Ning Mansion Offers Goodwill

Wazi Township, Yang Family Village, noon.

The February sunlight carried a thin chill, filtering through the gaps in the branches and falling onto the stone table in the yard.

When Old Master Yang carried his hoe into the yard, fresh mud still clung to his shoes, and his pant legs were rolled up to his knees.

"Dad, you're back. Rest a bit, dinner will be ready soon." Liu Cuiling called out from the kitchen.

Grandmother Madam Qin was helping Liu Cuiling on the side.

Old Master Yang grunted in acknowledgment, leaned the hoe against the base of the wall, then sat down on the wooden stool by the main house door, slowly pulling out his tobacco pipe.

Thump, thump, thump.

Just then, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

Madam Qin, who had just finished picking vegetables, came out of the kitchen, walked to the gate, peered through the crack in the door, and then pulled it open.

"Mom."

Outside the gate, a woman of about thirty-five or thirty-six stepped in, carrying a basket. Her features bore a three-part resemblance to Madam Qin's, only much younger. She was Yang Jing's aunt, Yang Yan.

"What brings you here?" Old Master Yang tapped the ash from his pipe and looked at his daughter.

"I had some free time today," Yang Yan said with a smile, then greeted her second sister-in-law, Liu Cuiling, who was busy in the kitchen.

Liu Cuiling's response was lukewarm, a faint "mm" as acknowledgment.

She still held a grudge against her sister-in-law.

Her son Yang Jing had gone to check on the Shi Family Old Residence at Yang Yan's invitation, then collapsed and spent half a month recuperating at home.

Yet in that half month, Yang Yan and her husband hadn't shown their faces even once, which made Liu Cuiling furious inside.

But because the Ning Family had set its sights on the Two Mu of Premium Field in the North, and the Shi Family had some connections with the steward of Ning Mansion, she might still need Yang Yan and her husband's help. Liu Cuiling could only swallow her resentment and keep things civil on the surface.

Yang Yan took two white-flour steamed buns and six or seven coarse-grain cornbreads from her basket, set them on the stone table, and started chatting with Old Master Yang, who was puffing on his pipe nearby. The conversation soon turned to the two mu of premium field that the Ning Family had their eyes on.

"Ever since Feng Lei was killed, the Ning Family hasn't sent anyone, and they haven't brought up buying our two mu of premium field again. Could it be that they don't want it anymore?" Old Master Yang said, sucking on his pipe.

Madam Qin, sweeping the yard nearby, nodded vigorously at that. "If that's the case, that would be wonderful. Our family relies on those two mu to get by. If we lost them, we'd be eating the northwest wind."

Yang Yan frowned at this and shook her head slightly. "Dad, Mom, I don't think it's that simple. I've heard Yunlin say that Master Ning is known as a miser all over Wazi Township. Once he sets his sights on something, he'll get it by any means necessary."

Yang Yan paused for a moment, then continued:

"How much land has the Ning Family bought in Wazi Township? A lot of the land north of our village has been bought up by them. Our two mu just happen to sit right in the middle of that big stretch. Master Ning definitely wants to connect all the land. I reckon he's still got his eye on our two mu of premium field."

Yang Yan's words made sense.

Old Master Yang and Madam Qin both felt their hearts sink a little.

"So that means? Those two mu of premium field really can't be saved?" Liu Cuiling had come out of the kitchen at some point, and after hearing their conversation, her face turned grim.

Yang Yan sighed.

She'd heard from her husband that Master Ning always acted high-handedly. They were just farmers with their faces to the soil and backs to the sky—how could they stand up against a local bully like the Ning Family?

The atmosphere in the yard grew heavy as a waterlogged wad of cotton. Old Master Yang tapped his pipe against the table, ash scattering onto the brick floor, and he had no heart to pack another bowl.

Suddenly, a commotion stirred outside the courtyard gate.

Hurried footsteps, the whinnying of oxen and horses—it sounded like a lot of people had arrived.

The four of them exchanged glances, their hearts all skipping a beat.

Had what they were just talking about come true that fast?

Old Master Yang shot to his feet.

Yang Yan's face went pale. "I'm afraid the Ning Family is here."

No sooner had she spoken than—

The gate was pounded with a "bang, bang, bang," and a somewhat respectful voice came through: "Li Zhong, Steward of Ning Mansion, here to pay a visit."

The Yang family was even more alarmed and uncertain upon hearing the man announce himself.

Old Master Yang's expression shifted, and he forced down his panic, raising his voice. "The gate's unlocked. Please, come in."

The gate swung open.

A middle-aged man with a smile on his face walked in with two servants, followed by a sturdy yellow ox with a brand-new blanket draped over its back.

Li Zhong beamed, clasping his hands in greeting. "Greetings to Old Master Yang, Old Madam Yang, and Madam Yang."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Old Master Yang Shouzhuo.

"I heard your family sold your plow ox before the New Year. Spring plowing is busy, and you can't do without an ox. My master specially sent me to deliver one for your household's use."

Li Zhong's speech was a bit polished.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, the Yang family stood frozen in place, as if struck by a paralysis spell.

Yang Yan quickly stepped forward. "Uncle Li, my father is Shi Yunlin. This is my maiden home. I dare to ask—have you made a mistake?"

Li Zhong nodded in realization, looking at Yang Yan before him. "So you're Yunlin's wife. And this old gentleman—is his name Yang Shouzhuo? The grandfather of Young Master Yang Jing?"

Yang Yan blinked, then nodded.

Yang Shouzhuo was also taken aback, then nodded and said, "I am indeed Yang Shouzhuo, and I do have a grandson named Yang Jing, but I'm not sure..."

"Haha, then there's no mistake, old sir. This plow ox is a gift for you." Li Zhong quickly said with a smile.

"Ah? This, this, this Steward Li, we dare not accept this plow ox. The matter from a while back hasn't been settled yet; please ask Master Ning not to hold it against us."

"Oh, Master Yang, what are you saying?" Li Zhong waved his hand hastily, his tone growing even more courteous. "It was my subordinates who were ignorant before and disturbed your household. My master has already reprimanded them."

Li Zhong paused slightly at this point, lowering his voice even further. "Young Master Yang has achieved success in martial arts and is now a prized disciple of Master Sun, with boundless prospects. My master said we're all fellow villagers and should look out for each other from now on."

With a beaming smile, Li Zhong bowed with his hands clasped. "If your household ever needs anything, just tell me. Whatever I can handle, I won't hesitate."

As he spoke, he gestured for the servant to tie the ox to the post in the corner of the yard, then pulled a small cloth bundle from his bosom. "This is a bit of silver, a small token from my master, for you and the old lady to buy some nourishing items."

Li Zhong, the steward of the Ning Mansion, had left the Yang family utterly bewildered.

Liu Cuiling blinked, her lips twitching, but no words came out.

Standing nearby, Yang Yan was so shocked her mouth hung open.

Her husband's family had some dealings with Steward Li, so she knew him well.

Li Zhong had been the head steward of the Ning Mansion for decades and held a certain status there. On ordinary days, he was even somewhat arrogant toward the Shi father and son. When had he ever been so deferential to anyone?

And now he was being so respectful to her own natal family, even using terms like "Young Master."

Seeing their hesitation, Li Zhong smiled again. "Since the gifts have been delivered, I won't linger. I need to return and report to my master. If your household encounters any trouble, just send someone to the Ning Mansion anytime."

With that, he bowed once more and quickly left with his servants.

The yard fell silent again, leaving only the plow ox leisurely swishing its tail.

The Yang family members exchanged glances, staring at each other, still unable to snap out of it for a long while.