The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 76 Osmanthus Wine
Sanniangzi is kind-hearted and you treat others with generosity.

Shang Mingshu couldn't help laughing when she heard this.

She knew herself best what kind of person she was, and never thought that one day someone would say that she was kind and generous to others.

"Third Madam, did I say something wrong?" Cheng Mian saw that Shang Mingshu's smile did not seem to be the smile of joy after being praised, and his heart began to panic, worrying that he had said something wrong.

"Third Brother Cheng didn't say anything wrong." Shang Mingshu restrained her smile a little, but a faint smile still appeared on her lips. "I smiled because I suddenly realized how lucky I am to have met a man like Third Brother Cheng."

Cheng Mian was almost petrified. He stared blankly at Shang Mingshu, her clear eyes overflowing with tenderness. His mind was blank, and his heart surged like a river bursting its banks, almost drowning him.

Happiness came too suddenly and too overwhelmingly, causing him to suddenly feel his palms go numb, and no part of his body responded to his commands: "I... Third, Third Lady, you..."

Cheng Mian has his steady side, but he also has a naive side as he is in love for the first time and has never been in contact with a girl. Shang Mingshu saw his embarrassment and helplessness, and jumped on the horse swiftly.

"Brother Cheng, the sun is rising brightly, and golden light is flowing. At this moment, my heart is like a magpie perched on a branch. It would be better to ride a horse across the countryside to make the most of the beautiful scenery!" Shang Mingshu whipped the horse and galloped away.

Cheng Mian's heart was still beating fast, his eyes following Shang Mingshu, his body reacted extremely quickly, he jumped on his horse and chased after her.

He fell behind Shang Mingshu, the oncoming strong wind ruffled his black hair, the corners of his lips raised with joy could not be let go, his eyes could no longer accommodate anything else, and were fixed on the girl in front of him who was riding a horse at lightning speed.

The maroon horse galloped along the dirt road between the river and the mountains through the green and yellow woods. The winding mountain road was quiet, as if it had not yet fully awakened in the dim morning light. The strong and powerful sound of the horse's hooves woke up the entire mountain.

Birds spread their wings, white clouds stretch their bodies, and the cool breeze shakes the trees.

Shang Mingshu really likes riding the horse freely like this, forgetting all worries, putting aside all trivial matters, and relaxing her whole body and soul, as if her soul has merged into the world.

"Ms. Sanniang is a great rider." Cheng Mian controlled the speed of his horse and slowly came to the side of Shang Mingshu who had stopped. A thin layer of sweat broke out on his head. Shang Mingshu took out a new handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to him.

Cheng Mian took it, but was reluctant to use it to wipe his sweat. While Shang Mingshu dismounted and walked towards the stream, he wiped his forehead with his sleeve and hid the handkerchief Shang Mingshu gave him in his arms.

"Let's tie the horses here and wait for He Sui and the others to catch up. We'll stay here while you and I go up the stream and take a walk around. How about that?" Shang Mingshu didn't notice Cheng Mian's little action. She squatted by the river and tidied her appearance with a wet handkerchief.

"Okay." Cheng Mian was happy with anything as long as he could be with Shang Mingshu.

"What does Third Brother Cheng like to do on weekdays?" While waiting, Shang Mingshu began to chat with Cheng Mian.

"On weekdays, I also practice martial arts and horse riding with my second brother..." Cheng Mian honestly told him about his daily life one by one.

Shang Mingshu listened attentively, and when someone talked about a hobby that she also understood, she would agree. The two of them would have a deep chat about the same hobby, exchange their preferences with each other, and have a great time talking for a while.

When He Sui and Cheng Mian's servants arrived in a carriage, the two of them explained the situation to each other and continued chatting as they moved on.

Cheng Mian was amazed at how knowledgeable Shang Mingshu was. Occasionally, he would quote from classics, and Shang Mingshu would be able to immediately respond with a quote from them. Then they began to talk about history, poets in history, and from poets to civil officials and military generals, and to ancient and modern politics.

