The carriage stopped on a street full of broken walls and ruins. The curtain was lifted, and out stepped a kindly, well-fed middle-aged man, dressed in a purple official robe with a silver fish pouch at his waist. This was the Vice Minister of Rites, Ethan Bennett, who was also the younger brother of Ryan Bennett's father.

After getting out of the carriage, Ethan Bennett glanced at the crowded street, saw Ryan Bennett standing in the middle of the street with a knife, and Grace Carter standing on the carriage covered in blood. His expression changed slightly, realizing his nephew had caused trouble.

No matter what happened, the first thing to do was clear the scene; otherwise, it would be hard to handle with so many eyes watching.

Without greeting anyone, Ethan Bennett looked at the surrounding crowd and said in a clear, authoritative voice:

“Ferocious beasts are causing chaos—how can we allow the people to gather in the streets? What is the Arresting Division doing? Disperse everyone.”

The many constables naturally obeyed and hurried to drive away the onlookers.

Grace Carter saw Ethan Bennett stepping in to clear the scene and guessed that this young wanderer was related to him. The anger on his face subsided a little, but he said unhappily:

“Minister Bennett, this boy drew his blade against a court official in public. This is no small matter.”

Ethan Bennett got off the carriage, lifted his robe, walked over to Grace Carter, looked up, and showed an expression of admiration as he praised:

“Brother Carter, you are truly brave and valiant, risking your life and suffering serious injuries to rid the city of ferocious beasts and protect the people of Linhe Lane. You are a pillar of the nation. I will certainly report this to His Majesty tomorrow and request a commendation for you.”

Today, the demon-slaying blade had malfunctioned, so Grace Carter was already in the wrong. If he kept pressing the issue and it reached the court, it would likely end with both sides being punished equally.

Seeing Ethan Bennett say this, Grace Carter couldn’t refuse the gesture, so he decided to let bygones be bygones and maybe get some compensation out of it.

But Ryan Bennett, standing in the street, was eager to avoid the upcoming imperial son-in-law selection and actually wanted to spend a few days in jail. He spoke up earnestly:

“Third Uncle, I was the one who stabbed him. I saw this man named Cui lying through his teeth, so…”

“Ryan!!”

Ethan Bennett was nearly infuriated to death by these words.

Grace Carter's face turned ashen, more blood seeping from his belly. He raised his sword and pointed it at Ryan Bennett, clearly wanting to curse him out.

After glaring at his nephew, Ethan Bennett turned to Grace Carter and said with a smile:

“Ryan is young; you can’t take his words seriously. May I ask, Brother Carter, what exactly happened just now?”

As he spoke, Ethan Bennett even winked.

Grace Carter was so angry he wanted to stab Ryan Bennett twice, but in the capital, everyone saw each other all the time, and making enemies would do no one any good. Plus, his medical expenses would surely be slashed.

After gritting his teeth for a long while, Grace Carter finally sheathed his sword and said coldly:

“I was careless just now. While slaying the beast, I slipped and fell onto nephew Ryan’s blade. Sorry to have made a scene, Minister Bennett. Farewell.”

With that, he jumped off the sedan and left.

Ethan Bennett smiled broadly and raised his hand in farewell:

“Take care, Brother Carter. Rest well and recover. I will be sure to visit you personally another day.”

Grace Carter clutched his stomach, said nothing, and disappeared into the rain.

After sending Grace Carter away, Ethan Bennett turned to the many constables:

“Just now, Lord Carter made things very clear. Today, all of you worked together with Ryan and Lord Carter to slay the beast and protect the people. I will certainly report this to His Majesty. The court will not mistreat heroes who sacrifice for the country. Clean up the area and then disperse.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The constables naturally had nothing more to say. After saluting, they began to clean up the remains...

...

Night fell.

Inside Donghua City, the flashes of lightning did nothing to dampen the city’s bustle. The pleasure quarters were lively with music and song, and people thronged the restaurants and teahouses.

On the south bank of Mingde Bridge, the residence of Vice Minister Ethan Bennett was brightly lit.

Dozens of pretty and charming maids hid around the corner of the covered walkway, sneaking glances toward the study and whispering quietly:

“The Seventh Young Master is so handsome, much more so than our own young master…”

“Shh, if the young master hears you, he’ll definitely blow his top…”

...

The study was softly lit. By the window stood a young man in blue, hands behind his back, admiring the night view of rain falling on the plantain trees in the courtyard.

Through the rainy night, one could faintly hear the voice of Vice Minister Ethan Bennett:

“So capable! I arranged for you to come to the capital as the imperial son-in-law, the court even prepared a boat for you, but you insisted on traveling alone. Fine, but as soon as you arrive in the capital, you attack someone in the street. Do you think this is Qinghe County? This is the capital, under the emperor’s very nose…”

Inside the study, Ethan Bennett had changed into casual clothes and was pacing back and forth in front of the desk, full of frustration with nowhere to vent.

Ethan Bennett had served as an official in the capital for years, and with the long distance, he’d only returned home two or three times in over a decade.

When he saw Ryan Bennett as a child, his impression was always of a clever, well-mannered boy. Compared to his own foolish son, he’d even wished he could adopt Ryan Bennett.

This time, with the princess seeking a consort, Ethan Bennett had hoped that when all the young men appeared, Ryan Bennett would shine and amaze everyone.

He never expected that as soon as Ryan Bennett arrived in the capital, he would give him such a “pleasant” surprise.

If he’d been even half a step late today and Ryan Bennett had really been thrown in jail and made a laughingstock, by tomorrow everyone would know. Even if he could get him out, how could he still be chosen as the imperial son-in-law?

“You used to be such a well-behaved child—quiet and polite, never causing trouble. Among the dozen or so younger members of the Bennett family, I always thought you’d amount to something. And now, look at you. I don’t know what your father’s been teaching you…”

Ethan Bennett grumbled on and on.