A head-on confrontation, questioning directly.

He really hadn’t expected that this was what he cared about the most!

Stephen Mason's old face flushed slightly. He was already reeling from Henry Foster's rebuke, and now, seeing Richard Bolton shouting at him in anger, all his pent-up frustration was vented onto Richard Bolton!

“Shouning Marquis, what do you mean by going back on your word? When did I ever agree? We’ve gone to great lengths, negotiating with the new emperor, persuading him to consider the bigger picture—we’re already exhausted, so why are you here making things worse?”

Making things worse?

This was truly the first time Richard Bolton had heard such a thing!

When Zhengde was still alive, who dared to look down on him, the imperial uncle?

Even after Zhengde’s death, to curry favor with Empress Dowager Bolton, they were all obsequious and deferential.

How is it that after just over a month in power, they no longer care about this duke?

“Mr. Mason, let me ask you: did Zhu Houcong agree or not? What’s the point of telling me all this nonsense?”

This time, Stephen Mason was stumped, but he was unwilling to back down to Richard Bolton, so he could only retort angrily, “I will handle it myself—there’s no need for Shouning Marquis to worry!”

“Bah!”

Richard Bolton jumped up. “Let you handle it? What if you can’t hold out, and Zhu Houcong, as the Son of Heaven, inherits the throne—what will happen to my sister then?”

Richard Bolton invoked Empress Dowager Bolton, and the two fell into a stalemate.

On the side, Samuel Grant had been watching the drama for a while, but now it was no longer appropriate to remain silent.

“Shouning Marquis, if the new emperor does not consent, it is indeed a difficult matter. Minister Mason and I are also in a bind. If you have a good idea, why not share it?”

Richard Bolton glanced at the two with disdain.

Top scholars, huh!

Nonsense!

You can’t even handle such a simple matter—aren’t you just waiting to see what I can do?

Richard Bolton became even more arrogant. Curling his lips, he sneered haughtily, “Such a simple matter, and you don’t understand? Let me teach you!” He put on an air of superiority, which was truly unpleasant.

“Zhu Houcong is just a child—what does he know of court rituals and institutions? Use that against him! Outwardly agree, let him ascend the throne with the rites of a Son of Heaven, but secretly arrange for him to enter through the Dong’an Gate and reside in the Wenhua Hall—wouldn’t that settle it?”

Richard Bolton laid out his plan, looking very pleased with himself. “Well? I’ve done you a huge favor, haven’t I? No need to thank me—just go make the arrangements!”

This guy Richard Bolton had been a playboy for two reigns, never doing anything proper, but always coming up with plenty of bad ideas. According to Ming ritual, the emperor should enter through the Daming Gate, while only the crown prince enters through the Dong’an Gate. Even if Zhu Houcong refuses to acknowledge it a thousand times, once he enters through the Dong’an Gate, it’s as good as telling the world he admits to being the crown prince—he won’t be able to deny it, and everything else will be easy to handle.

Samuel Grant hesitated slightly, couldn’t help but nod, but then turned to ask Stephen Mason.

“What do you think of Shouning Marquis’s idea?”

“Not much!” Stephen Mason said bluntly. “If the new emperor sees through it, not only will it be humiliating, but it could also ruin everything. What should be done openly and properly, you insist on taking a crooked path—bringing disgrace upon yourself!”

Having his idea dismissed as worthless by Stephen Mason, Richard Bolton became even angrier. “Still better than having no idea at all and blushing with embarrassment! Secretary Mason, just do as I say!”

What’s that supposed to mean? You’re ordering me!

Stephen Mason flew into a rage. “Richard Bolton, don’t push me too far! I will never agree to such a shameless trick!”

It looked like the two were about to come to blows.

Samuel Grant kept a straight face, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, “Shouning Marquis, your proposal does have some flaws. In my opinion, we cannot treat the new emperor as an ordinary child. You’d better think of another way!”

Richard Bolton sneered. What other good idea could there be? This was already the simplest solution. The two of them refused only because they were afraid of offending Zhu Houcong!

“Secretary Mason, if you’re unwilling, that’s fine. There are still loyal ministers in the court.” With that, he turned his head toward the outside. “Mr. Carter, why don’t you say something too!”

So it turned out Richard Bolton had brought someone with him.

Sure enough, an old official in his fifties appeared, bowing and walking over with a dark expression.

Stephen Mason recognized him at a glance. This was David Carter, the Chief of the Imperial Academy, recently promoted to Vice Minister of Rites—a subordinate of Stephen Mason, though clearly not of the same mind.

After the formalities, David Carter took the initiative to say, “Minister, you have been welcoming the new emperor for over a month. Grand Secretary Yang holds the reins of government, the realm is orderly, and the people are in awe. But the new emperor has yet to ascend the throne, causing unrest; many decrees lack the emperor’s approval and cannot be implemented. I am unworthy, but I cannot bear to see this delay continue. Even if it means offending the new emperor, even if I am blamed, I will press on without hesitation!”

David Carter’s attitude was resolute. Stephen Mason was very displeased, feeling humiliated by his own subordinate.

“David Carter, you must act openly and properly!”

Stephen Mason said sullenly, which was almost a direct warning not to play tricks or take crooked paths!

David Carter’s face flushed, anger surging to his head.

He enunciated each word: “I am acting for the sake of the court. The most important thing now is for the new emperor to succeed to the throne as the filial emperor’s heir. For this, I am willing to risk everything, no matter the cost!”

Chapter 4: Mr. Carter Walks Right Into the Trap

Clap, clap, clap!

Richard Bolton couldn’t help but applaud, beaming as he praised, “Truly a loyal and righteous official! Then let me congratulate Mr. Carter in advance on your imminent success!”