Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

No way around it, Yang Zhenshan had attained his noble rank through military achievements, whereas his own was inherited from his ancestors. What's more, Yang Zhenshan was an Innate Martial Artist. Even though he was in charge of the Left Army Commander's Mansion, his influence in Emperor Yanping's heart and his status at court were nowhere near that of Yang Zhenshan.

"This is a letter from my Marquis to Lord Duke, and in addition, my Marquis has also prepared a gift of thanks for Lord Duke!" Ding Qiu placed the jar of Hundred Herbs Brew on the nearby tea table.

Anhuai Ren's eyes immediately revealed a trace of joy upon seeing the Hundred Herbs Brew.

This was the Hundred Herbs Brew!

Nowadays, who in the Capital City did not know that Hundred Herbs Brew was a rare medicinal liquor? It not only nourished the body but also helped martial artists in their cultivation.

Even though Yang Zhenshan had opened a shop in the Capital City specifically for trading Treasure Medicine for Hundred Herbs Brew, Treasure Medicine was not cheap stuff. Even Anhuai Ren, being a Duke, could not afford too much Treasure Medicine to exchange for the Hundred Herbs Brew.

A jar of Hundred Herbs Brew was still very precious to him.

However, after opening the letter in his hand, the joyful expression on his face froze.

Wang De'an!

Murdered by Lin Zhan!

The joy paused only momentarily, and he showed his smile again.

"Heh, a trifling matter, there was no need for a thank-you gift. A message from Marquis Jing'an would have sufficed!"

Ding Qiu said, "My Marquis knows that this puts Your Lordship in a somewhat awkward position at the moment, so he suggested that I come and apologize."

"Ha ha, a minor matter, a minor matter, but I'll accept this wine," Anhuai Ren laughed.

"Then I shall take my leave first!"

Ding Qiu did not tarry any longer, cupping his fist in a salute.

"Old Li, escort Housekeeper Ding out!" Anhuai Ren instructed his housekeeper beside him.

Housekeeper Old Li promptly stepped forward to lead Ding Qiu out of the hall. Once Housekeeper Old Li had seen off Ding Qiu and returned, Anhuai Ren's face looked extremely ugly.

"Damn it, this Marquis Jing'an actually disdains me so!"

Anhuai Ren looked at the letter in his hand, nearly smashing the tea table next to him in anger.

Wang De'an be damned, he did not care about him.

Never mind that Wang De'an was merely a brother to one of his concubines, even if he were the brother of his own wife, he would not care.

What irritated him was the content of Yang Zhenshan's letter and his attitude.

The content within the letter was not a request for help, nor was it an apology. It was merely a notice, more like giving him an order.

"The Master, shall we reject Marquis Jing'an?" Old Li quietly inquired.

Anhuai Ren's eyes widened in anger, "Do you wish to see Marquis Jing'an slaughter me as well?"

Although he was angry with Yang Zhenshan's attitude, he dared not truly cause Yang Zhenshan any trouble.

In his eyes, Yang Zhenshan was not only ruthless but also extremely petty.

The case of the City Patrol Imperial Censor Zhou Ningwei was a cautionary tale; how wretched was Zhou Ningwei's fate?

Not only did he lose his position, but his family's property was confiscated, and his entire family got sent to Northwest Suzhou Town.

Anhuai Ren was not yet foolish enough to provoke Yang Zhenshan's ire.

Just then, a shrill cry suddenly rose from outside the main hall.

"Master, you have to stand up for me!"

A dainty woman with delicate features and a curvaceous figure, her face stained with tears, ran into the main hall.

"Master, my brother is dead, sob, murdered!"

"Master, you have to stand up for me, seek justice for my brother!"

"Sob~"

The strikingly beautiful face with tear stains and the exquisite features involuntarily evoked pity.

However, at this moment, Anhuai Ren had no interest in appreciating his concubine's beauty, shaking her off with a look of disdain.

"Master!"

The woman was a little surprised and heartbroken.

Anhuai Ren waved his hand impatiently, "Take her away!"

Just a woman, why would he afflict himself with concern?

As a Duke, what kind of women could he not have?

"Madam Wang, you should return first," Housekeeper Li approached and said.

Lady Wang looked at Anhuai Ren, "My lord, you, you heartless man, I have served you day and night, yet when my brother was killed, you utterly ignored it!"

"You, you—"

This woman actually harbored resentment towards Anhuai Ren.

"Idiot, sell her off!"

"Wang De'an is stupid, and so are you!"

Anhuai Ren said coldly.

Upon hearing that she was to be sold off, Lady Wang became frantic, "No, my lord, I was wrong, I know my mistake, my lord please do not sell me off!"

