"Nothing, nothing at all. I was just thinking, since big brother doesn't like getting married, he must be quite interested in the girls at the brothel, right? That's it—wives can't compare to concubines, concubines can't compare to prostitutes. Who would've thought that big brother and I share the same aspirations? Since we get along so well, why don't I host this time and guarantee your satisfaction, big brother? Once you've cooled off, I'll go with you to see Eunuch Wang, how about that?"

The officer clearly had no interest in listening to Quentin Bennett's nonsense, and continued dragging Quentin Bennett along by the arm.

Quentin Bennett was speechless, thinking to himself, Aren't you just an errand boy for a eunuch? What are you talking about integrity for? No way I can't fool you. His eyes darted around, and he reached into his own money pouch, pulled out a piece of broken silver, tossed it on the ground, and shouted, "Wow, who is so lacking in public morals, just throwing silver on the street? Such a big piece could kill someone if it hit them!"

The officer remained unmoved, still dragging Quentin Bennett along.

Quentin Bennett shouted, "Hey, hey, that's silver... a whole tael and three qian! Big brother, why aren't you picking it up?"

The officer's face was expressionless.

Quentin Bennett was in tears: "Heavens, my silver... my tael and three qian of silver..."

Quentin Bennett didn't notice the fleeting trace of coldness that flashed in the officer's eyes.

After turning a corner, the residence of the supervising eunuch was already in sight. The officer yanked Quentin Bennett into a small alley.

Quentin Bennett grew nervous, thinking, Is this guy going to kill me to silence me? Blocked by the officer's burly frame, he could only lean against the back wall, watching the officer warily. "Aren't we going to see Eunuch Wang?"

"Yes, that's right, we're going to see Eunuch Wang. But before that, there are some things I need to say to you." The officer gave Quentin Bennett a sinister smile. Though he was as cold as before, he was suddenly much more talkative.

Quentin Bennett sensed something was off. "What do you want to say?"

The officer sneered, "Nothing much. Didn't you just say you wanted to treat me at the Lichun Brothel, and that you dropped some silver? I saw your money pouch looked quite heavy just now—must be a lot of broken silver in there. Sigh, I know Eunuch Wang's temper very well. Do you think he'll let you off after you go in there? Like you said, you and I are fated to meet, so how about this: hand your money pouch over to me for safekeeping."

Quentin Bennett wasn't stupid. "Safekeeping" was just a wolf in sheep's clothing. He shook his head vigorously. "No way, I earned this with hard work. Why should I give it to you?"

For once, the officer showed a sly smile, clapping Quentin Bennett on the shoulder. "Within the four seas, all men are brothers. Now that your brother is in trouble, how could I just stand by? If you let me keep your money pouch, at least it won't be confiscated by someone else. I'm doing this for your own good. We met by chance, but we really hit it off. I can't just watch you die. Don't worry, later I'll put in a word with the people who'll be punishing you. I can't guarantee you won't get roughed up, but at least you'll keep your life."

This guy was clearly robbing him under the guise of helping. Quentin Bennett had thought this man was above petty gain, but it turned out he just didn't care for the small bribe offered earlier.

The officer looked at Quentin Bennett with a "for your own good" expression, while Quentin Bennett shot him a "you're ruthless" glare. Their eyes met, and Quentin Bennett suddenly felt like a little girl being lured away by a creepy uncle with a lollipop.

"Fine, since big brother is so righteous, what else can I say?" Quentin Bennett gritted his teeth, immediately took off his money pouch, and handed it over generously. This was all the silver he'd saved up selling prescriptions, but he had no choice—if he didn't give it up now, it would just be taken by force later. Sometimes it's better to be sensible.

"Good brother!" The officer patted Quentin Bennett on the shoulder, speaking with heartfelt emotion.

"Good big brother..." Quentin Bennett's eyes were red, with a faint glimmer of tears.

"You're a true brother. My name is James Carter, from now on you can call me Big Brother Carter. Big Brother Carter is known for his righteousness in Qiantang County. Don't worry, big brother won't let you suffer a loss."

"May you, you righteous bastard, get run over by a carriage tomorrow," Quentin Bennett cursed inwardly, but wiped his eyes, squeezed out a few tears, and grabbed James Carter's hand, saying, "Big Brother Carter treats me so well, I will never forget it."

"What are you saying? Even though we haven't burned yellow paper together, just for that one 'big brother,' there's no need for so many formalities. Helping a brother at all costs is my code of conduct. Oh, there's one more thing, which I think will benefit you too. Here, just put your fingerprint here." Stuffing the money pouch into his sleeve, James Carter was in high spirits. He cheerfully pulled out a sheet of paper from his sleeve, densely covered in small characters, handed it to Quentin Bennett, and took out a box of red ink, grinning, "Come on, just sign at the bottom right corner."

Quentin Bennett stared wide-eyed at the writing on the paper and couldn't help but gasp. Sure enough, what a good brother—this was a letter, addressed to his own father, saying that he was now trapped in the supervising eunuch's residence and asking the old man to find a way to rescue him, preferably by raising some silver and handing it over to Officer James Carter.

This... really was skinning him alive. This bastard had even prepared the letter in advance—he must have planned to fleece him from the very beginning.