Feudal Dregs - Chapter 5

That Old Master Li had taken to opium was no rarity in Beijing. The city's opium dens flourished despite repeated bans, and countless souls had fallen prey to the pernicious habit.

Moreover, he'd started smoking a year ago.

Lan Yu wasn't afraid of Li Mingzheng pinning the blame on him. Without evidence, even if the young master truly wished to use this as pretext to eliminate him, Old Master Li still drew breath.

Summer had arrived. The cicadas' drone brought with it Beijing's sweltering heat, though a predawn drizzle had mercifully cooled the air somewhat. The season's languor affected everyone—Lan Yu listlessly stirred his congee, appetite absent.

Old Master Li, however, seemed in good spirits. "Not hungry?"

Lan Yu made a noncommittal sound, his listlessness carrying a subtle note of coquetry. "No appetite."

The old master was charmed. Bringing his own spoon to Lan Yu's lips, he coaxed, "Open up."

Lan Yu pressed his lips together and shook his head. "Just a few more bites," the old master wheedled. "I'll have the kitchen prepare some appetizing snacks later."

Meeting his gaze, Lan Yu slowly parted his lips and accepted the offering. The old master chuckled. "Such a delicate thing."

This was the scene Li Yuqing walked in on. Pausing mid-step, he laughed. "Father, my timing seems unfortunate."

"Where are your manners?" the old master chided. "Couldn't you have announced yourself?"

With another laugh, Li Yuqing performed an exaggerated old-fashioned bow. "Very well. Your son pays his respects."

In good humor, the old master let it pass. "Second Son, what brings you here so early?"

"Haven't seen you in days," Li Yuqing said. "Came specially to check on you."

The old master snorted, eyeing him skeptically. "Since when have you been so filial?"

Sighing dramatically, Li Yuqing replied, "Father dear, you're my own flesh and blood. If I'm not filial to you, who else would I show devotion to?" He made himself comfortable at the table. "Besides, I haven't eaten yet either."

The old master gave him a sidelong glance. "Set another place for him."

Lan Yu responded and stood up. He was dressed in an old-style long gown made of the finest fabric, the last button fastened at the collar, yet it couldn't conceal his striking figure. Though unmistakably a man, with refined and handsome features, one might mistake him for a scholar from some respectable family—if not for those fox-like eyes. But in his every gesture, Li Yuqing could unmistakably detect a hint of coquetry. Unlike the coquetry of women, men understood men, and Lan Yu was more subtle, more masterful in his allure.

Lan Yu bent down to place a bowl and chopsticks beside Li Yuqing, and as he drew near, Li Yuqing caught the scent of sandalwood—his father's customary fragrance.

The old man worshipped the Bodhisattva, having once splurged on a half-life-sized white jade Guanyin statue, enshrined in the family's prayer hall. Li Yuqing dismissed it as his father's fear of death in old age. Given the sins his father had committed in this lifetime, if there really were deities, they'd surely cast him straight into hell.

Raising his eyes, Li Yuqing noticed the red marks on Lan Yu's wrist. A man of experience, he knew exactly how they got there. He clicked his tongue inwardly—old as he was, his father certainly had no shortage of tricks in bed. He probably didn't even fear dying in the act.

With a charming smile, Li Yuqing said, "Thank you, Ninth Concubine."

Lan Yu glanced at him but said nothing, returning to his seat beside the old master.

Li Yuqing seemed genuinely there to accompany his father for breakfast. The two occasionally discussed the political situation in the capital or exchanged a few words about current affairs, an uncharacteristically harmonious scene. Lan Yu ate his plain congee unhurriedly when suddenly, his fingers paused. He lifted his gaze to meet Li Yuqing's across the table. Li Yuqing's expression remained unchanged as he spoke to the old man, not sparing Lan Yu a single glance.

No one would have guessed that beneath the table, Li Yuqing's foot was pressed against Lan Yu's.

Once might have been accidental. Twice was deliberate.

Lan Yu hadn't expected Li Yuqing to be so audacious as to flirt with his own father's concubine right under the old man's nose.

He tried to pull back, but Li Yuqing trapped his leg between his own. The table was small, and Lan Yu, constrained by caution, shot Li Yuqing a cold glare. In response, Li Yuqing only smirked and rubbed his calf teasingly.

