Chapter 25: The Second Steward of the Eldest Branch’s Main Lineage

Qingmei said with displeasure, "Who has arrived? You can't even speak clearly!"

"It is the Second Steward who has arrived!"

"I heard you. I am asking you, who has arrived?"

Qiaoshe replied, "It is... the Second Steward, Yang Can. The Clan Head personally appointed him as the Second Steward of the Senior Branch, and Steward Deng accompanied him here."

The matrons and maids in the courtyard were in an uproar upon hearing this, whispering and buzzing among themselves.

The Clan Head sent a Second Steward?

Then, what about Miss Qingmei’s position as Second Steward... could it be that she appointed herself?

Qingmei was suddenly mortified. How could the Clan Head send a Second Steward? I have only just begun to establish my authority; if my prestige is ruined now, how will I be able to intimidate these "old retainers of the Yu family" in the inner courtyard in the future?

Young Qingmei’s thoughts raced, and she let out a soft "Oh," then calmly said, "So, the Deputy Second Steward appointed by the Clan Head has arrived. Qiaoshe, you really lack perception. Since Steward Deng brought him here personally, how could you let him wait?"

"Without your word, Sister Qingmei, how would I dare to make such a decision?" Qiaoshe retorted with a hint of sarcasm.

Qingmei glared at her: "Go and invite Steward Deng and the Deputy Second Steward in immediately. I will go and report to the Young Mistress."

"As you command, Second Steward!" Qiaoshe, eager to watch the drama unfold, hurried away in a flurry.

In the reception hall, the beauty lay reclined on an Xiangfei chaise lounge, lost in thought. She had officially moved into Phoenix Villa as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu clan's Senior Branch.

Managing the "domestic affairs" of the Senior Branch was actually not much of a chore. The assets of Yu Chengye's inner courtyard were not substantial; the outer courtyard consisted of an orchard on Phoenix Mountain, a poultry and vegetable estate, and two industrial production lines: the salt pans in Lingzhou and the ironworks in Heishui. For now, these were only nominally under her control; the actual management was handled by Li Youcai, the Head Steward of the Senior Branch, and several managers from the outer courtyard. Li Youcai was a man of the old Senior Branch and was not under her control.

However, Su Chanzhi was not in a hurry. Her immediate priority was to take control of the inner courtyard. If she could not conceive, any plans she made would be in vain. Therefore, she only needed to make the inner courtyard an impenetrable fortress. Once she was pregnant, she could ensure that nine months later, the child born would undoubtedly be a boy. She had entrusted the task of whipping the old maids and matrons of the Senior Branch into shape to the girl Qingmei; her only concern now was whether she could actually conceive.

Yang Can, oh Yang Can... I have let you bully me for so long; you had better not disappoint me.

Just as Su Chanzhi thought this, she heard young Qingmei’s urgent calls.

"Young Mistress, Young Mistress, Yang Can, Yang Can he..."

Qingmei rushed into the room, panting.

Su Chanzhi sat up abruptly from the chaise lounge: "Yang Can? What about him?"

"Ah?" Qingmei was surprised by the Young Mistress's intense reaction. She paused before saying, "He... he has arrived."

"He has arrived?" Su Chanzhi widened her eyes in shock. "How did he arrive? No, how... could he come to the inner courtyard?"

Recalling her own "Second Steward" title that hadn't even warmed up yet, Qingmei said anxiously, "The Clan Head appointed him as the Second Steward of the Senior Branch. Steward Deng brought him here."

"What?" Su Chanzhi’s face instantly lit up with joy. She said excitedly, "Quick, quickly let him... let Steward Deng and the others in."

...

"Deng Xun (Yang Can) pays his respects to the Young Mistress."

Steward Deng brought Yang Can into the reception hall and bowed to Su Chanzhi, who was already seated. Su Chanzhi glanced at Yang Can. He was wearing a blue round-collared robe, a jade belt, and a black turban; he seemed... even more handsome. Su Chanzhi’s eyes couldn't help but shimmer.

Once Yang Can finished his salutations, he looked at Su Chanzhi. She was dressed in plain everyday attire, her complexion as smooth as water and as radiant as jade. She exuded a natural, watery charm that made her appear even more graceful and elegant.

Steward Deng bowed to Su Chanzhi and said, "The Young Master has unfortunately passed away. Now that the Young Mistress is solely managing the Senior Branch, everyone in the Yu clan is watching. The Clan Head is concerned that if the Young Mistress were to have any oversight or mishap, it would inevitably give others leverage. Therefore, he has transferred Yang Can to the Senior Branch to serve as Second Steward and share the burden for the Young Mistress."

"Good!" Su Chanzhi blurted out, then immediately caught a warning look from Yang Can, which made her shudder. *No, why would I appear so overjoyed by this?*

Su Chanzhi immediately sneered: "Very good! Is the father-in-law not aware that this Yang Can holds great prejudice against the Su family?"

Steward Deng smiled: "Young Mistress, please calm your anger. Yang Can was originally the Young Master's advisor; he was loyal to the Young Master and is very familiar with the affairs of the Senior Branch. Appointing him as a steward will allow him to better assist the Young Mistress."

Steward Deng paused before continuing, "As for Yang Can’s past loose talk, having him assist the Young Mistress now would prove those words baseless, wouldn't it? It would also demonstrate the Young Mistress's magnanimity."

