“Hahaha, I thought your back looked familiar just now, and I didn’t expect it to really be you.”

Eric Page looked very happy, grabbing John Adams’s hand and saying, “Six years have passed in a flash. How is your father?”

“My father is well, thank you for your concern, Second Brother.”

“What brings you here?” After saying this, Eric Page suddenly laughed, “I remember now, the Imperial Academy is about to start classes this spring. Did you get admitted to the Imperial Academy?”

“Ha, Second Brother, you have sharp eyes. I am indeed here to study at the Imperial Academy.”

“Yes, studying is good, very good... But, where are you headed now?”

“I rented a house in Chongde Ward, planning to settle down and focus on my studies. I’m just about to move in with Leonard Grant.”

Eric Page didn’t seem surprised by this.

In fact, there were many students like John Adams who rented houses outside the academy, so it wasn’t a big deal.

“I heard from my father that five years ago, Second Brother passed the Mingjing exam and was appointed as Assistant Military Officer at the Left Tunwei Granary. I wanted to write a letter to congratulate you back then. By the way, where are you working now, Second Brother? Once I’m settled, I must pay you a visit.”

“Me?”

Eric Page smiled and said, “I’m currently working in Chang’an County.

So, where are you staying? I’ll come find you later.”

John Adams and Eric Page were family friends, so he didn’t hesitate and gave Eric Page his address in Chongde Ward.

Unexpectedly, Leonard Grant suddenly spoke up from the side, “Young master, since Mr. Page works at the yamen, why not ask him to look into the character of that Amy Chandler?”

John Adams was taken aback, then immediately shot Leonard Grant an unhappy look.

But Eric Page showed an amused expression and said, “Helen Grant, have you just arrived in Chang’an and already gotten into trouble?”

“It’s nothing serious. The house I rented belongs to a family whose son is named David Sutton, and he seems to work in Chang’an County as a yamen runner. But there’s no need to trouble you, Second Brother. I think that family is quite decent; Leonard Grant is just being overly cautious.”

“Chang’an County, a yamen runner?”

Eric Page’s eyes flashed, then he smiled and said, “Helen Grant, don’t blame Leonard Grant; he’s just looking out for you.

Yamen runners are a mixed bunch, with both good and bad among them. I’ll look into it when I get back. If there’s any issue with that David Sutton, it’s best you don’t stay there. You know, things in Chang’an are a bit complicated right now, so it’s best to be careful.”

Since Eric Page said so, John Adams couldn’t refuse.

He quickly thanked him and chatted with Eric Page for a bit longer.

Eric Page seemed to have other matters to attend to, so after a brief conversation, he bid farewell to John Adams.

“Leonard Grant, why are you so meddlesome?”

“It’s not meddling. Before we left, Alan Sutton specifically told me to take good care of you, young master.”

“All right, all right, let’s leave it at that.” Every time Leonard Grant mentioned John Adams’s father, John Adams was left helpless. He waved his hand and glared fiercely at Leonard Grant, “From now on, don’t cause me any more trouble. Just now, Eric Page also said that things in Chang’an are a bit complicated. We mustn’t trouble Eric Page, understand?”

Seeing John Adams agree, Leonard Grant was satisfied.

Anyway, they had already asked Eric Page to look into that Amy Chandler.

If there really was a problem, it would be best to move out early, lest they get entangled and face real trouble later.

By the way, Eric Page only said he worked in Chang’an County, but didn’t mention his position. But it was probably not a low one. Didn’t the young master just say that Eric Page passed the Mingjing exam? He shouldn’t be a minor official.

The master and servant walked along, with John Adams nagging as they went.

Earlier, it was Leonard Grant who was nagging.

Now, it was John Adams’s turn.

But Leonard Grant seemed used to it and didn’t mind at all.

Anyway, John Adams could nag all he wanted; Leonard Grant would just nod and agree. If something really happened, he would still argue back if needed. Just like earlier, when Leonard Grant took it upon himself to ask Eric Page for help, John Adams could do nothing about it.

When they arrived at Miss Lane’s residence, before they even entered, they heard dogs barking in the courtyard.

John Adams knocked on the door and called out loudly, “Is Miss Lane home? I am John Adams, may I come in?”

Before he finished speaking, a male voice came from the courtyard, “Hei Sanlang, lie down.”

Footsteps followed, and the gate opened.

A young man stood inside the door, looking John Adams up and down, and said, “You’re that Imperial Academy student, John Adams, right?”

Chapter Eight: First Meeting

David Sutton looked at John Adams, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

John Adams, a figure of great renown in later generations. Especially after the Dutch sinologist Robert van Gulik wrote “The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee,” the name John Adams became famous not only in China, but also known to many foreigners. John Adams, a man called the “Oriental Sherlock Holmes,” is a name familiar to many.

David Sutton had read “The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee,” and it was because of that book that he became curious about John Adams.

However, seeing John Adams in person left him a bit disappointed.

How to put it?

Because the John Adams standing before him looked nothing like the handsome protagonists in Tsui Hark’s films about John Adams.

He was very tall, even a bit taller than David Sutton.