"I've heard of the great talent Han's reputation for a long time. Meeting you today, you truly live up to it!"
After a cup of tea, Han Mo, having braced himself, finally entered the living room. Li Qingzhao, who was already seated there, stood up with a smile.
"Yi'an Jushi, you flatter me. All of this is merely a false reputation; it's not genuine!"
Facing the most venomous tongue of the Great Song dynasty, Han Mo was quite honest.
If he were to offend her, wouldn't he be cursed for thousands of years!
"What is this false reputation or not? I've read the few ci poems you wrote; both the conception and the choice of words and phrases are excellent!"
As Li Qingzhao spoke, a satisfied smile appeared on her face once more.
Seeing that she didn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him, Han Mo finally relaxed and took a careful look at Li Qingzhao sitting before him.
Although he knew she must be over thirty years old, Han Mo still couldn't see any traces of time on her face. He wondered if it was due to the excellent living conditions or her skilled maintenance.
At this moment, Li Qingzhao looked like a young girl who had just turned twenty.
Especially now, she was barefaced, wearing a sky-blue padded jacket and a plain colored silk skirt below, with a veil worn over it. Combined with the somewhat languid aura she exuded, she truly resembled the Song dynasty talented woman Han Mo had imagined.
"Yi'an Sir, have you come today because there's something you need this humble one to assist with?"
Although Li Qingzhao's fame in this era was not as great as it would be in later generations, her talent had already begun to be accepted by the literati. It could be said that besides her sharp tongue and unconventional way of doing things, her reputation in the literary world was still very good.
Despite Han Mo's great fame, he was considered a rising star. And to be honest, Han Mo himself was merely a plagiarist. He was unwilling to show off in front of a true master like Li Qingzhao.
If he were to be exposed accidentally, his troubles would be truly immense.
To avoid causing himself trouble, Han Mo directly changed the topic.
No matter what, it was the Confucian era, and the literary world valued seniority.
At this time, it wouldn't be disadvantageous for him to pay his respects to Li Qingzhao as a disciple.
"Master Han, you are being too modest. Although I am a few years your senior, I cannot accept your calling me 'Sir.' How about we address each other as equals?"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Li Qingzhao suddenly said with a smile.
"This… might not be appropriate…"
Seeing Li Qingzhao's unexpected politeness, Han Mo was truly unsure now.
Where was the promised most venomous tongue of the Great Song dynasty?
Why did she suddenly seem to be taking a submissive stance?
"What's not appropriate about it? You come from a prestigious family, possess true talent, and currently hold a high position. If I presume to act overly familiar, it might lead to ridicule! I think it's better if we interact as equals!"
"No, no, no. When Yi'an Sir became renowned throughout the land, Han Mo was still an unknown. How can I deserve such courtesy from you? Sir, did you not come today just to say these things to me? If you have any instructions, please speak them directly! As long as this humble one can do it, I will not refuse!"
This woman doesn't seem like a good person!
Han Mo preferred to remain a hidden schemer. Regardless of how others praised him, he himself had never admitted to the title of the Great Song's foremost talent.
If he were to be exposed one day, or if he encountered a formidable figure and was defeated, it wouldn't be embarrassing.
But if this woman were to elevate him to a pedestal, it would be difficult to handle any setbacks in the future.
Seeing that she was persistently dwelling on this matter, Han Mo forcefully changed the subject again.
"This…"
As Li Qingzhao spoke up to this point, a look of embarrassment suddenly appeared on her face.
But the more she acted this way, the more Han Mo felt that something was amiss.
Did this woman seem to be plotting against him?
"Sir, if you have something to say, please speak directly!"
After clearing his throat, Han Mo said again.
"I heard that Master Han had someone arrested recently, the supervisor of the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office, Yan Ying?"
After hesitating for a moment, Li Qingzhao suddenly spoke again.
"There was such a matter. Does he have any past connection with you, Sir?"
After Han Mo finished speaking, he immediately pricked up his ears.
This was an earth-shattering piece of gossip. Did the Great Song's foremost talented woman have some kind of relationship with that old scoundrel?
However, Han Mo had also met that fellow. He was truly too unattractive to the audience. Could it be that Li Qingzhao had such heavy tastes?
"No, no, no, Master Han, please don't misunderstand. It's just that I had a transaction with him that hasn't been completed. The deposit has already been paid to him, but he hasn't delivered the goods…"
As Li Qingzhao spoke, she was also carefully observing Han Mo's expression.
After she finished speaking, Han Mo suddenly understood why Li Qingzhao had been trying to build a relationship with him earlier.
After all this talk, it turned out she had a handle caught in his grasp.
Li Qingzhao and Zhao Mingcheng, that couple, only enjoyed collecting ancient artifacts, calligraphy, paintings, and stone tablets throughout their lives.
After Zhao Mingcheng's death, Li Qingzhao helped him complete the renowned work "Jinshi Lu." What could make her so cautious and meticulous was most likely something valuable.
"Sir, please rest assured. I'll have someone check the accounts later. If such a matter indeed exists, I'll have them refund this sum to you!"
Han Mo said casually, observing Li Qingzhao's expression.
"I don't mean that, I want to..."
As Li Qingzhao spoke up to this point, her pretty face became a little flushed.
After all, she herself knew that the fellow was a corrupt official!
All of his assets had now been confiscated by the government. This was why Han Mo and the others hadn't had time to investigate yet. Otherwise, how could such a good item of this caliber fall into her hands?
At this moment, she was truly a bit embarrassed. She wanted Han Mo to help her pull strings to complete this transaction.
Yet, she didn't want to reveal the detailed information of the item to Han Mo. After all, if Han Mo were to find the item, whether he would let it go was another matter entirely.
Furthermore, this fellow Han Mo had been treating her with the courtesy of a disciple from beginning to end. This made it really difficult to make a move!
"Oh, Sir means you want me to privately erase the records of this transaction? No problem. I'll have them investigate later and erase all traces. It definitely won't cause any trouble for you, Sir!"
How could a seasoned schemer like Han Mo not understand Li Qingzhao's intentions?
However, someone like him naturally understood that the easier something was obtained, the less it would be cherished by others.
Even though he was already inclined to help her, he had to make her struggle a bit now.