Abraham Lincoln saw the bloodstains on Ethan Brooks's chest and said softly, "Get up. The dead cannot return to life. With your devotion, she will surely feel your gratitude from the afterlife."

Ethan Brooks couldn't hold back his tears as he listened. He wiped them away forcefully with his sleeve, stood up, and said, "Yes. She will definitely thank Your Majesty as well!"

Abraham Lincoln nodded slightly, but his mind was still replaying the scenes from Cining Palace just now.

Samuel Hayes, being attentive, noticed that Abraham Lincoln kept frowning and asked, "Your Majesty, now that Thomas Adams is dead, is there still any trouble?"

Samuel Hayes knew that Thomas Adams was not the real culprit and could guess Abraham Lincoln's intentions, but he couldn't understand why, with the plan going so smoothly, Abraham Lincoln's expression remained so grave.

Abraham Lincoln glanced at him. Since there were no outsiders present, he said, "Grandmother's reaction just now was too calm. Thomas Adams wasn't even given a chance to defend himself. Either Grandmother could foresee my intentions, or... she already knows who tried to harm me, or at least has a clear suspect."

A chill ran through Samuel Hayes's heart. Only now did he realize that Empress Dowager Gao's reaction earlier was indeed odd. His expression changed as he said, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty has been in the palace for decades. Nothing escapes her sharp eyes. If she really found something, it wouldn't be surprising."

Ethan Brooks had calmed down a bit, but asked uneasily, "Your Majesty, could it be that Her Majesty..."

Abraham Lincoln shook his head decisively and said, "Don't make wild guesses. It's not Grandmother."

The reason Abraham Lincoln dared to arrest Thomas Adams and bring him before Empress Dowager Gao was because he was already certain in his heart that the one who wanted to harm him was not the Empress Dowager.

First, the whole affair was too clumsy, full of flaws. To assassinate an emperor—how could it be done so carelessly? In the end, he was even rescued! This was absolutely not the work of someone who had ruled the Song Dynasty and the imperial palace for so many years.

Second, if Abraham Lincoln really died, it would bring nothing but harm to the Empress Dowager. Not to mention the shock of an emperor being murdered, the succession to the throne would not be so simple, and the legitimacy of the Empress Dowager's regency would be called into question.

Third, Abraham Lincoln knew history—historically, Abraham Lincoln outlived the Empress Dowager. If she had truly wanted to harm him, he would never have survived.

Ethan Brooks and Samuel Hayes exchanged a glance, unable to fathom why Abraham Lincoln was so certain.

Abraham Lincoln continued to ponder. Suddenly, he seemed to grasp something, narrowed his eyes, and muttered to himself, "From Qingshou Hall to Huangyi Hall, such a long route, so many gates—did no one really see me?"

Ethan Brooks said, "Eunuch Zhou reported that indeed, no one saw anything. When Your Majesty fell into the well, a group of palace maids happened to pass by, heard your cries, and rushed over to save you."

Abraham Lincoln looked up at the pitch-black night outside, his eyes flickering as he murmured, "To hide me away without attracting attention, it couldn't have been just one or two people... It seems I must meet with William Foster."

Samuel Hayes said, "Why not investigate each gate, Your Majesty? If they hid you, there must have been many people involved. Surely we could find some clues."

Abraham Lincoln shook his head. "If there were clues to be found, Zhou He would have already gotten the evidence. Ethan Brooks, keep an eye on William Foster. Find a time for me to meet him. Also, don't let anyone else know."

Having just avenged his great grievance, Ethan Brooks was full of gratitude toward Abraham Lincoln. His expression turned solemn as he said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will find a way tomorrow."

Abraham Lincoln nodded. In any case, with the Empress Dowager completely ruled out, he no longer needed to be so tense. Relieved of a heavy burden, he stood up and looked at the two of them, saying, "It's fine now. Go and rest."

Ethan Brooks's heart was still surging with emotion. He raised his hand and said, "Yes, I take my leave."

Samuel Hayes had never expected to be involved in such a major affair—he had nearly entered the underworld. Doing his best to remain calm, he raised his hand and said, "Yes, I take my leave."

Abraham Lincoln watched the two of them leave, then looked up at the bright moonlight and muttered to himself, "William Foster must have seen something that day, otherwise he wouldn't be hiding and afraid to come out. If even he is hiding, then who is the person behind all this?"

William Foster was the Empress Dowager's nephew. With the Empress Dowager as the true power behind the Song Dynasty, who could William Foster possibly fear?

Thinking of this, Abraham Lincoln felt an even stronger urge for power. Having his life and death controlled by others, being so powerless, was truly intolerable!

……

Early the next morning, rumors quietly spread through the palace: 'Thomas Adams attempted to assassinate His Majesty and has been beaten to death.'

This included the story of Abraham Lincoln visiting Cining Palace last night, along with details of the Empress Dowager's furious reaction.

Abraham Lincoln sat at the side table, with Ethan Brooks standing behind him.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Zhou handled everything thoroughly, leaving no loopholes. I'm sure the real culprit will believe it," Ethan Brooks said in a low voice.

Abraham Lincoln tore off pieces of steamed bun and ate them one by one, saying, "We don't need to do anything. Just keep watch."

Ethan Brooks felt a refreshing sense of transformation, less naive and anxious than before, and much more composed. "Yes. I have already told everyone to lie low. Unless something major happens, there will be no contact."

Abraham Lincoln took a sip of soup and said, "Samuel Hayes and the others shouldn't act either. I want to see William Foster, and soon."

The events of last night still weighed on Abraham Lincoln's mind. The Empress Dowager had been far too calm—perhaps she already knew something and was just waiting for the right moment.