Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 22 He Came Bathed in Light
Yu Huanhu clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to everyone, saying in a clear voice, "In the past few years, because my elder brother has been ill, he has handed over six estates, more than 50,000 mu of fertile land, and three pastures to Huanhu to manage."

Since taking over these businesses, Huan Hu has worked diligently and conscientiously, never daring to be careless or negligent.

The various branches of the family know very well how well these estates and pastures have fared under Huan Hu's management, and I have done right by Huan Hu for the Yu family.

Now, to avoid suspicion, Huan Hu returned all these properties to his elder brother.

All the tenants and servants who were attached to these estates and pastures were also returned.

Huan Hu then secluded himself in Dailai City and never again concerned himself with family affairs.

These words immediately caused an uproar in the room.

Yu Xinglong's expression changed, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade him, saying, "Second brother, why did you have to do this? Why did you have to do this?"

"I only wanted to find out the truth about Ye'er's death, but I never doubted you. Why did you have to..."

Yu Huanhu interrupted him, saying, "Brother, of course I believe you. But, gossip is a fearsome thing!"

Yu Huanhu glanced at Suo Hong with a cold smile, then raised his voice and said, "Now that someone claims I murdered the eldest son of the Yu family for my own selfish gain, then I will voluntarily hand over these properties and live in seclusion in Dailai City from now on. That should prove Huanhu's innocence, right? Ha, hahaha..."

Yu Huanhu laughed bitterly, tossed his sleeves, and turned to leave: "Brother, Huanhu is off now. All the registers for the estates and pastures will be delivered later!"

"Second brother, second brother, you... sigh, why did you do this to yourself!" Yu Xinglong couldn't catch up and could only stomp his foot, looking annoyed.

Yu Xiaobao was overjoyed at the sight. Regardless of whether his second brother's move was a strategic retreat, it was a great opportunity for him.

Managing such a large family is very demanding.

If the eldest brother had not been sickly and weak with limited energy, why would he have gradually handed over so many businesses to the second brother?
Now that my second brother has handed these businesses back, and my eldest brother doesn't have the energy to manage them, then what about me...?

"Invisible Man" Third Master Leopard immediately darted out.

"Big brother, big brother, second brother has always had a fiery temper. Big brother, don't take it to heart. After a while, second brother will calm down and be fine."

Although Second Brother has relinquished his responsibilities, there's still your Third Brother, me. I'll share the burden, so you don't need to worry too much.

Seeing Yu Henghu leave in a huff, and in exchange for the return of the six fertile estates and three ranches, Yu Xinglong knew he couldn't press the matter any further and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

He glanced at Yu Xiaobao and sighed, "Third brother, you should persuade your second brother more often. The foundation of our Yu family's hundreds of years of history can only be stable and lasting if we, the same clan and people, work together."

Yu Xiaobao was overjoyed, thinking that his elder brother had agreed to let him help manage the business. He hurriedly replied, "Don't worry, elder brother. Second brother is just like that. I will persuade him."

Suo Hong and Suo Chanzhi exchanged a glance, and Suo Hong said with feigned sullenness, "The clan head said that Second Master Yu is not the murderer. Could it be that he really suspects that someone from my Suo family used underhanded means?"

Yu Xinglong said with a wry smile, "Brother Suo, our two families are bound by marriage. We share both prosperity and adversity. How could the murderer who killed Chengye possibly be from the Suo family?"

Yang Can was a trusted advisor to Cheng Ye, and was simply overwhelmed with grief over Cheng Ye's death.

Furthermore, he is unaware of the deep historical ties between our two families, hence his wild and nonsensical ramblings. Brother Suo, please do not take offense.”

After Yu Xinglong finished speaking, he said to Yang Can in a serious tone, "Yang Can, why don't you quickly apologize to Master Suo?"

Yang Can remained as straightforward as ever: "Master, my suspicions are based on evidence..."

"Shut up and apologize!"

"Master, the young master has died tragically, and the real culprit is still a mystery. Our Yu family's chief guard commander, who was originally innocent, has become the scapegoat."

Now the patriarch wants his subordinates to apologize to the Suo family? The subordinates are not satisfied! Absolutely not satisfied!

Yu Xinglong said, "Cheng Dakuan failed to protect his master, so what else is there to say? Shouldn't I punish him slightly?"

"Go to the water dungeon and bring him out in a moment. Now, apologize to Master Suo immediately."

Yang Can hesitated for a moment before walking towards Suo Hong, looking as if he had no choice but to bow his head for the sake of Leopard Head.

Master Su waved his hand impatiently and said, "No thanks, no thanks, I don't want to suffer... huh?"

Then Yang Can walked past Master Suo, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to Suo Chanzhi:
“Young Madam, I am also deeply saddened by the death of the young master. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

A slight blush rose on Suo Chanzhi's fair, jade-like face. She wasn't quite sure if the "collision" Yang Can mentioned was actually a collision.

The bastard had a wicked look on his face when he spoke to her; it didn't seem like he was talking about conflict.

"Ahem! Fine, considering your loyalty to my late husband, I won't pursue the matter further. You may leave."

