Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

“You want Wu Mingrui to conduct the search, do you? That’s not acceptable!” Li Huasui was particularly assertive at that moment, casting a contemptuous glance at Wu Mingrui.

He remarked, “If Brother Wu questions the credibility of my words, then given that Brother Wu is Jing Xingzhi’s roommate, is he any different?”

“Wu Mingrui might pretend not to notice Brother Zhu’s money if he stumbles upon it.”

“Wu Mingrui is your roommate, so it’s only fitting that we conduct the search ourselves!”

The fat man and others spoke bluntly, unconcerned about politeness. Some rolled up their sleeves, ready to move forward.

Wu Mingrui’s hands trembled with anger. Just as he was about to respond, he saw Jing Xingzhi reaching out to halt him.

Jing Xingzhi said, “Wait a moment. I didn’t say that it must be Brother Wu.” He looked at Zhang Qiwen, saying, “Teacher, I’d like to inquire how searches were conducted in the school building when something went missing previously. I don’t believe having a swarm of people is the best approach.”

Wu Mingrui, still fuming, continued, “If too many people are involved in the search, it could lead to confusion and the possibility of planting evidence.”

Zhang Qiwen was taken aback by this perspective and replied, “When items were missing from the school building in the past, the search was typically conducted by the authorities. If you wish for me to search it, I’m willing to oblige.”

Jing Xingzhi nodded, “That’s what I’m asking for. I’d like you to handle the search, Teacher. If someone else, whose character is unknown, were to conduct it, I would have doubts.”

Jing Xingzhi directed his gaze at Li Huasui and others, particularly at Li Huasui, who had consistently questioned the original body’s character.

Li Huasui’s reaction to Jing Xingzhi’s look was intense, and he appeared ready to rush forward. However, Zhu Da restrained him.

Zhu Da held Li Huasui back with one hand and idly fanned himself with a clear jade-shaped fan in the other. He wore a smile as he said, “We are classmates, why are we in this confrontation? It’s fairest to let Teacher decide.”

Jing Xingzhi took note of Zhu Da but ignored him, turning his attention back to Li Huasui. “Li Huasui, what do you think about the teacher conducting the search?”

Li Huasui, not oblivious to the situation, reluctantly nodded, “If it’s not Wu Mingrui, then it’s fine.”

Zhang Qiwen surveyed both sides had agreed. He didn’t waste any time. He rose and rolled up his sleeves, saying, “I’ll rely on my own hands to search. Nothing can be concealed in sleeves, and you will see everything clearly.”

Zhu Da glanced at the cabinet where the items were concealed and nodded, smiling. Li Huasui and the others concurred, eager to see the search commence. They watched as Zhang Qiwen began to inspect Jing Xingzhi’s belongings with a smile on their lips.

Jing Xingzhi appeared to be at his limit and sat down in his chair with a pallid complexion, picking up his tea and taking a sip.

However, Jing Xingzhi’s attention was directed toward the cabinet, where the hidden items were stored. He was relieved that he had intervened in time; otherwise, he might have been labeled a thief.

As for the gold and silver concealed on the table, Jing Xingzhi casually glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and felt reassured. He had deliberately left room for misinterpretation to stir up trouble with Li Huasui and others to gain favor with Zhang Qiwen. As long as Zhang Qiwen did not entirely favor Li Huasui, Zhu Da, and others, he wouldn’t think of touching the table with the sacred book.

What Zhu Da lost was money not banknotes, there was no need to scan the books on the table.

However, after Jing Xingzi finished drinking the tea, he supported his body to stand up but barely managed it.

Seeing this, Wu Mingrui advised, “Sit down, you’re still unwell, and Teacher won’t blame you.”

Zhang Qiwen, touching the still-warm quilt, turned his gaze back toward the slender figure who was seated but appeared resolute. Upon observing this, he noted that the young man had been unwell and had recently recovered from a fall into the water.

Zhang Qiwen remarked, “If you feel unwell, please sit down.”

