Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 132 News from Jiangnan
Pan Xiaowan sat in front of the dressing mirror, being carefully dressed by her maid with her silver tongue.

First, she put a pair of snow-white rabbit-shaped hand warmers on her hands. The rabbit fur was fluffy and soft, making her fingertips look even more slender.

Then she wrapped herself in a glossy mink collar, the warm fur covering half of her pretty face, revealing only her bright eyes.

Finally, she put on the gray squirrel fur cloak with stone carvings and green silk trim. The cloak's hem reached her ankles, and the fur swayed gently as she walked, exuding both elegance and a touch of alluring liveliness.

"Madam, you're sure to turn heads wherever you go today," Qiaoshe said with a smile as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her cloak.

Pan Xiaowan looked at herself in the mirror, smiled with satisfaction, and then gracefully walked out.

She had heard that the Kunlun Huizhan store across the street specialized in selling exotic goods from both the north and south, and today she was planning to go there to pick out a few soft cashmere carpets and some exquisite tapestries from the Western Regions to make her room more elegant.

As soon as she stepped out of the second gate, a gust of cold wind blew over, carrying snowflakes. Pan Xiaowan subconsciously pulled her cloak tighter around herself, only to see a figure quickly approaching. It was none other than the newly arrived Granny Mu from the manor.

"Is Madam going out?" Granny Mu asked with a smile on her face, but her tone was deliberately warm.

Pan Xiaowan glanced at her, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, then waved to the clever woman beside her: "You go and wait in front, I need to say a few words to the nanny."

The silver tongue retreated in response, its figure disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Pan Xiaowan's smile vanished instantly, her expression turned cold, and her voice deepened: "Speak, you'd better have something important to say, or you'll delay me from leaving."

This Granny Mu was no ordinary servant. When Li Youcai was promoted to the position of External Affairs Steward, he also received a large mansion in Tianshui City. He needed to hire some maids and servants to manage the household affairs, and Granny Mu was selected at that time.

In reality, she was sent by Pan Xiaowan's family.

Thinking back to the family's original arrangements, Pan Xiaowan couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.

They went to great lengths to place her next to Li Youcai, which was the best strategy they could think of at the time.

If one wanted to have direct contact with Yu Chengye, let alone become a concubine, even just a personal maid would require going through layers of rigorous investigation, making it impossible to hide anything.

Li Youcai, however, was different; he was the head steward of Yu Chengye's household.

Before Yu Chengye becomes the head of the family, he places people around Li Youcai. When Yu Chengye takes control of the family in the future, Li Youcai will surely rise in rank as well.

Just like those strategists who invest in the Crown Prince's court in advance and wait for the right opportunity.

But who would have thought that Yu Chengye would die just as the plan was about to unfold?

Li Youcai was crippled like a roc with broken wings, and the meticulously planned infiltration operation was put on hold.

The family accepted the loss, and Pan Xiaowan became an insignificant pawn.

Pan Xiaowan thought she had finally broken free from the constraints of her family and could live a peaceful life in this mansion.

Unexpectedly, Li Youcai made a comeback and became the Yu family's external affairs steward.

Now, Li Youcai has access to resources and information that cover almost the entire Yu family.

Suddenly, Pan Xiaowan, this "useless child," became useful again, and the family immediately sent Granny Mu over.

On the surface, Granny Mu was serving her, but in reality, she acted as a liaison, relaying instructions and monitoring her movements.

Anyone would be unhappy to have such a "spy" around, so it's no wonder that Pan Xiaowan didn't give Granny Mu a friendly look.

Granny Mu seemed oblivious to her coldness, still smiling apologetically, her voice even lower: "Madam, please don't be angry. It's just that my family has run into some trouble. After thinking it over, I have no choice but to ask for your help."

As she spoke, she looked around to make sure no one was nearby before whispering the mission from her family to Pan Xiaowan, word by word.

There are three tasks in total:
First, she was tasked with secretly investigating the Yu family's economic dealings, military deployments, and the intricate relationships between various factions within the family, leaving no detail overlooked.

Secondly, we need to find ways to use covert means to stir up conflicts among all parties.

Whether it's the external conflict between the Suo family and the Yu family, or the internal disputes between the Yu family's main lineage and the second lineage, and between the eldest son's branch and other branches.

Even the power struggles between the various chief deacons can be exploited whenever the opportunity arises, plunging the Yu family into internal strife.

