HUS Chapter 27: Xiaowan
Yang Can didn't speak, only sighed softly, as if extremely troubled.
Seeing him put on such a wronged and pitiful appearance, Pan Xiaowan was truly smitten with him.
This little rascal, even his sighs made one's appetite surge. She really wanted to swallow him whole in one gulp of water.
Pan Xiaowan felt mischievous and extended a foot from beneath her skirt, stepping ambiguously on Yang Can's boot tip.
Yang Can quickly pulled his foot back and said helplessly, "Sister-in-law, can you please stop fooling around?"
Pan Xiaowan giggled again, leaned forward, and said with seductive eyes, "You don't want sister-in-law to tease you? Fine then, why don't you tease sister-in-law instead?"
The young woman laughed wantonly. Her voluptuous figure and charming appearance possessed both marrow-penetrating allure and bone-deep maturity. She looked as delectable as autumn grapes hanging on a trellis.
Yang Can couldn't take it anymore. He really hadn't expected this Madam Pan to be so bold. The door was still wide open, yet she... at least close the door first!
Not long after Yang Can first came to Phoenix Mountain Manor with Yu Chengye, he had met this Madam Pan.
Pan Xiaowan probably had something like love at first sight for Yang Can. The first time she saw him, she dared to flirt with him when no one was paying attention.
Thereafter, whenever they had a chance to meet privately, Pan Xiaowan would try every means to seduce him. The more Yang Can avoided her, the more energetic she became.
This Lady Xiaowan was First Steward Li Youcai's second wife, having married into the family seven or eight years ago.
Calculating backwards from her current age, she must have married over when she was fifteen or sixteen.
With an old husband and young wife, she was naturally especially pampered. Yang Can just hadn't expected her to be pampered to the point of such boldness.
Yang Can didn't want to provoke her. She was too proactive and too passionate like fire. This kind of woman, when she loved someone, would love extremely, and when she hated someone, would also hate extremely. Once entangled with her, the consequences would be endless.
Yang Can had finally obtained such a good opportunity to become Yu Chengye's adviser and staff member. He especially cherished this future prospect.
After all, Yu Chengye was to be the future Clan Head of the Yu clan. Even if Yang Can had no great prospects, even if in the future he couldn't be sent out as a regional First Steward, he could still become a close confidant of the Clan Head like Butler Deng Xun.
With such a bright future ahead, what kind of wealth, honor, and beautiful wives and concubines couldn't he have in the future? He had no need to risk complete ruin by having an affair with Lady Xiaowan. He wasn't possessed by Cao Mengde.
Fortunately, the opportunities for the two to meet privately weren't many. After less than three months at Phoenix Mountain Manor, Yang Can accompanied Yu Chengye to Jincheng to fetch the bride, thus escaping Madam Pan's harassment.
Who would have thought that after more than three months away, this Madam Pan seemed even more unrestrained and fiery than before.
"Tea's here! Honestly, what kind of situation is this? The old man still has to do it himself." First Steward Li grumbled as he walked in carrying a tea tray.
Pan Xiaowan's seductive expression vanished in a flash. She lifted her chin slightly, resuming her haughty appearance.
Li Youcai set the tea tray on the table and glared at Pan Xiaowan irritably, "Why aren't you serving the tea?"
Though he both feared and doted on this delicate wife, in front of outsiders, he still wanted to demonstrate his husbandly authority.
Pan Xiaowan snorted, thought about it, then went over to pour the tea after all.
Li Youcai sat down in the chair opposite and said with a smile, "Master Yang, what specific duties did the Clan Head assign to you?"
Yang Can quickly said, "In the past, I was the young master's adviser, so it wasn't appropriate to be too close with the First Steward. Now that you and I are both stewards, working together for the eldest branch, I'll need to rely on your guidance in the future. First Steward, please don't keep addressing me as 'Master' anymore. I've now taken a courtesy name, which is 'Huoshan.' First Steward, just call me by my courtesy name."
Li Youcai said cheerfully, "In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. I'll address you as younger brother, and you call me elder brother. That shows closeness."
Yang Can smiled, "Good. To be honest with you, elder brother, the Clan Head appointed me as Second Steward of the eldest branch, but as for what specific affairs to manage, he didn't give any instructions. Oh, by the way, the Clan Head is preparing to transfer the estates and ranches that Second Master returned to our eldest branch for management. I imagine the Clan Head will summon elder brother about this, and will probably give you instructions then."
Li Youcai was overjoyed upon hearing this, "The Clan Head is preparing to hand over the estates and ranches that Second Master returned to our eldest branch for management? Good, excellent!"
At this moment, Pan Xiaowan finished making the tea and walked over gracefully, bringing Yang Can a cup.
She bent down, first placed the tea on the table, then gently pushed it toward Yang Can's hand.
With just this one bend, Yang Can felt an impact like "Mount Tai crushing an egg."
Pan Xiaowan, with her perfect hourglass figure, had such an expansive bosom that the oppressive force was overwhelming.
As Pan Xiaowan straightened up, she threw Yang Can another fiery, seductive glance, slightly provocative.
Her own man was right behind her, yet she dared to flirt with the handsome young adviser before her. It seemed... doing so gave her particular excitement.
Before Yang Can could react, she had already walked back, placed the teacup for Li Youcai, poured one for herself, and sat down below her husband, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at Yang Can.
