In the main hall, Howard and Bennett sat at the seats of honor. Howard, nearing forty, was silent and taciturn, with a stern face; Bennett, still graceful and charming, had kind eyes and brows, looking every bit the amiable noblewoman.

William Carter took the tea handed over by the nanny, unable to stop himself from imagining the scene of poisoning it.

If only there were a poison that could let them have a taste of losing their freedom.

The two of them drank William Carter's tea. Bennett smiled and said, "Qingyu, did you sleep well last night?"

William Carter snapped back to himself and replied, "It was fine."

"From now on, the marquis's residence is your home. If there is anything you are not used to, just tell Mother."

"Thank you, Madam."

The nanny chided, "Why is the young lord still calling her 'Madam'? You should call her 'Mother' like the young marquis does."

This nanny was truly persistent about changing the form of address. Might as well call her [Change-of-address Nanny]. If she wants it so much, why doesn't she do it herself?

William Carter lowered his eyes and said, "It's a matter of habit, hard to change all at once. I hope the marquis and madam will forgive me."

Howard looked displeased. Bennett, however, graciously said, "It's fine, there's plenty of time. In the first few months after I married into the marquis's residence, I also kept forgetting to change how I addressed people."

Howard said, "Still, you should get used to it as soon as possible, so others don't laugh at you."

Thinking of his own parents, William Carter suppressed his feelings and said, "Yes."

Bennett took another sip of tea and said, "Your birth characters and Henry's are a match made in heaven. That was why the marquis and I asked His Majesty to grant this marriage. Qingyu, from now on you must put your husband first in all things, attend to him at his sickbed, and let Henry benefit from your good fortune."

William Carter nodded blankly.

Howard said, "Speaking of which, you are the son of the Imperial Medical Bureau's deputy, and have studied under a famous teacher. Your medical skills must be excellent."

A wave of suffocation rose in William Carter's chest.

Yes, his medical skills were not bad. He could have traveled the land healing the sick and saving lives, but now he was to be trapped in the inner residence, a dutiful and obedient male wife. And the culprit was still saying, "Although Doctor Bolton is taking care of Henry's health, you can also help look after him. Don't let your medical skills go to waste."

Howard, who also held the post of Minister of Revenue, had many affairs at court, so after a few words he left. Bennett gave William Carter a jadeite bracelet, saying, "This is part of the dowry I brought from my family. I had intended to give it to Henry's legitimate son in the future, but now..." Bennett paused, then smiled again, "Never mind, you keep it."

Bennett's intentions were not lost on William Carter. She had gone to such lengths to get Henry Clark a male wife, yet still couldn't help but resent that a male wife couldn't bear children.

Truly worthy of the Marquis of Nan'an's household—each more vexing than the last. Only Henry Clark was barely tolerable.

William Carter returned to the Blue Wind Pavilion where Henry Clark lived, and casually tossed the brocade box containing the jadeite bracelet to Alice Ford. Alice Ford said, "Young lord, you're back. The young marquis still hasn't woken up. How long has he been sleeping? Is he really all right..."

William Carter's steps toward the study paused. "I'll go take a look."

What he wanted to see was not Henry Clark himself, but the once-in-a-century pulse condition of Henry Clark. He had some knowledge of Doctor Bolton, who had checked Henry Clark's pulse last night—a truly skilled and reputable physician. Even Doctor Bolton had never seen such a pulse; it would be a shame not to witness it himself.

William Carter entered the inner chamber. Sure enough, Henry Clark was still asleep, even maintaining the same posture as when he had left. Standing by the bed, William Carter looked down at Henry Clark from above. He had to admit, Henry Clark didn't really resemble his parents; his features were much more refined than those of the Marquis and his wife.

William Carter rolled up his sleeves and reached out with his fingertips. Before he could touch Henry Clark's pulse, his hand was suddenly grabbed, and a lazy voice sounded: "Sneaking around—what are you up to, William Carter?"

William Carter's hand froze. "Let go." With Henry Clark's health, he was afraid that if he struggled even a little, Henry Clark would faint.

Henry Clark let go, his eyes still closed, but the corners of his lips curled up. "Don't get so worked up. I don't even like men, you don't have to be on guard against me."

William Carter's eyes widened. "You don't like men?"

"That's right. As I recall, though male-male relationships are common in Dayu, not everyone is that way." Henry Clark opened his eyes. "What about you? Are you?"

William Carter choked.

It had been a month since he was granted this marriage, and no one had ever asked him that question. Anyway, he was marrying a man—what did it matter whether he liked men or women?

"I... of course not."

Henry Clark covered his mouth and coughed a few times, then said sympathetically, "Then marrying me to ward off bad luck must be a real grievance for you."

William Carter's brows darkened. "Nonsense. If you had to marry me for the same reason, wouldn't you feel wronged?"

"That's why I said I should compensate you."

"Easy for you to say. What are you going to compensate me with?"

"My inheritance, of course."

William Carter sneered, "I still have to fight for your inheritance myself."

Henry Clark asked, "Then what other compensation do you want? As long as it's not something troublesome or difficult, I can give it to you."

He wanted to take the Imperial Medical Bureau's exam, to leave the Marquis's residence, to do what he wanted to do. But he knew that was almost impossible. His marriage to Henry Clark was personally granted by the emperor; even if Henry Clark agreed to a divorce, the emperor would have to approve it.

William Carter was silent for a moment, then said, "Give me your hand."