He suddenly rushed in front of Old Master, hugged Old Master, and pleaded pitifully, “Grandfather, please don’t hit my father, okay? It’s only natural for Grandfather to discipline his son, but every time my father tries to hit me, as long as I recite an essay, he can’t bring himself to do it. Now that Grandfather wants to hit my father, how about I recite an essay for Grandfather? If I recite an essay, does that mean the father won’t hit the son?”

　　This childish voice, however, was filled with fatherly love, drawing everyone’s attention.

　　And yet, this little fellow, with his innocent ‘child’s words’, left Old Master a bit dazed and distracted. His emotions were too complicated; looking at this grandson, he was momentarily at a loss.

　　In Mr. Carter’s heart, perhaps this boy had a side he loved, but also a side he hated.

　　Second Uncle squinted his eyes. He didn’t sense any scheming from this boy; instead, he almost wanted to laugh. Did he really think a few pleas would calm Grandfather’s anger? If the family rules aren’t enforced, how can this resentment be vented?

　　He said with a smile, “Yes, father, since Eldest Brother has already returned, that’s a happy occasion. Let’s just let the matter of Seamstress go.”

　　Left and right, it was all about Seamstress.

　　At the mention of Seamstress, Mr. Carter was instantly furious again. Every time he heard Seamstress, he couldn’t help but want to thrash this disappointing son.

　　“Grandfather, don’t be angry. I’m going to recite the essay now.” William Carter quickly eased the situation. He sensed the deep malice from Second Uncle. Could it be… now that his father had returned, this Second Son was scheming over the inheritance?

　　Hmm… very likely. If father never came back, this family would have belonged to Second Uncle.

Chapter Three: Persuasion with Emotion

　　When William Carter said he was going to recite an essay, several children standing to the side couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

　　One of the younger ones even muttered under his breath, “Why is this Cousin so silly?” As soon as he finished, an Aunt behind him pinched him hard on the back, and he immediately fell silent, not daring to make another sound.

　　Judging by their reactions, they clearly thought he was wasting his effort.

　　Sigh…

　　William Carter sighed inwardly, but still shook his head and recited word by word, “In ancient times, those who founded a nation always secured the dangers of the valleys as their stronghold, sometimes with their backs to Mang Mountain and facing the Luo River…”

　　William Carter enunciated clearly, each word spoken either with vigor or solemnity.

　　But at this moment, no one in the hall could laugh anymore.

　　Mr. Carter’s face showed surprise as he looked at William Carter in disbelief.

　　That Second Uncle looked as if he had seen a ghost.

　　William Carter continued, “Or embracing the river and bordering the lake, all to emphasize the importance of strategic terrain…”

　　Mr. Carter’s expression actually softened. He closed his eyes and let out a gentle sigh.

　　This essay wasn’t particularly outstanding—just an ordinary local record.

　　William Carter had retrieved it from his neural computer, and the author was none other than Mr. Carter himself. Mr. Carter was considered a local celebrity in Fenghua County, and traces of him could always be found in the local chronicles, which included such an essay. The county records noted: The county lord praised it, had it inscribed on a stele by the riverbank, and passed it down to future generations.

　　How to put it… Mr. Carter was a local gentry, and the county often needed to repair the riverbank. Since the riverbank was repaired, of course a stele had to be erected and the story recorded—this was an ancient tradition. William Carter rather cynically guessed that it was probably because the county magistrate saw how enthusiastically the The Carter Family donated money and grain, so he asked Mr. Carter to write an essay, then ‘naturally’ praised it and had it carved on a stele.

　　William Carter firmly believed that this essay was one of the few brilliant works in Old Master’s life. When he wrote it, it was also the moment of his greatest pride. Now, hearing it recited from William Carter’s mouth, it was enough to stir a certain resonance in him.

　　This grandson had never returned to Fenghua County—how did he know this essay?

　　Of course, it was taught by his father, Henry Carter.

　　His father, this unfilial son, had run off with a woman, but the grandson could recite his essay fluently. It showed that… in the heart of the unfilial son, there was still a place for his father.

　　William Carter finished reciting the essay in its entirety. Looking at the now softened face of Mr. Carter, he put on a pitiful expression and said, “In the past, when my father wanted to hit me, as long as I recited this essay, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Now I’ve recited the essay again—does that mean Grandfather won’t hit my father?”

　　Mr. Carter’s old face trembled, and he could only sigh.

　　The implication was that this essay must have been extremely important to Henry Carter. If it weren’t, how could it have become William Carter’s protective charm? This son… ran away from home for a woman, but in his heart… it wasn’t as if he had no place for his father at all.

　　Mr. Carter’s feelings were complicated, his face weary, and he no longer had the heart to enforce the family rules. He just gave Henry Carter a cold glance and said, “From today on, you are confined to the house. You are not to leave for a year. If it happens again, I’ll beat you to death myself. Edward Carter…”

　　That Second Uncle had recovered from his shock, gave William Carter a cold glance, but replied respectfully, “What are your orders, father?”

　　Mr. Carter said indifferently, “Prepare a courtyard for the father and son to live in, and have Charles Carter attend to them.”

　　With Old Master’s word as law, everyone understood that the eldest of the The Carter Family had once again returned to the family.