Chapter Eleven: A Sea of ​​Mysteries

In the eleventh month, the first snow of winter fell in Yangzhou.

Fine snowflakes fell on the green tiles of the Shen Mansion, piling up a thin layer of white frost, making this salt merchant's mansion appear even more solemn.

Inside Tingxuexuan, the smell of medicine permeated the cold air, mingling with the warmth of the charcoal fire, yet it could not dispel the gloom that shrouded the Shen family mansion—Shen Rulan's illness had worsened to a heartbreaking degree.

Shen Rulan lay on the bed, covered with two thick brocade quilts, yet she still felt the chill seeping into her bones.

The persistent low-grade fever often made her delirious, but the cough never stopped. It started as an intermittent cough and turned into a constant wheezing day and night, with each breath accompanied by a tearing pain in her lungs.

Rong Momo sat by the bed, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead with a warm handkerchief.

Looking at Shen Rulan's gaunt face—her once full cheeks were sunken, her eye sockets were dark, and her lips were an unnatural bluish-white. Even speaking required all her strength. Rong Momo's eyes couldn't help but redden, but her movements became even gentler.

"Young Master, please drink some medicine." Rong Mama brought over the freshly brewed medicine, carefully helped Shen Rulan sit up, and placed a soft pillow behind her back.

The herbal decoction was thick and bitter, but Shen Rulan had no strength to resist. She let Rong Mama feed her the medicine with a small spoon. The bitter taste spread on her tongue, but she was completely unaware of it—the pain in her body had already overshadowed the sensation of taste.

"Has Shen Fu... arrived?" After drinking the medicine, Shen Rulan asked breathlessly, her voice as weak as a candle flickering in the wind.

"He's here, waiting outside," Rong Mama replied hurriedly. "Shall I let him in?"

Shen Rulan nodded gently.

A moment later, Shen Fu walked in carrying a stack of documents. Seeing Shen Rulan's weak appearance, he felt a pang of sadness, but dared not show it. He could only bow and say, "Young Master, these are the documents that require your decision today. There are the scheduling of salt transport ships at Songjiang Saltworks, the accounting settlement of the Jiangxi branch, and... the year-end salt tax collection notice from the Salt Transport Commissioner."

Shen Rulan gestured for Shen Fu to place the document on the low table by the bedside, but she didn't even have the strength to lift her hand to look at it. She could only whisper, "Read...read it to me."

Shen Fu picked up the top-ranked salt tax notice and read it softly: "Commander of the Yangzhou Salt Transport Commission: This year's salt tax quota has been increased by 10% compared to previous years. All salt merchants are required to pay in full by the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Late payments will incur a 30% penalty on the overdue amount..."

"An increase of 10%?" Shen Rulan's eyes cleared instantly, revealing a hint of sharpness. "Zhao Dexian... certainly knows how to take advantage of a crisis."

She coughed a few times, her breathing becoming increasingly unsteady. "Tell the Songjiang Saltworks to prioritize the dispatch of salt-carrying ships to southern Anhui to ensure timely delivery; have the accountant at the Jiangxi branch double-check the accounts, and report any discrepancies to me immediately; as for the salt tax... first reply to the Salt Transport Commissioner's office, saying that I am seriously ill and need to postpone payment for ten days, allowing the Shen family time to make the necessary preparations."

"Yes!" Shen Fu quickly noted it down, not daring to linger, and bowed as he withdrew.

Watching Shen Fu's departing figure, Shen Rulan slowly closed her eyes.

She knew that if she collapsed, the Shen family would not only face Cao Jin's revenge and Zhao Dexian's exploitation, but also have to deal with the covetousness within the family. This vast family business could fall apart at any moment. But her physical decline was beyond her control; every breath became difficult, and she even began to doubt whether she could survive the winter.

Shen Rulan's condition showed no improvement, but Rong Momo's suspicions grew stronger.

She always felt that Shen Rulan's illness came on strangely, unlike a common overwork disease, but rather as if someone had secretly done something to it.

These days, she secretly made many arrangements behind everyone's back—replacing all of Shen Rulan's daily porcelain bowls, teacups, and spoons with new ones, and even re-washing and drying the bed curtains and pillowcases; the incense used in the mansion was also replaced with the absolutely safe mugwort incense she brought from her hometown; even the clay pot used to brew medicine for Shen Rulan was replaced with a brand new one, and she personally supervised the brewing in the kitchen.

However, these measures still failed to stop Shen Rulan's condition from worsening.