Lan Yu tightened his grip on the spoon. Li Yuqing wore modern pointed leather shoes, their presence unmistakable as they slid beneath the hem of Lan Yu's gown, pressing against his leg like a serpent, sending shivers down his spine. The spoon slipped from his fingers, clattering into the bowl. The old man turned to Lan Yu, noticing his pallor. "What's wrong? You look unwell."

Li Yuqing chimed in, "Stepmother, you seem quite pale. Are you ill?"

Lan Yu shot him a warning look before forcing a weak smile for the old man. "I had the servants prepare a silver ear and lotus seed soup in the kitchen. It should be ready—I'll go check."

The old man said, "If you're feeling unwell, let the servants handle it. Don't overexert yourself."

Lan Yu pressed his lips into a faint smile and stood, leaving without another glance at Li Yuqing.

Li Yuqing had a notorious reputation, and Lan Yu had no intention of entangling himself with such a man—let alone the son of his master. Men like him only pursued others on a whim, seeking amusement in fleeting desires.

But Li Yuqing's idea of "play" came at a negligible cost to himself—at most, it would add another scandalous entry to his ledger of debauchery. Yet if Lan Yu became entangled with him and was discovered, the only outcome would be death.

Lan Yu had no intention of playing such a game.

Carrying a bowl of silver ear and lotus seed soup, he had just turned past the arched gate when a hand seized his wrist. Lifting his gaze, he saw none other than Li Yuqing.

Lan Yu glanced at the fingers gripping his wrist and said, "What does the Second Young Master mean by this?"

Li Yuqing smiled. "Nothing much. I just wanted to get a little closer to my stepmother."

Lan Yu replied, "If others see the Second Young Master behaving so improperly, it wouldn't look good."

Li Yuqing sighed dramatically. "Who told my stepmother to avoid me like the plague?"

He spoke as if he were the aggrieved party, as though Lan Yu were the one at fault. Lan Yu met his gaze and said, "Second Young Master, the master cannot be left unattended for long. If I don't return soon—“

"So, please step aside."

Li Yuqing, who had been holding his arm, slowly slid his grip down to Lan Yu's wrist. He pushed up the sleeve slightly, revealing the rope marks on his skin, and said with feigned pity, "My father truly doesn't know how to cherish beauty. He's rubbed your skin raw."

Lan Yu tightened his fingers and said coolly, "Second Young Master, please behave yourself."

Li Yuqing burst into laughter, stroking the red marks as if they were shackles. "Why don't you teach me, stepmother, how to write those two words?"

His tone was lazy as he continued, "Stepmother, I've always been curious. My father has taken in so many concubines over the years—all women, never once showing interest in men. So why did he suddenly break convention and bring you home?"

"Though I must admit, even I find you quite alluring," Li Yuqing said. "But for a man who only ever liked women to suddenly change his tastes—I don't buy it. Won't you enlighten me, stepmother?"

Lan Yu looked at him, then slowly relaxed his posture, leaning against the locust tree behind him. "Why don't you ask the master yourself? Then you'll know."

Li Yuqing grinned. "I'd rather hear it from you."

Lan Yu said, "Who knows? Maybe he just took a fancy to me."

Li Yuqing studied him and chuckled. "Fair enough. How could he resist when you're so captivating?" His fingers trailed along Lan Yu's ear and neck. "Stepmother, no matter how much my father likes you, at his age, how many years does he have left to dote on you? Why not— "

He grinned down at Lan Yu, who tilted his face up and asked slowly, "Why not what?"

Their noses nearly touched. Lan Yu's lips were a delicate red, as if made for kissing. Li Yuqing almost closed the distance, but Lan Yu turned his head at the last moment, leaving only a fleeting brush of lips against his cheek. Li Yuqing's voice was light and teasing as he murmured, "Why not come with me instead?"

Tall, broad-shouldered, and long-legged, Li Yuqing wore an unbuttoned suit with a silver pocket watch pinned to his chest—the very picture of a spoiled young master. Lan Yu studied him, taking in the young man's peach-blossom eyes that made even a hint of affection seem like devotion. He smiled faintly, then grabbed Li Yuqing's collar and pulled him down, whispering in his ear, "Fine."

"When your father dies, I'll be yours."

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