Facing the bows from everyone, Martha Clark wore a cold expression, not even returning the gesture, and went straight to pay respects to Mr. Carter and the old lady.

Mr. Carter cheerfully returned the greeting, and at the same time waved at Charles Carter.

Charles Carter ran over to Mr. Carter's side with a smile, calling out, “Grandpa!”

In his previous life, Charles Carter had been raised by his grandparents and was very close to them. As the appearance of these two elders gradually overlapped with the grandparents in his memory, Charles Carter became especially fond of sticking close to them.

“Aiya, we’ve been waiting for you! Come, eat some meat, eat some meat!”

Mr. Carter directly held out a piece of meat to Charles Carter's mouth, while the old lady had fruit in her hand. The two of them, one on each side, looked at Charles Carter with beaming smiles. Mr. Carter was Charles Carter's biological grandfather, but the old lady was not; she was Mr. Carter's concubine.

However, George Carter was very filial to her. After ascending the throne, he treated her as his own mother and even bestowed upon her the title of Empress Dowager.

Charles Carter was the youngest of the grandchildren here, and naturally the most doted on by the elders. The only one younger than him, Joseph Carter, was still in swaddling clothes.

Chapter 7: Singer George Carter, but who is the composer?

After Martha Clark entered, the previously lively family banquet suddenly became a bit subdued. George Carter was still loudly boasting about his past exploits, bragging in front of the children. The crown prince sat respectfully to the side, head lowered, body turned slightly, listening very attentively.

Richard Carter, on the other hand, sat up straight and looked at George Carter with eyes full of admiration.

“If only I’d been born ten years earlier, I could have followed Father into battle!”

Richard Carter declared loudly, full of youthful spirit, making even the crown prince beside him seem overshadowed.

This flattery made George Carter grin from ear to ear. Mrs. Carter's eyes sparkled as she moved a little closer to George Carter, while Martha Clark just kept a cold face, not even glancing at them.

Frank Carter sat at the far end, grinning foolishly, not getting involved in any of it, acting especially well-behaved.

Henry Carter frowned as he looked at the sumptuous feast before him, gently shaking his head, lost in thought.

Charles Carter stuffed a big chunk of beef into his mouth, then ate a whole orange in one bite, gobbling down food like a squirrel, his cheeks puffed out and stuffed full.

“What’s with you, kid? Is the Empress not feeding you or something??”

Charles Carter's ravenous state even made the boasting George Carter stop in exasperation and ask with some disdain.

“Just keep talking… why are you bothering with the kid?”

Mr. Carter said sternly. George Carter immediately quieted down. While Mr. Carter gave him plenty of face in front of the officials, in private he would sometimes “give the emperor three punches,” and George Carter didn’t dare talk back to the old man.

“Eat, eat, all you know is eating all day… so useless…” George Carter muttered under his breath.

“You ate plenty when you were little too… and look at you now, haven’t you turned out well?”

Mr. Carter retorted.

George Carter seemed to recall the past as well, grinning widely, and suddenly asked, “Father, you used to say I had no skills to make a living, couldn’t earn any money, was useless, not as good as Second Brother… Now, compared to Second Brother, whose career is bigger?”

Mr. Carter was stunned, turned his head away, and didn’t look at him.

George Carter burst out laughing.

The banquet continued, and George Carter became even more animated. Perhaps he’d had too much to drink, as he started singing loudly. Charles Carter shot him a look of disdain and quickly escaped the noise pollution zone. As for Father’s singing, well, it couldn’t be called a heavenly voice—more like the wailing of ghosts.

The scary part was, this great Han emperor had no idea about this problem. He even thought he sang pretty well, and that shameless Richard was even keeping time for him, acting like he was really enjoying it. Charles Carter returned to Frank Carter's side, and the two chatted while eating.

“Fourth Brother, why aren’t you eating?”

Charles Carter looked at the empty dishes in front of Henry Carter, a bit curious.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Fourth Brother… next time before a banquet, don’t eat anything, fast from morning till night… then you’ll be able to eat.” Charles Carter kindly shared his experience.

Henry Carter smiled and patted Charles Carter's head.

“Don’t touch my head!”

“Find a time to apologize to Third Brother…”

Charles Carter suddenly asked, “Fourth Brother, can you go out?”

“No.”

“Then do you have a knife or an axe?”

“No.”

“Sigh…”

Charles Carter looked helplessly at Richard Carter. Could it be that he would have to bow to the forces of evil?

George Carter was singing when he suddenly turned around and noticed the four white-bearded old men behind the crown prince William Carter.

These four old men sat behind the crown prince, who was the only prince allowed to bring retainers to the banquet. All four were strangers, with snow-white beards, looking even older than Mr. Carter. George Carter was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “Who are these four?”

William Carter stood up, bowed again, and replied, “Father Emperor, these four are guests I invited. I am humbly learning from them, seeking advice on how to govern the country.”

“Oh?”

After William Carter introduced them, the four old men also stepped forward, bowed to the emperor, and stated their names.