Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Seeing Zhu Da alive but soaked in the water before him, Zhang Kaiwei stared in shock, his mouth slightly agape.

After the initial surprise, joy overcame Zhang Kaiwei as he marveled at the unexpected turn of events. Just contemplating Zhu Da’s boat capsizing, he didn’t anticipate it would actually happen.

“What luck I have!” Zhang Kaiwei laughed, observing Zhu Da splashing in the water.

He remarked, “Zhu Da, I never mentioned the boat capsizing; you brought it up first!”

Zhu Da, in disbelief, suspected Zhang Kaiwei was tampering with the ship.

With wet strands of hair and water-streaked face, Zhu Da angrily retorted, “You’re audacious! Daring to sabotage Master Zhang’s imperial ship!”

Zhang Kaiwei snorted, “I warned you, don’t blame me if the boat capsizes. Do you think I have the power to make it happen?”

While they argued, servants on Zhu Da’s boat hurriedly prepared to rescue him.

Observing this, Zhang Kaiwei silently wished that Zhu Da wouldn’t be rescued. Knowing Zhu Da was on Zhang Tong’s boat, bound for the palace, Zhang Kaiwei foresaw trouble when they met in the capital.

As Zhu Da appeared unharmed, Zhang Kaiwei considered himself exceptionally lucky today, silently cursing Zhu Da in his thoughts.

Unexpectedly, just as Zhang Kaiwei made a silent wish, the ship he stood on swayed, throwing him into the water and colliding with Zhu Da.

Panicking, Zhang Kaiwei realized Zhu Da knew how to swim, but he didn’t. The opposite boat’s crew hesitated to rescue Zhu Da due to the unsettling sway.

Helplessly, both ships’ occupants watched the collision of the two arguing young men. Jing Xingzhi, observing from a distance, thought it was a mere coincidence, unaware of the intricate connection between Zhang Kaiwei and Zhu Da.

However, Jing Xingzhi anticipated the need to intervene.

Under the water, several strands of aquatic plants moved away for several meters in response and rushed towards the two people who had fallen into the water.

Zhu Da was struck by Zhang Kaiwei, rendering him unconscious.

Upon his fall, Zhang Kaiwei hit something, causing severe pain in his waist, preventing him from swimming. Desperately, he clung to Zhu Da, restraining his nearly immobilized hands as Zhu Da feebly struggled in the water.

In an instant, Zhu Da was pushed underwater, battling weakly.

However, Zhang Kaiwei felt even more panicked, shouting, “Help me! Help me!” while fearing something was pulling at his ankle.

As the servants regained their senses, they jumped into the water, disregarding their safety, like dumplings.

On the shore, a crowd gathered, drawn by the commotion.

Water enthusiasts swam over from a distance to assist.

After a while, Zhu Da and Zhang Kaiwei were pulled from the water.

Zhang Kaiwei, pale with fright, desperately spat out water. His throat and nostrils burned with pain, tears flowing as he coughed.

Upon hearing the Zhu family’s servants cry, Zhang Kaiwei couldn’t bring himself to cry anymore.

The servants knelt, surrounding Zhu Da, as the expert rescuer declared, “This man can’t be saved. He ingested too much water and was breathless for a while.”

The housekeeper cried, “Our young master knows how to swim!”

Zhang Kaiwei’s heart skipped a beat.

The Zhu family’s servants pointed at Zhang Kaiwei, accusing him: “You! The young master was fine until you pulled him into the water!” Glances were cast upon him.

Panicking, Zhang Kaiwei waved his hands, explaining, “I was shaken by the boat. I grabbed whatever I could. It wasn’t intentional! Zhu Da grabbed me desperately, pulling me down. See here!” He showed his scratched wrist.

The Zhu family’s housekeeper, seeing the wrist, grabbed Zhang Kaiwei tightly. “You damn thing! You pulled my young master into the water. Could he not struggle? Just wait to pay for our young master’s life!”

The servants accompanying the young master wouldn’t end well. Not to mention, Zhu Da was a treasure in the Zhu family.

Chaos ensued on the shore as the Zhu family’s servants quickly reached a consensus, not wanting to face dire consequences.

The good steward led his people to entangle Zhang Kaiwei. Some servants reported to the official, while others chased the recently departed Zhu family. At this moment, the Zhu family must be summoned back and they had to restrain Zhang Kaiwei.

Jing Xingzhi frowned slightly, sitting under the willow tree with an indifferent expression.

