Alice Bennett had a relatively peaceful birthday and breathed a slight sigh of relief, but soon began to worry again—would those officials who brought New Year gifts, upon returning to the capital, casually bring tales of himself and Edward Carter's "romance" back with them?

Back when Prince Ning fell from power, the The Carter Residence had played a part, and later had added insult to injury more than once. Even now, whenever the topic came up, Samuel Grant still wanted to eat the entire The Carter Residence alive. Alice Bennett, however, felt no guilt; he was only concerned that if Edward Carter ever heard the nonsense he had made up, he would be so furious he'd go to his emperor uncle for an imperial decree to immediately flatten the The Warren Residence.

But as a year or two passed, rumors swirled in the capital, yet there was never any movement from Edward Carter's side.

During this time, a rather bold prefect, while reporting to the capital, brought along a fan he had obtained from Alice Bennett, said to be a former belonging of Young Lord Carter, intending to knock on the doors of the The Carter Residence.

The prefect had just entered the capital when Alice Bennett was already making arrangements for his own aftermath.

But unexpectedly, a few months later, the prefect returned, beaming with joy.

The prefect brought many gifts and thanked Alice Bennett profusely. Alice Bennett was quite startled and hesitantly asked, “Henry... is he well?”

Edward Carter, courtesy name Henry.

The prefect launched into a passionate praise of Edward Carter, as if there was no one like him in heaven or on earth.

Alice Bennett cautiously asked again, “And the matter you requested, my lord...?”

The prefect was overjoyed: “Of course it was approved! With that token, and... ahem, the old friendship between you two, everything went smoothly.”

Having been tempered into a rather smooth operator before even coming of age, Alice Bennett barely managed to keep his composure that day, maintaining proper etiquette as he sent the overjoyed prefect on his way.

……

“I never dared to hope, but now that the prince is leaving for at least half a year, I truly miss him, so I was wondering, perhaps...”

Alice Bennett snapped back to attention and gave the chattering county magistrate a polite smile, knowing full well he was here to ask for something.

Alice Bennett touched the jade pendant at his waist—this was the last thing he had managed to get from Edward Carter. Alice Bennett had wanted to keep it, but then remembered that when he first arrived in the southern frontier, this magistrate had been fairly courteous to Samuel Grant, and Alice Bennett felt grateful.

Alice Bennett hated owing anyone anything. He took off the jade pendant from his waist and smiled, “This is what Young Lord Carter always wore back then. He’ll recognize it at a glance...”

The magistrate was overjoyed, quickly taking it with both hands and leaving in high spirits.

Alice Bennett stood up and followed the magistrate out to see him off.

“Move faster.”

They were leaving today, and the The Warren Residence was in chaos, with servants hurrying back and forth, carrying luggage in and out. The old steward of the residence glanced at the magistrate from afar, ignored him, then stood in the courtyard, looked up at the sun, and, still dissatisfied with everyone’s speed, kept urging, “Hurry up! Get the young lady’s carriage ready first, have it waiting in the back courtyard!”

The steward was calling out orders in all directions. When he turned around, he saw Alice Bennett approaching and finally went over to greet him.

The old steward, William Harris, frowned deeply. “What did he come to ask for this time?”

“Nothing much, just came to see us off. The prince didn’t want to deal with him, so he had me handle it.” Alice Bennett smiled, and casually took a heavy box of books from the maid beside him, tying it onto the carriage as he spoke, “No need to rush, nothing inside is packed yet anyway.”

The maid bowed to Alice Bennett, blushing, and hurried into the main hall with her head down.

Alice Bennett was handsome, tall, and, rare for someone of his status, easygoing and kind to everyone. In his twenties and still unmarried, many of the maids in the residence liked him.

The old steward, William Harris, frowned even more. “This isn’t your job. Go inside and wait.”

Alice Bennett finished tying the box, patted it, and said, “Waiting is boring.”

William Harris was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “All these years, every year on the Emperor’s birthday, His Majesty never remembered our prince. Why did he suddenly...”

Alice Bennett smiled calmly. “It’s nothing.”

William Harris said worriedly, “Last night, the lights in the prince’s room were on all night. He just turned seventeen last month—so young, and he...”

“If the Emperor wants the prince to go to the capital, can he refuse?” Alice Bennett waited until a young servant had walked away, then said softly, “The Emperor just isn’t at ease and wants to see these children. Let him see them—once he’s reassured, he’ll naturally let us come back, and then we can go back to our peaceful days.”

William Harris wanted to say more, but Alice Bennett's voice grew even softer: “Samuel Grant holds the title of commandery prince and is about to come of age. Is it possible not to let the Emperor see him?”

William Harris frowned. “Then why see Young Master Ethan and the young lady? They’re so young...”

Young Master Ethan refers to Ethan Grant. The young lady is Grace Grant, the pair of dragon-phoenix twins of Prince Ning.

Alice Bennett gave a slight smile. “You know they’re still young, so there’s even less to worry about. Would the Emperor really make things difficult for two children? Besides, I’ll be there.”

William Harris hesitated, but in the end said nothing more.

With Alice Bennett around, it really did seem like there was nothing to worry about.

By mid-morning, everyone in the residence had finally finished packing. The Prince Warren Samuel Grant led his younger brother Ethan Grant out.

Ethan Grant was only about ten years old, too young to understand much, and was quite happy to be going out, looking around and urging everyone to hurry. Samuel Grant gave a wry smile and lifted his brother onto the carriage himself.

“Your Highness.” Alice Bennett stood by the carriage, helping Samuel Grant up, and said softly, “Don’t overthink it.”