The pardon that had just filled countless people with joy and thunderous applause plunged Matthew Perry into an icy abyss. Whether it was the deafening drums, the cheers filling the sky, or the dazzling lights and fireworks all around, he could hear nothing, see nothing.

He was his father's only son, studying both literature and martial arts from a young age, enduring countless hardships. Yet no matter how hard he worked, praise was rare. Even so, the bond between father and son was strong. Whenever he saw his father's long shadow in the setting sun, or heard that lonely voice reciting long poems, he always felt a tightness in his chest. Although Tingzhou could hire good martial arts instructors, only his father could teach him to read and write. Thus, despite his broad knowledge and impressive skills, his experience with the ways of the world was very limited.

These days, while wandering the streets and alleys, everyone said the Perry family had been wronged, and everyone said the new emperor’s ascension would surely bring a general amnesty. But if that was so, why was today’s pardon like this?

“Little Pei!”

Eric Blake called several times without getting a response, finally having to shout loudly. When the dazed boy turned around and looked at her with a deeply bewildered gaze, she immediately lost all interest in enjoying the lanterns of the Lantern Festival. She grabbed him and pulled him aside, not even caring about the delicate lantern that fell to the ground. However, because of the earlier pardon, the area was packed with people, and the voices singing praises were endless. How could they possibly squeeze a path through the crowd?

Last time, she had that big dumb goose by her side to clear the way; this time, it was up to her. After struggling for a dozen steps, Eric Blake was already drenched in sweat. As she pushed past someone in front of her, she unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar figure not far away. She froze, even rubbing her eyes in disbelief.

That middle-aged man in a blue robe and headscarf was actually the new Grand Commandant, Prince of Anguo, Thomas Thompson! In such a chaotic street, this famously good-natured prince, the emperor’s own brother, was not in the palace watching the performances of the court entertainers, but had come out to join the festivities without any reservation?

Startled, Eric Blake quickly lowered her head, hoping to slip by unnoticed. After all, though they were technically relatives, she had met this cousin-uncle only a handful of times; he probably wouldn’t remember her. However, just as she was about to lead Matthew Perry past Prince Thomas Thompson and his attendants and disappear into the crowd, a voice called out from behind.

“Hm... Seventeenth Lady?”

That one call of “Seventeenth Lady” dashed all of Eric Blake’s hopes. She never expected that not only did the former empress have a remarkable memory, but even her son could remember faces so well.

Since she had been recognized, she couldn’t pretend not to hear. She turned around, feigning surprise, glanced at him, and quickly forced a smile, calling out, “Uncle.”

Outside, the lights blazed and the crowd roared, but Thomas Thompson, surrounded by people, appeared completely at ease, as if he had truly blended in with the common folk. He smiled warmly at Eric Blake for a moment, then turned to study Matthew Perry beside her. At first, it was just curiosity, but as he looked, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Eric Blake seemed to be standing properly, but she was actually sneaking glances at Thomas Thompson’s expression the whole time. Could the prince really know Matthew Perry? Impossible—when this boy was born, Pei Yan had already been dead for years. Still, Pei Yan had once been this prince’s teacher, and their relationship was far from ordinary. If Matthew Perry truly was Pei Yan’s descendant, perhaps Thomas Thompson, as his former student, could see something familiar.

After a long moment, Thomas Thompson gave a self-deprecating smile. “Heh, seeing the young man beside you just now, I suddenly thought of an old friend. By the way, Seventeenth Lady, there’s a lantern festival going on inside tonight. Why aren’t you staying in there? What brings you out here?”

“It was stuffy inside, and no one would notice me anyway, so I came out for a walk. Besides, Uncle, aren’t you also out here in plain clothes tonight?”

Eric Blake replied with a teasing smile. If it were any other elder, she would never dare, but with the good-natured Prince, the more polite you were, the less pleased he’d be.

Sure enough, Thomas Thompson didn’t mind her little bit of cheekiness at all. Instead, he laughed and said, “You’re right. I’ve grown tired of those song and dance performances. It’s much better to come here and celebrate with the people. Look at these lanterns, these common folk—much more pleasant than those heavily made-up singers! When I go home and see my children, and my newborn grandson, what more could I ask for?”

Prince Thomas Thompson was a good-natured man—this Eric Blake knew. But she hadn’t expected that this former puppet emperor would be so easily content. At that moment, she felt a genuine sense of closeness, for her late father had also been such a contented, good-natured man. Of course, closeness was one thing—she was still young, and while she didn’t expect to shape the fate of the nation, she did hope for a more exciting life.

“Uncle, you truly are a broad-minded person!”

Eric Blake sincerely praised him. Seeing Thomas Thompson smiling so serenely, she was about to make a few more lighthearted remarks to get by, when suddenly a commotion arose nearby. Just as she was wondering what was happening, a man dressed as a black-clad guard hurried over, looking rather grim.