Feudal Dregs - Chapter 62

The messenger from the Zhao family in Shanghai came bearing news that Old Master Zhao was critically ill, and Third Madam was also unwell. The elderly couple missed their grandson and wished to have Li Ming'an visit them in Shanghai.

Madam Zhao's body swayed as she read the black characters on the letter. Li Ming'an swiftly reached out to steady her.

In earlier years, the Zhao family had been one of the most prominent clans in the capital. But as times changed—the Qing court fell, the Republic rose—the Zhao family gradually declined amidst these transitions. It was during this period that Madam Zhao married into the Li family as a concubine. Being a daughter born of a concubine, she wasn't particularly favored in the household. Fortunately, her mother, Third Madam, showed her considerable affection after giving birth to a son, allowing her to live relatively carefree for over a decade.

Later, the Zhao family relocated to Shanghai, separating mother and daughter. Madam Zhao never returned home after that. Never did she expect to receive news of her father's critical condition and her mother's illness. The shock made her vision darken momentarily. Clutching Li Ming'an tightly, she said, "Ming'an... quickly, come with me to see your father."

The messenger was an old servant who had long served Old Master Zhao, and Madam Zhao recognized him. He said, "Don't distress yourself, young miss. Before my departure, the mistress specially prepared some New Year gifts for me to bring along. Tomorrow, I shall formally visit with these gifts."

Madam Zhao composed herself and had no choice but to agree.

The next day, the Zhao family's envoy indeed paid a formal visit. Three generations before Old Master Zhao, the family had produced remarkable figures. But by Old Master Zhao's generation, the family's fortunes had waned. His descendants were mostly mediocre, and even after moving to Shanghai, they failed to seize opportunities to revive the Zhao family. In recent years, it was only heard that Old Master Zhao's youngest son had joined the military and was doing quite well. However, he had been estranged from his father for over a decade and hadn't returned home.

Li Ming'an's plans for studying abroad were postponed due to the Zhao family's situation.

Old Master Li decided that Li Ming'an should first visit Shanghai. Madam Zhao requested to accompany him, and since Old Master Li was in good spirits that day and Li Ming'an had been obedient lately, he granted permission with a wave of his hand.

One carriage carried the passengers, while two others were laden with goods. The group set off for Shanghai, bringing along return gifts from the Li family.

On the day Li Ming'an left Peiping, the weather was gloomy. It was late autumn, and the northern wind carried a biting chill. The trees in the courtyard had grown sparse. As Lan Yu walked along the path back to the courtyard, he thought that Li Ming'an and Madam Zhao must have already left the city.

Before his departure, Li Ming'an had gone to bid farewell to Old Master Li. At the time, Lan Yu was sitting on the luohan bed, tidying up the account books Old Master Li had reviewed.

As father and son spoke, Old Master Li gave a few simple instructions, all of which Li Ming'an acknowledged. When he rose to leave, he couldn't resist stealing a glance at Lan Yu. Their eyes met briefly before Li Ming'an averted his gaze and said to Old Master Li, "Father, I'll take my leave now."

Old Master Li replied, "Go on."

Li Ming'an nodded and turned to leave the room. Old Master Li said to Lan Yu, "The third boy has become much more sensible these days." Lan Yu smiled and replied, "The third young master is clever. With your personal guidance, how could he not be sensible?"

Old Master Li was thoroughly pleased by Lan Yu's flattery. His opium craving acting up, he instructed Lan Yu, "Fetch my opium pipe for me." Lan Yu obediently complied. Old Master Li's opium addiction had grown increasingly severe. Whenever he reclined on the daybed, wreathed in smoke, he always insisted on Lan Yu keeping him company. The room was thick with the scent of opium. After prolonged exposure, Lan Yu would often feel lightheaded, his legs unsteady when he rose. Skillfully, he packed the pipe for Old Master Li and lit it, watching as the old man eagerly took a deep drag from his hand. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and brows seemed to smooth out with a sickly contentment.

For some reason, Lan Yu felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.

Old Master Li narrowed his eyes, gazing at the elegant young man kneeling before him. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing slender, pale wrists. He exuded the refined grace of Jiangnan, yet with an alluring subtlety hidden beneath. Blowing a cloud of white smoke at him, Old Master Li rasped, "Care for a puff?"

Dizzy from the fumes, Lan Yu felt as if the cloying, peculiar sweetness had glued itself to his nostrils. The words jolted him back to alertness, his heart skipping a beat. He forced a smile. "Such fine things are not for the likes of me."

Old Master Li had merely tossed out the suggestion idly. He hooked a finger under Lan Yu's chin—Lan Yu didn't pull away—and met the old man's gaze as he chuckled, "You don't know its pleasures. One puff—" He inhaled deeply,"—and it feels like all your strength returns."

Lan Yu dared not agree, offering only a strained smile.

When he left the room, his steps felt as if he were treading on clouds. Spending so much time with Old Master Li and his opium pipe left his mind floating as if detached. Rubbing his temples, he grew wary. Back in Yangzhou, Lan Yu had seen too many opium addicts—reduced to wretched shadows of themselves, selling wives and children, dying destitute in the streets. He wanted no part of it.

As he entered his small courtyard, he spotted Yin Huan standing beneath a tree. "Master, you're back," she said.

Lan Yu acknowledged her with a hum, his gaze falling to the small white bundle she cradled carefully in her hands. "What are you holding?" he asked.

Yin Huan extended her palms toward him, revealing a tiny white kitten. "Second Master's Wen Jin just brought it. Said it's for you."

Lan Yu looked expressionlessly at the small creature in her palm and said, "Send it back."

Yin Huan hesitated. "Wen Jin said the Second Master ordered that if you don't want it, it should be discarded and left to fend for itself."

Lan Yu paused, then replied indifferently, "Then discard it."

“...Ah," the young girl couldn't bear it. She gently stroked the kitten's back and said, "That's so pitiful, Master. Look how adorable it is—so tiny and soft. In such cold weather, if we abandon it, it'll surely starve or freeze to death."

Lan Yu glanced at the kitten in her arms. It was only two or three months old, pure white with striking blue and yellow heterochromatic eyes staring innocently at him. Yin Huan added, "Wen Jin said this is called a lion cat—very rare, something you can't even buy with money in the market."

Lan Yu watched it for a moment before reaching out to touch its head. The moment his fingers made contact, the kitten obediently lifted its head and nuzzled against his hand. Lan Yu immediately withdrew his hand and turned to walk back into the room. "Have someone prepare hot water for me."

He wanted to wash away the lingering scent of opium.

Yin Huan called after him, "Ah, then what about the kitten?"

Lan Yu said without looking back, "Do as you see fit."

Yin Huan was stunned for a moment before looking down at the kitten in her arms. "What should I do? The Master doesn't want you."

The kitten let out a tiny, mewling sound. Yin Huan, being only in her early teens, couldn't resist such a delicate creature. She murmured to herself, "The Master told me to handle it... that means it's up to me. So keeping it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

But the kitten ignored her. Yin Huan rubbed its neck and said, "Then I'll decide to keep you. You must try to please the Master, and absolutely must not—" She glanced around and lowered her voice, "must not be like the Second Master and make people angry."

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