Chapter 60 Move In With Just a Suitcase

Since he was back on the mountain, Yang Can naturally had to see his subordinates.

"Wangcai!" As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Yang Can called out.

Wangcai and Laixi were sitting together under the corridor, chatting about something that made them cackle with laughter.

Hearing Yang Can's voice, Wangcai jerked his head up. Seeing that his master had returned, he sprang instantly to his feet.

Watching Wangcai come running over like an eager dog, Yang Can smiled and gave instructions. "Go, have the kitchen prepare a banquet. Tonight, I am hosting all the stewards from the outer quarters."

He then glanced at Laixi. "Xizi, go tell the various stewards about this."

Ever since Qiaoshe had been assigned to serve him, Laixi no longer needed to keep watch in the courtyard all day.

Far from feeling that he had fallen out of favor, Laixi was actually thoroughly enjoying himself.

Whenever he had free time, he would run over to the adjacent courtyard to play with Wangcai.

Besides, if Madam Pan called out from inside, he would easily hear her through the courtyard wall.

The two youths immediately bolted out through the gates.

Their master was hosting a banquet—this was wonderful news. Leftover scraps and rich food would surely be in abundance later.

Yang Can had set out from Feng'an Manor early in the morning and arrived at Phoenix Manor by the afternoon.

He had successively met with the Clan Head and Suo Chanzhi, spending an unusually long time with the latter.

By this time, the setting sun was slanting downwards, casting a fiery glow across the sky.

Upon learning of the Second Steward's invitation, the stewards readily accepted.

Once seated at the banquet, they discovered that Yang Can had also assumed the concurrent post of Manor Lord of Feng'an Manor.

For a moment, the looks they directed at Yang Can were somewhat complex.

On the one hand, holding a senior position in the Main House while concurrently running Feng'an Manor was a matter of great envy.

Occupying a high-ranking office while holding real power on the ground—who wouldn't covet such a position?

Yet, on the other hand, anyone could see that Feng'an Manor was currently fraught with trouble.

One misstep, and a person could easily perish there.

However, they were all seasoned veterans of the world, and they certainly wouldn't speak deeply when their acquaintance was shallow.

"Steward Yang possesses great talent, actually improving the plow and making a name known throughout the land!"

Steward Niu raised his cup, proposing a toast to Yang Can's invention.

Neither congratulations nor warnings were quite appropriate regarding Yang Can's concurrent appointment as Manor Lord of Feng'an Manor, so they simply glossed over it with vague pleasantries.

"Indeed, indeed. Steward Yang's achievement is of boundless merit; this truly calls for a large cup of wine."

The stewards raised their cups one after another, offering toasts to Yang Can.

After three rounds of drinks, when the banquet was in full swing, the crisp chiming of jade pendants suddenly sounded.

One of the stewards sitting opposite the entrance cast a drunken glance toward the door and couldn't help letting out an exclamation.

"Madam Pan?"

Everyone turned their heads to see Madam Pan standing gracefully amidst the interplay of light and shadow outside the doorway.

She wore a begonia-red silk skirt, her dark hair slightly loose with a golden-fringed hairpin set aslant.

Under the lamplight, her eyes shimmered like rippling water, exuding the utmost charm and allure.

At the sight of her, the stewards scrambled up with a flurry of rattling noises.

Pan Xiaowan smiled sweetly, saying, "I heard the Second Steward has returned to the mountain and is hosting the stewards tonight. As it happens, a relative sent some seasonal delicacies up the mountain, so this concubine prepared a few small dishes."

She raised a hand to tidy a stray lock of hair by her temple, her alluring eyes lingering seductively on Yang Can.

"I am sending them now to add to the cheer for Steward Yang and the gentlemen, just to express a modest sentiment."

Pan Xiaowan spoke in a soft, tender voice, gesturing to Qiaoshe and Laixi behind her.

Qiaoshe and Laixi hurriedly stepped forward carrying food boxes to serve the dishes.

Pan Xiaowan retrieved a small bowl from among them and smiled gently.

"We didn't have much dairy cream left at home, and this is the only bowl of *醍醐* (clarified cream/delicacy) that could be made. Since it is rare for the Second Steward to return, I must ask him to personally... taste it."

Yang Can promptly left his seat, stroking forward in quick strides to receive the delicacy with both hands.

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam," Yang Can said. "I am immensely grateful."

