The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 171 That's Shang Mingshu
Miao looked at Shi Qingyu suspiciously: "What kind of conflict do you have with Shang Mingshu?"

The reason for her cold treatment of Shang Mingshu was that she heard Shi Qingyu subtly slandering Shang Mingshu. Shi Qingyu had given her many nice things and was good at flattering her, so she didn't mind helping Shi Qingyu vent her anger.

Unexpectedly, this merchant's daughter, Shang Mingshu, dared to give her attitude, causing her to be humiliated by the old woman, and her husband was also instructed by the old woman not to stand up for her.

"Conflicts of interest are inevitable among merchants." Shi Qingyu said vaguely, "Those with a broad mind will stop when things are at their worst and maintain harmony to make money; those with a narrow mind will always compete for superiority, causing disputes and losses."

Having experienced Shang Mingshu's temper firsthand, Miao automatically categorized Shang Mingshu as the latter, having no intention of delving into the conflict between the two. She simply hated Shang Mingshu to the extreme: "You sneak up on me just to say a few bad things about the women of the Shang family?"

Miao Shi didn't believe it. Even if Shi Qingyu was wary of Shang Mingshu, she wouldn't be so secretive about saying a few bad things about her.

“I know that you have been wronged because of me, and I feel guilty. I have come to offer you this generous gift to thank you for your righteous act.” Shi Qingyu handed over an exquisite box containing an extremely luxurious set of ruby ​​jewelry.

Miao had her eye on it for a long time, but the jewelry store was asking for too much money. The old woman also felt it was too extravagant and refused to let the accountant give her the money. She was the legitimate wife, not one of her husband's shameful mistresses. If she had to ask her husband for money for some jewelry, wouldn't she be even less able to hold her head up in front of him?
Shi Qingyu's gift touched Miao's heart.

Seeing the satisfied look on Miao's face, Shi Qingyu smiled and said, "Madam, Shang San is not a good person to be associated with. Madam must be careful and must not let me implicate you again."

Lost in the brilliance of the jewelry, Miao felt uncomfortable upon hearing this. She looked up and saw the worry between Shi Qingyu's brows. Feeling indebted to her, she suppressed her displeasure and said perfunctorily, "I know."

Shi Qingyu finally felt relieved, her face relaxed, and after chatting with Miao about everyday matters, she took her leave.

"Madam, why are you going to such lengths to dispel Miao's resentment towards Shang San?" The maidservant who was following her didn't understand, since it was clearly Shi Qingyu who had stirred things up first.

In the past six months, she had been sent by her master to Shi Qingyu's side, and she had long seen through Shi Qingyu's cunning face. If Shi Qingyu were truly afraid of Shang Mingshu, she would not have sown discord with the Miao family. Shi Qingyu was not unaware of Shang Mingshu's situation, nor was she unaware of this outcome...

"Yingzi." Shi Qingyu, wearing a veil, fell half a step behind Yingzi. She was now playing the role of Yingzi's maid, and she believed that Shang Mingshu must have spies outside the door. "I'm not here to put out the fire, I'm here to add fuel to the fire..."

"This servant doesn't understand." Yingzi frowned. She didn't actually like Shi Qingyu's deep scheming and wasn't curious about Shi Qingyu's methods. It was just that she was sent to protect Shi Qingyu and was completely unaware of what Shi Qingyu had done, which led to Shi Qingyu's danger and the death of her whole family. Shang Mingshu was clearly not a kind person.

Knowing Yingzi's responsibilities, Shi Qingyu didn't mince words: "Shang Mingshu doesn't know I'm here. Miao's difficulties seem inexplicable, so she'll definitely suspect me. Even if I'm just creating a smokescreen, she'll still need to see if Miao will cause any trouble after the opening of the Yingtian Prefecture Incense Monopoly Branch before she'll be completely at ease..."

Shi Qingyu looked up. Through the thin veil, the early summer light was not dazzling, but a soft halo still made her feel dazed, and her thoughts were instantly pulled back to her childhood.

No one understood Shang Mingshu better than her. Her feelings towards Shang Mingshu were complex, a mixture of envy, jealousy, admiration, and loathing...

Many times, she wished that she had never been separated from Shang Mingshu by a wall when she was young.

She might have lived a stable life, following a predetermined path, like most women in the world. She would have taken her parents' favoritism towards their brothers for granted, not defying the custom of foot binding to conform to etiquette, and content to remain confined to the inner quarters, devoting her life to the mundane tasks of cooking and managing the household, without ever having the slightest thought of overstepping boundaries. But Shang Mingshu lived right before her. They were of similar age, and amidst her cries and wails, there was only the laughter and joy of the three Shang sisters. While she was confined at home learning etiquette and even how to please men, the three Shang sisters could freely enter and leave the merchant guild with Shang Jinliang.

That day, she climbed over the wall and saw the courtyard of the Shang family mansion. Shang Wenshu was looking at the account books, and Shang Jinliang had asked a tutor to accompany her and give her guidance. Shang Zishu was blindfolded and was being served tea by Xiao Yushi, appreciating the variety and age of the tea. On the other side, Shang Mingshu was practicing martial arts moves with a martial arts master...

She looked down at her newly bound feet, the pain seemingly following her everywhere. She couldn't practice martial arts like Shang Mingshu, nor did she possess Shang Zishu's innate talent for tea. She wanted to look at the account books, so she sneaked into the study while Shi Houqiong was away, only to be caught red-handed by Shi Guangchao.

Thinking of Shi Houqiong's favoritism towards Shi Guangchao, she was terrified. Shi Guangchao had clearly promised her that if she would carry him around twice like a dog, he would cover for her. She had already humbled herself to the point of being disgusted, but in the end, she still received a beating in return...

She hated the Shi family, she hated the Shang family, and she hated Shang Mingshu the most.

She knew this was wrong; Shang Mingshu hadn't harmed her, but she couldn't control her jealousy and urge to destroy...

She knew she was probably ill; it was a kind of madness that was incurable…

“Shang Mingshu has no time to deal with me. She will nip the problem in the bud and have Old Madam Han personally restrain Miao Shi…” Shi Qingyu’s eyes gradually cleared and turned cold. “The more I try to appease Miao Shi now, the more furious she will be once she knows everything.”

The people sent by Shang Mingshu did not meet Madam Han due to Shi Qingyu's interference, but instead met Master Han. Master Han frowned and was somewhat displeased with Shang Mingshu's overbearing attitude, but since his grandmother had given the order, he swallowed his anger.

When Madam Miao returned and heard about this, she angrily smashed her teacup: "Sir, are you just letting a merchant's daughter climb all over us and act like a tyrant? If this gets out, what will become of the Han family's prestige? Who will respect the Han family in the future?"

Grandpa Han had many complaints about Shang Mingshu, but he had concerns: "Grandmother won't allow it..."

Aside from marrying Miao, he never disobeyed his grandmother in his entire life.

Cursing the old lady in her heart, Miao dared not show it, and could only say: "I understand that you value filial piety, but if you don't teach Shang a lesson, she will only take advantage of you. If you want to take action, why do you need to do it yourself?"

Mr. Han considered his wife's words carefully and was quite tempted.

Knowing that the matter was settled, Shi Qingyu immediately ordered people to pack their bags.

"Won't you stay and see for yourself, Madam?" Yingzi asked.

"No, otherwise I'll have to kill you here." Shi Qingyu looked back as she left the city gate. "That's Shang Mingshu. Miao's personality has misled her. She only has a slight suspicion. Once the Han family makes a move, she will be certain it's me. Even if the Han family can't hurt her in the slightest, she won't let it go."