"You just said he doesn't like being an official."

"That's because I haven't become emperor yet." David Williams glanced back at James Foster, not understanding what was so confusing about it.

A few more officials entered the palace. David Williams grew increasingly pleased with himself, talking endlessly about the rewards and punishments he would hand out as emperor. Suddenly, he fell silent, hurried back to his chair, sat upright with a solemn face, and instantly transformed from arrogant to timid and sorrowful.

James Foster was baffled. The door opened, and a young, handsome eunuch entered, respectfully saluting the two princes. Straightening up, he revealed a faint smile tinged with sadness. "Would the two princes please come with me? The Empress Dowager has summoned you."

James Foster thought David Williams would jump up and cheer in victory, but to his surprise, David Williams seemed like a different person. He stood up and, with a choked voice, said, "Our royal brother has unfortunately left the clan and the ministers behind. The two of us are but ignorant youths. If there is anything we can do to ease the Empress Dowager's sorrow, we beg you, sir, to advise us. May I ask your name?"

"Your presence in the palace is already the greatest comfort to the Empress Dowager. My name is Henry Clark, just an ordinary attendant in Her Majesty's palace."

James Foster could hardly believe his eyes. He felt he should say something, but couldn't think of a single word, so he simply followed behind David Williams as they walked out together.

"Please, elder brother, go first." David Williams humbly stepped aside.

James Foster hesitated for a moment, then walked ahead.

The young eunuch smiled and led the way, guiding the two princes out of the west wing, along the corridor toward the main hall. The courtyard was empty, and faint sounds of arguing could be heard from the east wing across the way.

In the main hall stood seven or eight eunuchs and palace maids, but there was no sign of the Empress Dowager. Even James Foster felt something was off. David Williams's gaze darted around, wanting to ask questions several times but holding back each time.

Henry Clark led them into the warm chamber on the west side. The chamber was spacious, with a large bed against the wall, complete with bedding, and a long couch under the window.

The Empress Dowager was not in the warm chamber either.

David Williams couldn't hold back any longer. "Sir Zuo, the Empress Dowager..."

Henry Clark stood at the door and said softly, "The Empress Dowager is physically and emotionally exhausted and cannot see anyone for the time being."

"But you said the Empress Dowager summoned us." David Williams couldn't hide his dissatisfaction.

"The two princes are already in the Empress Dowager's quarters. That counts as a summons. Please rest well here..."

"For how long? Are we supposed to sleep here?" David Williams was shocked.

"The Empress Dowager regards the two princes as her own sons. Ordinary people would never be allowed to stay here overnight." Henry Clark smiled. "The Empress Dowager is in the warm chamber across the way. She dislikes noise, so I ask the two princes..." Henry Clark made a gesture for silence, "If you need anything, just knock gently on the door."

Henry Clark left the room, closing the door behind him.

David Williams stood there in a daze for a while, then muttered in a low voice, "Damn dead eunuch, filthy bitch, they're putting us under house arrest!"

Chapter Three: The Clever Child

On the third night of being trapped in the Empress Dowager's quarters, James Foster curled up on the couch, silently recalling the events of the past few days. As the night deepened, he felt no trace of sleepiness. David Williams lay alone on the big bed, tossing and turning, furious that he hadn't managed to ascend the throne on the very day he entered the palace.

"There must be treacherous officials interfering. Yang Feng? He's a scoundrel, but his rank is too low. It must be the Right Censor, Shen Mingzhi. Could it be that Prime Minister Yin Wuhai and Grand Marshal Han Xing have also betrayed us?" David Williams muttered to himself for a while, not daring to raise his voice.

At last, David Williams quieted down for a bit, then whispered, "I didn't expect you to be so brave, not afraid at all."

"Hmm?" James Foster had just finished recalling what he ate for lunch and dinner, and though he hadn't reached any conclusions, he felt a bit more at ease. "Maybe... because I never wanted to be emperor."

"Heh, fool, you don't know the benefits of being emperor. Once you're emperor, you can... you can do whatever you want, have whatever you want. 'All under heaven belongs to the emperor, and all within the seas are his subjects.' Only the emperor is the master of the world; everyone else is a tenant who must pay rent to the emperor."

"I just want to be with my mother."

"Idiot, only the emperor can have his wishes fulfilled. The rest of you can only hope for the emperor's favor. If you want to return to your mother, you need the emperor's—that is, my—permission." David Williams turned over and went to sleep, and soon soft snores could be heard.

James Foster grew sleepy as well. He closed his eyes and listened for sounds outside the door. Whether it was an illusion or not, he thought he heard someone sobbing.

The emperor is the master of the world, but aside from his mother, no one truly mourned his death. Thinking of this, James Foster began to feel sympathy for his short-lived royal brother. They had lived in the same residence for nearly ten years, yet had never met—not in James Foster's memory, at least.

He had barely fallen asleep when he was shaken awake. Groggy, he thought he was at home and mumbled twice. Suddenly, something felt off about the smell. He opened his eyes at once and, in the darkness, could just make out a figure.

"You really can sleep, can't you?" It was David Williams's voice.