Zhao Ji's eyes took on a meaningful depth as he spoke.
"He is still young, after all. What if he doesn't understand the Emperor's intentions? That would be rather..."
Liang Shicheng did not state it outright, but the Emperor understood perfectly.
Liang Shicheng was reminding him that if Han Mo were to follow Prince Xin to the southeast, their excessively close relationship could prove detrimental to the Emperor himself.
"Just do as you think best. The lad is a clever one; he won't get bogged down in trivialities!"
Han Mo's outward appearance was incredibly deceptive. Even an emperor as cunning as Zhao Ji was fooled by his facade.
"As you command!"
"Then, should Your Majesty issue an edict? This humble servant can personally guide him..."
"Well said. Let it be so. Grind the ink."
Hearing Liang Shicheng's suggestion, Zhao Ji's interest was piqued.
***
"My Lord, why do you seem so pleased?"
After Han Mo's departure, Zhang Shaoyou hurried over upon hearing that Nie Shan had returned.
"Indeed, there is some good news. Have someone count the remaining documents in my office later!"
"Is Your Lordship being promoted?"
Hearing Nie Shan's words, Zhang Shaoyou's eyes lit up immediately.
"Hahaha, the Emperor merely mentioned it casually. I am merely making preparations now!"
Although the official documents had not yet arrived, the Emperor's spoken word was as good as a done deal.
Even an old official like Nie Shan couldn't help but want to show off a little to his subordinate.
"May I know what the Emperor has promised Your Lordship?"
The fact that Nie Shan could still be promoted, given how the case had unfolded, showed just how highly the Emperor valued Han Mo.
"The Emperor merely said that the Ministry of Personnel is short of a Vice Minister..."
Nie Shan lowered his voice, speaking softly.
"Another step up from Vice Minister of Personnel would be a Grand Councilor of the realm! Your Lordship is in his prime, and with a few more years of experience, wouldn't that lead to a position in the Grand Secretariat? Congratulations, my Lord, congratulations!"
Seeing the excitement on Zhang Shaoyou's face, Nie Shan felt even more pleased.
"Everything still depends on the final imperial decree. By the way, has that County Magistrate Han returned?"
Nie Shan, having experienced it firsthand, naturally understood the situation better than Zhang Shaoyou.
When he left the palace, he had already made up his mind to cultivate a good relationship with Han Mo.
"He has already returned. After all, this young official Han comes from the Han clan. Since the case is no longer his concern, there is no need for him to stay at the post station."
"Then he returned to the驸马府 (Fuma Mansion)?"
"The Grand Princess personally sent someone to pick him up!"
Hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Nie Shan's estimation of Han Mo increased further.
As the Prefect of Kaifeng, he knew very well how close Grand Princess Zhao Shu was to the current Emperor.
As for the mansions of other princesses, Zhao Ji might not visit them even once a year.
However, the Emperor visited the Grand Princess's mansion once or twice every month.
Sometimes, on a whim, he might even stay overnight at the Grand Princess's residence.
Given the Emperor's regard for Han Mo, and the Grand Princess's protection of him, Nie Shan was almost certain that Han Mo would become a shining star in the officialdom.
"I see you have a rather familiar relationship with him. You should maintain contact when you have the time!"
Nie Shan actually valued Zhang Shaoyou quite a bit, as Zhang Shaoyou was more to his liking than other officials.
While he couldn't explicitly state many things in the officialdom, it was not impossible to give subtle guidance.
"Thank you for your guidance, my Lord!"
***
"My child, how long have you been out? You've lost so much weight! No matter how busy you are, you should still eat properly!"
Listening to the Grand Princess's nagging, Han Mo felt an inexplicable warmth.
In his previous life, he was an orphan. In this life, his mother had passed away when he was very young.
The Grand Princess's caring words almost brought tears to his eyes.
"Lost weight? I think he's quite sturdy now! However, what you did this time was far too risky!"
Although the Grand Princess was present and Han Jiayan couldn't speak too directly, he still subtly warned Han Mo.
"This time was indeed a bit reckless, but fortunately, the outcome was good. Uncle-Grandfather, rest assured, I won't do anything like this again!"
Gambling his future on the Emperor's intentions, although Han Mo had clearly won this time, if Zhe Kexun hadn't acted decisively, the matter might have stirred up more trouble.
Even Han Mo himself felt a chill recalling it. What if those two bailiffs had returned to Bianliang City? Who knew if they would have changed their story?
"The child has finally returned, can't you old fogey let him eat a proper meal?"
Just as Han Jiayan was about to respond, the Grand Princess Zhao Shu gave him an impatient glance.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more! Let's eat, let's eat!"
Even though no profit had yet been received from the Zhe family's shops, Zhe Wanchun would personally come at the end of the month to explain the specific destinations of every penny.
How much was earned this month, how much the Han family was entitled to, and the reinvestment of these funds into new businesses, were all matters the Grand Princess welcomed.
Although the money hadn't been received, she, as the Grand Princess, was well aware of the business performance of the shops in Bianliang City alone.
As the dividends she was supposed to receive each month grew, the Grand Princess was truly overjoyed.
Although she and her husband were not short of money, in the current times, to be able to watch vast amounts of copper coins flow into her hands without doing anything was a delightfully satisfying thought.
Thus, with the addition of wealth, the Grand Princess's gaze towards Han Mo became increasingly favorable.
"Reporting to Her Highness the Princess and His Highness the Prince Consort, Grand Commandant Liang is currently alighting from his carriage outside the mansion!"
As the family was enjoying a warm meal, a servant from outside rushed in to report.