The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 15 I Love Sanniang
The subsequent matters were naturally left to Cheng She, and Shang Mingshu escaped just as Cheng She went to expose the truth.

These people will not be detained on the charge of theft. All the gold and pearls of her, the victim, have been recovered. This is a serious matter, and the authorities are very satisfied that she left tactfully.

Shang Mingshu was also very satisfied. These people set up a trap against Cheng Mian for some unknown reason. Although she got involved by accident, it was Cheng She who finally identified them, and most of their hatred was diverted away by Cheng She.

When Cheng Mian saw Shang Mingshu leave with a smile, he subconsciously raised his foot to follow her, but Cheng She stepped forward and blocked his way without leaving a trace.

In the end, he had no choice but to wait listlessly until Cheng She finished his negotiations with the government, and then followed his brother home.

It was late at night when he returned home. Cheng Qin and his wife had heard the news long ago and were waiting anxiously in the main hall.

Seeing that his brother and sister-in-law were both there, and there were no servants around, Cheng Mian blurted out, "Brother, I have a girl I like. I hope you can take the trouble to find an official matchmaker for me."

Cheng Qin and his wife looked at each other, and seeing the shock and joy in each other's eyes, Cheng Qin asked, "Whose wife is it?"

"The third lady from the East City Merchants."

"No." Without waiting for Cheng Qin and his wife to react, Cheng She denied it first.

The three of them looked at Cheng She, and Cheng Mian's face froze. "Why not? Shangjia is a good match for us. Sanniang has done me a favor, and I have feelings for her. Why not?"

Cheng Qin was also puzzled. "I've heard of the Third Lady of the Shang family. She's a gentle and virtuous woman. Uncle Shang is a kind and righteous man. The Third Lady's family tradition must be good. We're from the same hometown, so she's a good match for my Third Brother, and he's also very interested."

"The Shang family has a shallow foundation, and Uncle Shang has long wanted to marry Madam Shang San into a wealthy family." Cheng She said coldly.

"What's the big deal?" Cheng Mian said, his worry turning into joy. "I'm confident I'll pass the imperial examination this year, and I'll definitely be on the gold list next spring!"

What kind of wealthy family could a merchant girl marry into? In Cheng Mian's opinion, Shang Jinliang would choose him as long as he kept in mind the father-daughter relationship.

Cheng Qin was delighted to see his younger brother, so full of fighting spirit. This younger brother was intelligent and able to study, but he was a little unmotivated. He had always urged him to pay more attention to his studies, but he insisted that learning should be a natural process and not be rushed.

Whenever he saw him spending most of his energy on polishing pens, ink, paper and inkstone, his brother and sister-in-law would get anxious.

If Cheng Mian had worked a little harder, there would have been no chance for others to take his place as the top student in the academy.
"Madam, please make an appointment with Madam Shang to talk tomorrow." Cheng Qin quickly instructed his wife Wang.

They must first let the woman know their thoughts and give a response before inviting a matchmaker to come to their house as a sign of respect.

"No!" Before Wang could agree, Cheng She stopped her again. Facing his brother and sister-in-law's confusion and his brother's anger, Cheng She lowered his eyes and said, "Mrs. Shang's behavior is erratic, she loves pleasure and extravagance. My third brother wants to be an official in the future, and Mrs. Shang is not a good match."

"Second brother, you are slandering a lady like this, which is against the way of a gentleman!" Cheng Mian fell in love with Shang Mingshu at first sight during the Lantern Festival and had been thinking about her for half a year. He finally saw her again and was rescued by her. In his heart, he had nothing bad to say about Shang Mingshu.

