“It can’t just be Charles Bennett.” Samuel Carter turned back to Chancellor King and said, “Chancellor, you haven’t been out for twenty years, you probably don’t know the four great generals of the current Great Zhou. The King of Li Bei has a fine son, that Charles Bennett is truly remarkable!”

William Sullivan, however, asked Sophia Reed, “Brother Sophia, did he ask you anything?”

Sophia Reed thought carefully and said, “He asked me where I was going. I said I was taking a shortcut to my post. He then said this road didn’t seem to lead to Shenwu Avenue, so I just brushed him off. I figured someone of his princely status wouldn’t investigate personally.”

“But since this concerns the The Bennett Family, we must be cautious. Later, you still need to go to the palace and make a note in the duty register.” Samuel Carter rubbed his hands together in the snow. “Charlie, time for boxing practice.”

“Wait.” William Sullivan’s eyes were deep as night. “Since it’s a civilian district alley, what is a prince like him doing on this street so early in the morning?”

Sophia Reed was also taken aback and said, “That’s true… All the entertainment spots are on East Dragon Avenue, quite a distance from the civilian district. He was heavily hungover, and in this freezing weather, why would he come here!”

“Lying in wait, of course.” Chancellor King rolled over, wrapped in a tattered curtain, turning his back to the outside. “The matter of David Sullivan concerns the The Bennett Family. From the way he kicked, it was clear he wanted the boy dead. But now the boy is alive and well—how could he not be suspicious?”

“If he had no ulterior motive, he wouldn’t have said a second sentence.” William Sullivan recalled that kick, still feeling a lingering fear.

“Damn.” Sophia Reed’s face changed as well. “It’s my fault for being careless. What should we do now? He’s probably already on his way!”

William Sullivan turned to Chancellor King: “No matter, since you’ve already guessed it, sir, you must have a plan.”

* * *

Matthew Lee arrived at the Jinyiwei office. The accompanying censor, though of equal rank, didn’t dare put on airs. He led Matthew Lee straight to the records room and said, “General Matthew, what do you wish to check? Here are today’s duty rosters for the twelve divisions.”

Matthew Lee, always serious, picked up a register and flipped through it. “Patrolling the Forbidden City is hard work for all you Jinyiwei brothers. A few days ago, I was helped by a centurion named Sophia Reed, and I’ve come today to thank him. Is he on duty today?”

“All the centurions of the twelve divisions are inside.” The censor moved to the wall, where the duty rosters for the twelve divisions were clearly displayed.

But Matthew Lee couldn’t touch these—such things were taboo in the Forbidden City.

The censor asked, “General, do you know which division he’s from?”

Matthew Lee said, “I heard that only the Luanyu Division, Qinggai Division, or the Elephant Taming Division can be on morning duty.”

The censor carefully checked the rosters by division. After a while, he turned to Matthew Lee and said, “General, there’s no such person on duty today. Shall I check elsewhere for you?”

Matthew Lee gently closed the register in his hand. “No need, I’ll find him myself.”

Matthew Lee left the records room; dawn was just breaking. He retraced his steps, striding briskly toward the palace gates.

Shenwu Avenue had just been cleared of snow, but the road was slippery. The sedan bearers carrying nobles dared not rush, treading carefully for safety.

As Matthew Lee passed a sedan, he caught a glimpse of a bearer wearing a waist knife. That single glance made him frown.

“Wait.” Matthew Lee stopped the sedan. “Is this the sedan for the Commander?”

The bearers were indeed Jinyiwei. The leader nodded and said, “You know who we’re picking up, and you still dare block the way? Move aside, quickly!”

Matthew Lee raised his hand, revealing his Li Bei waist token.

The Jinyiwei leader nodded. “Apologies, General!”

The sedan curtain moved, and a delicate hand lifted it. A beautiful, languid face glanced at Matthew Lee, then playfully called inside, “Sir, someone’s looking for you!”

Ryan Carter had just returned from a night of heavy drinking, sitting grandly in the sedan. He said to Matthew Lee, “General Matthew! Is there something you need?”

Matthew Lee fixed his gaze on the leading Jinyiwei. “Nothing. I heard that last night the young master drank with you, Sir. Did you just return?”

Ryan Carter laughed, “Worried about the second young master, are you! When I woke up this morning, the young master had already gone home. Is the heir looking for someone?”

“I just couldn’t rest easy.” Matthew Lee saluted. “Sorry to disturb you, Sir.”

“No worries! I just came out myself.” Ryan Carter waved his hand. “Who just offended the General? Hurry and apologize properly.”

The leading Jinyiwei knelt on one knee and said to Matthew Lee, “This subordinate, Sophia Reed, failed to recognize your greatness and offended you, General. I am willing to accept punishment!”

Matthew Lee hadn’t been mistaken.

The waist token hanging by the knife indeed bore the name Sophia Reed.

* * *

Andrew Bennett listened to Matthew Lee’s account, still sitting cross-legged, reading a storybook.

Matthew Lee said, “From the looks of it, he wasn’t lying. He didn’t have time to enter the palace and was sent to pick up Ryan Carter first.”

“That’s right.” Andrew Bennett replied absentmindedly. “Qingjun Tower is close by, so he could make it in time.”

“But I still feel something’s off.” Matthew Lee rubbed his thumb along his sword hilt.

Andrew Bennett flipped a page. “You can’t figure it out?”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll tell you.” He suddenly sat up, crossed his legs, and propped one hand on his knee. “You entered the capital with Big Brother, the emperor personally welcomed you, and the twelve divisions of Jinyiwei followed in full regalia. So why doesn’t he recognize you now?”

“That’s hard to say.” Matthew Lee replied. “Maybe he just didn’t remember.”