BXBX NOVEL Chapter 207 - 207: The time of death has come.
Chapter 207 - 207: The time of death has come.
When he pushed open the door to Su Liang’s room, it was pitch-dark inside. He stood at the entrance for a while, still able to smell the faint scent of herbal medicine, similar to Su Liang’s own fragrance.
Without entering, Ning Jing closed the door again, fetched some water from the kitchen, and returned to his room to clean the bloodstains left from dragging the assassin away.
After tidying up, he noticed a few specks of dried blood splattered on the bed curtains.
Ning Jing didn’t bother with it, he changed the bedding, washed up, and went to bed.
Early the next morning, he didn’t even eat breakfast, and headed to the Ministry of Revenue on time.
Ever since Ning Jing joined the Ministry, the place was filled with a refreshing tea fragrance every day.
After handling some simple tasks, Ning Jing decided to “leave work” and have a meal at Zhengzheng’s place.
When he arrived at the entrance of Wan Family’s house, he found the main door tightly closed. As he knocked on the door, an old housekeeper came out and quickly paid his respects.
Ning Jing remained silent.
Respectfully, the old housekeeper said, “Old Master has been thinking about little Young Master Zhengzheng. Miss and the Brother-in-law took the opportunity to accompany the young master back to Qingyang City while Miss Su Liang is not in the capital city. They haven’t returned yet!”
Actually, Wan Hui went to inform Ning Jing about taking Zhengzheng away and met Qi Jun instead. Fearing that the child would recognize him, he lied about having a cold and didn’t allow Zhengzheng to get close. After a brief conversation, Wan Hui and Lu Yu took the child away.
Qi Jun had forgotten about this matter as Ning Jing’s arrival last night was too sudden.
That was also why Ning Jing had not asked about it, fearing there might be misunderstandings due to a lack of knowledge about the situation.
“I was merely passing by to have a look. Sorry for the disturbance.” Ning Jing turned around and left as soon as he finished speaking.
At Wan Family Restaurant, the manager greeted him with a smile upon entering, “Lord Ning, you’re early today. Why don’t you have some tea upstairs first? Will you have the usual dishes for your meal?”
Ning Jing nodded slightly and went upstairs.
During these days Qi Jun had been impersonating Ning Jing and eating at the restaurant daily, a private room was reserved for him. The restaurant staff assumed that Ning Jing knew where to go.
Ning Jing had no idea, but he guessed it was the same room Wan Hui had treated them to meals before, with the best furnishings and views.
As expected, he guessed correctly. As soon as he pushed open the door, a waiter followed in with hot tea.
Ning Jing opened the window overlooking the street and sat down by it. He didn’t drink the tea, but he was indeed hungry. He finished the food Su Liang had prepared for him, filling his stomach on the way, and hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon.
Four dishes and a soup were all Ning Jing’s favorites. Qi Jun, while impersonating Ning Jing, didn’t dare to let loose and merely ordered all the dishes be cooked according to Su Liang’s recipes, declining any other dishes.
Last night, when Xing Yusheng saw Qi Jun returning home and learned that Ning Jing had returned, he went to share the news with Lin Xueqing in the morning. The two went to Su Mansion to look for Ning Jing. Finding no one there, they headed to Wan Family Restaurant instead.
Upon entering, they inquired and learned that Ning Jing was dining upstairs, so they both headed up.
“Brother Ning, may we come in?” Lin Xueqing knocked on the door from outside.
A faint voice came from inside, “No.”
Lin Xueqing held her forehead, but Xing Yusheng had already pushed the door open.
“Why are you…” Lin Xueqing entered the room, realizing something was wrong midway through her sentence and quickly changed her words, “Aren’t you lonely eating alone? I heard Ajun came back last night, especially to deliver a letter for Sister Su. Did she say when she’s coming back?”
They couldn’t mention Qi Jun impersonating Ning Jing, fearing that the walls had ears.
“In another half month.” Ning Jing replied calmly.
Half of Su Liang’s leave had already passed, but it would take her another seven or eight days to travel back to the capital city.
