Chapter 77: 077. As one wave subsides, another rises (Second update)
Translator: 549690339
“Xueqing, you should call him Brother Ning.”
A gentle and honest male voice came from the open room.
The girl about to reach out to Ning Jing only a meter away from her hesitated and said, “Alright!” Her round eyes filled with laughter, then she gave a formal bow, “Brother Ning, nice to see you again.”
The girl had fair skin, a beautiful face, and her eyes sparkled lively when she smiled.
“Mm.” Ning Jing just replied lightly.
The girl reached out her hand, “Where’s the gift you promised me?”
“Sorry, I forgot.” But Ning Jing’s voice didn’t convey any hint of apology, devoid of emotion.
Stunned, the girl heard the voice inside the room again, “Xueqing, don’t make a fuss.”
“Alright.” The girl pursed her lips and gestured, “Brother Ning, please come in. Father has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Ning Jing nodded slightly and walked forward. Seeing Ning Jing’s back basket, the girl muttered to herself in confusion, “Did Brother Ning become like this because of the changes at home…”
When Ning Jing arrived at the door, a sigh came from inside, “Come in.”
As he entered, he saw a thin and elegant middle-aged man sitting by the window. Sporting a meticulously trimmed beard and dressed in a gray gown, he looked at Ning Jing with a hint of concern in his eyes.
This man was the dean of Qianshan Academy, one of the most famous scholars in Qian Country today, named Lin Shuzhi.
The one who had just run out to greet Ning Jing was Lin Shuzhi’s youngest daughter, Lin Xueqing.
After entering the room, Ning Jing didn’t take the initiative to speak but stood quietly with his eyes downcast.
After a long sigh, Lin Shuzhi broke the silence, “That time, you received a family letter saying that your mother was critically ill, and you hurriedly left the academy. It seems like only yesterday.”
Ning Jing remained silent.
“Forget it, let’s not mention those things.” Lin Shuzhi shook his head, stood up, and looked directly at Ning Jing, “You care deeply and are sensitive. After all those events, I was fearful that you might make an extreme move. I heard that you had an outstanding performance in the Bei’an County Exam, and now that I see you safe and sound, I feel relieved. Please, sit down.”
Ning Jing gently placed the back basket on the ground and sat down next to Lin Shuzhi.
Lin Xueqing brought tea, poured a cup for both Ning Jing and Lin Shuzhi and then sat down in the room. She said, “Brother Ning, you have no idea how worried father was about you! He had my elder brothers keep an eye out for you all this time!”
At the age of eighteen, Lin Shuzhi had made a name for himself by performing exceptionally well in the Imperial Examination. The Former Emperor of Qian Country highly praised him as a talented genius.
Everyone expected a bright future for him. But to everyone’s surprise, Lin Shuzhi resigned from his position in the capital after just three days and founded Qianshan Academy in Pingbei City.
Qian Country’s northern region used to suffer from a harsh climate and infertile land, which resulted in fewer and less talented scholars than the wealthy southern region.
Qianshan Academy cultivated many impoverished students from the north, and supplied the court with many talents.
Most notably, Lin Shuzhi’s twin sons were both highly accomplished, becoming the Top Scholar in Civil Examinations and the Martial Arts Champion in the same year. It became a well-known story. Now, one son is a civil official, and the other is a military commander, both with promising futures.
Lin Shuzhi’s wife passed away from illness many years ago, and now only his youngest daughter, Lin Xueqing, stayed with him at Qianshan Academy. Many aspiring scholars wished to become Lin Shuzhi’s disciples, not only for his knowledge but also to build connections with his sons and students to secure a bright future.
However, Lin Shuzhi never accepted any disciples publicly nor recommended any students from the academy to the government.
Lin Shuzhi did accept a disciple in secret, though, it was just not common knowledge.
Seeing that Ning Jing still didn’t say anything, Lin Xueqing sighed, “Brother
Ning, don’t dwell on the past too much. You wanted to participate in the Imperial Examination three years ago but missed the opportunity because your mother fell critically ill. It’s not too late now. I know you never wanted to become a wealthy businessman. You want to prove yourself like my father, become a top scholar, and then live the life you desire. Your wish will soon come true!”
Ning Jing finally spoke, uttering just two words, “Thank you.”
Lin Xueqing frowned and looked at Lin Shuzhi, but Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “Let’s not talk about the past. You should rest well today for tomorrow’s exam.
I’ll talk to you in more detail after the exams are over in three days.”
Lin Xueqing immediately said, “Father, let Jing… Brother Ning stay at the academy! What if those heartless people from the Ning Family hurt him when he’s alone outside?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Lin Shuzhi looked serious and asked Ning Jing, “If you’re willing, you can stay here, and I’ll have someone arrange a place for you. With your outstanding performance in the Bei’an County Exam, you have a place at the academy. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
Ning Jing nodded, and Lin Xueqing’s face lit up with joy, “Brother Ning, why don’t you stay in the courtyard that my eldest brother used to live in?”
However, Ning Jing had already stood up, bowed to Lin Shuzhi, and said, “Thank you for your concern, Master. I have something to attend to today, so
I’ll take my leave.”
Lin Xueqing was stunned, “Brother Ning, you…”
But Ning Jing had already picked up the back basket from the floor, put it on his back, and walked out of the room.
“Brother Ning!” Lin Xueqing wanted to chase after him, but Lin Shuzhi stopped her.
The father and daughter stood at the door, watching Ning Jing’s retreating figure.
Lin Xueqing couldn’t understand, “Father, Ning Jing has no relatives now, and you were always inquiring about him before. Now that he’s here, why don’t you let him stay? He must be very lonely and without anyone to care for him.”
Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “Haven’t you heard? He used Crown Prince Bei Jingwang’s token to participate in the Court Examination at Bei’an County, otherwise, we wouldn’t see him today.”
Lin Xueqing shook her head, “Ning Jing is proud by nature. I don’t believe that he would curry favor with the powerful for his future. The fact that he took Crown Prince Bei Jingvvang’s token must be for reasons unknown to us. There are many rumors spreading in the academy, and if I hear anyone spreading them, I’ll kick them out!”
Lin Shuzhi’s expression was displeased, “Am I the dean of the academy, or are you the dean?”
Lin Xueqing hugged Lin Shuzhi’s arm and shook it, “Father!”
“He’s not the original Ning Jing anymore.” Lin Shuzhi looked in the direction Ning Jing had left, and sighed again.
“He was cold today, but Father, you wouldn’t be upset because of that, would you?” Lin Xueqing asked.
Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “I’m not upset. I just suddenly can’t see through that child, and I don’t know what he’s trying to do.”
“Of course, it’s to become a Top Scholar. After that, he would not become an official, but rather travel around the world. Ning Jing had told me about this, and I even begged him to take me with him, but he refused, saying that if he took me away, my father and brother would beat him. It’s a pity that I am a girl and cannot participate in the Civil Examinations; otherwise, I would compete with Ning Jing!” Lin Xueqing was somewhat regretful.
Lin Shuzhi teased his daughter with a smile, “You can participate in the
Military Exam, and I won’t stop you.”
Lin Xueqing pouted, “I’m not like Second Brother, who’s as strong as a bull.”
Seeing that Lin Shuzhi returned to his reading, Lin Xueqing brought up Ning Jing again, “At the very least, we should know where Ning Jing is staying, right? What if he disappears after the exam!”
“He’s grown up, let him be. If he needs our help, he’ll speak up.” Lin Shuzhi shook his head.
Lin Xueqing also shook her head, “He clearly doesn’t want to have anything to do with me, he even forgot about the gift he promised me, although it doesn’t really matter.”
Lin Shuzhi read his book, and Lin Xueqing said she would go to the capital city during the New Year to find her eldest brother. By then, if Ning Jing had become a Top Scholar, she would be able to see him riding through the streets on a horse.
After a while, someone rushed in, “Dean, something bad has happened!” “What happened?” Lin Xueqing quickly got up and went out to ask.
“That Mr. Ning! People from the Ning Family in Xunyang City came looking for him, saying his father was gravely ill and begging him to come home for a last look! A group of people are kneeling at the entrance of the academy and refusing to get up!” The person said loudly.
Lin Xueqing frowned, and Lin Shuzhi closed the book in his hand and stood up, his face solemn as he walked outside, “Go and inform the Government Office that someone is causing trouble at the academy!”
The person hurriedly left.
“Father, the Ning Family is too hateful! Isn’t this kidnapping Ning Jing? He has an exam tomorrow, and by forcing him to go back now, it’s clearly intentional! They’re even making a scene in public. If he doesn’t go back to Xunyang City, he’ll be known as unfilial! Even if he passes the exam in the future, people will criticize him! What a sinister heart the people of the Ning family have!” Lin Xueqing’s expression was furious.
Lin Shuzhi arrived at the entrance of the academy and stopped, “We can’t interfere in this matter, it’s up to him to handle it.”
“What can he do? Father, you must help Ning Jing, he’s already suffered enough!” Lin Xueqing said.
Lin Shuzhi sighed, “When forced to this point, he has to make a stand, otherwise, the Ning family won’t give up. If only your second brother were here, he could beat them up today.”
There was a crowd gathered at the entrance of Qianshan Academy. Two old people, two middle-aged men, and two young men were kneeling on the ground, all claiming to be from the Ning Family in Xunyang City and looking for their Seventh Young Master.
The eldest of the old men was crying and his nose was running, “Seventh Young Master, when we expelled you from the family back then, the old master was forced to do so, it was all to protect you! The old master is seriously ill and has been holding on, hoping to see Seventh Young Master one last time. If Seventh Young Master doesn’t return, the old master won’t be able to rest in peace!”
The crowd was abuzz with people criticizing Ning Jing for his lack of filial piety.
Ning Jing carried a back basket and was surrounded by people in the center. He could feel something moving inside the basket, knowing that the child couldn’t hold back any longer. He spoke in front of everyone, “You were sent by Ning Yao, right? I just received a letter from home saying that my father is in good health and his greatest wish is for me to bring honor to our ancestors. He told me not to be distracted and to beware of Ning Yao’s attempts to harm me. Ning Yao has controlled the Ning family and sent assassins after me several times. Now you guys are here to ruin my future. What a great plan!” At this, the whole scene was shocked!
The kneeling Ning family members were dumbfounded.
After speaking, Ning Jing walked around them, passed through the crowd, and left with his head held high.
In the uninhabited forest, Ning Jing put down the back basket, opened the lid, and saw the child named Zhengzheng looking at him with tears in his eyes and reaching out a small hand, “Uncle…”
“I’m sorry.” Ning Jing hugged Zhengzheng out, gently patting his back to comfort him. After a while, Zhengzheng clung to his neck and didn’t let go, unwilling to return to the basket.
Just as Ning Jing was about to carry Zhengzheng down the mountain, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
A dark shadow flashed by, and two masked men with knives blocked their way, “Hand over that child!”
Ning Jing’s eyes flashed with impatience, and holding Zhengzheng’s head to his chest, he coldly uttered two words, “Seek death..”
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