Cynthia Reed sighed. At that moment, footsteps sounded in the courtyard. Jason Brooks smiled, “It seems big brother is back. Sister-in-law, go take a look! I’ll take care of the child.”

Cynthia Reed nodded and hurried out. Her husband had been gone for a whole hour; she didn’t know how things had turned out. Would they be able to get justice?

After a while, Jason Brooks heard the sounds of his elder brother and sister-in-law arguing outside.

“How could you just let it go? The child’s finger is broken, such a serious injury, and you’re just going to accept his denial?”

“I have no choice. Second Uncle came out himself and the servants testified too. They all said the child fell by accident…”

“Nonsense! How could a fall break a finger? No, I’m going to confront them!”

“Forget it, just endure it! Second Uncle has already apologized repeatedly. What else can we do?”

Then William sighed again and asked, “By the way, how is the child? Did you call a doctor?”

“Lily is fine for now, thanks to Jason Brooks’s excellent medical skills. He’s already reattached the severed finger, and the swelling on the face has gone down a lot. Sigh! You really are so useless.”

A surge of anger rose in Jason Brooks’s heart. He had been in this era for half a year, but had never been so furious as today. Let it go? How could things be so easy in this world?

He slowly walked out of the room and said to his elder brother, “Big brother, Lily is safe for now. I have something to do and want to go out for a bit. I might not be back tonight.”

William stared at him for a long while, then suddenly said, “Don’t go and do anything foolish!”

Jason Brooks gave a faint smile. “Big brother, what are you thinking? How could I do something foolish? I just got back, I don’t know anyone or anything here. Even if I wanted to do something foolish, I wouldn’t know where to go.”

“What foolish thing are you going to do?” Suddenly, an aged voice came from the courtyard.

William recognized the voice and was startled. “Grandfather is here!” He hurried out to greet him.

In the courtyard stood an old man leaning on a cane—it was their grandfather, Brian Harper. William quickly stepped forward to support him. “Grandfather, why did you come yourself? If you needed us, you could have sent for us. Your legs aren’t well; you should rest in your room.”

“Hehe! I heard from the fifth that Jason Brooks is back, so I came to take a look.”

Brian Harper’s smile was kindly. His gaze fell on Jason Brooks at the doorway, and he nodded slightly. “Indeed, you’ve grown into a fine young man. Both of the eldest’s sons are outstanding!”

William quickly signaled to his brother. Jason Brooks stepped forward and knelt down. “Grandson Jason Brooks greets Grandfather!”

“Good! Good! Get up, child.”

There were tables and chairs in the courtyard. William Harper helped Grandfather to sit down, and Jason Brooks stood by his side. Brian Harper looked him over again and asked with a smile, “I remember seven years ago, my drinking friend Reed Hill took you to learn skills. That old drunkard must have taught you quite a bit, right?”

“Grandfather, I can now drink five jin of old wine without getting drunk.”

“Hehe! Is it just drinking? That Daoist friend of mine is a man of real skill.”

“I also learned a bit of self-defense.”

“Mm! Very good. Modest and disciplined. You’re completely different from when you were a child.”

Brian Harper nodded. He took out a box from his robe, inside which was a blue gemstone ring. He handed it to Jason Brooks. “I specially found this for you. It’s the family ring your father left for you, with your name on it. Put it on.”

William Harper also wore a similar ring on his hand, the symbol of their family. He whispered to his brother, “There’s also our parents’ hair inside the ring. Put it on quickly.”

Jason Brooks took the ring. It was a sapphire ring, specially crafted, with a hollow in the center of the gem containing a thin lock of hair. This was the centuries-old tradition of the Huanfu clan of the Great Ning Empire: every Huanfu child who turned sixteen would have a gemstone ring, with their parents’ hair inside, symbolizing the continuation of the family line. The Huanfu clan of the East Sea was no exception. Usually, the rings were ruby, like the one worn by Jade Harper, who had injured Lily. But his was a sapphire ring.

Jason Brooks didn’t understand the significance of the different gemstones in the family rings. He gazed at the long, fine lock of hair inside the ring, a keepsake from his mother. A strange sadness welled up in his heart as he thought of his mother in his previous life, who also wore a sapphire ring. He solemnly put the ring on his ring finger.

At this moment, Brian Harper turned to William Harper and said, “William, I’m very sorry about that matter. I originally wanted you to run for the position of Registrar, but now I can only let Jade go. I hope you understand. Sometimes, I have no choice.”

William was bitterly disappointed. He had dreamed of becoming Registrar and thought he would have his grandfather’s support, but now his grandfather had made it clear he had no hope.

But no disappointment showed on William’s face. He could only sigh inwardly. “Grandfather, I’m about to go to the capital for the exams anyway, so I really don’t have time. Thank you for worrying about me these past few days.”

Brian Harper knew his grandson was not speaking from the heart. He sighed inwardly as well, but said nothing more. After a moment’s thought, he changed the subject. “When I came just now, I heard something happened at your house. What was it?”