Chapter 27: Xiao Wan

Yang Can said nothing, letting out only a soft sigh, as if burdened by immense worries.

Pan Xiaowan watched his aggrieved little expression and felt a surge of genuine affection. This sweet tormentor—even his sighs were enough to whet one’s appetite; she truly wanted to scoop him up like a mouthful of water and swallow him whole.

Feeling a sudden spark of mischief, Pan Xiaowan extended a foot from beneath her skirt and gave the toe of Yang Can’s boot a suggestive nudge.

Yang Can hurriedly pulled his foot back, saying helplessly, "Sister-in-law, could you please stop that?"

Pan Xiaowan let out a teasing giggle, leaned forward, and cast a flirtatious, liquid gaze at him. "You don't want your sister-in-law to tease you? Fine, then why don't you try teasing me instead?"

The young woman laughed wantonly. Her full, supple figure and charming appearance held a blend of deep-seated allure and bone-deep maturity, making her look as tempting as autumn grapes hanging from a trellis.

Yang Can was beginning to find it unbearable. He truly had not expected this Lady Pan to be so brazen. The door was still standing wide open—at the very least, she could have closed it first.

Yang Can had only recently arrived at Phoenix Manor with Yu Chengye when he first met Lady Pan. Pan Xiaowan seemed to have fallen for him at first sight; the very first time they met, she had dared to exchange meaningful glances with him when no one was looking. Ever since, whenever they had a chance for private contact, Pan Xiaowan would rack her brain to seduce him. The more Yang Can avoided her, the more persistent she became.

This Lady Xiaowan was the second wife of Chief Steward Li Youcai, having married into the family seven or eight years ago. Reckoning back from her current age, she must have been only fifteen or sixteen when she married. An old husband with a young wife naturally led to her being exceptionally pampered, though Yang Can never imagined she would be spoiled to the point of such audacity.

Yang Can did not want to provoke her. She was far too proactive and passionate; a woman like this would love to the extreme and hate to the extreme. Once entangled, the consequences would be endless. Yang Can had finally secured this great opportunity to become a personal advisor to Yu Chengye, and he cherished his prospects dearly. After all, Yu Chengye was the future head of the Yu clan. Even if Yang Can didn't achieve great things, he could at least become a trusted confidant to the clan leader, much like Steward Deng Xun. With such a promising future, what kind of wealth, beautiful wives, and concubines could he not possess in time? He saw no need to risk total ruin just to have an affair with Lady Xiaowan; he was no Cao Mengde.

Fortunately, their opportunities for private contact were few. Barely three months after arriving at Phoenix Manor, Yang Can had accompanied Yu Chengye to Jincheng to fetch a bride, thereby escaping Lady Pan’s harassment. Who could have known that after these three months away, she would return even more unrestrained and fiery than before?

"Tea is served! Honestly, what is this world coming to, when I have to do everything myself?" Chief Steward Li muttered as he walked in carrying a tea tray.

Pan Xiaowan’s flirtatious expression vanished in an instant. She tilted her chin slightly, reverting to her usual haughty demeanor.

Li Youcai set the tray on the table and glared at her impatiently. "Still not serving the tea?" Although he both feared and doted on his young wife, he still wanted to assert his authority as a husband in front of outsiders.

Pan Xiaowan huffed, but after a moment’s thought, she walked over to pour the tea.

Li Youcai sat in the opposite chair and asked with a smile, "Master Yang, what specific duties has the clan leader assigned to you?"

Yang Can replied quickly, "In the past, I was merely the young master's advisor, so it was not appropriate for me to get too close to the Chief Steward. Now that we are both stewards serving the same branch, I will have to rely on your guidance in the future. Please, do not continue to call me 'Master.' I have chosen a courtesy name, 'Huoshan.' You may simply address me by that."

Li Youcai replied happily, "In that case, I will stand on no ceremony. I shall call you brother, and you can call me elder brother; that will show our closeness."

Yang Can smiled. "Very well. To be honest with you, brother, the clan leader has appointed me as the Second Steward of the main branch, though he has yet to specify which affairs I am to manage. By the way, the clan leader intends to hand over the estates and pastures returned by the Second Master to our branch. I expect he will summon you soon to give further instructions."

Li Youcai was overjoyed. "The clan leader is handing the estates and pastures over to us? Good, very good."

Just then, Pan Xiaowan finished brewing the tea and glided over with graceful steps to serve Yang Can a cup. She bent down, placed the cup on the table, and gave it a gentle push toward Yang Can’s hand. In that single moment of bending over, Yang Can felt a sense of overwhelming pressure. Pan Xiaowan, with her perfect, hourglass figure, possessed a bosom that was truly expansive, creating an intense, suffocating presence.

As she straightened up, she cast another scorching, provocative look at Yang Can. With her own husband right behind her, she dared to seduce the handsome young advisor before her—it seemed that for her, this was an extra thrill. Before Yang Can could react, she walked back, set a cup for Li Youcai, poured one for herself, and sat down at her husband’s side, casting lingering glances at Yang Can.

