Feudal Dregs - Chapter 8

The Guanyin Temple stood on the mountain, its incense sparse. Only nearby villagers or those bringing their wives and children came to pray to the Bodhisattva, lending the place a quiet serenity.

Lan Yu looked up at the enormous statue of the Bodhisattva in the main hall. The deity held a pure vase, eyes lowered in compassion as they gazed upon all living beings.

Suddenly, Lan Yu remembered the first time Old Master Li had pinned him to the bed. The man had stared obsessively at his lower body, fingers tracing the length of his shaft and the narrow slit beneath, murmuring in a daze, "The Bodhisattva... the Bodhisattva has descended."

"The world is filthy, yet Guanyin embodies the essence of both—male and female forms," Old Master Li had whispered in his ear, breath ragged with deranged obsession, sending chills down Lan Yu's spine. Trembling all over, Lan Yu had let out a sharp cry when a rough finger abruptly pushed inside.

Old Master Li kissed his neck, his flat chest, and hushed him, "Don't move." Then he asked, "Have you been with anyone before?"

Lan Yu's mind was a mess, his heart pounding too fast to think clearly. "What?"

"Men, women—have you ever slept with anyone?"

The man's hardness pressed against him, and Lan Yu shrank back in terror, shaking his head wildly. "No, I can't—"

Seeing his fear, Old Master Li only grew more infatuated. He caressed Lan Yu's cheek and murmured, "The Bodhisattva pities the mortal world, sacrificing themselves to save others." His words were tender, but his actions were merciless as he slowly pushed inside. "Lan Yu, you're the living Bodhisattva sent to save me."

Now, Lan Yu snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes flickering with mockery as he met the Bodhisattva's compassionate gaze. The world was full of absurdities—who would have thought that someone could piously worship the gods while secretly craving to defile them? Hypocrisy at its most revolting.

"Has the little lady come to offer incense too?" A voice laced with amusement suddenly spoke beside him. Lan Yu turned and saw Li Yuqing, who had somehow entered the hall unnoticed.

Li Yuqing stood beside Lan Yu, looking up at the solemn statue of the Bodhisattva just as he was.

Lan Yu responded indifferently with a noncommittal hum. Li Yuqing clasped his hands together and bowed in reverence. Watching him, Lan Yu suddenly remarked, "Second Master worships the Bodhisattva? Do you truly believe in it?"

Li Yuqing smiled. "The gods watch from above—why shouldn't I?"

Lan Yu stared into his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. He turned to leave, but Li Yuqing followed and said, "Is this your first time visiting this Guanyin Temple, Stepmother?"

Lan Yu replied, "Yes."

Li Yuqing continued, "Though this temple isn't particularly famous for its incense offerings and is rather remote, the scenery is quite lovely. Shall I accompany you for a stroll?"

Lan Yu said coolly, "No need. I should be heading back."

Li Yuqing grabbed his arm. "Stepmother, my father has servants to attend to him. Why must you stay by his side all day?"

Lan Yu glanced at his hand, then slowly raised his eyes. "Second Young Master, let go."

But Li Yuqing refused. "No. Why are you so gentle with my father yet so cold to me?" He chuckled, feigning grievance. "Is that old man really that much better?"

Lan Yu remained unruffled. "Don't forget—I am your father's Ninth Concubine."

Li Yuqing, tall enough to look down at him, lowered his voice. "I return your pearls with tears in my eyes, regretting we did not meet before I was wed."

Lan Yu tried to pull free, but Li Yuqing only tightened his grip. In their struggle, Lan Yu was abruptly pinned beneath the lotus pedestal of the Guanyin statue. His expression turned icy as he snapped, "Li Yuqing!"

Li Yuqing whined, "Stepmother is so harsh. I just wanted to get closer to you."

Lan Yu took a deep breath. "Get up."

"No." Li Yuqing buried his face against Lan Yu's neck, inhaling deeply. "You smell so good." Suddenly, his gaze caught on Lan Yu's collarbone. He tugged open the collar and traced a mark with his fingers, murmuring, "Did my father bite you here?"

Though he addressed Lan Yu as "Stepmother," his actions were brazen—especially in the main hall of the temple, where devotees or monks could enter at any moment. Lan Yu tried to kick him, but Li Yuqing easily pinned his leg between his knees, leaving him exposed.

Lan Yu's chest heaved as he hissed, "Li Yuqing, don't push me too far!"

Li Yuqing chuckled. "Stepmother, if I truly wanted to bully you, you'd have been mine long ago. Why wait till now?"

Lan Yu pressed his lips together, silent. Li Yuqing nuzzled his nose and whispered, "I like you, Stepmother. I just want to be close to you. Don't avoid me like I'm poison. If you indulge me, we'll both be happy—how about it?"

Lan Yu stared at him, his tense body gradually relaxing. Sensing this, Li Yuqing loosened his grip on Lan Yu's wrist—only for a sharp slap to land across his cheek. Lan Yu sneered, "Let this teach you a lesson, Second Young Master: what isn't yours, don't covet."

The slap stunned Li Yuqing. When had he ever been struck before? His face darkened instantly. Watching Lan Yu turn away, he lunged forward, seized him, and slammed him against a nearby statue of an Arhat. Gripping his throat, he growled, "You dare hit me?"

Lan Yu choked out a strained laugh. "You'd better choke harder—let your father see for himself how his unfilial son lusts after his own concubine."

His words actually served as a reminder to Li Yuqing, who gradually calmed down. He released his grip on the other man's throat, even gently smoothing out his collar with a smile. "Stepmother, how heartless you are."

Lan Yu coughed violently, red finger marks left on his neck. Li Yuqing's eyes darkened at the sight, and he caressed the marks as he murmured, "Stepmother, you see how my father dotes on you now—but how many years can that last?"

"You're a man. You can't bear him a son to secure your position. Once you lose his favor, the women in the Li household could tear you apart with their bare hands," Li Yuqing said. "You're still so young. Are you really willing to live like this for the rest of your life?"

Lan Yu scoffed. "Do you really take me for a fool?"

"Following you would be a death sentence."

Li Yuqing sighed. "Haven't you heard, Stepmother, that desperate times call for desperate measures? I'm so fond of you—how could I bear to see you die?" He pressed closer, whispering in Lan Yu's ear, "Even if the old man keeps favoring you, how many years does he have left? Once he's gone, do you really think the madam would let you walk away?"

Lan Yu remained silent.

Li Yuqing kissed his earlobe, gazing down at him. When Lan Yu met the young man's eyes, Li Yuqing's lips brushed against his cheek. As his chin was gripped and the kiss threatened to land on his lips, Lan Yu turned his face away, leaving it to graze the corner of his mouth instead.

Li Yuqing murmured, "Stepmother, when I set my sights on something, I must have it. Otherwise, I can't eat or sleep."

"Stepmother, have mercy and give me what I want."

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