The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 159 Her affairs are not for anyone to interfere with.

Contrary to Shang Zishu's wishes, Ren Erniangzi did not follow suit with any of the properties that Shang Mingshu or the Shang family were bidding on, raising prices at any cost.

Countless people in the room saw the problem and inquired about the background of the Ren family. The Ren family did not hide anything and even deliberately spread the word that the common people would not fight against the officials, especially since the Ren family was very wealthy.

As things progressed, whenever Shang Mingshu opened her mouth and Ren Shi made a bid, Shang Mingshu became too lazy to argue anymore. Seeing Ren Shi's immense wealth, the others, whether out of fear or to deliberately give Ren Shi a chance, all withdrew.

The Ren family acquired all the properties that the Shang family had their eye on, and the money they spent was nearly ten thousand strings of cash less than the carefully calculated estimate by the three Shang sisters.

"Third sister?" Shang Zishu was indignant. In her opinion, since the Ren family was so wealthy and powerful and determined to get what the Shang family wanted, they should raise the price and make the Ren family lose money!

Even if we fail to take down just one member of the Ren family, it will expose that the Ren family's financial resources are nothing special!
Shang Mingshu released her grip on Shang Zishu's hand. Just now, in her anger, Shang Zishu had tried to keep bidding against the Ren family, but Shang Mingshu stopped her. Now, all the properties that the Shang family had their eye on had been won by the Ren family.

Shang Mingshu: "It is unwise to indulge in momentary pleasure with the gold and silk in one's purse."

She was a businesswoman, and what businessmen value most is profit and the money in their pockets. She was unwilling to use her own money to compete with the Ren family, because even if she won, it would be detrimental to both herself and others. Instead, she was prone to emotional outbursts, losing her composure and falling into traps set by others.

Even without a trap, it would only provide others with fodder for gossip.

"Are we just going to stand by and watch her run rampant?" Shang Zishu was still unable to swallow her anger.

"Don't worry, Third Sister has her own plans." Shang Wenshu was quiet by nature, but she was also very angry. However, unlike Shang Zishu, she couldn't hide her anger. She turned her head to comfort the gritting-teeth Shang Zishu.

Shang Mingshu didn't care about the things behind her. Ignoring the Shi family members who were even more anxious than them, she stood up and said, "No one can take away anything I set my sights on, unless I don't want it."

To reassure Shang Zishu, Shang Mingshu left the bidding arena amidst waves of bidding.

"Second brother, why didn't you make a move?" Cheng Qin asked in a low voice after all the Shang family members except Shang Jinliang had left.

They knew exactly how much wealth the Ren family of Suzhou possessed, and if Cheng She made a move, the Ren family wouldn't be able to withstand it.

Shang Mingshu and Cheng Mian were destined to be apart. Cheng Qin and his wife genuinely liked Shang Mingshu. Moreover, it was Cheng Mian who had taken it upon himself to spread the word that the two families were getting closer because Cheng She was asking Shang Mingshu to marry him. Now, many people in Huizhou Prefecture mistakenly believe this.

The Cheng family had no grounds to clarify, but Cheng Qin and his wife felt that letting things go was a good thing.

As for whether the uncle and sister-in-law will feel awkward when they meet in the future, and how Cheng Mian should handle it, Cheng Qin believes that if a real man cannot even get over this hurdle, how can Cheng Mian establish himself in the officialdom?

This twist of fate was Cheng Mian's own unfortunate misfortune that led to his loss of a good match. It's unacceptable that his elder brother should also lose a good partner because of him.

Cheng Qin could also see that Cheng She had romantic feelings for Shang Mingshu.

"Brother, her affairs are not for anyone to interfere with," Cheng She said with a wry smile.

He was willing to spend a fortune for a beautiful woman, and perhaps some ladies would be tempted by it. But Shang Mingshu was definitely not one of them. She herself hadn't even bid, and if he made a rash move, it might disrupt her plans and incur her disgust.

