"The southeastern region cannot withstand further attrition at this time. If war breaks out between the two countries, what will the court use to defend itself?"
"Your Highness, do you know that people are secretly cutting flesh from corpses in the mass graves outside Suzhou city..."
After finishing his words, Han Mo also put down the axe in his hand and stood there, waiting for Zhao Zhen's answer.
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
Listening to Zhao Zhen's heavy breathing, Han Mo's eyes began to shine brighter.
He was truly unwilling to give up on Zhao Zhen unless it was absolutely necessary.
After all, he had made a heavy bet on Zhao Zhen. Would there be enough time to switch allegiance now?
"Brother Han, please accept this bow from Zhao Zhen!"
After a long silence, Zhao Zhen finally looked up again, glanced at Han Mo earnestly, and bowed deeply to him.
"Han Mo is crude and dare not accept such a great courtesy from Your Highness!"
Regardless of whether Zhao Zhen's choice was sincere or feigned, this long bow greatly eased Han Mo's mind.
"No, Brother Han's words today have enlightened Zhao Zhen. You must accept this bow!"
After speaking, Zhao Zhen bowed to Han Mo again.
"Your Highness, Han Mo feels unworthy of this bow! Han Mo has also taken the liberty of doing something on his own!"
Seeing that he could not refuse, Han Mo also returned the bow.
"On your own? Brother Han is referring to the matter of Muzhou?"
Since things had been laid bare, Zhao Zhen spoke again.
"That's right. Before coming here, I took the liberty of sending people directly to Muzhou! If time is calculated, news should arrive within these next couple of days!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Zhao Zhen's expression visibly faltered. Although it was only for a fleeting moment, Han Mo's keen senses picked it up.
"Brother Han is also trying to prevent me from making a grave mistake. This is nothing."
Exhaling deeply, Zhao Zhen forced a relaxed smile and said.
"Your Highness, the snow is falling heavier. Shall we return inside to talk?"
"Hahahahaha, Brother Han is right. I haven't done this kind of thing in a long time. It truly feels cold now!"
After Zhao Zhen finished speaking, the two of them couldn't help but exchange a smile.
However, whether this smile was genuine or forced, only they themselves knew.
After re-dressing, the two returned to the front hall one after another.
"Have someone see if there's anything to go with the wine? Prepare some hot food. I have good wine in my carriage. It's perfect to get drunk with Brother Han today!"
"It is Han Mo's honor to be able to drink with Your Highness!"
Watching the two of them chatting and laughing, Qin Hui felt a surge of frustration.
He couldn't understand how these two, after merely chopping firewood behind the scenes, had suddenly transformed into entirely different people.
Could it be that Han Mo was truly so magnanimous as to forgive Zhao Zhen for attempting to murder him?
No matter how unwilling Qin Hui was, seeing Han Mo and Zhao Zhen laughing and walking up to the second floor, he could only wait in the hall.
It wasn't until dawn broke that Zhao Zhen and Han Mo came down from the second floor, staggering and supporting each other.
Upon seeing Zhao Zhen descend, his accompanying followers rushed forward to help him.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
After helping Zhao Zhen back into the carriage, Qin Hui cautiously asked.
He was now incredibly eager to know what Han Mo and Zhao Zhen had discussed!
"Do you think I'm drunk?"
However, as soon as Qin Hui's words left his lips, Zhao Zhen suddenly sat up straight. His previously hazy eyes immediately became clear.
"This..."
Seeing this, Qin Hui couldn't help but swallow.
"I have something for you to do, but you must be extremely cautious. If this matter is exposed..."
As Zhao Zhen spoke, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. The killing intent revealed in that instant made Qin Hui tremble uncontrollably.
"Your Highness, please speak!"
"I want you to personally go to the front lines, carry my token, and persuade the garrisons everywhere. No one, absolutely no one, is allowed to leave their post without authorization. Do you understand what I mean?"
Zhao Zhen stopped speaking here, but after hearing his words, Qin Hui felt a surge of excitement.
Indeed, Zhao Zhen had not completely sided with Han Mo!
"Your Highness, rest assured. I understand this matter. If it is exposed, this token will be considered stolen by me!"
"I will not forget your contributions, Your Highness. You may depart as soon as we return to the manor!"
Zhao Zhen said as he reached into his sleeve, retrieved a token, and handed it to Qin Hui.
Meanwhile, as Zhao Zhen's carriage drove away, Jiang Yan could only help Han Mo back to the guest room in the rear courtyard.
Although the environment here was exceptionally simple, with the sky already nearing dawn, they could only make do for the time being.
"Alright, no need to exert yourself. I'm fine!"
As soon as the door closed, and Jiang Yan was about to help Han Mo remove his robes, Han Mo suddenly opened his eyes.
"Husband, you..."
His sudden movement had indeed startled Jiang Yan.
"Did I startle you?"
Seeing Jiang Yan's somewhat pale face, Han Mo suddenly said with a smile.
"You weren't drunk..."
Jiang Yan gave a helpless wry smile and then asked with a dejected expression.
"Not only me, but our Prince Xin's acting skills have improved even further!"
Han Mo spoke as he slowly sat up, stretching languidly.
"You're saying His Highness was also feigning drunkenness?"
"Is that strange?"
"Then, the two of you last night..."
"Just putting on a show. I've invested heavily in him, and I can't turn back now. He also doesn't have the guts to go solo without me. We both needed a performance, and that's all it was!"
With a somewhat self-deprecating smile, Han Mo got up again, slowly walked to the table, reached for the teapot on the table, and drank the almost frozen tea water in large gulps.
"Husband, I suddenly feel a bit of a chill down my spine..."
Scratching the back of his head, Jiang Yan said sincerely.
"Alright, there's nothing to be alarmed about. Everything is as it was before. At the very least, from now on, our Prince Xin and I have outwardly returned to how we were! As long as we ourselves are strong enough, it doesn't matter if he ascends that throne. This world has its own rules, and an emperor is not omnipotent! Now, it's a matter of who acts faster!"
Listening to the sound of snow being swept from the backstreet, Han Mo murmured to himself...