“Old slave’s surname is Wang, Water King Wang, humble name David.” Although the old eunuch felt a bit stifled, he dared not say another word.

“Alright, Old Walker.” James Johnson nodded, finally unable to hold back his question: “What exactly did my mother consort do wrong?”

“Sigh, Your Highness, you’re still young. You’ll understand when you’re older.” David Walker just shook his head.

“You’re trying to teach me how to behave again?” James Johnson raised his thick eyebrows, using the same trick as before.

“Hahaha!” Before the old eunuch could speak, a hearty laugh rang out from the direction of Wan’an Gate. “Old Sixth, you’ve finally recovered!”

James Johnson looked toward the sound and saw three young men in round-collared dragon robes, smiling as they walked over.

The one in the middle, wearing a winged-shan crown and apricot-yellow robes, was his eldest brother, the Crown Prince of Ming, Mark Johnson. In his early twenties, he stood tall and straight, with a gentle, sincere smile that made people feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

To Mark Walker’s left, dressed in a red dragon robe, was the one who had just spoken—his fourth brother, the Prince of Yan, Edward Johnson.

Edward Johnson was only fifteen or sixteen at this time, not yet of age, his long black hair tied behind him, but already as tall as his eldest brother.

Both brothers had square faces, but unlike the crown prince’s jade-like features and gentle eyes, the Prince of Yan had a dark complexion, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and extremely expressive gestures and expressions, making him seem overly energetic.

During the days since James Johnson fell into the water, his three brothers had come to see him every day.

Wait, did he forget to mention one?

“Haha, you’re something else, kid! Daring to climb so high! Just like me!” Edward Johnson greatly admired James Johnson’s earlier antics, even trying to imitate him.

The attendants were so frightened they hurriedly carried the ladder away.

The crown prince looked James Johnson up and down, then suddenly frowned.

James Johnson’s heart skipped a beat, not knowing what was wrong.

He saw the crown prince reach out both hands and cup his neck.

James Johnson’s heart leapt to his throat, but his eldest brother’s middle and index fingers simply pinched his wrinkled collar and carefully smoothed it out.

Then, brushing the dust off his shoulder, the crown prince finally showed a satisfied smile.

“……” James Johnson also breathed a sigh of relief. What was that about? Clean freak or Virgo?

“If you can climb that high, you must really be fine. Go back to school tomorrow.” The crown prince’s next words made his face fall instantly.

“Aiya, I still feel a bit dizzy.” James Johnson clutched his head and swayed. David Walker hurried to support him.

“Alright, stop pretending.” The crown prince laughed and scolded, elegantly folding his left sleeve over his right, then flicked James Johnson’s forehead with his right hand: “This trick is old—your fourth brother’s used it up already, you can’t fool your big brother.”

“Big brother, you shouldn’t expose me in front of everyone.” Edward Johnson protested, then grinned and pleaded for James Johnson: “Tomorrow is the day the teacher checks our recitations. Let old sixth go the day after tomorrow instead.”

“True brother.” James Johnson gave Edward Johnson a thumbs up, and the Prince of Yan grinned proudly.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Am I a fake brother then?” Mark Johnson flicked his finger again, and though James Johnson tried to dodge, he still got hit. “The day after tomorrow, if you’re not in the main hall, watch out for your little butt.”

“Understood!” James Johnson quickly replied. Getting along with his brothers was easy and smooth.

“Very good.” The crown prince nodded, then waved his sleeve: “You all may leave.”

“Yes, sir.” David Walker quickly led the palace staff out in an orderly line.

In a moment, only the four imperial brothers were left in front of Wan’an Hall.

“Tell big brother, how exactly did you fall into the water that day?” The crown prince finally asked James Johnson gently.

Chapter Two: Relying on Others Is Not as Good as Relying on Yourself

How did he fall into the water that day?

James Johnson remembered that day, it was in the small garden behind the main hall.

During the lunch break, he thought of his mother consort and went alone to cry by the lotus pond.

While crying, it seemed someone pushed him, and with a splash, he fell into the water.

He just didn’t see who it was that pushed him in.

James Johnson had already gone over this in his mind several times. But just as he was about to blurt it out, he held back.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his big brother. But his vast experience watching palace intrigue dramas told him that in this deep palace, speaking carelessly could have serious consequences. Especially in his current situation, he had to keep his mouth shut.

“Still haven’t remembered?” The crown prince pressed, frowning.

“Mm.” James Johnson nodded, putting on a timid expression.

“Old Fourth, you were the one who saved old Sixth. Did you see anyone else there at the time?” Mark Johnson turned to Edward Johnson.

“Big brother, I’ve said it several times. I heard the noise and went over. At the time, old Sixth was the only one flailing in the water, didn’t see anyone else.” Edward Johnson pouted, bent his knees, and leapt high, picking a bright red persimmon from the tree and tossing it to Mark Johnson.

“This is a serious matter, don’t get impatient.” Mark Johnson caught the persimmon and said gravely, “Old Sixth falling into the water made father very angry. If he just slipped, that’s one thing. But if someone pushed him, that’s much more serious!”

“You and father are overthinking it. Who would dare lay a hand on a Ming prince?” Edward Johnson said carelessly as he repeated his trick, picking three more persimmons and handing them to his two younger brothers.

“Bite a bit off the edge and suck out the juice.” He was even considerate enough to instruct James Johnson on how to eat it, in case he didn’t know.