Feudal Dregs - Chapter 61

The fight between Li Yuqing and Li Ming'an had taken place in Lan Yu's room. Both men bore injuries, but to avoid drawing attention, they left the Li residence in silent agreement.

Li Yuqing didn't return until three days later.

Inside the Li family study, Old Master Li, Li Mingzheng, and Li Yuqing sat together. The old man finished a long drag from his opium pipe, the room thick with the cloying sweetness of the drug. Li Yuqing waved a hand dismissively. "Father, next time you summon me, finish your smoke first. Spare me the stench."

He spoke without the slightest courtesy. The tall young man sat slouched in his chair with one leg casually crossed over the other, a hand resting against the bridge of his nose in evident disdain. Li Yuqing had seen too many opium addicts reduced to wretched states and harbored an intense loathing for the drug. The old Master Li exuded an air of sickly indolence, too lethargic to bother with Yuqing's insolence.

Though advancing in years and declining in health, the old man's ingrained need for control only grew stronger. Even though Li Mingzheng and Li Yuqing were now fully capable of handling affairs independently, every matter still had to be reported to him—a display of his authority and indispensability. Yuqing, rebellious by nature, had been obedient in his youth but now only went through the motions of reporting. Some matters he'd rather discuss with Mingzheng than breathe a word to his father, often acting first and informing later with casual remarks that never failed to send the old man into fits of rage.

Yet there was nothing the old man could do about it.

Mingzheng wasn't as openly defiant as Yuqing, but his deep, impassive nature inspired wariness even in the old patriarch. Like an aging lion who must retract his slowing claws before his vigorous heirs, the old man found himself constrained.

Of the three Li brothers, Ming'an was still too young, while Mingzheng and Yuqing kept each other in check. This delicate balance within the vast Li household pleased the old man greatly—a balance he would permit no one to disrupt.

After discussing business matters, the conversation turned to Ming'an's upcoming studies in Japan. The old man asked Mingzheng, "How are the arrangements for the third son's studies progressing?"

"The paperwork should be finalized in a couple of days," Mingzheng replied. As a self-funded student, Ming'an's application process was simpler than for government-sponsored scholars.

The old man nodded. "Get it done quickly to avoid complications."

Mingzheng acknowledged with a quiet "Mm."

Fingering his opium pipe, the old man suddenly asked, "What do you think of the Zhang family's daughter?"

Mingzheng lifted his gaze to meet his father's, while Yuqing looked on with amused interest.

"You're not getting any younger—it's time to marry," the old man continued. "The Zhangs would be a good match. Your mother has spoken highly of their daughter's virtue and gentle temperament. Don't delay this any longer."

Yuqing interjected, "I'm acquainted with the Zhang heir. Rumor has it his sister is one of Beijing's greatest beauties." He smirked. "A perfect match for eldest brother."

Mingzheng shot him a glance. The old man tapped his pipe against the tea table and studied Yuqing. "What happened to your face?"

A faint bruise lingered at the corner of Yuqing's mouth, several days old by its appearance. Yuqing absently rubbed the spot with a knuckle. "Got into a fight."

"With whom?" the old man asked curiously.

Yuqing shrugged. "Just some drunken fool making advances on someone under my protection. The usual petty rivalry." His tone carried just enough truth to be plausible—such incidents were hardly uncommon for him. The old man thought little of it.

"With your elder brother preparing to wed, you'd do well to curb your carousing," the old man chided.

Yuqing grinned broadly. "Don't hold your breath. Just try finding any respectable family in Beijing willing to marry their daughter to me."

Old Master Li fumed, "How dare you say that?"

"If you hadn't spent all your time carousing in brothels, would things have come to this?"

Li Yuqing shrugged indifferently. "If I don't indulge in my youth, I'll end up like you—old and still taking concubine after concubine?"

"You—!" The old man clutched his chest in anger, wishing he could hurl his opium pipe at Li Yuqing. "Wretched scoundrel!"

Li Yuqing brushed off his sleeve and smirked. "Fine, I won't offend your sight any longer."

He rose leisurely to leave, but the old man called after him, "Second Son, go see your mother when you have time."

Li Yuqing paused mid-step and waved a hand without turning. "Got it."

No sooner had Li Yuqing left the study than Li Mingzheng followed. The autumn sun had softened, casting lazy golden fragments of light.

As soon as Li Mingzheng lifted his gaze, he saw Li Yuqing leaning against the white wall, a cigarette dangling between his fingers.

When they passed each other, Li Yuqing asked, "Why did the old man suddenly decide to send Third Brother to Japan?"

Li Mingzheng remained silent.

Li Yuqing stared at him and stated firmly, "Li Mingzheng, it wasn't his idea to send Third Brother away—it was yours."

Only then did Li Mingzheng meet his gaze. The brothers locked eyes for a moment before Li Mingzheng admitted without denial, "Li Ming'an staying in Beijing serves no purpose."

Li Yuqing flicked ash from his cigarette. "Just because of that?"

