Although it was Le Xing who was criticizing him, the Young Master did not stop him. Could it be that the Young Master also suspects him?
Butler Lin’s heart ached. He was loyal to the Lord, true, but he cared even more for the Young Master; if the Lord were to harm the Young Master, he would unequivocally stand by the Young Master’s side.
In fact, ever since the Young Master started managing "Ni Chang Pavilion" and "Da Yuan Building" at the age of ten, he and the two Chief Stewards had never overstepped boundaries or issued orders without the Young Master’s consent. After all, aside from the original fifteen people (now, only he and Sister Lin, Le Xing, and Le Shui, including Le Ya and Le Fei who have died one after another), those recruited later only recognized the Young Master as their master, utterly unaware of the Lord’s existence.
He intended to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with the Young Master, but the Young Master was busy with public affairs, had been away on official business, and had just returned yesterday. Before he knew it, something came up on the Lord’s side, so there was never the time.
Butler Lin did not want to fall out of favor with the Young Master: "Young Master, rest assured, no matter when or where, I always put you first."
Lin Zheqi gave no response.
Frowning, Butler Lin felt more and more that he could not see through the Young Master whom he had taught since childhood.
"Young Master, although the Lord’s base in Yuzhang Prefecture has been eradicated, there are still some scattered forces." With the intention to speak in favor of the Lord, Butler Lin said: "Now the Lord has sent over a list of those people, saying it’s for the Young Master to command." After speaking, he handed a list to Lin Zheqi.
"Leave it on the table, and send a message to ’Father,’ I will not fail his ’trust,’" Lin Zheqi said, neither taking nor looking at the list.
Butler Lin naturally heard the sarcasm in the Young Master’s tone and inwardly lamented.
For someone as devoted as the Young Master, deception and betrayal in affection are the least tolerable. Long Yanrou and her actions truly chilled the Young Master’s heart. The Young Master left the Lord at the age of three, and even with their blood ties, if the Lord deceived the Young Master time and again, there would come a day when the Young Master gave up hope.
The Young Master was no longer the child who once overjoyed upon receiving just a note or a command from the Lord; the Young Master had grown up, developed his own thoughts and discernment abilities, and would not be easily duped.
Of course, he would not divulge this to the Lord, as it would be detrimental to the Young Master.
Lin Zheqi, unaware of Butler Lin’s dilemma, waved his hand, signaling for Butler Lin to leave.
Upon hearing the door open, Lin Zheqi slowly opened his eyes and looked at Butler Lin’s somewhat stooped back, sighing quietly.
Butler Lin had been very kind to him, but to avoid any suspicion about his behavior in the future, he could only show disappointment, sorrow, aversion, and defensiveness towards the ’Father’s’ deceit; that would be the most ’reasonable’ approach.
"Young Master, Zhang Run has confirmed that it was Madam Huo who colluded with bandits to harm Maternal Aunt Yao and the sons. Shall we..." Le Xing made a gesture of killing.
Lin Zheqi’s handsome face turned ice-cold, devoid of any warmth, his eyes stormy and unfathomable as if peering into an abyss, as he emanated a chilling, terrifying aura. His lips, however, curled into a carefree smile: "Death is the easiest escape, but I want her to live a life worse than death! Le Xing, send a message to Zhang Run." He beckoned Le Xing closer and whispered instructions in his ear.
"I shall instantly deliver the message to Zhang Run, ensuring she’ll never forget!" Le Xing left the study swiftly. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Le Shui opened his mouth, intending to ask the Young Master when he planned to meet Princess Chen, considering the matter concerned the Young Master’s true heritage, but with Maternal Aunt Yao and the sons having had an incident recently, these days the Young Master seemed grief-stricken. Presumably, he was in no mood to think about it?
Lin Zheqi, engrossed in thoughts of anger and guilt, did not notice Le Shui’s hesitance to speak.
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