HUS Chapter 25: Second Steward of the Eldest Branch's Main Lineage
HUS Chapter 25: Second Steward of the Eldest Branch's Main Lineage
Dec 11, 2025
Qingmei said discontentedly, "Who came? You can't even speak clearly!"
"The Second Steward has arrived!"
"I heard that. I'm asking you, who came?"
Qiaoshe said, "It's... Second Steward Yang Can who has arrived. The Clan Head personally appointed him as Second Steward of the eldest branch. Butler Deng accompanied him here."
The old servants and maids in the courtyard immediately burst into commotion upon hearing this, whispering to each other, creating a buzzing sound.
The Clan Head sent over a Second Steward?
Then this Second Steward position that Miss Qingmei has... could it be self-appointed?
Qingmei was immediately greatly embarrassed. Why would the Clan Head send over a Second Steward?
I've only just established my authority. If my prestige is swept away like this, how can I intimidate these 'Yu family veterans' in the inner residence in the future?
Xiao Qingmei's mind turned, and she lightly said, "Oh," then calmly stated, "So the Deputy Second Steward appointed by the Clan Head has arrived. Qiaoshe, you really have no sense. Since Butler Deng personally brought him, you're still making them wait outside?"
"Without Sister Qingmei's permission, how would this servant dare make decisions?" Qiaoshe answered with subtle sarcasm in her tea-flavored tone.
Qingmei's pretty eyes glared, "Why aren't you quickly going to invite Butler Deng and the Deputy Second Steward in? I'll go report to the young mistress."
"As you command, Second Steward!" Qiaoshe was only too happy to watch the excitement and hurriedly turned around, running off in a flurry.
In the flower hall, the beautiful woman reclined on the daybed. Suo Zhanzhi was deep in thought.
She had officially moved into Phoenix Mountain Manor as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu clan's eldest branch.
The "household management" of the eldest branch actually didn't have much to manage.
Because Yu Chengye's inner residence assets weren't particularly abundant. The outer estate had one orchard on Phoenix Mountain, one poultry, egg, and vegetable estate, plus two industrial production lines, the salt pools in Lingzhou and the iron smelting works in Heishui.
Those were currently only nominally under her control. The actual management of these properties was handled by First Steward Li Youcai of the eldest branch and several stewards of the outer estate.
Li Youcai was a person from the old eldest branch, not under her control. However, Suo Zhanzhi wasn't anxious about this. The urgent priority was to control the inner residence.
If she couldn't become pregnant, any schemes now would be wasted effort.
Therefore, she now only needed to forge the inner residence into an ironclad unit.
That way, once she became pregnant, she could ensure that nine months later when the child was born, no matter what, it would definitely be a male infant.
She had already assigned the task of disciplining the old eldest branch maids and servants to Qingmei. Now she only worried about whether she could actually become pregnant.
Yang Can, oh Yang Can... I let you have your way for so long, you mustn't disappoint me.
Just as Suo Zhanzhi thought of this, she heard Xiao Qingmei's urgent calls.
"Young Mistress, Young Mistress, Yang Can, Yang Can he..."
Qingmei rushed into the room, calling out breathlessly.
Suo Zhanzhi sprang up from the daybed in one swift motion, "Yang Can? What happened to him?"
"Ah?"
Qingmei hadn't expected the young mistress's reaction to be so intense. She paused, then said, "He... he's here."
"He's here?"
Suo Zhanzhi's eyes widened in surprise, "How did he come here? No, how could he... come to the inner residence?"
Qingmei, thinking of her still-warm "Second Steward" position, said anxiously, "The Clan Head appointed him as Second Steward of the eldest branch. Butler Deng brought him here."
"What?"
Suo Zhanzhi's face immediately lit up with joy. She said excitedly, "Quickly, quickly let him... let Butler Deng and them come in."
Xiao Qingmei pouted. Look at how cheap my young lady looks!
So love can transfer, can it?
...
"Deng Xun (Yang Can) greets the young mistress."
Butler Deng brought Yang Can into the flower hall and cupped his hands in salute to Suo Zhanzhi, who was now sitting properly.
Suo Zhanzhi glanced at Yang Can. Yang Can wore a blue round-collared lanshan robe, fastened with a studded belt and wearing a black headscarf. He seemed... even more handsome.
Suo Zhanzhi's eyes couldn't help but ripple, shimmering with light.
After Yang Can finished his greeting, he also looked toward Suo Zhanzhi.
Suo Zhanzhi wore plain everyday clothing. Her face was as moisturizing as water, as lustrous as jade, exuding from her very bones a dewy young married woman's charm. She appeared even more graceful and charming.
Butler Deng bowed to Suo Zhanzhi and said, "The young master unfortunately passed away. Now the young mistress alone manages the eldest branch, and everyone in the Yu family is watching. The Clan Head worries that if there are any oversights or mistakes on the young mistress's side, it might give people ammunition to use against her. Therefore, he's assigned Yang Can to the eldest branch as Second Steward to share the young mistress's burdens."
"Excellent!"
Suo Zhanzhi blurted out, then immediately received a warning look from Yang Can. Her heart suddenly jolted.
That's not right. How can I appear so delighted about this?
Suo Zhanzhi immediately gave a cold laugh, "How excellent indeed! Doesn't my father-in-law know that this Yang Can holds great prejudice against the Suo family?"
Butler Deng smiled and said, "Young Mistress, please calm your anger. Yang Can was originally the young master's adviser, loyal and devoted to the young master, and very familiar with the eldest branch's affairs. Having him serve as steward of the eldest branch will better assist the young mistress."
Butler Deng paused, then continued, "As for Yang Can's previous rash words, now having him assist the young mistress, won't his previous statements be proven false without needing refutation? This will also demonstrate the young mistress's magnanimous character."