Li Youcai straightened his expression. "Huoshan, among the industries our branch currently manages, the Chicken-Goose Mountain and the orchards are not major concerns; we leave them to the managers. The real assets under the young master's name are the salt pans in Lingzhou and the ironworks in Heishui. Originally, with the clan leader sending you here, I should have divided one of these two off for you. But..."

Li Youcai frowned slightly, sipping his tea in contemplation. Pan Xiaowan also picked up her cup. As she lowered her head to drink, her eyes flickered toward Yang Can. Suddenly, the tip of her long, slender tongue darted out, and she sipped the tea like a cat. Cats touch the water's surface lightly, curling their tongues with lightning speed to draw up a column of water. This graceful, precise movement, almost magical, was known to the ancients as "sipping the waves."

Yang Can was momentarily shaken by her masterful technique and quickly refocused his gaze on Li Youcai.

Li Youcai continued cautiously, "It is just that... Huoshan, you know how it is. The profits from salt and iron... well, you understand."

Salt and iron were crucial industries for any clan, or even any nation. Yu Xinglong had placed these two vital industries under the main branch to cultivate his son. Because of their importance, whoever held them wielded immense power. Looking at Li Youcai, it was clear he had no intention of sharing the salt and iron with the Second Steward.

Li Youcai went on, "Since the young master’s passing, many have coveted this fat piece of meat, waiting for us to make a mistake. If we slip up, they will seize the chance to snatch it from our hands."

Yang Can had no interest in managing these industries at the moment, as they would require him to travel frequently to Lingzhou and Heishui. He only wanted to stay near Phoenix Manor, and he did not want to make any major moves until he was certain Su Chanzhi was pregnant.

Yang Can leaned forward slightly. "Brother is right. At a time like this, we must not make any errors. It is best if you continue to manage these two industries."

Seeing Yang Can so agreeable, Li Youcai was greatly satisfied. He laughed heartily, "Working together with one heart to serve the clan leader is the foundation. If there are any matters, we brothers will discuss them. Yes, let us discuss them, haha..."

Li Youcai smiled. "I have managed the salt pans and the ironworks for the young master for many years. With so many people eyeing them, for the sake of stability, I will not hand them over to you just yet."

"But since you have come to the main branch, you cannot be left with nothing to do. I was just fretting over this, but since the clan leader has allocated the estates and pastures returned by the Second Master to our branch, that is perfect. I think I will continue to handle the salt and iron to avoid any mistakes that could give others a pretext against us. As for the six estates and three pastures, I will leave those for you to manage. These industries already have their established rules from the Second Master’s time; as long as you follow the old ways, there shouldn't be any major trouble. What do you think?"

Yang Can cursed inwardly, *You old fox, do you really take me for a fool? Does Yu Huanhu intend to just let those industries go without a fight? All the managers at those estates are his people—won't they just trip me up at every turn? You take all the benefits and push this pit-filled responsibility onto me. If you push me too far, I'll make you pay for your husband's debts with your own flesh!*

Despite these thoughts, Yang Can wore a face of gratitude. "I haven't been an advisor for long; if I were suddenly given such a heavy responsibility, I would truly be overwhelmed. Managing the estates and pastures is relatively much easier. Thank you for your consideration, Brother."

Li Youcai was even more pleased with him. "Wife, prepare a banquet later. I am going to summon the managers of the main branch to welcome Brother Huoshan tonight."

Pan Xiaowan, looking quite reluctant, gave a perfunctory grunt. Yang Can hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Brother, Sister-in-law."

Since Yang Can did not contest the management of the salt pans and ironworks, Chief Steward Li felt quite at ease. He smiled and added, "By the way, have you arranged for a place to stay?"

Yang Can shook his head. "Not yet. It's a small matter, I'll see to it later."

Li Youcai said, "I have a courtyard next to mine. You may use that."

Pan Xiaowan coughed lightly and said unhappily, "Are you getting senile? Isn't that courtyard meant to be opened up to ours to make a two-entry residence?"

Being scolded in front of Yang Can caused Li Youcai to lose face. He stiffened and said, "It is all Yu property; do you think you can just merge whatever you want? Besides, my brother is here. Later, have Lailai and Wangcai go over to help clean and tidy it up."

Yang Can quickly declined, "I dare not trouble Sister-in-law."

Pan Xiaowan huffed, slammed her teacup onto the table, stood up, and walked out without looking back.

Li Youcai apologized, "I've spoiled my wife, don't take it to heart, Huoshan. By the way, you don't have anyone to serve you in that courtyard, do you? I have two young servants here; I'll give one to you."

Yang Can tried to refuse, but Li Youcai waved him off. "Why be so formal between us? These two servants are a bit careless and clumsy—don't mind them."

Li Youcai leaned forward, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered, "It wouldn't be right to give you both. Take one at least; once I'm short-handed, I'll have a good excuse to go buy a pretty maid."

"Uh... *cough*, then I shall accept your offer without further ceremony."

Seeing him agree, Li Youcai laughed heartily. "That's the spirit! Never be too formal with me, never be too formal, hahaha..."