The result was beyond his expectation, but within an acceptable level.

Anyway, Zhu Da also owed the little scholar his life, and now he just paid it back.

Jing Xingzhi could almost guess what happened next. Zhu Da was dead, Zhang Kaiwei would have to endure at least half of his life, and the lawsuit between the Zhu family and the Zhang family still had to be fought.

Jing Xingzhi glanced at the river beside the willow tree. The river was still calm. Even though it had surged just now, it eventually became calm.

After looking at the water for a while, Jing Xingzhi, feeling a little relieved, smiled, got up, and left the dock.

Jing Xingzhi had some realizations, so focused on the feelings in his heart that he didn’t notice anyone looking at him for a moment.

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Li Huasui, wearing a long gown, stood in front of a shop, holding a ledger in his hand, his slender fingers stained with ink.

Li Huasui looked at Jing Xingzhi’s departing figure, then at the commotion between Zhu Da and Zhang Kaiwei, contemplating the news he had just heard about the young master of the Zhu family drowning in the water.

Could it be… was there really a son of Heaven in this world?

Those who harmed him were punished, and those who wanted to kill him ended up dead instead.

Li Huasui originally wanted to drive Jing Xingzhi out of the academy, but he was the one who was kicked out. Zhu Da pushed Jing Xingzhi into the water, and now Zhu Da drowned in the river!

In addition to admiring Jing Xingzhi’s character, Li Huasui suddenly discovered that Jing Xingzhi might indeed have the kind of great luck described in the book. With his magnanimous and awe-inspiring aura, he could cut through thorns and thistles without any disadvantages.

“But it’s okay. I made an oath in my heart last time. If no one offends me, I will never offend anyone again.” Li Huasui said in his heart.

After warning himself in his mind, Li Huasui raised his eyes again, his gaze falling on the crowd where Jing Xingzhi disappeared.

The shopkeeper poked his head out and shouted: “Huasui, have you finished settling the accounts? I will return to the village early today.”

“Just a moment.” Li Huasui turned around calmly and said to his uncle from the same village with a smile, “I was stunned outside watching the excitement. I heard that the two boats shook a little, and the officials were checking.”

“They can only wait to investigate. You better settle the accounts for me as soon as possible so that I can pay everyone’s wages.”

The shopkeeper smiled and looked at Li Huasui again, admiring Mother Li in his heart, “Your mother is smart and knows to take you to a school. I always worry about this account book. It only takes you half a day and it saves me a lot of trouble!”

Li Huasui expressed gratitude, saying, “I have to thank Uncle Fifteen for taking care of me; otherwise, I wouldn’t have found such an easy job.”

Li Huasui lowered his head, examining the account book. His mother refused the money he brought home last time, so he set up an accounting office that worked two days a month.

While settling the accounts, Li Huasui felt happy. The money he earned this month was enough for his younger brother’s schooling.

Li Huasui appreciated the teacher at the academy who had taken an interest and taught him how to calculate accounts several times. His intelligence allowed him to grasp the craft.

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As soon as this matter was over, Jing Xingzhi focused on studying again, sitting silently in the academy at two o’clock every day.

Jing Xingzhi no longer ran out after this incident, and the students at Huanshui Academy paid little attention to him. He was like a non-existent presence.

Though the teacher praised Jing Xingzhi for being studious, the students didn’t take it to heart. Jing Xingzhi’s eagerness to learn was normal, but his intensity was intimidating.

As the sun warmed, kites filled the sky. Jing Xingzhi decided to take a break and invited friends to make kites on the back mountain.

Fang Yaojun and Wu Mingrui joined in, making the grassland lively. The assembly of kites attracted teachers and their families, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Jing Xingzhi and Liu Fang quickly assembled the first kite, drawing envious eyes.

Jing Xingzhi said to Liu Fang, “You put out the line, and I’ll fly the kite.”

Liu Fang agreed, and the two ran off to fly the kite.

Fang Yaojun and Wu Mingrui struggled with their kite. Fang Yaojun, frustrated, asked, “Why is ours not in good condition?”

Wu Mingrui, gentle and considerate, offered to help, and as he worked, his demeanor caught Fang Yaojun’s attention.

After flying the kite, Jing Xingzhi and Liu Fang walked Fang Yaojun home.

Her sudden question surprised them. Fang Yaojun blushed, saying, “Brother Jing, … How old is Senior Brother Wu?”