Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Despite Liu Fang appearing to sigh on the surface, those familiar with him could discern subtle differences in his expression.

While Liu Fang maintained a good temper with his dormitory brothers, he harbored angsty behavior towards outsiders. Jing Xingzhi, concerned about Liu Fang facing challenges from outsiders, had been secretly observing him for a while.

As for Liu Fang’s mention of eating wild vegetables, Jing Xingzhi suspected it was a concern for money.

Knowing the financial struggles of the family and understanding Liu Fang’s background, Jing Xingzhi felt a pang of sympathy.

Jing Xingzhi began to take off the bag on his back, intending to get the money.

On the other side, Liu Fang glanced at his modest hand, took a step away, pretending not to notice, and walked forward.

In Liu Fang’s mind: ‘A man is much stronger than shuanger. He just returned in an ox cart. Do you still need him to help carry things?’

Impossible! Absolutely not!

Liu Fang considered the little scholar too spoiled. While he could continue supporting his education, he wouldn’t completely pamper him.

Jing Xingzhi couldn’t help but laugh, finding Liu Fang cute and amusing at the moment.

Jing Xingzhi coughed, suppressing his laughter, put on the usual demeanor of a little scholar, and said in a low voice, “I earned some money.”

When Liu Fang heard the mention of money, he paused. Liu Fang laid the foundation in the first year of his three-year graduation and spent the next two years starting a business, gaining experience in using money to make money.

The ten taels Liu Fang had just paid off were initially intended as capital. However, when debt collectors arrived, he worried about the little scholar’s reputation in the imperial examination and used the money to settle the debt.

As Liu Fang already suggested eating wild vegetables, he said awkwardly, “Just keep the money for yourself. It’ll cost you to live in the school.”

Immediately regretting his words, Liu Fang considered taking back the ten taels.

Jing Xingzhi responded, deliberately taking out a piece of gold, and said, “I can’t spend it all.”

Intrigued, Liu Fang turned back to see if it was half a broken tael or a full tael.

But what did Liu Fang see?

He saw a big ingot of gold!

Liu Fang was shocked, his eyes were wide, and then he asked anxiously, “What did you do?”

Liu Fang was a little frightened, thinking that the exams were approaching, and he suddenly guessed that this seemingly naive little scholar might not be as timid as he thought.

Could he have done something to someone else to earn so much money?

Jing Xingzhi tried hard to hold back his laughter and said seriously, “There’s more.”

Displaying gold and silver ingots one by one, Jing Xingzhi watched Liu Fang’s dumbfounded expression for a good half minute.

Liu Fang took the silver, stared into the other person’s eyes, and asked suspiciously, “What on earth did you do?”

Seeing Liu Fang’s genuine concern, Jing Xingzhi decided to come clean.

“There’s someone in the academy who framed me, accusing me of being a thief. I hid his money and brought it back without letting the authorities find it.”

After hearing this, Liu Fang breathed a sigh of relief, then was startled to realize that the seemingly innocent little scholar had a mischievous side?

If he truly learned to be mischievous and changed his ways, Liu Fang would find it amusing. He asked tentatively, “Didn’t you say that a gentleman shouldn’t loves money and let it gets in his way?”

Jing Xingzhi gritted his teeth and said indignantly, “Who asked them to harm me? If they’re exposed, they’ll be punished. I’ll make sure they’re expelled from the college. They are unscrupulous, and I’m just seeking justice!”

It turned out to be a plot by Zhu Da, who always ranked second in the exams. He collaborated with others to frame Jing Xingzhi, but the little scholar discovered the scheme and turned the tables. Although the chief kicked someone out of the college as a result, it wasn’t Zhu Da.

Liu Fang frowned upon hearing this. He didn’t expect the little scholar to face such injustice. Liu Fang had experienced something similar in junior high school when some classmates falsely accused him of stealing. His headmaster, sympathetic to his situation, revealed the truth, compensating him with a small amount of money.

Reflecting on this, Liu Fang let go of the incident and even visited his junior high school teacher several times. Some people might not be the brightest, but their kindness was genuine. Despite not being particularly fond of them, Liu Fang felt a warmth toward his younger self through the sympathy he received back then.

Liu Fang glanced at the little scholar. “Fortunately, you’re smart. Now that you’ve earned money, let’s eat something better to make up for it.”

Considering the money, he devised a trap for a rabbit caught in the mountains. ‘You could share it with me, little scholar.’

After pondering for a moment, Liu Fang added with unease, “Remember those who attacked you this time; be more vigilant. If they don’t succeed once, they might wait for a while until the attention dies down and try again.”

“Yes, I’ll remember.” Jing Xingzhi nodded. “You keep the money; you’re the wife in this house.”

“I’ll take care of it for you. There’s so much, and you definitely can’t take it to the academy. It might make others suspicious.” Liu Fang pocketed the money, adjusted his clothes, and walked into the house.

.

Jing Xingzhi looked at his meager belongings—two sets of clothes, a few books, and the paper money and other items he carried—and shook his head with a smile. Without the money, there would be no one to look after the baggage.

