Although complaining verbally, the old servant quickly hurried to the back door.
Yu Shen was no longer prime minister, so he could no longer reside in his original mansion. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, the residence he now occupied was merely a three-courtyard dwelling.
While the living conditions were far superior to those of ordinary citizens, they paled in comparison to his former mansion.
Not only was the area significantly smaller, but he also had a total of only four servants attending to him.
Two young pages for miscellaneous tasks, plus a cook. Of course, they could only handle the general chores. All the entertaining and receiving guests still fell upon the old servant who had been by Yu Shen's side his entire life.
"Is this Prime Minister Yu's residence?"
As soon as the door was opened, the old servant saw a man wearing a bamboo hat.
"And who might you be?"
After scrutinizing the man from head to toe, the old servant asked with a hint of confusion.
"My master has a letter for Prime Minister Yu. I wonder if the Prime Minister has retired for the night?"
The man in the bamboo hat, while speaking, cupped his hands towards the old servant.
"It is so late, naturally, he has retired. If it is a letter, you can give it to me. When the Prime Minister wakes up tomorrow, I will pass it to him then!"
Although they were in Bianliang City, the old servant dared not be the least bit careless. After all, someone arriving so late at night wearing a bamboo hat likely had a reason to conceal their identity.
"I apologize, but this matter is of great importance. I must personally deliver this letter to Prime Minister Yu. Kindly trouble yourself to announce my arrival. Oh, and this is a token from my master to Prime Minister Yu!"
As he spoke, the man pulled a jade hook from his sleeve.
"Please wait here a moment, sir!"
Just a glance at the item presented, and the old servant's expression subtly shifted.
Having served Yu Shen for many years, he naturally recognized this object!
It was a keepsake from Yu Shen's late wife, something never shown lightly. Anyone for whom Yu Shen would use this as a token must be an extraordinary individual.
"Thank you for your trouble!"
"Prime Minister, someone is at the door with this item, saying they have a letter for you!"
Upon returning to Yu Shen's study, the old servant quickly spoke.
"Where is the person?"
Looking at the jade hook, which was verdant and lustrous under the lamplight, Yu Shen's face paled considerably, and he hastily inquired.
"The person is waiting outside. Should I invite them in?"
"Let him in. And keep the noise down, don't let anyone else know, especially..."
As Yu Shen spoke, he gestured towards the front courtyard.
Although these servants were hired from the Bianliang market, who could guarantee that none of them were spies from the Imperial City Department?
This item was left by Yu Shen for Han Mo. Now that it had appeared here, he did not wish for this matter to reach the ears of the Imperial City Department.
"Yes!"
After responding, the old servant turned and headed towards the front courtyard.
He carefully inspected the gate connecting the front and back courtyards, then cautiously reopened the back door and invited the man wearing the bamboo hat inside.
"You may go and stand guard outside now!"
The moment the man entered the room, Yu Shen's previously clouded eyes suddenly flashed with sharp intelligence, and he directly instructed the old servant.
"Yes!"
The old servant acknowledged and then left again.
"Cough—cough—cough—"
Only when three coughs were heard from outside did Yu Shen finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"I say, boy, aren't you too audacious? How dare you enter the capital privately at this time?"
"Isn't it precisely because I've come to help you ascend to great heights? Why does it feel like you're not quite welcoming me?"
Having removed his bamboo hat, Han Mo cupped his hands towards Yu Shen with a smile.
"Please, stop joking. I am already old and have retired. What talk of regaining prime ministership?"
Hearing him say this, Yu Shen did not dwell on the previous topic and instead smoothly followed Han Mo's lead.
"If that's what you say, perhaps I should leave then?"
Seeing a flicker of surprise and joy in Yu Shen's eyes, Han Mo said with a light smile.
"You little fox!"
This time, even Yu Shen couldn't help but laugh.
He had traveled all the way from his hometown to here. If he had no agenda, why would he bother?
However, he also understood that having been removed from the position of Grand Preceptor, the first thing he needed to do to regain power was to oust Cai Jing!
But ousting Cai Jing was by no means an easy task. Although Cai Jing himself was now old, his network of influence was still immensely powerful.
Especially at this moment, Cai Jing had formed a defensive alliance with Zhang Bangchang, Tong Guan, and Cai You. Getting rid of him was no simple feat...
Although Cai Jing had not openly attacked him, he had recently felt an increasing number of strange individuals appearing around his residence.
Even if these people dared not do anything to him for the time being, who could guarantee that Cai Jing would not resort to desperate measures if something happened?
Wang Fu could die near Bianliang; how could he afford to be careless!
Just as Han Mo had said, at this very moment, wasn't it precisely when he needed assistance?
"Prime Minister, you flatter me. When it comes to being cunning and far-sighted, I am far behind you!"
Han Mo offered no defense to the title of "little fox."
Having been in officialdom for so long, who didn't understand whom?
"You said you would help me ascend to great heights. How will you do that?"
Seeing the young man beating around the bush, Yu Shen, casting aside his pride, spoke directly.
"Prime Minister, if you wish to rise, it must be with righteous dignity. Otherwise, how can you serve as a teacher to all officials?"
"How with righteous dignity?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Yu Shen's pupils contracted.
"Prime Minister, although it is late, you must at least offer a bowl of cooling tea, mustn't you?"
Just as Yu Shen was eagerly looking at Han Mo, waiting for him to continue, Han Mo suddenly changed the subject and said with a smile.
"Hahaha, you rascal!"
Hearing him say this, Yu Shen couldn't help but laugh.
"Please forgive my impertinence, Prime Minister!"
Jokes aside, Yu Shen understood very well that what Han Mo was asking for now was not just a bowl of tea; he was clearly haggling.
"I just don't know if this old man can afford your bowl of tea!"