Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 100

Ning Qinghong arrived silently and unexpectedly.

Wu Jing immediately distanced himself as if clearing himself of any involvement, releasing his hold on the Left Chancellor. Terrified, he lowered his head and retreated behind the others.

He cautiously tugged at Ning Qinghong’s sleeve, tentatively looking up to gauge his expression. His first concern was why Ning Qinghong had come out, especially such a long way to the palace to see him.

Could it be…

Wu Jing was both hopeful and confused, observing Ning Qinghong’s expression for a long time but unable to tell if he had recovered from his illness.

The young man then resignedly stared at the ground, lost in thought.

Wu Jing always struggled to understand the complex political matters and the exchanges between court officials. He was usually at a loss, trying to avoid causing trouble.

He stepped aside, standing obediently behind Ning Qinghong and waiting for him to handle the situation.

Wu Jing asked, “When did you arrive? I wasn’t talking about you behind your back; I even defended you.” He was embarrassed to let the Left Chancellor hear, so he whispered, “Did you hear any of that?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Left Chancellor, who had been kneeling and bowing, finally stood up, still trembling. He had been prostrate on the ground, completely unaware of when Ning Qinghong had arrived.

At this point, he was not afraid at all.

The Left Chancellor, with righteous indignation, coldly snorted, “The truth of what this old minister has said, I’m sure Lord Ning knows in his heart.”

He looked at the young emperor hiding behind Ning Qinghong as if at a misguided young ruler and coughed heavily.

“You do not allow His Majesty to engage in state affairs, nor permit court officials to have audiences. Yet, if it’s due to the emperor’s illness, His Majesty just admitted that he has recovered and is well.”

“The will of the late emperor should no longer be valid. From today, the imperial seal previously in your possession should be returned to His Majesty.”

Wu Jing, not understanding what was happening, hurriedly looked up, “Wait!” He paused, “I saw the memorial yesterday, but I didn’t quite understand it and didn’t finish reading it.”

“I have also seen the cabinet ministers before and have some impressions of them. I see the imperial seal every day when Ning Qinghong reviews documents, but I have no interest in it.”

“I have indeed recovered, but I know nothing about state affairs. I won’t learn quickly, and if you give it to me, it will definitely cause problems.” He said tactfully, “Let things remain as they were before, as they are now?”

Wu Jing grew more resolute as he spoke, and considering that Ning Qinghong might still be ill, he gathered his courage and stepped forward, blocking the Left Chancellor’s path. He said to the Left Chancellor, “Let it be this way.”

“The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Please, Your Majesty, think this over!”

“If you trust the villain now, this traitor might seize power and cause chaos in the world—”

The Left Chancellor’s words were interrupted.

Wu Jing enumerated, “But… I have only been on the throne for half a year. In the past years, the world has not been in chaos.”

“I remember the previous floods. It’s been a while now; the people must have received relief funds, and the flood defenses have been built.”

“Previously, I also heard in the palace that the list for the imperial exams was carefully considered. If it had been a random decree, you wouldn’t have accepted it, right?”

“And when I went to the night market outside the palace, the people were lively and content. No one recognized me as the emperor, but everyone was doing well.”

Wu Jing glanced at Ning Qinghong and hesitated, asking the Left Chancellor, “I wonder if the new policy allowing the descendants of merchants to enter the court has been successfully implemented?”

The Left Chancellor nodded in confusion.

Wu Jing was pleased, “See, the people are living better, so there’s nothing wrong with that.” He said, “I understand this, and… guilty people should be punished, as long as the innocent are not harmed.”

Although Ning Qinghong’s methods…

Wu Jing didn’t dare to think too deeply.

The Left Chancellor was speechless, “But those crimes are not punishable by death! Not to mention that this traitor has killed people, confiscated property, and engaged in widespread looting and arson!”

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Left Chancellor, your words are mistaken. The property confiscated was from corrupt officials. I merely took back the state’s belongings.” He paused, “They are temporarily stored in my residence’s warehouse.”

“I have not taken any of the people’s wealth.”

The Left Chancellor was so enraged that he coughed violently.

Wu Jing, who always defended Ning Qinghong, was stunned for a while. He couldn’t sort out the logic and felt that since the items were from bad people, it seemed… acceptable?

