Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 82 is confusing
Zhang Yunyi's gaze fell on Shan Ye, and an indescribable disappointment welled up in his heart.

He has been working with Shan Ye to sell mountain products for a full ten years.

Over the course of ten years, they trusted each other and shared resources, yet they remained shrouded in mystery.

Zhang Yunyi had thought that tonight he could finally unveil the mystery and see the true face of Master Shan, but he never expected the other party to be so cautious.

Not only were all his attendants veiled in black cloth, but the mountain master himself wore a beautifully crafted white porcelain Nuo mask.

The mask was exquisitely crafted, with grotesque ghostly patterns outlined on a pale white background, gleaming with a cold, eerie light in the flickering candlelight.

Only a pair of unfathomable eyes were visible beneath the mask, like two pools of icy water, making one afraid to look directly at them.

“Master Zhang, we have admired each other for many years, and today we finally meet in person.”

Shanye's voice came through the mask, echoing with a slightly hoarse tone.

Zhang Yunyi forced a smile: "Indeed, it can only be considered a meeting. Master Shan, what I see before me is nothing more than a Nuo mask."

Old Man Shan chuckled softly, his laughter carrying an eerie undertone: "Knowing too much might not be a good thing for Master Zhang."

Zhang Yunyi raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.

Shan Ye suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming serious: "This shipment is extraordinary, priceless."

I specially wrote a letter asking Master Zhang to take good care of me, how could such a mistake have occurred?

Zhang Yunyi remained calm and explained in detail: "To be honest, I am no longer the owner of Feng'an Manor, so naturally I cannot mobilize the manor's staff."

After receiving Shan Ye's letter, I immediately had Wan Tai contact your convoy and specially planned a safe route that bypassed Feng'anzhuang and went straight to Canglang Gorge.

He sighed deeply, a hint of helplessness appearing between his brows: "Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes."

Who would have thought that our Feng'an Village's chieftain would secretly recruit his relatives to start a business?

They never expected to run into Shanye's convoy.

Most unexpectedly, they seemed to have discovered something they shouldn't have known, and were subsequently silenced by Master Shan's men.

The gaze beneath the mask remained unwavering, and his tone remained calm: "And then? Was that batch of goods truly stolen by the Bali tribe?"
Or has it fallen into the hands of your new manor lord, Yang Can?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunyi raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

He had assumed that Master Shan had only arrived at Feng'an Fort that night, so how could he have so much inside information so quickly? Could it be that Master Shan had already been lying in wait in the fort?
If any outsider enters the village, they will never escape his notice.

There were only a handful of guests sharing the table with him tonight…

He started cooperating with Master Shan ten years ago. At that time, the heir of Dailai City was still a child, so it could not possibly be him.

Could it be... that this mysterious Mountain Master is actually the seemingly ambitious but incompetent Leopard Master?

Zhang Yunyi's mind raced, and he suddenly realized that he seemed to have stumbled upon a shocking secret.

If Master Shan really is Master Leopard...

The thought flashed through Zhang Yunyi's mind like lightning, and he couldn't help but shiver.

Yu Xiaobao's face, always bearing a foolish smile, arrogant yet always ignored, slowly overlapped with the chilling Nuo mask before him.

Zhang Yunyi felt a chill run down his spine, and his hair stood on end.

Seeing Zhang Yunyi's dazed expression, Master Shan pressed on, "Master Zhang, I'll ask you one more time, was that shipment really robbed by the Bali tribe?"

Zhang Yunyi composed himself and calmly replied, "Master Shan, I did not personally go to Canglang Gorge, so the details are really hard to say."

However, Yang Can, Kang Zhengyang, and the others did indeed give this account when they returned from Canglang Gorge.

Shanye snorted coldly and fell into deep thought.

Zhang Yunyi's eyes flickered slightly as he slowly spoke, "However, I have always had a question in my mind."

"Oh? What's the mystery?" Uncle Shan looked at him again.

