“I do not know this person’s name, only that medicine… I examined it afterwards, and I can say I have never seen or heard of such a thing, Your Majesty… Now that Young Master Bolton is in this condition, using random medicines could have unimaginable consequences.”

George Washington’s body could not help but tremble. “Withdraw.”

The Imperial Physician let out a long sigh of relief. At last… he could muddle through for now. When Henry Bolton died, the Imperial Medical Bureau could not be blamed; all the guilt could be pushed onto that young man.

……

The next day, George Washington did not sleep the entire night.

When the eunuch came to the sleeping quarters to help George Washington change clothes, he saw George Washington with disheveled hair, his expression much dimmer than usual.

George Washington’s eyes were bloodshot. The Eunuch who had been attending him all along, Arthur King, said, “Your Majesty, you do not look well. Did one of us servants make a mistake?”

Arthur King was a Haixi Jurchen, sent to the Ming palace at a young age to become a eunuch.

In fact, in the early Ming, the vast majority of eunuchs came from foreign lands, such as Hou Xian from Ü-Tsang, the Jurchen Arthur King, and Ruan An from Annam. In addition, the main sources of eunuchs and palace maids included countries like Korea.

George Washington looked up at Arthur King. Arthur King had always been loyal and careful in his duties. Seeing Arthur King’s concern, George Washington said, “I have not slept all night. I dreamed again of Stephen Bolton. Back then, Stephen died heroically to save me from the midst of thousands of troops. Now, not only have I failed to care for his orphan, but because of a friend, I have beaten him into this state, his life hanging by a thread. If anything truly happens to Henry Bolton, and Stephen’s spirit is watching, how will I face him after a hundred years?”

As he spoke, George Washington’s eyes grew even redder.

Since ascending the throne, George Washington had rarely shown his emotions, but whenever it involved the famous general James Bolton, he could not help but weep.

Arthur King naturally understood George Washington’s feelings and could only comfort him: “Your Majesty, fortune and misfortune are part of life; wealth and rank are determined by Heaven.”

George Washington said, “I respect Heaven and honor my ancestors, but when it comes to Henry Bolton, I will go against Heaven itself and never give up lightly. Arthur King, come with me to The Bolton Family again. I heard… I heard… he is not going to make it.”

Arthur King had wanted to say that there was a court assembly today and the ministers were already waiting outside the Meridian Gate.

But he quickly swallowed those words and nodded. “This servant obeys.”

George Washington first summoned the Imperial Physician. The one responsible for Henry Bolton was surnamed Xu, Physician Clark. He looked as if he had lost his parents. Last night, he had examined the patient again, and it was clear the poisoned sores were beyond reversal.

When George Washington looked at him, it made his heart tremble. To protect himself, Physician Clark repeatedly and cautiously said, “Originally, with proper treatment and the right medicine, even if his life could not be saved, The Young Master of the Bolton Family could have lived a few more days. But The Young Master's Friend…”

George Washington said nothing.

All the way, George Washington traveled in plain clothes on horseback, but his mind was filled with images of James Bolton. His heart ached, and he could not help but shed tears.

Upon arriving at The Bolton Residence, as he entered The Bolton Family home, he actually stumbled at the threshold and nearly fell.

Arthur King hurried to support him, his own face drawn in grief. “Your Majesty usually walks with the stride of a dragon or tiger, so majestic. Today… today… Your Majesty, please restrain your grief.”

George Washington waved his hand helplessly. As he neared Henry Bolton’s bedroom, his steps faltered. He was torn inside, wanting to see him at once, but also afraid to witness Henry Bolton half-dead.

After a long while, he finally sighed, “I have failed Stephen… I have failed…”

At this point, George Washington’s voice abruptly stopped.

He heard, from the bedroom, someone singing like a pig being slaughtered: “I’m going to blow up the school, the teacher doesn’t know. Light the fire and run away. Boom—”

George Washington: “……”

Then the voice continued: “Haha, isn’t my big brother talented? This song is really something. Only big brother could come up with it. Alright, stop standing there like a log, bring me that bowl of porridge to eat…”

His big brother… David Bolton?

What were they planning to blow up?

George Washington hurried his steps and rushed inside.

Looking in, he saw Henry Bolton still lying on the bed, but full of energy, slurping porridge noisily.

George Washington: “……”

Perhaps because his wounds still hurt, Henry Bolton found it inconvenient to use a spoon while lying down, so he placed the bowl on his bed, stretched his mouth into it, and slurped like a pig rooting in a trough, the porridge bubbling as he drank.

It seemed he heard the commotion, and looked up in surprise. When he saw George Washington, his previously cheerful expression vanished, replaced by awkwardness. He wanted to faint, but the porridge bowl under his head made it impossible to let his head droop in despair.

So, he sniffled, and it seemed some porridge had gotten on his nose. As he breathed, he actually blew a bubble.

George Washington: “……”

Henry Bolton: “……”

Arthur King said, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, he… he… seems to…”

Only then did George Washington realize what was happening. His expression was extremely complicated; in an instant, anxiety, joy, and anger flashed across his face. He wanted to speak, but was at a loss for words. When he finally reacted, he barked, “Where is your elder brother?”