Her insights were unique and unbiased. She did not easily comment on good or bad, or on pros and cons. Sometimes, Cheng Mian even felt ashamed of himself for not being as fair and broad-minded as Shang Mingshu.

He had never had such a pleasant chat with anyone before, and his gaze towards Shang Mingshu was full of passion and admiration.

Even after turning back to where he had tied up his horses, he still felt a bit reluctant to leave. "It's getting late, Third Brother Cheng, let's have lunch first." Shang Mingshu chose this place because she saw a rest pavilion.

He Sui saw the two of them returning from afar, and together with Cheng Mian's servant, he put out the food prepared by Shang Mingshu. The food box was specially made, and boiling water was filled in the interlayer to keep the hot food warm.

It can keep hot food from getting cold for two hours, and the ears of wheat are served in piles, still with a rich fragrance.

Cheng Mian, who was not hungry originally, immediately became starving when he smelled the smell.

When he put the food in his mouth, he subconsciously wanted to gobble it up. He inexplicably wished that he could eat such delicious food every day. But when he thought about the hard work of Shang Mingshu, his greed subsided a lot.

"I'm offering this flower to the Buddha, wishing Brother Cheng San to win the first prize." The two of them were half full when Shang Mingshu raised her glass to toast Cheng Mian.

"Thank you, Third Lady. I will work hard and will never let you down." Cheng Mian wanted to take out a book and start reviewing right away.

I am more determined to get a good ranking.

Shang Mingshu smiled gently and raised her head to drink. Her eyes lit up as she drank: "Second Brother Cheng, this wine is great!"

As soon as the jar is opened, the rich aroma of the wine hits your nose, and the taste is silky and soft, just like a clear mountain spring flowing through, pure and unadulterated. After drinking it, it feels like basking in the warm autumn sun, warm but not dry.

"My second brother is the best at making wine. My eldest brother wanted him to open a winery, but he said that the family already has too many businesses and he couldn't handle it all, so he didn't agree." Cheng Mian was happy. His favorites were Cheng She's osmanthus wine and peach blossom wine. Other wines were too strong. "Next March, I will give Sanniang two jars of peach blossom wine."

Of course, peach blossom wine is not brewed this year, nor is it brewed after the peach blossoms bloom next year. It was brewed several years in advance. However, Cheng She is very strict with his wine. He brews the right wine for each solar term and does not mix up the seasons.

"It's a good opportunity to congratulate my third brother on his success in the imperial examination." The imperial examination is held in February and the results are announced in March.

Cheng Mian was delighted by Shang Mingshu's trust in him. "Can I ask Sanniang out for another spring outing?"

"Okay." Shang Mingshu agreed immediately.

Shang Mingshu felt very comfortable with Cheng Mian. Cheng Mian's words were meaningful, knowledgeable, and he didn't talk about love affairs. He was also very humorous.

Shang Mingshu was very happy that day, and Cheng Mian was reluctant to part with Shang Mingshu even when the sun was setting.

If Cheng She had not happened to meet him on his way back to town, Cheng Mian would have had to shamelessly use the excuse of sending Shang Mingshu off to have dinner at Shang's place.

Shang Wenshu and Shang Zishu saw Shang Mingshu returning home with a happy face, and couldn't help but look at her several times at the dinner table.

Shang Jinliang still felt a little regretful, but since his daughter liked it, he naturally put her wishes first: "Rest early today, and we will set off early tomorrow morning."

"Dad, can we set off later?" Shang Zishu still wanted to wait for the result from the government office.

"Your elder sister is still alive, she will write to you." Shang Wenshu was still unwilling to go to Xihang with them, and Shang Jinliang did not force her.

Shang Jinliang was often away on business, and he attached great importance to the time of his departure.

(End of this chapter)