Chapter 88: 088. Ning Jing Leaves (Part 1)
Translator: 549690339
The final conclusion of the storm that had developed till now was either that
Ma Yaozu, jealous of Ning Jing, chose to poison the well water of Qianshan Academy to frame him.
Or that Ning Yao had bought the Xiao Family, and to frame Ning Jing, they coerced and enticed Ma Yaozu, making him a scapegoat.
It seemed both roots were due to “jealousy” and centered on Ning Jing, but there was a difference.
In the former case, Ma Yaozu displayed a one-sided vile and malicious character and Ning Jing was an innocent victim. He was just too outstanding, and that wasn’t wrong.
In the latter case, it was caused by Ning Jing’s family affairs, and once outsiders got involved, he would inevitably be blamed.
Ning Jing could not control Ma Yaozu’s jealousy, but he “should” have handled his family affairs well.
Although Ning Jing had been expelled from his family, he still carried the Ning surname. In the eyes of outsiders, he was inseparable from Ning Yao.
When two brothers fought, outsiders would enjoy watching the excitement.
But if outsiders were affected, then it would be a different story.
Especially since Ning Yao was in Xunyang City and had been behind the scenes from beginning to end. The victims in Qianshan Academy, as well as the angered spectators, could only see Ning Jing, and their anger would naturally be vented on him.
“If we spread the truth, you may not receive sympathy and support, but more likely hostility and resentment.” Su Liang looked at Ning Jing and sighed.
The shrewd merchant Xiao Family surely calculated this, and they firmly believed that Ning Jing didn’t want to escalate the matter because it would do him no good on the Dath of the ImDerial examination.
However, if they were to blame everything on Ma Yaozu and keep Ning Yao and the Xiao Family out of it, Su Liang would be unable to swallow her anger.
It seemed that Ning Yao and the Xiao Family’s real goal had not been achieved, but it still hit Su Liang hard.
Thinking of Xiao Shirong’s hypocritical and triumphant face earlier, Su Liang wanted to kick him away with one foot.
Ma Yaozu poisoned his peers for his own interests and deserved to die, garnering no sympathy.
As long as Ning Jing suffered a loss in silence, everything would quiet down. However, the more Su Liang thought, the angrier she became.
Lin Shuzhi sighed deeply, “The Xiao Family has significant influence in Pingbei City, and they have left no handle on their actions. Based on Ma Yaozu’s accusation alone, it’s impossible to hurt Xiao Shirong even a little bit. People would only think that Ma Yaozu has gone mad and is attacking randomly. The real mastermind is Ning Yao, but there is no way to prove that Ning Yao and the Xiao Family are working together, as they have no apparent connection with you.”
“What does Master think we should do?” Su Liang asked.
Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “There are only two of you, but you have offended two, even three major families. In my selfish view, I hope you can avoid them until Jing’er takes the exam next year, and then settle accounts with them. But I also know that whether the matter can be silenced depends entirely on them. Judging by the actions of the Li, Xiao, and Ning families, if they don’t succeed this time, there will be a next time. They won’t give up until they drive Jing’er to a dead end. Avoidance is not a long-term solution; it will only embolden them.’
“So Master supports our counterattack?” Su Liang asked.
Lin Shuzhi nodded, a hint of coldness in his eyes, “The Xiao Family and Ning
Yao committed heinous acts, and if not for Liang’er’s efforts to turn the tide, Qianshan Academy would have been gone last night. If you are confident, do whatever you want to do!”
Lin Shuzhi was a scholar, but it didn’t mean he lacked courage.
From his resignation as a young official till now, he had always adhered to his principles. After experiencing the life-and-death moment last night, he would never say that Ning Jing should give in and endure any further.
“Ning Yao should know the relationship between Master and me. He may very likely make a big fuss about it and drag Master into it.” Ning Jing’s face was calm, “I had originally intended to let him die after I ranked as the Top Scholar, but now, I can’t wait anymore.”
Ning Jing participated in the Imperial examination to fulfill the wishes of the real Ning Jing.
