After a round of scolding, Abraham Lincoln was left panting and exhausted before finally putting down the shoe and sitting on the chair, gasping for breath. Although most of his anger had subsided, he still glared menacingly at Franklin Pierce, who was sprawled across the table.

Abraham Lincoln hadn’t hit very hard, but even after he stopped, Franklin Pierce kept wailing and howling for quite a while.

When he saw Abraham Lincoln sit down on the chair opposite, he finally quieted down, remaining motionless, lifting his eyes to cautiously size up Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln took it all in, snorted coldly, and said, “Do you see that stool in the back?”

Franklin Pierce immediately turned to look, then tilted his little face up and said ingratiatingly, “I see it, I’ll bring it over for you, Your Majesty…”

As he spoke, he leaned over the table, but before he even touched the ground, he let out a strange yelp, clutching his buttocks with both hands, his face scrunched up as he looked at Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln picked up his teacup and said, “No need to bring it over. Hold it up for half an hour. If you do it for less, I’ll have you hung up here all night.”

Franklin Pierce tilted his head, sizing up Abraham Lincoln. He felt that today’s emperor was being a bit harsh with him, not as ‘gentle’ as usual.

‘Did he find out I sold his painting outside the palace? Or was it the aphrodisiac in the goldfish pond? Or does he know I set fire to Qingchun Garden?’

Franklin Pierce watched Abraham Lincoln carefully, seeing that he wasn’t joking. He muttered, ‘Anyway, one beating and everything’s written off,’ then slowly picked up the stool, raised it above his head, and looked at Abraham Lincoln with his chubby face, putting on a thoroughly pitiful and aggrieved act.

Just looking at him made Abraham Lincoln angry again, so he said directly, “Turn around!”

Franklin Pierce held the stool and slowly turned around, muttering under his breath.

Abraham Lincoln stopped looking at him. After taking a sip of tea, he realized that after giving this little rascal a beating, he felt refreshed and his mind was much clearer.

Abraham Lincoln looked out the window, a smile appearing on his face.

Although this little rascal was a troublemaker, he had actually helped him out. He had managed to bring these imperial guards to Funing Hall without having to worry about Mrs. Foster overthinking it.

Benjamin Harrison casually flipped through a book, still pondering things over in his mind.

The situation in the palace was currently complicated and unclear, a complete mystery. He had to be careful and investigate slowly.

After a while, Ethan Brooks returned. Seeing Franklin Pierce holding up a stool, he wasn’t surprised and walked straight toward Abraham Lincoln.

When Abraham Lincoln saw him return, he looked at Franklin Pierce and said, “Go outside.”

Seeing Franklin Pierce about to happily put down the stool, Abraham Lincoln snorted again and said, “Hold it up outside!”

Franklin Pierce puffed out his cheeks, reluctantly holding up the stool as he shuffled outside.

Ethan Brooks watched Franklin Pierce leave, then stood in front of Abraham Lincoln’s desk and obediently placed a handful of copper coins on the table in front of Abraham Lincoln, saying, “Your Majesty, this is the money Samuel Hayes gave me. I’ve already arranged everything for them, and also, the Palace Guard has promoted Samuel Hayes to the position of yaguān.”

Abraham Lincoln looked at the copper coins and pushed them toward Ethan Brooks with his book, saying, “It’s yours. So, you’re saying the Palace Guard promoted Samuel Hayes?”

A yaguān was the lowest rank of officer in the imperial guard, but could command fifty men.

Chapter 7: Another Clue

Ethan Brooks thanked him happily, then said with some confusion, “Yes. I’m puzzled too. I checked, and Samuel Hayes is about to be expelled from the palace, which is why he’s been messing around with the Eleventh Prince. But the Palace Guard promoted him, which doesn’t make sense.”

Abraham Lincoln thought for a moment and understood, smiling as he said, “The Palace Guard knows I was attacked. They’re doing this to curry favor in advance, afraid I’ll hold them accountable.”

Even if Abraham Lincoln was just a puppet, he was still the emperor. If he was attacked and pursued the matter, the Palace Guard, responsible for palace security, would be in serious trouble.

Ethan Brooks suddenly understood and said, “Then, Your Majesty, why don’t we take this opportunity to ask for more benefits? We never got anything before.”

Mrs. Foster kept Abraham Lincoln under strict control—not only was he forbidden from wielding power, but even his words and actions in the palace were restricted, even more so than the child Franklin Pierce. Only because of this assassination attempt and the rumors had things loosened up a bit.

Abraham Lincoln shook his head and said, “We can’t go too far. Besides, our main task right now is to find out who’s behind this. If we don’t uncover them, they’ll come after me again sooner or later.”

Ethan Brooks straightened up and said, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll do everything I can to find these villains for you!”

Abraham Lincoln smiled, glanced outside, and said, “Try to find out more about what’s going on outside. I want to know who’s loyal and who’s suspicious.”

Ethan Brooks understood immediately and said, “I’ll arrange for some people to gather information outside the palace, and also ask around in the Council of State.”

Abraham Lincoln narrowed his eyes. This Ethan Brooks was indeed clever. He said, “Go on, and report to me immediately if anything happens.”

Ethan Brooks agreed, looking quite energized as he walked out.

He used to be just an errand boy, but now things were different—he was the chief steward of Funing Hall. He had to do a good job and not let His Majesty down!

After Ethan Brooks left, Abraham Lincoln sat in his chair, looking at the book in his hand, still deep in thought.

The greatest threat still came from those lurking in the shadows. He needed to slowly break free from his restraints and gain the power to protect himself.

This was just the beginning, and it was just right.

‘Take it step by step!’

Abraham Lincoln’s eyes shone with determination as he looked at the patrolling imperial guards outside.