This New Year's Day might have been the most exciting festival Han Mo had ever experienced.
Since arriving in the Song Dynasty, despite his best efforts to blend into this world, Han Mo still felt in his heart that worldly affairs didn't concern him that much.
He was like an observer, often acting as if he were playing an immersive game.
But now, everything was different. He was going to be a father.
Every time he placed his hand on Zhe Yourong's abdomen, that peculiar feeling filled him with a genuine sense of anticipation.
For five consecutive days, Han Mo remained by Zhe Yourong's side almost constantly.
At night, when they slept, he even made an exception and let her have the inner side of the bed.
If there was the slightest movement at night, even if Zhe Yourong merely turned over gently, Han Mo would sit up and carefully check if anything was wrong with her.
Under his influence, the entire Han residence began to revolve around Zhe Yourong.
The news that Han Mo had an heir spread throughout Mingzhou City in just one day.
Under the guise of the holiday, officials of all levels from Mingzhou flocked to Han Mo's mansion, seeking an audience.
However, the unified response they received was that he was not seeing anyone.
"It's the middle of the New Year. People have come all the way here, can't you go out and see them?"
Seeing that Han Mo had rejected almost all visits, Zhe Yourong couldn't stand it any longer.
"What could they possibly want? Coming at this time is nothing more than flattery. I'd rather stay here and see if you need anything. How are you? Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?"
"You..."
Pointing at Han Mo, Zhe Yourong couldn't help but laugh again.
He was, after all, the Commissioner of the Two Zhe and Fujian Coastal Military Affairs!
The soldiers and officials under his command numbered in the tens of thousands!
But ever since Han Mo learned of her pregnancy, he had been attending to her day and night.
His attentiveness was so profound that the experienced midwife, hired at great expense, was beginning to worry about her own position.
"Mo Ge'er, Sister Hongyu and General Han are here. They are in the warm chamber!"
As they were talking, Chun Tao suddenly announced from outside the door.
"It's those two. You can't not see them, can you? You're always around me, and I'm tired of seeing you! Go and keep General Han company for a while, and let Hongyu come and chat with me!"
Upon hearing that Liang Hongyu had arrived, Zhe Yourong quickly found an excuse to send Han Mo away.
"You little girl, what are you smiling about? If you keep smiling, I'll tickle you!"
Looking at Chun Tao, who was chuckling on the side, Zhe Yourong said with a blush, her tone slightly annoyed.
"Big Brother!"
After being sent out of the room by Zhe Yourong, Han Mo reluctantly made his way to the warm chamber.
Seeing Han Mo enter, Han Shizhong and Liang Hongyu quickly stood up to greet him.
"After so long, Hongyu, your complexion keeps getting better. It seems your life is going quite well!"
Looking at Liang Hongyu's rosy cheeks and the unconcealed smiles between her eyebrows, Han Mo couldn't help but say with a light chuckle.
"That's all thanks to Big Brother! If it weren't for you, how could we have such comfortable lives now?"
As Liang Hongyu spoke, she curtsied to Han Mo again.
"Alright, alright. Since you call me Big Brother, why say such things now? Your sister-in-law is waiting for you in the back courtyard. She wants you to go and chat with her. If you have nothing else to do in the future, come and spend more time with her!"
Han Mo understood in his heart that if he had nothing to do at this time, he could certainly spend all day with Zhe Yourong. However, once the New Year passed, there would only be more matters awaiting him, and his time with Zhe Yourong would truly become scarce.
"Then you two talk here for a while. I'll go to the back courtyard to see sister-in-law!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Liang Hongyu smiled, greeted Han Shizhong, and then rose to head towards Zhe Yourong's room.
"How are you? After all that travel, have you recovered these past few days?"
After Liang Hongyu left, Han Mo reached out and poured another cup of tea for Han Shizhong.
"Big Brother is joking. This hardship is nothing!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Han Shizhong immediately replied with a smile.
"Judging by Hongyu's appearance, your lives are going quite well. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell me directly. As your Big Brother, I may not have many skills, but I can certainly help you with financial matters!"
"Big Brother, you treat me so well, I..."
Hearing Han Mo say this, Han Shizhong felt his nose sting a little.
Although his surname was also Han, he had no connection to the Han family of Xiangzhou or the Han family of Hedong.
Before meeting Han Mo, even though he held the military rank of Captain of the Guard, his life was actually quite tight.
Compared to those times, he was now truly living in a world of honey.
When they held their wedding, Han Mo not only provided Liang Hongyu with an incredibly generous dowry but also completely established a home for them in Mingzhou City.
In addition to buying them a large mansion and a manor outside the city, he also purchased three shops for them in the liveliest part of Mingzhou City.
This time, taking advantage of the reform of the Maritime Trade Bureau, he specifically bought a ready-made workshop from the Qian family for Liang Hongyu.
Even if the couple did nothing from now on, these assets alone would be enough for them to live a life of comfort and security.
Not to mention, every year during the festivals, Zhe Yourong was even more generous with them.
The items she gave to Liang Hongyu this time alone were likely worth over a hundred thousand guan.
"All right, all right, didn't I say we are brothers? Why are you saying these things?"
"Big Brother..."
"Enough, it's getting late. I'll have someone find Pengju. You'll stay here for lunch today, and we'll chat while we eat!"
"Whatever Big Brother says!"
"That's the spirit!"
Han Mo was extremely satisfied seeing his grateful expression.
Given their current relationship, it might be difficult to get Han Shizhong to rebel with him, but if it came to advancing and retreating together in official circles, there should be no problem at all!
As for Yue Fei, Han Mo was even less worried. Although Yue Fei was arrogant, he was that way towards others.
Towards Han Mo, any slight disrespect would likely be impossible to get past his parents!
Although Wu Jie and Wu Lin were not present at this time, Han Mo had already sent people to give each of them ten thousand taels of silver, and specifically instructed them to ask for anything they needed and not to be stingy in the army.
With these four strong pillars supporting him, Han Mo was truly curious: when they truly grew up, who in the imperial court could possibly stand against this power?