HUS Chapter 30: Paying Respects
HUS Chapter 30: Paying Respects
Dec 11, 2025
Li Youcai had been staying at the manor recently.
Logically speaking, since the young master had just passed away, he should be especially attentive to the salt pools and iron smelting that the young master had been responsible for. However, whether the young mistress was pregnant was like a sword hanging over the heads of everyone in the eldest branch.
If the young mistress wasn't pregnant, then the people of the eldest branch would immediately face the predicament of deciding where to go.
At this time, whoever stayed at the manor could act first.
Therefore, First Steward Li would absolutely not leave the manor at this time and thus, he was able to meet Zhang Yunyi, the master of Feng'an Estate.
Master Zhang's visit to pay respects was like ascending the mountain. He didn't first go to see the higher-ranking superiors.
Quite the contrary, Zhang Yunyi first met those colleagues at the manor who had lower status, were equal to him, or were even lower in status than him.
In this process, according to each person's importance to him, Master Zhang presented gifts one by one.
He then gleaned some useful information from them.
When he went to see the higher-ranking superiors, he could better gauge his attitude.
For this reason, Zhang Yunyi quickly learned that the eldest branch had gained another Second Steward, the former young master's adviser Yang Can. However, since Yang Can's residence was adjacent to Li Youcai's residence, it wouldn't be appropriate to first visit this Second Steward Yang.
After some deliberation, Master Zhang still prepared gifts and came to Li Youcai's side first.
Feng'an Estate was the closest estate to Phoenix Mountain Manor among the six major estates that Yu Huanhu had transferred to the Clan Head.
If one rode on horseback, leaving the estate in the morning, one could reach Phoenix Mountain Manor by evening.
Because of this convenient condition, Zhang Yunyi, as the "tester" of the six major estates, was the first to run to Phoenix Mountain Manor to "pay respects at the dock."
Li Youcai was very pleased by his arrival.
This was the first person from the six major estates and three major ranches to proactively come pay respects.
Now all the various factions were watching and waiting to see whether the young mistress of the eldest branch could become pregnant.
At this time, someone still came to give gifts. Li Youcai naturally was especially pleased.
Li Youcai used the tea lid to stir the tea leaves, calmly glancing at the small dark-locked gold-decorated box placed on the table.
This small box was one of two gifts, one and a half feet long, half a foot wide and high, with rosewood and copper corners, very exquisite.
Usually, such boxes were used to hold gold and silver.
Li Youcai judged from the sound the box made when placed on the table earlier that it should contain gold, not silver because the weights were different, that "thunk" sounded different to the ear.
If it was gold, based on this money box's volume, it should be able to hold twelve to fifteen gold cakes.
One gold cake was half a jin...
What a big gesture!
Li Youcai's heart immediately burned hot, hotter than the mouthful of hot tea he'd absent-mindedly swallowed.
He forcibly endured the pain of boiling water scalding his mouth, his face showing complete composure.
"Master Zhang, this time you've paid respects at the wrong temple and burned incense at the wrong altar."
"What does the First Steward mean by this?"
Zhang Yunyi asked with a smile. This Zhang Yunyi was nearly forty, with a good appearance. He must have been quite handsome when younger.
Li Youcai smiled slightly, "Master Zhang, you don't know. The Clan Head just appointed a Second Steward for our eldest branch. From now on, the estates and ranches transferred by Second Master will all be managed by this Second Steward."
Zhang Yunyi understood and smiled, "I see. This humble servant has already heard of this matter, but doesn't this Second Steward also have to follow your orders?"
"Eh, that's not quite right."
Li Youcai waved his hands repeatedly, "The appointment of the Second Steward isn't something I can decide. For matters, this old man and he must also discuss together."
Zhang Yunyi smiled slightly, "No matter how you discuss it, he still listens to you. I, Zhang, only recognize you, First Steward Li's golden reputation."
"You, oh you..."
Li Youcai laughed heartily and said, "Fine, since you have this intention, where care is needed, this old man will naturally put in effort. However, let's speak plainly up front. Although you're someone Second Master personally promoted, that's also your ability. But from now on, you can only serve the Clan Head loyally..."
Zhang Yunyi said seriously, "Whether it's the Clan Head or Second Master, they're both masters of the Yu family. Yunyi has never forgotten that he guards the gates and protects the manor for the Yu family."
Li Youcai smiled, "That's good, that's good. It's just that whether the young mistress is pregnant, no one knows now. People are anxious."
Zhang Yunyi smiled, "The First Steward is a capable person who can always choose a good tree to perch on. Naturally, you need to look far ahead. For someone like me, I just go with the flow at all times, so I don't have such worries."
He took a sip of tea and continued, "I only care about burning incense to you. That can't be wrong. Can't wait until there's an emergency to embrace Buddha's feet without burning incense normally..."
"Hahaha, I didn't expect Master Zhang to be such an interesting person. Hey, Laixi, come here."
Li Youcai suddenly saw Laixi carrying a bundle of split firewood heading toward the side room and quickly called him over.
Laixi put down the firewood, patted his clothes, and ran up to the hall, asking, "What are your orders, Master?"
Li Youcai said, "Go tell Chief Purchaser Zhao. When he next goes to Tianshui City, have him find a maid for me."
