In County Town, at the Ning Family residence, Ning Mu had already excused herself to inspect the account books in the study, leaving the two brothers, Zhao Da and Zhao Er, alone.
"Little brother, come on, Er—have a drink!"
Zhao Da drank tea himself, but refilled Zhao Er's wine cup once more as he continued:
"You asked me to go home with you a while back, but I kept turning you down. Now that I've failed to break through, I probably have no hope in the Grand Exam. In a few days, I'll go home with you and bring Mumu along to stay for a few days. That'll count as... ah..."
Zhao Da rambled on, but toward the end, he could never help sighing, and his brows remained unconsciously furrowed.
Zhao Er knew that Zhao Da was sighing over his failed breakthrough.
His elder brother really was the hardworking sort.
He had originally studied letters, then begun practicing martial arts after marrying the Ning Family's eldest daughter.
His brother had certainly suffered plenty to practice martial arts. After marrying, he had rarely even gone home, which had led to gossip in the village that he had become a live-in son-in-law.
Zhao Er and his family understood Zhao Da. Especially after learning about the Grand Exam, Zhao Er understood his elder brother's intentions all the better.
His sister-in-law Ning Mu might harbor many thoughts and have plenty of motives, but deeds mattered, not hidden intentions. Whether toward the Zhao Family or his elder brother Zhao Da, her conduct was beyond reproach.
Zhao Da worked so hard for nothing more than to gain a firm footing in the Ning Family and secure some martial resources for Zhao Er. In short, it was for his own little household, as well as the two