Chapter 76: 076. The Miss of Qjanshan Academy (Part 1)
Translator: 549690339
Travel during the day, stay at inns during the night.
When Su Liang and Ning Jing arrived at Pingbei City with their child, it was the tenth day of October, and there were only five days left before the Provincial Exam.
Pingbei City was the largest city in the northern part of Qian Country. It was just past noon, and the city gates were bustling with people coming and going.
Exhausted from playing, Zhengzheng was sound asleep in the carriage.
Early in the morning, Su Liang had put on men’s clothing and carefully applied makeup, looking like a young nobleman.
She lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside at the towering city gate, which was much more grand than Bei’an County town.
There was a routine inspection at the city gate, so Su Liang hid Zhengzheng wrapped in a blanket behind her, not letting anyone see him.
Ning Jing, wearing a straw hat and gray coarse clothes, claimed to be a servant bringing his young master from Beiqing County for the exam.
At that time, the four people who were released said that they were supposed to bring Zhengzheng to Pingbei City to be taken care of by the Fourth Miss Li, who had married into the local Li family. They also knew that Su Liang and Ning Jing would come, and there might be people waiting to intercept them here.
“Looking for a man and a woman with a three-year-old child.”
“Two men, not from Bei’an County.”
After the two soldiers whispered to each other, they quickly let Su Liang and Ning Jing pass.
After entering the city, Ning Jing and Su Liang didn’t go to the inn; instead, they went to find a real estate agent to buy a house.
At this time, the money Su Liang earned from Mai Fei in the past became useful. She temporarily didn’t intend to use the token from Yang Yu to withdraw money.
With the enthusiastic introduction of the property agent, the generous Su Liang chose a quiet house in the center of Pingbei City and bought it.
All the procedures for transferring ownership and paying taxes at the Government Office were delegated to the agent. To save trouble and ensure efficiency, Su Liang gave him a substantial amount of tip money.
The house was not too big or too small, had everything it should have, and was very clean since it had been well maintained regularly.
For security reasons, Su Liang and Ning Jing still chose to live in the same courtyard.
They brought their own bedding, just needing to buy some kitchen utensils before they could settle in.
Zhengzheng finally had a place where he could run freely. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared, and no one could see his figure. After a while, if they didn’t go looking for him, he would come out on his own, happily playing hide and seek with Su Liang and Ning Jing. Sometimes the two would cooperate with him, and sometimes they would deliberately pretend not to find him even though they knew where he was.
“A few more days left, do you want to go to Qianshan Academy?” Su Liang asked Ning Jing.
As the top scorer in the Bei’an County Court Examination, Ning Jing had the opportunity to study at the Qianshan Academy before the Provincial Exam, but he had given up on it at the time.
Now, if he went, he should still be able to, and there might even be some special tutoring before the exam.
“I won’t go.” Ning Jing said.
“Alright. You stay at home and watch Zhengzheng, I’ll go out and buy pots and ingredients.” Su Liang said.
Seeing Su Liang go out, Zhengzheng wanted to follow, but Ning Jing called out to him, and Zhengzheng happily ran back and jumped into Ning Jing’s arms.
With all the things from the carriage unloaded, Su Liang went out alone to shop.
Today happened to be a day off for the Qianshan Academy, and there were many scholars wearing gray and white uniforms on the streets.
Su Liang ran into the top three scorers from the Bei’an County Court Examination, who were shopping together.
If Ning Jing appeared, they would definitely recognize him at a glance.
First, Su Liang went to buy the necessary pots and bowls, then bought a lot of groceries and meat, and finally went to the clothing store to buy new clothes for her, Ning Jing, and Zhengzheng.
Seeing a red satin hat with a small fluffy ball on it, hanging in the most conspicuous position in the store, Su Liang asked for it without asking the price. She thought it was perfect for Zhengzheng, and it didn’t matter if it was a bit expensive.
As she passed the Book Shop, she went in to pick out a bunch of miscellaneous books she hadn’t seen before, and placed them all in the carriage.
Since the Provincial Exam was approaching, the bookstore had a special rack for book boxes. They came in various materials, some of which looked very high-end.
Su Liang saw some scholars carrying them on the street and thought that now that they had money, Ning Jing didn’t need to go to the exam with just a basket like during the Court Examination. She went over to ask the price.
Seeing that Su Liang was not short of money, the shop assistant strongly recommended the most expensive one, but she preferred a lighter one with a more practical internal design and bought it.
As Su Liang shopped along the way, she returned home with a full load, and was rewarded with a warm hug from little steamed bun Zhengzheng.
