The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 161 Protecting Her Reputation
“General Xu wouldn’t.” Shang Mingshu frowned, her voice firm. “Second Madam, you underestimate him.”

“I used to think he was incorruptible and loyal to his duty!” Ren Erniangzi argued. “But last year, because you didn’t return on time, he ordered people to pretend that you arrived on time and were stationed in the army!”

Last year, she went to look for Xu Tianxing when he abandoned his post. At that time, she was terrified. If the Japanese pirates knew that Xu Tianxing was not there, they would take the opportunity to attack Shaoxing and cause casualties. Xu Tianxing's lifelong reputation would be ruined, and he would be able to atone for his sins even if he died ten thousand times!

While staying in the army to cover for Xu Tianxing, she pressed him for his whereabouts. Xu Shaoxing needed her to stay, and everyone knew that she was pestering Xu Tianxing. Her staying meant that Xu Tianxing must be in the army and had to tell her the truth. That's when she learned about Shang Mingshu.

She really wanted to turn around and leave at that moment; she was filled with both hatred and anger! She hated that Xu Tianxing had neglected his official duties for his personal feelings, and she was angry that she couldn't even take a step.

She made countless excuses for herself, the most righteous of which was that Xu Tianxing disregarded the safety of the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but she could not. She knew that Jiangsu and Zhejiang were connected to Suzhou, and their fates were interdependent. She had to stay!

She doesn't deny that she had these considerations, but her feelings for Xu Tianxing were the main reason for her decision.

In that instant, she felt relieved. She herself was just someone bound by personal feelings for her children, so how could she expect Xu Tianxing to ignore the trouble his beloved was in?
"Second Madam." Shang Mingshu's uniquely gentle voice sounded particularly solemn as she deliberately enunciated each word clearly. "Last year, General Xu did come to inform me of some important news. I'm afraid he didn't want people to know that he came specifically to find me and cause me trouble. Therefore, he ordered someone to pretend to be him and continue on his way. He must have planned to speed up and catch up with the advancing team, which is why he made this arrangement."

Shang Mingshu and Xu Tianxing hadn't spent much time together, but she knew perfectly well that Xu Tianxing harbored romantic feelings for her. That's why Xu Tianxing came secretly and sent people to continue the journey under his name—it was to protect her, and she couldn't deny that.

She still insisted that Xu Tianxing would not interfere with her official duties: "Later, it was probably due to a series of unforeseen circumstances that he was unable to return as scheduled. He knew that the Shi family was entangled with the Japanese pirates, which was his duty. He must have reported to the court as soon as possible. As for why no arrangements were made in Shaoxing, he may have received news from Xu Jingbei, knew that things were alright, trusted Second Madam, and also trusted Xu Jingbei, so he did not add anything unnecessary."

Shang Mingshu guessed the whole story in just a few words and was 90% right. Based on her understanding of Xu Tianxing, this was the only way to explain everything.

Ren Erniangzi listened, her gaze blank, as if something had struck her heart; she clearly heard the sound of shattering.

Shang Mingshu's words echoed in her mind for a long time before Ren Erniangzi came back to her senses. She used to be blinded by love, and all her thoughts were based on love, so she inevitably had a biased view of people and things.

Her rationality told her that Shang Mingshu's speculation might be the whole story, and that this was the Xu Tianxing she truly admired.

Lady Ren opened her mouth as if to speak, but her men downstairs shouted, "Greetings, General Xu!"

Suddenly standing up, Ren Erniangzi grabbed the window frame, her face turning white as she stared intently at the tall and heroic figure.

Shang Mingshu sighed softly: "Second Madam, even if General Xu comes, he wouldn't be abandoning his post. He probably knows that you've been looking for me for him, and he should step in to resolve this matter both morally and logically. He should openly request leave from the court..."

Xu Tianxing quickly went upstairs. Perhaps no one dared to stop him, or perhaps Ren Erniangzi had given prior instructions. Soon, he stood before them, looking travel-worn.

He was weathered and worn, with stubble on his chin and bloodshot eyes.

"Second Madam, our affairs should not involve a third party under any circumstances." Xu Tianxing's gaze first fell on Shang Mingshu. Based on his understanding of Shang Mingshu, he knew that Second Madam could not possibly harm Shang Mingshu in the slightest, much less gain any advantage over her. He was still worried that Shang Mingshu would suffer injustice and grievances because of him.

Ren Erniangzi had been keeping a close eye on the stairwell ever since Xu Tianxing went upstairs, so how could she not have seen through Xu Tianxing's every move?
She bit her lip and asked, "You came in such a hurry, aren't you afraid of being blamed by the court?" Knowing the answer, she was still unwilling to give up and wanted to ask again to confirm it.

Xu Tianxing frowned: "I came here after requesting leave from my superiors. Why is the court punishing me?"

Unaware that Erniangzi had misunderstood Xu Tianxing's actions from last year, he looked at Shang Mingshu after speaking. He was not one to be ignorant of fighting for himself, and added, "If I had come here on my own, where would that have placed Third Sister?"

He sneaked over, and if even a whisper of it got out, what would people say about Shang Mingshu? He was a respectable young man, and the court needed him, so they wouldn't have any complaints about him. All the blame would fall on Shang Mingshu.

In Xu Tianxing's eyes, Shang Mingshu was a perfect woman, so why would he need to be secretive about her?

Last year, it was just that Shang Mingshu and Cheng Mian hadn't broken up yet. If he made a big fuss and the matter got out of hand, people would only hurl insults at Shang Mingshu.

Shang Mingshu was slightly taken aback. She suddenly realized that her previous speculation was not entirely correct. Xu Tianxing's special detour to inform her about Cheng Mian last year was indeed out of protection for her, but not because he was worried that it would attract the attention of people he didn't want to deal with.

Rather... it's about protecting her reputation.

Ren Erniangzi clearly realized this as well. In order to make herself completely give up, she asked almost self-destructively, "Why did you cover it up again last year?"

Xu Tianxing remained silent, then looked at Shang Mingshu and said, "At that time, Third Sister already had someone she loved. My grand gesture would have damaged Third Sister's reputation."

Shang Mingshu clearly told him that she had someone she liked. He was unsure what the outcome would be between Shang Mingshu and Cheng Mian. How important was the woman's reputation? He couldn't let his own selfish desires bring shame upon Shang Mingshu.

Ren Erniangzi almost lost her balance, but was supported by the maid behind her.

She once thought Xu Tianxing was a meticulous person who only paid attention to military matters, but today she realized that he could actually take such good care of a woman that he couldn't bear to see even a single hair on her head get hurt.

Even knowing that Shang Mingshu had someone else in her heart, he still protected her. The reason he was being so blatant now was because Shang Mingshu had severed ties with her. Otherwise, wouldn't he be willing to silently protect her, asking for nothing more than her well-being?

What kind of intense feelings can lead to such profound depth?
In the end, she was just shallow!

Ren Erniangzi felt as if her heart was being torn apart. Thinking of Shang Mingshu's analysis of Xu Tianxing, she felt ashamed of herself: "San Niangzi is excellent and deserves General Xu's sincere heart."

Having forced herself to finish speaking, Lady Ren, pale-faced, leaned on her maid and staggered away.

Xu Tianxing clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shang Mingshu: "Today I have implicated Third Sister, I will definitely resolve this matter."

After saying that, he chased after Second Madam Ren.