Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 37 Fighting the Tiger
Upon entering the inner room, Pan Xiaowan did not rush to fetch the wine.

Her steps suddenly became lighter, as if she were walking on stars.

This is "Yu Bu," a more ancient and unique gait than the circular steps or cloud steps in traditional Chinese opera.

It is a dance step created by ancient shamans, which is now almost lost.

She moved forward as if gliding, sideways as if floating, and then with a graceful turn, she glided right to the front of the carved wardrobe.

Madam Pan opened the closet, changed her clothes, and then floated to the dressing table to touch up her makeup beautifully.

The mirror reflected a beautiful face, with eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waters; she was at the perfect age, like "twenty years of peach and plum blossoms in spring breeze."

Next, she picked up the eyebrow pencil and carefully drew her eyebrows. Then she took out some rouge, dabbed a little with her fingertip, and pressed it onto her lips.

Her lips were slightly pursed into a line, and when they returned to their full, petal-like shape, their color was as vibrant as peach blossoms.

She pouted, blew a kiss to her reflection in the mirror, and then took out a sachet from the bottom of her makeup box.

She first took something out of the sachet, gently tore it open, then put it back into the sachet, and then hung the sachet around her waist.

Finally, she tightened the gold hairpin in front of the mirror, then took out the ox horn wine and gracefully walked out.

After Lai Xi was sent away, there was no one to serve tea, so Yang Can could only sit idly in the chair.

After enduring for a long time, Yang Can's patience was about to run out. Just as he was about to get up, Madam Pan came out from behind the screen.

She changed into a begonia-red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the fabric of which was very light and soft, and fit her body perfectly, highlighting her waist and hips.

Her figure was truly stunning; it seemed to give shape to the air itself, flowing like water, exquisitely beautiful.

"Uncle, this is the fine medicinal wine that Master Feng'an gave to the old man. It is said to be extremely nourishing."

Pan Xiaowan's voice was three parts softer and three parts more alluring than usual.

The disdain and impatience he showed towards Yang Can in front of Li Youcai were gone.

She brought over the large ox horn, which had been soaked and was now as smooth and translucent as jade.

He placed it on the table beside Yang Can, then turned around and fetched two jade-colored cups as thin as cicada wings.

"The more incompetent that old man is, the more afraid he is of people finding out that he is incompetent. For the sake of his reputation, he actually gave you all the wine."

I've heard this wine is excellent for strengthening the body and replenishing vital energy. Sister-in-law, would it be alright if you tried a cup?

Yang Can said awkwardly, "Of course it's possible."

Pan Xiaowan smiled and pulled out the horn stopper, then poured two glasses of wine.

She picked up two glasses of wine, gracefully walked over to Yang Can, and handed him one.

Yang Can was about to stand up when Madam Pan stopped him with a look.

She bent over with a smile, looking at Yang Can, and handed him the cup with her fingers painted with nutmeg.

The pale red liquid in the glass exudes a fragrance of wine and medicine.

The wine swirled in the glass, and the light in Madam Pan's eyes shimmered as well.

Those eyes were deep and dark, as if they could drown a person.

Yang Can took the wine glass, and Madam Pan took the initiative to clink glasses with him, her red lips slightly parted: "Uncle, please drink this glass with your sister-in-law."

Yang Can swirled the glass, lowered his head to sniff it, looking completely absorbed, but he didn't drink it.

Madam Pan chuckled and gave him a playful glare: "Are you worried someone will drug you? Really."

She said reproachfully, slowly raising the cup higher, all the way above her head, then tilting her head back and opening her mouth.

With a tilt of the glass, a stream of wine was precisely poured into her mouth.

Madam Pan poured the entire glass of wine into her mouth before looking at Yang Can with a mocking expression.

Yang Can breathed a sigh of relief and then drank the wine in one gulp.

Madam Pan stepped forward and winked at Yang Can: "How's this wine?"

"tasty."

Madam Pan took another step forward: "Then... does it have the effect of strengthening the foundation and nourishing the source?"

As she spoke, her hand naturally landed on Yang Can's shoulder, her eyes glancing sideways, overflowing with spring-like affection.

Yang Can said with a wry smile, "Sister-in-law, even if this wine is medicinal, it's still just wine. It won't have such a quick effect."

Madam Pan chuckled, "That's true, it's just that they're impatient."

She had just taken two steps forward, and since she was facing Yang Can directly, she had now moved between Yang Can's legs.

Yang Can was sitting while she was standing. If Yang Can looked up, the view would be awkward, so she had to lower her gaze.

But then he saw a slender waist as supple as a snake.

A purple silk sash was tied around her waist, from which a sachet hung.

The fragrance was quite pleasant.

Yang Can suddenly felt that his eyes were staring blankly, and what was worse was that it wasn't just his eyes that were staring blankly.

He didn't know that the wine hadn't been tampered with; the sachet hanging from Madam Wan's waist was the weapon she used against him.

The herbs in this sachet are also a kind of medicine, and a particularly effective one made by a shaman.

At this moment, Madam Pan was standing, while Yang Can was sitting.

Madam Pan was so close that the sachet hanging from her waist was practically right under Yang Can's nose.

Otherwise, with the aroma of wine and medicine masking it, Yang Can wouldn't have been able to smell the unique fragrance from that sachet.

