Chapter 35: A Silver-Tongued Deceiver

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After speaking with Li Youcai, Yang Can went to request an audience with the clan lord.

Unless a matter was of the utmost importance, the various branches had no need to report directly to the clan lord. The approval of their own branch head was sufficient.

Even in matters of great importance, it was the branch head who reported to the clan lord. It was impossible for a steward to bypass the proper chain of command and report directly.

The only exception was someone like Yi She, the chief steward in charge of external affairs. A man like that was practically a regional governor in his own right, and his status was naturally different.

The main branch of the Yu family’s senior line was somewhat unusual at present. Its male head had died, while the position of its female head had yet to be settled.

Thus, Yang Can’s decision to pay his respects to Yu Xinglong first was a way of making his attitude and position clear.

At that moment, Yu Xinglong was teaching his son.

Raising an heir in a great family was no easy task. It required two or three decades of sustained effort.

The heir to a powerful clan had to begin by studying the classics and works of scholarship. These formed the foundation of his moral principles and values.

After that came the classics of statecraft, through which he learned political strategy, the governance of local affairs, and the arts of managing people.

He also had to study poetry, lyrics, music, and literature. These were essential tools for displaying his talent in social settings.

At the same time, he had to learn etiquette and family regulations, cultivate filial devotion and fraternal respect, and inherit the traditions of his clan.

Once he reached adulthood, he would also have to gain practical experience in administration, tempered by the guidance and example of his elders.

Yu Chengye had previously been at the stage of practical administrative training.

Now that Yu Xinglong had designated his youngest son, Yu Chenglin, as heir—and knowing that his own frail constitution was not one destined for longevity—he was determined to make the most of every moment in teaching his son.

Every day, he set aside time to inquire into his son’s studies, taking the opportunity to impart strategies for managing the world.

Yu Chenglin was still too young to understand such profound matters.

Yu Xinglong had no choice but to educate him by rote: whether he understood or not, he could memorize everything first.

When he heard that Yang Can had requested an audience, Yu Xinglong was slightly surprised.

Seeing that his son had already assumed a look of agony merely from trying to remember the principles he had been taught, Yu Xinglong gave a helpless smile and waved his hand.

“Go back for now.”

Yu Chenglin felt as if he had been granted a reprieve from death. He hurriedly took his leave and departed from the study.

Only then did Yu Xinglong summon Yang Can.

Upon meeting him, Yang Can explained that he had finished sorting out the accounts and intended to inspect several estates in person.

Yu Xinglong looked through the ledgers Yang Can had specially marked and asked in astonishment, “That was fast. How many accountants did you use to go through them?”

“I sorted them out myself,” Yang Can replied. “I understand a thing or two about ledgers.”

Yu Xinglong raised an eyebrow. All the accounts of the family were consolidated with him. How could he possibly fail to understand a ledger?

To organize all these books so clearly in such a short time required far more than a mere passing familiarity.

After a moment’s thought, Yu Xinglong said, “It is good that you intend to inspect them. Such an inspection is necessary, but making too great a commotion would be inappropriate.”

Yang Can inclined his body. “The clan lord is right. I have already discussed the matter with Chief Steward Li. I will exercise proper restraint.”

A smile appeared on Yu Xinglong’s face.

“Very good. Many things cannot be accomplished overnight. I hope these estates and pastures can be brought back under our control smoothly and steadily.”

Yu Xinglong did not dare hope that, having only just reclaimed them, they would still produce a bumper harvest this year. As long as the results were not much worse than before, that would be enough to give the entire clan an account of the matter.

“Yes. I will remember the clan lord’s instruction.”

“Have you already sought the young mistress’s approval?”

“After reporting personally to the clan lord, I will go and seek the young mistress’s approval.”

Yu Xinglong was even more pleased upon hearing this. The man truly knew where to draw the line.

In that case, he could safely let Yang Can go and make the inspection.

The stewards of those estates and pastures needed to understand who their master was now.

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Yu Xinglong smiled. “Next time something arises, you should report to the young mistress first.

“Although you and the Suo family had some unpleasantness in the past, a daughter of the Suo family is now a daughter-in-law of the Yu family. She is the mistress of the senior line of the main branch. You should continue to show her the respect she deserves.”

Yang Can bowed. “Yes. I will obey the clan lord’s instructions.”

Yu Xinglong stroked his beard and nodded with a smile.

“Go.”

…

Suo Chanzhi continued her reorganization of the personnel in the inner residence.

With the help of Qingmei and several matrons brought from her family home, the people in the inner residence who belonged to the faction of the “Dead Young Master” were steadily being pushed aside.

Ever since news of her pregnancy had spread, the young mistress’s prestige and authority had risen considerably, giving her purge even greater force.

Some of the opportunists who shifted with the wind had already begun trying to draw close to her, but Suo Chanzhi had little desire to accept them.

In nine months, she would have to face an entirely new challenge. She did not want to keep anyone she could not trust absolutely at her side.

Such matters could not be completed in a day or two. She still had nine months, so there was no need to rush.

“Young mistress, Second Steward Yang Can requests an audience.”

Quicktongue hurried into the reception hall and reported this to Suo Chanzhi, who had just picked up a piece of candied fruit and was about to place it in her mouth.

“Show him in.”

Suo Chanzhi glanced at Quicktongue. This girl was also one of the people she intended to remove.

Quicktongue had originally been a serving maid in the clan lord’s wife’s household. The lady had sent her to stay by her son’s side.

Now, she was clearly serving as the lady’s eyes and ears, watching this daughter-in-law of hers.

Quicktongue answered brightly and went back out.

She wore a lotus-colored, narrow-sleeved jacket and a moon-white short skirt tied at the waist, with a pale blue silk sash around her middle. The outfit gave her a neat, lively charm.