"Hmph, I'm just a small woman with a small heart. I don't need any magnanimous character."
Butler Deng still wore a smile, but his tone had grown heavier, "Young Mistress, this is the master's intention."
Suo Zhanzhi gave her sleeve a light flick and said indifferently, "Originally, since my father-in-law has arranged it so, as his daughter-in-law, I shouldn't contradict him. However, I just arranged for Qingmei to be Second Steward of the eldest branch. Now if I go back on my word, how can I manage the eldest branch in the future?"
Xiao Qingmei was greatly pleased upon hearing this. The young lady loves me most after all.
Butler Deng remained impassive and said calmly, "Second Master has handed over all six estates and three ranches. According to the master's intention, he wants to transfer all these properties to the eldest branch's management. Sending over such a young and capable person as Yang Can also shows concern that the eldest branch might not be able to properly oversee so many properties all at once. If the young mistress insists on not letting Yang Can take up a position in the eldest branch, then... this old servant will report back truthfully to the master."
"Wait a moment!"
Upon hearing that Yu Xinglong wanted to transfer all six major estates and three ranches to the eldest branch's management, Suo Zhanzhi immediately called out to Deng Xun.
"Ahem! I've thought it over carefully. Qingmei is still young after all. Managing the properties under the eldest branch's name, she may not have sufficient capability. How about this, Yang Can will be Second Steward of the eldest branch. As for Qingmei, let her be Deputy Second Steward of the eldest branch."
Qingmei's mouth drooped, but in front of outsiders, she ultimately didn't dare offend the rules of hierarchy and said nothing.
Upon hearing this, the corners of Butler Deng's mouth couldn't help but twitch several times.
The eldest branch's stewards were already divided into first, second, and third. Why add principal and deputy designations?
Deputy Second Steward? What kind of peculiar title was this?
Butler Deng smiled and said, "Yes, the young mistress's arrangement is for better management of the eldest branch's properties. I believe the master won't object. This old servant will report to the master upon returning."
After Butler Deng finished speaking, he stepped back and bowed with a smile, "Now that this eldest branch Second Steward has been delivered, this old servant takes his leave."
"Butler Deng, take care. Qingmei, see Butler Deng out on my behalf."
Butler Deng repeatedly said he didn't dare, but was still seen out by Qingmei.
Only Yang Can and Suo Zhanzhi remained in the room. Suo Zhanzhi slowly stood up, her plain-colored skirt falling like flowing water.
"I didn't expect your unconventional method would actually work. Yu Xinglong really did give you an important position."
Yang Can shook his head, "Not necessarily. I see that the Clan Head of the Yu clan is just placing an idle chess piece for now."
"An idle chess piece? What do you mean?"
"If you can't become pregnant, or if the pregnancy isn't a male infant, the Clan Head can take back these properties allocated to the eldest branch at any time. Naturally, my position as Second Steward can also become nominal at any time."
Suo Zhanzhi glanced at Yang Can sideways, "Since you know this, why still come?"
Yang Can sighed, "Though you and I have no marriage title, we ultimately have the reality of husband and wife. How could I bear to abandon you?"
Hehe...
Suo Zhanzhi treated his words as nonsense. You couldn't bear to? As if! Who treats their own wife so ruthlessly, without the slightest gentleness?
Bah, beast!
Suo Zhanzhi recalled Yang Can's transformation into a pastry chef during those unbearable times. She put on a stern face and snorted coldly, "No need for such sweet words. Your usefulness may not be so great after all. Don't forget, above you there's still a First Steward."
"I know, Li Youcai, First Steward Li. When I was an adviser, I dealt with him several times."
Yang Can thought for a moment and said, "This person cares most about the iron smelting in Heishui and the salt mines in Lingchi. He doesn't pay much attention to the eldest branch's internal affairs. We don't need to be too wary of him."
Yang Can paused, then asked, "You... how much longer before you can confirm whether you're pregnant?"
Mentioning this, Suo Zhanzhi's expression softened. She unconsciously touched her lower abdomen and replied in a low voice, "I asked several matrons. They said even if we find a skilled physician to take my pulse, we still need another six or seven days."
Yang Can nodded. Thinking that in about a week he would know whether he had flesh and blood in this world, his heartbeat involuntarily quickened considerably.
At this moment, Xiao Qingmei returned after seeing Deng Xun off. As soon as she entered the flower hall, she said angrily, "That old thing Yu Xinglong sent Yang Can, who has such prejudice against us, over here. What's he trying to do?"
Suo Zhanzhi shook her head, "To control many by holding one key, balance achieves restraint. Anyone would do the same. It's understandable."
Yang Can glanced at Qingmei. Qingmei glared back, "What are you looking at? I'm not afraid of you even if you look. Let's be clear first. You're the Deputy Second Steward, I'm the Principal Second Steward."
Yang Can said, "Fine, you're number two, I'm number three. Does that work?"
Qingmei was stunned. She hadn't expected him to be so agreeable and felt somewhat embarrassed, "That's not necessary either. How about... inside the inner residence, I'm principal and you're deputy. Outside the inner residence, you're principal and I'm deputy."
Suo Zhanzhi nodded, "That works well. If you two compete with each other, it's reasonable, and others won't suspect anything."
Upon hearing this, Qingmei rubbed her fists together eagerly, "I can still compete with him? Excellent! Surnamed Yang, then let's each rely on our own abilities."
Yang Can shook his head slightly, too lazy to engage in verbal sparring with a young girl, unless... it was only with tongues.
Yang Can glanced at that red, pouty little mouth.
Suo Zhanzhi said, "Alright, since the Clan Head sent him to the eldest branch, Qingmei, you take him to meet First Steward Li and make the proper introductions!"
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