Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Wu Mingrui’s immediate response was straightforward: “Not my brother.”

As Wu Mingrui finished answering, Jing Xingzhi approached. Sensing something amiss, he recalled the question about “brother” and realized that Liu Fang was now a target of interest for these men!

Liu Fang was his brother… but he was a shuanger here and shuanger was treated like a girl in this world!

How could they harbor such intentions!!!

Jing Xingzhi believed Liu Fang wouldn’t appreciate being speculated about in that manner.

Approaching Liu Fang, Jing Xingzhi looked down at him and then declared, “My wife.”

“It’s Xingzhi’s wife! Weren’t you still fifteen?” The person opposite expressed surprise, shocked at Jing Xingzhi’s early marriage.

Raising his eyebrows, Jing Xingzhi’s displeasure became evident: “Fifteen is not too young, right?”

Despite the young boy’s slender frame, he was not short. Among the southern students in the same college, he was relatively tall. Besides, Jing Xingzhi still had a long way to grow.

The man shook his head and responded hesitantly, “Not small, not small. I’ll take my leave.”

He couldn’t afford to offend him; he couldn’t afford to offend him. This was the disciple of the chief, and he was from the same teacher as the emperor.

If he was truly Wu Mingrui’s relative, others might be interested in Liu Fang. After all, he was good-looking and spoke generously. If he had such a background, there might be some allure.

However, now that they knew he wasn’t Wu Mingrui’s brother or cousin but someone else’s wife, there was little interest.

As the person left, Jing Xingzhi sat down next to Liu Fang.

“Brother Mingrui, why did you bring Ah Fang?” Jing Xingzhi inquired.

Wu Mingrui smiled and explained, “My sister-in-law happened to visit my house, and my mother discovered our connection during a chat. She took advantage of him coming to see you, asked me to escort him, and sent me back to the academy.”

Wu Weirui was pleased.

Wu Mingrui understood his mother’s efforts. With only mother and son supporting each other now, he noticed more admirable qualities in his mother, feeling a sense of guilt for not having paid enough attention to her in the past.

A gleam of satisfaction shone in Jing Xingzhi’s eyes. Wu Mingrui seemed to have figured things out.

‘Letting go of what you couldn’t hold onto is wiser. The most crucial aspects are the people around you. Sacrificing those close to you for the sake of peace is the most foolish choice.’

Thinking of those close to him, Jing Xingzhi naturally thought of Liu Fang. He lowered his head and addressed Liu Fang familiarly, “Are you here to see me? Did you bring me something?”

Jing Xingzhi could anticipate Liu Fang’s purpose.

Wu Mingrui mentioned that Liu Fang visited the Wu family, but Liu Fang was unfamiliar with Wu Mingrui. He assumed he could only go to the Wu family to sell items or share “ideas.”

Jing Xingzhi, considering Liu Fang’s financial situation, felt a warm sensation in his heart, eagerly eyeing the large bag Liu Fang placed aside.

Observing the intimacy between the two, Wu Mingrui’s eyes reflected envy.

Blushing, Liu Fang whispered, “They are all clothes, shoes, socks, and other small things. I brought you new ones.” Although the Jing family wasn’t affluent, Fang Ge’er did his best to provide for the younger ones.

Liu Fang didn’t want Jing Xingzhi to lack in clothing or sustenance. If he had money, it would undoubtedly be spent on Jing Xingzhi!

“I just happened to have washed my socks, but I don’t think there’s enough to change.” Jing Xingzhi thought it was just the right amount.

The weather was cold, and the socks wouldn’t dry quickly, but he preferred changing them every day.

Seeing that Jing Xingzhi appreciated the items, Liu Fang smiled, squinting his eyes like crescent moons. “Just use them!”

Wu Mingrui, feeling a bit left out, coughed and looked at the couple, saying, “Ahem, please be mindful of my presence. I’m alone here!”

Jing Xingzhi and Liu Fang exchanged smiles and simultaneously turned their heads toward Wu Mingrui, gesturing for him to keep quiet.

.

With Jing Xingzhi’s arrival, Wu Mingrui decided not to disturb their interaction. He excused himself to leave and helped place the items Liu Fang brought in the school dormitory, creating space for the young couple.

Once Wu Mingrui left, Jing Xingzhi took Liu Fang on a tour around the outer courtyard of the academy.

Classes were held in the inner courtyard, and unauthorized individuals couldn’t freely enter and exit.

Before they could complete the tour, someone approached Jing Xingzhi.

Zhang Qiwen rushed over, panting, and called out to Jing Xingzhi, “Xingzhi, the chief is looking for you and wants you to go to the back mountain.”

“What did the teacher say?” Jing Xingzhi asked, looking at him with a hint of concern. As Liu Fang descended, he explained in a low voice, “I became the chief’s disciple yesterday.”

Liu Fang nodded, signaling to Jing Xingzhi to take care of the breathless Zhang Qiwen.

Zhang Qiwen caught his breath and replied, “The chief didn’t say much. Anyway, hurry up. Many teachers are waiting with their families.”

“Teacher Zhang, my wife came to see me today, I was just showing him around. Could I bring him too?”

Jing Xingzhi, unaware of the strict rules behind the mountain, asked another question.

Zhang Qiwen anxiously tugged on Jing Xingzhi’s sleeves, urging, “Take him with you, even the wife. The back mountain has no rules for you as the disciple of the chief!”

He pulled Jing Xingzhi towards the back mountain again.

