And Martha Clark knew that Charles Carter liked to eat beef, so whenever she had the chance, she would bring him some beef to eat.

Charles Carter had been raised by Martha Clark since he was a child; she brought him up with her own hands. Among all the princes, he was the one Martha Clark loved the most. While the other princes trembled in fear before Martha Clark, only Charles Carter dared to make a fuss in front of her. Not only did he dare to act up, he even dared to wipe his snot on her.

Martha Clark herself hadn’t expected that she would return to the Xuan Shi Hall so soon.

When George Carter saw her this time, he was indeed a bit surprised.

Why did you personally bring him here?

Martha Clark held the little one’s hand, pushed him in front of George Carter, then sat down to the side, calmly watching them.

Facing the historically renowned Emperor Gaozu of Han, Charles Carter was, of course, afraid. To be honest, since he was born, he hadn’t seen this father very often. His mother was always by his side, but his father… well, he only saw him once every three or four months.

And most of the times Charles Carter saw his father were when he was getting beaten.

When George Carter hit his children, he really didn’t hold back. It was as if he was beating Qin soldiers—not even, he didn’t hit Qin soldiers this hard.

Standing in front of George Carter, Charles Carter’s little face turned pale. He glanced helplessly at his mother, hoping she would take him back.

George Carter held a bamboo slip in his hands, glancing at Charles Carter from time to time. Although he didn’t speak, the pressure was overwhelming.

“Speak… what good thing did you do today?”

Charles Carter blinked and argued, “I was bumped into on my way to class.”

“The Grand Historian of Han has nothing better to do than bump into a little kid like you??”

“He was in a hurry and didn’t see me. I was in so much pain after being hit that I went back to rest…”

“Heh.”

George Carter slowly put down the bamboo slip, squinting as he asked, “Then let me ask you, did you spit on Master Mao’s face the day before yesterday?”

Hearing this, Martha Clark also squinted her eyes. Her expression was exactly the same as George Carter’s. She asked softly, “Oh? Is that so?”

George Carter said angrily, “Yes! I specially invited a great scholar to teach this brat, and he actually spat on his teacher’s face? How can a student insult his teacher like that?!”

Charles Carter hurriedly said, “He was the one who first said that Mozi was a beast with no ruler or father!!”

“Well, Xunzi and Mencius also criticized Mozi. Are you going to dig up their graves too?”

Charles Carter puffed up his cheeks, fuming, but couldn’t say a word.

“You’ve gone too far! The young must respect their elders. That’s what I’ve always told you. Besides, he’s teaching you knowledge—he’s your teacher!”

This time, it was Martha Clark who spoke.

“Yes, how could you treat a great Confucian like that?!”

George Carter chimed in.

The old couple, whose relationship had almost hit rock bottom and who hadn’t had a common topic in ages, suddenly found themselves in rare agreement thanks to Charles Carter’s persistent (zuosi) efforts. They finally reached a consensus and began to criticize him in turn, working together seamlessly.

Charles Carter was dumbfounded. He cried out, “Mother, you’re my mother! How can you take his side?!”

George Carter shouted, “She’s my wife! Why can’t she take my side? I’ve known her for decades—how long has she known you?”

“Let me tell you, Chang, you’re young, so we usually let you get away with things, but we won’t spoil you forever! Look at your brothers—are any of them like you?”

Martha Clark frowned, her tone growing colder.

“That’s right! If you dare to mess around again, it won’t just be me beating you. Your mother and I will both do it, and you’ll know what it means to have diligent parents!”

The two scolded him for a long time. Charles Carter hung his head, his fingers intertwined, fidgeting nonstop.

George Carter and Martha Clark exchanged a glance, and George Carter suddenly blinked.

“Since you’re so unwilling to study, then fine, you don’t have to study with those people for now…”

As soon as George Carter said this, Charles Carter looked up sharply and asked, “Really?”

“Of course it’s true. From now on, you don’t have to study with those scholars.”

At that moment, Charles Carter was so happy he burst into tears. He hadn’t expected this day to come so soon. Finally, he could say goodbye to those dry, incomprehensible texts. Finally, he wouldn’t have to listen to those people recite the classics. Excited, he rushed into George Carter’s arms, ready to give this emperor who understood the people a big kiss.

George Carter hugged him with a smile and said, “But, such good talent shouldn’t be wasted. From now on, you’ll study with your brothers instead.”

That smiling face of George Carter once again reminded Charles Carter of a simple fact: your father is still your father.

Charles Carter’s smile froze on the spot. The lips he’d wanted to kiss George Carter with suddenly started to tremble. If he spat now, would he be beheaded?

And so, Charles Carter left the Xuan Shi Hall with a gloomy face. The young Charles Carter silently swore in his heart: One day, when I have power, I’ll wipe out all the test-taking slaves in the world.

After sending off his disobedient youngest son, George Carter couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.