It seemed there was no way to avoid it, so James Bolton left the bedroom. In the courtyard, the table and chairs were already set up, and James Bolton sat down.

Charles Bolton, limping, cheerfully added rice and brought over the cooked chicken.

James Bolton coughed, a bit embarrassed, and said, “Dad... Dad... is your leg alright?”

“No problem.” At this moment, Charles Bolton looked at his son, feeling very happy, and said excitedly, “Most of the people in the imperial prison are old acquaintances from daily life. Although we’ve become prisoners, there’s always someone looking out for you, so at least there’s no torture. It’s just that the shackles are heavy, and after wearing them for a long time, my legs aren’t as nimble.”

As he spoke, he placed the rice bowl in front of James Bolton, and was about to ladle some chicken soup onto James Bolton’s rice.

Obviously, people in ancient times didn’t know that mixing soup with rice isn’t good for the stomach.

James Bolton quickly said, “Dad, no need to pour soup into the rice.”

Charles Bolton was a bit surprised, looking at James Bolton with a puzzled expression: “Why? Didn’t you always like to eat soaked rice before? You’ve always liked soft rice.”

James Bolton: “...”

Did I?

Why does it feel like there’s a double meaning, like he’s insulting me?

But soon, James Bolton could confirm that in this era, “soft rice” didn’t have any other connotation.

So he quickly said, “I’ve changed my habits now. I like to eat dry rice, not soft rice anymore.”

Charles Bolton responded with an “oh,” then returned to his seat, continuing to look at James Bolton with fatherly affection: “Then eat more chicken.”

“Mm.” James Bolton lowered his head and ate quietly.

In fact, he could sense that Charles Bolton had many questions.

Sure enough, after a while, Charles Bolton said, “Sigh, I don’t know why, but suddenly someone from the palace released me. Son, what have you been up to these past few days?”

James Bolton said, “I went with my two sworn brothers to...”

Just as he was speaking—

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from outside.

Charles Bolton seemed very sensitive. As soon as he heard the hoofbeats, he immediately became alert. Just a moment ago, he was a loving father, but in the blink of an eye, his face turned ashen—perhaps due to his habits as a Jinyiwei, or maybe because of his ordeal in the imperial prison.

James Bolton suddenly realized that, at least when something happened, this father was not just simply kind and gentle.

Instinctively, Charles Bolton unconsciously gripped his chopsticks like daggers. Though he sat steadily, there was an aura about him as if he was ready to protect his family at any moment.

Next, there was a hurried knocking at the door.

David Bolton quickly went to open it.

Charles Bolton looked very worried, perhaps afraid that the matter wasn’t over, and that those eunuchs who sent him home would come to cause more trouble.

If it were just himself, so be it. After all, the arm can’t twist the thigh—he’d just surrender and accept his fate.

But his son was here too.

Sure enough, outside the door, a eunuch in a bright red robe entered quickly with several imperial guards.

Charles Bolton’s face turned ashen, as if his fears had come true.

The eunuch came in, looked at Charles Bolton, then at James Bolton, as if searching for someone.

But clearly, the person he was looking for... didn’t seem to be this father and son. Disappointment showed on his face, and then he raised his voice and called out, “Where is James Bolton?”

James Bolton...

Charles Bolton was scared out of his wits.

These eunuchs even know about James Bolton?

What, did James get into some kind of trouble?

James Bolton, however, calmly said, “I’m here.”

“It’s you?” The eunuch’s eyes widened in surprise, then he looked James Bolton up and down with a very strange expression. He clearly couldn’t imagine that James Bolton was just such a thin and weak-looking youth.

Then, the eunuch straightened his face and said solemnly, “James Bolton, receive the imperial edict!”

Charles Bolton was completely confused and looked at his son.

But James Bolton had already stepped forward and bowed to the eunuch: “Yes.”

The eunuch opened the decree and read aloud: “Sacred decree: I have ascended the throne for seven years, inheriting the great fortune of my ancestors, ruling the world. Since my accession, not a day has passed without caution and fear, as if treading on thin ice, lest I fail Heaven’s great virtue. Yet, the country’s problems have accumulated over the years, and traitors remain obstinate. Now, the traitor Zhao runs rampant, with a heart like a viper and the nature of a wolf. I am deeply concerned. Now, the hereditary Jinyiwei hundred-household officer Charles Bolton’s son James Bolton, brave above all, has slain the traitor Zhao and removed a threat to my heart... Now, I appoint you as a Jinyiwei hundred-household officer, to serve in the imperial guard...”

James Bolton was completely confused. Shouldn’t the emperor’s edict begin with “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees”? Why is it so simple?

Of course, he didn’t know that a truly formal imperial edict was only used for very important occasions, such as conferring titles on consorts or the crown prince, or other major state events. For rewarding an ordinary military officer like this, receiving a personal decree was already quite an honor.

Imperially bestowed Jinyiwei hundred-household officer.

This was only a sixth-rank military officer.

Of course, if it was a sixth-rank officer in the imperial guard, the status was different from an ordinary hundred-household officer.

Moreover, even within the imperial guard, there were different ranks, and the Jinyiwei were among the highest, making the position even more prestigious.

Charles Bolton had a hereditary military post and had worked hard all his life, yet he was only a deputy thousand-household officer.

And how old was James Bolton?