HUS Chapter 59: Returning to Phoenix Mountain
HUS Chapter 59: Returning to Phoenix Mountain
Dec 26, 2025
"I don't like killing people!"
Yang Can looked at the newly appointed chief guard commander of the eldest branch, Liu Yu, with a serious expression.
The one who had shouted "spare his life" earlier was none other than Commander Liu.
As a result, his horse had stumbled, and he had fallen to the ground. Now half his face was swollen.
Leopard Head stood at the door, glancing sideways at Liu Yu.
The stone that had caused Liu Yu's horse to stumble had been kicked out by him.
"When I see wild cats and dogs dead by the roadside, I shed tears," Yang Can continued with emotion.
Xiao Qingmei stood beside Yang Can, glancing sideways at her man spouting this nonsense.
"There's nothing I can do, I'm just such a sentimental man."
Yang Can sighed with regret.
Liu Yu twitched the corner of his mouth, "Then, why did Steward Yang sit by and watch as Estate Head Zhang use such cruel methods to kill his own uncle, his own son, and his nephew's grandson?"
"Commander Liu, you came too, didn't you also fail to stop him?"
"I had no choice. Those unruly people at Feng'an Estate didn't avoid me when they saw this commander. I was afraid of accidentally injuring lives, so I inadvertently fell."
Yang Can shook his head, "Therefore, their deaths were not only the will of the people, but also heaven's will!"
Liu Yu was bewildered. How had Steward Yang suddenly transformed from a kind person into a mystic?
Yang Can sighed again, "The several people who were executed committed evil acts that violated human ethics and aroused public anger. Estate Head Zhang loved them deeply, so his hatred cut deep..."
Liu Yu didn't want to hear him spout more nonsense and interrupted him.
"Steward Yang, the Clan Head sent me here precisely because he didn't want chaos in Feng'an Estate. Given the current situation, I can only trouble Steward Yang to personally go and explain to the Clan Head."
"That's exactly what I had in mind!"
After Yang Can finished speaking, he walked toward Qingmei, "Qingmei, people's hearts in Feng'an Estate are unstable now, so you stay here."
As he spoke, Yang Can leaned slightly forward, his voice barely audible, "Find out who reported to Phoenix Mountain Manor and kill him!"
After speaking, the great benevolent Yang smiled slightly and walked toward Leopard Head.
"Zhang Yunyi is still useful. He must remain in his position as estate head. However, you and Kang Zhengyang must keep a close watch on him. As long as the blade is in your hands, I can rest easy."
The demon in Zhang Yunyi's heart had been personally released by Yang Can.
The Estate Head with a born inner demon had even done something like killing his son to prove his way.
Yang Can wasn't certain whether he would become bloodthirsty. However, to solve the problem of the six major estates, Zhang Yunyi was still useful.
Therefore, at least for now, Zhang Yunyi couldn't die.
Liu Yu watched Yang Can giving confidential instructions to Leopard Head and couldn't help but smile faintly.
I knew it. When I sent people to mountain, they couldn't find any trace of you.
So you've latched onto Steward Yang's coattails?
What a pity, Steward Yang himself is in danger now!
...
"I don't like killing people!"
Yang Can looked at Yu Xinglong with a sincere expression.
"I also never believe that killing is a good way to solve problems."
"However, Young Master Zhang attempted to kill his father, and this act drove Estate Head Zhang into a furious rage. I was worried that Estate Head Zhang would behave even more irrationally, so... it's better to channel than to block!"
A trace of mockery appeared in Yu Xinglong's eyes, "Do you think the various illegal acts in Feng'an Estate were truly committed by Zhang Yunyi's son?"
Yang Can shook his head, "Clan Head, regardless of whether they were or not, now it can only be so."
Yang Can was very calm now. With the merit of improving the plow, killing him wouldn't be such an easy matter but he still wanted more.
Yu Xinglong's eyes narrowed slightly as he said in a deep voice, "But has the matter truly been resolved? I'm afraid Feng'an Estate is already seething with undercurrents now, isn't it?"
