At that time Du Jinfang, Mei Lanfang's favorite female student, had been searching desperately for a hsiaosheng to play opposite her. Yu Wanzeng was seconded to the China Peking Opera Company, where he performed with Du Jinfang at many venues inside and outside China.
當時梅蘭芳最得意的女弟子杜近芳，正為找不到配戲的小生苦惱，於是于萬增開始借調至中京院，跟著杜近芳國內、外四處公演。