When Liu Fang initially mentioned eating wild vegetables, Jing Xingzhi sensed that it was related to the ten taels. The family’s finances were strained due to supporting the little scholar, and the lands at home was managed by the shuanger.

If Liu Fang really wore it, he must feel distressed for the shuanger and angry at the little scholar.

Using his own words to convey that he had been wronged, Liu Fang couldn’t help but issue a warning. As expected, he remained a protective person.

Jing Xingzhi felt satisfied with cleverly obtaining Zhu Da’s money. His relationship with Wu Mingrui wasn’t too close, and he could only share the “joy” with Liu Fang as he pleased.

Liu Fang hid the money and then returned with two large bowls of bone soup from the kitchen. “Have some soup now. We’ll eat later. Tonight, we’ll have rabbit meat.” Liu Fang suggested, picking up a bowl of bone soup and sipping it happily. The joy of tasting meat after a long period of vegetarian meals made him extremely content.

Jing Xingzhi also received a bowl of bone soup with chopped green onions and drank it.

Like Liu Fang, Jing Xingzhi found the meaty soup exceptionally delicious and drank it with seriousness.

Possibly due to the difference in men and shuangers, Jing Xing finished his drink in front of Liu Fang rather fast than him.

After Jing Xingzhi finished drinking, he unwrapped the paper money, cinnabar, lime, and other items wrapped in oil paper placed on the table.

The first item revealed was the paper money. Liu Fang, who also bought some to burn for his friend, couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Why are you buying paper money? Qingming Festival is still a while away.”

Jing Xingzhi paused, recalling his earlier thoughts of teasing before revealing his identity. He pretended to be a bit downcast and explained, “A good friend of mine passed away, unfortunately, he was far away. I planned to burn this paper money for him.”

After finishing the last sip of soup, Liu Fang, who remembered the person he also had lost, spoke in a somber tone, “I’m going to get rabbits. You can read or rest.”

He reached out to Jing Xingzhi, saying, “Give me the bowl. I will wash it.” The family’s limited bowls required washing after every meal.

Jing Xingzhi gave the bowl, but midway through, he felt something was amiss. This was his brother, not his servant.

“What’s wrong?” Liu Fang sensed that the little scholar had a lot on his plate today, usually eating and reading after returning home. Perhaps he didn’t eat enough?

Liu Fang glanced at the little scholar and asked, concerned, “Are you not full? There are corn pancakes.”

“No, I’m full. Thank you for your hard work,” Jing Xingzhi replied with a smile, handing the bowl back to Liu Fang.

The genuine smile made Liu Fang more endearing. He vaguely felt that the little scholar resembled his male idol without the hair. This little scholar was so fortunate; his looks matched those of his male idol. He should treat him better in the future.

.

As Liu Fang left to fetch rabbits, Jing Xingzhi sat alone in the main room. Touching his nose, he pondered whether he had overplayed his act and acted too seriously. Liu Fang didn’t recognize him at all, likely assuming he was still a teenager.

However, if it were exposed later, Liu Fang would definitely realize he was being deceived. Perhaps it would be better to continue acting as if he knew nothing about the Muppets, so it made sense that he wasn’t recognized.

But, for the money, there was no way Fang Ge’er could earn it, so he had to pretend curious… otherwise, the logic wouldn’t quite add up.

Just as Jing Xingzhi was contemplating, eight-year-old Jing Duo, the eldest son of Jing Erniu’s family, knocked on the door holding a bowl of egg pancakes.

“Brother Xiucai! My father asked me to deliver egg pancakes!” Jing Duo knocked on the door anxiously, worried that the scholar was engrossed in reading might not hear him.

But he didn’t think much, Jing Duo recalled that Fang Ge’er wasn’t home earlier, and the scholar was alone. People in the village had teased the scholar for his delayed response of answering the knock.

“Coming.” Jing Xingzhi responded, opening the door promptly.

Observing the scholar’s swift response, Jing Duo smiled and handed him the bowl, saying, “Brother Xiucai, you came out quickly today.”

Jing Xingzhi chuckled, remembering past anecdotes about the little scholar. As Jing Duo handed over the bowl, Jing Xingzhi noticed the abundance of egg pancakes.

He stopped Jing Duo from leaving hastily, saying, “There are too many egg pancakes. I’ll give you three extra coins to take home.”

Jing Duo shook his head, “No! My father will scold me!”

Jing Xingzhi smiled, “Then answer my two questions, and I’ll reward you, alright? It’s for you.” Jing Duo’s eyes sparkled.

“Okay, but I only need a cent to buy headbands for my mother and brother.” Jing Duo agreed. Jing Xingzhi knelt down on the threshold, saying, “First question, do you know how Fang Ge’er earns his money?”

“It’s from making puppets. Fang Ge’er gave my father a cow puppet to soothe my brother.” Jing Duo answered honestly.

Jing Xingzhi asked again, “Second question, how does Fang Ge’er make his puppets?”

Jing Duo, mirroring his father’s curious expression, said, “Brother Xiucai, isn’t you drew it for him? Have you forgotten?”

As he spoke, he raised his head, waving behind Jing Xingzhi, with a bright smile, “Fang Ge’er, I’m delivering egg pancakes!”