“That’s pretty soon!” Lin Xueqing cheered up, “You two are getting married on the sixth day of next month. Sister Su has always been busy and hardly has any free time, so Yang Yu said she would prepare the wedding dress for her. I want to personally embroider a red wedding veil for her; it’s almost done, but don’t tell her in advance!”
Xing Yusheng heard about this for the first time and blurted out, “What about yours?”
“Of course, I’ve already prepared it.” Lin Xueqing replied. Xing Yusheng smiled with delight, “I can’t wait to see you wearing it.” Lin Xueqing glared at him, “What’s the rush? Wait for it.”
Ning Jing, who was sitting across from them, passed over her unfinished vegetarian spring roll.
Xing Yusheng found it strange, “You’re only giving it to us because you can’t finish it, right?” Ning Jing never knew the meaning of “politeness.”
“Eat one to keep your mouth shut, ” Ning Jing said.
Lin Xueqing touched her forehead, “Ning senior, do you really have to look down on us like this? Even if Su Liang isn’t here, you don’t have to be so displeased with everyone, right? We came to visit you out of the kindness of our hearts!”
“He just wants to talk about love with you. Find a place where no one else is,” Ning Jing bluntly stated.
Xing Yusheng coughed lightly, though he couldn’t really say that she was wrong.
“Ah, I get it!” Lin Xueqing suddenly exclaimed, “Ning senior, you’re clearly jealous!”
Xing Yusheng nodded solemnly, “I think so too! Since Su Liang isn’t here, of course he’s annoyed to see us together.”
Ning Jing gave them a cold glance, “Are you two done?”
“You don’t even bother to refute, Ning senior! I knew it; you must like Su Liang!” Lin Xueqing was overjoyed, “Oh dear, time is really running out. I haven’t finished embroidering her bridal veil, I need to embroider a pair of mandarin duck pillowcases for you two! I’ll go home and do the embroidery right now!”
Xing Yusheng smiled, “Ning Jing, I also have a gift for you two. It’s a pomegranate tree from our family’s old Prince Mansion garden. I heard you like plants and flowers? Pomegranates symbolize many children and blessings, which is quite fitting. I’ll have it sent over within the next two or three days. Select a spot in your home for it today.”
Xing Yusheng: …Alright, it’s true that those grapevines produce delicious fruits. They were specially transplanted from the old Gu Family mansion of Marquis Chang Xin.
“By the way, my father said to let you come to see him when you’re free; he has something to tell you,” Lin Xueqing said.
Ning Jing nodded slightly, “Got it.”
After Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing left, Ning Jing finished his meal and went home.
Ning Jing spent the entire afternoon busying himself in the garden, clearing away dead branches and leaves, pruning wildly overgrown branches, loosening the soil, and watering the plants.
Thinking of the pomegranate tree Xing Yusheng said he would send, as well as the grapevines, Ning Jing went ahead and not only selected a spot but also dug the holes for the trees, just in case.
At dusk, he went to the Lin Mansion.
The Lin family was just about to have dinner; seeing Ning Jing, they added another pair of chopsticks. He was not polite, coming over to eat was his intention.
Now, with two new daughters-in-law, the Lin family was a little bit livelier than before.
Ning Jing took his seat and congratulated Lin Bojun and his wife.
Not only did Lin Xueqing know that Ning Jing and Su Liang had both been to Xuanbei City, but Lin Bojun and Qin Yujin also knew, but they didn’t tell Lin Shuzhi and Lin Boyan.
Now that Ning Jing was back, Lin Bojun breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Qi Jun’s fake identity would be discovered.
“During our time in Xuanbei City, Xiaoliang gave me a letter from Master Pu Qing of Ping’an Temple for his disciple Cheng Yun. I delivered it to Huguo Temple the day after I returned, ” Lin Bojun said.
“Did Cheng Yun say anything?” Ning Jing asked.
Lin Bojun laughed, “He just asked when Xiaoliang would return to the capital. I said it would be soon.”
After dinner, Ning Jing went to the study room with Lin Shuzhi.
