"What can I do? I'm just a weak woman, with no strength to even truss a chicken!"
Zhe Yourong said through gritted teeth.
"You with no strength to truss a chicken?"
Han Mo's mouth twitched wildly. This girl had become quite mischievous.
What a woman who claimed to be unable to truss a chicken, yet could fight on the battlefield!
"And so it is! Compared to the great talent Han, who single-handedly left three Jin soldiers half-dead, am I not without the strength to truss a chicken?"
Zhe Yourong said with a proud smile.
"Fine, if you don't want to play! I'll keep these plans for wealth and use them myself later!"
Han Mo gave her a look and decided not to argue with her.
"Hmph! You just enjoy making fun of me all day!"
After saying that, Zhe Yourong actually turned her head away from Han Mo.
Han Mo couldn't help but feel amused. These ancient young ladies were so easy to fool!
Was she perhaps jealous?
"Young master, my lord says if you are finished chatting, you should proceed to the rear hall!"
"Let's go! Everything I wanted to say is there anyway. You can read it slowly later!"
Han Mo said with a light smile.
"You may leave first, we have a few words to chat about."
Zhe Yourong showed no intention of moving, instead directly dismissing the servant.
"Yes!"
Since Zhe Yourong had said so, the servant smiled and retreated.
The servants in the mansion were all old members of the Zhe family, and naturally treated Zhe Yourong with great affection.
"Is there anything else you wish to say? You even had to send the person away?"
Seeing that the servant had left, Han Mo leaned closer to a chair beside Zhe Yourong again, his head close to hers.
"You, you don't get so close?"
The sudden closeness made Zhe Yourong feel quite unaccustomed.
"Alright, you speak! I'd like to hear Miss Zhe's brilliant opinion."
Han Mo smiled and moved back.
"How about we make a bet? If I win, from now on, you are forbidden from being so impertinent with me. Even if we get married, you must always go along with my wishes, alright?"
Zhe Yourong said with a blush, mustering her courage.
"And how do you propose we bet, little lady?"
Han Mo was almost amused to death by her. This little girl was indeed very interesting today.
"If you can achieve the top scholar in this year's imperial examination, then you win! If you cannot, then I win, how about that?"
As Zhe Yourong spoke, she discreetly glanced at Han Mo from the corner of her eye.
"There is only one top scholar each year. With this bet of yours, my chances of winning are too slim. What if I win?"
There was only one top scholar in the entire realm each year.
If it was about passing the imperial examination, he had some confidence, but to become the top scholar, even Han Mo, despite his confidence, felt a bit uncertain at this moment.
"If you become the top scholar, then whatever you say goes?"
Zhe Yourong, driven mad by his occasional impertinent remarks, simply decided to go all out.
"Really?"
Han Mo's interest was piqued. In fact, he didn't really care about being the top scholar. After all, as long as one was a Jinshi, their treatment was similar.
Even though the top scholar enjoyed more prestige, in officialdom, one's success depended on their abilities, not just their initial results.
Moreover, the Jingkang Incident was imminent. When that happened, the entire world would be in chaos, and who would care if you were the top scholar or not?
But her words truly sparked some interest in Han Mo.
"I always keep my word!"
Zhe Yourong said, gritting her teeth and stamping her foot.
"Then let's do it!"
Han Mo said and directly extended his right hand.
Zhe Yourong was stunned for a moment, then immediately extended her hand, and they clapped three times.
"Remember today's bet. Also, please inform your father-in-law that I am returning to study! As for the banquet, we will celebrate my success as top scholar!"
After saying that, Han Mo turned and left without looking back.
This time, it was Zhe Yourong who was somewhat dumbfounded. She had intended to curb Han Mo's arrogant demeanor, but she hadn't expected Han Mo to take it so seriously.
"Young master, where are we going?"
As soon as Han Mo stepped out of the living room, someone immediately notified Xu Fengnian.
With the meal about to be served, he was suddenly told he had to leave immediately. Xu Fengnian's frustration was understandable.
"Going home to study!"
"Aren't we eating then?"
As Han Mo's follower, even at the Zhe family's residence, his treatment was second only to Zhe Yourong's personal maids.
Although he couldn't dine in the main hall, he ate at the same table as the head steward in the servants' dining room.
Seeing the table full of delicious food slipping away, his frustration was naturally immense.
"You only care about eating all day! You're such a glutton!"
Han Mo had no time to waste on him. This was a matter related to his domestic status.
If he could no longer tease his young lady in the future, what was the point of life?
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Xu Fengnian shrunk his neck. What was all this about!
However, Han Mo paid him no mind. Upon returning home, he immediately buried himself in the study.
He had basically memorized all the practice papers provided by Han Jiayan, and the books he had memorized over the past few days were also nearly complete. Given that there were only a little over a hundred participants, Han Mo had some confidence in his chances of ranking high.
However, opportunity always favors the prepared. Han Mo picked up a pen and paper again, and began to analyze the relationship between the emperors' palace examination questions throughout the years and the major events of the respective years.
Data analysis was his forte, and he found it even more effortless now.
After toiling for more than two hours, he truly discovered something.
If the country was at peace, the emperor's questions tended to lean towards the arts. This was understandable, as the emperor was a patron of calligraphy and painting.
However, if there were major events, the emperor's questions would be different. They would essentially gauge the scholars' views on these matters. Of course, the scholars who achieved the top scholar position throughout the years were generally those who solved these problems. Truly relying on flattering essays to advance was rare, with only one or two such instances at most.
Upon understanding this, Han Mo became more interested. If this was the case, then this year's questions would be interesting. What was the most important matter facing the court right now?