Lucas Bennett watched as the Emperor Tianqi left, standing idly in front of the imperial desk, flipping through memorials from various regions—drought here, floods there, civil unrest in one place, successful bandit suppression in another...

In the end, he picked up a memorial, weighed it in his hand, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, his eyes flickering with a hint of light, before finally putting it back.

It was the memorial from the Minister of Personnel, Walter Thompson, requesting retirement and resignation to return home.

After flipping through for a long while, Lucas Bennett came to a conclusion, exclaiming with a sigh, “Being an emperor really isn’t a job for a human.”

Lucas Bennett jotted down a few names, then left the imperial study, wandering around the palace, and eventually ended up at Kunning Palace.

“You’re not allowed in!” At the entrance of Kunning Palace, Henry spread her arms, her pretty face frosty as she blocked Lucas Bennett.

Lucas Bennett was taken aback—this was the first time he’d ever been stopped at Kunning Palace. Then he grinned and said, “Sister Henry, did you just see something you shouldn’t have?”

Henry, dressed in a blue, diagonally-striped long skirt, instantly blushed at his words, her face turning red all the way to her ears, looking utterly charming.

“Oh, Henry is lovesick...”

Like he’d discovered a new continent, Lucas Bennett shouted and turned to run.

Henry was startled, hurriedly peeking inside. Only after confirming that the two inside hadn’t heard did she breathe a sigh of relief. Then, seeing that someone had already disappeared, she ground her silver teeth, her face both shy and angry, and scolded the surrounding maids, “From now on, if Prince Hui comes, don’t let him in!”

“Ah...”

“Don’t, Sister Henry...”

“Sister Henry, His Highness is still young, don’t take it to heart...”

As soon as they heard that Prince Hui wouldn’t be allowed in, the maids who had been giggling all around began to sigh and plead softly with Henry.

Henry grew even more annoyed, looking at each of the pleading girls, determined not to give in. She huffed, turned, and went inside, leaving the group to continue their lamenting.

“He’s still young? He’s a hundred times more cunning than any of you! Don’t think I don’t know—you all just love it when he tips you little flirts...”

Just as she walked in, Henry suddenly came back out, glaring at the maids and lecturing them again. Her final verdict: If I say he can’t come in, then he can’t, unless Her Majesty the Empress says otherwise!

Would Her Majesty ever refuse His Highness entry? If he didn’t come for three days, Her Majesty would probably go to Jinghuan Palace herself!

The maids immediately beamed with joy, but quickly straightened their faces, looking as if they were dutifully obeying Sister Henry.

After Henry went inside, one of the maids found an excuse with her sisters and quietly slipped away.

Around lunchtime, Lucas Bennett and William Carter strolled to the back gate of the Minister of Rites’ residence.

Glancing around, Lucas Bennett carefully looked front and back before confidently saying to William Carter, “Old Cao, knock on the door.”

“Open up, open up, we have guests!” William Carter went up and pounded on the door as if to break it down, calling out in a deep voice.

“My apologies to the guests,” came a loud reply from inside. “My master is not receiving visitors. If necessary, please use the main entrance.”

William Carter was taken aback, glanced at Lucas Bennett, then pulled out a silver note from his robe and slipped it through the crack in the door, saying, “My young master comes from the palace. Please make an exception.”

The silver note was quickly returned, along with the servant’s voice: “Please, sirs, don’t make things difficult for me.”

This time, William Carter was truly out of ideas. He turned to look at Lucas Bennett, who was now stroking his chin, gazing up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

William Carter looked up, noticing the sky was a bit overcast today—nothing to see. He was about to ask when, suddenly inspired, he pulled out a memorial from his robe and slipped it in, saying, “Please deliver this memorial to Minister Thompson.”

It was the memorial from the Censorate impeaching Walter Thompson.

There was a moment of silence inside, then: “Please wait a moment, sirs. I’ll be right back.”

Lucas Bennett glanced at William Carter, a flash of surprise in his eyes—this rough fellow was learning to be clever.

William Carter immediately grinned at Lucas Bennett, saying, “I only thought of this after dealing with Luo Yangxing yesterday.”

Lucas Bennett nodded approvingly, feeling quite accomplished—this was someone he’d trained himself.

Not long after, the servant returned, pushing the memorial back out under the door, saying, “My apologies, sirs. My master is unwell today and cannot receive guests.”

“Looks like he’s determined to resign,” Lucas Bennett muttered to himself. Clearing his throat, he stepped up to the tightly closed door and said, “By order of Her Majesty the Empress, Walter Thompson, receive the decree.”

Instantly, everything inside and outside the door went quiet. William Carter opened his mouth, then nodded in amazement—this method was indeed the most effective, and there was no fear of being exposed.

Soon, the door opened with a tooth-aching creak, and a refined servant said to Lucas Bennett, “My master invites Prince Hui inside.”

Chapter 6: Coercion and Temptation

Lucas Bennett nodded in satisfaction and followed the servant inside.

“Your humble servant greets Prince Hui.” At the entrance to the main hall, Walter Thompson, dressed in plain home clothes, cupped his fists and saluted Lucas Bennett.

Lucas Bennett couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, sizing up the man before him.

His features were well-proportioned, his skin fair, sporting a goatee, his expression calm yet tinged with a faint sharpness—restrained, but with a hint of edge.

For a moment, Lucas Bennett’s thoughts drifted.