Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 79 Under the Table
"Yunyi greets you, young master."

Although Zhang Yunyi was somewhat surprised, he quickly stepped forward and bowed to Rui.

At the same time, he was anxiously thinking, why did the eldest son of the second branch of the family suddenly come to my Feng'an Manor?

On that day, Second Master Yu hastily returned the property to the clan leader, without even giving us a word of explanation.

Now, his eldest son has suddenly arrived. Could it be...?

Zhang Yunyi was thinking hard when Yu Rui jumped off his horse and stepped forward with a smile to help him up.

“Master Zhang, please rise. There’s no need for such formality.”

Zhang Yunyi stood up respectfully and asked, "Young master, what brings you here? This caravan..."

Yu Rui smiled and said, "Oh, it wasn't exactly a caravan. I was going to Liangzhou on some business and bought some things along the way."

Originally, we were planning to return to Dailai City from here, but we were too tired from the journey, so we thought we'd rest at Feng'an Village.

Zhang Yunyi sneered inwardly, thinking that Yang Can's real intentions were not what they seemed, but rather that he was after the suddenly famous Yang Can!
Yu Rui looked Zhang Yunyi up and down a few times and said with a smile, "I heard that some of the managers in your manor are not very capable and have dragged you down with them."

However, your uncle only demoted you from the head of the manor to the deputy head, presumably to make you atone for your sins.

Perhaps it won't be long before you become the ruler of Feng'an again.

Zhang Yunyi gave a forced smile: "Then I'll take your kind words, young master. Shall we head to Feng'an Fort now?"

Yu Rui laughed and said, "Yes, our Steward Yang has successively improved the plow and waterwheel, making him famous throughout the world."

He is truly a rare talent! Since I am passing through this place, of course I must meet him.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunyi's gaze darkened further.

……

Yang Can brought Leopard Third Master, Bald Falcon Evil, and Ba Li Mo back to the fortified village and immediately sent someone to inform Qing Mei to settle them.

In this Feng'an Fort, the guesthouse where Yang Can used to stay was the best, but now it has been burned to the ground.

However, there are several guest rooms in the castle, which can accommodate even more guests.

Qingmei was busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet and didn't have time to do everything herself, so she asked her little nun to help.

"Sister Jingyao, I'll leave the arrangements for the guesthouse to you."

"It's nothing, don't worry."

Dugu Jingyao readily agreed.

She wore a lacquered gauze canopy so that others wouldn't see her buzz cut.

When he saw Dugu Jingyao, even the well-informed Third Master Leopard couldn't help but hold his breath.

The woman exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura, as pure and flawless as a fairy from another world.

Could a maid in Yang Can's household really possess such a serene and ethereal temperament?
Third Master Leopard couldn't help but feel a surge of desire. That pure, noble, and aloof aura made him want to pull her into the mortal world of desires!

However, the flames of desire that had ignited in his eyes quickly dimmed.

Leopard no longer has the means to drag people down to the mortal world.

I was too unrestrained when I was young, and now I've tried everything, but nothing works.

No matter what method you use, it remains as soft as the "hairy crawfish" on a jujube leaf.

He hates women!

As for Tuofa Junxie and Balimo, they were only slightly surprised by Dugu Jingyao's charm, and then they put it aside.

They're both swamped with legal troubles right now; they don't have time to appreciate women.

There are many ways and techniques to accommodating guests, and doing so improperly can be considered impolite.

Therefore, Qingmei couldn't leave on her own, so she could only entrust the matter to Dugu Jingyao, whom she trusted greatly.

After making arrangements for the three guests and their attendants, Dugu Jingyao prepared to return to make incense.

She took several graceful steps, and then saw two maids leading two guests over.

Dugu Jingyao took a closer look and was immediately taken aback.

She darted away and hid behind a clump of flowers and trees.

Zhang Yunyi accompanied Yu Rui, the heir of Dailai City, as they walked slowly.

Yu Rui smiled and instructed the maid, "There's no need to look for anyone else. This manor originally belonged to Master Zhang. Master Zhang's arrangements are sufficient."

Dugu Jingyao hid behind the flowers and watched in surprise as the two walked by.

"It really is him, Yu Ziming? What's he doing at Feng'an Village?"

Oh no, he recognizes me! If he sees me...

My cravings have ruined me!

"Or... I'll talk to Yang Can and suggest we just hide away in a nunnery."

Dugu Jingyao's heart was pounding with anxiety, and her delicate palms, as soft as apricots, were sweating.

……

Today is another day for Chef Zhu to shine.

Smoke billowed from the kitchen, and Chef Zhu's copper ladle struck the iron wok with a resounding rhythm.

The guests that the master of the manor is hosting today are all of very high status.

Yu Sanye (Yu Xiaobao), the falcon evil master of the bald-haired tribe, Yu Rui, the young master of Dailai City, and Ba Limo, the leader of the Ba Li tribe.

Zhang Yunyi, the former local tyrant of Feng'an Village, could only sit at the very end of the table on such an occasion.

The ingredients used in the dishes are all of excellent quality.

To prepare for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Rena, who was in charge of purchasing, bought a large quantity of exquisite ingredients.

Zhu Weipeng was already a "skilled cook," and now with "good rice," this meal was naturally impeccable.

Unfortunately, although the food and wine were delicious, the people at the table were not really interested in it.

As the host, Yang Can's laughter enlivened the entire venue.

