Feudal Dregs - Chapter 16

A deafening clap of thunder shook the city as another storm swept over Beijing. The wind and rain lashed violently, bending the banana trees in the courtyard as if threatening to uproot them.

Old Master Li was reviewing account books in his study while Lan Yu brewed tea—freshly picked Mingqian Longjing from this year. The emerald-green leaves unfurled in the water, filling the room with a delicate fragrance.

It was then that Li Ming'an and his mother, Madam Zhao, arrived. They carried umbrellas, but the storm was so fierce that their shoulders were still damp from the rain.

"Father," Li Ming'an stood before the desk, reluctance clear in his voice.

Madam Zhao, barely past fifty, had delicate willow-leaf brows and a youthful beauty, though years of cautious living had left her with a timid air. Born into a merchant family, she had been given to Old Master Li as his fifth concubine through business dealings. She nudged Li Ming'an lightly, prompting him to add, "I've come to pay my respects."

The old master slowly lifted his gaze to them. "The rain is heavy. Why didn't you just stay put?"

Li Ming'an pressed his lips together, but before he could speak, Madam Zhao hurriedly said, "No storm could keep us from paying our respects to you, isn't that right, Ming'an?"

Li Ming'an murmured agreement.

Old Master Li studied him. "You didn't come here to greet me. You're just restless, aren't you?"

Li Ming'an exhaled. "Father, I've been stuck at home for half a month. Just let me go out."

The old master turned a page of the ledger. "You'll leave when you stop fooling around."

Li Ming'an muttered, "I wasn't fooling around—“

Madam Zhao grabbed his hand and shook it. "Ming'an!"

Li Ming'an immediately changed his tune, saying, "Father, I won't cause any more trouble from now on, so please don't confine me to the house."

Old Master Li snorted with a laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Quick with your promises, aren't you?"

"Since you're no longer aiming for the imperial examinations, you've studied enough at your age," Old Master Li said thoughtfully, looking at Ming'an. "Go learn business from your eldest brother."

Ming'an's face paled. "Father, I don't like business. I don't want to go into trade with Eldest Brother!"

Old Master Li replied indifferently, "If not business, then what? Join your second brother in politics? With your temperament, you'd only bring trouble."

"I don't want trade or politics," Ming'an insisted. "I want to continue my studies at the university."

"What can you possibly learn there?" Old Master Li retorted. "When I sent you to study, I expected you to learn something proper. But look at what you're doing now—none of it is presentable!"

Ming'an argued stubbornly, "Father, every man has a duty to his country in times of crisis. What I'm doing now is important work!"

Old Master Li slammed the account book on the table. "Still being obstinate!"

The father and son were at an impasse. Madam Zhao pulled her young son aside, her expression troubled.

Lan Yu watched the tense scene coldly. Carrying a cup of tea, he approached Old Master Li, slightly bowing as he said softly, "The tea is ready. Please try it."

Old Master Li glanced at Lan Yu, who smiled and placed the teacup before him. The old man exhaled lightly and took a sip.

Ming'an stared at Lan Yu—this was only his second time seeing him.

After being dragged back to the Li residence by servants and confined to his mother's courtyard, Ming'an had been furious. The steward kept a close watch, forbidding him from leaving the estate. Only much later did he recall Lan Yu and ask his mother about him, only to learn that Lan Yu was his father's newly taken concubine.

Ming'an was stunned. "But... he's a man!" he blurted out.

Madam Zhao's expression was complicated as she sighed quietly. "If the master likes him, what can we do?"

Ming'an frowned deeply. "Besides, Father is at this age, and Lan Yu looks barely older than me—he could be Father's son! How can he be a concubine? It's absurd!"

Madam Zhao quickly hushed him. "Keep your voice down."

Ming'an looked at his mother, recalling that fleeting glimpse in the carriage. No matter what, he couldn't reconcile that image with the word "concubine."

Unable to hold back, he asked, "Mother, why would a man like Lan Yu become Father's concubine? Did Father force him?"

"Don't speak nonsense," Madam Zhao chided softly. "He is your father."

After a pause, she added, "No matter the circumstances, it's none of your concern. He has already entered the Li household as your father's ninth concubine."

Li Ming'an couldn't help but look up at Lan Yu. Today, Lan Yu was dressed in a plain blue robe, his slender and tall figure exuding an air of refined elegance, like an orchid or jade tree. Yet the mere thought that Lan Yu was his father's concubine filled Li Ming'an with an indescribable discomfort.

As if sensing his gaze, Lan Yu lifted his eyes to meet his. Lan Yu had the upturned, fox-like eyes of a seducer, brimming with emotion, yet tempered by an innate purity—a contradictory allure.

Lowering his voice, Lan Yu said to Old Master Li, "Why take your anger out on a child? Between father and son, words should be spoken with care."

Li Ming'an only felt more uneasy.

To his surprise, Old Master Li disregarded their presence and patted Lan Yu's hand.

The rain fell in a steady drizzle, and before long, Lan Yu escorted Li Ming'an and Lady Zhao out of the study.

Lady Zhao looked at the man with a complicated expression but said nothing, merely offering a slight bow. "Thank you."

Lan Yu hesitated, taking a step back.

Suddenly, Li Ming'an said to his mother, "Go on ahead. There's something I need to take care of."

Lady Zhao frowned. "What else could you possibly have to do? The rain is so heavy—"

"Mother," Li Ming'an drawled, and Lady Zhao, unable to argue, relented. "Fine, I'll go first. Don't be long."

With that, she stepped into the misty rain, her figure graceful beneath the umbrella.

Li Ming'an turned his gaze to Lan Yu, who arched a brow. "Does the Third Young Master wish to speak with the master?"

"No—"Li Ming'an answered quickly, his eyes flickering over Lan Yu's face before darting back to the rain. "Your name is Lan Yu?" Lan Yu smiled faintly. "You may also call me Ninth Concubine."

Li Ming'an's brows knitted together. After a pause, he lowered his voice. "Why did you become my father's concubine?"

Lan Yu stared at him in surprise, taken aback by the bluntness of the question. After a moment's consideration, he replied with a light laugh, "What does the Third Young Master mean by that?"

Li Ming'an said, "I don't mean anything else. I just think you shouldn't be his concubine. If he mistreats you, tell me."

He looked at Lan Yu earnestly. "I'll help you."

Lan Yu was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. The sound made Li Ming'an flush red, and he insisted, "I mean it."

Lan Yu shook his head. "Thank you, Third Young Master, but that won't be necessary."

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