Rong Momo's heart sank to the bottom—if it wasn't something from outside that was the problem, then the problem must lie within the mansion, with those who surrounded Shen Rulan every day!

She remembered the bottle of Sichuan fritillary bulb and loquat syrup that Su Moqing had given her. Although she didn't want to doubt the girl, she still made thorough preparations. She poured out a small amount of the syrup, wrapped it in oiled paper, and entrusted it to an old servant in the manor who was from outside the city and absolutely reliable. She asked him to take it to an old doctor who lived in seclusion outside the city for examination. That old doctor had once been a royal physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, but had been demoted for offending powerful figures. He was highly skilled in medicine, especially in identifying poisons.

Three days later, the old servant brought back news, his tone tinged with relief: "Granny, the old doctor said that this loquat syrup is made with top-quality ingredients, all common tonic herbs, without a trace of poison, and it's even good for coughs!"

Rong Momo's heart eased slightly, but then an even greater fear gripped her—if Su Moqing's loquat syrup was fine, then where exactly was the problem? Who in the manor would dare to lay a hand on the young master?

From that day on, Rong Momo began to investigate discreetly.

She personally selected the ingredients for Shen Rulan's daily meals, watched the chef cook them, and then served them to Shen Rulan herself. The maids who served Shen Rulan were replaced by two trusted confidants whom she had raised herself. She even secretly observed the servants and gardeners in the mansion, paying attention to their every move.

After several days of investigation, there was still no clue. Everyone in the mansion was doing their job and there seemed to be nothing unusual.

"Am I overthinking things?" Granny Rong sat on the stone steps outside the kitchen, watching the falling snowflakes, her heart filled with confusion.

But when she thought of Shen Rulan coughing up blood, she immediately rejected the idea—no, no matter what, she had to find the cause of the illness, and she couldn't let the young master collapse for no reason!

Shen Keqin had no interest in Shen Rulan's life or death. Seeing that Shen Rulan's condition was serious, he was secretly pleased and his movements became more and more frequent.

Almost every day, he would run to Tingxuexuan under the guise of "visiting the sick," pretending to care, but in reality, he was trying to find out the truth about Shen Rulan's condition and also to make his presence known to the old lady.

That day, Shen Keqin brought a food box to Tingxuexuan again. When he saw that the old lady was also there, he immediately showed a concerned expression and said to Shen Rulan on the sickbed, "Rulan, your second uncle heard that your condition has worsened these past few days and he was very worried. He specially asked the kitchen to stew bird's nest. Try it and nourish your body."

Shen Rulan kept her eyes closed, too weak to even open them, let alone respond to him.

The old lady glanced at Shen Keqin and said in a calm tone, "That's kind of you. But Rulan can't eat anything right now, so you should take it back."

Shen Keqin, however, was not satisfied and turned to the old lady, saying, "Mother, I am really worried because Rulan's illness is not getting better. A few days ago, I asked around and learned that there is a 'miracle doctor' at Qingyun Temple outside the city who is good at treating difficult and complicated diseases. He has cured patients who have not been cured for a long time. I was thinking, why don't we ask this 'miracle doctor' to take a look at Rulan? Maybe there will be a turning point?"

Before the old lady could speak, Rong Mama interjected, "Second Master appreciates your kindness. However, Doctor Wang has been treating the young master's illness for a long time and knows the condition best. Changing doctors rashly might cause a conflict between the medications, which could be detrimental to the young master. This matter needs to be considered carefully and there is no need to rush it."

Rong Momo's words were watertight, both rejecting Shen Keqin's suggestion and giving him a way out.

Shen Keqin's face darkened, but he dared not refute her. Rong Momo was the old lady's confidante and held a very high position in the mansion. If he offended her, it would be even more difficult for him to gain a foothold in front of the old lady in the future.

"Since that's what Granny Rong says, then I'll listen to you." Shen Keqin said sullenly, picked up the food box, and turned to leave.

Watching Shen Keqin's departing figure, Rong Momo's eyes turned cold. She always felt that Shen Keqin was "too concerned" about Shen Rulan's illness, and that behind this concern lay an unspeakable scheme.

She secretly decided to include Shen Keqin in the investigation, especially the "miracle doctor" he recommended, and absolutely not let him get close to Shen Rulan.

The study of the Salt Transport Commissioner was warm and cozy.

Zhao Dexian, dressed in a thick fox fur coat, sat in a grand chair, holding a hand warmer in his hands, listening to the report from the clerk who had gone to visit the ailing Shen family.

