Feudal Dregs - Chapter 11

The rain lasted until the next day, dispelling the summer heat and leaving a slight chill in the morning air.

Lan Yu propped open the window. Old Master Li sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Lan Yu, bring me my opium paste."

He seemed to be craving it.

Lan Yu, familiar with the routine, fetched the opium pipe and packed it with the paste before handing the delicate pipe to Old Master Li. The old man eagerly took a drag from Lan Yu's hand. Smoke curled up slowly, thick with a cloying sweetness, and his eyes narrowed in satisfaction.

When Li Yuqing arrived, this was the scene he walked in on. "Father, why are you smoking so early in the morning?"

Old Master Li reclined against the headboard, pipe in hand, his voice faint. "What are you here for?"

Li Yuqing chuckled. "What kind of question is that? Can't I come see you?"

The old man shot him a glance but said nothing.

Li Yuqing's gaze drifted to Lan Yu. Today, Lan Yu wore a plain white robe with his sleeves rolled up, revealing pale wrists. A white jade thumb ring adorned his finger, accentuating its slender elegance—like a delicate jade carving.

The spot on Li Yuqing's shoulder where Lan Yu had bitten him suddenly itched, and his heart stirred inexplicably.

Li Yuqing had seen his fair share of enchanting youths and beauties from Jiangnan, but this one—this one truly seemed like a lotus nurtured by the waters of the south, transformed into human form, fierce and exquisite.

Lan Yu was tidying the bed, his back turned to Li Yuqing. The long gown outlined his slender waist, so delicate it seemed it could be snapped with a mere grip. Li Yuqing's gaze was brazen and direct, impossible to ignore. Lan Yu lowered his eyes, slowly smoothing out the thin bedding before leaning in to whisper in Old Master Li's ear, "I'll go check on the kitchen first."

Smoke curled from the opium pipe. As Lan Yu drew near, he inadvertently inhaled a sudden puff, nearly staggering. Old Master Li took a few moments to react before saying, "Go ahead."

Turning around, Lan Yu found himself locking eyes directly with Li Yuqing.

Their gazes met.

The trace of meekness on Lan Yu's face vanished completely, replaced by an icy indifference that only made Li Yuqing's heart itch all the more.

Lan Yu walked straight past him.

Li Yuqing caught the scent clinging to him—the addictive sweetness of opium paste, mingled with sandalwood and a faint, elusive hint of something crisp and cool, barely perceptible.

Old Master Li asked, "Well? What did you come to see me about?"

Li Yuqing chuckled. "Some business at the ministry. I have to leave the mountain today, so I won't be keeping you company up here."

Old Master Li's expression shifted slightly. He lifted his head from the smoke and studied Li Yuqing. "What's happened now?"

With careless ease, Li Yuqing replied, "Nothing serious. What, are you going to miss me?" His tone was flippant, drawing a gruff response from the old man: "Get out of here."

Li Yuqing laughed. Watching his youthful face, Old Master Li slowly set down the opium pipe. "Second Son, official circles aren't like the business world—especially these days. Don't be too ostentatious. Steady progress is the superior approach."

Li Yuqing clicked his tongue. "Got it."

He stood. "You should cut back on this opium. You're already paralyzed—ruin your health any further and you'll be stuck staring at the ceiling, unable to die or live comfortably."

Old Master Li snapped impatiently, "I don't need your lectures."

Li Yuqing stretched lazily. "I'm off."

"Then get going."

Lan Yu deliberately lingered in the temple kitchen before returning. Yet as soon as he stepped onto the corridor, Li Yuqing intercepted him. Alert, Lan Yu took two steps back, cold eyes fixed on him, the tray in hid hands poised to strike if he dared come closer.

Li Yuqing raised his hands. "Stepmother, no need for tension."

"I came specifically to apologize today."

Lan Yu replied indifferently, "Unnecessary. This humble one cannot accept Second Young Master's apologies."

Li Yuqing lowered his voice. "Stepmother, don't be like this. I'm sincere. I was wrong yesterday—I shouldn't have been rough with you."

Lan Yu didn't believe a word of it. Li Yuqing continued, "It's only because I like you so much. Besides, you've slapped me before, and yesterday you bit me—it still hurts today."

Lan Yu sneered. "You brought it upon yourself."

Li Yuqing sighed. "I truly do care for you."

Unmoved, Lan Yu said, "Move aside."

Li Yuqing gazed at him. "Stepmother, I'm leaving the mountain today."

"Safe travels. I won't see you out."

"Stepmother," Li Yuqing whined plaintively.

He sighed again. "You're so cruel to me, when even in my dreams I think of you."

Lan Yu lowered his eyes when suddenly, Li Yuqing closed the distance between them. Just as Lan Yu was about to hurl the tray in his hands, his wrist was caught tightly. Li Yuqing whispered by his ear, "Stepmother, be careful—the porridge might spill."

No sooner had he spoken than Lan Yu felt a sharp pain in his earlobe—Li Yuqing had bitten him, then kissed the spot. With a low chuckle, he said, "They say eating Tang Monk's flesh grants immortality. Could it be that Stepmother is a Bodhisattva reincarnated, and I must take a bite to satisfy my craving?"

His words were shamelessly flirtatious. Lan Yu stiffened, unable to endure it any longer, and snapped, "Li Yuqing!"

Li Yuqing studied him for a moment before unexpectedly releasing him and even taking a step back. Smiling, he said, "Don't be angry, Stepmother. I told you, I won't do anything today—I just came to apologize."

Lan Yu roughly wiped his ear and said coldly, "Li Yuqing, do you really not fear me telling your father?"

Li Yuqing replied lazily, "Go ahead if you want. Even if my father doesn't beat me to death, I'll still keep pestering you."

Grinning, he added, "Just accept it, Stepmother."

Lan Yu said indifferently, "I accept your ancestors."

Li Yuqing burst out laughing. "Stepmother acknowledging my Li family ancestors isn't a bad idea. But as my father's concubine, you wouldn't make it into the family records. Why not marry me instead? I'll have you entered into the Li family registry—how about that?"

Lan Yu stared at him expressionlessly, refusing to waste any more words. He turned and walked away. Li Yuqing didn't stop him, but as they passed each other, he whispered in Lan Yu's ear, "Stepmother, I'll be waiting for you at home."

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