When Ning Jing saw the book box and frowned slightly, Su Liang quickly said, “I know it’s not as good as the one you made yourself, but there’s no time now, so make do with it.”
Ning Jing cleaned all the bought kitchenware, and with Zhengzheng in his arms, he lit the fire while Su Liang cooked a sumptuous dinner.
Originally, she wanted to steam a minced meat and egg custard for Zhengzheng only, but she thought Ning Jing would definitely ask, “Can’t adults eat it?” so she made three servings in the end.
Zhengzheng ate until his little belly was round, and Su Liang gently rubbed it for him. He closed his eyes happily, saying, “Uncle Ning… Aunt…
Later, it became, “Uncle… Aunt Ning…”
When Su Liang bought the house, she chose it because there was a large open space in the back garden where she could practice martial arts.
Early in the morning, she got up to jog, practiced a set of boxing techniques, and then practiced her sword skills just as the sky was getting light.
Ning Jing had prepared the hot water, and hearing Zhengzheng calling for someone in the room, he quickly walked back in.
Su Liang felt that if Ning Jing ever had a child, he would be an excellent father.
Although they were now in a big city, Su Liang and Ning Jing had momentarily resumed their daily life in Su Family Village. Other than having an additional child to take care of, nothing else had changed.
Ning Jing brought some basic woodworking tools when he came, and with some ropes and wooden boards, he built a small swing for Zhengzheng in the courtyard, complete with a safety guard.
After hearing Su Liang’s description, he also made a stack of building blocks for Zhengzheng. Each piece was polished, and they were exquisite, except they were not colored.
So on a sunny afternoon, the stone table in the courtyard was filled with many building blocks and a plump child wearing a cute red hat.
Ning Jing sat beside him, playing with the blocks together with Zhengzheng.
As the two of them cooperated to combine the blocks into different shapes each time, Zhengzheng would call out to Su Liang in the room, making sure she saw their efforts.
With the window open, Su Liang, who was sitting in the room reading, would give a thumbs up and praise, “Zhengzheng is awesome!”
Zhengzheng imitated her with a thumbs up to Ning Jing and said with a smile,
“Uncle is awesome!”
Su Liang chuckled, “Ning Jing, it’s your turn to praise me.”
Ning Jing looked at Su Liang, and said lightly, “Keep reading.”
Su Liang: … He was playing with a child, and yet he was acting so aloof. Seriously.
Since entering the city, Ning Jing hadn’t left the house, and Su Liang, disguised as a man, went out to buy things without taking the child.
They didn’t know that besides people watching the city gate all these days, there were also people searching every inn in the city. However, no trace of their arrival could be found, regardless of the various descriptions they had been given.
On the fourteenth day of October, Ning Jing had to go out.
All scholars who are attending the Provincial Exam tomorrow need to register at the Qianshan Academy and get a badge. Without a badge, they won’t be able to enter the Examination Hall on the day.
“You go by yourself.” Su Liang said.
Because of Ning Jing’s background and the fact that he was using Crown Prince Bei Jingwang’s badge to participate in the Imperial examination, he was already drawing attention. If people saw him with a woman and child, some absurd rumors might spread.
Ning Jing carried the book box Su Liang had bought for him, filled with water and some of Su Liang’s homemade tasty desserts.
Jing liked it very much.
Thinking that Ning Jing was leaving for good and not coming back, the Kid clung to his leg and refused to let go.
It didn’t work when Su Liang tried to coax him either.
Ning Jing picked up the Kid, looked into his eyes, and said, “You stay home.”
Not caring what he said, the Kid just tightly hugged his neck and wouldn’t let go. If anyone tried to separate them, he would cry out.
Ning Jing put down the book box, took out the basket Su Liang had bought for him the day before to carry things, wiped it clean with a wet cloth, put a small blanket inside, and then put the Kid in, covering it with a lid.
Thinking it was a game of hide-and-seek, the Kid peeped out from under the lid and laughed happily.
Su Liang held her forehead, “Are you sure you want to take him to the academy with you? It’ll be hard not to be discovered.”
Ning Jing took the things from the book box and put them into the basket, carried the basket on his back, and the Kid peeped in and out, playing happily.
“Don’t come out unless I call you, ” Ning Jing said, looking back.
The Kid giggled.
Su Liang thought, if he could understand, remember, and do as he was told, it would be a miracle…
However, even if they were discovered, it wouldn’t have any serious consequences, so Su Liang let them be.
Watching Ning Jing leaving with the Kid, the Kid’s little hand stretched out, waving goodbye to Su Liang as if to say, “I’m going to play with Uncle!”
Many carriages stopped at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, blocking the road.
