The Zhen residence wasn’t considered large even in the southern part of the city; its facade looked much like any ordinary home, with the only touch of grandeur being a few extra porches. Perhaps out of regard for the master’s status as a court official, a black lacquered plaque with gold lettering had been installed. To the side was a gatehouse, inside which an elderly man with white hair was dozing off.

“Sir... Sir?” George Lambert stepped forward and called out twice, but the old man remained drowsy. He then shouted, “Sir!”

“Eh?” The old gatekeeper finally woke up, staring blankly at the two brothers. “What is it?”

“We’re here to visit Master Zhen about some family matters. Could you please announce us?” said George Lambert.

“Eh?” The old gatekeeper nodded absentmindedly. “What are your names?”

“My name is George Lambert, and this is my younger brother Peter Lambert. We are classmates of the young master Henry Jennings,” George Lambert replied.

“Eh?” The old gatekeeper perked up his ears. “Yue what? Peng?”

George Lambert raised his voice again, “George Lambert! And Peter Lambert!”

“Oh...” The old gatekeeper finally responded, then turned and shuffled unsteadily into the porch.

A moment later, he shuffled back, step by dragging step, and beckoned, “The master is waiting for you in the study. Come with me.”

The brothers followed him, passing through a porch, and realized that the extra porch was rather unnecessary. The courtyard of Charles Jennings’s home was hardly any bigger than the small courtyard of the The Lambert Family in Ping’an Alley. At most, the buildings were a bit more orderly, with more blue-tiled, white-bricked rooms and upturned eaves and pillars, giving it a touch more class, but in the end, there were only four or five rooms.

In the center of the courtyard, a young man with a white cloth wrapped around his head was kneeling. He looked badly injured and knelt there, dejected. When he saw the two brothers enter, he looked up at Peter Lambert, his eyes instantly filled with hatred. “What are you doing here?”

“To apologize to you,” Peter Lambert said calmly.

Then, without looking back, he followed the old gatekeeper to the door of the The Jennings Family study.

“The master is inside. Please go in.” The old gatekeeper pointed inside, then left on his own.

The brothers stepped into the study. At first glance, they didn’t see anyone, but instead saw a wall—the decor of the The Jennings Family study was rather odd.

Normally, the rooms of wealthy families were open from north to south, with at most a screen in the middle. But in this study, there was a thick wall in the center, with a beaded curtain hanging at the end on one side.

This wall divided the room into two sections. The outer room had only some potted plants and ornaments; the inner room was likely the real study. The brothers lifted the beaded curtain and saw that in the rather cramped space, there was a desk and a bookshelf.

A middle-aged man with a thin face and stern expression was sitting behind the desk, holding a letter and lost in thought. Hearing the beaded curtain move, he pressed the letter under a book beside him, then looked up at the brothers. “You must be Peter Lambert and his elder brother, right?”

This was, of course, the master of the house, the Ministry of Works official Charles Jennings.

“That’s right,” George Lambert nodded. “Today my younger brother had a conflict with your son, so I’ve brought him here to apologize in person.”

“I already asked Henry about what happened at the academy when he got home,” said Charles Jennings. “The conflict arose because he repeatedly provoked things first. Peter Lambert’s actions were a bit impulsive, but understandable. Both boys were at fault, but strictly speaking, Henry should apologize first. I’ve already punished him to kneel for an hour, and I plan to have him talk things over with Peter Lambert at the academy tomorrow.”

“Uncle Zhen, Henry Jennings is just a bit mischievous. He often plays around with classmates like this, and everyone is used to it. On reflection, I was indeed too impulsive and deeply regret it. I was the one who made the bigger mistake, and he’s already been hurt. Please don’t punish him any further,” Peter Lambert said sincerely.

But on closer listen, his words seemed a bit insincere.

George Lambert quietly gave his brother a thumbs-up in his heart.

“I’ve heard about his mischief at the academy for some time, but haven’t had the chance to discipline him. Letting him be punished this time is actually good for him. Peter Lambert, you don’t need to blame yourself,” Charles Jennings said gently. “I’ve long heard you’re always top of the class at the academy. Focus on your studies and earn your honors in the future. I promise you, Henry will never again interfere with your studies.”

“Master Zhen, you are truly too kind. My brother will definitely get along well with Henry Jennings from now on, and nothing like this will happen again,” George Lambert said quickly with a smile, seeing how gracious the other was.

“Heh, that’s best. I hope he can learn from Peter Lambert’s dedication to his studies,” Charles Jennings smiled, then said, “I still have official business to attend to today. Since this matter is settled, I’ll get back to my work.”

“Alright, we won’t disturb you any further,” George Lambert replied, setting down the fruit basket in his hand. “We brought some fruit for you, Master Zhen. It’s nothing valuable, just a token of our sincerity.”

“That absolutely won’t do,” Charles Jennings’s face suddenly darkened. “I have served as an official for twenty years and have never accepted a single coin in gifts, nor engaged in any personal favors. If you try to give me a gift, you would be ruining my good name.”

George Lambert hurriedly picked up the fruit basket again and said, “With an honest official like you, Master Zhen, it is truly a blessing for the Yin Dynasty. Then, my brother and I will take our leave.”