Zhang Yunyi said unhurriedly, "Usually, Master Shan's goods are first transported to Feng'an Village, where they rest for several days."

After Zhang made arrangements with the recipient, he sent someone to escort the goods to Canglang Gorge for the transaction.

However, this time, due to a change in ownership, Zhang had to devise a new route for Master Shan on the spot.

A meaningful, cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Although this road is treacherous and takes a longer route, it actually saves us time for rest and recuperation, making our journey a day faster than originally planned..."

Shanye's gaze suddenly sharpened like a knife, and he understood Zhang Yunyi's unspoken meaning.

Zhang Yun pressed his advantage: "If the Bali tribe wants to ambush Canglang Gorge in advance, they not only need to know what goods Shan Ye is transporting, but also need to know the specific arrival time."

Even Zhang himself was unaware of these things, so how could the Bali tribe have known them and been able to set up an ambush in advance?

Shanye nodded slowly: "If they hadn't scouted beforehand and hadn't set up an ambush, a few greedy herdsmen would have been no match for my more than twenty elite guards."

“That’s exactly right!” Zhang Yunyi said decisively.

The white porcelain Nuo mask narrowed its eyes slightly: "So, Master Zhang believes that Yang Can is the most suspicious?"

Zhang Yunyi smiled calmly and shook his head, saying, "My position as the head of the manor was taken over by Yang Can."

If I were to say it was him, it would inevitably be suspected of being motivated by personal revenge.

Ultimately, we leave it to Mr. Shan to decide.

After a long silence, Master Shan slowly nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Master Zhang. Please return."

Zhang Yunyi's gaze shifted, and he tentatively asked, "If I discover anything, how should I report it to Master Shan?"

Master Shan said calmly, "Keep this jade pendant safe. If you have any urgent business, just wear it on your waist and walk around the manor, and someone will come looking for you."

Zhang Yunyi felt a chill run down his spine, becoming even more certain of Master Shan's true identity.

Can Peiyu contact me simply by walking around the manor?
Who else could meet this criterion besides Yu Xiaobao?
Third Master Yu, I never imagined that your usual mediocrity and incompetence were all a facade!
Selling mountain goods right under the nose of the Yu family patriarch, they must have made a fortune over the years. These three Yu brothers are indeed no ordinary people.

Zhang Yunyi's mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged. He accepted the jade pendant with both hands, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave with Wan Tai.

“Master, according to what Master Zhang said, that Yang Can is indeed suspicious.”

After Zhang Yunyi had walked away, a masked guard stepped forward and whispered, "Should I arrest a few of the soldiers who went to Canglang Gorge and interrogate them thoroughly?"

Shan Ye stood with his hands behind his back and gently shook his head: "No rush. Haven't the Bald Hair Tribe and the Bald Power Tribe both sent people?"

The voice behind the mask carried a hint of amusement: "The people who lost their goods are anxious, but those waiting to receive them are probably even more anxious than we are."

Let them deal with Yang Can for a while. Perhaps this confrontation will reveal the whereabouts of the goods.”

……

The next morning, the bright sunlight shone through the gauze window lattice, casting dappled golden rays into the embroidered curtains.

Qingmei nestled under an apricot-red silk quilt, her long, dark hair cascading down her snow-white shoulders like splashed ink.

She leaned lazily against the cushion, the ties of her undergarment loose, revealing half of her lotus-colored hernia.

The twin lotus flowers embroidered in gold thread on the herb rose and fell gently with her breath, as if they had come to life.

Standing in front of the bed was a middle-aged woman, none other than Granny Zhuo, whom she had recently bought from the slave traders.

Qingmei, her almond-shaped eyes misty, yawned lazily: "Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush."

"Yes Yes."

Granny Zhuo held a small handkerchief in her hand, her eyes crinkling with excitement.

"This old woman is just afraid that the young lady has just woken up and might disturb your sweet dreams."

