The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 176 She was like a ripe peach
"What will I gain?" Shang Mingshu is a businesswoman, and businessmen pursue profit. She helped Zhao Wan'er, so she must have something in mind.

"What does Third Sister need?" Zhao Wan'er knew in her heart that she and Shang Mingshu were not related, and Shang Mingshu would not go to great lengths to plan for her.

At this moment, since it was advantageous to Shang Mingshu, she simply asked Shang Mingshu directly about her purpose.

If it weren't for her liking Zhao Wan'er, Shang Mingshu would reveal a satisfied smile: "What if I wanted the Liu family to follow my lead?"

The first thought that flashed through Zhao Wan'er's mind was: Just as I thought!

I can't figure out what Shang Mingshu wants. I always feel that Shang Mingshu has big plans and schemes. She is bold and decisive.

Having some suspicions in mind, Zhao Wan'er accepted it readily: "Third Sister, we are both merchants. Merchants prioritize profit. Following Third Sister will bring us great profits, so we should naturally devote ourselves to serving you."

"it is good."

When talking to intelligent people, there's no need for excessive words; just probe each other.

Shang Mingshu did not tell Zhao Wan'er how to proceed, but only told her to wait for the right opportunity. It wouldn't be long before she would be able to help her and her husband seize power.

Zhao Wan'er left with only an empty promise from Shang Mingshu. She was a clear-headed person. The opportunity for Liu Shi to return to Yingtian Prefecture today was given by Shang Mingshu, and she could give it to whomever she wanted. Sending her to inform Liu Shi was already saving face for Zhao Wan'er.

She was a little disappointed that she couldn't take the opportunity to distance herself from the Liu family, but what she wanted was a brighter future!

After dealing with the matters in Yingtian Prefecture, Shang Mingshu waited for the men sent to intercept Shi Qingyu to return before setting off again.

"Madam, Madam Tang has three groups of people protecting her." Shang Mingshu's men felt guilty for not having captured Shi Qingyu and for not doing a good job.

"It's good that you were all unharmed." Shang Mingshu cherished her own people more.

"Thank you, madam." People who were tired of living a nomadic life felt very comfortable following Shang Mingshu.

Shang Mingshu was not confined to one place, did not restrict their freedom, and was generous. The dangers they encountered were insignificant compared to the fighting and killing in the martial arts world.

Most importantly, Shang Mingshu cherishes talent and values ​​them highly, making them feel secure and at ease.

"You said there were three groups of people protecting her? Do you know where they came from?" Shang Mingshu asked.

"There are former guards of the Shi family and Japanese pirates, and another group is extremely ruthless and vicious, somewhat like... the White Lotus Sect." Because he had never dealt with the White Lotus Sect, but had heard about them during his travels in the martial world in previous years, his tone was uncertain in his answer.

"The White Lotus Sect..."

The flags seized from the teahouse were handed over to the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture. The flags were confirmed to be genuine, and the authorities even sent people to investigate. The identity of Shi Qingyu as Madam Tang would be thoroughly investigated.

Shang Mingshu suspected that her identity was fabricated. As for how she fabricated it and how she successfully used Madam Tang's travel permit to enter the city, those were matters for the government to handle.

She truthfully told the authorities her suspicion that Madam Tang was Shi Qingyu, and waited for them to verify it for her.

"My lady seems troubled." Seeing Shang Mingshu standing by the window, gazing at Jiang Bo in a daze, He Sui couldn't help but ask.

Ever since the guards brought back the news, Shang Mingshu would murmur about the White Lotus Sect whenever she had a spare moment.

“Shi Qingyu and I grew up together. She is resilient and patient.” Shang Mingshu and Shi Qingyu have been scheming and growing up together since childhood. “It is not like her usual way of doing things to expose her to me in Yingtian Prefecture because she had dealings with the White Lotus Sect.”

