HUS Chapter 18: When the Spring Rain Comes
HUS Chapter 18: When the Spring Rain Comes
Dec 5, 2025
The first rain of spring arrived.
First came vigorous raindrops, pelting the blue tiles like marbles with sharp pattering sounds.
Then the forest seemed to fill with wave-like sounds, misty as the spray splashing from a waterfall.
Thunder rolled. The ridge beasts crouching on the upturned corners of the eaves seemed to come alive in this moment.
From each ridge beast's mouth hung bright, flowing lines of water.
The flat flagstone ground in the manor was pecked by rainwater into densely packed jumping water droplets.
Even the cooking smoke drifting from the kitchen had its waist softened by the rain, coiling slantwise in the curtain of rain.
In the courtyard stood an apricot tree. The newly bloomed pink-white petals stretched out to meet the rain arrows, each petal cupping a pool of heavenly water.
Yang Can stood in the side room with the window open, watching the courtyard scene through the curtain of rain hanging from the eaves.
In the courtyard, two rows of sword-bearing warriors in straw capes stood solemnly on either side of the flagstone path, rainwater flowing rapidly from their capes to the ground.
On the long flagstone path, a tall figure with a slightly hunched back strode forward.
The guard holding an umbrella for him had to trot to keep up with his pace.
A graceful figure in snow-white plain clothes appeared under the ceremonial gate ahead. That was Suo Zhanzhi, pretty as a pear blossom in the rain.
She stood under the hanging flower gate cover of the second entrance. Seeing the tall figure approach, she bowed gracefully.
The tall figure stopped. No one knew what he said to Suo Zhanzhi. Suo Zhanzhi paid him another courtesy, then turned around to walk with him into the second courtyard.
Two umbrellas drifted leisurely toward the main hall of the second courtyard.
Who was this person? Could it be someone from the Suo family...
Just as Yang Can thought this, he heard a crisp voice, "That's our Suo family's Second Master."
Yang Can withdrew his gaze and looked toward the speaker.
It was Xiao Qingmei. She held an oil-paper umbrella and stood under that apricot tree.
"Your Suo family's Second Master has arrived?"
Xiao Qingmei nodded slightly, "After Young Master Yu died, Nanny Tu immediately sent someone galloping back to our Suo family to report. When our clan head heard the news, he immediately sent Second Master over."
Hearing this, Yang Can's heart immediately rejoiced. Without Suo family people getting involved, this play really couldn't be performed spectacularly.
Fortunately, the leading actor had arrived!
Qingmei paused, then said, "The day before yesterday, the clan head summoned all the Yu family elders and went to the water dungeon."
Yang Can asked, "What's in the water dungeon?"
Qingmei said, "The water dungeon held that bandit. Oh! Right, Captain Cheng is also in there."
Yang Can nodded. Very good. The opening gongs had sounded. The great drama was about to begin.
"Thank you, Miss Qingmei."
Yang Can smiled and nodded to Xiao Qingmei. He knew Qingmei had come specifically to tell him this news.
Very likely, Suo Zhanzhi had sent her.
Xiao Qingmei held her oil-paper umbrella and tilted her head to look at Yang Can.
Her fine white teeth slightly showed between her red lips, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated but in the end, she said nothing. She just pressed her lips together, lifted her skirt hem, and drifted away gracefully.
She wore a pair of high-toothed wooden clogs so that when stepping in rainwater, the water wouldn't easily wet her feet.
Yang Can stood at the window watching. They were black lacquered wooden clogs with indigo-blue straps tied around ivory-white ankles, making those ankles appear exceptionally slender.
When she lifted her foot to step, the clog separated from her snow-white foot, hooking the clog only with her toes. Between the arch of her foot and the clog formed a perfect arc.
When her foot landed, first the clog touched the ground. With a slight "tap" sound, the light and delicate foot would then settle on the clog, like goose webs lightly touching water.
The charm of feet, a feast for the eyes indeed.
Yang Can couldn't help but narrow his eyes. Not only was her mouth small, her feet were also small. Probably about size thirty-two or thirty-three?
Xiao Qingmei, holding an umbrella with one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Yang Can.
She had suddenly remembered something she wanted to tell Yang Can.
Their Suo Second Master had a temper like blazing fire. If Yang Can faced him, he'd better be careful not to anger him. Otherwise, getting a beating would be getting off light but when she turned around, she discovered Yang Can staring at her.
Qingmei's eyebrows dangerously arched upward.
The oblivious Yang Can raised his eyebrows at her with a puzzled expression.
"Tap!"
The wooden clog stamped hard on the flagstone floor!
At such a time, still having the leisure to peek at someone's bottom, a reckless stinking man who didn't know life from death!
Xiao Qingmei was both embarrassed and angry, not noticing there was also a hint of hidden small delight.
She went "tap-tap-tap," walking forcefully. The wooden clogs knocked out a string of crisp sounds on the flagstone ground, like scattered chess pieces.
Yang Can inexplicably touched his chin. What was that about?
Qingmei kept a straight face and disappeared at the entrance to the second courtyard without looking back. Only Suo family guards standing like spears remained in the curtain of rain.
What was there to see in guards? Yang Can closed the window.
The "splashing" sound of rain was blocked outside the window, yet still drifted in through the cracks.
Yang Can flopped onto the bed and slightly closed his eyes.
