Robert Carter's expression suddenly became extremely serious. He stared at Henry Bolton for a long moment before slowly saying, "I've been observing you since you were seven years old. Your personality is very complex. You have a kind and helpful side, but deep down there's also a trace of ruthlessness and cruelty. I don't know what kind of person you'll become in the future. If what you do benefits the country and the people, I will come to help you. But if what you do brings harm to the common folk..."

Robert Carter's eyes widened as he shouted sternly, "Then I will personally come to take your life!"

The air suddenly froze at that moment. Suddenly, a voice full of gentle reproach came from the doorway: "Darang, if you're so fierce, you'll scare the child."

Though it was a complaint, the voice was gentle, like a spring breeze in March, instantly sweeping away the heavy atmosphere in the room. The curtain at the door lifted, and a middle-aged woman in coarse clothes and a homespun skirt entered. Though simply dressed, she carried herself with grace and poise. The fine crow's feet at the corners of her eyes could not hide her stunning beauty in her youth. She was none other than Robert Carter's wife, Mary Young.

The master's wife’s surname was Yang. Grace Carter had said her mother came from a prominent family, and Henry Bolton had once suspected she was from the Yang clan of Shu Prefecture. But his master was just a lowly physician—how could that be possible? He had dismissed the thought, but now that his master's identity seemed not so simple, things were getting a bit complicated.

Henry Bolton didn't have time to think further. He hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply. "Master's wife!"

Mary Young smiled and nodded at Henry Bolton, then turned to her husband and said, "Darang, the patients in the shop are already making a fuss. You'd better go take a look!"

Only then did Robert Carter come to his senses. He had told the patients to wait a quarter of an hour, but now it was almost half an hour. Feeling apologetic, he patted Henry Bolton's shoulder and hurried out.

"Master's wife, please sit!" Henry Bolton quickly fetched a cushion for her. Mary Young sat down, casually placed a small bundle on the table, and looked at Henry Bolton, saying, "I went to see your mother this morning."

Mary Young was closest to Henry Bolton's mother. Even before she became a nun, the two often spent time together. After Henry Bolton's mother became a nun, she still visited her frequently.

"How is my mother now?" At the mention of his mother, Henry Bolton's nose tingled with emotion. After his coming-of-age ceremony, his mother had issued a strict order: if he didn't pass the imperial exam, she would refuse to see him. It had already been two years since mother and son last met.

Mary Young sighed softly. "Your mother's cough has flared up again. She can barely catch her breath."

Henry Bolton felt as if a knife had stabbed his heart. His eyes reddened slightly, and he stood up to bow to Mary Young. "Master's wife, I would like to take my leave."

"Wait a moment!" Mary Young stopped him. "I've already asked your Uncle William to prepare the medicine, but one ingredient is missing. He's gone elsewhere to borrow it."

"Yes!" Henry Bolton gradually calmed down. Every year at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, his mother's asthma would flare up. Although his master had treated her, the root cause had never been cured, and it recurred almost every year.

"Come, sit down. Master's wife still has something to say."

Mary Young told Henry Bolton to sit, pointed at the small bundle, and frowned slightly. "This is some rock sugar I prepared. I asked Grace to take it to your mother earlier. She went, but forgot the thing."

At this, she sighed softly. "That child—her father never let me discipline her since she was little, saying to let her be herself. But look at her now—always forgetful and scatterbrained, and everyone in Taiyuan knows it. How will she ever get married in the future? If only she were half as good as her sister, I would be at ease."

Grace Carter's elder sister was called Lucy Carter, beautiful and gentle. Last year, she married the son of the county magistrate of Taiyuan, named Philip Scott, a student at the official Taiyuan Academy, who would also go to the capital for the exams next year and was on good terms with Henry Bolton.

But Henry Bolton shook his head and said, "Master's wife, Grace may be a bit careless, but she's genuine and kind-hearted. Whoever marries her will be truly blessed. You don't need to worry about her."

"Do you really think so?" Mary Young looked deeply at Henry Bolton, a trace of relief flashing in her eyes. She quickly turned away to fetch the rock sugar, hiding the smile at the corner of her mouth.

"I grew up with Grace, so I naturally understand her." Henry Bolton knew what the master's wife was thinking and sighed inwardly. It was impossible. He had grown up with Grace Carter, and although he liked her, it wasn't that kind of liking. The wife he dreamed of was not someone like Grace Carter.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. A young pharmacy assistant called from outside, "Mistress, the manager has finished preparing the medicine and sent me to deliver it."

"Alright, the medicine is at the door. Go see your mother!" Mary Young stood up and handed him the rock sugar. "Your mother actually really wants to see you. Passing the exam is just her way of encouraging you. Don't take it too much to heart."

"Thank you, master's wife!" Henry Bolton bowed deeply, took the rock sugar and medicine, and hurried off...

The place where Henry Bolton's mother became a nun was called Jingxin Temple, located in Huishi Lane, east of the city. The temple covered a large area, but only about twenty female Taoist priests lived there. They all came from prominent families—some were elderly and had lost favor, some were young widows with no desire to remarry. Because all the residents were of noble birth, the prefect of Taiyuan specially assigned several constables to patrol the area day and night to prevent idle people from disturbing them.