She tiptoed closer and lowered her voice, "Miss Qingmei, you don't know, it was almost midnight last night when that...that Rena girl just came out of the master's room."

"So what?" Qingmei said nonchalantly, curling her hair. "She was just responsible for taking care of the master's daily life."

"Oh my girl, your understanding is so touching."

Granny Zhu clicked her tongue and lowered her voice even further: "Then why can't she find another maid to go with her? A man and a woman alone together, you must be careful, young lady."

"Oh?" Qingmei glanced at her with her almond-shaped eyes slightly to the side, already understanding what was going on.

This old woman, Zhuo, came to curry favor with her.

The servants probably all noticed her feelings for Yang Can.

But so what if she sees through it? Since the girl has already tacitly agreed, it's only a matter of time.

Qingmei has always acted openly and honestly. Since she has decided that Yang Can is her person, she should be open about it. What is there to hide?
Since Granny Zhuo knew to come and deliver the message, regardless of whether the information was useful or not, her kindness should be appreciated.

What should I give her as a gift? Qingmei casually curled the ends of her hair, pondering to herself.

Seeing that Qingmei remained silent, Granny Zhuo added fuel to the fire: "This matter is not over yet. No sooner had Miss Rena left than Miss Jingyao went in."

"Hmm?" Qingmei raised her delicate eyebrows, and her hazy almond-shaped eyes immediately became clearer.

Seeing that her words had worked, Granny Zhuo hurriedly added, "That Miss Jingyao has been staying in the master's room for quite a while now."

Qingmei furrowed her brows slightly, a thought rising in her mind.

It was almost midnight when Rena left Yang Can's place. Wouldn't it have been even later when Master Jingyao arrived?

What was a young nun doing going to see the master in the middle of the night? And why did she stay for so long?

But... when Qingmei thought of Jingyao's dignified, holy and flawless appearance, she felt it was impossible.

Offering oneself as a bedmate is something a foreign woman like Rena might do, but Master Jingyao...

“Young lady, you are so kind and generous. This old woman really can’t bear to see you being kept in the dark.”

Granny Zhuo smiled ingratiatingly: "Even if I'm accused of meddling, I still have to say it."

Of course, it's also possible that this old woman is worrying unnecessarily. Girl, you're so clever, what trick could possibly fool you?

Ever since entering Feng'an Fort, Granny Zhuo could tell that the relationship between the steward, Qingmei, and the master was extraordinary.

They were nothing like ordinary master and servant. Qingmei was in charge of the entire inner quarters.

Rena is a foreign woman, and Jingyao doesn't seem to be scheming; neither of them can surpass Qingmei.

If you want to curry favor, you have to stick with the biggest leg.

Qingmei pondered for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on her lips: "Alright, let's not say they might not have any bad intentions. Even if they did, that's a matter for Master to worry about. Why are we speculating about this here?"

"Yes, yes." Granny Zhuo nodded repeatedly. "Well... I feel a connection with the young lady, so I'm just saying a few words to you."

"Alright, you go ahead with your work, I should get up too." Qingmei lifted the brocade quilt, stepped barefoot onto the soft camel hair carpet, and pushed open the carved wooden window.

The fresh scent of roses mingling with the morning dew wafted through the window, instantly easing her somewhat agitated mood.

"Oh, by the way, tomorrow is the master's Dragon Boat Festival banquet..."

Qingmei leaned against the window and looked back, the sunlight outlining her graceful silhouette: "Rena is, after all, a foreign woman and doesn't understand Han customs. Go and help her out."

"Hey! Don't worry, young lady, this old woman will do her best."

Granny Zhuo beamed with joy. See? This secret was revealed for nothing! The reward came right away!

Granny Zhuo left happily, but Qingmei's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Last night, did Rena the big rabbit and Jingyao the little master really go and steal my house?

No... is that possible?
But why do I feel so uneasy?
(End of this chapter)