"My lord, we've just received word that Lord Wang is now within Mingzhou territory. In about another hour, he should arrive at Mingzhou City!"
Two days later, Han Mo finally received news of Wang Xiang's arrival.
"So soon?"
Even Han Mo hadn't expected Wang Xiang to move so quickly. This fellow really seemed to wish him dead.
Without Zong Ying, his intelligence network in Suzhou City had become suddenly sparse. He hadn't even received advance notice of Wang Xiang's southward journey.
This made Han Mo inwardly suspect a conspiracy. It seemed that Wang Xiang wasn't the only one targeting him this time!
"My lord, should we prepare ourselves?"
"There have been too many matters in the city recently. Send someone to deliver these walnuts to Lord Li. Let him ponder and replenish his brainpower!"
After a brief hesitation, Han Mo pointed to a plate of walnuts on the table.
"Understood!"
Only after Jiang Yan left did Han Mo heave a long sigh.
"Zhao Zhen, Zhao Zhen, do you hate me this much, wishing me dead?"
Although Zong Ying was no longer in Suzhou City, the men he left behind were not idle.
Perhaps they couldn't do other things, but they could at least pass on messages. Apart from Zhao Zhen, he really couldn't think of anyone else who would make them too scared to relay even a single piece of news.
Even though there had already been friction between the two of them, this matter truly chilled Han Mo to the bone.
"Brother, you didn't eat properly this morning. I specially had someone simmer some mutton broth. Why don't you try some?"
As Han Mo was lost in thought, Liang Hongyu quietly entered, holding a bowl of mutton broth and placing it in front of him.
"By the way, where is Mr. Shao? It's been several days, why haven't I seen him?"
While drinking the mutton broth, Han Mo asked casually.
"I was just about to tell you. Mr. Shao hasn't eaten or slept properly for the past two days. His eyes are bloodshot, and he keeps muttering about 'one copper coin.' I suspect he lost some money?"
"Pfft—"
"Hahahaha!"
Hearing Liang Hongyu's words, Han Mo burst into laughter. The mouthful of mutton broth he had just taken was sprayed out.
"Brother, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Han Mo's inexplicable laughter truly made Liang Hongyu freeze. After thinking for a long time, she couldn't figure out what could make him so happy.
"No, no, it has nothing to do with you. Let me laugh for a while."
"Hahahaha!"
After speaking, Han Mo started laughing heartily again, and as he laughed, he slid off the stool.
Even as he sat on the ground, he was still laughing uncontrollably.
"Brother, what's wrong with you?"
It wasn't until a long time later, when Han Mo had laughed himself out of breath, that Liang Hongyu asked him with concern.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I'll write a note. After I leave later, you personally deliver this note to Mr. Shao's room. Remember, you must wait until I've gone out!"
"Hahahaha!"
As Han Mo spoke, he burst into laughter again.
Two days had passed since this incident. Han Mo had thought that Shao Bowen had seen through his little trick long ago, so he hadn't taken it seriously himself. Yet, he hadn't expected that such a small trick would torment him for two days and two nights.
However, no matter what, Han Mo's anger had finally been vented. This old fellow would think twice before daring to sit back and watch a fight unfold in the future!
"Why must it be after you leave?"
Liang Hongyu looked at Han Mo with some confusion.
"If I don't get far away, I'm afraid he'll seek me out for revenge after reading the answer!"
Han Mo couldn't help but chuckle again as he wrote. As he laughed, his handwriting even became a little shaky.
"Understood!"
Although she still didn't quite understand what was going on, Liang Hongyu still responded and didn't press further.
After changing his clothes, Han Mo led Jiang Yan and the others out of the post station.
However, just as he stepped out the door, he suddenly heard Shao Bowen's voice from the back courtyard of the post station.
"Han Mo!"
"Let's go, let's go! This plague god will catch up to us soon!"
"Young Master, isn't that Mr. Shao's voice? Does he need you for something?" Jiang Yan asked doubtfully.
"I told you to go, why are you spouting so much nonsense?"
Giving him a sharp look, Han Mo abandoned all pretense of dignity and bolted. Jiang Yan dared not question him further. After exchanging glances with a few guards, he quickly followed.
In the blink of an eye, the group had disappeared into the marketplace. When Shao Bowen chased out, Han Mo and his party were nowhere to be seen...
"Spring Green! You're the stupid donkey, and your whole family are stupid donkeys!"
With disheveled hair and a messy appearance, Shao Bowen, like a ruffian, jumped and pointed in the direction Han Mo had disappeared, cursing loudly.
"Young Master, where are we going..."
After running for a long distance, Jiang Yan couldn't help but ask Han Mo with confusion.
"Don't ask. Knowing too much is dangerous. Beware, lest I decide to silence you on a whim one day!"
Although he said this, Han Mo still wore a smug smile. To be able to toy with Shao Bowen, renowned as the foremost divine fortune-teller of the Great Song, to this extent was enough for him to be proud of.
"Then, Young Master, where are we going now?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Jiang Yan realized that further questioning would yield no results, so he directly changed the subject.
"Our Lord Wang will be arriving soon. Let's go to the city gates to have a look. After all, he's a superior official. If the timing is right, we should welcome him!"
As Han Mo spoke, he stretched his waist. He had been busy with writing and drawing all these days, and now his old back was starting to protest.
"But don't you need to wear your official attire?"
Looking at Han Mo's casual clothes, Jiang Yan asked doubtfully.
"Did he send anyone to notify us?"
Han Mo asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
"He didn't, actually..."
"Since he didn't send anyone to notify me himself, is there anything improper about this official wearing casual clothes while patrolling the city?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Jiang Yan's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Indeed, the officialdom was not a place for people like him. It was truly a case of "the character 'official' has two mouths," allowing him to justify anything...