After everyone entered the house and took their seats, Xu Renyi served freshly brewed hot tea. Meng Zhao took the teacup and said apologetically, "It's just a farmhouse, and we really don't have any good tea to offer. I hope Young Master Lu won't mind."

Lu Yusheng took the teacup, took a sip, and after savoring it, smiled and said, "Although it is ordinary tea, it has a sweet taste and a long aftertaste, which is quite unique."

After saying that, he secretly glanced at Xiao Youzhi beside him. Since entering the room, this man had kept silent. Now he was even staring blankly at the teacup. He had known Xiao Youzhi since childhood and had never seen him so out of control.

Shen Qinghe was in a rather pleasant mood at the moment. He had long disliked Xiao Youzhi. Not only did Xiao Youzhi pester Meng Zhao all day long under the guise of business dealings, but even when she wasn't home, he would find all sorts of excuses to run to the Meng residence. Uncle Meng and Aunt Xu spoke highly of him, and even Gu Lanying said that he was gentle and well-mannered and a good match for Zhao Zhao. Now he had even chased after her all the way to Huainan, truly a persistent ghost.

Sensing the tense atmosphere in the room, Lu Yusheng coughed lightly, breaking the silence: "I heard that those people outside are here to escort Lord Shen back to the capital?" He turned to Meng Zhao, "Would Madam Meng like to return to the capital with us?"

Meng Zhao shook his head: "I came to Huainan this time to inspect the newly opened shops and to see if there are any new and interesting things in Huainan that I can bring back to the capital. So I will stay for a while longer."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Youzhi looked up, and Lu Yusheng immediately understood, smiling as he replied, "That would be wonderful. Since Madam Meng is not in a hurry to return to the capital, why not stay in Huainan for a few more days, so that I can fulfill my duty as a host?"

A hint of joy flashed in Meng Zhao's eyes. Her caravan was being assembled and she urgently needed to purchase a large quantity of goods. Silk, jade, and tea had always been the most scarce commodities in the Western Regions. According to the information she had gathered, the price of tea in the Western Regions could be more than five times that in the mainland, making them high-profit commodities.

Moreover, compared to porcelain and jade, tea is easier to transport. Even the skincare products she planned to take to the Western Regions had to take into account the long distance and shelf life. Teas like black tea, Fu brick tea, and Pu'er tea are extremely durable for storage, and some teas even become more fragrant with age.

The Lu family controls half of the tea business in Huainan, and their famous teas are always in short supply. If you can get the tea directly from the Lu family, not only will the quality be guaranteed, but the price will also be much cheaper than in the market.

So when Meng Zhao heard Lu Yusheng say that, she was naturally overjoyed and said with a smile, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with Young Master Lu. I happen to be quite interested in this year's new tea from Huainan. If I could get some guidance from Young Master Lu, I would be more than happy to do so."

Meng Zhaocun was determined to climb the social ladder by associating with the Lu family to pave the way for future caravans, while Lu Yusheng also had his own plans, hoping to use the opportunity to connect his own brother with others. For a time, the two people who were least familiar with each other in the room were actually chatting the most enthusiastically.

Just as they were getting into a lively conversation, footsteps suddenly came from outside, followed by a respectful report: "Lord Shen, it's getting late, we should set off."

Shen Qinghe's face turned cold upon hearing this. He thought about how he was about to leave while Xiao Youzhi was still here. Knowing Xiao Youzhi's character, he would definitely keep pestering Meng Zhao. This made him feel uneasy. So he turned his gaze to Xiao Youzhi beside him and said, "Young Master Xiao, what brings you to Huainan? If you have finished your business, why don't you come back to the capital with us? It would be good to have someone to look after you on the way."

Xiao Youzhi finally smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shen, but I have some business to attend to in Huainan, so I won't be traveling with you." He took a leisurely sip of tea, his gaze sweeping over Meng Zhao almost imperceptibly. "Besides, since Meng Zhao is staying in Huainan for a while, as her friend, I should naturally accompany her around."

Upon hearing that he indeed harbored such intentions, Shen Qinghe slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to clatter: "You—!"

Xiao Youzhi, however, leaned back in his chair with an air of undisguised provocation on his face.

Shen Qinghe's face showed a sneer, "You, as an unmarried man, dare to address a woman by her given name! Is this the etiquette of your Xiao family?"

"Lord Shen's manners are impeccable. I imagine your brother would be proud of you even in the afterlife." These words were like a sharp blade, piercing Shen Qinghe's heart.

"Alright!!!" Meng Zhao was having a headache from these two. Xiao Youzhi had come to Huainan because he was worried about her safety. She knew his feelings. Although there was no possibility between them, she couldn't embarrass him in public. Besides, it was clearly Shen Qinghe who had provoked her first.

“Second brother,” she turned to Shen Qinghe, “it’s getting late. Since everything is ready, you should set off soon.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghe felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Just moments ago, she had been coaxing him gently, but in the blink of an eye, she was trying to drive him away in order to protect Xiao Youzhi. A bitter feeling of grievance welled up in his heart, making his eyes red and his breathing rapid.

Seeing his face change suddenly and his eyes become bloodshot, Meng Zhao immediately knew something was wrong. This man was a jealous person to the extreme, so he quickly added, "I was thinking of setting off as soon as possible and taking advantage of the good weather to reach the next post station, so as not to have to sleep in the wild, which is not safe."

This explanation eased Shen Qinghe's expression slightly, but the grievance in his eyes had not yet disappeared. He said in a low voice, "Sister, I still have some things that I haven't packed properly. Can you help me take a look?"

Meng Zhao sighed, got up and walked out of the main hall. Shen Qinghe followed a step behind and went out as well. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Youzhi stand up as well, so when she closed the door, Shen Qinghe deliberately left a crack.

Meng Zhao knew, of course, that he had nothing to pack up, and went straight to the point: "Shen Qinghe, can you please respect me? Since I chose you, I will naturally keep my distance from Xiao Youzhi, but he is my business partner. I can't completely cut off ties with him for your sake. Why are you being so aggressive and confrontational? Do you think I am the kind of person who is fickle?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!