Madam Wan chuckled as she looked at Yang Can. She had already realized that this little devil had finally fallen for her trap.

She originally intended to proceed gradually, and she would be even happier if it was a mutually agreeable arrangement.

Unfortunately, although this young man is young, he is quite determined. If she takes things slowly, who knows how long it will take. She has been flirting with this handsome young advisor for more than three months, and she doesn't want to wait any longer.

"despair!"

Madam Wan snatched the empty cup from Yang Can's hand, placed it on the table, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

……

Yang Can woke up when the rooster crowed at dawn.

Last night, just when the sword was about to strike, Yang Can finally escaped.

To be honest, who wouldn't like a beauty like Madam Wan? But ultimately, because of her status, Yang Can didn't dare to be presumptuous.

Especially now that he's in the eldest son's house and faces a life-or-death crisis, whether getting involved with such a shrewish woman is a blessing or a curse, he's not sure.

The drug that Madam Xiaowan used was aphrodisiac. In her mind, a vigorous young man and a beautiful woman like herself, plus the effect of the drug, wouldn't it be a natural progression?
However, Yang Can thought that there were spies everywhere in the eldest son's house, and if things were exposed, not to mention the great calamity ten months later, he would probably be ruined immediately.

Besides, isn't Suo Chanzhi attractive too?

His worries about Pan Xiaowan's uncontrollable nature, coupled with Suo Chanzhi's stunning beauty, helped him maintain a sliver of clarity, ultimately allowing him to leave at the crucial moment.

Waking up now and recalling that time, it's impossible for him not to have any lingering thoughts.

But considering the possible consequences, he still felt that it was the right choice to avoid getting involved with her.

In fact, Pan Xiaowan is the wife of Chief Steward Li. If Yang Can could make her his close confidante, it would definitely benefit Yang Can's expansion of power in the eldest branch of the family.

However, this honey may not be without poison hidden inside.

Yang Can was unaware that Pan Xiaowan had another identity; he simply instinctively felt that her boldness and initiative suggested she was not someone to be trifled with.

Not long after Yang Can woke up and finished washing up, Madam Pan sent Lai Xi to bring him breakfast.

She sent Lai Xi with the breakfast she had carefully prepared. Thinking about his heartless departure last night, Pan Xiaowan felt a mixture of hatred and love in her heart.

Pan Xiaowan hadn't expected that Yang Can would resist her temptation last night.

She spent half the night feeling frustrated and resentful, but her mindset changed.

Originally, she simply took a liking to Yang Can at first sight and wanted to find a lover.

She didn't have any ulterior motives towards Yang Can.

She approached Yang Can without intending to use him for anything.

Because she simply didn't think that Yang Can could become such an important figure in the Yu family's eldest branch and even the entire Yu family.

She simply liked this handsome young master and wanted to establish the purest... simplest relationship with him.

Her life was already complicated; she had emotions; she was a person of flesh and blood.

She also longs for a place where she can sometimes let go of all her burdens and have complete relaxation.

Ever since she saw Yang Can, she felt that she had found the right person.

That man was just the way she wanted him.

As a result, he rejected her.

However, it was precisely because Yang Can rejected her that she began to think more highly of him.

However, she was not going to give up so easily, nor was she convinced of her own charm. Madam Xiaowan was very confident in herself.

She firmly believed that this little devil would be hers sooner or later.

Only after seeing Lai Xi carrying the food box out of the courtyard gate did Madam Xiao Wan turn her gaze away.

As her gaze shifted, she saw a branch of red apricot blossoms peeking over the wall from the apricot tree in the corner.

Madam Xiaowan smiled, her smile as sweet as the apricot blossoms on the branch.

……

Yang Can felt a warmth in his heart when he saw the breakfast that Madam Xiao Wan had sent via Lai Xi.

Any man would feel guilty for failing a beautiful woman.

However, this favor from the beauty is too heavy, especially considering the responsibility of Steward Li Youcai.

"Uh... Lai Xi, please thank Madam Pan for me."

Lai Xi said with a smile, "Alright, Mr. Yang, have breakfast first, and I'll come back to clean up later."

"No need, no need. I'll have Wangcai wash the dishes and take them back later."

Lai Xi agreed and went back. The breakfast was a good mix of meat and vegetables, and tasted quite delicious.

Yang Can ate most of his breakfast and was about to call Wangcai in to clean up before returning the food box.

Before he could even call out, Wangcai ran in first.

"Master, we have a guest."

"guest?"

Yang Can was taken aback. He had just taken office; what kind of guests could be visiting him?
"Clean up the dishes and utensils, wash them clean, and take them to Madam Pan's place."

Yang Can gave the order before heading towards the main room.

Inside the main room, a tall figure stood there proudly, looking up at a painting on the wall.

This person had an earth-yellow headband tied in a hero's knot at the back of his head.

He held a goose-feather saber in his hand, his feet planted neither too far to the side nor too far to the side, his posture steady and imposing, exuding an air of grandeur.

Judging from his domineering aura and recalling his intimate moment with Madam Pan last night, Yang Can was afraid that if he suddenly turned around, he would reveal the face of Zhu Yanping or Ding Haifeng.

Then he suddenly dropped another line: "Sister-in-law, Wu Er has something to say!"

(End of this chapter)