Everyone had arrived. The play should raise its curtain.
For him, the most critical moment had arrived!
Whether he could transform from an extra to a leading role on this stage depended on his next performance.
...
In the rain, in Mingde Hall of Phoenix Mountain Manor, the branch heads and elders of the Yu family all sat solemnly.
The pattering rain outside the hall made the atmosphere inside seem somewhat oppressive.
The funeral had finished. Those paying respects had all descended the mountain, but the Yu family people all remained on the mountain.
The Yu family had great estates and businesses with many people. Rarely was there such an opportunity to gather everyone so completely. Naturally, important family matters needed to be discussed.
Especially with the designated heir just deceased, the Yu clan had to consider one major matter, "establishing an heir!"
Establishing an heir for the Yu clan was like "establishing a crown prince" for a kingdom. There couldn't be a lack of a designated, universally recognized successor.
Logically speaking, with Yu Chengye gone, Yu Xinglong's second son Yu Chenglin should be established as heir. However, Clan Head Yu Xinglong's body was frail and often ill. This was well known to all.
Yu Xinglong's second son Yu Chenglin was currently only seven years old. For him to have the capability to stand on his own would take at least another twenty years but with the clan head's health, whether he could last another twenty years, no one was confident.
Although the Yu family was in fact a local separatist regime and needed to borrow from the governing experience of dynasties in many respects, it was also more flexible. The rules and systems weren't as strict as those of an imperial dynasty.
In situations like this that would be very unstable in the future, for more stable family development and inheritance, this heir didn't necessarily have to be the eldest branch's second young son.
Today, when Yu Xinglong summoned the Yu family's various elders and branch heads to deliberate at Mingde Hall, everyone had already guessed that establishing an heir would inevitably be today's most important topic.
Sure enough, after everyone was seated, Yu Xinglong didn't even go through the process of veiled euphemisms. He got straight to the point, clearly stating the reason for today's family meeting.
"My son Chengye died young. The Yu family should establish a new heir. My second son Chenglin, though young, shows considerable intelligence. I wish to establish Chenglin as heir. Do the various branches have any objections?"
The various branch heads all subconsciously looked toward Yu Huanhu.
Yu Huanhu's eyes observed his nose, his nose observed his heart. He appeared like an old monk in meditation, saying nothing.
Too many people believed Yu Chengye's death was related to him. At this time, his every word and action could be misinterpreted. His position was very awkward. It wasn't appropriate for him to actively jump out and challenge.
After waiting a moment, seeing the hall remain silent, Yu Xinglong lightly coughed and slowly said, "If you all have no objections, then this clan head hereby announces..."
"Elder brother, wait. This younger brother has something to say!"
Finally, someone stood up.
The person rising to speak was Yu Xiaobao, head of the eldest branch's third line.
In Yu Xinglong's generation, there were three blood brothers in total: Yu Xinglong, Yu Huanhu, and Yu Xiaobao.
When Master Bao was young, he led three to five servants daily, flew eagles and walked dogs, frequenting willow lanes and flower streets. He was thoroughly a wastrel.
Such a person naturally couldn't take on great responsibilities, so the eldest branch's power was basically divided up entirely by his elder and second brothers.
Who knew that after this wastrel passed forty, he suddenly became "enlightened" and began single-mindedly pursuing a career.
However, Master Bao started establishing himself too late. The eldest branch's cake had long been completely divided by his elder and second brothers. Master Bao, who started pursuing a career late, was someone with high ambitions but little talent. What career could he accomplish?
Both Yu Xinglong and Yu Huanhu treated this youngest brother as a joke, letting him make a fuss without much control. After all, it was harmless.
They never expected that on an occasion like today, he would jump out.
Yu Xinglong didn't look at Yu Xiaobao but first glanced at Yu Huanhu.
Yu Xinglong wasn't certain whether Third Brother suddenly jumping out was at Second Brother's instigation.
Yu Xiaobao said carelessly, "Elder brother, speaking of Chenglin, the child is indeed very intelligent but he's too young, and you're too old—no, I mean your health is too weak. At Chenglin's age, with your health, elder brother, establishing Chenglin as heir, isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"
Such unfiltered words, only Yu Xiaobao could say them. After all, he'd been like this since childhood. However, what he said was also what many people worried about.
In this era, the mortality rate for children was too high. For a child only seven years old, who could guarantee he'd grow up healthy and without illness?
Moreover, Yu Xinglong's poor health was also well known. What if Yu Chenglin hadn't grown up yet when Yu Xinglong passed away? What then?
Yu Xinglong's expression darkened. He glanced coldly at Yu Xiaobao and asked, "Then in Third Brother's opinion, what should be done?"
Yu Xiaobao said, "I think that boy Ziming is quite good."
Ziming was a courtesy name. Yu Ziming's given name was Yu Rui, Yu Huanhu's eldest son.
Yu Huanhu glanced lightly at Yu Xiaobao. Third Brother really was adorable. His method of instigating conflict between me and Elder Brother remained as childish as ever.
Seeing Yu Huanhu didn't respond, Yu Xiaobao actively dragged him into the water, asking, "Second brother, what do you think of my suggestion?"
Yu Huanhu smiled. Two deep nasolabial folds were as clear as knife edges cutting through sand.
He shook his head and said slowly, "Not much. My son Yu Rui isn't qualified."
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