“George Campbell, Albert Green, Matthew Wood, Samuel Bennett pay respects to Your Majesty!”

　　George Carter was greatly surprised and hurriedly stood up. “It’s you!”

　　“All these years, I have constantly sent people to look for you, hoping you would assist me, but every time you avoided meeting me. Why have you now come to follow my son?”

　　George Campbell stroked his beard and said earnestly, “Your Majesty has always looked down on men of virtue, so we were unwilling to bring humiliation upon ourselves. But we have heard that the Crown Prince is benevolent and filial, respectful and loves men of talent. People across the land crane their necks in admiration, eager to serve the Crown Prince. Therefore, we have come of our own accord, willing to serve the Crown Prince with all our strength.”

　　George Carter was overjoyed and said with a smile, “Then I must trouble you all to assist the Crown Prince from now on!”

　　The four raised a toast to George Carter, then courteously took their seats.

　　George Carter kept glancing at them, then at his Crown Prince. He whispered to Mrs. Carter beside him, “Look at them. I once wanted to replace the Crown Prince, but I never expected that such renowned men would be willing to follow him. Now that he has their support, his wings are fully grown—it will be hard to move him…”

　　“From now on, don’t provoke Martha Clark anymore. Treat her with respect. This time, she truly is going to become your mistress.”

　　Suddenly, Mrs. Carter burst into tears.

　　Everyone at the banquet looked over in surprise. Only then did Mrs. Carter cover her mouth and continue to sob quietly.

　　George Carter laughed loudly and shouted, “Why are you crying? Get up and dance for me!”

　　Once again, George Carter sang at the top of his voice, “The swan soars high, flying a thousand miles in one go~~ Its wings are fully grown, spanning the four seas~~ Spanning the four seas, what can be done~~ Though there are nets and snares, where can they be set~~”

　　William Carter heard the song, his expression somewhat excited, his face flushed. He had finally made his father proud, finally gained his father’s approval! At this moment, he was at a loss, flustered, but his smile was radiant.

　　Meanwhile, Richard Carter looked at his mother’s face and, for some reason, felt a bit dejected. He no longer crowded around George Carter; instead, amid George Carter’s singing, he quietly returned to his brothers, lowered his head, and ate his meal, looking very gloomy.

　　Martha Clark was chatting with Old Mr. Carter at that moment, completely ignoring what was happening at the banquet.

　　Back when George Carter first considered replacing the Crown Prince, she sought out her brother Simon Clark and asked him to find James Bolton to come up with a solution. Simon Clark hesitated, so Martha Clark wiped her tears and said, “If our eldest brother were here, he wouldn’t let you do such a dangerous thing.”

　　With this push, Simon Clark immediately agreed and set out to find Duke Bolton. Why seek out Duke Bolton instead of the prime minister or other high officials? Because Martha Clark believed that only the peerless Duke Bolton could easily resolve this matter.

　　Of course, getting Duke Bolton to speak was not easy. Simon Clark almost had to resort to force. After much pestering and threatening, James Bolton finally told him helplessly: Invite the Four Elders of Shangshan to assist the Crown Prince, and the matter will be resolved.

　　At first, Simon Clark didn’t know whether these four, whom even the emperor couldn’t persuade, would be willing to come out and help the Crown Prince. But when he found them, they were actually very enthusiastic. The Crown Prince’s reputation among the people was indeed excellent. These men were unwilling to assist George Carter, but were willing to help the Crown Prince.

　　The Crown Prince was also very happy to meet them, consulting them daily on state affairs and treating them as his teachers. He got along very well with them, and the four always followed him, supervising his words and actions, constantly advising him. That’s how today’s scene came to be.

　　Who would have thought that a song in the palace was actually composed by Duke Bolton a thousand miles away?

　　Perhaps this is what it means to win victory from a thousand miles away, to strategize from behind the scenes.

　　Charles Carter slowly shifted his body, quietly sitting down beside Richard Carter.

　　“Ahem… ahem…”

　　Charles Carter cleared his throat, trying to get his attention.

　　“Ahem! Ahem!”

　　Richard Carter kept his eyes straight ahead, focused on eating, not sparing his younger brother a glance.

　　Helpless, Charles Carter reached out and poked Richard Carter’s arm with his finger.

　　Still no reaction.

　　When Charles Carter started poking his face, Richard Carter finally couldn’t take it anymore.

　　“What do you want?!”

　　Facing the fierce Richard Carter, Charles Carter was actually unafraid, because Richard Carter couldn’t beat him, nor dared to. Raised by Martha Clark herself, in the entire palace, aside from Martha Clark and George Carter, no one dared lay a hand on him. But since he needed something, Charles Carter could only grin awkwardly, unconcerned by Richard Carter’s temper.

　　“I just wanted to ask… are you allowed to leave the palace on normal days?”

　　“No, only the Crown Prince can. Why are you asking?”

　　“Then, can I borrow your sword?”

　　The atmosphere instantly turned silent. Richard Carter narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Charles Carter.

　　“It’s not to use against you…”

Chapter Eight: My Unreliable Brothers

　　If Charles Carter had known things would get so awkward, he definitely wouldn’t have asked Richard Carter.

　　After the two continued their silent standoff for a while, Charles Carter realized it was hopeless and turned to leave.