Seeing Clark and David Bolton personally waiting just inside the mansion gates, the nearly fifty-year-old Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton steadied themselves, stopped together, and bowed to Clark, “Eldest sister-in-law! Sorry to trouble you to wait for us.”

David Bolton hurriedly performed a deep formal bow, “Greetings to both uncles!”

Clark also came from an official family, and as the principal widow of eldest brother William Bolton, she still held an imperial decree from the court, so Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton dared not be disrespectful.

Clark returned the bow and said softly, “Sorry to trouble both uncles with the long journey. Please, let’s talk in the main hall.”

The group silently entered the front hall of the Zhang residence and took their seats. David Bolton instructed several servants to serve tea to Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton, then ordered the maids to withdraw and tightly closed the hall doors. She then returned and sat at the lower seat.

Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton were both officials in the capital, though only holding minor literary posts without real power. Matthew Bolton was a Chaoyi Lang, while Stephen Bolton was a Junior Supervisor in the Directorate of Works, both fourth-rank officials.

Their residences were not far from here. Although the three families lived separately, they were still one family. When Samuel Bolton was arrested and thrown into prison, the two uncles heard the news—even if David Bolton hadn’t come to invite them, they would have come to discuss countermeasures with Clark and David Bolton.

The emperor’s will is unpredictable, and Samuel Bolton was framed for the grave crime of treason. Even if he survived, he would be skinned alive; if things went badly, the entire Zhang clan could be implicated. Thus, Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton both wore gloomy expressions, and the atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive.

After a long silence, Matthew Bolton finally sighed deeply and said, “Eldest sister-in-law, Yi He, Licheng is steady by nature—treason is absolutely impossible. This can only be the work of a villain’s false accusation. A few days ago, I heard that Licheng offended Censor-in-Chief Ji Wen, and I felt uneasy at the time… Sure enough, in just a few days, disaster has struck.”

“This Ji Wen is insidious, treacherous, and vengeful, yet he enjoys the trust of Prime Minister Li and His Majesty. Over the years, who knows how many have suffered at his hands… Alas, nephew Licheng is still too young and impulsive…” Stephen Bolton also sighed, turning to look at David Bolton, “Yi He, you went to the Prime Minister Chen’s residence—what did he say?”

David Bolton looked a bit pale, stood up respectfully, and replied, “In answer to uncle, I did not see Prime Minister Chen. He refused all visitors…”

“As expected. Back when eldest brother was alive, he looked after Chen Xilie in many ways. But that old scoundrel has no sense of gratitude at all. The ways of the world are truly cold and indifferent—there’s nothing more to say!” Stephen Bolton slammed the table in anger.

Matthew Bolton frowned and said in a low voice to Stephen Bolton, “Third brother, mind your words!”

Stephen Bolton’s lips trembled, but he swallowed his indignation and lowered his head in silence.

“This is truly a calamity from the blue. His Majesty is especially sensitive and vigilant regarding treason—he will not let go of even the slightest clue. As the saying goes, ‘Better to kill by mistake than let one go…’”

“Not to mention nephew Licheng—even Censor-in-Chief Wang Hong, who once enjoyed imperial favor and great power, was implicated in a treason case and executed just recently, with the entire Wang clan exiled…”

Stephen Bolton nodded grimly, “Exactly. Other charges might be excused, but this one… whether true or false, His Majesty takes it extremely seriously…”

“Moreover, Licheng is close to the Crown Prince… which makes His Majesty even more suspicious and wary…”

Clark, after all, was a woman uninvolved in politics, and David Bolton was still young. Their understanding of the situation was not as deep as that of the two “old hands” in the court, Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton. Though disaster had come to their door, they did not fully grasp the severity of the problem. Now, hearing the two men speak, both were shaken to the core, their faces ashen, and they felt lost and at a loss for what to do.

“Uncles, what should we do?” Clark asked in panic, her voice trembling.

Matthew Bolton was silent for a long time before he spoke softly, “At present, there is only one way, though it is hardly a solution.”

“Ji Wen is a lackey of Prime Minister Li. Prepare a generous gift and ask Prime Minister Li for leniency—there may be a sliver of hope.”

As soon as Matthew Bolton said this, before Clark and David Bolton could respond, Stephen Bolton flushed and retorted, “Eldest brother was framed and dismissed by Li Linfu—how can we ever forget this enmity? Besides, though our Zhang family lacks power, we are a renowned gentry clan—how can we stoop to beg a treacherous villain like Li Linfu and consort with such people?”

Matthew Bolton turned silently to look at Stephen Bolton, and said in a low voice, “Then what do you suggest, third brother? Right now, Li Linfu dominates the court, and Ji Wen acts recklessly under his protection. Only Li Linfu can restrain Ji Wen, and only then does nephew Licheng have a glimmer of hope… So tell me, if we don’t ask Li Linfu, who else can we turn to?”

“I actually think a true villain like Li Linfu is far better than a hypocrite like Chen Xilie!” Matthew Bolton sneered. “You are a Junior Supervisor in the Directorate of Works, and Li Linfu’s son, Li Xiu, is your direct superior. We could consider approaching Li Xiu.”

Stephen Bolton was momentarily speechless, and could only sigh in despair, gripping the seat cushion as his expression shifted.

Chapter 005: Passionate Arguments on Pros and Cons (2)

The Zhang family’s reputation in Chang’an was excellent.

William Bolton was not only a renowned minister and virtuous prime minister of his generation, but also a master of poetry and prose, highly esteemed among the literati. Although the talents of Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton did not match William Bolton, they were still considered refined members of the gentry, with considerable literary reputation. It was only because of the painful lessons from William Bolton that the two became more reserved in character and learned to protect themselves.