Cheng Qin glanced up and watched as Shang Mingshu's exquisite skirt disappeared around the corner. The Third Madam Shang appeared serene, though her attire was somewhat extravagant. Rumor had it that her refined lifestyle surpassed even that of many noble ladies. Upon meeting her, Cheng Qin found Shang Mingshu to be poised and exceptionally intelligent, far exceeding that of ordinary women. Especially after learning of the benefits of Shang Mingshu's suggestion that Shang Jinliang reject the Shi family's property and instead apply for the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road, Cheng Qin felt she possessed a broad vision and was a perfect match for Cheng She.

Only after hearing Cheng She's words today did I realize that Shang Mingshu was a woman who was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. Her strong personality even made his arrogant second brother have to give way to her.

“One thing subdues another, how wonderful, how wonderful!” Cheng Qin smiled, fine wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes, teasing Cheng She, “You deserve a wonderful person like Third Sister to teach you a lesson!”

No wonder his wife suggested that Cheng She use this as an opportunity to propose marriage. At that time, rumors were rampant, and it was the perfect time to strike while the iron was hot, so as to avoid the people who were keeping an eye on both families stirring up trouble between them.

Instead of striking while the iron was hot, Cheng She did many things to make people forget the gossip. He also dismissed the servant who spread the rumors and moved his entire family elsewhere, creating the illusion that the servant was just spreading rumors.

This left the couple unable to discern whether Cheng She truly cared for them.

Despite his seemingly heartless nature, he pays exceptional attention to every move of the merchants, and will personally attend to any eventuality, even if it's the slightest sign of trouble.

Despite his good intentions, he personally ruined a golden opportunity.

It turned out that he simply didn't dare to seize this "golden opportunity," and given Shang Mingshu's personality, this would completely sever their connection.

It seems that his younger brother's road to winning over his wife is quite long. Cheng Qin picked up some melon seeds next to him and started eating them while watching Cheng She with a look of amusement.

His eyes showed undisguised sympathy for Cheng She.

On the other side, as Shang Mingshu walked out of the auction hall, a young man in short clothes came up to her: "Third Miss Shang, my wife's surname is Ren. Please come in for a cup of tea."

Shang Mingshu looked in the direction the young man stretched out his hand. In a teahouse, a woman dressed in elegant and beautiful clothes was sitting by the window. The woman was sitting high up, with a heroic look in her eyes and a round face. She did not look down on Shang Mingshu. When she met Shang Mingshu's gaze, she even crossed her arms from afar.

"Lead the way." Shang Mingshu did not refuse.

She was about to send someone to find this Second Madam Ren. Since the people in the bidding were so unscrupulous, Second Madam Ren couldn't possibly not be personally in charge. That was a huge fortune of tens of thousands of strings of cash.

The entire second floor of the teahouse was booked by Ren Erniangzi, and there were burly and strong young men guarding the entrance to the stairs.

This pomp and circumstance is even greater than that of Lady Yan back then, and even surpasses that of Zhang Yushuang.

"Third Sister Shang, please sit down." Second Sister Ren stood up to greet Shang Mingshu and led her to a seat. The door closed, leaving only Shang Mingshu with He Sui and a maidservant behind Second Sister Ren.

Ren Erniangzi personally poured tea for Shang Mingshu. After putting down the teapot, she got straight to the point: "I want to know how Sanniangzi intends to take back the properties she has her eye on from me after what I did today."

Ren Erniangzi was clearly not a spoiled and pampered woman who had been raised to be useless. Before coming to Huizhou Prefecture, she had inquired about Shang Mingshu thoroughly.

"What makes you say that, Second Madam?" Shang Mingshu did not touch her teacup.

"Third Madam's decision to withdraw from the bidding is to prevent me from investing too much and reducing the amount of money I purchase from her." Second Madam Ren smiled, revealing two dimples that made her look exceptionally sweet.