As Han Mo was lost in thought, a troop of soldiers entered from outside the door.
These soldiers were all tall, and their gleaming armor and helmets looked quite intimidating.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here!"
Following that, a sharp, high-pitched voice announced the arrival.
Han Mo and the other students immediately stood up. The several instructors and officials of the Imperial Academy also came out in their formal attire.
"We pay our respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Although Han Mo was standing towards the back, his height made him stand out among the students, giving him a distinguished air.
However, at this moment, Han Mo did not wish to be conspicuous.
Glancing around with his peripheral vision, he instinctively hunched his neck and bent over even lower.
Although he had previously mocked Cai Shu for being ignorant and all show, was he any different? Even if he was better than Cai Shu, it wasn't by much.
"You gentlemen have worked hard. There's no need for such formality. You cultivate talents for the court, and in that regard, it is I who should thank you!"
When Han Mo stealthily raised his head, he noticed that a slender young man had appeared in the courtyard at some point.
Looking at the bright yellow robe he wore and the eunuchs and palace maids surrounding him, Han Mo had a rough idea. This must be the current Crown Prince, Zhao Huan.
This was a historical figure!
Even though he had only been emperor for a short time, one shouldn't underestimate him.
Since his current position meant no one was paying attention to him, he simply moved back a couple of steps, hiding behind a pillar, and then cast a few more glances at the Crown Prince.
After clearly seeing Zhao Huan's appearance, even Han Mo couldn't help but mutter inwardly that this fellow's looks were worse than those of Han Jiayan's brothers.
Speaking of which, he was probably the least attractive among the brothers.
It was no wonder he wasn't favored by Emperor Huizong. While Zhao Ji wasn't a great emperor, purely based on his looks, he could at least score a seven or eight out of ten.
In simpler terms, he was a handsome man.
But Zhao Huan in front of him hadn't inherited any of his father's excellent genes.
This made Han Mo secretly ponder how unattractive Emperor Huizong's first empress must have been.
Otherwise, perhaps that empress had secretly cuckolded Emperor Huizong, otherwise, how could this Crown Prince not resemble Emperor Huizong at all?
"Everyone, please be seated!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
While Han Mo was lost in thought, the students around him all sat down.
Han Mo was the only one left standing by the pillar in the entire dormitory.
"Damn it..."
By the time he realized, everyone's gaze was on him, and Han Mo felt a bit depressed.
"Student, do you have something to say?"
Seeing that Han Mo was the only one still standing among the more than a hundred students present, Zhao Huan was surprised and then asked with a smile.
"Uh..."
Even with Han Mo's good psychological fortitude, he felt his palms sweating at this moment.
What he feared had come to pass. He truly regretted his actions. Why was he murmuring about someone else's appearance?
Now he was completely in trouble. He was just a charlatan to begin with, and now he had attracted so much attention. He probably wouldn't even be able to cheat later.
"Reporting to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, this is Han Mo, a talented scholar personally appointed by His Majesty to enter the Upper Academy. His poetry and prose are unparalleled in the world!"
Before Han Mo could speak, Cai Shu stood up and cupped his hands towards Crown Prince Zhao Huan, saying.
Damn it!
Han Mo almost cursed. This kid really held a grudge!
If he had known, he should have beaten him into the Bian River and made him fall seriously ill, and then none of this would have happened today.
"So you are the Han Mo personally appointed by His Majesty. Please sit down. The Crown Prince has heard of your 'Po Zhen Zi'."
As Zhao Huan spoke, he gestured towards Han Mo, even with a slight smile on his face.
Although he knew Zhao Huan was trying to win people over, Han Mo couldn't help but feel a little grateful.
However, it was a pity that Han Mo knew in his heart that this fellow was not reliable.
Judging from the policies he implemented after ascending to the throne, one could tell that this fellow was easily swayed. Even if he had the ability to reach the heavens, he would be helpless against such a hopeless person.
To be honest, among the sons Emperor Huizong had, the only one Han Mo had a good impression of so far was the eighteenth prince, Zhao Zhen.
"Today, I am here on behalf of His Majesty to examine your learning!"
After Han Mo sat down, Zhao Huan smiled and said to the students.
"Yes!"
All the students responded in unison.
However, Han Mo's heart immediately clenched. After attracting so much attention just now, the Crown Prince would definitely keep a close eye on him, and he would likely make a fool of himself today.
Thinking of this, Han Mo's gaze towards Cai Shu became even more sharp.
Since there were so many people present, and Crown Prince Zhao Huan was seated, he felt even more emboldened.
"Kid, you just wait, you'll be alone with me someday!"
Looking at Cai Shu's smug and fearless expression, Han Mo was so angry his teeth itched.
"You gonna bite me!"
Cai Shu grinned at Han Mo triumphantly.
"Do you think you can get away with it so easily?"
However, at this moment, Han Mo suddenly stopped being angry and showed Cai Shu a triumphant smile.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this student has something to say!"
As Zhao Huan was speaking at length, Han Mo suddenly stood up and said loudly.
"How dare you!"
Interrupting someone speaking was inherently impolite, let alone interrupting the current Crown Prince Zhao Huan. The faces of the several officials from the Imperial Academy immediately turned grim.
The person standing at the front immediately turned his head and sternly reprimanded Han Mo.
"It's alright, you can say whatever you want!"
Others might not know what Han Mo had done in front of the Prince of Yun's mansion, but Crown Prince Zhao Huan did.
Therefore, he already had a good impression of Han Mo, and with Han Mo's rather delicate and pleasing appearance, he had gained even more favor.
Even though what he was doing now was indeed a bit outrageous, Zhao Huan did not blame him. Instead, he said with a smile.
"Reporting to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Han Mo just heard Your Highness say that he would examine our knowledge. This student humbly believes that everyone in the Upper Academy has their own areas of expertise. If everyone were to answer the same question, it would be difficult to discern individual strengths. For example, this Brother Cai, although he is the legitimate grandson of Prime Minister Cai, he is also diligent and studious in his daily life, especially in his understanding of the Book of Changes, which can be said to be the best in the entire Imperial Academy!"
Cai Shu, who had been watching the scene unfold, was completely stunned. This was a setup, wasn't it?