Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times - Chapter 97

From a calculating perspective, everyone understood Wu Shuangxi’s cruel trick, but no one would admit it aloud; they would only say—

“What a cruel woman!”

“That’s right, even your biological child could be thrown away!”

“This young man is right. One life is for another. We owe nothing to each other!”

A darkness flashed across Ning Haibo’s eyes as he looked at Jing Xingzhi with suspicion, wondering if he had found the wrong person.

Where was the good-natured character he had promised?

Where was the friendliness toward others?

What happened to the respect for elders he had been assured of?

None of the personality traits or behaviour Ning Haibo expected aligned with the aggressive young man standing before him!

But with Wang Zhuang present, it was impossible to admit he’d found the wrong person. Unless this boy was hiding his true character, putting on an act as though he were feeling aggrieved.

Feeling defeated, Ning Haibo continued to try to clean up Wu Shuangxi’s situation, sighing, “She is a housewife, and she made mistakes after listening to slander from her servants. She must have regretted it. Now, she misses you deeply. I am only asking you to see her once, just once!”

Jing Xingzhi clenched his fists, subtly moistening his eyes with inner energy.

He felt wronged to his core; he almost felt like hitting Ning Haibo’s chest with a fist as big as a casserole pot!

“But why are you begging me?” Jing Xingzhi’s eyes seemed misted over, his sockets a bit red.

He looked at Ning Haibo with heartbreak. “Why did you come banging loudlt on my door when you know my wife is pregnant and almost give birth? Why didn’t you find me when I was still young if my identity is so important?”

“I…” Ning Haibo felt he may have gone too far, but he had his own reasons.

He was set to leave Beijing again in two days. If he didn’t convince Jing Xingzhi to visit now, the next opportunity would be far away, and it was uncertain whether Wu Shuangxi’s condition would worsen by then.

“I apologize. I knocked on the door because I couldn’t find you anywhere else. I’ll return you in an hour at most.”

Ning Haibo felt helpless. He believed his son had misunderstood Wu Shuangxi too deeply to listen to any explanations.

Moreover, it seemed the boy’s adoptive parents had died young, leaving him with no sense of respect for his elders, nor obedience.

Though Ning Haibo felt a bit disappointed, he consoled himself, knowing that his son was intelligent and worth nurturing.

But Jing Xingzhi wasn’t backing down; he even started to threaten him. “What she did to me was more than just abandonment. Her servant is still imprisoned in Hanbei Prefecture. Do you want me to call him here to testify?”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll list every terrible thing she’s done for everyone to hear.” Jing Xingzhi glanced at the crowd that had gathered nearby.

Unlike before, when only servants had been present, now, aware it was Ning Haibo causing the scene, several ministers had come out to enjoy the drama.

Jing Xingzhi was willing to expose the truth, and many of the onlookers’ expressions shifted uncomfortably.

Ning Haibo, fuming, wished he had never come.

“She is your mother. What’s the use of holding a grudge against an ignorant woman?” Ning Haibo shouted angrily. “As a son, can’t you be considerate and endure a little grievance?”

“Why must I wrong myself? Today, you wrong me, and tomorrow it will be my wife.” Jing Xingzhi straightened, his face firm with confidence.

“We have nothing to do with each other.” Jing Xingzhi took a step forward, reaching out to gently push Ning Haibo back.

“How could I repay kindness with harm? My surname is Jing, and this life was given to me by my father, Jing Shanwen. In this life, I will live as a member of the Jing family and die as a spirit of the Jing family!”

Ning Haibo wanted Jing Xingzhi to remember Wu Shuangxi’s role in giving him life. This logic usually prevailed with others.

But Jing Xingzhi’s rejection had nothing to do with forgetting gratitude. He remembered it—the Jing family’s kindness.

Which one was greater, the act of giving life or the nurturing afterward?

In Jing Xingzhi’s case, the parents who brought him into the world abandoned him, while those who raised him saved him. When comparing the two, the answer was clear.

Thus, for a moment, Ning Haibo found himself powerless against Jing Xingzhi. In public, Jing Xingzhi showed he cared little for maintaining a reputation as the “pure and filial son.” What could he do?

Kidnapping Jing Xingzhi by force would be unthinkable, especially with Wang Zhuang present, known for his martial skill.

Ning Haibo couldn’t make sense of it. His biological son Jing Xingzhi was no fool—why couldn’t he see reason?

Would it cost him anything to see Wu Shuangxi?

With his biological father by his side, would he really suffer any harm? The excuses of an upcoming test and a pregnant wife were just words. If Jing Xingzhi complied, none of these issues would even arise.

As Ning Haibo’s thoughts raced, he found himself increasingly frustrated. Handling trivial family affairs was hardly his strong suit.

Jing Xingzhi, seeing Ning Haibo at a loss for words, turned back to assist Liu Fang and called out to the gathered crowd, “It’s all settled. Let’s disperse. Thank you all for coming to help. Without you, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Jing Xingzhi sighed as he spoke, looking exhausted and helpless.

The crowd watching was stunned: “…”

‘You’re like this, and you still claim you wouldn’t know what to do? Yet, you left the Marquis speechless…’

Nevertheless, Jing Xingzhi’s words charmed everyone, and when they shared gossip later, they found themselves defending him.

Ning Haibo, dumbfounded, could only shout, “You, wait!”

Jing Xingzhi didn’t turn back, thinking: ‘I won’t wait.’

After escorting Liu Fang back inside, the young couple walked side by side.

Liu Fang frowned, “What if he refuses to give up?”

Jing Xingzhi leaned close to Liu Fang’s ear and whispered, “It’s fine. Second Senior Brother is here.”

Liu Fang: “???”

This was awesome!

“You are such a clever little guy.” Liu Fang kissed the side of Jing Xingzhi’s face.