Feudal Dregs - Chapter 63

Yin Huan named the white kitten Yu Tuan'er (Jade Ball).

At first, Yu Tuan'er was shy. It darted into Lan Yu's room and hid in a corner. Lan Yu glanced at it but didn't bother chasing it away, letting it be. Yin Huan didn't take it out either. She thought, Lan Yu has no one to talk to here. Maybe this little cat can keep him company and ease his boredom—even if it was sent by Li Yuqing.

Lan Yu had no fondness for Li Yuqing, so naturally, he didn't care much for the things Li Yuqing sent either. That is, until one afternoon when Lan Yu was napping on the couch. It was already late October, and the weather had turned sharply cold. The thin quilt on the bed had been replaced with a thick padded one.

As he slept, he suddenly felt something damp and cool sniffing near him. Half-asleep, he opened his eyes to see a snow-white kitten crouched beside his pillow, its mismatched eyes gleaming as it let out a few soft mews.

Lan Yu watched the kitten for a while before slowly extending his hand. The little white ball of fur leaned in and rubbed against his palm. Lan Yu curled his fingers slightly, gently stroking the kitten's head. The kitten didn't resist. Instead, it half-closed its eyes, its fluffy tail swaying lazily. When Lan Yu's fingers reached its neck and gave a light squeeze, it gradually lowered itself onto the pillow, even rolling over to expose its soft belly.

The little creature's body was warm, its belly tender and inviting. The way it sprawled out was utterly endearing. Lan Yu ran his palm over its belly a couple of times, and the kitten wrapped its front paws around his hand. Lan Yu looked at it, scratched its chin, and murmured, "Yu Tuan'er."

The kitten let out another soft mewl, and Lan Yu remarked, "Where did Li Yuqing get you from? You've unwittingly picked up his bad luck."

Yutuan, blissfully unaware, lazily flicked its tail.

Unable to resist, Lan Yu scooped it up and tucked it into the bedding. The kitten didn't struggle, instead climbing onto his chest and settling there. A tiny ball of fluff, the kitten's soft body warmed under Lan Yu's gentle strokes. The afternoon was so quiet that both man and cat soon drifted off to sleep.

Within days, Yutuan had grown attached to Lan Yu, even more so than to Yin Huan, who fed and cared for it. Watching this, Yin Huan felt a mix of envy and delight. "Yutuan and the master must share a special bond," she said.

Lan Yu stroked the kitten curled beside him and smiled noncommittally.

Yin Huan sighed. "I was the one who first held Yutuan, but now it won't even let me pick it up."

Lan Yu replied offhandedly, "What does a kitten know about first or last?"

Yin Huan chuckled. Like any young girl, she adored these fluffy, adorable creatures and couldn't help crouching down to pet the kitten's head.

With his pipa broken, Lan Yu had little to do in the Li residence. He asked Yin Huan to buy him some books. Illiterate herself, she brought back popular titles recommended by the bookstore owner—some were trending novels, others essays by contemporary writers. On a late autumn day, Lan Yu lounged lazily in a rattan chair, reading, while Yutuan sprawled on him, its tail flicking idly.

This was the scene that greeted Li Yuqing when he walked in.

The young man was tall and slender, dressed in a long gown. The late autumn sunlight streamed through the latticed windows, bathing him in a golden glow that made his skin appear porcelain-white and his lips strikingly red. Engrossed in his book, Lan Yu held it with well-manicured fingers, his jade-like hands resting gracefully. Beside him, the snow-white kitten basked in the same warm light, creating a picture of serene beauty.

Li Yuqing paused in his steps. It had been days since he last saw Lan Yu, and the sight sent a rush of heat through his veins. His heart tingled as if electrified, momentarily blanking his mind.

The kitten, alert, pricked its ears and sat up, staring at the doorway. Sensing something, Lan Yu gently stroked Yutuan's back and murmured, "Yutuan?"

He looked up and met Li Yuqing's intense gaze.

