For some reason, Chris and Ryan Carter had not known each other long, yet they felt like old friends at first sight, as if they were confidants who had been close for many years. Toward this young man, Chris not only felt admiration, but also an undeniable sense of care. After all, Chris was already old and had witnessed much of the world’s storms and hardships. He knew that Ryan Carter was different from himself; if he wanted to achieve something, he would have to pursue an official career. That was why he offered today’s advice.

Ryan Carter saw the intense, caring look in Chris’s eyes and couldn’t help but feel a warmth in his heart. He took a small sip from his silver bowl and let out a light laugh. “Though I am young, I have no desire to become an official.”

At the side, John Adams heard Chris say that Ryan Carter was also the son of an official family, and couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “May I ask, Young Master Carter, what is your full name?”

Ryan Carter was slightly taken aback, but still cupped his hands and replied directly, “I am Ryan Carter, Lord Adams.”

“Ryan Carter? The son-in-law of Prime Minister Foster?” John Adams exclaimed in surprise, and a trace of disdain appeared on his face. Though it was faint and almost imperceptible, it still caught Ryan Carter’s eye. Ryan Carter sighed inwardly, but simply looked calmly at John Adams, showing no sign of shame on his face.

Although Andrew Bolton and John Adams were both officials in the capital, they had long heard that there was a good-for-nothing, disreputable son-in-law in Eugene Foster’s household. Of course, when it came to the infamous Ryan Carter, there were probably few in the Tang court who didn’t know his name. After all, his father was Stephen Carter, and his prospective father-in-law was Eugene Foster.

John Adams was upright, studious, and courteous by nature, with a strong and resolute character. In his life, he most despised shameless rakes like Ryan Carter. Although the young man before him seemed to have an extraordinary bearing, once he learned he was Ryan Carter, his expression clearly cooled, and he turned his head away, refusing to look at him again, even shaking his head slightly in secret: “No wonder he lacks ambition—he’s that notorious rake!”

Only Andrew Bolton’s expression remained unchanged. He too knew of Ryan Carter’s poor reputation, but being an independent and unconventional person, he found the young man’s calm and composed manner rather likable. Though he felt a bit disappointed, he did not show it.

Chris let out a long sigh in his heart. This was precisely why he had deliberately avoided mentioning Ryan Carter’s background at the gate. In his heart, he absolutely did not believe Ryan Carter was as bad as the rumors said, but with so many voices against him, what good was his own high regard? In private, he had even complained more than once: Little Brother Charles, oh Little Brother Charles, how did you end up with such a notorious reputation?

John Adams’s reaction was only natural. He was an official, a rising Confucian scholar—how could he look up to a rake like him? Ryan Carter understood this well, but still felt a bit resentful toward John Adams. He thought to himself that these so-called famous scholars of the Tang were nothing special, shallow and conventional. Still, it made him realize all the more clearly that he must clear his name as soon as possible, or he would find it hard to take even a single step in the Tang court.

Chris forced a few laughs, trying to smooth things over. “Little Brother Charles is also quite talented—why not compose a poem to match Mark Green?”

Ryan Carter gave a faint smile. Seeing the barely concealed disdain on John Adams’s face and the subtle speculation and confusion on Andrew Bolton’s, he suddenly lost all interest in mingling with these famous men of the Tang. Poetry was not beyond him—indeed, with over a thousand years of cultural essence in his heart, composing a poem was a simple matter.

But though he appeared indifferent, he was, at heart, a proud and unyielding person. Even if the ridicule was aimed at his “former self,” he could not accept it. Besides, he truly did not wish to “swallow his pride” and curry favor with those who looked down on him. Shaking his head, he said, “Old Ethan, let’s forget about poetry. I’ve had enough wine for today—please allow me to take my leave!” With that, he did not bid farewell to Andrew Bolton or the others, but simply stood up and turned to go.

John Adams sneered at the corner of his mouth. Seeing his frivolous and rude behavior, his dislike for Ryan Carter deepened.

Chris sighed softly, wanting to stop him but not knowing what to say, so he could only let him go.

A strange look flashed in Andrew Bolton’s eyes. Sitting cross-legged, he laughed loudly, “Young man, if you cherish your feathers so much, why do you not value them?”

Ryan Carter paused, slowly turned around, and the slight agitation on his face faded into utter calm. He said slowly, “Empty fame is like floating clouds to me. Time flows like water and cannot be held back; the past is like fallen flowers and cannot be retrieved. Gentlemen, the mountains remain, the rivers flow—let us part here.”

“Time flows like water and cannot be held back; the past is like fallen flowers and cannot be retrieved.” Andrew Bolton repeated, gazing at Ryan Carter as he strode away. He was about to say something when he saw Chris rise, apologize to the two of them, and hurriedly chase after him.

Andrew Bolton suddenly slapped the table, startling John Adams.

“David, my friend, look at his calm demeanor, his composed bearing, his measured actions—this so-called rake of the Prime Minister’s household doesn’t seem as bad as the rumors say.” Andrew Bolton hiccuped loudly.

John Adams smiled indifferently. “Just a frivolous youth—why should Mr. Mark Green think so highly of him? What does he have to do with us?”

Andrew Bolton burst out laughing. “True enough! Come, let’s keep drinking!”

……

……

“Little Brother Charles, wait!” Chris called out, stopping Ryan Carter just as he was about to leave. Catching his breath, he said, “Charles, this David Adams is a pure and upright scholar, proper and courteous… you needn’t take it too much to heart…”