Chapter 23: The Lord of the Clan's Deliberation

The next morning, at the Yu family ancestral hall atop Phoenix Mountain, a grand ceremony was held to honor the ancestors. Through this rite, Yu Chenglin’s status as the designated heir was formally established. Only the two main branches of the Yu family’s elder line did not attend, casting a slight shadow over the otherwise splendid occasion.

After the solemn and majestic ritual concluded, members from all branches of the Yu family descended the mountain, leaving the ancestral hall eerily quiet. Yu Xinglong asked Yu Chenglin to offer incense for his eldest brother, Yu Chengye, then took his hand, and together the father and son slowly exited the hall.

In one corner of the courtyard stood an ancient, gnarled tree. During the thunderstorm the previous day, this hollowed old tree, long devoured by insects, finally fell. It was so massive that it required three people to encircle it with their arms, and it had yet to be cleared away.

Yu Xinglong looked at the fallen giant and said to Chenglin, “Son, from today onward, you are the heir of the Yu family. When I am no longer here, you will be the head of our family.”

Chenglin grasped his father’s hand, feeling it as cool as the fresh water drawn from the well. “Father, why am I made the heir? Some cousins say I’m too young to be the successor.”

Yu Xinglong smiled faintly and looked down at him. “Chenglin, your eldest brother fought for this with his life. This right belongs to you and you alone.”

Chenglin pressed his lips together and hesitated. “But can I be a good master of the family? Will the uncles and elders listen to me?”

Yu Xinglong replied, “That’s why you must work harder than ever—study diligently, train well in martial arts, and surpass your eldest brother. Only then can you become a qualified head of the family.”

He sighed deeply and continued, “The Yu clan has stood in Tianshui for nearly three centuries. Over those years, we have weathered countless storms yet preserved this glorious legacy. Of course, the unwavering efforts of our ancestors played a part, but orderly succession has been just as vital.”

Pointing to the fallen tree, he said, “Look at this old tree. It stood here long before our estate was built. To grow so mighty, it took at least five hundred years. Yet it only took one night of wind and rain to fell it.”

Patting his son’s head, he said gravely, “Chenglin, remember this: succession must follow the legitimate line. Power must be firmly held by the primary branch. If I were to name your second uncle’s son as heir today, then tomorrow everyone would expect the same. Without rules, chaos is inevitable.”

The seven-year-old Chenglin looked up at his father, only partly understanding.

Yu Xinglong said, “Your second uncle is ambitious. If he were head, he might run the family better than I do. But such ‘better’ only benefits this generation; it brings endless disaster to those that follow.”

He shook his head. “No, we don’t need endless generations of trouble. If that path is taken, our Yu clan would fracture within three generations, becoming nothing but prey for others.”

Though Chenglin couldn’t grasp the depth of his words, he committed them to memory. He thought: It’s okay if I don’t understand now; one day I will.

Yu Xinglong spoke kindly, “Maybe you’re not the most outstanding heir in the Yu family, but you are the most suitable. Understand?”

Chenglin nodded with determination.

Yu Xinglong smiled faintly and gazed at the clouds outside the courtyard. His eyes suddenly grew distant.

“Chenglin, your eldest brother and sister-in-law consummated their marriage on the way back to Tianshui. Give it a few days, and the skilled physician will be able to tell if she is with child.”

Chenglin’s eyes lit up with excitement. Though still a child, the prospect of becoming an uncle filled him with inexplicable joy and anticipation.

Yet Yu Xinglong’s expression grew strange, and he asked seriously, “Chenglin, do you think your brother and sister-in-law really consummated their marriage?”

Chenglin didn’t fully understand what consummation meant—didn’t it just mean sleeping in the same room? To him, since the sister-in-law was his brother’s wife, it seemed perfectly natural for them to share a bed.

So he answered seriously, “It should be true. Sister-in-law is so beautiful.”

Yu Xinglong chuckled softly. “You’re just a kid. How would you know what’s beautiful?”

Chenglin retorted stubbornly, “Of course I do. Sister-in-law is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Yu Xinglong burst into laughter, tears welling in his eyes. Pulling out a handkerchief, he wiped the corners of his eyes and said, “Go on, return now. Don’t let your studies suffer.”

Chenglin obediently nodded and made his way to the courtyard gate. Once he descended the steps, he lifted his robes and ran off.

