Robert Evans followed nervously, and upon hearing this, hurriedly interjected, “Officer, I actually know a secret, it’s definitely a big deal. As long as you show mercy and don’t drag me to see the authorities…”

Edward Clark’s gaze turned cold: “Speak.”

Robert Evans opened his mouth, realizing he didn’t have any room to negotiate, so he could only speak honestly:

“Quite a few gamblers have gone missing in the city lately. The authorities aren’t looking into it, but I’ve heard it might have something to do with Baima Manor outside the city…”

Edward Clark frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then turned his head and said, “Get lost.”

“Thank you, young master!” Robert Evans’s face lit up with joy and he turned to run.

“Hey—stop right there!”

Martha Foster had finally caught a fat rabbit, and seeing this, grew anxious. She ran after him for a couple of steps, glanced at Edward Clark beside her, and her voice grew weaker:

“That’s two hundred taels of reward silver… that’s three years of my salary…”

Edward Clark whistled to call his horse, mounted up, and said, “Go investigate the matter at Baima Manor, and also check with the office to see if any notorious outlaws have entered the city recently… I’ll give you seven days. If you come to me next time still dragging me to catch stray cats and dogs, I’ll sell you to a brothel, and I guarantee you’ll make more silver than you can ever spend.”

Martha Foster shivered and replied weakly, “Don’t be so fierce, I’m a Wolf Guard, selling me would be illegal…”

“I can kill people and it’s not illegal, so what law am I breaking by selling someone?”

“Even if the emperor breaks the law, he’s punished the same as a commoner…”

“I’m not the emperor, nor am I a commoner.”

“Oh… got it.”

Martha Foster lowered her head meekly, watching as Edward Clark rode off at a gallop, and quietly stuck out her tongue:

“So arrogant…”

Chapter Ten: Apology

After a busy morning at the West Market, he rode to the dismount stele outside the Imperial Academy, and by then the sun was already high in the sky.

Old Smith, who had been waiting at the dismount stele for a long time, greeted him with a cheerful smile: “How did it go, little prince? Did you win the heart of that silly girl?”

Edward Clark sighed, “Martha Foster is a bit scatterbrained. Can’t we switch to someone else?”

Old Smith shook his head, “The archives are full of confidential files from all the noble families. Anyone who barges in is treated as a traitor. If it were someone cleverer, they definitely wouldn’t take the risk.”

Edward Clark nodded, said no more, and went straight into the Imperial Academy. According to the rules, skipping class meant a day of bell-ringing as punishment. He didn’t like hanging around with the brats in Wenqu Courtyard, so he went straight to the Bell and Drum Tower.

There were rooms under the Bell and Drum Tower specifically for students to reflect in solitude. The rooms contained only a bed and a desk, neat and spotless. Edward Clark sat down at the desk, picked up the brush and ink, and began copying the “Xue Ji”.

He had just finished writing a hundred or so characters when a graceful figure floated past the window in front of him. She was looking up cautiously, walking lightly as if afraid of being discovered, her hands folded at her waist, taking a few steps before turning back, then continuing upward.

Edward Clark frowned slightly, put down his brush, thought for a moment, shook his head, and pretended not to see.

Thump, thump, thump—

Footsteps came from upstairs, circled around above, and a voice said, “Huh~ I was sure he came over here…” Then came the sound of ‘thump, thump, thump—’ as she came down the Bell and Drum Tower and stopped outside the window.

Edward Clark’s brows furrowed tightly. He got up, raised his hand, and closed the window with the pole.

Grace Johnson heard the sound, turned her head, her hair swirling around her, eyes lighting up with surprise. Before she could say anything, there was a soft ‘bang—’ as the window closed.

Grace Johnson was stunned for a moment, thought it over, then walked to the door and knocked gently.

Knock, knock—

“No one’s here.”

“Your Highness, may I… may I come in?”

“……”

“…Then I’m coming in, okay…”

Creak—

The door opened.

Grace Johnson entered the room, dignified and polite, with a slightly embarrassed smile as she walked to the desk and gave a small curtsey:

“Lord Xu, about last time…”

“Close the door behind you.”

“Hm?”

Grace Johnson blinked, seeing that Edward Clark was seriously copying text without looking up. She smiled softly and turned to close the door.

But as she turned back, she suddenly found that Edward Clark was already behind her, hand braced against the door, standing very close, blocking her against the door.

Kabedon.

“Ah—”

Grace Johnson was startled, her hands curled up in front of her chest, her back pressed against the door, looking up at the frowning Edward Clark, her voice trembling:

“Lord Xu, what are you doing?”

“I should be asking you that.”

Edward Clark looked down at the uninvited Grace Johnson, a faint fragrance drifting over, and leaned in a little closer:

“A young lady, coming alone to find a man—are you hoping to become a princess?”

“I…”

Grace Johnson pursed her lips, a hint of annoyance in her eyes, and said softly, “Why must Lord Xu speak so bluntly… I… I came to apologize. Last time you hit Xiao Ting, I misunderstood you.”

Edward Clark frowned at this:

“Misunderstood what?”

Grace Johnson was very earnest: “I thought Lord Xu had a violent temper, but I didn’t expect you to be a true gentleman who doesn’t care for empty reputation. Last time, you only punished Xiao Ting because he was disrespectful, and the time before that, you solved the private salt case…”

Edward Clark’s face darkened. If Aunt Lu heard this, she’d probably nag him again, saying he “can’t even hide his own merits and faults.”