"First, Edward Thompson holds power over the court and brings chaos to the land. Though he is currently at the height of his influence, sooner or later he will be reviled for generations. Our The Bolton Family has been loyal and upright for generations, with a long-standing reputation for integrity. If we associate with such a treacherous villain, wouldn't that ruin our good name?"

"Second, Julian Wynn is Edward Thompson's lackey. Julian Wynn falsely accused and framed our elder brother, and nine times out of ten, it was at Edward Thompson's instigation... At this time, if we go to Edward Thompson for help, wouldn't that be utterly absurd?"

As soon as Henry Bolton finished speaking, Matthew Bolton was momentarily stunned—not because he agreed or disagreed with Henry Bolton, but because this prodigal who had always brought shame to the The Bolton Family by his lack of learning and discipline had actually shown such insight and spoken a few dignified and proper words, which took him by surprise.

Matthew Bolton also glanced at Henry Bolton in astonishment, feeling that today's Henry Bolton was somewhat different from before. But this thought flashed by and he didn't take Henry Bolton's words to heart.

What Henry Bolton said was not unknown to him, but he was left with no other choice. Even though Julian Wynn's false accusation against Samuel Bolton was at Edward Thompson's behest, at this moment, the The Bolton Family had no other path but to bow and plead with Edward Thompson.

Matthew Bolton sighed, his voice softening a little. "Henry, you are still young. Matters of the family are naturally for me, your third uncle, and your mother to decide. You may withdraw now."

Henry Bolton looked at Matthew Bolton with a complicated expression, then turned to look at Stephen Bolton, feeling anxious inside.

Even though he had solid evidence in his heart, he was unable to speak it aloud. And given the current situation, with his usual reputation as a wastrel, no matter how eloquently he spoke, no one would listen.

Chapter 006: Passionate Argument on Pros and Cons (3)

David Bolton turned back in shame and annoyance to glance at Clark. Seeing Clark standing there in a daze, not immediately stepping forward to "persuade" Henry Bolton to leave the hall, and thinking of his elder brother Samuel Bolton's life hanging in the balance, the anger and resentment he had suppressed for so long surged up all at once.

"Henry Bolton, are you still not leaving?" David Bolton's face was grim, his lips twitching slightly. He gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing his rage, and rebuked word by word, "Shameless, ignorant, disrespectful—you've truly disgraced the The Bolton Family!"

Henry Bolton frowned slightly. He slowly turned to look at David Bolton, whose face had become twisted with anger and anxiety, and said calmly, "Second brother, with our elder brother in prison, my heart is also heavy. At such a critical moment, we must not lose our composure! Everything should be carefully considered and planned."

David Bolton sneered, "Carefully considered and planned? Why don't you tell us, what exactly is your careful plan?"

"This matter is very clear. Edward Thompson instructing Julian Wynn to falsely accuse our elder brother is just a pretext. Their real target is His Highness the Crown Prince, not our The Bolton Family."

Henry Bolton took a step forward, ostensibly speaking to David Bolton, but his clear eyes were fixed on the elders Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton. "Precisely because of this, we must not act rashly. At such a critical moment, any move we make will arouse His Majesty's suspicion, which could plunge our entire family and clan into utter ruin!"

"At present, it would be best for us to wait and see how things develop. His Majesty is a wise ruler, and since this major case involves the Eastern Palace, he will surely order a thorough investigation and will not hastily assign blame!"

"We can first send someone to the Court of Judicial Review to gather information... and then proceed step by step."

It must be said, Henry Bolton's analysis and judgment were reasonable. Who is Edward Thompson? A powerful chancellor who dominates the court—how could he care about a low-ranking junior like Samuel Bolton? His real aim in instructing Julian Wynn to frame Samuel Bolton was ultimately to direct disaster toward the Crown Prince Hank Thompson.

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused and panicked. Matthew Bolton, Stephen Bolton, and David Bolton were all thrown into turmoil by the crisis, while Henry Bolton, as an outsider, remained calm and saw things clearly.

He could not "explain" the root cause of the great disaster that would befall the The Bolton Family if they turned to Edward Thompson, but he could point out the deeper stakes involved. With the political wisdom that Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton had accumulated over years of officialdom, it would not be hard for them to understand the key points.

Matthew Bolton and Stephen Bolton exchanged a glance and nodded subtly.

"Wait and see? Proceed step by step? Utter nonsense! With such a grave crime, His Majesty is furious, and punishment could come at any moment. If we don't act now to rescue our elder brother, he will surely die a wrongful death! Uncle, I will go prepare gifts and money right away. I beg you, uncle, to step forward..."

David Bolton was beside himself with rage, glaring at Henry Bolton. Judging by his posture, if not for the two elders present, he would have rushed forward and given Henry Bolton a resounding slap!

Henry Bolton sighed, looking helplessly at David Bolton, and said in a deep voice, "Second brother, you are too impulsive!"

"In the fifth year of Tianbao, the military governor of Longyou, Howard Freeman, also took charge of Hexi. In the first month, Howard Freeman met privately with Wayne Kent and His Highness the Crown Prince at the Jinglong Daoist Temple. Edward Thompson instructed the censor Peter Young to frame the Crown Prince... But what was the result? Although His Majesty dealt with Wayne Kent and Howard Freeman, he alone did not touch the Crown Prince."

"Howard Freeman's military command was handed over to the military governors of Shuofang and Hedong, Walter King. Walter King is known to be close to the Crown Prince Hank, a fact known throughout the court and the land. His Highness the Crown Prince came through unscathed, and Edward Thompson was powerless to do anything."