Ning Qinghong said, “Not to mention, Ning’s residence is bustling every day, with people coming to offer gifts. They bring them themselves, so what harm is there in me accepting them?”

Wu Jing took a while to respond, feeling that it seemed reasonable, and nodded along.

The Left Chancellor was furious, “You, you—”

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Today, out of respect for the Left Chancellor’s loyalty, I will pretend I didn’t hear anything.” He raised his finger, “Come here—”

Ning Qinghong, with a caring tone, said, “Left Chancellor, with your severe coughing, don’t collapse outside the palace gates. Send him to the imperial hospital to be examined.” He spoke gently, “A veteran of two reigns and a loyal servant.”

“We mustn’t let the Left Chancellor leave like this.”

There seemed to be deeper meaning in his words.

As the palace attendants helped the Left Chancellor leave, Ning Qinghong’s deep gaze followed him, as if contemplating something. Suddenly, he looked at the young emperor, who was also holding onto his sleeve and curiously following his gaze as the Left Chancellor departed.

Wu Jing sensed his gaze and looked back. The moment their eyes met, he was captivated by Ning Qinghong’s thoughtful expression, and he immediately stopped looking around, gazing at him with anticipation, “Why did you come, Brother?”

His voice was anxious and ingratiating.

Before Ning Qinghong could ask, Wu Jing quickly confessed, “I was planning to return and have breakfast with you, but I was stopped as soon as I left the hall. I’ve already told him not to come looking for me again.”

Ning Qinghong smiled, “It’s alright.” He comforted him, speaking slowly, “Wu Wu came alone to court today, which probably made the Left Chancellor’s faction think of something, causing him to come here.”

“But their leader is too foolishly loyal to stir up any real trouble. Besides being overly blunt, the Left Chancellor is considered a clean official.”

Ning Qinghong reached out to gently pat the back of the young man’s neck, speaking softly, “You don’t need to be too scared.”

Wu Jing replied softly, “Who’s scared?”

Ning Qinghong continued with a smile, “You don’t need to worry about being discovered by your brother.” He spoke tenderly, “In school, you don’t need to be afraid of speaking up or going out to play.”

“My tolerance is not so petty.”

Wu Jing’s ears grew warm, and after realizing what Ning Qinghong meant, he carefully observed his expression and asked quietly, “Are you feeling a little better?”

Ning Qinghong gently pinched Wu Jing’s warm earlobe and softly hummed in response, only half-smiling.

The next moment, Wu Jing joyfully leaped onto him, tiptoeing and hugging him tightly, extremely happy.

Ning Qinghong supported him with a mixture of helplessness and amusement, “Are you this happy, Wu Wu?”

Wu Jing nodded, “If you are well, of course, I will be happy.”

Ning Qinghong countered, “Really?”

Wu Jing hesitated but spoke the truth, “I am a bit tired.” He quickly added, “Not very tired, though.”

“It’s just that every day I worry that you might be even less happy. I keep thinking about how to make you feel better.”

“I’ve been calculating…”

“How I can spend more time with you.”

After saying this, Wu Jing shyly buried his face in Ning Qinghong’s shoulder, rubbing against it. After a while, he suddenly felt his burning earlobes being gently kissed.

His ears turned even redder.

Ning Qinghong’s face brushed against his, and he chuckled softly, “Wu Wu, you indeed haven’t brought home less money each day.”

Wu Jing tried to avoid the tickling sensation of his breath, “How did you see my pouch?”

Ning Qinghong sighed slightly, “The servants put money in it every day. They have to report to your brother, so naturally, I know.”

Wu Jing stammered, “I didn’t mean it that way. I didn’t mean to keep it from you…”

Ning Qinghong gently turned Wu Jing’s face towards him, and the next moment, his lips brushed against Wu Jing’s. He didn’t immediately part his lips but lingered on the surface for a moment before pulling back slightly.

His lips hovered over the moist, full lips, the breath lingering and connecting.

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Wu Wu, how did you become so well-behaved?” He said, “You’re even afraid of making your brother unhappy when talking to others or going out to play.”

“You’ve locked yourself around your brother.”