The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 134 Never die in peace
"Ming Shu, you've gone to so much trouble for me." Zhang Yushuang took a sip of the perfectly warm tea. It went down her throat without her noticing, and as it warmed her stomach, it made her feel as if she were bathed in the spring sunshine, gentle and graceful.

She wasn't unaware that Shang Mingshu might have ulterior motives, but there were too many people who had ulterior motives towards her, and too few who could be as sincere as Shang Mingshu and never make things difficult for her.

"I'm glad you like it." Shang Mingshu didn't say anything more. If Zhang Yushuang liked it, she would give it to Zhang Yushuang. When they returned to the capital, she would naturally take it out to entertain her close friends.

She would also give Zhang Yushuang a copy of the address in the capital where she would purchase the tea in the future. As for continuing to send it, Shang Mingshu had not thought of it. Zhang Yushuang was not the kind of person who would take advantage of small gains. For her to say that she would take care of Zhang Yushuang's osmanthus tea in the future was really looking down on Zhang Yushuang and putting the two of them, who should have been equals, in a position of being humble and ingratiating.

"Madam Shang, do you have any other flower teas?" Song Moyin was also interested, but she didn't like osmanthus flowers.

"There are also plum blossoms, osmanthus, and chrysanthemums. Not all flowers can be scented. Perhaps other flowers will be available next year." Shang Mingshu was much more polite to Song Moyin.

"I love plum blossoms and osmanthus. When can you purchase this flower tea, Madam Shang?" Song Moyin asked expectantly.

"The tea shop won't be open until next year. I have some finished products from the research and development at home. If Madam Song doesn't mind, I'll have someone send some to you to try when I return home. If there's anything lacking, please give me your feedback," Shang Mingshu said with a smile.

If a famous businesswoman asked her for advice, Song Moyin couldn't refuse and insisted on paying her: "I'll shamelessly accept it and I'll definitely savor it carefully."

"That's great. With you all correcting me, I won't have to worry about selling my tea." Shang Mingshu's tone gradually became more familiar.

The three chatted over flower tea, gradually closing the distance between them. Before long, He Sui reported that Fang Xuyun had arrived.

Shang Mingshu gestured for them to continue enjoying their tea, then got up and went to the small guest room outside.

She didn't close the door completely, but chose a spot early on where Zhang Yushuang and Song Moyin could see her and Fang Xuyun, while Fang Xuyun could see the two people inside.

"Please sit down, Madam Zhu," Shang Mingshu said very politely.

Fang Xuyun didn't sit down. Instead, she rushed to the person in front of her and knelt before Shang Mingshu, clutching Shang Mingshu's sleeve. "Mingshu, we grew up together. Although we haven't had much contact due to discord between our elders, I've never done anything to wrong you sisters. I'm in a difficult situation now, and knowing you're passing by, I only hope you can forgive me and lend me a helping hand... Waaah..."

As Fang Xuyun spoke, tears streamed down her face. Her sadness and pain seemed genuine. The door was not closed, and many people outside were craning their necks to look.

Shang Mingshu supported Fang Xuyun's arm: "He Sui".

"Ming Shu, I have something I want to say to you alone..." Fang Xuyun's eyes filled with tears as she looked up and pleaded with Shang Ming Shu.

Shang Mingshu seemed reluctant and instructed He Sui, who was closing the door, "You stay outside."

The door closed, leaving only Shang Mingshu and Fang Xuyun inside. Shang Mingshu helped Fang Xuyun up, saying, "If you have something to say, please speak frankly. There's really not much affection between us..."

"Ming Shu, I only beg you to give me a way out. I don't hold a grudge against you for causing my family's ruin. I've come to beg you today to save me from this dire situation. I really have no other intentions, Ming Shu..." Before Shang Ming Shu could finish speaking, Fang Xuyun suddenly raised her voice, deliberately amplifying her words. At the same time, she lowered her voice and said to Shang Ming Shu with malice, "Shang Ming Shu, I wish you were dead!"

She pulled a gold hairpin from her bosom and pointed it at Shang Mingshu. Shang Mingshu easily grabbed her wrist, twisted it behind her back, and turned Fang Xuyun's hairpin towards herself. She laughed maniacally, her body jerking forward as she screamed for help: "Shang Mingshu, don't kill me, help—"

"Madam, someone has died!" Fang Xuyun's only remaining personal maid screamed from outside the door. Upon hearing that someone had died, no one stood idly by. The innkeepers took the lead, quickly pushing aside He Sui who tried to stop them, and opened the door. They saw Fang Xuyun lying on the ground covered in blood, her gold hairpin on the floor, and Shang Mingshu's hands stained with blood.

"Quickly report to the authorities!" the innkeeper exclaimed in alarm.

Frowning in pain, Fang Xuyun's face twisted in a grimace, a smile playing on her lips, a pain that seemed to be both real and unreal. "Ming Shu—why…why did you kill me!"

Her eyes were fixed on Shang Mingshu with hatred, and the smugness in her eyes was palpable.

She didn't want to live in the first place, so what's the point of prolonging her life like this?
It was worth it to drag Shang Mingshu down with my worthless life!

"Murder! Murder!" Someone in the crowd gathered at the door saw this scene and couldn't help but shout in terror.

Shang Mingshu looked outside, and He Mu followed the person who was running in a panic, shouting as he ran.

Shang Mingshu stepped forward, startling everyone who was some distance away from her, who all took a step back. No one stopped her. She stood in front of Fang Xuyun, who was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, and slowly squatted down.

She gently pulled the person into her arms, her back to the still-shocked Song Moyin and Zhang Yushuang: "You and your father are equally foolish."

Her voice was very soft, so soft that only she and Fang Xuyun could hear it, and her movements were gentle as she used her blood-stained hands to gently tidy up Fang Xuyun's messy hair.

"You—" Fang Xuyun was furious for a moment, then chuckled and grabbed Shang Mingshu's hand tightly. "You can't escape... Shang Mingshu, you are destined to die with me!"

"Is that so?" Shang Mingshu lowered her head, her long black hair flowing smoothly. Apart from Fang Xuyun, no one could see her expression. Her eyes were filled with contempt, and her face was full of mockery. "You despise your own life, so how can others think it is precious?"

"I..." Fang Xuyun was determined to die. She slammed her gold hairpin against her chest and could no longer speak. She felt cold all over, but she held on to her last breath.

Finally, the officials from the yamen arrived.

"Make way, make way, these are law enforcement officers investigating a case. Someone has reported a murder here..."

Fang Xuyun stared intently at Shang Mingshu, unable to utter a sound, only able to weakly move her lips: Shang Mingshu, I'll be waiting for you on the road to the underworld!

"Officer, the injured man and the assailant are these two," the innkeeper immediately identified them.

The lead constable quickly glanced at the scene and waved his hand: "Take the man down and get the doctor to treat the injured!"

The constables with knives surrounded them, but before they could make a move, a delicate voice rang out from inside: "Wait!"

Everyone looked up at the sound, and the door was pushed open. Zhang Yushuang and Song Moyin walked out together. The constables from the yamen recognized Song Moyin at a glance: "Second Madam, what are you doing here?"

"We two were invited by Madam Shang to have tea, and we just happened to witness a good show."