HUS Chapter 34: Awakening of Insects
HUS Chapter 34: Awakening of Insects
Dec 16, 2025
Suo Zhanzhi pondered briefly before saying slowly, "I brought more than just Nanny Tu with me, but only Nanny Tu was someone the eldest branch assigned to me."
The implication was that the other matrons all came from her own household and could be trusted.
She had the ability to control an inner residence in nine months' time. No problem.
As Suo Zhanzhi spoke, she touched her lower abdomen, a trace of maternal tenderness rippling across her expression.
The sex of the fetus in her belly was undetermined, so over the next nine months, she could "command the lords by controlling the emperor."
Yang Can nodded. He believed Suo Zhanzhi had this capability.
Inner household intrigue was the natural trial ground for women who grew up in the inner quarters.
Born in silk, fighting in silence, strategizing within a confined space, weaving survival nets with resilience.
This was an ability inscribed in their genes.
The two discussed in detail the matters they might face in the future and the stances they should publicly maintain toward each other.
Finally, Yang Can said, "That's all then. In any case, you and I will adapt as circumstances require. Who knows, maybe this child will be determined enough. If it's born with the goods, then we can just coast to victory."
"Alright, I understand. Go back quickly."
Suo Zhanzhi didn't want to send him away. She even wanted Yang Can to embrace her tenderly.
Uh, if he still grabbed her ankle and domineeringly threw her onto the bed, that wouldn't be unacceptable either...
But reason told her that at least before she completely controlled the inner residence, she should have as little private contact with Yang Can as possible.
Suo Zhanzhi stood up, "If someone discovers you, it'll be disastrous. Leave quickly."
Suo Zhanzhi's figure was tall, graceful, and exquisitely proportioned. That face was incomparably charming and beautiful.
There's a saying, "beauty is a feast for the eyes," and the face before Yang Can's eyes was the kind that would stimulate appetite even in someone with anorexia.
Yang Can's gaze lowered, seeing not only a face that could topple nations, but also snow-jade peaks piercing the clouds.
Yang Can suddenly felt restless stirrings. Suo Zhanzhi immediately sensed his change and alertly stepped back.
Having just gained maternal consciousness, Suo Zhanzhi had quickly formed an instinct to protect her fetus.
"Don't get any ideas. Not now."
Yang Can suddenly laughed inexplicably, because he heard Suo Zhanzhi say, "Not now."
Sir, sir, sir, you mustn't, Sir, sir, sir, where are you, Sir, sir, sir, I miss you!
It was no different from that.
...
The news that the Young Mistress of the Yu family's eldest branch was expecting spread quietly in an appropriate manner.
The Yu family didn't make a grand celebration of it, because according to propriety, the joy of new life couldn't exceed the sorrow of death and mourning. However, the eldest son of the Yu family's eldest branch having an heir was an extremely, extremely significant matter, so what needed to be proclaimed still had to be proclaimed.
As for Yang Can, three days after news of Suo Zhanzhi's pregnancy spread, he went to see Li Youcai.
Spring sunlight slanted through the carved window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the blue brick floor.
Yang Can wore an indigo blue long robe today. In that bright spring light, he appeared even more handsome and jade-like.
Lady Xiaowan's appetite stirred at the sight. This little rascal was truly too much to her taste.
Thinking that Li Youcai would soon leave the manor to inspect the Lingzhou salt pools and Heishui iron smelting workshops.
By that time...
Lady Xiaowan's eyes brimmed with emotion. Beneath her skirt, her plump thighs couldn't help pressing together.
"What? You said... all those ledgers have been sorted out? Accountant Li helped you organize them?"
Li Youcai frowned. What was that Li Damu thinking? Hadn't he instructed him? How could he...
Yang Can smiled slightly and shook his head, "To be honest with elder brother, Accountant Li was too busy and couldn't spare the time. I organized these accounts myself."
Li Youcai immediately breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Those messy accounts, even finding an old accountant, would take over a month to sort through. Yang Can had only spent a few days?
Li Youcai laughed in disbelief, "Huoshan, elder brother knows you're new to the position and eager to prove yourself, but don't be too hasty."
Li Youcai took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "When a new official takes office, either don't make a move at all, but if you do, you must be confident. Your accounts, are they truly clear?"
Yang Can smiled slightly and produced a ledger from his sleeve.
He couldn't let people see his tables, so after organizing everything, he specially made a new account book.
"Elder brother, please look. These are the problems I've sorted out."
Li Youcai took the ledger and carefully flipped through it. The more he read, the more surprised he became.
Having been a steward for many years, he was naturally familiar with account books.
He could tell that Yang Can had truly organized everything clearly and had indeed found problems.
Li Youcai said hesitantly, "Huoshan, how do you plan to handle this matter?"
Yang Can was responsible for the estates and ranches that Yu Huanhu had returned.
If this offended people, it would be Yang Can offending them. Li Youcai wasn't very concerned about that. However, he was afraid Yang Can would make a mess that he'd have to clean up.
Now that the young mistress's pregnancy was confirmed, the eldest branch had at least nine months of stability.
He wanted to use this time to consolidate his own base: the salt pools and iron smelting.
