“His Majesty personally patted your shoulder—what an unparalleled honor!”

Edward Harris gave a weak smile: You can have this blessing if you want it.

As they were exchanging pleasantries, Jason Grant came over from the back row, called Edward Harris aside, and said disdainfully, “How did you become so delicate after hitting your head? Just a pat on the shoulder and you’re like this.”

Edward Harris felt that Jason Grant was really going out of his way.

He even made a special trip just to humiliate him.

Thinking of what happened earlier, Edward Harris sighed, “I didn’t expect I was actually well-liked.” So many people pleaded for mercy on his behalf.

Jason Grant laughed at his naivety, “It’s just the fox mourning the death of the rabbit.”

Edward Harris fell silent, then closed his eyes in sorrow, “You all have such dirty hearts.”

Jason Grant, “……”

Damn, that’s infuriating.

The officials had already dispersed in small groups, and Edward Harris also turned to leave the hall.

Suddenly, Jason Grant thought of something and caught up in a few steps, “By the way, since you hit your head, what are you planning to do next?”

Edward Harris tucked his hands into his sleeves and gazed into the distance, “I’ll write a resignation letter when I get home and retire to the countryside.”

“……” Jason Grant felt his head spinning, “What!?”

·

Inside the warm chamber.

William Thompson took off his heavy ceremonial robes and changed into a lighter, casual outfit.

A dark outer garment draped over his upright shoulders, crossing neatly at the front. Amidst his dignified composure, there was a hint of self-restraint.

Brian Clark stood respectfully to the side, holding a washbasin.

After changing, William Thompson dipped his hands into the basin, the warm water covering his well-defined knuckles and the calluses at the base of his thumb. Amid the sound of splashing water, the emperor’s cool voice rang out:

“Nothing happened at the ceremony today, right?”

“Your Majesty, everything was as usual.”

After a pause, Brian Clark hesitated, “It’s just… there was a small matter, I’m not sure if I should trouble Your Majesty with it…”

“Speak.”

“Mr. Harris took a fall at the Meridian Gate…” As soon as he started, the sound of water stopped.

William Thompson looked up and stared straight at Brian Clark, “Oh?”

Brian Clark carefully explained, “And Minister Grant as well. Mr. Harris fell harder and hit his head, while Minister Grant just scraped his knee.”

“Hit his head?”

“Yes.” Brian Clark, trying to gauge the emperor’s mood, reported the part about Edward Harris, “I heard he’s like a different person now.”

Author’s note:

Edward Harris: Delicate, helpless, not to be messed with.jpg

* At its core, this is a silly court drama~ but there’s also a storyline and some foreshadowing, which will unfold gradually.

Also, this is a fictional setting with lots of creative liberties, so please don’t compare it to real history =3=

Chapter 3: Bribery

Edward Harris exited the palace gates, where the The Harris Family carriage was already waiting outside.

A middle-aged man in his forties jumped down from the carriage, a simple smile appearing on his honest face. He bowed and said, “Master!”

Edward Harris: ………

Edward Harris, “And you are?”

The man was instantly shocked, “Master! I am Eric Young!”

Edward Harris looked at his attire and tentatively asked, “Oh…Steward Young?”

Eric Young nodded eagerly, “Yes, it’s me.”

Edward Harris smiled slightly, “You look different today than usual, I didn’t recognize you at first.” With that, he boarded the carriage, leaving Eric Young standing there, touching his old face in confusion.

Inside the carriage, refreshments and tea were already prepared, with incense burning.

Edward Harris felt as if his whole body was falling apart.

He grabbed a handful of walnuts and started cracking them, then called out to wake Eric Young, “Let’s go.”

The carriage creaked and slowly started moving.

After a few meters, a sharp, thin voice suddenly called from behind, “Master Harris—Master Harris, please wait!”

Edward Harris’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding rising.

He got up and banged on the carriage door, urging, “Uncle Young, hurry, speed up!”

“Uh, Master. But I think I heard…”

“You heard wrong.”

“……”

“Master Harris…Master Harris! His Majesty summons you… His Majesty…” The voice behind grew closer, trembling with breathlessness.

The carriage jolted and came to a stop.

Edward Harris took a deep breath and—swish—lifted the curtain, poking his head out, only to meet Brian Clark’s pale, sweaty face.

Brian Clark caught his breath, raised a delicate finger and playfully scolded Edward Harris, “Oh my, Master Harris, you really are a handful~”

Edward Harris smiled politely: ………

·

Walking from the palace gate toward the inner palace, the path was lined with golden tiles and vermilion walls. After turning through a side door, they entered a winding path, flanked by pear trees blooming like piles of jade and snow.

Edward Harris looked around, secretly sighing:

Spring courtyard, jade pear trees—a perfect place to bury a body.

He feared that once he went in, he might never come out again…

“Why are you sighing, Master?” Brian Clark asked with a smile.

Edward Harris shook his head, raised his hand to point at the most flourishing pear tree, “I like this one.” If there was going to be a burial, he’d claim a spot first.

“In this palace, every blade of grass and tree belongs to His Majesty,” Brian Clark said with a smile. “If you like it, Master, perhaps you’ll be rewarded one day and can ask His Majesty for a branch or two.”

Edward Harris was moved.

He might actually have a “next time.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Eunuch.”