The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 129 A Nobleman's Summoning
After seeing Cheng Mian off, Shang Mingshu immediately set off, thinking that the journey would be smooth and uneventful. She had just left the capital and entered the first post station in Beizhili when there was a knock on the door and He Mu’s solemn voice came from inside.

“Third Miss, a gentleman wishes to see you.” He Mu lowered his voice. “The young man who came to deliver the message is highly skilled and has an extraordinary demeanor. He is here on behalf of my father.”

The only downside of the post station was that it was easy to run into powerful and influential people. If it weren't for the arduous journey to the city and the extremely heavy snow, Shang Mingshu wouldn't have chosen to spend a lot of money to stay at the post station.

"Do you know its origin?" Shang Mingshu asked through the door.

"The messenger said his family name is Lu." He Mu lowered his head. He had inquired about it, and the people guarding the post station were very secretive about the father and son, and dared not accept any amount of money. He told Shang Mingshu all of this.

After considering for a moment, Shang Mingshu allowed He Sui to accompany her out.

It was the best-facing and largest room in the inn, indicating that none of the guests staying today were of higher status than them. She remembered that when she came in, the innkeepers specifically told her not to come and go as she pleased, so as not to disturb the guest. She guessed that this was the guest.

The snow on the edge of the steps was cleared clean. Shang Mingshu herself was a martial artist, and as she approached, she noticed that there were guards wearing straw hats and raincoats in the corridor, and there were also people guarding the shadowy areas.

"Madam Shang, please." Shang Mingshu stepped onto the last step. The guard stepped forward, opened the door, but stopped the He Mu siblings who were following behind her.

Shang Mingshu lowered her eyes and paused for a moment before turning around and ordering, "You all stay here."

There were only two people in the room, an old man and a young man. The young man had a rugged appearance, with sword-like eyebrows and eagle eyes, like a sword that had not yet been drawn, ready to draw blood at the slightest touch.

The old man merely met his gaze, and the aura of a superior was overwhelming. His combed hair was mostly gray, with strands of silver at his temples, yet he showed no signs of being old and weary.

Shang Mingshu was unaware of the two men's origins. She first silently bowed to the old man as a junior, then turned to the young man and bowed to him as an equal. The old man kept looking at her, while the young man returned the bow with impeccable manners.

Despite the old man's scrutiny, Shang Mingshu remained calm and allowed him to examine her.

Outside the window, snowflakes fell heavily, while inside the house, boiling water bubbled. Only then did the old man ask, "I've heard that your family makes a living from tea, so you must be quite skilled in this art. This Mengding Huangya tea is very rare, so don't waste it on my son and me."

Mengding Huangya is a top-grade tribute tea, deeply loved by the royal family.

Its production is extremely rare, and even members of the royal family may not have it. It can only be obtained with the emperor's favor. They claim to be surnamed Lu, and Shang Shu can only think of one person.

"This humble woman will make a fool of herself." Shang Mingshu neither flinched nor declined.

She walked forward unhurriedly, chose a seat at the end of the table, rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands, and began to brew tea with complete focus.

In the art of tea brewing, Shang Mingshu is no match for Shang Zishu. That is because Shang Zishu has a unique talent in this art, and Shang Mingshu is only second to her in terms of talent. She has mastered all the necessary skills.

"Indeed, everyone has their own expertise. Madam Shang is skilled in this. The same tea can produce vastly different brews." Lord Lu praised after taking a sip.

"You flatter me, sir. The quality of tea is influenced by many factors, including the water used for brewing. Today, I used snow water from plum blossoms, which added a touch of fragrance," Shang Mingshu said, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I've heard that Madam Shang not only understands tea and is good at business, but has also studied martial arts since childhood." Lord Lu spoke to Shang Mingshu in a gentle and polite manner, like an elder.

Shang Mingshu's mind raced with thoughts, but on the surface she maintained the demeanor of a submissive junior: "I have dabbled in it, but I haven't mastered it."

"Drawing her bow on the dark river to take the head of the Japanese pirates, and severely defeating assassins wielding muskets in the suburbs, fighting against many alone..." Lord Lu casually added a piece of charcoal to the small stove, the bright red firelight illuminating his majestic face. "Madam Shang's martial arts are outstanding. My Lu family has practiced martial arts for generations, and none of the young men of the same age in the clan can compare to Madam Shang." "What are your orders, my lord? Please speak frankly." Shang Mingshu had already confirmed the other party's identity. She didn't know why she had attracted the attention of this powerful figure who could rival the Grand Secretary Yan, and why he had gone to the trouble of investigating her. So she simply asked directly.

Beside His Majesty stood a civil official and a military commander. Unlike the powerful and influential Chief Minister Yan, this leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was His Majesty's wet nurse and a trusted confidant who had saved His Majesty's life.

"I heard you're discussing marriage with the second son of the Cheng family in Shexian County." Commander Lu looked at Shang Mingshu, his gaze now filled with scrutiny and assessment.

Cheng She?

Shang Mingshu roughly guessed why such rumors were circulating. She had already guessed from Yan Niangzi's words that it was no secret in Huizhou Prefecture that the Shang family had close ties with the Cheng family and intended to form a marriage alliance. However, her relationship with Cheng Mian was both open and secretive, and she had been speculating about which member of the Cheng family she would marry.

Cheng She transported tea from afar and gave it all to the merchants. The rumor that she was going to marry Cheng She had been circulating in Huizhou Prefecture for several days. Cheng Mian was worried that Yan Shi would harm her, so he must have done something to confirm that the previous business dealings between the Shang and Cheng families were between her and Cheng She.

Even if Cheng She is working for the imperial court, he should not disturb this important official.

How much does Commander Lu rely on Cheng She for him to personally meet her and even inquire about her?

"Sir, you misunderstand, I and..."

"Son!"

"boom!"

Just as Shang Mingshu was about to explain to Commander Lu that, for whatever reason, she couldn't let people continue to misunderstand, she opened her mouth and there was a commotion outside. The door was kicked open.

Standing prominently at the door was Cheng She, his face cold and his clothes weathered.

He saw Shang Mingshu and strode in. Lu Sanlang got up and quickly tried to stop him, but Cheng She attacked without saying a word. Both of them were highly skilled in martial arts and quickly began to fight.

If Shang Mingshu hadn't also possessed considerable martial arts skills, she wouldn't have been able to see the two's moves clearly.

Strangely, the two were evenly matched in martial arts. Lu Sanlang held back against Cheng She, but Cheng She showed no mercy in his attacks and soon knocked Lu Sanlang away with a single palm strike.

Lu Sanlang was furious and was about to regain his face when Commander Lu suddenly spoke up: "Stop."

Cheng She ignored Lu Sanlang, stepped forward to pull Shang Mingshu up, stood in front of her, and coldly faced Commander Lu: "My affairs are none of your business, and you have no right to interfere."

He turned around, grabbed Shang Mingshu's wrist, and led her away in a long stride.

Shang Mingshu was forced to follow Cheng She's footsteps. She was full of questions: Cheng She's attitude towards Commander Lu, and how Commander Lu was biased towards Cheng She between his proud eldest son and Cheng She.

Commander Lu misunderstood that she was engaged to Cheng She and acted as if he were a family elder visiting her...

"Third Madam, I have implicated you. This matter is all because of my Cheng family. I should apologize to you." After descending the stairs, Cheng She bowed solemnly.

Shang Mingshu stepped aside, not voicing her suspicions and doubts. She and Cheng She were not close enough to be close: "Second Master, you are too polite. Lord Lu only asked me to brew a pot of tea."