The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 62: Sanniang, I like her very much
"The Third Master is back."

The servant happily came to report to Madam Wang, who looked at Shang Mingshu with a smile and said, "Madam San, why don't you come with me to take a look?"

"Madam," the servant hurriedly stopped her, "the Third Master said that he is all rotten now. He knows that there are distinguished guests in the mansion, so he should be allowed to bathe and change clothes before coming to see the guests."

"Go ahead, let your Third Master rest assured. Dress well and I will treat you well." Wang joked with a smile, then turned around and continued the conversation with Shang Mingshu.

Shang Mingshu took concrete action to dissuade Shang Jinliang from thinking about him. After the first imperial examination, she went to chat with Wang Shi. It was difficult for her to go to the examination hall to pick up Cheng Mian in person, so this was the only way to get the latest information on Cheng Mian's condition.

Cheng Mian did arrive a little late, for a full hour. Wang Shi asked him to stay several times, sent someone to deliver a message to the Shang Mansion in advance, and ordered the kitchen to prepare more dishes that Shang Mingshu liked. Shang Mingshu was worried that Cheng Mian was not in good condition, so she didn't care about anything else and stayed.

Cheng Mian looked very haggard, but his clear eyes were filled with a light that was surprisingly bright.

He was scented with incense, the elegant orchid fragrance, which made him look more like a delicate orchid.

In order to cover up the smell of medicine, he tried his best to suppress the curl of his lips, but he couldn't help but sit next to Shang Mingshu with some restraint. Although the round stools were some distance away, he was still cautious, for fear of accidentally touching Shang Mingshu and offending the beauty in his heart.

Shang Mingshu carefully noticed that his hands were not steady when he picked up the food several times.

Cheng Qin and his wife laughed teasingly, not daring to look at their younger brother for fear of laughing out loud.

This brat was raised by them, how could they not know how bold he was? How could they not know how many evil things he had in his belly?

They never expected that this brat would be so gentle, harmless, shy and restrained in front of the girl he liked, which made the couple itchy and wanted to take advantage of Shang Mingshu's presence to bully her.

Only Cheng She was not surprised and even gave Cheng Mian an excuse: "It's okay if your hands are weak after three consecutive exams. What do you want to eat? Second brother will pick it up for you."

Cheng Qin coughed lightly and tried his best to act like a dignified elder brother: "Your second brother is right. If you finish your meal earlier, you can still have a few words with the third lady."

It was getting late, and Shang Mingshu was relieved to see that Cheng Mian was still able to move freely. She had to say goodbye after the meal.

Cheng Mian, who had wanted to refuse, no longer refused after hearing this, and even gave orders to his two brothers with a clear conscience.

After finally finishing their meal, Shang Mingshu could tell Cheng Mian's health wasn't looking good. Thinking about the exam he would have to take tomorrow, she whispered, "Third brother, you've been taking exams for days and must be exhausted. Get some rest early."

"I'm not tired." Cheng Mian retorted subconsciously, then thought about how late it was. Even though he was extremely reluctant, he couldn't bear to tarnish Shang Mingshu's reputation. He could only snatch the lantern from the hand of the maid beside him and said, "I'll take the Third Lady out of the house."

The servant beside Cheng Mian cleverly pulled He Sui to his side and said, "Sister He Sui, our Third Master has something to give to Third Lady. Please come with me to get it."

He Sui looked at Shang Mingshu, and Shang Mingshu nodded silently.

The stone slabs under my feet were illuminated by the moonlight, like a silver ribbon winding forward. The staggered attics slowly receded, and the green tiles and white walls were clearly outlined in the moonlight.

"Third Madam, thank you for making the food for me." Cheng Mian tightened and loosened his grip on the lantern pole, sweat oozing from his palms, before he spoke softly.

"As long as you like it." The night wind brought a rich and cool fragrance. Entering the garden, several osmanthus trees were blooming wantonly. Shang Mingshu stopped.