"Hmph, I am but a small woman with a narrow mind; I have no need for magnanimity."

Steward Deng remained smiling, but his tone became heavier: "Young Mistress, this is the Master's will."

Su Chanzhi flicked her sleeve slightly and said indifferently, "Since the father-in-law has arranged it this way, as a daughter-in-law, it is not my place to object. However, I have just appointed Qingmei as the Second Steward of the Senior Branch. If I go back on my word now, how can I command the Senior Branch in the future?"

Qingmei was overjoyed to hear this; as expected, the Young Mistress loved her best.

Steward Deng remained calm and said lightly, "The Second Master has handed over six estates and three ranches. According to the Master's wishes, he intends to transfer all these assets to the Senior Branch for management. Sending someone as young and capable as Yang Can is also out of concern that the Senior Branch might be overwhelmed by the sudden influx of assets. If the Young Mistress insists on refusing Yang Can's appointment, then... this old servant will simply report the truth to the Master."

"Wait!"

Upon hearing that Yu Xinglong intended to transfer all six major estates and three ranches to the Senior Branch, Su Chanzhi immediately stopped Deng Xun.

"Ahem! I have thought about it carefully. Qingmei is young after all, and I fear she might struggle to manage the assets under the Senior Branch. Let us do this: Yang Can will serve as the Second Steward of the Senior Branch, and Qingmei shall serve as the Deputy Second Steward."

Qingmei pouted, but in front of outsiders, she dared not offend the rules of status and said nothing more.

Steward Deng’s lips twitched involuntarily. The stewards of the Senior Branch were already divided into first, second, and third; now there was a "Deputy Second Steward"? What an absurd title.

Steward Deng smiled: "Very well. Such an arrangement by the Young Mistress will surely help manage the Senior Branch's assets better. I believe the Master will have no objections. I will report this to him upon my return."

After saying this, Steward Deng stepped back and bowed with a smile: "Now that the Second Steward has been delivered, this old servant shall take his leave."

...

"Safe travels, Steward Deng. Qingmei, see Steward Deng out for me."

Steward Deng insisted he dared not accept, but was still escorted out by Qingmei.

Only Yang Can and Su Chanzhi remained in the room. Su Chanzhi stood up slowly, her plain skirt flowing like water.

"I didn't expect your risky strategy to actually work. Yu Xinglong really did promote you."

Yang Can shook his head: "Not necessarily. I think for the Clan Head, this is just a preliminary move."

"A preliminary move? How so?"

"If you cannot conceive, or if the child is not a boy, the Clan Head can take back these assets whenever he likes. And my position as Second Steward can naturally become a title without power at any time."

Su Chanzhi cast a sidelong glance at Yang Can: "Knowing this, why did you come?"

Yang Can sighed: "Although we lack the status of husband and wife, we have shared the intimacy of one. How could I bear to leave you to fend for yourself?"

*Heh...*

Su Chanzhi dismissed his words as nonsense. *As if you couldn't bear it; who treats their own wife so harshly, with no gentleness at all? Ugh, beast!*

Su Chanzhi recalled the unbearable time when Yang Can posed as a pastry chef. She stiffened her pretty face and snorted: "Don't make it sound so noble. Your usefulness might not be that great either. Don't forget, there is still a Head Steward above you."

"I know, Li Youcai, the Head Steward. I dealt with him a few times when I was an advisor." Yang Can thought for a moment and said, "He cares most about the ironworks in Heishui and the salt mines in Lichi; he doesn't pay much attention to the internal affairs of the Senior Branch, so we don't need to be too wary of him."

Yang Can paused and asked, "How much longer... until you can confirm if you are pregnant?"

At the mention of this, Su Chanzhi’s expression softened. She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen and whispered, "I asked a few matrons; they said even if I find a skilled physician to check my pulse, it will take another six or seven days."

Yang Can nodded. Thinking that in another week he would know if he had a child of his own in this world, his heart beat a little faster.

At this moment, little Qingmei returned from escorting Deng Xun. As soon as she entered the hall, she said indignantly, "That old thing Yu Xinglong, sending us Yang Can, who has such deep prejudices against us—what does he mean by this?"

Su Chanzhi shook her head: "He who holds one can control many; it is all about balance and restraint. Anyone in his position would do the same. It is understandable."

Yang Can looked at Qingmei, who glared back: "What are you looking at? I'm not afraid of you. Let's get this straight: you are the Deputy Second Steward, and I am the Second Steward."

Yang Can said, "Fine, you are number two, I am number three, how about that?"

Qingmei was stunned. She hadn't expected him to be so agreeable, and she felt a bit embarrassed: "That's not necessary. How about... inside the inner courtyard, I am the lead and you are the deputy; outside the inner courtyard, you are the lead and I am the deputy."

Su Chanzhi nodded: "That works. If the two of you appear to be in conflict, it will be logical, and others will not be suspicious."

Qingmei rubbed her hands in anticipation: "We can fight with him? Great! Hey you, surnamed Yang, let’s see who’s better at their job."

Yang Can shook his head slightly, too lazy to engage in a war of words with a mere girl—unless, of course, it was just words. He glanced at those red, pouting lips.

Su Chanzhi said, "Alright, since the Clan Head has sent him to the Senior Branch, Qingmei, take him to meet Head Steward Li and give him the run-down."