Thomas Harris thought for a moment. He had originally wanted William to practice martial arts with the Yang family boys, but he also knew that those so-called martial arts instructors didn’t have any real skills and might mislead William. William’s father, Xuangan, was quite skilled in martial arts, but unfortunately, he didn’t have time to teach the child either. So Thomas Harris agreed, “Background doesn’t matter, but you must bring this person to see me first.”

William was also filled with curiosity. Which hero from the end of the Sui dynasty could it be? He quickly asked Raymond Ford, “May I ask, sir, who is it?”

Raymond Ford chuckled, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know. But I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

He then exchanged a glance with Thomas Harris. Thomas Harris patted William’s little head, “You go on now! When your master arrives, your grandfather will naturally call for you.”

After William left the study, Raymond Ford smiled and said, “Prime Minister, I have another suggestion.”

At this moment, Thomas Harris trusted Raymond Ford very much and nodded, “Go ahead!”

“Prime Minister, as Mencius said, ‘One thrives in adversity and perishes in comfort.’ The reason William can surpass other children is largely because he was born into hardship. So I suggest that you do not change his way of life, do not give him special treatment, and especially do not let the family know that you value him. Let him continue to grow up in adversity. What do you think of my suggestion?”

Thomas Harris was a wise man, and Raymond Ford’s words made perfect sense. All he needed to do was find a good teacher for William; he certainly shouldn’t let him become spoiled by wealth and luxury. He and his descendants had already learned that lesson too many times. He nodded in agreement, “Just as you say, sir!”

But Thomas Harris could never have imagined that Raymond Ford actually had his own selfish motives. Now, only he, Raymond Ford, knew that Thomas Harris valued William. He wanted to keep this rare opportunity for himself and absolutely could not let the rest of the Yang family find out.

Because of Raymond Ford’s selfishness, William’s life saw no improvement; he continued to grow up in poverty and under the discrimination of his clan. But precisely because of this, William did not lose Evelyn Brooks, his foster mother. Life’s twists and turns—who can say whether it’s gain or loss?

……

Early the next morning, the steward found William. The old master wanted to see him. Evelyn Brooks knew this meant William was about to take a master, so she specially dressed him in new clothes. As she tidied him up, she whispered, “Be respectful to your master, don’t embarrass your aunt, do you remember?”

“I remember!”

William then asked worriedly, “Will grandfather make me leave aunt and go live with my master?”

Evelyn Brooks smiled and comforted him, “He probably won’t. Didn’t you say yesterday that Mr. Feng is introducing you to a military officer? Since he’s an officer, he won’t take you away. Besides, you’re only five, and grandfather wouldn’t let you leave the Yang family.”

William nodded. He looked around but didn’t see Daisy, so he asked, “Aunt, where’s Daisy?”

“That little one is a bit upset that you won’t be playing with her anymore. It’s nothing, I’ll comfort her. Go on now! Don’t keep people waiting.”

“Aunt, I’m leaving then.”

William followed the steward out of the small courtyard toward the central hall. Evelyn Brooks watched his small figure disappear before letting out a soft sigh. In her heart, she was just as worried—would William ever return to her side?

She went back to her room and saw her daughter Daisy hiding in the corner, crying quietly. Her heart ached, and she hurried over, squatting down to hug her. “Daisy, what’s wrong?”

Tears welled up in Daisy’s eyes. She pouted and sobbed, “I want to learn martial arts with William brother too!”

Evelyn Brooks held her in her arms, pressing her cheek to her daughter’s, and gently said, “Daisy, I’ll teach you martial arts from now on, just like William brother, okay?”

“No! I want to learn together with William brother.”

Evelyn Brooks wiped away her tears and smiled, “Silly child, William brother will come back tonight. We’ll compete with him and see whether my Daisy is better or William brother is better.”

“Okay!” Daisy nodded vigorously.

……

William followed the steward to the door of Thomas Harris’s study. The steward announced, “Old master, young master William has arrived.”

“Come in!”

William pushed open the door and entered the study. Inside were three people: his grandfather Thomas Harris, Raymond Ford, and a young military officer. The officer had dark skin, was about thirty years old, and gave William an immediate impression of extraordinary strength. He stood six feet five inches tall (one Sui foot is 29.5 cm), with a broad back and powerful build, his arms strong enough to lift a thousand pounds. He had a heroic yet unusually calm and resolute face, with especially narrow eyes. In the depths of his eyes shone a penetrating light.

He was also sizing up William, and was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected the Prime Minister’s grandson to be dressed in plain clothes. In his imagination, William should have been dressed in finery, exuding wealth, but there was no sign of that on this child. Though only five, he was tall and sturdy, walked with steady steps, and had a maturity and composure not seen in other children his age.

He had heard from Raymond Ford that this child was unusually fierce, but what he saw was not fierceness, but a kind of stubbornness and confidence. He narrowed his eyes slightly; William made a very good first impression—this was a child who could endure hardship.

William knelt on both knees and saluted his grandfather, “William greets grandfather!”