Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

When they heard it was the Marquis of Zhenyuan, the soldiers relaxed and asked the group to dismount for inspection.

Ning Haibo was in the middle of the twenty-man team. When he reached the city gate, he dismounted with a cold expression.

The soldiers noticed his dark face, and after recognizing him and verifying his token, they allowed them to pass. Some were even a little worried that something might have happened on the border.

A well-informed soldier muttered, “It’s not the border. It’s something at the Marquis Zhenyuan’s Mansion!”

“What happened? Why haven’t we heard anything?”

“I only heard it from others, so don’t go spreading it. I’m telling you, the wife of the Marquis of Zhenyuan fell into the water and wasn’t cured. She’s gone mad…”

“I didn’t believe it at first, but the Marquis didn’t return for the New Year, and now he’s back. If not for his wife, what else could it be?”

The soldiers were surprised, and then quietly gossiped in pairs and trios about other matters at the Marquis Zhenyuan’s Mansion.

Ning Haibo’s cavalry reached the outskirts of the palace, but upon entering, he was alone and without his horse, so he could only sit in a sedan and proceed.

Ning Haibo was in a bad mood. He hadn’t expected Wu Shuangxi to face such a tragic fate at such a young age.

Wu Shuangxi had come from a poor family, with no ties to the elite military families like Ning Haibo’s.

An accident had brought them together, and from that moment, his heart had belonged to her.

Ning Haibo’s thoughts were elsewhere, and although the battle report he delivered to Li Yunxi was good, it didn’t bring a smile to his face.

Li Yunxi understood his grief but also had a younger brother whom he was closer to, so he remained impartial.

Li Yunxi said, “Beloved Minister Ning, since you’ve returned this time, take care of your family matters before you leave. I’m deeply sorry for what happened to your family back then. My dear son is now also living outside.”

Ning Haibo nodded with a bitter smile. “Yes, I plan to settle the matter before leaving this time. I may stay a few more days than the allotted three days in Beijing. Please forgive me.”

“It’s fine, go ahead,” Li Yunxi said, waving his hand to indicate that Ning Haibo could take his leave.

Ning Haibo knelt in gratitude, then left the palace, mounted his horse, and led his men back to the Marquis Zhenyuan’s Mansion.

.

Marquis Zhenyuan’s Mansion.

Old Madam Ning and Ning Yongyuan were waiting at the gate so that they could see her son, who had not come home during the New Year, as soon as he arrived.

Old Madam Ning’s face was filled with both joy and worry, and she complained to Ning Yongyuan, “Do you think he will blame me for that woman, Wu Shuangxi, when he comes back? This has nothing to do with me.”

In the early years, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had fought with each other. After the fight, Old Madam Ning had realized that her son was the one who suffered the most, so she simply tolerated it and handed over the household power to Wu Shuangxi.

During the fight between the two women, Wu Shuangxi didn’t use her son to hurt the old woman’s feelings. Instead, she had wisely taken a step back, which helped her secure her place in her husband’s heart.

As Old Madam Ning thought about those events, the face of the young and beautiful Wu Shuangxi flashed before her eyes.

No wonder men liked women who were so beautiful and elegant.

Old Madam Ning was lost in thought when she heard the sound of horse hooves. She raised her head joyfully and looked toward the alley entrance, where the sound was growing louder.

Unlike his mother’s eager anticipation, Ning Yongyuan felt no such excitement; in fact, he wanted to run away.

He didn’t want to see Ning Haibo at all.

The man he had once regarded with pride now had nothing to do with him, and might even be disgusted with his “fake son.”

As the hoofbeats grew louder, Ning Yongyuan’s head lowered further, as if he wished he could disappear into the ground.

Ning Haibo pulled the horse to a stop, dismounted with a thud, and knelt down in front of Old Madam Ning.

Looking up, Ning Haibo’s eyes were slightly red as he said, “Mother, your son has been unfilial, returning home only now for the New Year. The thought of it pains my heart…”

Old Madam Ning quickly helped him up, her wrinkled hands brushing against Ning Haibo’s rough face. “My son is fighting for the country, and that is honourable! I understand. Please get up quickly.”

Seeing the anxious look on his mother’s face, Ning Haibo obediently stood.

He then glanced at Ning Yongyuan, whose head was still lowered, and patted him on his thin shoulder with a big hand. “Why are you staring at the ground? Is there something good down there that has you so distracted?”

Ning Yongyuan’s eyes welled up with tears for a moment. He sniffed, turned his head, and muttered, “No, there’s nothing good.”

Ning Haibo sighed silently, then smiled and said, “Let’s go inside; it’s windy out here.”

They entered the mansion.

Whether it was his mood or something else, Ning Haibo couldn’t shake the feeling that the once-grand mansion now felt emptier.

After a moment of thought, he realized it was because spring had not yet come to the capital, which made the place feel so desolate.

He sat down in the old madam’s courtyard and, after sipping some tea, couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, is she in the main courtyard?”

“In the main courtyard, I go to see her every day. The maids take good care of her.” The old madam said quickly.

“Then…” Ning Haibo stood up. “Then I’ll go take a look.”

“Okay, you can go and have a look,” Old Madam Ning sighed in agreement.

Ning Haibo thought for a moment and waved to Ning Yongyuan. “You come too.”

Ning Yongyuan hesitated for a moment, then stood up and followed Ning Haibo’s pace.

The two men, one large and one small, entered the main courtyard of the mansion together.