Now, although Gavin Norton had recovered, he didn’t tell anyone about Calvin Norton’s actions. First, there was no evidence, and if he spoke out, it was very likely that Calvin Norton would retaliate. After all, the two of them held unequal positions in the prince’s residence, and the Seventh Lady also had a bit of influence in the household. Second, Gavin Norton planned to handle things himself. In the end, it was just a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old brat, plus a young woman in her thirties. Even if they had some cunning, they couldn’t possibly be a match for Gavin Norton. He was simply biding his time, waiting for the right moment.

“I may not have pursued this matter, but Calvin Norton definitely won’t see it that way. He must be afraid that I’ll expose what happened, so he’ll surely try every means to deal with me. Heh, if I show that I have absolute confidence in passing the entrance exam, the psychological pressure on him will be enormous. But then again, before I enter the academy, I’d better keep a low profile. Once I’m admitted, it’ll be his turn to live in constant fear!!!”

Everything in this world is inseparable from status and position. With Gavin Norton’s current standing, even if he could pin everything on Calvin Norton, given the balance of power and influence in the prince’s residence, Calvin Norton wouldn’t be punished too severely—he might even turn the tables. But if Gavin Norton entered the academy, the balance of power would shift immediately. At that point, he could deal with Calvin Norton however he liked. As for so-called brotherly affection, what did that have to do with him?

He wasn’t really Gavin Norton anyway!

“But I need to study literature, and I can’t neglect martial arts either. Although I can’t go to the martial arts school for now, with this copy of 【万象拳谱】 in hand, I can at least start practicing. Hmm, these are all basic boxing techniques, good for tempering the body—quite effective!” Looking at the three large characters 【淬体拳】 on the second page of the 【万象拳谱】, Gavin Norton couldn’t help but show a wry smile.

To strengthen his body, he had always been cultivating the internal energy method 【长青诀】. So, although he hadn’t formally practiced boxing before, his physical condition was much stronger than the stereotypical frail scholar.

Therefore, practicing the Body Tempering Fist was relatively easy for him.

According to his plan, for the three months before the entrance exam, he would bury himself in his small courtyard, studying and practicing martial arts, ignoring the outside world. But reality was not as simple as he imagined. He didn’t go looking for trouble, but trouble would come looking for him.

One day, just after he finished a set of boxing exercises, drenched in sweat and preparing to take a bath and read, he heard a startled cry from outside the courtyard. A figure in pink burst through the door, flustered, and rushed up to Gavin Norton.

“Young master, young master, something’s wrong, something’s wrong—!”

Gavin Norton frowned. He recognized that the figure in pink was his maid Lydia, and a bad premonition immediately rose in his heart. “What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered? Where are your manners?!”

“Young master, it’s really bad! Lillian—sister Lillian has been—has been caught by Young Master Chao!!”

Lillian was the name of another of Gavin Norton’s maids. Lillian and Lydia were always together, inseparable.

“Damn it, here comes trouble!” Gavin Norton cursed inwardly, glancing at the panicked Lydia. That cold, sharp look made Lydia shiver involuntarily and lower her head.

Wherever there are people, there are rivalries. The grand Prince Ning’s residence was no exception.

The Prince’s residence was a vast arena, and within it, there were many smaller arenas.

One ring after another, all tangled together.

If it were the old Gavin Norton, he might have been fooled by Lydia’s panic. But now, Gavin Norton saw clearly that Lydia’s panic was an act.

Under Gavin Norton’s gaze, Lydia’s heart leapt into her throat, full of confusion—why was the young master’s gaze so different from before?

“Don’t panic. Speak slowly. What exactly happened? What about Lillian?” Gavin Norton stared at Lydia and asked.

“It—it’s like this!” In her panic, Lydia was already stumbling over her words, but she forced herself to calm down. “Just—just now, Madam asked me and Lillian to go to Steward Qi to get some tonics for you, young master. But when we passed by Birch Garden, the Eleventh Young Master suddenly rushed out, saying that Lillian had stolen something, and tied her up, saying he was going to punish her. Young master, please go take a look—if you’re any later, something might happen to Lillian!”

The Eleventh Young Master was Calvin Norton, and Birch Garden was his residence.

“Stealing? Punishment? Nonsense!” Gavin Norton’s expression changed, and he sneered, glancing at Lydia. He suddenly asked, “Weren’t you going to Steward Qi? Why did you end up at Birch Garden?!”

“It—it was Lillian who said there was a shortcut that way, so I just followed her!”

“Really?” Seeing how smoothly Lydia answered, Gavin Norton felt even colder inside. “You said they accused Lillian of stealing, so they caught her and want to punish her?!”

“Yes, young master, let’s hurry or it’ll be too late!”