This name is simply repulsive; there’s nothing worth saying to this playboy. But since he is the Empress Dowager Zhang’s brother, for the sake of his sister, there’s no choice but to meet him.

“It can’t be anything good. Let him in!” James Young said helplessly.

A moment later, Richard Bolton stormed in, full of anger, and plopped himself down right across from James Young.

“Grand Secretary Young, something terrible has happened! A big disaster!”

“Stephen Mason and Liang Chu have gone too far—they actually agreed to let Zhu Houcong enter through the Daming Gate, using the rites of a Son of Heaven. Isn’t this outright rebellion? Grand Secretary, you have to say something!”

James Young’s brows shot up. How could this not have been prevented? What on earth is Stephen Mason doing?

The Grand Secretary was furious, but in the next second, he calmed down. Stephen Mason is not a spineless man; someone must be stirring up trouble, and that person is most likely Richard Bolton!

Otherwise, why would he rush over like this?

James Young could already imagine that the sharp-minded Robert Young had angrily questioned him.

“Marquis Shouning, there must be a reason for everything. What is it? Without a reason, Minister Mao would never have agreed so easily!”

“The reason? Isn’t it just that Stephen Mason and the others want to curry favor with the new emperor, trying to please the young sovereign? They’ve already forgotten what they promised before… And these are the great ministers of Ming? Truly despicable!” Richard Bolton said with contempt.

“Enough!”

Robert Young suddenly shouted, startling Richard Bolton.

“Top Scholar, are you trying to scare me to death?”

Robert Young glared, eyes wide. “You and Vice Minister of Rites David Carter went to the imperial encampment outside the city together. Was it you two who made a mess of things? Was it?”

Exposed to his face, Richard Bolton was embarrassed.

He knew he couldn’t hide it, so he could only admit, “It’s all that fool David Carter’s fault. But even so, Stephen Mason and Liang Chu shouldn’t have agreed. Those two are just useless!”

Robert Young gritted his teeth. “Marquis Shouning, I want to know right now—what mistake did you make? Speak!”

Forced into a corner, Richard Bolton could only give a rough explanation.

But he still felt he wasn’t at fault; it was all because David Carter was incompetent, unable to fool even a child—truly useless!

But Robert Young didn’t see it that way; his eyes were practically bulging!

A perfectly good situation, ruined by Richard Bolton, and this guy still has the nerve to come here and complain—does he even know what shame is?

Robert Young was so furious he wanted to beat Richard Bolton up!

“The new emperor is just outside the city, the throne is vacant, and the longer the delay, the more criticism there will be. My father is already overwhelmed. The urgent task is to have the new emperor ascend the throne as soon as possible! Yet you’ve caused such a huge blunder—always making things worse instead of better! How do you expect us to clean up this mess?” he said, heartbroken.

“How is this my fault?”

Richard Bolton might not be good at much, but he’s an expert at passing the buck.

“In the end, it’s because you all didn’t draft the posthumous edict properly, giving Zhu Houcong an opening. I’m just cleaning up after you!”

Still full of grievances, Richard Bolton snorted coldly, “If you don’t handle this, I’ll go to my sister right now and have her issue an order to send Zhu Houcong back to Anlu and pick a more obedient one. If there’s one thing the Ming dynasty isn’t short of, it’s people who want to be emperor…”

“Get out!”

A thunderous roar!

The always-silent Grand Secretary James Young finally exploded; he was practically driven to tears by this idiotic teammate.

Is his brain made of mush?

Just a few days without an emperor, and he’s forgotten what he is.

This is the Ming dynasty—does he have a death wish?

“Go right now! Best if the Empress Dowager dismisses me too, so I don’t have to die along with you lot!”

James Young couldn’t help but erupt, and Richard Bolton was finally scared.

He said awkwardly, “How could I be so heartless… Grand Secretary, it’s still up to you. Hurry and come up with a plan, or if this drags on, it won’t end well!”

James Young sneered, “So you do know it’s bad! It’s too late, all too late!”

Just then, the steward rushed in again—Stephen Mason was requesting an audience!

Now things were really about to kick off…

Chapter 7: The Rites of a Son of Heaven

The two of them, one after the other, both came to complain.

The Prime Minister’s residence had practically turned into a marketplace.

One can imagine the mood of the The Young Family; James Young squinted his old eyes, Robert Young was panting like an ox, and suddenly, he noticed Richard Bolton actually getting up, ready to leave.

“Stop right there!”

Robert Young roared, “Marquis Shouning, Minister Mao is here. Didn’t you have so much to say? Go talk to him!”

Richard Bolton was mortified. He’d seen what happened to David Carter; if Stephen Mason got hold of him, his fate would be ten times worse!

“Um, Top Scholar, the Empress Dowager still needs me for something. You all discuss, just let me know the result, I…”

“Don’t even think about leaving!”

Stephen Mason, seething with anger, stormed in and locked eyes with Richard Bolton. The Minister of Rites’ eyes were bloodshot!

“Marquis Shouning, you sure got here fast!”

Richard Bolton rolled his eyes. He was cornered—being afraid wouldn’t help.

“Minister Mao, you’re here now—have you already reported your achievements to the new emperor? You escorted him into the city; this time, you’re sure to get a seat in the cabinet!”

“You…” Stephen Mason really wanted to curse, but swallowed the words back.

As the nation’s Grand Master of Ceremonies, he still had to maintain his dignity.