The little maid's tears finally stopped when she heard Han Mo's explanation.
Looking at her flushed cheeks, Han Mo suddenly felt his mouth go dry.
This body seemed a bit too honest…
"I'm going to sleep, you should sleep early too!"
Feeling the ambiguous atmosphere was getting a little strange, Han Mo quickly slipped away.
Han Mo, oh Han Mo, you actually dared to have impure thoughts about something so beastly?
But, why did it feel so thrilling?
Tucked into bed, Han Mo tragically discovered that he was too hot-blooded to sleep that night!
Watching Han Mo crawl into bed, the little maid's pretty face also turned red, and she felt a nameless disappointment in her heart.
Not knowing what psychological impulse it was, after adding some charcoal to the brazier, the little maid actually didn't return to the outer room directly.
Instead, she picked up her bamboo frame, and without lighting a lamp, she continued her embroidery work by the moonlight filtering in through the window and the flickering charcoal fire in the basin.
Although her hands were busy with embroidery, her eyes were always stealing glances towards Han Mo's position.
It wasn't until Han Mo turned around again, and their eyes met, that the little maid quickly lowered her head.
"Ah, how could I have forgotten this!"
The little maid nervously got up and went to the window, opening a small gap.
"Chun Tao, did you sprinkle some perfumed powder?"
Seeing the little maid's panicked look, Han Mo found it amusing.
However, just as he was about to tease the little maid, a night breeze blew, and a scent as subtle as orchids and musk directly entered Han Mo's nose.
"What are you talking about? I never use that…"
"Mmm—"
Before the little maid could finish her sentence, a dark figure suddenly burst in from outside the window. Just as the little maid was about to cry out in alarm, her mouth was already covered.
Immediately after, a shining dagger was pressed against the little maid's neck.
"Who are you? If you want money, it's in the cabinet to your right. Let her go!"
Han Mo jolted upright from the bed and quickly said.
"Don't let him escape! Search!"
Before the person could speak, a burst of chaotic footsteps could be heard from outside.
Then, the neighing of numerous horses followed. It seemed they were all coming for this person!
"Don't make a sound! Otherwise, I'll kill her!"
A woman?
Upon hearing the person's voice, Han Mo was stunned.
He had watched many Song Dynasty chivalrous heroes on television, but he never expected to encounter a female knight-errant today…
"You're bleeding!"
Although the room was not lit, Han Mo could still see blood dripping on the floor by the faint light from the brazier.
"I said don't make a sound! Otherwise, I'll kill her!"
The woman's voice clearly carried a hint of panic.
"Kill her then. She's just a servant. Do you think I care? I have dozens of maids in the East Courtyard, and none of them are less beautiful than her!"
As Han Mo spoke, he stealthily reached under the pillow and grabbed a small, delicate dagger.
Although he hadn't practiced such things, his previous self was obsessed with them!
Years of arduous training had turned his skills into muscle memory.
"Another shameless scoundrel!"
The woman was clearly taken aback by Han Mo's words. With a swift chop to the girl's neck, she knocked her unconscious and then lunged at Han Mo.
But she never expected that before her dagger could touch Han Mo, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her wrist, followed by a surge of immense force. Han Mo executed a perfect shoulder throw.
Already injured, the sudden heavy impact almost made her pass out.
With her slender physique, how could she possibly contend with Han Mo? In just a few moves, she was tightly bound with a belt by Han Mo.
"I thought you were a great hero, but it turns out you're just a female thief!"
As Han Mo spoke, he hurried over to check on the little maid's condition.
"A female thief is still better than a dog-like sycophant like you! You'd better kill me, or I swear I'll kill you!"
After checking the little maid's breathing and confirming she was alright, Han Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"You'll kill me? We're meeting for the first time, aren't we? Are you perhaps suffering from a serious mental illness?"
Han Mo's mouth twitched. What was going on?
At most, he was just a student, so how could he be implicated in something like being a sycophant?
"You're in cahoots with that old scoundrel Cai Jing, aren't you still a sycophant?"
The woman's words completely bewildered Han Mo.
How had he become associated with Cai Jing?
"I'm telling you, if you don't explain yourself clearly, don't blame me for handing you over to those people outside for a reward!"
Hearing her mention Cai Jing, Han Mo's interest was piqued.
"Your money pouch has such a large 'Cai' character on it, embroidered with gold thread and inlaid with northern pearls. Do you think I'm blind? I only regret that my skills are inferior to yours, and I couldn't kill you, this villain, myself!"
"The money pouch? You mean this?"
Han Mo blinked, then seemed to realize something.
He had left the money pouch behind when he took off his outer robe. Because of this insignificant item, he had almost lost his life.
"Just because of this flimsy money pouch, you think I have something to do with Cai Jing?"
Han Mo looked at the woman with disbelief. He didn't know whether to call her stupid or mentally ill.
"Young Master Han! Young Master Han!"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, he heard hurried knocking at the door. Then, he heard the husky voice of Xu Sanbao.
"What is it? We're already asleep!"
Han Mo frowned and finally replied.
"There were intruders in the manor earlier. Judging by the bloodstains, they seemed to have slipped into your courtyard. The Kaifeng Prefecture constables have arrived, please open the door!"
Hearing Xu Sanbao's words, Han Mo hesitated.
Looking at the woman's hateful gaze, and then at the little maid who had fainted nearby, he couldn't quite make up his mind.
Should he hand this woman over?
"If you don't want to die, don't resist!"
After a moment of contemplation, Han Mo decided he couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. He struck the woman's neck with his hand, knocking her unconscious.
Then, he rushed to the little maid's side, pinching her philtrum and helping her breathe, finally managing to wake her up.
"Second Brother, are you alright?"
As soon as the little maid opened her eyes, she threw herself into Han Mo's embrace.
"There's no time to explain, listen to me!"
Han Mo patted her shoulder, helping her to calm down quickly. He lowered his voice and whispered a few words in the little maid's ear before hurrying out the door.
The small courtyard where the siblings lived was not very large, inside and out.
It was practically impossible to hide a living person.
But judging by her bitter hatred for Cai Jing, keeping her in his hands was at least a bargaining chip…
Moreover, he was full of curiosity about the Song Dynasty chivalrous heroes from TV shows. It was truly unwilling to hand over someone he had finally encountered.
It seemed he could only resort to a surprise attack!