Li Youcai composed his expression and said, "Huoshan, among the properties our eldest branch originally managed, Jieyeshan's orchards and such aren't major assets. We just had a few stewards manage them. The real assets under the young master's name are the salt pools in Lingzhou and the iron smelting in Heishui. Originally, since the Clan Head sent you here, I as your elder brother should divide one of these between us. But..."
Li Youcai frowned slightly, taking a thoughtful sip of tea.
Pan Xiaowan also picked up her tea. As she lowered her head to drink, her bright eyes lifted slightly, glancing at Yang Can.
Suddenly, her slender tongue extended and, like a cat, she lapped at the tea.
When cats drink water, their tongue tips lightly touch the water's surface, forming a water column at extremely fast speed by curling and then swallowing it.
This movement, combining both elegance and precise control, existed like magic and was praised by the ancients as "holding the waves!"
Yang Can was momentarily dazzled by her miraculous drinking technique and quickly straightened his gaze toward Li Youcai.
Li Youcai said deliberately, "It's just that... Huoshan, you also know that the profits from salt and iron... you understand?"
Salt and iron were extremely important industries for any clan or even any country.
Yu Xinglong had originally placed these two important industries with the eldest branch to cultivate his son.
These two major industries had astonishing profits, and because of their importance, those who controlled them wielded tremendous power.
Looking at Li Youcai's manner, he clearly didn't want to share either salt or iron with Yang Can, the Second Steward.
Li Youcai said, "Once the young master died, many people started eyeing this piece of fat meat. Many are hoping we'll make mistakes. As long as we make errors, they can seize the opportunity to make trouble and snatch them from us."
Yang Can currently had no interest in managing these properties anyway, because that would require him to frequently travel to Lingzhou and Heishui. Right now, he only wanted to stay close to Phoenix Mountain Manor, and before confirming Suo Zhanzhi was pregnant, he didn't want to make any major moves.
Yang Can bowed slightly and said, "Elder brother is right. At this time, we absolutely cannot make mistakes. These two industries should still be managed by you, elder brother."
Seeing him so sensible, Li Youcai was greatly satisfied and laughed heartily, "You and I working together with one heart to serve the Clan Head is fundamental. Whatever happens, we two brothers will discuss it together, discuss together, hahaha..."
Li Youcai smiled and said, "The salt pools and iron smelting, I've been managing them for the young master for many years. Now many people are eyeing them. For the sake of safety, I won't give them to you for now. But since you've come to the eldest branch, you can't have nothing to do. I was actually worried about this, but since the Clan Head is allocating the estates and ranches that Second Master returned to our eldest branch, that's perfect."
"I'm thinking the salt and iron sector will continue to be managed by me, to avoid making mistakes that people could use against us. As for those six major estates and three ranches, they'll be handed over to you to manage. These properties already had established procedures when they were in Second Master's hands. As long as we follow the old rules, there won't be any major chaos. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Yang Can couldn't help but curse inwardly, You old fox, do you really think I'm a fool?
Yu Huanhu reluctantly handed over these properties. Will he just let it go?
The major and minor stewards of those estates are all Yu Huanhu's people. Won't they trip me up and undermine me?
You keep all the benefits while pushing this trap-filled assignment onto me. If you really push me too far, I'll make your wife pay your debts!
Though Yang Can thought this, his face showed nothing but gratitude, "Little brother hasn't been an adviser for long. To suddenly shoulder such great responsibility, I would indeed be somewhat flustered. Managing estates and ranches is relatively much easier. Thank you for your consideration, elder brother."
Hearing this, Li Youcai found Yang Can increasingly agreeable, "Wife, arrange a feast. I want to gather the eldest branch's stewards. Tonight we'll hold a welcome banquet for younger brother Huoshan."
Pan Xiaowan looked reluctant and casually hummed in acknowledgment.
Yang Can quickly cupped his hands, "Thank you, elder brother and sister-in-law."
Since Yang Can didn't compete with Li Youcai for management rights over the salt pools and iron smelting, First Steward Li felt quite pleased.
He smiled slightly and said, "By the way, have you arranged your lodgings yet?"
Yang Can shook his head, "Not yet. It's a small matter. I'll figure it out later."
Li Youcai said, "There's a courtyard next to mine. I'll allocate it for your use."
Pan Xiaowan coughed lightly and said reluctantly, "You old fool, wasn't that courtyard supposed to be connected with ours to make a two-section compound?"
Being rebuked by her in front of Yang Can made Li Youcai lose face somewhat. He said sternly, "It's all Yu family property. Can you just merge things together as you please? Besides, my brother has arrived, hasn't he? In a bit, take Laixi and Wangcai over to help clean and tidy it up."
Yang Can quickly said, "I wouldn't dare trouble sister-in-law."
Pan Xiaowan snorted, thumped her teacup on the table, stood up, and walked out without looking back.
Li Youcai said apologetically, "My wife, I've spoiled her. Don't take offense, Huoshan. Oh, you don't have any servants in your courtyard, right? I have two young servants here. I'll allocate one for you to use."
Yang Can quickly declined. Li Youcai waved his hand, "Why stand on ceremony between you and me? These two boys are careless and not very efficient. Just don't mind them."
Li Youcai leaned forward, covering his mouth with his hand, and said in a low voice, "It wouldn't be appropriate to give you both. At least take one, so that when I'm short-handed here, I'll have an excuse to buy a pretty maid back."
"Uh... ahem, then little brother will accept without further courtesy."
Seeing him agree, Li Youcai laughed heartily, "Good to accept without courtesy, good to accept without courtesy. You must never be too courteous with me, hahahaha..."
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