In the real Ning Jing’s suicide note, he said, “I always dreamed of becoming the Top Scholar and seeing the faces of my brothers and sisters. Sadly, I won’t have the chance.” This was also one of the reasons why Ning Jing hadn’t sought revenge for the real Ning Jing until now.
He initially planned to wait a few months before taking action to destroy the Ning Family after the Imperial examination was over.
If it were only Ning Yao targeting Ning Jing, regardless of assassination or framing, Ning Jing wouldn’t take the initiative to find him.
However, this time, Ning Yao had completely crossed Ning Jing’s bottom line.
Moreover, after getting to know Lin Shuzhi, Ning Jing didn’t want Ning Yao to publicize their close relationship with the Lin Family, which would affect not only Lin Shuzhi but also the two Lin Family members who were officials in the capital city, and it might even affect Lin Xueqing’s future marriage.
After all, Ning Jing now has the label of Bei Jingwang Mansion.
“In fact, we can hire assassins from Yanyun Building, money isn’t an issue. But since Yan Sui was killed, Yanyun Building is probably in chaos now and can’t be relied on.” Su Liang said.
Lin Shuzhi frowned, it sounded like Su Liang and Ning Jing had dealt with Yanyun Building before?
Su Liang was stunned, and Lin Shuzhi asked uncertainly, “Jing’er, your martial arts…”
That day, when two male corpses were found near Qianshan Academy, Ning
Jing admitted it was his doing, so Lin Shuzhi knew he was no longer the same.
Su Liang answered, “His martial arts should be more than enough to slaughter the entire Ning Family.”
Lin Shuzhi looked at Ning Jing and sighed deeply, “I won’t ask where your martial arts skills came from. Are you planning to take revenge on Ning Yao right away?”
Ning Jing nodded, “Su Liang stays at the academy to protect Master and junior sister. I will go to Xunyang City and come back here after the issue is resolved.”
Su Liang originally wanted to go with Ning Jing, but when he heard him say this, he nodded too, “I have no problem. Someone is in Su Family village, and she can’t leave anyway, Aunt Bai will take good care of her. As for the Fourth Prince, I’ll send a letter to inform him.”
In fact, there was no agreement between Su Liang and Duanmu Chen, just the possibility of future cooperation. The actual person to inform was Nian Jincheng, so he wouldn’t think something happened to his good brother for not returning for so long.
But directly contacting Nian Jincheng was absolutely forbidden, it would be enough to tell Duanmu Chen.
“It’s going to take at least half a month for this round trip. Will you be able to return to Bei’an County before the end of the year?” Lin Shuzhi asked.
“He shouldn’t need that long.” Su Liang said, “Whether we return to Bei’an
County or not, let’s wait for him to come back.”
Lin Shuzhi nodded, “Since you’ve decided, I have no objections as your master. Just one thing, Jing’er, you must take care of yourself, those people are not worth risking your life for.”
“Okay.” Ning Jing nodded, then looked at Su Liang, “You can come see me off.”
The two of them walked through the academy towards the main gate.
“How long will it take you to come back?” Su Liang asked.
Ning Jing said, “Ten days.”
“Alright.” Su Liang nodded, “There have been some troubles lately, I’ll stay here to watch over Master and Xueqing, and try to convince Master to agree to leave Qianshan Academy with Xueqing to head to the capital city before you come back.”
The Lin Family father and daughter also had troubles recently, otherwise Su Liang could have gone back to Su Family village first.
As they approached the main gate, Su Liang suddenly remembered something, “Hold on!” He ran back.
Ning Jing stood waiting, and Su Liang soon returned, handing him the wound medicine and antidote he had made earlier, “I made these according to the recipe, I don’t know their effectiveness, you can give them a try.”
Ning Jing frowned at Su Liang, “Are you sure your antidote won’t poison me to death?”
Su Liang snorted, “Forget it then!”
Ning Jing put away the medicine bottles, “Let Ning Yao try.”
Su Liang’s lips curled slightly, “Alright!”
“Be careful.” Ning Jing said.
“So should you.” Su Liang, like a brother, clenched his fist and bumped Ning Jing’s shoulder, “Make sure Ning Yao dies in a ‘good-looking’ way.”
“Okay.” After Ning Jing finished speaking, he turned around and strode away..