He raised his cup from time to time, toasting Third Master Leopard, Young Master Yu, the two Xianbei leaders, and Assistant Manager Zhang Yunyi...

That was comprehensive, leaving nothing out.

And every time he offered a toast, it was when Third Master Leopard was subtly trying to trick him with words.

It was as precise as playing "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" on a stringed instrument, without missing a single note.

If Yang Can played this, pshaw!
Even a dog wouldn't listen.

Leopard Third Master seemed completely oblivious to Yang Can's deliberate avoidance, continuing to smile and subtly probe from time to time. If you ask too many questions, you're bound to let something slip.

Bald Falcon was very gentlemanly tonight.

When he faced Balimo at the dinner table, there was none of the tense atmosphere he had shown before.

But whenever his gaze fell on Ba Limo, a subtle, cold glint would flash across his eyes.

Its spirit was just like that of a crocodile lurking in the water.

At the end of the session, he acted out of character, as if his manic temper had miraculously disappeared without any medicine.

He sat there calmly, sipping his wine in a manner completely out of character for a man from the grasslands.

It was as if it weren't wine, but a cup of fragrant tea.

He knew that his undeserved misfortune was far from over, and one wrong move could bring him utter destruction.

Yu Rui sat calmly, rarely raising his glass even to his third uncle.

But no matter who toasts him, he always holds the glass with both hands, displaying impeccable manners.

His sole purpose in coming here was to target Yang Can.

He even made a trip to Liangzhou first to buy some goods from the Western Regions, and then entered Feng'an Fort under the pretext of passing through.

Will doing this completely dispel my uncle's suspicions?
Of course not, but at least there is an impeccable reason.

Otherwise, if he sneaks in secretly or approaches Yang Can without any reason, it will put Yang Can in a difficult position.

He wanted to win over Yang Can because Yang Can was becoming increasingly useful, and he certainly couldn't let Yang Can fall into a predicament.

Therefore, in front of this group of guests, each with their own ulterior motives, he could only treat Yang Can the same way he treated everyone else: neither close nor distant.

Of the six, Zhang Yunyi was the most composed.

It seems this shipment is quite extraordinary; even the leaders of the Bald Hair Tribe and the Bald Power Tribe have come.

Okay, that's great!
The more important this shipment is, the less likely Master Shan will let it go.

He just needed to patiently wait for "Master Shan" to contact him, and then skillfully entice Yang Can towards him.

Then, he could reap the benefits without doing anything.

Thinking this way, Master Zhang laughed even more happily.

He always stood up at the most opportune moment to pour a full glass for everyone else.

Southerners prefer light rice wine, while northerners prefer stronger milk wine.

The mellow milk wine flowed into their stomachs, fermenting their different calculations.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the lively conversation, each of them aspired to be the spider firmly seated in the center.
Yet they were all pretending to be moths that had inadvertently stumbled in.

……

"Drinking this alcohol is really damn tiring."

As soon as he got back to the bedroom, Yang Can threw himself onto the tatami mat.

The loosened collar revealed sweat stains on her collarbone.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, those fake smiling faces still flashing before his eyes.

There are only six people. If this were a group, there would be at least eighteen.

They're all so cunning and resourceful.

As Yang Can was sighing, he suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance.

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by a snowy spring scene.

Rena Bair approached with a cup of sobering tea, her gauze dress barely concealing her ample bosom.

After the embarrassment of herbal medicine bursting open last time, this outfit only made her look even more breathtaking.

She's only eighteen or nineteen, how come she's developed so well?

Suddenly, Yang Can no longer felt tired; he felt he could still struggle a little longer.

"Help me up..."

Yang Can gave the order, and Rena obediently stepped forward to help him up.

Closer still, Yang Can's Adam's apple bobbed, and just as he was about to speak, a warm porcelain cup was already at his lips.

Yang Can had no choice but to drink tea while holding Rena's soft hand.

A fragrance not belonging to tea wafts to the nose, while a smooth and soft color dazzles the eye.

The aroma of tea intertwines with the fragrance of a young woman, creating an effect even more intoxicating than aged wine.

Yang Can drank the tea in one gulp, like a cow chewing on a peony. Just as he was about to say something more, Rena's skirt swirled in a graceful arc as she turned and went to put the tea on the table.

"Master, there is something I would like to tell you."

Rena took the opportunity to stand by the table, a good eight steps away from Yang Can.

"what's up?"

"Starting tomorrow, could you please ask the master to arrange for two more maids to serve you?"

With a "clack," Master Yang's face darkened.

"why?"

"Because the maid is busy."

The Persian cat raised its paw and smoothed the hair at its temples, just like a cat elegantly licking its paw.

"This servant is pondering what kind of business we can do with the resources and connections that Feng'an Manor has, what scale we can initially achieve, and where we can sell our products."

"Sigh, there are so many things to consider beforehand. To succeed on the first try, this isn't something that can be done on a whim, sir."

"Makes sense!"

Upon hearing the word "money," Yang Can's romantic thoughts vanished instantly.

The light in his eyes immediately turned the color of copper coins.

If he doesn't find a way to increase his income, his money won't last until the autumn harvest.

What are beautiful women and painted faces compared to the wealth of this scoundrel? They're all worthless.

Master Yang immediately straightened his attitude. In this world, the most seductive things are still gold and silver.

(End of this chapter)