"That is only natural," Edward Foster said. "With Third Miss's instructions, how could Ryan Carter dare to take them lightly? The weather is cold and the ground is slippery, Little Jack, steady Third Miss as she walks."

As soon as Grace Cooper left, Edward Foster turned back and said to the two rows of Jinyiwei, "His Majesty said to use the court staff, and this man has been beaten enough. Drag him back. You all heard what Third Miss just said—that is the Empress Dowager's will. Go back and tell Ryan Carter, this case is full of immortals; if anything happens to anyone under his watch—"

Edward Foster coughed softly.

"Even if the Heavenly King himself descended to earth, he couldn't save his head."

Little Jack returned to support Edward Foster. The long corridor was empty, and he asked in a low voice, "Old Ancestor, are we really just letting him go? Won't His Majesty blame us later?"

Edward Foster stepped on the snow and said, "His Majesty understands; this matter won't fall on us."

He walked a few steps, snowflakes crowding into his collar.

"A promise worth a thousand gold, a ruler fears nothing more than changing his mind. His Majesty fell seriously ill after the recent invasion by the twelve tribes of Biansha, and these days he's been considering granting Third Miss a princess title to please the Empress Dowager. At a time like this, not to mention sparing a life—whatever the Empress Dowager asks for, His Majesty will agree."

As Edward Foster spoke, he turned to look at Little Jack.

"When have you ever seen the Empress Dowager go back on her word?"

No matter the case, the one who speaks with finality is the true master.

* * *

William Sullivan was burning with fever, his mind delirious. One moment he saw Ethan Carter as he was before death, the next he saw himself as he had been living in Duanzhou.

The wind of Duanzhou fluttered the banners. Mistress lifted the curtain and came out, holding a white porcelain bowl filled with plump dumplings.

"Tell your brother to come back!" Mistress called out. "He can't sit still for a moment—tell him to hurry back for dinner!"

William Sullivan vaulted over the corridor railing, took a few steps to Mistress's side, snatched a dumpling with his chopsticks, and ran off. The dumpling was so hot he had to blow on it. Outside, he saw MasterSamuel Carter sitting on the steps, so he squatted down beside Samuel Carter.

Samuel Carter was polishing a stone in his hand. He turned his head and grunted at William Sullivan, saying, "Silly boy, how much are dumplings worth? Look how excited you are! Go call your brother back, and the three of us will go to Yuanyang Tower for a big meal."

William Sullivan didn't reply. Mistress was already tugging Samuel Carter's ear, saying, "Too good for dumplings, are you? If you're so capable, why haven't you married? Take these two silly boys and go by yourself then!"

William Sullivan burst out laughing. He jumped off the steps, waved to Master and Mistress, and ran out of the alley to look for his brother Ethan Carter.

Snow was falling heavily on the road, and William Sullivan couldn't find anyone. The farther he walked, the colder he felt.

"Brother."

William Sullivan called out in all directions.

"Ethan Carter! Come home for dinner!"

The sound of hooves gradually surrounded him, the heavy snow blocking his sight. William Sullivan was engulfed by the sound of hooves, but could see no one around. The sounds of battle erupted in his ears, hot blood splattered across his face, his legs ached with pain, and an irresistible force pinned him to the ground.

He saw corpses close at hand, arrows whistling through the wind, the weight of someone on his back, and that sticky, warm liquid running down his neck and cheeks.

This time, he knew what it was.

William Sullivan woke up trembling, drenched in sweat, shivering from the cold. He lay on the wooden bed, his eyes slowly adjusting to the dimness.

There were still people in the prison cell. A menial was cleaning up the filth and lit an oil lamp.

William Sullivan's mouth was parched. The menial seemed to know and poured a bowl of cold water, placing it on the bed. William Sullivan, alternating between chills and fever, slowly pushed the bowl toward himself with his fingers, spilling half the water.

No one spoke in the prison. After the menial left, only William Sullivan remained. He drifted in and out of consciousness. The night felt endless, and no matter how he waited, dawn would not come.

When the menial came again to change William Sullivan's bandages, he was much more lucid. Ryan Carter looked at him through the bars and said coldly, "You were lucky this time—evil lives a thousand years. The Empress Dowager spared your life, but you probably don't even know why."

William Sullivan bowed his head and didn't move.

Ryan Carter said, "I know your master is Samuel Carter, the fugitive Samuel Carter. Twenty years ago, he and I were fellow disciples. We both served as Jinyiwei in this very capital. You probably don't know, but he was once a third-rank Jinyiwei commander. I know the Ji family boxing style too."

William Sullivan raised his head and looked at him.

Ryan Carter opened the door. After the menial left and there was no one around, he sat down on William Sullivan's bed.

"Later, he committed a crime—a capital offense. But the late emperor was merciful and didn't kill him, just exiled him beyond Guanma Road." Ryan Carter braced his hands on his knees, grinning at William Sullivan from the shadows. "Your master—he's not much, just a lucky coward. Guess how he survived? Just like you today, all thanks to your master's wife. Do you know who she was? Let me tell you, your master's wife was called Emily Cooper. In this capital, there are eight cities in Cennan, and the Hua family of Dichen is the Empress Dowager's own family. So today, the Empress Dowager spared you for your master's wife's sake."

Ryan Carter lowered his head and spoke softly.

"But who knew your master's wife had already died in the chaos? I say Samuel Carter is a coward—twenty years ago he lost his father, twenty years later he lost his wife and son. Do you know who the real culprit is? You know best in your heart—the real culprit is David Sullivan!"