Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 103

The young emperor paced anxiously outside the closed palace doors, lost in thought, walking back and forth slowly with his head lowered, not knowing what he was contemplating.

At the steps below the palace hall were the palace eunuchs and guards. On the white marble steps were the corridor beneath the eaves of the hall, where the Lord was discussing affairs with the cabinet ministers inside.

At this time, only the emperor could come close to the palace doors.

Even Fuchen, who was following him, was benefiting from this. He saw that the emperor couldn’t make up his mind, and as he was about to push open the door to find the Lord, he hesitated and withdrew his hand, feeling anxious and indecisive.

He was also growing impatient, and gently advised, “Your Majesty, you need not worry about disturbing the Lord.”

“Just push open the door and go in.”

Was it a matter of whether he could go in or not?

Wu Jing had originally intended to ask Ning Qinghong for clarification, but in the end, he wondered if he was being too reckless. What if he had misunderstood? What if the situation was not as he thought…

Would it end up like the previous times, with no resolution?

He could always find Ning Qinghong whenever he wanted, no matter when or where.

But this one door was impossible to cross.

No one was stopping him.

Just as Fuchen was about to persuade him again, the palace doors were suddenly opened, and a few officials helped each other out, chatting as they left.

When Fuchen looked back, the emperor had already vanished.

Fuchen was alarmed and hurriedly searched, “Your Majesty? Your Majesty—”

At the moment the doors opened, Wu Jing had quickly disappeared, hiding behind a pillar and pretending that no one could see him.

Fuchen called out, “Your Majesty? I heard you came; come out quickly.”

Wu Jing, in a panic, tried to flee without a clear direction.

Fuchen followed closely, “Your Majesty, where are you going?”

“I—I want to leave the palace.”

Anywhere was fine, just not staying here; he needed some peace and quiet.

Wu Jing thought this and nodded, “Yes, I want to leave the palace. It’s been a while since I attended the academy.” He argued, “Even though I’ve taken a leave today, isn’t there a distinction between morning and evening leaves?”

“After lunch in the Yangxin Hall, please take me out of the palace—.”

“Where does Wu Wu want to go?”

A familiar soft laugh suddenly sounded.

Wu Jing, startled, froze in place, unable to speak a word, feeling as if he wanted to bury himself behind the pillar.

Fuchen took a risk, “Your Majesty said you wanted to return to Yangxin Hall for lunch, and then leave the palace to attend the academy. He said he only took a morning leave today, not an evening one.”

Wu Jing carefully listened to the sounds behind him.

After a moment, Ning Qinghong casually said, “Then go ahead.”

Wu Jing sighed with relief.

Ning Qinghong continued, “Come here.”

Wu Jing hesitated, lowered his head, and turned, noticing the corner of Ning Qinghong’s crimson clothing, and slowly moved over, gently tugging at his sleeve.

He heard Ning Qinghong instruct, “Return to Yangxin Hall.”

Fuchen scrambled to comply, “Yes, yes.”

When the palanquin was brought over, Ning Qinghong stood beside the young emperor. He leaned down slightly to smooth Wu Jing’s disheveled hair and gently asked, “Why are you unhappy again?”

Wu Jing was taken aback and shook his head in panic, “No, no.” His voice grew softer, and each time he gathered the courage to ask something, he ultimately lost his resolve.

“Why… why did you let the Left Minister come looking for me?” Wu Jing hesitated, “He scolded you like that. Aren’t you thinking of me…”

He couldn’t continue.

Ning Qinghong said, “Wu Wu, look up.”

Wu Jing hesitantly raised his face.

Ning Qinghong, making it easier to smooth his hair, continued, “Though the Left Minister’s words were harsh, they were not entirely baseless. Are you afraid of what he said? Why are you still concerned about your elder brother?”

Wu Jing quickly denied, “But there must be a reason behind it, and what he said was so harsh…”

Ning Qinghong’s fingers, which had been stroking his hair, had unknowingly moved to his brows, eyes, and neck. Wu Jing felt the warmth from his touch and looked up at Ning Qinghong, whose eyes were gently focused on him.

The closeness was so intense that their noses almost touched, allowing Wu Jing to see the soft, almost tender affection in Ning Qinghong’s eyes.

It was enchanting, making him feel dazed.

