"Then get back to what you were doing. Once I return today, I'll go into seclusion and attempt a breakthrough. After I succeed, I'll make a trip home!"
Zhao Da had also spotted the arrivals. After a few more words, he took Ning Mu with him into the carriage.
The mounted party did not approach immediately. Instead, they cleared the road and waited until the carriage had left before riding up to the courtyard entrance and dismounting.
"Uh... haha, Master Zhao, I..."
Zhao Cai squeezed out a smile. The look in his eyes as he regarded Zhao Er had changed completely. He even bowed at the waist as he spoke, his tone dripping with flattery.
"Mm, come in and have a seat!"
After seeing Zhao Cai and then the people behind him, Zhao Er had already roughly guessed their identities. He stepped aside and invited them into the courtyard.
Still, only two entered this time. The others remained outside, holding the horses.
"Master Zhao, I'm here to show someone the way again. This is Chairman Yan Tao of the Green Mountain Merchant Association."
This time, Zhao Cai did not sit down, instead standing to one side. After introducing Yan Tao, he lowered his head even further, assuming the posture of someone who neither heard nor saw anything.
"I'd long heard that Master Zhao was young, but now that we've met, I see you're even younger and more accomplished than the rumors suggested. It seems there are only two of the top three places left for us to compete for in this year's Grand Exam."
Yan Tao sat opposite Zhao Er with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting.
"President Yan, you're trying to praise me to death. I do intend to take the Grand Exam, but a place in