Thirdly, it is to seek opportunities to weaken Yu Jia.

Now that Li Youcai is in charge of the Yu family's mining, workshops and crafts, she wants to take advantage of her close relationship with Li Youcai to mislead the Yu family into making wrong decisions in future operations, thereby weakening the Yu family's power from the root.

Although these tasks do not have a clear time limit and there is no need to rush, the family will certainly not be satisfied if there is no progress for a long time.

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Pan Xiaowan's enthusiasm for going out shopping.

She had been enjoying the snowy scenery, but now she felt a heavy weight in her heart, and even the warm cloak she was wearing seemed to have lost its warmth.

"Okay, you can leave now." Pan Xiaowan waved her hand, her voice revealing undisguised exhaustion.

Granny Mu tactfully withdrew, leaving Pan Xiaowan standing alone in the same spot.

After a long while, she sighed helplessly, pulled her cloak tighter, and walked out with a somewhat dejected expression.

Snowflakes, wrapped in fine flakes, drifted down and landed on the eaves and roof tiles, where they gently melted.

As far as the eye could see, only a few snowflakes floated sparsely in the air, making the scene seem even more desolate.

Pan Xiaowan tightened her gray squirrel fur cloak, the downy fur brushing against her fair and delicate chin, warming her nose until a faint blush appeared, before she strode towards the Kunlun Hui Inn diagonally opposite.

The quick-witted maidservant followed closely beside her, her eyes fixed on the thin frost on the ground, afraid that her mistress might slip.

If she were to fall flat on her back, the lady would inevitably lose face, so her nervousness was as if she were protecting a fragile porcelain doll.

Little did she know that this seemingly delicate and timid Madam Pan was not only a skilled martial artist, but also proficient in several nearly lost witchcraft techniques.

How could a mere path of frost and snow possibly deter her?
The indigo banner at the entrance of Kunlun Huizhan swayed gently in the wind, its frayed edges trembling with the air currents.

Upon arriving at the shop, Qiaoshe quickly lifted the curtain, and a warm feeling mixed with the scent of charcoal and pine wood rushed out, making one feel relaxed all over.

The shop assistants, with their sharp eyes, noticed a customer entering the store—a wealthy woman dressed in a gray squirrel fur cloak. They immediately dropped what they were doing and greeted her with warm smiles.

"Madam, please come inside! It's cold today, come warm your hands by the charcoal brazier!"

When the waitresses saw that a female customer had arrived, they quickly came over as well.

The hostess is in the inner hall today. She didn't get to do the housewarming party, so she has to make a good impression on the guests.

This was a beautiful Hu woman with a high nose and deep-set eyes, her hair adorned with silver ornaments. She walked up to Pan Xiaowan with a smile, bowed slightly, and asked if there was anything she liked.

"Take a look at the blanket."

Pan Xiaowan's shopping interest had been dampened by Granny Mu, and she said indifferently.

The Hu woman smiled and said, "Madam, you've come to the right place! Our Kunlun Huizhan has all kinds of tapestries, cashmere blankets, and camel wool blankets, which are soft and warm. Please follow me, Madam."

Pan Xiaowan nodded slightly and gracefully followed the Hu woman to the front of the display case.

The orchid woman deftly unfolded a tapestry, a tapestry with a distinctly Persian style.

After only a few words of introduction, seeing Pan Xiaowan's gaze fall on the carpet to the side, the Hu woman immediately put away the tapestry and began to enthusiastically introduce the carpet.

It was a long, snow-white cashmere carpet. With a gentle touch of your fingertips, you would sink into its fluffy pile, feeling the warmth even between your fingers.

The Hu woman's explanation was very detailed, from the wool-producing areas of the Western Regions to the auspicious meanings hidden in the patterns, and she didn't miss the importance of every stitch.

The woman with the silver tongue was tempted and quietly tugged at Pan Xiaowan's sleeve, lowering her voice to say, "Madam, this cashmere blanket is so soft. You can walk barefoot on it in the bedroom and I guarantee you'll feel comfortable."

Pan Xiaowan smiled faintly, thinking that with a family spy watching her every moment, the carefree feeling of walking barefoot on a plush carpet was nowhere to be found.

Pan Xiaowan sighed softly, and as she turned her head unintentionally, her gaze swept over the end of the shipping container, and she suddenly stopped.

