Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Liu Fang sent away the two examinees, Jing Xingzhi and Wu Mingrui, and was about to close the door and go back to catch up on his sleep when the figures of a woman and Mother Zhang appeared at the entrance of the alley.

Mother Zhang took a look and said with a smile, “Has the people already left? I hurried on the way, but it was still too late, and I missed the joy of seeing the blessed number one scholar, Young Master Jing!”

“Mother Zhang is praising my husband again, why come so early? Actually, there was no need to come.” Liu Fang always felt that the Crown Princess’s show of affection was strange.

The reason was simple. They hadn’t met yet, but she kept sending him things. Who wouldn’t panic if it were anyone else?!

That said, he was the kind of person who always took the initiative to make friends with others, so he didn’t find it strange and was used to it. But in this era, making friends with the royalty must be followed with caution.

Liu Fang looked steadily at Mother Zhang and released his pressure on her.

It wasn’t easy to come out of the palace so early.

Mother Zhang noticed his doubts and explained with a smile, “I didn’t specifically come to see Young Master Jing off this time. Our Crown Princess remembered the oil that was used to remove the lines on her belly when she was pregnant with the child, so she sent it to you.  After I finish delivering it to you, I have to go to the mansion, and give them a share. After delivering the things, I have to prepare for a banquet later, so I won’t bother you any longer.”

Mother Zhang handed over the items and left without delay.

Liu Fang watched Mother Zhang’s unhesitating back and raised his eyebrows, wondering if he was being overly suspicious.

After thinking about it twice, Liu Fang felt sleepy and simply went back into the house to sleep.

The royal family’s matters were not as great as the needs of his body right now.

Liu Fang had been pregnant for more than nine months, and the house had already arranged for a midwife (the shuanger version) and a doctor to be present during the delivery.

When Jing Xingzhi went out to take the exam, Liu Fang promised him that he would stay at home, eat and drink, and not worry about the exam.

Jing Xingzhi never expected that the due date and the exam period would overlap!

He was furious and wished he could take the exam on another day.

He had originally wanted to accompany Liu Fang during the birth, which was why he insisted on bringing Liu Fang to the capital after much trouble. At least he could help around the delivery and prevent any accidents.

But it happened that Jing Xingzhi couldn’t avoid taking the exam. He could only hope he would make it back in time after the exam.

As Jing Xingzhi walked to take the exam, he thought, ‘Baby! You can come out when Dad is home!’

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On the other side, after delivering the items, Mother Zhang dropped her smile and headed to Earl of Chengyang’s Mansion, the Crown Princess’s natal home.

Mother Zhang didn’t understand why the Crown Princess insisted on sending things to Young Master Jing’s house.

Although Young Master Jing was the Holy Master’s junior, Mother Zhang didn’t believe that this junior could be more noble than their prince.

The royal family had already reached its peak; how could they still interact with people in such a flattering manner?

Like herself, Mother Zhang hadn’t shown such a smiling face in many years. The young shuanger even looked reluctant to receive her, as if he really thought he was somebody important!

Mother Zhang was silently cursing in her heart as she arrived at Earl Chengyang’s Mansion.

At Earl Chengyang’s Mansion, the treatment Mother Zhang received was not like Liu Fang’s scrutiny but rather full of countless flatteries. Even the madam smiled kindly at her.

The difference in treatment from both sides made Mother Zhang even more puzzled.

Back in the palace, Mother Zhang couldn’t help but ask Crown Princess, “Crown Princess, that Young Master Jing is obviously helping the Second Prince. Why do we always send him things?”

The Crown Princess had a long face, not the round face shape that was favoured these days, but her facial features were well-proportioned, and there was a distant air in her brows. She had the look of an aristocrat.

She gently tapped Mother Zhang’s forehead and replied, “It’s precisely because he helps His Highness the Second Prince that we need to make good friends with him. Whenever our crown prince makes new friends, the Holy Emperor is never at ease.”

Mother Zhang thought for a moment and suddenly realized.

The Crown Princess wanted to use the Holy Emperor’s fear to destroy Young Master Jing, who was assisting the Second Prince!

“Your Highness, you’re so clever! I had never thought of it like that, even after all this time.”

“It’s not that I’m clever. This was my mother’s idea,” the Crown Princess smiled and added, “I’m going to see my mother later. Let’s dye my nails light pink today.”

The palace maid in charge of dyeing nails quickly went to prepare everything to give the Crown Princess a fresh nail colour.

As her hands were tended to by the maids, the Crown Princess’ eyes fell on the flowers and plants outside the window.

Mother Zhang had her own questions, but the Crown Princess had her own doubts as well.

If making friends with certain people would cause the Holy Emperor’s jealousy, why did her mother-in-law always insist for him to befriend those ministers? Didn’t it only make His Majesty worry needlessly?

The crown prince was both the legitimate heir and the eldest son. As long as he didn’t make any major mistakes, who could take his place?

The Crown Princess, being a book-lover, had figured this all out long ago, but she kept it in her heart and didn’t mention it to her husband, who was always so filial to the empress.

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The examination was underway, and many government officials and city defence soldiers in the capital had been transferred to the vicinity of the examination hall.

The number of soldiers defending the city had been reduced by one-third.

Two rows of soldiers guarded the gate, and as they checked people entering the city, they enviously discussed the men who had brought along their servants.

Not long after, the sun climbed higher, and rare sunshine bathed the earth.

A group of tall armoured horses neighed and ran toward the city gate, kicking up a billowing wave of yellow dust.

The soldiers were stunned, thinking that being a soldier like this would be much more glorious than serving as senior officials!

Those chaotic thoughts were swept away. The soldier in front lowered his hand to block the road and shouted to the leader of the cavalry, “Who goes there? State your name!”

A soldier at the rear of the group shouted back, “The Marquis of Zhenyuan returns to Beijing to meet the Holy Emperor!”

“Please stop, and we can only let you enter the city after verifying the identity of your party.”