“My lord, Shen Rulan’s illness is indeed very serious. When I arrived, he was lying in bed, struggling to even speak. He was so thin that he was unrecognizable. It seems he won’t last much longer,” the clerk said, bowing with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

Zhao Dexian stroked his beard, but there was no sympathy in his eyes. Instead, a shrewd look flashed across his face: "Can't hold out for long? That's perfect. Without Shen Rulan, the Shen family is leaderless. From now on, they won't be able to control the salt market in Yangzhou."

He paused, then continued, "I specifically asked you to increase the salt tax by 10% at the end of the year, just to see Shen Rulan's reaction. Now that he is seriously ill, the Shen family must be in a state of panic, and they will definitely be unable to raise the salt tax. Go and tell the Shen family that I, considering Shen Rulan's serious illness, can allow them to postpone the salt tax payment for ten days, but the penalty for late payment will be increased from 30% to 50%—I want to see if the Shen family can still come up with this money without Shen Rulan."

"Your Excellency is brilliant!" the clerk quickly echoed. "In this way, if the Shen family cannot pay their salt taxes, Your Excellency can use 'overdue salt taxes' as a pretext to seize some of their salt fields or saltworks. Whether the Shen family begs for mercy or other salt merchants seize the opportunity to compete for them, Your Excellency can profit from it!"

Zhao Dexian smiled with satisfaction: "You seem to understand me better and better. Go ahead and do as I say. Remember, be firm in your stance, but also leave room for maneuver. Let the Shen family know that their life and death are entirely in my hands."

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!" The clerk bowed and withdrew.

Zhao Dexian looked at the snowflakes falling outside the window, a greedy smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He had long considered the Shen family as his own, and Shen Rulan's serious illness was merely the first step in his plan to take over the Shen family's assets.

Once the Shen family falls, most of the profits from the Yangzhou salt market will fall into his hands. At that time, he will not only be able to fill his own pockets, but also use this "achievement" to be transferred back to the capital as soon as possible and rise step by step.

Inside the Yongsheng Escort Agency in western Yangzhou, Lin Zhennan was carefully reading a secret letter from the capital.

The letter was written by his daughter, Lin Xiao, and it detailed the Cao family's current situation in the capital: the Cao family's favor with the emperor was waning, the Jiangning Textile Bureau was in huge deficits and had been impeached by the censors many times, and the emperor was already dissatisfied. Cao Jin was trying to curry favor with everyone in the capital, but no one was willing to cooperate with him.

"The Cao family is indeed finished!" After reading the letter, Lin Zhennan's eyes flashed, and the weight that had been hanging in his heart finally lifted.

He had always worried that Cao Jin would use the Cao family's power to retaliate against the Shen family. Now it seems that the Cao family is in dire straits and has no power to support Cao Jin. Shen Rulan's pressure can be greatly reduced.

He immediately found pen and ink, picked up his brush and wrote a reply to Madam Shen, informing her of all the information Lin Xiao had gathered in the capital, especially highlighting the details of the Cao family's financial losses and the decline of imperial favor.

After finishing writing, he summoned the most capable bodyguard from the escort agency and instructed him, "This letter must be delivered to Old Madam Shen personally. Be careful on the way and do not delay!"

"Yes, Chief Escort!" The escort took the letter, carefully put it away, and immediately set off on horseback, heading straight for the Shen residence.

Lin Zhennan stood at the entrance of the escort agency, watching the departing figures of the escorts, and silently prayed in his heart.

He had cooperated with the Shen family for many years and knew that if the Shen family fell, Yongsheng Escort Agency would also be implicated.

The current loss of power by the Cao family is a significant turning point for the Shen family and Yongsheng Escort Agency, as they may be able to use this opportunity to completely get rid of Cao Jin's threat.

Lotus Lane, Su Family Courtyard.

Su Wenyuan's condition has stabilized, and he is able to get out of bed and walk around occasionally.

But Su Moqing was far from relieved; her worries grew with each passing day. She heard rumors about Shen Rulan's serious illness almost every day, from "worsening cough" to "coughing up blood" to "being bedridden." Each piece of news was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart with pain.

That day, Su Moqing went to the pharmacy to get medicine for her father and overheard several pharmacy clerks discussing Shen Rulan's condition.

"Have you heard? Young Master Shen hasn't gotten out of bed for days and can't even speak clearly. I heard he might not make it through the winter!"

"Alas, what a pity! So young and promising, yet he has contracted such a strange disease!"

