The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 133 I'm counting on you for help

“My lady, there are quite a few people gathered outside the door…” Fang Xuyun knelt outside crying for a quarter of an hour, attracting many people, mostly servants from various households. Most of them watched from a distance, and no one whispered among themselves.

"Ignore it." Shang Mingshu lowered her head to drink her tea, a faint smile flashing across her face as the teacup reached her lips.

The more shameless Fang Xuyun became and the more insistent he was on seeing her, the bigger his ambitions were.

Half an hour later, He Mu sent someone to inform Zhang San Niangzi of the Changguo Duke's Mansion that she and the second daughter of the county magistrate's family were to arrive at the inn soon. Only then did Shang Mingshu instruct He Sui to open the door to see Fang Xuyun: "Madam Zhu, my wife originally did not want to meet you. The feud between our two families is so deep that it is no exaggeration to say that we are blood enemies. If my wife does not believe that Madam Zhu can let it go, she sincerely apologizes."

Fang Xuyun clenched her fingers, feeling countless gazes upon her without even looking at her, like thorns piercing her skin. She took a deep breath: "I originally hated Madam Shang, but given my current situation... I only hope that Madam Shang can... see that I sincerely repent for my parents and lend me some money..."

Every word Fang Xuyun uttered was as difficult as a needle pricking her throat; Shang Mingshu was clearly using this as an excuse to wantonly humiliate her!
She had no choice but to swallow this humiliation. Thinking of her days in the Zhu family, she wished she could tear Shang Mingshu to pieces. Only by dismembering Shang Mingshu could she relieve the hatred in her heart!

“Madam Zhu, you are the legitimate wife of Master Zhu, yet you have to borrow money from your former mortal enemy when you are short of funds…” He Sui deliberately raised her voice.

Fang Xuyun wished she could get up and leave right now, but she had already sacrificed so much. If she didn't achieve her goal, all her efforts would be in vain. Returning to the Zhu family now would only bring her more torment...

She bit her lip, twisting her hands as she slowly rolled up her sleeves, revealing shocking whip marks, bite marks, and burns all over her fair arms...

Everyone who saw it gasped in shock. Even He Sui was startled and her gaze changed. She estimated the time, quickly turned back into the house, seemingly to report to Shang Mingshu. She came out again shortly afterward, her attitude towards Fang Xuyun softened, and she personally helped her up.

"Madam Zhu, my lady has asked me to help you freshen up before we meet again."

Fang Xuyun wanted to go directly to see Shang Mingshu. This time, she didn't plan to leave alive. She had finally managed to get the Zhu family away, and she was afraid that if she delayed too long, the Zhu family would come and ruin her plans.

Fearing rejection, Shang Mingshu used the excuse of not seeing him to remain silent. In the end, He Sui helped him to the room next to Shang Mingshu to wash up.

No sooner had she left than He Mu invited Zhang Yushuang and Song Moyin, who had come at the invitation, to Shang Mingshu's house.

Charcoal, tea, and pastries were all readily available. Shang Mingshu personally greeted them, saying, "I've been waiting for you."

“It’s cold outside, and I wouldn’t have gone out if you hadn’t invited me.” Zhang Yushuang was gentle with Shang Mingshu and did not put on airs as a member of the Changguo Duke’s family. She introduced Song Moyin to Shang Mingshu, “This is the second young lady of the Song family. The second young lady of the Song family is the wife of the magistrate of Fengyang County.”

"Second Madam Song," Shang Mingshu greeted first.

Zhang Yushuang turned around and took Shang Mingshu's hand: "Mingshu is my close friend. Xiangmingzhai, a famous teahouse in your Huizhou Prefecture, is her home."

Song Moyin was puzzled by Zhang Yushuang's intimacy with Shang Mingshu, but she generously returned the greeting, saying, "Third Madam Shang." "I've prepared some tea for you two ladies to sample," Shang Mingshu said, gesturing for them to sit down.

