Although the outer room was spacious and bright, there was only a single chair in the center. Just now, when Samuel Brooks saw Brian Clark come in, he didn’t even bother to stand up. But as soon as they entered the inner room, Samuel Brooks immediately greeted Brian Clark with a beaming smile, invited him to sit, and personally went to make tea. Brian Clark knew perfectly well that the other party wanted to confirm whether he was just making empty promises, but his goal today was simply to win over Butler Brooks. Since he couldn’t meet the real master, Travis Clark, he naturally wouldn’t say too much, keeping his words vague and ambiguous.

Yet the more he acted this way, the more enthusiastic Samuel Brooks became. When Brian Clark mentioned that he planned to go to Kuiyuan Tower to congratulate Travis Clark on his promotion, but some elders in the clan had objections, Samuel Brooks immediately took it upon himself to promise he’d handle it, and warmly insisted that since Travis Clark was out visiting friends, Brian Clark should stay for a meal at home. Brian Clark firmly declined, insisting he’d come another time, so Samuel Brooks had no choice but to personally escort Brian Clark out.

At the base of the east wall on Fudong Street, Sixth King sat at the front of the carriage, waiting and waiting. He saw that most people who came to request an audience were rudely turned away, even those wealthy folks dressed in silks and satins. Yet Brian Clark still hadn’t come out, making him increasingly anxious. No matter how he guessed or pondered, he couldn’t figure out what business Brian Clark was here for, so he could only crane his neck again and again, peering inside.

Suddenly, his view was blocked, followed by the crack of a whip—someone had lashed out in midair, the sharp sound startling him so much he nearly slid off his seat.

“What are you looking at? Move your broken-down carriage out of the way and don’t block the road for my master!”

Sixth King was momentarily stunned to see a carriage before him draped in deep blue silk, the seams lined with matching sheepskin, and the horse harnessed to it was strong and sturdy, far better than his own nag. He knew enough to recognize that such wealthy families were not to be trifled with, so he quickly moved his carriage aside and apologized with a forced smile.

Though he was humble, the brightly dressed coachman only snorted coldly, not even glancing at him, and went straight to set up the carriage step, eagerly preparing to help someone down. However, as soon as the curtain was lifted a crack, a middle-aged man inside poked his head out, glanced around at the crowded carriages, frowned deeply, and made a gesture—he didn’t get out, just signaled the coachman to head to the east gate of the yamen.

After making way for others, Sixth King saw that the whole base of the east wall was packed with carriages, leaving him nowhere to go, and he began to panic. Just as he was at a loss, he caught sight of someone coming out the side door. Looking closely, he realized it was Samuel Brooks personally seeing Brian Clark to the door, and he nearly popped his eyes out in surprise.

You see, last time he ran into Old Irwin from the third master’s family, it was at the east gate of the Yingtian Prefecture yamen on Fudong Street, with the fourth young master from the same family beside him. In front of this Butler Brooks, not only was the notoriously talkative Old Irwin extremely respectful, even the Fourth Young Master was polite, addressing him as Big Brother Brooks, while Butler Brooks barely acknowledged them. But now, how close was this Butler Brooks being to his own young master?

Though Sixth King was dumbfounded, he didn’t slow down in driving the carriage forward to greet them. As he approached, he smiled apologetically and called out, and Brian Clark merely nodded at him, while Samuel Brooks returned the smile. Then Samuel Brooks took a box from the hands of the page Henry Tate behind him and handed it to Brian Clark with a smile, saying, “Seventh Young Master, this is a box of thousand-layer pastries made by a new cook at home. Even the master, who doesn’t like sweets, can’t stop praising them. Take this box home and enjoy it at your leisure.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Big Brother Brooks.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, just a box of pastries.”

“My master is a clansman of Lord Wu. Who do you people think you are to block our way!”

Just as Brian Clark and Samuel Brooks were saying their goodbyes, a commotion suddenly broke out nearby. Turning to look, they saw the brightly dressed coachman shoving and arguing with three young gatekeepers. Samuel Brooks immediately flew into a rage and said to the frowning Old Porter beside him, “When did you become so soft, Old Brother? All year round there are people making a scene like this—hurry up and throw them out! If you disturb Chief Wood while he’s recuperating, who will take the blame?”

Since Prefect Hugh Wood took office, the gate’s income had dwindled, and Old Porter was already disgruntled. Now, even a mere coachman dared to cause trouble on Fudong Street, and with Samuel Brooks egging him on, he immediately signaled to the other three. In the next moment, the three gatekeepers grabbed the coachman by the arms and legs, swung him twice, and tossed him high into the air. The coachman landed face-first in the middle of the road, and Sixth King couldn’t help but snicker in satisfaction, while the crowd by the wall burst into laughter.

“Hick!”

“Think wearing a nice outfit makes you a big shot? This is Nanjing city, Yingtian Prefecture, not some small county town!”

“Everyone coming here to seek an audience is richer and more respectable than your master!”

Brian Clark paid little attention to this sudden commotion, glancing over just once before turning back to exchange a few more words with Samuel Brooks. When he finally got into the carriage, Samuel Brooks was still holding onto the curtain, reminding him, “Seventh Young Master, within a day or two, I’ll definitely give you a definite answer. You can rest assured.”