The two locked eyes for a moment before Li Yuqing strode forward. Unexpectedly, Yutuan darted off the chair and hid under the bed. Li Yuqing: "..."

The ease on Lan Yu's face vanished, replaced by an impassive stare.

Li Yuqing suddenly regretted giving him the cat. Forcing a smile, he said, "Stepmother, don't look at me like I've wronged you. I'm not here to cause trouble."

Lan Yu sat up straight and replied coolly, "Your presence alone is trouble enough."

Li Yuqing's expression darkened, but he held back his irritation. After a tense silence, he dragged a chair over and sat down. "Then I'll have to ask for your patience."

Lan Yu asked flatly, "Why are you here?"

Li Yuqing smirked. "Naturally, to visit my dear stepmother."

Lan Yu scoffed. "How filial of you, Second Master."

Li Yuqing grinned. "I've always been filial to you," he said, then added, "The cat's name is Yutuan?"

Lan Yu stared at Li Yuqing for a moment, confirming he was merely sitting there without any further movement, before slowly setting down the book in his hands. His fingers absently traced the rough cover as he remarked casually, "Yin Huan named it."

A flicker of disappointment passed through Li Yuqing's heart, though his expression remained unchanged. "Does my lady like that little creature?" he asked.

Lan Yu lifted his eyes to meet his gaze and abruptly said, "Li Er, are you trying to curry favor with me?"

"My lady, how could this be called currying favor?" Li Yuqing replied. "I merely thought you might feel lonely in these deep mansion quarters, so I specially sought out this lovely little plaything to offer you."

This Linqing lion cat originally belonged to a family descended from the former Qing nobility. When it was nearly three months old, Li Yuqing had visited their home and immediately thought of Lan Yu upon seeing it. At that time, he had been seething with anger. Ever since that night, Li Yuqing had been like a powder keg ready to explode, finding fault with everyone he met. Even when friends dragged him out for drinks, he maintained a cold demeanor.

His companion had joked, "What's gotten into you? Who's managed to provoke our Second Master Li into such a temper?"

Li Yuqing leaned back in his chair, long legs propped on the table, his face expressionless as he said, "Nothing."

"Come now, we're out drinking—don't wear that sour face," the friend said, winking at Li Yuqing. "Later I'll find you a flower who understands words of comfort. Three cups of sorrow-drowning wine, one night of spring romance, and I guarantee you'll forget all your troubles."

Li Yuqing shot him a glance. "Not interested."

The man gasped dramatically, leaning over to feel Li Yuqing's forehead. "Has the sun risen in the west today?"

"Get lost," Li Yuqing snapped irritably, downing a cup of wine, his brows and eyes heavy with gloom.

His friend studied him with surprise. They weren't ordinary drinking buddies, so after some thought, he asked seriously, "Li Er, what's really going on with you?"

Li Yuqing gave him a dark look. He'd been stewing in resentment—who would have thought that in Lan Yu's eyes, he was less favored than that good-for-nothing Li Ming'an? Yet Li Ming'an could openly declare his affection with such disgusting frankness, while Li Yuqing found himself inexplicably unsettled by an indescribable palpitation in his heart.

Affection—what right did Li Ming'an have to feel affection for Lan Yu? he thought. Would Lan Yu even believe it? That little harlot seemed so naive, she might actually fall for Li Ming'an's empty words of affection.

What fucking use was that?

Li Yuqing grew increasingly agitated the more he thought about it.

Seeing Li Yuqing remain silent, the man considered how Li Yuqing had been riding high lately, with no one daring to provoke him. He ventured cautiously, "Is it because of a woman?"

Li Yuqing replied, "No."

After a pause, Li Yuqing suddenly asked, "What would you do if someone tried to take what's yours?"

Without hesitation, the man answered, "Fight them. Beat them to death."

"..." Li Yuqing's expression remained blank. The man, sensing his reaction, chuckled awkwardly and amended, "Well... then just take it back by force."