Jing Xingzhi paused for a moment, appeared to contemplate, and then nodded, expressing gratitude, “Thank you for your consideration, Teacher.”

Jing Xingzhi settled back into his chair, and Wu Mingrui draped some of his own clothing over his roommate.

After assisting his roommates with their clothing, Wu Mingrui shot an angry look at Li Huasui and the others, conveying his condemnation through his eyes.

While Teacher Zhang was unaware of the specifics within Class A, but Wu Mingrui knew that Zhu Da, Li Huasui, and the others had held a grudge against Jing Xingzhi for a long time, subjecting him to constant bullying.

However, their actions were well-hidden, and they had even ingratiated themselves with Zhang Kaiwei, the nephew of Deputy Chief Zhang Mingyu, ensuring that outsiders were unaware of their intentions.

Jing Xingzhi simply watched as Zhang Qiwen meticulously searched through his bedding.

Zhang Qiwen rummaged from the head of the bed to the foot, and eventually extended his empty hands, stating, “There is nothing on the bed.”

“Teacher, there’s still a cabinet!” Li Huasui impatiently exclaimed.

Zhang Qiwen gave Li Huasui a displeased look and said, “I’m aware there’s a cabinet.”

Zhu Da restrained Li Huasui, mentally berating him for not being helpful, and pointed to the cabinet as a reminder, concerned that their intentions might not be clear enough.

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A few days earlier, Zhu Da had pushed Jing Xingzhi into the lake. On that day, Jing Xingzhi had received praise from his teacher for an article he had crafted, while Zhu Da hadn’t had a single kind word to say about the article he had prepared.

When he heard Zhang Kaiwei mention that the chief was considering taking on an apprentice, Zhu Da couldn’t control his anger and shoved Jing Xingzhi into the water.

Jing Xingzhi, being frail, fell ill after just two immersions in the lake, leading him to request a leave of absence and recuperate in the school dormitory.

He was left alone, and Zhu Da’s associates, who had their own ulterior motives, would often chat amongst themselves while working in the school garden. They had various means to harm others.

So, they hatched a plan and asked students from other classes to notice that Zhu Da’s purse was damaged, and they remembered that he had brought money. On that day, Li Huasui deliberately left his book behind, returned to get it, and took Zhu Da’s money, secretly placing it in Jing Xingzhi’s bag. This created a scenario where the alleged thief was calling out for the thief.

As for why Jing Xingzhi hadn’t recovered from his severe illness and had fallen into a deep slumber, it was also related to some tampering with his medicine.

Under Zhu Da’s influence, Li Huasui had grown increasingly irritated with Jing Xingzhi.

Nonetheless, everything would be resolved once the results were revealed. Li Huasui felt a surge of happiness when he considered the money, he had placed in Jing Xingzhi’s bag with his own hands.

Once it was done, Jing Xingzhi would be expelled from the academy, and Zhu Da would reward him with the money from today. With this money, his family could afford many things, and his younger brother could also go to school…

As Zhang Qiwen opened the cabinet, Li Huasui held his breath.

Zhu Da observed Jing Xingzhi and noticed the boy’s intense focus. This gave him confidence, and he raised the corners of his lips.

Zhang Qiwen removed Jing Xingzhi’s bag from the cabinet and placed it on the bed. He then turned to Jing Xingzhi and inquired, “What’s in the bag? Can it be publicly opened?”

Jing Xingzhi clenched his fists and responded firmly, “It contains clothing and a stack of copper coins, Teacher. You can open it publicly.”

Having received permission from Jing Xingzhi, Zhang Qiwen proceeded to open the bag.

Zhang Qiwen stood aside to ensure that everyone had a clear view as he rummaged through the bag.

However, after concluding his inspection, Zhang Qiwen only found a stack of copper coins.

Li Huasui’s eyes widened, his lips moved, and he muttered in a low voice, “How is this possible… How can it not be there?”

