As he neared home, it was already close to noon. The ox cart moved slowly, the bell jingling nonstop. Edward Clark sat in the back, squinting his eyes and dozing off, restoring his energy.

Although this world had Daoist arts manifesting, they did not often appear in public, and due to feeding issues, horses were still scarce, so the court had issued regulations on clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

Commoners were strictly forbidden to wear silk or ride horses, and there were specific rules for officials using carriages.

Although these laws were relatively lax, and many young men from noble families rode horses when going out, among officials, the rules were stricter. Even a county magistrate usually traveled by ox cart.

It wasn’t that the magistrate couldn’t get a horse, but that it would be too conspicuous and not in line with his official record. Most importantly, these were rules set by the court and, behind it, the Heavenly Court.

Ordinary people basically used ox carts. Though slow, they sufficed. Now, Edward Clark was sitting in one!

From afar, he could see ridges between fields, and a large pond in the distance, with elm and mulberry trees planted on both sides. These several acres of continuous fields stretched for about a mile.

Edward Clark looked from the ox cart—these were the fields under his name. He truly didn’t know when he would be able to fully control them himself.

He was dazed for a moment, then paid the fare and walked home to avoid gossip. When he arrived at The Clark Estate, the Clark family residence, he saw six or seven retainers sitting in the gatehouse hall, drinking tea and chatting. Edward Clark glanced at them, then went straight in through the side door, passing through several corridors on his way back.

Unexpectedly, two gatekeepers spotted him from afar. Seeing Edward Clark return travel-worn, their eyes lit up, and one of them quickly rushed out.

Edward Clark entered, passed through a waterside pavilion in the garden, and from a distance saw a gazebo with a stone table and bamboo chairs, where a dozen or so clan members were chatting and laughing. A cool breeze swept by, making him feel refreshed. Unfortunately, this was a privilege for those with scholarly titles or who managed clan affairs—he was still far from that.

He paused for a moment, smiled wryly at himself, passed through the back garden, and returned to the northwest corner of The Clark Estate, to a rather shabby courtyard. Edward Clark slowly pushed open the door and was about to turn and close it.

Just then, a lazy voice came from behind: “Say, little brother, where have you been?”

Edward Clark was startled. Turning around, he saw a handsome young man surrounded by attendants—it was Charles Clark.

Looking again, he noticed Grace rushing out from inside the house. Seeing her angry but not gloomy, and her clothes intact, he unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, they were clan members; things hadn’t reached the point of open hostility. He figured they wouldn’t dare touch the women in his house, but if something did happen, it would be hard to recover from the loss. As for the current situation, it was just child’s play.

With great calamity approaching, with storms and tempests, what did this little scene matter?

“Greetings, Brother Charles. It’s rare for you to come here. May I ask what advice you have?” Edward Clark cupped his hands in salute.

Charles Clark looked him up and down, feeling displeased. In terms of seniority, Edward Clark’s family was the seventh branch of his great-grandfather, but by now, they were just a side branch. This calm and indifferent attitude was like a thorn in his heart. He snorted and said, “Advice? I wouldn’t dare. But you, little brother, always act so proper, yet you dare to go out at night without reporting. I’m quite impressed. I’ve already reported this to the clan. Father has ordered you to explain yourself… Well then, come with me!”

Behind him, Samuel Grant puffed out his chest, looking around smugly, finally giving Edward Clark a cold sneer.

So it was this guy who had been watching him. Edward Clark instantly understood, pressing the small bronze cup in his chest, thinking to himself that this item must not be discovered now.

He also recalled the clan rules. The Clark clan was very strict: before coming of age and without a scholarly title, one was not allowed to go out at will. This was to prevent the clan’s youths from becoming dissolute. Now, bringing this up was perfectly justified.

Edward Clark swept a cold glance, straightened his clothes, and flicked his sleeves, saying, “Since Second Uncle has summoned me, of course I’ll go. I’m travel-worn and not presentable. Let me bathe and change first, then I’ll go apologize… Brother, don’t you agree?”

The servants looked at each other, turning to Charles Clark. Charles Clark was momentarily stunned, but couldn’t find any fault.

Seeing this, Edward Clark smiled slightly and squeezed through the crowd: “Grace, why aren’t you heating water for me!”

Grace quickly responded and followed him. The two entered the house and closed the door, leaving the others outside staring at each other.

Charles Clark saw this and was furious, but laughed in his anger: “Fine, fine, when we get to the clan hall, let’s see what you have to say!”

Inside, Edward Clark strode into the inner room, tossed down his book basket, took off his clothes, and jumped into the bath barrel.

Grace didn’t bother with propriety, exclaiming, “Young master, the water’s already cold!”

“Never mind that. Do you think I’d really dare make Second Uncle wait an hour?” Edward Clark said with a bitter smile, casually unfastening the bronze cup and handing it to Grace: “String this up for me and wear it close to your body. Don’t let anyone find it!”

“Okay! This cup…” Grace was taken aback, took the bronze cup without asking further, thought for a moment, then tied a red string through the hole in the cup’s corner. She went out for a few minutes and disappeared—who knows where she hid it.

At this moment, Edward Clark was completely naked, and Grace blushed for once. As she helped him wash, she asked about serious matters: “Young master, is there anything else you need to arrange?”

“There is…” Edward Clark leaned back, lying in the cold water, and said slowly, “I was caught red-handed this time, and I really have no way to argue.”