The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 84: Not to be spread outside, but to be spread inside
"You can ask." Shang Mingshu suggested sincerely, "She can refuse."

Shang Mingshu believed that Mrs. Chen would not easily let Shang Zishu learn the method of roasting Longjing tea because of what happened today, especially since Shang Zishu showed such a high talent for tea art in front of Mrs. Chen.

But she hopes Shang Zishu will express her feelings as early as possible to avoid being taken advantage of in the future.

The Chen family is obviously a place of trouble, as can be seen from this fake tea incident.

Shang Zishu was discouraged, but she did not complain. This was a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation in the family. The only one who could master it must be a family son. Even though Shang Zishu helped a lot this time, it would not cause the Chen family to sacrifice their survival.

I can only figure it out slowly.

The next day, Mrs. Chen delivered the invitation in the morning and brought Chen Che to the house in the afternoon. There were only the two of them, mother and son, and neither Mr. Chen nor Chen Jin was seen.

Xiao Yu directly asked the servants to go to Yuzhuan Pavilion to bring back the banquet. They had just arrived in Hangzhou. There was no cook in the Hangzhou mansion, and the servants in charge had to prepare their own meals.

Mrs. Chen was a female hero in the business world. Shang Jinliang had dealt with her many times. She also had a son, so Shang Jinliang also stayed at home to entertain her.

"Mr. Shang, thank you so much for your two wives' generosity yesterday. Otherwise, my Chen family would have been in trouble... and perhaps even destroyed." After three rounds of drinks, Mrs. Chen brought up the matter again, her face brimming with gratitude. "Such a great favor is too great to be thanked with such trivial gifts. If Mr. Shang needs help in the future, just look for my Chen family. We will do our utmost to help you."

"No, no," Shang Jinliang said modestly. "You and I are in the same business, we should help each other. Since my daughter saw it, it is my duty to remind you. Mrs. Chen, don't take it to heart."

Mrs. Chen shook her head and turned to look at Shang Zishu and Shang Mingshu: "Ladies, is there anything I can do for you? It will make me feel less worried."

"Mrs. Chen, this matter has nothing to do with me. It's all my sister's fault." Shang Mingshu distanced herself from the matter.

Shang Zishu was not polite. She felt a little embarrassed: "Mrs. Chen, to be honest, I came to Hangzhou for something that is related to you..."

It was Shang Mingshu who proposed that Shang Zishu want to use the roasting method of Longjing to develop a new tea. Only the three sisters knew about this, and they did not tell Xiao Yu and Shang Jinliang.

Hearing Shang Zishu's words, Shang Jinliang and his wife were both stunned. Xiao Yu was completely curious, but Shang Jinliang was guessing.

During literary gatherings, he and Chen Jin had frequent interactions, and Chen Jin had mentioned Shang Zishu several times. He was worried that Shang Zishu would propose that Chen Jin marry into the family. He was afraid that Shang Zishu didn't know the relationship between Mrs. Chen and Chen Jin, so he kept winking at Shang Zishu.

"Mrs. Shang, please feel free to speak up if you have anything to say." Mrs. Chen was also curious about what Shang Zishu needed her for.

As for whether Shang Zishu helped her because she needed help, Mrs. Chen didn't care and had no right to care.

As a businesswoman, she prefers to help others with a purpose. Only when there is a purpose can she repay the favor in the best way.

Shang Zishu completely ignored Shang Jinliang's hints. "Mrs. Chen, I discovered a new tea in Huizhou. I've tried countless roasting methods, but none of them have yielded the best taste. I know Longjing's roasting method is unique, so I wanted to ask Mrs. Chen for advice."

After saying this, she hurriedly explained, "Please rest assured, Madam Chen. I swear I will never reveal the roasting method of Longjing tea to anyone, and Shang's Xiangmingzhai will never get involved in the Longjing tea trade. I really just want to gain inspiration from the roasting method of Longjing tea so that a new tea can be introduced."

