They directly blamed the woman's suicide on her husband.

Not only did the husband fail to avenge his wife, but he also bore such a terrible reputation, and a few days later, he drowned himself in the river.

When the old man knelt before him, tearfully recounting the grievances suffered by his son and daughter-in-law, slapping his own face as he pleaded for help, William Carter felt something explode in his chest.

He forced himself to suppress his anger and went to reason with the county magistrate, but the magistrate refused to listen.

And Brooks County, knowing that he was being sought, went into hiding.

So, on that very day, William Carter had some wine, then led his retainers to mount their horses. They galloped all the way to the The Brooks Clan residence, snatched Brooks County's wife in broad daylight, put her on a horse, and sped to the county office, where they threw her in front of Ethan Brooks.

“Mr. Carter...”

The old man couldn't stop his tears no matter what. He clung tightly to William Carter's hand, feeling it over and over, “I don't know how to thank you... How can I ever thank you...”

Even as the villagers helped him away, he kept repeating those words, his trembling figure leaving a pang of sorrow in those who watched.

Even though the matter was resolved, William Carter felt no joy in his heart.

“I really want to chop off that magistrate's dog head...”

William Carter gritted his teeth, mounted his horse, raised his whip, and galloped away.

The toughs hurried after him.

Everyone stood at the entrance of the county office, watching their figures disappear into the distance, reluctant to disperse.

“Mr. Carter is truly righteous!”

“With Mr. Carter in Yuancheng, we are truly fortunate!”

“What are you standing here for? Get lost already!”

The yamen runners rushed out, waving their clubs, but this time, the clubs did not fall on the commoners as they usually did.

The onlookers scattered in all directions.

The area in front of the county office quickly returned to its usual calm.

Chapter 002: The Little Whirlwind, Lord Cao

William Carter's residence was located at the very center of Yuancheng.

Surrounded by tall palace walls, inside stood a magnificent and continuous complex of buildings—the most luxurious residence in all of Yuancheng, no different from a royal palace.

In fact, William Carter's home really was a royal palace.

Back then, John Carter granted his son David Carter the title of Duke of Qin, later changed to King of Jingzhao, and then to King of Yuancheng.

David Carter couldn't withstand all the relocations and died in Yuancheng. Seeing his brother without an heir, Edward Carter thoughtfully arranged for the son of King of Rencheng, Charles Carter, namely Henry Carter, to inherit the title of King of Yuancheng.

Of course, the relocations continued, and not long after, the title was changed to King of Liang.

Thus, this royal palace was left vacant, kept as a backup.

Looking at the whole of history, the Cao Wei imperial clan was the most frequently reassigned; their lives were a constant cycle of relocation, with almost no opportunity to manage their own fiefs.

When the Sima family came to power, Sima Shi couldn't bear to see the imperial clan suffer such relocations and humiliation, so he thoughtfully arranged for them all to live in Hebei, far from their own fiefs.

William Carter's fief was in Tancheng County, in the Qilu region.

But now he lived in Yuancheng.

William Carter led his many hangers-on to the gates of the royal palace.

At the palace gates stood two old soldiers, thin and holding long spears, swaying from side to side.

The main gate of the residence was wide open, with people coming and going, bustling with activity.

As soon as William Carter entered the palace, he heard Robert Grant's incessant questioning.

“What kind of behavior is this? How can you wrestle naked in the front hall?”

“What kind of behavior is this? How can you gamble here?”

“No idle talk in the front hall!!”

He was a young man dressed in a deep robe, quite plain, but every part of his attire followed the rules of propriety, without the slightest impropriety.

Even his face was so proper and stern.

His name was Robert Grant, and he was the Prefect of Guidance under William Carter.

His duty was to instruct William Carter in virtue and prevent him from misbehaving.

This position was usually held by a gentleman of great reputation, and the one they found for William Carter was a gentleman to the extreme.

When he turned and saw William Carter, he hurriedly straightened his clothes and bowed with the etiquette due to a duke.

William Carter accepted his salute with a face full of helplessness.

“Mr. Grant, why must you be like this...”

“Lord Xiang, propriety must not be neglected.”

Robert Grant said sternly, then pointed at the people inside the residence.

“Lord Xiang! Your servants are openly wrestling, fighting, gambling, riding horses in the residence... How can this be allowed?”

“This is simply improper!”

“Hahaha, I have always treated them as friends. Now that there’s nothing to do, they amuse themselves—what harm is there?”

Robert Grant was deeply distressed.

He truly missed the obedient, scholarly, noble Lord Xiang of the past.

The first time he met the noble Lord Xiang, he was so clever, kind, and eager to learn, pestering him every day to study the classics.

What was most unforgettable was the strong youthful spirit he exuded—always confident, always full of vitality.

In that noble Lord Xiang, he saw the very image of Emperor Wen, and even mentioned this unique noble Lord Xiang many times in letters to his eldest sister.

Until a year ago, when the noble Lord Xiang fell from his horse while practicing riding and archery.

Since then, it was as if he had become a different person.