The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 151 He'd risk his life for me
Zhang Shizi brought Lu Sanlang over to join them. Zhang Yushuang first introduced him to Shang Wenshu and the others: "This is my elder brother, and Lu Sanlang, a family friend."

"Young Master Zhang, Young Master Lu," Shang Wenshu, Shang Zishu, Du Zhong, and Chen Che greeted in unison.

“Big brother, Lu Sanlang, these are the three daughters of the Shang family…” Zhang Yushuang carried a glass lantern in one hand and linked arms with Shang Mingshu in the other, introducing each of them to the lantern one by one.

The two were very approachable and treated each other as equals. Zhang Shizi said, "I had heard from Third Sister that the three ladies of the Shang family are beautiful and intelligent. Meeting them today, I can confirm that their reputation is well-deserved. Third Sister has been a great trouble to your household. Thank you for your understanding."

As the heir of the Duke's mansion, Prince Zhang was a man of gentle manners and refined manners, and he treated the three Shang sisters with exceptional courtesy.

Shang Wenshu repeatedly said she was too kind.

Lu Yi looked at Shang Mingshu: "Third Miss, we meet again."

His tone was quite solicitous and warm, and the Shang sisters, along with Chen Che and Du Zhong, all turned their gazes to Shang Mingshu.

Shang Mingshu could clearly see that this familiarity did not catch Lu Sanlang's eye, so she replied aloofly, "It is an honor that we have met once, yet Young Master Lu has taken note of me."

Lu Yi's gaze swept across the distance, he grinned, and did not continue the conversation.

“It’s quite lively here, Third Sister. Would you two like to join us for a stroll?” Cheng She and Xu Tianxing approached one after the other.

"It's lively with so many people, what do you all think?" Shang Mingshu turned to ask the crowd.

No one objected, and the procession quickly grew. The wide street was bustling with people. The ten people were divided into two rows, with Zhang Yushuang and Shang Mingshu walking in front. Zhang Yushuang liked lively atmospheres, and the festivals in the capital were different from those here. Many novel entertainments and items could attract her to stop and watch.

Cheng She seized an opportunity to separate Lu Sanlang: "Why have you come?"

Lu Sanlang laughed heartily: "Second Master Cheng, you are overthinking it. I am here on private business."

"Private matters?" Cheng She frowned slightly.

"The Zhang and Lu families are old friends. Madam Zhang wanted to find a good match for Madam Shang. I happen to have a good reputation in the capital. Madam Zhang considers me a trustworthy person, so she sent a message to Zhang Shizi to act as matchmaker for me." Lu Sanlang smiled. "My father and I both think that Madam Shang is a woman of excellent character and appearance, a rare find. That's why we came here from afar."

“You—” Cheng She’s face turned ashen.

It was rare to see his arrogant older brother suffer a loss in silence, so Lu Sanlang was in a great mood. He slipped through the gap and squeezed to the front, flanking Shang Mingshu with Zhang Yushuang on the left and right. As if competing with Zhang Yushuang, he would ask her a question about customs, and he would ask her a question about small items.

Under the flickering lamplight, Shang Mingshu occasionally glanced at Lu Sanlang. His handsome face was full of youthful vigor, completely different from the resolute and solemn man she had seen at the post station that day.

"I have no romantic feelings for Master Cheng," Shang Mingshu whispered to Lu Sanlang, seizing the opportunity when Zhang Yushuang was being held back by Zhang Shizi.

A hint of admiration flashed in Lu Sanlang's eyes. The woman before him was exceptionally intelligent, having seen through his intentions at a glance. He smiled and said, "If there really is nothing, perhaps you could take a look at me, Miss San?"

Shang Mingshu was taken aback. She thought that if she explained things clearly, this young nobleman would back down.

When Shang Mingshu looked at him, her eyes gleaming with a hint of light, he still wore a smile, but his expression was unreadable. He did not look away when Shang Mingshu looked at him.

“The Third Young Master is young and promising, with a virtuous and handsome appearance; he is a good match for you.” Shang Mingshu smiled faintly, her voice gentle and soft, characteristic of women from Jiangnan, yet her tone was extremely firm. “I, Mingshu, am of meager means and unworthy of such a match.” The expected rejection did not change Lu Sanlang’s expression. He turned back to look at Xu Tianxing and Cheng She, who were pushing through the crowd towards them: “Third Miss, what kind of husband are you seeking?”

"I don't know," Shang Mingshu replied sincerely.

She herself didn't know what kind of husband she wanted to find. Only after someone proposed to her or expressed their love could she judge whether he was suitable to be her husband.

"Why is Third Sister willing to give Cheng Sanlang a chance?" After learning that Shang Mingshu and Cheng She had no romantic feelings for each other, Lu Sanlang sent people to investigate carefully to find out why the rumors about her and Cheng She had arisen in Huizhou Prefecture.

In Lu Sanlang's view, Cheng Mian was inferior to Cheng She and Xu Tianxing in every way, and naturally, he was also inferior to himself. However, Shang Mingshu rejected the three of them, giving this person, whom he thought was inferior to them in every way, a chance.

Why?

Shang Mingshu caught a glimpse of Xu Tianxing and Cheng She approaching out of the corner of her eye. She looked directly into Lu Sanlang's eyes and said, "The moment I saw Master Cheng, I knew he was a man who would risk his life for me."

And that was indeed the case. On that day at the Shi family home, Cheng Mian rushed to her without hesitation and shielded her from the sharp blade.

She would grit her teeth and persevere for him, even if it meant fainting in the examination room, just to take the exam.

Compared to the three people in front of him, Cheng Mian may have many shortcomings. He is not calm enough, not shrewd enough, not cautious enough, not decisive enough, and not ruthless enough.

But he only had eyes for Shang Mingshu. He didn't bear any responsibility. No matter what, Shang Mingshu believed that as long as she needed him, Cheng Mian would do anything to fight for her.

The girl's soft voice reached the ears of the three people, and they all froze in place.

Lu Sanlang did indeed admire Shang Mingshu. If Shang Mingshu and Cheng She were truly destined to be apart, he would be willing to marry a woman of outstanding character and appearance like Shang Mingshu. However, since they didn't even have mutual affection, how could he risk his life for her?

Xu Tianxing was certain that his heart was drawn to Shang Mingshu. In all these years, no woman had ever made him go to such lengths to get close to her, tossing and turning in his sleep, wanting to marry her.

He wasn't sure if he could risk his life for Shang Mingshu in her time of need.

Cheng She's long eyelashes drooped slightly, and no one could see his expression clearly.

They were all mature young men, unable to act impulsively like seventeen or eighteen-year-olds, making grand pronouncements without thinking. Therefore, they were momentarily at a loss as to how to respond to Shang Mingshu's words.

"Famous beauty!" Just as the atmosphere was tense, Zhang Yushuang's loud shout came from afar, breaking the eerie silence.

Shang Mingshu bowed slightly to the three of them, then turned and walked calmly to the riverbank to meet Zhang Yushuang.

Before she even got close, someone stood up next to Zhang Yushuang, who was standing alone.

It was the same benefactor who made Zhang Yushuang lose her composure. He disappeared right after they finished guessing the lanterns, and Zhang Yushuang managed to compose herself. Little did she know that he had been waiting for an opportunity all along.

Shang Mingshu saw Zhang Yushuang greet him from afar. He wanted to help Zhang Yushuang up, but she quickly stepped aside. The two exchanged a strange conversation. Shang Mingshu forcefully pushed through the crowd and quickly squeezed towards Zhang Yushuang.