“Xiaoliang will return at the end of the month, right? The wedding is set for the sixth day of the sixth month. It mustn’t be delayed,” Lin Shuzhi said with a smile on his face.
He had initially planned to divide the family property equally between his two sons after Lin Xueqing got married. Their daughters-in-law came from noble families, and the Lin Mansion was too small, lacking even a proper garden. They had already bought a new house, but it didn’t seem right to separate right after their sons’ marriages.
To his surprise, both the daughters-in-law didn’t want to split the family, because they had a good relationship with each other. Considering they didn’t have children yet, they thought it would be too lonely to live apart. Since the Lin brothers were always busy with official affairs, the two brides found it nice to have each other’s company.
Lin Shuzhi is now quite content, just waiting to hold his grandchild.
Ning Jing nodded, “There will be no delay.”
Lin Shuzhi’s expression turned serious, “Your marriage this time isn’t just for fun, is it?”
“Master, you sought me out to discuss this matter?” Ning Jing asked.
“What else could it be? This is the most important!” Lin Shuzhi said, ‘You two living together without being married is not appropriate. Although I know there’s nothing going on between you, I hope there will be. Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?”
Ning Jing’s expression was calm, “The matter of marriage is more about how she feels.”
Lin Shuzhi was taken aback, “Well, you’re not wrong. So what does Xiaoliang think?”
“She feels that she is still young,” Ning Jing said.
Lin Shuzhi slammed the table, “I knew it! You must be pushing the responsibility onto Xiaoliang again, saying that she’s unwilling. I think it’s you who has a problem!”
Ning Jing frowned slightly, “It is my problem.”
Lin Shuzhi asked impatiently, “Tell me, what’s wrong with you?”
“I,” Ning Jing’s voice paused, “I haven’t found the meaning of marriage yet, and I think it’s great to be her brother and friend.”
Lin Shuzhi stared at him, “Are you even a man?
Ning Jing nodded, “I should be.”
Lin Shuzhi was simply dumbfounded, “What do you mean, ‘should be’? You’re a man, don’t you want to marry her and be like Bo Yan and Bo Jun, living harmoniously as a married couple with children in the future?”
Ning Jing was momentarily shocked, “Master, are you talking about that kind of thing?”
Lin Shuzhi snorted, “Yes, that kind of thing. Haven’t you ever thought about
Ning Jing shook his head, “I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“Well, think about it now. Do you want it or not?” Lin Shuzhi, a scholar, never expected today’s conversation with Ning Jing to take such a strange turn.
“Right now, I can’t think of it,” Ning Jing said.
Lin Shuzhi couldn’t help but complain, “You might as well become a monk!” “Master, don’t worry. We know what we are doing,” Ning Jing said.
“Don’t be ignorant of your blessings when you’re surrounded by fortune. You’ll regret it if you lose Xiaoliang one day!” Lin Shuzhi waved his hand, “I don’t want to chat with you anymore. I’m angry. Go back and think about what I’ve said!”
“Alright.” Ning Jing stood up and said goodbye to Lin Shuzhi.
On the way home, Ning Jing saw the brightly lit brothel in the distance, and while riding his horse, he whispered three words, “That kind of thing…”
On the third day after Ning Jing returned to the capital city, he went to Huguo Temple to find Cheng Yun.
Cheng Yun still looked the same, a serious and handsome little monk. His beauty had spread beyond Huguo Temple and became famous in the capital city.
“Ning benefactor, Su benefactor will be back soon, right?” Cheng Yun accompanied Ning Jing to watch the clouds at the back mountain of Huguo Temple.
Ning Jing looked up at the scattered white clouds blown by the wind and nodded, “Soon. Do you have something you want to ask her?”
“Yes, I want to ask Su benefactor about Master’s health and whether Master has returned.” Cheng Yun’s expression was serious.
“You can ask her when the time comes.” Ning Jing said, “During these days, has Yan Shiba come to see you?”
“Since last meeting Su benefactor, Yan benefactor hasn’t come.” Cheng Yun said, “I think she’s already let go and won’t come again.” He couldn’t help but reveal a smile.