A figure was walking past the entrance of the corridor. The person had already passed through the entrance, with only the hem of a gray-blue casual coat still swaying at the entrance.

But the raised hind leg suddenly stopped, and the person took a step back and turned to look at them.

When their eyes met, the shadow of the corridor fell on the man's eyebrows and eyes, making his eyes appear even more steady, while the high and straight outline of his nose was particularly clear in the light and shadow.

Pan Xiaowan's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and surprise rippled in them like scattered stars: "Yang...Deacon!"

Yang Can had actually heard Li Youcai mention that his newly acquired house was located on the street diagonally opposite.

When Yang Can arrived, he had already seen the plaque for the "Li Residence" and thought he should pay a visit eventually, but he did not set it for today.

He hadn't even prepared a gift for his housewarming party. What would it look like to go empty-handed? But before he even arrived, he bumped into Madam Xiaowan.

Pan Xiaowan adjusted the collar of her cloak, walked over lightly, a sweet smile on her lips, and said in a coquettish voice, "Grand Steward Yang, what a coincidence, what brings you here?"

"Sister-in-law, you are unaware of this."

Yang Can smiled and said, "This shop is co-owned by me and a few friends. Well, Brother Youcai also invested in it. So, you could say it's your shop."

"what?"

Pan Xiaowan was both surprised and amused, her eyes curving into crescents: "When did this happen? How come I had no idea?"

"I'm afraid even Brother Youcai himself doesn't know."

Yang Can shook his head helplessly: "He trusts me completely. He invested the money and then became a hands-off manager, leaving me to do all the hard work."

"Look at this heavy snow, I still have to come to the store to check on things. It's so tiring."

Pan Xiaowan didn't believe him and couldn't help but purse her lips.

Her gaze swept over several Hu women who had deliberately gathered around her; they had new flowers in their hair and delicately painted eyebrows.

Hard work? Can't you handle these wolves and tigers even if it's hard work?

Pan Xiaowan then teased, "Really? Is Steward Yang so concerned about business? He's so busy that he won't even come to my door."

"I didn't know this shop was yours. Don't you, Deacon Yang, even know which way my door faces? You didn't even bother to check on... your elder brother?"

Yang Can quickly bowed and apologized, "Please forgive me, sister-in-law. It's just that I haven't prepared the gifts or sent a visiting card yet, so it's not appropriate for me to come here so abruptly."

"Hmph! You always have something to say..." Pan Xiaowan hesitated, glancing around at the shopkeeper, Hu Ji, and the waiters—quite a few people.

Not wanting to say much, she changed the subject: "I came here today to pick out a few blankets, but I ended up wandering into my own shop..."

Yang Can immediately turned to the shopkeeper and loudly ordered, "This lady is not allowed to pay for anything she is looking at!"

Just as a hint of sweetness flashed in Pan Xiaowan's eyes, she heard him continue, "Keep all of this in the books, and deduct it from Li Youcai's account as a 'merchant' from now on."

Pan Xiaowan's smile froze instantly, but Yang Can turned to her and said with a smile, "Many people have invested in this store, so we can't let people gossip."

"If this shop belonged solely to me, even if you emptied it all out of the store, I wouldn't take a single penny from you."

Pan Xiaowan glared at him resentfully and said coquettishly, "You, you're only generous with your mouth."

As soon as she finished speaking, she burst out laughing: "Fine, I won't take advantage of you, sister-in-law."

However… I want to stay for a drink with you, sister-in-law. Surely you don't want your 'merchants' to gossip about it, do you?

"Drinking is perfectly fine," Yang Can said, raising an eyebrow. "Shall I send someone to invite my elder brother over?"

"He's not home; he probably won't be back until evening."

Pan Xiaowan waved her hand: "I'll have Qiaoshe go back and let him know in a bit. If he comes back early, we can call him over later."

Upon hearing this, Yang Can immediately instructed the shopkeeper to send someone to prepare wine and dishes, while he accompanied Pan Xiaowan to drink tea in the front hall and helped her choose a tapestry.

The silver tongue went back to the mansion to report the news, leaving only the two of them in front of the container.

Yang Can held the cashmere carpet in both hands, like a young shop assistant.

Pan Xiaowan twisted her body into three curves, her slender, fair fingers gently stroking the long, downy fabric, her voice as soft as honey.

