The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 125 Provocation at the door
"What brings you here, Second Master Cheng?" Shang Mingshu greeted him politely, but her tone was distant.

The young girl stood before him with a beaming smile, her face displaying an impeccable welcoming smile. Her bright eyes were clear, showing not a trace of resentment, as if she were not the one who had been wronged by her own brother yesterday.

For some reason, Cheng She felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn't bring himself to try and get closer to Shang Mingshu, so he could only respect her and return the greeting formally: "It's about some private matters."

Shang Mingshu glanced at Cheng She, and thinking that Cheng She's servants were all waiting outside, even his trusted servants who were usually close to him were standing at the door, she turned her head and instructed, "He Sui, go and warm two pots of good wine to warm up the young men under Master Cheng's command."

After dismissing He Sui, she gestured to Cheng She, saying, "Second Master Cheng, please have a seat."

As the hostess, she took her seat first. The small stove on the table glowed bright red with charcoal, and the boiling water in the kettle gurgled. She rolled up her sleeves and personally brewed tea.

In terms of tea-making skills, Shang Mingshu couldn't compare to Shang Zishu. After all, she came from a family of tea merchants, and her skills were more pleasing to the eye than many others. She personally poured tea for Cheng She: "Second Master Cheng, is there something you want to tell me about Third Master Cheng?"

Cheng She looked down at the clear tea, its surface rippling slightly, just like his restless heart. She was so frank and straightforward: "Yes."

After speaking, Cheng She stared intently at Shang Mingshu. He knew she wouldn't have any emotions about it, or even if she did, she wouldn't show them to him, but he still wanted to see her reaction immediately.

Shang Mingshu simply flicked her sleeve with one hand, held the teacup with the other, took a small sip, and when she looked up again, her smile was faint: "Second Master Cheng, please speak."

She didn't scold him to leave, nor did she ask him why he was the one to speak. She was polite and attentive, and Cheng She couldn't help but clench his fists, which were gently resting on his knees.

Taking a deep breath, Cheng She suppressed his turbulent emotions: "I shouldn't be the one to inform Third Sister about Third Brother and Yan Shi..."

Cheng She told Shang Mingshu everything he knew. He explained that he had only investigated and had not seen it with his own eyes, so his assessment was inevitably biased. He also passed on the documents he had found to Shang Mingshu.

Shang Mingshu did not refuse; she saw each word clearly.

“I told Third Sister these things not to exonerate Third Brother, nor to speak on his behalf, but simply because I believe Third Sister has the right to know.” Cheng She’s gaze fell on Shang Mingshu’s knuckles as she held the letter. Her slender fingers, like scallions, seemed to have starlight falling on their fingertips in the dim light.

Shang Mingshu read it carefully, folded it, put it back in the envelope, and handed it back to Cheng She with both hands: "Thank you for informing me, Second Master."

Her thanks were extremely sincere, but Cheng She gave her the respect she deserved.

Hearing her genuine gratitude, Cheng She felt only half relieved, because Shang Mingshu's reaction was so calm. He didn't know that Shang Mingshu could be so composed because she already knew some of the background from Xu Tianxing.

Having prepared myself mentally, I wasn't affected by the incident and was able to remain calm.

"Third Miss...do you have any plans?" Cheng She asked, carefully choosing his words.

Based on Cheng She's understanding of Shang Mingshu, she wouldn't let this go so easily.

Shang Mingshu smiled and poured Cheng She more tea: "I have no plans. I will set off for home tomorrow."

The unexpected answer startled Cheng She, and his tone even carried a hint of disbelief: "Really?"

"Second Master, is there anything you'd like to bring back for the First Master?" Shang Mingshu asked with her smile unchanged.

Cheng She had an impulse to ask her what she would do if Cheng Mian came to tell her the whole story and asked her if she could still accept Cheng Mian.

He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Why bother others with something that wouldn't happen? "Thank you, Third Madam. I'll have someone deliver it tomorrow." Cheng She still had some things to do. How could he remain indifferent to his brother's great injustice?
Shang Mingshu offered to help him carry things, and he naturally wouldn't refuse. This indicated that the two families would continue their relationship as before, remaining close friends.

It's just unknown whether Uncle Shang will still give the Cheng family a friendly look when the news gets back to Huizhou Prefecture...

Shang Mingshu was too polite, so much so that Cheng She found it difficult to adapt, and he did not stay long.

As for whether or not to vent her anger, Shang Mingshu actually depends on Cheng Mian's attitude. She has not been harmed at all in this matter. Cheng Mian is a living person, not an object. It is not her loss that he was taken away.

She couldn't presume to say it was Cheng Mian's loss; it was simply a case of being destined to meet but not to be together.

Those things that can be taken away don't want to come back anyway, so they're not worth her effort.

Shang Mingshu planned to come quietly and leave silently, but she didn't expect that someone would do the opposite of what she wanted.

"My lady, a woman claiming to be from the family of an imperial censor wants to see you." Shang Mingshu was exhausted from her journey and had just woken up from her afternoon nap. After finishing her dressing, He Mu announced this from outside.

Shang Mingshu chuckled almost inaudibly: "Please come in."

The best room in the inn had a place to receive guests. Shang Mingshu came out of the bedroom and saw a brightly dressed and beautiful woman. The woman was quite good-looking, but she dressed a bit too richly. Her already broad shoulders were covered with a pearl-embroidered shirt, which made her upper body look a bit sturdy and exposed her figure flaws.

Yan Zhiyi was quite amazed when she first saw Shang Mingshu. She realized for the first time what it meant to be naturally beautiful, like a lotus emerging from clear water.

There is a kind of beauty that may not be bright and grand, but is perfectly natural.

"So you are Lady Shang San?" Yan Zhiyi withdrew her gaze from sizing up Shang Mingshu. "My surname is Yan, and my father holds the position of Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."

"Madam Yan." Since the other party did not offer a formal greeting, Shang Mingshu simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Yan Zhiyi was very dissatisfied with her attitude, but since she had found out that this person would become her second sister-in-law in the future, she endured it: "I came to find you today because I want to ask you for a favor."

Shang Mingshu glanced at Yan Zhiyi for some reason: "I have no relation to Madam Yan. Madam Yan is the wife of an imperial censor, while I am just a merchant's daughter. I am afraid I cannot help Madam Yan. I would like to ask Madam Yan to seek help from someone more capable."

"You..." Yan Zhiyi was very angry. Looking at Shang Mingshu, who sat down and poured tea for herself without inviting her to sit down and pour tea for her, she could no longer suppress her spoiled princess temper. "You are not even my sister-in-law yet, but you want to act like your sister-in-law in front of me?"

As she spoke, Yan Zhiyi gave a mocking smile: "I originally thought you were a pragmatic person who would pass on a message to Cheng Mian for me, so that you would be fortunate enough to become family with me in the future, and I could promote you more. I didn't expect you to be so blind. You think that just because Cheng Er likes you, you can marry into the Cheng family? With just one word from me, you can forget about it!"

Shang Mingshu, holding her teacup, suddenly realized that Yan Zhiyi hadn't come to cause her trouble. It seemed someone had misled them, thinking she was dating Cheng She...

Shang Mingshu didn't explain, but simply raised her eyebrows: "Lady Yan, just wait and see."

Yan Zhiyi was so angry that she turned and left.

Shang Mingshu's face turned cold: "Call He Mu in."

Since some people don't want a peaceful life, wouldn't she be letting them down if she didn't grant their wish?