Li Yuqing said, "What if they don't want anything to do with you?"

The man's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Li Yuqing. Irritated by the scrutiny, Li Yuqing glared back. His friend rubbed his nose and laughed, "My dear Second Master Li, what's gotten into you?"

"Given your reputation as one of the most sought-after figures in the romantic circles, how could you be stumped by such a problem?" he continued. "If they don't like you, then find a way to make them like you. Sweet talk them, shower them with rare and precious gifts to win their favor. After a few rounds of that, won't they warm up to you?"

Li Yuqing said nothing.

The man grinned again, "I'm genuinely curious—who could possibly dislike you yet still occupy your thoughts like this? And who would dare to compete with you for someone?"

Li Yuqing's face darkened. "Piss off," he snapped.

Feeling humiliated, he added with a threatening edge, "If a single word of today's conversation leaves this room—"

The man immediately understood. He made a zipping motion over his lips and grinned, "Don't worry. I'll take everything to my grave. Wouldn't want anyone to find out that the legendary charmer Li Yuqing doesn't know how to woo a girl."

Li Yuqing: "..."

The moment he saw the litter of lion cats, he thought—perhaps Lan Yu would like one?

Once the idea took root, he couldn't shake it. Li Yuqing deliberately picked out the most appealing and docile one, instructing Wen Jin to deliver it to Lan Yu's courtyard. With his naturally charming looks and privileged upbringing, Li Yuqing had never needed to put in real effort to win someone's affection since he first stepped into the world of romance.

This was a first.

As Wen Jin carried the cat away, Li Yuqing wondered—would Lan Yu accept his gift?

Then he thought fiercely—how dare Lan Yu refuse? He had worn Li Mingzheng's anklet and accepted Li Ming'an's pipa... Why would he reject something from him alone?

But what if Lan Yu truly didn't want it?

Only later, when he learned Lan Yu had kept the cat, did Li Yuqing finally relax, an inexplicable flicker of joy rising in his chest. The moment that happiness surfaced, even he found it startling—and vaguely unsettling.

Lan Yu had no intention of entertaining Li Yuqing and instead turned back to the book in his hands—a heroic legend meant to pass the time. His attention, however, was scattered. Li Yuqing watched him, yet strangely, he didn't find the silence tedious. Leaning against a nearby table, he idly toyed with the ring on his finger.

The room was quiet.

After a long while, Yutuan cautiously peeked out from under the bed before hopping onto the rattan chair where Lan Yu reclined. Nestling close, Lan Yu lowered his gaze and stroked the cat's head. Yutuan nuzzled against his fingertips.

Gazing at the cat, Lan Yu finally spoke, "If the Second Master has nothing important to discuss, you may leave."

Li Yuqing stared at Lan Yu, the corner of his mouth twitching as he said, "If it were Third Brother sitting here today, would you still be so eager to kick me out?"

Lan Yu lifted his eyes to glance at Li Yuqing, who suppressed the jealousy in his heart and said indifferently, "What a pity. He's gone to Shanghai now, and when he returns, he'll be leaving for Japan. It'll be three to five years before he comes back."

Lan Yu looked at Li Yuqing and suddenly smiled, speaking slowly, "Li Er, the way you talk really makes you sound like a resentful wife." His words were blunt, but his tone wasn't sharp. Li Yuqing was taken aback, unsure whether to lose his temper or not.

Lan Yu said calmly, "If you keep sitting here with me and someone sees, confirming our adultery, you might as well start preparing for my funeral."

Li Yuqing stared at Lan Yu for a while. Lan Yu's hand never left Yutuan, his pale fingers combing through the soft fur with a lazy contentment.

Strangely, Li Yuqing didn't get angry. He suddenly laughed and said, "I thought you had more courage than this, to be so afraid already." He stood up, unable to resist reaching out to touch Lan Yu's cheek. Leaning down, he whispered in his ear, "Little concubine, what are you afraid of? In this Li household, if I don't want you dead, you won't die."

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