HUS Chapter 60: Move-In Ready
Since he had returned to the mountain, Yang Can naturally had to see his various subordinates.
"Wangcai!" As soon as he entered the courtyard, Yang Can called out.
Wangcai was sitting in the corridor talking with Laixi, discussing something unknown that made them cackle with laughter.
Hearing Yang Can's voice, he looked up sharply. Seeing his master had returned, Wangcai jumped up at once.
Yang Can looked at Wangcai, who ran before him like a puppy, and gave his orders with a smile.
"Go have the kitchen prepare a banquet table. Tonight I'm hosting a feast for all the stewards of the outer residence."
He glanced at Laixi, "Xizi, go inform all the stewards for me."
Ever since Qiaoshe had come to serve, Laixi no longer needed to guard the courtyard every day.
Laixi had no sense of having fallen out of favor. On the contrary, he was enjoying himself.
Whenever he had free time, he would run next door to play with Wangcai.
After all, if the young madam called out, he could hear her even across the courtyard wall.
The two youths immediately ran off.
The master was hosting guests, this was good news. With the leftover food and scraps, there would surely be plenty of oil and water to be had.
Yang Can had set out from Feng'an Estate early in the morning and arrived at Phoenix Mountain Manor in the afternoon.
He had met with the Clan Head and Suo Zhanzhi in succession, with the meeting with Suo Zhanzhi lasting especially long.
So by now the sun was slanting westward, with clouds filling the sky.
Upon learning of the Second Steward's invitation, the various stewards happily accepted.
At the banquet, they learned that Yang Can had taken on the concurrent position of Estate Head of Feng'an Estate.
For a moment, everyone's gazes toward Yang Can were somewhat complex.
On one hand, Yang Can serving as Estate Head of Feng'an Estate while holding the position of Second Steward of the eldest branch was quite enviable.
Holding onto the position above while occupying a position of real power below, who wouldn't be envious?
But on the other hand, who couldn't see that the current Feng'an Estate was full of troubles?
One careless move and he could fall there. However, they were all shrewd people and naturally wouldn't speak carelessly when their relationship was still shallow.
"Steward Yang has great talent to have actually improved the plow and become renowned throughout the land!"
Steward Niu raised his cup and proposed a toast for Yang Can's invention.
Regarding Yang Can's concurrent appointment as Estate Head of Feng'an Estate, congratulations were inappropriate and warnings even more so. They could only gloss over it.
"Yes, yes, Steward Yang's action is immeasurably meritorious. We should drink deeply to this."
The various stewards raised their cups and toasted Yang Can.
After three rounds of wine, the feast was in full swing when suddenly the tinkling of ornaments was heard.
A steward facing the door squinted with drunken eyes and couldn't help exclaiming, "Aiya!"
"Madam Pan?"
Everyone turned their heads and saw Madam Pan standing gracefully at the doorway where light and shadow intersected.
Wearing a crabapple-red silk dress, her cloud-like hair slightly loose with a golden hairpin inserted at an angle.
Under the lamplight, her eyes flowed like water, full of seductive charm.
At the sight of her, the stewards made a clattering commotion as they all stood up.
Pan Xiaowan smiled sweetly, "I heard the Second Steward had returned to the mountain and was hosting a feast for the various stewards tonight. It happens that a relative sent some seasonal delicacies up the mountain, so this humble one prepared a few small dishes."
She raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair by her temple, her alluring eyes stickily glancing at Yang Can.
"I'm sending them now to add to Steward Yang's and the stewards' drinking pleasure, as a small token of my regard."
Pan Xiaowan spoke softly and gestured to Qiaoshe and Laixi behind her.
Qiaoshe and Laixi hurriedly came forward carrying food boxes to arrange the dishes.
Pan Xiaowan took out a small bowl from among them and smiled gently.
"There isn't much butter left at home, so I only made this one bowl of cream. The Second Steward rarely returns, so please, Second Steward, personally... taste it."
Yang Can quickly left his seat and stepped forward quickly, receiving the cream with both hands.
Yang Can said, "Madam has been so thoughtful. Yang is infinitely grateful."
Their gazes touched and separated instantly. To others, it appeared extremely proper.
Only in that moment when their eyes met could the two of them sense the undercurrent intertwining between them.
Pan Xiaowan passed the porcelain bowl over, her fingertip inadvertently sliding across Yang Can's hand.
A faint voice that only the two of them could hear complained softly, "Little heartbreaker, how heartless!"
Yang Can lowered his head to receive the bowl, his voice also extremely soft, "Little sister-in-law, don't tease."
Pan Xiaowan snorted quietly, gave him a coquettish glance, and as soon as the cream was in Yang Can's hands, she immediately stepped back, appearing extremely proper and gracious.
"Alright then, everyone enjoy yourselves. Sister-in-law won't disturb you any longer."
With another lingering glance that subtly hooked toward Yang Can, Pan Xiaowan left with Qiaoshe and Laixi.
The banquet became lively again.
Especially with several steaming hot new dishes, everyone's drinking spirits grew even higher.
The various stewards praised Madam Pan profusely for being considerate and thoughtful, beautiful and kind-hearted, maintaining womanly virtue while her husband was away on inspection, managing the household properly, and so on.
Yang Can held his spoon, tasting the "cream," just listening with a slight smile.
When the moon rose halfway into the sky and clear light covered the ground, the feast finally dispersed.
With such a mess, cleaning up now would be too late. Yang Can didn't wake the dozing Wangcai either. After seeing the guests off, he simply barred the courtyard gate.
Turning to look at the wall, there was a large lotus vat that was easy to climb.