"Who can argue with that? The Shen family has such a large business; without him, who knows what kind of chaos it would descend into!"

Su Moqing was in a state of utter confusion. After getting the medicine, she found herself heading towards the Shen residence as if possessed.

As she walked into the streets near the Shen residence, she stopped in her tracks, looking at the tall vermilion gate, the majestic stone lions, and the guards standing at the entrance. She was just a poor painter, and her status was vastly different from Shen Rulan's. She didn't even have the right to enter the Shen residence to visit him in his illness. If she went forward rashly, she would only humiliate herself.

She stood on the street corner, looking in the direction of the Shen Mansion. Snowflakes fell on her hair and shoulders, but she was completely unaware.

A wave of helplessness washed over her. She even went to a temple to ask for a peace charm for Shen Rulan, but she didn't know how to give it to him. She could only hold the charm tightly in her hand and silently pray that he would recover soon.

"Father is right, we are not from the same world." Su Moqing murmured to herself, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She knew that all she could do was to worry about her from afar, but there was nothing else she could do.

In the end, she turned and left. Snowflakes fell on the bluestone slab behind her, leaving a string of shallow footprints, which were quickly covered by new snowflakes, as if she had never appeared.

Late at night, Tingxuexuan was completely silent, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

Shen Rulan was wide awake, her low-grade fever making her consciousness sometimes blurry and sometimes clear. When she was clear-headed, she would repeatedly think about the cause of her illness—it was too strange. The illness came on suddenly and medicine was ineffective. Clearly, someone was secretly causing trouble!

"Granny..." Shen Rulan called softly, her voice weak but firm.

The old woman Rong, who had been dozing by the bedside, immediately woke up and hurriedly asked, "Young Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"During the time I've been ill... has there been anything unusual in the household, especially in terms of diet and daily life?" Shen Rulan opened her eyes, her gaze clear and resolute.

Rong Momo was shocked, knowing that Shen Rulan had finally realized that something was wrong.

She quickly lowered her voice and told Shen Rulan about the investigation she had been conducting these past few days, the test results of Su Moqing's loquat syrup, and Shen Keqin's recent unusual behavior: "This old servant has changed all your utensils and supervised your diet, but I haven't found anything unusual. It's just that Second Master has been too 'concerned' about your condition lately and even wanted to recommend a 'miracle doctor' of unknown origin. This old servant always feels that something is wrong with him."

Shen Rulan listened quietly, her pale face expressionless, only the slight curling of her fingers on the brocade quilt betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

She was silent for a moment, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, and said in a low voice, "Investigate...continue the investigation. Everyone who has handled my food and daily life, whether cooks, maids, or servants, cannot be let go. Focus on investigating...the people in the kitchen, and that 'miracle doctor' that my second uncle recommended. Find out his background and what his relationship with my second uncle is."

"Yes!" Rong Mama's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Shen Rulan was about to get serious.

She immediately replied, "This old servant will arrange for someone to investigate tomorrow and will definitely find the mastermind behind this!"

Shen Rulan nodded gently and slowly closed her eyes.

She knew that this was a race against time. If the cause of her illness could not be found soon, not only would her life be in danger, but the Shen family would also be doomed.

She could only pin her hopes on Rong Momo's investigation, hoping that the enemy hiding in the shadows would be found as soon as possible.

Inside the kitchen of the Shen family mansion, the helper, A-Gui, was quietly washing the dishes.

He was wearing a coarse cloth short jacket, his head down, concealing the expression in his eyes, and he looked no different from the other servants.

But no one knew that this taciturn young man was the murderer who secretly put the "Heartbreak Powder" into Shen Rulan's tonic.

These days, as he watched Shen Rulan grow weaker day by day, he felt both fear and excitement.

What he feared was that his whereabouts would be exposed and he would be killed by the Shen family; what he was excited about was that as long as Shen Rulan died, he could get the five hundred taels of silver that Shen Keqin had promised, leave Yangzhou, return to his hometown to build a house, get married, and live a good life.

He carefully controlled the dosage of the poison, only sprinkling a tiny amount of powder into the crevices of the inner wall of the purple clay jar each time, ensuring that Shen Rulan's condition deteriorated slowly, appearing as a natural onset, so as not to arouse any suspicion.

Every day, watching the chef stew tonics for Shen Rulan in that purple clay pot filled him with dread, yet he couldn't help but feel hopeful—if he just waited a little longer, Shen Rulan would completely collapse, and he could collect the bounty and escape to a distant land.