Feudal Dregs - Chapter 52

That day, Li Mingzheng and Lan Yu returned separately. Li Mingzheng arranged for a rickshaw to take Lan Yu back to the mansion first before returning to the Li residence himself.

Shortly after his return, the old master Li's steward came, politely informing him that the patriarch wished to see him. Lan Yu's heart skipped a beat—having just secretly met with Li Mingzheng, he felt uneasy. He carefully checked his high-collared robe covering him to the neck before heading toward the main courtyard.

Unexpectedly, Old Master Li had bought him a new pipa.

Earlier that day, Lan Yu had claimed he accidentally damaged his mother's old pipa and wanted to find a craftsman to repair it, to which the old master had consented. The new pipa was exquisite, lying pristine in its brocade case. Lan Yu stared at it motionlessly until the old master asked, "Don't you like it?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Lan Yu smiled at the man past his fifties, running his fingers over the instrument. "Of course I like it—how could I not when you've gifted it to me?"

When Old Master Li doted on someone, he spared no sweet words. Patting Lan Yu's hand gently, he said, "I know that old pipa meant much to you, but your mother wouldn't want you grieving over a mere object."

Lan Yu's lashes fluttered slightly. The old master smiled. "Give it a try?"

Meeting his gaze, Lan Yu settled with the pipa. His slender fingers plucked the strings—evidently tuned upon purchase, the tones were perfect. Dressed in his standing-collar robe, he looked every bit the refined young gentleman, yet when his well-trimmed fingers danced across the strings and he glanced up demurely, there was an understated allure about him.

Old Master Li watched him intently. Initially drawn to Lan Yu's unusual physique, he had grown fond of his wit and that indescribable charm straddling masculinity and femininity—a rare quality even for someone as worldly as him, like a soft feather tickling the deepest itch in a man's heart.

Lan Yu played a southern folk tune the old master had heard during his travels in Jiangnan— "Scenery of Wuxi," its melody hauntingly beautiful. Tapping the armrest of his wheelchair in rhythm, the old master hummed along. Lan Yu glanced at him, the corners of his lips curling silently.

It was then that Madam Zhao arrived.

Yunxiang announced, "Master, Fifth Concubine is here, saying it's urgent."

His mood dampened, the old master frowned. "What could possibly—“

Before he could finish, Madam Zhao burst in, tears in her eyes, a strand of hair loose at her temple, her face deathly pale. "Master... Ming'an is in trouble."

Old Master Li asked in a deep voice, "What trouble has he caused this time?"

Upon hearing this, Lan Yu glanced at Madam Zhao before carefully placing the pipa back into its brocade case. She wiped her hands slowly and stood quietly to the side.

Madam Zhao was kneeling, her eyes brimming with tears as she cried out pitifully, "Ming'an has been taken away by the police." Old Master Li's expression darkened.

The news had been delivered in a panic by one of Li Ming'an's classmates, who had sought out Madam Zhao. Upon hearing it, she had immediately lost her composure. The Zhao family, Madam Zhao's natal family, had moved to Shanghai years ago. As a woman confined to the inner quarters, she was utterly helpless upon receiving such dreadful news and could only rush to Old Master Li in desperation.

Old Master Li remained silent, his face grim.

Li Mingzheng had already returned to the residence. The news had reached him on his way back, so he went straight to Old Master Li's main courtyard. As soon as he entered the room, his gaze met Lan Yu's. Their eyes locked for just a second before looking away.

The Li family's deep roots in Beijing meant they quickly uncovered the details of Li Ming'an's arrest.

Inside the room, the steward reported, "This morning, the Third Young Master and some classmates witnessed a conflict between several foreigners and two students on the street. They intervened to uphold justice." He paused, clearing his throat before continuing, "They're all at that impulsive age. A street brawl that attracted the police wouldn't normally be a big deal, but those men were foreigners with connections to the embassy... which complicates matters."

Old Master Li slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and cursed, "That wretched boy!"

Madam Zhao wept and pleaded, "Master, you must save Ming'an... A prison is no place for him! And now he's offended foreigners—what if they try to harm him—"

Her words grew increasingly terrifying, and she broke down in sobs.

Old Master Li sneered, "So you know he's offended foreigners? I've warned him time and again to be cautious and focus on his studies. Now that he's caused trouble, let him face the consequences himself!"

"After all, he's never taken prison seriously anyway!"

Madam Zhao's face turned pale, her thin shoulders trembling uncontrollably as she choked out, "Ming'an is still young. It's my fault for not raising him properly. Master, you can't just leave him in prison..." Her helpless gaze turned to the cold and silent Li Mingzheng, pleading, "Eldest Young Master, please save Ming'an. He's your own brother."

Li Mingzheng looked at Old Master Li, who grew even more irritated at Madam Zhao's fearful tears and snapped, "Leave us!"

Madame Zhao trembled, disbelief in her voice, "...Master."

Old Master Li said coldly, "It's all because you kept spoiling him, indulging him. He's young? At his age, Eldest and Second could already manage affairs independently."

"Look at the fine son you've raised—nineteen years old, still filling his head with impractical nonsense. Let him cool his heels properly now, think about whether his democracy and freedom can save him!"

Madame Zhao gazed despairingly at Old Master Li, then at Li Mingzheng, before casting a glance at the silent Lan Yu. Her face grew increasingly ashen as she said, "Master, no matter what, Ming'an... Ming'an is still your son."

Old Master Li rebuked, "Such an unfilial son isn't worth keeping!"

"Get out!"

Madame Zhao swayed, barely able to maintain her kneeling position. Her legs weakened, and it took several attempts before she could barely stand, retreating in dejection.

Only the Li father and sons remained in the room with Lan Yu, who continued standing quietly as if he weren't present. Li Mingzheng also remained silent until Old Master Li asked after a moment, "What do you think?"

Li Mingzheng said unhurriedly, "He merely injured a few foreigners, didn't kill anyone. At worst, he'll suffer some hardship in prison." Old Master Li muttered to himself, "It's time he tasted some hardship. Without suffering, he'll never grow out of his useless ways."

Li Mingzheng said, "Third Brother has a naive disposition. Some tempering would do him good." As he spoke, he seemed to sense something and raised his eyes to meet Lan Yu's gaze from behind Old Master Li. His expression unchanged, he added calmly, "Tomorrow, I'll have Second Brother go check on him."

Old Master Li tapped the armrest with his fingers. "Not tomorrow. Let him stew for a few days."

Li Mingzheng casually acknowledged, "Mm."

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