happy for Cheng Mian.

"It's a great thing that the young man from the Cheng family has passed the imperial examination!" After sending away the Cheng family's servant, Shang Jinliang walked into the house with a few people, smiling.

"Didn't Dad go to check on the shop?" Shang Mingshu was puzzled. Shang Jinliang followed the manager to inspect the shop as soon as he got off the dock. There was nothing to do when he came back, as Xiao Yu had already taken care of the house.

"All the properties of Cheng's firm are distributing wedding cakes. I just learned that the young man from the Cheng family has passed the imperial examination, so I rushed back to tell you." Shang Jinliang regretted that Shang Mingshu rejected Xu Tianxing, but Shang Mingshu was determined to be Cheng Mian. Cheng Mian's passing the imperial examination was naturally a great joy, so how could she have the mind to inspect the shop?

"Hurry up and pack your bags. We're not having dinner at home today. Dad will take you to the largest restaurant in Hangzhou to taste the cooking skills of the imperial chef!"

The largest restaurant in Hangzhou was called Yuzhuan Pavilion, which was opened by the descendant of a retired imperial chef. It was always crowded with customers every day, and Shang Jinliang had some connections, so he was able to book a table on the same day.

Unexpectedly, they met Xu Tianxing and Xu Shaoxing at the door. Both of them were in casual clothes and were taller and more upright than ordinary men.

"Third Madam, what a coincidence, why don't we share a table?" Xu Shaoxing was a very outgoing person.

"Unfortunately, Uncle Shang's family was specially invited by me." Before Shang Mingshu could answer, a familiar voice sounded behind her.

(End of this chapter)