Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Jing Xingzhi was genuinely surprised to learn that Zhu Da and others orchestrated such a significant move without any apparent reason, only to coincide with the chief Fang Qichen’s decision to accept a disciple.

Wu Mingrui, wide-eyed and confused, asked, “Didn’t you hear about the chief wanting to accept disciples?”

Zhu Da, giving a face to the new “second place”, Wu Mingrui, and explained, “Considering what Brother Zhang just mentioned and today’s events, it seems Brother Zhang didn’t deceive me. This Zhu is not doing well academically, so I’ll focus on studying from now on.” With that, Zhu Da walked away, leaving Zhang Kaiwei with an unsettled expression.

Zhang Kaiwei hadn’t anticipated Zhu Da being so ruthless, directly disclosing the news about the chief wanting to accept a disciple.

Moreover, Zhang Kaiwei dared to scheme against Zhu Da because the official relatives in Zhu Da’s family were merely subordinates of his father. Unexpectedly, Zhu Da was so petty, disregarding the bigger picture for personal satisfaction.

As Zhang Kaiwei contemplated how to exert pressure on his father, curious onlookers asked, “Brother Zhang, is what Brother Zhu said true or false?”

“Brother Zhang, does the chief really want to accept disciples? How many?”

Zhang Kaiwei forced a smile, cupped his fists, and said, “I don’t have the final say on the chief’s matters. I’m heading back to study; I’ll take my leave.”

With Zhu Da and Zhang Kaiwei gone, everyone pondered their conversation and planned to leave the list posting office for a private discussion.

Wu Mingrui, securing second place, initially puzzled by the news of the mountain leader’s disciple selection, finally understood the unfolding drama as Zhang Kaiwei also made a quick exit.

Zhu Da schemed against his roommate, but Zhang Kaiwei turned the tables on Zhu Da. A mantis hunting a cicada, only to become prey for the oriole!

Regretful, Wu Mingrui said, “Come on, you must be tired. Let’s go back to the dormitory. I brought a bunch of snacks, but since you were on leave, I shared them with classmates. There are only a few lefts.”

Jing Xingzhi, glancing at Wu Mingrui, smiled awkwardly, “Thank you, brother Mingrui, that’s very kind.”

Wu Mingrui, observing his roommate, laughed and felt a touch of admiration for Jing Xingzhi’s remarkable and likable character.

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The two moved to the school building, where Jing Xingzhi dropped his baggage, and Wu Mingrui brought out snacks for them to enjoy together.

After enjoying some snacks, both of them took out their books and began reading.

In the afternoon, when exam results were posted, the college didn’t conduct classes, allowing students to study independently. Actual lessons and explanations of the exam papers would commence early the next morning.

Having taken leave for a few days at home, Jing Xingzhi felt fortunate, considering his consistent top performance in exams. He intended to dedicate himself to diligent study for the upcoming exams and imperial examination.

While Jing Xingzhi possessed skills that could bring wealth, his wish was to fulfill the expectations of those who had supported him over the past decade, especially the villagers from Jingjia Village. Their hopeful gazes made him feel an unusual responsibility, as if he were truly bound by a long list of elders.

Studying diligently was also essential for learning ancient Taoist techniques in the future, he thought.

He couldn’t get the book back then, because his memory wasn’t sorting out well. So, now he could slowly read and understood the ancient Chinese characters.

Jing Xingzhi opened the book and flipped through the pages, slowly forting out the knowledge inside his memory.

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As the sun set, Wu Mingrui, stretching his sore neck, noticed that his roommate was still immersed in reading.

Amazed, he whispered, “Xingzhi, I’m planning to go to the canteen for dinner. Do you want to join me or prefer to bring food?”

Jing Xingzhi, rubbing his eyes, stood up and replied, “I’ll go to the canteen as well. And thank you, Brother Mingrui, for bringing me porridge when I was unwell.”

“No need for thanks, it’s only right,” Wu Mingrui responded naturally, he thought Jing Xingzhi might still feel down about the plotting back then.

He then suggested, “After eating, shall we go to the lower reaches of Shuhe River to study in the evening? Many classmates will be there, and the sunset is beautiful.”

“Studying in the evening?” Jing Xingzhi considered for a moment and decided it would be beneficial for reciting the book. Nodding, he said, “Sure, let’s go together. Should we bring a book?”

“Absolutely, bring your book bag. We can take a stroll after dinner,” Wu Mingrui replied, excited that he had successfully invited his roommate, momentarily forgetting any past grievances.

No matter how vexing things were at home, the academy remained Jing Xingzhi’s sanctuary.

Setting out early, they arrived at the dining hall with few people. As they finished their meal, the hall gradually filled, and whispers circulated as many eyes turned toward Jing Xingzhi.

Remaining as composed as a mountain, Jing Xingzhi’s demeanor earned admiration for his magnanimity. Some speculated: Was Jing Xingzhi foolish?

Scholars might have low emotional intelligence, but they are never foolish.

Jing Xingzhi, not being foolish, likely understood he had fallen into a trap. Duped repeatedly, he missed the opportunity to become the chief’s disciple – equivalent to missing the chance to be a disciple of the Imperial Teacher.