Zhang Yushuang led Song Moyin to their seats under Shang Mingshu's guidance. As soon as they sat down, Zhang Yushuang said, "You sent me a message hoping I would save your life, but now you're not in a hurry?"

Having known Shang Mingshu for a long time, Zhang Yushuang liked the spirit that Shang Mingshu had. Despite their vastly different social statuses, Shang Mingshu treated her with respect without being deliberately humble. The gifts she received were always tailored to her tastes, including valuable and novel items, which gradually made Zhang Yushuang take Shang Mingshu to heart.

She had refused before because she didn't consider Shang Mingshu an outsider. She was too cold and didn't like to move. But Shang Mingshu brought generous gifts and said she was counting on her to save her life. She thought Shang Mingshu had encountered some great difficulty. Not only did she bring Song Moyin from the county magistrate's family, but she also invited the guards she brought from the capital.

"I was counting on you to save my life." Shang Mingshu picked up the already boiling tea. "But it won't take up too much time. You don't need to warm yourself up, and allow me to show off my skills in front of Madam Song."

“It makes me seem impatient,” Zhang Yushuang said to Shang Mingshu with a hint of reproach. “You’re not in a hurry; I’m happy to leisurely enjoy my tea.”

"Shuangshuang's concern for me warms my heart." Shang Mingshu's hands continued moving. "I must at least tell you the whole story..."

"Tell me, I'm very curious, who has the ability to force you to ask me for help?" Zhang Yushuang knew Shang Mingshu very well. The main reason she was willing to befriend Shang Mingshu was that Shang Mingshu was extremely talented in her eyes, both in literature and martial arts, and had a clever mind. There was no one or nothing that could trap her.

Sometimes, she even envied Shang Mingshu, who lived a more carefree life than her.

"The person who is going to take my life is a woman about my age..." While brewing tea, Shang Mingshu recounted her grievances with Fang Xuyun, and did not hide her hatred for Fang Shi. She placed the teacup in front of the two of them and sighed softly, "These past few days I've inquired about her situation. I truly do not wish to clash with her. She is not doing well, and as a fellow woman, I cannot bring myself to kick her when she's down. Nor do I wish to harbor malicious suspicions about her..."

"I've invited you here today to bear witness for us. If she sincerely repents, I'm willing to help her. If she harbors ill intentions, then you and Madam Song can attest to my innocence."

Shang Mingshu speculated that Fang Xuyun would risk her life to harm her. Zhang Yushuang did not comment. Song Moyin was somewhat skeptical, but Shang Mingshu spoke very frankly, saying only, "Let's wait and see."

"Try some of my tea," Shang Mingshu said with a smile, gesturing for him to have a cup.

"Wow, this tea smells so good!" Zhang Yushuang exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she was drawn to the aroma she loved. "It smells like osmanthus!"

"I know you love osmanthus flowers. After I learned how to make scented tea, I specially researched and developed the recipe." Shang Mingshu and Zhao Wan'er reached an agreement and obtained the recipe for scented tea. She didn't intend to only seek the benefit of Huizhou Prefecture. She immediately handed it over to Shang Zishu. Shang Zishu was indeed a genius in tea making. She quickly applied what she learned to other situations.

In addition to the Tiger Hill Tea Plantation and other flowers sold by the Liu family, Shang Zishu expanded her selection to include more varieties, such as the osmanthus flowers in front of her, as well as plum blossoms, osmanthus, chrysanthemums, and more...

She has already traveled to various places to investigate and select tea shops in areas where these flowers are produced in large quantities, specializing in selling these flower teas. Naturally, she couldn't overlook the capital, and this time she specially brought some for Zhang Yushuang.

However, Zhang Yushuang was not at home, so she did not send it over. The Zhang family would not value this item and would definitely treat it lightly. When Zhang Yushuang returned, she could casually mention it, and Zhang Yushuang would not be able to pursue the matter.