Eric Young had just turned around when a familiar figure swept into the room like a gust of wind, closing the door behind them—

Jason Grant, panting, stopped in front of Edward Harris's bed, his clothes slightly disheveled, still looking exhilarated. "Hey."

Edward Harris immediately sensed trouble. "…What happened to you? What was that noise?"

Jason Grant wiped the mud from his hands. "I was just lying on the wall in the neighboring courtyard. When I saw that scheming dog, I got angry and couldn't help myself—when he passed by, I knocked a roof tile down. I probably hit him square on."

Edward Harris's mouth fell open: ……………

He immediately slapped the bed in anger. "Why are you hitting people in my residence!"

Jason Grant was angry too. "I told you, I couldn't help it! Just pretend the tile fell by itself!"

Edward Harris exclaimed, "Can a tile fall by itself!"

"Aren't the tiles in your residence under your control?"

The two were arguing when they heard Charles Morgan's wailing voice returning this way, "Hiss! Ouch, Lord Ning—"

"Let's talk later, let me hide first." Jason Grant tossed out the words and darted behind the screen.

Edward Harris didn't have time to warn him, "Wait…"

The figure disappeared behind the screen.

The next second, there was a startled hiccup, "Hic—"

Edward Harris: ……

He was about to say that William Thompson was behind there, but it was too late.

Soon, the door was pushed open from the outside with a bang.

Charles Morgan, clutching his head, walked in with blood streaming down, unable to maintain his earlier politeness, glaring with barely contained anger.

"Lord Ning, why did a roof tile suddenly fall from your courtyard wall? It split my head open! Was it on purpose?"

Edward Harris looked surprised, then coughed weakly. "How could that be? Cough, cough, cough… All my servants are in the front yard. It must have been the tile falling by itself."

Charles Morgan shrilled, "Can a tile fall by itself!"

"A few days ago, there was a thief in the residence, loosened the top of the wall."

"………"

The two stared at each other for a long moment, the room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs. Charles Morgan's head, losing blood, began to feel dizzy.

Edward Harris kept staring at him with those clear, bright eyes, repeatedly asking, "Are you alright?" but made no move to call anyone to bandage him or summon a doctor.

Charles Morgan fumed inwardly, cursing: Absolutely clueless! No wonder he's used as a pawn.

"Then I shall return to my residence and await your visit another day, my lord."

With that, he turned and slammed the door shut!

·

After confirming the person had left completely, Edward Harris got up and dressed.

There was a slight movement behind the screen.

Only then did William Thompson step out, followed by a downcast Brian Clark and a tail-between-his-legs Jason Grant.

Edward Harris, tying his sash, turned around. The crimson robe hung loosely on his shoulders, his black hair draped over his collarbone and tucked under his lapel. "Your Majesty."

William Thompson gave a soft grunt, his gaze shifting away from him.

Jason Grant immediately knelt to confess his guilt.

"You may go back first." William Thompson glanced at him, then paused and added, "Next, Secretary Grant may have to endure a few days of hardship."

Jason Grant was stunned, but quickly understood and kowtowed in thanks.

Edward Harris watched William Thompson's expression from the side.

In the warm yellow candlelight, that cold, handsome profile seemed much gentler than usual. Judging by his tone, his attitude toward Secretary Grant seemed rather good?

Edward Harris suddenly froze:

Could it be that from the very beginning, William Thompson never intended for Secretary Grant to take the blame…

All that talk in the imperial study was just to fool him?

As he was thinking this, the person in the center of his vision looked over at him. "And you—"

Edward Harris snapped back to attention, looking at William Thompson in confusion. "Hm?"

William Thompson slammed his hand on the desk with a "bang," his voice deep. "The way you treated people just now was completely out of line! Reflect on your actions for two days."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode out the door.

Edward Harris was still in a daze when he saw Brian Clark following behind, grinning and making a delicate gesture at him. "Lord Ning, you really were out of line~"

With that, he too left the room.

Edward Harris: ??????

After everyone had left, he stood there for a few moments. Suddenly, his gaze flickered and he spotted an object on the desk in the dim candlelight.

He walked over to take a look—it was a pure white jade thumb ring.

Brian Clark's exaggerated winks before leaving suddenly flashed through his mind.

Edward Harris held the jade ring in silence for a long time at the desk:

Could William Thompson's "out of line" actually mean "well done"…?

Author's note:

Edward Harris: Why do you have to be so fierce when praising me. Sob.

William Thompson: I am pleased, but I won't say it.

Chapter 9: Being Tied Up

The next day.

Because word spread that Edward Harris had been punished for pleading on behalf of Matthew Grant, officials in court followed the rumor and petitioned en masse for Secretary Grant to be dismissed and punished.

The outcry was so great that the new emperor William Thompson approved the petition and ordered Matthew Grant to be imprisoned and await trial.

…

Edward Harris let the court weather its own storms.

The next day, he still went out to meet Charles Morgan as if it were a fine, sunny day.

He changed into a plain crimson outer robe, his black hair casually tied at the back, no adornments on him, looking every bit the part of a sick man in simple dress.

He only took the jade thumb ring bestowed by William Thompson, tucking it at his waist.