Everyone at the table looked at each other in confusion. Charles Bennett asked in puzzlement, “Why would my wife be angry?”

Henry Clark said, “You’re drinking at the same table with a male spouse and the man who married him. That doesn’t seem quite proper.”

William Carter glanced at him, feeling that even his eyes were brimming with mischief.

The smile on Charles Bennett’s face was about to collapse. “You must be joking, Young Marquis. Why would my wife be angry about this?”

“That’s not for sure.” Henry Clark chuckled lightly. “For the sake of harmony in Brother Bennett’s household, I think we should skip the drinks today. Next time, definitely next time.”

Even six-year-old Edward Carter could tell that Henry Clark was sending the guests away, let alone the adults. Edward Carter looked up and asked Mrs. Carter, “Mother, is this person leaving?”

Mrs. Carter hesitated. “Well…”

Charles Bennett, who prided himself on being a scholar, found the situation so awkward that even he couldn’t keep up appearances. He had to find himself a way out: “Today is Brother William’s first visit home after the wedding. It’s indeed a bit inappropriate for an outsider like me to be here. I’ll take my leave for now and come back another day to pay respects to Teacher and the Young Marquis.”

Mr. Carter didn’t urge him to stay and instructed Julia Lane to see the guest out.

As Charles Bennett reached the door, he heard Henry Clark’s voice float over from behind: “There’s one thing I almost forgot. Emily left in a hurry today and forgot the five carts of return gifts. Fortunately, I noticed in time and had someone bring them over. The carriage is now parked at the entrance of The Carter Family.”

Charles Bennett gritted his teeth and yanked the jade pendant from his waist.

According to seniority, Mr. Carter sat at the head of the table, Mrs. Carter next, and William Carter and Henry Clark sat together. The two of them whispered softly, one speaking quietly, the other listening intently, as if sharing secrets not meant for outsiders. They looked every bit the newlywed couple, inseparable and affectionate, causing Mrs. Carter and Mr. Carter to exchange a complicated glance.

Little did they know, their conversation went like this:

William Carter: “Who told you to bring things? Take them back later.”

Henry Clark: “I know you think the things from the Marquis of Nan’an’s residence are dirty, but these can be sold for silver. Why make life hard for money? When I die, you can use the Lu family’s silver to eat and drink well, keep a beauty in a golden house, and watch them weep at my grave. Wouldn’t that be satisfying?”

William Carter pictured the scene, narrowed his eyes, and turned to instruct the servants, “Have someone bring the things into the residence.”

Henry Clark cheerfully reached out to take the plum blossom cake he’d been eyeing for a long time. “That’s more like it.”

After the meal, Mr. Carter took the initiative to say, “I’ve heard a little about the Young Marquis’s illness. If you trust me, may I take a look?”

Henry Clark put on a look of surprise. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

Mr. Carter nodded. “Young Marquis, please come with me.”

William Carter pushed Henry Clark to Mr. Carter’s study. After washing his hands, Mr. Carter took out a pulse pillow made of warm jade and placed it under Henry Clark’s wrist, then closed his eyes to check his pulse.

For a moment, the room was silent, and nothing could be read from Mr. Carter’s expression. After checking the pulse, Mr. Carter asked Henry Clark a few questions, which Henry Clark answered truthfully one by one.

Mr. Carter said, “The root of the Young Marquis’s illness is congenital. Treating the symptoms is easy, but curing the root is hard. You must take great care to rest and avoid overthinking or overexertion.”

Mr. Carter’s words were ambiguous, just the usual advice, and Henry Clark didn’t ask further. He smiled wearily, “Thank you, Father-in-law.”

“The guest room is ready. Young Marquis, you may go rest for a while,” said Mr. Carter. “Emily, you stay.”

William Carter nodded and had the servants push Henry Clark out first.

After Henry Clark left, Mr. Carter asked, “Have you examined the Young Marquis’s illness?”

“I have.”

“What do you think?”

William Carter said, “That Henry Clark has lived to nineteen is already a stroke of luck in misfortune. Now he’s just hanging on by a thread. Once that thread breaks, it’s over for him.”

Mr. Carter nodded in agreement and asked, “How much longer do you think he has?”

“Half a year.”

Mr. Carter pondered for a long time, then said, “I have a method that might extend his life by a year, but the side effects are severe and may greatly increase his suffering.”

William Carter didn’t hesitate: “What method?”

“I’ll write the prescription for you later.” Mr. Carter looked into William Carter’s eyes. “The question is, do you want him to live another half year?”

Is that even a question? The sooner Henry Clark dies, the sooner he’ll be free. Half a year is a long time; he doesn’t have the patience to wait that long.

So, of course… he doesn’t want that.

William Carter absentmindedly walked out of the study and ran into Mrs. Carter, who was bringing tea and snacks to Mr. Carter after the meal. Mrs. Carter told him that Henry Clark was already resting in the guest room.

“Do you want to go check on him?” Mrs. Carter asked.

William Carter said, “No need, let him rest.”

Mrs. Carter hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Emily, is the Young Marquis… good to you?”

“It doesn’t matter whether he is or not,” William Carter replied indifferently. “In the end, it’s just a doomed relationship that will last no more than half a year.”

This time, William Carter planned to take another box of medical books to the Marquis of Nan’an’s residence. When he reached his own study, he saw Charles Bennett and Julia Lane peering around at the door and frowned, “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Julia Lane explained, “Young Master Bennett said he lost his jade pendant in our residence. I’m helping him look for it.”

“If you’re looking, it should be in the main hall. Coming to my study specifically, I suppose you have something to say.”