William Carter was the first male spouse to be granted a marriage by imperial decree. This alone was enough to make the modest The Carter Family famous throughout the capital, becoming the talk of the city’s elite during their idle moments.

The steward was muttering to himself when he heard William Carter ask, “Is the carriage ready?”

“It’s ready. There’s one more thing—madam asked me to tell you, young master.” The steward cleared his throat and said, “Madam says the eldest young master hasn’t fully recovered yet, and it’s cold outside. She’s afraid he won’t be able to handle it, so he doesn’t need to accompany you back to your family home.”

William Carter replied calmly, “Don’t worry, I didn’t plan to bring him back anyway.”

William Carter boarded the carriage alone. The Marquis of Nan’an’s residence and The Carter Family were separated by more than half the city, and the round trip would take most of the day.

Passing through Yongxing Street, William Carter told the coachman to stop: “Wait here.”

Yongxing Street was the most bustling street in the capital, lined on both sides with all kinds of shops: silk stores, porcelain shops, taverns, teahouses—everything one could want. William Carter entered a tavern and ordered two jars of the finest nu’er hong wine, then went next door to the pastry shop to buy several jin of candied snacks. That would be enough to bring home.

The Carter Family knew that William Carter would be coming home today, so the gates were opened wide early in the morning. As the time approached, Mrs. Carter stood at the gate with her youngest son and the little servant who had followed William Carter since childhood, waiting for his arrival.

As he was about to reach home, William Carter pushed open the carriage window and saw from afar a little boy with a cropped head bouncing and waving at the carriage.

This was his six-year-old younger brother, Edward Carter.

After days of tension, William Carter finally felt a bit of relief.

As soon as William Carter got off the carriage, his little brother threw himself into his arms. “Brother!” Edward Carter was at the age of losing his baby teeth, missing two front teeth, so his words came out with a lisp.

“Young master!” The little servant Huan Tong was so excited, as if his young master had not returned from the Marquis’s residence, but from the battlefield.

William Carter patted his brother’s head and looked at the gentle woman beside him. “Mother.”

Tears welled up in Mrs. Carter’s eyes. “It’s good you’re home.” She glanced at the carriage, a bit nervous. “Is the young marquis still inside?”

William Carter said, “The young marquis is bedridden and unfit to go out. He told us to treat him as if he were dead.”

Mrs. Carter looked shocked. “This…”

William Carter smiled reassuringly. “Let’s not talk about others at home—where’s father?”

“Your father’s student came to visit today. He’s entertaining him in the main hall.”

William Carter asked, “Which student?”

Mrs. Carter replied, “Charles Bennett.”

The smile on William Carter’s face faded a little. “He really knows how to pick a day.” Of all days, he had to come when William Carter returned home.

The The Bennett Family ran the largest pharmacy in the capital, and Charles Bennett was Mr. Carter’s outer disciple. William Carter had some acquaintance with him. But acquaintance aside, if it came to personal preference, William Carter didn’t really want much to do with him. This man was always competing openly and secretly with others, and after a while, it became quite tiresome. Compared to Charles Bennett, even Henry Clark seemed more likable.

In any case, the fact that Henry Clark hadn’t come was a relief to Mrs. Carter. She and her husband only cared about their son; if their son-in-law came, the whole family would feel awkward. “Let’s not stand at the door any longer. Come in, I’ve made your favorite plum blossom cakes.”

William Carter asked, “Did you make them yourself, mother?”

Mrs. Carter smiled gently. “Of course. If someone else made them, you wouldn’t eat them.”

William Carter gave a faint smile, and the cold, aloof air around him seemed to melt into a breath of spring, making the Marquis’s coachman stare in a daze—was this really the same young master who ignored everyone and always wore a cold face?

As soon as William Carter entered the house, he saw Charles Bennett coming to greet him. “Brother Emily, I’ve finally waited for you!”

Charles Bennett had a dignified appearance and a scholarly air; at first glance, he looked like a talented young man.

William Carter gave Charles Bennett a slight nod, then bowed in family greeting to the man in the main seat. “Father.”

Mr. Carter was not as expressive as Mrs. Carter; his eyes just flickered slightly. “You’re back.”

Charles Bennett looked outside and asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s the young marquis?”

William Carter replied coldly, “He didn’t come.”

Charles Bennett looked surprised. “I’ve never seen a new bride return home without her husband accompanying her.”

“Really? Well, now you have.”

Mr. Carter said thoughtfully, “I suppose the young marquis hasn’t recovered and shouldn’t go out.”

Even if he hadn’t recovered and shouldn’t go out, how could there not even be a visiting card?

Charles Bennett openly scrutinized William Carter. Today, William Carter wore plain white clothes. He was already slender, with a breeze in his sleeves and a waist like a willow. Beautiful, yes, but too reserved. A male spouse who always acted so aloof—how could his husband like that?

He more or less understood now: The Belle of Carter hadn’t won the favor of his husband or his husband’s family.

“Brother Emily, you are as elegant as ever, your looks surpassing those of women,” Charles Bennett said with a smile. “But now that you’re the young master of the Marquis’s household, why are you still dressed so simply and plainly?”

William Carter looked Charles Bennett up and down. “Naturally, I can’t compare to you, Brother Bennett. You’re dressed in bright purple, with ornaments at your waist, exuding nobility—who could look more like a high-born male spouse than you?”