James Foster felt a lump in his throat. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to suffer because of him, but the current situation was completely out of his control. “Confession” could only serve to show his obedience; no matter what he did, the eunuchs would use any excuse to go after the ministers.

　　David Williams smiled flatteringly and said, “Charles Clark's brilliant plan, casting a long line to catch a big fish…” He shut his mouth, lest he offend the emperor by revealing the whole truth.

　　“Just now, when Charles Clark said ‘we’, who was he referring to?” James Foster asked.

　　Samuel Clark's expression changed. The young emperor was still so stubborn at this point, which was a bit beyond his expectations.

　　Henry Clark chuckled twice. “When Charles Clark said ‘we’, of course he meant the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. Your Majesty writing the contents of the note again is simply to show your sincere filial piety to the Empress Dowager, and that you’re not thinking about another mother.” Henry Clark put away his smile and asked Samuel Clark, “Has Lady Wang already moved?”

　　Samuel Clark nodded.

　　James Foster felt a surge of extreme anger, as if a bottom line in his heart had been touched. But he didn’t shout; instead, he picked up the brush and quickly wrote four characters on the prepared paper.

　　The other three looked over at the same time. David Williams said blankly, “The emperor has gone mad.” Henry Clark shook his head with a smile, “His Majesty has let down the Empress Dowager’s painstaking efforts.” Samuel Clark's face grew even darker. “Is His Majesty joking?”

　　“I’m not joking, this is…” James Foster hadn’t finished speaking when someone else entered from outside.

　　After a long absence, William Turner finally appeared. He dispensed with even the most superficial courtesies, didn’t kneel or kowtow, just gave a slight bow. “Let’s end things here.”

　　Henry Clark snickered, while Samuel Clark looked at William Turner coldly. “Why do you say that, Robert Turner? We are acting on the Empress Dowager’s orders—how can we just end things as we please?”

　　William Turner took a small paper packet from his sleeve. “Here is the original. The Empress Dowager has already seen it. It’s nothing serious.”

　　Samuel Clark and Henry Clark were both stunned, and David Williams was even more shocked. The emperor had secretly asked a minister for help, and yet it was considered nothing serious!

　　Samuel Clark walked over, took the packet, and stared at William Turner suspiciously for a while before opening it. At a single glance, his face showed surprise. Henry Clark came over, and after reading it, looked rather embarrassed. David Williams, unable to contain his curiosity, came between the two eunuchs to look at the note.

　　The original brought by William Turner had the same four characters as the white paper on the table: 我想吃肉 (“I want to eat meat”).

Chapter Eight: Within Ten Steps

　　“‘I want to eat meat’—what does that mean?” David Williams was completely baffled, looking around at everyone in the room, and finally at the emperor. Suddenly, he understood: the young emperor had changed the content of the “belt edict” behind his back. His anger instantly kicked caution out of his heart, and he lunged forward, shouting, “How dare you trick me!”

　　Though older, Samuel Clark was quick and agile. He hurriedly grabbed David Williams around the waist and shouted sternly, “David Williams, mind yourself—this is the imperial palace!”

　　David Williams was startled, realizing he had made a grave mistake. His attitude immediately softened. “I’m sorry, I just… Please forgive me, Your Majesty…”

　　James Foster gave a slight nod, indicating he didn’t mind.

　　“Is this really the note?” Samuel Clark was still doubtful.

　　“His Majesty left plenty of calligraphy yesterday. Just compare the handwriting and you’ll know if it’s genuine.” William Turner carefully put away the note. The Empress Dowager already believed it; the opinions of others didn’t matter.

　　“How did you get it?”

　　“Lord Yuan handed it to me himself,” William Turner said calmly.

　　The Minister of Rites turned out to be a bit “smarter” than expected. Samuel Clark was both embarrassed and angry, but dared not show it. Flushed, he said, “The fasting will be over soon. There will be plenty of days for His Majesty to eat meat. Why bother telling an outside minister about such a trivial matter?”

　　“It’s hard for me to find someone to talk to in the palace,” James Foster said, walking back to the bed.

　　Samuel Clark and Henry Clark exchanged glances, neither knowing how to respond. They each mumbled a few words, then took their leave together. David Williams kept staring at the emperor until Samuel Clark urged him, and only then did he awkwardly say goodbye.

　　William Turner remained where he was, while the three who had already reached the door stopped as well, unwilling to leave the emperor alone with the cunning Chief Eunuch.

　　“By order of the Empress Dowager, from today on, I will serve His Majesty,” William Turner said.

　　The three didn’t linger any longer and hurried away.

　　William Turner walked to the bedside. “You’re very clever—not really writing any secret edict. And you’re lucky. The Empress Dowager is magnanimous and considers this just childish mischief, not worth pursuing further.”

　　James Foster looked up and asked, “Did I almost get a lot of people in trouble?”

　　“Your Majesty worries too much. Inside and outside the palace, in court and out, everyone has their own ways of protecting themselves. Those who need Your Majesty’s protection are precisely those not worth protecting.”

　　James Foster thought of the two eunuchs who had been beaten—their way of protecting themselves was to scream in pain.

　　Finally getting to see William Turner, there were some things he wanted to ask clearly: “What’s so good about being emperor? David Williams wants to be emperor so badly, you all disagreed, but I never had such a thought, and yet you insisted on putting me on the throne. I heard that when my grandfather, Emperor Wu, was on the throne, he could, in a fit of anger, cause blood to flow for a thousand miles. But when it comes to me, I can’t even admit who my real mother is.”

　　William Turner took a step forward. Some things really shouldn’t be said, but certain qualities of the emperor moved him, and William Turner was willing to take a risk. “Do you want to know what it means to be emperor?”