The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 168 Ignoring Everyone's Expression

Despite her growing emotional maturity, Shang Mingshu could never be completely honest with Zhang Yushuang, no matter how close they were.

Her words were not mere prevarication; Zhang Yushuang found them extremely reasonable. Zhang Yushuang herself had already decided to live a free and unattached life, and that Shang Mingshu was simply taking her time to find someone who suited her in every way. Zhang Yushuang fully supported this: "That's exactly right. Take your time, search carefully, and find a soulmate."

"You know me so well." Shang Mingshu said with a smile, pushing the wooden box in front of her towards Zhang Yushuang, "Wishing you an early birthday greeting."

Zhang Yushuang's birthday is in April. Shang Mingshu is busy and will be leaving the capital soon, so she will not be able to congratulate her in person. Therefore, she will send her a birthday gift a year in advance.

Having saved a large sum of money from Ren Erniangzi, Shang Mingshu planned to strike while the iron was hot and quickly establish herself in the few places she had identified, taking advantage of the popularity of the incense monopoly in the capital.

In Suzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou, the three most prosperous trading cities, there are Liu's businesses. Shang Mingshu promised not to compete with the Liu family for profits, and she didn't even plan to open a shop in Huizhou Prefecture.

The capital city only seeks to profit from high-ranking officials and nobles; quality is more important than quantity, and one branch is sufficient. Next, she plans to open branches in Yingtian Prefecture, Guangzhou Prefecture, Songjiang, and Hankou.

She sends her people out to implement the plans first, and all she needs to do is stay and oversee things, or adjust business decisions based on the local people's preferences. A single trip can take at least one or two months.

"I'm not going to stand on ceremony with you since I received your gift so early." Zhang Yushuang was very happy and opened the box in front of Shang Mingshu. It was full of prints.

She loves the "ink and brushstrokes under the knife," and hundreds of images make up her favorite plays, with meticulous carving.

"Ming Shu, you've put so much thought into this." Such a gift couldn't have been made overnight; Zhang Yushuang had never received such a thoughtful gift before.

"I only used my words and spent some money." Shang Mingshu didn't think she had put in much effort; when giving gifts, one should naturally cater to the recipient's preferences.

"Coincidentally, I have also prepared a birthday gift for you." Shang Mingshu's birthday is in May. Zhang Yushuang has been unable to leave the capital in recent years and does not know whether Shang Mingshu will return home in May, so she simply sent it over as well.

It is a box of twelve silk tapestry round fans, each with a different embroidery on both sides. Each fan depicts a flower and bird that blooms in the current month, and each fan is a different color. They are arranged in a row, from spring to winter, and from thin to thick.

It was extremely shocking and touched Shang Mingshu's heart. She loved collecting all kinds of fans, and would even match a set of clothes with a fan.

"I like."

They smiled at each other, and unconsciously, the distance between their hearts drew closer once again.

Once the profits from the teahouse in the capital stabilized and Shang Mingshu had a general idea of ​​what was going on, she left the capital with Zhang Yushuang, who was reluctant to part with her.

Abandoning the Grand Canal, Shang Mingshu traveled light and simply, passing through Zhuozhou, Hejian, Dezhou, Xuzhou, Suzhou, Fengyang, and finally arriving at Yingtian Prefecture. The first three places were places that Hemu had investigated and found suitable for opening teahouses. Shang Mingshu followed along the way to make the final decision.

She didn't overlook any of these three places, especially Texas, which was a transportation hub and a thriving commercial center.

She didn't stop at the next few places, all of which had Liu's businesses. Yingtian Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture were very close, and both were places of extravagance and debauchery, yet Liu's businesses had not set up shop there. Even their Xiangmingzhai had two tea shops.

After careful inquiry, Shang Mingshu learned that the Liu family business had a falling out with the powerful clans of Yingtian Prefecture, turning from in-laws into enemies, and had to withdraw from Yingtian Prefecture. Decades have passed, and the issue remains unresolved.

"Prepare a generous gift for me and send a visiting card to the Han family." After some hesitation, Shang Mingshu decided to go and make a message to the Han family, letting them know that her business had nothing to do with the Liu family. There are not many people from the Han family serving as officials in the court now. Thanks to the blessings of their ancestors, the late patriarch of the Han family had many disciples and students all over the world. They had connections not only in the court but also in many places, especially in Yingtian Prefecture.

Shang Mingshu stood in front of the Han family's gate for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but the messenger had not yet returned. She smiled slightly and said, "He Sui, go and leave a message for the gatekeeper, saying that I have other matters to attend to and will come to bother you another day."

After saying that, she turned around and slowly walked down the steps.

The visiting card was sent out, and the time for her arrival was set by the Han family. She arrived a short time early to show respect and had been waiting for about fifteen minutes. No matter how large the Han family's mansion was, they wouldn't have kept her waiting for so long; this was intentional.

This century-old family has fallen so far in its manners and etiquette that it is rotten to the core.

She's here to pay a visit, not to ask for favors, so she doesn't need to worry about anyone's opinion.

Based on the principle that businessmen make money through harmony, she was only willing to personally visit and say hello. The Han family was taking themselves too seriously.

As soon as Shang Mingshu boarded her carriage, a steward-like man from the Han household hurriedly caught up with her carrying a food box: "Madam Shang, please wait. We have a guest at home. Please forgive any neglect. This is food made by the eldest mistress of the household. The old lady instructed me to bring it to you for you to try."

He Sui respectfully presented the food box with both hands. She looked at Shang Mingshu, who remained silent for a moment before nodding to her. Only then did He Sui accept the food box.

The steward's smile eased considerably, and he handed over another invitation: "The old lady invites Madam Shang to grace our residence with her presence tomorrow for a chat."

"Please give my regards to the old lady. I will come to bother you again tomorrow." Shang Mingshu personally accepted the invitation.

She knew that leaving her out in the cold was not the old lady's intention. The old lady probably only just realized this, and now she was trying to salvage the situation by not demanding that she come back immediately. This showed that she was not taking advantage of her age and was sincere. Shang Mingshu was willing to accept this offer.

"Grandmother, why are you making a scene for a merchant's daughter?" In the inner courtyard of the Han family mansion, Madam Han's face was full of displeasure.

She was the one who was being humiliated; her grandmother was giving Shang Mingshu a hard time, which meant embarrassing her in front of the servants.

The elderly woman with a full head of silver hair remained expressionless: "You don't know her at all, why would you want to make enemies with her?"

Grandma Han's eyes flickered: "I thought it was some ignorant person who came to freeload..."

Under the increasingly sharp and oppressive gaze of the old lady, the eldest grandmother's voice gradually weakened.

She pinched her forehead, enduring the throbbing pain in her temples, and said sharply, "Get out of here."

Grandma Han was unwilling, but dared not argue back. She meekly took her leave and left the courtyard, her face suddenly turning cold.

At this moment, Shang Mingshu, sitting on her horse, unconsciously rubbed the edge of the fan with her fingertips. She had already sent someone to inquire about the inner workings of the Han family. Originally, she only intended to pay her respects. Shang Mingshu did not want to delve into the Han family's affairs. If the Han family found out, she would offend them instead.

She and the entire merchant family had no enmity with the Han family of Yingtian Prefecture. The Han family should not have shown hostility towards her. If they looked down on a merchant family, they could have simply rejected the invitation and refused to see her.

There must be a cause and effect to today's events.