Mrs. Howard is the Empress Dowager's own younger sister and can fully represent the Empress Dowager herself. She sat silently on the couch, with no maids by her side. After accepting the kneeling bows of the three eunuchs, she sat in a daze for a while, then took out a slip of paper from her sleeve and said, "The Empress Dowager has already drafted an imperial edict. You are to go at once to escort the two princes into the palace."

Samuel Clark wanted to say something, but swallowed his words at the last moment.

Mrs. Howard thought for a while longer, then continued assigning tasks. "Charles Clark, I must trouble you to go and receive the Prince of Donghai. Robert Turner—"

William Turner immediately stood up. "I am willing to stay in the palace to serve the Empress Dowager, and I also have some things I wish to report to her in person."

Mrs. Howard shook her head. "Other matters can wait. I must trouble Robert Turner to go and receive the other prince."

William Turner was taken aback. He had just won a battle, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into defeat. The current situation was delicate; staying by the Empress Dowager's side was the best choice, but that position belonged only to Zuo Ji. The next best was to go and receive the Prince of Donghai, but the task assigned to him was to receive the other prince—a prince who, up to now, didn't even have a royal title.

William Turner had no choice but to respectfully accept the order.

The two eunuchs began to compete. William Turner ran toward the palace bedroom's main doors, while Samuel Clark called out to his men in the courtyard. Two quarters of an hour later, William Turner had gathered his own followers and met up with Samuel Clark's group at the palace's East Azure Gate. The gatekeeper clearly sensed something was happening inside the palace and was nervously checking the Empress Dowager's edict.

Samuel Clark walked up to William Turner and said in a low voice, "Congratulations, Robert Turner. To escort James to the throne—this is no small achievement."

When he said the word "James," Samuel Clark emphasized it, for that was the childhood name of the other prince.

"You really ought to read more history books," William Turner replied coldly. As long as he was alive, he would never admit defeat. No matter what was assigned to him, he would make the most of it.

Chapter One: Entering the Palace

James Foster was awakened from sleep by a bout of shaking and caught a familiar scent. Without opening his eyes, he lazily murmured in response.

"Get up, James, we're going back."

His mother's voice was as ethereal as celestial music. James Foster forced his eyelids open, and in the dim lamplight, saw his mother's face—both excited and nervous. "Mother..."

"With the blessings of the gods and buddhas, we can finally go back," his mother repeated, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Go back where?" James Foster slowly sat up, still not understanding the situation.

"Back to the palace. You're going to be emperor."

James Foster rubbed his eyes and finally woke up. "I don't want to go back, and I don't want to be emperor."

His mother grabbed his arm. "Don't you ever say such discouraging things. Never, do you understand? You have a long road ahead, and many people will stand in your way. You must..."

She didn't know how to continue. Her son was only thirteen, at that age where he half-understood the ways of the world and could easily misunderstand adult words. "The throne was always meant to be yours," she said gently. "Emperor Wu was your grandfather. He liked you and personally gave you your name. If he hadn't passed away so early, he would have made you crown prince himself."

James Foster nodded. His mother often nagged him with these words, but to be honest, he couldn't even remember what his grandfather looked like. He quickly got dressed and, together with his mother, left the room.

It was very dark and cold outside. Many people stood in the courtyard, their figures vague in the shadows. No one had lit a lamp. His mother pushed him in front of her and said proudly, "This is the grandson of Emperor Wu, the son of Emperor Huan."

Suddenly, a group of figures in the courtyard knelt down with a rustling sound. James Foster was very nervous, but he did not retreat; he didn't want to disappoint his mother.

The nearest figure stood up and walked over, bringing a gust of cold wind. James Foster was inexplicably struck by the chill, a feeling he would never forget even years later.

"I am the Palace Attendant William Turner, here to escort the prince into the palace."

His mother heard the disrespect in the attendant's words and replied in an even colder tone, "Just a palace attendant?"

William Turner nodded, bowed slightly, and said to James Foster, "Please, Your Highness, board the carriage."

James Foster looked back at his mother. In the darkness, her face seemed covered in a layer of frost.

"We mother and son were driven out of the palace. If you want us to return, it can't be so casual," she said.

William Turner bowed even lower, a dismissive smile on his face. "Lady Wang, this old servant is only following orders. Besides—the other group from the palace is already on their way to receive the Prince of Donghai. I don't need to say more; Lady Wang should understand how important it is to return to the palace as soon as possible."

Lady Wang was immediately persuaded. She stepped forward to stand beside her son. "Very well, let's depart at once."

William Turner did not move, nor did the crowd behind him.

"Our lives are in Robert Turner's hands. Please, Robert Turner, speak freely if you have something to say," Lady Wang said, her tone unexpectedly soft.

"My orders are to bring only the prince into the palace."

Lady Wang's expression changed dramatically, but this time she did not argue or get angry. Instead, she slowly pushed her son toward the outsiders.

James Foster looked back in surprise. "Mother, I don't..."