Watching his son’s retreating figure, Yu Xinglong sighed deeply and murmured, “Chengye, if you hear me in the heavens, bless your brother’s path and watch over the Yu family’s legacy for generations to come.”

……

When Yu Xinglong returned to his study, Yang Can had already been waiting there for some time. He was summoned by Steward Deng, and when Yu Xinglong arrived, the succession ceremony was still underway in the ancestral hall.

Yu Xinglong entered the study and had Yang Can brought inside. After Yang Can greeted him, Yu Xinglong suddenly asked, “Yang Can, when did you become aligned with Huan Hu?”

Yang Can was taken aback and replied blankly, “What?”

Yu Xinglong and Steward Deng, standing beside him, had been scrutinizing every reaction since Yang Can entered. Even the most skilled at deception betray subtle reflexes when a secret is uncovered. Yet Yang Can showed none.

Yu Xinglong said, “If you weren’t Huan Hu’s man, why did you defend him so ardently in the Mingde Hall?”

Yang Can suddenly realized and hurriedly explained, “Master, you misunderstand. I was not speaking on Second Young Master’s behalf!”

Yu Xinglong looked at him calmly, awaiting a reasonable explanation.

Yang Can said, “Master, the young lord’s death is shrouded in mystery. Without ironclad evidence, his guilt cannot be confirmed.”

Yu Xinglong replied, “But his suspicion cannot be cleared either, can it?”

“Indeed. But even now, has Second Young Master’s suspicion been lifted?”

“Whether he is cleared or not, why do you defend him?”

“I do not defend him, Master. I merely offer you a pretext to guard against the Suo family.”

Yu Xinglong’s expression darkened slightly, his voice cold. “Yang Can, what exactly do you mean?”

“Master, the young lord regarded me as a confidant and often confided his worries. The position of family head is Second Young Master’s lifelong ambition. Our fertile lands are the Suo family’s coveted prize. The master faces troubles both within and without; the young lord sympathizes deeply and worries day and night. I would gladly sacrifice myself in his stead.”

Yang Can spoke with heartfelt emotion. “The young lord’s untimely death left me unable to repay his kindness. Only by serving Master faithfully can I honor his trust.”

After a moment’s silence, Yu Xinglong narrowed his eyes slightly. “So you insist the Suo family is suspicious, hoping I won’t allow them to take advantage?”

“Exactly! No matter what I say, Second Young Master cannot be completely exonerated, and Master, for the greater good, would never kill him. So regardless of my words or actions, they won’t affect your plans for him. But with my accusation, you can always use it as a reason to hold the Suo family in check.”

Yang Can added, “You may believe me now or later, or not at all. This is why I accuse the Suo family.”

Yu Xinglong’s gaze tightened.

He did not know if his son Chengye had confided in Yang Can about the complex and mutual exploitation and vigilance between the Yu and Suo families. But even if he had, and Yang Can had thought up this scheme after his death, whether from gratitude or ambition, this man’s cunning was formidable.

Yu Xinglong pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, “You’re not from Longshan originally, are you? You came from the Central Plains?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you leave the Central Plains?”

Yang Can hesitated slightly before lowering his head and quietly said, “I was once a poor scholar fortunate enough to meet the young lady of the Luo family from Jiangnan at a monastery. We fell in love at first sight and secretly pledged our lives to each other. But when the Luo family found out, they sent thugs to kill my entire family. I alone escaped.”

His voice choked with emotion, unable to continue.

Yu Xinglong understood immediately.

The aristocratic clans of the Central Plains prized lineage and bloodline above all. If a lowly person attempted to marry into the elite, severe opposition followed. These clans rarely pressured their children directly; they used simpler, more effective means: making the impudent suitor—and sometimes their entire family—disappear.

Yu Xinglong nodded and asked, “Was your original name Yang Can?”

“Master, I dare not deceive you. My birth name was Ding Hao.”

Yu Xinglong hummed thoughtfully. “Now that you serve under me, the Luo family of Jiangnan cannot harm you. You may resume your original name.”

Yang Can was moved. “Thank you, Master. But I swore that until I avenge my parents and family, I will not reclaim my true name.”

Yu Xinglong showed a hint of admiration. “Such loyalty is rare. You may take your leave.”

“Yes, Master,” Yang Can bowed respectfully and exited the study.

Leaning back in his chair with eyes closed, Yu Xinglong mused aloud, “Little Deng, what do you make of this Yang Can?”