Li Mingzheng's expression was unreadable, neither angry nor pleased. "Second Brother, mind your own business."

Li Yuqing's face darkened instantly. Li Mingzheng continued, "Three days ago, you and Third Brother had a violent fight. Did you really think leaving the Li Mansion would keep it a secret?"

At those words, Li Yuqing's eyes snapped up, boring into Li Mingzheng, who remained unfazed. After a long pause, Li Yuqing scoffed. "So what?"

He scrutinized Li Mingzheng. "Li Mingzheng, what exactly is that little whore to you?"

Muttering to himself, he added, "Lan Yu foolishly seduced you, dragged you into this mess, and thought you'd protect him." Li Yuqing curled his lips in mockery. "But who are you, Li Mingzheng? You'd never lift a finger."

Li Mingzheng neither confirmed nor denied it. "Lan Yu is the Li family's Ninth Concubine. He'll remain a Li for life."

Li Yuqing challenged, "What if I want him?"

Li Mingzheng looked at him, a trace of derision flashing in his eyes. He strode past Li Yuqing, his cold words drifting back. "You don't get a say."

Li Ming'an ultimately agreed to study abroad in Japan.

Even though Old Master Li had already informed Zhao Shi beforehand, her eyes still reddened at the thought. This wasn't just a matter of leaving Beijing—it was a journey to a foreign land, likely lasting three to five years. Since Li Ming'an was born, he had never been away from her for so long.

Zhao Shi asked, "Why on earth does your father insist on sending you so far away?"

Li Ming'an comforted her, "It's a good thing. I've always wanted to leave Beijing and see the world outside. This is the perfect opportunity."

"What's so great about the outside world?" Zhao Shi's heart ached at the thought of being separated from her son by such a distance. "In a place where you don't know anyone, where you can't even speak the language—what if you're bullied? What if you can't even come home if you want to?"

Li Ming'an couldn't help but laugh. "Mother, I'm a grown man. It's not that easy for me to be bullied."

Zhao Shi glared at him. "Look at the injuries on your body."

Li Ming'an had only returned today, and though his wounds had already faded, Zhao Shi had panicked the moment she saw them, pressing him with questions. Li Ming'an had no choice but to lie, claiming he had gotten into a fight with a classmate due to a sudden disagreement.

Zhao Shi was skeptical. Li Ming'an had always been mild-tempered and rarely resorted to violence.

Lowering his gaze, Li Ming'an couldn't help but recall Lan Yu's words from that night. Over the past few days, he had repeatedly reflected on everything that had happened. He had once resented being born into a feudal family like the Li’s, despising his father's authoritarianism— yet he himself had undeniably benefited from it. During his education, Li Ming'an had often envisioned a society of equality and freedom, and he had even made it his goal. But he had no idea how to achieve such a society. It was as if he were lost in darkness, unable to find the guiding beacon. Naively, he had believed he possessed the strength to stand against all forms of oppression. Yet reality had shown him otherwise—he couldn't save Madam Zhang, couldn't rescue himself from imprisonment, and had even nearly become a pawn for others to attack the Li family.

What right did he, who had accomplished nothing, have to talk about saving Lan Yu?

He couldn't save anyone.

Li Ming'an was lost in thought, and Zhao Shi watched her son with a quiet understanding. His feelings for Lan Yu were like a thorn lodged in her heart. She thought to herself, perhaps studying abroad... wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Suddenly, Li Ming'an spoke. "Mother, have I always been a source of worry for you all these years?" Zhao Shi paused, then smiled. "What parent in this world doesn't worry about their child?"

Li Ming'an looked at her and said, "But I've never brought you any pride."

Zhao Shi's gaze lingered on her son's youthful face, and she smiled softly. "Silly child, I didn't bring you into this world just so you could win me glory." Her eyes grew distant, tinged with melancholy. "When I first came to the Li family, I did think about making you my support. But as I watched you grow up, I stopped caring about that. What does it matter, having support or not? I don't seek power or wealth—I only wish for you and me to live in peace, for you to be happy."

"Besides," Zhao Shi added with a smile, "how can you say you've never made me proud? You're intelligent, kind, and upright. That's already more than enough."

Li Ming'an's eyes grew hot. "Mother..."

Zhao Shi patted his head and sighed. "It's just a shame you're leaving for your studies. I won't be there to take care of you."

Li Ming'an said softly, "I'll take care of myself."

Madam Zhao nodded and was about to speak when a maid's voice came from outside, saying, "Madam, someone from the Zhao family in Shanghai has arrived."

Madam Zhao paused for a moment before saying, "Show them in."

The maid acknowledged the order. Li Ming'an looked at his mother and asked, "Mother, why has our maternal family suddenly sent someone?"

Madam Zhao frowned slightly. "I don't know. Perhaps something has happened at home. Two months ago, your uncle wrote that your grandfather wasn't in good health..."

Understanding dawned on Li Ming'an.

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