On the wall, a tree of apricot blossoms was nearly finished blooming.
Standing on tiptoe to look over the wall, the lamp in Pan Xiaowan's bedroom was still lit, like a pair of sleepy eyes full of tender feelings.
Yang Can gently shook his head.
He naturally understood Madam Xiaowan's intentions, but he had held firm back when things could have naturally fallen into place, so of course he wouldn't climb the wall now to pluck that branch of apricot blossoms.
Yang Can's figure quietly disappeared at the doorway. When the wind blew the apricot blossoms on the branch, petals fell like rain.
...
Yang Can only stayed one night at Phoenix Mountain Manor.
His focus now was on Feng'an Estate. His foundation still needed to be established at Feng'an Estate, developing carefully and quietly.
After rushing back to Feng'an Estate, Yang Can's first action was to have someone summon Zhang Yunyi.
Zhang Yunyi was still nominally the Estate Head of Feng'an Estate, though already under the control of Leopard Head and Kang Zhengyang.
"This time when I returned to the mountain, I met with the Clan Head and explained the situation here. The Clan Head's meaning is..."
Yang Can deliberately paused, but didn't see any reaction from Zhang Yunyi. He was somewhat too calm.
"Estate Head, you were able to righteously eliminate your relatives and root out the corrupt. So although there was the fault of negligence, you will not be severely punished. The estate head will be demoted to deputy estate head and coordinator. All past matters end here."
Zhang Yunyi silently stepped back, lifted his robe hem, and knelt on the ground, "Many thanks to Steward Yang for his fulfillment."
Yang Can shook his head, "This Steward wants Feng'an Estate to be safe and sound. This autumn's harvest must be no lower than previous years, only higher. Can Estate Head Zhang accomplish this?"
Zhang Yunyi said, "What this year's climate will be like, Zhang doesn't dare say now, but with the effect of the new plow that the Steward created, Zhang has confidence."
"Good!" Yang Can nodded. This was the result he wanted.
A group of people who had entrenched themselves in Feng'an Estate for many years couldn't simply be killed and have the entire estate transition smoothly without any turmoil but once there was turmoil, Second Master Yu would have grounds for accusation.
Therefore, Yang Can had swept away all the stewards of Feng'an Estate, large and small, but still propped up Zhang Yunyi as a figurehead.
His purpose was to ensure that during the spring plowing and planting season, Feng'an Estate wouldn't suffer major impacts on agricultural production due to earth-shaking changes.
Yang Can looked toward Kang Zhengyang, "Kang Zhengyang, conscientious in duty, loyal and brave as a person. The Clan Head greatly appreciates this. The troops of Feng'an Estate will still be under your command. You must drill them diligently and protect the estate thoroughly."
Kang Zhengyang was overjoyed and expressed his thanks. All the stewards of Feng'an Estate except him had been arrested. Was he really that clean?
Regardless, only at this moment did his heart finally return to his belly.
Qingmei stood to one side, her dark eyes rolling.
What about me? Why are there no arrangements for me?
He was going to be stationed at Feng'an Estate and wouldn't return to Phoenix Mountain Manor anytime soon, so what should I do?
Should I go back to serve my young mistress, or... ahem, stay to serve my young master?
Yang Can pondered, "As for the various stewards in the estate..."
His expression darkened slightly as he said, "Anyone with blood on their hands, don't let them off. Those who can be retained, Estate Head Zhang, you must also strictly admonish them."
Zhang Yunyi calmly agreed.
For many years, his only obsession had been to make the Zhang family large and strong.
Now he didn't even care about the Zhang family. All his former beliefs and shackles had become a joke.
For him, all that he had cherished and upheld was worthless.
He could sing "whatever" now.
Zhang Yunyi said respectfully, "Feng'an Fortress is the last bastion of our Feng'an Estate against vagrant bandits. This fortress was built with the manpower and resources of the entire estate. It's not Zhang's private property. Within three days, Zhang will move out of Feng'an Fortress and make room for the estate head."
Yang Can nodded without being polite.
He had indeed taken a fancy to this fortress.
He couldn't very well have Zhang Yunyi continue living here while he built another residence outside, could he?
Who would then be the real boss of Feng'an Estate?
From now on, he was the heaven and king of Feng'an!
No, not just that. There were also five more estates and three pastures that would be in his pocket.
Butler Wan Tai was waiting outside. As soon as he saw Zhang Yunyi come out, he immediately went up to meet him.
Wan Tai asked nervously, "Master, how did it go?"
Zhang Yunyi smiled faintly, "The Clan Head still needs to use me. From estate head to deputy estate head, it could be considered lifting high and setting down gently."
Upon hearing this, Wan Tai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Zhang Yunyi said, "Pack up our private wealth and movable assets. Within three days, vacate Feng'an Fortress."
Wan Tai was startled, "Master, then... where shall we settle?"
Zhang Yunyi narrowed his eyes, "Uncle Xiaomi's residence, though it can't compare to Feng'an Fortress, is sufficient to settle our family. Let's move there. From now on, Uncle Xiaomi's residence will be this old man's residence."
"Then... Uncle Xiaomi's family members..."
Zhang Yunyi said coldly, "Uncle Xiaomi originally had not a single room to his name. Now, he'll just return to his original state."
Wan Tai responded affirmatively, then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly caught up a couple of steps.
"Master, recently there's a batch of mountain goods that will pass through our territory. Such a major incident happened in the estate. Should we notify them..."
"No, no need!"
A disturbing smile appeared on Estate Head Zhang's face as he said maliciously,
"Since heaven has bestowed wealth and honor upon Yang Can, I simply must see whether he has the fate to enjoy it!"
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