The moonlight shines through the narrow gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadows, drawing a mysterious totem. Clusters of autumn chrysanthemums sway gently in the breeze, their golden petals gleaming, and the courtyard with lanterns hanging high is quiet and beautiful.

Shang Mingshu, standing at the front admiring the view, was unaware that a strand of her hair, caught in the evening breeze, brushed against the corner of Cheng Mian's lips as he leaned forward as she stepped down the stairs. A gentle, tingling sensation passed through him, and he instinctively tried to reach out to hold her back. His raised hand froze, his gaze fixed intently and affectionately on her receding figure, a wave of endless regret rising in his heart.

Noticing the person behind her was missing, Shang Mingshu turned around to see Cheng Mian, who was still standing in the corridor. He was hidden in the light, and Shang Mingshu couldn't see his expression. She just wondered, "Third brother?"

Cheng Mian came to his senses and hurriedly strode to catch up. The wound on his back was painful from his fast pace, but he managed to catch up with Shang Mingshu without changing his expression: "Third Lady, I like you very much."

"I'll ask Hemu to take you to the entrance of the examination hall early tomorrow morning." Shang Mingshu continued to move forward.

"Third Madam, no need." Cheng Mian felt a pang of pain even worse than the wound on his back when he thought of Shang Mingshu getting up early in the morning to make food for him. "My family will prepare it for me. Third Madam, why don't you wait until I finish the exam and then celebrate for me?"

"I've already prepared the materials. It's no big deal." Shang Mingshu said softly, "I'll do something else with you after you finish the exam."

Joy covered Cheng Mian's handsome face. He was a little impatient: "Can...can it be just me and the Third Lady?"

He wanted to be alone with her in private.

Walking out of the garden, there is a pond. The surface of the pond is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the pavilions and towers on the shore. It is difficult to tell which is the reflection and which is the real scenery.

"it is good."

The withered lotus leaves in the pond still stood upright, and the moonlight cast a unique silhouette. Suddenly, a fish jumped out of the water with a splash, breaking the silence. Ripples appeared on the surface of the pond, and the moonlight spread out.

Cheng Mian knew that it was not the sound of fish flapping their wings, but his heart that was leaping up, and that it was not the ripples in the pond that were spreading, but the tide of his heart.

He walked Shang Mingshu to the gate with a silly smile on his face. When he saw Shang Mingshu about to get on the carriage, he even extended his hand before He Sui.

He Sui looked at Mr. Cheng Sanye's arm next to him, then looked at his own hand, and for a moment he didn't know whether he should put it down.

As soon as he stretched out his hand, Cheng Mian knew that he was being reckless, and he wanted to withdraw his hand awkwardly.

Shang Mingshu didn't let him get into trouble and casually handed him something: "This is the mosquito repellent incense bag I asked the doctor to prepare."

She walked past him, took He Sui's hand and climbed into the carriage.

The lantern in the corner of the carriage swayed slowly, and the halo of light spread in the night, gradually moving away.

It wasn't until the sound of the wheels had died down for a long time that Cheng Mian came to his senses and realized that his hand was still raised. The sachet in his hand was very ordinary, and it was obvious that it was not from Shang Mingshu. However, it was the first time Shang Mingshu had given him a real thing. He lowered his head and stroked it with a smile...

"My dear, Third Master Cheng is so kind to you..." He Sui lowered the curtain behind the carriage, his mind still on Cheng Mian's dazed look just now, "My heart is full of you..."

He Sui didn't read much and couldn't think of an appropriate word, but as long as her wife appeared, Cheng Mian really couldn't see anyone else or anything else.

Shang Mingshu curled her lips and smiled, then closed her eyes to rest. The carriage stopped halfway, and it was her people who blocked the road.

"Madam, the person is dead, Muqian has been rescued, and she wants to see you."

(End of this chapter)