Du Yan was clearly grinding his teeth, judging from the growling, squeaking noises that were emanating from him. But he held his tongue, and simply waved for everyone to follow after his father, as the latter led the way into what appeared to be a tavern-c.u.m-inn."When we heard that Little Yan was on his way here, accompanied by a good number of people, we decided to set aside this inn here, so as to accommodate all of you. Our Du Family owns this whole place, and everyone in it has been working for us for a while now. So there"s no need to be embarra.s.sed about anything, and simply make yourselves at home."
Li Changhai took that to mean that the place had been made secure, and that there would be no eavesdroppers or agents from the other side, to keep them from conversing freely. That is, if Du Yan"s father shared the same sort of language as Lin Liushui loved to use. The two of them would probably be able to share almost everything there is to know about the Duchy of the Westlands, in just a quarter of an hour! And make everyone believe that they were having a casual conversation about flowers or something!
As astonishing as that may be, his eyes didn"t fail to take in how the common room in the tavern, and how the rooms on the second floor, had been arranged, to grant the defenders of the place every advantage. Even Captain Wen, next to him, could see the intricacies involved, and was cooing in admiration. Under his breath, of course. It would be too impolite to bring it to the attention to one"s host, to show that one had noticed his defensive fortifications, after all.
"Oh, I would not be too concerned. This place was one of the original buildings that have been in the town for generations. It was heavily fortified during the war, and was used as one of the bases for the military. If I am not wrong, it has even hosted the Marquis of the South. And if the rumors are true, the Duke of the Westlands too."
Du Yan"s father said that rather proudly, perhaps to impress Captain Wen, whom he could tell was a subordinate of the latter, due to the understated military insignia that had been worked into his uniform and armor. But he certainly did not expect the same to turn to the lieutenant at his side, with a rather insipid grin.
One that was answered by a confident broad smile. Along with chortles from the rest of the group. Including his own son, who was trying hard not to look too embarra.s.sed!
That was when the Second Ducal Prince decided that it was sufficiently secure, to reveal his true ident.i.ty:
Li Changhai smiled as he rose to his feet, and tendered a respectful bow in the direction of his Brother"s parents. "This one is Li Changhai, and I have the honor of being Big Brother Du Yan"s sworn brother. This one greets Uncle and Auntie, and wishes both of you long life and good health. My father regrets that he is unable to come personally, to pay his respects. Thus he has insisted that I bring a small gift."
He pulled the small box that he had tucked away inside his armor then, and presented it to the pair of elders. It was all a polite lie, since the Duke of the Westlands knew nothing of this meeting whatsoever. Du Chenyong, however, was quick to pick up on Ducal Prince"s name, and his relationship with the one who ruled the Westlands:
"Li Changhai? Second Ducal Prince Li Changhai? Of the Duchy of the Westlands? You are that Li Changhai?"
Du Yan"s mother seemed shocked by the revelation, and almost fell down. Luckily, the brawny fellow was standing behind her, and was ready for such a reaction. He caught hold of her carefully, and eased her into the chair at his side.
"Here, you rascal! You should have waited for Brother Liushui to introduce you properly, instead of taking the initiative like that. See what you did? My mother almost fell down because of you! I"m going to make you drink three large bowls of liquor as a punishment for that. See if I don"t!"
"Oh? Before he has to fight? On your behalf? And you want to get him drunk? Are you quite insane?"
Lin Liushui was quick to step in, and make a joke to lighten the mood. And bowed to Du Chenyong again, now that he was back on his feet. "We had intended to introduce the Ducal Prince earlier, but I caught your hint about keeping some secrets out of the public eye. Hence I had not mentioned it earlier. I do beg your pardon.
"Although I should criticize Brother Yan for failing to drop a hint or two in your father"s ear earlier, when you were so close together. There was little chance of any eavesdroppers then."
Du Yan scowled as he pointed a finger at his own nose, and straightened himself up to his full height. "You"re throwing the blame at me?! You were the one who said that we had to remain silent on that score, and that I wasn"t supposed to tell anyone. Not even my closest kin! Doesn"t my father and mother count then?"
Lin Liushui had laughed at that, and offered his apologies to the older pair once again. By then, Du Yan"s mother had recovered from her surprise, which gave his father an excuse to show off his marvelous manners to the Ducal Prince.
Qin Feng thought that Li Changhai seemed a little embarra.s.sed by the big fuss that they were showing. But he did take it better than most. Perhaps because he had experience with such things? But he did wonder if it was not fitting, as he claimed. How many were there, who could claim to be close relations to both a Duke and a Marquis? And didn"t he hear something about his older brother, Li Changtian, being mentioned as well? As a promising Heir to his father"s lands? That should be enough to make him a very, very influential n.o.bleman. If he cared to play his cards that way, that is.
"That"s why Brother Liushui said you might have dropped them a hint, rather than telling them outright. Since you hadn"t, you shouldn"t blame this on me! I didn"t have a chance to alert them earlier, did I? Until your father dropped that bit of information about my father staying here," Li Changhai finished with a snort of his own. Which prompted everyone else to laugh with him.
Lin Liushui laughed along with the rest of them. But the way that he flicked his folded fan was enough to tell Qin Feng and his two brothers that he was about to get serious, once everyone had recovered from the joke:
"Well, now that we have all of the introductions and polite manners out of the way, perhaps we should have a proper talk about what your enemies are up to, Uncle Du? It is clear that they would not have bothered with such an elaborate stage setting if they were only out to make things difficult for Brother Yan here.
"So, could you fill us in on what they are really after?"
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