Albert Carter handed two marriage contracts to his second son and said calmly, "You just said you also want to stay in Nanjing. As your father, I am penniless now, so I’ll leave these two contracts with you for protection."

As he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Henry Carter; it was clear these words were meant for his grandson. "In the future, those two families will definitely come to claim them from you. Remember, unless they pay enough, never give in."

"Yes." Henry Carter and his father quickly replied respectfully.

"Sigh..." Albert Carter patted both of them on the shoulder and chuckled strangely, "Anyway, you two—one old, one young—what’s the harm in dragging things out for ten years or so without getting married? They’re the ones who can’t afford to wait. Remember, the longer you drag it out, the more you’ll gain."

William Carter was quite tempted by these words and couldn’t help but come closer, saying, "Father, why don’t you let me and my second brother each have one contract?"

"Get lost!" Albert Carter kicked him on the butt.

Chapter 10: The Older, the Wiser

The next day was the day Albert Carter was to return to his hometown. By coincidence, the buyer had also arranged to come collect the house on this very day.

Early in the morning, the five members of the family, carrying their bundles, walked out of the grand main gate of the Zhao residence.

Standing beside the imposing stone lions, watching the buyer’s servants climb up a ladder to remove the "Zhao Residence" plaque from the vermilion doorframe, the Zhao family naturally felt miserable.

Albert Carter was even more sorrowful, tears streaming down his face as he covered his face and sobbed, "I have served as an official all my life, only to end up like this. It truly feels like a fleeting dream..."

His children and grandchildren all wept with him before finally regaining their composure.

Then Edward Carter took the initiative and said, "Father, my son and I have discussed it. We’ll escort you home first, and then return to Nanjing. It won’t be too late."

William Carter chimed in from the side, "Yes, Father, let my second brother take you. He and his son have nothing urgent to do anyway."

"No need." Albert Carter waved his hand, pretending to be carefree as he said loudly, "I came here empty-handed, and I’ll leave empty-handed. Looking to the ends of the earth breaks one’s heart. I am still strong and healthy; I can go back by myself. You all should go your own ways and let me be alone for a while."

With that, he slowly sat down in front of the screen wall, staring blankly at the now plaque-less red mansion gate.

Albert Carter had always been a man of his word. The brothers William dared not disobey, so they took their sons, kowtowed to the old man, and then the four of them walked toward the street corner, looking back every few steps.

...

After turning the corner and losing sight of the old man, William Carter finally stopped and said to his younger brother, "Second brother, for now I can only stay in the official quarters. The place is small, and I’m not familiar with it, so it’s not convenient to host outsiders... Do you have somewhere to go?"

"I still have some loose silver on me. We’ll rent a place for now," Edward Carter replied honestly.

"Sigh, I’m just a lowly sixth-rank official, and my meager monthly salary really can’t help you much." William Carter sighed, trying to cut off any thought of Edward Carter borrowing money.

But Edward Carter hadn’t even considered that, and nodded in agreement, "That’s right. Father spent half his life in officialdom just to get this sinecure. Big brother, you must hold on to it. After nine years, you’ll surely be promoted."

"Sigh, let’s just endure for now." Seeing his brother still thinking of him, William Carter felt ashamed of his own petty thoughts and quickly changed the subject, "But second brother, do you have any hopes left by staying in Nanjing?"

Edward Carter glanced at his son and said, "It happens to be the year of the imperial examination. We have to try again..."

At this, Charles Carter, standing nearby, couldn’t help but snicker.

William Carter glared at his son, but he too had no hope for his brother’s pursuit of officialdom.

"Don’t waste your time. Let me help you find a teaching job at a private school. At least you two can make a living."

Suddenly, Henry Carter interjected, "Uncle, your kindness is appreciated, but it would be more practical to give us some silver to help us through this emergency."

William Carter felt a pang of pain, but since his nephew had spoken so directly, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and take out two silver ingots.

After hesitating for a moment, he took one back and said, "After your aunt and cousin return, I’ll have to find a place to rent as well, so I can only give you this much." Not all the Zhao men were bachelors; William Carter had a wife and daughter, but after the old man’s incident, they had gone back to her family’s home...

Afraid that William Carter would change his mind, Henry Carter quickly accepted the five-tael silver ingot.

Edward Carter then agreed with his elder brother that once he and his son found a place to stay, they would notify him at the official quarters of the Court of State Ceremonial. With that, he and his son headed north.

William Carter watched his brother and nephew cross the Wuding Bridge and disappear across the Qinhuai River before slowly turning his gaze away.

"Sigh..." He let out a long sigh, clearly feeling very bitter.

Charles Carter finally couldn’t hold back and asked, "Dad, I clearly saw you put forty taels in your pocket this morning. How come there’s only ten taels left?"

"Sigh, I slipped twenty taels into your grandfather’s bundle." William Carter sighed again, "The old man said he didn’t want a single coin from me—how could I really take him at his word?"

"Then what about the other ten taels?" Charles Carter pressed on, spoiling the mood.

William Carter immediately flew into a rage, kicking his son on the butt, "Are you stupid? Your maternal grandfather’s family is obsessed with money. Do you think they’ll let us stay if we show up empty-handed?"

Charles Carter was shocked, "Huh? Aren’t we going to stay at the official quarters? Why are we going to Grandpa’s house?"