"Uncle is too polite. It should have been us younger ones coming to pay our respects yesterday! However, His Majesty met a master in the palace yesterday and insisted on examining our fortunes, so we were delayed! That's why we've specially come today to apologize!"
Seeing Han Jiayan take the lead in saluting, the person seated at the upper hand quickly stood up and said with a smile.
"Third Brother, you speak too heavily. Since His Majesty kept you for some important matters, you could have simply sent someone to inform me. Why bother running all the way here again? It's the New Year, and your mansion should be busy with many things. There's no need to specially come to my place for such a minor matter to sit idly!"
Hearing Han Jiayan's words, Han Mo couldn't help but mutter to himself inwardly.
Thinking about it, this fellow must be the renowned Prince Yun, Zhao Kai!
This was someone who almost became emperor. Han Mo couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
"Third Brother, Uncle seems to dislike that we're late! Hahahaha!"
As soon as Han Jiayan finished speaking, another young man in brocade robes stood up, laughing heartily.
"Ninth Brother, you're teasing me with those words!"
Han Jiayan also burst into laughter.
Han Jiayan chatted and laughed heartily with them, but Han Mo couldn't bring himself to smile.
Judging by Han Jiayan's address, this fellow should be the renowned Prince Kang, Zhao Gou.
A veritable emperor who surrendered!
"By the way, Uncle, who is this?"
Just as Han Mo was lost in thought, Prince Kang Zhao Gou had no intention of letting him off the hook.
"It is I, the old man, who is remiss for not introducing this to Your Highnesses. This is also a descendant of my Han family. According to the family's seniority, he should address me, the old man, as grand-uncle. His name is Han Mo, and he is currently studying at the Imperial Academy!"
"Han Mo? Indeed, a fine name! Your family, Uncle, truly has talents emerging in abundance. Judging by this young brother's appearance, he must also be a distinguished young talent. This is my mansion's token. If you have leisure in the future, we can get to know each other properly!"
As soon as Han Jiayan finished speaking, Zhao Kai, with a smile, directly reached out and produced a token.
Upon hearing his words, the remaining princes all fell silent.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.
"Look at my brain, someone bring tea! Head to the study and bring out the remaining half-cake of Dragon Ball White Snow!"
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Han Jiayan busied himself to smooth things over.
"Thank you for Your Highness's favor, but Han Mo is crude and unworthy, and I fear I cannot bear such great kindness from Your Highness."
Although he had only been in the Song Dynasty for a few months, Han Mo had been an avid enthusiast of Song history in his previous life.
This prince who had almost become emperor was naturally a household name to him.
Although this fellow had caused a great stir, his final outcome was truly rather tragic.
Now that he had just arrived in the Song Dynasty and hadn't even firmly established his footing, he didn't want to get involved in the disputes of these princes at this time.
Political opportunism was not something he was ready to undertake!
This token that Prince Yun had presented was not for him, but clearly for Han Jiayan to see.
Although Han Jiayan was a驸马 (princess consort's husband) without substantial office, behind him stood the formidable Xiangzhou Han family.
"What this prince gives out, there is no reason to take it back."
Although Han Mo refused to accept it, Prince Yun seemed to have no intention of taking it back.
At this point, Han Mo truly wanted to curse.
I don't know you, and this is our first meeting, yet you have to trap me like this?
Although I am indeed quite handsome, it's not to the point where you'd fall for me at first sight...
"Your Highness, stop joking with him. He's merely a student of the Imperial Academy now, how could he possibly deserve such great favor from Your Highness?"
Han Jiayan was basically satisfied with Han Mo's performance.
Originally, he had just brought Han Mo along on a whim to get acquainted, but he hadn't expected such a situation to unfold today.
"It's just a token, not anything important. I, personally, love making friends, and I just found him pleasing to the eye. If Uncle disagrees, then let it be!"
Han Mo was completely bewildered now. The attitude displayed by this fellow was not a whim.
Han Jiayan had already spoken to this extent, and according to common sense, he should have seized the opportunity to back down.
But to his surprise, this fellow countered with a strategic retreat that pushed the old fox Han Jiayan into a corner.
"Hahahaha, it's just a token, what's there to agree or disagree about? Mo Ge, since His Highness likes you so much, I think you should accept it!"
Han Jiayan hadn't expected that after hunting geese all his life, he would be pecked by a goose today. In his momentary lapse, he was cornered by a junior with his words.
"If that's the case, then thank you for Your Highness's favor! I shall certainly visit Your Highness's mansion when I have leisure."
Looking at Han Jiayan's half-smiling expression, Han Mo could only reluctantly accept the token.
But to this day, he still couldn't figure out what this young man saw in him.
It is said that the scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty were fond of male companionship. Could this pretty boy be a rabbit?
"What fragrant tea! Uncle, you are quite unfair. When I visit your mansion in the past, you are reluctant to bring out such good tea. It seems you are only willing to bring out this good stuff today because Third Brother has arrived!"
Just as Han Mo was feeling a bit flustered, Zhao Gou suddenly spoke.
"Ninth Brother, you've only spoken half the truth. If you hadn't all arrived today, I truly would have been reluctant to bring out this good stuff! This is a treasure bestowed by His Majesty a few months ago, and I only have this half-cake left in my mansion. It's just enough for one drink. When any of you come alone, how would I dare to bring it out? Hahahaha!"
Han Mo stood by the side, listening to their verbal sparring, and couldn't help but inwardly exclaim how exciting it was.
Indeed, no one in the royal family was to be trifled with.
Regardless of historical evaluations of Zhao Gou, Han Mo had to admit that this fellow was truly skilled at stirring up trouble and fanning the flames.
In just a few words, he had directly pushed Prince Yun Zhao Kai to the opposition of all his brothers.
Although he was currently just a bystander among all the princes.
But this fellow's scheming truly opened Han Mo's eyes.
Of course, Han Jiayan's subtle words were equally brilliant!