Edward Bennett hurriedly bowed in greeting, but Martha Clark also began to bow, loudly expressing her gratitude: “If it weren’t for you, the Crown Prince would have been deposed.”

Upon hearing these words, the usually bold and fearless Edward Bennett was also startled.

The issue of the heir apparent has always been sensitive, especially between the Empress and the Emperor. The deposed Crown Prince was born of Martha Clark, while the new Crown Prince was the son of Mrs. Carter.

No one expected the Empress to so openly speak her mind right at the entrance of the Xuan Shi Hall. Whatever was said here, George Carter would surely know. A rare smile appeared on Edward Bennett’s face, though it looked rather unsettling. He nodded, turned, and left.

Martha Clark kept her head lowered. Only after Edward Bennett had left did she enter the Xuan Shi Hall. Throughout the entire process, her expression remained cold and indifferent.

When Martha Clark entered, George Carter was kneeling at his desk, looking much more serious than usual.

Over the years, the relationship between husband and wife had not been very stable. George Carter was madly infatuated with Mrs. Carter, spending almost every day with her. It wasn’t that Martha Clark was no longer beautiful, but after so many years together, perhaps George Carter had simply grown tired of her.

However, Martha Clark did not make a scene like an ordinary wife. She calmly accepted this reality.

All these years, she had been alone in her empty chambers. George Carter liked to go out, always taking Mrs. Carter with him. Mrs. Carter would constantly act coquettishly in front of him, hoping to have her son, Richard Carter, rise to power. The Crown Prince’s position was precarious, yet even so, Martha Clark was not the least bit flustered. Instead, she became even calmer and more ruthless.

George Carter looked at his wife, showing not the slightest surprise at her appearance, as if he had long known she was waiting outside.

Martha Clark sat calmly across from him. The two looked at each other, but there was not a trace of affection in their eyes—only a sense of estrangement. The vast Xuan Shi Hall seemed to be split in two, like a confrontation between a volcano and a glacier: one side blazing with fierce flames, the other exuding a chilling cold. The two simply gazed at each other in silence.

“I am preparing to confer the title of King of Zhao upon Ruyi.”

George Carter suddenly spoke.

“It should have been done long ago.”

George Carter wanted to say something more, but stopped, complaining, “Perhaps I really should listen to the Confucians’ suggestions. There is no etiquette at court at all. This Edward Bennett actually dared to call me a tyrant like Jie or Zhou! I think I’ll find an opportunity to dismiss him from his post as Imperial Censor and let him serve as Chancellor to the King of Zhao.”

Martha Clark looked at him and sneered disdainfully, saying, “Mm.”

The two were so familiar with each other that they hardly needed to speak to understand each other’s thoughts.

After these few words, they fell silent again. It seemed there was nothing more to say—George Carter had nothing, and Martha Clark even less. After a long, long time, Martha Clark finally stood up. She glanced at the fleeting figure outside the side door, said nothing, and coldly turned to leave the Xuan Shi Hall.

“Oh, by the way, when you return, send someone to bring Charles Carter to me!”

“Mm.”

After Martha Clark left, Mrs. Carter quickly slipped into the hall. Her eyes were red as she rushed into George Carter’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Naturally, George Carter hurried to wipe away her tears and asked the reason. Mrs. Carter said miserably, “Your Majesty, please grant death to my son and me. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, our lives will be worse than death.”

George Carter burst out laughing, picked her up, pecked her on the cheek, and said loudly, “Don’t worry, Ruyi will be fine. I’ve already found the best person to protect him. With that person around, Ruyi will be safe. After all, she owes him a huge favor.”

When Martha Clark was about to head to the Jiaofang Hall, she happened to encounter the young Crown Prince, William Carter, who was on his way to pay respects to the Empress.

Behind William Carter followed four elderly men, but their attitude toward William Carter was extremely respectful. They trailed a short distance behind him, heads lowered, showing great deference. The sight of several old men so respectfully following a young boy was rather incongruous.

The Crown Prince very earnestly knelt and bowed to Martha Clark, showing great respect.

William Carter was probably the kind of child every parent wished for. From a young age, he had always been obedient, never daring to disobey his parents. He began studying at a very young age, was filial to his parents, kind to others, and even treated Charles Carter, the troublemaker, with patience.

He treated officials with great courtesy and was very friendly to scholars, often inviting renowned figures to debate academic ideas.

This earned William Carter much praise. In the entire court, there was hardly a minister who didn’t like him. His prestige was extremely high—even with George Carter’s arbitrary ways, he had not been able to depose him. He was truly a good child.

Martha Clark walked ahead, with William Carter carefully following by her side.

“Mother, please do not anger Father because of me. I do not wish for discord in the family on my account. I’ve heard the great scholars say that only when the royal family is harmonious can the people of the realm be at peace... If you and Father fall out because of me, I will be filled with guilt and unable to rest easy.”

“Mm.”