Who is the chief? An imperial teacher!

Despite this, Jing Xingzhi appeared remarkably calm, showcasing true openness.

Amid calm dining, Jing Xingzhi, noticing Wu Mingrui’s gaze, teased, “Brother Mingrui, will I look even better after going home for a few days? Why are you staring at me like this?”

Wu Mingrui, blushing, hesitated before earnestly saying, “You can’t deny a man looks good. Xingzhi seems a bit plumper and more energetic.”

Wu Mingrui, having long abandoned his chopsticks, couldn’t eat as he saw others watching him.

Observing Jing Xingzhi eating well, Wu Mingrui’s inner thoughts aligned with those of his classmates – Jing Xingzhi was no ordinary person!

When Jing Xingzhi finished, he said, “Brother Mingrui, let’s go.”

Wu Mingrui, eager to leave, bolted as if chased behind his butt by something unseen.

Exiting the dining hall, they strolled toward the “Shuhe River,” a small river running through the college. Encountering no one on the way, Jing Xingzhi noticed Wu Mingrui’s expression worsening. In other words, if this continued to develop, Wu Mingrui’s family situation could be much worse.

He considered it best to let Wu Mingrui know early, picking a moment when no one was around: “Brother Mingrui, do you remember how I kept staring at your face before the holiday?”

Wu Mingrui pondered for a moment, nodding as he said, “Yes, I remember. You mentioned my face resembling a character from the book you were reading.”

“Exactly.”

Wu Mingrui’s expression became more pronounced, reinforcing Jing Xingzhi’s suspicions.

Jing Xingzhi retrieved a book he had purchased specifically for Wu Mingrui, turned to a folded page, and handed it over.

Wu Mingrui, glancing at the first few words, felt the impulse to discard the book.

After all, no man wishes to be associated with being a cuckold. However, thoughts of his mother, once gentle and amiable, turning cold and harsh towards his father made him hesitate.

His mother, who used to dote on his son, Yuanbao, now refused to even look at him, talking behind his back about the child overpowering her. All these changes seemed to align with what was written in the book.

His mother had changed so much to become unreasonable, she even insisted to take Yuanbao to his other grandparents, which made him very embarrassed at home.

At that time, Li Yu cried hard and felt very wronged. But his father looked very strange when he remembered it again.

Suppressing complicated emotions and tears, Wu Mingrui widened his eyes and read the remaining words on the page. With each word, it felt like a piece of his heart was being cut away, leaving him bleeding emotionally.

Impossible, how could this be?

Clutching the book, his hands shaking, veins on his forehead taut from the force, Wu Mingrui’s eyes showed faint tears. Despite Jing Xingzhi’s certainty, he couldn’t help but attempt reassurance, saying, “Maybe I got it wrong, Brother Wu, don’t…”

Taking a breath, Wu Mingrui’s eyes reddened as he admitted, “I don’t actually understand the skeletal features of this book, but with all the recent issues at home, when you placed it in front of me, it felt like those problems were pearls with holes in them, strung together one by one.”

The domestic conflicts lingered in his mind, vividly recalling the changes in his mother, his father’s avoidance, and his wife’s awkwardness.

Wu Mingrui couldn’t help but think of how his wife, Li Yu, resisted letting him hold the child for too long upon his return home.

Understanding the situation, Wu Mingrui realized the child was not his own, and his wife, Li Yu, was likely afraid of him bringing the child to his mother which could make his mother hurt the child. His mother’s sudden dislike for Li Yu, once thought to be deceived, now seemed justified.

Despite treating his wife with great affection, Wu Mingrui couldn’t fathom why she would betray him in such a manner. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he knelt on the ground, beating the earth with a sense of bitter despair.

Venting through tears, Wu Mingrui cried, “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it. How could Yu’er…”

Concerned for his future as a scholar, Jing Xingzhi gently held his hand to prevent injury. Wu Mingrui continued to cry, breaking Jing Xingzhi’s heart.

Not adept at offering comfort, Jing Xingzhi resorted to the method he knew best, pouring words of encouragement: “Brother Wu, if you can’t hold the sand, it’s better to spread it. There will be more space behind for the ocean.”

Wu Mingrui cried for a while before gradually regaining composure. He looked at Jing Xingzhi with a mix of tears and laughter, “I have never seen the ocean but I must go in the future, I want to know the ocean like what you said.”

Relieved that Wu Mingrui had stopped crying, Jing Xingzhi felt a sense of sadness for his honest and upright roommate who had been deceived. Wu Mingrui picked up the thrown book, gazing at Jing Xingzhi with red eyes and a fragile expression.

“Xingzhi, could you please accompany me home?” Wu Mingrui requested.

Jing Xingzhi, empathetic and unwilling to see his honest roommate suffer, agreed, saying, “Okay, I will accompany Brother Mingrui back.”

“Let’s go back now. After handling things today, we can come back for class tomorrow,” Wu Mingrui decided, gritting his teeth and summoning the strength to endure.