Their eyes met for a fleeting second before parting, appearing entirely proper to anyone watching.

Only within that momentary collision of gazes could the two feel the undercurrents instantly intertwining.

As Pan Xiaowan handed over the porcelain bowl, her fingertips inadvertently brushed against Yang Can's hand.

A soft, low reproach reached only his ears: "Little heartbreaker, so unfeeling!"

Lowering his head to take the bowl, Yang Can replied in an equally faint voice: "Little vixen, wait for me."

That was precisely the response Pan Xiaowan wanted. Having passed the delicacy into Yang Can's hands, she immediately took a step back, maintaining a demeanor of utmost propriety and grace.

"Well then, gentlemen, please enjoy yourselves. This sister-in-law will not disturb you any longer."

With another lingering, subtle glance that hooked at Yang Can, Pan Xiaowan departed with Qiaoshe and Laixi.

The banquet grew lively once more.

Especially with the addition of several steaming hot new dishes, the guests' enthusiasm for drinking soared even higher.

The stewards praised Madam Pan one after another for her thoughtfulness, beauty, and kindness, remarking on how she kept to her womanly virtues and managed the household with propriety while her husband was away on inspection tours.

Holding a spoon and tasting the delicacy, Yang Can simply listened with a faint smile.

When the moon climbed into mid-sky and clear moonlight bathed the ground, the banquet finally broke up.

It was far too late to clean up the mess of the banquet, and Yang Can didn't wish to wake Wangcai who was dozing off. After seeing the guests out, he simply bolted the courtyard gate.

Returning to his room, he rinsed his mouth and washed his face. Noticing a faint scent of wine and food on his robes, he changed into a fresh set.

Afterwards, Yang Can walked out into the courtyard, stepped onto a large lotus water vat, and climbed up onto the wall.

Going to the adjacent courtyard through the front gate at this hour would inevitably require Qiaoshe or Laixi to open it; scaling the wall was far more convenient.

Looking over from the wall, a lamp was indeed still burning in Pan Xiaowan's bedchamber, appearing like an affectionate, drowsy eye.

With a knowing smile, Yang Can leaped across the wall, rustling the branches and shaking down a few petals of apricot blossom.

He crept stealthily up the stone steps and pushed open the chamber door.

True to expectation, the bedroom door had been left unlatched. Yang Can slipped inside and slid the bolt back into place.

Glancing over at the bed, Pan Xiaowan was wearing a crimson soft-satin nightgown, her dark hair draped over her shoulders. Supporting her cheek with a hand, her demeanor was supremely languid and alluring.

Seeing Yang Can enter, the smile in the depths of her eyes welled up like rippling spring water.

...

Yang Can stayed at Phoenix Manor for only one night.

Although the First Steward was not present here, any petty maneuvers carried out within these walls could hardly be concealed from the Clan Head.

Suo Chanzhi had the backing of the Suo family to brazenly purge the inner quarters.

He did not possess that kind of backing.

Therefore, his foundation still had to be established in Feng'an Manor, where he could develop quietly out of the spotlight.

Upon hurrying back to Feng'an Manor, Yang Can's very first action was to summon Zhang Yunyi.

Zhang Yunyi remained the nominal Manor Lord of Feng'an Manor for the time being, though he was already under the control of Leopard Head and Kang Zhengyang.

"Upon returning to the mountain this time, I had an audience with the Clan Head and explained the situation here. The Clan Head's view is..."

Yang Can intentionally paused, but seeing no particular reaction from Zhang Yunyi—who remained overly calm—he continued.

"Since you, Manor Lord, were able to execute justice for the sake of righteousness and eliminate scoundrels, though you bear the blame of failing to discern the truth, you will not be dealt with severely. You are demoted from Manor Lord to Co-managing Vice Manor Lord, and all past matters end here."

Silently taking a step back, Zhang Yunyi swept aside the hem of his robe and knelt to the ground. "Many thanks to Steward Yang for your leniency."

Yang Can shook his head. "I require Feng'an Manor to be peaceful and secure, and this autumn's harvest must not fall short of previous years. Can Manor Lord Zhang accomplish this?"

Zhang Yunyi replied, "As to how this year's climate will turn out, Zhang dares not predict right now; however, with the effects of the new plow designed by the Steward, Zhang has confidence."

"Good!" Yang Can nodded. This was the result he desired.

