His status in the estate was exceptionally awkward due to his maternal family's lack of influence and his mother's disfavor. He always kept his head down, believing his talent was no less than his elder brother's. It was just that his brother had the advantage of a better birth and a more prominent maternal family, one far beyond his own. Yet, he didn't believe the Yang Prince's estate would flourish under his brother's leadership.
He admitted to harboring ambitions, aspiring to reach the highest position. However, his father didn't trust him and offered no such opportunities. He thought talent could create its own chances, but he soon realized how naive he had been.
When things truly began, he understood that without money, nothing could be accomplished. Furthermore, the seasoned personnel cultivated within the Yang Prince's estate were on an entirely different level compared to those he had recruited from the streets with mere silver.
His every move naturally didn't escape the Yang Prince's notice. He was soon summoned to his father's study. Faced with his father's stern expression, he was initially bewildered. Reflecting on his recent actions, he felt he hadn't harmed anyone or encroached on anyone's interests. If he recalled correctly, this was the first time his father had summoned him in eight years. It felt as though he wasn't even his son. Thus, he puffed out his chest and looked at his father with a sense of righteous indignation.
Seeing his son's demeanor, the Yang Prince became furious. He realized the young man hadn't grasped his mistakes. He slammed the table and demanded, "What are you up to, jumping around lately instead of focusing on your studies?"
"I don't intend to do anything in particular, just to achieve something significant so others won't look down on me. The estate's connections and resources will go to my elder brother, so I must create my own. If possible, I implore Father to consider me and grant me some men to assist me."
Although Yang Hanyu outwardly appeared respectful, a subtle undercurrent of resentment could be discerned. The Yang Prince, a man of experience, couldn't miss it.
"If the estate prospers, you will prosper. There's no need to forge a separate path to greatness. As long as your elder brother makes a name for himself outside and establishes his own influence, no one will dare to look down on you when you step out. Now, the strength of our Yang Prince's estate must be united; no one can be a drag on the team."
The Yang Prince looked at him meaningfully. His words were directed at Yang Hanyu. Regardless of his son's inner thoughts, as long as he was alive, he would not allow discord between his brothers to create opportunities for others.
Yang Hanyu silently lowered his head. Despite his inner dissatisfaction, he dared not vent it before his father, knowing his father would not agree even if he expressed his thoughts. He still relied on the Yang Prince's estate and could not afford to be estranged. He could only bury all his grievances and bitterness deep within his heart.
Afterward, the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he felt. He wrote a letter to his maternal family. It was only recently that he had acquired his own personnel. He had tested them before employing them, ensuring their martial prowess was exceptional before taking them under his wing.
Unexpectedly, his first mission resulted in such a significant blunder. He harbored some resentment towards them for their lack of caution. He had trusted his maternal family implicitly, and for the first time in many years, when he entrusted them with a task, they had readily agreed but had only produced such useless individuals.
After some thought, he turned and headed to Yang Hanye's study. In the courtyard, he saw the legendary Wu Caiwei and Chen Renjie. They exchanged greetings, and the two, with keen foresight, excused themselves, understanding that Yang Hanyu was there to discuss matters and that they should not interfere in what was essentially the Yang Prince's estate's internal affairs.
Yang Hanye, seeing Yang Hanyu standing there, observed him with a deep gaze while calmly admiring the flowers and trees in the courtyard. After all, it was not he who was in a hurry.
After a long while, Yang Hanyu withdrew his complex gaze, lowered his head, and took a few steps forward, approaching Yang Hanye. He said respectfully, "With my elder brother's intelligence, you must know why I am here. I will not beat around the bush. The individuals you captured in the dungeon were sent by me. Do you know why I hate you so much?"
Yang Hanye raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't expected Yang Hanyu to be so open about his hatred. If Yang Hanyu had come seeking forgiveness, claiming it was all a misunderstanding and that his maternal family had acted on their own, he would have looked down on him. But instead, he was direct, which earned him some admiration. He felt that, in a way, Yang Hanyu was a man of integrity, and he curiously inquired, "Why?"
"Because as long as you exist in this estate, others will not value me. You have no idea what kind of life I've lived here for so many years. Without my father's favor or a powerful maternal family, no one takes me seriously. Even the food and clothes sent to me are of inferior quality.
Some arrogant born-and-bred servants pay me no mind and do not follow my orders. On one occasion, after a tutor praised me in class, my desk was either ink-splattered or my books were damaged the next day. In an unnoticed corner, someone even put a sack over my head and beat me severely. No one stepped forward to defend me. If you didn't exist, I would be the eldest son of the Yang Prince's estate, possessing an extraordinary status, and no one would dare to bully me."
Finally speaking his mind, Yang Hanyu felt a sense of relief. Holding onto these things had been oppressive, and having no one to confide in was stifling. Now, he felt refreshed, no longer needing to force a smile when facing Yang Hanye. From now on, he could freely express his emotions.
"While your plight is indeed pitiable, I understand the purpose of your visit today. I cannot conceal this matter from Father; he must be informed." It wasn't that Yang Hanye was intolerant, but rather that Yang Hanyu had shown no mercy when sending people to end his life.
If it hadn't been for his good luck that day, he would have achieved his objective. Even if he had known who plotted his demise, his father might have turned a blind eye. For in his father's eyes, the interests of the Yang Prince's estate superseded everything. He had many sons, but comparatively, Yang Hanyu was among the more intelligent. Although at times he acted foolishly due to a lack of experience in dealing with people, he was far better than the third and fourth sons, who only knew how to indulge in debauchery.
Seeing that after pouring out his heart and revealing his deepest vulnerabilities, he hadn't swayed Yang Hanye, Yang Hanyu became angry. He thought Yang Hanye wasn't as magnanimous as he appeared; it was clearly a case of personal revenge under the guise of justice.
Enraged, he flicked his sleeve, let out a cold snort, and turned to leave. So what if Yang Hanye reported him to their father? At worst, his father would reprimand him. From then on, he wouldn't rely on the Yang Prince's estate and would forge his own path. He refused to believe that he truly couldn't survive without the Yang Prince's estate.