The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 30 Hui Mo Su

She inkstone is famous all over the world. Li Yu, the last emperor of the Tang Dynasty, once praised it: She inkstone is the best in the world.

Shang Mingshu also likes to use She inkstone on her daily basis. Firstly, it is familiar to her, and secondly, She inkstone is rough and does not retain pen marks, but smooth and does not reject ink.

She collected many She inkstones, and Shang Wenshu gave her one not long ago, but none of them were as favorite as the one in front of her.

Cheng Mian preserved the yellowish lichen on the stone and carved a swaying orchid pattern along the texture, which is exquisite and elegant.

The inkstone with a delicate feel feels slightly heavy in the hand, just like the young man's heavy heart full of joy.

"Thank you, Third Brother. I like it very much." Shang Mingshu stroked the smooth polished texture, as if she could see through the inkstone the scene of a young man holding a carving knife and carving carefully at his desk.

The words "Third brother" and "I like you" were like fireworks blooming all over the city in front of Cheng Mian's eyes. Joy and satisfaction filled his chest, and his heart was pounding because it could not bear such passionate and fierce emotions.

"As long as you like it, as long as you like it..." Cheng Mian always has a bad tongue when facing Shang Mingshu.

"I like him very much." Shang Mingshu felt an inexplicable strangeness when she saw Cheng Mian, a sincere and kind-hearted young man with a clean heart and eyes. She thought, "What does Third Brother like?"

"I like you..." Cheng Mian blurted out, then suddenly came to his senses, his handsome face flushed, annoyed at his recklessness, and hurriedly explained, "I... I mean, I like anything you give me..."

The more he explained, the more confusing it became, and he wanted to slap himself.

No matter how precocious Shang Mingshu was, she was still a young lady in her twenties. Cheng Mian's bluntness made her feel a little embarrassed, but she was also afraid that Cheng Mian would blame himself even more, so she could only feign composure: "I like to tinker with food. Today, my third brother gave me an inkstone. Someday I will personally make some Hui ink pastries and have them delivered to the academy."

Hui Mo Su is a special snack made in Huizhou Prefecture. The origin of this snack is said to be that after Li Yu, the last emperor of Southern Tang, was moved north to Bian Jing by Zhao Kuangyin, the first emperor of Northern Song, he still sent people to Huizhou to get ink.

Xi Yangui, a master of ink making in Huizhou Prefecture, knew that giving ink to Li Yu would bring about his own death, which was an act of usurpation. So he used "ink molds" and "black sesame fillings" to print a batch of "ink sticks" and gave them to the visitor, helping Li Yu escape the disaster. From then on, the fragrance of Huizhou ink sticks filled the entire Bianjing.

Cheng Mian gave her an inkstone, and she gave Cheng Mian an "ink stick", which complemented each other.

"Okay, okay, I'll wait for Sanniang's Hui Mo Su at the academy." Cheng Mian didn't want to refuse at all.

The ink stick and the inkstone are a perfect match, and he felt that Shang Mingshu was also interested in him.

Is Shang Mingshu interested in Cheng Mian?
On the way back home, she kept asking herself, there was a moment of excitement, but there was no deep love.

She could make real ink sticks, and she was someone who was extremely careful about her reputation. She and Cheng Mian hadn't even gotten to the point of being engaged, so how could she easily give something to a man outside her family? Would that give her a handle on the secret exchange in the future?

Until the dust settles, Shang Mingshu is reluctant to reveal her true feelings.

Of course, she would not just talk big, and the next day she made a batch of Hui ink pastries by herself and gave them to Cheng Mian from Ziyang Academy. Her two sisters, Shang Jinliang and Lin Yuanyuan were also given some. Shang Jinliang saw that the Hui ink pastries made by his daughter were exquisite, so he packed a few more boxes to give as gifts.

Unexpectedly, after tasting it, Magistrate He felt that it was more delicious than the Hui Mo Su sold in other pastry shops. He sent someone to inquire where it was purchased so that he could buy some as gifts for his colleagues.