"Right away! After I put away the firewood, I'll go."
"Wait!"
Zhang Yunyi put down his teacup and asked, "What's this? The First Steward is short of a servant girl?"
Li Youcai said casually, "Oh, Yang Can just took up his position. He doesn't have anyone to serve him, so I gave him one of my young servants. Therefore, I'm thinking of buying another clever and obedient maid to take care of my wife."
Zhang Yunyi smiled, "I see. Why does the First Steward need to look far when there's help nearby? Leave this matter to me. In a couple of days, I'll select a slave that satisfies the First Steward and send her to the manor."
"This... isn't quite appropriate, is it?"
"Why should the First Steward be so courteous? It's just a small token of my appreciation."
This Zhang Yunyi was giving both money and people. The two immediately became much more cordial.
After chatting for another cup of tea's time, Zhang Yunyi tactfully took his leave.
Li Youcai saw Zhang Yunyi to the corridor and watched him leave the courtyard. His ear was immediately grabbed by a soft hand.
"You old thing! So that's why you gave Wangcai to Steward Yang. It was so you could buy another pretty maid, wasn't it!"
"Eh, eh, eh, wife, calm down, calm down. Don't let people see!"
Li Youcai stood on tiptoe with his head tilted as Pan Xiaowan dragged him back into the hall.
Entering the hall, Pan Xiaowan's willow eyebrows stood on end as she sneered coldly, "You old thing, you still have the leisure to buy maids!
What? Having a young girl serve you will make your old pickled radish crisp again?"
Li Youcai said awkwardly, "Wife, don't speak so loudly, don't speak so loudly. If people hear, how can I, Li, face anyone in the future?"
Lady Xiaowan pushed him, causing Li Youcai to stumble. She put her hands on her slender waist and snorted coldly, "This old lady was a fresh young girl who ended up marrying an old coffin filler like you! And you won't let people talk about it? I advise you, with that spare money, you'd better buy some tiger bone wine to drink. Otherwise, when you're supposed to exert yourself, you're like a toad gasping for breath, all noise and no action."
Li Youcai's old face turned completely red, but his body really wasn't... wasn't really... didn't really work anymore.
The more inadequate he was, the more inferior he felt in front of his young delicate wife. The more inferior he felt, the more inadequate he became.
It got to the point where he was now even afraid to share a bed with his delicate wife, fearing she would demand intimacy.
As for buying a pretty maid, he felt no pressure.
His own wife, he had a responsibility to satisfy, but a purchased slave was just an object in his house. He didn't need to care about this little maid's feelings!
Pan Xiaowan's words made Li Youcai's face burn. He said meekly, "Wife, you've truly misunderstood your husband. Do you think Zhang Yunyi came here for what reason? Was it really to find a backer and latch onto someone powerful?"
"What do you mean?"
"Wife, it's still uncertain whether the young mistress is pregnant. Who would spare no expense to latch onto someone at this time?
Feng'an Estate is right outside Phoenix Mountain. That's Second Master's best eye watching the Clan Head."
Pan Xiaowan's eyes rolled, "He came to recruit you for Second Master?"
Li Youcai praised, "Wife, you're so clever and intelligent! Your man is the First Steward of the eldest branch. Even if the eldest branch is dismantled, your man will still have good prospects. This Zhang Yunyi saw this clearly, which is why he wants to recruit me for Second Master."
Pan Xiaowan grew somewhat nervous, "You're not really thinking of pledging loyalty to Second Master, are you? The Clan Head has treated you quite well. This kind of betrayal, once you do it once, it becomes worthless. If you take the wrong path, pledge to the wrong person..."
Li Youcai waved his hand, "How could that be? Your husband naturally needs to wait and see. As long as the situation remains unclear, your husband will continue to wait for the highest bidder. But this doesn't prevent me from accepting his 'goodwill.' If I accept now and later lean toward Second Master, then your husband showed his heart to Second Master early on."
"Sending charcoal in snow versus adding flowers to brocade, the results are vastly different. If in the future your husband remains loyal to the Clan Head, then it shows I wasn't tempted by Second Master's generous benefits. As for receiving his things, that was just to deceive him."
Pan Xiaowan listened half-believing, "Fine, this old lady will believe you this once. If you, you old thing, lie to me, if your own field is parched and smoking while you're out making trouble elsewhere, hmph!"
"I wouldn't, I wouldn't. How could I?"
As Li Youcai spoke, he thought to himself, with how fast I work, faster than you can imagine, by the time you discover it, that would be a miracle.
Li Youcai pointed at the two boxes on the table, "Look, if your man wasn't capable, would these gifts flow in like water? Wife, quickly put them away..."
With Li Youcai's words, he finally diverted Pan Xiaowan's attention.
Pan Xiaowan opened the two boxes. One, as Li Youcai expected, contained neatly stacked gold cakes.
In the other box, however, was a beautifully polished "horn vessel" that had taken on a jade-like color.
The now semi-transparent horn contained pale red liquid. Removing the stopper, the scent of medicinal wine rushed forth.
Li Youcai said with pleasure, "Medicinal wine?"
Pan Xiaowan, however, raised her eyebrows and thought to herself, giving this good stuff to the old thing would be a complete waste.
Let me take some back and try it on young Master Yang to test its quality.
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