“Mo Ge, why are you only arriving now?”
Just as Han Mo was hesitating about whether to ask someone for Han Jiayan's whereabouts, Liu Jinfu greeted him with a wide smile.
“Just who is this esteemed guest? This is quite the grand display, isn't it?” Han Mo asked, feigning ignorance.
“My dear official, you mustn't speak so carelessly! Can't you tell yet? All these men are elites from the Pengri Army!” Seeing Han Mo's unguarded manner, Liu Jinfu nearly died of fright. He quickly pulled Han Mo aside and cautioned him with great care.
“The Pengri Army? Then the one arriving today is…” As Han Mo had guessed, his heart pounded violently. He didn't even need to act; his surprised expression was entirely natural.
“Alright, alright, you figured that out yourself, I didn't say a word.” Liu Jinfu glanced around before leading Han Mo towards the warm pavilion in the back.
“You arrived rather early today, young man. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Get him a bowl!” As soon as Han Mo entered, Han Jiayan waved him over to sit. Han Mo, knowing nothing of politeness, took the bowl and chopsticks from the servant and began to feast heartily.
“It's good that Uncle-Ancestor understands me! I had to leave in a hurry this morning and truly didn't have time for breakfast!” he mumbled while eating.
“I just find you pleasing to the eye, unlike your rather useless uncles. When they come before me, they eat like mice encountering a cat.” Han Jiayan smiled as he watched Han Mo's uninhibited demeanor.
“Uncle-Ancestor, are you saying I have a thick skin?” Han Mo said somewhat awkwardly.
“Hahahaha, so you do have some self-awareness, you rascal? You must have seen outside earlier. To be frank, the Emperor will be arriving shortly!”
“The Emperor? But I'm just an unknown nobody right now. Won't this be…” Happiness had arrived too suddenly. Han Mo truly wasn't prepared. Just as he entered, he suddenly thought of a very practical problem. What if this Emperor, a connoisseur of calligraphy and painting, decided to test his knowledge on a whim? He would be utterly humiliated!
“Unknown nobody? No, no, no, you are the main protagonist today. A few days ago, you were indeed an unknown, but those princes were all present that day. Even the Emperor praised your poem 'Po Zhen Zi' to the skies!”
“It just so happens that your father-in-law is coming to the capital to report for duty. To let your father-in-law see his future son-in-law in advance, the Emperor specifically summoned you!”
“Father-in-law?” Han Mo's lips twitched. It couldn't be… Could things in this world truly be so coincidental? Today, he was going to meet two historical figures at once? Whether it was Zhe Kecun or the Emperor of calligraphy and painting, they were both renowned figures.
“Indeed! But you don't need to be nervous. With your looks alone, that old man will be smiling in his sleep!” The Great Song Dynasty ruled with culture and wisdom. Even the Zhe family was a renowned military household, and Zhe Kecun was a famous general of the court. However, in Han Jiayan’s opinion, it was Zhe Kecun who had married up when his daughter married into the Han family.
Although Han Mo wasn't a direct descendant of the Han family, his poem 'Po Zhen Zi' showed that the young man had ambition. In contrast, the Zhe family were originally of Tangut descent. If it weren't for the fact that Madam Zhe and Han Mo's mother were close friends in their youth, and Han Mo's father was then just an obscure candidate for office, the Han family would never have accepted this marriage. After all, although there was no explicit law, there was an unwritten rule among scholars: a scholar-official should not marry a woman of foreign descent as his principal wife.
It was only because Han Mo's mother had passed away and Han Jiayan couldn't bear to let down his mother's intentions that he reluctantly accepted the marriage. Otherwise, given his personality, he might have quietly annulled the marriage.
“That's what you say, but still…” In both his lives, Han Mo had never experienced anything like this. Even with his thick skin, he felt a strange nervousness now. After all, with the Emperor and his father-in-law arriving together, who could handle that?
“Master, the Emperor's carriage will arrive soon!” As they were talking, Liu Jinfu said softly from outside the door.
“Why is he here so early today? It's only the third quarter of the Chen hour. Why has he come out so quickly?” Although surprised, Han Jiayan dared not delay. He wiped his hands with a towel and led Han Mo towards the main hall.
In the main hall of the Han family, Princess Zhao Shu of Qi, along with some of the younger generation of the Han family, had already been waiting.
“Han Mo pays his respects to Her Highness the Grand Princess!”
“Mo Ge, there's no need to be so formal. Stand by my side later. This isn't an official audience, so you don't need to be overly nervous. Just behave as a junior!” The couple were deeply in love, and seeing how much Han Jiayan valued Han Mo, especially since the Emperor had specifically asked to see him, Zhao Shu showed him exceptional consideration.
“Many thanks to Her Highness the Grand Princess for your guidance!” Hearing this, Han Mo finally felt more at ease. Fortunately, today was not a formal occasion, or the sheer number of etiquette rules would have been enough to kill him. According to the fragmented memories of his original self, the etiquette for meeting the Emperor was not easy. All the rules, big and small, added up to hundreds. But at an informal occasion like today, it was much less so. It was probably only at Han Jiayan's home that things could be this casual.
“Alright, you are always so formal, child. We are family, after all. When no one else is around, you don't need to address me as 'Your Highness' so often!” Politeness is never wrong, Zhao Shu said, but she couldn't help but look at Han Mo with increased admiration.
“Master, the Emperor's carriage has entered the gate!”
“Let's go, come out with me to welcome him!” A moment later, hearing that the Emperor's carriage was nearing, Han Jiayan straightened his robes and led his large family towards the main entrance.
“Eleventh Brother, why are you here so early today?” As they reached the entrance, a tall, middle-aged man was already alighting from the carriage. Princess Zhao Shu of Qi immediately said with a smile.
“I haven't seen Elder Sister for a long time, so I came a bit earlier today!” Listening to their conversation, Han Mo understood. This must be the Emperor, the connoisseur of calligraphy and painting. Although it was not a formal occasion, he still dared not look directly. Bowing his head, he stealthily peeked at the Emperor in front of him with his peripheral vision.
“Your subject, the驸马都尉 Han Jiayan, greets His Majesty!” While Princess Zhao Shu could speak casually, Han Jiayan could not. After all, there is a distinction between sovereign and subject, and etiquette is paramount. Even though it was not a formal occasion and he didn't need to wear court attire, he still gave Zhao Ji a proper bow.
“You're just too formal! I already said we don't need to be so strict with each other! Alright, alright, Si Chang arrived a few days ago, and I'm here today to help him appraise his son-in-law! Where is Han Mo of the Han family? Let me take a look!” Hearing the Emperor say this, Han Mo couldn't help but twitch his lips. It seemed he was getting a lot of face today, but he wondered if his face could handle it…
“Han Mo pays his respects to His Majesty, and greets Zhe Shang Ge!”
[Author's Note]
PS: Zhe Kecun, courtesy name Si Chang. He does not have a separate biography in the History of Song, so he can only be seen sporadically. Zhe Kecun's official positions were Deputy General of Hedong Fourth Division, and Xuanzan Official of the Gate Pavilion, which is the West Shang Gate Pavilion Envoy. Although this is an informal occasion, as it is their first meeting and the Emperor is present, he can only be addressed as Zhe Shang Ge. Eleventh Brother, Emperor Huizong, Zhao Ji, was the eleventh son of Emperor Shenzong, and was of the same generation as Princess Zhao Shu of Qi, hence he is referred to as Eleventh Brother.