Edward Reed has three great families: The Turner Family, The Miller Family, and The Harris Family. All are century-old noble clans, deeply rooted in the majestic imperial city, their power tangled and complex, standing in opposition to each other, their influence as vast as wings blocking out the sun.

Now, The Turner Family has produced an Empress Dowager, restless and eager to act; The Miller Family's stance is ambiguous; only The Harris Family has remained loyal and upright through generations, the most steadfast supporters of the emperor.

Time was short, and Alice Carter only had a rough understanding of three people.

The Empress Dowager, the Regent, and the High Priest.

The first person to understand had to be the Empress Dowager Grace Turner, the "madwoman" as described by William Clark.

Alice Carter flipped through a few pages of the book.

As the eldest legitimate daughter of The Turner Family, Grace Turner's status was beyond compare. She was designated as the crown princess at birth, enjoying boundless glory.

The person who wrote this was probably a die-hard fan of Grace Turner, showering her with endless praise throughout the text.

It said that before her marriage, she was already famous in the capital, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song—master of all the arts. After marrying into the Eastern Palace, she became renowned far and wide for her virtue, kindness, and intelligence.

Grace Turner had a good family background, a good temperament, and was exceptionally beautiful. She never fought, never envied, never caused trouble—the only regret was that she had no children.

She had a miscarriage once, and after that was never able to conceive again.

As for the Regent, things were simpler.

Grace Turner's older brother, a general by background, was sinister and irritable, stubborn and self-willed.

There was almost no record of the High Priest. It only said that the High Priest had long resided in the Hall of Worldly Affairs outside Edward Reed city, separated from the imperial city by a wide river, and rarely appeared except during the annual ancestral rites of the royal family of Chu.

When William Clark woke up, Alice Carter immediately hurried to ask.

"What kind of person is Grace Turner, really?"

William Clark opened his eyes, his expression lazy. Upon hearing the question, a faint smile curled at his lips, his voice slightly hoarse: "Her? You'll know when you meet her."

You'll know when you meet her.

The day they left the Star-Picking Tower, the breeze was gentle and pleasant, and the sky was cloudless.

Alice Carter got up early, attended by maids who helped him dress and arrange his hair.

The imperial carriage could not enter the forbidden grounds, so he had to walk out of the Xiaoxiang bamboo forest. Outside the bamboo grove, a young girl in a pink palace dress stood gracefully, giving a slight curtsey, her smile sweet and her voice gentle: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on leaving seclusion. The Empress Dowager has been waiting for you in the Hall of Tranquility for some time."

She added, "During Your Majesty's days in the Star-Picking Tower, the Empress Dowager was so worried she could neither eat nor sleep."

Alice Carter felt awkward, not knowing what to say.

William Clark, dressed in white beside him, smiled faintly: "No need to reply to her. If you don't want to interact, you don't have to pay attention to anyone."

Alice Carter: "...Oh."

Palaces of jade and gold, wealth and splendor everywhere, the imperial carriage passed along the palace road, and everywhere was a scene of prosperity.

The Hall of Tranquility was located on the edge of the imperial garden.

Inside, incense smoke curled gently, as if it were sandalwood used for calming the mind.

Before even entering, Alice Carter first heard a woman's soft, gentle voice, seemingly chatting idly with a young eunuch nearby.

"The other day, the imperial kitchen said they had created a new dish. Hmm, what was it called again?"

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, this servant heard it's called 'Spring Guest Angelica.'"

"'Spring Guest Angelica'? That's quite an interesting name."

Her voice was very gentle, her tone delicate, and her laughter was that of a refined lady.

A palace maid announced loudly, "Empress Dowager, His Majesty has arrived."

"Hmm, William is here?"

The woman on the phoenix throne, who had been speaking with the eunuch, immediately sat up properly at these words.

She was twenty years younger than the late emperor, and still in her prime. Perhaps feeling that her youth made her seem less dignified, this Empress Dowager dressed very simply.

A long blue dress with silver-embroidered edges, her black hair tied in a simple bun adorned with a few pearls.

Light makeup, gentle features, virtuous and dignified.

Alice Carter was a bit flustered: "What should I say? How do I greet her?"

William Clark: "No need."

Alice Carter: "???" Damn, isn't the royal family supposed to be obsessed with etiquette?

As it turned out, this Empress Dowager was indeed not an ordinary person.

"Let's skip all those formalities between mother and son." Her smile was as bright as a young girl's, and she beckoned lightly: "Come, come, William, sit down quickly and let me have a good look at you."

The Empress Dowager looked him over carefully, asking with concern, "It's been several days since we last met. Did you get used to living in the Star-Picking Tower? Hmm? You look much thinner to me—was the food not to your liking?" She turned to the young eunuch standing by her side: "He does look much thinner, doesn't he?"

The young eunuch replied nervously, "Yes."

William Clark gave a snort of laughter and sat casually next to Alice Carter. He really did seem extremely weak, his eyes tired, propping his chin with one hand as if ready to sleep.

Alice Carter was left alone to face Grace Turner's gentle questions, completely bewildered—You dare to sleep?! You trust me that much?!

But Grace Turner didn't give him a chance to freeze up, still speaking softly: "William?"

Alice Carter immediately snapped back to attention: "Mm, no appetite." This was exactly what William Clark had said, so it shouldn't be wrong. He didn't need to deliberately disguise himself; William Clark's voice was naturally cool and distinctive, so as long as he spoke calmly, it would be fine.

But feeling guilty, after saying this, Alice Carter added, "Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager."

After he finished, he heard William Clark give a faint, ambiguous laugh beside him.

"..."Alice Carter clenched his fist.

If you think you can do better, go ahead!

Grace Turner's eyes showed a look of pity: "You've had a hard time."