Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Chen Fulang’s words momentarily caught Mother Tan off guard; she hadn’t expected the person who once knelt at her door begging changed to be brave now.

Nevertheless, with years of quarreling experience, Mother Tan glared, became furious, and retorted, “You’re a widow running a tofu stall, you wait for people to eat your tofu, I don’t if it was the real tofu or another tofu! If you were a good person, you’d find a decent job. What kind of stall are you running with your face exposed!”

Undeterred, Chen Fulang snorted coldly and forcefully threw Mother Tan against the wall.

“I earn an honest living! It’s none of your business!”

Chen Fulang, confident in his hard-earned income, pushed Mother Tan away without bothering to argue and walked home.

As Mother Tan attempted to pursue, Chen Fulang brandished something menacing, scaring her off.

Despite her desire to fight, Mother Tan, facing her son’s debts, sat on the ground, crying and cursing. She realized she had to risk her life to repay those debts.

Observing Chen Fulang’s departure, Jing Xingzhi sensed trouble for Tan Xingwang.

When Jing Xingzhi saw Chen Fulang leaving, he turned around and left too. Uninterested in Mother Tan’s cries, he overheard Prefect Shen Fang settling the case.

“He Zhifang and others colluded to establish the case outline. I’ll investigate. Victims can complain at the county government. Zhang Mingyu, for killing Qi Xinlan and colluding with bandits, is sentenced to death. Wang Xiang’s false testimony led to 35 cents fine. Tan Xingwang, forced to admit guilt due to family debt, fined 20 cents. His brother’s debt is his personal responsibility, they will open trial again tomorrow.”

Shen Fang’s clear interpretation of the regulations received praise in the hall, leaving no room for doubt.

Wang Zhuang, like others, praised the prefect’s wisdom a few times, then noticed Jing Xingzhi returned inside.

Wang Zhuangxi followed, saying, “Young Master Jing, let’s go tell the chief the good news!”

For Fang Qichen’s health, his freedom to come to the county government was forcibly taken by Jing Xingzhi. Although he might be a bit less happy, his mood was more stable, benefiting his body. Jing Xingzhi believes he was being a good disciple.

“Okay, let’s tell the teacher right now.” Jing Xingzhi nodded to Wang Zhuang and led the way to the Wang Family Medical Center, not far from the county government office.

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Fang Qichen, already recovered, was playing chess with Doctor Wang when Jing Xingzhi arrived.

For a moment, Jing Xingzhi wondered if the old man truly fainted that day…

But considering the old man’s age, he might just have fainted to laze around or have fun. Jing Xingzhi silently held back his words.

He said respectfully, “Teacher, Prefect Shen has finished the case. Zhang Mingyu has been sentenced to death, and He Zhifang and the county government people will be dealt after a thorough investigation.”

Fang Qichen put down the white pieces and patted the table excitedly, “The heavens have eyes!”

Doctor Wang, beside him, glanced at the chessboard and then said excitedly, “It’s a good thing. Chief Fang, be relieved, but also calm down. Don’t be too excited.”

“Quickly, help your teacher and let him slow down,” Doctor Wang said, messing up the chessboard.

Fang Qichen, hearing the clattering of chess pieces, reached out to push Doctor Wang, “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“Are you fine? That’s good,” Doctor Wang stood up with a smile. “I’ll write a prescription. Take it home, walk around more. It’ll help strengthen your body and maintain health and longevity.”

“Thank you, Doctor Wang,” Jing Xingzhi expressed gratitude, and Wang Zhuang went to get the prescription.

After Doctor Wang left, the gray-haired Fang Qichen complained softly, “Why are you thanking him? After playing five games of chess, you regretted it. This old man Wang’s chess skills are very poor!”

Jing Xingzhi asked, “Then why didn’t you say it in front of people?”

Fang Qichen may have looked in poor health, but his eyes, ears, and intact teeth were surprisingly well-preserved for an ancient person.

Observing Doctor Wang messing with the chess pieces, Jing Xingzhi noticed Fang Qichen’s subtle reaction—a twitch at the corners of his mouth.

“You’re so mean-spirited that I can’t complain privately,” Fang Qichen said, glancing at Jing Xing. “Old Wang’s chess skills are just bad. I have to be careful not to let his medical quality deteriorate.”

“Then you still have to take Doctor Wang’s medicine and look behind us,” Jing Xingzhi pointed behind him.

Fang Qichen turned around and saw Doctor Wang’s disciple picking up herbs, appearing unnoticed.

Seeing Fang Qichen’s gaze, the young man in coarse clothes smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Chief Fang. My master knows you said his chess skills aren’t good, and he acknowledges it himself.”

Fang Qichen blushed and nudged Jing Xingzhi, whispering, “Let’s go back to the academy.”

After the teasing, Jing Xingzhi called a carriage and took Fang Qichen back to the academy.

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Upon returning, they went to Chief Fang’s house. While they were busy, Wang Zhuang’s men approached Wang Zhuang curiously, questioning how he convinced the witnesses to change their confessions. The man speculated about nightmares and Tan Xingwang crying in his dreams.

Wang Zhuang, maintaining a serious demeanor, asserted, “We are still the same people like you. How can we make sense by being reasonable? Just don’t do anything bad, and you don’t have to be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. Do you understand?”

His subordinate, wide-eyed and intimidated, nodded understandingly, deciding not to inquire further.

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Meanwhile, Fang Qichen and Jing Xingzhi went to the Fang family hall. Fang Yaojun eagerly hugged her father, and Jing Xingzhi, sensing something amiss, asked if anything unusual had happened during his absence.

Liu Fang, meeting his gaze, appeared natural but cast a glance at Fang Yaojun with a hint of envy. He also wanted a hug!

Jing Xingzhi felt the strangeness intensifying, wondering if something had gone wrong during his brief absence.

Liu Fang was momentarily distracted but quickly regained focus, mentioning that nothing unusual had happened. He explained that Fang Yaojun was a bit worried, but she loved to eat, and expressed optimism about Yaojun’s future luck.

Jing Xingzhi smoothly inquired, “Did you teach this little girl?”

Liu Fang nodded, and Jing Xingzhi remarked, “That’s a blessing for me!”

Suddenly, Jing Xingzhi realized the shift in his perspective. Previously, he wouldn’t have thought Liu Fang cooking was ordinary. However, now it seemed normal, reflecting a sense of familial connection.

Jing Xingzhi reminded himself to hire a cook. Despite the familial bond, Liu Fang shouldn’t bear the cooking responsibilities every day. Jing Xingzhi himself had no interest in the kitchen and deemed it troublesome if Liu Fang did too much.

After a meal with Fang Qichen, Wang Zhuang escorted them back to the outer courtyard.

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While closing the courtyard door, Jing Xingzhi mentioned, “By the way, I spent three taels of silver. I invited Wang Zhuang and the others to dinner, and last time I brought roast chicken.” He handed his purse to Liu Fang.

Liu Fang hesitated, but Jing Xingzhi insisted, “If I don’t need it, you manage it. You’re good with money.”

Liu Fang reluctantly accepted the purse. Then, Jing Xingzhi pulled out another purse, happily saying, “This is what I earned going out this time, five hundred taels for household use.”

He explained that Wang Xiang had a thousand taels, and Fang Qichen insisted on giving him 500 taels, which he decided to contribute to the family.

Liu Fang felt a pang at the mention of ‘household use.’

Jing Xingzhi seemed oblivious to the implication, wearing a face that said, ‘Hurry up and collect the money!’

It made Liu Fang contemplate pushing him against the wall.