Of course, Matthew Carter never does anything without profit. If he can pull this off, he’ll earn at least two hundred guan in commission—two hundred guan! That’s enough to buy dozens of acres of prime farmland in Shu Prefecture.

Henry Bolton saw the look of disappointment on his face and patted the back of his hand apologetically, saying, “It’s not that I’m unwilling, Uncle William, you know that even though I’m a member of the The Bolton Family, my words don’t carry any weight. I really can’t help.”

“It’s fine! It’s fine!” Matthew Carter became suddenly excited when he heard him agree, and hurriedly said, “Yesterday afternoon, your The Bolton Family family head actually came to visit my elder brother, all for your sake. It shows how much he values you. Go and ask the family head—this matter will surely succeed.”

“The family head came to visit Master?”

Henry Bolton was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized—no wonder when he brought up the matter of the The Carter Family land this morning, the family head made a decision without hesitation. So he had already come by yesterday afternoon.

“Don’t worry, Uncle William, I’ll definitely help, but I’ll need to find the right opportunity. I’m afraid I can’t do it right away.”

Matthew Carter was overjoyed, his hand waving like a fan. “No rush! No rush! As long as it’s done before your family head returns to the capital, it’s fine.”

At that moment, a young pharmacy apprentice ran over, tugged at Henry Bolton’s sleeve, and said, “Eighteenth Young Master, the head proprietor has been waiting for you for ages. If you don’t go soon, he’ll get angry.”

Henry Bolton looked across to the other side of the shop and saw his master frowning at him. He quickly cupped his hands to Matthew Carter, “Uncle William, I’ll go now!”

“Go on! Go on!” Matthew Carter grinned from ear to ear, already picturing those glittering two hundred guan going into his pocket. Unconsciously, his eyes seemed to turn square.

……

Henry Bolton walked quickly to his master, bowed respectfully, and said, “Master, were you looking for me?”

“I was going to ask about how you’ve been lately—just a small matter. But since your uncle came by yesterday, it’s become a big deal.”

With that, Robert Carter sighed deeply and beckoned him over. “Come with me.”

……

“What! Master wants to leave Taiyuan and return to Shu?” Even as calm as Henry Bolton was, he was still stunned by the news. In all these years, he had rarely seen his own father, while his master had taught him with great care. Unknowingly, he had come to see his master as a father, and had never imagined being separated from them one day.

Henry Bolton was born into a prestigious family, and for more than a decade he had been battling his internal injuries, always thinking about how to push his physical limits. After his coming-of-age ceremony, his health gradually recovered and he grew stronger. Coupled with his education and understanding of the world, he, like the other The Bolton Family sons, began to pursue a future—first as a local official, then rising to high office, fulfilling the political ideal of “cultivating oneself in adversity, helping the world in prosperity.”

But he was born of a concubine, and because of his mother, he had no status in the family, always subject to others’ attitudes. As a youth, when he spoke of his ambitions in the school with his clansmen, he was ridiculed by all. In this era where birth and status meant everything, for a concubine’s son to speak of things beyond his station was seen as either ignorant boasting or a lack of self-respect. Only his master always encouraged him, saying that a man who does not achieve great things has lived in vain, which gave him boundless confidence. But now, his master was leaving.

“Master, what exactly has happened?”

Henry Bolton had calmed down. His master’s sudden decision to leave was likely related to the family head’s visit yesterday. Things couldn’t be that simple, but he didn’t speculate carelessly.

“Qubing, do you know why I moved to Taiyuan? Although I said it was to treat you, that wasn’t the real reason.” Robert Carter slowly walked to the window, his eyes full of memories. He said softly, “I came to Taiyuan incognito to escape disaster.”

He turned to glance at Henry Bolton, smiled helplessly, and said, “Your uncle was once my colleague. Even though my appearance has changed greatly, I can tell he’s become suspicious. Enough! Let’s not talk about the past.”

Henry Bolton looked at his master in silence, saying nothing.

Chapter 8: News of Mother

“So when does Master plan to leave?”

“There’s no rush. In a few days, I’ll first send your mistress and Pingping back home, buy some land, then come back to tidy up Linzhi Hall. There are still some patients whose treatment I need to finish. Once all that’s done, it’ll probably be half a year from now. By then, you’ll be heading to the capital for the exams, and my greatest patient will finally be cured.”

Robert Carter gave Henry Bolton a firm pat on the shoulder and smiled, “After you pass the imperial exam, it’d be best if you come to Shu to be an official. That way, we can be together again, and you can also look after our The Carter Family.”

Henry Bolton nodded, “Definitely, I’ll come to Shu for sure.”

But Robert Carter shook his head, looked into his eyes, and said firmly, “I was only joking. Shu is too comfortable—it’ll make a man lazy. I don’t want you to come to Shu. I hope you’ll go to the Western Regions and become a true man, wiping out the threat of the Huihe for our Great Tang and achieving immortal merit.”

His master’s words made Henry Bolton’s blood surge, and the ambition he’d had as a youth welled up in his heart once more. He couldn’t help but blurt out, “Master, if that day really comes, will you come help me?”