Wu Jing had never seen this before, but for some reason, he could see it clearly today.

Ning Qinghong softly explained, “Although the Left Minister is loyal but foolish, he is not a corrupt official. Even if there are people in his faction with ulterior motives, as long as the Left Minister is present, there won’t be major problems.” He added, “It’s fine to keep him around for a few days and find some enjoyment.”

In the distance, someone reported faintly, “Master, Your Majesty, the palanquin has been brought over.”

Ning Qinghong spoke without pausing, “These people value the bloodline of the Great Zhou and are loyal to the royal family. They will not pose any threat to the person on the dragon throne, so Wu Wu need not worry too much—”

Before he could finish his sentence,

The young emperor suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed the side of Ning Qinghong’s face, effectively stopping him from speaking.

After this kiss, Wu Jing did not run away. Instead, he tentatively reached out with his slim fingers to grasp Ning Qinghong’s hand, stammering, “The, the palanquin has arrived. Let’s go quickly.”

Ning Qinghong raised his eyebrows slightly and walked along with the young emperor.

After taking a few steps, Wu Jing softly said, “I don’t want to hear this.” After saying that, he pretended as if he hadn’t spoken, “Let’s get on quickly; I’m hungry.”

After lunch in the Yangxin Hall, it would take nearly half an hour to get from the palace to the National Academy. Wu Jing hurriedly got into the carriage and headed out of the palace.

When they arrived at the National Academy, they happened to encounter students who had just finished their meal and were heading out, greeted by their classmates.

“Ning Jing? You’ve finally come,” Meng Zhao said.

“The ritual wine officer said you were ill and had taken a few days off. We were thinking of preparing some gifts to visit you.” Standing next to him was Ma Qingyang.

Liu Cheng scratched his head and continued, “But no one dared to visit that place. I’m sorry, but I’ve written down what the old gentleman taught these past few days and left it on your desk. How is your health?”

Wu Jing had gotten used to the people from this academy frequently organizing group activities. He knew that most people were familiar with each other due to family connections in the capital, and their relationships were good in the academy as well.

On the surface, everyone seemed to have a good temperament, nurtured by prestigious families, and they didn’t engage in petty behavior.

He felt comfortable interacting with them.

Wu Jing felt a bit lost, “It’s nothing serious.”

Someone said, “We’ve arranged to meet the students from the neighboring academy and are preparing to go for a feast. Since you’re here, why not join us for a welcome gathering?”

Wu Jing touched the bag at his waist and after a moment of consideration, agreed and left with them.

Liu Cheng chatted with him, “Today we discussed Jia Yi’s strategies for maintaining peace, with everyone saying that the world is already at peace… Ah, what was the previous part?”

He noticed Wu Jing was not very good at socializing, so he tried to liven up the atmosphere.

Soon, others answered.

Wu Jing followed up with, “What does this mean…”

The group boarded a carriage and went to a pavilion set up for a flowing wine feast.

Since everyone had already had their meal, the dishes served were mostly small snacks and appetizers for drinking. The sound of water trickling continued, and those who did not drink alcohol were given fruit drinks.

The lotus leaf carrying the wine cup would stop in front of someone, who would then compose a poem. Those who couldn’t compose one would self-punish with three cups.

Wu Jing rested his chin on his hand, watching them play while lost in thought, holding his fruit drink and sipping intermittently.

He did not drink alcohol and thus did not participate in that part of the event.

There were also other games like tossing pots and dice, but he did not join in. He had to go back to the academy after the feast, and he couldn’t afford to get drunk. Some people who couldn’t drink anymore tried to avoid paying.

Liu Cheng, who had drunk three cups himself, being the organizer of the feast, smiled at his friends and said, “The wine order is as important as a military order. Regardless of rank, I am the master here. Those who disobey me will be punished.” He twisted his wrist, indicating that he had finished his drink, “Those who can’t drink should voluntarily follow the wine order at the feast. Everyone should think of a way to punish him.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Only Wu Jing looked at the wine cup in Liu Cheng’s hand, unsure of what to think. After a while, when things calmed down, he approached and asked, “How do you play this wine order game? What is the wine order?”

“I also want to learn.”

*Author’s Note: The phrase “The wine order is as important as a military order. Regardless of rank, I am the master here. Those who disobey me will be punished” comes from Chapter 40 of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.