"The Clan Head is wise. However, in my view, although the situation in Feng'an Estate is like a surging torrent storing thunder, ready to explode at any moment, as long as the Clan Head sends a mature and steady minister to preside over the overall situation, using diplomatic arts to maneuver within, applying the method of opening and closing to balance the equilibrium, in this way, the dangerous situation can certainly be suspended by a thread without falling. Given more time, the crisis will naturally be resolved."
"A mature and steady minister..."
Yu Xinglong pondered as he paced a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yang Can.
"You created some new plow in Feng'an Estate that can supposedly greatly improve plowing efficiency?"
"Yes, when I was inspecting Feng'an Estate, I had some insights in the fields and made some improvements to the plow."
Yu Xinglong's gaze suddenly became cold and sharp, "Why didn't you report this matter to me?"
If the six major estates weren't reorganized, then he would have taken back nothing but loneliness from Yu Huanhu's hands but if they were to be reorganized, the likely outcome would be killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of one's own.
Therefore, Yang Can's ingenious idea of "complete blood replacement while keeping the brand name" was something Yu Xinglong approved of.
He even quite appreciated this method in his heart. However, he didn't like the feeling of losing control.
The improved plow had been successful, such a major matter, yet Yang Can hadn't reported it to him from beginning to end.
Did this Yang Can still have him, the Clan Head, in his eyes?
After the incident with Yu Huanhu of the second branch, Yu Xinglong had become particularly sensitive to losing control of matters.
Yang Can couldn't help but show difficulty on his face, "Clan Head, I have no one available to use."
Yang Can wasn't panicked at all. He had handed over all of Estate Head Zhang's hidden fields and hidden households without reservation.
Regarding the improved plow matter, he was confident he could cover it up.
"When you went down the mountain, didn't the eldest branch assign you some manor veterans?"
"They did! But Qingmei, the Young Mistress's personal maid, never leaves my side. My every move is watched by her," Yang Can complained.
"As soon as I thought of the method to improve the plow, she immediately reported it to the young mistress. On what grounds could I send someone else back to the manor?"
Yu Xinglong narrowed his eyes slightly, "How come I heard that you and this Qingmei have an affair?"
Yang Can smiled bitterly, "Clan Head, when a beautiful young woman and a man are inseparable, even at night she has to watch, wouldn't such rumors arise?"
Yu Xinglong fell silent after hearing this. After a long while, he sighed leisurely.
"If I entrust Feng'an Estate to you, can you guarantee it will be 'suspended by a thread without falling'?"
Yang Can was surprised, "Clan Head, as Second Steward of the eldest branch, I..."
Yu Xinglong waved his hand, "Feng'an Estate is closest to Phoenix Mountain Manor. Given its current condition, having you concurrently serve as estate head is most appropriate."
This move had long been within Yang Can's expectations. He didn't even need to guide the situation.
Because the current Feng'an Estate was riddled with problems, actually even more complicated than before he went down the mountain.
Before this, no one had been willing to touch this hot potato, let alone now?
Yu Xinglong's trusted people were not willing to be thrown into this pit but among those Yu Xinglong didn't trust yet who had the ability to deal with the situation, who was more suitable than him?
Yang Can showed unwillingness all over his face, yet had no choice but to accept this mess.
"Yes, since the Clan Head has ordered it, I naturally accept the command."
Yu Xinglong nodded with satisfaction, "Go see the young mistress. The respect that should be shown must still be shown!"
Just as Yang Can left, Yu Xinglong asked without turning his head, "Has Huanhu's side had any contact with Yang Can?"
Butler Deng Xun said, "Our eyes have been watching. The second branch has not yet had any contact with Steward Yang."
Yu Xinglong nodded, "Keep watching. Report any news immediately!"
...
"The respect that should be shown must still be shown?"
Suo Zhanzhi imitated Yu Xinglong's tone and glared at Yang Can with feigned annoyance, "Is this how you show me respect?"
