A Quiet Dinner 4

Jin Yuhe was surprised to see the youth walking out of the Pavilion with a confident smile on his face. This was the first time that he had seen anyone throw what could be called an insult in the Duke's face and simply walk away like this. For a moment, he thought that his old friend would call on the Hidden Guards that were lurking in the garden to stop the fellow. But evidently, the Duke had better control than that.

He managed to keep his expression still, and did not show a sign of what he was feeling up to that point. After all, he had been with Li Yuanqi for close to fifty years, ever since he was a young man himself. The two of them had laughed together, fought together, and almost died together. Which was why the Duke has always trusted him to have his back.

So much so that Jin Yuhe was one of the most powerful men in all of the Duke's fief, for all that he was officially nothing more than the Butler of his personal estates. Yet, that was enough of an honor for him. Butler Jin was hardly the sort of person anyone would dare to offend, for all that he had no apparent power, political or martial, in the Duke's household.

After all, who else could claim to have the private ear of the Duke?

Nor did anyone know of his relationship with Li Yuanqi. Save for only the Late Duchess, no one really knew that they had been together since they were young. Even the new Duchess only understood that they were close, and that the Duke would take Jin Yuhe's advice. But she didn't know just how far her own husband trusted him.

Although it was clear from the expression on her face that she was more than a little upset that he had just chased away such a promising young man! And someone whom her son was so diligently coaxing to join his faction!

Nor was this the first time that it had happened. She had always held her tongue in the previous cases, so Butler Jin wasn't too concerned. She had made it clear from her past actions that she would not interfere in the running of the fief, nor with the Succession. But Jin Yuhe could not help but feel a little sorry for her.

Was the Duke so unwilling to even let the Second Prince increase his entourage by one additional person? That he would go so far as to disparage the youth's observations, and belittle his achievements? That was going a little too far, wasn't it?

Jin Yuhe hid a smile when he saw that. It looked like his old friend was not going to have a rough period with his wife because of this.

Then something happened that shocked the Butler further!

Before the Duke could even give voice to his outrage at that nameless youth, his own son had already moved to defend that same Qin Feng! Interrupting before his own father could say a word!

"What he has said may not have been couched in the usual polite words that you are accustomed to, father. But it does not mean that it is any less true. The Barbarians are changing their methods, and I have seen this for myself. In fact, I have told you the same thing yesterday, when I returned from the South.

"And I do not doubt that the letters that I brought you from Uncle Feng and Grandmother hold anything that opposes my own views on the matter. You accuse Qin Feng of doing nothing but collaborate my story, without taking into account the fact that he has never treated me as anything other than a companion on the field of battle. I am certain that your own spies in Changqing City would have told you the same story."

The Second Ducal Prince had stood up without Jin Yuhe realizing that he had done so, and his expression held a fire that the Butler had never seen before. Apparently, neither had his own father, since it was sufficient to render the Duke silent, as his son continued to speak:

"And I have already told you regarding his bravery, and detailed some of his exploits, both as a scout-aspirant and as a defender of the Army Fort. It is rather obvious that he is not a frivolous man. So any presumption that he is merely trying to increase his own worth in our eyes is nothing but sheer nonsense!

"I hope father will not demean my friends like this in the future. Now I must go to him, and try to keep him from losing his temper with you, and with the Duchy of the Westlands. And so join with our enemies. With your permission."

The Second Ducal Prince walked off then, without even the pretense of waiting for the Duke's agreement. In fact, he had not even bothered to look at his father at all! That was enough to shock the Butler again. Li Changhai had never done anything like this before! And had always been a respectful son.

Which made it rather clear that he felt this young man was more important than what he was saying! So much so that he would risk his own father's anger!

Jin Yuhe, on the other hand, felt a tinge of unease creep into his mood. This was dangerous. The Second Prince had always held himself back in his dealings with his own father, and had ever been willing to obey the Duke's instructions without making any protest. But now he was going to kick up a fuss, apparently over this youth? What did that mean?

Was he already tired of having his own plans destroyed by his father, time and time again? So much so that he was giving up trying to live up to the Duke's expectations? That he was going to rebel against his own father, and go his own way?

Of all things that Jin Yuhe had expected out of the Second Ducal Prince, this was certainly not something that he had thought that he would see! Especially not at Sanlang's age! He was already close to thirty, and should know better!

And yet, he was unwilling to back down! All for what? This youth who had been kicked out of the Heaven Sword School? That was not something that Jin Yuhe had expected.

Although, he had to agree that the young man's, this Qin Feng's, words and actions had been sufficient to impress. Even though he had a youthful temper, his words were chosen with care, and the 'slaps' that he had thrown at the Duke's face were well deserved. But was there a need for Sanlang to show his support for what the youth had done?

And more importantly, how was the Duke going to respond to all of this?

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