Wu Mingrui’s face beamed with a smile as he grinned broadly, saying, “I told you it was a false accusation! Although Xingzhi is young, he has his own integrity. I would never believe he’d stoop to stealing money!” Wu Mingrui laughed heartily, much to the annoyance of Zhu Da, who felt that Wu Mingrui’s words were unwarranted. Furthermore, Zhu Da was even more frustrated with Jing Xingzhi.

But what Zhu Da despised most at the moment wasn’t Jing Xingzhi or Wu Mingrui; it was Li Huasui, who had bungled everything. All the preparations were in place, but the “stolen item” they had discussed wasn’t found!

Zhu Da gave Li Huasui a menacing look, which further agitated Li Huasui. Zhu Da was not known for his patience.

Li Huasui was convinced he had placed the money in Jing Xingzhi’s belongings, and now he couldn’t fathom why it hadn’t been found. He was frantic.

Zhang Qiwen gathered Jing Xingzhi’s belongings and addressed Li Huasui, who appeared anxious, “Li Huasui, I’ve searched through Jing Xingzhi’s belongings, but there’s no money. The quilt was just overturned. Are you sure you haven’t mistaken the person?”

Li Huasui seemed increasingly determined in his conviction: “Impossible… You don’t necessarily have to hide stolen goods in your own room. Maybe Jing Xingzhi concealed the money in Wu Mingrui’s cabinet or bed.”

This assertion resonated strongly with Zhang Qiwen, who replied with some irritation, “I just touched Jing Xingzhi’s bedding, and it was still warm. When we arrived, he had just woken up and hadn’t even had time to put on his clothes.”

Given the early spring weather and the coldness of the lake, it was implausible for someone to stand around without wearing a coat for an extended period.

Li Huasui, emboldened by Zhang Qiwen’s response, continued: “Teacher, since we’ve searched everything and can’t find the money, why don’t we also look in Wu Mingrui’s cabinet and bed? I’m sure Brother Wu would be willing to help clear Jing Xingzhi’s name, right? Brother Wu!”

Li Huasui directed an imploring gaze at Wu Mingrui.

Wu Mingrui, not wanting to prolong the situation, said, “What’s the issue with that? I already agreed to it. I have some scraps of silver and a few banknotes.”

Wu Mingrui had thousands of taels of silver stored in his residence, and he hadn’t noticed Jing Xingzhi searching through his things. He had faith in his roommate’s character.

Zhang Qiwen was about to acquiesce when someone else spoke up.

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Jing Xingzhi stood up and stared intensely at Li Huasui, “Brother Li, why are you so certain that I stole the item? If you claim I was sneaky, then the sneaky individual would naturally feel uneasy and look around. There is no cover in the bamboo garden, so why didn’t anyone see you?”

“And there are numerous people in Brother Zhu’s dormitory. Why would a thief only target Brother Zhu? If one person stole a small amount from various sources, wouldn’t that be less likely to be detected and simpler to accomplish?”

“Brother Li, perhaps you could provide an explanation?” Jing Xingzhi inquired, advancing until he stood in front of Li Huasui.

Li Huasui’s mouth went dry, a bead of sweat formed on his forehead, and he forgot to blink.

“I saw it with my own eyes, I’m certain of it. I was a little distance away at the time, but the figure could only have been you, and we’re in the same class, so I’m quite familiar with you.” Li Huasui argued. “As for why the thief only stole Brother Zhu’s money, that’s a question you should direct at yourself.”

Li Huasui believed his argument was sound, which boosted his confidence, and he declared with certainty, “I’m not a thief, I just can’t tolerate people who claim to be scholars engaging in theft!”

Wu Mingrui, clicking his tongue, glanced at Li Huasui and reached out to restrain Jing Xingzhi, who was about to offer a retort. “Alright, let them search my belongings. That should suffice. If we object again, they might claim we have a guilty conscience.”

Wu Mingrui turned to Zhang Qiwen and spoke earnestly, “Teacher, please carry out the search.”

Li Huasui also urged Zhang Qiwen, saying, “Teacher, please search!”