“Bad things?” Ethan's big eyes flashed with a hint of confusion.

Adam Sullivan clasped his hands behind his back and, imitating Ethan's tone, said, “Madam, this Adam Sullivan... I heard from Mr. Harris that this person is slick and cunning, lazy and gluttonous, flaunts his literacy everywhere, and always drags his feet when working... things like that can all be said.”

Ethan said awkwardly, “I... I can't lie. Big Brother Sullivan is obviously a really good person, how could he be so bad?”

Adam Sullivan continued to ruin his own reputation with a serious face: “This isn't lying, it's a well-intentioned white lie. Alright, my dear Ethan, just go ahead and make up stories about me without worry.”

Ethan hesitated for a long time before finally responding, and seeing that it was getting late, she said goodbye: “I'm going back to the inner residence, Big Brother Sullivan. Will I see you again next time?”

Adam Sullivan said, “We'll meet again at the Mid-Autumn Festival.” With that, he carefully cupped Ethan's cheeks: “Remember to dress up nicely then, so you can dazzle me, haha.”

A blush rose on Ethan's face, and she shyly pushed Adam Sullivan's hands away: “Big Brother Sullivan, you're being improper again.”

“Hm? Am I really that improper? Next time, I'll show her what true impropriety is.” Adam Sullivan propped his chin and secretly laughed to himself, watching Ethan leave.

Chapter Six: The Competition

The room was elegantly and exquisitely arranged. On the south wall hung a painting of a court lady. On the desk by the window sat a nine-stringed guqin. A lamp bracket jutted from the wall, holding a tin lampstand with a red candle. Further inside was a carved and embroidered couch with railings on three sides, red gauze curtains hooked to either side, a thin quilt, and a bamboo mat. A young girl gazed absentmindedly at the newly mounted painting.

The girl was graceful and serene, her beautiful eyes roaming over the painting, sometimes bewildered, sometimes in awe.

A maid beside her whispered, “Your Highness has been looking for an hour. Should I have someone bring some fruit to fill your stomach?”

The girl shook her head thoughtfully: “This person is amazing, they've completely captured Sun Wei's spirit. I didn't know brushwork could be this delicate.”

The maid asked suspiciously, “Is the painting really that good, done by the son of the Duke of Qi?”

The girl shook her head: “It wasn't done by Young Master Clark; it must be someone else. If this painting weren't unsigned, I would have thought it was an original.”

“So, someone else painted it?” the maid said. “Why not invite that person to meet you, to see who could copy a painting that makes Your Highness lose your appetite and sleep?”

The girl smiled gently, a calm air about her: “I can't meet him. This person is deliberately provoking me. Fine, I can't lose to him. Is the painting I copied a few days ago still here?”

“It has already been put away.”

The girl said, “Send it to the Duke of Qi's residence in a few days. No need to say anything, just say it's a gift for Young Master Clark.”

The maid nodded.

The girl pursed her lips and continued to study the painting.

...

The outer residence steward William Cooper heard that Adam Sullivan was going to compete for the position of study attendant, and that he was personally recommended by the young master. He immediately became enthusiastic toward Adam Sullivan, mysteriously pulling him into a corner to talk: “Young man, you have promise, daring to challenge a scholar. No wonder you were brought up by me, Old Cooper. Do your best in the competition, don't let our outer residence lose face. You don't have to work these next few days, I'll arrange everything. If you need anything, just let me know.”

William Cooper's excessive enthusiasm actually had an ulterior motive. Originally, when the residence needed a study attendant, several stewards recommended their own relatives—keeping the benefits in the family. But who knew that the inner residence's Mr. Harris had more influence, and his nephew was also capable, so he took the spot. William Cooper was displeased and grew resentful of Mr. Harris.

“Workplace politics are intense,” Adam Sullivan thought to himself.

But this was good too. Mr. Harris taking the spot had caused many influential people in the residence to lose face, so now everyone formed a united front to support Adam Sullivan.

When the Mid-Autumn Festival finally arrived, after a long wait until evening, the afterglow of dusk faded away, and the full moon hung high in the sky, its bright light pouring down. The sound of firecrackers crackled from the street, and the Duke of Qi's residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers. With each steward's order to light the lamps, lanterns were hung high under the eaves, their rosy glow illuminating the entire place inside and out.

“If you go a bit further, you'll reach the inner residence. Adam Sullivan, you must win honor for me,” Henry Clark said with a grin. “A few of my cousins have started a betting pool, and I bet ten strings of cash on your victory.”

Adam Sullivan curled his lips: “You didn't also bet twenty strings on that scholar, did you?”

Henry Clark was surprised: “How did you know?”

“Confidence!” Adam Sullivan shook his head regretfully. “You don't have confidence in me. Did you hear some rumors?”

Henry Clark pulled a long face: “I heard a few things. That scholar is no ordinary person—he ranked first in the prefectural exam. Even though I have high hopes for you, compared to him, you're still a little behind.”

Adam Sullivan said, “Just wait and see. I'll open everyone's eyes. Are all the things prepared?”

Henry Clark nodded: “Everything's ready. I've given you the opportunity, so make the most of it.”

The two of them chatted as they walked, passing through the moon gate of the pavilion. Suddenly, the view opened up, and a shimmering lake appeared before Adam Sullivan's eyes. In the middle of the lake was a large pavilion connected by a boardwalk, big enough to hold dozens of people. There were already many figures inside, clearly waiting for them.