“Is this really something a kid could do?”

Matthew Lane couldn’t help but think again of his beautiful, curvaceous wife back at home.

Then he thought of that suspected little pervert Young Master Grant who might show up at any time, and this career-driven Instructor Lane felt as if his heart was tangled in a mess of threads.

That blue soft cap, under the shade of the tree, looked a bit greenish—hmm, suspicious.

Chapter 10: Today My Son Beat Up David Brooks Again...

Samuel Brooks, his face a patchwork of blue, red, purple, and green, returned to the residence. As soon as he entered the main gate, he happened to see his father in the front hall.

He couldn’t help but be overcome with sorrow, and in an instant, tears gushed out like a faucet turned on full blast.

“Father!” With a shrill wail, he startled John Brooks so much he shuddered.

He saw his son Samuel Brooks, whose bruises had almost faded, now bawling with a swollen, battered face, arms outstretched, rushing toward him.

John Brooks stared at his son’s face in shock, his heart aching. He quickly embraced his David, who was nearly as heavy as himself.

“David, you—you got beaten up again?”

“Father, you must stand up for me! I was beaten up by William Grant again. After he finished, he even forced me to make peace with him...”

Hearing his son’s tearful complaint, John Brooks was furious, stabbing his finger like a sword toward the hall doors, and unleashed a torrent of harsh, heavily Fujian-accented curses.

The front hall of Brooks Residence echoed with John Brooks’s furious, almost deranged roars.

His son had been beaten again and again by that little brat from the The Grant Family—it was like a slap in the face to the chief minister of Song.

Less than fifteen minutes after his bruised son entered the house, John Brooks, seething with rage, stormed out of Brooks Residence and headed straight for the palace to see the emperor.

...

After John Brooks finished giving thanks and left the hall, James Carter, still wearing a wide Daoist robe, couldn’t help but raise his hand to rub his brow.

What on earth was going on? William Grant had actually beaten up the beloved son of Prime Minister Brooks, Samuel Brooks, three times in a row.

But that boy looked so delicate and handsome, with rosy lips and white teeth, and spoke so gently and politely.

It was really hard to associate him with someone who was fierce, ruthless, and fond of fighting.

Prime Minister Brooks had just been weeping bitterly, swearing it was true. He probably wouldn’t lie about this to the emperor.

Could there be something fishy going on here?

“Henry Young.”

“Your servant is here.”

“Didn’t I say before that I wanted to meet that William Grant?”

Henry Young quickly replied respectfully.

“Your Majesty, you did say that...”

“How have you arranged it?”

“Huh? ...” Hearing James Carter’s words, Henry Young was instantly bewildered.

Your Majesty, you did mention it, but it sounded like a casual remark, and there was no follow-up.

“Hmm?”

Hearing this questioning and displeased tone, Henry Young, who knew how dangerous it was to serve the emperor, felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly bowed even lower.

“Um, Your Majesty, please rest assured, your servant has arranged everything. Whenever you wish to meet, it can be done at any time.”

Satisfied with this answer, James Carter nodded absentmindedly and began to ponder again.

“Hmm... But if I summon him as the Son of Heaven, I’m afraid I’ll scare him. After all, he’s just a child.”

“Your Majesty means...”

Before Henry Young could finish his question, he saw James Carter raise his hand, signaling him not to interrupt, so he had to swallow his question.

James Carter thought of his previous encounter with William Grant at the little courtyard of Grace Thompson in the pleasure quarter.

Since that’s the case, why not arrange another chance meeting? Hmm, that’s a good idea.

This way, he could observe closely and see whether that rosy-lipped, white-toothed William Grant was really a little pervert frequenting the pleasure quarters at such a young age.

He could also subtly inquire about his feud with David Brooks, to see if the boy was really so fond of fighting.

Additionally, he could kill two birds with one stone and test whether Miss Grace was attracted to such tender young men.

Thinking that he had come up with such a multi-pronged plan in such a short time, James Carter couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction and beckoned to Henry Young.

“Come here...”

...

Richard Grant stood on the steps, watching the imperial messenger leave, his face turning extremely grim.

He turned and entered the residence, where he saw his wife Harris hurrying toward him.

“The emperor sent a messenger to see you—was it something important?”

Meeting his wife’s gaze, Richard Grant could only sigh helplessly.

“The emperor sent a messenger to rebuke me for letting my son run wild and not disciplining him strictly enough, and ordered me to stay home and reflect on my mistakes...”

“Ah, but didn’t the emperor say he wouldn’t pursue this matter before? Why bring it up again?”

Harris was full of confusion. Was the emperor always this capricious?

Richard Grant wiped his forehead. “It’s not that. It’s just that today, our son beat up David Brooks again.”

“What?!” Harris’s bright eyes widened instantly. “Again...”

How many times had William beaten up David Brooks now?

“Hmm... I really don’t know what’s going on. I’m still completely in the dark.”