At this moment Anhuai Ren was in a bad mood, where would he care about this foolish woman.

"What are you standing there for!"

Housekeeper Li came back to his senses and hurriedly called two servants to drag the woman out.

After the woman was dragged away, Housekeeper Li said with some unease: "My lord, are we really going to sell Lady Wang off?"

"If not sold, what use is she to me? To cause me trouble?" Anhuai Ren said angrily.

"Yes, yes, yes – I'll take Lady Wang to the slave market immediately!" Housekeeper Li dared not say more.

Anhuai Ren gave it some thought, then glanced at the letter in his hand, and ultimately let out a helpless sigh, turned and left the mansion to clean up Lin Zhan's mess at the Left Army Commander's government office.

Whether he felt suppressed or angry, this matter was not worth offending Yang Zhenshan over.

Yang Zhenshan didn't care about Anhuai Ren's annoyance, after having Ding Qiu send the letter, he went to the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard, Yu Qingyi had just returned from the Imperial City, and was being attended to by Qingxia and Red Cloud, removing her cumbersome ceremonial attire.

"What did the Empress call you to the palace for?" Yang Zhenshan asked with some curiosity.

It wasn't strange for Yu Qingyi to enter the palace; during festivals and birthday feasts in past years, Yu Qingyi was often summoned to attend.

However, given that there were no festivals or birthdays today, yet the Empress specifically summoned Yu Qingyi to the palace, this piqued Yang Zhenshan's curiosity.

Yu Qingyi smiled and said, "It's about Qu Shaogong and Wanqing's matter!"

"How so? Does the Empress want to be the matchmaker?" asked Yang Zhenshan.

Yu Qingyi replied, "The Duke Xing is far away at the Southern Border Town, and that would be fine, but the Duke Xing Mansion doesn't even have a woman in charge! The head of the household and his wife have both passed away early, and the second household's lady is in poor health, unlikely to withstand long journeys, so last year when the Duke came to the Capital City, he entrusted the marriage affairs of Shaogong and Shaoshang to Your Majesty and the Empress!"

"Shaogong has taken a liking to Wanqing and has asked the Empress to be the matchmaker! Today the Empress summoned me to the palace for this matter."

Yang Zhenshan nodded in understanding, "You agreed!"

Yu Qingyi looked back at him, "My lord has not agreed, how could I casually consent."

Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard, thinking, "Ah, that Duke Xing Mansion is not an easy place, I don't know if Wanqing will be wronged if she marries over there!"

Yu Qingyi said, "Actually, the Duke Xing Mansion isn't that bad, at least Wanqing doesn't need to serve in-laws when she marries over, which is one trouble less!"

"Besides, now that there are no women in charge at the Duke Xing Mansion, once Wanqing marries into there, she can take charge of the household!"

Yang Zhenshan frowned, "But who knows what sort of temper this Duke Xing has; what if he is a nosy person?"

Yu Qingyi couldn't help but laugh, "The Duke is already of such an age, he wouldn't meddle with the affairs between the young couple!"

"But the Southern Border Town is so far away!" Yang Zhenshan was still worried.

Yu Qingyi was somewhat speechless, "My lord, are you perhaps reluctant to let Wanqing get married?"

Yang Zhenshan huffed, "I am indeed reluctant, so what?"

Although he had been worrying about Wanqing's marriage recently, now that it was upon him, he truly found it difficult to part with her.

When he came to this world, Wanqing was just a small child, cradled in swaddling clothes, only able to grab at his beard with tiny hands.

He has helped Wanqing learn to walk, has held Wanqing riding horses for fun, has taught Wanqing to read and write, and has made wooden Short Spears for Wanqing.

Although he was often busy with government affairs, he would play with the children whenever he had the time.

Chengye and Chengmao were fine; after all, they could stay by his side even after marriage, but once Wanqing was married off, she would have to leave the Yang family, and this left him feeling rather uneasy.

Yu Qingyi could not suppress her amusement, "If my lord is reluctant, I shall decline to the Empress tomorrow!"

Yang Zhenshan shook his head, "Never mind, let's wait a few more days until Wu Zhan returns."

The matter of Qu Shaogong and Yang Wanqing was not decided in a day, and he had long prepared for it; Wu Zhan had already gone to the Southern Border Town to inquire about Qu Shaogong's past.

To see what kind of person Shaogong truly was at Duke Xing Mansion, whether he had concubines or childhood sweethearts.

Although Shaogong seemed well-behaved in the Capital City, who knew if it was just for show.

Yu Qingyi nodded.