"This cashmere blanket is so long and soft, it certainly... won't cause my knees to bruise..."

As she spoke, she gave Yang Can a flirtatious wink, as if afraid he wouldn't understand the implication in her words.

Yang Can's heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked around, but when he saw that the shopkeeper and the Hu women were not around, he breathed a sigh of relief.

But then he thought about it again and realized that something was wrong. The owner and a shareholder's wife were there. Shouldn't the manager and the staff come over and talk to them and serve them?

Why have all the people disappeared? Yang Can had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

But Pan Xiaowan's fingertips lightly brushing against the downy fur was so alluring that he couldn't focus on figuring out the key details...

……

On the official road outside Dailai City, the cold wind howled past, swirling snowflakes.

Suddenly, the silence of the wilderness was shattered by the rapid sound of horses' hooves.

More than ten riders came galloping in like arrows released from a bow.

The iron hooves rolled over the snow-covered road, splashing up clusters of white mist that quickly dispersed into fine snowflakes in the wind.

Yu Rui, the young master of Dailai City, took the lead. His steed was jet black, with only a thin layer of snow covering its four hooves. As it ran, it was like a black lightning bolt.

He wore a black fox fur cloak, its fluffy and soft fur trembling slightly in the cold wind. The collar was casually open, revealing a brocade robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns underneath, the gold trim gleaming coldly in the snow.

The curved sword hanging at his waist, its hilt inlaid with jade and agate, swayed gently with the horse's movements, refracting a mesmerizing light.

A few unmelted snowflakes clung to his temples, but they did not diminish his innate flamboyant nobility; instead, they added a touch of fierce heroism.

Alongside him were two men in their thirties.

Both men were equally skilled riders, their horses keeping pace with Yu Rui's every step, their bearing in no way inferior to his.

The man on the left is named Zhao Tengyun. He is dressed in a dark-colored outfit with a wide leather belt around his waist.

A bulging quiver hung from his belt, and a short dagger was tucked beside it, its handle wrapped with non-slip hemp rope.

This person has a cold and aloof face, and at first glance, he seems somewhat unapproachable and distant.

He was the commander of the guards of Dailai City, in charge of the city's defense, and one of Yu Rui's father Yu Huanhu's most trusted confidants.

The man on the right is named Liu Bo. He is in charge of managing all the merchant affairs in Dailai City, and also oversees the general accounting office of Dailai City.

Liu Bosheng had a fair complexion with a light beard, which was neatly trimmed. He had gentle features and a pair of long, bright eyes.

This man exuded a gentle and refined scholarly air, which contrasted sharply with Zhao Tengyun's coldness.

All three men had their day's hunt game hanging on their horses' backs:
Several plump wild rabbits were strung together with hemp rope, their furry ears drooping.

There was also a fox with glossy fur and a bushy tail, but the bloodstains on its belly had long been frozen into a dark brown by the severe cold, congealing on its snow-white fur.

More than ten riders trudged through the snow and quickly entered the city through the gate.

The main streets of the city were sparsely populated. A few passersby, seeing the impressive presence of this group, quickly moved to the side of the street to make way.

They walked along the main street for a while longer and then arrived at Yu Huanhu's "Northern Palace Villa".

The mansion gate of this villa is magnificent, with two vermilion doors that are over ten feet high and inlaid with dozens of brass rivets, each the size of a fist, which gleam heavily in the snow.

Two red lanterns hung under the eaves, their tassels covered with snow.

Just as Yu Rui reined in his horse, he saw two more horses galloping toward the mansion gate from the other side of the road.

The two knights were wrapped up tightly, their faces covered with thick cotton cloths.

Their face masks were covered with a layer of white frost from their breath, making it impossible to see their eyebrows and eyes; they had clearly been on a long-distance trip.

"Master!"

The two horses quickly arrived at the gate of the mansion. The rider dismounted hastily, and snow slid down his shoulders and back.

As they hurried forward, they casually pulled off their face masks, revealing two travel-worn faces with their cheekbones red from the cold.

When Yu Rui saw the two men clearly, his eyes lit up. These two were the spies he had sent to the Central Plains to investigate Yang Can's background.

Before the two could even bow, Yu Rui spurred his horse forward half a step, his voice filled with barely concealed urgency: "You're finally back! How did your expedition to the Central Plains go?"

(End of this chapter)