Shi Qingyu took away the Shi family's fortune, gaining both wealth and people. There were many ways to frame her without leaving a trace, but she chose a method that would expose everything. He Sui had been watching her mistress and Shi Qingyu's back-and-forth exchanges the whole time, and she also felt that this was not Shi Qingyu's method. She and Shang Mingshu both had a strong intuition that Madam Tang was Shi Qingyu.

The person is still the same person. Could it be that after more than half a year, the changes in the Shi family have caused a drastic change in his personality?

"Shi Qingyu was prepared for the downfall of the Shi family." Shi Qingyu was no less eager for the Shi family members to die than she was, otherwise how could she take over the Shi family's secret assets?

The entire Shi family was executed, and she alone survived and was able to break free from the constraints of her identity as Shi Qingyu. She was overjoyed and had no reason to be upset.

"My lady!" He Sui, who had been racking her brains, suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "Could it be that she is controlled by the White Lotus Sect and is deliberately trying to lure you into a confrontation with them, using their strength against them, so that both you and the White Lotus Sect will be severely injured?"

Shang Mingshu raised her hand and lightly tapped He Sui's head with the edge of her fan: "Am I stupid, or is the White Lotus Cult, which is a headache for the imperial court, stupid?"

How arrogant must Shi Qingyu be to think she can manipulate Shang Mingshu and the White Lotus Sect?

If that's the case, it wouldn't be a trivial matter like using a flag to frame her.

Why would Shang Mingshu go to such lengths to deal with the White Lotus Sect just because of a flag?
A mere Shang Mingshu cannot hinder the White Lotus Sect, nor is she of any interest to them.

Shang Mingshu would not easily become an enemy of a deeply entrenched and unfathomable cult.

No matter how hard Shi Qingyu tried to sow discord, she could not succeed.

He Sui had always believed that Shi Qingyu's shrewdness was second only to her wife's, so she gave up trying to figure it out: "If my wife can't figure it out, then I can't figure it out either."

"The truth will eventually come out." Shang Mingshu wasn't in a hurry; she was just thinking about it in her spare time.

Shang Mingshu's actions and achievements in Yingtian Prefecture were known even before she arrived in Guangzhou, Songjiang, and Hankou.

The three branches of the tea shop opened smoothly, passing through relatively prosperous areas. The local area was either conducive to transportation or had its own resources for growing flower tea raw materials, so Shang Mingshu did not miss the opportunity.

After much effort, the reputation of the Incense Monopoly Order was quietly established, and all the money that Shang Mingshu had taken with her was gone.

Despite rushing as fast as she could, she still couldn't make it home to celebrate her birthday with her family. On her birthday, she was still on the river.

Last time at the dock, Shang Mingshu spent a lot of money on supplies and celebrated with the people she brought.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, there was a knock on the door. When He Sui opened it, she was so surprised when she saw Cheng She's resolute and handsome face that she stammered, "Second...Second Master!"

Slightly tipsy, Shang Mingshu came out upon hearing the sound.

Cheng She had never seen Shang Mingshu so drunk!
She wore a pink dress, and the flush of wine spread across her cheeks, creating two rosy blushes, like peach blossoms intoxicated by the evening breeze, faintly tinged with warm pink; her eyes were veiled with a layer of soft moisture, as if she were immersed in spring wine, even the light in her eyes softened, and her whole body was wrapped in an irresistible softness, as if a gust of wind could make her sway gently.

She was like a ripe peach soaked in mead, her whole body glowing with a luminous sheen. Her sweet fragrance mixed with the crisp aroma of wine wafted out, carrying an alluring warmth and exuding an irresistible fragrance that made one want to bend down and cherish her.

Cheng She's throat bobbed, and he forcibly looked away.

"Second Master Cheng." Shang Mingshu wasn't drunk, but she was easily flustered. She didn't realize how much she was attracting attention at that moment, and stepped forward to greet him with a puzzled expression.

"Today is your birthday, and I came here especially to celebrate." The aroma of wine wafted over, and it was the deadly scent of peach blossom wine. Cheng She tried hard to restrain himself from fleeing in a disheveled state.