Mrs. Foster’s face was expressionless as she said, “Then take him out.”

Abraham Lincoln glanced at Mrs. Foster; his grandmother’s way of handling things was far too harsh—she didn’t even ask a single question?

Abraham Lincoln was puzzled, but had no time to think further. He said, “Grandmother, since he tried to harm me, let me deal with him.”

Mrs. Foster looked at Abraham Lincoln, silently for a long while, and asked, “How do you want to deal with him?”

Abraham Lincoln couldn’t guess Mrs. Foster’s intentions, so he could only proceed as he had planned. He looked at Ethan Brooks and said, “I’ll leave it to you.”

Ethan Brooks was stunned at first, then his expression changed dramatically. He said in a deep voice, “Yes, Your Majesty!”

With that, he strode over, eyes red, and dragged Thomas Adams toward the door.

Thomas Adams struggled violently, making urgent muffled sounds. How could he have imagined that in the blink of an eye, he would become the assassin who tried to kill the emperor, and that the Empress Dowager wouldn’t even ask him a single question!

He was so wronged!

He was about to die!

Thomas Adams struggled desperately, trying to break free and rush back inside, but Samuel Hayes came over and kicked him in the chest, then dragged him out the door.

Once the people had left, Mrs. Foster finally looked at Abraham Lincoln, her face still expressionless, and asked, “Was it really him?”

Abraham Lincoln leaned forward and said, “Grandmother, you are wise. It really wasn’t him. It’s just that this scoundrel tortured many palace maids to death in the palace. It’s convenient—I’ll use his life for this.”

Mrs. Foster stared fixedly at Abraham Lincoln and asked, “How do you plan to use it?”

Abraham Lincoln had already thought it through and said, “The person behind this is unusual and not easy to find. By throwing Thomas Adams out as the culprit, we can temporarily close the case. Once the mastermind hears this, they’ll surely let their guard down and may reveal a flaw. We’ll appear relaxed on the outside but tighten things inside, speed up the investigation, and find the real culprit faster.”

Mrs. Foster gave Abraham Lincoln a deep look, then turned to Henry Clark and said, “Did you hear all that?”

Henry Clark was shaken inside—so that’s what was going on.

He glanced at Abraham Lincoln without showing it. This emperor really had come up with a good plan…

Henry Clark stepped forward, bowed, and said, “I heard everything, Your Majesty. Tomorrow, I will quietly close the case.”

Mrs. Foster nodded, was silent for a while, then said, “Your Majesty, it’s very late. Go back and rest early.”

Abraham Lincoln felt things had gone too smoothly and didn’t have time to think it over. He stood up, raised his hand, and said, “Yes, sorry to disturb your rest, Grandmother. I’ll take my leave.”

Mrs. Foster still wore an indifferent expression as she watched Abraham Lincoln leave.

After Abraham Lincoln left, Mrs. Foster finally frowned, her tone faint as she said, “Henry Clark, tell me, does the emperor suspect me?”

Henry Clark’s heart skipped a beat. He bowed and said softly, “Your Majesty is the emperor’s own grandmother. In this world, what grandmother would harm her own grandson? And what unfilial grandson would ever suspect his grandmother?”

Mrs. Foster glanced at him and said, “You’re right. The emperor bringing Thomas Adams here shows he still trusts me and didn’t believe that rumor. After all, I haven’t wasted all these years of effort…”

Henry Clark didn’t dare respond—this topic was too sensitive.

After a moment, Mrs. Foster snorted coldly and said, “The emperor has grown up and knows to be cautious. He did the right thing. Tomorrow, find an excuse to cut the expenses of all the palaces by half—especially that one.”

Henry Clark bowed and said, “Yes.”

Mrs. Foster looked out at the pitch-black palace grounds. Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly began to cough violently, then collapsed onto the table, her whole body trembling.

Henry Clark was startled and rushed over, patting Mrs. Foster’s back as he said, “Your Majesty, shall I summon the imperial physician?”

Mrs. Foster waved her hand, coughing violently as she said, “No! My illness—absolutely no fourth person can know!”

Henry Clark looked anxious. He patted her back, then hurried to pour water, gently helping Mrs. Foster drink it.

After a sip of water, Mrs. Foster felt much better. A faint flush returned to her haggard face. After a while, she sat up and sighed softly, “It’s nothing. A few more doses of medicine and I’ll be fine.”

Henry Clark knew the imperial physician’s diagnosis, but was still uneasy. He said, “Your Majesty, should we… have another physician take a look?”

Mrs. Foster looked sharply toward the door and said, “These are troubled times. The less trouble, the better. We’ll talk about it after this is over. Have people keep a close watch—if there’s any more suspicious movement, bring everyone to me at once!”

Henry Clark’s face tightened and he said in a low voice, “I’ve already deployed two hundred palace guards from the Imperial Guard, using the assassination attempt as a pretext to replace everyone inside and out. If anyone slips up, the Imperial Guard will seize them immediately!”

Mrs. Foster sat there for a long time, then stood up and said, “Go rest. Oh, and don’t relax your watch on the emperor’s side either. If nothing happens in a few days, call the emperor to sleep in the pavilion outside my quarters.”

Henry Clark said, “Yes, I’ll help you back to your chambers.”

Mrs. Foster made a sound of acknowledgment, struggled to her feet, and walked toward her bedroom.

On the other side, Abraham Lincoln left Cining Hall and returned to Funing Hall, his brow furrowed the whole way.

Just as Abraham Lincoln sat down in the side room and took a sip of tea, Ethan Brooks came in, walked up to Abraham Lincoln, eyes red, and knelt down with a thud, saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty! Now that I have avenged this hatred, I have no other wishes. Ethan Brooks is willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, without hesitation!”

Chapter Fourteen: Act Quickly