But Theodore Roosevelt was not pleased. He had valued martial prowess all his life; by the age of six or seven, he could already ride a big horse and cause trouble everywhere. But his own son? Already nine years old, not only had he grown as fat as a ball, but all he knew was reading books. This made Theodore Roosevelt very dissatisfied, and he complained a bit in front of the child.

Yet Frederick Baker was a sensitive child. His imperial grandfather liked his chubbiness and encouraged him to study, but his father didn’t like it—what was going on?

The little guy couldn’t figure it out. Having just arrived in Beiping, he didn’t know who to talk to about his feelings, so he inevitably felt gloomy.

Brian Clark looked about twelve or thirteen, just three or four years older than him, so Frederick Baker treated Brian Clark as someone to confide in, pouring out everything, whether he should say it or not.

After all, he was just a child!

Brian Clark didn’t point it out, but instead said seriously, “If you want to get thinner, you have to eat less!”

“No way!” Frederick Baker shook his head vigorously. “If I don’t eat, I’ll be hungry!” What a joke—asking a little chubby kid to eat less is child abuse, you know?

Brian Clark was speechless. “If you don’t want to eat less, then you have to exercise more. Go out riding and hunting, how about it?”

Frederick Baker thought about it seriously, then shook his head. “No, the imperial—grandfather doesn’t like that. That’s what spoiled brats do. I can’t do it!”

The little chubby guy said it very seriously. Old Zhu really knew how to teach his child!

Brian Clark could only say, “In that case, there’s only one way left. I’ll teach you some simple exercises.”

……

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!”

“Two, two, three, four…”

Theodore Roosevelt appeared outside the room where people were being held and heard a string of counting.

He pushed open the door and saw his eldest son doing jumping exercises! His whole body of fat jiggled up and down, especially his cheeks, which rippled like waves. He was sweating all over his forehead, but he was really into it.

When Frederick Baker saw his father arrive, he stopped in a panic and stood at attention with his hands at his sides.

Theodore Roosevelt frowned, stepped past his son, and stared at Brian Clark.

“Boy, what are you doing? Do you know who he is?” Theodore Roosevelt shouted angrily, pointing at his big, chubby son, afraid that Brian Clark might harm little Zhu.

Brian Clark was very calm. He had already made up his mind: if Theodore Roosevelt wanted to harm him, it would be the same whether he stuck his neck out or shrank back. Might as well die with dignity!

At least I’m a man—facing the Yongle Emperor, I absolutely won’t back down!

“I haven’t done anything, just taught the young master some ways to exercise.” He looked up at Theodore Roosevelt’s resolute face and added, “The young master has been alone in Yingtian for many years. The sage loves his grandson and takes good care of him. Your Highness should understand the emperor’s intentions. The young master is still young and has just arrived in Beiping. With such a sudden change, Your Highness should care more for him. Always calling him fat is bound to hurt his feelings!”

Theodore Roosevelt was actually lectured by Brian Clark, leaving him stunned.

You little brat, aren’t you my prisoner?

How to teach my child is none of your business! How old are you anyway? Barely grown, wait until you have a son before you try to lecture me!

Theodore Roosevelt suppressed his anger, not wanting to waste words on a kid.

“Boy, you falsely accused a court official. I’m going to send you to the Provincial Administration Office for Lord Wang to deal with!”

Brian Clark frowned tightly. Was Theodore Roosevelt really so timid, afraid of offending the crown prince? In such a hurry to send him away?

With guts like that, do you deserve to be the Yongle Emperor?

Brian Clark realized this was bad. At this moment, Theodore Roosevelt was just a prince—maybe he really didn’t have that much courage…

The little chubby Frederick Baker was shocked when he heard his father wanted to send Brian Clark away. His mouth dropped open, and he stammered anxiously, “F-father! D-don’t send him away, please?”

Theodore Roosevelt glared fiercely at his son. “What do you know, child? Is he good or bad, man or ghost? You dare plead for him—aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you?”

Frederick Baker was truly afraid of his father. After a few scoldings, the little chubby guy was on the verge of tears. Ever since arriving in Beiping, his father had kept a stern face. His mother was kind, but with a second and third brother, as the eldest, the love he received was limited.

To be honest, apart from the few people who came to Beiping with him, Brian Clark was the first person he could really talk to.

“F-father!” Frederick Baker mustered his courage and said, “He—he’s my friend!”

“Friend?”

Theodore Roosevelt took a big step forward, his tall figure like a mountain, looking down at the round Frederick Baker!

“Say that again?”

Tears welled up instantly. The little chubby guy tried hard to hold them back, but couldn’t. He knew he’d caused trouble and was sure to get beaten. But his imperial grandfather had told him to value righteousness and be true to his friends!

“He’s a good person, father, please show mercy, okay?”

Theodore Roosevelt let out two cold laughs, then suddenly reached out, grabbed Frederick Baker under the arms, and with a strong pull, the round little guy landed in his father’s arms.

Theodore Roosevelt swept away his earlier anger, burst out laughing, and rubbed his bearded face hard against his son, even wiping away the tears on his chubby cheeks.

“Good! It would be even better if you didn’t cry! A real man must have responsibility and backbone! For your sake, I’ll spare your friend.”