Samuel Grant thought for a moment and felt that Alice Bennett was right, so he nodded helplessly.

The next day, Alice Bennett personally escorted Grace Grant into the palace.

Just like last time, Alice Bennett got off the carriage early. He walked to the front of Grace Grant's sedan chair and gave a few words of advice. Grace Grant was actually more composed than her two brothers, responding from inside the sedan and even urging Alice Bennett to hurry back to the carriage. She also told him that if he felt cold, he should just go back and not wait outside in vain.

Alice Bennett smiled, touched the pouch in his sleeve, and went to make arrangements with the eunuch who would receive Grace Grant.

Before Alice Bennett could speak, the eunuch bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master Bennett, please enter the palace as well. His Majesty wishes to see you."

Alice Bennett narrowed his eyes slightly.

Last time when Samuel Grant and Ethan Grant entered the palace, whatever was said or done, Ethan Grant had recounted everything to Alice Bennett upon returning. Alice Bennett had also guessed that Emperor Charles might still be uneasy and would want to see him, perhaps to give a few warnings.

What must come cannot be avoided. Alice Bennett helped the bowing eunuch up, pushed the pouch in his hand into the other's, and smiled faintly, "This is our young lady's first time entering the palace. If there are any lapses in etiquette, please look after her, Eunuch."

The palace had remained unchanged for ten years, and Alice Bennett, familiar with the place, was led straight to Emperor Charles.

In the warm chamber, the nine-dragon incense burner quietly emitted curling wisps of fragrance. Behind the gently swaying curtain, Emperor Charles sat cross-legged on the couch, reading memorials.

Alice Bennett knelt and paid his respects.

Emperor Charles ordered the eunuch to lift the curtain.

For a moment, there was silence.

With Samuel Grant and Ethan Grant, he could still pretend nothing had happened and offer a few perfunctory words of concern, but facing Alice Bennett, even Emperor Charles could no longer keep up the act.

"These years, have you been well?"

Alice Bennett knelt on the ground, eyes lowered, not looking up. In that brief moment, he mulled over Emperor Charles's words several times in his mind. Since Emperor Charles was not using any formal platitudes, Alice Bennett had to follow his lead. After a moment's thought, he replied softly, "I've been alright. At first, I couldn't adapt to the southern climate, but after living there for a while, I got used to it. I just didn't expect that after returning to the capital this time, I would find it hard to get used to the northern cold. Not long after we arrived, more than half the household fell ill."

Emperor Charles pondered for a moment and said, "It's understandable for others, but you grew up here. Even you can't get used to it?"

Alice Bennett replied, "I can't anymore. Ever since I went to the southern border, I've fallen ill several times, and my body has grown weak. I can't stand the cold now."

Another long silence followed.

"Back then, you..." Emperor Charles couldn't quite recall and asked, "Are you still of servant status now?"

Alice Bennett lowered his head. "Yes."

Recalling the grace and bearing of Young Master Bennett in the past, Emperor Charles seemed to find it a bit ridiculous himself and shook his head. "I'll give orders later about your... your deed of sale..."

Emperor Charles thought for a moment and asked, "Is it with Henry?"

Alice Bennett paused, then nodded. "I believe so."

"He is coming to the palace today as well. When he arrives, I'll have him bring it to you," Emperor Charles sighed. "I'll have your servant status removed. In the future... it will be easier for you to move about in Qian'an."

Now was not the time to act overwhelmed with gratitude—that would truly be mocking Emperor Charles. Alice Bennett lowered his eyes and replied blandly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Charles acknowledged with a sound and said nothing more.

Since he was silent, Alice Bennett simply knelt quietly.

"Grand Tutor Shi..." Emperor Charles suddenly said, "He passed away in the second year after you left. Did you know?"

After the deaths of Edward Parker and Grand Tutor Parker, Alice Bennett had observed a year of mourning in Qian'an. How could he not know?

But Alice Bennett shook his head. "Qian'an is far away, and news doesn't travel easily. It was a long time after the Grand Tutor passed before I received the obituary. I grieved... for several days."

Emperor Charles scrutinized Alice Bennett, as if trying to judge whether he was telling the truth.

Emperor Charles said, "Grand Tutor Shi... cared for you deeply."

Alice Bennett took a deep breath and said nothing.

Emperor Charles, leaning on the kang table, recalled the past and slowly said, "Before he left, Edward Parker told me... Thomas David was gifted and intelligent, destined to stand out and become famous throughout the land. If he hadn't been implicated back then, his name would surely have been recorded in history."

Alice Bennett looked calm, as if they were not talking about him.

Emperor Charles continued, "Thomas David suffered hardships from a young age. Over the years, he has endured much. If, in the future, he should make any mistakes, I beg Your Majesty to remember his difficult life and show him more leniency..."

Alice Bennett's lips trembled slightly. Unwilling to let Emperor Charles see, he bowed his head, pressing his forehead to the back of his hand. When he straightened up again, his expression was as usual.

As if giving thanks.

Emperor Charles let out a long sigh.

"There's nothing else. You may go," Emperor Charles waved his hand wearily. "There are still some handwritten manuscripts and calligraphy left by Edward Parker in the library. If you want, pick a few before you leave the palace."

Alice Bennett kowtowed, got up, and followed the eunuch out.

Alice Bennett rubbed his brow, recalling the days of his youth when Edward Parker kept him in the residence to write essays, and smiled faintly.

The eunuch led Alice Bennett into a side hall of the library, guiding him to a set of bookshelves inside. "Most of Grand Tutor Parker’s handwritten manuscripts were kept here during his lifetime. But we servants are illiterate, so when we gathered them in a hurry, we couldn't tell which ones belonged to the Grand Tutor. Please, Young Master Bennett, select them yourself."

Alice Bennett nodded. "Alright."