Watching this young man meticulously write his Jinshi calligraphy before him, Zhao Ji felt an urge to slap him.
Under normal circumstances, he would have been quite interested in those who enjoyed imitating his handwriting.
Sometimes, when in a good mood, he might even offer a few pointers.
But at this moment, all he wanted was to finish reading the entire article that Han Mo was writing.
Han Mo, unaware of the Emperor’s thoughts, kept reminding himself to stay calm, writing the meticulously polished article stroke by stroke on the paper before him.
As soon as he finished, before he even had a chance to check for any errors or omissions, the scroll was snatched away by the Emperor.
Seeing the Emperor’s hurried demeanor, Liang Shicheng’s smile widened.
From his understanding of the Emperor, it seemed Han Mo’s article had struck a chord.
He wondered what idea Han Mo had presented to the Emperor that caused him to lose his composure.
Of course, the Emperor’s sudden actions made the scholars diligently working on their exams shiver.
Everyone’s gaze towards Han Mo immediately became complex. Here they were, struggling, while the top scholar position was likely already reserved for this young man.
Two hours flashed by. When the scholars submitted their papers and finally exited the Golden Hall, Zhao Ji was still holding Han Mo’s scroll.
“Your Majesty, you…”
Seeing the Emperor’s unusual behavior, Liang Shicheng leaned in with concern.
“Shou Dao, come and see, come and see quickly!”
Zhao Ji looked up and realized it was Liang Shicheng, and immediately beckoned him over with a smile.
Liang Shicheng also smiled and approached. As he looked up, he cast a meaningful glance of defiance towards Cai Jing and Tong Guan.
The implication was clear: even though he had lost a round regarding the position of Daming Prefect, he was still the most favored in the Emperor’s eyes.
Cai Jing merely glanced at the Emperor’s expression and immediately closed his eyes again.
This outcome was indeed somewhat unexpected, but it was not irredeemable.
After all, no matter how outstanding Han Mo was, he would at least pose no threat for several years. As long as he could secure the position of Daming Prefect, the rest was negligible.
“Brother Han, I’m afraid the top scholar of this examination will be you!”
As they exited the imperial palace, Zhong Yanchong looked at Han Mo with admiration and said.
“I dare not say so. The final result is yet to be announced. Whether it is important or not, it is all the Emperor’s will.”
Although he felt a slight sense of pride, Han Mo replied with a smile.
“Young Master Han, please wait!”
Before Han Mo had walked far, a eunuch rushed after him.
“Young Master Han, you walk so fast, making it hard for me to find you!”
“May I ask who you are?”
This was, after all, at the palace gates. Han Mo did not dare to be presumptuous and asked the eunuch, cupping his hands.
“You are too kind, Young Master. Just call me Liu Xi. I am a close attendant of Prince Yun. His Highness will arrive shortly, please wait a moment!”
A close attendant of Prince Yun?
Hearing this, Han Mo was immediately stunned.
This was truly strange. Was this Prince Yun too lazy to even pretend anymore?
To stop him at the palace gates, in front of so many people, what was he trying to do?
Was this some display of seeking wise men?
Don’t be ridiculous, would anyone really believe such a charade now?
After the previous incident, with Liang Shicheng’s machinations, everyone now knew that Han Mo was backed by Liang Shicheng.
Prince Yun, having just dealt a blow to Liang Shicheng with Cai Jing, was now coming to recruit Han Mo. Was this a joke?
Although politicians’ integrity was like… undergarments, they could be discarded at any time for sufficient benefits.
But that applied to the truly powerful figures. For a small fry like Han Mo, loyalty was his primary concern for survival.
After all, no one wanted to promote a turncoat.
Battling with heaven is endless joy, battling with people is endless joy – that was for Emperor Taizu, not for a small fry like himself.
“Brother Han, if that’s the case, then we shall take our leave!”
Since these were people from Prince Yun’s retinue, even Zhong Yanchong became cautious in his words.
He was still a scion of a noble family, and when acting, especially regarding the succession, he had to be prudent.
After all, no one knew if the current Prince Yun would one day ascend the throne.
“I am afraid this will disappoint Your Highness. Han Mo is suddenly suffering from a severe headache today. I was merely enduring it in the hall just now, and now I am truly…”
Han Mo forced a wry smile and resorted to playing dumb.
Feigning illness was an essential skill for officials.
When it’s inconvenient to express an opinion, they are ill.
When they don’t want to speak, they are ill.
When they don’t want to get involved, they are ill.
When they don’t want to take on a certain assignment, they are ill.
This excuse was grand and, moreover, always effective.
After all, although everyone served the Emperor, one couldn’t force a sick person to do anything, right?
Besides, the Song Dynasty was never short of officials.
Regardless of rank, when needed, suitable individuals could always be found from the obscure corners.
Liu Xi was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Han Mo to come up with such an excuse.
This was too fake!
You were just conversing amiably, and now, in a blink of an eye, you are suffering from a severe headache?
This excuse was too perfunctory!
“Since Brother Han is ill, then it’s perfect, quickly go and summon an imperial physician from the Taiyi Yuan!”
Just as Han Mo was preparing to slip away, Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, arrived.
“Thank you for Your Highness’s kind intention, but this is an old ailment for Han Mo. A little medicine and rest will suffice! There’s no need to trouble those imperial physicians!”
Han Mo’s mouth twitched, and he immediately declined.
“Brother Mo, in the imperial court, we are all subjects of the Emperor, but after leaving the court, we are also somewhat related. Why are you being so formal?” Zhao Kai seemed determined to speak with Han Mo today, which truly rendered Han Mo speechless.
Fortunately, he had cited a headache today; if it were another excuse, it might have been more troublesome.
“I merely wish to converse with you today, I have no other intentions. Are you really not giving me this small bit of face?”
His posture was already so humble that Han Mo found it difficult to refuse further.