The eunuchs all stepped aside; after all, His Highness Prince Howard was the emperor’s “peer.”

“Elder brother, what’s going on?” Lucas Bennett entered the imperial study and saw John Adams sitting on the dragon throne like a block of wood, muttering to himself as he stared at several wooden models in front of him.

Hearing Lucas Bennett’s call, John Adams snapped out of it and suddenly said loudly, “Younger brother, come help me look at this. How should this diagram be done? Why can’t I ever manage it?”

Lucas Bennett hurried over and began examining the “sage’s legacy.” In order to please this carpenter emperor brother, Lucas Bennett had also studied quite a bit over the years. After a while, he couldn’t help but laugh to himself. George Washington had really gone to great lengths—just to make John Adams believe this was a sage’s legacy, he’d even created many “impossible works.”

Lucas Bennett put on a show of frowning and muttered, “Strange, this doesn’t make sense. There’s no support at all—are we supposed to make the palace float in the air? And in ancient times, there was no brick firing or mortar; how could this have been done?”

Hearing this, John Adams also frowned, and in the tone of two professionals discussing work, said, “I find it odd too. This diagram shouldn’t even be here.”

Lucas Bennett glanced at John Adams, who was fully absorbed in his work, then flipped through the “sage’s book” and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Elder brother, this book is made of xuan paper. Are you sure it’s a ‘sage’s legacy’?”

“Xuan paper?” John Adams was taken aback at first, then took the book and flipped through it, hesitantly saying, “It must have been copied by later generations…”

Lucas Bennett shook his head and said, “Many of the methods here only appeared after the Song dynasty. Elder brother, I think you’ve been tricked.”

As soon as John Adams heard this, his expression changed, his eyes widened as he stared at Lucas Bennett and said, “Younger brother, are you saying this is Edward Wallace deceiving me?”

Lucas Bennett blinked and hesitated, “I’m not entirely sure, but based on my experience, it’s almost certainly fake.”

John Adams, considering himself an expert, heard Lucas Bennett’s words and his face flushed slightly. After a moment of stunned silence, he stiffly said, “You’re right, younger brother. I had already suspected as much, which is why I discussed it with you. I’ll summon George Washington later to get to the bottom of this. You go to the empress and keep her company for a while.”

Lucas Bennett knew John Adams was embarrassed at losing face, so he quickly caught on and replied without giving anything away, “Alright, elder brother. By the way, elder brother, I heard Eunuch Wallace is about to be appointed as the head of the Eastern Depot. You might want to watch your tone.”

John Adams still held his head high and snorted coldly, “Head of the Depot? He’s illiterate—what right does he have to be the head of the Eastern Depot!”

A thought suddenly struck Lucas Bennett: perhaps John Adams had already seen Jason Turner’s memorial and was just pretending not to know.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.” Lucas Bennett excused himself, left the imperial study, walked a few steps, and stood by the railing, murmuring thoughtfully, “Maybe we’ve all underestimated elder brother.”

But thinking of Jason Turner’s impeachment of George Washington—“condemned by all, yet illiterate”—George Washington must be furious by now. That phrase was exactly what he was thinking; even a thousand years later, it would still be a famous line!

Having already put in the eye drops, Lucas Bennett suddenly felt in an especially good mood, humming a little tune as he strolled leisurely toward the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

He lingered for a while with Queen Thompson, and only after seeing that Queen Thompson was a bit tired did he take his leave and exit the palace.

“Your Highness, there’s news from the imperial study,” Charles Carter said in a low voice, following behind Lucas Bennett.

Lucas Bennett raised an eyebrow and said, “Speak.”

Charles Carter glanced around, then leaned in and said, “As soon as Eunuch Wallace entered the imperial study, he started crying and complaining about many things. His Majesty listened for a while, but eventually lost patience and scolded him harshly, telling him to study hard.”

“Study hard…” Lucas Bennett chuckled. George Washington hated nothing more than being mocked for being illiterate—he must absolutely loathe Jason Turner now. But according to history, Jason Turner wouldn’t let it go so easily. The struggle between the “pure officials,” or the Donglin Party, and the not-yet-fully-formed eunuch faction would only continue, and grow ever more intense.

Perhaps George Washington was already plotting how to deal with Jason Turner.

Back at Jinghuan Palace, looking at the empty, echoing hall, Lucas Bennett smacked his lips and muttered to himself, “I still need to find a way to bring Henry over, or it’ll be too lonely.”

Waving his hand for Charles Carter to go about his own business, he picked up a book and lay back in his chair to read. He’d always enjoyed reading old books, especially all sorts of anecdotes and unofficial histories from the Ming dynasty, and now it suited his tastes perfectly.

It wasn’t until the sun was setting that he was interrupted by the hurried return of William Carter.

“Your Highness, I’ve found out about those three people,” William Carter said excitedly as soon as he entered.

Lucas Bennett put down his book, momentarily puzzled, “Which three people?”

William Carter replied, “The father and daughter trio who perform for a living.”

Lucas Bennett’s eyes lit up, and he immediately set the book aside, “Tell me the details.”

William Carter said, “The three of them are from Wancheng County on the outskirts of the capital. They had to flee to the city and make a living as performers after injuring the local gentry’s spoiled son.”

Lucas Bennett narrowed his eyes, nodded in satisfaction, and said, “Send someone to Wancheng County to keep them quiet. Also, find the three and bring them into the palace. Train them for a while, then I want to meet them.”

William Carter looked puzzled and asked, “Your Highness, what do you want with these three?”

Lucas Bennett sighed and said helplessly, “To guard against that old witch.”