"Isn't it? This is the greatest respect for one's beloved beauty."
Yang Can pressed down on Suo Zhanzhi's fragrant shoulders, speaking with complete seriousness.
"Stop it. I'm playing the zither. If the music stops for too long, the servants will surely become suspicious."
"I can play the zither. Let me do it!"
How could an adviser not know how to play the zither?
After Yang Can became Yu Chengye's adviser, he had properly studied it.
Of course, to date, Yang Can had only learned one piece, "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms."
He couldn't play any other piece.
This place was lush with flowers and trees, with winding water corridors, a recreational spot in the inner residence of the eldest branch.
It was already mid-April now, and the garden was lush with vegetation and flowers in full bloom.
Bees flew and butterflies danced, creating a rustic charm.
A pond of clear water with lotus flowers, several old willows by the water, and clusters of reeds swaying by the lakeside.
All around, green shade provided shelter. Only one winding path meandered through. Though outdoors, it was extremely private.
Suo Zhanzhi had skin like jade and cloud-like hair styled in a cicada coiffure. She had originally been sitting at a square zither table playing the instrument.
When Yang Can came to see her, he was led here.
Suo Zhanzhi's prestige in the inner residence had been growing.
Those serving her closely were all part of the Suo family's dowry. The eldest branch's old servants had all been transferred away from her side.
Therefore, meeting Yang Can here posed no problem, and no one dared to question it. However, although this place wasn't a dark room, it was surrounded by dense shrubs.
So, as long as the zither music continued, it could dispel the servants' suspicions.
Since the young mistress's hands never stopped playing the zither, she certainly couldn't be doing anything else.
So what did it matter if the place where she met the outer residence steward was secluded?
One performance of "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms."
Yang Can played gently, the zither sounds rippling like water.
From time to time, the music would become chaotic, either plucking the wrong string or using too much force. However, only someone accomplished in zither skills could detect this.
One piece of "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms" was repeated who knows how many times, yet the player's technique never became skilled. Instead, there were more errors.
Finally, the zither music faded away.
After a while longer, Steward Yang emerged from the secluded winding path and went to the outer residence.
Two maidservants walked slowly into the deep green shade.
The young mistress was holding a cup of tea and spitting the tea back into the cup.
"You've come at just the right time. This tea tastes 'stale.' Bring a fresh pot of tea."
Suo Zhanzhi put down the cup calmly.
Her lip color was bright, seeming fuller than usual.
Suo Zhanzhi had been in a very pleasant mood recently.
She had a child now. As for whether it was a boy or girl, that wasn't something she could worry about at present.
Her control over the inner residence of the eldest branch was getting better and better.
Having a powerful family backing her was absolute confidence.
Everyone knew she was thoroughly purging the eldest branch's old servants from the inner residence, yet both the Clan Head and the Clan Head's wife were pretending to be deaf and dumb.
There was no help for it. The Clan Head still needed to rely on the Suo family to suppress Yu Huanhu's influence.
In a situation where he needed their help, how could he put on airs as her father-in-law?
Yang Can had improved the plow, and she also claimed half of this merit.
Mm... if not for this, just now she would never have agreed to his absurdity just because he pleaded.
A little sweetness to reward him.
Now Yang Can had also obtained the position of Estate Head of Feng'an Estate, and it was concurrent too.
The outer residence of the eldest branch was different from the inner residence. Even she couldn't make sweeping changes to the outer residence.
Not to mention that Yang Can was only a Second Steward in the outer residence, subordinate to Li Youcai.
Yang Can was both guarded against by Yu Xinglong and suppressed by Li Youcai. It was very difficult to develop power in the outer residence.
Now he had taken an alternative path, using Feng'an Estate as his foundation. This would allow him to break through the situation.
Everything was getting better. Suo Zhanzhi hadn't even done much, it was completely "lying down to win."
She was naturally full of joy.
In the deep green shade, the zither music rose again.
This time, this piece of "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms" was played incomparably smooth and natural.
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