"Can you say something I can understand?"
Zhe Yourong glared at him impatiently.
"Can you improve your attitude? Is this how one asks for advice?"
Han Mo rolled his eyes and pointed at his empty teacup.
"You!"
Zhe Yourong was so angered she gritted her teeth.
"What about me? Pour the tea!"
Han Mo coughed dryly and pushed his teacup forward.
"Han, don't push your luck!"
As she spoke, Zhe Yourong waved the dagger in her hand.
"Can you put away that broken shard? Either stab me to death or put it away. Who are you trying to scare with it? Do you think I'm easily intimidated?"
With things having reached this point, Zhe Yourong knew she wouldn't actually harm him. Han Mo was therefore emboldened.
"Fine! I'll pour you tea!"
Zhe Yourong took several deep breaths. After her chest heaved violently for a moment, she finally managed to stabilize her emotions.
She sheathed the dagger directly into the tabletop, then picked up the teacup and poured Han Mo a cup of tea.
"Don't tables cost money? Such a fine table, ruined like that! This thing belongs to me now, as compensation for the table!"
Han Mo rolled his eyes at her and then pocketed the dagger.
"You!"
How could Zhe Yourong be a match for Han Mo's ability to seize an opportunity?
"What about me? Don't you have to give gifts when you ask for favors? Consider this your token of affection! Indeed, tea poured by a beauty is different!"
Han Mo said, happily picking up his teacup and taking a sip with feigned delight.
"Scoundrel!"
Zhe Yourong was at a loss for what to do about Han Mo's brazenness, and could only curse him through gritted teeth.
However, Han Mo automatically classified this level of indignation as playful banter.
"Alright, then I'll say something you can understand! This thing is indeed very important, but to fetch a good price, it depends on who can afford it!"
Han Mo smiled and said.
"Who else could afford it? Are you suggesting we give it to Tong Guan or Cai You?"
Zhe Yourong frowned.
After hearing Han Mo's analysis, she was no longer sure who in the court could accept this item and afford it.
"Don't be ridiculous. Even if Cai Jing is gone, Cai You won't be able to take his place soon. Not to mention, even if he becomes a Shao Zai, he won't have any influence over the allocation of military equipment. As for Tong Guan, giving it to him would be like throwing a bone to a dog—it would never be seen again!"
"Then what should we do?"
Zhe Yourong frowned again.
"How much has your injury healed?"
Han Mo asked with a smile.
"Your wound medicine is indeed good. If I don't engage in combat, it's already fine!"
Zhe Yourong said dejectedly.
"Of course it's good! That small bottle cost ten guan! Come closer, whisper to me!"
Han Mo's eyes twinkled, and he lowered his voice.
"Is there a need for only you and I to do this here?"
Zhe Yourong knew he was up to no good and looked at him warily.
"Listen if you want, or don't. Haven't you heard the story of 'walls have ears'? Are such important matters meant to be spoken of casually?"
Han Mo spoke with feigned seriousness.
After a moment of inner struggle, Zhe Yourong finally leaned her head closer.
Seeing her crystalline ear, Han Mo's playful mood struck. He leaned in close and blew a long breath into her ear.
"You! Shameless!"
"Are you listening?"
Zhe Yourong's teeth ached with frustration, but she was helpless against him. She could only grit her teeth and lean in again…
Han Mo chuckled maliciously, then lowered his voice and whispered a few words into Zhe Yourong's ear.
"Will this work?"
Zhe Yourong's eyes widened.
"That depends on who goes to say it. If you go, you might even lose your principal. But if I go, it's not impossible to get three to five times your original price!"
Han Mo said smugly.
"What are you so proud of? It's just some insidious scheme!"
Seeing his smug expression, Zhe Yourong said impatiently.
"What do you mean 'insidious scheme'? I'm strategizing within my command, winning battles a thousand miles away! If I don't have to go, I won't!"
Han Mo rolled his eyes and stood up, preparing to leave.
"Stop right there!"
Zhe Yourong had never imagined she would encounter such a troublesome person.
Ever since she and Han Mo had started their sparring, Han Mo had always had the upper hand, and she had been led by the nose the entire time.
This feeling made her extremely uncomfortable. However, recalling the Lin Fu Feng San Zhou far away, she had no choice but to suppress her anger.
The court had been in turmoil recently. Even the common folk in the entertainment districts knew that war might break out between the Song and Liao kingdoms again.
Thinking of the Zhe family's soldiers who lacked military supplies, Zhe Yourong could only forcibly suppress her anger.
"Your attitude doesn't seem like you're asking for help!"
Han Mo suddenly realized that when he had nothing else to do, bickering with her and seeing her angry face seemed like a good option.
"What do you want before you'll help me?"
Zhe Yourong clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking, and suppressed the anger that was already at the tip of her tongue.
"Simple, call me 'good brother,' and I'll help you sort this out. And I guarantee you'll get at least double your original estimate!"
Han Mo said with a wicked grin.
"Don't push your luck!"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhe Yourong's eyebrows shot up.
"If you don't call me, I'm leaving!"
The more angry she became, the more amused Han Mo felt.
"Come back!"
Seeing him walk towards the courtyard gate without looking back, Zhe Yourong finally stamped her foot hard.
"Alright!"
Han Mo quickly ran back.
"Good, good…"
Although Zhe Yourong had not been subjected to Zhu Fuzi's poison, she was still an unmarried young lady. How could she utter such blatant endearments?
"Good what? If I don't hear it, it doesn't count!"
Han Mo coughed dryly, raised his ears again, and wore a mischievous smile.
"Good, good, good brother!"