In the dream, that person was in their teens, not fond of talking, sitting quietly by the window writing, with the peach blossoms outside the window scattering petals onto his shoulders.

The sedan bearers carried him, swaying for an unknown amount of time, before finally setting the sedan down.

Alice Bennett was jolted and woke up.

Alice Bennett rubbed his eyes, dazed and lost in thought. How could someone so silent, reserved, and well-behaved have done the things Charlotte Green described?

Alice Bennett was frozen stiff all over. Just as he was about to struggle to his feet, the sedan curtain was lifted.

Outside the sedan, a tall figure draped in a dark fox-fur cloak, Henry Carter, lifted the curtain expressionlessly and enunciated, “Zhong, Gui, Yuan.”

Chapter 5 Alice Bennett, where is my osmanthus cake?

For a moment, Alice Bennett thought he was still dreaming.

Henry Carter had grown much taller, his features sharper. The constant worry between his brows in his youth had turned into a fierce air, adding a touch of menace to his handsome face.

Alice Bennett wondered to himself, am I awake or not? If I’m awake, how could I be seeing Henry Carter? If I’m dreaming... how can I see this person so clearly?

Alice Bennett was feverish, his ears buzzing, his mind muddled. He struggled to stand, but his frozen hands and feet felt as heavy as lead. After catching his breath, he propped himself up on the sedan, but before he could steady himself, his powerless legs gave out and he collapsed straight down.

Kneeling in the snow, Alice Bennett stared at Henry Carter’s black boots, feeling as if he were dreaming again.

In the dream, it was ten years ago, when Alice Bennett had just entered the palace as a study companion.

At that time, those studying under Grand Tutor Shi and of similar age were Alice Bennett, Edward Carter, and the Fourth and Fifth Princes—four in total.

Among these four, although Alice Bennett was only a companion, his essays and talent were the best, outshining all the imperial sons. His writing was not only favored by the Grand Tutor, but even Emperor Chong’an would often praise him during occasional examinations. Back then, Emperor Chong’an even jokingly asked Alice Bennett if he wanted to join the Secretariat.

To join the Secretariat as the emperor’s secretary meant drafting imperial edicts.

Back then, Alice Bennett was a spirited youth, not one to hide his talents. He said he dared not accept such special favor from the emperor, lest people look down on the Prince Ning’s household, but asked the emperor to save him a seat in the Secretariat, promising that when the time came for the grand examination, he would naturally enter the Purple Palace with honor.

Emperor Chong’an, though unsure if Alice Bennett could really achieve such success at a young age, was fond of his dazzling spirit. Laughing, he agreed to Alice Bennett’s request, saying he’d have Prince Ning send a chair to the Secretariat for Alice Bennett the very next day, which made the Fourth and Fifth Princes grind their teeth in envy.

The Fifth Prince, Xuan Qiong, resented Alice Bennett and resorted to underhanded tricks, though he still pretended to be polite on the surface. The Fourth Prince, Xuan Jing, was hot-tempered and straightforward, always voicing his displeasure directly. At the banquet that day, he kept making jabs at Alice Bennett, and, relying on his own drinking capacity, got Alice Bennett drunk.

Even drunk, Alice Bennett didn’t lose his composure, just seemed a bit dazed. On the way out of the palace, unable to tell the way and feeling dizzy, he sat in a pavilion to rest.

That day, Alice Bennett met Edward Carter.

Perhaps it was the resemblance between nephew and uncle, but Edward Carter’s features bore some similarity to Prince Ning. Through his drunken haze, Alice Bennett thought Prince Ning had come looking for him.

Feeling he’d lost face, Alice Bennett smiled, knelt properly, and greeted “Prince Ning.”

The young Edward Carter didn’t quite catch what Alice Bennett was mumbling and gently asked what was wrong. Alice Bennett, thinking Prince Ning was scolding him, relied on his favored status, shamelessly knelt on the ground, lightly tugged at “Prince Ning’s” robe, and pleaded in a low voice, “I won’t drink again, Father, please forgive me... just this once.”

Edward Carter: “……”

In broad daylight, the young Edward Carter was mistaken for someone’s father in the imperial garden.

After saying this, Alice Bennett clung to Edward Carter’s robe and fell asleep leaning against his leg. Edward Carter couldn’t move, hesitated, then helped him up. Alice Bennett, drunk and limp, couldn’t stand at all, and ended up clinging to him. In the end...

Kneeling in the snow, Alice Bennett shivered, his thoughts running wild. How did it end that day? Did Henry Carter carry him back?

So what’s happening now? Is this a dream or not?

“Alice Bennett.” Edward Carter looked at Alice Bennett quietly and asked calmly, “Where is my osmanthus cake?”

It felt as if a knife had suddenly stabbed into Alice Bennett’s chest, the pain searing through his organs, instantly clearing his mind.

He wasn’t dreaming.

Alice Bennett realized he had fallen into a trap.

This sedan, those bearers, were all Edward Carter’s people.

Edward Carter waited a moment, seeing Alice Bennett didn’t answer, and asked, “Can you get up?”

It wasn’t ten years ago. Prince Ning wouldn’t come looking for him, and the current Edward Carter had no intention of helping him up. Alice Bennett clenched his jaw and slowly stood up. His whole body ached from the fever, but he managed to say, “Greetings, Young Lord Yu.”

Edward Carter’s expression was unreadable. After a moment, he said, “Come in.”

Alice Bennett hadn’t brought anyone with him, and even if he had, there was no way to escape from Edward Carter. He could only follow him inside.

Alice Bennett followed behind Edward Carter, glancing around and realizing this was the Yu Prince’s secondary residence.

Back then, when he fell into servitude and was bought back by Edward Carter, he was settled here.

Edward Carter led him all the way into the warm chamber. Alice Bennett was already frozen stiff, and upon entering the warmth, his whole body trembled slightly.