"Young Madam is so magnanimous, I am deeply grateful. I will take my leave now."

Yang Can turned around and bowed to Yu Xinglong with clasped hands, saying, "I take my leave."

Then he left Mingde Hall and headed straight for the water dungeon.

Suo Hong awkwardly withdrew his hand, which had been raised in the air, and stroked his beard to cover up his embarrassment: "Ahem! I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to fear from others."

"But my poor niece is now married into your Yu family. Master Yu, you mustn't mistreat her."

Yu Xinglong said, "Brother Suo, you can rest assured. Chanzhi is already the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Yu family, and that will never change. I will certainly not mistreat her."

Suo Hong sighed and said, "I hope that heaven will have mercy and allow Chanzhi to leave Chengye with a son or daughter, so that... this poor child will not be too lonely in the future."

"Yes, I hope so!" Yu Xinglong agreed with a smile, but a shadow quietly rose in his heart.

Is Suo Chanzhi really pregnant?

Is that child really my son Chengye's? ...

Yu Huanhu left Mingde Hall in a huff without waiting for the ancestral worship ceremony the next day, and immediately went down the mountain.

The car bumped along, and Yu Huanhu leaned against the soft backrest, swaying gently with the bumps, his eyes slightly closed, saying nothing.

Accompanying him to Phoenix Villa was his second son, Yu Ming, who was looking furious.

"Father, just because they say we're the murderer, does that mean we're the murderer? Returning the six estates and three ranches, while it won't necessarily damage our family's strength, would be too easy on them."

Yu Huanhu closed his eyes and said quietly, "If they don't agree, what should we do?"

Yu Mingdao: "What do you mean, what should we do? Does Uncle still dare to kill Father?"
If he dares to make a move, my elder brother is stationed in Dailai City; he'll immediately rebel against him.

"But what if he didn't kill your father, but instead placed him under house arrest on Phoenix Mountain? And then made up an excuse, saying it was just to find out the truth and clear your father's name!"

Yu Huanhu opened his eyes and stared intently at his son: "But the truth will never be found out. What should we do?"

Yu Ming was taken aback, and stammered, "This... Uncle... he can't be like this, can he?"

Yu Huanhu smiled faintly: "Not at all? Hehe, he already hinted at that earlier in Mingde Hall."

"If it weren't for my quick thinking and his indecisive nature, by now... humph!"

Yu Ming listened in silence, then irritably tugged at his collar.

Yu Huanhu sighed and said, "Since your uncle has made such a big fuss, he doesn't even bother to investigate the real culprit who killed his son, but instead tries to pin the blame on your father. If we don't cut off a piece of fat meat to feed him, I won't be able to leave."

Yu Ming said with shame, "Yes, I was too naive."

Yu Huanhu narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "However, even when Chengye was alive, your uncle didn't have the energy to manage these affairs, let alone now?"

He tucked his hands into his sleeves, a mocking look on his face: "Besides, the managers of those estates and ranches are all my men."

Your uncle has taken over, but it's not something that can be easily replaced by just anyone. Especially…”

Yu Huanhu smiled contentedly and said, "Spring plowing is just around the corner. Should he make a big fuss about the managers of the various farms at this time?"

If we don't touch them, it will be difficult to touch them again later, otherwise we will inevitably be accused of being a ungrateful traitor.

If we disturb them, haha, if we delay one season of spring planting, that means we'll delay an entire year.

This farm was doing well when your father had it, but after it came back to him, the harvest this autumn was poor for everyone.

"Shouldn't he, as the clan leader, give an explanation to the entire clan?"

Yu Ming's eyes lit up immediately.

Yu Huanhu said, "Your uncle has just formed a marriage alliance with the Suo family, and because of the death of his heir, he is now in a state of panic. We cannot afford not to back down now."

However, since I've conceded this step, he can't push his luck any further.

After a pause, a hint of curiosity appeared in Yu Huanhu's eyes: "That Yang Can is a bit strange."

"Yang Can?"

"Yes, that's him. We need to investigate this person thoroughly."

……

Inside the water dungeon, Leopard Head was almost frozen stiff.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

A beam of light shone through the cell door and struck Leopard Head.

Leopard Head squinted and looked up at the stone steps.

A figure appeared at the entrance of the water dungeon and walked down the steps step by step.

Sunlight streamed from behind the man, making him appear like a god: the god of light.

He walked up to Leopard Head and bent down slightly.

Only then did Leopard Head see the newcomer's appearance clearly; it was none other than Yang Can.

Leopard Head Ge Ran's eyes widened: "Yang...Master Yang?"

His muscles were frozen stiff, and even uttering those words was difficult.

Yang Can smiled and said, "Brother Cheng, I said that as long as the clan leader sees me, you will be safe. Now, the clan leader has seen me."

Leopard Head's dark eyes widened instantly: "Master Yang, you...you mean?"

"That's right, you can go out now."

In an instant, Leopard Head Cheng Dakuan burst into tears: "Go...go through fire and water, Master Yang!"

From inside the water dungeon came a hoarse, trembling cry that seemed to come from the very soul.

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(End of this chapter)