Edward Harris was momentarily stunned on the spot.

He had never met any other emperor, but if one were to be called a wise ruler, it would probably be just like this.

“Your Majesty.” Edward Harris gathered his thoughts.

The person behind the imperial desk looked up at him upon hearing this. “It seems that David Harris is not only skilled, but also walks an unusual path.”

Edward Harris, “……”

He withdrew. What a foolish ruler!

Edward Harris took a breath and began to plead guilty. “This minister behaved improperly after drinking and disturbed Your Majesty. Please punish me.”

William Thompson gave a sound of acknowledgment. “How should I punish you?”

Edward Harris was taken aback, thinking he was just being polite.

After a moment, he lowered his lashes in shame. “Then punish me by confining myself to reflect on my mistakes…”

A cold, perceptive laugh fell. “Heh.”

Edward Harris, “……”

The memorials on the desk were pushed aside. William Thompson ignored his roundabout words. “The palace gates are already locked. I’ll have Brian Clark escort you out. Once you’re well, come serve in the imperial study—understand?”

The last sentence was spoken lightly, but carried a hidden warning.

A warning not to defy the imperial edict again.

Edward Harris obediently lowered his head. “This minister obeys.”

……

However, if Edward Harris could truly settle down, he wouldn’t be Edward Harris.

He rested at home for one night, and the next day summoned a doctor from the city.

The doctor took his pulse, checked the medicine he was taking, and praised cheerfully, “The physician who treated you is highly skilled and prescribed excellent medicine. I am ashamed to be inferior. Congratulations, my lord! I believe you will recover very soon!”

Edward Harris felt as if struck by lightning on a clear day!

He grabbed the doctor in despair. “I don’t need to recover so quickly, I need to recuperate slowly… Is there any way to stay unwell for ten days or half a month?”

The doctor was troubled. “I prescribe medicine, not poison.”

Edward Harris, “……”

After sending away the helpless doctor, Edward Harris could only lie in bed, take his medicine, and recover properly.

News of his illness spread quickly.

In the following days, waves of court officials came to visit, nearly wearing out the threshold of The Harris Family. Under the pretense of “visiting the sick,” they were actually trying to win his favor.

Edward Harris claimed to the outside that he was “so ill he couldn’t tell people from animals,” and had Eric Young turn them all away.

Seriously, why should he socialize while on sick leave?

…

When Jason Grant entered the courtyard, he saw Edward Harris, who claimed to be “so ill he couldn’t tell people from animals,” lying on a soft couch, enjoying the breeze and sun. Sunlight filtered through his lashes, casting a fine shadow on his eyelids.

Faint blue veins could be seen beneath, his skin as white and translucent as porcelain.

“Yo.” Jason Grant greeted him. “Look at you, what a mess.”

Edward Harris’s lashes fluttered as he opened his eyes to look at Jason Grant standing before the couch, thinking to himself how persistent this kid was, always putting extra effort into embarrassing him.

He lazily pulled the blanket around himself. “How did you get in? Didn’t I have Steward Young turn away all visitors?”

Jason Grant replied matter-of-factly, “I climbed over the wall.”

Edward Harris praised him, “…Mm, impressive.”

“Hey.” Jason Grant lifted his chin. “Did a thief break into your residence?”

“What?”

“I saw a gap in your courtyard wall—perfect for climbing over.”

Edward Harris was at a loss for words. “So you just climbed in through there?”

Jason Grant, “Yeah.”

“……”

A thought suddenly popped into his mind: There was no path here before, but as more people walk it, it becomes a path.

Edward Harris shook his head. “We’ll talk about the thief later. You went to all this trouble—surely it wasn’t just to admire my handsome face?” As he spoke, he looked up, his eyes clear and perceptive, with no trace of earlier drowsiness.

Jason Grant’s expression grew serious.

He recalled the news his father had mentioned recently. If it was Henry Harris, perhaps he could hear some inside information from the emperor’s side.

Jason Grant rarely put aside his pride. “Three days from now, could… could you meet me at Wanghe Tower?”

Edward Harris sighed softly. “I knew it. Is it…”

Jason Grant took a slight breath. “Yes.”

Edward Harris, “Still about the hidden illness?”

“……”

No!!!

Jason Grant exploded, “You dare bring that up again!!!”

·

That night, Eleanor appeared in the imperial study as usual.

William Thompson looked down at a scroll. “Have you found out everything?”

“Yes.” Eleanor knelt on one knee, head lowered in report. “On the night of the palace banquet, Mr. Harris was urged to drink a lot. He didn’t spend much time talking with the other officials; the only one he spoke with privately for a long time was the son of Minister Secretary Grant, Minister Grant.”

The son of Minister of Revenue Matthew Grant, Jason Grant.

Was this at Matthew Grant’s instruction, or…

William Thompson’s gaze darkened. “What did they talk about?”

Eleanor paused awkwardly. “Uh, I heard it was… a hidden illness.”

William Thompson, “……”

Eleanor said, “After their conversation, Mr. Harris got up alone and went to the lakeside to sober up. He seemed unsteady on his feet and indeed looked quite drunk.”

William Thompson pressed his brow. “So you mean, the encounter and the fall into the water were both accidents?”

“I dare not presume.”

“Enough, go on.”

“Yes. These past few days, Mr. Harris has been recuperating at home. Many officials from the Six Ministries have come to visit, but all were turned away.”

William Thompson tapped his fingers on the table. “He didn’t see a single one?”