Then he signaled to Edward Clark with his eyes that there was no problem with this name.

　　“So it’s Matthew Bolton. It was I, a humble clerk, who was rude. To meet you here, Hanlin Lord, is my honor. May I have the privilege of inviting you to the teahouse for a chat?”

　　James Thompson said with a broad smile, cupping his hands respectfully.

　　“Well, I’d better not. I still have urgent matters to attend to. Let’s talk another day!”

　　Edward Clark said.

　　Things were going badly; if this went wrong, he might be exposed.

　　“Hanlin Lord, I must insist that you honor me with your presence!”

　　James Thompson sneered coldly.

　　The onlookers quickly closed in, all casting unfriendly glances at Edward Clark. A few of them, though unarmed, clearly knew how to coordinate, and the two yamen runners behind James Thompson drew their blades. Not far away, two commoners were leading a large group of soldiers over. The little princess panicked and hurriedly hid behind Edward Clark. Edward Clark drew the rifle from his chest as fast as he could. No one recognized this thing, so it didn’t matter if he wore it slung across his chest, but for the same reason, no one was afraid of it either.

　　“Hanlin Academy editor Andrew Bolton? Matthew Bolton is from Fujian—can you speak Min dialect? With your appearance, even a real Hanlin would be disgracing the office and should be dismissed. And this child’s robe drags on the ground—should be taken to the yamen for a beating. The two of you, dressed like this, strutting down the main street—do you think everyone in the capital is blind?”

　　James Thompson said.

　　Edward Clark turned and glared angrily at the little princess...

　　“Why are you looking at me? I’m only twelve!”

　　The little princess retorted, righteously refusing to take responsibility.

　　Edward Clark was left speechless.

　　“Let’s go, Hanlin Lord. Since you won’t honor me at the teahouse, we’ll have to go to the yamen instead.”

　　James Thompson said.

　　Edward Clark helplessly took out a grenade—there were only two left, and he really hated to use one!

　　“Brother Liu, I’ve been looking everywhere for you—so you’re here!”

　　Just then, a voice with a Fujian accent rang out.

　　Edward Clark and James Thompson looked over at the same time...

　　“Matthew Bolton!”

　　The little princess cried out in delight.

　　“Matthew Bolton, what’s going on?”

　　James Thompson cupped his hands in surprise.

　　Then the scholar whose face had been beaten into a mess by Edward Clark appeared, now dressed in an official’s robe with a rank badge, his face still bruised and swollen, returning the salute. Clearly, this was the real Andrew Bolton.

　　“Clerk Li, this is a dear friend of mine, a Wuyi Mountain cultivator. I invited him to the capital to introduce him to His Majesty. He has spent years cultivating in the mountains and is unfamiliar with Ming customs. Today is his first day in the capital, and he found it all so novel that he put on my old clothes and came out without thinking. I hope Clerk Li will be understanding.”

　　Andrew Bolton said.

　　It was clear that civil officials in the Hongwu era were still weak. If this were a late Ming official, he’d have slapped the clerk already.

　　A mere clerk dared to stand in front of a Hanlin Academy editor?

　　A Hanlin Academy editor! At this age, he was probably a top scholar or second place in the imperial exam. In the late Ming, such a man would be destined to become Grand Secretary. Not to mention a clerk—even a general would have to bow and scrape before him.

　　“I see. Then, Hanlin Lord, you’d better take your friend back quickly, or if someone else sees him, there’ll be more trouble.”

　　Clerk Li said.

　　Of course, he probably didn’t believe Andrew Bolton’s nonsense, but for a minor matter like this, giving face to a Hanlin was no bad thing for a clerk like him. After all, at most he suspected Edward Clark of being a thief, but bringing a child along made that unlikely. So he really couldn’t figure out what Edward Clark was up to. Child trafficking was also impossible. Now that a Hanlin vouched for him, he probably wasn’t a thief. As for the clothing violation, that could be big or small.

　　The key was giving face to a Hanlin.

　　“Thank you, Clerk Li. I’ll treat you to a drink another day.”

　　Andrew Bolton cupped his hands again.

　　After speaking, he gave Edward Clark a meaningful look.

　　Edward Clark walked forward calmly.

　　The little princess followed, still clutching her round-collared robe like a lady lifting her skirt.

　　The three of them walked into a small alley. Suddenly, Andrew Bolton, leading the way, turned around and made a show of drawing his sword...

　　Edward Clark unceremoniously snatched it away from him.

　　“Fourteenth Princess, please return to the palace. I will risk my life to stop this villain.”

　　Andrew Bolton put on a look of utter loyalty, staring at the little princess behind Edward Clark.

　　Edward Clark reached out and pulled her over...

　　“Take her away, now! I don’t want to see her for another day!”

　　He said.

　　The little princess immediately hugged his arm...

　　“Edward Clark, you promised to take me to Liaodong! You can’t go back on your word!”

　　She shouted anxiously.

　　“Matthew Bolton, hurry up and pull her away!”

　　Edward Clark shouted at Andrew Bolton.

　　The little princess promptly stretched out her legs and wrapped them around his right leg, clinging to him like a monkey climbing a tree.

　　Andrew Bolton looked on awkwardly—this was clearly beyond his comprehension.

　　“Well, let’s find a quiet place. Fourteenth Princess, please don’t be anxious. Liaodong is thousands of miles away, and the journey is perilous. Even if you insist on seeking the Prince of Liao, you must report to His Majesty and have him arrange an escort. How could you leave the palace without permission? This man’s behavior is strange, almost like a sorcerer. Fourteenth Princess, do not be deceived by him. Last night I regretted not being able to save you, and today, even if it costs me my life, I will protect you.”

　　He said.