Feudal Dregs - Chapter 27

Not long after the Eighth Concubine left, Old Madam Li and the rest of the concubines also returned to the mansion, leaving only Lan Yu behind on Old Madam Li's orders. Li Ming'an stayed as well, saying he would return later. Old Madam Li frowned but turned and left without another word.

The Seventh Concubine, playing with the earring dangling by her cheek, swayed gracefully as she cast a meaningful glance at the two of them. Leaning close to the Sixth Concubine, she whispered something—perhaps a teasing remark—that made the Sixth Concubine blush and shoot her a glare before they left together, laughing.

Once they were gone, Li Ming'an's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he couldn't help but glance at Lan Yu. She remained composed, showing no sign of distress at being left behind in the porridge shed.

Li Ming'an pursed his lips, inexplicably feeling that Lan Yu was pitiable. Someone as kind as him shouldn't be trapped in the Li family's inner quarters.

"Third Young Master, have some water," a servant offered, handing him a cup. Li Ming'an hesitated for a moment before taking it and approaching Lan Yu. "Ninth Concubine, you've been working hard. Have some water."

Lan Yu glanced at him and accepted the cup politely. "Thank you."

He drank it all in one go.

Li Ming'an stared at the empty cup and quickly asked, "Are you still thirsty? I can pour you another..."

Lan Yu arched a brow slightly, looking at him with an amused yet inscrutable expression. Li Ming'an's ears burned, his gaze flickering away as if scalded, unsure of what to say. After a moment, Lan Yu said softly, "No need."

He handed the cup back to him. Li Ming'an fumbled, gripping the small cup tightly as he watched Lan Yu turn back to distributing porridge. His gaze fell on the rim of the cup, and suddenly, the thought of Lan Yu's lips touching it sent a flush creeping up his cheeks.

Li Ming'an didn't know whether to let go or hold on tighter. He had always despised the frivolous romantic antics of Beijing's playboys, yet now he found himself bewitched, harboring improper thoughts about someone he shouldn't.

The irony was that he had no experience in such matters—even his fantasies were vague, obscured by mist, which only made the young man's heart more restless.

Distracted, Li Ming'an only snapped out of his thoughts as dusk approached, after the rain had come and gone, when Lan Yu mentioned returning to the Li residence.

"I... should head back too," Li Ming'an said.

The servant hesitated. "If the Third Young Master wishes to return, we'll need a moment to prepare the carriage."

Frowning, Li Ming'an asked, "Then how is Ninth Concubine getting back?"

The servant fell silent.

Lan Yu remained composed. "The Third Young Master should wait here a while longer."

With that, Lan Yu stepped out of the porridge shelter. The implication was clear. Glaring at the servant in annoyance, Li Ming'an grabbed an umbrella and hurried after him.

Catching up, Li Ming'an offered, "Ninth Concubine, let me find you a rickshaw. It's quite a distance back."

Lan Yu paused mid-step, carefully avoiding a muddy patch with a sigh. "Does the Third Young Master not understand? The Madam expects me to walk back."

"Walking with me—what could the First Madam possibly say?" Li Ming'an protested.

Lan Yu gave him a sidelong glance. "That's precisely the problem. Walking with the Third Young Master is the issue."

Li Ming'an lowered his head, muttering, "...They're just bullying you."

Lan Yu neither agreed nor disagreed. The two walked half a step apart, but despite their caution, the long rain had left the ground so muddy that their trousers were soon splattered. Dusk had settled, and the streets were nearly empty. The white banners outside tea stalls hung soaked and curled, clinging to weathered old wood.

The walk continued in silence.

Li Ming'an wanted to speak but feared upsetting Lan Yu. He stole glances at him, then quickly looked away, shifting his gaze to the streets, visibly uneasy. As they passed an alley, Li Ming'an suddenly said, "Ninth Concubine, wait here for a moment."

Before Lan Yu could react, Li Ming'an had already dashed excitedly into the alley, hurrying as if afraid to keep him waiting. Watching his retreating figure, Lan Yu wore a thoughtful expression.

Li Ming'an returned just as quickly, holding an oil-paper package. "You've been serving porridge all day without eating. You must be hungry."

He added, "There's a small pastry shop in this alley. Their donkey rolls are authentic—some of the best in Beijing. Try one."

He rattled off a string of words, his cheeks flushed from running, his glasses askew. Seeing Lan Yu looking at him, he sheepishly adjusted the temple of his spectacles and presented the oil-paper package like a treasure.

Inside the package were neatly arranged pieces of "donkey rolls," still warm and exuding a sweet, comforting aroma.

"Thank you," Lan Yu said, picking up a piece and taking a bite. Li Ming'an eagerly asked, "Is it good?"

Lan Yu looked at Li Ming'an and nodded with a smile, "It's delicious."

Li Ming'an smiled bashfully. Gazing at the smile on Lan Yu's face, he suddenly blurted out, "Lan Yu, let me treat you to a meal."

Lan Yu studied Li Ming'an. A few pedestrians hurried past on the long street. In midsummer, the sky darkened late, and the young man's eyes sparkled brightly, his lenses unable to conceal the anticipation and nervousness within. Lan Yu leisurely finished the donkey roll in his hand, wiped the bean flour from his fingers, and asked, "Third Young Master, why do you want to treat me to a meal?"

Li Ming'an hesitated, mumbling, "It's dinner time now, and we've both been busy all day..."

Lan Yu said, "But it would be improper for just the two of us to dine together." He lifted his eyes to look at Li Ming'an, the setting sun casting a melancholic hue over his refined features. "I am your father's concubine, your little mother."

Li Ming'an pressed his lips together and whispered, "I know you didn't willingly become my father's concubine."

Lan Yu laughed, "How do you know I didn't? Besides, how many concubines in the Li household truly wanted to enter it?"

His tone was wistful, making Li Ming'an's heart clench. Softly, he said, "I just know you didn't."

Lan Yu was amused by his childish words. Li Ming'an continued, "You shouldn't be trapped in the Li family's inner quarters by my father."

Lan Yu was taken aback, scrutinizing Li Ming'an's youthful, handsome face. An eighteen- or nineteen-year-old boy, brimming with vitality and innocence—how had such a gentle lamb been born into the Li family's den of wolves?

Lan Yu smiled slowly, "Then where do you think I should go?"

Li Ming'an thought for a moment and said, "The world is vast. You could go wherever you want."

Lan Yu looked at him for a long moment before sighing with a smile, "My dear Third Young Master, you're far too naive. If you knew that leaving would mean facing storms, hunger, and cold, would you still want to fly away?"

"Perhaps it's better to remain a caged bird, a pampered sparrow."

<<Chapter List