About the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, Ethan Brooks ran back again, came to Abraham Lincoln's bedside, glanced outside, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I did everything as you instructed."

Abraham Lincoln opened his eyes and saw that he was still panicked. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry. When you go out in a moment, if you see anyone—whether familiar or not—stare at them and size them up. Then stay inside the Funing Hall, and no matter who calls you, do not go out."

Ethan Brooks looked uneasy, gazing at Abraham Lincoln, hesitating and not daring to agree immediately.

Abraham Lincoln shifted his body and smiled, "Have you forgotten what happened before? Very soon, Grandmother will come in person, replace everyone, and strengthen our protection. She might even assign some people to you and promote you."

Ethan Brooks blinked, somewhat incredulous, and said, "Her Majesty will come in person and promote someone like me?"

Abraham Lincoln smiled and said, "No rush, just wait and see."

Ethan Brooks felt that the emperor before him seemed a bit different, and hesitantly responded.

...

Cining Hall.

The Director of the Yellow Gates, the chief palace steward Henry Clark, hurried in, even half-running, into the side hall where Mrs. Foster was handling state affairs.

Mrs. Foster, with a head of silver hair, plump and dignified, dressed in elaborate palace attire, was bent over reviewing memorials. Hearing footsteps, she slowly put down her brush, looked up at Henry Clark, and said indifferently, "What have you found?"

Henry Clark looked somewhat flustered, waved away the palace maids and eunuchs standing on either side, and went straight to Mrs. Foster's side.

Mrs. Foster looked at Henry Clark. Abraham Lincoln had been pushed into a well, and she had been having Henry Clark investigate. Had he found someone?

At this thought, Mrs. Foster's expression turned cold.

Henry Clark glanced down, then whispered in Mrs. Foster's ear, "Your Majesty, there are rumors outside saying that you fear the emperor will take power and so you plotted against him, intending to install another emperor..."

Bang!

Mrs. Foster slammed her palm on the table, her eyes wide with rage, and shouted, "Who is spreading such gossip? Drag them out and beat them all to death!"

For a grandmother, the Grand Empress Dowager, to plot against her emperor grandson—this would bring the sky crashing down in the Song dynasty, which valued ethics and propriety!

Henry Clark also looked shocked and uncertain, saying, "I investigated, and it came from outside the palace."

Mrs. Foster's expression was furious, her eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Those who spread such rumors deserve death!

Chapter Two: Borrowing Power

Henry Clark saw Mrs. Foster enraged, glanced outside, and whispered, "Your Majesty, we must find a way to stop this. Otherwise, if it spreads outside the palace, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Mrs. Foster had held power for nearly eight years and had a strong mind. She quickly calmed down, her gaze cold and deep, and suddenly said in a low voice, "Replace everyone in Funing Hall. Deploy another squad of imperial guards to protect every entrance of Funing Hall. Strictly check everyone going in and out. Have the Imperial Kitchen, Laundry, and all other service staff thoroughly investigated again. If anything happens to the emperor again, I want all of them buried with him!"

Henry Clark hurriedly agreed and quickly turned to leave.

Mrs. Foster watched his departing figure, her eyes flashing with severity. Then she snorted disdainfully, her expression gradually returning to normal as she continued reviewing memorials.

...

In the afternoon, Mrs. Foster led a group of people to Funing Hall, heading straight to Abraham Lincoln's bedchamber.

Surrounded by attendants, Mrs. Foster walked to Abraham Lincoln's bedside.

Hearing the commotion, Abraham Lincoln struggled to get up from the bed.

Mrs. Foster quickly stepped forward, pressed Abraham Lincoln down, her face full of concern as she examined his complexion, and said, "Your Majesty, are you feeling any better?"

Abraham Lincoln looked calmly at Mrs. Foster. Was this the very Mrs. Foster who would later be highly praised as the 'female Yao and Shun'?

Abraham Lincoln forced himself out of bed, saluted Mrs. Foster, and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I am much better now."

Mrs. Foster looked Abraham Lincoln over carefully, then turned and scolded, "Imperial physician, what are you waiting for!"

A middle-aged man quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Please, Your Majesty, sit calmly."

Abraham Lincoln smiled and said to Mrs. Foster, "Grandmother, I am already much better. There is no need to trouble the imperial physician further."

Mrs. Foster reached out to straighten Abraham Lincoln's clothes and said, "Let the imperial physician take a look, or I won't be at ease."

Abraham Lincoln tried to discern whether Mrs. Foster's actions were genuine, but obediently sat at the bedside and extended his right hand.

The imperial physician carefully took Abraham Lincoln's pulse, then quickly stood up and reported to Abraham Lincoln and Mrs. Foster, "Your Majesty, the emperor's body is still very weak and has been greatly frightened. I will prescribe some calming and restorative medicine. With two or three months of rest, there should be no major problems."

Mrs. Foster's expression relaxed a bit, and she said gently, "Thank you, imperial physician. Go and receive your reward."

The imperial physician quickly raised his hand in thanks and left with his medicine box.

Mrs. Foster then sat by Abraham Lincoln's bedside, held his hand, and looked at his pale face, saying, "I am still not at ease. I have already had Henry Clark replace everyone in Funing Hall. From now on, you must be careful and be wary of everyone. Don't make me worry..."

Henry Clark interjected at the right moment, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty hasn't slept well for several days."

Abraham Lincoln looked at Mrs. Foster, his face showing guilt, and said, "I am ashamed to have worried Grandmother. Please rest assured, I will be careful."

In his heart, Abraham Lincoln was actually very calm. In the palace now, he could not trust anyone.