Zhang Qiwen was anxious because Fang Qichen sounded urgent, as if something significant was happening. Moreover, Fang Qichen spoke cryptically, refusing to share details with Zhang Qiwen, leaving him perplexed.

Upon hearing that ‘many teachers are waiting with their families.’

Jing Xingzhi inferred that Fang Qichen likely came to discuss the matter of consuming Bone Flowers. It seemed Fang Qichen was concerned about potential mistakes in details, prompting this special summon.

Jing Xingzhi and Liu Fang, being younger, easily reached the back mountain compared to the breathless Zhang Qiwen.

Outside Chief Fang’s house, Zhang Qiwen waved to Jing Xingzhi, “Go in first! Don’t wait for me!” Zhang Qiwen, usually overlooked, finally gained the chief’s attention and wanted to handle things as efficiently as possible.

Prompted by Zhang Qiwen, and with a familiar teacher calling from inside, Jing Xingzhi led Liu Fang inside the house.

To ease any discomfort for Liu Fang, Jing Xingzhi deliberately stood closer, ensuring Liu Fang knew he was by his side.

Upon entering, they found everyone seated in the main hall. Even Fang Qichen, who had been lying down earlier, was now sitting in the main seat.

As Jing Xingzhi entered, numerous eyes turned toward him.

Curiously glancing at Fang Qichen, Jing Xingzhi then focused on him, saluting, “Disciple Xingzhi greets the teacher. This is my wife, Liu Fang, who just came to visit. I heard the teacher wished to see me, so I brought him along. Please have a look, teacher.”

Liu Fang’s thoughts were focused on – this was like meeting his husband’s parents!

Standing beside Jing Xingzhi, he felt happier than when he first earned one million. Obediently following Jing Xingzhi, he greeted, “I’ve met the teacher.”

Fang Qichen widened his eyes, smiling at Liu Fang, coughed, and said, “Well, he’s a good child. I wasn’t expecting you, so I’ll make up for the greeting gifts later.”

The teacher and disciple exchanged pleasantries, but a plump woman beside Fang Qichen couldn’t wait.

She exclaimed, “Chief, I’m extremely anxious. Let’s get to business! Let’s proceed with the initiation meeting about curing our children. We can make up the meeting gifts later, alright?” She looked apologetically at Jing Xingzhi and his wife.

“Okay, okay, let’s get down to business first,” Fang Qichen nodded, feeling a bit nervous. But it wasn’t only the other family members who were concerned; Fang Qichen, being Fang Yaojun’s father, also harbored worries.

Fang Qichen addressed Jing Xingzhi, “Xingzhi, have you seen this flower on the table?”

On the table beside Fang Qichen, there was a wide dish with white petals mixed with red filaments – Bone Flowers in bloom.

“My disciple and I were both struck on the head by an immortal statue, favored by the immortal. We learned how to treat facial sores. Now that teacher is unwell, you can pluck the petals of this flower. Give suitable portions to the little ones to eat. Be careful and remember what the immortal said to avoid mistakes.”

Fang Qichen elaborated on the details, starting from when they were hit on the head by the immortal, explaining how they learned to treat facial acne in Fang Yaojun and others. He even included details of the previous lie, dragging Jing Xingzhi into the fabricated narrative.

Hearing this, Jing Xingzhi struggled to contain his laughter.

As a storyteller, Fang Qichen had a promising future. He seamlessly introduced one setting after another without raising suspicion. Looking at the trusting faces of the others, it seemed they all believed Fang Qichen’s fabrication.

This level of deception could only be carried out by Fang Qichen, the Imperial Teacher. Among the emperor’s educators, Fang Qichen was the only one remembered by the emperor as a teacher and a father.

Moreover, Fang Qichen was the top scholar at the time, having won all three majors at the university and earning the reputation of Star of All Arts.

Additionally, Fang Qichen had seen ‘Qi Xinlan’ adding credibility to his words. This was the reason why Fang Qichen quickly gathered everyone to treat the junior’s face together.

Jing Xingzhi, with a teacher like Fang Qichen as his supporter, had the confidence to be trusted in his words and actions.

Jing Xingzhi nodded and picked up the bone flower, saying, “Those who look different, please come forward. Let me see how many people there are.”

Fang Yaojun was the first to step forward, followed by a young shuanger in a veil. Seven little girls and shuangers joined them.

Jing Xingzhi counted heads and determined that one petal each would suffice. He plucked a petal for each person and distributed them.

Sharing the petals was not difficult; they could eat as many as they liked. But Fang Qichen was concerned, so he called Jing Xingzhi over to ensure nothing unexpected happened.

Jing Xingzhi, aware of the underlying situation, remained calm. He instructed, “Eat them raw and chew a little bit.”

Addressing the group as if they were children, Jing Xingzhi spoke in a gentle tone.

His gentle tone caught the attention of the nervous children, hoping to find courage in their hearts.

Some had seen the white flower and the finger bones, leaving them frightened. Despite their fear, they stood up for the sake of maintaining appearances.

However, one shuanger, perhaps influenced by too many stories, glanced at Jing Xingzhi a few times. His face turned red, and his head almost dropped to his chest.

‘I’ll repay you with my body because you saved me, and you’re good-looking…’

As these thoughts flashed through Liu Fang’s mind, alarm bells rang. If he hadn’t come today, wouldn’t Jing Xingzhi have saved the life of these young tender girls and shuangers?

Hence, he resolved to buy a house today. Starting today, he would live close to the academy and never leave.

Liu Fang remained oblivious to the term “coward.”