"Brother Han, you have something to say!"
Although the two had not known each other for a very long time, Zong Ying was surprisingly familiar with Han Mo. With just a glance at him, she could tell Han Mo had something to say.
"We are brothers, and I naturally know your character. It's just that there are many things I don't want you to get too deeply involved in..."
After pouring himself a cup of wine, Han Mo gave a wry smile and raised his cup to Zong Ying again.
"Brother Han, you're treating me like an outsider! Do you really think I'm after wealth, status, or official positions?"
After a moment of silence, Zong Ying also stood up again and personally poured a cup of wine for Han Mo.
"You know that's not what I meant. It's just that your relationship with the Prince is what it is. I just don't want to make things difficult for you. You can probably guess why I've come to Suzhou City this time. If, at this moment..."
Han Mo stopped speaking here. Zong Ying was no longer the attendant in Prince Xin's mansion. Having experienced so many things in just over a year, he had long since let go of many matters.
Han Mo's words had already made his intentions clear. He had come to confront Zhao Zhen...
"What if we can't come to an agreement?"
Zong Ying's hand, holding the wine pot, stopped in mid-air. He looked up at Han Mo seriously and asked.
"There are no feasts that last forever..."
Smiling, he raised his cup to Zong Ying and drank it down again.
"Brother Han, are you planning to join the Crown Prince's faction?"
"If it becomes impossible, it could be a last resort!"
Since it was just the two of them in the room, with Jiang Yan and the guards waiting outside, Han Mo spoke without any reservations.
"If things really come to that point, Zong Ying is willing to advance and retreat with Brother Han!"
After a long silence, Zong Ying suddenly seemed to have made a decision. He grabbed the wine pot, drank it all down, and then threw the pot to the ground, smashing it into pieces.
"Brother Zong, why must you do this..."
Even Han Mo hadn't expected Zong Ying to make such a choice. He felt a surge of mixed emotions at that moment...
"The reason I joined the Prince's mansion back then was because I felt Prince Xin was different from other princes. Even when I was down and out, I never thought of leaving him. But recently, the Prince's actions have greatly disappointed me. What's the difference between him now and Prince Yun back then?"
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but Zong Ying's eyes were a little red as he spoke.
"Alright, you've had too much to drink today. I'll have someone send you back later. These are just words between us brothers. If outsiders were to hear them, it might cause further complications!"
Seeing that Zong Ying was speaking with a slight slur, Han Mo didn't say much more. After a few pleasantries, he had someone send him home.
"Young Master, aren't we going to the Pacification Commissioner's Office?"
As the sky grew darker, Han Mo showed no intention of leaving. Jiang Yan asked softly from the side.
"No rush, a distinguished guest has yet to arrive!"
Han Mo said, pouring himself another cup of wine.
"Someone else hasn't arrived?"
Looking at the darkening sky, Jiang Yan was a bit bewildered.
"Hasn't Han Mo arrived yet?"
In Prince Xin's mansion, Zhao Zhen was also gazing at the sky outside.
"Reporting to Your Highness, Lord Han is at the wine shop booked by Lord Zong and shows no sign of leaving!"
As Zhao Zhen's new favorite, Qin Hui quickly replied in a small voice.
"What about Zong Ying?"
When Zhao Zhen said this, his previously expressionless face suddenly resembled the sky outside.
"Lord Zong has just returned home, claiming he couldn't hold his liquor. Lord Han's guards escorted him back!"
"You may go down now!"
After hearing his words, Zhao Zhen waved his hand casually and fell silent again.
"Yes!"
Although Qin Hui had wanted to say more, since Zhao Zhen had already dismissed him, he could only respond, turn, and leave Zhao Zhen's study.
"Han Mo, Han Mo, are you waiting for this king?"
With a light chuckle, Zhao Zhen sat back in his chair, his face expressionless.
The sky grew darker, and the cold wind whipped.
Just as Zhao Zhen was lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking about, a maidservant quietly pushed open the door, placed a charcoal brazier down, and then walked towards the open window.
"Don't close it!"
However, before the maidservant's hand could touch the window, Zhao Zhen suddenly spoke.
"Your Highness, the wind is picking up, and it looks like it's going to snow!"
Startled, the maidservant mustered up the courage to speak again.
"Get out!"
The soft, melodious Wu dialect from the young maiden was pleasant to the ear, but Zhao Zhen showed no signs of pity or tenderness.
"Yes!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen close his eyes again, the maidservant ultimately did not dare to press the issue. She responded, turned, and walked out.
The wind gradually grew stronger. A gust of cold wind blew, and even through the lampshade, the candlelight on Zhao Zhen's desk flickered.
"Your Highness, it's snowing!"
Half an hour later, the maidservant quietly entered again. After carefully changing the charcoal in the brazier, she placed two warming pads in front of Zhao Zhen.
"Go out!"
Glancing at the snowflakes falling outside, Zhao Zhen closed his eyes again.
"Young Master, it's snowing outside! It's getting late, should we..."
Although he didn't know who Han Mo was waiting for, seeing the snow falling heavier outside, Jiang Yan asked softly.
"Let the brothers come inside and have some warm yellow wine. Feed the horses some good beans!"
The three-jin wine jar was empty, but Han Mo's eyes were still bright.
"It's cold in here, perhaps I should close the window?"
A gust of cold wind blew, and Jiang Yan couldn't help but shiver.
"No need. Go to the backyard and see if there's any un-split firewood?"
Glancing again at the heavy snow outside, Han Mo suddenly asked.
"Firewood?"
Upon hearing Han Mo's question, Jiang Yan was completely stunned. He really didn't understand why Han Mo was asking this.
"You don't need to worry about it, just go and ask! If there is, report back to me. If not, go and buy a cartload!"
"Yes!"