Abraham Lincoln held his teacup, looked at him, and said, “Do you still remember what that chief eunuch looked like?”

Samuel Hayes immediately understood what Abraham Lincoln was referring to and replied cautiously, “I remember.”

Abraham Lincoln stood up, his gaze slightly cold, and said, “When Ethan Brooks returns, discuss with him and have that eunuch captured for me. I have some questions to ask.”

Samuel Hayes's face changed in shock. He looked up at Abraham Lincoln and lowered his voice, saying, “Your Majesty, that eunuch belongs to the Empress Dowager Grandmother.”

Abraham Lincoln glanced at him and said, “Are you afraid?”

Samuel Hayes's expression shifted slightly. He gritted his teeth in secret and said, “This humble one will obey.”

Samuel Hayes had been in the palace for many years and knew that the emperor before him was just a puppet, with all real power in Empress Dowager Gao’s hands. He knew what had happened that day and had heard the rumor. He believed the rumor was true: the Empress Dowager Grandmother wanted the emperor before him dead and to enthrone another!

His life was already in Abraham Lincoln's hands. Even if Abraham Lincoln spared him, if Empress Dowager Gao ever found out he had seen that eunuch, she would never let him go.

Samuel Hayes knew very well that he had no way out!

Abraham Lincoln, however, had no idea Samuel Hayes was thinking so much. He nodded and said, “Go on.”

Samuel Hayes responded stiffly, turned around with a heavy heart, and called his brothers to get ready for dinner.

Abraham Lincoln sat at the head of the table, Franklin Pierce on the left, Samuel Hayes on the right.

Abraham Lincoln picked up his chopsticks and smiled, saying, “Eat as you like, no need to be reserved.”

Samuel Hayes and the others didn’t dare move, all looking at Abraham Lincoln.

But Franklin Pierce, that little rascal, held his plate and shoveled food into Abraham Lincoln’s bowl. When he couldn’t reach, he even stood on the bench, acting as if no one else was there, eating and drinking without restraint.

Abraham Lincoln suppressed the urge to hit him, picked up his chopsticks, and smiled as he took the first bite, saying, “Everyone, eat. By the way, introduce yourselves. I still don’t know your names.”

Samuel Hayes looked at Abraham Lincoln, then said to the person on his left, “You go first.”

The person was about to stand up, but Abraham Lincoln pressed his hand down and said, “Just say it sitting down, be at ease.”

That person hesitated, then had to sit, bowed, and said, “This humble one is Emily Bolton, greetings to Your Majesty.”

“This humble one is David Cooper, greetings to Your Majesty.”

“This humble one is George Baker, greetings to Your Majesty.”

Abraham Lincoln nodded and smiled at each of them, mentally comparing them to the background information Ethan Brooks had provided.

Before the meal was finished, Ethan Brooks returned. Abraham Lincoln stood up and said, “With me here, you all can’t eat comfortably. You go ahead and eat.”

Seeing Abraham Lincoln about to leave, everyone quickly stood up, their expressions a mix of excitement and unease.

Who would have thought they’d play cuju with the emperor, and even dine at the same table!

Samuel Hayes was still preoccupied. Seeing Abraham Lincoln leave, he finally said, “Eat quickly. After eating, patrol.”

Franklin Pierce just kept his head down, eating noisily without looking up. He was very busy—chicken leg in his right hand, steamed bun in his left, head bent over the bowl drinking soup.

In Abraham Lincoln’s study, Abraham Lincoln shared his thoughts with Ethan Brooks.

Like Samuel Hayes, Ethan Brooks was also extremely shocked and frightened, his voice trembling as he said, “Your Majesty, do you really want to take action against the eunuch from Cining Hall?”

Deep down, Abraham Lincoln still didn’t believe it was Empress Dowager Gao’s doing. That would be too crude, too reckless, and besides, Abraham Lincoln hadn’t even touched power yet—how could he be such a threat that she’d want him dead?

Abraham Lincoln said calmly, “It’s not like I want to kill him, just find a suitable opportunity for me to personally ask a few questions.”

Ethan Brooks looked utterly panicked, his eyes darting.

His thoughts were much like Samuel Hayes’s. Now that he knew more and more, it was increasingly clear that the mastermind was Empress Dowager Gao. Instead of lying low and biding their time, they were going to test the waters—what if she made another move?

Chapter Eleven: Beating the Younger Brother

Abraham Lincoln knew Ethan Brooks was afraid, so he smiled and said, “This isn’t aimed at Grandmother. There’s something strange about this matter. We can’t just do nothing and wait for the murderer to strike again, can we?”

Ethan Brooks was very uneasy and said, “Didn’t Your Majesty say it’s fine for now? I’ve already bribed quite a few people, and there will be news soon. Let’s wait a bit longer. As for Her Majesty, we mustn’t touch her side lightly…”

Abraham Lincoln’s smile grew more composed as he reassured him, “Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, everything will be fine. In a bit, discuss with Samuel Hayes and see who it is. Take action tonight.”

Ethan Brooks was startled and said, “Take action tonight?”

Abraham Lincoln nodded, his expression serious, “It must be quick! If those people realize and silence the witness, we’ll lose our lead.”

Seeing Abraham Lincoln’s determined look, Ethan Brooks could only grit his teeth and say, “Yes, I’ll go right away!”

Abraham Lincoln acknowledged, then suddenly said, “Call Franklin Pierce in.”

Ethan Brooks agreed, turned, and left, his heart still heavy and anxious.

That was the Empress Dowager Grandmother—who in or out of the palace would dare offend her? If the assassination attempt on His Majesty was really connected to her, what would happen if His Majesty provoked her like this?

Ethan Brooks did his best to compose himself as he left the study. Seeing Franklin Pierce still playing ball, he walked over and said with a smile, “Eleventh Prince, His Majesty wants to see you.”

“Coming!” Franklin Pierce kicked the ball away, spun around dashingly, and ran toward Abraham Lincoln’s study.

Ethan Brooks glanced over, then went straight to Samuel Hayes.

Samuel Hayes took a deep breath and nodded at him. The two of them walked side by side toward a secluded corner.

Franklin Pierce hopped over the threshold, entered Abraham Lincoln’s study, and immediately said, “Your Majesty, what do you need me for?”