Ning Jing walked alone, carrying the basket on his back, as he made his way through the crowd.
“Master Ning!”
Ning Jing heard it, but the voice was unfamiliar, so he ignored it. There could be other people with the last name Ning.
There were rapid footsteps, and someone caught up.
It was a well-dressed, sharp-eyed old man who stopped Ning Jing and politely asked, “Are you from Bei’an County?”
Ning Jing stopped walking but didn’t answer.
The old man introduced himself, “I’m the manager of Yonglong Embroidery
Workshop in Pingbei City, and the master of my family’s name is Yang.” Only then did Ning Jing speak, “What’s the matter?”
“Are you Master Ning?” the old man said with a smile, “Our master had sent word last month that her friend, Miss Su, and Master Ning would be coming to Pingbei City, so she had asked me to prepare a mansion specifically to host you. We had sent someone to wait at the city gate but didn’t see when you arrived. So, we thought Master Ning would come to register at the academy today, and we’ve been waiting here.”
“How did you know it was me?” Ning Jing asked.
The old man laughed in response, “Our master had sent a portrait along with the letter so that we wouldn’t mistake someone else for you.”
“Thank you. There is nothing to trouble you with for now,” Ning Jing said.
“May I ask where Master Ning is staying? The mansion is ready and can be moved into at any time,” the old man said.
“Someone will come and find you at the Embroidery Workshop tomorrow,” Ning Jing said, before continuing to walk up the hill.
The old man pondered for a moment, thinking that Ning Jing meant he didn’t need anything today and would see about it tomorrow. So, he just returned.
Ning Jing didn’t doubt that this person was arranged by Yang Yu because those lurking in the dark who wanted to cause trouble didn’t know the relationship between Su Liang, Ning Jing, and Yang Yu.
Ning Jing walked along a small path to a deserted area and called softly, “Kid.”
Obediently staying in the basket, the Kid emerged now that he was given the signal, his head poking out and hands holding the rim of the basket as he looked at the vastly different scenery in the mountain with a surprised expression.
This was the game Ning Jing had agreed with the Kid beforehand. He could only come out when his name was called, and he had to go back when the basket was tapped.
As the Qianshan Academy appeared in sight, Ning Jing tapped the basket twice, and the Kid obediently sat back down, even moving the lid to cover it more tightly.
“Master Ning!”
A scholar from Bei’an County stood at the entrance of the academy, yelling from afar when he saw Ning Jing.
Instantly, a commotion arose.
Although Ning Jing had never been to Qianshan Academy before, he was well known there.
That’s because he was the first scholar in the history of the academy to receive a free admission qualification and yet didn’t attend.
It’s worth noting that the academy is well known throughout Qian Country, and many students from other regions have struggled to find ways to secure admission.
Many people asked the three scholars from Bei’an County about Ning Jing; two of them said they didn’t know him well, and the one who ranked alongside Ning Jing hinted that he was arrogant because he had a patron.
So, Ning Jing’s “self-important” reputation spread. Adding to his background, some people who only knew his name but had never seen him made up a lot of rumors about him.
The most outrageous rumor was that Ning Jing was “the male pet of Crown Prince Bei Jingwang Xing Yusheng” circulating in the Qianshan Academy.
Ning Jing, a “famous person,” instantly became the focus upon his arrival.
Walking to the entrance of the academy, two fellow scholars from Bei’an County greeted him warmly as if they were hometown acquaintances.
However, they had only seen him on the day of the Court Examination and the day when Mai Fei hosted the dinner afterward.
In fact, Ning Jing had saved their lives, but they didn’t know it.
Ning Jing just nodded and asked them where to register.
The two scholars had already gotten their badges and volunteered to take Ning Jing to the registration spot.
All the way there, they attracted attention.
After seeing Ning Jing’s real face today, the rumor that he was a certain crown prince’s male pet resurfaced because he was just too good-looking…
Registering was quite simple; confirm your identity, receive the examination badge, glance over the posted exam instructions, and then you could leave.
Ning Jing took his badge and thanked the two guiding scholars before leaving when a student ran over, “Where is Master Ning Jing? The dean is asking for him!”
For a moment, the gazes of the people around Ning Jing changed again.
Under the scrutiny of everyone, Ning Jing, with the basket on his back, followed someone leading the way through most of the academy until they reached the entrance of a quiet little courtyard.
“Please come in, Master Ning.” The guide stepped away after speaking.
Before entering, Ning Jing tapped the basket twice to remind the Kid to hide well.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, a figure in light green ran towards him, and the crisp voice filled with excitement rang out, “Brother Jing!”
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