Clearly, Yan Shiba’s harassment was very troubling for this little monk, and he was very happy that she didn’t show up again.
Ning Jing didn’t say anything more. After having a vegetarian meal at Huguo Temple, he went down the mountain.
Halfway down, he encountered a group of people heading up the mountain.
Among them was someone he knew, Wan Cong, the eldest son of Wan Shan.
It was the auspicious time for the entire Wan Family to go to Huguo Temple to pray for blessings for Wan Shan.
It wasn’t the first time Wan Cong had seen Ning Jing’s face. But before, Qi Jun
had always avoided confrontation.
“Isn’t this General Su’s fiancé, Mr. Ning?” Wan Cong smiled, “General Su is coming back soon, right? I heard that you two will get married on the sixth day of the next month, congratulations! I wonder if I could have the honor to attend the wedding banquet?”
Ning Jing nodded, “You can.”
“When General Su returns, I’ll have to trouble her with treating my father. After all, I’m afraid no one in the world knows my father’s condition better than her, right Mr. Ning?” Wan Cong alluded.
Ning Jing nodded, “Indeed.”
His attitude made Wan Cong’s anger increasingly difficult to vent but he dared not do anything during the day.
“Excuse me.” Ning Jing walked around them and continued down the mountain.
A moment later, he turned back and asked Wan Cong, “I heard that your brother went missing. Do you need help in finding him?”
Wan Cong could hardly maintain his facade, “Mr. Ning, you really have a Bodhisattva’s Heart, but you don’t need to bother yourself with this! Let’s go!” By now, everyone in the Wan Family knew that Wan Lin was likely dead.
Ning Jing knew what Wan Cong’s insinuation meant, and Wan Cong was painfully aware that Ning Jing understood everything and was deliberately insulting him!
“Damn!” Wan Cong gritted his teeth.
One of his cousins came over and whispered, “Big brother, why not take care of Ning before Su Liang returns? That way, we can teach Su Liang a lesson and not let her think that our Wan Family is made of softies!”
Wan Cong shook his head with a stern face, “The Empress repeatedly instructed us to behave and not cause any more trouble! The Fourth Prince hasn’t become the crown prince yet, but things might still change!”
“Big brother, you’re being confused! If we don’t take action now, it will be too late! The Empress is just afraid of further angering the Emperor. As long as we’re careful, who would know? We must act quickly to avoid complications!” said Wan Cong’s cousin.
Wan Cong’s expression changed, and he subconsciously looked back. Ning Jing was no longer in sight.
Hearing his grandmother calling for him to hurry up, Wan Cong gave a meaningful look to his cousin. They would discuss this later.
When Ning Jing returned home, he went to see the assassin sent by Duanmu Che. After carefully examining him, he asked, “What is your relationship with
Huang Bo?”
The assassin had already woken up, his eyes dark and staring coldly at Ning Jing, “He’s my father. I’m his only son! The one who saved Su Liang was my father! At first, the master was disgusted with Su Liang and didn’t want to save her. My father discovered her alive and brought her back. Master agreed to take her in just to maintain his image in my father’s heart!”
“You mean, I can’t kill you?” Ning Jing’s expression was indifferent.
“Su Liang owes my father a life-saving favor!” the assassin said coldly.
Ning Jing nodded, “I’ll tentatively believe what you said is true. But your father saved someone else, not me, and you wanted to kill me. This has nothing to do with Su Liang.”
“Do I have a choice when the master orders?” the assassin counter-questioned.
“With your father protecting you, of course, you have a choice.” Ning Jing replied.
“Then why haven’t you killed me yet? What the hell are you up to?” the assassin snorted.
Ning Jing did not answer. He lifted the limp assassin and looked at him once more, “Barely passable.”
The assassin’s face turned pale, “What kind of ghost are you playing? Ning Jing knocked the assassin out with a slap. He changed the assassin into his own clothes and washed his face clean.
Then, Ning Jing removed his human skin mask, applied it to the assassin’s face, and trimmed his sideburns.
At midnight, Ning Jing sat quietly in Su Liang’s room.. Hearing the movement nearby, he sighed softly—the time had come…