Shang Jinliang took the matter under his wing. Prefect He must have truly trusted Shang Jinliang, as he actually agreed.

Shang Jinliang, who had been so happy all the way back from the prefect's residence, turned sour the moment he got home. He hesitantly took Xiao Yu to look for Shang Mingshu: "Mingshu, I'm sorry to trouble you with this matter..."

Shang Jinliang, lacking confidence, felt like a coward. How could a father do what he did? He had to smile even when he ordered his daughter around?

But he had to compensate, because his little daughter was the most pampered and difficult to control, her wallet was thicker than his, and he had no control over her at all.

"Dad has his work, and I'm doing it for him. It's my duty." Shang Mingshu said with a forced smile, "Dad has already agreed, how can I refuse? But I'm still begging for food from Dad, so I'll just give you my orders."

Shang Mingshu doesn't mind Shang Jinliang taking on tasks for her, but she can't let Shang Jinliang make decisions for her without asking her wishes.

"It's Dad's fault. I was with the prefect at the time. It wouldn't be easy for me to send someone home to ask you before giving you an answer." Shang Jinliang kept a low profile.

Shang Mingshu knew that the situation at the time did not allow Shang Jinliang to hesitate. This was an opportunity to further strengthen his relationship with the prefect, and it was a harmless and upright opportunity.

"I'll make it carefully for Daddy, and Daddy will listen to me, okay?" Shang Mingshu stopped making trouble and took a step back to negotiate softly.

"You said, Dad can do it, and he will never refuse." Shang Jinliang breathed a sigh of relief and almost patted his chest to make a promise.

"I hope Dad will think twice about giving someone the 'handling fee' tomorrow." Shang Mingshu was the last person to persuade Shang Jinliang.

"Your aunt and sister came to see you?" Shang Jinliang's eyes swept over Xiao Yu.

Even his second daughter sent someone to send a letter back to persuade him, but his youngest daughter seemed to be unaware of this matter. He originally thought that Shang Mingshu would not get involved.

"My daughter just feels that with the foundation of our tea company, even if Dad succeeds in his wish, he won't be able to deal with the jealous people who will stab us in the back." Shang Mingshu did not deny that she got the news from Shang Wenshu and Xiao Yu.

Shang Jinliang loves Shang Mingshu the most, not only because Shang Mingshu's mother comes from a famous family, but also because he feels comfortable talking to Shang Mingshu. Xiao Yu said that most of the people who came here were scammers, but Shang Wenshu only said that the amount of silver was huge and it was a huge blow to the tea business.

Only Shang Mingshu did not doubt that he was cheated, did not be petty and reluctant to spend the money, and sincerely cared about him and the tea company.

People just need to read more. Just look at the difference between his three daughters.

Shang Jinliang dismissed the servants, leaving only the couple and Shang Mingshu in the courtyard. "Ming, Dad knows that even if you offer a hundred thousand coins, you might not be able to get the tribute tea."

Shang Mingshu's eyes narrowed suddenly. Her mind raced as she asked tentatively, "Is the other party really someone from the imperial court?"

Shang Jinliang was both relieved and regretful that his daughter reacted so quickly. If Mingya was a boy, he wouldn't have to worry about having no successors.
"They are not from the imperial court. The imperial court would not do such a thing." Shang Jinliang corrected his daughter's words. "Mingya, you just need to know that if we don't pay this money, our Shang Tea Company will never be able to make further progress."

They are not from the imperial court, and none of them hold an official position, but behind them stand the powerful officials in the imperial court, who are the ones who decide the future of Shang’s Tea Company.

Shang Mingshu felt a surge of anger in her heart. She would rather these people were liars!
It’s better than knowing that it’s given away for free and pretending not to know!
"I understand, Dad." Shang Mingshu lowered her eyes.

Seeing that his daughter was depressed, Shang Jinliang could only sigh and pat her shoulder to comfort her.

(End of this chapter)