Emily Harris sat quietly in the corner, her eyes thoughtful, lost in unknown contemplation. When Princess Taylor inquired, she frowned and said, “The master set up two tests to examine one’s ability to recognize mechanisms and calligraphy and painting. In my view, what the master wants people to do is probably related to these two things.”

Princess Taylor’s eyes lit up and she exclaimed repeatedly, “Yes, yes, but what exactly does he want us to do? Could it be tomb robbing?”

She was speculating from a logical perspective and felt it was quite possible. Mechanisms, recognizing calligraphy and painting—these things were all mysterious. Could it be that Edward Cooper wanted Brian Carter to steal a painting from an ancient tomb? The more Princess Taylor thought about it, the more likely it seemed, but she couldn’t figure out why Edward Cooper, who had everything he wanted, would need someone to rob a tomb, or what kind of painting could be so extraordinary as to make Edward Cooper go to such lengths?

Charles Thompson frowned to himself. Although he thought Princess Taylor’s ideas were far-fetched and unrealistic, he also couldn’t guess what Edward Cooper wanted someone to do.

Emily Harris was a bit taken aback and finally shook her head, but then said, “I can’t be certain. But this matter is likely very dangerous; that much can be inferred from the master’s tone.” As a constable, she was naturally skilled at reading people. Recalling Edward Cooper’s expression at the time, she felt a chill all over.

For some reason, Emily Harris always felt that what Edward Cooper wanted people to do was not only dangerous and mysterious, but also carried a strange and bizarre air. Of course, this was just her intuition, with no evidence, so she didn’t mention it to Princess Taylor.

The more Princess Taylor thought about it, the more curious she became, and she resented Brian Carter even more for taking away her chance to uncover the secret. She slammed the table again and said, “But no matter what, if we help the master accomplish this, he’ll definitely appreciate us. If we make a request, he won’t be able to refuse. We can ask the master to help our eldest brother, to speak well of him to the emperor, and he’ll help. Scholar Thompson, don’t you think so?”

Charles Thompson replied hesitantly, “That’s probably the case. But right now, it’s Brian Carter who’s handling things…”

Princess Taylor ignored Charles Thompson’s reminder, her eyes flashing with pride. “He’s the one doing it, but can’t we get it done before him?”

Charles Thompson was even more surprised. Not knowing what the matter was, how could they possibly get it done?

Just then, footsteps approached, and Jacob Miller arrived at the hall. Charles Thompson set aside the princess and went up to greet him, saying, “Captain Miller, how did things go?”

Jacob Miller’s expression was as hard as iron as he immediately said, “Commander Foster has already found out Brian Carter’s background and sent me to report to Scholar Thompson. Brian Carter was an orphan adopted by the former Vice Minister of Rites, Evan Carter, which is why he bears the surname Qiu.”

Princess Taylor temporarily set aside her own calculations and couldn’t help but listen intently.

Charles Thompson mused, “Evan Carter passed away ten years ago, and his family fell on hard times. There’s no one left in the capital now.” As a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he was naturally familiar with court affairs.

He knew Evan Carter was an honest official, but he hadn’t known that Brian Carter was Evan Carter’s adopted son.

Jacob Miller showed an admiring look and said, “Scholar Thompson remembers correctly. Although Evan Carter died, before his death he asked the court to give Brian Carter a position. Evan Carter was upright and only requested according to the usual court practice, so Brian Carter was transferred into the Embroidered Uniform Guard ten years ago and became a junior officer.”

Charles Thompson frowned and said, “This is actually unusual. Evan Carter had children of his own—why didn’t he ask for positions for them, but instead secured an official post for Brian Carter? Could it be… that Evan Carter was even closer to the orphan he took in than to his own children?”

He knew that even though William Foster had investigated thoroughly, he probably wouldn’t have found out these details. Sure enough, Jacob Miller shook his head and said, “As for that, Mr. Foster doesn’t know either.”

Charles Thompson pondered and asked, “Did Brian Carter rise through the ranks over these ten years to become a Qianhu?”

Jacob Miller shook his head, his expression odd. “Three years ago, he was still just a junior officer.”

Charles Thompson raised his long eyebrows in surprise. “You mean that in just these three years, he was promoted from a junior officer to the position of Qianhu?”

Jacob Miller simply nodded solemnly, his face also full of amazement. He certainly knew what Charles Thompson was surprised about.

In the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the highest rank is Commander, a third-rank official. Below that are Deputy Commanders, Supervisors, Qianhu, and so on. Qianhu is a fifth-rank official, already a significant position. More importantly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor’s most trusted personal force. When investigating cases outside the capital, they act on imperial orders. Not only do fifth-rank officials not dare offend them, even the Commanders of local garrisons and Provincial Administrators of the second rank are cautious around them.

Below Qianhu are Deputy Qianhu, Baihu, Acting Baihu, Chief Banner, and Junior Banner, with Junior Banner being a seventh-rank official. Below Junior Banner are generals, strongmen, and junior officers.

This means that a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard is at most a ninth-rank petty official, a very low status. Yet Brian Carter managed, in just three years, to leap from junior officer to Qianhu, a fifth-rank official—a true miracle.

After a long moment, Charles Thompson finally said, “What kind of merit did this man achieve to be promoted so quickly?” Although he was very familiar with court promotions and appointments, he knew nothing about the inner workings of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as only the emperor and the Commander could inquire into their affairs.

Sure enough, Jacob Miller also shook his head. “Commander Foster doesn’t know either, but he will look into it.”