This way, regardless of whether the eldest branch could firmly establish itself or would be dismantled after nine months, having prepared, he could seize more benefits.
As for his good brother Yang Can, whom he'd pushed into the pit early on...
Yang Can was originally someone used to fill pits and take blame. When the time came, just bury him with a shovelful of dirt but he discovered that with the young mistress pregnant, this Second Steward seemed to still want to struggle?
Yang Can said, "The accounts are clear. I'm thinking it's time to visit those estates and ranches to inspect the actual situation."
Li Youcai's heart sank. What he feared most had finally arrived.
Couldn't you just wait nicely to be buried? Why struggle?
Li Youcai's gaze sharpened as he said, "Huoshan, you want to inspect the estates and ranches?"
Lady Xiaowan, hearing this, also couldn't help casting a resentful look at Yang Can.
That old thing was about to leave the manor. She thought this was an excellent opportunity. How come you're leaving too?
Yang Can nodded, "Yes. I plan to first inspect the three estates closest to Phoenix Mountain Manor. Mm, mainly Feng'an Estate, Qingyuan Village, and Lupo Ridge."
Li Youcai pondered for a moment and said, "You manage these estates, so inspecting them is proper and fitting. It's just that although the stewards of these estates and ranches are all old hands from the second branch, right now it's the critical time for spring plowing. This foolish elder brother thinks that as long as they understand the rules and are willing to listen, we should prioritize stability. We can't make major upheavals."
Yang Can smiled, "Elder brother is right. That's what I think too. Those who need disciplining must be disciplined, but I haven't planned to drastically reform them. Ultimately, we're here to share the Clan Head's burdens, not to create troubles for him. What the Clan Head needs is what we family retainers should consider."
Lady Xiaowan, hearing this, curled her lips. She was dissatisfied with Yang Can leaving the manor, so she spoke with double meaning.
"Is uncle's words true? If you're truly someone considerate and understanding, you can go further and longer. But I'm afraid some people talk a good game, but when it comes to actually doing things, they can't even see clearly what's right in front of them."
Yang Can glanced at Pan Xiaowan.
Pan Xiaowan had styled her hair in a falling horse bun today. Golden hairpins swayed gently with her charming laugh.
Those beautiful eyes glanced at him with seeming resentment and reproach, silken and thread-like, as if to entangle his very soul.
Li Youcai held his teacup with a smile and nodded, agreeing with his wife's words, "Hehe, wife, Huoshan is a smart person. He'll know what to do."
After casually praising Yang Can, Li Youcai continued, "Huoshan, if you're going to establish authority, you must understand how to bestow favors. Show kindness to the obedient and properly discipline the disobedient. Combining soft and hard approaches is the way to manage people."
"Elder brother's golden words of wisdom. I'll remember them."
Li Youcai nodded, "Elder brother is planning to make a trip to Lingzhou and Heishui. Let's stagger our departure times from the mountain a bit. Otherwise, it'll look like we coordinated this, and I'm afraid the young mistress, knowing this, might have some unfavorable opinions."
"Elder brother's thinking is more thorough. Let's do that then." Yang Can smiled brilliantly.
Having received Master Zhang's generous gift after all, Li Youcai was quite good at getting things done once he received gifts.
He wasn't sure if Yang Can truly understood his meaning because... Yang Can's brilliantly smiling face really didn't inspire confidence.
That smile was too brilliant!
Those eyes were too clear!
Just like that donkey in the stable.
Li Youcai had a sudden inspiration and finally thought of a way to remind Yang Can more directly.
He turned to Pan Xiaowan and said, "Wife, a few days ago when Zhang Yunyi from Feng'an Estate came to pay respects, didn't he give me a pot of medicinal tonic wine? Take half and give it to Huoshan later."
Lady Pan's eyes swept across Li Youcai's face with a "hmph," "Husband, you always have this habit of giving away what you love. I see uncle is quite young. This medicinal wine was Master Zhang's sincere gesture to you. Should it be shared with others?"
Li Youcai's face showed some embarrassment, "Ahem, what are you saying? Who's an outsider? Huoshan is my dear close friend, a brother to me. Besides, while Huoshan is indeed young, does that mean your husband is feeble? Find that bottle of medicinal wine and give it all to Huoshan!"
After Li Youcai finished speaking, he turned to Yang Can with a smile, "Huoshan, elder brother isn't saying you're weak. It's just that..."
He chuckled twice and winked at Yang Can, "Master Zhang is most generous and hospitable. When you go there, you still need to take care of your health."
Lady Pan snorted coldly, pushed herself up from the table, and walked gracefully toward the bedroom.
She seemed somewhat angry at her husband's generosity. However, her ample hips swayed as she walked, swaying with only charm, not anger.
Li Youcai said with slight embarrassment, "Your sister-in-law has been spoiled by me. After all, she's much younger than me and doesn't quite understand things. Brother, don't take offense."
Yang Can's gaze withdrew from that fullness.
Tsk! Just like a fully ripened bean pod. It seemed like with just one gentle touch, it would pop open with a "snap." Truly quite something to behold.
Yang Can smiled slightly at First Steward Li, "Elder brother, rest assured. I can see Master Zhang is also someone who knows the score. This favor in the carrot-and-stick approach will work very well on him!"
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