Jason Turner had always utterly despised George Washington, and upon hearing this news, it was like a bolt from the blue. His fists clenched so tightly they turned white, and he gritted his teeth, saying, “Lewis, as censors, we bear the heavy responsibility of upholding the world, rooting out traitors and evil. Today, let us jointly submit a memorial, fiercely denouncing the misdeeds of these two. This time, we must make the Emperor see their true colors and drive them out of the capital!”

Matthew Lewis had come precisely for this, and immediately replied, “Turner, just start writing, I will sign my name!”

“Good!” Jason Turner was deeply gratified by Matthew Lewis’s sense of justice, and at once ordered the servants to prepare brush and ink, ready to impeach George Washington and Lady Ke, the consort.

“Master, master, something’s wrong!” The steward who had previously met with the young eunuch came rushing in, stumbling and scrambling.

Jason Turner’s face instantly darkened at the sight, and he shouted, “Have you forgotten the rules? Someone, drag him out and punish him according to house law!”

But the steward showed no fear, regardless of who was present, and immediately pulled a slip of paper from his chest and handed it over, saying anxiously, “Master, my friend in the palace sent word—they’re going to impeach you!”

Jason Turner was about to put brush to paper, but his expression changed at these words, and he strode over to take the note.

“Its meaning is unclear, its words nonsensical, a false display of learning.”

“Gathering with disreputable people, speaking words that neither hurt nor help, bowing neither deeply nor shallowly, eating cakes neither hot nor cold.”

“He misleads the court, and misleads the provinces.”

Jason Turner read this, trembling all over with rage, his eyes bloodshot.

It was a hastily copied note, over three hundred characters, all impeaching him, Jason Turner. At the end, it was signed by Censorate official Gordon Grant and Censor Warren Newton.

Matthew Lewis, reading alongside, was instantly furious and said, “The eunuch faction has gone too far! Turner, why don’t we gather our allies and submit a joint memorial? This time, we must not back down—we must punish those treacherous eunuchs and wicked women!”

But Jason Turner suddenly calmed down, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He said, “This memorial probably hasn’t been submitted yet. We must strike first and wipe out the eunuch faction in one fell swoop!”

Matthew Lewis immediately agreed, saying in a low voice, “Good, I’ll go make contact right away. Today, we swear never to stand with the eunuch traitors!”

After returning to the palace, Lucas Bennett changed his clothes, took a little gadget he had prepared earlier, and headed straight for Kunning Palace.

“Sister-in-law!” Lucas Bennett called out loudly as soon as he entered.

But before Queen Thompson appeared, Henry, dressed in an apricot-colored long dress, suddenly popped out, rolled her eyes at him, and snorted, “Her Majesty isn’t feeling well today, she’s not seeing guests.”

Lucas Bennett was instantly alarmed, reaching out to grab Henry’s soft, fair hand, and asked anxiously, “Sister-in-law is ill? What illness? Has the imperial physician been summoned? What did he say? Has medicine been prescribed?”

Henry had long been teased by Lucas Bennett, but seeing his worried face, her heart softened, and with a hint of concern on her pretty face, she said, “Her Majesty probably caught a chill. She’s been nauseous all day, looks pale, and nearly fainted. She won’t let us call the imperial physician, afraid of alarming His Majesty and adding to his worries.”

Adding to his worries?

Lucas Bennett chuckled inwardly—this wasn’t illness, it was clearly morning sickness; she was pregnant.

But his face remained anxious as he held tightly to Henry’s small hand, asking, “So how is sister-in-law now? Has anyone been sent to quietly fetch medicine?”

Henry was about to answer when her face suddenly flushed. She hurriedly pulled her hand away from Lucas Bennett’s grasp and said crossly, “Her Majesty said, if Prince Howard comes, he’s not allowed in. Come back tomorrow.”

Lucas Bennett showed no embarrassment at all. With his hands behind his back, he looked very experienced and said, “Sister-in-law is right. My royal brother has been busy with state affairs lately, so let’s not spread this around.”

Henry snorted, blocking Lucas Bennett’s way, looking as if she’d throw him out if he didn’t leave.

Lucas Bennett sighed deeply, turned around with a sorrowful face, and said, “I had intended my heart for the bright moon, but the river flows east regardless.”

After Lucas Bennett left, Henry couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her tense face relaxing at last. After a while, she muttered, “If you don’t know poetry, just admit it. Stop pretending—what a mismatch.”

Knowing his sister-in-law was pregnant, Lucas Bennett secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After waiting so long, it had finally happened.

As he walked, he pondered, muttering to himself, “With Henry here, plus the sisters Quinn Walker and Rose Walker, there shouldn’t be any problems. Still, we must be careful with food and prenatal medicine, and find a way to plant our own people.”

Lucas Bennett’s mother died young, so he was mostly raised by Queen Thompson. This matter had always weighed on his mind. More than that, it concerned the fate of the Ming dynasty. If this child was a boy and survived, he would surely be the future crown prince, the emperor.

If the future emperor was a child, there would be no need to worry about his fifth brother ascending the throne. If that happened, Lucas Bennett’s room to maneuver would be extremely limited—he might even be confined to his fief for life, never allowed to leave.

Lucas Bennett was in an exceptionally good mood, strolling around the palace before slowly returning to his own Jinghuan Palace.

“Your Highness.”

As soon as Lucas Bennett entered, William Carter and Charles Carter—the two Caos, big and small—came up to greet him almost simultaneously.

Because Queen Thompson was pregnant, Lucas Bennett was overjoyed. He looked up, beaming, and said, “What is it? Has something happened?”