"Your Highness, Duke Han has arrived and is alighting from his carriage outside the gates!"
While the imperial court was in a chaotic uproar, at the Prince of Yue's mansion, Zhao Si, who was having breakfast, suddenly heard a servant report.
"Oh? What brings that old fellow here today?"
Upon hearing the servant's words, Zhao Si himself felt a touch of bewilderment.
After all, Han Jiayan had been living a reclusive life these past few years, let alone coming to the mansion of a mere idler like himself.
"Then shall we..."
"Shall we what? Hurry and open the main gates to welcome him! If we slight this old fellow, won't my eldest sister come storming to our doorstep!"
Hearing Zhao Si's words, the servants of the mansion quickly scurried towards the gates.
"I say, brother-in-law, what wind blows you to my humble abode today?"
While royal kinship might be considered thin, that was during the succession struggles among princes.
Once everything had settled, and these princes and princesses reached their fifties, the blood ties between them would slowly begin to strengthen.
Especially Princess Zhao Shu, the eldest princess, who had always been very devoted to her own family.
Whenever her younger brothers encountered any difficulties, she, as their elder sister, was always there to assist them.
The position of Zhao Si as the Prince of Yue was, in large part, obtained through his sister's efforts.
In light of this, Zhao Si naturally treated Han Jiayan with great affection.
"What do you mean by that? Can I not visit your doorstep without a reason? What's the matter? Will inviting me for a meal here bankrupt you?"
Hearing Zhao Si's words, Han Jiayan immediately became displeased.
"Hahahaha, I misspoke, alright? It's just that, brother-in-law, while your visit won't bankrupt me, the meals at my mansion truly can't compare to yours..."
As Zhao Si spoke, a wry smile appeared on his face.
Unlike his father, Emperor Shenzong, who had fourteen sons, only six survived to adulthood.
As for his daughters, their survival rate was even lower!
Out of ten daughters, only two ultimately survived...
Zhao Si, though only thirty-six years old this year, had surpassed his predecessor.
At thirty-six years old by the end of the year, he was already the father of nineteen children, and all nineteen had survived. This achievement was certainly enviable, even within the imperial family.
However, despite the envy, Zhao Si himself knew the difficulties they faced.
Although the Emperor treated him quite well and had bestowed his favor upon him consistently over the years, the financial rewards from the imperial family were, after all, limited.
He himself was a big spender, and the women in his mansion were even more extravagant.
Without a capable housekeeper to manage the finances, the lives of his entire family were naturally becoming tight.
In previous years, when the Emperor's finances were good, the princes like them also enjoyed much better fortunes.
But since the beginning of spring this year, there had been constant major affairs in the court, with expenditures everywhere. Even the Emperor was struggling to make ends meet, let alone princes like them.
"I can see by your demeanor that your financial situation is a bit tight. However, I have come today with a profitable business opportunity that I want to discuss with you. I just don't know if you have the courage to shoulder this responsibility!"
Han Jiayan spoke as he smiled, observing Zhao Si's expression.
"A profitable business opportunity?"
Upon hearing Han Jiayan's words, Zhao Si's spirits immediately lifted.
"Exactly. If managed properly, not only will your own life improve, but you'll also be able to support all your less fortunate relatives!"
"Brother-in-law, let's go inside to talk. The weather outside is too cold, and if you catch a chill, I won't be able to explain it to my sister!"
"Are you being this practical? If there's no business opportunity, you won't let me into your house, is that it?"
"Hahahaha, brother-in-law, don't mock me. Do you think I'm that heartless? Even if I forget anyone else, I wouldn't forget you two. If it weren't for my eldest sister's intervention back then, I fear my current situation..."
Zhao Si's eyes began to well up as he spoke.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. However, this business cannot be discussed here. Get ready, change your clothes, and come with me to the estate outside the city!"
Seeing his reddened eyes, Han Jiayan good-naturedly patted his shoulder and said.
"To the estate outside the city?"
"Are you going or not? If you don't, I'll find someone else!"
"Yes, yes, of course I'm going! Brother-in-law, please wait a moment, I'll be right there!"
After saying this, Zhao Si hurried to the back hall to change his clothes, and then followed Han Jiayan to Han's estate outside the city.
"What are they doing? This cuju... it feels..."
Upon arriving at the training ground of the Han family estate, as soon as he sat down, Zhao Si immediately noticed something amiss.
Below the training ground, a game of cuju was currently underway.
However, their way of playing seemed vastly different from the games played by the nobility nowadays.
The noble cuju games were about flair and skill.
But the way these people were playing was something Zhao Si could barely comprehend.
"The rules are actually quite simple. Each team has eleven players, and a point is scored by kicking the ball into the opponent's goal! Don't you think this is the way men should play? Those playing cuju in Bianliang city look so effeminate, where is the spirit of a true man?"
Han Jiayan spoke while observing Zhao Si's expression.
After being reminded by Han Jiayan, Zhao Si suddenly seemed to grasp the concept.
"That kick was beautiful! Brother-in-law, you're absolutely right, this is the cuju that men should play! But what about the business you mentioned earlier..."
The football match itself was highly infectious. Even though he had only just encountered it, Zhao Si's eyes were already glued to the field within this short period.
"Seeing them play so wonderfully, why don't the two of us have a little wager?"
"That's right, I think the team on the left has a much higher chance of winning than the team on the right! I'm betting on the left!"
Just as Zhao Si finished speaking, he immediately felt that something was not right, as Han Jiayan had never participated in such games before!
"Brother-in-law, you mean...!"
Zhao Si seemed to suddenly understand something, and looked at Han Jiayan with disbelief.
"Do you dare to take on this business?"