Yu Shida narrowed his eyes, a cruel and cold light shining from them.
After becoming the rightful son of the Yu family head, he realized just how vast the Yu family's wealth and power were; what he had previously encountered was merely the tip of the iceberg.
“Our experiment is almost successful. If Yun Zhenchuan keeps making things difficult for us, I’ll make him pay.”
Yu Xunmei's lips curled into a mocking smile as she turned and left.
"Where are you going? We haven't finished discussing things yet," Yu Shida asked, grabbing her arm.
She glanced at the iron grip he had on her hand, and said in a languid voice, "It's all up to Second Brother. I'm tired, I'll go back and rest first."
"After I meet with Lord Feng tonight, I'll come to see you again?"
Yu Xunmei rolled her eyes. This person! He's so greedy, he can't even eat the moon.
"Now that Second Brother is living in the mansion, there are many people coming and going. Please be mindful of your behavior."
After saying that, she left gracefully, not caring whether the meeting went well or not.
Feng Yongyan had just returned to the inn where he was staying when he received an invitation from the Yu family, which he accepted without hesitation.
Besides conveying the official appointment document to Yun Zhenchuan, he also planned to visit the Yu family during his trip to the south.
However, he had already been in Nanzhou Prefecture for two days, and the Yu family only sent a steward to deliver the invitation at this time, which was far too arrogant and rude.
Feng Yongyan secretly made a mental note of the Yu family's actions, intending to report it to the imperial court later and have the prime minister punish them for the serious crime of plotting a rebellion.
After receiving news of Feng Yongyan's invitation, Yu Shida, fearing that Yun Zhenchuan might cause trouble, thought long and hard and summoned his subordinates.
"Give more men to keep a close watch on the Yun residence, and make sure they don't cause any trouble."
The subordinate replied, "Yes, I will follow immediately if there is any movement."
"Go down!"
Yu Shida waved his hand, and after his subordinates left, he went to the Yu family head's courtyard and stayed there for an hour before coming out.
At sunset, he boarded a carriage and headed to the Begonia Pavilion.
As he got off the bus, a tall, slender maidservant hurried past him, and Yu Shida was caught off guard and almost bumped into her.
The subordinate grabbed the maid's hand, intending to reprimand her, but the maid raised her face, revealing a pitiful, tearful expression.
Yu Shida's heart softened, and he said to his subordinate, "Alright, hurry up and go up, don't keep Lord Feng waiting."
The maid bowed her head and curtsied, watching Yu Shida and the others leave.
After the group had all gone up, the maid quickly turned into a quiet alley ahead.
Looking around and seeing no one, she ripped off the human skin mask from her face, revealing Yun Si's baby face.
Hefted the token in his hand, a smile playing on his lips, and stuffed it into his pocket.
He skillfully removed the pearl hairpin from his head, took off his outer garment which revealed only ordinary short clothes underneath, bundled the outer garment into a bundle, and strode out of the alley, heading straight for the city gate.
To preserve his dignity, Feng Yongyan arrived late, late at night.
Yu Shida, who was in the private room, stood up and bowed to him, "Greetings, Lord Feng!"
"General Yu, there is no need for such formalities."
After taking his seat, Yu Shida clapped his hands, and the courtesans who had been waiting outside filed in, followed by servants serving fine wine and delicacies.
"Lord Feng, these are all specialties of my Nanzhou Prefecture. I wonder if they suit your taste?"
Yu Shida gave a wink, and three or four courtesans immediately surrounded Feng Yongyan.
"Sir, when you drink, our Haitang Pavilion's Osmanthus Wine is absolutely superb."
"Yes! You can't get this anywhere else."
"My lord, please try this dish."
Surrounded by singing and dancing girls, Feng Yongyan quickly finished his meal and drinks.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Yu Shida put down his wine cup and casually asked, "I wonder if Lord Feng has come here today on important business?"
Feng Yongyan smacked his lips, his face flushed, and glanced at him.
"What, can't I come to your Southern Prefecture if there's nothing wrong?"
"Not at all, Lord Feng, I would be honored to welcome you at any time." Yu Shida quickly bowed his head and apologized.
Taking advantage of the situation, Feng Yongyan pressed his advantage, "I've heard that Miss Sisi of Haitang Pavilion is an exceptionally skilled musician. I wonder if I could have the pleasure of witnessing her talent today?"
"It's a blessing that Lord Feng wants to see Miss Sisi. How could she not come when the lord summons her?" A courtesan nearby covered her mouth and laughed.
Yu Shida gave his subordinate a wink, and the subordinate turned and left.
In a short while, a woman of exceptional beauty appeared carrying a zither.
"Greetings, Your Excellency!" Liu Sisi curtsied.
Feng Yongyan laughed heartily, "Quickly play a tune for this old man."
Liu Sisi sat in a corner not far away, holding her zither, and began to pluck the strings.
Yu Shida forced a smile and kept chatting with Feng Yongyan about this and that.
After several rounds of drinks and having listened to enough songs, Feng Yongyan finally spoke softly.
"General Yu, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister have reinstated Yun Zhentian to his original position. I, Feng, issued the appointment document to him earlier. Yun Zhentian will return to the government office tomorrow. At that time, General Yu, please remember to have your subordinates hand over the reins."
"The Yun family has betrayed the country, yet the Prime Minister still intends to reinstate Yun Zhenchuan?" Yu Shida was shocked.
"Without evidence, you shouldn't jump to conclusions about whether the Yun family has betrayed the country. Besides, we only need to follow the rules when the court makes a decision."
Yu Shida's eyes gleamed with a sinister light. "Lord Feng is right. This humble general will certainly do his utmost to cooperate with Governor Yun."
"The national treasury is currently empty. General, you should not forget to hand over last year's grain tax."
"But last year..."
Feng Yongyan interrupted him, "According to reports from various powerful families, they handed over all the tax grain from the two southern prefectures to your Yu family last year!"
Yu Shida was speechless; he hadn't expected Feng Yongyan to be prepared.
"Furthermore, I have also heard about your sending troops to Xihe to seize the salt fields..."
Yu Shida never expected that his attempt to extract information from Feng Yongyan would backfire, resulting in him being outmaneuvered and subjected to numerous accusations.
The news from the south is being kept so tightly under wraps, so who exactly betrayed the Yu family?
Finally, Feng Yongyan said with deep concern, "Given the chaos in the south over the past year, the court has decided to transfer several capable people from the Censorate."
Despite his reluctance, Yu Shida still pretended to be obedient.
"I am a rough man, and it is inappropriate for me to take over government affairs. Now, everything is up to you, sir."
In terms of cunning, Yu Shida was no match for Feng Yongyan; none of the tricks that the Yu family had taught him before were of any use.
"General Yu has indeed surpassed his teacher."
No matter how Yu Shida tried to subtly probe, Feng Yongyan simply wouldn't tell the truth.
The banquet lasted until late at night.
As he left the Begonia Pavilion, a slightly tipsy Yu Shida glanced casually at the alleyway beside him, catching a glimpse of a dress flashing by out of the corner of his eye.
"Master, have you seen something?" The subordinate asked, peering into the alley with a puzzled look.
Yu Shida looked closely but saw nothing, and thought he was just seeing things.
"It's nothing, let's go back."
Upon returning to the mansion, a servant brought over a hangover soup, saying, "Second Young Master, this is what Master instructed the kitchen to prepare for you."
Yu Shida took the bowl and drank the medicine in one gulp.
Just then, a soldier rushed in.
"General, something terrible has happened! The estate has been burned down!"
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