First Phoenix Lady - Chapter 39

Speaking of something fishy, Old Madam Shi cast her gaze toward her youngest daughter.

Shi Wanzhen felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Just as she was about to say something, Xi Yue hurriedly rushed in to report that someone from the authorities had arrived and was waiting in the main banquet hall.

Shi Anxia quickly stood up, ready to meet the official, but was immediately grabbed by Shi Wanzhen by the wrist.

“Xia!” Shi Wanzhen gritted her teeth, suppressing her anger and whispered, “Listen to Aunt and go to the authorities to withdraw your complaint. Don’t pursue this any further, all right?”

Shi Anxia was puzzled, her brows furrowing. “Why?”

Shi Wanzhen bit her lip. “This… this will implicate your uncle!”

Shi Anxia was even more confused and repeated, “Why?”

Shi Wanzhen was so angry her chest hurt. “Just withdraw the complaint first, and I’ll tell you afterward.”

Shi Anxia shook her head, her gaze clear and innocent. “No.”

“Do you really want to get me killed?” Shi Wanzhen was trembling all over.

Shi Anxia tilted her head gently, still lost in confusion. “My mother’s shop was tampered with-what does that have to do with you? How would that get you killed? Let go of me, I need to see the official.”

With that, she pulled her wrist free and gracefully walked toward the door.

Shi Wanzhen, flustered and panicked, could no longer hold back and shouted at her retreating figure, “The owner selling Gan Porcelain originally sought out your uncle…”

Shi Anxia stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. Her deep eyes showed not the slightest ripple.

In fact, even without Shi Wanzhen’s confession, she had already investigated everything clearly.

Around this time last year, a businessman dealing in Gan Porcelain was introduced by a friend to Song Shiguang, the heir of Changshan Bo Mansion.

Song Shiguang was Shi Wanzhen’s husband.

Changshan Bo Mansion was somewhat similar to Jian’an Marquis Mansion-both were declining noble families. In short, one word: poor.

Song Shiguang and Shi Chengxuan were somewhat alike-incapable yet ambitious, unable to handle big matters and unwilling to do small ones, most fond of lingering in the inner residence.

He took concubine after concubine-the poorer he got, the more he took, and the more he took, the poorer he became.

Song Shiguang was thinking of making some money outside, and as luck would have it, he met Zhao Chongyang, who was in the Gan Porcelain business.

Song Shiguang was a braggart, especially outside, and boasted about the “Mingyu An Porcelain” shop.

At that time, he hadn’t thought of tampering with the shop, he simply felt that An Porcelain was prestigious and could outshine Gan Porcelain.

When Zhao Chongyang learned this, he was immediately full of respect and repeatedly toasted himself as punishment for not recognizing greatness.

He said he had failed to recognize Mount Tai-An Porcelain was porcelain only the wealthy could afford. If Brother Song had a shop specializing in An Porcelain, wasn’t Zhao Chongyang lucky to have met a nobleman?

As they talked further, Zhao Chongyang discovered that the heir’s wife was from Gan Zhou.

What a coincidence-Zhao Chongyang was also from Gan Zhou!

With a few more meetings, the two became fast friends.

Zhao Chongyang was generous, always grabbing the bill whenever they drank or had fun.

Song Shiguang thought him loyal and worth befriending. Over time, he let slip that “Mingyu An Porcelain” was actually his wife’s second sister-in-law’s shop.

He also said that the second sister-in-law was actually the legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of State Protection Mansion, and her family was wealthy.

Once, Zhao Chongyang asked, “So, your second sister-in-law’s shop is basically the Marquis Mansion’s shop, right?”

Song Shiguang didn’t know much about the Marquis Mansion’s affairs, but he often heard his wife complain that the second sister-in-law was just a wooden beauty who minded nothing at home and spent all day brooding in her ‘Begonia Courtyard.’