When a group of individuals had entrenched themselves in Feng'an Manor for years, simply killing them off would not allow the entire manor to transition without experiencing any turmoil.

Yet any turmoil would provide Second Master's faction with ammunition against him.

Consequently, Yang Can swept away all the major and minor stewards of Feng'an Manor in one fell swoop, yet left Zhang Yunyi's signboard still standing.

His purpose was to prevent Feng'an Manor from suffering severe disruptions to agricultural production during the spring plowing and planting seasons on account of earth-shattering upheavals.

Yang Can then looked toward Kang Zhengyang. "Kang Zhengyang, you have been steadfast in your duty, loyal, and courageous. The Clan Head appreciates this greatly. The troops of Feng'an Manor shall remain under your command; you must drill them diligently to ensure the safety of the agricultural estates."

Kang Zhengyang expressed his gratitude with great delight. Except for him, all the stewards of Feng'an Manor had been arrested—was he truly that innocent?

Regardless, until this moment, his heart finally settled back into his chest.

Qingmei stood nearby, her dark, nimble eyes rolling rapidly.

What about me? Why is there no arrangement for me?

Since he was going to hold down the fort at Feng'an Manor and would not be returning to Phoenix Manor anytime soon, what should I do?

Should I return to serve my young mistress, or... cough, stay and serve my master?

Yang Can mused aloud, "As for the various stewards within the manor..."

His expression darkened slightly. "For those whose hands are stained with blood, do not spare them. As for those who can be retained, Manor Lord Zhang, you must also severely discipline them."

Zhang Yunyi gave a calm assent.

For many years, his sole obsession had been to elevate and strengthen the Zhang family.

Now that he no longer cared even for the Zhang family, all his former convictions and shackles had turned into a joke.

To him, everything he once cherished and guarded was utterly worthless.

He could now freely sing of indifference.

Respectfully, Zhang Yunyi said, "Feng'an Fortress is the final stronghold of our Feng'an Manor against refugees and bandits. This fortress was constructed by pooling the manpower and resources of the entire manor; it is not Zhang's private property. Zhang will move out of Feng'an Fortress within three days to vacate the premises for the Manor Lord."

Yang Can nodded, offering no polite refusals.

He had indeed set his sights on this fortress.

It wouldn't do for Zhang Yunyi to continue living here while he went outside to build another residence from scratch.

Who would be considered the true boss of Feng'an Manor then?

From now on, he would be the sky of Feng'an, the king of Feng'an!

No, not just that—the other five agricultural estates and three pastures would also fall into his grasp.

Steward Wan Tai was keeping watch outside. The moment he saw Zhang Yunyi emerge, he hurried forward.

Nervously, Wan Tai asked, "Master, how did it go?"

Zhang Yunyi smiled faintly. "The Clan Head still has use for me. Demoted from Manor Lord to Vice Manor Lord—this can be considered lifting it high and letting it down gently."

Hearing this, Wan Tai couldn't help exhaling a sigh of relief.

Zhang Yunyi instructed, "Pack up our private wealth and movable assets. Within three days, we will evacuate Feng'an Fortress."

Wan Tai was momentarily stunned. "Master, then... where shall we settle?"

Zhang Yunyi narrowed his eyes. "Uncle Xiao's residence, though incomparable to Feng'an Fortress, is nevertheless sufficient to shelter our family. Let us move there. From now on, Uncle Xiao's estate shall be my estate."

"What about... Uncle Xiao's family..."

With a cold expression, Zhang Yunyi said, "Uncle Xiao originally didn't even own a tile to his name. Now, well, reverting to his original state is only fitting."

Wan Tai acknowledged the order with a murmur, then suddenly recalling something, he hurried after him by a couple of steps.

"Master, a batch of mountain goods is scheduled to pass through our territory recently. With such major events happening in the manor, should we notify them..."

"No, there is no need!"

A chilling smile surfaced on Manor Lord Zhang's face as he muttered malevolently,

"Since Heaven has bestowed wealth and status upon Yang Can, I must see whether he possesses the destiny to enjoy it."

Postscript: We launch on the shelves tomorrow. I started writing books at age thirty-three, and after toiling for two decades, my hair has turned completely white.

However, I love reading and I love writing—these are my only two lifelong hobbies, so naturally I must continue.

I will update at five minutes past midnight tonight, plead with all of you for a first-batch subscription, and wish all my friends a happy National Day!