Soon, Yang Can was led into the reception hall. Suo Chanzhi, who had been lounging lazily, had already straightened into an elegant seated posture.

She wore a jade-colored, wide-sleeved robe embroidered with dark green scrolling flowers. Apart from a pair of lustrous white pearls hanging beneath her ears, she wore no other adornment.

As soon as she saw Yang Can, she asked calmly, “Second Steward, what brings you here?”

Yang Can bowed. “Young mistress, I have finished sorting out the accounts of the estates and pastures taken over by the senior line of the main branch. I was thinking of going down there to inspect them in person.”

Suo Chanzhi was somewhat puzzled.

Had they not agreed that she would manage the inner residence while he handled affairs outside?

Why was he going to inspect estates?

Though she did not understand his purpose, Suo Chanzhi knew that Yang Can must have his reasons.

Very well. She would agree for now, then have Qingmei find out what was going on and report back to her.

“That will do. However, the Yu family makes its living through agriculture, and this is a critical time in the spring planting season. If one season is lost, an entire year is lost. You must be cautious in everything you do.”

“I will keep that firmly in mind.”

Suo Chanzhi shifted into a more comfortable position. Like any young lady raised in a great household, every one of her movements was graceful.

“How long will your inspection take?”

“I intend to inspect only three estates. At most, a month should be sufficient.”

Suo Chanzhi nodded slightly.

“Qingmei has been at my side since childhood. She knows how to handle tenant rents and workshop labor, and she is quite capable with accounts and calculations as well. Let her accompany you as an assistant.”

Yang Can was just about to agree when he noticed Quicktongue standing nearby, listening with rapt attention.

This girl was not part of Suo Chanzhi’s bridal entourage.

The thought immediately darkened his expression.

“Is the young mistress worried that I cannot manage this?”

Suo Chanzhi gave him a faint smile. “And what makes Second Steward Yang say that?”

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Yang Can’s voice sank.

“Young mistress, I was personally appointed Second Steward of the senior line of the main branch by the clan lord himself! If you appoint another Second Steward and she merely serves in the inner residence, I have nothing to say. But inspecting local affairs is an external duty…”

Suo Chanzhi secretly praised his quick reaction. The fellow was remarkably nimble, and he played his part convincingly.

Her expression turned cold.

“And what of it if my father-in-law appointed you? Am I not permitted to manage every matter in this branch, whether inside or out?”

“That is not what I meant,” Yang Can replied. “I merely mean that Miss Qingmei is a young girl who has barely grown out of childhood. What could she possibly do accompanying me on an inspection?”

“Who did you say is still a child… and utterly useless?”

Qingmei happened to enter the reception hall at that moment. Upon hearing those words, she instinctively opened her mouth to retort.

Only after the words had already left her did she realize that she had chosen an awkward phrase to challenge.

More importantly, Yang Can’s remark had unfortunately struck close to the truth, and the young girl was instantly provoked into embarrassment and anger.

Her little face flushed crimson. She abruptly changed tack, afraid that Yang Can would make fun of her, and launched into a torrent of words without giving him the slightest chance to think.

“Second Steward Yang, you’re not old, but your face is as broad as a millstone! You’re awfully clear about the difference between the inner and outer residences.

“But in that outer residence, I’ve never seen you accomplish anything. You’re nothing but a silver-plated wax spearhead—a useless ornament. The young mistress is sending me with you to inspect the estates to make you look good.

“What is it? Are you afraid? Afraid that if I go along, I’ll strip away the slick disguise from your falsified accounts?”

Yang Can smiled.

“When I inspect the estates, I will be dealing with matters of agriculture. I will see whether the estate managers are doing their jobs conscientiously and whether the accounts contain any discrepancies. Those who deserve punishment will be punished, and those who deserve rewards will be rewarded.

“This is not taking some little maid out to stroll through a garden.”

“If you want to take me strolling through a garden, I would still have to be willing. So stop flattering yourself. As for the matters you mentioned, if you can handle them, then so can I.”

Quicktongue smiled obsequiously.

“Sister Qingmei, Second Steward Yang is right. There are all sorts of troublesome matters on an estate. You have to see whether the estate managers are diligent and whether the tenants and household retainers are being properly managed.

“You have to find out whether anyone is bullying others or causing trouble, or abusing someone else’s authority. Then there are all the miscellaneous affairs of the estate—livestock, farming tools, storehouses. Everything has to be checked.

“You must make sure the horses have not grown thin, the cattle have not fallen ill, and the plowshares have not rusted. Every detail has to be taken into account. It is no easy task.

“Second Steward Yang means well. Sister Qingmei, you would be better off staying at the mountain estate where things are peaceful.”

Suo Chanzhi cast her a cold glance, then turned back to Yang Can. Her tone was no longer particularly courteous.

“What is this? I am in charge of the senior branch. Are my instructions not instructions?”

Yang Can replied, “Naturally, I would not dare disobey the young mistress. However, if Miss Qingmei causes some sort of trouble, I will not take the blame for her.”

Suo Chanzhi and Yang Can were merely playing off each other, but little Qingmei had become genuinely worked up.

She planted both hands on her slender waist and said indignantly, “I’ve served the young mistress for so many years, and I’ve never made a single mistake. How long have you served her? And yet you dare make such grand pronouncements?

“If I go, I’ll certainly do a better job than you.”

Suo Chanzhi felt a sudden flutter of unease and immediately shot Qingmei a sidelong glance.

The little maid was glaring angrily at Yang Can, her almond-shaped eyes wide and blazing with fury.

Suo Chanzhi relaxed inwardly.

So she had only said it without thinking. In that case, there was no problem.