So he vaguely agreed.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Chongyang continued, “The Marquis Mansion’s money is, after all, the Marquis Mansion’s money. But as the Marquis Mansion’s son-in-law, if you get a bit of the benefit, the money might just flow into your pocket without anyone noticing.”
Song Shiguang was intrigued by the matter and asked, “How does this scheme work?”

Zhao Chongyang brought out two bowls. “Can you tell which one is Gan Porcelain and which is An Porcelain?”

Song Shiguang, tipsy, glanced at them. “Aren’t they the same?”

Zhao Chongyang was immensely pleased. “Our Gan Porcelain is no worse than An Porcelain, and most importantly, it’s cheap.” He then explained the method of passing Gan Porcelain off as An Porcelain. “As long as you can persuade the shopkeeper to buy from me, our plan is almost foolproof.”

Song Shiguang went home and urged his wife to handle the matter at her maiden family. Who should she approach? Naturally, not Madam Tang, the actual owner-the best candidate was Concubine Wen, who held the Household Management Authority.

Who would have thought Concubine Wen would refuse? Why would she turn down such a good deal?

Shi Wanzhen’s eyes flickered, and she immediately understood.

Because Concubine Wen considered it her own son’s business! If she helped sabotage Mingyu An Porcelain, wouldn’t that be like harming her own family’s assets?

Did Shi Wanzhen have no way out?

In fact, she had always known that Shi Yunxing and Shi Yunqi had been swapped. When Madam Tang and Concubine Wen gave birth, she was just over thirteen.

That day, she personally overheard Nanny Liu telling Concubine Wen, “Swapped, swapped, everything went smoothly.”

She wasn’t stupid. With a little observation, she deduced the children had been switched. After all, Shi Yunqi’s features resembled Madam Tang’s; anyone attentive enough could notice.

At the time, she was jealous of Madam Tang’s status and beauty, and even gloated for a while, thinking Madam Tang was utterly foolish.

Shi Wanzhen approached Concubine Wen again, threatening that if she didn’t help, she’d expose the child-swapping to Madam Tang, leaving Concubine Wen with no benefit at all.

Fearing the secret would be revealed, Concubine Wen thought sabotaging just one shop wouldn’t cause much loss. Besides, once her son inherited Madam Tang’s dowry, she could easily kick Shi Wanzhen out.

Thus, Concubine Wen agreed, demanding a thirty percent share.

Concubine Wen then went to Shopkeeper Yang, threatened him, and, unable to resist temptation, he agreed as well.

So, in this scheme, Song Shiguang took sixty percent, Concubine Wen thirty percent, and Shopkeeper Yang ten percent.

But Shopkeeper Yang, who got the smallest share, was sent to the authorities by Shi Anxia. Ordinary folk are terrified of the authorities and can’t withstand interrogation-they spill everything, true or false.

This morning, Shi Anxia received news that the authorities had sealed Zhao Chongyang’s Gan Porcelain shop and warehouse overnight, and taken Zhao Chongyang away.

Now, Zhao Chongyang’s wife was causing havoc at the Changshan Bo Mansion, so it was no wonder Shi Wanzhen rushed anxiously back to the Marquis Mansion for help.

But she had always looked down on Madam Tang and her daughter, and when asking for help, she offended them thoroughly. She still expected her mother to cover for her, and ordered Madam Tang and Shi Anxia to drop the charges.

She cried, “Mother, the heir didn’t mean to harm Sister-in-law. It was Zhao Chongyang who incited him; he lost his head and did something foolish. Mother, please help your daughter! Sister-in-law, please withdraw your complaint. If you spare our Bo Mansion this time, I’ll remember your kindness. Xia, I’m your real Aunt! You can’t force me like this! If word gets out, you’ll never find a good marriage…”

Tsk! Even now, Shi Wanzhen couldn’t help but threaten others!

Shi Anxia’s eyes were calm. “Withdrawing the complaint isn’t impossible, but you must pay double the silver my mother lost this year! Normally, Mingyu An Porcelain earns six hundred taels of silver annually-you must compensate us twelve hundred taels. Fine, I’ll waive the odd change: one thousand taels, not a coin less!”