……

The back wing room.

Albert Carter was still leaning against the wall, basking in the sun.

Seeing his son lead the two in-laws inside, he slowly stood up and said with a forced smile, “There’s no place to sit inside, so let’s enjoy the sun here in the courtyard.”

“No problem, no problem, it’s rare to have such a sunny day.” Mr. Thompson cupped his hands toward Albert Carter and said, “Old sir, you’ve suffered.”

Mr. Foster was the junior and not an official, so naturally he deferred to Mr. Thompson in everything.

At this moment, Henry Carter and Charles Carter brought out two dirty long benches and a rickety old square table, setting them up in the courtyard. Edward Carter found a brick to prop under a table leg, so the tabletop could finally hold things.

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Foster braced themselves and sat together on the same bench.

William Carter brought out a teapot, but what he poured into the cups was just plain water.

Albert Carter smiled faintly, “I’m afraid I’ve made you two in-laws laugh.”

“Not at all, old sir. Who hasn’t had their share of troubles?” Mr. Thompson waved his hand and smiled, indicating it was nothing.

“Exactly. Uncle, don’t worry, there’s no hardship that can’t be overcome. With everyone’s support, we’ll get through it.” Mr. Foster also offered comfort.

“With your words, I am truly comforted.” Albert Carter sat down cheerfully on another bench, picked up his cup, took a sip of water, and even closed his eyes to savor it out of habit.

After a few empty pleasantries, Mr. Thompson took an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Albert Carter.

“Old sir, you’ll be returning home soon. Here’s a small travel gift, just a token of my regard.”

Mr. Foster quickly took out an identical envelope and handed it to Albert Carter as well.

Albert Carter looked at the two of them, then at the two envelopes. He reached out and opened one, revealing a promissory note for five hundred taels.

The Zhao brothers standing behind Albert Carter immediately brightened at the sight. That wasn’t some worthless paper money, but a merchant’s promissory note redeemable among the Huizhou merchants—real, full-value five hundred taels of silver!

Edward Carter shot his son a proud look, as if to say: “See? Living off both sides really pays off, doesn’t it?”

Henry Carter couldn’t help but nod repeatedly. He saw clearly that the old man had opened Mr. Thompson’s envelope; his own father-in-law’s would be at least as much, if not more.

William Carter and his son were also delighted. The family hadn’t split up, so as long as there was meat in the pot, they’d get a share.

Amid the joy, William Carter couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for his son, thinking to himself: “Too bad my late in-law didn’t leave any inheritance, or my son could have had an easy life too.”

But leaving aside the Zhao family’s shamelessness, Albert Carter’s expression suddenly turned grim, showing not a trace of happiness.

With a flick of his fingers, he pulled out a red slip from beneath the promissory note, on which was written Edward Carter’s birth details!

“What’s the meaning of this?” Albert Carter sneered, and the four members of the Zhao family were all stunned.

That slip had been the token given to the Zhou family when the engagement was arranged. Now it had returned to the Zhao family—surely not by accident?

Henry Carter gave Edward Carter a wry look, as if to say: Didn’t you say your father-in-law had integrity? Where did it go?

As for the other envelope, there was no need to even look. If even the dignified Guozijian Sacrificial Wine wanted to break off the engagement, how could a mere merchant like Liu be relied upon? Pigs might as well climb trees!

Seeing that things had come to a head, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Foster had nothing left to hide.

Mr. Thompson shot Mr. Foster a look, meaning: I’ve fired the first shot, now it’s your turn.

“Please forgive me, old sir.” Mr. Foster coughed awkwardly and said in a muffled voice, “The road to Xiuning is long and treacherous, and my daughter is frail and often ill. I’m afraid she can’t make the journey…”

But Edward Carter suddenly said, “Don’t worry, in-law. My son and I have already decided to stay in Nanjing. If need be, we can even go to Suzhou for the wedding.”

“Uh…”

Mr. Foster hadn’t expected a scholar like Edward Carter to be so shameless, and was left speechless, just staring in astonishment.

Henry Carter nearly fainted. Go to Suzhou for the wedding? Wouldn’t that make you a live-in son-in-law? For heaven’s sake, have you no shame?

Chapter 9: Your Grandfather Is Still Your Grandfather

In front of the back wing room, the atmosphere was unbearably awkward.

Albert Carter had spent decades navigating officialdom and was as shrewd as they come; he would never be as naive as his children and grandchildren.

When Henry Carter and his father went out earlier, he hadn’t held out much hope. The old man knew well that the two marriages he’d arranged for his descendants were based on mutual benefit. Now that he’d been dismissed and had no hope of reinstatement, there was no reason for others to share the Zhao family’s misfortune. But saying such things would only dampen spirits, so Albert Carter hadn’t tried to stop them.

Besides, there’s always a chance—if he could get some silver out of it, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

But as soon as Albert Carter saw these two, who barely knew each other, arrive together so early, he knew nothing good would come of it.

He crossed his arms and glared coldly at Mr. Thompson and Mr. Foster.

The gaze of a former third-rank official carried real weight. What’s more, the two men knew they were in the wrong; at this point, Mr. Foster was at a loss for words and could only hope Mr. Thompson would hold firm.

Mr. Thompson, after all, was a Hanlin scholar and a man of the world, so he could still speak calmly under Albert Carter’s intimidating stare.