Hmm... lost my composure there, deep breath, yes, I really lost my composure. How could I act like that? After all, I’m destined to be a renowned minister of the future Great Tang, how could I get so carried away? Looks like I got too into character. Luckily, there weren’t any females passing by, otherwise, I might already be clutching my collar and shouting that William Grant is a pervert. Sweat...

“Benjamin, I’m asking you, in our Great Sui Dynasty, do we use round fans or folding fans to keep cool?” Better ask first, in case some shameless transmigrator got here before me and stole the invention I’m about to create.

“Master, we usually use palm-leaf fans, but you and the young lady do use round fans to keep cool.” Benjamin Lincoln first answered me honestly, then quickly tried to make up for it when he saw my expression.

Hmm, I nodded in satisfaction. Although he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, at least he can keep up. He really is a perfect supporting character for Benjamin Lincoln. Uh... why did I say that again?

“When will your father be back?” I stroked my chin. As the legitimate son of the Grant family, I should at least meet this loyal steward who’s been so devoted to my mother and me.

“That... he probably won’t be back until dusk.” Benjamin Lincoln looked up at the sun, which was about ten o’clock. Yeah, I saw it too. Looks like the wait is going to be way too long.

“Where is uncle’s shop?” Stroking my chin, I made a decision. Yes, on the fifth morning after arriving in this historical era, I made a wise and clever decision—to stroll the streets and discuss important matters with my steward.

“Hey, sis, want to go shopping?” After confirming with Benjamin Lincoln that uncle’s shop was in the East Market, I turned and went back to the room, calling out to my sister who was diligently practicing calligraphy.

“Shopping? Awesome! Brother, are we going now or later? Oh wait, let me go grab something from my room, otherwise what if we don’t have money when we get to the market?” The twelve-year-old girl’s eyes lit up at the mention of shopping, and judging by her words, uh, she’s got real shopaholic potential.

“Looks like, no matter how many years go by, women will always be creatures men can never fully understand... Hey, Benjamin, why are you standing so close?” Just as I was sighing at my sister’s graceful departing figure, I felt a shadow looming over me. Turning my head, I saw Benjamin Lincoln had come right up to me. Uh, although he looked sincere, I couldn’t help but feel his eyes were full of gossip.

“I thought you were going to give me instructions, but your voice was too low, so I wanted to get closer to hear.” Benjamin Lincoln continued to answer honestly. Hmm... his acting isn’t bad, but with my sharp eyes—sharp enough to spot goosebumps on an Oscar-winning actor during a passionate scene—I saw right through him.

“I don’t have any instructions, I was just sighing. Please, next time, unless I give you a look, don’t get so close to me, okay?” I rolled my eyes at him. Seriously, doesn’t he know not to listen, look, or act inappropriately?

Benjamin Lincoln gave a simple, honest smile, then obediently took a step back and stood tall and straight, as if he’d instantly switched from a gossip reporter to a professional bodyguard. Damn!

Chapter 8: I Have a Powerful Soul That Opposes Tyranny

Just as my sister and I were stepping onto the steps of the mansion gate, we heard a horse neigh outside, followed by a young man’s voice.

Before I could react, my sister cheered with delight, “Is that Second Lincoln Brother?”

Then, a hearty laugh came from outside the gate. “It’s me, your brother.” As the gate opened, I saw a young man, about fifteen or sixteen, tall and quite handsome, grinning widely in my direction. His eyes weren’t big, but they were long, with a hint of phoenix-eye charm.

He saw me first, paused in surprise, then smiled warmly and bowed, “So it’s William brother. Abraham greets you.”

“Abraham, Second Lincoln Brother...” My right foot, just about to cross the threshold, froze in midair as I stared blankly at this sunny youth with a shelf life of at least three to five years. He’s actually Abraham Lincoln? Could it be that the historic first meeting between a transmigrator and the future ruler of the Great Tang Empire is happening right now?

“Brother, what are you doing?” My little sister poked me in the side, nearly making me stumble and fall flat on my face. Seriously, doesn’t she know not to listen, look, or touch inappropriately? Geez.

I steadied myself, glared at the suddenly rough-and-tumble girl, then put on a smile and laughed it off, carefully sizing up the future Emperor Taizong of Tang, the currently not-so-fresh-faced Abraham Lincoln.