That also explained why no one was at the gate—all the servants were off cleaning.
The young servant had only come to check after hearing hushed voices at the entrance, wanting to see if a guest had arrived. When he saw who it was, his face lit up with joy. 'Mr. Zhao, the top scorer, is really here to visit?'
Seeing the servant turn to call for someone, Zhao Jing and the others quickly stopped him. "Hold on, please. We're just passing by and have urgent business to attend to. Please don't tell the old master we were here. We'd hate for him to get his hopes up for nothing."
As they left the alley and took a side path toward the Chen family's home, Chen Wanqing recalled the scene of their hasty retreat and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
Zhao Jing saw her and couldn't help but laugh as well. But after his laughter faded, he sighed. "I hadn't planned on visiting the old master, but now it feels wrong not to."
"Then go see him."