Seeing his own brother belittling his beloved like this, he felt that his brother was insulting him as well. "The Third Lady is unconventional and behaves with openness and generosity. When she marries me in the future, I cannot confine her to the imperial court just because I am in office. She has her own joys. She is marrying me, not selling herself to me as a slave. If I ask her to compromise herself for me, I would be failing in my duty as a husband! The Third Lady was born into a wealthy family. It is her blessing to be able to enjoy the pleasures of her family. As for you, second brother, you said she enjoys extravagance. I would like to ask you, second brother, is there any illegal use of the merchant's wealth? Is the money she spends stolen or plundered? Does her extravagance cause the merchant to run out of money?"

Cheng She was speechless, and Cheng Mian's voice became even more resounding: "The family's wealth comes from legitimate sources, so why can't she enjoy it? The Shang family has such a huge business, and Uncle Shang pampers his daughter. He has never criticized Sanniang for her extravagance? Who has the right to criticize? Who would want to suffer if they could be born rich and noble?
If I am lucky enough to marry Sanniang, and her life after marriage is not as happy and carefree as before, it will be my fault!"

"Third brother, Third Lady..."

"Second brother." Seeing his usually gentle and sensible younger brother filled with righteous indignation, Cheng Qin hurriedly dragged Cheng She towards the study. As they walked, he turned back and promised Cheng Mian, "Big brother, I'll have your sister-in-law go and find out what the merchant is saying tomorrow."

Cheng Mian's smile gradually spread. He bowed to his two brothers and then turned to Wang, bowing gracefully and saying, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Cheng She was about to speak, but Cheng Qin covered his mouth and forcefully dragged him into the house.

"Brother, Madam Shang San and my third brother are not a good match!" Cheng She broke away from Cheng Qin, frowning.

"If it's not a good match for my third brother, then is it a good match for you?"

"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?" Cheng She's face changed. Seeing Cheng Qin's relieved expression, he realized that Cheng Qin was deceiving him. He was worried that they would fall in love with the same woman and fight for her, causing discord between the brothers.

"Brother, you worry too much." Cheng She had no choice but to reveal his thoughts. "That Shangri-Lady is not only skilled, but also thoughtful and calculating. My third brother is kind-hearted. If I marry her, she will definitely be the one to take charge of the family in the future."

As older brothers, they cannot accompany their younger brother to go abroad. Shang Mingshu is too strong, and Cheng Mian's heart and eyes are full of Shang Mingshu. In the future, Cheng Mian will definitely become Shang Mingshu's puppet.

Cheng Qin listened to Cheng She's words, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Mrs. San was willing to help his third brother on the Lantern Festival, which shows that she is a kind-hearted person. Her two older sisters were both born to concubines, but Madam Shang never stopped them from getting involved in the family business, which shows Madam Shang's magnanimity. Madam Shang raised the third sister, and there was never any direct conflict between the sisters. The third sister must be a magnanimous person.

Just as you said, my third brother has been raised to be a kind person by you and me, and it is time for him to marry a woman who can take charge and whom he is willing to obey.

The Third Lady's knowledge of martial arts is even more rare. In official circles, it's easy to dodge an open attack, but difficult to guard against a hidden one. When the Third Lady marries the Third Brother, she will have someone to protect her even in bed. It seems that the Third Lady and the Third Brother are truly a match made in heaven."

"Brother!" Cheng She didn't expect that he was the only one in the family who was not optimistic about this marriage.

Cheng Qin stroked his goatee, smiled, and raised his hand: "Second brother, you should worry about your own marriage. Third brother is willing, and the girl is suitable. If I don't make it happen, I'm afraid that Third brother will lose the fighting spirit to take the exam."

Cheng She opened his mouth, but thought of Cheng Mian's personality, and his mind and eyes were filled with Shang Mingshu. Their reasons could not convince Cheng Mian, and even if they could, it would affect Cheng Mian's exam performance. In the end, he stopped trying to stop him.

Well, that Lady Shang San is not an ordinary woman, and she may not be interested in a naive young man like my third brother who has never experienced the ups and downs of life.

Thinking this way, Cheng She just waited for the merchant to refuse so that Cheng Mian would give up without hurting their brotherly relationship.

(End of this chapter)