Now Abraham Lincoln is about to move against Thomas Adams, and Ethan Brooks's hatred for Thomas Adams suddenly boils up again, unable to suppress his murderous intent.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Let's first see what exactly he knows before we do anything."

Seeing that Abraham Lincoln didn't agree, Ethan Brooks's face twisted with resentment and pain as he silently stood up.

Abraham Lincoln no longer looked at Ethan Brooks, but turned to Samuel Hayes and said, "Tonight, I'll send the imperial guards away. You and Ethan Brooks go, use an excuse to lure Thomas Adams out, tie him up in the woodshed at the back, and wait for me to interrogate him personally. Try not to alert anyone."

Samuel Hayes raised his hand and said, "Yes."

Chapter Twelve: Beast

After giving his instructions, Abraham Lincoln left the study somewhat unwillingly. Glancing at Samuel Hayes, who followed behind, his eyes reddened as he said, "I will definitely kill him!"

Samuel Hayes looked back at the room.

Ethan Brooks understood what he meant, clenched his fists tightly, and strode away.

Samuel Hayes didn't say anything else and left as well. Tonight, he had to catch that Thomas Adams, so he needed to inform his brothers.

In the study, Abraham Lincoln watched the two leave, his expression calm, but his heart uneasy.

Thomas Adams—he remembered this person. His reputation was indeed bad, but to have stayed by Empress Dowager Gao's side for ten years, he was clearly not just an ordinary, dispensable figure.

If, by chance, something really was found out, how should he respond?

He was still a puppet. If Empress Dowager Gao truly wanted to do something to him, even replace him, it might not be impossible!

The miserable fate of a deposed emperor was already foreseeable.

Before he could think further, he saw Franklin Pierce poking his head in at the door.

Abraham Lincoln glanced at him and said, "Have you finished your homework?"

Franklin Pierce immediately ran in, tilting his little face up and whispering sneakily, "Your Majesty, are you planning something?"

Abraham Lincoln was taken aback and said, "Why do you say that?"

Franklin Pierce glanced outside and said, "I saw Ethan Brooks's expression—it looked like he wanted to eat someone."

Abraham Lincoln said coolly, "Go back and attend your lessons properly. Finish your homework. Tomorrow I'll check, and if you haven't finished even one thing, just see if I let you off."

Franklin Pierce almost instinctively covered his butt, then puffed out his cheeks and left reluctantly.

Interrupted by Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln frowned, decided not to think further, and quietly picked up a book to read.

At night, after dinner, Abraham Lincoln saw that Ethan Brooks still wore a resentful and unwilling expression, but said nothing more, reading in the study and quietly waiting for the time.

In the study, the oil lamp flickered dimly, its light obscure.

Abraham Lincoln estimated the time, left the study, and looking at the nearby imperial guards, said, "Come with me to check on Eleventh Brother."

The imperial guards sent by Empress Dowager Gao said nothing, simply following Abraham Lincoln toward Jingfu Palace.

Not long after Abraham Lincoln left, Ethan Brooks, Samuel Hayes, and one of Samuel Hayes's brothers quietly slipped out the side door, carefully avoiding all possible eyes, heading toward the Yeting Bureau.

Thomas Adams lived at the Yeting Bureau.

The three of them were still cautious to avoid people when they arrived. Ethan Brooks knew where Thomas Adams lived and led Samuel Hayes straight to the door.

Hearing the painful cries of a woman and Thomas Adams's wanton laughter from inside, Ethan Brooks clenched his fists, his face full of hatred, and was about to burst in, but was stopped by Samuel Hayes.

Ethan Brooks's eyes were red. Seeing Samuel Hayes shake his head slightly, he took a deep breath, his face twitching, suppressed his anger, and knocked hard on the door, saying, "Thomas Adams, the Emperor has a message!"

Inside, Thomas Adams was startled, glared at the trembling girl on the bed, got dressed, opened the door, and seeing it was Ethan Brooks, frowned, "A message from the Emperor? This late?"

Ethan Brooks wanted nothing more than to kill him, had no intention of wasting words, and turned directly, "Let's go."

Thomas Adams glanced at the unmoving Samuel Hayes, feeling suspicious, but since Ethan Brooks was indeed Abraham Lincoln's personal eunuch, he couldn't overthink it. He locked the door and followed Ethan Brooks.

Samuel Hayes gave his brother a look, and the man quietly stayed behind, hiding in the shadows outside the door.

It wasn't long before Thomas Adams realized he was sandwiched in the middle, his expression tense and suspicious, his eyes darting left and right, not knowing what was happening.

When Thomas Adams saw they weren't heading straight for Funing Hall, he suddenly stopped and said coldly, "Where are you taking me?"

Ethan Brooks turned to look at him, his gaze even more hateful. He exchanged a glance with Samuel Hayes, and the two of them suddenly lunged at Thomas Adams.

Thomas Adams's face changed drastically, and he shouted, "Hel—"

Before he could finish, Ethan Brooks clamped a hand tightly over his mouth.

Samuel Hayes, from behind, kicked his leg and punched him in the neck.

Ethan Brooks—the two of them working together—quickly subdued Thomas Adams, dragging him toward the agreed-upon secluded woodshed.

Meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln made a show of going to Jingfu Palace, saw that Franklin Pierce was asleep, and then returned.

Back at Funing Hall, Abraham Lincoln went straight into the main hall, climbed over the wall where no one was around, and headed directly for the hidden woodshed.

The Song Dynasty palace was small, with few eunuchs. Abraham Lincoln, being careful, easily arrived at the appointed place.

Abraham Lincoln entered, sat on a stool, and looked at the tightly bound, bruised and battered Thomas Adams.

When Thomas Adams saw Abraham Lincoln, he immediately struggled violently, eyes wide, muffled sounds coming from his mouth.

Abraham Lincoln looked him over, his expression unchanged, and said, "I have a few questions for you. Answer honestly, understand?"