George Washington's eyelids kept twitching, his mouth was dry, his heart pounding like a drum, filled with anxiety and fear, yet he forced himself to calm down. Sitting in the chair, he gripped his teacup, grinding it so hard it made a squeaking sound.

“We can't hesitate any longer, Eunuch Wei!” Eugene Lee said in a low voice from the side.

The others echoed in agreement, except for one person hiding behind the crowd, saying nothing, but with a worried look on his face—Simon Lewis.

George Washington's face kept twitching, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, but he did not lose his reason, thinking nonstop.

Suddenly, George Washington stood up and shouted loudly, “Fine! Charles Lewis, bring some men and come with me. We're going to see His Majesty!”

Seeing George Washington's imposing manner, everyone’s morale was instantly boosted. They straightened their clothes and, like a tide, headed toward another gate of Jingyang Palace.

So many officials barging into the palace during their rest time—of course, the guards and eunuchs on duty were no fools. All of them, terrified, ran to the imperial study to report to the emperor.

At this moment, John Adams also received the news. His expression changed several times, and after a while, he slowly said, “Dismiss them all…”

Then he hurriedly asked, “Did you stop them?”

“They’ve been stopped, all outside Jingyang Palace,” the little eunuch replied anxiously.

It was not uncommon in the Ming Dynasty for ministers to lead officials to surround the emperor; it happened from time to time. But every time, it was a major event for the court and the palace. This time, it seemed it was about to happen to John Adams as well—at least, that’s how it seemed to the little eunuch.

“Good, as long as they’re stopped.” John Adams let out a slight sigh of relief, sitting on the dragon throne, looking a bit dazed. He was not his grandfather, Emperor Wanli, who could avoid court for twenty years and still keep everything under control. Since his own ascension, he had never enjoyed that feeling.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei has barged in with a group of people!” Suddenly, a little eunuch stumbled in, knelt on the ground, and shouted.

John Adams was startled at first to hear someone had broken in, but when he heard it was George Washington, he immediately felt relieved. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Then… let Lord Wei in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The little eunuch quickly got up and ran out.

John Adams looked at the half-finished wood carving in front of him, feeling utterly bored and sighing inwardly—there was not a single day of ease.

“Your Majesty, we have been wronged!” As soon as George Washington entered, he knelt down and cried out, followed by a crowd kneeling outside the imperial study, all shouting their grievances.

John Adams was taken aback and quickly stood up, saying, “Lord Wei, what grievance do you have? Stand up and speak.”

Although John Adams did not know the details, he understood the general idea: the upright officials were dissatisfied with his use of eunuchs. But this had been passed down since Emperor Yingzong; he didn’t think it was wrong. Without these inner court officials, wouldn’t he, the emperor, truly be left all alone?

George Washington knelt on the ground, his voice full of grief and indignation, crying as if he wished for death: “Your Majesty, we are eunuchs, with no sons or daughters, no one to rely on before or after. We survive only by serving Your Majesty. This servant believes I have done my utmost, never overstepping my bounds. Now the outer officials want to drive us all out of the palace. Our lives are of no importance, but in the future, who will serve Your Majesty with devotion? If outsiders harbor ill intentions, who will shield Your Majesty from harm? Your Majesty, the palace cannot be without eunuchs. We can leave, but you must not let the outer officials act recklessly and deceive the sovereign…”

John Adams felt somewhat comforted at first, but by the end, he was chilled to the bone, his face changing color.

In fact, George Washington kept glancing up at the emperor’s face, and seeing his reaction, cried out even louder: “Your Majesty, they even want to drive Lady Fengsheng out of the palace! They not only want to force us inner officials to death, but they won’t leave your harem alone either…”

“How outrageous!”

John Adams slammed the table and stood up, his face flushed red, eyes bloodshot. Lady Ke was his reverse scale; last time she was driven out of the palace, he felt deeply ashamed. Now that these upright officials were back at it, he absolutely could not tolerate it!

John Adams's expression changed rapidly. He paced behind the imperial desk several times, then suddenly looked at George Washington and shouted, “Censor Jason Turner and the others are arrogant and disrespectful, trespassing in the palace and showing contempt for their sovereign. Order the Eastern Depot to arrest them and send them to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for strict interrogation!”

Chapter 14: Arrest

“This servant thanks Your Majesty for sparing my life! Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!”

Upon hearing this, George Washington was overjoyed, immediately kneeling and shouting. The group of eunuchs outside the imperial study also shouted, even louder than in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Looking at them, John Adams finally felt like a true emperor for a moment, his heart surging with emotion. He waved his hand and said, “Go and handle it without worry!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This servant takes his leave!”

George Washington backed out of the palace. As soon as he turned around, his eyes flashed with murderous intent. After a few steps, he gritted his teeth and whispered to Eugene Lee, “Tell the men from the Eastern Depot to wait outside the palace. As soon as they come out, arrest them all!”

“Yes!” Eugene Lee replied sternly, leading a group of eunuchs out with great momentum.

Meanwhile, Jason Turner and the others were still outside Jingyang Palace, clamoring to see the emperor.

Kunning Palace.

Little Lucas Bennett carried a huge lunchbox, huffing and puffing as he walked toward Queen Thompson.