Although this statement, when spoken at this moment, was indeed somewhat jarring, Li Shishi heard a different kind of warmth in it.
She was accustomed to the many sweet words spoken in entertainment venues. If Han Mo had also spoken only sweet words to her like other men at this moment, she might have harbored some reservations.
After all, trust, though invisible and intangible, was essential. If there was no such foundation between two people in love, their relationship would likely head towards its end.
Han Mo had not chosen to hide anything from her, but had spoken the truth directly. Just this fact alone had already touched her deeply.
"I already knew about this, it's just..."
Even though the matter had been brought out into the open, Li Shishi's heart still felt a little uneasy when she thought of Zhe Yourong's temper.
"Don't worry, I'll handle the rest. I will absolutely not make things too difficult for Elder Sister!"
Though a bit of a headache, Han Mo said this, pushing himself to do it.
"Mm!"
After Li Shishi responded with a hum, she didn't continue speaking. After all, talking about such things on such a night was rather mood-breaking.
Since she had already decided to go with Han Mo, she had naturally prepared herself to endure some hardship. If she could truly live the life Han Mo described, even enduring some hardship seemed inconsequential.
Looking at the amorous feelings in the eyes of the beautiful woman before him, the chicken leg in Han Mo's hand suddenly lost its appeal...
The imperial palace of the Great Song was already the smallest among all dynasties. With the commotion outside escalating, Emperor Zhao Ji naturally could not sleep peacefully.
"What is all this clamor? What is happening outside?"
In the Fu Ning Hall, Zhao Ji, who had just gone to bed, asked with some agitation.
"Replying to Your Majesty, it's unclear what's happening. It seems many students from the Imperial Academy have arrived outside the palace gates, and at this hour they are clamoring to submit a memorial!"
"What? A memorial at this hour? Can't whatever it is be discussed tomorrow? Have Gao Qiu go and send them away!"
After hearing the eunuch's words, Zhao Ji's face immediately turned grim.
These past few days, Cai Jing was absent, Fan Zheng-guo was also absent, and that scoundrel Zhang Bang-chang, he'd rather hide than be seen, shirking his duties from morning to night. After reviewing the memorials for the day, he still felt his head spinning, and he didn't even have time to see his most beloved concubine. To have his sweet dreams disturbed at this moment, his morning temper was naturally more than usual.
"Yes!"
After hearing his words, the little eunuch responded and quickly left.
"Imperial Grand Tutor Gao, His Majesty has decreed that you go and deal with the students outside the gate. If they have any matters, they should submit their memorial tomorrow!"
"Me go?"
After hearing the eunuch's words, Gao Qiu's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
The last person who went to do such a thing was still lying in the Imperial Hospital!
In the beginning, those students were relatively rational. However, after Liu Zhengyan appeared holding Liu Fa's memorial tablet, those students immediately became furious. At this moment, how dare he step out of the palace gate!
"That's what His Majesty said. They are indeed too noisy. See what you can do..."
Seeing his troubled expression, the little eunuch naturally understood his thoughts. However, at this moment, the Emperor had already spoken, and he knew he had to push through it.
"Alright, I understand!"
After dismissing the little eunuch, Gao Qiu, with a headache, began to pick someone from his subordinates.
As Gao Qiu's gaze fell upon them, the generals of the Palace Front Commandery each lowered their heads.
Liu Zhengyan was also their colleague. They all knew more or less what had happened to Liu Fa, but before, fearing Tong Guan's power, no one dared to say much.
Now that the matter was about to be exposed, even if they couldn't help, they didn't want to incur any infamy by going out at this time!
"Look at your cowardly selves!"
Gao Qiu looked at their bowed heads and shrunken necks with disdain, but at the same time, he knew that if he couldn't maintain order today, his authority would be undermined henceforth.
"Guards, bring down the basket!"
After a dry cough, Gao Qiu directly commanded.
"Yes!"
A few subordinates exchanged glances and immediately ordered people to prepare the basket.
"Esteemed Grand Tutor, are you really going down? What if those scholars suddenly attack..."
Looking at the incensed students outside Xuan De Gate, a confidant of Gao Qiu quickly approached him and said in a low voice.
The palace gate was already closed, and with so many people gathered at the entrance, if any unnecessary misunderstanding were to arise, his life might truly end here!
If Gao Qiu died, they would all likely be implicated!
"What are you afraid of? I am acting on imperial decree. Do they dare to rebel?"
Although Gao Qiu felt a bit uneasy, he glanced back at the brightly lit Fu Ning Hall, and his courage immediately swelled.
If he went out personally to persuade those students today, he would truly impress the Emperor.
Although he had not directly interacted with the students, having stood here for so long, he had roughly heard about their demands tonight.
Now, although he was the Imperial Grand Tutor, his position was far inferior to Tong Guan and Liang Shicheng in terms of prestige.
If he could make a great impression on the Emperor tonight, and if Tong Guan were to truly fall, perhaps he himself would be the next to rise.
The matter in Hebei was troublesome, and although the entire nation was cursing it, a conclusion had been reached. At this time, whoever could take charge of the Hebei affair would be directly snatching the fruits of labor!
He might not be good at fighting, but weren't there many generals?
Thinking of this, Gao Qiu's back straightened.
"Yes!"
Since Gao Qiu had spoken to this extent, his confidant had nothing more to say and could only retreat to the side.
With the combined efforts of several soldiers, Gao Qiu, accompanied by only two soldiers, was lowered down the city wall. "I am Gao Qiu, Commander of the Palace Front Commandery, here by imperial decree to inquire. What do you intend by gathering outside the imperial palace at this late hour? I, considering you are all students of the Imperial Academy, will let this pass if you disperse now. I will act as if you were never here tonight, how about it?"