Zhao Jing scoffed, ignoring him. He broke free from the other's arm and headed home.
By the time everyone got home, the sky was pitch-black.
When Mrs. Zhao saw them return, she quickly had the servants bring out the food.
The two families gathered for a lively meal.
It was late when dinner was over. Mrs. Zhao was mindful that Zhao Jing still needed to go home and write out his examination answers from memory. Afterward, they would have to be sent to the prefectural school for the instructors and professors to see. For this reason, she didn't press the Chen family to stay, and everyone went their separate ways.
Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing returned to their room. The rain outside seemed to be letting up, but the wind had grown stronger. It buffeted the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, making it sway precariously. Wet leaves and broken twigs from the tree littered the stone tiles, creating a sodden mess.
"Should you bathe first, or transcribe your exam paper?"
