He had spent so long in the room with Grace girl, sharing so many private words—from serious discussions about literature to less proper flirtations and touches. That boy hiding under the bed, surely...

Grace Thompson was also uneasy. As the top courtesan of the pleasure quarters in Dongjing Bianliang, she already knew the true identity of that Mr. Carter.

And today, she had hidden her lover under the bed, then flirted and bantered with this Mr. Carter on the bed...

Yet the whole time, a third party—uh...an eavesdropper—had secretly listened to everything from start to finish.

This left Grace Thompson at a loss for words to describe her feelings—shame? Excitement? Anxiety?

If word of this got out, Grace Thompson truly didn’t know how she could continue to lead the trends in the pleasure quarters of Dongjing Bianliang.

Her enchanting, watery eyes shifted, landing on the famously talented Mr. BennettEdward Bennett.

“Mr. Bennett... are you worried about that young boy?”

Mr. Bennett looked at this stunning beauty of both talent and appearance, and couldn’t help but sigh softly and nod.

To think that in a brothel, he had ended up shoulder to shoulder with a young lad, both hiding under Grace girl’s bed, witnessing The Carter Family’s shamelessness.

If that boy went out and blabbed, and the rather narrow-minded The Carter Family found out there was more than one person under Grace girl’s bed, hmm...

Seeing the worried look on Mr. Bennett’s face, Grace Thompson’s alluring eyes sparkled, and she bit her tempting red lips lightly.

“Mr. Bennett, there’s no need to worry. Leave this matter to me.”

“Grace...”

“Mr. Bennett...”

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came up the stairs.

In an instant, the previously affectionate Mr. Bennett’s expression changed dramatically, and he didn’t even need a signal from Grace girl.

With top-notch speed, he smoothly and skillfully dropped to the floor and slipped back under the bed.

Then, from outside the tightly locked door, came the soft call of a maid.

“Miss, the lotus seed soup you requested has arrived.”

Grace Thompson, sitting on the edge of the bed: “...”

Mr. Bennett, lying under the bed: “...”

Chapter Three: Another Failed Attempt at a Low-Profile Stroll...

“That boy is actually the son of Richard GrantMr. Grant?”

James Carter stroked his short beard, and the image of William Grant’s rosy lips and white teeth, his face so young and tender, flashed through his mind, leaving him feeling vexed.

He had long heard that Grace girl adored talented and brilliant men, so why was there a fresh-faced youth like William Grant hiding under her bed?

Could it be that her tastes had changed? But judging by her expression just now, she clearly didn’t know there was a boy under the bed.

But then again, what if her acting was so good that he couldn’t tell the difference?

“Who would have thought that Charles Grant’s only son, at such a young age, would already be frequenting these pleasure quarters.”

James Carter stroked his delicate short beard, muttering to himself with a strange look on his face.

Richard Grant was his favored minister, and had only this one child.

So young, and already visiting brothels—what would happen when he got older?

The more the The Carter Emperor thought about it, the more troubled he became, furrowing his brows in worry for his beloved minister.

“That boy looks only eleven or twelve, yet he’s already so reckless. Isn’t he afraid that in the future...”

Henry Young saw that after hearing his report, The Carter Family had started muttering to himself, lost in his own world.

The Carter Family liked to ponder things alone, mumbling and overthinking—Henry Young was long used to such scenes.

Still, Henry Young had to stay on high alert, carefully watching The Carter Family’s micro-expressions.

If The Carter Family suddenly wanted to discuss the matter and he answered wrong, it would surely displease The Carter Family.

James Carter noticed Henry Young’s gaze, and thinking of how this concerned Mr. Grant’s reputation, his face darkened slightly.

“About today’s events, I don’t want to hear a word of it outside. Do you understand?”

“Rest assured, The Carter Family, I wouldn’t dare reveal even a bit, even if it cost me my life...”

Seeing that Henry Young was tactful, James Carter nodded in satisfaction and resumed his pondering.

“So young, yet already with such habits—I wonder if he can change?”

“Should I talk to Mr. Grant myself? No, no.

If I upset Mr. Grant and ruin his mood for playing cuju with me, that wouldn’t be good.

Forget it, I’ll think it over carefully before deciding...”

Seeing The Carter Family fall back into his self-questioning mode, Henry Young: “...”

...

“Wife, has William been feeling better these past two days?”

With three short tufts of beard, a burly and vigorous figure, Richard Grant looked worriedly at the languid William Grant sitting inside the room.

The gentle woman beside him also looked full of concern, slowly shaking her head.

“Ever since William came back the day before yesterday, he’s been downcast. Honestly, it’s all that David Brooks’s fault.”

“After recovering from his serious illness last month, William finally mustered the courage to go out for some fresh air.

But then David Brooks spoke rudely, they got into a conflict, and even beat up William’s attendant...”

“Hmm...” Hearing his wife’s indignant words, Richard Grant nodded in deep agreement.

At yesterday’s court meeting, Grand Preceptor Brooks had come to him, saying that his own David Brooks had been beaten up by William.