At a time like this, climbing over the walls of Chang’an City for fun—isn’t that just courting death? If they were caught by the night patrol and treated as accomplices of the deposed crown prince, then following the trail, every male in the The Brooks Family, including the servants, would probably be doomed!

“Young master, I think we might as well try William Brooks’s method!” The clever ones weren’t just Jacob Brooks and Chad Brooks; Owen Brooks also didn’t want to risk the lives of all the men in the manor for a complete stranger. Leading his horse over, he quietly chimed in.

“Then should we try it?” Persuaded to the point of exhaustion by his retainers and servants, Brian Brooks rubbed his hands together and muttered softly.

“Try it, young master, don’t hesitate. The more you hesitate, the harder it will be for the master to wake up!” All the servants cheered Brian Brooks on in unison, afraid he’d bring up the idea of going into the city to buy medicine again.

“Then let’s try it. Master, Brother Zhang, forgive me!” Fired up by their encouragement, Brian Brooks clenched his right fist tightly with his left hand, then raised his right arm high.

However, before he could bring his arm down, his courage faltered. He quietly took two steps back and whispered to William Brooks, “How about you do it? You know medicine, so your hand will be more precise than mine. If I hit too hard and the master refuses to take me as a disciple after waking up, I’ll have missed my chance!”

“Young master, you…” William Brooks was so exasperated by Brian Brooks’s cowardice that he stomped his feet repeatedly and complained in a low voice. But thinking of the other’s obsession with cultivation, he couldn’t bear to be too harsh. So he turned to the most fierce-looking, scar-faced Jacob Brooks among the group and quietly instructed, “Little Qi, you do it!”

“Me? Alright!” Jacob Brooks agreed readily, rolling up his sleeves and looking eager to try. But he had only rolled up one sleeve halfway before he quickly retreated, “Young master, it’s better if you do it. The master is literate and looks so fair and delicate—obviously a nobleman. I can’t even recognize my own name. If I slap him, I’ll be struck down by heaven sooner or later!”

“You coward!” Brian Brooks was so angry he kicked Jacob Brooks hard, sending him sprawling. “Where’s all your usual bravado?! At the critical moment, you’re not even as good as a woman!”

“Young master, there’s a difference between noble and lowly, a difference between noble and lowly!” Jacob Brooks scrambled up, retreating with an awkward smile and bowing in apology. “With Master Zhang’s looks and that fair skin, how many families in Chang’an could compare? If you hit him, it’s for treatment—he won’t hold it against you when he wakes up. But if I hit him, it’s a servant offending his superior. If Master Zhang takes it seriously…”

“Get lost! If you don’t have the guts, just get out of the way!” Brian Brooks knew he was speaking the truth and could only scold him helplessly.

In Chang’an City, ever since the time of the Great Tang’s founding emperor, hierarchy and order had been strictly observed, and ordinary people dared not cross the line. The young Master Zhang’s attire was all rare and precious. He looked fair and noble, and could write beautifully. Even if he wasn’t from a wealthy and powerful family, he must be the descendant of an official or a local notable.

For a servant like Jacob Brooks to slap him, no matter the reason, would be considered an offense against a superior. If Master Zhang didn’t pursue it afterward, that would be fine, but if he did, Jacob Brooks would be in serious trouble!

And although Brian Brooks was the young master, in this matter, he couldn’t plead for Jacob Brooks. Unless—unless he was willing to fall out with Master Zhang and give up any hope of learning from him!

Thinking of this, Brian Brooks gave up on having his men do it for him. If Jacob Brooks didn’t have the guts to slap Master Zhang, neither would Chad Brooks, Owen Brooks, or Ethan Brooks. As for William Brooks, though his status was a bit higher, it would still be an offense against a superior.

Clasping his hands together, Brian Brooks gritted his teeth and once again raised his right arm high. Just as he was about to slap Peter Bolton hard on the left cheek, he suddenly saw the other slowly lift his head, his eyes no longer the least bit dazed.

“Master, Brother Zhang, you’re awake?!” In an instant, Brian Brooks was overjoyed. He quickly lowered his arm and asked with a fawning smile.

After asking, he realized that the other might not understand him. He hurriedly squatted down, grabbed a stone, and scribbled, “Brother Zhang, why were you so lost just now? You really worried Me!”

“It’s nothing!” Peter Bolton forced a smile and cupped his hands to Brian Brooks, then picked up a stone and slowly wrote, “I drank a bit too quickly earlier and lost my composure. Please forgive me, Brother Brooks!”

The wording might not have been perfect, but the meaning was clear enough. After reading it, Brian Brooks was even more certain that his phlegm problem had improved, and there was no need to risk slapping him. Instantly, he felt completely relieved. Grabbing a stone, he quickly added, “No worries, Brother Zhang, you’re too polite! A storm is coming—would you like to go down the mountain with me? My family’s manor is just five li northwest of Xiangji Temple.”

It would be too abrupt to ask to become his disciple right after meeting; the chances of being rejected by such a “master” were high. So Brian Brooks deliberately played it safe, first inviting “Master Zhang” to his family’s manor, where he could treat him to good food and drink. Once he’d won his favor, he could bring up the matter of apprenticeship—by then, it would surely come naturally!