Mrs. Chen met Shang Zishu's sincere gaze and did not feel offended. She also believed that every word Shang Zishu said was from the heart. Although Shang's Xiangmingzhai was not as profound as Lingfengfang, Shang Jinliang sold Xiangmingzhai's tea far away in the snow-covered area, and the momentum was strong.

Huizhou Prefecture does not produce Longjing tea. They have their own channels and there is no need to cheat the Chen family like this.

"Mr. Shang's reputation as a righteous businessman is known throughout Jiangnan. I believe what Second Lady says." Mrs. Chen smiled gently. "Even if Xiang Ming Zhai obtains the method of roasting Longjing tea and gets involved in the Longjing trade, the Chen family is not afraid."

The Chen family's method of preparing Longjing tea wasn't unique to the family, but the Chen family's near monopoly on the Longjing tea trade in Hangzhou wasn't solely due to the secret recipe passed down from generation to generation. Shang Zishu's bright eyes sparkled as she heard this, believing her wish would finally come true.

Mrs. Chen changed the subject, "But the Chen family's method of making Longjing tea is forbidden to be passed on to outsiders."

Shang Zishu's excitement froze on her face. She also knew that Mrs. Chen was not trying to shirk responsibility. She couldn't let Mrs. Chen become the sinner of the Chen family.

Shang Zishu was unwilling to give up: "Mrs. Chen, can someone else introduce me to someone else? It doesn't have to be very sophisticated, as long as it's the right step."

Mrs. Chen shook her head helplessly. Before she married into the Chen family, her family was a butcher and she had never touched tea. It was only after she married into the Chen family that she gradually became familiar with tea.

She devoted herself to the Chen family's tea shop. The tea farmers she knew who could roast Longjing tea were either from the Chen family or their rivals. The Chen family couldn't let anyone know about it. She couldn't go to the rivals to introduce Shang Zishu, otherwise they might mistakenly think she was plotting something.

"It's okay, we'll think of another way." Shang Mingshu saw Shang Zishu looking dejected and comforted her in a low voice.

Mrs. Chen's eyes swept over the two of them, and suddenly she smiled: "It's not that there is no way?"

"What method?" Shang Zishu's heart was in turmoil because of Mrs. Chen.

"The Chen family's secret recipe is not passed on to outsiders, but it can be passed on to family members." Mrs. Chen said meaningfully.

Shang Mingshu's family of four immediately understood, but Chen Che was the only one who was confused: "Mom, what difference does it make whether you said this or not? Madam Shang can't become a member of the Chen family."

Mrs. Chen was so angry that her smile twisted when her son ruined her career that she gritted her teeth and said, "Why can't Madam Shang become a member of the Chen family?"

"How did Madam Shang become a member of the Chen family?" Chen Che glanced at Shang Jinliang and Xiao Yu, muttering softly, "Both Madam Shangs bear a resemblance to Shang Shishu..."

"Puchi!" Shang Zishu was amused by Chen Che.

This person's brain is different from that of ordinary people.

Mrs. Chen was too lazy to pay any more attention to her silly son: "Mrs. Shang is quite similar to me when I was young. If I had a daughter, I would also hope that she would be as lively and bright as Mrs. Shang."

"Ah? Mother, you want to adopt Madam Shang Er as your daughter?" Chen Che suddenly realized.

Shang Jinliang: ...

Mrs. Chen: ...

Mrs. Chen took a few deep breaths before maintaining a gentle expression. "My child has been raised to be kind and gentle. Although a little dull, he's generally obedient. I only have this one son, and I hope he finds a strong-willed wife. Otherwise, I'm afraid he won't be able to keep the Chen family fortune even after I die."

"Mother, I..."

"Shut up." Mrs. Chen didn't care about the Shang Jinliang couple, and warned with a smile and gritted teeth.

Chen Che shrank his neck.